Wahroonga Friends Bulletin - 28 January 2026
2 views
Skip to first unread message
quiver quaker
Jan 29, 2026, 5:35:27 AMJan 29
to Wahroonga-friends
Wahroonga Friends Bulletin - 28 January 2026
UN Human Rights Rapporteur
Applies to Join Legal Case
Against NSW Protest Laws
Ben Saul, a leading expert on international law, has applied to join a legal challenge against protest restrictions passed by the Minns government in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, arguing they are inconsistent with Australia’s international legal obligations. Saul has applied to join as an amicus curiae (a friend of the court) rather than a party to the proceedings. Groups the Blak Caucus, the Palestine Action Group (PAG) and Jews Against the Occupation ’48 filed the legal challenge against New South Wales laws restricting protests after terrorist incidents in early January, arguing the laws were invalid because they impinge on the implied constitutional right to freedom of political communication. Saul told Guardian Australia that if his application to join as an intervener is accepted by the court, he would argue that the law and the police declarations following it are inconsistent with Australia’s international legal obligations to protect the human rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of association. He said: These international law obligations are relevant to interpreting and applying the implied freedom of political communication under the Australian constitution. Saul is the United Nations special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism. He is also the chair of international law at the University of Sydney. An amicus curiae provides the court with expertise to assist its decision. Osman Samin, a solicitor acting on behalf of Saul, said: Part of that enquiry involves a question of proportionality. That is, an assessment of whether the restrictions imposed by these laws on the implied right to political communication are necessary and proportionate, and in considering proportionality, whether they are the least intrusive means available. See also UN expert seeks to join challenge to NSW government's protest restrictions 10 am Saturday 7 FebruaryNSW Regional Meeting & AGM The next NSW RM will be held online at 10 am on Saturday,7 February together with the AGM. The Zoom connection details will be sent out by the Clerking team well before the Meetings.
See - The Transformative Practice of Being “In the kinds of spiritual communities I grew up [in], we do a lot of talkingat whatever is sacred,” singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer says. “I really appreciated, when I discovered a silent Quaker meeting, that all I need to do is listen… Something lovely happens when I quiet myself and I quiet my heart and I actually listen to what is coming up from the Spirit.”
Carrie describes how she came to that first Quaker meeting, in the rainforests of Monteverde, and found “something that my heart had been longing for and hadn’t encountered yet.” She has joined Friends in community ever since, and it continues to guide her artistic process. See it here Carrie Newcomer: The Transformative Quaker Practice of Being
Sunday 15 FebruaryMardi Gras Fair Day @Victoria Park,Camperdown
Quakers have been allocated a stall at the Mardi Gras Fair day. We have a volunteer to drive the stall decorations to the venue early on Sunday morning.
We need a Friend to coordinate the volunteer roster, Friends to decorate the stall by 9am and a Friend to coordinate walking the stall items out of the park to a car late afternoon.
At the stall, we offer information and conversation about Quakers and hopefully we will be co-located again with other faith organisations.
K Woodhouse has coordinated the stall for many years but has less availability now. The Fair Day organisers are expecting 60,000 visitors to attend the event.
To register your availability for any of these roles and for more
information, contact Wies Schuiringa (0439 024 397, or wies.sch...@gmail.com)
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
January QBC - Quakerism: he Basics, 2nd EditionQuakerism: The Basics introduces a vibrant twenty-first-century religion, tracing the evolution of the Religious Society of Friends from its origins in seventeenth-century England to a worldwide religion, balancing discussion of Quaker history, evolving beliefs and practices, and contemporary social action. An accessible and engaging introduction to the history and diverse approaches and ideas associated with the Religious Society of Friends, this book treats Quakerism as a global religion with wide geographic reach and varied beliefs that range from evangelical Christianity to non-theism, including:
- Quaker values in action
- Quaker history, worship, and practice
- Quakerism in different regions of the world
- The future of Quakerism
This thoroughly revised second edition now includes information on Quakers in Africa, Friends active engagement with electoral politics, electronic communication and online meetings, and a new appendix on Quakers in film. Quakerism: The Basics is suitable for secondary and university courses on Quakerism and comparative religion, with features including suggested readings, timelines, boxed features on special topics, a glossary, and guides to Quakers in fiction and on film. This book is also intended for individuals new to Quakers, for meeting and church study groups, and for those who want to refresh their understanding of Quakerism. Obtain a copy here https://www.thenile.com.au/books/margery-post-abbott/quakerism-the-basics/9781032803364?srsltid=AfmBOoqpLF5e-q9304_RowUH6NcLq4LEmO-lgyD8KNAFeZipcR4qmhVA
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: 55462 Phone: 02 8015 6011 Please contact Paul Carter if you have any problems connecting 0433 886 093
