tar september 2012 - independent order of rechabites · in salford, england, ... eastwood nsw 2122...

The Australian

Rechabite

Issue 2September, 2012

Print Post Approved: PP424022/2553

Inside

Rechabites:

People who enjoy an

alcohol-free lifestyle

Rechabite

2 Editorial

3 Letters to the Editor

3 i Rechabites

4 Queensland News

5 Touring with Norm McIvor

7 New South Wales News

8 Jottings from Malcolm Campbell

8 Alcohol Sponsorship of Sport

9 Victorian News

10 Scholarship Winners

11 Region Meeting News

13 IOR Caravan & Holiday Club

14 Strictly Personal . . .

15 Obituary

15 Drug Legalisation . . .

20 Alcohol Guidelines Inadequate

2 - The Australian RECHABITE September 2012

Editorial

THIS year we celebrate 170years of the Independent Orderof Rechabites in Australia. Bro

John Garrett, who was High DeputyRuler in 1836 emigrated to Sydney inJuly 1840. On 20th April 1842, justseven years after the founding of IORin Salford, England, he established thefirst Rechabite Tent in Australia, Starof Australia, Sydney.

A second Tent, called The MorningStar was instituted in May 1842. Thenas part of the Sydney District a thirdTent was opened in Launceston,Tasmania and a fourth in Septemberthe same year.

The first officers of the Sydney Districtwere Bro R Cowland, Solicitor, DCR;Bro Barr DDR, Bro John Garrett, DS,together with one Representativefrom each Tent.

Obviously the venture failed as nofurther records can be found of thatSydney District. We surmise that it allcollapsed because John Garrett, thedriving force behind the work, movedto Tasmania, where he was stillinvolved with the Order, establishingthe Tasmanian District, also nowdefunct, but from which the Societywas established in Melbourne in1861.

The work in Sydney was not to bere-established until Bro Robert GEnnever came up from Geelong andinstituted Captain Cook Tent No.238,as part of the Victorian District No.82,the minutes say on Wednesday 18th

June 1878. We know that date is notcorrect for 18th June was a Tuesdayand from other evidence it wouldappear that 12th June is more likely.However, to confuse the issue further,A Short History of the Order pub-lished in 1934 puts the date as 13th

June 1878. Which is correct, we willnever know.

This Tent became Captain Cook TentNo.1 of the new NSW District No.85formed in 1884.

In the meantime as part of theVictorian District No. 82 two Tentswere established in Queensland in1869, Pioneer Tent No.109 and Hopeof Ipswich Tent No.110, whichbecame No.2 when the QueenslandDistrict No.87 was formerly formedon 24th May 1872.

This is just a fraction of the history ofan Order that has sought to combatthe in-roads of alcohol in ourAustralian society.

Laughed at in England in 1835 andsaid it would collapse within fiveyears; struggled here in Australia from1842 but fought on, this Society andits aims continues when those whoridiculed us have disappeared fromthe scene. ‘Tis true we are muchweaker now because of changingGovernment legislation, but our mis-sion to stand against the dangers ofalcohol remain as strong as ever.

We have a proud heritage that needsour earnest support. You, it’s mem-bers, need to encourage others tostand with us, enjoy our companyand fellowship and make our voicesheard in a society where murder,rape, and other heinous crimes arecommitted under the influence ofalcohol.

For 170 years we have proved youcan enjoy an alcohol-free lifestyle andwhilst many opponents are stillarrayed against us, I close with thewords of Bro Garrett in his letter toEngland in August 1842, “However,we shall not despair”.

V (Ian) A BelcherEditor

Issue 2September, 2012

The Australian

Rechabiteis the official journal of the

IncorporatedRechabite Fraternal Societies

in Australia

Keeping Rechabites in touch

New South WalesDistrict Secretary

Bro John W Dixon

Post Office Box 305,

EASTWOOD NSW 2122

Telephone: (02) 9801 0585

Email: [email protected]

QueenslandDistrict Secretary

Bro R (Bob) A Cook

6 Colette Street

WAKERLEY Qld 4154

Telephone: (07) 3893 2499

Email: qldsecretary@

australian rechabites.org.au

VictoriaState Secretary

Sis Gwenda Martyn

Post Office Box 4532

KNOX CITY CENTRE VIC 3152

Telephone: (03) 5177 8144

Email: alan-gwenda@

vic.australis.com.au

Copy:Material for inclusion in this magazineshould be addressed to

The EditorPost Office Box 160REDBANK Qld 4301

Email: [email protected]: (07) 3139 1505

Peace and Plentythe reward ofTemperance

The Editors are not responsible for theviews expressed in contributions,

articles or communications.

CLOSING DATE FOR

ARTICLES FOR THE NEXT

ISSUE IS

15th Janauary 2013

September 2012 The Australian RECHABITE - 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Post Office Box 160, REDBANK QLD 4301or E-mail: [email protected]

Dear Sir,

A long time member of the IOR, Ijoined about 1947, which is a longtime ago, and previous to joining IORI was a member of the Sons ofTemperance as a Junior. We used tomeet each Tuesday night in the LaborHall, Sheffield Street, Coburg.

All this, I might add, has had a signifi-cant influence on my life (I am now90) and I am thankful for that.

I would like to add a commentregarding the IOR Calendar that yousend out to members each year – theyare excellent. The plain, large, blackletters and figures are easy to readand your publication people stillmaintain Sunday as the first day of theweek. I say this because the newtrend in the other calendars, which Ireceive, show Monday as the first dayof the week.

As a Christian, I accept the Bible asthe authority on matters such as these

and we are plainly told that the resur-rection of Jesus Christ from the deadwas on a Sunday. Luke’s GospelChapter 24, verses 1-3 confirm this.There are other places in the Biblethat show plainly that Sunday is thefirst day of the week.

Thank you for the time you havetaken to read this.

Sincerely,

Barry ShackletonVictoria

FOLLOWING the current trendfor everything under the sun tobe “i” something, the Australian

Rechabites have (finally) got a website up and running. So iRechabite ormaybe e-rechabite is available forthose with the internet to access.

The URL ishttp://www.australianrechabites.org.au/and the Home Page will come up asbelow

From the Home Page, you can accessthe pages for each State and theAustralian Rechabite Foundation. TheQueensland page, for example, gives

links to the history of the QueenslandDistrict, Committee members, theConstitution and Annual meetinginformation.

Take the time to have a look at thesite. Feedback is always welcome. n

iRechabiteRechabites advance into the 21st Century

The Victorian StateCommittee

State PresidentGraeme HICKS

Past State PresidentRon PRATT

Deputy State PresidentDon LEGGE

State SecretaryGwenda MARTYN

State TreasurerInnes RUSSELL

State OfficersAllan CLARK

David McGEE

Hope of Ipswich TentNo.2

THE annual Election of Officerstook place at the June meeting ofthe Tent with the following results:-

Chief Ruler: Sis D H McIvorPast Chief Ruler: Bro V A BelcherDeputy Chief Ruler: Sis I R BelcherSecretary: Sis C D WilliamsLevite: Sis E D JordonGuardian: Bro N McIvor

The above officers were inductedinto their positions at the Augustmeeting of the Tent by the DistrictChief Ruler, Sis Margaret Andrews.


