ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
serving with love building for the future
Registration and Program NSW Congress 2010
ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
serving with love building for the future
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From the Committee Congress provides the opportunity for members to gather, to celebrate, to learn, to share their stories, to be enriched and to dream. We hope to welcome many people to the four gatherings held across NSW in the next few months.
Welcome to Congress 2010 Dear Friends, I am delighted to invite you to Congress 2010. Following surveys across the State, you have indicated keenness to hold Congress meetings and to participate in them as a series of regional gatherings rather than a single centralized one. Your State Council strongly endorses the initiative and is providing funding to enable as many people as possible to attend. Organising Committees are working hard to create an event which celebrates our past and the future of the Society. We also hope the Congress will highlight the importance of unity and diversity in the Society, as well as the renewal of both our spirituality and practical commitment to the needs of the poor. Please join us in Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo or Sydney. We have wonderful people doing great things; let us celebrate that and look to our future with confidence and joy. God Bless.
Details of the program and registration are enclosed. Your Congress Committee is: Lisa Bright (Chair), Eric Ellem, Damien Fewtrell, Bill Johnston, Barry Jones, Kate Scholl (coordinator), and Alicia Webster. On line registration is available now and we encourage you to utilise this simple way of registering for Congress. Go to www.vinnies.org.au and click on Congress 2010.
Further details on the event • Members may choose to attend whichever Congress they would like. ‘Cross diocese’ participation is encouraged. • Congress will focus on encouraging and enriching Vincentian spirituality and service. • Congress is open to all members, volunteers, and staff. • There is be no cost for members and volunteers to attend the Congress. • Please note registration deadlines below or on page 10.
Dates, Locations and Registration Deadlines: 9 - 11 July Wagga WAGGA Charles Sturt University Convention Centre Deadline: 21st June if you require accommodation, 28th June to attend the event
30 July - 1 August Coffs Harbour Club Coffs
Deadline: 12th July if you require accommodation, 19th July to attend the event
20 - 22 August Dubbo Dubbo RSL Club
Deadline: 2nd August if you require accommodation, 9th August to attend the event
Barbara Ryan President, NSW State Council
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24 - 26 September Sydney St Scholastica’s College, Glebe Deadline: 6th September for all registrations
Each event begins on Friday night and finishes with lunch on Sunday. Saturday only registration is available. ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
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Congress 2010 Program Schedule Friday 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Registration
7.30pm
Welcome and introductions
7.45pm – 9.15pm
Social Justice in the Club: Scales of Justice
Moderated by Andy Marks in Coffs Harbour, Dubbo and Sydney and Bec Bromhead in Wagga Wagga. This session will explore how small scale (local) acts of justice can become large scale forces for positive change and spiritual renewal. Social Justice in the Club will be held at the Congress venue except for Wagga Wagga which will be held at the Commercial Club.
Saturday 8.00am – 9 .00am
Registration
9.00am – 9.30am
Congress Opening and Welcome
Spiritual Reflection and Opening Prayer
9.30am – 10.40am
Keynote Address: Renewed in Faith: Grounded in Hope
Jenni Hickson in Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour Chantelle Ogilvie in Dubbo and Sydney
We live in a time of uncertainty for the Church and The Society. How can our experiences as Australian Vincentians refresh our lives both now and into the future?
2.15pm – 3.45pm
orkshops Session 2: Topics will be forwarded to W registrants to preselect.
3.45pm – 4.00pm
Afternoon tea
4.00pm – 5.15pm
Plenary: Serving with Love
A presentation on the Conference Report with opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise as we strive to serve with love. 6.00pm
Mass
To be held at the Congress venue, except for Dubbo, where we will attend Mass at St Brigid’s Parish. 7.30pm – 9.00pm
Dinner
Sunday 9.00am
Prayer / Spiritual Reflection
9.30am – 10.30am
Keynote Address: Building for the future
Wagga Wagga: Fr Barry Dwyer: Building a vibrant future which is grounded in the past and responsive to current challenges Coffs Harbour and Dubbo: Prof Ian Webster: Building a future that reaches those who miss out Sydney: Fr Frank Brennan, SJ: Building a just future 10.30am – 11.00am Morning tea 11.00am – 12.30pm Plenary: Future Directions
Drawing it together/ Next steps & follow up
10.40am – 11.00am Grounded in Hope and Looking to the Future
Concerns/Issues/Strategies emerging from the weekend
A response to the keynote address which articulates where we are now and the way forward from here by a member of State Council.
