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

DOCUMENTS in RETROSPECT Yearly Meeting 6 – 13 July 2019

The Friends’ School, Hobart Tasmania

Published by The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia Inc., Canberra Printed and distributed from Australia Yearly Meeting Office 119 Devonshire Street Surry Hills NSW July 2019 Contents ABBREVIATIONS, TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 5 YEARLY MEETING 2019 EPISTLES 7 2019 Yearly Meeting Epistle to Friends Everywhere 7 2019 Yearly Meeting Junior Young Friends Epistle 8 2019 Yearly Meeting Children’s Epistle 9 YEARLY MEETING 2019 MINUTES 11 Formal Session 1: 7.10pm Saturday 6 July 11 YM19.1 Opening worship 11 YM19.2 Welcome to Country Minute of Record 11 YM19.3 Welcome to those participating in Yearly Meeting 11 YM19.4 Appointment of Assistant Co-Clerks 11 YM19.5 Nominations Committee Report 11 YM19.6 Appointments for the duration of YM19 12 YM19.7 Yearly Meeting timetable and agenda 13 YM19.8 Timeframe for Greetings from YM19 14 YM19.9 Letters and media releases sent on behalf of AYM 14 Formal Session 2: 9.15m Tuesday 9 July 16 YM19.10 Testimony 16 YM19.11 State of the Society Address Minute of Record 16 YM19.12 Greetings sent to YM19 16 YM19.13 Backhouse Lecturer 2020 16 YM19.14 AYM Presiding Clerk’s Report 17 YM19.15 AYM Secretary’s Report 17 YM19.16 Acceptance of Reports that have no matters for consideration at YM19 17 YM19.17 Nominations Committee Report 17 Formal Session 3: 9.15am Wednesday 10 July 18 YM19.18 Meeting for Remembrance 18 YM19.19 Testimony 18 YM19.20 Summary of Epistles Minute of Record 18 YM19.21 Nominations Report 18 YM19.22 Peace Concerns Preparatory Session I 19 YM19.23 Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session I 19 YM19.24 IT Committee Preparatory Session Report 20 YM19.25 AYM Treasurer’s Report 20 Formal Session 4: 9.15am Thursday 11 July 21 YM19.26 Testimony 21 YM19.27 First Reading of the Yearly Meeting 2019 Epistle 21 YM19.28 Penn Friends Minute of Record 21 YM19.29 Friendly School Minute of Record 22 YM19.30 Backhouse Lecture Report 22 YM19.31 QSA Linkages Sub-Committee Preparatory Session Report 22 YM19.32 First Nations Peoples Concerns Committee Preparatory Session Report 22 YM19.33 Ecumenical, Interfaith and Multi-faith Concerns Preparatory Session Report 23 Formal Session 5: 1.45pm Thursday 12 July 23 YM19.34 Testimony 23 YM19.35 Nominations Report 24 YM19.36 The Friends’ School Board Appointments 24 YM19.37 Safe Quaker Community Preparatory Session Report 24 YM19.38 Publications Committee Preparatory Session Report 25 Formal Session 6: 9.15am Friday 12 July 26 YM19.40 Testimony 26 YM19.41 Second Reading of the Epistle 26 YM19.42 Backhouse Lecture Minute of Record 26 YM19.43 FWCC-AWPS Preparatory Session Report 26 YM19.44 Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Preparatory Report 27 YM19.45 Handbook Revision Committee Preparatory Session Report 28 Formal Session 7: 1.45pm Friday 12 July 28 YM19.46 Testimony 28 YM19.47 Minute of Appreciation 28 YM19.48 Nominations Committee Report 28 YM19.49 The Friends’ School Session Report 29 YM19.50 The Children’s and JYF Committee Preparatory Session Report 29 Formal Session 8: 9.15am Saturday 13 July 30 YM19.51 AYM Nominations Committee Report 30 YM19.52 Share and Tell Minute of Record 30 YM19.53 AYM Representative to YM of Aotearoa / New Zealand Report 31 YM19.54 Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session 2 Report 31 YM19.55 Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee Preparatory Session Report 31 YM19.56 YM19 Closing Minute 32 APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES 33 Australia Yearly Meeting appointments as at July 2019 33 State of Society Address 37 Summary of Epistles From Other Yearly Meetings 41 PREPARATORY SESSION REPORTS 47 Children’s and JYFs Committee Preparatory Session Report 47 Earthcare Preparatory Session Reports I & II 48 Ecumenical, Multifaith, and NCCA Preparatory Session Report 51 First Nations Peoples’ Concerns Committee Preparatory Session Report 52 The Friends’ School and Quaker Values Committee Presentation Report 53 Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) Preparatory Session 54 Handbook Revision Committee Preparatory Session Report 56 IT Committee Preparatory Session 57 Peace Reports Preparatory Sessions I & II 59 Publications Committee Preparatory Session 63 Quaker Service Australia and QSA Linkages and Sub WWI-Committee Exhibition Preparatory Report Session 64 Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Preparatory Session 65 Safe Quaker Community Preparatory Session 68 Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Report Session 68 REPORTS FROM THE FORMAL SESSIONS 69 Greetings from the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) (Ref: YM19.12) 69 Report from Australia Yearly Meeting 2019 Representative to Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa / New Zealand 2019 (Ref: YM19.53) 70 Quaker Earthcare Epistle on Climate Emergency & Species Extinction (Ref: YM19.54) 73 Renewal Friendly School Reports: Summary 80 Share and Tell Session Reports: Summary 81 STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES 82 SC7.19.1 Introductory Matters 83 Section A: Reports with financial implications 84 SC7.19.2 AYM Treasurer’s Report for the year ending 30 September 2020 84 SC7.19.3 Surplus Funds Working Group: Preliminary Report to Standing Committee July 2019 84 SC7.19.4 Suggested General Fund Budget for the year ending 30 September 2020 84 SC7.19.5 AYM Treasurer’s Supplementary Report for Standing Committee July 2019: AYM’s subsidy for YM2021 84 Section B: For decision and recommendation to Yearly Meeting 85 SC7.19.6 The Friends’ School Board 85 SC7.19.7 Changes to the AYM Privacy Policy 85 SC7.19.8 Queensland Regional Meeting’s Report on YM2021 85 SC7.19.9 AYM Information Technology Committee Report to Standing Committee July 2019 86 SC7.19.10 Appointments for the duration of Yearly Meeting 86 SC7.19.11 Participation of non-Members at YM19 88 SC7.19.12 Meeting for Remembrance at YM19 88 SC7.19.13 Changes to the timetable of YM19 88 SC7.19.14 Arrangements for reading testimonies at YM19 89 SC7.19.15 Statements on behalf of Australia Yearly Meeting 89 SC7.19.16 Greetings from Yearly Meeting 91 SC7.19.17 Future Mid-Year Standing Committees 91 SC7.19.18 Future Yearly Meetings 91 SC7.19.19 Visitors to Australia Yearly Meeting 2019 92 Part C: For noting 92 SC7.19.20 Yearly Meeting responsibilities 92 SC7.19.21 Friends in Stitches 2019 publication 92 SC7.19.22 Hospitality Minute of Record 92 Appendix 1 93 YEARLY MEETING 2019 REGISTRATION 93

YEARLY MEETING 2019 GROUP PHOTO 98 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: AYM 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’ (YM) are used to describe the annual meeting of Australian Friends. Regional Meetings host this meeting, on a rotating basis.

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 at http://www.quakersaustralia.info/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 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 Interactive Publications http://ipoz.biz/quaker-publications/

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 and a number of other libraries hold copies of the DAQB. The web page for Australian Quaker Biographies provides online access to all DAQB entries, together with biographies of prominent Quakers from around the world.

FNPCC: The First Nations Peoples Concerns Committee, formerly called the Indigenous Concerns Committee.

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 AYM Members to attend and fully participate in YM sessions, on the recommendation in advance of the Elders of the appropriate Meeting.

FPT: Friends Peace Teams.

The Friends’ School: The Friends’ School, Hobart, is the only Quaker school in Australia.

FWCC: Friends World Committee for Consultation is a worldwide body comprised of affiliated Yearly Meetings, Monthly Meetings and Worship Groups. 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 YM

5 decisions. The current 6th edition was published in 2011, and is available on https://www.quakersaustralia.info/publications-0/handbook-practice-and-procedure

JYFs: Junior Young Friends are aged 12 to 17 years.

Meeting for Learning: a one-year program that begins and ends with a retreat week, usually held in September-October, under the care of the Quaker Learning Australia (QLA) Committee.

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.

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: The Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee, based in Canberra, lobbies government, provides a space for peace and social justice discussions, and posts on our website ‘Action Alerts’, ‘Watching Briefs’ and Discussion Papers on current issues for Friends.

QSA: Quaker Service Australia, the development aid agency of Australia Yearly Meeting, a company limited by guarantee, is based at Unit 14/43-53 Bridge Rd Stanmore NSW 2048.

RM: Regional Meetings in Australia are Canberra (CRM), New South Wales (NSWRM), Queensland (QRM), South Australia Northern Territory (SANTRM), Tasmania (TRM), Victoria (VRM), and West Australia (WARM). 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.

The Sanctuary is the name of a house and grounds in Sydney that was part of the Lemberg 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 or Silver Wattle: Silver Wattle Quaker Centre is a centre in Australia for spiritual development and learning about Quaker faith, based at Silver Wattle, 1063 Lake Road, Bungendore, New South Wales. See https://www.silverwattle.org.au/

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YFs: Young Friends are 18 – 30-ish year olds who may be Members or Attenders. Young Friends may have an Easter camp and a camp before Yearly Meeting. Young Friends have representatives on most AYM committees, including Standing Committee.

YEARLY MEETING 2019 EPISTLES

2019 Yearly Meeting Epistle to Friends Everywhere

Australian Friends gathered in Hobart, Tasmania 6-13 July at The Friends’ School, under the gaze of the majestic kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Janice Ross, a Saltwater woman welcomed Friends to Lutruwita (Tasmania) in Palawa-kani language and English with stories of her ancestors and elders held in the land and waters of this region. Meeting in winter, when the days are darker and colder, we have been reminded of the ongoing process of renewal, beginning in darkness and moving towards the Light. Friends reflected on this theme in the Friendly School held on the first day of our meeting.

We are deeply saddened by the extent of the climate and species crisis that is threatening the survival of living things on our planet. Many Friends are taking individual and collective action on reducing our impact on global heating. A Quaker Earthcare Climate Emergency and Species Extinction Epistle has been offered as part of our Earthcare testimony and Junior Young Friends urged us all to move towards a vegetarian or vegan diet out of respect for all creatures and for the environment. A group of Friends built a “cairn of mourning” as a reminder of what has already been lost and of the importance of grief in the healing of our relationship with the earth before we can act effectively. As one Friend asked; “We need to listen as the Earth. What is the Earth hearing?”

The Backhouse Lecture, given by Jason MacLeod, reminded us of the joyful obligation of a life of service as he spoke about his experience accompanying the West Papuans in their struggle for freedom. He described his experience of the deep and abiding love of Spirit that unites all things. He challenged Australian Friends to make a commitment to working together even before we decide on what we want to do.

We are challenged by the dwindling numbers of members and a higher proportion of older Friends. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find people to take on administrative and committee responsibilities. We are asking ourselves, what is essential to the ongoing life of our meeting. What can we let go?

We are using technology more often as we gather, and Friends are experimenting with online meetings and worship, including a Standing Committee meeting by Zoom and live streaming of the Backhouse Lecture. We hope that these new ways of communicating will be more inclusive and reduce our collective carbon footprint. However, these new technologies cannot replace the value of gathering together in faith to care for each other and for ourselves. We continue to affirm the necessity of meeting in community. At the same time, the burden of organising our annual gatherings is becoming too much for smaller regional meetings. We are being challenged to explore new ways of doing business and meeting in community.

The Truth prospers in the many ways that Friends act in the world: through our peace projects, social justice actions, building relationships with other faiths and our work with Original Australians. Many Friends care deeply about and are involved with refugee and asylum seeker

7 issues, and a generous bequest to Quaker Service Australia has enabled some of this work. We see the need for “Active Hope” as we strive to mend our broken world. We are grateful for the many ways that God lives through us, uniting us in hope as we continue to seek the Truth in difficult times.

YM19 Epistle Committee Tracy Bourne Bruce Henry Jude Pembleton

2019 Yearly Meeting Junior Young Friends Epistle

After the JYFs all arrived and settled in, we embarked on a field trip to the Tasman Peninsula where we met with a local marine biologist, Karen Wilson, to discuss “marine biology things”. On Monday morning, we held a Q&A panel with older Quakers. This included questions such as ‘What lead you to Quakerism?’ and ‘Why do we hold Yearly Meeting?’. Afterwards, we had a session with Joss Brooks discussing the eco city of Auroville, where he lives as a gardener. That night, the JYFs attended the annual Backhouse Lecture, presented by Jason MacLeod, about his work in West Papua.

On Tuesday, we headed off to the JYF camp. The trip started with a visit to Port Arthur, an old convict industrial port, where we took various tours around the site to gain an appreciation for its historical context. Afterwards, we arrived at the Blue Lagoon Campsite. Following dinner that night, the JYFs were treated to a “Crate Climbing” exercise by the Blue Lagoon camp staff. We then went to the facility’s recreation room, where we enjoyed music, ping pong, pool and air hockey.

Wednesday morning began with breakfast, followed by meeting for worship. Then, representatives from Sea Shepherd arrived to conduct a day of activism introductory education. This included a trip to the local beach, where we discussed the effect that microplastics and other seemingly insignificant pieces of rubbish have on animals. After spending an hour searching for litter, we had a firmer understanding of the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean, the importance of reducing the amount of waste you produce, and the importance of recycling.

Afterwards, the whole group returned to the campsite, where Sea Shepherd gave a presentation on the history of their organization’s eco-activism. After the presentation, the representatives facilitated a workshop for the JYFs to form groups to brainstorm simple solutions for environmental issues. The next activity was a bonfire held at Blue Lagoon’s bonfire pit, where we shared music, laughter, and fellowship amongst gathered friends. That night, we watched a Sea Shepherd documentary about Operation Jeedara, a program where the organisation sent one of their ships on a documenting expedition into the Australian Bight. The aim of this was to expose, to the public, the natural wonders of the place and its ecological importance in the world. The program successfully blocked British Petroleum’s installation of an off-shore drilling rig in the area. This proved the power of activism to the JYFs.

That night, the JYFs conducted their camp’s epilogue, where sections of a tourist map from Port Arthur historical site were torn and scattered throughout the main hall. The aim was for the JYFs to find and collect the pieces, and then piece the broken map back together. The last piece was deliberately missing, because the message of the epilogue was for JYFs to reflect on was the importance of being happy with what you have, even in circumstances which do not meet all personal expectations. That night, the JYFs conducted their “Sleepover” (sleep used lightly), where the group took up residence in the common room of Blue Lagoon’s main hall and stayed awake until the wee hours of the next morning, playing games and hanging out in the spirit of the light.

8 The next day involved enjoying the facilities of Blue Lagoon whilst preparing ministry for the JYF- run All Ages Worship on Friday morning.

Upon returning from camp, the JYFs took part in multiple preparatory and formal sessions, including the Earthcare session. The main ideas put forward by the JYFs were their care for the environment and desire to take direct action. The next morning, the JYFs lead Friday morning’s All Ages Worship with ministry focusing on the integrity of Earthcare. Friday evening concluded with a breakout concert series performed by JYFs and other members of yearly meeting to celebrate the gathering of Quakers from around Australia. The SPICE Girls’ performance was a highlight for many JYFs.

After some teary goodbyes on Saturday morning, the JYFs departed from a successful Yearly Meeting.

Junior Young Friends, Yearly Meeting 2019

Junior Young Friends, FRAPS (Friendly Adults Presence) and Sea Shepherd volunteers at a beach clean-up at Dodges Ferry (Tasmania) during Yearly Meeting July 2019.

2019 Yearly Meeting Children’s Epistle

Children’s Meeting was small but happy this year, and the children seemed to bond closely with each other, despite their difference in ages. Our meeting focused on five of our testimonies or key concerns this year, Peace, Indigenous Culture, Community, Earthcare and Integrity. The children are particularly knowledgeable about Earthcare issues, with Ellana explaining how things are shifting as a result of climate change, such as icecaps melting, and trees dying through direct 9 logging, or changing local climates. Solomon is particularly concerned about plastic in the ocean, after watching ‘Blue Planet’ and other documentaries, and has written to Will Hodgman about these concerns, and received a letter in reply. He is now planning to get a group of children together to take further action about ocean plastics. The most difficult issue to understand – but an important one – is integrity, with even our visiting Elders and JYFs struggling a bit to explain this to our young children. We believe it is about being true to yourself, and searching for that inner truth over time, so that you can be your best self in all circumstances. This is not always easy to know when our children are still in the process of working out who they might want to be. We had two excursions with the children. With one we walked all the way to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery to learn more about Palawa cultures (and the floating ice cream boat), and see some amazing artefacts. We also visited the South Hobart tip shop, to learn about the amazing work they are doing in diverting waste from landfill.

One of our aims this week was to be more connected to the rest of Yearly Meeting, through us visiting the adults, not just in all-ages worship, but in Friendly School, through doing microphone duty at a formal session, or simply though coming to afternoon tea. We also invited many people to visit with us, particular those from committees like Peace or Earthcare committees, who could share their particular understanding of these concerns with the children. We think that the children often work much harder to bridge the gap to the seriousness of adult meeting events, and sometimes struggle with the requirements of these. We hope that it is easier and more relaxing for adult friends to join the children’s meeting. Would anyone like to share their experience of visiting our meeting this week?

Our favourite times this week were: • Clancy loved making peace cookies • Solomon liked making bread, and making it into a long ‘baguette’ • Mark David liked making popcorn • Amos also really enjoyed making biscuits • Stanley, our youngest attendee, loved the marble machine. • Liz Shield, a parent, liked reading to the children one morning, and joining us on the excursion, and going to the Penn Friends session. • Our collective favourite was definitely the swings, and each day was not really complete without a visit to the swings, even if we were dodging the rain to do so.

10 YEARLY MEETING 2019 MINUTES

The Friends’ School, Hobart Tasmania

Formal Session 1: 7.10pm Saturday 6 July

YM19.1 Opening worship

Out of the silence of opening worship we heard a reading offered by the Presiding Clerk:

I have come to realise that this marvellous light is present in speech and in silence. The light dances in both places if we let go enough to see it. As it dances in silence, it dances in the noise of life itself. It is all around, here, now. this we can say 1.18, Max Raupach 1990.

YM19.2 Welcome to Country Minute of Record

On Saturday 6 July Janice Ross warmly welcomed us to country in the Palawa-kani language of the Lutrutwita (Tasmania) people, as well as in English. Janice spoke of her ancestors and elders who are held in the land and waters of this region. A watercolour artist, Janice shared images of her work which reflects her deep connection with country.

Our Presiding Clerk presented Janice with a copy of this we can say to acknowledge the gift of Janice’s presence with us.

YM19.3 Welcome to those participating in Yearly Meeting

The Presiding Clerk welcomed members and attenders by asking those from each Regional Meeting to stand in turn. A full list of those registered for YM19 will be printed in Documents in Retrospect.

The Presiding Clerk welcomed visitors from overseas: • Lady Borton, FWCC Asia West Pacific Section visitor • Graham Chapman, Aotearoa / New Zealand Yearly Meeting representative

The letters of introduction for Graham Chapman from Aotearoa / New Zealand Yearly Meeting and for Lady Borton from Hanover Meeting in Hanover, New Hampshire USA were read to Friends.

YM19.4 Appointment of Assistant Co-Clerks

Standing Committee recommends Maddy Walker and David O’Halloran as Assistant Co-Clerks for Yearly Meeting 2019. Yearly Meeting accepts the recommendation and makes these appointments.

YM19.5 Nominations Committee Report

AYM Nominations Committee brings forward the following names:

11 Epistle Committee for YM19: Tracy Bourne, Bruce Henry, Jude Pembleton Minute Checkers for YM19: Liz Field, Topsy Evans, Kerstin Reimers, Sheila Keane, Virginia Jealous, Lisa File

We accept these nominations and make these appointments.

YM19.6 Appointments for the duration of YM19 a) Yearly Meeting notes the names of those appointed by their Regional Meetings as Elders for the duration of 2019: CRM: Tracy Bourne and Kay de Vogel NSWRM: Anne-Maree Johnston and Helen Gould QRM: Renee Ellerton SANTRM: Sejin Pak and Marie-Gorette Bucumi TRM: Julian Robertson (Convenor), Ruth Raward VRM: Alan Clayton, Moira Darling, Dale Hess WARM: David Tehr and Tonya Jensen b) Yearly Meeting notes the names of those appointed by their Regional Meetings as the Pastoral Care Committee for YM19: CRM: Lorraine Thompson (till Wednesday) and Vidya (Tuesday onwards) NSWRM: Sheila Keane QRM: Valerie Joy SANTRM: Diana Campbell and Roger Keyes TRM: Madeleine Ball and Rosemary Epps (Convenor) VRM: Catherine Heywood and Jill Parris WARM: Elizabeth PO’ and Clare O’Leary c) Yearly Meeting notes the names of Child Protection Contact Friends present at YM19: CRM: Wilma Davidson, Andy Bray and Susan Rockliff (1st Weekend only) NSWRM: None will be present QRM: Tania Aveling SANTRM: Yarrow Andrew TRM: Julian Robertson and Kay Allport VRM: Bruce Henry, Anna Wilkinson and Jenny Turton WARM: None will be present. d) Yearly Meeting notes the names of Safe Quaker Community Contact Friends present at YM19: CRM: David Purnell and Susan Rockliff NSWRM: None will be present QRM: Jude Pembleton SANTRM: Diana Campbell TRM: Robin McLean and Jenny Seaton VRM: Chris Hughes and Susan Nelson WARM: None will be present. e) Yearly Meeting notes the recommended names for Clerks for Preparatory Sessions at YM19: Session Number Session Name Date and time Clerk 1 Peace Concerns Monday 8 July Allan Knight Reports Session I: 9.15-10.45am QPLC, P&SJ, NKWG, etc. 2 IT Committee Monday 8 July Aletia Dundas 11.15am-12.00pm

12 2 Earthcare Committee Monday 8 July Liz Field or Valerie Session I: Climate 12.00pm-12.45pm Joy (tba) 3 Children and JYF Monday 8 July Jude Pembleton Committee 1.45-3.15pm 4 QSA & QSA Linkages Monday 8 July David Tehr Sub-Committee 4.30-6.00pm 5* First Nations Peoples’ Tuesday 9 July Anna Wilkinson Concerns Committee 11.15am-12.45pm 5* Ecumenism, NCCA & Tuesday 9 July Dale Hess Inter-faith 11.15am-12.45pm 6 Safe Quaker Tuesday 9 July Bruce Henry Community Committee 1.45-3.15pm 7 Backhouse Lecture Tuesday 9 July David Purnell Feedback 4.30-6.00pm 8 Publications Wednesday 10 July Sheila Keane Committee 11.15am-12.45pm 9 Peace Concerns Wednesday 10 July Allan Knight Reports Session II: 3.45-4.30pm QPLC P&SJ, NKWG, etc. 10 Handbook Revision Thursday 11 July Ann Zubrick Committee 11.15am-12.45pm 11 Earthcare Session II Thursday 11 July Liz Field or Valerie 4.30-6.00pm Joy (tba) 12 Right Holding of Yearly Friday 12 July Maxine Cooper Meeting 10.45am-12.30pm REPORTS FWCC & FWCC-AWPS Wednesday 10 July David Liversidge Visitor Presentation 1.45-3.15pm The Friends’ School Thursday 11 July Jenny Madeline 7.10pm Silver Wattle Quaker Thursday 11 July Topsy Evans Centre 3.45 -4.30pm

YM19.7 Yearly Meeting timetable and agenda a) Changes to the timetable Friends are asked to note the following changes to the timetable published in Documents in Advance page 4: What Old New ______1) IT Preparatory Session 8 July 11.15am-12.45pm 8 July 11.15am-12.00pm 2) Earthcare Preparatory Session I: Climate n/a 8 July 12-12.45pm 3) Penn Friends Tea 8 July 3.45-4.30pm 8 July 3.15-3.45pm 4) The Friends’ School Report 10 July 4.30pm-5.15pm 11 July 7.10pm-8.30pm 5) Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Report 10 July 5.15pm-6.00pm 11 July 3.45-4.30pm 6) Earthcare Preparatory Session II 11 July 4.30pm-6.00pm 11 July 4.30pm-6.00pm b) Meeting for Remembrance The Meeting for Remembrance will be held on Wednesday 10 July at 8.30am-9.30am. The Yearly 13 Meeting Assistant Clerks will have a list of those whose deaths have been recorded by their Regional Meetings since YM18. c) Arrangements for reading of Testimonies Abridged copies of the testimonies will be read during Yearly Meeting, before formal sessions. Copies of the full testimonies are available in a folder at the Help Desk.

Formal Session Testimony Reader 2. Tuesday, 9 July, 9.15am Susan Clarke (CRM) Susan Rockliff Eddie Linacre (CRM) David Liversidge 3. Wednesday, 10 July, Michael Carter (NSWRM) Mary Pollard 9.15am 4. Thursday, 11 July, Marion Sullivan (QRM) Valerie Joy 9.15am David Carline (QRM) Duncan Frewin 5. Thursday, 11 July, 1.45 Coral Coleman (SANTRM) Ann Rees pm 6. Friday, 12 July, 9.15 am Dougald McLean (TRM) Robin McLean Joyce Hudson (TRM) Sally O’Wheel 7. Friday, 12 July, 1.45 pm Helen Reeves (VRM) Stephanie Farrall Frances Nall (VRM) Catherine Heywood

YM19.8 Timeframe for Greetings from YM19

Friends are asked to give to the YM19 Assistant Clerk, names and email addresses of those Friends who wish to receive e-cards from this Yearly Meeting. For those Regional Meetings that wish to send paper cards of greeting, these will be displayed on a table set aside for that purpose. These will need to be collected for posting by the RM nominees by 3pm Friday, 12 July.

For those Regional Meetings that wish to send paper cards of greetings, these will be displayed on a table set aside for that purpose during Yearly Meeting and need to be collected by the RM nominees by 3.00pm Friday, 12 July.

YM19.9 Letters and media releases sent on behalf of AYM

We note that copies of the letters signed by the Presiding Clerk since Yearly Meeting 2018 will be on display in a folder at the Helpdesk, and on Notice Boards. Information about the Quaker Australia Facebook page posts are available in the folder also.

