SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES OF THE SAPPHIRE COAST
GENERAL MEETING FEBRUARY 13, 2025
5.30 PM, CWA Rooms, Toallo St, Pambula 2549
ATTENDANCE:
Tracy Fleming, Sue McGee, Martin McGee, Janine Houghton, Helene Garrett, Penny Oakes, Colin McPherson, Robin McPherson, Peter Buggy, Stuart Gyngell, Denise Perry, Jan Reynolds, Jo Riley-Fitzer, Jayne Boughton Manning, Geoff Manning, Robin Spinks, Patricia Hamilton, Christine Welsh, Mick Brosnan, Gavin Bell, Zach Hooker, Ailsa Seex, Ray Temmerman, Fenella Temmerman,
Russell Jennings (minutes), Peter Reid (Chair), Wendy Wait, Cheryl Dillon, Dave Gallan.
APOLOGIES:
Peter Gorton, Simon Hoyle, Arlene Cassel, Sue Chancellor, Robert Kingston, Ann Wykes
MEETING:
Chair – Acknowledgement of Country.
Let us pause to reflect on the country and waterways that sit within and off the shores of the Bega Valley. This country, and its waterways, belong to the people of the Yuin nation. The Yuin people have loved and cared for this country for tens of thousands of years. Theirs is a truly spiritual and respectful connection with country.
The degradation of the country and the waterways since the arrival of colonists and settlers is stark. Rehabilitation to its pre colonisation state is impossible.
The SJA are not quitters though and are embarking, this year, on a major project aimed at protecting the waterways and wildlife of the Sapphire Coast. More on this later.
We do so, in significant part, as a mark of respect for the Yuin people, who we acknowledge as the true owners of the country and waterways of the Sapphire Coast.
Chair Welcomed newcomers
Janine Houghton Guest Presenter
Robin Spinks Co Convener Youth Coordinator
Thanks to Lucy Little for her contribution to the Youth Sub Group
Secretary – correspondence sent and received.
9/12/24 Updated standard constitution received from NSW Fair Trading.
Chair – Minutes of Nov 14 General meeting accepted as correct: Moved by Chair, Seconded Wendy Wait.
Treasurer s Report, including significant donations received and made by SJA
See attached report
Chair moved that financial report has been presented, Seconded: Gavin Bell.
Chair – sub-group reports have been circulated via email and after this meeting will be posted on our website.
Sub-group convenors
Bega Valley Advocates For Timor-Leste (Dave Gallan)
Youth Sub-Group (Jack Ewen Gray)
Indigenous Affairs (Olwen Morris)
Bega Group (Jan Reynolds)
Refugees / Multicultural (Gavin Bell)
Environment/Forces for Nature (Wendy Wait)
Housing and Homeless (Mick Brosnan)
Wendy Wait
– Ray Atlas for life Merimbula Wharf Urchins project – see link
– Atlas winding up and auspices the project
– Asking SJA to auspice grant application to continue the project under consideration
– Marine expo day @ Tathra. See poster 23 Feb 10-2.
– South East Regional Hospital Mental Health petition.
Link
https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=z_7XcOcSjZITUfX5imlfyQ
Mick Brosnan:
120 K in housing account because BVSC slow to approve DA s: money is ready to use waiting, waiting. DA s have taken 750 days, and most recent DA 170 days.
BVSC stalling.
Rose Jackson told BVSC to institute Local Area Plan but BVSC will not.
Dave Gallan young family with rental reference moved to house after transition through Units in Bega.
Robin Spinks Youth
Stables at Grow the Future in Bega youth space ready after workshops
Held Two successful youth games nights
GTF will run Beats by the Beach at Pambula Beach taking over from Headspace
Have conducted Beach clean-ups
Bega Valley Data Collective roadshow in the pipeline.
CHAIR – Guest speaker Janine Houghton – Solar Garden Group
2024 MOU signed with Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicle Club at Broadwater.
Project involves Solar panels on roof, and flywheel technology.
Power sold at premium prices at peak times: align with retailers buy sell electricity
Hope to raise 75K per annum.
Proceeds to SJA to help with people in need in SJA units etc.
Project cost approx. $2 Million
Apply for seed funding to start-up Grants etc.
Two years to implement.
Looking for people to get on board.
