Monday 13 May, 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm:
Human Rights and the Northern Territory.
Find out more about the situation of the Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory under the continuation of the Intervention, now called Stronger Futures. Speaker: Michele Harris OAM
of ‘concerned Australians’. The presentation includes video clips and opportunities for questions. St John’s Parish, COGLAN CENTRE, 494 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, (enter via Elizabeth St, Melways 48 J9. Parking available in school grounds). For catering purposes RSVP by May 10th. Ph. Pia Pagotto 98873096 or Howard Tankey howardtankey@iprimus.com.au. ‘concerned Australians’ latest book, A Decision to Discriminate, will be available on the evening.
Tuesday 14 May, 6.30 pm:
MAPW Dinner and Meeting: Moving Towards a Ban on Nukes.
The next meeting of MAPW's Victorian branch is at La Notte, 160 Lygon St., Carlton. The meal costs $35 ($20 for students). The speaker will be Tim Wright from ICAN who will talk about the significance of the international conference on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear war held in March in Oslo.
Thursday 16 May, 7 pm -9.30 pm:
Many people do not realize that permaculture is much more than about growing fruit and vegetables. It is a more holistic view incorporating the environment, energy, resources, housing, technology, education, healthcare, the arts, spirituality, psychology, philosophy and agriculture - indeed, the Soul of the World. Featuring David Holmgren (co-founder of Permaculture), John Seed OAM (Deep Ecology), Dr Mark O’Meadhra (Integrative Medicine) Dr Christine James (Psychology) Michael Reynolds (Earthships), Stephan Harding, Vandana Shiva, Noam Chomsky, and many more.Pay-as-you-can (what you feel the event is worth, while knowing you're contributing to OASES' work towards a more generous, humble & sustainable world). Venue: Oases Graduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.
Friday 17 May, 7.30 pm:
Screening of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
The film shows some of the stories of asylum seekers who arrive by boat. Amanda Bater, who has worked with asylum seekers for the past ten years, will explain the experiences of being an asylum seeker. Venue: the Parish Hall, Sacred Heart Church, 13 Fernhill Road North, Sandringham. A cup of tea and coffee will be served so we would appreciate knowing in advance if you are coming. Gold coin donation. Phone: 9598 1511 or email: domecc.sand@bigpond.com. Further information:www.deepblueseafilm.com or www.asrc.org.au.
Friday 17 May, 8 pm – 9 pm: Meet Najaf Mazari. Najaf Mazari
Najaf Mazari is a former refugee from Afghanistan and co-author of the Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif and Honey Thief. He will speak on his life in Afghanistan, as a refugee and the Masawat Development Fund. After capture by the Taliban, he made his way to Australia, was held in a detention centre before release and the chance to begin a new life in Melbourne. Najaf and his friends established the Fund in 2008 to help improve health and education in his former hometown of Mazar in Afghnaistan- one of the world's poorest and war-scarred countries. Venue: Eltham College Performance Centre, Melways 22 K1, enter via Bells Hill Road through boom gate near tennis court. This is a free event and refreshments will be served. Donations to the Masawat Development Fund would be gratefully received.
Sunday 19 May 3 pm to 6 pm:
MAPW Fundraiser Concert.
Songs for Peace, a concert with "The Sweet Nothings", Polly Christie and Andy Rigby will be held in Seasons Bistro, Riddells Creek, Victoria. There will also be a silent auction.
Tuesday 21 May, 8.30 pm:
William Dalrymple: The Return of the king: the battle forAfghanistan.
In 1839 The British launched an invasion of Afghanistan largely as a result of false intelligence. William Darymple has told the story of the first Anglo Afghan war and the subsequent "war of retribution" using Afghan sources. As well as being a great read the book draws parallels which shed light on the current situation. Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne.Cost: $20; $12 concession. Further information: Wheeler Centre
Thursday 30 May, 6 pm: Life in Gaza Today: A Humanitarian and Human Rights Perspective with Dr Mon El Farra, Health Chair and Vice President of the Red Crescent Society for theGaza Strip.
Dr El Farra is a physician who now works as a public health advocate. She works in developing community based programs that aim to improve health quality and link health services with cultural and recreational services all over the Gaza Strip. Her particular focus is on the rights of women and children. Venue: Building 80, Level 2, Room 7, RMIT University. Further information: Michael Shaik 0431 573 368.
Friday 31 May, 8 am: Meet Dr Mona El Farra MAPW will host a breakfast where Dr El Farra will address the health situation in Gaza. The meeting will begin at the Travellers Bookstore, 294 Smith Street, Collingwood, which will be open from 7.45am. Please RSVP to
Saturday 1 June, 9 am -11.30 am:
Breakfast conversation: What's being female got to do with sustainability?
Come & listen to Jenni Goricanec, a facilitator at the OASES Graduate School, as she shares some fascinating insights on what it means to be female in a society trying to live more sustainably. Cost: $25/$15 including delicious buffet breakfast (with vegetarian options). For more info & to register, click here. You can also register by e-mail, or phone on 9819 3502. Venue:Oases Graduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.
