A People’s Movement for the United Nations

 

July 2009 Update – Vol 1, No 8

 

News Flash!!

The Annual General Meeting UNAA(WA) will be held on Monday August 10 at 6pm [light refreshments will be served from 5.30].

Venue: Meeting Room, 33 Moore Street East Perth. Meeting will include the presentation of the Annual Report, election of Office Bearers for 2009/10 and a guest speaker.

All financial members are entitled to vote. Judith Parker President.

 

 

President’s Message:

 

My sincere thanks to the events team which arranged the excellent fundraiser Quiz Night on Tuesday 7th July 2009. A great deal of planning and work went into producing a very enjoyable and profitable evening.

I recently attended an event that was arranged by the Australian Red Cross WA Division to introduce the new National Ambassador for the Red Cross, Megan Gale.

 

The work of the Red Cross responding to the disasters in WA and throughout Australia was outlined. In particular, the ongoing work of the Red Cross in the Victoria Bushfire areas was discussed.

 

The time of the Annual General Meeting draws close - 10th August 2009. You are all invited to attend and to consider supporting your association by nominating for the committee. Nominations forms are available in the office. All financial members are entitled to vote at the AGM. Please contact the treasurer if you require a membership invoice.

 

I have been delighted to welcome several students from the Murdoch University Students Without Borders Group who have volunteered to work in the office during their vacation.

 

Judith Parker AM DSJ

 

 

2009 Diary Dates/Events

 

11th July – World Population Day

    

9th August – International Day of World’s Indigenous People.

 

12th August  -  International Youth Day

 

23rd August - International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

 

UNAA (WA) Human Rights committee activities

 

The committee has invited Professor Colleen Hayward to present the Huelin Lecture on the 10th December 2009. This lecture is traditionally presented on International Human Rights Day. The lecture will be presented at the State Library Theatrette at 6pm. The lecture commemorates the outstanding work of the late John Huelin, past President of UNAA(WA).

 

Colleen Hayward is internationally recognised for her work defending the rights of indigenous people especially children. This will be a stimulating and challenging lecture. Mark the date in your diary now.

 

The committee has agreed to partner with the National Council of Jewish Women WA Division to arrange a tour of the Holocaust Museum, Yokine on January 27 [The International Day to remember victims of the Holocaust].

 

The next meeting will be held on Friday August 28th at 12 noon, venue: 33 Moore Street, small meeting room. New members and observers welcome.

Judith Parker Chairperson

 

UNAA(WA) Environment committee activities

 

World Environment Day. The Environment Committee held its annual tree planting at the Noble Falls Site, on Wooroloo Brook, on Sunday 7th June.

It was a very easy day, with over 35 planters, members, friends and neighbours and a passer-by with a dog joined in and we put two and a half thousand tube stock into the ground in under three hours, then some of us
headed for the picnic grounds and a well earned bite to eat. It’s almost sad to think that this is the last of our three plantings at this site, but we are not saying goodbye to tree planting altogether.

Thanks to the generosity of the Swan-Alcoa Landcare Project, we have had a good budget for trees and ground preparation for the duration of our three year project, which now reaches almost as far as the next planting by the Wooroloo Brook LCDC, upstream.
 
Our thanks also to the Swan Shire and Swan Shire Parks officer Mr Grant MacKinnon, who have made this land available. Having a good venue close to the city is not always easy to come by, so we have been very fortunate to have been so well supported with both land and funding.
 

The plantings of the last years are now growing well, and it’s a pleasure to see the fruits of our labours making habitat for the wild animals and birds and also for the rare native plants which can be found in the A-class reserve next door.

 

UNAA(WA) Events committee activities

 

The UNAA(WA) International Year of Astronomy Quiz Night was held on the 7th of July 2009 at the Belmont Sports and Recreation Centre. The night was a great success with a very close competition within the Quiz and exciting bidding within both the silent and loud Auctions held. With over 200 guests, the UNAA(WA) graciously thanks everyone for their participation in the fun-filled night. Valuable funds were raised to ensure the continued operation of the UNAA(WA) and the activities of the vital committees. Please check out the website soon to view photos and information regarding upcoming events.

 

The Events Committee is busy planning UN Day 2009 on 24th October. If you are interested in joining this Committee, please call Neesha Seth, Events Committee Convener on 0421 316 717.

 

Further Resources

·         Subscribe to UNity for 2009, as well as earlier issues are available at: www.unaa.org.au

·         For international updates, sign up for UN Wire:  http://www.smartbrief.com/un_wire/index.jsp

·         Read more about the Millenium project:  www.unmillenniumproject.org