The subject line of an emailed media release might have briefly raised eyebrows – and temperatures – in local newsrooms working last Sunday.
‘Warmer weather interrupts escort service’, it said suggestively.
Unfortunately for journos expecting a salacious tidbit, opening the email revealed that the reference was in fact to authorities suspending public access to local bushfire zones due to adverse weather forecasts.
Presumably access was denied to the other type of ‘escort service’ as well.
Speaking of email subject lines, City Hall’s offer of ‘free child restraint checks’ was also ambiguous at first glance.
After all, anyone who attended a food court, cinema or beach over school holidays would certainly know the need for some local kids to learn more than a little restraint. And possibly manners, personal hygiene and basic English, too!
However, rather than personal restraint, the email referred to the importance of correctly-fitted child car-seat restraints saying the City had joined forces with Pako’s Ultra Tech Motors to offer free checks until the end of January.
Now that’s the sort of restraint every child needs!
Has an outbreak of sexism infected two of Geelong’s biggest institutions?
The symptoms suggest so.
Geelong’s council came down with the fever first, seeking nominations for a Women in Community Life Awards to “highlight women’s achievements in the Geelong region”.
What about men’s achievements? Or do the awards suggest that women can’t compete with men in the achievement stakes?
Then Deakin University was infected, announcing research into the impact of women’s “fat talk” on body image issues.
Again, what about men? Is academia blithe to male fat-talk such as “does my bum look big in these Speedos?”
Cure gender bias now, says Double Take!
