GOLD COAST COMMUNITY

DECEMBER 2002 / NEWSLETTER

Dear Everyone,

Please find attached the event schedule for December. In it you will notice we have cancelled the normal Sunday event due to be held at 4 p.m on the 1st of December, at the Senior Citizens Centre venue. We decided on this cancellation as we feel most people would prefer to attend the special Amaroo event scheduled for this date. ( see the flyer enclosed) With this in mind please read the whole schedule carefully as this being the month of the Christmas holidays there are other cancellations and fewer programs will be held towards the end of the month than would normally be the case.

Several positive things have happened in the community this year, a major one being our move to our new venue at the Senior Citizens Centre at Broadbeach. People attending the events there have commented on how much they like the relaxed ambience of hall and we have found the management most flexible and friendly in our dealings with them. Rather different to our experience at the Life Education Centre

It should be noted that this venue is a temporary venue being used by the Senior Citizens management until their brand new premises, which is being built behind the convention centre, is constructed on the other side of the road, not far from our present location. The comment of the management to us is "if you think this is a great venue wait until you see the new one'. But more of that in the January, newsletter.

The cost of the present venue is another major factor in helping us to continue to hold events on the Gold Coast. The move there has resulted in a reduction from $147.00 per event (at the Life Education Centre) to $50.00 per event now. This being the case it requires only a small financial contribution ($5.00 or so) from the people attending the events, to meet our expenses, and the community finances, while not totally sufficient to meet our future plans to improve the advertising and presentation of the events, are okay

These plans include further low key advertising and the possibility of placing an advertisement in the local newspapers. Initial research has quotes of $300.00 and $400.00 per edition so we will be looking for some support from people interested in helping in this area. People have already responded and are excited about advertising an introductory event this way. We will probably look at doing this early in the new year.

Regarding low key advertising if you have had reason to visit your local public library recently you might have noticed on the community notice board a flyer titled 'A Video Presentation' of 'Maharaji speaking about Self Knowledge' It's colour coded blue for the month and invites people throughout the month of November to attend any of the scheduled events held at the Senior Citizens Centre. We are looking at the possibly of advertising the events this way on a continuing basis as the response from library management on the Gold Coast has been very positive. If you know of an appropriate venue where you think a flyer could be placed in the future give John S. a ring. 55 ??????. Comments on the format and wording of the flyer would also be welcomed.

As you are aware, with the introduction of satellite broadcasts, videos now produced for screening at home and at local events are suitable for all audiences. New people and guests, aspirants and PWKs are therefore invited to attend any of the events so bring your friends, enjoy the latest videos and say hello.

There is also an up to date extensive video library at each event. The videos are free to hire and the library is supported by donations. The library also posts videos to people on the Gold Coast who would rather watch videos at home and to several interstate and Qld towns where people are unable to attend events. If you know of anyone in this situation you can ring me or ask them to. John 55 ?????? The cost to send and return two videos by parcel throughout Australia totals $8.20. In this role the library is again supported by donations only.

There is so much happening on the Gold Coast at the moment.

Vanaya N. is holding introductory events at Bond University each Sunday for the staff and students there who wish to attend. Several have and we will forward the 'stats' to the 'stats' person to be collated.

Mary G. is researching the possibility of holding 'one off' events at approved public venues. This is happening in lots of communities in Australia and overseas. She can be contacted on 55??????. Mary can also be contacted for an information kit about direct access to your home of the satellite broadcasts.

Gary P. is researching a new video projector to replace the one we currently use. He hopes to be able to select one which we can demonstrate, to compare it's performance and resolution with our existing one, within a few days. The projector we have now is reaching it's use by date and the technology of the new projectors has advanced far beyond it's use and capacity, in reduction in size and weight ( this will help immeasurably with the logistics of moving it between venues) and in the resolution and clarity of the picture.

Thanks to Gary's generosity and contacts we are looking at a price of around $2,500.00 ( this is a saving of thousands of dollars) and we will need the support of as many people as possible who can help us raise this final amount. Again, contact John if you can help.

Also, thanks to D. and C., we now have a new and vastly improved sound system (again a saving of hundreds of dollars) which we are using in conjunction with the projector at the Senior Citizens Centre.

The most exciting news of all, is that a team of enthusiastic people are researching the possibility of inviting Maharaji to the Gold Coast for a public event. Options being considered include an event early next year. A lot of work has been done including the production of a video that features the venue the team considered would be most suitable for an event of this nature. The venue filmed and selected was the Royal Pines resort, Ashmore and the video was screened recently at a special PWK event to spontaneous applause. Progress reports will be posted in future newsletters

Whatever the immediate outcome, the research and effort made by this team will be an invaluable supporting foundation to any future invitation to Maharaji to hold a public event here. If you would like to participate in this project please contact Broderick H. 55394053.

Finally our intention to invite Maharaji to the Gold Coast has been presented to other communities such as Brisbane, Byron Bay and Ipswich and while they are doing their own research their support and encouragement has been most positive.

If you enjoy remaining in contact and there are changes to your contact details please forward them to Anita on ????? or ??@ion.com.au, or post them to the address below so that she can ensure you remain on the mailing list.

Anita G.