Queer Town is a Melbourne-based, queer-owned and led organisation delivering impactful education, training, and digital content on LGBTIQA+ allyship and inclusion.

Founded by CEO Archie Beetle (they/them) in 2018, Queer Town has become the trusted go-to training provider for leading institutions such as the Australian Ballet, GMHBA, and Cotton On Group. With a proven track record of driving meaningful cultural change in schools, workplaces, and events, both nationally and internationally, Queer Town creates environments where LGBTIQA+ people of all ages feel safe, valued, and celebrated for their authentic selves.

The post Saturday, 16th, November, 2024: Archie Beetle, Queer Town Winner Melbourne Awards, LGBTIQA+ Category appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 16th, November, 2024: High Court Judgement, Catholic Church and Child Sex Abuse, Michael Magazanic appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 16th, November, 2024: David Locke CEO AFCA (Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Updates appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 16th, November, 2024: Misha Ketchell, Editor The Conversation: Trump, Aus Elections, Social Media Bans and More appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

In this panel and workshop, the Victorian Pride Centre and Transgender Victoria bring together people with lived experiences of racism, ableism, and transphobia who also have significant expertise in facilitating organisational change. Together they will challenge us to explore proactive ways that we can ‘channel our rage’, accommodating our own and others’ trauma, in order to speak back to structural oppression as individuals, leaders, employees, activists and collaborators.

A panel discussion facilitated by Errol Amerasekera (author of ‘The Anti Racist Organisation’) and Dr. Son Vivienne (author of ‘Queering Safe Spaces’) You will have an opportunity to meet and get to know diverse community members, and legendary activists including Transgender Victoria’s staff and Committee members.

The post Saturday 16th November, 2024: Son Vivienne, CEO TVG, Channelling the Rage: Speaking back to structural oppression at the Intersections of Trans Wellbeing appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 16th November, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Fiona appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

In the early 1950s, at the height of the Abstract Expressionist movement, a new avant-garde began to emerge from a relationship between two young artists. From their run-down New York studios, Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns began a private creative dialogue that introduced everyday signs, objects, and media into their work, collapsing the distinction between art and life. While their relationship would end after seven years, their art would continue to radiate the new ideas of their creative exchange.

This exhibition will draw upon the National Gallery’s Kenneth Tyler Collection of prints with works by both artists produced between 1967 and 1973, and holdings of key works by their predecessors and contemporaries.

In 1953, on the corner of a New York City street, Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008, United States) met Jasper Johns (b 1930, United States). These two young artists fell in love at a time when it was illegal to be in a same-sex relationship. It was also a time when New York’s artistic culture was dominated by Abstract Expressionism, an art movement of expressive gestures arising from the self or inner psyche. Not wanting to publicly expose their feelings and desires through art, Rauschenberg and Johns began a private creative dialogue, introducing everyday signs, objects and media into their work to create a distinctive, coded visual style. While their relationship would end in 1961, this formative exchange resonated throughout their lives and art. They became two of America’s most celebrated artists of the twentieth century.

In the late 1960s both Rauschenberg and Johns worked with celebrated printmaker Kenneth Tyler to create ground-breaking works in lithography and screen-print. Their experimental engagement with print processes made them important figures in the revival of printmaking in the United States. Expanding on ideas developed in their private creative dialogue, Rauschenberg and Johns helped reshape American printmaking.

https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/rauschenberg-johns/

The post Saturday, 9th November, 2024: National Gallery of Australia Curator David Greenhalgh: RAUSCHENBERG & JOHNS Exhibition appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 9th, November, 2024: Josh Burns, MP McNamara, Federal Govt Update: Trump Re-Election appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 9th, November, 2024: Simon Ruth, CEO Thorne Harbour Health. MPOX/HIV-AIDs Updates and more appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/nick-reece-wins-race-for-melbourne-lord-mayor-over-greens-20241107-p5kon0.html

Nick is also an executive at the University of Melbourne and principal fellow at the Melbourne School of Government.

The post Saturday, 9th, November, 2024: Nick Reece, City of Melbourne, New Lord Mayor. and US Election Discussion appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 9th, November, 2024: Van Badham, Journalist and Playwright, Aftermath of Donald Trump’s Re-Election. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Janet and Macca discuss the aftermath of the 2024 US Presidential Election.

Janet is currently Deputy Chair for both No To Violence (peak body working with men to end family violence) and the National LGBTI Health Alliance (National Peak Body for LGBTIQ+ community controlled organisations), and has recently participated in advisory committees to establish a Pride Centre Victoria and the Marriage Equality Victorian Campaign.

A recurrent theme in Janet’s professional and voluntary work is a desire to see an improvement in the human dignity of those who are made vulnerable within our communities. Janet is concerned with making a sustainable difference and this been the key reason for her continued investment of her time energy and expertise in strong and effective LGBTIQ+ community-controlled organisations such as Thorne Harbour Health.

This weekly wrap up they discuss what’s coming up on this week’s show and they discuss the USA Presidential Election debate.

The post Saturday, 9th, November, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Janet Jukes and Macca: The Aftermath of the 2024 US Presidential Election.  appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow (non-resident) at the United States Studies Centre. Bruce is a regular contributor on US politics across media platforms in Australia. In recent years, Bruce has worked with the Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama’s first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM’s chief of staff. From 1998-2009, Bruce was a senior executive at Fairfax Media in Sydney.

Bruce is author of Trump’s Australia, an examination of Donald Trump’s possible return to the presidency and the issues presented to Australia (Allen & Unwin, 2023), The Committee, a study of President Obama’s legislative agenda in Congress (University of Michigan Press, 2018, 2d Edition September 2021) and Lobbying Congress: How The System Works (Congressional Quarterly Books, 1990, 1996).

The post Saturday 2nd November, 2024: Bruce Wolpe-United States Studies Centre, Final Update on US Elections appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 2nd November, 2024: Paul Zahra- Australian Retailers Association, Update of Australia’s Current Retail Landscape appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 2nd November, 2024: New initiative of Justice-of-the Peace, Dean Beck, Document Signing available at Vic Pride Centre appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Victoria’s pill testing trial aims to reduce harm and save lives.

The pill testing service, also known as drug checking, will commence at the start of the summer 2024-2025 festival season and run for 18 months.

Victoria has seen a rise in drug-related emergency department admissions and overdose deaths involving novel synthetic drugs. Victorian paramedics responded to more drug overdoses at festivals in the first three months of 2024, than during all of 2023.

A mobile service will begin during this summer’s music festival season and will attend up to 10 festivals and events throughout the trial. A fixed site, due to open in mid-2025 will be co-located at a health service and operate from inner Melbourne, close to nightlife and transport.

The Department of Health will soon begin a procurement process to identify the most appropriate provider to operate the service.

The drug checking technology available at services can test the make-up of most pills, capsules, powders, crystals, or liquids and identify harmful chemicals that can lead to death or serious harm.

