February 20152Yearly Meeting Reflections

3Yearly MeetingFeedback

4 Yearly Meeting Epistles

615 ‘ailments’Vatican Curia

7MONA Skyspace Quaker connections

The image adopted as the logo for Quakers in Australia represents the Aurora Australis, a natural phenomenon of the southern hemisphere, associated with Antarctica, a fragile and magnificent part of the planet. The Aurora Australis is considered an appropriate logo because of its association with:

• pure light, the centrality of the Light for Quakers

• beauty, a quality many associate with God or the Spirit within • nature, a permanent reminder of everyone’s responsi-bility to care for the world • the colour blue, used by the UN • the ephemeral and intangible, a reminder that lan-guage is inadequate to describe God, the truth or the Spirit within.

QuakerTasmanian

Newsletter

Deadline: Copy for the March TQN should be received by Felicity Rose (fvrose@bigpond.com) by 26 February. To be added to the mailing list, send an email to Jenny Seaton: jendel5@bigpond.com

Junior Young Friends at Yearly Meeting Camp, Melbourne, 2015

From left: Anastasia Spratt, Alex Brosnan, Susan Albrecht and Philippa Albrecht

Tasmanian Quaker Newsletter Tasmania Regional Meeting The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia

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AS ALWAYS, I look forward to attending Yearly Meeting and this year it again met my expectations. The joyful greetings of old and new F/friends, the exploring of our new surroundings, the interesting business sessions, the peace of Meeting for Worship daily and the cheerful meal time talks with many different people is always so stimulating and enjoyable.

The Summer School I chose was ‘Lifelong Education’ led by David Evans where we looked at our personal philosophy, gifts and life story was thought-provoking and a rewarding challenge.

Julian Robertson and Susan Addison led us skilfully through many business sessions, interrupted with the occasional “worshipful wiggle” where we got up, stretched and moved around.

Helen Bayes’ State of the Society address was very interesting with opening searching questions: “How is the Truth prospering in you?” and “What is the religious state of your Meeting?”.

I enjoyed studying the WW I exhibition put together by NSW Quakers as well as learning about divestment issues at the Investment prep session. The Respectful Relationships session was very positive and seen as an important aspect of our Quaker resources.

The Right Ordering of YM and the Children and JYF prep sessions were both engaging and challenging as we worked collectively, using effective Quaker processes, to come to a common understand-ing and place of agreement.

My Quaker batteries are now recharged and I look forward to the next YM to be held here in Hobart in July 2016!

Robin McLeanWHAT IMPRESSED me at YM15:

•WatchingtheJYFstakeonQuakerprocessestowork through their challenges with the proposed new timing for Yearly Meetings (with guidance from a young adult who was mentoring them through the whole of their program)

•ThevisualpresentationoftheYearlyMeeting

epistle. The power point version is on the AYM website www.quakers.org.au

•TheinvolvementoftheJYFsinpresentingtheBackhouse lecture

•TheagreementthatPaulinebookswillstockalimited range of overseas and Australian Quaker books

•BeinginlocoparentisformyyoungFriend•Findinggoodcoffeenearbyinacaféwitha

chemistry theme•Mealswherethechoicesweresimpleandlimited,

and not dessert twice a day. Fruit at morning tea too! I actually didn’t put weight on this time

•Ofcourse,meetingupwithFriendsthatIseeonly once a year

•SharingthebathroommirrorwithFriends•MurrayShort’sexplanationsoftheAotearoa/New

Zealand systems of decision making throughout the year.

What I found difficult:•Theheatinabedroomwherethewindowcould

not be opened very far – and on the NORTH side of the building ON A 42˚ day

•Dittoameetingroomthathadnon-openingwindows and was on the third floor

•Tryingtogotoalloftheinterestingsessions,as well as undertake the roles for which I was responsible

•Missingproofreadingtheminutesandthereportsfor Documents in Retrospect

•ClerkingaYMPrepsessionforthefirsttime,andfollowing through with reports, formal session etc. – good learning curve though.

Julie Walpole

Recollections of YM 2015

Quakers enjoying themselves in the YM concert

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Yearly Meeting Feedback Session

TWENTY-SIX F/FRIENDS gathered after Meeting for Worship on the 25th January to hear the reflections of 14 F/friends who attended the recent 2015 Yearly Meeting from 3 to 10 January at Queen’s College, Melbourne University.

We started the session with the reading and viewing of the visual YM epistle 2015, which was generally felt to be very moving and captured the elements of this year’s YM.

The following is a composite of reflections, highlights and memorable moments of those who attended YM:•TheEarthcaresessioninvolvedpowerful

discernment, there was a growing understanding that occurred and it was mentioned that from the Quaker survey 84% of Quakers are committed and care about Earthcare issues; we were heartened to hear that WARM may take on this committee.

