And today is .......

[tiger_one]

September 24 falls in the middle of International Week of Deaf People, a week-long national celebration of Deaf individuals and the Australian Deaf community. This includes celebrating the International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) and International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) which are initiatives of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD).

These two events are traditionally held during September and are based on the founding date of the WFD (23 September 1951). National Week of Deaf People is an opportunity for Deaf people to celebrate their communities, language, culture and history; make the public aware of their local, state and national Deaf communities; and to recognise their achievements.

This year’s theme is "Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights."

We adopt the World Federation of the Deaf’s daily themes for the International Week of Deaf People for use throughout NWDP.

The 2026 daily themes are:

• Monday, 21 September 2026 | 20 Years of the CRPD and National Sign Languages
• Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | The Right to a Quality Multilingual Inclusive Education
• Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights
• Thursday, 24 September 2026 | No Access Without National Sign Language
• Friday, 25 September 2026 | Nothing About Us Without Us
• Saturday, 26 September 2026 | Deaf Culture is a Human Right
• Sunday, 27 September 2026 | 75 Years of Human Rights

On the International Day of Sign Language, the World Federation of the Deaf invites all public places, public landmarks and official buildings, Presidential houses, County buildings, City Halls, and others to be spotlighted in blue light. Highlighting the colour blue is a reaffirmation of our joint commitment to supporting national sign languages and showing solidarity with global deaf communities. Together, we can achieve human rights and a more equal society via the use of national sign languages in all areas of life.

The Blue Light Challenge is a unique opportunity for national governments to partner with their national associations of deaf people in achieving the human rights of their deaf communities.

This year there is also a new global initiative: the Deaf Flag Raising. This symbolic action would consist of raising the Deaf flag in public spaces, deaf associations, schools, businesses, and government institutions to celebrate the deaf people and promote the visibility, recognition, and cultural heritage of deaf communities.

The Deaf Flag is a powerful symbol for deaf communities, representing unity, recognition, and the ongoing fight for equal rights. In 2023, the XX General Assembly of WFD officially approved the Deaf Flag.

Turquoise Blue represents the deaf community and Sign Language, pride and unity. Yellow represents the colour of light, an enlightened spirit, life and “thriving in unison”. Dark Blue represents the earth, humanity and living in accordance with the planet. It is also the color of the WFD, our logo is blue, we wear blue ribbons in support of deaf people, and deaf cultures all over the world recognize blue as representing deaf people. On the International Day of Sign Languages, we even celebrate by shining a blue light! Blue is deeply connected to the roots of the deaf community.

All of these colours together represent an awareness of humanity as inherently diverse, a diversity of peoples and languages on Earth. This flag shows that we are here, we belong to this world, we are a part of humanity. Deaf people are a part of a rich diversity that makes humanity better.

Hearing loss is more common than many people realise, with Ear Science Institute Australia research showing that 1 in 6 Australians experience some degree of hearing loss.

Hearing loss can be caused by:

• genetics
• complications during birth
• premature birth
• jaundice
• infections or illnesses
• chronic middle ear fluid.

And sometimes no cause is found.

Over 5.46 million Australians live with some form of hearing loss or ear disorder, making it one of the nation's most widespread health challenges, with prevalence projected to reach 1 in 4 people by 2050.

Prevalence and Demographics: Hearing loss is heavily linked to aging and noise exposure, affecting roughly 1 in 5 Australians currently. It disproportionately impacts older adults, men, and regional communities, with rates up to 10 times higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

Childhood Screening: Here in Australia, one out of every 1,000 children is diagnosed at birth with a permanent hearing loss, usually identified through newborn hearing screening. By the time they reach school age, 2 in every 1,000 children are diagnosed as having a hearing loss. This is because some cases of hearing loss develop after birth.

Hearing loss in children can develop at any time, even if they passed their newborn hearing screening. It can be temporary, caused by conditions like ear infections or wax blockage, or permanent due to illness, accidents, or genetic reasons.

When children have a hearing loss, they cannot hear certain sounds or parts of conversations. This depends on what type of hearing loss they have and whether it is mild, moderate, severe or profound.

Support and Funding Pathways: Eligible Australians—including pensioners, veterans, and young people under 26 - can access subsidized or free hearing services through the federal Hearing Services Program (HSP), while individuals with permanent and significant impairments may qualify for support via the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Prevention and Advocacy: The national peak body Deafness Forum Australia notes that up to 50% of hearing loss cases are entirely preventable through public education, workplace noise-safety standards, and early intervention.

So, IWDP is relevant to so many Aussies, and all those they connect with. This week promotes awareness related to sign languages and the people who use them. In addition, the desire is to create a society that has a greater understanding and embraces the diversity of everyone, including people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

So, we just need to listen up!

 

[happy_tiger]

Redhead Appreciation Day curls onto our calendars each September 23.

Natural red hair is the rarest hair colour in the world, so it’s only natural that there’s a special day for this special hair colour.

Redheads in Australia make up an estimated 1% to 2% of the population, though some demographic reports put the concentration of people carrying the red-hair gene significantly higher at 6% to 8% due to deep historical Celtic roots.

