Soon drivers in The ACT won’t be allowed to drink while driving, bringing laws in The Territory in line with other jurisdictions in Australia.
It sounds strange but currently Canberra drivers can consume alcohol when they are behind the wheel, providing they stay under the legal blood alcohol limit – but this is set to change.
Read more here.
Justice Served as Drunk Driver Jailed
A touching and heartbreaking story of the young girl hit by a drunk driver has been documented by Tvnz.com.au. The mother of the 8 year old girl who suffered serious brain injury following the crash which saw a drunk driver travelling over the speed limit collide with the young girl. The sad but eye opening part about this story was that the 2 girls involved, were innocently walking along a pedestrian path when he vehicle swerved to avoid a van and hit into them, hurling them over a fence nearby. To make matters worse the driver attempted to flee the scene of the accident but due to the damage caused to his vehicle was unable to do so.
The report had this to say:
A mother has told a court it was “like a knife in [her] heart” to see her eight-year-old daughter in hospital recovering from brain injuries after being hit by a drunk driver.
In April Fereti Aiono, 27, pleaded guilty to four charges – two counts of driving with excess breath alcohol causing injury, one of driving while disqualified for a third time and one of failing to stop at an accident.
Aiono had been disqualified from driving for the second time just one month before the accident.
In Manukau District Court today, Judge Charles Blackie sentenced Aiono to two years and ten months imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period of a year and five months.
Aiono’s car was confiscated by the court and he has been disqualified from driving indefinitely, but may apply to have his licence renewed if he can persuade a court he will be a safe driver.
On December 22 last year, Aiono drunk drove down Wordsworth Rd, Manurewa, at between 75kmh and 94kmh. The speed limit is 50kmh.
Aiono swerved to avoid a van, and lost control of his car.
The car then crossed to the other side of the road and hit two girls – aged eight and 11 – who were walking along the footpath.
The girls were thrown over a fence.
Judge Blackie said Aiono’s first reaction was to accelerate off the lawn of the property his car had landed in and flee the scene, but his car was too damaged to do so.
“You therefore got out of the car and ran off. Others who were in the vicinity apprehended you and brought you back to the scene. Meanwhile, both of the two girls, one aged 8 and aged 11 both lay very seriously injured. One girl might be described as critically injured.”
Eight-year-old Carmella was taken to hospital and spent ten days in a coma.
“She almost died,” the judge told the court.
Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/drunk-driver-jailed-hitting-girls-4967821
The sad details of the incident were tearfully told to the court by the victim’s mother. The girl was in hospital for a lengthy 10 days and there were fears that she may have been brain damaged. Even worse the innocent girl was in constant pain and had to be treated like a newborn baby by her mother. This incident should serve as a warning to other drinkers that driving while intoxicated can have such serious consequences and needs to be avoided at all costs.
The post went on to state:
Her mother was present at court this morning.
Sobbing, she spoke of the devastating effects the accident has had on her family, describing her pain as a “knife in my heart”.
“Carmella was in hospital for ten days and a doctor told us we could lose her and even if she did survive she might have brain damage.”
She said the recovery was a long and drawn-out process, and they missed out on the happy family Christmas they had been planning.
“Carmella was constantly in pain, just like a baby again in diapers. Very embarrassing for her.”
She said her daughter’s school performance had fallen since the accident – last year she was able to read at a 10-year-old level and was a leader among her peers, while this year it had gone backwards and she is scared to do anything.
“Carmella has gone through so much pain and suffering and now to know she has lost the skills she had before the accident is very sad.”
Aiono’s wife Debra who was in court to support him also wept as she read an apology to the girls’ family.
“There’s no words to express how sorry and guilty I feel to the victims and their families. I have young ones also and I would feel exactly the same if this happened to them. There hasn’t been a day I’ve stopped praying for the two girls and their families and also my husband.”
She said what her husband had done was “unforgiveable”, and he suffers from “guilt and shame” every day.
Debra Aiono said she couldn’t change what happened, but wanted to pass on a message about drink driving to society.
“It’s not worth it. Think about the consequences of your actions before you get behind the wheel of a car.”
Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/drunk-driver-jailed-hitting-girls-4967821
Call a taxi, call a friend or walk home but never endanger your life or their lives of innocent bystanders as the full might of the law will be used against you as it was in this case.
Posted by Peter Cutforth
The world’s most popular whisky maker has released a limited edition whisky to celebrate the Queens 60th Jubilee. Johnnie Walker unveiled its Diamond Jubilee whisky in Sydney to a group of the media recently. Only 60 bottles of the exclusive drink were made, 17 of which have already been scooped up by collectors all over the world. The makers plan to sell the remaining bottles throughout the course of the year, with proceeds going to one of the Queens charities.
A global brand representative accompanied the only touring bottle to Oz, where he detailed the making of the whisky. Both the drink and the bottle it is held in have been carefully and meticulously crafted.
According to TheShout.com.au this is what he had to say:
Johnnie Walker has already sold more than 20 bottles of its extremely rare Diamond Jubilee whisky, which was exclusively unveiled to Sydney’s liquor trade media last night.
Diageo Australia last night played host to the world’s only touring bottle of Diamond Jubilee, which was produced by John Walker & Sons to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 60 years of reign.
Only 60 bottles of Diamond Jubilee have been made available for sale with an incredible £100,000 ($156,000) price tag. Profits will be directed to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, a Royal charity that celebrates the preservation and conservation of craftsmanship.
John Walker & Sons global brand ambassador Jonathan Driver personally escorted the Diamond Jubilee bottle to Sydney, where he detailed the steps behind the selection process in which master blender, Jim Beveridge explored deep within the distiller’s stocks to find exquisite whiskies suitable for the blend.
The liquid was crafted using a unique blend of grain and malt whiskies that have been distilled and matured since 1952 (the year the Queen acceded to the throne). It was placed in two small marrying casks of English Oak from the Queen’s Sandringham Estate before being bottled in bespoke diamond-shaped hand blown Baccarat crystal decanters on February 6 this year – exactly 60 years since the Queen took to the throne.
The specially-made decanters of Diamond Jubilee stand on a base of six radial legs, each reflecting one decade of the Queen’s reign. Each bottle is decorated with Britannia silver adornments, the John Walker & Sons Royal Warrant and a collar that features a half-carat diamond.
Driver last night revealed he had already sold 17 bottles of the Diamond Jubilee to buyers spread across every continent.
“The intention is to sell the 60 during the course of this year,” he said.
For connoisseur’s it may be easy to tell the difference between various whiskies. But for those less versed in whisky trivia, it may be confusing to try and choose between different types of whisky. What is the best whisky, Scotch, Bourbon, Tennessee, Irish, there is so much variety that it can be overwhelming.
Whisky basically is any alcohol distilled from fermented grain mash. All whiskies are distilled at a minimum of 40% alcohol by volume. The difference between the various whiskeys relies mostly on the type of grain used for the mash.
Scotch
Whisky is made from fermented grain mash however scotch is made from malted Barley. Most Scotch makers use a base of barley, water and yeast to produce Scotch. The spirit must be aged in oak casks for no less than three years. Finally, like Champagne comes only from the particular region in France with the same name, you cannot call your drink Scotch unless it was made 100% in Scotland.
Bourbon
Bourbon whisky must be made from a grain mixture which is at least 51% corn. The fermentation process for this mixture is often started by mixing in some mash from an older already fermenting batch, a process known as sour mash. Bourbon can only be labelled as Bourbon if it was made in the United States.
The spirit must be distilled to no more than 80% alcohol (160 proof), aged in new charred oak barrels. Finally Bourbon has no minimum aging period, but to call your product Straight Bourbon it must be aged for no less than two years and contain no additives.
Tennessee Whiskey
This whisky is straight bourbon made in the state of Tennessee. The people who produce this spirit, such as Jack Daniels, don’t want their whisky called a Bourbon, claiming that they are the only type of whisky which puts the spirit through a charcoal filtering process. As a result the drink is given a different name but is made the same way as Bourbon.
Irish Whisky
Irish whisky is Whisky aged in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland. It is made from yeast-fermented grain mash. Irish whisky is aged for a minimum in 3 years in wooden casks.
So now that you know the difference give them a try and see which one you like best.
