Tag: community events
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Pride Shabbat 2026
This evening it was fantastic to join Temple Beth Israel for Pride Shabbat, a celebration of diversity and inclusion alongside fellow Mayor Simone Zmood of Glen Eira and State MPs Nina Taylor MP and David Southwick. The keynote speaker discussed her experiences navigating religion and being queer, sharing the challenging nature of both spaces throughout…
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Pride Flag Raising Ceremony 2026
Today the City Of Port Phillip hosted the Midsumma Pride Flag Raising Ceremony celebrating our LGBTQIA+ communities and Pride March. Today’s flag raising ceremony is a reminder that the City of Port Phillip welcomes all people and celebrates our diversity. Entertainment was provided by the wonderful Jimi the Kween. We are Proudly Port Phillip and…
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026: Bridging Generations
On behalf of the City of Port Phillip I joined the commemoration service at Melbourne Holocaust Museum for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The theme of Bridging Generations was reflected through Holocaust survivor Joe Szwarcberg sharing his testimony of surviving Buchenwald and the importance of future generations in carrying forward those memories. The panel session involved…
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Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony 2026
Today w welcomed 150 New Australians at the City of Port Phillip Citizenship Ceremony. Fantastic to share the moment with my Council colleagues Deputy Mayor Bryan Mears (Lakeside Ward), Cr Heather Cunsolo (Port Melbourne Ward), Cr Libby Buckingham (Balaclava Ward), Cr Justin Halliday (Alma Ward) and Cr Beti Jay (South Melbourne Ward) Today’s ceremony brought…
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94th Anniversary Albert Jacka Commemoration
Albert Jacka VC, MC and Bar was renowned for his service during World War 1, was also synonymous with St Kilda through his dedication to supporting returned servicemen and addressing homelessness. I was invited to open today’s Albert Jacka commemoration service, reflecting on the values he helped instil as a St Kilda Councillor (1929 to…
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Raoul Wallenberg Day 2026
I had the absolute pleasure of opening Raoul Wallenberg Day at St Kilda Town Hall where I was joined by Cr Libby Buckingham. Today’s address featured keynote speaker Erica Frydenberg AM PhD HONFAPS discussing Gratitude and Remembering through Raoul’s work protecting Jewish and Roma communities in Hungary during World War 2. Professor Vajda AO also…
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Annual Theophany Celebration of the Blessings of the Water
This afternoon I joined our Greek Orthodox community for the Annual Theophany Celebration of the Blessings of the Water, one of the most important blessings in the Orthodox Church. Over 2000 community members, many who can trace their journey in Australia through Port Melbourne, joined us at Princes Pier. Fantastic also to see several Bay…
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Carlisle St Hanukkah Celebrations
Following the Victorian Multicultural Commission Vigil I joined the Carlisle Street Traders and Chabad St Kilda for Hanukkah celebrations. Light overcomes darkness with celebrations this evening showing the power of community coming together in solidarity and belonging. Great to see Andrew Davies, City of Yarra Councillor represent the City.of Yarra and join us in St…
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St Kilda Peace Festival
The St Kilda Peace Festival organised by Planetary Healing Artists of Australia, is an event that brings together multiple faiths, with the aim of building cultural understanding and shared knowledge. Today’s event which featured Leila Gurruwiwi as MC, featured food, art, song and dance as people immersed themselves in the festivities. Fostering belonging and shared…
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Opening Transitions at Romulus Folio
Tonight I was back at Romulus Folio on Gladstone Street in Fishermans Bend opening Transitions their final exhibition for 2025. Over the past year Romulus Folio has built an art space and community, fostering heart and connection. The current exhibition brings together the works of Gerard Russo, Fiona Johnston and Andrea Vargas exploring movement and…