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NSAW's Last Meeting: The Change from NSAW to NSPD:
17 of us met on the morning of 27 April to discuss what to do now that the immediate need to oppose the Iraq war is over. Thanks to all for their enthusiasm and ideas: present were Sue and David Roffey, Frennie Beytagh, Damien Stapleton, Brendan Doyle, Vacy Vlazna, Mario Paletto, Tina Jackson, Serena Carmel, Emma Marshall, Jill Laurent, Mike Sprange, Christina Henry, Mike Hartnell, Denise Wilton, Andrew McNaughton, Rosemary Christmas.
We discussed two main subjects: whether to continue in existence, and having decided yes, what future actions can we take. We also discussed (but didn't resolve) what to call the group in future.
The ongoing need for a group: a brief summary of a long discussion: we felt that the war has highlighted a lot of fundamental issues that underpin ongoing concerns about the way that the world runs - and particularly how Australia runs: problems with democracy, accountability, ethics, morality, humanity, social justice. Although these subjects come up in other groups, particularly in the political parties of which many of us are members, we feel the need for an ongoing forum for dialogue and debate on these issues - and a basis for together working on talking about these issues with those outside the group whose views are open to change, and generally ensure that alternative voices are heard. It is important to be part of global and national movements on this, but also to have a local focus to share ideas and organise events etc that is a network & umbrella group for people concerned about these issues that is not party political but covers a range of political persuasions. So - we continue!
What to do next: we decided on three main activities:
1) we will maintain a presence at Mosman markets each month, giving people some information on the issues, and a point of discussion. It is important that people know we haven't given up or changed our views. ACTIONS (now past!): rota for 3 May: Damien & Frennie, then Brendan & Serena, the Sue and David: leaflet to hand out: Brendan, David and Sue to draft.
2) we will encourage all members to write regularly to the papers (Australian, SMH, Daily Telegraph, Financial Review) to keep the issues in debate and to keep an alternative voice in front of people. Brendan Doyle and Mike Sprange also to meet the new editor of the Mosman Daily to discuss local coverage.
3) we will arrange a major public debate on the issues, also covering the question of the morality of the Iraq war with hindsight. Mike Sprange and David Roffey had met Tony Abbott the previous week to discuss his views, and as part of that discussion he had agreed to take part in such a debate to express a government view on this. If we organise this for September/October (depending on Abbott's availability), some of the outcomes will be a lot clearer, plus we will be past the confusing/distracting aspects of triumphalism / relief / "welcoming our troops home" etc.
We see this as probably a 4 person panel plus chair, with opportunities for the audience to ask questions - approximately the format of the BBC's "Any Questions" radio programme for those who know it. Other possible names put forward: Carmen Lawrence, Peter Macdonald, Bob Brown, Lawrie Brereton, Jane Howarth, Peter Garrett, Andrew McNaughton - and to chair Philip Adams, David Marr, Kerry O'Brien, Geraldine Doug. We will try and get ABC Radio National to broadcast the discussion.
We will need help to organise, and will also need help with funding the costs. ACTIONS: David to contact other local groups to invite them to join with us on this. Mike Sprange to get back to Tony Abbott to let him know we would be taking up his offer and also to contact Peter Macdonald's campaign manager to check whether he would be interested. Serena to check on possible venues and costs - done: by far best bet locally looks like Mosman High School - hall holds upt to 350 people, costs $25 + $25 per hour. Mike Hartnell / Damien to organise trivia night to raise funds.
Meet again 10-12am Sunday 1st June at 8 Bay Street to move the meeting organisation on, hopefully with other local groups represented.
Who are we? - after comprehensively rejecting the not (wholly) serious Moral Values Mosman, we discussed numerous permutations which can be fitted into a sort of group name generator, involving:
location: Mosman, North Shore, Sydney, Australia(n)
us: People, Citizens, (undefined), Group
issue(s): Peace, Social Justice, Human Values, Democracy, Freedom
Choose one of each and the order: thus possibilities include Mosman Peace Group / Social
Justice Australia / North Shore People for Peace. We didn't feel up to making this decision in the short time remaining - all views welcome!
