1 Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016

Canberra QuakersThe newsletter of the Religious Society of Friends, Canberra Region July 2016

Bill Aldcroft’s 94th

Celebration

Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016 2

Notes from Wagga WaggaMeeting on 19th June 2016

Present were Robin Lindsay, Michael Bayles, TessaBremner, Melanie Baulch, Janet, Geraldine Gradon andAndrew Gradon.

Apologies from Mark Macleod, Dick Green and DianneHeath.

We discussed the offer of Quaker Basics in Wagga Waggabeginning 18 September. Michael is to contact MichaelSearle to see where it is up to.

The group shared highlights of their journeys over the lastmonth. Melanie and Dick did two consecutive courses,Quakerism 101 and Indigenous Spirituality and Culture atSilver Wattle Quaker Centre. Andrew and Geraldinevisited Almeley Meeting house in the UK where Andrewsparents’ ashes are, Findhorn Meeting in Scotland and ourfriend Keith Herring in London, from where they bringgreetings back to our meeting.

Tessa then read her amazing presentation to CanberraQuakers as part of the centenary of Anzac Day.

We then adjourned to a local eatery for somegastronomic winter warmers.

Next month we will discuss Advices and Queries 6.27 -6.28 from "this we can say" pages 303 - 304.

Andrew Gradon.

U3A/COTA Lunchtime Forum

Organizer: Gabriel Watt

16 August , 12.30 – 1.45 pm,

Meeting Room, Hughes Community Centre.BYO lunch. Tea and coffee are available.

Quaker Meetings for Worshipin the Bega Valley in Julywill be held as follows:

First Friday - 1st July, 2 pm at Jenny Spinks' home,22 Millowine Lane, Bega. Phone 6492 5901 fordirections for car parking.

Second Sunday - 10th July, 10.30 am at MumbullaSteiner School library, Bega Street, Bega

Second Wednesday - 13th July, 10 am at JeanieGough's home, 5 Union Street, Bega. Phone 64947530 if attending.

Third Monday -18th July, 2 pm in a room upstairsof 157 Carp Street, Bega. Entrance via alleywaybetween Red Cafe and Studio 157. Phone JanetMenefy on 6493 8458 if attending.

Last Sunday – 31st July, 10.30 am at MumbullaSteiner School library, Bega Street, Bega

We are offering more opportunities forMeeting for Worship and have extended thetrial period for another month.

To find the Mumbulla library:Enter the school campus from the ParkerStreet cul-de-sac and make your way north(towards Mumbulla Mountain, away fromParker & Bega Streets). The library is one ofthe 2 large buildings on the north side of thecampus, heading downhill-the library is on theright, with the entrance beyond the kitchenservery, across from the entrance to the hall.There is a wheels-accessible path to the library& hall from the Parker St cul-de-sac.

In Friendship,

Jenny Spinks

Housesitting wanted from Saturday 24 - 31 December

Willing to water the garden and feed pets. The Naulty family are getting togetherin Canberra between Christmas and New Year and are looking for accommodationfor 2 families.

Contact Mardi Naulty, 6278 4797

3 Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016

Over 40 people attended a meeting on Sunday 19June 2016 to hear a presentation by Mingku (alsoknown as Shane Mortimer), at the Friends MeetingHouse, Turner, ACT. A special guest at the meetingwas a film maker from USA.

At first the focus was on his family backgroundand connections to the Canberra region. Usingwords of the Guumal language, Mingku welcomedeveryone and explained the extent of Ngambricountry from Weereewaa (Lake George) to Orbostin Victoria, and including the national capital. Thename Canberra derives from Kamberry whichderives from Ngambri. He spoke of the arrival ofwhites to the region in 1821 when Joshua JohnMoore settled and developed good relations withthe Aboriginal people in the area. Mingku showedpictures of his ancestors, and referred to theinteraction among Aboriginal groups from thecoast and the inland.

