The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia Inc.

DOCUMENTS in ADVANCE

Yearly Meeting 5 - 12 January 2013 University of Canberra, Canberra

Published by The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia Inc., Canberra Printed and distributed from AYM Office PO Box 556 Kenmore Q 4069 October 2012

Contents

Yearly Meeting 2013 Timetable ...... 3 General information to prepare for Yearly Meeting ...... 4 First Timers at Yearly Meeting...... 4 Pastoral Care at Yearly Meeting ...... 4 Business Sessions at Yearly Meeting ...... 5 Abbreviations, Terms and Definitions ...... 5 Australia Yearly Meeting Appointments ...... 8 Statement of Membership ...... 11 AYM Officers’ Reports ...... 12 Presiding Clerk’s Report ...... 12 Secretary’s Report ...... 13 Peace & Earthcare Worker’s Report...... 14 Treasurer’s Report ...... 17 Regional Meeting Annual Reports ...... 19 Canberra Regional Meeting Report ...... 19 New South Wales Regional Meeting Report ...... 21 Queensland Regional Meeting Report ...... 25 South Australia Regional Meeting Report ...... 26 Tasmania Regional Meeting Report ...... 28 Victoria Regional Meeting Report ...... 31 West Australia Regional Meeting Report ...... 33 Reports from AYM Committees, Working Groups and Associated Bodies ...... 36 The Australian Friend Committee ...... 36 Australian Friends Fellowship of Healing ...... 37 Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery: Friends in Stitches ...... 37 Backhouse Lecture Committee ...... 38 Child Protection Committee ...... 38 Children & Junior Young Friends Committee ...... 39 Earthcare Committee ...... 41 Ecumenism and Interfaith Reports ...... 41 Edenfest—an ecumenical arts festival ...... 41 National Council of Churches of Australia (NCCA) ...... 41 NCCA Social Justice Network ...... 42 First Nations People Concerns Committee ...... 42 Friends Book Sales ...... 44 The Friends’ School, Hobart ...... 44 Friends World Committee for Consultation Committee ...... 47 Morrow Bequest Committee ...... 48 Peace Committees — Reports ...... 48 Donald Groom Peace Fellowship Committee ...... 48 Peace & Social Justice Fund Committee ...... 49 Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee ...... 50 Other Peace Reports: Alternatives to Violence Project ...... 51 Publications Committee ...... 53 Quaker Education Network ...... 54 Quaker Learning Australia Committee ...... 54 Quaker Service Australia ...... 55 QSA Review Committee ...... 55 Relationship between AYM and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre ...... 69 Respectful Relationships Committee ...... 69 The Sanctuary Management Committee ...... 71 Thanksgiving Fund Committee ...... 71 Werona (Kangaroo Valley Friends Properties Pty Ltd) ...... 72 Young Friends ...... 73 Minutes of Standing Committee ...... 75

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Yearly Meeting 2013 Timetable

Sat 5 Jan Time Sun 6 Jan Mon 7 Jan Tue 8 Jan Wed 9 Jan Thurs 10 Jan Fri 11 Jan Sat 12 Jan 6.30 - Optional Early Morning Meeting for Worship at Arscott House 7.00 7.00 – 8.00 Breakfast 8.30 – Mtg for Meeting for Worship Meeting for Worship 9.30 Remembrance Prep Session 1.30 – 5.30 9.30 – Summer QPLC, Formal Formal Session Formal Formal Formal Register at 11.00 School Earthcare & Session 3 4 Session 5 Session 7 Session 9 Arscott P & SJ Fund House or Bldg 2 Group photo Morning tea 11.00 – 11.30

Prep Session Prep Session Prep Session FWCC Final Prep Session Children & JYF Child 11.30 – Summer Prep Session OR Meeting Handbook Or Protection & 1.00 School QSA Peace for changes Ecumenism & Respectful sessions Worship Interfaith Relnships

Lunch 1.00 – 2.00 Prep Session 12.00 – 4.00 FNPCC Standing 2.00 – Summer Prep Session Formal Formal OR Committee 3.30 School QSA Review Session 6 Session 8 AF

3.30 – 4.00 Afternoon tea Penn Friends 3.30 – 4.00 Afternoon tea 4.00 – 5.00 Summer School facilitators Share & Tell Share and OR Outings Tell Pastoral Care OR

OR Summer Closed 4:00 - OR Parents & School QSA AGM BL Feedback Sessions** 5:30 children Office Depart meeting OR bearers YM Committees 5.00 – 5.45 meetings

First timers at YM OR Nom Ctee

Dinner 6.00 – 7.00 7.00 – Summer Summer School Summer 7.30 Formal School and and other School and Session 2 other groups groups other groups incl State World of the Silver Wattle 7.30 – Backhouse Canberra Conference of 7.00 – 9.00 Formal Society Quaker 9.00 Lecture Centenary Friends & AWPS Concert Session 1 incl Address Centre Welcome to visitor Country 9.15 - Epilogue Supper Epilogue 9.45 *Closed sessions are for The Friends’ School and the Backhouse Lecture Committee.

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General information to prepare for Yearly Meeting

This section offers you information to help you come to Yearly Meeting with hearts and minds prepared: First Timers at Yearly Meeting — your guide to support and gatherings Pastoral Care — support for all during Yearly Meeting Yearly Meeting business procedure — what are Preparatory Sessions and Formal Sessions? Quaker jargon — all those abbreviations Yearly Meeting and Regional Meeting Appointments — committee members and conveners As well, make sure you consult the Yearly Meeting Timetable on the previous page, look at the noticeboards and at the Help Desk to find out what is happening each day. Yearly Meeting is an intense time. If you try to attend everything you may be overwhelmed. Take time for rests and relaxation for your peace and wellbeing. Parents with children at Yearly Meeting are encouraged to attend the Parents and Children’s Meeting at 4.00pm on Saturday to discuss the care of the children during Yearly Meeting, and if you or your children are first timers, there is a First Timers’ session at 5.00pm on Saturday.

First Timers at Yearly Meeting

First Timers at Yearly Meeting are invited to meet with the Presiding Clerk, the AYM Secretary, and a representative of the Yearly Meeting Planning Committee on Saturday, the first day of Yearly Meeting, from 5.00 to 5.45pm, for a brief introduction to Yearly Meeting and question time. First Timers are also invited to have dinner together on Tuesday, 8 January at 6.00pm, at a designated table in the dining room arranged by the host Regional Meeting. This will provide an opportunity to share your experiences of Yearly Meeting and to ask questions. Pastoral care for First Timers: If problems arise, or Yearly Meeting seems overwhelming, Pastoral Carers from each Regional Meeting are available to listen in confidence and support you. The Help Desk is staffed by local Friends who can provide information about the day-to-day needs of Friends at Yearly Meeting — where the nearest bank, chemist or bus stop are, or how to get something photocopied or where to check emails.

Pastoral Care at Yearly Meeting

Pastoral Carers are available during Yearly Meeting. They are introduced during an early Formal Session and usually wear nametags that indicate they may be approached for pastoral care. If you don’t know how to find a Pastoral Carer, ask at the Help Desk.

For Pastoral Carers The Pastoral Carer(s) from the host Regional Meeting convene meetings of Pastoral Carers during Yearly Meeting. At the first meeting on Saturday afternoon, a time and place to meet daily is agreed upon. Brief guidelines for those appointed to the Pastoral Care Committee at Yearly Meeting are available from the AYM Secretary on request.

4 Business Sessions at Yearly Meeting

The Yearly Meeting is primarily a Meeting for Business, and is conducted in a spirit of worship. If you wish to speak on an issue, please stand and wait to be recognised by the Clerk of the Session. When you have the microphone, first identify yourself by name and Meeting. As with other Quaker business meetings, Friends normally speak once only on an issue and do not speak just to agree with earlier speakers. Many reports in Documents in Advance are first heard and considered during a Preparatory Session, where the work of the committee or working group is outlined and where further background information may be offered. Friends who wish to have significant input are encouraged to do so at the Preparatory Session. The Committee or Working Group will ask experienced Friends to clerk and scribe their Preparatory Session. The Preparatory Session Clerk will ensure that the Preparatory Session includes: o worship o presentation of the report o the hearing of Regional Meeting responses o clarification of issues; questions; open discussion and o preparation of any matters for consideration of Yearly Meeting. The Clerk of the Session will prepare a report, if possible on the same day as the Preparatory Session. The report will include any ‘matters for consideration of Yearly Meeting’. These ‘matters for consideration’ will then come to a Formal Session. The Clerk of the Preparatory Session will be responsible for doing three things: 1. hand a copy of the Session report to the AYM Secretary; 2. post a copy on the designated noticeboards for Friends to read and add comments; and 3. If time allows, consult with the Presiding Clerk so s/he has a good understanding of matters for consideration before the Formal Session in which the report is to be considered. The Friend appointed to present the report at the Formal Session will briefly summarise the first part of the report and present any ‘matters for consideration of Yearly Meeting’. The Presiding Clerk will then guide the Meeting forward. This process enables the Formal Session to proceed more smoothly and efficiently and there may be no need for further contributions. Nevertheless, you may find yourself moved to contribute during the Formal Session on the ‘matters for consideration’ and there is nothing to prevent this. Friends are reminded that it is customary to speak only once, and there is no need to repeat or second comments already made.

Abbreviations, Terms and Definitions

AF: The Australian Friend, the journal of Australia Yearly Meeting, is published online and in print in March, June, September and December. The editorial committee is under the care of a Regional Meeting. AFFH: Australian Friends Fellowship of Healing, a national group interested in healing, whose members are Friends, but which is a separately incorporated body. AVP: Alternatives to Violence Project, begun by Friends, is now a separate organisation. AYM: Australia Yearly Meeting/YM Yearly Meeting. Australia Yearly Meeting is generally used as the abbreviated name of Australia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia Incorporated. The words ‘Yearly Meeting’ are used to describe the annual meeting of Australian Friends. Regional Meetings host this meeting, on a rotating basis, in January. AYM Committees and Working Groups: A list of all AYM Committees and Working Groups, with the names of all Committee members, is printed in Documents in Advance, and updated in Documents in Retrospect, and on the web at http://www.quakers.org.au in the Members section. BL: James Backhouse Lecture. This is an annual Lecture, which aims to bring fresh insights into truth, often with reference to the needs and aspirations of Australian Quakerism. It is usually 5 [Type text] presented at the time of Yearly Meeting, and is named after an English Quaker who travelled extensively in Australia from 1832 to 1837. The printed form of the Lecture goes on sale at Yearly Meeting immediately after the delivery of the Backhouse Lecture and is available during Yearly Meeting and afterwards from Friends’ Book Sales by emailing [email protected]. DAQB: The Dictionary of Australian Quaker Biography includes testimonies to the Grace of God in the lives of many Australian Friends. An annual supplement includes testimonies to those who have died in the past year, and additional information received on those already listed. Regional Meeting libraries hold copies of the DAQB. A number of overseas libraries also hold copies. DGPF: Donald Groom Peace Fellowship was established in memory of the first AYM Secretary, Donald Groom. Fellows are appointed, usually for a year, to carry out work to promote peace and international understanding. Donations towards the work of the Fellowship are welcome. Formal Sessions of Yearly Meeting: The Presiding Clerk conducts the Formal Sessions according to the usual Quaker business method. Reports from the Preparatory Sessions are considered and Minutes made. The Presiding Clerk can grant permission for those who are not Members of Australia Yearly Meeting to attend Yearly Meeting sessions, on the recommendation in advance of the Elders of the appropriate Meeting. The Friends’ School: The Friends’ School, Hobart, is the only Quaker school in Australia. It has an enrolment of 1300 students, making it one of the largest Quaker schools in the world. FWCC: Friends World Committee for Consultation is a worldwide body comprised of autonomous Yearly Meetings. It meets periodically to promote links between the different Quaker traditions. Australia Yearly Meeting is part of the Asia-West Pacific Section of FWCC. Handbook of Practice and Procedure: The Handbook sets out the guidelines within which Meetings normally operate within Australia. The Handbook is continually revised in line with Yearly Meeting decisions. The current 6th edition was published in 2011, and is available on www.quakers.org.au. JYFs: Junior Young Friends are aged 12 to 16 years. Meeting for Learning is a one-year program that begins and ends with a retreat week, usually held in September-October, under the care of Quaker Learning Australia. Ministry and Oversight: Sometimes known as M & O, or Elders & Overseers, or Ministry & Care. These Local or Regional Meeting committees, either separately or combined, are responsible for the spiritual and pastoral care of members. NCCA: National Council of Churches in Australia, of which AYM is a member. Pastoral Care Committee: This committee is set up for the period of Yearly Meeting and consists of Friends nominated by their Regional Meeting for the purpose of assisting people at Yearly Meeting. Penn Friends: Penn Friends (after William Penn) are ‘written correspondence friendships between older Friends and children (often now by email), who may live in another Meeting. Penn Friends find one another at the Penn Friends’ afternoon tea during Yearly Meeting. Preparatory Sessions: Preparatory Sessions are designed to give background information, and raise the awareness of Friends to the work of a particular Committee. A report from the Preparatory Session, including any issues for decision, is brought to a Formal Session. QEN: Quaker Education Network is based in West Australia Regional Meeting. QLA: Quaker Learning Australia is an umbrella organisation offering a number of programs, and seeking to develop further resources for deepening Friends’ spiritual lives. QPLC: Quaker Committee. This committee, based in Canberra, lobbies government, provides a space for peace and social justice discussions, and provides ‘Action Alerts’ on current issues for Friends. QSA: Quaker Service Australia is the development aid agency of Australia Yearly Meeting. It is presently under the care of NSW Regional Meeting based at Devonshire Street Meeting House, 119 Devonshire Street. Surry Hills. 2010 NSW. RM: Regional Meetings in Australia are Canberra RM New South Wales RM, Queensland RM, South Australia RM, Tasmania RM, Victoria RM, and West Australia RM. These organisational bodies of the Society are individually incorporated associations. Regional Meetings are responsible for matters of membership and business within their area, as set out in the Handbook of Practice and Procedure.

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The Sanctuary is the name of a house and grounds in Sydney that was part of a bequest to Australia Yearly Meeting. The property is behind the Wahroonga Meeting House, and has been leased as a residence awaiting a suitable proposal for its future. SC: Standing Committee, a body with two representatives from each Regional Meeting, and from Young Friends, meets usually in January and mid-year, to conduct business on matters which must be addressed before the next Yearly Meeting. The Presiding Clerk, Secretary, Treasurer, the Immediate Past Presiding Clerk, and the Incoming Presiding Clerk are ex-officio members of Standing Committee. SWQC: Silver Wattle Quaker Centre (formerly known as the Australian Quaker Centre) is a centre in Australia for spiritual development and learning about Quaker faith, based at Silver Wattle, Bungendore, New South Wales. YFs: Young Friends are 16 – 30 year olds who may be Members or Attenders. Young Friends have an Easter camp and a camp before Yearly Meeting. Young Friends have representatives on most AYM committees, including Standing Committee.

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Australia Yearly Meeting Appointments

Appointments are listed as known 19 October 2012 All email addresses end in quakers.org.au AYM Officers Role Names To Email * Presiding Clerk Maxine Cooper, Victoria RM 2013 ymclerk Incoming Presiding Clerk (from Feb 2013) Julian Robertson, Tasmania RM 2016 Private email Secretary Susan Addison, Queensland RM 2014 ymsecretary Treasurer Roger Sawkins, Queensland RM 2015 ymtreasurer Committees and Working Groups Role Names To Email * The Australian Friend Committee Ian Hughes, John Michaelis, Wies Schuiringa (convener) 2015 AustFriend New South Wales RM Backhouse Lecture Committee Garry Duncan, New South Wales RM 2018 bl Adrian Glamorgan, West Australia RM 2013 Madeleine Ball, Tasmania RM 2013 Hannah Chapman-Searle, Young Friends 2017 Elizabeth Kwan, South Australia RM 2017 Mark Macleod, New South Wales RM 2018 David Purnell, Canberra RM (convener) 2013 Child Protection Committee (consists of Dorothy Broom & Jim Neely (Canberra RM); Wies Schuiringa & Garry Duncan Contact Friends from each RM) (New South Wales RM); Oddur Augustsson & Heather Myers (Queensland RM); Gillian Lewis (South Australia RM); Jane Picton, Kevin Spratt (Victoria RM); Henry Esbenshade & Margaret Woodward (West Australia RM); Val Boyd (Tasmania RM) Children & Junior Young Friends Committee, Tracy Bourne (convener), Ann Brown, Kyrstie Crane, Eddy Greeves, Young 2014 children Victoria RM Friends, Justine Shelton, Meilikki Spratt, Victoria RM, Henry Esbenshade & Beth Harcourt, West Australia RM Donald Groom Peace Fellowship Committee, Caz Bowman, Brenda Roy, Jo Vallentine, Maggie White 2014 donaldgroom West Australia RM Earthcare Committee, Canberra RM Vidyå, Canberra RM (convener); Callista Barritt, Young Friends; Christine 2015 earthcare Larkin & Phillip Toyne, Canberra RM; John Michaelis & Jackie Perkins, New South Wales RM Finance Committee, Queensland RM Roger Sawkins (Treasurer), David Lowe, David Lowry 2015 finance First Nations People Concerns Committee Sharee Harper & Chris Hughes (Victoria RM, co-conveners); John McMahon & 2015 (formerly Indigenous Concerns Committee) Margaret Spong, Victoria RM; David Carline, Queensland RM; Aletia Dundas, New South Wales RM Friends Book Sales, South Australia RM David Evans, Topsy Evans 2013 sales Friends in Stitches; Australian Quaker Narrative Cathy Davies & Tessa Spratt (Victoria RM) (co-conveners), Garry Duncan, 2014 tapestry Embroidery, New South Wales RM Frances Love Friends in Stitches (Regional Meeting contacts) Catherine Dabron, Canberra RM; Cathy Davies, New South Wales RM; 2014 Elizabeth Fleetwood, Tasmania RM; Elizabeth Kwan, South Australia RM; Robin Sinclair, South Australia RM; Tessa Spratt, Victoria RM; Kaye Throssell, Queensland RM; Patricia Wood, West Australia RM. The Friends’ School Board Regional Meeting Nominees (Appointments until May in listed year) Garry Duncan, New South Wales RM 2013 Helen Irvine, Victoria RM 2015 Lyndsay Farrall, Tasmania RM, Presiding Member 2014 School_board Siobhan Harpur, Tasmania RM, Deputy Presiding Member 2015 Jo Jordan, South Australia RM 2016 Michael Searle, Canberra RM 2014 Ron Martin, Tasmania RM 2013 Taisoo Kim Watson, Queensland RM 2015 Allan Knight, West Australia RM 2016 Board Nominees Mary Beadle (staff nominee), Tasmania RM 2013 James Cretan, Presiding Member of Executive Committee 2014 Karen Davis 2013 Craig Stephens 2015 Ex officio: Presiding Clerk and Principal Friends World Committee for Consultation Mary Grbavac, Queensland RM 2016 fwcc (FWCC) Committee … South Australia RM 2015 Aletia Dundas, New South Wales RM 2013 Madeleine Ball, Tasmania RM 2014 Emily Chapman Searle, Canberra RM 2015 Anna Wilkinson, Victoria RM (convener) 2015 John Cartwright, West Australia RM 2013 Bethany Growns, Young Friends 2014 Ex Officio: Taisoo Kim Watson, Treasurer, AWPS 2018 Valerie Joy, AWPS Secretary (to Dec 2012 Sieneke Martin, Quaker United Nations Committee NY (FWCC appointee) Morrow Bequest Committee, Clare O’Leary, Brenda Roy, Margaret8 Woodward (convener) morrowbequest [Type text]

West Australia RM Nominations Committee Stephanie Farrall, Tasmania RM (convener) 2015 nominations Jackie Perkins, New South Wales RM 2016 Valerie Joy, Queensland RM 2016 Margaret Woodward, West Australia RM 2015 Geoff Greeves, South Australia RM 2015 Christine Larkin, Canberra RM 2014 Tom Dundas, Young Friends 2014 Dale Hess, Victoria RM 2015 Peace & Social Justice Fund Committee, Ray Brindle, John Gare (convener), Dale Hess (receiver of applications), 2013 psjfund Victoria RM Sieneke Martin, Jim Palmer Presiding Clerk’s Support Committee, Victoria Beverley Polzin, Dale Hess, Sieneke Martin, Ray Brindle and Anna Wilkinson 2013 Publications Committee Duncan Frewin (convener) & Judith Pembleton, Queensland RM; Sue Headley, 2015 publications Tasmania RM Quaker Education Network Margaret Woodward, West Australia RM 2013 qen Quaker Learning Australia, South Australia RM Kate Alessia, David Barry, debra hackett, Kerry O’Regan, Drew Thomas, Julie 2014 qla Webb (convener) QLA Meeting for Learning facilitators Fiona Gardner, Victoria RM; Jenny Spinks, Canberra RM; and Sue Wilson, 2013 (appointed by QLA) Queensland RM Quaker Committee (QPLC), Canberra RM Margaret Bearlin, Ronis Chapman, Margaret Clark, Rob Holland, Barbara 2013 qplc Meyer, David Purnell, Brian Turner (Convenor), Harold Wilkinson RM Correspondents: Martin Moore, New South Wales RM; Frances Long, Queensland RM; Jo Jordan, South Australia RM; Gill Paxton, Tasmania RM; Beverley Polzin, Victoria RM; Ed Garrison, West Australia RM; Kyle Purnell, Young Friends. Quaker Service Australia (QSA) Management Kay de Vogel (convener to 2014), Michael Wilson (Treasurer to 2013) Jane 2013 qsa Committee, New South Wales RM Drexler (Public Officer), Mavis Barnard, David Cooper, Therese Douglas, John Dundas, Tom Dundas, Jackie Perkins, Elaine Polglase, Michael Morrissey AYM Presiding Clerk and Secretary (ex officio) QSA Regional Meeting appointments Kay de Vogel, Canberra RM; Karen Wilson, Tasmania RM; Christina Lyall, 2015 West Australia RM; Mavis Barnard, New South Wales RM; Helen Irvine, Victoria RM; Judith Pembleton, Queensland RM; Trish Hensley, South Australia RM. QSA Review Committee Henry Esbenshade, West Australia RM (convener); Ann Herbert, Victoria RM; 2013 David Shorthouse, Canberra RM. Respectful Relationships Committee (consists Jonathan Benyei & Margaret Moreton (Canberra RM); Acey Teasdale (New of Contact Friends from each RM) South Wales RM) & Mark Macleod; Tony Arden & Kathy Damm (Queensland RM); David Barry (convener) & Kerry O’Regan (South Australia RM); Julian Robertson, Robin McLean(Tasmania RM); Beryl Homes, Cliff Picton, Angela Were (Victoria RM); Beth Harcourt & Lili Bowes (West Australia RM) The Sanctuary Management Committee, New Wies Schuiringa (convener), Bill Brennan, AYM Treasurer (ex officio) 2014 Sanctuary South Wales RM Secretary’s Advisory Committee, Queensland Tony Arden, Duncan Frewin, Judith Pembleton, Roger Sawkins, Bevan 2014 RM Wiltshire Thanksgiving Fund, Tasmania RM Lyndsay Farrall (convener), Sheila Given, Peter Jones, Ron Martin, Julian 2014 thanksgiving Robertson, Felicity Rose, Colin Wendell-Smith, Barbara Wilde

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Australia Yearly Meeting Representatives Role Names To Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting Drew Thomas, South Australia RM 2012 Edenfest Board of Reference Dorothy Broom (Canberra RM), Tessa Spratt (Victoria RM) 2014 NCCA Heads of Churches meetings Presiding Clerk Presiding Clerk & NCCA Executive Committee members Elizabeth Field (New South Wales RM) 2013 Drew Thomas, South Australia RM, Alternate/Presiding Clerk NCCA Commission for Act for Peace Sieneke Martin, Victoria RM 2013 NCCA Faith and Unity Commission Dale Hess, Victoria RM NCCA Social Justice Network Wies Schuiringa, New South Wales RM 2013 World Conference of Friends, Kenya, April Susan Addison, Queensland RM, Maxine Cooper, Victoria RM, Abel Siboniyo, Queensland

2012 RM, Kerstin Reimers, Tasmania RM, Callista Barritt and Tom Dundas, Young Friends Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Advisory Ruth Watson, West Australia RM 2015 Committee Young Friends’ Appointments Role Names To Email Clerk Oliver Greeves, South Australia RM 2013 yfclerk Treasurer Eddy Greeves, South Australia 2015 yftreasurer Communications Connor Chaffey Nominations TBA yfnominations A/NZ exchange Rhys Dryzek, Canberra RM 2012

Associated bodies (Not appointed by Australia Yearly Meeting) Role Names T Email o Rollo Brett, Canberra RM; Judith Pembleton, Queensland RM; Jo Jordan, South Australia RM; avp Alternatives to Violence N/ Katherine Smith, New South Wales RM; Beverley Polzin, Victoria RM; Jim Thom, West Australia Project A RM. Margaret Jacobs (Coordinator), Tasmania RM; Barbara True, Wholeness editor& adviser to SWQC, 2 affh Australian Friends Fellowship South Australia RM; Local Conveners: Ruth Haig and Steve Alexander, New South Wales RM; Don 0 of Healing (AFFH) Tugby, Queensland RM; Enid Robertson, South Australia RM; Ruth Legg, Tasmania RM; John 1 McMahon, Victoria RM; Julie Bethell, West Australia RM 3 Valerie Joy (AWPS Secretary until end of Dec 2012) ; Taisoo Kim Watson (AWPS Treasurer); Geoff FWCC Asia West Pacific Greeves (AWPS Assoc. Treasurer); Emily Chapman-Searle (AWPS Young Adult Friends); Helen Section Bayes (AWPS Nominations); Sieneke Martin (QUNO New York); Anna Wilkinson (Global Change) Werona Users Group Anne-Maree Johnston (Secretary, Werona Management Committee) werona

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Statement of Membership

for the Quaker year ending on 30 September 2012

Members in Members of Regional Wo- Total RM area RM living Men Girls Boys Total Members Attenders Meeting men Adults from other outside RM Meetings area Child- over other over other 2012 2011 Diff. Adults Addr unkn ren seas RMs seas RMs Canberra 59 40 99 99 102 -3 102 35 5 14 8 10 1 NSW 134 80 212 3 215 220 -5 204 60 12 14 4 15 10 Qld 58 42 100 100 101 -1 78 18 6 7 5 SA 79 39 118 118 120 -2 103 18 2 2 1 7 Tas 96 44 140 1 141 141 0 113 49 5 4 3 7 Victoria 118 63 181 2 2 185 190 -5 152 46 6 8 6 6 1 WA 55 31 86 86 91 -5 91 20 5 3 2 2 Adjustment

TOTAL 599 339 936 5 3 944 965 -21 843 246 41 52 24 52 12

Adjustment: None needed this year!

2012 Last year (2011)

Source Women Men Girls Boys Total Women Men Girls Boys Total Applied personally 13 1 14 12 4 16 Reinstated Parents applied Transferred from o’seas 0 1 1 2 1 1 Reached 16 1 1 2 Correction from prev. year TOTAL ADDITIONS 13 2 1 16 14 5 19 Resigned 9 4 13 2 1 3 Lapsed 1 1 Terminated Died 14 7 21 5 5 10 Transferred to o’seas 1 1 2 3 2 5 Reached 16 1 1 2 Correction from prev. year 1 1 TOTAL SUBTRACTIONS 24 13 37 10 9 1 1 21 OVERALL TOTALS -11 -11 +1 -21 +4 -4 -1 -1 -2 Some points from these tables that you may find interesting: This year our net loss was19; last year it was only 2 In our membership, women outnumber men by almost 2 to 1 About 8% of our members live outside their RM’s area We have almost as many Attenders as Members This year, 14 people joined us via personal application; last year 16 This year, 13 resigned, one was lapsed, 21 died; last year, 3, none and 10 respectively And not shown on the tables above: Of our 843 Attenders, 500 or so are women and 340 or so are men This year, we had 38 fewer Attenders and 29 fewer children than we had last year.

