Engaging Men in Building Gender Equality

Centre for Research on Men and Masculinities (CROMM)

University of Wollongong November 28th – 30th 2012

Conference: Engaging Men in Building Gender Equality Host: Centre for Research on Men and Masculinities (CROMM), University of Wollongong Date: November 28 – 30, 2012 Location: Wollongong Venue: Building 67 – McKinnon Building

Acknowledgment We would like to acknowledge the Dharawal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which the University of Wollongong stands.

Conference Organisers Michael Flood Richard Howson

Contacts: Michael Flood: Phone 0415 082 733 Email [email protected]

Thanks We would like to thank the Faculty of Arts, University of Wollongong, and particularly the Institute for Social Transformation Research (ISTR), for seed funding and administrative support. We also thank the student volunteers who have assisted in the running of the conference.

The information in this booklet can be downloaded from the conference website http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/research/cromm/workshops/UOW134355.html Please consult the website for late changes.

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Program Wednesday 28th November

Building 67 Foyer 7.30 – 8.30pm Conference Reception and Drinks

Thursday 29th November Building 67 Room 101 8.00 – 9.00am Registration Welcome and Overview 9.00 – 9.30am Michael Flood Richard Howson Keynote address: Jeff Hearn – Uses and Abuses of the Political 9.30 – 10.30am Category of “Men” in Activism, Policy and Theorising 10.30 – 11.00am Morning tea – (all breaks will be in the Building 67 Foyer) Keynote address: Christine Beasley – Caution! Hazards Ahead: Considering the potential theory/practice gap between 11.00 – 12.00pm men/masculinities theorising and practical pro-feminist interventions Stream A Stream B Streams Building 67 - Room 101 Building 67 - Room 102 12.00 – 1.00pm Engaging Men in Ending Men’s Work and Violence Against Women Endless Journey to Engage Men Mining With(out) Masculinity: In Ending Violence Against Gender and sexuality in the 12.00 – 12:30pm Women in Nusa Tenggara mining industry (Dean Indonesia (Nur Hasyim) Laplonge) Engaging Men and Boys to Gendering Change: How to Reduce Violence Against engage men with women in 12:30 – 1.00pm Women (Abu Sufian) building gender equality in masculinist workplaces (Susan Harwood)

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Thursday 29th November 1.00 – 2.00pm Lunch Stream A Stream B Streams Building 67 - Room 101 Building 67 - Room 102 2.00 – 3:30pm Health Engaging Men in Ending Men’s Violence Against Women Men’s Involvement in Engaging Men in the Struggle to Reproductive Health: An Eliminate Violence Against 2.00 – 2.30pm Indonesian Muslim context Women (Dorothy Oben) (Rachmad Hidayat) “We’ve got to break down the Living and Dying at the Sexual shame”: Critiquing portrayals of Abyss’ Border: Questions about 2.30 – 3.00pm men’s disparate mental health gender-based violence and outcomes in news media (Brett masculinities in Mexico’s Ciudad Scholz) Juarez (Veronica Oxman) Sexual Dysfunction as Both The Violence Prevention Gender Cause and Outcome of Rural and Audit Tool – A tool for 3.00 – 3.30pm Remote Australian Men’s Health examining men’s engagement (William O’Hehir) in preventing violence against women (Tracy Castelino) 3.30 – 4.00pm Afternoon tea Stream A Stream B Streams Building 67 - Room 101 Building 67 - Room 102 4.00 – 5.00pm Working with Men Men and Gender Equality in Post- war and Post-colonial contexts Working with Men to ‘Nothing is clear now’: Undermine Male Privilege: Negotiating equality and 4.00 – 4.30pm Possibilities and limitations colonialism through the lives of (Stephen Fisher) twelve Acehnese men (David Duriesmith) “No Man is Allowed to be Vulnerable”: Fitting the rape of 4.30 – 5.00pm men in armed conflict into feminist analysis of wartime sexual violence (Sara Meger) 5.00pm Finish Conference Dinner: Halong Bay Vietnamese Restaurant. 7.30pm 52 Crown Street Wollongong

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Friday 30th November

Building 67 Room 101 8.00 – 9.00am Registration Keynote address: Bob Pease – Disengaging Men from Patriarchy: 9.00 – 10.00am Rethinking the man question in Masculinity Studies Keynote address: James Lang – Men’s Use and Experiences of 10.00 – 11.00am Violence in Asia and the Pacific: Closing the gap between research and practice 11.30 – 11.30am Morning tea Stream A Stream B Streams Building 67 - Room 101 Building 67 - Room 102 11.30 -1.00pm Engaging Men in Ending Men’s Boys and Childcare; Workplaces; Violence Against Women Fathers Selling Change: Social Engaging Boys in Building marketing to prevent men’s Gender Equality: Reflections 11.30 – 12.00pm violence against women (White from primary school research Ribbon Foundation – Kate (Clare Bartholomaeus) Alexander) Workshop: Fishbowl: Violence Male Kindergarten Teacher against women as a Assistants’ Perceptions of issue (White Ribbon Caring Practice: Moving away 12.00 – 12.30pm Foundation – Brooke Cromar) from the misery rationale to build gender equality in

childcare education (Leif Askland) The Social Construction of Men as Caring Fathers – Implications 12.30 – 1.00pm for gender equality (Graeme Russell) 1.00 – 2.00pm Lunch

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Friday 30th November

Stream A Stream B Streams Building 67 - Room 101 Building 67 - Room 102 2.00 – 3.00pm Men, Gender, and Culture Working with Men 2.00 – 2.30pm Men and Caring: Towards Workshop: Terms of ecological masculinism (Paul Engagement – Some practical Pule) tools and techniques for involving men in building 2.30 – 3.00pm “The Problem Is That He’s A gender equality in our Man, Not That He’s Bisexual”: Bi workplaces (Susan Harwood) men by women (Maria Pallotta- Chiarolli) 3.00 – 3.30pm Afternoon tea Stream A Stream B Streams Building 67 - Room 101 Building 67 - Room 102 3.30 – 5.00pm Men, Gender, and Culture Men and Risky Masculinity: Exploring the FILM: The Bro Code: How relationship between young Contemporary Culture Creates 3.30 – 4.00pm men, hegemonic masculinity, Sexist Men (Joseph Salemi) and risky practices (Adam Presentation and group Rogan) discussion The Man-Shed: Weekend work, 4.00 – 4.30pm the garage and modern capitalism (Thomas Birtchnell) Rugby League Against Violence – Changing Conceptions of 4.30 – 5.00pm Masculinity Through Sport (Adam Everill) 5.00 – 5.30pm Wrap up, conclusions, and where to next Building 67 Room 101 5.30pm Conference closes

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Titles, abstracts, and bionotes Please note that the following table is organised in alphabetical order by presenters’ surnames.

