How an Australian couple used a Mexican wave to heal abused children

IN 2000, Pam and Alan Skuse left the comforts of the Sunshine Coast to spend a year volunteering with abandoned and abused children in poor, crime-ridden Tapachula in southern Mexico.

A kid's T-shirt or World Cup winner?

Could these be the home-and-away strips the Socceroos will take to the World Cup? A website, footballshirtculture.com, claims the multicoloured uniforms are those Australia will wear in South Africa later this year - and manufacturers Nike made no effort to deny the claim. "Nike files different patent applications at different stages in the kit design process and for different design options," a Nike spokesman said. "The national team shirts will be launched later this year, and until then we can't confirm the designs involved." Football Federation Australia spokesman Rod Allen wouldn't confirm the designs were the official prototype, but said the search was certainly under way. "We're dealing with the sponsors to come up with the right strip," Allen said. Opinion was split among contributors to the website over the design. "It looks like a kids' T-shirt," said one. But for every word against there was one in support, as another predicted the home design could be the "yummiest kit at the finals". Being a Socceroos kit, or any kit for that matter, it is bound to be controversial - perhaps even more so than the players eventually sporting it.

Balancing on the baseline

Jason Kubler's strong skills on court belie his years, writes Linda Pearce.

DEALS

Cut-price African safari

A hopeful romantic

Jill Barber's optimism shines through in her postwar-influenced orchestral pop.

Greenacre a pioneer, not a journeyman

The Phoenix striker says he could be followed by a host of English imports, writes Michael Cockerill.

Yang conquers Tiger, and Australian PGA could be next

THE world's best golfer, Tiger Woods, is already headed for Australian shores this summer. Now the man who beat him in one of sport's great fairytale finishes could be on the way as well.

Spirited adventurers claimed by a foggy peak

THE tour company told them to bring "a spirit of adventure" to Kokoda. The nine Australians brought it in spades: the two cousins on a pilgrimage to follow their grandfather's steps in World War II; the doctor whose trek would raise money for a school in Africa; her patient supporting her quest; the retired dairy farmer and volunteer firemen and his daughter; the young actor who gave up the limelight to become firefighter and tour guide ...

Pssst

Saints happy to wait

Letters

PETER COSTELLO