Beltane 1997 Newsletter Editorial

Welcome

Before launching into this season's newsletter, I would like to extend a big welcome to all of our new members, and hope that the Alliance will help you on your path. If I can be of any assistance, please give me a call or drop me a line, if I can help I will, or find someone who can. Once again, welcome aboard.

The Jasmine is wildly in bloom in our backyard at the moment, as the days heat up, and I can smell summer coming in the air. My native Kangaroo Paw is coming into flower for the first time, and it is now a good time to think about some water conservation in my yard over the next few months. Semester two is almost over and I can finally see the completion of the degree! I suspect our cuckoo might have found a mate, as his early morning calls have somewhat abated. What's happening in your backyard or balcony at this time of year?

I always find that a good benchmark that winter is over is the end of the football season (congratulations to the Newcastle Knights, and commiserations to Manly). And a good indication that summer is on its way is the start of the cricket season (good luck to the NSW Blues). I look forward now to trips to the cricket and long summer fishing trips. How do you mark your seasons?

Public Relations

You should have also read that our Public Relations team has been expanded, allowing them to get on with the business of the portrayal of Paganism in the media, as well as lobbying the political powers that be for further recognition and action on Pagan issues. As Paganism is one of the fastest growing religions in Australia (according to the 1996 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics), this team will be vital in changing and challenging the way Paganism is "dealt" with by the wider community. So if you have any media issues that you want to highlight, please call Morgan on (02) 9699 9302, or drop her a line to PO Box 178, Paddington NSW 2021.

I would also like to extend a welcome to Laren who will be taking over the monitoring and responses to print media issues. You will be familiar with Laren from her work on the web and the collection of articles about Paganism in Australia, If you come across an article, favourable or not, please photocopy it and send the article, or the paper and date of publication to her at: PO Box 129, Stockton NSW 2295. Speed is of the essence when dealing with media, and if you would be so kind as to forward the article to Laren asap, it would be kindly appreciated.

Updates

I received a letter from Julia Philips, the author of "Witches of Oz", that was mentioned in the last newsletter. She tells me that her book is definitely not out of print, and can certainly be purchased at Mysteries in Balmain. Keep your eyes out for it in your local bookshop, or have them order it in for you.

I also mentioned that Lynne Hume had a book coming out, well.... It is called "Paganism in Australia", and is now available for purchase.