June 2007
Marriage of Evan Gallagher & David
Mills ................................................ 2
Standing committee: meals and
catering........................................... 2
Active outreach for regional
meetings ......................................... 2
SA Regional Meeting—Minutes ..... 3
Outreach 2007................................ 4
QSA news ...................................... 4
The work of QUNO ......................... 5
How does QUNO decide what
issues to pursue? ........................... 6
Quakers don’t… ............................. 7 ‘I saw also
Tenth anniversary of the Bringing
them home report ......................... 7 that there
Requests to RM for funding............ 8
Finding a Quaker voice in the 21st
century............................................ 9
was an
The Quaker shop............................ 9
Eastern Suburbs: meeting after
ocean of
meeting........................................... 9
Eastern Suburbs Quaker Quest ..... 9
darkness
Adelaide LM: worship sharing ...... 10
Shared lunch at the meeting house10
and death,
but an
infinite
ocean of
light and
love, which
flowed over
the ocean of
darkness.’
George Fox
Molly and Andrew enjoy looking at the peace calendar
Walking cheerfully is available in
more by silence than by singing or Standing committee:
preaching. It has a mystical bent,
hardcopy or from the SARM which emphasises the individual meals and catering
website. Please submit articles, and corporate experience of God's
drawings, letters, photos… Friday 20 July to Sunday 22 July
spirit - and the reality of the
presence of God in each person. Assistance is needed with meals
If you would like to receive
walking cheerfully or amend your and catering for Standing
This conviction that everybody is Committee on Friday and
mailing-list details, please let me
of equal worth has informed their Saturday. We are seeking helpers
know.
active work for peace and non- to be rostered in the kitchen and
Love debra violence, and for the equal also for some home cooking.
(0438 869 099 ● 8296 9099 ●
treatment and rights of all people. Please ring us soon if you can
walkingcheerfully@auspics.org) In Australia, Quakers have been help.
strong advocates of the legal
recognition of same-sex Ann Rees and Roger Keyes
Editor: debra hackett relationships, and some Quaker 8332 6390
walkingcheerfully@auspics.org groups have recognised
PO Box 55 homosexual unions with services Active outreach for
North Adelaide SA 5006
sa.quakers.org.au/walkingcheerf
of commitment. But last month's
wedding was the first same-sex
regional meetings
ully/ marriage. So why did Evan and Stephen Hodgkin, Canberra RM
David want a marriage and not a (based on ‘Outreach a regional meeting
Subscription: $20.00 per annum
service of commitment? can do’)
Closing date for each issue is Create attractive leaflets, eye catching,
the Evan: The simple answer to that
is that a marriage is what felt right with a simple summary of what Quakers
first Sunday of the month believe, what we do and how to contact
to us. When we first discussed
this, there was no real question us.
Marriage of Evan about whether it would be a Provide more introduction to Quakerism
Gallagher & David Mills marriage or a ceremony of books in the library, especially newer
commitment, we just felt that a ones.
The Religion Report interview with marriage would be the thing that
Evan Gallagher, David Mills and Send articles to newspapers, to local
would reflect how we felt about community papers or specialist
Dorothy Broom (Registering our relationship. This is not to say
Officer, Canberra Yearly Meeting) magazines.
that we don't see ceremonies of
aired on commitment as the same thing as Organise public forums on particular
23 May and is available online a marriage, it's just the way we felt themes. Don’t just draw on Quaker
(transcript and audio) at about our own relationship was speakers (invite an ecumenical &
www.abc.net.au/rn/religionrepo that it would be best described as interfaith panel or academics & politicians]
rt/ a marriage. Send letters to the children in the Meeting.
Excerpt from transcript: Last Invite them to an event, and watch them
David Busch: And in terms of come. Plan joint activities with Young
month in Canberra, a ground- your own understanding of
breaking wedding took place. For Friends in the Meeting.
yourselves as couples and
the first time in Australia, the individuals involved in the Quaker Invite Attenders to become Members.