Trained harm reduction peer workers and technical experts will be present during drug testing. They will provide information about what is in the drug and give personalized and confidential harm reduction advice to help people make informed decisions.

Changes to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 will allow the trial to be introduced along with protections for the services, for its staff, and for its clients – so no one is breaking the law by operating or using the testing service.

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/alcohol-and-drugs/victorias-pill-testing-trial

The post Saturday 2nd November, 2024: Ingrid Stitt, State ALP MP, Minister for Mental Health: Pill Testing Legislation. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

A co-founding Director of Tanck, Angus brings with him a significant understanding of the political process and executive functions of government. Having worked directly to minsters as a policy and political advisor, Angus understands the inner workings of government decision making and brings this knowledge and understanding with him to every engagement.

Angus spent the better part of his ministerial career working within the social portfolios of education, communities, disability services and seniors, as well as being an advisor within an economic super portfolio covering infrastructure, agriculture, trade, and tourism. In these portfolios he worked on small grants schemes through to major infrastructure programs and bilateral agreements of more than $4billion. Angus also spent time working through the process for State budget bids as well as bilateral agreements between the States and Commonwealth governments, often liaising directly with parliamentarians from government and the opposition.

Since leaving politics, Angus has worked with a variety of social sector and purpose-led organisations and leaders, supporting them to create and embed systems for effective government engagement and advocacy. Angus has experience supporting clients in every state and jurisdiction in Australia, having helped clients achieve sector firsts in the delivery of ministerial policy statements through to improved funding certainty and associated outcomes. Underpinning these successes is Angus’ ability to connect with people, understand their mission, and work alongside them to accomplish their goals and objectives.

A proud member and advocate of the LGBTIQ+ community, Angus was Co-Convenor of Rainbow Labor in Queensland.

The post Saturday 2nd November, 2024: Angus Crowther, Queensland Election Analysis + Victorian Local Government Election: What next? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 2nd November, 2024; Melbourne Smashers and Western Swifts- LGBTQIA BADMINTON appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 2nd November, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 19th October, 2024: Special Update, John Pesutto, Victorian State Opposition Leader. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

James is highly experienced in the areas of construction management and property development. Showcasing his strong leadership skills, he moved into the role of CEO at Unison Housing, and led project teams from inception to delivery of key Unison developments including the recent UDIA Award-winning project in Footscray.

James started his career in New Zealand delivering Government Housing and more recently in Melbourne working in consultancy as a client-side Project Manager / Superintendent. He has extensive experience in both new builds and residential developments and is transforming Unison into the most sought-after purveyor of social and affordable housing in Melbourne.

James is also a non-executive director on the Board of Community Housing Industry Association, Victoria.

James has a Bachelor of Business Studies (BSS) and a Diploma in Construction Management; and is also a Registered Builder in both Victoria and New Zealand.

Special guest Jonas from Singapore

The post Saturday, 26th, October, 2024, JAMES KING, UNITY COMMUNITY HOUSING appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 26th, October, 2024: Richard Keane, CEO Living Positive, Health and Sexuality Safety Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Informing this role, Son has a background in academia and over 30 years experience in media-production and research across digital self-representation, online activism, queer identities, and rhetorical strategies/feminist practices for speaking and listening across difference. Their work on digital storytelling is published as ‘Digital Identity and Everyday Activism: Sharing Private Stories with Networked Publics’ (Palgrave, 2016).

Their latest 2023 book is called ‘Queering Safe Spaces: Being Brave Beyond Binaries’ available here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781793618849/Queering-Safe-Spaces-Being-Brave-beyond-Binaries

The post Saturday, 26th, October, 2024: Son Vivienne, Transgender Victoria, News and Updates appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 26th, October, 2024: Minister Harriet Shing, Minister for Equality appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

A member of the Intersex community here in Victoria is Paul Byrne-Moroney. Paul was diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome at the age of 28 and is a national advocate for people with X and Y sex chromosome variations. Paul is also a presenter of an Inter-Sex show on Joy.

The post Saturday 26th, October, 2024: Intersex Awareness Week: Paul Byrne-Moroney appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Aiv gives an update on state government issues that are affecting Victorians at the moment.

The post Saturday 26th, October, 2024: Aiv Puglielli, Vic Greens, Member for North Eastern Metropolitan appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 26th, October, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Sally Capp appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Brenda retired in 2009 after 35 years working in the corporate sector and is heavily involved volunteering with a wide range of community groups, including the LGBTQIA+ communities in Melbourne (for more than 25 years).

Brenda was the chair of Transgender Victoria until 2021, and stepped down in 2019, after two terms as the co-chair of the LGBTIQ Taskforce set up by the Victorian Government. Brenda has been a member of the Victoria Mental Health Taskforce, the Senior Victorians Advisory Committee, the NWMPHN Suicide Prevention Taskforce and the Victorian Elder Abuse Roundtable. Brenda served three years on The Pinnacle Foundation Board and was appointed as an ambassador in 2021.

Brenda is enthusiastic about using her lived experience to improve the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people across Victoria. She was inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2017 and in 2018 received a Victoria Senior of the Year award.

Brenda is a retired chartered accountant. She has a Bachelor of Commerce, a Master of Sustainable Practice, and GAICD, and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in January 2019. Brenda was awarded the Voltaire Human Rights Award for 2022 by Liberty Victoria.

Joe is the outgoing CEO of Switchboard Victoria. There, he played a pivotal role in creating the Rainbow Door helpline for family violence and mental health support.

He is part of the Expert Advisory Group for the Federal Government’s 10-year LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Plan.

In his new role as Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Joe will work to support the rights, safety, and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, and asexual communities.

The Commissioner plays a leading role in implementing the Pride in our future strategy. The strategy is the Victorian Government’s 10-year plan for LGBTIQA+ equality. It involves all parts of the government. The Commissioner will help to engage and activate government, sectors, and the community to ensure its implementation.

During a time of increasing discrimination against LGBTIQA+ and other marginalised communities, the Commissioner’s role is even more important. He will work with communities and allies to ensure there are culturally safe and accessible supports in place.’

The post Saturday 19th October, 2024: Joe Ball, Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities and Brenda Appleton – Trans: Seniors Week appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Peter is the son of Egyptian migrant parents and grew up in a housing commission in Melbourne. Peter was elected to federal parliament in 2016 and re-elected by the people of Wills in 2019 and 2022.

He worked the late shift at the local servo, as a cleaner and on building sites whilst studying Law and Arts at Melbourne University, before later attaining a Master of International Laws from ANU.

Peter’s parents instilled in him the importance of giving something back to the country that gave his family so many opportunities. In a career that spanned the public and private sectors, he has worked hard to give back to the country that gave his family a fair go.

Prior to his election, Peter worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, as an Executive Director of SBS and as a Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, where he worked to promote our cultural diversity.

Peter is passionate about creating good, secure local jobs, taking action on climate change, supporting small business, rebuilding Australian manufacturing, investing in quality education and making Australia a world leader in the promotion of human rights through our foreign policy.

