Immerse yourself in a guided history walk of Melbourne’s street-life with historian Robyn Annear.
Follow map here: bit.ly/adriftinmelbourne

Walk 1: More by Land than Water 
Start:	Shop 5, 240 Little Collins Street (Cr Royal Lane)
Finish:	Royal Arcade

Walk 2: Off the Grid
Start: Corner Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street.
Finish: Corner Elizabeth Street and Therry Street.

Walk 3: Complete with Aspidistra
Start: City Library, 253 Flinders Lane. 
Finish: City Square, Corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane.

Please note: the first stop for Walk 1: More by Land than Water, the Express Book Bar, closed permanently on Friday 30 September, 2022.

Adrift in Melbourne with Robyn Annear

Voices of Us

Ever felt overwhelmed as an international student?
Tune into our podcast where we share heartfelt stories of struggles and triumphs. Hear from fellow students about their journeys in Melbourne, and gather essential tips to help you thrive!
🎧 Join us and find your voice!
Hosted by Amanda Abeysinghe | Produced by Christian Valerian

Student City Student Stories

Hear about Moomba, Australia's largest community festival, rooftop greening, risky playgrounds and thriving business sectors in this edition of Melbourne Magazine.

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia for the City of Melbourne in the interest of information accessibility.

Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Melbourne Magazine March to May 2025

Walk 3: Complete with Aspidistra
Start: City Library, 253 Flinders Lane. 
Finish: City Square, Corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane.

Follow map here: bit.ly/adriftinmelbourne

Walk 3: Complete with Aspidistra

Walk 2: Off the Grid
Start: Corner Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street.
Finish: Corner Elizabeth Street and Therry Street.

Follow map here: https://bit.ly/adriftinmelbourne

Walk 2: Off the Grid

Walk 1: More by Land than Water 
Start:	Shop 5, 240 Little Collins Street (Cr Royal Lane)
Finish:	Royal Arcade
Follow map here: https://bit.ly/adriftinmelbourne

Please note: the first stop for Walk 1: More by Land than Water, the Express Book Bar, closed permanently on Friday 30 September, 2022.

Walk 1: More by Land than Water

Elvis Martin (He/Him) is a social justice advocate who has managed to overcome very difficult circumstances and inspire many with his advocacy for social justice. The recipient of awards such as National young Community Achiever of the year. Elvis has worked, volunteered and spoken publicly in many roles, addressing mental health, homelessness, family violence and LGBTIQA+ community issues. Currently Elvis as Principal Ambassador of Youth Development Australia, government LGBTIQ taskforce member and on the Board of VMIAC. He uses his platform, including a large social media following, to promote inclusion, diversity and equality for all.

Follow Elvis:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvismartin_official/


In this first episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Elvis Martin, a social justice advocate and a previous international student. Elvis has been involved in many initiatives and organisations on many community issues including LGBTIQA+ challenges. 

In this episode, you will hear about Elvis’ journey of discovering of his sexual identity, the challenges he had to face in a cultural context, and some of his tips about how to explore one’s sexual identity in a safe way (including dating apps and existing queer resources).

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices of Us Ep. 1 Elvis; The Moment You Realised You were Queer

Phoebe Thompson (They/Them) is a queer, nonbinary curator, artist, and poet living on unceded Boon Wurrung land. Their multi-disciplinary practice is concerned with sustainability, personal identity, and the built and existing environment, whilst placing value on process, sentimentality, and connection.

Follow Phoebe:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pho_tho_/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebe-thompson-256a63208/


Anthony Mario Mathew (He/Him) is a 26 year old artist who resides in the town of Stawell in Victoria. He works as a Primary School Teacher and is passionate about bringing positive change to his surroundings by being actively involved in the fields of music, drama, visual arts and fashion. Mario aspires to bloom and make the world a better place through his voice.

In this second episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Phoebe, a Melbourne-born queer artist and Mario a queer international student from India. Phoebe and Mario met each other in an art initiative - Across the Bridge. 

