austra-link · austra-link does not print prayers or poetry. full name and address (home or group)...

ISSN 0726-0726-4607 ISSN 2207-7642 (Online) Price $2.00

AUSTRA-LINKThe monthly journal of Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia

June 2020

RecoveryThrough The Steps

UnityThrough The Traditions

ServiceThrough 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.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSEThe 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 [email protected] notices of forthcoming events must reach The Editor two months prior to publication.

God grant me the SerenityGod grant me the Serenityto accept the things I cannot change,to accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things I can,Courage to change the things I can,and Wisdom to know the differenceand Wisdom to know the difference

June 2020 • Issue No. 470 AUSTRA-LINK 1

realise I needed a lift. I feel even better when I’ve had an hilarious Zoom practice with my music partner.

So what of my flashes of temper and my reluctance to connect with the outside world? They are reminders that I have my own disease and I need to remain vigilant and stick with my program to continue my recovery. I am grateful that today, when I slip, I know not to believe my negative thinking. I can reach for my CAL or call or text an Al-Anon friend. I can be still for a moment and connect with my Higher Power and trust that these things will help get me back on track

My home group meeting is a highlight for me, which I have no mixed feelings about. As soon as the friendly faces of my Al-Anon family appear on the screen —yes Zoom again—I feel the joy and serenity I always feel at really truly normal face-to-face meetings.

I hope everyone is weathering this time of social distancing. Even though I can’t mix and mingle with folk, I get great comfort from knowing I am a member of this wonderful Al-Anon family.

Wendy E.

The National Journal of Al-Anon Family Groups Australia

Issue No. 470, June 2020

Alfred the Great supports responsible social distancing

Zoom-zooming my way through my gratitude listAt the time of writing we’re at week five of lockdown... or is it six...?

On the whole I think I’m doing pretty well with this social distancing thing, but every now and then I snap and come over super critical.

I suspect I may also wear a pursed lipped expression (likened to the view you get of a retreating cat...) and make some snippy remarks in a strident voice. I don’t always do too well with the “mean what you say but don’t say it mean” approach to communicating.

It’s odd because I’m convinced this isolation bizzo suits me perfectly.

In fact, my negative view of my life is being severely challenged. It’s very hard to be a brave long-suffering person when everything is going along quite pleasantly. My disquiet about being locked away with my alcoholic partner has proven to be unfounded despite my expectations to the contrary—that’s expectations for you.

I am, however, struggling a little with my own tendency to self-isolate. I develop a sort of inertia and have to force myself to maintain connections with family and friends. We have a very shambolic weekly quiz night courtesy of Zoom and I shuffle about wondering whether to bother and then feel quite cheered after it’s all over, despite not acknowledging I needed the boost. I hesitate to play music, but when I do I feel uplifted even though I didn’t

2 AUSTRA-LINK Issue No. 470 • June 2020

Excerpts from P-78 When I Got Busy, I Got Better

A Reason to Keep Coming BackWhen I first came to Al-

Anon, I hoped, like many other peo ple, to cure the alcoholic. I sat in meetings, listened attentively, and learned very quickly. Then I took all my newfound knowledge and left. I went home and told my husband that he was sick, that his problem wasn’t mine, that I was going to have a life whether he was drinking or not. I’m sure someone at those meetings mentioned compassion, but I never heard it.

Months later, my husband somehow found his way into a rehab, and the professionals there suggested that I go to Al-Anon. “But why” I thought. “I already learned everything they had to teach me.” Still, since I would do anything to help my man, I obediently returned to Al-Anon.

I attended a beginners’ meeting, then regular meetings. Someone mentioned that sometimes newcomers took responsibility for making coffee. Determined to be the perfect Al-Anon member, I agreed to prepare coffee for the group, and I made a three-month commitment. So many nights when I wanted to stay home and take care of my husband, when I was afraid he might drink or not go to a meeting, when he was in a bad mood and I knew I could make it better, I didn’t stay home—because I had made a commitment. Since I’ve always tried to keep commitments, I never missed a meeting.

