International Bulletin - May 2001
Australia Report
The last quarter of the year 2000 was indeed busy as our members worked to raise funds for the registration and travel fares for the ACT delegation attending the International Conference - a Market Stall at Fyshwick in August, a Bridge day in September and another Stall day in October. We had been pleased to be invited to join the Sri Lankan High Commission for their Bazaar.
An interesting and diverse range of guest speakers joined our group at our Thursday meetings. As the year progressed Professor David Biles spoke on "A Private Prison in ACT", our wonderful member, Helen Pressor on "A Change of Time," Joan Chynoweth on "Pilgrimages to the Middle East, Celtic Britain and Oberammagau", and as the Conference came closer "A Taste of the Cook Islands" illustrated with slides and craft by Lyn Inall.
Our members have gone on excursions during the year, the last in August, to the historical town of Berry, the Kangaroo Valley and the "blownole" at Kiama.
Eight of our members attended the Cook Island Conference including our chosen youth delegate, Leilani Bin Juda. Judy Mikkelsen and Pauline Haldane prepared excellent papers at very short notice and we were very proud of them. Delegates were involved in the workshops where decisions were made from which came the resolution to be presented to the United Nations.
The concept of a Peace Garden was the vision of Eleitino Paddy Walker of the Cook Islands.
At this very busy Conference we gained in knowledge, participated in the decision-making, had the pleasure of meeting new people, renewed friendships and enjoyed the splendid hospitality of our hosts. Magnificent singing and dancing, delicious food, exquisite leis of fresh flowers were included in this unique experience for which we thank our Cook island friends most sincerely.
Our Christmas "breakup" Afternoon Tea was held in December at the home of the President in Young. The members who had just returned from the Cook Islands sang their Conference presentation "Let There Be Peace on Earth". Everyone joined in the singing of Christmas Carols after which gifts were exchanged.
Our highly esteemed Past President, Doris Duncan has recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Our very warmest congratulations to a very dear lady.
We look forward to meeting our PPSEAWA friends from Australian Groups at the next National Conference in May. On such an occasion, it is a joy to meet, discuss, become inspired and uplifted by the unifying effect of coming together in friendship and fellowship.
The year 2001 will be one of commitments, caring and cultural exchange.
Canberra City:
At our last meeting for the year 2000, members gathered to welcome home our two delegates Judy and Pauline and to hear their reports of the international conference.
Judy has presented our group with a marvelous collection of papers from the conference and far too long to be presented here but I can make them available to any interested persons. Judy and Pauline worked very hard together with other members of our group to collate the Australian report, which was so beautifully presented.
Since returning from the Cook Islands Judy and I have been guests at a meeting of Tongan women resident in the ACT and Judy showed the video of the peace presentation which captured the moment and presented the Tongan delegates singing. I hope that in the future we will have more contact with the Tongan group. The members of the Canberra City group extend their very best wishes to all other members for a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2001.
New South Wales:
This group has continued to meet regularly with interesting speakers. At the Annual General Meeting in August President Jannette Smith and Treasurer Joan Egan were returned for their final year of office and a new Secretary appointed. All correspondence should now go to Miss Marjorie Wood OAM, I06/25-29 Pine Road, Casula 2170, phone (02) 9734 0925.
This year our meetings will be held in the Uniting Church meeting Room, Level 5,222 Pitt Street Sydney on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. with morning tea available from 10.30 a.m. Visitors are always welcome.
A number of our members attended the International Conference in the Cook Islands and reported back to our November meeting. This was also our last for the year and included our Christmas Lunch as well as a trivia quiz.
We were able to contribute $1000 to sponsor an award for the National Council of Women NSW Inc. Australia Day/Centenary of Federation Awards 2001. The recipient of our award was Jade Trapp.
The theme of meetings for this year will be the Culture of Peace through the study of cultural conditions of women in the PPSIEAWA Region. We are planning to invite speakers to our meetings who have lived and worked in these areas to increase our knowledge of cultures and customs of other women.
Proceeds from our Winter Luncheon on 27th June will be used to assist Papua New Guinea, the newest PPSEAWA Association and our nearest neighbour.
Last Modified: November 29, 2002