Dale Hess Calendar - 13-09-30 : Films galore; Festival of Ideas; Human Rights; Religion & The Media; Environments; BDS and so much more

Booked out:  Tuesday 1 October, 6 pm - 8.30 pm:  Festival of Ideas: Human Rights, Social Equity and Health: An Australasian Pulse Check.  Speakers: Ian Anderson, Chair; Marcia Langton, Papaarangi Reid, Arnold Zable, Julian Burnside, Joy Murphy Wandin. Venue:  Carillo Gantner Theatre, University of Melbourne. Website:  Opening Night - Human Rights, Social Equity and Health: An Australasian Pulse Check

Tuesday 1 October, 6.30 pm for 7 pm: Herb Feith Memorial Lecture: Democracy in Indonesia Revisited. Speaker: Prof. Edward Aspinall, Australian National University. This lecture will revisit some of the analyses made at that conference in the light of Indonesia's contemporary democratic transformation. How does contemporary Indonesian democracy compare with that of the 1950s? Approaching contemporary Indonesian democracy in this way, it is hoped, will throw new light both on its well-known failings and its surprising achievements. Venue: Building H, Level 1, Rm 116, Monash Caulfield. RSVP for catering purposes by 24 September 2013.

Wednesday 2 October, 9.30 am - 8 pm: Festival of Ideas: Environments. See website for programs and speakers: http://ideas.unimelb.edu.au/events. 

Venue:  Carillo Gantner Theatre,University of Melbourne.

Wednesday 2 October, 6 pm shared meal; 7.30 presentation: Gaza's Ark - Sailing out of the Blockade! Speaker:  James Godfrey. He is a member of the International Steering Committee for Gaza's Ark.  He has just returned from a speaking tour in in England and Scotland. Gaza's Ark is building hope by rebuilding a 24-metre fishing boat in Gaza, converting it into a cargo vessel to carry Palestinian products, and thus challenging the illegal and inhuman Israeli blockade. Gaza's Ark affirms our confidence that the Palestinians of Gaza can rebuild their economy through outbound trade that threatens no-one'security. Venue: Friends Meeting House, 631 Orrong Road, Toorak. Enquiries:  Helen Bayes 0422 138 991  helencbayes@gmail.com; See www.gazaark.org for more information about the project.

Thursday 3 October, 10 am -  8 pm: 

Festival of Ideas: Food & Nutrition. 

See website for programs and speakers: 

http://ideas.unimelb.edu.au/events. 

Venue:  

Carillo Gantner Theatre,University of Melbourne.

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Thursday 3 October, 10.30 am - 12 pm: A community information session about Asylum seekers with Sister Brigid Arthur. One of the major challenges facing the world today is protecting refugees who have been forced to leave their homes by armed conflict and human rights abuses. Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand invites you to our special event Stand in Solidarity with Asylum Seekers with Sister Brigid Arthur as special speaker. Sr Brigid a Brigidine Sister and Asylum Seeker Advocate will talk about current issues facing asylum seekers in the community. Venue: Good Shepherd Chapel, St Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067. Entry by donation:  All proceeds will go to The Brigidine Asylum Seeker project. For more info contact: 9470 9742

Thursday 3 October, 6 pm - 7.30 pm: 

IPCC Climate Change Science Report 2013: 

Insights from Australian Scientists. 

Join world-leading climate scientists as they explore the findings and significance of the latest comprehensive report on the science of climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). RMIT Storey Hall, 330 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 3000. Free event. Master of Ceremonies: Rob Gell; Speaker Panel: Dr Scott Power and Dr Julie Arblaster, Bureau of Meteorology; Prof Neville Nicholls, Monash University; Dr Penny Whetton, CSIRO; Dr Malte Meinshausen, University of Melbourne. Register:http://amos-ipcc.eventbrite.com.au/.

Thursday 3 October, 6.30 pm:  We won't be silenced: Pro-Palestine activists speakout - BDS, Lawfare and Free Speech. Special guest speaker: Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees, Director, Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney. Other guest speakers: Naomi Farmer, Max Brenner 19; Nada Breik, Students for Palestine. Inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid, the Palestinian-initiated BDS campaign is conducted in the framework of international solidarity and resistance to injustice and oppression and calls for non-violent punitive measures to be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognise the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with international law. Entry by donation. Venue: Kaleide Theatre, RMIT, Building 8, 360 Swanston St, Melbourne City. Website:https://www.facebook.com/events/161576267380199/. For more info: Tel: 0439 454 375 or 0481 270 450.