Religious Society of Friends, or movement, why was the religious Meet for worship one weekday evening
Quakers, celebrated a same-sex blessing or the spiritual affirmation each week. Many people work weekends,
marriage in one of their meeting of that relationship important to especially young ones.
houses. While gay marriage is not you?
recognised under Australian civil Meet at different places, taking the
law, Evan Gallagher and David Evan : I think it was particularly Meeting on the road can reach new faces.
Mills are married, according to the important for us because there Advertise regular low-key drop in events
rites of the Religious Society of isn't for same-sex couples of where enquirers are welcome. At
Friends, and they will be regarded course, the option for legal someone’s home, a short film, a talk (US
as such by Quakers around the recognition, and having the meeting house shows monthly peace
world. support of the Quaker meeting, films).
the recognition that comes
David Busch: The Religious Market—publicity can be high cost, but
through that formal ceremony,
Society of Friends emerged from posters, media articles and our website
was an important way for us to
the Christian foment in England in are low-cost marketing ideas.
have our relationship affirmed and
the 17th century, with the goal of recognised by our friends and Improve your current ads; in phone books,
returning to the original spiritual family and the Quaker community. local papers. Don’t use the same ad for
basis of Christianity, free of ritual, years!
hierarchy and State privilege. It
has no clergy, and its worship is Check signs outside the building. Do they
informal and simple, characterised catch the eye of passers-by? Use a
2 Walking cheerfully
sandwich board on the main road or bike SA Regional Meeting— Christopher Nordin for the
path when events are happening, with a authority of Regional Meeting to
short piece on who we are and how to Minutes be buried in the Quaker burial
contact us. Sunday, 3 June 2007 rround and for there to be a
Provide seed money for new meetings, for plaque bearing his name placed
In attendance below Margie's plaque on the
room hire and advertising etc. Charles and Elizabeth Stevenson, memorial wall.
Assess how well different approaches Ann Rees, Enid Robertson, Kate We are pleased to agree to this
work. Ask enquirers how they found the Alessia, Humphrey Tranter, debra request.
Meeting and how they heard of Quakers. Hackett, Kerry O’Regan, Inga
Don’t waste money on expensive Tolley, Geoff Greeves, Dorothy 6. Nominations committee
advertising if it attracted only two people Scott, David and Topsy Evans, We confirm Elizabeth Stevenson
in a year. Max and Sonia Raupach, Lesley as member of MFL Committee.
Don’t count success by changes in Hopkins, Jo Juchniewicz, Caroline 7. Earth testimony
numbers—we are planting seeds, and we Donald, Chris Logan, Judy We hear excerpts from the
may not see their fruition. Greeves (Assistant Clerk), Drew minutes of both Adelaide and
Thomas (Clerk). Eastern Suburbs Local Meetings,
1. Acknowledgement of country and note that there are
We acknowledge that Indigenous supplementary comments
people were the first to find attached to the Adelaide
spiritual and physical nurture in mSinutes.
this region. We are open to We agree to forward both Minutes,
learning from them. including the ALM attachment, to
Standing Committee.
2. Reading We note the strength of the draft
We hear a reading from the draft Australian Advices and queries in
Australian Advices and Queries capturing this concern, and
3. Minutes of April Regional suggest that Advices and queries
Meeting may be a good way forward. We
The minutes are signed. ask Standing Committee to
4. Around SARM explore ways of indicating that our
Darwin meeting concern is both national and
We hear that Darwin meeting is global.
growing. We hear their request for 8. Nunyara retreat weekend:
support. We look forward to the arrangements committee report
presence of Northern Territory Arrangements are well in hand for
friends at the Nunyara weekend the Nunyara weekend. We have
and will seek to use conversations two Alice Springs Friends booked,
on that weekend to identify further and anticipate being joined by two
opportunities to provide support. Friends form Darwin.