Leif Askland Male Kindergarten Teacher Assistants’ Perceptions of Caring Practice: Moving away from the misery rationale to build gender equality in childcare education [email protected] Abstract: Leif Askland is an assistant professor at the Oslo and Akershus University College of Through an analysis of how a group of male kindergarten teacher assistants perceive Applied Sciences, Norway. He lectures in themselves as caring persons, this paper explores issues of gender equality in childcare pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and education. The discourses that have dominated the early childhood education domain works also in projects aiming to recruit men have traditionally been guided by a female-male dichotomy, which marginalises men for work in kindergartens. He has written through a so-called ‘misery rationale’. Discussions have conventionally focused on the several books on this topic. He is much used overrepresentation of boys and men in violence statistics, prison and special education for gender and gender equity courses in (Raundalen 1998); however, little attention has been afforded to the actual practices, kindergartens. identities and relations that underpin masculinities within this traditionally female domain. In this paper, I will address this gap through an analysis of texts written by male kindergarten teacher assistants about their caring practices. I aim to illustrate how discrimination towards and misconceptions of men’s complex caring practices rests upon stereotypes rather than actual caring practices. The paper aims to trigger discussions about strategies to enhance vocational training, by which male kindergarten teacher assistants may be given an opportunity to reflect upon their own practices and, subsequently, develop more advanced and nuanced caring practices. Subsequently, it addresses questions of programs and policies that relate to gender equality in the domain of men and women caring for children.

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Clare Bartholomaeus Engaging Boys in Building Gender Equality: Reflections from primary school research [email protected] Abstract: Dr Clare Bartholomaeus recently completed her PhD at The University of Adelaide, This paper examines boys’ understandings of gender equality, drawing from research in where her thesis examined how gender two South Australian primary schools with students aged 6-7 and 11-13. This paper (with a focus on masculinities) was centres on the views and practices of boys which could be seen as beneficial to building understood and constructed by boys, girls, gender equality. This includes an examination of how some boys were already aware of teachers, and parents in primary school. gender (in)equality and the ways in which boys supported gender equality, such as by opposing violence against women. Possibilities for engaging boys in gender equality

via classroom activities are also discussed. The paper concludes with an examination of some of the barriers to engaging primary school boys in gender equality work. Christine Beasley Caution! Hazards Ahead: Considering the potential theory/practice gap between men/masculinities theorising and practical pro-feminist interventions [email protected] Abstract: Dr Chris Beasley is an Associate Professor in Politics and Co-Director of the Fay Gale In this paper I want to reflect on the relationship within critical studies in Centre for Research on Gender at the men/masculinities (CSMM) between theorising and practical interventions, specifically University of Adelaide. Her books include those interventions around men/masculinities and violence. My aim is to consider Heterosexuality in Theory and Practice (with potential disjunctions in pro-feminist CSMM between theoretical directions and Heather Brook and Mary Holmes, Routledge, practical interventions. In this way the paper returns to the perhaps perpetual problem 2012), Engaging with Carol Bacchi (edited of the theory/practice ‘divide’ and its implications. What might be our response? Do we with Angelique Bletsas, University of for instance intentionally ignore the disjunction as inevitable and of no consequence, or Adelaide Press, 2012), Gender & Sexuality: confront existing disjunctions in CSMM with the intention of bringing theory and Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers (Sage, practice into accord? Alternatively, do we adopt a bridging strategy which 2005), What is Feminism? (Sage, 1999) and acknowledges yet permits ongoing agonistic dissonance? Whatever approach might be Sexual Economyths (Allen & Unwin, 1994). taken, the relationship between theorising and practice concerned with She is currently writing a book on men/masculinities is of significance for both scholars and practitioners. contemporary popular film (Manchester

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UP). Dr Beasley is also engaged in several research projects, including critical thinking in the first year university experience, embodied ethics and revaluing care, innovations in heterosexuality and hetero- masculinity, and internet dating. Thomas Birtchnell The Man-Shed: the garage as a space of masculine learning [email protected] Abstract: Thomas Birtchnell is a Lecturer in Sociology Silicon Valley started with a garage and an idea, it is commonly said. The so-called ‘man- at the University of Wollongong. He was shed’ is a hallmark of masculinity and a particular context of male activity where previously a Research Associate in the gendered labour forms are routinized. But to conceive of the man-shed as a strictly Centre for Mobilities Research (CeMoRe) in utilitarian domain would be a mistake. This is a space for weekend and evening work; Sociology at Lancaster University. He was tinkering, hobbies and inventing; drinking, smoking and sleeping; and privacy, also an Associate of the Lancaster University contemplation and isolation. In this presentation the man-shed is examined not in Management School (LUMS) India Centre. isolation, but instead in its relationships to other spaces as a heterotopia—an ‘other Thomas was awarded his PhD in Sociology space’. The garage is a location where gender is performed and celebrated, both in the and Social Policy from The University of home and, through its ties to heroic innovation, in the public eye. The garage blurs the Sydney. line between salaried and unsalaried work, causing work to bleed into leisure time and domestic duties. In this manner the space reinforces gender divisions. With the spread of isolating technologies in the home—screens, the Internet and headphones— the man-shed has lost significance somewhat. In some cases the man-shed has become a second home itself with the addition of computer consoles, showers, wall-screens, heating and mini-bars. In other cases the man-shed has emerged as a community space where groups of males can work together on gendered recreational labour. This paper examines the context of the man-shed as a place where work forms and labour technologies are isolated, learned and gendered.

