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Mike Wheals: Mike Joined the group after he moved to Balgowlah in late 2004, and was very involved in the organisation of North Shore Talks from the beginning. He was about to step up to a more public role by chairing the meeting on 30 March, when he was tragically killed in a motocycle accident in the Military Road. We miss him.
Meetings: 13 March 2005; 17 April 2005; 8 May 2005; 29 May 2005; 19 June 2005; 3 July 2005;
31 July 2005; 21 August 2005; 22 September 2005; 23 October 2005; 20 November 2005;
12 February 2006; 19 March 2006; 9 April 2006; 7 May 2006; 25 June 2006;
Meeting 30/07/06
Present: Sue, David, Lindsay, Mario, Janice, Frennie, Daphne, Tina (& Angelica)
Apologies: Brendan, Lynette
We discussed both short and long-term actions for the group. On the immediate situation in Gaza, Lebanon and Iraq, noted the Hiroshima Day Rally on Sunday 6 August 1pm Hyde Park North, and resolved to write two letters: one to the Sydney Morning Herald about their coverage of the Middle East and its placing on inside pages while putting trivia on the front page, the second to the leaders of the main political parties deploring their concentration on the plight of Australians rather than calling for a wider ceasefire and negotiations for peace. The latter would be placed on the website and suggested to members of the group as the basis for letter that they might write. Texts of the letters are at the end of this message.
We also discussed the proposal to arrange a high-level political debate forum in the run-up to next year's federal elections, probably in April or May. The key for early action is to get contact with potential attendees, and also to raise funds so that the forum can be properly advertised in advance.
Members to be asked for fundraising ideas and contributions - current funds are around $150 in debt to Mosman Council for hall hire.
Next meeting October 8, 7pm [That meeting did not in fact take place]
The letter to the SMH was not printed. Text follows:
As ideology is not obliterated but fuelled by force, Israel's long term security - and indeed the world's - can only be further put at risk by the bombing of innocent civilians. The agenda in the Middle East is continually being seized by extremists and militarists on both sides when solutions are in the hands of moderates. These are the voices that need to be raised above the rhetoric of blind aggression. Why are neither the Government nor the Opposition among them? Why do we not hear from moderate Muslims condemning Hezbollah, peace-loving Jews demanding a cessation of indiscriminate cluster bomb shelling and all Christians firmly stating that Christ exhorted us to love - not kill - one another? Or perhaps, as the most dangerous crisis since the invasion of Iraq warranted barely a mention on the front pages of much of the media last week, the rest of Australia is also content to bury its head in trivia and stay silent?
Draft letter to Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott,
PLEASE SEND YOUR OWN VERSION TO YOUR LOCAL MP, CHURCH, PAPER ...
We are disturbed that your party's statements about the situation in the Middle East over the last few weeks have been primarily focused on the plight of Australian citizens, rather than an outcry against the senseless slaughter of innocent civilians and international peacekeepers from the UN.
This conflict will only serve to fuel future terrorism. As ideology is not obliterated but fuelled by force, Israel's long term security - and indeed the world's - can only be further put at risk by the bombing of innocent civilians. The agenda in the Middle East is continually being seized by extremists and militarists on both sides when solutions are in the hands of moderates. These are the voices that need to be raised above the rhetoric of blind aggression. Why are neither the Government nor the Opposition among them?
We strongly support the statement by Canberra's Church leaders (below), and ask that you and your party should also be making similar strong pleas for peace.
If these were silent the Stones would shout out
A Statement on the Middle East by Canberra's Church leaders
31 July 2006
We find it impossible to remain silent in the face of so much pain and suffering in the Middle East, both in Lebanon and in Israel, but we have been particularly outraged by the news this morning of the deaths in the Lebanese village of Qana, no matter what its cause.
Where is the moral courage of our leaders? How can the leadership of the Australian Government and the Opposition not cry out for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire?
We are outraged that such unspeakable pain is being unleashed upon civilians, especially women and children, while the world remains largely silent.
