AUSTRA-Linkthe Monthly Journal of Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia

AUSTRA-LINKThe monthly journal of Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia

September 2019

ISSN 0726-0726-4607 ISSN 2207-7642 (Online) Price $1.70 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of Al-Anon is to help families and friends of alcoholics by offering hope and friendship, better understanding of the effects on themselves of someone else’s drinking, and an opportunity for spiritual awakening through the shared experience described in the Twelve Steps. Austra-Link is the monthly publication of Australian Al-Anon Family Groups. In the pages of this magazine, Al-Anon and Alateen members share their experience, strength and hope as they do in their meetings. Through this “voice of the fellowship” individual members and Groups can be heard by many. Such sharing is vital in helping readers find growth and serenity through the Al-Anon program. Al-Anon and Alateen members are invited to contribute articles, sharing their recovery. Articles present members’ personal views and experiences, and opinions expressed are not to be attributed to Al-Anon as a whole. Austra-Link does not print prayers or poetry. Full name and address (home or group) is required before any item can be accepted. Please indicate how you would like your article signed: first name only, first name and Area, initials only, or “Anon”. Mail your article to Austra-Link Editor - Al-Anon Family Group, GPO Box 1002, Melbourne Vic. 3001 or email to [email protected] All notices of forthcoming events must reach The Editor two months prior to publication.

God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference

Recovery Unity Service Through The Steps Through The Traditions Through The Concepts

The threefold guides of Al-Anon point the way to a normal, useful life for the individual. They are also a framework within which the groups can carry on their affairs in harmony. The National Journal of Al-Anon Family Groups Australia Issue No. 461, September 2019

when I’m falling into the trap of fixating It might as well be Spring Spring is ‘sprunging’ with a vengeance and on the negatives in my life rather than slightly warmer temperatures and longer minding my own business or making the days are certainly a bit of a pick me up. A most of the chance to spend time with great time of year to count my blessings as Alfred the Great (cuteness guru) who fills I smell the wattle and blossom and realise my heart with joy even when I’m trying that, while I love the cosiness of Winter, it my hardest to focus on the tragedy of my really is quite long enough! existence and wallow in gloom. my There is one very vigorous blossoming That’s the weird thing about disease will tree lining my street, and for years I have and my . It can be so strong in me, admired its flowers and then started that I struggle to hand over to my Higher checking the soles of my shoes wondering Power. I have this insane tussle—an where it was that I stepped in a dog’s example of multi-tasking at its worst— doings1 on Alfred the Great’s walk. praying to my Higher Power to help It is then I remember that this me get out of my own way, accept my particular tree’s pretty blooms are quite powerlessness and my blessed tiny spot in pungent—well frankly they stink! But all that is great, all the while still having this year I will be grateful that, as I learn imagined (bossy or peevish) conversations more and more every year of my recovery, with the alcoholic and stacking up I no longer expect this tree to be beautiful resentments. I can still blind myself to the smelling as well as visually pleasing. I will beauty of the blossom by focusing on the smile as I recollect how long it has taken stench. But little by little, a sniff at a time, me to learn that all is not as I wish, and I learn and I grow thanks to Al-Anon and giggle at the memory of my fevered shoe my patient Higher Power. inspections of years past. I will expect This issue we look at the importance no more than to simply enjoy its white of not diluting the Al-Anon message—I blossoms, the arrival of which herald the know I will always new season, and I’ll forgive it its flaws. need the gifts of this Listen to me carping on about the flaws wonderful program. of nature! Imagine if those trees could talk As ever, thank you they’d have a thing or two to say about to all those who have the idiocy of some of those who walk generously contrib- beneath their branches. ’Specially me uted their shares this month. 1. Re the noisome blossoms. I must stress at this stage that it couldn’t be possible that any such emissions or urkiness Wendy E.. Alfred the Great would be generated by Alfred the (Fragrantly) Great. just loves the Spring!