Next meeting: we (Sue and David) think we discussed a separate group meeting from the 1 June organising date - but didn't write down the outcome!.
Previous meetings:
Meeting 1, 28 Jan: Meeting 2, 30 Jan: Meeting 3, 4 Feb:
Meeting 4, 11 Feb; Meeting 5, 18 Feb; Meeting 6, 27 Feb;
Meeting 7, 5 Mar; Meeting 8, 13 Mar; Meeting 9; 20 Mar;
Meeting 10, 3 Apr; Meeting 11, 10 Apr;
Past Events/Actions:
Picnics
Picnic 2: Saturday 15 March
The rotunda looked great. Thanks to all the speakers and everyone who came.The text of our media release:
John Valder, past President of the Liberal Party, spoke at Balmoral Rotunda on Saturday 15 March at the second Peace Picnic organised by North Shore Against War. His message focused on the threat that he saw to Australian democracy if the government followed the US into war without the backing of the UN and without a mandate from the Australian people. Mr Valder said that he had worked closely with John Howard in the past, and ‘had once had a strong admiration for him’, but now considers that the Prime Minister has made a ‘serious error of judgement, turning his back on democracy and the Australian people.’
Other speakers included Mike Hartnell, who has in the last week returned from a trip to Baghdad. He spoke of visiting one of the factories singled out in photographs in Colin Powell’s presentation to the UN, and personally confirming – by having the product applied to him! – that it does produce vaccines as the Iraqis claim, and not chemical weapons.
Mosman Councillor Denise Wilton also spoke of the fact that Mosman Council had voted unanimously last Tuesday for a motion opposing Australian involvement in a war on Iraq without UN sanction. All speakers agreed in condemning Saddam Hussein and his regime, but demanding that every peaceful alternative should be explored before committing Australia to war.
Picnic 1: Sunday 9 February
A big thank you to everyone who came down to the Peace Picnic on Sunday 9th February. It was a resounding success and a lot of fun.
Mosman and North Sydney Markets
Saturday 1st February, "North Shore Against War" took to the Mosman markets to help raise awareness for peace., and again at North Sydney on 8th February. We were back at the March, April and May Markets, too!
We were truly overwhelmed by the generosity and support shown by the local community. It just goes to show how the majority of Australians don't want a war with Iraq.
We'd like to thank all of you who took the time to say hello, make a donation, or even just have a read. Your support is priceless and we'd like to remind those who want to be more involved to contact us: Ph: Sue/David - (02) 9960 2523.
ACCOUNTS TO 3 MAY
INCOME
Donations, ribbons, car stickers: $1820.80
From T-shirt sales: $2255
Donated ads: $660
TOTAL: $4,735.80
EXPENDITURE:
Posters, banners & balloons - $123.07
Ribbons - $146.68
Website - $170.35
Ads in Mosman daily - $887.35
Printing leaflets - $1468.35
T-shirts - $1500.00
Balmoral Rotunda - $240
Car stickers - $100
Coalition sub - $100
TOTAL - $4,735.80
Next Meeting: Thursday 24 April 8pm
We discussed the future role of the group in the developing situation, and agreed:
- there is an ongoing need for a local group opposed to war, whatever the outcome of this particular war - and it is still right to call for the troops to be brought home: what Iraq needs is peace and aid, not a military presence.
- we will continue with our information session for all members 9am-1pm on Sunday 27 April at 8 Bay Street, Mosman
- we will no longer meet weekly (unless circumstances again demand it, but will in future meet monthly, starting Thursday 24 April.
We probably need to change the name – for the time being we’ll drop THE and be North Shore Against War – any ideas??
Next Meeting: Thursday 10 April 8pm: bring finger food & drink for an open discussion meeting
Present: Sue, David, Peter C, Brendan, Serena, Lyn, Mike, Andrew
Books not Bombs: Peter and Brendan reported on the two student demonstrations, and endorsed the view that the police actions had been provocative: Sue reported on the Coalition meeting on Monday, which had voted not to support the second demonstration, and had castigated the organisers for their own role in the violence of the first demo. The second had been mostly peaceful, and there is no further one planned at the moment.
