USTRA-LINK The monthly journal of Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia - HOPE FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF ALCOHOLICS
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January 2021
USTRA-LINK
The monthly journal of Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia
H O P E F O R FA M I L I E S A N D F R I E N D S O F A L C O H O L I C S
ISSN 0726-0726-4607 Price $2.00 ISSN 2207-7642 (Online-free download)
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of Al-Anon is to help families and friends of alcoholics by offering
hope and friendship, better understanding of the effects on themselves of someone
else’s drinking, and an opportunity for spiritual awakening through the shared
experience described in the Twelve Steps.
Austra-Link is the monthly publication of Australian Al-Anon Family Groups. In
the pages of this magazine, Al-Anon and Alateen members share their experience,
strength and hope as they do in their meetings. Through this “voice of the
fellowship” individual members and Groups can be heard by many. Such sharing
is vital in helping readers find growth and serenity through the Al-Anon program.
Al-Anon and Alateen members are invited to contribute articles, sharing their
recovery. Articles present members’ personal views and experiences, and opinions
expressed are not to be attributed to Al-Anon as a whole. Austra-Link does not
print prayers or poetry. Full name and address (home or group) is required before
any item can be accepted. Please indicate how you would like your article signed:
first name only, first name and Area, initials only, or “Anon”.
Mail your article to Austra-Link Editor - Al-Anon Family Group, GPO Box 1002,
Melbourne Vic. 3001 or email to austra-link@al-anon.org.au
All notices of forthcoming events must reach The Editor two months prior
to publication.
God grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and Wisdom to know the difference
Recovery Unity Service
Through The Steps Through The Traditions Through The Concepts
The threefold guides of Al-Anon point the way to a normal, useful life for the individual.
They are also a framework within which the groups can carry on their affairs in harmony.
The National Journal of
Al-Anon Family Groups Australia
Issue No. 477, January 2021
Alfred the Great has left the no longer to-the-second times of injecting
and feeding. This morning I sat outside
building... with my readers and contemplated
2020 was a terrific and torrid year for good things and sad things as the 7am
Alfred and me. We had a lot of time ‘witching hour’ ticked over. In my sorrow
together due to COVID-19 (which I just there are still things to be grateful for and
loved and I suspect Alfred may have just this helps.
tolerated). I lost my father and just as I …grant me the Serenity to accept the
was coming up for air, Alfred, my most things I cannot change…
precious outside issue, died. In recent months there have been
The cheeky, stoic, sometimes fractious, times when I have been so buffeted by
always cute and adorable, wonder-dog my feelings that it was difficult to think
faced a sudden health crisis and so with clearly. Sometimes I simply had to sit
very little warning we had to let him go. still, reciting the Serenity Prayer or
Alfred was a very healthy diabetes repeating a slogan over and over before
success story. I had taken him to an I could determine whether I needed to
emergency vet with another concern and just do the accepting bit, or summon the
it emerged that he had a tumor and was courage to change the things I could. I
about to suffer very distressing symptoms often felt helpless and frustrated wanting
with no other possible outcome but death. to be able to change the unchangeable.
They telephoned informing us of the I’ve had trouble accessing my sorrow
gravity of things and we rushed back about Dad’s death. I tried to give myself
so we could say goodbye. Alfred was time and space to reflect and come to
cheerful and affectionate—although terms with it, but it has been losing
struggling a little to breathe—licking our Alfred that has opened the flood gates.
faces with enthusiasm. We held him as he He was the best dog ever, ever, even once,
was assisted peacefully and mercifully to and gave me the
his end. At the time of writing it is four chance to love
days ago. We are grateful it happened unconditionally
without a drawn out doubt-filled watch and with un-
and wait ‘am I playing God?’ vigil, but oh mitigated joy.
my goodness...I am utterly bereft. Vale Alfred
Today though, I have found a teensy the Great.
positive. There is relief in no longer Wendy E.
worrying about his insulin jab, weight, Flowers from my kind sister
diet, or water intake. 7am and 7pm are after she heard the news.