September 2019 • Issue No. 461 AUSTRA-LINK 1 Personal Stories from petitioned the court and were awarded P-94 Hope & legal guardianship of our by then seven- Understanding year-old grandson. Sadly, 18 months later, for Parents & our son died of the disease. Grandparents I found myself thinking, poor little thing, how could my son and his Enjoy this month’s wife do this to him? I was surprised story of hope. at myself, pitying him, the same way people had pitied me before Al-Anon. Then it occurred to me, the best thing I could do for my grandson was work a good Al-Anon program: giving love and encouragement, setting clear boundaries Parenting My Grandson and providing fair consequences. When I realized my son was in serious The Al-Anon program has given me trouble with alcohol and drugs, before serenity in good and dark times, courage I came into Al-Anon, people would say to take care of myself, and a willingness to me, “You poor thing,” or “But you’re to trust in a Higher Power. such a good mother,” or “Why would I didn’t expect to be a room parent or your son do that to you?” Though well- soccer mom again, but by accepting reality intentioned, their sympathy made me and keeping an open mind, I have allowed feel worse. I didn’t want pity; I wanted this child to bring tremendous joy into my help—for my son and for myself. life—and my husband’s life as well. When I first began to share at Al-Anon The chance to do it all again could be meetings, it was a relief that no one pitied overwhelming, but “One Day at a Time” me, but they did offer understanding it’s terrific. and compassion. Most importantly they provided tools and literature that I could use to help myself. Instead of pity, I heard “Keep Coming Back.” My son did find sobriety for a time. He married, had a child and was a good When I’m uncomfortable with father, but his wife struggled with the where I am or who I’m with I… disease. Their marriage failed, and my …pray, self-soothe, and leave if possible, son had custody. Soon after, the child’s even for a loo break, putting safety mother was deported on drug charges. first. Otherwise I find space mentally Although my son loved his child very and emotionally through a spiritual much, that did not keep him sober. For connection within myself. I detach a long time my husband and I resisted with love and take inventory on what stepping in; our grandson spent a lot of thoughts I am allowing myself to digest time with us already. But, after our son’s and how these are affecting me... Let it multiple unsuccessful attempts at recovery begin with me. and one problem choice after another, we Paula O., Western NSW Area

2 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 461 • September 2019 laid over 50 years ago: Recovery through 2019 Australian the Steps, Unity through the Traditions Service Conference and Service through the Concepts. Solid foundations. I have seen the value of our Theme Talk: Embracing the new program embodied in the experience, while respecting the old strength and hope of earlier members When I first saw this theme, I reflected on passed on at meetings, in our CAL and my early days in Al-Anon. I found (and now using technology not imagined in still find) the gendered language and excess earlier years of the Family Groups. punctuation annoying and old fashioned. I can respect these principles and Critical skills may have been useful in embrace the benefits of New Information my professional life, but as Conference Technology (NIT). Instead of waiting Approved Literature (CAL) helped me, for the post, I can be linked to Al-Anon’s I started to ‘take what I liked and leave world-wide fellowship with a click on my the rest’. As Al-Anon lifted my obsession, laptop or smart phone. People find out I started to embrace the core messages. I about meetings from a website, anywhere feel immense respect and gratitude for the in the world from the WSO site, as well wives of AA members who realised that as printed lists. Members unable to come change was needed in 1935. Rather than to meetings can join in via mobile phone. continuing to attend the AA meetings, We connect and share thoughts and ideas they started Wives groups in the 1950s. quickly over great distances, freeing us This was a time I remember. There from isolation between meetings. were no computers or television. We Alateens use the WSO website and listened to the radio and not everyone online meetings. Emailed newsletters had a phone. I hand wrote letters, posted them and checked the mailbox for a and meetings lists save postage costs. response. In urgent situations I sent a Reports copied and pasted into meeting telegram from the post office. minutes save time and reduce errors. In 1979 a member wrote in the roneod1 Emailed minutes of business meetings Queensland newsletter, “The growth of can be read before the next meeting, so our Al-Anon Groups has been and will we can clarify our thoughts. Social media be in direct proportion to the growth and and apps keep members informed. maturity of its members. As we grow we Embracing the new includes emailing have more to share, and if we want to keep the message of hope in AGSO press releases what we have—we have to give it away.” to local media. We can record podcasts on In that year there were 102 the WSO website to share our recovery Queensland groups. Of the 82 more broadly. We can listen and learn Al-Anon groups 20 were Metropolitan from others in our world-wide fellowship. and 62 Country. Of the 20 Alateen Early in recovery, I recorded a WSO groups six were Metropolitan and 14 guest’s talks about the Concepts and Dr Country. Forty years later numbers of O’Connor’s talks on The Family Disease. groups are fewer in Country areas and As a result of living with alcoholics, Alateen meetings are scarce. I developed a habit of getting stuck The Al-Anon program encourages in, sorting things out and taking over me to embrace the principles and tools because I knew what to do. I am still 1 The method of duplication back then. learning the Al-Anon way and the need