I couldn’t make a commitment to myself, but my first com mitment to Al-Anon kept me coming back. I began to notice that the people in my group appeared happy and content. They seemed to deal with their problems in a different way. I knew that I wanted what they had, so I tried listening to them a second time. This time my mind stopped racing. For one hour my focus shifted from the alcoholic, and I felt calm and peaceful. Eventually I was able to feel moments of peace outside the meeting. This was my first experience of growth through service.

I ask myself: What commitment am I willing to make?

Survey SnippetsMore of the ‘other’ comments from the Members Surveys I have not been in Al-Anon very long. I am

very happy to be part of my group now. The people in the group are amazing and I feel my Higher Power at work all the time..

s I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the survey for all they do in the name of Al-Anon. It is very much appreciated by me and I’m sure many other members.

s Al-Anon is a wonderful program that has made my life productive, peaceful and joyous.

s Al-Anon is the most, my most significant commitment to healing.

s Al-Anon has helped me in all aspects of my life I have learnt to count my blessings and to enjoy every minute of my time with my alcoholic as I am so very grateful I still have him in my life


What year did Lois W. visit Australia?

Who was the first Austra-Link editor?

For the answers to last month’s Lockdown Trivia see page 9.

CommitmentIt is always great to receive my Austra-Link and read the sharing of other members in the program. It does not take long into my read when I find myself identifying with others’ stories. I started to reflect on my lack of commitment with the article on page 2 of the May issue.

“Don’t” was a word that seemed prominent in my childhood. “Don’t tell”, “Don’t get involved”, “Don’t trust” and “people are out to get you.” My mother’s father was, by all accounts, the drinker and this had impacted on her life. She told me stories of having to hide the egg money (her money) in case her dad took it. I remember her saying her dad would give everything away and that he did not care for his seven children. She said her dad would often be drunk when she met him at the bus stop to go home from the town to the farm. Her mum had died so there was no support there. This emotional legacy of secrecy with all the other behavioural ‘isms’ of living with a drinker was transported across the sea to Australia into another generation (me) even though I could see no drinking in my immediate family.

I had no idea of a healthy emotional relationship and my first long term one of 14 years was with someone who often drank to excess and liked to smoke dope. My filter for becoming involved was “he is fun” and why not jump in. I knew nothing of shared values or beliefs or factors that might be important when considering a relationship. I was not really even aware of what mine were. I thought the excessive drinking and dope smoking would eventually stop.

My partner once claimed I was the one who was not committed and he was right. I was waiting for him to change to fit into my picture frame—the perfect one with the home, the picket fence and the children. This did not happen and in truth I was never truly present. He left me. I was even cross about that. He was supposed to stay and change to suit me and make me happy.

Thank goodness for Al-Anon and all the wonderful meetings and members. I quickly got a sponsor and took on small service roles. I was shocked at meetings when people gave me a hug and were so friendly. I finally started to share and be honest about events in my life. I started to rediscover who I was. I had disappeared through 14 years of trying to manipulate and control and change someone else. Years of treading on eggshells trying to please someone, helping them and hoping life would be better because of this. I had lost me. Thank you Al-Anon for the journey of self-discovery. First things first and the first thing is me.

Fiona J., Southern Victorian Area


On my own but not aloneNew opportunities rise out of these strangest of times. Sharings from members on how we thrive to survive

We’d love you to share your experience of this historical time and how you are using your Al-Anon tools to survive, and even thrive. Sharing our stories is a wonderful way to do service. email to [email protected]

Last night I was lucky enough to be able to ‘Skype’ into a meeting from an area I used to attend regularly a number of years ago.

It was music to my ears hearing the Twelve Steps and Traditions being read. I realised how much I have missed the words of our meetings’ Suggested Closing and the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer.

Last night I realised these unprecedented times have given me opportunities I would otherwise not have experienced.

By working my program to the best of my ability I have been able to not just survive ...I have thrived.

My son who lives with me is still heavily drinking each day and we are both at home 24/7 .

Many other areas of my life pre-Al-Anon have become worse today.

However, I am not fearful. I have faith.I have a home filled with harmony.I am staying at home, not out there

trying to save the world or risking a large fine by not minding my own business!

