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Community Announcements 27 March 2012

Posted 27 March 2012 by Ken Norling (Vic Division)

If you have anything you'd like included in this listing, please contact the NTEU Vic Division at knorling@vic.nteu.org.au. If you would like to receive these announcements as a weekly email, go to http://eepurl.com/W1K-.

DISCLAIMER: Forwarding this information to you does not constitute any form of endorsement by the NTEU Victorian Division of the matters therein.

Tuesday 27 March
SMUGGLED TO FREEDOM. BEHIND THE ANTI-PEOPLE SMUGGLING RHETORIC
As the Greens take a bill to parliament to remove mandatory sentencing for people smugglers, the Refugee Action Collective Victoria is proud to host a public forum to challenge the anti-people smuggling rhetoric dominant in refugee politics. Guest speakers: Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens Senator); Arnold Zable (award-winning writer and refugee advocate); Sarah Wendlandt (lawyer for Indonesian fishermen); Peter Farrago (Refugee Action Collective); and Nockie Le (Vietnamese refugee). 6.30pm @ The Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. For more info call Liz Walsh 0405 736 265 or Sue Bolton 0413 377 978, www.rac-vic.org

Wednesday 28 March
SOCIAL CITIES
Grattan’s new report, Social Cities, argues that the way we build and organise our cities is crucial to the quantity and quality of social connection, which in turn is critical to our psychological and physical health. Of course many other factors also influence our levels of connectedness - from individual disposition to family situation - but some kinds of urban design can encourage social connection, while others may ‘build in’ isolation. Report author Jane-Frances Kelly will discuss the report and its recommendations with leading economist Professor Ian Harper in a conversation chaired by Peter Mares. Grattan Institute event. 6 pm - 7pm. MELBOURNE Seminar BMW Edge, Federation Square. All welcome Register online: http://grattan-social-cities.eventbrite.com/

Thursday 29 March
MELBOURNE CONVERSATIONS - SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES: COLLABORATING, PLANNING, DELIVERING
The desire for sustainable communities is the touchstone of city forming when comparing major cities across the globe. As city design and planning experts from major cities around the world meet in Melbourne as part of the C40 group, never have the challenges of city growth been so great nor the achievements so promising. Hear about our local achievements and those of comparable large world cities. Have your say by jumping into the “hot seat” to make your point. Panellists include: Prof Jan Gehl - Gehl Architects, Copenhagen; Ms. Li Lixin - Deputy Chief of Air Pollution Control Division, Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau; Ms Romilly Madew - Chief Executive, Green Building Council of Australia; Ms Melanie Nutter - Director San Francisco Environment Department; Prof Billie Giles-Corti - Director, McCaughey Centre, Melbourne School of Population Health, the University of Melbourne. Moderator: Peter Mares, Fellow, Cities Program, Grattan Institute. 6pm - 7.30pm, BMW Edge Federation Square Cnr Flinders and Swanston St. All welcome, free

Thursday 29 March
WE OWE NOTHING, WE'RE NOT SELLING, WE WONT PAY!
In the manufactured 'reality' of the mass media, the problems of the Greek 'debt' crisis are an endless flurry of context-less images of riots, strikes and unrest. Ordinary people in Greece, however, are not taking this collective punishment without a fight. Popular refusal and resistance to the IMF/EU austerity measures have become part of the everyday life of people in Greece; from strikes, occupations and demonstrations to everyday acts of solidarity and collaboration between people in struggle. Forum will include live Skype interviews with participants in these social movements. There will also be music from a 5-piece Rembetika kompania (Greek oriental folk), a short film from the movement against austerity and poetry from Greek-Australian writers. 7pm. Uniting Church Hall, 251 High Street, Northcote. Concession $4, waged $8, solidarity $12. All proceeds from the night will be sent to support anti-austerity campaigns in Greece.

Thursday 29 March
ECONOMIC CONCEPTS AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
What is to be made of the relative ease with which road and road-related projects seem to secure funding from federal, state and local government whilst public transport languishes? What are the economic disciplines to be applied that would properly recognise the role of all transport modes, including public transport and active transport, for a sustainable Melbourne? Speaker: Harry Clarke (professor of economics, La Trobe University. 7:30-8:30pm. Old Shire Offices, 60 Beverley Rd, Heidelberg.