•TheQuakerPeaceandLegislationCommittee(QPLC) and the Peace and Social Justice Fund Committee (P & SJFC) prep session told of a number of impressive projects that have been supported and funded throughout 2014. It was also felt that, as Quakers, we need to consider giving morefinanciallytoaidourpeaceworkandtodomore in relation to our peace witness.

•ThoseattendingSummerSchoolsessionshadpositive experiences: “Celebrating 70 + “where we felt it was important to encourage the young”; “A day of silence to contemplate life in the Light”, which was found to be a wonderful experience; “Quakers and business in the Light” where a loosely formed group will continue to meet looking at investments and business structures.

•ThelaunchoftherevisedbookAdventures in the Spirit, which has inspiring stories and celebrations of Quakers.

•ThewonderfulclerkingofJulianRobertson(andother clerks of the prep sessions) who found ways to bring us together in spiritual and worshipful ways.

•Readingofthetestimonies,whichgavearealsenseof the people spoken about.

•ThechallengeandpositivenessoftheQuakerprocess in the YM Nominations Committee to bring forward the name of the next Clerk – Jo Jordan (SA); YF clerk Callista Barrett on the executive of the National Council of Churches; Julie Walpole as the new convenor of YM Nominations

Committee; Tessa Spratt as Australia’s representa-tive at Aotearoa/New Zealand YM and the next Backhouse lecturer, Margery Post Abbott (USA).

•HeartenedtoseeQuakerprocessesworking,startingwith the daily Meeting for Worship and experienc-ing the depth and richness of spiritual commitment throughout each day including several potentially difficult issues which found ways through to resolution.

•Theworshipfulnatureoftheprepandformalsessions were supported and helped by having Elders present at each session, who arrived 10 minutes before the session and supported the spirit of the gathering.

•TheSilverWattlepresentationshowedwhatwonderful work people are doing there and giving feelings of hope and positiveness.

The informative and positive sessions of both The Friends School and Quaker Learning Australia (QLA) which were well attended.

•LearningaboutthehistoryofQLAfromoneofthe Meeting for Learning (MfL) presenters; QLA resources could be made available to the Asia/West PacificregionandthatVictoriamaybehosttoMfLin 2016.

•ThechangeofYMtoJulywiththenextonetobeheld in Hobart in July 2016; hoping that we can explore ways to make it work creatively.

•WrestlingwithJYFandYFconcerns,listeningandclarifying what we are exploring together.

•HavingadedicatedhealingroomatYMwhichwasopen to use daily and a Meeting for Healing every day at 5 pm, which offered a different quality to the communal gathering.

•First-timersexperiencesofexcitementandfeelingoverwhelmed, catching up and meeting new people, feeling welcomed.

•EnjoyedtheroleofElderandassistingtocreateacalm, worshipful place

•BeingimpressedwithJYFswhodemonstratedknowledge and respect for Quaker processes and findingwaystohavetheirvoiceinchallengingprepsessions.

•FirstNationsPeopleandlookingatwherewestand.•TheenjoymentofbeingJYFsatYM–atcamp

where there was a session on looking at their gifts such as generosity, kindness, leadership; forming on-going friendships and sharing in communal

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living; feeling supported, valued and respected by everyone at YM

•Makingconnectionsagain,feltlikefamily.•TheAotearoa/NZmodelofdecision-makingwith

Regional Meetings being closer in touch with YM business and their use of white and gold papers.

•HearingaboutFriends’PeaceTeamsworkingin

Aceh and Nepal and being inspired by the Quaker workers.

•CelebratingthecentenaryofWomen’sInternationalLeague of Peace and Freedom (WILPF) this year.

•EnjoyinghearingtheBackhouseLecture–This we can do: Quaker faith in action through the Alternatives to Violence Project by Sally Herzfeld and her team.

Epistle from Yearly Meeting 2015, Queen’s College, University of Melbourne, 3–10 January 2015To dear Friends everywhere

Life in the Light, our Summer School theme, means listening and acting in the breadth of our concerns. Building a gracious and resilient Quaker community that is inclusive and respectful of all its diversities holds us true to processes both new and historic. Life in the Light means looking imaginatively beyond our comfort zone.

To the Boonwurrung people of 1827 white people were visitors who didn’t go away. In 2015 Quakers were welcomed to country with the hope of a peaceful future. The First Nations People tell us to listen respectfully, to build long-term relationships, to talk softly and listen well. We continue to look for new ways to internalise this advice, to look for God in every thing.

The brighter the light, the deeper the shadows.

Australian Quakers try to resist labels, divisions around belief and cultural practices. We are confronted by issues such as individualism, extreme political philosophies, environmental desecration, and unscrupulous investment. Living in the Light means taking on the darknesses of capitalism, war, climate change, isolation and racism. It means engaging with champions who have paved paths; we cut our own new tracks and prepare for new light from those who may have been ‘the Other’.

In 1697 William Penn underscored our interconnectedness with all living beings around the world. We consider deeply ways to live sustainably, to share this information across our wide brown land and care for our environment with small wins and great efforts to still be made. We add Earthcare to our testimonies. Are we unstoppably moved towards caring for our planet?

