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Articles by Sam Ikin
A full-cycle approach for co-producing trial research for treatment of eating disorders
Co-production in research can bridge the gap between traditional expertise and lived experience, particularly in complex areas such as eating disorders. We detail a comprehensive approach emphasizing strategies and tools for shared decision-making, offering a collaborative research model that enhances relevance and impact across disciplines.
Chatbots and body image: How AI is changing treatment of eating disorders
Episode Notes If you were feeling low and needed to talk, would you turn to a robot? With the rise of AI Chatbot technology, many Australians are doing just that – and they’re seeing the benefits.
Eating disorders: 'I've spent most of my life trying not to be fat'
Watch Insight's episode, Emotional Eating, here. When I was a kid, I would fantasise about finding a genie who would give me one wish. I wouldn’t use it to wish I was rich or to have a skate ramp in my backyard or a never-ending supply of Pokemon cards. I would have wished not to be fat. Now that I’m all grown up, I think I’d still choose the same thing. There’s no room for fat people in our society.
Reasons Not To Die on Apple Podcasts
2 episodes Is it possible to break out of the daily misery we are expected to manage or endure and start something new. I'm on the hunt to find people who have hit a wall and had to go against the grain to follow what they love. This show could be seen as the live coverage of a mid-life crisis or a man finally taking care of his mental health. As I approach the age my father was when he died of suicide I can see all the warning signs emerging my life so I'm making some drastic changes.
The power of podcasts
By tbreditorial The FontCast is a panel style program covering local news and politics from top Tasmanian PR firm Font Public Relations. By Sam Ikin, IKIN Media Podcasts continue to grow as a powerful marketing and branding platform. They are a great way to build authority and nurture trust with your customer base. We are a long way from the days when a podcast was just a recording of a terrestrial radio show or a couple of fanatics chatting on Skype. Podcast listeners now expect to be entertained.
Comment: Good riddance to amateurism at the Olympics
The Olympics motto Citius, Altius, Fortius is Latin for 'Faster, Higher, Stronger'. But there’s no mention of not getting paid. Enter the era of professional athletes, writes Sam Ikin. Remember when the Olympics was an amateur event? Me either, but it was. It was all over by the 1992 Games when the US fielded the ‘dream team’ in the basketball. The decision to allow professionals to compete was made in 1986 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Comment: Don’t like Pokémon Go? Just don’t be a douche about it
You may not like Pokemon Go, but the game could be helping children with autism. So don't be a douche. Yes, the virtual reality game can be annoying for some. But it can be "life changing" for children with autism. The anti-Pokémon band wagon jumpers who are encouraging people to put the phones down and “get a life” are probably doing so with the best of intentions, albeit in a pretty douchey way. But their rude signs and snide comments could be doing actual harm to some Pokémon enthusiasts.
Bob Brown: Charges dropped over Lapoinya Forest anti-logging protest
Environmentalist and former Greens leader Bob Brown will not face proscution over his arrest at a an anti-logging protest in Tasmania's north-west. Mr Brown was arrested along with three protesters when they walked into the Lapoinya Forest exclusion zone in January. The were among the first arrested under the controversial Workplaces (Protection from Protestors) Act 2014. Tasmania Police commissioner Darren Hine issued a statement saying the charges had been dropped.
NBN suspends Tasmania west coast rollout as region lobbies for fibre over satellite
The NBN has called a halt to the rollout of its service to Tasmania's west coast until it has clarity on exactly what service it is being asked to roll out. Last year the NBN announced Tasmania's west coast would be connected to the network using it's Sky Muster satellite, not fibre-to-the-node as had been previously planned.
Wombat joey's romp on Tasmania's Flinders Island a hit on Facebook
A wombat joey named Derrick has caught the attention of thousands of social media users after he took a shine to a photographer on Tasmania's Flinders Island. Sean Scott was working on the island when he was approached by the pint-sized animal. "I met a lady who had Derrick and wanted to show me him, so I got a chance to have a bit of look at him," he said.
Suicide prevention: Tasmania unveils new youth strategy as Lifeline calls for more funds
A new youth suicide prevention strategy has been launched by the Tasmanian Government as national support network Lifeline appeals for more funds. Earlier this week the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released its causes of death report which has been described as "horrific". It found Australia's suicide rate was at a 10-year high and there were almost eight suicides every day in the country.
