Brotherhood of St Laurence

Library Blog - April 2025 

News

This month's news on social change and social inclusion.

Journals

Academic journals provide a platform for research articles by specialists (academics or practicing professionals) within a discipline to present, scrutinise and discuss research. Recent Journal issues from some of the major publishers are provided below, as an opportunity to inform colleagues about new content.  

This month there are new issues of:

Podcasts & Streaming

  • Voices of Australia Podcast - Truth, Trust & Politics - Episode 3"In the third episode, we explore the Disengagement Dilemma: Why young Australians, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, are turning away from politics.
    Mary Gearin leads a compelling conversation with Kos Samaras, Founder of RedBridge, and Nor Shanino, CEO of Ubuntu Project, as they unpack the impact of misinformation, political disengagement, and rising youth activism on social media.
    They reflect on how misinformation shapes community perceptions and how disengagement grows when political conversations exclude real experiences.
    With trust in traditional media at an all-time low, young people are finding new ways to organise and have their voices heard, but social media also brings new risks of misinformation.
    Although many are sceptical, rebuilding trust starts with listening and engaging meaningfully.
  • The Childcare deserts - At what cost? - By Future Women "When is a choice not a choice? Almost a quarter of Australia's population is now living in a childcare desert - and this scarcity means that many families' financial and work schedules hinge on being offered a childcare spot in the first place./div>
    In this episode, we hear from real parents and experts about the near-impossible workarounds for families who can't access suitable childcare and can't afford not to work: from regional mum Kelly, who forked out for a private carer when the local childcare refused her son full days of care, to agricultural workers taking their kids to work on the farm."
  • The 2024 Narrm Oration - University of Melbourne
    Professor Yalmay Yunupinju, Yolnju Educator and 2024 Senior Australia of the Year, delivered the 2024 Narrm Oration on 28 November 2024. 
    TItled "Djambatj Dhukarr - road to excellence", Professor Yunupinju emphasised the importance of Indigenous peoples remaining strong in their language and cultural practices. The Oration was delivered in the Yolnyu Matha language.

  • Bill Gates - Starting the Revolution - Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith
As Microsoft celebrates its 50th birthday, I had the chance to sit down with my friend and the company’s cofounder, Bill Gates. We discuss his memoir, Source Code: My Beginnings, Microsoft’s impact over the past 50 years, and how the next phase of the digital revolution is the most exciting one yet.

PD & Events

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