Newsletter for 27 June 2017 Rural Australians for Refugees Bellingen and Nambucca Districts

Next Market Stall - Bellingen Sat 15th July

Next Roadside Demo - Big Banana, Coffs Thursday June 29 2:30pm

Upcoming refugee events this week

Reply from the ASC

Quote of the week

Coffs Harbourside market report

In spite of the overcast skies, we had a good market in Coffs Harbour on Sunday, with a great team of enthusiastic supporters. Lots of interesting conversations,  a steady stream of support, numerous sales of “Boat People” T shirts and tea towels, generous donations for the Asylum Seekers Centre  and pages of signatures on our latest petition. It was a delight to meet a number of  senior students from local High schools who were happy to sign the petition. One student in particular, from Bishop Druitt’s school, was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic, speaking warmly about refugees, about her school’s commitment to human rights, and about how much she valued the presence of refugees in her class. These young people represent our hopes for a  future in which difference can be celebrated, rather than feared and demonised.

As a result of our fundraising at recent markets, we have donated $200 to the Asylum Seekers  Centre, making a total of $950 from our market stalls since making a commitment last August to raise $1000. Not far to go!

Our upcoming markets for the rest of the year are: 

15th July: Bellingen; 

5th August: Valla Beach; 

27th August: Coffs Harbour; 

16th September: Bellingen; 

7th October: Valla Beach; 

22nd October: Coffs Harbour; 

18th November: Bellingen; 

2nd December: Valla Beach.

Roadside demonstration: Big Banana, Coffs Harbour: Thursday 29th June: 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm

A reminder that our next roadside demonstration is this Thursday, 29th June, beside the Pacific Highway next to the Big Banana.  Please come and join us if you can, as a number of our core supporters are away on holiday at the moment. We have, as always, lots of banners and placards to share. A great opportunity to show your solidarity with asylum seekers and refugees.

Our upcoming demonstrations are: Thursday 13th July in Nambucca Heads, adjacent to the Plaza shopping centre; Thursday 27th July, opposite the Base hospital in Coffs Harbour; Thursday 10th August: Bellingen.

Upcoming refugee-related events

Wednesday 28th June.  A reminder that tomorrow evening, starting at 7.00 pm in Scotts Head Public School, there will be a screening of the film “Cast from a Storm”. A great opportunity to see a very informative and moving film, and the chance to engage in discussion about refugee issues.  Further details from Janet Granek at: granekj@gmail.com, or just turn up for a 7.00 pm start. Anyone from Valla Beach or nearby who would like a lift can phone Mike on 6569  5419.

Friday 30th June. A reminder about the Freedom Feast which takes place this Friday from 6.00 pm until 8.30 pm at Coffs Harbour Central, on Harbour Drive. The event is located upstairs at Food at the Terrace. You are invited to bring a plate to share, and there will also be food from around the world for you to taste and enjoy. You will be able to relax, and to enjoy music and dance from diverse local and cultural groups. The event is FREE, and filling up fast. To book your free place, go to: freedomfeast2017@eventbrite.com.au, or call Andrew on: 6648 4846.

Reply from the Asylum Seekers Centre

Following our donation last week of $1000 to the ASC from our fundraising lunch and auction, we received a warm reply: “What a fantastic result from your fundraising lunch! Thank you very much to your RAR group for your continued support.” We know that ASC will put the money to good use.

Quote of the week

“We have hardened our hearts. I fear we have devalued the currency of mercy. Children have asked for bread and we gave them stones. So turn back, I beg you. For the children’s sake. For the sake of this nation’s spirit. Raise us back up to our best selves. Turn back while there’s still time”.

Tim  Winton, author.