Friday 4 October, 9.30 am 7.30 pm: Festival of Ideas: Families. See website for programs and speakers: http://ideas.unimelb.edu.au/events. Venue:  Carillo Gantner Theatre, University ofMelbourne.

Saturday 5 October, 9 am- 11.30 am: OASES October Breakfast Conversation & Open Day: Sustainable eating - is it possible? With special guests Arabella Forge, Marcus Garafillis & Angie Orrego. With fresh food constituting up to half the waste we send to landfill, so called ˜lifestyle" diseases on the rise, and demand for meat and other high impact food sources growing, what are we to do? How can we feed ourselves sustainably on a planet with over 7 billion people? Cost: $25/$15 including delicious buffet breakfast (with vegetarian options). Please RSVP at info at http://www.oases.edu.au  or 9819 3502. Open Day at 12 noon –4.30 pm. Free entry,with lunch from 12 pm. Join us for stalls, workshops, music, performance, art, library tours & more.

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Saturday 5 October, 9.30 am - 10 pm: Festival of Ideas: Brains and Minds. See website for programs speakers: http://ideas.unimelb.edu.au/events. Venue:  Carillo Gantner Theatre,University of Melbourne.

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Sunday 6 October, 10 am - 4.40 pm: 

Festival of Ideas: Democracy. 

See website for programs and speakers: http://ideas.unimelb.edu.au/events. 

Venue:  

Carillo Gantner Theatre, 

University ofMelbourne.

Sunday 6 October, 2.30 pm - 5 pm: Religion in the media. 

This Forum will have panelists: Michael Gawenda (Director, The Centre for Advanced Journalism, University of Melbourne), Barney Zwartz (Religion Editor, The Age), Dr Nasya Bahfen (Journalist & Communications, Lecturer, RMIT), MC: Margaret Coffey, (ABC Radio National). Venue: Richmond Town Hall, 333 Bridge Road, Richmond VIC 3121. (Stairs only access). Costs: $15 per person; $10 students or concession; $30 family. 

Please book and pay: www.trybooking.com/DNGU (Preferred) or Pay at Door. Contact: Helen Heath. Tel: 9287 5590; Email: executiveofficer@jcma.org.au; Website:  jcma.org.au

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Monday 7 October, 1 pm - 2 pm.  Divestment Birthday Celebration for David Gonski. David Gonski, Chair of the Future Fund, is turning 60. The Future Fund is a government investment fund that currently has $227 million invested in nuclear weapons companies. The time has come to celebrate divestment and remind the Future Fund that taxpayers' money should invest in a better future than nuclear war. The Future Fund have previously divested from landmine, cluster munitions and tobacco companies. Investing in the nuclear weapons industry undermines global efforts for peace and disarmament. Our message is simple: it's best to divest. Any use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences, as well as violating international law. Venue: 120 Collins St, Melbourne. Dress: festively! RSVP: gem@icanw.org.

Tuesday 8 October, 7 pm sharp: Uranium Mining and Radioactive Racism: Screening Atomic Footprints, At Eye Level and Dirt Cheap: 30 Years On. Discussion with Kirsten Blair, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, NorthFitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook event here.

Saturday 12 October: March Against Monsanto. Please organise or join the next March Against Monsanto in your town. The movement for GM-free is now grass roots and global! Find the cities already participating at: http://bit.ly/ZTDsk8.

 

Sunday 13 October, 2.30 pm to 6 pm: Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium. Glenn Frost Room, Croydon Library. Rsvp to Jane on 0416279811 or janefmb7@gmail.com.  Check out: www.pachamama.org

Sunday 13 October - Saturday 19 October: Anti-Poverty Week.  Anti-Poverty Week is a week where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in an activity aiming to highlight or overcome issues of poverty and hardship here in Australia or overseas. It was established inAustralia as an expansion of the UN's annual International Anti-Poverty Day on October 17. Please follow the link for fliers and other information: http://www.css.org.au/Article-View/Article/15454/Anti-Poverty-Week-13-19-October-2013

Sunday 13 October - Sunday 20 October: The Tao of Sustainability: Intensive week-long residential short course. This one-week residential course is designed to challenge popular misconceptions and develop a deeper understanding of how we can achieve truly sustainable societies. During the week expert facilitators will help you develop your knowledge, thinking & practice around all aspects of sustainability, including transport, energy, waste, food, biodiversity, community, business, economics & their inter-connections. Cost: $1,050 inc. all accommodation, food, day tours & materials. For more info & to register interest, click here.