We note that Ann Rees will be in 9. Standing committee
Darwin soon. We ask Regional arrangements
Ministry and Oversight to explore We are advised that these
options for increased support, arrangements are well in hand
including a ‘Hearts and minds
prepared’ course. We ask 10. AYM 2008
Adelaide Local Meeting (ALM) to Sachiko Yamamoto is Clerk of
request that the library committee Tokyo Local Meeting, and will visit
liaise with outreach committee to AYM. We will welcome her to visit
identify possible books we could us on 2-3 January 2008 as our
send to Darwin. We commit to first preference.
continuing support for fares to 11. Outreach committee report
enable a Darwin Friend to attend
Yearly Meeting. Open day
Southern worshipping group We confirm Open Day as 30
We hear that Southern worshiping September, 2007. Outreach
group has reconvened. We are Committee welcomes offerings
delighted by this news. We from all friends of representation
encourage them to appoint a at the Open day. Outreach
correspondent, and also to keep a committee has asked all SARM
record of numbers in attendance. meetings to consider opportunities
5. Membership matters for this week.
We hear a request from
June 2007 3
David Johnson lecture SARM. We express our faith in While we Quakers are generally
We thank debra hackett for her those concerned to find, in the not into proselytising, there has
excellent work in publishing the spirit, a way forward, and agree to been a move, in recent years, to
lecture. We agree to a selling hold them in the Light let people know more about us
price of $5. We ask that it be 16. Other business and what we stand for. To the
launched nationally at Standing Heritage week extent that this year, in Britain and
Committee, and locally at the We note that the Meeting House throughout Australia, there will be
Nunyara weekend. was visited by over 100 people an Outreach Week from 23 to 30
during this week, with many September. Meetings and
Website expressing n interest in Quaker worshipping groups are
We celebrate that the website is ways. encouraged to think of creative
now live. (www.sa.quakers.org.au) ways through which they can
We ask Friends to support Additional funding requests make themselves known to their
outreach in its continuing We hear a request from Diane local communities.
development as a distinctive Sautelle for $1000 to support At a Regional Meeting level, the
presence for SA Friends. Reconciliation South Australia in week will culminate in an Open
12. Finance committee report acknowledging the fortieth Day to be held in the auditorium of
The treasurer presents a anniversary of the referendum on the West Torrens Community
comprehensive report. We ask indigenous rights. We agree to Centre on 30 September. The day
that the report be attached to the support the request in this will commence with Meeting for
minutes. instance. We will seek clarification Worship at 10.00 am, followed
We hear a request from Mary as to possible further involvement with talks by various Friends at
Webb for funds to support her with this group. hourly intervals on
attendance at a Young Adult We hear a request for financial the topic of ‘What being a Quaker
Leadership Development Program support or education expenses means to me’. There will also be a
at Pendle Hill. We understand that from two Friends in Africa. range of displays showing
ALM will contribute half of the We agree to support the request different
airfares. We agree that SARM will from Joseph Kisia with a grant of
cover the other half of the fares, $1000, to be paid to an aspects of Quaker life and
and possible additional expenses. appropriate educational authority, activities, with Friends being
We support Mary’s application to possibly from the Kathy Bodnar available to talk with visitors and
the AYM Thanksgiving Fund, and bequest. We approve a similar answer questions. Refreshments
invite them to reimburse some of grant for Beatrice Muresu, to be will be served during the day.
the SARM contribution. forwarded once details of an We are hoping that as many
13. AYM 2010 – Venue search appropriate educational authority Friends as possible will be present
committee are available. at the day and contribute in some
The Venue committee is 17. Next meeting way. The Outreach Committee
continuing its search. August Meeting for Worship for has identified all the groups and
14. Friends school report Business –North Adelaide at activities we can think of, but if
Caroline Donald, board member, 12.45. you have an idea or would like to
presents a report on the recent October Meeting – Fleurieu – participate but haven’t yet been
board meeting. Her detailed report date, time and place to be asked, we would be happy to hear
paints a picture of a school in negotiated. from you.
good health in all areas of Drew Thomas, Clerk Movie night
learning. The board and the
principal are paying continuing The Fishbowl Boys (Matthew Lykos's
attention to the relationship barbershop quartet) are co-hosting a
between the school and the wider movie night on 20 June at the Capri
Quaker community. We thank Theatre, to raise money for their
Caroline for an excellent report. upcoming trip to Sydney in September for
the National Barbershop Convention.