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AYM Officers’ Reports

Presiding Clerk’s Report

We are called to do justice to all and walk humbly with our God, to cooperate lovingly with all who share our hopes for the future of the earth… opening our lives to the Light to guide us in each small step. (Kabarak Call for Peace & Ecojustice, World Conference of Friends, Kenya, 2012) In reporting to Yearly Meeting for the final time as Presiding Clerk, I wish to record my appreciation of being given the opportunity to serve Australian Friends and to thank all those who have encouraged and supported me during my term as Clerk. There have been moments of wonder and joy and moments of despair and uncertainty, given the responsibilities of the position and the complexity of the challenges. Nevertheless, Friends around Australia sustained me and gave me the spiritual support; courage and strength I needed to enjoy the experience and learn more about Friends locally and globally. I was one of the AYM representative to the World Conference of Friends in Kenya from 17 - 25 April 2012. The theme was Being Salt and Light—Friends living the Kingdom of God in a broken world. Over 850 Friends from throughout the world gathered on the campus of Kabarak University, near Nakuru, Kenya. Being a leader of a home group was a profoundly spiritual experience for me. Each day in small groups we shared our spiritual connections, our sense of salt, light and courage in a ‘broken’ world. We shared our history and our being, our hopes and our sorrows. Each day our strength and courage were fostered and new dimensions of our faith were explored. Over time we developed a special connectedness built around love, peace, prayer, song, integrity and creative tension. On 4 - 5 May I attended the Friends General Meeting of the Board of Governors of The Friends' School and there was a discussion on the Board structure and role of mainland Board Members. I also attended the Annual General Meeting of The Friends’ School and there was a performance by students to celebrate the 125th anniversary of The Friends' School. We heard from staff and students throughout the weekend and it gave me an insightful view of a stimulating school in action. On 16 – 17 June I attended the Quaker Service Australia Management Committee in Sydney. I gained an idea of the projects conducted this year, and an explanation of the current AusAID funding application process which has changed considerably from previous years. We spent some time working in small groups to draft ideas for the Strategic Plan 2013 - 16. We also heard about the progress and process of the review of QSA that will be considered at Yearly Meeting. I clerked Standing Committee which was held at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre on the shores of Weereewa (Lake George) from 19 to 21 July. We had the joy of meeting in a residential community, observing the rhythms of the Silver Wattle day and being held in the Light by a Resident Elder, as is the usual practice there. We joined in the Meetings for Worship in the morning and Epilogue in the evening as well as having the Meetings for Worship for Business interspersed with the reflective Faith in Action groups. In these sessions we explored the Advice: ‘Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people’s opinions may contain for you.’ During the year, I also clerked the two Child Protection teleconferences, which involved Child Protection Contact Friends from Regional Meetings around Australia. In reflecting on the challenges for Friends in Australia and worldwide I think of the Quaker testimonies: peace, equality, simplicity, love, integrity and justice. We can work with these to give meaning to life in our world today. Quaker Service Australia has been reviewed recently and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre has been a transforming experience for some Friends. We continue to listen to the still small voice within and speak to God’s purpose in these complex times. We are called to see what love can do. Finally, I would like to note my appreciation of the work of the AYM Secretary and Treasurer and the members of my Advisory Group who have all been a pleasure to work with over the past three years. I look forward to gathering with Friends at Yearly Meeting 2013 in Canberra so we can meet in worship as we seek to find unity and ways forward with the complex and stimulating issues and concerns detailed in Documents in Advance. Friends, please hold me in your thoughts and prayers throughout Yearly Meeting. Maxine Cooper, Presiding Clerk 12 [Type text]

Secretary’s Report

Documents in Advance is, in effect, the annual report of the Religious Society of Friends in Australia. From AYM Officers’ and committee reports and the Statement of Membership one can assess the current spiritual health of the Society. I regard compilation of the DIA as one of the most important tasks I perform each year as Secretary. In order to produce a thorough record of the year’s activities I chase up committees that have not submitted reports; and consider how wording might be changed to avoid ambiguity, how a different layout might enhance readability, and how additional contextual material might aid individual Friends, Regional Meetings and the assembled Yearly Meeting in proper discernment of the matters under consideration. Consultation with the AYM Nominations Committee becomes more intense at this time of the year as the committee needs to work from the list of AYM Appointments published in DIA. The increased mobility of Friends means that quite a few appointees now lay down their work before their committee terms end. Intensive discussions are also held with the Presiding Clerk and the YM Planning Committee to produce the YM Timetable in DIA. Preparatory sessions are allocated with a view to keeping the Yearly Meeting business flowing smoothly between preparatory and formal sessions. Many organisations assign one staff member to work full time in the lead-up to producing their annual report. The AYM Secretary needs to work on DIA and keep up with the day-to-day running of the AYM Office. Email requests and queries still have to be actioned, answered and filed; tax invoices and grants paid after checking for supporting minutes; letters drafted; email forwarding addresses updated; and instructions given for uploading documents on the website. Friendly, clear and concise communication is required at all times, bearing in mind that the Secretary may be a person’s first contact with Friends—usually the case for those who post messages on our website. Often they are seeking biographical information about forebears, information about Quaker beliefs and values, or contacts to further their peace-related studies. But some post ‘wildcard’ questions—maybe spurious, maybe serious. Consider, for example: ‘Can a Quaker be a Freemason?’ The amount of out-of-date and duplicated material on our website continues to trouble me. The AYM Publications Committee, appointed at YM 2012, has provided me with useful policy guidelines for reviewing and adding material to our website. Some Regional Meetings have already followed up Standing Committee’s request (Minute SC7.12.7) to both Regional Meetings and AYM committees to appoint ‘web maintainers’ for websites linked to the Quakers Australia website. I’ve noted that a number of Meetings and committees have set up their own email addresses. In most cases, generic email addresses (…. @quakers.org.au) already exist. For example, an email sent to [email protected] will automatically be forwarded to the email addresses of the Devonshire Street LM Co-clerks; or an email to [email protected] will automatically be forwarded to all members of the AYM Publications Committee. I ask Meetings and committees to consider the outreach advantage of using a ‘quakers.org.au’ email address and to avoid duplication. I’m grateful for the support, individually and collectively, of the AYM Secretary’s Advisory Committee. Earlier this year the committee provided sound advice when a sophisticated ‘scam’ operation based in the Philippines began using telephone numbers on our website to try to extort money from Friends. I’m gratified that Friends continue to enjoy receiving the monthly AYM Secretary’s Newsletter. In addition to publishing RM and AYM committee news and photos, I reprint articles on Quaker life and thought from other publications, selected on the basis of their relevance to Australian Friends. Since the Australia-wide Quaker Fellowship has been discontinued (Minute YM12.61), I encourage Meetings to draw the newsletter to the attention of isolated Friends. It is available, free, on request to [email protected] or by phoning 07 3201 2685. Attendance this year at two RM retreat weekends (South Australia and Queensland) reminded me that many Australian Friends who actively participate in the life of their worship group choose not to participate or are unaware of activities at RM and AYM levels. During my visit to South Australia RM, I was able to spend time at the Quaker Shop, meet informally with Friends, take part in Clearness Meeting workshops and interview a number of Friends about ways they are living the Earthcare Testimony for future publication. 13 [Type text]

A highlight of the year for me was attending the sixth World Conference of Friends in Kenya as an AYM delegate, an experience I wrote about in the article ‘A Reunion of the Worldwide Family of Friends’ in the June edition of The Australian Friend. I continue to find spiritual sustenance in Meeting for Worship and in the company of Friends. Susan Addison, AYM Secretary

Peace & Earthcare Worker’s Report

The year to date has been focused in getting the office established at the Canberra Meeting House, setting up basic administrative processes, helping with submissions, assisting with strategic planning to set priorities for the work, meeting Friends at Regional Meetings, working on the preparation for Towards a Quaker Vision for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia, assisting the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) and the AYM Earthcare Committee, carrying out initial planning for the Preparing for Peace Project, helping to fundraise, and building up networks. Submission One of the early tasks was to work with David Purnell (QPLC) in the preparation of the submission to the Australia in the Asian Century Task Force. This was the first time that the issues of peace and earthcare had been strongly linked publicly by Australian Friends. The summary introduction reads Quakers have a tradition of opposition to war and support for creating the conditions of peace through understanding and removing the causes of violence. This has involved us in initiatives such as peace education, conflict mediation, support for nonviolent conflict resolution at all levels, and action to promote human rights and equality. In identifying those drivers that will influence Asia in this century, we see the causes of conflict in the risks and threats to the degradation of ecological systems, resource depletion and misuse (particularly relating to energy), the ongoing instability and turmoil of financial, economic and political systems, and the inadequate responses at regional and international levels to date of the recognition of the seriousness of these factors. Our major conclusion is that for a stable and sustainable future, these global drivers need to be a significant part of any appreciation for a worthwhile role of Australia in an Asian Century. In many respects the underlying malaise is a spiritual one. We encourage a respect for the Earth as well as love of one’s neighbour. Because of the interrelationship with peace and sustainability (we cannot have a peaceful world without a sustainable world, and vice versa) I have tried where possible to involve both aspects in as many of the projects as possible. Priority setting The QPLC and the Earthcare Committee met jointly in February and determined that the major project for the year was to write Towards a Quaker Vision for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia. This has taken the most time to date. Visits Gael and I have tried to regularly visit Regional and Local Meetings. The more successful visits have been when we have been able to plan well in advance and integrate with local Quaker activities. We have appreciated the hospitality, getting to know local Friends, and assisting in outreach. Descriptions of some of those visits or results of those visits follow. Melbourne. I valued the meeting organised by Yoland Wadsworth in February (before Gael arrived from New Zealand) to hear the stories of some local Friends. Tess Edwards and Lloyd Godman’s concerns about the unsustainability of the world of art, galleries and museums was particularly memorable. Tasmania. Katherine Purnell told me that my visit earlier in the year inspired them to hold an Open Space Day. The theme was ‘Honouring God’s Gifts: Building Spiritual Connections between our Community and the Earth’ with the accompanying focus question ‘How does energy from the Quaker spirit help solve ecological crises NOW?’ Some of their ideas: stop flying and start using modern technology to gather virtually; spread the word about the ecological crisis; discover and voice the spiritual basis for responding to the ecological crisis; improve the environmental footprint of the Meeting House and reflect the beauty of the community in the Peace Garden. Sydney A World Café discussion led to some of the brainstorm answers to the question What would it take for Quakers to create a change or make a difference? Telling stories which can inspire and encourage others 14 [Type text]

Celebrate eco-heroes Earthcare groups – getting inspirations from others Vision statement to be proud of Arrange small groups to measure ecological footprints using individual skills as in Shakers building a barn Acknowledge the good stuff we have done Stories about city life – not just about ‘tree changers/sea changers’, but living eco-, green- sustainably in the city Gifts of ‘experiences’ or time rather than things Showing of environmental documentary films to a social group/s as way to encourage more community interest and engagement. I was able to visit Ian Hughes in hospital after the workshops and report back to him about the weekend outcomes. (Ian was actively involved in the Sydney workshop preparation but unable to participate.) Lismore. Many communities in northern NSW and Queensland are particularly concerned about hydraulic fracking or coal seam gas (CSG). Lismore Friends have been actively involved in local protests and produced a one-page sheet Towards a Quaker View on Coal Seam Gas and Fracking. We explored ways they could build awareness among fellow protesters of the spiritual dimension of their protest. Options included linking up with other faith groups and working with the local university to hold a series of lectures/presentations/panel discussions on topics such as water, energy, and other major ecological threats, and to include a discussion on the various faith perspectives on these issues. Queensland. The Springbrook Retreat weekend enabled us to meet Queensland Friends. I especially valued the chance to talk with David Lowry and David King from the Earthcare Committee, Ruth Haig who came up from Lismore, and others. Friends are concerned about how to bring change in Brisbane and Queensland where the political machines and priorities are heavily weighted towards coal, gas and property development with little regard for the environmental and social impact. I was able to inform them of the Sunshine Coast Council plans about climate change and peak oil that has earned them second ranking on the Australian Conservation Foundation Sustainable Cities Index. We also were able to talk with Susan Addison and learn of her interest in storytelling and her editing skills. Bega. Our visit to Bega was well organised by Jenny Spinks and Anne Felton and included a public talk in the CWA rooms in Bega, a radio interview on ABC South East NSW, and some quality time with Friends talking about how the Spirit can and does lead in choosing the strategic priorities for our collective work. Preparing for Peace The Preparing for Peace Project is based on the Westmoreland Meeting Project in Britain showing that war is obsolete (http://www.preparingforpeace.org/). We will use that work as a model but orientate it to Australia and the Asia/Pacific region. We will include attitudes to ANZAC Day (centenary in 2015) and how Australia decides to enter and withdraw from wars. Email lists I have regularly emailed to interested Friends references to articles and news reports summarising significant events or reports. One story, for example, involved the granting of personage for a New Zealand river. Another concerned the militarization of climate change. Another was the story of the nun who broke into the nuclear sanctum in the USA. Another was a U tube presentation from Niki Harré about the practical steps that individuals can take at a local level to help bring about a better world. Recommended viewing! (Gael has written a book review.) If you would like to be included in the distribution list, please let me know. I have also forwarded references or stories from Friends. Canberra conferences/visits Canberra has a number of conferences and seminars that provide up-to-date information and good networking opportunities. Example: Dr Jane Lubchenco is the USA Under-Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She is a marine ecologist and environmental scientist by training, with expertise in oceans, climate change, and interactions between the environment and human wellbeing. She was a member of a panel with Tim Flannery, Will Steffen and others, organised by ANU and the Climate Commission, when she visited Australia recently. Example: Regional Australia Institute hosted a group from OECD at a seminar in Canberra where the issue of resilient regions was discussed. 15 [Type text]

Plans for 2013 It is hoped that the Vision will be finalised early next year. Priorities for 2013 will include promoting the Vision and Friends’ concerns, and choosing a few key areas for more detailed emphasis, critical for the transition to the Vision. Extracts from the Business Plan 2013: 1b Use the Vision to engage with various groups and individuals, such as politicians, business, community and religious leaders and others to develop an appreciation of the issues and ways for collaborative action, and to assist other Quakers to promote the Vision. This will involve liaison with RMs to help organise speakers (e.g AYM Clerk) for presentations and meetings. 2a Prepare a strategic plan on key transition issues of the Vision. This will identify key transition issues (e.g. energy, food, water, finance), describe what work is being done by whom in Australia, identify gaps and possible contributions where Quakers can add value (e.g moral/spiritual/long term perspective; Quaker training in non-violence). 3a Meeting and talking with politicians and their staff, government officials, and other representatives from relevant organisations about Quaker concerns as the opportunity arises, and facilitating such contact and dialogue for Quakers. These will take roughly 65-70% of the time of the Office. The Preparing for Peace Project will take around 25% of the time. We hope to continue visits to RMs and ask RM Clerks to contact us early to be able to work out how to make the best use of the visit. Silver Wattle Quaker Centre has been booked 9 -10 February 2013 for a strategic setting workshop, and this will be open to Friends other than just the members of QPLC and Earthcare Committees. I am currently trying to arrange funding assistance for travel costs. I would hope we could address some of the following questions. What are the greatest threats to peace and earthcare in Australia? What are the most active organisations/institutions/individuals working to deal with these threats? Are there any threats not actively or adequately being addressed? Where can Quakers Australia best put their efforts to add value in supporting others, and/or making some new initiatives? How can this effort be Spirit-led? Reflections The year has been a rollercoaster as we have struggled to build up an Office from scratch, put in place the strategic priorities, systems and processes essential for successful outcomes, and work with Friends within a limited budget. There is still work required in establishing administrative processes and structures. We have been impressed with the calibre of Friends, the personal support given to us, and the opportunity to work on these critical issues basic to human life on earth. My general impression of where Quakers are at is that they are very knowledgeable about the threat of climate change, have concerns about their sources of energy, less so about some of the other threats (e.g. nitrogen and food), and some are aware of the unscientific and unethical economic system that is linked to environmental degradation. Very few are aware of how unethical our financial system (including banks) is, and the need for collective action. A number have made the connection between peace and sustainability. Some Friends have been talking and living these issues for many years in a very impressive way, but corporately Quakers Australia has been slow to respond. There are not many Quaker policies or statements on earthcare issues, in comparison to statements about peace matters. Australians generally are aware of climate change, but not how serious the implications are, have not made the connection with environmental degradation and the economy, and certainly not the need to change their ethics. Many Australians are very comfortable with their current lifestyle. There is much work to do to try and reverse the damage we are doing to our life-sustaining ecosystems and social institutions, and to prepare for the adaptation necessary for a rapidly deteriorating world. Robert Howell, Peace & Earthcare Worker

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Treasurer’s Report

‘I see … you trust in Providence,’ said Sir William. … ‘For my own part I always advise Providence plus a banking account. I have every belief in Providence, plus a banking account. Providence and no banking account I have observed to be almost invariably fatal.’ (From Aaron’s Rod by DH Lawrence 1922) I have continued to keep up to date with the bookkeeping and accounting jobs with the indispensable help of the AYM Secretary Susan Addison and our bookkeeper Sarah. The Finance Committee have also helped me with advice and support for the many questions and issues that have to be considered. Funds Following the decision of YM 2012 the Peace & Earthcare Worker Fund was established by transfers of $20,000 from each of the Peace & Social Justice Fund and the Sanctuary Management Fund. The Peace & Earthcare Worker’s salary and other expenses are being paid from this Fund. A further $20,000 was also transferred from the Sanctuary Fund to the Thanksgiving Fund. Investments Canberra RM repaid a further $30,000 of its loan, in addition to the interest, and the amount outstanding is now $65,000. There have not been any other significant changes to our investments. Budget for 2012/13 I was unable to arrange a teleconference with RM Treasurers prior to the mid-year Standing Committee meeting. However, some suggested changes to amounts to be allocated in the budget had been sent to Regional Meetings earlier in the year for their discernment. I used their feedback in preparing the draft budget. All the changes to donations to outside bodies were agreed at Standing Committee but there was no unity on the suggestion to allocate $10,000 to the Peace & Earthcare Worker Fund. All other aspects of the budget were agreed and it is shown in the Attachment to this report. It is notable that the Quotas for all RMs have reduced in the coming year. The figures for the 2011/12 financial year in those tables are estimates which were based on the transactions up to May. The final figures for that year will be available at Yearly Meeting. Carbon offset payments Our carbon offsets for 2010/11 were split equally between West Australia RM, Adelaide LM and Queensland RM, each of which has installed solar voltaic panels. We have asked the AYM Earthcare Committee to advise us on the appropriate calculation of carbon offsets and whether they agree with our method of allocation. At the date of this report we await their reply. Other matters We have finally activated our PayPal account so that people can make payments to us through them. We have also been constructing a web link for people to donate directly to us but this has proved more difficult than we expected. Following a Minute of YM 2012 I distributed to all RM Clerks and Treasurers and LM Treasurers details of the donations to AYM Concerns which had been received from each RM area. I asked them to consider the relative amounts and hopefully encourage Friends to donate more. I also distributed details of all AYM Concerns to RM and LM Treasurers towards the end of the Financial Year to assist them in producing their Contribution Schedules. Membership of the Finance Committee Marion Sullivan resigned from the Committee after several years of very useful contributions. Bevan Wiltshire has been co-opted onto the Committee following his nomination by Queensland RM (which needs confirmation from YM). The continuing members are David Lowe and David Lowry. Part B: for consideration 1. Have any more Meetings signed contracts for the installation of solar voltaic cells which we might consider for offsetting our carbon use on air travel? 2. Acceptance of this report and the Annual Accounts, the audited version of which should be available at YM. 3. Reappointment of AH Jackson & Co. as our Auditors for the 2012/13 financial year. 4. Confirmation of the appointment of Bevan Wiltshire to the AYM Finance Committee. Roger Sawkins, AYM Treasurer October 2012

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Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia Inc. General Fund budget for the year ended 30 September 2013

2009/10 2010/11 Estimated 2011/12 2012/13 Actual Actual 2011/12 Budget Budget $ $ $ $ $ Outgoings Salaries and fees 48,496.50 56,186.45 Secretary's Salary 44,300 45,500 48,300 4,364.70 4,422.27 Superannuation 4,000 4,550 4,300 309.95 375.26 Workers Compensation 400 250 400 4,030.00 4,000.00 Auditors fees 4,200 4,100 4,300 Web page support 5,000 5,000 5,000 1,220.00 1,310.00 Bookkeeping Fees 2,000 1,750 2,000 58,421.15 66,293.98 59,900 61,150 64,300 Office Expenses 735.55 756.92 Office Supplies 13,000 14,000 13,000 7,708.23 4,098.84 Photocopying 1,972.48 2,342.10 Postage 1,782.51 1,656.33 Telephone 496.12 4,187.21 Computer 546.73 1,624.00 Home Page/Internet 5,000.00 6,000.00 Rent 7,000 5,000 7,000 18,241.62 20,665.40 20,000 19,000 20,000 Travel 4,650.00 6,100.00 Yearly Meeting Travel 12,000 12,000 7,150 2,500.00 3,000.00 Young Friends 3,000 3,000 3,000 15,000.00 17,000.00 Travel Fund 22,000 22,000 21,500 22,150.00 26,100.00 37,000 37,000 31,650 Other expenses 13,299.75 12,460.26 Australian Friend 13,000 13,000 13,000 7,500.00 0 Yearly Meeting subsidy 7,000 7000 5,000 493.77 1,002.79 Liability insurance 1,200 1500 1,300 603.48 379.95 Officer expenses 250 500 300 225.61 157.95 Subscriptions 350 400 350 1,500.00 1,500.00 NCCA 1,500 1,500 1,500 2,039.17 7,241.36 Committee expenses 2,500 2,500 1,000 217.56 248.14 Bank & other charges 250 300 300 40 0 Miscellaneous 0 0 0 25,919.34 22,990.45 26,050 26,700 22,750

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Donations Silver Wattle 1,500 1,750.00 1,750.00 FWCC World 1,750 1,750 1,750 3,000.00 3,000.00 FWCC A/W Pacific 3,000 3,000 3,500 2,000.00 2,000.00 QUNO 2,000 2,000 2,500 750 750 Woodbrooke 750 750 750 750 750 Pendle Hill 750 750 750 300 300 NATSI Ecum. Comm. 300 300 300 8,550.00 8,550.00 8,550 8,550 11,050

133,282.11 144,599.83 Total outgo 151,500 152,400 149,750

Income 122,400.00 148,300.00 RM Quotas 150,600 150,600 146,450 1,449.41 982.37 Gen Fund Sales 600 500 300 1,327.70 1,272.51 Investment Income 3,000 1,300 3,000 79.31 84.95 Other 100 0 125,256.42 150,639.83 Total Income 154,300 152,400 149,750 -8,025.69 6,040.00 Surplus / Deficit 2,800 63,038.19 55,012.50 Balance at beg. of yr. 61,053 55,012.50 61,052.50 Balance at end of yr. 63,853 Quotas 2011/12 Relative 2012/13 YM Net Gross Quota Mem's* Reqd. Quota Travel amount incr. Canberra 16,500 104 15,800 0 15,800 -4.2% New South Wales 35,000 222 33,600 750 32,850 -4.0% Queensland 15,200 100 15,100 900 14,200 -0.7% South Australia 18,400 121 18,300 1,100 17,200 -0.5% Tasmania 22,100 141 21,400 1,600 19,800 -3.2% Victoria 28,900 187 28,300 900 27,400 -2.1% West Australia 14,500 92 13,900 1,900 12,000 -4.1% 150,600 967 146,400 7,150 139,250 -2.8% (Per adult Mem.) 157 153 -2.7% * based on three-year average number of adult members

Regional Meeting Annual Reports

Canberra Regional Meeting Report

For Canberra Quakers 2012 has been a time of consolidation as we settled comfortably into our superbly renovated building, surrounded by a beautiful growing garden. The children of the Meeting now have a bright room in which to meet and a particular garden to tend. We now also accommodate the Quaker Peace & Earthcare Office, and welcomed the arrival from New Zealand of the AYM Peace & Earthcare Worker, Robert Howell, who has now been joined in Canberra by his wife Gael.

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Meetings for Worship remain central to the life of Canberra RM as we gather: each Sunday in several meetings in the Turner Meeting House, twice a month in South Canberra, once a month in Wagga, twice monthly in Bega/Eden, monthly in Goulburn, and each Sunday at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre (SWQC). All Worship Meetings make welcome Canberra LM Friends who visit throughout the year. An active group of Young Friends (16 - 30 years old), including some with children, gather regularly for meals, and welcome newcomers. A Children’s Meeting catering for different ages is now held on the fourth Sunday of every month and we are humbled by the joy and love of the children of the Meeting and their parents. Canberra RM is fortunate in being close to SWQC so that Friends can easily participate in courses. This also allows fellowship with interstate Quakers who often are able to worship with us at the completion of their time at Silver Wattle. A Meeting for Worship as outreach was held this year at the National Folk Festival at Easter, as in the two previous years, and was again very popular. The ongoing series This is Your Friend has also deepened the life of the Meeting as we grow to know one another better. This year’s presenters included Christine Larkin, Shobha Varkey, Molly Harriss Olson, Ken Hird, Jenny Spinks, Andrew Glikson, Wilma Davidson and Phillip Toyne. Other meetings on Sundays have included: Quaker Lives, where David Purnell has shared his research on early Quakers; Meeting for Healing; Canberra RM Environmental Concerns Discussion Group; and Quaker Basics: Deepen our Spiritual Experience of Meeting for Worship, currently in its second month. Friends Fridays continue to be an opportunity to socialize over a shared meal and also learn. This year’s topics have included: Quaker Sing YM 2013: Introduction to planning process Renee Ellerton: Quakers and Spiritual Direction Recorded interview with Backhouse Lecturer 2013 Jocelyn Bell Burnell Dorothy Broom: Quaker 'elevator' statements’ Remythologising Australia's History: A discussion about our Australian identity. In-service workshop by Pastoral Care and Oversight on the conduct of Clearness Meetings Thinking ahead about our death Kay de Vogel: The latest developments/achievements of Quaker Service Australia, Robert Howell: An economy for a resilient world Valerie Joy and Jim Palmer: The World Conference of Friends in Kenya Ronis Chapman and Michael Searle: Being Resident Friends in Wellington NZ and the World Conference of Friends in Kenya. Also at Friends Meeting House: David Atwood spoke at a large public meeting on Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO): Working as a Non Government Organisation at the United Nations; Dorothy Broom and Heather Herbert: thirteen week University of the Third Age (U3A) course Nonviolent Communication: based on Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication: a Language of Life attended by six people from Canberra RM as well as others; Robert Howell, Manager, Peace & Earthcare Office facilitated Quakers and Ethical Investments re his concern regarding ethical investments;

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Several joint meetings of the AYM Peace & Earthcare committees working on A Quaker Vision for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia; and A celebration of the life of Nancy Wilkinson, arranged by her family, held to mark the tenth anniversary of Nancy’s death in 2002. The Meeting House continues to be used regularly by outside groups. We have shared many joys and sorrows during the year. We hold with love many Friends living with ill-health. Rosalind Stevenson died; Daniel de Smet was accepted into membership. Canberra RM Friends joined a Meeting for Worship for Marriage of Susannah Bayes-Morton and Zahir Salie. We welcomed the arrival of Harriet Williamson, daughter of Sally Kingsland and Ben Williamson, Sia Khosla, daughter of Tamara and Rajan, and Katie Purnell, daughter of Tina and Kyle—plus the arrival of many grandchildren! Our Meeting continues to host the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee and the Earthcare Committee, who supply us with regular bulletins and practical calls to action on both national and international issues. Many Friends are members of Spiritual Nurture groups, some which have been meeting for many years, and play an important role in the spiritual journey of many Friends. Friends Creative Group is still active, we have a very productive Permaculture group, and now we also have a singing group. Margaret Evans facilitates Quaker Sing, open to all Friends who wish to make a Joyful Noise. We were pleased to host 2012 Standing Committee at SWQC, and now look forward to hosting YM 2013 at the University of Canberra. We are all blessed creatures, whether we are humans or whether we’re part of the animal world or part of the plant world: we all have a right to be here. Of course we are all blessed and that’s how we begin our life and that’s how we can continue to think of ourselves. Jo Vallentine 1990 Wilma Davidson, Clerk Susan Rockliff, Assistant Clerk

New South Wales Regional Meeting Report

Reports from our Local Meetings and Worshipping Groups remind us that the Meeting for Worship is still the centre of Quaker life. Some smaller groups meet only for worship, but the larger groups all value time for sharing their spiritual experiences and learning more about faith in action. The discussion and study topics mentioned include the Silent Way, care of the earth, discerning our calls, permaculture in Uganda, the Millennium Development Goals, the World Conference of Friends in Kenya, and the Occupy movement. This year we have had eight applications for membership, but four resignations. This, and some simmering conflicts in our meetings remind us how difficult it is to meet all the needs of all our members. We are grateful for the work of our LM and RM Ministry and Care groups who try to deepen the spiritual lives of our Meetings and support people at difficult stages in their lives. This is not easy matter as there are a number of small Worshipping Groups under the care of Local Meetings which may be quite distant from them; for example, Blue Mountains LM has the care of a group in Orange, and Wahroonga LM the care of a group in Armidale. We are also grateful to our Nominations Committee which has put enormous work into updating our nominations list, and prayerfully considering how best to use the talents of our members to strengthen our meetings. We mourn the loss of David Haig, Marcia Martin and Mary Ashby—Friends who made significant contributions to the life of our Meeting and who died after long illnesses. Many Local Meetings mention the importance of Quaker Service Australia which is under the care of New South Wales RM. Committee members and staff keep their Meetings informed of this important work, and the monthly stall at Devonshire Street continues to raise money, provide outreach, and give members of different Local Meetings a chance to meet and work together. This was the year of the Quaker review of the work of QSA, and we are trying to find time to consider all the recommendations!

