Lots of good stuff going on in the world of the SJA !!
Thank you so much to all the SJA members and friends who work away in so many ways to make a positive difference to the lives of so many people in the Bega Valley and beyond. It is the aggregation of so many things that makes the SJA so effective.
Our AGM on June 27 was a big success. Lots of people turned up. Guest speakers were Lucy Little and Jack Grey, the co-convenors of the SJA Youth Group. The Youth Group is going gangbusters. Working constantly on projects of their own creation and drawing much admiration right across the Valley. Absolutely superb, and it is clear ( fingers crossed ) that the Youth Group is now well established and sustainable. That is a big win for the SJA and the future of community work in the Bega Valley.
28th of June saw the screening of the Franklin movie at Pambula Town Hall. Another great initiative of the Youth Group. Big crowd and a great night with a talk about the Sea Shepherd and the establishment of a Sea Shepherd base in Eden.
July saw the transition of the role of Deputy Chair. Ann Wykes is stepping down after many years of great service. Martin McGee is taking on the challenge. Thank you Ann, and welcome Martin, and thanks for stepping up !
After years of great service to the SJA Pam Skelton has handed the role of SJA Public Officer to Peter Buggy – thank you both.
SJA’s annual audit and report to the ACNC are all ticked off – we have met our statutory requirements for another year. Thanks to all the people who make this happen !
On July 4, SJA attended a meeting of the Pambula Historic Car Club. The club is working with SJA to study the feasibility of installing a Solar Garden on the club grounds – renewable energy for those who can’t put panels on their roofs or struggle to pay the electricity bills. The club very kindly donated $1000 to SJA.
SJA has awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Karen Tarpey for her continued fantastic work with our local First Nations communities.
SJA donated $1,800 to Bruce Pascoe’s Black Duck business. We want to see this business survive and continue to employ Indigenous people in a culturally appropriate endeavour.
SJA Chair Peter Reid met with NSW Premier Chris Minns on July 12. Peter gave Chris a copy of the SJA Liferaft book and stressed the need for the State Government and the BVSC to clarify what types of structures can be placed where, so that the SJA can continue it’s brilliant work for the homeless of the Bega Valley.
Work continues on the Youth Group headquarters in Bega. The space allocated has been cleared out. The floor has been paved. Power is connected. The North wall is being replaced and windows installed. Looking good !
SJA donated $5000 towards assisting BJ Cruse to speak at the United Nations. This is the SJA continuing to empower The Voice and Truth Telling on a global stage.
SJA has donated $1000 towards a e-games project being run for kids in Eden. A safe place off the streets, free tucker, mingling of cultures and skill building all combine in this great initiative.
The Youth Group organised a great rally in Bega to mark Domestic Violence week.
Long time SJA Bega chapter member Ross Williams is organising a visit to the Bega Valley by Medicines Sans Frontieres. MSF delegates will be visiting all four Bega Valley secondary schools. This should be a big help in the SJA’s campaign to establish SJS chapters at SCAC, Bega High and Eden High.
And that’s just an overview. There was more. So much SJA activity !! So many people chipping in and chanting …
“What can I do? How may I help ? “
Got to love it !!!
Regards,
Peter Reid
SJA Chair
Housing / homelessness sub group UPDATE
** The good news is that social housing has been given direct support in the recent/state govt announcements.
A long time since our public housing has been addressed so positively especially whilst our approx 342 Bega valley public housing status still remains heavily veiled .
** The demand on our caravans has lessened a little with several available at the moment – a rarity for sure. Twenty-Two out last night with two of the three caravans that were returned having already being ‘claimed ‘.
#### Any person able and willing to help clean the caravans as they are returned please let me know.
At my place at Millingandi and the job is relatively light … not onerous but often quite odorous!
Requires only washing gloves as other materials are here and available. ####
** The demand on our crisis transitional moveable dwellings is also lessened which is also a first since our introduction of these facilities for our homeless.
WHY IS THIS SO ?
As discussed at our SJA management committee meeting on Tuesday, there appears to be more rentals available AND at more realistic rents !!!!
So this impacts the two main elements of our direct support for crisis accommodation and also impacts our delivery of furnishings for units which has simultaneously risen.
I thank the service providers for their strong support of the crisis units and participation in this project.
These participating service providers are the backbone of all the SJA has to offer.
** We are working towards our “discovery“ of the legal advice given to council in relation to our crisis transitional units in Bega.
NCAT will hear our case on Sept 4th.
Again we thank Tony Pickup for his continued support. Without this we would struggle to continue for transparency.
We thank Roz Hansen again for her tireless proactive and thoughtful leadership in this whole saga. Sadly it has become a saga !!!
** Roz has also guided us through the latest DA with council for the accommodation of our units.
Again the council is requiring the most obscure information to achieve acceptance of the DA.
We persevere.
** We have been in contact with the Eden Uniting Church to advance the possibility of crisis transitional housing at their site. The congregation is considering our proposal.
I thank Dave Gallan who, amidst all his varied activities, took time to join me with a presentation.
** It is the support for our homeless and those people in housing / rental crisis that remain major concerns for us.
We need to be lateral and flexible with our thinking and look to further ways to make our advocacy.
Thanks all and please share ideas and support as you wish.
MOST WELCOME.
Cheers
Mick Brosnan Housing/Homelessness sub group Convener
0410697229
Russell Jennings
Secretary
secretary@sjasc.org.au
https://sjasc.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/sapphirecoastsja
https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeadvocates/
The Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast acknowledge the Yuin
People as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work.
We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
ABN 19 708 992 414
PO Box 352 Pambula NSW 2549