Echuca Moama Pride chairperson Brendan Ridges, Campaspe Shire councillor Zoe Cook and Thorne Harbour Country’s Zara Jones raising the pride flag at council’s IDAHOBIT event in Hopwood Gardens. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is marked each May 17 as a chance to reflect on progress made and challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
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Campaspe Shire Council paused to acknowledge the occasion with a ceremony on Friday, May 16 at Echuca’s Hopwood Gardens.
Led by Echuca Moama Pride chairperson Brendan Ridges, the ceremony featured speeches and a pride flag-raising ceremony, along with stallholders from LGBTQIA+ partner services.
Campaspe Shire councillors Paul Jarman, Zoe Cook, and Rob Amos (right), Thorne Harbour Country’s Zara Jones and Echuca Moama Pride’s Brendan Ridges.
Cr Zoe Cook spoke about the importance of the community acknowledging events like IDAHOBIT.
“IDAHOBIT is a significant day dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide, and focuses on promoting their rights and inclusion,” she said.
“While IDAHOBIT has evolved over the years, its purpose remains the same: to celebrate the progress we have made and to continue raising awareness of the inequality and discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face today.”
MIND Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Echuca representatives Brittany Imhoff and Devmi Piyadigama.
Cr Cook highlighted the work the council is doing to support the nine communities of priority identified in its access and inclusion strategy, among them LGBTQIA+ individuals.
She also reflected on the theme for this year’s event, ‘The Power of Communities’.
“Campaspe Shire Council recognises and celebrates our queer community as one of our nine communities of priority, and is actively working towards greater inclusion and support,” she said.
“The theme for 2025 highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity... today we celebrate the rich contributions our LGBTQIA+ community makes to Campaspe Shire.”
Thorne Harbour Country, Mind Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Echuca, and Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond were among the stallholders.
Thorne Harbour Country community development worker and Mind Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Echuca LGBTQIA+ lived experienced peer worker Zara Jones was guest speaker.
She spoke about her experiences living as a trans woman, and how she chooses to focus on the positive stories that have emerged since coming out.
“Being transgender is not the sum of who I am, I’m also a parent, partner, a gardener, I volunteer in the community, I’m a small business owner,” she said.
“And, among many joyous moments, I’ve also navigated my share of life’s challenges.”
“Instead of focusing on the many stories I could share of discrimination, I’d rather invite you to stand with me in our shared humanity, connections, and care for one another.”
Headspace Echuca manager Meaghan Sully and Thorne Harbour Country’s Brody Clayton.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Also reflecting on the event’s 2025 theme, she emphasised the role communities play in supporting LGBTQIA+ people.
“The power of communities is not how tightly we hold on to our own identity, but how generously we extend it,” she said.
“Let’s come together not just for IDAHOBIT, but every day, so we can build a community where LGBTQIA+ people and all people don’t just survive, but they thrive.”
Cr Cook, Brendan Ridges and Zara Jones together raised the pride flag to close the ceremony.
Across Echuca’s central business district, progress pride flags are colouring the street scape, and the Campaspe Shire offices were brought to life with rainbow lights on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17.
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