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Care for our environment is a concern mentioned by many Local Meetings and Worshipping Groups. The Northern Rivers Recognised Meeting has been active in its opposition to coal seam gas. This year the visit of Robert Howell emphasised the connection between the care of our earth and financial system. The question of how we use money was also considered at an interfaith evening at Wahroonga, and in discussions about the Occupy movement at Wahroonga and Devonshire Street. The question of our own finances has occupied a lot of time in our Regional Meetings. How can we afford to pay an Earthcare worker? How can we afford to support courses at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre? The relationship of SWQC and AYM has also exercised us. However, we have had positive responses to some courses there, especially the course on Bringing Children and Young Friends into the Centre of Quaker Life. A one-day follow-up was held to this course, with useful contributions from the children who attended. The annual family camp at Webbs Creek was attended by six families. Many Meetings regret that there are not more children attending their regular meetings. Another activity undertaken by New South Wales RM is the production of The Australian Friend online (and still on paper!) There were, of course, some teething issues with the technology, but there have been no shortage of contributions. Quakers still have much to say! The NSW ecumenical body, Churches Together, has been reorganised, and for a time its future was uncertain. The Regional Meeting supported the continuation of a body in which churches can work together for peace and justice, and one of our co-clerks, Wies Schuiringa, is the new Vice-President. The Meeting for Learning was held in Sydney this year, and we expect to benefit from the ongoing learning of those who took part. We have considered the preparation and support of our Registering Officers for Marriage, and have written letters in support of marriage equality. Then there are the time-consuming issues around care for property. Devonshire Street continues to welcome guests to its accommodation, and to let out the hall to groups who are in sympathy with Friends. Wahroonga Friends have hosted a bush turkey on their property, and have continued to care for The Sanctuary. Following a concern about the condition of the Quaker burial ground at Rookwood, a group visited and arranged for dead plants to be removed. Many headstones are crumbling, and we are investigating whether relatives of those in the burial ground wish to take action. And our Friends who have a concern for correct Quaker processes continue to pore over the Handbook of Practice and Procedure and to suggest amendments! [See Part B] Finally, a number of Meetings report that they are trying to find ways to support their members in living out their faith in the world. They mention participation in local peace and discussion groups, a concern for refugees, participation in community gardens and building worm farms, and interfaith activities. Which brings us back to the importance of our regular Meetings for Worship, both for silent contemplation, for worship-sharing, and for the conduct of business. Part B: Proposed changes to the Handbook of Practice and Procedure (6th edn, 2011) for consideration by Yearly Meeting 1. Proposed changes to sections relating to The Australian Friend Online New South Wales RM brought the following changes to sections 3.10, 5.33 and 5.5.2 of the Handbook to Standing Committee 7.12 to acknowledge that The Australian Friend is now an online journal, that Quaker Voice has been introduced, and that members of the committee are appointed by the AYM Nominations Committee. Standing Committee 7.12 acknowledged that the proposed changes to ss. 3.10, 5.33 and 5.5.2 of the Handbook clarify the current practice of the Society since The Australian Friend has become an online publication. Standing Committee will recommend to YM 2013 that the proposed amendments be incorporated in the Handbook to reflect current practice. (Minute SC7.12.12) [The words highlighted are proposed additions; those struck through, proposed deletions to the existing section.]

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Proposed changes to s. 3.10 Isolated Friends … Such isolated people are urged to make themselves known to RM office-holders. Contacts are available from the AYM Secretary. They will then regularly receive the RM newsletter, and (if a Member) may read The Australian Friend at AustralianFriend.org. Also they can make contact (by post, phone or email) with the Australia-wide Quaker Fellowship (5.3.6) or [laid down YM12.61] with the conveners of other AYM committees (5.3) … In addition, the Internet provides links to various online Quaker discussion groups and The Australian Friend at AustralianFriend.org. Proposed changes to s. 5.3.3 AYM Nominations Committee The committee is responsible for nomination, to either Standing Committee or Yearly Meeting, of the following office-holders, usually for three years: … Members of the Australian Friend Committee and the Regional Meeting to host The Australian Friend (5.5.2) Proposed changes to s. 5.5.2 The Australian Friend The Australian Friend, which includes Quaker Voice, is the official journal of Australia Yearly Meeting. … The journal is published by the Australian Friend Committee (5.3.6) appointed at Yearly Meeting under the care of a Regional Meeting. The editor (or co- editor/s) comes from that committee itself, or not, as the committee decides. … Quaker Voice is published by The Australian Friend as an opportunity for Quakers and like-minded writers around the world to publish news and commentary of interest to a global audience. The Australian Friend is currently published four times a year and posted free to every Member of the Society. It is also available on the AYM website. online at http://AustralianFriend.org. Members of the Society may request a posted copy. Australia Yearly Meeting bears the costs of the journal’s publication and distribution, but the journal is also available to others by subscription. It is available to others at no cost online or mailed by subscription. Quaker Voice is published as material becomes available at http://QuakerVoice.org. Guidelines and help for volunteers contributing to or working with The Australian Friend and Quaker Voice are online at http://support.AustralianFriend.org. Regional Meetings are encouraged to use The Australian Friend as a form of outreach to Attenders and Enquirers by purchasing copies to give away. 2. Proposed changes to s.1.4.4 Business Meetings New South Wales RM brought the following amendments to s 1.4.4 Business Meetings in the Handbook to Standing Committee 7.12. The proposed amendments seek to clarify ‘Quaker processes when a Meeting is not in unity and when Friends wish to stand aside’ from a minute. Standing Committee minuted (SC7.12.11): Standing Committee representatives shared whether their Regional Meetings have recorded that a Friend(s) stood aside from a minute and whether the name(s) was recorded when requested. We found that our practices differ between Regional Meetings. We could not recollect a Friend making a request to stand aside from a final minute adopted in a Yearly Meeting session. We ask New South Wales RM to reconsider their suggested amendments and bring a revision to Documents in Advance if they wish to do so. [The words highlighted below are proposed additions; those struck through, proposed deletions to the existing section.] … Practices within the Society that foster effective corporate decision-making amount to what is called ‘Quaker process’, as follows:

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Those wishing to speak either raise a hand or (in a large gathering) stand to attract the Clerk’s invitation. When addressing the Meeting, they stand, if able, and speak audibly. There is respectful openness of expression. Normally people speak only once on any given topic, at least until everyone else has spoken. This provides equality and encourages adequate thought before speaking. , and only speak if they have a further insight, rather than just agreeing with a previous speaker. This encourages Friends to listen carefully to each other and to avoid argument or debate. All voices are to be heard with sympathetic listening, to give mutual support in seeking the right outcome, waiting patiently for God’s will to be discerned. Each individual in the gathering seeks to stand outside the self to find what is right, i.e. God’s will. There is no lobbying or voting and even a single dissenting voice is carefully considered. The aim is to reach unity, neither unanimity, consensus nor a majority opinion (Morley 1993; Sheeran 1983). If unity appears out of reach, the Clerk may call for a period of silent worship before discussion is resumed. Dissenting Friends might then accept that a decision can be made, perhaps subject to any disagreement being noted in the concluding minute. Alternatively, the Meeting may postpone dealing with the matter any further, to allow time for reflecting on the way forward, or may agree not to proceed with the matter. There is an unusual procedure for recording any decision that has been reached after everyone has had the opportunity to contribute to the discussion of the topic. The Clerk of the gathering first attempts to write down succinctly the sense of the meeting. What has been written is then read out. This draft is subsequently amended in accord with comments from the gathering, until it is agreeable to all. So the minute of record is set down transparently, as part of the occasion. However, simple editorial changes can be made to the minute afterwards, if permitted by the Meeting. Quaker process is usefully applied in Business Meetings, Clearness Meetings (4.4) and committee meetings (5.3.1). Although settling an issue in this manner can be time- consuming and the resulting decision may differ markedly from what might have been expected, it is commonly much better and more acceptable.

After everyone has had an opportunity to contribute to the discussion of the topic, the Clerk reads out a draft minute which attempts to reflect accurately and succinctly the sense of the meeting. This draft is subsequently amended in accord with comments from the gathering, until it is acceptable to all. It then becomes the minute of record, to which only simple editorial changes can be made afterwards, if permitted by the Meeting. Generally, unity can be reached in this way. However, there are times when no clear sense of the meeting can be discerned by the Clerk. Sometimes it is clear that the Meeting is not in accord with the matter, and there is no further discussion. At other times there is general accord, but one or more Friends are not able to join with the proposed decision, or to use an old Quaker expression, ‘have a stop in their mind’. If this is the case, there are a number of ways forward which include calling for a period of silent worship after which discussion is resumed or adjourning the matter to a later session, to allow time for further reflection. Unity is often able to be reached in this manner. On the other hand, the Meeting may agree, as above, not to proceed with the matter. Rarely, one or more Friends may request to ‘stand aside’. ‘Standing aside’ means that, although a Friend has expressed disagreement or serious misgivings, they are in unity that the sense of the Meeting is that the proposed decision should be made. In this case, the Clerk should record that a Friend has stood aside. The Clerk will

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discern whether a request by a Friend that their name be recorded as standing aside accords with the sense of the meeting. Declaring ‘a stop in their mind’ or ‘standing aside’ are both steps not to be taken lightly. Friends are advised to defer to the sense of the meeting if that is possible in good conscience. Overuse of ‘stop’ or ‘standing aside’ may weaken our practice of corporate discernment, whereas individual deference to corporate wisdom can deepen our seeking of unity. The Clerk’s attitude tends to set the desirable pattern of worshipful listening. During any discussion, the Clerk tries to avoid expressing any personal view. Also the Clerk deals firmly with anyone speaking too long or irrelevantly, but at the same time keeps a sense of proportion and humour, and is not too brisk. Business Meetings close with a short silence, for reflection on what has transpired. Rae Litting, Wies Schuiringa, Heather Saville, Clerks

Queensland Regional Meeting Report

This was my first year as Clerk, serving Queensland RM. There were some big shoes to fill, and I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Tony Arden, Assistant Clerk for this year. Mentoring by experienced Friends for this and other positions in our Regional Meeting is invaluable. There have been many changes, challenges, opportunities, sad and joyous events for us this past year. Some of us struggle with our own health issues, or those of loved ones. The monthly Meeting for Healing held at Kelvin Grove contributes to spiritual comfort and acknowledgement of this. We have had to deal with conflict, struggling with the meaning of forgiveness, and continue to seek healing and reconciliation. In the North of Queensland we note the move of David and Trish Johnson from the Atherton Tablelands to their new leading at the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre in 2013. The small group in Cairns meets every couple of months, though there is no longer a correspondent. The Atherton Tablelands Worshipping Group meets once or twice a month, sharing worship, fellowship and occasional Light and Peer Groups. There are a few Quaker seekers in Townsville, though no active correspondent. Queensland shares the tyranny of distance experienced in other States. We try to maintain contact even so. In Brisbane Meeting we have noticed reduced numbers. Visitors continue to join us, however, and our Meeting House has many bookings for outside groups. The Forest Committee continues to care for our surrounding natural environment with occasional larger working bees. Every Sunday after Meeting for Worship there is an opportunity to share ‘What I thought about saying during Meeting for Worship but decided not to’. This is a new venture and has resulted in added spiritual enrichment for us. There has also been a one-day silent retreat at Kelvin Grove. On third Sundays Ministry and Oversight Committee have led us in sessions looking at the Testimonies, while our Peace & Social Justice Sundays continue to involve a variety of topics and sometimes a speaker. We hosted two Israeli peace activists, and a visitor from West Papua, valuing the sharing of their experiences. The First Friday Peace Vigil in King George Square has a core group of 4 - 5 people with others who attend when they can. We now have a banner proclaiming ‘Quakers for Peace’ as well as the tabards, and leaflets for any interested passers-by. Our annual Springbrook Retreat had an Earthcare theme, and some Queensland Friends are contributing to the Quaker Vision for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia. Robert and Gael Howell from Canberra came to this weekend and made a valuable contribution. In April an Enquirers Meeting was held and another is planned for November. We have made use of other opportunities for outreach. A few brave Friends took part in a talkback radio program on a Sunday evening. It was a Christian radio station with a sympathetic presenter, though some of the callers expressed pretty challenging beliefs! We

25 had a Quaker stall at a recent Peace & Sustainability Fair on the day after the International Day of Peace and there have been visits by school students to Kelvin Grove. Unfortunately numbers of children attending the Brisbane Meeting have fallen so low that we have just two Children’s Meetings each month. It may be that other Regional Meetings have experienced the drop in numbers of children and young people coming to worship. However, one young Attender in Brisbane had the initiative to help in starting an art group with one or two other young people associated with the Meeting. We hope it continues, and with support from Friends. Queensland Quakers are involved in many AYM activities and committees. We look forward to hosting YM 2014. We hope that with trust in the Spirit, we can support each other more in facing the challenges of the year ahead. We each have a contribution to make, no matter how small. Sunshine Coast Recognised Meeting notes the importance of the refreshment time after Meeting for Worship to stay aware of, and understandingly support each other’s circumstances when health issues, study, work, community activities and family commitments are being experienced. The 5 Members and 2 - 3 Attenders meet twice a month. Since August, the Gold Coast Meeting has had a regular venue for the monthly meetings, at the Nerang Guide Hut. Though numbers are few, and health issues remain, they have been supported by Brisbane Friends volunteering to give lifts for those wanting to attend. We are especially grateful to Mary Grbavac for her care of this Meeting. In the Western Suburbs of Brisbane the Old Friary at Brookfield continues to be the venue for an average of 5 - 7 Friends who, despite health and hearing challenges, continue to attend the monthly Meetings for Worship. The Darling Downs Meeting has held an Enquirers Meeting and had a table at the Toowoomba Languages & Cultures Festival. ‘Visiting’ cards have been printed and used, and offered to other Meetings and Worshipping Groups. The group is small in number and aging, but going well and strong in the Spirit. The Redlands Worshipping Group recently arranged for two Friends involved in the Pay the Rent Committee to hold a session ‘Every one has a story to tell ’. The aim is to give F/friends an opportunity to share something of their journey in relation to Indigenous issues. The monthly meetings are advertised in the local newspaper from which a few phone enquiries have been received. Frances Long, Clerk

South Australia Regional Meeting Report

The year has had its own unique collection of joy and sadness, challenges and flourishings. Our residential weekend 2010 had left us with the challenge of providing for ‘the spiritual growth, both corporate and individual of F/friends in SARM’ and of ‘building a SA/NT Quaker community more inclusive of the non-Adelaide meetings’, and we have continued to find ways of making this happen. Each of the Local Meetings, Recognised Meetings and Worshipping Groups have engaged in their own programs of spiritual nurturing. In addition, the SARM Ministry & Oversight Committee has provided a range of experiences for anyone able to attend. While time and distance limit the extent of participation possible, we have allocated funds to assist Friends’ involvement, and so help develop that sense of community within the Regional Meeting. All of the various Meetings and Worshipping Groups will be represented at our forthcoming residential weekend which will also be attended by some isolated Friends who are not able to be a regular part of any Meeting, and our RM clerk attended the weekend retreat held in Alice Springs during the year. The sense of inclusiveness has also been fostered by the practice we have adopted of including reports from the various meetings at our Regional Meeting for Worship for Business. One of the sessions at our residential weekend this year will focus on the experience of isolated Friends and those involved in small meetings. The process of working out the relationship between Regional Meeting as a whole and its various component

26 parts has involved determining which Meetings Friends saw themselves connected with, which has led to some practical changes such as who (i.e. which treasurer) issues Schedule requests. This may seem a purely administrative matter, but it actually involved a lot of working through of relationships between individuals and Meetings, which was a very productive process. Part of our sadness of this year had to do with a number of deaths within our Meeting. Our Friend Daphne Tranter died after a long and productive life. While there was the usual sadness associated with the death of a loved one, there was also the satisfaction of a life well-lived and a sense of completion. More shocking for us were the sudden and tragic deaths of Peter Juchniewicz and Charles Pearce of Eastern Suburbs LM and of Edward Sampson, son of Barbara Sampson of Darwin Worshipping Group. We have needed to draw on the well of love and strength within us all as we have lived and supported each other through these experiences. The year saw the resignation of one member (although he wished to remain on the list of Attenders), the transfer of one Member to another Regional Meeting, the welcoming of one Friend into membership, and the reinstatement of a 93 year old Friend who had resigned her membership many years ago and who now felt ready to return. One of the year’s flourishings has been the Quaker Shop. The proceeds continue to increase and consequently so have the contributions that can be made to QSA and to ARA. One of the windows in the shop is now devoted to a display of QSA projects and products. This display, and indeed the shop itself, is a real and tangible form of outreach. The operations of the shop were taken on by South Australia RM during the year, specifically by QSSA, and this is another example of the various parts of our Regional Meeting finding more effective and inclusive ways of working together. There have been other forms of outreach during the year. The Meeting House was open for inspection during Adelaide’s History Festival and saw a huge influx of visitors, of the order of 200. As well as observing the historical aspects of the building, the visitors also had the opportunity to ask or be told something about the Quakers who have used, and still use, the Meeting House. The Meeting House was also the venue for an outing by members of Pilgrim Uniting Church. This visit involved an address by Lynn Arnold, former premier of SA (and former Quaker). There have also been some connections between Quakers and Unitarians in Adelaide. As well as some related discussions, the clerk will be visiting one of Adelaide’s Unitarian congregations to speak to them about Quakers, and one of our member’s PhD topic is a comparative study of Quakers and Unitarians. Part of our history was also maintained by the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority providing funding for the restoration of two Quaker headstones which were deteriorating and in need of repair. We were also invited to contribute to the formulation of an interpretive marker to be placed at the boundary of the Quaker burial ground in West Terrace Cemetery. Our history is being recorded in another way by our very active Friends in Stitches group. Their project has involved the production of four tapestry panels. One of these is now completed, one nearing completion, and two well under way. One of our challenges is that we seem to be an aging meeting. We strive to do all that we would like, and need, to do, but many of us are experiencing the limitations that increasing age and infirmity imposes, either in ourselves or in those we are caring for. We are trying to be creative in ways we can encourage a younger cohort of Friends, but we have few if any children attending meeting on a regular basis and decided, during the year, to lay down our RM Children’s Committee. Old though we might be, two from our meeting, David Evans and Terry Donald, were awarded Australia Day honours for their contributions to society in the areas of health and child protection respectively. One of the things we have struggled to produce for the last couple of years has been our newsletter, Walking Cheerfully. Here too we are trying to find creative solutions which will draw on the wisdom and experience of our older members while attempting to infuse some younger energies as well. Some of our challenges, though, come from outside. The Adelaide Oval, just across the road from the Meeting House, is undergoing major redevelopment with

27 proposed expansion to its facility and extension of its services, including its licensing hours. We have been involved in ongoing discussions which have resulted in some small concessions, but we have yet to see what the implications will be for the immediate environment. So there have been, and no doubt will continue to be, plenty of challenges for South Australia RM, but essentially our spirit is in pretty good shape. There is a feeling of good-natured warmth that prevails despite the difficulties and challenges we may face and a sense of quiet optimism that keeps us working together, sometimes just one day at a time. Kerry O’Regan, Clerk

Tasmania Regional Meeting Report

Our Regional Meeting has 146 adult Members, 99 Attenders, 15 Young Friends, 23 Junior Young Friends and 28 children. It includes the Local Meeting held weekly in Hobart (50–70), and seven Worshipping Groups, at Devonport (4–10), Huonville (4–10), Kingborough (12–15), Launceston (10), Orford (6–10) and Scottsdale (2–6), and a ‘Saturday’ Worshipping Group (9) in Hobart. The Hobart Meeting has grown in the last year, with new Members and Attenders and a noticeable increase in the numbers of children and JYFs. Friends from the three northern Groups occasionally visit each others’ Meetings and members share their joys and concerns after the Meeting for Worship. Visits by travelling Friends have enriched the northern Groups. We are keen to maintain connections and a sense of a shared community between these groups by reciprocal visits and information sharing through the Tasmanian Quaker Newsletter. The newsletter, edited by Elizabeth Fleetwood with layout by Sue Headley, appears monthly except in January, keeping Friends in touch with events and ideas, and fostering community, as well as providing outreach for newcomers to the Meeting. It typically also includes at least one article on a Quaker topic and a section ‘Know 1 Another’ telling, in brief, the life stories and values of our members. We have two Co-clerks of Tasmania Regional Meeting, Ros Haynes and Felicity Rose. Felicity was appointed in April after Sue Headley moved to Darwin. This year we welcomed two new Friends into Membership and three who transferred from interstate. One former Member, living in Queensland, laid down her membership. We celebrated the 105th birthday of our oldest Friend, Eve Masterman. We were saddened by the deaths of four much-loved Friends since our previous report: Bronwen Meredith, Walter Sigrist, Helen Walpole and Joan Roberts. Celebrations of the Grace of God in their Lives were inspiring events. Testimonies to these Friends have been prepared and published in the Newsletter. Our Committees of Ministry & Care meets monthly in Hobart but are mindful of their responsibility to nurture and care for all Tasmanian Friends. One member lives in Devonport and one in Coles Bay on the East Coast. Each month we hold in the Light Friends in need, and trust that all our Worshipping Groups will seek help whenever required. We have also held several Meetings for Worship in a nursing home for a Friend unable to travel. Devonport Members are using the beautifully hand-written poster copies of Advices and Queries produced in Hobart in 2011. Ministry & Care supported the Children’s Meeting in producing a leaflet for new families and interested Friends, and produced a new leaflet to be made available during Meetings for Celebration and Thanks for the lives of Friends who have died. We were presented with a challenge to improve equity of access to the Meeting House and we have adopted a better seating plan to facilitate this. The survey conducted in late 2011 of Friends’ spiritual needs has led to some of the activities mentioned elsewhere in this report. In July a Quaker Basics Day for Friends and Enquirers was well attended and there was enthusiastic discussion of such topics as Quaker history, Quakers and God, Meeting for Worship, ‘letting your life speak’ and the Quaker testimonies. A clerking workshop conducted by Lyndsay Farrall in July gave valuable information and advice about Quaker business

28 process. A retreat day for members of Ministry & Care held in August was a supportive and productive day that allowed Friends to think about the basics and know each other better. Our enthusiastic Junior Young Friends have had a full program and drawn in several new attenders, about 8 JYFs being in regular attendance. A beach day, a bush walk and cave exploration took them into beautiful back country, and the rather wet Residential Weekend with the theme of ‘Sustainability’ offered good community building, learning and practice under the leadership of Peace & Earthcare Worker Robert Howell. He invited the JYFs to reflect on the contrast between the ‘cowboy economy’ and the ‘spaceship economy’. They also engaged in role-plays and a simulation game. The occasional ‘What are Friends For?’ series continues with an invited adult guest sharing concerns and faith with the JYFs. As well, the JYFs have worked at learning business practices, and have their own officers and Meetings for Worship for Business with recorded minutes. At one such meeting they agreed to donate $200 they had raised to a school for deaf children in Tajikistan. International Refugee Week brought a focus on this topic. When there is a fifth Sunday, they plan and lead the program for the children. The JYFs have repeatedly expressed a strong interest in getting together with mainland JYFs. Our Meeting includes 28 children of whom about 6–8 attend on any one Sunday. The children join in the gathered silence of Meeting in the last ten minutes, and during notices they and the JYFs report on what they have been doing in their own Meeting. Among their activities have been decorating a peace tree on Hiroshima Sunday with paper cranes and strips of paper on which they wrote their own peace messages. Nearly all take part in the annual Children’s Pageant. Other activities have included planting spring bulbs, making pancakes on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday and making Venetian-type masks for Carnivale; crafting pottery lamps for the Indian festival of Diwali; creating beautiful rings from recycled materials; practising calligraphy with Friend Pat Firkin and exploring the concept of a global village. At the Residential Weekend they join the workshop activities and shared times of social bonding and finger-knitting. The Conveners of the Children’s Group and of the JYFs returned from the AYM Children and JYFs Committee Workshop at Silver Wattle much refreshed and engaged by sharing with those of like concern, pooling resources, and understanding the range and commonality of issues concerning children and JYFs. This is further stimulating the JYF and children’s programs. The Peace & Social Justice Committee has continued to write to politicians about defence matters, the use of cluster bombs, Indigenous concerns, asylum seekers and animal welfare, including the live cattle export. Katherine Purnell attended the Australia’s First Peoples’ seminar in May and wrote a timely report on the quality time she shared with other participants. Members attended the Hiroshima Day vigil in August. Quaker Service Tasmania has continued to raise money for QSA from a trade table after Meeting with fruit, vegetables, jams, books and other pre-loved items. Stalls are held regularly in two venues, providing outreach and giving a public face to QSA. We are grateful to the Friends who give so much time and effort to these activities. The Hobart Fellowship of Healing meets monthly to hold in the Light anyone whose name is brought forward as being in need. A core group of about eight is frequently joined by other Friends and newcomers to the Meeting. The well-stocked library in Hobart and a smaller collection in Devonport are well used. The Library is often the first port of call for newcomers to Meeting who want to learn more about Quakers, and they receive a warm welcome and advice from our librarians. Reviews of new acquisitions appear regularly in the Newsletter. Launceston has begun to build a library as well. The week-long silent and semi-silent retreats on Bruny Island, an important focus in our Meeting in previous years, were in abeyance for much of this year after the death of Walter Sigrist who had hosted them at his home, and owing to Kerstin Reimers’ absence in Kenya for the World Conference of Friends. However a thanksgiving Meeting for Worship was held on Bruny Island in January attended by 41 Friends, past retreatants and children.

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Visitors to Regional Meeting have included: Stephen Zunes, a Quaker and Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco, who gave an interesting talk on the non-violent resistance in the Middle East in March; and Robert Howell, the AYM Peace & Earthcare Worker, who spoke on ‘Beyond the Unethical and Unscientific Economy’ in May. The AYM Thanksgiving Fund continues under the care of Tasmania RM. There is much formal and informal contact between Hobart LM and the Friends’ School. Seven members of staff are Quakers and there are six Tasmanian Friends on the School Board. The Quaker Community Coordinator organises the Quakers-in-Residence program, provides staff professional development activities on Quakerism and supports those who run the student Gatherings in the Meeting House. The Coordinator also talks to classes, on request, about a Quaker perspective on various topics, including the conducting of Quaker weddings. This year the Quakers in Residence program, to which the Regional Meeting contributes funds, brought four Quakers to the School: Ellen Gilbert from Westtown Quaker School, Pennsylvania; Peace & Earthcare Worker Robert Howell; John Michaelis, inventor and musician; and Young Friend Thomas Dundas who conducted music workshops. The Australian Quaker Tapestry project has been enthusiastically supported by a dedicated group of ‘Friends in Stitches’. Elizabeth Fleetwood attended the Tapestry Week at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre in November 2011 to learn the ‘Quaker stitch’ that is fundamental for the lettering on the panels and the many intricate steps in preparation for the embroidery. Tasmania’s first panel, based on the contact that the Quaker settler Francis Cotton had with Aborigines on the East Coast, is titled ‘Francis Cotton recording the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legends’. A course on Quaker Ways of Discernment devised by Felicity Rose and Katherine Purnell ran for 7 sessions in October/November, attracting some 20 participants. The course outline is now on the QLA website to be read or used by Friends. Two ‘taster’ workshops were held early in the year to publicise and generate interest in Alternatives to Violence Program. Two Basic Workshops were held in March and June. Five of our Members are trained AVP facilitators. Small group activities. Since June, a Friday evening discussion group on wide-ranging topics including spirituality has been held monthly at a Friend’s home in Hobart, with ten or more Friends attending. This provides an opportunity to foster community and stimulating discussion, as well as helping us to know each other better. The Launceston Worshipping Group has begun the Quaker Learning Australia course on Quaker Basics, which runs fortnightly until November. Eleven Friends, including one from Devonport, meet for a meal before worship-sharing their responses to the course. A creative group has met monthly to share inspiration, expressions of creativity and its relationship to spirituality and mindfulness across a wide spectrum of interests. This initiative has increased our fellowship and appreciation of each other’s gifts and has drawn in several participants from outside the Meeting. One of our Members, Kerstin Reimers, attended the World Conference of Friends in Kenya in April on the theme, ‘Being Salt and Light in a Broken World’. Kerstin shared her experiences of the Conference and two tours to see the work of Kenyan Friends. ‘Right Relationships – Quaker Residential Weekend for all Ages’ was held at Dysart in the Midlands in April, attended by 43 Friends, including adults, JYFs and children. Guest speaker, Robert Howell, the Peace & Earthcare Worker, outlined the proposed ‘Quaker Blueprint for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia’. The program also included drama, singing and dancing. Finances: We have arrived successfully at the end of our financial year (31 August) in a reasonable state, despite the increased contribution to AYM, the additional costs to sponsor Friends’ travel to Yearly Meeting in Perth, to workshops at Silver Wattle, and to the World Conference of Friends in Kenya, not to mention the rapidly rising prices of electricity, council rates, water and insurance on the Meeting House. Allocations to the Building Repair Fund and the Members’ Support Fund may need to be reduced from last year’s budget. This year the Meeting provided short-term loans to help some families in financial need. This has depleted our reserves in the Members’ Support Fund back to $4,900.

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That we have been able to meet our budget in 2011–12 has been due largely to the increased number of 97 Members and Attenders who contributed to our annual income. Those who contribute more than the amount on the schedule help balance those who find difficulty in contributing the full amount. This is much appreciated. This year we have appointed a web-maintainer to design and keep up to date a web page specifically for Tasmania Regional Meeting. We have seen a growing depth of appreciation for Meeting for Worship, including silent Meetings, and we have become particularly aware of the value of fostering and nurturing our community. Every conversation with another Friend, every business meeting, every discussion group, and every meeting for worship can increase our loving and caring and our knowledge of each other. (Quaker Faith and Practice, 12.01) Ros Haynes & Felicity Rose, Co-clerks

Victoria Regional Meeting Report

General An average of 28 Friends and Attenders come to our Regional Meeting for Worship for Business every second month; the four Local Meetings within Victoria meet for their Business Meeting on alternate months. Meetings continue to be held weekly at Friends House LM, Eastern Suburbs LM and Northern Suburbs LM; twice a month at Mornington Peninsula LM and Ballarat Recognised Meeting; and monthly at The Hub in the city, Gippsland, Diamond Valley, Kyneton, Bairnsdale and Bendigo. Active Meetings for Healing are held at Friends House, Diamond Valley and Mornington. Deaths This last year we recorded the deaths of nine people associated with our Meetings: Frances Thorsen, Teddy Trickett, Vanessa Gough, Joan Gough, Ray Adams, George Holland, Robin Arnold, Evelyn Garrard and Betty Frommer. Some of these people had a very long association with our Meetings, others not so long. Nevertheless, we continue to miss their presence with us. On 11 February Young Friends associated with our Regional Meeting organised a Meeting to give thanks for the Grace of God in the life of Peter Juchniewicz, a Young Friend from South Australia, very dear to them. Marriage under the care of the Meeting On 23 September, Shannon Burton-Rushworth and Miriam McGregor were married under the care of the Meeting. Other membership matters We welcomed three new members by convincement, and noted two resignations. Structure of Local Meetings Two of our Local Meetings considered the way their Meetings are structured to see whether changes would be desirable, but decided to remain as Local Meetings at this time. Decision on a new Friends Centre A Friends Centre Ways Forward Committee, consisting of four Friends appointed to continue the work and build on the report of the Property Working Group, was appointed in December 2011. This group visited each Meeting in Victoria to continue exploring the matter of a new Friends Centre. A report, with recommendations, was presented at our June Regional Meeting. Local Meetings further considered the report and had the opportunity for their questions to be answered. At our August Regional Meeting, the recommendations of this Committee were accepted, and the decision to sell 631 Orrong Road, Toorak, and to establish a new Friends Centre was made. This decision begins a new chapter for Victorian Friends, and acts upon the decision at our October 2005 Regional Meeting.