I am so grateful, as I am sure our local authorities are also, not to be spending their time writing out COVID-19 fines!

The miracles of Al-Anon. Kerrie B., Victorian Southern Area

COVID-19 has given me an opportunity to grow and practise the principles of my Al-Anon program.

At first I read, watched TV, and listened to people talk about the virus. I was overwhelmed, similar to when I was living with an active and violent alcoholic. But this time I had the faith and skills that I had learnt from attending Al-Anon to cope with the situation.

I needed to adjust my life and accept that the world had changed and, in order for me to be holistically healthy, I needed to surrender myself to my God.

I ask myself “What can I do for me?”, and “How will my actions impact on other people?”

The answer for me was to be gentle with myself, read my Al-Anon books, telephone members and to learn how to go onto zoom.

I am so grateful to have many more meetings than I would normally have…meet new people…hear new recovery stories and remain in contact with my emotional family.

I am deeply appreciative to the people that have set up these meetings.

Just for today, I know that this will pass but I am responsible for my own spiritual recovery, so I must remain in contact with Al-Anon members.

I hope that you are taking care of yourself. Grateful and contented member.

Dianne H., Northern Victoria


I first saw the slogans hanging on a brick wall at the first meeting I went to. At the end of the meeting, I took a photo of them, printed it out and pasted it in the front of the first book I purchased, Courage to Change (B-16).

The slogans bring me back from wild imaginings of what might happen, to the present. ‘Just for Today’, ‘First Things First’, ‘Keep It Simple’. I have since added another of my own, “What am I doing?”

During this time of isolation, I have been practising keeping my mind where my hands are. I ask myself “What am I doing?” I drag my mind away from the future or back from the past and focus on this moment. At this moment I have nothing to worry about, at this moment I have nothing to fear. My shoulders drop, my breath quietens, and I notice each piece of washing as I hang it on the line. Suddenly I hear the birds singing and the sun glittering on the leaves as they sway in the breeze.

Today is all I have. I am practising enjoying each moment. I have discovered that hanging out the washing can become a quiet meditation.

“Finally I am resting in the only place my spirit will ever know—the present moment.” Hope for Today, May 8.

Anon

During this time of physical (I prefer that to social) distancing I was surprised to realise that I was enjoying being able to stay at home and not having to be flying out of the house to the car in order to be somewhere at a certain time.

Even though I was distanced physically from family and friends, I was not socially isolated, as I was able to utilise all the media platforms available to stay connected, especially with my Program friends and attending online meetings.

The embracing of these meetings by members was so fast! It showed me how much meetings are valued and cherished as a recovery tool. I could zoom in to meetings around the country and meet interstate and overseas members from my armchair. But how I missed the hugs!

If I was feeling down I remembered one of my favourite readings in Courage to Change, p. 45, ‘all I have to do is look at my situation in the light of gratitude’, and the Serenity Prayer: ‘accept the things I cannot change’.

How fortunate and grateful I feel to have the tools of the Program to use to understand ‘this too shall pass’ and this situation will only go on for ‘one day at a time’. To have the beautiful members to share my thoughts and feelings with, and to know my Higher Power is always there with me on a daily basis are gifts in recovery from the disease of alcoholism.

Di J., Victorian Southern Area

I was initially overwhelmed by the effects of the coronavirus situation. I was stressed about managing part time work while remote learning with my two young daughters. My occupation means I work with people and businesses that have been financially affected and I felt like I was taking on their stress as well as my own. I was also feeling really lonely from not being able to visit family.


As the New Year begins and the country’s weather issues go from one extreme to another, it’s a reminder that my emotional life can also go from one extreme to another. So it is important to go to the tools that have worked miracles in my life. I must (yes must) go to meetings, talk to others, do some service, pray and study the Steps. When my life includes these things, life is pretty cool.

Lynne C., Northern Victoria Area

But the shining light through all of this was how fast Al-Anon responded positively to this pandemic and moved to electronic meetings. I have attended more meetings since this crisis started than ever before and it has been amazing to attend meetings all over the country. To hear from so many different people and understand that we are all worried and stressed has really eased my own anxiety. It has reminded me that I am not alone, that everyone is struggling with balancing work, schooling etc. It helped me practise this program in all my affairs.