No. Date Sent to Concerning 15 July 2018 PM Malcolm Turnbull Government’s disappointing response to 1 Uluru Statement from the Heart Sen. Richard DiNatale Reply 11 September FWCC-AWPS Greetings from AYM to Section Gathering 2 2018 in Hong Kong 8 November PM Malcolm Turnbull Opposition to Embassy move to Jerusalem 3 2018 28 November PM Malcolm Turnbull Non-adoption of the Global Compact for 4 2018 Bill Shorten Safe Orderly and Regular Migration Steve Irons Reply 5 22 January Bill Shorten Support for Labor Party’s decision for

14 2019 Penny Wong Australia to sign and later ratify the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty 14 February PM Scott Morrison Urge for reversal of US decision to 6 2019 Sen. Marise Payne withdraw from INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty Steve Irons Reply 18 March Dr Mustafa Farouk, Letter of condolence on Christchurch 2019 The Federation of massacre 7 Islamic Associations of New Zealand 18 March Lesley Young, Clerk Letter of condolence to A/NZ Friends on 8 2019 A/NZ YM Christchurch massacre. 27 March Bishop Seraphim Condolences on death of Archbishop 2019 Vicar General of the Stylianos 9 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Bishop Seraphim of Reply

Apollonias 10 April 2019 PM Scott Morrison Urge protection for children of ISIS Bill Shorten fighters 10 Peter Dutton Penny Wong Trevor Jones Reply 9 May 2019 Rt Rev. Dhiloraj Easter Bombings in Sri Lanka 11 Canagasabey 30 May 2019 PM Scott Morrison Concern over treatment of Julian Assange 12 Sen. Anthony Albanese

The Society, over the signature of the Presiding Clerk, has added its name to: No. Date Organiser Concerning 17 September Australian Joint letter to PM Modern Slavery Bill 13 2018 Freedom Network 2018

21 September QUNO Joint Statement Peacebuilding 2018 organisations on 14 International Day of Peace 7 February Boomerang Letter to Leader of Call to support 2019 Alliance NSW Liberal Party phasing out of single 15 use plastic bags in NSW

28 June 2019 ARRCC Open Letter to PM No Faith in Coal 16 Campaign

Media releases on behalf of Australia Yearly Meeting: 17 22 July 2018 Australian Quakers deeply dismayed at Arms Export Proposal 18 22 July 2018 Australian Quakers call for action from Government on Uluru Statement from the Heart 19 20 September Australian Quakers support the UN Call for Governments 2018 to Re-Commit to Peace

15 Formal Session 2: 9.15m Tuesday 9 July

YM19.10 Testimony

We hear a Testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Susan Clarke read by Susan Rockliff of Canberra Regional Meeting.

We hear a Testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Eddie Linacre read by David Liversidge of Canberra Regional Meeting.

We give thanks for the Grace of God in the lives of these Friends. The full Testimonies are available to be read, and can be found in the blue folder at the Help Desk. They also appear in the Dictionary of Australian Quaker Biography, available online at https://www.quakersaustralia.info/resources/quaker-biographies.

YM19.11 State of the Society Address Minute of Record

We hear the State of the Society address to Yearly Meeting 2019 written and presented by Allan Knight. Allan reflected on our need for care for and of self, our corporate and individual witness to the need for care for and of others, and what is required for administration of our Society.

Allan concluded that Australia Yearly Meeting is “very much alive”. We find spiritual nourishment in retreats, gatherings and discussion groups. We learn together and share journeys with others on paths towards peace, social justice and earthcare. New technology offers us fresh approaches to how we carry out our work. However, there are two things that remain constant and central to us all: the Meeting for Worship and our search for discernment when making decisions. Although membership may be decreasing, “we are still here. We continue to serve as best we can. This is perhaps all we can ask of ourselves.” The full Address will be published in Documents in Retrospect and will be submitted to the editorial committee of The Australian Friend.

YM19.12 Greetings sent to YM19

We hear greetings from Gretchen Castle, General Secretary, FWCC (Friends World Committee for Consultation) World Office in London; Jim Palmer and Helen Bayes (VRM); Ray Brindle (VRM); and Kiama Recognised Meeting (NSW).

YM19.13 Backhouse Lecturer 2020

We note that Standing Committee, on the recommendation of the Backhouse Lecture Committee, has invited Fiona Gardner (VRM) to be the Backhouse Lecturer for 2020.

We note in Part B of the Committee’s report in Documents in Advance, that Friends are asked to consider appropriate contributors for the annual lecture.

16 YM19.14 AYM Presiding Clerk’s Report (Documents in Advance, p14)

We accept the report of Jo Jordan, the AYM Presiding Clerk, and thank her for her service.

YM19.15 AYM Secretary’s Report (Documents in Advance, p15)

We accept the report of Jacque Schultze, the AYM Secretary and thank her for her service.

YM19.16 Acceptance of Reports that have no matters for consideration at YM19

Yearly Meeting accepts the reports in Documents in Advance 2019 from the following committees, working groups and associated bodies, which have not brought matters for consideration to this Yearly Meeting:

• Australian Friend Committee • Australia Yearly Meeting Treasurer’s Report • Australian Friends Fellowship of Healing • Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery (Friends in Stitches) Committee • Child Protection Committee • Children’s and JYF Coordinator’s Report • Friends Peace Teams • Peace and Social Justice Fund Committee • Quaker Learning Australia Committee • The Sanctuary Committee • Thanksgiving Fund Committee • Web Monitoring Committee • Yearly Meeting Planning Support Committee

YM19.17 Nominations Committee Report

The AYM Nominations Committee brings forward the following names:

• For the AYM Children and JYFs Committee: Emily Chapman-Searle (TRM), Maxine Cooper (QRM) and Melissa Nininahazwe (SANTRM) with terms ending 2022. • For the National Council of Churches Australia representative: David Purnell (CRM) with term ending 2022. • For the AYM Publications Committee: Dawn Joyce (QRM) and Sue Headley (TRM) with terms ending 2022. • For the AYM Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Nominee: Melanie Baulch (CRM) with term ending 2022.

We accept these nominations and make these appointments.

17 Formal Session 3: 9.15am Wednesday 10 July

YM19.18 Meeting for Remembrance

During the Meeting for Remembrance we heard the names of Friends who have died or of whose deaths we have become aware during the past 12 months:

CRM: Susan Clarke, Edward Linacre, Daniel de Smet NSWRM: Michael Carter, Max Lawson, Robyn Murphy, Ann Ryan, Merle Packham QRM: Marion Sullivan, David Carline, Iris Guy SANTRM: Coral Coleman, Jan Larsson, Max Raupach, Colin Talbot, Joseph Juchniewicz TRM: Lindsay Brown, Joyce Hudson, Dougald McLean, Hugh Wells VRM: Sue Hounslow, Peter Binks, Helen Reeves, Andrew Howard, Frances Nall, Elizabeth Smart, Elizabeth Veno WARM: Pamela Beard, Rosemary Johnson

YM19.19 Testimony

We heard a Testimony to the grace of God in the Life of Michael Carter read by Mary Pollard of New South Wales Regional Meeting

We give thanks for the Grace of God in the life of our Friend.

YM19.20 Summary of Epistles Minute of Record

We hear the Summary of Epistles received from around the world in the last twelve months presented by David Tehr (WARM. David emphasised that the Epistles themselves are but a summary of any Friendly gathering, and urged Friends to read the full Epistles via the FWCC website http://fwcc.world.

Friends worldwide continue to be challenged by concerns as diverse as climate change to children's programming, but find joy and enthusiasm through coming together for worship and business meetings. Friends worldwide experienced the transforming power of love and gave written testimony to the fact that its Spirit is stronger than any negative forces we may face.

The full text of the Summary will be in Documents in Retrospect.

YM19.21 Nominations Report

The AYM Nominations Committee brings forward the following names:

• For the AYM Secretary’s Review Committee: Jo Jordan (SANTRM), Jude Pembleton (QRM) and Wies Schuiringa (NSWRM) • For the Backhouse Lecture Committee: Yarrow Andrew (SANTRM), and Sieneka Martin (VRM) with terms ending 2025 • Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee (hosted by CRM) wishes to continue to 2022 • The Sanctuary Management Committee (hosted by NSWRM) wishes to continue to 2022

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We accept these nominations and make these appointments.

YM19.22 Peace Concerns Preparatory Session I (Documents in Advance, pp50-52, 52-53, 55-58)

We accept the reports on peace activities in Documents in Advance and hear the report from the Preparatory Session I on Peace Concerns which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We hear that the projects funded by the Peace and Social Justice Committee Fund are listed in Documents in Advance and that videos, news items and reports are available on the Peace and Social Justice Fund Committee website https://www.quakersaustralia.info/PSJF. Friends are reminded that some $28,000 is available each year for projects and that funding for any one project may not exceed 10% of the capital unless specially approved.

We hear about the North Korea Working Group’s visit to North Korea in October 2018 and their planned second visit which includes possible ways to work with a community in North Korea. We value the work of this group and encourage them to continue with their plans.

The North Korea Working Group seeks approval to become an AYM committee so that they will be able to speak more formally on behalf of AYM when negotiating with North Korean officials and the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We are not in unity at this stage about this issue. There will be a second Peace Concerns Preparatory Session on Wednesday 10 July.

We hear about the growing, inspiring work of Friends Peace Teams. We encourage Regional Meetings to identify Young Friends to may wish to undertake International Peace Training which is offered in Indonesia every January. Friends are urged to support financially this worthwhile work as they feel led.

YM19.23 Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session I (Documents in Advance, pp34-35)

We accept the report in Documents in Advance and hear the report from the Preparatory Session I which will appear in Documents in Retrospect.

We agree that it is time to make a start in determining a process for calculating carbon offsets by Friends on official AYM business.

We hear that David Shorthouse has calculated the carbon offsets for AYM air travel for this financial year as $1137.00 using the Greenfleet calculator. We ask the AYM Treasurer to pay this amount.

David Shorthouse agrees to bring to the Standing Committee 25 August 2019 online meeting an estimate of the total carbon offsets for AYM business for consideration of the budget.

The AYM Earthcare Committee prepared and presented an additional document entitled Quaker Earthcare Climate Emergency Statement Hobart 2019 in response to requests from Friends and JYFs to highlight issues around climate emergency and extinction of species.

19 We are reminded that the affluent western world consumes 80% of the world’s resources and that there is true climate emergency. Climate crisis and conflict are interconnected.

We were challenged to leave this YM with a personal commitment from the heart.

There was an invitation to Friends, children, JYFs and Young Friends to join with the Earthcare Committee this week to produce a statement to bring to the second Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session on Thursday 11 July.

YM19.24 IT Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp46-48)

We accept the IT Committee report in Documents in Advance and hear the report from the IT Preparatory Session which will appear in Documents in Retrospect.

We note that the IT Committee is looking for someone to make a video about Quakers in Australia to share on the enquirers’ website.

We note that there are many issues that are associated with recording and livestreaming sessions which have been raised by Regional Meetings and in the Preparatory Session.

We see the benefits of live streaming the Backhouse Lecture, a public event, which can reach a wider audience of Friends and the general public at lower cost and environmental impact than attending the Lecture. We hear that the livestreaming of the Backhouse Lecture this year was successful and that 35 Friends viewed it via Zoom. Friends expressed their appreciation for this opportunity.

We note that many of our discussions and meetings are not public in nature and that there may be a risk to the privacy and safety of Friends when such meetings are recorded or live streamed.

We ask the IT Committee to provide Regional Meetings with guidance about which meetings and sessions are appropriate to record and to consult with the AYM Archivist to provide guidance on how these recordings are kept.

We hear that there remains strong support for regular face-to-face gatherings as well as online meetings.

YM19.25 AYM Treasurer’s Report

(Documents in Advance, pp16-17)

We hear an update from the AYM Treasurer on his report which appears in Documents in Advance.

We note that the AYM General Fund Budget for 2019/20 was received at Standing Committee. There was a decision made at Standing Committee to meet online on 25 August 2019, to decide on the budget once the financial results of this YM are known. The Treasurer will circulate the budget to Regional Meetings later in the year.

We hear that Standing Committee has agreed to allocate $20,000 to AYM Publications Fund and that the Regional Meeting quotas will subsequently be reduced.

20 For many years we have provided a limited allocation for carbon offsets. There will be a further discussion on this issue and we look forward to a recommendation from the Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session 2.

We were reminded that the AYM Treasurer reports on finances at the AYM AGM at the end of January 2020.

We note that the Surplus Funds Working Group will report to Standing Committee in January 2020.

Friends are encouraged to consider the Thanksgiving Fund and the Peace and Social Justice Fund when requesting funds for projects. We welcome a report from NSWRM about the budget at Standing Committee in August.

Formal Session 4: 9.15am Thursday 11 July

YM19.26 Testimony

We hear a testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Marion Sullivan read by Valerie Joy of Queensland Regional Meeting.

We hear a testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of David Carline read by Duncan Frewin Queensland Regional Meeting.

We give thanks for the Grace of God in the lives of our Friends.

YM19.27 First Reading of the Yearly Meeting 2019 Epistle

We hear the first reading of the Epistle from this Yearly Meeting read by Tracy Bourne (Canberra Regional Meeting).

If Friends have suggestions for alteration or addition to the wording, they can add their comments to the draft Epistle, which will be kept in a folder at the Help Desk.

YM19.28 Penn Friends Minute of Record

About 25 children, JYFs, YFs and adults gathered for the Penn Friends afternoon tea on Monday 8 July.

The children welcomed everyone with decorated biscuits; and Friends shared what they knew about William Penn, who was the inspiration for this intergenerational communication-sharing. Three sets of existing Penn Friends were present, and the younger person introduced the older person to the Friends gathered. One set of Penn Friends has been corresponding for 30 years! Nine sets of new Penn Friends were established. Some people with existing Penn Friends who weren't present sent cards of greeting.

21 YM19.29 Friendly School Minute of Record

We hear a report on the Friendly School which met on Sunday 7 July and during the following week. The theme for Friendly School this year was ‘Renewal’.

We hear that the facilitators of Friendly School offered a wide range of topics which reflected current concerns and interests of Friends.

Summaries of the Friendly Schools will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We look forward to the development of Friendly School for future Yearly Meetings.

YM19.30 Backhouse Lecture Report

We hear a report about the Backhouse Lecture 2019, which was presented by Jason MacLeod on Monday 8 July in the Farrall Centre.

It was agreed that wording and spelling in the Report would be rechecked, so that a Minute of Record could be prepared and brought to Yearly Meeting at a later Formal Session.

YM19.31 QSA Linkages Sub-Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp58-59)

We accept the report published in Documents in Advance and hear a report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We hear that Jackie Perkins, Topsy Evans and Rowe Morrow gave a PowerPoint presentation about QSA projects in Cambodia, India, Bangladesh and Uganda. We learn that projects to support refugees have been initiated by Regional Meetings and funded with grants of up to $10,000 each from QSA during the past year.

We hope that Regional Meetings will publicise more widely the great work of QSA among Friends and the general public. We encourage Friends to raise funds to support a community by having a goal which is specific, measurable and achievable and promoting it. The committee offers an example of using a catchy phrase to raise funds for toilet facilities.

We are aware that the needs of refugees seeking asylum in Australia are great. We hear that information about supporting refugees seeking asylum is available through Regional Meetings.

YM19.32 First Nations Peoples Concerns Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp35-37)

We accept the report which appears in Documents in Advance. We accept the report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We note that the Committee no longer wishes to pursue the recommendation that correspondents become committee members.

We note that many First Nations Peoples prefer the term Original Australians. The Committee will move towards using this language and encourages Friends to be conscious of their own language.

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We are reminded that the Uluru Statement from the Heart was a gift to all Australians. We encourage Friends to engage with and display this statement in our Meeting Houses.

We hear that in order to support Original Australians it is our place to listen. Building relationships is a slow process of working together in ways that can be enriching and ongoing.

YM19.33 Ecumenical, Interfaith and Multi-faith Concerns Preparatory Session Report

(Documents in Advance, pp48-50)

We accept the reports on the NCCA, the NCCA Faith and Unity Network and the NCCA Justice Network in Documents in Advance. We accept the report of the Preparatory Session on ecumenism and multi-faith concerns which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

The Preparatory Session welcomed David Clarke from the Tasmanian Council of Churches and Terry Sussmilch, convenor of Religions for Peace in Tasmania. We hear that Religions for Peace often works behind the scenes to promote peace internationally.

We hear that David Purnell has been appointed as our new AYM representative to the NCCA Assembly.

We are pleased to hear that at the AGM of the NCCA there was formal re-instatement of the non-creedal statement in the new constitution which had been requested by AYM.

We hear that many Friends take part in interfaith activities. We are reminded that AYM is a member of ‘Living the Change’ initiative of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. Regional Meetings and individuals are encouraged to become members.

We note that Helen Gould and Arthur Wells are offering a course on Asian Spirituality and Our Earth in Crisis at Silver Wattle 30 August -5 September.

We hear the recommendation that the title of this Preparatory Session for future Yearly Meetings be changed to Ecumenical and Multifaith Concerns.

We ask Regional Meetings with links to non-Christian faiths to include information about their activities in their reports for Documents in Advance.

We are reminded of the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC), whose members are facing the climate crisis head on.

We ask Standing Committee to explore membership in the PCC.

Formal Session 5: 1.45pm Thursday 12 July

YM19.34 Testimony

We hear a testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Coral Coleman read by Ann Rees of South Australia / Northern Territory Regional Meeting.

23 We give thanks for the Grace of God in the life of our Friend.

YM19.35 Nominations Report

The AYM Nominations Committee brings forward the following names:

• The Thanksgiving Fund Committee (hosted by SANTRM) wishes to continue to 2022. • Peter Bennett (VRM) will continue as the NCCA Faith and Unity Commission representative (2022) • Wies Schuiringa (NSWRM) will continue as the NCCA Social Justice Network representative (2022) • Jane Drexler will continue as the AYM representative for Friends Peace Teams to 2022

We accept these nominations and these appointments will be made.

YM19.36 The Friends’ School Board Appointments

Standing Committee recommends to YM19 these appointments to The Friends’ School Board:

• Mary Beadle as a nominee of Tasmania Regional Meeting for a first term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting. • Sam Ibbott as a nominee of the Board for a first term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting. • Natalia Urosevic as a nominee of the Board for a second term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting. • Craig Stephens as a nominee of the Board for a third term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting.

We accept these recommendations and make these appointments.

YM19.37 Safe Quaker Community Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp63-64)

We accept the report of the Safe Quaker Community Committee in Documents in Advance and hear the report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect 2019.

We agree to adopt the revised Safe Quaker Community Policy (Appendix 5, Documents in Advance 2019, pp72-75), understanding that it is a living document which will change with time.

We authorise the Safe Quaker Community Committee to make minor corrections to the policy and notify Standing Committee about any substantial changes to the policy.

We ask Regional Meetings to promote the policy and its requirements widely. We all have a responsibility to know, understand and apply this policy.

We encourage all Friends to explore the resource material available on the AYM website https://www.quakersaustralia.info/SQC .

24 YM19.38 Publications Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, p53)

We accept the report in Documents in Advance, and the two attachments to the report: Appendix 3 "Our Shared Responsibilities for AYM Publications” pp70-71 and Appendix 4 “Submitting material to the AYM Publications Committee” pp71-72.

We hear the report of the Preparatory Session which will appear in Documents in Retrospect.

We accept the recommendations in Appendices 3 and 4 with the omission of the word “gathered”.

We ask the Committee to reconsider use of Creative Commons licences, determining which ones may be appropriate for our publications.

We hear that there may be two versions of AYM pamphlets adapted for print and online content.

YM19.39 Peace Concerns Preparatory Session II Report

We hear the report from the Preparatory Session I for Peace Concerns Reports.

We are reminded that the WW1 travelling exhibition has attracted wide attention across Australia during the past four years. Images of the banners are available on the AYM website https://www.quakersaustralia.info/resources/exhibitions and Regional Meetings can order individual banners. The WW1 exhibition report will be included in Documents in Retrospect 2019.

We value the extensive work of the AYM Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee (QPLC), which includes its Action Alerts, Watching Briefs, letters, submissions and media releases.

We note that the QPLC aims to reflect our testimonies, act for positive change and seek to understand what lies beneath trends and crises.

We note that Elizabeth PO’ and Adrian Glamorgan attended the UN Office Preparatory Conference in May 2019. We note a recommendation to use the phrase "imagining shared security" rather than focusing on nuclear weapons.

We note the important work undertaken by the North Korea Working Group in improving our understanding of North Korea and its people, as well as seeking ways to foster peaceful relationships with North Korea.

We recognise the need for this group to be able to act on behalf of AYM when dealing with North Korean officials and Australian Government officials. We accept a change of name from the North Korean Working Group to Australia North Korea Peace Support Group.

We agree that this Support Group may act on behalf of AYM on the matter of North Korea. We agree that this Support Group will report at least annually to Yearly Meeting and has a term of three years.

Members of the Australia North Korea Peace Support Group are: Sejin Pak (SANTRM), Wilma Davidson (CRM), Sue Ennis (VRM), Adrian Glamorgan (WARM), Dale Hess (VRM), Rae Litting (NSWRM), Rowe Morrow (NSWRM), Roger Sawkins (QRM) and David Swain (NSWRM).

We ask the AYM Treasurer to request the fund managers responsible for investing on behalf of AYM to investigate and provide a report on companies or funds which may benefit from Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, and report on this matter to Standing Committee in January 2020. 25 Formal Session 6: 9.15am Friday 12 July

YM19.40 Testimony

We hear a Testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Dougald McLean read by Robin McLean of Tasmania Regional Meeting.

We hear a Testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Joyce Hudson read by Sally O’Wheel of Tasmania Regional Meeting.

We give thanks for the Grace of God in the lives of our Friends.

YM19.41 Second Reading of the Epistle

We hear the second reading of the Epistle from this Yearly Meeting read by Tracy Bourne (CRM).

If Friends have suggestions for alteration or addition to the wording, they can add their comments to the draft Epistle, which will be kept in a folder at the Help Desk.

YM19.42 Backhouse Lecture Minute of Record

(Note: At Formal Session 4 (Minute YM19.29), we heard a report about the Backhouse Lecture 2019 presented by Jason MacLeod. It was agreed that wording and spelling would be rechecked, so that a Minute of Record could be prepared at a later Formal Session.)

Jason MacLeod’s engaging Backhouse Lecture entitled Animating freedom: accompanying Indigenous struggles for self-determination commenced with video images and music of West Papua. The Lecture was presented at the Farrall Centre on Monday 8 July at 7.15pm.

Jason shared his story of transformation as a young man travelling through West Papua. A sudden illness and loving care by the Mangons of Bunam village led to his spiritual awakening and a 30- year commitment to journey in solidarity with West Papuans. Jason spoke in particular about elements of a framework which supports his life and work. Fire, one of the elements, represents nonviolent action. Dialogue at different levels, together with a strategy, combined with normative action and utopian enactment, are essential in order to achieve lasting change.

Jason’s life was transformed by the generosity and kindness of the West Papuan people. For the past 30 years he has felt led to serve those who restored his life and vision for the future. Jason’s challenge to us is to challenge the individualism of “dying times”, disrupt the lasting bonds of colonialism, and find our own freedom.

A Feedback Session was held on 9 July, at which Friends were able to affirm their positive response to the lecture.

YM19.43 FWCC-AWPS Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp40-41)

We accept the FWCC report in Documents in Advance and hear the report of the Preparatory Session report which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

26

We hear that Lady Borton spoke about those factors which led her to work with American Friends

Service Committee during and after the war in Vietnam. We note that Lady and Rowe Morrow will travel in the ministry to Regional Meetings in the eastern states of Australia. On her way to HaNoi Lady will visit Singapore Worship Group.

We hear that Graham Chapman spoke about the structure of the Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand and the importance of the Maori language and sign language among Aotearoa New Zealand Friends. Graham will give a more extensive presentation during Friday's Share and Tell.

Maxine Cooper, FWCC-Asia West Pacific Section Assistant Clerk , and Ronis Chapman, FWCC-Asia West Pacific Section Secretary, spoke about the FWCC-AWPS Section Gathering in Hong Kong in October 2018 and the diversity and richness of spiritual experience among Friends in the Asia Pacific region.

We hear that Friends are invited to join the regular FWCC-AWPS online Meetings for Worship and to sign up for the FWCC-AWPS electronic newsletter.

We ask Regional Meetings and Young Friends to consider the Expressions of Interest criteria for AWPS visitors to Yearly Meeting in Australia in the future, which will be published in Documents in Retrospect and to give feedback to the committee.

Friends are invited to suggest to the committee a more descriptive and recognisable name for the committee.

We hear that some local Australian Quaker meetings plan to become companion meetings to other local meetings in the FWCC-Asia West Pacific Region.

YM19.44 Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Preparatory Report (Documents in Advance, pp65-66)

We accept the report in Documents in Advance and hear the report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We note that during its ten year time of operation, Silver Wattle Quaker Centre has established itself as an integral part of the life of Australian Quakers.

We hear that Silver Wattle hosts a range of Quaker events and that the venue is hired by a range of religious, social justice and education groups.

Although there was a small operational surplus this year, there has also been a need for major capital improvements required this year.

We note that there are three part-time staff and that Silver Wattle Quaker Centre is heavily reliant on volunteers.

We note that the current Centre Directors, Catherine Hutchison and Brendan Caulfield-James will be leaving in May 2020 and that the Board welcomes inquiries about the role of Director.

We recommend that Regional Meetings support and enable all Friends who wish to attend courses at Silver Wattle.

27 YM19.45 Handbook Revision Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp41-45)

We accept the report in Documents in Advance and hear the report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We hear that the Handbook changes constantly to reflect truthfully our changing practices. We accept the Part B recommendations in the Handbook Revision Committee’s report in Documents in Advance 2019, p45.

We accept those changes to the Handbook which all Regional Meetings supported or gave no comment.

We accept those changes agreed to at the Preparatory Session as detailed in the Preparatory Session Report.

We note that the urgent decision-making procedures in the AYM Rules of Association, and therefore the Handbook, may no longer be fit for purpose. We ask Standing Committee to identify a process to review its urgent decision-making process and the AYM Rules of Association.

We appreciate the detailed work of the Handbook Revision Committee and the Handbook Revision Liaison Friends throughout the year and during this Yearly Meeting.

Formal Session 7: 1.45pm Friday 12 July

YM19.46 Testimony

We hear a Testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Helen Reeves read by Stephanie Farrall and Pat Mavromatis (TRM).

We hear a Testimony to the Grace of God in the Life of Frances Nall read by Catherine Heywood (VRM).

We give thanks for the Grace of God in the lives of our Friends.

YM19.47 Minute of Appreciation

We expressed our appreciation to the staff of The Friends’ School (Colette Gallacher, David Szoka, Dennis Everson, Haley Szobic) and their teams for their technical expertise, administrative support and delicious food. The Friends' School staff have been central to the smooth running of this Yearly Meeting and to the wellbeing of all who have attended.

