Patron General Peter Gration AC OBE

Chair Liz Scrivener OAM lizajane@activ8.net.au (h) 6255 8074 (m) 0403 980 830

Secretary Len Goodman AO lgoodman@ozemail.com.au (h) 6258 1598 (m) 0409 442 345 GPO Box 423 Canberra City ACT 2601

Treasurer Brian Acworth AM

Committee Trish Keller OAM Evol McLeod OAM Ian Meikle AM Bob Newman OAM Derek Robson AM Bruce Trewartha OAM

Co-opted member: Ray Newcombe OAM (Student Citizenship Awards)

OAAACTNEWSLETTER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION ACT BRANCH

EMAIL ALERTS Your committee can keep you briefed faster (and cheaper) if we have an email address. We understand perfectly the ongoing need for a paper-based newsletter, however we can save valuable funds, resources and time talking directly to you via the net. Please register with Len Goodman at lgoodman@ozemail.com.au.

ACT Chair LIZ SCRIVENER OAM reports on some exciting news from the National Committee…

November 2009

THE National Committee has endorsed the ACT Branch proposal for Canberra to host the 2013 National AGM and Conference to co-incide with Canberra’s centenary year. This is an exciting, if rather daunting prospect for our small branch, how-ever many of our members have been involved in hosting the National Confer-ence on at least three occasions in the past and I look forward to them, along with all our members, being supportive of those charged with the task of organis-ing the 2013 conference.

MORE than 100 members and their guests were delighted to welcome 11 new recipients to the Order of Australia Association at a reception held in Yarra-lumla recently. In all, 115 people enjoyed a pleasant evening of fellowship, renew-ing friendships and meeting other Can-berrans from many different spheres of endeavour. Each new recipient received a gift of OAA glasses and an oration booklet as a memento. Dr Caroline Turn-er AM responded on behalf of the new recipients. My thanks and congratulations go to all those committee members who were involved in its organisation – par-ticularly Ms Evol McLeod OAM.

NOMINATIONS for our Schools Citizen-ship Awards have been received and an awards event will be held early in November to announce the winners. This new program was initiated by our past chair Dr Ray Newcombe OAM. He and

current committee member Mrs Trish Kel-ler OAM have worked with schools this year to embed this program in the three schools systems in the ACT. We look for-ward to announcing the winners shortly.

A NUMBER of issues surrounding operating structures and finances were discussed in Sydney at the September meeting of the National Committee and a range of financial matters were referred to an expanded finance committee, which will report to the next National Committee meeting in December. This finance committee has sought the views of all State and Territory branches on a range of issues. Our branch Commit-tee has considered and reported on a number of items.

FINALLY, I look forward to catching up with many members and their guests at our Multi Faith Observance at Burgmann College, 10am, Sunday, November 1. All welcome.

Canberra scores centenary scoop for conference

I URGE all members to support the ACT branch by coming along to our AGM and informal Christmas Dinner from 6.30pm on Wednesday, Novem-ber 25, in the Private Dining Room at the Southern Cross Club in Woden. You will be able to download papers for the meeting from our website shortly, and they will also be avail-able in hard copy on the evening. There’s a booking form on Page 4 of the newsletter.

Newsletter teamEditor, Ian Meikle AM.Designer, Silas Brown.Distribution logistics, Anne Cahill Lambert AM.This edition was produced through the resources of “CityNews”.

OAA - November 09 - 2

NEWSLETTER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION ACT BRANCH

At the ACT Order of Australia Association’s cocktail party, Yarralumla

Graham Jensen and Andrea McCourtie

Jennie Rodtke and Di Mitchell

Jason Thurgar and Katerina Kountchenko

Chris Peters, Kate Carnell and Brian Acworth Bob Newman, Joyce and Len Goodman with Evol Mcleod

Jenny Sullivan, Margaret Hughes, Gladys McLean and Shirley Gollings

Dianne Trewartha, Mark Cranfield and Patricia Clarke

Bridget and Brian O'Keeffe, Liz McDonagh and Heather Domaschenz

Joy Warren with Mandy Thomas Westende

The new award recipients who were able to join the Association for a cocktail welcome

