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Community Announcments 12 July 2011

Posted 12 July 2011 by Ken Norling (Vic Division)

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

Tuesday 12 July
MEANLAND: THE BLOGGING ECONOMY
The web, we are endlessly told, offers unparalleled opportunity for a democratic voice. But is the voice of the people necessarily offered for free? Why is it so hard to earn a buck through a blog? In partnership with Meanjin and Overland, two of Australia’s finest literary journals, we continue this series examining the rapidly evolving world of writing and publishing. Presenters: Ben Eltham (writer, journalist and creative producer), Jacinda Woodhead (Associate editor, Overland), Zora Sanders (writer, editor and internet connoisseur). 6.15-7.15 pm, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Free event, booking recommended. Make a booking: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=9752.

Tuesday 12 July – Thursday 14 July
CONFERENCE: FOUR DEGREES OR MORE? AUSTRALIA IN A HOT WORLD
Explores the unintended consequences of current domestic and international climate policies. It invites us to imagine the social, economic and ecological implications of catastrophic global warming for Australia and its region. Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Carrillo Gantner Theatre, cnr Swanston St & Monash Rd, University of Melbourne. For more info visit http://www.fourdegrees2011.com.au/.

Wednesday 13 July
ARENA DISCUSSION FORUM: NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Michael Hamel Green, Victoria University. 7:30pm. Arena Project Space, 2 Kerr St (between Brunswick & Nicholson Sts), Fitzroy. For more info ph 9416 0232 or http://www.arena.org.au/

Thursday 14 July
PROJECT FUTURES FUNDRAISER
Project Futures, a not for profit organisation determined to combat sex trafficking globally, are holding a fundraiser. 7pm @ Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda, featuring: Sammy J, Geraldine Hickey, Mikelangelo, Clairy Browne (from the Bangin Rackettes) a bunch of burlesque girls and MORE!

Thursday, July 14
PUBLIC MEETING: FUKUSHIMA
Speaker: Rikiya Adachi (Japanese Greens anti-nuclear activist). 7pm. Cricket Club Hotel, Clarendon St, South Melbourne. For more info ph Elliot Gingold 0418 137 067 or Meni Christofakis 0403 719 435.

Friday 15 July
FILM SCREENING: OUR GENERATION
“Our Generation is a very fine piece of work. It's truthful, eloquent and, above all, it explains very clearly to first-timers and the many who need reminding why the indigenous people of Australia are once again being defrauded of their human and political rights in a country calling itself a democracy.” (John Pilger) Meal available from 6:30pm, film 7pm. Downstairs, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St, Geelong. Entry by Donation. For more info ph 5222 6900. Organised by Socialist Alliance.

Sunday 17 July
RUN MELBOURNE FOR OXFAM AUSTRALIA
Run Melbourne is fast approaching! With the option of a 5km, 10km or half marathon it allows people of all ages and fitness to compete. 2011 will be the 17th staging of Run Melbourne, originally called Run to the G. It is an event not to be missed. Run Melbourne and raise money for your favourite charity (hopefully us!). This is your chance to support our work fighting poverty and injustice around the world. Not into walking or running? We still need you as a volunteer! For every volunteer Oxfam provides, $25 is donated by Run Melbourne. Just $20 can provide families in Timor-Leste with vegetable seeds, increasing nutrition and market opportunities. More information & registration: http://www.runmelbourne.com.au/start.php

Sunday 17 July
TEAM AMNESTY – RUN FOR MELBOURNE!
It’s time to get up, get out and get fit. On Sunday the 17th of July at Federation square there will be a Team Amnesty event in which you can run and fundraise for human rights. 5km, 10km or half marathon test yourself at any level. It’s time to get out there and have some fun, get actively involved with your own rights people! Sign up now! http://www.amnesty.org.au/vic/event/25452/

