======================
MELBOURNE SOCIAL FORUM NEWS
======================
– June 2008
In This Issue:
* New postal address
* Growing our organising capacity
* 4th MSF 2009 – Update
* New MSF Website– Nearly there.
* MSF Next Meeting
* News, actions, websites and events
Welcome to the MSF May Newsletter.
=============================
New postal address
=============================
The MSF now have a new postal address.
For all future communications, please
write to us at:
PO Box 731
Carlton South 3053
=============================
Growing our organising capacity
=============================
In order to deliver better events, positive
outcomes and be more inclusive, we will
be planning a strategy to recruit new
organisers. Our current organisers are
skilled, dedicated and committed, however
with all the talk about ‘sustainability’, it is
important that we apply this term to the
MSF as well and put some time into
succession planning and skills transfer to
ensure the MSF continues into the future.
As all the existing organisers can testify,
the roles and opportunities presented are
vast, varied and rewarding. If you’ve ever
thought about getting involved, now is the
time, as we have a program in place to
make sure your skills and time will be
utilised and appreciated. Additionally if
you have any ideas of how we can recruit
new members or reach out different,
students or community groups, don’t
hesitate to drop us a line.
info@melbournesocialforum.org
=============================
4th MSF 2009 – Update
=============================
Yes, you already know we’re planning an
event, but what have we actually been
doing when 2009 is still so far away?
Well lots actually. The organisers have
been busy applying for grant funding from
several organisations. This meticulous
task takes skill, time and foreword
planning, which is a challenging ask for
our voluntary time.
If you know of any sources of funding that
you think might assist us in delivering
MSF 2009, please drop us a line.
Alternatively, if you have some time and
grant writing skills, we’d love to hear from
you. info@melbournesocialforum.org
Regarding the wider event conceptual
planning stage. We invite you to submit
your ideas for themes, activities and
outcomes that you would like to see
eventuate.
=============================
New MSF Website on the way
=============================
Old website content is now being copied
into the new site and we anticipate it will
be ready to go live some time next month.
If you have ever wanted to learn about
web sites and Content Management
Systems (specifically Joomla
www.joomla.org ) then please contact us,
as we’re happy to show you the ropes and
also have your involvement in the project.
———————
Don’t be shy, drop by our
NEXT ORGANISERS MEETING
Everyone is welcome and we’ll have some
food snacks and great discussions.
———————
Date: Thursday June 12 6.30pm
Venue: ‘The Blue Room’, at the Social
Justice Centre
Address:
124 Napier St, Fitzroy, rear of the Fitzroy
Uniting Church.
Time: 6.30 pm
How to get there:
Melways Map Ref: Map 2C Grid ref B-10
Yarra Trams Route 86 To RMIT
Bundoora Tram Stop number 14 (on the
Corner of Gertrude & Napier St).
The Uniting Church is on the Eastern side
of the St, opposite the second Housing
Commission Block of flats. Please enter
the gate at the front of the Church and
follow the pavement on the Northern Side.
The ‘Blue Room’ is so marked on a brown
door at the back of the actual Church
building.
———————
NEWS, ACTIONS, WEBSITES AND
EVENTS
———————
We help promote events of other
organisations, so if you are hosting an
event that you think is in line with the
MSF thinking, then email us at
news@melbournesocialforum.org
* * * * * *
==============================
Alfred Deakin Lectures 08
www.deakinlectures.net
4 – 15 June
==============================
Where: Various locations throughout
Victoria
Further info:
The lecture series begins by looking at
innovation & the reception of new ideas.
The lectures then embark on a voyage
from the human mind to outer space.
From brain to body, human cities, nation
building, international relations, planet
earth. Ending with a ‘continulogue’ giving
the last word to young voices that will
reflect on the lectures they have heard.
==============================
The Journey from Ethiopia to Melbourne
Tuesday 10 June – 21 June
Forty Five downstairs (Gallery)
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
==============================
– Beefkir, Sutueal & Tamirat —
Three Ethiopian-Australian artists create a
visual arts exhibition
on the themes of migration & settlement of
Ethiopians in Melbourne
When: Tuesday 10 June – 21 June
Where: Forty Five downstairs (Gallery)
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 9662 9966
www.fortyfivedownstairs.com.