Does it not occur to the Governments of Israel and the United States of America that the very possibility of a lasting, generational, peace is being made almost impossible while a new generation of youth are being accustomed to violence as a way of life.
We deplore the violence of Hezbollah and we deplore the violence of the State of Israel.
We find it impossible to understand how the leaders of our own nation have remained so cowardly silent in the face of such brutality.
We have had enough of this so called war on terror. When will the governments of the world come to understand that peace can only be built on justice and fairness?
We urge all governments of the world to invest in the millennium goals as the road to peace and to immediately apply them for the peoples of the Middle East.
We support the Christian leaders of Jerusalem in their recent call for an end to violence in the Middle East.
We can have no peace while violence is repaid with violence. It is a recipe for eventual annihilation.
May God have mercy upon us all and may there still remain, somewhere in that battered part of the world a seed which can one day grow into peace for the children who will soon become adults. May they not perpetuate the wrongs of the leadership of this generation.
Bishop George Browning, Anglican Church
Bishop Pat Power, Roman Catholic Church
Reverend Peter Walker, Uniting Church
Dr Kevin Bray, Churches of Christ
Professor James Haire, Director, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
It was decided on 25 June that the Goodness and Kindness talk on 29th would definitely be the last North Shore Talk for the time being. We are barely covering costs, cannot afford to pay for advertising, and the demands on busy people to organise this regular event are high. We have decided that we will turn our attention to the following:
1: Plan a much larger forum with well-known speakers in the run-up to the Federal Election next year.
2. We will need to consider fund-raising activities to pay for advertising and other costs
2: Mount letter-writing campaigns on specific issues. Has everyone seen Brendan's in this week's Mosman Daily?
3: Increase our networking activities
To this end we will meet monthly as a group, and invite anybody who is interested to join us for our next meeting at 7pm on Sunday 30 July
Present: David, Sue, Mario, Lindsay
Apologies: Lynette, Brendan, Frennie, Daphne
Funding: better attendance at the April meeting means that it more than covered costs and made an approx $50 contribution to the past shortfall.
Publicity and speakers for next meeting (25/5)
Lynette has found a great replacement speaker, in Paul Vincent, head of New Media at SBS. We discussed other possible second speakers, and agreed to ask Di Bartok if anyone at the Mosman Daily would be interested in speaking on what it all means for the newspaper business. Will also send details to media courses at the Unis.
Future events: although the relative success of the April meeting was gratifying, it highlights the fact that the Talks series has required a considerable input of labour for limited returns in terms of attendance and thus potential impact. We agreed to make the "Goodness and Kindness" talk in June the last one - the speakers for that are already confirmed, whereas there is much work need to make the planned July Talk happen. The next committee meeting should then be devoted to a more wide-ranging discussion on what the group should do next. We need to fix a date so that as many people as possible can attend for that - maybe another Sunday brunch meeting, as we did when changing from NSAW to NSPD.
Present: David, Lynette, Brendan, Lindsay, Daphne and welcome to Michael Page
Apologies: Sue, Mario, Frennie
Publicity for next meeting (27/4):
Brendan and Lynette had prepared & sent out a press release (attached) to the Mosman Daily, North Shore Times and SMH. It was suggested that they should be invited to interview these speakers – Brendan to action. Monica Cavanagh had sent the release to the Catholic Youth network. Denise Wilton had suggested contacting Mosman High School and Mosman Youth Centre Principals, and provided contact details – Brendan and Lindsay. Michael suggested sending to other high schools eg SCEGGS, Queenwood. Lynette will contact North Sydney Girls. David to turn press release into A5 and A4 leaflets for people to hand out where they have the chance. Brendan to get photos of speakers for this.
Funding: the reduced attendance at the last two meetings has left us with $25 in the bank and an unpaid bill for $155 for the last meeting hall hire. We discussed possible fundraising actions, but agreed that the best way to do this is to work on getting more people to meetings. In the meantime, Brendan has some handwoven “Peace” bookmarks made in East Timor, which can be bought for $3 and sold for $5 – contact Brendan to get these, plus sell at meeting.
May meeting speaker: David had contacted Catherine Lumby, but she was out of the country, back this week.
