Community Announcements 26 June 2012

Posted 26 June 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 26 June
MANUFACTURING: VITAL FOR AUSTRALIA’S GREEN FUTURE
The Australia Series: Four panel discussions co-hosted by the Search Foundation and The New International Bookshop on the topics most critical to Australia’s economic, political and environmental future. With Andrew Dettmer (Qld Sec., AMWU); Michele O’Neil (National Sec., TCFUA), Matthew Wright (Executive Director of Beyond Zero Emissions). 7pm, Trades Hall Meeting Room 1, 54 Victoria St, South Carlton. Entry to the Australia Series talks is by $10 / $5. For more information about the or to confirm your place on the night please contact The New International Bookshop on (03) 9662 3744 or at nibscoordinator@gmail.com

Tuesday 26 June
PROTEST THE AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY
The ACL is at the forefront of the push to maintain homophobic discrimination in Australia. They are outspoken opponents of marriage equality and shameless promoters or bigotry in all its forms. On June 26 they will be holding a public forum against marriage equality, which will be broadcast into churches across Australia. Equal Love is calling on all equal rights supporters to be there to protest and send a clear message that the ACL's views are those of a sad, bigoted minority. We need to show that equality is popular, and it's about time the government recognised this. 6:15pm. CrossCulture Church of Christ, 333 Swanston St, City.

Tuesday 26 June
REFUGEES FROM SRI LANKA: OCCUPATION & RESISTANCE IN TAMIL EELAM
Public meeting, 6:30pm (meal from 6pm). Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT). The majority of the refugees who are sitting in limbo facing a lifetime of detention because of negative security assessments by ASIO are Tamils from Sri Lanka. They are being persecuted for seeking asylum, but also because the Tamil people, like the East Timorese, were engaged in a struggle for self-determination. Tamils in Australia are often hounded by ASIO if they have any connection to the movement for a Free Tamil Eelam. Speakers: Sabesan Sanmugam (Tamil Coordinating Committee public officer & 3CR Tamil Voice program producer); Chris Slee (co-author of The Tamil Freedom Struggle in Sri Lanka & Socialist Alliance member); Rob Stary (lawyer for three Tamils accused of terrorism for raising tsunami relief money for the Tamil areas in Sri Lanka). Organised by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978.

Tuesday 26 June
REDMOND BARRY LECTURE: RAMONA KOVAL
Broadcaster and former presenter of Radio National's The book show, Ramona Koval, will present the 2012 Redmond Barry Lecture: By the book – a reader's guide to life. After a long career of reading and talking with some of the most important writers of our times, Ramona is writing her own book. In this lecture during the National Year of Reading, she will take the audience on a tour of her beloved private collection of favourite books. 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library, Entry 3, La Trobe St. Free event, but bookings required: https://register.eventarc.com/event/view/9087/tickets/the-2012-redmond-barry-lecture-by-the-book-a-readers-guide-to-life-by-ramona-koval

Tuesday 26 June
THE FIFTH ESTATE: INSIDER INSIGHTS: MAXINE MCKEW
The Fifth Estate is the Wheeler Centre’s new series of fortnightly forums: a more measured approach to news and current affairs. When a jubilant Maxine McKew ousted sitting prime minister John Howard from his own seat of Bennelong on election night 2007, nobody could have foreseen the events to come in the new Labor government’s first term. A star recruit for Kevin Rudd’s team, Maxine McKew left a distinguished career in journalism to experience life in politics. What are her thoughts about the current political scene? How has the media shaped contemporary political culture in Australia? And what is life like after politics for Maxine McKew? Join host Sally Warhaft for a wide-ranging conversation in this ‘spotlight’ edition of The Fifth Estate. 6:15PM - 7:15PM, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. This is a free event. Bookings are recommended: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=27570

Wednesday 27 June
LIGHTER FOOTPRINTS CLIMATE ACTION GROUP MONTHLY MEETING
Forum on the potential for community renewable energy projects and the approach of the 100% renewables campaign for big solar. Speakers: Richard Johnston (Energy Matters) & Danae Bolger (100% Renewables). 7 pm (for 7:30 start). Guide Hall, Faversham Rd, Canterbury. Gold coin entry. For more info ph 9836 0925 or 0411 115 186.

