Australian Sai Medical Services Unit - Fiji Medical Camp - 12th to 18th July 2008

After the successful Medical camp in Fiji during June 2007, jointly organised by medical personnel from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and United States, it was agreed that Australia will hold the next medical camp in Fiji, in July 2008. The Australian Sai Medical Services Unit has finalised arrangements for this medical camp scheduled from 12th to 18th July 2008. This medical camp will provide the much needed service for people in the most rural and remote areas in Fiji at makeshift medical centres.

26 Medical Personnel and 3 others have registered to attend the camp. Further details regarding this and the previous medical camp in Fiji are available at http://www.saiaustralia.org.au/medical/fiji2008.html

One of the learning from last's year's medical camp in Fiji was to purchase the medicines, for free distribution, in Fiji. This will help those on long term medication to purchase them locally when the supply given by the medical team runs out.

Spiritual Transformation Program (STP)
Launch in New South Wales and Victoria

A person once told Dr. Johnson, the famous English thinker, that he could seldom get time to recite the Name of God, what with the hundreds of things he had to do from morning till nightfall and even far into the night. Dr. Johnson replied with another question. He asked how millions of people found space to live upon the face of the earth, which is two-thirds water and the rest is too full of mountains, deserts, forests, icy regions, river beds, marshes and similar impossible areas. The questioner said that man somehow struggled to find living space. So too, said Dr. Johnson, man must somehow find a few minutes a day for prayer to the Lord. Divine Discourse, Shivarathri, 1955

The Self Transformation Plan (STP) was formulated using the Sai Warriors program of the youth as the basis and was made available to all devotees in June 2006. This program was initially implemented in Willeton Centre, WA. Based on their learning in implementing STP, Jeothish Babu (chair, Willeton Centre) and James Heng (National Spiritual Wing Coordinator and member of Willeton Centre), prepared modules and other relevant material for its implementation. These were made available to all Spiritual Coordinators who attended the relevant workshops/ meetings at the Sai conference in Sydney and the process of facilitating STP was also discussed.

Participants were impressed and were keen to implement in their regions, in particular the Spiritual Coordinators of the four regions in New South Wales and Victoria. Impromptu meetings were held which resulted in the formal launch of the program in Melbourne on the 21st June and on the 22nd June in Sydney. Dr Pal Dhall, chair Zone 3 and Director ISSE Australia, was the keynote speaker at Melbourne. He said that each one of us must realize our good fortune in being contemporaries of Baba and to have known Him. Swami has inspired millions of people worldwide to practise human values in their daily lives. The Central Coordinator, Mr Neville Fredericks, was present at the launch in Sydney and stressed the importance of self transformation as the primary mission of the avatar having taken this human form.

About 100 participants attended the Melbourne launch and 80 have shown interest in participating in STP. In Sydney about 150 participated and 120 have registered to participate in phase 1 of the program. Participants were enthusiastic and one of the feedbacks received is given below:

"Thanks for your leadership in putting such a wonder transformation plan in place. It is interesting to know that all modern resources are now being used to induct basic human values that people have forgotten and justify their lapse on lack of time, irrelevance and indoctrination.

No one would believe that the path to spirituality could be structured so precisely with clearly established goals and achievable simple tasks. No amount of words or actions could sufficiently thank those who were involved in presenting such a wonderful "Pathway to God"; nevertheless we thank them for such an overwhelming contribution."

Appointment of Green Officers at Regional level

Currently, modern technology, increase of earning power, sharp increase in consumerism, are all together causing serious problems to the environment. Humanity has become so powerful that we appear to be doing irreparable harm to the Earth.

As a part of the ceiling on desires program of our organisation we intend to minimise our consumption of energy, water and to live harmoniously with nature. To achieve this, each regional coordinating committee is requested to appoint a "Green officer" who will function as part of the service wing. They will liaise with the Education and Spiritual wings in their region to educate members on the need to practise ceiling on desires program and in interactive sessions (study circle) discuss how best the COD program could be implemented at the individual and organisation level.

Green officers would focus on:

• Tips on saving water.
• Composting kitchen and garden refuse.
• Avoiding the use of plastic bags
• Recycling batteries and ink cartridges.
• Turning computers off when not used or lights off when the room is not occupied.
• Boiling just enough water for the needs instead of filling the kettle.
• Recycling bottles, cans etc.
• Pooling cars for commuting
• Environmental Management awareness
• Use of Green Power
• Use of pesticides
• Avoiding/ minimising the use of disposable cutlery and crockery at functions organised by Sai Organisation.

