Rural and Regional Victoria

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A key highlight in 2000 was the implementation of a number of recommendations from the Rural Outreach Report, completed by David Barker in 1999. With the energised input of Deb Barned, Rural GLBT Youth Outreach Worker (funded by VIC Health), a number of these recommendations have been put into place.

One of these recommendations was the establishment of the Victorian Rural Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Network. This is a statewide group of rural GLBT people throughout Victoria. Representatives from this Network, have formed the 'hands on nuts and bolts' Steering Committee overseeing the direction of the Victorian Rural GLBT Network. The Network now includes over 100 rural members and meets quarterly at large scale meetings and social functions that are open to the public. At these meetings updates on resources and initiatives from each rural region are shared. This provides for essential exchanges of information whilst simultaneously linking people together.

The Network allows people to meet in a relaxed, social and safe environment and also works to raise funds for the host region. For example, the a Network meeting held in Gippsland, on 21 October attracted around 45-50 Network members to the afternoon meeting, with over 150 attending the evening Dance Party - "Queerfest Up In Lights." This event helped to raise over $1,400 for the Gippsland Gay and Lesbian Network, including 40 new memberships. A productive Network meeting and a great night for all!

If you or your group would like to be part of the Network, or if you know of a new group in your region that we should contact, please contact The ALSO Foundation, Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm.

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