When the rent for our premises at 14 Cooyong Street was doubled by the new landlord, in December 1999, the National Office moved to Room F10,
Griffin Centre. This is smaller and involved a small increase of rent, but gives us more visibility and is easier to find. Included is a small room for the library, but unfortunately the library has
not been sorted out since our move.
This office has been open on five days per week in 1999 and on 3 days per week during 2000. This was sufficient to maintain administration of DCI-A, production of the newsletter and perform various
representational roles, but left little capacity for projects.
We are grateful for the assistance of the following volunteers: Helen Mattick, Penny Cohen, Elizabeth Nikolovski, David Vennick and Jan Blank.
By the end of the year the number of members and affiliates was 164. These include supporters from every state and territory. The most numerous state is NSW (46) with Victoria close behind (42) and
the ACT not much less at (35). Other statistics are SA(12), Queensland (12), Northern Territory (5), WA (9), and Tasmania (3).
Four issues of ACRN were produced during the year and approximately 250 copies of each were distributed. This includes some 35 subscriptions to ACRN, several reciprocal arrangements for exchange of
publications, and the provision of free copies to inquirers.
The National Co-ordinator represented DCI-A at two NGO Forums with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and two NGO Forums with the Attorney-General/s Department. She continued to represent
DCI-A on the Australian Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers. The CROC 10 Network ceased to meet in 2000, as it had few resources with which to develop events or campaigns.
The National Office held a fundraising film night in November 1999 and a stall at St James Community Markets in April, raising a total of approximately $1000. This went to support DCI -A's
operating expenses.
[Helen today forwarded the following message from Geneva:
"As the founder of DCI-Australia I am very sorry not to be with you this afternoon.
Please convey my enthusiastic congratulations to the winners of the CHILDREN'S RIGHTS MEDIA AWARDS and to the other journalists whose work received nominations. Your are making a difference
to the understanding and support for human rights in Australia. While the death of Johnno in January was a tragedy which should never have happened, it is my view that the massive waves of public
debate about mandatory sentencing, human rights, the international obligations of Australia, the role of human rights treaty bodies at the UN and the duties of the Commonwealth government in
relation to breaches in State and Territory law, have changed public opinion in Australia, have educated the community, better than any advertising campaign.
The media's attention to the issues sprang not only from the interest of the public, but from their conviction that this was a matter of PUBLIC INTEREST, and it was essential to get it right.
The media coverage itself became better informed and clearer as the debate moved along. I believe that many people were on a steep learning curve and were greatly helped to form their opinions by
the sustained efforts of journalists, and we will see the benefits of this in debates yet to come.
At the International Secretariat in Geneva, where I am working till Christmas, the work of DCI Australia is highly regarded. Indeed Australia and Australians are seen as very positive
contributors to the development and pursuit of human rights at the UN and in the Non-government networks. Governments will come and go, and they may splash about like Canute but do not have much
effect on the tide.
I think my watery metaphors here have something to do with missing the summer and longing for my next camp at the beach. I hope you all have a happy afternoon."
