Quaker Service Australia aims to express in a practical way the concern of Quakers for the building of a more peaceful, equitable, just and compassionate world. To this end, QSA works with communities in need to improve their quality of life with projects which are economically and environmentally appropriate and sustainable.
For more information about Quaker Service Australia, go to their website: www.qsa.org.au
QSA Project Goals
QSA supports projects which:
* Seek to relieve suffering and poverty
* Improve access to basic services
* Increase the knowledge, skills and expertise of those involved
* Make use of local materials and appropriate technology
* Promote sound environmental and ecological practices
* Create a reciprocal relationship between QSA and those whom the project is designed to assist.
QSA supports the UN General Assembly's eight Millenium Development Goals aimed at improving the living conditions of the world's most disadvantaged people by 2015. The MDGs were endorsed by 149 nations including Australia and are intended to provide a coordinated global approach to development assistance.
Development in Australia
QSA will be 50 years old in 2009. In 1940 Alva Herbert of Adelaide wrote: 'I feel we must have an Australian Friends Service Council. We Australians must develop good relationships with all our Pacific neighbours'. Alva Herbert saw the need for an 'indigenous' Quaker Aid Agency with a geographic focus on countries in our own region. His vision has become a reality.
In 1959 the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Australia formed a Service Council, which has now grown into Quaker Service Australia. Although at first mainly a fundraising body, supporting aboriginal initiatives and development education within Australia and projects of Quaker Peace & Service (UK) and the American Friends Service Committee, it is now an independent Australian aid and development organisation.
Supporting Quaker Service
The development of QSA has depended on support from individuals, local and State committees and Regional Meetings. Many Friends have provided time, skills, information, contacts and networking. The Australian government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) provides considerable support for the work of QSA in a number of countries.
QSA NSW Stall
The Quaker Service stall sells secondhand goods in front of Friends' House, 119 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Bring and buy.
The Quaker Shop
The Quaker Shop in Adelaide raises thousands of dollars for Quaker Service Australia each year and offers a personal, friendly service to their customers. Having operated in the same street for so many years, the shop has built up a loyal clientele.
The Quaker shop began in 1967 with a charity box to collect clothes to sell for Quaker Service Council (now called Quaker Service Australia). Soon, they rented a shop at Kensington Road, Norwood for $8 a week. The shop was planned as a happy place for staff and customers, so that if customers wanted to talk about their troubles, there would be a Friendly ear to listen. Goods were offered at a realistic price that was still a bargain.
Around 1970 they moved to 51 Kensington Road, and bought up neighbouring properties. Having operated in the same street for so many years, the shop has built up a loyal clientele.
Donations
To contribute to the work of QSA, you can either post a cheque. instruct your bank/credit union/building society to make monthly payments, or authorise QSA to deduct an amount from your credit card.
1. Make cheques out to Quaker Service Australia, and specify the amounts you wish to donate to the following funds, for example —
I would like to contribute to QSA General Fund $...................
I would like to contribute to QSA Overseas Aid Fund $................
I would like to contribute to QSA Aboriginal Concerns Fund $..................
I would like to subscribe to QS Notes for information about the work of QSA ($20.00/year)
2. Advise QSA that you have instructed your bank/credit union/building society to make monthly payments of $..............
3. Inform QSA that you authorise them to deduct $............... from your Bankcard/Visa/Mastercard every month/ 3 months/ 6 months/ Once only. Provide details of you card number and expiry date, and add your full signature to indicate your authorisation.
A tax-deductible receipt will be issued for gifts to the Overseas Aid Fund and the Aboriginal Concerns Fund.
QSA Guidelines for Aboriginal Projects
Aboriginal Concerns Fund Guidelines
A set of Guidelines are available for Aboriginal communities seeking to develop projects with Quaker Service Australia. These are available from Quaker Service Australia, 119 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Sydney NSW, or can be downloaded.