Here it is: our annual, much-anticipated, short story edition – bigger and better than ever. And what stories they are: an infamous old explorer takes history to task; a young man endures a harsh legacy; four Beijing sophisticates get some unexpected home help; a lone traveller finds a moment of connection in the company of strangers… These are a few of the tales you’ll find in The Big Issue’s sixth short story edition, from a mix of emerging and established writers, accompanied by images from an impressive range of artists. There’s so much great content – including some of the popular regular features – that we had to stretch this issue an extra eight pages.

Also in this issue:

Our vendor profile this issue sees the return of Raph from Brisbane, who featured in the same section back in Ed#190. There’s a bumper edition of Streetsheet, twice as long as usual, with contributions from Chris from Woden, ACT,  Peter G from Melbourne, Kelly from Melbourne, Jenny from Melbourne, Bryan from Canberra, and David from Norwood, Stirling and Blackwood, SA.

Ms Kent will offer her personal insight on the Prime Minister’s take on female leadership, drawing on the interviews she conducted for the 2009 biography.

She joins keynote speaker, Carol Schwartz AM, a leading Melbourne philanthropist and businesswoman, member of the City of Melbourne Enterprise Advisory Board and Chairman of Our Community.

The Third Sector Women’s Leadership Seminar is an event for professionals interested in leadership in business, the community, and politics.With an initial focus on women, speakers will also draw more widely on their greater experience to provide insight into leadership development of relevance to all sectors. There will also be ample professional development and networking opportunities in the panel session and interactive workshop.

The program includes:

• Presentation from acclaimed biographer Jacqueline Kent, author of The Making of Julia Gillard.
• Keynote Address by Carol Schwartz AM, a leading Melbourne philanthropist and businesswoman. Ms Schwartz is Executive in Residence at the Melbourne Business School, member of the City of Melbourne Enterprise Advisory Board, director of the philanthropic Trawalla Foundation, Chairman of Our Community and Deputy Chair of the Australian Women Donors Network.
• Presenters Jo Swift CEO of Kids Undercover and Patrizia Torelli Chair of OnSide Victoria. Ms Swift will talk about organisational change and the leadership required to achieve business goals, and Ms Torelli will talk about leadership interaction amongst culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Victoria.
• Professional development and networking opportunities during the interactive panel session, workshop, and during the buffet-style lunch.
• Workshop with SACS Consulting, a human resource and organisational psychology consulting firm, on the myths and truths of leadership development.

The Seminar will be held on Wednesday 21 July, from 9.00am–4.00pm at Rydges on Swanston, Carlton, Victoria.

Registration has been discounted to $479 for all not-for-profit and community organisations. A donation of $50 from each registration will be made to the International Women’s Development Agency.

Visit www.celebratethirdsectorwomen.com.au for more information, or contact Stephanie Fielden on 03 9248 5175 or at conferences@gs-press.com.au

Register NOW to avoid missing out!

The Big Issue Edition 358

Spicks and Specks host Adam Hills talks to Alan Attwood about fatherhood, turning 40 and 21 years of funny business.

Also in this issue:

After 94 years, there are still many mysteries buried in France, as the story of one boy soldier demonstrates; Vin Maskell pedals into the past to learn about his dad’s cycling days; our Italian correspondent Josephine McKenna reports on Caravaggio’s thriving legacy 400 years after the artist’s death; and in ‘Roving Eye’: it’s not only Icelanders who get by with a volcano in their backyard, the Tengger people of eastern Java know intimately what it means to play with fire.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Shane from Geelong. We have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Marcus and De in Melbourne; Glenn in Sydney; Phil and Bianca in Canberra, and Sarah in Perth.

The Big Issue Edition 357 

Despite being one of the most celebrated actors of his generation, Al Pacino remains an elusive figure. The star of classic movies including The Godfather trilogy, Scarface and Dog Day Afternoon, Pacino is now even rumoured to be Martin Scorsese’s first choice to play Frank Sinatra in a forthcoming project. In a rare interview, he opens up about acting, his most famous films and innate shyness. Meanwhile, Anthony Morris assesses his achievements.

Also in this issue:

Tim Rogers, known primarily as a singer and performer, draws on personal experience to help young people with mental-health issues. Multi-talented actors Kat Stewart and Justine Clarke discuss their roles in a highly acclaimed TV Series, Tangle. In ‘Indelibly Australian’, Fiona McGregor talks to Jo Case about her fifth novel, ‘Indelible Ink. And, in ‘Roving Eye’, we learn how homeless and troubled people in  Argentina discover the healing power of art.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Stix from Adelaide. We have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Laurie in Brisbane; Steve in Perth; Rob and Owen D in Melbourne, Mick and Glenn  in Sydney.