Sunday 16 June, 12 noon: World Refugee Day Rally.
Rally organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network. Venue: Exhibition Building, Nicholson Street, Carlton.
Sunday, 16 June, 1 pm Shared meal; 2 pm discussion: Resisting war to make peace.
Pax Christi invites you to hear Professor Michael Hamel Green of Victoria University will introduce and conversation around his experiences as a war resister, conscientious objector and peacemaker. N.B. Many of you have experiences to share. Please feel free it invite others. Venue: Kildara, rear 39 Stanhope Street, Malvern. Further info: 0424 950 852.
Saturday 6 July, 9 am -6 pm: Special Breakfast Conversation and Open Day.
The history, spirit & place of OASES, 9 am -11.30 am. Presented by Dr Jacques Boulet & Rev Paul Sanders. Founding Director, Jacques Boulet, and concept initiator Paul Sanders, come together for a rare glimpse into the beginnings of OASES, & to explore our evolving vision, programs & sense of place. Cost: $25/$15 including delicious buffet breakfast (with vegetarian options).All are warmly invited to OASES for this special occasion, following on from the Breakfast, when we gather to showcase & celebrate all that is OASES. It'll be an afternoon of food, music, presentations & workshops that offer an insight into our programs, spirit & vision. If you are interested in exploring our courses, events, volunteer opportunities, or just being inspired by a wonderful community of facilitators & supporters of OASES, join us this Open Day. Entry free: 12 pm – 6 pm. Venue: OasesGraduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.
Tuesday 16 July, 5 pm – 9 pm: An evening with Wes Howard-Brook and Sue Ferguson Johnson.
Pax Christi invites you to hear Wes Howard Brook, who teaches biblical studies Seattle University, USA, and Sue Ferguson Johnson, who is a spiritual director. Together they run “Abide in Me Ministries”. They will speak on restoring one's sense of bonding around the earth itself, focussing on creation, to help everyone to come out of their identity with violence and empire and into a life of peace and love. The first session will be between 5 pm - 6.30 pm, then a shared meal between 6.30 pm -7.30 pm. Please bring food to share. The second session will be between 7.30 pm – 9 pm. Venue: Kildara, rear 39 Stanhope Street, Malvern. Further info: 0424 950 852.
10 August, 12 October, 10 & 11 November: Community Development.
A 4-day short course from one of the world's leading community development practitioners. Working with Dr Jacques Boulet, students will explore concepts, strategies and practices associated with community development. This course looks at ways to empower community not just for survival but with the aim that they will thrive in a way that is sustainable and life enhancing.
For more info & to register, click here. Venue: Oases Graduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.
11 August, 8 & 9 September, 13 October: Sustainable Relationships in a Technological Age.
A 4-day short course at the heart of what it means to live well. How are your relationships with others and the rest of the living world being affected by this age of extraordinary technological progress? Under the guidance of one of Australia’s leading experts in social development, Dr Jacques Boulet, you will reflect on the last 600 years of human history and understand how to create better relationships and communities. For more info & to register, click here. Venue: Oases GraduateSchool, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.
Sunday 18 August to Wednesday 21 August:
JCMA’s 10th Winter Conference: Sorry is the Hardest Word: Forgiveness and Repentance. JCMA conferences are intended for anyone from one of the three Abrahamic faiths. Participants include men and women, academics, those working in support or welfare roles, tertiary students, and members and leaders of faith communities. Sunday TasterOpportunity:1 pm - 9.45 pm. Cost: $55. Sunday, the first day of the conference, will provide an overview of the main themes. People who unable to attend for the whole conference are welcome to come to this Sunday taster. Applications closing date: Friday 19 July 2013. Conference CentrePallotti College, Millgrove Melways 289 A2. An application form for registration is available fromwww.trybooking.com/CFGA.
Friday 23 August – Sunday 25 August: Pax Christi Australia National conference:
Peacemaking, an Alternative Narrative! Venue: Edmund Rice Centre, Homebush, Sydney. More details soon.
Thursday 19 September (time & location TBA): Satish Kumar to visit OASES & present a talk in the evening.
A former monk and long-term peace and environment activist, Satish Kumar has been quietly setting the Global Agenda for change for over 50 years. He was just nine when he left his family home to join the wandering Jains and 18 when he decided he could achieve more back in the world. Satish is Editor of Resurgence Magazine & a Visiting Fellow at the Schumacher College, a close affiliate of the OASES Graduate School. We hope you can join us for an evening with this warm, creative and highly respected man.
19 & 20 October, 16 & 17 November:
Creating Connections & Opening Up Creativity.
A 4-day short course learning deeply about our inherent creativity. An aesthetic experience can spark an enlightening moment where things become clearer and make more sense. This course will guide participants to create your own bridges towards clarity. For more info & to register, click here. Venue: Oases Graduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.
