Fun and activism as Brisbane City Group turns nineteen!, qld, Amnesty International Australia

QLD Northern NSW Resources:: Home; About; Action groups; Events; News; Volunteer

Fun and activism as Brisbane City Group turns nineteen!

Published on 25/11/2011
Brisbane City Group

The Brisbane City Group
From L-R: Janette, Angela, Colin, Geoffrey, Evelyn, Frances

As the Brisbane City Group approaches its 19th year, we profile their members, activities, and achievements. Started by five people in 1993, two of these original members are still active in the group today. Its success is built around a mix of fundraising, activism and social opportunities.

Group convenor, Ms Janette McLeod, who has filled the role for one year, has been a member of the Brisbane City group for four years.

“This is a social group. We’re also very collaborative and inclusive and like to work hands-on at a local level,” Ms McLeod said.

One example of this mix is the group’s popular trivia nights. As many as 250 people filled the Tara Ballroom, at the Irish Club in Brisbane, for the Brisbane City group’s most recent trivia night. Topical questions around human rights issues were a fun and informative way to theme the evening. Held twice a year by the group, the trivia nights raise about $5,000 annually for the work of Amnesty International.

The Brisbane City group is also heavily involved with their case files. The group’s main file is prisoner of conscience, Filep Karma of Indonesia, imprisoned for raising a flag during a peaceful demonstration. The group actively monitors each case file and assigns the role to a member. This system enables them to be active in their letter writing, sending out five to ten letters a fortnight.

The group also attends the West End markets once a month and has previously been involved with the Zillemere Multicultural Festival.

More recently at the Taste of Freedom celebrations, one of the 45 guests in attendance was Mrs Chris Rush, mother of Scott Rush. Mrs Rush took the opportunity to personally thank Amnesty International for their work on behalf of her son in Indonesia.

With so many diverse initiatives, there is always room for new members at the Brisbane City group.

For more information on this group, or a group in your local area, follow this link.