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Thursday 17 October, Registration 8 am for 9:15 am start; close 5 pm: Australia's human rights future. Cutting-edge presentations by human rights experts and practitioners, and discussion on human rights, inequality, and poverty. Practical experience from the human rights field across the non-profit sector. Up-to-date analysis of Australia's progress with its human rights obligations and policy directions. Keynote speakers Jacqueline Phillips (Director Policy & Campaigns, Australian Council of Social Services ACOSS), Les Malezer (Co-Chair, National Congress of Australia's First Peoples), and Professor David Hayward (Dean, School of Global Urban & Social Studies, RMITUniversity). Plus workshops and panels. Venue: Fitzroy Town Hall 201 Napier Street Fitzroy (Melway 2C B9). Cost: $50 full, $10 concession. Register with this FLYER by Friday 11 October, orbook online (places are limited). Contact rsvp@svdp-vic.org.au; Tel: 03 9895 5935.

Tuesday 22 October, 7 pm sharp: Climate Change vs. Nukes: Screening Climate of Hope andWomen of Fukushima. Discussion with Jim Green, Friends of the Earth. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook event here.

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Saturday & Sunday 19 & 20 October, 16 & 17 November:  Creating Connections & Opening Up Creativity. A 4-day short course learning deeply about our inherent creativity. An aesthetic experience can spark an enlightening moment where things become clearer and make more sense. This course will guide participants to create your own bridges towards clarity. For more info & to register, click here. Venue: Oases Graduate School, Community Learning and Research Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.

Tuesday 12 November, 7 pm sharp: 17,300 Nuclear Weapons: Screening Maralinga Pieces, Genie in a bottle: Unleashed and The War Game. Discussion with Dimity Hawkins, Tim Wright (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and Gisela Gardener. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook event here.

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Wednesday 13 November, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm: Human Rights Under Threat in Australia? Spirit of Eureka (Melbourne) together with Rob Stary & Associates are organising a public forum. Speakers so far include: Ged Kearney, ACTU President; David Manne, Human Rights Lawyer, Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre; Humphrey McQueen, activist historian. Invitations to speak have also been sent to Julian Burnside and Robert Richter. The forum will be chaired by Rob Stary, democratic rights lawyer. The forum has been endorsed by Liberty Victoria, IPAN, and several other community organisations. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Further info:Shirley 0417 456 001.

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Tuesday 26 November, 7 pm sharp: Muckaty and Radioactive Waste: Screening Muckaty Voices and Into Eternity. Discussion with Dave Sweeney, Australian Conservation Foundation. Free event. Venue: Longplay Bar and Cinema, 318 St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. Full program and more details at the Facebook event here.

Some of the food plants in my garden - late September

My peas look gorgeous in this container -
the white flowers which will soon produce peas
are most satisfying

I have quite a few broad bean plants in the ground

This mint - the plain old mint - is in a pot.
But I also have some in the ground in a place
where I hope it takes over and chases the weeds away.
Ditto for some After Dinner Mint.

...in 20 years the proportion of Aboriginal people custody has grown from one in seven to one in four. Silence can be brutal.

The ethics of paternalism in Aboriginal policy

3 Comments
Callum Denness |  24 September 2013

Following the abuse received by Adam Goodes from a teenage spectator in the AFL's Indigenous round, and the subsequent remarks made by Eddie McGuire, the country became embroiled in a debate about racism in modern Australia. The debate was about words — 'ape' was the pejorative used by the Collingwood spectator — and in our rush to condemn, defend or make sense of the ensuing debate yet more words were spilled across newspaper columns, blog posts, broadcast media and social media.

Meanwhile, the Northern Territory introduced its Mandatory Alcohol Treatment Bill which, if passed, will see more Aboriginal people incarcerated. We were too busy describing the modern face of racism to notice.

