The Hepburn Shire Council this month held a flag raising ceremony to celebrate IDAHOBIT Day amid findings that four of the ‘top 10’ localities for Victorian same-sex households are in Hepburn.

IDAHOBIT Day (May 17) is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia.  The theme for IDAHOBIT 2024 was “No one left behind: Equality, freedom and justice for all”. 

Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, said that Council is committed to furthering equality for LGBTIQA+ people in our Shire.  

“The diversity of our community is one of the wonderful features of Hepburn Shire. Our Council is committed to ensuring this is a place where all people feel safe and welcome.  We have worked diligently with our community to help end LGBTIQA+ discrimination, and we stand up for the human rights of LGBTIQA+ people,” he said. 

“This is an important time for all people to take a stand and say, “It is not OK to discriminate against our diverse Rainbow community.” 

“As Councillors, we want to ensure that Hepburn Shire remains an inclusive and safe place for everyone. You can help by standing with your LGBTIQA+ friends, family, neighbours and colleagues, and saying ‘no’ to discrimination.” 

“Our goal is to be a leader in LGBTIQA+ inclusion, making our Shire a safe and inclusive place for the rainbow community to work, live and visit,” said Cr Brian Hood. 

Speakers at the event included Ange Barry (former CEO of Joy Media), Ro Allen (Human Rights Commissioner), Danni Karametos (Joy Media), Max Primmer (Senior Award Winner) and Grace Lee (Counsellor). 

The council established an LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee in 2022 and is currently finalising its inaugural Rainbow Action Plan.

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health and Macedon Ranges Shire Council are calling on businesses to display the rainbow flag in the lead-up to this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17.

Also on offer is an online workshop for businesses on how to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTIQA+ staff and customers. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 6.30pm.

An official flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute in Mollison Street on Friday, May 17 at noon featuring the Rainbow Voices choir, a free sausage sizzle and guest speakers.

Further details: 5421 1666, healthpromotion@scchc.org.au or www.sunburycobaw.org.au/idahobit-2024

The Hepburn Shire Council, following the establishment of an Advisory Committee in 2021, is taking the next step in its commitment to accommodate and welcome the many LGBTIQA+ people in the region.

The Victorian Population Health Survey shows that 7.5 per cent of the shire’s population identify as LGBTIQA+, about one third higher than the average across rural and regional Victoria.

The new draft of the Rainbow Action Plan commits the council to take clear and achievable actions to help create a more inclusive, safe and welcoming community for LGBTIQA+ people.

An online survey is at participate. hepburn.vic.gov.au/rainbow-action-plan with feedback closing May 8.

Kyneton will show its support for the LGBTIQA+ community next week as it raises the rainbow flag to mark International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on Wednesday, May 17.
Organised by Macedon Ranges Shire Council and Sunbury and Cobaw
Community Health, the event is an important date in the calendar as Macedon
Ranges residents, businesses and community groups join people all over the world
to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of the ongoing discrimination faced by the
lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex community.
There will be a free sausage sizzle and guest speakers including Macedon Ranges
Shire Council’s CEO Bernie O’Sullivan and Mayor Annette Death.
“IDAHOBIT is one of council’s key annual recognition days,” said Cr Death.
“I look forward to once again raising the rainbow flag this year, in a simple but clear
statement of our support for our LGBTIQA+ community and this year’s theme of
‘Together always: united in diversity’.”
The flag raising event takes place at noon at the Kyneton Mechanics Institute, 81
Mollison Street, Kyneton.
Details: Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health on 5421 1666 or email healthpromotion@scchc.org.au