Author: Tony Briffa

I am pleased to announce Manja and I were married in Dunedin, New Zealand on 27 September 2013.  Sadly we were unable to marry in Australia as the law here requires marriage to be “between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others”.  It is difficult for someone born both male and…

Read more

The National Institute for Challenging Homophobia Education (NICHE) recently created a wonderful animation about my life as an intersex person as part of their “Your Story” campaign.  They have previously made animations for gay, lesbian and transgender stories. To see the animation, click here: – Tony Briffa’s experiences as an intersex person Thank you to Daniel Witthaus,…

Read more

The Altona Beach Festival will not be run next year as a result of a decision made by the council last night (moved by Cr Peter Hemphill and seconded by Cr Sandra Wilson). I would have been happy for the council to fully organise and resource the festival, but I was the only councillor to…

Read more

The council meeting tonight was held at the South Kingsville Community Centre.  Some of the local issues I raised and/or were considered included: – Altona Beach cleaning and use of the collected seaweed; – Air quality issues in Brooklyn (and getting the Department of Health to get actively involved in resolving the issues there); –…

Read more

PLEASE HELP OPPOSE THE TOXIC SOIL FACILITY IN ALTONA Despite significant community and council concerns about plans for a permanent toxic soil facility in Altona, VCAT approved the facility last week with the full support of the EPA.  When built, this facility will truck in contaminated soil from around Victoria into Altona for treatment.  Our area…

Read more

VCAT has approved a facility in Altona that will result in contaminated soil from around Victoria being transported to Altona for treatment.  The EPA supported the application, although the council opposed it. I have opposed this application for the last 4 years and am extremely disappointed by the decision.  Clearly politicians don’t understand facilities like…

Read more

Art in Public Places is an annual event in Hobsons Bay, featuring lots of local artists exhibiting their works at more public venues across our wonderful municipality.  This program aims to encourage and create partnerships between local artists, cultural groups and businesses right across the city. This year’s program is the biggest yet with plenty…

Read more

To celebrate the diversity of Hobsons Bay, the Libraries in partnership with the Community Development Department have been working on a Journeys to Australia project, collecting stories about migrant experiences, first impressions of Australia and adapting to a new country and culture. The idea of the project came from the Greek Anamnisis Exhibition held at…

Read more

I am pleased and relieved the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court today issued an Intervention Order to protect me from a person that has been harassing and stalking me for the last 18 months.  The Intervention Order expires on 3 April 2018. The accused person contacted me and the council offices many times over the last 18…

Read more

If you are a young person (or a parent of a young person) aged between 12 and 18 years and need financial assistance towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment to participate in a state, national or international sporting championship, then the Australian Sports Commission may be able to help! http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/schools_and_juniors/local_sporting_champions Note:  The Commission…

Read more

The council is looking for feedback on our draft Synthetic Sports Surfaces Feasibility Study. The Synthetic Sports Surfaces Feasibility Study – Executive Summary contains: A set of Principles to guide future decision making with respect to the provision and management of synthetic sports surfaces. An Implementation Plan detailing specific recommendations to help the Council achieve the overall objective of…

Read more