STATE NEWS

Queensland News

DistrictChief Ruler’s Report

Dear Fellow Rechabites

THIS will be my final column asyour District Chief Ruler. I have

enjoyed my journey and thank youall for your support.

Since the last Australian Rechabite,your Executive has met on threeoccasions – January, April and July.

Bro Cook has been very busy puttingtogether our website. It is now upand running and can be accessed asfollows:

www.australianrechabites.org.au/

Please take the time to have a look atit and if you have any comments orsuggestions, please contact Bro Cook.

This year our Annual District Council(AGM) will be held in the UnitingChurch Hall, Kadumba Street,Yeronga on Saturday 13th Octoberat 3.00 p.m. We hope to see asmany as possible in attendance. Thisyear is an election year so you willmeet your new District Executive.

The Order’s Christmas Party will beheld on Saturday 8th December inthe Uniting Church Hall, 24 PopeStreet, Tarragindi. If you would like toattend, please contact me on (07)3208 18148 by the end of Novemberfor catering purposes.

Since our last Australian Rechabite,Bro Rob Dippel from Invincible TentNo 3 and a previous District ChiefRuler has passed away. We extendour sympathies to his family.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmasand a safe New Year.

Margaret AndrewsDistrict Chief Ruler

Rechabite SocialActivitiesCommittee

WE have started the year offwith our first bowls compe-tition which was held on

21 April 2012 in the Lutheran ChurchHall, Gatton.

A most entertaining day with 24 inattendance.

The morning competition saw mixedpairs play for the White/Williamstrophy with teams from Gatton,Ipswich and two from Brisbane. Thebowls were very competitive withsome first time bowlers playing.

The Winners were Bro and SisWilliams from Ipswich with theRunners-up being Bro Hendersonand Sis Swan from Brisbane 2.

After a delicious lunch served by theLutheran Ladies, the Juster/NalderCompetition was held. This is playedby any mix of pairs.

The Winners were Bro Anderson andBro Turner from Gatton with theRunners-up being Sis Andrews and SisChapman from Brisbane 2.

Don’t forget the Household Fairwhich is being held on the 8th

September 2012 at the Progress Hall,Grange from 11.00 a.m. Come alongand join in the Fair. If you would likea Schedule, please contact me on3208 1848.

Margaret AndrewsSecretary

Queensland Charity Donations

MOVING to continue to fulfil the Association Objects as stated in theRules, the Queensland District Executive recently resolved to provide

some financial assistance to organisations working in the fields of temper-ance education and other related activities.

The following general purpose grants were made;

Drug Arm Australasia $3,000.00

Teen Challenge Queensland $1,000.00

Life Education Queensland $1,000.00

Back Row; Bro G Williams, Bro P Henderson, Bro R Turner, Bro R AndersonFront Row: Sis M Andrews, Sis J Chapman, Sis C Williams, Sis J Swan


Independent Order of RechabitesQueensland District No. 87 Inc.

ABN: 46 618 348 081

District Office: 6 Colette Street Wakerley 4154Telephone/Fax: 07 3893 2499

e-mail: [email protected]

Notice is hereby given of the Annual District Council andAnnual General Meeting

to be held on

Saturday 13th October 2012,Commencing at 3.00pm

Uniting Church Hall58 Kadumba Street, Yeronga

1. Adoption of Financial Statement and Auditors Report2. Election of Officers3. General Business

Note: There are no matters requiring adoption byspecial resolution.

A copy of the Financial Statements is availableby sending a stamped ($1.80) self addressed

standard envelope to the above address.Also available by e-mail or download from

http://www.australianrechabites.org.au/states/qld-rechabites/.

Robert A. Cook District Secretary

TouringwithNorm McIvor

Wending our wayto Wynnum

LEAVING Brassall on Thursday,16th February at 8.25am our firststop was at Booval to have

friends join us there before travellingdown to Ebbw Vale to pick up Ian &Rae Belcher and Liz Jordan, our 100year-old Member, who still enjoys aday out with her friends.

We travelled on to Garden Citywhere we stopped for morning tea. Anew experience for us, but thechange was a good opportunity tosee the shopping complex many onboard had never visited. We had timeto look at a number of the shopsbefore re-boarding our coach tocontinue on our journey to Manly.

Some of us had never been to Manly,Queensland, but it certainly rivalledthe one in New South Wales. It maynot have rolling surf and harbourviews, but it certainly has a greatmarina! Billions of dollars must floathere. ‘Twas a sight worth seeing.

Having drooled long enough weheaded back to Wynnum for lunchunder the shade of the huge trees inthe park. George & Cora Williamshad organised for everyone to have awell prepared meat and salad lunchset out in plastic containers kept coolin ice-chests.

We all enjoyed a walk around thepark watching children playing andenjoying the water spouts of the“concrete” whales. It was a greatplace to have lunch.

Our Coach Driver, Gordon, suggest-ed that we take a look at the QueenMary II at anchor in the BrisbaneRiver and took to us to Luggage Pointto see it.

Once there, many were keen to getoff the coach and walk to the uu

E


STATE NEWS - Qld

water’s edge for a closer view. Manyremarked on how it was our oldestpassenger, who all but led thosehurrying for a good look.

Then Gordon drove us safely backhome to Brassall at about 3.45pm,after pointing out another cruise lineranchored at Hamilton.

We thank Cora & George Williams forarranging yet another great, but differ-ent day out.

A Day in Redcliffe

ON Thursday 19th April we wereagain on the move leaving

Brassall at 8.30 am on a ConcordeCoach for a day out in Redcliffe. Onthe way we had to pick up some ofour members from Booval and EbbwVale, then we travelled throughBrisbane and on to Redcliffe.

We visited The Redcliffe PicturePalace to view some old black andwhite movies. At half time they put onmorning tea for us, which we allenjoyed. During the second half theold film, “Tall Timbers” was screened,which I really enjoyed.

Back on the coachwe drove down toScarborough toMorgan’s FishShop for a fish &chips lunch.(Anyone wholoves fish shouldgo to Morgan’sFish Shop.)

After lunch werejoined the coach

and our driver, Mark, drove us overthe Gateway Bridge and back up theLogan Motorway to bring us home toIpswich and out to Brassall. We had agood day out.

Our thanks again go to George &Cora Williams for arranging a veryinteresting day out.

Ipswich MotorwayTours

OPERATED by the Department ofTransport and Main Roads these

tours were presented to keep thegeneral public informed about theplans and progress on the upgrade ofthe Goodna to Dinmore section ofthe Ipswich Motorway Upgrade.

