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Boz & Rod Brooks Memorial

Politics in the Pub - Where we live - Sat 29 Aug  

Politics in the Pub - NSW Crushing Dissent - Friday July 31 

 

Politics in the Pub - Film and Talk Saturday February 28 2026

A necessary documentary for these historical moments of Venezuela, and the greater homeland of Latin America, since it shows what unilateral sanctions mean. The interviews with women are particularly powerful and that makes me proud as a Venezuelan woman. Maruvi Leonett Villaquiran, Venezuelan Filmmaker. 

Filmmaker Rodrigo Acuna will discuss the film and the situation Venezuelans are facing today in the face of US military deployed off their coast and US threats, bullying and attacks. 

Hosted By:  Blue Mountains Unions & Community  -  Blue Mountains Peace Collective - bluempeace@gmail.com

Politics in the Pub - Film and Talk Saturday Thursday February 12 2026

Join us for a film screening and submission writing workshop to help stop the expansion of NSW's largest coal mine, Moolarben.

The short film, Voices for the Valley, tells the story of the Wollar community's 20-year fight against coal mining through the eyes of local youth, migrants, and long-time residents.

With the Independent Planning Commission deciding on a major expansion—one that threatens Wiradjuri cultural heritage, clears 113 hectares of vital wildlife habitat, and adds 64 million tonnes of climate pollution—strong public opposition is crucial.

 

Politics in the Pub - Is Jailing Failing? 22 November 2025

We know jailing is not a deterrent or reformative because the imprisonment rate has doubled under governments of both persuasions over the last thirty years and 61% of prisoners have been there before. 

Who are the people in prison and why are they there? What could be done to prevent crime and reoffending, make our communities safer and to support victims? Why do we spend, as a nation, $6.3 billion per year on a system which fails victims and disadvantaged people, and doesn’t address the causes of crime? 
 

 

 

Politics in the Pub Film and Talk UNION Sunday October 6 2025

Join Blue Mountains Unions & Community for a special Labour Day screening of the award-winning documentary UNION!

Shortlisted for the Oscars and named one of the best films of 2024 by the New York Times, New York Magazine, Rolling Stone, Indiewire, and Rotten Tomatoes, witness the incredible story of how a group of Amazon workers led by the charismatic but underestimated Chris Smalls stood up to one of the most powerful companies in the world. A gripping human drama about the fight for power and dignity and the enduring possibility of unions in today's world. "Astounding, rebellious...brilliant" New York Times. Watch the trailer & learn more here

Politics in the Pub - Global Trade and how to rig it.v Saturday 26 July 2025

Global trade could be all about solidarity and meeting human needs. Instead it's a game of bullies, billionaires, bullets, and embargoes. How do we stand up - as nations, as people - for something better?

Dr. Rodrigo Acuña is an Associate Lecturer in Spanish and Latin American Studies at the Department of International Studies at Macquarie University. He also works as an independent journalist on Latin America and for the NSW Department of Education, hosts Alborada’s Indestructible Podcast, and holds a PhD from Macquarie University. He has written for outlets including Truthout and Crikey. Both of his parents were persecuted by the Pinochet dictatorship.

 

Politics in the Pub - Jobs for Lithgow Thursday 20 February 2025

A plan to bring the idle Lithgow Locomotive Workshop and Yards back into operation and ignite an engineering renewal for Lithgow is the focus of this free public meeting being held at Lithgow Workies. Speakers:

• Steve Murphy - National Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union,
• Dr Michelle Ziebots - Transport Planning Specialist, UTS and Lithgow resident,
• Alex Claasens - National Secretary, Rail Tram & Bus Union,
• Mick McGrath's experience in the loco yard when it was in its heyday 

The Lithgow Community Power Project believe it would be possible for new rail manufacturers to take possession of the site before the end of the year. A range of trades would be needed. Prospects of apprenticeships are involved and TAFE training would need to expand to the demand.

Politics in the Pub - Creating Future Jobs November 2024

Coal decommissioning and growing climate impacts present significant economic challenges for Lithgow, but locals see a vital path forward in reclaiming the idle Loco Workshop—which occupies a quarter of the town's industrial land. Reopening the facility to retrofit freight trains for a hybrid-electric future would create immediate trade jobs, strengthen local skills, and give the community direct agency in shaping its own post-coal economic transition. Speakers:

• Dr Michelle Zeibots – Lithgow local and UTS Transport Research Centre Director, specializing in sustainable transport systems.

• Steve Murphy – AMWU National Secretary, leading the "Build Them Here" and "Save Our Skills" campaigns for Australian manufacturing.

Politics in the Pub -Air Watch October 2024

The Blue Mountains community is invited to the official launch of the Air Watch program on Tuesday, October 1 at 11:30 AM at the Planetary Health Initiative (33-39 Acacia St, Katoomba).

Formed after a 2017 Politics in the Pub event and proven vital during the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, the Air Watch subcommittee—alongside the NSW Department of Planning and Environment—has installed a network of Purple Air quality monitors spanning from Lapstone to Portland. Coinciding with the start of bushfire season, the network integrates the region into a global database, giving 78,000 residents and millions of annual visitors real-time data to make informed health decisions while supplying reliable data for scientific research. We will update more current information on what is happening with AirWatch soon.

Politics in the Pub - Tax Justice

This Politics in the Pub session, hosted by Blue Mountains Unions & Community at Katoomba’s Family Hotel, addressed Australia's growing economic inequality and the urgent need for tax reform during a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

Dr. Richard Denniss (The Australia Institute) and Michael Whaites (NSW Nurses and Midwives Association) led an open discussion and Q&A exploring how the current tax system disproportionately benefits the wealthy while burdening working households, and outlined practical ways tax policy could be restructured to better support everyday Australians and public services.

 

Politics in the Pub - The Voice September 2023

Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien meet with our local community and MC Dr Lana Leslie to find answers to your questions about the Voice to Parliament. Blue Mountains Unions & Community proudly supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Voice to be enshrined in our Constitution because it will:

• Recognise the unique position of Indigenous peoples as the First Australians.
• Guarantee Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a say in the laws that directly affect them.
• Help to close the gap in health, wealth & education.
• Hasten reconciliation by helping Australia to becoming a fairer and more just society.

The Voice to Parliament Handbook by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, with cartoons by Cathie Wilcox can be purchased from Megalong Books via this link, or from The Turning Page Bookshop in Springwood.