Golf ball explosive cannot destroy boy’s love of sport.

Thanks to Westpac and the support of Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale, fifteen year old explosives victim Michael Boggan is smiling again.

Involved in the May 10 Ipswich backyard explosion, Michael has been in intensive care for the past five weeks and is expected to undergo dozens of surgical procedures in the future in an attempt to repair the damage done to his hands.

Released from hospital only last Monday, Westpac and Paul Pisasale organised for Michael and a few family and friends to attend the Wests Tigers versus Broncos match at Suncorp stadium.

A night off: Tim Moltzen and Lote Tuqiri greet recent
victim Michael Boggan (centre left) and step father

The Boggan family have been on high alert over the past month, and they were able to not only relax themselves, but see Michael relax and return to a normal life. He was able to become a regular teenager again and cheer on his favourite rugby league team.

Westpac representative, Michael Robertson who attended the night had one more surprise for Michael and his family. Upon entering the stadium they were greeted by star players of the Wests Tigers and Michael’s idols Lote Tuqiri and Tim Moltzen.

 “This is awesome” Michael Boggan said in disbelief.

For one night he wasn’t a hospital patient, he was just a fifteen year old boy again cheering his heart out for his team.

His family were just as speechless as he was about the night.

“I cannot thank you enough” said step father of Michael, Mick Clifton to Westpac’s Mr Robertson.

Both Pisasale and Westpac had given the Boggan family a night off, and whilst this doesn’t mend Michael’s injuries, they have allowed him to enjoy himself; something he hasn’t done since the accident. Mr Clifton says that a night completely removed from hospital beds, and paying bills and worrying about Michael’s future is exactly what they need.

“This is the best day of my life” says Mr Clifton.

This is just one of many ways in which Paul Pisasale has supported the Boggan family over the past month. From often visiting Michael in hospital to leading the aid campaign for the family, the mayor has actively involved himself in doing everything he can to see Michael can return to a normal life.

Westpac donated their money and time to the Boggan family as part of their commitment to strengthen their ongoing commitment to supporting the Ipswich council and to support the community members of Ipswich. The Boggan family’s case is just one example of the current pledge that Westpac have to foster a strong relationship with the people of Ipswich.

Mr Robertson also says that this would not have happened without the support of the Wests Tigers and the generosity of their general manager Grant Mayer and community, welfare and education manager Yvette Downey for organising the players to meet Michael and create such a memorable evening for him and his family.

Written by Nic Robertson

Arts degree? More like No Jobs! Ammiright?

For those who don't know me, I study Journalism and Arts at university. When I graduated high school, I was in the top 10 of my class, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I liked to write, and I guess I was interested in the media, so I chose journalism on a crazy last minute decision. In my Arts degree, I major in both French and Drama, two things I've always wanted to study, and enjoy study. However, the further I go into the degrees, the more I realise just how useless they are.

Drama at university is exactly how you imagine it to be. There are two types of people in it. The first, the stoner, tortured artists who are only at university "because I'm so pressured by society and its constraints that I caved, but I still stay true to my art at heart mannnnn". The second, are ... how do I say this politely?  Eh, the wankiest people you would come across. With their floral shirts, overalls and suspenders. With their fake glasses and decaf, soy, vanilla lattes (with no sugar because they just don't put processed things into their body) and most importantly their low morals and fluid sexuality (because sexuality shouldn't define the person they are). I've met some truly lovely people in the drama subjects I do, but let's face it guys, we're a wanky bunch. The collective name for crows is a murder; a group of drama students should definitely be called a Circle Jerk ... oh golly ... already on wank jokes. Anywho...

Journalism is a whole other kettle of fish, it's pretty much filled entirely of people who are in the same boat as I, no clue what they want to do with themselves. They just want to write, and this was the only degree that was semi legitimate. No one really talks to each other in Journalism though, they all just scatter to the edges of the room and look at their books. If a stranger walked into the room, it would like like we were all having a "time out" or all in different naughty corners. I thought journalism would be the exact opposite; filled with outgoing people and willing to talk to each other. If this is what we're like with our class mates, we're screwed when we have to interview strangers. 

The degree itself is alright, I guess. They teach us everything we need to know, and we are forced to write articles and get things published. But...alright, so we spent an entire subject last year in first semester, where we learnt about the media industry and if you're thinking of going into journalism, I can sum this subject up for you; THERE ARE NO JOBS IN JOURNALISM!!!!! Great, now you know everything to pass the course, gold star for you friend.

What I'm trying to say is, I pretty much am doing a Bachelor of Unemployment majoring in Living off the Dole. I do drama, french and journalism, so unless there is a newspaper that's looking for theatre reviews written in French...I pretty much will not have a job. If you do know of someone who's looking for that, holla at me. 

So this is it, I'm trying to start writing. I'm starting to get into blogging, and doing jouro...things...at least it's a start...