The importance of words cannot be diminished but newspapers and bulletins can hold only so many. While plenty were dedicated to the story of McGuire, the teenage girl and Goodes, none mentioned that in 20 years the proportion of Aboriginal people held in custody has grown from one in seven to one in four. The introduction of laws which would criminalise alcohol consumption and introduce more Aboriginal people to jail made the news but did not incite the passions of the commentariat or public, being devoid of sport stars and television personalities.

PLEASE READ MORE HERE

Northern Territory Intervention revisited - along with more children stolen from their parents

Picture from the Remote Indigenous Gardens Network

Before the Intervention, before all the work stopped in our community, I used to work as a nutritionist at the Family Centre. But there’s nothing here now any more.
We used to provide food and I would encourage all the young mothers. How to look after their kids, how to make sure [the children] were fed healthy food. But now it’s gone, we never got an explanation why.
It’s hard for the young mothers now. If their little babies don’t put on weight for two or three weeks, they’ll be taken away from their mother’s arms by welfare.
I’ve seen it. It’s really sad for me because when I was working here I used to encourage them. Now they get no encouragement. There’s just a report typed into the computer for welfare.
For Aboriginal people, this thing is coming back for us. Stolen Generation. Taking kids away from own mother.
And that’s really sad. It’s really no good. It’s not just happening here, it’s happening everywhere in our communities.

This testimony is from a strong Aboriginal woman in a remote community in the Northern Territory. It was given in the spring of 2011 when her people were preparing for a festival and protest. She had worked as a nutritionist, a vital service in a poverty-stricken community where raising children is a daily struggle. Cuts to the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program closed the service down. The cuts began with the Northern Territory Intervention.