Friday 30 March
BZE FUNDRAISER: HOW MANY POLITICIANS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB?
Beyond Zero Emissions volunteer and internationally acclaimed comedian Matt Grantham asks that very question and explores whether two Independents and a Green would actually speed up the process. From politics to health and safety, Matt asks: "How have we ended up in a situation where we have an unused desalination plant currently outpolling the Prime Minister?" 6:30pm. FAD Gallery, 14 Corrs Lane, Chinatown, City. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to BZE. For bookings, email Hannah.

Friday 30 March
ANTAR QUIZ NIGHT
ANTAR's big fundraiser to kick off our year and help to make our campaigning happen. 7pm (for 7:30pm start). Imperial Hotel, 2/8 Bourke Street, City. Book a table of ten for $250, or a single ticket for $25 (concession $20). To book ph 9419 3613 or email antar@antarvictoria.org.au

Friday 30 March
FREE PALESTINE! BOYCOTT ISRAELI APARTHEID!
Join Students for Palestine in an action/ protest to protest against the apartheid policies of the Israeli State. This day is significant for the Palestinian solidarity movement because: It is the BDS (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions) Global Day of Action; It is the first day of the Palestinian March on Jerusalem; It is a day of cultural significance for Palestinian struggle Land Day. 6pm. Bourke St Mall, City.

Saturday 31 March
PSYCHOLOGY, MENTAL HEALTH AND CLASS SOCIETY
There's no denying that mental illness and various forms of psychological disorders play a massive part in the makeup of modern society. It is important to distinguish between a mental illness and psychological disorder, as the latter is caused by a physical defect in the brain, and would be present in the sufferer regardless of their environmental surroundings and standard of living. However in regards to mental illness how much of the environmental factors and standards of living are taken in to account when sufferers are diagnosed? To what degree are factors like unemployment, homelessness, poverty, not being able to afford the basic necessities of life, social isolation, economic and social inequality, sexism, racism, homophobia/transphobia taken in to account when the diagnoses are performed? 2pm. Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT). Organised by Resistance and Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622.

Monday 2 April
THE LIFE CYCLE OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Beyond Zero Monthly Discussion Group: speaker: Joan Manuel Fernandez Mendoza (PhD Candidate at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Joan’s studies focus on the life cycle assessment of materials involved in urban transport infrastructure. He is researching different types of infrastructures required for different modes of transportation (i.e., sidewalks and urban squares for pedestrians/cyclists, streets for motorized vehicles, charging systems for electric vehicles, refueling systems for conventional cars, etc). The aim is to develop guidelines and criteria for the promotion of sustainable and eco-friendly designs that minimize the environmental burden of the built environment of cities related with personal mobility. Info: 8383 2232, info@beyondzeroemissions.org. 6:30pm - 8pm, Fritz Loewe Theatre (entry via level 2) McCoy Building University of Melbourne Cnr Elgin & Swanston Streets.  All welcome. Entry: Gold coin donation.

Tuesday 3 April
FILM SCREENING: JUST DO IT
Lifts the lid on climate activism and the daring troublemakers who have crossed the line to become modern-day outlaws. Documented over a year, Emily James' film follows these activists as they blockade factories, attack coal power stations and glue themselves to the trading floors of international banks despite the very real threat of arrest. 6pm. Level 4, Ross House,247 Flinders Lane, City. For more info ph 9650 1599 or email sarah.day@rosshouse.org.au.

Wednesday 4 April
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WORKSHOP – DEFEATING OUTSOURCING
Discussion with local and international activists involved in current disputes. How can we win against the very effective employer strategy of contracting out to reduce labour costs and bust unions? 6pm, Evatt Room, Trades Hall, Lygon Street, Carlton - All welcome. australia asia worker links  -  workers change the world. Email: aawl@aawl.org.au   Web: aawl.org.au