Peter lives with his wife and two young children in Pascoe Vale, practices Sundo, plays tennis in his spare time and is a one-eyed Collingwood supporter.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/14/labor-mp-peter-khalil-melbourne-office-brunswick-vandalised-ntwnfb

The post Saturday, 19th October, 2024: Peter Khalil- MEMBER FOR WILLS-Special Envoy for Social Cohesion appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 19th October, 2024: Simon Ruth, CEO Thorne Harbour Health, MPOX, PREP, WORLD AIDS DAY Updates appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The Victorian Government intends to introduce changes to the law that will better protect Victorians from vilification and improve how the law operates.

Vilification is more commonly known as hate speech, but could also be a broader range of acts or behaviour. Vilification undermines Victoria’s social cohesion as a multicultural and inclusive society. The harm caused can be profound, affecting people’s physical and psychological wellbeing, as well as whole communities’ ability to participate in daily life.

The major problem with the existing Victorian law is that it requires proof that the conduct in question incited hatred against the victim. This means that a court has to look into whether a hypothetical third party was incited to hate.

One of the report’s proposals is an alternative test that focuses not on incitement but on the harm caused to the victim. This would give victims an alternative route to prove that vilification has occurred whilst retaining a high bar for restricting freedom of expression by ensuring that the harm done was reasonably foreseeable.

In this way, it fairly balances the right to freedom of expression with the right to freedom from vilification. It’s a reform that has been sought by LGBTIQA+ advocates for over 15 years.

The report also recommends expanding the protected attributes of race and religion to include gender or sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, sex characteristics or intersex status, and HIV/AIDS status.

The post Saturday, 19th October, 2024: Sean Mulcahy, Co-Ordinator Vic Pride Lobby, Anti-vilification Reformed Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 19th October, 2024: Josh Burns, MP MacNamara, Federal Government Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Madeleine discuss the news, views and reviews of the that was.

The post Saturday, 19th October, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Madeleine Swain appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 12th,October, 2024; Dechlan Brennan, Freelance Writer, Government Inquiry into Youth Incarceration appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 12th,October, 2024; Karla Pincott- Centre Independent Studies, Supply Chain Fragility and Impact On Prices appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 12th,October, 2024; Zoe Daniel, Independent Member for Goldstein, Let’s End Gambling Ads Now. HECS Reforms appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Anna Brown OAM is CEO of Equality Australia.  As co-chairperson for the Equality team, Anna played a critical role in the campaign for marriage equality.    Equality Australia is a national organization which supports the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community; providing legal and communications expertise.

The post Saturday, 12th,October, 2024; Anna Brown, CEO, Equality Australia, Update on recent events. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 12 th,October, 2024; Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Angus spent the better part of his ministerial career working within the social portfolios of education, communities, disability services and seniors, as well as being an advisor within an economic super portfolio covering infrastructure, agriculture, trade, and tourism. In these portfolios he worked on small grants schemes through to major infrastructure programs and bilateral agreements of more than $4billion. Angus also spent time working through the process for State budget bids as well as bilateral agreements between the States and Commonwealth governments, often liaising directly with parliamentarians from government and the opposition.

The post Saturday, 5th October, 2024: Angus Crowther, Co-founder Tanck, Victorian Local Government Elections & analysis of City of Melb Mayoral Race appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan  has exposed deep conflicts in the energy transition by allowing households to continue replacing gas cooktops, despite an avowed mission to get the state off ‘fossil’ gas.

The site for the Victorian Gas Substitution Roadmap — announced in 2022 and periodically updated — still heralds “the beginning of the end for gas in homes and small businesses”.

But sparing gas cooktops from the ban on replacing old appliances obscures the end and exposes the plan’s contradictions.

The first is pure politics:  the Victorian government’s love-hate relationship with gas isn’t mirrored at the household level.

Plenty of people love cooking with gas.  And not many enjoy the government removing functional choices about how they cook and heat their homes.

https://www.cis.org.au/commentary/opinion/anti-gas-victoria-faces-some-hard-economic-truths/

The post Saturday 5th, October, 2024: Aidan Morrison, Anti-Gas Victoria Faces Some Hard Economic Truths appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 5th, October, 2024: Negative Gearing-Tim Reardon- Economist – Housing Industry Association appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 5th, October, 2024: Rachel Payne and Fiona Patten: Legalize Cannabis Party Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 5th, October 2024: Paul Gover, Motoring Journalist, Are Electric Vehicles losing their lustre ? appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 5th, October 2024: Georgie Purcell, Animal Justice Party, Victorian Parliament Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 5th, October 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Fiona and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

AFL Grand Final: What is Sports Fanaticism?

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: AFL Grand Final: What is Sports Fanaticism? Dr Paul Bowell PhD Candidate Research appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: Recent announcement of Trans Month in November, upcoming Gender Revel Gala, Hank Paul, Communications and Fundraising Lead TGV appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Prior to entering Parliament, Aiv was an artist, composer and producer working across the independent arts community in Australia. Coming from a background in classical trumpet and composition, he trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) receiving a Diploma of Music Theatre, before jumping across the continent to complete a bachelor’s degree at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).

Following his graduation, Aiv returned to North-Eastern Melbourne, where he grew up, to work alongside fellow artists to cultivate better industrial conditions and drive new productions on the Australian east coast.

Aiv’s artistic work always had a progressive political bent. However, when the pandemic struck, Aiv saw his community of artists and cultural workers left to fend for themselves after the arts sector closed nearly overnight. The devastating impacts of government refusing to provide adequate structural and social supports to the arts drove him to join the Greens and enter politics.

While Aiv is eager to see urgent action on a range of issues including the climate crisis, social inequality, housing affordability and drug law reform, he has a particular passion for issues affecting young people (a voice he notes is often completely excluded from Parliament).

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: Aiv Puglielli, Greens MP and Member for North Eastern Metropolitan appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: World Safe Abortion Day-Brigid Croome, South Australian Abortion Action Coalition Co-Convenor appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024:Professor Tracy Comans, The Centre for Health Services Research, Govt changes to Ageing Australians appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Joe is the outgoing CEO of Switchboard Victoria. There, he played a pivotal role in creating the Rainbow Door helpline for family violence and mental health support.

He is part of the Expert Advisory Group for the Federal Government’s 10-year LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Plan.

In his new role as Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Joe will work to support the rights, safety, and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, and asexual communities.

The Commissioner plays a leading role in implementing the Pride in our future strategy. The strategy is the Victorian Government’s 10-year plan for LGBTIQA+ equality. It involves all parts of the government. The Commissioner will help to engage and activate government, sectors, and the community to ensure its implementation.