'What helped them live?' Stories of suicide attempt survivors could be key to prevention
Listening to people who survived a suicide attempt could be key to the way Australia approaches prevention, a peak body has said, as new data reveals an increase in the number of people taking their own lives. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show 2,861 people died from suicide in 2014, up from 2,335 in the previous report, released in 2009. Suicide was found to be the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 44.
Tasmania sweltered through warmest summer on record
Tasmania has had its warmest summer since records began with the mean temperature almost two degrees hotter than average. There was also little rain over summer after the state's driest ever spring season. The state suffered from unprecedented bushfires in summer which started in the middle of January and continue to burn. Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Ian Barnes-Keoghan said it was a record-breaking season in a number of ways.
Royal Australian Air Force makes final flight into Antarctica from Tasmania to supply researchers
A trial using the Royal Australian Air Force to deliver heavy cargo to Australian researchers in East Antarctica has been hailed a resounding success as the final flight touched down on the ice. The RAAF has flown five support missions with a C-17A Globemaster aircraft. The first left Hobart in late November. The C-17A can carry up to 70 tonnes of cargo for over 10,000 kilometres but the load is limited to 20 tonnes on Antarctic flights so the aircraft does not need to refuel.
Emotional eating fuelling Australia's obesity epidemic, psychologists say
Emotional eating plays a huge role in Australia's obesity epidemic with 83 per cent of overweight or obese Australians eating emotionally, according to a recent survey. The mental health side of obesity is not something that has been given much coverage. Anti-obesity campaigns have mostly been based on a version of the old mantra "eat less, exercise more", but is anyone in the country actually not aware of that? If it is that simple why does the country keep getting fatter?
Getting to know the shy albatross: A scientist's 13 year crusade to save a native Tasmanian sea bird
Spreading awareness of Tasmania's vulnerable species of sea bird, the shy albatross, is the key to keeping the species alive, a prominent scientist says. From climate change, plastic ingestion, habitat loss or feral animals it is not difficult to understand why the shy albatross is somewhat withdrawn.
Sea Shepherd prepares for second mission targeting toothfish poachers in Antarctic waters
Conservation activist group Sea Shepherd will head to Antarctic waters to target illegal fishing of Patagonian toothfish for a second season after a "successful" 2014-15 operation. The campaign will be similar to the previous voyage, even baring the same name, Operation Icefish. The operation's first incarnation lasted five months and culminated in the scuttling of the ship Thunder, an alleged poaching vessel, after a 110-day pursuit by Sea Shepherd's ship Bob Barker.
Terminally ill single dad Nathan Colman turns to crowdfunding to secure son's future
A terminally ill single dad from Tasmania has turned to crowdfunding to make sure his son has a decent start to a new life with family members in Queensland. Nathan Colman turned his life around after he was released from prison for a second time in 2012, only to receive the devastating news that he did not have long to live. Mr Colman is the sole carer for his son Asaiah, who has just turned five. When he found out he had terminal brain cancer, his son was two years old.
New $500 million icebreaker Australia's biggest investment the Antarctic program, Prime Minister says
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has released details of Australia's new Antarctic icebreaker on his first tour of Tasmania since taking over the top job almost two months ago. Mr Turnbull said the sophisticated ship, believed to cost about half a billion dollars, would offer scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. Environment Minister Greg Hunt, who is with the Prime Minister in Hobart, said the name of the ship had not been decided.
Hollywood biopic subject Saroo Brierley returns to Tasmanian family business for 'mental stimulation'
Indian-born Tasmanian author and businessman Saroo Brierley, whose autobiography is being made into a multi-million-dollar Hollywood movie, says his family business is what keeps him grounded. Saroo Brierley was separated from his family as a young boy and adopted from an Indian orphanage at the age of five by Hobart couple Ian and Sue Brierley.
Trespasses forgiven for Christian protesters who refused to leave office of Tasmanian senator
A group of Christian protesters charged with trespass after picketing the office of a Tasmanian senator have been let off without conviction from a Hobart court. The six protesters entered the Rosny Park office of senator David Bushby in August protesting against children being held in immigration detention centres. They requested a meeting to convey their concerns and were told the senator was not available but they were welcome to stay in the office until it closed at 5:00pm.