15. AYM Indigenous concerns Keeping Mum is the comedy film, with
network pre-film entertainment. Tickets (only $10)
We hear that there have been Outreach 2007 from Cleo, Chris or Matthew: 8266 5114,
some tensions within this network, 0428 842 333, 0408 842 333
and that they have impacted on all Kerry O’Regan .
involved, including members of Convenor Outreach Committee
QSA news Jackie Perkins, until now the only paid staff member, thus
allowing her to concentrate on the project work, as well as to
There have been some changes in QSA recently with the provide regular information about our activities and, in the
appointment of Jasmine Payget as publicity officer and Heather process, expand the support base of QSA. So, readers, expect
Saville as education officer, each employed on average for half a more regular items in the newsletter.
day per week. The intention is to take some of the huge load off
4 Walking cheerfully
Overseas aid and the federal budget represents 1.2% of the total aid budget.
Following on from the Prime Minister’s promise at the UN That said, this year’s allocation is a great improvement on the
General Assembly 18 months ago to lift Australia’s aid budget to past, with substantial amounts for economic-related infra-
$4 billion by 2010, this year’s federal budget saw an increase of structure using local labour, increases in education and health
4.5% over 2005/06 to $3.155 billion. These figures sound huge initiatives, an emphasis on getting more children into school and
but still have Australia as 15th out of the 22 Organisation for forestry and climate change projects. It also raises the total
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, annual allocation to organisations like QSA from $100,000 to
and at 0.33% is a long way from the 0.5% of gross national $150,000 and gives a greater degree of certainty of future
iIncome (GNI) that is necessary to achieve the United Nations funding. So, it is better, but nowhere good enough.
Millennium Development Goals to which Australia is a signatory.
Are there votes in aid?
As the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID),
This was a question which formed the basis of a ‘fringe’ event at
the peak body for Australian aid agencies, puts it ‘Australians are
the recent ALP Conference in Sydney, organised by the Make
the world’s second most generous private donors to NGOs and
poverty history coalition. It was addressed by Tim Costello, CEO
Australia has had a world-beating economic performance for a
of World Vision, and Andrew Hewitt, who heads Oxfam, as well
decade. Yet we will remain in the bottom two thirds of OECD
as Bob McMullan, the Shadow Minister for International
donor countries in 2010 based on these budget projections’.
Development. The consensus was that ‘yes, there were votes in
The vast bulk of this $3.155 billion is allocated to a variety of aid’ but that members of parliament need to be made aware of
large infra-structure initiatives, often on a government to this.
government (bilateral) basis, or on contract to private companies
Bob McMullan’s advice was that supporters of NGOs should
who tender for commercial work that is decided by AusAID, the
lobby their local members to make clear to them that their
federal body responsible for managing the aid budget. These
constituents thought this was an important matter. Given that
contractors obviously have much higher costs than do the NGOs
well over one million Australians regularly support NGOs, they
that operate without a profit motive. A very small proportion of the
represent a substantial proportion of the electorate. He
total (last year well under 5%) is allocated to non-government
emphasised that visiting your local MP has far more impact than
organisations such as QSA, although 2006/07 is a big advance
signing a petition or writing a form letter to a minister. QSA will be
on the extremely low level of the previous year. The ANCP, the
happy to provide useful information for those who wish to take
program under which QSA receives AusAID funding, still only
this matter up.
The work of QUNO injustice. We expect a great deal
and always have of this precious
In mid-May, David Atwood, the United Nations system, and
director of QUNO Geneva, rightfully so. But we are also small
addresses the Switzerland Yearly in number. The ‘presence’ which
Meeting on this topic. The we can have must necessarily be
following is a short excerpt from modest up against not only the
his address. The full address is mega-problems that we can see,
available from Topsy Evans but also up against the powerful
(tevans@c130.aone.net.au). institutions that make up the
‘Friends’ long commitment to the problem but also must be part of
development of international the solution. Choices have to be
institutions of peace has meant made. Limited resources and
the continuous backing for a capacities have to be focused.
