Assignment 3(c)-1st festival: Australian Red Nose Day
Red Nose Day, held annually on the last Friday in June, its motive is to raise fund for the SIDS and kids organisation.
Why a Red Nose?
In 1988, the Red Nose Day concept was created by SIDS and Kids organisations around Australia. Since then, people and things like cars and buildings around the nation have joined in the fun. The red nose always brings a smile to their faces.
About SIDS and Kids
SIDS and Kids leads health promotion, dedicated to the elimination of sudden and unexpected infant death. Well-known for SIDS-related research and education programs, in 2002 SIDS and Kids changed their name to reflect the services they offered, and now provide much-needed counselling and support to all Australian families who have suffered the sudden death of an infant or young child, regardless of the cause. This service is provided free of charge, and available 24/7, 360 days per year.
Where Does The Red Nose Day Fund Go To?
Donation collected from the Red Nose Day helps in the following services and programmes:
•24 hours, 365 days per year crisis outreach and they give support for families and the community following the sudden and unexpected death of an infant or young child from 20 weeks gestation to 6 years.
•SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Program, it is an evidence-based health promotion campaign which offers practical advice to parents and health professionals about how to best decrease the risks of SIDS and sleep accidents.
• Research into the causes and prevention of sudden and unexpected death in the perinatal period and infancy.
How to participate and know more about the day?
- Get a red nose from your nearest store and wear it!
- The first Australian Red Nose Day was also successful as about a million face noses sold, leading to the raise of about $1.3 million and increased the awareness of the cause continously. Organisers were happy with the successful results and decided to make Red Nose Day a national event.
- In 1989 two million face noses were sold at $1.50 each and a new button badge that cost $2 was included with a picture of a chicken saying 'I'm too chicken to wear a red nose'. This price included a fine of 50 cents for not wearing a red nose! The 'chicken' badge has changed each year to feature an animal with a catchy slogan. These badges have become a Red Nose Day collector's item, and are in great demand every year.
Characters and slogans used to date include:
Chicken: "I'm too chicken to wear a red nose."
Bear: "I couldn't bear to wear a red nose."
Echidna: "Sometimes it's good to be nosy."
Possum: "I couldn't possumly wear a red nose."
Galah: "I'd rather be a galah than wear a red nose."
Diamond Python: "When a snake grows toes, I'll wear a red nose."
Platypus: "A red nose is fine but I'd much prefer mine."
Pig: "When pigs fly I'll wear a red nose."
Emu: "How emusing it would be to see a red nose on me."
Fish: "I wouldn't be caught wearing a red nose."
Kangaroo: "Hey Hey Hey it's red nose day."
Elephant: "Give me red toes, not a red nose."
Dog: "I wouldn't paws for a red nose."
Frog: "Wear a red nose? Froget it."
Bear: "I can't 'bear' to wear a red nose." view badges
Our personal opinions:
We think that it is really very creative for the Australians to have such a day. Not only does it let people to have fun, but it also contributes to the society, by donating money, as a form of good deed. All we have to do is just buy a red nose and wear it, have fun, and the money we use to buy the nose would go to charity. How easy and meaningful it is! I think that Singapore should organise such events too, so that Singaporeans, who have good living conditions, can actually contribute to the society. Also, for donation organisers, they would not have to get Mediacorp television station to get people to ask for donation. People can just buy a red nose on Red Nose Day and the donations will go to the proceeds. In addition, helping the needy by just buying an affordable red nose is just like bringing happiness to yourself. So by holding this event, not only are the people of the country doing good deeds, they will also feel proud and happy of what they have done.