Please read more here

Hope in the art - means hope in the heart

FROM HERE

Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar - 2013-09-25

. Green Left Weekly Activist Calendar September 25, 2013 Socialist Alliance Grand Final party Saturday, September 28, from 12 noon (kick off is at 2:30pm). Being an AFL fan is not a prerequisite to come along and enjoy some great company, home fired pizzas, competitions, prizes (oh . . . and the game, of course!).  1 Gilbert St, Coburg. A short walk from Coburg station, just off Reynard/Berry Streets. RSVP for catering purposes to 0400 320 602 or email Susan Price. Rally: 30 years but still no justice! Stop Aboriginal deaths in custody! Saturday, September 28, 12 noon.  Remember John Pat and the hundreds who have died in custody since! State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, City. Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association. Red Cinema: AZADI: Oppression, detention, asylum, hope, faith, freedom Thursday, October 10, 7pm (meal from 6pm). Every year, thousands of people set sail for Australian shores seeking asylum, seeking protection, seeking freedom. Azadi follows the plight of an Afghani schoolteacher and his asthmatic son, who escape their oppressive homeland only to encounter another kind of persecution upon arrival in Australia. This short film will be introduced by a refugee activist. Afterwards there will be time for a discussion of the refugee policies of the Abbott government afterwards.$10/$6. Resistance Centre, level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT).  For more info ph 9639 8622. Rally: March against Monsanto Saturday, October 12, 2pm. Part of an international day of action. We are marching for: labelling on GM food; long-term health testing of GM food; a halt to GM food approvals; the right to save seeds; sustainable agriculture; transparency and accountability. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. This is the regular Melbourne activist calendar compiled by Green Left Weekly. Emailed to subscribers each Wednesday fortnight, it is a one-stop listing of the main left and progressive events in Melbourne and Geelong. Since it began in early 1991, Green Left Weekly has offered an indispensable alternative to the lies of the big-business media and has helped build the various movements for social change. To subscribe to Green Left Weekly, visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong we are at the Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. New email address? Not already receiving this calendar regularly? Want to subscribe someone else? Let us know at Greenleft Melbourne. Wednesday, September 25 Film screening: The Chikukwa Project. World premiere. Documentary tells the story of an amazing permaculture project which has been working in Zimbabwe for 22 years. Where once the 7000 people of the Chikukwa villages suffered hunger and malnutrition, this community has turned its fortunes around using permaculture farming techniques. Now they have an abundance of food and their degraded landscape has been turned into a lush paradise. Doors open 7pm (for 7:30pm start). CERES Environment Park, cnr Roberts & Stewart Sts, Brunswick East. $20/$15. Thursday, September 26- Saturday, October 5 Comedy: Hunter Smith: Apprentice heterosexual. As a happy gay man, Hunter Smith has become increasingly frustrated by the offensive advice offered up by anti-gay groups to people hoping to 'convert' gay to straight.  What better way to highlight their outrageous advice than to put their tips into practice. Full-time. Join Hunter as he teams up with the Church of Intolerance and becomes the apprentice heterosexual.  9:30pm (Sun 8:30pm). To book visit Melbourne Fringe. Thursday, September 26 Public meeting: Frank Moorhouse on the dark conundrum, a citizen’s guide to ASIO. Award-winning novelist Frank Moorhouse examines the shrouded world of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 12:45-1:15pm. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St, City. This is a free event. Bookings are not required. Saturday, September 28 Rally: Thirty years but still no justice! National day of action to stop Aboriginal deaths in custody.Remember John Pat and the hundreds who have died in custody since! 12pm. State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, City. Organised by Indigenous Social Justice Association. Socialist Alliance Grand Final party. Being an AFL fan is not a prerequisite to come along and enjoy some great company, home fired pizzas, competitions, prizes (oh . . . and the game, of course!). From 12pm (kick off is at 2.30pm) 1 Gilbert St, Coburg. A short walk from Coburg station, just off Reynard/Berry Streets. RSVP for catering purposes to 0400 320 602 or email Susan Price. Sunday, September 29 Fundraiser: Left after breakfast legendary listeners lunch. Every listener counts at 3CR, every listener is a legend, and we’ll be having lunch with some well-known legendary listeners. Come and join us, then you get to have lunch with them too! 12:30pm. Ecocentre, Blessington St, St Kilda. A fundraiser for 3CR. $15 conc, $20 waged & $25 for families. (Special concessions available, just ask.) For more info visit Left After Breakfast. Fundraiser: James Connolly Association. Fundraiser for Northern Ireland prisoners and their families. Come along for the craic, Derry Lad, Marty Kelly will be playing some fine rebel tunes. 12pm. The Celtic Club, cnr Queen & La Trobe Sts, City. Public meeting: No Maccas in Tecoma Chicago report back. We have told our story to the world. Its time to regroup and re energise our campaign! hear from our Chicago delegates; legal and union updates; new actions, ideas and events. 