Hello members:
in this edition –
– Samaritan Shop coming up fast
– Fundraiser Youth and Timor Leste
– SJA moves ahead with crisis accommodation: 'About Regional' article on Land and Environment court case- Fundraiser January Discovery Park Pambula Beach
– Xmas message from the SJA Chair
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SAMARITAN SHOP What can I do? How may I help?
Please spread the word around the community……..
** Please help to donate AND buy goods for our shop .
Start going through your storage cupboards, garages and sheds NOW!
** HELP on Sunday Dec 14 at 8:30 am meeting / car pooling at Robert Smith's Furniture carpark in Pambula.
Many Hands……………….
Collecting at Whipstick on Mt Darragh Road , and returning load straight into shop at Masonic Hall .
Will need some folks to remain at the shop AFTER the first load arrives to assist sorting and putting onto tables .
*** HELP loading the shop from 9 am on Monday Dec 15 . Meeting at the shop to start .
*** HELP around the shop once it opens up on the Wednesday Dec 17 from 9 am
*** help to enjoy the days and welcome the community . Tell your friends the shop is on again!
Note** please stay as long as you like ; No clocking on or off, but just lending a hand. Gai Jacobs has a roster to help us organise.
gayrenejacobs@y7mail.com
Please contact her to join the fun
Look for Annie out front with her tires pumped up!!!
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PERMACULTURE COUNTRY – Lessons from TIMOR-LESTE
FUNDRAISING special event incoming!!! – Please consider supporting this one. It will be full of fascinating lessons from one of the youngest nations in the world and its embrace of Permaculture this from Bega Valley permaculture legend, John Champagne, who recently went with members from the Social Justice Advocates Youth Group and Bega Valley Advocates for Timor Leste to the first Youth Permaculture Convergence in Timor Leste.
"I have been involved in the permaculture movement for 25 years and have never witnessed in Timor-Leste the level of Government acceptance that we are seeing now of the permaculture Design Science that originated in Tasmania 50 years ago," John says.
"Want to hear more? A warm invitation is extended to all to join us for this evening of conversations hearing the voices, seeing the photos/videos and reflecting on the lessons learnt from our recent trip to Timor Leste for the Youth Permaculture Convergence."
WHEN?
Thursday 18th December
5pm to 6.30pm at Red Cafe 161 Carp Street, Bega.
Permaculture Country
John will take you through the history of permaculture activism shortly after Timor-Leste gained Independence and the formation of the small NGO – Permatil that focused on education, water management and youth engagement.
"We'll discuss the roadblocks that only see permaculture in its country of origin as some small fringe group on the edge of society growing food, rather than a roadmap for critical, systemic thinking for human settlement into a unknown future," John says.
Bega Valley Youth Tell Their Story
Six members of the Social Justice Advocates Youth Group attended the Convergence. 850 kids attended in total, including 600 Timorese and 250 from 18 different countries, including 40 from Australia.
"At this event at Red Café, we'll have a panel telling their story of adventures and learnings, the people met in the process…the workshops and talks…the local food… the music…the heat and the lack of sleep," John says.
The big question: What did they learn that could be passed on and implemented in the Bega Valley?
Friendship with Natarbora Continues
The Bega Valley Advocates for Timor-Leste formed in 2004 to assist the remote region of Natarbora to improve their standard of living in education, women’s programs, music and health.
Dave Crowden has done many trips to Natarbora over the past decade and led a tour of 11 Bega Valley residents in a friendship exchange to the region and will offer an account of the trip.
COST
Entry is $20 at the door with a maximum venue limit of 40 people so it's first through that to get a seat. There will also be musical interludes.
All entry funds and profits from food and drinks go to the work of the SJA Youth Group.
SEE FLYER ATTACHED please share.
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The recent Land and Environment Court session with BVSC and outcome in favour of SJA is reported below: https://aboutregional.com.au/impasse-over-transitional-crisis-housing-in-the-bega-valley-shire-resolved/493614/
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Discovery Park Pambula Beach Catering in January – call out for volunteers
Hey folks,
I have been approached by Colin Dunn (Pambula Rotary) to see what interest the Advocates had in supporting the annual Dinner nights at the Caravan Park in Pambula Beach.