Palm Sunday: David reported on the reconvened Coalition meeting on the march organization. There will be a multi-denominational service in Belmore Park at 1pm, then move off ca 1.40 to the Domain, where speakers will be: Donna Mulhorn (a returned human shield just back from Baghdad), Andrew Wilkie (ex ONA), a trade unionist, Dr Paul Renoir (an Iraqi Kurd), Sylvia Hale and Carmen Lawrence.
AGREED to meet on the day at the Central / Eddy Avenue end of the park under the banner.
Getting people to know about it: roster agreed for Mosman Market on 5 April, and to be agreed for North Sydney market on 12 April. Everyone present took a part of the membership list to phone and let know about the march, and also to let know that posters and leaflets can be got from 8 Bay Street.
What does STOP THE WAR mean now it’s reached this stage? We discussed this a bit, agreed to discuss it some more next week (see above) and also agreed to offer all members an information session on the morning of Sunday 27 April to help understand what’s happening and what the responses are to arguments like “isn’t it now better to just get it over with?”
Mike reported on his anti-cluster-bomb campaign, currently concentrating on trying to get any of the Liberal Senators who voted against the Green motion to give reasons (and maybe even to break ranks).
Denise Wilton and Shirley Jenkins had succeeded in getting an anti-war motion passed at the NSW association of women in local government. Agreed to congratulate her and circulate the motion to members.
NO MEETING NEXT WEEK: NEXT MEETING: Thursday 3 April 8pm
A short meeting, given all of us had been to Emergency Rallies beforehand.
Present: Nick, Tina, Peter C, Sue, David, Emma
Picnic: A disappointing turnout on the day, but the Rotunda looked great covered in peace stuff, we got more than 100 signatures on the Petition, and there is good coverage of the event in the Mosman Daily.
RALLY THIS SUNDAY: priority for this week is to let as many people as possible know about Sunday. Too late to leaflet significant numbers, plus this weekend has no local focus such as markets, but DOES have the election, which should give us the chance to get some info to all electors. Agreed to make simple posters with key details (see below) and put on all entrances to polling stations from Cremorne to the Spit. Also to advise people to put No War on their ballot.
We discussed the suggestion of placing flowers for all victims of war. Sue said that she had put flowers on the Mosman War Memorial at the rear of the Council with a card giving her views on the horrors of war, and suggested that others might like to make similar gestures at their own local Memorial.
Finance: we took in just on $500 in donations, ribbons, car stickers and t-shirts at the Picnic, but additional costs of printing over last week put us a little further behind on expenses: total income to date $3826.45, expenditure $4635.82. Selling the rest of the t-shirts will still more than cover all outstanding bills.
ANTI-WAR MARCH SUNDAY 23rd
MEET 12.30PM BELMORE PARK (Nr CENTRAL STATION)
TO MARCH TO THE DOMAIN
North Shore Against War will meet 12.30pm at corner of Hay and Pitt Streets
If can’t find us, look for banner or ‘phone 0409 351 117 (David)
NEXT MEETING Thursday 20 March 8pm
Present: David, Sue, Rachel, Nick, Brendan, Lyn, Susie, Peter C, Emma
Peace Picnic:
Have volunteer to set up table to sell t-shirts & ribbons (Gill)
Tina & Nick will bring table for stickers, petitions, leaflets etc - will have 1,000 coalition "emergency rallies leaflets and 1,000 of our "the Facts" leaflet as redesigned by Arvind
David to print petition forms, and forms for signing up for membership, and to book buses to the Canberra Rally
Sue had ordered 12 purple helium balloons.
Sue to confirm with drummers form Manly rally that they can come.
Peter C to MC, Sue to welcome on behalf of group, then John Valder and Mike Hartnell.
Emma had asked UTS Student Association if we can use their portable amp - if not, Nick will hire.
Nick to draft and issue media release re picnic and passing of Mosman Council motion.
