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Community Announcements 7 September 2011

Posted 7 September 2011 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.

Wednesday 7 September
OUR MOST PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
The Victorian Minister for the Environment & Climate Change will be speaking at an Environmental Panel Discussion. The panel will consists of Ryan Smith, State Minister for the Environment & Climate Change, Sue Hendy, CEO Council for the Ageing, a Maroondah Council representative & a local community environmental advocate. This is your chance to show the minister how you feel about the job he has done so far on safeguarding our environment…. The words ‘an absolute disgrace’ spring to mind! 7.30pm, Yarrunga Community Centre, Croydon Hills Drive, Croydon. Booking essential. Details/ bookings: 9722 8942 or info@yarrunga.org.au

Wednesday 7 September
THE FIGHT FOR PALESTINE
AAWL public meeting: On 20 September Fatah and Hamas will jointly request the United Nations to recognise the State of Palestine. What are the priorities for solidarity activists? 6pm, Trades Hall, Lygon Street Carlton. australia asia worker links - aawl@aawl.org.au, www.aawl.org.au

Wednesday 7 September
HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER SIEGE IN VICTORIA
In their first nine months in office the Baillieu Coalition Government has been accused of lacking purpose and direction. But on human rights its agenda seems clear: a draconian law and order campaign; stripping away protections under the Equal Opportunity Act; and attacks on workers’ rights and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Three expert speakers who are watching the new Government closely to get a clearer picture of what’s at stake in the current debate over human rights will lead a discussion about what you can do to help - Martin Pakula (Shadow Attorney General), Julian Burnside (author and human rights advocate) and Rachael Ball (Director of Policy and Campaigns, Human Rights Law Centre). 6.00 to 7.30 pm, Melbourne City Conference Centre, Corner of Swanston and Lt Lonsdale Sts. Australian Fabians event. Members, student and concessions: $5.00, Non-members $10.00. RSVP: http://www.fabian.org.au/985.asp?eventId=2536#rsvp

Wednesday 7 September
EVA GABRIELSSON
Eva Gabrielsson, the widow of Swedish crime writing phenomenon Stieg Larsson speaks about his life, his writing and his legacy. Eva, an architect and author of several books, discusses her memoir, Stieg and Me. Stieg and Me tells the story of Eva and Stieg’s 30-year romance, of Stieg’s life-long struggle to expose Sweden’s neo-Nazis, of his fight to keep Expo, the magazine he founded, solvent, and his difficult relationships with his immediate family. She talks of the genesis of the Millennium trilogy, the sources for the characters and places in each book, the mystery of the fourth volume, the saga of Larsson’s death, and his legacy. Presented in partnership with the Brisbane Writers Festival. This is a free event. Bookings recommended. Make a booking http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=13633 6:15PM - 7:15PM, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Thursday 8 September
CHRISTINE NIXON ON LEADERSHIP
Lunchbox/Soapbox returns for its third season in 2011 with former Victorian Police Commissioner Christine Nixon reflecting on the nature of leadership. In her recently released memoir, Fair Cop, Christine Nixon reflects on her journey of a woman into a man’s world. At the Wheeler Centre we’re keen to showcase our writers as thinkers and as artists, as people with passions and peccadilloes. So we’ve come up with Lunchbox/Soapbox: a weekly space for them to sound off on a topic of their choice. Think of it as a 20-minute piece of polemic to give lunching CBD folk something to chew on. This is a free event. 12:45PM - 1:15PM, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Thursday 8 September
BOYCOTTS, REPRESSION AND THE STRUGGLE FOR PALESTINE
Public meeting: Speakers: Sylvia Hale (former Greens MLC and prominent NSW pro-Palestine campaigner); Vivienne Porzsolt (spokesperson for Jews against the Occupation, Sydney who recently took part in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2); Cathy Peters (Greens councillor on Marrickville Council who argued for the boycott of Israeli goods); Vashti Kenway (Students for Palestine, one of the arrestees and charged $10,000 bail by the courts for speaking out for Palestine). 6:30pm. Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victora Sts, Carlton. For more info, http://studentsforpalestine.wordpress.com/ or Vashti 0410 513 302.

