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Reports
Report on the Visit of National President and National Secretary to Bundaberg on the occasion of the WCTU of Queensland's Annual Convention.
The visit started with a special luncheon chaired by the former Mayor of Bundaberg, Mrs Kay McDuff and attended by about 50 persons including the Hon Jack Dempsey - the local MP, and representatives of local churches. Mrs Linda Toft was presented with a corsage as she celebrated her 90th birthday.
Mrs Anne Bergen presented an educational segment on drugs and explained internet links and the work with E-issues.
Mrs Ellen Chandler reminded all of past achievements and using the quotation of Eleanor Roosevelt - "A women is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water." She challenged those present to "get into hot water" by distributing literature, signing objection cards, sending prepared postcards to the Prime Minister urging more action on binge drinking and by becoming a member of WCTU.
A Thanksgiving Service was also held led by Rev. Ray Nutley commencing with a PowerPoint presentation of God's world and ending with photos of members world wide and the quote -
"Here I am Lord, It is I Lord, I have heard you calling in the night."
WCTU depends on the work and commitment of individuals right around the world.
A SERVICE OF MEMORIES commenced Queensland's State Convention. Remembering members Marjorie Douglas, Flo Evens, Valerie McGee, Margaret Drew, Doreen Ah Quay, Daisy Armstrong, Fay Going, Eileen Anderson and Mr David Behan who had all passed away since last Convention. Reports were received.
Mrs M Entermann was granted leave of absence for 2009 and other state officers were re-elected.
Report on the visit to Papua New Guinea of the World Field Worker for the Pacific and the Assistant Field Worker - on the occasion of the 1st National Convention of WCTU in PNG (See photos)
Dawn Giddings and Glenda Amos travelled to Lae, Papua New Guinea to take part in the 1st National Convention to be held in Papua New Guinea for the newly formed WCTU of PNG. The WCTU was registered in PNG as a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in May, 2007. The Convention was held at the AOG Okari Conference Centre in Lae, PNG from November 6 - 11 and 88 delegates attended from 4 different provinces.
The following guest speakers presented material at the convention –
a. Ms Abba Bamua – President of the Provincial Council of Women. She gave the opening address encouraging the women to learn all they could at the convention in order to address the problems of alcohol and drugs that are present in PNG.
b. Dr Andrew Bareng – an International herbal doctor specialising in working with couples who are experiencing infertility problems. He gave a PowerPoint presentation on Marijuana, its composition and how it affects the human body.
c. Reverend Valaun Teko – Uniting Church minister from Rabaul. She spoke on the theme “Forward Together” emphasising our spiritual commitment by taking lessons from the call of Moses, and showing how we can join with other sisters in Christ in this work.
d. Glenda Amos gave a PowerPoint presentation on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and how alcohol affects the executive function of the brain and nervous system causing major problems for the next generation.
e. Caroleen Ragunathan and Rita Maruha - work with ADRA in HIV & AIDS Project in Counselling Services. They gave a PowerPoint presentation on HIV and Aids and the current statistics in the Morobe Province. They also brought two special friends with them – Miriam Lovai, the Manager of the Lae Branch of the Business Coalition Against HIV & AIDS (BAHA) and Manu Haringke, a Lutheran pastor who is HIV positive and works as a volunteer with the ADRA HIV & AIDS Project and the Water & Health Sanitation Program. Miriam spoke on her work and Manu shared his personal journey and testimony. The four guests engaged in a panel discussion at the conclusion of the program, answering questions from the audience.
A number of special programs were included in the convention program.
a. Saturday afternoon Family program –
i. Youth program with a Drama Contest. There were three dramas sent in. One was played out live and two others were sent in on DVD. The live drama caused a very powerful emotional response from the audience as it depicted the effects that alcohol has on PNG society and many identified with it. At the conclusion, the audience each sort out one of the participants in the drama and prayed personally with them.
ii. Children’s segment and puppets. Special items were provided by a group from the Corrective Institution Services and a puppet play encouraging children to sign a promise to be drug-free was presented. Promise cards were distributed and No Drugs 4 Me armbands. The colouring competition had been judged the evening before and the 5 winners were announced in four age groups (8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old and 11-13 year old) There were two equal winners in the 11-13 year old category.
iii. Little White Ribboner enrolment service – Two children and their mothers were enrolled as Little White Ribboners – Priscilla and Abigail. They were welcomed by the presidents of their respective provinces and given teddy bears with white ribbon bows.
b. Prayer Walk and Breakfast – A Sunday morning prayer walk was held highlighting how easy it is to spend an hour in devotional time based on the question of Jesus, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” Different stations were set up around the campus and participants divided into 12 groups and moved around the stations looking at aspects of devotional time – praise, waiting, watching, scripture praying, confession, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, meditation, listening, singing, praise.
c. Visitation to churches –
i. Salvation Army – a group of women went with Dawn Giddings to the Salvation Army service and Dawn gave a brief report on WCTU. Some good contacts were made with prospective members.
ii. Uniting Church – Reverend Valaun Teko took a group to the Uniting Church and joined with them in their Thanksgiving Service. They highlighted the work of WCTU in PNG.
d. Morning Theme Devotionals and Seminars were conducted by Glenda Amos.
i. The four morning theme devotionals followed the convention theme: Forward Together
1. Together – The need for united action
2. Everyone – Each person has a part to play
3. Achieves – Goal setting - perseverance
4. More – God’s ability to make our little much.
ii. Devotional life – Glenda spoke on the need to develop a personal relationship with God – to really know God and used the acrostic ESCAPES as a tool to enhance bible study devotional time.
Example to follow
Sin to avoid
Command to obey
About God/Jesus’ character
Promises to claim
Explore more deeply
Something to pray about
iii. Parenting styles – This seminar explored the basis of mature covenants in family relationships and the different types of parenting styles and how they impact on children and their susceptibility to identify with counter cultures like drugs and sexual promiscuity.
iv. The Principle of Authority – This seminar looked at how we relate to the authorities ordained by God and the right way to go about working with them.
The following officers and directors were appointed to lead the work in Papua New Guinea:
President: Mitroy Sapul
1st Vice-president: Rev. Valaun Teko
2nd Vice-President: Beatrice Kemo
Treasurer: Judy Balavu
Administrative Secreatry: Janet Lovai
Recording Secretary: Lydia Henry
Past (Retiring) President: Rossica Salika
Director for Youth: Beryl Howard
Director for Chiildren's Work: Julie Galo
Director for Education and Research: Serina Tamita
Director for Home Protection: Kay jerry
Director for Social Services: Mary Misiar
Director for Christian Outreach: Elmah Namaloi
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