The Council had UNANIMOUSLY passed anti-war motion: "That whilst this Council is mindful that the issue of international affairs are outside its charter we, as individual members of the Mosman community, whilst supporting the Australian Defence Forces overseas, do not support the use of Australian military force in War in Iraq without the support of the United Nations and condemn the regime of Saddam Hussein. Further that the motion be forwarded to the Prime Minister and all Federal politicians."
Canberra convergence 23/4 March: buses will go on each day (ca 8am to 8pm), cost $40 waged, $25 unwaged.
AD: Coalition had turned down our proposal that they should spend some of their surplus on an ad in the Telegraph giving some facts to people who might otherwise not see them, on grounds of cost.
Finance: We continue to spend somewhat ahead of our income (see accounts above), but will still have covered all our costs to date if we sell most of the t-shirts and car stickers (and have in fact covered all of our costs except the purchase of those items.) Agreed to pay a subscription to the Walk Against War Coalition (which we have not done up to now).
NEXT MEETING Thursday 13 March 8pm (note change of time to help active members with small children to get here!)
Present: David, Sue, Emma, Tina, Lyn. Apologies: Carol, Arvind, Denise, Brendan, Nick
Bro
ught forward:
Tina: second small ad went into Mosman Daily p5
Got policy statement from ALP candidate: against War in any circumstance
Wrote to Ken Done re Picnic
Sue: John Valder will come to Picnic.
Got policy statement from Independent candidate (Jim Reid) - he is uncompromisingly pro-War.
750 leaflets given out at Mosman Market
Telephone tree set up for people not on e-mail (w. Brendan’s help)
Emma: contacted UTS re possible entertainers for Picnic: will pursue some possibilities
David: 100 more T-shirts ordered and received
Booked the Rotunda with Mosman.
Brendan had reported success in getting Mosman Daily to publish Peace Poetry competition, and Sue had got Balmoral Sandbar to give Breakfast for Two as adult prize. (LATER: but there is no mention of it in the MD this week, so cannot get under way in time to give prizes at the Picnic)
Lyn: got policy statement from Democrat: against War in any circumstance
Need to check with Brendan re policy from Greens and Liberal.
Picnic:
Tina and David to draft A5 flyer for Picnic and get 5,000 printed
David to call for volunteers to distribute around their local streets.
David to check with Coalition re availability of speakers offered.
David to check joint draft petition with Northern Beaches & Manly groups,
Lots of stuff needed to be done at next Thursday’s meeting to set up picnic – will send round list.
Other stuff
Will have people / stalls this Saturday outside Bridgepoint and at North Sydney Market
Will take the NSAW banner to the Manly Peace March Sunday 9 March 12 noon Manly Wharf and to Kirribilli 1230pm Sunday 16 March.
Get costs for ads in Daily Telegraph and propose to Coalition meeting next Monday that they use some of their accumulated bank balance NOW to place ad giving the facts to waverers as in our current leaflet.
NB can people in the group please patronise the Fountain Coffee Express and Balmoral Sandbar, and let staff there know that you’re doing that because they’ve been supportive to the group – apparently the owner of the Fountain has been under pressure from a couple of vociferous customers to take down all anti-war stuff, so we need to counteract that.
NEXT MEETING CHANGED TO WEDNESDAY 5th MARCH
Present: Tina, Nick, Brendan, Emma, David, Sue, Lyn, Apologies: Carol, Peter E
From last time: David e-mailed list to ask for volunteers – only two replies so far.
Sue, Emma, + find others for Mosman Market stall Saturday.
Brendan + Anne H volunteered for N Sydney following Saturday.
Tina and Nick placed ad in Mosman Daily page 7.
Draft leaflet amended and agreed. David to organise printing 2000 at ca. $350 on coloured paper rather than white.
PICNIC 2: Balmoral Rotunda booked for 12-2pm Saturday 15 March (cost $240)
Brendan to approach Stuart Rees re attendance. Nick & Tina to approach Ken Done.
Lyn to approach James Morrison. Sue to invite John Valder.
Tina & Nick to check re amplification and ensure next week’s ad publicises.
Agreed to get petition for signing at the picnic.