Posted by Peter Cutforth
Are there benefits to Wine drinking?
There has long been raging a debate as to whether or not wine presents any benefit to the health of its drinkers. Certainly a good argument has been that In ancient times when wine was the alcohol of choice people lived longer and healthier lives. In countries where wine is produced and forms part of everyday life the life span seems to be longer, such as in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain. So does drinking a glass a day really have health benefits?
Well according to numerous studies done wine has many health benefits, when enjoyed in moderation, a few glasses a week. Red wine in particular can be good for you although white wine also presents its benefits. According to research drinking red wine can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimers, due to the grapes that make up the wine.
Grapes contain in their skin miracle nutrients and are packed with Resveratol which actually protects the body’s cells. Saponin also contained in the grapes skin binds together with bad cholesterol and sifts it out of the body. The third magic component Flavonoids interfere and interrupt the multiplication of deadly cancer cells in the body.
Non-alcoholic phytochemicals in wine, such as flavanoids and resveratrol, act as antioxidants and prevent molecules known as “free radicals” from causing cellular damage in the body. Although some studies which have focused on the health benefits of resveratrol use much greater dosages than you’ll find in an average glass of wine, resveratrol has been shown to prevent blood clotting and plaque formation in arteries by altering lipid profiles and plasma viscosity. Findings from a recent study suggest that resveratrol can produce potent anti-thrombotic agents that can potentially improve cardiovascular health and lower the risk for coronary heart disease. In animal studies, resveratrol reduced tumours forming by affecting one or more stages of cancer development.
The Documented Benefits of Wine Drinking
It reduces the risk of a heart attack. Evidence collected by The Harvard School for Public Health suggests that moderate wine drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 per cent less likely to have a heart attack than non-wine drinkers.
Wine apparently promotes longevity. Wine drinkers have a 34 per cent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers according to a Finnish study of 2,468 men over a 29-year period, published in the Journals of Gerontology, 2007.
Wine can also reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes in drinkers according to a study by Amsterdam’s VU University Medical Centre who conducted studies on 369862 people found that moderate drinkers were 30 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes that non-drinkers.
Wine drinkers have a lower chance of a stroke because the possibility of suffering a blood clot–related stroke drops by about 50 per cent in people who consume moderate amounts of alcohol. This according to a study of 3176 people in 2006 by a Columbia University. The university also found that the problem of brain decline is another problem that aging causes. Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in non-wine drinkers than in moderate drinkers.
A problem that often plagues aged people, cataracts can be reduced by 32 per cent compared to people who drink beer.
Wine consumption also cuts the risk of colon cancer by an astonishing 45 per cent, research by a Stony Brook University revealed in 2005.
Although the benefits of wine have been well documented and the fact that moderate amounts of alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and thin your blood there are also negative consequences of wine abuse. Red wine in particular is better for your health than spirits and beer.
Red wine provides much more resveratrol compared to white. That’s because the longer the skin is kept on the grape during the wine making process, the greater the concentration of resveratrol in the wine. In white wine production the grape skin is removed before fermentation giving white wines a lower concentration in resveratrol compared to red wines.
The Negative Side Effects of Wine
Higher Risk of contracting breast cancer. Studies have shown alcohol can increase oestrogen levels and raise tumour progression in women rather than destroy it as in other cases.
Causes Migraines. Wine is often a big trigger for people who suffer with migraine headaches. Although white wine contains more sulfites than red wine (sulfites are added to white wine to preserve its light color), red wine seems to be a much bigger migraine trigger due to the accumulation of histamines and tannins from prolonged contact with the skin.
10 Priciest Wines Named
An interesting post this week named the top 10 priciest wines that we would all love to get our hands on but most probably never will. For those that can, these are the kinds of wines that experienced wine drinkers and collectors would love to have aging in their cellar. According to thehuffingtonpost.com these are the smoothest, most expensive wines on offer. (All the prices are US$)
1. DRC – No it is not a hip-hop group, it’s the single most sought after domain in all of Burgundy, and all of the world for that matter. The Domaine de la Romanee Conti has long produced some of the finest Grand Cru Burgundy, but lately its wines have reached dizzyingly high prices. These are wines that require a bit of age on them to show their full potential. You can get a glimpse of that after just a handful of years in lesser vintages, but it’s still going to cost you. How much? Consider the following prices for DRC’s low, medium and high priced bottlings in a good vintage, a great vintage and a mature vintage!
