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AUST | GEIFN | CALLING | LGBTQIA+ Story Tellers for AUSSIE Stories: Downunder the Rainbow



Collected video stories of identity, connection and belonging by First Nations, Settlers and Migrants from downunder the rainbow.

A showcase of intersectionality, bridge-building and making peace with inconvenient truths, from LGBTQIA+ Folk in Australia. 

Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods (GEIFN)’s Potential Top 5 Talking Points to offer insights, answers and views to question “What does Reconciliation look like to you?":
  1. What did the coming out process look like for you?
  2. How did being LGBTQIA+ teach you about your family, community and the world?
  3. Where is your gift of being LGBTQIA+ been used in personal, professional or public life?
  4. Who is your message of reconciliation to?
  5. Why should Australia be a place, position and player on a spherical global playing field?
This project is encouraging Australian-residing LGBTQIA+ Women or Women-identifying, First Nations, People of Colour/Migrants. Together, a diversity of ages, genders, views, wisdom and compassion strengthen any reconciliation.

If you or someone you know fit the description and wish to share your reconcilings, please contact Carey on 0438 371 488 or caretaker@geifn.org

Primary Collaborator

I’m From Driftwood (IFD) is delivered digitally through a cloud-based multi-channel platform to a broad-based audience developed over the past 15 years. Part of this conversation and active enthusiasts since the conception.

Quoting from IFD website:
The stories on I’m From Driftwood send a powerful message to LGBTQIA+ people everywhere: you exist, you matter, you belong.
 
IFD’s collection of more than 1,400 professionally-produced videos and user-submitted written oral histories are shared freely online – giving voice to and forging connections among often marginalized or silenced people, educating people about the joys and challenges, complexities and intersectionalities of LGBTQIA+ lives, and increasing empathy in IFD viewers.

Some existing IFD examples:


How to Reconcile

Language is an interesting thing. It can be used to educate, mystify, divide, harm or heal. English is a particularly interesting example.

The English language has 26 letters (written symbols) but it makes over 44 different sounds (syllables) and countless compound ideas (words). All relying on ‘learnt, practised or assumed knowledge' to correctly use, prevailing cognizance (ability to independently critically think), pronounce, know and then to respond.
 
To make things even more interesting, English is always changing, borrowing from many other languages with meanings that may change over time.

Let's look at the word "reconcile":
[reh’con’syle]
From late Middle English: from Old French reconcilier or Latin reconciliare, from Latin re- = back, concentrate, focus + conciliare = bring together.

verb
  1. restore friendly relations between. Ie, the monarch and the archbishop were publicly reconciled. Ie, they wanted to be reconciled with their father. 
    • settle (a quarrel). Ie, advice on how to reconcile the conflict. 
    • make or show to be compatible. Ie, the agreement had to be reconciled with the city's new international relations policy. 
    • someone accepting a disagreeable or unwelcome thing. Ie, the team was reconciled to the poor match result.
  2. make (one account) consistent with another, especially by allowing for transactions begun but not yet completed. Ie, it is not necessary to reconcile the cost accounts to the financial accounts.
And this is just 1 word. Languages are made of many words. Words connected by space(s) make sentences. Sentences connected by space(s) make paragraphs. Paragraphs connected by space(s) make narratives or stories. Stories connected by space(s) make story books. Story books connected by space(s) mark time and are called tradition. This is the process of transmission. Transmission can be verbal, physical, formless or abiding in the space between.

Please find examples of other words (and if needed translations in other languages):

So back to this case: collected video stories from LGBTQIA+ of identity, connection and belonging by First Nations, Settlers and Migrants Downunder the Rainbow.

Originally, recordings were envisioned as being hosted individually on IFD website for global audience and matched with 2 others on GEIFN website for local audience. Reconciling evolving conditions, the episodes are now standalone 20mins episodes hosted on GEIFN's Youtube Channel.

STREAMING | Now

Watch, like or subscribe to the GEIFN YouTube channel or AUSSIEStory Playlist for these and future episodes.
  1. Vasu's Story (20 mins)
  2. Vive Julienne's Story (20 mins)
  3. Ro's Story (22 mins)

How to Support the Project?

  1. Fit the criteria, sorted something out, feeling crazy-brave? Volunteer to tell your story and make contact on the details below.
  2. Pass the word to someone you know has a reconcilingly good story to tell.
  3. Share the message through your socials.

MORE:

Global Engagement In Friendlier Neighbourhoods (GEIFN)
Join us with 'humanising the other' 
Carey Rohrlach (he/him), AUSSIEstory Team Member, Tel 0438 371 488

GEIFN is based in the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.


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VIC | ECCV | UPDATING | Community News | eBulletin #62 | May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Welcome to this post-budget edition multicultural update from the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV).

