top of page
Click to hear their talk!
Anne Borg: "Finding gold"
"Finding Gold" is about a life of determination above all else. Anne's four brothers died multimillionaires. All self-created. Each one left their mark in the world for others to enjoy. Anne set her own target to learn something new every day. And at 89 years old, she's still doing it. Never say ‘it cannot be done.’ After a life of pain and deprivation, and detecting as a hobby for about ten years, on Anne's 81st birthday in 2013, she found a gold nugget just outside Kalgoorlie worth over $35,000. And in 2023, Anne and husband Albert are returning to Kalgoorlie to look for more. "Finding gold" is about the deliberate, determined search for happiness and fulfillment, even when it always seems just out of your grasp.
Susi Fox: "Connected compassion: healing the climate, healing ourselves"
"Dr Susi Fox explores the psychological factors that impact our capacity to influence the climate crisis, and describes how by treating all parts of ourselves with curiosity and compassion, we are more able to take effective climate action from a place of inner and outer connection."
Dr Susi Fox is a mental health GP, sex and relationship therapist and author based in the Macedon Ranges. She utilises the evidence-based modality of Internal Family Systems to assist her clients towards loving all parts of themselves, and endeavours to practice Self-leadership in her daily life.
Dr Susi Fox is a mental health GP, sex and relationship therapist and author based in the Macedon Ranges. She utilises the evidence-based modality of Internal Family Systems to assist her clients towards loving all parts of themselves, and endeavours to practice Self-leadership in her daily life.
Dr Richard Mayes: "Social Prescribing: connection with myself and my community."
"Social prescribing is a healthcare approach that involves linking patients with non-medical support services in their communities to improve their overall health and well-being. The aim is to provide patients with holistic support that addresses their social, emotional, and practical needs, alongside any medical treatments they may require. This empowering and practical approach sees patients partnering with their doctor and community to explore and be linked to activities they enjoy, with benefits amplified through social connection. The evidence across the international stage is clear: that social prescribing should soon be considered an essential tool in any primary care physician's tool belt and in any community's health and wellbeing response."
Dr Mayes is a GP / Obstetrician in Castlemaine, Victoria, practicing across Goldfields Medical Group: Lyttleton Street Medical Clinic, Bendigo Health and Castlemaine / Dhelkaya Health. Richard is passionate about medical education and was awarded the RACGP Brian Williams Award in 2021 in recognition of services to rural and regional medical education as a GP Registrar Supervisor, and Clinical Hub Coordinator for Monash University Medical School for the Goldfields region. Richard is instructor for the Australian Maternity and Reproductive Education, Maternity Safety Education Program (Royal Women's Hospital) and PROMPT (practical obstetric) training programs. His own journey in reclaiming joy and wellbeing through dance led to his interest in, and commitment to social prescribing.
Dr Mayes is a GP / Obstetrician in Castlemaine, Victoria, practicing across Goldfields Medical Group: Lyttleton Street Medical Clinic, Bendigo Health and Castlemaine / Dhelkaya Health. Richard is passionate about medical education and was awarded the RACGP Brian Williams Award in 2021 in recognition of services to rural and regional medical education as a GP Registrar Supervisor, and Clinical Hub Coordinator for Monash University Medical School for the Goldfields region. Richard is instructor for the Australian Maternity and Reproductive Education, Maternity Safety Education Program (Royal Women's Hospital) and PROMPT (practical obstetric) training programs. His own journey in reclaiming joy and wellbeing through dance led to his interest in, and commitment to social prescribing.
Manue René: "Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself: The Power of Positive Framing and Re-Imagining Queer Storytelling"
"My name is Manue, and I'm a genderqueer writer, journalist and storyteller living on beautiful Dja Dja Wurrung Country. That is how I would like to introduce myself to you today. When I tell people I am genderqueer, I don't see that as me coming out, but as a powerful choice to introduce myself that way. We’ve known for a long time that you don’t just come out once and — though this language has an intricate history — it has been a while since we made a conscious shift forward to positive framing for queer storytelling. We can love each other more through the language we use, and we can move the narrative onwards to an understanding of the fluidity, beauty, and power of choosing to re-introduce yourself."
Manue is a genderqueer writer, journalist and storyteller living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. They completed their Bachelor of Journalism at RMIT and, during that time, presented and produced a current affairs show on JOY 94.9 and were a feature writer for Acclaim Magazine. They were completing a Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne when the pandemic hit and, feeling the impact of lockdowns, relocated to the countryside. Since then, they have been working with regional young people impacted by the pandemic as Communication, Engagement and Project Support for Youth Take Over Loddon Campaspe. Manue has volunteered for local pride events like the Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health Pride Camp, Camp Different and Mount Alexander Shire’s Over the Rainbow Pride Formal. Manue believes in people power and telling your own story.
