ALT A purple background with text that reads " Follow us on Bluesky @touchingbase."

ALT There is a lime green background with text that reads "Touching base 25th anniversary celebration. Callout for sponsors and stallholders."

ALT There is an orange background with text that reads " Date: Sunday 7th December 2025. Time: 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Venue: East Sydney Arts and Community Centre, Burton Street, Darlinghurst (Fully accessible venue)." In a new paragraph, text reads "Join us for a celebratory party with special guests, live entertainment, and a mini expo for our 25th anniversary. This intimacy-positive event will blend a disability expo with a 'sexpo', putting the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into practice. Disability and related support services are invited to participate with tables sharing and displaying information on their work."

ALT There is a maroon background with text that reads "Featured guests." as the title. Underneath text reads " Keynote speakers - The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Ms Rosemary Kayess Australian Disability Commissioner. Entertainment by Paul Capsis, Stephen Allkins A.K.A Love Tattoo, Ms Imogen Kelly and Miss Kooky Devine."

ALT There is a light purple background with text that reads "Want to be a sponsor or stallholder? Email [email protected] for more details or to book your place. Stall slots are limited. Attendee RSVP details will be in our next notice in October." At the bottom text reads "Touching Base endorses The Uluru Statement from the Heart and acknowledges First Nations as the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia, their diversity, histories and knowledge, and their continuing connections to land and community. "

ALT There is a purple background with text that reads "Sound Technician volunteer needed. When: 7th December 2025. Touching Base is searching for a Sound Technician for our upcoming 25th Anniversary event. If you have technical skills and are interested in volunteering, please contact our events coordinator - [email protected]."

ALT There is a purple background with large text that reads "Congratulations Melanie Hawkes. Jennifer Burbidge Award Winner 2025." underneath there is a picture of a hand holding a green trophy.

ALT There is text in the bottom right corner that reads "Congratulations to our committee member Melanie Hawkes who has won the Jennifer Burbidge Award for her short story 'A New Chapter In My life', describing her sexual journey as a disabled woman.". A black and white photo of Melanie in her wheelchair holding her award is above it in the top left corner.

ALT There is an orange background with text that reads "When COVID-19 left Melanie with an aching neck, she never expected it would lead to love. What began as curiosity about intimacy and disability opened the door to new experiences, empowerment, and self-discovery. With honesty, humour, and vulnerability, she shares the journey from first exploration to finding both confidence and connection — and even her first love."

ALT There is a lime green background with a quote by Melanie Hawkes that reads "I was surprised and excited to find out I'd won the Jennifer Burbidge Short Story Award for people with disabilities. I wasn't at the awards ceremony as it was in Victoria (and I'm in Perth), so they set up a zoom meeting so I could watch it live. But as they announced the winner, all sound was lost and I had to wait until the end of the ceremony to find out I'd won! The nine other shortlisted stories were equally deserving to win. I'm still getting used to being a prize-winning author! It's encouraging me to write my memoir about how my sex worker changed my life and now met and fallen in love with James. This winning story will hopefully become chapter one." .

ALT An image of a black mortar board hat is featured on a purple background. The Touching Base logo is visible in the bottom right corner. There is white text overlapping the image that reads: Are you a sex worker and want to gain awareness around supporting clients with disability? Our Professional Disability Awareness Training (PDAT) workshop is now available online. Session 1 | 25 July 2025 Session 2 | 1 August 2025

ALT Text reads: What is PDAT? Professional Disability Awareness Training (PDAT) is an online workshop by Touching Base where participants will: Gain a deeper understanding of working with clients with disability. Challenge common myths and prejudices about disabled people. Learn about the diverse sexuality of disabled people and the barriers they face in accessing sex services. Practical strategies for taking bookings with clients with disability. Strategies to make your services and workplace more accessible.

ALT Text reads: When can I do PDAT? PDAT consists of two 3-hour live sessions held over 2 consecutive weeks. You must attend both sessions. Registrations close Monday 21 July. Session 1 | Friday 25 July 2025 from 1pm to 4pm AEST (12.30pm - 3.30pm SA/NT, 11am - 2pm WA). Session 2 | Friday 1 August 2025 from 1pm to 4pm AEST (12.30pm - 3.30pm SA/NT, 11am - 2pm WA). Please note: these workshops are only open to sex workers who have worked in the sex industry for a minimum of 3 months. Participants will receive a Certificate upon completion of both workshop sessions.

ALT Text reads: How do I sign up? Cost: $125.00 per person This registration fee cover both sessions and also includes a training workbook. Payment can be made by MasterCard/Visa, or by bank deposit/transfer. Sex workers who are Touching Base members only pay $112.50. Register via the Touching Base website under the “Training” tab, or via our Linktree. touchingbase.org/workshops-and-training/pdat If you have any questions please email Training Coordinator, Emma: [email protected]