Thirroul Seaside Festival: Sculpture on the Shore, from Wendy Suiter

Just to let you know that I am exhibiting an installation which includes sound, as part of

this year's Thirroul Seaside Festival. As usual the sculpture exhibition will take place near the Surf Life Saving Club, and that is where you find my work called "and they timed it exactly."

sound art work by Wendy Suiter assisted by Eva Cheng.

Thirroul Seaside Festival: Sculpture on the Shore,
The exhibtion is on from 9am to 5pm Saturday April 4th
and 9am to 3pm on Sunday April 5th.

The ideas behind the piece are:
The making of the loaf sponge cake by Kate and Tottie, two of the Thorburn sisters, who lived at
Meroogal, Nowra, in the late 19th century, has been taken as a metaphor for how independent women go about their every day lives.

This installation explores the idea of work/life balance for women.  It includes a variety of sound
sources: some field recordings of work and domestic sounds, some archival recordings about life at Meroogal, professional women talking about what gives meaning to their lives in different languages, and our personal impressions of the impacts on us of working with men and our commitment to our professional lives. Specifically we are comparing the lives of contemporary independent women with those of the Thorburn sisters.

Exhibition is free along with the sunshine and the seabreeze!
All the best
Wendy

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

COAL: SS Legislation....next lobbying opportunity

may I suggest making a complaint...as Jo has suggested below. The process for me went easily...you can make it anonymous  and can use coal's contact details if you want ie   coal@aapt.net.au  or PO Box 424 thirroul NSW 2525

Apparently commonwealth ombudman looking at same sex reforms and centrelink stuff, not making any promises.

They have an online complaint form. I would suggest people contact them in any way you wish, or send a complaint through so that they are encouraged.

Jo

http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/commonwealth/publish.nsf/Content/home

also dont forget to write to Jenni Macklin and Jo Ludwig whose line is still we wanted equality, we've had heaps of time..remember to send copies to COAL

Maybe someone wants to volunteer to draft a few easy letters to them that can be shared

also  Welfare rights website has great info download the factsheet re SS relationships and Centrelink

its not over yet

cheers Jack

 

REAL Indigo Party 18th April

REAL are hosting an Indigo Party @ACON

*********************************
Indigo Party
18th April 2009, 2-4pm
ACON Community Space
Kenny St, Wollongong

BBQ 2-230pm: Acon will be putting on a BBQ for us all, so why not come along and have a great arvo, browse the products and meet some new friends.

Indigo Party 230-4pm
Indigo will be showcasing their beautiful range of products.

Fundraising: Indigo are donating $1 for every item sold and a prize for a raffel on the day. Profits going to REAL  Fundraising. Please buy lots of tickets to support us.

Indigo are distributors of goodies for the Lesbian and Gay community. Check out their web (http://www.indigoonline.com.au/)  to have a sneak preview, including:

• Bold and Unique Jewellery
• Commitment rings
• Pride jewellery
• Fabulous T-shirts

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

REAL Mini-News (Thursday 26th March)

A big welcome to all new members to REAL. REAL is a social network, supporting the Lesbian community in the Illawarra, with news about events and activities, (both REAL other groups in the Illawarra).

Upcoming events

REAL  Talk
Thursday, 26th March, 6pm
@ACON

REAL Dinner
Thursday, 2nd April 6pm
Yiannis Cafe
121 Corrimal  St Wollongong
ph 42253333 booking under name of Merilyn

Unity Dance Party - BUNKER 2009
Throw on your army fatigues and polish those boots, soldier! Do Ask, Do Tell!    
Hosted by Unity Wollongong
Where: Beaton Park Tennis Club, Wollongong NSW
When: Saturday, March 28 from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am
More details http://www.unity-wollongong.org/

Indigo Party
2pm, 18th April 2009 (To be confirmed)
ACON Community Space
Kenny St, Wollongong
BBQ: Acon will be putting on a BBQ for us all so why not come along and have a great arvo, browse the products and meet some new friends.
Indigo are distributors of goodies for the Lesbian and Gay community. Check out their web (http://www.indigoonline.com.au/)  to have a sneak preview.