I am still concerned but no longer overwhelmed. I now trust that I will get through this and be stronger for it. Thank you Al-Anon for continuing to offer hope and keeping us together, despite the isolation.

Melissa D., Victorian Southern Area

…and more thoughts from Kerrie B.I am finding the slogan ‘One Day at a Time’ is an invaluable tool during these most unusual times. I am living these words to such an an extent that ‘ISO’ (isolation)—for me, is now approaching week 10...another story—and I am still really enjoying this ‘ISO’ way of life.

There is still heavy drinking in my home and other challenges too however by living one day at a time, I am doing OK, in many ways really much better than OK.

By living this program to the best of my ability the rewards are endless, but one I am so grateful for is the harmony, happiness and laughter in my home.

Back in the earlier days of COVID-19 I started to feel

fearful watching overseas reports and, as it was 2.45a.m., it was not a suitable time to call anyone. I clearly remember wondering how is this all going to unfold, and going down that grim path of thinking. The words ‘one day at a time’ came to me and also ‘this is just for now’ and the fear evaporated.

I paid such a high price to become a member of Al-Anon. My life was insane and unmanageable on every level…but the value of being a member and living the Al-Anon way of life is priceless.

Stay safe. Stay well Kerrie B., Victorian Southern Area


NEWS and VIEWS from AGSOSpread the Word in June = Health and Medical++ Hospitals ++ Rehab Clinics ++ Surgeries ++ Health Centres ++ Health Education Services ++ Health Authorities ++ A & E Waiting Rooms ++ Natural Therapy & Wellness Centres ++ Health & Fitness Centres ++ Councils ++ Doctors ++ Nurses ++ Dentists ++ Pharmacists ++ Counsellors ++ Therapists ++ Social Workers ++ Health Visitors ++ Voluntary Services ++ Victim Support Groups ++ Disability Support Groups ++ Community Carers ++ Ambulance Services + + Maternal Health CentresOD-2 Open Letter to a Doctor; S-37 Fact Sheet for Professionals; R-57 Have You Tried Al-Anon, Doctor?; P-89 Doubting your Sanity; M-76 Bookmark; P-4 Alcoholism the Family Disease; S-17 Twenty Questions; S-20 Twenty Questions; S-25 Twenty Questions

Excerpt from a letter sent by our IAGSM Delegate to other International Al-Anon Structures on our response to the COVID-19 situation.

required preparing for and making the appropriate arrangements for a successful virtual Conference. Like the revised WSC we will focus on the essential legal and financial administrative activities first and also engage our Area Delegates and GSO staff and volunteers in review sessions of the 2019 activities.

Thirdly we have converted our quarterly Board meeting to a virtual format, reducing our contact time by about 50 percent. We have also deferred it by two weeks to give ourselves more time to prepare and practice our Zoom skills. Our Annual Board meeting usually proceeds directly after our Conference and we expect that this will also need to be run in a virtual format…

…Our Al-Anon family is very resilient and working together we are certain that our future is promising.

Lots of Love in Al-Anon, Bill P.

*Our Literature Officer is traveling into the AGSO to fill orders received from Areas knowing how vital it is to have CAL to hand, particularly at times such as these. Ed.

…We have taken a few steps to address the COVID-19 pandemic challenges that are facing Al-Anon Family Groups in Australia.

Firstly we created a subset of our Board members to form a COVID-19 Response Committee to meet regularly via electronic technology as, like many of you, we were facing travel and social restrictions. We arranged to close our General Service Office and for our staff and volunteers to work from home, continuing to provide all services except literature sales to our nine Areas*. This was a large effort, particularly with the adoption of electronic meetings by many of our Al-Anon groups, and the temporary closure of our traditional face-to-face group meetings.

Secondly we decided to postpone our annual three-day face-to-face Australian Service Conference, planned for early May 2020 and to replace it with a virtual one-day Conference. This was later delayed till late-May 2020 as we had underestimated the time and effort


A “Tranquilizer” Highly RecommendedI saw where I was slipping

Editorial for the June 1968 Forum In March I spent a most rewarding weekend in Monroe, Louisiana, at the AA Birthday Party. Al-Anon had a place on the program and I flew down to speak. As always I had a wonderful time— Al-Anons and AAs are the most cordial, generous and appreciative audience one can find anywhere. They are more enthusiastic than children at a circus.

