Month: July 2015

A Church in Dialogue

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(CCCB – Ottawa)... The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), through its Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, and Interfaith Dialogue, has published a new resource to coincide with the conclusion of the month of Ramadan (Id al-Fitr, July 18), entitled: A Church in Dialogue: Catholics and Muslims in Canada : Believers and Citizens in Society. In a letter introducing the document, the Most Reverend Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau and President of the CCCB, explains that "the pamphlet is meant to help Canadian Catholics better understand their Muslim neighbours." ... Read more...

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Embrace Diversity

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Embrace Diversity Logo Australia is one of the most multicultural and diverse societies on earth. That’s our greatest strength. But we can’t take it for granted. Other parts of the world show us how precious and fragile harmony can be. We’re all different people, but part of one community. Everyone has the right to be included and belong. ... Read more...

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Screening: Mary Meets Mohammad

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Road to Refuge is a volunteer, not-for-profit organisation that that runs community education events, workshops and other platforms about asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, alongside an interactive web program. Road to Refuge will be visiting schools in the Goulburn Valley during late July, and at the conclusion of the visit, there will be a free screening of the documentary, Mary Meets Mohammad - a story about a refugee in Tasmanian Detention Centre. ... Read more...

 1,476 total views

Reflections on Dungala Kaiela Oration 2015

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NAIDOC Week for 2015 was celebrated with enthusiasm and energy in Shepparton and surrounds. On Monday, there was a breakfast and launch of Naidoc Week with a flag raising, attended by many community leaders. There was a tour of the Mooroopna Flats on Monday afternoon, the Dungala Kaiela Oration on Wednesday, followed by the Algabonyha Roundtable on Thursday. On Friday, Shepparton Library conducted a screening of "Our Vote Counts", a documentary featuring local Yorta Yorta women. ... Read more...

 1,646 total views

Learn, Respect, Celebrate: The Flats Walk

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NAIDOC Week was launched in the Goulburn Valley on Monday 6 July with a smoking ceremony and breakfast at Rumbalara in Mooroopna. The week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The theme for this year's celebrations is We All Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate. On Monday afternoon, Uncle Leon Saunders led a guided walking tour of The Flats, a place of historical significance to the local Aboriginal community. ... Read more...

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Nyernila – Listen Continuously: Aboriginal Creation Stories of Victoria

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Nyernila Book CoverPrior to European settlement, up to 700 languages were spoken across Australia, with 38 in Victoria. Today it is estimated 120 Aboriginal languages are being spoken and more than half of those are considered endangered. Not all of these languages and stories are widely known – but they form an important literary heritage and a platform for reviving language and strengthening culture. Nyernila, Listen Continuously, preserves the creation stories of many Aboriginal tribes of Victoria, including Yorta Yorta. ... Read more...

 2,990 total views

Climate Change – Euroa and the road to Paris

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Road Sign, Euroa The 2015 Euroa Environmental Series conducted a meet on The Environment, Climate Change and the Paris Talks at the Old Flour Mill Gallery on Saturday 4th July 11am. For the Euroa Environment Series this was session number 5 - the road to Paris. There was much discussion of the local response to climate change and how this leads to influence the road to Paris. ... Read more...

 1,738 total views

Religion: Catalyst for Violence or Peace?

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On Tuesday 23 June, The Broken Bay Institute, in partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference presented its 11th National eConference - 'Religion: Catalyst for Violence or Peace? Probing the Abrahamic Traditions for Answers'. The eConfernece was attended by local participants viewing - and contributing online with questions - at the Monsignor Peter Jeffery Parish Centre, St Brendans Church, Shepparton. ... Read more...

 1,470 total views

Refugee Week 2015 in Shepparton

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Refugee Week 2015 was celebrated in Shepparton with many events. There was a launch event in Maude Street Mall, a display of traditional costumes from different cultures, a free movie night, Conversational English classes and intercultural story telling. The theme was With Courage Let Us Combine, and this was highlighted by the many organisations who combined to present Refugee Week in Shepparton. ... Read more...

 1,544 total views

Australian Citizenship Test

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FECCA, the Federation of Ethnic Community Councils of Australia has made a submission to the Australian Government consultation on Australian Citizenship. The unnecessary proposed changes to the citizenship test, pledge and eligibility criteria which are included in the Government’s citizenship discussion paper. Changes to the Citizenship Test are challenging and largely unfair to those who are language-deprived for many reasons and seek Australian Citizenship.

The Shepparton Interfaith Network regards the FECCA submission as a balanced, thoughtful contribution. In particular, the Shepparton Interfaith Network welcomes the FECCA proposal that a pre-citizenship course on Australian values and democracy be part of the process.

... Read more...

 1,633 total views