REAL  Committee (6-7)
followed by REAL Talk- social chat (7-8.30)
Thursday 26 March
@ACON


LISA Bushwalks
LISA (Lesbains in the Shoalhaven Area), have organised a bushwalk for Minnamurra Falls it should be a great day its a lovely place. There are walks on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, contact Paulie on 0419587378 for more details

Minnamurra Falls
Sunday 29th March, 10am
National Parks Office in the Minnamurra Rainforest at Budderoo National Park

Paringa and Ben's Walk, Nowra
Wednesday 8th April, 10am
Meet: Beneath the Nowra bridge on the south side of river a small restaurant is opposite parking area. (Some people call the park there 'Seagull  Park' it does't have a listed name.)
Directions: Drive to nowra take first turn on right after crossing bridge, almost imediately take next turn on right,  drive to T- section turn right you will see base of bridge and the parking area and restaurant and the L.I.S.A sign.

News

REAL Committee Meeting,
12th March @ ACON
11 enthusiastic REAL women attended the meeting, along with 2 women from LISA. The night was sucessful with a committee being formed with 11 members. The committee will meet monthly. Next meeting will be set to iron out the details of the committee and is on @ 6-7pm, 26th March, ACON

Mardi Gras
A few of the REAL women went along to events for Mardi Gras, once agin it was an awsome experience. Some Gays and Lesbians in Wollongong are working on a plan to have a Wollonogon float next year in conjunction with Stein from the Phonix Theatre.

For more details contact.......
--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

Correction: LISA Bushwalk this weekend

*************************
Minnamurra Falls
Sunday 29th March 
Meet 10am
National Parks Office in the Minnamurra Rainforest at Budderoo National Park


***************************
Ben's walk is in Nowra
Wednesday 8th April

Walk Site:
Paringa and Ben's Walk, Nowra
Meet 10am
Beneath the Nowra bridge on the south side of river a small restaurant is opposite parking area. (Some people call the park there 'Seagull  Park' it does't have a listed name.)
Directions
Drive to nowra take first turn on right after crossing bridge, almost imediately take next turn on right,  drive to T- section turn right you will see base of bridge and the parking area and restaurant and the L.I.S.A sign.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Real Illawarra <real.illawarra@gmail.com>
Date: 2009/3/22
Subject: LISA Activities (Shoalhaven)- Bushwalk 8th April
To:


LISA (Lesbains in the Shoalhaven Area), have organised a bushwalk for Minnamurra Falls it should be a great day its a lovely place. There are walks on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, contact Paulie on 0419587378 for more details
***************************************
Bushwalk: Minnamurra Falls
Wednesday 8th April

Walk Site:
Paringa and Ben's Walk, Nowra
Meet
10am Wednesday 8th April 
Beneath the Nowra bridge on the south side of river a small restaurant is opposite parking area. (Some people call the park there 'Seagull  Park' it does't have a listed name.)
Directions
Drive to nowra take first turn on right after crossing bridge, almost imediately take next turn on right,  drive to T- section turn right you will see base of bridge and the parking area and restaurant and the L.I.S.A sign. 

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

LISA Activities (Shoalhaven)- Bushwalk 8th April

LISA (Lesbains in the Shoalhaven Area), have organised a bushwalk for Minnamurra Falls it should be a great day its a lovely place. There are walks on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, contact Paulie on 0419587378 for more details
***************************************
Bushwalk: Minnamurra Falls
Wednesday 8th April

Walk Site:
Paringa and Ben's Walk, Nowra
Meet
10am Wednesday 8th April 
Beneath the Nowra bridge on the south side of river a small restaurant is opposite parking area. (Some people call the park there 'Seagull  Park' it does't have a listed name.)
Directions
Drive to nowra take first turn on right after crossing bridge, almost imediately take next turn on right,  drive to T- section turn right you will see base of bridge and the parking area and restaurant and the L.I.S.A sign. 

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

What the Senate did yesterday re legislative changes affecting lesbian couples

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: coal <coal@aapt.net.au>
Date: 2009/3/20
Subject: What the Senate did yesterday re legislative changes affecting lesbian couples
To: coal <coal@aapt.net.au>

despite the information below......dont give up yet....its time to get writing again....

This is what happened in the Senate yesterday:

 

SAME-SEX COUPLES: LEGISLATIVE

CHANGES

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia)

(9.36 am)—I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the appreciation of the gay and lesbian community

of the recent passing of the same-sex law reforms;

(b) recognises:

(i) concerns raised by the gay and lesbian community

that isolated and vulnerable members of the community

may only become aware of these reforms

after 30 March 2009 when Centrelink's education

campaign commences, and

(ii) that the arbitrary time frame will not allow for

same-sex couples to adequately adjust to the removal

of discrimination before incurring debt and

penalties; and

(c) calls on the Government to revisit the implementation

of a 12-month transitional period to ensure individuals

currently on a social security payment have sufficient

time to readjust to the changes.