Date and place of next meeting: was not agreed. Michael suggested that it would be better to meet earlier in the month, to give more time to work on any publicity actions etc for the next meeting. This would imply Sunday May 7 as next meeting date.
Present: David, Mario, Sue, Mike, Lindsay, Daphne
Apologies: Lynette, Brendan, Frennie
Happenings:
- Sue (with support from David) had spoken about the group and what it is doing at the Roseville Friday College at the invitation of the organisers.
- All felt that the Women of Faith talk had gone well, and the speakers were very inspirational.
Thurs 30 March:
This talk will be in the Senior Citizen’s Centre under the Mosman Town Hall, as the Art Gallery rooms were pre-empted by council-sponsored meetings. We therefore need posters showing the way, and a volunteer to be at the Art Gallery to redirect people before the start.
Mike to chair. Mario on door. David to check with Julian re wine.
Sue to get bios for speakers + draft press release to Lindsay & Daphne for distribution (attached/below)
Sue and Adam will use Powerpoint – Lindsay to tell MAGCC we will need screen (or blank wall) to project onto.
April: Brendan and Lynette have met with Toby and Jemma to prepare for meeting.
May: Margo Kingston has pulled out of all public engagements for the rets of the year. She had already suggested Catherine Lumby as another speaker. Sue/David to contact.
Other activities: Frennie had suggested that we could consider other activities beyond the Talks now that were running fairly smoothly: perhaps people can bring thoughts to next meeting. It was felt that there is still a lot more could be done to improve publicity and attendance at the talks – thoughts on that too, would be welcome!
Next Meeting: 9th April at Daphne’s
Present: Mario, Sue, David, Lynette, Daphne, Mike W, Frennie
Apologies: Lindsay
We discussed status on the next few talks, and reworded some titles. Lindsay was contacting churches re the first talk (Women of Faith) and it was agreed that it would be good to contact schools etc about the second talk (What our children really need).
Agreed that it would be good to have a fuller description of each talk for specific fliers: Lindsay had done this for the first one. Also to add a little more detail on how the evening runs on posters etc.
Next Meeting 19 March – venue to be determined.
Present: Mario, Sue, Brendan, David, Lynette, Lindsay, Margo Kingston
Apologies: Daphne, Mike W, Tina
Thursday 25 Nov: Lynette to chair, Mario on door, Brendan on wine.
Next year updates:
February: Sister Monica Cavanagh, Sada (Somali Muslim) - Lynette to add Buddhist or Hindu speaker
March: retitle "Investment in our Future"
April: Toby Brennan of GetUp agreed; Brendan to see if Merlin Luck available
June: maybe move Goodness & Kindness to later in year and get in Ethical Investment session?
Publicity:
Lindsay to co-ordinate publicity. Need to find new ways to publicise the different meetings, snazzier fliers, etc. Maybe try again to get opposing views for debate.
Christmas 2005: no one date works for everyone: settle on Sat 10 Dec 4-7pm at 8 Bay St.
Present: Frennie, Daphne, Mario, Sue, Mike W, Brendan, David
Apologies: Tina, Lynette, Lindsay
Thursday 27 Oct: Lynette to chair if she wants, having missed out last time: Brendan backup if not.
Emergency meeting on Anti-Terrorism Act? - discussed, but felt that it was better for people to encourage other organisations to arrange demonstrations.
November meeting: David to get remind Oxfam were arranging second speaker [NB is Kate Brennan, Oaktree Foundation]
Seek to get pictures of speakers, and also of Peter’s boat as possible encouragement to Mosman Daily to print something larger.
Meetings for next year:
Lynette working on Somali Muslim woman + Sister Susan Connolley for Women of Faith in February, and meeting with GetUp to talk about March or April. It was suggested that Merlin Luck might be a good second speaker with GetUp.
Sue had got agreement from Adam Blakester of NAPCAN for the Children’s Futures – March better for him.
David to discuss May / media with Margo Kingston: possible second speakers discussed – David Marr, Liz Jackson, Gerard Henderson, Miranda Devine, Piers Akerman.