Artist dispatched to Antarctica to give an 'embodied encounter' with the icy continent
An artist has been enlisted to give people an "embodied encounter with Antarctica" by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) as its Arts Fellow for 2015. Doctor Phil Samartzis was commissioned by the AAD to promote its work and help create a general awareness of the icy continent through practices other than science or research. The position conjures images of an artist painting in a blizzard, but Dr Samartzis is a different kind of artist.
Tasmania's trailblazing gambling history: Federal Group's 42-year monopoly comes under fire
Since 1968, when a narrow majority of Tasmanians voted in favour of a development that would see the state become home to Australia's first legal casino, the Federal Group has held the exclusive rights to the state's gambling business. At the time there were two schools of thought. Some thought the island state should not cater to the elements that would be lured by vice to a large-scale casino, while others believed the casino would bring tourists and open Tasmania up to the rest of the world.
Tasmania's trailblazing gambling history: Federal Group's monopoly comes under fire
Since 1968, when a narrow majority of Tasmanians voted in favour of a development that would see the state become home to Australia's first legal casino, the Federal Group has held the exclusive rights to the state's gambling business. At the time there were two schools of thought. Some thought the island state should not cater to the elements that would be lured by vice to a large-scale casino, while others believed the casino would bring tourists and open Tasmania up to the rest of the world.
Hobart ukulele band striving for 'worldwide revolution' after first flash mob performance
A group of amateur but enthusiastic musicians are urging people to join the "worldwide ukulele revolution", as the group celebrates its first successful flash mob performance. The Hobart Ukulele Group (HUG) has been up and running since 2007. HUG founder Ginger Nutt said the flash mob performance would certainly not be the group's last. "That was our first flash mob, we intend to do more but we're not telling you when or where," she said.
Talking about suicide isn't easy, but it's necessary
My father died from suicide when I was 16. And while the emotional scars left behind are far reaching, I've come to realise how important it is for people who have been touched by suicide to share their experience, writes Sam Ikin. Every day, five Australian men die from suicide. When I was 16 my father was one of them. My parents divorced when I was four. My father moved to rural Victoria to practice as a veterinarian while we stayed in Brisbane.
Celestial conjunction: Jupiter and Venus prepare to dance among the stars
Although they are millions of kilometres apart, Venus and Jupiter will appear to be side by side, separated by just a fraction of a degree tonight. The planets have been moving closer together over the past few weeks. Loading NASA scientist Bill Cooke said it was a phenomenon known as a conjunction. "A conjunction is a set of circumstances where two celestial bodies appear to be very close together in the sky," he explained.
Celestial conjunction: Jupiter and Venus prepare to dance among the stars
Although they are millions of kilometres apart, Venus and Jupiter will appear to be side by side, separated by just a fraction of a degree, in the night sky on Wednesday night. The planets have been moving closer together over the past few weeks. NASA scientist Bill Cooke said it was a phenomenon known as a conjunction. "A conjunction is a set of circumstances where two celestial bodies appear to be very close together in the sky," he explained.
Catholic Church issues letter explaining why it opposes same-sex marriage
The Catholic Church has responded to moves to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia with a letter which is being sent to parishes around Tasmania. The letter is titled "a pastoral letter from the Catholic Bishops of Australia to all Australians on the 'same-sex marriage' debate" and carries the slogan "don't mess with marriage". It was compiled by the national body the Australian Catholic Bishop's conference and is not specific to Tasmania.
Tasmania may change 'cruel' law forcing divorce on married person who undergoes sex change
Tasmania's Attorney-General has refused to outline a position on changing laws to force a married person who has a sex change to divorce before their new gender is recognised. The Tasmanian Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act does not permit a married person to register a change of gender. Greens MP Nick McKim asked Attorney-General Vanessa Goodwin whether she thought that was a fair choice during a budget estimates hearing on Monday.
