Rosemary Hadaway

NEWSLETTER                         MAY 2021

Annual General Meeting

Members and friends gathered on Saturday 24th April to attend this important meeting. Our Secretary, John Clarke, has circulated the Minutes of the meeting, and the Reports that were presented (email 14th May). Do take a few minutes to review the many activities our group has been involved in – What a busy, productive year it was!  The new committee is looking forward to working with you to continue the great work.

Our Chairperson, Phyllis Setchell, advised that she was not standing for re-election to the position.

A vote of thanks and appreciation to Phyllis for her wonderful effort and dedication was followed by a presentation of gifts. Phyllis’s project management skills and eye for detail, combined with passion and commitment have given MDEG a strong reputation in the environmental activism scene. Thank you!

Membership

Thanks to those who have renewed or taken up MDEG membership – welcome! There is no change to the annual fees: Family $30, Single $20, Concession $10, Student $5.

Please pay online to Family First Credit Union  BSB 802207, MDEG INC. A/c No 17871. Put your name in the ‘reference’ box so that Treasurer Derek Finter knows who the payment is from.

 

WHAT’S COMING UP…

NCC Regional Conference, Saturday 22nd May: ‘The Fires Changed Everything’ This year’s regional conference is in Bateman’s Bay. The conference will explore the issues nature faces on the South Coast, particularly after the bushfires. If you wish to attend the conference via Zoom, the main sessions will be streamed. You can choose this ticket type and you will be sent the program and a zoom link before the day. Details: https://www.nature.org.au/about/governance/regional-conference-2021/

Join in Amnesty’s 60th anniversary celebrations, Friday 28th May: MDEG is invited! The Parking Lot Café is the venue for a great evening of celebration of 60 years of successes in fighting injustice and protecting human rights.

Arrive early, order a coffee and meet other Mudgee social justice activists. Guest speaker, former member of Amnesty’s Global Group on Activism, Chris Holley, will lead us through a fascinating tour of worldwide trends in activism. (This will be of particular interest to MDEG members!) Then we’ll toast freedom with some sparkling wine while sharing some fabulous birthday cake.

The doors will stay open for you to order dinner and a drink and celebrate in the company of other local human rights activists. 5.00pm for 5.30 start. Enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a piece of birthday cake. Additional beverages, coffee and meals can be purchased at the counter. Numbers are limited, and registration is essential. The booking link is on the attached flier, and please indicate if you are staying for a meal. Hope to see you there!

Wild Encounters Birdwalks: Watershed Landcare have put together a “Wild Encounters – discovering threatened animals in our region” project. Two fliers are attached detailing each of the FREE morning walks. Registration is essential and the link to do that is on the respective flier. As there is a limit of 20 people per walk don’t take too long to register if you are interested.

·         Morning walk at Honeyeater Flat, 29th May.

·         Morning walk at Ferntree Gully 5th June.

You’ve Got A Friend, Saturday 5th June: Join with fellow MDEG members at the Friends of Adams Lead working bee from 8.30. There was a terrific update of all the happenings given in the AGM report. Come along and see it for yourself!

 

BITS AND PIECES YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT…

  • Aboriginal fashion brand Clothing The Gap to rebrand after two-year legal battle with US clothing giant Gap: Clothing The Gap, a small Aboriginal-run business located in Melbourne’s inner-north, has ended a two-year legal fight with US clothing giant Gap Inc. The fashion brand will be rebranded as Clothing The Gaps by the end of July. They are selling all the old stock. Find out more and grab a bargain. https://www.clothingthegaps.com.au/

 

  • Mid-Western Regional Council elections, Saturday 4th September: Save the date for your opportunity to participate in the democratic process. At a recent information session, there were at least 4 women present who are potential lead candidates for this election. Perhaps change is on the horizon!