SJA General Meeting 

Thursday September 12: 5.30 pm start. CWA Rooms Toallo St Pambula

 

Apologies: Jo Riley-Fitzer, Denise Perry,  Cheryl Dillon, Robyn and Colin Macpherson, Wendy Wait, Russell Jennings, Mick Brosnan, Tracey Fleming, Jan Reynolds, Jeff Knowles, Wendy Gorton.

 

Proceedings

Chair welcomed everyone (incl. new folk), acknowledged traditional owners of country, and mentioned BJ Cruse recent trip to Geneva.

Mentioned the 7 interest groups, business cards available. Flyers available for general distribution.

Concert coming up, Club Sapphire – biggest fund raiser.

New attendees: 

• Antoinette Wood (Lumen) – tonight’s speaker;
• Kai Musgrave – installer of large scale solar farms, flywheel solar gardens etc.
• Lyn: connected with supporting Bega Hospital (family at Tanja), recently retired
• Annette Young:  SWAMP (planting)
• Greg Hearn: mortgage broker – donations
• Fran: wanting to be more involved …

Previous Meeting Minutes: Moved: PR, Seconded: Mick Pryke

 

Financial situation reported by Treasurer – all good.

 

Refugees /Multicultural sub Group (Gavin Bell): ‘BAD’ NEWS: MARSS visit WAS upcoming: Postponed 

• Coach, family visits and itinerary ~$12ish k cost.
• NOT funded by MARSS this year – so cancelled for this year!
• GB felt that we cannot run it without MARSS:
• TO BE DISCUSSED by Exec etc.

Timor Leste (Dave Gallan): going for Bendigo Bank grant – supporting numerous initiatives, 25x teachers training, sewing machines, etc. etc.

• DG trying to get 18 minute YouTube vid online (copyright problems)
• Mary McKillop books funding etc.

Youth: Jack  Ewen Gray:

• Youth space in Bega approaching conclusion – looking good.
• Lumen chapter: Eden Marine High School visit was held and looking very positive for a future involvement
• PNG Kokoda Trail walk planning for Mid-2025 – need fund-raising etc.
• Op-cycle project back on track, being relaunched.
• ECHO Project closing up, all good. (e.g. Grant preparation)

Chair thanked Youth group for its efforts and future prospects.

 

Other business:

Election Candidate Report:

Helene Garrett spoke about the BVSC election summary report that she co-authored with Cheryl Dillon – encouraged people to distribute widely. PG reported a number of recipients were very impressed and thankful that "someone" had done this significant task.

 

MSF Visit: https://msf.org.au/

Chair thanked Ross Williams and Bega Group team for recent visit (Aug 2nd) by Medicine Sans Frontieres, visiting and telling ~500 students for familiarity with MSF. Ross then summarised the successful visit, and MSF indicated it was a significant effort, as well as raising $2k+ at formal evening dinner.

Dr Michael Holland presented a very positive paper on the MSF visit to NSW Parliament, which Ross summarised.

 

IUTU

Roz Hansen gave an informal summary of BVSC DA situation:

 

Chair summarised and reminded meeting of the 50-60 people that SJA support EACH NIGHT.

Gavin Bell reminded everyone that IUTU is filling the void left by BVSC being completely derelict in this area.  Chair reinforced the success of SJASC approach.

Roz gave a brief summary of SDGF relocatable situation, and BVSC prohibiting use and deployment, despite being in Reflections Pambula quite happily.

Roz offered to step-in pro-bono, and BVSC did not take up offer. (See previous email on this issue)

 

Bega Youth Stable Project

Chair thanked Bill Foxwell, Mark and Mick Brosnan for their tireless work in setting up the Bega Youth facility. MB running "workshops".

 

Sea Shepherd “Envoy -Shark Cull" movie Sep 27th at Pambula CWA rooms, 1730 (2 hrs duration), entry by donation on the night.   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12181374/

 

SJASC Executive changes

Anne Wykes stepped down from Deputy Chair, Martin McGee has stepped up, as well as supporting the Youth Group to establish other Youth teams at Bega High, SCAC, and Eden Marine HS etc.

Pam Skelton stepped down as Public Officer, replaced by Peter Buggy

Helene Garrett has taken over shirts and merchandise.

Jane Boughton-Manning looking after the collection tins.

 

Guest Speaker: Antoinette Wood from Lumen.

Re: Pontevedra (Philippines) since 2014, with SJASC support.

 

Other Business

Black Duck sponsorship $1800 this year, to be reviewed annually.  See https://www.blackduckfoods.com.au/

Certificate of Appreciation awareded to Karen Tarpey for her enduring brilliant work with our local First Nations Peoples

Chair met with Chris Minns and Michael Holland. Premier was in Bega to visit community groups. Chair presented him with a copy of the Liferaft book on SJA caravan program and urged him to support more flexible approach to crisis housing across the State.

$1k donation from Eden Spinners for youth support.

$1k donation from Pambula Car Club

Chair encouraged members to vote BELOW THE LINE in Council elections.