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: Joe Ball, Commissioner of LGBTQIA+ Communities appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 28th, September, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 21st September, Bruce Wolpe, Senior Fellow at the Uni.  Sydney’s United States Studies Centre appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 21st, September, 2024: Elvis Martin, Intersectional Story. Advocate for Social Justice, Equality and Sustainability. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 21st, September, 2024: Van Badham, Journalist and Playwright, Fertility Barriers for LGBTQIA+ appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

They discussed  the PrEP shortage in Australia;

• There’s been a lot going on lately for Thorne Harbour, but one of the main concerns at the moment is this shortage of PrEP in Australia. For people who might not know, what is PrEP?
• How extensive is the shortage?
• So, what happens when someone goes to fill a script?
• What can people do to stay safe from HIV in the meantime?

The post Saturday 21st, September, 2024: Simon Ruth, CEO Thorne Harbour Health, Health Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 21st September, 2024: Misha Ketchell, Editor The Conversation appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 21st, September, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Fiona and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 14th September, 2024: Richard Keane, Living Positive, HIV/AIDS, Mpox Updates appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Stephanie is a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University. Her current research focuses on LGBTIQ people’s experience of family, domestic and sexual violence services in Australia. Stephanie has a background in qualitative research, evaluation and program implementation in family and sexual violence sectors, HIV and STI prevention, gender, social change and governance, and gendered violence in post-conflict settings. Prior to joining ARCSHS, she was Director of Prevention programs with Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria (DVRCV).

In this role, she co-led the establishment of a partnership between Rainbow Health Victoria and DVRCV to help mainstream prevention practitioners expand their understanding of the gendered drivers of violence against women to include how these are mapped onto drivers of violence against LGBTIQ people.

Key findings

The report looks at how men described contexts that help them to question or disconnect from harmful ideas of masculinity and presents 5 opportunities to support more men to live freely outside the Man Box:

1. Men see and understand the benefits of emotionally supportive, safe and equitable intimate partner relationships for themselves and their partners
2. Fathers understand how gender norms can influence their parenting and impact their children
3. Men’s families and social networks can support them to let go of harmful ideas about what it means to be a man and can encourage healthy forms of masculinity
4. Men’s increased openness to discuss their mental health and wellbeing can be built upon by gender-transformative primary prevention efforts
5. Workplace initiatives, cultures and reforms provide opportunities to challenge harmful ideas about what it means to be a man.

The report also highlights future directions for primary prevention efforts to engage with men, including:

• the importance of consistent and coordinated settings-based prevention work
• continuing to build evidence of what works to shift harmful forms of masculinity
• supporting media to build men’s willingness, capability and confidence to be part of prevention.

The post Saturday, 14th, September, 2024: Steph Lusby, Manager of Research at Respect Victoria; Willing, capable and confident: men, masculinities and the prevention of violence against women appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

This group is a pilot program and was created in response to the advocacy of two gay men who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, who called for more support options for gay men who have experienced sexual violence.

While all Victorian specialist sexual assault services work with all survivors, including gay men, there wasn’t an accessible group running just for gay men.

The Not Alone Group is a trauma information group for adult gay men who have experienced sexual abuse in childhood. It is an 8-week online pilot group for approximately 8 – 15 attendees using a secure online platform.

• It will be held online, and will start on Thursday 24 October.
• It will be held every Thursday for 8 weeks between 3-5pm.

What the group hopes to offer participants

The group offers participants an opportunity to understand more about how trauma from sexual violence impacts them today in a safe group environment as well as trauma information and tools for support.

It is best suited to men who haven’t received extensive support or information on sexual violence impacts and are seeking a supportive space with other gay men who may have had similar experiences. This group will be delivered by senior counsellor advocates from the three specialist sexual assault services. It will also be evaluated by SASVic.

It is a pilot program, to see if it’s helpful, and if it is, they hope to deliver it again in the future. That’s important to keep in mind if you’re not in the right space to go to a group right now or maybe those dates don’t work for you.

How to enquire

• • • • The specialist sexual assault sector has always worked with all survivors, including gay men and others from LGBTIQA+ communities and has run many groups over the years. However, in the past most groups have been for survivors that have already received therapeutic support from a specialist service. This group is specifically for people who have not yet received extensive support or information on sexual violence.Sexual violence is being forced, pressured or tricked into doing sexual things when you don’t want to. It is often a crime and can take many forms, including child sexual abuse, image-based sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault. It can affect people regardless of sex, gender or sexuality throughout their lives and can be perpetrated by strangers or people who are known to the survivor.Nationally, you can also call 1800RESPECT which is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.If you are interested to find out more, you can call Eastern CASA on 9870 7330 and request to speak with intake.Why are we running the group now?
        • This pilot program was created in response to the advocacy of two gay men who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, who called for more support options for gay men who have experienced sexual violence. They have both assisted in designing the program and will contribute to the program’s delivery and evaluation.

         

        Why is the evaluation important?

        • The program will be evaluated and we hope that if this group is helpful, we can use the feedback from the evaluation to refine it further and apply for funding to run it again in the future for more people.

         

     

    How to get help

    • If this group isn’t what you’re looking for, but you’d like to speak to someone, you can contact a specialist sexual assault service.
    • It can be difficult to speak about sexual violence. Specialist sexual assault services support adults and children who have experienced sexual violence, whether recently or a long time ago.
    • To find and contact your local specialist sexual assault service, you can visit our specialist sexual assault service map found on the SASVic website.
    • (link in the Podcast notes)

     

    During office hours, you can contact your local specialist sexual assault service.(see link to service map)If you have experienced a recent sexual assault or would like after-hours support (5pm-9am), please call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292.
    The Sexual Assault Crisis Line is a state-wide confidential telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault,

  If you are in danger, or have an emergency, please contact emergency services on 000.

The post Saturday 14th September, 2024: Not Alone: A Gay Men’s Trauma Information Group appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 14th September, 2024: Josh Burns, MP McNamara Federal Government and Gambling Rules Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Brodie enlisted as a Rifleman in the Australian Regular Army at the age of 17.

His service, both domestic and international deployments, instilled in him a strong sense of duty and resilience. After his time in the military, Brodie transitioned to a career in healthcare, earning a Bachelor of Nursing. His work as a Registered Nurse spanned various settings such as Paediatrics, Emergency, and General Practice where he honed his skills and developed a deep understanding of healthcare needs, particularly for veterans.

Almost 4,400 veterans sought emergency care for self-harm or suicidal thoughts between 2013 and 20201
• Over a quarter (28.9%) of veterans and over a tenth (13.2%) of active ADF members have felt life was not worth
living2
• Run by veterans for veterans, Medilinks Access urges Australians to advocate for better support and reform for
current and former Defence members

Shockingly, nearly all (97%) of those exiting the Defence Forces and claiming through the DVA received an additional reparation
payment recognising Defence mismanagement.

. This payment addressed issues such as witnessed abuse with no action, ignored
complaints, and overlooked incidents, highlighting systemic problems within ADF culture.
The DVA has pushed through 90% of the backlogged claims, however veterans continue to experience considerable delays in claims
processing, with an average wait time of 368 days.

. Extended wait times for assessments is impacted by a severe shortage of
psychiatrists, with an even greater scarcity among those specialising in veteran care6
. These delays exacerbate mental health issues,
prolonging suffering and impeding effective treatment.