 ECCV's Budget Analysis 

Victorian State Budget 2026-27

ECCV has welcomed several practical measures in the Victorian Budget, including funding for anti-racism initiatives, refugee support and multicultural seniors’ groups.
"As Victoria heads toward a state election, multicultural communities must be central
to the commitments of all political parties. This Budget includes welcome measures, but they must be matched by sustained investment in the organisations and services that support culturally diverse communities every day." – Silvia Renda, ECCV Chairperson
However, more sustained investment from all parties will be needed ahead of the November State Election, particularly for multicultural organisations, language services and grassroots community support.

Federal Budget 2026

Key announcements in the Federal Budget include welcome new investment in the Support at Home program, with personal care services such as showering and continence management to be fully covered, alongside funding to speed up migrant skills recognition.
 
While this is a more ambitious budget than many we have seen in recent years, a much bolder outlook is needed to sustain multiculturalism – a key pillar of modern Australia's success.

 ECCV in the Media 

Our CEO Farah Farouque spoke on ABC Radio’s PM program in response to the Leader of the Opposition's plans to exclude long-term residents and permanent visa holders from essential supports.
"People from migrant backgrounds pay taxes, contribute labour and help power Australia's
economy. Excluding them from essential supports risks creating a deeply worrying two-tier system." – Farah Farouque, ECCV CEO
 
ECCV’s response to the Victorian Budget was also featured across several multicultural media outlets

 Opportunities & Resources 

WEBINAR | For Victorian Renters – free, practical energy advice for multicultural households | Tuesday 16 June 2026 | 1-2pm AEST

Join ECCV, Australian Energy Assessments and the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SEC) for a free webinar for multicultural renters.
 
We’ll cover practical, low-cost ways to reduce bills, improve comfort at home and understand your rights as Victoria transitions away from gas.
 
We’ve also developed energy brochures in 11 community languages, to help multicultural communities navigate these changes at home.
  • Where: Online via Zoom, link provided on order confirmation email
  • Cost: Free
  • Bookings: essential, online via Humanitix

PUBLISHING | Elder Abuse Prevention Brochures

In partnership with Senior Rights Victoria, ECCV has developed culturally responsive brochures to help seniors better understand elder abuse, know their rights and access support. 

SUPPORTING | Witnesses to War

A free, confidential national telephone support service Witness to War for people in Australia experiencing distress related to events overseas, including concern for loved ones, grief, anxiety or difficulty accessing support.
 
Bicultural support workers speak a range of languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Dari, Ukrainian and Farsi, with interpreters available for other languages.

MORE:

Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Address: Suite 101, 398 Sydney Road, Coburg Vic 3058
Tel: (03) 9354 9555

ECCV acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and pays respect to their Elders past and present.

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AUST | NCJWV | WEBINAR | Sorry Day | Tuesday 26 May 2026 | 8-9pm AEST

[Edited extract from public address]

Join Pastor Ray Minniecon with our panel of esteemed Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian South Sea Islander women moderated by former StandUp CEO Courtney Winter-Peters for a frank conversation about saying sorry. This event is run in partnership with StandUp.

On Sorry Day 2026 there is much to discuss, including the recent booing of Pastor Ray Minniecon's Welcome to Country on ANZAC Day. 

Paula-Rose Bassett is a proud Wiradjuri and Wakka Wakka woman, Lawyer, and Social Worker passionate about justice, advocacy, and strengthening outcomes for First Nations communities. With experience across law, social work, and community leadership, she is committed to advancing conversations around truth-telling, equity, and culturally safe systems. Her work is grounded in cultural connection, advocacy, and creating pathways for stronger futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Waskam Emelda Davis made history as the first Black woman elected to the City of Sydney Council (2021-2024). As a second-generation Australian South Sea Islander of diverse Indigenous ancestry, Emelda is a founder of the Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) and advocates for social justice and equity across communities. She advocates for recognition of the descendants of Australia's blackbirding trade and wrote 'Children of the Sugar Slaves – Black and Resilient.’ In 2020, she became the first ASSI to complete an oral history thesis on the experiences of Blackbirded communities in Northern Rivers, NSW, and QLD. Her advocacy has engaged local, state, and international bodies, including the United Nations.

Ray Minniecon is an Aboriginal pastor with roots in the Kabikabi and Gurang-Gurang tribes of Queensland. He lives in Sydney and has dedicated his life to supporting members of the Stolen Generations of Aboriginals. The term “Stolen Generations” refers to the tens of thousands of Aboriginal children who, from the late 1800s until the 1970s, were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies and church missions in an attempt to assimilate them into the culture of white Australia.

Courtney Winter-Peters is the former CEO and current Board member of Stand Up. Under her leadership, Stand Up delivered its Kol Halev campaign in support of The Voice Referendum, and she championed initiatives to build greater understanding between communities and foster mutual allyship. Courtney brings a strong passion for social justice and the Jewish community. A former lawyer with senior leadership experience in the community legal sector, she is committed to advocating for systemic change and empowering vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
  • Where: Online event via Zoom. Link will be sent one day prior.
  • Cost: Free
  • Bookings: essential, online via Humanitix

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National Council of Jewish Women Victoria (NCJWV)

NCJWA Vic would like to acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations and all traditional owners of the land that is Australia.  We recognise the traditional owners' continuing connection to the land, waterways and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and we acknowledge their stories, traditions and living cultures. As Jewish women, we specifically honour and acknowledge First Nations’ women who, like our matriarchs, are strong, brave, determined and resilient.

