The Australian

ISSUE 0916 SEPTEMBER 2016 ISSN 1326-0936

The Australian Friend is a web journal published on line at: AustralianFriend.org. This printable version does not include the full range of content available at AustralianFriend.org Visit AustralianFriend.org to: • Comment and read comments about articles in this issue • Browse or search back issues from 2011.

Reflections on

Journal of The Religious Society of Friends () in Australia Editorial t the Manchester Conference in 1895, William Charles Braithwaite made a suggestion that must have astonished many faithful Quakers – that it was possible that ‘in the fields of music, art and literature and in others, Friends may witness to the Glory of and advance that Glory by their Aservice.’ Fast forward to Australian Yearly Meeting in 2016, and we find that reports of the meeting in Hobart are largely about the music, the art, the tapestries, visits to art galleries and museums – and even dancing! Our Quaker forebears, if they could have seen us through the mists of time, may have thought that we had gone ‘off message’. But perhaps we are just finding a new medium for the message. Early Quakers never agreed on matters of theology, but at least they had a common language in which to disagree. But modern Australian Quakers come from a variety of religious and secular backgrounds, and we lack a shared language. The society in which we live certainly lacks a common language for discussing those things which give the deepest meaning to our lives. We may be finding new means of communication ‘in the fields of music, art and literature.’ A continuing concern at our Yearly Meetings is how we are to relate to our indigenous peoples and appreciate their culture. Wies Schuiringa tells us how she travelled to the Garma Festival to see what she could learn, and a group gathering at Silver Wattle celebrated the contribution of indigenous Australians to the Quaker movement. In our next issue we want to look at Alternatives to Violence. Lately Australians have become a lot more aware of violence in our society – abuse of children, bullying in schools and the workplace, domestic violence, violence in detention centres, and violence associated with alcohol. This awareness is a hopeful sign, but what are the alternatives? We are sure that many Quakers have knowledge in these areas, and we look forward to hearing how people are trying to live, in the words of , ‘in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars’.

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND EDITORIAL TEAM

2 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Contents

FEATURES REGULARS

4 Yearly Meeting 2016 Epistle 13 Poetry 4 2016 Yearly Meeting Children’s Sustain Survive and Share David Evans Program Epistle 16 QSA Notes 5 Reflections on Yearly Meeting 2016 20 Book review: 6 Building a tradition of creativity Words among Friends Harvey Gillman 8 Afterwords 23 Noted 8 Impressions as a first-time participant 9 Reflections of ‘not-quite-a-junkie’ 9 Experience and wisdom of Young Friends 10 Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting 12 The Garma Festival 14 An experience of ‘Holding the space’ 15 Smoking ceremony for Waratah 18 Donald Groom Fellowship friends 20 Quote 21 Close Pine Gap 22 Junior Young Friends Epistle

Cover photo: Australia Yearly Meeting 2016 Photo by Lloyd Godman

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 3 Yearly Meeting 2016 Epistle To Friends everywhere

ne hundred and eighty-two An Indigenous Friend acknowledged We are reminded in the Backhouse years ago James Backhouse the importance of right language, but Lecture that the base and the and George Washington impressed upon us the reality of poor nourishment for our social concerns WalkerO came to Hobart Town with health, despair and suicide in his remote come from the . a concern for the just treatment of community. Faith in action is evident in the convicts and Aborigines. This week we Our Membership is getting older; breadth and depth of peace and social have come from all states and territories our children, Junior Young Friends justice work done by Australian Friends. of Australia and beyond to meet at and Young Friends wish to be engaged We recognise the need for longer-term Friends’ School, Hobart. but face the difficulties of finding their projects in areas of ongoing concern. Winter School asked us: ’How can own path. We celebrate the wealth of We value the links we maintain with our faith and action inspire?’ experience and wisdom in our elders Friends in the Asia Pacific Region The State of the Society address and the freshness and enthusiasm of and the wider world. As always, we asked us to consider: ‘How has the our Younger Friends. We are enjoined are enriched by visiting Friends from Spirit moved through me this last year?’ to accommodate both. overseas. As a Yearly Meeting we face Ministry in the all ages Meeting ’Everyday prophets’ in our midst challenges and changes. The most for Worship affirmed our unity in demonstrate courage and heroic action evident this year was the change to a diversity - and diversity in unity - in answering their leadings. This winter YM. reinforcing the importance of including requires of us willingness to change, Our Earthcare Committee children, Junior Young Friends and and being prepared to go in indirect and encouraged us to ‘walk country’ in the Young Friends in all aspects of the life unforeseen directions, like the sailor manner of Indigenous People so we of our Meetings. YF remind us of our tacking into the wind to move forward. can have a sense of belonging and a disquiet about Australia’s decisions and Isaac Pennington said: ’When the right relationship with the land. We policies in our local regions — which life is at any time lost, the only way of need to pray/ read/ act/ celebrate the have directly affected human rights and recovery is by retiring to invisible, and earth to begin the healing process in freedoms, not only of refugees but also keeping there, and growing up there’. our ‘three minutes to midnight’ world. of all of us. 2016 Yearly Meeting Children’s Program Epistle

t the start of the week, blueberry muffins, polenta cookies, would come and each us the Korean Aunty Kris came and taught pizza and pasta. Every afternoon the song, ‘Our Little Puppy Dog’. Valerie the children a bit about children would watch a movie; we liked came to the children’s area and sang Trouwerner (also known as Tasmania). the movies a lot. A songs with us as well as played a few Julie came and taught us a circle dance The children made a giant mandala called Smoking. The children learnt with Wilma. During the week the games. a few Aboriginal words from Aunty mandala evolved as things were added. Thistle, Cathy and Alyssa from the Kris. Mouheneenner meant river and It looked very interesting but we all had Pacific Yearly Meeting all the way on Kunanyi was what the Aboriginal fun making and evolving it. the other side of the world in America people called Mount Wellington. Our Penn Friends visited, that was came and talked to us about their Yearly Adrian came and read us an old when some of us got the chance to Meeting and the differences between Dreaming story. He taught about how catch up with our Penn Friends or write Tasmania got the name Tasmania. a letter to our Penn Friends if they were theirs and our Yearly Meeting. The children cooked a lot of food absent. We had a great time. during the program. We cooked pikelets, A few times in the week Taisoo

4 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Reflections on Yearly Meeting 2016 A first-timer’s reflection