Manue is a genderqueer writer, journalist and storyteller living on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. They completed their Bachelor of Journalism at RMIT and, during that time, presented and produced a current affairs show on JOY 94.9 and were a feature writer for Acclaim Magazine. They were completing a Master of International Relations at the University of Melbourne when the pandemic hit and, feeling the impact of lockdowns, relocated to the countryside. Since then, they have been working with regional young people impacted by the pandemic as Communication, Engagement and Project Support for Youth Take Over Loddon Campaspe. Manue has volunteered for local pride events like the Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health Pride Camp, Camp Different and Mount Alexander Shire’s Over the Rainbow Pride Formal. Manue believes in people power and telling your own story.
Joel Hines: "Our stories connect us"
"Now more than ever with the experiences the world has had over the past few years and the acceleration of technology and artificial intelligence it is so important that we remember the importance of human connection. Stories have been used for generations as a way of transmitting knowledge and wisdom but also connecting us as humans in our shared experience. When we share our story with others it is not only a gift that helps them see another perspective but also creates permission for them to share their own story. When we dare to share our thoughts, feelings and experiences with others it can not only normalise their own experiences but also help us to make sense of our own."
Throughout a career spanning over 25 years working in Mental Health, IT, Training, Educational Leadership and Group Facilitation, there has been a common theme of guiding others to explore the shared experience of being human. With his finely honed skills of empathy and compassion, Joel is at his absolute best when he is holding space for others. He naturally adapts to the situation at hand and exercises deep listening and presence with a calm and considered energy. Joel has a strong belief that every person has unique gifts that should be celebrated. With integrity and authenticity, Joel encourages and empowers individuals to step towards the absolute best version of themselves. A natural storyteller with a calm, grounded presence, Joel is passionate about guiding groups on experiential journeys exploring humanity and creating meaningful connection.
Throughout a career spanning over 25 years working in Mental Health, IT, Training, Educational Leadership and Group Facilitation, there has been a common theme of guiding others to explore the shared experience of being human. With his finely honed skills of empathy and compassion, Joel is at his absolute best when he is holding space for others. He naturally adapts to the situation at hand and exercises deep listening and presence with a calm and considered energy. Joel has a strong belief that every person has unique gifts that should be celebrated. With integrity and authenticity, Joel encourages and empowers individuals to step towards the absolute best version of themselves. A natural storyteller with a calm, grounded presence, Joel is passionate about guiding groups on experiential journeys exploring humanity and creating meaningful connection.
Pam Ahern: "What if we could live happy and healthy lives without harming others?"
"Throughout the ages, humans have been asking 'what if' to challenge past ways of thinking and open up new ways of living. And today, as never before, our answers to 'what if?' questions will not only determine our future, but whether we - humans, animals and the planet - shall even have one. Animals have long endured the worst of humanity and so again it's time to ask 'what if...' in examining our relationship with them: 'what if we could live happy and healthy lives without harming others?'"
Pam Ahern describes herself as an animal advocate. She lives in the small country town of Lancefield, Victoria with an eclectic mix of formerly farmed animals. Starting out life in suburban Melbourne when told she could not have a pony, Pam’s ingenuity saw her create one. Since that time, and with animals always at her heart, and often in her bed, Pam has been creating a kinder world for animals. From the one-time champion equestrian she became, so yes, she did get a real pony, she gave it all up when a tiny piglet she named Edgar came into her life and took them both in a direction neither could ever have imagined.
Pam Ahern describes herself as an animal advocate. She lives in the small country town of Lancefield, Victoria with an eclectic mix of formerly farmed animals. Starting out life in suburban Melbourne when told she could not have a pony, Pam’s ingenuity saw her create one. Since that time, and with animals always at her heart, and often in her bed, Pam has been creating a kinder world for animals. From the one-time champion equestrian she became, so yes, she did get a real pony, she gave it all up when a tiny piglet she named Edgar came into her life and took them both in a direction neither could ever have imagined.
Rodney Carter: "First Nations, the missing piece"
"With the many challenges we face today in ecosystem function and declining Biodiversity, the missing piece of the system's effective function is First Nations People. The wisdom and experiences of Ancestors living, nurturing and being on Country is ever-present today. Their descendants, their children, are leading new ways from this ancient knowledge to make Country well again."
Rodney Carter is a descendant of Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta People and resides on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Bendigo, Central Victoria. He currently works for his people, the Dja Dja Wurrung as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises Pty Ltd.
Photo credit: Bill Conroy. The image is from the launch of the Galk Galk Dhelkunya.
Rodney Carter is a descendant of Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta People and resides on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Bendigo, Central Victoria. He currently works for his people, the Dja Dja Wurrung as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the Dja Dja Wurrung Enterprises Pty Ltd.
Photo credit: Bill Conroy. The image is from the launch of the Galk Galk Dhelkunya.
bottom of page