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Tracy Castelino The Violence Prevention Gender Audit Tool: A tool for examining men’s engagement in preventing violence against women [email protected] Abstract: Dr Tracy Castelino has been working to challenge and eliminate violence against It is critical that all members of the community are engaged if violence against women women for nearly 20 years. She has a is to be eliminated. Men need to be involved in the process of change. There is much passion for seeking respectful and debate about the roles and responsibilities of men; men perpetrating the violence, men innovative ways of working with individuals, working to eliminate violence against women and men’s response as part of the wider organisations and communities to respond community. Naming and exploring the different experiences of women and men to to the various issues that cause violence, and to the policies, programs and partnerships that work to build gender marginalisation and vulnerability. She equality in order to eliminate violence against women is politically and socially provides consultancy to organisations and important. individuals who are interested in In this presentation I would like to examine the engagement of men from a feminist challenging and men’s perspective with the use of the Violence Prevention Gender Audit Tool (VPGAT) that I violence against women. developed. This tool aims to minimise the replication of patriarchal practices as men work towards gender equality. The VPGAT is a participatory tool that examines change at a personal, group and institutional level, and builds common ground between people. Men’s engagement in preventing violence against women needs critical interrogation from feminist perspectives, with an analysis of the gender hierarchies, gender power relations and the strategic benefits for women and men. David Duriesmith Nothing is clear now’: Negotiating equality and colonialism through the lives of twelve Acehnese men. [email protected] Abstract: David is currently in the final stages of writing his PhD thesis on gender and new The politics of gender equality is enmeshed with other political commitments. An war at the University of Melbourne. Under existing attachment to other political objectives may provide the basis for men’s Partners for Prevention’s Student cooperation with feminist politics or establish barriers to men’s involvement. This paper Programme, David has been explores the relationship between colonialism and gender politics through the lives of employed to conduct analysis on life-history twelve Acehnese men. The respondent’s perceptions of gender equality were data from Aceh. The original data is owned influenced by their engagement with colonial resistance. For some of the men

10 by Partners for Prevention and UN Women interviewed their commitment to resisting colonialism in Aceh opened trajectories Indonesia. towards egalitarian practices. The perception that outside cultural forces had corrupted Aceh provided a justification for greater equality. For others their opposition to equality was justified by appealing to ‘authentic’ Acehnese culture. This paper suggests that using existing political momentum to forward the cause of gender equality provides significant opportunities and substantial risks in context of Aceh. This paper has been written under Partners for Prevention’s Student Mentorship Programme; David has been employed to conduct analysis on life-history data from Aceh for The Change Project. The original data is owned by Partners for Prevention and UN Women Indonesia. However David has been given permission by P4P to present his analysis at the CROMM conference, with the appropriate acknowledgements and approval. Adam Everill Rugby League Against Violence – Changing conceptions of masculinity through sport [email protected] Abstract: Adam Everill is the Founder and CEO of Rugby League Against Violence Papua New Guinea is the only nation in the world to have Rugby League as its national sport. Sadly, it also has one of the highest rates of family and sexual violence. Over two thirds of women in PNG have been victims of physical violence from a partner. One representative study found that 55% of women have been forced to have sex against their will, while 60% of men in the same study admitted to their involvement in gang rape. Rape and sexual violence are also key factors in some of PNG’s most critical public health issues, such as the worsening HIV epidemic. It is described as one of the greatest barriers to development for Papua New Guinea, highlighting the broader societal influence of these issues. So… can we use sanctioned violence to promote anti-violence? Rugby League Against Violence thinks so.

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Stephen Fisher Working with Men to Undermine Male Privilege: Possibilities and limitations [email protected] Abstract: Stephen Fisher teaches gender relations Based on his experience and research, Stephen Fisher will provide a feminist-informed within the diploma of community analysis of frameworks and approaches to doing gender equality training. He will argue development at Chisholm Institute and why ‘Engaging men in Violence Prevention’ is an ideological position that can be regularly assists the Fiji Women’s Crisis understood as part of the backlash against the gains of women’s rights organisations. In service working with men in the Pacific. He response, principles for training men to become allies for the women’s movement will is in the final stages of his PhD candidature be outlined. at Deakin University working on the thesis titled “Training men to be effective advocates for gender equality”.

Susan Harwood Gendering Change: How to engage men with women in building gender equality in masculinist workplaces [email protected] Abstract: Susan Harwood PhD, AFAIM, is the Director of her own company (Susan Harwood & Conservative, incremental and modest approaches to redressing gendered workplace Associates); she is a Gender Equity Strategist cultures have had limited success in challenging the demographic profile of densely and Independent Researcher who consults masculinist workplaces. Drawing from both my PhD study of women in police work and to a wide range of masculinist organisations my extensive practitioner experience I argue that combating highly institutionalised, on how to redress their gendered workplace entrenched masculinist practices calls for a more complex theoretical and practical cultures; clients include mining companies, landscape to support, define and enhance an examination of gendered workplace policing organisations and UN Women and cultures. The practical elements of this approach must also include training for men and Susan also works in Pacific countries on women in how to apply a “gender lens” to the policies and practices of their workplace. gender initiatives. One of several critical acts in the PhD research project was the collaborative engagement of men with women; in Sinclair’s (1998) terms this means enabling both men and women to see from a different viewpoint, moving from the familiar position of seeing women as “the problem”, and needing to change, to one where the problem is

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seen as belonging to the organisation (the organisation needs to change). The feminist framework developed for the PhD project continues to be instrumental in challenging and changing power relationships in other workplaces, to produce shared knowledge, joint identity work and ownership of outcomes. Workshop: Terms of Engagement: Some practical tools and techniques for involving men in building gender equality in our workplaces Abstract: Susan Harwood has extensive experience in the delivery of workshops designed to bring greater understanding of the “how to” of redressing gendered workplace cultures. This highly interactive and experiential workshop will enable a variety of stakeholders to gain some insights as well as some practical tools and techniques for successfully engaging men with women in building gender equality in their workplaces. Susan will draw on her research as well as her extensive background as a Consultant to masculinist organisations (such as CSIRO, Policing, Defence, mining and Corrective Services) to engage participants in a robust dialogue about the obstacles to building gender equality. Through a number of different mediums she will provide a structured learning environment that includes elements of gender mainstreaming, gender impact analysis and the “gender lens” approach. Relevant case studies will be used to amplify both the pitfalls and successes of trying to implement sustainable change. Drawing on her other work as an investigator of workplace , sexual harassment and discrimination Susan will provide insights on how the these elements of working life continue to inhibit the profile, progress and participation of women in workplaces that include law, science, engineering and Defence. Nur Hasyim Endless Journey To Engage Men In Ending Violence Against Women In Nusa Tenggara Indonesia [email protected]; Abstract: [email protected] The paper will present an initiative in raising awareness on gender equity and violence

