Colourful rally makes its point

By Megan Yarrow
Brisbane commemorated World Refugee Day 2006 with a colourful rally and boisterous march that captured the interest of shoppers in the CBD and families relaxing at the Southbank Parklands last Saturday.
The march, which was organised by the Refugee Action Collective Queensland, began at Queens Park, wound through the CBD, crossed Victoria Bridge and traversed the Southbank boardwalk.
It was a sparkling, sunny winter day and at various points during the march a number of bystanders enthusiastically joined in. At Southbank an exuberant, youthful observer rushed toward the rally yelling, ""Dad! Dad! An angry mob! An angry mob!", while a more elderly patriarch huddled his family in the other direction mumbling, "Don't pay any attention, Australia doesn't want any more of them here."
On reaching the Queensland College of Art, a group of Sudanese dancers performed an uplifting routine of dance and song. This was followed by speeches qualifying the awful significance of World Refugee Day in contemporary Australia. Prime Minister Howard seeks to change the immigration laws so that all asylum seekers who come to Australia by boat, will be processed offshore. Mandatory detention is already occurring on Nauru, and Australia has similar facilities at Villawood, Woomera and Port Hedland.
I would not want to leave my cat in one of these places. If you want to know what they're like, and what happens to the refugees who are forced to exist in Australia's detention centres, visit artist and refugee advocate Kate Durham's vividly disconcerting exhibition at the Queensland College of Art. The collection of bold canvases, collages and mixed media depict with crushing sadness, the loss and pain suffered by refugees, particularly those who may choose Australia as a welcoming destination.
Kate Durham's exhibition can be viewed at the Webb Centre Gallery, Queensland College of Art, daily until 12 July. It's on level 7 in the Griffith University building behind the Ship Inn at Southbank. You can find out more about the protection of human rights through Amnesty International Australia. Go to www.amnesty.org.au.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Not Bard value
Two films with Shakespearean connections will screen on Sunday July 2 as part of the Queensland State Library's free movie program. The 1984 film A Midsummer Night's Dream is based on a stage production by UK mime artists Lindsay Kemp and the 1978 German production Filming Othello by Orson Welles examines the US actor and director's own dramas trying to bring the play to the screen while filming in Europe and North Africa from 1948 to 1953. The films start at 2 pm at the Metro Arts cinema in Edward Street, CBD. For details ring 3840 7768.

Make some noise
Kids of all ages are invited to free percussion sessions in the Powerkids Sound Playground at the Brisbane Powerhouse at New Farm on July 1 and 2. Everyone will be free to make some noise at two daily sessions at 9.30 am and 3.30 pm. For details ring the Powerhouse on 3358 8600.

Biblical seminar
A free seminar exploring the recently released Gospel of Judas will be held at 3pm at the University of Queensland on Saturday July 1. The seminar has been organised by the Gnostic Movement. For details ring 1300 307 332.

State of Origin
You can watch the deciding State of Origin match on a big-screen TV for free at the New Farm Neighbourhood Centre. The alcohol-free even that includes snacks starts at 7.30pm Wednesday July 5. Ring the centre on 3358 5600 for details.

Audition workshop
Aspiring actors aged 16 to 25 can join a workshop from July 5 to 7 designed to help hone their auditioning skills. Organised by Backbone Youth Arts, the workshop featuring Brisbane actor Hayden Spencer runs from 9 am to noon each day and costs $70. Organisers say it is ideal for school leavers or anyone else auditioning for drama schools or universities at the end of the year. The workshop will be held at the Visible Ink centre in Berwick Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information ring 3210 2666.

Colourful kids
Colouring-in workshops for children offering a number of prizes will be held at the Brisbane Powerhouse at New Farm till July 9. Sessions run Wednesday to Friday 9.30am to 1.30pm, and on weekends 9.30am to 3.30pm. Ring 3358 8600 for further information.

Music in the gardens
Local band Brisbane Brass 2 conducted by Greg Aitken will be providing a program of light entertainment on Sunday July 16 in the City Botanic Gardens from 2 pm. For further information ring the BCC call centre on 3403 8888.

Healthy cookery
A workshop on Monday July 10 is a chance for people on a budget to learn healthy cooking tricks. The session is being organised by the Community Action Network and New Farm Neighbourhood Centre. It will be held from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm at the Lion's Den, 140 Ann Street, CBD. Cost is $10 and includes ingredients. For information ring 3358 5600.

NAIDOC activities
Hands On Art and Access Arts will present a week of free indigenous art activities especially for children during NAIDOC Week from July 3 to 8. All events will be staged at the Suncorp Piazza at South Bank. Indigenous storytelling and canvas painting sessions will be held on July 3 from 10.30 am to noon, followed by jewellery making sessions from 2pm to 3.30pm. On Tuesday July 4 workshops on dot painting using traditional symbols will run from 10.30 am to noon with sessions on Torres Strait Island weaving on July 7 from 2pm to 3.30 pm. For details ring 3844 4589.
Family fun day
The Musgrave Park Family Fun Day on Friday July 7 is also part of NAIDOC celebrations and will incorporate traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, craft, performances and culture. The event will feature two live performance stages as well as an informal sit-down lounge, where storytellers, elders, poets and solo acts will entertain. The Family Fun Day - from 9 am to 5 pm at Musgrave Park, South Brisbane - is an alcohol and drug-free event. Entry by $2 donation. For details ring 3846 5700.

Arvo Catch-up
The New Farm Neighbourhood Centre is organising another of its informal get-togethers on Tuesday July 11 for locals to get to know staff and volunteers. The free event runs from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm and includes afternoon tea. Ring 3358 5600 for further information.

Open weekend
The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha are hosting an open weekend on July 8 and 9 featuring free train rides, music, art activities, guided walks, demonstrations and cultural activities. The day runs from10am to 4 pm. Contact the BCC call centre on 3403 8888.

Unusual instruments
A variety of unusual instruments will be demonstrated for kids at the free Malcolm's Music Workshop being held at the New Farm Library in Sydney Street on Wednesday July 5 from 11 am. The event will also feature sing alongs and musical games. Bookings are essential on 3403 1062.

Islam in focus
A free lecture and discussion forum titled Islam and Democracy will be staged at the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus on Thursday July 20. Professor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will present the lecture in Room E302 of the Forgan Smith Building from 9.30 am to 10.15 am. The lecture is being organised by the university's School of History, Philosophy, Religion, and Classics and the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. For details phone 3365 2620.

Hibiscus house
Historic Newstead House is holding its annual Hibiscus Festival on Sunday July 16. Hundreds of blooms will enhance the furnished rooms of the homestead and there will be information on growing hibiscus provided by the Hibiscus Society of Queensland and a great selection available for sale. For information ring 3216 1846.

Goods needed
The RSPCA's Furniture Barn on the corner of Lamington Street and Merthyr Road in New Farfm needs stock to sell. So why not donate your unwanted clothing, toys, furniture, crockery - whatever - so it can help someone else, and help the RSPCA's good works in the process. You can drop your smaller goods the barn at from 9am to 4pm. Larger items can be colected by arrangement. Ring 3254 2309 for more details.

Guide Dogs open day
Guide Dogs Queensland invites you to its annual Open Day on Sunday, 9 July, from 10am to 3pm. Come along to our centre at Bald Hills for a great family day, meet our gorgeous puppies, enjoy Guide Dog demonstrations, live entertainment and food stalls galore. Go behind the scenes and tour our dog kennels, puppy centre and client residence. Learn all about what we do - all for a gold coin donation. For more information go to www.guidedogsqld.com.au or Free call 1 800 810 122