Sunday 17 July
HARRY POTTER FILM FUNDRAISER
Join Friends Of Same for a magical adventure at a fundraising film night: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 IN 3D PG Rating. Balwyn Palace Cinema, 233 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, 6.30 pm. TICKETS: $20 or $15 concession. To book, contact: Catherine Scott 0416 275 591, garethivoryfoundation@gmail.com, Esther Anderson 0439 555 291, invivoesther@gmail.com, Trish Woodcroft Lee, cpwl@bigpond.net.au. All profits will be split between tuition costs for training a Timorese dentist, and Fuan Nabilan Education Centre for Blind and Vision Impaired people in Same, Timor Leste. Friends of Same: www.friendsofsame.org

Monday 18 July
BUILDING ALLIANCES BY & WITH WOMEN WORKERS
Victoria University and the ACTU are hosting a forum, which will discuss the diversity of women’s experiences and the innovative ways women workers and unionists are building the future of feminist politics within local and global union movements. Transnational experiences will focus on union feminists mobilizing at multiple sites, issues of wages and equity, child care campaigns, work-life balance, and queer organizing. Speakers include: Professor Suzanne Franzway (Director, Research Centre for Women's Studies, University of SA), Professor Mary Margaret Fonow (Director, School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University). 5pm- 6.30pm, School of Management & Information Systems, Room 9.02, Level 9, 300 Flinders St, Melbourne. RSVP by 14 July: smilka.jakobi@vu.edu.au

Tuesday 19 July
IS VICTORIA BECOMING A POLICE STATE?
Public meeting with Rob Stary (civil rights lawyer) & Amanda George (prisoners' rights activist). Since the Baillieu government was elected, the only policy it seems prepared to spend money on is 'law and order': Armed guards on stations, longer sentences, more prisoners, more jails, a new riot squad and on-the-spot fines for swearing in public. This is despite crime rates actually decreasing. The issues that are really making people's lives hard (such as underfunded or non-existent health services, overcrowded public transport; traffic jams; and increasing electricity and water bills) are being deliberately ignored. 6:30pm (meal 6pm). Resistance Centre, Level 5, 407 Swanston St, City. Organised by Socialist Alliance. For more info ph 0413 377 978.

Tuesday 19 July
WHY GENDER MATTERS
You are invited to join the Victorian State Committee of Oxfam Australia to discuss the Oxfam Gender Equity Policy. The discussion will be lead by Jo Crawford (International Womens Development Agency) and Christine Gregory (Oxfam Australia). 6.00 to 7.30pm (drinks and nibbles from 5.30pm), Oxfam Australia, 132 Leicester Street, Carlton. An outcome of the evening will be to gain input into the review of our Gender Policy. We hope you will join us for an insight into this important issue of national and international significance. Please RSVP to Mark Baker groups@oxfam.org.au or on 1300 886 445.

Wednesday 20 July
SPEAK OUT FOR LEX WOTTON'S POLITICAL FREEDOM!
One year ago Lex Wotton was released from jail after serving two years behind bars as a political prisoner. Lex got a 6-year sentence after being found guilty of riot after a justified community protest against the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee. In contrast, Chris Hurley, the police officer responsible for the death in custody, has been promoted and compensated. While Lex is free, he remains politically muzzled by harsh parole conditions, which deny him the right to speak to the media or to attend public meetings. 12:30pm. Bank of Queensland, 163 Bourke St, City. For more info ph Cheryl on 0401 806 331 or Solidarity Salon on 9388 0062.

Thursday 21 July
FILM SCREENING: INTO ETERNITY
Japanese for Peace, with MAPW and other partners presents a screening of the documentary film Into Eternity which explores the practical, political, philosophical and ethical problems associated with the storage of nuclear waste. 7-9pm. Classic Cinema, Elsternwick. For background on the film see http://www.intoeternitythemovie.com/

Thursday 21 July
MEXICO SOLIDARITY SEMINAR
The Latin American Solidarity Network (LASNET), in conjunction with the Latin American Solidarity Society at Latrobe University, is proud to present the Mexican Solidarity Forum with activists and academics interested in the Mexican people’s situation. Since 1996, LASNET has been working in solidarity with the Zapatista movement and for peoples' human rights in Juarez. Speakers: Ralph Newmark (Director, Institute of Latin American Studies, Latrobe Uni), Silvia Rosas (Mexican journalist now resident in Australia), Colm McNaughton (award winning radio documentary producer), Rodrigo Rojas (LASNET activist). Latrobe University City Campus, 215 Franklin St, Melbourne. 6:30 doors for a 7pm start. Food and drinks will be available. Entry by donation - with all proceeds going to support human rights and popular organisations in Chiapas and Juarez. More info: lasnet@latinlasnet.org, http://observatoriointernacionalcpm.wordpress.com, http://www.latinamericansolidaritynetwork.org, http://www.latinlasnet.org