Quaker presence in Geneva and Allies have to be found and
New York nearly since the UN’s nurtured. This has always been
inception through the Quaker true in QUNO work. But it is
United Nations Offices. In the 60 especially true today when—as a
years of this work, these too have result of globalisation and the
had to adapt in response to the reality of hundreds of purpose-
needs and changes taking place driven civil society organisations—
in the world. Otherwise, QUNO’s we are only one of many. How can
work would have become we still ‘pursue peace through the
irrelevant long ago. UN’ in such circumstances?
As Friends, we always have high In a very real sense, all of our
hopes and high expectations. We programme work is ‘peace’ related
are a passionate and impatient from the broad perspective that
people. We want change for the the current situation demands—
better, and we want it sooner whether it is our economics work
rather than later. We reject seeking a fairer deal for
lovingly those factors which are developing countries in trade
preventing peaceful relations negotiations, or our human rights
among people and prolong work seeking the strengthen-ing
June 2007 5
and implementation of broad United Nations Assoc of Australia (SA): coming events
human rights principles or Saturday 30 June
focusing on particularly neglected Graham Smith Peace Trust dinner
areas, such as women in prison, Julian Burnside QC is our enormously honoured guest and
or our disarmament work, seen speaker at this years’ peace trust dinner and art auction
throughout the history of QUNO at the award winning Italian Centre, Adelaide.
as fundamental to establishing Sunday 28 October at Mings Palace Gouger Street.
durable peace. This broad Annual dinner to mark United Nations Day
approach to peace has enabled us Special banquet for $35 excluding drinks.
to work on a range of fronts For bookings contact Krysia Tincello
simultaneously—and, we hope, Graham F. Smith Peace Trust Inc
with mutually reinforcing effect. info@artspeacetrust.org or 08 8272 1759
United Nations Association of Australia (SA)
But within these broad areas we Double feature film night
must specialise. We cannot do Eats and drinks
everything. Sunday 22 July 2007 at 4.00pm
I would like to end with two short Wallis theatrette
quotes from two Quakers who 139 Richmond road Richmond
have been very important in the 4.00pm Happy Feet (G)
‘outward’ work of Friends, 6.00pm Meal / Drinks / Raffle
6.45pm Jindabyne—Australian drama (M)
particularly in Quaker international
8.45pm Coffee and Cake
peace work.
Price: $20 / $15 concession
The first comes from Sydney from Heather Southcott 8271 4433 or 8226 4141
Bailey, who not only worked for a engagement in work for Friends, special concern or special
time at QUNO-NY but was actively particularly with the American expertise to lend, or are they
engaged in many other Friends Service Committee. I shall affected directly by it?
dimensions of Quaker end my remarks with this query: A current example is work we are
international work, including doing in relation to the new UN
conflict mediation work. In his ever In all our fervor—in all my
fervor—to be doing, have I paid Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).
relevant Swarthmore Lecture of Burundi is one of the two first
1993, entitled Peace is a process, too little attention to the power
that lies in being? De we countries of focus by the PBC. Not
he made the following reflection only have Quakers in Burundi
which I believe is terribly relevant remember that it is the spirit of
our service, the aura that been heavily affected by the
to understanding Quaker work in conflict, but they have developed
pursuing peace at the United surrounds it, the gentleness and
the patience that marks it, the particular peacebuilding work—
Nations: Alternatives to Violence; ‘trauma
love made visible that compels
Friends often ask for an it, that is the truly distinctive healing’; local peace
enhancement of the moral quality that lifts Quaker service committees—which are of
element in international above lobbying, above pressure, particular relevance to the
decision-making, and they are above coercion, that inspires the peacebuilding challenges the
quite right to do so. At the same doubtful, and reaches to the country is facing. Our task at
time, we should recognise that heart of the adversary? 2 QUNO is to bring this experience
for the harassed foreign minister and expertise to bear on the work
or ambassador, the distinction Sydney D Bailey, Peace is a process,
of the PBC.