CAROL THORNTON | CANBERRA REGIONAL MEETING

f I was to suggest one word that advice on what to expect at the YM was process. I did enjoy the diversity of topics best described my experience of a little Kafkaesque; the clearest advice covered in the YM: Earthcare, Quaker Yearly Meeting (YM), it would be being ‘don’t go to every session; you’ll be Service Australia, Friends World ‘energising.’I exhausted’. On landing in Hobart I lost Committee for Consultation and so on. Elder Michael Searle’s suggestion my voice and it became clear that I had Having worked in Aboriginal affairs for that I attend the YM was appealing not successfully dodged my husband’s many years it was wonderful to connect from the outset. It was an opportunity cold. With hindsight, I think being with others of similar experience and for meeting Quakers beyond Canberra, gagged for the first few days was not a interest. to see how others worshipped, how bad thing – it heightened my observing The social life around the YM was they aired views and how they moved and listening faculties. exceptional. I had a wonderful host in forward. Also attractive was the rare One of things that really did help Maxine Barry who, for the whole week, opportunity of mixing with like-minded me understand the YM agenda was flexed her domestic arrangements people for a whole week. my regular attendance at Canberra’s My preparations for the YM were Meeting for Worship for Business; around my presence. Maxine, thank less than ideal. My mother’s ill health such attendance meant I had some you heaps for the companionship, the was highly distracting and getting understanding of the discernment bed, and transport and for sharing your wonderful mix of colours, fabrics, paintings, hangings and poetry! Knowing I was a new attendee at YM, Rosina Wainwright suggested I join her in seeing the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) for the unscheduled afternoon. Having company who knew about the exhibits made this a most worthwhile visit. At sunset, outside the Museum, I joined others from YM in experiencing the light works exhibition by Quaker, James Turrell. By week’s end I had met and enjoyed talking to Quakers beyond Canberra and seen how issues were raised, discussed and decided upon. But most importantly and unexpectedly, I was left feeling energised and refreshed, with a sense of somehow being in the right place; I had met people I felt at home with and looked forward to meeting again at next year’s YM, in Canberra’s weekly Meeting, and on my travels.

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 5 Building a tradition of creativity among Friends KATHERINE PURNELL | TASMANIA REGIONAL MEETING

dward Hicks (1780-1848) beauty and its strangeness, and to be had Creative groups where practitioners painted 64 versions of ‘The ready to celebrate what our London have shared and given support to the lion shall lie down with the advices used to call ‘ The life of joy and way that many need to delve into the Elamb’ based on the Bible text from victory to which we are called’. expressive, even mystical, deep part of the prophet Isaiah, partly because he their beings. (Celebration: A Missing Element in needed to persuade nineteenth-centu- Our worship encourages being in Quaker Worship, J. Ormerod Greenwood, ry Quakers that it was permissible for Backhouse Lecture 1982). touch with the Inner Life, and this Christians to be practicing artists. But It has taken quite a time for modern can take many forms. For many it is a Hicks also wanted to express his hope Friends to overcome a reticence about continuation of a love of the natural in the biblical promise of peace on doing and showing art in the context world, the joy of creating, experimenting earth. of our own community (See Beyond with media and expressing joys, fears In his Backhouse Lecture of 1982 J. Uneasy Tolerance, quaker.org/fqa/ and frustrations of life. Ormerod Greenwood told us: uneasy.html Fellowship of Quakers The Australian Ours is a dark time; tragedy is part of in the Arts (UK)). There has been a is an on-going project that has been our destiny and catastrophe is always feeling that artistic creativity is ‘less inspiring – bringing together a sense possible by earthquake, fire, or human worthy’ than doing good works. In spite of our history, values, artistry and stupidity or wickedness. We Friends of this, many Friends have been quietly tenacity. There have been a number of do, and have always done, our part in expressing themselves in photography, art shows at Australia Yearly Meetings comforting the afflicted, the sorrowing, painting, sculpture as well as in literary, over the years, and this year in Hobart the homeless and the refugees; we have musical and dramatic spheres. Often we wanted to continue the opportunity done our part in the struggle against these works of the heart have not been for sharing. injustice, though we could always do shared with fellow-worshippers – there Hilary Dawkins suggested a pop-up more. But what is required of us also hasn’t been a regular forum for them. art show, which limited the size of is to say ‘Yes’ to life; to love its fun, its Several Australian Meetings have canvasses to 5×7 inches, so Friends

6 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Part of the mosaic wall at YM16 – Photo: Lloyd Godman

from interstate could bring them easily display has been hung for two months. group is called Quakers in the Arts in in their luggage. The theme ‘Everyday In this way too we have been able to see Australia, and will communicate by Light’ echoed the Backhouse Lecture the world through their eyes and also electronic means. topic ‘Everyday Prophets’. uncover the works of some Friends who The Festival on the last night of When they arrived from all parts have died. Not surprisingly Tasmanian YM16 began with lighted lanterns of the country these small works were landscape is a recurrent topic for many carried by the children and reminded displayed in the form of a mosaic in of our artists. us of their theme ‘Winter Light’. the foyer of the Farrall Centre, where Other forms of expressing the deep Participatory music, song and dance morning and afternoon teas were served. parts of ourselves occurred during Yearly bonded us. We shared Korean songs During the week young people from Meeting. The Welcome to Country that children had learned, a mystical the Children’s program and JYFs added this time included an original song in experience of meditative movement their pictures until collage, paintings, local language by Kartanya Maynard. given to us by Jong Hee Lee the 3D, photos and drawings formed a This foreshadowed the intense interest FWCC visitor and a circle dance based significant and colourful display, each throughout YM16 in exploring deeper on Aboriginal lore. of which showed an interpretation of connections with First Nations peoples, I believe we have passed the time of light. including creativity. discomfort with ‘the arts’ and are able At the same time – on three other JYFs shared a lovely song led by to see them as a considered part of our panels – Tasmanian Quaker artists John Coleman, who has included it on spiritual life together, to be relished and were able to show again some of the art the AYM website as well as on a new encouraged. which has been part of the Boa Vista CD. room Art Wall over the last two and a One of the Share and Tell sessions half years. gathered about a dozen Friends who Many Friends have been willing to want to continue sharing the confluence ’fess up to their creative side and each of their creativity and spiritual life. This

