Traveling Temple Australia -- Woolongong Banned From RSL Hall Because of Dhotis

A group of Hare Krishnas campaigning for the release of sect members in the Soviet Union attracted a small gathering of sympathisers to Wollongong Town Hall last night. It was their second attempt to conduct the meeting after being turned away from the Illawarra Leagues Club the previous occasion. The Hare Krishna members are travelling Australia in a special bus to make public the plight of Soviet devotees they claim have been thrown into prison and asylums because of their beliefs. They're taking up a petition during their travels which they hope the Australian government will present to the Russian embassy.

Wollongong Council came to their rescue with a venue for a 20-minute lecture after being refused access to Willawarra Leagues Club where officials insisted the sect members did not meet dress regulations. We've taken it to the anti-discrimination board. We feel that if someone advertises for a hall or a room to the general public then they should not discriminate. a local priest came forward to us and mentioned that he goes to that club he wears his collar and he doesn't get told to leave because of his dress so similarly we should not be discriminated against because of the dress we have as far as the shoes or the thongs are concerned that wasn't the issue the issue was the clothing we don't mind wearing shoes in fact I wear shoes all the time in the winter months it's the dress that they knocked us back on The town hall echoed to the familiar chant of the Hare Krishnas for about half an hour before those attending were served a six-course vegetarian meal.

Now the Krishnas are taking their travelling campaign south. Despite the situation with the Illawarra Leagues Club, we've had a lot of support. We're very happy with the general response by the public around the Wollongong area and from there we're going down to Batemans Bay. We'll be there to see the tall ships come in and we'll continue our campaign and eventually we'll end up in Canberra at the Soviet Embassy to present all our signatures to the Soviets during the bicentennial year.

And it'll be our contribution to the Australian bicentenary showing that Australia supports human rights and religious freedom. Bega Valley dairy farmers say they've reached a crisis.