Swarthmore Lecture 1993, Quaker
between the pragmatic and the c) Is there a ‘niche’ that we can
Home Service & Woodbrooke College,
ethical is often blurred. The most 1993, 110. perceive, where our capacities,
effective Quakers in Stephen G Cary, The intrepid Quaker: style of work and experience can
international affairs are not one man’s quest for peace, Pendle Hill be relevant? Is there a need
those who think of ministers and Publications, 2003, 265-6. where others are not yet working
diplomats as knaves or fools,
but those who enter with
How does QUNO or where we have something
sympathy into the painful decide what issues to special to contribute?
d) Is there a UN institutional
dilemmas and difficult choices pursue? mechanism or structure through
which national decision-makers
confront. Sometimes this We cannot do everything. On what which we can work? We are
becomes almost a pastoral role.1 are our choices based? A range of based in Geneva. The nature of
factors shape our decisions: peace concerns is such that that
The second is a reflection put in work must be pursued at various
the form of a query, aimed at a) Is it a concern of Friends that
levels—from local to global—but
reminding all of us who are so has come to us through Quaker
the particular way in which work
busy seeking to change the world channels?
will be very much shaped by the
that this requires more than just b) Related: Are Friends working setting in which be work. Thus:
action. It comes from Stephen on the issue, do they have a
Cary, who had a life-time of ● Our New York office—being
6 Walking cheerfully
more closely connected to UN Quaker House as a setting for ‘off- ‘powerful’. We are not perceived
Security Council concerns—has the-record’ and other types of as a threat. We have not larger
in recent years chosen to shape encounters is constant feature of institutional axe to grind in the way
a great deal of its work around our work. Quaker House offers an we work. We are trusted.
so-called ‘neglected’ conflicts ongoing and much-valued feature d) Willingness to work in coalitions
and how to move concern about of who we are in our witness in with others—and to support such
and action on these conflicts to Geneva—and this is also true in work in and from Geneva. Hence,
the centre of Security Council New York and Brussels QUNO was central in helping to
attention. b) Sticking with an issue, until it is found the coalition to end the use
● Geneva is home to the clear that our own added-value is of child soldiers and in founding
Conference on Disarmament. no longer significant or necessary. the international action network on
And many other disarmament (We do lay down work small arms. And we are currently
issues are dealt with in Geneva, occasionally!) Work at the UN can a key organisation in helping to
such as the Biological Weapons be frustratingly slow—often it is establish a Geneva ‘platform’ of
Convention review process. only after years of work that real organisations for assisting the
Thus, many Missions to the UN progress is able to happen or can peacebuilidng commission in its
will have staff specialising on be seen to have happened. We work.
disarmament affairs. We make can’t walk in and out of issues and
use of this community in Geneva expect to be effective. The
to seek to move action on issues consistency of our work over
that may not actually be being time—our preparedness to work
formally dealt with in Geneva— ‘for the long haul’—is a feature of
or anywhere how we ‘pursue peace’—and this
There are some factors that are is valued.
consistent in our work over the c) ‘Small is beautiful’ Our size up
years, even as issues change. against many other organisations
a) Offering space. The use of is small, but it is in that relative
small-ness that we can be
Quakers don’t…
go in much for theological speculation
Many of us are attracted to Friends by the lack of a creed/dogma.
have creeds. We have values we cherish, but we don't compel
This doesn’t mean, however, that there are no dos and don'ts; it’s
just that one doesn’t always become aware of them until one has agreement - we give advice
have particular problems with using modern technology
overstepped the line The following don’ts have been collected in
conversation and while surfing the ‘net. Have you come across indulge in frivolous activities!
any amusing / alarming don’ts (or dos) lately? just talk the talk,. they walk the walk
Quakers don’t: like candles
approve of drinking like to draw too much attention to themselves
ask personal questions - even your name necessarily have a Quaker identity
believe in life after death practice shunning
believe in violence profess to have answers, which is why they don't attract a lot of
believe that playing the lottery is ethical converts
buy paintings quake much any more
have any drama, it's very quiet, and very inward-looking say ‘thank you’
have much of a message beyond ‘Quaker worship, 10.00 am’ shake
drink or have fun spend much time discussing theology
force religion on other people; we would rather be here for use Bibles
seekers to find for themselves. want to do anything that might make someone uncomfortable
Tenth anniversary of the occasion.
