ANZA Event for August Rescheduled for 20th September

Go to Future Events Menu for revised status

The  Hangi scheduled for August has been delayed as we are trying to source a way of heating the steel used to cook the food without having a huge fire as in the past.  The event has always had an excellent following and is certainly not cancelled.

Update 5 August 2015 - Late September is  the planned time to get the Hangi scheduled.  The committee is working on a potentially viable method of heating the steel plates used to cook the food.

The original bonfire method is considered dangerous.  As soon as a firm date and details are in place the event will become finalised and published.

Health Warning about Avian Influenza

The following article was supplied by the the Australian High Commission (today)

Health: Avian Influenza

HomeTravel BulletinHealth: Avian Influenza

Latest update

This Bulletin was last issued on Tuesday, 28 July 2015.  

Summary

• Avian influenza is primarily a disease of birds and rarely causes infections in humans and other mammals.
• Since 2003, more than 800 confirmed cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) have been reported in 16 countries. Of these cases, over 400 have died.
• Since 2013, Chinese authorities have confirmed human cases of avian influenza (H7N9) infection in China.
• The risk of human infections is low and there is no reason to defer travel to a country affected by avian influenza.
• Human cases of avian influenza occur as a result of exposure to infected birds, usually domestic poultry. There is currently no evidence of ongoing, efficient or sustained spread of avian influenza from person to person.

Avian influenza amongst humans

Since November 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed more than 800 human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada China, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia (including Bali), Iraq, Laos, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. The WHO has confirmed more than 400 deaths from this disease. A large number of cases were reported in late 2014 and 2015 in Egypt.
Chinese authorities have confirmed cases in humans of avian influenza A (H7N9) in China since 2013, causing over 270 deaths For more information on strain (H7N9) avian influenza see the websites of the Australian Department of Health and the World Health Organisation.
The WHO has not advised against travel to any affected country. Current information on human health risks from avian influenza can be found on the WHO website.

MERS-CoV

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Latest update

This Bulletin was last issued on Tuesday, 23 June 2015.  

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since been identified in other Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Other countries have reported imported cases of MERS from arriving travellers. All cases have either lived in or travelled to affected countries, had close contact with travellers returning from affected parts of the Middle East or can be linked to further limited spread from an imported case. These countries include Algeria, Austria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.
There have been no cases in Australia to date.
Since May 2015, a number of cases of MERS have been reported in the Republic of Korea.
Regional countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand, have implemented special screening arrangements at international airports.

What are the symptoms and who is at risk?

MERS can cause a rapid onset of severe respiratory illness with a fatality rate of around 30%. There is no vaccine to protect against MERS. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Some patients have reported a variety of other symptoms, including muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea. Some patients have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. MERS can affect anyone, though severe cases have most frequently occurred in people with underlying conditions that may have made them more susceptible to infection (including diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, asthma and lung diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease).
You should seek immediate medical attention if you feel unwell with symptoms similar to MERS while travelling or on your return to Australia. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider that you have travelled to a region where MERS is known to occur.

Reducing the risk of exposure

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for MERS currently available. Person-to-person transmission of MERS has been documented in healthcare settings. Travellers should exercise good hygiene practices including:
• regularly washing hands with soap, particularly in affected areas where camels are present,
• avoiding touching the nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands,
• avoiding close contact with people displaying flu-like symptoms and,
• using hand sanitiser if soap and water is not available.

Many human cases of MERS have been attributed to person-to-person infections, but camels are likely to be a source of MERS infection in humans. However, the exact role of camels in transmission of the virus is unknown. People with underlying illnesses, such as diabetes, renal failure, chronic lung disease, or other immunocompromising conditions, may be at a higher risk of severe disease due to MERS. People travelling to the Middle East who have underlying illnesses should avoid visiting farms and markets where camels might be present.

Copied from Smartraveller.gov.au

KEA Community

The Kea community exists so you can find the right information and connections to take advantage of global opportunities. If you’re looking for jobs, market insights, connections or events, read on to see how being part of this global community helps you make informed decisions about your future in New Zealand or offshore. We’re also proud to bring our NZ-based community the incredible stories of world-leading Kiwis at Kea Inspire, please join us and the next generation of inspirational New Zealanders in late June and early July. 
KEA is a mufti-faceted  and diversified community group that is of special interest to New Zealanders and others interested in New Zealand.  ref: http://www.keanewzealand.com/

There is a link in the left hand column of this site under the title Links

Well worth a look and hopefully we might get some interest to some of our events from KEA members.

Smart Travel Update from Australian Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Latest bulletin issued 29 May 2015

_____________________________________________________________

Loadshedding

Most in eThekwini will have a load-shedding schedule that Municipality sends with your Account. Those who get billed direct from Eskom will also get a schedule. These are updated from time to time. It seems that the current Phase is a National determination. i.e. All areas on Phase 1 together.

However the Phase can change unexpectedly during the currency of your schedule.
Suggested procedure would be to check your schedule and about 15 minutes before it takes effect visit http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za to see which Phase is current or if in fact if there is load-shedding at all.

________________________________________________________________________

KZN HERITAGE, CULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETIES EVENTS DIARY FOR JUNE 2015

As of this post the above, very informative, Events Diary is included on our NEWSLETTER page each month. - please have a look

The 2015 Potjiekos Cooking Competition

A.N.Z.A. (Australian & New Zealand Association)

Potjiekos  Cooking Competition

Date:    28^th June 2015-05-20

Venue:  Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve (off Riverside Road Durban North)

2014 The winning Potjiekos 

was

 a Plov with a Ukrainian origin

Costs:   per cooking team R20 per member

             Spectators R40 pp which includes sampling all the pots

Time :   +- 09h00 for the cooks

               Spectators 12h00 onwards .Judging will take place from 13h30 onwards

This one of the highlights of our social calendar. If you would like to make up a team of +-6 persons and serve a culinary delight of your choice we would love you to join us. If you would prefer to visit and enjoy this fun day, and taste some excellent fare you are welcome to join us.

 

2014 event

Please bring your own chairs tables, umbrellas, plate’s cutlery and liquid refreshments

Contact: Eleanor Brosnihan (Chairman ANZA) at 031 3144630 or 0721566097 email:  brossies@iactive.co.za

_________________________________________________________________

Road Safety and Accident Mitigation

For those living close proximity of Westville and anyone else prepared to travel to the Westville Country Club on Tuesday the 19th of May should seriously consider attending the Public meeting described below.

Entry is free and if you have any queries please contact Andy Tribe on 073 808 9986.

___________________________________________________________________

Image I D ?

Under the menu item "IMAGE I D?" there is bunch of images taken by a photographer on behalf of the "Moths" in Durban, that paint a picture of the commemorative service and dinner honoring the 100th anniversary of ANZAC Day.

We would like some assistance in adding or correcting the captions of many of these images.

If you were at the function or know some of these people please assist by emailing info as requested on the page.

Apologies, it does load slowly.

For and on behalf of ANZA, - andy tribe
If you prefer you can phone me or SMS to 073 808 9986