Transmigration as part of the White Australiapolicy had the effect or moving Aborigines off theirland and into other areas, and treating them likeflora and fauna. Mingku’s grandmother Adelaideand other children were taken away from theirfamilies and placed at the Brungle mission nearGundagai. When the children went to school atCatholic schools they were denied use of theirlanguage and culture. Many ended up in coalmines on the Illawarra coast or in domestic servicein Sydney. Mingku’s mother Lesley became achampion figure skater. The links with theCanberra region nevertheless have remainedthrough 9 generations. Mingku has maintained arole as counsellor for his people, and spendsmuch time responding to those in urgent need ofsupport. He raises awareness of the first nationspeoples’ history in the region, and encouragesthem to be proud of their traditions. He also hasgood relations with groups such as farmers, andwith politicians, academics and bureaucrats.

Mingku explained that ‘allodial’ title (coveringabove and below ground) is the title that firstnations peoples have. The Crown has ‘radical’ title,and this was imposed when the Aboriginalcustodians were dispossessed. There is no recordof exchange of allodial title and this is an ongoingchallenge for Australian governments who havecontinued to deny the validity of Aboriginal title.For example, the ACT Ordinance of 1954(approved by the Queen) enabled Aborigines to bepushed aside so that whites could claim the land.

LISTENING SPACE – GUUMAAL NGAMBRI MINGKU

As a result, most Aboriginal people left the ACTfor many years. The legal system remains biasedagainst Aboriginal nations, because of allegianceto the ‘Crown’ title. A decision in English law(Entick v Carrington in 18th century) emphasisedthat invasion amounts to trespass, and the UNConvention on Genocide which Australia ratifiedin 1949 shows that the term ‘genocide’ canapply to the colonization of Australia, which wascalculated to destroy Aboriginal culture andidentity.

Mingku said he would continue his research andspeak internationally as well as within Australiato raise awareness. He plans to have the issue oftransnational genocide raised at theInternational Criminal Court in The Hague. Hechallenged those present to speak up aboutpoverty and homelessness, incarceration andother injustices faced by Aboriginal people in theACT. The meeting concluded with severalexamples from the audience of discriminationagainst first nations people in the ACT, includingthe inadequate number of Aboriginal teachers,and the ignoring of Aboriginal requests topreserve important sites in the area of theplanned West Belconnen housing development.

The greatest story of the past 15 years for theAsylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) hasbeen the successes of refugees against all theodds. While Immigration Minister Peter Duttontalks of burdensome and illiterate refugees in anattempt to further vilify them, we see anotherstory of resilient and resourceful human beings.In our Innovation HUB more than 700 peoplesuccessfully graduated from TAFE and dozenshave started their own small businesses. Youngpeople who arrived by boat without a word ofEnglish are now studying double degrees atuniversity, and approximately half of all the paidprofessional roles in our Innovation HUB arenow held by people from refugee backgrounds.

For 15 years I have been surrounded bythousands of the most compassionate anddedicated people. I can’t lose hope among thethousands of everyday Australians who care andare working tirelessly to build a just andwelcoming Australia. Australians who arecreating the change that politicians won’t.

Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016 4

In this extract from the QSA Newsletter, we visitour project partner Eco-Agric and the people ofthe project working to address food security andlivelihoods in Hoima District, Uganda.

PeopleOn the 14th of April 2016, thirty vulnerable singlemothers who rely on subsistence farming attended acolourful ceremony together with 300 people fromtheir village. The members of Tukurakurane (whichmeans ‘Let’s Develop’) Women’s Group, celebratedthe skills they have learnt, the income they havemade, and the overall benefits that this projectfunded by QSA, has had on their lives.

“Before the project, we would spend two dayswithout food and only eating porridge withoutsugar. Now, we get three balanced meals a day,”explained the group members.

