Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — The 13 November terrorist attacks on Paris were horrific, leaving 129 dead and many more injured. The day after, in Syria, another 129 people were killed as a result of terrorist activities. Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, over 250 000 people have been killed, with estimates even…
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — Recently I had the privilege of meeting two inspirational women who are the ingenious minds behind the Melbourne Period project, an incredible charity that assists women and transgender men experiencing homelessness in Melbourne and surrounding areas by providing them with menstruation products, help and support. Natalie Cruz and Donna Lee…
Last week, as many members were aware, it was Anti-Poverty Week. It was a week to encourage Australians to participate in events that highlight what is needed to overcome the issue of poverty and to recognise the hardship that is faced not only here but overseas. Despite enormous economic growth, poverty continues to increase in…
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — Last week I was very privileged to be invited to speak at the inaugural Let’s Talk About Sex — Relationships and Intimacy as We Age conference hosted by Alzheimer’s Australia and the Council on the Ageing — COTA. The conference is a great Victorian innovation which aims to get people…
Ms Patten Northern Metropolitan) — I was very pleased to attend the opening of the 2015 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne recently, which coincided with Indian Independence Day celebrations. Now in its fourth year, the Indian Film Festival celebrates the fruits of the world’s biggest film industry in spectacular style. There were fashion parades that…
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — I was lucky enough last week to speak at my favourite football club, the Fitzroy Football Club. I was joined by the Minister for Emergency Services, Ms Garrett, and federal Senator Scott Ryan, and the event was organised by the Age’s Richard Willingham. We spoke about women in football. On…
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — Last week I had the honour of attending the Hume City Council’s Moving FWD graduation ceremony. I got to watch eight young people participate in the ceremony and celebrate the successful completion of their Moving FWD course. Moving FWD is a council-run initiative that connects disengaged and disenfranchised young people…
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — Last week I was extremely fortunate to get a tour of the Melbourne Zoo, and I met some incredible creatures there. The zoo welcomed the as yet unnamed pygmy hippo. Congratulations to his parents, Petre and Felix; both mother and baby hippo are doing very well. Like many other innovative…
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — In celebration of National Volunteer Week I had the great pleasure of attending the Banyule Volunteer Awards night on 14 May in Ivanhoe, along with my colleagues Ms Dunn and Mr Dalla-Riva. It was a gala dinner dance. National Volunteer Week celebrates the millions of hardworking Australians who selflessly dedicate…
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — Recently I was invited to attend Craft Beer Meets Spring Street, hosted by the Craft Beer Industry Association in celebration of the upcoming Good Beer Week. No doubt this is not the first time Spring Street and beer have met. I was surprised, however, that I was one of only…