Learn more about the Association, who we are, and what we do.
About PAN
PAN Inc is a not-for-profit educational association with members Australia-wide. The management committee are drawn from a broad cross-section of the Pagan community.
The Association is incorporated in the state of New South Wales. It has no formal ties with any religious body. We work proactively, both within the Pagan community and as a point of contact for the general public, government, and media organisations.
PAN Inc is the Australian Pagan community's most effective networking and educational body.
The Association is incorporated in the state of New South Wales. It has no formal ties with any religious body. We work proactively, both within the Pagan community and as a point of contact for the general public, government, and media organisations.
PAN Inc is the Australian Pagan community's most effective networking and educational body.
1. Actively correct misinformation
2. Raise community awareness
3. Educate
4. Foster the growth of the Pagan community
2. Raise community awareness
3. Educate
4. Foster the growth of the Pagan community
Inclusive
Sustainable
Creative
Collaborative
Empowering
Sustainable
Creative
Collaborative
Empowering
Members may view copies of the financial statements at the AGM each year, or can by appointment with the public officer at any reasonable time.
PAN began in January 1997. David Garland, the Australian rep of the Witches League for Public Awareness (Salem Mass. USA), supported by his coven, moved towards making the WLPA a registered organisation here in Australia. When the WLPA withdrew, rather than waste all the existing work, David started an Australian group called the Pagan Awareness Network , affectionately called ‘PAN’.
PAN started out with a website and information pamphlets to inform Australia about what Paganism.
On March the 23rd 1997 PAN held its first Public Full Moon Circle, which was very successful. In the June of the same year, as part of SOTEG (Servants of the Elder Gods), the first public Sabbat was held at Yule. A huge success - almost 200 people turned up, along with a Channel 9 film crew.
On the 30th of September PAN split with SOTEG Inc and became an entity in its own right, incorporating on the 15th of October 1997.
We have responded to many issues and had our responses published. We have an ongoing relationship with many reporters to keep the correct information about Paganism in the public arena.
2003 was a positively huge year in relation to media involvement and the general increase in the awareness of organisations like PAN; our membership base 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 was involved with resolving a religious vilification issue in Casey (south east Melbourne) 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; liaising with State and Federal Governments regarding issues that affect Pagans; supporting and promoting religious tolerance. We have made submissions to State Attorney Generals on proposed legislation, contributing to changes including the Witchcraft laws in VIC, and the Knife legislation and Religious Discrimination Laws in SA.
We 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 many social and ritual events over the years. These have included an annual picnic, social BBQs and Ghost Tours. PAN successfully backed Pagan 98 in Queensland and 2002 saw us launch the first Pagan Pride Day in Sydney. Our family winter solstice gathering, Hollyfrost, first ran in 2003 and continues to be a resounding success. Our Sydney Full Moon Circles have run continuously since March 1997. They run rain hail or shine and we now support several other full moon circles running regularly around the country.
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. We have continued to grow over the years. We used to publish a single page monthly newsletter, which has now evolved into a member magazine called ‘The Small Tapestry’.
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.
PAN started out with a website and information pamphlets to inform Australia about what Paganism.
On March the 23rd 1997 PAN held its first Public Full Moon Circle, which was very successful. In the June of the same year, as part of SOTEG (Servants of the Elder Gods), the first public Sabbat was held at Yule. A huge success - almost 200 people turned up, along with a Channel 9 film crew.
On the 30th of September PAN split with SOTEG Inc and became an entity in its own right, incorporating on the 15th of October 1997.
We have responded to many issues and had our responses published. We have an ongoing relationship with many reporters to keep the correct information about Paganism in the public arena.
2003 was a positively huge year in relation to media involvement and the general increase in the awareness of organisations like PAN; our membership base 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 was involved with resolving a religious vilification issue in Casey (south east Melbourne) 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; liaising with State and Federal Governments regarding issues that affect Pagans; supporting and promoting religious tolerance. We have made submissions to State Attorney Generals on proposed legislation, contributing to changes including the Witchcraft laws in VIC, and the Knife legislation and Religious Discrimination Laws in SA.
We 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 many social and ritual events over the years. These have included an annual picnic, social BBQs and Ghost Tours. PAN successfully backed Pagan 98 in Queensland and 2002 saw us launch the first Pagan Pride Day in Sydney. Our family winter solstice gathering, Hollyfrost, first ran in 2003 and continues to be a resounding success. Our Sydney Full Moon Circles have run continuously since March 1997. They run rain hail or shine and we now support several other full moon circles running regularly around the country.
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. We have continued to grow over the years. We used to publish a single page monthly newsletter, which has now evolved into a member magazine called ‘The Small Tapestry’.
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.
The Pagan Awareness Network Inc (PAN) is committed to making its spaces and events inclusive and safe for everyone.
PAN, its spaces and events, are inclusive of all people. Exclusionary behaviour is not tolerated, including but not limited to excluding persons with disabilities in general or excluding transgender women from women’s events and spaces, or transgender men from men’s events and spaces.
PAN will always endeavour to ensure everyone is treated with respect and without discrimination. As such PAN will not accept discrimination on the following grounds, including but not limited to: ableism, transphobia and transmisogyny, queerphobia, racism, religion, ageism, occupation, class, sexism, or migration status.
Participation in any event or part of any event or space is voluntary. At all PAN spaces and events consent is essential at all times.
PAN will not tolerate verbal, physical, or sexual violence, or threats of physical or sexual violence.
PAN is committed to the protection and safety of children and will not tolerate any behaviour that endangers minors. PAN will undertake every action to make our spaces and events as safe as possible for children and adult survivors of trauma.
This Safe Spaces Policy shall apply to all spaces and events under PAN’s auspices.
PAN, its spaces and events, are inclusive of all people. Exclusionary behaviour is not tolerated, including but not limited to excluding persons with disabilities in general or excluding transgender women from women’s events and spaces, or transgender men from men’s events and spaces.
PAN will always endeavour to ensure everyone is treated with respect and without discrimination. As such PAN will not accept discrimination on the following grounds, including but not limited to: ableism, transphobia and transmisogyny, queerphobia, racism, religion, ageism, occupation, class, sexism, or migration status.
Participation in any event or part of any event or space is voluntary. At all PAN spaces and events consent is essential at all times.
PAN will not tolerate verbal, physical, or sexual violence, or threats of physical or sexual violence.
PAN is committed to the protection and safety of children and will not tolerate any behaviour that endangers minors. PAN will undertake every action to make our spaces and events as safe as possible for children and adult survivors of trauma.
This Safe Spaces Policy shall apply to all spaces and events under PAN’s auspices.