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Contact Details
PO Box 1062 North Sydney NSW 2059
Ph 0412-427-343
Our Mission
Updated
2005 SGM
The Pagan Awareness Network Inc (PAN Inc) aims to:·
- correct misinformation, raise awareness and educate the general public
about Paganism and associated beliefs and practises in order to achieve
religious tolerance·
- foster the growth of the Pagan community through service
What is PAN Inc?
The Pagan Awareness Network Incorporated (PAN Inc) is a not-for-profit
educational association with members Australia-wide. It is run by a management
committee whose members are drawn from a broad cross-section of the Pagan
community. The Association is incorporated in the state of New South Wales, with
sub-committees in other states of Australia. It has no formal ties with any
religious body, but works proactively both within the Pagan community and as a
point of contact for the public, including government and media organisations.
PAN Inc aims to continue as the Australian Pagan community’s most effective
networking and educational body.
Brief History
The Pagan Awareness Network began in January 1997 when the Witches League for
Public Awareness (Salem Mass. USA) withdrew their regional controllers. I was
the Australian representative and with the support of the coven I worked with,
had already embarked upon the task of making the WLPA a registered organisation
here in Australia when this happened. Rather than waste all the work we had
already done I decided to start a new group here in Australia and we came up
with the Pagan Awareness Network (PAN). It was around the same time that we
decided to register a Church (SOTEG) and to make PAN the educational arm of that
Church, to save both time and money. PAN started out with a web site and
information pamphlets that aimed to get the truth out there about what Pagans
are and what they really do. March the 23rd 1997 was the first Public Full Moon
Circle PAN held and was very successful. These still continue every month in
Seven Hills. In June as part of SOTEG, we held our first public Sabbat, Yule.
This was a huge success and almost 200 people turned up as well as Channel 9. On
the 30th of September the Pagan Awareness Network split with SOTEG Inc and
became an entity in its own right, incorporating on the 15th of October 1997 and
officially becoming the Pagan Awareness Network Inc.
We have responded to many issues in the press and had most of our responses
published. Hopefully we will continue to attract more of the positive media
coverage that
we received throughout 2003 see the media page for
detail. We have an ongoing relationship with many reporters to keep the
correct information about Paganism in the public arena. If you thought 2002 was big, well 2003 was positively huge in relation
to media involvement and the general increase in the awareness of organisations
like PAN; our membership base has increased dramatically. It seemed that throughout 2003, not a month passed by without PAN Inc
contributing to a news item, whether radio or print journalism, on a
local, regional or national level. PAN Inc's involvement with the Casey issue
continues and David Garland appeared on "A Current
Affair" Ch 9 to make comment on the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001
Victoria.
We have continued to maintain our political involvement; liasing with State and Federal Governments regarding issues that affect Pagans
and to support and promote religious tolerance. In the past we have made
submissions to State Attorney Generals on proposed legislation and changes to
laws including the Witchcraft laws in VIC and Knife legislation and Religious
Discrimination Laws in SA.
We will continue to lobby the State and Federal
Governments to ensure the basic rights of Pagans in Australia are protected and
or become recognised.
We have run a couple of social events, an annual picnic,
social BBQs and Ghost Tours combined with the
successful backing of Pagan 98 in Queensland. 2002 saw us launch the first Pagan
Pride Day in Sydney. 2003 saw us host our first ever winter gathering: Hollyfrost
which was a resounding success. Aimed specifically at families wanting to
celebrate the solstice together we made merry and feasted under the Yule tree in
Western Sydney. Hollyfrost is now about to turn 5.
Our
Full Moon Circles have run continuously since March 1997 never missing
one, rain hail or shine. The association has a
number of subcommittees that run events, workshops and gatherings to ensure the
diverse nature of the Pagan community is catered for. Look
here to see who they are and what they do.
2004 PAN Inc continued
the Magick Happens tradition and maintained the fantastic community spirit that
Rowan started with this event.
We have continued to grow over the years to the
point where we publish our own monthly bi-newsletter called The Small Tapestry and an
annual called The Tapestry in house including printing.
The future promises to be
exciting for PAN Inc and the wider Pagan community. With our members
support, we will continue to deliver and grow as an association.
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