January 2021 • Issue No. 477 AUSTRA-LINK 1
2020 was a challenging Excerpts from
year for many people. B-29 Opening our Hearts,
Much of our meeting Transforming our Losses
time was spent in our Questioning our recovery
own homes using Zoom After we’ve been recovering
and similar platforms for a while, there may come
to connect. Members a time when we question
relied on their own CAL whether the program is still
libraries for readings during working for us. We may find
meetings. We noticed that in ourselves wondering why
many meetings Opening our we don’t feel happier. After all, we tried
Hearts, Transforming our Losses so hard to accept our situation, worked
was the chosen text by members. the Steps, and attended meetings. We
The sharings in these pages are wonder if sadness is all there is to show
courageous, honest and full of for our efforts.
hope. Quite a number of members Such feelings may be frightening
who chose to use this book and alarming. Our first impulse may
commented that there were places be to dismiss them. However, many of
throughout the text where they had us have discovered the importance of
felt moved to underline passages honoring what our feelings are trying
which resonated with their own to tell us. Questioning can actually
experiences. Others observed be an important turning point in our
that this book had helped them recovery. It can teach us about where we
are headed, can signal us to slow down
enormously during particularly
or can prompt us to take better care of
difficult times.
ourselves. We may need to take mental
From my own perspective, this
and emotional breaks here and there
book was a balm and a support when to allow ourselves to regroup or refocus
my mother died shortly after I joined our energies.
Al-Anon and is again helping Experience has taught many of us that
me through the grief associated recovery is not a straight and narrow
with the death of my father late path. Undoubtedly we will be asked to
last October. make unexpected, but necessary, turns
Al-Anon is a gentle program and along the way. As we strive to turn our
this book is a beautiful example will and our lives over to the care of a
of that. We chose this to be the Higher Power, we will be given many
featured CAL publication for 2021 opportunities to practice doing so. We
as we all navigate our way through may not always know where we are
what promises to be another headed in our recovery or grief, but we
interesting and challenging year can learn to trust that we are being led to
one day at a time. Ed. a better place than where we started.
2 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 477 • January 2021
Gifts from Al-Anon My mother left my father when I was My father was the alcoholic in my life—a 12 and he never remarried. Ten years bender drinker. He could go for weeks, ago, he took his own life. He was still months or even years without a drink, drinking, and he had no contact with but when he took a drink he could not his ex-wife or his children, and that was stop, drinking himself to incapacitation. his decision. At his funeral, his friends He would be too drunk to get out of bed talked about what a great guy he was to go to the bathroom, but he would and how much he had helped them. continue to drink. When he did get out The best I could say to them was “The of bed, he would fall over hitting his head man I knew was different to the person on our concrete floors, knocking himself you knew”. unconscious and bleeding everywhere. It Several years ago, I began working was very scary. the Steps of Al-Anon and my life started Equally scary was his unpredictable to change. From the very first Step I behaviour whether drunk or sober and I started to see my father and myself in a never knew which father I was interacting different light. The first Step talks about with. I could say something to him, and being powerless over alcohol and all he would listen to me, laugh, or think it of a sudden, I got it. If I am powerless was a great idea. A couple of minutes later over alcohol perhaps my father was as I could say something similar and I’d be well. Perhaps he had no control over his hit, ridiculed or ignored. If I touched him, desire to drink. I mean no one would I never knew whether I’d be hugged or hit do to themselves voluntarily what my and pushed away, so I grew up terrified of father did to himself. Suddenly my anger confrontation and physical contact. started to wash away, and I could feel I took this into my adult life, and I compassion for him. It wasn’t his fault was very sick. I didn’t know how to have he was an alcoholic. I started to see that relationships because I couldn’t talk to in my powerlessness over alcohol I didn’t people without fear of what they would do cause my father to be an alcoholic, and, or say to me. I did not know how to show if I hadn’t caused it, I could have some someone I cared because my childhood compassion for myself as well. was so disjointed and unpredictable. I Today I don’t hate my father and I thought if people hurt me it showed they don’t hate myself. The biggest miracle cared, so that is what I practised. My of all is I have photos of my father on relationships failed. my fridge, and I have nothing but love, I grew up hating my father for being respect and admiration in my heart an alcoholic. I hated myself because I for him today. I got these gifts from thought I had caused his alcoholism. If I Al-Anon, and they are gifts. I thought had been different (prettier, smarter, taller, by hanging on to all my anger I was shorter, thinner, whatever—anything hurting my father, but it turns out I was other than who I was) he would not be just hurting myself. Today I am free of an alcoholic He would be alright then I all that. would be alright. Sue H., South Queensland Area January 2021 • Issue No. 477 AUSTRA-LINK 3
We often mention the positive impact “What does ODAT stand for?” (lol) as
doing service has on recovery. Here’s I had always known it as One Day at
a very personal account and a heart A Time.