When Bro George & Sis CoraWilliams learned of these tours theyarranged a booking for Thursday 3rd

May for eight Tent members to seewhat has been done over the last fouryears.

Arriving at the Visitor ExperienceCentre, Redbank, at 9.45am we werewelcomed by our tour organiser who

opened up theCentre and pro-vided morning teaor coffee for usbefore giving amost interestingand informativetalk about thework that hasbeen put into theproject, includingmany new innova-tive initiatives thathave saved time,

money, lives and the health of work-ers. These initiatives have been stud-ied and copied by other authorities inother states. One thing that wasincluded was having all the staffengage in exercises before work,which reduced work related strainsdramatically.

We were then taken by mini-bus tolook at what has been done. The firststop was at the Law Street PedestrianBridge, Redbank, where we weretaken onto the bridge to view the sixlane road below. Here various aspectsof the road construction wasexplained to us. We were shown howit can be easily turned into an eightlane highway when future demandsrequire it.

Several pedestrian bridges, all painteddifferent colours, have been built tospan the Motorway giving people safeand easy access from side to side.

We continued up the southern side ofthe Motorway along the newly con-structed Brisbane Road to Dinmorebeing shown the many drainageponds that have been put in to helpkeep Six Mile Creek clean.

Passing under the Motorway atDinmore we were taken down theService roads on the northern sideuntil we reached Goodna, beingshown the many changes that havetaken place and the reasons for them.

Back at the Visitor Experience Centrewe were given further refreshmentsand another briefing that includedvideo footage of demolition projectspreparing sites for the new road aswell as “work in progress” recordings.

It was almost 11.50am by the time wereturned to our cars to go home aftera fascinating and informative coupleof hours.

The last of these tours took place onSaturday 30th June 2012. n

“Norm’s Tours” are arranged aboutevery two to three months by theRechabite Social Club of Hope ofIpswich Tent No.2. Contact Sis CoraWilliams on 3201 5946 to book yourseat.At the Redcliffe Picture Palace & Museum

Heading for a closer look at the Queen Mary II

THE Strathfield Day Tent hasbeen active with two excur-sions. In April some members

visited the Observatory. I can’t reporton that as Frank and I were unable toattend.

May was another walkabout arrangedby John Dixon. We met at the SydneyTown Hall and while waiting welearned an interesting bit of trivia.

Near the main entrance is a lion,which was carved with one eye shut.It’s thought to be a joke of the stone-masons whose supervisor alwayschecked the line of stonework byclosing one eye.

It wasn’t discovered until the buildingwas completed. There’s a challengefor you Sydney - Siders next time you

go to the city, see if you can find it, wedid.

John planned to take us to the GPOto observe the refurbishments. Whilereading the history of the building herealised that the architect, JamesBarnet, had designed many morebuildings in Sydney, so, we set out tosee some of these as well.

Our old buildings are rich in detail.We developed a crick in the neckfrom looking up at the beautifuldesigns and motifs missing fromtoday’s modern styles.

We saw the GPO, very highly deco-rated, the Colonial Secretary’s build-ing, Department of Lands building,with statues of explorers in niches.

Interesting to see many empty niches.I suppose a combination of financeand maybe we ran out of explorers asby the turn of the century Australiahad been crossed north, south, eastand west.

We ended our tour at the CustomsHouse, which had two excellentphoto exhibitions. These are only afew of Barnet’s designs that we hadtime to see.

Although some of the buildings arenot accessible to the general publicthe security personnel were veryknowledgeable and gave us animpromptu history of the building.

We’re looking forward to our nextadventure. n


New South Wales NewsTent Excursions

with Marcia Pidgeon

Future Outings Planned for NSW

Rechabite Families &Friends

Saturday24th November 2012Family Picnicat Campbell Hill ReserveChester Hill.

Bring Picnic Lunch,Sausage Sizzle Tea provided,Gifts for children.RSVP to

Bro Paul Sheldon 4730 1639

Saturday23rd March 2013“If you go into the woods today ...”

Picnic at Cumberland StateForest off New Line Road, Dural.

UBD Map 151 M 1

Saturday8th June 2013“Somewhere over the rainbow …“

A Lunch in Eastern Suburbs.

September 2013“We’re bound for Botany Bay ...”

Picnic at Doll’s Point. n

6th October 10.00amMeeting at Uniting Church HallCarrington Street, Strathfield.

20th NovemberChristmas LuncheonNorth Ryde RSL & CommunityClub.

201319th February 10.00amMeeting at Uniting Church HallCarrington Street, Strathfield.

19th March 10.00amState Committee Visit4th Birthday Celebrationat Carrington Street, Strathfield.

16th April 9.30amMeeting at Sydney Town Hall forA Visit to the State Library.

5th - 9th May (To be confirmed)Bus Trip - Batemans Bay & MogoZoo as guests of Friends of Guiding.

21st MayTour of Hunters Hillled by Dorothy CubbinMeet at the Circular Quay

Hunters Hill Wharf.

18th June 10.00amMeeting at Uniting Church Hallto plan 2014 Calendar.

16th July 9.30amTour of the Sydney Town Hallled by a Tour Guide from theFriends of the Town Hall. Fee $5.00

25th AugustKokoda Track Concord(To be confirmed)

17th SeptemberWolli Creek Walk or

Botanical Gardens

15th October 10.00amMeeting at Uniting Church HallCarrington Street, Strathfield.

19th NovemberChristmas LuncheonDooley Restaurant, Lidcombemeeting at John Street, Entrance.

More details available by phoningSis Dorothy Cubbin on 9816 1805or

Bro Frank or Sis Marcia Pidgeon on 9645 3458. n

2012 – 2013Calendar for Friendship Tent No. 20 Strathfield


ALTHOUGH winter at the timeof writing, with usual wintertime ills prevailing, (another

different strain of the ‘Flu hasreceived special mention this year),by the time this is read it will bespringtime with days becomingwarmer as well as longer.

Our Chief Ruler, Sis Helen Hanna isnow well. She has to be fit to lookafter husband Bassem and daughtersChloe and Tammy. Family gatheringsalso involve her sister Cristy and sonJaydon.

Changes implemented from 01/07/12by the Australian Governmentinclude the Income Testing of theRebate on Private Health Insurance.The amount received is governed byincome as well as age. The MedicareLevy Surcharge, an additional tax onSingles who earn over $84,000 perannum and do not have PrivateHealth Cover, will increase.

However, there is no change in eitherfor Singles earning less than $84,000

p.a. or Families who earn less than$168,000 p.a. Further information isavailable on the GovernmentWebsite: www.health.gov.au When aHospital Cover is held for 10 continu-ous years the loading is removed.

