Community Announcements 22 May 2012

Posted 22 May 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.

Wednesday 23 May
THE BREAKFAST CLUB: REVOLUTION AT THE DINNER TABLE: FRESH FEMINISMS, OPEN FOR DISCUSSION
The Breakfast Club is a series of talks events, presented in partnership with the Next Wave Festival, and held at breakfast time: on weekdays at 8am, on weekends at 10am. The arts aren’t immune to their own kind of sexism. So let’s talk about it. What can current generations of feminists learn? What’s different and what sticks? How are our public and media figures affected by expectations of women’s role? And how can art contribute to political change? With LEVEL Artist Run Initiative. 8:00AM - 10:00AM, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street. More information: http://wheelercentre.com/calendar. This is a free event. Bookings are essential. http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=24236

Thursday 24 May
LUNCHBOX / SOAPBOX: ANIMALS, EQUALITY AND DEMOCRACY
While it may be true that nature is red in tooth and claw, it seems that for animals subject to human law – rather than the law of nature – life is much more like a lottery. For an animal, where you are born, and why you were bred, is critically important. This is because animal welfare laws in Australia and around the world are inconsistent. If a rabbit is bought as a family pet and then sold to a fur farm, the law will protect the same rabbit very differently. In this presentation political scientist Dr. Siobhan O’Sullivan outlines inconsistencies in Australia’s animal protection laws and explains why for animals it is critically important to be born good looking, popular, and highly visible to the community. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, 12:45PM - 1:15PM. This is a free event.

Thursday 24 May
FILM SCREENING: PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL
"Pray the Devil Back to Hell chronicles the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country. Liberia, like many West African states, does not manufacture their own weapons". The film is part of the Amnesty international campaign for a Global Arms Trade Treaty. (http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/governments-must-get-serious-arms-trade-treaty-2011-02-28). In July 2012 the UN meets to negotiate and vote on the final Arms Trade Treaty. Come and watch the film and learn more about the campaign! 7:00pm - 8:00pm, New International Bookshop, Trades Hall, Corner of Victoria and Lygon streets, Carlton.See you there folks! RSVP to AmnestyMelbMetro@gmail.com or 0394120700.

Friday 25 May
SCRAP MYKI, MAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FREE
So far, more than $1.35 billion has been spent on the development of Myki, paid to a consortium of private companies. Compare this to the $350 million per year (adjusted for inflation) spent on public transport before privatisation. Overall, privatisation has cost the public over $2 billion more than public ownership. While most people are concerned about the impact of car pollution on air quality and climate change, most Melburnians travel by car, in part because public services are inadequate and poorly integrated. If the public transport system was free, none of this would be necessary. A free, integrated and properly staffed public transport network, under public ownership and control, is worth fighting for. Rally at 4pm. Transport Minister's Office, 121 Exhibition St, City. Organised by Fightback. http://fightback.org.au/

Saturday 26 May
MUSICIANS DUMP COAL
A diverse array of musos and other artists come together for Quitcoalapalooza for a night of fun and music, celebrating and fundraising for Quit Coal, one of Australia’s most splendid and vibrant environmental collectives. For info check out: Quitcoalapalooza. http://quitcoal.org.au/2012/05/quitcoalapalooza/ 8pm-1am, The Evelyn Hotel, 351 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Anyone welcome.

Saturday 26 May
CLIMATE CHANGE DESPAIR AND EMPOWERMENT WORKSHOP
Most people who care about the Earth must at times feel a sense of despair and helplessness in the face of the huge devastation going on all around us and many succumb to depression and burnout as a result. These workshops create a safe space where we may honour the pain we feel for our world and in so doing transform despair into empowerment. RSVP: ahri.tallon@youthclimatecoalition.org. See facebook event for more details: http://www.facebook.com/events/341529082567542/f 9.45-4pm Port Phillip EcoCentre, 55A Blessington St, St Kilda. Free, anyone welcome. Please bring food to share for lunch.

Sunday 27 May
CONCERT: RECONCILIATION WEEK KOORIE NIGHT MARKET
Featuring: Coloured Stone. 10am-2pm. Melbourne Town Hall. More info: http://www.koorienightmarket.com.au/calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2012/05/27/56/-/melbourne-town-hall-reconciliation-week-knm

Sunday 27 May
WILLIAMSTOWN WALK AGAINST WANT
The Walk starts at 9 am at the Williamstown Life Saving Club, better known as the ‘Pearl Bay Courthouse’ from the classic TV series SeaChange. Choose to walk or cycle east or west from the Clubhouse and return via the same route. The eastern walk offers a historical, cultural and culinary perspective of the Williamstown foreshore, taking walkers past the historic Time Ball Tower and piers to Nelson Place. The western walk is for nature enthusiasts, winding its way past the boat harbour, mangroves, bird hides and lakes. Refreshments will be available back at the Clubhouse until 12.30pm. To register, contact Tim Rogers or Rhonda Oliver by phone on 03 9370 2125 or 03 9370 1835, or email Tim at timandmelissa@optusnet.com.au.

