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  It is difficult for someone born both male and female (like me) to fit such a narrow and outdated definition.  Thankfully, being intersex is not an impediment to marriage in a number of countries now, including New Zealand!

Our wedding was beautiful and the people of Dunedin made us extremely welcome.  I would like to thank everyone that helped make our day so special.

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, Kenton Penley Miller and Jonathan Duffy for a great project.  http://thatssogay.com.au/yourstory/

The video is also available in German – http://www.stern.de/panorama/comic-portraet-eines-intersexuellen-die-bewegende-geschichte-von-tony-briffa-2067135.html

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 oppose the motion.

The council decision means a community group can seek funding of up to $10,000 to run a festival. It can’t see that happening. We allocated around $40,000 to the festival last year when I was mayor.

I would like to thank the Altona Village Traders Association, Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre and the many community groups that supported the Altona Beach Festival over the last three years. I know it was a lot of work but it was a resounding success. I appreciate your effort and support.

The plan is to continue to support a number of other activities in Altona such as Summer Sounds, Movies by the Bay, and Australia Day in Altona (all have been supported by the council financially anyway), while Williamstown seem to be getting more and more events. It’s obvious this new council is more focused on the eastern side of the municipality. I will continue to fight for Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Brooklyn, Seabrook and Seaholme.

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);

– Public Transport – especially public transport in the Altona Loop (ie Altona, Seaholme and Westona Stations);

– Blackshaws Road Shops – convening a meeting with traders to discuss safety, parking and amenity issues;

– Brooklyn Community Representative Group – the council confirmed its commitment to the BCRG;

– W.L.J Croft Reserve – naming oval 1 the “Morris G. McDonald Oval”;

– Hobsons Bay Sport and Game Fishing Club – renewing the lease for their council-owned building; and

– Women’s Advisory Committee – appointing the new members of the Women’s Advisory Committee for the next two years.

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 already has issues with dust, so  we are very concerned about the impact this facility will have on our health and amenity.

I have opposed this application for the last 4 years and am extremely disappointed by VCAT’s decision which was allowed to happen by successive State Governments as they refused council requests to establish clear policies about where facilities like this should be located.  Clearly politicians don’t understand facilities like this should not be permanently located near homes – and on the doorstep of the largest growing residential area in Australia.  It doesn’t make sense.

I thank the thousands of residents that signed petitions by the Hobsons Bay Residents Association to oppose this facility.  I am sorry we weren’t able to stop it.

The full VCAT decision can be accessed here:

P677 2012 P1723 2011 Innova Soil Technology v Hobsons Bay CC

What can you do to help oppose this facility?

I think it is fair to say we have little chance of preventing this facility going ahead now, so we need to focus our energies on ensuring a monitoring station is set up to the south of the facility, that it is managed independently, and that the results are made public on a regular basis.  To ensure this happens, I urge you to write to our local Members of Parliament and the Minister for Planning.  I will put a template letter on this page in the coming days.

Please keep in touch.  It’s best to keep visiting this website and/or visiting my official facebook page to keep up to date with what is going on – www.facebook.com/CrTonyBriffa

Jill Hennessey MLA
Member for Altona District (includes Altona, Altona Meadows, Laverton & Seabrook)
Address: Suite 603, Level 1, 2 Main Street, Point Cook Town Centre, Point Cook VIC 3030
Phone: (03) 9395 0221
Fax: (03) 9395 3061
Email: jill.hennessy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Bernie Finn MLC
Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: 277 Hampshire Road, Sunshine 3020
Phone: (03) 9312 1212
Fax: (03) 9312 4598
Email: bernie.finn@parliament.vic.gov.au

Andrew Elsbury MLC

Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: Shop 1, 662 Old Calder Highway, Keilor 3036
Phone: (03) 9331 7644
Fax: (03) 9331 7430
Email: andrew.elsbury@parliament.vic.gov.au

Colleen Hartland MLC
Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: 75 Victoria Street, Seddon VIC 3011
Phone: (03) 9689 6373
Fax: (03) 9689 6227
Email: colleen.hartland@parliament.vic.gov.au

Mr Khalil Eideh MLC

Member of Western Metropolitan Region
Address: Suite 2, 80 Carmody Drive, Cairnlea VIC 3023
Phone: (03) 99363 1644
Fax: (03) 9363 1766
Email: khalil.eideh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Hon Matthew Guy MP
Minister for Planning
Phone:  (03) 9938 5990
Email:  matthew.guy@parliament.vic.gov.au

Julia Gillard MP

Member for Lalor
Address:  Shop 2, 36 Synnot Street  Werribee  VIC  3030
Phone:  (03) 9742 5800
Fax:  (03) 9741 6213

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 this should not be permanently located near homes – and on the doorstep of the largest growing residential area in Australia.  It doesn’t make sense.