==============================
Greenhouse of green house: art auction
Anti-nuclear and Clean Energy campaign
art auction fundraiser.
June 12th at 7pm.
Synergy Gallery, 253 High St Northcote
==============================
Friends of the Earth’s Anti-nuclear and
Clean Energy campaign are holding an Art
Auction at Synergy Gallery, 253 High St
Northcote on June 12th at 7pm.
Exhibition opens for viewing from
Tuesday June 3rd @ Synergy Gallery, 253
High St. Northcote. Open Tuesday –
Saturday 11am – 7pm.
For more information please contact
Michaela 03 9419 8700 or Ila 0427 501
944 / ila@melbpc.org.au.
==============================
Get connected: solar Panel Forum
Thursday 12 June
Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre, Cnr Bell
St & St Georges Rd, Preston
==============================
Interested in solar panels for your home,
school or community
building?
When: Thursday 12 June, 7 to 9 pm
Where: Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre,
Cnr Bell St & St Georges Rd, Preston
Melway Ref 30, F-1
Further info:
Hear independent experts
- Michael O’Connell (Alternative Technology
Assoc – ATA)
- Paul Murfitt (Moreland Energy Foundation
Ltd – MEFL)
explain
* How solar power works
* Changes in rebates &
* Feed-in tariffs
See displays from & talk to leading suppliers:
Origin, The Environment Shop, Braemac, and
Beyond Building Energy
* Door prizes include a $150 voucher
Organized by The City of Darebin
==============================
Burma Relief Concert
Saturday June 14
Mechanics Institute, Main Rd, Warrandyte
==============================
Featuring Kavisha Mazzella, Aria award
winning singer songwriter
accompanied by Irini Vela (Habibis) on
guitar, mandolin & bazouki
& Peter Vadiveloo (Jugularity) on
Percussion. Also performing will
be Karen (Burmese) harpist & singer Chit
Lu and local world musician
Mathew Arnold.
When: Saturday June 14, 2008 at 7.30 pm
Where: Mechanics Institute, Main Rd,
Warrandyte
Cost: Admission is $35, which includes a
light supper.
Tables of 10.
Essential to book:
Tel Karen – 9844 4221
Options for channelling your donation tel
Jill – 9844 2289
Further info:
All proceeds will go through the
Australian Burmese Community
Development Network (ABCDN) direct to
community groups inside Burma/
Myanmar.
ABCDN, which has Buddhist, Christian &
non-faith members, will distribute
funds raised in partnership with the
Burmese Medical Assoc of Australia.
A team led by Prof. U Hla Myint, will
provide immediate medical aid, food
and drinking water and provide trauma
counselling.
==============================
Guam, military bases and the struggle for
an independent Pacific
Saturday 14 June
==============================
Join us for an afternoon workshop with
panels, presentations and action planning
on US bases and militarisation in
Australia, Japan and the Pacific.
Saturday 14 June 2008, 12.30 to 5pm
Venue: Green Building, 60 Leicester
Street, Carlton 3053
Speakers include:
Lisa Natividad and Julian Aguon –
Chamoru activists from Guam
Maki Yonaha - Japanese for Peace
Nic Maclellan – Nuclear Free and
Independent Pacific
Richard Tanter – Nautilus Institute
Our two special guests are Lisa Natividad
and Julian Aguon, two Chamoru activists
from Guahan (Guam) who are
campaigning against US military bases on
their land. As the Pentagon prepares to
move thousands of Marines from Okinawa
to Guam, find out about the struggle for
indigenous self-determination in the
Pacific and Australia ’s links to regional
militarisation.
Supported by Medical Association for
Prevention of War (MAPW), the
International Campaign to Abolish
Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Japanese for
Peace, CICD, Nuclear Free and
Independent Pacific Campaign, the
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
and other groups. Julian and Lisa’s visit is
supported by the Donald Groom
fellowship.
Further information:
Nic Maclellan (NFIP), 0421 840 100 or
Dale Hess (Religious Society of Friends),
9592 5247.
