Charlie Pahlman died tragically on 19 January, while on holiday in Samoa with his family.

Charlie joined Oxfam as field representative for our program in Laos in 1994 and ensured the smooth transition to full management by national staff when he left in 1996. He had lived in Thailand and Laos since 1987, first working as a volunteer, and through the rest of his life was driven by a real passion for the Mekong region and its diverse communities. Charlie's work was key to the eventual development of the Oxfam Mekong Initiative, linking grassroots community programs with advocacy about the impacts of major infrastructure development.

Charlie returned to Australia in 1996, and worked until 2001 as our Community Campaigner in the ACT. From Oxfam, he moved to work with the ACT Council of Social Services. In 2004 he stood as a Greens candidate in the elections for the ACT Legislative Assembly.

His death leaves a great gap in the lives of a great number of us in Australia, Laos, Thailand and elsewhere; but no small part of the work we are continuing to do was made more possible by his vision and efforts.

We extend our sympathies to Charlie's partner Pam Boyer; to his daughters, Tina and Kari; to his former wife and always close friend, Christine; to his mother Ana Lena; his father Ragnar, and his brother Andrew.

By Mark Deasey.

Jocelyn Houghton died at Freemasons Hospital on 25 December. Jocelyn was a driving force of the Oxfam Community Aid Abroad Canterbury Group for some 40 years. She worked tirelessly to support Oxfam Community Aid Abroad and to bring about positive change in the world.

Jocie's organisational skills formed the basis of the success of the Canterbury Group. She kept detailed records, filed conscientiously, and over the years held every office, often filling dual roles.

In 1977, she was awarded the honour of the Order of Australia Medal for her dedication and commitment to the work of OxfamAUS. Jocie's contribution to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad was outstanding and she will be greatly missed.

By members of the Canterbury Group.

"I am a curious sort of person so I think being a librarian is a very good job for me," says Janet Buick, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad's Resource Centre Coordinator. Janet has been managing our Resource Centre since 1996 and believes we have one of the best specialist development collections in Australia, rivalling academic libraries.

Our Resource Centre is home to some 15,000 separate items, including books, journals, videos, kits, pamphlets, CD ROMs and posters. The collection covers broad development themes, including disaster management, gender, community development, country information and human rights. Our staff use the library to access specialist information relating to programs and campaigns - without access to such knowledge, we would not be able to operate at the professional level that we do. The centre is also open to the public, with many university students using the collection.

"It shows that we have a commitment to learning and that we are a forward-thinking organisation," says Janet, who has been actively involved with Oxfam Community Aid Abroad as a group member and donor since the 1980s. Five volunteers work with Janet to run the centre, playing a crucial role. "They really are the backbone of this place."

So what's in store for the future? Janet explains she'd like to expand the collection and further integrate it into the overall knowledge sharing strategy of the agency. "I think the collection is a precious resource and one we need to look after."

The Melbourne-based Resource Centre is open to the public from 9-5pm Tuesdays to Thursdays at 132 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053. To find out more, call Janet on (03) 9289 9444 or email janetb@oxfam.org.au

Trish Cowcher is a member of Oxfam Community Aid Abroad's Board.

How did you first get involved with Oxfam Community Aid Abroad?

I was inspired by staff members Joan Carlin and Scott Christie, who developed local groups in Perth in the late 1970s. Since the mid 1980s, I've been involved as a donor, a volunteer and a state committee member, and worked as a community campaigner in Perth.

What do you like about being on the Board?

I enjoy working with like-minded and extremely talented volunteers and staff. I feel I have so much to learn and am grateful that I have the opportunity to bring my skills and perspectives to the table.

What do you see as the purpose of the Board?

I see our purpose as setting the strategic direction and focus of the agency. I believe it is crucial that we strengthen our links with the Australian community in order to maintain the relevance, credibility and integrity of our national and international campaigns and programs.

What sort of work have you done?

I've worked on peace and social justice issues. I currently work as an electoral officer for a Greens Member of Parliament in WA.

What inspired you to be involved in this work?

I am aware of the privileged position I have in this world. I feel I have a responsibility and the opportunity to help create a better world. What keeps me going is those small successes - when our policy is adopted or when we really make a difference to people's lives.

What do you do to escape?

I like reading feminist crime fiction! I am also trying to learn French at the moment. And keeping up with two teenage children keeps my mind open to new challenges!

Imagine cycling over 30,000 kilometres across 18 countries over the period of one year? That's exactly what cycling enthusiasts Ed Bourke and Gaye Couchman are going to do, all in aid of raising funds for Oxfam Community Aid Abroad and realising their ultimate dream.

Next March, the husband and wife team will take off from London's Trafalgar Square on a journey of a life time. Apart from each other, all they will have with them is their bikes, their gear and hopefully a whole lot of energy. They'll be cycling from London through Europe to the Middle East then to central Asia. After the mountainous terrain of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China, they'll cycle through south-east Asia and then fly on to Darwin, from where they will ride across Australia to end up in Melbourn''s Federation Square. Their journey, aptly named 'Long Way Home', has been organised as a fundraiser for Oxfam Community Aid Abroad.

"We'd like people to sponsor us to undertake the ride," explains Gaye, who lives in Anglesea in Victoria. "We're hoping to get a lot of media and corporate sponsorship." The couple are aiming to raise $50,000, all of which will go to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad. Gaye and Ed will cover all their costs during their journey.

"Both my husband and I are experienced cyclists, having operated commercial cycling expeditions through outback Australia for several years and completed a 23,000km self-supported cycling journey around Australia," says Gaye. "This journey is something that we have wanted to do for years - it's been a dream of ours."

Gaye and Ed will start their Long Way Home journey in London in April and return to Melbourne by April 2006. If you would like to sponsor their ride, with funds going to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, please visit www.longwayhome.org