Welcome Stranger Fundraiser for Queer Youth Mental Health

This family-friendly gig (minors must be accompanied by an adult guardian) is our 'soft re-launch' for Welcome Stranger. As we have refocused our events on raising funds for issues of concern to the LGBTIQA+ community. For this gig we are raising funds for Switchboard Victoria to help improve mental health outcomes for our LGBTIQA+ and intersectional youth. 

Band Line-up:

InfraGhosts - (Single launch!)
Beth Seymour & the Lizzies
TimTam60 (*)
20 Ton Fish (*)
Harrington (*)
Concubine (DJ set)
Saturday 16th August 

7 - 11pm

Mamma Chen's https://mammachens.com.au/

*This is the debut gig for 3 of our acts!!

Access info

This event will be held on Wurundjeri Country. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land, sovereignty was never ceded.

Proceeds from this event were originally to be donated to Changing the Landscape (CTL), to create a future where LGBTIQA+SB suicide prevention is a national priority, but this project has recently wound up. We will now re-direct funds to Switchboard, the parent organisation behind CTL. Changing the Landscape was only funded for one year (June 2024-June 2025) after several years of Switchboard advocating for suicide prevention in our communities and the development of sector-leading programs, including the establishment of:

• A National LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Network

• An LGBTIQA+ Suicide Bereavement Program (the only one in the country), which includes 8-week structured bereavement groups, drop-in groups and creative bereavement sessions

• Our Remembering Rainbow, a living testament to LGBTIQA+ people we have lost

• CHARLEE - a national suicide prevention hub that includes tips, reflections and stories from LGBTIQA+ people with lived experiences of suicide

• A research report and subsequent training package for the suicide prevention workforce around experiences of suicidal distress in LGBTIQA+SB communities.

A percentage of all proceeds raised at Welcome Stranger gigs will also go to Pay the Rent, connecting grassroots-to-grassroots initiatives. Funds go directly to community causes and campaigns focussed on protecting First Nations rights, including practical support such as sustaining a Funeral Fund. We know that Paying the Rent is not enough, Treaty, advocacy, and solidarity with community actions to promote, defend and support land justice are also necessary. Saying Sorry isn't enough.

Welcome Stranger (previously known as Coburg RSL Band Night) began in 2014 as the FIRST regular live music event series at the not-for-profit, community-owned and run Coburg RSL club. From 2014 - COVID, Welcome Stranger ran over 65+ monthly, family-friendly, volunteer-run events creating safer spaces for intersectional communities (Queer, Neurodivergent, Culturally diverse, &/or Differently Abled) and proud allies. After experiencing the loss of their child Rue Bruce Lee to suicide 2 years ago, the event founder (Carla Bruce-Lee) is now re-launching this event production effort as a venue roving, queer fundraising gig series.

We will soon launch an accessible process for LGBTIQA+ folks and proud allies to co-curate future gigs for a personal, public, local or global cause of choice. Please follow us on socials if you'd like to get involved!

No one turned away lack of funds, limited NFLOF tickets are available - please contact organiser.

There is also the option to donate only, if you'd like to contribute, but cannot attend the gig.

Sorry no refunds. 

For this event, covid-safe masks are recommended. We will have free masks available. 

Please stay home if you’re feeling symptomatic with any illness.

x NO TRANSPHOBIA
x NO RACISM
x NO SEXISM
x NO QUEERPHOBIA
x NO CLASSISM
x PREJUDICES OF ANY KIND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED

This is a safer space and all reports of unacceptable behaviour will be taken seriously and responded to accordingly.