Check out the index of subjects on our blog  http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au 

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >500 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(482 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook

Newsletter for 20 June 2017 Rural Australians for Refugees Bellingen and Nambucca Districts

Next Roadside Demo - Big Banana, Coffs Thursday June 29 2:30pm

Fundraising lunch and auction report

Next Market Stall - Coffs Harbour Sunday June 25

Film Screening - Cast From a Storm - Scotts Head

Manus Island detainees court victory

Quote of the week

Roadside demonstration report

We had a good turnout for our demonstration in Bellingen last Thursday, and the rain held off! There was lots of support from passing motorists and pedestrians, including a number of comments from passers by who told us how important it is to keep the asylum seeker issues in the public eye.

Our next roadside demonstration will be on Thursday 29th June in Coffs Harbour, next to the Big Banana, from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm. Do come and join us if you can.

Fundraising lunch and auction report

We were so lucky on Sunday to avoid the rain after the downpour on Saturday. A great time was had by all who were able to attend and  some forty items went under the hammer at the auction. A huge thank you to everyone who donated items to sell. We took $500 on the door in donations and raised a further  $1830 with the auction. With several  promised donations on their way, the event will have raised in excess of $2,500, which is fantastic.  The money raised will be shared between the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown and our RAR group, since we need some funds to support visiting refugees through the Home Among the Gumtrees initiative.

Thanks so much to Mike and Marlene for making the fundraiser lunch such a success. They welcomed us to their lovely home and managed somehow to fend off the rain till most guests had left. Their preparation was thorough and they were great hosts. The setting was perfect, the food plentiful, the wine flowed, the conversation was vibrant and the auction was a hoot!!

Next Market Stall : Coffs Harbourside Market, Sunday 25th June from 9.00 am until 1.30 pm

A reminder that our next market is this coming Sunday at the Harbourside market in Coffs Harbour. The market is temporarily located adjacent to the Park Beach car park, by the mouth of Coffs Creek. If you can help out on the stall for an hour or two, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Screening of the film Cast From a Storm: Scotts Head Public School: Wednesday  28th June at 7.00 pm

This isn’t your typical refugee film. A coming of age story, this uplifting documentary shares the reality of what it means to be a teenager and a displaced person. This is a story of what comes after, and what it means to remake your home. An opportunity to see the film and to discuss refugee issues. Entrance is free, and voluntary donations will be sent to the Refugee Council of Australia.  Please contact Janet Granek for further details at: granekj@gmail.com.

Manus Island detainees settle out of court

Much has been written this past week about the $70 million plus costs awarded to 1907 Manus detainees. What is very clear is the the government is prepared to spend whatever it takes to keep the reality of the cruelty and inhumanity of indefinite detention out of the public eye. If the government thought that it had any chance of winning the case, then it could of course have proceeded.  What is also clear is that is is no longer possible for the government to argue that the detainees in offshore detention are the sole responsibility of the governments of Nauru and PNG. It’s worth noting also that the legal costs are high because the government has fought the issue all the way for three years, during which time there were 50 appearances in court. Up to eighty similar individual cases have been brought, but almost all of them have been settled out of court, thereby enabling the government to avoid public scrutiny. Given that the government has not accepted liability in this case, then it is highly likely that others will follow.

Quote of the week

“Looks like a windfall for people who unfairly took advantage of our nation’s generosity.” Tony Abbott, commenting about the payout on his favourite 2GB radio programme. You couldn’t make this stuff up!

Check out the index of subjects on our blog  http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au 

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >500 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(482 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook

Newsletter for 13 June 2017 Rural Australians for Refugees Bellingewn and Nambucca Districts

Next Roadside Demo - Bello Thursday June 15 2:30pm

Next Market Stall - Coffs Harbour Sunday June 25

Politician phone-in

Refugee Week fundraising lunch - Sunday 18th June

Refugee week events in Coffs

Refugee week posters

Roadside demonstration: Thursday 15th June, Bellingen: 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm

A reminder that our next roadside demonstration is this Thursday in Bellingen, in our usual spot on Waterfall Way, adjacent to the public library, weather permitting. Please come and join us if you can, and show your solidarity with all the refugees and asylum seekers both in Australia and on Nauru and Manus Island. Their situation is getting worse, not better, and we need to keep up the fight for justice and humanity. We have lots of banners and placards to share, but we very much need a few more people to join us.

