Are you ready to forget about the week’s stress and dive headfirst into the glorious abyss that is the weekend? Well, my fellow fun-seekers, you’ve come to the right place. We have scoured the depths of the interwebs to bring you the crème de la crème of news, guaranteed to tickle your wild side and also satisfy those do-gooder cravings. From altruistic activations to sports fashion festivities, this latest edition of Feel-Good Friday has everything you need to spread some positive vibes in the world. You’re welcome, and happy weekend-ing peeps.
Table of contents
- World’s Largest Nude Swimming Race is Back
- Fox League Blasts Into 2023 NRL Season with Big Announcements
- Pedal to the Psychedelic Metal with the Attaquer x Egle Zvirblyte Collection
- General Pants Unleashes a Burst of Pride
- A-League for All: Pride Cup Kicks Off
- Breaking Barriers: Australia’s LGBTQIA+ Community Gets Its Own Online Mental Health Haven
- Aussie Clean-Up Crusaders, Gear Up for Glory with Free Kits
- Hayu Goes Loud and Proud for Sydney WorldPride with Justin Hill’s Short-Form Series
- Snapchat and ReachOut Join Forces to Empower Allyship for LGBTQIA+
- Milpa Collective Launches ‘Don’t Call Me Mamacita’ Cocktail During Sydney WorldPride
World’s Largest Nude Swimming Race is Back
After a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the world’s largest annual nude swimming race, the Sydney Skinny, will return on Sunday, March 12, 2023. The event promises to be even bigger and better than before and may even break the world record for the largest-ever skinny dip of 2,505 people in Ireland in 2018. The event is held annually at Sydney Harbour’s legal nude beach, Cobblers, and this year’s race will support charity Skin Check Champions in its fight against skin cancer.
Skin Check Champions recently brought New York photographer Spencer Tunick to Bondi Beach for a mass nude art installation. The event resulted in more than 2,500 people stripping off in the name of art. Event organizers are excited about the new charity alignment and are thrilled to support Skin Check Champions in their mission to raise awareness of skin cancer.
Scott Maggs, the founder of Skin Check Champions, reiterated the need for greater awareness to prevent unnecessary deaths. Each year, two out of three Aussies are likely to battle with skin cancer, and one Aussie dies of it every five hours,” he said. “This event will not only raise much-needed funds, but it will also serve as a reminder to get your skin checked in order to bring these numbers down. What’s more, we’ll even be doing skin checks on the day for participants.”
The Sydney Skinny offers two courses: a 300m course for beginners and a 900m course for the more seasoned ocean swimmer. To register, go to the Sydney Skinny website. Participants can enjoy the beautiful Sydney Harbour views while supporting a great cause and breaking a world record.
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Fox League Blasts Into 2023 NRL Season with Big Announcements
Fox League blasts into 2023 with a bumper programming schedule and all-star talent line-up ahead of the NRL Telstra Premiership Season with unrivalled coverage on Foxtel and Kayo Sports. To celebrate, Fox League talent including Mal Meninga, Matty Johns, Cooper Cronk and Yvonne Sampson joined a suite of expert analysts, commentators, hosts and players at Darling Harbour to witness Braith Anasta and Michael Ennis officially launch into the season – on water-powered jet-packs.
It was announced at the media event that Meninga, a Rugby League Immortal, will join Yvonne Sampson and Cooper Cronk on Fox League’s Super Saturday coverage which will see Foxtel and Kayo Sports broadcast every Saturday game live and ad-break free during play. Monday to Wednesday, NRL 360 will continue to set the news agenda with host Braith Anasta. Joined by Paul Kent, the pair will dissect the good, the bad and the ugly throughout the 2023 season, with the best rugby league journalists in the game and a rotating panel of former star players, including Gorden Tallis, Cooper Cronk, Michael Ennis, and Corey Parker.
New in 2023 will be an extended pre-game coverage, on Thursday nights now a 90-minute preview before the first kick-off of the round. Join Jess Yates, Gorden Tallis, Greg Alexander, and Michael Ennis to preview the biggest matches and showcase the game’s superstars.
On Thursday’s The Late Show with Matty Johns Live will deliver footy’s funniest panel including Gorden Tallis, Bryan Fletcher, and Nathan Hindmarsh with the return of the much loved Fletch & Hindy segment including exclusive interviews with players, coaches and rugby league personalities. Matty will return for more laughs and all-class entertainment on Sunday Night with Matty Johns Live joined by Fletch & Hindy and current superstars of the game. You can also catch the Matty Johns Podcast returning Tuesdays bigger and better than ever with analysis from the game’s greatest minds.
Fox League, available to watch on Foxtel and stream on Kayo Sports, is the home of Rugby League with every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership, plus every game before the Grand Final, live and ad-break free during play and in HD.