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AUST | FDPN | UPDATING | Community Information | May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

It’s been a busy month for us here at the Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN), the voice of LGBTIQA+ displacement.

I am sending you an update about how we’re raising awareness and support for displaced LGBTIQA+ people. 

RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for the Bridge to Safety Program

We are continuing to receive many, many referrals from displaced LGBTIQA+ people  seeking refuge from danger. There is a real need for this program. We are doing the best we can to keep up with the demand.

Our dedicated appeal to support the first cohort of LGBTIQA+ refugees has reached 25% of its target. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far for us to deliver this program. Please share it widely! Your support is invaluable in helping LGBTIQA+ refugees escape danger and find freedom.

REPORTING | Plenary at the 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference

I was honoured to speak at the Panel Discussion ‘Identity, Displacement and Lived Experience’ alongside Victor Madrigal-Borloz, former UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, facilitated by Dr Liza Beinart, at the 4th Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference hosted by STARTTS on behalf of the Forum of Australian Services for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (FASSTT).

The discussion located LGBTIQA+ forced displacement within the intersecting realities of colonialism, climate collapse, border regimes, racialisation and the escalating global backlash against gender and sexual diversity.

I spoke about how this context presents within the realities of settlement systems in Australia. Making a distinction between “marginalised communities” and communities that are “systemically neglected and discriminated against” I aimed to shift the conversation from the focus on the individual towards systemic.

FEATURING | Podcast

Recently, I was part of a podcast series that connects the 78ers’ stories with our current work supporting displaced LGBTIQA+ people. As a valued part of our community of advocates and people with lived experience, I thought this might be of interest.

The Queer Renegades series is on SBS and I was featured in Episode 3 and Episode 8. You can listen to the series on the on Apple Podcasts or Pocketcasts.

COLLABORATING | Award win

Speaking of ‘78ers, the Mardi Gras float we were part of won the Spirit of 1978 Award!

You may remember we joined with our partners RACS and friends ASC and STARTTS for this special float, which celebrated out community and raised awareness about the  Bridge to Safety program. I want to thank the incredible group at Colours of Our Community who coordinated the spectacular float, and to all the individuals with lived experience of displacement who took part.

SUBMITTING | Our policy work


SHARING | New report by UNHCR

The new report, "Towards Influence - How forcibly displaced and stateless people participated in the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review 2025” is now published. The report looks at how forcibly displaced and stateless people participated across the full GRF Progress Review process. It highlights important progress in expanding participation, visibility, and access, while also identifying persistent challenges around influence, institutionalization, funding, accessibility, and accountability.

Back in December 2025, we took a delegation of LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced community members to Geneva. We are proud that our work contributed to the strong LGBTIQA+ advocacy at such a critical international forum, and is recognised in this report.
“I had the honour of delivering FDPN’s official statement during a plenary. Standing in this space was deeply meaningful, this representation matters. My participation was not abstract; I spent 7 years in [asylum] and transit countries without dignity. Being able to speak in Geneva carries privilege and responsibility for me. While I’m safe now, many are not, and this creates a strong sense of responsibility for me to ensure this participation is not only symbolic but effective.” – Saina Avesta, FDPN’s delegation member
Thank you to those for ongoing support of our work and commitment to safety and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people.

P.S. As Bridge to Safety is still underfunded – if you would like to chip in to build the program with us, you can make a tax-deductible donation.

With gratitude and in solidarity,
Dr Renee Dixson, Co-Founder & Executive Director

MORE:

Forcibly Displaced People Network (FDPN)
Address: PO Box 7217, Duffy, ACT 2611 Australia

FDPN acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate. We recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. We extend our deepest respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across this Country now known as Australia. We express our immense gratitude for their welcome of other displaced people.

We honour the strength and resilience of LGBTIQA+ people worldwide. We mourn the lives of those LGBTIQA+ individuals who never made it to safety.

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VIC | VMC | UPDATING | Community, News and Information | Wednesday 20 May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Mother’s Day, marked across Victoria in the last fortnight, is a moment I hold close. 

It is a reminder of the strength, wisdom and determination that women across our communities bring to the lives of those around them, and to the fabric of our shared society.

It is in that spirit that I am pleased to share news of the South Sudanese Australian Women’s Action Plan: Empowerment and Safety, developed by the South Sudanese Community Association of Victoria (SSCAV), with support from the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Victorian Violence Reduction Unit and a range of community partners. 

Over 500 women came together through crisis meetings, community forums and a Women's Leadership Retreat to identify what empowerment and safety look like for their community. This was a plan written by South Sudanese women: their voices, their priorities, their vision. These women are torchbearers — for their community, and for what community-led work can truly achieve.