September 2019 • Issue No. 461 AUSTRA-LINK 3 to slow down, use the principles, respect Joy anonymity, work together as equals and For me, Joy means enjoying the simple not force solutions. things in life, like seeing the absolute, Some members don’t have a computer unconditional love I see when my or smart phone. The idea of a technology grandchildren come to visit me. They buddy system arose from last Conference. rush through the door singing out our Area held a technology workshop at Nanny, Nanny, Nanny, making me feel the Bribie Island Fellowship weekend. This like a film star. I really lap this affection helped some GRs set up gmail accounts. up, as I know in a few years’ time, when I learnt a lot from and enjoyed last year’s they become teenagers, they probably Conference technology presentations. I won’t want to know me. am happy to encourage younger members to lead the way. Before Al-Anon I didn’t see any joy in As technology moves apace I ask, “How my life at all. Life for me was a merry-go can Al-Anon be self supporting in our round of survival. Trying to control not Areas, AGSO and WSO now that revenue only my alcoholic husband, but everyone from literature declines in the online and everything around me. I used to environment?” I rely on our printed daily sit and watch the cold, depressing, rain readers and direct contact in meetings as falling, while I listened to sad songs on the core to my recovery. the radio. I felt all alone and thought How can we attract people to face-to- nobody understood the miserable life face meetings as group meetings contract I was living. Not only was I fat and into metropolitan areas and close in ugly, according to the alcoholic, I was country areas? a failure, because I could only produce Like organisms in an ecosystem, girls when he wanted sons. People used we adapt or die. I keep what works; to continually give me advice like, “if I the loving interchange at meetings, in was you I would leave” which I did every our interactions, working on my own six months for seven years, until finally I recovery, refraining from gossip and was introduced to Al-Anon. criticism; yet speaking up when I see I learned I was a good, worthwhile the principles are not being used. Rather person with the right to live a happy, than closing down and feeling resentful I peaceful life. learn to participate and use the voice I’ve Wow! Talk about a ‘spiritual awakening’. found through recovery. It was suggested I take my two little Attracting people in the future girls to the beach of a weekend, instead of will depend on how we welcome new staying at home waiting for the alcoholic, members, our loving interchange, unity in case he wanted a sandwich made. The and singleness of purpose. I am grateful pleasure my two little girls and I received for loving and thoughtful guidance that just by changing that one little thing in is allowing me to slowly mature and learn our lives was enormous. Lots and lots of a better way, using the principles set out things changed in my life as I began to long ago. change. I started putting myself and my Jennifer W., Delegate South Queensland Area children first in our lives, instead of the