The Big Issue

 As sporting events go, they don’t come any bigger than the World Cup. This month, in South Africa, another one kicks off – and an Australian team is there. Fiona Crawford has the lowdown on games, groins and German plans to poop our party.

Also in this issue:

The other World Cup: why Street Soccer and the Homeless World Cup keep on kicking goals. Courtney Love tells Tom Hawking the strange, and very complicated, story behind Hole’s first album in ten years, while Benjamin Law talks to us about Mum and his collection of graphic autobiographical essays, The Family Law. And in a thought-provoking ‘Roving Eye’, we learn how a trip to a zoo changed photographer Kelly Hussey-Smith’s perspective on animals and their place in society.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Edmund from Canberra. We have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Jenny in Melbourne; Clinton and David in Perth; and Daniel in Sydney.

The Big Issue

Why is Russell Crowe starring in a remake of Robin Hood? Why is Iron Man still trying to save the world? Because, Alan Attwood suggests, we all need heroes. But isn’t it strange how the villains (that’s your cue, Mickey Rourke) are often more interesting. Also, Lee Zachariah describes how comic-book heroes are hitting the screen, while Debbie Lustig goes birdwatching.

Also in this issue:

We chat with Laurie Anderson, the multi-talented performer who – with her partner, Lou Reed – is putting on shows in Sydney.  Gillian Armstrong, the acclaimed Australian film director, talks about her documentary project while a group of Iraqi heavy-metal musicians, Acrassicauda, crank up the volume. In ‘Roving Eye’ we focus on the 10^th anniversary of Oculi, a group of Australian photographers.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Alan from Perth. We have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Daniel in Sydney; Phil G in Canberra; Daryl in Melbourne; and (for art-buffs) a portrait of Hans from Melbourne.

The Big Issue

In both Australia and the US, healthcare has become a political battleground. Both PM Kevin Rudd and President Barack Obama have wrangled deals – but at what cost? Alan Attwood reports on the state of political health; Dr Howard Goldenberg examines healthcare’s vital signs; and post-op patient Georgia Smith takes her first steps towards recovery.

Also in this issue:

In ‘Love his Way’, Peter Helliar’s first feature film shows the former Rove star can also romance an audience; author Maria Tumarkin returns to the former Soviet union in ‘Her Otherland’; in ‘Still Angry, Still Curious’, Punk-rock pioneer turned celeb broadcaster Henry Rollins speaks out; and in ‘Roving Eye’, photographer Chris Parkinson finds a deeper understanding of East Timorese life through street art.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Ken from Sydney. We have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Sarah in Perth; Kerrie and Campbell in Sydney; Kelly in Melbourne; and Bianca in the ACT. And The Big Issue farewells Melbourne vendor John Felson, who died in late April.

The Big Issue

Australians are mad for musicals. So why are there so few local products on offer? Alan Attwood reports. And Big Issue music editor Clem Bastow reveals Stephen Sondheim’s enduring influence: on musical theatre…and her life.

Also in this issue:

‘Bollyline’ takes a street-side view of India’s obsession with cricket; in ‘Keeping Current’, Eddie Current Suppression Ring may be finding fame, but they’re not losing their roots; actor Gary Sweet tackles a demanding wartime role with resonance close to home, in ‘Pacific Solution’; and in ‘Roving Eye’, US photographer Chris Payne turns his lens on the haunting beauty of America’s abandoned mental institutions.

Our ‘Vendor Profile’ is Barry from Brisbane. And we have ‘Streetsheet’ contributions from Braddley in Perth; Nathan in Melbourne; Glenn F, Mark and Melissa in Adelaide; Ted in Brisbane; Bianca in ACT and Bryan, also from ACT, is pictured at the National Folk Festival.

The Big Issue in Brisbane will hold its Film Night Fundraiser with the screening of Russell Crowe’s new epic, Robin Hood on Thursday May 13. It’s the fifth time Crowe and Scott have collaborated, back in 2001 they worked in propelling the blockbuster, Gladiator, to five Oscars.

This time the successful duo have teamed up with another award winning Australian actor, Cate Blanchett, to make it the first time this quintessentially English tale will be told with two Antipodeans in the lead roles.

The Big Issue invites members of the public to be the first to see Crowe play the legendary Robin of Loxely at the Barracks Cinema at 6pm on Thursday 13th May.

Tickets are $20 and include a complimentary glass of champagne or juice along with a copy of Filmink movie magazine. All money raised goes to support The Big Issue in Brisbane. To purchase a ticket call 07 3036 4420.

The Haiti Project: A Christina Simons Photographic Exhibition and Fundraiser

Opening night: Wednesday 28 April, 2010 – 6pm featuring The Big Issue Editor Alan Attwood

Where: Storm Gallery, Surry Hills, Sydney.

Exhibition dates: 28 April – 22 May, 2010.

For further information download the Press Kit here.