We contemplate ways to make sustainable our peace testimony work, recognising this is one of our core beliefs, requiring new funding models to put our faith into action. Are we content to mainly support smaller individual projects or will new decision-making processes allow us to develop a stronger corporate witness? The Backhouse Lecture This We Can Do: Quaker faith in action through the Alterna-tives to Violence Project reminds us of our leadings towards peacemaking amongst Friends, First Nations People, refugees, prisoners and students.

We are juggling and struggling with the challenges of

faith in action and the processes we use, encompassing dispersed and isolated Friends as well as being tender to our youth and their needs. How can we extend our corporate witness to these Friends, those in Asia West Pacific and the wider world of Friends?

Introducing an Elders role formally into Yearly Meeting sessions is grounding us in worshipful discernment. Will the trial of the new Yearly Meeting timing and exploring more equitable processes of distributed decision-making allow us to reaffirm our commitment to Quaker faith and practice? How do we live in community, building our relationships and growing the Truth in our Meetings?

Will use of technology allow us to be more inclusive? Are we developing creative ways to nurture ourselves? In what ways do we offer the Testimonies beyond our Society? What is the religious health of our meetings?

The answers to these questions must flow from our gratitude for the Light as we grow in Grace.

Julian Robertson, Presiding Clerk Australia Yearly Meeting 3–10 January 2015 Queen’s College, University of Melbourne

Epistle from Australian Young Friends Pre-YM15 Camp To Friends everywhere

From 27 December to 3 January Young Friends gathered at the beautiful Baldessin Press, an hour from Melbourne, in St Andrews. Tess Edwards and Lloyd Godman very generously offered us the use of their property for our gathering, for which we are deeply grateful. We felt spiritually nurtured by the space, as it was clear that much love went into its creation and care. We hope our efforts at watering their extensive gardens and plant sculptures has ensured their survival over this hot week of summer.

As we arrived, we had the opportunity to meet the Attenders of the Diamond Valley Worshipping Group as they concluded their monthly Meeting for Worship.

Although most of us didn’t know each other at the beginning, by the end of the gathering, we had bonded over simple tasks such as sharing responsibilities for cooking and cleaning together. We also connected through enjoying a diverse range of music that formed the background soundtrack to meal preparation, in particular the extensive collection of jazz we found there. On excursions, crammed

Epistles from Yearly Meeting 2015

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into ‘Mighty Boy’, the small car Tess and Lloyd generously lent us, through the discovery of a cassette tape of Tina Turner, we were prompted to ask ourselves what love has to do with it.

The Young Friends tradition of sharing tasks, knowledge and experience fostered learning valuable life skills such as how to pit an avocado, make omelettes and how to cook dahl, an essential skill in the up and coming life of a Young Friend. Other essential Young Friend skills we learnt were how to build community through fun and play, in the process learning new games. As St Andrews is a fire prone area, we had emergency fire plans in place, and our discussions brought out knowledge of the dangers bushfires pose and how one should respond.

We enjoyed both the nature – swimming in a local river and exploring our surrounds by foot – and also profited from immersing ourselves in local history and culture, by spending time in Melbourne’s inner suburbs, roaming around the city visiting the National Gallery of Victoria, The State Library, Victoria Markets and the Botanic Gardens.

We deliberately left the week unscheduled to allow us to determine our daily activities by Spirit-led consensus; Young Friends make decisions mutually we are all responsible for everyone’s well being.

During our Meetings for Worship for Business, we started the difficult process of discerning ways forward for our Young Friends community on matters of Child Protection, which will greatly impact our future.

During a creative afternoon in the art studio, among other creations we made a Quakers for Peace banner that was later used in the Silent Vigil for Justice for First Nations Peoples in Melbourne.

Camp has been a wonderful experience for those who attended, providing the opportunity to form lasting and meaningful relationships that will sustain us spiritually as we go out into the wider Quaker community, not only acting in line with our beliefs, but endeavouring to live them.

A quote we found written up on the whiteboard upon our arrival at camp sums up well the connection we feel as Young Friends to each other, and is a fitting conclusion to our epistle: ‘Mind that which is eternal, which gathers your hearts together up to the Lord, and lets you see that ye are written in one another’s hearts.’ George Fox 1653

Epistle from Junior Young Friends YM15 The 2015 Junior Young Friends (JYF) program was formed and organised by Andrew Bray, Kyrstie Crane, David Albrecht, Anna Wilkinson, Bruce Henry and Rosie Remmerswaal.* Although it was a large group of around 30 JYFs, as a whole we managed to create an inclusive and loving environment. Our week composed of Quaker workshops, creative tasks, meetings and outdoor activities. Yet, somehow, we still found plenty of time for lounging and bonding with friends of all ages.