4 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 461 • September 2019 alcoholic. I would pick out the best chop for my evening meal, instead of the burnt Hot off the Austra-Link one, as I used to. Sharing Sheet My life changed dramatically for the Members share their experience, better, I started to enjoy life and notice the strength and hope with other beauty around me. I now enjoy the rain Al-Anon and Alateen members and all that it brings to life, like watching around Australia. the grass green up after just one shower of At my first few meetings “I rain. I get such delight from watching a remember”… sunset, knowing this was created by God …the promise that I could find not man. I get such joy out of watching a serenity. new member attending Al-Anon start to My thinking changed when “I change their attitude, and grow. Also, I heard”… love being able to come away, with all my …that changing my attitude was necessary to gain recovery. wonderful Al-Anon friends I’ve known over a long period of time and laugh. Through the wisdom from my I am able to share my most intimate sponsor “I learnt”… …that I was loved. thoughts and feelings, knowing what I have said won’t be repeated. Rob, Southern NSW Area I still have lots of problems, mainly with my children, however I know I can’t Getting back on track solve their problems—only they can do Recovering at home after eye surgery that. What a joy to know I am NOT with its attendant inconveniences and responsible for anyone else in life—only a minor complication, I was cheered ME. I pray for my children, and then when a member dropped in to see how hand them over to GOD. Only he knows I was faring. what is best for them, not me. Although acknowledging that the Because of continually going to procedure was successful, I was in the Al-Anon meetings, reading the literature land of “if only”. If only I could drive the and keeping in touch with my Al-Anon car, resume my exercise regime, etc. etc. I friends, I have joy in my life, most of the was focussed on what I don’t have instead time. of appreciating (with a grateful heart) all that I do have including improved vision, Cheryl G., Northern NSW Area if only in one eye! After listening to my tale of woe, my visitor gently reminded me that I had much to be grateful for and that this too shall pass. Now, how is it that most of my Listening Al-Anon went straight out the window communicates caring when confronted with life’s vicissitudes and more than anything else. how lucky am I to have a caring member to The Forum, April 1984, p.9 put me right back on track! Jennifer P., Northern NSW Area

September 2019 • Issue No. 461 AUSTRA-LINK 5 Members of Al-Anon share that understanding and learn to find compassion and to ‘detach with love’ from the problem drinker. We accept that living with alcoholism gave rise to sickness in ourselves—the disease of involvement. Al-Anon adopted the Twelve Steps It is important to of Alcoholics Anonymous for their use ‘word for word’ with the single but differentiate between important exception of the Twelfth Al-Anon and AA—but why? Step, changing the word “alcoholics” to 1935: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) “others” (“we tried to carry this message was co-founded by Bill Wilson and to others”). Dr. Bob Smith. Living in reaction to the unpredictable 1951: Al-Anon was co-founded by Anne B. and Lois W. (wife of AA behaviour of alcoholic friends or loved co-founder Bill W.) ones in the grip of their disease, may 1957: Alateen, part of Al-Anon, began have led to us losing our focus on our when a teenager named Bob joined with own lives. Al-Anon brings the focus five other young people who had been back to ourselves, teaching us to live affected by the alcoholism in their families. with kindness, not to be consumed Alcoholics Anonymous: The only by another’s life and engage with our requirement for AA membership is a Higher Power. Thus it is important that desire to stop drinking. we remember our primary purpose and Al-Anon Family Groups: The only maintain our separate identity. requirement for Al-Anon/Alateen Al-Anon Family Group meetings are membership is that there be a problem different from meetings of AA and other of alcoholism in a relative or friend. The Twelve Step organisations. primary purpose of an Al-Anon group is The Al-Anon approach to recovery to help families and friends of alcoholics. from the family disease is more flexible, Al-Anon/Alateen is quite different less dogmatic and prescriptive than the from AA. The purpose of attending the AA approach to recovery from addiction meetings is not to seek support in the life to alcohol. or death struggle with substance addiction This is particularly the case in the role per se. Rather, Al-Anon Family Groups of a sponsor. Al-Anon sponsors don’t give meet to remind us we can live freely and instructions or teach members how to productively, not overwhelmed by the “work” the Steps. An Al-Anon sponsor practical and emotional impact on our shares their experience, strength and hope; lives of loved ones’ addictive behaviours. explains Al-Anon principles, but doesn’t By sharing experience, strength and hope make rules for the member they sponsor. we can shift the focus from the alcoholic Al-Anon lets beginners practice the and reclaim ourselves. simple principles and strategies of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is slogans which make life happier and founded on the understanding that more manageable for as long as they alcoholism is a disease. continued page 8…

6 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 461 • September 2019 NEWS and VIEWS from AGSO

