A must-do event in the Queensland calendar, the LUMINOUS Festival celebrates Queensland by focusing on the many cultures, languages and worldviews that make up our state.
LUMINOUS attracts supporters across the community – from government, corporate and community organisations to indigenous elders, migrant and refugee communities, religious organisations, school groups and more. The procession culminates with a wide range of performances that showcase the talent and contribution of our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
‘Our Journey’ is a celebration of the spirit and courage of refugees.
We invite you to join Multicultural Australia at Brisbane’s iconic La Boite Theatre to watch an exclusive screening of LIMBO, an award-winning feature film about an extraordinary group of refugees and asylum seekers on a remote Scottish Island. A winner of two BAFTA awards and numerous nominations around the world, Limbo is a ‘must see’.
View the trailer here.
The afternoon will celebrate the experiences of settlement with musical and spoken word performances.
How do I register?
‘Our Journey’ is a free event, however as the film is ticketed with a limited number of seats within La Boite Theatre, it is essential to register through this event page.
Any questions?
Contact events@mcaus.org.au and our events team will be in touch.
‘Our Journey’ is held in partnership with La Boite Theatre, Brisbane City Council and migrant and refugee communities and individuals who have dedicated their support to our organisation.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC is excited to be hosting Changing the Conversation: Cultural and Human Rights in the Digital Age, the second event in a new series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues in our increasingly multicultural society.
Facilitated by Benjamin Law, and featuring a panel of experts, the discussion will explore approaches to individually and collectively navigate the challenges, and opportunities of living in an era of seemingly unstoppable technology and new forms of community and culture shaped by online and offline interactions.
The digital world offers many different experiences. We are more connected, and at the same time more remote. The start-up movement has transformed our workplaces and our public lives are increasingly being lived from the privacy of our homes.
In the age of opportunity, where technology has the potential to build cultural bridges, enable greater inclusion and equal opportunity through increased connectivity, innovation, and transformation of services, how can we overcome the many challenges that come with technological advancements? Issues such as the digital exclusion of historically marginalised groups, the impact of systemic bias being embedded into AI systems and algorithms, and a lack of appropriate safeguards to protect the vulnerable have the potential to make our society more unequal.
Join us for this important and stimulating conversation in the Concert Hall this June.
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust discussions about multiculturalism in the Australian context, the Changing the Conversation series – presented by Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC – explores issues of who and where we are as a nation and what we need to do to create a society that better reflects and cares for all its people. Changing the Conversation: Cultural and Human Rights in the Digital Age is the second of four events in this series to be held in 2023.
Benjamin Law – Facilitator
Marek Kowalkiewicz - Panelist
Amanda Yeo - Panelist
Lizzie O’Shea - Panelist
Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Most recently, Ben edited the collection of stories, ‘Growing Up Queer’ in Australia and was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ ‘Deep Water: The Real Story’ (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s ‘Sisters’ (Ten). Recently he starred in the ABC’s two-part documentary series ‘Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law’, where he travels from China to Arnhem Land to explore the history, unpack the present, and look to the future of Australia’s relationship with China. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show ‘Stop Everything’. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show ‘That Startup Show’, and you can catch him on TV shows like ‘Q&A’ (ABC), ‘The Drum’ (ABC), ‘The Projec’t (Ten) and ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’ (SBS).
Marek is a Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School. He joined QUT from Silicon Valley, where he led global innovation teams as a Senior Director at SAP. Before Silicon Valley, Marek worked in Singapore as a Research Manager of the largest SAP Research lab in Asia, focusing on Machine Learning. Prior to that, Marek was a Global Research Program Lead of one of SAP’s main research programs, as well as a Research Fellow at Microsoft Research Asia. He holds fifteen patents describing his contributions to enterprise software systems. He is a keen long-distance trail runner.
Amanda Yeo is a tech and entertainment reporter, as well as co-founder and host of award-winning technology podcast Queens of the Drone Age. Amanda previously worked in refugee law to assist people seeking asylum in Australia and holds degrees in both Communication and Laws. After making the switch to journalism, her articles have appeared in numerous publications such as Mashable, Cosmos Magazine, and Gizmodo Australia.
Lizzie O’Shea is a lawyer and writer, and the founder and chair of Digital Rights Watch, an organisation advocating for human rights online. She also sits on the board of Blueprint for Free Speech and the Alliance for Gambling Reform. In 2019, she was named a Human Rights Hero by Access Now.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo, eget blandit nunc tortor eu nibh. Nullam mollis. Ut justo. Suspendisse potenti.Sed egestas, ante et vulputate volutpat, eros pede semper est, vitae luctus metus libero eu augue. Morbi purus libero, faucibus adipiscing, commodo quis, gravida id, est. Sed lectus. Praesent elementum hendrerit tortor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Multicultural Australia, in partnership with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, is excited to be hosting Changing the Conversation, a series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues in our increasingly multicultural society.