Senator LUDWIG (Queensland—Manager of

Government Business in the Senate) (9.36 am)—by

leave—The government did not hide the fact that equal

treatment could result in some same-sex couples having

the benefits they currently receive reduced and that

there would be winners and losers. That is why we put

in place a long phase-in time—15 months—for those

changes that adversely impact on the finances of samesex

couples. This allows time for same-sex couples to

adjust to being treated the same as opposite-sex couples.

The government is conscious of the need to allow

couples an opportunity to adjust to the changes made

by the reforms. Changes to social security and family

Thursday, 19 March 2009 SENATE 5

CHAMBER

assistance entitlements will not commence until 1 July

2009. This is to allow time for same-sex couples to

adjust to being treated the same as opposite-sex couples.

Centrelink has established a dedicated hotline for

customers affected by the reforms to discuss their particular

situation with a Centrelink service adviser. The

hotline number is 136280. Centrelink social workers

and financial information service officers will be available

to assist people affected by these changes.

Question put.

The Senate divided. [9.37 am]

(The President—Senator the Hon. JJ Hogg)

Ayes………… 5

Noes………… 46

Majority……… 41

AYES

Brown, B.J. Hanson-Young, S.C.

Ludlam, S. Milne, C.

Siewert, R. *

NOES

Abetz, E. Arbib, M.V.

Back, C.J. Barnett, G.

Bernardi, C. Bilyk, C.L.

Bishop, T.M. Brown, C.L.

Bushby, D.C. Cameron, D.N.

Cash, M.C. Colbeck, R.

Collins, J. Conroy, S.M.

Cormann, M.H.P. Eggleston, A.

Farrell, D.E. Feeney, D.

Fielding, S. Fifield, M.P.

Forshaw, M.G. Furner, M.L.

Hogg, J.J. Humphries, G.

Hurley, A. Hutchins, S.P.

Joyce, B. Ludwig, J.W.

Lundy, K.A. Macdonald, I.

Marshall, G. McEwen, A.

McLucas, J.E. Moore, C.

O'Brien, K.W.K. Parry, S. *

Polley, H. Pratt, L.C.

Ryan, S.M. Scullion, N.G.

Sherry, N.J. Troeth, J.M.

Trood, R.B. Williams, J.R.

Wortley, D. Xenophon, N.

* denotes teller

Question negatived.

---

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

FW: 20 March LOTL E-news

LOTL Newsletter
	LOTL March Issue Out Now!
Contents   Kissing Ellen Doesn't Hurt, Says Portia Lesbian Fights Off Sperm-Wielding Wife Court Rules School Can Expel Lesbian Students Brisbane Queer Film Festival Breast Wishes Musical Gay Games Presentation in Sydney Luscious Motown Madness         What you find on lotl.com Archive Search Articles Advertise Print & Online Business Directory Find or list a Business Competition  Enter our weekly Competition Clubs Whats on this Weekend Community Groups Connect with Others Digital Edition Read LOTL online Dating Find a Date Poll Voice your Opinion Video Lesbian Broadcasting	Welcome LOTL digital provides you with weekly updates. Check out our website for more FREE editorial that covers lesbian news internationally and within Australia. We also publish a monthly magazine, which is available to purchase for a 1 or 2 year subscription. For information on how to subscribe please click here. Kissing Ellen Doesn't Hurt, Says Portia  During Portia's Jay Leno interview she talked about the difference between kissing men and women, and what it's like to kiss Ellen. to read more click here Lesbian Fights Off Sperm-Wielding Wife  A woman has been arrested after allegedly attempting to forcibly inject her brother's sperm into her wife. to read more click here Court Rules School Can Expel Lesbian Students   An appeals panel has ruled that a California Lutheran High School is not a business and therefore doesn't have to comply with a state law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation. to read more click here Brisbane Queer Film Festival      Brisbane Queer Film Festival is ten and there's an exceptional festival planned, with a week-long celebration of award winning films from across the globe. to read more click here   Breast Wishes Musical          Breast Wishes is a new Australian musical, written by some of Australia's most respected comedic and dramatic writers to read more click here Gay Games in Sydney   With less than 500 days to go before the opening ceremony of the Gay Games in Germany, Sydneysiders have the opportunity to attend the next Gay Games presentation. to read more click here Luscious Motown Madness                             Do a little dance, make a little love, and let's twist the night away!  to read more click here

