Not wedded to Muslims
ALMOST 60 per cent of Australians would be concerned if a close relative married a Muslim, a university study into Islamophobia has found.
Deakin University randomly selected 304 Aussies for the project, Muslims and Islamic Religiosity in the West, with preliminary findings presented at a political studies conference in Sydney yesterday.
The participants — who were not asked their religion — said they would be less worried if a relative married someone with Jewish (33 per cent), Buddhist (29.4 per cent) or Christian (8.1 per cent) background. More than a third agreed with statements such as “practising Muslims pose a threat to Australian society” (40.4 per cent). AN alliance between two Bellarine Peninsula organisations is producing a cider crafted with social conscience.
An orchard of 600 trees has been planted at Encompass’s The Paddock in Leopold, which will be tended by the welfare agency’s clients.
The apples will be used by the Flying Brick Cider House in a venture that strengthens ties between it and Encompass.
Encompass chief executive Elaine Robb said the first crop, next year, would be made into a cider that will feature the agency’s brand.
“It’s been a terrific partnership,” Ms Robb said. The Wallington venue has been using produce from The Paddock in its commercial kitchen.
Flying Brick staff have been teaching the O’Halloran Rd complex’s clients how to look after and prune the 16 different varieties of apple trees.
A solar panel system has recently been installed and Encompass is keen to expand its sustainability credentials.
It wants to build a new multipurpose training wing, which would allow it to double its capacity, employ 28 new staff and support 16 extra volunteer roles.
Encompass has received finance for detailed planning of the project and is seeking grants to complete the works.