Thursday 21 July
FORUM ON THE VICTORIAN CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Amnesty International together with the Australian Centre for Human Rights Education at RMIT University are co-hosting a forum on the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. The Victorian Government is currently reviewing the Charter, so this is a chance to have a say about what the Charter means to you. New evidence from a community survey on the value of the Charter will also be presented. 5.30pm - 7pm, RMIT University, Research Lounge (opposite library), Building 8, Level 5, 368 Swanston St, Melbourne (enter building 8 just past RMIT Gallery and take the lift to level 5). RSVP essential for catering purposes: Email: barbara.legg@rmit.edu.au or tel: 03 9925 2395. For more information, visit: www.rmit.edu.au/achre, www.amnesty.org.au

Friday 22 July
DAY OF ACTION AGAINST MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS
5pm, State Library, Swanston Street, Melbourne. Multinational corporations act only to benefit the privileged few at the expense of the majority. They reinforce exploitation of poor people, try to smash unionism and undermine workers rights, they have been known to terrorise and murder union activists, they displace and assimilating Indigenous communities, and trash our natural resources and environment. Come to a rally to discuss and protest the well-documented crimes of corporations such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold, Coca-Cola, Fonterra, Chiquita, Monsanto, Drummond, Nestle, BP, Posco, Toyota, Unilever, Motorola, Samsung, Dow Chemicals, OXI, Repsol, Ssangyong and Foxconn. More information:  www.latinlasnet.org

Friday 22 July
CASTAN CENTRE ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW CONFERENCE
Spring Street Conference Centre, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne. The conference will include Jeffrey L. Bleich, United States Ambassador to Australia; Associate Professor Megan Davis, Director of the Indigenous Law Centre at the University of New South Wales and member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and many, many more. For more information on the event, or to register, go to http://www.monash.edu.au/alumni/events/july/castan.html

Friday 22 July
CONCESSION DAY FOR EQUAL PAY
Australian women earn on average 18% less than men. The average superannuation payout for a woman is projected to be half that of a man's by the age of retirement. If the pay gap doesn't change, we will see a void emerge over the next 40 years that will leave today's 25-year-old women nearly $1 million worse off than their male counterparts. July 22 is 'Concession Day' for equal pay: we are calling for all women to pay the concession rate for their public transport ticket. (If you're already on a concession, don't pay anything at all!) Meet 9am at Tram Stop 1, cnr Bourke & Spencer Sts, City for a protest concession fare ride through Melbourne. For more info ph 9388 0062.

Saturday 23 July
NEVER AGAIN! REMEMBER MURDERED SECURITY GUARD, STEVE ROGERS
Ten years ago Steve Rogers was killed at work, defending the Fertility Control Clinic. On July 16, 2001, an anti-abortion terrorist stormed the Clinic’s waiting room. A terrifying melée ended in Rogers’ death. The Clinic remains the target of an ultra-right movement intent on revoking Victoria’s legalisation of abortion and stripping back women’s choices. Every month, on the fourth Saturday, reproductive rights activists defend the Clinic and its neighbourhood from a contingent of anti-choice crusaders. At the July defence, pro-choicers will commemorate this anniversary, remember Steve Rogers and say “Never Again!” Come rally for full reproductive rights for all women and join in building a movement that will stop the anti-abortionists and secure real choices for women. 10.00 am – 12 noon, Fertility Control Clinic, 118 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne (between Powlett and Simpson Streets). For more information, contact Campaign for Women’s Reproductive Rights: cwrr.justice@hotmail.com or 03-9388-0062.