Spread the word… September = Community Centre & Workplace s Maternal & Child Health Centre, Childminding and Pre-school Notice Boards s Neighbourhood & Community House Notice Board s Clergy & Spiritual Leaders s Human Resource Managers Suggested conference approved literature: s M-34 Poster s P-14 So You Love An Alcoholic s M-76 Bookmark s P-62 Does She Drink Too Much? s S-17 20 Questions s S-20 20 Questions s S-25 20 Questions s P-19 What Do You Do About The Alcoholic’s Drinking? s S-70 Al-Anon Welcomes Gays and Lesbians s M-7 Wallet Card s X-11 Alateen P.I. Wallet Card

Logging in to your Al-Anon Family Groups Members’ page is as easy as… Go to the home page https://www.al-anon.org.au Then click on the Members link. You will arrive at the window below… Type in Username: member Password: afg into the Member Login box

member

afg

Click Log in and you’re ready to go.

September 2019 • Issue No. 461 AUSTRA-LINK 7 continued from page 6… H.A.L.T.S. like before suggesting in-depth study of Honesty the Steps. Attitudes Working our program brings us the precious gift of Serenity. The tools of our Loyalty program, the Steps, Traditions, Concepts Talents Silence and Slogans help us maintain this. Bernard M., Victorian Southern Area In Al-Anon our groups are autonomous and so the format for each meeting may vary from group to group. There are no Efharisto – Thankyou ‘shoulds’ or ‘musts’. Some things, however, It’s all Greek to me can give a distinctly AA flavour to some Last year I went traveling. I had a dream meetings. For example, the chairperson to visit countries starting with the letter preceding the Serenity Prayer with “To the God of our Understanding…” is an AA ‘I’—Iceland, Ireland and Italy. When entree to the prayer, not Al-Anon. I was organising my trip I looked up We are not obliged to find a sponsor events and meetings in those countries. as soon as we begin attending meetings, That’s how I got to attend the Irish and we do not refer to the AA Big Book convention in Glendalough last year. I for sharing topics or draw on any other of had already been to a couple of meetings their publications or readers. in Dublin and a member there gave me At Al-Anon meetings, AA or other a good accommodation tip because the Twelve Step programs should not be convention hotel was already booked out. brought into the discussion at meetings The Irish convention was inspiring. because it will draw the focus away from Sitting in this huge room looking out to the Al-Anon program. AA members are free to join Al-Anon the beautiful Wicklow mountains, I met if they feel their lives have been affected some great members, some of whom by someone else’s drinking, but it is have become friends. The evening’s not the place for them to deal with their entertainment was a dance and some own alcoholism. performances. I don’t think I had ever The WSO cannot register any group danced as hard or laughed as much. There that is solely for Al‑Anon members were members from the USA and from who are also recovering alcoholics and England. The European Convention was members of AA, because it does not promoted and, as I was in Europe and qualify to have a Group Representative didn’t have everything planned, I was able (GR). (Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2018-2021, p. 85). This is in accordance to go to Copenhagen in November. That with World Service Conference Policy convention connected me with a few more that Al-Anon members who are also AA Irish members, Dutch and Belgians and cannot hold service positions which have on and on. It was really inspiring at the a vote at District or Area level. close when the Serenity Prayer was said Al-Anon helps us find hope and the in as many languages as there were many priceless gift of serenity. We are wise not nationalities present. to give that serenity away by confusing our The European Convention was first program with that of AA. started by a UK member who had gone

