The use of the pronouns we, us, and our in political speeches : A comparative study of the inaugural addresses of Bush and Obama

Pronouns carry considerable importance in language. The speaker’s identity and connection to the audience emerges through the consistent use of certain pronouns (De Fina, 1995). This research is about the use of we, us, and our in political discourse. Specifically, their use will be examined in the inaugural addresses of George W. Bush in 2005 and Barack Obama in 2009. The aim of this research is to examine the frequencies and the co-occurrences of these pronouns and then compare their use in these two speeches. More specifically, how do the pronouns examined affect the message and enhance hearer credibility. This is done by applying (a) a quantitative corpus linguistics analysis and (b) qualitative analysis of the context of use. The results show that there is a difference in frequency of pronoun use; however, the usage of pronouns is rather similar in the two speeches

Outdoor education and bush adventure therapy: A social-ecological approach to health and wellbeing.

Together, outdoor education and bush adventure therapy can be seen to constitute a population-wide health intervention strategy. Whether in educational or therapeutic settings, the intentional use of contact with nature, small groups, and adventure provides a unique approach in the promotion of health and wellbeing for the general population, and for individuals with identified health vulnerabilities. This paper explicitly emphasises human and social health, however, an integral assumption is that a healthy and sustainable environment is dependent on healthy human relationships with nature. We invite outdoor educators and bush adventure therapy practitioners to examine the proposition that healthy interactions with nature can create a unique stream of socio-ecological interventions. A spectrum of outdoor adventure programs is provided, allowing outdoor educators and bush adventure therapy practitioners to locate their work according to program context and aims, and participant aims and needs.

Leaving the bush : why did they do it?

The demand for allied health professionals (AHPs) in rural areas is increasing due to changes in lifestyle, disease and disability of the population. Recruitment and retention of AHPs in rural Australia is an issue that continues to challenge policy makers. However, recent initiatives from the Commonwealth Government have focused on boosting the rural health workforce through grants that support education and training, expand health services and increase the number of rural and remote clinical placements. In addition to this funding, suggested restructure of the current allied health service delivery model is gaining much attention. Although this funding and organisational reform is much needed and welcomed, the changing nature of allied health work, increasing demand, and shortages across most rural areas highlight the need for research to address the complexities associated with recruitment and retention of these professionals.

Gaining insight into the experiences of rural AHPs can assist with enhancing government funded recruitment and retention programs and developing sustainable and efficient workforce policies. This study hopes to build on our previous research that implies recruitment is enhanced when retention is optimal, since AHPs are willing to recommend their workplace. Therefore, the factors that influence retention are just as valid and important as the factors that influence recruitment, but many of the existing workforce models have solely focused on recruitment.4 Additionally, these models do not adequately address issues regarding rural employment, they are difficult to implement, and costly to sustain.

In order to make policy recommendations on recruitment and retention in Australia, this paper aims to explore the experiences of AHPs who resigned from rural employment

Bush garden ethos in South Australia

The bush garden ethos in South Australia, notwithstanding the state's dearth of water, poor soils and Mediterranean climate, has been slow in evolving. Even today. the logical Mediterranean philosophical arguments of Trevor Nottle, expressed in Gardens of the Sun,' are passed over in favour of struggling or often over-watered gardens containing ubiquitous 'Iceberg' roses, an eclectic exotic collection of plants, and the odd umbrageous eucalypt.'