It’s Friday the 13th and that can only mean one thing: we’re prepping for a spooky good weekend. After five long working days of (not-sot) back-breaking labour, sweat-inducing typing sessions and a few long lunches, the Man of Many team is ready to tap out for another week. Before we do, however, there is Feel-Good Friday work to be done. Sit down, strap in and stretch out, here’s this week’s instalment of vibe-inducing content.
Tinder Launches Consent Course for Young Australians
In an effort to strengthen consent education amongst young Australians, dating app Tinder has teamed up with Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Conset and NGO partner WESNET, to launch a new course. Available through Tinder’s School of Swipe microsite, the new resource aims enhance understanding around this important physical and emotional boundary.
According to Tinder, the consent course has been divided into four modules, covering the basics of consent, applying consent in real life, dealing with consent breaches, and key consent resources. Within each, you’ll find practical knowledge and tools for respectful and consensual interactions, both online and offline, via a series of videos, reading materials, and activities.
“We recognise the role that Tinder plays in shaping the dating experiences of young Australians,” Tinder’s communications director in Australia, Kirsty Dunn said. “The findings from our study emphasise the importance of ongoing consent education, and through our collaboration with Chanel Contos and other key partners, we aim to continue to help lead the conversation and understanding on this vital topic, leading to safer and more respectful dating environments.”
The launch of the consent course comes after Tinder published research suggesting that young Australians aren’t fully across the legislation relating to consent. In a survey, which was undertaken in partnership with YouGov, Tinder found that only 32 per cent of respondents were confident that they knew their state’s specific consent laws ‘very well’. Additionally, 79 per cent of respondents have felt pressure to conform to a partner’s intimate interests. For Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, improving this knowledge base is critical to her mission.
“This is a crucial topic in dating that tends to be poorly understood, so I’m very happy to collaborate with Tinder to provide support for young people navigating a new world,” Contos said. “The Consent Course will play a vital role in educating young Australians about the nuances of consent. We must provide clear, practical guidance on how to ask for, give and revoke consent, accept rejection, and educate on the basics of permission and boundaries as well as the more nuanced aspects of consent. This course is designed to help young daters navigate these important issues with confidence and respect, ultimately fostering healthier and more respectful relationships.”
The Consent Course is available on Tinder’s School of Swipe microsite now. This is the latest initiative from Tinder in Australia focused on educating users on dating safety. In addition to the course, users can also access the comprehensive Dating Safety Guide and Dating Dictionary: Consent Edition, which provides valuable information to help navigate the dating landscape safely and with confidence.
How Microsoft Became HoMie’s Copilot in Battling Youth Homelessness
It’s no secret that we love HoMie, so we’re thrilled to see the Melbourne-based streetwear label and social enterprise up its game with the help of Microsoft. Founded by Marcus Crook a decade ago, HoMie channels 100 per cent of its profits towards empowering youth through with a series of social impact programs. Through unique activations like the HoMie VIP Day, the brand has enabled over 2,000 young Australians affected by homelessness or hardship to shop for free, receive essential services, and connect with the community.
In recent months, Crook has taken HoMie to new heights, teaming up with tech giant Microsoft to leverage AI technology to streamline design processes, save time, and maximise efficiency. Using the company’s Copilot resource, the HoMie founder has been able to better visualise products, which has helped spread the HoMie message more clearly and broadly, a move that has seen him team up with brands like Country Road, Nike, Mambo, and Champion.
As Crook explained, he used Copilot in Windows to produce some simple, cartoon-like images of a sweatshirt design, which he then transferred into editing software. Then he began manipulating and massaging angles, giving the final design a sculptural, spidery effect. Crook believes the process took a total of two hours for something that might have taken two days.
It’s a massive boost for Crook, who is taking an active approach in battling one of the country’s most devastating problems. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that nearly one in four (23%) people experiencing homelessness were aged from 12 to 24 years. With Microsoft and Copilot now on his side, the social enterprise founder is gearing up to take HoMie to the next level. For more information on Copilot and HoMie check out the Microsoft website.
Name a Beer, Win a Luxury Getaway
An ice-cold beer and a tropical getaway; name a better combo. In what might be the biggest and most delicious announcement of the year, two Byron Bay icons have collided in creative hops-filled harmony. Classic beachside hotel Crystalbrook Byron has joined forces with Stone & Wood Brewery for a new ‘Name the Beer’ giveaway. That’s right, they cooked up a new brew and they want you to name it.