In response to this critical need, Medilinks Access underscores the importance of timely mental health services for veterans. Led by
veterans themselves, Medilinks Access offers specialised support to expedite the psychiatric assessment process, ensuring veterans
receive prompt and comprehensive care.

The Royal Commission report highlights the importance of veterans’ sacrifices and emphasises the need for better mental health
support. Medilinks Access is pushing for greater awareness and improved access to psychiatric services to enhance veterans’ wellbeing. For more information, please visit

https://www.medilinks.com.au/

The post Saturday 14th September, 2024: Brodie Moore, Heartbreaking truth: Veterans’ Suicide Rates Soar as Systemic Failures Un-covered appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Janet is currently Deputy Chair for both No To Violence (peak body working with men to end family violence) and the National LGBTI Health Alliance (National Peak Body for LGBTIQ+ community controlled organisations), and has recently participated in advisory committees to establish a Pride Centre Victoria and the Marriage Equality Victorian Campaign.

A recurrent theme in Janet’s professional and voluntary work is a desire to see an improvement in the human dignity of those who are made vulnerable within our communities. Janet is concerned with making a sustainable difference and this been the key reason for her continued investment of her time energy and expertise in strong and effective LGBTIQ+ community-controlled organisations such as Thorne Harbour Health.

This weekly wrap up they discuss what’s coming up on this week’s show and they discuss the USA Presidential Election debate.

The post Saturday 14th September, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Janet Jukes, OAM appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Dr Terry Wu is a long-standing arts advocate and supporter, and a leading plastic surgeon specialising in facial reconstruction. A  Board Member of ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) and Science Gallery International (Dublin) and serves as a Member of Creative Australia’s Venice Biennale Ambassadors Council. He was formerly a Board Director of Heide Museum of Modern Art and the National Association of Visual Arts, and a member of the International Council of Tate (UK). As the son of an artist and writer, Terry is passionate about arts, culture and philanthropy and in 2019 was awarded the Emerging Philanthropy Leadership Award by Creative Partnerships Australia.

Terry has served on the ACCA Board since 2019 and was appointed Chair in 2024.

In April 2024, Archie Moore won Venice Biennale’s Golden Lion, the first Australian artists to ever win, and only the second first nations artist to represent Australia

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-29/venice-biennale-golden-lion-australia-archie-moore-artist/103730100

The post Saturday 7th September 2024: Terry Wu, Ambassador for Venice Biennale, Chair ACCA appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 7th September, 2024: Zoe Daniel, MP for Goldstein appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

STREAT is a leading social enterprise with over a decade of experience supporting young people across Melbourne. 

STREAT is nationally recognised as a leading social innovator, using its portfolio of social enterprises to build thriving people, places and planet. They’re  passionate about giving young people the support and skills they need to reach their potential, and ensuring that they and their children have a healthy planet to call home.

The post Saturday, 7th, 2024: Rebecca Scott, CEO and founder, STREAT appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

A proud member and advocate of the LGBTIQ+ community, Angus was Co-Convenor of Rainbow Labor in Queensland before making the move to Sydney. Angus’ personal journey, coupled with his experience working in social portfolios supporting marginalised and disadvantaged Australians, engendered within him a deep and enduring sense of compassion and empathy. Angus is driven by these experiences and is highly motivated by the work he does to support the important social and societal change being driven by his clients.

The post Saturday 7th September 2024: Angus Crowther, Co-Founder + Executive Director, Tanck appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Dan is a senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast (Uni SC). His research currently focuses on strength adaptation and factors affecting sports performance, particularly in powerlifting and team sports.

They discuss the overview   of how Australia went during the Paralympics – (finished Sept 8th)

The post Saturday 7th September 2024: Dr Dan van den Hoek, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Uni of the Sunshine Coast appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

An informal Koreatown has existed for some time around Healeys Lane, with at least 25 Korean restaurants located in and around the laneway.

Council voted to ratify the precinct at Tuesday’s Future Melbourne Committee meeting. The tick also makes way for the installation of four traditional Korean totem poles, or jang-seung, to mark the entrances to the precinct on Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets.

At almost three metres high, the jang-seung will add to the atmosphere and entice more visitors to the area – creating photo moments that will be tagged and shared across the globe.

The Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Melbourne will fund the production and installation of the jang-seung, while Council will cover the costs of project management and relevant approvals.

Establishing an official Koreatown will add to the vibrancy and popularity of Melbourne’s rich multicultural scene, which includes the well-known Chinatown and Greek precincts.

Koreans are one of the City of Melbourne’s top 10 diaspora, with more than 2,500 Koreans calling the municipality home and more than 25,000 across Victoria.

South Korea is emerging as a hot new must-visit destination for Melburnians, with a record 90,000 Australians visiting South Korea in 2022–23.

555 Flinders Street graffiti removal (happening on Friday – largest single-site graffiti removal exercise in CoM’s history. Builds on our new graffiti partnership of cleaning third-party owned assets

Melbourne Economy Snapshot 5 September ​2024

​Key insights include:

• Twilight trade between 5pm and 10pm is thriving.
• The Winter Night Market is flourishing and the surrounding precinct is the busiest it’s ever been.
• The Queen Victoria Market is going from strength to strength. Activity has increased across the week, with Saturday now the busiest day.
• Our Neighbourhood Spend Trends show the positive impact of twilight trade in the city’s north and the Queen Victoria Market precinct, where retail spend is rising outside work hours.

The post Saturday 7th September 2024: Nick Reece, Lord Mayor Melbourne, Melbourne Events Updates appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 7th September 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Macca and Sally Capp appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 31st, August, 2024; Wrap of This Week’s Show with Nevena and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Dr Josh Roose is a political sociologist and Associate Professor of Politics at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Deakin University, Melbourne. His research focuses on the intersection of politics, law, sociology, and religion with an emphasis on political and religious violent extremism and terrorism.

“The rise of misogynist attitudes among Australian boys occurs alongside an existing crisis — endemic levels of gender-based violence and murder perpetrated against women. Researchers have long argued  that gendered violence and violence informed by extremist ideology, such as terrorism or mass casualty attacks, are inextricably connected.

Increased exposure to misogynist content is a concern not only for its potential to harm, but also for its connection to other forms of extremism. Recent research  on violent extremism in Australia found that individuals who hold misogynist attitudes are more likely to support other types of violent extremism. This report also noted that gendered biases are overlooked as pathways to radicalisation and violent extremism”

“There have been concerted efforts  to improve markers of gender equity in Australia. But backlash to the project of gender equity and efforts to eradicate gender-based violence continues”.

https://theconversation.com/should-misogyny-be-treated-as-a-form-of-extremism-237229

The post Saturday 31st, August, 2024; Is Misogyny a form of Extremism? Dr Josh Roose, Associate Professor of Politics at Deakin University appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Inner Melbourne councils are putting pressure on the City of Melbourne to reverse its decision to end its contracts with e-scooter hire companies, as they announce their own e-scooter plan.

