Cammie Thompson, Olivia Summers, Kiarna Denhay, Tayla Egglestone, Danielle Nutt and Alice Gillman at the opening ceremony for IDAHOBIT 2026.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Campaspe Shire’s inclusion and diversity was celebrated in Echuca on Friday, May 15 with the community coming together to recognise the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.
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IDAHOBIT is an internationally observed day to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1990.
The day’s celebrations began with a flag raising and speeches in Hopwood Gardens and continued in the Echuca library with free activities supported by Thorne Harbour Country, headspace Echuca, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and Echuca Moama Pride Incorporated.
At the opening ceremony, Campaspe Shire Deputy Mayor Tony Marwood spoke about this year’s theme, ‘At the heart of democracy’.
“This year’s theme reminds us that equality and human rights aren’t optional extras. They’re central to a functioning democracy,” he said.
“When any group is excluded or targeted, our whole community is weaker.”
Riv photographer Jordan Townrow was at Hopwood Gardens in Echuca to capture the morning ceremony.
Echuca police Leading Senior Constable Michelle Neil and Angela Davidson.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell and Lou Arnott raising the Progress Pride flag.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Crs Paul Jarman and Zoe Cook, Zara Jones, Brendan Ridges and Cr Rob Amos.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Alison Pye with Robert Edmonds at the IDAHOBIT opening ceremony.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Brittany Imhoff and Devmi Piyadigama were behind one of the stalls at Hopwood Gardens.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Damien Stevens-Todd, Leah Taaffe and Anna de Vrieze keeping caffeinated ahead of a big IDAHOBIT day.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
