THIMPHU

The next function is a dinner for ABFA members in Thimphu on Thursday 25 September 2008 at Megan's house. 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.

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

Dates for your Diary!

Sunday October 26th

Tour to French Island to see Aussie Wildlife - Koalas, Echidnas, Eagles as well as orchids and other wildflowers, Landcare and farm visits.

Details to follow

Sunday 30th November @12.noon

Our Annual picnic in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne to farewell any students going back to Bhutan, Welcome any New Students and an early celebration and for National Bhutan Day - (17th of December). Please bring food to share.

Further details to follow

Penny Richards and John Weiss

ABFA Melbourne Chapter Committee members

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

Murray Gunn would like to organise some activities for the second half of 2008, driven by the interests of the Bhutanese, of course. Some ideas are:

* The Spit to Manly walk with fish and chips on the beach
* Christmas barbecue
* Wine tasting in the Hunter Valley
* Two-day bushwalk

Anyone interested in joining, please send Murray an email. Murray will then create a list of ABFA Sydney-siders.

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

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 Saturday, December 1st 2007 at 2pm at Riverfront Road, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge (just down the road from "The Bunyip").

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

Next activity is a tour and visit to a Buddhist monastery in Perth in June 2007.

All Bhutanese students and ABFA members are welcome to attend and hopefully it will occur before His Holiness Dalai Lama visits Perth.

Please RSVP for the monastery visit to michelle dot hogan at dsr dot wa dot gov dot au