September 2010A First for Western Australia
The Region of Western Australia held it’s first official “Region Conference” in Geraldton over the weekend of 23 - 25 July. With 17 clubs in our Region spread from Port Hedland to the north, to Albany to the south of Perth, it was wonderful that almost all clubs were represented, with 50 members driving or flying to Geraldton, and approximately 65 taking part in the weekend’s activities, including some partners at Saturday’s dinner.
We were all delighted to have the opportunity to meet our National Representative Catherine Evans, who made the trip from Canberra to be with us. The weekend began on Friday with an “Information and Drinks” evening with many interested women from Geraldton area invited to hear more about our organization, and a presentation by SI Perth showcasing their recent project in Thailand.
Saturday’s workshops included an overview by IPIP Margaret Lobo of the “International Scene” of Soroptimism, presentations by Region UN/Programme Liaison Merle Thomson, Member Development Convenor Marilyn Fowler and the launch of the new Region Website by Publicity Convenor Naomi Allan.
Saturday’s delicious buffet dinner was interspersed by tales and anecdotes in a short history of Geraldton by MC and SI Geraldton Secretary Leanne Sice and enjoyed by all.
On Sunday many of us boarded a bus after breakfast for a quick tour of Geraldton’s scenic highlights, including the HMAS Sydney Memorial. We finished off the weekend with morning tea at the local Lavender Farm before dispersing to head homeward.
The Wintersun Hotel venue and food were greatly commended, and the socialising and networking were appreciated by all club members and especially SI Geraldton. Next year we hope to be able to hold a similar event in Carnarvon in May. Special Parents Day
Culunga is an Independent Aboriginal Community School set in the Swan Valley of Western Australia. Soroptimist International of Joondalup have been supporting the school as a President's Project for the last 18 months.
Culunga Aboriginal Community School enables Indigenous people to gather together and produce a positive cultural environment.
By providing a strong social, cultural and educational environment in which Aboriginal people significantly direct the school and act as role models, it is hoped to encourage students to further their education and take up a range of career opportunities that a good education offers.
Culunga is committed to developing a strong understanding of cultural identity, spirituality and a sense of pride.
The school busses in the children from a wide area, and their philosophy is to teach the children a standard curriculum while maintaining their Aboriginal culture.
Jennie van Driel went as a representative of Soroptimist International of Joondalup to Culunga for a Special Parents Day where children’s work was demonstrated and displayed for parents to see.
Raising Funds for Cancer, SIDS and PMH
As part of our yearly service activities, SI Rockingham recently again assisted in raising funds for three beneficiaries – holding an“Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea”
to aid cancer research, selling bears for Princess Margaret Hospital, and selling products for Red Nose Day, which raises funds for research into SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
In spite of the many demands on income in these times, the club was pleased to raise a combined total of $6,129.95 which has now been distributed to the organizations involved.
The fact that the Morning Tea was held at a local retirement village, and the PMH Bears and the Red Nose products were sold in local shopping centres, meant that we were also able to use this fundraising as a means of promoting both the Rockingham club, and what Soroptimism stands for.
Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women
The Global Campaign to Stop Killing and Stoning Women (SKSW) and the International Solidarity Network, Women Living Under Muslim Laws
(WLUML) urge all concerned to immediately contact the Iranian officials to express your concern over the planned stoning to death of Sakineh Mohammadi‐Ashtiani.
Under Iranian law, execution by stoning is prescribed for adultery. Stoning is one of the most brutal punishments; the Islamic Penal Code of Iran states that the stones used should “not be large enough to kill the person by one or two strikes” – clearly aiming to inflict a slow and painful death.
The Stop Stoning Forever Campaign, a grassroots initiative in Iran, has been urging Iranian officials to repeal the stoning law since its formation in 2006. There is no mention of stoning in the Qur’an and many prominent Ayatollahs, or religious scholars, have spoken in support of a ban on stoning in Iran.
Many Muslim nations such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia, Algeria and others have banned death by stoning. Despite calls for abolition from around the globe, stoning is still legal in Iran and judges continue to issue and implement stoning sentences.