The mayors of Darebin, Merri-bek and Moonee Valley say their councils will form an inner-north mobility zone for share hire e-scooters and e-bikes to offer cheap transport options to their communities.

The post Saturday 31st, August, 2024; Susanne Newton, City of Darebin Mayor, ‘Supporting E-Scooters’ appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 31st, August, 2024; National Runner up for the 2024 Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award, Grace Larson, Co-Founder of The Sisterhood Project appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Ruth is the Founder of The Banyans Healthcare, and considers it a privilege to lead a team who embody the values of care, respect and joy.

Ruth is passionate about creating a better tomorrow. Her experience in business, government, community and media provides Ruth with a breadth of leadership experience and an understanding of the various environments experienced by professionals and public figures.

Her interest in health and holistic wellbeing springs from many years of working with those experiencing a need for support. Having researched and written about community and social health, personal wellbeing, nutrition and food security, Ruth has also worked with those experiencing stress, substance misuse or searching for a greater sense of meaning and purpose.

Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August), healthcare professionals are warning
Australians of the dangers of recreational and party drugs, with government data revealing illicit drug use is at an all-time high
nationwide.

Concerningly, rates of drug induced deaths have continued to climb in tandem with growing usage rates, with drug related deaths
nearly doubling the rate of road traffic deaths in the last 12-month reporting period (2,356 vs 1,276)2

Alarmingly, despite being only the fourth most used drug type nationally, opioids lie at the heart of Australia’s tragic, growing
overdose rates, with over three fifths (60%) of overdoses involving this class of drug– alongside a staggering 40% rise in heroin
overdoses.

However, with a rise in imports of deadly synthetic opioid, nitazene, in the past 12 months, drug and addiction experts fear that
opioid overdoses will only continue to rise, amid a concerning wave of synthetic-opioid laced drug hospitalisations this year.

Data from The Banyans Healthcare corroborates these findings, with a staggering 206% increase in opioid condition presentations over
the past three years.

Dr Sampath Arvapalli, Psychiatrist at The Banyans Healthcare, says the increased appearance of nitazenes in other drugs across
the country is a nationwide health crisis.

“Nitazenes are a synthetic opioid, similar to fentanyl. However, while fentanyl is a prescription opioid, used in the treatment of acute
and chronic pain, nitazenes are not approved for therapeutic uses due to their exceptionally high potency, which outpaces morphine
and other opioids by factors of hundreds to thousands.”

“Nitazenes can take a variety of forms, and so are often marketed as other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA or even vape liquids,
as well as found as a contaminant in these drugs. However, the effects of nitazenes on the body can be catastrophic, and they carry
with them an extremely high risk of overdose, especially when used alongside other substances,” says Dr Arvapalli.

The post Saturday 31st, August, 2024; Overdose Rates Doubling Traffic Deaths Opioid Laced Legal Drugs, Ruth Limkin, Founder of The Banyans Healthcare appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 31st, August, 2024: Josh Burns, MP MacNamara Census Exclusion Backflip appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The federal government on Sunday, 25th August, 2024,  confirmed that it would not be changing the topics for the next census, despite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) including gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics in the proposed shortlist.

“The federal government has betrayed LGBTIQ+ people around Australia who will again be rendered invisible in 2026 because the census won’t ask appropriate questions about who they are and how they live,” said Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown.

“Our communities will continue to feel invisible and demeaned because the federal government hasn’t taken this opportunity to finally reflect the diversity of Australia and gather crucial information about the kinds of services people need.”

In the last census, LGBTIQ+ people who were single, trans and gender diverse, intersex or living in notionally heterosexual relationships were not counted because the census did not include questions on gender identity, sexual orientation and variations in sex characteristics.

The ABS issued a statement of regret last year acknowledging the hurt and distress this caused some people, following a human rights complaint brought by Equality Australia and non-binary parent April Long.

The ABS also made a raft of commitments, including an LGBTIQ+ Expert Advisory Committee to advise on topics, questions, analysis and dissemination of data for the next census in 2026.

“It is staggering that after all that work, the statement of regret and the clear need for relevant data, the federal government has made the call not to proceed with new topics,” Ms Brown said.

Federal government betrays LGBTIQ+ people following call on 2026 Census 

The post Saturday, 31st, August, 2024: Anna Brown, Equality Australia Census Exclusion Backflip appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday, 31st August, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Van wrote this play after her undercover investigative work into Australia’s neonazi/cooker underground as she researched her book on Internet Conspiracy Cults. She became fascinated by the concept of “fusion paranoia”, when people in a crisis of identity can not only switch their political alignment, but radicalise it to a dangerous extreme.

Theatre powerhouses Van Badham and Gary Abrahams (Yentl) are collaborating on this new Melbourne Fringe commission about a naive young idealist who wants to gain traction as a political activist, allowing him to fall prey to a sophisticated right-wing fascist. Using 80’s horror film tropes, the work offers contemporary social commentary on the clash between the left and the far right, in a playful and humorous way.

Van wrote this play after her undercover investigative work into Australia’s Neo Nazi/cooker underground as she researched her book on Internet Conspiracy Cults. She became fascinated by the concept of “fusion paranoia”, when people in a crisis of identity can not only switch their political alignment, but radicalise it to a dangerous extreme.

‘Werewolf’ is a gripping political thriller and black-comedy set in contemporary Melbourne. An alt-right tour is arriving in the city, and while government and media figures struggle to understand its impact, both local Neo-Nazis and young left radicals anticipate bloody confrontation with some excitement. As the city grapples with the democratic implications of threats posed, a volatile situation spins out of control.

As the think-tankers and thought leaders try to contain the chaos through traditional channels like the media, frustrated and idealistic young leftist, Nathan, wanders into the dark world of his enemy; the charismatic fascist, Stevie. When a cascade of personal crises leaves Nathan isolated and resentful, he accepts Stevie’s invitation to visit his “retreat” in the woods. Here, Nathan encounters the horrific reality of a “white power” wolf cult, as well as a shocking transformation that will result in violence, and death.

Traversing live TV to community halls, public campuses to private bedrooms, the story tracks the sophisticated and manipulative strategies of the modern far-right as they meet the naïve tactics of the modern hard left. Through the lens of old Hollywood horror, ‘Werewolf’ explores the contagious nature of extremist thought and the lurking threat it poses to democracy

The post Saturday 24th, August, 2024: Van Badham, journalist and playwright Werewolf, Melbourne Fringe Festival appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The New South Wales government has announced the first state-led inquiry into the “impacts of harmful pornography”. The negative framing of the inquiry risks revisiting old arguments, rather than advancing the debate and policies.

Much of this debate has centred around the potential harm to teenagers, but very few people have interviewed teens about it. As part of our research, we asked teens about their experiences of porn and found many have a nuanced understanding of the risks, but also the benefits.

