Scanlon report: Taking Australia’s temperature on migration attitudes

Scanlon Monash Index - Mapping Social Cohesion 2019The Scanlon Foundation conducts an annual 90-question report to assess Australian community attitudes to migration over time. On the whole, Australians feel better about themselves than news bulletins might suggest.Positive attitudes towards immigration have continued to predominate. Most respondents agreed that “multiculturalism has been good for Australia”. Respondents have been equally divided on the question “Do you think the government is too harsh in its treatment of asylum seekers?”. Australians are most likely to feel uneasy about Muslim immigrants than other faith groups. Concern about the environment and climate change has almost doubled – the largest annual increase since the survey began.
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Pope’s cousin takes star turn in Thailand as papal whisperer

Pope Francis with his cousin, Sr. M. Sivori of the Salesian Order

BANGKOK (AP) — She made him wait for her while she chatted with Thailand’s king and queen. She chided him for only visiting Bangkok and not the “real Thailand.” And she got a chuckle out of “Jorge” when she took her time translating his off-the-cuff Spanish for local priests and nuns to understand.

Sister Ana Rosa Sivori has taken something of a star turn during her second cousin’s visit to Thailand, assuming an unprecedented role for a woman as papal whisperer and translator, who doesn’t seem fazed that her charge is Pope Francis.

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World Premiere “Kristallnacht Cantata – A Voice Of Courage”

William Cooper and Otto Jontof-Hutter - World Premiere of The Kristallnacht Cantata – A Voice of Courage

The World Premiere of Kristallnacht Cantata, a stunning and imaginative orchestral and choral piece commemorating events surrounding Kristallnacht, the chilling precursor to the Holocaust. Two men, one German Jewish, one Australian Aboriginal, from vastly different backgrounds, form a bond of kinship and courage that distance and culture cannot divide. The premiere takes place at Temple Beth Israel, St Kilda, on the evening of 8 December 2019

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Shepparton: Gender Rights and Related Issues

Committee membersGreater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee in collaboration with Shepparton Library, will host a view and chat event focussed on Gender Rights and Related Issues at the Shepparton Library on the Evening of Friday, 29 November.
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In Search of the Real Buddha

Shakyamuni BuddhaFor a modern Buddhist practitioner, the developed story and figure of the Buddha is a bit like a venerated piece of antique furniture, with a fine patina on it from centuries of handling by previous generations. We are also adding our own fingerprints to it. But trying to dig back to the “bare facts” of the Buddha’s life can be like stripping the patina off a fine antique—something many people would be wary of doing, since it might be disrespectful to the original. However, perhaps it is necessary, as the “antique” Buddha needs restoring, and doing so may reveal the various decorations that have been added over the centuries.
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Migrant communities keep our cemeteries alive

Cemetery by the seaThe Australian society has changed significantly since cemeteries in Victoria were planned and designed 150 years ago. But there haven’t been any major redevelopment or review of the community’s changing requirements for what happens to our bodies when we die. Here, the migrant community’s preference for cremation is having an effect.

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Making the Change to a vegetarian diet

Vegetarian plateWhether it’s for the sake of animal welfare, reducing your carbon footprint or health reasons, becoming vegetarian is an admirable decision. However, if you’re just starting out, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. (We are not advocating a vegetarian diet for any spiritual nor religious reason; it simply makes sense to be vegetarian you can reduce your carbon footprint considerably if you do this…)

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History of Remembrance Day

The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, FranceAt 11am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. This is commemorated every year in Australia with Remembrance Day events at cenotaphs in every village, town and city. Remembrance Day is a significant memorial in the life of Australia as a nation. The photo on the right is The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.

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Wangaratta: The Unbreakable Farmer

The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health invite you to attend a Public Lecture Mr Warren Davies ‘The Unbreakable Farmer’ at The Learning & Teaching Centre, The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health & Northeast Health, Dixon St, Wangaratta VIC 3677 at 5:30 – 6:30pm on Tuesday 19th November, 2019.  *This is a community event and there will be no charge to those who attend.
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Welcoming Each Other – Interfaith Education for Schools

Welcoming Each Other - Interfaith Education for Schools‘Welcoming Each Other: Guidelines for Interfaith Education in the Schools of the Archdiocese of Melbourne’ is a document of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne which has the full support of Catholic Education Melbourne. It is a companion document to ‘Promoting interfaith relations’ and has been prepared with thorough consultation. These guidelines contain excellent reflections and considerations for those seeking to incorporate multifaith education in lessons.

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