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We are conscious of the change and adjustments which will be needed for those who have worshipped together at Friends House for many years. We will continue to seek guidance so that this time of change and adjustment can be met in a sensitive way. Regional Meeting Elders Our three RM Elders have been very active and have organised two workshops with Drew Thomas on the theme of ‘Listening into Being’, one in November 2011 and a follow-up workshop in August 2012, which was attended by approximately 30 Friends. Both past and present Elders met together earlier in the year and developed guidelines on the role description for RM Elders. Elders, along with our Nominations Committee, are organising a Clerking workshop on 6 October, and have invited Lyndsay Farrall (Tasmania RM) to be present. Our RM Elders have taken responsibility for the invitations to speakers and the general content of our mid-year Gathering. Silver Wattle Travelling Friend We were pleased to welcome Elaine Emily, this year’s Silver Wattle Travelling Friend, who made an extensive visit to Victoria in February, travelling to Ballarat, Kyneton, Bendigo, St Andrews and Mornington Peninsula, accompanied by Renee Ellerton and Moira Darling. A number of Victorian Friends are involved in various roles in the ongoing development of Silver Wattle Quaker Centre and a number have participated in the various programs offered. Other Regional Meeting activities A successful Outreach Day was arranged in April at Northern Suburbs LM. The mid-year Gathering for Victorian Friends, held 20 - 22 July at Amberley, Edmund Rice Centre, brought together 41 adult Friends, and 21 children and JYFs. Two families from other Regional Meetings joined in this weekend. Involving country Friends in Victoria RM events is often difficult; however, the mid-year Gathering does bring together in a weekend of fellowship those who can’t often attend Meeting, particularly the children and their families. A group of dedicated Friends meet monthly to consider matters to do with peace and social justice issues, to encourage each other in their particular concerns, and to write letters on Regional Meeting’s behalf where appropriate. This group also brings matters on peace and social justice issues to the Regional Meeting for consideration and action. Through these regular meetings, the network seeks to support the Australian Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions Coalition, which is a particular concern of our Friend Lorel Thomas. We are kept up to date on matters relating to First Nations People by Margaret Spong. We have been able to support financially the Friends Peace Teams in the Asia West Pacific Section, in the building of a Peace House. This Network has an email list of over 40 Friends who receive the agenda and minutes of meetings. A Vigil supporting Justice for First Nations People has been held each Monday since 1997 on the steps of the old GPO in central Melbourne. Mornington Peninsula LM hosts Quaker Service Victoria, and has successfully held several fundraising events, which many Victorian Friends have attended and enjoyed. We have found that having Quaker Service Victoria hosted by one Meeting has energised Quaker Service activities in Victoria. Our Premises Committee looks after our building and oversees the accommodation arrangements for visiting Friends. We have been grateful to have Catherine Hutchison and Brendan Caulfield-James return to us as Resident Friends, during 2012. Involving our children within the Meeting Children continue to actively participate in the Ballarat Meeting. For the most part they are the three Bray children, Emily, Rosie and Miles, but on occasion they are joined by others. On second Sundays, the children are in the Meeting for the whole hour with the adults, quietly reading, drawing, knitting, sitting on cushions, cuddling quietly or whatever takes their fancy. On fourth Sundays, there is a Children's Meeting with a paid carer. The children enjoy making artwork in response to themes that are introduced: What's home like?, stories of Quaker involvement in abolishing slavery, and others like those in the collection Candles in the Dark and Does God have a Big Toe?

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The two JYFs at Mornington Meeting have chosen to stay in Meeting for about half an hour or more once a month. Eastern Suburbs (ES) holds a children and JYFs meeting each second Sunday. Topics covered include Quaker history, the testimonies and Indigenous Concerns. The children and JYFs are encouraged to provide input into the structure and content of the program. Responses to the topics include discussions, artwork and role plays. ES thank Shannon Burton-Rushworth and David Albrecht and welcome Sally McIlroy and Mielikki Spratt, both of whom have recently obtained Working with Children Checks. Northern Suburbs Meeting hold a regular children’s Sunday once a month, usually with one child in attendance. Friends House Meeting has no children attending regularly at present. Australia Yearly Meeting activities Our Regional Meeting continues to host the AYM Peace & Social Justice Fund Committee, the AYM Children and Junior Young Friends Committee, and the First Nations People Concerns Committee. Friends involved in these committees value those wider connections and the way in which concerns can be expressed and supported. Gerry Fahey and Alan Clayton (both out-of-Melbourne Friends) will take up their position as Co-clerks from September 2012. Sieneke Martin & Bev Polzin Co-clerks 2011 - 12

West Australia Regional Meeting Report

We trust that by remaining open to Spirit we may make those places and spaces where we find ourselves more loving and lovely. The year 2011-12 has been one of regrouping and recovery for West Australia Regional Meeting. Regrouping The What Does Love Require of Us Threshing process, completed just prior to the 2011 AGM, responded to the difficulties of finding people able to serve the Meeting by participating in committees while at the same time harnessing individual passions and interests. In the course of the Threshing sessions, participants spoke and wrote about the ways in which they live their Quaker faith, from broad lifestyle choices to specific tasks undertaken for West Australia RM or individual Worshipping Groups. We recognised that each F/friend is living their testimony to God in their daily lives in a myriad of ways and that through their actions Quaker work was being achieved. We felt called to have trust and faith that we are being led, and assisted by God. We developed new structures where: Two or three people would share responsibility for three years Two or three people would share responsibility for one to three years with others providing support on a shorter term One person would take responsibility for one to three years to coordinate a team of people who are interested in the task or activity One or two people would manage the task using Meeting for Worship or discussions with F/friends for discernment Some responsibilities, such as the appointment of Elders, were delegated to Local Meetings and Worshipping Groups. A comprehensive Contribution Schedule, detailing ways in which individuals could serve West Australia RM, was created and sent to F/friends, inviting them to identify ways in which they could contribute to the life of the Meeting. At the same time, the Nominations Committee was asked to approach individuals and suggest ways in which they might contribute. All nominations were then to come to Meeting for Worship for Business for discernment. The Contribution Schedule was discussed at length at the AGM in 2011. It was noted that some people had indicated they could serve the Meeting in many ways and concern was expressed that they might over-commit themselves. Nevertheless, all names were accepted with the

33 understanding that the new structures would enable shorter terms and less onerous commitments. But change is uncomfortable and there were many differing understandings of the new structures. It emerged that some of the people who had offered many different services had expected the Meeting to discern the ways in which their contribution might be best used. Once the Contribution Schedule was printed F/friends forgot which structure was to be operating for which group and the old patterns of committees and conveners emerged. Several F/friends continued to lament that historical Quaker concerns were not being enacted with the endorsement and support of a dedicated committee. The ‘looseness’ of the structure did not fit with some F/friends’ sense of commitment; if people were going to serve the Meeting, they needed to set aside specific and regular times to meet and take action. ‘New’ groups were formed and old ones abandoned. ‘Oversight’ was moved to be the responsibility of Membership. Courses and programs were moved to the responsibility of an Education Committee. Functions that had been served by particular groups were now the responsibility of new groups. There was confusion about who was responsible for what. Despite establishing a reporting process so that the Meeting would be informed about what activities were underway, there was less information than there had been about activities in 2010/11 when, without functioning committees and with the Threshing Sessions underway, all concerns were brought to Meetings for Worship for Business (which made them exceedingly long!) Recovery Just as committees and groups were starting to meet and determine the scope of their responsibilities, the requirements of hosting YM 2012 increased. A highly successful Yearly Meeting held at Christchurch Grammar School in January 2012 provided a spiritual and personal connection for WA F/friends with the Australian Quaker community. Many F/friends attended Yearly Meeting for their first time, while others re- established connections through the Friday Creative Day, Summer School, Meetings for Worship, preparatory sessions, main sessions and social times. In particular, Junior Young Friends who have stopped attending Meetings for Worship in West Australia RM were reconnected with young F/friends from other places in Australia. Spiritual rejuvenation, however, was coupled with physical exhaustion and many F/friends retired from Quaker contribution for some time. State of the Meeting Despite all of this, however, Meetings for Worship have been held in Beverley, Bridgetown, Fremantle, Geraldton, Mt Lawley, Rockingham and South Coast, meeting the spiritual needs of 35 to 80 people each week. Members of the Hills Meeting are now meeting at Mt Lawley. There are a total of 86 Members, 93 Attenders and 21 children. Three Friends resigned from membership. We welcomed into Membership Tonya Jensen and Dara McDonnell. Eight children have been regular or irregular attenders at Meeting for Worship at Mt Lawley Meeting and children’s programs are now offered every week at Mt Lawley. We celebrated the Grace of God in the Life of Lilian Arthur, Mary Blair, Wal Egan, Barbara Logan and Thane Riney. We celebrated the wedding of Adrian Glamorgan and Elizabeth P’O. West Australia RM activities this year have included: Clerking Team The establishment of Clerking Team meetings on the Friday 10 days before Meeting for Worship for Business Inclusion of Correspondents in Clerks’ Meetings where possible Inclusion in the Agenda of reports to facilitate information and discernment for Meeting for Worship for Business Membership Group Formulation of the Membership Group’s guidelines Revision of the Contingency Fund Guidelines Methodical checking of the Members and Attenders List

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Maintenance of the nametag boards at West Australia RM Meeting House for all F/friends in West Australia RM The beginnings of a West Australia RM F/friends Profiles project in which profiles of F/friends are shared through Quaker News or through stories posted on noticeboards Quaker News mailed to 46 people and emailed to 168 different addresses via the Quaker News email address . Articles from Quaker News also continue to be posted on the AYM website Annual Christmas gatherings A session on Respectful Relationships Welcoming a wide range of visitors this year Meeting House group Formulation of the Meeting House Committee’s guidelines Archiving workshops to identify the need for paper and electronic storage of information Two busy bees to establish the long-awaited card system for the library and to maintain the Meeting House A garage/veranda sale that realised $1200 for QSA Quaker Service One Fifth Sunday fondue lunch that realised about $80 for QSA Participation in the review of the relationship between AYM and QSA Interest Groups Gatherings of Friends on Friday group (GOFF) exploring Journey/Storytelling, Forgiveness, Community, Letting Go, Shame, Grace, The Elephant in the Room Two ‘Soul in a Bowl’ lunches Ongoing support for the Twa Community (Burundi Church group including the Peace Choir) which has recently decided to move to Katanning where housing and work are available Ongoing support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers through ‘coffee mug’ donations to the Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD) A special Meeting for Worship in relation to Blue Knot Day on Saturday 3 November Education group Celebrating F/friends Sunday on 30 October 2011 which included a ‘taster’ of the programs to be offered as part of Summer School at YM 2012 in January The Cove gathering in March 2012 with Beth Harcourt guiding in the use of paper clay as a creative medium An informal repeat of Brenda Roy’s Summer School session Outreach group Formulation of the Outreach Committee’s guidelines Friends in Stitches Regular monthly meetings of the Friends in Stitches on the second Saturday of each month A visit from Cathy Davies (NSW) in April in regard to the Friends on Stitches project Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Attendance of several West Australia RM f/Friends at courses at SWQC or as Resident Elders Issues to take into 2012-13 In 2012-13 there are some challenges for us: 1. It is clear that committees, groups and individuals need to revisit their roles and responsibilities in light of the ‘new structures’.

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2. Asking Recognised Meetings and Worshipping Groups to select their own Elders was difficult for groups in Bridgetown, Beverly, Geraldton and Rockingham. The need for a West Australia RM Elder or Elders who care for the spiritual life of these Meetings has emerged. 3. The Review of the Membership Process, begun in May 2012, needs to be completed to ensure that It aligns with the AYM process published in the new Handbook of Practice and Procedure The process adequately supports Attenders seeking membership, especially those in small Worshipping Groups. 4. The role of Clerk has many visible elements but there is also work that remains hidden. A Clerking Team is enormously helpful, so that tasks are shared. Inclusion of the Correspondents is also helpful for discernment when it is possible, but requires organisation by the Clerking Team as well as the availability of the Correspondents. Marie Martin, Clerk Reports from AYM Committees, Working Groups and Associated Bodies

The Australian Friend Committee

The Australian Friend (AF) has now been established as a web-based journal. Since March, the web-based edition has been ready on the first Monday of the month when the quarterly issue is due. The committee is still working on improvements to avoid delays in getting the print edition in your letterbox more quickly. The committee hopes to reduce the number of printed copies over time and to ensure the AF can be accessed on all electronic devices. Stephen Hodgkin has worked closely with us to inform Friends about the AF and when a new edition is ready. Ian Hughes was the main driver and expert to change the AF to a web-based journal. Ian’s health deteriorated severely in the middle of 2012 and he is unable to remain the anchor for the committee as well as the trouble-shooter for challenges as they occur. The committee members are adjusting their roles to these changed circumstances. The web-based AF can publish an unlimited number of articles, while the print edition is limited by the number of pages. Plenty of articles have been submitted during the year and the editorial panel has been challenged to decide which articles won’t appear in the print edition. Mark Johnson from the Blue Mountains LM has been the coordinating editor in 2012 and he has supported contributors in writing their articles. Quaker Voice (QV) is taking longer to find its form. QV is a forum for news and views from Quakers around the world and utilises the same web base as the AF. John Michaelis attended the World Conference of Friends in Kenya to make contact with the many Quaker YMs and organisations around the world regarding QV. The concept was readily accepted, but the organisational capacity to make QV happen and to encourage the writing of articles has been slow to develop. With the loss of Ian on the committee, we are in need of a new web monkey who is familiar with Wordpress and can troubleshoot when hurdles appear. Part B The committee is looking for a new Wordpress expert. Wies Schuiringa, Ian Hughes, John Michaelis (Australian Friend Committee) Garry Duncan, Mark Johnson, Geoff Mclean (Editorial panel)

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Australian Friends Fellowship of Healing

The Australian Friends Fellowship of Healing (AFFH) continues its work quietly and prayerfully through the many small groups across our land. It became apparent to Barbara True and myself that we needed a third person in the coordinator’s team to act as liaison person between AFFH and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre to facilitate the bringing to fruition of the House of Healing that began with the idea to transfer of funds from AFFH to SWQC last year. After some months of waiting for the right person to appear, Barbara realised that she was the one to take on this role. Following her attendance at the Quaker Healing Workshop at SWQC in March Barbara spoke of the Olaf Hodgkin’s Healing Unit as ‘ ... so far, just beautiful choices of earth that one can pace out and imagine.’ So we have moved from the initial inspiration to the consideration of the actual physical location and the visualisation of its accomplishment. I will be laying down the role of AFFH coordinator at the end of this year and we look forward to finding a new coordinator to help Barbara. As always, it is difficult to report on the activities of AFFH as these are mostly carried out in the quiet spaces of our inner lives as we seek to hold the heart of our Meetings and to honour the healing tradition that was so much a part of the life of early Quakers. Margaret Jacobs, Coordinator

Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery: Friends in Stitches

The year 2012 will be remembered as the one when we began to see the shape of the future Narrative Embroidery and how it should look when eventually we exhibit. At our recent September Melbourne workshop at Tessa Spratt’s home we were working on no less than seven panels, three of which had been completed. The first was The Sydney Parkinson Panel. Two other completed panels were delivered from South Australia through the mail to us, The May Family and The QSA Shop. It was an enormous thrill and delight to see three panels completed. They are so bright and optimistic and of such a high artistic standard that I think all Friends who see them will be pleased. We also worked on the initial stages of a panel for the Mornington Peninsula, who are developing a theme around ‘community’. We also had embroiderers working on two other Melbourne panels: the first celebrates the Quaker puppeteer, Lorrie Gardner; the other, The Vigil, depicts some of the Friends who have met on the steps of the Melbourne GPO each week for 14 years in support of Aboriginal Justice. We were fortunate to have Elizabeth Fleetwood join us from Hobart with her panel showing Francis Cotton who collected original Aboriginal stories, and Heather Stuart with her panel on a vignette from the life of JJ Neave showing his walk across the Bogong High Plains up to Omeo. This panel was inspired by a quote from this we can say 2.60. Much of the preliminary work for framing was completed while we were together. Several more panels are almost ready for framing. Many Friends will be interested in the process we are using for framing. On the recommendation of the National Gallery we had approached the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney who showed us how they would frame similar embroideries. Our main criteria were that the panels be dust- and moth-proof and meet conservation standards. We also needed to consider weight as the panels will need to be sent to Yearly Meeting each year. The four sides of our panel frames are aluminium square tubes with L-shaped connecting joints at the corners. Double-sided tape then attaches these tubes to double-wall corrugated boarding, guaranteed to last hundreds of years. Heavy duty Velcro with tiny hooks is attached to one side of the tubing and the soft side of the Velcro is sewn onto the embroidered panel. The embroidery is then placed and stretched over the boarding, carefully tucking in the corners so that they are as smooth as possible. The Velcro is so strong that it can be used to stretch and tighten the embroidery, removing any wrinkles. We then cover the whole embroidery with a

37 tight acrylic lid. The most difficult part of this framing has been trying to find someone to drill the screw holes into the aluminium tubing! A Men’s Shed was our eventual solution! We have managed to keep the framing costs to just over $100 a frame, most of this being the acrylic lid. The cost of the framing will come from AYM funding given to The Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery when the project was first set up, as well as money donated by interested Friends and raised by embroidery groups. The weight per frame is slightly over 3 kg. We hope to continue refining the framing process. Within AYM there are a large number of accomplished artists. Within The Australian Quaker Narrative Embroideries there are a number of future ideas waiting to be drawn on paper. As one English engineer designer said, ‘I know that the embroideries are a way that I will be remembered long after all the bridges and buildings I have built have been destroyed.’ We need help with designing and drawing the panels. We are looking into the feasibility and desirability of insuring the panels in the future. Cathy Davies & Tessa Spratt, Co-conveners

Backhouse Lecture Committee

Jocelyn Bell Burnell will present the 2013 Backhouse Lecture. Jocelyn is an astrophysicist, who discovered the first radio pulsars. She was the 1989 Swarthmore Lecturer (Broken for Life), a plenary speaker at the recent World Conference of Friends, a member of the Quaker Peace & Social Witness Testimonies Committee, and a former Clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting and of the Central Executive Committee of Friends World Committee for Consultation. Mid-year Standing Committee (Minute SC7.12.8) agreed with the Committee’s recommendation that Tracy Bourne (Victoria RM) be the Backhouse Lecturer for YM 2014 on a theme related to young people in the Religious Society of Friends. Nomination forms are available on the AYM website and through RM Clerks. Anyone can nominate themselves or someone else as a potential future lecturer. Each nomination must include detailed reasons in support of the nomination to help the committee in its discernment process. Nominations are valid for three years, after which persons can be re-nominated. David Purnell, Convener

Child Protection Committee

Part A: Report YM 2012 agreed that all Child Protection Contact Friends would together form an AYM Child Protection Committee in a similar way that Respectful Relationships Contact Friends have formed a Respectful Relationships Committee (Minute YM12.54). However, no Contact Friend has come forward to act as convener of the Child Protection Committee. Also, only a small number of the large committee thus formed have been able to join in the twice-yearly teleconferences (10 June, 26 September) which the Presiding Clerk and AYM Secretary have continued to convene. The teleconferences offer opportunities for Contact Friends to share information about Child Protection activities and issues in their Meetings. They also form the basis of reports to Standing Committee and Yearly Meeting. As requested in the committee's report to Standing Committee in July, the document Respectful care and safety of children and JYFs at Yearly Meeting and other AYM gatherings, prepared by the AYM Children & JYFs Committee, has now been placed in the Members’ section of the Quakers Australia website. The document contains sample letters and consent forms to parents/grandparents/guardians, sign-in and sign-out sheets and incident reporting forms which organisers of children and JYF programs will be able to adapt for Yearly Meeting, family camps and other AYM gatherings. At the teleconference of 26 September, it was noted that several Regional Meetings do not have both a male and a female Contact Friend, as recommended. Child Protection Contact Friends have reported no incidents in their Meetings during the past year. The AYM Secretary reminded Contact Friends that each year the RM clerks are also called

38 upon to report any complaints relating to molestation/sexual abuse as part of the confidential Public Liability Declaration that each entity associated with the Society submits to Ansvar Insurance. These declarations are part of the Society's duty of disclosure under our 'Places of Worship' insurance with Ansvar. Our Child Protection Policy and Procedures adopted at Yearly Meeting 2007 complies with the insurer's requirements for Meetings to have police checks of all people who care for, work with or are involved with children or young people; to interview and check the references of all new people working with children or young people; and to have Incident Reporting Procedures in place. The committee agreed that Child Protection Contact Friends would benefit from meeting face to face every few years to share information and undertake training, as Respectful Relationships Contact Friends have done. However, Contact Friends pointed to significant differences between Child Protection and Respectful Relationships Contact Friends. For example, in addition to the AYM Child Protection Policy and Procedures, Child Protection Contact Friends have to comply with different state-based legislation. In addition, Respectful Relationships Contact Friends may be contacted by Friends from any Regional Meeting, whereas Child Protection Contact Friends deal only with issues within their Regional Meeting. The result is that Child Protection Contact Friends are less likely than Respectful Relationships Contact Friends to have a national focus. It was agreed that without a cohesive committee or a convener to take the lead in planning content, finding facilitators and developing a budget for training, Child Protection Contact Friends would find it difficult to organise ongoing training. Contact Friends agreed to ask Yearly Meeting to consider a different model for the Child Protection Committee as outlined in Part B. Part B: Recommendation Child Protection Contact Friends ask Yearly Meeting to consider replacing the current Child Protection Committee with a small (3 to 5 person) committee, consisting of one or some Child Protection Contact Friends, as well as others who have an interest in Child Protection policy or in the wellbeing and nurture of children and Junior Young Friends in our Meetings.

Such a committee would have oversight of the work of the Child Protection Contact Friends; organise ongoing training for Contact Friends; conduct ongoing reviews of the AYM Child Protection Policy and Procedures; and report to Standing Committee and Yearly Meeting. Dorothy Broom, Jim Neely (Canberra RM); Oddur Augustsson, Heather Myers (Queensland RM); Garry Duncan, Wies Schuiringa (New South Wales RM); Jane Picton, Kevin Spratt (Victoria RM); Val Boyd (Tasmania RM); Gillian Lewis (South Australia RM); Henry Esbenshade, Margaret Woodward (West Australia RM), AYM Pres.Clerk & Secretary

Children & Junior Young Friends Committee

Part A: Report Bringing Children & Junior Young Friends (JYFs) into the Centre of Quaker Life: Workshop at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre If we don’t have children at the meeting, then it’s like we close a blind on them. One by one the shutters are drawn. (Workshop participant) The most significant activity for this committee has been the planning and facilitating of a workshop Bringing Children & JYFs into the Centre of Quaker Life, held 1 - 4 April 2012 at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre. The purpose of this workshop was to reflect on Australian approaches to nurturing the spiritual life of Quaker children and JYFs and to develop resources and guidelines for Friends who undertake this important work. Regional Meetings were asked to nominate one or more representatives to participate in this four-day workshop. All participants actively contributed to discussions and development of recommendations. A reference group of workshop participants was formed to support the work of the committee and to act on the nominated projects.

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The aim of the workshop and this report is to begin a discussion with all Friends about how we can realistically nurture our children and Junior Young Friends in the future. The workshop was funded by AYM, the Thanksgiving Fund and by each Regional Meeting within Australia. Individuals also contributed financially. A report has been written that documents the discussions, reflections and recommendations from this workshop. In the report, we have represented the diversity of the responses where possible. We also tried different ways of responding to issues including brainstorming, worship-sharing, open discussion, breakout groups, and quiet reflection. We hope that this report and other outcomes of the workshop encourage Friends to better support our children and JYFs to explore their spiritual lives and relationships with other Friends of all ages, and to better include them in worship, business and fun. Note: a copy of the report (including recommendations and resources for children and JYFs) is available on request. Workshop outcomes One of the key recommendations of this workshop was that the Children & JYF Committee provide a higher level of support for carers, families and children at Yearly Meeting gatherings. To that end, we have worked to support the planning committee for children and JYF activities at YM 2013 in Canberra. The other projects that this committee will focus on for the next 3 - 5 years include: Establishing a paid Children and JYF Coordinator’s position Writing a ‘Quaker Basics’ type course for carers Facilitating a workshop for children to contribute to planning and change Writing an Australian Quaker ‘curriculum’ for children/JYFs Writing and/or sourcing a training kit and trainers for Local Meetings to reflect on the role of children and JYFs in their meeting Publishing an ‘Advices and Queries’ by children (We would like republish and add to an already existing ‘Advices and Queries’ by children from a number of years ago) Sourcing financial assistance for families to attend YM Upgrading our webpage to make it more interactive Supporting children to travel in the ministry Writing an induction program and mentoring for carers Writing a program to assist children to prepare for worship (along the lines of ‘Hearts and Minds prepared’) While this list of projects is ambitious, we feel that these projects are essential in order to bring children and young people more fully into our Quaker community. Assistance from Friends We have been very pleased to have Mielikki Spratt on our committee as a JYF over the past few years. Now that Mielikki is a Young Friend on our committee, we have seconded some new JYFs, Emily Bray and Felix Lloyd, who will join us for some meetings. We have also seconded Jasmine Payget for the lead-up to YM 2013. Part B: The Children & JYF Committee strongly support the establishment of a paid Children & JYFs Coordinator position in order to support the care of and spiritual development of children and JYFs. Currently, there are many people (often parents) working in isolation around the country with little practical or financial support. This committee is not able to support these families and carers at the level that is needed. Furthermore, the legal and insurance requirements are becoming more onerous and complex. Friends must ensure that Child Protection requirements are understood and upheld. Smaller meetings may struggle to manage these responsibilities. We are concerned that the load of care and organisation for children appears to be the responsibility of parents in most cases, and we suspect that this may be one reason why there are relatively low numbers of Friends with children attending meetings regularly. Other Yearly Meetings of a comparable size to Australia support the care of their young people with a paid coordinator’s position; e.g. Ireland and Canada. Larger Yearly Meetings provide

40 considerable support to those who care for children, including a number of paid and volunteer staff dedicated to this work. We hope that Australian Friends recognise the importance of this work by providing financial support through YM funding or private donation. We recommend that a paid coordinator be appointed for 10 hours per week for an initial period of 3 years, with a review of the position at the end of this period. The coordinator’s role would include supporting the care of children and JYFs in Regional Meetings and at the Yearly Meeting gatherings in January liaising with the Child Protection Committee and RM Children’s Committees to support compliance with legal and insurance requirements establishing a ‘training’ program to support Quaker carers supporting Meetings to more fully include children and JYFs in worship and community improving accessibility to Quaker resources for children and JYFs other projects in consultation with the AYM Children and JYF committee Tracy Bourne (Convener), Anne Brown, Kyrstie Crane, Justine Shelton, Mielikki Spratt (Victoria RM); Henry Esbenshade, Beth Harcourt (West Australia RM), Eddy Greeves (Young Friends)

Earthcare Committee

The Earthcare Committee has been working closely with the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) to support the work of the Peace & Earthcare Worker, the development of the document Towards a Quaker Vision for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia, and to organise the Summer Schools at YM 2013 with the theme of a peaceful and sustainable Australia. Please refer to the separate reports from QPLC and the Peace & Earthcare Worker for further information on the Quaker Vision and the Worker’s activities, workplan, budget and business plan, and recommendations for further AYM funding. The Earthcare Committee is seeking to confirm its relationship with AYM by adding the word Quaker in the committee name and becoming the ‘Quaker Earthcare Committee’ (QEC), following the precedent of the naming of the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC). We hope that this name will make representations by the committee on behalf of AYM more readily understood by the public as offering a Quaker perspective. Part B: Recommendation We recommend that Yearly Meeting agree to the AYM Earthcare Committee confirming its relationship with AYM by adding the word Quaker in the Committee name, so that it is known as the ‘Quaker Earthcare Committee’ (QEC). Vidya Sutton, Convener

Ecumenism and Interfaith Reports

Edenfest—an ecumenical arts festival The Edenfest ecumenical arts festival planned for 2014 will not be going ahead, although the Edenfest Board of Reference (to which the Society is a signatory) hopes to collaborate on making 2014 a ‘Year Of Beauty’ in Australian churches. The Presiding Clerk has written to the Board of Reference explaining that the Society will not be a signatory to the Edenfest Foundational Statement on ‘Beauty in the Arts’ (Minute SC7.12.16). National Council of Churches of Australia (NCCA) Elizabeth Field (as the Society’s representative) and Drew Thomas (as alternate to the Presiding Clerk) have attended two NCCA meetings in Sydney during 2012 (a third will be held in November). Liz also serves on the NCCA Standing Committee which determines the agendas and other relevant matters by phone hook-up.