warming farewell from a DR to her Area
If I had to list one thing I could
have done better it would have been to
Assembly as her term finishes. Ed.
make more of an effort to attend all the
meetings that the beautiful Sunshine
Outgoing words from Coast district offers. Prior to my term
your DR as DR I have covered being a Group
I came into this role in November 2016 Literature person, Group Treasurer,
by being voted in, six votes to three, but Group Representative, District Treasurer,
that was convincing enough for me. I After-hours telephone roster member
had only been in the program a short and District Representative whilst
time compared to some, but someone working full-time, managing three kids
said to me doing a service position is the and studying a university degree.
best way to grow. I absolutely could not have balanced
Well, the amount of growing from all of this without the help of the
both good experiences and some very program and the members that I have
challenging ones—I feel like I’m 16 foot met in my travels. My favourite slogan is
tall! “How Important Is It?” and the other is
I remember looking around the room something that a treasured member says
and Lynne said “Ohh you’ll be right” to me, “This too shall pass”, particularly
and chuckled (like she did), but it was when on occasion I turned up to District
followed up by that solemn face saying meetings looking like something the
“now remember you are not alone and cat dragged in. She’d get me a coffee
you have lots of support around you.” and check on the kids when they were
I do sadly miss her. There have been smaller so I could continue running
many opportunities to work my program the meeting.
and one of the biggest tools I have learned Some of my fondest experiences have
by being a trusted servant is to listen and been at District level, watching people
to ask for help (which I am still working come to the meetings and walk away
on to this day). with more knowledge and understanding
I have never been afraid of asking than previously and the sharings of more
questions if I don’t understand something experienced members. You just can’t buy
and I hope that is something I have that anywhere else.
contributed to our District meetings— The assemblies that I have been
being comfortable to ask any question lucky enough to attend were also a
no matter how silly it may sound. It is highlight. I have grown to accept
a safe place because we all started at the the sleep deprivation and overdose
beginning. on Al-Anon meetings, late night
I remember leaning over to Tracey coffees in the dining room and meetings
when I came as an observer to my first with people in their pyjamas. It all
District meeting and I had to ask her brings a smile to my face.
4 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 477 • January 2021
My kids have grown to learn that
Al-Anon is part of the house, and
sometimes they really hated it when I
went all ‘program’ on them. I wouldn’t
take sides or I’d tell my eldest son with
a smile “you might be right” although
inside I knew he wasn’t and this is one of
the reasons I just kept coming back. I am
very grateful for the opportunity to serve
as your DR and hope to see the next DR
enjoy it as much as I have.
Yours in loving service.
Today’s Reminder
Regrets for hurtful things I have done
Amy V., South Queensland Area
to others may be healed by making
amends as well as I can. Regrets for
missed opportunities will vanish as I
Fear try to make wise choices today. Let
My fear is fear of the unknown. me fill this one day with thoughts and
How do we deal with it—does actions I will have no need to regret.
anybody really know?
My youngest is released from jail on Let me undertake only as much a I
Monday and my eldest and his partner can accomplish well, without haste
have fear issues. As for me, I’m petrified. or tension.