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Get what you want at ebay. View photos of singles in your area

L.I.S.A ..BUSH WALKS of the ILLAWARRA and SHOALHAVEN

L.I.S.A ..BUSH WALKS of the ILLAWARRA and SHOALHAVEN
Hi Everyone
The 2nd wednesday of the month walk is now listed.

Walk Site: Paringa Park and Ben's Walk
          Nowra
          Meet 10am
          Wednesday 8th April
Drive to Nowra, cross the bridge over the Shoalhaven River take the first right turn at the lights, almost imediately turn right again then follow the road to the T-section and turn right you will see the base of the bridge, the parking area and a small restaurant you will also see the L.I.S.A. group sign
Bring Lunch and drinks

Cheers Paulie

---

Explore the new Windows Live. Looking for a place to manage all your online stuff?

National Human Rights Consultation - Wollongong

National Human Rights Consultation

Wollongong Consultation 19th March

The National Human Rights Consultation provides the opportunity for you to share your views on human rights. The Consultation is run by an independent Committee. The Committee is supported by a Secretariat in the Attorney-General's Department.

The Consultation is a chance to hear people's ideas about human rights and talk about ways to protect and promote human rights in the future.

Key Consultation Questions

• Which human rights and responsibilities should be protected and promoted?
• Are human rights sufficiently protected and promoted?
• How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?

 

WOLLONGONG CONSULTATION

What: Community Human Rights Consultation

When: Thursday 19 March, 12pm-2pm
Where: WIN Sports & Entertainment Centre, Premier's Room, Function Centre Cnr of Crown & Harbour Sts - Use Harbour St entrance for access to function room

 

You must REGISTER to attend or go to: https://www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au

 

Comments by GetUp:

 

"In Wollongong , next Thursday is going to be different. Next Thursday you can help protect the human rights of all Australians, present and future, by standing up for a Human Rights Act for Australia.

 

Kids in detention, workers stripped of their rights, Indigenous Australians without housing and healthcare - together we've fought time and time again for human rights. Now the Government is embarking on a national human rights consultation - the chance of a lifetime to protect our rights with law.

 

Next week, they're rolling into Wollongong. Just 2 hours of your time will help create real change in people's lives - for all those in aged care, those with disabilities, and those who experience discrimination or bureaucratic bungling. Can you attend the Government's human rights consultation?

 

 We know you're busy, but plenty of people in government would rather avoid scrutiny over human rights issues - and they're hoping nobody shows up to the community consultations. Can the citizens of the Wollongong area prove them wrong by turning out in great numbers to have their say? Make sure you bring all your friends - even those who've never thought about human rights protection before.

You don't need any special knowledge before you go along . These meetings are designed so that ordinary Australians can learn a bit about the issues and have their say. Together with dozens of fellow GetUp members attending, you can make a huge difference."  (Source GetUp)

Terms of Reference

The Australian Government is committed to the promotion of human rights—a commitment that is based on the belief in the fundamental equality of all persons. 

The Government believes that the protection and promotion of human rights is a question of national importance for all Australians, and for this reason has appointed a Committee to undertake an Australia-wide community consultation for protecting and promoting human rights and corresponding responsibilities in Australia.  The Government has given the Committee Terms of Reference to guide their work.

The Committee will ask the Australian community:

• Which human rights (including corresponding responsibilities) should be protected and promoted?
• Are these human rights currently sufficiently protected and promoted?
• How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?

In conducting the consultation the Committee will:

• consult broadly with the community, particularly those who live in rural and regional areas
• undertake a range of awareness raising activities to enhance participation in the consultation by a wide cross section of Australia's diverse community
• seek out the diverse range of views held by the community about the protection and promotion of human rights
• identify key issues raised by the community in relation to the protection and promotion of human rights, and

The Committee will report to the Australian Government by 31 August 2009 on the issues raised and the options identified for the Government to consider to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights.  The Committee is to set out the advantages and disadvantages (including social and economic costs and benefits) and an assessment of the level of community support for each option it identifies.