Friday 9 September
YOU CAN'T SWEETEN ISRAELI APARTHEID. PROTEST AGAINST MAX BRENNER
You are invited to the latest protest called in a series of Boycott Divestment and Sanctions protests against Israeli owned company Max Brenner. Max Brenner is owned by the Strauss Group which proudly proclaims its support for the Israeli military which is infamous for enforcing Israel's oppression of the Palestinian population. Despite one of the protests being attacked by the police, the last demonstration (on July 29) was overwhelmingly successful and peaceful. 5:30pm. State Library, cnr Swanston & Latrobe Sts, City.

Saturday 10 September
2011 ETWA GALA FUNDRAISER FOR THE NEW SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE IN LOS PALOS, EAST TIMOR
Come and hear about ETWA’s current projects in East Timor. Speakers: Elsa de Oliveira, CTKDS Coordinator and Deb Salvagno, Community Development Officer. Our goal is to raise $3000 on the night! Funds raised will go to the new Sustainability Centre in Los Palos, East Timor, which will be run by CTKDS women for the whole community. Live Music & East Timorese Choir, Yummy finger food, Soup and Cakes, Drinks for sale from the bar. Organised by: East Timor Women Australia working with the Cooperative for Tais, Culture and Sustainable Development. Contact Sophie on 9444 2778 or office@etwa.org.au. Book before 5th September. 7pm for 7.30pm start, The Augustine Centre, 2 Minona St, Hawthorn. All welcome, $50 per head

Saturday 10 September
FUNDRAISER FOR REFUGEE ACTION COLLECTIVE
Come & show your support for the freedom of refugees! Featuring bands, spoken word, comedy. 7pm. Victoria Hotel, 380 Victoria St, Brunswick. $20/$10. For more info ph Jenell 0403 740 520.

Saturday 10 September
SOLIDARITY WITH THE CHILEAN STUDENTS, WORKERS & THE MAPUCHE!
Rally For free, quality education, workers' rights, land and self-determination. 12 noon. Federation Square, Swanston St, City. For more info visit http://www.latinlasnet.org/, http://www.latinamericansolidaritynetwork.org

Sunday11 September
PUBLIC MEETING: STOP MCDONALDS IN TECOMA
3pm. Tecoma Primary School. TVAG is calling another public meeting to provide advice to residents and Hills visitors on how to best focus their objections, and to show community unity in our objection to this inappropriate development proposal. The ultimate goal is to convince McDonald’s that Tecoma is an inappropriate location for a 24/7 take-away business as proposed, and that the Hills need to remain unique as a place to live and to which to escape. For more info: http://www.tvag.org.au/McDonalds.html

Sunday 11 September
HIYAKU – ARTISTS BENEFIT JAPAN
3:30pm - 8:00pm, Bella Union, Level 1, Trades Hall, cnr Victoria and Lygon Sts. Artists: Dya Singh, Fruit Jar, Hung Le, Irene Vela, Noriko Tadano, Ria Soemardjo, Snuff Puppets, Wang Zheng Ting, Yumi Umiumare, and more... Melbourne’s artists have come together to show that even after the earthquake/ tsunami/ nuclear crisis has moved off the front page, we continue to support the people of Japan. $22 (+$2 BF) or $25 at the door, group, (6+) $17 (+$2 BF) or $20 at the door, concession, $12 (+$2 BF) or $15 at the door. Book here: www.bellaunion.com.au/program_guide/show_472/ or call 03 9650 5699. All proceeds will go to assist disaster recovery efforts in Japan.

Sunday 11 September
PEACE & WAR: 9/11 STORIES
Photo & book launch. Artist Geoff Bromilow was in New York in September 2011 where he documented peace rallies as well as destruction, hoping that people may see a different view of the city from that the mainstream media have portrayed. MAPW's Vice-President Dr Jenny Grounds will speak at the launch and photographic exhibition. 1:30pm. The photographs are on display through September. Melbourne City Library Gallery, First Floor, 253 Flinders Lane, City. Please RSVP for the launch to ashley.higgs@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Sunday 11 September
REMEMBERING THE OTHER SEPTEMBER 11
On September 11 1973, the Chilean popular democratic government was overthrown by a violent military coup leaded by the Chilean Army and backed by the CIA and US Nixon administration. Thousands of Chileans were killed, tortured, taken prisoner and forced into exile. Speakers, Music and Movie presentation called The Black Pimpernel. Our Tribute to Salvador Allende an all those who fallen on struggle in order that others live. Free Entry, all welcome. http://www.latinlasnet.org 4:30pm. Trades Hall, cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton.

