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The Swanston Gazette •

San Cisco on their new album Under the Light

Under the Light is more experimental, with the trio showing their maturity in reflective lyrics and dreamy melodies. The recording of the album took place in their hometown, Fremantle, and the ease of their production is evident.

“We just wanted to have a different writing and recording process than we’ve ever done before. It was the first time that we worked with James Ireland, who wrote and produced the record with us,” Jordi told The Swanston Gazette.

While production may have been tough, t

Leading in more ways than one | Parliament of Victoria

For the first time in its history the Victorian Legislative Council has more female than male MPs.

‘Women represent 55 per cent,’ says Georgie Purcell, one of Victoria’s new crop of MPs, elected at the 2022 state poll.

Victoria’s also getting close to equal numbers of women and men in the Legislative Assembly.

It’s been a long journey to get here from 1923 when legislation was passed enabling women to stand for election to the Victorian Parliament.

According to Purcell, who represents the No
Scout •

Think You’re a Coffee Expert? There Are Only (Officially) 140 in Australia

Melbourne is internationally renowned for its cafe scene and coffee quality – and that quality has been driven by a demand from locals and tourists seeking a top-notch experience with every cup. But delivering a great coffee consistently takes more than just repetition.

For every great coffee company in Australia, there’s a chance that somewhere behind-the-scenes there’s a certified Q-Arabica Grader pulling the strings. Q-Graders are to coffee what master sommeliers are to wine.

Craig Simon is
Scout •

The Minimum Wage Is Increasing – Here’s How It Affects You

The national minimum wage is increasing by 8.6 per cent to $23.23 per hour following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review this month. The increase means the weekly minimum wage increases to $882.80 per week from July 1, based on a 38-hour work week.

And award rates will increase by 5.75 per cent. These increases should come as a relief to around 2.7 million Australians who are paid minimum wage and award rates – almost a quarter of Australia’s workforce collectively.

The Fair Work Com
Scout •

Your HECS Debt Is Increasing This Week

The HECS (HELP) debt annual indexation will rise by 7.1 per cent on June 1 across Australia, with student debts increasing significantly.

It’s the biggest increase in 33 years and students can expect to see their debts rise by an average of $1,700.

While HECS is an interest-free loan, indexation is applied to the debt to maintain its real value and to align with the current cost of living and inflation.

Indexation is influenced by the cost of living which is measured through the Consumer Pric
The Swanston Gazette •

REVIEW: Goddess. Power. Glamour. Rebellion - celebrating women in film

The exhibit begins with bright pink surroundings and a sign that reads “Goddess”, preparing you for what is to come. Heading down the stairs, you are engulfed in walls of silver and sparkles - the perfect representation of glamour and “femininity”.

Turning the corner, the iconic Marilyn Monroe song “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend” is being played on a loop with various women imitating the instantly recognisable ensemble. From Blake Lively to Margot Robbie to Chantelle Winnie, the hot pink dr
Scout •

Working From Hospo: How Remote Work Habits Are Changing

Sitting down with your laptop to finish some work in a cafe isn’t a new concept. But in a post-Covid world and with hybrid working arrangements becoming the norm, working from a cafe is significantly increasing in popularity.

Dubbed “Working from Hospo” by hybrid workers – working from a cafe, a restaurant or a hotel – employees spend their day away from home or the office. Workers feel it is a more productive form of hybrid working, being able to work individually and efficiently.

Results fro
Scout •

Melbourne Event: Coffee Cupping With Industry Experts

Coffee cupping with Melbourne roaster Criteria Coffee and its supplier Far More will give the opportunity for baristas or people interested in the technical side of the trade to expand their coffee knowledge and palate.

You’ll learn how to identify different blends by smelling and tasting, as well as how to simplify your language around coffee. The class is open to people with any level of coffee knowledge.

Tickets are free, and attendees will be able to indulge in tasting and comparing coffee
Scout •

Sydney Event: Gin Workshop and Tasting at Four Pillars Laboratory

Expand your understanding of gin production and further your bartending skills with Four Pillars’ gin workshop this month. Increase your knowledge of alcohol production, learn how to mix a great drink and hear from in-house gin experts throughout the workshop.

You’ll be greeted with a drink to kick off the event. From there, a gin-tasting of Four Pillars’ signature drinks will be distributed followed by “made from gin” snacks. Participants will also receive a discount at the gin shop on their w
The Swanston Gazette •

Swanston’s Pick: May in Melbourne

As winter creeps in and the nights grow longer, our city continues to come to life

The Melbourne's writers festival is one of many treats you can enjoy this month across the city

Melbourne is a cultural trifecta jam-packed with music, food and the arts.

Here are some must-sees you don’t want to miss this May.

Calling all writers! The city’s biggest reading and writing festival returns in 2023. Australia’s most prominent literary figures will take the stage with a series of talks, workshops a
Scout •

Melbourne Event: Sustainable Startups Pitch to the Entrepreneurial Community

If you’re interested in pitching your startup but not sure how to begin, you could learn some tips and tricks at Melbourne Accelerator Program’s (MAP) next event. Hear from new businesses and discover how they successfully pitched their ideas to investors to receive financial backing.