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Nur Hasyim is gender trainer, counsellor for against women among men in East and West Nusa Tenggara Indonesia. This initial work male abusive partner and founder of Aliansi was carried out through various strategies ranged from informal talk to several days Laki-Laki Baru (New Men Alliance), a workshop and from unstructured discussion to organized and well prepared training. national alliance of men and women in Reflection approach was applied in this process which allowed men to reflect their own Indonesia who aim to create a space for thinking, attitude and behaviour related to gender and violence against women issue. critical dialogue on men and masculinities The approach was used to let the participant understand the forms of gender and promote new image of men that are innequality from their daily life and enable them to identify the cost that they should more gender sensitive and anti violence pay due to gender construction. The ultimate goal of this process is encouraging men against women. to transform their attitute and behaviour into more gender sensitive and anti violence against women. Although there were challenges to achieve this goal, the significant change was found among the key participant during the workshop and the initiative was recommended to be replicated in other part of Indonesia. Jeff Hearn Uses and Abuses of the Political Category of “Men” in Activism, Policy and Theorising [email protected] Abstract: Jeff Hearn has been involved in profeminist activism since 1978, and is Professor in “Men” as a gendered category is now on many social, cultural and political agendas. Gender Studies (Critical Studies on Men), How this has been framed has changed markedly over the last 35 years in many parts of Linköping University, Sweden; Professor of the world. In this session I examine some of these changes, along with the complex Management and Organisation, Hanken relations between the diverse politics of men’s gender-conscious activism, the School of Economics, Finland; and Professor development of explicitly gendered policy-making on men, and the establishment of of Sociology, University of Huddersfield, UK. the sub-field of critical studies on men and masculinities. In these arenas a crucial issue is to what extent and in what ways practices and theories of, on and around men and masculinities are critical, or not, and how they relate to wider feminist and gender debates and theorising. This session draws on the 18-country collection, Men and Masculinities Worldwide: Transforming Men’s Practices (edited with Elisabetta Ruspini, Bob Pease and Keith Pringle, 2011, Palgrave Macmillan), as well as more specific studies on Finland, Sweden, UK and the European Union, for example, the EU study on the Role of Men in Gender Equality.

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Rachmad Hidayat Men’s Involvement in Reproductive Health: An Indonesian Muslim context [email protected] Abstract: Rachmad Hidayat is a PhD candidate at The presentation will outline a research project aimed at developing strategies for Monash University, with research interests improving men participation in reproductive health in Muslim communities in including masculinity, gender in Islam, and Yogyakarta and Central Java. The absence of men’s participation in reproductive domestic violence. practices was associated with wide ranging issues including the negligence of women’s reproductive health, rights and needs; illegal and unsafe abortion, Sexual Transmitted Infections; and domestic-sexual violence. Religion, culture as well as gender stereotype deeply embedded in the medical system and practices significantly contributed to this condition. The research examined sociological and cultural constrains for men’s involvement in reproductive health, prospective areas and forms of men’s participations, the practices suitable for different stages of women’s reproductive experience and further looked at theological foundations in Islam. The information was collected using a limited scale survey, interviews and by a group discussion; involving participants working in different areas related to reproductive health and women’s issues. Some of the main findings suggest that men’s absence in reproductive responsibility and duties was deeply affected by complex social taboos, gender ideology and masculinity amongst Muslims in Java. This led to insensitivity, masculine insecurity and lack of skill amongst men in responding women’s reproductive needs and rights. Based on the findings, a pre-marital short course programme was launched together with its module aiming at promoting men’s participation in this issue, to be applied at the sub-district marriage administrative levels. James Lang Men’s Use and Experiences of Violence in Asia and the Pacific: Closing the gap between research and practice [email protected] Abstract: James Lang is a development practitioner working on violence prevention and The presentation will highlight critical reflections and learning from Partners for involving boys and men in work towards Prevention’s research and programming in Asia and the Pacific. The presentation will gender justice. James as worked on these draw from new quantitative and qualitative research with men in this region, and our

15 issues for the UN family and non-profit view of how current programme approaches to involve boys and men in violence organisations since 1997. Since 2008, James prevention can be improved. The presentation will offer suggestions for merging new has been the Coordinator of “Partners for research and practice by addressing the site-specific factors strongly associated with Prevention”, a UN regional joint programme perpetration as well as opportunities for building on men’s peaceful practices and for gender-based violence prevention in support of gender justice. Work with boys and men needs to move beyond Asia-Pacific, based in Bangkok, Thailand. instrumental, small-scale projects that aim to influence individual level changes - often www.partners4prevention.org in relative isolation - towards more holistic evidence- and theory-based prevention approaches that reflect the complex context in which social change occurs, and the multiple risk and protective factors associated with violence at different levels of society. Dean Laplonge Mining With(out) Masculinity [email protected] Abstract: Dr Dean Laplonge is the Director of Factive, The mining industry in Australia is a heavily masculinised world. From the board rooms a cultural research consultancy which works to the operational work areas, aggression, competitiveness, bullying and a “know-it-all” with large resource companies in Canada attitude are commonplace. New employees are expected to “fit in or fuck off”—the and Australia to address cultural issues in colloquial definition in mining for FIFO. Those who do not or who will not display such the industry. Dean is also an Adjunct Senior practices of masculinity are labelled as “princesses” who need to toughen up. How do Lecturer at the Journalism and Media you bring “queer” into this? How do you encourage the men and women of mining to Research Centre at the University of New recognise and respond to practices of gender which are damaging and hurtful? In South Wales. His focus area is gender in the defence of their industry, many mine employees will argue that things have changed. resources industries. Men are no longer able to behave in ways they did a few decades ago. Women have carved out successful careers for themselves at all levels in the industry. And everybody knows of a gay person—or two—working on site. Yet the continuation of a preference for heteronormative practices of gender prevails. As a result, the sexual harassment of women, and an acceptable rejection of anything or anybody deemed to be feminine are commonplace.

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Sara Meger “No Man is Allowed to be Vulnerable”: Fitting the rape of men in armed conflict into feminist analysis of wartime sexual violence [email protected] Abstract: Sara Meger recently completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne, which studied Dominant narratives in international relations and security treat sexual violence in the use of sexual violence in contemporary conflict as an exceptional form of gender-based violence, perpetrated primarily against armed conflicts. She currently lectures in women and girls. Due to underreporting and a programmatic bias of focusing only on global criminology at the University of women, the sexual violence experienced by men in many contemporary conflicts has Melbourne. Her research interests include: been largely overlooked in both policy formation and academic analysis. gender, international relations, masculinity, This paper seeks to understand the occurrence of sexual violence against men and boys and militarisation and conflict. in armed conflict by positioning it within (and against) the current feminist discourse on wartime sexual violence. Feminist literature on sexual violence in war has recognised this form of violence to be gendered and made possible because of women’s

subordinate social position. This paper will show that, rather than challenge the existing feminist literature that has focused on the experience of women and girls, the perpetration of sexual violence against men and boys demonstrates the materiality of sexual violence in conflict and its instrumentality in providing economic, political, and social opportunity to men who would otherwise be marginalised in the formal global economy. This function is served regardless of the sex of the victim(s). This paper introduces a new definition of gender based violence as violence perpetrated in the maintenance of the gender hierarchy and argues that sexual violence against men and boys in contemporary armed conflict is a form of gender based violence, which serves to reinforce the material relations of inequality on the basis of gender. Dorothy Oben Engaging Men in the Struggle to Eliminate Violence Against Women [email protected] Abstract: Dorothy Oben is an Instructor and the Men are perpetrators of many different kinds of gender – based violence. Gender-based violence is any form of violence used to establish, enforce or perpetuate gender

