Our last guest for this week is Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO, Melbourne Fringe Festival, as the guide to the Melbourne Fringe has now officially been released

Simon Abrahams leads Melbourne Fringe, one of Australia’s largest open-access arts festivals. With experience producing large-scale arts programs, Simon focuses on risk-taking, audience development and supporting independent artists. Under his leadership, the festival has grown participation and championed diverse voices across theatre, music, visual art and performance.

Previously, Simon sat on the and the City of Melbourne’s Night Time Economy Activation Taskforce, the Victorian Government’s Ministerial Council for Volunteering (2017-19), the Helpmann Awards’ Theatre and Children’s Panels and the Green Room Awards’ Contemporary and Experimental Arts Panel.

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In 2013-14, Simon held the position of Head of Programming at the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, where he conceived, curated and programmed over 250 events annually.  He directed The Show Of The Year (with Casey Bennetto), created 20 Questions (with Ian Pidd and Martyn Coutts) and was a regular on-stage host, facilitator, and panellist. He completed a research project with the Australia Council for the Arts investigating theatre for young people in Belgium, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands in 2014.​

Simon was awarded a Margaret Lawrence Bequest Scholarship to attend the Senior Managers’ Program at the Melbourne Business School in 2009, and is an alumnus of both the Australia Council for the Arts’ Emerging Leaders’ Development Program (2012) and Arts Leaders Program (2016-18), as well as the European Festivals Association’s Atelier for Festival Managers (2016). He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma of Arts (Cultural Studies) from Melbourne University, and a Diploma of Creative Arts (Theatre Studies) from the Victorian College of the Arts.

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Simon’s work has been awarded with a special 2020 Green Room Award for “Making the Impossible Possible” (Melbourne Fringe), a 2015 Melbourne Award (Melbourne Fringe), the 2011 Governor of Victoria Export Award for arts and entertainment (Polyglot), three AbaF Awards and the 2014 CHASS Future Leaders Award. In 2019, Simon was named as

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Simon Abrahams, Creative Director & CEO, Melbourne Fringe Festival-Programme Launch appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul speak to  Julie Williams a dedicated Gay Games participant since 1994, attending eight consecutive editions and earning her first medal in Guadalajara in 2023. With prior experience as a site inspector for the 2022 bid and as a former FGG board member, she brings valuable insight to the GGXIII 2030 site selection team. A strong advocate for inclusion and equity, Julie co-founded Melbourne Rainbow Golfers and has long contributed to LGBTIQ+ sports and cultural initiatives.

Julie is involved with Perth’s bid to host the Federation of Gay Games XIII in 2030. Working with local sporting and community organisations, Julie helps showcase Perth’s venues,

Julie is a  dedicated Gay Games participant since 1994, attending eight consecutive editions and earning her first medal in Guadalajara in 2023. With prior experience as a site inspector for the 2022 bid and as a former FGG board member, she brings valuable insight to the GGXIII 2030 site selection team. A strong advocate for inclusion and equity, Julie co-founded Melbourne Rainbow Golfers and has long contributed to LGBTIQ+ sports and cultural initiatives.

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Julie Williams, Site Inspector / Representative, Federation of Gay Games (Perth 2030 Bid) appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are joined by Jodie Harris from law firm Arnold, Thomas & Becker to discuss the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional sexual abuse and what listeners may not know about why it was established and its limitations.

Jodie Harris is a Principal and partner at Arnold, Thomas & Becker. Born and raised in Geelong, Jodie has been specializing in personal injury law for over 25 years and has been recognized by the influential Doyles’ Guide as one of the best lawyers in her field.

With her decades of representing clients in complex claims, Jodie brings expertise and practical experience with legal rights, compensation pathways and navigating the justice system to achieve fair outcomes for people affected by injury, loss and institutional sexual abuse.

Listeners who are affected by the subject matter of this podcast – or any of our conversation – are urged to seek support. You can visit joy.org.au/support for some helpful links and know that there are people who will listen to you and can support you. In the words of Macca during this interview “You are not alone. I stand with you; JOY stands with you; these firms stand with you. Please, don’t suffer in silence”.

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Jodie Harris, Partner / Principal, Arnold Thomas And Becker National Redress Scheme for Survivors of Institutional Sexual Abuse; Status of Childcare Centre Abuse Case appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul Scott-Williams, are joined live in the studio by Jenna Tuke, Chief Executive Officer, Switchboard Victoria as they discuss Grindr Attacks on Gay and Queer Men, Domestic Violence in LGBTIQA+ Community.

Jenna Tuke has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Switchboard Victoria, bringing extensive experience in crisis service management, clinical leadership and front-line support.

When Jenna was appointed CEO of Switchboard Vic, she had this to say” the  work of cultural, social and political change is an ongoing journey which demands research, strategy, courage, active engagement with stakeholders, fierce advocacy and opportunities to celebrate the gains.”

“Working alongside LGBTQIA+ communities to address stigma and violence and promote justice, equity and respect requires ongoing advocacy and the application of a social model of health framework to influence the levers of social, cultural and political change”.

https://www.switchboard.org.au/news-and-media/switchboard-ceo-appointment

new helpline service supporting victims of violence

facilitated via hookup apps

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Jenna Tuke, Chief Executive Officer, Switchboard Victoria: New Helpline Service Supporting Victims of Violence Facilitated via Hook-Up Apps appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca and Paul are Aiv, are joined live in the studio by Joe Ball; Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities (Victoria); as they discussed the new Treaty between First Nations people and the state of Victoria, Racism, the rise of Ne0-Nazis and hate-groups in Australia and so much more. Aiv Puglielli also remained on-air to discuss LFBTIQA+ discrimination and Homophobia.