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 7 Afterwords VIRGINIA JEALOUS | WESTERN AUSTRALIA REGIONAL MEETING

happens I think roots lie in ideas of learning and stop! stop! you’re discipleship…[and] consists for the being too self- most part of advice and counsel, the conscious but encouragement of self-questioning, it’s a sort of of hearing each other in humility and revelatory self- love.’) I am apprehensive at the prospect, ow can the absence of spoken consciousness that is literally beyond again, of not having this. I wonder how words have such a tangible me. It recognises that of God in me and I can share this nourishment with presence? It’s the quality of in all those in the room. It invites and Friends at home; I wonder if and how I Hsilence that draws me in I think, that allows God in. can, literally, keep the faith. gathers me into the net. There’s an The book-ending of days with Everything that we are as a body embodied sense of expectant waiting Meeting for Worship and Epilogue of Friends AYM comes from worship when a hundred or more people are is deeply nourishing; it’s calming and returns to worship. Heartfelt gathered for Meeting for Worship and challenging in equal measure. I decision-making. Winter School and and it’s quite different from my usual am envious of Friends to whom this share-and-tell sessions. Interest groups experience. disciplined Meeting for Worship is the and committees. The hospitality of our By ‘embodied’ I mean it feels norm. hosts. Those teatime cakes, baked with intensely physical to me; I am wholly (That’s ‘discipline’ as defined in love. What a joy to inhabit that body, to present to myself, body and mind, in Quaker Faith & Practice: ‘Discipline grow with it towards the Light. a way that is rare for me. When this is not now a popular word…but its

Impressions as a first-time participant MAXINE BARRY | TASMANIA REGIONAL MEETING

t was such an enriching experience diversity of Regional Meetings and what and Art Gallery, where Uncle David – I was going to say ‘beyond my that brings to Quakers nation-wide – Carline got his wish and had a pie for expectations’, but in fact I had the wonderful experience of getting to lunch (albeit an Thai chicken and curry noI idea what to expect. As a ‘junior’ know my ‘billetee’… one!), after we took him to the Baha’i Quaker (since 2010…?), I had no idea A highlight was the forum ‘Clothes Centre where he admired the work of how AYM business was conducted are a Quaker Issue’, for which Rosina Kris Schaffer and met with her. This all – that was interesting in itself and Wainwright had prepared a fascinating took place on the spur of the moment being involved deepened my sense of and challenging paper to aid our with minimal planning. belonging to this community. discussions. It could have gone on for The people I met – their diverse and another couple of hours! I suspect that experiences like rich experience and deep consideration I had a wonderful day of ‘extra- those are not unusual at AYMs where of the things that really matter – the curricular’ activity too, meeting with a providence or synchronicity draws us to sense of gathering in the meetings for group of like-minded and First Nations the people we need to get to know. worship – the age range – the interesting people at the Tasmanian Museum

8 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Reflections of ‘not-quite-a-junkie’ ALLAN KNIGHT | WESTERN AUSTRALIA REGIONAL MEETING

have attended about seven or eight and others was inspiring and gratifying. welcomed us – Yearly Meetings (so not quite a Sharing the witness of Friends in this whenever I needed a question answered YM junkie) but it had been about way is something we should continue (which usually was because I had not fourI years since I last attended before to value. read information carefully enough) Hobart this year. YM gave me the gift A wow moment for me was when I was met with a smile and a kind of connecting with Friends I had not I first saw the completed tapestries response. A great lesson in patience. seen for some time and to get to know set up side-by-side. At previous YMs I also came away from YM affirmed others I had not previously met. I was I had enjoyed the quiet contemplative in my confidence that Friends’ way of enriched by the opportunity to get to act of adding some stitches to one of making decisions is powerful and one know these people more deeply in both the tapestries and had found that a of the gifts Quakers can offer the wider things eternal and temporal. wonderful space to find some stillness community. Our process of listening An unanticipated gift of attendance during the business of YM but I do not to each other and for the spirit which at YM was to hear the testimonies to think I really appreciated the power of informs the vocal ministry in Meeting the grace of God in the lives of Friends the tapestries to tell our story until I saw for Worship for Business and our who had died in the preceding year all those thus far completed displayed discernment as to the way forward in a which were read at the start of each together as they were in Hobart. matter seems to me to lead to decisions formal session. To hear the many ways Another of the things that I carry that are more life affirming than might in which Friends had let their lives speak with me from YM is the generosity of otherwise be the case. to answer that of God in themselves spirit with which Tasmanian F/friends Experience and wisdom of Young Friends JOHN COLEMAN | TASMANIA REGIONAL MEETING

or over 30 years I have been on into various Quaker events over the could move into and out of silence. We a rich and intentional spiritual year. I was hesitant to accept the role had an ‘urban plunge’ experience and journey – one that led me three of convening the JYF program for I was touched by the way they related yearsF ago to become a part of the Quaker Yearly Meeting because having never so joyfully and respectfully to the community here in Hobart. Like many experienced a Yearly Meeting and people with disability in L’Arche and I suppose, I have been sustained, as a relatively new Quaker, I felt very the Choir of High Hopes – how they attracted, refreshed and challenged by under-prepared. And over the course gave and received an exuberant burst the silent worship that feeds us individ- of many months as we met to prepare of life. I was touched by the practical ually and corporately. For me, no matter I confess to wondering privately why assistance received from adult Quakers whether Meeting for Worship feels I ever said ‘yes’. But my experience of who saw when I was struggling and centred and blissful or distracted or Yearly Meeting was one of deep and were there to help steady the ship. anything in between, I always leave the surprising blessing. I found the communal mealtimes Meeting refreshed in spirit. A year ago I I was touched by the assistance I nourishing. Conversation around the was invited to offer music/songwriting received from Viv and Alex, the two table fed me with an appreciation of experiences to Young Friends who helped to lead the diverse and interesting fabric of our JYFs in our various sessions. Their experience and Quaker membership. Most memorable local meeting wisdom was an amazing gift. They were for me was the final celebration when and have found able to model a way of relating and we gathered, all ages, to dance and to these monthly sharing that called the JYFs to respond sing – to celebrate exuberantly our intersections in kind. And the JYFs themselves in essential unity. I felt and still feel, so nourishing – all their diversity were inspiring to me very fortunate to have stepped into the and our music – and they knew how to laugh! I was waters of Quakerism. has been woven touched by the way they so comfortably

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 9 Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting – Open, independant and optimistic

