Rainbow KINection hosts Spring Fling Soiree for ATSI and LGBTI+ community.

Published by: Marley Amphlett / Edith Cowan University | 29-Oct-2018
Rainbow KINection hosted their first ever 'Spring Fling Soiree' at The Court, celebrating the ATSI and LGBTI+ community and their allies. #rkspringfling #mentalhealthstartshere
Rainbow KINection hosted their first ever 'Spring Fling Soiree' at The Court, celebrating the ATSI and LGBTI+ community and their allies.

The Court staff and management transformed the upstairs bar into a magnificent menagerie of rainbows, glitter, and entertainment. The event doubled at as a birthday celebration! Rainbow KINection has been broadcasting for over a year!

On Thursday the 11th of October, the doors opened at 5.00pm for what would be a highlight for Noongar Radio and a very memorable evening.

The Spring Fling Soiree was registered as one of 200 official WAAMH events during mental health week. WAAHM is the Western Australian Association for Mental Health and the peak body for community mental health in Western Australia.

The current team consists of Melissa Brandis, Simone Springer, Jak Jay, Marley Amphlett, and C. DASPLAA founder, Nita Jane Spedding, and Vice President of Equity and Diversity at ECU, Vesh Arumugam, were the charismatic co-hosts of the evening. This event was an opportunity to give a last hurrah to program co-founder Hartley Williams before he moves on to new and exciting pursuits.

Uncle Jeremy Garlett, a co-founder of Noongar Radio, provided a traditional Welcome to Country. He treated soiree attendees to a captivating didgeridoo performance and a dream-time narrative known as the start of the world. Uncle Jeremy had an almost hypnotic effect on his audience, as they eagerly listened to his story.

Noongar Radio favourite, DRIVE host and Program Manager Jeff Michael ensured the outside broadcast went to air without a hitch. Jak Jay was an expert roving reporter posting regular updates on social media throughout the night.

Notable attendees included acclaimed "Dandridge" musician and "Nights of Rock" host James Scott. James was nominated for a CBAA (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia) award for the best new program. "Nights of Rock" which airs twice weekly on Noongar Radio, is a parliamentary favourite. James stated that he 'Wouldn't miss this for the world' and shared his experience of being an Indigenous lgbti+ man, mental health and homophobia in the metal community.

"I want to talk about the coming together of the LGBT and the Metal Communities. Over the years' acceptance has been seen, growing strongly on the metal scene with well-respected and known musicians alike openly coming out as gay or trans. This is a good thing, although there is still a long way to go."

Auntie Esther Montgomery, a Mardudhunera woman from the Pilbara and a staunch, well-respected Indigenous activist came to join the party.

Auntie Esther cited Rainbow KINection and Noongar Radio as "An Aboriginal organisation showing true leadership." Auntie Esther currently sits on the reference group for the Western Australian LGBTI Health Strategy and continues to advocate fiercely for the First Nations LGBTI+ community.

Jim Morrison, a Noongar man, activist, and founding member of Reconciliation WA, three times the Aboriginal Co-chair of the National Stolen Generations Alliance, the Co-convenor of Bringing Them Home (WA) and the inaugural Chair of the WA Stolen Generations Alliance; offered his support to Rainbow KINection and Noongar Radio by attending and enjoying the nights entertainment.

This free community event attracted over 100 people in total including socialite and "Gospel Celebrations" host Anthony Ward and "The Smashcrew Sports show's" Noel 'Noelzy' Johnstone. Anthony has experience working in remote areas as a counsellor and chaplain and has a passion for mental health work. Noelzy is a committed and enthusiastic sports commentator who came to show his support for his fellow volunteers and to discuss a collaboration with Rainbow KINection, planning a 'Pride in Sports' show. Watch this space.

Fremantle based 'gliteratti' Mr. and Mrs. Sparkles (Mark Redenbach and Belle Maccoll) added a little magic to the soiree, offering free festival glitter throughout the evening.

Poets Scott-Patrick Mitchell, Jaimee Louise, and Saoirse Nash waxed lyrical about relationships, sexuality and mental health and received a standing ovation.

Local MC's DJ Silence and DJ D'lyte spun unique and catchy tracks on the dance-floor.

An hour of comedy was hosted by the charismatic and well-mannered Alissia Marsh. Performers included a who's who of the Perth stand-up scene;Ayden Doherty, Sean Conway, Pony, Tank Stain, Brad Hearne, Emo, Zeppo, and Charlotte Glance headlined by Nick Monisse and "Silence of the Labia's" Simone Springer.

Internationally successful magician, Mr. Boylesque winner and ukulele player Jon Madd stunned onlookers with his acoustic version of 'Creep' by Radiohead.

Lenny Rudeburg , also known as the quirky and comedic Wisdom2th, had the crowd bopping their heads in delight. Wisdom2th was followed by soulful acoustic performances by Nelson Moore, Ornella and WAMA (West Australian Music Awards) and NAIDOC Perth 2018 Music Awards nominee 'Because of Her We Can' singer Natasha Eldridge.

Rainbow KINection is Perth's first ever Indigenous LGBTIQAP+ program and is broadcast Thursday nights on Perth's only Aboriginal radio station Noongar Radio 100.9fm.

Rainbow KINection has been proudly broadcasting for over a year and is looking forward to many more successful years to come. Rainbow KINection is currently nominated as a finalist for the Best New Program at the CBAA awards. (Community Broadcasting Association of Australia)

The first ever episode was hosted by Melissa Brandis and Simone Springer in 2017 and included an interview with Greens member Lynn McLaren.

Rainbow KINection has a focus on providing a safe, open platform for people who identify as first nations, LGBTI+ and their allies. They continue to strive to close the gap, end discrimination and provide a voice for the silenced.

If you are interested in joining the Rainbow KINection team in this years' PRIDE parade be sure to register your interest in the First Nations/LGBT+ float here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/302396150539997/

Rainbow KINection can be heard on Noongar Radio or streamed on www.noongarradio.com on Thursday nights from 6.00pm.

https://www.facebook.com/rainbowkinection/

For Crisis support call Q Life.
1800 184 527
qlife.org.au
3pm-12am everyday (AEST)
#mentalhealthstartshere

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