Indigo Shire Council will host a series of free public presentations on 15 and 16 April as part of a national initiative to strengthen community resilience against misinformation and divisive false narratives.
Stand Together: Countering Misinformation is delivered by Indigo Shire Libraries as part of Stronger Together, a community cohesion program designed to strengthen communities and build resilience. Indigo Shire is one of 125 libraries across Australia participating in the national initiative, which is supported by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Department of Home Affairs' Office for Social Cohesion.
The presentations will be led by award-winning journalist Lauren Martin, co-author of the UNSW Kaldor Centre's widely cited framework on countering misinformation. Lauren brings extensive real-world expertise in identifying false narratives and communicating truth with clarity and respect.
Participants will learn how misinformation spreads, develop skills to critically evaluate sources, build a practical fact-checking toolkit, and explore respectful strategies for challenging false information while maintaining positive relationships.
The sessions reflect a broader community interest in navigating today's complex information landscape, and the role trusted local institutions can play in supporting informed, connected communities.
Indigo Shire Council Creative Communities Coordinator Penelope McGufficke said the program reflects the library network's enduring commitment to being a trusted source of reliable, balanced information.
"Libraries have always been a place where communities come to access credible information and engage in meaningful dialogue," she said. "Stronger Together is about strengthening communities and building resilience, and we're proud to be delivering this program for our communities."
Sessions will be held across four locations on 15 and 16 April, with all sessions featuring the same content. Community members are encouraged to attend the session most convenient to them.
Session details:
- Wednesday 15 April Chiltern Library, 1:00pm Yackandandah Library, 7:00pm
- Thursday 16 April Rutherglen Library, 1:00pm Beechworth Library, 7:00pm
All sessions are free, run for approximately two hours, and are suitable for ages 15 and over. Bookings are essential and can be made at Council's website, indigoshire.vic.gov.au/libraries
Stronger Together is an Indigo Shire Libraries program supported by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Department of Home Affairs' Office for Social Cohesion, with funding enabling Indigo Shire Libraries to develop new programs and expand current offerings to reach more people across the shire.
