Wishing all SJA supporters a safe and peaceful 2023.
Below is a summary of the 2022 achievements by the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast Inc.
Its been a busy year at SJA!!
A summary of the 2022 achievements by the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast Inc.
Asylum and Refugees sub group:
Assisted two Ukraine women, one with a Humanitarian Visa. Assisted with rental accommodation.
Held the 4th Refugee visit to the Sapphire Coast. 43 Guests from the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services (MARSS), Canberra visited the Sapphire Coast in October for a weekend holiday. This impacted hugely on all involved and was a resounding success.
Held a Multicultural Festival at Wolumla Hall, Nov 2022
Bega Branch:
Assisted Bega Rotary to help the Sapphire Coast Aged Care Facilities with the housing of skilled Migrant workers for their facilities, including donating furniture and whitegoods.
Bega Valley Advocates for Timor Leste:
Continued support for Timor Leste with Coffee sales to provide Teacher training in Timor Leste. We now have 9 outlets for selling coffee. Great thanks to Jason Harley Optometrists for their support. A Timorese Choir to visit the bega Valley in 2023.
Forces for Nature – Environmental:
Continued the partnership with Lakeside Electrical to power 30 homes to provide another free system in the community through the “group buy” initiative
Single use plastics continued into Merimbula
Continued support for Potoroo Palace with maintenance and working bees.
Housing Homeless:
Continued the “It’s Up To Us” fund. Now sitting at $290,000 since July 2021
Installed 5 Transportable caravans to Pambula and Bega
Signed a MOU With the Bega Tathra Uniting Church
Continued free supply of 80+ caravans to Bushfire sites and the regular 15 to the “Normal Homeless”. Participated in the April ‘Sleep on it’ Event, and the Oaklands Music Festival in November.
Multiple transfer of caravans and supply of furniture all over the Sapphire Coast
Spent another year liaising with Council and Rotary Club of Pambula to install sheds and bathrooms on the fire grounds . Thanks to Mark Smith and Bill Foxwell for their massive assistance.
SJA continues to participate and represent our community on the council’s implementation committee Affordable Housing Strategy.
Indigenous:
Continuing to establish link with the indigenous community via Holiday Programs. Met with Marcus Mundy and David Dixon to support the programme. Met with BJ Cruse at a recent meeting to consider the works of the Eden LALC esp around TheBundian Way and Light to Light Walk. Congratulations were passed on with the recent renaming of Beowa National Park.
We plan to work with the local LALCS to raise awareness around the VOICE referendum in the coming year . 3 petitions to Federal Parliament in the past to support ‘The Voice’.
Junior Advocates – Lumen Christi
Presented a Statement of the Heart painting to Federal Parliament Canberra via Linda Burney MP and Kristy McBain MP – SJA drove the kids to Canberra for the presentation. Ossie Cruse joined the Lumen group which had 30 minutes with the two ministers .
General:
Continuing to establish links with the Service Providers, Kristy McBain and Michael Holland ( Member for Bega), Netwoking with Pambula and Merimbula Rotary, Lions Clubs and church groups.
Receipt of a $50,000 State Government Grant to purchase a vehicle to move caravans and furniture.
Bega Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund which SJA co Chair with the Bega Valley Shire Council: this is a perpetual fund and our comprehensive report is now available on our website .
Seeking to appoint a replacement Chairperson for next year.
Apply here!
Installed a new Deputy Chair, Secretary and Treasurer during the year.
Wishing everyone a peaceful and safe 2023.
Follow us on Facebook