My flight home was via New Orleans, which I had never visited. At the last moment I changed my ticket so I could spend a day there, seeing a bit of that most interesting city.

Out at Lake Pontchartrain I learned hurricane warn ings were up, which did little to make me anticipate my flight the next day. I’ve lived through two already and can’t recommend them as good entertainment.

Next noon we took off in fairly decent weather which soon deteriorated until nothing could be seen from my window but the heaviest fog I’ve ever flown through.

About the time we were due to land at Kennedy airport, the stewardess announced we were coming in for a landing. I waited for hours for the NO

SMOKING sign to come on.Nothing happened.Reports I’d read recently about planes

hijacked and flown to Cuba inevitably came to mind. They’d included the detail that no announcement of a change in destination had been permitted, so that as time went on I became surer and surer we were headed for Havana and trouble.

If the fog was disturbing, that thought was worse. I had wondered before how long the Cubans were going to allow planes to land and take off without penalty; now my fervent hope was they hadn’t changed their policy.

I’m not the worrywart I used to be but I cannot say I was wholly at my best. Then Al-Anon rescued me.

“Can I stop this fog? Can I do one single thing about where we’re going to put down? We are seven miles up above the earth—what can I do about it?” Answers were unanimously negative. Wasn’t this, then, “a thing I couldn’t change?”

“Where is your Al-Anon?” I asked myself. “You travel thousands of miles to tell your experience in Al-Anon, hoping to help someone else. How can you possibly expect to be anything but a tinkling cymbal or sounding brass if YOU don’t practice the program yourself. Better pull up your socks and get at it.”

It took no wisdom to know I was in a situation I couldn’t change, so no courage was involved in needlessly trying to change it. The only thing left was to seek serenity to accept whatever eventuated. I just concentrated on that: “I am in God’s hands. His will, not mine, be done. Live as you’d like to die, in trust and hope, and not in craven fear.”

So I stopped gluing my eyes to my watch and went back to reading my

Some of our usual activities are curtailed by these stage three COVID 19 restrictions. Perhaps even our jobs have changed or disappeared. In this period of strangeness we need to find the serenity to accept the things we cannot change and courage to change the things we can. Margaret D’s 1968 June Forum editorial speaks to this.


paperback murder. An hour or so later the stewardess announced that we were above Kennedy and would “hold” for forty-five minutes while other planes landed ahead of us.

Little as I like “holding” at any time, in a blinding fog I hate it. But by then I had enough serenity to realize immediately I was powerless in this situation too. Again I returned to my mystery and read another hour until we put down in a cloudburst. I thanked God and gratefully got off.

Next morning my Times carried an account of another plane which was hijacked to Cuba the day before!

Later I had a lovely note from Monroe, thanking me for my talk, in which Theresa told me someone had said at their meeting, “If Margaret had flown today, she might have been on that plane—think of it!”

“I said”, wrote Theresa, “if she had been, she’d prob ably just do a piece in the FORUM about it.” How right she was and how well she knew me! I was in the midst of writing this very article when her note came and I hadn’t even been hijacked. I laugh every time I think of it.

But what it all amounts to is that for someone who had such initial and prolonged difficulty in getting our program, I have to concentrate on it constantly and keep on “practicing it in ALL my affairs.”

Should any of you find yourself seven miles above the earth, in a blinding fog, I cannot recommend too highly asking to be granted “the serenity to accept the things you cannot change” and to “Let Go and Let God.”

Margaret D., First Editor, Al-Anon Family Group Forum

Forum Favorites, Volume 2, p167

Today’s ReminderI need not judge the rate at which I change old habits or ways of thinking. If I am uncomfortable with old behavior, then on some level I am already moving toward changing it. Change will not be effective unless I am ready for it. I need only trust that, when the time comes to move forward, I will know it.“Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed. Let me look upward into the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well,” ”

Orin L. CrainB-16 Courage to Change. p. 2221

May Issue Answers What year was the AGSO established?

