ONGOING EVENT

Utopia Exhibit of Batiks at the Embassy of Australia  - Utopia – A Picture Story presents a group of silk batiks commissioned in 1988 from Aboriginal artists living in the eastern region of Central Australia. Held entirely within The Holmes à Court Collection, Heytesbury, this unique group of artworks includes material by some of Australia’s best regarded artists.

On display until 29 August 2008. Gallery open 10am – 2pm weekdays, or by appointment. 202 797 3383.

FUTURE EVENTS

NAIDOC WEEK 2008

National Aborigines and Islander Observance Committee – July at the Embassy of Australia (see flier with schedule)

Washington Kastles – July Schedule:

I'm emailing you to let you know about the Washington Kastles.  We're a brand-new World TeamTennis franchise in DC with Serena Williams, and we'll be featuring her along with Sacha Jones--an up-and-coming New Zealand professional tennis star--in our new stadium at 11th and H streets.  She's coming a long way to play tennis for the Kastles this July, and she will be in town for all seven of our home matches next month.  We're looking forward to an exciting inaugural season with tennis greats like Serena, John McEnroe, and Anna Kournikova, and we would truly appreciate some New Zealand support for Sacha during her World TeamTennis debut!  If you would like to send a group of New Zealanders to come out and watch her play, or if you would like to host an event in support of her on-site before the match please give me a call at 202-654-7032. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Thanks!

Pat Knise
Washington Kastles
202-654-7032

Please check out schedule on

www.Washingtonkastles.com

 

PAST EVENTS

The ANZAC Cathedral Service on April 25 was magnificent. SCC members   Colleen Greer, Sally Spangler and son, Elisabeth Courtner, Stephanie Lamm and Valda Bond were among the many who attended the service.  Our group also got to meet the Australian Embassy’s Community Liaison Officer and War Bride liaison Janine Cook and Ambassador Dennis and Betty Richardson.  NZ Ambassador Roy Ferguson gave a very thoughtful ANZAC Day memorial service address.

The SCC Spring Brunch took place on May 18, 2008, 11:30 am at Marco Polo in Vienna, VA with special guest NZ Fulbright Visiting Scholar Dr Jo Diamond and 15 members/ guests.  We were honored to hear remarks by Dr. Diamond on the subject of her thesis:  Weaving – not only with plant fibers – but also weaving in the political, cultural, and other aspects of communities, families and nations–Australia and New Zealand - resulting in bringing people and ideas together. 

Dr. Diamond was also featured as a Smithsonian Program guest speaker at the NZ Embassy on May 22. 

The AAA-SCC BBQ was held on June 21 at the NZ Embassy on a beautiful sunny day with over 100 association and club members and guests, including babies, toddlers and teens. The Catering Company of Washington prepared a very tasty feast of grilled sausages, lamb, salads, fruits and cheeses, to which we added Lamingtons and ANZAC biscuits.  Canadian born, NZ raised, Tony Munnings provided wonderful listening music, Fosters donated wine and beer, General Dynamics sponsored the event and door prizes were provided by the Australian Catalog Company, the Outback Steak House, and Lowe’s Annapolis Hotel.  We were honored to have Australian Deputy Chief of Mission David Stuart and wife Anne, Irish Deputy Chief of Mission Catherine Byrne, Australian Naval Attaché Commodore Vince Di Pietro and wife Sandra and New Zealand Embassy representatives.  Also in attendance, were senior people from Shell, EDS, and General Dynamics.  NZ Embassy Thomas Keir and Beryl Maxwell provided security and invaluable help for the event, and thanks to all SCC and AAA members that assisted and all the party goers who enjoyed the evening.  Look for photos on the websites.

 

MEMBER'S NEWS

Cameron Dunlop reports:  Alexandria Rugby is organizing a tour of Dundee to play the Dundee Mayor’s XV in August 2008.  Alexandria Rugby is headed up by Ram “who ate all the pies” Todd (NZ).

Alexandria, VA vs. Dundee, Scotland

The inaugural Mayor's Cup Rugby Challenge between Alexandria, Virginia and Dundee, Scotland will be the first of many rugby-related interactions between the two sister cities. Presently set for August 2008, the Mayor's Cup will pit a select side of Alexandria area men against a select side of Dundee players from three local Dundee clubs: Dundee High, Morgan Academy and Panmure RFCs.