Endorsed attendance at other local and national group actions:
Other local group actions (details on website):
Saturdays: Sydney Peace Squadron flotilla off Kirribilli
Sundays: peace vigil outside Kirribilli House 11.30 – 12.30
March5th 7.30pm, Northside No War meeting at Lane Cove
March9th noon, Manly for Peace Rally at Manly Wharf
March16th, 12.30pm sit-down rally outside Kirribilli House
Other Sydney-wide / national actions (details on website http://www.sydneypeace.com ):
Emergency actions if War starts: 5pm on day Town Hall Square, 12.30pm on Saturday Belmore Park and march to Domain.
International Women’s Day, March 8th, 11am
Converge on Canberra, 23 and 24 March
Palm Sunday, 13 April.
Agreed to order 100 more t-shirts, split as before between two messages – include some Small size – cost $750.
Agreed to contact local candidates to establish their position on War, and publicise results.
Jillian Skinner – Brendan
Tabitha Winton – Nick & Tina
Ted Nixon – Brendan
Allan Frick – Lyn
Jim Reid – Sue/David
POETRY COMPETITION: Brendan to approach Sue Hicks re a peace/anti-war poetry competition – separate classes for above and below 12yo. [Sue agreed – will be in MD next week].
Agreed to write to N Sydney Council to congratulate on anti-war motion.
Next meeting Thursday 27/2/3
Present: Arvind, Carol, Emma, Sue, David, Tina, Nick, Sally, Peter E
Then: Great march – sold all 100 t-shirts so we now have $790 in cash to pay for further actions.
Now: Actions this week:
>>>>>>WOMEN FOR PEACE
12.30-1.30, Friday Feb 21st HYDE PARK
A Peaceful lunch-time assembly of Women of Sydney marching under the banner:
NO WAR ON IRAQ-NO AUSTRALIAN INVOLVEMENT
Assemble at Hyde Park North (near Archibald Fountain) at 12.30 to march
silently at 12.45 to State Parliament House, Macquarie St under a single
large banner "Women for Peace- No Australian Involvement"
Sunday Feb 23rd: starting from this Sunday, the North Sydney for Peace group will hold a weekly silent vigil outside Kirribilli House
from 11.30am to 12.30. at high noon we will file past the gates leaving a symbolic gift on the aid not arms theme - such as rice or a bandage. could you inform your members and invite any who are interested to join us.
Next: The Walk Against the War Coalition wants local groups to consider coordinated actions on the weekend of 14-16 March.
(Subsequently have said prefer Saturday 15th, as they will be organising a conference on the Sunday.)
Up until now we have been concentrating on getting those on our side to go to the march and write letters. We felt that we could now move on to trying to persuade some of the ‘don’t knows’ to the anti-war side. We discussed possible things to do:
A meeting or debate to inform people of the facts on the war (eg the UN report on likely casualties) and the alternatives to war. Denise had got details of meeting rooms: size, cost and availability
Running our own referendum door to door and telling the facts at the same time: we felt that this would be a) hard, b) not seen as unbiased, so was discarded.
Another peace picnic: possibly combined with a few speakers and information as for a public meeting
another letter-writing campaign: someone at the Walk had suggested writing to the Governor-General telling him the Government had lo
st the confidence of the people and he should chuck them out qua Whitlam.
Stop Work to Stop War – maybe on a Friday (too big for us to organise locally, but take to Coalition meeting).
Putting more info and links on the website and advertising the site every week in the Mosman Daily: agreed on this one, ACTION: Nick and Tina agreed to sort this (and volunteered to pay for the ads as their contribution – thanks to them!)
Agreed to go for the picnic on 15 or 16 March as next organised action:
ACTION: David to check with Mosman on possible venues: OUTCOME: Balmoral Rotunda not available – booked for wedding parties at all relevant times: Mosman will not agree use of the Village Green behind the Council offices: possibilities – south end of Balmoral near Sailing Club, Clifton Gardens, Chinaman’s/Rosherville Reserve. Mosman will charge us the lower rate ($240 for 50-100 people) as we aren’t sure how many would come. Cannot use amplification at any Mosman reserve.