8 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 461 • September 2019 to Greece for an AA with Al-Anon suspended a little and the sharing has a participation convention and stayed in a ‘homeopathic’ potency. I can’t remember hotel separate from the convention—the all the topics but the last meeting before hotel in Porto Heli on the Peloponnese the Group Conscience was on Love. Peninsula. He asked if they would be The meetings were platform meetings willing to host an Al-Anon convention with two topic speakers, one of each the next year and they were agreeable. language sometimes. Then there would So, the inaugural European Convention be sharing from the floor. There were also (EC) was held in Greece and was there extra meetings in smaller rooms at night for three years. Eventually it became the and dawn meetings on the beach in the Greek Convention. The EC has been morning. The food was great. held in Germany, UK, Denmark and The final Group Conscience meeting apparently the hope is to initiate a regular was long, taking about an hour to go convention in each host country. through opinions about whether there The Greek convention has been held should be a registration fee or continue every May for 14 years in Porto Heli. I with the seventh Tradition. I didn’t stay heard about it while in Europe last year. there for the whole talk because it was It was also advertised on the Al-Anon Mother’s Day in Australia and I wanted website. Everyone I met at conventions to catch my daughter and mum. It was said how wonderful it was and I had a powerful to see the group process in action. dream to go there. It seems my Higher We were given a little bracelet with a Power wanted me there too so it happened. string tie and a silver spiral as a memento. I didn’t realise before I went that, It’s been on my wrist ever since next to although the convention only goes from the black Serenity Prayer wristband from Friday to Sunday, many Europeans stay the AA National Convention in Perth last on for the rest of the week as there were year. But the memory lives on, mainly in meetings every day afterwards. Lucky for me I was experimenting with not my heart. I feel so much gratitude to the planning and trusting my Higher Power members who started the convention and and I stayed on a bit longer. On the those who organise it now. Monday after the convention we did a Afterwards, I met up with members day boat cruise to the island of Hydra, from the convention at the English- and some people went to another island speaking meeting in Athens. I was staying the day after. I sat by the pool. quite close to that venue. Then, when I The convention is in both Greek and went back to London for my flight home, English. This is through the wonderful I arranged to meet English members at translation services of a member from the London Bridge meeting on Saturday Athens. A member will share a sentence morning. The topic was ‘abundance’. I feel or two in either language and then it I have been granted so much abundance is translated into the other language. by my Higher Power through this program What seems to happen is that each my cup runneth over. word becomes really important and Efharisto sinks deep as you listen. Perhaps time is Catherine O., Western Australia Area

September 2019 • Issue No. 461 AUSTRA-LINK 9 Fellowship and friendship Service: Gratitude in Action It would be assumed that if you had NNSW Area Assembly 2019 Theme Talk fellowship, friendship would be regarded I am grateful that my higher power led as an obvious next step. me into the Al-Anon rooms, and to my The fact that it might not follow in mother who gently guided me. that manner appears in the Al-Anon I had lost myself and didn’t know where to turn. closing statement which states that “After After reading the first Step I realised I a while, you’ll discover that though you was in the right place. may not like all of us, you’ll love us in In Al-Anon rooms I found a place a very special way—the same way we of family. already love you.” I found familiar people. I found me. That statement of fact was very I found others who felt the same. reassuring when I first came to Al-Anon. I wasn’t alone anymore. I was particularly worried that I was going I know I am loved and lovable to be compelled to love a person for no unconditionally. Gratitude is seeing faces change as the reason other than they were attending effects of the disease of alcoholism are Al-Anon. eased and Al-Anon brings new hope and Being a male in a fellowship of mainly understanding to the new member. females carries an added dimension to They know they didn’t cause, the issue of love and fellowship. I actually can’t control, or cure, the alcoholism. had a problem with the final part of the I realise today Service is carrying the sentence and mentioning that perhaps I message. loved you all. Therese V., Northern New South Wales Area Gladly I have overcome those fears and see all of us as just human beings and not of one particular gender. I now feel at home in all fellowship situations and feel that, as a male, I bring a different perspective which hopefully is a good thing. The beauty of this fellowship is that I am allowed to get closer to some members than others and am allowed to set my boundaries as I see fit. One meeting I Thought for the Day attend does, on a fairly regular basis, get Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives together after the scheduled meeting for me something to do, but it gets a meal at a Pizza restaurant. me nowhere. I have choices now which is fabulous “…I can let go of a problem and let God and may all of us find out that Fellowship help me with it.” and friendship can be as one. B-23 Courage to Be Me, p. 66 B-27 Hope for Today, p. 98 David B., North Queensland Area