In this episode, you will learn more about what genders and pronouns mean to two different individuals from different backgrounds. Both Phoebe and Mario talked about how they went about discovering their respective sexual identity and pronouns. The challenges they both faced growing up in an environment where queer topics are taboo and in a society that has lots of stereotypes and tends to put people in boxes.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices of Us Ep. 2: Phoebe & Mario; Sexuality, Gender, Pronouns...Let's get out of all the Boxes

Alireza Noori is a trilingual software developer, music, animal and nature lover. On a journey of exploring what this beautiful world has to offer.

Rames is American Samoa at heart and Asia at look. He loves sleeping and just being lazy.

In this third episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Rames and Ali who grow up in different cultural backgrounds, which have affected their queer identity differently. 

In this episode, you will hear their stories to explore their identities, find freedom and their community in Australia. One speaker comes from a country where queer is a norm and accepted. Whereas another speaker comes from a country where queer is taboo and not usually discussed.

While their culture shapes their understanding of society and norms, sometimes it challenges them to truly understand and identify themselves. They also shared their challenges trying to connect with other queers authentically and meaningfully in Australia.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices Of Us Ep. 3: Rames And Ali: The Complexity Of Revealing Your Authentic Identity

In this fourth episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Coby Liew, an experienced mental health practitioner and previous international student and Michael Tian, a current international student, peer mentoring officer and LGBTQIA+ advocate. Both Coby and Michael have been involved in a number of initiatives in supporting queer international students.

In this episode, you will hear some of the advocacy work of Coby and Michael both in and outside of their day job. The speakers also provides their advice on how others (queer and alies) can also contribute in raising awareness and supporting multicultural LGBTQIA+ communities. They also mentioned the dilemmas and challenges engaging with the ones who are still in the closet. 

If you are experiencing challenges, reach out to professionals as early as you can so you can access resources and receive guidance to support you.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.
Coby Liew (He/Him) is an advocate for good mental health and he regularly presents at conferences and facilitates training workshops across different states in Australia and internationally. He is openly gay, born and bred in Borneo, and he is an accredited mental health professional in Australia.

Follow Coby:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cobyliew/

Michael Tian (He/Him) is an international student and LGBTIQ+ advocate, currently working as a Peer Mentoring Officer at RMIT University. He quite enjoys interacting with diverse people and listening to people's stories. In his spare time, he is a travel addict, making friends with local residents and other travellers is the way to expand his life experiences.

Follow Michael:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelbaker0502/

Voices of Us Ep. 4: Michael & Coby; When and How to support queer international students?

In this fifth episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Jing Yang and Liz who were both previously international students. They met each other in Melbourne through a Chinese dating app. Jing now works in the sustainability and circular economy industry and Liz is a landscape architect. 

In this episode, you will hear Jing and Liz experiences of navigating various relationships as queer international students and recent graduates. From making friends, finding love to coming out to your family, Jing and Liz share some of the things that worked for them.


About the speakers:
Jing Yang (She/Her) transitioned her queer adulthood in Melbourne while she pursued her career in sustainability and circular economy. She enjoys the most to mobilise her queer fellows in taking community-led climate action.

Follow Jing:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vszai2/

Liz Li is a happily out queer landscape architect, who loves the ocean, plants, and rocks. Growing up in China and landing in Australia 6 years ago, luckily she has been living with all the kindness from the people around her throughout her queerhood, which makes the current her happy, out and proud.

Proudly supported by City of Melbourne Libraries, Voices of Us is a series of podcasts that focuses on the voices of queer international students. It creates a safe space for international students to share stories, raise awareness about sexuality and explore culturally specific issues, and provides them the resources and support. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape the way they engage with family, friends and partners.

Voices of Us Ep. 5: Jing & Liz; Navigating Relationships with Your Partner, Friends, Families +

In this last episode of the Voices of Us series, we will be speaking with Cathy, a former international student from China. Cathy is now working at Mindspace Consulting and volunteers at ANTRA - Australian and New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance.

In this episode, you will hear about Cathy’s coming out journey and how coming out to herself was the first and most difficult challenge she had to overcome. Learning what gay means, accepting oneself and having the support and freedom to be who one are. The speaker also discusses how online resources and blogs by other queer people help her not feel alone in the journey and how to be authentic oneself to others around her.

