News and Events
The Melbourne Social Forum are pleased to report that the 2008 mini Melbourne Social Forum was a success. Between 80 to 100 people attended to hear our speakers present on food, urban planning and public transport issues. The band, The Conch stole the show at lunch time and had everyone grooving and tapping along with their unique sound and political lyrics. The authentic Mexican vegetarian lunch time feast was enjoyed by all and the engage media film festival screened some interesting documentaries and ran until people were ready for home. The event was filmed by crew from Plug-in TV and we hope to have some content on the internet soon for you to download and watch. The MSF would like to thank our speakers, the City of Port Phillip and the Port Phillip EcoCentre for their support in holding the event. The MSF organisers are currently regrouping and making plans for the 2009 MSF, contact us to get involved or offer suggestions on what you want see at MSF 2009. We're also planning a web site overhaul as our current system needs some repair to allow us to deliver the web content you deserve.
** Just announced: Lunch time music by The Conch **
The Conch are a 10 piece band playing a mix of Ska, Reggae, Latin, funk, hip-hop and swing to inspire activists who everyday do something to improve the world. www.theconch.org
The Melbourne Social Forum is happy to announce the 2008 mini MSF event on Saturday 5th April at the Port Phillip EcoCentre in St Kilda titled:
Eating, moving, living: Pathways to sustainable urban planning, transport and food production Saturday 5th April 2008 11 AM - 7 PM Port Phillip EcoCentre Cnr Herbert and Blessington St. St Kilda. A day to share ideas on these increasingly important issues and their place in our community.
- Speakers on current issues - Hearty lunch - Information & craft stalls -
Tour of EcoCentre - Live music - Photographic exhibition
The event opens with a welcome, a brief talk from the City of Port Phillip local Community Pulse program, a tour of the Port Phillip EcoCentre, followed by our first panel session on local food production and food sustainability issues.
Then share a hearty vegetarian lunch, browse over our free community and campaign stalls and listen to live music. We will then return to hear panel discussions on sustainable transport and urban planning. Then stay around after 5 pm and view the EngageMedia documentary screening. Themed Speaker Sessions
The urban environment presents unique challenges to planning for sustainable living,
food production and transport. Hear our three panels of speakers address these themes
in the local context to educate you about some of the issues and present some solutions.
Panel speakers include:
- Food
- Ben Neil (Cultivating Community);
- Bob Phelps (Gene Ethics)
- Shanaka Fernando (Lentil as Anything)
- Transport
- Frank Fisher (Undertandascope)
- Kerryn Wilmot (Public Transport Users Assoc)
- (Elliot Fishman is a late cancellation)
- Urban Planning
- Anna Griffiths & Don Gazzard (unChain St Kilda)
- Bridget Puszka (BP Architects)
- Adam Leggett (Consultant)
These speakers address issues and present a vision for what a sustainable urban future
might look like with specific reference to local issues, policy and development.
Programme details:
11.00 am - Welcome from several speakers
11.30 am - Tour of Eco Centre with Neil Blake
12.00 noon - Food panel
1.00 - 2.00 pm - Wholesome lunch catered for by 'Lentil As Anything' & our Mexican food crew, plus funky music by The Conch and time to look over the community stalls
2.00 pm - Public transport panel
3.00 pm - Afternoon break
3.30 - 4.30 pm - Urban planning panel
5.00 pm - Documentary film screenings by EngageMedia
7.00 pm - End of films & entire event.
Cost: Entry by gold coin donation.
If you would like to join us for lunch please RSVP us for catering purposes.
Email: info@melbournesocialforum.org
Promotion: Help us promote the event by printing our flyer or emailing your friends and networks: - Flyer: http://www.melbournesocialforum.org/images/MSF_Flyer_2008.bmp
How To Get There:
The Port Phillip EcoCentre is located on the corner of Herbert and Blessington streets, (Melway ref. 58 B11) on the corner of St Kilda Botanic Gardens.
Public Transport:
- 96 Tram to St.Kilda (exit at last stop at intersection of Barkley St & Acland St. At end of Acland St walk 100 metres South to 7-11. Turn left and walk 100 metres East up Blessington St until you reach EcoCentre.
- Tram 67 along St.Kilda Rd (exit at intersection of St.Kilda and Carlisle Sts. next to St.Kilda Town Hall. Walk
South West along Blessington St until you reach Eco Centre on your left).