Sunday 11 September
CASTLEMAINE FILM SCREENING: FOOD FOR THOUGHT – MCLIBEL
If McDonald's tried to silence you with a libel action, what would you do? The BBC and other wealthy media backed down, but Helen Steel and Dave Morris stood by their criticisms and had every aspect of the corporation's business (junk food and McJobs, animal cruelty, environmental damage and advertising to children) investigated in court. Stay and share delicious soup and bread with the Growing Abundance Kitchen Enterprise for a $5 donation. 4:30pm. Continuing Education, 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine.

Sunday 11 September
A HISTORY MAKING BOOK SALE
Second hand book lovers and history buffs alike are invited to restock their bookshelves, as the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV) presents their 18th Annual Book Sale. A yearly fundraiser for the RHSV, the Book Sale is being held from 10am - 4pm in the former Australian Army Medical Corps Drill Hall, A'Beckett St, Melbourne and will feature a treasure trove of pre-loved publications from the libraries of the well-read- with prices as low as $1. Enquiries: 9326 9288 or office@historyvictoria.org.au

Monday 12 September
SCREENING OF ANIMA MUNDI
A new & innovative Aussie documentary about Permaculture, Peak Oil, Climate Change & the Soul of the World. With guest speakers: Filmmaker Peter Charles Downey & Integrative Medicine expert Dr Mark O’Meadhra. Will you survive the transition of human industrial civilization happening now due to peak oil and climate change? Can you see the forest for the trees, the earth for the dream, the universe for the seed? Sustainable pre-screening menu available beforehand. 7.30pm for 8pm, SLOWdown restaurant cafe bar, 56 Acland St, St Kilda (opp McDonalds) All welcome. Tickets $10 online at http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=13054 or $11 on the door (subject to availability).

Tuesday 13 September
COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE FACE OF LIBERAL ATTACKS ON WIND FARMS
Public meeting with presentation by Ben Courtice (Renewable Energy campaigner with Friends of the Earth Melbourne and journalist for Green Left Weekly) on the Liberal's attacks on wind power. Followed by discussion. The Victorian Liberal government has launched an attack on wind farms with the introduction of the new arbitrary wind guidelines which may wind farms economically unviable. 1pm. Student Union Meeting Room, RMIT, Building 8, Level 3, Room 18. Hosted By Resistance and RMIT Association of Debaters.

Tuesday 13 September
TRAFFICKED - THE RECKONING
Film Preview and Fundraiser @ Bella Union, Trades Hall, Carlton. Trafficked - The Reckoning is the inspiring story of a former police officer’s quest to find the man who enslaved a young Thai girl in a Sydney brothel. Ning’s moving story was first told in the documentary Trafficked which sent shock-waves around the nation. This sequel is a tough and suspenseful investigative documentary that takes us into the brutal underworld of the slave trade in Australia and Thailand. Proceeds from this screening will go towards the making of East Timor’s first locally produced feature film – A Guerra Da Beatriz, a co-production between FairTrade Films, Dili Film Works and John Maynard. There will be a Q&A with the film makers after the screening. Tickets on sale now and at the door. Concession for group bookings. www.bellaunion.com.au/program_guide/show_471/

Wednesday 14 September
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE: TOWARDS A GREEN ECONOMY?
United Nations Association of Australia Earth Summit Series. Guest speaker Professor Rob Adams AM, Director City Design, City of Melbourne, followed by a forum discussion moderated by Rob Gell, President, Greening Australia, Sustainability and Media Consultant. The issues of sustainable development and infrastructure as they relate to transport, Melbourne’s CBD, metropolitan areas, regional Victoria and rural areas will be explored in this stimulating and thought provoking forum. RSVP and info: www.unaavictoria.org.au or  UNAA Victoria 9670 7878. 5.45pm, 530 Collins St, Melbourne. Free event, all welcome. RSVP Essential

Thursday 15 September
INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATE: A TAX WON'T FIX CLIMATE CHANGE
No other issue has divided Australia like the current debate on the carbon tax. Come and hear panelists from both sides of the divide: politicians, scientists, academics and other well-known identities distil the issues and make their case. 6:30 – 8:30pm. Melbourne Town Hall, 90-120 Swanston St, City. Tickets & Bookings: $20 and $12 concession. Make a booking http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=13016

Thursday 15 September
CHILE - COLOMBIA OPEN FORUM
6:30pm to start 7pm, Latrobe University City Campus, 215 Franklin St. City. Main Speakers: Ralph Newmark, Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies from Latrobe University, Colombian and Chilean solidarity activists. Music and discussions. Entry by Donation. http://www.latinlasnet.org/

