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Taking Up Space: Building the City That We Deserve

When

Event Status

A woman’s place in the world and right to move through it freely has always been controlled. Workplaces, our city streets, pubs and parks are not just traditionally unwelcoming, but can be dangerous and destructive. Patriarchy has, until now, dominated our public spaces, and the way that different bodies and identities are policed within them.

So how can public space be reconceived, and how can we create a city that is truly accessible? Can we break our urban environments free from Anglocentric and gendered constructs of the past? Our place is in the planning, creation and sustaining of this new kind of city.

Hosted by Jan Fran.

This event will be Auslan interpreted. 

Featuring

Gala Vanting

‘Whilst I’m aware that #notallfeminists are anti-sex work, there’s a pretty gaping chasm between “not being against” and being an ally.’ Gala Vanting is a writer, sex worker advocate living and working as a migrant settler on Gadigal land. Her work weaves through the brot... Read more

Jax Jacki Brown

Jax Brown (they/them) is an esteemed disability and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, writer, educator and consultant. Their tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Jax utilises their experience as a queer, trans... Read more

Caroline Martin

‘The absolute strength and pride of who I am today comes from these strong and resilient arweet murni-gurrk (old wise women).’ Caroline Martin is a direct descendant of the Briggs family and Custodian of Boonwurrung Country. She has worked in management and senior policy across arts, culture an... Read more

Jan Fran

Jan Fran is a Walkley-winning journalist, TV Presenter and internet commentator. Jan is the creator, writer and presenter of the online opinion segment, The Frant, which has been viewed more than 20 million times on social media and earned Jan a 2019 Walkley Award for Best Commentary, Analysis, Opin... Read more

Nicole Kalms

‘Most cities are gender-blind and disregard women’s experiences. Engaging with the stories of women and girls is crucial for making cities safer.’ Nicole Kalms is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design and founding director of the XYX Lab at Monash University. Examining the nexus ... Read more

Location

Melbourne Town Hall

90-120 Swanston Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

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The Wheeler Centre acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Centre stands. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their Elders, past and present, as the custodians of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.