International Day of People with Disability
Born to be Wild
Get your body moving. Head out to the library. Join in the adventure. Fog Theatre comes your way.
Join us on Thursday 1 December for several pop-up creative performances by Fog Theatre at the St Kilda library. For one short hour put your browsing and borrowing aside to be amongst the balletic and majestic mayhem of Fog Theatre as they playfully bring life and vibes to different parts of the St Kilda Library. Fog Theatre’s pop-up performances at the library are part of a program of events City of Port Phillip is hosting for International Day of People with Disability. Everyone is welcome and this event is free to attend.
Fog Theatre are an incredible ensemble of emerging and established theatre and dance artists with disability including Clem Baade, William Bailey, Michael Buxton, India Boyd, Ian Caplan, Tim D’Rozario, John Eslick, Drajlyn Hurunui, Lincoln Holt, Jordan Low, Debbie Lissek, Mattie Michael, Mark Polonsky, Ruth Ruschinek, Melissa Slaviero and Brinley Stephens. Directed by Nilgun Guven, with arts workers Rachel Edward, Gemma Falk, Marjetka McMahon-Krizanic and David Maney. Fog Theatre is proudly supported by Vitae Veritas.
International Day of People with Disability is held annually on 3 December to acknowledge the contributions of people with disability and raise awareness of disability inclusion.
Event details:
- Time and date: Thursday 1 December, 12 noon – 1 pm.
- Location: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda VIC 3182. Fog Theatre’s pop-up performances are held throughout the library, starting with an opening performance at 12 noon in the library foyer and the closing performance will be at approximately 12.50 pm in the story time area of the library.
- All welcome, no registration required.
If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in this event, please contact Julia Wanhill to discuss this. You can contact Julia via the Assist team on (03) 9209 6777 or email IDPWD@portphillip.vic.gov.au
In conversation with Carly Findlay and Renay Barker-Mulholland
City of Port Phillip libraries are hosting a special author talk with Carly Findlay who will be interviewed by Renay Barker-Mulholland.
Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in January 2019. Carly writes on disability and appearance diversity issues for news outlets and in 2020, Carly Findlay received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her work as a disability advocate and activist (source).
Renay Barker-Mulholland is an artist, writer, and creator. Renay is a proud disabled, Biripi / Dungutti woman, and a staunch feminist who is dedicated to fighting for disability justice (source).
International Day of People with Disability is held annually on 3 December to acknowledge the contributions of people with disability and raise awareness of disability inclusion. This event is free to attend but registration is required.
Event details:
- Time and date: Thursday 1 December, 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm.
- Location: St Kilda Library, 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
- To register, please view the booking page.
If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in this event, please contact Kate Foster to discuss this. You can contact Kate via the St Kilda library team on (03) 9209 6655 or email IDPWD@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Community Stories on Film 2021
In celebration of International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD - 3 December), we are excited to share Community Stories on Film with you.
People with disability, families, carers and advocates with a connection to the City of Port Phillip community were invited to contribute an original short film focusing on the theme of inclusion and belonging in Port Phillip.
This project aims to contribute to broader awareness of how being inclusive of community members with disability ensures a positive sense of belonging for everyone.
Grab yourself a cuppa and get curious about the meaning of inclusion and belonging in the community!
Community Stories on Film 2021 contributions
Below content is provided by our talented contributors
Film title
Qualia
About the film
Three people who cross space and time within the public psychiatric system. Jess Cochran, Maggie Toko and Xavier Gouault give powerful statements that step beyond medical definitions of mental health and show why it's important to incorporate authenticity in the architecture of healing.
Inspiration behind the film
I wanted to make this film to show the stark realities of being in a psych ward from diverse perspectives. It's important society sees what it's like being in these places from more people who aren't white, abled or academically resourced. I also want this film to show the tools to build more dignified supports are already there; power-holders just need to widen the concept of mental health.
About the contributors
I live and work on Wurrundjeri Country, but my family is from Wales so I am visiting with respect. I love nature and wanted to be a Ranger but my life turned tricky so the arts became my home. Because of this, I consider myself blessed! Happy are those who seek to understand rather than be understood. I run a disabled led arts NFP Schizy Inc and spend most hours of the day writing emails to make sure films like this get made.
Film title
We Keep Coming Back Like a Song
About the film
Our film is about why we keep coming back to City of Voices every week. It is a celebration of our love for our group and for each other. Participants share their personal stories and memories of the group's value in their lives, as well as all the individual rituals - putting on shoes, finding keys, heading out the door - that formed part of our City of Voices experience in pre-pandemic times. Our film celebrates how friendship, creativity and connection with each other can happen online or in person, and how, however it happens, coming together enriches us all.
Inspiration behind the film
During Melbourne's 2020-21 lockdowns, we were unable to meet in person, and our weekly workshops moved online. Yet, every week, we kept coming back to our screens to talk and create together - it was as if the COVID pandemic gave us a renewed appreciation for what it was we loved about City of Voices, which made us reflect on the question of "What keeps us coming back every week?" We decided to make a film celebrating this 'why', where each participant a) told a personal story about what COV means to them and b) recorded the little rituals that formed part of our individual City of Voices experience in 'normal' face-to-face times, like putting on shoes, choosing a mug, donning a mask, finding keys, hopping on the tram/bike/taxi/car.
About the contributors
City of Voices (COV) is an inclusive theatre company operating as a program of SouthPort Community Centre. Our mission is to give all people, regardless of age, ability or socio-economic status, the opportunity to engage in the creative arts. Established in 1992, City of Voices has been creating original theatrical work for the local Port Phillip community for almost 30 years.
Face-to-face workshops are held every Wednesday during Victorian school term times at South Melbourne Community Centre, and, during COVID-19 related lockdowns, we meet online on Zoom.
Whether in person or online, City of Voices provides participants with a way to combat isolation, build community and promote creativity and connection.
Heidi Everett
City of Voices