Friday 16 September
RALLY: SHUT DOWN SERCO! END MANDATORY DETENTION! FREE THE REFUGEES!
Serco is the company that profits from the incarceration of asylum seekers. The Immigration Department privatises the running of Australia's network of inhumane prisons known as detention centres. 12:30pm. Serco Offices, cnr Bourke & William Sts, City (meet in the courtyard on the South-East corner). Called by Refugee Action Collective. For more info ph 0450 384 578 or visit http://rac-vic.org/

Friday16 September
FUNDRAISER: SAVE BALLERRT MOOROOP STRONG SPIRIT FESTIVAL
Join us for a very special night to celebrate Indigenous culture and raise awareness of the struggle to save Ballerrt Mooroop College, Melbourne's last Indigenous school. An amazing mix of some of the most gifted Indigenous performers in the country and the high energy, socially conscious music of Melbourne's best local talent. Bar, food available. 6:30pm. Northcote Uniting Church, 251 High St, Northcote. For more infor visit BMC. http://ballerrtmooroop.org/

Saturday, September 17
VICTORIAN CLIMATE ACTIVISTS MEET-UP
To discuss the many climate campaigns that are underway in the state. Suggested agenda items: Renewable energy; What the Baillieu government is doing or threatening to do to wind & solar industries; Coal and coal-seam gas; HRL dual-gas power station: latest on the campaign; Anglesea coal mine expansion & local campaign; Bacchus Marsh brown coal exploration moves; Campaigning to keep the coal seam gas industry out of Victoria Forests; Sylvia Creek blockade & other forest campaigns; Price on pollution; Update on the campaign supporting the carbon price. A more detailed agenda will be sent out closer to the date. Please email me with any further matters that you want to raise. 1-5pm. Climate Action Centre, Level 5, Trades Hall Annexe, cnr Victoria & Lygon Sts, Carlton. Afternoon tea will be supplied. We will be asking for donations to cover the afternoon tea and for the room booking (to contribute to the rent of the centre). For more info, ph Ben Courtice 9419 8700 or 0413 580 706 or email ben.courtice@foe.org.au.

Saturday, September 17
MEDIA SKILLS WORKSHOP FOR ACTIVISTS
Movement media veterans Marisa Sposaro and Alison Thorne will present an interactive workshop designed to help everyone, from complete novices to experienced operators, sharpen their skills. 1-5 pm. $20/$10. Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Proceeds will benefit the work of the host organisations. Presented by Indigenous Social Justice Association and Radical Women. For more info or to register email alison.thorne@ozemail.com.au or ph 9388 0062.

Saturday 17 September
THE POWER OF STORY, THE PASSION OF SONG
Arnold Zable, Kavisha Mazzella, Alice Garner, Majed Shoukor, Kate Atkinson, Robin Laurie & friends will perform extracts and reflect on the impact of Kan Yama. Kan & Actors for Refugees. 2pm. Multicultural Hub, cnr Elizabeth & Victoria Sts, City (near Victoria Markets). For more info visit http://www.justlikeus.org.au/ or ph Marie 0409 252 673.

Saturday 17 September
CLIMATE CHANGE & BIODIVERSITY
Public meeting with Steve Meacher, an environmental educator and climate activist, who since 2009 has been project officer for the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, a grouping of the councils of Boroondara, Knox, Monash, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges and Whitehorse, investigating how the management of bushland and biodiversity by councils will have to change to adapt to global warming. After a brief overview of the project Steve will talk about a case study on the effects of climate change on key plant species and significant Ecological Vegetation Classes in the local region. 5pm. Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre, entry at 277 Reynolds Rd, Warrandyte (Mel 34 H7). Presentation as a part of the Mulum Mullum Festival. For more info visit http://mullummullumfestival.org.au/ or ph Marie 0409 252 673.

Saturday 17 September
CLIMATE CHANGE, DESPAIR & EMPOWERMENT - VICTORIAN WORKSHOPS 2011
The Climate Change, Despair and Empowerment workshop series aims to support climate action groups and individuals to increase personal empowerment as well as climate action sustainability and effectiveness. Facilitator: John Seed OAM is an environmental activist who has been facilitating Despair and Empowerment for 25 years. For more about Despair and Empowerment see Joanna Macy’s “Working Through Environmental Despair” http://tinyurl.com/3beae6n. Also see more about Climate Change, Despair and Empowerment workshops http://tinyurl.com/3fu2y4q. Please bring a cushion to sit on and food to share for lunch. Tea and coffee provided. Bookings: johnseed1@ozemail.com.au Info: pablo@beyondzeroemissions.org. Kindness House 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. All welcome - need to book. Suggested donation $100 (or whatever you can afford). All proceeds to Beyond Zero Emissions, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and 100% Renewables Campaign.