After many meetings to organise various aspects of the JYF program, we were treated to workshops that lightened our spirits and gave us a chance to discuss our beliefs and mindsets. A creative twist was brought to tasks by Rosie,

who helped us produce videos on our groups’ interpretation of Quakerism. We were split into four groups and our final products became an entertaining conclusion and a way to reflect on our week.

Camp began with an opportunity to give back to the community of Gembrook Retreat by assisting with chores around the vast garden that is known as a place of healing. A variety of apple picking, gardening and wood chopping jobs resulted in a relaxing and rewarding afternoon, despite the heat. We refreshed ourselves with a dip in the pool that evening, readying ourselves for the coming days of indoor soccer, low ropes courses, and other fun pastimes.

We have our wonderfully open-minded leaders to thank for the hours of time we were given to do as we please. Chess, card games and hair braiding brought the group of all ages closer together because we could all take part. We took pleasure in the afternoons spent in the pool, and drying off on the volleyball court and trampolines. Then on our last night we stayed up until early in the morning playing The Fantasy Game and chatting.

It was the dessert for breakfast, the loom bands strewn across the floor, the interesting spotting on the low ropes course, and the light-hearted vibe which made the JYFs program 2015 memorable and fulfilling. Something as precious as this time could only be concluded with a dislocating high-five. (*Young Friends representative to YM15 from Aotearoa/New Zealand YM)

Children’s Epistle YM15 We enjoyed many things in our program this year:

• Going to the zoo, especially when it rained and we threw water all over each other

• Origami • Making new friends and seeing old friends • Having alone time • Watching videos • Making stories • Playing Uno • Playing with the wooden toys • Circle dancing • Playing with Clancy • Falling into a huge puddle • Yoga • Having some time with the older kids • Silence • Making ‘poppies for peace’ and the WW I exhibition • Eating food • Making films • Learning Japanese and Korean songs • Ball games and Frisbee and rocket and paper planes • Drawing • Having peace and quiet.

We like spending time with the Junior Young Friends. We would like to do more of this next year.

We liked organising Meeting for Worship. Each year we bring in a new idea to share with the whole meeting. Everyone likes it because it’s different.

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IN HIS Christmas address to the cardinals, bishops and priests who run the central administration of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis  listed 15 “ailments” oftheVaticanCuria.

Careerism and greed had infected the adminis-trative body of the church, “spiritual Alzheimer’s”, which has made them forget that they are supposed to be joyful men of God, Francis said.

His speech met with tepid applause from the Curia. Few in were smiling as he listed the 15 “ailments”, with footnotes.

Feeling immortal, immune or indispensable. “A Curia that doesn’t criticise itself, doesn’t update itself, that doesn’t seek to improve itself is a sick body.”

Working too hard. It is the disease of those who, like Martha in the Gospel, “lose themselves in their work, inevitably neglecting what is better; sitting at Jesus’ feet”. The Pope said that Jesus called on his disciples to “rest a little”, because neglecting necessary rest brings anxiety and stress.

Becoming spiritually and mentally hardened. “It’s dangerous to lose that human sensibility that lets you cry with those who are crying, and celebrate with those who are joyful.”

Over-planning. “Preparing things well is necessary, but don’t fall into the temptation of trying to close or direct the freedom of the Holy Spirit, which is bigger and more generous than any human plan.”

Working without co-ordination, like an orchestra that produces undisciplined noise. “When the foot tells the hand, ‘I don’t need you’ or the hand tells the head ‘I’m in charge’.”

Spiritual Alzheimer’s. “We see it in the people who have forgotten their encounter with the Lord ... in those who depend completely on their here and now, on their passions, whims and manias, in those who build walls around themselves and become enslaved to the idols they have built with their own hands.”

Indulging in rivalry or boastfulness. “When one’s appearance, the colour of one’s vestments or

honorifictitlesbecometheprimaryobjectiveoflife.”Suffering existential schizophrenia. “It’s the

sickness of those who live a double life, fruit of hypocrisy that is typical of mediocre and progressive spiritual emptiness that academic degrees cannot fill.It’sasicknessthatoftenaffectsthosewho,abandoning pastoral service, limit themselves to bureaucratic work, losing contact with reality and concrete people.”

Committing the terrorism of gossip. “It’s the sickness of cowardly people who, not having the courage to speak directly, talk behind people’s backs.”

Glorifying one’s bosses. “It’s the sickness of those who court their superiors, hoping for their benevolence. They are victims of careerism and opportunism, they honour people who aren’t God.”

Being indifferent to others. “When, out of jealousyorcunning,onefindsjoyinseeinganotherfall rather than helping him up and encouraging him.”

Having a funereal face. “In reality, theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity. The apostle must be polite, serene, enthusiastic and happy and transmit joy wherever he goes.”

Wanting material possessions. “When the apostletriestofillanexistentialemptinessinhisheart by accumulating material goods, not because he needs them but because he’ll feel more secure.”