I would like to suggest any funds received would be put towards the Solar Farm project at the Sapphire Coast Historical Vehicle Club which SJA volunteers have been working on.
This time around we are going a bit simpler with Paella each of the 3 nights – Wednesday Jan 7th, 14th and 21st, 2026.
Subject to support being received from Rotary, our role is to cook the Paella, prepare a few simple salads and clean up after ourselves. I would see this as a single shift 4.00pm to 7.00pm.
I will be in attendance each night and would like about 3-4 helpers.
Any friends / neighbours are very welcome to get involved.
WE have enough SJA volunteers at the moment, but if you would like to go on the 'emergency list' contact Gavin Bell email gabell@yahoo.com.au
The SJA get a share of the profits based on input. If we get a few more people on board for the other days or cleaning up after 7pm that may help with overall funds raised for SJA.
****** SO, if you are keen, Rotary are also looking for volunteers for shifts as outlined below – READ ON
BELOW
Contact Lynne Koerbin (email below) and please CC SJA coordinator Gavin Bell gabell@yahoo.com.au
Regards,
Gav
ROTARY EMAIL BELOW:
From: Lynne Koerbin <lrkoerbin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday 10 December 2025 at 12:03:15 am AEDT
Subject: Pambula Rotary – Discovery Park Catering in January – call out for volunteers
Hi all,
Christmas is almost upon us … which means our Discovery Park catering and bingo events are also just around the corner.
This summer, we will be on deck at the Pambula Beach Discovery Park on WEDNESDAYS … 7th, 14th and 21st of January…. for both Bingo and catering.
Colin has advised that he can no longer lead the organising and cooking on the catering side of things .. and will also be away early January, so the Board has set up a small working group to organise things. First task is to clarify who's available to help so we can make decisions about menus etc. SJA volunteers have generously partnered with us for the last couple of years – but this year they are running their charity shop again and will be limited in their capacity to help out this year.
Seagull, Cato and Sue Birks will run the Bingo again which is greatly appreciated.
On the catering side of things we need all hands on deck for these dates please … I have included our Friends of Rotary in the hope that together we can cover all tasks and ensure a really successful event each night.
Please review the task list below and confirm your availability for the following tasks …
On the Monday each week: 2 people to transfer cooking items
On the Tuesday morning: 2 people needed to purchase and collect shopping / supplies
On the Tuesday afternoon: 3 or 4 people needed to Prep and depending on menu, possibly cook
On Wednesday 1pm – 3pm: 2 people to transfer food to Discovery Park and commence set up
On Wednesday 3pm – 5 pm: 3 or 4 people for cooking
On Wednesday 5pm – 6pm: 4 – 5 people to set up tables, condiments, till etc and finalise cooking main menu item and BBQ
On Wednesday 6pm – 7pm: Minimum 6 – 8 people to serve + 1 or 2 on BBQ
On Wednesday 7pm – 8pm: 2 or 3 people for clean up
Can you please reply by email by this Saturday 13/12 and confirm your availability for date/s (Week 1 on 7/1,
Week 2 on 14/1, Week 3 on 21/1) and specific task/s.… if you are happy to help and don't mind what you do, let me know and I can pop you into the roster where needed.
I know January is often a busy time … but this is a key fundraiser for the Club, so please, please assist if you can. Your time volunteering is hugely valued.
With thanks,
Lynne
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A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all SJASC members and friends.
2025 has been another outstanding year for the Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast.
Together we have achieved an enormous amount.
Together we have helped provide a better life and a fairer world for so many people
It is impossible to list all our achievements over the past year – the list would go on and on.
It is impossible to list the individual Advocates who have helped us achieve – the list would go on and on.
I see the Advocates as a host of good minded people doing great things for the community.
It is an honour and a pleasure to support your brilliant work.
I want to thank every single person who has done something, no matter how big, no matter how small, to contribute.
And to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy 2026.
Cheers, and thank you
Your very appreciative Chair
Pete
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Next General Meeting Thursday Feb 12 CWA Rooms Pambula .
Regards,
Russell Jennings
Email: secretary@sjasc.org.au
Postal: PO Box 352 Pambula NSW 2549
Web: 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