Doris Lolik, from the executive of the SSCAV, captured it best: "The … Action Plan is not just a piece of document — it is the tears and pain of women who lose their children to violence in our streets. It is what our South Sudanese Australian women believe would be a solution to some of the challenges we face as part of the minority group in Australia, and most importantly, it is what we are setting up for our sons and daughters' future so that they don't have to experience the same challenges we did".

It is precisely this kind of hard-won lived experience that the Victorian Violence Reduction Unit has also sought to centre. This fortnight, the Unit held the inaugural meeting of its Violence Prevention Partnership Collective, of which I am a member. This new multidisciplinary body brings together experts across justice, public health, mental health, education, multicultural affairs and community development. As a member of the Collective, I was honoured to participate as in its inaugral meeting as keynote speaker and panellist. The Collective reflects a serious commitment to ensuring that systemic responses to violence are shaped by, and not imposed upon, the communities they serve. More information about the initiative will be shared in due course. In the meantime, you can find out more about the Violence Reduction Unit here.

Nominations for the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence (MAEs) are now open. Now in its 25th year, the MAEs are Australia's longest-standing awards of their kind. They recognise individuals and organisations whose work strengthens multicultural Victoria. If you know someone who has made outstanding contributions, I encourage you to nominate them. Nominations close 13 July 2026.

The Federal Budget, delivered recently, included a number of measures relevant to multicultural and migration-affected communities. We note in particular the continued investment in the Employment Pathways to Refugee Integration (EPRI) program — an important recognition that social cohesion and economic inclusion depend on strong settlement and employment pathways. 

Thursday 21 May 2026 marks the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. It is a moment to reflect on what genuine dialogue and equitable participation require, and to recommit to each. We extend warm wishes to Jewish communities as Shavuot begins tomorrow through to 24 May, a time of learning and renewal. We also extend our wishes to Muslim communities as Hajj is undertaken and Eid al-Adha is celebrated from 27 May, a time of devotion, sacrifice and giving to others. This period also coincides with National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June — calling us toward the ongoing work of truth-telling and building relationships grounded in respect.

Warm regards,
Vivienne Nguyen AM, Chairperson

 

 News and events 

VIC | VMC | ANNOUNCING | Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence 2026 | nominations close at 11.59pm Monday 13 July 2026

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence (MAEs). Now in its 25th year, the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence are Australia’s longest‑standing multicultural awards. The MAEs recognise individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to Victoria’s multicultural communities and intercultural and interfaith understanding.

The 2026 MAEs include 13 categories: Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll, Premier’s Award for Intercultural Connection, Arts and Culture, Business and Employment, Media, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Prevention of Family Violence, Public Sector Diversity and Inclusion, Police, Refugee Leadership, Refugee Youth Leadership, Sport and Recreation, and Youth Leadership.

You may nominate any individual or organisation you believe deserves recognition.  Prior to nominating, please read the nomination guide. Nominations can then be submitted through the nominations portal.
For questions about the nomination process, contact the Awards team: awards@vmc.vic.gov.au

MANNINGHAM | VMC | SUPPORTING | Mental Health in the Iranian Community: Free Workshop | Thursday 21 May 2026 | 6-8.30pm

The Victorian Multicultural Commission, together with the Iranian Australian Association of Mental Health Professionals, is hosting a free community mental health session for the Iranian community in Victoria.

Delivered in Persian and English by Iranian mental health practitioners, the session will explore trauma, stress and anxiety, practical coping strategies, and available mental health supports in Victoria.

It is especially for Iranian families, students, temporary visa holders, and others experiencing distress, isolation, or uncertainty following the ongoing conflict in Iran.
  • Where: Manningham Function Centre, Doncaster VIC Australia
  • Cost: Free
  • Bookings: Places are limited. To secure your seat register online via Humanitix

VIC | VDWC | WEBINAR | Code of Conduct for Disability Workers | Tuesday 26 May 2026 | 10-10.30am AEST

The Victorian Disability Worker Commission (VDWC) invites all disability workers to attend their free Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct webinars.

Learn how the Code applies to everyday practice and the legal responsibilities of disability workers when providing safe, quality services to people with disability, regardless of funding arrangements.

The May webinar will cover steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of supports and services provided to people with disability
 

AUST | GOV | ADVISING | Health Precautions for Hajj Pilgrims

The Hajj pilgrimage will take place from Sunday 24-Saturday 30 May 2026, marking a deeply significant and sacred time for those undertaking the journey.

If you are travelling, the Australian Government encourages awareness of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory illness that has been associated with travel in the region.

Simple precautions can help reduce the risk of illness, including regular hand hygiene, avoiding contact with camels and uncooked camel products, and seeking advice from a health professional before you travel.

VIC | WWP | TRAINING | Free lung cancer screening education sessions

The Water Well Project (WWP) is offering free education sessions for multicultural communities on the new national lung cancer screening program, including who is eligible and how to access it.

Sessions are delivered by healthcare professionals with interpreters and are available across Victoria, particularly for Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese and Hindi-speaking communities.
 

VIC | GOV | OPENING | Doors into the housing market with more affordable homes

The Victorian Government is opening the door to home ownership, with more affordable homes planned in well-connected communities close to trains, trams and everyday services.