17 coordinator in the Department of Women inequalities and keep gender hierarchies in place (Lang, 2003:4). Generally, it takes the and Gender Studies at the University of form of men’s violence towards women and girls, but also includes violence towards Buea, South West Region, Republic of men and boys, for example, male rape or the abuse of men who have sex with men or Cameroon. She holds a Master of Arts transgendered persons. Although there have been many innovative efforts to engage Degree in Gender and Development from men in the struggle to end violence particularly, gender-based violence, not much the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), success has been achieved in Africa, particularly in Cameroon. University of Sussex, United Kingdoms. She This study identifies effective strategies to engage men in the elimination of violence, has travelled extensively and she has particularly gender – based violence through qualitative interviews with thirty men and worked on various issues on women, as a twenty women. Data were obtained from Fako and Meme divisions in the South West consultant with the United Nations region of Cameroon. Findings from the data collected and analyzed show that some Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in ways to engage men in ending gender- based violence is to mobilize men to speak out the African Centre for Gender and against violence; through popular education workshops; use of mass media and youth Development Division from 1998- 2003 and culture to promote more ‘gender-equitable’ lifestyles among young men; carrying out as a lecturer in U.B since 2004. She is gender sensitization workshops; anti-discrimination activities and awareness raising currently working on her Ph.D Thesis on “ sessions with the police. The interviews add nuances to our understanding of the need Men’s perception of women and Gender for men to find inner strength and to respect women and younger men of lower social equality. status.

William O’Hehir Sexual Dysfunction as Both Cause and Outcome of Rural and Remote Australian Men’s Health [email protected] Abstract: William O’Hehir Is a PhD student at Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, When men attend a psychologist with a “problem” in rural and isolated parts of who has spent the past thirty years in rural Australia, it is necessary to see behind the mask they have in place to identify the real and isolated Australia researching the presenting issue. Throughout remote Australia health issues are overshadowed by Sociological and Psychological aspects of entrenched myths which date back generations and which are sociological in origin. men’s health in particular in relation to male These myths are impacted by location, family and cultural ties: To be ill is non- sexuality and relationships. productive; mental illness is a sign of weakness; to be overweight is to be strong. Alcohol abuse, family violence, suicide, relationship dysfunction, the consequences of isolation, financial pressure and sexual dysfunction are the seven key areas of

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psychological concern for rural and remote males. Their identification and exploration provide challenges to the practitioner if genuine therapeutic benefits are to be obtained. My doctoral research has been focussed upon the least discussed of these seven; sexual dysfunction, in particular how this disorder impacts on relationships and what methods can be developed to assist partners work together to overcome associated problems. My research has revealed that sexual dysfunction is associated with salient elements of grief, concerns about personal adequacy and negative external evaluation, and overtly physiological reactions. Left unacknowledged and unaddressed sexual dysfunction can contribute to and exacerbate other risks to the mental well- being required to establish and maintain relationships, and there is urgent need for more open, evidence-based, and non-judgemental discussion of its role in rural and isolated men’s health. Veronica Oxman Living and Dying at the Sexual Abyss’ Border: Questions about gender-based violence and masculinities in Mexico’s Ciudad Juarez [email protected] Abstract: Veronica Oxman, Sociologist from the University of Chile (1981), obtained an MA The Sydney Action Group for Juarez (SAGJ) has been looking at the social disaster of the in Women´s Studies at UNSW (1993), recent violence in Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, for Raewyn Connell (2012) one of the group currently is PhD Candidate at the School of members, this violence raises hard questions about why it has happened, and what to Political Sciences and International do now. Answering both questions involves a fact that is so familiar it is often Relations at ANU. She has been a Researcher overlooked: overwhelmingly, the killings are done by men. and Consultant for NGOs and Government When we speak of “gender-based violence” we usually mean violence by men against bodies in Chile and Australia; she has been women and girls. There is a wide spectrum: domestic beatings, rape, child sexual abuse, Project Director for the International Labor harassment in the guise of flirting, assaults on sex workers, attacks on travesties. (ILO)and has ten years of Femicide is the extreme end of this spectrum. Men and boys are also targeted in gender academic experience lecturing on Sociology violence, but in different ways. Public violence among men often springs from and Gender at several universities in Chile, masculinity challenges or fears. So does homophobic violence. Drug cartels, like armies, Australia and the US. use masculine solidarity for business purposes. Why is most violence masculine?

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Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli “The Problem Is That He’s A Man, Not That He’s Bisexual”: Bi men by women [email protected] Abstract: Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli is Senior Lecturer in Drawing from a larger Australian qualitative project with 78 culturally, geographically the School of Health and Social and sexually diverse women from ages 19 -65 who are in monogamous and non- Development at Deakin University, monogamous relationships with bisexual-identifying and/or bisexual-behaving men, I Melbourne, Australia. Her primary areas of present an overview of women’s perspectives, experiences and analyses of masculinity, interest are social diversities: cultural, misogyny, privilege and power in relation to their partners and their relationships. From gender, sexual and family . Her the most misogynist masculinity displayed by abusive bisexual male partners to the publications include Boys Stuff; So What’s a most pro-feminist masculinity displayed by other bisexual male partners, women’s Boy; Being Normal is the Only Way to Be: perspectives range from never wanting to be in another relationship with a bisexual Adolescent Perspectives on Gender (all co- male to never wanting to be in another relationship with a heterosexual male. For most written with Wayne Martino); Border women, it is ultimately the way men perform their masculinity, rather than their Sexualities, Border Families in Schools bisexuality, that becomes a determining factor as to whether the women stay with (Lambda Literary Award winner, 2011). them or not, or are satisfied with their relationships. Many women discussed their own femininity in relation to their partner’s masculinity, and how either bimisogyny constrained their own gender and sexual expressions, or bimasculinity encouraged and enhanced their own resistances to normative femininity and passive sexuality. Bob Pease Disengaging Men from Patriarchy: Rethinking the man question in Masculinity Studies [email protected] Abstract: Bob Pease is Chair of Social Work at Deakin University. He has published widely on As masculinity studies has grown and as men have been seen as having a key role to men’s violence against women, cross- play in promoting gender equality and challenging men’s violence, some key feminist cultural and global perspectives on men insights about the dynamics of men’s gender privilege and men’s location within and masculinities and critical social work. He gendered hierarchies have been neglected. Masculinity academics and profeminist was a founding member of Men Against activists rarely talk about patriarchy anymore or the patriarchal state within which much Sexual Assault in Melbourne and has been policy and activist work takes place. The concept of patriarchy has been replaced by the involved in campaigns and community language of gender, gender regimes, gender relations, gender norms, dominant education against men’s violence for many masculinity, sexism and so on. In this paper, I argue that the language of patriarchy is

