News

News from our GTI Australia community

Last month, our founder, Tenzin Ösel Hita, visited our Global Tree Initiative (GTI) communities in New Zealand and in Australia, where he led Habit Alignment Key (HAK) retreats.

As we shared in a previous news article, our GTI Australia coordinators planned for Ösel to visit our partner, Atisha Buddhist Centre, and to conduct a welcome ceremony for him, performed by the First Nation People (FNP) of Australia.

Mark and Jill tell us that the visit went very well, and that they are very happy with the overall outcome.

“The successful HAK retreat went ahead as planned and concluded on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, with a retreat planting event at Atisha Centre on the final afternoon. The 100 attendees were overwhelmingly supportive of the Welcome to Country and Didgeridoo performance masterfully delivered by FNP Dja Dja Wurrung man, Troy Firebrace.

Many of us were overcome by joyous emotions and just a few tears of gratitude. One participant observed it was the best Welcome they had experienced from many previous functions! Troy beautifully embraced the hopes and expectations of the retreat in a heartfelt and totally sincere way. He was offered a Djaara Acknowledgement Plaque, sourced with donated funds, which he duly blessed in the smoking ceremony and returned to Ösel Hita for placement at Atisha Centre.

His rendition of the Didgeridoo in the Hall of the Great Stupa was an exceptional experience for all.”

Adding to the success of the retreat, Mark tells us that “I have assembled and co-opted 7 new GTI coordinators to support GTI across Australia! Each of these engaging women of all ages who are all actively engaged in environmental work in their respective states, were thrilled to be approached to take on the role in their regions.

They are from left to right in the photo:

Georgie (23) and Ella (35)for Queensland will share the role.
Maria (62) for South Australia.
Nic (55)  for northern Victoria (helping me). Nic will be posting her report for 7,000 trees on her farm.
Sue (60) for Western Australia (with possibly another coordinator sharing with Sue).
Not in the photo are Heather (42) in New South Wales and Bec (47) in Tasmania.
We now have coverage across every state except the Northern Territory!

They all have complementary skills in public relations, local community activism and engagement, Buddhist networks, art and design, ecological projects, and fundraising roles and they are super enthusiastic WOMEN!!! We need more female worldviews here! I instantly connected with them following my talk. They are so excited to join and had not previously known about GTI.”

In the coming weeks, we will share more about our new team members in Australia. Welcome, ladies, and thank you for offering your service!

Last but not least, Mark shares that “I would like to express my unbounded gratitude to the 36 generous donors who allowed this Welcome to proceed through their giving. Ösel Hita and the organizers were equally impressed and grateful for the offering of the Welcome, as the official commencement of the retreat which created special meaning for everyone involved. We honor the Djaara’s living culture and their unique role in the life of the region.”

The 36 donors helped to raise 1,631 AU$. The list of donors is mentioned below.

Thank you to everyone in Australia who is helping our community (and trees) grow. We appreciate you, and we look forward to sharing more news from this part of the world!

 

Donors:

Anrich Bester (2)
Atisha Buddhist Meditation Centre
Beth Michon
Brian Ashen and Judith-Ann Robertson (2)
Frank Brock
Gail Haig
Hal Young
Heather Falloon
Huyen Vo
Janet Townsend
Jennifer Abbo
Jill Lancashire (2)
Kat O’Lone
Ken Fox
Llysse Valez
Mark Allaway (2)
Pauline Walden
Richard MacEwan
R & S Irvine
Sharon Cross
Ven. Gyalten Dondrup
Ven. Thubten Drime
Wendy White
Zopa Noble Park Buddhists

An additional seven people requested anonymity.

 

 

Please share this. Thank you!

2 Comments

  1. Maria

    It was an honor and pleasure to be a part of the amazing HAK experience at the Great Stupa, and, to be given the opportunity to join the GTI Australia Group. In particular to meet Mark and Jill and all the amazing people who are shifting their direction to a meaningful and fulfilling life of creating positivity and hope for the future.
    regards Maria

    Reply
  2. Tom Truty

    Thanks so much Maria! We are so grateful for your time and energy! Big love!
    -Tom Truty

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News

THANK YOU for joining our last webinar with Ven. Robina Courtin

Last Saturday, October 19, we gathered with Venerable Robina Courtin to talk about how to best deal with climate change and the anxiety so many feel because of it.

The Big Love Festival, Australia

The land surrounding Chenrezig Institute, once overgrazed and barren, has been transformed into a thriving forest by dedicated members and locals. Walking through the grounds, you can feel the harmonious coexistence of people, animals, and the majestic trees.

Welcoming Heather to our global community

We are happy to welcome Heather to our team of volunteers as our Regional Coordinator. Originally from the UK, Heather now resides in the Sydney area, Australia.

News from Global Tree Initiative Australia

Our new GTI coordinator, Ella Humphreys, has been very busy since joining our expanded GTI Australia Regional Coordinator group in January 2024.

Welcome to the team, Georges!

Welcome to your new role. We are delighted to have you on board Georges!

Food security and tree planting in Idjwi, DRC

Climate change affects millions of people every day. Some choose to leave their countries, while others decide to stay and make the most out of the difficult conditions of their environment. This is the case with FFF Idjwi and Ushindi.

Celebrate Earth Day with us!

On this Earth Day, three GTI team members came together to write this article in honour of the amazing planet we get to call home.

Congratulations, Beth! And thank you for joining us!

Beth is our South Island Global Tree Initiative (GTI) New Zealand coordinator and has been helping us around the Coromandel area. She has kindly taken the role of fundraising specialist for GTI.

International Day of Forests – Recording now available!

We counted on the insightful participation of 3 different speakers and all those who presented questions and contributed to the discussion. The recording is now available!

A warm welcome to Bengu, our new project coordinator!

Welcome to your new role, Bengu! We are very happy and thankful to have you here, and we are looking forward to a lot of exciting developments with you!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our newsletter. Stay tuned to all our news. There is more to come.

You have Successfully Subscribed!