YM19.48 Nominations Committee Report

AYM Nominations Committee notes these appointments:

• Members to the QSA Linkages Committee: Karen Dedenczuk (TRM), with term ending 2022 and Rae Litting (NSWRM), with term ending 2022

• Nominated by NSW Regional Meeting to QSA Management Committee: Chris Sergeant with

28 term ending 2022 and Michael Griffith with term ending 2022

We confirm that these appointments are made.

AYM Nominations Committee brings the following names:

• For Safe Quaker Community committee: Chris Hughes (VRM) to 2022 and Diana Campbell (SANTRM) to 2022 • The 2020 visitor to Yearly Meeting in Aotearoa/New Zealand is Matthew Lykos.

We accept these nominations and make these appointments.

We note that for the AYM Nominations Committee Kerstin Reimers will be the representative from Tasmania Regional Meeting with term ending 2022, and Emily Walpole will be the Queensland representative from Queensland Regional Meeting with term ending 2022.

YM19.49 The Friends’ School Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp39-40)

We accept the report of The Friends' School in Documents in Advance and hear a report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We hear from the Quaker Coordinator Karen Wilson that The Friends' School provides the most extensive outreach that Quakers have in Australia and that the staff who are not Quakers have a strong commitment to Quaker values.

We hear from the Quaker Values Committee that there was a focus this year on the implementation of an element of the School's Purpose and Concerns Statement on the physical development of the students.

We hear that Rosie Bray, a current student, regards Walker House (The Friends’ School Boarding House) as her second family.

We hear that the Mather Endowment Trust provides financial assistance to students from rural areas who would not otherwise be able to attend.

A recent Alumni survey revealed positive, lasting benefits on their lives from the culture of Friends' School.

We learn that a number of old scholars have served at QUNO in Geneva and in New York.

We wish to express our appreciation to The Friends' School for hosting Yearly Meeting 2019.

We hear that the Quaker Values Committee has asked Canberra Regional Meeting to consider appointing a representative to the Committee.

YM19.50 The Children’s and JYF Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, pp32-33)

We accept the report of the Children’s and JYF Committee in Documents in Advance and hear a report of the Preparatory Session which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

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Yearly Meeting expressed appreciation for the loving care, guidance and service of Wilma Davidson as Children’s and JYF Coordinator for the past three years. We welcome the two new incoming Children’s and JYF Coordinators, Tania Aveling and Gina Price, who have shared the role with Wilma Davidson through July 2019.

We note the names of the current Children and JYF Correspondents: QRM: (none) NSWRM: Jasmine Payget CRM: Raina Emerson VRM: Di Bretherton and Jane Hope TRM: Helen Chuter (children) and Maree-Rose Jones (JYFs) SANTRM: Yarrow Andrew WARM: (tba)

We hear the concern of the JYFs and the specific request that plant-based food options are provided at Yearly Meetings and that this be included in the planning for Yearly Meeting.

We look forward to hearing the concerns of the children and JYFs incorporated into the Earthcare and Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Preparatory Session Reports.

Formal Session 8: 9.15am Saturday 13 July

YM19.51 AYM Nominations Committee Report

AYM Nominations Committee brings forward the following names to serve on the Handbook Revision Committee: Wies Schuiringa (NSWRM) is willing to continue to 2022, Julie Walpole (TRM) to 2022 and Bev Polzin (VRM) to 2022.

We are reminded that Regional Meetings are encouraged to appoint Handbook Revision Liaison Friends to assist the Handbook Revision Committee with its work.

We accept these nominations and make these appointments.

We hear that the AYM Nominations Committee is seeking one more person to join this Committee.

YM19.52 Share and Tell Minute of Record

We hear that 26 groups were offered over four timetable slots over the course of Yearly Meeting. The length of sessions ranged from 35 to 90 minutes in length. Some facilitators organised to combine their offerings. Only one was cancelled and that was due to illness. Numbers attending ranged from 1 to about 50. We are thankful for the plentiful supply of laptops and projectors supplied by the school and for the butcher paper and felt pens supplied by the children’s programme. One group walked to the other campus of the school to view the living and growing sculpture produced there three years ago prior to our previous YM in Hobart. A full report of the Share and Tell Sessions will appear in Documents in Retrospect.

30 YM19.53 AYM Representative to YM of Aotearoa / New Zealand Report

We hear the report of the AYM Secretary, Jacque Schultze, about her visit to Aotearoa/New Zealand in May for their Yearly Meeting.

We hear that Jacque was inspired by the sense of community and touched by the warm welcome and generosity of Friends in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

We hear of the ways in which Aotearoa/New Zealand Friends honour their Quaker heritage.

We hear of the many similar issues that Aotearoa/New Zealand Friends and Australian Friends are dealing with and the many connections we share.

A full report will appear in Documents in Retrospect.

YM19.54 Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session 2 Report (Documents in Advance, p34-35)

We hear the report of the Preparatory Session II of the Earthcare Committee.

We accept the Quaker Earthcare Committee “Epistle on Climate Emergency and Species Extinction Australia Yearly Meeting 2019” which was developed from the YM2008 Earthcare Statement. This Epistle was posted on the YM19 website.

We ask that the Earthcare Epistle be circulated in the same manner as our YM19 Epistle and that it be placed on the AYM website https://www.quakersaustralia.info/Earthcare.

We hear the recommendation from JYFs that Australian Quaker events move towards veganism and vegetarianism as forms of direct action to reduce climate heating.

We ask that future Yearly Meetings have a vegetarian diet as a standard diet with a meat diet among the special diet options.

We note that at Yearly Meeting 2019 the JYFs collected a total of $425.00 to be donated to Sea Shepherd with whom they spent a day during YM19 learning about the care of the oceans and marine life within them.

YM19.55 Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee Preparatory Session Report (Documents in Advance, p59-63)

We accept the report published in Documents in Advance 2019 and hear a report of the Preparatory Session of the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee which will be published in Documents in Retrospect.

We hear that the Committee has found from surveys, workshops, friendly schools, share and tell sessions and other discussions that the purposes of Yearly Meeting are the community found in an all ages gathering, the opportunity to learn in community; and as a place to discern the spirit as we conduct our business.

We agree that the Yearly Meeting Gathering cycle be disassociated from our Yearly Meeting

31 financial year to allow more flexibility about the time of year YM is held and more certainty for the Treasurer and finance committee.

We endorse the following recommendations as presented in Documents in Advance 2019:

a) That AYM should continue actively experimenting beyond the lifetime of the current Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee (YM2020) b) That the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee should continue to refine guidelines and options with input from Friends around Australia c) That the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee work towards refining and synthesising the models presented in Documents in Advance 2019 and present their findings at YM2020 d) That Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee continue to seek input on the suggested models during the coming year

We hear that there is strong recognition that children and JYFs form an important part of our community. We have been reminded that JYFs have contributed to three Preparatory Sessions at this YM and that they have much to offer our Yearly Meetings.

We agree that the cost of a paid coordinator/worker for a Junior Young Friends program be included in our budget for Yearly Meetings.

We hear that there are individual Friends who are offering to help organise the other elements of YM2021 to run concurrently with the Business of Yearly Meeting. Tracy Bourne (CRM) is offering to convene the children’s programme for YM2021.

We encourage Friends and Regional Meetings to consider how they might contribute to YM2021.

We note that the YM Planning Support Committee had recommended in Documents in Advance 2019 that it be laid down. We ask that this Committee continue.

We agree to ask Standing Committee to broaden the scope of its review (as agreed upon in Minute YM19.44) and propose a process for the review of its role, responsibilities, authority and delegations and report back to Regional Meetings.

We ask Regional Meetings to consider their responses to Recommendations 4, 5 and 7 from the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Preparatory Session Report and submit their responses to Standing Committee no later than one month before its meeting in January 2020.

YM19.56 YM19 Closing Minute

At Yearly Meeting 2019 at The Friends School in Hobart, beneath the gaze of kunanyi (Mt. Wellington), we rugged up against the winter cold as we walked to Yearly Meeting. There we found warmth and light within our gatherings. The YM19 Organising Committee welcomed us, nourished and cared for us throughout the week. The Friends’ School supported us with technical expertise, excellent facilities and delicious food.

During this Yearly Meeting we have looked to the future. We have explored ways in which we might strengthen our courage to better care for our earth, our neighbours and ourselves. May we return home to share that hope and strength.

Jo Jordan Presiding Clerk

32 APPENDICES TO THE MINUTES

Australia Yearly Meeting appointments as at July 2019 Please note: Appointments are as known in July 2019. This list is updated on the Members Page of http://www.quakersaustralia.info/ through the year. All appointments are to the end of the Yearly Meeting in the listed year. The AYM Clerk and AYM Secretary are ex officio on all AYM committees except Nominations and Thanksgiving Fund. AYM Officers Role Names Term ends Email AYM Presiding Clerk Ann Zubrick, WARM 2022 [email protected] AYM Secretary Jacque Schultze, NSWRM 2020 [email protected] AYM Treasurer Roger Sawkins, QRM 2021 [email protected] AYM Membership Secretary Michael Searle, CRM 2021 [email protected] AYM Website Coordinator Roger Sawkins, QRM 2020 [email protected] AYM Public Officer David Purnell, CRM Private email

Committees and Working Groups Committee Names Term Email * ends Australia North Korea Peace Sejin Pak, Wilma Davidson, Sue Ennis, Adrian Glamorgan, tba CDPRK@quakersaust Support Group Dale Hess, Rae Litting, Rowe Morrow, Roger Sawkins and ralia.info David Swain The Australian Friend, Garry Duncan, Rae Litting, Wies Schuiringa (Convenor), 2021 CAustFriend@qua Committee, NSWRM David Swain. kersaustralia.info

AYM Presiding Clerk’s Gina Price, Allan Knight, Michael Hertz, Ruth Watson, Tonya 2022 CClerksSupport@ Support Committee, WARM Jensen, Vivienne Dawes quakersaustralia.i nfo AYM Secretary’s Advisory Helen Gould, Jackie Perkins, Wies Schuiringa, Jennifer 2020 CSecretaryAdviso Committee, NSWRM Burrell, David Cooper, Mary Pollard ry@quakersaustr alia.info Backhouse Lecture Committee Sieneke Martin (VRM) 2025 CBackhouse@qua (Expert) 6-year appointments Yarrow Andrew (2025) kersaustralia.info Mark Macleod, NSWRM 2024 Dawn Joyce, QRM 2023 Kerry O’Regan, SANTRM 2023 Sue Parritt, VRM 2021 David Tehr, WARM 2021 YF tba Child Protection Committee Stewart Betts & Kerrie Smyth, CRM; 2021 CChildProtection CP Contact Friends @quakersaustralia .info Linda Page and Belinda Bonham, NSWRM 2021 Tania Aveling & John Beattie, QRM 2020 Gillian McCarthy (Lewis) & Yarrow Andrew, SANTRM 2021 Maddy Walker & Ron Frey, TRM 2021 Kyrstie Crane, VRM 2021 Jenny Turton, VRM 2020 Margaret Woodward, Lesli Grant & Henry Esbenshade 2021 WARM Alex Brosnan, YF 2020 Children & JYF Committee Lisa Wriley, NSWRM (2020); Emily Chapman-Searle, TRM CChildrenJYF@qu (2022); Maxine Cooper, QRM (2022); Melissa Nininahazwe, akersaustralia.info SANTRM (2022); Josh Crane, JYF & Miriam Hope, JYF (2020); Alex Brosnan, YF (2020) RM Correspondents Raina Emerson, CRM; Jasmine Payget, NSWRM; Helen Webb, QRM; Helen Chuter, TRM; Lesli Grant, Henry Esbenshade, WARM

33 Children & JYF Tania Aveling (WARM) and Gina Price (WARM) 2020 CJYFCoordinator Co-Coordinators @quakersaustralia

.info

Earthcare Committee, WARM Adrian Glamorgan, Brenda Roy, Jo Vallentine (Convenors), 2021 CEarthcare@quak Elizabeth PO’, Helene Fisher, Lizzie Nicholas, Margaret ersaustralia.info Woodward, Gina Price Finance Committee Jane Drexler, NSWRM; David Lowry, David Lowe, QRM 2021 CFinance@quaker saustralia.info

First Nations Peoples Concerns Chris Hughes and Sharee Harper (VRM, Convenors); Gedda 2021 CFirstNations@qu Committee Fortey, CRM; David Carline, QRM; John McMahon, VRM akersaustralia.info RM correspondents Anne Felton, CRM; Elspeth Hull, NSWRM; Sitara Gare, QRM; John Duguid, Harald Ehrman & Ruth Primrose, SANTRM; Sally Gale, TRM; VRM: tba; Clare O’Leary, WARM Friends in Stitches; Australian Tessa Spratt, VRM & Sally O’Wheel, TRM (Conveners) 2020 CStitches@quaker Quaker Narrative Embroidery saustralia.info RM correspondents Wilma Davidson, CRM; Ellan, NSWRM; Mary Grbavac, QRM; Robin Sinclair, SANTRM; Patricia Wood, WARM. Curators Nancy Tingey, CRM; Jacque Schultze, NSWRM Friends World Committee for Adrian Glamorgan, Convenor, WARM 2020 CFWCC@quakers Consultation (FWCC) Ex officio: AWPS Secretary Ronis Chapman; AWPS Treasurer 2020 australia.info Committee Harold Wilkinson FWCC Correspondents tba, CRM Rowe Morrow, NSWRM 2020 Marian James, QRM 2020 David Evans, SANTRM; 2021 Julie Walpole, TRM 2021 Sue Ennis, VRM; 2022 Connor Chaffey, YF 2020 Handbook Revision Committee, Wies Schuiringa (NSWRM), Julie Walpole (TRM), Bev Polzin 2022 CHandbook@qua NSWRM (Expert) (VRM) kersaustralia.info

Information Technology Roger Sawkins, QRM (Convenor); Michael Searle, CRM; 2020 CTechnology@qu Committee (Expert) Jacque Schultze, NSWRM; Rosanna Stevens, YF akersaustralia.info

Nominations Committee Bev Polzin (VRM), Convenor 2022 CNominations@q uakersaustralia.inf o Wilma Davidson, CRM 2021 Mary Pollard, NSWRM 2022 Emily Walpole, QRM 2022 Topsy Evans, SANTRM 2021 Kerstin Reimers, TRM 2022 Allan Knight, WARM 2021 Peace & Social Justice Fund Peter Hillery, Peggy Storch, Graham Jensen Marilyn Webster & 2019 CPSJ@quakersau Committee, CRM Harold Wilkinson stralia.info Publications Committee (Expert) Judith Pembleton, QRM (Convenor); Jenny Stock, SANTRM; 2021 CPublications@qu Margaret Bywater; TRM; Jim Palmer, VRM, Dawn Joyce, QRM akersaustralia.info (2022); Sue Headley, TRM (2022) Quaker Learning Australia, Ann Zubrick, Brenda Roy, David Tehr, Sharon Matthews, 2021 CQLA@quakersau WARM Michael Hertz stralia.info QLA Meeting for Learning Fiona Gardner, Catherine Heywood (VRM); Jenny Spinks facilitators (CRM) Quaker Peace & Legislation Harold Wilkinson (Convenor), Margaret Bearlin, Ronis 2019 CQPLC@quakersa Committee (QPLC), CRM Chapman, Margaret Clark, Greg Parkhurst, David Purnell, ustralia.info Shobha Varkey various RM Correspondents Greg Parkhurst, CRM; Jackie Perkins, NSWRM; Diana Solomon, QRM; Peri Coleman, SANTRM; TRM: tba; Beverley Polzin, VRM; Rosemary Longhurst, WARM. Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Jennifer Burrell, NSWRM; Geoff Greeves, SANTRM; Felicity 2020 CHoldingYM@qua Committee Rose, TRM; Bev Polzin & Anna Wilkinson, VRM; Wilma kersaustralia.info Davidson (CRM) as Children’s & JYF Coordinator; YF (tba)

34 Safe Quaker Community Chris Hughes, VRM (2022); Diana Campbll, SANTRM (2022); CSafeQuaker@qu Committee (Expert) Ronis Chapman, CRM (2020) various akersaustralia.info David Purnell, Susan Rockliff, CRM; Alison Irving, Helen Beeby, RM Contact Friends NSWRM; Judith Pembleton, Bevan Wiltshire, QRM; Diana Campbell, SANTRM; Robin McLean, Jenny Seaton, TRM; Chris Hughes, Susan Nelson, VRM; Michael Hertz, Heather Williams, WARM; Larissa Barritt, YF The Sanctuary Management Miriam Goodwin (Convenor), Jacque Schultze; Bill Brennan, 2022 CSanctuary@quak Committee (2020), NSWRM ersaustralia.info

Thanksgiving Fund Committee, Bronte and Chris Collins (Co-Convenors) Fleurieu RM; Robin 2022 CThanksgiving@q SANTRM Sinclair Adelaide Hills RM, Charles Stevenson, Eastern Suburbs uakersaustralia.inf LM o

Website Monitoring Committee Judith Pembleton, QRM; Margaret Bywater, TRM; Jim Palmer, 2021 CWebMonitor@qu VRM akersaustralia.info

Yearly Meeting Planning Anna Wilkinson (Convenor), VRM; Michael Searle, Harold 2021 CYMSupport@qua Support Committee (Expert) Wilkinson, CRM; Wilma Davidson (Children’s and JYF kersaustralia.info Coordinator); Emily Chapman-Searle, YM Hobart Planning Committee; Yarrow Andrew, (SANTRM)

Young Friends Appointments Role Names Term Email ends Clerk Joelle Nininahazwe, SANTRM 2021 RMYFClerk@quakersaustrali a.info Treasurer Callista Barrit, NSWRM 2020 [email protected] AYM IT Committee Rosanna Stevens 2020 YF Liaison with Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Gabbie Paananen, NSWRM 2020 [email protected] AYM Friends World Committee for Connor Chaffey 2020 [email protected] Consultation AYM Child and JYF Committee Alex Brosnan, TRM 2020 [email protected]

Safe Quaker Community Larissa Barritt, CRM 2020 [email protected]

Australia Yearly Meeting Representatives Role Names Term ends Aotearoa/New Zealand Yearly Meeting, May 2019 Matthew Lykos, SANTRM 2020 Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) David Purnell, CRM 2022 Australian Religious Response to Climate Change Alan Clayton, VRM 2021 (ARRCC) Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility David Shorthouse, CRM 2021 (ACCR) Friends Peace Teams Council Jane Drexler, NSWRM 2022 Independent & Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) David Purnell, CRM 2020 NCCA Church Leaders Presiding Clerk 2022 Presiding Clerk 2022 NCCA Assembly members David Purnell, CRM 2022 NCCA Faith and Unity Commission Peter Bennett, VRM 2022 NCCA Safe Churches Network Ronis Chapman, CRM 2021 NCCA Social Justice Network Wies Schuiringa, NSWRM 2022 Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Advisory Committee AYM Nominee: Melanie Baulch, CRM 2022

35

Associated bodies (Not appointed by Australia Yearly Meeting) Role Names Elspeth Hull, (Coordinator), NSWRM; Ivanka Belic (AFFH rep on SWQC Australian Friends Advisory Committee), QRM; Barbara True, (Wholeness editor), Fellowship of SANTRM Local Conveners: Heather Herbert, CRM; Barbara Kearney, [email protected] Healing (AFFH) NSWRM; Ivanka Belic, QRM; Barbara True, SANTRM; Maggi Storr, TRM; Kaye Wright, VRM; Lesli Grant, WARM AFFH Charitable Trust Trustees: Alison McConnell Imbriotis (Convenor), TRM; Jackie Perkins, NSWRM; Margaret Woodward, WARM Jane Drexler, Valerie Joy, Jim Palmer, John Michaelis, Bev Polzin Friends Peace Teams (AYM); Moira Darling, Nadine Hoover, Fenna Mandalong, Tom Martin, [email protected] Gay Howard, Deb Wood, Josh Albertson and others (USA); Ludwig Bon Quirog (Philippines); Subhash Kattel, (Nepal); Petrus Kuelson, (Indonesia); Youngsil Kang (Korea) The Friends’ School Presiding members: Julian Robertson, Presiding Member (2020) TRM Board nominee; Craig Stephens, Deputy Presiding Member (2023), Board nominee; Natalia Urosevic, Deputy Presiding Member (2023), Board nominee TRM Nominees: Sally McGushin (2021); Karen Wilson (2022); Mary Beadle (2023) Board Nominees: Karen Davis (2021); Louise Giudici (2021) (Staff); Robert Pennicott (2021); Sam Ibbott (2023) Ex Officio Appointments: Ann Zubrick, AYM Presiding Clerk; Nelson File, Principal, Shaun Sargent, Secretary to the Board of Governors tba, CRM; Liz Field, NSWRM; Judith Pembleton, QRM; Peter Webb, CSchoolValues@quakersaustra The Friends School SANTRM; Julian Robertson, Karen Wilson, Siobhan Harpur, Sally lia.info Quaker Values McGushin, TRM; Helen Irvine, VRM; Allan Knight (Convenor), WARM; Committee Nelson File, TRM (Principal, ex officio); Emily Chapman-Searle, TRM (Quaker Community Coordinator, The Friends’ School, ex officio) FWCC AWPS Ronis Chapman (AWPS Secretary, 2020); Harold Wilkinson (AWPS [email protected] Treasurer, 2020) Quaker Service John Dundas (Convenor), Miriam Goodwin (Treasurer), Richard [email protected] Australia (QSA) Gibbons, David Cooper, Mary Jo Merindol, Chris Sargeant; Michael Management Griffith. QSA Non-Management Committee: Jackie Perkins Committee, NSWRM (Secretary); Michael Morrissey (Public Officer, non-member)

QSA Linkages Sub- Alex Nicholson, CRM; Rae Litting, NSWRM; Rhoda Dorrell, QRM; Topsy CQSALinkages@quakersaustra Committee (Regional Evans (Convenor), SANTRM; Karen Dedenczuk, TRM; Anne Herbert, lia.info Meeting VRM; Henry Esbenshade, WARM; YF: (tba). Ex officio: AYM Clerk, AYM Appointments) Secretary Silver Wattle Quaker SWQC Ltd Board: Julian Robertson, John Baker, Ray Brindle; Ex officio: [email protected] Centre Ltd (SWQC) SWQC Director SWQC Ltd Advisory Judy Henderson (Convener) & John Baker, NSWRM: Moira Darling, Committee VRM, Ivanka Belic (AFFH representative); Peter Morris, NSWRM: Brenda Roy, WARM Werona Users Group Anne-Maree Johnston (Secretary) [email protected]

AYM Group email addresses: RM Clerks [email protected] RM Newsletter Editors [email protected] RM Web Maintainers [email protected] AYM Committees [email protected]

Additional email address can be found on the AYM website (https://www.quakersaustralia.info/), listed under Quaker email addresses and website abbreviations at: https://www.quakersaustralia.info/resources/administration-resources

36

State of Society Address (YM19.11 Minute of Record)

I start this State of the Society address in a not unfamiliar style to that used in pervious addresses – noting the challenge of where to start and how to give expression to what is recorded in our Regional Meeting and committee reports, and in Regional Meeting Business Meeting minutes and newsletters.

In preparing this address I have attempted to identify how we give expression to our sense of the Spirit so that we may, in the words of George Fox:

“Be patterns, be example in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them…”

As part of the briefing notes for preparing the address an analogy suggested for writing the report is that of writing a ‘Testimony to the Grace of God’ in the Life of a Friend. In writing a testimony we try to show the ways in which the Grace of God could be seen in the Friend’s life. In the State of the Society report, you are asked to find where the Grace of God can be seen within the words, actions and motivations of those who make up Australia Yearly Meeting. Fortunately, like all analogies, this one breaks down at some point because in reading the reports of our activities over the past year it is clear Australia Yearly Meeting is very much alive.

Care for and of self In reflecting on the State of the Society in 2019, a strand that presented itself was that of the need for care for and of self, so I have titled this first part of the address Care for and of self. For the Society to be of service to the world – to answer to ‘that of God’ in every one – we need to care for our Society, to care for each other and care for ourselves. Parker Palmer writes: “Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.” Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation1 Our self-care, or stewardship, of the Society is expressed in a variety of ways. It takes forms of care that build and strengthen our community as well as care for the individual fFriends that comprise our community. Retreats or similar events featured in the reports from Canberra, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. • WA Regional Meeting held a Summer School over two weekends in January providing for Ffriends to grow together in their understanding of Quaker ways and to connect with each other in ways temporal and eternal. It also allowed WARM to make connections with those outside our Society – to both hear of their work in the wider community and for them to learn something of Friends. • Canberra Ffriends reflected on various Earthcare topics and focused on “living the change” at their residential weekend at Silver Wattle. • In Queensland their full-day retreat in November considered the spiritual needs of their Meeting. They followed this up with worship sharing after a Meeting for Worship on the themes of this retreat looking at ways to see that of God in each of us, and how to bring their gifts and talents into the service of the Meeting. Queensland Friends also held a full- day retreat for remote Friends in the Atherton area on learnings and extracts from John’s Gospel. 37 • With entertaining, enlivening and enjoyable alliterations, South Australian Friends report of the return of their “(non-)residential weekend, reminding them of the reasons for 'Renewal', regarding regular responsibilities and relational responses”. • Retreat Days offered spiritual nourishment in communal silence for Tasmanian Ffriends, and • Victorian Ffriends were impressed with various clips from Quaker Speak and enjoyed some Quaker Trivia at their residential gathering. As has been observed in other State of the Society addresses, we are a community, and like other communities, we share and travel together in numerous ways. We learn together, celebrate achievements, mourn losses in the midst of giving thanks for lives, welcome new members to our community and embark on new adventures in the spirit. In South Australia, Eastern Suburbs Local Meeting celebrated fifty years and report, with further alliteration, that the “festivities were a frabjous reunion of F/friends former, frequent and faithful”. Discussion groups of various types are common to many Meetings, including monthly discussion of an Advice and Query at Fremantle, the "Hearts and Minds Prepared" course at South Coast, and monthly Gathering of Friday Friends discussion group in WARM, Spirit in Spring Saturday afternoon discussion groups in Victoria, Quaker learning sessions at local meetings and worshipping groups in New South Wales, and Canberra Regional Meeting reports on sharing spiritual journeys and worldly lives in spiritual nurture groups and learning sessions on the topics of Earth Care, Local Indigenous People, the Armaments Industry and Spiritual Directions. Care for the children in the meeting remains an important part of our service to each other. To foster a sense of belonging to Quakers, a birthday card project to send cards to all Yearly Meeting children has seen the Children and Junior Young Friends coordinator send 115 cards this past year. There are now also monthly Generation Q articles for Regional Meeting newsletters. Children’s programs at Yearly Meeting and Easter Family Gathering were run and a summer Junior Young Friends camp was held. The Children and Junior Young Friends Committee report it is considering ways to use its current funds to expand the role of the Coordinators and/or contract other suitable individuals to support the four key Children/JYF/family friendly events due to concern about the challenges of organising and running these events with volunteers. Through the section titled For needful administration in their annual report, Canberra Friends remind us that one way to care for ourselves is that our administration should be for that which is needed but not more. To do more carries the cost of lost opportunity. Needful administration is demonstrated through the work of the Handbook Revision Committee. The handbook attempts to capture our current practices and procedures but it is not merely a ‘how to’ manual; it is also a form of self-care. At the core of the activities of our society is discernment, a seeking for guidance in, of and by the Spirit. Our handbook contributes to showing us that it is our way of being that guides our way of doing. The recommendation in their report that the Handbook Revision Committee be a continuing committee can be seen as a witness to our way of being. As Quakers we believe there is ongoing revelation – we continue to be open to leadings of the spirit, and if this is so, then our practices are open to continual change as new insights reveal themselves. Perhaps we can say, indeed, a committee for needful administration. Over the past two years, the light rail construction along Devonshire Street in Sydney has required much needed administration from New South Wales Friends. They have discerned together how to be in the world but not of the world as an organisation in contemporary society which requires compliance with, to quote the NSW Regional Meeting annual report, “often pesky” legislation. Ultimately, I believe that at the heart of our self-care is our Meeting for Worship. This brings us together for our common purpose of seeking to connect with and receive guidance from whatever it is, in our diversity, that is our sense of the whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Regional Meeting reports show that Meetings for Worship remain central to our condition. In our larger centres these remain weekly while in rural and remote areas they may be bi-monthly but

38 the value placed on them is clear. Children’s Meetings remain important with Canberra holding monthly meetings in Canberra and in Goulburn. Canberra Friends also welcome their three all-age Meetings for Worship held each year with the meeting hosted by the children or Junior Young Friends.

