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From RCA to you.....  The staff and Board of Real Choices Australia wish to extend to you the warmest wishes for a safe and joyous Christmas season.  We thank you for your support during 2010 and look forward to your ongoing support as we move into 2011.   It is only through the generosity of our donors and sponsors that we are able to work toward a culture of support for women experiencing unintended pregnancy, and to help give voice to those who have suffered through abortion.    This Christmas we especially remember those who have lost  a child through abortion, women, men, grandparents and other family members, that they may feel the compassion and understanding they need to work toward healing their grief.    Please consider a generous gift of financial support to Real Choices Australia for us to continue to plan projects into the future.  Donate Today     2011 Conference  Real Choices Australia is holding its first annual conference in Sydney from May 13-15 2011 in Sydney, Australia.   International Keynote speakers include:  Melissa Ohden and Priscilla Coleman.    more on the conference...   Abstracts for presentation open now.  Do you have some research, case studies, or great new initiatives to support post abortive women?   How about an innovative pregnancy support service, or new program?   This is your chance to present your idea or research at a national conference.  There are 2 streams:  Post abortion research and Pregnancy support options, over 2 days.     Submit your abstract

Real Choices Australia, PO Box 157, Wodonga, Victoria 3689, AUSTRALIA

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Things have been quiet on the Life Network Australia website for the last month, but lots happening to catch you up on.
Sonja has been working with a Bendigo group, The Bendigo Social Justice Action Group and Linda has been up to her ears in work and family life.
I am sure everyone of you is also busy wrapping things up (excuse the pun) before Christmas and the New Year.
A little about the Victorian election...
Pro life groups have worked tirelessly during the Victorian election campaign period to highlight the actions of those Members of Parliament who supported the barbaric 2008 Victorian Abortion law reform.
Margaret Tighe, now Vice President of Right to Life Australia and RTLA have been credited by The Tasmanian Times with unseating six of the eight MP's that they targetted. One of these (now former) MP's was EMILY List's Maxine Morand who was responsible for tabling the abortion legislation. RTLA letter boxed and protested at her office in Mount Waverley.
In Bendigo, RTLA,  Lifevote and the Bendigo Social Justice Action Group (BSJAG) all campaigned to unseat the ALP member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan. Ms Allan's seat was a marginal seat, but the media predicted an easy win. Mr Brumby and Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, both attended the state ALP launch in Bendigo.
 The BSJAG ran a TV, radio and newpaper campaign, protested at The Green's launch (also held in Bendigo), the ALP launch and at Ms Allan's office. Sonja participated in a debate with the CEO of Loddon Mallee Women's Health Clinic on IPTV and Mike Bowen drove a truck through Bendigo advertising Ms Allan's support of abortion up until birth.
RTLA letterboxed Ms Allan's electorate twice, ran newspaper advertisements and had a mobile billboard (on a trailer) driving through Bendigo.
 Lifevote also letter boxed Ms Allan's electorate.
While Ms Allan retained her seat of Bendigo East, there was a 3% swing against her in the primary votes, 1% after preferences were distributed.
One thing that become obvious very early was the support Ms Allan had from a prominent and well supported Bendigo newspaper. It also became very apparent that much of the Bendigo public, including ALP supporters and staff (including her former legal adviser) did not believe that abortion is now legal up until birth, something that Ms Allan avoided making a single comment on.
The member for Shepparton, Janette Powell was the only National Party MP in the lowerhouse to vote for the bill. Ewan McDonald who stood as a candidate in the Northern Victoria Region (upperhouse) arranged to letter box drop her electorate with the RTLA brochure. Shepparton was not a marginal seat, but the campaign had WIN News and the people of Shepparton talking about abortion, the 2008 legislation and Ms. Powell's support of it.
Overall, the efforts of the pro life groups are to be commended. The public are more informed and a message has been sent loud and clear that advocates of the unborn will not be silenced.

We congratulate courageous and outspoken pro life MPs, Bernie Finn (Lib), Christine Campbell (ALP) and Peter Ryan (Nat) on their re-election to the Victorian Parliament. We look forward to great things in 2011!