Bringing them home I hope that together we can move
closer to outcomes that we can all
report take pride in.
Extract from the speech given by When I reflected about coming to
Professor Lowitja O’Donoghue in this gathering today, and the ten
the Great Hall of Parliament, years that have passed since the
Canberra, Bringing them home report was
24 May 2007 tabled, I experienced a range of
I am delighted to be here. And as conflicting feelings.
co-patron of the Stolen The first was the feeling of
Generations Alliance. I welcome weariness at how many times in
everyone to this important my life I have stood up to speak
June 2007 7
about rights and justice for important step – and said Sorry. in our giving.
Aboriginal people.
The Tasmanian government has B Does the request spring from a
I decided that, at my age, it’s even passed legislation to Quaker Concern supported by
probably not a good idea to even try compensate Tasmanian members many Friends?
to begin counting! of the Stolen Generations.
C Is this an RM or LM Concern?
And of course, what accompanies But at the federal level, rebuilding
D Will it be possible to maintain or
this feeling is a profound sadness relationships is not the name of
develop personal contact with
about how little has actually been the game.
those requesting assistance?
achieved in terms of the
The rules of the game that prevail
wellbeing of Aboriginal people E Will there be a number of
in this town under this leadership
in this country. Friends actively involved in the
are to respond to (and only to)
Concern?
On the other hand, I am constantly what will win votes.
inspired by the hard work and F Has this request been ‘filtered’
And this is not good news for
commitment of those who work for by an RM or LM Committee?
Aboriginal people - or for that
change - and there are many of
matter any groups of people who G Will there be a report to RM on
them.
do not have a powerful voice. the use of the funds?
They are peoples from all walks
Of the 54 recommendations made H Will the funds be deposited in
of life who never give up in their
in the Bringing them home report, an organisation bank account? i.e.
struggle for justice.
35 have been ignored - that is two preferably not an individual’s
This must be celebrated and thirds. private account unless that would
honoured if we want to sustain be more appropriate in a particular
Where there has been a response
and grow our healing. case - perhaps to pay fares, for
- for example, Link-Up services -
instance.
Another positive is that I also feel the funding is drastically
is that the general population of inadequate to meet the need. I Would it be more appropriate to
this land is responsive to justice make an appeal after Meetings for
The wonderful dedicated workers
(as they overwhelmingly were in individual Friends to donate as
of these services as with so many
the 1967 Referendum) – if these they are moved?
workers in Aboriginal services,
issues are adequately
buckle under the load. ALM Treasurers
represented in the public
- Roger Keyes & Geoff Greeves
domain. The Prime Minister either doesn't
ESLM Treasurers
'get it' or he doesn't care, and I am
But this is a very big 'if''. - Inga Tolley & Jane Duguid
not sure which is worse. ...
RM Treasurer
I n spite of the much touted
The full text of speeches given by - Topsy Evans
prosperity in Australia m a n y
Lowitja O’Donoghue, Brian Butler,
Aboriginal people still live in the
Mal Brough, Tony Abbot, Jenny
worst of third world conditions.
Macklin, Mark Bin Bakar and
On any social indicator of Henry Reynolds is available at
wellbeing: health education, http://www.sgalliance.org.au/transcripts.htm
housing, employment, civic
participation, numbers in custody Requests to RM for
– you name it – Aboriginal funding
people are always over-
represented at the wrong end of A first draft of guidelines for
the scale. responding to requests to RM for
funding
Aboriginal people, the first
people of this land, are dying of The RM Finance Committee has
despair while those in power look been considering how to make
the other way. Their eyes and recommendations to RM in
their priorities are clearly response to requests for funding.
focused in other directions. The following notes may assist in
formulating a series of Guidelines,
It is for this reason that I have no
which need to be flexible enough
expectation of an apology from our
to allow for guidance by the Spirit.
current Prime Minister.
