Monthly Archives: January 2014

HOW I FOUND MY NICHE/BOOK LAUNCH

Doubling up with the launch of Beyond Priscilla, the National Institute for Challenging Homophobia Education (NICHE) offers ‘How I Found My NICHE’ as part of Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival.

What:      How I found My NICHE
When:     6.30pm, Thursday 16 January, 2014
Where:    The Substation, Newport

We’re inviting people to travel far from what they think they know about where LGBTI people live and how they live their everyday lives.  We know that LGBTI people are living, surviving and thriving in every nook and cranny of Australia. How they live their everyday lives “Beyond Priscilla” is debated in the inner city bubble of the cities, and too rarely talked about outside.  Speakers from outside the bubble will share their everyday wisdom for the audience, and online for regional, rural and remote Australian communities. Don’t expect the same voices.  This evening will bring together a motley crew of people who see and live their everyday lives differently. This will include people who are working to make the world a different place, who are eager to share their ideas and insights.  All TED-esque talks will be filmed to be shared online.

MIDSUMMA APPROACHES

The Midsumma Program Launch was a great opportunity to catch up with hardworking people and enjoy a rare night off.  Here Daniel takes time with Gabby Tyacke, a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer extraordinaire with Victoria Police.

BoxOfCrayons INTERVIEW (CANADA)

Daniel Witthaus took some time out to Box of Crayons’ Michael Bungay Stanier, for his Great Work series.  In this series of podcasts, Michael interviews business leaders, writers, and other interesting folks about what’s inspired them and the challenges they’ve overcome in pursuing their Great Work.

Listen here: www.boxofcrayons.biz/2013/12/daniel-witthaus-pride-and-prejudice/

DANIEL @ OITO FESTIVAL, SHEPPARTON

In mid-November 2013, Daniel Witthaus headed up to Shepparton for its second Out in the Open Festival, a calendar highlight for the north-east of Victoria.  There he co-keynoted the festival’s Health Forum and enjoyed the well-planned, entertaining Carnival Day in Queen’s Park.

To end the weekend, Daniel joined others in speaking at the Shepparton Equal Love Rally and took part in the Mid Spring Vows.  Watch the speakers at the Shepparton Rally here: Equal Love Shepparton (Daniel from 2m41s)

NICHE TAKES IN COFFS & COAST OUT FESTIVAL

The National Institute for Challenging Homophobia Education (NICHE) took a weekend trip to Coffs Harbour (NSW) for the CoastOut Festival.  Daniel joined the hard working locals in sexual health, ACON staff from across NSW and interested locals to talk about supporting local LGBTI people and to think about what could happen to challenge homophobia in local schools.

NICHE ROADTRIP: BUNBURY WA

As part of the National Institute for Challenging Homophobia Education’s tour of regional, rural and remote Australia, Daniel traveled to Bunbury WA for one week of challenging homophobia, invited and hosted by Uniting Care West ‘True Colours’ project.

Returning after his first visit in 2010, Daniel worked a very full week across schools in Bunbury and its surrounding regions, with teachers, students and welfare staff.  He also broke up his week with a dash to Perth for a forum hosted by the ever-supportive and proactive State Schools Teacher’s Union of Western Australia (SSTUWA).  The efforts of all involved were featured on Channel 7 News, which you can watch here: Bunbury Killing Homophobia

AGED CARE LGBTI INCLUSIVENESS

In late 2013, Daniel Witthaus continued working closely with Hobsons Bay City Council to look at LGBTI Inclusiveness in Aged Care.

Daniel was fortunate to work with three large groups of home care workers, aiming to build on the great work they are already doing with older residents in the area.