DRC Echezeaux: 2004 – $700 2009 – $900 1990 – $1,200 DRC La Tache: 2004 – $1,700 2009 – $3,200 1990 – $6,000 DRC Romanee Conti: 2004 – $11,000 2009 – $14,000 1990 – $18,000
2. Le Pin – Burgundy is the reigning champ of bucket list wines, but Bordeaux is not far behind. Many people might think of Petrus as the ultimate Bordeaux bucket list entry, but the minuscule quantities of Le Pin make it both harder to find and more expensive, two qualifications that make it ideally suited for this list.
Once again, prices for an average vintage, a great vintage and a mature vintage leave us all feeling a little poorer than we might actually be.
Le Pin Pomerol: 2001 – $2,300 2010 – $2,500 1990 – $4,500
3. Krug Clos d’ Ambonnay – Staying in France for just a moment, let’s take a look at the ultimate luxury wine: Champagne. Why would I characterize Champagne like this? For the most part, Champagne is a blend designed for consistency and thus it tends not to express terroir or vintage character, two traits that are essential for truly great wine.
On the other hand, single vineyard vintage Champagne does show both, but you’ll need to pony up the Benjamins if you want to add this wine to your bucket list. Krug is one of the greatest Champagne houses, Clos d’Ambonnay one of the greatest vineyards. Put them together and we’re talking mortgage payment folks.
There have only been three vintages made of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay. At this price, how can you blame the folks at Krug? A tight supply is the best way to maintain a floor on pricing, and that is one hand-rubbed, old growth forest Mahogany floor if I’ve ever seen one.
Krug Clos d’Ambonnay: 1995 – $3,500 1996 – $2,200 1998 – $1,800 4. Vega Sicilia Unico
– I now turn to Spain, if only because I’ve already mentioned several Italian wines in a previous bucket list email. Spain is a great source of value wines, though over the past several years, its top end wines have begun to receive much more attention from wine lovers and bucket list makers. Vega Sicilia Unico: 2002 – $380 1990 – $350 1968 – $1,200
While the list identifies the top expensive wines, it’s probably out of most people’s budget.
So how do you choose a good wine that won’t break the bank?
Be open to suggestions. A wine tasting is an awesome way to try new wines and develop your own preferences. Keep an open mind to wines and don’t be afraid to try wines from different regions, chances are you may be surprised at how delicious they are, be adventurous.
Also pay attention to the tastes of different wines. Because there are so many out there from virtually every part of the world that grows grapes, it’s important to pay attention to the wine and make note of your favourites. This is your go-to list for all occasions and can be consulted at any time to ensure a good choice.
If you plan to work in a bar in Queensland or in fact anywhere that requires you to serve alcohol then you will need to do the responsible service of alcohol course (RSA QLD). Click this link to find out the requirements for your RSA QLD Certificate
There is a time limit in which you must have completed your RSA Certificate in Qld. Otherwise your employer could face fines. Your certificate also expires so you must keep it up to date.
Not everyone has the ability to know when they need to stop drinking. For some people this is the case every time they drink. For other people it may be a one off thing. They have had a bad day and don’t normally drink large amounts and do not know what their limit is.
Because of this it is important that the government set standards through community and specialist consultation to ensure the safety off all those who are in the establishment or surrounding area.
Have you ever been to a pub or club where people just seem totally out of control? Prior to the responsible service of alcohol laws it made it very difficult for pub owners and staff to do anything about this kind of behaviour. Some places made their own rules and the customers knew they had to stick by them or not get served. Easy if you are in a town with one pub, but much more difficult in other places where you may lose business but did not have the law on your side. Staff now have much greater powers to remove those who are disturbing other customers.
You will also learn more about alcohol and how to work out a standard drink. Since evry drink has a different alcohol content it makes it very difficult to just count the drinks someone has had. 3 drinks of one type could have 3 x the alcohol of 3 drinks of another type. It also depend son the volume of the drink. 30ml of spirit has the same alcohol as 100ml of wine. A big wine glass may have 300mls and therefore a lot more alcohol.
