Events

Date: Thursday 20 August 2026 Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm Location: CLIK Collective, West Footscray Join us for a panel discussion on the rapid expansion of data centres in our residential areas — and the case for a moratorium on new approvals until their cumulative health and environmental impacts have been independently assessed. Technology should serve our community, not come at its expense. The people who live next door deserve a genuine say before these decisions are made. Meet the panel Lizzie O’Shea — Founder and Chair of Digital Rights Watch. Lizzie advocates for freedom, fairness and fundamental rights in the digital age, speaks regularly on law, technology and human rights, and has been published in the New York Times, Guardian and Sydney Morning Herald. Sean Brown — Founder of Total Impact Assessments and a research and data professional with more than ten years across Victorian and Commonwealth government, defence, policy and commercial contexts. A West Footscray local, Sean has been involved in local advocacy on data centres with Citizens of Tottenham. Joe Rafalowicz — Head of Climate and Energy campaigns at Greenpeace Australia Pacific and co-author of Energy Vampires: the AI Data Centres Draining Australia. An expert critical voice on data centres, Joe has campaigned in the environment movement in Australia and globally for 11 years. Gill Armstrong — Gill is a Westie by choice, built environment expert, advocate, UK-registered architect and researcher. Her work spans architecture, regulation, climate and policy, with a focus on how buildings, infrastructure and governance shape sustainable, resilient communities. By day, she leads buildings advocacy work at Climateworks Centre. Free to attend — a cash bar will be running on the night, provided by the incredible folks at Bonehead Brewing. Register your interest below so we can keep you posted.

Date: Thursday 27 August 2026 Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Location: Hopheads, 53 Anderson St, Yarraville VIC 3013 Come and meet Jess over a drink. Politics in the Pub is a relaxed evening to hear what this community-led campaign is about and have a real conversation about the future of the Inner West. Meet your neighbours and talk about the issues that matter and how we win an independent voice for Footscray. Everyone's welcome.

Date: Thursday 3 September 2026 Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Location: Footscray Park Bowls Club, 1 Hoadley Ct, Footscray VIC 3011 With special guest Cathy McGowan Keen to learn more about the community independent movement? Interested in volunteering with the Jess for Footscray campaign? Come along for an evening discussing people-powered politics with special guest Cathy McGowan, former federal member for Indi, and the original (“OG”) community independent. Cathy came to national attention when she won the seat of Indi as an independent in 2013.  The community backed her again in 2016.  In 2019 Indi made Australian political history when Dr Helen Haines was elected as Indi's second, independent woman. During her time as a politician Cathy actively worked in Parliament to develop policy around regional development, constitutional change for first nations people and a solution to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers.  In 2019 she was awarded The Accountability Round Table award for political integrity. She is an Officer in the Order of Australia, a Churchill fellow and lives very happily on her farm in the Indigo Valley in NE Victoria. She is passionate about putting community at the centre of our democracy. Register your attendance below!

Join Jess for a family-friendly afternoon and some world-class music in Footscray.  We are thrilled that Ethiopian saxophone maestro Solomon Sisay will be hosting us in his new venue Roha.  Solomon shot to fame as saxophone player for Axumite Band, a legendary outfit in Ethiopia. Solomon has since continued his legacy, playing alongside the greats such as Mahmoud Ahmed, Aleymehu Eshete, Ali Bira, Tsegaye Eshetu and with many of the young, up and coming Ethiopian music stars. Entry is free - Register here. This is one not to be missed!  Food and drinks will be available to purchase from the Roha menu.