Wednesday 27 June
THE FUTURE OF COAL AND GAS IN AUSTRALIA
Energy analysts and commentators envisage coal and gas playing major, if not dominant, roles in supplying an energy hungry world for many decades. Australia is a major exporter of coal, and coal-based electricity underpins our standard of living. Gas development is undergoing a revolution driven by technologies that extract it from coal seams and shales and the scale is mind boggling. Yet an effective response to climate change means the combustion of coal and gas as we know it today must cease by mid-century. This seminar in our Energy Future Series will examine this conundrum, one of the major challenges of our time. A Grattan seminar event. Reg: http://energyfutures02.eventbrite.com/ 6:30 pm – 8 pm, Carrillo Gantner Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Corner Swanston Street & Monash Road, The University of Melbourne. All welcome. Free.

Wednesday 27 June
WALTER LIPPMANN MEMORIAL LECTURE: LINDSAY TANNER
In the annual Walter Lippmann Memorial Lecture, hear former Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner argue that while the mechanical effects of immigration on the Australian economy have been debated for decades, little attention has been paid to the economic benefits of diversity. As globalisation gathers momentum, Australia stands to benefit from its diverse population. This is a free event. Bookings are recommended. Make a booking http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=24337 6:15PM - 7:15PM, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Wednesday 27 June
EMERGENCY SPEAKOUT FOR JAILED PAKISTANI ACTIVISTS
12:30-1:30pm. Cnr Bourke & Swanston Sts, City. Free Baba Jan & the Hunza 5! Baba Jan is a Pakistani activist from a community engulfed by flooding and landslides in the Hunza River valley. These floods and landslides were the result of deforestation, soil erosion and climate change. Baba Jan was involved in organising protests demanding compensation for effected communities. In the aftermath, Baba Jan and four others were arrested and charged under Pakistan's Anti-Terror Laws. This speakout is part of an international week of action. For further background see http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/50898. Sponsored by Socialist Alliance, Industrial Workers of the World (Melbourne), Socialist Alternative. For more info ph Tony 0437 237 010.

Wednesday 27 June
OCCUPY MELBOURNE REFLECTS
Some of us have lent our voices in the streets, others have lent a hand or donated what they could, and millions of Melbournians have witnessed Occupy Melbourne. Whoever you are and however you've been involved, you are welcome to attend this special event to reflect upon the last eight months of Melbourne's part in what has become one of the most significant social movements in the world today. 5:30pm. Gopals Vegetarian Restaurant, 139 Swanston St, City. Join friends for dinner at 5:30pm; proceedings will run from 6-9pm. Food, drinks and dessert are available to be purchased on the evening at affordable rates (roughly $7-$10 per meal). Gopals generously donated food to our community kitchens, have kindly provided this space and request only that attendees please respect their no alcohol policy. The event will be facilitated by an expert facilitator from the Melbourne Campaigners Network and we ask kindly that participants make a donation for this service.

Wednesday 27 June
MUCKATY ANTI-NUKE REPORT BACK
Hear from Muckaty traditional owners about their inspirational campaign to protect country and culture from Martin Ferguson's plan to use their land as a nuclear waste dump. 6:30pm. Friends of the Earth, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. Organised by Friends of the Earth's Anti-nuclear & Clean Energy (ACE) Campaign.

Wednesday 27 June
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH: AT ARM'S LENGTH
Art. New stuff from young people. Arms. No more weapons for atrocities. Attention. Even for those with a short attention span. At Arm's Length is a storytelling chain responding to the stories of those affected by the arms trade. Join us for the launch. Featuring new work from Melbourne artists: Kirsti Whalen (spoken word); Harley Hefford (video); Aimee Rytenskild (visual); Flo Dacy-Cole (installation). 7pm. Loop, 23 Meyers Place, City. Organised by ARTillery human rights arts festival. ARTillery is run entirely by volunteers in association with Amnesty International and aims to raise awareness and action around human rights issues through the arts. This year, ARTillery is focused on Amnesty’s Arms Trade Treaty Campaign, and forms part of Amnesty’s 100 days of activism from March 23–June 30.