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This year there has been a push to make the meetings more engaging, so at each meeting there is a presentation and discussion on two or three topics coming under the banners of four major areas of interest, which are Social Concerns, Indigenous Issues, Mission (we might call this Outreach) and Faith & Order. So far we have looked at topics such as Problem Gambling, Reconciliation, and Ministry of Oversight. Friends from South Australia RM in particular would be interested to hear that this year we had an excellent presentation on ‘Effective Engagement with Government’ by Lynn Arnold. Lynn is a former member of South Australia RM, former Premier of South Australia, and was until June the CEO of Anglicare SA. Lynn has therefore been a ‘lobbier’ and has been lobbied, so was able to give us a very clear picture of what is involved. In particular, he emphasised the importance of establishing a relationship with government officials and MPs, rather than waiting until we have something on which we want them to act. We have also heard excellent presentations from younger participants on the use of the social media such as Facebook to engage with a broader range of people. Liz and Wies Schuiringa represented Friends at the funeral service for Aghan Baliozian, the Archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Australia and New Zealand, who died at the end of September. The church was packed, as Aghan had been much loved and respected, by both the Armenian community, and the Ecumenical Movement. Elizabeth Field, AYM Representative on NCCA

NCCA Social Justice Network Our small committee concentrated again on the Social Justice Sunday resource. The parish calendar for most Christian churches in Australia nominates the last Sunday in September as Social Justice Sunday and the resource draws attention to current issues in society. It has articles, prayers and liturgical materials to resource local ministers and parishes. The resource for this year is ‘Peace in the Marketplace, so all may live in dignity’. A total of 7000 copies were printed to be distributed to NCCA member churches in July. Regional Meetings have received copies and more copies will be available at YM 2013. I have remained convener of the Network. Network members all have busy jobs in their own church organisations and the Social Justice Sunday resource is our main focus for the year. Wies Schuiringa, AYM Representative, NCCA Social Justice Network

First Nations People Concerns Committee

At YM 2012 the committee was appointed for another three years and saw a name change from the Indigenous Concerns Committee to the First Nations People Concerns Committee. Committee members and RM correspondents meet by Skype every two months. The meetings are designed to exchange information; provide support and assistance to Regional Meetings, Local Meetings and individual Friends in relation to Indigenous matters; to distribute donated funds from Regional Meetings and individual Friends; to liaise with outside organisations in relation to Indigenous matters; and write letters on behalf of the committee to relevant organisations or persons in relation to Indigenous matters. Committee members and correspondents exchange information and thoughts between meetings by email. Activities the committee has been involved in since last Yearly Meeting include: 1. The committee wrote letters and made submission to relevant State, Territory and Federal Ministers and parliamentary committees in relation to legislation and government policies that affect FNP in the areas of education, health, cultural heritage, Native Title, self- determination and control over their lands and the proposed changes to the Australian Constitution to remove the right to make race-based legislation and to recognise First Nations People within its preamble. 2. The introduction of the Stronger Futures Legislation to replace the Northern Territory Intervention Legislation was the main area of concern for the committee this year with many of the Prescribed Communities requesting support and assistance to voice their concerns and views about the proposed legislation, believing they were not being heard and seeking our

42 support to promote their alternative views on what needed to be done to assist FNP in dealing with the ongoing trauma of colonisation. 3. The committee provided $1200 to ‘concerned Australians’ to assist them in arranging for representatives from remote Prescribed Communities to attend the Senate Hearing on the Stronger Futures Bills. The committee also provided each Regional Meeting with a copy of the NT Consultations Report researched and published by ‘concerned Australians’ on the contentious consultation process undertaken in relation to the Stronger Futures Bills, as well as providing copies to interested Aboriginal communities. The Presiding Clerk, at the request of the committee, wrote a media release in support of the Statement by Yolgnu Elders and Arnhem Land community leaders to increase public awareness of the attitude of the Yolgnu Nation to the Stronger Futures legislation. 4. The Committee provided $300 to Beth Graham for financial and networking support in the campaign to return bilingual education into Northern Territory FNP community schools. 5. The committee also provided $800 to Robert and Selina Egglington from Dumbartung Aboriginal Corporation in Perth. The corporation works with Stolen Generation survivors and FNP families affected by suicide, in particular youth suicide, and helps preserve and maintain the physical and spiritual cultural history of the Noongar and other WA FNP. 6. In pursuit of its goal to build new personal relationships and deepen existing ones between FNP and Quakers, the committee conducted a weekend workshop at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre in May 2012 entitled ‘Building Connections with Australia’s First Peoples’. Thirty people, including representatives of the traditional custodians of the land on which the Centre is situated, met to share stories, experiences, hurts and successes and to discuss how to build right relationships between individuals and peoples on this shared continent we all call ‘home’. Both FNP and non-FNP participants found it a deeply moving experience and one they wish to continue, so the committee is currently planning another workshop at SWQC on the weekend of 8 - 11 March to continue and deepen this process. The committee wishes to thank QSA for its generous donation of $5000 to assist all 10 FNP (from WA, NSW, ACT and Victoria) to participate in the workshop. The committee continues to keep in contact with Ken Lechleitner, who was unable to attend the workshop, to explore how the committee can assist his work in Alice Springs in relation to tackling the violence plaguing FNP communities through cultural renewal. 7. The committee warmly welcomed Jackie Perkins as the QSA correspondent on the committee and hopes to strengthen the relationship between the committee and QSA in relation to FNP concerns and issues, and to assist in identifying FNP partnership projects for QSA funding. RM correspondents will report about activities held in each of their respective States or Territory at our YM Preparatory Session and the reports will be included in Documents in Retrospect. The committee thanks each of them for their ongoing work and commitment. We thank Barbara Sampson (South Australia RM) and Duncan Frewin (Queensland RM) for their work as correspondents and welcome their replacements, John Duguid and Sue Doessel. We welcome Malcolm Firth as our new West Australia RM correspondent. We also hold Bobi Meyer, our Canberra RM correspondent, in the Light as she battles with health issues. We encourage Friends to contact either their RM correspondent or a committee member if they wish to obtain more information or participate in activities around Indigenous concerns. Issues/Analysis The Committee has come to the view that we should support the suggested changes to the Constitution and the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Constitution as outlined by the Expert Committees. However, we believe it is a small step on a long journey to true reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations People. The difficult issues of sovereignty, both spiritual and temporal, reparations and the acknowledgment of past behaviours and a new covenant with Australia’s First Nations as equals on this continent is what is required. Anything else will not create the equal, just society we seek. Rather than an end, the

43 constitutional recognition process should be the beginning of a process to right past wrongs and build a new relationship with Australia’s First Nations. The committee still believes real reconciliation between Australia’s Indigenous and non- Indigenous peoples can only truly happen when we engage in real compassionate listening, acknowledge past wrongs and work together to create a new process where real self- determination is acknowledged and respected by the non-Indigenous community, governments and statutory authorities. The ongoing trauma felt by Indigenous peoples as a result of past and continuing policies and attitudes of Australian governments and most non-Indigenous Australians will be felt for generations to come and will take time and a great deal of support to assist in the healing of all involved/affected. Forced assimilation has not worked and will not work even if it’s renamed mainstreaming or normalisation. Trust, respect and community are created by individual people at the local level engaging with each other and learning from each other. It can’t be learnt by reading a book or a newspaper article or achieved by sending letters or demanding governments and their departments fix it. We should be looking at what we do as individuals to promote and engage in reconciliation at our local level to build community with our Indigenous brothers and sisters and seek to inform ourselves of our own local history. By community members becoming aware and holding our elected representatives accountable to their international obligations and the type of society we wish to create, the path to real long-lasting reconciliation will be walked. To this end the committee encourages all Friends to reflect on how their life speaks to our Testimony of Equality and what they may do to help manifest this testimony in their day-to- day lives.

Part B: Recommendations The committee hopes to formulate formal recommendations to take to YM 2013. This was unfortunately not possible in time for inclusion in Documents in Advance. Committee members: Chris Hughes & Sharee Harper (Co-conveners), John McMahon, Margaret Spong (Victoria RM); David Carline (Queensland RM), Anthea Nicolls (South Australia RM), Aletia Dundas (New South Wales RM) and Lillian Robb (JYF) Correspondents: Malcolm Firth (West Australia RM), John Duguid & Harald Ehmann (South Australia RM), Sue Doessel (Queensland RM) Aletia Dundas (New South Wales RM) Bobi Meyer (Canberra RM), Margaret Spong (Victoria RM), Quaker Peace & Justice Committee (Tasmania RM), Jackie Perkins (QSA)

Friends Book Sales

Standing Committee [Minute SC7.12.9] thanked Topsy and David Evans for their stewardship of Friends Book Sales and asked the AYM Nominations Committee to bring to YM 2013 the name(s) of Friend(s) to serve as manager(s) of Friends Book Sales.

The Friends’ School, Hobart

This year much time and energy have been devoted to two events connected to the School’s history. The first has been the many celebrations associated with the School’s 125th anniversary and the second was the appointment of a new principal. So in this report I intend to reflect on how the School has changed over its 125 year existence and my delight that my successor is not only a well qualified and experienced educator but also, very importantly, a Quaker. Friends’ has changed enormously from the day Samuel Clemes opened the school in January 1887. Remarkably, nine of the School’s current students are direct descendants of the 33 children enrolled at the time and one of our present teachers is a direct descendant of Samuel Clemes. The

44 school has grown so that today we have 1320 students and look after another 80 children in Friends’ Early Years, the School’s childcare centre. Not only is the school larger, but the curriculum and the way the students are taught are very different. Typically, schools in the 19th century concentrated on Latin, Ancient Greek and Mathematics. All lessons would have been taught with the pupils sitting in rows facing a blackboard and a teacher who would sit or stand on an elevated position. Much time would be spent copying from the blackboard onto a slate with the aid of a stick of chalk. A lot of time would be spent chanting back in unison material given to the class by the teacher. Facts would be learned by rote. Discipline was enforced with corporal punishment such as caning, or humiliation such as placing a child in a dunce’s corner or on a stool and sometimes made to wear a dunce’s hat. Pupils were given detentions where they were made to complete useless tasks such as writing lines. Bullying was tolerated as character-building and even institutionalised by giving older children the power to inflict punishments, including beatings, on younger children. I’m sure Samuel Clemes and his teachers would be bemused by group work, our technology, our curriculum, and would find it quite extraordinary that pupils could make choices about what they study. But despite all these differences there were also great similarities. For example, today The Friends’ School operates quite differently from other Australian schools, and so it was in 1887. From the beginning it raised the eyebrows of conventional educationalists. For a start it was co-educational, where girls were by and large able to learn things that had previously been taught only to boys, and boys and girls were taught in the same classrooms. The curriculum favoured Science and English over Latin and Ancient Greek. There was an emphasis on technical skills and education for leisure. The school had a headmaster who was opposed to homework, prizes and competitive examinations. This was revolutionary and today Friends’ is still a progressive, cutting-edge school and long may it be. While we may teach a different curriculum and in a different way through each generation, there is a strong common thread of a shared inspiration to have Quaker values and practices pervade all aspects of our school life. Today we still emphasise the intrinsic worth of each person, the value of service and the importance of integrity and social justice as well as the responsibility to develop as life-long learners. One common aspect of most Old Scholars has been their ability to build on the skills and values they developed during their time in the school. They went on to develop interesting careers and positions in society by letting their lives speak. This still holds true today. As an example I would like to tell you about a younger Old Scholar who, earlier this year, inspired me as the guest speaker for the Clemes Academic Awards afternoon tea. Even though for many years Friends’ students have consistently achieved the most outstanding results in the state, they are celebrated in a simple and low-key way. The guest speaker was Sophie Rigney who is 28 years old this year. She talked about everyone being given particular strengths and gifts but that she and others who had attended Friends’ had been given an exceptional extra gift: that was the education they had been given at The Friends’ School. She was proud of the ways her graduating class had let their lives speak. Ten years on she was able to tell us about so many of them and of their extraordinarily wide range of pathways and achievements. She also told of the support they gave each other, not only in celebrating each other’s achievements, but also during difficult times when encountering perhaps the death of parents and loved ones. Sophie herself undertook two degrees at the University of Tasmania in Law and Political Science, gaining first class honours in both and winning the Tim Hawkins Memorial Scholarship, which enabled her to take on an internship at the International Criminal Tribunal at The Hague in the Netherlands.

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The result was that she was involved in the trials of accused war criminals from what was formerly Yugoslavia. Her first case was the trial of seven men involved in the massacre of between 7000 and 8000 Muslim boys and men in eastern Bosnia. At first she thought these men were monsters. But while these men were charged with the most heinous of crimes she realised bit by bit that these men were also ordinary people, often intelligent, funny and good fathers and grandfathers and as such should have a fair trial. After another internship she was offered a place in the defence team of the former President of the Bosnian Serbs. So at 26 she was defending the former President of a country. She then worked a year as the only full-time defence lawyer for an accused Kosovar Albanian who was a military leader in Kosavar. Sophie has returned to Australia and is about to start a PhD at Melbourne University. For me she left a very interesting and powerful message. She said that having had the advantage of an education at Friends’, she felt she needed to do something hard to make the world a better place. But now she felt that perhaps the best way for us to ‘let our lives speak’ is simply to be kind to others. And if letting your life speak involves cupcakes or surfing that’s OK as long as we are bold enough to be kind. Sophie was in the Year 12 cohort of my first year as the Principal of Friends’ and so I could confirm it was a remarkable cohort—but then so were the ones that followed and I dare say all those that preceded that cohort of 2002. Ten and a half years ago (how important half years seem to the very young and when describing relatively short durations) I was gifted the leadership of an outstanding and highly successful School that had prospered under the visionary leadership of Lyndsay and Stephanie Farrall. Being able to pass on what in many ways is an even stronger, more successful school gives me great pleasure, especially when I review the gifts, talents and efforts of the many people who made those improvements happen. In those ten years the school has grown. With the establishment of waiting lists the school is full and teaching as many young people as it possibly can. Gender imbalances in both enrolments and applications have been eradicated.

Much of the school’s progress has been recorded in previous reports to Yearly Meeting but I would like to mention a number of the projects and achievements and explain why they excite me. Building a new library, science laboratories and classrooms not only improved our teaching and learning environment, but also allowed us, importantly, to meet some of the increasing demand from families wanting their children to receive a Quaker school education. It has also been satisfying to complete projects that benefit both the school and a wider community. Building a ‘state of the art’ childcare centre that has early learning programs, and consistently receives the highest accreditation standards, has helped meet a desperate need in the local community. Since acquiring the outdoor education centre ‘Far South’, an increasing number of government, Catholic and independent schools and other community groups have been given access to and are choosing to use the facility. The centre is sited in a beautiful, pristine natural environment and is increasingly being used to support the school’s student wellbeing programs. Feedback from our Year Nine extended camps has been overwhelmingly positive. Students have to live simply and cooperatively in order to meet some demanding challenges. Their sense of achievement, increasing appreciation of the environment and acknowledgement of deepening and widening friendship groups were universally accepted. Again a wide range of community groups is increasingly using the wonderful Farrall Centre. It is also giving us a greater sense of community when whole sections of the school meet together or large all-school concerts and performances can be performed in front of large parent audiences. A less overt achievement has been the accumulation of funds to support a wider socio-economic and cultural diversity in the school. Despite the Global Financial Crisis, the efforts of the Development Office, a willingness of the school to set aside some of its income, some wise decisions

46 and a goodly amount of luck have all combined to achieve, over the last ten years, a four-fold increase in these funds. The result has been a large increase in financial support to students who otherwise would not have been able to attend Friends’. Currently, in addition to local families on low incomes, including a substantial number from families with refugee status, we support students from the Third World, the most recent being a Tibetan boy from a family in exile in India, and students from the Tiwi Islands. This year I introduced differentiated staff discounts for the school’s employees so that our lower paid employees could realistically exercise the choice of sending their children to Friends’. Finally, this year the Board exercised the most important decision a Board has to ever make. It appointed a new principal who will take up the position at the start of 2013. I believe their choice, Nelson File, will be an outstanding principal of The Friends’ School. He has lived and worked in different parts of the world and is an experienced school leader. When Heather and I met Nelson and Lisa we found them to be warm, engaging and very likeable people. Given the small number of Quakers in the world, it is not common for Quaker schools to have Quaker leaders. So I am delighted that the almost unbroken tradition of The Friends’ School, Hobart, having Quaker heads is to continue. John Green, Principal

Friends World Committee for Consultation Committee

Part A: Report New Convener: The AYM FWCC committee has a new convener, Anna Wilkinson, who took over the position in June 2012 at a teleconference. At present there is no co-convenor. The committee has met via teleconference and Skype, and will continue to meet every two months via Skype. Committee membership: The membership of the committee is set out in Australia Yearly Meeting Appointments, including the year each person’s term ends. South Australia RM had not appointed a representative at the time of this report. The committee has also invited Sieneke Martin, an FWCC appointee to the Quaker United Nations Committee New York, to join as ex officio member, to facilitate two-way information flow. Ronis Chapman will be Secretary of the AWPS Committee, starting 1 January 2013. The AYM FWCC Committee will be pleased to welcome Ronis as an ex officio member of our committee from that time. AWPS Visitor to Yearly Meeting 2013: Julian Stargardt from Hong Kong Monthly Meeting will be the visitor to YM 2013. Julian has been allocated time during YM 2013 for a presentation. We hope Julian will also be able to travel to Regional Meetings after YM 2013. World Conference of Friends, Kenya: Six AYM representatives attended the World Conference of Friends: Susan Addison, Maxine Cooper, Kerstin Reimers (appointed to replace Taisoo Kim Watson), Abel Sibonio and Young Friends Callista Barritt (appointed to replace Emily Walpole) and Tom Dundas. Other Australian Friends who attended were Helen Bayes, Joy Bowles, Connor Chaffey, Michael Corbett, Ronis Chapman, John Michaelis, Jim Palmer, Fiona Sharwood Biedermann and Michael Searle. Valerie Joy, FWCC AWPS Secretary, attended as a member of the International Planning Committee. Friends will report back on the experience of the World Conference at an evening session at Yearly Meeting. In August Abel Sibonio and Valerie Joy led a week-long course at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre called ‘Where is the Light Leading Friends? Engaging with Friends in the World’. It built on the World Conference themes and encouraged participants to see themselves as part of a global family. A strong Burundian component emerged, with the presence of David Niyonzima, a keynote speaker at the World Conference. David is the Executive Director of THARS (Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services) in Burundi and a world leader in aspects of trauma healing.

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Participants at this Silver Wattle course had developed online friendships with Friends in other countries before the course and all presented their findings to the group, which further expanded participants’ knowledge of the living situations of Friends in different countries. With singing, storytelling, role-play and historical background, they pulled together an answer to the query ‘Where is the Light Leading Friends’ with a mind map. This was an effective way to bring together new learning and shared knowledge. Abel and Valerie have presented similar workshops in the USA and could consider reshaping this course for other interested Quaker groups in Australia. Proposed FWCC Asia-West Pacific Section Gathering: At the time of writing there is not clarity on where the next AWPS gathering will be held. The AWPS Committee could not see a way forward to make a decision about this until after the CEC meets in March 2013. Handbook amendment: At Standing Committee 2012 the following change was accepted for the Handbook s. 5.4.3: that the words ‘serves for up to seven years’ be amended to ‘serves a four-year term with two representatives to step down each year’, in accordance with Minute YM10.46. International Young Friends Gathering in India: Young Adult Friends in India are hosting an International YF gathering, 29 October – 7 November. Unfortunately no YFs from Australia will be attending this gathering. Section B: For decision by AYM The Committee asks Regional Meetings to consider whether they would like Abel Sibonio and Valerie Joy to run a workshop in their Meeting on the theme of ‘Where is the Light Leading Friends? Engaging with Friends in the World’. This workshop is built on the themes from the World Conference in Kenya.

Morrow Bequest Committee

In view of the fact that we paid extra to the last Bequest recipient, we suggest that we skip a payment for this year. In this way, the bequest for next year could be equally substantial, and the balance returned to top up the capital to replace what was used last year. Part B We again respectfully ask RM Treasurers to include the Morrow Bequest on their Schedules. Clare O'Leary, Brenda Roy, Margaret Woodward (Convener).

Peace Committees — Reports

Donald Groom Peace Fellowship Committee Part A: Report Two Donald Groom Fellows reported at YM 2012 in Perth: Robin Slarke (2009 - 10) presented further film material from her project with women in Papua New Guinea, and Maggie White (2011) amazed people with her excellent report of working with women in Indigenous communities in the Fitzroy River region with an emphasis on foetal alcohol syndrome. It was hoped that two presentations would lead to healthy donations from Friends around the country. This has not eventuated. There is only $1600 in the fund, so it has not been offered publicly this year. However we have had an application from within AYM membership, which is under consideration. We have discussed with Donald Groom’s sons, Robert and Brian, the possibility of laying down this fund. They feel that while their mother Erica was alive, it was important to keep the fund going, in memory of their father, and to continue with his inspiring work on nonviolence. They feel that it is in right ordering for it to be laid down, unless some fresh energy emerges from another Regional Meeting to continue. Over its 40 years, the fund has assisted 27 fellows with a wide range of projects within and outside Australia. Our committee feels that the Peace & Social Justice Fund, which is better supported, can continue this important peace-building work in the name of Friends.

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Part B: Recommendation We recommend that either another Regional Meeting takes on this concern, or that it be laid down. Caz Bowman, Brenda Roy, Jo Vallentine (convener), Maggie White

Peace & Social Justice Fund Committee Part A: Report The committee met three times during the year to 30 September 2012. In a quiet year, only four applications were received. Of these, the committee found itself unable to support one and is awaiting additional information before making a decision on one other. Grants totalling $4500 were recommended by the committee. Project details of the two grants recommended are outlined in the attached summary ‘Peace & Social Justice Fund Grants for 2011-12’. Issues/analysis In applying our terms of reference under s. 5.6.4 of the Handbook (Grants over $4000 require Standing Committee or AYM approval and a nominal cap of 20% of the fund balance at the beginning of the financial year is applied to the total amount approved in a year), the committee works to the date of its decision to recommend a grant. This practice was adopted in December 2011 at the suggestion of the AYM Treasurer and explains why a grant of $20,000 for the Peace & Earthcare Worker project, approved in July 2011, does not now appear in the total of grants approved during the financial year commencing 1 October 2011. The wording of s. 5.6.4 of the Handbook imposes another constraint on expenditure from the Peace & Social Justice Fund: ‘Normally it may not be used for ongoing projects that require extended management …’. The committee considered this issue most recently in our meeting of 13 September 2012 when it was minuted that ‘it is our understanding that Friends do not expect the Peace & Social Justice Fund to be applied indefinitely to an ongoing project …”

Part B: Recommendation If YM decides to employ a Friend to carry out an ongoing project requiring extended management, the Peace & Social Justice Fund Committee recommends that Yearly Meeting consider transferring such funds as it elects to make available for this use (e.g. from the Peace & Social Justice Fund) directly to the body set up to manage the project. Ray Brindle, John Gare (convener), Dale Hess, Sieneke Martin & Jim Palmer

Peace & Social Justice Fund grants 2012-13 No/date Amount Paid to Project Reporting back 2012-2 $1500.00 David Buller, Application for funding Newsletter articles and 8/12/11 Victoria RM towards tuition fees for final workshop sessions stage of Masters course at Oases Graduate School and thesis on nonviolence. 2012-13 $3000 Sabine Erika, Application to cover travel and Discussion group, 13/09/12 AVP registration/accommodation Regional Meetings, to enable three persons from article for The Australian Broome and Darwin and Friend possibly others to attend national AVP gathering at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre in January 2013. Total $4500.00 Note: Grants from the Fund of up to $4000 can be made directly by the committee. Larger grants can be made if approved by Standing Committee or Yearly Meeting (Handbook of Practice and Procedure, s. 5.6.4). See also s. 5.6.3. Although not reflected in the Handbook, Minute 26 of Standing Committee July 2008 agreed on an overall limit of 20% of the fund at the beginning of the financial year.

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Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee Achievements/activities/events This year the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) has been much involved in the setting up of the Peace & Earthcare (P&E) Office and in working with the P&E Worker in defining his mission and facilitating his work. We have, however, continued to be active in writing submissions to governments and in keeping Australian Quakers aware of activities on the national and international stages which might have positive or negative impacts that are related to our Peace Testimony and our fundamental belief in human rights. Some members continue to be involved with the Sri Lanka diaspora and we co-sponsored the visit to Canberra by two Israeli peace activists. The activities of the P&E Worker are detailed in a separate report in Documents in Advance. The assistance of many Canberra Friends in setting up an appropriate office within the Meeting House is gratefully acknowledged, as is the welcome Robert Howell and his wife Gael have received in their travels to various Meetings around Australia. The members of the QPLC have been stimulated and challenged in our interactions with Robert and believe that he has proved a worthy choice for the Worker position. We appreciate his dedication and competence in accepting the tasks determined with and for him by the QPLC and the Earthcare Committees and the diligence with which he is meeting our varied wishes. Clearly, a year is little time to get to know the policies and players in this wide-ranging field, let alone to make a significant contribution and we are now seeking funding for the continuation of the work. The QPLC now meets about once every two months, and in the alternate months meets jointly with the Earthcare Committee, generally for the most part of a day, to discuss matters related specifically to the P&E Office and the Worker. At the joint committees meetings we have developed the ideas leading to the writing of the booklet, Towards a Quaker vision for a peaceful and sustainable Australia, developed a work plan, budget and business plan for the Worker and appointed an Editorial Subcommittee for the publication and a Fundraising Working Group. Informational Material Circulated Despite our preoccupation with P&E issues, we have issued a number of Action Alerts and Watching Briefs and circulated them widely among Friends by email. In addition they are displayed on the Quakers Australia website. We have sent them as appropriate to selected parliamentarians and to the QUNO offices in New York and Geneva. Since the last Documents in Advance we have issued the following reports. Action Alerts: Iran National Anti-Racism Strategy for Australians Same-Sex Marriage National Food Plan National Security Legislation Watching Briefs: Responsibility to Protect Defence Policy Militarisation Small Arms Treaty Letters drafted by QPLC and sent either by Presiding Clerk or QPLC Convener: To PM on West Papua To DFAT on Defence Spending To UNAA on Australia and the UN Security Council To FM on Arms Trade Treaty Submissions to Government Inquiries, etc: To PM & C Task Force on Australia in the Asian Century (jointly with Earthcare Committee) To COAG Review of Counter-Terrorism Legislation Issues/analysis Clearly, our major issue at this time is to secure enough funds to keep the P&E Worker and the Office functional for another year and hopefully beyond. In 2012 the work was supported by a grant from the Peace & Social Justice Fund of $20,000, a grant from the Lemberg Bequest surplus of $20,000, and a donation from South Australia RM of $2,500. The Fundraising

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Working Group has set a goal of $65,000 to raise in the near-term and has determined strategies to achieve this, including seeking funds beyond the Quaker community. However, they emphasise that this is a Quaker venture and without Quaker backing it will wither. QPLC members look forward to 2013 with eagerness as we see the potential for the P&E Worker to help us get the ‘Preparing for Peace’ project underway, something that we have wanted to do for several years, as well as engaging with policymakers and the broader community on peace and earthcare matters, with the Worker. Part B: Recommendations 1. That YM 2013 affirms that lasting peace can no longer be contemplated in isolation from the significant ecological and environmental challenges facing the world today and in the future and that the examination of the implications of this nexus is complex and largely uncharted; 2. That YM 2013 confirms its commitment made at YM 2011 and reaffirmed at YM 2012 to support the employment of a Peace & Earthcare Worker to engage in this challenge; 3. That YM 2013 authorises the transfer of $20,000 from the Peace & Social Justice Fund to support the Worker for the calendar year 2013, funds to be managed by the Joint Quaker Peace & Legislation and Earthcare Committees; 4. That YM 2013 agrees to the allocation of $10,000 in the 2013 - 14 YM Budget to signify our recognition of this commitment; and 5. That Regional Meetings and Quakers across Australia commit to financially support the P&E Worker to at least the current level of activity through donations and fundraising activities. Margaret Bearlin, Ronis Chapman, Margaret Clark, Robert Holland, Bobi Meyer, David Purnell, Harold Wilkinson, Brian Turner (Convener)

Other Peace Reports: Alternatives to Violence Project This is the third year a consolidated report from Australian AVP groups for Yearly Meeting’s Documents in Advance has been submitted. International Gathering Strong connections were made and brought back from the AVP International Gathering in Guatemala in October 2012 by the five Australians who attended. Three Australians are involved in International committees of AVP: John Michaelis, Sally Herzfeld, and Katherine Smith are clerks of international committees and are also members of the AVP International Coordination Committee. Most AVP groups marked the International Day of Peace on 21 September, along with other AVP groups around the world (details on www.avpinternational.org.). National/Regional Gathering 2012 WA-AVP organised a rich week-long gathering after YM 2012. Varied workshops were offered, including exploring the topic of ‘Shame’. Nadine Hoover, an American from the Friends Peace Team in Indonesia, offered a two and a half day workshop on ‘Trauma and Healing’. Having Nadine Hoover present at this gathering offered an insight as to how AVP processes are being used in the work of the Friends Peace Team in the Asia-West Pacific, and a Friends Peace Team support group was established with AVPers from Australia and others. This group continues to connect regularly via Skype. John Michaelis supported Nadine travelling through Indonesia for several months, facilitating AVP workshops. A further week-long National AVP Gathering is planned for 12 – 19 January 2013 at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, immediately following the YM 2013 in Canberra. General The monthly Skype meetings of AVP-Australia Network continue to offer the opportunity to share information on what is happening in AVP groups around Australia. Katherine Smith continues her work on building the electronic connections between groups and individuals, as well as her work on updating AVP manuals and offering them online. The latest initiative is the establishment of the AVP Education Network to connect worldwide facilitators to the AVP manual writing process.