Monica Businge is one of the proud women fromthe Tukurakurane group. She was always ahardworking woman, but didn’t previously havethe knowledge on how to properly develop hergarden to supply a strong yield. She was providedwith good quality bean and maize seeds, bananaplants, a watering can and a hoe. Learning andimplementing sustainable agriculture practicesenabled her to produce food even during the dryseason. She has been able to sell excess produce,and has been saving money in her savings groupat every meeting.

Monica in her intercropped garden ofmaize, beans and bananas

http://www.qsa.org.au

Projects addressing Food Securityand LivelihoodsSince the start of 2015, Eco-Agric has received fundingfrom QSA to promote organic agriculture for improvedfood security, livelihoods and environmentalconservation. So far, thirty participants have receivedtraining on sustainable conservation farmingpractices, and established a savings group. Thewomen have received beans, maize, sweet potato andbanana plants, as well as water buckets, wateringcans, and chickens. They have established farmer fieldschools and demonstration plots where women gainhands-on learning experience, a plant nursery, and asavings group. The women from Tukurakurane arenow able to eat three meals a day as a result of theproject. Each member is earning $1.5 - $2 a day fromselling excess vegetables, and in addition, loansfinanced from the savings pool of the savings grouphas enabled the start-up of eight small businesses.

Unfortunately, there are many more women in Hoimawho fall under the category ‘vulnerable female-headed households’. They are also dependent onsubsistence agriculture. Despite their best efforts oftrying to copy the methods that the women ofTukurakurane women’s group have learnt, poor seedquality and lack of knowledge is still preventing anincrease in their production. They are only able to eatone meal a day, and they continue to use chemicalfertilizers and pesticides, which has not only degradedtheir soils, but also their health.

Prior to starting this project, Eco-Agric conducted astudy called Participatory Rural Appraisal to identifylocal priority needs and the most vulnerablecommunity members. They found that 90% of womenin Hoima district are dependent on subsistencefarming. Most of the women are illiterate, and almosthalf the female-headed households have lost theirhusbands to either tobacco related diseases orHIV/AIDS. Most of the women take Anti Retro Viralmedication to stop the progression of HIV, and onaverage they have seven dependants who have neverattended school. They only eat one meal a day,although some households were found to eat onlyone meal every two days. Lack of access to food notonly affects their adherence to, and the effectiveness

QSA in Hoima District, Uganda

Continued on page 7

5 Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016

On June 23rd, the UK held its third referendum coveringthe whole of the UK. There were ten others that wereheld within one of the countries of the UK, such as therecent Scottish Independence Referendum. There werealso many more local referendums involving issues suchas the election of mayors, the prohibition of alcoholpurchases, Sunday closing, and parish polls.Referendums are not legally binding on the UKGovernment, which appears to be reason why theGovernment are in no hurry to implement any legislationto withdraw from the EU or alter their status in any way.Australia restricts the use of the term referendum toconstitutional issues and plebiscites to any other issues.Ireland held a plebiscite to adopt their Constitution, andholds referendums for all other issues.

The UK Referendum was rife with dubious claims, most ofwhich the opposing side disagrees with most strongly.Boris Johnson publicized the 350-million-pound NHS bus,a claim that Nigel Farage distanced himself fromespecially after the referendum. As for the Australianplebiscite on marriage equality, I was bemused to hearthe Federal politicians tie themselves in knots to avoidsaying how they would vote after the plebiscite. As nearas I can judge, there will be those who will vote for thecurrent legislation on marriage regardless of the result ofthe plebiscite; there will be those who will vote formarriage equality regardless of the plebiscite; and themay be some who will take note of the plebiscite resultand vote in the Parliament accordingly.