20 years. more multi-dimensional than critics account for and that it still has utility in increasing political awareness and developing forms of resistance against men’s domination. However, profeminist politics, in recent times, seems to have moved closer to liberal feminism, whereby the state is seen as a neutral arbiter which can be deployed to achieve gender equality reforms. If the state is patriarchal, as will be argued in this paper, then profeminist men within the state must examine their gendered practices and their complicity with the reproduction of institutionalized male power before they can effectively advance gender equality. Paul Pule Men and Caring: Towards ecological masculinism [email protected] Abstract: Paul Pulé has dedicated his life to helping This paper argues that the social and environmental problems we face are primarily the men care. He will shortly become Research result of patriarchal or ‘malestream’ norms that inhibit the growth and development of Coordinator for the WA Police, exploring sustainable principles and practices. Responding to this assertion and following in the men's lives in the community. His PhD footsteps of deep ecology, social ecology and ecological feminism, the paper brings examined men's capacities to care for self masculinities concerns to the heart of the human/Nature relationship while also and Others. Through that research, he bringing concerns for society and the environment to the heart of men’s studies. founded his consultancy (MenAlive Further, it argues that if we are to achieve a truly sustainable future, then we must Australia), supporting men's lives to go well encourage men to reawaken their innate care. The paper declares that all men are born - with a special interest in FIFO fellas. good and possess an infinite capacity to care and be caring. It is however recognised that these innate capacities for men to care and be caring are suppressed by ‘men’s oppression’ and that this oppression prevents them from expressing their fullest humanness to the detriment of all Others and themselves. The paper recommends that men develop emotional competencies along with their intellect and intuition in order to authentically nurture the relational space between Others and themselves. Building on feminist care theory, a theoretical framework termed ecological masculinism is introduced, which facilitates modern Western men to care for and be caring towards society, Nature and the self—concurrently. The paper introduces a theoretical framework for ecological masculinism that is accompanied by a plurality of ecomasculine praxes. This ecologised masculinities theory and praxes instigates a new

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conversation in environmental philosophy and men’s studies that facilitates the rise of ‘ecomen’ who serve important roles in forging a deep green future for all of life on Earth Adam Rogan Risky Masculinity: Exploring the relationship between young men, hegemonic masculinity, and risky practices [email protected] Abstract: Adam Rogan is a PhD candidate in Sociology at the University of Wollongong. The problem of risk-taking amongst young men is now recognised as a significant issue His thesis examines the relationship within Australian society. Young men’s engagement in a wide range of risky practices, between risky practices and hegemonic including risky drinking, illicit drug use, dangerous driving, unsafe sexual practices, and masculinity among young Australian men, acts of violence, impacts negatively not only upon themselves but also other individuals proposing that young men are engaging in and wider society. Using data collected from a series of focus groups and in-depth risky practices in order to construct and interviews with young Australian men aged between eighteen and twenty-four, this perform hegemonic masculine identities paper examines how young men use risky practices to construct and perform and distance themselves from subordinated hegemonic masculine identities and distance them from subordinated and and marginalised masculinities. marginalised masculinities. Focusing on two specific risky practices, risky drinking and public violence, this paper explores young men’s understandings of risk and risky

practice, and the ways in which their engagement in these practices is shaped and informed by hegemonic masculinity. Through examining the relationship between risky practices and hegemonic masculinity, we attain a greater understanding of the ways in which young men sustain gender inequalities and reproduce historically constructed patterns of male power and dominance. Graeme Russell The Social Construction of Men as Caring Fathers: Implications for gender equality [email protected] Abstract: Presenters: Dr. Graeme Russell; previously as Associate Professor in Psychology, author, Since industrialization, men’s primary role has been as family breadwinners, while researcher and workplace consultant on women’s primary role has been as family caregivers. This division of social life into fatherhood, gender equality, diversity and “separate spheres” reinforces gender inequality, since production is privileged over reproduction. Employers restrict mothers’ opportunities and rewards since they do not

22 flexibility. match the image of the “ideal worker” (a man) who supposedly has no caregiving responsibilities to reconcile with paid . Meanwhile, fathers often enjoy Linda Haas, Professor of Sociology at greater labour market rewards but lack encouragement and opportunities to more fully Indiana University (USA); she conducts engage in family life, participate in caregiving and develop close relations with children. research on the fatherhood and the workplace in Sweden Men express increasing interest in developing themselves as caring fathers, but workplaces typically discourage this. This presentation provides a critical assessment of

academic research on the topic of fatherhood, work and gender equality. Questions addressed include: 1. What model can be used to understand the linkages between fatherhood, work and gender equality? What can be learned about these linkages from academic research? 2. What research looks at the workplace as a context to engage with fathers and with the debate about work and caring? 3. Considering the Australian context, what could be done regarding fatherhood to promote gender equality? Joseph Salemi FILM: The Bro Code: How Contemporary Culture Creates Sexist Men [email protected] Abstract: Joseph Salemi is the co-founder of The In the Media Education Foundation documentary, The Bro Code, filmmaker Thomas Sydney Feminists, an organization focused Keith takes aim at the forces in western male culture that condition boys and men to on educating people about the damaging dehumanize and disrespect women. Joseph will be using this documentary to draw effects of sexism in media and culture. parallels within Australian culture, discuss its damaging effects and explore potential solutions to these issues. He will also be examining the personal and social dangers of placing such restrictive confines on men. The format for this event will be a screening of The Bro Code, followed by a presentation and an open discussion with the audience.

