Alice Bellette is a proud descendant of the Palawa people - the first peoples of Tasmania. In between completing her PHD Alice is a zine maker, a music maker, a poet.

Nartarsha recently participated in our ‘Women’s Healing Place’ series in collaboration with the Yirramboi Festival. Jessamy Gleeson had a chat to her to find out more about Nartarsha’s backgronud & the work she is doing with Indigenous people, women and youth.

Nolita Edwards is a proud Gunditjmara, Mutthi Mutthi and Nari Nari woman. Nolita is a descendant of the Stolen Generations and understands deeply the impact of transgenerational/historical trauma experienced through family violence, addiction and mental health. Nolita runs workshops through the Koori Women’s Wellness Yarning Circle, which uses teachings and philosophies of Aboriginal ancestors, culture and heritage.

Futureology Studios have just moved into QVWC. Their studio facilities at QVWC are also available for hire for green screen production, online and virtual production, and filmed podcast productions, with special rates and in-kind opportunities for QVWC members.

Judith is an academic who has also had a career on radio. Judith sees community radio as adding an important dimension to the media mix, a broader range of perspectives and voices on complex social issues.

Council of Single Mothers and their Children advocates for change and provides practical support for single mother families. There are three pillars to our work: support, advocacy, and membership engagement. Jenny Davidson is the CEO of this small but important organisation and their office is located here at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.

“I probably don’t need to point out how difficult the last twelve months have been for women in Australia, let alone the last week.” - Jessamy Gleeson

Aseel is a Palestinian artist & activist for human rights. She is a performing and installation artist that likes creating spaces for and with people, and about people, and transforming their ideas and stories into something that we can be told through art.

Shenna is a Yorta Yorta woman who made history when she became the Victorian Labor Party's first female Aboriginal MP in state parliament.

Jessamy Gleeson chats to Lara & Eugenia, part of team APHIDS, about their site responsive residency here at QVWC.

Betty grew up with an extended family of artists. She used to watch her mother make things with textiles and often felt like she was watching a magic trick. Betty started working with textiles from the age of seven under the creative guidance of her mother.

Selina Jenkins is a songwriter, performer & story teller. Her most recent touring show ‘BOOBS’ is an intensely personal retelling of the decision and subsequent experience of having her breasts surgically removed in 2012.

January 26 is a day I anticipate in equal parts rage and thrill. The pre-emptive rage is for the immeasurable ill-informed hot takes that will be shared; regardless of platform, the perspective will be the same. Why can’t we all just get along? We are stronger together! This is a time for unity.

Maddison is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and Gamilaraay woman, born and raised in Shepparton on Yorta Yorta Woka (Yorta Yorta country). Currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, specialising in Film & Screen Studies at Monash University, Maddison is also interning with us over summer.

"My own sense-making is to take those messages of love and concern to heart while urging you to act, if you can, to address the systemic inequalities that yawned particularly widely this year."

Susannah Day is a Martu woman, and her mob is from central WA. Her grandmother was a stolen generation woman, brought up just near Wiluna, and then taken to Sister Kate's orphanage in Queen's Park, Perth. Susannah grew up in Perth, and moved to Melbourne four years ago. She’s been the program manager at The Torch for just under two years.

Switching ‘off’ isn’t as simple as collectively chucking our phones in the nearest river and giving our bosses the finger. For many among us, being ‘on’ is what has kept food on the table, and our kids safe and well across this year.

Read this article by Jessamy Gleeson

This time last year the QVWC and the Clunes Neighbourhood House co-hosted a celebratory dinner with the women of Clunes. Clunes is on Dja Dja Wurrung Country a couple of hours west of Melbourne

Clunes resident, Christy Flaws was responsible for getting us participating in a bit of feather balancing. During the past year she has continued working with kids in Clunes, as well as making her own performance work with her partner Luke and their performing company Asking For Trouble. She also facilitates community strength through the Clunes - Cup of Sugar/cup of kindness FaceBook group. As we weren’t able to do it again this year, we caught up with Christy via email to get her perspective on these times …

Monica is a 16-year-old student living in Sunshine trying to get through VCE. Home is where she feels comfortable and surrounded by love. She has vivid memories of her childhood home and loves being content in moments of happiness with her friends.

Xinhui is a 20 year old arts student living in Melbourne. Home has at times had no fixed location having lived & travelled around the world from a young age. She’s looking forward to seeing her family again in Shanghai & planning her next adventures post Covid.