Category: News

‘Don’t let concern become regret – make the call to DVConnect’: That’s the message from Communities Minister Tracy Davis in the lead up to Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month 2014.

Ms Davis said the month, which was held each May, raised awareness of domestic and family violence and aligned with the Queensland Government’s election promise to revitalise frontline services.

“The aim is for every Queenslander to stay safe from domestic and family violence, which can include non-physical abuse as well as physical violence,” Ms Davis said.

“We want people to recognise the warning signs of domestic and family violence if it is happening to someone they know, and to call the DVConnect statewide hotline for advice if they suspect abuse is occurring.”

Ms Davis said non-physical forms of domestic violence could include intimidation and threats, monitoring someone’s movements or stalking and it was important people sought professional support before violence escalated — possibly to serious assault or homicide.

“To help get this message across, this year we’re saying ‘Don’t let concern become regret – make the call to DVConnect’,” she said.

“As a community, we need to realise that non-physical abuse is serious and can escalate to physical abuse, and that domestic and family violence will not be tolerated.

“This is the second year of the Newman Government’s Make the Call campaign, which unlike previous social marketing campaigns, has generated real and positive community-wide action,” she said.

Ms Davis said many organisations, including community groups, sporting clubs, media outlets, businesses and local councils, would hold awareness raising events and activities throughout May.

“For example, in Cunnamulla, the Paroo Shire Council and the Police and Citizens Youth Club recognise that educating young people is critical to breaking the violence cycle so have partnered to run awareness raising workshops with young men and women,” she said.

“Other events include art workshops with young people to promote healthy, respectful relationships and to educate them about non-physical forms of abuse; and a film and discussion night to challenge attitudes towards domestic and family violence and to empower the community to be proactive about preventing it.”

For information on how to identify domestic and family violence, and for a full list of community events, visit www.qld.gov.au/makethecall

To get help for yourself or someone you know, make the call to DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 or Mensline on 1800 600 636.

Recently I wrote about ‘Entering A New Dark Age’ and its policy impact on asylum seekers published in The Westender under the title ‘Corporate Feudalism’

The two default reactions for dealing with a threat to civic society like the ‘New Dark Age Of Corporate Feudalism’ we are face to face with are ‘Fight’ and ‘Flight’

The first option, favoured by the hawks among us, is ‘Fight Against The Darkness’. The trouble is that this reflects and reinforces the neo-feudal ‘crusade’ mentality of society and will only increase the darkness of our New Dark Age.

The second option, favoured by the doves among us, is ‘Flight From The Darkness’. The trouble is that this reflects and reinforces the neo-feudal ‘castle’ mentality of society and will only increase the darkness of our New Dark Age.

We need to find a third option, which doesn’t reflect and reinforce the neo-feudal mentality which imbues society with the Darkness of our New Dark Age.

Fortunately for us there are people who engaged their Dark Age effectively who can serve as examples for us as we seek to engage our own Dark Age effectively. In the earlier Dark Age Francis and Clare engaged in the struggle for change by simply ‘Being Lights in the Darkness’. The political philosopher, John Ralston Saul, says of Francis and Clare and their cohort, they ‘were the most famous activists (of their day). To a great extent they laid out the modern democratic model of inclusion – an important step towards egalitarianism.’ And, in my view, if we would want to change our society – and encourage it to be much more egalitarian and inclusive – we would do well to follow their example.

The feudalism that defined the Dark Age that Francis and Clare faced was a pre-modern, but very sophisticated and very effective system of control, upon which our post-modern system of oppression and exploitation may well be based. It was built on the foundation of a network of castles, guarded by towering walls, and protected by heavily-armed patrols of free-lance mercenaries, hired to safeguard the wealth – and well-being – of the castle inhabitants. Francis and Clare undermined feudalism simply by encouraging all their brothers and sisters to refuse to join the crusades, but lay aside their weapons, unlock the gates of their castles, welcome outsiders in, and share their wealth with the poor.

The challenge of Francis and Clare for us is to realise that we cannot change the system we inhabit, without changing the essential zeitgeist on which it is based and which gives it political legitimacy.

We need to realise that we cannot change the Sovereign Borders Policies of neo-feudal Fortress Australia, by attacking the government and the wanna-be government-in-waiting, because – whether we like it or not – we need to acknowledge that they have the overwhelming democratic support of a paranoid population for their xenophobic policies. The more we attack these policies, which make people feel safe, the more fear we will induce, and the more likely it is they will support the policies we oppose.

Francis and Clare show that the way for us to change the system is to demonstrate to people in our society that we don’t need the Sovereign Borders Policies of neo-feudal Fortress Australia because we don’t need to be afraid. We need to demonstrate that most of our fears are not real, only constructions of the powerful to justify their power – ostensibly so they might ‘better protect us’ – and those fears that are real can be managed sensibly and sensitively – with due regard for the welfare of everyone.

However, we cannot demonstrate to people in our society that we don’t need to be afraid, unless we, like Francis and Clare, overcome our fears, refuse to join the crusade for the inhumane treatment of others, lay aside our weapons of power and privilege, unlock the gates of our gated community castles, welcome outsiders in as friends we are yet to meet, and share our wealth with the poor who need our support. Only then will we be able to transform the zeitgest of our society and then, with the help of our compatriots, begin the task of deconstructing Dark Age Fortress Australia and reconstructing an Enlightened Age Refuge Australia.

