Established in 1981 as the
proudly serving Sunbury and Macedon Ranges
11 APRIL, 2023
12496404-AV22-21
FREE DIGITAL EDITION
SIG N U P N O W!
Autumn art Local artists have captured the beauty of autumn in the Macedon Ranges in the latest exhibition at The Old Auction House. The exhibition, Autumnal Brilliance, is open everyday until April 17 and features the work of 12 local contemporary artists. Gallery curator Rhain DiPilla said the exhibition captures the beauty and impact autumn has in the Macedon Ranges. “Autumn is such a part of the culture in the Macedon Ranges and I think that passion and desire comes through in the artists’ works,” Ms DiPilla said. “I love the way our emerging contemporary artists interpret our group themes into pieces that I am excited to hang on the walls.” Artist Yue Zhang agreed with Ms DiPilla about the beauty of autumn. “[I was] inspired by the beautiful autumn landscape of Macedon Ranges during the season change,” Zhang said. “I hope to capture the vivid energy of nature when they are suddenly cast in the spotlight.” The exhibition is open 9am to 5pm during the week, and 10am to 4pm on weekends.
Rhain DiPilla is the gallery curator at The Old Auction House. (Damjan Janevski) 326883_01
Hume speaker backflip By Zoe Moffatt
12594482-AP11-23
Hume council has blamed “miscommunication” after cancelling and rebooking the 2022 NAIDOC Pride Winner’s speech at a council event due to concern about “backlash from conservative council members”. Kitty Obsidian was approached by a Hume council worker on Instagram in January to speak at council’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) event in May. After accepting the offer, Kitty was told council would have to cancel due to “concerns about backlash from our conservative council members and their supporters”. “About a week after … the Posie Parker rally with the Nazis … I received another message
[from the worker] being like ‘so sorry we actually can’t go ahead with the booking’,” Kitty said. Kitty asked why and was told the council had concerns about backlash and that they previously had issues with neo-Nazis. “So at some sort of previous event they’ve had some issues and they are now worried about backlash because of who I am as a performer and activist,” Kitty said. “I said to them I am incredibly disappointed and upset and hurt. “As an Aboriginal, queer, trans person [and] as a performer I don’t know why I would be considered inappropriate to speak on IDAHOBIT day. “That’s quite literally what IDAHOBIT day is for.”
Hume council said it was an internal miscommunication and the team takes full responsibility. The council said Kitty’s performance was cancelled prematurely due to concerns about issues of safety, given similar events in the country have caused disruption. After publicly posting the messages cancelling the booking, Kitty was inundated with support. “I had lots of people turn around and go ‘I’ve actually messaged … called … and emailed the council to ask why they think this is an appropriate response’,” Kitty said. “As far as I’m concerned it’s that community backlash that meant my offer was put back on the table … I [don’t] believe there was a miscommunication.
“I replied [to the email] … that I would like them to clarify what exactly it was that was miscommunicated and misunderstood. “They are refusing to tell me what the miscommunication was in writing, they only want to do it either in-person or over the phone. “I refuse to, I want everything in writing.” Council chief executive Sheena Frost said council apologises and fully acknowledges its mistakes. “We sincerely apologise for the stress this has caused not only Kitty, but also members and allies of the LGBTIQA+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities,” Ms Frost said. “Officers have reached out to Kitty – fully acknowledging our internal mistakes – and welcome Kitty to join us on Wednesday, May 17.”