Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
CANBERRA FORUM A REAL SUCCESS
A leading Canberra forum featuring speakers including the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader is set to expand following a partnership agreement signed this week.
Since it started almost five years ago, the St Thomas More Forum in Campbell has hosted more than 30 forums and nearly 50 speakers to become an integral part of Canberra’s intellectual life.
Now, with the signing of an agreement with Archdiocesan organisation CatholicLIFE, the
forum aims to become a leader among the many public forums in the nation’s capital.
“The forum has been a huge success, with audiences in the hundreds,” founder Bill Mason said. “Some have been quite fiery as you can imagine. Tony Abbott was our first speaker; we’ve had Kevin Rudd, Peter Garrett, other Cabinet Ministers, Cardinal George Pell, union leaders, academics and departmental secretaries. There is no shortage of speakers and we have a very full program for the next three years.
Mr Mason started the forum, with a team of parishioners from the parish of St. Thomas More in Canberra to support Christians in public life and to provide a platform, or a public square, for them to express their views.
“At the time it wasn’t that popular to step out in the public limelight demonstrating Catholic or Christian principles, the father-of-four said. The forum has gone beyond a St. Thomas More parish initiative run by volunteers and it is exciting to be able to take it to the next level.”
CatholicLIFE’s expert team will help the forum reach a national, and global, audience via the Internet and social networking sites.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge praised Mr Mason’s energy and creativity.
“The forum has uniquely added to the profile of the Church in Canberra and has contributed not insignificantly to the life of Canberra as well,” Archbishop Coleridge said. “The forum punches above its weight and this partnership will ensure that continues into the future.”
Media inquiries: Felicity de Fombelle: 0411 246 170 * Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce and Labor Senator Ursula Stephens will speak at the next forum on May 12.
Since it started almost five years ago, the St Thomas More Forum in Campbell has hosted more than 30 forums and nearly 50 speakers to become an integral part of Canberra’s intellectual life.
Now, with the signing of an agreement with Archdiocesan organisation CatholicLIFE, the
forum aims to become a leader among the many public forums in the nation’s capital.
“The forum has been a huge success, with audiences in the hundreds,” founder Bill Mason said. “Some have been quite fiery as you can imagine. Tony Abbott was our first speaker; we’ve had Kevin Rudd, Peter Garrett, other Cabinet Ministers, Cardinal George Pell, union leaders, academics and departmental secretaries. There is no shortage of speakers and we have a very full program for the next three years.
Mr Mason started the forum, with a team of parishioners from the parish of St. Thomas More in Canberra to support Christians in public life and to provide a platform, or a public square, for them to express their views.
“At the time it wasn’t that popular to step out in the public limelight demonstrating Catholic or Christian principles, the father-of-four said. The forum has gone beyond a St. Thomas More parish initiative run by volunteers and it is exciting to be able to take it to the next level.”
CatholicLIFE’s expert team will help the forum reach a national, and global, audience via the Internet and social networking sites.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge praised Mr Mason’s energy and creativity.
“The forum has uniquely added to the profile of the Church in Canberra and has contributed not insignificantly to the life of Canberra as well,” Archbishop Coleridge said. “The forum punches above its weight and this partnership will ensure that continues into the future.”
Media inquiries: Felicity de Fombelle: 0411 246 170 * Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce and Labor Senator Ursula Stephens will speak at the next forum on May 12.
Tags: Forum, More, Press, Release, St., Thomas, sttmf
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