Care for and of others – being in the world I have titled the second section of the address Care for and of others – being in the world. In an attachment to its report, the First Nations Peoples Concerns Committee include the statement: “A society’s commitment to and striving to achieve equality and to genuinely and materially improve living conditions for all of its members creates peace and stability.” This statement can, I think, provide a useful yardstick against which to look for how the Truth may be prospering amongst Australia Yearly Meeting today. On reading reports in Documents in Advance, Regional Meeting minutes and newsletters, we continue to respond to our sense of the promptings of Truth and love in the way we are in the world. There is an ongoing commitment to and striving to mend a broken world by Australian Friends. There is continued involvement in peace, social justice, environment and other community activities. Canberran and Western Australian Friends continued to make donations to support refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru. Silent vigils in support of refugees and asylum seekers, First Nations People and for peace are reported by NSW, Victoria and Queensland. American anti-nuclear activist Joseph Gerson was supported to come to Australia to promote anti- nuclear action, and the Mayors for Peace work continues to be pursued. South Australian Friends protested the arms fair in Adelaide and Victorian Friends supported permaculture projects of Rowe Morrow in refugee communities in various parts of the world. To inform the peace witness of Friends throughout Australia, the Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee provided Action Alerts and Watching Briefs on topics including militarisation, nuclear weapons, refugees and expansion of the Australian War Memorial. Quaker Service Australia remains a significant expression of Australian Friends desire to improve living conditions for vulnerable communities. Projects in India, Bangladesh and Cambodia are supported, as well as refugee projects in six of our seven Regional Meetings. This year a new concern emerged with respect to North Korea. A dozen Australian Friends went on a week-long study tour of North Korea visiting three farm cooperatives, and met officials of the Ministry of Agriculture in North Korea. Nine of these Friends carry this matter forward. Friends have a tradition of working with other groups with similar goals, whether these are religious groups or otherwise, and AYM continues this tradition. Individual fFriends are members of environmental groups, community gardens, and refugee action groups. As well, we continue to be represented on bodies such as the National Council of Churches. In the section titled Care for and of self, I observed that at the heart of our self-care is our Meeting for Worship. I make a similar observation in respect to our expression of how we try to care for and about others – our Meeting for Worship is at the heart of what drives us to undertake such activity. In the stillness of our gathered Meetings we connect with that which motivates us, that which refreshes and re-creates us so that we can continue to address concerns, accept a new task or recognise when it may be time to let go of an activity.

When two or more are gathered The final section of this address I have titled When two or more are gathered, and, yes, in part this section reflects on our numbers. The Australian Quaker Narrative Embroidery Committee write in its report “As embroiderers age they are having to lay down the work. How do we revitalise the project and involve new Friends?”. A

39 question of value not just to the Quaker Narrative Embroidery Committee but to the whole of Australia Yearly Meeting. A reflection on our state needs to consider whether our numbers allow us to do all that we wish to do. Last year in her address Sheila Keane, when reflecting on numbers posed the questions Where are we growing? What are we doing right? and Where are we shrinking, and why?. I think these are useful questions. A look at numbers for 2019 tells us that adult membership remains stable at 866, and, like last year, we have seen a further 2% decrease in the attenders down to 741. We have 161 children of the meeting, two fewer than 2018. But gross numbers at the AYM level alone don’t tell the full story. Three regional meetings increased their numbers while four decreased. Smaller numbers of children may be a result of them reaching a certain age or families moving away, as in the case of WARM where one family with three children returned to England. Growth can be seen in localised places. Brisbane’s renewal that was mentioned in last year’s report continues with weekly Meeting for Worship numbers now being about 35-45 people. Devonport in Tasmania also reports new members. Considering the matter of ‘how many’ led me to thoughts on permanence and impermanence, and the, wholly unoriginal, conclusion that nothing lasts forever. If George Fox, or one of many who were instrumental in the beginnings of Quakerism, were to observe how we are as Quakers today would they say Quakers have lasted? What we are today is not what we were at our beginnings nor will be tomorrow. We Quakers, like all things human, are temporal; but the spirit which motivates us is not. Perhaps we need to heed the words of W. Somerset Maugham: “Nothing in the world is permanent, and we’re foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we’re still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it.” This does not mean to ignore numbers and changing demographics in our membership. Numbers can affect what we can achieve. Will some of the revitalisation come through information technology? The IT Committee states it believes the wider awareness of our new websites and more consistent presence in various social media has raised our profile and resulted in more contacts from enquirers. Our use of information technology offers fresh approaches to how we carry out some of the work of the Society. How do we use information technology to allow us to forward our work? How might use of information technology effect our Quaker ways of working? The AYM IT Committee asks Friends for their views on more frequent, maybe regular, online meetings of Standing Committee. How might this effect our decision making through our gathered discernment processes? Discernment in the Quaker context goes beyond its more secular meaning. It refers to how we try to seek guidance from and unity in spirit when we decide how we will act in the world. I believe this is one of our distinctive ways. There are many others who, like Friends, strive to address social justice issues, share our concern to find ways to solve differences without resort to violence, to care for refugees, address global warming and alleviate poverty. But our way of deciding on how we act in the world through gathered discernment is unique. Reading the reports in Documents in Advance, the word discernment keeps occurring. The word discern, or one of its expansions, appears 66 times in Documents in Advance. Discernment guides decisions from dealing with property to responding to the political to the care of our planet. Canberra Ffriends report on their lengthy deliberations on the heating and cooling at both their meeting house and at Silver Wattle which has led to their decision to improve energy efficiency as a priority. The Australian Friends Fellowship of Healing reports of discernment in managing access to newly acquired property. New South Wales reports of two Local Meetings holding “visioning” meetings to discern the how, what and maybe where of their Meeting. WARM reports on discernment as part of its review of the changes to its committees and administrative structures made as a result of the “What Does Love Require of Us?” process.

40 Most committees report on how discernment is central to the way they have worked this past year but also in their recommendations invite discernment from the wider Australian Quaker community on those matters that require decision at this Yearly Meeting. The Handbook Revision Committee expressed its welcome of the creative Spirit and reliance on the discernment of Friends. The Peace and Social Justice Fund remind Friends to apply to the fund well in advance of the activity so that patient discernment may take place. The Quaker Peace & Legislation Committee use Discernment as a sub-heading in its report, writing of how during the past year they have spent time reflecting on how best to use their spiritual awareness to focus on issues where Friends might make a difference. Members of the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee report this committee’s role is to provide guiding principles and options for gathered discernment. In synthesising feedback from Regional Meetings this committee noted that Australian Friends value deeply the shared spiritual discernment of business sessions. The Children and Junior Young Friends coordinator reminds us of the importance of discernment at the personal level when she writes in her report of how she found discernment to be integral to her role. The State of the Society address aims to seek some sense of the ‘health of the society’. Is our continued commitment to discernment as our way of deciding how we act in the world one indicator of a strong pulse? If so, what effect, if any, would use of online meetings through a platform such as Zoom have on this pulse? I finish this section and this address with reference to the Tasmania Regional Meeting report in Documents in Advance. Tasmania Regional Meeting clerks asked their committees to report in the fashion of a “tweet” – a statement of 280 characters. They finish their report with a tweet from one Friend that reads “I am here. I serve as best I can.” together with the statement “This is perhaps all we can ask for from anyone.” So, in concluding this State of the Society address I paraphrase our Tasmanian Friends: We are still here. We continue to serve as best we can. This is perhaps all we can ask of ourselves.

Allan Knight (WARM)

1. Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation, John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York, United States, 1999.

Summary of Epistles From Other Yearly Meetings (YM19.19 Minute of Record)

“Greetings To Friends Everywhere” is the classic opening line in many Quaker epistles from around the world. The FWCC site has numerous Epistles from the past year (and beyond) that anyone can download and read. Some are stand-alone Children’s or Young Friends’ Epistles, whilst some Yearly Gathering’s PDFs contain multiple Epistles from Children and Young Friends within the single document.

Epistles in the past year 2018/2019 are available from 34 gatherings: Aotearoa New Zealand; Australia; AWPS (Asia West Pacific Section FWCC); Britain; Central European Gathering; EMES (Europe & Middle East Section FWCC); EMEYF (Europe & Middle East Young Friends); Quaker Religious Education Collaborative In East Africa; Evangelical Friends Of Kenya; Friends Association

41 for Higher Education Conference;Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns (FLGBTQC); France; Germany; Indiana; Intermountain (USA); Iowa Conservative; Ireland; North Carolina Conservative; Netherlands; New York; New England; New England Prophetic Climate Action Working Group; Norway; North Pacific (USA); Pacific Northwest Quaker Women’s Theology Conference (USA); Pacific Yearly Meeting (USA); Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA); Quakers Uniting in Publications (QUIP); Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting (USA); Southeastern Yearly Meeting (USA); Soy Yearly Meeting (Kenya); Uganda; Western Yearly Meeting (USA); Wilmington Yearly Meeting (USA).

Last year, this is what our own Australian Yealry Meeting Epistle said about this session (i.e. the Summary of Epistles):

We delighted in hearing an overview of Epistles from places as diverse as Belgium, Uganda, Alaska, Young Friends of Northern Ireland and many more. Community was the most common theme. We well understood their joy of being together but also their anguish about the state of the world: the suffering, inequality, dispossession, dislocation of so many people; also, the inspiring work in peace and non-violence which gives us great hope.

Well, things haven’t really changed all that much!

Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand only had one paragraph which mention the Christchurch tragedy:

Moved by Christchurch Friends' recounting of the outpouring of love in the wake of the Mosque shootings, we were inspired by one of our number (a Muslim Attender) who spoke refreshingly of the limited utility of group action by Quakers but reminded us that those who are not our siblings in faith are our siblings in humanity: there is always value in engaging with individuals.

It’s good to pause here and remember that this is a “Summary of Epistles”.

And what is an Epistle? It is a summary of a gathering of Friends. Let me try to illustrate that point by recounting an email to me from our Secretary Jacque Schultze who reflected upon the previous slide concerning the Aotearoa New Zealand Yearly Meeting:

“You mention that there was only one comment from the Epistle of the Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand about the Christchurch tragedy. I was there at A/NZ YM this year, and that one statement was distilled from several hours of thoughtful comments and heartfelt lamentations from Friends, especially those from Christchurch Quakers. Those sessions stayed with us throughout YM and influenced much of what we talked about and carried forward into YM”

The following are a selection from some Epistles that spoke to my condition. Many Epistles are in plain text on plain white background. But some include colour photographs, interesting logos, and even some fancy looking signatures.

So first, I will start with Epistles that really caught my eye. Here are some favourites…

Uganda – has a very colourful 15 page epistle! We prayed for the volatile political situation in East Africa especially in Uganda where the Government has come down hard with a very heavy hand on the Opposition leading to deaths of unarmed civilians

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German Yearly Meeting: “Let us share what we consider to be the most pressing and moving issues” (this is our motto for this year). The vitality of this year’s meeting also found expression in a number of concerns that have touched us. We support Friends who, together with other groups, are opposing the German armed forces’ efforts to specifically recruit minors as trainees…

The theme of our Yearly Meeting has been "Education". Worship, talks, discussions and lectures remind us above all that we must be a learning community of Friends. We must explore new ideas and seek the truth together, challenging ourselves and finding new ways to live. We must understand not just the world, but we must understand the heart and the imperative of love.

43 Theme: Being Quaker NOW. The ongoing work on our Quaker Faith and Practice has sometimes had difficult periods. But now, after the work is almost done, and as we are working towards our first publication, we realize that "the perfect is sometimes the enemy of good". As a solution we call the printed version a “time- bound” document, and there will be a website version that will be a living document which we will continue to enrich.

We participated in workshops on a variety of topics relevant to our Section including what makes us feel at home in a Quaker meeting, life reflections, the Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and how we can best do nominations.

Doug Shoemaker, our IYM Superintendent, was the key speaker with Mike Haemmerle serving as the Worship leader. This year we focused on creating environments that empower churches and individuals to be disciples and make disciples- environments where love grows.

Love grows naturally-like a seed in the ground, or like yeast in dough-if we provide the right climate. Everybody has a contribution to make in creating this environment.

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We had 24 active teachers from the following Yearly Meetings: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya (Chavakali, EAYM-Kaimosi, Kakamega, Lugari, Malava, Musingu, Nairobi, EAYM-North, Tuloi, Chebuyusi, Vokoli. Our Facilitators from the Quaker Religious Education Collaborative (QREC) came from New England Yearly Meeting and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. We developed a community of equality among all.

Some Epistles came from small gatherings of less than 30 people, right up to 1,200 attending Britain YM at Friends House in London. Here are some of my more favourite quotes:

• France -Oct 2018 - theme "Despair and Trust" (an English translation) Through various testimonies, we have seen how the Quaker movement does not give in to despair. On the contrary, Quaker culture builds trust and empowerment. There are indeed a number of specific ways the Quakers have developed to spread their message of peace and truth…. the operation of quiet diplomacy was presented, emphasizing the importance of making space available for exchanges, where listening to all interlocutors is paramount. Such a framework encourages exchanges that are not distorted by media echoes, and it contributes to building a relationship of trust, which is essential for quiet diplomacy. The whole thing is done in a small group around a meal, contributing to the conviviality and emphasizing a common humanity… En conclusion, nous vous souhaitons la folie de croire que le monde peut être transformé (In conclusion, we wish you the folly of believing that the world can be transformed)

• Britain Yearly Meeting Our themes have encouraged us to look through the lens of privilege at climate justice, and at diversity and inclusion. The word ‘privilege’ has been used in two distinct ways: as a blessing we experience and as the unearned advantages a person can inherit from birth and/or accumulate over time. This has brought some frustrations. Our identities are complex and multifaceted. We need to be aware of the ways in which we can simultaneously have, and lack, privilege Let us begin to understand what it means to be in unity with others and with the whole of creation, acting out of love rather than duty or fear. It’s all about Love.

• Norway Yearly Meeting – 200th anniversary was celebrated from 9th-12th August, 2018 We may be numerically small, but through the years we have gained influence in important areas of society to a greater extent than any other denomination – at least by membership, as the Christian Council of Norway said in their address. The advice given by Wilhelm Aarek to a young Friend many years ago may serve as a summary of our conversation, “Be open – with substance.” We will be open to care for all the new flowers, colours and diversity without letting go of the nucleus of our faith, That of God in Everyone. The Light is within us. This is the basis of everything we do. Feel your faith.

45 • Quaker Council for European Affairs: Oct 2018 “We are the suit-wearing Quakers who represent a radical activist movement speaking to other suit wearers”. This description (by our Director) of the work, sums up the compromises and challenges of the peacebuilding and human rights programmes undertaken by staff and volunteers at QCEA. Representatives from 13 Quaker organisations, who embody the breadth of Quakerism across Europe. Activities such as quiet diplomacy bring people together for off the record meetings, usually over a meal. This can involve working with unusual actors in a way that expresses our core values and allows people who would not usually speak to each other to do so in a safe, honest space.

• Western Yearly Meeting - Indiana “Living Like We’re Loved” was the theme for this year’s gathering and used as the foundation 1 John 4:18-19: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” Recording of Gifts for Ministry was completed for one individual, John Connell… workshops provided tools for encouraging active current involvement in caring for those around us, safety in the realities of today’s world, and ways to change our society through involvement in legislative action to be sure Quaker values are considered in future laws that will affect us and those around us

One Yearly Meeting was falling apart...with some of the meetings within it choosing to disaffiliate:

• Wilmington Yearly Meeting Jesus was asked in the passage from Matthew that formed the theme of the 2018 Meeting, which command in God’s Law is the most important? Jesus’ divinely wise answer, we read, made love the linchpin for the law.

We were reminded in our Bible studies that we cannot love God without loving one another: these two commandments must hang together.

In the act of mourning our separation while blessing our disaffiliating Meetings, Friends surrendered our desire to lecture and judge, to make our own special points, to win over other Friends. We agreed that Biblical interpretation is at the heart of our uneasiness and distrust, and that we are not able to come to the same place in how we read the scriptures, or in how we view the autonomy of the Monthly Meetings and the authority of the Yearly Meeting. This is evidenced by our disagreement regarding the proper Christian understanding of marriage. Peace is a necessarily continuous process, not a state of being.

Whilst another Yearly Meeting was feeling tender at only their second ever gathering...

• Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting – second annual sessions We sat with the queries “To whom do I need to pay attention?” and “To whom do we need to pay attention?” At times, we feel fear and pain when we long for hope and joy. We are like a collection of tattered remnants, and we cannot imagine how we could be made into a beautiful whole. Some worry that essential pieces will be thrown out and beloved individuals fear they won’t fit our new shape knowing personally the deep pain of exclusion. We sometimes fear the loss of connections to our past traditions that have given life.

Many Friendly gatherings struggled with matters as diverse as: environment; refugees; poverty and homelessness; biblical interpretations; concern for indigenous and oppressed peoples; peace and non-violence; same-sex matters and LGBTIQ+ concerns; white privilege; political corruption; finances; and even the future of Quakerism. However, it is obvious how important Friends felt about coming together in community for the gatherings, and the power and importance of LOVE.

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I hope Friends might consider visiting the FWCC website themselves and reading in full at least some of the Epistles. Although world Quakerism could be roughly divided into two distinct camps (programmed & unprogrammed), it’s good to remember when it comes to Business Meetings, both camps discern in much the same way.

The invention of the printing press over 500 years ago caused much distress and division across the world. In particular, it was the primary cause of the Protestant Reformation. Wars have been fought over biblical interpretations. However, are we as a species better off for having the printing press? I would say a resounding “Yes!” as it has helped education, science, technology, research and spiritual enlightenment to record and pass down their findings with ease. Likewise, the internet is causing much distress and division across the world. But will we be better off for having it? Again, I would say a resounding “Yes!”

Indeed, I believe the internet in MADE for Friendly dialogue. Perhaps Friends will recall the famous words of Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton (25 May 1803 – 18 January 1873): The pen is mightier than the sword.

David Tehr (WARM)

PREPARATORY SESSION REPORTS

Children’s and JYFs Committee Preparatory Session Report

The Committee’s report is on pages 32-33 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report We heard and accept the report from our Children and JYF Coordinator, Wilma Davidson. Wilma will be laying down this role and has had an extensive handover period with Tania Aveling and Gina Price who have taken over this role.

We have heard and accept the report from the Children and JYF Committee. We note the names of Children and JYF contact friends: • Children and JYF Correspondents o QRM – does not have a correspondent o NSWRM – Jasmine Payget (tbc) o CRM – Raina Emerson o VRM – Di Bretherton & Jane Hope o TRM – Helen Chuter (children) and Maree-Rose (JYFs) o SANTRM – Yarrow Andrew o WARM – waiting for a name

We heard a number of ideas which we will pass onto the committee and coordinators and ask them to discern how to progress these ideas: • As JYFs become YFs, could there be a transition process or gift they receive from their meeting • Asking Membership Secretaries to include the birthday of children and JYFs in their databases. • Being mindful of our language, when talking about our care of each other and these responsibilities rather than burden • Can we invite children to this prep session in the future? 47 • Cross-subsidising YM events so make it easier for children and JYFs to attend • How we include children and JYFs in future Yearly Meetings

During the January JYF camp, there were extensive discussions about diet and the JYFs decided that all their gatherings would be vegetarian. They are moving towards having fully plant-based diets at camps in the future.

JYFs would like to encourage all Quaker events to move in this direction. Support was expressed for the idea that a plant-based diet is in alignment with Quaker testimonies, especially Earthcare and seeing that of God in all beings. Meat is expensive, both financially and environmentally. We are mindful that there are a variety of dietary requirements among Friends and the possibility of excluding people based on their dietary needs. We recognise that this is a complex issue and that many Friends are making conscious choices about their food. We seek a way forward to let food unite us, rather than divide us. We ask the JYFs to formulate a set of advices and queries about food and share their deliberations.

2) Recommendations from the Preparatory Session

1. We hear the concern of the JYFs and the specific request that plant-based food options are provided at Yearly Meetings and ask that this be included in the Yearly Meeting planning manual. 2. We hear concern about the possible exclusion of children and JYFs in future Quaker events. No children at Yearly Meeting means no families will be at Yearly Meeting. We ask Queensland Regional Meeting Yearly Meeting Planning Committee the RHYMC and Standing Committee to consult with Children and JYFs , the Children & JYF Coordinators and the Children and JYF Committee. We encourage JYFs to talk more about how this will impact them and possible ways forward.

Jude Pembleton (QRM), Clerk; Emily Chapman-Searle (TRM), Recording Clerk

Earthcare Preparatory Session Reports I & II

The Committee’s report is on pages 34-35 of Documents in Advance 2019.

SESSION I 1) The Report We heard the reason for this extra prep session – it is being held early in YM so further discernment can take place.

We thanked the JYFs for their role in highlighting issues around climate change and extinction of species.

Adrian Glamorgan, a co-convener of the AYM Earthcare Committee noted that the Committee was in a contemplative phase and that this was reflected in the first report in Documents in Advance. As a result of comments from Friends, the Committee produced a new report for YM to work on during the week.

Earthcare Committee representatives Adrian Glamorgan and Elizabeth PO’ read the new statement from the AYM Earthcare Committee, entitled ‘Quaker Earthcare Climate Emergency Statement Hobart 2019’.

Friends’ responses to the statement: Friends commended the Committee for the work on this statement. We heard from nine individual 48 Friends, the first being a young friend who was encouraged to hear the words of the statement. She said a gap exists between the terrified youth of today and the policy makers and gatekeepers of the world. It is important that we think about what we can practically take away from this meeting. It is also important that we consider earthcare in all our activities and foster a sense of community to help young friends feel less alone.

We were reminded that we are now in a climate emergency and extinction crisis. The affluent western world consumes 80% of the world’s resources. Earthcare and the climate crisis are strongly related to conflict and peace. Long term, this is the area in which conflicts will occur. Earthcare involves very important peace work.

Added to this, concern was expressed about climate implications of the provisions of free trade agreements. Corporates can sue governments, thus bankrupting nations.

We were reminded that two years ago YM agreed to carbon offset travel associated with AYM activities. We would like to find a way that YM seriously implements the carbon offset of travel and develops appropriate processes for this. We were advised by the Earthcare Committee that this may need a taskforce of its own.

We had different views expressed about the use of words to describe the climate heating/extinction crisis/ emergency/ need for earthcare. We heard a suggestion that words like ‘emergency’ are starting to be counter- productive. The words may have the effect of creating a stultifying fear. In contrast, we heard that the term ‘extinction crisis’ needs to occur throughout the final ‘Quaker Earthcare Climate Emergency Statement’. One of the challenges is to create a statement that will endure. For too long, scientists have played it carefully, but unless we use accurate descriptions, there is a problem. The Earthcare Committee believes that embedded in the statement is an awareness of these issues.

Our messages need to include glimmers of hope on what is being achieved using new technology, renewable energy, permaculture and peace initiatives to achieve a balance in moving forward. We do not rely on our governments- but look towards grass roots organisations, and the business world. Climate change is being identified as a risk by business regulators. Pictures of grandparents with grandchildren rallying for climate change inspire us.

Whatever the session, whatever the topic, we need to listen with the earth. We are the earth and need to listen and act from that place. We are challenged to leave this YM with a personal commitment from the heart.

In despoiling the earth, we are working against the Spirit. We can hold in the Light all organisations, be they those who are spoiling the earth or those providing solutions. We hold Mother Earth and all life in the Light.

2) Recommendations from Preparatory Session I There was an invitation to Friends, JYFs and Young Friends to join with the Earthcare Committee this week to produce a statement to bring to the second Prep session on Thursday at 4:30pm.

SESSION II 1) The Report The JYFs, Young Friends, just returned from JYF camp, and children made a special effort to be present at this session and to be heard on this topic which is of high importance to them.

We considered Minute 24 from Formal Session 3: For many years we have provided a limited allocation for carbon offsets. There will be a further

49 discussion on this issue and we look forward to a recommendation from the Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session 2.

The Meeting was reminded that carbon offset is a complex area and that it is important that we make a start on determining a process for calculating carbon offsets by Friends on AYM official business.

We were reminded that there is now a reliable and official carbon counting system in Australia. We heard some history of the progress on carbon offset in AYM. We heard that carbon offsetting is an inexact science. We understand that there are a variety of organisations providing ways of calculating and implementing carbon offsets. There was a wish expressed that a financial proposal regarding offsets could be developed. We heard that Greenfleet offers one way of carbon offsetting which is convenient and contributes to the national accounting of carbon offsets.

We heard that Silver Wattle is undertaking carbon offsetting projects. These are not yet certified and Silver Wattle could be encouraged to move to certified offsets. This would nourish our own sense of what is happening through this work as we can touch and sense it. At this point individuals could choose to send money to Silver Wattle carbon offsetting projects.

