SAVES is not affiliated with Exit International / Dr Philip Nitschke and opposes the public availability of a 'peaceful pill'.

SAVES President Frances Coombe faced a packed meeting hall when she welcomed members attending the July meeting. She spoke of the worldwide challenges to unjust laws, but also the optimism arising from the passage of legislation in the Netherlands and Belgium, and Attorney General Ashcroft's failed attempt to scuttle the Oregon legislation which allows for physician assisted suicide.

Frances reminded the audience of the legacy of those people who have recently demanded to 'go public' rather than become another conveniently hidden suicide statistic. After all, it can be said that 'statistics are people with the tears washed off'.

Dianne Pretty, Nancy Crick, Shirley Nolan, Sandy Williamson, and more recently Jo Shearer, all wished to share the richness of their personal life histories, revealing how these had been disrupted by unendurable and unrelievable suffering. They bravely offered their stories to help others in the future.

Frances advised that the results of the June 2002 Morgan Poll served to reiterate the views of the Australian public on the issue of voluntary euthanasia. There were a series of questions included in the latest poll and support was overwhelming.

Those attending the meeting were reminded to contact their State MLCs to show their support for the Dignity in Dying Bill. It was also noted that Pastor Andrew Evans of the Family First Party has written to 900 churches and other organisations urging congregants to oppose the bill from a 'pro-life' perspective.

This of course wrongly suggests that there is little Christian support for voluntary euthanasia, when polls consistently and decisively show otherwise. Arguably it is also socially divisive for a parliamentarian to appeal exclusively to one sector of the population, in this instance those included within the 'Christian vote'. It can also be argued that such action implies that committed and nominal Christians are prepared to support the ongoing but futile suffering of fellow human beings.

Members were then reminded of the benefits of completing an advance directive for future health care if they had not already done so, either through the Consent to Medical Treatment and Palliative Care Act or the Guardianship Act. The latter allows your medical agent to refuse food and fluids on your behalf.

Frances also asked members to request that their local library host the mobile display, as it is SAVES' 'public face'. Another publicity initiative is now 'up and running', as SAVES is promoting the Dignity in Dying Bill through an advertisement on the back of two metropolitan buses during September.

Vice President Mary Gallnor then spoke passionately about the life and death of Shirley Nolan, who approached SAVES asking to have her story made public. Her wish was granted through her tragic circumstances receiving world-wide publicity.

Sandra Kanck MLC also addressed the audience giving an update on the progress of the Dignity in Dying Bill and why she remains cautiously optimistic. Sandra was awarded a certificate of honorary life membership of the society, as a mark of gratitude for her tireless efforts to legalise voluntary euthanasia.

The meeting concluded with an acknowledgement of, and thanks for all the work undertaken by Bill Mettyear who has now retired from the SAVES Task Force.

Julia Anaf