“The Fence Builder” is the newsletterof the Dalgarno Institute. TheSummer 2011 issue (Vol.3 Issue 2)includes advice that negotiations witha tertiary Institute north of Sydneywere commenced with a view to pre-graduation students assisting to growyoung adults into Drug and AlcoholPrevention. Gifts of $2 and over toCOADE Inc. (Delgarno Institute) aretax deductible. Send to

Post Office Box 7005Dandenong VIC 3175

Our prayer is that there will havebeen no drug and alcohol incidents orproblems at the 2012 OlympicGames in London.

Malcolm CampbellSecretary – Excelsior Tent No.8

Campsie Tent No. 81Tel: (02) 9558 9800

Jottings fromMalcolm Campbell Alcohol

Sponsorship ofSport

ALCOHOL sponsorship of sportand a boozy culture in sportingclubs have long been a matter

of concern, so it was heartening tolearn that twelve of the country’sleading sporting organisations agreedon Saturday (23rd June) to break theirties with alcohol sponsorship andinstead receive funding totalling $24million from the Australian NationalHealth Prevention Agency (ANPHA)in a deal with the FederalGovernment announced by theSports Minister, Senator Kate Lundy.

The sporting associations have agreedto promote safe alcohol consumptionto adults, provide alcohol-free sport-ing environments for minors and toreduce alcohol promotion in theircodes with the “Be the Influence,Tackling Binge Drinking” healthcampaign.

Soccer, basketball, cycling, volley-ball, netball, swimming, hockey,athletics, skateboarding, equestrian,triathlon and canoeing associationshave all signed the deal.Unfortunately, AFL and NRL have notsigned up and the AFL has signed a10-year contract with Carlton andUnited Breweries.

While this agreement does not go asfar as we might like, it is a good steptowards removing alcohol sponsor-ship of sport and creating a saferatmosphere for young sports people.

Anne BergenWCTU E-Issues Coordinator

The most tiring thing in the world isidleness – because you can’t stop

and rest!* * *

When is a cricketer impolite?When he bowls a maiden over.

* * *It doesn’t matter how much money

you have, everyone has to buywisdom on the instalment plan.

TEMPERANCE TOPICS

NSW Bowlers’ Night Out

Sis Marcia Pidgeon e-mailed the following just in time -

THE NSW Bowls group celebrated Christmas in July with dinner at ourfavourite smorgasbord, Bankstown RSL. The food and company was good

as always, and we will be planning an excuse to do it all again soon. n

Left from the back wall - Frank Pidgeon, Colin Lewis, Maureen Lewis, Christine Dixon (chatting), John Dixon, Lorraine Allerton.

Right from the back wall - Greg Allen, Julie Allen, Marion Allen (hidden), Ruth Allen, Heather Muir, Jim Blackbell, Robert Allerton.


STATE NEWS

Victorian NewsFrom the Victorian

State President

SINCE last writing, our yearlyduties have fallen due and I ampleased to say we have had

some former members rejoin ourOrder as well as a few new folksjoining our ranks. Welcome to eachand every one and we trust that youwill enjoy our fellowship.

I have heard that some membershave written to our Police serviceencouraging them in their efforts incurbing the alcohol binge drinking.Congratulations to whose who didand I also encourage others tocontinue this worthy work.

Unfortunately the manufacturers ofalcoholic beverages have “cemented”themselves firmly with many sportingorganisations and continual advertsthat are seen on the TV coverage’s ofsporting events must be a great influ-ence to our younger generation tothink that drinking alcohol is the “inthing” so they don’t want to be leftbehind in “keeping-up” with every-one else.

Please note that our State Conferencein October has been shifted fromNagambie to Shepparton. This wassomething that was beyond ourcontrol. Arrangements for theConference are progressing very welland I am sure will be of great interestto the delegates.

It is with deep regret that I have toreport the passing of Sis Lila Stanway,wife of Bro Ivan Stanway. For manyyears Sister Lila has been a stalwartRechabite and her passing will leave avery big gap in our Order. On behalfof all our members I extend ourheart-felt condolences to BrotherIvan and ask the Great Chief Ruler ofthe Universe to comfort him duringthis time of grief.

As this will be the last opportunity ofwriting to you I wish to thank every-one who has assisted me during myterm of office and I know all will assistBro Don Legge during his term asState President. I also wish him anenjoyable time in that position.

Graeme HicksVictorian State President

ON Monday 11th June 2012the Walhalla Heritage &Development League Inc.

staged a once-in-a-lifetime event, tocelebrate the Diamond Jubilee of ourQueen, Her Majesty Queen ElizabethII, and because of Walhalla’s historicnature, to re-create the DiamondJubilee celebrations for QueenVictoria, which were held in Walhallain 1897.

In 1897 Walhalla was a thriving gold-mining town with a population ofthousands, whereas today they have apopulation of – you won’t believe this– just twenty-two (22) people!

Nevertheless, their passion makes upfor numbers as they re-live the town’sglory days and honour bothMonarchs as the strains of brass bandsecho through the hills once again.

The Independent Order ofRechabites were a participant in theGrand Parade held in Walhalla in1897 along with many other organisa-

tions of the day. Only one of thoseorganisations that marched in 1897did not march in 2012. In 1897 therewere 1,200 people in the parade andover 3,000 people watching. In 2012the whole town was decorated as itwas in 1897. The sun shone on thisday for this little tourist town betweenthe hills in Victoria, not far from Moe

and Traralgon.

They again paraded theLong Tunnel’s pyramid ofgold (made out of wood!).In the 1897 parade theinscription read: “UnitedGold Mines of Walhalla,1865 to 1897, StandardGold, 22 carat, weight 44tons, 3 cwts, 3 qtrs, 10lbs. 2 oz.”

Our ambassadors Alanand Gwenda Martyn marched on11th June 2012 and represented theIndependent Order of Rechabites ofVictoria. n

The Star Hotel – Walhalla

Gwenda & Alan Martyn represent IOR Victoria

Region Meeting Dates for 2012/13 - Victoria

Date Region Contact & Tel. No. DistrictSeptember Wednesday 19th 9 L Jukes 5762 5584 KyabramOctober Sunday 21st 7 J Flett 9306 4968 HarcourtOctober Saturday 27th 6 G Martyn 5177 8144 MorwellNovember Sunday 11th 4/5 N Robilliard 9580 8614 Mordialloc

2013 (Dates to be confirmed)February Sunday 10th 4/5 N Robilliard 9580 8614 MordiallocMarch Sunday 17th 7 J Flett 9306 4968 HarcourtMarch Wednesday 20th 9 L Jukes 5762 5584 KyabramApril Saturday 27th 6 G Martyn 5177 8144 Morwell

Walhalla Diamond Jubilee


STATE NEWS - VIC

2012 Scholarship Winners

WE are finding the youngpeople who apply for ourVictorian Scholarships are

of a very high calibre and we are surethey will go on to bigger and betterthings in the future. The followingyoung people received Scholarshipsthis year valued at $1,000 each overtwo years.