PERI COLEMAN | SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY REGIONAL MEETING

knew where the ‘red It was still dark on Thursday shed’ was, and would morning when I slipped out of Friends tell me when to get House Waiheke, trundled down that off. He did. And drove vertiginous driveway and waited by the away. It is surpris- red shed for the bus, ready to reverse ingly dark on Waiheke the journey of Monday night and spend Island. You may have the day in Auckland at Friends Centre, laughed at me, using preparing for Yearly Meeting. the ‘torch app’ on my So what was similar and what phone to determine was different in Aotearoa/NZ Yearly the numbers on the Meeting? ’s ravelling before a Yearly letter boxes! Barely three minutes and hymn speaks of Christ’s sharing with us Meeting, rather than after, probably 30 metres elevation later I ‘The silence of eternity interpreted by means that you could turn found myself at the top of the steepest Love’ and I truly saw that in action in up while people are very busy getting T driveway, welcomed into the warmth Auckland. Laughter punctuated many organised for Yearly meeting, but the and light by a tribe of happy young folk of the business sessions, reminding me Aotearoa/NZ (Murray Short) who had been holding my dinner for that these are indeed Friends. neatly sidestepped that pitfall by me. Young Friends were vibrantly alive arranging for me to attend the Junior What a busy few days followed. to the need for taking action in the face Young Friends Camp on Waiheke Wonderful company. We did a service of climate change, with Jimmy Green Island. I landed in Auckland on a project in the forestry, armed with presenting on Generation Zero and Monday afternoon and was met at the razor-sharp ‘sharkeys’ (Japanese grass the proposed Zero Carbon Act, actions airport by Claire and Linley Gregory, sickles) on a remarkably steep slope, Friends enthusiastically endorsed. At who whisked me off to the ferry planted trees and weeded round Friends the same time, Thomas Owen spoke terminal down at the harbor and sent House, visited the local eco-village of of the ‘lost generation’ of younger me across the water into the darkling Awa-awa-roa, played on the beach… adult Friends, a feature common in evening armed with a shopping bag We listened to talks about FWCC and Friends’ Meetings here in Australia of herbs and vegetables and not much carbon reduction, made button badges, as well. Aotearoa/NZ Yearly Meeting else. I sat on the open deck of the ferry, chatted with visiting Friends and was dedicatedly bicultural, with Maori snug in my coat and woolly scarf and played games during Epilogue. I felt language used for much more than gloves, watching the lights of Auckland thoroughly welcomed and had so much mere introductory remarks, as well as brighten as they shrank astern. It was fun. Huge thanks to Sue and Anna for for singing and dancing. And Aotearoa well dark when we landed at Waiheke, finding me a bed and making sure I had New Zealand’s strongly non-nuclear but the locals are friendly and loaded three ‘squares’ every day. and locally focused approach to me onto the correct bus. The driver

10 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 JYFs on Waiheke Island military matters was brought to the be bringing children up isolated from need for stronger spiritual support front of my mind by Marion Hobbs’ their extended family networks, but is and spiritual learning opportunities. feisty Quaker Lecture ‘A Peaceful much more widely applicable. A great In relation to the wider concern about World – How Can We Make It So?’ I example of taking resources directly to ‘carbon footprints’ we heard about the saw an air of openness, independence where they will be accessed. decision of the Friends Worldwide and an optimistic approach to making In common with Meetings Committee for Consultation to reduce a difference in the wider world – there worldwide there is a concern for the frequency of its gatherings. The is no fearful talk of ‘border protection’ energy – both that of individuals FWCC Asia West Pacific Section here, in any part of the population. undertaking Friends’ work and also is working towards using digital It was fascinating to see the the environmental issue of energy technology to ensure that the linkages practical work being undertaken by profligacy. On the ‘individual energy’ between Friends in different nations Esther Cowley-Malcome, funded by score, A/NZ YM is discerning deeply that have been forged over time are not Quaker Peace and Service Loxley its future Meeting structures. They are lost. Award, to assist families raise children exploring whether four overarching YM This visit to our neighbouring Yearly in non-violent ways. The result of the committees may encompass the work of Meeting was fun, but importantly it has project is a freely available smart phone many of the current YM appointments, given me much to think on. Thank you app called ‘Play Kindly’. It is targeted committees and groups. There is, as a Friends, for the opportunity. initially for Pasifica families who may concurrent concern, unity about the

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 11 The Garma Festival 29 July – 4 August 2016

WIES SCHUIRINGA | NEW SOUTH WALES REGIONAL MEETING

he Garma Traditional Culture the Festival and I had been interested NITV. The Northern Territory Chief Festival is held annually in to attend for many years. What I was Minister, Adam Giles, did not deliver Northeast Arnhem Land hoping to experience was the wide his speech. The TV programme about onT Yolngu land. The Festival is held range of current Aboriginal cultural the mistreatment of young inmates at under the auspices of the Yothu Yindi and political expression, organised the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre Foundation established in 1990 to and owned by Aboriginal people. We had just been aired, and he was not promote Yolngu cultural development often get caught up in the politics and going to make himself vulnerable. All with community leaders and persons of difficulties of Aboriginal communities speakers mentioned the program and authority from five regional clan groups. and I was looking for identity, strength, the deplorable state of affairs. The leadership and innovative program hope and optimism. Every afternoon there was dancing development of the Foundation are The Festival included morning by the Yolngu clans of their song lines considered significantly positiveand afternoon panel discussions with accompanied by singers, clap sticks forces supporting Indigenous cultural national and local Aboriginal leaders and didgeridoo. White people, the maintenance, not only in Northeast about the current state of affairs for balanda, were always invited to join Arnhem Land, but throughout the Aboriginal people. Many of these in and they did. (I finally established country and internationally. Yothu panels were chaired by Professor that the word balanda is derived from Yindi has several meanings: mother Marcia Langton. It was a great line-up: Hollander. The Macassans who traded and child, where salt water and fresh Pat Dodson, Mick Gooda, Jackie with the Aboriginal people in the north water meet, fire and smoke. It is also the Huggins, Noel Pearson and many introduced this word to identify all white region where the Yothu Yindi folk/rock local leaders who I did not know so people.) Then there was a lot of modern band came from. well. Federal Opposition Leader Bill music performed by mostly local About 2500 people can attend this Shorten spoke well; he stayed at the bands. Archie Roach also performed. annual festival. This is the limit of the Festival with his wife and youngest There were corporate groups from e.g facilities on a large property owned daughter. Fred Chaney played a role. Telstra, CBA, Westpac who needed to by the local people and paid for by Actor Jack Thompson is a long-time understand better how to relate their the royalties of the local bauxite mine. supporter and has been accepted into business to Aboriginal people. There Non-Aboriginal people are encouraged the Yolngu nation. Journalist Stan were First Nations people from Canada to come. The ABC broadcasts from Grant recorded a lot of material for who spoke and performed. I caught up

