2019

ANNIVERSARY OF MEHER BABA’S VISIT TO AVATAR’S ABODE Friday June 7th, 11:30AM thru Monday June 10th, 2:30PM

And so begins the 7th decade of remembrance and celebration of Avatar Meher Baba’s visit to His Australian Abode. We invite you to join us for this 61st Anniversary, to bring your love for Baba and to share with us the gift of your presence and your unique relationship with our Beloved.

A key component of the Anniversary experience has always been entertaining the Beloved. We do this both by presenting

performers from the broader worldwide Baba community but also by encouraging all who attend to share with us their unique gifts and talents as expressions of their love for the Beloved. One of the special treasured features of every Anniversary is the post Arti singalongs in Baba’s House where we gather together, sitting on the floor, each one free to join in, or perhaps just listen, as the songs emerge in the moment.

What Baba will bring to His Anniversary is up to Him but we for our part have invited Adrienne Shamszad from the USA, a singer-songwriter whose inspired music for her Beloved is both personal and delightful. She will be accompanied by her husband, Alan Manoukian, himself an accomplished poet.

Adrienne’s music is a special blend of Western and Persian influences. Her lyrics are poetic and intimate, inspired by the mystic poets of Iran as well as the folk poet-songwriters of the 60s and 70s. Adrienne became Baba’s at the age of 18 standing in the doorway of Guruprasad while gazing at His photo. Her deepest longing is to convey through her music even an ounce of Meher Baba’s Love, sharing that gift with the same Ancient One who dwells within the heart of each listener.

We have also invited Ward Parks, one of the foremost scholars on the works of Avatar Meher Baba, to share his insights into Baba's words, a subject he has made his life's work. You can also be sure that Ward will be bringing along a few songs that will need some good singing.

Ward is a Harvard graduate and former associate professor of Medieval Studies at Louisiana State University. A Baba lover since 1970, he has been a resident at Meherabad since 1993. Ward worked closely with Meherwan Jessawala in the painstaking process of editing some of Baba’s recently discovered manuscripts, and in producing publications such as “Infinite Intelligence”, “In God’s Hand”, and “Tiffin Lectures”. Ward has also written about 400 songs in praise of his Beloved.

Collins Adams - Avatar’s Abode ’58

Finally, if any of you have anything to offer, a song, a skit, a workshop, etc, we will do our best to create a space to help make it happen. We also understand and appreciate that sometimes just being together at the Abode, brothers and sisters in Beloved Baba, perhaps sharing a cuppa, such simple moments can in themselves become treasured highlights of an Anniversary.

So here is what you need to know:

How to Attend:Please use this Registration link to let us know of your intention to come, meal requirements, volunteer and program offerings, as well as any special needs. A registration link is also available on the Avatar’s Abode website. In addition, on this site you will find information about the Abode and the local area along with useful links to various local places for accommodation etc. The limited accommodations on the Abode have been allocated for volunteers and invited guests. Please register as soon as you can, this will assist us in preparing for your visit.

On arrival at Avatar’s Abode please check in at the Reception Centre. There is no fee for attending the Anniversary, however we do encourage that donations be made towards supporting the Anniversary, this can be done either at the Reception Centre where you check in or online at the Avatar's Abode website “About Avatar’s Abode”. Our suggested donation is $20 per day per adult or $70 per adult for the full four days (meals are not included as part of any donations; see Avatar’s Abode Dining below). How to Participate:

Volunteers: The Anniversary depends on volunteers; assistance is welcomed and your service will be greatly appreciated. Indicate your specific area of interest by ticking the appropriate buttons when filling out the Registration Form. Performance/Workshop Offers: All offerings are welcomed for possible inclusion in the Anniversary program. You can register your interest by ticking the appropriate button in the Registration Form. An open opportunity for short items (a song, a poem etc.) will be available during the communal singing period that follows morning and evening Arti in Baba’s House. Avatar’s Abode Dining: Meals will be served from lunch Saturday through to the following lunch on Monday. Please note: this year Friday evening dining will be bring-a-plate-to-share. Meal costs are separate from attendance donations (lunch and dinner $10 each). Please use the Registration Form to advise us of your anticipated dining schedule during the Anniversary. Meals can be paid for in advance at the Reception Centre at any time or at the Kitchen for individual meals prior to each meal. Meals are usually prepared on the Abode by teams of dedicated volunteers for whose work and support we are most grateful. Specific food needs can be addressed when filling out your Registration Form.

