Uniqueness Journey

Another beautiful sunny day @ Jamieson Park celebrating NAIDOC week ❤️🖤💛

Such a blessing to connect with community building strength, laughter and joy.

Everyone embracing each other with open arms and smiles on faces 🙏🏼🙌🏽⭐️

Baabayan NAIDOC Celebrations!❤️🖤💛

Great day out embracing culture, community connection and celebrating significant cultural values.

Heartfelt moments watching the crowd enjoy Aboriginal performances.

There is no quick fix when adapting and making changes in life for the betterment and overall health and well-being, no matter how big or small 🙌🏽🙏🏼

It takes emotional, mental, physical and spiritual strength for change, no matter the lifestyle we hold and how we are already conditioned to live our lives.

It’s a pattern of behaviours, we surround ourselves with relationships, environments, situations we are familiar with that can sometimes leave a sense of feeling stuck or trapped in the most exhausting, vulnerable moments.

Sometimes our own trauma experiences prevents us from connecting and reaching out. It’s a process which can mean swallowing our own pride and shame which can be overwhelming and daunting at the same time, especially when we lose trust in ourselves.

Timing is critical, not perfect, yet some what flexible and feels right. Setting small achievable goals are key.

Give yourself permission not to be too hard on yourself.

A pleasure to have met this beautiful lady Belinda Matthews ❤️🙌🏽🌸⭐️

A must watch documentary (The last daughter) sharing the experience of living in both worlds.

Coohee Festival Shalvey!

A beautiful day of sunshine, great weather, great talent, great company.

Such an Awesome day for community gathering, connecting with family, friends and community members.

Events just like this always brings, joy, laughter, happiness, love seeing smiles on peoples faces.

Embracing relationships, connection, culture and spirituality

Had the pleasure of meeting the beautiful Brenda Matthews (The last daughter).

Special Guest Jessica Mauboy

Grief and loss is significant amongst communities right across the country, we all carry our own individual experiences which makes us unique. No matter what grief and loss looks like.

My dad always told me ‘girl, you want something you have to work for it’ this is what was instilled in me from a very young age.

With a strong work ethic I always worked from a very young age, I didn’t recognise how vulnerable and naive I was until I became older and wiser. After loosing loved ones in my life including my dad, I battled grief and depression big time which of cause impacted my work performance with an organisation I dedicated my working life of 16 years.

This caused further distress, as I didn’t know or understand grief and depression, yet it impacted my whole world and it definitely impacted my children which I didnt recognise as I was so caught up in my own sadness.

At age 35 I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Education Centre Against Violence and meeting each and everyone of these strong, beautiful gifted women who dedicate their time, effort and passion towards others in gaining knowledge, strength and resilience.

This was the beginning of my education journey being nurtured, surrounded with positive vibes planted a small seeds towards healing. I didn’t know this at the time, but 3 years with ECAV gave me the opportunity to complete the Masters Social Work Qualification in 2021-2023, 9 years later.

The ECAV graduation was a blessing to reconnect and see others be also on their own journey working towards positive change.

We can plan our future, yet we can not predict it will happen the way we hope. There are many life obstacles, just keep doing the best you can.

No matter your age, it’s never to late to have an education. My biggest education within the trauma, social,emotional well-being space provided me with skills to advocate and be a voice for individuals and families when needed. Lots of sacrifices but glad I completed the ECAV pathway it definitely shaped my values, morals and ambitions of who I am today.

The best feeling ever, was having my children beside me sharing our growth, resilience together working towards healing.

Making sacrifices for a better you includes, change in behavior, self-control, boundaries, self-determination, hope and so much more!
🙌🏽🫶🏽⭐️🌈

Sacrifices is a life changer, although hard work in terms of psychological, emotional, physical and support systems are put in place strengthens positive change.

It’s a never ending cycle of pure appreciation of self for a brighter future.

People hurt people, this is part of life right!

When people express or display behaviours, just be curious. We all carry our own traumas it depends how we express it.

Trauma is complex and difficult to understand, when you truly and deeply understand you see different, move different, act different and respond different. It shifts your mood and energy.

IT’S POWERFUL WHEN UNDERSTOOD.

There are times when we thrive on positivity, kind words, compliments, it builds self-esteem leaving a sense of worth, happiness and joy.

On the flip side, we must be concious of negative vibes around us preventing a sense of feelings of deflation and despair.

Take care of No 1, we matter. Its hard work, developing patience, resilience but it definately pays off in the long run with the right supports in place.

Masters of Social Work, my biggest achievement overall!!!

At age 50 I’ve become more fascinated with studying and learning about people around me. I’m forever grateful for my learnings over the years, put all my work into helping others which I am passionately proud of seeking justice when it matters.