Stamp duty has been slashed on eligible off-the-plan apartments and townhouses, and a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant is available for those building or buying their first home.

VIC | CDS | RETURNING | Win a Million! Cents Competition | Monday 4 May-Sunday 14 June 2026

The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) Vic Win a Million! Cents competition has returned, providing an opportunity for Victorians to participate in the CDS while supporting positive community outcomes.

By returning 50 or more eligible containers at a CDS Vic refund point, participants will go into the draw to win one of five $10,000 cash prizes (equivalent to one million cents). In addition, one winner will have the opportunity to direct a $10,000 donation to a registered CDS Vic donation partner, supporting community organisations and local groups across Victoria.

VIC | GOV | HEARING | Your say: on Multicultural Health | survey closes Sunday 31 May 2026.

Victoria’s cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths. The Victorian Government is seeking input from multicultural communities to help improve health outcomes and ensure services are fair, inclusive and culturally responsive.

Share your views on the health issues that matter to you, your experiences with healthcare, and how services can better support language needs, cultural inclusion and address racism and discrimination.

The survey takes around 15-20 minutes to complete, is anonymous, and is available in English and 14 languages. You can also complete it on behalf of someone you support.

MORE:

Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC)
Address: Level 6, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

VMC acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past and present.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following may include the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

'Reconciliation is not a spectator sport' is the message behind this year's National Reconciliation Week theme.

This is a direct call for all of us to stand alongside First Nations people and commit to reconciliation every day.

Held from 27 May–3 June, the week recognises the journey to secure First Nations rights, and is a powerful reminder of how far we still have to go.

With Reconciliation Week just around the corner, now is the time to reflect on how we show up, because reconciliation doesn't stop when the week ends, and the weight of this work shouldn't fall on First Nations people.

Read on for ways to support First Nations people beyond National Reconciliation Week, plus the latest news and updates.

 News and Updates 

STANDING | Alongside First Nations people every day

Standing alongside First Nations people doesn’t mean just watching from a distance. While the weight of reconciliation has always fallen on the people it's meant to serve, there are practical steps every non-Indigenous person can take right now to change this. From supporting First Nations businesses, to calling out racism when you see it, and amplifying voices that continue to be ignored, it’s time to act!

LAUNCHING | Kitchen Table Conversation toolkit

We launched the Alternative First Responders Kitchen Table Conversation Toolkit, a resource designed to spark meaningful conversations about alternatives to policing and community safety. At an event organised by The Law Reform and Social Justice program, we gathered with supporters to ask: what does real community safety look like? And what are the alternatives to police?  

ANSWERING | What it means to volunteer with us

We're celebrating National Volunteer Week by spotlighting four incredible people who gave their time to the National Justice Project over the past year. During their time with us, volunteers gain hands-on experience in strategic litigation and advocacy, while helping drive real change with communities. We asked them about the moments that stayed with them, what they learned, and why it mattered.

REPORTING | Bold legal ideas to tackle the climate crisis

A new report captures the bold legal strategies developed by teams of experts to tackle the climate crisis at our third LawHack. The winning team from Gadens proposed an innovative compensation scheme to protect communities from climate harm. Other standout ideas from the legal teams included pathways for people with disability to access recovery support during extreme weather, and new approaches to increase the use of electric vehicles.

CONGRATULATING | Our UTS Law students on their first Moot Court

It’s a proud milestone for our UTS Law students as they’ve just completed their very first Moot Court with us. We partnered with the UTS Faculty of Law and the Jumbunna Legal Strategies Hub to launch a program which gives students real-world experience of how the law can be used to make change. It enables students to work on high-impact cases and gives them the practical skills needed to push for law reform. We can't wait to see what next semester brings.

REMINDING | Action Webinar Alternative First Responders | Thursday 28 May 2026 | 11-12.30pm AEST

Join us for a free online webinar to explore how we can demand real change and advocate for alternative first responders to police.

Ahead of the Victorian state election, we’re bringing together leading advocates and grassroots organisers who are rethinking police-led first responses and driving the work in community-led solutions.

Speaker List:
  • Apryl Day, Dhadjowa Foundation
  • Harm Reduction Victoria
  • Footscray Mall Friends
  • Beyond Survival Project
  • Southside Justice
You’ll then take part in on-the-spot actions to turn ideas into real, meaningful change.

Together, we can build momentum and put alternative first responders firmly on the state agenda.

Sign up now to listen, learn, and take action.
  • Where: Online event is held via Zoom. Access Link will be provided via email one day before the event.
  • Cost: Free
  • Bookings: online via Humanitix

UPDATING | Privacy Policy

We've recently updated our Privacy Policy. Questions? Contact us at info@justice.org.au
 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

The National Justice Project is funded by donors committed to the fight for social justice. 

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team


MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | CoSA | ISSUING | Statement on Recent Trespass, Invasion and Violence | Thursday 14 May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Over recent weeks, there have been a number of instances where individuals have repeatedly forced their way into Church of Scientology (CoSA) properties. Disrupting religious and public facilities, damaging CoSA property, and endangering staff, parishioners and visitors.