Next Market Stall: Coffs Harbourside Market: Sunday 25th June: 9.00 am until 1.30 pm

Our next market stall is coming up in Coffs Harbour on Sunday 25th June. The market has been temporarily relocated to Park Beach, adjacent to the car park at the mouth of Coffs Creek.  It’s a good location and, provided that the weather is fine, there will be lots of market goers to interact with. We’ll be handing out leaflets, asking people to sign the new petition, selling our merchandise and enjoying the market atmosphere. If you can help out on the stall for a while between 9.00 am and 1.30 pm, then please let Mike know by emailing him at : mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Marathon phone-in

A big thank you to those supporters who made the effort to contact politicians last week to protest about the indefinite detention of innocent people on Nauru and Manus Island.  One official in Luke Hartsuyker’s office admitted that they had received a number of calls, and acknowledged that “this has been going on for too long”.

Lunch and auction: Sunday 18th June

We have had a great response from supporters and friends for next weekend’s lunch and auction. All we need now is for the sun to shine, and we will surely meet our target of $1,000. All the proceeds of the event will be shared between the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown and our RAR group. We need to have some funds in the bank to support the travel costs of refugee families who we hope to welcome into our homes in the months ahead.

Refugee Week events in Coffs Harbour

Amnesty International Coffs Coast, together with Coffs Connection and Community and Coffs Harbour City Council, are putting on two important events as part of their contribution to Refugee Week. They are:

• Constance on the Edge: free film screening, Friday 23rd June at the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour. The event commences at 6.30 pm.  The gallery is located on John Champion Way. This film gets to the heart of a contemporary untold story about the courage and resilience  that it takes to build a new life. The film also highlights the important role that communities play in encouraging a sense of welcoming, healing and belonging.
• Freedom Feast: Friday 30th June: 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm. This event will take place in Coffs Central – Food at the Terrace (upstairs). Bring a plate of food to share and enjoy a sumptuous community feast, hear and share stories from around the world, relax and enjoy live music and dance performances from diverse local cultural communities and much besides. The event is FREE.  To book your free place, go online at: freedomfeast2017@eventbrite.com.au  or call Andrew on 6648 4846.

Refugee Week posters

We ordered a few posters for  Refugee Week and have three remaining . They are in colour, size A2 (600 mm x 420 mm) and are ideal for display in your window, in your garden  where they can be seen by passers-by or at your place of work. If you are able to display a poster in a prominent place and would like one, then please let Mike know as soon as possible at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Check out the index of subjects on our blog  http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au 

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >500 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(482 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook

Newsletter for 6 June 2017 Rural Australians for Refugees Bellingen and Nambucca Districts

Next Roadside Demo - Bello Thursday June 15 2:30pm

Next Market Stall - Coffs Harbour Sunday June 25

Refugee Week fundraising lunch - 18th June

National day of action - Ring your pollie!

Life on Manus - Imran's story

Roadside demonstration report

We had a very successful roadside demonstration in Coffs Harbour last Thursday, with nine supporters holding our banners and placards for passing motorists to see and hopefully reflect on. Lots of positive support as always, with honking of horns, cheerful waving and  thumbs–up from many motorists.

Our next roadside demonstration will be in Bellingen on Thursday 15th June, from 2.30 pm until 4.00 pm. You will find us in the usual place on Waterfall Way, adjacent to the public library. Why not put the date in your diary and join us for a while?

Market report

A  cool but sunny morning for our market stall in Valla Beach last Saturday. Although the market was not particularly busy, we had lots of positive conversations with market-goers, collected a good number of signatures on the new national RAR petition, gave out lots of leaflets and sold various items of merchandise. A big thank you to all our supporters who turned up to lend a hand, and to the Valla Beach Community Association, who don’t charge us for our presence at the market.