The purpose of the match is to showcase top-level rugby to the citizens of Alexandria, especially its youth. Alexandria Rugby believes that the more opportunities our kids have to see the game, the more quickly they will give it a try and realize what a wonderful, team focused sport rugby is.

Dundee has a strong rugby tradition, sending a number of players to the pro ranks and to the Scottish national team over the years. Alexandria is home to many accomplished players who play for one of the numerous clubs in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union. This will be a terrific match.

The Mayor's Cup promises to be a highlight of the local rugby calendar, providing local players a unique opportunity to play against top international competition and a unique, high-level match for the local rugby community to watch. Proceeds from the annual event will benefit local youth programs.

www.alexandriarugby.org

Sandy Goody arrived in Canberra on June 19 and started volunteering in Goulburn, NSW, June 23, helping Fr. Percy's parish with preparations for the leadup to World Youth Day in Sydney  -- see release from the website:
“Welcome to World Youth Day Sydney 2008! 

www.wyd2008.org

World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and this year will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008.   WYD began as an initiative of Pope John Paul II and was first celebrated in Rome in 1984 on the occasion of the International Year of Youth celebrated by the United Nations in 1985.  It brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis.  It has been held in Argentina in 1986, Spain in 1989, Poland in 1991, Denver, Colorado in 1993, Philippines in 1995, France in 1997, Rome in 2000, Canada in 2002 and Germany in 2005.

WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has ever hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors - more than the 2000 Olympics.  WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.
 
In the week prior to WYD international pilgrims spend some days in other cities around the host country.  These are known as "Days in the Diocese".  With so many people flying into the country, it is not possible for them all to arrive in the same city on the same day.  Days in the Diocese allows pilgrims to encounter local church communities who open their homes and share their culture.  Goulburn will be hosting over 1,700 pilgrims who will begin arriving July 7 and will be billeted in local homes and large group accommodations.  It will conclude with a festival and concert in Canberra's Exhibition Park on July 12 before Pilgrims go by bus to Sydney for the start of WYD on July 15.

 
OBITUARY/REMBRANCE: 

Although Mrs. Sylvia (Sue) Klein passed away March 11, 2002, her husband John H. Klein, Jr., remained an interested party to the Southern Cross Club until his passing November 28, 2007.  Their daughter, Jana S. Klein recalls the joy and sweet memories the SCC gave her mother and by proxy, to her father.  In tribute to the friends, smiles and the laughter the SCC gave to her parents;

I've been to cities that never close down, from New York to Rio to old London town.
But no matter how far or how wide I roam,
I still call Australia home.
I'm always traveling, I love being free. so I keep leaving the sun and the sea. 
But my heart lies waiting over the Fall, I still call Australia home.
All the sons and daughters spinning around the world, away from their families and friends.
But as the world gets colder and older, it's good to know where the journey ends.
Someday we will all be together again when all of the ships are back to the shore - I realize  something I have always known, I still call Australia home.

“My mother, until her passing in 2002, loved the Southern Cross Club.  My Dad saw it as a link to my Mom, once she passed away - I remember fondly my attendance at a luncheon and how friendly everyone was. “

 

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

 

FROM SOUTHERN CROSS GROUP NEWSLETTER
Changes to SCG Citizenship Application Support Arrangements for War Brides and their Families
Ken Lankard, who has been the Southern Cross Group's volunteer War Brides Co-ordinator in North America for several years is moving on. Ken is himself the US-born son of an Australian-born WW2 war bride. He applied for and obtained Australian citizenship by descent last year after the entry into force of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. Now the proud owner of a new Australian passport, Ken, a commercial pilot, has decided to move to Queensland on a permanent basis from July. This means he will no longer be on hand in California to field calls and e-mails from the Australian war bride community around the USA.  His Ventura, CA PO Box and telephone and fax numbers are now out of service.
Ken has been a stalwart and valued member of the SCG Committee for a number of years, and on behalf of the SCG's entire volunteer team and the many war brides and their families he has helped we thank him sincerely and wish him well for his new life in Oz.  Many people will remember meeting Ken in Washington DC during the ANZAC Day events for war brides in April 2007.
Taking over responsibilities for us in respect of initial contact from war brides and their children in North America will be our long serving North American Co-ordinator Robyn Stephenson. Her contact details are:
530 William Street
Zeeland, Michigan 49464
Tel. +1 (616) 748 7993