All these machinations caused me to remember a filmfrom the early 1970s, a film most of you probably neversaw, “The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer”. The onlyother person I know who was familiar with it was LeonPierce, an excellent journalist who was at one-time BillHayden’s press secretary. Leon and I both saw the film forits satire with touches of French farce and British silliness.Peter Cook was the star, an excellent comedian and arotten actor. His woodenness was germane to the role, asMichael Rimmer was meant to be amoral, highlyambitious, and lacking charisma or attractiveness. Thefilm satires advertising, the use of opinion polls, and thedubious intentions of politicians. In the film, a vox-poppoll was conducted in Nuneaton of the religious beliefs ofthe residents. Yes, Nuneaton town grew up around anunnery. Rimmer sabotages the poll, conducted byRonnie Corbett, so that the results showed that mostNuneaton residents were Buddhists and a few evenworshipped the great white bull. The film also had slightdigs at the most controversial politicians of the day (suchas Enoch Powell, Harold Wilson, and Harold Macmillan),

Plebiscites and referendumsPeter Farrelly

sexism in advertising, and the declining attendance atchurch. Rimmer removes his rival for parliamentaryleader and bombards the British people with plebiscites,such as “Should we donate wheat to Tajikistan?” (Ihaven’t seen the movie since the 1970s and cannotremember the exact wording). Finally, once he thinks theBritish people are tiring from this plebiscitary democracy,he asks the British people if they would like him to makethese decisions for him. Of course, they say yes and he isthen President of the United Kingdom, a modern despot.At the time, spin was confined to the cricket pitch and thelikes of Ritchie Benaud. However, the term spin wasentering the political sphere and the film was too close toreality to release before the 1970 British elections. Now,all elections are overrun with PR and opinion polls. It waswritten by Peter Cook, John Cleese, Graham Chapman,and Kevin Billington, the film’s director. Actors alsoincluded Denholm Elliot, Ronald Fraser, Vanessa Howard,Arthur Lowe, Harold Pinter, Dennis Price, and ValerieLeon. The concept was devised by David Frost who wasalso an executive producer.

Plebiscites can be illusory images of democracy, in whichcomplex issues are reduced to yea or nay replies. Theissues of immigration (from within the EU or elsewherelike Asia or Africa), access to a single market, NHS system,Britain’s place in the world, and the lack of developmentin the depressed areas of England are all bundledtogether. The EU support for development in NorthernIreland, Wales and Cornwall will be lost; since thepoliticians have been loath to develop the old industrialnorth, will they continue to support these other areas?Certainly, the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation(JRF) has highlighted long standing poverty as the causeof many voters’ backing Brexit. There has been strongeconomic success in Britain for some and not others,whilst the Government just ignores them.

Julia Unwin, chief executive of JRF, said: “The reasons forpeople’s vote in the referendum are complex, but thisclearly shows that millions of people up and down thecountry feel left behind by economic growth and ignoredby those elected to serve them. We believe Britain will bestronger if we solve poverty, giving everyone regardlessof their background the chance to live a decent andsecure life. Yet instead we’re seeing a real sense that it’sharder to get on than it used to be and that poverty is onthe rise. The result of the EU referendum shows wecannot afford to return to business as usual for thepoorest people and places across the UK.”

JRF will be launching a comprehensive strategy to tacklepoverty in September.

Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016 6

CRM's concerns about the proposed QSA ConstitutionResponses by Jackie Perkins, Executive Administrator of QSAand Garry Duncan, QSA Convenor

QSA's incorporation should be in a place or ofa type that would facilitate movement of QSAto another Regional Meeting

Garry: Legal advice indicated that for the size ofQSA and its operations, incorporation as anassociation within a state is the most appropriatelegal structure; it would allow QSA to also becomean Australian Registered Body and operate inanother state. It is far more costly and complex tooperate at a federal level given QSA's size.

What are the purposes and duties of theLinkages sub-committee - will there be lessopportunity for non-committee Friends'involvement in QSA?