3pm. Upwey Community Hall, 1443 Burwood Hwy, Upwey Fundraiser: Friends of the Earth Sunday Sessions. Friends of the Earth Cafe is hosting a rollicking Sunday arvo of beautiful melodies with some of Melbourne's top musicians, songwriters and producers. Friends of the Earth is the world's largest grass roots network, and with an Abbott government, the Melbourne branch needs your support more than ever, to keep fighting to protect the environment. 4pm. FoE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood.  Monday, September 30 Book Launch: Singing Johnny Cash in the Cardiac Ward. A personal story of heart disease and music by John 'Togs' Tognolini. 'The trouble with heart disease is that the first symptom is often hard to deal with — sudden death.' (Dr Michael Phelps) This is a serious attempt to raise awareness about heart disease that kills one Australian every 23 minutes. This book is also a story about music and my relationship with it through 25 years of broadcasting radio. 6:30pm. The Post Office Hotel, 229-231 Sydney Rd, Coburg. Monday, September 30-Tuesday, October 1 The Victorian Trade Union Choir: I'll be there: Songs and stories of solidarity. Created and produced by choir members with award-winning playwright Rebecca Lister and musical director Michael Roper, over an hour of songs and stories gathered from the rich history of the trade union and labour movements and the Victorian Trade Union Choir. 7:30pm. La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St, Carlton. $25/$15. Bookings: La Mama or at the door or ph La Mama 9347 6142. Tuesday, October 1 Comedy: Political Asylum. The satirical wordsmiths from the Political Asylum comedy room return to the Fringe Club for a fifth straight year! Featuring: Mathew Kenneally (Fringe Best Comedy Winner alumni); Stella Young (as seen on ABC's Q&A); Nelly Thomas; Geraldine Hickey; Jon Brooks; Ben Pobjie; Grand Master Rod Quantock (rubber chicken aficionado) and Gypsy Wood (The Gypsy Wood Show). 9.30pm. North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry St  North Melbourne. Entry free. Thursday, October 3 Public meeting: The true story of a people smuggler. The true story of why one man fled Saddam Hussein's regime to become both a refugee and a people smuggler. Speaker: Robin De Crespigny (author of The People Smuggler). 6:30pm. Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St, Fitzroy. Entry by gold coin donation. Organised by Refugee Action Collective. Public meeting: We won't be silenced! Pro-Palestine activists speakout Speakers: Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees (Director, Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney); Naomi Farmer (Max Brenner 19); Nada Breik (Palestinian activist, Students for Palestine). 6:30pm. Kaleide Theatre, RMIT, Building 8, 360 Swanston St, City. Entry by donation. Organised by Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid and Students for Palestine. Saturday, October 5 Fundraiser: The Dave O'Neil Spectacular Tecoma 8 Fundraiser. A night of side-splitting laughs as Dave tests your Maccas knowledge with a hilarious quiz (with awesome prizes) followed by his fabulous stand up. Live music by local Blin Vanheems. Food and drinks available for purchase. All proceeds go to the legal fund for the Tecoma 8. $20/$15. Tickets available from Fatspace in Tecoma, Beggars Boutique in Upwey, online via Defend the Tecoma 8 or by calling 0488 619 444. 7pm. Burrinja, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey. Sunday, October 6 Fundraiser: Earthworker benefit gig. Come down to the Gasometer to see some sweet bands & raise some moolah for the Earthworker Co-operative — working our way out of the climate crisis by creating jobs in co-operative renewable energy! Featuring: Anna Smyrk & the Appetites; Mick Thomas; Glitter Rats; Heaps Tuff; Apollo Apples. 7pm. The Gasometer Hotel, 484 Smith St, Collingwood. Thursday, October 10 Red Cinema: AZADI: Oppression Detention Asylum Hope Faith Freedom. Every year, thousands of people set sail for Australian shores seeking asylum, seeking protection, seeking freedom. Azadi follows the plight of an Afghani schoolteacher and his asthmatic son, who escape their oppressive homeland only to encounter another kind of persecution upon arrival in Australia. 7pm (cheap meal from 6pm). Resistance Centre, level 5, 407 Swanston St, City (opposite RMIT). $10/$6. This short film will be introduced by a refugee activist. There will be time for a Q&A on the policies of the Abbott government afterwards. For more info ph 9639 8622. 3CR Film Fundraiser: Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer. Five women wearing brightly coloured balaclavas rushed the altar of a Moscow Russian Orthodox Cathedral with microphones, speakers and a guitar and launched into a 'punk prayer' in protest against Vladimir Putin's 'excessive nationalism'. Come to the 3CR film fundraiser and get the real story of what happened next. 6:30pm. Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton. $22/$18. To book visit 3CR. Saturday, October 12 Rally: March against Monsanto. Part of an international day of action. We are marching for: labelling on GM food; long-term health testing of GM food; a halt to GM food approvals; the right to save seeds; sustainable agriculture; transparency and accountability. 2pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Rally: Protect abortion rights! Don't wait for Abbott to take away our right to choose! On October 12, anti-choice bigots are holding their ‘March for the Babies’, which begins at Treasury Gardens and ends at Parliament House so we are holding a counter-rally on the steps of Parliament House. 