==============================
Public forum on climate and transport:
Speeding towards dangerous
climate change
Sunday June 15: 2:30 – 5pm
Supper Room, Melbourne Town Hall,
cnr Swanston & Collins Streets
==============================
Hear what the world’s leading climate
scientists are discovering about the
speed of climate change, the potential
impacts on our way of life, and
what we need to do to safeguard our
future.
Guest speakers include:
David Spratt
David Spratt is a climate-policy analyst
and co-founder of Carbon Equity.
Together with Philip Sutton, David co-
authored Climate Code Red which
meticulously documents extensive
scientific evidence that the global
warming crisis is far worse than official
reports and national governments
have indicated — and that we’re almost at
the point of no return.
Dr Patrick Moriarty
Paddy Moriarty is an Honorary Research
Associate at Monash University
undertaking research in areas such as
urban land use and transport and
alternative energy. Paddy has published
extensively on alternative fuels,
energy efficiency and transport systems.
Presented by: Public Transport Users
Association, FoE, Environment
Victoria, City of Melbourne
* RSVP: office@ptua.org.au
==============================
The Medieval Imagination: illuminated
manuscripts from
Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand
Until 15 June, 2008
State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston
St, Melbourne. Keith Murdoch Gallery
(just inside main entrance)
==============================
Hurry – last weeks!
www.slv.vic.gov.au/goto/medieval
Further info:
Discover the rich beauty of medieval &
Renaissance illuminated
manuscripts. Over 90 spectacular
manuscripts from the 8th to the 16th
centuries are on display, including
examples of deluxe book production from
Byzantium, England, France, Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The
manuscripts provide a fascinating insight
into life, learning and art in the medieval
& Renaissance periods.
==============================
The Globalism Research Centre RMIT,
Friends of the Earth and the Latin
American Solidarity Network present
Defending Community and Ecology
In Ecuador –
Tuesday June 24: 6pm
Bella Union Bar, Trades Hall
==============================
A public talk with:
Carlos Zorilla, Decoin, – Ecuador, Glen
Kuecker – De Pauw University, Indiana
USA
Tuesday June 24: 6pm
Bella Union Bar, Trades Hall
cnr Lygon and Victoria Streets
Carlton South
Free admission
Carlos Zorrilla is the founder and
executive director of DECOIN, a
grassroots NGO dedicated to the
conservation of the cloud forests of the
Intag region of northern Ecuador. The area
has long been under threat by government
and corporate attempts to establish a large-
scale copper mine, which have been met
by determined community resistance and
direct action. Glen Kuecker is co-founder
of the Intag Solidarity Network, which
runs a human rights program in Ecuador,
and is Professor of Latin American
History at De Pauw University. For more
information contact Yael at
yael.zalchendler@rmit.edu.au
==============================
Real Food Film Night
Wednesday 25th June, 6.30pm
Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place Melbourne
==============================
Entrée: Store Wars – Spoof animation
comedy (5 min)
Main course: The World According to
Monsanto – Documentary (100 min)
Farming and food production have strong
connections to us all. Join us on a journey
through three film nights as we explore
some of the darker sides of our
relationship with food. Issues ranging
from industrial factory farming and
genetically engineering of food to the loss
of food sovereignty and threat to food
security will be addressed. We’ll have a
short discussion of some of the problems
raised and pose solutions and actions we
can all take.
Wednesday 25th June, 6.30pm
As entrée you can enjoy the spoof Star
Wars animation titled ‘Store Wars’ (5
min) where Cuc Skywalker and Jedi
Yoghurt take on Dark Tador in a battle for
the Farm. Main course consists of a
documentary titled ‘The World According
to Monsanto’ (100 min) which investigates
the journey of Monsanto corporation from
chemical manufactures to biotechnology
giant in its global takeover of our food,
farms, and agriculture heritage.
Free Entry.
Drinks and food available from the bar.
Seating is limited and RSVP is preferred.