All I can do is keep coming to these “Just for today I will live through
rooms to help find answers and pray to this one day only and not tackle all
my Higher Power. my problems at once. Those of the
I think to cope with fear, for me, past need not concern me today;
it’s one step at a time as I can’t predict future ones can be faced as they
the future, but I can control what I do arise.”
minute by minute—or if it has to be—
Al-Anon: Just for Today
second by second, one day at a time.
My fears may be strong, but it is B-6, One Day at a Time in Al-Anon
an issue only I can face as they are all
my own.
I have to learn to stop worrying about
tomorrow as it may never come, and just
worry about this present moment.
Without this program, I am one lost
soul. All I can do is stay strong, put
boundaries in place and practise these
one day at a time.
Nell, Western New South Wales
January 2021 • Issue No. 477 AUSTRA-LINK 5cooperation with their meeting venues,
carefully observing the COVID-safe
requirements put in place by those
venues to comply with the regulations.
Some groups have been able to meet
face-to-face for some months already,
while others are still making preparations
Face-to-Face, Zoom and to return to the rooms.
Hybrid meetings…How do So what of the lovely connections
we’ve made via Zoom? Members from
we “Keep it Simple”? Florida, Gold Coast, Echuca, Melbourne,
When COVID-19 first made its presence Sydney, Canada all together in the one
known members were quick to act and virtual meeting—how exciting! So many
find ways to continue attending regular more opportunities for people in isolated
Al-Anon meetings. We knew we wanted places to join meetings too.
to stay in contact with our Al-Anon Groups are putting a lot of thought
friends and we had no idea how long into how the future will work. Can
until our normal activities could resume. the virtual meetings continue either as
Zoom/Skype meetings have been an separate meetings or in combination
absolute boon. We have had access to with face-to-face?
more meetings than usual without the Let’s consider Tradition 4:
usual geographical limitations or travel Each group should be autonomous,
time. We have made new friends through except in matters affecting another
our meetings being able to include group or Al‑Anon or AA as a whole.
members from other states and even It is up to each group to decide how
countries—an unexpected benefit of the they will proceed. If the choice is a
COVID-19 pandemic! ‘hybrid’ format combining face-to-face
However, many feel nothing beats meetings with a Zoom presence there
a hug (or elbow bump until further are some things to consider, for example:
s Does your venue have Wi-Fi you can
notice!) and a shared cuppa (strictly BYO
until further notice also!). For some of access?
us, our meetings are the only guarantee s Is there additional cost involved for
of healthy interactions and support, your group?
particularly if we live alone or are sole s Who will host the Zoom and organise
parents for instance. Also some members the invitation/passcode access?
are uncomfortable with technology or s Is it possible to arrange for face-to-
have no access to computers and so face participants and Zoom attendees
have been without any sort of Al-Anon to see each other?
meetings for several months. s Will the sharing be audible enough
Gradually face-to-face meetings for everyone to hear shares clearly?
are resuming with groups working in Continued on page 8…
6 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 477 • January 2021NEWS and VIEWS from AGSO
A reminder about what Public No change to wording in the current
books is suggested. An alternatively
Liability insurance is
worded edition would be produced.
The Public Liability insurance policy is
The World Service Office (WSO) has
primarily a cover which protects the
Al-Anon Fellowship and its office indicated producing new editions in
bearers from legal action or financial languages other than English, Spanish
liability if property or members of the and French would not be on the Board’s
public are damaged/injured at any Agenda in the foreseeable future. This
Al-Anon activity. It also covers responsibility is given to the General
volunteers (at AGSO, Area Offices, Service Offices (GSOs) of international
and office bearers in groups) for structures. However, as WSO holds
accident or injury in carrying out copyright for the books they would
their responsibilities, but it does need to give permission for them
not offer injury cover for ordinary to be translated. It is uncertain that
Al-Anon members participating in permission would be granted.
an Al-Anon meeting or any related It was suggested that Delegates ask
Al-Anon activity. Participants’ insurance
for members in their Areas to participate
cover is a different type of insurance.
in creating suggested new text. Those
There is no age limit on Public Liability
invested in the project would need to
Insurance but volunteers over the age
of 75 are not covered by the Staff and do the re-working of text.