12:30pm. State Parliament, Spring St, City. Saturday, October 12- Sunday, October 13 Conference: Psychology for a Safe Climate. How can psychology and the social sciences help us face the reality of climate change? This conference will bring together researchers, practitioners and writers in psychology and the social sciences to examine these issues. The conference will include presentations and networking opportunities, including a dinner on Saturday evening. Community Room, Edinburgh Gardens, North Fitzroy.  Saturday October 12: 9:30am-5:30pm, and Sunday October 13: 10am-3pm. Dinner on Saturday evening at nearby restaurant. Haskins, The North Fitzroy Arms. To book visit Conference (please book by October 6). Thursday, October 17 Public meeting: Henry Reynolds on the 'Forgotten War'. Australia is dotted with memorials to soldiers who fought in wars overseas. Why are there no official memorials or commemorations of the wars that were fought on Australian soil between Aborigines and white colonists? Why is it more controversial to talk about the frontier wars now than it was 100 years ago? 12:45–1:15pm. The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale St, City. This is a free event. Bookings are not required. Friday, October 18 Rally: Every worker counts. Join us in the Fluro Fightback. Stand up for workers trapped in insecure work during Anti-Poverty Week. 8am. Southern Cross Station. For more info visit Jobs you can count on. Saturday, October 19 AAWL open day: A day in solidarity. Meeting and workshop to discuss strategies and future directions in AAWL. Come along and find out more about our campaigns, our organising strategies, and help us build and plan for the next year. 11am-4pm. Fitzroy Library, 128 Moor St, Fitzroy. Rally: Reclaim the Night Melbourne 2013. We will march together calling for justice and full funding of support services for survivors. We call for an end to gender inequalities — the underlying cause of violence against women. We stand together to demand our basic human right to safety and the right to participate in society to the fullest extent, free from harassment, discrimination and violence. 7pm. Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Friday, October 25 Fundraiser: Rock for Refugees. This will be a very special night of music, dancing, sharing stories and most of all information about how you can get involved with grassroots refugee struggles. Featuring: New dub city; Flybz; Birdz. 7:30pm. Bar 303, 303 High St, Northcote. $8/$10 (solidarity). This is a fund-raiser for RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees). Sunday, November 3 Film screening: Mary Meets Mohammad. Tasmania’s first detention centre opens and local knitting club member Mary, a staunchly Christian pensioner, is not welcoming of the 400 male asylum seekers mostly from Afghanistan. Mohammad is a 26 year old Muslim asylum seeker detained inside the centre and an unlikely friendship develops between Mary and Mohammad after her knitting club donates woollen beanies to the asylum seekers. Mary finds many of her prior beliefs are challenged as her relationship with Mohammad deepens. 6:30pm Premiere + filmmaker Q & A. (Then sessions twice day from November 7-13). Kino Cinema, 45 Collins St, City. To book ph 9650 2100 or visit Mary meets Mohammad. Rally: Equal marriage rights now. 1pm. State Library, 328 Swanston St, City. Wednesday, December 4-Saturday, December 13 Venezuela Solidarity Brigade: Participatory democracy, solidarity & socialism. Witness a people's revolution in the making. The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network's 14th solidarity brigade to Venezuela this December is a very special opportunity to observe, learn about and be inspired by the Bolivarian revolution that is transforming Latin America and challenging the greed, exploitation and destructiveness of global capitalism by showing that a better world is possible. Bookings close October 1. For bookings or info visit AVSN. Friday, December 13-Sunday, December 15 Conference: How to make a revolution. Ideas for socialist youth. For young people across Australia and the world, these are difficult times. The newly elected Coalition led by the bigot Tony Abbott is rolling out a wave of cuts and attacks against young people, students, the LGBTIQ community, women, indigenous people, workers and refugees, while around the world governments and the ruling elite attempt to hold onto power against a rising tide of furious and marginalised young people.This is a conference to help young people who are ready and willing to challenge the system to develop a political understanding of the oppressive system we live under and a clear analysis of how to change it. Brisbane Activist Centre, 74b Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley. For more info ph 9639 8622. Sunday, September 22- Thursday, September 26 Swan Island Peace Convergence 2013. For the fourth year in a row, peace activists are returning to the Swan Island Military Base in Queenscliff Victoria for a week of non-violently resisting the Afghan War and Australia’s role in it through peaceful direct action. Swan Island Military base is a key training facility for the SAS who continue to fight and kill in Afghanistan in Australia’s name. Many of us feel powerless in the face of an unjust war, but this is our chance to get alongside our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, and learn how we can help and raise our voices. Queenscliff. For more info visit Swan Island. Saturday, October 12 Albury-Wodonga Rally: Equal love now. Speakers: Virginia Mansel Lees (president, National Tertiary Education Union, Victorian Division); Paige Phoenix (transgendered performer); Father Peter (St. Matthew's Church); Stephanie Meachen (Equal Love activist). 1pm. QEII Square, 538 Dean St, Albury. MAPW fundraiser: Another dazzling evening with music from jazz to Gilbert & Sullivan. 