Laura ACKERLEYGranddaughter of Don Wheatland

Hi there! I’m Laura and at themoment I’m studying Year 11 at

the Maranatha Christian School. Thesubjects chosen for this year are:History, Biology, Art, English, Mathsand Year 12 Indonesian.

I am absolutely loving it, well, apartfrom Maths. I love finding out howamazing God is through seeing thetalent He has given the students inArt, learning about His creation inBiology and seeing His hand at workthroughout history.

Amazingly enough I had the incredi-ble opportunity to go on a missiontrip earlier this year. I joined a groupfrom my church and ventured to asmall island of the Philippines calledCoron. We helped out a church thereby teaching English at a school theyrun, painting one of their buildingsand evangelising at the local universi-ty and hospital. After meeting someof the people who go to that church Iwas in awe of how much joy they hadeven though they had so little.

They had such a passion and desire toserve God, it really humbled me andgave me inspiration to do the same. Ihad plans to only go on this one mis-sion trip but God had other plans andnow I have been given the opportuni-ty to serve Him again in Indonesia.This will be another awesome way togive God glory, along with being ableto practice a bit of my Indonesian.God has really stirred up a desire inmy heart to continue serving Him inthis way and I hope He will give mefurther opportunities to do so.

I’m not certain of what I want to dowith my life just yet but I do knowthat God does and I’m so excited tosee what He has in store for me. n

Kane STEPHENSGrandchild of Kenneth Stephens

CURRENTLY I attend CheltenhamSecondary College studying

English, Mathematical Methods,Outdoor and EnvironmentalEducation, Biology and PhysicalEducation.

My aims are to work to the best of myability through my final years atschool and to challenge myself byundertaking new tasks that I’m notusually comfortable in doing.

Some of my goals are to:1. Be part of a premiership winningfootball team at my club.2. Completing my VCE with a result Ican be proud of to give me confi-dence for future success.3. Sustain a fun and healthy lifestyle

that I can pursue with no regrets.4. For people to see me as rolemodel, someone they can look up to.5. To decide my own career path thatI enjoy which also challenges me forfuture endeavours.

I spend many hours participating insport; football (Aussie Rules) andTennis have been my most lovedsports as I have competed in both formany years.

Having fun with friends is anotherstrong hobby of mine; we like toengage in various activities to keepourselves entertained. I also like toplay the guitar whenever I can as Ilike the challenge of learning some-thing new. In 2011 I was awarded theCoaches Award for the season.

I am also a member of the PeerGroup and work closely with studentsin Junior Levels, attending Year 7Camps and numerous othertimetabled activities through the year.

Samuel TUCKERGrandchild of Norman & Lynette Tucker

AT the moment I attend StAndrews Christian College in

Wantirna South, Melbourne. Thisyear I am in Year 11 and heavilyinvolved in school sport .

The subjects I am studying are:English, Maths Methods, Physics,Woodwork, PE and BusinessManagement. uu


I have travelled as part of a work partyto the Philippines and am often calledupon to help out with practical tasksin various ministry/program areas. Iregularly lead in the children’s min-istry at the local church and I attendthe Youth Group weekly.

My favourite sport is wake-boarding,which I do occasionally in the sum-mer. I have represented my school inbasketball, soccer, AFL and volleyball.

When I finish school I plan on doing atrade, most likely carpentry, as I didthis for the work experience programin the first semester last year and thor-oughly enjoyed it. For some weekslast year I was casually labouring for acarpenter and I enjoyed this also.

I plan on doing a wide range ofsubjects in VCE in order to keep myoptions open.

Last year I was selected by my schoolfor a leadership program, run by theKnox City Council. I completed thissuccessfully having learned lots aboutleading. I was also Home Captain atmy school last year.

My thanks to Victoria IOR Fraternityfor this Scholarship. It will assist me inmy future goals. n

Region 1(Wantirna)

AT THE Region 1 meeting onThursday 17th May, it wasresolved that the Region would

be dissolved and Tent 100 would nowhave four (4) meetings per year.Previously it was two Tent meetingsand two Region meetings per year. Asthe same members attended thesemeetings it was resolved to have allthe meetings as Tent meetings.

Bro Bill Chandler, who was theSecretary for both the Tent andRegion offered his resignation fromthe position as he has not been well.The State Committee extends to BroBill our thanks for the position he hasheld for the past few years and wishhim well for a quick recovery.

Also in attendance at the meeting wasSis Doreen Gordon. She was present-ed with a cake and a box chocolatesas she will be turning 100 shortly. Shethanked everyone for their goodwishes. Over the past few years Tent100 have had several members reachtheir centenary year.

Arrangements have been made tofind a new Secretary to take over Tent100 and at the moment we are hope-ful for someone from a youngergeneration who may be willing totake on the role.

Gwenda MartynState Secretary

Region 6(Gippsland)

GOOD attendances continue atour Region 6 meetings. We meet

twice a year in April and October atthe Morwell Neighbourhood Housewhere we have our meeting startingat 11.00am and then the ladies at theHouse provide us with a lovely lunch.The rooms at the neighbourhoodhouse are open rooms and are a great

place to meet with lots of chatter andlaughter. It’s great to meet somemembers that you have not seen for 6months.

After lunch we had a very informativetalk by a friend of mine who hadrecently stayed several weeks inMauritius. It was very interesting tohear all about the way people liveaway from the touristy areas.

We have a good gathering of StateOfficers at our meetings, Bro DonLegge, DSP, and his wife Rhondda,Bro Ron Pratt, PSP, who is ourPresident, Bro David McGee, StateOfficer, and Gwenda Martyn, StateSecretary. Bro David was our onlyvisitor.

Members join in with great discus-sions at the meeting, actually it is theonly IOR meeting that some of ourmembers can attend, distance andageing being a big factor.

Our next meeting will be onSaturday 24th November, at11.00am.Please ring Gwenda on 5177 8144 ifyou would like to attend if you havenot already attended before.

Gwenda MartynRegion 6 Secretary

Region 7(Central Victoria)

I AM pleased to report that we hadan enjoyable meeting on 18th

March last with 16 people present fora self-catered luncheon in theHarcourt Recreation Centre.

The tables were beautifully decoratedwith multi-coloured Dahlias andGladioli from the Waubra garden ofPat and Eric Loader. At the conclusionof the meal and the ‘cleaning up’ ledby Colin and Lyle from Ballarat, ourPresident Betty Buckingham, wel-comed all present and opened theformal part of the afternoon. uu

2013 VictorianScholarships

THE IOR Fraternity (Vic) is offeringthree (3) Scholarships valued at

$500.00 each per annum for two (2)years to the Children, Grandchildrenor Great Grandchildren of VictorianFraternity Members.

Students in Year 10 this year (2012)who are attending a State orRegistered Secondary School andwho do not hold any other award,are eligible to apply.

The Scholarships will be awardedafter consideration of the applicant’sscholastic results and school reports.