Sue in discussion with Goodness & Kindness campaign re June.
July would be the the Alternative Government? Session with ALP, Greens & Democrats (Family First?)
Date of next meeting: 20 November at Bay St.
Christmas social and celebration of first six months of NSTalks: People to get back to David with preferences for possible dates 3 / 4 / 10 / 11 December ...
Present: Lynette, Daphne, Sue, David, Mario, Peter Bartos
Apologies: Brendan, Lindsay, Tina, Frennie, Mike W
Arrangements for 29 Sept:
Lynette to chair: David to send bio for Alison B and Chair’s crib sheet to Lynette
Mario on door, Daphne on wine, Sue OJ and snacks, rest on setup
October: Tina still working on second speaker
November: David contact Sarah Craske at Oxfam re second speaker
Next Year: Daphne to book last Thursday Feb-Jul with MAGCC
[Done: booked Feb 23, Mar 30, Apr 27, Jun 29, Jul 27]
Possible subjects + who from this group is to follow up:
Get Up – activism poss with youth group as second speaker – Lynette
Margo + another high profile journo – media in Aus – David
Truth and Kindness campaign (Muslim+Jew] - Sue
Women of faith – Sister Aileen Crowe + women from Gallipolli mosque – Lynette
Visions of a Child Friendly Community – Adam Blakester, NAPCAN + Sue – Sue
Is there a viable alternative government? - ALP, Dem, Green – David
Security – what does it mean to you? Do we need protection from the security services? - Rights Australia
Note also Frennie’s e-mail
We should start talking to people about which two or three dates might be best for them and then build into a program.
Lynette to contact GetUp first
Next meeting – not fixed!
Present: Sue, David, Daphne, Brendan, Lynette, Mario, Mike, Lindsay
Apologies: Frennie, Tina
We mostly talked through the living and never-to-be-finalised draft of
The complete guide to running a North Shore Talk:
Publicity:
Need regular contact to get into events diaries in Mosman Daily, Manly Daily, North Shore Times and Sydney Weekly Courier
Posters at Mosman and Cremorne wharves, Bridgepoint noticeboards, Libraries,
Art Gallery and North Sydney Community Centre, cafes, etc
Notices on sydneytalks.com and try to get into Green, Labor, Democrat and Green Left Weekly etc mailings
E-mails to our list plus any others members can post to (eg nswpeace)
Need some A5 flyers to take with us when going to other events etc
IMPORTANT ADDED NOTE: Ring the speakers the day before to remind them!
Setting Up:
Tables set out with around 5 chairs on each
Snacks in bowls on tables
Leaflets on tables: signup sheets, programs, backvintage stuff
Check microphone
Speaker’s table at far side from door: water & glasses for speakers
Tie banner to railing
Table for donations at entry: donations bucket, cloakroom ticket book for free drink: car stickers: signup sheet
Nominated people to cover door
Table for drinks left of door
2 bottles red wine, 2 bottles white wine, 2L orange juice
+ Set aside two bottles of wine in carriers for speakers
Nominated person to cover drinks table
As long as Julian/BackVintage providing winetasting, use his glasses
Chairperson:
Greet speakers and reconfirm timings:
Chair’s Notes:
Acknowledgement of Country: (http://www.premiers.nsw.gov.au/...../IndigenousCeremony.pdf)
Typical Acknowledgement of Country statements can include:
- I would like to acknowledge that this meeting is being held on the traditional lands of the Gamaraigal clan of the Kur-ring-gai people.
- I would like to acknowledge that this meeting is being held on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people in this land.
- Formed as North Shore Against the War in January 2003: after failing to stop the war, felt that shortcomings in the workings of our democracy and the information sources for people could best be addressed by arranging discussions and events to inform and educate on issues of the day: first forum Tony Abbott debating the war with Tanya Plibersek, Peter Macdonald and Donna Mulhearn in Oct 2003, second with Kevin Rudd, Marise Payne, Aden Ridgeway and Kerry Nettle in May 2004: now these ...