As part of Life Network Australia's first birthday celebrations, Robyn and Trevor Grace (Save the Unborn), Kay Painter and Julie Thomas (Operation Outcry, U.S.) and Sonja Couroupis (Life Network Australia) will be sharing their amazing experiences and wealth of knowledge of the reality of abortion - not to be missed!
 
Trevor Grace recently ran as an Independent in the South Australian election. He understands the harm that abortion does to Australian women, and is prepared to do something about it, despite the hostile opposition he and his family have received from some members of the public. Trevor and his wife, Robyn Grace, have supported women to continue their pregnancies and also supported women post abortion.

Kay Painter and Julie Thomas of the US-based 'Operation Outcry'. Operation Outcry is the ministry of The Justice Foundation working to end the pain of abortion by exposing the truth about its devastating impact on women, men and families. They believe that this can be accomplished through prayer and the testimonies of women and men who have suffered harm from abortion. They aim to restore justice and to protect women, men, and children from the destruction that abortion causes
 
Celebrating their first year of operation, Life Network Australia President, Sonja Couroupis will (briefly) share their achievements and exciting plans for the rest of 2010.
 
Where:  The Benetook Room - The Alfred Deakin Centre.
When:  Sunday, July 4 - 7:00 pm.
Cost:  Donations welcome.
Enquiries:  Vince and Leonig Hartwig  M:  0417 845 954
Host:  Northern Mallee Christian Fellowship
 
Get informed about abortion, get inspired to act and get empowered to make a difference!

David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life, has summarised the achievements of the campaign over the last 3 years in a message sent to participants.
 
"40 Days for Life has accomplished a tremendous amount over the last three years:

 * More than 300,000 participants
 * Over 10,000 churches involved
 * 845 individual campaigns
 * 307 cities participating
 * All 50 US states
 * 5 Canadian provinces
 * 3 Australian states (held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)
 * 4 other countries
 * 700+ news stories
 * 2,702 lives saved from abortion -- that we know of
 * 28 abortion workers quit their jobs
 * 5 abortion facilities shut down for good

But with abortion continuing every day, we know that much more must be done ...

... And we fully recognize the responsibility God has given us to aggressively ramp up these efforts until abortion finally ends".

Australian talent, Sia Mataela, performed, 'A Life Yet to Live'  for 40 Days for Life, Sydney.

 

2009 has been an amazing year. 

Linda, our supporters and I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many people in the pro-life community, fantastic groups and individuals, who selflessly dedicate so much time, effort and resources to offer women, their unborn babies and families better lives and futures.

Launched in May with a conference and guest speakers:  Deb Garratt (Real Choices); Andrew Smith (Pro Life Media); John Macaulay (NSW Right to Life); and Peter Kavanagh (Victorian Democratic Labour Party MP). Dinner - guest speakers Misty Devries (Womens Forum Australia), Lucinda Grayling (mother of eight) and Bonnie Koch (mother of a child with severe disabilities).
 
Launched both a website and a facebook page, both include up to date information about abortion in Australia, and opportunities for anti abortion groups and individuals to link up, promote themselves and or their action.
 
Speaking engagements - included: Albury, Shepparton, Deniliquin, Finley, Mildura, Adelaide (Pregnancy Help Conference), March for the Babies Rally on the steps of the Victorian Parliament House (crowd of approximately 2,000).
 
Attended various pro life conferences and dinners, networking.
 
Responded to numerous articles in the media, challenging inaccuracies and misinformation.
 
Liased with groups and individuals about action in their local areas.
 
Sent out and collected signatures for Christian Democratic Party petition opposing any proposal to change abortion laws in NSW.
 
Had numerous articles published in local and other papers and on local radio, Vision radio and ABC radio.
 
Corresponded and liased with numerous politicians (state and federal), in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.
 
Met Governor General and provided her with a copy of 'Giving Sorrow Words' (by Melinda Tankard-Reist) and are still awaiting her response.

Life Network Australia wishes you a wonderful Christmas and prosperous 2010. May we 'up the ante' in 2010 and achieve great things for life!!