I thank the thousands of residents that signed petitions by the Hobsons Bay Residents Association to oppose this facility.  I am sorry we weren’t able to stop it.

The community will now have to consider what steps we take next and how this facility, if it is built, is going to be monitored.  As if we don’t have enough issues with dust from industry already.

The full VCAT decision can be accessed here:

P677 2012 P1723 2011 Innova Soil Technology v Hobsons Bay CC

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 of events happening across Hobsons Bay, as well as a number of temporary public art installations that are taking place in surprise locations across the city.

Art in Public Places runs until Sunday, 5th May.

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 the Louis Joel Community Centre in 2011. The Journeys to Australia –From one home to another book was launched by Wetlands Ward Councillor Colleen Gates on Harmony Day 21^st March. We are hoping this book will provide an opportunity for people to talk to each other and build greater understanding of diversity within our community.

Journeys to Australia – From one home to another book is a  collection of 68 inspiring and unique stories collected from residents of Hobsons Bay who migrated to Australia between 1950 and 2012 or were born to migrant parents. They came by ship as part of the wave of European migration, by plane to be reunited with family, took the risk for a better life or more recently arrived as refugees, after living many years in refugee camps. Their stories give us an insight into a migrant and refugee journey, adapting to a new country and a new home. All share the common experience of leaving one home to come to another. These stories are sometimes funny, sometimes touching but all are engaging, insightful and to be celebrated.

The book is for sale for just $5 from any Hobsons Bay Libraries’ branch.

Note:  One of my many uncles is in this book!

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 months and repeatedly abused and threatened me. He also repeatedly abused me on my official FaceBook page and said things against me purely because he made assumptions about my sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.  His calls were so abusive I felt unsafe at council meetings and public events during my term as Mayor, resulting in the council administration and I reviewing ways to improve my personal safety.

In his calls the accused made many homophobic and transphobic comments and threatened to “get me”. No one should put up with that sort of inappropriate behaviour. There is no place for homophobia in society and the decision of court today shows people can do something about it.

As an Community Champion for the “Say ‘No’ To Homophobia Campaign”, I urge anyone experiencing harassment, bullying and other inappropriate behaviours based on their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity to speak out and seek support.

I thank Victoria Police for their assistance in this matter, in particular their Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers who were extremely supportive and brought this matter to the court.

The Intervention Order (see below) includes a number of conditions, including that he is not to:

1. Stalk the protected person;
2. Commit prohibited behaviour towards the protected person (including harassing);
3. Attempt to locate, follow the protected person or keeping the protected person under surveillance;
4. Publish on the internet, by email or other electronic communication any material about the protected person;
5. Contact or communicate with the protected person by any means;
6. Approach or remain within 5 metres of the protected person;
7. Go to or remain within 200 metres of or another place where the protected person lives or works; and
8. Get another person to do anything the respondent must not do under this order.
For more information about the Say ‘No’ to Homophobia Campaign (which includes Biphobia and Transphobia), visit www.notohomophobia.com.au

For more information about my life as an intersex person, visit www.briffa.org/about (in the “additional information” section)

Intervention Order BRIFFA 3Apr13 REDACTED

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 also has other grants for sports leadership, women in sports, and others.  Please visit their website for more information.

When should you apply?

Applications should be submitted once you have been selected to attend the championships and your participation has been confirmed.  Applications submitted 6 months or more in advance of the competition may be moved into the following round of assessment at the discretion of the ASC.  You must submit your application online before the commencement date of the championships. Applications will not be considered if lodged after the commencement of the championships and the online application will not allow applicants to apply after the championships have commenced. Saved applications must be completed and submitted prior to the championships commencing to be eligible.

What is the value of the individual and team grants?

Grants of $500 are available for successful individual applicants, and $3000 for successful team applications.

What are the grants intended for?

Grants can contribute towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment for your participation at the nominated championships.

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 this study.

If you are a member of a local club – Athletics, Hockey, Cricket Club, Football, Soccer, Tennis, etc – please let the council know what you think.  Do you envisage the need for a synthetic ground or track for your club?

Comments will be received until 10 April.