The Artists: Alex Stitt, Alf Clark, Andre Maitre, Andrew Sibley, Ann Howie, Anne Ronjat, Ardeshir Gholipour, Barbara McLean, Bernadette Keys, Bernard Dumaine, Beth Louise Randell, Bill Hay, Carmel O’Connor, Carmen Esplandiu, Cathy Drummond, Christopher Jennings, Christopher Koller, Christopher Weiss, D.M. Ross, Damian Michaels, Dan McCormack, David Hugh Thomas, David Jolly, David Larwill, Diane Bapty, Elisabeth Presa, Erich Fritz, Esther Wijesinghe, Fatemah Vafaeinejad, Fleur Rendell, Gali Weiss, Gayle Knight, Geoff Campbell, Geoff La Gerche, Georgina Simmonds, Hanno Hoeffken, Hans-Georg Turstig, Heather Shimmen, Helen Halprin, Helen Ogilbee, Ingrid Kamerbeek, Jane Flowers, Jane Kneebone, Jane Sinclair, Jenni Mitchell, Jennifer Fletcher, Jody Jane Stitt, John Cato, John Howley, John van Loon, Jon Campbell, Jordan Marani, Joseph Carter, Josie Wadelton, Joy Murphy, Joyce Evans, Judy Horacek, Julian Burnside, Julie Carter, Julie Millowick, Karen Chugg, Karla Knight, Kate Durham, Kate McCaughey, Kathy Whelan, Kevin Mortensen, Kris Coad, Linda Hughes, Louise Harper, Margaret Neith, Maria Leonard, Marion Lee, Mark Harper , Mark Schaller, Matt Morrow, Matthew Sleeth, Michael Epstein, Mike Green, Mike Nicholls, Morris Lurie, Neil Howe, Nicholas Nedelkopoulos, Nita Jawary, Parys St Martin, Patricia Buck, Patricia Sabey, Peta Hoeffken, Peter Cole, Peter Jones, Phaedra Press, Phillipa Wischer, Pygoya, Rachel S.G. Lee, Ramana Dean, Ray Hewitt, Richie Clendinnen, Ron Tandberg, Rosemary Mangiamele, Rowley Harman, Ruv Numiro, Sarah Faulkner, Sarah Trethowan, Steven Rendall, Teresa Dowd, Terry Matassoni, Tess McLoughlan , Tess Noonan Egan, Tibor Kovacs-egri, Tim Bass, Tony Scott, Uly Paya, Ursula Dutkiewicz, Victor Rubin, Vijay Kochar, Viva Sali Gibb, Wendy Stavrianos, Wolfgang Sievers

Contacts:

Ann Morrow (co-ordinator)

5 Esplanade, Williamstown 3016

03 9397 6401

annmorrow@bigpond.com.au

Jenni Mitchell

26 Russell Place, Williamstown 3016

03 9397 7153

jbmitch@vicnet.net.au

The Brigidine Nuns' Asylum Seekers' Project

The Brigidine Nuns are at the heart of a large group of people who are helping refugees and asylum seekers; most in Maribrynong Detention Centre and in the suburbs of Melbourne.

Some have been held in detention for years, some have been released into the community on Bridging Visas - which means they're not allowed to work, they cannot attend government schools (not even to learn English), they're not allowed access to Medicare or income support. They are 'free' (at least temporarily), but they are still in desperate circumstances.

For too long, the Brigidines have been dipping into their own stipends to help. They have paid the bonds for detainees (allowing them to be released into the community pending legal appeals); they have supported asylum seekers for periods up to eighteen months; they have paid rent, gas, electricity and phone bills; they provide food, clothing and baby formula. They do whatever is needed, whatever they can…

In May, 2003, the 'Bid for Freedom' art auction was organised to help. It was wonderfully successful. 99 artists, 60 buyers, 149 who registered to bid, over $70,000 raised.

Funds, so far, have been used:

·      to assist asylum seekers in long-term detention and in the community

·      to provide continuing help to refugees released on Bridging Visas

·      to assist refugees on Temporary Protection Visas to establish themselves in the community

·      to pay for legal advice and passport applications for a number of asylum seekers

·      to assist some young people with short-term courses and others with books and study needs.

'Bid for Freedom' has helped make significant differences to many lives. It owes its success to the generosity of artists and the support of buyers. We thank them all.