For further details please contact the National Service Wing Coordinator, Neelika Kottachchi. You may use our contact page on this website to contact the National Service Coordinator.

The Power of Prayer

The following is a link to a song sung at a Unity of Faiths event held at Endeavour Hills, Melbourne, on the 31st of May 2008. Title is the Power of Prayer. http://www.youtube.com/v/zn5GY7fHzwA

Townsville Retreat - You and I and SAI

The Sathya Sai Group of Townsville will conduct a one day retreat at James Cook University Hall, Townsville, on Sunday, 29 June 2008. Guest speakers at this retreat will include Neville Fredericks, (Central Coordinator), Dr Venkat Reddy (National Youth Coordintor), Darryl Morris (Deputy Region Coordinator) and Michael Thrush (Regional Coordinator). A progam and flyer are available for download. For further information, contact Venkatesh Murthy (Shashi) from Townsville Group on 07 4755 2550

Download the Townsville Retreat Flyer.

National Sai Education Week

National Sai Education Week (sometimes called EHV Week) is an annual event in the SSE Calendar, during the third week of August. This year, Education Week will take place during the week of 18-24 August, 2008. During this week, the Education Wing, along with the Sai Young Adults and the Spiritual wing will bring to notice the work of the Education wing so that we may understand the Sathya Sai Education system in all its forms - Formal, Informal and Nonformal. Study Circle, activities by Sai Young Adults and SSE Children, create awareness of the benefits of Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) of children, of Dynamic Parenting Courses, and to enjoy the works of children on human values. We also seek to appreciate and recognise the effort of teachers in creating the future leaders of the Organisation.

Hervey Bay Unity Day

South East Queensland Centres and Groups will have a Unity Day at Hervey Bay on Sunday, 15 June 2008. The Central Coordinator, Mr Neville Fredericks, will be in attendance. The location of the meeting is at 7 Melia Court, Dundowran Beach. For further information, contact John Davies, Ph: (o7) 41288124. Mob: 0413730660

World Education Conference, Prashanti Nilayam, 20th to 22nd July 2008

Theme: Principles - Authenticity - Accountability - Service

Considering the current enrolments for the conference, we have been advised that a further 10 places will be made available to delegates from Australia to attend the above conference. Additionally, there has been a request that Young Adults to be better represented in the delegation from Australia. We do need to be assured of having future leaders in EHV in our Organisation and this is an opportunity for talented and dedicated youth to take up the challenge.

Centre for Human Values - Sydney West

The Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia in the Western Suburbs, conduct a Centre for Human Values monthly. These meetings are suited to newcomers to Sai Baba, and have discussions, devotional singing and talks by young adults. These spiritual evenings are held on the first Sunday of each month. The meetings occur at Toongabbie Community Hall, Cnr Targo & Toongabbie Roads, Toongabbie, (2 minutes walk from the Toongabbie Railway station). The Centre for Human Values meets from 4.00pm to 5.30pm.

A flyer for this event is available. Download the flyer.

Further information is available from Ratna Gopal, Tel: 02 9896 1804

Service Retreat

A Service Retreat will be held in Melbourne on the weekend of 30-31 August. The purpose of the Service retreat is to come together in the name of our beloved teacher Sri Sathya Sai Baba to understand the importance of selfless service in our own spiritual journey. More information and application forms are available on the Service Retreat Page.

A New Airport for Bangalore

The Old Airport on Airport Road, 9 k from Bangalore, known as HAL Airport closed for operations on 23 May 2008. Bangalore (Devanahalli) Airport opened for commerical operations the same day. For further information, please visit our airline services webpage.

The Spirit of Service

Sai Young Adults, as part of the YNET initiative, will be attending and participating in the Spirit of Service dialog evening to be held at the University of Western Sydney, on Saturday, 12 June, between 6-9PM. This evening features dialogue between youth of different faiths. You may read more about the Spirit of Service.

You may download a flyer for this event. [PDF, 736 kb, opens in new window]

Mill Park Sai Centre

The Mill Park Sai Centre will now be meeting at Mill Park Community Centre, Cnr Blamey Ave and Mill Park Drive, Mill Park. The Melways ref. is Map 10 A6. There is no change to the meeting time.

Monthly All Day Singing, Five Dock

The monthly all-day singing (ahkanda bhajan) will be discontinued from May 2008.

