ADRA Extends Invitation to 25th Anniversary Celebration
17th September, 2008
Wahroonga, New South Wales — The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia is extending an open invitation for supporters and friends to help mark the 25th anniversary of the worldwide organisation at a celebration service at Kellyville Adventist Church, Baulkham Hills, NSW, at 11am on Saturday, 11 October 2008.
ADRA Australia invites supporters, volunteers, current and former board members, former staff and other friends of ADRA to attend this special service, which will also include a vegetarian potluck lunch and anniversary cake. Those wishing to join the potluck lunch are asked to bring a plate of ready-to-eat food to share. ADRA Australia requests that RSVPs be made on 1800 242 372 or at adra.info@adra.org.au by 8 October.
“It’s taken the contribution of many people to make ADRA what is it today, and we want to celebrate this milestone with as many of them as possible,” said ADRA Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Duffy. “This occasion is also a great opportunity to renew our commitment as Christians to continue addressing poverty as a part of our spirituality.”
ADRA, previously known as the Seventh-day Adventist World
Service (SAWS), was established in 1983 to reflect the organisation’s move from
simply providing emergency relief to an ever-growing program of long-term
community development projects. Its work included building health clinics in
Africa, assisting hurricane survivors in Central America, and teaching hygiene
and health to children in
In 1997, ADRA was granted General Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United National, increasing ADRA’s voice in the international community. In 2000, ADRA Australia was granted full accreditation for five years by the Australian Government, a status which was renewed in 2006. In 2004, ADRA Australia became an incorporated, legal company.
Today, ADRA Australia employs 22 staff at its office in Sydney, NSW, is represented by a Director of ADRA Services in each regional Adventist Conference Office and receives support from hundreds of volunteers around the country. In the past year, it assisted approximately 170,000 people in need in 15 countries and managed a program budget of more than $11 million. Currently, the ADRA network has a presence in 125 countries and employs approximately 4000 staff.
ADRA Australia is a non-government organisation (NGO)
engaging in sustainable community development and emergency management for
people in
For directions to
Media Enquiries:
Candice Jaques
p 02 9489 5488
m 0407 172 305
e news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
- www.adra.org.au
