Get moving at Parklife IDAHOBIT Movement Festival!

Cardinia Shire Council is pleased to be partnering with Proud2Play to host the free, entertainment-filled event at James Bathe Recreation Reserve (67 Caversham Drive, Pakenham), on Sunday 15 May from 11am to 3pm.

There will be sporting and movement activities, entertainment, face painting, giveaways, and food trucks. Some of the sporting and fun activities available to participate in on the day include Netball, Australian Rules Football, Soccer, Cricket, Lacrosse, Quidditch, and more!

South Sea Derby roller skating, VicSport and members of the Rainbow Sporting Alliance, which includes several state sporting associations and peak bodies, will also be joining the fun and encouraging everyone to try something new and celebrate IDAHOBIT while being active.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jeff Springfield encouraged Cardinia Shire’s LGBTIQ+ community and allies to come along to the event and get active.

“The Parklife IDAHOBIT Movement Festival is the perfect place to start getting active, connecting with others in our community and having a bit of fun!” said the Mayor.

“The event is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, movement and community connection.

“There’ll be something for everyone – from beginners to fitness enthusiasts. It’s all about getting active in sports and activities, and enjoying yourself with friends, family and allies in our local community.”

Developed by Proud2Play, Parklife is an initiative designed by and for the LGBTIQ+ community to encourage community members get active in a social, inclusive, and enjoyable way.

Cardinia Shire is one of five local government areas across Victoria who will host the Parklife initiative in 2022, alongside sites within City of Monash, City of Darebin, City of Melbourne, and Nillumbik Shire.

The initiative was established in 2021 and operated virtually due to COVID-19. This year Parklife is being re-launched and will continue to provide a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and active program for community members of all ages and abilities.

This is a free event and registration is not required. All ages and abilities welcome.

Attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and footwear (e.g., runners) and bring picnic blanket to sit on.

The Mayor added that the day will also celebrate the triumphs and history of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

“Council stands for inclusion and our participation in IDAHOBIT on and around 17 May each year helps to show LGBTIQ+ people in Cardinia Shire that Council supports them.”

On 17 May 1990, the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. IDAHOBIT celebrates our global LGBTIQ+ community and raises awareness for the work still needed to increase acceptance and reduce discrimination.

For more information about IDAHOBIT and some of the issues still facing our LGBTIQ+ community in Australia online at www.idahobit.org.au/index.php/get-active/the-stats

Cardinia Shire Council encourages a sense of belonging within our shire. We support an inclusive community comprised of people from diverse backgrounds, including and not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, those identifying as LGBTIQ+, people of faith, and people of all ages, genders and abilities.