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Workshops in 2012 AVP community workshops have been offered in Darwin, Alice Springs, Broome, Derby, Perth, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Prison workshops continue in Perth, Broome (now known as the Kimberley AVP group) and in Brisbane. An Advanced ‘Trauma Awareness’ workshop was offered by Sydney AVP in August and included participants from Perth, Hobart and Melbourne. Individual reports: Queensland has held six prison workshops in 2012 and will have organised eight community workshops by the end of 2012. Six HIPP workshops have been held this year, many at high schools. Kimberley WA has held nine workshops this year with continued support from AVP-WA Perth-based facilitators. Sally Herzfeld continues to offer support in many ways, which is greatly appreciated. Most workshops were held in Broome. There have been two Prison Basic workshops, one men’s and one women’s, the first Youth workshop at the high school, which was well received and will be followed-up with more. Two Basics have been held, one of which was in Derby, two Advanced workshops and two T4F's. It seems we will have seven new facilitators on board soon. AVP-WA has received a generous donation to further enable the team to support AVP in the Kimberley. We are considering expressions of interest from outlying Aboriginal communities. This grant will enable us to get going when they are ready.

Perth WA has continued with its prison workshops in Acacia and Karnet. Training days and General Meetings are also held in the prison three times a year. These are organised by the inmates. We have started a series of all levels, with refugees through ASeTTS and continued with the Aboriginal Youth Basic Workshops at Leederville TAFE. Great work continues to be done with the youth program at Warnbro Community High School and one Community Basic will be held in October. Melaleuca Peace Leadership Training Project, Darwin, NT: This pilot project is focused on newly emerging communities of people of refugee background in Darwin. This is based at Melaleuca Refugee Centre and focuses on those from Burundi, Burma, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Bhutan. The AVP Darwin group has provided invaluable guidance, time and support to the project re-titled as Peace Leadership Training. A cycle of Basic and Advanced workshops in 2011 resulted in 12 people completing the training for facilitator level, the final T4F being in February 2012. Of critical assistance has been the generosity of experienced facilitators from across Australia who joined the small Darwin AVP facilitator group to deliver workshops. Facilitators from the various communities, AVP Darwin and interstate then co-facilitated three Basic workshops to either specific communities (Congolese and Sudanese) or a mixed group, as diversity has also been appreciated by many participants. Two Youth workshops, including participants of refugee background, were delivered in collaboration with a middle-school which has welcomed AVP. Additionally, the NT Department of Children and Families has funded the initial 18-month pilot to continue. Further Advanced workshops are scheduled, as well as shorter sessions to keep the AVP journey moving for both facilitators and participants. The AVP model complements good practice work with refugee clients and with those who have experienced trauma, as well as being adaptable across cultures and as a positive way to work with communities. Workshops have subsequently been delivered to people of refugee background in Western Australia and Queensland and the coming year should be a rich time for us to share our learning in this area. AVP Darwin has welcomed the opportunity to assist in facilitating workshops in Peace Leadership for people of recent refugee background attracted to Melaleuca Refugee Centre's AVP Program lead by Justine Mickle. In the process our small group of four facilitators and two apprentices has gained invaluable experience, as well as the continuing example of and discussion with experienced facilitators visiting from Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Perth. As well, we are finding that some participants who came to our community workshops in

52 recent years (including two Basics and one Advanced this year) did so through their involvement as Melaleuca staff or volunteers, or as youth workers with related organisations such as Multicultural Youth Northern Territory. We seek to strengthen ties between facilitators from the Darwin community and those from a recent refugee background through regular social and training gatherings, enabling these facilitators to know each other more deeply and to share and support each other's workshops. We have been in touch from time to time with AVP colleagues in Alice Springs and look forward to strengthening that connection; and also with the Kimberley group based in Broome. This year we have been approached for help by Mental Health Carers NT, and remote Indigenous communities. However, for the present, our small size requires us to focus on training more facilitators, and encourage and support them to participate in and be inspired by Regional and National Gatherings, as happened with two of our facilitators this year in Perth. AVP Alice Springs has restarted with the support of Ken Woods from Sydney. AVP Tasmania: A small core group of facilitators has worked to start up AVP in Tasmania this year. Initially two Taster workshops were held to publicise and generate interest in AVP Basic workshops held in March and June. This was followed by an Advanced workshop in September with the valued assistance of Julei Korner from AVP Sydney. AVP NSW facilitators continue to be involved in a range of AVP activities in Sydney, around Australia and overseas. Local highlights have included: The development of a topic advanced workshop on Shame. This workshop was trialed in a community workshop in August 2011. It was shared with Australian facilitators at the Regional Gathering in Perth in January 2012 and with United States facilitators at the USA National Gathering in Maryland in May 2012. The starting of a program of workshops with people from a refugee background in partnership with STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment And Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors). This includes people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, South Sudan, Brunei, the Congo and Liberia. This year the Sydney First Friday Gathering support group celebrated 11 years of continuous monthly gatherings at the Devonshire Street Meeting House. AVP NSW would like to thank the Devonshire Street Meeting for their generous support. The writing of the AVP Sydney Concise Manual to support facilitation of AVP Basic, Advanced and Facilitators Training workshops. The manual was specifically designed to work with a full range of AVP participants including community, prison, youth and groups with a refugee background. A Latin American AVP group is currently translating this manual into Spanish, and other groups with AVP facilitators whose first language is other than English have also started translations. Bev Polzin for the AVP-Australia Network

Publications Committee

The Committee has met by phone or Skype five times from YM 2012 till September 2012. The YM Secretary joins meetings for items that concern her job. With the new ease of publishing material available to meetings and groups, the committee has stepped back from actual publishing materials (brochures, Handbook, etc.) and deals more with policy questions about publications, especially material to be published on the web, but also questions about the ‘look’ (fonts etc.). The committee has considered policy questions about the AYM website, including: Installation of a PayPal facility on the website How the Handbook is made available on the website Links to out-of-date webpages. (See Standing Committee Minutes, July 2012.) A job description for ‘web maintainers’ is being developed (September 2012). Types of material to be published on the website (Testimonies, etc.)

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Timing of the release on the website of items such as the Backhouse Lecture (downloadable from 1 March for $5, so as not to compete with print sales; free after two years) Links between The Australian Friend Online* and other AYM web material such as the Backhouse Lecture. Procedures for considering proposed links to other pages (Quaker groups or committees) The List of Members and Attenders has been completed and sent out to Regional Meetings. We are grateful for the thorough work of Stephen Hodgkin in compiling this list. We have considered the Privacy Policy, but are content not to change our custom of making certain information public, despite recent scam attempts. Such risks are an unavoidable part of making ourselves known to the world. We see no advantage in registering as a publisher. *The Australian Friend and The Australian Friend Online operate independently from Publications Committee except for questions of links to other AYM materials. Duncan Frewin (Convener), Sue Headley, Jude Pembleton

Quaker Education Network

There are still many education issues worthy of comment from a specifically Quaker point of view, so we hope to kick-start QEN again in 2013. Margaret Woodward, West Australia RM

Quaker Learning Australia Committee

Meeting for Learning: There have been positive reports from this year’s retreat at Mulgoa, NSW, with 12 retreatants and 3 facilitators. Contact people in each state provide information and advice for prospective retreatants. Quaker Basics is in the process of revision. The course and resource books have been used by Friends in Tasmania, WA and NSW this year. Engaging with the Quaker Testimonies: a Toolkit has been used by Friends in Brisbane and two groups in Adelaide. Clearness Meetings: Drew Thomas has run workshops in Victoria and South Australia Regional Meetings this year. The QLA Committee meets twice a month; one meeting to deal with business, and one to attend to the members’ own spiritual needs and development. The opening of the QLA-Meeting for Learning Credit Union account has allowed more efficient and transparent processing of payments. Issues We are continuing to explore ways of ensuring the ongoing financial viability of the retreats, including seeking regular financial support from Regional Meetings. Website management, content and technical resources Relationship between QLA, Meeting for Learning, Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, AF Online and Quaker Voice. Developing effective mechanisms to identify what Friends want and what they have to offer. Part B We recommend that the cost to participants not be increased, and that the extra money come from Regional Meetings and AYM. Kate Alessia, David Barry, debra hackett, Kerry O’Regan, Drew Thomas, Julie Webb (Convener).

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Quaker Service Australia

Part A: Convener’s Report Throughout this past year the Management Committee has given much attention to its governance role, and with the help of a Policy Subcommittee we have reviewed all our existing policies and written new ones. This work is now almost complete. Also as a governance issue we acknowledge that our structure and Rules of Incorporation need to be reviewed, so we are now examining our structure and have appointed a subcommittee to this end. This was discerned at our annual full meeting where all our Regional Meeting appointed members and ex officio members were present. We hope that the outcome of this can be presented to a future Yearly Meeting. Our staffing and accommodation needs have been important issues to be dealt with, and we are currently in the process of employing a second project manager, on a part-time basis, who will take on our projects in Africa. Once this new staff member is established we will employ a fundraiser, also on a part-time basis. We are holding negotiations with Devonshire Street LM to increase our office space, and it is the intention that in the coming year we will have the use of one further room. To uphold our Quaker inter-agency contacts, Jackie Perkins, our Executive Administrator, was able to attend the Heads of Quaker Service Agencies meeting in London during her annual leave, increasing our connection with them and opening the way for future cooperation in projects. Apart from our usual work, this year saw the first Self Assessment required under the ACFID Code of Conduct, which was very successful for us. We have just completed compiling the Strategic Plan for 2013 - 16 for submission to AYM, and of course have held consultations with the AYM QSA Review Committee as well as holding lengthy discernment on the draft and final Review documents. Early in the year some of our projects were finalised, while our most recent new project has been an airstrip storage building and shelter for the Mapuru Community in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity. Also early in the year, projects in India and Cambodia suffered from extreme weather conditions, and a special appeal was made for funds to assist these stricken communities. Quakers in Australia responded very generously to these appeals. Despite the difficult financial times, Friends continue to support us financially and through volunteering their time and effort to help our work for communities in need, both overseas and in Indigenous communities in Australia. We could not do this work without such support; we and our project partners deeply appreciate everything the Australian Quaker community does for QSA. Kay de Vogel, Convener [A summary of the progress of QSA projects is not included this year in Documents in Advance to reduce the overall length. Details will be made available during YM2013 as part of the QSA sessions and presentation of the Annual Report].

QSA Review Committee

Overview and Summary The title of this report, A question could be seen as intrusive, is a quote expressing a sentiment that appeared to the 2012 QSA Review Committee to reflect the unwillingness of many sensitive Friends to ask questions that might create pressure. This is important when Friends are considering the health and vitality of relationships among them. This quote was a response to a suggestion by the review committee that a Friend [AYM Member or Attender] ask in their meeting about the survey on QSA connected with this review. Australia Yearly Meeting’s Terms of Reference for the 2012 QSA Review focused on ‘the relationship between QSA and Friends at all levels’. Those Terms guided the review committee’s work through a process of analysis of information collected from a range of sources that in turn provides the basis for this report and its series of recommendations.

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Between February and June 2012, the committee reviewed existing documents, and considered the responses received to a survey about how Friends perceive QSA. The survey was designed to provide all AYM Members and Attenders with the opportunity for input to this review. In addition, specific questions were answered by those RM appointees to the QSA Management Committee (QSA MC) from outside NSW and ACT. With preliminary findings, the committee met with the full QSA MC in mid-June to report on the progress of the review and seek additional input from the QSA MC. The review committee posed queries arising from the preliminary findings to the MC in small groups, which then reported back to the gathered MC. The committee used these processes and a series of additional information exchanges with the QSA Convener, the Executive Administrator and the Finance Officer to arrive at this report with its findings and recommendations. Recurring themes that emerged during the review committee’s consideration of all the material available to it are: How the relationship between AYM and QSA is continuing to evolve with ever- increasing potential for QSA to expand its development aid projects, while also recognising Friends’ concerns about limited staffing, heavy dependence on one or two people, limited office space and engagement capacity; and Although many Friends are content with the way that QSA operates and keeps them informed, the committee also received indications of shortfalls that merit prompt resolution to lessen the potential for adverse impacts. Recommendations for resolving these and related issues focus upon (i) developing an Engagement Strategy that provides QSA with a framework for developing its communications, relationships and liaison with all parts of AYM; (ii) clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the RM appointees to the QSA MC, with supporting self-education resource materials; (iii) investing more resources in education and fundraising as part of an Engagement Strategy; (iv) considering systematically ways to use available volunteers and their skills; (v) decision- making about utilisation of the Aboriginal Concerns Fund for projects with Aboriginal people; and (vi) consulting more broadly about partnering with other development agencies. The review committee is concerned that the recommendations and outcomes from two previous QSA reviews (2000, 2007) are not readily accessible. The committee has therefore included in the 2012 report two recommendations (7a and 7b) that are designed to support greater transparency in the ongoing process of implementing those recommendations that are adopted by Yearly Meeting. They may also assist in recording progress in implementing the recommendations and making this more readily available to all those Friends with an interest in and concern for the important work QSA undertakes in our name. Chapter 4, the final chapter of the full report, follows. This chapter shows the conclusions leading to the recommendations of the review committee. The full report (60 pages) and appendices (a further 30 pages) are available on the Members’ section of www.quakers.org.au. The review committee looks forward to its findings being considered by QSA and Yearly Meeting, followed by adoption and timely implementation of those recommendations that are accepted. Chapter 4: Discussion and recommendations arising …This chapter reports what the review committee can say, based on our analysis of all the inputs, about the issues referred to in our Terms of Reference. The review committee observes there are sufficient Australian Friends supportive of and interested in QSA for it to be considered an ongoing concern of AYM. The relationship is alive and not about to wither; however, it seems that some Friends are looking for a more healthy and vital relationship with QSA. Their responses to the survey provide indications of what they are looking for. Other Friends are happy to support QSA and are satisfied at what is going on now, including their access to information about QSA activities, decisions etc. This latter group is not especially seeking more from their current relationship. The review committee observes that QSA is widely and generally highly appreciated by Friends. Friends mostly see QSA as an organisation that earnestly undertakes to reflect Quaker principles and testimonies (peace, integrity, simplicity, and fairness/justice) and to respond to

56 the concerns of Australian Friends that seek to address long-term economic and social development in disadvantaged communities. This opinion, while not unanimously held, is the dominant opinion expressed to the committee over the term of this review. The review committee has considered at length the information produced from various sources for this review. On the basis of that information and the following discussion, the recommendations are presented under headings according to the terms of reference of the review: Relationships between QSA and Friends at all levels of Australia Yearly Meeting The role and responsibilities of the QSA MC members Strengthening the financial base for QSA operations Increased use of volunteers Options for broader consultation with Friends on various program matters Options for partnering.

1.1 Relationships between QSA and Friends at all levels of Australia Yearly Meeting The review committee investigated the relations at Yearly Meeting, Regional Meeting and Local Meeting levels and with individuals. It became apparent that many Friends when referring to ‘Australia Yearly Meeting’ are talking about the annual week-long event called ‘Yearly Meeting’ rather than the wider congregation of Friends in Australia. In general, Friends were enthusiastic about the visibility of QSA and QSA-related activity at AYM’s annual gathering. The relationship between QSA and Regional and Local Meetings or worshipping groups is more mixed and ambiguous. Some Local Meetings reportedly take an active interest in QSA, but certainly not all. Respondents to the survey were mainly individuals, speaking for themselves. There were a greater number of suggestions offered for improving relations at this individual level than at other levels. This is not to be interpreted that this is the weakest level of relationship; rather that this is the level where the relations are most active and so Friends are clearest about what they would like. The review committee finds that Friends are generally respectful and appreciative about QSA, but don’t want to be very demanding or have many regular requests for support made of them. Friends are engaged at a distance or only willing to engage in very specific and limited ways. Examples of this include: Even those who are more interested and enthusiastic about QSA work often are unwilling to engage in ways that QSA needs to be sustainable e.g. they could regularly give more money, give expertise voluntarily. Some who are closely involved are still wary about putting pressure or demands on their fellow members. The quote used in the report’s title, A question would be intrusive, reflects the unwillingness to create pressure and came in response to a question about whether Friends in their network had received and responded to the survey. Some are only focused on one particular aspect of QSA’s work e.g. Pitchandikulam Forest project (India). If there were many Friends focused on a particular project, but across a spread of projects, this would be less of an issue. Friends enthusiastically attend the QSA preparatory working sessions (distinct from those only for information sharing) at the Yearly Meeting. The discussions could be expected to progress more deeply and with more insight if a higher percentage of attending Friends read the reports and preparatory documents to address the issues at hand and raised questions in the meetings. The review committee understands that for all relationships to remain healthy and vital, they must involve give and take on both sides. Clearly Friends as individuals and at the various meeting levels can give in various ways such as: offer financial donations, offer expertise to the Management Committee, or as a volunteer or employee, offer input into project or partner choice. Different kinds of giving, to be useful and effective, require different kinds of

57 engagement. The committee found a model from the Local Government Assn of South Australia Community Engagement Handbook (www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/engage) helpful for thinking about what QSA can do to sustain engagement and healthy relationships with Friends. It is presented below in the table below with four parts: (1) terms of an engagement strategy, (2) a definition of those terms, and the committee added (3) examples of current QSA activities, and (4) examples of potential, new QSA activities.

The committee found some of the current QSA engagement efforts with Friends to be ambiguous because the intended audience was unclear and/or the effort did not seem to reach its intended target e.g. some Friends who are very interested in QSA did not realise that the Notes are now made available in The Australian Friend and by post or email only to those who specifically request that; and a number of very informative education kits are provided on the QSA website but Friends are not finding them there. The committee is concerned about a limited return for effort expended.

Friends who responded to the survey indicated a high preference for receiving desired information about QSA in email, but the committee reminds the MC that this method of information circulation is very dependent on the different capacities of receivers to deal with emails. Further, many younger people find email ‘old fashioned’ and prefer communicating via other means such as social network sites.

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An outline of a possible QSA engagement strategy

Terms for Definition of terms Examples of current QSA Examples of possible an engagement activities additional QSA engagemen engagement activities t strategy One-way communication QSA produces QS Notes – now part of QSA produce Inform providing balanced and The Australian Friend, and periodic illustrated materials objective information to assist brochures, the website, and for Regional Meetings understanding about particularly the annual report and to use for educational something that is going to education materials available for and promotional happen or has happened. download on the website. purposes, including QSA conducts tours for Friends DVDs. interested in development issues in a QSA conducts regular particular continent. tours to selected projects. QSA provides regular financial feedback to Regional Meetings. Two-way communications QSA conducts sessions for QSA asks Friends about Consult designed to obtain public consultation about issues and the issues and projects feedback about ideas on strategic plans at each Yearly Meeting they wish to hear rationale, alternatives and gathering. about. proposals to inform decision- QSA works with making. Nomination Committees to prepare ‘duty statements’ for RM appointees to QSA MC. Participatory process Management of QSA is by committee QSA work with local Involve designed to help identify where one QSA MC member is meetings to promote issues and views to ensure appointed from each Regional sale of goods from that concerns and aspirations Meeting and more from the Regional project partners as a are understood and Meeting where the QSA office is means to promote and considered prior to decision- located. raise funds for QSA. making. QSA and Regional Meetings support their appointees to attend more than 1 MC meeting per year. Collaborate Working together to develop Regional QS committees educate and QSA work with other understanding of all issues raise funds which often involves AYM committees to and interests to work out some outreach. find any synergies or alternatives and identify overlaps of concern preferred solutions. that can be addressed jointly.

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Recommendation 1a: AYM and QSA collaborate to prepare an Engagement Strategy that provides a framework for ways in which QSA, our Meetings and Friends generally will inform, consult, involve and collaborate to support and promote QSA work on behalf of the Society. Engagement at various levels also requires maintenance. QSA expenditure on administration, including the current work on relationship maintenance, currently amounts to 18% of spending on projects. This proportion is comparable to other agencies. The review committee also notes the amount of voluntary effort contributed that does not show on any financial report. Friends generally must understand that to remain viable over the coming decade and onwards, QSA needs in the immediate future to spend more money or receive more voluntary efforts towards relationship management. Expenditure in these areas is likely to show on financial reports as costs for administration in Australia. The relationships which seem most underdeveloped at this time are those at the Regional Meeting and Local Meeting levels. The relationship with Devonshire St LM and New South Wales RM is a special case since the QSA office, staff and MC meetings are located at Devonshire Street. The strength of the relationship in other Regional and Local Meetings appears to depend heavily on the capacity and interest of individual Friends. The committee acknowledges that some Meetings already feel overstretched and may resist taking up anything extra or new. However, increased engagement is essential if QSA is to be conducted as an ongoing concern of AYM as a whole, rather than the individual concern of relatively few but particularly committed Friends with the regular endorsement from Yearly Meeting. Some Meetings are already actively engaged, especially in fundraising for QSA. The Mornington Peninsula LM in Victoria has made an express commitment to fundraising for QSA. The review committee observes that some meetings may follow this or the example of The Friends’ School who initiated fundraising for a specific project in India, after receiving a visit from a QSA project partner. These engagements and contributions of funds are highly appreciated by the QSA MC and the review committee. Clearly fundraising takes considerable group effort and coordination. The committee observes that while not all Friends or meetings are able to raise funds, there are other ways that meetings might contribute; e.g. interested Friends could be provided skills to do more voluntary community education, design communications, maintain a website or facilitate a web-based dialogue. Given modern technologies this work may not require everyone to be housed in common office space.

Recommendation 1b: Clerks and correspondents take more responsibility for (a) active distribution of QSA communications, and (b) identifying, ideally in collaboration with their RM appointee to the QSA MC, another Friend who could consider becoming more conversant with QSA before succeeding the current appointee to the QSA MC.

Recommendation 1c: Where Regional and Local Meetings are already interested in QSA, they identify a specific project or projects for which they would like to take an active interest and support. In consultation with QSA, they find a variety of ways, in addition to fundraising, to support the project(s), e.g. design posters, disseminate success stories beyond Friends, help identify experts to assist with particular project issues identified by QSA. The review committee noted that a large proportion of the survey respondents (about 90%) have donated money to QSA, indicating an existing engagement and interest in the organisation. Notably, two-thirds of respondents also donated money or were involved in another development agency. It seems reasonable that QSA need not serve every development concern of Friends. However, when QSA is effectively competing with other organisations for the donations of Friends, it is important to take note that some Friends have indicated other types of work that could be much more closely connected to the concerns that are already being addressed by QSA. Some connected concerns mentioned are: lobbying on development issues, environmental sustainability, and peace work (specifically mentioned was ‘Act for

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Peace’ - the NCCA’s development aid program). The review committee is concerned that for QSA to support these additional concerns or to develop connections with them would require resources that QSA simply does not have at this time.

Recommendation 1d: The QSA MC, together with other AYM committees—in particular the committees for First Nations People Concerns, Quaker Peace & Legislation, and Earthcare—review overlaps of interest and synergies that might enhance the work of either or both. The review committee observed that QSA MC members are often assumed to be responsible for various kinds of communications and relationship maintenance between QSA and Regional and Local Meetings. Indeed, the committee itself took a decision to rely on QSA MC members to promote the survey in their Regional Meetings. This decision was taken without consulting the members in question and in retrospect was misguided. The committee has learned that QSA MC members, who are all volunteers but one (the Executive Administrator), cannot be expected to be fully engaged in governance and management as well as communications and relationship maintenance.

Recommendation 1e: Regional Meetings and Local Meetings (or their Outreach committees) each consider how they might collaborate with QSA to (a) promote awareness about QSA projects and activities, and (b) use the education packs that QSA makes available on its website. In turn, the Meetings provide feedback on the usefulness of the packs and suggest to QSA where different or updated content is needed. The QSA MC appears less well informed than the review committee expected with respect to its decisions about updating their rules of incorporation e.g. the lack of reference to the constitution of the Religious Society of Friends in Australia Inc. and to the incorporation of The Friends’ School. The committee notes that the MC is addressing the issue with the help of an Attender in Sydney who has a legal background. A key issue seems to be in which jurisdiction(s) QSA should be incorporated in order to conform to AusAID and AYM requirements. The committee believes that this should be resolved as a matter of urgency. Modernising the 1999 Rules of Quaker Service Australia Inc. is necessary to legally define and clarify also the roles and responsibilities of the members of QSA MC.

Recommendation 1f: The AYM Secretary and Public Officer identify current AYM resources, experience and expertise regarding rules of incorporation at Federal and State levels, and make those readily available to the QSA MC with a view to assisting it find clarity in a timely manner about the most appropriate jurisdiction for incorporation of QSA to meet AusAID and AYM requirements

1.2 Enhancing the role and contribution of the QSA Management Committee members The RM appointees on the QSA MC can have a key role in sustaining the health and vitality of the relationship between QSA and Friends at large. However, the review committee experienced some difficulty in finding a clear list of the responsibilities and duties of the members of the Management Committee. There is a list in the Policy on Governance (19.12. 2011) but we question how widely known this is. None of the members of the current QSA MC pointed the committee to it. The review committee is clear that the responsibilities of each of the MC members under law urgently need to be clarified at the very least, and understands that this is commencing as part of the process of revising the 1999 Rules of Incorporation. Currently, there is a variable understanding as to roles and responsibilities of members of the MC, particularly for those Friends appointed by their respective Regional Meetings. Even the terms of the RM appointees are variable and sometimes unclear to the QSA management. Often affectionately referred to as the ‘RM reps’, there is no clear statement of their representative role and responsibility. Their legal position in the incorporated association is not evident to all concerned. There may be scope for the duties and liabilities of RM appointees to be separately defined from those of

61 other members of the QSA MC during the revision of the Rules of Incorporation. The terms of appointment should also be clearly defined with reference to the roles and responsibilities.

Recommendation 2a: QSA and AYM agree on a clear statement of the role, responsibility and term of the host meeting and other RM appointees to the QSA MC—a 'duty statement' that is readily available (e.g. via the website) for use by Nominations Committees and individual Friends, especially those nominated. This statement will be very clear about the extent to which QSA MC members are, for example, expected to report, inform and support QSA activities in Regional Meetings, represent their Regional Meeting, or raise funds. Many inputs to this review emphasised the need for appointees to the QSA MC to be Friends with the time, energy and capability to fully engage with their governance responsibilities. The sense of the responses from many data sources was that Friends who take up MC appointments need to be thoroughly briefed about their roles, the extent of the whole committee’s decision-making responsibility, and be willing to participate in professional training and education (e.g. from ACFID) about the detailed aspects of the roles. The QSA orientation folder for new appointees could be useful reference information in the process of nominating RM appointees. A suggestion arose, during the June MC meeting, that a ‘buddy system’ be established that links the host members (currently NSW members of the MC) and members from the other Regional Meetings. The intended purpose would be to exchange ideas and to build a relationship that supports the different host member and interstate member roles and their relationship to sound management of QSA. The committee sees the potential benefits intended, including increased engagement with and input to management decision-making even if not physically present in Sydney. While there may be some reluctance about having this relationship so tightly structured, the QSA MC members must find clarity about their responsibilities and the means to fulfill them. The review committee observed a fundamental confusion among Friends as to whether the MC exists to oversee and direct the organisation (e.g. to organise people and resources to achieve chosen outcomes) or the MC exists to help carry out particular functions (e.g. raise money, manage accounts, manage staff, manage projects, maintain accreditation, engage with stakeholders). The review committee notes that many Friends seem to regard the RM appointees’ primary role to be the communication conduit between QSA and Regional Meetings. Others emphasise the role of the RM appointees to encourage fundraising in their home Regional Meeting. However, the review committee understands that fundraising involves a specialised skill set, and not all Friends have those skills or even want them, nor have the free time to fundraise efficiently. There is diversity in the QSA-related activities in our meetings, and diversity in the interests and skills of the Friends appointed to the QSA MC by their Regional Meetings. The variation and relations between these seems to relate to the many differences between individuals and amongst meetings, plus the lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of members of the QSA MC. The review committee appreciates that there is always likely to be some variety in the way roles and responsibilities are able to be implemented. Diversity can certainly be healthy for the QSA MC. However the review committee considers that there is much to be gained if expectations about the roles and responsibilities can be clarified, and understood more consistently by Friends at all levels throughout AYM. It is possible to conceive that QSA MC members could operate more as a management team albeit living in differing locations. Agenda papers circulated prior to each MC meetings, active canvassing of the views of members unable to attend the MC in person, and minutes sent out immediately after each meeting of the MC can all help to increase engagement with governance of QSA. Virtual conferencing is inexpensive, documents are easily shared, and financial reports checked. The roles of setting and checking strategic direction overall can be decentralised in part or as a whole. Expanding the geographic membership of the ‘host’ meeting (e.g. supporting appointees from Canberra, Victoria and Queensland RMs to attend

62 more QSA MC meetings in Sydney) would increase the pool of more actively involved Friends in the MC. Appointment of AYM representatives in addition to or as alternates for the Secretary and Presiding Clerk of AYM (ex officio members of QSA MC) could be another way to strengthen the links between QSA and AYM and make available additional expertise to the MC. Another source of confusion amongst Friends arises because in some Regional Meetings there are Quaker Service committees. It must be understood that the Quaker Service committees are operationally and legally separate from QSA, even when a member of the QSA MC is actively involved in the QS committee established by their Regional Meeting. These Quaker Service committees may, at their own discretion, donate funds to QSA or conduct some outreach and education activities about QSA. It is not appropriate for QSA to expect Quaker Service committees to brief, educate and support their RM member on the QSA MC. Nor is it reasonable for Quaker Service committees to expect to be briefed, educated and supported by their RM member on the QSA MC. The QSA MC’s responsibilities are primarily to be a team managing the overall direction and operations of a Quaker development agency. A governance committee of 18 people is large for an organisation with an annual budget in the order of $700K and one or two full-time staff members. The review committee has observed that effectively only about half the members are regularly involved in management committee meetings and the active decision-making. The review committee questions whether staff responsible for operations should be full members of the QSA MC which is responsible for governance, especially since the QSA MC was so determined to emphasise to this review committee that their responsibility was to govern, distinct from manage projects or the office and operations. A more practical QSA MC structure could be to have a smaller committee of persons with the skills, time and energy to undertake the governance required, and that AYM has two or three places on that committee for Friends who are appointed by the Yearly Meeting. Probably due to the workload already carried by the AYM Clerk and Secretary, the Friends holding those two positions could have observer status or consultant status on such a QSA MC. As an incorporated body, QSA would appoint another 4 -6 suitably qualified people who may be Friends from the host or geographically close Regional Meeting, or whomever they deem fit, to fill the other places. The Regional Meetings could appoint representatives—In the real sense of having representative responsibilities—to a reference group for QSA, if the QSA MC would accept a reference group from AYM comprised of RM representatives. The representatives would be truly appointed by their Regional Meeting without requiring the prior agreement of QSA MC. The reference group would reflect the varying levels of engagement of Friends around Australia with QSA’s activities, and the representative could have responsibility to be a channel of communication between QSA and their Regional Meeting. The representative would need an interest in development but a reference group model would allow more space for the variety of interests and levels of commitment from each individual RM representative. This sort of reference group would maintain the sense of inclusion, without the responsibility for governance.