10 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 461 • September 2019 Today’s reminder Today I will not wait for a blue moon, a rainy day, the 366th day of the year, or Someday to accomplish good things in my life. “Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days… What you can do or think you can do, begin it. For boldness has Magic, Power and Genius in it.” Johann Woflang von Goethe B-16, Courage to Change, p. 247 Subscription to Austra-Link 2018-2019 Format Annual - from November 2018 Part Subscription from 1st January 2019 Hard copy $20.00 $1.70 per month Email copy $10.00 $0.85 per month Group Post subscription Circle either New or Existing Every Al-Anon Family Group receives one FREE copy of Austra-Link subscription Fill in this form to ensure your group receives its free copy. Group Name: Mailing Name: Mailing Address: City/Suburb: Mailing Postcode: Group Code: subscriptions for months = $ Individual Post subscription Circle either New or Existing or a gift subscription for a friend subscription Name: Mailing Address: City/Suburb: Postcode: Personal Copies: subscriptions for months = $ Individual Email subscription Circle either New or Existing subscription Name: Phone/Mobile No:: Email Address: Personal Copy: 1 only subscriptions for months = $ Cheques payable to: Al-Anon Family Groups Australia. Address: GPO Box 1002, Melbourne Vic. 3001 EFT Payments: Account Name: Al-Anon Family Groups Australia Pty. Ltd. BSB: 063-158 Account #: 10035455 Reference: Groups name; Individual name; Email: [email protected] when you have made an EFT payment

September 2019 • Issue No. 461 AUSTRA-LINK 11 Forthcoming Events Annual AUSYPAA 2019 Convention, with Al-Anon and Alateen participation, Melbourne, Victoria Date: Saturday, 7th and Sunday, 8th September 2019. Doors open 9.30am each day. Venue: Jasper Hotel, 459 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Information and Bookings: vicypaa.org The VICYPAA committees are hosting this year’s AUSYPAA, and from our hearts, with a deep gratitude, we welcome all members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon from Victoria, Inter-state and overseas to this year’s convention. Guest Speaker: Ruben G, USA Theme: A life beyond our wildest dreams Gympie (Qld) Fellowship Weekend Al-Anon with AA participation Date: Saturday, 14th and Sunday, 15th September 2019 Venue: Cedar Pocket Hall, Cedar Pocket. Qld. 4570 Contact: Jennie 0419651739 Nowra and Far South Coast Al-Anon Family Groups with Alateen & AA participation Date: Saturday 21st September 2019, 9.30 till 4pm Registration: $8.00 Venue: Salvation Army Hall, Corner Salisbury Drive and St Anns Street, East Nowra NSW 2541 Contact: Daphne 0438 363 393 or Irene 4448 8231 Theme: Spring Into Serenity All welcome Shepparton/Mooroopna 64th AA Anniversary with Al-Anon Participation Date: 18th-20th October 2019 Venue: Shepparton North Education & Community Centre, 10-14 Parkside Drv, Shepparton North Contact: Bek C. 0429 641 204 Saturday afternoon meeting is our 2nd annual Al-Anon Old Timers Meeting

Have you renewed your subscription to Austra-Link? See the subscription form on page 11 in this, and every copy of Austra-link. Remember, a gift subscription to someone you sponsor or to a new member in your group, is a loving way to say, We care about you, please keep coming back”. New subscriptions arrangements will apply as from November 2019.

Next Issue: October, 2019 CAL: Hope & Understanding for Parents & Grandparents Stress Busters! How the Al-Anon tools help in times of stress Articles and Member sharings from around Australia Spring Sharing Topic - Blossoming! My growth and renewal in Al-Anon

The National Phone Number for Al-Anon information is: 1300 ALANON (1300 252 666) www.al-anon.org.au To access Members’ page: your username is: member your password is: afg