Some commentary has referred to these incidents as “speed running”. In reality, they involve organised and coordinated trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention.

During one large-scale incident, dozens of individuals rushed into buildings without permission. Staff members were knocked down in the chaos. As a result, the CoSA is reviewing all available remedies to protect its personnel, visitors and property.

CoSA facilities are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public. This behaviour disrupts the day-to-day activities of law abiding religious facilities.

As a result, the CoSA has taken additional security measures to protect staff, visitors, parishioners and religious sites. Those measures are unfortunate, but required to protect our facilities from repeatedly being targeted by people seeking internet attention.

These incidents have been reported to the police, who have been extremely helpful across all states involved.

The CoSA continues to welcome all lawful visitors while taking measure to protect our personnel and property from individuals and groups who force entry to our premises, damage property, disrupt religious gatherings and harass our people.

MORE:

Church of Scientology Australia (CoSA)
Address: 126 Greville Street, Chatswood NSW 2067 • +61 2 9692 7300

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ASCOT VALE | MSVM | TRAINING | First Aid Training for the Body, Mind and Spirit | Sunday 14 June 2026 | 10am-3.30pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Want to be able to help in a time of emergency? Get nationally accredited CPR and First Aid Training plus proven trauma management tools.

Learn how to confidently respond in an emergency and potentially save a life with the Nationally Accredited Certification HLTAID011 - PROVIDE FIRST AID INCLUDING CPR, delivered by Results First Aid Training.

You will meet other members of the community who also have an interest in first aid, disaster response and helping others, and gain important skills to be able to act with confidence in a time of crisis.

The cost of this certification is usually $175 per person. However, in celebration of National Volunteer Week, it is our pleasure to provide this training to the community for only $20, the cost of certificate preparation & training materials. Complimentary lunch with vegetarian options will also be provided.

This course is nationally accredited, and the certificate is recognised anywhere in Australia where First Aid Certification is required. The event is open to all members of the community from ages 16 and up, but places are limited.

The First Aid course is delivered in a BLENDED format which consists of pre-course online learning and face-to-face practical drilling and assessment.

Important Note: Each participant must complete the online e-learning section of the course before arriving for the practicals and necessary assessments on this day. Anyone who has not completed the online learning will not be issued a Certificate of Attainment for HLTAID011 PROVIDE FIRST AID INCLUDING CPR.

In addition to the nationally accredited first aid course, you will be trained on proven drug-free trauma management techniques to alleviate the pain, mental and spiritual distress that often arise in conjunction with emergencies, physical injury and loss.

This event is being held in the auditorium at the Church of Scientology Melbourne, and is sponsored by the Melbourne Scientology Volunteer Ministers.
  • Where: Auditorium, Church of Scientology, 231-251 Mount Alexander Road, Ascot Vale, VIC 3032
  • Cost: $20
  • Bookings: online via Eventbrite

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Melbourne Scientology Volunteer Ministers (MSVM)
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YARRA | YEF | UPDATING | Renewables, Stories, events and more | May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

We kicked off May with the long-awaited launch of our neighbourhood battery and EV charger in Clifton Hill, an incredibly proud moment for our team.

Read more about the project below.

We're also coming towards the end of the Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow, with just a few events left to go. Supported by Sustainability Victoria, the roadshow has brought together some wonderful community events, where residents could learn more about the benefits of home electrifcation. 


LAUNCHING | Clifton Hill Neighbourhood battery and EV charger

On Friday 15 May 2026, Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, launched our neighbourhood battery and 60 kW public EV charger in Clifton Hill. 

The project was funded with a $750,000 grant from the Victorian Government through the Neighbourhood Battery Initiative.

This is the first dedicated front-of-meter neighbourhood battery designed to harmonise with public EV charging in inner-Melbourne.

EV charging will be cheaper during the "solar window" and more expensive during peak times. This is because we’re trialling how neighbourhood batteries and EVs can better work together, lowering pressure on the grid and incentivising use when solar production is highest (often when both energy emissions and prices are lowest).

The EV chargers have a lower-than-average height and wider parking spaces to improve accessibility for wheelchair users, with parking signage designed in consultation with local residents to match local use preferences.

Profits from the neighbourhood battery and EV charger will be returned to the local community through a Community Benefit Fund, delivered in partnership with the City of Yarra. 

 Seven people standing beside an electric vehicle charging station in a park setting, with palm trees and cloudy skies in the background. Several people are wearing Yarra Energy Foundation shirts, and an electric vehicle is parked behind them.

CONCLUDING | Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow | May events 

The Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow is coming to a close with four final events in May. 

This project is supported by the Community Electrification Engagement Program, delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.
You can read more about our upcoming events over on our LinkedIn newsletter.

    ADVISING | Solar for Apartments rebate extended

    The Victorian Government has extended the Solar for Apartments rebate until 30 June 2027, or until rebates are exhausted. 