Parking:
If you can't walk, ride your bike or take public transport, then there is public car parking around the St Kilda Botanical Gardens (next to the Port Phillip EcoCentre) Organised by: Supported by: More Information: contact info@melbournesocialforum.org
The Melbourne Social Forum is proud to be involved in the World Social Forum day of action through participation in the 2008 Invasion Day march and Share the Spirit festival on Jan 26th 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. Visit the WSF site www.wsf2008.net to see over 500 actions listed in support of the WSF global day of action.
On Jan 26th, we will march in solidarity with the Socialist Alliance, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Indigenous Social Justice Association, Reconciliation Victoria and other groups in the 2008 Invasion day march in Melbourne. We will start marching the Atherton Gardens in Fitzroy at 12 noon and end up at the Treasury gardens where we will partake in the Share the Spirit festival which will feature a traditional welcome, Indigenous music, dance and stalls. Drop by and say hello to us at the MSF stall.
January 26th is commonly know as Australia day. It marks the date of the arrival of the first English settlers to Australia and the colonisation of Aboriginal land and it’s people. Indigenous Australians know this day as Invasion day or Survival day, reflecting their survival against the European invasion and the campaign of genocide against Indigenous Australians that followed.
Today Indigenous Australians still suffer from injustice, discrimination and a disregard for the sovereignty over the land that they never conceded. Present pressing issues that need addressing include preventing further indigenous deaths in police custody, compensation for the survivors of the stolen generation and a solution to the crisis in Indigenous health. The Invasion day march will highlight these issues and provide an opportunity from people of all walks of life to come together and remember what this day really means to Indigenous Australians.
This event is registered as a World Social Forum action and is endorsed by: Melbourne Social Forum, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Indigenous Social Justice Association.
This event was organised by a collection of groups who include The Socialist Alliance, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, Indigenous Social Justice Association, Reconciliation Victoria.
For more details, contact the Invasion day working group on (03) 9639 8622 The MSF would like to invite you to a free film night on Thursday November 1st at 6.30pm at Loop bar, 23 Meyers Pl, Melbourne (near Spring and Bourke St). We plan to screen two free films, both with a focus on the mining industry in Australia: - 'Born to Die' by Mary Wilton (1974), running time 48 min
- 'Open Cut' by Phil Burke and Philippa Campey (2004), 26 min. Phil will at the event to talk about the film.
Born to Die (1974)
This film documents the many sides of controversy surrounding the decision to demolish the flourishing town of Yallourn, Vicotoria, in order to mine the rich coal deposits lying beneath. Born to Die has
rarely been screened as it was withheld from public release upon its completion. It was an early Australian example of direct cinema or cinema verite - a style Mary Wilton was exposed to while working on
films in the early 70s. Mary never made another film.
Open Cut (2004)
"I don't have a home town, I have an archive. If I want to visit Yallourn, I watch a movie."
Using the extensive archival recordings of this once model town, Filmmaker Phil Burke re-visits his home town of Yallourn and explores some of the issues which led to its destruction.
We had planned to screen We Feed the World, but have not been able to source an affordable copy of the film. Thanks to loop bar for allowing us to screen the films.  People & Planet 2008 is an exciting new diary featuring 55 striking and inspiring full-colour photos of people and places around the world. The photos are accompanied by short, fascinating stories about social and environmental issues.
People & Planet is published by 34 Australian social justice and environment organisations, and all proceeds go towards supporting our campaigns. The diary features one week per page, is printed on recycled paper, and is slightly larger than A5 in size.
Please support the Melbourne Social Forum by buying a copy for yourself, or buy a few copies and give People & Planet as a perfect gift for the festive season!
Copies of People & Planet can be ordered for just $18 each. Once you’ve contacted us to place your diary order, we'll contact you and arrange a time and place where we can make the exchange. We accept cash and cheques made out to Melbourne Social Forum.
Thanks or those that came to the party. We had a good time and the bands Rocked!. The Melbourne Social Forum PARTY!: An alternative to the corporate ball passing event... After a successful forum in April with over 500 attendees, 50 workshops & 30 stalls, we're having a party to thank all of those involved and all of those who are interested in finding out more. Date: Saturday 29/09/07 Venue: 303, High st, Northcote From 8pm, FREE The night will include : - Laid back music sets from ‘Flow and Plenty’ and ‘Thomas Vecera’ to inspire and entertain - Activists Trivia quiz with prizes for the winning team - Audience participation games that promise fun... If you want it! - Short films from PluginTV We welcome people from all races, backgrounds, gender and classes. From suits to dreadlocks, footy jumpers to cardigans. Come and connect with the social movements that are moving Melbourne. And all for free, because we're such nice people :-) A successful 2007 Melbourne Social Forum
The Melbourne Social Forum organising committee would like to thank everyone for making the 2007 Melbourne Social Forum a great success. The approximate 500 people that attended during our 3 day event enjoyed excellent speakers, over 50 informative workshops, 30 stalls, music, dance, food and drink, a short film night and a wonderful opportunity to network and meet new friends. Some photos are now available for viewing as well as some audio files  . If you attended the forum, we urge you to give send us some feedback to help make next year even better. We're always after more help, so if you want to help organise next years form, write to us.
