Bring your family and hang out with us at the next AAN picnic.

Saturday 26 September, 1.00pm – 4.00pm.

Johnson Park, Constitution Rd, Dulwich Hill

Johnson Park on Google Maps

Johnson Park has enclosed play equipment, a basketball court, and plenty of space for bikes and kicking a ball around.

There’s plenty of parking or it’s a short walk from the 425, 426, 428 & 445 Bus routes (get off near Dulwich Hill shops).

If it’s raining we will meet at Abla’s patisserie on New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill (but they only serve cakes & drinks, so eat first). Call Suzanne on 0417 777 131 if the weather is uncertain.

Abla’s on Google Maps

AAN is the lucky recipient of a Harmony Day grant from Canterbury /Bankstown Council. On Thursday 20th March, AAN Treasurer Jill Sergeant accepted the $2,000 cheque, which will go towards two AAN events later this year.

The first event will be an information session for workers in the Canterbury / Bankstown areas promoting awareness of the AAN and mixed heritage family issues, as well as a consultation to inform the activities of the AAN.

The second event will be a family-friendly party for mixed Australian-African families and couples that also welcomes the participation of all Australians. The party will combine African cultural entertainment and food with information about AAN and other servces, as well as consultation with our communities.

Both events will probably be held in October/November 2008. Sign up for updates and/or apply for AAN membership so you can keep informed.

Would you like to become a member of Australian African Network?

In 2007 we put a lot of work into incorporating as an association, developing rules and structure. We also started a survey, to find out what people in mixed relationships thought we should be doing. Now we’re taking the next step – opening up to membership.

As a member of AAN, you get to:

• Have a say about where the organisation is heading & what it should be doing
• Vote for representatives on the management committee
• Be involved in organising AAN activities (meet interesting people, learn new skills & share your expertise)

Membership costs $10 to join and then $5 annually.

If you join now you won’t have to renew until July 2009

Email admin@australianafricannetwork.org.au for details of how to join.

Thanks to all who have supported our petition. We now have over 1700 signatures.

AAN is currently negotiating to present the petition to Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews by early November. We will also present it to Shadow Minister Tony Burke.

View our Letter to Mr Andrews and supporting documentation.
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If you haven’t yet done so, please sign the petition now. Let’s push that number up past 2,000! Tell your friends.

View the AAN Media Release which was circulated on October 10 (PDF, small file).

For more info and statements on this issue, see AAN condemns Andrews’ statements on African migration

The Australian African Network Inc. was appalled by the comments of Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews regarding the settlement of African migrants in Australia. Please sign our online petition.

We want to rally support from all Australians to challenge the racist attacks the Minister is making against Sudanese refugees. The government is playing racial politics as a desperate election stunt, but the ramifications of government-endorsed racism on individuals’ lives and communities will impact on the whole society for a long time to come.

Andrews ignores the valuable contributions Africans have already made to Australian society, such as their work in nursing services, aged care, the meat industry, and the music industry.

If the government has concerns about any migrant community’s integration into Australian society, the appropriate course of action should be consultation with that community and the provision of appropriate funding, resources and support, not racist vilification of that community during the politically sensitive pre-election period.

To AAN this is a clear example of racism being used to divide the country. We need all Australians to say NO to racial politics.

We want the government to back down from using racism as an election stunt.

For more info and comment see also:
Refugee Council Media Release.
http://www.africanoz.com.au/
Slamming the door on Africa – comment by Dr Andre Renzaho
Statement on decision to suspend African Refugee intake By the President of the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian AM
REFUGEES:
Back to the future Comment from Australian Policy online