Run by the University of Melbourne, MAP is an accelerator program for Australia’s aspiring startups focused on making a positive impact on the world. Eleven startups have been selected for funding, and they’ll be
Scout •

Picks: Melbourne Writers Festival Events

A panel of experienced world travellers dive into the purpose of travel, and why it brings us pleasure. Hosted by celebrated writers Richard Fedler, Kris Kneen, Adam Liaw and Vicky Shukuroglou, who share stories of their own globetrotting exploits. An excellent discussion for all travel lovers to spark their interest in exploring the world.

Sentimental Journeys is on Sunday May 7 at The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne, at 12pm.

In an educational and informative panel, panellists will d
The Swanston Gazette •

REVIEW: Deadpan brings the dry comedy to MICF 2023

Dry humour and awkward tension make for a hilarious night with Deadpan

For comedy lovers, Nathan Hugh Robért and James G Warren’s Deadpan duo is a great show to see at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

As veteran comedians, the comedians are testing out their material for the first time at this years’ Festival, and with jokes described as “dryer than the Sahara desert”, their show certainly delivers.

Hidden within the city, the pair perform almost every night during the fes
The Swanston Gazette •

Reserve Bank of Australia temporarily pauses interest rate increases

Interest rate hikes have been temporarily put on hold, bringing relief for many Australians

The Reserve Bank (RBA) has put interest rates on hold temporarily following yesterday’s board meeting on April 4.

Interest rates will remain at 3.5 per cent and the cash rate target will stay at 3.6 per cent, but this still remains at its highest since May 2012.

After ten historic interest rate hikes since May 2022, renters, buyers and borrowers are sighing a breath of relief.

Acknowledging inflation
The Swanston Gazette •

Melbourne International Comedy Festival bringing the laughs in 2023

Buckle in for the funniest time of the year this Autumn with The Melbourne International Comedy Festival

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is roaring back for its 37th year from 29 March until 23 April with its most vivacious lineup yet.

This year’s festival features hundreds of shows throughout the state, from acts at the Geelong Library to Fed Square in the heart of Melbourne.

Audiences can expect outrageous comedy from homegrown and international comedians to breathtaking circus
The Swanston Gazette •

Review: Who are you? Ko wai koe? – Athens, Aotearoa & the art of Marian Maguire

The Hellenic Museum’s current exhibits explore Greece’s rich history and the impact of colonisation in New Zealand.

While semester begins for RMIT students here in Melbourne, the Hellenic Museum’s 8,000 years’ worth of art invites us to dream of myths, mortals, and Greece.

Located on William St near Flagstaff Gardens, the Hellenic Museum is Australia’s only museum exhibiting and preserving Greek art.

The building itself used to be the Royal Melbourne Mint but has now been transformed into an
Hyperlocal News •

West Melbourne’s cuddliest little dog

Winnie is known to be the cuddliest dog around town. In fact, Winnie’s owner Pat said if you even look at him, he’ll “beg for a cuddle”.

Adopted last April, Winnie is an almost one-year-old Toy Cavoodle who has a playful relationship with the family’s bird.

“We have a pet bird, an Indian Ringneck. They like to play and torture each other around the house. They’re very sweet together,” Pat said.

Winnie is also very obedient – he can shake his paw on command. •
Hyperlocal News •

MPavilion’s exciting February events calendar

MPavilion continues its ninth season at Queen Victoria Gardens in 2023 with a schedule of free thought-provoking events during February.

Located within the Southbank Arts Precinct, MPavilion is an ongoing architectural initiative of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, designed by Bangkok-based architecture and design practice all(zone).

Throughout this month, the structure will be transformed into an experimental “Material Lab”, with more than 150 creatives involved in various events centred around
Hyperlocal News •

Street soccer supports community

A community street soccer tournament supporting disadvantaged Victorians run by social enterprise The Big Issue will take place on November 18 in North Melbourne.

As part of its Victorian program, The Big Issue will host the event at the North Melbourne Community Centre on Boundary Rd, with disadvantaged players aged 16 and over from across Victoria to meet for a day of soccer and social interaction.

Founding the Community Street Soccer Program in 2007, the organisation provides free weekly se
Hyperlocal News •

Southbank3006 to host jam-packed community Christmas party

With Christmas just around the corner, community group Southbank3006 will bring celebrations to Southbank with its festive event this month.

As part of the City of Melbourne’s 2022 Christmas Collective Program, friends and family are welcome to attend the celebration on December 10 at Boyd Community Hub from 11am – 3pm.

Music lovers can enjoy live Christmas music from Melbourne’s own Glee Club, while animal lovers can watch the inaugural Southbank dog parade.

Locals can register their dog to
Hyperlocal News •

Christmas comes to Southbank

The Christmas cheer has come to Southbank this year and here is a list of festive events for everyone to attend.

Come to Queensbridge Square to swing on a giant illuminated bell or test out your dancing skills on a light-up dancefloor in a festive pop-up playground.

Marvel at a canopy of interactive flower petals or conduct the Lightphonic orchestra in a special installation on the red stairs from December 15-24.

Bring the whole family to South Wharf on December 18 from 5pm to 6pm for a free
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