The 3rd Melbourne Social Forum will be held this week end: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 20th, 21st and 22nd of April 2007. This year's theme is "CHANGE THE POLITICAL CLIMATE: TURN UP THE HEAT!" The mission of the Melbourne Social Forum is to create open public spaces to discuss, share and act on ideas for sustainable social and ecological justice. To do this the MSF hosts events, in public and on-line, which bring together progressive individuals and groups from within civil society in the Melbourne area and beyond. The Melbourne Social Forum is a dynamic open space for addressing the 21st century's most pressing local and global challenges: fair trade, labour rights, environmental sustainability, global peace and human rights issues. Download our schedule for Saturday and Sunday. Download our full program for Saturday and Sunday. Download our event flyers for Friday night or Saturday and Sunday
Community Responses to the Howard Catastrophe
Friday's (April 20th) opening night is entitled "Community Responses to the Howard Catastrophe". This public forum will feature inspiring speakers at RMIT's Storey Hall, a discussion to envision a just and sustainable Australia after Howard. Speakers for this include:
- Helena Norberg-Hodge - International Society for Ecology and Culture
- Stephen Mayne - Founder of Crikey.com.au, an online independent news service
- Aunty Sue Rankin - a Kulin Nation Woman, Mother, Grandmother and Elder
- Verity Burgmann - Professor of Political Science at the University of Melbourne
6:15 - 7:00 Music and culture sponsored by the Latin American Solidarity Network
7:00 - 8:30 Speakers
8:30 - 8:45 A raffle, including subscriptions to New Internationalist, DVDs, books and other goods (every ticket to Friday night includes entry into the raffle) See all the prizes here
8:45 - 9:15 Laughter for World Peace and Wellbeing by facilitator Cris Popp
Saturday and Sunday at CERES Environmental Park
The main event will be held Saturday and Sunday the 21st and 22nd of April @ CERES Environmental Park in East Brunswick. This will feature more than 50 workshops that address issues of social justice and environmental sustainability, many stalls run by local and regional organisations, and culture, art and performances. The Melbourne Social Forum is an open space festival. Come along and:
- run & attend workshops
- run a stall, network & promote your organisation
- enjoy the cultural activities, performances, docos and food (by Lentil as Anything) and drink
Other highlights include cultural activities organised by the Latin American Solidarity Network, and the 2nd MSF Film Festival sponsored and run by EngageMedia.org on Saturday night at 7:00pm.
Saturday start time is 10.00 am. Our first workshops get going at 10.30 am so don't be late. We wrap up at 6.00 pm, ready for dinner from Lentil as Anything before the the 7.00 pm Film festival Sunday start time is 10.00 am. We get straight into the the first workshop at 10.00 am. Finish time is 5.30 PM.
Ticketing
The Melbourne Social Forum is a self-sustaining event run entirely by volunteers. All proceeds from this year's ticket sales will be used to fund next year's MSF. Tickets for the 2007 MSF will be priced as follows:
Friday Night: $12 / 8
Sat. & Sun: 1 day: $15 / 10, Any 2 days: $20 / 15
Fri, Sat & Sun: $25 / 20
Under 18: Free!
Volunteers: Free!
Interstate: Free! (we will also support interstate guests by arranging a homestay)
Free entry is granted to volunteers who attend one training session and give at least two hours of their time to help expedite the forum. If you would like to attend the MSF, but are unable to afford tickets, please write to volunteer@melbournesocialforum.org for more information.
Ticket pre-sale will be available at two locations.
-Friends of the Earth on 312 Smith Street Collingwood
-The New International Bookshop in Trades Hall, Carlton South
Call for Volunteers The Melbourne Social Forum is now looking for volunteers to help run the event. If you can spare 2 or 3 hours on Saturday 21st April or Sunday 22nd April please email volunteer [at] melbournesocialforum [dot] org All volunteers get free entry to the event and food and drink will be provided. It's a great way to help out this fantastic participatory-community event and get in free for those of you on a budget!
Email: info[at]melbournesocialforum[dot]org for details
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