Our Group's Activities in 2006.
Oxfam Australia
Diamond Valley Group Annual Report 2006
As this report is
for the financial year to 30 June 2006, the year has been a relatively quiet
one financially, but the group has been challenged in a variety of ways with a
range of guest speakers.
The calendar year
started with a reflection by several group members of their recent trip to
India where they visited a number of Oxfam projects. They were very impressed by the people they met and the
community leadership evident in the projects.
This was followed in March by Ed Cameron, an AVI volunteer, who
inspired the group with his talk about Gram Vikas an organisation in Orissa
that he worked with.
Following the
acceptance by Australia of 43 asylum seekers from West Papua, Annie Feith came
to the June meeting to give us some background about the struggle for
independence from Indonesia by the West Papuans.
In July, Jessica
Rashke spoke about her visit to Yorgum in WA and the Gulf country of North
Queensland where she saw the current work of Oxfam amongst Aboriginal
communities.
Carole Wigg
challenged us in August with her talk about why she is part of the Medical
Association for the Prevention of War and the contribution that organisation
has made to peace in the world.
Following media
coverage of the effectiveness of the use of Tsunami aid monies, Andy Kenyon
from Oxfam gave an interesting presentation about the process Oxfam uses in
evaluating the use of these funds and the
challenges faced in the field to meet many competing demands, the
cultural complexities and the infrastructure deficiencies.
The group continued
to support asylum seekers and the Resource Centre, co-ordinating the delivery
of donated foodstuffs to the Centre and sending Metcards.
A very active
sub-committee, led by Cathie Roby, organised another successful local Walk
Against Want starting at the Eltham Guide Hall.
This was part of the 40th and last centrally organised Walk
Against Want.
Other fund raising
activities through the year were 2 film nights, the March of the Penguins and
10 Canoes, each raising several hundred dollars, wrapping Christmas presents
at the Eltham Bookshop and selling cards, tea and coffee at the Eltham
Festival.
Group members
participated in other Oxfam fundraising events, Trailwalker and the Christmas
Trees.
Since July, the
group held 2 major fundraisers: firstly the inaugural English Country Dance,
called by Michael Pender, which raised over $3,000; and most recently the Book
Fair raising a sensational $11,000.
Many group members
have made varied and important contributions to the life of the group over the
past 12 months. On behalf of the
group I want to thank a number of them: Beth and Carol for planning and
arranging the monthly meetings, John and Beth for producing the newsletters,
John for being the publicity contact, Alistair for being Treasurer, Elizabeth
for compiling the minutes, Cathy for coordinating the Walk, Beth for
coordinating the Bookfair, Ruth for coordinating the Dance and Val for
managing the tea and coffee sales.
The Diamond Valley
group continues to provide a great example to many of local community group
that can make a difference. However,
it is reputation that we have to continue to earn and I look forward to
ongoing participation from the members in our many activities in the coming
year.
Stephen Lavender
Convenor.
