Name of Site: Save the Children Australia
URL:
www.savethechildren.org.au
Load Time: Slow
Ease of Navigation: Signposted
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: A slick site with all the info you need to help these people help children all over the world. Actually there’s more here than you might expect with news on such things as movie previews with the proceeds going towards this charity or the links you need to find a job within the organisation. If I had to nit-pick, (and I do like to occasionally), I’d single out the use of redundant title pages into each sub section of the site and the over-use of java script in the navigation, that only slows the site down, but its all done with the best intentions, so they are forgiven! - SS
Name of Site: Médecins Sans Frontières
URL:
www.msf.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Flash Acrobat Reader
Review: ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’ or ‘Doctors Without Boarders’ is a wonderful venture and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. I think the web site may have helped them here as it is rich with information and lots of goodies to keep you surfing. Take a virtual tour of a refugee camp - a real eye-opener - or download their latest newsletter. The site is very well mapped out and very easy to navigate. The odd bit of flash loads quickly and is well made. I found out enough about Médecins Sans Frontières to become an advocate at my next dinner party, a good indication that the site not only works well but delivers the message. - SS
Name of Site: Royal Blind Society
URL:
www.rbs.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: As you might expect, this site is uncluttered, with no zappy graphics and other web toys. Instead it just gets to the point using black text on white pages. And what is the point? Information about the society and what they do in improve the lives of the blind and the sight impaired. Order your Christmas cards online or check out the next play to offer ‘audio described’ theatre performances. Ever wanted to be a ‘Talking Newspaper’? Here’s your chance, as the society loves to attract volunteers. - SS
Name of Site: Australian Red Cross
URL:
www.redcross.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: When volunteers for the Australian Red Cross aren’t in the field, I think they must take turns working on this web site. It’s fast and easy to use with good use of Java script navigation and is up-to-date, with many links providing info on such activities as Drought Relief, Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis and becoming a blood donor. The Red Cross is famous for ‘being there’ in times of need, especially in times of war. Want to help them? Then make a donation to one of their many causes via their secure online donation page.
Name of Site: The Smith Family
URL:
www.smithfamily.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: Charity begins at home. In this case it’s the home of The Smith Family, an independent, non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit organisation that has been helping disadvantaged Australians since 1922. I wonder how many people they have helped in all those years? Maybe some of them have repaid the kindness with ideas and input on the web site as it guides you through the many areas of the family’s activities. There’s a search engine and a site map if you’re really stuck, but it’s so easy to get around, you may not need them. This is a case of Australians helping other Australians with that all-too-often needed helping hand. - SS
Name of Site: Australian Charities
URL:
www.auscharity.org
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Flash
Review: Type “Australian Charities” into Google or Yahoo and you’ll end up at this site. That’s the boast they make. Now what’s it all about? Well, dare I say it - ‘Australian Charities’. It’s all here in one neat package from a ‘Volunteer Search’ to ‘Seek a Volunteer’, history of charity in Australia and an events calendar. This site should be your first stop if you are interested in charity and charity work. The link to ‘giving trends’ in Australia really fills you in on how this country puts its hands in its pockets to dig deep for the needy. A site that really rewards its visitors with the warm and fuzzies. – SS
Name of Site: The Big Issue
URL:
www.bigissue.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: A colourful site about some colourful people trying to improve their lives by selling ‘The Big Issue’ magazine. Find out how you can help this great initiative by choosing to advertise in the magazine. Read about what life is like for some of the homeless people and read their poetry. Like the magazine, this site doesn’t muck about and just gets to the point with easy to follow navigation and links. A real insight into another world, just down the road from your comfy abode. Don’t forget to buy a copy next time you happen by someone downtown pushing the Big Issue. – SS
Name of Site: Australian Meals on Wheels Association
URL:
www.nswmealsonwheels.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: Now these people should get champagne on wheels delivered to them to thank them for the great work they do. Thousands of elderly and other incapacitated folks, unable to leave their homes, rely on Meals on Wheels to get at least one good feed a day. The site is fun and cheerful with cartoons and the low down on the association, its aims and activities, which are about as noble as it gets. - SS
Name of Site: Ronald McDonald House
URL:
www.rmhc.com
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Flash
Review: Time to put your Big Mac™ down and think about the work McDonalds does to improve the health and well being of children the world over. Yes, it really does and there are many grateful parents and children as a result. The site is very easy to use, a bit on the ‘cute’ side and Ronald Mcdonald™ is never far away. In fact a few less links to the burger joint might be a good idea. Whether a cynical marketing ploy or a genuine attempt at charity, the bottom line on both counts makes everyone a winner. - SS
Name of Site: LIFELINE
URL:
lifeline.iinet.net.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Acrobat Reader
Review: 13 11 14. Remember that number, write it down and keep it safe, as you never know when you might need to ring it. Lifeline is literally a real lifeline for people reaching out for help when all seems lost. This site plays it straight, as the info needed is kind of on the heavy side. Still, it does the job and lets you know what you can do to help as well. Ever thought about being trained as a counsellor? Then head for this site and while you’re there, why not make a donation or even change your will! I hope you never need to ring Lifeline, but it’s nice to know it’s there if you ever do. - SS.