For bookings and more information, email
realfood@melbourne.foe.org.au
Organised by: Friends of the Earth
Melbourne Real Food group
www.melbourne.foe.org.au
Supported by: Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place
Melbourne
www.looponline.com.au
==============================
Thou shalt not destroy – Bal tashchit
The environment in Biblical &
abbinic
sources
Until 29 June 2008
Jewish Museum of Australia, 26 Alma Rd,
St Kilda, Melbourne
Loti Smorgan Gallery
==============================
Further info:
www.jewishmuseum.com.au
An exhibition that examines Jewish
responses to the environment -
focusing on what is different about being
Jewish and an environmentalist. By asking
Jewish & non-Jewish artists to respond to
the earliest readings of the Torah, this
exhibition aims to explore the idea of
‘otherness’ by returning to the beginning of
creation and re-contextualising these
fundamental ideas in a contemporary
framework.
==============================
Globalisation for the common good:
an interfaith perspective
30 June – 4 July 2008
Melbourne, Australia
==============================
Seventh Annual Conference -
From the Middle East to Asia Pacific:
Arc of Conflict or Dialogue of Cultures &
Religions?
Venue: Trinity College, University of
Melbourne All welcome to attend.
The 2008 conference is designed to
achieve the following objectives:
* To explore the ramifications of conflict
in the Middle East for the
religious, cultural and political landscape
of the Asia-Pacific region.
* To bring together the insights of several
disciplinary traditions (religious studies,
cultural studies, international relations,
history, sociology and law).
* To illuminate and strengthen
connections between the Middle East
and the geographical regions which
constitute the Asia Pacific, in particular
West Asia, South Asia, Northeast Asia,
Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.
For all enquiries and further details:
www.gcgmelbourne2008.info
==============================
Real Food Film Night
Tuesday 1st July, 6.30pm
Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place Melbourne
==============================
Entrée: Food not Bombs – Short film
documentary (6 min)
Main course: We Feed the World –
Documentary (95 mni)
Desert: Meatrix – Spoof animation comedy
(5 min)
Farming and food production have strong
connections to us all. Join us on a journey
through three film nights as we explore
some of the darker sides of our
relationship with food. Issues ranging
from industrial factory farming and
genetically engineering of food to the loss
of food sovereignty and threat to food
security will be addressed. We’ll have a
short discussion of some of the problems
raised and pose solutions and actions we
can all take.
Tuesday 1st July, 6.30pm
The short documentary on Melbourne’s
‘Food not Bombs’ (6 min) will be
followed by a documentary titled ‘We feed
the world’ (95 min – subtitles) which
investigates food and globalisation,
fishermen and farmers, drivers and high-
powered corporate executives, the flow of
goods and cash, a film about scarcity amid
plenty.
Desert consists of the spoof Matrix
animation titled ‘Meatrix’ (5 min) where
Moothius and Leo discover the impacts of
factory farming.
Free Entry.
Drinks and food available from the bar.
Seating is limited and RSVP is preferred.
For bookings and more information, email
realfood@melbourne.foe.org.au
Organised by: Friends of the Earth
Melbourne Real Food group
www.melbourne.foe.org.au
Supported by: Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place
Melbourne
www.looponline.com.au
==============================’
Climate Emergency Rally & Human Sign
Saturday July 5
City Square (cnr of Swanston & Collins
St)
==============================
Further info:
Brumby & Rudd, get serious!
No desalination plant — phase out coal
No new freeway tunnel — no bay dredging
YES to renewable energy, public transport
& urgent action to stop global warming
We are calling for Victorians to join the
Climate Emergency Rally on July 5.
We want to send a wake-up call to state &
federal governments that they are heading
in the wrong direction. New coal, new
freeways & desalination plants increase
our use of & reliance on fossil fuels
dramatically at a time when we must be
cutting our use even more dramatically.
We are calling on governments to
implement sustainable alternatives
to these irresponsible and expensive
projects.
We call on all community groups and
individuals to join us to send this
important message to the government. We
are going to form a 140-metre-long human
sign to spell the words “Climate
Emergency”. Please organise your group
to send endorsement, tell everyone you
know, and come on the day wearing
something red to symbolise emergency.
For more information see
http://climaterally.blogspot.com/
==============================
Real Food Film Night
Wednesday 9th July, 6.30pm
Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place Melbourne
==============================
Main course: Lost in Palm Oil –
Documentary (63 min)
Desert: Palm Oil & Orangutan Rescue –
Slide show (5 min)
Wednesday 9th July, 6.30pm
The feature documentary ‘Lost in Palm
Oil’ (63 min) investigates the negative
impacts that oil palm plantations have on
forests, climate change, water pollution,
biodiversity, with a focus on Indigenous
communities in Indonesia and Papua New
Guinea. How does this relate to food?
