SOLAR: Forces for Nature continue to work with Lakeside Electrical providing affordable quality solar systems to individuals and now commercial premises. There is also discussion with Clean Energy for Eternity (CEFE) and Bega Valley Shire (BVS) around the possibility of a solar hub at the airport, utilising the airport and other businesses nearby to have a solar system to run the sewerage treatment works. Details of this initiative are on Council’s website under business.
HOUSING (or lack thereof).
In August, Mission Australia will host a Sleep Out in Littleton Gardens in Bega. We hope to have a lot of SJA members involved and take this opportunity to highlight the urgency of this issue. Put this in your diary. You wont need to sleep out for the whole night and further information will be provided about the event.
COMMUNITY ADVERTISING Paul Cosgrave advised that Sapphire FM is providing free advertisements to local organisations. If you have an event you want to promote, go to their website where you will be able to fill in the details. Sapphire FM will then produce a professional advertisement and run it twice a day for two weeks in the lead-up to your event. Spread the word.
One Book – One Community: Gary Lonesborough’s debut novel ‘The Boy from the Mish’ has received wide acclaim in Australia and overseas. It has been very positively reviewed in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Saturday Paper. It is heartening to see this response, as we want to stand with First Nations People and listen to their voices. John Liston stated that the book has been a great source of pride for many young Aboriginal people.
REFUGEES Jo Riley-Fitzer’s 50for50 dinners have been very successful. If you would like to be on her mailing list to help or attend a dinner please let me know and I will send you her email address.
In Search of Safety (ISOS) This is a structured program that can be run in schools or for other groups to inform people on refugee issues – who comes here, how they come, what makes people leave their homes. Presenters are given training and a round of training is about to commence. Please contact John Liston for further information.
DISABILITY WORKERS There is an urgent need for Disability Workers. Please contact Gavin Bell for information.
COMMUNITY RECOVERY The Sound Pod has been utilised at Cobargo and Wyndham. The Cobargo Fire-up Oz Festival was a huge success with Wendy reporting thousands of people attended. Both events brought the community together. A trailer for the Pod, which will be called Cooee or Beryl, is ready to be registered.
MEMBERSHIPS: Thanks to those who have joined/renewed their memberships. The easiest way to renew is via the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast website.
NEXT MEETING: It was decided to forego the June meeting, and hold the Annual General Meeting in July as usual. The date is 8 July 2021. Our Chairman, Michael Brosnan, will be retiring at that meeting, although he will remain very actively involved. Please consider if you or someone you know could take on this role.
Mick closed the meeting urging us to consider and talk about the shocking rates of incarceration and deaths in custody of Aboriginal people. It is a sober note to finish on, but it is a national shame and a tragedy for those families, so we need to do whatever we can to change it.
The activities outlined above and the dedication of those involved are reasons for Hope. The Love is evident. Let’s hope that Justice is forthcoming.
Dianne Beckett
Secretary