12 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 461 • September 2019 THE TWELVE STEPS THE TWELVE TRADITIONS 1. We admitted we were powerless over 1. Our common welfare should come first; alcohol—that our lives had become personal progress for the greatest number unmanageable. depends upon unity. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than 2. For our group purpose there is but one ourselves could restore us to sanity. authority—a loving God as He may 3. Made a decision to turn our will and express Himself in our group conscience. our lives over to the care of God as we Our leaders are but trusted servants—they understood Him. do not govern. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral 3. The relatives of alcoholics, when inventory of ourselves. gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to provided that, as a group, they have no another human being the exact nature of other affiliation. The only requirement for our wrongs. membership is that there be a problem of 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove alcoholism in a relative or friend. all these defects of character. 4. Each group should be autonomous, 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our except in matters affecting another group shortcomings. or Al-Anon or AA as a whole. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, 5. Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one and became willing to make amends to purpose: to help families of alcoholics. them all. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps 9. Made direct amends to such people of A.A. ourselves, by encouraging and wherever possible, except when to do so understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to would injure them or others. families of alcoholics. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and 6. Our Family Groups ought never endorse, when we were wrong promptly admitted it finance or lend our name to any outside 11. Sought through prayer and meditation enterprise, lest problems of money to improve our conscious contact with property and prestige divert us from our God as we understood Him, praying only primary spiritual aim. Although a separate for knowledge of His will for us and the entity, we should always co-operate with power to carry that out. Alcoholics Anonymous. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the 7. Every group ought to be fully self- result of these steps, we tried to carry this supporting, declining outside contributions. message to others, and to practice these 8. Al-Anon Twelfth Step work should remain principles in all our affairs. forever nonprofessional, but our service centres may employ special workers. 9. Our groups, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 10. The Al-Anon Family Groups have no opinion on outside issues; hence our name ought never be drawn into public controversy. 11. Our public relations policy is based on Remember the 1300 252 666 number attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at is a national number which connects the level of press, radio, films, and TV. you to the nearest Area Office. For We need guard with special care the example, if you are in South Australia anonymity of all AA members. and call the number, Adelaide 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place members will respond to you. principles above personalities. Area Offices in Australia NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: SOUTHERN VICTORIA: (includes Tasmania) Al-Anon Family Groups Northern NSW Area Al-Anon Family Groups Victorian Southern Area Room 6, St. Peter’s Church Hall, Dixon St., Level 7, 51 Queen St., MELBOURNE. HAMILTON GPO Box 5458, MELBOURNE VIC 3001 PO Box 217, HAMILTON NSW 2303 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday Phone: (02) 4969 3889 Phone: (03) 9629 8900 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] SOUTH AUSTRALIA: SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: Al-Anon Family Groups South Aust. Area (includes Australian Capital Territory) 1st Floor, Harmer House Al-Anon Family Groups Southern NSW Area 5 Leigh Street, ADELAIDE Suite 4, 2 Ormonde Parade Mailing address: 1st Floor, 5 Leigh Street HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 ADELAIDE SA 5000 Phone: (02) 9570 3400 10:00am – 2:30pm, Monday, Wednesday, Email: [email protected] Thursday and Friday WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES Phone: (08) 8231 2959 Al-Anon Family Groups Western NSW Area Email: [email protected] Suite 108, First Floor WESTERN AUSTRALIA: (includes Northern 114-116 Henry Street, PENRITH NSW 2750 Territory) Phone: (02) 4731 1442 Al-Anon Family Groups Western Aust. Area E-mail: [email protected] Room 9, Claisebrook Lotteries House 33 Moore Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004 NORTH QUEENSLAND: 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Friday Al-Anon Family Groups North Queensland Area Phone (08) 9325 7528 P.O. Box 827, AITKENVALE QLD 4814 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected] Al-Anon Family Groups (Australia) Pty. Ltd. SOUTH QUEENSLAND: 7th Floor, 51 Queen Street, MELBOURNE Al-Anon Family Groups South Queensland Area GPO Box 1002, MELBOURNE, Vic., 3001 Unit 3, 1050 Manly Road. TINGALPA Phone (03) 9620 2166 Fax (03) 9620 2199 PO Box 2169, TINGALPA QLD 4173 10:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 2:00pm, Monday to Friday E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (07) 3890 1244 Website: www.al-anon.org.au Helpline: 1300 252 666 To contact Al-Anon anywhere in Email: [email protected] Australia for the cost of a local call: NORTHERN VICTORIA: 1300 ALANON (1300 252 666) Al-Anon Family Groups Northern Victoria Area O’Brien Hall, McLennan Street, MOOROOPNA P.O. Box 81, MOOROOPNA VIC 3629 Phone: (03) 5825 1160 Email: [email protected]