Pedal to the Psychedelic Metal with the Attaquer x Egle Zvirblyte Collection
Are you tired of cycling gear that’s as boring as watching paint dry? Fear not, my fellow two-wheeled enthusiasts, because the Attaquer x Egle Zvirblyte collection is here to inject some psychedelic style into your rides. This Artist Series collaboration with Lithuanian-born, London-based artist Egle Zvirblyte features designs that explore identity, spirituality, body image, and relationships with delightfully inclusive energy. The race-fit jerseys and bibs are made from top-notch Italian fabrics and packed with pro-peloton-inspired features, including sculpted mesh side panels, extended sleeve length, reinforced pockets, and a tapered collar. And let’s not forget the bibs’ multi-density chamois, high-performance anti-friction cover, and thermo-taped infinity finishing on the grippers. With reflective detailing and designs that are sure to turn heads, this collection will have you feeling as unstoppable as Lance Armstrong on steroids (minus the cheating, of course).
General Pants Unleashes a Burst of Pride
General Pants Co. is showing its support for the LGBTQIA+ community by partnering with Minus18 for World Pride. As part of the BE PROUD campaign, General Pants will donate $1 for every purchase made over the weekend. The campaign will also feature a meet and greet with Universal artist Peach PRC, who will be joined by DJ Tigerlily and other LGBTQIA+ heroes and allies.
The fashion brand, known for its rich heritage in music, art, and expression, is committed to creating supportive and welcoming environments for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. To kick off the weekend, Peach PRC fans will have exclusive first access to meet the artist at General Pants’ flagship George Street store this Friday.
In addition to the meet and greet, Minus18 will provide a range of workshops and education sessions for General Pants staff. These sessions will offer LGBTQIA+ inclusion professional training, helping to create a more inclusive workplace and community.
General Pants is also inviting customers to donate what they can during the weekend. All funds raised will go directly to Minus18, a charity that supports LGBTQIA+ youth in Australia. By participating in the BE PROUD campaign, General Pants is working to make a positive impact on the LGBTQIA+ community and to promote acceptance and equality for all.
A-League for All: Pride Cup Kicks Off
The A-Leagues Pride Celebration is set to take place this weekend (24th to 26th February) with all A-League fixtures participating in the festivities. One of the highlights of the celebration will be the Pride Cup double-header at AAMI Park on Sunday, 26th February, featuring a match between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United.
Each club participating in the event is approaching the Pride Celebration in their own unique way. All clubs are required to participate in LGBTI+ education sessions, while players and staff members will have access to online services and training to promote online safety.
The A-League’s Pride Celebration is part of a larger project that has been in development for the last 18 months. This project has included a series of initiatives aimed at fostering inclusion and acceptance in the league. These initiatives include a comprehensive training program for players, staff, and executives, a new stadium safety and inclusion program that was piloted with the Melbourne Olympic Parks Trust (MOPT), and the introduction of GoBubble technology, designed to reduce online hate for clubs, players, and fans.
Fans are encouraged to participate in the celebration, which will feature both men’s and women’s teams. There will be activations at every game across the weekend, which may include rainbow corner flags, LED lights, big screens, captain’s armbands, guards of honour, and partnerships with local pride community groups.
Additionally, $1 from every ticket sold during the Pride Celebration will be donated to the Pride Cup’s community fund. This fund supports community clubs and the organization’s pride events, all in the name of promoting inclusion, acceptance, and support of the LGBTI+ community.
Breaking Barriers: Australia’s LGBTQIA+ Community Gets Its Own Online Mental Health Haven
Unboxed Pride has launched in Australia, providing the LGBTQIA+ community with an online mental health platform offering automated Medicare rebates. With members of the community two and a half times more likely to have a mental health diagnosis than the wider population, Unboxed Pride aims to help combat Australia’s mental health epidemic.
Suicide attempts are almost six times more prevalent among the LGBTQIA+ population aged 18 and over, and transgender people aged 14-25 are fifteen times more likely to have attempted suicide in their lifetime. The platform offers highly qualified psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors with extensive experience in treating the LGBTQIA+ community in Australia. It also empowers clients to choose their own therapist via an online catalogue using smart matching technology to offer personalised suggestions, based on their mental health goals or challenges
For more information or to book an appointment, head to the Unboxed Pride website.
Aussie Clean-Up Crusaders, Gear Up for Glory with Free Kits
Clean Up Australia Day 2023 is fast approaching on March 5, and registrations are still open for those who wish to participate in this national event. Free clean-up kits are available for individuals or families who want to either join a pre-existing Clean Up event in their area or create their own.