7:30pm. Keith Humble Centre, Geelong College, cnr Aphrasia St & Claremont Ave, Geelong. For more info & tickets contact Medical Association for the Prevention of War. Beyond Zero Emissions Melbourne branch. We meet on the third Monday of every month at Level 2, Kindness House, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. For more info email Chitra Perez or ph 0401 087 085. Friends of the Earth's Anti-Nuclear & Clean Energy (ACE) collective. Meets every second Tuesday. FoE office, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For meeting times & more info email Zin. Indigenous Social Justice Association. The Indigenous Social Justice Association was established in January 2005 campaigns to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. During 2013, ISJA will meet the first Thursday of every month. For more info visit ISJA. Melbourne Feminist Action Group. It's time to put women's rights back on the public agenda. We've started an open organising group and everyone's invited, from already existing women's rights groups and activist organisations, to women and men who may never have been involved in feminist action in their lives but just want to do something. For more info ph 0438 869 790 or email us. Quit Coal: No New Coal Power for Victoria. A Melbourne-based collective which campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria. We believe this is important because building new coal infrastructure locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean, renewable energy. Quit Coal meets each Wednesday at 6pm, at FOE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For more info visit Quit Coal or email us. Refugee Action Collective. Established in 2000, RAC is a democratic, grassroots activist collective, representing a broad cross section of the community. It aims to mobilise opposition to Australia's inhuman refugee policies. For more info ph 0413 377 978 or visit RAC. Victorian Climate Action Calendar. For a comprehensive list of climate action events in our state. To subscribe to the calendar email Monique Decortis. Weekly updates are e-mailed out and online updates are available at VCAC. To add an event to the calendar, please download the Event Template from the website. Feel free to forward the VCAC to other interested people. Workers Solidarity Network. WSN believes that we, as workers, have the power to improve our working conditions and bring about positive social change. WSN believes that the only way to bring about a fairer share of resources in our society in by forming active unions and community organisations to fight for it. For more info visit WSN. Recent articles from Green Left Weekly Abbott’s war on the environment The fight for free information Defqon.1 death shows insanity of war on drugs LA uproar as US denies Venezuelan leader air passage Check out Green Left TV: See Rape Culture, Misogyny and the Fight Against Women's Oppression To subscribe to Green Left Weekly visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206. Join us on Facebook. You can also contact us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4.30pm); ph 5222 6900. Links: 'Socialism for the 21st century' Links is an online journal which seeks to provide a forum for open and constructive dialogue between active socialists from different political traditions. It seeks to bring together those in the international left who are opposed to neoliberal economic and social policies, and reject the bureaucratic model of 'socialism' that arose in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Inspired by the unfolding socialist revolution in Venezuela, Links is a journal for 'Socialism of the 21st Century' and the discussions and debates flowing from that powerful example of socialist renewal. Syria: West's hypocritical war drive slowed Ecuador: Some observations on the controversary over oil development in Yasuní-ITT Pakistan 'anti-terrorism' court jails left-wing activists for 10 years for protesting Who really benefits from sweatshops? Socialist Alliance: Broad, non-sectarian, activist Socialist Alliance is a proud supporter of the Green Left Weekly project and contributes a regular column. Socialist Alliance is a broad, non-sectarian socialist party, dedicated to bringing together all those who want to resist the capitalist assault on our planet and its people and fight for a socialist society that puts people's needs before business profits. Anyone who agrees with the general approach of our policies is welcome to join and organisations are invited to affiliate. For more information visit Socialist Alliance or join us on Facebook. See our recent statements: Don't agonise, organise against Abbott's agenda Take back the wealth: Five reasonsto nationalise the mines Climate emergency Contact Socialist Alliance. Join with other socialists in the struggle. Melbourne: Visit us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Melbourne, Socialist Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at the Resistance Centre. Geelong: Activist Centre, Trades Hall, 127 Myers St (opening hours: Mon 2-4:30pm, Fri 10am-4:30pm); ph 5222 6900. Moreland Socialists Moreland Socialists is open to anyone (even if you live outside the area) who wants to work constructively to support Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton and use her position to build up a stronger activist left presence in Moreland. In general, we meet monthly and alternate between Coburg and Fawkner. If you want to get involved in the group, email us at Socialist Alliance or phone Sue on 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978. For news and opinion visit Sue's Moreland Report or Facebook. 2013 © Green Left Weekly Melbourne | PO Box 12427, A'Beckett St, Victoria 8006