According to the two brands, the unnamed beer has been crafted using sustainable grains, local finger lime, and Lilli Pilli. Designed to capture the fresh essence of Byron Bay with a slightly fruity, tart, and cinnamon-spiced flavour profile, the beer is an ode to the great Northern NSW region. To celebrate, the two enterprises are asking Aussies to put forward their best beer names, with one lucky winner set to snag a serious prize pool.
The winner of the competition will score an ultra-bougie weekend at Crystalbrook Byron, including luxury accommodation, complimentary breakfast, a $100 bar credit and $500 worth of beer and merch. Best of all, it’s for a great cause, with a portion of the beer’s sales supporting Stone & Wood’s InGrained Foundation, a not-for-profit grassroots funding platform spearheaded by the B Corp accredited brewery.
The Crystalbrook Byron x Stone & Wood’s ‘Name the Beer’ giveaway runs until 3 October 2024, with the winner to be announced on 5 October 2024. Think you’ve got the hops to name the new brew? How to enter:
- Sign up for Crystalbrook Crowd (and unlock 10% off all stays)
- Submit your beer name idea with the online entry form
Fireball Whisky Launches a Fireball Bubbler for Footy Finals
Rugby league has a long and storied connection to the humble bubbler. The drinking fountain from which all great thirsts are extinguished, the liquid dispenser has underpinned the careers of some of the sport’s most prolific athletes. Now, there is a new reason to celebrate.
Fireball Whisky, the brand best known for salvaging your house party from the clutches of boredom, has just launched a Fireball Bubbler, just in time for footy finals. The team behind the cinnamon-flavoured spirit have taken the classic drinking water fountain and redesigned it to dispense ice-cold, full-strength shots of Fireball Whisky at the touch of a button.
NRL legend Braith Anasta was the first to ring in the new release, hitting Coogee Oval for an initial taste test, stating: “Nothing beats an electric game day with the crew, but the massive queues and mid-strength beers can really take the buzz out of it. The Fireball Bubbler is a game-changer that will bring the heat – and fun – to match days all month long!”
For those who want to give it a run, the Fireball Bubbler will be in action at the Robin
Hood Hotel every Friday and Saturday from 7:30pm to 10:30pm during the footy finals, plus on Grand Final Day, Sunday, October 6th. Best of all, fans will have the opportunity to win a Fireball Bubbler of their very own. You simply need to head to the Fireball Instagram page on September 13th to enter.
The Friends Experience is Coming to Sydney
If you’ve ever wanted to share an apartment with Rachel, flick out the recliners with Joey or get married (and subsequently divorced) from Ross, this might be the closest you’ll come. The FRIENDS Experience is set to land in Sydney later this month, giving fans of the hit sitcom a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live out their favourite New York City rent-controlled fantasies.
Announced in celebration of the 30th anniversary of FRIENDS, the activation allows fans to recreate their favourite scenes and celebrate some of the most iconic moments from the globally loved television series. The experience made its debut Down Under last year at The District Docklands in Melbourne, prompting organisers Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, Original X Productions, and Warner Bros. Television Group, in partnership with TEG Life Like Touring, to make the trek to Sydney.
“After the amazing response to The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Melbourne, we couldn’t be more excited to now bring it to Sydney,” Stacy Moscatelli, chief executive officer of Original X Productions said. “This stop is particularly special as it’s part of the year-long series’ 30th anniversary celebration. We can’t wait to welcome fans in Sydney to immerse themselves in the world of FRIENDS and celebrate their favourite moments from the iconic show.”
The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Sydney will be located at The Fullerton Hotel, Lower Level GPO Building – No. 1 Martin Place. Tickets will be on sale from 10am on Friday 13 September via the link below.
Guzman y Gomez Goes All-In on Cali Burritos and Nacho Fries
Perhaps the most challenging dilemma in getting Mexican food is choosing whether to get chips or a burrito. Thankfully, Guzman y Gomez has solved that problem by combining the two delicious food groups. The healthy fast-food chain is serving up a decadent Southern California-inspired range of Cali Burritos and Nacho Fries, loaded with its signature chipotle-seasoned fries.
The menu items arrive smothered in your choice of filling, a splash of Tomatillo Salsa, a drizzle of sour cream, a dusting of shredded Jack Cheese and fresh Pico de Gallo Salsa. Best of all, guac and sour cream are included for free. Whether you are a die-hard GYG fan or simply looking to mix up your Mexican order, the latest menu offering will have you coming back for more. Get well an d truly amongst it, fam.
