Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are embedded in our education settings.

Respectful Relationships is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across our entire community, from our classrooms to staffrooms, sporting fields, fetes and social events. This approach leads to positive impacts on student’s academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships between teachers and students.

Together, we can lead the way in saying yes to respect and equality, and creating genuine and lasting change so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

The EDSC Respectful Relationships Pledge:

"All members of our school community have a responsibility to stand up against family violence and the misuse of gender power and control. We foster relationships that are respectful, caring and fair."

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence the following services are available

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000 and ask for the police.

For non-urgent help, please contact:

More resources/agencies can be found on our Wellbeing, Engagement and Positive Futures page of the East Doncaster Secondary College website

https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/wellbeing-engagement-positive-futures

Diversity and RRRR Calendar dates

March

1st – Zero Discrimination Day

8th – International Women’s Day

15th – 21st -Harmony Week

21st- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

31st- Trans Day of Visibility

LGBTQIA+ Resources/Events

Minus18

https://www.minus18.org.au/

Meet and Greet with Minus18

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/meet-and-greet-with-minus18-tickets-487283828047

About this event

Meet and Greet with your LGBTQIA+ YOUTH Pals at Minus18's first online Friend Finder event of the year! This event – for queer young people – is all about connection, community and making some new friends!

We’ll be hanging out, playing some fun games and celebrating the amazingness of LGBTQIA+ identities!

KEY INFO:

THIS EVENT IS FOR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH AND THEIR FRIENDS!

DATE: Tuesday 28th March

TIME: VIC, NSW, TAS, ACT: 4:30 - 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Zoom and Discord (You'll receive an invite to both closer to the event)

COST: FREE!

AGE: 12 - 19 ONLY

Here's what to expect!

Super fun Kahoots game!
Some This or That mayhem
Building a collaborative playlist
Creating some unicorns and sharing our designs

Virtual Chill Out – Falling for Autumn

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/minus18s-virtual-chill-out-falling-for-autumn-tickets-487288672537

You better be-LEAF it - Virtual Chill Out is back – and this time the theme is Falling for Autumn!

Minus18's Virtual Chill Out events are fun, digital spaces for LGBTQIA+ young people and their friends to de-stress, and hang out in a safe, calm, and chill environment. We’ll bring the lo-fi tunes and vibes, you bring your fave relaxing activity. Or join in the drawing challenges, creative activities, writing prompts, and low-key chats with your Minus18 community in the Zoom hangout.

Key info:

 Who is the event for? Queer young people and their friends!

 DATE: Friday 14 April

 TIME: 2:00 - 4:00 PM

 LOCATION: Zoom (we'll send you the link on the day of the event)

 COST: FREE!

 AGE: 12 to 19 ONLY

What to expect:

Activities, creative prompts, and fun vibes – hosted by the Minus18 Young Leaders!

New friends and the chance to connect with your LGBTQIA+ youth community!

Fun vibes, and the most wholesome chat going around.

Youth Extravaganza with Minus18

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/youth-extravaganza-with-minus18-tickets-491459818547

Who's ready for a Youth Extravaganza Pride Party!

It's April school holidays, so we're bringing all our LGBTQIA+ youth community together for an afternoon dance party at Science Gallery Melbourne.

Expect live performances from local queer talent, heaps of activities and competitions, AND exclusive access to Science Gallery's upcoming Break the Binaries interactive exhibition. Oh – and did we mention it's all free?!

KEY INFO

Saturday 22 April 2022

2pm - 5pm

Science Gallery Melbourne, 114 Grattan St, Parkville VIC

Ages 12 to19 only

Tickets are FREE, but registrations essential!

✨ LINE UP ✨

We'll announce closer to the event, but expect live music, DJs and DRAG!

✨ ACTIVITIES ✨

Exclusive access to Science Gallery's latest exhibition; Break the Binaries

Badge-making
Temporary tattoos
Drawing & games
Hang out space

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT TICKETS

All tickets are gloriously FREE

One ticket booking per person – make sure your pals don't miss out!