Giselle Woodley is a PhD Candidate and researcher under the School of Arts and Humanities at Edith Cowan University in Australia. She is currently investigating teens’ perspectives of Sexually-Explicit Materials (SEM), including pornography and their experiences of their Relationships and Sexuality Education (both at home, school and online). Giselle is a sexologist and has a background in Arts and Media. Giselle also works as a researcher under the School of Population Health at Curtin University investigating sexual violence and primary prevention strategies.

Giselle is a co-founder of Bloom-Ed (https://www.bloom-ed.org/) a Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) advocacy group. She is particularly interested in the benefits of RSE and real solutions that work in relation to these issues which ultimately increase individual wellbeing, supports healthy relationships and reduces sexual violence.

https://theconversation.com/calls-to-ban-harmful-pornography-are-rife-heres-what-teens-actually-think-about-porn-236410

The post Saturday 24th, August, 2024: What Teenagers Actually Think About Pornography: Giselle Woodley Research Assistant & PhD Candidate, School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan Uni. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

https://safeguardingchildren.acu.edu.au/researcher-profiles/professor-daryl-higgins

Twitter: @HigginsDaryl
LinkedIn: Daryl Higgins

The post Saturday 24th, August, 2024: Professor Daryl Higgins ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Joe Ball has an extensive history of advocating for the rights of LGBTIQA+ young people, making him uniquely placed to uplift their voices in his role. During Joe’s time as CEO of Switchboard Victoria,  he oversaw the creation of the Rainbow Door helpline for family violence and mental health support, and the creation of CHARLEE, an LGBTIQA+ Suicide Prevention Hub.

At a time of rising discrimination against transgender, gender diverse and non-binary young Victorians, it is incredibly important to have positive representation of LGBTIQA+ communities and to showcase their strengths. Joe is a proud transgender man and tireless advocate for the lived experience of LGBTIQA+ communities informing policies and programs in Victoria.

He is a current member of the National LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing 10-year Action Plan Expert Advisory Group and was honoured as one of 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Australian Leaders in 2020.

Mr Ball has served as a member of several leading community services committees and boards including Safe and Equal, the 1800 RESPECT community advisory committee, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee.

Mr. Ball will commence in the role on 23 September. The Labor Government was the first in Australia to appoint a Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities in 2015, with Ro Allen’s appointment, followed by Dr Todd Fernando.

The Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities provides a strong voice for diverse LGBTIQA+ communities across the state, working with the Government to implement Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-2032 – a roadmap to ensure all Victorians feel safe, have equal human rights and live wholly and freely.

The post Saturday 24th August,2024: Joe Ball, New Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Aiv gives an update on state government issues that are affecting Victorians at the moment.

The post Saturday 24th, August, 2024: Aiv Puglielli, Vic Greens, Member for North Eastern Metropolitan appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca ad Fiona also discuss bi-partisan politics, federal anti-discrimination bills, etc, with Minister Shing.

The post Saturday 24th, August, 2024: Minister Harriet Shing, Minister for Equality; Major New Announcement; LGBTIQA+ New Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, Joe Ball appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 24th, August, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Fiona and Macca appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 17th August, 2024: Emily Gray, Legal Director at Equality Australia appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

50 Birds is a visual arts exhibition that celebrates the 50-year anniversary for two iconic organisations – Arts  Project Australia and Arts Access Victoria. It recognises 100 years of disability arts advocacy. 

Curated by Rosie O’Brien and Pegs Marlow, 50 Birds brings together 14 artists who are inspired by the beauty and  brilliance of birds across ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, embroidery and textiles. 

50 Birds is Rosie O’Brien’s curatorial debut since joining with Arts Project Australia in 2015 – she says, “I love  nature because I’m a flower myself. Nature has such a presence. I like bird calls and their songs. I like all birds.” 

“With my bird paintings, I don’t follow the ones in the book; I do my own versions of the birds, because it’s extra  special doing it that way. I really like working with gouache, because you can choose what colour you want for  each picture, each bird,” explains Rosie. 

Rosie finds painting really therapeutic. For almost 10 years at Art Project Australia she has created works for  several group exhibitions in Sydney and Melbourne and completed a six-month traineeship at the Collingwood  Yards gallery. 

Arts Project Australia Executive Director, Liz Nowell, says “Our artists are always at the centre of everything we do.  Since 1974 we have supported over 500 artists to make art on their own terms. 50 Birds is a moment to partner  with our friends at Arts Access Victoria to acknowledge our impressive shared milestone.”  

Recently appointed Arts Access Victoria CEO, Joshua Pether, says “We proudly support the work of Deaf and  Disabled artists and work towards cultural equity for all Deaf and Disabled people. We are thrilled to partner with  Arts Project Australia to highlight the work of artists across both organisations in celebration of our 50 years.” 

The post Saturday 17th August, 2024: Liz Nowell – Arts Project Australia Executive Director; Exhibition: 50 Birds – 50 years: Arts Project Australia appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 17th August, 2024: Peter Khalil, MP for Wills, New role as Special Envoy for Social Cohesion appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

A crucial chapter in Australia’s queer cinematic history is brought to light in this National Film and Sound Archive restoration of Stephen Cummins’s haunting, sublime filmography.

Directing nine short films across a decade before his death from HIV-related lymphoma in 1994, Cummins was an openly gay filmmaker whose beautiful, oft-provocative works were produced during the cultural upheaval of the 1980s – against the backdrop of the queer rights movement, the AIDS pandemic and the decriminalisation of male homosexual acts across Australia. His initial experimental works, shot in super-8, utilised the human body as both landscape and canvas, but his growing political consciousness shifted his directorial interest to the place of gay bodies in public spaces. His 1991 film Resonance won Best Short Film at the Sydney Film Festival and screened at over 100 international festivals including Sundance, New York and Toronto, becoming one of the most lauded and successful Australian short films of its era.

Films in this package: Breathbeat (1984), Blue Movie (1984), Deadpan (1985), Le Corps Imagé (1987), Elevation (1989), Taste the Difference (1989), Resonance (1991), Body Corporate (1993) and The HIV Game Show (1995).

The post Saturday 17th August, 2024: Simon Hunt, MIFF Creative Collaborator & Producer, Stephen Cummins Retrospective, MIFF appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Simon has just returned from  the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2024) in Munich, Simon discusses the highlights of the event with the team.

Nevena and Hayley talk to Simon about the latest requirements and updates with MPox.

They also discuss the recent fundraising events   Thorne Harbour Health have held.

The post Saturday 17th, August, 2024: Simon Ruth, CEO Thorne Harbour Health, Health Update appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Melbourne’s two remaining e-scooter zones have effectively been cut off from one another after a decision by the City of Melbourne to stop the hire schemes from operating inside its municipal boundaries.

