Thorne Harbour Country

04/11/2025

Come along THIS THURSDAY (6th Nov) for cuppa and conversation at the Thorne Harbour Country monthly social cuppa.

November is the month for Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Remembrance. To recognise these important dates on the calendar, we have official Thorne Harbour Country fidget spinners in trans colors to give away.

We will also have Fran Shaw from Bendigo Health HOPE program attending to say hello and provide a 5min presentation of the service.

Please register for this free event here: https://events.humanitix.com/thorne-harbour-country-or-monthly-inclusive-social-cuppa-or-nov-2025

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday from 10am-12pm

03/11/2025

Come along to Thorne Harbour Country Community Hub tomorrow (Tue 4th Nov) from 10am - 12pm and join the working bee to sort and hang new donations for the Open Closet clothing swap.

Tue 4th Nov
10am-12pm
Thorne Harbour Country Community Hub
58 Mundy Street, Bendigo

Aren't registered as a volunteer?
Click this link to register: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1703133109
or come along tomorrow and we can help you register before you begin.

30/10/2025

World AIDS Day is December 1 annually & is fast approaching! We’d love to have you volunteer in our street appeal locally in Bendigo, or get your workplace involved, donate, or join our Red Ribbon Run in Melbourne. Chat to us about your options today!

Learn more about our wide range of World AIDS Day events and fundraisers. Discover how you and your organisation can get involved to show your support for people living with HIV.

30/10/2025

Register today for our next FREE Woodworking Group for LGBTIQA+ community, friends and allies.

Want to try something different?

Connect with the LGBTIQA+ community?

Explore a different form of creative expression in a safe and affirming space, co-facilitated by Thorne Harbour Country and the Salvation Army.

Open to all ages, skill levels and abilities.

Friends and allies welcome!

Tue 11th Nov
10am-12pm

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/lgbtiqa-community-woodworking-group

27/10/2025

🏳️‍⚧️-ATTENTION TRANS FOLKS- 🏳️‍⚧️
We are recording series two of the Regional Transgender Podcast and we want YOU to join the conversation.

Expressions of Interest are open NOW and close at 10am on Wednesday 29th October.

Register now at: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-eoi

Recording will take place in Echuca on Yorta Yorta Country on 12th November and the podcast will be launched at Victoria’s Pride Street Party during Midsumma Festival.

Participants will be provided with podcast training and guidance, so no previous experience is required.

A small honorarium for your time will be provided, along with lunch and snacks on recording day, AND the opportunity to attend Victoria's Pride Street Party during Midsumma Festival.

We can also provide transport options if needed. If there are other barriers to participation that you would like to explore support for, or would like more information, please contact Thorne Harbour Country on 4400 9000 or thcountry@thorneharbour.org

Register before 10am on 29th Oct here: https://tinyurl.com/podcast-eoi

Not sure what to expect?
You can watch a preview of series one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1A54MT_ZQ0
- There is no experience needed as training and support to speak on a panel style podcast will be provided.

Regional Trans Podcast - Series 2, is delivered by Thorne Harbour Country, with support of headspace Echuca, Echuca Regional Health and Greater Bendigo Loddon Campaspe Mental Health and Wellbeing Local.

Regional Trans Podcast - Series 2, has been supported through Victoria’s Pride, a partnership between the Victorian Government and Midsumma.

22/10/2025

Last chance to register for in person on online access to this event TODAY!
If you are interested in hearing from any or all of these amazing speakers, please register and come along for the session this afternoon from 2pm-4pm.
For more information and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/pride-resilience

We have a fantastic line up of speakers for our Ageing with Pride and Resilience panel discussion.

Presented by: Thorne Harbour Country, with the support of Bendigo Health

This event will feature LGBT aged care specialists and peer workers sharing lived experiences and sector expertise. The discussion will focus on practical strategies you can take back to your workplace, including:
• Supporting residents through isolation, dementia, and disclosure
• Responding respectfully to s*xuality and intimacy
• Strengthening LGBT cultural safety within aged care and mental health services
• Practical actions and service improvement

Who should attend:
Aged care workers, PCA's, nurses, mental health professionals, managers, policy makers, and anyone committed to improving inclusive service delivery.

Cost: Free
Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/pride-resilience

We hope you can join us in this important conversation to ensure that all LGBT people in our care are supported to age with dignity, connection, and pride.

