Chillout and Three Decades of Country Pride

Chillout and Three Decades of Country Pride

Author: JOY 94.9 - LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex Podcasts for all our Rainbow Communities February 27, 2026 Duration: 37:14

Meredith from Chillout joins us to discuss Victoria’s longest‑running regional queer festival and teases out its evolution over three decades.

This modest grassroots initiative has grown into a cornerstone event for our diverse LGBTIQA+ communities, and plays a pivotal role in fostering visibility and belonging in rural settings.

Shaped by both tradition and innovation, organising this multi‑day celebration isn’t easy given the limited resources Meredith and the team have to work with.

She speaks with Cal and Jack about how the Chillout team overcome funding constraints, regulatory requirements, and limited people power, and how they hope to do this for years to come.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au.


Every week on Well, Well, Well, hosts Michael, Cal, Rachel, and Jacinta pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both essential and familiar. This isn't just another health show; it's a dedicated space focusing on the specific realities of LGBTIQA+ life, from mental wellbeing and sexual health to everyday fitness and community care. The discussions are grounded, tackling topics like HIV with nuance and exploring what holistic health truly means across our rainbow communities. You'll hear the latest information, but more importantly, you'll find relatable perspectives and honest talk that resonates. Produced as a service by JOY 94.9 in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, the Well, Well, Well podcast extends that community spirit beyond the radio broadcast. It’s where practical advice meets personal understanding, creating a resource that feels like it’s genuinely for us, by us. Tune in for episodes that blend expertise with empathy, always aiming to support and strengthen the wellbeing of everyone under the rainbow.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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