Many war brides and their families have also been in touch with our Co-founder and lawyer, Anne MacGregor in Brussels, who has carried out legal assessments for many individuals on their eligibility to apply for Australian citizenship under the new Act. Her contact details are:
Ave Charles Gilisquet 17
1030 Brussels
Belgium
Tel +32 2 735 0436

NEW ZEALAND NEWS

 “NZ signs historic Maori land deal 
Seven Maori tribes will manage the land collectively

In a historic settlement, the New Zealand government has signed over huge tracts of forest land to the ownership of seven Maori tribes. The NZ$420m ($319m) agreement transfers ownership of nine forests - covering 435,000 acres (176,000 hectares) of land - in the central North Island.

Hundreds of Maori, some in traditional dress, thronged parliament to witness the signing of the accord.  "It's a historic journey we are on," Prime Minister Helen Clark said.   "We came into politics to address injustice and seek reconciliation. Thank you for walking that road with us on this historic day," she added, according to AP news agency.

The settlement - the largest single deal between the government and Maori tribes - seeks to address grievances dating back to the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. The treaty guaranteed the indigenous Maori people use of their land and resources in return for ceding sovereignty to the British crown. But land seizures and ownership breaches followed.

'Sustainable future'
The forests signed over are mainly large commercial pine plantations, generating about NZ$13m a year in rents.  The settlement also hands over rents that have accumulated on the land since 1989.

Between them, the seven tribes or iwi include more than 100,000 members. They will manage the land collectively, setting up a holding company structure and forestry management structure.

The chairman of the collective, Maori paramount chief Tumu Te Heu Heu, said the objective was to provide tribes with "a strong, durable and sustainable economic future", in particular young members and the coming generations.  "This is our legacy to them," he said, according to AP.

Maori make up about 15% of New Zealand's 4.2 million population, but are among the country's poorest citizens, experiencing high unemployment, and poor health, education and housing compared to other New Zealanders.

BBC News, June 25, 2008

Prime Minister Helen Clark paid tribute June 8 to the former United States Ambassador to New Zealand, Anne Martindell, who has passed away in Princeton, New Jersey, aged 93. Anne Martindell served as United States Ambassador to New Zealand from 1979 to 1981 and helped found the U.S.-NZ Council

From NZ website

Futures in the heavens
Bethany Edmonds, 26, is a Maori artist about to leave on a scholarship for New York University to study the conservation of traditional textiles; Kipa Rangiheuea works at the Auckland Museum. Both are proud to be Maori and discuss the importance of their culture.

City of sails' top spot
Auckland is number five in the 2008 Mercer's WorldWide Quality of Living Survey, making it the most liveable city in the Asia Pacific region.

Peaceful isles
New Zealand comes in at number four on the second annual Global Peace Index released by Britain's Economist Intelligence Unit.

Hobbiton revisited
New Zealand is once again the backdrop for Middle Earth, Peter Jackson and Hobbit director Guillermo Del Toro confirmed in an hour-long live internet chat with fans.

For the love of letters
Thirteen-year-old Hamilton spelling champion Thomas North will compete at the 81st Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C., traveling further than any of the record 288 competitors.

Chopped, but not out
New Zealander Mark Simmons, 29, a sous chef at New York restaurant Public and until recently a contestant on popular reality show Top Chef, wants to open his own restaurant in the Big Apple serving antipodean cuisine.

Ice Man wins Indy 500
New Zealander Scott Dixon, 27, woke to the traditional 6am race-day explosion, ate American pancakes with hot syrup for breakfast and then from pole position drove 200 laps to win the 92nd Indianapolis 500.

Seaweed means fuel
Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation, a New Zealand-based company, is likely to be the first of its kind to produce biofuel from large quantities of wild algae.