Volunteers Accident Policy. Public The question was asked ‘What is
Liability Insurance cover for all groups best for Al-Anon as a whole?’
is renewed annually. The motion (8) was put and passed
“That AGSO forms a subcommittee
Non-gender specific pronouns to investigate a translation of the two
This was an Agenda Item at the 2020 daily readers Courage to Change and
Australian Service Conference. Hope for Today so that the assignation
Alternative editions of Courage to of the male pronoun is changed to
Change and Hope for Today with gender neutral when referring to God
the assignation of the male pronoun and report back to Conference 2021”.
changed to gender-neutral when Update: AGSO has formed the
referring to God were suggested. These subcommittee and are awaiting
would not replace existing editions but sample translated pages from those
add to the options available to the interested in adapting the text. At this
fellowship in the CAL library. point any progress with this issue is at
Following is a precis of the discussion: an early stage.
January 2021 • Issue No. 477 AUSTRA-LINK 7…Continued from page 6
2020 South Queensland
Who will provide the computer?
Area Assembly talks
s
s Do Zoom participants know how to
adjust their Zoom names to ensure Theme: Tradition Two
their anonymity is preserved?
s Can we achieve this and keep it simple?
Whatever your group decides, it is For our group purpose there is but
important that you make it clear what one authority—a loving God as He
members can expect if they come to your may express Himself in our group
meeting. Perhaps a sign on the door to conscience—our leaders are but
indicate if it is a Hybrid meeting—face- trusted servants, they do not govern.
to-face/zoom combined would be helpful. In an alcoholic home, where we
At this time of constant change it might usually encounter at least one over-
help us feel safe in our meetings if we are inflated ego, sometimes the alcoholic,
as prepared as we can be. sometimes the spouse or other family
We can stay in touch with which groups member, it can be a relief to arrive
are face-to-face or still on-line by visiting in Al-Anon and find that no one person is
https://www.al-anon.org.au/meetings on in charge.
the website. Meetings which are facilitating No-one will tell me, for example, the
the presence of members via Zoom as well chairs HAVE to be arranged thus. I am
as in the rooms are marked with an ‘h’ for told, ‘we usually arrange the chairs in a
hybrid on the website. Areas and AGSO circle’. No one says, this banner ALWAYS
staff are constantly updating information
goes here or there. There is a flow to the
to keep us all informed. group arrangements dictated by the
group conscience. At a regular business
meeting these things are decided—the
format of the meeting, the setting up
of the chairs, group roles etc., any other
issues that may need attention, which are
decided by back and forth discussion and
majority decision.
For a trusted servant of the group, this
way of deciding things within the group
gives very clear direction. Our loving
God has expressed his will for us in the
group conscience. In this we will learn
the lessons we need to learn and grow as
we need to grow. Alcoholism stunts, and
stops, and makes life rigid—I love the
Screen grab of the Al-Anon meetings webpage flow that this Tradition brings, helping
https://www.al-anon.org.au/meetings. to negate the effects of alcoholism.
8 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 477 • January 2021As a trusted servant, humbly doing Al-Anon has given me
what is best for the group is paramount.