Everyone’s experience is unique and valid. You can find your way navigating your sexuality. And you are not alone.

Cathy Fangda Yang (She/Her) is an entrepreneur, marketing specialist and independent film producer. She has been involved in China's LGBTQ+ rights movement since 2009 and currently serves as the vice president of Australian and New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance (ANTRA). Cathy is also the managing partner of Mindspace Consulting, a Melbourne-based LGBTQ+ friendly psychology practice for the Chinese community in Australia; and Gentle Glacier Productions, an award-winning boutique independent film and video production house.

Voices of Us is a series of podcasts created by @co_inventors in partnership with the library, with a focus on the voices of queer international students. Hear about the challenges of international students navigating their queer journey, identity and self-exploration and how different cultures shape how they engage with family, friends and partners. Check out the latest episode today on 
City of Melbourne Libraries SoundCloud :
💚Follow City of Melbourne Library Soundcloud
https://bit.ly/LibSounds
Funded by Hey Grant and Partners @yacvic
Presented by @co_inventors
Proudly supported by @cityofmelbourne @agmcinc @RMIT Translation and Interpretation Discipline
#voicesofus

Voices of Us Ep. 6: Cathy; Coming Out, to Who? Self, Friends, Strangers and Families

Hear about disability pride, doing business in Melbourne, businesses, new toy libraries, city-shaping projects, arts, events and more in this edition of the City of Melbourne's ratepayer newsletter, Melbourne Magazine.

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility.

Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Visit news.melbourne.vic.gov.au and subscribe to receive the latest stories direct to your inbox. You can also find PDFs of our print magazine at news.melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourne-magazine.

Toy libraries spread joy in your neighbourhood

Hear about Firelight Festival, Firelight Labyrinth, capital works, winter wellbeing, waste-free market shopping and more in this edition of the City of Melbourne's ratepayer newsletter, Melbourne Magazine.

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility.

Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Visit news.melbourne.vic.gov.au and subscribe to receive the latest stories direct to your inbox. You can also find PDFs of our print magazine at news.melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourne-magazine

Introduction: Melbourne Magazine winter 2024

In this teaser, Christian and Amanda will share a preview of the series. Christian, hailing from Indonesia, is pursuing Bachelor of Commerce, while Amanda, originally from Sri Lanka, pursued her Master's degree in Business Management. 

Together, they’ll give an overview of what the audience can expect from this series, all the highlights and memorable moments from behind the scenes. Amanda will act as host throughout the series while Christian is the producer. 

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 

#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  


Student Voices Student Series Teaser

In this episode, Ruvarashe and Hitomi will share their firsthand experiences as international students in the vibrant City of Melbourne. Ruvarashe, hailing from Zimbabwe, is pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing, while Hitomi, originally from Japan, is studying a bachelor's degree in Arts.  

Together, they’ll discuss invaluable tips and tricks for international students, must-visit local scenery, hidden gem eateries, and the unique perspectives they bring to Melbourne’s diverse community.  

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 
#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  

Student City Student Stories Ep 1: Ruvarashe and Hitomi; a Zimbabwean and a Japanese in the room

In this episode, Jinyoung and Andi will share their firsthand experiences as international students in the vibrant City of Melbourne. Jinyoung, hailing from Korea, is pursued a Bachelor's degree in Communication, while Andi, originally from China, is studying a Master's degree in Construction Management.  

Together, they’ll discuss invaluable tips and tricks for international students, must-visit local scenery, hidden gem eateries, and the unique perspectives they bring to Melbourne’s diverse community.  

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 
#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  


Student City Student Stories EP.2 Jinyoung and Andi; "a Korean and a Chinese in the room"

In this episode, Shivani will share their firsthand experiences as international students in the vibrant City of Melbourne. Shivani, hailing from India, is pursuing a Master's of Creative Arts.   

She’ll discuss invaluable tips and tricks for international students, must-visit local scenery, hidden gem eateries, and the unique perspectives they bring to Melbourne’s diverse community.  

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 
#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  

Student City Student Stories EP.3 Shivani; "an Indian in the room"

In this episode, Hezha and Kaviya will share their firsthand experiences as international students in the vibrant City of Melbourne. Hezha, hailing from Iran, is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, while Kaviya, originally from Mauritius, is studying a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.  

Together, they’ll discuss invaluable tips and tricks for international students, must-visit local scenery, hidden gem eateries, and the unique perspectives they bring to Melbourne’s diverse community.  

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 

#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  


Student City Student Stories EP.4 Hezha and Kaviya; "an Iranian and a Mauritian in the room"

In this episode, Fakhira and Ha will share their firsthand experiences as international students in the vibrant City of Melbourne. Fakhira, hailing from Malaysia, is pursuing a Master's degree in Digital Marketing, while Ha, originally from Vietnam, is studying a Master's degree in Business Analytics.  

Together, they’ll discuss invaluable tips and tricks for international students, must-visit local scenery, hidden gem eateries, and the unique perspectives they bring to Melbourne’s diverse community.  

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 

#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  


Student City Student Stories EP.5 Fakhira and Ha; "a Malaysian and Vietnamese in the room"

In this episode, Indah will share their firsthand experiences as international students in the vibrant City of Melbourne. Indah, hailing from Indonesia, is pursuing a Machelor's degree in Digital Learning.

Together, they’ll discuss invaluable tips and tricks for international students, must-visit local scenery, hidden gem eateries, and the unique perspectives they bring to Melbourne’s diverse community.  

For more resources, insights, and updates tailored to international students in Melbourne, don’t forget to follow our Facebook page: @cityofmelbourneinternationalstudents 

#StudentCity #CityofMelbourne #StudentCityStudentStories  


Student City Student Stories EP.7 Indah; "An Indonesian in the room"

Hear about laneway tours, small business success stories, green energy, capital works and neighbourhood priorities in this edition o the City of Melbourne's ratepayer newsletter, Melbourne Magazine.

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia on behalf of the City of Melbourne in the interests of information accessibility. 

Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

Milk kegs help Kensington coffee lovers go green

Marvellous Moomba: five magical days

Introduction

Seventh generation principle to guide First Nations Committee

Get set for success with our supercharged Business Concierge

Message from the Lord Mayor of Melbourne

City of Melbourne contact information

Transformed City Square set to open this year

Hear about Firelight Festival, a new Koreatown precinct, First Nations artists in residence, community sports for women and girls, and highlights from our draft Budget in this edition of Melbourne Magazine.

This audio magazine has been recorded by Vision Australia for the City of Melbourne in the interest of information accessibility.

Your narrator is Jenny Seedsman.

A message from the Lord Mayor

Conclusion

Get to know our councillors

New Ryder Pavilion boosts access to community sports

Sulptures with soul in Koreatown

Our draft Budget

How to grow your business in the City of Melbourne

Firelight Festival features enormous inflatable art

Emerging writer takes top prize

Events calendar

First Nations artists in residence at Boyd Studios

Your Council

Contact City of Melbourne

Jim Beggs Docklands Walking Tour

Summer is here and it isn't only hot on the streets...it's hot in between the pages as well! Bern and Louise discuss erotic tales, from fiction to nonfiction and the compilations in between. Can you handle the heat?

Bern's Books:
Little Birds / Anaïs Nin
Bad Behaviour / Mary Gaitskill
Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (Fanny Hill) / John Cleland

Louise's Books:
Erotic Stories (Everyman's Pocket Classics) / by Rowan Pelling (Editor)
Why Is Sex Fun?: The Evolution of Human Sexuality / Jared Diamond
Dangerous / Jax (Jacquelyn Frank)

Dear Reader E38 Erotic Tales

City, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
East Melbourne, 122 George Street, East Melbourne
Kathleen Syme, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Prom
narrm ngarrgu Library, 141 Therry Street, Melbourne 
North Melbourne, 66 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Southbank Library at Boyd, 207 City Road

City of Melbourne Libraries

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