Jackie: QSA envisages there will be more not lessopportunity for Friends' involvement via theLinkages subcommittee. One of the roles of theLinkages sub-committee will be to undertake arolling review. QSA could provide a backgroundpaper on a topic eg how does QSA demonstrate thetestimony Simplicity in its work, project selectionand relationships with other organisations? TheLinkages subcommittee might tease out a number offurther questions to be discussed with RegionalMeetings and returned with Friends comments.Jackie said that the last 2 reviews producedresponses which were rather operational, and didn'tgive QSA further direction. The Linkagessubcommittee process will review QSA atgovernance or big picture level. QSA believes thisprocess will be more useful for QSA, and thatFriends will find it more satisfying. By having theLinkages sub-committee undertake the review a realdialogue will happen. Friends could still ask specificquestions, however it would provide another way oflooking at QSA, not just in terms of projects andcountries, but in terms of issues.

The proposed structure simply legalises the existingmanagement structure: it identifies the Host RMcommittee as the management committee. Theregional representatives don't currently attend ortake part in day to day management issues, so thenew structure protects them.

Why can't the Regional representative takepart in committee meetings by Skype?

Jackie: Teleconferencing is more suited to a largegroup than Skype, as Skype can drop out. TheManagement Committee has held a number ofteleconferences to discuss specific issues.Management committee meetings regularly take 5hours, with a break for lunch, which is not areasonable time for sitting in a Skype session.

Membership is restricted to only 16 peoplewhich is too limiting.

Jackie: Membership of QSA is to consist of 7members appointed by the Host Regional Meeting,7 appointed by the Regional Meeting and 2 ex-officio members. QSA Membership has beenrestricted to 16 since 1999, there is no change inthis.

CRM is concerned there is no mention of a QSAbeing a committee of Yearly Meeting.

Jackie: To update its Rules of Association, and afterlegal advice, QSA has decided to move to become anindependent incorporated entity. This means thatQSA will bring the statement of purpose, projectselection criteria and the multi-year plan to YearlyMeeting for information, and not for approval. Thisstructure is similar to that of Silver Wattle andFriends School.

Written by Mardi Naulty, CRM representative toQSA, 7 July 2016

Children’s birthdaysin July and August

Emma Buckland 02.07.2005

Sunny Boyce 06.07.2003

Adrian Kendon 10.07.2008

Lucy Bailey 11.07.2008

Anthony Parkhurst 23.07.2009

Charlotte Kendon 09.08.2006

7 Canberra Quakers Newsletter—July 2016

of, the Anti Retro Viral medication, but their childrenremain illiterate and malnourished as a result.

Treasurer receiving members’ savingsGiven the development need in the area, and based onthe success of the pilot project funded by QSA to improvethe lives of vulnerable single mothers that rely onsubsistence farming, QSA has agreed to a larger projectbudget for the coming financial year. Eco-Agric willreceive funds from QSA and the Department of ForeignAffairs and Trade under ANCP, such that the number ofparticipants can be increased to 90.

At QSA we are excited that with the additional funding thisyear we will be able to expand on the existing achievementswith an additional two women’s groups. The project willestablish an additional six farmer field schools forparticipatory learning on sustainable crop production,poultry rearing and irrigation systems which involvesseason-long training activities. A further six demonstrationgardens will be established on selected host-farmer’s landand provide hands-on learning experiences, providing easyand quick learning of agricultural techniques. In addition,the women will learn about financial security, businessmanagement skills and establish two more savings groupsso they are able to save and access credit from the group.

Written by Ragna Gilmour, QSA Office

QSA in Uganda continued

Beth Blackert's phone no longer works; she'shoping to get another one soon. It's best to contacther via her bblackertb@yahoo.com.au.

Andrew Bray and Tracy Bourne, with Emily,Rosie, and Miles, have moved to 23 MolongloStreet, Bungendore NSW 2621. Andrew's mobile isnow 0434 769 463; Emily has his old number 0421379 646.

Margaret Clark is now home with her family, andresting after her operation. The operation wassuccessful and at this stage it appears that she willnot need further treatment. She is not ready forphone calls or visits, but happy to receive emails.Please continue to hold her in the Light and in ourprayers as she recuperates.