Positions and responsibilities/ descriptions TBA.
More volunteers = less cost.
Open day at car club April 5 2025.
Hoping to inspire others to establish more storage.
Janine was caught in the WWW (Wendy Wait s Web)
Helene and Stephen Garrett of Pyramid Power are donating their time to the project Pro Bono.
Thank you for your time and effort.
Chair – GENERAL BUSINESS:
Chair – Certificates of Appreciation awarded since previous meeting:
Certificates of Appreciation to Janine Houghton, Jean Pollock, Steven Garratt
(Pyramid Power) and Lindsay McPherson (Essential Energy) for their outstanding work towards the establishment of the SJASC / Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicle Club Solar Garden project. For their work we are deeply appreciative.
A certificate also to Charlie Blomfield, President of the Rotary Club of Bega, a regular donor.
Chair – Key activities since last meeting:
Our thanks go to Susan Chancellor who has agreed to take up the role of supporting Secretary Jennings in work that goes into the SJA s Social Media presence.
At our November meeting we reported that SJA had received a $20,000 donation to be allocated to preservation and protection of the waterways of the Sapphire Coast. Since then, Wendy Wait, Convenor of the SJA Climate and Environment Sub-Group, has been working hard to design and implement an appropriate campaign.
One strategy the SJA is working on within this project is the eradication of Carp, an imported fish that is very damaging to water eco systems across the country.
Essentially organised by Robin Spinks, the Co-Convenor of the SJA Youth Group, this will be an on-going program for which we hope to enlist the help of many school and community groups.
We held the first community fishing day on Saturday January 25 and it was great fun. Keep an eye out for future carp fishing days and come along and join in the fun.
I am very pleased to announce that following such good work by so many Advocates last year, 2025 looks like being the year in which we can say that the SJASC is well underway towards establishing chapters of young advocates in all four of the Bega Valley s secondary schools. If things go to plan these chapters will settle in this year and operate smoothly.
What this means is that the SJA has now established a pathway through which school students across the valley can join a school chapter and experience what community caring and volunteering means. There is now a path from schools to the SJA Youth Group and then into the SJASC mainstream. A lifelong pathway that ensures the sustainability of community support in the Bega Valley.
I thank the teachers in the schools who have volunteered to run the chapters, and the SJA people who have volunteered to be primary and back up SJA support persons.
On December 12 we had our annual Christmas gathering at the Pambula Surf Club always a relaxed evening and a good chance to chat with fellow Advocates.
On December 18 I appeared on the ABC South East morning program. I chatted with Eddie about the Waterways Campaign and the Solar Garden project. I am deeply grateful that Eddie and Daniel of the ABC are always happy to give the SJA time to speak to their listeners. I believe a lot of people listen to their show and we always get positive comments after appearing.
ABC South East support
In January, the SJA teamed up once more with the Pambula Rotary Club to cook and sell evening meals to campers. Three fun nights. This is a fund-raising initiative and I thank those members who came along and helped out.
The Rotary club presented the SJA with nearly $3 K in recognition of the work of SJA volunteers.
Finally, Mick Brosnan, Convenor of the SJA Homeless and Housing sub-group has done a bit of research into the SJA s It s up To Us campaign and come up with the following statistics.
We have already well publicised the figures that the SJA has close to 100 caravans out in the community, housing bushfire effected and homeless people.
Those vans plus the SJA s eight transportable dwellings mean that the SJA makes crisis accommodation available to over 60 people every night.
But Mick has also calculated that since beginning the SJA s crisis accommodation program the SJASC has
- supported well over 400 people in the Bega Valley with crisis accommodation
- provided, very conservatively, over 45,600 bed nights
- saved homeless people approx. $4.5 million (difference between what they have paid SJASC and what they would have paid for cheap commercial accommodation)
Huge thanks to Mick and his fantastic and hardworking cohorts Bill Foxwell and Mark Smith.
MB thanked the community for their support.
Domestic Violence in OUR community is huge: 50% of SJA unit occupancy is Domestic Violence related.
Encouraged all to have the conversations: how to tackle the issue?
On January 24, the SJASC made a contribution of $500 to the Bermagui LALC First Nations community Survival Day ceremonies. I am pleased that the Advocates are able to, and see fit to, stand in solidarity with our First Nations communities, as surely, if anybody in the Bega Valley needs support, it is our First Nations people, who have suffered so much, and continue to suffer as a result of colonisation.