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Brett Scholz, Shona Crabb, “We’ve got to break down the shame”: Critiquing portrayals of men’s disparate and Gary Wittert mental health outcomes in news media Abstract: [email protected] More often than women, men commit suicide, suffer from alcohol or drug dependence, Brett Scholz is a PhD Candidate in the and engage in risky behaviours, even though they are less frequently diagnosed with disciplines of Public Health and medicine at depression. Due to the greater stigma men face in regards to masculine norms of The University of Adelaide, and is perfect health, and avoidance of negative affect, men are less likely to seek help for particularly interested in the interface mental health concerns. These norms can be challenged or reproduced in news media, between the social constructions of known for its influence over individuals’ health understandings and decisions. This masculinity and mental health. paper uses a discursive analytic approach to investigate the portrayal of men’s communication about their depression in Australian news articles from 2006 to 2011. Men depicted as open and communicative about their experiences with depression were frequently portrayed as experiencing positive outcomes. Such constructions may challenge the stigma men experience in regards to discussing mental health concerns. We also find, however, potentially problematic implications of such portrayals. Mental health campaigns and media, therefore need to question how the language they use can perpetuate problematic interpretations of masculine norms. Media articles could further provide ways for men to be empowered to seek help for mental health concerns, thereby bringing about greater gender equality in mental health outcomes. Abu Sufian Engaging Men and Boys to reduce Violence against Women [email protected] Abstract: [email protected] In Rural Bangladesh Masculinity is one of the underlying causes behind violence against women. Many studies of Bangladesh have revealed the extent of men’s attitudes and Md. Abu Sufian, Technical coordinator- practices that perpetuate violence against women. According to study on men’s Women & Engaging men attitudes and practices regarding gender and violence against women in Bangladesh and Boys, CARE-Bangladesh. such as a) 62% of rural men think that women deserve to be beaten; b) Majority of rural men and half of urban men believe a woman should tolerate violence in order to keep her family together; c) Over half of the urban and rural men reported ever perpetrating

24 some kind of physical violence against partner. CARE-Bangladesh took a conscious effort to address the masculinity in the Engaging Men Initiative project which aimed to increase the understanding of gender norms, beliefs and violence against women at household level and also to link between institutional levels with masculinity to the society. The need to engage men and boys has been increasingly recognized by many actors; however the manners in which this can be done effectively are yet to be tested. The activities with men and youth in EMI project are also some innovative tools which need be considered in light of their potential to bring the desired positive change in men, youth and the community. Education Sessions on Masculinity: The specially PLA tools addressed issues like Cost of violence say for example economic, social, physical, time cost is calculated in the sessions due to a single violence. This session also ignited the men on controlling attitudes and socialization of masculinity under recognition of women’s work and consequences of VAW. Through flip chart and poster paper exercise is conducting with the participants. Positive Role Model: Through a screening process the Village Development committee and the EKATA (Empowering Knowledge Attitude and Transformative Approach) group identified positive role models, who shared their good practices with others, participated in different events to disseminate messages on cost of violence against women and provide advice to other men. Characteristics of positive role model identified by community people are: a) do not physically abuse their wives b) take actions in preventing violence against women; c) help in household work; d) believe in equal rights between men and women In community level this two process are going and the achievement is satisfactory but we all know change is a slow process and there need to more on institutional process.

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White Ribbon Foundation Selling Change: Social marketing to prevent men’s violence against women (Kate Alexander) Abstract: [email protected] How do you encourage men and boys to be part of the solution to something they do not believe to be a problem in the first place? And how do you build an inherent Kate Alexander is the National Marketing & understanding amongst all men and boys that violence against women is wrong, that Communications Manager and Executive they must want to end it, and that there is a way to end it? This session provides a Officer of NSW for White Ribbon. In this role marketers insight into the White Ribbon Campaign and its use of social marketing Kate is responsible for the management, strategies to engage men and boys in the prevention of men’s violence against women. development and expansion of White Session participants will develop an understanding of the processes undertaken at Ribbon’s national marketing, White Ribbon to plan and execute a social marketing campaign: from engaging communications and public relations individual men as Ambassadors to connecting with the wider community through strategy. Kate is a marketing supporter communications, social media, events, media relations and advertising. communications expert who has gained extensive experience working in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

White Ribbon Foundation Fishbowl: Violence against women as a workplace issue (Brooke Cromar) Abstract: [email protected] This session aims to explore the importance of addressing issues of men’s violence against women in workplace settings. Research has shown that violence in, or Brooke Cromar is the Manager of Programs impacting upon, the workplace has devastating economic, physical and emotional at the White Ribbon Foundation. In this role, consequences for women. Addressing this issue requires all sectors of the Australian she oversees the development and community, including workplaces to take action. How do we engage workplaces in implementation of initiatives such as the effective and holistic ways, in both the short and long term, to ensure meaningful and Workplace Program. With an international enduring change? The session will refer to the White Ribbon Workplace Program as an background in non-profit sector example of how workplaces might affect change. The Program aims to create management, Brooke has worked with sustainable change in attitudes and behaviours to violence against women through the organisations committed to education, implementation of prevention and response strategies in the workplace. This

26 human rights and the environment. She innovative model is comprised of four key components – recognition and awards, holds a Master of Arts degree from Western accreditation, workplace ambassadors, and evaluation. The model is designed to University, Canada. increase the knowledge and skills of staff and management to address issues of violence against women in businesses and industries across Australia. Currently in the Pilot phase, the Program has a cross-section of Australian workplaces participating. The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for four years.

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What to do in and around Wollongong Compiled by Keith Horton for the Australasian Association of Philosophy Annual Conference 2012, and used with permission.

There are some more or less official tourist guides to Wollongong on the web (e.g. tourismwollongong, which has some useful downloadable maps); this is a more personal list of recommendations that includes a few options off the beaten track. To get you in the mood, here’s a webcam of Wollongong (City) Beach, and one of the best songs ever written about the Illawarra (the region around Wollongong), Song in a Sidecar.

IN WOLLONGONG Places of Interest In town, there’s a working harbour in Belmore Basin which is a pleasant place to mooch about. It has a lighthouse, cafes and restaurants, and good views northwards along the Illawarra escarpment towards the Royal National Park. On the southern side is Flagstaff Hill, which has another lighthouse, more good views northwards and also southwards towards the Five Islands and the Port Kembla Steelworks. A footpath leading north from the harbour takes you past some ocean baths and rock pools to North (Wollongong) Beach, Wollongong’s most popular beach. If you keep heading north you come to Stuart Park, and then Puckey’s Estate, a rare pocket of undeveloped coastal bushland. (To reach Puckey’s Estate cross on the bridge on Squires Road, about 300 metres back from the beach.) Near the University, the Wollongong Botanic Garden, immediately to the south of the university the other side of Northfields Avenue, is a pleasant place for a stroll. The other notable landmark near the university (immediately to the west) is Mount Keira. There are spectacular views from the summit, as well as walking tracks. There’s no public transport, though, so you either have to hire a car or walk up (see below).