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust discussions about multiculturalism in the Australian context, the series explores issues of who and where we are as a nation and what we need to do to create a society that better reflects and cares for all its people.
In the year of the referendum on a First Nations voice in parliament, it’s important that we are well informed.
Hear from thought leaders from across our society about the Uluru Statement from the Heart and what it means for the many voices who are part of today’s Australia, at our first Changing the Conversation event of 2023.
We look forward to you engaging with this conversation.
John Paul Janke - Facilitator
Mick Gooda – Panelist
Dr Shireen Morris – Panelist
Callum Ah Chee – Panelist
John Paul Janke is from Wuthathi Country on Eastern Cape York Peninsula and from Mer (Murray) Island in the Torres Strait. He is the co-owner of Rork Projects, a national Indigenous construction company servicing the corporate and government sectors. He is also the Deputy Chair of the Indigenous Reference Group and Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee.
A proud Gangulu man, Mick Gooda is an Aboriginal Australian public servant. He has served as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission from 2009 to 2016 and as Co-Commissioner of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory from 2016 to 2017. He is a strong advocate for the rights of First Nations Australians and works to promote respect and understanding of the rights of his community in the broader community.
An academic with research expertise in Indigenous constitutional recognition, Shireeen Morris has also published research on constitutional law and reform, and public law focused on a First Nations constitutional First Nations voice in Australia. She is passionate about issues of free speech, Australian republicanism, monetary sovereignty and the challenges of political polarisation in our cultural context. Shireen completed her PhD at Monash University, exploring Indigenous constitutional recognition through a First Nations constitutional voice – now published as a book, A First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution.
An Australian rules footballer, Callum Ah Chee is a proud Nyoongar, Nyikina and Yawuru man who plays for the Brisbane Lions. Callum initially played basketball in his youth before picking up Australian rules football. He is a strong advocate for equity and publicly condemns racism in our society.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo, eget blandit nunc tortor eu nibh. Nullam mollis. Ut justo. Suspendisse potenti.Sed egestas, ante et vulputate volutpat, eros pede semper est, vitae luctus metus libero eu augue. Morbi purus libero, faucibus adipiscing, commodo quis, gravida id, est. Sed lectus. Praesent elementum hendrerit tortor.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Phasellus hendrerit. Pellentesque aliquet nibh nec urna. In nisi neque, aliquet vel, dapibus id, mattis vel, nisi. Sed pretium, ligula sollicitudin laoreet viverra, tortor libero sodales leo.
Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC is excited to be hosting Changing the Conversation: Brave Conversations About Multiculturalism, the third event in a new series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues in our increasingly multicultural society.
Facilitated by Benjamin Law, and featuring a panel of experts, the discussion will focus on the brave conversations we need to have as a community and a nation to become a truly successful multicultural nation.
While it is important to continue to celebrate the many strengths of our diversity, we also need to have honest conversations about what we need to do to create a society that fully reflects and cares for its people – tackling issues such as systemic discrimination, racism, privilege, and marginalisation.
Brave Conversations About Multiculturalism explores and challenges our understandings of Australian identity and how we need to adapt as individuals and collectively to achieve an inclusive Australia for all.
Click on ‘Book Now’ to be directed to QPAC ticket sales – it’s essential that tickets are pre-booked.
Moale James is a community-led storyteller and creative producer. Born in Darwin on Larrakia Country, she has spent most of her life taking part in the many productions of Drum Drum, Sunameke, Weaving Cultural Stories and Gaba Musik, which led her to grassroots, community-arts projects. Her podcast, ‘Our Women, Our Stories’, brings together Australian First Nation and Pacific Islander women to explore the ways they engage with culture and its many facets in the everyday context.
Benjamin Law - Facilitator
Christine Castley - Panelist
Imam Uzair Akbar - Panelist
Moale James - Panelist
Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Most recently, Ben edited the collection of stories, ‘Growing Up Queer’ in Australia and was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ ‘Deep Water: The Real Story’ (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s ‘Sisters’ (Ten). Recently he starred in the ABC’s two-part documentary series ‘Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law’, where he travels from China to Arnhem Land to explore the history, unpack the present, and look to the future of Australia’s relationship with China. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show ‘Stop Everything’. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show ‘That Startup Show’, and you can catch him on TV shows like ‘Q&A’ (ABC), ‘The Drum’ (ABC), ‘The Projec’t (Ten) and ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’ (SBS).
Anisa Nandaula, a nationally recognised spoken word poet, play writer, educator, and published author. She is the 2016 Queensland Poetry slam champion, winner of the XYZ Innovation in Spoken Word Prize and has performed at the Sydney Opera house and Splendour in the Grass. She shared her work on channel 10, the ABC and has now set her sights on stand-up comedy.
