BACKGROUND
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Channel 9 announced plans for a Rodeo to be held at St Kilda beach in March 2025. In response, the residents and broader community strongly reject this event.
Rodeos, by their very nature, involve the exploitation and mistreatment of animals, which is incompatible with the values shared by our community. Leading animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA and Animals Australia, firmly oppose rodeos due to the inherent cruelty involved. Links are included from these organisations for reference below:
RSPCA:
https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/a-cruel-spectacle-why-you-should-never-attend-a-rodeo/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJ2TtleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbSHabptVC1J2o1Sf8wBeR6yWZAHbq462zLpSa1UxnXRYeTwoDxdApHtIg_aem_woggUlTRbUSlnZkNUWv7Vw
Animals Australia:
https://animalsaustralia.org/our-work/rodeos/background/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJ2XNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHePtEbwVPnrzCg6AB0gPT-rtnWCtN1B2Q2MKm-nFRp6wHgJkfC99rzeO0A_aem_4jnX6VbKL4wGzNZpL0wAbA
Hosting such an event would tarnish St Kilda’s reputation and cause disharmony and division in our community. We urge the council to prioritise the welfare of animals and uphold the values of its residents by rejecting this proposed rodeo and similar activities in the future.

DETAILS OF CAMPAIGN AGAIN ST KILDA RODEO
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This campaign includes the following steps:
1. Residents of this council - Contact Port Phillip Council in writing about your disapproval of the rodeo event
2. Residents of this council - apply to speak about your disapproval of the rodeo at the next council meeting in January 2025
3. Not limited to residents of this council - attend the Town Hall Protest at the next council meeting and invite all your friends
Step 4: Residents of this council to reach out to individual Councillors of Port Phillip Council.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
CONTACT YOUR COUNCIL IN THE MEANTIME
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(Message us if you would like support or if you would like us to submit a complaint on your behalf)
-Make a complaint here (Scroll down and click on "Make a complaint"):
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/contact-us/complaints-and-service-requests?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJ3a5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUdfTV5zlR-M8Sd-Qps1CXil-BGbZO4f1rhANUAprshnAE8ubFQ3bjsFgw_aem_OxwsRqupwbqVtWbDdpDikg
Fill out the required fields.
In the following box section of the form: "Please provide additional information to assist with completing your request", you can write about your complaint. If you prefer a template, you can copy and paste the following letter from this google doc link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Uk_v4sthxuoYaxORoJGS7sj3wR1u3LyKl0exoJdk2YU/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJ3fNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHTprvFgg4z2-pcsi2WVRFRFiwQST0EHSC9nC6m1DfVgdqc05CDTwZBM9ig_aem_J68t3ap8L0iy1nt4qT4Wlg&pli=1&tab=t.0
*** Please ensure that you edit your personal details at the end of this letter
Using this method of contact ensures that we reach all relevant parties effectively.

DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK AT THE COUNCIL MEETING?
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Please follow these prompts:
https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about-the-council/council-meetings/request-to-speak-at-a-council-meeting?fbclid=IwY2xjawHJ3iFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRDcvx8K36L_WDW30cRHIlH2VIugAGuLv3xUn6bVqYVbGru6DNS17ZOnpA_aem_8kS3bQP99YST0sa8ROG69A
We would love to hear from you if you have applied to speak at the meeting. No pressure though!

*Please reach out if you have any further information, ideas or if you need any support.
Thank you!