Iran’s Judiciary system considers no right for the citizens to monitor its performance. Hence, the number and names of those whose stoning sentences have been approved by the Supreme Court and have been implemented remains unknown. It is feared that the Islamic Republic of Iran may decide to suddenly execute all those sentenced to stoning, either by stoning or hanging, in an attempt to quiet the rising western opposition as quickly as possible.
Sakineh Mohammadi‐Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning in September 2006. Even though she has already suffered 99 lashes on an earlier sentence, even though 2 out of 5 judges found her not guilty (indicating a lack of evidence against her), and even though it is not legal for her to be tried for the same crime twice (though she has), her sentence remains. Officials have announced that she will not be stoned, but she may still be executed by hanging.
Now, her children and family have been arrested and harassed. Her lawyer has been arrested and, following his release, his whereabouts are unknown. His wife and brother‐in‐law have been arrested and are being detained and denied access to a lawyer. Upcoming Events
SEPTEMBER
7 - Dinner and Guest Speaker - dinner with guest speaker Kevin Giles from the Heart Foundation on the topic Heart Disease in Women. Click her for details
11 - Stella giles Award Presentation Lunch and Region Meeting - click here for details
13 - Guest Speaker - Michell Hogan will be speaking on her experiences working in Bhutan, the Queen's RENEW project and her educational scholarship programme. Click here for details
14 - Information Evening - featuring guest speaker Margaret Lobo AM, Immediate Past President of Soroptimist International. An opportunity to learn more about the largest women's service club. Click here for details
14 - Dinner and Guest Speaker - dinner with guest speaker Sally Lewis from Young Unifem. Click here for details
18 - New Club Meeting - Margaret River - anyone interested in starting a Soroptimist International club in Margaret River is invited to this event. Click here for details
18 - New Club Meeting - Busselton - anyone interested in starting a Soroptimist International club in Busselton is invited to this event. Click here for details
19 - Soroptimist International Rockingham's 29th Birthday Celebrations - join in the lunch celebrations at Millbrook Winery. Click here for details
OCTOBER
8 - Quiz Night - proceeds in aid of Soroptimist international Sustainable Farm - Eraulo, Timor L'Este. Click here for details
10 - "Eat Pray Love" Fundraising Movie - proceeds raised will support local and international projects that promote human rights and the advancement of women and girls. Click here for details
22 - Quiz Night - proceeds to Northam Women's Refuge, Yalgoo Primary School, Wakimbizi - Kenyan Sponsorship, Sudanese refugees, educational scholarships for Bhutan women and Kiva micro-lending project. Click here for details
29 - A Night in Africa - the biggest fundraiser for Project SIerra to be held in Western Australia this year. It is hope to raise over $10,000. Join us for a night of African food, live entertainment from Akwaaba dancing and plenty of fun. Click here for details
31 - Wellness Day - experience massage, reflexology, iridology, bush flower essences and kinesiology and much more at this all day event. All proceeds go to support local, national and international projects. Click here for details
Do you know anyone who is interested in joining Soroptimist International and lives in Margaret River or Busselton? We would love to hear from you. Email info@soroptimist-wa.org.auAid for Bali Birthing Clinic
Soroptimist Mary Hayes is a regular traveller to Bali. On every trip Mary visits the Bumi Sehat Foundation’s birthing clinic, taking along baby blankets, hats, and medical supplies for the 550 babies born there each year.
The supplies are paid for by Soroptimist International of Riverside, of which Mary has been a long-term member. On her upcoming trip Mary will take 69 baby wraps and two blood pressure machines for the clinic.
Many Western Australian Soroptimist International clubs provide supplies and donations to Bumi Sehat. There are two community health centres located in Bali and Aceh. They operate by donation only and provide health consultations and midwifery services for over 17,000 children and adults each year.
Their mission is to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality and to support the health and wise development of communities. Toward this goal, they provide general health services, emergency care, prenatal, postpartum, birth services and breastfeeding support, in addition to education and environmental programs. Yayasan Bumi Sehat is devoted to working in partnership with people to improve quality of life and to improve peace.
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