Thursday 28 June
LUNCHBOX / SOAPBOX: FIGHTING EXTINCTIONS
Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria, speaks passionately about the role of zoos in fighting extinction, in preserving species at risk, and in engaging communities to take action to help animals. In the lead-up to the school holidays, she uses real examples of techniques and tactics that are being used by Zoos Victoria in delivering this role, and discusses the challenges in transforming the three zoos of Zoos Victoria. This is a free event. 12:45PM - 1:15PM, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Thursday 28 June
SOLIDARITY FILM SCREENING: OPERATION 8: DEEP IN THE FOREST
On October 15th 2007, more than 300 cops carried out dawn raids on Tuhoe land and on homes across New Zealand/Aotearoa. Police make the ludicrous claim that the raids were in response to 'concrete terrorist threats' from Indigenous activists. Last month, four activists were sentenced on firearms charges. Come to a special screening of this compelling documentary and show your support for the international campaign to free these political prisoners. Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Hosted by the Freedom Socialist Party. For more information ph 9388 0062.

Thursday 28 June
THE PIPE FILM SCREENING - FUNDRAISER FOR THE CONNOLLY SHOW ON 3CR
Join the Connolly Association at 7pm at the Celtic Club, cnr Queen and Latrobe Streets, City, for a screening of The Pipe, a documentary film which tells the story of the small Rossport community in Ireland who took on the might of Shell Oil and the Irish State. The discovery of gas off this remote coastal village has led to the most dramatic clash of cultures in modern Ireland. The rights of farmers over their fields, and of fishermen to their fishing grounds, has come in direct conflict with one of the world’s most powerful oil companies. When the citizens look to their State to protect their rights, they find that the government has put Shell’s right to lay a pipeline over their own. $10 dollars entry and all proceeds go to keeping the Connolly Association on air at 3cr (every Saturday morning at 9:30am). For more information contact: theconnollyassociation@gmail.com

Thursday 28 June
THE BODY IN THE LIBRARY
Whodunnit and why? Melbourne crime writers Kerry Greenwood and Carolyn Morwood dissect the ‘body in the library’ cosy mystery genre as typified by Agatha Christie's Miss Marple novels (and indeed their own), in conversation with Sisters in Crime Australia national co-convenor, Carmel Shute. Kerry Greenwood is the author of the two landmark Australian crime series – a contemporary mystery series featuring baker and reluctant sleuth, Corinna Chapman and the Phryne Fisher books which are the inspiration for Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on ABC1. Carolyn Morwood is a prize winning author whose first three novels were published by The Women’s Press, in London. A Simple Death won the Davitt award in 2002. Her latest novel, Death and the Spanish Lady (Pulp Fiction Press, 2011), is the first in an historical crime fiction trilogy. 5.30pm for 6pm, Athenaeum 2, 188 Collins Street, Melbourne (behind the Melbourne Town Hall/has lift.) Bookings essential by Wednesday June 20: library@melbourneathenaeum.org.au or ring 9650 3100. Info: Carmel Shute on 0412 569 356 or go to www.sistersincrime.org.au

Thursday 28 June
CAMPAIGN BRIEFING: FARMLAND NOT GASLAND. ALLIANCE BUILDING AND NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNING IN RURAL VICTORIA.
6pm for a 6.15 start, finish by 7.30 pm. An informal wander around the Commons and introduction from manager Megan McCormack (check here for extra info: http://commons.org.au/), a glass of wine or a cuppa and short presentations from Aidan Ricketts (author of the Activists Handbook); Cam Walker (FoE campaigns co-ordinator); and Shaun Murray (Quit Coal campaign). No cost, but please Rsvp by Monday 25 June: cam.walker@foe.org.au

Thursday 28 June
NO NEW COAL
Rally to show opposition to new coal projects, including a brown coal export industry, which would triple Victoria's contribution to greenhouse gas pollution. Prime farmland, like Bacchus Marsh on the outskirts of Melbourne, is under threat from this reckless plan, using experimental technology to dry and export brown coal. At the same time, the federal and state governments are still offering the coal company HRL $150 million of taxpayers’ money to build a new coal-fired power station in Victoria. Stop the stupidity, join us for a day of action. 12:30pm. Parliament House, cnr Spring & Bourke Sts, City.

