Those who do not create the future they want must endure the future they get. By making visible our yearnings for a more just and ecologically sustainable world, we help to create it.

This is a plain text document with a minimum of formatting.

It contains:

1. What is Australia Connects?
2. The nuts and bolts of Australia Connects
3. What’s happening in October?
4. Become an Australia Connects partner
5. Partners Value Statement
6. Individual Partnership Response Form
7. Organisation & Group Partnership Response Form
8. Contacting Australia Connects

1...WHAT IS AUSTRALIA CONNECTS?

• a nation-wide network of partner organisations, groups and individuals committed to an open dialogue about Australia’s future
• making visible our yearnings for a more compassionate and caring society, and by so doing helping to create it
• based on the fact that all over Australia people are thinking, talking and acting to create a positive and sustainable future for us all.

Australia Connects aims to link these initiatives into a powerful and more visible network for positive change. Through the involvement of eminent futurist Robert Theobald, it is connected to similar initiatives in North America and Europe.

Making the Connections Visible

Ours is an age of encircling dangers and great opportunities. In such times of uncertainty, words and actions have a power they lack in more sure and settled times. The choices we make now will determine the quality of life for generations to come. What kind of future do we want for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren? Do we have a choice?

Across the continent Australians are asking these questions – in their communities, their organisations, and in their hearts. Australia Connects: A People’s Vision will open a space in our culture to share these thoughts and hopes and dreams. Through face-to-face dialogue in neighbourhoods, workplaces, and places of learning, spirit and celebration, voice will be given to the people’s vision for Australia.

The initial focus of Australia Connects is over four days, October 14-17, 1999, when partner organisations and groups are organising activities across the country to stimulate thinking and dialogue about the future. Our theme is…

We do have choices !

The October activities will produce a wealth of visions, ideas and practical initiatives. Participating groups will share these outcomes within their communities and beyond, bringing still wider areas of our society into the dialogue. These outcomes will also form the basis for the next stage of Australia Connects as we continue to build the web of connections into the new millennium.

2...THE NUTS & BOLTS OF AUSTRALIA CONNECTS

Australia Connects: A People’s Vision consists of:

• a national network…

linking people and organisations working to create a sustainable future for Australia and committed to an open-ended dialogue about the kind of future we want. There is no central structure, executive or decision-making body. Initiative is entirely in the hands of the network participants, called "partners".

• a website…

on which partners can post information about their activities, share resources, and contribute to discussion.

• a project facilitation team…

with members at various locations around the country. The role of this team is to disseminate information about the network, and facilitate connections and information sharing between Australia Connects partners. The facilitation team members and contact details are listed in section 8 of this document -- Contacting Australia Connects.

• an incorporated, non-profit association…

established to manage all funds contributed for Australia Connects website and network development. The directors of the association act as trustees for these funds that are used to establish and maintain communication between network partners, develop resources for use by local groups, gather and disseminate information on activities around the country, and maintain the website. The directors are Chris Harris, environmentalist and company director; Carol Perry, community development facilitator and mediator; and Margaret Peters, financial manager and artist.

The Australia Connects project was initiated by Reworking Tomorrow Australia, a loose network of local conversation and action groups inspired by the work of Robert Theobald and others who urge that the changes we must make to achieve sustainability are becoming more difficult the longer they are postponed. By launching Australia Connects, Reworking Tomorrow seeks to open up a much wider dialogue with organisations and communities working for a better future.

3...WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCTOBER?

Australia Connects will be launched between October 14-17 when partner organisations across the country will organise local activities to stimulate thinking and dialogue about the future. Some already planned include...

• South Australia’s famous Bluebird train will make a special run to the Barossa Valley for people who dream of the communal possibilities of rail travel in the new millennium. The destination will be a celebration in a Barossa park. There will also be food and wine and the opportunity to talk about making the dreams a reality.
• The town of Maleny in Queensland is organising a "Maleny Fair" to display their local "community treasures"—the groups and activities that hold their community together and make it a special place to live. The emphasis in displays will be on creativity and co-operation. Groups participating will include cultural and sporting clubs, religious/spiritual organisations, service clubs and charitable organisations, environmental and education support groups, business/industry groups, local co-operatives, organisations that cater for young people, and those that cater for the mature-aged in the community.
• In Toowoomba local ethnic groups and the ethnic community-policing officer are working with AC Partners to link their Multi-Cultural Festival in September with Australia Connects. Meetings are planned with the mayor, councillors and the local member. At the University of Southern Queensland passion cafés are starting in the university refectory.
• A combined religious event incorporating practices of worship, singing and silence across the major world faiths will be held at a city church in Adelaide.
• A theatre company will present a play which raises questions about the kind of society people are yearning for. There will be opportunity for audience discussion with the actors and playwright about the implications of the play.
• The Brotherhood of St Laurence hopes to bring thousands of supporters from all over Victoria to a gathering in Melbourne to reflect on the part their organisation will play in creating more compassionate and resilient communities into the new millennium.
• A group of indigenous and non-indigenous Australians will be meeting at Camp Coorong to explore the gifts of indigenous culture for those of us who are keen to understand more of the diversity and commonalities within our cultures.
• Academic staff at a Victorian university will conduct a two-day Socratic Dialogue on October 16 and 17, aimed at people in business and the professions, on the theme: "What should business contribute to society?" The event will be supported by a number of networks concerned with business ethics and sustainable business practices.

4...BECOME AN AUSTRALIA CONNECTS PARTNER

Be a catalyst for positive change, and…

• Make visible your commitment to Australia’s future
• Network with other concerned people and groups
• Share ideas, resources, skills and friendship with others of similar vision and values
• Help create the community you want

The following Partnership Plans are indicative only. We can tailor a package to meet your needs.

INDIVIDUALS

***Endorse the Values Statement (see Section 5 below).

• Organise local activities either through a group to which you belong or in co-operation with other groups and organisations in your area. The Australia Connects website will provide contacts.
• Promote Australia Connects in your community or workplace. Why not raise it with your local service or sporting clubs, churches, schools, community organisations, or with your employer, trade union or professional association?
• List yourself on the Australia Connects website.
• Make a financial or in kind contribution to the project budget.

LOCAL CONVERSATION / ACTION GROUPS

*** Endorse the Values Statement (see Section 5 below).

• Organise local activities either through your group or in co-operation with other groups and organisations in your area. We can provide contacts.
• List your group on the Australia Connects website with a hotlink to your own website or to the Reworking Tomorrow site. Opens lots of opportunities for networking and sharing resources.

BUSINESSES

*** Endorse the Values Statement (see Section 5 below).

• Make a contribution appropriate to your circumstances
  • a financial contribution to the project budget
  • donation of equipment, services or facilities
  • promotion of Australia Connects to your customers or in the community
  • sponsoring local events or activities - we can connect you to local groups
    Please discuss your ideas with the Project Facilitation Team.
• List your business on the Australia Connects website with logo and hotlink to your own website. A great way to raise your community service profile. Please ask us about listing fees.

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANISATIONS / GROUPS

*** Endorse the Values Statement (see Section 5 below).

• Make a contribution appropriate to your circumstances:
  • organising specific events or activities as part of Australia Connects
  • promoting Australia Connects in your community or amongst your members
  • offering the use of facilities and venues to other Australia Connects groups
    Please discuss the possibilities with the Project Facilitation Team.
• List your organisation on the Australia Connects website with logo and hotlink to your own website. Opens lots of opportunities for networking and sharing resources. If you wish to include your logo or graphic a fee applies. Please ask us for details.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

*** Endorse the Values Statement (see Section 5 below).

• Make a contribution appropriate to your circumstances:
  • organising specific events or activities as part of Australia Connects
  • promoting Australia Connects in your community or amongst your students and staff
  • offering the use of facilities and venues to other Australia Connects groups
    Please discuss the possibilities with the Project Facilitation Team.
• List your institution on the Australia Connects website with logo and hotlink to own your own website. Opens lots of opportunities for networking and sharing resources. Please ask us about listing fees.

LARGE ORGANISATIONS / CORPORATIONS

*** Endorse the Values Statement (see Section 5 below)

• Make a financial contribution commensurate to your resources - either a single up front payment or commitment to monthly contributions to the project budget.
• Make in kind contributions as appropriate:
  • donation of equipment, services or facilities to help grow the project
  • promotion of Australia Connects to employees, customers and the public
  • sponsoring national, regional or local events
    Please discuss your ideas with the Project Facilitation Team.
• List your organisation on the Australia Connects website with logo and hotlink to your own website. This is a great opportunity to showcase your community service commitments. Please ask us about listing fees.
• Support local conversation groups. We will keep you informed of opportunities.

Australia Connects: A People’s Vision
PO Box 1652 • Byron Bay NSW 2481
Phone 02 6688 2072 • Mobile 0410 661 004
Email: workspace@co-op.com

5...PARTNERS VALUES STATEMENT

As partners in Australia Connects: A People’s Vision, we commit to a dialogue about a future in which the peoples and land of Australia flourish.

Fundamental to this dialogue is an acceptance of the vital necessity for social cohesion, ecological integrity, effective decision making and quality of life in every part of our world.

The dialogue will be based on the primary values of honesty, responsibility, humility and love and a respect for mystery.

We recognise that, for this to happen, large shifts in our ways of thinking and behaving are required of us all: individuals and institutions alike.

We commit to contributing to the process of dialogue and incorporating new learnings into our practice.

TO: Project Facilitation Team

Australia Connects: A People’s Vision
(For local address see Section 8 below)

OR: Email: workspace@co-op.com

I wish to become an Australia Connects partner. I support the project’s overall intention and endorse the Values Statement.

Please print clearly in black ink

Name:

Telephone - Home:        Work:          Mobile:

Email address:

Postal address:

Postcode:

o Please put me in touch with a local group near me or send me information on forming a group.

o I wish to be listed as a partner on the Australia Connects website.

o I wish to make a financial contribution of $..................... which,

• is enclosed (if sending this by post)

…OR…

• will be forwarded by post (if sending this by email).
(Please make cheques payable to ‘Australia Connects’)

TO: Project Facilitation Team

Australia Connects: A People’s Vision

(For local address see Section 8 below)

OR: Email: workspace@co-op.com

Our organisation wishes to become an Australia Connects partner.

We support the project’s overall intention and endorse the Values Statement.

Please contact the person below to discuss partnership arrangements.

…………………………………………………..

Signature of authorising executive

Please print clearly in black ink

Name of organisation:

Contact person: Phone:

Email address:

Postal address:

Postcode:

 8...CONTACTING AUSTRALIA CONNECTS

Australia Connects is a network of partner organisations, groups and individuals across Australia. A project facilitation team with members in various locations works to connect and support local initiatives.

Australia Connects Project Facilitators

Julie Walker • Northern NSW
Phone: 02 6688 2072
Mobile: 0410 661 004
Email: jwalker2@scu.edu.au
PO Box 1652, Byron Bay NSW 2481

June Muir • Melbourne
Phone: 03 9654 8728
Email: jmuir@fowf.com.au
Ross House - Level 4
247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000

Helen Gardner • Melbourne
Phone: 03 9578 4724
Mobile: 0413 596 819
Email: helengardner@latrobe.edu.au

Noel Winterburn • Sydney
Phone: 02 9819 7914
Email: nwinterb@ozemail.com.au
18/84 St Georges Cres, Drummoyne 2047

Marianne Pember • Brisbane
Phone: 07 3356 9940
Mobile: 0413 121 098
Fax: 07 3356 9964
Email: metamind_universal@yahoo.com
1/64 Tait Street, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059

Marcia Dwonczyk • Darwin
Phone: 08 8948 2665
Email: ntcoss@topend.com.au
PO Box 141, Nightcliff NT 0814

Glenda Brown • Adelaide
Phone: 08 8202 5833
Email: rgbrown@senet.com.au
10 Pitt Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Phillip Wainwright • Perth
Phone: 08 9375 1736
Email: wainwrig@it.net.au
576 Light Street, Dianella WA 6059

Website
www.australiaconnects.net

Networking
Ken McLeod • Penny Watson
Email: workspace@co-op.com
PO Box 1652, Byron Bay NSW 2481