Wednesday 4 April
QUARTERLY ESSAY - US AND THEM: ANNA KRIEN
For the first time in history, humans sit unchallenged at the top of the food chain. To coincide with the publication of the latest Quarterly Essay, Us and Them, Anna Krien investigates the contemporary animal kingdom and our place in it. From pets to food, activists to abbatoirs, wilderness to science labs, Krien takes a clear-eyed look at how we do – and should – treat animals. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, 6:15PM - 7:15PM. This is a free event; bookings are recommended: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=20143. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Thursday 5 April
LUNCHBOX / SOAPBOX: GLYN DAVIS: LEADER OF THE GANG: HOW POLITICAL PARTIES CHOOSE NUMERO UNO
Speculation about a change in political leadership seems almost perpetual in Australia—it is a tenuous bargain, with more similarities to street gangs than business enterprises. Glyn Davis, professor of political science and vice-chancellor of Melbourne University, expands on his recent essay for Griffith Review, arguing that Australian political leadership is unlike that required or expected in any other public endeavour. He reviews the history of the leadership turbulence that besets both sides of Australian politics and reaches some worrying conclusions. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, 12:45PM - 1:15PM. This is a free event; bookings are not required. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Thursday 5 April
BZE FILM NIGHTS PRESENT DIRTY BUSINESS
6:00pm - 8:00pm, Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. After a hiatus we're proud to return with our fifth BZE Film Night! Whether you're a fuel and renewable technology expert or a curious newcomer to the debate, this evening promises to be a fantastic opportunity to learn, discuss and be entertained. Dirty Business: "Clean Coal" and the Battle for Our Energy Future is a 90-minute documentary that investigates the true cost of our dependence on coal for electricity in the age of climate change. Politicians and corporate interests have mounted a formidable public relations campaign promoting "clean coal" as a solution to our energy/climate problem. A donation is always appreciated and we suggest $5, if you can, to cover our costs. At the end of the night we will open the floor to discussion. Read more about the film and watch trailers here - http://dirtybusinessthefilm.com/ Website: http://beyondzeroemissions.org/events/bze-film-nights-present-dirty-business-peter-bull

Saturday 7 April
MALALAI JOYA TO SPEAK AT MARXISM 2012
1:30pm - 4:30pm, The University of Melbourne Student Union Building. Marxism 2012 is extremely proud to announce a new addition to our international lineup of speakers: Malalaii Joya, one of the most outspoken Afghan critics of the American war and occupation, who will be speaking on her life and struggle. She is also a strident defender of women's rights and points to the hypocrisy of the West in using Afghan women's situation as justification for brutal war. "They occupied my country under the banner of democracy, human rights and women's rights," she explains. "They misuse the stories of the women in my country to justify their warmongering." Buy your tickets now at www.marxismconference.org Join the FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/336213633065091/

Monday 9 April
FREE THE REFUGEES, END MANDATORY DETENTION
2pm. Meet in Hungry Jacks car park, cnr Hume Hwy & Camp Rd then march to Broadmeadows Detention Centre. For more info visit http://rac-vic.org/

Thursday 12 April
CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH
Zero Carbon Moreland’s April pub night will explore the short and long term impacts that climate change may have on health in Australia. Leading the discussion will be Fiona Armstrong, convenor of the Climate and Health Alliance and fellow of the Centre for Policy Development. Fiona is a longstanding environmentalist with a background in health and climate policy and is an active campaigner for health reform and climate action. Zero Carbon Moreland pub nights occur regularly on the 2nd Thursday of each month, , 6-8pm, Little dining room, Edinburgh Castle, cnr Sydney rd & Albion Street. All welcome - it’s a child / grandparent / neighbour friendly event.Free! Snacks provided.

Thursday 12 April
GROWING CHANGE: A JOURNEY INSIDE VENEZUELA'S FOOD REVOLUTION
Film directed by Simon Cunich. Follows the film-maker's journey to understand why current food systems leave hundreds of millions of people in hunger. It's a journey to understand how the world will feed itself in the future in the face of major environmental challenges. 6pm (for 6:30 start; cheap meal from 6pm). Clarrie Wohlers Hall, 51 Albert St, East Brunswick (close to Lygon St tramline). $10/$5. Organised by Socialist Alliance in support of Green Left Weekly. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0438 304 326.

Sunday 15 April
FUNDRAISER: THESE MACHINES CUT RAZOR WIRE 2012
A fundraiser for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, with an incredible lineup of pro-refugee artists and bands including: Jeff Lang; The Stetson Family; Bell St Delays; Fraser A Gorman; Uncle Bill; The Cartridge Family; Nigel Wearne & the Cast Iron Promises; The Jed Rowe Band; Alex Hallahan & the Woodland Hunters; Kate Walker; Tully Sumner; Les Thomas. 4-7pm. Thornbury Theatre, 859 High St, Thornbury. $20 at the door. Children under 12 free.