Saturday 30 June
EFFECTIVE ACTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Get skilled up for maximum effect at the Ross House training day with back-to-back workshops. Each 90-minute workshop is $10 with all proceeds going back into the program. Hear from long-term campaigners with years of experience and excellent skills to share. Workshop facilitators: Holly Hammond (director of Plan to Win); Tim Norton (Digital Campaigns Coordinator, Oxfam); Nicola Paris (The Last Stand); Shaun Murray (Friends of the Earth); Danya Jacobs (Lawyers for Forests); Sarah Harmer (counselor and women's advocate); Aidan Ricketts (lecturer, School of Law & Justice, Southern Cross University, author of The Activists' Handbook). Bookings essential. Places limited. To book visit http://www.rosshouse.org.au or ph 9650 1599.

Saturday 30 June
OGADEN YOUTH & CULTURAL DAY
The Somali people in the Ogaden region face daily brutality under the yoke of Ethiopia's oppressive government. In celebration of their resilience under such hardship, the Ogaden Youth & Students Union and the Ogaden community in Victoria invite you to a night of culture & entertainment. In this festive atmosphere, the struggles of the Somali people in the Ogaden will be translated through poetry, traditional dance, video screenings & speeches. 3:30-9pm. Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St, Fitzroy. Entry free. For more info ph A. Nasir 0413 207 985 or Laylo 0423 674 009.

Sunday 1 July
RALLY TO DEFEND JULIAN ASSANGE
12 noon. Assemble State Library, 328 Swanston St, City; then march to City Square. It is time for the Australian people to take to the streets and ensure Julian Assange does not end up in the hands of the US government! Let's tell our government it is time to protect our own citizens. The Australian government could apply much more pressure to bring Julian Assange home and yet they have been belligerently silent on the fate of an Australian citizen and award-winning journalist. RAP NEWSand other acts will perform live in support of Assange as well as a great list of speakers.

Monday 2 July
RE-POWERING PORT AUGUSTA REPORT
At this critical time for South Australian energy policy, Beyond Zero Emissions has released the long-awaited Repowering Port Augusta report. This report presents the compelling economic and environmental case for why Port Augusta’s ageing coal-fired power stations should be replaced with concentrating solar thermal power. 6:30pm. Fritz Loewe Theatre (entry via level 2), McCoy Building, University of Melbourne, cnr Elgin & Swanston Sts, Carlton. Entry by gold coin donation. For more info visit http://beyondzeroemissions.org/events/discussion-group

Tuesday 3 July
SCREENING OF PLASTICIZED PLUS MEET THE FILM MAKER
A journey documentary presented by an intrigued cameraman who shares his experience following the 5 Gyres Institute across the South Atlantic on the very first expedition studying the alarming amount of oceanic plastic pollution - more subversive and collectively worse than many realise. Ross House presents THE BIG PICTURE - films for environmental and social justice on the first Tuesday of the month. Entry is by donation, the proceeds of which go towards environmental action. 6pm, Level 4, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane. All welcome. Contact: Sarah Day, 9650 1599, sarah.day@rosshouse.org.au. http://www.rosshouse.org.au/the_big_picture.

Wednesday 4 July
RALLY AGAINST BAILLIEU'S ANTI-WORKER CONSTRUCTION CODE
The new state government construction code, to apply from July 1, is all about attacking unions. It forces companies to prove they are following Liberal Party anti-union policies like: Rewriting EBAs to promote labour hire and 'all-in' sham contracting; restricting entry of union officials to sites; removing union logos from work-issue clothing; limiting the freedom of union reps, and much more. Failure to comply on all sites will see builders thrown off the government tender list. The Libs will spend $7 million enforcing the code, including a hefty salary for ex-ABCC commissioner Nigel Hadgkiss. The code does nothing to improve safety, employ more apprentices or support local manufacturing jobs.The state government needs to focus on saving Victorian jobs and getting new construction projects going, not another anti-union drive. 11am. Meet at Trades Hall. For more info visit http://www.cfmeuvic.com.au/campaigns/rally-against-baillieus-anti-worker-construction-code

Wednesday 4 – Sunday 8 July
STUDENTS OF SUSTAINABILITY 2012
The Students of Sustainability conference (SoS) is a five-day long annual camping-conference based on issues of social justice and the environment. Held in a different Australian city every year. Welcoming around five hundred people every year, SoS is aimed at anyone interested in creating a more ecologically & socially sustainable world. You don’t need an invite to participate, just come along! The conference is open to anyone who wants to come (student or not!). La Trobe University, Bendigo. $130 early bird (until 1st June), $100 if from Tas, WA, NT, QLD & $30 day ticket. info@studentsofsustainability.org, http://studentsofsustainability.org/