If you find out you’re unable to attend, please un-register your spot via Eventbrite so someone else can attend.

If tickets sell out (and it's pretty likely they will), a waitlist will be activated. Add your name to the waitlist, and when someone un-registers a ticket, it'll go to the next person on the waitlist.

Access

Auslan Interpreted
Wheelchair accessible
Youth workers on-site
Quiet space available
All gender & accessible bathrooms
First Aid available
Alcohol, drug, vape and smoke-free event

Minecraft Mayhem with Minus18

https://www.minus18.org.au/events/minecraft-mayhem-with-minus18

Build, hang, and connect with your LGBTQIA+ youth community – it's Minecraft Mayhem!

Bring your LGBTQIA+ pride and your building skills to help us create a RAINBOW UTOPIA on Minecraft.

If you don’t have access to Minecraft don’t worry, we’ll also be streaming live on Zoom for you to watch and join in the chat!

Key info:

THIS EVENT IS FOR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH AND THEIR FRIENDS!

DATE: Friday 28 April

TIME: 5:00 - 6:30 PM

LOCATION: Minecraft and Zoom (we'll DM you the details closer to the event!)

COST: FREE!

AGE: 12 - 19 ONLY

HOW THIS EVENT WILL WORK:

We’ll be setting a bunch of really cool rainbow themed challenges for you to make in your own Minecraft world!

We'll stream our RAINBOW UTOPIA to zoom so you have the option to watch us build, give some suggestions and join in the chat!

There will be an opportunity to win some awesome prizes for each building challenge you complete!

We’ll also have some prizes for those watching!

For more events please visit

https://www.minus18.org.au/events

Manningham Council Events

Proud 2 Play LGBTIQ+ education sessions for clubs and leisure providers

These sessions are ideal for sports clubs, recreation centres or individuals who have never engaged in LGBTIQ+ inclusion, or recently started working with LGBTIQ+ communities. These workshops will allow you to gain a better understanding of the LGBTIQ+ community and how to better include them in sport and movement settings. Volunteers, players, coaches, committee members, staff and parents are all welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Session 1: Introduction to LGBTIQ+ inclusion in sport and movement settings (101)

Monday 6 March, 6:30pm

Mullum Mullum Stadium

More information and registration here

Session 2: Introduction to trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport and recreation settings

Monday 3rd April, 6:30pm

Mullum Mullum Stadium

More information and registration here

Celebrating World Harmony Day: Free to be

Thursday 30 March

Manningham Interfaith Network warmly invites you to celebrate World Harmony Day with our theme: Free to be. World Harmony Day is an opportunity to come together and celebrate living harmoniously in Manningham.

RSVP by Sunday 26 March.

https://www.facebook.com/manninghaminterfaithnetwork/posts/pfbid02i65L1ebt6Fp1hYVywuZufpNctQ1jQQisbywamzCULiaF8oPEqu7VdpiKpP88CoBRl

Harmony Week

The Department of Home Affairs leads national celebrations for Harmony Week to recognise diversity and inclusion activities that take place during the entire week. Harmony Week is celebrated during the week (Monday to Sunday) that includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Since 1999, more than 80,000 Harmony Week events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia.

What is Harmony Week?

It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

Why orange?

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Our cultural diversity

Australia is a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.

Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live.

An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.

Facts and figures

There are some fascinating statistics about Australia's diversity that can be good conversation-starters:

nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
we identify with over 300 ancestries
since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

These facts are taken from ABS 2016 Census Data. Check out the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

RR Book of the Week

Gael’s life is quiet, and he likes it that way. He’s used to being alone. He has an estranged father and a depressed mother whom he cares for, and he has to navigate being a transgender boy at a conservative Tennessean high school. So, when his best friend suggests he attends a support group, Gael doesn’t plan on saying much. During the meeting, he meets Declan who welcomes Gael into a new circle of friends. But with everything going on in his life can he risk letting the walls of his heart down for Declan?

Rebecca James

Respectful Relationships Coordinator

Community News and Business Advertisements

FReeZA for All Abilities - Autumn Fair & Open Day - Saturday 25 March 2023