Glitter ball heaven daaahling!!!!

Oh I wish I could have come out with you, it sounds fantabulosa!

Glitter ball heaven

Went to the Sisters Inside picnic tonight, then hit the Brisbane gay bars and shook our funky booties with the drag queens under the sparkle of the glitter balls. Been up til 2am talking to: Woman who is Aboriginal activist and when on a trip to UK spoke at Liverpool dockers rally, woman who spent 4 years as the getaway driver for armed robbers and the wife of the guy who got Donald Woods across the river and out of South Africa. Never a dull moment here! Packing computer away now. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

method acting

Not totally convinced by the 'I'm a little tea-pot'. Somehow lacks integrity and conviction. You don't really inhabit the role. When you return a crash course in tea-pot method acting will be arranged.

What is this, 60's America?

Police brutality against indigenous people and the racism by whites in rural towns is like something out of the deep South. Gracelyn (pictured) told story after story of her own and other's experiences. She is a professor and has a human rights award from Gaddafi! But when last arrested, they accused her of stealing a white professor's wallet and abused her in custody. Also, when the people were allowed to be part of the census in 1967, they were not only listed below cows, sheep & pigs, but categorised as part of flora and fauna! The stone block you can see in the image Gracelyn is by (the snake is the protection symbol for her tribe), is a spirit stone, for the weeping spirits of bones yet to be returned, having been sent around the world to evidence the relationship to monkeys to prove Darwin's theory of evolution. Feel so utterly naive! Heard from a woman who is part of Critical Resistance - set up by Angela - which is a prison industrial complex abolitionist group, that was active in a huge campaign, marches and riots in Oakland following the execution at close range of a young black man by transit cops. Their thing is not to call for charges of murder, as this uses the state machinery. I started a debate about how we meet the demands of those who want justice, who, as well as the mourning family, are also affected by state racism, and that after the tube shooting in UK, we called for murder charges. Any succinct phrases I can use that adequately reflects our political position on these things? Other pic is of me in full swing - or doing "I'm a little teapot" - at this afternoon's workshop. Went ok, but because there were 2 other speakers on widely different subjects, that were more immediately Australian related, didn't feel as engaged as seminar at UNSW, but got a couple of questions and some requests for my paper (and offers to be a children's entertainer). Going to conference dinner tonight. Have had "we've got a spare room" invite to visit Northern Territories and Canada, but working on professional invites with hard cash attached! Need to pack now, as shooting off after last session tomorrow. May get time to post final bit on blog, but if not, catch you next week. Thanks for coming along. xx

smugness

well, as the proud owner of an Angie autograph (albeit one that had to be obtained with menaces) I feel a degree of smugness. Perhaps not quite the degree that you're exhibiting Clarkee, but a little. As I sit here luxuriating in the weather brought to us by Pissy Pisser and the Pissers and wallowing in the nostalgia of Vera Lynn and her Bluebirds (did you know you could leave your front door open and nothing would get stolen?)I can't see that you've got anything to gloat about. However, should you get an invite to conferences in other far flung regions I am prepared to carry your bags. lol

Autographs...

I need Angie's autograph...and yours of course. Well well done, congrats and enjoy, enjoy. It hasn't stopped raining here and I'm just off to Trades Council, so we really are living in two separate universes. I like yours a lot...be good and enjoy every minute! Love, Tony and Ro who are now granparents for third time,,,

News from the Home Front

Think we've lost you to the wallabies...you have obviously become a wild life expert as well as a renowned speaker on penis reform. We are all very relieved here that the air raids have finally stopped & rationing is to be abandoned back here in Blighty. Weather depressing, kids back at school apart from lucky ones who have had in-set days with Grandmas! will set aside a month to see Oz photos on your return Much love J & G (he's the rude one).