Honey Tasmania loses 10pc of business as 24 beehives stolen
A Tasmanian honey company has appealed for help after thieves walked off with 24 beehives from an apiary in a leatherwood plantation south of Burnie. Honey Tasmania is a small-scale boutique honey producer and the theft represented about 10 per cent of their hives. Honey Tasmania owner and beekeeper Tristan Campbell said the hives were on a Forestry Tasmania site which does not see many visitors.
Rare French paintings of Tasmanian Aboriginal life before colonisation to tour Australia
A collection of 19th century French illustrations depicting Indigenous life in Tasmania before British colonisation will go on show in the state for the first time next year. The drawings and sketches were done in early 1802 during Nicholas Baudin's exploration of Australia. The French explorer's artists, Charles-Alexandre Lesueur and Nicholas-Martin Petit, meticulously documented their meetings with local Aboriginal people when they landed in Tasmania.
Anzac Day 2015: 11 amazing war memorials to visit in Tasmania this Anzac weekend
Historians are urging Australians to "get to know" their local war memorials which pepper the towns and cities across the country. The memorials are an integral part of local communities but they sometimes do not get much attention in between commemorations. Many of the soldiers who gave their lives during World War I came from small towns and hamlets where their family and friends were determined to make sure they were remembered.
Epic battle with 'record' fish attracts thousands to game fishing team's Facebook feed
Thousands of social media users have followed an epic 19-hour battle on the water between a crew of fishermen and a "record tuna". Just before 7:00pm on Monday a member of a Tasmanian team of professional game fishermen posted an update to Facebook on the tug-of-war. Thousands of people commented on the battle and the post was shared by hundreds around the world. Crew member Adrian Morrisby said the crew were looking for big fish but the one they hooked was bigger than they expected.
Scientists catch a feral cat killing a large mammal on camera 'for the first time'
A Tasmanian scientist has caught a feral cat killing and eating a four kilogram pademelon on camera, providing the best direct evidence of feral cats killing mammals bigger than two kilograms. It has been suspected that feral cats were capable of taking down the larger animals after the remains of three to four kilogram animals were found but until now one had not been caught in action. University of Tasmania researcher Bronwyn Fancourt told 936 ABC Hobart the event was caught by accident.
Tasmanian man to walk from Launceston to Hobart to 'prove' the need for footpaths on every road
A Tasmanian man will walk from Launceston to Hobart to raise awareness of his campaign to have a footpath installed along every road in the state. The group Tasmanians for Proper Footpaths has been lobbying state and local governments pressing its belief that people should be able to walk anywhere they can drive. The group's spokesman who goes by the name Informal told 936 ABC Hobart this year's walk was a scouting exercise.
Council mergers 'inevitable' as Hobart City Council approves economic assessment
Hobart's Lord Mayor has said local council amalgamations in Tasmania are "inevitable" after Hobart City Council voted in favour of an economic assessment of voluntary amalgamations and shared services with other councils. The city council voted nine to three in favour of spending $50,000 to weigh up the pros and cons of creating fewer but bigger councils, a sum that would be matched by the State Government.
Sea of colour as Hobart Town Hall hosts autumn flower festival
Dahlias, gladioli and other autumnal blooms have created a kaleidoscope of colour as the Hobart Horticultural Society's Autumn Show takes over Town Hall. According to the society, gladioli and dahlias have been grown in Hobart for more than 100 years, with the earliest historical reference to the blooms dating back to 1861. Society president May Crowe said there were many other varieties of late summer or early autumn flowers on show.
Tasmanian speedster Jack Hale adds national 200m title to list of conquests
Tasmanian athlete Jack Hale has added another national title to his growing list of achievements after taking out the men's 200m final at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships. The Hale Storm finished in a time of 21.5 seconds at Sydney's Olympic Park, just a tenth of a second in front of Queenslander Brandon Herrigan. Fellow Tasmanian Russel Taib finished third in a time of 22.2 seconds.
Scientists eavesdrop on blue whales in Southern Ocean from up to 1,000km away
Antarctic scientists have recorded more than 40,000 calls from blue whales to learn how the giant mammals are recovering from decades of whaling. Scientists are hoping to answer key questions identified by the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) Southern Ocean Research Partnership, to strengthen the case for non-lethal whale research. Blue whale numbers were devastated by overexploitation from the whaling industry in the mid to early 1900s.