Recommendation 2b: Members of the QSA MC actively engage with every MC meeting agenda and share the responsibilities of the QSA MC by taking on responsibility for clearly defined tasks that are within their individual capabilities and interests.

Recommendation 2c: AYM supports QSA MC if it proposes to appoint suitably qualified or experienced people who are outside the Society of Friends to serve on or be co-opted by QSA to the QSA MC.

Recommendation 2d: AYM and QSA MC consider whether a reference group would be a more effective use of a variety of persons appointed by Regional Meetings. The responsibility of the Executive Administrator

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The review committee considers that Friends do not generally understand just how much is required of so few to keep QSA operational. This is alongside the findings that Friends around Australia are generally very appreciative of the work QSA and all the work its volunteer and paid staff undertake on their behalf. A number of positive management initiatives have been mentioned to the review committee, but it seems that progress on these is heavily dependent on the Executive Administrator. Jackie Perkins as Executive Administrator takes on very significant and diverse responsibilities for developing QSA strategies, project management at every stage from beginning to end, and the office operations in Sydney. The Executive Administrator is the only full-time QSA employee, and whether she wants it or not, feels capable or not, many issues fall to her. Many Friends have commented on and complimented the management efficiency of Jackie Perkins. Friends are very fortunate to have an Executive Administrator who is so willing and able to juggle all the different demands. However, some Friends point out the weight this places on one person. The review committee concludes that Friends are overly dependent on the Executive Administrator, Jackie Perkins, and the one regular volunteer in the office, John Dundas (finance administration). Stating this in no way devalues the hard work and multitude of roles they capably play and the contributions they make. QSA is at risk of losing a great deal of essential organisational knowledge if something happens to one of these people. As an organisation, QSA has very little or no slack in staff time for non-routine activities, and no resources to back up if the Executive Administrator is absent. Being left so singularly responsible for so many operations, Jackie Perkins and John Dundas are also open to undue or unreasonable criticism if something goes astray. Outsiders understandably see QSA as Jackie Perkins’ and John Dundas’ organisation because those are the two who are always in the office answering queries and acting on requests, and in attendance at meetings representing QSA. It is normal that these two people in turn feel ownership of all their work and its results. If Australian Friends wish QSA to be sustainable beyond the retirement of these two, then the workload needs to be shared and spread more widely now so that others learn the operational requirements and practices of QSA. A succession plan should be considered a matter of some urgency. This committee notes that in 2000 it was recommended that AYM provide the QSA MC attentive support and care to be able to do their large and complex job effectively (Review committee report 1999, p.9). This 2012 review committee has been informed that the Executive Administrator has established her own support team, none of whom are Friends, to help with debriefing after an overseas monitoring visit and any other issues related to her job. The review committee considers that this group could usefully be augmented by a member of the QSA MC acceptable to all concerned. This person would have a particular role to ensure that AYM’s interest in the employment conditions (e.g. occupational health and safety, and workplace conditions) of any employee are appropriately catered for. The group is advisory and acts in a similar way to the role of the AYM Secretary’s Advisory Group described in the Handbook of Practice and Procedure (6th edition) section 5.2.3 and Supplement 4 to the Handbook.

Recommendation 2e: QSA MC appoints one of its members to the QSA Executive Administrator’s Support Group to give assistance on matters affecting the employer’s (QSA) responsibilities to an employee.

Recommendation 2f: QSA MC, as a matter of very high priority, develops and implements a succession plan for key staff and the key MC roles to prevent inadvertent loss of corporate knowledge and loss of momentum on QSA governance, projects and related obligations.

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1.3. Strengthening the financial base of QSA As a Quaker organisation, QSA might presume that its financial base will always be closely linked to the financial capacities of Friends in Australia. This most likely means that QSA will always be a small organisation, but every organisation does need a strong financial base to survive. As described in Chapter 3, various groups of Friends around Australia are actively raising funds for QSA, and fundraising activities certainly provide a concrete means of actively supporting QSA. Although specific information on RM donations is available, the QSA finance officer cannot recall many occasions where this information has been requested. However, pro-actively providing such information could fill a gap in the feedback of information to Regional Meetings and to individual Friends as to the financial support their local meeting gives to QSA. An outcome of more regular and detailed feedback might be to encourage Friends to consider their level of commitment and financial support for QSA. It is not intended that there be any change to the practice of anonymity as to the identity of any donor to QSA. QSA has benefited already from a few bequests, but Friends could be encouraged to consider QSA in their wills. Planning individual finances is a delicate and stressful matter for many people so raising the matter of bequests should be handled sensitively. It is not, however, necessarily a matter that needs to be handled from the QSA office. A suitably sensitive, discreet and professional volunteer could work on raising bequests from anywhere in Australia. The review committee is concerned that the Living Gifts scheme is susceptible to being used by existing donors to substitute in part for a previous method of making donations to QSA as it enables a more tangible ‘gift’ to be directed to others (e.g. to celebrate a birthday or other occasion). However the Living Gifts scheme also has a potential to grow and serve as a method of outreach to non-Quakers. A key question for QSA is whether the scheme is yielding sufficient additional income to warrant the effort involved in keeping it up-to-date and making printed leaflets readily available. It might be possible for the scheme be managed by a group of interested Friends located away from the Sydney office.

Recommendation 3a: QSA puts in place a pro-active approach to financial reporting to Regional Meetings and through them to their members, by commencing a regular (e.g. half yearly) program of advising Regional Meetings and RM appointees about the donations QSA has received from all sources within their Regional Meeting. As well, QSA provides to RM appointees the comparative information from other Regional Meetings in order to empower them in communication with their Regional Meeting.

Recommendation 3b: The AYM Finance Committee renews efforts to source additional funding from Friends through the mechanism of bequests for QSA (and other AYM concerns).

Recommendation 3c: QSA MC assesses the Living Gifts scheme to ensure that the donor engagement and funding yield is commensurate with the effort invested, and to what extent and how the scheme has potential to be part of the Society’s outreach to non- Quakers.

Recommendation 3d: QSA uses funds identified by AusAID as available for community education, plus some from general funding, to support community education about development issues and related activities in our Meetings as part of the Engagement Strategy (see Rec. 1a).

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1.4. Harnessing the efforts of volunteers Although the response rate for the survey question on volunteers is only half the total number of respondents, the range of suggestions as to how volunteers might be able to help could represent an untapped source of potential assistance that needs to be shown what to do. Fundraising enterprises like the Quaker Shop and the Devonshire Street monthly stall are maintained entirely by volunteers and clearly have benefits other than raising funds for QSA, including their value for outreach for the host Meeting and community, and social networking for the stall-holders. However the considerable effort needed to operate a monthly stall and sustain a ‘shop’ requires much ‘behind the scenes’ work and long-term support from a very committed group of volunteer Friends. Respondents to the questionnaire both queried and raised concerns about how much management time and skill it takes to manage volunteers effectively so that QSA gets useful input and the volunteers are satisfied they are making a meaningful contribution. The QSA Executive Administrator informed the review committee that volunteer coordination can be problematic largely because there are not the resources to train and supervise volunteers at present. [This may change when the new program officer (Africa) position is filled, thereby freeing-up some Executive Administrator time.] However, this is likely to be less of an issue in the case of experienced pro bono contributions from professionally qualified volunteers. The review committee considers the differences managing volunteers in the Australian-based administration and in QSA projects in other countries to be significant and worthy of analysis at a later date to guide future decision-making. Key factors to consider include how much management time and skill it takes to manage volunteers effectively so that QSA gets useful input and the volunteers are satisfied they are making a meaningful contribution. Nevertheless, the committee recommends that the QSA MC investigate options for volunteers to work and contribute from outside the Sydney office.

Recommendation 4a: The QSA MC examines the availability, skills and experience of volunteers (including pro bono professionals) as part of a strategy for improving its operations inside Australia.

Recommendation 4b: The QSA MC assesses the potential for volunteers to enhance its engagement with relevant development organisations and all parts of AYM.

Recommendation 4c: The QSA MC delays implementation of (a) and (b) above until adequate office space and staffing are secured or arrangements are set in place for Friends to implement these recommendations using communications technology remotely from the main office.

1.5 Choosing projects The review committee was a little surprised at the relatively poor awareness amongst Friends responding to the survey regarding the process of selecting suitable projects for QSA funding. The committee considers this to reflect general satisfaction with the QSA MC and trust in its assessment procedures. A few Friends suggested the project selection criteria might be reviewed to include issues such as sustainability and promoting local knowledge and learning. The survey identified a number of people who are interested in a dialogue about the choice of projects. The review committee concluded that issues such as these can be accommodated within QSA’s current procedures, and this matter should be left to the QSA staff and MC, noting that project selection criteria would normally be brought to the attention of Friends during QSA business at Yearly Meeting. Those who responded to the survey primarily expressed interest in new projects with Aboriginal people rather than expanding current ones or other projects within Australia. Further comments included reminders that it is of vital importance that we listen to Aboriginal people, and that it may be difficult for QSA to find suitable projects and partners. Overall, during this review process, the committee has become increasingly aware of the extent to

66 which there are substantial limitations hindering a possible QSA MC response to these comments in the foreseeable future. These limitations include QSA staff with expertise, experience, free time and most importantly cultural affinity with Aboriginal communities. The committee noted the apparent lack of Friends’ knowledge about current QSA projects with Australian Aboriginal people and drew the conclusion that respondents largely expressed interest in new projects in Aboriginal communities. There is inadequate emphasis about this in publicity and background documents. While two brochures about QSA (Presence for the Future and Grassroots) mention this and these could usefully be amended, the QSA MC Statement of Purpose could also be reviewed with the intention of making it more inclusive of Aboriginal projects. The Executive Administrator cautioned the review committee about Friends’ enthusiasms for projects with Aboriginal communities given the ACFID members’ experiences of challenges in this area. From the outset, the committee is aware of the need to first investigate the range of cultural sensitivities necessary for QSA to enter into and successfully manage projects with Aboriginal people. The Terms of Reference for this review did not lead to assessment of those options. One Friend suggested QSA might be able to sell Aboriginal designed calendars as a fundraiser. This contrasts with more substantial possible work that carries on from previous and current projects. However, the review committee notes that Aboriginal development work is complex and a small agency such as QSA may not have the financial scope, staff or access to consultants with cultural affinity to respond to the requirements of Aboriginal projects. For example, the ‘Teaching Culture – Healing People’ project in Balgo WA is experiencing an ongoing project management impasse since September 2011 that is yet to be resolved to allow for completion of the final report and accounting. The draft Strategic Plan YM 2013 - YM 2016 has a number of ongoing actions in relation to Aboriginal Concerns which were added to during the 16 June MC meeting. Implementation of the previous actions, much less the new ones, in a timely fashion is uncertain without possibly paying consultants or finding capable volunteers. Further to this list of desired initiatives, the review committee noted advice from the QSA office that the tax-deductible Aboriginal Concerns Fund contains about $100,000 with few forward commitments to utilise it. The committee thinks that Friends generally would expect that their donations were being put to good use within a reasonable time and that holding funds pending selection of suitable projects is not ‘in right ordering’. A reasonable option is for this fund to be ‘closed’ to further contributions pending suitable projects becoming available. If QSA decides to close this fund, then it should advise Regional Meetings accordingly, and renew its efforts to find suitable projects.

Recommendation 5a: The QSA Statement of Purpose is reviewed by both QSA and the AYM First Nations People Concerns Committee with a view to making a recommendation to the QSA AGM at YM 2014 that the Statement of Purpose be reconsidered for its inclusivity of Aboriginal projects.

Recommendation 5b: Representatives from the AYM First Nations People Concerns Committee and QSA MC commence a dialogue about Regional Meetings’ engagement with the identification and choice of Aboriginal projects and report back to the QSA MC within six months.

Recommendation 5c: QSA considers, in consultation with the AYM First Nations People Concerns Committee and Treasurer, closing the Aboriginal Concerns Fund to further donations pending realistic opportunities for expending the accumulating funds.

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1.6 Partnering with others Friends generally are not very knowledgeable about QSA’s relationships with other similar aid organisations and the potential to partner with them in aid and development projects. While some ideas for partnerships were offered there is also recognition that this matter is properly the province of the QSA MC to take on if appropriate. A similar divide in opinion was evident on the issue of alignment of the values of a potential partner with those of QSA. It would seem that if partnering with others is regarded by QSA as an avenue it would want to explore, then this should be done in full consultation with Regional Meetings. However, the review committee sees value in seriously considering some of the potential partners suggested by Friends, including the historic Peace churches, the National Council of Churches in Australia aid program ‘Act for Peace’, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Engineers Without Borders (who are linked with the Pitchandikulum project in India). The ‘Act for Peace’ program may be of particular interest to Friends as it aims to ‘empower war- torn communities to reduce poverty, protect refugees and prevent further conflict. Our project partners are currently assisting people in many of the world's worst conflict-affected areas, including Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, the Middle East, Burma and Sri Lanka’. A very real logistics issue of which that QSA is well aware is the potential impact on a host project if it is required to provide in-kind support for visiting partner organisation representatives by providing, for example, transport, language translation and the time of in- country employees. Clearly Friends would not wish to reduce the impact of the limited funding support it has at its disposal by adding complexity to its aid and development projects. The review committee notes that Friends are welcome at all times to suggest to QSA possible projects or project partners so that they can be evaluated; however, QSA must always retain the final responsibility as to whether a project is supported and the extent of any funding it can provide.

Recommendation 6a: QSA appoints a working group to develop a statement that sets out the principles and procedures QSA follows when it explores partnering opportunities with similar development organisations in Australia, including a process of consultation with Regional Meetings.

1.7 Concluding recommendations The review committee has made recommendations while simultaneously recognising that the QSA Executive Administrator and Finance Officer are operating at full capacity. Our intent is to encourage AYM at all levels and the QSA MC to consider their joint roles in responding to the recommendations in a timely and effective manner. The review committee did not seriously investigate whether QSA should exist at all. The QSA MC members themselves have raised with the review committee the question whether given the current economic situation of QSA, the need for better office accommodation, and more staff, QSA should continue to exist as a stand-alone entity. In the opinion of some, QSA is at a crossroads. The review committee recognises that it is not a straightforward matter for an organisation like QSA to cease operations at short notice; but does not foresee that such a need is imminent. Rather, the review committee considers that the governance arrangements should be clarified urgently so that all the MC members and Friends in Australia can easily understand them, and that an engagement strategy should be articulated and pursued. Part of articulating an engagement strategy would be identifying who is responsible for what and how success will be judged. If these matters of clarity in governance and engagement strategy can be settled in the near future, then AYM and QSA will be in a better position to judge whether the relationship between Australian Friends and QSA is sufficiently healthy and vital to justify QSA’s existence into the future.

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Recommendation 7a: AYM records its decisions at Yearly Meetings about the QSA Review Committee recommendations, whether accepted or not, and include the responsibility for any action.

Recommendation 7b: The QSA MC and other parts of AYM keep AYM informed about their achievement of milestones and planned actions for those recommendations adopted by Yearly Meeting. Henry Esbenshade (Convener), Anne Herbert, David Shorthouse

Relationship between AYM and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre

In January 2012 I was appointed as the liaison Friend between Australia Yearly Meeting (AYM) and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre (SWQC). Friends should be aware that SWQC has been established with a legal constitution quite separate from AYM. It is financially independent. The intention of the Centre is to serve Friends and others as a centre for learning and outreach. This report is based on comments received from many individual f/Friends, almost all of whom have spent time at SWQC. One Regional Meeting included a sharing about SWQC during a Meeting for Worship for Business. There was almost no response from members of three Regional Meetings. People who have experienced SWQC (including those who are not Friends) are unanimous in their appreciation of the spiritually of the centre. They have appreciated the suitability of the property, the accommodation, the presence of Resident Elders and the opportunity for community, especially Isolated Friends. These respondents considered the costs to be reasonable in comparison with other courses or holidays. The role of outreach and travelling Friends has been raised as a future development. For some Friends there is ongoing concern about the viability of maintaining a large rural property. The method of establishing this entity still causes unease in some minds. Cost and distance remain a deterrent for some, perhaps many, Friends. The need for ongoing financial support is recognised, but there are mixed responses to the question of whether direct financial support from AYM is appropriate. Our Quaker centre is already offering service to us. May we support it with our prayers. Ruth Watson, AYM representative on the SWQC Advisory Committee

Respectful Relationships Committee

Part A: Report 1. The committee plans to conduct a weekend workshop for Respectful Relationships Contact Friends in March 2013. 2. Further to Minute YM12.39, the committee has drafted an entry about its work for the Handbook of Practice and Procedure (6th edn, 2011) for consideration by Yearly Meeting 2013. This requires inclusion of the committee in the list of representative committees in s.5.3.1. [As there is no obvious place to insert the Respectful Relationships Committee entry in the sequence under s.5.3 AYM Committees, I suggest it be allocated the section 5.3.n until a new edition of the Handbook is produced.

The words highlighted are proposed additions—AYM Secretary] s.5.3.1 Kinds of AYM committees are as follows: a) Representative committees are the Standing Committee (5.3.2) … ; the Nominations Committee (5.3.3); the Respectful Relationships Committee (5.3.n); and the FWCC Committee (5.4.3 The proposed new entry reads: 5.3.n Respectful Relationships Committee

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The Society is obliged to do whatever it can to prevent abuse and disrespectful relationships occurring within its domain and to deal compassionately and effectively with any instance that arises. The committee supports the local Respectful Relationships Contact Friend(s) to consider any alleged incident and initiate an appropriate response. The local Respectful Relationships Contact Friend will decide to what extent, and how, they can deal with it themselves; whether outside expertise should be brought into the situation; or whether referral to outside agencies is desirable or mandatory. The Respectful Relationships Committee includes two Respectful Relationships Contact Friends (one female and one male) appointed by each Regional Meeting, normally for three years. In appointing its representative, a Regional Meeting looks for a sound understanding of Quaker ways and knowledge of resources within their Meeting and in the local community. It is desirable that there be at least one YF representative. There are fifteen members of the committee in total. Membership of the committee is recorded by Yearly Meeting. When a vacancy occurs, the appropriate Regional Meeting makes an appointment and informs the AYM Secretary, who brings the new name to Standing Committee for confirmation. The committee appoints its own convener, who is responsible for disseminating material to committee members. Should a convener be unable to continue, the Presiding Clerk may appoint an acting convener until the proper office-holder returns or the committee appoints a new one. The committee is responsible for: Supporting Respectful Relationship Contact Friends Liaising with Local and Recognised Meetings and Worshipping Groups Keeping up to date on the subject, including knowledge of local legislation Drafting guidelines and procedures to prevent disrespectful behaviour and to deal effectively where an incident arises Establishing procedures to monitor the Respectful Relationship guidelines An annual review of the Respectful Relationship guidelines Ensuring Respectful Relationship Guidelines and resources are promoted Developing resource materials when appropriate Appropriate records must be kept, confidential, secure and only for use in a professional manner. Part B: 1. We ask Yearly Meeting to consider the provision of $1000 to support travel costs for five interstate Respectful Relationship Contact Friends to attend the weekend workshop in March 2013. 2. We ask Yearly Meeting to approve the Handbook entry for the Respectful Relationships Committee. 3. We remind Young Friends of Standing Committee’s request (Minute SC7.12.5) for their Nominations Committee to bring forward the names of two Respectful Relationships Contact Friends. Ronis Chapman, Jonathan Benyei (Canberra RM); Acey Teasdale, Mark Macleod (New South Wales RM); Tony Arden, Kathy Damm (Queensland RM); David Barry, Kerry O’Regan (South Australia RM); Robin McLean, Julian Robertson (Tasmania RM); Beryl Homes, Cliff Picton, Angela Were (Victoria RM); Lili Bowes, Beth Harcourt (West Australia RM).

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The Sanctuary Management Committee

The Sanctuary house and bush garden were bequeathed by Hanna Lemberg to AYM in 1998. The property adjoins Wahroonga Meeting House, with bush in between the two properties. The house is of architectural merit, built in the 1950s in the Bauhaus style and the garden has botanical merit for its native plants. Extensive renovations to the house and the garden were carried out with money left in the bequest for this purpose. Since 2001 a local real estate office has managed rental of the house. The property is managed on behalf of AYM by the Sanctuary Management Committee, under the care of New South Wales RM. The committee has three members, all from Wahroonga Local Meeting. The tenants left the property in May. Regular maintenance work was carried out before the property was leased to new tenants. The house was painted, inside and outside, the wooden floor sanded, a new stove installed and a handyman did some minor repairs. A gardener removed overgrown bushes. New tenants will move in early in October. At YM 2012, it was decided that accumulated funds in excess of $40,000 could be distributed to Quaker or other causes. Because of the maintenance expenditure and four months with no rental income, there are less funds to be distributed. The AYM Treasurer will advise about available funds when the accounts have been audited. Friends from other Meetings are encouraged to visit the property when in Sydney. Bill Brennan, Wies Schuiringa, Acey Teasdale

Thanksgiving Fund Committee

The committee has redrafted the information about Thanksgiving Fund grants on the AYM website. It has also redrafted the application form for grants, which is now available on the AYM website. The committee has considered references in the Handbook of Practice and Procedure (6th edn, 2011) to its work and recommends that Yearly Meeting adopts the revisions as detailed in Part B of this report. Over the last year, the Thanksgiving Fund Committee has made the following grants to: The AYM Children & Junior Young Friends Committee to assist in the financing of a three-day gathering at SWQC of delegates from Regional Meetings around Australia to consider how to bring Children and Junior Young Friends more fully into the life of our meetings: $1000. Maxine Cooper (Victoria RM) to attend the 2012 World Conference of Friends in Kenya as an AYM appointed delegate: $1000. Kerstin Reimers (Tasmania RM) to attend the 2012 World Conference of Friends in Kenya as an AYM appointed delegate: $1000. Thomas Dundas (Young Friends) to attend the 2012 World Conference of Friends in Kenya as an AYM appointed delegate: $1000. John Michaelis (New South Wales RM) to attend the 2012 World Conference of Friends in Kenya: $1500. Ronis Chapman (Canberra RM) to attend the 2012 World Conference of Friends in Kenya: $900. Michael Searle (Canberra RM) to attend the 2012 World Conference of Friends in Kenya: $900. It has received reports from Ronis Chapman and Kerstin Reimers in relation to their use of these grants. The present committee is willing to accept appointment for a further term of three years. Part B: Recommendations The AYM Thanksgiving Fund Committee recommends revisions to the Handbook as follows: [The words highlighted are proposed additions or alterations; those struck through, proposed deletions to the existing text.]

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(i) 1.4.5. Concerns Concern is a Quaker term that has a special usage. It and other terms with a special Quaker usage are italicised here and defined in Appendix G Glossary. Among the topics that may well be dealt with at a Business Meeting there is an important kind arising from a Friend’s sense of a requirement by God (i.e. a leading - see Glossary) that the Friend, however reluctantly, undertake some specific task. This may become an irresistible concern. (i.e. a concern), however reluctantly. It could, for instance, be some form of service overseas or in the local community. To test the validity of this experience, the Friend first lays the concern it before a Meeting, which may be a Clearness Meeting (4.4), a meeting of the Oversight Committee (2.3.7) or the a local Worship Meeting (2.3) for its consideration. If the Meeting unites with or adopts the concern, it may be carried forward to the their Regional Meeting (2.4.3) for its consideration. and then perhaps On occasion, it may be forwarded to Yearly Meeting (Chapter 6) for further support. This proves has proved to be an effective combination of individual initiative with collective collaborative decision, followed by widely supported implementation. ii) 5.6.3 Thanksgiving Fund That paragraphs a) and b) under the heading, Grants read as follows. Grants from the fund are made by the AYM Treasurer as directed by the committee. The following steps are taken. a) Grant application forms may be downloaded from the Members’ section of the Society’s website www.quakers.org.au. The applicant submits shall submit to the committee convener a written outline of the proposal and the funds sought, accompanied by a minute of endorsement from a Local Meeting, Regional Meeting, Yearly Meeting, Standing Committee or AYM committee adopting the proposal as a concern. Such sponsorship adoption would depend on a thorough investigation of the project from several points of view, notably that of Friends’ testimonies (1.4.2), along with a commitment to provide ongoing support if the grant is awarded. A Clearness Meeting (4.4) might be useful. b) The applicant supplies shall submit relevant background material to accompany the application, e.g. biographical notes about the people involved or proposed publication. iii) Appendix G. GLOSSARY Adopt: After testing, a Meeting may adopt a Concern, the advancement of which then becomes the business of the Meeting as a whole. Testing: A Meeting may exercise group discernment and decide whether, for it, a matter is a Leading or a Concern. Lyndsay Farrall (Convener), Sheila Given, Peter Jones, Ron Martin, Julian Robertson, Felicity Rose, Colin Wendell-Smith, Barbara Wilde

Werona (Kangaroo Valley Friends Properties Pty Ltd)

Werona is a 40-hectare bush property situated in Kangaroo Valley in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Purchased in 1969 by Quakers and friends of Friends, the property is registered as Kangaroo Valley Friends Properties Pty Ltd. The shares are held by: AYM (9), New South Wales RM (75), Canberra RM (8), Victoria RM (5), Tasmania RM (1), Young Friends (1). The rest of the shares are owned by individuals. South Australia RM recently transferred its three shares to New South Wales RM. Werona is maintained by a group of regular visitors known the Werona Users Group and is financed by overnight camping fees and donations. The facilities are basic and consist of two huts, an open shelter and spaces for camping. Annual expenditure each year is around $5000 excluding maintenance. Expenditure includes Public Liability Insurance, land and property management authority fees, rates, Rural Lands Protection Board fees, ASIC fees and electricity. We have agreed to explore a Conservation Agreement with the Office of Environment and Heritage in the coming months as this may be both environmentally and financially advantageous.

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During 2012 the property has been widely used by a variety of people, including the second and third generations of those initially involved. Two members of the Users Group have started to write a book about the history of Werona. With our very supportive neighbours, the Sydney Bushwalkers, the fire trails have been cleared in preparation for summer. These trails—running across the two properties and allowing access to the river—are vital for bushfire readiness and emergency access. The trails also enable a local bush regeneration company, employed to help remove introduced species of plants, to reach the more inaccessible gully regions across both properties. After some negotiations with the Sydney Catchment Authority Werona has received a grant of $5000 for weed removal on Werona in the latter part of this year and in 2013. Werona received a similar grant in 2007. The property borders on the Kangaroo River, which is part of the Sydney water catchment area. Lantana growth has increased throughout the region due to heavy rains. Last year Werona received a donation of locally propagated red cedars and paper figs, which were planted out by the Werona Users Group and seem to be growing well. The Kangaroo Valley escarpments are the breeding grounds and habitats of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby. Werona is a member of the Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, a local association dedicated to the preservation of this endangered species. Five female Rock Wallabies have recently been released into the local area, hopefully to join the existing colony. NPWL will radio track and monitor these females by remote cameras to follow their progress. Werona adopted a policy of Paying the Rent in 1988, and since then has made donations to Tranby Aboriginal College based in Glebe, Sydney. At that time Tranby used Werona for some of their courses and the Nowra Land Council had not come into existence. The Nowra Land Council has formally been recognised as representing the traditional owners in Kangaroo Valley. In recognition of the changes that have taken place since 1988 and of our developing relationship with them, future Pay the Rent instalments will be paid to the Nowra Land Council. All Friends are welcome to visit. Anne-Maree Johnston (Secretary) Directors: Heather Saville, Wies Schiuringa , David Shorthouse, Tim Sowerbutts

Young Friends

Australian Young Friends spent the week prior to YM 2012 at Camp Woody, near Stoneville, WA, as a small but vibrant group of friends, including the Aotearoa/New Zealand YF representative Jo Hall. The most significant YF event of the year was our Easter camp, held at Werona, NSW. It was a special camp in which we remembered our friend Peter Juchniewicz, who passed away this year, leaving many of us devastated and in need of a special commemorative gathering, particularly those who had recently moved on to being less-young Friends. This is why it was decided that current YFs would invite the previous generation of YFs to attend Easter camp to make a ‘Juchie Gathering’. We had a very significant number of YFs and former YFs, making it a unique and rewarding experience. The presence of Australian Young Friends as a ‘group’ online on Facebook meant that Chloë Grubbs-Saleem, an American YF visitor to Australia at the time, was able to find out about us and attend Easter Camp. She shared enviable stories about the quantity of YFs at US gatherings. We hope that Facebook will be used to connect YFs in the region. We invite everyone aged 16 to 30ish and connected with Friends to find us online and join the group. The World Conference of Friends took place around the same time as our Easter Camp. Thomas Dundas, Callista Barritt and Connor Chaffey travelled to Kenya to attend the gathering, while Rhys Dryzek crossed the Tasman to attend the Aotearoa/New Zealand YF Camp. Oliver Greeves and Callista Barritt attended Standing Committee at SWQC, which allowed us to connect with RM and AYM representatives, demonstrating Young Friends’ presence as an active and participating national body. We look forward to maintaining a meaningful relationship with SWQC.