Our next market will be in Coffs Harbour on Sunday 25th June from 9.00 am until 1.30 pm. The market will be held at the temporary location adjacent to the Park Beach car park.  If you can help out for a while, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.

Refugee week fundraiser: Sunday 18th June from 12.00 pm

We have just a few spaces left for our important fundraising lunch and auction on 18th June at 39, Rogers Drive, Valla Beach.  If you haven’t signed up yet, then please do so this week so that we can finalise the arrangements. Wine and beer will be provided by our hosts Mike and Marlene, and we would appreciate it if you would bring a plate to share. We have some exciting items for the auction already, including: two nights’ accommodation for a couple at Hil’s End in Bellingen, numerous works of art, a Royal Doulton serving bowl, 4 Orrefors Martini glasses, a beautiful plant in an unusual pot, two framed limited edition prints from Kew Gardens in the UK, bottles of wine, and much besides. We are still urgently seeking additional items for the auction, so if you have something to donate that you think will fetch at least $20, then please let Mike know asap by email: at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com  or by phone at: 6569 5419. Let’s make it a big success!

All the proceeds from the event will go to support refugee causes: The Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown and our RAR group.

National Call to Action: Wednesday 7th June, between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm

A nationwide call to action has been organised for tomorrow, Wednesday 7th June. The plan is for a phone marathon to tell our politicians that we do not support the policy of offshore detention and that we call for the safe and urgent settlement of all genuine asylum seekers and refugees currently detained indefinitely  on Nauru and Manus Island. Nothing will change until enough voters tell our politicians that we do not support a policy that depends on the suffering of innocent men, women and children who have committed no crime.

Will you please phone the office of your local MP, which for most of us is Luke Hartsuyker? His phone number is: 6652 6233.

If you feel up to it, please also consider phoning the offices of the following people:

Peter Dutton, Minister for Immigration: (07) 3205 9977

Malcolm Turnbull: (02) 9327 3988

Bill Shorten: (03) 9326 1300

Shayne Neumann, Shadow Minister for Immigration: (07) 3201 5300

Please join the campaign if you can. It  will only take a few minutes.

Life on Manus: Imran’s story

Some months ago, as we were packing away our  banners and placards at the end of our demo in Coffs Harbour, a car pulled up alongside us and the person in the passenger seat lowered her window. What did we know about life on Manus? Didn’t we realise that these men are paid to stay there; that they are well looked after; that they have no worries; that they spend their days at the beach; that they live on a paradise island, and that they should be grateful to us.

The 900 or so men who are trapped there indefinitely tell a very different story, as we know from the refugees themselves, the many accounts from doctors, aid workers, teachers, social workers and others who have had direct contact with the refugees and asylum seekers.

Imran Mohammad is a stateless Rohingya refugee from Mayanmar, and he has been held on Manus for almost four years. He has written about the enormous fear and uncertainty for the refugees as they await the closure of the detention centre over the coming months. He tells of the great fear that all the men have of moving out of the centre into the community, where they are unsafe and where they are regularly subjected to bashings  and assault.  He says: “What we know is that there is no place for us in this world. If there was, we would have been resettled somewhere and we would not have suffered beyond our ability to cope in this minefield. We don’t expect any hope  from the Australian and the PNG governments. It has always been felt that we would never leave this island alive and it has become apparent the abuse and torture implemented by both countries is unending.”

How can members of the public believe that these men are happily living in paradise?

How can the Australian government, supported by the Labor opposition, continue to inflict such cruelty on innocent people in our name?

Check out the index of subjects on our blog  http://bellorar.blogspot.com.au 

It includes articles from many sources and letters to politicians and newspapers.

This newsletter is sent to >500 recipients

Our Face book is at https://www.facebook.com/Rural-Australians-for-Refugees-Bellingen-and-Nambucca-Districts-269696303205083/timeline/

(482 likes)

Twitter Account @RARBellingenNam

Email address bellingen.rar@gmail.com

The National RAR web site is at  www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org.au 

The National RAR facebook site is at  RAR Facebook