    The program offers rebates of up to $2,800 per apartment, with a maximum of $140,000 per property. Rebates are available for apartment buildings, strata townhouses and units under the control of an Owners Corporation and sharing a common property rooftop.

    SHARING | Our Services

    Find out more about the services that Yarra Energy Foundation offers including:
    • Feasibility studies
    • Community Engagement
    • Community battery strategies for local councils
    • Consulting & advice
    • Project management 
    • Solar & electrification programs
    We are a small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.

    MORE:

    Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF)

    Yarra Energy Foundation acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of this country, pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Yarra, and gives respect to the Elders past and present.

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    AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | May 2026

    [Edited extract from public address]

    The spread of AI has accelerated the spread of misinformation – and thrown in hallucinations for good measure. 

    Online, and in lots of news coverage, noisy attention-seekers continue to drown out considered voices. The result is rising populism, falling trust and democratic decay. 

    But there is a better way. I’m writing to ask for support of The Conversation again, a trusted source of fact-based journalism. The need today is greater than ever. 

    At The Conversation, we share expert knowledge to help readers make informed decisions. Our only aim is to serve the greater good.

    Our team produces journalism that is sober, clear and useful. They are passionate and proud to work for an outlet that prioritises facts over clickbait.

    Every day we report and explain the news and tackle big issues such as climate change, how to navigate the aged care system or the damage done by the manosphere. Working with experts, we cover the things that matter in our everyday lives, such as the latest medical advice on teeth-grinding or the impact of the social media ban on young people.

    We do this work exclusively with academics to share their knowledge and research. We give our work away for free to anyone who needs it. Instead of building a paywall, we depend on the kindness of people like you who care about evidence-based journalism.  

    You can help us by donating to our annual campaign. In past years, we’ve been overwhelmed by your generosity, and today I’m asking that you please help us again in 2026.

    With your help, we are already increasing our coverage of the big issues in public policy, and there is so much more that we can do. If there was ever a time to support a project that strengthens our democracy, it is now. Every tax-deductible donation counts, so please give whatever you can afford. 
    P.S. If you have already given today, thank you so much. Your gift means the world to us. 

    Best wishes, 
    Misha Ketchell, Editor

    MORE:

    The Conversation (THCO)
    Address: Tenancy B, Level 5, 700 Swanston Street, Carlton Vic 3053

    We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and Māori as tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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    VIC | VTMH | WEBINAR | Listening beyond the System: bicultural voices on mental health | Wednesday 17 June 2026 | 10.30-11.30am

    [Edited extract from public address]

    The Victorian Bicultural Workers Network (VBCWN), facilitated by cohealth’s Bicultural Program, has launched a new podcast series, Listening Across Cultures: Bicultural Perspectives on Mental Health.

    The podcast creates space for Bicultural Workers (BCWs) to share knowledge and insights from their communities about mental health, wellbeing and experiences navigating mainstream services. Through these conversations, the series explores how culture, migration experiences, language and community connection shape understandings of distress, healing and recovery, while also highlighting shared experiences and strengths across diverse cultural communities.

    In this presentation, podcast host and cohealth's Bicultural Program Lead Jasmine Phillips will share emerging themes from the interviews — including the strengths and leadership within communities, common challenges when engaging with mainstream systems, and BCW reflections on what more culturally safe, community-led responses can look like.

    VTMH webinars are open to individuals, from all disciplines and working in all sectors, who are based in Australia and interested in diversity and mental health.  
    • Where: Online via Microsoft Teams Townhall — details to be sent to registrants in advance
    • Cost: Free
    • Bookings: essential. Spaces are limited. To secure a place, please register early online via VTMH 

    MORE:

    Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH)
    Address: St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Level 1, Bolte Wing, 14 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
    Tel: (03) 9231 3300

    VTMH acknowledges it is located on the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) peoples of the Kulin Nation. We know this land has history, custodians and stories spanning tens of thousands of years. We celebrate and recognise the First Peoples’ continuing connection to the land and water, and pay our respects to their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging.
    In a spirit of reconciliation, we commit to walking the journey of learning and healing together.

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    AUST | EQPR | CELEBRATING | The first 10 years of The Equality Project

    [Edited extract from public address]

    We've been sitting with this email for a while now, trying to find the right words.

    Ten years is a long time. And when you've spent most of it chasing grants, stretching budgets, and running on the belief that this work matters, it can be hard to stop and actually take it in.

    So that's what we want to do here.

    Stop. Look back. And say thankyou.

    This started in 2016 in a living room. A small group of us sat around and asked a simple question: what does our community actually need? We formed a steering committee of 20 people representing the diversity of our community, and consulted with hundreds more over 12 months.

    We met in the evenings around a table, volunteers giving up their time, most of us working full-time jobs. And in January 2018, we opened the doors of Melbourne Town Hall for our first Better Together conference. Over 600 people walked in.

    We had no idea if anyone would show up.

    But people did. And kept coming back.