Chair – Coming key events .
Cheryl Dillon spoke about survey with questions to councillors before council elections,
This will evolve into an ongoing project Council Watch using the responses to survey and BVSC strategic plans to evaluate performance via council meetings and community behaviour.
Zit will be based on Homeless /housing and report what they achieve/do not achieve
Report every two months.
Would like to work under SJA and inform public what council achieves on Homeless /Housing,
Currently group of four, looking for more volunteers.
Stuart Gyngell SCAC: SJA stall at the annual fair, donation to SJA from winter sleepout appreciated.
February 23 – Marine Education Expo 10-2 pm Tathra Beach Eco Camp.
Part of our Ocean Champions waterways program –
April 5 – Open Day at Sapphire Coast Historic Vehicles Club at which we will officially launch our Solar Garden Project.
Next meeting April 10, 2025, 5.30pm CWA Rooms Pambula.
Meeting closed 7.30 pm.
**********************************************************
Sub Group Reports
SJA Youth Group Summary Notes
SJAY Actions
SJA Youth Space renovations. Used space for our AGM and social board game evenings. In talks with James Cook and Grow the Future about expanding our use of the space.
Working bee at Potoroo Palace.
Beach cleanup at Pambula Beach.
Hosting Rising Tide film screening and attending the Rising Tide protestival in Newcastle.
Establishing a clothes swap rack
Volunteering day at Buckajo Flowers revisiting site from GtF training course
Leading the Kiss the Carp Goodbye invasive species reduction and awareness event. We had around 30 people come see us at Kiss Lagoon on the day, and caught a dozen carp the largest measuring 63cm. We were supported in this event by Ocean2Earth, who removed fish waste from the site, Erin Moon from council, and local ecologists Hugh Pitty and Django Van Tholen. The Bega Fishing Club were very supportive of the event and keen to partner for future events.
Coordinating Ocean Guardians program with Sea Shepherd: beach cleanup on Australia day weekend, collecting 30kg trash from Merimbula main beach; Marine Trivia with over 70 attendees at Longstocking and (upcoming) Marine Expo on Sunday 23 February.
Supporting Bega Valley Data Collective (BVDC) in their EOI to host a PLACE Roadshow event. PLACE (Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment) is a government-private philanthropic partnership. This is part of BVDC s Living Well in the Bega Valley project, which includes the ABS Life Course Data Initiative, which has a particular focus on children, families and young people. The event will have a focus on young people. Other partners include Young Change Agents and Grow the Future.
Planned Actions: Schools outreach, Kokoda training and fundraising, SJA Youth Space open hours, life skills workshops, PLACE Roadshow, supporting Grow the Future s Beats by the Beets youth festival, climate change discussion with Emma Goward.
Further upgrades to SJAY space: Wi-Fi, electric frypan, air fryer, microwave, plates, bowls, cutlery + cupboard
Other investments: Canva Pro for flyers, digital and social media content. We currently use the free version but it s slow and limited. Premium is $165 per annum.
– Summarised by Robin Spinks
BEGA VALLEY ADVOCATES FOR TIMOR-LESTE REPORT Feb 2025
Dave Crowden is organising a Latin dancing BVATL Fund Raiser to be held on 5 April at Mumbulla School in Bega (5:30-9:30) with band Los Safiros. It should be a great night so come along and enjoy the music! If you don’t know how to dance, don’t worry, there will be a lesson.
The Bendigo Bank grant is just being finalised now for our 2025 programs including women’s groups, water infrastructure and language workshops for existing teachers to upgrade their Portuguese skills in the classroom. This is an official East Timorese language. Some recently accredited teachers – previously volunteers – lost their jobs due to a lack of Portuguese language skills.
Our scholarship students at Baucau Institute who are studying to be teachers had some great results last year:
Constantino 6HD and 1 DI
Tomasia 5HD, 3 DI and 1 CR
Elvira 7 HD and 2 DI
BVATL has just paid AU$6800 for our five ongoing teacher training scholarships.