There was an invitation to Friends, children, JYFs and Young Friends to join with the Earthcare Committee this week to produce a statement to bring to the second Earthcare Committee Preparatory Session on Thursday 11 July.

Children have made a vital contribution during YM which has included a visit to the tip shop and discussions with Valerie Joy. Actions suggested by the children are: • Stop ocean plastics, • Keep our water fresh, • Look after habitats, • No deforestation, • Stop using products with palm oil, • Support school strikes, • Make the environment safe for children.

On behalf of JYFs Josh Crane presented the proposal that Quakers take direct action on climate heating. One way is for Quakers to move towards veganism and vegetarianism. The JYF aim is that all Quaker events are meat free. We heard that at many UK Quaker events, Friends pay extra for meat. JYFs have just experimented with this at their 2019 camp and thoroughly enjoyed it. This reflects our Quaker testimonies. It is a way of taking direct action to reduce global warming.

Elizabeth Po’ and Adrian Glamorgan (WARM), AYM Earthcare Committee, led us in song: Care for country, care for country Hear our land, hear our land Fire air and water, earth and peace together Heal our land, Heal our land. (sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Adrian Glamorgan introduced the ‘Quaker Earthcare Committee Epistle on Climate Emergency & Species Extinction Australia Yearly Meeting 2019’. This developed from the YM2008 Earthcare Statement. The Earthcare Committee worked with others at YM2019 and received suggestions that it should include song and photos which can now be seen in the above-named Epistle and found on the YM website. The Earthcare Committee has tried to find the Quaker spiritual space for Earthcare. It includes actions we can all take.

50 The Epistle has been distributed to the JYFs and Adrian suggested they find an adult and read it together.

Elizabeth and Adrian guided us through the document and read the nine sets of recommendations. We noted that there is a delicate balance to be found between taking a gentle approach to encourage people to make changes and being definite about specific actions required by Quakers both as an organisation and as individuals. As the Epistle states, the world is now in an extinction and climate crisis. A variety of action is needed including individual, public and political actions and these are included in the Epistle.

We heard that worshipping groups and local meetings are encouraged to run workshops about Living the Change (Sept 8-15) auspiced by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (www.livingthechange.net). This inspires individuals to commit to significant changes.

We heard also that Meetings are encouraged to be involved in the School Strike on 20 September.

2) Recommendations from Preparatory Session II • We ask David Shorthouse and the AYM Secretary to use the Greenfleet calculator to calculate the carbon offset for AYM air travel between now and YM 2020. AYM is asked to pay that amount to Greenfleet. This is to be reviewed at YM 2020. (From Minute YM.22) • We thank the Earthcare Committee and other Friends for leading the work on this revised Epistle. This Meeting accepts and endorses this Epistle as it will be amended following comments at this Meeting. • We support the recommendation of the JYFs that all AYM activities are vegetarian/vegan as a form of direct action to reduce climate heating.

Valerie Joy (QRM), Clerk; Lorraine Thomson (CRM), Recording Clerk

Ecumenical, Multifaith, and NCCA Preparatory Session Report

The NCCA Reports appear on pages 48-50 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report: We were pleased to have two visitors to our meeting: • David Clarke, from Tasmania Council of Churches, who brought a message from Sr Elizabeth Vagg, President of Tasmanian Council of Churches. The message calls us to “Justice, mercy and unity that listens, respects and embraces each one, that affirms human solidarity and values diversity, but does not impose unnecessary burdens on others”. • Terry Sussmilch, convenor of Religions for Peace in Tasmania. She is a member of the Brahma Kumari faith. She told us something of the history of Religions for Peace in Tasmania. Religions for Peace often works behind the scenes to promote peace internationally.

Jo Jordan, Jennifer Burrell and Rae Litting have been representing Friends at the NCCA Assemblies this last year. David Purnell will be the new AYM representative to the Assembly.

Julian Robertson represented Friends at the NCCA Heads of Churches. The focus has been on the Institutional Response to the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission Final Report. All Friends and Meetings have a legal responsibility to provide a Safe Quaker Community for children and adults.

51 NCCA at their AGM, formally reinstated the non-creedal statement in the new constitution as requested by AYM.

The NCCA has laid down its interactive website on environmental/ climate change matters or to organise a significant action. Churches are encouraged to cooperate with other organisations on climate actions with which they resonate.

Wies Shuiringa as a member of the Justice network of the NCCA, reported on a Climate Justice workshop.

There were reports of a wide range of Interfaith activities amongst Friends, including walks, picnics, forums, a meditation garden, conferences, school activities. For example, the Queensland Faith Community Council produced a recipe book reflecting various cultures and they have a program of inter-visitation amongst the Faith Communities.

Religions for Peace was involved in promoting the “Living the Change” program with the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC). Quakers are actively involved in the activities of both these organisations.

We were reminded that AYM is a member of ARRCC. Regional meetings and individuals are encouraged to become members.

Helen Gould and Arthur Wells are offering a course on Asian Spirituality and Our Earth in Crisis at Silver Wattle (30 August 30 – 5 September).

2) Recommendations from Preparatory Session Friends raised the need to have a more accurate title for this section, since NCCA is ecumenical; perhaps NCCA could deleted from the title which them becomes Ecumenical and Multi-faith

We also need to be more active in eliciting reports for Documents in Advance from Friends linking with non-Christian faiths.

Dale Hess (VRM), Clerk; Bruce Henry (VRM), Recording Clerk

First Nations Peoples’ Concerns Committee Preparatory Session Report

The Committee’s report appears on pages 35-37 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report: Chris Hughes, convenor of the First Nations People’s Concern Committee acknowledged the country on which we meet and expressed gratitude for the Welcome to Country we received on Saturday from Janice Ross. We hear that the committee no longer wishes to pursue the recommendation that correspondents become committee members (as per part B of the report in DiA).

We hear that many First Nations Peoples prefer the term Original Australians and that the committee will move towards using this language. We encourage Friends to look at Appendix 1 in DiA for further exploration of this and to be conscious of their own language use when referring to Original Australians.

52 We heard the responses from each Regional Meeting and note that the FNPC committee looks forward to receiving greater detail of the actions Friends are taking individually and in their local communities.

We are reminded that in supporting Original Australians, it is our place to listen. It is not our place to presume to be experts, to tell others what to do, we need to wait to be asked. Building relationships is a slow process of working together in ways that can be enriching and ongoing. We may need to become better educated to work with others’ trauma, which may mean we need to work with our own trauma.

There was deep sharing about work Friends are engaging in with Original Australians and towards deepening our own understanding of the trauma and experiences of this country and Original Australians. We heard of an experiment that involved visiting a massacre site on invasion day and a rich experience that lead to new ways of seeing and hearing the land. We heard about the importance of repatriation of ancestral remains and the ongoing trauma of the often long and arduous process of attempting to return these remains to country. As one Friend said, ‘This matters to me, that your ancestors come back to country, because my healing is tied up in your healing.’

Recommendations to Yearly Meeting: We are reminded that the Uluru Statement from the Heart was a gift to the Australian people. We encourage Friends to engage with and display this statement in our Meeting Houses.

Anna Wilkinson (VRM), Clerk; Emily Chapman-Searle (TRM), Recording Clerk

The Friends’ School and Quaker Values Committee Presentation Report

A report from The Friends' School was included in Documents in Advance on pp. 39 & 40.

The Friends' School Report session was facilitated by Nelson File, Principal, and included contributions by:

- Karen Wilson, the Quaker Community Coordinator, - Julian Robertson, Presiding Member of the School's Board of Governors, - Allan Knight, Convenor of the Quaker Values Committee of the Board of Governors - Liz Field, a member of the Quaker Values Committee and an old scholar, and - Rosie Bray, a student at the School

Karen Wilson mentioned that The Friends' School has an amazing legacy and provides the most intensive outreach that Quakers have in Australia, and emphasised the strong commitment by staff, who are not Quakers, to Quaker values, and that these are implemented within their classroom practice.

Allan Knight and Liz Field reported on their visit to the School in May, as members of the Quaker Values Committee, when there was a focus on the implementation of an element of the School's Purpose and Concerns statement, relating to physical development of the students.

Rosie Bray spoke of the support given to her during her settling in period, and how she regards Walker House at Friends' School as her second family.

53 A short video was shown, which featured Justin Burns-Nichols, an old scholar and past recipient of financial assistance from the Mather Endowment Trust. This trust provides assistance to mainly students from rural areas who would not otherwise be able to attend Friends' School.

Quotes from responses to a recent Alumni survey question "How did your experience at The Friends' School impact your life in both small and large ways?" were displayed. These illustrated the long-term impact on old scholars' lives of the Quaker values and ethos imbued in the School, and the "kindness that was inherent in the culture of Friends'".

It was reported that a number of old scholars have served at QUNO in Geneva and New York.

Appreciation was expressed to The Friends' School for their hosting of YM2019.

Jenny Madeline (NSWRM), Clerk

Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) Preparatory Session

The Committee’s report appears on pages 40-41 of Documents in Advance 2019. 1) The Report: YM 19 welcomed both Lady Borton and Graham Chapman joining us for our annual Australian gathering:

Lady Borton, peace and social justice worker in Vietnam over a period of more than 50 years is our FWCC- Asia West Pacific Section guest. Lady spoke broadly of the factors that had led her to work with American Friends Service Committee in Vietnam during and since the American War. In that time, Lady has been involved in many peace and social justice initiatives. Following YM 19, Lady will travel in the ministry to Friends in the eastern states of Australia, accompanied by Rowe Morrow. At the request of the AYM FWCC committee, Lady will then visit and report to Singapore Quaker Worship Group en route to HaNo

Graham Chapman, representative from the YM of Aotearoa/New Zealand, spoke about the structure and processes of the YM of Aotearoa/New Zealand and the importance and recognition of the Maori language as well as sign language nationally across New Zealand as well as among Friends. Graham will give a longer presentation to interested Friends during Friday’s Share and Tell.

Maxine Cooper (AWPS Assistant Clerk) and Ronis Chapman (AWPS Secretary) spoke of the FWCC- AWPS Section Gathering in Hong Kong in October 2018. They then shared a little of the diversity and richness of spiritual experience among Friends in the Asia West Pacific region. Other Friends are encouraged to actively enter into the work of FWCC- AWPS at all levels – including creating Companion Meetings, signing up for the AWPS electronic newsletter and joining the regular Meeting for Worship Online. One of these meetings was held at 5pm Thursday during YM with a group gathering in the Meeting House.

Several Friends spoke of the valuable contributions AWPS is making to the life of Australia Yearly Meeting.

2) Recommendations to Yearly Meeting:

We noted the matters for consideration as set out in Documents in Advance: (p.41)

54 • that YM19 accept the changed Handbook entry (during the handbook session); i.e. changes in the way AYM representatives to overseas FWCC events are sought and decided upon; and • YM19 approve the Expressions of Interest process criteria

a) Expressions of Interest Criteria for AWP Visitors to YM We heard the proposed Expressions of Interest criteria but did not have time to fully consider their content, as they were not available in advance. Friends present were generally supportive of the proposals and no specific concerns were raised during the session. The documents are now available on the YM19 website. A small number of copies are available at the helpdesk. The committee looks forward to feedback via its Regional Meetings and Young Friends representative.

We ask that the process descriptions be included in Documents in Retrospect. (See the Criteria following the Report.)

b) Changing the AYM FWCC Committee name: We heard a further concern of the AYM FWCC committee regarding the need for a more immediately descriptive and understandable name for the Committee. Friends are reminded that such a name would ideally be capable of translation into Asian and Pacific languages, thus rendering it readily understood across the Asia West Pacific region. This matter is raised asking Friends for input into the choice of a more appropriate name for the AYM FWCC Committee. (e.g. AYM Quaker Global Connections Committee)

The committee members are: Representatives: Connor Chaffey YF, David Evans SANTRM, Julie Walpole TRM (convener), Marian James QRM, Rowe Morrow NSWRM, Sharon Matthews WARM, Shelini Harris CRM, and Sue Ennis VRM

Ex officio members: Aletia Dundas (AWPS representative to QUNO New York), Harold Wilkinson (AWPS Treasurer), Maxine Cooper (AWPS Assistant Clerk) and Ronis Chapman (AWPS Secretary).

David Liversidge (CRM), Clerk

Expression of Interest for FWCC-AWP Section Visitors to YM

SELECTION OF FWCC VISITORS TO YMs Discussions as at April 2019

SC 1.19.16: extract from Report on FWCC AWP Visitors to YM19 In the future FWCC Committee plans to ask for expressions of interest from any Friend within the Asia West Pacific Section to visit YM in Australia, with support of their Yearly Meeting or a Quaker organisation within the region. We support this as a way forward for FWCC Committee, noting that this method of selection requires careful discernment.

Before YM19 we intend to meet and discuss the possibility of a Visitor role which is applied for by any Friend in the region and considered by the FWCC committee. The application would need the support of either their yearly meeting, or a Quaker organisation active in the region. The focus would be on a visit to Australian meetings, including AYM, with a defined purpose in mind.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CRITERIA FOR FWCC-AWP VISITORS TO YM

Extract AYM FWCC Committee meeting 6 January 2019: It is proposed that, from 2020 anyone in the FWCC Asia-Pacific Section could express interest in

55 attending as our FWCC Visitor to AYM.

In communicating this interest to the FWCC Committee, following these basic talking points:

1) A simple background about themselves, including their life as a Quaker 2) How this trip is likely to be of benefit, either to Friends in their country or community, or the Section as a whole, or in strengthening their faith-in-action. 3) Allowing for cultural modesty on their side, what they hope they could convey to Australia Yearly Meeting about Friends in their country, the Section, and/or their faith-in-action 4) Attendance at AYM aside, how coming to Australia and meeting with Friends or others might energise their faith-in-action work in their locality or in the Section as a whole. 5) A letter of support from their own yearly meeting, or alternatively (for example, in the case of an isolated Friend or one whose resident country does not easily permit the establishment of a yearly meeting) a letter of support from the FWCC AWP executive

For the moment, the responsibility for managing the visit belongs to the AYM FWCC Committee. We are hopeful to find new ways to include Regional Meetings more directly in the organization of the trips, especially before and after visits.

Questions for decision by the FWCC Committee: 1) How is the connection of a potential Visitor with the AWP Section assessed? 2) How can we ensure that a potential Visitor is in good standing in their own YM? 3) What will be the process if a potential Visitor is not with an affiliated YM? 4) How is it best to promote our Visitor role within the region and reach potential Visitors? 5) How can we ensure that a Visitor can return to the AWP section to share and promote their experience and learnings?

Please send feedback on the EOI Criteria by 25 September to [email protected] . Handbook Revision Committee Preparatory Session Report

The Committee’s report appears on pages 41-45 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report: Jennifer Burrell led Friends through the Handbook revisions using a PowerPoint presentation. She reminded us that our practices follow the Spirit of Truth, and that the Handbook changes constantly to reflect truthfully our changing practices. Jennifer also pointed out the online Handbook will never be perfect but will as closely as possible reflect our current practices.

It was noted that all RMs supported the Part B recommendations in the Handbook Revision Committee’s report in DiA (see Recommendation 1 below).

As a result of the HRC’s review process it has been identified that the urgent decision-making procedures in the AYM Rules of Association, and therefore the Handbook, may no longer be fit for purpose and the 14 days to call for an urgent meeting of Standing Committee is too long. This matter was brought to RMs through DiA and all RMs were in unity that the urgent decision-making processes of Standing Committee should be reviewed (see Recommendation 2 below).

Particular Handbook items on which RMs were not in unity were considered for discernment: • Professional setting of the 7th edition of the Handbook – due to its cost implications it is recommended that this matter be considered at the Standing Committee meeting in August 2019 to review the AYM budget • Chapter 1 title – we recommend the title be “Quaker Beliefs, Worship and Decision-making Processes”

56 • Section 2.3.5 – it is recommended that the HRC consult with RM finance committees on the wording of this section and prepare a draft rewording for YM2020, and in the meantime that this sentence be removed from the Handbook • Section 2.4.2 – it was agreed that AYM property not be listed on the AYM website • Section 2.6 – it is recommended that AYM publications committee should review its guidelines to include copyright and intellectual property considerations. • Section 4.8.4 – RMs were not in unity to any change to the phrase ‘the grace of god’ for Testimonies and as such no changes will be made to the Handbook • Section 5.3.8.2 – we agree to leave this section in the Handbook and review its placement on the AYM webpage at a future YM • Section 1.4 – Friends asked that the Handbook reflect our tradition of allowing for a Friend not in agreement with a decision to stand aside which can then allow for a decision on which the meeting is in unity to be accepted, and also that the Handbook reflect the possibility that a Friend may have a stop in their mind which can result in a matter being deferred for later discernment. The HRC is asked to revise the wording presented to YM2019 to make this clear and present another draft of this section to YM2020. • Section 2.3.6 (revised text on responsibilities around reporting of Quaker events to the AYM secretary) - it is recommended that the revised text presented at this preparatory session for this section be accepted. • Section 3.4.1 (text on requirements for membership and attendance at meetings for worship for business) – it is recommended the revised text as presented at this preparatory session be accepted. • Section 4.4.2 (Planning a wedding or celebration of commitment) – it is recommended the revised text as presented at this preparatory session be accepted but the order of the text be such that the paragraph about couples who are not Quaker be after the paragraphs on Quaker partners, and the words ‘but not limited to a clearness meeting’ be added within the 3rd paragraph • Section 4.4.3 – it is recommended the revised text as presented at this preparatory session be accepted.

2) Recommendations to Yearly Meeting: 1) We recommend that the Part B recommendations in the Handbook Revision Committee’s report in DiA be accepted by AYM. 2) We recommend a review of Standing Committee, which would necessitate a review of the AYM Rules of Association. 3) We recommend that those changes to the Handbook which all Regional Meetings supported be accepted by AYM. 4) We recommend that the Handbook revisions agreed to at the preparatory session as detailed in the report above be accepted by AYM

Ann Zubrick (WARM), Clerk; Allan Knight (WARM), Recording

IT Committee Preparatory Session

The Committee’s report appears on pages 46-48 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report Roger Sawkins and Michael Searle spoke to the IT committee report. We hear that the IT committee is looking for someone to make a video about Quakers in Australia to share on the Enquirers’ website. We also hear that Standing Committee has decided to meet via Zoom in August to finalise the budget for the next financial year.

There are many issues associated with recording and live streaming sessions which have 57 been raised by Regional Meetings and also during the preparatory session. Some of our discussions and discernments are not of a public nature. The privacy and safety of Friends as a whole could be jeopardised if such sessions were recorded or live streamed. We note that once something is publically available online, we lose control over how the content it used.

There is support for using technology, recognise that there are many benefits and challenges. We need to be mindful of these issues and work our way forward slowly. There is an eagerness for the access and inclusion technology offers and wariness about the privacy of individuals and corporate discernment. There is also great support for gathering in person and the desire to maintain this, while recognising we have a responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of our events. Yearly Meeting is also a gathering of those who can afford to attend. Making more of it available in other ways, invites more Friends into the discernment process.

We need to take this step by step. There is learning we need to undertake about how to use these technologies effectively so they enhance, rather than intrude on our gatherings. We need to work for clarity of terminology and technology.

There is greater clarity around the Backhouse Lecture. This is a prepared, public lecture. We feel there is value in recording and perhaps live streaming this if possible.

In thinking about the next step, we are asked to consider how we know when a session is ‘safe’ to be recorded and shared. One of the risks of a recording is the possibility of it being misused or misinterpreted at a later date. We feel there is a need to be able to speak freely during sessions at Yearly Meeting.

There is a sense that we are balancing concerns about privacy, cost and time with a need to embrace technology in order to reach isolated Friends and make Yearly Meeting more accessible. We accept that public events, like the Backhouse Lecture, could be live streamed or recorded, if our capacity allows. We need more time and more information before making a decision about recording other types of sessions and meetings.

2) Recommendations to bring to Yearly Meeting: • We ask the IT Committee to work with future YM Planning Committees to organise recording and streaming (where possible) of the Backhouse Lecture. • We ask the IT Committee to consider what the next step might be in this process.

Further questions for Yearly Meeting to consider regarding the live streaming of other sessions: • How do we know when a session is ‘safe’ to be live streamed? We need to be able to speak freely during sessions without fear about it being shared publicly. • What do we do with a recording after the event? • How do we reduce the impact of our meetings on the climate? • How do we know what live streaming really means? • Could the IT Committee provide more information about options / approaches for choosing which sessions are appropriate to record? • We ask the IT Committee to draft a protocol for streaming, which guides how the task is done, and the expectations of those who receive the stream, and listen to/view recordings made.

Aletia Dundas (NSWRM), Clerk; Emily Chpaman-Searle (TRM), Recording Clerk; Roger Sawkins, (QRM), Michael Searle (CRM), Presenters.

58 Peace Reports Preparatory Sessions I & II

1) The Report -Session I At this first Preparatory Peace session we heard short presentations supporting reports in DiA from:

1. Peter Hillery for the Peace and Social Justice Committee Fund. Funded Projects for 2018/9 are listed in the report in Documents in Advance 2019 (pp52-53). Peter Hillery spoke of the work for a South Sudanese man working for peace in South Sudan. Now a refugee residing in Australia, he works with the South Sudanese community in Melbourne and was funded to attend peace mediation training in Switzerland. A video is available on the PSJC website along with other news items, videos and reports. Friends are reminded that some $28,000 is available each year for projects. Funding for any one project may not exceed 10% of the capital unless specially approved. No recommendation for decision to YM from this report.

2. Siejin Pak for the North Korea Working Group We heard of Seijin Pak’s long-standing peace concern in North Korea. We learned that there is ongoing work by some American Friends. Following the tour 20 Australian Friends, including Seijin Pak, made to North Korea in October 2018, they have formed a Working group to explore ongoing connection and work with a farm community in North Korea. The working group includes Friends from every Regional Meeting except TRM. The working group is planning a second visit and considering possible ways to organise work with the community in North Korea.

The value of this work was recognised by Friends and those involved were encouraged to continue.

Their report in Documents in Advance 2019, pp50-52) asks AYM to consider the Working Party becoming an AYM Committee. There reason for this to enable them to speak more formally on behalf of AYM when negotiating with North Korean officials and when dealing with the Australian Federal Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Those at the preparatory session were not able to reach unity about recommending to a formal session that the working group become an AYM committee. Several suggestions were made about how to achieve the working groups desired outcome of being able to speak formally on behalf of AYM and the North Korea Working Group was asked to consider these suggestions and responses and offer a way forward to the second Peace session on Wednesday July 10.

3. Valerie Joy spoke to the concern raised by Dawn Joyce through Queensland Regional Meeting about Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions for companies profiting from the occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel. We were reminded of the significant impact and effectiveness of divestment on company’s decisions and projects. We learn that this is a step taken by Friends in Britain Yearly Meeting. We were reminded that divestment is a non-violent and peaceful way to protect Palestine.

The YM treasurer indicated that AYM funds are invested with ethical investments funds and these fund managers may need to research connections on our behalf to establish if we have any investments in companies that may be benefiting from Israeli occupation of Palestinne and that this may take time to do. QSA reminded Friends to take care especially with regard to media attention since divestment support for Palestine is contrary to government policy and may have consequences for QSA projects.

59 We bring the following recommendation to the formal session: We ask the YM Treasurer to request the fund managers responsible for investing on behalf of AYM to investigate and provide a report on companies or funds which may benefit from occupation of Palestinian lands and report on this matter to Standing Committee January 2020.

4. Valerie Joy spoke of the growing, moving and inspiring work for peace by Friends Peace Teams. She encouraged RMs and Friends to identify and support Young Friends who may wish to undertake International Peace Training which is offered every January in Indonesia. She reminded us that developing cultures of peace also includes and embraces permaculture. She hoped that generous Australian Friends might match the US $20,000 to extend this work, and reminded Friends of the request to become one of the valiant 50 sustainers.

5. Wies Schuiringa spoke to the emerging concern on the debate around Religious Freedom. Our Friend spoke of this forthcoming debate and Bill to come before Parliament and asked if AYM might make a submission. We understand that QPLC is already considering and addressing this concern.

2) Recommendations to bring to Yearly Meeting:

We ask the YM Treasurer to request the fund managers responsible for investing on behalf of AYM to investigate and provide a report on companies or funds which may benefit from occupation of Palestinian lands and report on this matter to Standing Committee January 2020.

1) The Report -Session II

We heard brief reports from:

1. Jenny Madeleine on the World War I exhibition. This travelling exhibition comprises several beautifully designed banners depicting dissent, courage and conscience displayed during and around the time of WWI—1914-1918, materials for people to make origami white poppies and an accompanying pamphlet. The banners collapse for transport and easy display and have been widely used in venues around Australia over the past 4 years. While attendance may have been modest, the display has attracted wider publicity and engaged many Friends in Regional Meetings. The project linked with other counter narratives and coalition links challenging the dominant ANZAC one. Images are available on the YM website and RMs can order individual banners for their Meeting House. (NOTE: The WWI Exhibition report follows the Peace Preparatory session Reports, on p57).

2. David Purnell reported on behalf of Harold Wilkinson, Convenor, Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee. The report in Documents in Advance 2019, pp55-58) shows the range of QPLC activities – the regular publication of Action Alerts and Watching Briefs, the drafting of letters for the Presiding Clerk to send to government and parliament, the maintaining of the website, and the occasional submission or media release. The areas of concern QPLC covered include – nuclear weapons, the arms race, militarisation, human rights, refugees, overseas aid, specific countries (West Papua, Sri Lanka, North Korea). QPLC followed up the lobbying workshop in 2018 with a presentation to Standing Committee in January, and offer to work with RMs to hold further workshops.

QPLC maintain links with the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN), and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). Where led and possible, QPLC are represented at their events and support their advocacy.

Since the report was prepared, QPLC have issued Action Alerts on – the Federal Election and New Government, and the US-Iran Conflict; and Watching Briefs on Lethal Autonomous Weapons (drones), Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), and the work of QUNO. They are preparing

60 Briefs on Protecting Whistleblowers in the context of national security laws; and Religious Freedom (in relation to the government’s proposed legislation). At the committee’s suggestion, the Presiding Clerk sent correspondence seeking greater efforts by the Government on behalf of the human rights of Julian Assange, and this received widespread support.

QPLC encourage Friends to seek ways to mark the International Day of Peace (21 September), in cooperation with other peace groups. The committee regard it as important in the current political environment for Friends to be seen publicly supporting actions which enhance peacemaking and human rights. QPLC values feedback from Friends about the concerns they wish to raise, and offers of assistance in developing Quakerly responses to crises (e.g. refugees). QPLC’s aim is, as far as possible, to reflect our testimonies, act for positive change, and seek to understand not only the overt nature of global issues but what lies beneath trends and crises.

