Wahroonga Friends Bulletin -11 February 2026
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Feb 15, 2026, 6:29:01 PMFeb 15
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Wahroonga Friends Bulletin -11 February 2026Calls For Review Into Police Actions
NSW Premier Chris Minns has defended the actions of NSW Police at the Sydney protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s Australian visit last night, saying they were “put in an impossible situation” by protesters.
27 people were arrested and dozens injured on Monday evening after a demonstration at Town Hall turned violent, with police deploying pepper spray against some of the estimated 20,000 protesters.
Footage emerging from the night appears to show police officers punching protesters, and forcefully dragging a group of Muslim men kneeling to pray. Minns said police had done “everything possible” to avoid confrontation, but were left with no choice after protesters defied restrictions preventing them from marching to NSW parliament, put in place after the Bondi attack.
Protest organisers, Palestine Action Group, yesterday lost a case in the Supreme Court to overturn extra powers given the police for the duration of Herzog’s visit.
Police were “absolutely off the chain”, says Palestine Action Group
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees told media that “We could have marched [to parliament] and then dispersed. Instead, police kettled people into that area outside Town Hall and then charged them repeatedly. This is the worst I’ver seen, where police were absolutely off the chain. They just kept charging, pepper-spraying everyone. People who had been pepper-sprayed, who were on the ground, were then trampled by police.”
Greens MP says she was “targeted and attacked” by police
Greens MP Abigail Boyd says she was “targeted and attacked” by police, a posted a photo of herself on social media in a neck brace. “I feel quite naive, but I didn’t know that this was what police could do in our state,” she told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning. “I feel just absolutely shocked.”
Independent member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, raised concerns that protesters were injured in his electorate and requested an urgent meeting with local area commands. I understand that policing protest activity can be difficult when tensions are high, however we need to find a way to facilitate people’s right to protest without harm,” he wrote in a letter to police minister Yasmin Catley.“Like so many Sydneysiders, I’m deeply disturbed by the scenes from yesterday’s protest, Greenwich wrote on Instagram. “I have asked the Police Minister to conduct an urgent review of policing practices at protests, and urge people who wish to make a complaint to contact the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.” https://cityhub.com.au/violence-at-sydney-herzog-protests-calls-for-review-into-police-actions-as-premier-defends-cops/ See -The Secret to Quaker Prayer: Holding in the Light
God's healing love is always available to everyone. The ways we can help each other recognise and release the many barriers we erect to fully receiving that love is to hold each other in the light. See it here The Secret to Quaker Prayer: Holding in the Light
10-13 April
Come to Aotearoa Yearly Meeting 2026Online and In-person @ Columba College in Dunedin
Friends of Dunedin Monthly Meeting warmly welcome you to Aotearoa New Zealand Yearly Meeting 2026. You can participate in Yearly Meeting either in person in Dunedin or online. The online option will enable participation in business sessions, with some opportunities for social catchup with others. If you are not able to attend the whole of Yearly Meeting, you are welcome to attend for part of the time, either in person or online.
The optional in-person Preparation Day starts at 2 pm on Thursday 9 April. It gives us an opportunity to prepare ourselves for Yearly Meeting, separate ourselves from the demands of ordinary life, and find some centring for ourselves. Some sharing with others for some of the time can enhance this.
To find out more and to register - click here
3-6 April 2026 Junior Young Friends (JYFs) ages 12-17@ Anglesea, Victoria
I am writing to let you know about an upcoming JYF camp on 3-6 April 2026.
The camp is for Junior Young Friends (JYFs) ages 12-17, in Anglesea, Victoria.The chance to build community at camp is especially important given the current 18 month break between our national in person gatherings, from July 2025 to Jan 2027.