12 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 POETRY

with the executive officer of the Mental more you know, the more you realise Health Council of Australia. There you don’t know’. As a tourist, it seemed were school groups from Brisbane and to me that the parallel communities of private school boys from Melbourne. the white people and the Aboriginal There was an art exhibition, organised people seemed to continue. The tourism Sustain Survive by the local, not-for-profit Aboriginal industry is mostly run by backpackers and Share art centre. It was a bit like the Quaker and the only Aboriginal people I saw They say we will have 10 billion Yearly Meeting and it was easy to get were sitting under trees in the parks or more talking with others about our reasons or on foot paths. The colonialisation traipsing over the earth, for being there as well as our reflections of the Northern Australia started in high-rise housing in cities tall where office work is done. on what we were experiencing. About the mid-1800s and because of the half the people at the Festival were from remoteness there were still instances Is there room to journey the land, the local clans and I had no interaction of ‘first contact’ in the mid-1900s. revive the spirit and mind with them. They all spoke in their own This is very different from the Sydney feel the wind, love the earth, language and we seemed to keep our area and my experiences in Sydney sunshine, and the rain? own company. Representatives from a with Aboriginal people. The 50-year Smog lies over the cities land council in Northern Queensland commemoration of the Wave Hill refuse clogs the streams, socialised more with the white people. walk-off happened while I was in the the oceans collect the litter, Something to be more mindful of and Northern territory. At the Garma no longer are they clean. pro-active about if I ever were to go Festival I saw both worlds: the extensive The sun sends energy a again. dancing with strict protocols of how thousand times o’er There was a village of tents and, the dances were to be performed, called the needs of human kind: being a non-corporate attendee, I had in the local language and performed by it starts off clean let’s keep it a small tent for an individual. I am people who speak little English, as well clean glad that I go to an exercise class as the as competent, forward looking speeches to serve each and mind. crawling in and out of the tent, on rocky by national and local Aboriginal leaders Work to be done to sustain us all ground and balancing on a wobbly air about Constitutional recognition, is to dispose of our litter and mattress required some ‘Garma yoga’. economic development on traditional mess (At the QSA study tour in India, we did lands, health care and models of in a way that is safe, in a way that ‘Toyota yoga’: awkwardly clambering in education. What I have taken away is clean: and out of a Toyota people mover.) from my experiences is a stronger cooperative success. After deciding that 2016 was going realisation and affirmation that the The missing link spelt in one to be my year of attending the Garma Aboriginal community is very diverse word festival, I then had to decide how I with different ambitions, opinions and backed by love and concern, was going to travel to the Northern ways of behaving. This requires my a simple word, a word of care Territory and how long I would stay. I respect. that simple word is – share decided that to get the full experience NB: During the Garma Festival, of the Festival, I needed to spend more the term ‘First Nations People’ was David Evans time in the Northern Territory to only used in reference to the Canadian absorb the context of the Aboriginal visitors. The words Aboriginal and South Australia and Northern people in their region. I spent six weeks Indigenous seemed interchangeable. Territory Regional Meeting in the Northern Territory, four of them I think that in different Aboriginal in Darwin and the rest travelling. What circles, different words are used can I say? At times it is a matter of ‘the

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 13 An experience of ‘Holding the space’ TESSA SPRATT | VICTORIA REGIONAL MEETING

hen Alyssa Nelson visited workshop, so I felt reasonably prepared. the workshop – amazingly peaceful. I Australian Friends, her What I was not prepared for was the slipped back and reassured Alyssa and Elder, Cathy Walling, was depths to which I sank during that sank down again. In the afternoon, Wunable to stay for her full visit and it fell time. It was like a spirit filled Meeting role plays were impossible not to get to me to act as Elder for her workshop for Worship that lasted all day. During involved in, but still I felt that sense of Becoming Allies to Youth in Melbourne. the concentric circles, I could not hear holding the space to be very powerful. I had not performed this task before, any of the conversation and just sank I wonder if we have realised the power though I am very aware of how Elders below it all, holding the space. I did not that is unleashed by that simple act of during Yearly Meeting assist with the feel uncomfortable, nor did I want to ‘Holding the Space’. Alyssa was also smooth running of business and I wriggle – I just felt I had been given grateful and said she herself felt ‘held’ had considerable experience of Cathy an incredible gift. Even interruptions and able to run the workshop smoothly. Walling acting as Elaine Emily’s Elder did not change this feeling – we had a For Alyssa, it was incredibly necessary on previous visits to Australia. young mother who needed to change to have that support as she has never My most helpful resource was Cathy her daughter’s nappy and Alyssa was held so many workshops so close and Elaine’s Pendle Hill Pamphlet concerned when she quietly slipped together and without the support, I Spiritual Accompaniment and I re-read out and asked me to check on whether think she may not have had the stamina that on the eve of the workshop. I she was OK. The atmosphere in the to keep going with such energy. also rang Christine Larkin who acted room where our two children and two as Alyssa’s Elder at the Canberra carers were seemed like an extension of

14 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Smoking ceremony for Waratah MARDI NAULTY | CANBERRA REGIONAL MEETING

Left: David Carline conducts the smoking ceremony.

Above: The memorial plaque. Photos: Susan Clarke

At the cermony: Back row: David Liversidge, Dick Field, Jim Palmer, Tony Etherington, Reg Naulty. Front row: Helen Bayes, Jeanne Klovdahl Photo: Susan Clarke

smoking ceremony was ‘Human Shield’ where she videoed the well-being of the First Peoples of recently held to remember stories of ordinary Iraqi citizens and Australia, and used her writing skills to Waratah Rosemary Gillespie sent information home to Australia campaign for their dignity and rights. Aand to launch Waratah’s Peace Garden and the world. Her first book was The Waratah joined Canberra Meeting at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, Invasion of Iraq, an Eyewitness Account. in 1999 and was active in the Society Bungendore. A founder of the Bougainville writing and speaking in the fields of Rosemary, who later took on the Freedom Movement, in 2009 she wrote peace, justice and Aboriginal concerns. additional name Waratah, died in 2010 about the struggle of indigenous people A simple bush garden at Silver Wattle, after a life of activism in the law, human of Bougainville against a mine which Waratah’s Peace Garden, has been rights and social justice. She never let was destroying their environment and created as a quiet place for reflection controversy stop her from doing what defied a blockade numerous times to and to remember Waratah and her life’s she saw as right for humanity. take medicines to the people. Waratah work. In 2003 she went to Iraq as a was passionately committed to the