The Traditions are a most useful tool choices
for this job. Should there be discord One morning, I was sitting in a donut
shop working at my computer. Suddenly,
within the group, we can return to the
a woman came in screaming about not
Traditions for guidance, particularly,
getting her hash brown at the drive-
Tradition Two. through window. She even threatened the
Speaking as one who didn’t arrive at girl working the window. I was shocked
Al-Anon healthy and whole, one who at first, my brain not wanting to accept
will never achieve perfection, (and often the chaos. After the woman left, I picked
gets it wrong!), I don’t always respond up my work and decided to leave.
with all of the Traditions in place in my A week later, I stopped at a restaurant
mind. That is where there is beauty in to eat lunch. I was quickly seated, but
the program. It gives us the ability to then waited and waited for my server to
make amends, be humble enough to at least bring me a glass of water and a
change our minds, be open to another menu. After about ten minutes, I started
point of view and, where necessary, be to get really annoyed until I thought of
voted down in a meeting where the the woman at the donut shop. Al-Anon
group conscience, or as I think of it, reminds me that I have choices when it
God’s will for us, holds sway. comes to my thoughts and actions. So,
In this way we guard against the I quickly decided to behave differently.
rigidity, governance and control that are I reminded myself that I was seated
symptoms of the disease of alcoholism. comfortably and that I really wasn’t
Sue A., South Queensland Area
in much of a hurry. Pretty soon after
that, my waiter arrived and apologized
profusely. I was able to smile and
assure him that it was fine, that I was
October 2021 Edition of fine and that we could just chalk it up
Austra-Link celebrates to being a Monday. As I was leaving I
70 years of Al-Anon. thought about the wonderful gift that
Over the years there have been Al-Anon has given me. You see, before
many changes to Al-Anon always the program, I was the hash browns
lady. The littlest thing could set me off
working to help serve members
because of the constant hysteria I had
as our fellowship has grown, all
allowed in my life.
the while sharing the experience, Now I know that I have choices. By
strength and hope we receive from using the slogan “How Important Is It,”
our wonderful spiritual program. I can stop and respond in a way that is
We would love to receive shares kind to me and those around me.
from members about their memories Linda J., Iowa
of the fellowship for the October Reprinted with permission of The Forum,
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarter., Inc.,
2021 70th Anniversary issue. Virginia Beach, VA
January 2021 • Issue No. 477 AUSTRA-LINK 9We suggested
members open
any of their
Al-Anon books
at a random
page…and
Survey Snippets read…
More of the ‘other’ comments from the
I picked up “...In All Our Affairs –
Members Survey Making Crises Work for You” (B-15) and
s This program has saved my life I cannot
it fell open at the first page of Chapter
express enough how amazing it is and 7: Taking Care of Ourselves in Part
how I wish I knew about it sooner. I have Three: Action.
struggled with finding a sponsor due to “When our circumstances lead us
the lack of new young members which is to ignore our spiritual, emotional,
difficult as sponsoring is a cornerstone or physical needs, we invite this
of recovery. Would also be great if progressive disease to take over. If we
Al-Anon had better technology and act as if our needs are unimportant,
online services. we subtly teach ourselves that we are
s Al-Anon has dramatically changed my unimportant”. (p.143)
life for the better. Thank you.. That was me when I crawled
s Concerned at the falling membership in all through the doors of Al-Anon, as the
areas—at group meetings and members mother of six children and a loved one
willing to do service (at all levels—group, whose drinking was a problem to me.
district and Area). Our group has had These days, I am learning to keep my
lots of newcomers, but many only stay Higher Power close on a daily basis,
a few weeks. They are usually after a accept and express my feelings and
quick fix for the drinker... don’t see the look after my body with a daily walk
need to change their own... or they leave and an occasional massage. I read on…
the problem drinker in their life and think “We have to be flexible and realise
they will now be fine and don’t need to that we are not machines. Some
continue with meetings ... :( of us find it helpful to define clear
s Al-Anon helps me in all areas of my life and expectations about the activities
through some tough times. Thank you we will undertake in any given day,
Al-Anon! making sure that when we have done
s Al-Anon has been life changing for me,
those things, we will stop. We can let
thank you for all that you do. enough be enough”. (p.144)
I am learning not only to put
s I will forever be grateful for the program
for the help and friendship that it has
boundaries around others but also
provided. When I arrived at my first
around myself! I have heard it said at
meeting I was a mess (and still am on meetings that (usually) “something
every second day) dealing with an ex- urgent is not important and something
partner alcoholic and a parent and two important is not urgent”. That helps
siblings. The program brings me great me to gain some perspective. Easy
peace and I am really very grateful for its Does It and First Things First!