This uniquely high concentration stems from early colonial history, when a massive number of Irish and Scottish convicts, rebels, and free settlers emigrated to Australia during the 1800s.

Ironically, Australia's sun-scorched, high-UV climate makes it one of the most environmentally hostile places for the fair-skinned, UV-sensitive MC1R gene. Most redheads have brown, hazel, or green eyes, though lighter eye colors like blue are also very common.

Redheads are not genetically "stronger" in an overall physical sense, but they do possess unique genetic traits and adaptations linked to the MC1R gene.

Unique Genetic Advantages

• Efficient Vitamin D Production: Redheads can synthesize vitamin D more effectively in low-light environments due to their fair skin, which was an evolutionary advantage in northern climates.
• Pain and Temperature Sensitivity: Studies suggest they may have a higher tolerance for certain types of pain, though they are also more sensitive to thermal extremes (hot and cold).
• Natural Selection: A large study published in Nature showed that the genetic variants for red hair have been favoured by natural selection over the last 10,000 years, often linked to dietary and lifestyle shifts like the rise of early farming.

Delayed Greying: Red hair tends not to turn grey the standard way; it often fades through shades of blonde or rose gold before turning white.

• Temperature Sensitivity: Redheads are more sensitive to thermal changes, meaning they can detect shifts in hot and cold temperatures faster than others.
• Thicker Strands: Redheads generally have fewer total strands of hair (around 90,000) compared to blondes or brunettes, but each individual strand is noticeably thicker.
• Anesthesia Resistance: Studies show that natural redheads may require up to 20% more general anaesthesia to achieve unconsciousness during medical procedures.

Associated Health Risks

• Sun Sensitivity: Because redheads lack the protective skin pigment eumelanin, Australians with red hair face a higher risk of UV damage and skin cancer in the intense local climate.
• Medical Conditions: The same genetic shifts tied to red hair have been correlated with an increased susceptibility to conditions like celiac disease, alongside lower risks for other traits like diabetes or baldness.

How Red Hair Inheritance Works

• Recessive Trait: Red hair is an autosomal recessive trait. This means having the trait requires two copies of the gene variant (usually mutations in the MC1R gene), with one copy coming from the mother and one copy coming from the father.
• Carriers: Parents do not need to have red hair themselves to pass it on. If a parent has brown or blonde hair, they can still carry one hidden copy of the red hair gene.
• Chances: When both parents carry a hidden red hair gene (even if neither has red hair), there is a 25% chance their child will inherit both copies and be born with red hairIf one parent has red hair and the other carries the gene, the chance goes up to 50%.

The cultural experience of being a redhead "Down Under" is distinct, defined by highly localized slang, historic light-hearted teasing, and modern celebration.

Australia has birthed specific vernacular specifically for people with red hair:

• "Ranga": A highly common, distinctly Australian abbreviation of orangutan. While it has been widely used affectionately—even celebrated by high-profile visitors like Prince Harry—its origins in 1990s schoolyards mean it has frequently been weaponised as a derogatory bullying term.
• "Bluey": A classic example of traditional Australian ironic humour, where people are nicknamed after their exact opposite. Just as a giant might be nicknamed "Tiny", redheads are historically called "Bluey".
• Other Nicknames: Other common local descriptors include blood nut, carrot top, and copper top.

Regional towns, like Orange in New South Wales, have hosted massive gatherings aiming for Guinness World Records for the most natural redheads gathered in one place, raising money for charity.

And there’s lots of famous Aussie redheads who proudly raise the redhead profile, such as Nicole Kidman, Pauline Hanson, Tim Minchin, Emma (from The Wiggles), Sarah Snook, Julia Gillard, Isla Fischer, Chrissy Amphlett, Simon Baker, Paul Vautin, Corey Horsburgh, Lance Thompson (RIP), Gary Larson, Alex Seyfarth, Keith Galloway, Kaylyn Ponga, Mick Neil, Alan Neil, Phil Gould, Craig McDermott, and the list just goes on and on ……

Today is a day for all of them and all the redheads everywhere who quietly live one special day at a time.



Fun Facts about Redheads:

• Phar Lap: Even Australia's most legendary, historic racehorse was affectionately nicknamed "Big Red" due to his stunning chestnut coat.
• Fewer strands, thicker hair: Redheads have around 90,000 strands of hair on average compared to 140,000 for brunettes, but each individual red strand is noticeably thicker.
• Left-handedness: Because red hair and left-handedness are both recessive traits that tend to travel together, redheads are more likely to be left-handed.
• Attracting bees: Some observations and studies suggest that bees may be more attracted to people with red hair.
• The genetic mutation in the MC1R gene doesn’t just influence colour but also impacts the shape and texture of the hair follicles. As a result, red hair often has a unique wave or curl pattern that distinguishes it from other hair colours.

“Red hair isn't just a colour; it's a bold, fiery personality trait and a walking sunrise”

“If you're betwixt and between, trust the one with red hair”

“It's not a party until a redhead shows up”

“Caution: Natural redhead. Do not place under direct sunlight”



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Shift all the rangas off to their own island ....let them breed with each other

 

[Buttface]

Shift all the rangas off to their own island ....let them breed with each other

We all heard that.

You take care today.