The kits include gloves, rubbish, and recycle bags and are an excellent way for Australians to take the first step in maintaining and protecting their environment. According to the recently released 2022 National Rubbish Report, plastics makeup 63% of the rubbish items removed from parks, schools, bushland, creeks, beaches, and roadways in Australia, representing a 17% increase from 2021. This is why now, more than ever, is the time to take practical action.
The National Rubbish Report is a snapshot of rubbish items removed from 1,075 surveyed locations across Australia during 2022. It found that plastic litter dominated all locations, with most found in school grounds (79%), bushland (74%), and parks (60%). Waterways, including beaches, rivers, and dive sites, accounted for 46% of all reported rubbish found nationally, followed by parks (14%) and bushland (13%).
The report also noted a rise in soft plastics by 7%, hard plastics by 5%, and polystyrene by 5% compared to 2021, with single-use plastics such as plastic bottles, takeaway containers, food packaging, and lids making up 25% of all reported rubbish. These findings bring to the forefront one of the greatest challenges facing Australia’s recycling industry.
Aside from volunteering for Clean Up Australia Day, there are many everyday changes that Australians can make to help reduce waste. Kiernan suggests that individuals can opt for reusable shopping bags and coffee cups, avoid single-use plastics, make purchases with longevity in mind, and actively seek out reusable and recycled packaging.
So, let’s all do our part in keeping Australia beautiful by joining in on Clean Up Australia Day and making a commitment to reduce waste in our daily lives
Hayu Goes Loud and Proud for Sydney WorldPride with Justin Hill’s Short-Form Series
Hayu, the all-reality streaming platform, has launched its first-ever local short-form production, “Loud + Proud with Justin Hill”, exclusively available for streaming on Hayu from February 23. The series, consisting of six seven-minute episodes, brings together a lineup of Australian LGBTQIA+ icons and allies, including Samantha Jade, Jack Vidgen, Alfie Arcuri, and more, to spark meaningful conversations and inspire and educate viewers. Each episode dives into different topics related to the LGBTQIA+ community, from exploring the gender spectrum to creating wider allyship. The series is a part of Hayu Australia’s wider WorldPride brand campaign, “Be Bold. Be Proud. Be You.” and will be streamed globally in over 40 markets.
Snapchat and ReachOut Join Forces to Empower Allyship for LGBTQIA+
Snapchat has teamed up with ReachOut, a youth mental health and wellbeing organization, to promote allyship for the LGBTQIA+ community on the social media platform. As thousands of people converge in Sydney to celebrate Pride, Snapchat and ReachOut will launch an in-app augmented reality (AR) experience called “Under One Sky as an Ally.
The Face Lens allows users to show their support for the community and provides direct access to important resources on ReachOut’s allyship information hub. With more than 7 million Australian users, Snapchat is a powerful tool for promoting allyship and empowering young people to be good allies. The AR experience will be available throughout the month of February, coinciding with Pride celebrations in Sydney. Additionally, Snap will also launch a Face + World Lens called “Under One Sky Together,” which will connect users through a Pride rainbow and allow them to share messages of celebration and empowerment.
The AR Lenses are available on Snapchat nationally. To access the ReachOut allyship Face Lens, Under One Sky As An Ally, click here or scan the Snapcode via the Snapchat app.
Milpa Collective Launches ‘Don’t Call Me Mamacita’ Cocktail During Sydney WorldPride
Milpa Collective, a well-established and diverse hospitality group, is set to launch a new cocktail during Sydney WorldPride called ‘Don’t Call Me Mamacita’. The exclusive drink, which will cost RRP $24, was created in collaboration with drag sweetheart Victoria Mami and will be available for a limited time at selected venues from February 17 to March 17, including Calita, La Palma, Santa Catarina, Londres 126, and Bar Lucia.
Moreover, $2 from every cocktail sold will be donated to LGBTQIA+ organization Twenty10, in a bid to support the community and raise awareness of their cause. The partnership with Twenty10 is a part of Milpa Collective’s effort to give back to the community and support the causes at the heart of Sydney WorldPride.
Twenty10 works with LGBTQIA+ people and others of diverse genders and sexualities, as well as their families and communities, providing specialized services for young people aged 12-25, including housing, mental health, counselling, and social support.
The ‘Don’t Call Me Mamacita’ Cocktail will be fronted by Latina drag superstar Victoria Mami, who will be the face of the offering. The cocktail was created by Bar Lucia’s Head Bartender Luna Ercoli, who used a blend of Vodka, cranberries, Aperol, Prosecco, chamomile foam, and lychee to create the unique taste.
You’ll also love:
Feel-Good Friday: February 17 – We Like to Party
Feel-Good Friday: February 10 – The Scoop
Feel-Good Friday: February 3 – Rainbow Road