David Gallan
Chair
BVATL
02 64944116
Housing / homelessness group
It s Up To Us
** With a call for help at about 6 pm on New Year s Eve the 2025 year has started with many needing support around housing and or safety / security.
Most are women and most fleeing D V.
Not new but certainly not going away – this is OUR crisis .
** Apart from SJA continually raising awareness
I suggest our advocacy must continue broadly as there is a need to have boys / men talk about respect and dignity for all ;
To ask ourselves -Why is this so ?
This should be discussed in the home , in the classroom ,in the pub ,in the club ,in the church , in the supermarket , at the race track and on the football field Wherever two men meet ?
As an advocacy I still think we should be doing more around equal pay as this underpins a deep structural societal divide = crisis .
** We need more caravans and we need to try to get offers of more manageable vans . – not too much refurbishment .
**We continue to move a considerable amount of furniture in and out of homes .
– We need queen and double bed ensembles at the moment – clean .
** With the given housing and rental crisis we have seen another local motel converted to long term rental . I find this very questionable in terms of living conditions and sustainability .
The cost is also extortionate . – $450 pw for a very basic motel room .
** Nothing from council vis a vis our two DA s . ( 750 days plus and 150 days plus in determining process )
Clearly the council has decided to just wait for the state government to tell them – legislate for them .
Shameful given their opportunity to lead and act on the massive social crisis that is confronting us NOW .
** The Local Approval Policy – LAP , as drafted by our generous member and colleague Roz Hansen and presented to council through Simon Daley , awaits consideration by council staff , the community , and the Affordable Housing Implementation Committee .
The latter is only meeting four times this year – so no pressure folks !!!!!!?
For everyone , this LAP would provide the council the opportunity to create its own housing policy initiative with its own caveats and protocols .
This would go a long way to addressing some of the homeless crisis issues .
** reminder that the SJA is in a position to open at the very least three more crisis transitional units NOW .
** huge shout out to those collecting and delivering food every Friday in support of the very long standing Garden of Eden community support network .
This whole initiative evolved through the 30 year plus community work of Pam and Peter Skelton .
Thanks to all who contribute to this very inspiring and practical support .
N.B.
### There will be a meeting of the Housing Homelessness sub group at the Bega Uniting church on Feb 19 th at 5:30 – 6:30 pm .
ALL MOST MOST WELCOME .
Agenda – recap / update on what we have happening now.
– where to with our advocacy work in 2025 ??
What can I do ?? How may I help ??
Cheers
Mb
Migrants / Refugees Group Feb 2025
An ongoing social connection has been made between Jayne, Tracy and Jessica, a Spanish speaking lady. Thanks so much for making this happen girls.
We have helped Pambula Rotary with the annual Pambula Beach Caravan Park Paella and German nights. Thanks to all of the volunteers.
I have heard nothing back from the MARSS South Coast co-ordinator, so sadly I think that relationship has ceased for the moment at least.
Regards,
Gav
SJASC Environment Sub Group Report Thursday 13TH February, 2025
Climate Actions: Attended the Rising Tide Protestival – November 21st– 24th November 2024 in Newcastle in support of the people s blockade of the world s largest coal port. The peoples Blockade 2024 was a mass mobilisation of peaceful action for a climate revolution. To demand an immediate end to new coal projects and an end of coal exports from the Newcastle coal port. Gavin Bell, Russ Jennings and I attended. Alissa and Robin from the youth SJA group attended also.
Potoroo Working bee: Saturday 7th December, 2024. Was well attended and we weeded and cleared one of the enclosures, while Mick and his bob cat worked on the outside of the enclosure, removing trees and debris. Another hugely successful working bee, topped off with a home-made Cows Nest lunch, Thanks Nicho.