YNET - Diversity Rocks

YNet or Youth Network aims to understand ‘the Other’ – youth of different religious, cultural, ethnic, socio-economic backgrounds in the wider Australian community. Sai Young Adults are the nexus between various groups of youth through activities ranging from visiting places of worship and cultural significance to organising large events. YNet is founded on the principle of “Unity in Diversity”.

On Saturday 12 April, Sai Young Adults from all over Australia participated in the National Youth Week in Dandenong, Victoria. Diversity Rocks was the culmination of National Youth Week (NYW) 2008. The Sai Young Adults received an award on the day for their contribution to NYW 2008 and a special mention by the Youth Coordinator and Mayor of Dandenong. Read more on the Diversity Rocks page.

Ladies Wing - Recipe Book Project

The aim of this project is to publish a book of family health recipes intended for all Sai devotees that will allow us to develop our awareness of love by increasing our understanding of dietary habits and imparting this in the context of Sai's teachings. You can find out more about this national project by the Ladies Wing on the Recipe Book page.

Hervey Bay Group

A Sathya Sai Group has begun at Hervey Bay, in Queensland. Devotional meetings will be fortnightly, with study circles happening at different locations in the region. For more information, contact John Davies, 07 4128 8124. Address details can be found on the Queensland meetings page.

National Conference - Summary

The Sai National Conference concluded in Sydney, New South Wales on 24th March 2008. The Guest speakers and the performer/speaker from overseas were very impressed in the professional way the conference was conducted with lively programs and working sessions to inspire the participants to live righteously in society by practising values - the essence of the conference theme.

A record number of delegates (801) attended the conference. Dr Bill Harvey, member of Prasanthi Council, commended the hospitality extended to the overseas guests and was interested in the details in organising such a successful conference as this. A document is currently being prepared which will be a reference document for staging future Sai National Conferences in Australia. The conference achieved its objective by eliciting values within us, and offering ways of practising them. These were further enhanced in working sessions where delegates were able to interact and seek clarifications. The speaker sessions were interspersed with musical items to elevate the spiritual atmosphere. Performances by the newly established National Sai Choir were particularly well received by all present.

Delegates were asked to give their feedback by completing a conference evaluation form.

These are currently being compiled and the learning from the various organising sub-committees will be provided to Rita Kugler, who will coordinate the next conference in Queensland.

A note of appreciation received from a delegate is provided here which is a reflection of the comments received from many delegates.

“Congratulations all round for such a wonderfully well-organised conference. I have never enjoyed myself more. The many blessings we received, the love of Sai shone though the whole Easter Weekend. The Sai Youth and children were inspiring & imbued the Sai principles. The buses to and from the venue were efficient, & made me less stressed by not having to drive and contend with the traffic. The calibre of the speakers was awe-inspiring and generated enthusiasm and dedication in attending as many of the workshops as possible. Much love was felt by all, and I am sure I smelt incense on Easter Sunday; so much was given to us attendees.

The work by all concerned was well received. I went away feeling as if I had been in Parthi!!! ”

We expect the Queensland conference in 2010 will take us to greater heights to inspire us further in practising Sai teachings in our daily lives. On behalf of all delegates our gratitude is expressed to the conference committee and their team of loving Sai service workers.

National Walk for Values ~ Pictorial Albums
Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG conducted a National Walk for Values, in all states, on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Pictorial Albums of these National Walk for Values are now available online.

For ease of reference, you may visit each state's walk album here:

Brisbane National Walk for Values

Sydney National Walk for Values

Canberra National Walk for Values

Melbourne National Walk for Values

Adelaide National Walk for Values

National Walk for Values
Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG will conduct a National Walk for Values, in all states, on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

In Perth, the walk will be addressed by Darren Wood, National Disability Awards Winner and the 2007 Young Australian of the Year (WA). Jim Morrison will also address the walk. He has won two awards from NAIDOC - Aboriginal of the Year and Community Services Award. Dr Fiona Wood, the 2005 Australian of the Year will also address the walk.

In Sydney, Cr. Paul Barber, Mayor of Parramatta, Ms Tanya Gadiel, state member for Parramatta, Ms Julie Owens, Federal Member for Parramatta, Father Chris Riley, Reverend Bill Crews will address the National Walk for Values at Parramatta Park.

In Brisbane, the walk will be addressed by Shirmie Tan. Shirmie received The Order of Australia for her charity work. She continued to do this work even while having her own battle with cancer. Shirmie Tan will speak on Values in Action. Ms Jill Hole, Principal of the Durack Primary School, (a school which integrates human values into the school curriculum) will also address the walk

In Canberra, the inaugural Walk for Values in the Nation's Capital will commence from the High Court Lawn. The walk will be addressed by Dr. Pal Dhall, Adjunct Professor of Bioethics at ANU, and Director of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education.