Application Forms for theseScholarships can be obtained after1st November 2012 from

IOR Fraternity (Vic) Inc.Post Office Box 4532KNOX CITY CENTRE VIC 3152

Region Meeting News


Items from the last issue of TheAustralian Rechabite and CommitteeCircular were discussed with empha-sis on members submitting items ofinterest for publication in our maga-zine.

Nancy Flett presented with a floral

arrangement by Eric Loader.

Sis Hazel Martin spoke on howthrilled she was to see her photo inthe Magazine and how she had cut itout, with the item, and placed themin a frame for future family recordpurposes.

Sis Joan Loader told of the 73rd

Wedding Anniversary of Bro Ken andMrs Matthews now in a care facility inBallarat and the little celebration theyhad with family and some BallaratIOR friends.

Bro Glen Ford reported that his moth-er, Sis Joyce Harris has had a fall andbroken her arm. She is recoveringnow and in respite care. Since our lastmeeting it is both very sad to reportSis Joyce has lost a daughter and Glena sister after a very short illness which

took all the ‘gloss’ off her 90th birth-day and all in a three week period inJune.

Bro Flett mentioned that Bro Cook ofBrisbane was building an IOR websiteto cover all States and he hopedmembers with the technology wouldbe able to access it soon.

Members indicated their wish to beable to continue having our bi-annualmeetings in the present format buthaving them catered for on the sameregular 3rd Sunday in the months ofMarch and October. Also, that wehold over the election of Officers untilthe Victorian Committee visitor ispresent.

The meeting closed with an afternoontea of scrumptious cakes from Sis PatLoader; a pleasant social Sundayafternoon.

Our next ‘meeting’ will be on Sunday 21st October at 12.30pmat Harcourt and is open to all mem-bers in the area. As Ballarat is the onlyoperating Tent in Central Victoria Iwill appreciate a call on 9306 4968from any other members who wouldlike to attend or require any IORinformation.

John FlettRegion 7 Secretary

Region 9(Kyabram)

FOURTEEN Members attended thehalf yearly meeting at Kyabram

Fauna Park. As we meet in the café,there can be other noise, but it is apleasant spot as we look out onto thePark and see and hear some of theinhabitants.

Our guest speaker was the ParkManager. He told us about the care ofhis 700 ‘guests’. When they have abreeding program the excess areexchanged with zoos or some arereturned to their natural habitat.There is also a busy educationalprogram for school children.

Bro Don Legge, Deputy StatePresident and his wife Rhondda werewelcomed by our President BroGraeme Hicks, who is, of course, ourState President. It was noted that themedallions were a great success. BroGraeme sensibly had his mountedonto a small bar in order to wear it onhis lapel.

A minute of appreciation was placedon our books thanking Bro Hicks forhis continuing support of IORFraternal and in particular being oncemore State President, and to Bro DonLegge for accepting the role ofDeputy State President. Until recentlyhe was also a member of Region 9.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 19th September2012commencing with lunch at 12.30pmat the Kyabram Fauna Park.

Lois JukesRegion 9 Secretary

FOR the education of the rest of us,the following is a extract from thePark’ s website. (Ed.)

Kyabram Fauna ParkLocated in the Goulburn Valley ofnorthern Victoria, the Park coverssome 55 hectares of open woodland,wetlands and lakes. Rehabilitation ofdegraded lands and re-vegetationprograms for many areas of the Parkhave provided habitats that nowattract over 140 species of nativebirds, animals and amphibians. Add105 species of Australian animals,birds and reptiles, which form part ofthe Park’s permanent exhibits, andyou have an outstanding and uniquecommunity project. n

STATE NEWS - VIC

Standing L to R: John Flett, Colin Loader, Joyce Loader, Shirley Ford, Pauline Jervies,Lyle Jervies, Nancy Flett, Audray Page, Eric Loader, Pat Loader, Betty Buckingham.

Sitting L to R: Hazel Martin, Betty Paull, Winsome Cordy.


THE Victorian IOR Holiday Clubdeparted on Monday 26th

March 2012 for a five daycoach tour of Ballarat and surrounds.We travelled through Kyneton,Harcourt (Victoria’s apple growingarea) and on to Bendigo, one of theState’s famous gold mining towns. Weboarded the Vintage Talking Tram fora ride along the 8km track terminatingat the Chinese “Joss House” wherewe were given a guided tour of theJoss House. Then it was on to Ballaratfor the next four nights staying at theGold Sovereign Motor Inn.

On Tuesday we travelled to Dayles-ford and Hepburn Springs in the heartof Victoria’s Spa Country. We thenvisited the “Cricket Willow” the tradi-tional home of the Australian Cricketbats. Features included a picturesquecricket bat workshop, where welearnt how cricket bats are made.

Back in town we visited the ConventGallery. The origins of this splendidbuilding date back to the Gold Rushera of the 1860s when it was built asa private residence. During the 1880sit was purchased by the CatholicChurch and converted into the HolyCross Convent and Boarding Schoolfor Girls.

Convent Gallery – Daylesford

Closing in 1973, the building andgrounds fell into disrepair and in1988 prize-winning artist and ceram-icist, Tina Banitska bought the prop-erty with great plans. Today weexplored the gallery, admiring thebeautiful artworks while learning alittle more of its interesting history.The buildings are used for weddingreceptions, a small restaurant and asmall shop. It is an interesting place.

Our final stop for the day was at the“Chocolate Mill” where the finestBelgian chocolate is used to createtheir all-natural hand-made choco-lates. Many purchases were made asthis is the only outlet for this beautifulchocolate.

Wednesday found us visiting anotherhistoric town in the heart of theGoldfields – Maryborough. We visitedthe historic Maryborough RailwayStation. The station is reported tohave the longest platform in countryVictoria. We admired the highlypolished timber ceiling and beautifultessellated floor in the main entrance.

After lunch we called in to the historicMaryborough Flour Mill Gallery. Ifyou take a blend of antique sewingmachines, add a pinch of love, mix ina flour mill and you would have arecipe for one of Victoria’s quirkiestmuseums. Housed in the old FlourMill building, the gallery is actuallyhome to a range of unique collectionsfrom antique, Art Deco and Retrofurniture and collectibles to vintagesewing machines, a display of localartists, as well as a historical display ofthe local area and a display pertainingto the industrial side of Maryborough,featuring the printing industry. Thedisplay of antique sewing machinesenthralled all the ladies on tour.

On Thursday we stayed in Ballaratand visited the Art Gallery where wewere taken on a guided tour of someof the major collections. After ourmorning tea we visited the BallaratAviation Museum – a truly uniquecollection of aircraft, engines,wartime relics and equipment fromthe 1920s to the present day. All themen folk on the tour were in theirelement with all the engines andrelics.

After lunch we made our way to theBallarat Botanical Gardens, the homeof the famous Ballarat begonias. Thesize and colour of these magnificentplants are just such a wonderfuldisplay and many photographs weretaken of them. Before heading backto our accommodation we took a ridein a vintage tram along the shores ofthe lake.

