Newsletter for 16 May 2017 Rural Australians for Refugees Bellingen and Nambucca Districts

_{Next Roadside Demo - Thurs 18th May Nambucca Plaza 3pm}

_{Next Market Stall Bellingen Sat 20th May}

_{Refugee Action Network Conference}

_{Refugee Week - 18th June}

_{Next Roadside demonstration: Nambucca Heads, Thursday 18th May: 3.00 pm to 4.30 pm}

_{Our next roadside demonstration  is this Thursday in Nambucca Heads, weather permitting. We will gather by the Pacific Highway, adjacent to the Plaza shopping centre. Please consider coming to join us, even if only for part of the time. We really do need a few new recruits to join the usual suspects at our roadside demos, so why not give it a go? We have lots of colourful banners and placards to share.}

_{Next market stall: Saturday 20th May in Bellingen}

_{You may recall that the market in Bellingen two months ago was cancelled due to the very wet weather, meaning that this will be our first appearance here in four months, so let’s make it a good one! This will be the final opportunity to collect signatures on the petition to parliament . We expect to reach 4000 signatures this weekend and we look forward to parcelling them up and sending them on their way before the end of the month. The petitions will be presented to parliament during the sitting week of 13th- 19th June. If you have any signed petitions, please bring them along to the market on Saturday, or post them to Mike –his details are on the sheet.}

_{As always, we are seeking support on the stall between 9.00 am and 1.30 pm, so if you can lend a hand for an hour or two, then please let Mike know by emailing him at: mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com. You will find us at F-5, which is located near to the scoreboard.}

_{Australian Refugee Action Network: National Conference, Canberra}

_{We wrote to supporters some weeks ago about this conference, which will take place in Canberra next weekend. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anyone who was able to attend to represent our group. However, in response to an appeal for help, we have been able to send a contribution of $200 to help fund people from a refugee background to}

_{attend the conference.}

_{Refugee Week 2017: 18th – 24th June.  With Courage Let us all Combine}

_{We have received several emails in the past week relating to  Refugee Week, which is coming up in a month’s time. An obvious response for us was to think about a fundraiser, which might enable us to do two things : firstly,  replenish our own dwindling funds, and secondly support one of the numerous refugee agencies which are under such pressure to meet the demands of their work with ever-decreasing resources. So, here is our proposal:}

                            _{Fundraising lunch and auction: Sunday 18th June from 12.00 pm}

_{The event will be held at 39, Rogers Drive, Valla Beach. We have seating for 30 people and we ask you to bring a plate to share. Wine will be provided by our hosts, but please BYO other drinks as you wish. There will be no fixed charge for  attending, but we ask you make a donation as you see fit. At the end of the first course, we plan to hold an auction which, if as successful as our last one, should raise  a useful sum.}

_{What do you need to do?}

_{Book places for you and your friends as soon as possible.}

_{Have a look around your house to find something that we could auction, and that might sell for at least $20. At our last auction, items that went under the hammer included individual bottles and boxes of wine, original paintings, pottery, two nights’ accommodation at a local Airbnb, a magnificent nesting box and much besides. If you are not able to attend the lunch, please consider donating something for the auction, and let Mike know in advance.}

_{It would be lovely to have a musical interlude if possible. Do you play a musical instrument, or know someone who does?  Please let us know.}

_{All the proceeds from the lunch and the auction will go to supporting our RAR group and a national refugee support group.}

_{Please let Mike know if you  can attend or can provide an item for the auction. (mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.  Tel 6569 5419).}

_{It will be a lot of fun! Book your places!}

_{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.}

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_{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}