Sunday 18 September
CLIMATE CHANGE, DESPAIR & EMPOWERMENT - VICTORIAN WORKSHOPS 2011 (BALLARAT)
The Climate Change, Despair and Empowerment workshop series aims to support climate action groups and individuals to increase personal empowerment as well as climate action sustainability and effectiveness. Facilitator: John Seed OAM is an environmental activist who has been facilitating Despair and Empowerment for 25 years. For more about Despair and Empowerment see Joanna Macy’s “Working Through Environmental Despair” http://tinyurl.com/3beae6n. Also see more about Climate Change, Despair and Empowerment workshops http://tinyurl.com/3fu2y4q. Please bring a cushion to sit on and food to share for lunch. Tea and coffee provided. Bookings: admin@breaze.org.au, 5329 1730. Uni of Ballarat, PI Training Cntr, Cnr Gillies & Gregory Sts. All welcome - Need to book. All proceeds to BZE, AYCC, 100% Renewables Campaign, Zero Emissions Inc. and Breaze. Suggested donation $100 (or whatever you can afford) 

Sunday 18 September
MINI FESTIVAL FOR EAST AFRICA OXFAM FOOD APPEAL
10 am onward, 79 Carrington Rd, Box Hill. Featuring Dan Warner at 10am plus Tom Bolton, Leigh Sloggert and Chiara Browne, Box Hill Ballet Performance Group and many other great artists playing acoustic, rock, blues, jazz, pop etc, until 8pm. Stay all day or drop in. BYO drinks and a bite. Contact Bruce for more details 0417303567 or bruce.pumpa@hotmail.com. Check the event out on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=271233159572650#!/events/create/?eid=271233159572650

Sunday 18 September
GREEN CARBON: OUR FORESTS & CLIMATE CHANGE
Public meeting with Peter Campbell, forest protection campaigner for 25 years. Forests store and remove carbon. Native forests, like those of the Mullum Mullum Valley, have an abundance of plant and animal species and are wonderful to visit. They also store large amounts of 'green carbon' in wood, vegetation, detritus and their soils. We have a great opportunity to protect our native forests to preserve their natural qualities and the carbon they store. 4pm. Currawong Bush Park Conference Centre, entry at 277 Reynolds Rd, Warrandyte (Mel 34 H7). Presentation as a part of the Mulum Mullum Festival. For more info visit Mullum Mullum or ph Marie 0409 252 673.

Tuesday 20 September
MOVING TOWARDS A DEMOCRACY IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE
Writer and peace activist Miko Peled offers an Israeli perspective on how to achieve peace in the Middle East. His father was one of Israel's most famous generals, Matti Peled, who went from Israeli war hero to peacemaker. 6:30 for 7pm. State Library Conference Centre, Entry 3, 179 La Trobe st, City. $5. Organised by Australians for Palestine. For bookings & info email info@australiansforpalestine.com

Wednesday 21 September
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY - SHARING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Centre of Melbourne MultiFaith & Others Network proudly presents: A FUN & FREE family evening with a vegetarian meal provided for all to mark UN International peace day. Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick – 5pm to 8:30pm. www.common.org.au. Please RSVP, Project Manager, Jamel Kaur Tel: 0413 425 912, info@common.org.au

Wednesday 21 September
IT'S TIME TO END THE MANDATORY DETENTION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS
Public meeting: speakers: Louise Newman & Robyn Samson. 6:30pm. The Multicultural Hub, cnr Elizabeth & Victoria Sts, City (near Victoria Markets). Organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network. For more info visit http://www.justlikeus.org.au/ or ph Marie 0409 252 673.