Activities Walking The obvious place to walk in town is along the shore. From Flagstaff Hill to the northern end of Puckey’s Estate and back (see Places of Interest above) would take about an hour and a half. Near the university, the Botanic Garden is one place for a short walk (see Places of Interest above). For those with more energy and suitable footwear, the Ken Ausburn Track takes you nearly halfway up Mount Keira. It starts on Robsons Road on the northern edge of the university, near the junction with Northfields Avenue. It’s steep and is weed-infested, but does have some nice views along the way and leads to a network of better paths at the top, including 28 the Mount Keira Ring Track. (When you reach the overgrown service track at the top of Ken Ausburn Track, turn left; in a few minutes you will reach a road and the Mount Keira Ring Track. Once you’re on the Mount Keira Ring Track, the signposting is fairly good.) In early July you’re quite likely to hear lyrebirds, with their famous mimicry; less likely to see them. If you hear a loud thumping sound it’s probably a swamp wallaby, though again you’d be lucky to get a clear view of one. Other notable wildlife includes brush turkeys, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and echidnas. Watch out for leeches after rain (they’re unpleasant, though harmless). There are a number of tracks leading up to the summit (464 metres) off the Mount Keira Ring Track – the best is Dave Walsh’s track – but they are not well signposted so I wouldn’t attempt them without a map or guidebook. I would allow at least three hours to get up the Ken Ausburn Track, go round the Mount Keira Ring Track, and back down Ken Ausburn Track to the University campus. There are two good books on walks around Wollongong, Best Bush, Coast and Village Walks of the Illawarra (by John and Gillian Souter), and Discovering Illawarra’s Bushland – on Foot (by Alan Fairley). The Uni bookshop in building 11 usually stocks the former. Cycling Wollongong is not a bike-friendly city, but there’s a pleasant bike path along the coast from Wollongong to Thirroul in the north (13 km each way). To hire a bike, try http://mobilebikerental.com.au/ or http://www.wollongong.bikehub.com.au/. Surfing For those with wetsuits or strong constitutions both the two central Wollongong beaches (North (Wollongong) Beach and City (‘South’) Beach) are good for surfing in the right conditions. (The average sea temperature in early July is around 17-18 degrees centigrade.) For local conditions see http://www.swellnet.com.au/reports/wollongong/daily/. Sky diving You can go sky-diving on to North Beach, though I haven’t tried it so can’t vouch for it. Arts and culture Wollongong City gallery in the centre of town has a permanent collection and visiting exhibitions. For other local galleries and a guide to ‘trendy Wollongong’ see here.

Eating and drinking In town, many of the better eating and drinking options are in Keira Street. Coconut Thai has some nice dishes, as does La Lupa. Wollongong’s best up-market restaurant, Le Caveau, is also in Keira Street; Lorenzo’s opposite is quite good too. Both are expensive, and booking in advance is recommended. Another decent Thai option is Thai Carnation, at the junction of Corrimal Street and Crown Street. Nearby on Corrimal Street there’s a strip of restaurants (between Market and Crown) with Italian, Indian and Lebanese options. The lower section of lower Crown Street also has a number of pizzerias and other cheap take-away options. 29

For more restaurants see tablesonline. There are lots of cafes in and around Crown Street; the best I know of is Lee and Me, though I’m told Swell and Yours and Owls also have their advocates. There are also lots of cafes along the coast; Diggies on North (Wollongong) Beach is one of the best. I’m not often seen in pubs these days, but people seem to like the Hotel Illawarra on Keira Street and the Five Islands Brewery in the WIN Entertainment Centre near City Beach. The Little Prince also comes highly recommended, and the North Gong Pub is a popular hotel pub/bar. There’s a Woolworths supermarket at the corner of Burelli and Kembla Streets, with a bottleshop next door. On campus, the best restaurant is Sixty Seven in Building 67 (see the campus map); the same people also run a café, Out for Lunch, in Building 17. There are also food-halls in Buildings 67 and in building 11. There are several popular places for coffee on campus. Sixty Seven, Out for Lunch, Panizzi (outside the library, building 16), Rush (in the ground floor of building 67), and Rush2 (in the ground floor of the Unicentre) are all popular for coffee, snacks and sandwiches. The Unibar (building 12) is the only bar on campus. It has a pleasant courtyard, pool tables, and occasional live music.

AROUND WOLLONGONG There are many beautiful places to visit around Wollongong. You can reach some by train along the (very slow) South Coast line that runs north and south from Wollongong (see http://www.cityrail.info/). One obvious choice to the south is Kiama, a pleasant seaside town with a (locally) famous blowhole (44 minutes by train from Wollongong central). To the north, Bulli (15 minutes by train from Wollongong central) has a pub which has live music; Thirroul (18 minutes), where D. H. Lawrence wrote Kangaroo, has a pleasant cafe on the beach; Austinmer (20 minutes) has a smart street with ‘thing shops’ (Moore Street); and Scarborough (28 minutes) has a popular pub/restaurant. From Thirroul northwards there are some good walks along the beaches. I can’t find any good information on them on the web, but you could either use one of the guidebooks mentioned above or just try your luck (preferably at low tide). There’s a very good stretch between Coledale Beach and Scarborough Beach. Further north, from Otford (42 minutes) you can walk (along the Cliff Track) into the Royal National Park, Australia’s oldest national park; from Waterfall (54 minutes) there are tracks into both the Royal National Park to the east and Heathcote National Park to the west. It’s around 100 minutes from Wollongong to Sydney Central. Parts of the route are quite scenic, particularly between Coalcliff and Waterfall as the track winds away from the coast and over the hills.

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By car there are naturally many additional options. To the south, the Minnamurra Rainforest (45 minutes drive from Wollongong) and Fitzroy Falls (50 minutes from Wollongong central) are both well worth a visit. Both have walking tracks and cafés. To the north, at Sublime Point (20 minutes) there are good lookouts, a short flat track (the Woodward Track) starting from the Northern end of the recreation area, and a fairly short but very steep track (the Sublime Point Track, which goes straight down the escarpment, with ladders in places) starting from the Southern end. Both are well signposted. A little further north there are some beautiful waterfalls, including Maddens Falls (25 minutes) in the new Dharawal National Park and Kelly’s Falls near Stanwell Tops (30 minutes). Bald Hill near Stanwell Park (30 minutes) is a hang gliding centre. You can also drive directly to two of the Royal National Park’s most spectacular beaches, Garie Beach (45 minutes), a big open surf beach, and Wattamolla Beach (50 minutes), a narrower, protected beach with a lagoon behind. There are many beautiful walks starting from these beaches and on the way there – see again the link given above or http://wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/royal-national-park/.

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