Round Mountain Girls have come around the mountain at the perfect time with a brand new single ‘First To LetGo’ amidst lockdown and COVID, and they speak to Rach and Dean on MAD Wednesday all about it.

Cal Hawk from Thorne Harbour Health joined Rach and Dean to talk about Northside Bizarre this year, which has been moved to November due to COVID.

Northside Bizarre is a fabulous annual fundraiser at The Laird and its surrounding area for JOY 94.9 and Thorne Harbour Healths David Williams Fund, and we are always looking for donated items for the Leather & Treasure and Auction House.

So why wait till later in the year?

Clear out the clutter today, you never know gems you might discover. We take artwork, bric-a-brac, leather gear, DVDs, and more.

Got something to donate?

Send us a message or email [email protected] to arrange for a pick up/drop off.

Thursday 28th May is the first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day, and Rach and Dean spoke to LGBTI Domestic Violence advocate Ben Bjarnesen about why he advocated for this day, and why we need not stick our heads in the clouds when it comes to violence in our communities.

 

Recent studies have demonstrated that up to 62% of LGBTIQ+ people have experienced DV in their relationships, yet awareness of the issue and reporting rates are still incredibly low. The “Sorting it Out” report recently found that as few as 5.3% of victims were reporting domestic violence to Police.

 

DV can come in many forms, but we need to keep in the forefront of our minds that everyone deserves a life free from violence and abuse. Everyone needs support when asking for help, whether that be someone to talk to or helping to find the right support service they need.

 

No victim of DV should feel invisible.

 

We are here for you, we believe you, and the more we create a space for people to share their stories and experiences we shine a light on the problem. Stretching out a hand or a shoulder of support to those that need it.

 

#ImHereforYou

 

If you are unsure what to do and don’t know who to talk to, you can reach out to Switchboard Victoria or QLife Australia who are always here to help.

Damien Stevens-Todd joins Dean & Rach on MAD Wednesday to let them know what events are happening in regional Victoria for our LGBTIQA+ communities.

Brendan from The Teskey Brothers joined Dean on MAD Wednesday to talk about the bands latest album, The Teskey Brothers Live at the Forum, in which they recorded (to tape) four nights of their sold out concert at The forum last year.

 

Singer Silvie Paladin spoke to Rach and Dean ahead of joining John Foreman in Arts Centre Melbourne’s Big Night in on Wednesday 20th May and they spoke about art, COVID and more.

Arts Centre Melbourne announced on 15 March the cancellation of all scheduled performances and events and temporary closure of its buildings to the public due to COVID-19. Now Arts Centre Melbourne is focussed on finding new ways to engage with audiences, including the digital online hub – Together with You. 

Audiences can access Arts Centre Melbourne’s Big Night In with John Foreman via Together with You on Arts Centre Melbourne’s website. Arts Centre Melbourne’s Big Night In with John Foreman Weekly 

Sydney singer/songwriter Blake Dantier joined Rach and Dean on MAD Wednesday to talk about how new song Ash & Dust, his love of country music, and how it hasn’t just taken home isolation for him to appreciate all that he has.

Listen to his new track here.

Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and with restrictions starting to ease who knows what will go up or down amidst the worldwide pandemic that is COVID 19 – still it’s not all just doom and gloom. Dean has never been more productive and has achieved things he never would have had he not been stuck indoors, what are you positives?

In what is one of the weirdest yet most natural Segways MAD Wednesdays has ever had, we talk Chocolate Ripple Cakes and Eurovison, in the weirdest on air comp ever cobbled together. This is what happens when Gary makes food, anarchy ensures.

Also can you guess these Eurovision hits?

Miller from Minus18 joined Rach and Dean on MAD Wednesday to tell them about all the exciting things this fantastic LGBTIQA+ youth organisation are doing this weekend for IDAHOBIT.

They have a lot happening with:

Friday at 11am they team up with our friends at RMIT University to chat about the importance of IDAHOBIT for young people. Join three Minus18 crew members (and RMIT students!) for a great convo via Zoom. https://bit.ly/3fmY6pd

Then at 1pm the Minus18 Education Team go live for a LGBTIQ+ online training seminar for IDAHOBIT for businesses – REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/2XXxXH6

Then Saturday we have an absolute TREAT! Gender transcendent POC cabaret diva