theadvocate.tv
“Faith still comforts in times of turmoil.” SIMON SMART PAGE 8
JULY 2011
in conversation Aaron Gillespie explains why his life has been turned upside down PAGE 10 >>
6 Reconciliation Week remembered
Photo: Paul White
Australian Baptist leaders recommitted their churches to work together with Indigenous people >>
The Jabiru Jets on the Gibb River Road Challenge.
Charity in the outback The Jabiru Jets, a team of bike riders from Derby Baptist Church completed the Gibb River Road Challenge riding from Derby to El Questro Station in May.
Susannah Warwick (team leader), Pastor Paul White (coach), Jonno Morling (rider), Raymond Te-amo (rider) Laurel White (roadie) and Robin Maher (roadie) all come from Derby. Sam White (rider) from Bendigo in Victoria was also part of the team. The gruelling 700 kilometre ride attracted 72 teams, made up of several riders and at least one support vehicle, from all over Australia. The event is a fundraising opportunity as well as an endurance event through some of the most scenic country in Australia. This year’s extended wet season saw the ride re-routed to include the sealed Great Northern Highway instead of the gravelled Gibb River Road. The Durack River was still flowing at 1.1 metres making it a dubious crossing for vehicles and bicycles. Half of the funds raised through the event went to WA Police Legacy, which helps families of police officers who are killed in the line of duty. The balance of funds raised by the Jabiru Jets went to Kingdom
Aviation Ministries, which provides pastoral care and education for communities, remote and public schools and stations in the Kimberley area. More than 300 riders departed from outside the King Sound Resort in Derby on Sunday 8 May heading for Ellendale, 190 km from town. Day two, the competitors and 140 support vehicles headed to Mary’s Pool, battling easterly head winds most of the way. Cattle trucks with three triple decker trailers loaded with cattle were another challenge. Cars and caravans were put to the test as they encountered the entourage chugging along at 15 to 35 kilometres an hour. Day three, the Gibb River Road Challenge brigade descended on Halls Creek by car and on to the next leg of the ride, the entrance to the Bungle Bungles. Vehicles transported the riders to the Victoria Highway intersection with the Gibb River Road. “It was different to what we had been experiencing to this
point,” Paul White said. “Dust, rolling stone, wash outs, water across the road.” One team member had a bad spill and suffered concussion, a broken helmet and needed sutures in her arm. The 80 km journey ended at Hope Valley Station where the group queued for toilets and showers. The final leg of the Challenge brought the teams to
El Questro Station. A highlight of the Challenge for Paul White was when a Brahman bull joined him for a road race. Crossing the Pentecost River was inspirational, but the threat of salt water crocodiles was challenging. The Jabiru Jets are planning to compete in the Challenge again next year.
Proposed prostitution bill A draft prostitution bill was tabled in State Parliament on 14 June for public comment. State Liberal Parliamentary MPs are permitted to vote with their conscience on this matter. “The announcement that Liberal Members of Parliament will be granted a free vote on this issue is a reflection of the high calibre of our government,” Member for the South Metropolitan Region, Hon. Nick Goiran MLC said. “Given the global failure of legalised models, such a move ensures that each MP can truly engage with this issue and consider the concerns of their constituents.” Nick Goiran encourages as many people as possible to write
to or visit their State MPs opposing the proposed tolerated zones. Linda Watson, former madam, supports the government’s stated intention to fund exit programs, but worries that a huge step backwards would be taken if tolerated zones were established. “Prostitution harms prostitutes — it damages their mental health, physical health and relationships — abuse that no woman should ever have to suffer.” MP Nick Goiran agrees, “Since no law reform model has ever, or will ever eradicate prostitution — the very least Parliament can do is send the right message to our community — women are not for sale in Western Australia.”
11 Drugs in Bangladesh Youth First Concerns Bangladesh recently held seminars for 23,000 Bangladesh police >>
16 Rally chaplain makes a difference Racing legend Peter Brock’s death changed Kim van Keule’s life as a Sports Chaplain >>
We are stronger when we work together. BAPTIST CHURCHES WESTERN AUSTRALIA