Forming closed circles that seek to be stronger than the whole. “This sickness always starts with good intentions but as time goes by, it enslaves its members by becoming a cancer that threatens the harmony of the body and causes so much bad – scandals – especially to our younger brothers.”

Seeking worldly profit and showing off. “It’s the sickness of those who insatiably try to multiply their powers and to do so are capable of calumny, defamation and discrediting others, even in newspapers and magazines, naturally to show themselves as being more capable than others.”

15 ‘ailments’ of the Vatican Curia

Friends Peace Teams in Asia West Pacific is proud to announce the com-pletion of a new film by Blaze Nowara, Silaturahmi: The Power of Visiting.

The film offers a powerful sense of the work of Friends Peace Teams in Indonesia, Nepal and the Philippines, through many voices. Silaturahmi means visiting. Muslims consider visiting, without agenda as one visits

family or friends, mandatory for building and maintaining spiritual community. This resonates well with a Quaker approach to peace work, bridging among communities in conflict, Christians and Muslims as well as other international and local groups.

You can view the 33-minute film on Vimeo: www.vimeo.com/110023681

Silaturahmi: The Power of Visiting

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ON 17 January, a very windy, rainy, cold morning Delton and I got up at 4.15 am to attend the opening of Skyspace, a new, large sculptural artwork by James Turrell set on and over some of the buildings at MONA. We joined 21 other people who were not deterred by the hour or the weather. We tried to stay warm and dry, not very successfully, while for about an hour until sunrise, a wonderful light show of gradually changing colours played out on a large rectangular roof overhead, creating a very peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. There is a rectangular hole in the middle of the roof and the changing colours around it give the illusion that the colour of the sky is changing. Turrell says “My work is about space and the light that inhabits it. It is about how you confront that space and plumb it with vision. It is about your seeing, like the wordless thought thatcomesfromlookingintofire”.Itwassuchaspecial experience we returned a few days later, in fineweather,atsunsetforanotherfeastofcolourandlight.

James Turrell is an American artist born in 1943. His work is mainly concerned with light and space. His parents were Quakers and his Quaker upbringing informs his work. His art involves a lot of science and engineering, however he says, “I know that science is very interested in answers, and I’m just happy with a good question”. He obtained a pilot’s licence when he was 16, then studied mathematics, geology and astronomy. He began making artworks using light projections in 1966. However this was interrupted when he spent about a year in gaol having been arrested for coaching young men to avoidthedrafttoVietnam.Since1978Turrellhasdesigned 89 skyspaces, viewing spaces that affect the way we perceive the sky, around the world. One of these is the Live Oak Friends Meeting House in Houston, Texas (see an interesting interview with Turrell at http://www.art21.org/texts/james-turrell/interview-james-turrell-live-oak-friends-meeting-house) Some friends will have seen the skyspace,

‘Within Without’ in the grounds of the National Gallery in Canberra. When that opened, Canberra Friends held a Meeting for Worship in the space. I said to David Walsh that some Hobart Quakers were interested in holding a Meeting for Worship in the MONA Skyspace and asked how I could move that forward. His response was “I wouldn’t have thought you needed to ask really” – so, it’s over to us, Friends. If you would be interested in taking part in a Meeting for Worship at the MONA Skyspace – perhaps when sunrise is a little later, or sunset a little earlier – please let me or Katherine Purnell know.

In the meantime, if you would like to experience this artwork, go to MONA an hour before sunrise, or at sunset and stay for an hour. The structure is in the open so you don’t need to go into the museum itself. And if, as it did for me, this art work/space speaks to your condition and you will be in Canberra, James Turrell: A Retrospective is at the National Gallery of Canberra until 8 June.Jenny Seaton

MONA Skyspace

In our list of Members and Attenders of Tasmania Regional Meeting we note Tasmanian Friends who may be able to offer one or two nights ac-commodation to travelling Friends.

(Longer stays can be negotiated.) There is no obligation to provide ac-commodation, at times it may not be possible and travellers are asked to understand that.

The list of Friends offering accommodation has not been updated for sometime and we would like to make it more current.

If you would like to be included in this list please let me know.

Thank you Friends,

Jenny Seaton, jendel5@bigpond.com, 6275 2289

Accommodation for travelling Quakers

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“HONOUR AND Glory to God ... Peace on Earth ... Goodwill to all People.” With these words in the language of her iwi (tribe), Niwa Short opened our gathering after Meeting for Worship in Hobart on Sunday 18 January 2015, in the custom of Maori people who begin every occasion with such prayer. It was a deeply moving prayer whose spirit touched our hearts even before her husband Murray Short translated it for us. Niwa went on to greet the land, her own ancestors, us (the Quakers) and the First Peoples, before introducing herself and thanking us for our welcome.

Murray had been the Aotearoa/New Zealand (A/NZ) guest to Yearly Meeting 2015 (YM15) held recently in Melbourne. Amongst other things, he is a past treasurer and the incoming Clerk of A/NZ YM, whose clear and well-informed contributions to several YM15 sessions were greatly valued. Murray commented briefly on similarities and differences between us: an example of the former is our position on earthcare (sustainability is their term); in contrast, Friends in A/NZ are more concerned with penal reform and less involved in supporting refugees, since they have very few arrivals and do not have the same issues as we do.

