News

GALFA Melbourne Launch 9^th September 2009

Over 60 invited guests attended the Melbourne launch staged at the Three Degrees Bar Brewery at QV Square in support of this new national Foundation. This is the first of a number of state-based launch events, which are important to inform the GLBTI communities of the ideals and purposes of GALFA.

GALFA Board member Colin Krycer welcomed the guests and introduced inaugural Board member and lawyer Sarina Jackson. Sarina acknowledged the key role of the late Bruce McNicol in conceiving GALFA and outlined some of the aims of the group.

Guest speaker Joan Nestle, renowned author, activist and lesbian feminist, inspired the audience to consider philanthropy in a new light. Quoting Walt Whitman's poem on giving she stated that we must look beyond the traditional sense of large donations and bequests and encourage small donations of money and skills in building the Foundation. She reminded us that there is still a long way to go before LGBTI Australians are free from discrimination and that groups such as GALFA are essential in this journey.

We were grateful for the support of the venue, Oyster Bay Wines for providing the wine, and GLOBE for assisting by sending our invitation to their members.

Joan Nestle's edited speech