Thursday 7 March

Doors Open 6pm. Event begins 6:30pm

The Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration is a free community event held annually by the Darebin City Council in celebration of International Women's Day. The event is a tribute to respected Darebin resident Molly Hadfield OAM, who worked tirelessly to advance the rights of women and seniors.

The 2019 oration will include:

Keynote Speaker: Maxine Beneba Clarke

Maxine Beneba Clarke is a widely published Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent. Maxine's short fiction, non-fiction and poetry have been published in numerous publications including Overland, The Age, Meanjin, The Saturday Paper and The Big Issue.
Her critically acclaimed short fiction collection Foreign Soil won the ABIA for Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2015 and the 2015 Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction, and was shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writing at the 2015 ABIAs and the 2015 Stella Prize. She was also named as one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists for 2015. Maxine has published three poetry collections including Carrying the World, which won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Poetry 2017 and was shortlisted for the Colin Roderick Award.
The Hate Race, a memoir about growing up black in Australia won the NSW Premier's Literary Award Multicultural NSW Award 2017 and was shortlisted for an ABIA, an Indie Award, the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards and Stella Prize.
The Patchwork Bike, Maxine's first picture book with Van T. Rudd was a CBCA Honour Book for 2017.

MC: Lorraine Ngwenya

Lorraine Ngwenya is the founder of Useful Link; an organisation that seeks to empower young people in areas of employment and personal development. They do this by running workshops in schools, giving young people the skills they need to navigate the world of work. Lorraine believes young people have many challenges that face them and it is her goal to help as many young people be ready for the future of work and take hold of their own paths. She is invested in being a part of the conversation and work around changing our education system to reflect where the workplace is headed.

Artist: Dear Matilda

As an only child Dear Matilda is used to being the centre of attention, which is reflected in her live shows as she performs solo with a steel string acoustic guitar and a dynamic voice bursting with passion. Being raised listening to Louis Jordan, Rosetta Tharpe, The Who and The Kinks, she then developed her own love for the works of Passenger, Amy Winehouse, John Butler and Ben Howard.

Dear Matilda - though mainly acoustic folk - dabbles in music inspired by many different genres. Currently undertaking a Bachelor of Sound Production at Box Hill Institute, she is in the process of self-composing and recording her debut EP.

The event will include light refreshments.

This is Darebin’s main event celebrating International Women’s Day. For further info about other events taking place celebrating IWD, visit www.darebin.vic.gov.au/iwd

TICKETS

FREE with bookings required.

Venue: Northcote Town Hall, Main Hall

189 High St, Northcote.

Friday 15th and Saturday 16th March, 2pm and 7pm.

Melbourne Playback and SKY Theatre

present

The Amplifiers + Live Large

The Amplifiers by SKY Theatre follows three students of magic who face demons, curses and major headaches of bureaucracy. SKY Theatre is made up of skilled theatre-makers on the autism spectrum who bring their inside experience of navigating through the world to an adventure packed with spells and suits, Lebanese drumming and glam rock.

Live Large: Melbourne Playback Theatre Company explore what it means to live life to the full, and what gets in the way. This is theatre that springs from the audience’s experience – the results are moving, funny and surprising. If you’ve never seen Melbourne Playback in action, this is an amazing show to start with, as Sky Theatre’s performers join with Melbourne Playback’s critically acclaimed ensemble to turn the audience’s true stories into theatre on the spot. This opportunity to join with your community to explore all the ways of living is not to be missed.

Live Large bounces off The Amplifiers to create performance that goes beyond looking at difference to open up a conversation about the essential things that connect us all.

This project began when a director wanted to bring five amazing performers together to see what sparks would emerge. What happened was a jet of flame. Following this up with playback theatre turns this event into more than a performance - it’s a wild ride and the audience are all on it together.

“A visionary company” - JJ Mclennon, Theatre People

“Terrifically skilled”- Cameron Woodhead, The Age

TICKETS

Adult $29

Concession $25 (Student, Health Care Card Holders)

Child $20 (2 to 15 Years)

Group 6 or more $25 per ticket

Under two years free (must be seated on a ticket holders lap)

Transaction fees apply - $3.80 online, $5 over the phone, no charge when purchasing directly from the venue

Northcote Town Hall, Main Hall West Wing Studio 1

189 High St, Northcote

Running time approx 100 minutes, no interval.

Latecomers permitted at suitable breaks in performance.

No filming or photography permitted.

We accept Companion Cards, please call the Box Office on 8470 8280 to make your booking.

About the Companies

SKY Theatre is: Sarah Austin (actor, costuming), Ashleigh Beecham (actor), Lincoln Forbes (actor, graphic design), Michael Sibillin (acting, costuming, music) , Joseph Samarani (acting, music) and Danny Diesendorf (director). The combined experience of the group includes performing in bands and plays, in street theatre shows and video projects; while also bringing experience in devising and writing plays, poetry and original music.

Melbourne Playback Theatre is a company of actors and musicians lead by artistic director Rachael Dubois; its full ensemble can be found at: MelbournePlayback.com.au