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 15 QSA Notes Climate change and caring for the environment

JACKIE PERKINS | QSA ADMINISTRATOR

Workshop in Prek Chrey, Cambodia. Participants in the workshop Photo: Khmer Community Development Photo: Khmer Community Development

Have you and your family, or you and dead animals, most people said they think about the appearance of their your Meeting had discussions about ways would throw into the river. The river community and had there been any of working to help reduce the impact of is close by, is swiftly flowing and quite problems already with rubbish on the climate change and improve your local wide, but its uses by others downstream ground. Everyone commented on the environment? It’s a discussion which for drinking water and cooking helps piles of rubbish everywhere and the many groups are holding, and agreeing to explain the spread of disease at times. smell and flies associated with this, of make changes. This is also true for QSA’s The river was also the most likely place the danger to the freely-roaming animals project partners. One such community for a range of items no longer needed, from eating the plastic bags with food in Cambodia was asked these sorts such as old motor oil, clothes, batteries, scraps in them, and many people had cut of questions, at a workshop set up to and some of the tyres with the rest being their feet on hidden tin or glass among commemorate World Environment Day burned. There was already a trend to sell the rubbish. Gradually the discussion in June. old computer and electronic equipment moved on to different ways of disposing This rural community does not have the to recyclers, and other household items of rubbish, and recycling took on greater luxury of many of the services we take would be given away or swapped. prominence when it was realised that for granted here in Australia, such as The workshop facilitators had a big task some people make an income from recycling services and garbage collection ahead of them to change some of these selling on specific items such as bottles, so their answers may surprise you. ideas to more environmentally aware plastics, electronic equipment etc. Some Before the workshop they were asked ones. They began with a discussion on community members are learning about how they would get rid of plastics and climate change, what accelerates the organic farming methods, including how metal cans – over half said they would process, what changes had they already to make good compost so they too were throw on the side of the road when noted in the climate (such as a dropping able to add these ideas to the discussions. travelling, some would burn the plastic of the water table, rains less predictable What started out as a sad workshop (such as bottles, bags and wrapping) in terms of timing, wind strength and quickly became very exciting and lively and bury the cans. Old, rotten food or volume of rainfall) and what did they as ideas were discussed and adopted.

16 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 The results of a hand day’s work. Photo: Khmer Community Development

Methods of sorting recyclable items were worked out, what could be sold, how the poorer members in the community would be able to use second hand clothing (I will be sure to share some photos of the Quaker Shop in Adelaide and the monthly stall at Devonshire Street Meeting during my next monitoring visit), and how some items such as dead animals could be buried instead of being thrown in the river. Following on from the workshop, 36 students from the local school with help from 80 adults collected all of the rubbish from around the community, and everyone was encouraged to plant more trees in the area – so far 222 trees have been planted, most of which are trees which will Fruit trees ready for planting. Photo: Khmer Community Development provide something tangible such as fruit which can be eaten and surpluses sold, New banking arrangements for QSA which reduces the risk of the trees being Friends may be interested to learn that QSA has now opened an account with cut down for firewood after only a few the Credit Union Australia (CUA Bank). Donations to this account in the name years. And everyone has greater pride in of Quaker Service Australia Inc. are always welcome, the new numbers are BSB their community and it’s one more way 814 282 and account number 50585902. of the community coming together to The next edition of the Living Gifts catalogue will be available on line (www. qsa.org.au) and in paper form by mid-September – look out for further address problems. announcements about this.

QSA is a member of the Australian Council for International Development, and is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Purpose of QSA is to express in a practical way the concern of Australian Quakers for the building of a more peaceful, equitable, just and compassionate world. To this end QSA works with communities in need to improve their quality of life with projects which are culturally sensitive, as well as being economically and environmentally appropriate and sustainable.

119 Devonshire St Surry Hills, NSW 2010 Australia • [email protected] PHONE +61 2 9698 9103 • FAX: +61 2 9225 9241 • ABN 35 989 797 918

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 17 Donald Groom Fellowship friends a 30-year reunion

JOANNA HAYTER

n 1985 I met Noriko Toyama during her six Imonth stay in Australia and New Zealand as a Donald Groom fellowship recipient. The following year I was to reciprocate this in Japan. My experience over those six months remains one of the most important and inspiring chapters of my life. Noriko and I became sisters. Machiko Yagihashi and I also became sisters. We have sustained our friendship for 30 years. I am proud to say I have a Japanese family.

Noriko, Jo and Machiko

18 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 When the frogs return, people will know the land is recovering.

A few months ago I realised I was Green movement which has grown opportunity to be a Donald Groom nearing the 30th anniversary of my stronger and bigger than ever before. Fellowship recipient in 1986. I have Japan adventure and peace building We caught up on where people had remained committed and connected fellowship. I thought this was an moved, how their families had grown or to peace building and human rights to awesome milestone and wanted to changed and paid respect to those who this day. The time I spent in Japan was make a bit of a fuss about it! So recently have passed, including the honourable life-changing for me. It was the first a wonderful group of peace makers, Susumo Ishitani, a scholar, Quaker and step in a career that was to remain in anti-nuclear activists and scholars, survivor (Hibakusha) of the Hiroshima international relations for ever more; it environmentalists and community bombing who taught me so much and saw me move from Perth to Melbourne leaders all met again in Yokohama for shared his wisdom with all. after my return from Japan because that a very, very long lunch. The restaurant With deep sadness, we discussed the was where I saw the political heartbeat was 29 floors above the train station terrible last few years in Japan. From of Australia. My first job in Melbourne and we had a tofu banquet (about 20 the tsunami and Fukushima disaster to saw me become a Field Officer in Africa different types of tofu prepared in ways the earthquakes. Kindly, Meguro-san for Australian Volunteers International I had never heard of or seen of before – had travelled up from Fukushima to for the next seven years. It set me on green tea tofu is the best!). My husband join us. She is now working in a family a professional course of engagement and son were with me to share this care centre that treats children with with international development and wonderful day. thyroid cancer due to the radiation humanitarian work. I went on to live We reminisced about the actions we from the nuclear reactor meltdown. She in Vietnam and Burma. My present had shared three decades ago. From the lives with her brother and his family role as the CEO with the International massive union-supported anti-warships who are farmers about 50 km away. It Women’s Development Agency is protests in the harbour of Nagasaki is a heart breaking story, balanced only profoundly fulfilling and I believe of (Sasebo) and Yokohama (Yokosuka) to by the courage and conviction of those great importance if our world is ever to the many rallies and marches to demand who are with these communities as they attain peace, justice and equality. the closure of air bases, nuclear facilities, rebuild their lives. Meguro gave me a The Quakers opened the windows nuclear power stations, and US bases and little textile frog. This is the symbol of to the world for Noriko and me. The prevent further militarisation in Japan hope for this region. When the frogs Donald Groom Fellowship was life wherever it threatened to expand. We return, people will know the land is changing and empowering. remembered the community events and recovering. I will be forever grateful. Thank you. exchanges across the islands of Honshu, To my Friends at Quaker Service In peace and love, from Noriko and Jo. Kyushu and Hokkaido focused on the Australia and to all Friends who women’s movement, recycling, organic supported me and befriended me land care and food cooperatives, which as a young woman, I wish to thank were to become the foundation for a you all over again for giving me the