We are expecting 8-10 JYFs to attend along with parent helpers and Young Friends (YFs) as leaders. Some of these may approach Regional Meeting for financial support to attend this event. The cost of the event is $150 per camper, and costs for travel from around Australia will likely be more than this figure. We encourage regional meetings to be generous in supporting any requests made. Contact me for any details you may require at cjyfcoo...@quakersaustralia.infoJo Temme
Children and Families CoordinatorQuakers Australia
Free Quaker Books AvailableHelen Gould is simplifying her life and is offering many of her Quaker and other books to whoever wants them. She has 2 copies of Plain Living: a Quaker Path to Simplicity, and is happy to pass both of them on. Helen is not expecting any reimbursement for either the book or the postage, just that the books be used, and perhaps passed on again in due course. Contact Helen by email at helen...@gmail.com
February QBC -
A Quaker Reading of Mark's Gospel
To See the InvisibleThe February QBC (Quaker Book Club ) selection is A Quaker Reading of Mark's Gospel, To See the Invisible by Patricia Dallmann.
Though in accord with the faith and message of these first Friends, Dallmann offers insights that are original and, at times, accompanied by illustrations from her own life.
In story after story and chapter after chapter of Mark's Gospel, Patricia Dallmann approaches the text with senses attuned to the Light Within, an orientation in keeping with that of seventeenth-century Friends (Quakers).
Mark's Gospel is seen to be a practical guide that stands ready in every age to alert those of living faith to the dangers they will face, the responsibilities they must assume, and the Spirit they will embody while navigating their passage through the world.
Mindful of the inward reality to which the Gospel alludes, Dallmann provides paths of understanding that have been found in Truth and are presented with reason. Thus, readers will find this book to be a clear, sound, and useful examination of the Gospel of Mark. Obtain a copy here https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/a-quaker-reading-of-marks-gospel-9798385251452.do
e - Wahroonga Send news of f/Friends and newsletter items to quiver...@yahoo.com.au Agenda items for Business Meeting should be emailed at wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info or handed to a co-clerk. Visit us at "Our Home" First days (Sunday), 9.30 am Meeting for Worship - Wahroonga Friends Meeting, your local peace church. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) 59 Boundary Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 Email:wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info Web: Wahroonga Local Meeting | Australia Yearly Meeting A Zoom meeting occurs 9.30 am Sundays Meeting link Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting 918 558 7747 Passcode: 554662 Phone: 02 8015 6011 Please contact Paul Carter if you have any problems connecting 0433 886 093
NSW Premier Chris Minns has defended the actions of NSW Police at the Sydney protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s Australian visit last night, saying they were “put in an impossible situation” by protesters.
27 people were arrested and dozens injured on Monday evening after a demonstration at Town Hall turned violent, with police deploying pepper spray against some of the estimated 20,000 protesters.
Footage emerging from the night appears to show police officers punching protesters, and forcefully dragging a group of Muslim men kneeling to pray. Minns said police had done “everything possible” to avoid confrontation, but were left with no choice after protesters defied restrictions preventing them from marching to NSW parliament, put in place after the Bondi attack.
Protest organisers, Palestine Action Group, yesterday lost a case in the Supreme Court to overturn extra powers given the police for the duration of Herzog’s visit.
Police were “absolutely off the chain”, says Palestine Action Group
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees told media that “We could have marched [to parliament] and then dispersed. Instead, police kettled people into that area outside Town Hall and then charged them repeatedly. This is the worst I’ver seen, where police were absolutely off the chain. They just kept charging, pepper-spraying everyone. People who had been pepper-sprayed, who were on the ground, were then trampled by police.”
Greens MP says she was “targeted and attacked” by police
Greens MP Abigail Boyd says she was “targeted and attacked” by police, a posted a photo of herself on social media in a neck brace. “I feel quite naive, but I didn’t know that this was what police could do in our state,” she told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning. “I feel just absolutely shocked.”
