BY TRAIN:
Melbourne Central Train Station is across the road from the State Library. The station is part of the city loop and is wheelchair accessible via lifts.

TRAM:
• Stop 6 - Swanston St/La Trobe St is on the north side of the State Library, on La Trobe Street. It covers tram lines 30 and 35 and is wheelchair accessible.

• Stop 8 - Melbourne Central Station/Swanston St is outside the State Library, on Swanston Street. It covers tram lines 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 and is wheelchair accessible.

There are lots of bus stops and other tram stops a short walk from the State Library. Plan your trip with PTV Journey Planner: ptv.vic.gov.au/journey/

• I can stay or leave at any time.
• I can choose when to participate. eg call and response chanting.
• Marshals (wearing red vests) can help you navigate crowds.
• People will be shouting/yelling. Some will be holding signs and flags.
• It will be crowded - you may be touched by flags or people moving by.
• There will be speeches from a temporary stage before we march through the CBD.
• There will be groups, families, individuals, pets.
• Police will be present.

TO START:

• Multiple speeches from speakers using a microphone on the theme of End the Silence.
• An Auslan interpreter will be interpreting the speeches - attendees who use Auslan are encouraged to come towards the front.

DURATION & LANDSCAPE:

• The rally will last for around 2 hours.
• People will be standing, walking or using mobility aids - there are a few benches available at the state library.
• Close to the stage and the front of the walk is typically the most crowded.

• Women, gender diverse folks, allies and organisations will be marching for IWD.
• Families with kids will then be encouraged to join the rally towards the front, to ensure kids have the best rally experience possible.
• There will be marshals clearly identified and spread throughout the rally.
• An allocated group of people will be directed to start the rally, holding a large banner. You may need to make way for them to reach the front of the rally.
• There will be noise, including chanting, clapping, whistling, music and drums.

• The Rally begins traveling south from the Victorian State Library down Swanston Street. Then left at Bourke Street towards Parliament House. The rally concludes at Parliament House.
• Bourke Street has an incline in the direction of Parliament House. Tram lines on the road along Swanston and Bourke Streets, which can create an uneven terrain.

Speeches and signs at the rally may reference sexual harassment, gendered violence and pro-choice slogans/images, plus other potentially triggering topics. You are free to leave the rally at anytime or approach a Marshal for support.

Trained Rally Marshals:

• Wear red vests marked ‘WE ARE UNION’ on the front and ‘Marshal’ on the back.
• Facilitate closing intersections and movements of attendees.
• Please listen if they ask you to do something. They are there to keep everyone safe.
• Ask the Marshals if you need any help.
• Marshals will also be in contact with a designated police liaison.
  

Attendees are encouraged to take precautions and are welcome to wear masks at the event. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Although, as a public event there is no requirement that attendees wear masks or show proof of vaccination status.

This is a public event and there will be people and/or media taking photographs and video at the event. We cannot ensure that you will not be recorded at the event.

Refer to https://toiletmap.gov.au/ for a map of all public toilets.

If you have not attended a rally before, or are not sure of the rally environment and would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] and we will give you a call.

We can be contacted at the same address for general rally inquiries. See you there!