The Factory on Belgium Avenue will open its doors on Wednesday 3 June to a set of short films made by the people who live on its doorstep. North Richmond housing estate residents and users of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room have contributed work to the “Light up 3121” project, which screens before the main feature: the 2025 documentary “Our Warrior: The Story of Robbie Thorpe.”
The 53-minute film traces the life of Krautungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, and the screening will be followed by a talk with the man himself. The event is free, but organisers ask that you book a ticket through Humanitix to manage capacity. Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
In the documentary, Thorpe says: “Genocide is not a moment in history. It is a system – and it continues. We are not ‘asking’ for rights. We are asserting law, sovereignty, and truth.”
Filmmaker Anthony Kelly, who directed “Our Warrior,” said: “I’ve listened to and learnt from Robbie throughout my work as a social justice and human rights campaigner. I know Australia is a crime scene and I know why.”
Also screening is a short film by Deadly First Nations Shout Out (The Deadlys), a self-advocacy group for First Nations Victorians with intellectual disability or acquired brain injury. The pre-show line-up gives the night a local texture that no generic film screening would carry.
Thorpe’s activism has run through Fitzroy and beyond for more than 40 years. He co-founded Camp Sovereignty on the site of repatriated remains in Kings Domain, presents the “Fire First” program on 3CR radio, and published Koori newspapers inspired by earlier publications. His grandmother helped establish Australia’s first Aboriginal Health Service.
The Factory has room, but not limitless room. Book early if you want to hear Thorpe speak firsthand – in-person appearances like this are not a regular item on the community calendar.
Don’t confuse this Richmond event with the Fitzroy Town Hall Reading Room screening on 17 June, where Thorpe and Kelly will appear together in a panel discussion as part of Cinema Yarra. Both events show the same film, but the Richmond night is unique for its community arts pre-screenings.
Richmond Station is a short walk away, and trams 78 and 79 stop on Swan Street. Street parking is limited. If you head along Swan Street before or after the event, a handful of cafes and bars are open nearby.
The documentary traces a lineage of resistance that runs from Fitzroy housing commission flats to the steps of Parliament. The screening on Wednesday night brings that story back to the neighbourhood where it began.
Quick Facts
City of Yarra
Local government authority covering suburbs including Richmond, Fitzroy and Abbotsford in Melbourne’s inner north. It supports community arts, libraries and events through Yarra Libraries and Cinema Yarra programming.
3CR Community Radio
Melbourne-based community radio station broadcasting since 1976, home to Indigenous programming including Fire First hosted by Robbie Thorpe, focusing on social justice, First Nations issues and local activism.