Peter Lawler with Helen and Russell Bielenberg

OAA - November 09 - 3

NEWSLETTER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION ACT BRANCH

I AM passionate about health care, nursing in particular, and am very excited about the opportunities that working in this area offers. I graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from The University of Canberra at Parliament House last December and at the beginning of the final year of my nursing degree, I had the honour of receiving The Order of Australia Association Foundation Scholarship. This gave me the op-portunity to further my studies.After much thought, I decided to transfer to James Cook University to complete the Master in Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I am enjoying the study immensely. It has allowed me to study in a diverse range of fascinating and stimulating areas and meet some interest-ing and inspiring people, with a wide range of experiences within health care.I am also working as a registered nurse in the dialysis unit at the Townsville Hospital. This role provides me with the opportunity to work closely with vulnerable people and support them as they live with a chronic illness. This challenging and rewarding and work has given me the opportunity to put into practice my nursing skills. The combination of study and work gives me the opportunity to further develop an understanding of the health care system. As part of my scholarship, I was fortunate that

the Foundation invited Kaye Hogan AM PSM to be my professional mentor. This relationship has proved invaluable and I have appreciated the time and support Kaye has given me. I feel honoured to be able to draw on her experience and knowledge. I am excited about continuing to develop my skills and for the opportunities that my study gives me. The Order of Australia Association Foundation Scholarship has provided me with support to do this, for which I am greatly ap-preciative.

Passionate Sara says thanks

Sara Farnbach… Honoured to have been able to draw on her professional mentor Kaye Hogan’s experience and knowledge.

Canberran registered nurse SARA FARNBACH writes about how her Order of Australia Association Foundation Scholarship has helped her…

“WALK The Talk Together” is the theme for the Branch’s 2009 Annual Service. AFP Chaplain the Rev Gayl Mills will moderate and deliver the address, with participation by representatives from other faith communities – Buddhist, Hindu Jewish and Muslim – and there will be a special didgeridoo interlude. Burgmann College residents will provide musical accompa-niment for the service.The theme captures the chal-lenge of the chapel’s magnifi-cent floor to ceiling “Com-passion Window” by Sydney artist Warren Langley – the focal point being the floating form of a sacred golden vessel suspended above coloured depictions of Australia’s land and sea. The Multi-Faith Chapel was commissioned in 2006 with advice from the heads of the five Christian churches that founded the College in 1971– Anglican, Baptist, Churches of Christ, Presbyte-rian and Uniting. It recognises the nature of the college’s inter-faith and inter-cultural student community, with some 30 per cent of its 350 residents from overseas. A delicious Devonshire tea, coffee and savoury scones has been arranged by the branch to follow the service – with a “note” contribution appreci-ated.ENQUIRIES: Len Goodman AO; (H) 6258 1598 (M) 0409 442345 or lgoodman@ozemail.com.au.

When faiths come together DATE: Sunday, November 1TIME: 10amVENUE: Burgmann College – Multi-Faith ChapelDaley Road, ANU (at the South-ern or Lake end)COST: “Note” contribution for Devonshire Morning TeaDRESS: Lounge suit/jacket and tie. Full medals/neck wear preferred

SILAS Brown, the sharp-eyed snapper at “CityNews” spotted these public displays of Officer of the Order of Australia medals at the newly refurbished Mint at Deakin while on an assignment there recently. The Mint was opened in 1965 by Prince Philip and has been turning out all the Australian coins (no notes) ever since. This coming financial year, it will manufacture $500 million in coins from five cents to two dollars in its new, heavily secured, state-of-the-art production facility. The new first floor of the Mint offers a close-up, behind-the-scenes view through huge observation windows that peer down on to the factory floor. As well as the Mint’s functions to produce Australia’s coinage, it produces coins for other countries, along with medals, medallions, tokens and seals for private clients, both national and international. It recently won a contract to produce coins for the Cook Islands, which is part of a new push to promote its super-smart technology to other nations.

The Royal Australian Mint is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10am-4pm

Medals at the Mint

NEWSLETTER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA ASSOCIATION ACT BRANCH

CHRISTMAS DINNER Wednesday, November 25Where: Private Dining Room, Canberra Southern Cross Club, Phillip.Time: AGM 6.30pm (no charge) Dinner 7.00pm Cost: $40 ppDress: Lounge suit with lapel insigniaEnquiries: Liz Scrivener – 6255 8074(h); 6201 6646(w); 0403 980 830

Please complete and return this booking form, with your payment of $40 pp to: Ms Liz Scrivener OAM 9a Bellbush Close Jerrabomberra NSW 2619 as soon as possible, but not later than Monday 23 November 2009

Guest name(s):

Phone: Facsimile:

Mobile No.:

Address:

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Special dietary requirements

Payment instructions:

My cheque for $ is enclosed.

ORBANKCARD MASTERCARD VISA Card no.:

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last 3 numbers on the reverse of the card

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