ACTION: Sue to check with Councillors (Denise and Shirley) about possible local luminaries who might speak / lend their names to it.
ACTION: Carol to check possible connections with Ken Done and Zali Steggel: OUTCOME: can try writing via Queenwood School.
ACTION: Nick to check with entertainment union re possible street performers etc. Emma to check via UTS.
ACTION: create draft leaflet: Sue to draft, Arvind to start on design.
Formalities: should we have a bank account and a constitution? People said no need yet, so long as all significant expenditure agreed at meetings: should get account if we have more than $2000 in hand.
Present, Hilary, Peter M, Peter E, Frenny, Sophie, Caitlin, Tim, Maree, Sue, David, Hosanna, Ted
Apologies: Arvind, Rachel, Sally
Then:
Leaflets and posters gone to Mosman and Beauty Point Catholic and St Peters and St Lukes Anglican
Sue did interview live to air for 2MBS community radio
Picnic had about 100 -150 people over the four hours and we had many others come and read the posters, take ribbons etc. Some of us also leafleted the beach with a positive response, Interview and picture from the picnic will be in Mosman Daily together with details of Walk.
Meeting also ratified Sue & David’s decision to place an Ad in the Daily for this week at cost of $204.75
Ribbon collection last week raised $286.75 – total to date $608.50. Expenditure to date (inc Ad) $687.09, so we’re almost funding everything we’ve done so far.
ACTION: can anyone else who has spent money on behalf of the group let me know so we can keep track, and reimburse you (or record it as a donation from you)
Sue had long conversation with John Valder who is a Liberal against the war – he has written scathing article in Tuesday’s financial review. Does anyone have a copy – we failed to get one? He confirms that Howard is rattled and has seriously misjudged public opinion. Letter from Tony Abbott also confirms this. His accompanying article written by Archbishop Pell with an apparently pro-war headline is in fact urging caution – Abbott clearly hadn’t read it!
ACTION – KEEP UP THE PRESSURE – ITS HAVING AN IMPACT!
This Week:
Postal demo: ACTION: David to send reminder to all members, and the no_war coalition and northside_nowar mailing lists (DONE)
Peter E mentioned hearing the President of the RSL speak out against the war. ACTION: find out details of RSL and send info about the postal demo to HQ and State secretaries. (DONE)
Leaflet handouts between now and Sunday – no organised rotas, but several people took leaflets to do when and where they have time. WE HAVE A FEW LEFT – PLEASE COME AND GET SOME – THEY WILL BE OUT OF DATE AFTER SATURDAY
T-shirts: new member Louise had suggested several ideas, one of which was getting our own identifying t-shirts made for Sunday. Agreed back should say North Shore Against the War, www.sydneypeace.com, and slogan for front should be decided by a small group after the meeting. Cost $7.50 each and agreed will sell for $15 to fund other stuff.
POST MEETING: the sub-group decided on “Think Again, John” for the front: subsequent discussions with other members found them to be split pretty evenly on whether they’d agree, so have ordered half with that and half with the NSATW repeated on the front.
ACTION: we won’t be able to carry all 100 to Hyde Park, so can people who want T-SHIRTS please get from Sue/David on Saturday (may be possible Friday if they arrive early – will send out note when they’re here.) 9960 2523 or 8Bay St, Mosman
Banner: Peter E, Sophie, Caitlin and Tim had brought materials and painted the banner after the meeting!
Several people also took materials to make placards to carry.
Sunday:
Coalition has asked for volunteers to give out leaflets, make collections, and staff the coalition stall: any volunteers for this should simply go to the coalition stall in Hyde Park North between 11 and 1115 on Sunday.
Also need volunteer marshals for the Walk. ACTION: Names to me please as we have to pre-supply names to the Coalition. Reply to this mail or ring 9960 2523. I have the briefing notes for the Marshals.
Program has a number of religious groups and John Howard (actor) before the Walk: walk starts 1240, main speeches start 1.30 on return to Park: now also includes Liberal against war (Peter Baume).