Tuesday 29 May
TAFE CUTS, EDUCATION AND THE CAPITALIST CRISIS
Employers and their governments around the world want education and training to make workers more profitable but at the same time want public spending slashed and education to become a market. This forum will address the background to the TAFE cuts and how to campaign for public education. Speakers: Colin Long (state secretary, NTEU); Anne Duggan (head trainer, CFMEU); Alex Nissan (TAFE teacher, course coordinator); and Nick Fredman, (tertiary education researcher, University of Melbourne). 6:30pm until 8:30pm (meal from 6pm), Resistance Centre, Level 5 407 Swanston St, Melbourne (opposite RMIT). Organised by Socialist Alliance. Phone 9639 8622 or 0431 311 520, www.socialist-alliance.org

Wednesday 30 May
A PLACE OF OUR OWN - TACKLING THE HOUSING CRISIS
Australian Fabians event. 6.00 till 7.30 pm , Melbourne City Conference Centre, 333 Swanston St, Melbourne. In 2004 the Fabians held a forum titled 'A Place of Our Own: Housing Problems and What Can Be Done About Them' at which experts discussed the desperate need for affordable housing for all Australians. Speakers remarked that although the crisis was real and obvious it received little media attention. At least one thing has changed – we now have a vigorous public debate about the causes and solutions to the cost of housing. But has anything changed in the real world for those trying to get out of the rental market, or for those are homeless? Come along to our public forum to join the discussion with three experts on aspects of the housing policy explore the issues and the options for how we might finally tackle this critical social and economic issue. Sarah Toohey - Campaign Manager, Australians for Affordable Housing; Richard Wynne MP – Member for Richmond, Shadow Minister for Housing; Sarah Kahn - Manager Policy and Communications, Council to Homeless Persons. Cost $10 non-members, $5 members/concession. RSVP: http://www.fabian.org.au/985.asp?eventId=2558#rsvp

Thursday 31 May
ROSS MCMULLIN: FAREWELL, DEAR PEOPLE
The Friends of Emerald Hill Library invite you to meet Ross McMullin and hear him discuss his new book, which contains ten extended biographies of young men who exemplified Australia’s gifted lost generation of World War I. Ross McMullin is a historian and biographer whose main interests are Australian history, politics, and sport. He has researched and written extensively about the impact on Australia of its involvement in World War I. 7:30 pm, Emerald Hill Library, Bank Street, South Melbourne. Entry is free, no bookings required, and refreshments will be served. For further information ring Michael Sabada 0417 556 143. Michael.Sabada@hospira.com. For more on the book and the author on web at http://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/title/farewell-dear-people/ To keep up to date on events email or visit our website: http://friendsofemeraldhilllibrary.org.au/

Thursday 31 May
FILM: THE LAST SURVIVOR
A documentary presenting the stories of four survivors of genocide (the Holocaust, Rwanda, Darfur and the Congo). It highlights their efforts to educate, motivate and promulgate a civic response to mass atrocity crimes, in order to have a lasting social impact. Doors open 8pm, film starts 8:30pm. Bella Union, Trades Hall, cnr Lygon St & Victoria Parade, Carlton South (enter via Lygon St). Tickets presale: $12/$15; door: $17/$20; group discount (6 or more) $10. Tickets on sale at Bella Union. For more information, see http://artsinaction.com.au/

Friday 1 – Sunday 3 June
MEMORIES - CONTACT WITH WHITE PEOPLE
Coinciding with National Reconciliation Week, Burrinja Cultural Centre is hosting a fascinating collection of art, films, speakers and workshops. All days - Memories - Contact with White People Artworks Exhibition. Friday - Indigenous Film Night. Saturday - Toy-Making for Children, Basket Weaving for Adults. Sunday - Bruce Pascoe and Bill Gammage in conversation about the Aboriginal economy and land-management strategies prior to colonialisation. All the details can be found at http://www.burrinja.org.au/index.php/burrinja-whats-on/whatson. Entry Free. Burrinja, cnr Glenfern Rd and Matson Dr in Upwey.

Saturday 2 June
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY - IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU
Rod Quantock will discuss why it’s so important we all try to reduce our impact on the environment, as well as giving some tips on how to avoid paying the carbon tax and how to drive down your energy bills. You will be able to choose an action to start or continue your household’s journey from a small selection of products and services on offer, including energy monitoring at home, electric bikes, energy saving advice, and more. 10am - 11.30am, 30 Gastons Rd, Eltham. Free event. Bookings are essential. Contact the Environment and Strategic Planning Administration on 9433 3316.

Saturday 2 June
OASES BREAKFAST: SUFFICIENT FOR THE DAY: A RESPONSE TO GLOBAL WARMING
Dr Geoff Lacey will discuss his recent book about responding to climate change, addressing the causes of and responses to this crisis of our way of life. He argues that we must recover an organic view that respects the quality of wildness in the natural world. He recalls the arguments of E.F. Schumacher, in Small is Beautiful, that for every activity there is a certain appropriate scale. He present images of many sustainable human activities on the local scale. It is at the local site that we engage directly with our environment and learn to understand it; we establish the outlines of a future economy; and we affirm the value of nature in its all its wildness. RSVP: info@oases.edu.au or call 9819-3502 and leave a message. 9 am, Augustine Centre, 2 Minona St, Hawthorn. All welcome. Please RSVP for catering purposes. $25/ Conc. $15 incl breakfast.

Saturday 2 June
FILM SCREENING: A NIGHT WITH VIOLETA
Film by Andres Wood about the life of Violeta Parra, a Chilean folk singer best known for her song, 'Gracias a la Vida'. A night of music & discussion. $10. Food & drinks available. 6pm. MUA hall, 46-54 Ireland St, West Melbourne. Presented by Colectivo Memoria y Rebeldia. For more info ph 0431 600 215 or 0404 165 331.