What are the priorities for members now and into the future?
11.00am – 11.30am Morning tea 11.30am – 1.00pm Workshops Session 1: Topics will be forwarded to registrants to preselect. 1.00pm – 2.15pm
12.30pm – 1.00pm Closing liturgy 1.00pm – 1.30pm
Lunch
heck the Society website for regular updates of the Conference Program C and other details.
Lunch
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Information on our presenters Andy Marks Andy is Senior Researcher with the Policy and Research Department at the Society’s NSW Office. Since joining the Society in 2006, Andy has produced several major reports including: ‘Residents at Risk’, a study of disadvantaged caravan park residents; ‘Life Lessons’, a report into the role of education in overcoming homelessness; and ‘Known Territory’, a project on regional homelessness. Most recently, Andy released ‘The Conference Report’, an overview of the extraordinary work conducted by members over the last ten years. Andy is committed to learning from members and supporting their ongoing dedication to realising the Society’s mission and the principles of social justice.
Bec Bromhead Bec Bromhead has been a volunteer with the Society for 11 years starting as a school conference member, then leading kids camps, developing mentoring programs and moving into leadership roles on the NSW Youth Team and State Council. From 2006 – 2008 Bec worked as the Vinnies WYD Coordinator, and then spent 8 months developing the South African Vinnies Youth Team and setting up their first Youth Projects. Bec is currently the NSW Youth and Young Adults Coordinator. Bec has degrees in International Relations and Environmental Management and is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). Before working for the Society, Bec worked as an advisor for a member of NSW Parliament and in the Office of the Director of Mental Health in the ACT.
Jenni Hickson Jenni Hickson has an extensive background in youth and formational and spiritual support. Most recently, Jenni has worked with the Australian Jesuit Province as national co-ordinator of MAGiS, a Catholic ministry for young adults, and as Director of Program and Formation for MAGiS08: a program held in Asia and Australia as part of WYD 2008. Jenni has a strong passion for the Society and the Vincentian charism, which was honed in her time as a Youth and Young Adults Coordinator for the Society in the Broken Bay Diocese from 2002-06. Jenni has also remained a committed volunteer of the Society since her high school days. Jenni is currently studying a Bachelor of Theology and continues to work in the area of faith formation, spirituality and social justice.
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Chantelle Ogilvie Chantelle Ogilvie worked in justice ministry with young people before taking up her current role as Research and Project Officer with the Justice and Peace Office in the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney. Chantelle’s passion for justice was first ignited by her involvement in the St Vincent de Paul Society as a young adult member and she has previously served as Archdiocesan Youth Representative. Chantelle has a Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications), a Graduate Certificate in Interfaith Relations, and is currently undertaking a Masters of Arts (Theology). She has also taught and tutored theology at a number of Catholic institutions.
Fr Barry Dwyer Fr Barry Dwyer has been a priest of the Diocese of Wilcannia Forbes Diocese for past 37 years and is now based in Sydney. He served in parishes in Broken Hill, Forbes and Hay. He was spiritual advisor to the Society in Broken Hill and accompanied Society members on a study tour of Indonesia and the Philippines. Barry has worked extensively with the NSW Police since 1983. He speaks with a range of groups on a variety of topics, including organisations in transition and ‘compassion fatigue’. He has been awarded the Commissioners Commendation for his work with NSW Police.
Professor Ian Webster AO Ian Webster is a physician and Emeritus Professor of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales. He was the honorary visiting physician to Sydney’s Matthew Talbot Hostel for the homeless from 1976 to 2006 and now visits a medical clinic at the Exodus Foundation in Ashfield, Sydney. Professor Webster was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for services to community medicine and public health in 1995 and received the Prime Minister’s Award in 2009 for outstanding work in the field of drugs and alcohol.