From recent painful experience we know that policies don’t change when parties change, but only change when there is public support for policy change. When people live change and vote change politicians will follow the lead of the people – and change – to stay in power. Each of us, who feel inadequate, need to realise our capacity to act. And each of us, who feel afraid, need to realise our courage to act. Each of us, who feel impotent, need to recognise the potential of our actions. Each of us, who feel insignificant, need to recognise the consequences of our actions. Every act of truth is a victory over lies. Every act of love is a victory over hatred. Every act of nonviolence is a victory over brutality. Every act of kindness is a victory over cruelty. And every risk a person takes to make a stand, for peace and justice, however small, is a victory in the struggle to build to a better Australia – an Australia that is committed to the welfare of all.

Parks are not simply useful for human recreation, they also help reduce air temperature and wind speed and replenish ground water supplies, all of which have knock on effects for the environment and the comfort of that most urban of creatures, you and I.

Findings from Portland Oregon last decade indicate just how dramatic the impact of green spaces in the city can be.

Key Findings:

• Vegetated streetscape facilities (“Green Streets”) designed to handle runoff can filter water, remove pollutants, and reduce demand on stormwater infrastructure.
• Green Streets can also serve as urban greenways that enhance the pedestrian environment, provide wildlife habitat, reduce summer air temperatures, and replenish groundwater aquifers.

• 

  Green Streets can be more cost effective than traditional pipe upsize and replacement projects.

• Development of sample designs, standard details, policy, and technical guidance documents support implementation by the private sector.

For more information view the full Green Street Program report

Theatre has the power to explore the heightened edges of life, and it is through using this power that change can happen. We will draw from aspects of performance art including (but not limited to) physical theatre, realism and music. 

Something needs to be done about the taboo nature of mental illness. As a society, we don’t talk about mental illness or our demons that may be contributing to those illnesses. FLY: A Theatre Project aims to encourage conversation and initiate change. So much good can come from alerting people that they don’t have to fight their battles alone. Or from simply letting them know that there are others out there feeling the same darkness that they do.

TICKETS
Adults: $18
Concession: $15
Bookings: anywherefest.com/fly/

Show time: 7pm
Show dates:
Thursday 8th May (Preview)
Friday 9th May (Opening Night)
Saturday 10th May
Sunday 11th May
Thursday 15th May
Friday 16th May
Saturday 17th May
Sunday 18th May

WHERE: The House, 186 Padstow Road, Sunnybank

The big names in Brisbane’s environmental movement rolled up to Avid Reader last night to launch a new book Wild Law in Practice. Editor of the tome and National Convenor of Australian Earth Laws Alliance (ALEA) Michelle Maloney was joined by Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe and Steven White from Griffith University and Professor Douglas Fisher and Felicity Deane from QUT.

The thronging masses were given plenty of opportunity for questions and they flowed thick and fast. Clearly the time has come for a deeper understanding of humanities relationship with nature and that has moved beyond the activism of pioneers like Captain Paul Watson to the legal fraternity.

Interestingly for such an avowedly scientific bunch a lot of the inspiration comes from the work of twentieth century monk Thomas Berry.

Wild Law: In Practice is an edited collection by Michelle Maloney and Dr Peter Burdon.  It aims to facilitate the transition of Earth Jurisprudence from theory into practice. Earth Jurisprudence is an emerging philosophy of law, coined by cultural historian and deep ecologist Thomas Berry. It seeks to provide the foundation for a radical shift in law and governance from an exclusive focus on human beings to recognition of human interconnectedness with the comprehensive Earth community.

This volume addresses a range of topics including the effectiveness of environmental law, the practical implementation of the rights of nature, the role of civil society in transforming law and governance, limits to growth and the connections between animal law and Earth jurisprudence. 

Four blokes, four beers, one hour and one actor. This honest and darkly funny tale will introduce you to four mates who meet at the same bar at the same time every year. But this year, it’s different….

Not just for the blokes, this smart and witty play explores masculinity, mateship, sexuality and relationships. Ultimately it is a man’s 21st century guide to emotional fulfilment (or not … Maybe it’s just about sex).

Presented by Brisbane’s up-and-coming theatre company, Wax Lyrical, the direction of Zoë Tuffin ensures this show will touch the hearts of the toughest Aussies.

Staged at Blackwall in the old ice cream factory, 51 Mollison St, West End as part of Anywhere Theatre Festival,  Bloke is written and performed by Shane Pike and raises questions about Australian masculinity and the troubles faced by our young men (drinking, violence etc). But its not all dark. ‘Bloke’ is a funny and surprisingly touching tale, where the audience get to have a beer with a bloke, George, as he spins a yarn.

Rating: 18+
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $22

** Please be advised that Blackwall has no disabled access. *

• Bloke. – 09/05/2014 @ 7:00 pm
• Bloke. – 15/05/2014 @ 7:30 pm
• Bloke. – 16/05/2014 @ 7:30 pm
• Bloke. – 17/05/2014 @ 7:30 pm