The following is taken from Mobilise! 36, July 1993, the newsletter of the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (Inc.), page 6.
NZAVS BOOK LAUNCH: |
As WDLA 1993 approached, driving rain and cold southerlies swept New Zealand. NZAVS' book ANIMAL RESEARCH T A K E S LIVES - Humans and Animals BOTH Suffer was being launched to the public in the main centres on Friday 23 April. In Christchurch Natalie Taylor reports that though a small group stuck the day out in awful conditions rain ruined proceedings. By a miracle it cleared to be cold but beautiful for Doreen and Rick Hills in Nelson. In Wellington organisers were greatly relieved when rain eased and a watery sun struggled through to give us the joy of its presence for the Rally in Civic Square, central Wellington.
By midday an assembly of approximately 150 had converged. As no money had been spent on advertising the event this was encouraging and it was good to see familiar faces from around the country. At conclusion of Bette Overell's address she presented Meredith Smith, representative of the Wellington Central Library with a copy of the book. This signifies that the book is accepted for public reading and not censored off the shelves. Members are urged to ask their libraries to purchase extra copies from NZAVS.
After the presentation Anita Spencer was kept busy taking book money which flew in thick and fast. Bette Overell was 45 minutes flat-out autographing copies. At conclusion sales totalled $725. This exceeded all our expectations as no financial outlay whatsoever had been sunk into the event. Through medium of Mobilise! we thank those who invested in the book, which, if read and thoroughly digested... is a lifesaver.
At 7p.m. Simone Downey's well-organised and marvellously successful fund-raising gig took place at Thistle Hall. On the following Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday stalls were set up in central Wellington at which ANIMAL RESEARCH T A K E S LIVES - Humans and Animals BOTH Suffer was made available to the public. Reports are that business was brisk and the public, which gave $137.45 in donations to NZAVS, was extremely interested in the book and favourable and sympathetic to the work of the Society.
This then was the scene in New Zealand's capital city on World Day for Laboratory Animals 1993. Members who could not be present to assist on the day have the following people to thank for the high profile enjoyed by NZAVS at the launch of the Society's book... ANIMAL RESEARCH T A K E S LIVES - Humans and Animals BOTH Suffer:
Kate Ansell, Simon Cottle, Phil Clayton, Simone Downey, Marky Dunick, Debbie & Joanne Garrett, Dominic Hammond, Bette & John Overell, Kalya Sowden, Anita Spencer, Martin & Rose Willamson (video), Dave Workman, Ross, Lyn, Tom, Max, Lou - and others.
Special thanks to Debra Ashton who arranged an interview between Bette Overell and Bill Ralston on Radio 2ZB talkback on 22 April 1993, and who approached leading bookshops resulting in purchase of the book by Whitcoulls, Bennett's Bookshops and the University Book Centre. Debra also organised the Library presentation which was the highlight of the rally.
Select this link to view
ANIMAL RESEARCH T A K E S LIVES - Humans and Animals BOTH Suffer
Select this link to read Bette Overell's address to the launch