David Purnell ended by quoting something that describes very well the situation we all face in our work for peace. In his Fulbright Lecture for 2019, the British politician David Miliband spoke to the theme A new arrogance of power: politics in the age of impunity. He says that a new normal is coming into view in which: • Civilians are seen as fair game for armed combatants; • Humanitarians are seen as an impediment to military tactics and therefore unfortunate but expendable collateral; and • Investigations of and accountability for war crimes are an optional extras for state as well as non-state actors.

We acknowledged and are grateful for the enormous effort and work done by QPLC.

3. Elizabeth PO’ and Adrian Glamorgan reported on attendance at the United Nations Office Preparatory Conference May 2019, addressing the Non-nuclear Proliferation Treaty. They proposed using the phrase “Imagining Shared Security” rather than focussing on nuclear weapons. They shared a PowerPoint highlighting many reasons why a Treaty is now more urgent than ever.

They invited Ffriends to promote education on shared security; to divest from companies involved in arms production and distribution; to join Mayors for Peace; to lobby local Members of Parliament; and encourage their city to sign up as a Peaceful City.

4. North Korea Working Party. Sejin Pak and Roger Sawkins spoke to their report in DiA outlining the experiences of those who travelled to North Korea in October 2018. The skill of their farmers was spoken of but also that there is limited food security should their crops fail.

We heard from the working group that to facilitate their work they need to be able to speak and act more formally on behalf of AYM when dealing with North Korean officials and Australian government officials. To facilitate this work, we recommend that the working group become the Quakers Australia North Korea Peace Support Group as outlined in the recommended minute below.

5. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. This matter was considered at the first of the Peace Preparatory sessions and as Friends were not able to come to unity on a minute on this matter at the formal session that followed the first peace preparatory session, it was further considered in the second peace preparatory session.

Friends were in unity that the recommendation to investigate what the current situation is in respect of AYM investments should be done before any further decisions were made, and include a recommendation to this affect below.

61 In discussion of the matter we heard from QSA that should AYM take the decision to divest from companies profiting from Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands that to avoid breaching their contract with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, QSA would need to stand aside from this decision.

Any interested Friends are encouraged through their Regional Meeting representative on the QSA Linkages sub-committee to offer any ideas on how QSA may reduce its reliance on government to fund projects.

Regional Meeting reports There was no time to hear reports on peace activities from Regional Meetings.

2) Recommendations to bring to Yearly Meeting:

• We recommend AYM adopt the following minute: AYM notes the important work thus far undertaken by the North Korea Working Group in improving our understanding of North Korea and its people, and in seeking ways to foster peaceful relationships with North Korea.

We recognise the need for this group to be able to act on behalf of AYM when dealing with North Korean officials and Australian Government officials. To this end we establish the Quakers Australia North Korea Peace Support Group.

We note this group may act on behalf of AYM on the matter of North Korea. The members of this group are Sejin Pak (SANTRM), Wilma Davidson (CRM), Sue Ennis (VRM), Adrian Glamorgan (WARM), Dale Hess (VRM), Rae Litting (NSWRM), Rowe Morrow (NSWRM), Roger Sawkins (QRM), David Swain (NSWRM).

We agree this support group can co-opt members as needed. The group will report at least annually to Yearly Meeting and has a term of three years.

• The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions recommendation: We ask the YM Treasurer to request the fund managers responsible for investing on behalf of AYM to investigate and provide a report on companies or funds which may benefit from Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and report on this matter to Standing Committee January 2020.

Allan Knight (WARM), Clerk; Ann Zubrick (WARM), Recording Clerk

e

Peace Session Report: World War One: Quaker witness to peace and non-violence (a travelling exhibition). Summary of Report to Peace Preparatory Session YM2019

The exhibition highlighted dissent, courage and conscience prior to, and during, WW1 (not only by Quakers). It also emphasised the need for our continuing commitment to peacemaking, disarmament and non-violent resolution of conflicts within and between nations. The exhibition provided a counterpoint to the approach being taken by the Australian Government to the centenary of WW1, including the myth that our national identity was forged at Gallipoli.

It was developed by a working group of the NSWRM Quaker Peace & Justice Committee (QP&JC), which was successful in obtaining a QP&LC Quaker Peace Project grant of $5,000. Friends, in NSW and beyond, provided assistance with research, access to family records, images, feedback on drafts, and general support and encouragement.

62 The main element of the exhibition was 10 pull-up/retractable banners, and additional material was used at some venues, including “Make your own origami White Poppies for Peace”. The $5,000 grant made it possible to engage a designer and this greatly enhanced the appearance and impact of the exhibition.

The titles of the 10 banners were: Who are the Quakers?, Bearing witness for peace, Challenging pre-WW1 militarism, Child Conscription - Our Country’s Shame, Dissent to war, Women and dissent, Quaker relief work, War and its aftermath, Continuing witness for peace and non-violence and Quaker witness today.

The exhibition was initially displayed at Devonshire Street Meeting House in September 2014 under the umbrella of the NSW History Week program. Over the four-year period of the centenary of WW1 it was shown, in one form or another, in every state and in the ACT, on approximately 20 occasions - for periods ranging from one day to two weeks.

Attendance numbers were rather modest at times, but the exhibition has had a life beyond the displays: via newspaper and journal articles, radio and community TV programs, YouTube, and follow-up enquiries received from students, researchers and others. The placement of PDF files of the banners on the AYM website, for viewing or download, has provided access to the Exhibition from within and beyond Australia. See: http://www.quakersaustralia.info/resources/exhibitions

In addition to QP&JC’s desire to bring the Quaker response to WW1 to the attention of the Australian public, Friends around Australia found, too, that there was much to learn from the exhibition, and that it provided an opportunity to build community.

Meetings can order copies of the exhibition banners, for use at their meeting house or at events. For instance, the "Who are the Quakers?" banner is displayed in the foyer of the Hobart Meeting House.

For NSWRM Friends, the development of the WW1 Exhibition, its display at a number of venues in NSW, and sending it on its way around Australia, was a very enriching and rewarding experience, and a continuation of the Quaker witness to peace and non-violence which was the essence of the Exhibition.

Jenny Madeline, convenor of the NSWRM QP&JC working group.

Publications Committee Preparatory Session

The Committee’s report appears on page 53 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report

We hear the report of the Publications Committee and express our gratitude for their work.

The Publications Committee welcomes suggestion on pamphlets to be updated or developed.

We note the guidance provided in Appendix 3, which appears in Documents in Advance 2019. We ask that anything using the AYM logo be brought through the YM discernment process. The purpose of publications purporting to represent Quakers generally, whether in print or electronic platforms, needs to come through a process of discernment through the appropriate body -- whether their local meeting, regional meeting or the AYM publications committee Clear guidelines are offered in Appendix 4, which appear in Documents in Advance 2019.

63 We accept the recommendations in Appendices 3 and 4 with the omission of the word 'gathered'.

We accept the suggestion that there be two versions of pamphlets adapted for print and online content.

We ask the Committee to reconsider use of Creative Commons licences, and which ones may be appropriate for our publications.

We note items posted to the Quakers Australia FaceBook page are vetted by our AYM Secretary and Clerk.

The QA Group page is a closed group and items are monitored by three Friends.

2) Recommendations to bring to Yearly Meeting:

1. We ask YM to accept the recommendations in Appendices 3 and 4 with the omission of the word 'gathered'. 2. We ask the Committee to reconsider use of Creative Commons licences, and which ones may be appropriate for our publications. 3. We accept the suggestion that there be two versions of pamphlets adapted for print and online content.

Sheila Keane (NSWRM), Clerk; Connor Chaffey (VRM), Recording Clerk

Quaker Service Australia and QSA Linkages Sub-Committee Preparatory Session

The Committee’s report appears on pages 58-59 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report: Jackie Perkins, Topsy Evans and Rowe Morrow spoke to a powerpoint presentation with many photos about QSA projects in Cambodia, India, Bangladesh and Uganda which were expanded upon in their presentations.

Apologies were given that there was no information or photos regarding QSA projects with Indigenous Peoples in Australia, but with the death of QRM Member David Carline, communications with these projects had fallen down and little or no reconnection had been made thus far. David Carline had been sadly missed since his death last year.

There were no issues and/or recommendations that QSA brought forth to YM this year. The prep session was chiefly an opportunity to give more detailed information about some of the projects that QSA are currently undertaking. For more information, please see Documents in Advance 2019, p58, visit their website https://qsa.org.au or contact Jackie Perkins for a copy of her PowerPoint presentation.

Report: QSA Linkages Sub-Committee A number of Friends spoke regarding QSA projects directly connected to their Regional Meeting after QSA gave grants worth up to $10,000 each.

Duncan Frewin (QRM) did not speak, but slides were shown of the project with Jackie Perkins giving details.

64 Topsy Evans (SANTRM) spoke about an Australian Refugee Association Youth Hangout Centre.

David Tehr (WARM) spoke about the It Takes A Village refugee centre.

Jill Parris (VRM) spoke of founding the “hope co-op”, as well as a harrowing story of a young asylum seeker being sent back home, probably to be shot and executed by his government.

Kay de Vogel (CRM) spoke of the difficulty in finding a project for just $10,000, but then finding two girls with intellectual disabilities who were asylum seekers to assist with their education, as well as assisting an Afghan soccer team.

There was a video presentation from Friends School (TRM) regarding the YMEP – Youth Migrant Education Program.

Because of a lack of time, there were no queries or comments from the floor.

2) Recommendations to bring to Yearly Meeting:

QSA Linkages Sub-Committee – as per DiA: “We hope to spread knowledge about the great work being done by QSA more widely throughout Friends and others and to increase their support for its work”

One possible way of doing this is to copy and amend the idea of “twinning” where cities, municipalities, etc. “twin” themselves with another body in another country.

One possible route for this concept would be to “twin toilets”, where a community’s life could be improved by improving the sanitation facility.

Regional Meetings would raise funds for a goal which is specific, measurable and achievable. Possible names for this project could be “pay to pee”, “do a dunny”, etc.

David Tehr (WARM), Clerk

Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Preparatory Session

The Committee’s report appears on pages 59-63 of Documents in Advance 2019.

Jennifer Burrell, from the Right Holding of Yearly Meeting Committee (RHYMC), presented the committee’s findings based on surveys, workshops, friendly schools, share and tells and other discussions. All documentation collected during this process is available on the RHYMC website (on quakersaustralia.info). The key question arising from these findings is: ‘What is the purpose of Yearly Meeting Gathering?’ The Committee has heard three clear responses to this question. Based on responses from Friends around Australia, the purpose of Yearly Meeting is the community found in an all ages gathering, the opportunity to learn in community and as a place to discern the spirit as we conduct our business. The committee will bring its final report to YM2020.

The committee has presented two models in DiA, noting that neither model is recommended at this time. The collaborative organisation model sees a number of Regional Meetings taking responsibility for organising certain components of the Yearly Meeting program. The process of discernment model relates to the review of Standing Committee as it is a change of the decision- making process, rather than focusing on how the gathering is organised. This model sees

65 discernment occurring throughout the year at a more measured pace, with multiple iterations of Documents in Advance throughout the year with discernment by Regional Meetings. This model suggests that items, where there is unity from all Regional Meetings, are accepted and only those items with disagreement to go to Standing Committee or Documents in Advance (include picture of model/s).

We hear that: • Tasmania Regional Meeting is not willing to continue hosting Yearly Meeting every three years. • There is a need for further consideration of the model of Yearly Meeting Gatherings and changes to the current system. • Changes to the timing and processes for Yearly Meeting are likely to lead to changes in the role, responsibilities, authority and delegations of Standing Committee. • The current practice of holding Yearly Meeting in July presents challenges for our current financial systems.

There were Friendly School and Friendly Group Sessions held during YM2019. Key issues that came from discussions held during YM2019 are: • Strong concern for inclusion of Junior Young Friends and children and that this organisation is not seen as a burden • How do we manage our environmental impacts in a time of climate crisis? • How do we know if a Yearly Meeting Gathering has been successful? We need success criteria against which to measure our events

We hear about the plans for the YM2021 to be hosted by Queensland Regional Meeting. Friends in Queensland have discerned that they are not able to organise the entirety of what we have come to expect in a Yearly Meeting Gathering. They are proposing a gathering with ‘Business and Backhouse’. We note that following Standing Committee earlier in the week, Regional Meetings have been asked to consider organising an all-ages gathering. We recognise that Queensland Regional Meeting is acting with integrity and recognising their own energy and limits. We have heard distress at the possibility of a Yearly Meeting without children or Junior Young Friends. Thursday’s Friendly Group have come to a vision of an all-ages gathering to take place at the same, or nearby venue that contains many of the elements Queensland Friends feel unable to organise. We hear that there are offers from Friends to organise the other elements.

2) Recommendations to Yearly Meeting: In general, Regional Meetings were in unity, or not in dis-unity, about the recommendations presented in Documents in Advance.

1. We recommend that the Yearly Meeting Gathering cycle be disassociated from our Yearly Meeting financial year to allow more flexibility about the time of year the Yearly Meeting Gathering is held, and provide more certainty for the Treasurer and finance committee.

2. We recommend that AYM endorse the committee’s first four recommendations as presented in Documents in Advance: a. That AYM should continue actively experimenting beyond the lifetime of the current committee (AYM2020) b. The RHYM Committee should continue to refine guidelines and options, with input from Friends across Australia c. That the committee work towards refining the models, and will present their findings at YM2020, where it expects to lay down its service d. We agree that the RHYM Committee continue throughout the coming year to seek input on the suggested models for holding Yearly Meeting in the future, with a view to presenting a final report at YM2020. We hope that the use of models will

66 enable us to experiment adventurously while retaining our cherished elements of our current model

3. (Based on recommendation 5 from Documents in Advance) We recommend a review of the role, responsibilities, authority and delegations of Standing Committee and the rules of the association of AYM. We recognise that Standing Committee cannot effectively review its own processes. We note that Yearly Meeting has already asked Standing Committee to devise a process to review its emergency-decision making processes. We ask AYM to broaden the scope and propose a process for the review of its role, responsibilities, authority and delegations and report back to Regional Meetings.

4. We ask Standing Committee to consider the following questions in devising this process and in the review: a) The same or a separate working group should consider how this would change the agenda for Yearly Meeting b) Both groups should be tasked to work with Queensland Regional Meeting prior to YM2021 c) The Committee does not believe it is its role to establish such committees, but suggest that members of the RHYM and Presiding Clerk’s and AYM Secretary’s support committees may be able to work on this. The AYM Clerk, Secretary and Treasurer should be members ex officio. d) We believe the AYM Clerk, Secretary and Treasurer may need additional practical support during a time of change.

5. We recommend that venues with wifi, projection capacity and video conferencing capacity be given preference as venues for holding Yearly Meeting & that IT committee investigate fit-for-purpose AV equipment, with consideration of the value proposition of renting vs purchasing, and of outsourcing video streaming and videoconferencing every Yearly Meeting.

6. There is support for a paid worker for Junior Young Friends at Yearly Meeting, and a strong recognition that children and Junior Young Friends form an important part of our community. We agree that a paid coordinator/worker should be considered as part of our budget for YMs 7. We note there was not unity from Regional Meeting responses on the matter of hiring a conference organiser. We ask the RHYMC to continue exploring this possibility

8. We hear there are individual Friends who are offering to help organise the other elements of YM2021, to run concurrently with the ‘Business and Backhouse’ offering from Queensland Regional Meeting. We make the following recommendations in relation to these gatherings: a) They be held during school holidays b) They be seen as a trial of both models recommended by the RHYMC c) They be run concurrently as much as possible

9. We hear that Tracy Bourne has offered to convene the children’s program for YM 2021. We ask other Friends and Regional Meetings to consider how they might be led to contribute to planning of YM 2021

10. We note that the YM Planning Support Committee had recommended in Documents in Advance that it be laid down. However, we ask nominations committee to reappoint this committee so it may support this ongoing experiment of the organisation of Yearly Meeting

67 Safe Quaker Community Preparatory Session

The Committee’s report appears on pages 63-64 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report: Robin McLean reported on the work of the SQC Committee’s activity and pointed out some issues in the implementation of the policy. She mentioned the SQC website which is full of resource material, https:/www.quakersaustralia.info/SQC.

Some of the suggestions from participants about the policy were: • It was suggested that the following be included in the policy: “AYM seeks to provide a safe, secure place for all, free from violence, threat or harassment. All abuse, whether physical or verbal, is contrary to living in the Light” (Toronto Monthly Meeting) • consider widening the definition to a list of disrespectful behaviours. • perhaps strengthen the wording about where behaviours can occur

Suggestions for Regional meetings: • that all RM’s pay for the travel costs of their 2 Contact Friends to attend the 2-day workshop to be held 5-6 October 2019 in Brisbane • If one or both Contact Friend is unable to attend the CF workshop, we ask RM’s to financially support an interested person (or persons) to attend in their place. • that there be regular reports about SQC at Regional Meetings, and that Local Meetings and Worshipping Groups hear about the Policy and its requirements. This is a policy where everybody has responsibilities. • that Contact Friends meet with M & O and/or other related RM committees • that RMs have an annual review or other ways of revisiting implementation of the policy. • posters could be placed on back of toilet doors • perhaps a different poster for events from the poster for Meeting spaces • Rented accommodation is a difficult area for posters. Perhaps A5 posters could be used there

2) Recommendations to Yearly Meeting: • We recommend that YM 2019 adopt the revised Safe Quaker Community policy, given that this is a “Living Document”. • We hope that errors of fact in the Policy might in future be corrected by the SQC Committee but that more important changes could be approved by Standing Committee. • We recommend that the budget allocation to the SQC Committee remain the same. • We thank the outgoing Committee members: Robin McLean, TRM (Convener); Ronis Chapman, CRM; David Barry, SANTRM, for all their work. Bruce Henry (VRM), Convenor; Dale Hess (VRM), Recording Clerk

Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Report Session

The Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Report appears on pages 65-66 of Documents in Advance 2019.

1) The Report A report on the operations of the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre was provided by Sheila Keane, with additional contributions by David Liversidge and Julian Robertson.

68 We hear that Silver Wattle Quaker Centre has been in operation for ten years and note that it has established itself as an integral part of the life of Australian Quakers.

Silver Wattle ran seven courses last year and has received positive feedback about the impact of these on individuals and in the corporate life of Australian Friends. Silver Wattle also hosts a range of Quaker events, for example the Friends Fellowship of Healing gathering and the Canberra Regional Meeting retreat. Non-Quaker groups hiring the venue last year included a range of religious/spiritual groups (Zen, Yoga, Anglican, Catholic) as well as groups supporting social justice such as the “Us Mob” Writers group, Act for Peace training, and an international student group.

The increase in course participation, growth in the number and range of venue hires, and tenancy of the cottage have enabled a small operational surplus this year. This gives some confidence that the business model is viable. However, a number of major capital improvements were required this year. For example, failing gas heating and hot water systems have been replaced by energy- efficient alternatives, and the cottage has been refurbished, allowing it to be tenanted. This has depleted financial reserves, and donations are needed to replenish these.

While there are now three part-time staff members, Silver Wattle is still heavily reliant on volunteers; Friends in Residence, gardeners, course leaders, elders, treasurer, board members and the Centre directors. Much property maintenance and land care work is also done by volunteers. A suggestion that these land care allied support events be scheduled immediately before or after particular study courses was favourably received. The current Centre directors, Catherine Hutchison and Brendan James, will be leaving in May 2020. The Board welcomes inquiries and expressions of interest for becoming the next Silver Wattle centre director/s. Silver Wattle is also in need of securing the services of people expertise in publicity, fundraising and IT to become Board members or serve in a non-Board role.

Details of upcoming courses can be found on the Silver Wattle website, including the Easter Family Gathering, which will now be hosted by the Centre. Some courses have been designed to be of direct relevance to AYM members, such as the course aimed at Young Adult Friends. Regional Meetings are urged to support financially members wishing to attend this and other courses. There is financial support available from the Friends Fellowship of Healing, for people needing physical and spiritual respite to attend Silver Wattle. Anyone wishing to apply for such support should contact their RM Clerks

Alan Clayton (VRM), Clerk; Yarrow Andrew (SANTRM), Recording Clerk

REPORTS FROM THE FORMAL SESSIONS

Greetings from the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) (Ref: YM19.12)

To Australia Yearly Meeting Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

69 Dear Friends,

We send you loving greetings from the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC) World Office in London – and from Friends across the world. As we rejoice, we send you love and hope for a gathered yearly meeting. May God bless your being together!

At this important time of challenge, we treasure our love of God and our being Quakers! These give us hope when we need it. We know that God loves us and will help us continue to love the world, just as God does.

The Friends World Committee for Consultation celebrates the many ways we come together – for fellowship and worship – sensing the unity of joyful hearts. We come from many different countries and cultures, we speak different languages, and we worship God in different ways. This diversity, even as we speak the shared language of the heart, is indeed our strength.

We share a longing for the healing of all creation. We share a broad and insistent vision for a peaceful world. We share a love of God, with the hope of being made new, again and again. It is this transforming love that helps us see each day with new eyes. It is this deep understanding that overcomes all difference. We are equal in the sight of God.

FWCC brings us together and gives us hope: FWCC joins our passions and strengthens the Quaker voice in the world. FWCC ensures that Friends are represented at the world level at the Quaker United Nations Offices, the World Council of Churches, and among global Christian Communions. FWCC is working on several initiatives: o Sustaining life on earth as a spiritual imperative, engaging yearly meetings and Young Adult Friends o Opening dialogue on issues of injustice and privilege, exploring new ways of being together o Building bridges across the theological spectrum o Considering stewardship of our resources to support Quaker work o Strengthening ministry and leadership through the Young Adult Friends Development Fund With this greeting, I invite you to engage with FWCC through our website and Facebook, to give financially to FWCC through your Section, and to support and pray for your Section Secretary. And most importantly, I invite you to engage with other Friends who share your passion for life and love.

We hope you are all planning for World Quaker Day October 6, 2019 with the theme: Sustainability: Planting Seeds of Renewal for the World We Love. We also post epistles we receive so that Friends might see how God is moving amongst us. Please send your epistle to [email protected].

As we enjoy unity within our diversity, we thank you for your faithful support of our work.

In loving Friendship, Gretchen Castle, FWCC General Secretary

Report from Australia Yearly Meeting 2019 Representative to Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa / New Zealand 2019 (Ref: YM19.53)

Kia Ora, Friends.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have been the AYM representative to the Yearly Meeting of Aotearoa New Zealand in May this year. 70

I began my stay at Friends House in Mt. Eden Auckland and was warmly welcomed by Michael Conklin and Patti Nesbitt, Resident Friends in Auckland Friends Centre, from Baltimore Yearly Meeting in the USA. Patti and Michael are members of the Intervisitation Working Group, a committed community of 17 energetic Friends who share the vision of reconnecting and strengthening bonds within the worldwide Quaker fellowship. They also explained that in order to serve as resident Friends in New Zealand, they are now required to have Religious Workers visas, which has added a new dimension to their understanding of their time in service.

Auckland Friends hosted a shared meal at the Friends Centre, and we discussed the upcoming Yearly Meeting that would be held at Whanganui Settlement. My contribution to the meal were wonderful vegetables and herbs from the raised-bed gardens outside the Meetinghouse, that are tended by Auckland Friends.

I travelled to Whanganui and arrived late afternoon at the Whanganui Settlement. Those of us who arrived early for the Preparation Day prior to the start of Yearly Meeting, ate dinner together to get better acquainted, and then returned to the Settlement for tea by the fireplace hearth—which would become the gathering place for Friends during Yearly Meeting. My host Jill had my electric blanket warming my bed, for which I was very grateful that first night.

25 Quakers attended Preparation Day which is designed to help Friends come to Yearly Meeting with hearts and minds prepared. Simple creative exercises helped open us to explore how Spirit worked in our lives and in our meetings. We were asked to consider: What enthuses you? What is your aspiration for this Yearly Meeting? What is your aspiration for the Religious Society of Friends?

With Friend Elizabeth Duke (who delivered the Quaker Lecture in 2018) we considered various ways in which we make Quaker decisions other than as a single face-to-face body: seeking unity through Monthly Meetings in their own locations; seeking unity when some or all participants take part electronically; seeking unity through correspondence by email (often used by committees). All posed the same question: “In what ways does the method enable the body to act as one, and in what ways does it fail to enable it to act as one?”

We then considered how Friends can help their Monthly Meeting Clerks and the Yearly Meeting Clerk.

I found these sessions enriching and grounding as we moved into Yearly Meeting itself.

Whanganui settlers (and helpers) prepared wonderful vegetarian meals for about 100 Friends attending YM, served in a huge marquee, heated by several heaters. The Quaker Settlement had just hosted 45 environmental studies students from Earlham College in the USA for three weeks; this one of several income-generating programs run by the Settlement.

2019 is the centenary of the purchase of the land for Friends School which operated on the site until 1969. 11 past pupils were present. I was touched by the deep connections that A/NZ Friends have to the Friends’ School, and came to understand its importance to their Quaker history and sense of community.

A/NZ YM sessions touched on similar themes to ours: o IT and the new website - seen as a valuable outreach tool o the challenges faced by shrinking numbers but the desire to do many things o the climate emergency seen as a spiritual crisis

71 o concerns that in gathering and communicating locally nationally and internationally we enlarge our carbon footprint balanced with the wish to make the Quaker voice heard clearly and effectively in wider forums o fostering community with all ages at Yearly Meetings and other gatherings

I gave a short presentation about AYM and our current concerns.

A Zoom meeting with Terry Waite (which followed a recorded repeat of his Quaker Lecture delivered in February) was inspiring.

The Christchurch Massacre and Friends’ responses permeated Yearly Meeting. It was a time of sharing. lamenting, healing and seeking guidance following this tragedy. We were blessed to have a Muslim Attender from Christchurch speak openly about authentic ways to be of help and service to others.

In the final session we all joined a Zoom meeting with Anya Bukholt-Payne, from Whanaganui Settlement, who along with another Quaker, supported by funding from AQPSANZ, have grown a movement with the singular goal of educating young people to become innovative climate leaders. Anya and her team have led workshops across the country that have now led almost one thousand young New Zealanders to become more informed about the realities of Climate Change, and how they can play a part in reversing it. We were all inspired and energised by Anya’s vision for ways to make a difference.

Following YM, I travelled then to Wellington Friends, staying at Friends House, having a shared meal with Friends from Wellington Meeting who were now friends and learning more about the meeting’s thriving children’s program, nurtured by resident Friends David and Louse Tinsley from the UK.

I travelled then to Nelson Friends and met Friends engaged with a new stitching project to tell the story of New Zealand Quakers. Inspired by the Kendal Tapestries and the Australian Friends in Stiches Project, New Zealand Friends. led by Friends Pat Morrissey and Liz McLeod, are embarking on their own journey to tell their unique history.

