Terrorist Attacks
Nov 24, 2015
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 up to and over 300 000. The attack on France has hit a nerve for us. Perhaps it is because, as the City of Light, Paris is a cultural beacon, a component of the zeitgeist deemed beyond the touch of such abominable behaviour.
However, in our...
Melbourne Period Project
Nov 12, 2015
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 Stolzenberg launched the Melbourne Period project only four months ago, and they are already supplying over 1300 packs via five distribution hubs — in Geelong, Echuca, Gippsland, Bendigo and Ballarat. What differentiates the Melbourne Period project from other organisations which simply supply menstruation products to their...
Anti-Poverty Week
Oct 20, 2015
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 Australia. In October 2014 the Australian Council of Social Service released a new report revealing that poverty is growing, with an estimated 2.5 million people, or 13.9 per cent of all people living in Australia, living below the accepted poverty line. I certainly know we feel...
Let’s Talk About Sex Conference
Sep 17, 2015
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 talking about sex and seniors, and seniors having sex.
I congratulate Sue Hendy of COTA Victoria and Maree McCabe from Alzheimer's Australia on their vision in getting this conference off the ground. The conference covered a wide range of speakers presenting papers on issues such as...
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
Sep 2, 2015
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 raised much-needed funds for the Royal Children's Hospital. We also saw some film screenings, some extraordinary Bollywood dancing and some amazing international guests. I was really inspired by the way Australian fashions were mixed with traditional Indian saris and everything in between.
The films that were...
Fitzroy Football Club
Aug 20, 2015
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 that same weekend I was lucky enough to see the brilliant game between the Demons and the Bulldogs on television, which was quite remarkable to see for the first time since women have been playing AFL football. It has been 100 years since the game...
Moving FWD
Jun 23, 2015
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 in the Hume area back into the community, empowering them and enabling them to recognise their potential. It boosts their confidence and reignites their motivation to succeed. These are children who were falling through the cracks. They were not going to school, they were not employed...
Melbourne Zoo
Jun 11, 2015
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 organisations in the Northern Metropolitan Region, Melbourne Zoo is engaging in unique and successful business practices to boost tourism to the area. I was very happy to learn about its Breakfast with the Koalas and Kangaroos event. It is a product that the zoo offers to...
Banyule Volunteer Awards
May 27, 2015
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 their time to furthering the work of an enormous range of organisations. I would like to acknowledge everyone who volunteers in Banyule, but I would like to particularly celebrate those winners who were announced on the night. Citizen of the Year is the wonderful Maria...
Good Beer Week
May 6, 2015
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 three MPs there, and we were all women.
As a member for Northern Metropolitan Region, I am very pleased to say that I learnt that I have the largest number of craft breweries in my region, so cheers to that. Usually I am more of a...