Meredith from Chillout joins us to discuss Victoria’s longest‑running regional queer festival and teases out its evolution over three decades.

This modest grassroots initiative has grown into a cornerstone event for our diverse LGBTIQA+ communities, and plays a pivotal role in fostering visibility and belonging in rural settings.

Shaped by both tradition and innovation, organising this multi‑day celebration isn’t easy given the limited resources Meredith and the team have to work with.

She speaks with Cal and Jack about how the Chillout team overcome funding constraints, regulatory requirements, and limited people power, and how they hope to do this for years to come.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

Director Sophie Hyde and actor Aud-Mason Hyde unpack the new film, Jimpa, tracing the story’s roots to Professor Jim Hyde.

Jim was a pivotal figure in Australia’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and we explore how his legacy informs today’s intergenerational queer conversations.

Cal and Jake reflect on the film’s café scenes, the emotional rehearsal process with older gay men, and the challenges of translating lived trauma into drama.

We also discuss the companion project “The Queer Parts of Us,” a digital archive for community storytelling.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.

How can we strengthen community ties with a queer Lunar New Year celebration?

James Tapa from Gay Asian Proud (GAP) joins us to discuss the unique challenges faced by multicultural LGBTQ+ people navigating health services, voting, and social belonging in Australia.

He explores with Joel and Jack personal anecdotes about family reunions, lion‑dance performances, and the symbolism behind the zodiac animal of the year.

GAP’s sister group Yellow Kitties is co-hosting the event and we dive into how gender‑specific spaces complement each other.

Whether you’re new to Melbourne’s queer scene or a longtime activist, tune in for insight, inspiration, and a clear invitation to join the celebration.

On JOY 94.9, we play a bunch of new music from Asian-Australian LGBTIQA+ artists, including:

Aisa – Theta Waves
Kaiwyn – Good Boy
Robert Baxter – ICY (Take it Off)
Zhuli – Mitsubishi Sheets
JXCKY – BORDERLINE
Nat Vazer – For What?

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.