In Melbourne, the walk will be opened by Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Elleni Bereded-Samuel. Elleni was one of 24 women named on the 2006 Victorian Honour Roll of Women. The Melbourne walk will commence with a ceremonial welcome from an Elder of Wurundjeri Tribe.

In Adelaide, the walk will be addressed by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Ms Susan Clearihan, and Julia Tarnawsky from the SLaM network, along with Kevin Francis of the Catholic Education Office, Adelaide.

For more information about the National Walk for Values, you may vist the Website.

Buddha Pournima (Vesak, Wesak)

The day of Vaisakh Purnima, which usually falls in the month of May, is considered most sacred by Buddhists all over the world. This day is significant for three reasons. It was on this day that Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born as Prince Siddhartha at Lumbini in Nepal in 560 B.C. It is also the day when He attained enlightenment at Gaya in India, after years of search and enquiry into the causes and remedy for sorrow in the world. Thereafter, Siddhartha came to be known as Buddha, or the Enlightened one. He preached that desires are at the root of all sorrow and hence advocated the path of right conduct and the right use of senses as the way to enlightenment. He attained Unity with the Absolute (Nirvana) in 480 B.C., again on the day of Vaisakh Purnima. This auspicious day is observed as Buddha Purnima

The date given for this year's celebration in the Prasanthi calendar is Monday the 19th of May 2008. Local celebrations of this festival will be held in various regions in Australia by the Sathya Sai Organisation Centres and Groups.

Kybong to Gympie

The Sathya Sai Group of Kybong has moved to Gympie, and will now be known as the Sathya Sai Group of Gympie. Meetings will be held at 8 Alloa Ct, Curra. More information can be found on the Queensland meetings page.

Ladies Wing

The Ladies Wing have added three new pages to their website. There is the Sathwic Food Recipe Book Project; the 2008 Activity Plan for the Ladies Wing; and a report of the 2007 Parthi Trip by the Australian Ladies Wing. You can read more on the Ladies Wing pages.

National Conference - Transcripts

The Sathya Sai Organisation conducted a National Retreat at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta, during the Easter days of 2008. The Conference was well attended, and transcripts, along with photo albums are available for viewing on the Conference Website Transcripts section.

National Walk for Values
Saturday, April 12, 2008

An address on the National Walk for Values was given by the Deputy Central Coordinator, Albert Barelds. You may read this speech.

The Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG will conduct a National Walk for Values, in all states, on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

The National Walk for Values will provide an opportunity for all good-willing persons to come together and walk under the unifying theme of the five universal human values, that is, Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-Violence. Attention will be drawn towards all that is tolerant, caring, unifying and peaceful in society without seeking to promote any individual religion or philosophy.

Further information about the Walk and routes, and participation will be can be found on the National Walk for Values Website

Australian Sai Medical Services Unit
Fiji Medical Camp
12th to 18th July 2008

In June 2007, medical personnel from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and United States jointly provided the much needed service for large masses of people in the most rural and remote areas in Fiji at makeshift medical centres. They were able to attend to the needs of about 4500 patients. Details of this medical services camp are available at the following links:

http://www.saiaustralia.org.au/medical/joint.html and
http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_05/01OCT07/06-sai_seva.htm

The Australian Sai Medical Services Unit in consultation with the Sai Organisation of Fiji has planned another medical camp from 12th to 18th July 2008. Medical personnel would leave for Fiji on the 11th July and return on the 20th July 2008. Further information is available on the Medical Unit web pages.

Inauguration of Coffs Harbour Sai Group

The Sathya Sai Group of Coffs Harbour, (North Coast NSW) will be inaugurated on Sunday, 4th May 2008, at 18 Bakker Drive, Coffs Harbour, at 10.00am. The Central Coordinator, Mr. Neville Fredericks, will be in attendance and will address the meeting. The inauguration will conclude at approximately 2pm. All are welcome. For further information, (and any vistors attending), contact Frank Soltau, 0408108999, beforehand.

National Conference over Easter Weekend, 2008

The Sai National conference begins in University of Western Sydney, Parramatta, on Friday 21 March. Last-minute enrolments are continuing to pour in daily.

The conference recognises that many devotees around Australia cannot attend the event directly for a number of reasons. This message is to let you know that you can 'join' the conference to some extent via the internet.