ACTION: David to put transport info on website and e-mail members. There may be works closing the rails across the bridge! Anyone who has the time could usefully protest to Carl Scully and ask for the works to be postponed.
ACTION: Can people please take turns at carrying the banner (it gets wearing pretty quickly!)
After:
Coalition will hand out leaflet on Sunday with forward program of stuff (International Women’s Day March 8, Palm Sunday April 13, emergency demos on day war starts 5pm AND FOLLOWING SATURDAY 12noon at Town Hall – expect these on new moon Mar 3)
Coalition encouraging local groups to organise local events on weekend 14-16 March.
Agreed to discuss local action possibilities and CELEBRATE all we’ve achieved in three weeks of existence on
TUESDAY next 18 Feb 7pm 8 Bay Street Mosman. Bring a bottle!
Thank you everyone for all that’s been done so far.
Present: Sue, David, Arvind, Rachel, Peter M, Hilary, Stephen, Des, Maree, Peter E, Sally, Sophie
1. Peace Picnic at Balmoral Sunday Feb 9th: had contact from Mosman Council who’d heard about the picnic: essentially they’re OK about it so long as it’s not a formal meeting / rally – ie no structures (tents, tables), no banners, no loudspeakers. Also we need take responsibility for cleaning up after & leaving nice space for Shake
speare by the Sea who have it booked from 6pm. Sue has put something about it in Mosman Daily Diary. ACTION: Sue to talk to Mosman Daily Editor about getting coverage in next week’s edition. ACTION: group members to circulate around people who come checking they know about the Walk and the Postal Demo and wearing Purple ribbons. Establish our own meeting point with purple balloons and a big purple ribbon.
2. Ribbons: all the ones we made last week given away at Mosman Market and in Fountain Coffee Express, and donations of $321.75 obtained. Now need lots more for Saturday presences & Picnic. ACTION: All to get ribbon & make as many as possible!
3. Leaflets: Arvind had a nearly final draft of our leaflet promoting walk, letters and ribbons. Agreed to print up as many as we can with the money from the ribbons. ACTION: Peter M to check out with print shops what is possible, and get finalised original from Arvind as soft or hard copy as required. ACTION: David to get digital picture of purple ribbon to Arvind.
Agreed by all that house-to-house leafleting is too time and money-consuming for potential impact. David had got 1000 more of the A5 Walk leaflets from the Labor Council: more can be got from: the Resistance Centre at 23 Abercrombie St. Chippendale, phone Nick Everett on 9690 1977 or 0409 762 081; from the Greens at either 19 Eve St, Erskineville or city office, Ph. 9519 0877; from the Labor Council L10A 377 Sussex St (nr Goulburn St) Ph. 9286 1624 or Amanda Tattersall on 0409 321133; from the Communist Party, Hannah 0418 668 09.
4. Saturday Morning Presences:
Bridgepoint: Sue saw manager and found that all possible table spaces already taken for this Saturday, but he has no objection to us standing outside the entrances in the Lane and handing out leaflets & ribbons: ACTION: Arvind and Rachel to cover + contact Brendan Doyle. Sue also got agreement from Health shop that we can put posters on their refurbishment hoardings.
North Sydney Market: Sue spoke to organiser (Susan Kennett): don’t need a stall but can set up table. ACTION Peter E, Sally, Sophie, Sue, Maree
David to get photo of existing posters to Peter E so can make copies.
Neutral Bay Woolworths: outside entrance: ACTION: Hilary + Peter M to cover and contact Alison Racco and Kay Le-Roi.
Balmoral Beach: ACTION: Stephen + support to be arranged by Des.
5. Postal Demo / letter campaign: Peter E re-explained the principle of getting as many people as possible to write to Howard (and Blair in the UK) and all post their letters on Feb 14th. In Australia these should all then arrive on Feb 16th, and in the UK will arrive at various dates through to the end of March (UK public service joke.) More detail on www.PeterEdington.com – there is a link to this from our own website www.sydneypeace.com.