Palm oil shows us that food issues, forests,
people, culture and animals are
interconnected. Palm Oil is used in 1 in
10 supermarket products, yet there no
requirement for it to be labelled. Guest
speaker Jessica McKelson from the
Melbourne Zoo Orangutan Sanctuary will
present an uplifting slide show of her
recent trip to Nyaru Menteng Gunung
Leseur National Park in Indonesia where
she saw the impacts of Palm Oil on the
Orangutan population first hand. The wild
organutan population is heading towards
extinction, but the rescues and release
work witnessed by Jess gives us hope that
there is a future for them.
Free Entry.
Drinks and food available from the bar.
Seating is limited and RSVP is preferred.
For bookings and more information, email
realfood@melbourne.foe.org.au
Organised by: Friends of the Earth
Melbourne Real Food group
www.melbourne.foe.org.au
Supported by: Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place
Melbourne
www.looponline.com.au
==============================’
Facilitating The Work That Reconnects’
with Ruth Rosenhek
August 15 – August 17th, 2008
==============================
An opportunity to explore the Art of
Facilitation of Deep Ecology and
The Work That Reconnects with Ruth
Rosenhek (from The Rainforest
Information Centre)
www.rainforestinfo.org.au
Venue: Common Ground, just outside
Melbourne
Contact Ruth Yeatman for details &
bookings
Email: ruthyeatman@alphalink.com.au
Testamonials:
“Ruth Rosenhek’s modelling of skilful,
inclusive, focused and sensitive facilitation
was really valuable and the exercises
expansive, affirming and profound. Well
done team!”
- GLENDA LINDSAY, community food
growing advocate
“The weekend with Ruth Rosenhek was an
energizing event for me. The enthusiasm
and commitment of the 30 or so
participants was inspirational in itself but I
found Ruth’s facilitation built on this basis
and enabled the group to enter deeply into
their desires for The Great Turning.
I learned a great deal from Ruth’s
introduction to each of the despair and
empowerment activities and felt that they
offered a cognitive insight into the
experiential processes. Her gentleness did
nothing to impede the communication of
her passion for the work. Ruth modelled in
so many ways, and so reminded me yet
again, that as a facilitator one must
continue to do one’s own inner work so as
to evoke the connections and insights in
others.
I also felt that there was a great spirit of
openness in the group such that Ruth
easily shared aspects of the process with
others and so provided a range of learning
experiences for all.
A weekend well spent – thank you to all.”
- ANNE BOYD
Emerging Writer’s Festival Zine Fair at
Fed Square on May 11th.
========================
New International Bookshop
- This Week’s Secondhand Book Bargains
========================
The New International Bookshop is one of
Australia’s very few progressive
bookshops with a comprehensive range of
progressive & radical books, and also
fiction and literature.
Every week I compile “This Week’s
Secondhand Book Bargains @ nibs list”
which is sent out on our weekly email
bulletin. To find our more visit
www.nibs.org.au or email
nibs@nibs.org.au
Books can be ordered by mail, email or
telephone and sent anywhere. Or readers
can drop in.
www.nibs.org.au
Trades hall, 54 victoria st (corner lygon
st), carlton Tel: 03 96623744,
email: nibs@nibs.org.au
Open: Tuesdays – Fridays 10 – 6.30pm, Sat
11 – 5pm
========================
JOBS
Fund raiser and events co-ordinator
Friends of the Earth Melbourne
========================
Fund raiser and events co-ordinator
position available.
FoE Melbourne is seeking a part time
fund-raiser and events coordinator.
The position is one & 1?2 days a week,
initially for six months (July –
December 2008). We hope to extend it and
make it 2 days/ week after
January next year.
This position would collaborate with
existing fund raisers at FoEM to
build our ability to engage in strategic
fund raising opportunities as
well as organise a number of specific fund
raising events.
The position description is available at:
http://www.foe.org.au/getting-
involved/jobs-with-foe
Applications close Friday June 13.