And list of future talks + tear-off slip to suggest future topics and/or speakers
Can give those and any other suggestions for improvement to any NSPD member – identify by badges
And some info re other events
And info re BackVintage - thanks to Julian, whose wine you are now tasting, and can try more of at the end of the session:
- BackVintage Wines Australia is an on-line wine wine retail company, and the only winery on the North Shore! - you can't get these wines in the shops
[speakers 15 mins each;
floor questions or comments under 1 min;
speak from place or come to mike at front;
speakers reply to questions and sum up at end;
stop at 9pm prompt;
can continue to discuss informally over wine-tasting until 10pm];
intro to speakers
END:
Thanks to speakers
Thanks to Art Gallery staff
Thanks to you all for taking part
Hope to see you next time
Clearup:
Art Gallery staff will clear tables, chairs etc
We need to clear away all of our stuff (inc unused papers etc) + glasses and any rubbish
Present: Daphne, Lynette, Sue, David, Frennie, Tina, Lindsay
Apologies: Mike, Brendan, Mario
Updates: Hall booked for September, October, November. Two speakers for September and one each for October and November booked (though UNAA yet to confirm for September). Tina to discuss second speaker for October with John Kaye, and Sue with Caroline Thomas for November. Bios received for 3 out of 4 August speakers. Julian has sent materials for BackVintage and agreed to be earlier this time. David agreed to supply Tina with his intro notes. Agreed to be at venue from 6.45pm in case of need to set up. David to get OJ and crisps. Sufficient wine left from last time to supply free glass this time.
Other events: Agreed to put Hiroshima Day material on tables. Agreed not renew AFTINET membership. Will not specifically support Tampa Day memorial, nor “carnival of resistance’ at Forbes Global CEO conference. Will agree to provide soap-box speaker at Mosman Festival on 4 September.
Next Meeting: Sunday 21 August, 7:30pm at Daphne’s
Present: Mario, Mike, Sue, David, Frennie, Tina, Lindsay
Apologies: Brendan, Daphne
How did it go?
It worked really well. Good attendance: ferry ads worked well; got 15 new names on list from sign-up sheets. Lots of positive feedback from attendees. Comfortable debating atmosphere. Timing shows can’t easily have more than two speakers, and need to re-emphasise time limits to future speakers. Julian’s intro (unplanned) to the wine tasting was a bit disruptive. Brendan has done transcripts of opening speeches. Thanks to Nick for the photos – two sent in to Mosman Daily. If anyone can manage transcript of Q&A and closing (about 30mins altogether), would be helpful.
For next time
Rotate chair: Tina for next one. Will need more tables and chairs. Just have one microphone at lectern. Ask Julian to have his introduction printed on a leaflet to put on tables, plus to not move stuff in and out during talk. Emphasise time limits for speakers. We have the second speakers arranged for next two talks. Some local cafes have agreed to put up posters.
Rest of year
Lindsay to book last Thursday of September October & November (29/9, 27/10, 24/11).
Subjects:
September: UN at 60: past achievements, future tense? Check with UN Assoc of Australia and Politics in the Pub for possible speakers (David)
October: Climate change and energy: oil, coal, nuclear, renewables: which way for Australia?
Tina has got suggested speakers:
Paul Gilding ex-Greenpeace, now ECOS corp
Prof Ronnie Harding: Inst for Environment Studies , Macquarie (and WWF)
Lisa Cockburn, NSW Dept of Environment
James Arvanatakiras, the economics of hope
Tina to approach Harding and Arvanatakiras in first instance.
November: Making Poverty History: Sue to approach Oxfam
Possible topics for Feb/Mar/Apr
Media: David Marr, Margo Kingston
People with disability: citizens or burden? - social inclusion generally?
The religious right
The Nation State: patriotism vs internationalism
What is a child-friendly community?
The future of compassion
Mosman’s ecological footprint
People to give further thought to these and possible speakers.
Next Meeting: Sunday 31 July, 7:30pm at RSL
Present: Sue, Lindsay, Mike Wheals, Daphne, Frennie, Brendan, David, Mario, Tina
Apologies: Lyn, Lynette
Sue welcomed Mike Wheals to the group.