Answer: 1977 What year was the first Australian

Service Conference held? Answer: 1977, after seven Trial Conferences, the Australian Service Conference became permanent, meeting annually in Melbourne.

What does IAGSM stand for? Answer: International Al-Anon General Services Meeting

Who was the first General Secretary of AGSO? Answer: Marj Mc


provoking questions or debate with him about his views. The art of minding my own business, while keeping the conversations calm also restricted those conversations substantially, as his theories are all pervading.

At a recent meeting the topic was Concept Five. “The rights of appeal and petition protect minorities and insure that they be heard”. The discussion that followed focused on minority opinions being heard. Yet another level of attitude change came to me following that meeting. I have been aware for a long time that I can choose my degree of engagement, but I hadn’t thought about my son’s attitude being one of a minority group and perhaps I could be more informed.

So since that I have read more about Concept Five and while trying to keep an open mind I have read some of the things he reads and watched some of the videos he posts on social media. While the research has not changed my opinion about the theories that interest him what has changed is our conversations. They have taken on a different respect in attitude and tone.

My son knows I have furthered my reading and video watching and that I have formed a different opinion from his. However, he appreciates that I have at least become more informed about his interests and the subject matter before coming to my decisions. I think, in a nutshell, perhaps he feels more listened to, even though conspiracy theories still drive me mad!. The power of a meeting on Concept Five, made me think about my attitude again at a deeper level.

Love in fellowship Carol S. Victorian Southern Area

Concepts – What are they?Altering my attitude and making adjustments to various situations have been ongoing issues in my life, regardless of years spent in Al-Anon.

When I first came to the fellowship my issues were about my husband’s drinking habits and my responding attitudes and actions. I needed to adjust my attitude to my partner and situations regularly.

Then as I learnt about myself in relation to the family disease, I began to see the need for me to alter my attitudes as a parent. As my boys grew older and were more inclined to voice their own opinions and act in ways I didn’t like, it became even more necessary to learn to choose my battles. What was worthy of my attention and what needed to ‘go through to the keeper’? Those decisions can be very difficult with teenage sons.

There have been many changes to manage through over the years, in each of our lives. Many ongoing struggles with altered attitudes and adjustments to be made—some much more painful than others. But the need to be vigilant in looking at my own attitudes and adjusting my responses remains today.

I have an adult mature-aged son with addiction issues (currently clean), who is rebellious in attitude toward the government, the law, banks and organized society arrangements. He follows many conspiracy theories and places posts on social media that rattle my cage. Sometimes I have found it offensive but I know I have a choice in my reactions to his beliefs. I used to think that it was/is just a lot of rubbish. Occasionally I would ask


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Thought for the DayIf I can’t get to a meeting and a crisis strikes, sanity and serenity may be only a page away.

“Between meetings and when other people are not available Al-Anon literature can offer us the comfort of knowing that our problems are not unique and we are not alone.”

How Al-Anon Works for families & Friends of Alcoholics, p.40B-27, Hope for Today, p. 250


Next Issue: July, 2020CAL: When I Got Busy, I Got Better (P-78)Articles and Member sharings from around Australia and the worldWinter Sharing Topic - On my own, but not aloneThe National Phone Number for Al-Anon information is:1300 Al-Anon (1300 252 666)www.al-anon.org.auTo access Members’ page:your username is: memberyour password is: afg

Forthcoming Events2020 AA Convention in toowoombA - with Al-Anon And AlAteen pArtiCipAtion

Breaking news!!!! Now a virtual convention!!!! All registration money will be returned

Date: Friday, 2nd October 2020 to Monday, 5th October 2020 Website: aanatcon2020.com.au Theme: A Vision for You

Winter Sharing Topic - On my own, but not aloneHow do I behave when I start to isolate myself ?When do I turn to my Higher Power?What is my favourite reading when I am feeling low?These are a few thoughts to help you get started. Your share may be just the thing a fellow member needs to read. Please consider sharing your experience, strength and hope to help us all stay connected with each other and our wonderful program.