I returned to Auckland for one last night’s stay at the Friends House, and dinner with two elders known to many Australian Friends, Linley and Claire Gregory to discuss A/NZ Quaker process, meeting for business practice, and how matters were handled at the Monthly Meeting level. Stimulating talk to end my stay with New Zealand Friends.

I am grateful for the generosity of A/NZ Friends and for all they shared with me, not just about their business practices but about their deep sense of community amongst the Monthly Meetings, their individual leadings and their hopes for the future.

I feel I now have a much better understanding of the connections we share with our A/NZ Friends, and how we can learn from one another as we seek answers to how our Society might grow and prosper.

Jacque Schultze AYM representative to YM of A/NZ May 2019

72 Quaker Earthcare Epistle on Climate Emergency & Species Extinction (Ref: YM19.54)

This Epistle arises from Australian Friends’ concern about our own –and others’ – further response to key environmental crises. We balance the outer urgency of these darkened times with the necessity of inward listening to the Light.

The space between these many words of our Earthcare Epistle are for the silent-soundless-voiceless ones who hold us all in the vast complex matrix of Life. If you find your quiet disturbed by this call for Friends and others to change our language and action, please note the clear need for kindness to self and all others is a soft insistence – we want you to be well in all ways, along with our planet. We are together finding friendship and new ways of being.

Friends may find it useful to read this epistle within Meeting in three parts over several weeks, allowing time for the journey: a lament for the world as it has become, a need to reconnect with our source, and practical ways forward.

eee Friends, in response to concerns about the climate emergency and species extinction, we offer this Quaker Earthcare Committee Epistle as a call to action shared at Yearly Meeting, Hobart 2019.

From Quaker Earthcare Statement (Australia Yearly Meeting 2008)

We are called to consider the world as an en-Spirited whole, to accept no boundary to repairing and sustaining the Earth for the future, and to appreciate more deeply the creative energy in all living things and life processes. We seek to mend what has been hurt, and to strengthen our courage to discern and bear witness to this spiritual care for the Earth.

73

Acknowledging the Great Harm [A Lament for the world as it has become]

Decades of warnings about rising global temperatures have not led to sufficient political, community, or personal action, that would reverse the effect of greenhouse gases affecting life on earth. Nor have we acted to halt the major species extinction event. We face great harm.

Through global heating we expect serious diminishment to our predictable planetary climate dynamics; affecting ice caps and glaciers (particularly those feeding five of Asia’s most significant rivers); our global conveyor currents, and regional weather patterns. We face acidifying oceans affecting marine life; and rising sea levels that will affect islands, estuaries and coastlines (particularly the islands of Asia and the Pacific. On land these rising temperatures brings shifts to timing and extent of rainfall, heat and seasons.

These geophysical effects of global heating interact in complex ways, disrupting life processes, threatening innumerable species on land and sea, with the prospect of a mass extinction event across the Earth. In Australia this means we face the bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef, further deterioration of the Murray Darling River Basin, loss of snowfields, and dislocation of other bioregions and habitats across the country. This also accelerates species loss.

The climate emergency and loss of biodiversity undermines in complex ways everything from agricultural viability and public health, to social stability, human development, and international peace. Rising greenhouse gases and species extinction remain insufficiently addressed. This lack of action undermines people’s trust in political processes.

Global heating exacerbates species extinction. The rapid disappearance of species around the Earth is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. More than 27,000 species are threatened with extinction, more than 27% of all assessed species. Australia has more than 1800 plants and animals on the threatened species list, with the highest rate of mammal extinctions in the world. Government promises of no more species extinctions have not been sufficiently guaranteed.

There are some signs of hope found in new technologies, in the 2016 Paris Agreement, broad statements of good intention by some business groups and the cautionary warnings of risk assessors and financial regulators. These have not stopped global heating. The valuable project work of volunteers and crowdfunding is no substitute for system wide intervention.

For all we can find to inspire and keep us hopeful, we acknowledge the painful truth: we are involved in a climate emergency and extinction crisis. In despoiling the earth, we have worked against the Spirit. Friends must listen anew; and more urgently prepare to aid each other and the wider world.

74

Strengthening our Courage to Discern and Bear Witness [Reconnecting with Source]

Our 2008 Australia Yearly Meeting Quaker Earthcare Statement points us towards a better relationship with creation. Friends’ Testimonies, and our work with silence, stillness and spiritual discernment encourages us to celebrate: • Wonder and appreciation for life on Earth; • Stewardship, that fosters development based on environmental capacity and human need; • Peace and social justice, including right relationship with Indigenous people; • Restorative practices that build trust one-to-one, socially, and between nations • Creativity, ingenuity, and love in our work; • Informed, inclusive decision making;

Australia Yearly Meeting adopted its Earthcare Statement in 2008. We found “delight in the grace of creation” and warned “we have ignored our interconnectedness with other living things.” As a Society we promised we would “seek to transform this culture of domination and exploitation….and develop a culture of caring for the planet.” We knew then that it would be required of us to “commit to the demanding, costly implications of radically changed ways of living.”

Friends are aware of the pressing issue of climate action and accept that concern for the environment needs to underpin all of our decisions and actions both individually and corporate. It is true many Friends support organisations which publicise and promote environmental change. Many Friends also have made dramatic adjustments to their lifestyle as a personal response. But it does not seem to be enough.

Others show the way. In the face of insufficient corporate action and political neglect, we see a multitude of communities around the world declaring a state of climate emergency. Young people in particular are demanding authentic action from decision makers as well as their elders: challenging the overly-accommodating policies towards corporations. Their school strikes for climate, along with nonviolent groups such as the Extinction Rebellion, remind us of the immediacy of the crisis. They reject half-hearted gestures, unfulfilled promises and willful neglect. They refresh the world with their calls for greater integrity, simplicity, community representation, and equality of all beings.

We thank the young and not-so-young campaigners for their inspiring leadership. They deserve our respect, and loving, practical support for their concerns. We also draw to the Light the polluters and despoilers. All need the care of the Spirit.

75 Deepening our Resolve to Mend What Has Been Hurt [Practical Ways Forward]

We take our share of responsibility for the global climate crisis. We resolve to mend what has been hurt. We must prepare to be both en-Spirited and practical. We draw again to the ways of Friends, seeking direction from the Inward Light, confident this way we will find the best ways forward to offer service.

Thus, Australia Yearly Meeting:

1) Resolves to more accurately name the environmental crisis affecting the planet as a climate emergency, crisis, or breakdown, preferring phrases such as global heating over global warming. The mass species extinction occurring is also a threat to life on Earth. Our plain words must communicate the catastrophe honestly and accurately, prompting both love and truth in our hearts;

2) Reminds Friends of the necessity of spiritual discernment based in silence and stillness. We are more likely to know how best to act when we each: a. hold gratitude for all: our aim is not to frighten people into action, but to draw them to a vision of the Earth which engenders joy, trust and generosity; b. keep open to the Spirit through daily practice, weekly Meeting for Worship, regular attendance at Meetings for Worship for Business, and by testing leadings; c. trust in nonviolent methods and gentle steady speech: this also eases anxiety, despair, doubt, fear, uncertainty, blame, loss, grief, isolation or disorientation, much of which can arise once the extent of the climate emergency and species extinction is understood; d. expect diversity in our individual and organisational responses, while remaining united to reduce climate harm; e. meet to study and reflect on the workings of the Spirit and Quaker Ways;

3) Calls on all Friends to collectively support each other to: a. deepen Friends’ personal and committee understanding of the material, spiritual and practical dimensions of the climate and extinction crisis; b. listen to and support our younger Friends in their calls to act promptly, mindful not to shoulder them with the full burden of effort, and to encourage them to find hope despite adversity; c. consider changing our individual and Meeting behaviours, including habits of a lifetime, to come to new decisions and practices that contribute to solutions; these may be concerned with shelter, transport, energy, food and other issues of human need, production, trade and consumption; d. experiment together as you address the causes of the crisis, sharing your findings, material and spiritual; e. foster a sense of belonging, appreciation and interdependence in the wider natural world; for example, by the Meeting trying such means as: i. walking country together; ii. engaging with permaculture design principles; iii. applying the science and arts to develop ecological literacy and insight; iv. cultivating community gardening; and v. forging regional and international friendships as a Meeting; f. listen well to the traditional owners of the land on which Friends meet; cultivate meaningful relationship; learn more about the original custodians’ ways and language; be prepared to discover what it is to belong to country; g. actively cultivate and learn those skills in which Quakers have a reputation for expertise: building peace, justice, trust, hope, reconciliation, listening to the Spirit

76 and developing the capacity of groups to take strategic nonviolent action; be prepared to teach these skills more widely, as they build community resilience and enable shared security.

4) Recognises that the climate emergency will require much more of Friends as individuals and as a Society. a. In most cases we will need to change the way we live and our expectations. Together we may find ways to switch from fossil fuel consumption, plastic packaging (derived from oil and contributing to overconsumption and species extinction); wasteful transport; and to remove ourselves from fossil fuel investment; participation in destructive agriculture; problematic production, and unnecessary consumption; b. Time is in contention. Our technologies have cut many processes down to microseconds, but in so doing humanity has upturned geological epochs. Living in the Anthropocene requires us to re-evaluate what we can each achieve in a day and a lifetime. The stillness we find in worship allows us to know what is to be done, and what we must be let go; c. Changes may feel like loss: we may sense inconvenience, sadness, grief and pain, or personal injustice. Mutual, communitarian support of each other has the power to console, empower and inspire; d. For those who lapse into despair, loneliness or fatalism, we offer informed hope, bold companionship and cheerful practicality;

5) Recognises that both within and beyond our Meeting the impacts of the climate emergency are being unevenly experienced by people who are poor, and so encourage Friends to: i. specifically address the social justice emergency arising from the environmental crisis; ii. be friends to those marginalised in the community. Their resilience has much to teach us, but climate crisis impacts them in disproportionate ways, and sometimes when they are without the means to respond. We seek to listen to people who are members of First Nations, or have experience being refugees, or older, or managing disability or sickness, or being homeless, unemployed or experiencing disadvantage in some way, so that they experience the full promise of community; iii. bring compassionate attention to those who have not awakened to the need for global healing and trust in the spirit; iv. learn more of the role played by militarism, racism, gender dynamics, social or economic policies, trade agreements, distributional systems, or political and corporate governance frameworks, which may be aggravating the climate and extinction crisis;

6) Asks the Australian Quaker Peace and Legislation Committee, First Nations Committee and associate organisations such as Quaker Service Australia and Silver Wattle Quaker Centre to hold the climate emergency and extinction crisis in their hearts and minds as they undertake their business. Junior Young Friends have in turn asked Australia Yearly Meeting to cater events guided by the ethics of a plant based vegan or vegetarian diet.

7) Supports and where appropriate, affiliates with coalitions of climate action and species’ protection groups. In particular, we ask Friends to support young people’s groups as they make their voices heard. This may involve us joining school strikes and similar actions. We must avoid unnecessary busyness, but seek closer connection with transition town, community garden, local bushcare, landcare or species protection groups to apply and learn together what belonging to the land means locally. Australia Yearly Meeting is already affiliated with the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, a multi-faith network

77 committed to action on climate change, especially for religious people who tend to underestimate their carbon footprint. If your Regional Meeting has not joined yet, this may be the right time. Friends are encouraged to download a Climate Change Action Kit and apply it together as a Meeting, and create or join a Living the Change session inviting other faith groups. Volunteer groups like the State Emergency Service and the Red Cross provide training for trauma support and referral: Meetings would benefit from a number of their members undertaking training, and considering ways in which the Meeting House may be made available to the wider community in times of disaster. In our work with other groups, we should seek to be models of the change we want to see.

8) Asks the Yearly Meeting Presiding Clerk, supported by the Quaker Earthcare Committee, to write to key decision makers, including: a. the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, State Premiers, and State Opposition leaders, requesting support for the declaration of a climate emergency, and to take appropriate action to quickly phase out fossil fuels and to hasten the introduction of renewable energy power sources, and public transport; b. the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Future Fund, and the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (which represents and develops policy for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, with members from corporate, industry, retail and public sector funds) asking these bodies to value investment towards biophilic (life affirming) outcomes and divest from fossil fuels and other corporate activities which undermine climate viability;

9) Asks Regional and Local Meetings to: a. write to, and where appropriate visit, local political parties, state and federal elected members, mayors and shire presidents and corporate leaders to express your Meeting’s concern about the immediacy of the climate emergency and threatened species extinction, and the urgent need for action. Seek to establish trust and foster long-term conversations. b. regard themselves as the most active part of Yearly Meeting action on climate emergency and species extinction; c. learn and be guided by Quakers’ methods of faithful advocacy which has a long history of sustaining campaign movements d. continue to find ways to reduce energy consumption (through reducing or eliminating fossil fuel use) and increase appropriate energy production (through renewable energy) e. report to next Australia Yearly Meeting 2020 on their actions on the climate change emergency, and species extinction, and reflections on the way forward.

If these new directions seem peculiar to a business-as-usual world, they still represent the deepest truths and convictions of Quaker faith and practice – to find spiritual guidance in order to live simply; in peace; with integrity; working justly in community; upholding equality; and respecting earthcare – in a time of climate emergency and species’ extinction like none has ever seen

Quaker Earthcare Committee Hobart 2019

78 RESOURCES: • Friends are invited to refer to the Quaker Statement 2008 in full at https://www.quakersaustralia.info/Earthcare

• The AYM Earthcare Committee ‘invitations’ comprising sections on Pray, Read, Act and Celebrate are at https://www.quakersaustralia.info/Earthcare/earthcare-invitation-newsletters-0

Australian Quaker Advices & Queries are also useful:

44. All life is interrelated. Each individual plant and animal has its own needs, and is important to others. Many species in Australia and worldwide are now extinct and many more are endangered. Do you treat all life with respect, recognizing a particular obligation to those animals we breed and maintain for our own use and enjoyment? In order to secure the survival of all, including ourselves, are you prepared to change your ideas about who you are in relation to your environment and every living thing in it?

45. Try to live simply. A simple lifestyle freely chosen is a source of strength. Do not be persuaded into buying what you do not need or cannot afford. Do you keep yourself informed about the effects your style of living is having on the global economy and environment?

46. The land of Australia is not our possession. We are no more than temporary guardians of it; neither the first nor, probably, the last. In the brief time of European settlement, vast areas of this country have been damaged. Do you try to live in harmony with the land, knowing that you are part of it? Do you protect and husband its water and other resources? Do you look with respect on the claims and rights of others to share in the wealth and freedoms of Australians?

47. We live in a land of unique grandeur and beauty, harsh and majestic, but at the same time fragile. Have you discovered its wonder and mystery, and has this awareness quickened your spiritual insight and helped you to recognise that of God in everyday life? Rejoice in the splendour of God's continuing Creation

Contact the Australia Yearly Meeting (Quaker) Earthcare Committee on [email protected].

Photos: Swan/Avon River in the South West of Australia, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Art, sculpture and weaving have been a key part of our four-year long river journey. (Images: A Glamorgan)

79 Renewal Friendly School Reports: Summary

Much knowledge and work lie behind the preparation of a Friendly School session. The scope of the presentations was most impressive, reflecting current concerns of F/friends in Australia. Last year’s theme was Turning Points. This year’s theme was Renewal. 174 people attended these 11 sessions. It doesn’t matter what the official theme is. You say what you have to say. We look forward to what might happen next. David Evans (SANTRM) and Ron Frey (TRM)

Right Holding of Yearly Meeting / Michael Searle (CRM), Emily Chapman-Searle (TRM), and Jennifer Burrell (NSWRM). How would you like to see YM run in the future? We’ve gathered a lot of information through RM workshops and data from the YM surveys over several years. We will be taking the next step together to see if we can progress to new design ideas that incorporate what’s been collected.

Carbon emissions, a personal responsibility: renew, or for the first time, take personal responsibility for carbon emissions / David Shorthouse (CRM). Climate change demands attention from each of us as Friends and as Meetings. An opportunity for Friends to share their own experiences in responding to climate change and to learn from others and examine ways in which travel and household carbon impacts may be offset.

Renewal- Reflections on those with long term Q concerns / Catherine Heywood and Sue Ennis (VRM). For Quakers deeply involved in Social Justice & Peace Issues/ Concerns for many years we explored: how have Quaker processes helped your concern; how has our support been from Quakers; what has worked and what could be improved; and how we care for our soul/ spirit/ physical selves, and challenges with this.

Shared Experience of the Light / David Parris (VRM). We all enter the silence differently and experience the light in our own individual way. How can we honour that difference yet learn from each other?

Connecting creativity with spirit / Yvonne Joyce (TRM) explored the interrelationship between creativity and spirituality, using materials provided and letting the spirit lead. Sessions commenced with Worship before moving into individual spirit-led creative expression. Many Friends came in for shorter times and became engrossed in their own creations, sometimes spontaneously silent and at others involved in trusting conversations. All enjoyed the explorations and intimacy that such sharing promotes, and participants were enthusiastic about the spiritual and creative process.

What do we mean when we talk about God? Peter Williams and Lorraine Thomson (CRM). Discussion included the idea that living the testimonies provides a common ground for Quakers. Acceptance of other views of God/mystery/ what we are waiting for is an important feature. Friends were asked to think about whether it is worth exploring these topics further amongst Australian Quakers in a research project. There was not a strong opinion on this, but what was suggested was the possibility of developing a study guide for worshipping groups.

Earthcare: Active Hope and all that it connects to in our world / Gerry Fahey & Susan Nelson (VRM). The day was spent reading excerpts from the introduction to the book Active Hope and reflection on the readings. We contemplated what's happening in our world today and the impact and effects of climate change and how to respond in a more holistic and spiritual way by first acknowledging our own journey of grief and challenges and holding the space for others in the group to express theirs. Although time did not allow for us to cover all that we had planned to do, it became apparent very quickly that the need to talk about how this issue affects us is one of the most important ways to begin acknowledging our hope and that this is important work to do as part of looking for a way forward in the light of our state of climate emergency.

80 A spirituality for the 21stcentury with Heather Herbert (CRM). We say we believe there is something of Godness in everyone – but we don’t always credit that in some; and we don’t always manage to speak or act from it ourselves. We explorers did find it valuable to learn something of each other’s unique and impressive journeys.

How Children can be better included in the life of our meetings / Yarrow Andrew (SANTRM) and Ronis Chapman (CRM), YM2019 Children’s Meeting coordinators. This offered the children a chance to speak directly to adults attending YM about their hopes for how they might be involved. Although most of the children who attended YM were unable to be present, Ellana Cooper, aged 9, shared some of her thoughts on what she would like, and a number of the adults present explained their experiences growing up as a child of the meeting. There was a good feeling in the session, and it felt useful to talk about our collective expectations about how children’s meeting might become a more meaningful part of Yearly Meeting, rather than a form of ‘vacation care’ program, which is what it seems to have become more recently. A number of the adults present did participate in Children’s Meeting events later in the week, and this discussion helped make them more a part of the thinking behind the week.

There seemed to be general agreement that the children are part of the Yearly Meeting and also enthusiasm for finding ways for children to feel connected to the adult community and adults to feel connected to the children and also to find ways for children to contribute in a meaningful way to the life of the Yearly Meeting.

End of life planning / Bill Godfrey (TRM). The formalities of planning for your death or a time when you can't act for yourself are a bore and easily 'left until later'. But without setting down these formalities you can cause a lot of trouble for yourself and for your family. Some of the things that need to be thought through are not obvious. We discussed the plans that should be made – and expressed in legal form - in advance of need. The second key theme was “Don't leave a mess behind you” - the importance of setting up your files, computer material and other personal matters so that your heirs can settle things with minimum work and confusion.

Writing into the unknown – Start to Finish/ Lady Borton (our FWCC-AWPS Visitor). Addressed elusive unknowns in initial visions, generating and structuring material, editing our own work, and constructively critiquing others' manuscripts.

Creative writing and storytelling/ David Evans. Australian Quaker Creative Writers made a start in 2018 taking the theme of Yearly Meeting 2018 'TurningPoints' and producing a small book with short articles from each contributor. The possibility of writing under the theme of the Friendly School, Renewal, but it was decided to leave that for the time being and remain open to future inspiration and consultation. It remains possible for an Australian Quaker Writers group to work together following the initiative of the 2018 compilation and their e-book entitled Turning Points.

Share and Tell Session Reports: Summary

There seemed to be five broad themes in the offerings this year. Offerings came from all Regional Meetings and Young Friends. One session was cancelled due to illness. 122 people attended 22 sessions, with attendance at most groups exceeding the sign-up numbers. Fuller descriptions of the sessions will be posted on the YM19 website. https://www.quakersaustralia.info/YM2019 . About Quakers: Our Friends ‘across the ditch’: Graham Chapman (Aotearoa/NZ YM) 81 How to make our meetings safe: Robin McLean (TRM) & Ronis Chapman (CRM) QUNO New York: Aletia Dundas (NSWRM) Home of Healing Open House: David O’Halloran (TRM) Experiment with light: Helen Gould (NSWRM) The role of QLA in inreach and outreach: Ann Zubrick (WARM) 50 years of the Quaker Shop: David & Topsy Evans (SANTRM)

Quakers being creative: Singing the Quaker story PLUS Advices & Queries: Helen Gould (NSWRM) Art and climate grief: Maxine Barry (TRM) The journey of Friends in Stitches: Tessa Spratt (VRM) Tensegrity – embracing the 6 testimonies Walk to see a plant sculpture: Lloyd Godman (VRM)

International Concerns: Global migration, asylum seekers & refugees – A Quaker Concern: Wies Schuiringa (NSWRM) & Anne Brown (VRM) (Two presentations combined) North Korea Working Group: Sejin Pak (SANTRM) & others Cuba under the USA blockade: Roger Keyes (SANTRM) Being part of a global peace group – AVP: Valerie Joy (QRM) & 4 others Being part of a global peace group – Friends Peace teams: Valerie Joy (QRM) & 4 others

Personal matters: End of life planning: Bill Godfrey (TRM) Enriching partner relationships: Gerry Fahey & Susan Nelson (VRM) Domestic violence and eloping couples in India & Nepal: David & Topsy Evans (SANTRM)

Mainly climate change: Extinction Rebellion and Sociocracy – envisioning a new world: Gina Price (WARM) & Yarrow (SANTRM) (Two presentations combined) From Yeerlirrie to Pyong Yang to New York: Adrian Glamorgan & Elizabeth PO' (WARM) Living the (climate) change: Sue Ennis (VRM) & Sam Nolan (YF/TRM) Remembering the future – eco-restoration in South India: Joss Brooks (TRM) 2019 federal election aftermath: Jeanne Klovdahl (CRM)

STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES 5-6 July 2019 held at The Friends’ School Rowing Sheds, Lallaby Road, Hobart Tasmania

AYM Officers Presiding Clerk Jo Jordan Incoming Presiding Clerk Ann Zubrick AYM Treasurer Roger Sawkins AYM Secretary Jacque Schultze

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Standing Committee representatives Canberra RM (CRM) David Liversidge (Co-Clerk), Susan Rockliff New South Wales RM (NSWRM) Jennifer Burrell, Wies Schuiringa (Co-Clerks) Queensland RM (QRM) Jude Pembleton (Co-Clerk) and Valerie Joy South Australia & Northern Territory Yarrow Andrew (Co-Clerk), Topsy Evans RM (SANTRM) Tasmania RM (TRM) David O’Halloran, Maddy Walker (Co-Clerks) Victoria RM (VRM) Bruce Henry, Anna Wilkinson (Co-Clerks) West Australia RM David Tehr (Clerk), Clare O’Leary Young Friends Larissa Barritt, Connor Chaffey

Timetable Friday, 5 July 1.00 - 2.00pm Lunch 2.00 – 2.30 pm Meeting for Worship 2.30 – 4.00 pm First Session of Standing Committee 4.00 - 4.30pm Afternoon tea 4.30 – 5.15 pm Second Session of Standing Committee 5.30pm Dinner Saturday, 6 July 9.00 – 10.30 am Third Session of Standing Committee 10.30 – 11.00 am Morning tea 11.00 – 12.30 pm Fourth Session of Standing Committee 12.30 – 1.30 pm Lunch 1.30 – 3.00 pm Fifth Session of Standing Committee 3.00 – 3.30 pm Closing Worship 3.30 – 4.00 pm Afternoon tea

SC7.19.1 Introductory Matters (a) A short period of Worship During the opening period of worship, the Presiding Clerk read from Advices and Queries number 22: “Respect the wide diversity among us in our lives and relationships. Refrain from making prejudiced judgments about the life journeys of others. Do you foster the spirit of mutual understanding and forgiveness which our discipleship asks of us? Remember that each one of us is unique, precious, a child of God.” (b) Acknowledgment of Traditional Owners Maddy Walker and David O’Halloran, Co-Clerks of Tasmania Regional Meeting acknowledged the traditional owners and custodians of the Mouheneenner land on which Standing Committee met. A time of reflective silenced followed this acknowledgement. (c) Introduction of Committee Members The Presiding Clerk welcomed the representatives of Regional Meetings and Young Friends and invited them to introduce themselves.

83 Section A: Reports with financial implications

SC7.19.2 AYM Treasurer’s Report for the year ending 30 September 2020

Standing Committee accepts the report of the AYM Treasurer.

We are reminded that the change of time of Yearly Meeting from January to July continues to impose challenges to the budget process because the financial result of Yearly Meeting and the Backhouse Lecture are unknown when the financial report for Standing Committee is prepared.

SC7.19.3 Surplus Funds Working Group: Preliminary Report to Standing Committee July 2019

We accept the Surplus Funds Working Group’s Preliminary Report.

Friends from several Regional Meetings felt uneasy that the suggestion of releasing $100,000 was coming at a time when the draft budget was showing the need for a substantial increase in RM Quotas.

We ask the AYM Treasurer to make an initial allocation of $20,000 to the Publications Fund to overcome the current deficit in that Fund and to alleviate the substantial increase in RM quotas for the next Financial Year.

We ask the Surplus Funds Working Group to provide a further report and recommendations for circulation to Regional Meetings for discussion at Standing Committee in January 2020.

SC7.19.4 Suggested General Fund Budget for the year ending 30 September 2020

We note the need for increased expenditure in AYM travel costs for the coming year. We note that the cost of ongoing maintenance of the new website requires expenditure in the region of $25,000 over the next two years from the Publications Fund. The costs of YM19 are as yet unknown.

