IDAHOBIT at Hopwood Gardens

Echuca Moama Pride Incorporated and headspace hosted the event, where Campaspe Shire Council, Victoria Police and members of the public showed their support.

Echuca Moama Pride vice-chairperson Anthony Fragiacomo spoke about his journey to a happy life.

“I want to see a world where people are not only educated but are also welcomed and able to live their happiest lives,” he said.

“Having lived in Echuca and Deniliquin, it’s somewhat disheartening to see that some people still haven’t fully accepted gender diversity and we still have a long road ahead.”

Some of the speakers spoke of a harrowing process where from childhood they felt different from their peers.

One speaker, known as Luke, spoke of the challenges they faced in discovering their true identity.

Luke spoke for a few minutes, with the audience intently listening to what they endured through their lifetime.

“It was really tough when I came out to my nan and dad, where at that time I had no point of reference for people like me. I had such complicated feelings,” Luke said.

Another of the speakers was a retiree, Stephen Andrews, who since childhood had been called a terrible name due to being gay.

“I was taken to a dark alley and eventually I was punched in the side of the head and then in the chest, the man who assaulted me then decided to steal my wallet,” he said.

Stephen has risen above the many challenges life gave him, eventually going on to La Trobe University and completing a Bachelor of Science.

He worked for Veterans’ Affairs as the national training manager, overseeing a major upgrade of the department’s computer system.

Members of Victoria Police and Campaspe Shire Council were also in attendance, sending a message of unity to everyone in the local community.