Arrangements are in place to put transcripts and slides from the presentations on-line as they are made, together with photos and snippets of the event. This will be provided on our Transcripts page. Or you can simply go to the Sai Australia website - http://www.saiaustralia.org.au/ - click on the conference logo on the opening page, and then go to "Transcripts".

Sai Medical Camps Fiji

A 45 Minute DVD showing highlights of the joint Sai Medical Camp is available. A short clip is shown below.

For more information about this Joint Medical Camp, or to obtain the DVD, please see the Sai Medical Unit website.

25 years of Melbourne Centre

Melbourne Sai Centre will celebrate its 25th Anniversary of loving Sai Service and Spiritual Activities on Sunday, 30th March, at St Josephs Hall, Fitzgerald St, South Yarra, at 2.45 pm. A flyer for the Anniversary Celebration is available for download.

National Walk for Values - Study Circle and Notes

In order to promote the Walk and provide a tool for participants to raise awareness of the National Walk for Values, a Study Circle has been provided which facilitators may use to conduct discussion to raise reflection on relevant issues for Walking for Values.

You may download the Study Circle and reference notes from these links:

Download the Study Circle here

Download the reference notes here:

Service Days at the Sathya Sai Primary School

The Principal of the Sathya Sai Primary School, Mrs. Bronwyn Gowing, has just issued this information for anyone who may be in the area at these times, or who wishes to see the school first hand:

1. Sunday April 6
2. June 29
3. September 21
4. December 7

The Times are between 10-12am. A picnic lunch afterwards may be arranged.

Students will then be able to do work to refresh desks and rooms during the following last week of each term, ready for the next term.

This is for the members of the Sathya Sai Organisation to be able to attend the school to assist us to clear it up and maintain it during the last weekend of each term, ready for the following term. Tasks including gardening, cleaning desk tops, blinds, windows, stairwells and special areas would make such a difference to our on-going health.

The new school buildings will be going up too, so this would be an opportunity to see this progress.

The week of August 18 is EHV week and we are happy to have an Open Day on Monday Aug 18 for anyone in the Sathya Sai Organisation to visit the school and see things in progress.

Please note that it is not possible for members to just drop by the school at any time, as this can interrupt the normal running of the school. If you wish to visit for a particular purpose outside the dates and times nominated above, please contact the Principal first to make an appointment.

You may visit the School Web Page.

Syllabus Material for SSE Teachers

Lesson Plans are being provided by the Education Wing for use in SSE Classes. These lesson plans are also accompanied by Mindmaps, for ease in exploring the dimensions, limits, behaviours and capacity of values being taught in the lessons. Teachers may visit the Syllabus Page.

New Address for the Sathya Sai Centre of Brisbane

The Sathya Sai Centre of Central Brisbane is moving to a new location as of Thursday, 31 January 2008.

The new address will be 101 Park Road, Dutton Park, which is about five to ten minutes drive south of Brisbane City.

For over 25 years, the centre has been co-located with The Sunshine Welfare and Remedial Association Inc. (SWARA) in Spring Hill overlooking Brisbane City. Moyia and Dorothy O'Brien (Swami's ‘Pink Twins’) established SWARA 33 years ago and also lovingly supported the Sathya Sai Centre of Central Brisbane since its beginning in 1981. The centre is now moving with SWARA to its new Dutton Park venue.

The new venue is the former Dutton Park Special School, which the Queensland Government graciously converted into purpose built facilities for SWARA.

The Brisbane centre's last bhajan at SWARA's old premises (61 College Road, Spring Hill) will be Thursday, 24 January 2008 from 8:00pm.

Thu 24 January 2008, 8pm	
Final bhajan at old premises
61 College Road, Spring Hill

Thu 31 January 2008, 8pm	
Inaugural bhajan at new premises 
101 Park Road, Dutton Park

For further information, please contact Suren on 0433 232 794.

National Walk for Values
Saturday, April 12, 2008

The Sathya Sai Organisation of Australia and PNG will conduct a National Walk for Values, in all states, on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

The National Walk for Values will provide an opportunity for all good-willing persons to come together and walk under the unifying theme of the five universal human values, that is, Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct and Non-Violence. Attention will be drawn towards all that is tolerant, caring, unifying and peaceful in society without seeking to promote any individual religion or philosophy.

Further information about the Walk and routes, and participation will be can be found on the National Walk for Values Website

Older news for 2005-2007 and earlier is available on the Archive page. See link below.

Archived Items

Top of Page