E-News : ACMICA : 19/8/02 : Sydney

Dear friends,

ACMICA's next meeting is scheduled for Saturday night, August 31, hope to see you there! Also, we draw your attention to Tampa anniversary events and an opportunity to hear renowned Australian social commentator Hugh Mackay.

By the way, we're still testing our HTML-enhanced newsletter. In this edition, we've decided to put it on the web for those unable to read HTML emails.

ACMICA news

> August 31 (Saturday), 7pm, ACMICA meeting:
Blurb: As the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) gets under way, we will gather in Newtown for an informal conversation on some of the central issues surrounding Rio+10. A small report on the Bali PrepCom4 will help open topics such as corporate accountability and greenhouse.
Preceding the meeting, whether Catholic or not, you are invited to attend the 6pm mass at St Joseph's. You are also invited to stay for our committee meeting to plan future events.

Details:
Mass: Optional mass at 6pm at St Joseph's Church, Lennox St, Newtown, NSW.
Meeting: from 7pm in the Pink Room next to the church.
Light meal/refreshments provided. Please rsvp for catering purposes.

Some background info:

• Official website of Rio+10: http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
• Third World Network: http://www.twnside.org.sg/
• Friends of the Earth: http://www.foei.org

General notices

> Mary Ward Grant 2003:
In order to promote the dignity and role of women in church and society, the Mary Ward Grant was established to support specialist or post-graduate study of theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry. Priority is given to Catholic lay women. Other applications will be given serious consideration.
Applications close: Thursday October 17, 2002. Offer of grants will be made in early December.

• For more details download flyer: http://www.acmica.org/enews/maryward.doc

> Download Paul Kelly's "Woomera song":
Paul Kelly, a prominent Australian singer/songwriters, have released for free download his latest song I Guess I Get a Little Emotional Sometimes, written in response to the situation of the refugees locked up at Woomera and other detention centres around Australia.

• Lyrics and mp3 can be downloaded at: http://www.paulkelly.com.au

Other events

> Tampa anniversary activities:
A number of events have been organised to mark one year after Tampa, the infamous incident that drew world attention to Australia's treatment of asylum seekers.

... August 24-25 - a reminder: The Tampa, One Year On Conference
Venue: Tower Building, UTS, Broadway NSW
More info: Download the Tampa One brochure: http://www.acmica.org/enews/tampa.doc

... August 25 (Sunday) 1pm, Tampa Day Rally:
Marrickville for Refugees/nner West Labor for Refugees
Venue: Newtown Square oppt Newtown station
Speakers: Sr Susan Connolly, Jagath Bandara (LHM Union), Ian Rintoul (Marrickville councillor), a released detainee

... August 26, (Monday) Tampa Day:
Wear a black armband to work, school, to lunch - show you protest on the anniversary
1pm - RAC Tampa Day Humanitarian Presentation at Norwegian Consulate, 189 Kent St, City
5-6pm - RAC Tampa Day Vigil - Town Hall - bring a placard or sign

> September 12 (Thursday), 1-2pm, Hugh Mackay on "Australia at a Turning Point":
A free lunch-time UTS Chaplaincy Forum.
Blurb: The most powerful messages coming form contemporary Australian society appear to contradict each other. Widening gaps in wealth and homelessness, unemployment and work overload, cultural diversity and growing fear, giving rise to pessimism. This forum will explore the fundamental shift in Australian thinking and explore questions on the way this shift affects our lives.
Hugh Mackay is a psychologist, social researcher and writer.
Date/time: Thursday September 12, 2002, 1-2pm
Venue: Glasshouse Bar Bld 1 Level 3 Tower
More info: Contact Fr Peter Maher on (02) 9557 3197 or <pmaher@acmica.org>