Solar Garden Pilot Project: The SJASC Environmental group were successful with the Sapphire Coast Historical Car Club (SCHCC) in getting the go ahead to establish a solar garden on site at the club facilities in South Pambula. Progress continues and the Solar Gardens Pilot Projects next steps are to establish:
1. Breakdowns of costs for development, equipment and labour from all agencies involved
2. Equipment to be used
3. Rolls and responsibilities
4. Time frames and other requirements needed to apply for Grant Applications
A special thank you to Janine Houghton, Steven Garrett, Lindsay McPherson and SJA crew for your ongoing hard work, passion and dedication for this fabulous local pilot project
NETS OUT Campaign continues: We continue to support, advertise and encourage signatures for our joint Nets out campaign. In collaboration with Sapphire Coast Sea Shepherd and thanks to SWAMP (Sustainable Water Actions Merimbula Pambula) funding received has enabled us to purchase over 500 postcards, educating the public about the impacts of shark nets to many other non-target species like whales, turtles, stingrays .and pushing to get the Nets out up and down the east coast ASAP. These postcards when completed are sent to our local MP Michael Holland. These postcards are available from Wendy Wait: wendywait1@gmail.com and sapphirecoast@seashepherd.org.au- Tara Brown
Climate Actions: Attended the Rising Tide Protestival – November 21st– 24th November 2024 in Newcastle in support of the people s blockade of the world s largest coal port. The peoples Blockade 2024 was a mass mobilisation of peaceful action for a climate revolution. To demand an immediate end to new coal projects and an end of coal exports from the Newcastle coal port. Gavin Bell, Russ Jennings and I attended. Alissa and Robin from the youth SJA group attended.
Ocean Guardians Marine Education Program: Robin Spinks was appointed: Co/Convenor of the Youth group and now also as the Marine Education Coordinator. The events run to date include:
Kiss the Carp Goodbye inaugural community fishing event: Saturday 25thJan, 6-12pm at Kisses Lagoon: Over 30 people turned up, over 10 large carp were caught, 1 carp was 63cm long. Worked with Ocean to Earth to repurpose and recycle the carp afterwards. Robin Spinks was instrumental and fabulous in making this event happen. Thanks to Jan Reynolds for bringing this to the attention of SJA Environment group.
Brain Waves Trivia night for Ocean Lovers: Longstocking Brewery, Pambula Thursday 6th February 6-9.30pm, Ocean themed trivia, with over 60 participants. Hosted by Sapphire Coast Sea Shepherd and Social Justice Advocates. Brilliant, fun, educational family friendly event, where we all learned more about the marine environment and how to better care for it. This event was supported by Ben Bayliss at Longstocking Brewery, and prizes sponsored by Navigate Expeditions, Toast, Wild Rye, Potoroo Palace, Sapphire Coast Sea Shepherd and Nourish coffee van.
Sapphire Coast Marine Expo is on February 23rd at the Tathra Beach Eco Camp. Organising this event is ongoing: The Sapphire Coast Marine Expo will have many hands on Marine activities: Dive Eden snorkelling 1-4pm, National Park Discovery van workshops, Live music from local performers, Market stalls and film screenings just to name a few Program and stall holders still to be finalised. This event will hopefully, inform, educate and inspire greater protection for our ocean and marine creatures, where you will meet like- minded people. This is a free community event. We are partnering with Sapphire Coast Sea Shepherd and the Tathra Beach Eco camp.
Organising e-Petition with the Legislative Assembly to open the sub-acute ward at the South East Regional Hospital: Interviews with ABC SE Radio, Colin Dunn and Gavin Bell @ Sapphire FM, Marion Williams: About Regional, visiting Dr Michael Holland, attending Songs for Bob and getting signatures, emails, social media, flyers around town, liaising with Eurobodalla hospital group. We have 449 signatures, requiring 500 signatures for Senator Rose Jackson to respond and for it to go on record. We are working towards getting 20,000 signatures for it to be tabled and debated in Parliament.
Supporting the Youth Kokoda walk in July/Aug 2025. Support with organisation, fundraising at the Pambula markets and the Pambula end of year street Christmas party.
Thanks Jayne and Gecko for your ongoing management of the SJASC donation tins and Helene Garrett managing the SJASC tee shirts. Also Sue Chancellor for supporting SJA Secretary with Social Media Thank you Thank you Thank You .
Our SJASC Environment group supports various local environmental organisations like the Bob Brown Foundation and Rising Tide groups. Our focus is always about thinking globally while acting locally. We are deeply committed to environmental conservation, preservation, education while working alongside other community groups. We would love to see more active members.
We have recently aligned with the new Sapphire Coast Sea Shepherd chapter and are excited by the energy this group brings. Collaboration we believe is the key to success and more engagement. Your participation and support are vital for the success of our various initiatives. Please reach out if you would like to be involved and contribute in anyway.