existence. God bless Bill and Lois W. Maree C. Victorian Southern Area
10 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 477 • January 2021“…And one day, I realized
that I was looking at the
world with new eyes. Instead
of seeking only misery and
despair, I could see sunshine and
happiness. I was making reasoned,
conscious choices. Instread of
reacting to every feeling, I stopped and
examined my contribution to a particular
situation. I tried to put myself in another
person’s position. I said the Serenity Prayer more
often and learned to accept the fact that I did not have
control over many situations in my life. But I was responsible
for changing what I could.”
As we understood… B-11, p. vi
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January 2021 • Issue No. 477 AUSTRA-LINK 11Forthcoming Events
58th Annual New Zealand AA Convention with Al-Anon Family Group participation:
Virtual in 2021
Date: Saturday, 23rd January 2021 to Sunday, 24th January 2021
Theme: Just for Today Bookings: Register at AA>ORG>NZ/AA-CONVENTION
Point Walter Camp WA 2021
Date: Friday, 19th February 2021 to Sunday, 21st February 2021
Venue: Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre on the Swan River, 1 Stock Road, Bicton
Bookings: Booking details to come
AA National Convention 2021
AA National Convention in Adelaide with Al-Anon and Alateen participation
Date: Thursday, 1st April 2021 to Monday, 5th April 2021
https://www.aanatcon2021.com.au/adelaide
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See the subscription form on page 11
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you sponsor or to a new member in your
group, is a loving way to say, “We care about
you, please keep coming back”.
Please Note: Many face-to-face Al-Anon and Alateen meetings are now open again
observing COVID-19 protocols, including restrictions to the number of people attending.
It is suggested that Groups check with their venue contact, to get permission to resume
meeting in the facility. Some meetings, closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, will
continue to operate as electronic meetings: https://www.al-anon.org.au/electronic
Next Issue: February, 2021
CAL: Opening our Hearts, Transforming our Losses (B-29)
Articles and Member sharings from around Australia
Summer Sharing Topic - It may be summer holidays but it’s business as usual
for me with my Al-Anon program.
The National Phone Number for Al-Anon information is:
1300 Al-Anon (1300 252 666)
www.al-anon.org.au
To access Members’ page:
your username is: member
your password is: afg
12 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 477 • January 2021THE TWELVE STEPS THE TWELVE TRADITIONS
1. We admitted we were powerless over 1. Our common welfare should come first;
alcohol—that our lives had become personal progress for the greatest number
unmanageable. depends upon unity.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than 2. For our group purpose there is but one
ourselves could restore us to sanity. authority—a loving God as He may
3. Made a decision to turn our will and express Himself in our group conscience.
our lives over to the care of God as we Our leaders are but trusted servants—they
understood Him. do not govern.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral 3. The relatives of alcoholics, when
inventory of ourselves. gathered together for mutual aid, may
call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group,
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to provided that, as a group, they have no
another human being the exact nature of other affiliation. The only requirement for
our wrongs. membership is that there be a problem of
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove alcoholism in a relative or friend.
all these defects of character. 4. Each group should be autonomous,
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our except in matters affecting another group
shortcomings. or Al-Anon or AA as a whole.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, 5. Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one
and became willing to make amends to purpose: to help families of alcoholics.
them all. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps
9. Made direct amends to such people of A.A. ourselves, by encouraging and
wherever possible, except when to do so understanding our alcoholic relatives,
would injure them or others. and by welcoming and giving comfort to
families of alcoholics.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and 6. Our Family Groups ought never endorse,
when we were wrong promptly admitted it finance or lend our name to any outside
11. Sought through prayer and meditation enterprise, lest problems of money
to improve our conscious contact with property and prestige divert us from our
God as we understood Him, praying only primary spiritual aim. Although a separate
for knowledge of His will for us and the entity, we should always co-operate with
power to carry that out. Alcoholics Anonymous.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the 7. Every group ought to be fully self-
result of these steps, we tried to carry this supporting, declining outside contributions.
message to others, and to practice these 8. Al-Anon Twelfth Step work should remain
principles in all our affairs. forever nonprofessional, but our service
centres may employ special workers.