Dr. Ajit Soni, presently a practicing M.D. from the Indian city of Navsari, was fortunate to have had Baba’s Darshan at the age of 8 at Guruprasad in 1964. His father, Bachubhai Soni, one of Baba’s favourite singers, first met and sang for Baba as a child in 1937. In the 50s and 60s Bachubhai attended many Sahavas and Darshan programmes where Baba would often ask him to sing. Dr. Ajit Soni is himself an accomplished singer and has recorded his father’s songs as wells as ghazals by Bhau Kalchuri, composed in different classical ragas. He recently published “Reminiscences of Meher Baba Lovers of Navsari”. Dr. Ajit Soni has performed his ghazals and given talks at numerous Baba programmes in India and at the Meher Spiritual Center, Myrtle Beach.

Children: Parents remain responsible for their child’s safety and well-being throughout. Some supervised child activity times are provided during the days. Evening baby-sitting is not planned, parents are encouraged to share evening child minding with each other in the children’s tent or watching videos available in the Reception Centre.Accommodation: There are nearby motels and caravan parks at a range of prices. See “Visit” then “Motels accommodations” on the Avatar's Abode website.

Climate:

Most Australians know of our climate, but to assist overseas visitors, here is a brief description of the weather you might expect. It will be winter, but our winters are mild; daytime ranges from a mild 20C/68F to 25C/77F, at night it can drop to 10C/ 50F or below. If it rains the Abode can become muddy, therefore some form of water resistant foot gear may be needed. A torch (flashlight), rain coat, compact umbrella etc are all smart items to bring with you.

Transport: Air: The nearest airport (20 minutes) is the Sunshine Coast Airport (also known as Maroochy Airport) — domestic and NZ flights only. Brisbane Airport is the closest international airport and is 100 km south. Taxis are available from the Airports, Central Bus Stations, and Nambour Rail Stations - www.suncoastcabs.com.au or phone: 131 008. Shuttle Buses from Brisbane Airport leave hourly from both domestic and international terminals to the Sunshine Coast - www.con-x-ion.com. The nearby local drop-offs (expect 60-80 minutes from the airport) are either Forest Glen or better still, Woombye. In some situations Aussie World might be the only alternative but the former drop-offs are better choices when available. Trains: Available from Brisbane to Woombye and Nambour; Woombye Station is the closest (5km from the Abode) but there is no taxi rank (pick-ups may be arranged — see below). Nambour Station has taxi ranks (10km from the Abode). You can board a train at the Brisbane airport that goes to Eagle Junction where you would need to change trains for Woombye or Nambour. Altogether expect at least 2 hours on train, plus waiting times between trains that can be as long as 2 additional hours: www.translink.com.au Buses: Available to Nambour (interstate) and Woombye (local). Note: There is no public transport to Kiels Mountain or Avatar’s Abode. Pick-ups: Volunteers are able to do most pick-ups at the local hubs: Sunshine Coast airport, Forest Glen and Woombye airport shuttle from Brisbane. Also Aussie World, Woombye train station, and Nambour rail/bus hub. See the Registration Form “Special Requirements” to request and arrange for possible assistance. If you require transport during the Anniversary please make this known at Reception and we may be able to arrange this with a local volunteer.

Details: Avatar’s Abode Anniversary email: AAACommittee2019@gmail.comEmergency contacts during the Anniversary: In Australia (07) 5442 1961 or 0415 313 471, from overseas: +617 5442 1961 or +61 415 313 471. Access to the Abode is at the end of Meher Road, which is off Kiel Mt Rd. The nearest town is Woombye (10 minutes), the Abode is about 105km (65 miles) north of Brisbane. Avatar’s Abode’s address: 48 Meher Rd, Kiels Mountain QLD 4559 (Note: some GPS systems may not work if you use “Woombye” instead of “Kiels Mountain”)

The Primary Places of importance at the Anniversary will be:(1) The Reception Centre / Library: where you go to complete your Attendance Registration, make donations towards the Anniversary, and pre-pay for meals. (2) Baba’s House: where Baba stayed in 1958. Arti will be held each morning and evening in His room, the hall in Baba’s House will be the venue for various programs during the Anniversary. (3) The Shed: a large activity space where many of the performance programs will be presented. (4) The Kitchen: where meals are prepared and served. (5) The Bookstore: in addition to housing a broad range of books, CDs and DVDs for sale, it can also function as a program location during the Anniversary.