Welcome to my new column. I’ve joined forces with Two Flat Whites and will be delivering you with a weekly dose of what has been hitting our headlines. Check out the In The News section on the site. Covering everything from politics, the arts, sport, current affairs, entertainment, lifestyle and business, this is your boiling broth of tasty headlines and opinion.

Nothing new about racism hitting the news stands in Australia it seems. The latest issues raised have been attacks against Indian Australians. Earlier in the week there were a couple of attacks in Melbourne and over the last few months an allegation of a murder in South East New South Wales over unpaid wages and a riot in Western Sydney. It’s been over 200 years and we are yet to come to terms with our multiculturalism and realise just how wonderful this country of ours just really is and how much more we could achieve!

Heat waves, Adelaide temperatures hitting the 40’s most of last week, Melbourne and Sydney having the hottest Summers of all time and overall, figures released that 2009 was the second warmest year since measuring began. What is really happening? You ask one set of scientists and we are in deep trouble, ask the other side and we have nothing to fear? Confused, join the club. But what I do know is that we have been treating this planet with contempt for far too long and its time we were all a little smarter.

The anti whaling ship Ady Gil is allegedly rammed by the Japanese vessel Shonan Maru 2. The Australian government are dodging and weaving, it seems the financial interests of this nation are a higher priority than the safety of human life and the whales. Do we really not want to piss off the Japanese that much, as our 3rd largest trading partner it seems so?

Over 40,000 people have bought there first home in 2009 with the government paying over $33 billion in concessions. With the money offered now scaling down, how will this affect the housing market? We will need to keep a close eye on our new Premier Kristina Keneally who not only is the first female Premier of New South Wales but seems to be doing a pretty good job so far since taking over the post in early December.

In other news, the Australian test team beat Pakistan in a remarkable come from behind victory in the Sydney Test Match. Reports have come out that some of the Australian Rugby League players were unhappy with coach Sheens’ tight rains off the field in there recent tour. Are they kidding? What is wrong with some Rugby League players? Wedding anyone? Supermodel Catherine McNeil and MTV presenter Ruby Rose are now engaged. And finally, if your in Sydney you can’t beat the Sydney Festival with plenty to do for all the family. See you next week.

Article written by Annabelle Knight.

Welcome to 2010. I’m never sure what to make of this time of the year. What’s more significant is that one year has come to an end and a new year has begun. It’s generally a relaxed month, its summer and we all have good intentions to get things started on the right foot.

Here at Two Flat Whites, we’re all about giving creative types the chance to share their talent with the world. Two Flat Whites focuses on discovering, promoting & nurturing Australian talent. Whether you are a budding young writer, fashion designer, artist, photographer, musician, restaurateur, chef or film maker this is the network for you!

Our website is full of lively reviews of films, music and restaurants; information about upcoming events, interviews with talented individuals from a range of industries; and lots of creative opportunities & competitions.

Two Flat Whites encourages submissions of articles on a variety of topics from young writers. We have been busy encouraging more writers to get onboard and I’m sure you will notice the difference, with more creative writing from our network of insightful contributors.

Our network while having the same feel, has been transformed adding some new exciting topics; if you are interested in Australian Music, Film, Food and Wine, Art and Design, Towns and Places or obtaining your dose of what is hitting the headlines this is the network for you.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support in 2009 and look forward to seeing you back in 2010. So strap yourself in and enjoy the ride!

The Two Flat Whites Team

It’s interesting to see how logo’s come about. Not long ago we saw that Melbourne updated their logo, now Brisbane has followed suit. It was hard to find much if any information about it but I had seen it used around the place and I managed to find a good article on the Brisbane logo update here.

Sydney’s artistic fraternity came together in force this week to reward and recognise the city’s most creative and innovative characters. The 2009 SMAC Awards, held at Helm Bar, saw leading musos Kim Moyes, Kirk Pengilly alongside Archibald prize winner, Del Kathryn Barton and Academy Award winning director, Steven Soderbergh, turn up to honour and celebrate this year’s winners.

Muso turned politician John Wardle, who has tirelessly campaigned to get the POPEs abolished, took home the most prestigious award of the evening, the SMAC of the Year. The SMAC of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding artist, professional, or group/collective in any field in Sydney who forwards the cultural fabric of Sydney. John’s work has since opened the floodgates for Sydney musicians to be able to play ‘string free’ in venues across the state.

Oscar-winner, Cate Blanchett, was awarded Best Performer following her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire for The Sydney Theatre Company – her award was collected by her husband Andrew Upton. Fergus Brown was awarded Best Sydney Song for ‘John, She Was Never Only Dancing.’

In the music categories, electronic trio Seekae won Best Live Music Act whilst the Best Music Event went to Nick Cave’s All Tomorrow’s Parties. The Record of the Year award went to the Lost Valentinos for their debut album, Cities of Gold, whilst The Red Rattler was awarded Best Collective and Sherlock’s Daughter picked up Next Big Thing – Music.

Sydney artist, Wade Marynowsky was given the accolade for Best Artist with Semi Permanent, the annual design convention, winning Best Arts Event and the Sydney Festival winning Best Major Festival. I Heart Kings Cross was awarded the Remix in the City Award for rethinking what’s possible and getting creative within the ever colourful area. The event saw the community come together to knit giving residents and visitors an insight into the creativity of one of Sydney’s best loved suburbs.