Michael McWilliams takes out Glover Prize People's Choice Award
The artist who won the inaugural Glover Prize for landscape painting has again taken out this year's Glover Prize People's Choice Award. Michael McWilliams won the Glover Prize in 2004 and also took out the People Choice prize in 2012 and 2014. McWilliams's acrylic on linen painting, The Bush Rovers which features a flock of yellow-tailed black cockatoos on a misty bush background, proved the crowd favourite this year.
Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people 'compatible' with treaty negotiations
A prominent advocate for Indigenous reconciliation in Tasmania believes recognising Aboriginal people in Australia's constitution is compatible with negotiating a treaty. Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman is considering supporting a move to "acknowledge and respect" Aboriginal people as the state's first people. Opposition MP Madeleine Ogilvie said she was preparing a private member's bill on the issue.
Tasmania needs more migrants to meet population growth targets, new multicultural chief says
The new chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCoT) has warned the State Government against being too selective when allowing migrants to settle. Alphonse Mulumba was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and migrated to Tasmania as a refugee in 2008. He said the state not only needed to let more migrants in, but also needed to make sure it retained them. "If we are to get to the targets set by the State Government of having about 650,000 Tasmanians ...
Tasmanian devil population takes a hit as roadkill numbers spike in holiday season
Wildlife experts are appealing to drivers in Tasmania to help reduce the amount of roadkill on the state's roads, after four juvenile Tasmanian devils were killed over the weekend. The Parks and Wildlife Service said the Christmas holidays usually saw a spike in the number of animals killed on the roads and it was particularly concerned about the vulnerable population of wild Tasmanian devils. In 2013, about 323 devils were reported killed on the state's roads.
Bruny Island surfer, Lizzie Stokely, credits dad as her 'inspiration' after taking out Isabel Letham Award
A young Tasmanian board rider has emerged from this year's Australian Junior Surfing Titles as a genuine threat to Australia's professional surfing competition. Fifteen-year-old Lizzie Stokely won the prestigious Isabel Letham Award at this year's event for her "outstanding sportsmanship and international surfing potential".
Islamic Tasmanians 'tense and stressed' over Sydney cafe siege tragedy
In Tasmania, Muslim families have cancelled plans fearing reprisal attacks in the wake of the Lindt cafe siege in Sydney. Flags are being flown at half mast at Tasmania's Parliament House and at numerous other locations around the state as a sign of respect for the victims of the siege. The speaker of the house, Elise Archer, described the siege as "horrific".
Health effects of childhood obesity are reversible, Tasmanian 30-year study reveals
A living experiment has been conducted by medical researchers aiming to unlock the secrets of adult disease. The lead researcher said one of the surprising outcomes was that obese children could reverse the health impacts if they lost weight. The Menzies institute has been running clinics in Tasmania and Victoria involving hundreds of people who were first studied three decades ago as school kids.
Sea Shepherd crew prepares for a simpler life on a mission to protect Patagonian toothfish
For the past two weeks the Sea Shepherd ship, Bob Barker, has been docked at Hobart's Elizabeth Street pier. On Wednesday it embarks on a mission of a different kind. This season the activists are getting ready to confront six ships they accuse of poaching Patagonian toothfish. For the more than 30 crew who set out on the Bob Barker life is about to get a lot more simple. The ship's manager Lex Rigby said life on board would be stripped back to the bare essentials.
Sexual abuse by Hutchins School staff widely known, royal commission told
Sexual abuse by Hutchins School staff widely known, royal commission told Updated November 19, 2014 21:28:57 A national investigation into child sexual abuse has heard it was widely known that sexual abuse was occurring at a Hobart private boys school in the 1960s.At the first public hearings in Tasmania for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, witnesses have broken down giving evidence.
Young Tas axeman Kody Steers beats former world champion for season's first state wood chopping championship
An axeman from north-west Tasmania has beaten former world champion David Foster to take out the first state wood chopping title of 2014–15. Kody Steers said he did not expect to win the ribbon at Saturday's competition at the Longford show. The 19-year-old demolished the 300mm underhand championship in just 17.4 seconds to edge out defending champ Stephen Foster and Deloraine veteran Matthew Gurr.
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