Wednesday 21 September
CHILD WISE CHARITY CONCERT
Child Wise, Australia’s leading international child protection charity committed to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation in Australia and across the globe is hosting a Charity Fundraiser from 7pm @ Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda. The line-up so far... Louis Tillett (ex-Wet Taxis), The Spoils, James Black (Rockwiz Orchestra), Brian Henry Hooper (Beasts of Bourbon), Cold Harbour, Tanya Lee Davies + band, Firebird, Nomadic Funk, Bailey Judd & Brian Nankervis. Tickets ON SALE NOW from www.espy.com.au OR www.oztix.com.au. To find out more, please visit www.childwise.net

Wednesday 21 September
QUARTERLY ESSAY: BAD NEWS - MURDOCH'S AUSTRALIAN AND THE SHAPING OF THE NATION
The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 6:15PM - 7:15PM. This year has seen unprecedented scrutiny of Rupert Murdoch’s empire in Britain. There’s even been talk of the end of the empire. Some of that has spilled over as far as our shores – where it all began for the Murdochs. In Australia, News Limited market dominance is impressive: by its own admission, News Limited controls 70 per cent of Australia’s newspaper readership market. The empire’s flagship publication is The Australian, our only national masthead and – though a perennial loss-maker – a key weapon in News Limited’s arsenal of influence. In ‘Bad News’, Robert Manne, one of Australia’s leading essayists, investigates how The Australian shapes debate in this country. This is a free event. Bookings recommended: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=14665

Thursday 22 September
LUNCHBOX / SOAPBOX: ANNE MANNE ON DISABILITY: THE NEW FRONTIER OF JUSTICE
The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 12:45PM - 1:15PM. Lunchbox/Soapbox is a simple idea: an old-fashioned Speakers’ Corner in the middle of the city, in the middle of the day. At the Wheeler Centre we’re keen to showcase our writers as thinkers and as artists, as people with passions and peccadilloes. So we’ve come up with Lunchbox/Soapbox: a weekly space for them to sound off on a topic of their choice. Think of it as a 20-minute piece of polemic to give lunching CBD folk something to chew on. This is a free event. No bookings required.

Thursday 22 September
SISTERS IN CRIME
The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 6:15PM - 7:15PM. Ahead of She Kilda 2011, the Australian Women Crime Writers’ Convention, the Wheeler Centre welcomes some of Australia’s leading crime writers. They discuss why there’s such an appetite for women’s crime writing. Honey Brown, Lindy Cameron, Kerry Greenwood and Angela Savage – four writers at different stages of their careers – discuss all things criminally ladylike. This is a free event. Bookings recommended: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=14518

Thursday 22 September
JUST ADD WATER
Water covers three quarters of our planet and makes up 70% of our bodies, but how much do we really know about it? Speaker: Dr Peter Wothers, Director of Studies in Chemistry, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge University. Dr Wothers is the UK’s answer to Dr Karl and has spent the past ten years passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm for science. He will present a thought-provoking, energetic and action-packed show. Info: Mick Moylan 8344 6465 or mmoylan@unimelb.edu.au. 5 -6 pm, Masson Theatre, Ground Floor, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne. All welcome, free.

Friday 23 September
FUNDRAISER: DINNER FOR THE 'BOYCOTT ISRAEL 19'
Defend the right to protest and support the campaign against Israeli apartheid. Solidarity needed to help pay legal costs. 6pm. Student Union Members' Lounge, Melbourne University. For bookings ph 0405 578 500.

Saturday 24 September
350.Org's MOVING PLANET DAY - HUMAN SIGN
Moving Planet will be a worldwide day to move beyond fossil fuels. Come on bike, on skates, on a board, or on foot. Come with your neighbours and your friends, your family and your co-workers. Come be part of something huge. It's time to get moving on the climate crisis. Come and join a giant human sign for a transition to 100% renewable energy! Questions? call Rufus on 0432 995 855 or rufus@youthclimatecoalition.org. http://www.moving-planet.org

Saturday 24 September
FINDING HOME, REFUGEES SHARE STORIES OF STRUGGLE, FRIENDSHIP & HOPE
Closing night of the Just Like Us community welcome project. Celebrating welcoming responses to refugees and asylum seekers during the past decade. 2pm. Multicultural Hub, cnr Elizabeth & Victoria Sts, City (near Victoria Markets). For more info visit http://www.justlikeus.org.au/ or ph Marie 0409 252 673.

Saturday 24 September
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Abby Dobson from Leonardo’s Bride headlines a fundraiser for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. With guests: Bernadette Carroll, Mandy Wragg, Amanda Grafanakis, Sally Chatfield, Ben Jackson and NEVA2L8.
Doors 6:30 @ The Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury. Tickets from www.thethornburytheatre.com