My unique journey of life has given me a sense of worth, courage, strength and resilience to go on to better myself. My children beside me drives me crazy some days, yet I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our relationship with each other is challenging, as we all have different views on how life is meant to be. We all carry our own beliefs system, values and morals which makes us who we are as individuals.

On two occasions, I’ve graduated at the University of Sydney, firstly in 2013 and just last week second time round. My children, knows how much I support them when it’s appropriate, it’s a blessing to have them standing right beside me on special days just like these.

None of us are perfect, just remember we all carry hurt, pain and grief. What makes a difference is we can come together for beautiful occasions just like these, celebrating successes.

Men Speaking out is a strength not a weakness!

Two brave men who have spoken about their own unique vulnerablilities. deepest grief, sadness and losses.

I’m so proud of them for speaking truth about men’s pain and suffering, as it is real and shouldn’t be ignored by all means.

Its been a privilege to know I am part of their ongoing healing journey. Its been amazing to see the positive shift in them both, embracing life.

Ensure to watch their videos, they demonstrate inspiration, resilience, self-determination, compassion and so much more as well as carry a kind heart. They definitely pave the paths for others to speak out.

Ensure to leave a comment for them both, I’m sure they would love to see the impact they’ve made to someone or so many.

Please continue to share the videos if you hadn’t done so already.

This woman always does her best, putting a brave face on, even when shes going through the many obstacles lifes thrown at her.

Life can be a vicious cycle of grief, she does her best to stay strong by having a good heart and the many positive people in her life ❤️

She’s an advocatee for many people from all cultural backgrounds and passionate about everything she does, has a caring nature along with an open mind.

She carries resilience, self-determination, empathise in many situations and allows herself to be vulnerable at times.

She bounces back like always, with motivation, inspiration from people around her who keep her grounded. She accepts her own wrongdoing, it’s taken her many years to understand this, yet she is fascinated and curious with her world in which she holds close to her heart, everyone needs understanding.

Trauma affects everyone, anywhere, anytime!

Acknowledging the Bondi Junction tragedy has caused so much distress, disbelief and shock all over the world, which impacts each and every one of us differently.

Tragedy and unpredictable event can happen anywhere, anytime without warning, no matter your background and your environment there is always risks no matter the what! why! where!

Its not untill a tragedy like this happens, something is highlighted and something needs to he done. Society is now heightened and consciously mindful of surroundings. We all react and respond differently hence ensure you keep yourself emotionally, mentally and physically safe.

You may not even be conscious of a feeling or thought process, its important to understand the WHY?

Please take care of yourselves, if feelings of overwhelming emotions, thought processes arise, please please seek help you matter.

Reach out, talk to a friend or someone you believe will listen.

Everyone derseves a break!

Heading back to Sydney after a long relaxing, pleasurable and grateful week, filled with love, joy along with sadness.

I’m so glad to have reconnected with people who I admire and who mean so much to me. Life is too precious people, forgiveness is part of life, sometimes swallowing your own pride is the most difficult thing to do. But, if you hold onto something that isnt in your control, you’ll become a prisoner within and it can either make you stronger or destroy you. Life is about living, exploring not just about living groundhog days. Take yourself out of your comfort zone who knows where you’ll end up and what’s ahead of you. Life isn’t predicable life just happens and thats the way it is.

Planning hasn’t been one of my strenghts or a thing I’ve been good at, I just take the risks and hope for the best. No matter what life challenges are thrown at you its always a good reminder to put yourself first occasionally.

Walking your own path!

There are times when people try to be helpful.

There are times when you think you don’t deserve good.

There are times when you think your not worthy.

There are times when you think it’s not the right time to act.

There are times when you are vulnerable.

One BIGGEST LESSON is to stay on your own path, there will be consequences but there will also be accomplishments.

Time to start believing in yourself!

THE SAYING….MIND OVER MATTER!

When our emotions within our inner self becomes overwhelming its challening to even think or act out feelings of distress.

We are conditioned to think certain ways, to change it takes hard work and sheer determination.

Give yourself permission to make change to be better, stronger, smarter you deserve it🙏🏼

13th February 2024 marks 16 years since the Stolen Generation Apology delivered by Kevin Rudd (Prime Minister at the time).

It was a privilege to be part of commemorations remembering the Stolen Generation. Listening to truth telling stories from members of the Stolen Generation and their heartfelt pain and suffering.

As we know, children continue to be removed from family, community, spirituality and culture which is an ongoing cycle of trauma.

Uncle Danny Eastwood, Aboriginal artist painted a significant piece of art which expresses the hope towards healing which sends a powerful message.

The Aboriginal dance group performed strong and proud at PCYC, great to see young talent coming through embracing culture.

The true power of reflecting upon your own journey is you can appreciate how far you’ve come whilst others don’t understand.