 

Entertainment event (Brian Cadd, Figmentz and Felicity Dowd at Club Sapphire). Direct sponsorship benefits BV homeless etc.        Tickets   https://www.stickytickets.com.au/g9avh/brian_cadd.aspx

 

Mick Pryke from Mumbulla Foundation:

NSW Women of the Year Award closes this SUNDAY eve.

 

SJASC assisted with getting scholarship funding (36x given a few weeks again) Jack Ewen Gray spoke about next Youth fundraiser 1530-1930 Sep 21st (next Saturday).

 

 

NEXT MTG NOV 14th, with BJ Cruse as guest speaker.

 

SJA Housing and Homelessness Sub-Group Report

 

Hi Members, 

 

This is where we are at for the moment –

 

* SJA is just now making a payment of approx. $ 11, 000 to the Tathra Uniting Church (TUC) as custodians for the Bega Uniting Church. 

This is our arrangement with TUC.

Part of the rental income raised through the three SJA crisis transitional moveable dwellings (60%) will be given to TUC.

Hopefully this will be used one day to redevelop the Bega site for social and affordable housing.

This the long-term plan for the whole site. 

After the TUC supported us so readily and positively, we are able to payback to assist with what might eventually become a fabulous community housing asset.

 

* generally in the shire there are a few more rentals available presently. This is good as they are " slightly cheaper ".

Our vacancy rate for our units has been slightly higher as a result. 

 

* Despite this change these SJA crisis units are certainly more than paying their way in fact are also helping to fund much of the renovations for the Youth community hub in Bega. 

The latter is now fully lined and insulated and ready for some finessing.

Then let the fun begin. 

THANK YOU, Mark and Bill and ALL members who have joined to make this, happen. 

 

* caravan turnover is slightly slower which is ironically really good.

There are two available at the time of writing although I know there is an older single woman in need. 

PLEASE be alert and if you discover someone having accommodation difficulties 

we can usually help in a practical, timely way.

 

* I have already been asked for accommodation for Christmas as the usual " eviction " – relocation – from caravan parks takes place at this time.

 

* still moving furniture in and out on a regular basis and this has increased steadily as the rental numbers increase. 

 

* The NCAT has met and is determining what is in fact the last chance to have disclosure of council’s legal advice on our caravan moveable dwellings.

A last-minute change to the basis of their case to legal confidentiality has enabled council to continue to obfuscate.  

Decision pending.

Really sad especially as all we want to do is provide quick, inexpensive, dignified accommodation for the homeless. 

Price and speed being the operative ingredients to help to respond to the housing crisis by offering transitional accommodation.

 

THANK YOU to Tony Pickup who went to Sydney and acted on our behalf – pro bono. He understands. 

And again, a huge debt of gratitude to Roz Hansen for her countless hours of work.

 

* Roz again has been largely responsible for the development of the second DA, this time seeking approval for the occupation of the Bega crisis transitional units. 

After several frustrating episodes seeking more obtuse information through the clumsy DA portal, this DA was accepted and listed by council staff. 

We will learn in mid October the result of this DA. 

THANK YOU Roz Hansen. 

 

* SJA has contacted the council about the lack of capacity from one of the key accommodation service providers —-Mission Australia. (MA)

Simply staggering given our declared " housing crisis “.

MA recently wrote that they cannot take any referrals or offer counsel to the homeless until later in September. 

Council, Director Emily Harrison, was totally unaware and we await action to get more support back into our shire. 

 

* SJA are still actively seeking to provide dignified, cost-effective accommodation to the North and South of our shire; Bermagui/ Cobargo 

to Eden.

The community wants this and is still very willing to help.

E.G. There is a long-time philanthropic couple in our midst seeking to further support us financially. 

Also 

* Brian Cadd is headlining our community fund raising concert with the Figmentz and Felicity ODowd as the supporting artists at this third annual festival.

— Sunday October 13th at the Club Sapphire 5 pm 

Be there or be square!!!!!!?!

It’s Up To Us campaign is still very much alive and active. 

 

Join the fun and music folks and encourage friends along please. 

 

What can I do ?… How may I help ??

 

Cheers to all 

Mick b 

 

BVATL Timor Visit Education Report from David Gallan – August 2024

 

The recent visit to BVATL Timor by Dave & Sam Crowden, Jan Midena and myself was very successful. In total we visited 11 schools. The highlight was the 20th Anniversary celebration held at the Ag College. Other very rewarding moments were:

–     seeing the great interest in the BVATL anniversary poster by the communities,

–     the interest from students in the new Tetun books,

–     viewing successful water projects at Manehat and Barique,

–     seeing old friends after so many years,

–     the great mountain scenery when the weather cleared &

–     the overall development in places like Uma Boco which now has banks. No new requests for bikes now as most families have bikes, motor bikes/scooters or access to multiple Tum Tums (3 wheeled electric powered taxis).

The preparations for the Anniversary were amazing and it was great to see the pride

of the local people in the performances throughout the day

 

Activities included:

 

Visits to the Barique-Natarbora Sub-district office and all 11 local schools.

