Newsletter - October 2004

Radhastami Fundraising a Wonderful Success !!!

First of all – A big THANK YOU to all the devotees who have donated to the Murwillumbah Temple Building fund.

Due mainly to the generosity of Jagannatha Punja prabhu from Fiji, who donated $24,000, our Radhastami Fundraising appeal was a huge success.

Donations totalled $34,300 as of 27^th September.

On behalf of the whole community we would like to thank Jagannatha prabhu for his generosity and pray that Srila Gurudeva will bestow unlimited blessings on him and his family.

We would also like to thank Prakash Raniga from Brisbane, who has also been a fantastic and generous supporter of our humble endeavours. Prakash also organises an annual tour of the three Hare Krsna Temples in the Tweed Valley, bringing a bus load of Indian devotees from Brisbane. We always enjoy their visit and we look forward to when we can host them in our own Temple.

The amount owing to pay off the land prior to this Radhastami appeal was $53,000

So now we only need to raise another $23,700 and the land will be completely paid off!

We’re O SOOO Close !!!

Our aim is to have this amount paid off by the end of the year. If you’ve been contemplating giving a donation – NOW is the time to do it.

Please Give Generously – Every Dollar Helps !!!

With the amount now owing significantly reduced and the end in sight, every donation really counts!

“So I am requesting you to make the preaching centre very soon and give as much as you can do. And donate with what? - generously you should donate and fulfil the desire of Swamiji and Krsna. Gaura-premanandi!” (Srila Gurudeva, Murwillumbah Feb 10 2004)

The Temple Management Committee (which consists of Raghunatha dasa - Chairman, Paramanda Puri das – Vice Chairman, Tarun Krsna dasa – Treasurer, Capala dasi – Secretary and Lilavati dasi– Public Officer), are at present making the arrangements so that the Transfer of the Land Title can go ahead. We are hoping to have some very good news on this in the next couple of weeks – so watch this space.

To Make a Donation

Please make your donation directly into the Giriraja Govardhana Gaudiya Math Building Account. (Please notify us of your donation.)

Westpac Bank, Murwillumbah Branch. Account name; ‘Giriraja Govardhana Gaudiya Math Building Account’.

BSB No.- 032 584. Account No.- 148 450.

Or send a cheque to:
Tarun Krsna,
PO Box 599
Murwillumbah, 2484

NEW FRIDAY CHILDRENS PROGRAM

Last Friday the 8th October we started a new program focused on the needs of the children. The goal is to gradually let the children take over the program – leading the kirtanas and playing the instruments, giving the talk / story telling and organising other activities.

It was very successful and inspiring for the organisers, and the children appreciated having some input into the format.

The program is:
5.00 pm - Rip Roaring Kirtana.
5.30 pm - Story, Activities.
6.00 pm - Honour Prasadam

So if you’re a kid, or if you’ve got kids, come along and join in the fun.

Giriraja Govardhana Gaudiya Math (GGGM)
Temple Management Committee Report

In 2000 the Australian Government introduced more stringent rules governing the activities of Incorporated Associations. The GGGM was registered as an Incorporated Association in 1999 before these rules came into force.

For the GGGM to operate legally and to purchase major assets like property, we have to conform to these rules. Although it is a lot of work to comply with these new rules, they help us to legally protect our assets so that no individual or group can steer our organisation away from it’s initial intended purpose.

The TMC would like to thank our secretary, Capala devi, who has been the driving force in chasing up the relevant government departments for information, as well as submitting the necessary documentation enabling us to become a legal entity, and thereby allowing us to expand our activities.

Below is a list of the things we have been working on lately : -

Properly documented financial records (Done),
Obtain an Australian Business Number, ABN (Done),
Obtain an “Authority to Fundraise” (Done),
Notify the “Bhakti Trust”, (a body established by Srila Gurudeva to give guidance to the management of preaching centres throughout the world) of our desire to fully conform to the management procedures promoted by the Bhakti Trust. (Done)
Obtain Public Liability Insurance (application in motion),
Occupational Health & Safety compliance, includes Risk Management Strategy - needed for Public Liability Insurance. (In the pipeline).
Deductible Gift Recipient Status – enables donors to claim donations as tax deductible. (this will take a while as they are difficult to obtain under the new laws).
Create a Member Register. (Please contact any committee member for a Membership Application form)
Create a Constitution that meets government requirements and is in line with the goals set by the Bhakti Trust. (See attached meeting notice),
Publish a monthly newsletter of the activities of the GGGM community.
Arrange the transfer of ownership of the land from Mahaprabhu & Jahnavi to the GGGM.

HARE KRSNA HARE KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE