I am very happy to share this article with you today. I was interviewed by the Brimbank & North West Star Weekly about the lack of disability inclusion provided by Brimbank City Council.

You can read the article here 👇
https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/news/fighting-for-inclusion/

#WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #disability #DisabilityInclusion #DisabilityPride #DisabilityRights #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #neurodiversityacceptance #neurodiversity #disabled #coviding #CovidIsNotOver #covidisstillhere

Does this seem odd to anyone else?
It seems strange that you would choose an electric vehicle (paid for by ratepayers) because you are climate conscious, then promote a classic car show; cars that are known petrol guzzlers!
I do not begrudge people wanting to go to a car show, I understand the appeal, but this just seems contradictory to me 🤷‍♀️

#electriccar #environment #climatechange #ecofriendly #Brimbank #ratepayers

Original toot date: 01 July, 2023

Today marks the beginning of #disabilitypridemonth.

I therefore thought today was a good day, to launch my new advocacy group for Brimbank residents who are disabled, neurodivergent or still coviding (and their allies).

It is a brand new group, so don't worry that there are no members yet (I literally just launched it)! It won't take long for our community to start rallying together for what we need.

The group is aptly called The 'Brimbank Disability & Neurodiversity Advocacy Group'. It is a private group and a safe space. You can join the group here 👇
https://www.facebook.com/groups/brimbankdisability

#Brimbank #disability #equity #equality #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #stillcoviding #disabilityawareness #disabled #disabilityrights #pride #disabilitypride #neurodivergent #coviding #CovidIsNotOver #covidisstillhere #covidimpact #CovidIsntOver #NotMild #LongCovid

Original toot date: 25 June, 2023

No 3rd Tulla Runway campaign update!

Over this past week, the coalition met with Katherine Copsey's office, Katie Hall's office and Mayor Pierce Tyson of Moonee Valley.

Full update here:
https://tinyurl.com/N3Rupdate2

#N3RM #No3rdTullaRunway #Brimbank #MooneeValley #Maribyrnong #Footscray

Original toot date: 20 June, 2023

Brimbank City Council recently released the feedback from submissions to their draft budget.
Below you will find the feedback I provided in my submission, along with the completely and utterly inadequate response that was received.
One point I raised, was that we needed investment in sports programs for disabled people aged 25-55; Council responded by saying they offered programs to disabled people aged 6-18 🤦‍♀️
Another point I raised was in relation to online participation options for disabled people in our community. Council were so lazy, they literally copied and pasted their response, to the question I raised in the March council meeting and did not address any of the specifics raised in my feedback 😡

I have presented these 2 concerns as questions to be addressed at tonight's ordinary council meeting. Tune in to hear their response!

#WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #WeDeserveBetter #disabilityinclusion #disabilityrights

Original toot date: 19 June, 2023

Does this mean that #Brimbank City Council has shown support for the 3rd runway, on the proviso that residents be consulted and fairly compensated?
What does that mean for health impacts not associated with increased noise levels?
What does that mean for our #climatetargets and the #climatecrisis we are all in?
What does that mean for the hundreds of wild #animals and #biodiversity, that will be drastically impacted by the 3rd runway?

Council have been a big support of our campaign and I hope they continue to be. I also hope we can get some context and clarification on this motion.

Brimbank City Council's Press Release:
https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/mr/ALGA?fbclid=IwAR0NSaWstE1GaUUVEj9-jGx4ShKsISaiEx0uI8wkj_hNPEgoAlov_JrR__o

#NM3R #No3rdRunway

Original toot date: 14 June, 2023

Yesterday at the #Brimbank #Disability Network Group (BDNG) meeting, I again raised my concerns regarding the dissolution of online inclusion within Brimbank City Council.

Read the full story here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/BDNGmeeting

#disabled #disabilityrights #community #DiversityandInclusion

Original toot date: 13 June, 2023

Some interesting insights into the health impacts of Airport Ultra-fine Particles (UFPs) that were presented in a webinar conducted by UECNA.

More info, including links to the webinar, here 👇
https://www.uecna.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Airport-Ultra-fine-Particles-%E2%80%93-Webinar-for-UECNA-by-Debi-Wagner-TRANSCRIPT-6-Mar-2023.pdf

#N3RM #No3rdTullaRunway #Melbourne #MelbourneAirport #thirdrunway #3rdrunway #PeopleBeforeProfit #Brimbank #UFP

Original toot date: 07 June, 2023

Yesterday, I had a meeting with a representative of Brendan O'Connor's named Colin.
We had a long chat about all the issues we have regarding the 3rd Runway at Melbourne Airport.

Read the full story here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/N3RBOC

#N3RM #No3rdTullaRunway #WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #SaveThePlanet #SaveTheAnimals #ProtectTheEnvironment #ClimateCrisis

Original toot date: 30 May, 2023

This weeks Brimbank & North West Star Weekly article (with a few lines from me) about the 'Better Buses for the West' campaign and the rally I spoke at.

My rally speech can be seen here:
https://fb.watch/kR6z29DlD2/

#WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #BetterBuses #BetterBusesForTheWest

Original toot date: 26 May, 2023

Elyse Cunningham from Sustainable Cities and I spoke to 'The Star' earlier this week, about the lack of funding and investment of much needed bus reform in Brimbank.

Together with Friends of the Earth Melbourne, I will continue to fight for Better Buses for the West!

🚍 Read the article here:

https://brimbanknorthwest.starweekly.com.au/news/battle-for-better-buses-in-the-west/

#WeAreBrimbank #brimbank #SustainableCities #FriendsOfTheEarth #BetterBuses #BetterBusesForTheWest

Original toot date: 21 May, 2023

An article about this weeks Better Buses for the West rally from Friends of the Earth Melbourne...and I got a mention ;)
🚍

https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/better_buses_rally_on_parliament_steps?utm_campaign=age_article_rally&utm_medium=email&utm_source=friendsofearthmelbourne

#WeAreBrimbank #brimbank

Original toot date: 18 May, 2023

Some photos of yesterdays 'Better Buses for the West' rally, hosted by Friends of the Earth Melbourne.

The event was attended by David Ettershank MP, Trung Luu MP, Tim Read MP, Richard Riordan MP, Katherine Copsey MP, Jorge Jorquera Councillor for Maribyrnong and Bernadette Thomas of Westside Greens.

Thank you to Elyse Cunningham from Sustainable Cities for inviting me to speak as a residential representative of Brimbank; it was a real honour.

My speech can be watched here 👇

https://youtu.be/0v6dvZAk8qw

#sustainablecities #WeAreBrimbank #BetterBusesForTheWest #brimbank

Original toot date: 28 April, 2023

Long (but important) read.

Earlier this week, I met with Cr. Borg, who was generous enough to give me the entire afternoon to discuss the concerns I have in our community. Top of the agenda was Disability, but I also discussed issues regarding coviding, the arts and Indigenous history.

Read the full story here 👇

https://tinyurl.com/CrBorgMeeting

#WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #Disability #neurodiversity #indigenoushistory #indigenousculture #murruptamboore #StillCOVIDing #coviding #communitymatters

Original toot date: 25 April, 2023

Today, the No 3rd Tulla Runway Coalition took our petition of over 500 signatures to Minister Catherine King's office in Ballarat.

Watch our live stream video of what took place on YouTube (link below).

Please send you emails to Minister King as a matter of urgency. We must act now before she goes to Canberra and makes her final decision next week! Ask your family, friends, communities and networks to do the same and invite them to this group too - we need your continued and ongoing support to win this fight!

https://youtu.be/Hb5FBj8qNUQ

Find out more at no3rdtullarunway.net.au,
join our Facebook Group at facebook.com/no3rdtullarunway
and join our mailing list at https://forms.gle/KkhAb9eeXA4EdDTh9

PS: The police were lovely & supportive!

#no3rdtullarunway #No3rdRunway #Brimbank #MooneeValley #MelbourneAirport

Original toot date: 18 April, 2023

For those of you who were unable to attend the No 3rd Tulla Runway rally this past weekend; you can now watch all the speeches and community comments/questions here 👇
https://youtu.be/iWpwyEeLnfY

Please be sure to support the campaign by joining the Facebook group & sharing this video with your local networks.

** Sorry the audio and footage isn't better, I didn't have an external mic or tripod with me, as I had not planned on shooting the rally myself. I was also in a fair amount of pain as I had minor surgery just a few days before.

#WeAreBrimbank #brimbank #No3rdRunway #No3rdTullaRunway

Original toot date: 16 April, 2023

I had an amazing afternoon at the Harricks Precinct open day and meeting with my fellow members of the #KeilorHistoricalSociety. This amazing event is hosted by Keilor Historical Society & Brimbank City Council.

Become a member of the Keilor Historical Society today 👇
https://keilorhistoricalsociety.org.au/membership/

Photo 1:
Top Left: left to right: Shannon Meilak, John La Mendola (Keilor Historical Society Treasurer), Aaron Magro (Keilor Historical Society Secretary) holding publications available for purchase from Keilor Historical Society.

Top Right: Left to right: Shannon Meilak and Natica (Brimbank Heritage Advisor) outside of the Policemen's Hut.

Bottom Left: Deputy Mayor Ranka Rasic giving her speech at the presentation.

Bottom Right: Keilor Historical Society President Susan Jennison giving her speech at the presentation.

Photo 2:
Top Left: Harrick's Cottage exterior.

Top Right: Bedroom inside of Harrick's Cotlttage.

Middle: Policeman's Hut exterior.

Bottom Left: Original interior of the Policeman's Hut.

Bottom Right: Reconstructed side of the Policeman's Hut interior.

#wearebrimbank #history #historyvictoria #keilor #Brimbank #localhistory #localhistorymatters #KeilorPark #Naarm

Original toot date: 04 April, 2023

Proposal update: Murrup Tamboore.

See image below for update.
Link to draft proposal:
https://tinyurl.com/MurrupTamboore1

#WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #alwayswasalwayswillbe #alwayswasalwayswillbeaboriginalland #aboriginal #indigenous #indigenousculture #aboriginalculture

Original toot date: 29 March, 2023

1/3

#WhoAmIWednesday - The One Who Fights Despite Adversity.

I have had a strong sense of justice for as long as I can remember. I have spoken often of my need to help others, to stand up for what I believe in, to say something when something doesn’t seem fair or right. I have often fought battles that are unpopular; animal rights and Veganism, climate action since the mid-1980’s, Indigenous rights, defending the right for Muslims to choose to wear a burqua, fighting against the proposed religious discrimination bill, speaking out against transphobia before it was cool, advocating for same-sex marriage; again before it was cool, standing up for those who have been left behind and forgotten in an ongoing pandemic the government wants us to forget about…and the list goes on.

(continued in replies)

#adversity #equality #justice #keepgoing #staystrong #nevergiveup #neverbackdown #yougotthis #lgbt #blacklivesmatter #freedom #womensrights #transrights #disability #neurodiversity #actuallyautistic #vulnerable #animalrights #govegan #iamwoman #authentic #thisisme #WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #eurovision

Original toot date: 27 March, 2023

1/8
#TopicTuesday Long Read: Disability Inclusion within Brimbank.
My first question raided at this months council meeting was as follows:
“Brimbank's 2022-2026 Disability Action Plan was released around 4 months ago, yet there is no reference to Neurodivergent people (other than reference to a symbol identifier), let alone any planning to ensure their inclusion in our community. Neurodivergent people should not need to wait until 2026 before their barriers to inclusion in Brimbank events will be considered, so what action is Brimbank City Council taking, to ensure their inclusion is possible at council run events?”

(continued in replies.)

#WeAreBrimbank #Brimbank #disability #disabled #neurodiversity #neurodiverse #neurodivergent #autism #autismawareness #autisminclusion #sensory #sensoryoverload #disabilityinclusion #neurodiversityacceptance #disabilityawareness #invisibledisability #invisibledisabilityawareness #immunecompromised #atrisk #isolation #community #CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsntOver #covidisstillhere #COVIDisAirborne