Meeting staff at Mary Mckillop office, including Senora Tina and Senor Alipio.

The Manehat Women’s group is not active at the moment due to the illness of its leader.

 

A journey to remote Camedar with the Chefe de Suco where we saw great scenery, the start of the new school construction and the school community. Another lovely lunch was provided. A new Women’s Group is forming there at the old school site.

At the end of the week we were celebrating all day at the Agriculture College. The day was greatly enhanced with the performances of Senor Ego Lemos and Koru Lian Timor. There were dance and singing performance from most of the schools with games afterwards and then prize givings. It was a big occasion with around a hundreds of people attending throughout the day. The hall was packed inside and out and pride in the faces of the children performing was (and their parents) was to see. It was lovely to meet with the young people while the games were on in the afternoon.

 

Back in the capital we met with Manuel, our accountancy graduate and his son. Manuel is one of our graduates very interested in helping Nikolas set up a new foundation to help others. It is great to see their gratitude and enthusiasm from a past scholarship holder.

 

The next day we visited the Australian Embassy to inquire about community grants (now non-existent) and a pathway to engage with the education Department about staffing requests and appointments of our graduates.

 

Some identified needs we will prioritise for possible later funding:

 

Laptops: St Francis, Uma Boco Prim, Aimeta Laran, Aubeon, Camedar,

Faitucubalan, St Francis, Uma Boco,

Staffing: St Francis, Uma Boco Kindergarten, Abat Oan, Uma Boco Prim, Aimeta Laran (3 teachers), Camedar,

Staff room: Abat Oan,

Toilet Roof: Faitucubalan,

Printer: Uma Boco, Camedar

Sewing Machine: Camedar

Water infrastructure: Camedar

 

Portuguese Training Program at Resource Centre to boost the development of Portuguese proficiency in some of the volunteer teachers who trained at the Resource Centre but failed their recent exam as it was written in Portuguese.

Thanks to SJASC for stumping up the $4400 to enable the order to go ahead and for the books to be printed. BVATL have since paid $3000 back. Thanks to Ray & Kris for the generous donation of $200 and for the monthly contribution from Tim.

 

Thanks to Dave & Sam for being great travel companions, ambassadors for our district and excellent mountain drivers. Dave arranged for Ego and the choir to be at the Anniversary and it was wonderful to hear the whole crowd singing Ego’s songs and well known traditional songs made popular through his work.

 

Update since the visit:

Contacts between Limen Christi & St Francis School to develop a digital pen pal program have commenced.

 

We just heard from Nikolas there will be Government funding for the upgrade of the school kitchens so there is no need for BVATL to fund this. Good news!

 

One box of Tetun books was forgotten by MMT staff in Dili and has been subsequently delivered to Nikolas in Natarbora for distribution to schools.

 

The video of Koru Lian Timor’s Australian Tour was presented to Ego and he has sent a message of  appreciation about the production.

 

BVATL is applying for a Bendigo Community Bank grant to address some of the needs above and some of our ongoing programs. It will also include an exciting farm recycling project identified by Dave Crowden. We hope to fund a business leader from Emera to present the composting process to people in Natarbora.

 

Lastly, it was very pleasing to receive this glowing report about multiple High Distinctions from Margie Beck at the Baucau Institute:

 

“Hi Dave, how are you?  Hope all is going well for you and Jan.

Here are the results for the students from Natar-bora for the first semester:

Constantino da Costa Guilhermino:  4HD and 3DI

Tomasia da Costa Martins:  1 HD and 3 DI and 1 CR

Elvira da Costa:  3HD and 2 DI

 

Great results!  Something to share with the group, and feel proud of what you are doing for the students at ICFP.

 

With best wishes

Margie x”

 

 

David Gallan

Chair & Education Co-ordinator

Bega Valley Advocates for Timor-Leste (SJASC)

02 64944116

SJASC August Financial Report.  (rounded) Balances at August 31^st:

General Account:        $34,500

It’s Up To Us:                  $41,100

Youth Team:                    $27,600

Timor Leste:                    $  3,000

Term Deposit:                $32,000

Term IUTU:                       $57,200

Total banked assets: $195,400 ish

(+Disaster Relief Fund: $109,000 ish)

Major donations received:

Timor Leste:    (Gallan)             $1,280

PNG Projects: (CWA Pambula, Rotary Pambula, Neil Burnham)
                                                                $4,100

IUTU:   (CWA Pambula, Christopher Toward, Matthew Burgess, J. Lowe, H&J Wyatt)
                                                                $1,650

Advocacy: (Get Smart Consultancy, Celi Kennedy, Andrea Olsen)
                                                                $ 410

Major expenses/donations out:

PNG Projects: (WeCare – toilets)      $27,610

Crisis Housing Facilitator:                     ~$4,000

Pambula Units:                                            $1,888

IUTU:                                                                   $12,440
– incl. Premier Artists:                              $8,250

Funhouse Studios:                                     $9,500

Other Advocacy:                                          $ 450  

Administration etc.                                     $1,690
– Fuel:                                                                  $ 284