Wednesday 4 July
INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATES: FOREIGN AID IS A WASTE OF MONEY
The Wheeler Centre and St James Ethics Centre combine once again in 2012 to bring you another series of Intelligence Squared debates. From child soldiers in Sudan to gang violence in Papua New Guinea; tsunamis in the Pacific to earthquakes in New Zealand, we’re confronted with communities in need every day. Who should we help? How can we be sure our aid dollars reach their destination? Some believe that aid traps communities in a cycle of dependence, holding them back from developing their own systems and managing their own issues. So on balance, do those dollars hurt more than they help? And with endemic poverty in Australia’s indigenous communities and natural disaster breaking Queensland’s budget – should we ‘take care of our own’ first? Presenters: Tim Costello (CEO of World Vision); Samah Hadid (human rights activist); Andrew Hewett (Executive Director of Oxfam Australia); James Goodman (AidWatch); Tim Wilson (Institute of Public Affairs). Melbourne Town Hall, 6:30PM - 8:30PM. $20 and $12 concession. Make a booking: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=20164. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Friday 6 July
SISTERS IN CRIME@ 2012 BAYSIDE LITERARY FESTIVAL - THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, DARKLY: THE NEW FOCUS OF WOMEN CRIME WRITERS
Featuring Honey Brown, author of the critically acclaimed novels Red Queen and The Good Daughter, Y A Erskine, author of The Brotherhood (2011) and The Betrayal (May 2012), both about corruption in the Tasmanian police force, and Narrelle M Harris, whose book, The Opposite of Life, is a crime vampire novel set in Melbourne, interrogated by Jacqui Horwood, a Sisters in Crime Australia national co-convenor and regular host. 8 pm. Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Carpenter & Wilson Streets, Brighton (accessible venue) $10. Info & bookings: http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/literaryfestival

Friday 6 July
NAIDOC MARCH 2012
The theme for NAIDOC Week 2012 is 'Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on. They dared to challenge.' This year's theme celebrates the champions who lived to renew the spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972. 10am. Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, 186 Nicholson St, Fitzroy.

Sunday 8 July
MICHAEL POLLAN
In all the complex contemporary debates around food, Michael Pollan’s advice is as simple as it is revolutionary: ‘Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants’. In his bestselling calls-to-arms, In Defence of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, he applies his omnivorous mind to the politics and pleasures of eating. In this talk, Michael Pollan will explore what the industrialisation of food and agriculture has meant for our health and happiness as eaters, and look at the growing movement to renovate the food system. Tickets & Bookings: $35 full and $20 concession. Bookings open Friday 20 April. Make a booking: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=24340. 7:00PM - 8:00PM, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-120 Swanston Street. More info: http://wheelercentre.com

Tuesday 10 July
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PREVENTION OF WAR DINNER AND DISCUSSION: LOUISE NEWMAN
Join us for the MAPW July dinner. Our guest speaker will be Professor Louise Newman, psychiatrist and director of the Centre for Developmental Psychiatry & Psychology, Monash University, who's a strong advocate for refugees and asylum seekers. Her research looks at the link between time in restrictive detention and rates of mental illness. La Notte restaurant, 140 Lygon St. Carlton, 6.30pm. $30 (student members $15). RSVP secretary@mapw.org.au.

Wednesday 11 July
ASIO ASSESSMENTS: LEAVING REFUGEES IN LIMBO
Public meeting: Speakers: Julian Burnside (barrister, author, human rights & refugee advocate) & Niromi de Soyza (author of Tamil Tigress); Harvey Stern (president, Labor for Refugees); Declan Murphy (Refugee Action Collective). The Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth st, City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.

Wednesday 11 July
FILM SCREENING: CLEAN BIN
Is it possible to live completely waste free? In this multi-award winning, festival favourite, partners Jen and Grant go head to head in a competition to see who can swear off consumerism and produce the least garbage. Their light-hearted competition is set against a darker examination of the problem of waste. Film trailer at http://www.cleanbinmovie.com/trailer. 7pm. CERES Environment Park, cnr Roberts & Stewart Sts, Brunswick East. Run time 76 min. Discussion & tea available after the film. $10. Tickets are limited to 50, so first in, first served. There should be enough seats to go around but please bring a cushion in case it packs out. To book, visit http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=26653.