Minutes of MASSG Meeting 10/4/17. Montmorency Community Church, 2.00p.m.

Acknowledgement of traditional owners

Apologies: Margaret (Philomena took minutes.) Rex, Sophie.

Minutes of last meeting: accepted

Present: Philomena, Shelley, Pam, Maree, Barbara, Glenise, Jocelyn, Lyn (chairing).

Money Matters: Deferred till Margaret has returned/next meeting

Statement of our aimsDiscussion of draft rephrasing to represent our current goals and projects (steering group.)

The Montmorency Asylum Seekers Support Group (MASSG) aims to support people who have sought asylum in Australia and to defend and promote their right to do so. We do this by assisting individuals in our local community, by contributing to the ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre), by working to raise awareness and compassion within our community, and by campaigning for change in government policies and practices.

It was agreed that the word “local” should be removed. With this change, new statement unanamously accepted. Proposed: Barb, seconded, Glenise.

Reports:Palm Sunday Rally: Pam and Barb both attended the rally, in spite pf the inclement weather.There was a good crowd, but the weather probably affected the mood of the event.Some of the speakers:-Mohamed Mohideen - Islamic Council of Victoria-Rev Sharon Hollis, Moderator - Uniting Church Synod of Vic/Tas-Abdelhadi Matar - refugee & Sudanese community leader from Darfur-Daniel Webb, Jane Wiley

Campaign group: Pam, Barb, and Philomena met with Jenny Macklin on 4th April for around 45 minutes. They report the meeting went well. 3 subjects were addressed:

RCOA open statement calling for immediate action on offshore detention. It was requested that Jenny table the statement in Parliament.

Issue of term “illegal” maritime arrivals, rather than “irregular”, introduced in 2013 by Scott Morrison. Labor’s position on how this substitution arose and what should be done about it was discussed. JM sad she will follow up with Shane Neumann and get back to MASSG .

Issue of time limits being set for asylum seekers’ TPV applications. Letters from DIBP saying applications must be sent within 30 or 60 days. There is a shortage of legal assistance available and Legal Aid has had 20% cut to funding. JM asked for a copy of the letter. (Pam later forwarded one provided by ASRC). Concern was raised about those who did not get

their applications in on time. Would the no longer be eligible for Medicare etc. JM said she would follow this issue up with Shayne Neumann.

There was some discussion with JM re the processing of detainees on Manus and Nauru for acceptance into US . What will happen to those rejected? JM to follow up on any updates with Shane N.Next campaign meeting will write a follow up letter to JM, thanking her for the meeting and requesting information on any further action she has taken.

Newsletter: Shelley showed copies of suggested mock up of newsletter. It was agreed that it would go on the website and perhaps a few hard copies would be used for promotion eg at market stalls. The question was raised of where free/cheap colour printing might be accessed (?Neighbourhood House?) There was discussion on layout and possible. Content. Shelley will revise and send new version to Lyn for review. Proposal to thank Shelley and agreement re next steps. Prop Lyn, Barb seconded, unanimously carried.

Asylum Seeker Friends: Roya at present is studying for a certificate in aged care, so busy til September, and also preparing for daughter’s wedding. She has more fabric donations than can use, so fabrics not being sought by Lyn right now. We may continue taking donations later for Roya or other Asylum Seeker women.

Stalls: Car boot sale at Lower Plenty Primary School 26/3: raised $70 (through Pam’s plant sales and Lyn’s bric a brac.) Very low attendance.

Kingsbury Drive market stall judged successful, Lyn reported market organisers very helpful, stall was busy and around 20 people engaged with MASSG in conversation re asylum seeker issues. Staffed by Lyn, Tom, Pam, Sophie & daughter Ruby, with Roya attending. $230 was raised through sale of Roya’s bags/cushion covers, and Pam raised $68 through plant sales. $36 was given in donations. There is the option for 2 more K Drive pro bono market stalls in 2017; it was agreed to leave further stalls there til after August.

Spring Bulbs fundraising: Lyn reported there was a reasonable response from a few personally taking orders, but disappointingly not from our mailing list. $400 was raised.Issues re fundraising were discussed and the option was raised of creating phone circle, where a small number of people agree to ring a set of contacts when there is a fund raiser happening. Later input from Pat indicated that there is a limit to the number of times such calls should be made to the same contacts as there is danger of wearing out one’s welcome.

Work with asylum seeker Friends: India Mortlake from Banyule will attend the May meeting and there was discussion about how we propose to work with her. We will inform her of work we are happy to undertake with asylum seekers and refugees in Banyule.

Future possible eventsRefugee Week event: Option to run an event with St Francis Xavier Social Justice Group in Refugee week in June. Shelley proposed a book promotion of They Cannot Take the Sky as a possibility. Meera from Eltham Books has agreed to sell books and the St. F hall may be available. Shelley plans to attend an Immigration Museum event on the book 18th April and will approach authors and request they be involved/attend She will also contact the editor.It was agreed that India would be asked about assistance from Banyule re fundraising and catering, but further conversation was needed first with Social Justice group and authors.Working party: Pam, Barb, Shelley

Sewing circle: – Shelley proposed we set up a sewing circle that might bring isolated women together and help their earnings through sewing projects, using donated fabrics. It was agreed this idea has possibilities but also complications re available space, sewing machines etc.

Labyrinth Meditation: A Care for Our Common Home Labyrinth Meditation for people seeking asylum will be held on 23rd April. We would like to sell some of Roya's bags and Pam's plants

National Volunteer Week, 8–14 May 2017: Possible MASSG information stall in Were Street (in conjunction with MCG- to coincide with Volunteer Week. Pam is waiting to hear if MASSG can set up a stall in Were St. Saturday morning 13/5. She requested assistance and Barb nominated. It was hoped Rex will assist as well.

Theatre Night Pam has asked Heidelberg Theatre for a fundraising event for performance of The Club Sep 8-23 2017. Pam is waiting to hear from HTC.

Meetings Speakers to meetings? Postponed till next meeting.Next meeting May 15. Lyn will not be in attendance, Philomena to chair.