AUSTRALIAN SANGHA ASSOCIATION ONLINE AGM AND CONFERENCE 2025 March 11, 10:30AM - 5:00PM AEST
About:
Our Host
The conference is brought to you by the 2024-2025 ASA committee.
How to Register
Please use the links provided in the mailout, or go to (**insert web link).
Presenters and Topics
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The Crisis in Myanmar and How Australian Buddhists Should Respond
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Additional Special Topic TBC
The Schedule
10.30am - 12:00pm: ASA AGM
BREAK
3:00pm-3:30pm: Speaker Session 1
The Crisis in Myanmar and How Australian Buddhists Should Respond
Mrs. Sandra Blackham
3:30pm-4:00pm Speaker Session 2
Additional special topic TBC
4:15pm: Breakout Session
Additional special topic TBC
5pm: Conference concludes
Speaker Profiles
Sandra Blackham
Mrs. Sandra Blackham (mostly known as Sandra TinTinHla in the Burmese Community) is an
active community leader, advocate, and public servant with a lifelong commitment to supporting the Burmese community. Born in Rangoon, Burma, (now Yangon, Myanmar) in 1950, she pursued higher education at the Institute of Economics, earning a Bachelor of Commerce and CPA qualification in 1974. Her journey has been defined by a dedication to service, both professionally and within the community, making a lasting impact in Australia and beyond.
Her professional journey began at the American Embassy in Rangoon, where she worked until 1980 before migrating to Australia. In Perth, she spent a decade at Elders Pastoral, serving in Personnel and as the Paymaster. She currently works as a Burmese translator and interpreter.
In response to the military coup in Burma on February 1, 2021, Mrs. Blackham played a pivotal role in uniting Burmese ethnic communities in Western Australia, organizing the largest demonstration at the WA Parliament House on 14 February 2021.
As the President of the Mingala Thukha Buddhist Association (Inc.), she actively promotes and preserves Burmese traditions and culture. Additionally, in her role as Chairperson of Friends of Burma, she continues to be a strong advocate for the Burmese people.
A dedicated public servant, Mrs. Blackham has been a Justice of the Peace for 26 years, also presided at the Central Law Courts. Beyond her professional and community commitments, she is a devoted wife, mother, and proud grandmother to three beautiful grandsons and one granddaughter.
Introductory Blurb:
The Crisis in Myanmar and How Australian Buddhists Should Respond
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup on February 1, 2021, when the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) seized power from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Initial peaceful protests and the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) were met with brutal massacres. Myanmar has plunged into brutal civil war.
The four-year-long war against the military dictatorship has exacted a staggering human cost: 6,000 civilians deaths, 25,000 political prisoners, 3.5 million internally displaced people, villages burned and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
The military regime commits daily atrocities—executions, airstrikes, severe human rights abuses and forced conscription—driving professionals and youth to flee, worsening the country’s brain drain. Despite the heroic resistance of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), the world remains largely silent.
Many Australians remain unaware of the true scale of suffering in Myanmar. Organizing educational events, social media campaigns, and public talks can help inform people and encourage more support. The people of Myanmar are fighting for their freedom against a ruthless dictatorship.
Silence is not an option.
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