Can’t make it in person? A Zoom link can be sent for you to join remotely. Please register to obtain Zoom link.

21/10/2025

Is doxy-PEP right for you? 🤔⬇️

Doxy-PEP may be suitable if you’re a cisgender gay, bi+ or other man who has s3x with men, or a trans woman.

Currently, there's not enough research on whether doxy-PEP is effective for transmasculine people and cisgender women.

Australian s3xual health experts have released a decision making tool for doxy-PEP that you can find in our doxy-PEP article (🔗).

Check with your doctor if Doxy-PEP is right for you.

Wanna know more? Check out emen8.com.au/doxy to find out...

🤔What is doxy-PEP?
🗺️Where can I get it?
💵How much does it cost?
💊How do I take it?
❔Doxycycline side effects

20/10/2025

AGEING WITH PRIDE AND RESILIENCE
Introducing panelist: DI CONNORS

Di is an ageing LGBTIQA+ community member. Di has worked in the Health, Aged Care, Disability, and Education sectors, and is currently the Community Volunteers & Diversity Engagement Coordinator at Central Highlands Rural Health.

As a child who experienced a traumatic brain injury and the years of recovery that followed, Di gained qualifications through adult learning, while working and raising 3 beautiful sons. Now the proud grandmother of 3.33 grandchildren. Di moved to the area 2 years ago working in the Living and Ageing Well in Hepburn project. While working in this project, community feedback throughout the Hepburn Shire showed there is a large portion of the LGBTIQA+ community that feels disconnected and disempowered.

While there are pockets of safe and inclusive communities all through the shire, feeling safe, welcomed, empowered and heard is inconsistent and not “the norm” for many LGBTIQA+ community members. Di is passionate about contributing the conversation from an on the ground, lived experience perspective.

Di will be speaking as part of our Ageing with Pride and Resilience panel on Thu 23rd Oct.
Book your free ticket here:
https://events.humanitix.com/pride-resilience

20/10/2025

AGEING WITH PRIDE AND RESILIENCE
Introducing panelist: IAN GOULD

Ian has tertiary qualifications in agricultural science, agricultural engineering and management. He worked in agri-food research and research management, with the Dept of Agriculture Victoria, the Australian Food Industry Science Centre and the CSIRO. For over 40 years he has volunteered with many Melbourne based LGBTIQ+ community organisations and government advisory committees. He is a Life Member of Thorne Harbour Health and the Mid Summa Festival and was a board member of Pride Foundation Australia for over 10 years. Ian returned to the country after retirement, and now lives near Castlemaine.

Ian will be speaking as part of our Ageing with Pride and Resilience panel on Thu 23rd Oct.
Book your free ticket here:
https://events.humanitix.com/pride-resilience

19/10/2025

AGEING WITH PRIDE AND RESILIENCE
Introducing panelist: Dr LINDA KIRKMAN

Dr Linda Kirkman is a s*x educator, s*x therapist, and independent scholar with a background in education and public health. Her work covers s*xuality, s*xual health, and relationships across the lifespan, especially in later life. With a strengths-based, inclusive, and s*x-thoughtful approach that emphasises psychological safety Linda’s work is current and engaging. Cats like her, although she is a dog person, owned by a Jack Russell terrier.

Dr Kirkman will be speaking as part of our Ageing with Pride and Resilience panel on Thu 23rd Oct.
Book your free ticket here:
https://events.humanitix.com/pride-resilience

16/10/2025

AGEING WITH PRIDE AND RESILIENCE
Introducing panelist: MAX PRIMER

Max is a 76 year old gay man , who spends time volunteering at hospitals and aged care facilities, driving patients to appointments and presenting Radio shows in my home town and Bendigo. Max came out at age 15, in 1964, and has had an amazing and wonderful life. Max is very happy to be able to still give back to his community and help anyone whenever, wherever.

Max will be speaking as part of our Ageing with Pride and Resilience panel on Thu 23rd Oct.
Book your free ticket here:
https://events.humanitix.com/pride-resilience

14/10/2025

Our team had a great morning at the first session of the LGBTIQA+ Community Woodworking Group. We started making bird boxes with some great instruction by the facilitators.
If you want to learn some new skills or just get your hands onto some great tools, be sure to register and attend the second session which will be on the 11th November.
More details and to register, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/lgbtiqa-community-woodworking-group