UN Human Rights Rapporteur
Applies to Join Legal Case
Against NSW Protest Laws
Ben Saul, a leading expert on international law, has applied to join a legal challenge against protest restrictions passed by the Minns government in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, arguing they are inconsistent with Australia’s international legal obligations. Saul has applied to join as an amicus curiae (a friend of the court) rather than a party to the proceedings. Groups the Blak Caucus, the Palestine Action Group (PAG) and Jews Against the Occupation ’48 filed the legal challenge against New South Wales laws restricting protests after terrorist incidents in early January, arguing the laws were invalid because they impinge on the implied constitutional right to freedom of political communication. Saul told Guardian Australia that if his application to join as an intervener is accepted by the court, he would argue that the law and the police declarations following it are inconsistent with Australia’s international legal obligations to protect the human rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of association. He said: These international law obligations are relevant to interpreting and applying the implied freedom of political communication under the Australian constitution. Saul is the United Nations special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism. He is also the chair of international law at the University of Sydney. An amicus curiae provides the court with expertise to assist its decision. Osman Samin, a solicitor acting on behalf of Saul, said: Part of that enquiry involves a question of proportionality. That is, an assessment of whether the restrictions imposed by these laws on the implied right to political communication are necessary and proportionate, and in considering proportionality, whether they are the least intrusive means available. See also UN expert seeks to join challenge to NSW government's protest restrictions 10 am Saturday 7 FebruaryNSW Regional Meeting & AGM The next NSW RM will be held online at 10 am on Saturday,7 February together with the AGM. The Zoom connection details will be sent out by the Clerking team well before the Meetings.
See - The Transformative Practice of Being “In the kinds of spiritual communities I grew up [in], we do a lot of talkingat whatever is sacred,” singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer says. “I really appreciated, when I discovered a silent Quaker meeting, that all I need to do is listen… Something lovely happens when I quiet myself and I quiet my heart and I actually listen to what is coming up from the Spirit.”
Carrie describes how she came to that first Quaker meeting, in the rainforests of Monteverde, and found “something that my heart had been longing for and hadn’t encountered yet.” She has joined Friends in community ever since, and it continues to guide her artistic process. See it here Carrie Newcomer: The Transformative Quaker Practice of Being
Sunday 15 FebruaryMardi Gras Fair Day @Victoria Park,Camperdown
Quakers have been allocated a stall at the Mardi Gras Fair day. We have a volunteer to drive the stall decorations to the venue early on Sunday morning.
We need a Friend to coordinate the volunteer roster, Friends to decorate the stall by 9am and a Friend to coordinate walking the stall items out of the park to a car late afternoon.
At the stall, we offer information and conversation about Quakers and hopefully we will be co-located again with other faith organisations.
K Woodhouse has coordinated the stall for many years but has less availability now. The Fair Day organisers are expecting 60,000 visitors to attend the event.
To register your availability for any of these roles and for more
information, contact Wies Schuiringa (0439 024 397, or wies.sch...@gmail.com)
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
January QBC - Quakerism: he Basics, 2nd EditionQuakerism: The Basics introduces a vibrant twenty-first-century religion, tracing the evolution of the Religious Society of Friends from its origins in seventeenth-century England to a worldwide religion, balancing discussion of Quaker history, evolving beliefs and practices, and contemporary social action. An accessible and engaging introduction to the history and diverse approaches and ideas associated with the Religious Society of Friends, this book treats Quakerism as a global religion with wide geographic reach and varied beliefs that range from evangelical Christianity to non-theism, including:
- Quaker values in action
- Quaker history, worship, and practice
- Quakerism in different regions of the world
- The future of Quakerism
This thoroughly revised second edition now includes information on Quakers in Africa, Friends active engagement with electoral politics, electronic communication and online meetings, and a new appendix on Quakers in film. Quakerism: The Basics is suitable for secondary and university courses on Quakerism and comparative religion, with features including suggested readings, timelines, boxed features on special topics, a glossary, and guides to Quakers in fiction and on film. This book is also intended for individuals new to Quakers, for meeting and church study groups, and for those who want to refresh their understanding of Quakerism. Obtain a copy here https://www.thenile.com.au/books/margery-post-abbott/quakerism-the-basics/9781032803364?srsltid=AfmBOoqpLF5e-q9304_RowUH6NcLq4LEmO-lgyD8KNAFeZipcR4qmhVA
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: 55462 Phone: 02 8015 6011 Please contact Paul Carter if you have any problems connecting 0433 886 093
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages