THIMPHU

The next function is a dinner for ABFA members in Thimphu on February 6, 2009, at Benez restaurant at 7PM. All are invited please confirm by e-mail as per below.

Please RSVP to Tshering Tashi at jojos at druknet dot bt if you are attending, or call him on 17110305.

CANBERRA

All Canberra ABFA members are cordially invited to a Bhutanese dinner on February 4 2008 at 2 Becker Place, Downer.

For details please call 0402 642 349

Please contact Lin Richardson, the Canberra ABFA convenor for details of the next event in Canberra. Lin's e-mail address is AL-richard35 at mail dot bigpond dot com

A previous function in Canberra was a slideshow of John and Penny's experiences, based on 5 months they spent living and working in Bhutan. It was held on October 24th, 2003.

N.B. Any new ABFA members who want to get in touch with people in Canberra or want ideas or tips settling in or getting around, please call Ray Marcelo on 0423 939 890.  

MELBOURNE

All Bhutanese students and ABFA members in Melbourne are invited to a BBQ at John and Penny's place Sunday 1st March at midday.

John and Penny will supply drinks and meat to put on the BBQ and if people can bring salads / other food to share that would be great.

Please reply to Penny and John on 9773-9771 to confirm to give them an idea of numbers.

Its at John and Penny's place at Seaford. You can catch the train to Carrum station (on the Frankston line) and John and Penny can pick people up.

If it is hot, those attending can go to the beach after lunch (so bring some gear to go swimming; bathers and a towel might be an idea to bring).

  ABFA Melbourne Chapter

Victoria

Convenor : Simon Walliss

E-mail: simon dot walliss at travelrite dot com dot au

298 Whitehorse Road Balwyn

Victoria Australia 3103

Telephone: 9836 2522

Facsimile: 9836 8068

Mob: 0414 941 320

Co-Convenor : Barbara Green

E-mail: Joffa52 at hotmail dot com

1 Garden St

WILLIAMSTOWN VIC 3016

61 3 9397 7632 (r)

61 3 9479 5004 (b)

Mob:0417 521 912

Committee Members : Hardy Pradhan

Ph: 03 5367 1625

Fax: 03 53 671 626

Mob: 0418 335 040

E-mail: Hpradhan at bigpond dot net dot au

: Penny Richards

13 Chevron Court,

Seaford, 3198 Victoria,

Ph: 9773 9771

Mob: 0448 304 347

E-mail: Penny dot Richards at dpi dot vic dot gov dot au

E-mail: Jpinbhutan at hotmail dot com

: John Weiss

13 Chevron Court,

Seaford, 3198 Victoria,

Ph: 9773 9771

Fax: 9785 2007

Mob:0418368376

E-mail: John dot weiss at dpi dot vic dot gov dot au

E-mail: Jpinbhutan at hotmail dot com

: Bhutanese Student Representative:

2005/06 :

Dophu Dukpa

Mob: 0432 207 305

E-mail: Dophud at hotmail dot com

ARMIDALE

The Bhutan School House Appeal Committee Farewell and Appeal DINNER on Thursday 7 June 2007 at 6:30 at PLC Armidale (Crest Rd).

Program will include:

- presentations to departing Bhutanese Multi-grade teachers

- a silent auction of Bhutanese art, craft and books

- live auction of a "Four Friends" Wall Hanging

- continuous slide show of Bhutan

- entertainment by Bhutanese visitors

Table groups or individual bookings invited

Cost: $35 per person for hors d'oevres, curries, tea/coffee and slice; table wine and juice included

Proceeds towards Bhutan School House Appeal

The aim is build a 2 unit staff residence in a remote area of Bhutan.

RSVP 1 June 2007, to Assoc Prof Tom Maxwell

School of Education

University of New England, Armidale 2351

Ph 6773 2583

tmaxwell at une dot edu dot au

Please make cheques payable to Developing Country School Fund

SYDNEY

Mrs Catherine Harris, honorary consul of the Australia-Bhutan friendship association, is holding a lunch at her place at Newport on February 15, 2009, for Bhutanese and friends of Bhutan in Sydney, Wollongong or Armidale.
All you will need to bring is your swimming costumes and a towel if you want to go in the water. There are plenty of buses to Newport - it takes about an hour and 15 minutes from the City.
Anyone interested in joining, please contact Catherine.

NEWCASTLE, NSW

There are no events currently planned in Newcastle.

Please contact Nar Raika, a Bhutanese student in Newcastle, if you would like to arrange an event with Australian and Bhutanese students. Nar's e-mail address is Nar dot Raika at studentmail dot newcastle dot edu dot au

ORANGE, NSW

There are no events currently planned in Orange.

Please contact Karma Tshering, a Bhutanese student in Orange, if any Bhutanese here in Australia (also our Australian friends) are contemplating a holiday at, or near, Orange. Karma says if you are driving past, let him know in advance or just drop in for a meal, as it will be a pleasure to catch up.

Karma's e-mail address is karmas_bt at yahoo dot com

Karma's phone number is (02) 6360 3065

QUEENSLAND

Please contact Baba Sourjah, one of the founding members of Queensland ABFA for details of the next event in Quuensland. Baba's e-mail address is sourjah at hotmail dot com

Breakfast 17 September 2008

The OECD Secretary General Angel Gurria recently noted around the world a consensus is growing about the need to develop a more comprehensive view of progress - one that takes account of social, environmental and economic concerns - rather than focussing mainly on economic indicators like Gross Domestic Product.

The people and government of Bhutan are playing a leading role in exploring this alternative definition of progress, with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigmi Thinley recently reminding us: "We have to think of human well-being in broader terms. Material well-being is only one component. That doesn't ensure that you are at peace with your environment and in harmony with each other. This view has led the government of Bhutan to develop the goal of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Rather than measuring progress solely in terms of Gross Domestic Product, GNH aims to understand and measure four key dimensions of progress: sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and good governance.

This talk, hosted by Griffith University's Strategic Research Program 'Social Change and Wellbeing' and Eidos, will provide a unique opportunity to hear about Gross National Happiness and the Bhutanese approach to understanding, measuring and strengthening happiness, prosperity and well-being. The talk will be given by the Secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission of Bhutan, Karma Tshiteem, and will be followed by a response from a panel of local speakers, Associate Professor Geoff Woolcock, Griffith University; Dr Linda Selvey, Population Health for Queensland Health; Kate Hillman, Global Business Services IBM; Kathleen Noonan, The Courier Mail. It is Karma's only public speaking engagement in Brisbane.

When: 7.15am - 8.45am, Wednesday 17th September

Where: Michenor's Room, The Marque, 103 George St, Brisbane

Cost: $45 members, $55 non-members, $400 tables of 10 members, $500 table of 10 non-members

For more information, including booking details, go to Brisbane Breakfast- Happiness, Progress and Wellbeing: The View from Bhutan

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Please contact Wendy Miller, the South Australia ABFA convenor for details of the next event in South Australia. Wendy's e-mail address is wendyjmiller at bigpond dot com

If you would like to learn more about the South Australia ABFA group, please visit ABFA South Australia

The next planned ABFA function for the Adelaide Chapter is a picnic on Sunday, October 5th 2008 at Cleland Wildlife Park.

Please bring along some food and drink to share and we'll find a shady spot under the trees to farewell those who are returning to Bhutan and welcome new members.

Please contact Nicole Pluss for more details.  

PERTH

Please contact Michelle Hogan, for details of the next event in Western Australia. Michelle's e-mail address is michelle_j_hogan at hotmail dot com

The next planned activity is a welcome dinner on Saturday February 28, 2009 at Tomato Lake, Belmont, Perth.

Members have been asked to contribute $15 per head well in advance to buy drinks, plates etc.

Other information for the Bhutanese Community in Perth, WA can be found at ABFA Western Australia