Second talks night: had been unable to get speaker for that night but Dr Halevi could do other evenings: after investigation of possibilities with the Art Gallery moved from Thursday 28 July to the following Tuesday 2 August.
NS Talks Publicity: Lindsay & David had interview with Mosman Daily on Friday for next week’s edition. Tina expecting to arrange with North Shore Times over next few days for Friday edition. Has been sent to Sydney Weekly Courier, but not responded. Frennie arranged to go in Greens bulletin, and Brendan to go in Green Left Weekly Calendar. Mario has put up posters in shops in Manly, and David & Brendan in public noticeboards around Mosman – though noted that someone seems to be specifically removing these. E-mails sent to various list, plus requested circulation to Oxfam activists list and to Politics in the Pub lists. Radio 2SER asked for permission to cover the event.
Setting up the meeting: Chairs round tables of 5 requested. Lindsay to request PA system and two microphones, and check on responsibilities for clean-up. Important to start on time – team please to be there at 7pm for setup. Will have name-badges for team. Need speakers to be there at 7:15 – get mobile numbers from them so can check – also need short intro text for each person: Brendan to get from Hawker and Vincent, David from Halevi, and Frennie from Glendinning. Sue to meet and greet.
Refreshments: supply nuts, crisps, orange juice, water plus one free glass of wine. David to check with Julian about glasses and purchasing one mixed case from him for the free glass. Mike to get 12 bamboo bowls from Chinatown for nibbles on each table. Also give a bottle each to speakers.
Collect donations on entry and hand out cloakroom tickets as voucher for free glass of wine + A5 flier for future talks b/w short description of the group and its aims. Also need signup sheet for sending details in future, and suggestion sheet for future issues to discuss. Tina and Daphne volunteered for door duty, Frennie as Wine Monitor.
David to chair: Frennie to do Welcome to Country: start with Intro to NSPD; format for evening [speakers 12-15 mins each; floor questions or comments under 1 min – queue for mike at front; speakers reply to questions and sum up at end; stop at 9pm prompt but can continue to discuss informally over wine-tasting until 10pm]; intro to speakers.
Future talks: David to get someone from AFTINET as second speaker on China: Frennie to try ChilOut for second speaker on detention – Marise Payne was also suggested as a Liberal rebel on this.
Possible subjects for September/October/November: water & sustainability / how sustainable is Australian farming? / climate change / nuclear power / the religious right / Margo K on your democracy. People to think some more by next meeting + will have input from attendees at first talk.
Date of next meeting: Sunday after first talk, so we have how it went fresh in mind and have time to change things for the second one if need be: Sunday 3 July, 7:30pm at Mosman RSL.
Present: Daphne, Lindsay, Sue, David, Brendan, Mario, Frennie
Apologies: Tina, Lynette
Talks: Agreed series title as "North Shore Talks".
Timing: book hall 7-10, advertise talks as 7:30-9
Pricing: Hall cost will be approx $100, plus will be other costs: gold coin donation would not be enough: agreed to put as donation of $10 waged, $5 unwaged, but include refreshments.
Lindsay to check with Art Gallery re tables and possibilities for refreshments.
David to talk to wine company re possible wine-tasting associated with meetings
28 June: Geoff Hawker accepted. Sally Neighbour had been unavailable, and Geoff Hawker suggested his colleague Andrew Vincent as replacement - he has been asked but not yet replied. Since then Sally Neighbour came back to Lynette and said may be possible, contact her after her next 4 Corners on 6/6. Might therefore have one two or three speakers - will have to see how develops.
Agreed title of talk to be "In the name of terrorism ... the erosion of our rghts and freedoms". Lindsay to check with Geoff Hawker that he is comfortable with that.
David to draft e-mail notice of meeting and send out, plus draft a poster to put up in some local places.