6. Feb 16 Walk: Agreed we meet next to café behind St James Station (near giant chessboard). We need a banner. ACTION: Peter E to make blank banner and poles and bring to next Tuesday’s meeting to be decorated. ACTION: David to e-mail all supporters with meeting point.
7. Churches: one or two had agreed to take posters etc. ACTION: David to check details and deal.
8. Website: now looking good and has an associated e-mail address (NSAW@sydneypeace.com). We’d set up as sydneypeace.com to cover more than just North Shore, so we should now offer other local groups possibility of adding material and/or adding their own information to the site. ACTION: David to e-mail no war coalition with this offer.
9. Community Radio Stations: ACTION: Maree to contact these with hope of their running service announcements about the Walk and the Postal Demo.
Present: Arvind, Rachel, Sue, Carol, Peter, Kate (briefly), David (briefly)
Arvind brought the website pages he’d laid out. All agreed great job. www.sydneypeace.com: David to send details to Arvind on how to pick up e-mails sent to whatever@sydneypeace.com
Mosman market: can’t have stall/table, but a presence is OK. Sue Carol & David will be there 8.30-10, Arvind and Rachel 10-12. Posters and ribbons produced while we talked!
Peter to get more leaflets from Kate
Sue to put ad in diary in Mosman Daily re group and ask for volunteers
Everybody to write a letter re war to Mosman Daily
Rachel to put/sell ribbons in café
Letter drop to be discussed further at next Tuesday meeting
Arvind to send soft copy of posters to Carol so she can produce colour copies.
Peter to send details on website to Nick / no_war_on_iraq_sydney group
Agreed to hold Peace picnic Balmoral rotunda Sunday 9 Feb 2-6pm: add to MD diary notice. Sue to add to info posters for Saturday.
Present:
Sue, David, Carol, Robyn, Peter E, Rachel, Arvind
We discussed what might be done on the north shore to promote awareness and get people to do things, write letters, etc over the very important next few weeks - it seems that public pressure has so far been at least somewhat effective in slowing the headlong rush to war.
Robyn said that she had lots of contacts in North Sydney, and would concentrate her efforts there.
Robyn suggested a “Purple Sash” campaign outside Kirribilli House on lines of South African “Black Sash”.
Rachel said she can do things in and around the café she manages (Fountain Coffee Express in Military Road opp. Mosman High), as the owner is onside about this.
We discussed the need to get a website going for contacts and other information:
ACTIONS: David to arrange site registration & hosting: [DONE: www.sydneypeace.com should be available late Wed]
Arvind to set up site design: anyone with possible content to send to him: mailto:arvind_hickman@email.com
Agreed need to contact churches about getting representation and involvement:
ACTIONS: Peter to contact churches in Mosman and Lane Cove.
ACTION: Sue also to contact Mosman councillor name suggested to us by Mayor of Leichhardt (who is also convenor of Leichhardt Peace Group).
Need awareness. Agreed to try to get stall in Mosman Market for Saturday and possibly subsequent Saturdays in Bridgepoint: sell purple ribbons, take names of others interested, get people to write letters to John Howard for Feb 14th:
ACTIONS: Sue to contact Mosman re getting stall [DONE: too late to book for this week, though possible for March if we still want to do that: however, organisers have no objection to our people walking through the market selling ribbons etc and taking names for contacts]
Rachel & Arvind to organise the stall itself for this Saturday.
Carol to get supplies of purple ribbon from Lincraft and start making ribbons.
David to get card for placards.
Reconvene in 8 Bay St 7pm
Thursday to prepare stuff.
Need more materials, posters, car stickers, etc:
ACTIONS: Sue to contact No War on Iraq Sydney Coalition for additional materials [DONE: no more car stickers available – may be more posters etc soon]
Arvind to produce smaller A4 posters for shop windows, attaching to poles, etc.
David to get digital copy of photo from bug poster for Arvind to use [DONE and emailed]
Robyn suggested getting people to put money in for their names to go on an ad in Mosman Daily / North Shore Times encouraging people to go on the March – she thought we should start with names people will know and undertook to get that under way. ACTION: Robyn
© NSAW 2003. Last modified 21/10/03.