Social inclusion is about all of us showing that we not only care about our own personal wellbeing and security , but that as a community we are able to look after ourselves as well as looking after those who cannot, for whatever reason. That's why I'm launching this Social Inclusion Week project! The chance to focus on what it means to be Australian, to give others a fair go, and to realise that we all benefit when we feel connected, supported and cared for. So, make it happen in your community! Sign up and start planning your community events for the week of 23-29th November. On this site you can tell us all what you're planning, share good ideas, add your events to the calendar so other communities can see that yours is a caring community. Take photos, videos, add blogs and comments to what's starting to build as a fabulous community week of celebration.

Put your community on the map, and show the rest of Australia how much you care about your neighbours. Let's start right now to change Australia for the better!

Take Action on World AIDS Day

Take action – No Discrimination is the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day events which will take place around the world on 1 December in a global show of support for those living with HIV and a day of remembrance for the loved ones that we have lost.

To help raise awareness, a vast array of events will be held all around the state including candle light vigils, memorial services and a gala fundraising event featuring some of Australia’s most talented & well known fashion designers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR WORLD AIDS DAY, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Celebrating Frederika (Freddie) Steen

A prominent figure in Brisbane’s refugee support sector, and the Romero Centre’s long serving Information Officer, Freddie is retiring!

Come and acknowledge & celebrate Freddie’s enormous contributions to the Centre, and to refugee rights and justice in Australia.

 

A PARTY for FREDDIE!

 

SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER

FROM 1pm

AT THE ROMERO CENTRE

20 DUTTON ST DUTTON PARK

CHILDREN AND FAMILY WELCOME!

Please bring some food to share

_______________________

 

RSVP to Rebecca on 3846 3250 or admin@romerocentre.org.au by Monday 7 Dec

Pacific Storms Exhibition will be shown in Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle St from December 14 - Jan 2. The official opening is on December 16, 6:30pm.

The exhibition will be opened by Rugby League Legend Mal Meninga, linking his South Sea heritage and youth development in sports to the Pacific Storms programme. Pacific Storms Brisbane will feature a selection of art from ten Pacific countries and over 30 Pacific artists. In the actual project, Pacific Storms has 36 artists and 60 works of art.

The Brisbane show is aimed at corporate audience and targeting 5000-6000 people that have access and do business within this area.

If anyone is in Brisbane in Dec 14-Jan 2, please come and see the exhibition. It is a commercial building and access is only weekdays from 8am-6pm.

National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Child Migrants
November 16 2009
The Australian Government will formally apologise to the Forgotten Australians and former child migrants at a special remembrance event in Canberra on 16 November 2009.

A formal remembrance ceremony will be held in the Members' Hall in Parliament House where the Prime Minister will apologise, on behalf of the nation, to more than 500,000 Australians - many of whom suffered abuse and neglect while in out-of-home care last century.

They include more than 7,000 child migrants who arrived under historical child migration schemes and who were often subsequently placed in homes and orphanages.

Following the event, the apology will be tabled in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The apology, which has bipartisan support, will acknowledge the abuse and neglect suffered by many of these children and reflects the Government's determination that these terrible practices will never be repeated.
Rudd apology to former children in care (The Australian)
Apology for 500,000 Forgotten Australians (ABC)
Maryville victim says apology won't heal him after years of abuse (Herald Sun)
Suffer the children: a nation apologises for its neglect (The Age)
Decades on, state wards get apology they are owed (The Age) 

Songlines Choir Showcase this year is a Market Day (community car boot sale) and entertainment at Jagera Arts Centre Musgrave Park, 121 Cordelia Street South Brisbane on Sunday 29 November 10 am to 3 pm Songlines will perform new and old songs plus have special guests Meanjin choir: Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal West Enders sing together Marko Shortis,

Aboriginal singer, dancer and poet Rhonda Collard will do a workshop from 12-2.30 pm and many more

Songlines raise their voices and hearts for social justice, reconciliation, environmental responsibility and peace.
Please support the choir that supports the community.

All welcome - Free Admission - Fund raising in action

Car boot places available $10   For more information re: market & concert Contact: Alison: 0417 812 262 or Tania: 0422 300 122

Review of Queensland’s multicultural policy

The State Government is seeking the views and ideas of all Queenslanders to help shape our new multicultural policy. A discussion paper is now available.

This is  "An Invitation to Catholic Men to apologise to the Women of the Church". It arises from an initiative of  a small group of Australians concerned with the Church's attitude to women, which they see as a matter of justice, of basic human rights.

They suggest it is time to correct the glaring injustice of women being confined to secondary status in the Body of Christ, especially in their exclusion from leadership roles.

I have signed this petition and ask if you would consider joining in the promotion of this cause.

JUST DATES IN NOVEMBER

Throughout November 2009 - Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month

1 World Vegan Day


9 to 15 - National Recycling Week


10 International Human Solidarity Day


11 Remembrance Day, commemorating the end of World War I 1918


12 World Usability Day



13 Forget-Me-Knot Day - The inaugural national day in support of adult survivors of child abuse. Hosted by Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA), an organisation that campaigns on behalf of those affected by child abuse. Visit ASCA to make a donation


16 International Day for Tolerance / National Apology to Forgotten Australians


20 Anniversary of Declaration of Rights of the Child 1959 and Convention on Rights of the Child 1989


23 to 29 Social Inclusion Week - Celebrate the inaugural national event that aims to eradicate social isolation. Includes 28 & 29 November 2009 - National Street Party



25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women