Last month we suggested members open any of their Al-Anon books at a random page…and read…Over time we’ll publish the outcomes from members who give it a go...I picked up my Hope for Today, (B-27) and opened the book randomly at June 26, p. 178: “Are you uneasy when your life is going smoothly, continually anticipating problems?” I identified with this pamphlet from the Al-Anon leaflet, “Did

You Grow Up with a Problem Drinker?”Thought for the Day:When I’ve done all I can, I can “Let Go and Let God”.“..... Worrying will not protect me from the future. It will just keep me from living here and now”. Courage to Change, p.15It’s magic! It was just what I needed!

Maree C., Victorian Southern Area

THE TWELVE STEPS1. We admitted we were powerless over

alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

THE TWELVE TRADITIONS1. Our common welfare should come first;

personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.

2. For our group purpose there is but one authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants—they do not govern.

3. The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.

4. Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting another group or Al-Anon or AA as a whole.

5. Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of A.A. ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.

6. Our Family Groups ought never endorse, finance or lend our name to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money property and prestige divert us from our primary spiritual aim. Although a separate entity, we should always co-operate with Alcoholics Anonymous.

7. Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

8. Al-Anon Twelfth Step work should remain 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 attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities.

Remember the 1300 252 666 number is a national number which connects you to the nearest Area Office. For example, if you are in South Australia and call the number, Adelaide members will respond to you.

Area Offices in AustraliaNORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: Al-Anon Family Groups Northern NSW Area Room 9, 49 Annie St Wickham St., WICKHAM NSW 2293 PO Box 217, HAMILTON NSW 2303 Phone: (02) 4961 6662 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected]

SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES: (includes Australian Capital Territory) Al-Anon Family Groups Southern NSW Area Suite 4, 2 Ormonde Parade HURSTVILLE NSW 2220 Phone: (02) 9570 3400 Email: [email protected]

WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES: Al-Anon Family Groups Western NSW Area Suite 108, First Floor 114-116 Henry Street, PENRITH NSW 2750 Phone: (02) 4731 1442 E-mail: [email protected]

NORTH QUEENSLAND: Al-Anon Family Groups North Queensland Area P.O. Box 827, AITKENVALE QLD 4814 Phone: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected]

SOUTH QUEENSLAND: Al-Anon Family Groups South Queensland Area Unit 3, 1050 Manly Road. TINGALPA PO Box 2169, TINGALPA QLD 4173 10:00am – 2:00pm, Monday to Friday Phone: (07) 3890 1244 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected]

NORTHERN VICTORIA: Al-Anon Family Groups Northern Victoria Area O’Brien Hall, McLennan Street, MOOROOPNA P.O. Box 81, MOOROOPNA VIC 3629 Phone: (03) 5825 1160 Email: [email protected]

SOUTHERN VICTORIA: (includes Tasmania) Al-Anon Family Groups Victorian Southern Area Level 7, 51 Queen St., MELBOURNE. GPO Box 5458, MELBOURNE VIC 3001 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Thursday Phone: (03) 9629 8900 Helpline: 1300 252 666 Email: [email protected]

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Al-Anon Family Groups South Aust. Area 1st Floor, Harmer House 5 Leigh Street, ADELAIDE Mailing address: 1st Floor, 5 Leigh Street ADELAIDE SA 5000 10:00am – 2:30pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Phone: (08) 8231 2959 Email: office@saAl-Anon .org

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: (includes Northern Territory) Al-Anon Family Groups Western Aust. Area Room 9, Claisebrook Lotteries House 33 Moore Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004 10:30am – 2:30pm, Monday to Friday Phone (08) 9325 7528 E-mail: [email protected]

Al-Anon Family Groups (Australia) Pty. Ltd. 7th Floor, 51 Queen Street, MELBOURNE GPO Box 1002, MELBOURNE, Vic., 3001 Phone (03) 9620 2166 Fax (03) 9620 2199 10:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.al-anon.org.au

To contact Al-Anon anywhere in

Australia for the cost of a local call:

1300 Al-Anon (1300 252 666)

austra-link · austra-link does not print prayers or poetry. full name and address (home or group)...

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