Author: Ray Temmerman

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General Advocacy International News

Supporting Teacher Training

COFFEE SALES SUPPORT TEACHER TRAINING IN TIMOR LESTE

Dear Advocates, Donors & Supporters

We want to let you know how valuable your support for our student teachers has been and let you know how they have done. 

Timor wasn’t spared in the global covid pandemic but coped very well with their quarantine and vaccination programs. The district lockdowns and later the damage by storms disrupted access to Baucau Institute and at times, access to schools. But the Timorese were adaptable, running tutorials with WhatsApp. Still, some of our students struggled to complete their course work this year for the first time since our program began over ten years ago.

In her latest newsletter from the Baucau Institute where our scholarship holders attend, academic, Margie Beck reported:

“On Monday 22nd November, Licenciate (4th Year degree course) students began studying their first unit – Research Methodology. 

There were 70 students in this group. Many of these are teaching in schools across the country, but 46 were third-year students who had just completed their Bachelor’s course. So many of them are being supported by you, and I cannot express my gratitude for your generosity and willingness to find the money to pay for this course. In these times, fundraising is challenging, yet anyone I approached was happy to try to find the money for a scholarship. 

All donors are mentioned in every Mass and weekly prayers, so know you are being blessed from East Timor!”

Currently there are a couple of candidates attending the entrance exam and interviews so we’re waiting to hear the outcomes and the guidance of the Natarbora Education Commission before we decide how many scholarships will be supported next year. 

Attached is a photo of Petronila who recently graduated.

Again, thanks for your faithful support.
Kind regards
David Gallan

Petronila
Supported by the sale of coffee
Categories
General Advocacy Indigenous Support Group International News Refugees

Good News Week

Good morning Advocates,

A message from Mick:

It’s good news week folks —

We have been advocating for minorities,  indigenous , and refugees and asylum seekers since our SJA inception . 

 ***** Now our Prime Minister has recognised the Uyghurs minority in China. 

He and the government have made a stand to recognise the potential genocide of this persecuted  minority .- at least gross incarceration and “re conditioning“.

The exciting corollary is that maybe our indigenous , our refugees and asylum seekers And ALL MINORITIES will find renewed recognition and support in…

…Australia??

Well, I live in continual HOPE for these long discriminated minorities and our first Australians 

We all hope this recognition and associated action might be significant as we work with our local indigenous and lobby such matters as 474 deaths in custody  since the royal commission, AND welcome refugees to our shire hopefully early in the new year !!!! 

Enjoy every day folks ; especially enjoy a peaceful and reflective family Christmas period .

Cheers 

Mick Brosnan

What Can I Do ???????  How May I Help  ????????

Categories
General Advocacy News

Music Pod

“Let me introduce you to Errol the truck and Beryl the 20 foot container converted to a fully functioning Music Pod.
This has been made possible through the co-operation of the Minderoo Foundation, Social Justice Advocates, Pambula Rotary, The Bendigo Banks of Pambula and Bega and suppliers such as John Moffat, King Smash Repairs and others.
The plan is to be able to transport Beryl to any of the 40-odd towns in our valley, inviting local and other musicians to come together for fun, entertainment and in some cases, fundraisers.
Beryl will make her official debut at the Pambula Markets, Sunday December 12, 2021.
Pictured Mick Brosnan, co-chair of the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast and Colin Dunn representing Pambula Rotary and the Bendigo Bank trying out the set up process.”
Regards,
Gavin Bell

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General Advocacy Indigenous Support Group

SJ Action on our doorstep

Gavin Bell, co-Chair of Social Justice Advocates, says ” I was fortunate to be invited to the Eden Canoes Project shed in Eden yesterday to see some of our local youth converting plywood sheets, plastic ties, glue and fibreglass into the most beautiful watercraft.


The project is about way more than building canoes and further information, photos and videos can be found on the Eden Canoes Facebook Page (have to be logged in to Facebook to see it) or by looking up Muck About Canoes on Google.
Social Justice action right under our noses.”

Well done!

Categories
Featured

News Update

Greetings folks,

*** New bookkeeper

Following discussions between the executive and Celi Kennedy, we have now engaged a bookkeeper to undertake the expanding bookkeeper duties role of treasurer.  

  • Like so many other non for profits , the increasing statutory requirements and growth of our charity means that Celi really needs to be released from this role .
  • Celi will remain as our treasurer while Robyn Moralis has accepted the employed work of bookkeeper for the SJA .This in addition to Robyn’s already existing role of bookkeeper for the BVCDRF ( our perpetual disaster relief fund partnership between the SJA and the BVS ), a role which is funded by the BVS .
  • We all would like to offer our immense thanks to Celi who has guided the SJA’ s finances for all but one year since our inception AND  established all the requirements for our charity to operate without any hiccups for so many years . 

THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH Celi.

We know that Celi will now help Robyn through the nuances of our finances . 

*** Our council has INITIATED a planning process to try to deal with homelessness over the coming Christmas period. 

  • Last week a first meeting was held between Mission Australia, SEWACS,  SJA and two counsel directors to try to place folks in safe spaces over the coming holiday period ; This to be worked through in coming weeks .  This is a FABULOUS initiative and demonstrates a real of awareness of the crisis issues facing our shire. 
  • NB
  • Still urgently need good, non-leaking caravans if there are any available PLEASE . 
  • Must be in towable neat condition . 

*** We thank ALL concerned for the fabulous efforts to achieve our It’s Up To Us campaign amount . In excess of $95,000 and counting —————- WOW !!!!!!

  AND with two main events 

  • Sleep On It in Bega in April , and 
  • the 6 hour music festival co ordinated by the Figmentz band ,  still to be held . 

THANKS TO OUR MOST GENEROUS COMMUNITY . 

More specific thanks will be made formally in the new year . 

*** We thank the combined Rotary Clubs of the Bega  Valley for their recent  donation to the Disaster relief fund ( BVCDRF ) of approx. $ 19,000 . This is so important for our ability to being able to respond to support our community at the time of another natural disaster. 

Thanks to our ever thoughtful Bega Rotarians . 

*** NOTE PLEASE  – we have found a new home for our general meetings held every second month .

  • The ever supportive Pambula CWA has allowed us to use their meeting room in Pambula, directly opposite SWAN hardware ,
  • Next meeting there is on February Thursday 10th 2022 . 7pm

*** Market Stalls to share our broad range of advocacies

  • Pambula market stall Sunday the 12th Dec.
  • Merimbula Market stall Sunday 19th Dec.
  • The music pod, now on its truck for safe and secure movement throughout our community, will be providing the stage for music at Pambula.

Cheers and take care 

Mick B.

What can I do ??? How may I help ????