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 19 REVIEWREVIEW

Quote . . . It’s wrong to assume that when the voice Words Church he says: ‘Whenever I hear the phrase, ‘Friends have always believed/ of God speaks in a HARVEY GILLMAN said/claimed…’ I pause, gulp and The Friend Publications Limited, London. ISBN: human mind the 978-0-9954757-0-0 wonder how true that it. Our under- result has to be on the This book is available for £5 + £2 postage standing of Christianity and the church from Penny Dunn, email [email protected] scale of a Hollywood Telephone +44 20 7663 1178 has changed throughout our history. It epic like the Exodus The Friend, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ is changing still.’ I found many passages in this little book of the Israelites This is a collection of articles by Harvey which speak to my condition. I like his from Egypt or the Gillman, originally written for the distinction between a Religious Society Prophet Muhammad’s independent weekly Quaker magazine of Friends (pilgrims) and a Society of flight from Mecca The Friend. The bulk of this booklet Friends (tourists). I like his distinction or Martin Luther’s consists of eleven articles around words between prayer (a form of words) and commonly used by Friends – words prayerfulness (an intention of the soul, attack on indulgences such as Worship, Spirit and Mysticism. even when words fail). And I love this in Wittenberg. The Friend seems to have had a strict comment in Minister: ‘I do not like to Sometimes the voice word limit; each word is explained in hear people say ‘I am not spiritual, just commands something a maximum of 2 short pages, requiring a drains and pipes man’ (it is usually so personal it’s a a truly heroic brevity. Sometimes I men who say this) or self-deprecatingly, wished he had been allowed a bit more ‘Well, at least I can bring some cakes surprise anyone space! round for Area Meeting tea’ . The ability remembers it. Yet it In an Afterthought, Gillman tells us: ‘I to look after drains and cakes and can change history. have spent most of my life as a teacher finances; the gift of welcoming people of language, a communicator, a writer, That’s how it was for at the door; the arrangement of flowers; a would-be poet. … I love words, but I George Fox, one of the sitting in silence week after week; know they have a life of their own, lives and the nurture of younger Friends are the most attractive of their own, and will not be pinned all forms of ministry.’ figures in the history of down. They can only be offered. We are After the section on words there are responsible for how we offer them but religion. some other articles, covering themes we cannot be responsible for how, if at such as light and darkness, and the all, they are received by other people.’ Richard Holloway relationship of Quakers and Jews. And Gillman chooses his words carefully, A Little History of and often comes up with a felicitous there is one poem, which starts: turn of phrase which sticks in the We met in silence, the cows and I Religion memory. He usually begins each article in the long wet grass, in worship they, with the origin of the word, thus linking ruminating I … an abstract word to a more concrete one This is a book which needs to be read – so Spirit comes from a word meaning slowly, and thought about. An excellent ‘breath’, and Mysticism from a word source of short, daily meditations. meaning ‘to be silent’. Then he tries to RAE LITTING, show how words have changed their meaning over time. In the article on New South Wales Regional Meeting

20 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Close Pine Gap

DAWN JOYCE | QUEENSLAND REGIONAL MEETING

The Quaker Grannies, Helen Bayes and Dawn Joyce, are prepared for action again.

Pine Gap. Photo from closepinegap.org

ine Gap will be the focus of the Pine Gap was originally built during war industry contractors, to embed in Australian peace movement the cold war to collect information on Australia, on land that was never ceded from 19 September to 3 October, the testing of Soviet missiles. Today by the traditional custodians. More with a Healing Camp, nonviolent civil surveillance and intelligence gathering P information at https://closepinegap. disobedience actions, and a public is still the major function of the base, org/what-is-pine-gap/ forum and conference hosted by IPAN, including the interception of cell World Beyond War is hosting a the Independent and Peaceful Australia phones and satellite communications. Network. It is thought that the US controls all of conference titled No War 2016: Real Pine Gap is a joint United States- its spy satellites from Pine Gap. Security, Without Terrorism at American Australia military spy base located on US military and intelligence operates University in Washington, DC from Arrernte country near Alice Springs, overtly and covertly on many fronts 23 to 25 September. The Close Pine Northern Territory. Pine Gap is one globally. The Australian government Gap convergence is listed with peace of the most important US military is complicit in the deaths, injuries and initiatives across the globe at this time. bases outside of USA, used in both displacement of many people through The International Day of Peace is 21 surveillance and military operations. its involvement in US-led coalitions September. Peace is possible. Although much secrecy has surrounded in war zones, and in the facilitation the base, information about its purpose of execution-style drone strikes. The has slowly come to light through leaked Australian government has allowed documents and research. the US military, along with its private

THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 21 Junior Young Friends Epistle (12 –17 year olds)

ur JYF experience ran from On Tuesday morning we listened to We all felt included despite the need Saturday 2nd – Saturday 9th Alyssa’s talk about Indigenous issues to split the group into two shacks and along side the July Yearly and the role of Quakers in building different age groups. There was much MeetingO 2016 in Hobart. On Saturday relationships and understanding un-programmed time; it was really 2nd July we met together with our between groups. We referred this back relaxing. This time away gave us the parents in the room that would become to our own educational experiences opportunity to connect as a group, our space for the week. We heard intro- regarding indigenous issues in Australia. ductions to each other and the program, Although there is still a way to go, given we laughed, shared some memorable though not everyone was present at that the reflections of the Australian Friends moments and things about ourselves. stage. present with us during that discussion, We had discussions and hopes for a JYF On Sunday we began with icebreaker it is worth noting the education in Summer Camp because we couldn’t games, name games, getting to know this area in Australia seems to have bear the thought of not seeing each you activities in the morning. We then improved. other for a whole year! had a session with David O’Halloran, At lunchtime we walked to the Town We sang together and shared the Ronis Chapman and John Coleman Hall and listened to the Choir of High experience with other Festivalgoers on about areas of service to which they had Hopes and a Sing Australia Choir, a Friday night. been led. Later that afternoon we had concert held for the Festival of Voices. We are grateful for the support of a bus trip to MONA to see the Turrell We then assisted with a workshop light installation. practice for the Choir of High Hopes. John Coleman for running the JYF On Monday we started the morning That afternoon local JYFs shared the program and to past JYFs Alex and Viv, with a games led by Thistle and Alyssa, Salamanca area with visitors. who helped co-ordinate the program. which helped us get to know each other For our evening meal we spent time We are also grateful to other Australian more. We had reflection on YM our with the L’Arche community. We sang Friends who helped support us during experience so far- everyone was really songs, shared a meal, and made stones the week and those who planned the positive about being reunited with past into beautiful objects to remind us of program before Yearly Meeting. Thanks Friends and by getting to know new our own power to transform something to Michael, Maddy, Kirsty, Viv and Alex Friends. People were struggling with negative about ourselves into something whose supervision made camp possible. early mornings and cold weather- all beautiful. were looking forward to the JYF Camp. The JYF Camp was on Bruny Island Although we were tired, emotional We heard from Alyssa and Thistle from Wednesday to Friday afternoon. and smelly on Friday night we still can’t about their jobs working with young On the way to camp we went to wait to do it all again. Quakers in the US and about the Murrayfield walked over the property; So to end, as the L’Arche community Pacific Yearly meeting JYF program, we heard from Rodney Dillon about taught us, because we kept an open what they do, and their leadership how Indigenous culture is able to mind throughout the week we were structure. Their program was very coexist alongside the business venture able to transform any stones in our JYF driven. In the afternoon we spent of a wool farm. For us the highlights of hearts into beautiful objects. time with the children learning the the camp were that we cooked together, Indigenous circle dance - later shared played games, and some of us walked at the Festival on Friday night. We also the highest mountain on Bruny. spent time painting our interpretations We enjoyed spending time in the of ‘the light’. In the evening some JYFs school hall playing games. We got attended the Backhouse Lecture. to get to know each other really well.

22 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016 Noted …

This is our regular feature WAR ON TRIAL AT THE GLOBAL PEACE http://www.nontheist-quakers. FILM FESTIVAL in which we briefly record org.uk/ A collection of the thoughts After pedaling across an airport of British non-theists. It includes two interesting publications and tarmac on a red tricycle, Bryan Law, major articles: Where do Nontheist Friends websites that have come to accompanied by Graeme Dunstan, smote Stand in Relation to the Quaker Christian a military helicopter with a mattock. This Tradition? by Hugh Rock, and Being our attention. Inclusion of protest, in the tradition of peacemakers Quaker Now, in which Michael Wright an item in this format does to ‘ beat swords into ploughshares’ , led gives a personal response to the views not preclude a possible longer to their arrest. Facing a long sentence but put forward in the 2014 Swarthmore encouraged by supporters and socially Lecture by Ben Pink Dandelion. review in a later issue. We networked friends around the world, http://transitionquaker.blogspot. welcome suggestions for Dunstan decided to put the government com.au/ I’m not sure of the origin of this and the helicopter on trial. War on Trial site. It is British, despite its Australian inclusion. documents this story of peacemaking address. Nevertheless, it contains a lot of JOHN COLEMAN’S NEW CD SHADE TREE in an era of perpetual war in the belief writings describing the wide spectrum of PLACE that ‘Nation will not take up sword colours of Quakerism. (in collaboration with the poet Noel against nation, nor will they train for war http://www.sofn.org.uk/ The Sea Davis) is being launched in Sydney on anymore’. of Faith Network started in 1984 as a September 19, Canberra September This movie had its world premiere response to theologian Don Cupitt’s 27, and Hobart November 13. The link during Australia Yearly Meeting on 6 book and TV series of the same name. below will take you to the song Nothing July 2106 and was partly funded by the It describes its theme as ‘Exploring and More, Nothing Less, a reflection on Peace and Social Justice Fund. It will be affirming religious faith as a human the Quaker Spices. It was sung by JYFs shown during September at the Global creation…’. The website contains at Yearly Meeting. John Coleman is Peace Film Festival, held in Florida, the many writings from the non-theist a long-term member of L’Arche and main festival for peace and justice films and non-realist school, including some currently employed in a pastoral role by in the world. from the non-theist Quaker David SOME WEBSITES FOR THE MORE ADVEN- the Uniting Church in Hobart, working Boulton. You can download his book ‘A TUROUS closely with the Choir of High Hopes. Reasonable Faith: Introducing the Sea of He is a singer/songwriter of songs that www.nontheistfriends.org ThisFaith Network’ . explore spirituality, land and story. website is a rich source of writings by https://www.dropbox.com/ contemporary American and British sh/pcr6z0nllz4d302/AAAn- non-theist Quakers, but contains x1StsXGfau0PwxIjBUha?dl=0 wisdom for everyone. The Australian Friend is published online at Coordinating editor: AustralianFriend.org four times a year, in March, David Swain June, September and December. Editorial panel: Garry Duncan, Rae Litting, Contributions Wies Schuiringa Contributions (articles, poems and other items) Production are welcome as an email attachment to editor@ Mailing list Michael Searle australianfriend.org. Please ensure that images are [email protected] sent as separate attachments, and not embedded in Layout Sheelagh Wegman, Hobart TAS. word files. We prefer images in jpg format, and a file Printing and distribution National Mailing and size of at least 300 dpi. Marketing, Canberra. Contribution deadlines Copyright Contributions should arrive no later than one month Articles printed in The Australian Friend are • before the publication date: copyright to their individual authors. Permission to • 1 February for the March edition re-publish material in other Quaker publications 1 May for the June edition is hereby granted, provided full attribution of • 1 August for the September edition • 1 November for the December edition. author and source is made. All other requests for republication should be directed to the editors. Subscriptions Disclaimer The Australian Friend is available free of charge online at AustralianFriend.org. The Australian Friend is The views expressed in The Australian Friend also available by post at no charge to members of are not necessarily those of the editors or of Australian Yearly Meeting. the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

24 THE AUSTRALIAN FRIEND | SEPTEMBER 2016