They also held raffles and sold cupcakes, lamingtons and spicy winter mocktails.
David Joseph, a long-time member of the Cafe choir, organised the event, which raised about $4000.
After, we headed back to Newtown to discuss the state of the world at Sir Braxton’s Chocolate Bar over hot chocolate.
The Hunger Project funds an Unleashed Women program which empowers women through education, microfinance, agriculture and health, with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to break the poverty cycle. All of the money raised go towards ending hunger in Africa, India and Bangladesh.
We were advised to read this excellent book, Dark Emu, by Bruce Pascoe.
Went to a NAIDOC event at the University of Sydney, with the theme: ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth.’
Keynote speaker Teela Reid, a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman born and raised by a single mum in Gilgandra western NSW, told us of her journey from a PE teacher to lawyer and United Nations representative. Now she practices criminal, civil and administrative law and was involved as a Working Group leader on the Constitutional dialogue process that resulted in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Statement calls for the voices of First Nations people to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution, and have a say in laws and policies.
I helped write and edit this Stolen Generation plaque, prominently displayed at Central Station. Was a privilege to be asked to be involved and was grateful for the opportunity. (In particular, the second par: “Some of these children never made it home, living their lives disconnected from their families and not knowing their true heritage.”) Was at the official unveiling six months ago, when many of the Stolen Generation were present, truth-telling stories of being dragged away from their siblings on Platform 1, crying and screaming.
Gay men’s lives were discounted by Bondi police, who put in minimal effort into finding the perpetrators.
People were found smashed on these rocks after homophobic violence at Bondi.
It was easy to throw someone off the cliff, especially before 2000 when there were no railings.
Marks Park, where many bashings happened. Also, the scene of many happy queer parties.
The beautiful view from Marks Park of Tamarama Beach. No wonder it was such a popular beat.
Went to ACON’s Bondi Badlands Historical Violence Walking Tour today. Author/journalist Greg Callaghan filled us in on each victim’s life story and pointed out the general vicinity of where they had been murdered by juvenile homophobic gangs. It was organised by ACON project manager for safety, inclusion and historical justice, the lovely Michael Atkinson.
The walk, around the clifftop from Bondi Icebergs to Tamarama, started off sunny, but was soon totally freezing with biting wind and rain and we were huddled together with heads bowed like those penguins during winter in Antartica. Luckily, we found shelter at the public toilets in Marks Park — a popular beat where many post-Mardi Gras parties and celebrations had been held. It was also, unfortunately, the scene of many murderous homophobic crimes. But happily, it will also be where a memorial will be placed to remember those we lost.
I used to live in Bondi during 1991-1994, and the clifftop walk was a renowned danger spot at night, as there were no railings, no lighting, and gangs of drunk youths used to hang around there, do drugs and bash people.
Made a short vid about our visit to Maynard’s Madd Club held at Red Bar, Glebe.
Renowned gay columnist Lance chose the first hour of songs, then we enjoyed Maynard’s picks. Vids played in the background, some featuring long-gone friends from GLBTIQ events held since the early 2000s.
Went to see the Honeybees and Cafe of the Gate of Salvation sing their hearts out for a fundraising effort on behalf of the Hunger Project at the Sydney Presbytery Hall, Glebe.
Cotton Ward 