The Treasurer will notify RM Clerks and Treasurers about the final costs of YM19 and other financial matters, after YM19. Ann Zubrick, the incoming Presiding Clerk agrees to organise an online Standing Committee meeting on August 25 at 2pm WA time to finalise the budget

SC7.19.5 AYM Treasurer’s Supplementary Report for Standing Committee July 2019: AYM’s subsidy for YM2021

We accept the supplementary report of the AYM Treasurer concerning the proposed plans for YM21, noting that the usual $15,000 subsidy will not be required because $5,000 will suffice for the YM21 in Queensland.

84 We note that the remaining $10,000 will be available in 2021 for a national All-Ages Gathering. Standing Committee asks RMs to consider offering to host or contribute to the organisation of this All-Ages Gathering in 2021

. Section B: For decision and recommendation to Yearly Meeting

One task of the SC meeting is to approve the agenda for Yearly Meeting, ensuring that all Concerns arising in AYM committees and from Regional Meetings are brought to Yearly Meeting for consideration.’ [Handbook of Practice & Procedure, 6 ed n, Appendix D] SC7.19.6 The Friends’th itio School Board Standing Committee recommends to YM19 these appointments to The Friends’ School Board: • Mary Beadle as a nominee of Tasmania Regional Meeting for a first term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting . • Sam Ibbott as a nominee of the Board for a first term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting. • Natalia Urosevic as a nominee of the Board for a second term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting. • Craig Stephens as a nominee of the Board for a third term of four years commencing from the date of approval by Yearly Meeting.

SC7.19.7 Changes to the AYM Privacy Policy

We agree to make the changes to the AYM Privacy Policy as drafted by Jacque Schultze. We remind RM Membership Secretaries to be sure their membership lists are up to date.

SC7.19.8 Queensland Regional Meeting’s Report on YM2021

We heard a detailed report from the QRM representative on plans for a much shorter Yearly Meeting in July 2021 in which there are no arrangements for Standing Committee meeting, children’s and JYF meetings, Friendly school, or share and tell.

Standing Committee proposes that all Preparatory Sessions take place online beforehand.

Standing Committee estimates that the number of attendees is likely to be under 100.

Standing Committee accepts that YM2021 will be held in July in Brisbane and we leave the decision about dates to the YM21 Organising Committee.

We note that the Backhouse Lecture will be held during Yearly Meeting and that there will be visitors from Aotearoa / New Zealand YM and from the FWCC Asia-West Pacific Section. We accept the YM21 Organising Committee’s recommendation that YM21 start on a Thursday evening and finish on a Monday.

We ask that the YM21 Organising Committee, in negotiation with the AYM Secretary, include the reading of Testimonies and a Meeting for Worship for Remembrance in the timetable.

We encourage the YM21 Organising Committee to continue their discussions with the George Williams Hotel venue.

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SC7.19.9 AYM Information Technology Committee Report to Standing Committee July 2019

Standing Committee notes that preparation for Yearly Meeting 2021 will require online meetings of Standing Committee beforehand and online presentations of Preparatory Sessions.

Standing Committee recognises the environmental benefit of online meetings and presentations. We agree to report about our experience of the Standing Committee online meeting to be held in August 2019 at Standing Committee in January 2020.

Standing Committee follows the Handbook of Practice and Procedure for meetings, whether face-to- face or online.

SC7.19.10 Appointments for the duration of Yearly Meeting

Standing Committee accepts the name of Maddy Walker for the role of Assistant Clerk at YM19.

We note that the State of Society address will be given by Allan Knight during the first formal session, and that the Summary of Epistles will be given by David Tehr during the second formal session. a) Standing Committee notes the names of the following Elders to serve at YM19: CRM: Tracy Bourne and Kay de Vogel NSWRM: Anne-Maree Johnston and Helen Gould QRM: Renee Ellerton SANTRM: Marie-Gorette Bucumi, Sejin Pak TRM: Julian Robertson (Convenor), Ruth Rayward VRM: Alan Clayton, Moira Darling, Dale Hess WARM: David Tehr and Tonya Jensen b) Standing Committee notes the names of the following Pastoral Carers to serve at YM19: CRM: Lorraine Thompson (till Wednesday) and Vidya (Tuesday onwards) NSWRM: Sheila Keane QRM: Valerie Joy SANTRM: Diana Campbell, Roger Keyes TRM: Madeline Ball, Rosemary Epps VRM: Catherine Heywood, Jill Parris WARM: Elizabeth PO’ and Clare O’Leary c) Standing Committee notes the names of the following Child Protection Contact Friends present at YM19: CRM: Wilma Davidson, Andy Bray and Susan Rockliff (1st Weekend only) NSWRM: None will be present QRM: Tania Aveling SANTRM: Yarrow Andrew TRM: Julian Robertson, Kay Allport VRM: Bruce Henry, Anna Wilkinson, Jenny Turton WARM: Gina Price

86 d) Standing Committee notes the names of Safe Quaker Community Contact Friends present at YM19: CRM: David Purnell and Susan Rockliff NSWRM: None will be present QRM: Jude Pembleton SANTRM: Diana Campbell and Matthew Lycos TRM: Robin McLean, Jenny Seaton VRM: Chris Hughes, Susan Nelson WARM: None will be present YFs: Larissa Barritt

(e) Standing Committee notes the names of Clerks for Preparatory Sessions at YM19:

Session Session Name Date and time Clerk Note taker Number 1 Peace Reports Session I: Mon 8 July Allan Knight Ann Zubrick QPLC P&SJ, NKWG, etc. 9.15-10.45am 2 IT Committee Monday 8 July Aletia Dundas Lorraine Thomson 11.15am- 12.00pm 2 Earthcare Committee 12.00pm- Liz Field or tba Session 1: Climate 12.45pm Valerie Joy (tba) 3 Children and JYF Mon 8 July Judith Emily Chapman- Committee 1.45-3.15pm Pembleton Searle 4 QSA & QSA Linkages Sub- Mon 9 July David Tehr Yarrow Andrew Committee 4.30-6.00pm 5* First Nations Peoples’ Tues 9 July Anna Wilkinson tba Concerns Committee 11.15am- 12.45pm 5* Ecumenism, NCCA & Tues 9 July Dale Hess tba Inter-faith 11.15am- 12.45pm 6 Safe Quaker Community Tuesday 9 Bruce Henry tba Committee July 1.45-3.15pm 7 Backhouse Lecture Tues 9 July David Purnell tba Feedback 4.30-6.00pm 8 Publications Committee Wed 10 July Sheila Keane tba 11.15am- 12.45pm 9 Peace Reports Session II: Wed 10 July Allan Knight Ann Zubrick QPLC P&SJ, NKWG, etc. 3.45-4.30pm 10 Handbook Revision Thurs 11 July Ann Zubrick Allan Knight Committee 11.15am- 12.45pm 11 Earthcare Session 2 Thursday 11 Liz Field (or tba July Valerie Joy, tba) 4.30-6.00pm 12 Right Holding of Yearly Friday 12 July Maxine Cooper tba Meeting 10.45am- 12.30pm REPORTS FWCC & FWCC-AWPS Wed 10 July David Liversidge tba Visitor Presentation 1.45-3.15pm

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The Friends’ School Thurs 11 July Jenny Madeline tba 7.10pm Silver Wattle Quaker Thurs 11 July Topsy Evans Yarrow Andrew Centre 3.45 -4.30pm

SC7.19.11 Participation of non-Members at YM19

Standing Committee notes the names of those not in membership who have been approved by their Regional Meeting to attend this Yearly Meeting: CRM: Heather Herbert NSWRM: Marilyn Hillery, Jan Fallding, Xanthe Lamont, Samuel Wright, Sam Fallding QRM: Felipe Oliviera SANTRM: Kenice Neal TRM: Spencer File, Michael Ashby, Des Fitzgerald, Yvonne Joyce, Lisa File, Lucy Slevin-Jones, Sofia Jones and children Amos Jones, Stanley Jones, Solomon Jones WARM: Virginia Jealous YFs: Larissa Barritt, Connor Chaffey, Hilary Edmiston, Shannon Ormiston

Standing Committee accepts the names of those not in membership in their Regional Meeting, and for them to take part in YM19: SANTRM: Restina Nininahazwe, Melissa Nininahazwe, Mark-David Nininahazwe, Jean-Paul Nininahazwe, Vanny Irakoze, Claver Irakoze , Aline Irakoze, Jolie Irakoze VRM: Tess Edwards, Lloyd Godman, Claudia Barduhn, Merrilyn Julian, Ellena Cooper, Clancy Shield, Miriam Hope, Sofie Brown, Joshua Crane, Kaidan Crane, Alexander Spratt, Lizzy Bingham

SC7.19.12 Meeting for Remembrance at YM19

A special Meeting for Worship for Remembrance is held during Yearly Meeting. The names of all Friends who have died since the previous Yearly Meeting are read aloud during this Meeting, providing an opportunity for reflection on or ministry about the Grace of God expressed in their lives. Handbook of Practice and Procedure in Australia 4.8.5

Standing Committee hears the names of those Friends who have died since YM18. Those names will be read by Maddy Walker, YM19 Assistant Clerk during the Meeting for Remembrance on Wednesday. Any additional names need to be handed to the YM Assistant Clerk by 5pm Tuesday:

CRM: Susan Clarke, Edward Linacre and Daniel de Smet NSWRM: Michael Carter, Max Lawson, Robyn Murphy, Ann Ryan, Merle Packham QRM: Marion Sullivan, David Carline, Iris Guy SANTRM: Coral Coleman, Jan Larsson, Max Raupach, Colin Talbot TRM: Lindsay Brown, Hugh Wells, Dougald McLean, Joyce Hudson VRM: Sue Hounslow, Peter Binks, Helen Reeves, Andrew Howard, Frances Nall, James Homes, Joan Brewster, Darryl Dykes, Elizabeth Smart, Elizabeth Veno WARM: Pamela Beard, Rosemary Johnson

SC7.19.13 Changes to the timetable of YM19

Standing Committee notes the changes to the timetable in Documents in Advance 2019.

88 What Old New ______1) IT Preparatory Session Monday 11.15-12.45pm Monday 11.15am-12pm 2) Earthcare Preparatory Session 1: Climate Monday 12-12.45pm

3) Penn Friends Tea Monday 3.45-4.30pm Monday 3.15-3.45pm 4) The Friends’ School Report Wed 10 July 4.30pm Thurs 11 July 7.10pm 5) Silver Wattle Quaker Centre Report Wed 10 July 5.15pm Thurs 11 July 3.45-4.30pm 6) Earthcare Preparatory Session 2 Thurs 11 July 4.30pm Thurs 11 July 4.30pm

The latest version of the Timetable is on the YM19 website. Additional printed copies will be available at the Help Desk.

SC7.19.14 Arrangements for reading testimonies at YM19

Standing Committee accepts the reading of testimonies as below at Yearly Meeting 2019.

Regional Meetings are asked to ensure that a Testimony or compilation of Testimonies for reading during Yearly Meeting does not exceed 500 words. Copies of the unabridged Testimonies are available at Yearly Meeting. Handbook of Practice and Procedure in Australia 4.8.5

Formal Day/Time Testimony Reader Session 2. Tuesday, Susan Clarke (CRM) Susan Rockliff 9 July, 9.15am Eddie Linacre (CRM) David Liversidge 3. Wednesday, Michael Carter (NSWRM) Mary Pollard 10 July, 9.15am 4. Thursday, Marion Sullivan (QRM) Valerie Joy 11 July, 9.15am David Carline (QRM) Duncan Frewin 5. Thursday, Coral Coleman (SANTRM) Ann Rees 11 July, 1.45 pm

6. Friday, Dougald McLean (TRM) Robin McLean 12 July, 9.15 am Joyce Hudson (TRM) Sally O’Wheel 7. Friday, Helen Reeves (VRM) Stephanie Farrall 12 July, 1.45 pm Frances Nall (VRM) Catherine Heywood

SC7.19.15 Statements on behalf of Australia Yearly Meeting

Standing Committee is asked to note the following letters, public statements and submissions signed by the Presiding Clerk since YM18. We note that there have been postings on Facebook to complement these public statements.

At the Help Desk there is a record of these letters and statements and replies received, together with campaigns AYM has supported. There is link to the AYM Facebook page from the YM website. We ask Nominations Committee to bring forward names for a Media/Outreach Committee during Yearly Meeting.

89 Copies of the public statements are available on the Australia Yearly Meeting website www.quakersaustralia.info

No. Date Sent to Concerning 15 July 2018 PM Malcolm Turnbull Government’s disappointing response 1 to Uluru Statement from the Heart Sen. R. DiNatale Reply 11 September 2018 FWCC-AWPS Greetings from AYM to Section 2 Gathering in Hong Kong 8 November 2018 PM Malcolm Turnbull Opposition of Embassy move to 3 Jerusalem 28 November 2018 PM Malcolm Turnbull, Non-adoption of the Global Compact for 4 Bill Shorten Safe Orderly and Regular Migration Steve Irons Reply 22 January 2019 Bill Shorten Support for Labor Party’s decision for 5 Penny Wong Australia to sign on to and later ratify the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty 14 February 2019 PM Scott Morrison Urge for reversal of US decision to 6 Se. Marise Payne withdraw from INF (Intermediate- Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty Steve Irons Reply 18 March 2019 Dr Mustafa Farouk Letter of condolence on Christchurch The Federation of massacre. 7 Islamic Associations of New Zealand 18 March 2019 Lesley Young, Clerk Letter of condolence to A/NZ Friends 8 A/NZ YM on Christchurch massacre. 27 March 2019 Bishop Seraphim Condolences on death of Archbishop Vicar General of the Stylianos 9 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Bishop Seraphim of Reply Apollonias

10 April 2019 PM Scott Morrison Urge protection for children of ISIS Bill Shorten fighters 10 Peter Dutton Penny Wong Trevor Jones Reply 9 May 2019 Rt Rev. Dhiloraj Easter Bombings in Sri Lanka 11 Canagasabey 30 May 2019 PM Scott Morrison Concern over treatment of Julian 12 Sen. Albanese Assange

The Society, over the signature of the Presiding Clerk, has added its name to:

# Date Organiser Concerning

17 September 2018 Australian Joint letter to PM Modern Slavery Bill 2018 13 Freedom Network

90 21 September 2018 QUNO Joint Statement Peacebuilding 14 organizations on International Day of Peace 7 February 2019 Boomerang Letter to Leader of Call to support phasing 15 Alliance NSW Liberals out of single use plastic bags in NSW

Media releases on behalf of Australia Yearly Meeting:

22 July 2018 Australian Quakers deeply dismayed at Arms Export Proposal 17

22 July 2018 Australian Quakers call for action from 18 Government on Uluru Statement from the Heart 20 September 2018 Australian Quakers support the UN Call for Governments 19 to Re-Commit to Peace *Copies of the letters and media releases will be available in a folder on the Help Desk.

SC7.19.16 Greetings from Yearly Meeting

Friends are asked to give to the YM19 Assistant Clerk names and email addresses of those Friends who wish to receive e-cards from this Yearly Meeting. For those Regional Meetings that wish to send paper cards of greeting, these will be displayed on a table set aside for that purpose. These will need to be collected for posting by the RM nominees by 3pm Friday, 12 July.

SC7.19.17 Future Mid-Year Standing Committees SC7.19.16.1 Standing Committee 17-19 January 2020 and AYM AGM, Queensland Regional Meeting

QRM reported that Standing Committee 2020 will be held at Kelvin Grove Meetinghouse.

SC7.19.16.2 Standing Committee and AYM AGM 15-17 January 2021

NSWRM will report about SC1.21 arrangements at the next Standing Committee meeting.

SC7.19.16.3 Standing Committee and AYM AGM, 2022

TRM offered to host SC2022.

SC7.19.16.4 Standing Committee and AYM AGM, 2023 SANTRM offered to host SC2023.

SC7.19.18 Future Yearly Meetings

SC7.19.17.1 Yearly Meeting 4-11 July 2020 to be hosted by CRM, with Standing Committee held 3-4 July 2020

CRM reported briefly on arrangements for YM2020 at Greenhills Conference Centre. CRM welcomes suggestions or concerns from Friends as they make their preparations. We note that support to CRM from other RMs is available for YM20.

91 SC7.19.17.2 Yearly Meeting July 2021 to be hosted by QRM. Standing Committee heard detailed arrangements from representatives from QRM for YM2021. We encourage them with their experiment for YM21. SC7.19.17.3 Yearly Meeting July 2022 We ask WARM to consider whether they are able to host YM2022.

SC7.19.19 Visitors to Australia Yearly Meeting 2019

YM19 will welcome the following visitors: Graham Chapman (Representative from Aotearoa/New Zealand); Lady Borton, FWCC-AWPS Visitor to Yearly Meeting from Hanoi Vietnam, Elizabeth Vagg President of the Tasmanian Council of Churches and Terry Sussmilch. .

Part C: For noting

SC7.19.20 Yearly Meeting responsibilities

Standing Committee is asked to note the following allocations for responsibilities at Yearly Meeting 2019 for Doorkeeping and Epilogue (Duties include providing both door greeters and organising Epilogue, unless otherwise noted):

Regional Date Responsible for Meeting NSWRM Saturday 6 July Doorkeeping & Epilogue

YFs and JYFs Sunday 7 July Doorkeeping (in morning) & Epilogue

WARM Monday 8 July Doorkeeping TRM Monday 8 July Epilogue CRM Tuesday 9 July Doorkeeping & Epilogue SANTRM Wednesday 10 July Doorkeeping & Epilogue QRM Thursday 11 July Doorkeeping & Epilogue

VRM Friday 12 July Doorkeeping & Epilogue WARM Saturday 13 July Doorkeeping

SC7.19.21 Friends in Stitches 2019 publication

Standing Committee has heard from the Convenor of the AYM Publications Committee that she has received a statement of grievance from the original designer of the Friends in Stitches book. We agree that the second edition of the Friends in Stitches book not be displayed or sold at Yearly Meeting 2019 until further clarification is received regarding the publication of this book, and a recommendation is made by Publications Committee to Standing Committee about the promotion of the publication

SC7.19.22 Hospitality Minute of Record

Standing Committee thanked Tasmania Regional Meeting for the warm hospitality shown to 92 Friends during our sessions which took place in the beautiful setting of The Friends’ School Rowing Sheds.

Appendix 1

YEARLY MEETING 2019 REGISTRATION

Regional Given name Surname meeting Local meeting Membership Adrian Glamorgan WARM Fremantle member Alan Clayton VRM Diamond Valley member Aletia Dundas NSWRM Devonshire Street member Friends Eastern Alexander Spratt VRM Meeting member Eastern Suburbs Aline Irakoze SANTRM (SA) child Allan Knight WARM Fremantle member Andrew Bray CRM Canberra Northside member Anita Truchanas TRM member Ann Britton NSWRM Kiama member Ann Rees SANTRM Adelaide member Ann Zubrick WARM Fremantle member Anna Wilkinson VRM Northern Suburbs member Anne Brown VRM Melbourne City member Anne Johnson SANTRM member Anne-Maree Johnston NSWRM Devonshire Street member August Macleod-Routledge TRM Hobart child Barbara True SANTRM Adelaide member Beatrice Farquhar-Jones TRM Hobart child Beatrice Jones TRM Hobart member Bill Godfrey TRM Hobart member Bruce Henry VRM Northern Suburbs member Catherine Dabron CRM Canberra Northside member Catherine Heywood VRM Northern Suburbs member Charlie Lane WARM Mount Lawley child Christopher Hughes VRM Kyneton member Clancy Shield VRM Melbourne City child Clare O'Leary WARM Mount Lawley member Claudia Barduhn VRM Friends Eastern attender Eastern Suburbs Claver irakoze SANTRM (SA) child Cliff Dwight TRM Hobart attender Young Connor Chaffey Friends Young Friends member Dale Hess VRM Melbourne City member David Purnell CRM Canberra Northside member David Shorthouse CRM Canberra Northside member 93 David Swain NSWRM Wahroonga member Eastern Suburbs David Evans SANTRM (SA) member David O'Halloran TRM Hobart member David Tehr WARM Mount Lawley member David Liversidge CRM Canberra Northside member David Parris VRM Melbourne City member Diana Campbell SANTRM Alice Springs member Duncan Frewin QRM Brisbane member Elaine Shorthouse CRM Canberra Northside member Eastern Suburbs eleanor evans SANTRM (SA) member Elizabeth Field NSWRM Blue Mountains member Elizabeth Mitchell NSWRM Blue Mountains member Elizabeth Shield VRM Melbourne City member Elizabeth PO' WARM Fremantle member Ellena Cooper VRM Friends Eastern child Ellise Barritt CRM Canberra Northside child Emily Chapman-Searle TRM Hobart member Esther Fox TRM Kingborough member Felicity Rose TRM Hobart member Felipe Oliveira QRM Brisbane attender Georgina Price WARM Fremantle member Gerry Fahey VRM Ballarat member Gillian Edmiston TRM Hobart attender Gillian Fitzgerald TRM Hobart member Graham Chapman Kapiti Kapiti Worship member Monthly Group / A/NZ YM Meeting Halcyon Macleod TRM Hobart attender Heather Herbert CRM Canberra Southside attender Helen Gould NSWRM Wahroonga member Helen Edney SANTRM Darwin attender Hilary Dawkins TRM Hobart member Young Hilary Edmiston Friends Young Friends attender Jackie Perkins NSWRM Blue Mountains member Jacqueline Schultze NSWRM Wahroonga member Jan Fallding NSWRM Hunter Valley attender Janice Blakeney TRM Devonport member Eastern Suburbs Jean-Paul Nininahazwe SANTRM (SA) member Jeanne Klovdahl CRM Canberra Northside member Jennifer Burrell NSWRM Blue Mountains member Jenny Madeline NSWRM Devonshire Street member Jenny Seaton TRM Hobart member Jenny Turton VRM Geelong member

94 Jill Parris VRM Melbourne City member Eastern Suburbs Jo Jordan SANTRM (SA) member John Dundas NSWRM Wahroonga member John McMahon VRM Friends Eastern member Eastern Suburbs Jolie Irakoze SANTRM (SA) child Joshua Crane VRM Friends Eastern child joss Brooks TRM Hobart member Judith Pembleton QRM Brisbane Western member Suburbs Julian Robertson TRM Hobart member Julie Walpole TRM Launceston member Kaidan Crane VRM Friends Eastern child Katherine Purnell TRM Hobart member Kathryn Barnsley TRM Hobart member Kay de Vogel CRM Canberra Northside member Kay Allport TRM Hobart attender Eastern Suburbs Kenise Neill SANTRM (SA) attender Kenneth Carroll TRM Hobart member Kerstin Reimers TRM Kingborough member Kevin Sheldon TRM Devonport member Kyrstie Crane VRM Friends Eastern member Young Larissa Barritt Friends Young Friends attender Lee Skye QRM Brisbane member Lisa Wriley NSWRM Central Coast member Lisa File TRM Hobart attender Lizzy Bingham VRM Geelong child Lloyd Godman VRM Diamond Valley attender Lorraine Thomson CRM Canberra Northside member Lucy Jones TRM Hobart member Lucy Slevin TRM Hobart attender Luka Grace Sandler TRM Hobart child Lyndsay Farrall TRM Hobart member Madeleine Ball TRM Hobart member Madeline Walker TRM Hobart member Maree-rose Jones TRM Hobart member Margaret Bywater TRM Hobart member Margaret Lambert Storr TRM Hobart member Eastern Suburbs Marie-Gorette Bucumi SANTRM (SA) member Marilyn Hillery NSWRM Wahroonga attender Mark Macleod TRM Hobart member Eastern Suburbs Mark-David Nininahazwe SANTRM (SA) child

95 Martin Fallding NSWRM Hunter Valley member Mary Pollard NSWRM Devonshire Street member Matthew Lykos SANTRM Adelaide member Matthew Lamont NSW RM Hunter Valley member Maxine Barry TRM Hobart member Maxine Cooper VRM Melbourne City member Meggan Rose TRM Hobart member Eastern Suburbs Melissa Nininhazwe SANTRM (SA) member Merrilyn Julian VRM Diamond Valley attender Michael Searle CRM Canberra Northside member Michael Ashby TRM Hobart member Michael Sweet TRM Hobart attender Miles Bray CRM Canberra Northside child Miriam Hope VRM Melbourne City child Moira Darling VRM Kyneton member Myf White VRM Northern Suburbs attender Nelson File TRM Hobart member Pamela Leach TRM Hobart member Peter Hillery CRM Bega Valley member Peter Jones TRM Hobart member Rae Litting NSWRM Wahroonga member Raphaela Macleod-Routledge TRM Hobart child Renee Ellerton QRM Brisbane member Eastern Suburbs Restina Nininahazwe SANTRM (SA) child Robert Rands TRM Hobart attender Robin McLean TRM Hobart member Robin Walpole TRM Launceston member Roger Sawkins QRM Brisbane member Roger Keyes SANTRM Adelaide member Ronis Chapman CRM Canberra Northside member Rose Bray CRM Canberra Northside attender Rosemary Epps TRM Hobart member Rowe Morrow NSWRM Blue Mountains member Ruth Raward TRM Hobart member Sally McGushin TRM Hobart member Sally O'Wheel TRM Devonport member Samantha Nolan TRM Hobart member Samuel Fallding NSWRM Hunter Valley child Samuel Wright NSWRM Wahroonga child Sejin Pak SANTRM Adelaide attender Sheila Keane NSWRM Hunter Valley member Siobhan Harpur TRM Hobart member Sitara Gare QRM Brisbane member Sky Lanham TRM Hobart attender

96 Sofia Jones TRM Hobart attender Sofie Brown VRM Melbourne City child Sophie O'Wheel TRM Devonport child Stella Fox TRM Kingborough child Steph Atkinson TRM Hobart attender Stephanie Farrall TRM Hobart member Steve Blakeney TRM Devonport member Sue Headley TRM Hobart member Sue Ennis VRM Northern Suburbs member Susan Rockliff CRM Canberra Northside member Susan Nelson VRM Ballarat member Tania Aveling QRM Brisbane member Tess Edwards VRM Diamond Valley attender Tessa Spratt VRM Friends Eastern member Theo Byard member Tobe Cooper VRM Friends Eastern member Tonya Jensen WARM Mount Lawley member Tracy Bourne CRM Canberra Northside member Valerie Joy QRM Brisbane member Vanny Irakoze SANTRM Eastern Suburbs Vidya CRM Canberra Northside member Virginia Jealous WARM Denmark attender Wies Schuiringa NSWRM Wahroonga member Wilma Davidson CRM Canberra Northside member Xanthe Lamont NSWRM Hunter Valley attender Yarrow Andrew SANTRM Adelaide member Yvonne Joyce TRM Hobart attender

97 YEARLY MEETING 2019 GROUP PHOTO The Friends’ School, Hobart Tasmania, 7 July 2019 (Credit: Robin Walpole, TRM)