You have nothing to lose but your posts

Think I have worked out how to set this thing so you can post now - 2 days before I leave! These Panthers can't take the pace you know, Angela went off to bed early, so no chance to rub shoulders, maybe tomorrow... Had good time in bar though and then went for a meal. I appear to be the only overseas person that's not already known to them, so lots of people chatting to me. Not sure the hotel has had such a gathering in it's bar before, with lots of in your face women, that were sent down for defending themselves against abusive partners. Think we were on the verge of being asked to retire to our rooms! Learning lots about aboriginal culture. There are fresh water and salt water people, let alone loads of different sub cultures. Lots of the women I have spoken to, see the enforced family structures as one of the roots of the problems they encounter, as they had a hunter gatherer system and now have 'disfunctional' families with the violence and abuse that that encompasses. Before you speak at the conference, you acknowledge the traditional owners of the land you are in. The elders are called Aunties and Uncles. I am due to meet with Auntie Jackie tomorrow to chat about UK stuff - she led her clan to victory against a uranium mining company opening 2 mines on her home territories - and went to prison for it. I'm known as Miss UK! All going out tomorrow night to open air karaoke - should be interesting!

No more animals, apart from Black Panthers

So, no more talk about wonderful wildlife, as now at conference. Last night I went on a tour of Brisbane, which was just me and a young German girl. Our guide was more interesting than the Brisbane facts, as he was an ex kids social worker from Samoa, who did Polynesian hip hop dance, taught English to foreign students and played the ukulele. So we ended up driving around Brisbane discussing social policy, music and migration. Today's conference has been good, with a mixture of women telling their stories - hankies at the ready - and key note speakers discussing penal reform - or penile reform as my Mum brilliantly said when telling her friends what area I now work in! Rather apt regarding the sex work. Angela Davis was inspiring and she graciously signed Den's book - evidence above. I have invited myself along to the bar with her and the other speakers later this evening, so will network to the max and go for multiple photo opportunities like a sad Heat magazine 'C' lister. I spoke in a couple of sessions and now have a collection of cards to link up with various groups and individuals in the future. Apparently the organisers tried to get a speaker from penal reform groups in UK, but no-one came, so going to the bar with a big arrow stuck on my head stating ''Ask me in 2010''. I have no shame! The racism against the indigenous population here is phenomenal and the removal of kids still continues. Lots going on around care home abuse 'apologies' and also the migrant removals from UK families post war, which I knew little about. It was mentioned as their is an over representation of this group in the CJS. But surprise surprise, those who have since received compensation, have it taken away when they enter prison and it goes into the justice accounts system, never to be seen again. We appear to be worryingly progressive in our treatment of female offenders in UK compared to here, though only marginally. So, got to rejig presentation for tomorrow, then off to bar with Ang, my mate.

Brisbane

Just got to Brisbane, but not seen any of it yet, as in a hotel in business district. Am all bandaged up as have sprained my foot, from forgetting to pack my walking sandals and plodding around in flatties. So not tempted by idea of heading to the streets of Brisbane until I have raided the mini-bar and had a bath. My seminar was good, with a packed house and lots of interesting people there. Didn't think I was too nervous until I had finished and then went around with a self satisfied grin for the rest of the day, cos it went well and I got good feedback. They audio taped it to put on the web. So obviously had to have gluten free afternoon tea at the Queen Elizabeth Building Tearooms to celebrate - which was el yummo scrummo. I then looked around souvenir shops - sorry guys, unless you want a boomerang, didgeridoo or a bottle opener made from a kangaroo's scrotum (i kid you not) - then it is going to be chocolate koalas all round. After that, I stopped for dinner and a pre opera passion fruit mojito, watching the sun go down over the harbour, to mark my last night in Sydney. Opera was fab, with a soprano that made you go all peculiar when she hit the high notes and really simple but effective staging and fantastic dancers. Despite being in the cheap seats, had a great view and could see the translation. Just as well, as wouldn't of had a clue otherwise! Building is amazing and the balconies are stunning with awesome views. Especially with a glass of bubbly in hand. So, now need to tailor my 1hr presentation into 20mins. Speaking Thursday, so will go to rest of conference, but also check out the city in the evenings. And yes Den, I will get Angela to sign your book. Reckon you are all having a problem posting on the blog - no worries mate, will catch you all when I get back.