Geraldine Martin's now Geraldine Gradon, andshe and Andrew are back after their honeymoon inEurope. They've moved to 55 Wade Street,Coolamon NSW 2701, h 02 6927 3208, retaining theirmobile numbers and email addresses.

Nick Hopkins has changed his email address tonickhopkins@activ8.net.au, and no longer has alandline.

Jim Leven and Ana Hurtado are using 85 ArchibaldStreet, Lyneham ACT 2602 as their mail address.You can also reach them on Jim's 0439 983 727,jhleven@bigpond.com.

News of Friends

)(

What are the real lessons of the Great War, forAustralians, and for all? That war is a bluntinstrument, unleashing all manner of evil. Thatunqualified loyalty to big and powerful friendsmeans being trapped in their misjudgements. Thatthe war aims declared to the people, and the waraims for which wars are prolonged, are seldom thesame thing. That war is never a simple choicebetween victory and defeat. That peace bynegotiation is the live, innovative and often the mostcourageous alternative to gambling again and againwith the blood of the young. That wars are sodestructive that victory itself can be impotent,providing no lasting peace and no vindication for themechanised killing.

Back up when available: Stephen Hodgkin.If a date won’t work for you, swap if you can with someoneelse on the list already, and tell Heather Herbert that you havedone it.

Hosting DutiesThese are described near the roster on the foyer notice board.If you cannot come on the day, please arrange a swap withsomeone else ASAP. Ideally, approach someone rostered onanother week. Contact the others in your hosting team,before Sunday, to arrange who will bring the flowers and themilk (usually 2 litres). By custom, volunteers have paid forthese items when it is their turn on the roster. Other hostingexpenses can be reimbursed from Meeting funds. Receiptsshould accompany any claim to the Finance Committee.

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

PO Box 6063, O’Connor, ACT, 2602

Your Newsletter Submissions

can be sent to the editor, Peter Farrelly

Email: farrelly.peter@yahoo.com

The publishing deadline is:

The first Sunday of each month.

Meetings for WorshipCanberra Northside:cnr Condamine & Bent Streets Turner9:15-9:45 Early Meeting for Worship9:55 for 10:00-11:00 Main Meeting for WorshipChildren’s Meeting on 4 th SundayMeeting for Healing: last Sunday 9.00—10.00 amMidweek Meeting: Wed morning, 8.00-8.30am

Canberra Southside:2nd & 3 rd Sunday, 8:30-9:10am, followed by a cuppa.Seniors Centre, Tuggeranong Town Park. For directionscontact Adie Price on 6161 0742

Young FriendsAn active group of Young Friends (16-30yo), includingsome with children, gather regularly for meals andwelcome newcomers.Please contact: Stewart Betts, 0409 674 791

Wagga Wagga Recognized Meeting: 1st Sundayof the month at 10.00am, at 11 Maple Street. Morningtea will follow the meeting. The first meeting will be on7th August. 3rd Sunday at 10:30am, at Riverina Gums, 44Dalman Parkway, Glenfield Park, Wagga Wagga. ContactMichael Bayles on 0408 291 999Bateman’s Bay: Contact Lesley on 4472 2768

Goulburn: At various venues, 3rd Sunday of the month11.00am Meeting for Worship. Contact, Dr Brian Harlech-Jones (02)4803 5832, 049 005 5837

Bega Valley Recognized Meeting:See article inside for detailed information.

Silver Wattle Quaker Centre:Meetings for Worship are on the 2nd Sunday of themonth.Enquiries: Tracy Bourne (6238 0588).

Hosting July, AugustJuly

24 Susan Rockliff, Greg Parkhurst, Elizabeth Davis32 Joon Garfit, Jim leven, Ana Hurtado

August

7 Nancy Tingey, Chris Purnell, Tim Johnstone14 Shobha Varkey, Gareth Knapman, David Shorthouse21 Doreen Cope, Margaret Evans, Frank Watson28 Adie Price, Vicki Saunders, Justin Barker