Roadside demonstration report
Valla Beach market: Saturday 2nd February,
9.00 am to 1.00 pm
How does the ASC spend our money?
Songs from the Heart Concert: Sunday 17th February
Roadside demonstration report
A big thank you to the faithful band of supporters who
turned up in the hot sunshine for our roadside demonstration in Toormina last
Thursday. We had lots of support from passing motorists, together with the
usual expressions of disapproval from a tiny minority. Our next demonstration
will be on Thursday 7th February from 2.30 to 4.00 pm
next to the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. Please come and join us if you
can, and add your presence to our campaign to end the cruel policy of offshore
detention. Let’s keep this appalling situation in the public eye right up to,
and if necessary, beyond the next Federal election.
Valla Beach market: Saturday 2nd February,
9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Our
next market stall is at the Valla Beach market this Saturday, from 9.00 am
until 1.00 pm. We have our new open letter to Minister Dutton for people to
sign, updated leaflets to hand out and merchandise to sell on behalf of the
Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC). The markets offer us a great opportunity to
interact with people and to help them better understand the harsh reality of
our government’s cruel asylum policy. Let’s not forget that there are still
more than 1000 people detained indefinitely on Manus and Nauru, and that most
of them have been languishing there for up to six years. Only massive public
pressure, as happened with the push to remove all the children from Nauru, will
shift the policy of the Coalition and the Labor opposition. We must maintain
our efforts to bring about a humane and compassionate solution for all these
people, who have committed no crime and who have lawfully sought our protection
under the Refugee Convention.
If you can help out at our stall for an hour or two,
then please let Mike know by emailing him at:mandm.griffin2@bigond.com.
How does the ASC spend our money?
Last year we raised $7,400 for the ASC through our
fundraising efforts, and it was pleasing to read in their recent annual report
that we are listed as a major sponsor. So how does ASC spend the $3 million
that the public donate each year? In 2018, the ASC: carried out 3,459 health
assessments; conducted 715 legal consultations; assisted 940 people with
applications for Opal cards; provided 132 children with backpacks and equipment
to start school; provided 350 people with groceries each week; organized English
classes for 271 people; provided $359,000 in financial relief for people
experiencing destitution; organized employment workshops for 300 people; helped
256 people to secure paid employment; funded accommodation every night for a
number of families; provided hot lunches every day for asylum seekers at the
Centre…and much besides.
It is clear that the ASC provides vitally important
assistance to one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, and we hope to
organize a number of fundraising events this year to support their invaluable
work.
Songs from the Heart Concert: Sunday 17th February
A reminder about the above concert, which will take
place on Sunday 17th February from 2.00 to 4.00 pm in
the Nambucca Community and Arts Centre, which is located on Ridge Street in
Nambucca Heads. The concert is organized by local classical and jazz pianist
Heather Rose, who will be joined by Georgie Chorley on trumpet and Peter Harris
Jr on drums. The concert is planned to be a celebration of love, music and
friendship and will include some of your favourite classical pieces and well as
jazz numbers and a few beautiful love songs ranging from Billie Holliday, Cole
Porter and Nat King Cole. Our RAR group is pleased to have a presence at the
concert to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and asylum seekers. We
will have a stall at the back of the hall, and we will hold a raffle to raise
funds for the ASC. At the time of writing, we have the promise of a double pass
for the concert of your choice at this year’s Fine Music Festival in Bellingen,
a string of freshwater pearls, and a so-far half- full basket of goodies. If
you would like to contribute something to help us fill the basket – toiletries,
a bottle of wine etc, then please let Mike know by contacting him at:mandm.griffin2@bigpond.com.
In addition, we are still seeking volunteers to help out on the day. Please let
Mike know if you can help.
Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults, $15
concessions and children free.
You can purchase you tickets online at: http://tix.yt/songs-from-the-hearta-celebration-of-love-music-an.
From Helloworld Travel on Bowra Street in Nambucca Heads, on on the door at the
time of the concert.
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
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