A rally and dinner will be held to support the ABC on Thursday 13 February, from 6pm onwards.
The ABC Friends NSW branch – the Northern Suburbs of Sydney (NSoS) – is calling on Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, and Member for Bradfield, to reverse the $84 million cuts to the ABC’s budget.
The rally will be held outside, Paul Fletcher’s Lindfield Office at 280 Pacific Highway, Lindfield, on Thursday 13 February, starting at 6pm sharp.
“We call on Minister Fletcher to hose down the threat to the ABC and re-instate the recent $84 million cuts to its budget in order for ABC’s essential emergency broadcasting service to continue”, said Janine Kitson, NSoS Convenor.
Speakers at the rally will include those who had firsthand experience of how important the ABC was to saving lives during the horrific bushfires that burnt out so much of the Blue Mountains region and NSW’s south coast.
“Australians were in absolute terror, panic and danger, as the sky blackened and red flames stormed down upon them. ABC radio and TV was their lifeline. How can the federal government even consider cutting the ABCs funding at this time of national emergency. Surely this is the time to increase the ABC’s funding?”
“Without a well-funded ABC, the horrific bushfire emergencies would have been much worse, especially with the breakdown of the internet, mobile phones, electricity and water”.
NSoS’s “Thank you ABC Dinner” will follow after the rally and will be held at Bella Blue Café, Lindfield, where a certificate of thanks will be presented to Gavin Morris, Director of ABC News. This fundraising dinner will raise funds for Bushfire Recovery Relief and make donations to WIRES.
“Australians need their ABC now, more than ever. They also need to celebrate and thank their ABC - for their dedicated management and journalists who performed outstanding service to the nation”.
NSoS membership includes residents from Ku-ring-gai Council, as well as the local government areas of Hornsby, Willoughby, Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Ryde and Hunters Hill.
Bookings for the “Thank you ABC Dinner” can be made by ringing Bella Blue Café, 1/303 Pacific Highway, Lindfield, on (02) 9416 8392 [email protected] Cost of the dinner is $30 per person
“Don’t Burn Our ABC” Rally
When: Thursday 13 February, 2020
Time: 6 pm sharp
Where: Outside Paul Fletcher’s Office, 280 Pacific Highway, and Lindfield
Speakers: Hear why the ABC remains a lifeline for communities savaged by recent and ongoing bushfires and ongoing climate change.
Sue Noske, FABC Blue Mountains Branch
Carmel McCallum, FABC Shoalhaven & South Coast Branch
Emeritus Professor Ed Davis AM, President, ABC Friends NSW & ACT and Vice-President ABC Friends National
“Thank You ABC” Dinner & Bushfire Fundraiser
When:Thursday 13 February, 2020
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bella Blue Café, 1/303 Pacific Hwy, Lindfield
Cost: $30 (main course and glass of wine) Bookings: ESSENTIAL as places are Limited. Book with Bella Blue Café,
Ph: 9416 8392
Guests: Gavin Morris, Director of ABC News
Fundraising: All funds raised from Raffle prizes will be donated to WIRES for Bushfire Recovery Relief