For further information on RSA QLD see the website below www.olgr.qld.gov.au
Do your RSA certificate for Queensland online today with RSA Course Online
RSA (QLD) accreditation is offered now on the internet at RSA training course . The Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training and subsequent certificate are necessary in Queensland for all staff promoting or serving alcohol. RSA training is supplied here by RSA Course Online, as a service presented by Urban E-Learning. Urban E-Learning is accredited both nationally and by Queensland’s Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) to provide RSA training.
You can do this accredited RSA training and certification on-line right now. RSA Course On the internet is accessible 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. Start off your RSA training and accreditation at a time and place of your own choosing. No need to have to travel to a face-to-face course, when this hassle-free online RSA course is made up of exactly the same written content. The only distinction is that you can quit and come back again to it afterwards – RSA Course On-line will keep in mind at which element of the training you logged off. You will be able to commence at that identical level at your next sitting.
All you need to have to do your RSA training online is accessibility to a printer, an world wide web connection and a personal computer. It is that straightforward! For only $59 you can finish your RSA training from the ease of your own house (or anyplace else that you might like to) eg a library, friends place, etc
RSA Training Online utilises industry premium training delivery methods. Guidelines are introduced clearly on screen, in an easy to abide by manner, while video and audio help to generate a fantastic learning atmosphere. Receiving your RSA (Queensland) accreditation today is only one particular click away hit Start Course Now to start off!
In Queensland one of the main industries is tourism, so there is a lot of work in the liquor sector. If you are from outside QLD or Australia then it is well worth doing the course on-line in advance of arriving. You really don’t even need to print out the certificate right up until you need to present it to your new boss. Indeed – our OLGR Queensland authorized certificate is valid for RSA Queensland . In QLD it is necessary (since 1st Jan 2009) for specific people involved in Queensland’s liquor market to have a current RSA training course certificate.
Even so you will also need to complete an RSA bridging module either on-line or face to face This will be coming quickly. Every day, individuals who serve alcohol might be at danger of being fined thousands of Australian dollars. When you have your official RSA certificate you can steer clear of this danger by understanding what it is about to serve alcohol responsibly and do the greatest by your patrons, other personnel and your self.
The Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA Queensland) training and subsequent certificate are necessary in Queensland for all employees promoting or serving alcohol.
as a service presented by Urban E-Learning.
Urban E-Learning is accredited both nationally and by Queensland’s Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) to offer RSA training and certification.
You can do this accredited RSA training and accreditation on the net right now.
RSA Course On-line is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Start off your RSA training at a time and spot of your own choosing.
No need to travel to a face-to-face training program, when this handy on the net RSA training includes exactly the same material. The only difference is that you can quit and come back to it later on – RSA Course On the net will keep in mind at which element of the training you logged off.
You will be in a position to start off at that exact same point at your next sitting. All you will need to do your RSA training on-line is access to a printer, an world wide web connection and a personal computer. It is that simple! For only $59 you can finish your RSA training from the ease of your own home (or anyplace else that you could like to) eg a library, friends place, etc
RSA Training Online utilises industry premium training delivery systems. Directions are introduced clearly on screen, in an uncomplicated to stick to way, whilst video and audio assist to generate a fantastic learning atmosphere. Indeed – our OLGR QLD authorized certificate is valid for RSA QLD. In Queensland it is obligatory ({since1st Jan 2009) for specific people involved in Queensland’s liquor industry to have a current RSA training course certificate.
Employees involved in the serving or supply of liquor involve authorised managers,bartenders, glassies, floor hostesses and area service employees New staff have thirty days to attain their RSA training course certificate, which will be valid for three years. Queensland will recognise an interstate ‘statement of attainment’ in SITHFAB009A to offer Responsible Service of Alcohol.
Even so you will also have to complete an RSA bridging module either on the web or face to face This will be coming soon. Each day, staff who serve alcohol may be at risk of becoming fined hundreds of dollars. When you have your official RSA Queensland certificate you can keep away from this threat by figuring out what it means to serve alcohol responsibly and do the ideal best by your patrons, other personnel and yourself.