On our last day we travelled to theWinchelsea Ostrich Farm where wehad the opportunity to see theworld’s largest bird and learn allabout them on the farm tour. We alsohad the opportunity to visit a shopwhere we could see some of theunique leather products made fromOstrich. Other exotic leathers madefrom emu, crocodile, barramundi andkangaroo were also on display.

All the meals on our trip werewonderful and the motel meals wereall home cooked and served by verypleasant staff with the chef makingsure that everyone was satisfied withhis cooking.

We arrived back at Wantirna ataround 5.30pm, extremely happywith the trip which was so wellorganised by the company with whichwe travelled.

Mavis KennedyClub President

OUR NEXT TOURtakes us to Phillip Island,Mornington Peninsula and Gippslandfrom Monday 29th October to

Friday 2nd November 2012.

For details contact:The Secretary,Sis Joyce Wallace (03) 9807 4044orThe Club President,Sis Mavis Kennedy (03) 9887 1057

IOR Caravan & Holiday Club

Winchelsea Ostrich Farm


WE know quite a lot of copywas devoted to the Hopeof Ipswich Tent No. 2

member, Sis Elizabeth (Liz) Jordon,in the last issue of TAR, but whenthere was a 20½ X 14 cm (that’s 8 x5½ inches) colour photo of this livelycentenarian in the May 21, 2012 anda different slightly smaller version (7¾x 5 inch) in the May 25, 2012 editionof the ‘Queensland Times’ with theaccompanying story of her ongoingassociation with the Ipswich Showover 50 plus years, we just had to saysomething in this one. Beside all that,we have to record the Tent’sCelebration of her 100th Birthday atits February meeting, that was too lateto include in the last issue.

A large cake was set before this ladywho officially cut it for our consump-tion. Our District Chief Ruler, SisMargaret Andrews and her husbandBro Noel, also came along to markthis wonderful occasion.

The Cake

At the 2012 Ipswich Show Liz wonThree (3) 2nd Places for KnittingTwo (2) 2nd Places and A Highly Commended for Crochet.

She has begun work on her entires forthe 2013 Show. You can’t keep thissmart “girl” down! And if you haven’tnoticed, last June Sis Liz was electedLevite of her Tent. Congratulations onall your achievements.

IN THE recent Queen’s BirthdayHonours list, Bro Captain Bruce

Legge RAN was awarded a C.S.C.(Conspicuous Service Cross) foroutstanding achievement whilst C.O.of HMAS Warramunga.

Bro Legge is presently in Bahrain withNATO as the co-ordinator of thewarships of the many nations that aretrying to control the pirate situationboth off Somalia and in the PersianGulf. Congratulations to Bro Bruce,he will have many stories to tell on hisreturn.

Bro Bruce Legge is the son of Bro DonLegge, Deputy State President ofVictoria IOR.

ON A more sombre note our SisGwenda Martyn (Victoria State

Secretary) reported on the earth-quake that shook most of Victoria onTuesday 19th June. The Martyn’s onlyhad one item fall from a book caseand whilst no one was hurt and veryfew buildings were damaged it wasnevertheless very scary as Bro RonPratt the Past State President reports:

19th June 2012 - 8.55pmWam!

My armchair bashed me in the back!I thought the house had been hit

by something VERY big.Then the whole house started to

madly jump about.Heck!! It’s an earthquake!!

The whole house – floors, fireplace, walls and ceiling

were violently shaking.I was bouncing up and down

in my armchair.I WAS SCARED!

Would the house start to breakup?Photos, ceramics, books were falling

from the mantelpiece.Pelmet, shelves and the top of cupboards were on the floor.

The large mirror in the bathroomwas in a thousand pieces on the

floor.It seemed to go on a long time,

but it was stated that it only lasted40 seconds!

There appears to be no structuraldamage to the house.

The earthquake was 5.3 on theRichter Scale and its epicentre was

north of my house.Reports vary from 2-10 kilometres.A truly frightening experience that I

would not like to repeat.

The Editor’s ErrorHOW could he get it so wrong! Heloves playing with the initials, so howcould Charlotte Elizabeth MaryBelcher in the last issue, spell whatCharlotte Olivia Mary Belcher, themother of his first Great Grandson,spells?Sorry Charlotte, will you forgive me?

Strictly Personal ...

SOCIAL NEWS

Celebrating together


Bro Robert (Rob) NoelJames Dippel PDCR

BROTHER Rob joined InvincibleTent No 3 in Toowoomba on 15

April 1940. He was to remain amember of this Tent for his whole life.

He was elected to the DistrictExecutive on 11 November 1995 andwent on to become District ChiefRuler on 20 October 2001 and againon 22 November 2008. On 21October 2001, Bro Rob was electedto the Board of Directors.

A Meritorious Service Award wasawarded to Bro Rob on 2 April 1998to recognise his service to the Orderas part of the Board as well as a veryactive member of his Tent inToowoomba and the Rechabite SocialActivities Committee (previously theRechabite Sports and SocialAssociation).

As a member of the RSAC, he wasvery involved in the social side of theOrder. His bowling expertise was wellknown and he and his wife Thelmamade a formidable team wheneverthey competed. Their names appearon many of the bowls trophies, withone trophy in their names – the R J &T Dippel Trophy.

One of Bro Rob’s great loves wasworking in his workshop at BribieIsland making wooden toys for needychildren. At the annual HouseholdFair, Bro Rob judged the Woodworksection of the Fair and brought alongsome of the toys that he made for themembers to look at.

On behalf of the District Executiveand members of the Order, weextend our sympathies to Sis Thel andher family.

25/12/1923 - 27/02/2012

“Permissibility,availability and accessibility - all

increase consumption.”Dalgarno Institute.

Prof Neil McKeganey - DirectorCentre for Drug Misuse Research Scotlandand author of “Controversies in Drugs

Policy and Practice”. Macmillan 2011.

THE proposal to legalise illegaldrugs is a policy in search of adisaster. This is a policy that is

often called for by well-meaningmiddle class professionals who livetheir lives many miles from the com-munities that have been most affect-ed by the problem of illegal drugs. It isa call that one rarely hears from thoseliving cheek by jowl with the drugsproblem. When those people speakwhat one hears most often is not thecall to make drugs more available intheir community but to make themless available and for protectionagainst the drugs trade not a greenlight to its further extension.

Drug abuse is not like a social cancer,it is a social cancer. There is nothingthat so profoundly harms individuals,destroys families, and tears the heartout of communities as drug abuse.The fear that ones own children willbecome involved with illegal drugs isthe fear that stalks every parent andthe reality, when that happens, isevery parent’s worst nightmare.