Christine Castley, Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural Australia. Prior to this, she was a Deputy Director-General in various Departments in the Queensland Government. Christine is a passionate advocate for equal access to justice and services for everyone regardless of their gender, beliefs, or circumstances, drawing on her lived experience as a first-generation migrant. Christine has recently been appointed as a member of an Expert Panel by the Australian Government to undertake a major review into multiculturalism in Australia.
Imam Uzair Akbar, a well-known respected scholar, dynamic speaker, and a prominent leader in the Muslim community of Australia. He has been the appointed Imam for over two decades in the century-old Holland Park mosque in Brisbane. He is currently the President of the Council of Imams Queensland (CIQ), member of the ANIC (Australian National Imams Council), Head of Shariah Advisory board with Amanah Islamic Finance Australia (AIFA), Director of Centre of Excellence (Australian Youth Welfare Trust), Director of ISHP Youth Club, and sits on the board of many other not-for-profits organizations.
Imam Uzair Akbar, a well-known respected scholar, dynamic speaker, and a prominent leader in the Muslim community of Australia. He has been the appointed Imam for over two decades in the century-old Holland Park mosque in Brisbane. He is currently the President of the Council of Imams Queensland (CIQ), member of the ANIC (Australian National Imams Council), Head of Shariah Advisory board with Amanah Islamic Finance Australia (AIFA), Director of Centre of Excellence (Australian Youth Welfare Trust), Director of ISHP Youth Club, and sits on the board of many other not-for-profits organizations.
See why previous attendees love the Changing the Conversation Series:
“An amazing night where I heard inspiring speakers and listened to a future that filled me with hope for a new direction.”
“…extremely worthwhile. Some extremely interesting speakers from across the age range. I am looking forward to the next event.”
“…the Multicultural Australia panelists were brilliant.”
Proudly supported by HopgoodGanim Laywers
Multicultural Australia in partnership with QPAC is excited to be hosting Changing the Conversation: Creating Belonging Through Storytelling, the final event in a new series of thought-provoking discussions exploring key issues in our increasingly multicultural society.
Facilitated by Benjamin Law, and featuring a panel of experts, this discussion will explore how we share and tell stories, and how our stories shape us as a nation, as a community and as individuals.
We recognise the power and importance of storytelling and is a particularly powerful tool for marginalised and stigmatised groups. Storytelling can be beneficial for the person sharing their experience, for their community and for society. Sharing personal stories is a powerful way of generating empathy, understanding and solidarity; challenging bias, assumptions, and prejudice, and driving commitment to and understanding of opportunities for human rights-based reform.
Join us in November for this thought-provoking finale for the Changing the Conversation series in 2023.
Click on ‘Book Now’ to be directed to QPAC ticket sales – it’s essential that tickets are pre-booked.
Bringing together thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust discussions about multiculturalism in the Australian context, and facilitated by renowned writer and host Benjamin Law, this series explores issues of who and where we are as a nation and what we need to do to create a society that better reflects and cares for all its people. Changing the Conversation: Creating Belonging Through Storytelling is the final of four events in this series to be held in 2023.
We look forward to you engaging with this conversation.
Benjamin Law writes books, TV screenplays, columns, essays and feature journalism. Most recently, Ben edited the collection of stories, ‘Growing Up Queer’ in Australia and was also a researcher and associate producer on Blackfella Films’ ‘Deep Water: The Real Story’ (SBS) and a writer on Endemol Shine’s ‘Sisters’ (Ten).
Recently he starred in the ABC’s two-part documentary series ‘Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law’, where he travels from China to Arnhem Land to explore the history, unpack the present, and look to the future of Australia’s relationship with China. Every week, Benjamin co-hosts ABC RN’s weekly national pop culture show ‘Stop Everything’. He also co-hosts online startup and tech TV show ‘That Startup Show’, and you can catch him on TV shows like ‘Q&A’ (ABC), ‘The Drum’ (ABC), ‘The Projec’t (Ten) and ‘Filthy Rich and Homeless’ (SBS).
Panelists soon to be announced.
See why previous attendees love the Changing the Conversation Series:
“An amazing night where I heard inspiring speakers and listened to a future that filled me with hope for a new direction.”
“…extremely worthwhile. Some extremely interesting speakers from across the age range. I am looking forward to the next event.”
“…the Multicultural Australia panelists were brilliant.”
Multicultural Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today.
As the world’s oldest living cultures, we recognise that Australia always has been and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
We who come from many places pay our respects to Elders throughout all time and commit to learning from the knowledge, traditions, stories, spirituality, and experiences of Aboriginal people as we learn to live on their land.
We walk together in solidarity of the pain of the past, and in shared hope for the future.
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