Frennie to contact Green Party distribution; Brendan - Green Left Weekly; Lindsay - Mosman Daily; Daphne - North Shore Times; Mario - Manly Daily
28 July: agreed to concentrate on China rather than India. David to contact possible speakers: Joseph Halevi (Sydney Uni), someone from AFTINET, John Menadue
25 August: Phil Glendinning agreed but not confirmed - Frennie to follow up.
Next Meeting: 19 June 2005 at 8 Bay Street
Present: Tina, Lynette, Lindsay, Frennie
Apologies: Daphne, Sue, David, Brendan, Peter, Sally, Mario, Lyn
Discussed talks program - agreed that there is no need for speakers to have opposing views.
Agreed would try to schedule talks in week of 27th June, 25 July and 29 August - preferably Tues or Thurs, but would remain flexible depending on venue and speaker availability. Lindsay to make tentative bookings with the Art Gallery - Impressions Room.
[Update from Lindsay - after discussions with Yolande at the Mosman Art Gallery, I have made the following tentative bookings for the Impressions Room on the first level:Tuesday June 28th, Thursday July 28th,Thursday August 25th. I thought we should try to get speakers on these nights first of all because these were the only nights the Impression room was available. We still could use the other nights but we would have to use one of the downstairs rooms. These rooms do have a capacity of 50-60 but aren't as pleasant, I don't think, as the Impressions room. But of course we may have to vary the dates, and rooms, according to speaker availablility. Yolande said sh'‚d hold these bookings for one week, until next Monday 16th.]
Agreed on the following talks:
1. Lies, torture, refugees and deportation - Phil Glendenning, Lousie Newman, Donna Mulhern - Frennie to check with Pennant Hills group and get Louise's phone number and to contact Phil. Lynette to follow up Donna.
2. Terrorism, international law, threats to freedom and democracy - Geoff Hawker and Sally Neighbour. Lynette to follow up.
[Update from Lynette - I phoned Pat Toms of Politics in the Pub who said Sally Neighbour was unable to make it last week but Geoffrey Hawker gave, in her words, an "outstanding" and "excellent" presentation. He is booked for 28 June and would be happy to speak with Sally Neighbour - in the same way they were promoted by Politics in the Pub. I've left a message for Sally to call me. If she can't make it, Geoffrey suggested Dr Andrew Vincent from Macquarie Uni who is specialist on the subject of Islamic Fundamentalism and apparently a dynamic speaker.]
3. China and India - the new giants in the world economy - Prof Hans Hendrischke and Dr Devalenna Ghosh - speaking at Politics in the Pub on 20 May. Lynette and whoever else can go will attend. If they are good speakers, she'll ask them on the night if they will speak for us.
Agreed to have the first three talks finalised by at least the end of May to allow enough time for promotion. Tina to check North Shore Times deadlines for diary etc.
Briefly discussed name - linking into the established name of 'politics in the pub' somehow with the addition of 'northside' was suggested. Northside Politics at the Club would have been ideal if we'd been able to use the club! No final agreement. Everyone to think of alternatives.
Next meeting Sunday 29 May at Mosman RS Club [Subsequently changed to 8 Bay St].
Present:Tina, Daphne, Lynette, Brendan, Lindsay, Sue, David, Frennie, Lyn
Apologies: Peter, Sally, Mario
RSL: Tina went back to challenge the rejection of our community group booking. It appears that the RSL is giving enough time already to other groups to be able to argue that they are fulfilling the DA condition. Hiring the hall would be around $250.
Other possible venues discussed:
- North Sydney Comm Centre – either in Centre itself or in Hutley Hall – latter probably would involve charges.
- Uniting Church at corner of Belmont and Cowles
- Mosman Community Centre and Art Gallery
[Daphne’s report back post meeting: I went to the Mosman Art Gallery and Community Centre yesterday evening to check out the noise level from the dance class. The classes go from 7.30 to 9.30 and the music is loud, too loud for us to be there on a Monday night. However, the manager mentioned the following:
- The Art Gallery is free most week nights.
- There is a very good microphone system and good lighting etc.
- It can seat about 70 people comfortably.
- We all know the location good parking and well lit at night.
- He suggested as we are a community group we would be eligible for the community hourly rate. This is about half the normal hourly rate. $33.00 per hour week nights.
He also suggested we apply to the Governor Generals office for a Grant. Apparently there are small grants available to groups like ours and would cover the costs of our meetings possibly for one year. i.e. 12 months of advertising, venue costs, nibbles/wine etc. this would be a great help, but possibly not enough time to apply for a grant in this year, maybe next? There is a web-site for these grants from the G-G Office. ]
Speakers and subjects:
A number of possible names and possible subjects were discussed, not necessarily aligned with each other:
Speakers: Michael Kirby, Andrew Wilkie, Donna Mulhearn, Sr Susan Connolley, Phil Glendinning
Subjects: terrorism/international law/threats to freedom+democracy; Politics of the new religious right
Detention; China/India economic growth; Torture; Israel/palestine; Medical politics eg stem cell research
People to think some more about matching subjects and possible speakers – preferably two diverse speakers with contrasting views on each subject. We should try to think in terms of first meeting late June / early July, and booking three meetings ahead.
Was suggested that Michael Kirby + speaker from US Democrats Abroad or PIAC on terrorism/international law/threats to freedom+democracy would be a good first combination: Lynette to contact Michael Kirby.
[Lynette’s report back post meeting:
I spoke with Michael Kirby's personal assistant this morning and she said it would a conflict of interest for him to speak publicly on issues relating to peace and democracy in his current position. We could, however, write him a formal letter of request. I will leave the decision about writing or not writing to him in your capable hands but the outcome does not look hopeful at this stage.]
Next meeting: 8 May at 7:30, again at Tina’s, 1c Mistral Avenue 2088
Suggested should arrange pickup from Spit junction for those coming by public transport, eg Mario.
NB apologies for that meeting from David, who will be in London, and Sue, who will be in Kempsey.
Present: Lindsay, Sue, Lynette, Mario, Daphne, Frennie, Tina, David
Apologies: Brendan, Lyn
[David to check whether Jane Aird, who came to the Politics in the Pub evening, was on the distribution for the organisers – which she wasn’t, apologies to Jane.]
Thanks to Frennie for hosting
Venue: The RSL had now sent a formal rejection letter, which gives no reasons other than “we do this for a lot of people already”. Agreed to strongly challenge this under the terms of the DA: Tina to consult with Mosman Council and Denise W on how best to go about that.
Alternatives: Brendan had discussed with Susan Kennett using North Sydney Community Centre, which could be available on Fridays: agreed that being in a building site plus lack of refreshments etc made this less than ideal – though once the new centre is open may be good. Other alternatives suggested: Mosman Art Gallery, Hutley Hall, Boronia House.
Speakers: Not worth pursuing further until we have venue sorted. Politics in the Pub organisers have confirmed are happy to give contacts from their speaker list and support .
Balance: Sue began a discussion on what the purpose of the proposed meetings was: consensus was that it was not just to inform and educate those on our side, but also to reach out to those who disagree with us. On that basis, we would sometimes need to vary or add to the Politics in the Pub panels to add balancing views. Agreed also that we’d want to cover wider social justice and other current issues, not just related to peace and democracy.
Writing: This led on top an expressed need to write in support for small ‘l’ liberals when they speak up on the right side – eg Malcolm Turnbull on tax. It might make sense to get stuff out to people on what’s happening and what letters etc need writing, maybe as a monthly newsletter, where each item is a short intro plus link to greater detail on the website. David said that was technically easy to do, provided that others can generate content.
Palm Sunday: logistics of getting to Parramatta: David to research and put out detail:
[Trains from North Sydney to Parramatta very regular, even on Sunday. Suggest we all meet at North Sydney station to catch the 12:51 – gets to Parramatta at 1.32, plenty of time to walk to Prince Alfred Park for 2pm
(there’ll be entertainment for a while before the start if we’re early)
Trains back are at 7, 21, 37 and 51 mins past the hour, 42 min journey]
Next Meeting: April 17th 7:30pm at Tina’s, 1c Mistral Avenue, Mosman
© NSPD 2004. Last modified
13/10/06 .