From NZ Edge website

Don't Fall for a Craigslist Scam

A friend of MrConsumer lost nearly $5000 last week attempting to buy a car advertised on Craigslist. After getting many pictures of the out-of-state car [Red flag #1 -- only buy locally, after inspection] from the seller, and running a CarFax check on it, the buyer decided to go forward. The seller told him she sells through eBay Motors and would process the sale through them, which she initiated [Red flag #2: buyers initiate sales on eBay, not sellers]. The buyer began receiving invoices and other information from eBay Motors, noting a long list of protections that came automatically with every sale, including rights to a refund for misrepresentations, etc. What a clever way to instill confidence. [Undetected red flag #3: the emails were not really from eBay, but were made to look like it.] The contract required the seller to send a Moneygram to the buyer for the full purchase price. [Red flag #4: as noted at the top of every Craigslist ad -- don't wire money.] The money wound up a thousand miles away, and the car was never delivered.
This warning also applies to real estate purchases.

From Consumer World website
Time-Saving Tips for Summer Travel
Some airlines have responded to escalating fuel prices with new fees and some service reductions. Some airports have more customer-friendly checkpoints that can be time savers-if you come to the airport prepared, know what to expect, and cooperate with security personnel

1. Make sure you have a valid passport or “passport card”
2. Have all travel documentation handy to ease through the security lines
3. Stow all liquids and gels appropriately
4. Be prepared to remove shoes and jackets
5. Verify number and size of bag restrictions

Fighting Fraud 101 --- Smart Tips for Older Investors Scam artists frequently target Americans nearing or in retirement. These tips will help you learn the psychology of a scam, and how to protect yourself.

1. Even if you have never been subjected to an investment fraudster’s sales pitch, you probably know someone who has. Following the legendary Willie Sutton principle, fraudsters tend to go “where the money is”—and that means targeting older Americans who are nearing or already in retirement. Fraudsters also have in their sights the millions of Baby Boomers who have been accumulating sizeable retirement nest eggs through company 401(k) plans and personal accounts.
2. We’ve all heard the timeless admonition, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”—great advice, but the trick is figuring out when “good” becomes “too good.” There’s no bright line. Investment fraudsters make their living by making sure the deals they tout appear both good and true. They’re masters of persuasion, tailoring their pitches to match the psychological profiles of their targets. They look for your Achilles’ heel by asking seemingly benign questions—about your health, family, political views, hobbies or prior employers. Once they know which buttons to push, they’ll bombard you with a flurry of influence tactics, which can leave even the savviest person in a haze.
3. Three key strategies you —or anyone you know who fits the profile of a potential fraud target can use to help distinguish good offers from bad ones: End the conversation. Turn the tables and ask them the questions. Verify their background. Remember – the valid offers will always be there tomorrow.

Do you want to learn how to save, invest, and manage your money better?
MyMoney.gov can help you.
MyMoney.gov is the U.S. government's website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education. Whether you are planning to buy a home, balancing your checkbook, or investing in your 401k, the resources on MyMoney.gov can help you do it better. Throughout the site, you will find important information from 20 federal agencies government wide.
From pueblo.gsa.gov

 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS – DUE FOR THE CLUB YEAR JULY 1, 2008 to JUNE 30, 2009 (see attached renewal form). Dues for the membership year are $20 for singles and $25 for family memberships. E-mail Sandy  if any questions or updates.

Support our troops

The Department of Defense’s “America Supports You’” website - www.americasupportsyou.com – is a great place to visit to learn what you can do to support our Soldiers and their Families.

Another website is www.usocares.org/

WEBSITE
Check out our website for upcoming events:  www.southerncrossclubdc.com
And please send any photos, event information you may think would be of interest to members and the public to Carole. for posting on the website.

THANKS ARE DUE
The newsletter editors wish to thank  Justin Benzie, Cameron Dunlop, Jana Klein, Stephnie Thomas, and Elizabeth Wilson, for their contributions to the newsletter. (The editors wish to apologize in advance for any inaccuracies or omissions.)

Please e-mail Sarah and Colleen with any family news, trips, finds, events and information you many wish to share with the membership.

 

Have a safe and happy Summer!