Murray was impressed with some of our structures, such as Quaker Learning Australia (as they are currently reviewing educational and spiritual needs in their YM) and the role of the Children and Junior Young Friends ( JYFs) Coordinator, not to mention the presence of so many younger Friends. (There were 32 JYFs and 17 children at YM15.) He feels inspired to take some of these ideas back home. Murray also told us that the Treaty Relationships Committee in A/NZ holds annual workshops and that there was a recent YM submission on constitutional change after a series of workshops. This led us straight to the real topic of their talk, mainly presented by Niwa, but with both of them involved.

Niwa then shared the story behind the exciting and far-reaching achievement of a settlement between the Crown and her people, the Tūhoe, in November 2014. This new Act gives the iwi greater self-determination over their region known as Te Urewera (in the North Island), by recognising Mana Motuhake (the ancient Tūhoe authority and power to manage this land). This was a story of land wars, of dispossession and death, beginning with the settlers’ wrongful interpretation of the 1840 Waitangi Treaty, not only falsely believing that the Maori had ceded sovereignty, but then totally

ignoring the Treaty itself. Murray described the Tūhoe background as the “closest to genocide in New Zealand history” and as a “scorched earth policy”. The 1975 Waitangi Tribunal, a kind of ongoing royal commission, ruled as correct the Maori interpretation of continuing self-rule. The United Nations Rights of Indigenous Peoples Testimony of Equality (an equal right to determine one’s own future) was also taken into account. This story is also one of quiet dignity and determination over long years with results that are new for everyone.

Now it is a matter of seeing how self-determina-tion will play out. Te Urewera has become a World Heritage place and there are restoration projects involving all departments and authorities under the governance of an initial Board which is 50% Tūhoe. (AfterthereviewinfiveyearsitishopedtheBoardwill be all Maori.) The area consists of 660,000 acres of forest and an additional 440,000 acres outside this. There is legal access now to the foods and medicines of the forest, and hunting licences are currently being sorted out. Niwa spoke of her father who had been a renowned hunter of a plump wood pigeon and of her own thesis written in Maori language on these traditions. The cultural knowledge and skills have been carried on over generations despite the previous laws.

Murray emphasised how crucial the patience, forbearance and generosity of spirit of the Maori were in achieving the Tūhoe Settlement. How little we, the “leftover” whites in Australia and New Zealand, really understand the role of white people in colonisa-tion. Murray’s reading of extracts from the Crown’s statement made a deep impression. It began with an acknowledgement of past injustices fully admitted and the formal apology itself was also most comprehen-sively and powerfully expressed. The Tūhoe now want to move forward.

Following their talk, both our visitors answered questions and responded to comments in detail, allowing us to extend our understanding of the issues. We learnt about Maori education and discussed the complex differences between Indigenous rights in various countries. Conversations continued over a shared lunch. Thank you, Niwa and Murray, for your generosity in gracious sharing and open-hearted engagement. Go well on your onward journey: further travels in Australia, then the celebrations and challenges of new possibilities in the year ahead. We rejoice in your good news. Kerstin Reimers

Welcome Visitors bringing Good News

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WE HEARD a reading of the 1927 prose poem ‘Desiderata’ by Max Ehrmann. This was followed by a report of visitors to Adrian Robertson and the welcoming of Adrian into membership.

A letter of application for Membership was received from Rosemary Alington Maguire and Ministry and Care Committees will arrange visitors.

Jenni Bond and Pat Firkin will write a testimony to the grace of God in the life of Joy Mitchell.

The meeting accepted a list of names for roles and committees for service in the triennium March 2015 to February 2018 (see below).

The Nominations Committee laid down service and the Meeting asked the Regional Meeting Clerk, and the Committees of Ministry and Care to bring to the March Regional Meeting names (including a Young Friend) for a new committee for the Triennium March 2015 – end February 2018.

If these names are approved, the Nominations Committee will bring forward names for the following positions: RM Clerk, Assistant Clerks, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Finance Committee, Committees of Ministry and Care.

Madeleine Ball and David O’Halloran were appointed to act as Co-Clerks until a new Clerk is appointed.

The Meeting heard that all 100 copies of Adventures in the Spirit have been sold and that the printing cost to the Meeting has been fully repaid. Questions for discernment regarding more copies will be considered at the March Regional Meeting.

A report from Child Protection will be circulated with the Minutes. A report from the Treasurer will also be circulated with the Minutes.

The Meeting received and approved applica-tions from four Friends to undertake Emergency Ministries Training in Launceston.

Individuals and groups were asked to consider matters to note from Yearly Meeting for future discernment in preparation for their consideration at a future Regional Meeting.