Fr Frank Brennan Father Frank Brennan is a Jesuit priest and lawyer and currently Professor of Legal Studies at the Australian Catholic University. He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1995 for services to Aboriginal Australians. In 2001-02 he spent 18 months in East Timor as Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service. For his contribution he was awarded the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal. In December 2008, he was appointed as the Chairperson to the Australian Government's National Human Rights Consultation Committee, which made its report to the Federal Government in September 2009. ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
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Workshop Sessions Workshops will focus on Conference development & support, Spirituality resources for Conferences, All generations working together, Our work in Centres, and Leadership development. Specific workshop topics will be confirmed closer to each Congress date. Registrants will be sent information about the workshops available at their event and asked to select workshops prior to arrival.
Program information Preparing for Congress We invite all members and conferences to pray for the Congress events. Here is a suggested prayer prepared by members of the Spirituality Committee.
Congress Prayer May our Congress gatherings help us to continue the journey with our God, in loving and supportive communities. May we become more attentive to the often unexpected and wonderful ways God is with us in everything that happens– especially when we are in the presence of those in need. May our time together renew our hearts and our vision, inspire us to serve with love and to build your Kingdom in all that we do. We make our prayer in Jesus name. AMEN
ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
serving with love building for the future
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Venue and Accommodation Information Wagga WAgga: Charles Sturt University Convention Centre is in a lush rural setting, occupying more than 600 hectares. It is located at their Wagga Wagga Campus just off the Olympic Highway and is a ten minute drive north of Wagga Wagga. The Commercial club is located at 77 Gurwood Street in central Wagga Wagga. Accommodation is on site in the Campus Cottages. Each cottage contains 4 private bedrooms with a common area and shared bathroom and toilet facilities. The bedrooms are single only. Cottages also have a lounge area with television, a kitchenette for tea and coffee and are fully furnished. All linen and towels are provided. Breakfast is served in the campus dining room.
Coffs Harbour: The Coffs Harbour Catholic Club at 61a West High St, now known as Club Coffs, is located close to the main shopping Centre in Coffs Harbour and a short distance from the Pacific Highway. Accommodation will be in local motels, within 1 – 1.5 kilometres of the Congress venue. Dubbo: Dubbo RSL is located in the centre of Dubbo, Cnr Wingewarra St & Brisbane St. Accommodation will be provided at the Matilda Motel, located two blocks from the Club. Sydney: St Scholastica’s College in Glebe at 4 Avenue Road is two blocks from Glebe Point Road. The College is a five minute drive from Sydney CBD. Public transport to the site includes the 431, 433 and 370 bus routes as well as light rail which connects Central Railway with Lilyfield (Jubilee Park stop). Limited street parking is also available.
Accommodation is in the College’s dormitory which has some single rooms as well as some twin bedrooms (2 single beds per room). Shared bathrooms and toilets are located close to the bedrooms. All linen and towels are provided. Each area has a lounge with a fridge and hot water urn. Rooms are on the first and second floors using 1- 2 flights of stairs, so please indicate access needs. There are five single ground floor rooms reserved for people unable to manage stairs. Breakfast is provided in the ground floor dining room.
Billeting: There will be opportunities for Vincentians to be billeted with
other Vincentians during each of the Congresses. Please consider the option to be billeted or offering to share your home with other Vincentians during the Congress weekend. ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
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Register on line – it’s easy!
Inclusions
www.vinnies.org.au
What’s included?
and click on the Congress Icon. It is as easy as making a flight booking!
Don’t wait until the last minute! The sooner we know you are coming, the better we can prepare for your attendance. Please register promptly.
All meals Saturday – Sunday All events
What’s not included? Meal and drinks Friday evening Drinks Saturday evening.
After you register you will receive
Registration Deadlines Wagga WAGGA 21st June if you require accommodation 28th June to attend the event Coff s Harbour 12th July if you require accommodation 19th July to attend the event Dubbo 2nd August if you require accommodation 9th August to attend the event Sydney 6th September for all registrations
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Confirmation of your registration Location map for Congress venue and accommodation Workshop selection
Transport to venues Transport to Congress is not organised by the Congress Committee. We encourage dioceses and regions to work together to coordinate shared transport and facilitate assistance where required.
Contact us
Email: Congress2010@vinnies.org.au Tel: (02) 8622 0326 Fax: (02) 8622 0302 Mailing address: PO Box 5, Petersham 2049 Website: www.vinnies.org.au ONE SOCIETY renewed in faith
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Contact us
Email: Congress2010@vinnies.org.au Tel: (02) 8622 0326 Fax: (02) 8622 0302 Mailing address: PO Box 5, Petersham 2049
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