New Update form National RAR 28 September 2017

_{From: RAR Australia ‪<rar.australia@gmail.com>}

_{Date: Mon, Sep 25, 2017 at 5:06 PM}

_{Subject: Update}

_To:

_{Hello All,}

_{From the messages you are all sending there is a lot happening throughout Australia, stalls at Farmers Markets at Bellingen/Nambucca Heads, Warburton and many others, hosting refugees Uki and Hamilton, Vigils in Armidale, Mansfield, Bairnsdale, Wangaratta, Warrnambool a Circle of Silence, camping with Somalis in the Grampians, Sam Dastyari being questioned at 'Politics in the Pub' in Tamworth and Armidale.  I hope these were all outstanding successes.  A great highlight was the inspirational last minute rally by members from Aireys Inlet, Apollo Bay, the Surf Coast, Geelong and Bellarine who found out only 24 hours before he arrived that Peter Dutton was visiting the marginal seat of Coorangamite and turned out in force to give him an RAR message.} 

_{DO NOT GIVE THIS MAN A MOMENT'S PEACE WHEREVER HE GOES LET HIM KNOW OUR VIEWS ON HIS DISGUSTING POLICIES.}

_{RAR PETITION HAS BECOME AN OPEN LETTER}

_{Please return all petitions if you have not already done so.  We are taking a slightly different approach for our next activity.  Bellingen/Nambucca Heads group have drafted an open letter to the Shadow Minister of Immigration and Border Protection Shayne Neumann (see attached) and you have got until January to get as many signatures as you can.  We will be talking to our members in Queensland to see if they wish to present the letter to Shayne Neumann.  Thank you Mike and team you have done it again.}

_{SOCIAL MEDIA}

_{We are getting the message out! Thanks to our amazing Social Media Team let by Zali Nash.  Our Facebook pages have received over 70 new likes in one week...we are now on Instagram.......For those of you with your own accounts you can help widen our reach and 'Engage the Rage' by sharing, commenting and sending information through that is newsworthy and about your own actions, thank you to all those who are already doing this.}

_{REFUGEE ADVOCACY SECTOR STRATEGY DAY}

_{Margaret Rasa and Penny Vine attended this day.  Actions discussed  included better coordination for the five issues: Offshore processing, Asylum Process, Detention, Australia's Refugee Program and Australia's engagement in Asia.}

_{David Manne from 'Refugee Legal' spoke about the valuable legal work being done  to support people seeking asylum in the face of the 'Government Attack' .   Although there is a massive amount of work from initial application to judicial review every person who needs it is getting help.}

_{* 12 major law firms have provided whole teams of lawyers to work for a day pro bono.}

_{* 550 private solicitors have volunteered their services and there is a waiting list of more who want to come on board.}

_{* thousands of dollars have been donated.}

_{The sector recognised the work of RAR Groups over many years....Congratulations everybody your work is being noticed.}

_{THE RAR CONFERENCE}

_{Have you marked you diaries for April 6,7,8 yet?  We are working to make it a fabulous AFFORDABLE conference as we know that transport is not free.  If you are driving please start thinking about car pooling with members of your group or other group members on the trip to Albury.  We will be organising transport from the airport and train and to and from the conference venue for those who do not have cars.  The conference will be at the Catholic Secondary College in Wodonga which has amazing facilities.  I am still waiting to hear from any RAR musicians who can play at our casual evening on Saturday, from members who want to facilitate a workshop and for YOUR IDEAS  for the conference.}

_{WALK TOGETHER FOR FREEDOM}

_{Saturday October 21 is the day for Walk Together for Freedom there will be walks in all the major centres and we encourage you all to organise walks in your towns and send photos for our social media library.  Walk to seek justice and compassion for all.  Let me know what you plan so that it can go on the RAR  Website.}

_{NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION OCTOBER 8}

_{Sunday, October 8 is a National Day of action to continue to shine the spotlight on the plight of the people held on Manus and Nauru.  Join with your groups to make an impact on the community.}

_{CANBERRA, October 8, 1.00pm Garema Place.}

_{GEELONG, October 8, 11.30AM at the lawns at the Waterfront.}

_{MELBOURNE October 8, 2.00pm State Library  (the RAR National Team will be at the top of the Steps with the banner) please bring your local banners and join us.}

_{SYDNEY OCTOBER 15, 2.00PM (DIFFERENT DATE DUE TO Marriage Equality Rally)  Can NSW RAR members let me know if they are attending this action on the 15th and I will come to Sydney with the banner.}

_{HOBART OCTOBER 6 , 5.00PM Corner of Murray and Macquarie Streets.}

_{Please let me know other dates so I can advertise them...Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland??}

_{Thank you one and all for your work, support and friendship.}

_{Marie Sellstrom}

_{Rural Australians for Refugees Australia}

_{Phone: 0417 398 528}

_{E:   rar.australia@gmail.com}

_{Rural Australians for Refugees on Twitter and Facebook.}

_{RAR is a member of the Australian Refugee Action Network}