Felicity Rose is laying down service as Clerk and wishes the Meeting to note her appreciation of the support and encouragement she has received over the last three years.

MfWfB Notes for Regional Meeting for Worship for Business 1 February 2015

Public Officer Peter WildeM’bership Sec. Jenny Seaton, (Julie Walpole)Registering Officer for Marriages Stephanie Farrall, Julian RobertsonAmnesty International Peter Jones, (Paul Barko), (Briar Walker)Archivist Kathy RundleBurial Ground Colin Wendell-Smith, Pat MavromatisChildren * Belinda Schroter, Helen Chuter, Dawn Rayner-Brosnan, Mary Koolhof, Jen Newton, Belinda Rooks JYF & YF * Alex Brosnan, Emily Chapman-Searle, John Coleman, Peter Jones, Maree-rose Jones, Maddy WalkerWorshipping Groups Liaison Friends appointed by each Worship-ping GroupDevonport Sally O’WheelLaunceston Julie WalpoleScottsdale Gretchen StoneKingborough Peter WildeHuon & Channel Meryl MoscropHobart Liaison Stephanie Farrall, Katherine PurnellFlower Roster * Stephanie Farrall, Gill Fitzgerald, Rosemary Alington-Maguire, Ros Haynes, Simon Allston & Janeil HallGreeting Cards Robin Wilkinson, Megan SchaffnerFellowship of Healing Maggi StorrRespectful Relationships Robin McLean, Julian Robertson, Chris Schok-manChild Protection Val Boyd, Julian RobertsonMH Bookings etc. Maddy Walker, (Jo Petrov), (Rick Tipping)Newsletter (TQN)Editorial Felicity Rose, Rosemary Mattingley, (Julie Walpole)Layout Sue Headley, Caitlin StreetHard Copy Production Sue Headley and JYFs

Peace & Justice * Maxine Barry, Jenni Bond, Peter Jones, Sally McGushin, Jo PetrovBuilding & Maintenance * Lisa File, Ben Atkinson, Adrian RobertsonGarden Gill Fitzgerald, Ruth Raward, Maggi StorrHospitality * Nicole Atkinson, Jen Newton, Margaret Perrin, Jane WalkerQST * Barbara Wilde, Gill Fitzgerald, Jo Petrov, Ruth Raward, Karen WilsonLibrary * Ros Haynes, Lisa File, Robin McLeanWebsite Maintenance Barney Reynolds, (Julie Walpole)CURRENT APPOINTMENTSFWCC Correspondent Madeleine BallIndigenous Concerns Correspondent Q P & J CommitteeQSA Management Committee Representative Barbara WildeYM Children’s Committee Correspondent Helen ChuterYM Nominations Committee Representative Julie WalpoleChild Protection Committee Representative Val BoydQuaker Learning Australia Committee Siobhan Harpur (Convener), Stephanie Farrall, Alison Imbriotis, Robin McLean, Margaret Mollison, Jen Newton, Pamela Leach, Katherine Purnell, Felicity Rose, Jenny SeatonThanksgiving Fund Committee Lyndsay Farrall (Convener), Sheila Given, Peter Jones, Julian Robertson, Felicity Rose, Colin Wendell-SmithFriends’ School Board Lyndsay Farrall, Siobhan Harpur, Ron Martin, Sally McGushinNotes : Brackets () show support/backup nominations for individual Appointments.A star * is used to show Committees where the first named nominee isresponsible for arranging the first Meeting, used to appoint a convener.

Tasmania Regional Meeting – nominations for Triennium 2015–2018

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Notices

Sunday 8 FebruaryFirst Day School on Advices & Queries resumes at 9 am. The topic is the epistle from Yearly Meeting.

Sunday 15 February The next Tapestry Meeting will be at 12 noon in the Boa Vista Room.

Ruth Raward.

Saturday 21 FebruaryAt 12 noon, a shared lunch and Triennium changeover with thanks-giving, meeting for worship and committee introductions to each other. All welcome.

Mid-February (exact dates TBA)World War I travelling exhibition will be at the Farrall Centre for 10 days.

It will be open to the public.

Women in Black A reminder of their vigils every 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 4.30 pm in Franklin Square. All welcome regardless of gender or colour of cloth-

ing. Information Jenni Bond 0429131871.

TCC Emergency Ministries Training in Devonport 26 & 27 March; Hobart 7 & 8 May. Apply to Clerk for RM Approval.

Quaker Quest – February/March 2015You are invited. Quaker Quest is a program of spiritual deepening and meaningful transformation for Quaker meetings that are reaching out to our community. It affirms that the Quaker way is a simple, radical, and contemporary spiritual path, and encourages Quakers to share their spiritual experiences.

Tuesdays 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm (approx.)

Come along to listen, learn and share Quakers’ experiences of: 1. God (Tuesday 24 Feb)

2. Business (Tuesday 3 March) 3. Worship (Tuesday 10 March) 4. Bearing witness through our testimonies (Tuesday 17 March)

Each session will have three speakers from our Meeting, sharing their own perspectives on the session’s topic.