Tuesday 26 July
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SERVITUDE PANEL DISCUSSION
The International law Association (Victorian Chapter) and Australian Lawyers for Human Rights invites you to hear the following speakers: Federal Agent James Cheshire, AFP (Team Leader, Human Trafficking Team for Melbourne); Susan Kneebone, (Professor and Deputy-Director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash University); Kristy Fleming, (Child Wise); Nick Goodfellow (Expert Advisory Group Member of SISHA Anti-Human Trafficking and Exploitation). 5.45pm arrival for 6.00pm start, Mallesons Stephens Jaques, Level 50, Bourke Place, 600 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Free event, but RSVP: nedamonshat@gmail.com by 21 July.

Tuesday 26 July
SISTERS FOR SISTERS
Melbourne-based collective, Sisters for Sisters are hosting a night of spoken word, music, dance and creative expression from sisters of diverse cultural background. The night is in support of Asha India in Mumbai and Art2Healing in Cambodia to empower sex-workers and their children. Featuring: Candice Monique, Emma Donovan, Lady Nadee, Simone Gill and many MORE! Toff in Town, Second Floor, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Doors from 7.00pm, $15.00 on the door. www.thetoffintown.com. More info: http://www.sisters-for-sisters.com/

Wednesday 27 July
ARENA DISCUSSION FORUM: PEAK FOOD
Speakers: Kirsten Larsen (Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab); Ben Fallon (Regenerative Ag); Adam Grubb (Very Edible Gardens). 7:30pm. Arena Project Space, 2 Kerr St (between Brunswick & Nicholson Sts), Fitzroy. For more info ph 9416 0232 or http://www.arena.org.au/

Thursday 28 July
WHO'S TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE & AND WHO CAN WE TRUST?
The media is full of claims and counter claims about the reality and impact of climate change. Scientists, industry leaders and politicians all seem to be at loggerheads about what, if anything, needs to be done. Meteorologist David Karoly talks with social psychologist Yoshihisa Kashima. 7:30pm (refreshments 7pm). Manningham Function Centre, Level 1, Room 2, 699 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster. For more info email Grandstand for Environment. grandstandenv@gmail.com

Thursday 28 July
INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATE: THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR RISKING AUSTRALIAN LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN
As each name is added to the growing list of Australians killed serving in Afghanistan, the government assures the nation that the sacrifice in lives has been for a good cause and in the national interest. But what is the national interest that justifies such a terrible cost? Is this the price of our alliance with the United States? Is this the price of helping to curb the terrorist threat? Is this the price of national honour? Speakers for: Kellie Tranter, Raoul Heinrichs & Eva Cox. Speakers against: Sonia Ziaee, Jim Molan & Peter Singer. 6:30 -8:30pm. Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, City. Organised by the Wheeler Centre (http://wheelercentre.com). Tickets & Bookings $20 and $12 concession. Make a booking: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=9784

Thursday 28 July
GARY FOLEY SPEAKS ON THE HISTORY OF ABORIGINAL RESISTANCE
In 1968 Gary Foley read Malcolm X. Since then, he has been one of the most radical and uncompromising voices in the Aboriginal struggle against racism and the Australian state. In 1972 he was a founding member of the Aboriginal tent embassy that embarrasses politicians in Canberra to this day. He was also part of the successful fight against the apartheid South African rugby team, the Springboks. In this meeting Gary will speak on the ongoing history of Aboriginal resistance to colonisation and genocide. Entry by gold coin donation. Hosted by Socialist Alternative (www.sa.org.au) Call: 0401 513 302 for more info

Friday 29 July
STAND UP FOR PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS
Melbourne rally at 5:30pm, State Library, Swanston Street. On 1 July 2011, the Victorian police attacked a pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne. 19 protesters were arrested during a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) action against Israeli-owned Max Brenner store owned by the Israeli conglomerate Strauss group. This is a company that provides rations packs for the Israeli military, including the military brigades involved in Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, which killed more than 1300 Palestinians, including over 300 children. This protest against Max Brenner is part of the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the apartheid Israeli state. More information: http://boycottisrael19.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/support-the-boycott-israel19-defence-campaign/#more-41