Month: August 2013

event: live wire for refugees

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    A quick heads up on an event happening right now in Federation Square in the CBD. The Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) is holding a 24-hour event called Live Wire for Refugees from 12pm today until 12pm tomorrow (Sunday 1 September). This event is designed to demonstrate support for respecting the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers who arrive in Australia, as well as raising awareness in the community. This has been a long-running and controversial issue in Australia, and it has become a big talking point in the current federal election campaign. ‘The idea is to have people speaking non-stop for 24 hours, trying to fill the airwaves,’ says Lucy Honan from the Refugee Action Collective. ‘We’ve found that, over the last couple of weeks, there has been no space in the media for a pro-refugee perspective. The facts have been lost, ideas have been distorted. We just want to reclaim the airwaves.’ Local radio stations 3ZZZ and 3CR are covering the event, which had attracted a small but engaged crowd when I dropped …

regent honeyeater project

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    Here’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone who finds themselves in Victoria over the next few weeks. The Regent Honeyeater Project is a volunteer conservation program that works to restore box-ironbark forests in the Lurg Hills of North Eastern Victoria. This bushland was heavily forested in the century following European settlement, resulting in the decimation of a number of native bird and animal species, including the Regent Honeyeater (pictured above). Each year the RE Project runs seasonal activities such as seed collection, checking nest boxes and tree planting. And, as spring quietly approaches, now is the time for planting.     Even if you’ve never done anything like this before, or even if you’re not a particularly passionate environmentalist, I can promise you these planting weekends are a lot of fun. They’re hard work — you’ll be either digging ditches all day or crouching down to plant seedlings — but it’s incredibly satisfying and great to be out in the beautiful Victorian countryside with some friends for a weekend. If you’re concerned about your budget, …

newsworthy workshop at the state library

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  The State Library of Victoria will hold two free workshops on how to navigate the SLV’s Newspaper Reading Room. I’ve tried going it alone and it’s utterly confusing, so this workshop should be worth the time. The first workshop will be held this coming Tuesday. The second is on 2 October. Bookings are required.   Newsworthy Workshop Date: 20 August and 2 October 2013 Time: 10.15am — 12.15am Venue: State Library of Victoria Address: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne Damage: free  

melbourne writers festival 2013

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  To all the writers, poets, journalists, illustrators, critics, readers and other curious minds out there — drop what you’re doing and head to the Melbourne Writers Festival website because you’ll want to book tickets early this year. The festival program is divided into different categories including Identity & Politics; Journalism; Art, Music & Performance; Professional Development; and, of course, Literature. Click here to see a list of speakers appearing at this year’s MWF. There is also a range of great free events. Join the TV audience of the ABC’s ‘Book Club with Jennifer Byrne‘, listen to Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler talk about his new book Dark Lands, or see some of Australia’s most distinguished journalists discuss a myriad of issues confronting today’s media in the ‘New News‘ sessions — all for free. Tickets to most sessions are around $20, with a few high-profile sessions and professional development events costing more. Note that some of the free events require bookings — check the individual event pages for details.   Melbourne Writers Festival 2013 Dates: 22 August …