    Since then:
    • Over 7,000 voices brought together at events
    • Over 3,000 people backed through scholarships
    • Over 4,000 learners upskilled through training
    And more than half of everyone who has ever come through our doors accessed a scholarship, subsidised or free ticket - because we always believed access shouldn't be determined by income.

    Those numbers matter. But they don't tell the whole story.

    The work has never been for us. It has always been for the person who flew from Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart or Cairns to be in a room with people like them for two days.

    For the person who came out after attending their first Better Together. For the grassroots advocate who finally had a stage.

    For the two people in Mount Gambier who deserved training just as much as anyone in the city. We drove from Melbourne to make that happen.

    And we travelled to Perth, Brisbane, and across Victoria to bring leadership and advocacy training directly to people there. We would do it all again.

    Here is some of what we built together over ten years.

    So far, we have run 7 Better Togethers across Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney, and one regional Better Together in Canberra.

    People tell us it's one of the most nourishing gatherings of its kind they've ever been to. In 2024, 91% of attendees who responded to our survey said they had a positive experience.

    Part of what makes it work is who shows up, and who gets seen. From the very beginning, we gave the bisexual community a platform and helped bring people together when those spaces simply didn't exist anywhere else.

    At that very first conference, we also launched Australia's first LGBTIQA+ Policy Guide. Developed consultatively with communities, advocates, and experts, it was a resource that had never existed in this country before. A second edition followed a couple of years later. 

    To date it has been downloaded over 3,500 times.

    We were among the first organisations to include the I in the acronym, giving the intersex community a platform at our very first Better Together in 2018.

    And soon after, we added the A, making space for the asexual community before most others did. In 2020, we hosted what we believe was the biggest trans and gender diverse caucus in Australia, a facilitated gathering for 100 people in Melbourne.

    We ran Health and Wellbeing Days for rainbow communities in Melbourne and Adelaide, because mental health and connection matter just as much as advocacy.

    And we built leadership and capacity programs that would have cost thousands elsewhere, made available at a fraction of that.

    We spent a year driving through regional and remote South Australia, talking to communities who rarely get heard, so their voices could reach government. That work culminated in the SA Discovery Report, ensuring what we heard didn't just stay in the room.

    That's the kind of work we don't see ourselves walking away from.

    We created the Festival for the Future, a dedicated event for older rainbow community members in regional South Australia, bringing services and connection to people who had been waiting far too long for both.

    As part of every Better Together conference, we ran the Rainbow Leaders Summit as a dedicated pre-conference day, bringing together rainbow community leaders and decision-makers in a space that simply didn't exist anywhere else.

    And we are proud of our partnership with The Long Walk, who joined us in 2023 to open Better Together with a Welcome to Country. Together we continue to walk alongside each other in the spirit of reconciliation and truth-telling.

    And just last month, in March 2026, we held our very first Better Together Women in partnership with The Long Walk. A new chapter, ten years in the making, and one we are excited to grow.

    None of this came from the top down. There was no seed funding, no startup grant, no institutional backer. For a long time, the core team did all of this as volunteers. Some of us for over a year.

    No pay, no guarantee, just a belief that it needed to exist. We started at a kitchen table. Honestly, that's still where most of the decisions get made.

    We know this work is hard. We know there are days when you wonder if it's worth it. We've had those days too. But we keep showing up. 

    Because the people who need this work don't get to take a day off from being who they are.

    If you are out there doing it too, we see you. And we hope that somewhere along the way, we made it a little easier.

    To every volunteer who gave their time, every partner and sponsor who believed in us, every pro bono supporter who made something possible that otherwise wouldn't have been, every donor who gave without being asked twice, and to The Long Walk Foundation who walked alongside us - thank you. This genuinely does not happen without you.

    Now, what's next?

    Better Together will return in 2027. And by popular demand, the next Rainbow Leaders Summit is set for 26 November 2026, with expressions of interest opening in July.

    We are constantly learning, and we want to keep growing - as humans first.

    If you've made it this far, you're already part of this story. So here's the bit we really wanted to share with you.

    This work has shaped us. And it has shown us something else, too. The world needs better conversations. Not just within our communities, but across every line of difference that's pulling people apart.

    That's why we're starting something new.

    We are launching the Centre for Civil Dialogue, incubated within The Equality Project.

    Conversations across difference are harder than they've ever been. Learning to have them well might be one of the most important things any of us can do right now.

    If this matters to you, come and have a look at what we're building.

    One last thing. We want to hear from you.

    Do you have a memory from one of our events or programs? A moment, a connection, a conversation that stayed with you?

    Hit reply and tell us.

    We are collecting stories from the people who have been part of this journey, and yours matters more than you know.

    We look forward to seeing you at the next Better Together in 2027.

    P.S. If you'd like to support what we do, donations help us keep this work going, accessible, and grassroots.


    With so much gratitude,
    Jason, Marnie, TJ and Adrian
    The Equality Project

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    The Equality Project (EQPR)
    Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Linkedin | Donate | Events

    The Equality Project® respectfully acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we will gather for this event. We wish to pay respect to Elders past, present and future and recognise the deep connection and important role that First Nations people have and continue to play. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

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