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Our monthly ‘Dahl Nights’ on Skype, although sparsely populated and unpredictable, enabled us to connect as a group, continue our many conversations, and hold business meetings. Young Friends invite informal conversation at YM 2013 about ways to make the transition between JYFs and YFs more logical, comfortable and welcoming and to strengthen the connection between the two groups in order to encourage more JYFs to be involved in YFs. This will also influence the number of young people active in the Quaker community. It may be beneficial for young people and YFs to be more involved in organising JYF events, and make sure that Friends are aware that serious Quakerly discussions can and do take place among young people having fun. We thank AYM and Friends everywhere for their continued support, and we are looking forward to seeing what the future will bring for our dynamic and ever-changing community. Oliver Greeves, YF Clerk 2012 Easter Camp Epistle 2012 This Easter a different gathering was held at Werona. Young Friends welcomed former Young Friends to the annual gathering. This was inspired by a need for many of us to spend some time together remembering our precious friend Peter Juchniewicz who passed away earlier this year. For some it was their first time at Werona and others had been coming for years. We felt enriched by being in this place and some were transported in time by years of saturated memory. We held a Meeting for Worship which began with silently walking between the trees to the cave where we sat and continued in worship amongst the ancient rocks. Afterwards a scramble out onto the escarpment where we could look out over the valley and appreciate this precious part of the world. Young Friends met around the fire for a Meeting for Worship for Business. At another point those of us who wished to remember Juchie held a Meeting for Sharing. It has felt important to have this time of grief and holding each other since we heard of his death. Coming together as this particular group has sparked discussion about transitions. How can we no-longer-Young-Friends remain connected as a community now we have past this age milestone? How can we Young Friends encourage and welcome transitioning Junior Young Friends into our meeting and maintain a strong group? We thought of our many loved ones who wished they had been able to join us. We played absurd hilarious games late into the night. We cooked together, cleaned together and hunted Easter eggs with cryptic clues as a cohesive team. We spent time alone and in small groups, roasting apples on the fire, swimming in the river, reading, catching up with old friends and getting to know new ones. We are grateful for this time to gather, grieve, play and ring the changes.

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Minutes of Standing Committee

19 – 22 July 2012 held at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, Lake Road, Bungendore, NSW AYM Officers

Presiding Clerk Maxine Cooper Incoming Presiding Julian Robertson Clerk AYM Secretary Susan Addison AYM Treasurer Roger Sawkins Standing Committee representatives

Canberra RM Wilma Davidson (RM Clerk) & Susan Rockliff (Assistant Clerk) New South Wales RM Rae Litting & Wies Schuiringa (RM Co-clerks) Queensland RM Anthony Arden (Assistant Clerk) & Frances Long (Clerk) South Australia RM Topsy Evans & Kerry O’Regan (RM Clerk) Tasmania RM Raymond Haynes & Ros Haynes (RM Co-clerk) Victoria RM Gerry Fahey & Sieneke Martin (RM Co-clerk) West Australia RM Ruth Watson & Margaret Woodward Young Friends Oliver Greeves (YF Clerk) & Callista Barritt As Resident Elder at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre during Standing Committee, Bev Polzin held participants in the Light during all activities.

SC7.12.1 Opening Minute and Acknowledgment of Custodians

Standing Committee began with acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land on which we met, the Ngunnawal people, and their elders, past and present. During the opening Meeting for Worship, the Presiding Clerk read the following extract from Christian faith and practice in the experience of the Society of Friends (London Yearly Meeting, 1960): Seek on in patience and in hope. Be earnest in prayer. Do not fall back into selfish indifference, but do whatever thou canst truthfully do, for the help, socially and spiritually, of those around thee. Take comfort from the thought that others have passed through as great a strift, and have come forth into peace and happy truthfulness. If thy soul be walking but in twilight, look towards that quarter of the sky from which light seems to be dawning …Thou wilt yet hear His words as a personal message to thy soul, ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ Yearly Meeting 1893 During the ‘Faith in Action’ activity on Thursday evening, members of Standing Committee were warmly welcomed by the Silver Wattle community, including Helen Bayes, Director; Bev Polzin, Resident Elder; and Margaret Evans, Christine Larkin and David Purnell, Resident Friends. Standing Committee agreed to accept Section C Reports for Noting (SC7.12.19 to SC7.12.29) marked in the Agenda with an asterisk without further discussion. We agreed to accept two additional reports to the agenda as published: Ruth Watson, appointed at YM 2012 as the AYM representative on the SWQC Advisory Committee, asked for time to speak about the relationship between AYM and SWQC. This was considered as SC7.12.30.

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QPLC convener Brian Turner provided up-to-date information and a 2012 and 2012-13 budget for the Peace & Earthcare Office and Peace & Earthcare Worker. This was considered as part of SC7.12.4. (See Appendix A.) Section A: Reports with financial implications

SC7.12.2: AYM Treasurer’s Report to Standing Committee

The AYM Treasurer spoke to specific queries in relation to his Report to Standing Committee. Standing Committee heard that the AYM Treasurer will continue to send Regional Meetings the breakdown of RM donations to the various AYM Concerns Funds. We heard that many Regional Meetings make virtually no donations through their schedules to AYM Concerns Funds and that there is a need for the committees that manage the Funds to publicise their work. We ask the Australian Friend Committee to contact the relevant committees and invite them to contribute an article about their Fund and the work they do to The Australian Friend.

SC7.12.3(a) & (b) AYM Treasurer’s Budget Report & Suggested General Fund Budget for the year ending 30.9.13

Standing Committee accepted the budget as amended. (Standing Committee considered the proposed allocation of $10,000 from the General Fund towards the costs of the Peace & Earthcare Worker in conjunction with Agenda item SC7.12.4. We were not in unity about this proposed allocation.) Standing Committee accepted the donations to Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, Pendle Hill, Woodbrooke, FWCC World Office, FWCC Asia-West Pacific Section, QUNO and NATSIEC as set out in the suggested General Fund Budget for the year ending 30.9.13. The AYM Treasurer will send out the revised budget and reduced quotas to RM Treasurers. (see Appendix B).

SC7.12.4: Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee

1. Standing Committee heard that the Peace & Earthcare Worker Robert Howell offered to be available by phone to answer questions. We also received additional information from the QPLC convener Brian Turner, updating the report in the Standing Committee agenda and providing a budget for the Peace & Earthcare Worker for 2012 and 2012-13. (See Appendix A.) 2. Standing Committee supports the initiative of the two committees, the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee and the AYM Earthcare Committee, in establishing a Peace & Earthcare Office and employing a Peace & Earthcare Worker. We note the work plan developed for the Peace & Earthcare Worker: (i) production of ‘Towards a Quaker Vision for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia’ (formerly ‘Quaker Blueprint for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia’); and (ii) continuation of the Preparing for Peace project. 3. We note that the contract of the Peace & Earthcare Worker is for one year only, ending mid- January 2013, but can be renewed. Standing Committee believes it is not in right ordering for Standing Committee to make the decision to alter the contract by increasing the Worker position from the current 60 per cent to full-time. 4. We are not in unity at this time about the proposed allocation of $10,000 from the General Fund towards the Peace & Earthcare Office and support of the Peace & Earthcare Worker. 5. We encourage RMs and individual Friends to contribute as they feel led. We also encourage the two committees to seek funds from other sources.

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We ask the two committees to prepare a report for Documents in Advance, for consideration at YM 2013. We ask that this report review the work of the Peace & Earthcare Worker so far, and address the outcomes of the project and the question of how the work will be carried forward after the end of the Peace & Earthcare Worker’s contract in mid-January 2013. We ask that this report include a work plan, timeline, clear income and expenditure information, and future plans for reviewing the work of the Peace & Earthcare Worker.

SC7.12.5: Respectful Relationships Committee

1. Standing Committee heard a request from the Respectful Relationships Committee that two Young Friends be appointed to the committee. We ask that Young Friends bring forward the names of two Respectful Relationships Contact Friends. 2. Standing Committee heard that the Respectful Relationships Committee believe it would be beneficial for all the Respectful Relationships Contact Friends to gather for a weekend workshop in March 2013. We support the work of the Respectful Relationships Contact Friends and ask the committee to prepare a detailed proposal for Documents in Advance for the workshop, including a budget and suggested focus. Sources of finance may include support from Regional Meetings, and/or the Thanksgiving Fund and the YM General Budget under the committee expenses budget line. Section B: Other reports for decision

SC7.12.6: AYM Nominations Committee

Standing Committee notes and approves the following changes of membership of AYM committees since YM 2012: Mark Macleod and Garry Duncan as members of the Backhouse Lecture Committee, each to the end of YM 2018. David Shorthouse as a member of the QSA Review Committee to the end of YM 2013, following the resignation of Marion Sullivan. Mary Grbavac as the Queensland RM representative on the AYM FWCC Committee to the end of YM 2016. Tom Dundas as a member of the AYM Nominations Committee, representing Young Friends to the end of YM 2014.

SC7.12.7: Publications Committee

1. Standing Committee heard that the Website Assistant has almost completed the html version of the Handbook. This version has interactive links—e.g. when there is mention in the section on the Thanksgiving Fund about an application form, the reader can click on to a link to the particular form. We ask the Publications Committee to further explore the technology so that the html version can automatically generate a print-friendly version on the Quakers Australia website. 2(i) Standing Committee asks Regional Meetings and AYM Committees to appoint ‘web maintainers’. We note that the entries under individual committees in the Handbook would need to be amended to reflect the task of maintaining websites. We ask the Publications Committee, in consultation with the Website Assistant Meryl Moscrop, to produce a position description for the ‘web maintainer’ role. We ask the AYM Secretary to circulate the position description of ‘web maintainer’ to Regional Meetings and to AYM committees which have websites linked to the Quakers Australia website, with a request that they appoint ‘web maintainers’ to keep the websites up to date.

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(ii) Standing Committee heard a recommendation that, following four weeks’ notice, links to out-of-date websites would be removed until the site was updated. Standing Committee considered four weeks’ notice too short and asked the AYM Secretary, in conjunction with the Publications Committee, to monitor out-of-date websites and liaise with RM clerks and AYM committee conveners to maintain their websites. 3. Standing Committee heard that Q3 for consideration in the Agenda, Does Standing Committee agree that Testimonies to the Grace of God in the life of deceased Friends not be published on the AYM website?, refers to a request from one Regional Meeting to the AYM Secretary to publish the Testimony to the Grace of God in the life of one Friend on the AYM website. The AYM Secretary asked the Publications Committee to determine a general policy about the publication of individual Testimonies on the AYM website. The committee’s recommendation is that individual Testimonies not be published on the AYM website. Standing Committee agrees with the committee’s recommendation. We note that Regional Meetings can make their own decisions about uploading individual Testimonies on to their RM web pages. Standing Committee heard that all Testimonies to the Grace of God in the life of Friends are available in print in Regional Meeting and other libraries as part of the Dictionary of Australian Quaker Biography. This is updated annually. In recent years, digital copies of the Testimonies contained in the annual updates have also been filed in the AYM Office, with a view to eventually posting the Dictionary as a resource on our website. Standing Committee notes that Ian Hughes (NSW RM) is currently coordinating work on the Dictionary of Australian Quaker Biography Online project by scanning all the older Testimonies and arranging for them to be proofread. We value this project and ask the Publications Committee, in consultation with Ian Hughes, to look into a strategy for making the Dictionary of Australian Quaker Biography available online on the Quakers Australia website. We also ask the Publications Committee to consider the privacy implications of publishing the Testimonies online.

SC7.12.8 Backhouse Lecture Committee

Standing Committee heard that Jocelyn Bell Burnell (Britain YM) is preparing to give the Backhouse Lecture at YM 2013 on reflections of a Quaker astronomer, focusing on such themes as God, the Universe and Us. Jocelyn has not yet decided how long she can spend in Australia, but once this is known details can be arranged for visits to Regional Meetings. Standing Committee agrees with the recommendation from the Backhouse Lecture Committee that Tracy Bourne (Victoria RM) be the Backhouse Lecturer for YM 2014 on a theme related to young people in the Religious Society of Friends.

SC7.12.9: Friends Book Sales

Standing Committee thanks Topsy and David Evans for their stewardship of Friends Book Sales and hopes that their encouragement of new approaches will be considered by the new appointee/s. We ask the AYM Nominations Committee to bring to YM 2013 the name(s) of Friend(s) to serve as managers of Friends Book Sales.

SC7.12.10: Yearly Meeting Epistles

Standing Committee heard a suggestion that guidelines be developed for the writing of the Yearly Meeting Epistle. Standing Committee representatives shared their experiences of writing and reading Epistles from our Yearly Meetings.

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We note that the Handbook (s.6.3.6) describes Epistles as ‘statements in which Friends try to describe the atmosphere, setting, weighty issues and spiritual climate of a particular Yearly Meeting’. We ask the AYM Secretary, the Presiding Clerk and Incoming Presiding Clerk to develop brief guidelines for the AYM Nominations Committee, which appoints the Epistle Committee at the start of each Yearly Meeting, and the Epistle Committee itself, reminding them of the spiritual focus of this message ‘To Friends everywhere’. We ask that the guidelines be included in the A to Z of Planning a Yearly Meeting published on our website. We agree that the YM Epistle should aim to be no more than a single A4 page.

SC7.12.11: Handbook of Practice & Procedure Proposed amendments to s.1.4.4 Business Meetings

1. Proposed amendments to the Handbook of Practice & Procedure (SC7.12.11 – 14): general policy Standing Committee notes that the Preface to the current 6th edn of the Handbook makes it clear that Alterations and additions to the wording of this handbook may be made only by a session of the assembled Yearly Meeting of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia in accordance with Quaker procedure already established. We also note that the Handbook is a legally recognised document. Standing Committee has before it four agenda items (SC7.12.11 – 14) which propose amendments to the current edition of the Handbook. We agree that: (a) any proposed Handbook amendments which were validated by a YM minute but were not incorporated in the current edition of the Handbook because of an oversight should be incorporated immediately. [e.g. AYM FWCC Committee members’ term of office] (b) any proposed Handbook amendments which reflect current practices in the Society should go forward to Yearly Meeting with a recommendation from Standing Committee that the amendments be incorporated in the Handbook. (c) any proposed Handbook amendments which represent a recognition of a significant change in the current practices of the Society be returned to the Regional Meeting for possible resubmission to the ‘assembled Yearly Meeting’ via Documents in Advance. 2. Proposed amendments to s.1.4.4. Business Meetings Standing Committee representatives shared whether their Regional Meetings have recorded that a Friend(s) stood aside from a minute and whether the name(s) was recorded when requested. We found that our practices differ between Regional Meetings. We could not recollect a Friend making a request to stand aside from a final minute adopted in a Yearly Meeting session. We ask New South Wales RM to reconsider their suggested amendments and bring a revision to Documents in Advance if they wish to do so.

SC7.12.12: Handbook of Practice & Procedure Proposed amendments to sections relating to The Australian Friend

Standing Committee acknowledges that the proposed changes to sections 3.10, 5.3.3 and 5.5.2 of the Handbook clarify the current practice of the Society since The Australian Friend has become an online publication. Standing Committee will recommend to YM 2013 that the proposed amendments be incorporated in the Handbook to reflect current practice.

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SC7.12.13: Handbook of Practice & Procedure Proposed amendments to sections 2.5.4 and 2.3.3 relating to appointments to RM Nominations Committees

Standing Committee accepts that the Handbook is a set of guidelines rather than rules, and that variations that accommodate Regional Meeting needs are acceptable. Standing Committee is not in a position to accept the proposed amendments to sections 2.5.4 and 2.3.3 of the Handbook relating to the process of appointment to RM Nominations Committees. We ask New South Wales RM to consider the possible resubmission of these proposed amendments to the Handbook to the ‘assembled Yearly Meeting’ via Documents in Advance.

SC7.12.14: AYM FWCC Committee

1. Standing Committee agrees with the recommendation from the AYM FWCC Committee that the Handbook s. 5.4.3 be amended from ‘serves for up to seven years’ to ‘serves a four-year term with two representatives to step down each year’, in accordance with Minute YM10.46. We ask that this amendment be incorporated immediately. 2. Standing Committee encourages representatives to take information about the workshop ‘Where is the Light leading Friends? Engaging with Friends in the World’, a follow-up to the Sixth World Conference of Friends, back to their Regional Meetings. The workshop will be held at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, 19 – 25 August. We note that a session will be scheduled at YM 2013 in Canberra for Friends who attended the World Conference of Friends in Kenya to report on their experiences. 3. Standing Committee asks representatives to take back to their Regional Meetings and to Young Friends in their Meetings information about the International YF Gathering in India, 29 Oct – 7 Nov 2012. The Gathering has been publicised on the YF Facebook Page. Any Young Friends interested in attending are encouraged to contact the AWPS Secretary Valerie Joy for further information. 4. Further to the report in the Agenda, Standing Committee notes that Julian Stargardt, Hong Kong Monthly Meeting, will be the AWPS Visitor to YM 2013. Julian has agreed to talk about ‘Friends and China—past and present’. An evening session has been allocated for this presentation on the Yearly Meeting timetable.

SC7.12.15: Earthcare Committee

Standing Committee heard a recommendation from the AYM Earthcare Committee that its name be changed to the Quaker Earthcare Committee, following the precedent of the naming of the Quaker Committee. We ask the AYM Earthcare Committee to bring the proposed name change to Yearly Meeting.

SC7.12.16: Edenfest: Board of Reference Report, 2 May 2012

1. Standing Committee agrees that the Presiding Clerk and the AYM Representative to the Edenfest Board of Reference from Victoria RM attend the launch of Edenfest at Parliament House in Canberra on 19 September. We trust the judgment of the Presiding Clerk and the AYM Representatives to the Board to assess whether the Society maintains an involvement in Edenfest. 2. Standing Committee does not support the signing of the Edenfest Foundational Statement on ‘Beauty in the Arts’ [see Agenda Background Papers] by the Presiding Clerk on behalf of the Society. We note that it is not the practice of the Society to sign creedal statements.

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3. If appropriate, Standing Committee asks our representatives to report on Edenfest in the Australian Friend and the AYM Secretary’s Newsletter. 4. Standing Committee encourages Friends in Stitches to consider displaying panels of the Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery at Edenfest as a celebration of their art and an opportunity for outreach. We also encourage individual artists to be involved as they feel led. [see ‘Edenfest Invitation to Artists’ in Agenda Background Papers].

SC7.12.17: Child Protection Committee

Standing Committee agrees that the Charter of Conduct for Children and JYFs developed for YM 2012 be made available on our Quakers Australia website immediately. We understand that this document may need to be regularly updated in line with changes in legislation and our discernment. We ask the Child Protection Committee to bring a recommendation to YM about an entry in the Handbook of Practice and Procedure which acknowledges the Charter.

SC7.12.18 (a): Future Mid-year Standing Committees

Standing Committee heard that Queensland Regional Meeting has appointed a Planning Committee to organise Mid-year Standing Committee at the Kelvin Grove Meeting House in Brisbane in 2013. Because the NCCA has not yet settled on the Forum dates for 2013, we agree to defer a decision on dates until Standing Committee in January 2013. Representatives are advised that possible dates for Mid-year Standing Committee 2013 are either 11 – 14 July or 18 – 21 July. Standing Committee agrees to accept the offer from New South Wales RM to host Mid-year Standing Committee in 2014, and from Tasmania RM to host Mid-year Standing Committee in 2015. Section C: Reports for noting

Standing Committee agreed to accept the following reports without further discussion: SC7.12.19: AYM Presiding Clerk’s Report SC7.12.20: AYM Secretary’s Report SC7.12.21 Peace & Social Justice Fund Committee SC7.12.22: Quaker Learning Australia SC7.12.23: AYM Review of Quaker Service Australia SC7.12.24: Update of Australian Quaker Meetings, Office-holders, Members, Attenders and Children SC7.12.25: Thanksgiving Fund Committee SC7.12.26: Sanctuary Management Committee SC7.12.27: Planning for Future Yearly Meetings SC7.12.28: AYM Representation at other events SC7.12.29: Visitors to Australia Yearly Meeting 2011 -12

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Section D: Additional minutes

SC7.12.30: Relationship between AYM and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre

Ruth Watson, who was appointed at YM 2012 as the AYM representative on the Silver Wattle Advisory Committee, has asked Meetings for advice about her role. We heard that Sieneke Martin and Lyndsay Farrall have laid down their work of developing an entry in the Handbook about the relationship between Australia Yearly Meeting and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre. We heard that David Johnson has drafted a revised entry that is being circulated to the Silver Wattle Board and Advisory Committee. We note that Silver Wattle Quaker Centre is legally independent of Australia Yearly Meeting. We ask Ruth to bring a report to Documents in Advance for YM 2013.

SC7.12.31: Faith in Action sessions

Standing Committee expressed its appreciation to Standing Committee representatives Wilma Davidson and Kerry O’Regan who facilitated the ‘Faith in Action’ sessions. The sessions focused around Advices & Queries No. 19, ‘Listen patiently and seek the truth which other people’s opinions may contain for you.’ Activities involved sharing experiences of listening and being listened to patiently; experiences of Quaker committees which had worked well and ones which had not; and reflections on the Faith in Action sessions and Standing Committee as a whole. Gerry Fahey and Frances Long agreed to coordinate the sessions at Mid-year Standing Committee 2013 in Brisbane.

SC7.12.32: Concluding minute

This Standing Committee we have had the joy of meeting in a residential community. This beautiful space, surrounded by shimmering water, silver mists and frosty grass in the early mornings, has been a part of the experience of meeting at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre on the shores of Weereewa (Lake George). We have benefitted from being held in the Light by a Resident Elder, as is the usual practice at Silver Wattle Quaker Centre. We wish to express our appreciation to our hosts, Canberra Regional Meeting, who provided food, transport, and Resident Friends. We have joined the Director of Silver Wattle, the Resident Elder and Resident Friends in observing the rhythms of the Silver Wattle day—Meeting for Worship in the morning and Epilogue in the evening. We have appreciated exploring aspects of our spiritual journey and Quaker faith through our reflective sessions as members of Standing Committee.

Appendix A

SC7.12.4 Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee: updated report

At the request of the Presiding Clerk, the Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee (QPLC) convener Brian Turner provided the following report to Standing Committee at short notice. The report updates information contained in the Agenda about some aspects of the activities of the Peace & Earthcare Worker, Robert Howell, and the Worker’s interactions with the QPLC and

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the AYM Earthcare Committee, with Regional Meetings and Friends generally around Australia, and with the general public.

1. Peace & Earthcare Worker's work plan The work plan is described succinctly in the report on the Second Joint Meeting of the QPLC and AYM Earthcare Committee held on 26 May 2012 as circulated. We agree that in 2012 the work program for the Peace & Earthcare Worker, Robert Howell, comprise: the Quaker Blueprint for a Peaceful and Sustainable Australia as the highest priority; and the ‘Preparing for Peace’ project, noting that this is likely to take more time in 2013. We agree to support Robert Howell in the concern for ethical investment and suggest that during 2012 he pursue this concern in his private time. As you can appreciate, there has been considerable discussion on priorities among the committees and elsewhere in the Quaker communities. We can say that the two committees are in unity about the importance of these major undertakings, but we recognise that Robert will continue to carry out other functions as detailed in his position description as time and opportunity present themselves. For example, he plans to have visited all Regional Meetings by the end of the year and that plan is well in hand. He is making himself known among like thinkers in Canberra and elsewhere as he visits various centres. We have identified parliamentarians that he might visit when the Blueprint/Vision is in a suitable format. 2. Performance appraisal The contract under which the Worker is employed specifies that There will be a probationary period of 6 months. During this period or at the end of the period Australia Yearly Meeting may terminate the appointment. This may occur if Australia Yearly Meeting is not satisfied with your performance. Further, in the minutes of the Second Joint Committee referred to above it is stated: We hear that the conveners of QPLC and the AYM Earthcare Committee will meet with Robert for a performance appraisal and note that his probationary period of six months is 15 January 2012 to 14 June 2012. Due to my absence overseas in June and part July, this review has only just taken place with a meeting occurring on 17 July between the two conveners and Robert Howell. We spent over an hour reviewing progress to date, recognised the constraints of time that has meant that several of the tasks defined in the position description have barely been touched, and yet much has been achieved by concentrating on a single project at a time, initially asking Australian Quakers to consider what kind of a world they would like to see their children and grandchildren live in, honing and refining that until we are ready to address the next step: how, then, do we get there? Making sure that this process is Spirit-driven, inclusive and comprehensive is not an easy task, especially as we are trying to keep up a momentum that will result in a significant presence at YM 2013. Robert is eager to make sure this works and the managerial skills that he brings to the task are vital for its success. Within the committees we are convinced that this document will be a significant statement about Australia's future, providing a positive coherent goal for policymakers to consider. Among other matters discussed were the possibilities of involving Robert's wife, Gael Howell, more in his work and instituting the Advisory Committee as specified in his contract. Vidya (AYM Earthcare Committee convener) and I have no hesitation in recommending that Australia Yearly Meeting should advise Robert Howell that his probationary period has ended and he is now confirmed in the position of Peace & Earthcare Worker. 3. Budgets

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I attach two budget spreadsheets: one for this year (2012), comparing our expenditure to date against the expected costs for the year of the current contract; the other, the expected costs for the continuation of the project at the current level of activity for another year (2013). You will note that: Almost half of the expected first-year expenditure (from 15 Jan 2012) has been spent. However, a significant proportion of this was appointment and start-up expenses, so we anticipate that we can end the year in January 2013 under the expected $40,000, even anticipating the cost of printing and disseminating the Blueprint/Vision document, which was not budgeted for. The cost of continuing the appointment and Peace & Earthcare Office at the current level of activity (60 % of a full-time position) for another year is likely to be about $35,000, even with a small salary increment. If the position became full-time, the total cost would be about $55,000. (Figures not shown here, but I've costed it out.) There is much work to be done but if extra funds become available this might not be the best option; for example, an assistant to the Worker might be preferable. Current total funds available were $42,500 so this has now been drawn down by about $19,000. We hope that an allocation can be made from the AYM General Account and we anticipate an application to the Peace & Social Justice Fund to help fund an extension of the contract for another year.

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PEACE & EARTHCARE OFFICE 2012

Rel. Soc of Friends Personnel Budget Actual Difference ($) Difference (%)

Worker salary $22,620.00 $11,310.00 $11,310.00 50.0%

Super $2,035.80$ $1,017.90 $1,017.90 50%

Workers comp $800.00$ $771.90 $28.10 4%

Long service leave levy $500.00$ $159.82 $340.18 68%

Operating Budget Actual Difference ($) Difference (%)

Laptop & m/phone $2,200.00$ $2,109.95 $90.05 4.1%

Printer + paper+extra ink $200.00$ $180.00 $20.00 10.0%

Modem $100.00$ $69.00 $31.00 31.0%

Appointment expenses

Airfares via YM 2012 $1,000.00 $974.50 $25.50 2.6%

Baggage (excess & unaccompanied) $1,000.00 $1,142.65 $(142.65) -14.3%

Other YM 2012 expenses $100.00 $73.80 $26.20 26.2%

Internet & telephone annual charges $600.00 $600.00 100.0%

Mobile phone prepaids $500.00 $50.00 $450.00 90.0%

Interstate travel $2,000.00 $382.79 $1,617.21 80.9%

Conference $1,500.00 $132.00 $1,368.00 91.2%

Miscellaneous office $500.00 $1,000.00 $(500.00) -100.0%

Other $1,000.00 $1,000.00 100.0%

Carry 0ver to Year 2 $3,344.20 $3,344.20 100.0%

Total Expenses $40,000.00 $19,374.31 $20,625.69 51.6%

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PEACE & EARTHCARE OFFICE 2012-13: EXPENSE BUDGET

Personnel Budget Actual Difference ($) Difference (%)

Worker salary incl inc tax $24,000.00 $24,000.00 100.0%

Super 9% $2,160.00 $2,160.00 100.0%

Workers comp $800.00 $800.00 100.0%

Long service leave levy $400.00 $400.00 100%

Operating Budget Actual Difference ($) Difference (%)

Telecommunication expenses $1,000.00 $1,000.00 100%

Interstate travel $2,000.00 $2,000.00 100%

Conference $1,500.00 $1,500.00 100%

Library acquisitions $500.00 $1,000.00 100%

Publishing & publicity $840.00 $840.00 100%

Miscellaneous office supplies $800.00 $800.00 100%

Other $1,000.00 $1,000.00 100.0%

Total expenses $35,000.00 $35,000.00 100.0%

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