There will also be small group discussions, question time and a short worship. There will be a half hour of open conversation and refresh-ments after each session.

As well as coming along feel free to ask your friends if they would like to come. A personal invitation is sometimes the most successful. Let people know that you are a Quaker and that their presence is always welcome at our Quaker meeting.

Enquiries: David O’Halloran 0408 211 944; Katherine Purnell 0487 283 854

An invitation – Maxine BarryFriends are invited to attend the opening of my exhibition of paintings entitled ‘Regretrospective’, on Saturday, 14 February between 11 am and 1 pm at Cafe Magnolia, 73 Main Road, Moonah (opposite Harris Scarfe).

As always, wonderful homemade finger foods will be provided by proprietors Rick and Jon.

The exhibition continues to the end of March. Friends unable to attend the opening and who would like a personal ‘Artist’s Talk’ are most welcome to approach me at Meeting, and we’ll arrange to meet there for coffee at some other time!

Blue Cow Theatre presents ‘100 Reasons for War’The world premiere of a major new work by one of Australia’s leading playwrights.

Grandly ambitious, 100 Reasons for War is Tom Holloway’s funny, angry, provocative and ultimately optimistic response to a century of ‘man’s inhumanity to man’, 100 years after Gallipoli.

Performances: 23–25 April (Anzac Day), Theatre Royal, Hobart

Just to obtain contact details for Friends around Australia [and keep your own details up-to-date]

The latest printed address list of Members & Attenders is over two years old. Hence there are a number of changes that need to be made to it.

However, there is an alternative. Contact details for all those who are listed by their Regional Meetings as Members or Attenders are included in the YM website. I’ve taken to using this as my address list now. Each of us is encouraged to keep our own details current on that website.

So how do you find these addresses, emails and phone numbers? First you need to log in to the Members (including Attenders) section of the website. www.quakers.org.au (see below if you don’t know how to do this).

Then, choose:

• at the left of the page, <Groups>,

• <Friends/Quakers around Australia: Find a particular Friend>.

• <Directory and Features>,

• <Group directory>.

This will bring you a list of almost 2000 adult Members and Attenders.

If you don’t want to scroll through them all to find your “particular Friend”, click on the magnifying glass to <Start a new search> and fill in which-ever words you feel will lead you to the person you want.

When the names come up, you need to click on the individual to obtain their full information.

Play around with the search possibilities. I have discovered that I can use: First name, Family name (or both), partners name, email address (or part thereof ), postcode (or part), phone number (or part), suburb, but not street name. For instance try John, or Cairns, or …

You can and should regularly correct your own details

Once you have logged in, simply go to <Manage profile>, then choose <Edit Bio>. You will have to re-enter your password for security reasons. Then you can scroll through all of the information about yourself and edit MOST of it. (A few things like member status are assigned only by the web managers and membership secretaries.)

Don’t know how to log in?

You simply go to the website: www.quakers.org.au. At the left side of the screen you should find “sign in”. There are two fields to complete: Username and Password. Your user name should be your First and Last names (NOT case sensitive). If you haven’t logged in for a while, the password may have reset. So click <forgot my password> and you will be prompted through a question or two then a password will be emailed to you. It’s really easy to change to your favourite password once you are in.

Julie Walpole, with assistance from Robert Stevens

How to use the Quaker website

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TASMANIA REGIONAL MEETING

PO Box 388 North Hobart TAS 7002Hobart

Friends’ Meeting House, 5 Boa Vista Rd, North Hobart (just off Argyle)

Meeting for Worship every Sunday 10.00 am

Children’s Meeting every Sunday 10.00 am; Junior Young Friends (High School age) 1st and 3rd Sundays 10.00 am; JYF contact: pamela.leach@ hotmail.com

Saturday fortnightly – 3 pm at the homes of Friends. Contact: Felicity Rose 6225 0773 for venue

Hobart Meeting House, Thursday mornings in school term 7.45 – 8.20

Regional Meeting for Worship for Business

1st Sunday of the month at 11:30, Friends’ Meeting House, Hobart.

WORSHIPPING GROUPS

Devonport

Devonport Community House, 10 Mor-ris Ave, Devonport, Sunday 10.30–11.30, followed by tea or coffee & monthly shared meal at a Friend’s home. Contact: Sally O’Wheel, 6428 3019.

Huon

At Vickie and Victoria’s home, 3452 Huon Highway, Franklin, 3rd Sunday 10.30. Contact Ann: 6266 6439.

Kingborough

At the homes of Friends Feb. to Nov., 4th Sunday 10.30 Contact: Peter Wilde, 03 6229 5017, wildepetbar@bigpond.com

Launceston

Maggie’s Place, 34 Paterson St, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays, 10.00Contact Julie Walpole, 0402 048 147 or Launceston@quakers.org.au

Friends’ Meetings in Tasmania