The options identified should preserve the sovereignty of the Parliament and not include a constitutionally entrenched bill of rights.

Information sourced at National Human Rights Consultation website

 

Fwd: Heels and Wheels- women's motorbike event

A few women are heading along to the Heels and Wheels event at Fraser Motorcycles. Wollongong 18th March 6.30-930pm.

"Heels and Wheels, baby. This is an exclusive Fraser Motorcycles women's only event for women who have the attitude and confidence to take the reigns of a two-wheeled machine and show it who's boss."

Sign yourself up so that we can go together and check it out.
www.heelsandwheels.com.au

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

Fwd: Bingay is coming to Wollongong! Please advertise to your networks, bookyour tickets, grab some friends and come along to the best fun you'relikely to ever have at a fundraiser

Please circulate this information about ACON fundraiser through your networks!

 

Illawarra Q Info Team

 

From: Trevor Slattery [mailto:tslattery@acon.org.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 3 March 2009 2:21 PM
Subject: Bingay is coming to Wollongong! Please advertise to your networks, bookyour tickets, grab some friends and come along to the best fun you'relikely to ever have at a fundraiser

Hi All,

Sorry for any cross posting, but it's coming up soon and no one should miss it! Put it in the diary now!

Please also find attached a poster for advertising around your offices.

After several years of wanting to get it down here, Bingay is coming to Wollongong!

As one of the events for the University's Diversity week, one of Sydney's best nights of entertainment is coming to the Gong to camp it up, share some glam with the South Coast and raise some money to support GLBT services around the state. There are also great prizes to be won!

Date:                 23 March 2009
Start Time:       7:30 pm
Location:         UNIBAR - University of Wollongong
Cost:                 Students: $10
                          Non Students: $15

Tickets are available from the Unishop (02) 4221 8065 or www.bigtix.com.au

N.B. Due to it being in a bar, this will be an 18+ event.

For those of you who don't know what Bingay is, picture a very, very camped up version of Bingo, hosted by the fabulous multi DIVA award winning drag queen, Mitzi Macintosh. Mitzi's 'barrel girl', is the all singing out there dyke Naomi who recently received her second DIVA award.

Bingay is Mitzi's take on bingo, but it has a very big twist! Expect weird rules, singalongs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets or restaurant vouchers. It is a night for friends to get together and have fun on a 'school night', that also ends by around 11pm so you can have a great night out without feeling like you can not face work the next day!

This should be a great night out, the funds raised go to supporting our community and if it goes really well, we can hopefully get them down here every year!

Bring along a group of friends, have some drinks, a laugh and maybe even take home some great prizes for your trouble :-)

For more info on the fabulous cultural institution that is Bingay, check out the following site:
http://www.acon.org.au/get-involved/Events/Bingay

I hope to see you all there :-)

Cheers!

T

Trevor S latte ry
Education and Community Development Officer
Illawarra Branch
ACON – Building Our Community's Health and Wellbeing
 
Ph: (02) 42261163 ¦ Fax: (02) 42269838 ¦ Postal Address: PO Box 1073 Wollongong NSW 2500 ¦ Street Address: 47 Kenny Street Wollongong NSW 2500 ¦ www.acon.org.au
 
 

CAUTION: This message may contain both confidential and privileged information intended only for the addresses named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately, and destroy the original message. Any views expressed in this message are solely those of the individual sender, except where the sender is specifically authorised by ACON

--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

REAL Committee meeting Thurs 12 March

REAL needs your strength and support to transform it into our future. At the meeting this Thursdays the community will explore a committee structure,  ensuring that REAL is led by it's community. We hope to see you there.

REAL Committee Meeting – 6-8pm Thursday
12 March, ACON Community Space.

Cheers
Wendy


--
REAL- Respect and Equality Amongst Lesbians.
PHONE Merilyn 0415 835 507
http://realillawarra.blogspot.com/

Heels and Wheels- women's motorbike event

A few women are heading along to the Heels and Wheels event at Fraser Motorcycles. Wollongong 18th March 6.30-930pm.

"Heels and Wheels, baby. This is an exclusive Fraser Motorcycles women's only event for women who have the attitude and confidence to take the reigns of a two-wheeled machine and show it who's boss."

Sign yourself up so that we can go together and check it out.
www.heelsandwheels.com.au