9. Our groups, as such, ought never be
organized; but we may create service
boards or committees directly responsible
to those they serve.
10. The Al-Anon Family Groups have no
opinion on outside issues; hence our
name ought never be drawn into public
controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on
Remember the 1300 252 666 number attraction rather than promotion; we need
is a national number which connects always maintain personal anonymity at
the level of press, radio, films, and TV.
you to the nearest Area Office. For We need guard with special care the
example, if you are in South Australia anonymity of all AA members.
and call the number, Adelaide 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all
members will respond to you. our Traditions, ever reminding us to place
principles above personalities.Area Offices in Australia
NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: SOUTHERN VICTORIA: (includes Tasmania)
Al-Anon Family Groups Northern NSW Area Al-Anon Family Groups Victorian Southern Area
Room 9, 49 Annie St Wickham St., Level 7, 51 Queen St., MELBOURNE.
WICKHAM NSW 2293 GPO Box 5458, MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Phone: (02) 4961 6662 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday
Helpline: 1300 252 666 Phone: (03) 9629 8900
Helpline: 1300 252 666
Email: alanonnorthernnsw@bigpond.com
Email: alanonvsa@netspace.net.au
SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: SOUTH AUSTRALIA:
(includes Australian Capital Territory) Al-Anon Family Groups South Aust. Area
Al-Anon Family Groups Southern NSW Area 1st Floor, Harmer House
Suite 4, 2 Ormonde Parade 5 Leigh Street, ADELAIDE
HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 Mailing address: 1st Floor, 5 Leigh Street
Phone: (02) 9570 3400 ADELAIDE SA 5000
Email: office@al-anon-snsw.org.au 10:00am – 2:30pm, Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday
WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES: Phone: (08) 8231 2959
Al-Anon Family Groups Western NSW Area Email: office@saAl-Anon .org
Suite 108, First Floor
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:
114-116 Henry Street, PENRITH NSW 2750 (includes Northern Territory)
Phone: (02) 4731 1442 Al-Anon Family Groups Western Aust. Area
E-mail: al-anonpenrith@optusnet.com.au Room 9, Claisebrook Lotteries House
33 Moore Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004
NORTH QUEENSLAND:
10.30am - 2.30pm Monday - Thursday only.
Al-Anon Family Groups North Queensland Area
The office does not have volunteers each day
P.O. Box 827, AITKENVALE QLD 4814
therefore please ring prior to visiting. Thankyou!
Phone: 1300 252 666 Phone (08) 9325 7528
Email: alanonnqarea@gmail.com E-mail: office.admin@alanonwa.org
SOUTH QUEENSLAND: Al-Anon Family Groups (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
Al-Anon Family Groups South Queensland Area 7th Floor, 51 Queen Street, MELBOURNE
Unit 3, 1050 Manly Road. TINGALPA GPO Box 1002, MELBOURNE, Vic., 3001
PO Box 2169, TINGALPA QLD 4173 Phone (03) 9620 2166 Fax (03) 9620 2199
10:00am – 2:00pm, Monday to Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday
Phone: (07) 3890 1244 E-mail: agso@alphalink.com.au
Helpline: 1300 252 666 Website: www.al-anon.org.au
Email: sqaafg@gmail.com
To contact
NORTHERN VICTORIA:
Al-Anon Family Groups Northern Victoria Area
Al-Anon anywhere in
O’Brien Hall, McLennan Street, MOOROOPNA Australia for the cost
P.O. Box 81, MOOROOPNA VIC 3629 of a local call:
Phone: (03) 5825 1160
Email: alanonnthvicarea@hotmail.com
1300 Al-Anon (1300 252 666)You can also read