Joe Ball (he/him) is the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, appointed in 2024.  A proud transgender man and long-time advocate, Joe has an extensive background in social services, mental health support and LGBTQIA+ community work. Previously associated with Switchboard Victoria, he has championed initiatives such as Rainbow Door and programs supporting survivors of family violence. Joe focuses on improving access to services, reducing stigma, and ensuring Victorian LGBTIQA+ communities are included in policy decisions.

Commissioner Ball (he/him) is a proud transgender man. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services.

Commissioner Ball is a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the Federal Government’s 10-Year LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Plan. He has previously participated in several leading social service advisory committees and boards. This includes the Victorian Family Violence peak body Safe and Equal, the Community Advisory Committee for 1800RESPECT, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group, and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee.

Joe was previously CEO of Switchboard Victoria for eight years, where he led the establishment of Rainbow Door, the statewide LGBTIQA+ family violence and mental health helpline.

Throughout his expansive career, Joe has drawn upon the strength and guidance of LGBTIQA+ history and most importantly, the work of activists who have paved the way, the courageous voices with lived experience and the wisdom of LGBTIQA+ elders.

In 2020, Joe was honoured as an award recipient in the 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders in Australia.

https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-commissioner-lgbtiqa-communities

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First guest this week is show regular and Joy supporter, Aiv Puglielli, Member, Victorian Legislative Council (Victorian Greens), who was live in the studio with Macca and Paul.

Aiv Puglielli is a member of the Victorian Legislative Council representing North-East Metropolitan Region for the Victorian Greens. With a background in the arts as a composer and producer, Aiv brings a creative lens to politics and is an advocate for climate action, housing justice and community-led solutions. Aiv has worked across grassroots campaigns and in

https://aivpuglielli.org.au/about-aiv-puglielli/

The post Saturday, 23rd August. 2025: Aiv Puglielli, Member, Victorian Legislative Council (Victorian Greens); Legal Pill Testing. appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Macca is joined by Joy Media’s CEO, Paul Scott-Williams in the hosting seats this week.

Paul and Macca start  off this week’s programme with a fiery rebuke of institutional, systemic homophobia in the Australian Football League, after the controversial hiring of American Gangster Rapper Snoop Dog and the homophobic comments made by Adelaide Crows star-footballer, Izak Rankine.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1398081/hes-not-the-victim-adelaide-crows-coach-matthew-nicks-opens-up-on-banned-star-izak-rankine

John Wintle behind the desk.

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Nevena, Kenny, Paul and Misha talk to Peter Greste; Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom; Israel Must Allow Independent Investigations of Palestinian Journalist Killings

Professor Peter Greste is an award-winning foreign correspondent who spent 25 years working for the BBC, Reuters and Al Jazeera in some of the world’s most volatile places. From Afghanistan, to Latin American, Africa and the Middle East, he reported from the frontlines and beyond, although he is best known for becoming a headline himself, when he and two of his colleagues were arrested in Cairo while working for Al Jazeera, and charged with terrorism offences. In letters smuggled from prison, he described the arrests as an attack on media freedom. The letters helped launch a global campaign that eventually got them released after more than 400 days in prison. He has since become a vocal campaigner and advocate for media freedom – a stance that has earned him awards from Britain’s Royal Television Society, the Walkley Foundation, the RSL’s ANZAC Peace Prize, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights Medal, and the International Association of Press Clubs’ Freedom of Speech Award. He has written about his experiences in Egypt and what he regards as the global war on journalism in a book, The First Casualty.

https://theconversation.com/israel-must-allow-independent-investigations-of-palestinian-journalist-killings-and-let-international-media-into-gaza-263106

“Israeli authorities said they were targeting one man – a 28-year-old Al Jazeera reporter named Anas al-Sharif – who they said was the leader of a Hamas “cell”. They also accused him of “advancing rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and (Israeli) troops.”

Israel made no claims about the other five; three of them were al-Sharif’s Al Jazeera colleagues and the other two were freelance journalists.

In a post on X, an Israeli military spokesman said:

Prior to the strike, we obtained current intelligence indicating that Sharif was an active Hamas military wing operative at the time of his elimination.

The evidence the Israeli authorities claimed to have was circumstantial at best: “personnel rosters, lists of terrorist training courses, phone directories and salary documents”.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee also posted undated photos on X that appeared to show al-Sharif in an embrace with Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas mastermind of the October 2023 attack on Israel.

Israel says it has further classified evidence that includes more damning detail.

Without seeing it all, it is impossible to verify the claims but the photograph itself is hardly proof.

Front-line journalists (myself included) will have selfies with those they have interviewed, including some very unpleasant characters.

Many will have phone numbers of extremists – they will appear in call logs and records of meetings.

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The last guest this week is Sat Mag regular and friend of the show, Francis Atkinson–Journalist and Reviewer,  an avid reader, freelance writer, book reviewer (The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald) and works as a Media Adviser.

spoke to Nevena, Kenny and Paul.

This week Fran reviewed several pieces for Sat Mag.

The post Saturday 16th, August, 2025: Frances Atkinson-Journalist and Reviewer: A Rebel Life (Madonna bio); Picnic Hanging Rock (50 years); Always Home, Always Homesick (Hannah Kent memoire); Life of Pi appeared first on Saturday Magazine.

Nevena, Kenny and Paul talk to Dr Fernando L. Gordillo Altamirano, M.D, PhD, Postdoctoral researcher Dept of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hosp & Monash Uni; Protein Supplements and Male Body Image.

Fernando is a medical doctor from Ecuador with a master’s degree in infection and immunity from the University of Sydney. At the Monash University-based Barr Lab, he’s tackling the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Specifically, he’s looking at bacteriophage therapy as a treatment strategy against multi-drug-resistant bacterial pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii.

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