Please send feedback to either
Yet acknowledgement of the your Local Meeting Treasurers or
wrongs of the past is a the RM Treasurer, preferably
fundamental plank in rebuilding before the next meeting of the
relationships. Every state Finance Committee on 24 July.
government has taken this
A We must be guided by the Spirit
8 Walking cheerfully
Meetings for worship
Adelaide local meeting
11.00 am Sunday—Friends Meeting House, 40a Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide
Alice Springs worshipping group
Clare Nowak, 2 Cora Crescent, Alice Springs NT 0870 (08) 8952 7558
Copper Triangle recognised meeting
11.00 am third Sunday of each month, Senior Citizens Hall, Taylor Street, Kadina
Evening meeting once a month in various homes—Roger Norris-Green (08) 8825 1981
Darwin recognised meting
4.30 pm first and third Sundays of each month—in various homes.
Elaine Edwards (08) 8981 5096 or Neil Chadwick (08) 8932 1351
Eastern Suburbs local meeting
10.00 am Sunday—Leabrook Guide Hall, Rochester Street, Leabrook
Fleurieu worshipping group
11.00 am every second and last Sunday of each month—Council Chambers, The Strand, Port Elliot.
Shirley Dunn (08) 8555 2778
Gawler worshipping group
7.00 pm third Sunday each month. Kerry O’Regan 8523 2968 or 0408881617
Hills recognised meeting
10.30 am second Sunday of each month. Kevin Burrett for venue 8339 5360
Southern worshipping group
Third Sunday of each month. David Groom & Brenda Hamilton, 8326 4931, bren_dave@optusnet.com.au
Meetings for worship for Quaker business
Adelaide local meeting: last Sunday of the month (except December)
Eastern Suburbs local meeting: last Sunday of every second month (a week before each Regional
Meeting)
SA regional meeting: first Sunday of alternate (even) months
Next Regional Meeting for Worship for Business will be at North Adelaide on 2 June, starting at 1.00 pm.
Other meetings
Fellowship of Healing
Meeting House library at 12.30pm on the second Wednesday and the fourth Friday of each month
Finding a Quaker voice Eastern Suburbs:
in the 21st century meeting after meeting
Nunyara Weekend--17 to 19 Sunday 17 June
August
Elizabeth Stevenson and Maggie
Details and application form were Semets will speak about their
circulated with last month’s journeys as Quakers. Elizabeth
Walking cheerfully and are also will also talk about her learning
available from and experience working with
sa.quakers.org.au/walkingcheerful children with learning difficulties.
ly/
Eastern Suburbs
The Quaker shop
Quaker Quest
sa.quakers.org.au/shop
At Eastern Suburbs Local
Monday–Friday 10.00 am – 4.00 Meeting, Quaker Quest will begin
pm as an inreach program on the
Saturday 9.30 am –2.30 pm second Sunday of the month with
51 Kensington Road, Norwood a half hour from 9.15 to 9.45am.
South Meeting for Worship will follow at
10.00am.
Quaker Quest will begin on 10
June with the topic ‘Quakers and
June 2007 9
Worship’ Adelaide LM:
worship sharing
Sacred texts from the Islamic,
Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist, Christian
Judaic and Mystical traditions.
June—Taoism
Sunday 10 & Thursday 14
Facilitator: Winsome Paul
Two ancient texts of Taoism
July No sessions on account of
Standing Committee and Nunyara
Weekend.
August—Buddhism
Thursday 9 & Sunday 12
Facilitator: Kevin Burrett
Buddhists and Friends
We hope to see you there!
Shared lunch at the
meeting house
Sunday 22 July at 12.30 pm.
Some delegates from Standing
Committee will be present.
10 Walking cheerfully