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The internet has just turned 40 years old.  In 1969, computers sending data between two California universities set the stage for the Internet, which became a household word in the 1990s and is now a part of everyone’s lives!

What would the 21st century be without computers? In 1969 two computers passed test data through a 15-foot gray cable. Stanford Research Institute joined the fledging ARPANET network a month later; UC Santa Barbara and the University of Utah joined by year’s end, and the internet was born.

In the 70s, the silicon chip became the basis of a new generation of computerised devices. Following the silicon chip, came games and e-mail, creating a social and industrial revolution. The Internet didn’t become a household word until the 90s, though, when Lee, a British physicist invented the Web and service providers connected millions of people for the first time, it grew to be the phenomenon it is today!

With the great evolvement of the World Wide Web and computers, everyone is waiting to see what the next generation of communication and gaming devices will look like.

Last night, the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence national winners were announced at an awards ceremony in Sydney. Matthew Dempsey, from Pettavel Winery and Restaurant, Victoria, was named the Electrolux Young Chef and Alice Heath, from Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove, Victoria, was named the Electrolux Young Waiter. Danielle Gjestland from Wasabi, Queensland, was named the inaugural Electrolux Young Restaurateur.

Now in its fifth year, Electrolux Appetite for Excellence is dedicated to educating and nurturing emerging hospitality industry professionals. The chef state finalists participated in a mystery box cook-off and state finalist waiters were tested in a series of customer skills and food and wine knowledge. Then all were carefully scrutinized in front of a panel of Australia’s leading chefs and hospitality leaders by way of an interview.

The prizes for all the winners are fantastic which includes a once in a lifetime experience to represent Australia in the prestigious S.Pellegrino Cooking Cup in Venice. Up to one month’s work experience at David Thompson’s Michelin Star Restaurant, Nahm, in London. As well as a two day trip to historic Henschke in the Eden Valley, South Australia and tasting in the cellars with Stephen and Prue Henschke. To top it off, winners also receive Electrolux Professional appliances, $5,000 cash to assist with travel and work experience expenses and a trophy.

For further details about the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence click here.

StreetSmart Australia will tomorrow announce the results, awards and community grants of its 2008 ‘dine out to help out’ campaign. Despite economic uncertainty, both restaurateurs and diners showed overwhelming support for the cause, raising $260,000 in the six weeks before Christmas.

238 restaurants across VIC, NSW, ACT and QLD participated in the campaign which was 53 more participants than in 2007. The amount raised last year is the largest figure to date with over $730,000 raised in total since the campaign’s first year in 2003.

StreetSmart will fund 63 grassroots projects that are delivering emergency aid as well as longer term programs helping to move people out of homelessness. 100% of funds raised through participating restaurants go to homeless organisations – with the majority of the grant recipients located in the same area as the participating restaurants. Uniquely, all administrative costs to run StreetSmart are covered through sponsorship and volunteer efforts.

StreetSmart is a unique bridge between the community and small, grassroots agencies that assist people experiencing homelessness. It supports critical services and emergency aid as well as projects that promote social inclusion, empowerment and sustainable change for people who are homeless. When money is raised from the public through fundraising events, 100 per cent of donations are distributed in the form of grants. To date StreetSmart has raised and distributed over $830,000 ($730,000 plus another $100,000 raised for Bush Fire Survivors) to 188 grassroots projects.

For full details on the campaign including results, awards and community grants click here.

Maitland based artist James Brennan has won the Bald Archy Prize 2009 & has claimed the prize two years in a row. His portrait of racing identity Bart Cummings, called ‘Old Owl Eyes Is Back’ was judged the winner of this year’s competition. In 2008, his satirical portrait of the Danish royal family in their underwear won the competition.

The Bald Archy Prize is known for attracting often controversial and humorous entries from around the country. This year entries include daring and bold portraits of Australian characters such as Bill Henson, Julia Gillard, Andrew Denton, Morris Iemma, Nicole Kidman and many more painted by amateur and professional artists.

The winning entry & the other 46 finalists are on exhibition in the ABC Ultimo foyer. The exhibition will run from the 9th March to 8th April 2009. Open week days from 9am- 5pm and weekends from 10am – 4pm at the ABC’s Ultimo Centre, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo.

The winner of the Doug Moran Photographic Prize for 2009 was announced today & went to Dean Sewell for his photo titled ‘A Dry Argument’. Dean is a well known photographer that has travelled the world & taken some amazing photos. This isn’t Dean’s first award; he took out the World Press Photo Award in 2000, 2002 & 2005. He was also named Australian Press Photographer of the Year in 1994 & 1998.

The Doug Moran portrait prize is not only Australia’s richest portrait prize but the worlds. The exhibition is on show at the State Library of New South Wales from the 11th March 2009.

Exhibition on show from 11th March to 9th May 2009
Mitchell Galleries, State Library of NSW

Artist Guy Maestri has taken out the prestigious 2009 Archibald Prize with his portrait of blind Aboriginal singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (born 1970) is an indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language. He was born on Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land, Northern Australia about 350 miles from Darwin. He is from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother from the Galpu nation.