When the drug addict in the family isthe parent then nobody, other thanthe children involved, know theheartbreak that brings, the lonelynights of utter despair, of fear, silenceunending neglect and the dull realisa-tion that nobody is coming to help.When a child becomes dependentupon illegal drugs you see therelationships within the family tornapart as parents are eaten up by theirsense of fear, recrimination, guilt andfrustration. Brothers and sisters findthemselves in a world where theirown needs are totally eclipsed by the

single-minded focus on the addictchild. And every night is a long drawnout trial waiting for the knock on thedoor that tells the parent that theirchild has been found dead from adrugs overdose.

In the face of the unending nightmarethat is drug addiction we have therepeated calls to legalise illegal drugs.Those arguments are deeply flawedand profoundly risky. We are told thatthe war on drugs has failed becausedrug abuse continues in countriesacross the world, and that we neednow to explore the alternatives oflegalisation. Claiming that the war ondrugs has failed because drugs abusecontinues makes about as much senseas saying that the laws against murderhave failed because homicide contin-ues in every country across the world.We have the laws against murder notto eradicate murder from our soci-eties but to express in the clearestpossible terms that murder is wrongand that when it occurs those whomurder should expect to be pun-ished.

But why do we even think that thewar on drugs has failed. Indeed thenotion of a war on drugs is unbeliev-ably crass - it is a straw man used bythose who wish to see the legalisationof illegal drugs. What we have in mostcountries across the world is not a waron drugs but a policy that combinestreatment, prevention and drugenforcement. Those who recommendlegalising drugs want to see the role ofenforcement diluted and muchgreater emphasis on drugs treatment.That would be fine if we had effectivetreatments for drug addiction but wedo not. What we have instead aredoctors telling us that he best they canoffer is life-long methadone for thosewho become addicted to illegaldrugs. It is ironic that some of themost ardent supporters of legalisationin Australia are the very same doctorswho are the most ardent supportersof the harm reduction policy of pre-scribing methadone to heroin addicts.

OBITUARY TEMPERANCE TOPICS

’Drug Legalisationis a Policy in Search of a Disaster’


We are often told that the policy ofdrugs legalisation would enable thegovernment to make hundreds ofmillions in tax revenue; raking in theprofits presently enjoyed by the crim-inal gangs running the drugs trade.The idea of governments across theworld trading in some of the mostaddictive substances on the planet is agrotesque image. But the advocates oflegalisation will tell you we alreadyhave that in the tobacco and thealcohol industries whose taxes swellthe exchequers across the world. Andof course they are right but do wereally want to extend that misery?And what would we be spending allthat money on other than more andmore treatment for those who hadbecome addicted?

Those who support the legalisation ofillegal drugs now find themselvesturning with increasing enthusiasm tothe situation in Portugal where since2002 all drugs have been legalised.But drugs legalisation in Portugal hasnot been the unquestioned successthat many would have us believe.From 2003 to 2009 Portugal has seena 2% increase in recorded crime, a3% increase in murders, a 4%increase in drug trafficking, and an18% increase in robberies.

Aside from those statistics it is verydangerous for countries across theglobe to replicate what has happenedin one place on the basis that it offersthem a template to pursue similarpolicies in their own area. Within theUK we were recently led down theroad of 24-hour a day alcohol saleson the basis that this would enableour country to adopt a Mediterraneanstyle café culture that would effective-ly tackle our legendary alcohol prob-lem. What that policy has deliveredinstead is a night-time economy ofalcohol fuelled harm, chaos, violenceand criminality from which our coun-try is now reeling. We now havepoliticians struggling to reverse apolicy they should never have imple-mented in the first place.

But suppose for one minute thatAustralia followed the enthusiasticcounsel of Dr Alex Wodak and otherswho favour legalisation. What youwould have is either heroin for sale in

your local pharmacy, which mostpeople would not support, or doctorsgiven responsibility for prescribing thedrug to those who want to use it. Inthe face of such government spon-sored heroin prescribing it is hard toimagine that the existing criminalgangs would simply pack up theirbags and move into some other areaof illegal activity. What they would doinstead is seek to undermine thegovernment regulated scheme byvigorous promotion of their own drugdealing networks. Faced with thatcompetition the government wouldfind itself back where it started - onlythis time they would be fighting not toeradicate the drugs trade but tocontrol it.

Legalisation of illegal drugs is a policyheavily promoted by those who see itas delivering a liberal nirvana inwhich everybody gets the high theydesire and nobody pays the price forother peoples’ pleasure. We need toask ourselves though what are thepositives of using illegal drugs? Inwhat way does drug abuse actuallybenefit society, strengthen individuals,and enliven communities? If the fightagainst illegal drugs is long and costlyand may never be won that is not areason to give up but to continue inthe face of that challenge because thealternative of widespread drug abuseis a liberal nightmare not a liberalheaven.

What we are now seeing in laborato-ries across the globe is the productionof new legal high drugs whose effectsmimic the illegal drugs but whosechemistry is subtly different to takethese drugs outside the realm of lawenforcement. We are facing newchallenges in relation to a drugs tradethat is chasing profits with little regardfor the harms that are caused. Theresponse on the part of governmentcannot be to provide a green light tothe drugs trade but to do all it can toreduce the scale of that problem. Toprovide treatment, prevention, andvigorous enforcement and to set asidethe counsel of those who, for whatev-er reason, are happy to see drug useproliferate in our communities. n

Neil McKeganey - CDMR Director www.drugmisuseresearch.org

Dalgarno Institute 0400 984 288

Young People Don’tKnow!

YOUNG people do not possessthe knowledge or skills requiredto adhere to Government

guidelines for responsible alcoholconsumption. This is the conclusionof a new British study published in thejournal Drug and Alcohol Review.

Led by Richard de Visser, PhD, of theUniversity of Sussex, researchersexamined young people’s knowledgeof, and use of Government guidelinesfor safe alcohol consumption. A totalof 309 secondary school students and125 university students in Englandcompleted a survey regardingknowledge and beliefs. The universitystudents also reported their alcoholconsumption and completed tasks inwhich they poured their ‘usual’ drinksand what the Government guidelinesfor maximum ‘unit’ consumption on adaily and weekly basis.

Most respondents lacked theknowledge and skills required todrink in accordance with theGovernment guidelines.

Participants’ ‘usual’ drinks were sub-stantially larger than one unit, andparticipants tended to underestimatethe unit content of drinks.

For 5 of the 7 items examining know-ledge and guidelines, fewer than halfof the respondents gave correctresponses.

Although university students gave asignificantly greater number ofaccurate estimates than did schoolstudents, only a quarter of theirestimates were within plus or minus10% of actual content. The majorityof estimates were underestimates:52% among school students, 65%among university students.

“Our results mean that people’sreports of drinking patterns inresearch may lead to inaccurate esti-mates of the health effects of differentlevels of alcohol use,” de Visser notes.“There may be a need for moreand/or different alcohol education inschools and the media.” n

Alcohol Alert Spring 2012.

tar september 2012 - independent order of rechabites · in salford, england, ... eastwood nsw 2122...

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