Independent member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, raised concerns that protesters were injured in his electorate and requested an urgent meeting with local area commands. I understand that policing protest activity can be difficult when tensions are high, however we need to find a way to facilitate people’s right to protest without harm,” he wrote in a letter to police minister Yasmin Catley.“Like so many Sydneysiders, I’m deeply disturbed by the scenes from yesterday’s protest, Greenwich wrote on Instagram. “I have asked the Police Minister to conduct an urgent review of policing practices at protests, and urge people who wish to make a complaint to contact the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.” https://cityhub.com.au/violence-at-sydney-herzog-protests-calls-for-review-into-police-actions-as-premier-defends-cops/ See -The Secret to Quaker Prayer: Holding in the Light
God's healing love is always available to everyone. The ways we can help each other recognise and release the many barriers we erect to fully receiving that love is to hold each other in the light. See it here The Secret to Quaker Prayer: Holding in the Light
10-13 April
Come to Aotearoa Yearly Meeting 2026Online and In-person @ Columba College in Dunedin
Friends of Dunedin Monthly Meeting warmly welcome you to Aotearoa New Zealand Yearly Meeting 2026. You can participate in Yearly Meeting either in person in Dunedin or online. The online option will enable participation in business sessions, with some opportunities for social catchup with others. If you are not able to attend the whole of Yearly Meeting, you are welcome to attend for part of the time, either in person or online.
The optional in-person Preparation Day starts at 2 pm on Thursday 9 April. It gives us an opportunity to prepare ourselves for Yearly Meeting, separate ourselves from the demands of ordinary life, and find some centring for ourselves. Some sharing with others for some of the time can enhance this.
To find out more and to register - click here
3-6 April 2026 Junior Young Friends (JYFs) ages 12-17@ Anglesea, Victoria
I am writing to let you know about an upcoming JYF camp on 3-6 April 2026.
The camp is for Junior Young Friends (JYFs) ages 12-17, in Anglesea, Victoria.The chance to build community at camp is especially important given the current 18 month break between our national in person gatherings, from July 2025 to Jan 2027.
We are expecting 8-10 JYFs to attend along with parent helpers and Young Friends (YFs) as leaders. Some of these may approach Regional Meeting for financial support to attend this event. The cost of the event is $150 per camper, and costs for travel from around Australia will likely be more than this figure. We encourage regional meetings to be generous in supporting any requests made. Contact me for any details you may require at cjyfcoo...@quakersaustralia.infoJo Temme
Children and Families CoordinatorQuakers Australia
Free Quaker Books AvailableHelen Gould is simplifying her life and is offering many of her Quaker and other books to whoever wants them. She has 2 copies of Plain Living: a Quaker Path to Simplicity, and is happy to pass both of them on. Helen is not expecting any reimbursement for either the book or the postage, just that the books be used, and perhaps passed on again in due course. Contact Helen by email at helen...@gmail.com
February QBC -
A Quaker Reading of Mark's Gospel
To See the InvisibleThe February QBC (Quaker Book Club ) selection is A Quaker Reading of Mark's Gospel, To See the Invisible by Patricia Dallmann.
Though in accord with the faith and message of these first Friends, Dallmann offers insights that are original and, at times, accompanied by illustrations from her own life.
In story after story and chapter after chapter of Mark's Gospel, Patricia Dallmann approaches the text with senses attuned to the Light Within, an orientation in keeping with that of seventeenth-century Friends (Quakers).
Mark's Gospel is seen to be a practical guide that stands ready in every age to alert those of living faith to the dangers they will face, the responsibilities they must assume, and the Spirit they will embody while navigating their passage through the world.
Mindful of the inward reality to which the Gospel alludes, Dallmann provides paths of understanding that have been found in Truth and are presented with reason. Thus, readers will find this book to be a clear, sound, and useful examination of the Gospel of Mark. Obtain a copy here https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/a-quaker-reading-of-marks-gospel-9798385251452.do
e - Wahroonga Send news of f/Friends and newsletter items to quiver...@yahoo.com.au Agenda items for Business Meeting should be emailed at wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info or handed to a co-clerk. Visit us at "Our Home" First days (Sunday), 9.30 am Meeting for Worship - Wahroonga Friends Meeting, your local peace church. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) 59 Boundary Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 Email:wmnwah...@quakersaustralia.info Web: Wahroonga Local Meeting | Australia Yearly Meeting A Zoom meeting occurs 9.30 am Sundays Meeting link Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting 918 558 7747 Passcode: 554662 Phone: 02 8015 6011 Please contact Paul Carter if you have any problems connecting 0433 886 093
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