The City of Yarra and City of Port Phillip are continuing to conduct trials of e-scooters, in conjunction with the state government, however at least one of the councils will re-evaluate their operation in light of the City of Melbourne ban.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/interesting-change-of-heart-premier-takes-aim-at-city-e-scooter-ban-20240814-p5k2an.html

The post Saturday, 17th, August, 2024: Jamal Hakim, City of Melbourne councillor, E-scooter trail ending appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

On the 15th of August, ” the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) announced it was an error  to cancel a scheduled concerto performance by British-Australian pianist Jayson Gillham.

Its decision, and the issues leading up to it, raises the issue of what the relationship of classical music to politics is – or, rather, what it should be. For many, the two realms simply should not mix.   But it is naïve to think classical music – or indeed any art – happens entirely separate from politics”.

‘The furore began on Sunday, when Gillham performed a solo piano recital for the MSO that included the world-premiere of a short piece by composer Conor D’Netto, Witness.

Netto’s website  states Witness is “dedicated to the journalists of Gaza”. When he came to perform it, Gillham elaborated on the dedication by drawing the audience’s attention to the more than 100 Palestinian journalists who have been killed in the current conflict’

https://theconversation.com/classical-music-is-not-isolated-from-politics-melbourne-symphony-orchestra-should-know-this-236789

The post Saturday, 17th, August, 2024: Misha Ketchell, The Conversation, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Scandal, Gaza appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Hayley Percy is a Wiradjuri woman living and working in Melbourne. She is an experienced event producer, marketer, curator, PR consultant and project manager who has worked within the creative, entertainment and music industries for more than 15 years. She has previously produced Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Soundwave, Laneway Festival; and major national tours including Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Alicia Keys. In addition to being the Game Director of Future Folklore at GUCK, Hayley oversees brand, partnerships and commercial aspects of the game. She is also currently the Head of Music for RISING Festival.

Nevena and Hayley discuss what’s coming up on this week’s programme. What they’ve been up to during the week and the Melbourne International Film Festival

The post Saturday 17th, August, 2024: Weekly Wrap Up with Nevena and Hayley Percy. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Macca talk to Ray Evans, CEO, Future Drive Auto Shows Electric SUV EXPO 24.

According to The Electric Vehicle Council, there were 98,436 EV purchases in 2023 with a +120 per  cent increase from 3.81 per cent in 2022. It has never been more affordable to switch to an EV with  trends reflecting Australian new battery-only EV sales up 16.5 per cent and hybrid and plug-in hybrids  doing even better for the same period with an increase of 114.6 per cent. EVs offer significant  environmental advantages due to their lower running costs and advanced technologies. 

“Future Drive Auto is delighted to present the   inaugural Electric SUV EXPO 24. This is a unique  opportunity for visitors to review the many new  model releases, together with finance and  charging options and valuable free daily seminar  sessions from industry leaders,” said Ray Evans,  CEO, Future Drive Auto Shows.  RACV has joined the SUV EXPO as the Test Drive  Sponsor. EXPO visitors will be able to test drive an  EV or Hybrid, with an express registration line for   RACV Members. Every EXPO ticket will also be  

eligible to go in the draw to win one of three, $2,000 RACV Resort gi[ cards for use at the Cape Schanck,  Torquay or Healesville resorts. In addition, the prize includes an EV rental valued at $850 during their  resort stay thanks to Future Drive Auto Shows.  

“RACV is excited to be the official Test Drive Sponsor and exhibiting at the Melbourne SUV EXPO with  our experts on site to talk to you about how making the EV move is easy with RACV,” RACV General  Manager Energy Greg Edye said. “Visit RACV at the EXPO to learn about buying, charging and powering  your EV and experience them first hand via a test drive – with a handy express registration line  exclusively for RACV Members.” 

The post Saturday 11th August, 2024: Ray Evans, CEO, Future Drive Auto Shows Electric SUV EXPO 24 – August 11-13 appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

For most of Australia’s 460 First Nations languages, this issue does not exist. There is no gender distinction between third-person singular pronouns (she/he/it), except in a very few languages such as Murrinhpatha   in the Northern Territory’s Daly River area.

Nyantu and similar sounding words are common pronouns used in many languages to cover she/he/it. Other First Languages use pronoun word endings, and many do not have a form for the third-person singular pronoun she/he/it. This means that not adding an ending to a word indicates she/he/it.

https://theconversation.com/most-of-australias-first-nations-languages-dont-have-gendered-pronouns-heres-why-234289

The post Saturday 11th August, 2024: Felicity Meakins, Professor of Linguistics, The University of Queensland; Pronouns in Indigenous Languages appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena and Macca talk to Professor John Buchanan,  Co-Director, Mental Wealth Initiative, University of Sydney, why  giving early childhood educators an extra 15% is good policy, and even better politics

From December the typical early childhood educator and carer will get a pay rise of at least $103 per week. By the following December, it will be more, taking the total to an extra $155 per week. And there will be more after that.

The two pay rises, totalling 15%, announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday will be completely funded by the government. It’s part of a deal in which the childcare centres that actually employ the workers agree to increase their fees by no more than 4.4% over the next year.

https://theconversation.com/giving-early-childhood-educators-an-extra-15-is-good-policy-and-even-better-politics-236336

The post Saturday 11th August, 2024: PROF. John Buchanan, Co-Director, Mental Wealth Initiative, why  giving early childhood educators an extra 15% is good policy, and even better politics appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

The post Saturday 11th August, 2024: Brenton Geyer, Senior Communications Officer Living Positive News at Living Positive appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Victoria is removing more First Nations children from their families than any other state in the country, and at almost twice the national rate, according to new data from the Productivity Commission.

Nationally, the out-of-home care (OOHC) rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children is 57.2 per 1,000. However, Indigenous children and young people in Victoria were removed and placed into care at a rate of 102.9 per 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children — 22.5 times the rate of non-Indigenous children and almost twice that of the national average for Indigenous children.

Out of the 25,916 First Nations children in Victoria, at least 2,668 have been removed form their families.

https://nit.com.au/01-08-2024/12834/Victoria-child-removals-creating-another-stolen-generation-Djirra

https://nit.com.au/31-07-2024/12820/more-than-1-in-10-aboriginal-children-in-victoria-have-been-removed-from-their-families-new-data-reveals

The post Saturday 11th August, 2024: Dechlan Brennan, Journalist, NIT Closing the Gap Report appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Tasty nightclub was controversially raided by Victoria police 30 years ago. How are those who were there that night marking such a dark anniversary? They’re throwing a big camp party.

LGBTQI+ culture was more concealed, less confident and more vulnerable in 1994 than now. Homosexuality was decriminalised but many civil rights were still years off: gay people couldn’t marry, adopt children or inherit a partner’s assets. If there was a nascent sense of social legitimacy, the Victorian police’s aggressively homophobic raid tapped directly into barely dormant feelings of inadequacy and shame.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/06/we-were-in-shock-we-were-numb-the-violent-police-raid-that-changed-melbournes-gay-scene-forever

https://events.humanitix.com/tasty-raid-30th-anniversary

The post Saturday 11th August, 2024: Tim Byrne, Journalist, The Tasty Raid 30 Years On. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.