Name of Site: Save the Children Australia
URL:
www.savethechildren.org.au
Load Time: Slow
Ease of Navigation: Signposted
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: A slick site with all the info you need to help these people help children all over the world. Actually there’s more here than you might expect with news on such things as movie previews with the proceeds going towards this charity or the links you need to find a job within the organisation. If I had to nit-pick, (and I do like to occasionally), I’d single out the use of redundant title pages into each sub section of the site and the over-use of java script in the navigation, that only slows the site down, but its all done with the best intentions, so they are forgiven! - SS
Name of Site: Médecins Sans Frontières
URL:
www.msf.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Flash Acrobat Reader
Review: ‘Médecins Sans Frontières’ or ‘Doctors Without Boarders’ is a wonderful venture and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. I think the web site may have helped them here as it is rich with information and lots of goodies to keep you surfing. Take a virtual tour of a refugee camp - a real eye-opener - or download their latest newsletter. The site is very well mapped out and very easy to navigate. The odd bit of flash loads quickly and is well made. I found out enough about Médecins Sans Frontières to become an advocate at my next dinner party, a good indication that the site not only works well but delivers the message. - SS
Name of Site: Royal Blind Society
URL:
www.rbs.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: As you might expect, this site is uncluttered, with no zappy graphics and other web toys. Instead it just gets to the point using black text on white pages. And what is the point? Information about the society and what they do in improve the lives of the blind and the sight impaired. Order your Christmas cards online or check out the next play to offer ‘audio described’ theatre performances. Ever wanted to be a ‘Talking Newspaper’? Here’s your chance, as the society loves to attract volunteers. - SS
Name of Site: Australian Red Cross
URL:
www.redcross.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: When volunteers for the Australian Red Cross aren’t in the field, I think they must take turns working on this web site. It’s fast and easy to use with good use of Java script navigation and is up-to-date, with many links providing info on such activities as Drought Relief, Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis and becoming a blood donor. The Red Cross is famous for ‘being there’ in times of need, especially in times of war. Want to help them? Then make a donation to one of their many causes via their secure online donation page.
Name of Site: The Smith Family
URL:
www.smithfamily.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: Charity begins at home. In this case it’s the home of The Smith Family, an independent, non-religious, non-political, not-for-profit organisation that has been helping disadvantaged Australians since 1922. I wonder how many people they have helped in all those years? Maybe some of them have repaid the kindness with ideas and input on the web site as it guides you through the many areas of the family’s activities. There’s a search engine and a site map if you’re really stuck, but it’s so easy to get around, you may not need them. This is a case of Australians helping other Australians with that all-too-often needed helping hand. - SS
Name of Site: Australian Charities
URL:
www.auscharity.org
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Flash
Review: Type “Australian Charities” into Google or Yahoo and you’ll end up at this site. That’s the boast they make. Now what’s it all about? Well, dare I say it - ‘Australian Charities’. It’s all here in one neat package from a ‘Volunteer Search’ to ‘Seek a Volunteer’, history of charity in Australia and an events calendar. This site should be your first stop if you are interested in charity and charity work. The link to ‘giving trends’ in Australia really fills you in on how this country puts its hands in its pockets to dig deep for the needy. A site that really rewards its visitors with the warm and fuzzies. – SS
Name of Site: The Big Issue
URL:
www.bigissue.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: A colourful site about some colourful people trying to improve their lives by selling ‘The Big Issue’ magazine. Find out how you can help this great initiative by choosing to advertise in the magazine. Read about what life is like for some of the homeless people and read their poetry. Like the magazine, this site doesn’t muck about and just gets to the point with easy to follow navigation and links. A real insight into another world, just down the road from your comfy abode. Don’t forget to buy a copy next time you happen by someone downtown pushing the Big Issue. – SS
Name of Site: Australian Meals on Wheels Association
URL:
www.nswmealsonwheels.org.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: None
Review: Now these people should get champagne on wheels delivered to them to thank them for the great work they do. Thousands of elderly and other incapacitated folks, unable to leave their homes, rely on Meals on Wheels to get at least one good feed a day. The site is fun and cheerful with cartoons and the low down on the association, its aims and activities, which are about as noble as it gets. - SS
Name of Site: Ronald McDonald House
URL:
www.rmhc.com
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Flash
Review: Time to put your Big Mac™ down and think about the work McDonalds does to improve the health and well being of children the world over. Yes, it really does and there are many grateful parents and children as a result. The site is very easy to use, a bit on the ‘cute’ side and Ronald Mcdonald™ is never far away. In fact a few less links to the burger joint might be a good idea. Whether a cynical marketing ploy or a genuine attempt at charity, the bottom line on both counts makes everyone a winner. - SS
Name of Site: LIFELINE
URL:
lifeline.iinet.net.au
Load Time: Normal
Ease of Navigation: Walk in the Park
Plug Ins Required: Acrobat Reader
Review: 13 11 14. Remember that number, write it down and keep it safe, as you never know when you might need to ring it. Lifeline is literally a real lifeline for people reaching out for help when all seems lost. This site plays it straight, as the info needed is kind of on the heavy side. Still, it does the job and lets you know what you can do to help as well. Ever thought about being trained as a counsellor? Then head for this site and while you’re there, why not make a donation or even change your will! I hope you never need to ring Lifeline, but it’s nice to know it’s there if you ever do. - SS.
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