According to the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2021) – Mental health is a key component of overall health ad wellbeing. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2023) estimated that 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental disorder at some time in their life, if they haven’t already! There has been a lot written on the use of storytelling in healthcare (including mental health) to bring about positive change for people, so at C3 Church Burwood along with Stories of Hope Australia, we decided to offer this one-night event for the people of Sydney’s Inner West.
The evening starts with cocktail style food and drinks (non-alcoholic) from 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm), Saturday August 30th at the Fitzroy Hall (22 Church Street, Burwood). After that, you'll enjoy an evening of story telling - of lives changed, transformed and healed. Tickets are $20 (plus processing fee), and available by clicking the link below.
Key Speakers
Kerrie Atherton, founder of Stories of Hope WORLWIDE and EMPOWER Life solutions has worked as a counsellor for the past 18 years. Kerrie a recovering alcoholic has been sober for 43 years and knows a lot about resilience.
As a Mental Health trainer, along with currently on the Board of Directors for Mentoring Men Australia, as well as an Ambassador for FEARLESS National PTSD organisation, she sees first hand the impact of poor mental health in our communities and the need for greater awareness about how to know the signs to support those who are struggling.
As a Mental Health trainer, along with currently on the Board of Directors for Mentoring Men Australia, as well as an Ambassador for FEARLESS National PTSD organisation, she sees first hand the impact of poor mental health in our communities and the need for greater awareness about how to know the signs to support those who are struggling.
John Killick, a former notorious bank robber who is well known for escaping maximum security in a highjacked helicopter on the roof of Silverwater prison, grew up in the midst of domestic violence. His life changed forever at 15, the night his mother died of an overdose. Fleeing the violence at home the same night he was sexually assaulted by a predator and forced onto the streets to survive. At 15 it was him against the world.
What started as him stealing food for survival soon turned into a fierce gambling addiction which lead him to robbing banks to sustain his gambling habit.
After spending a total of 30 years in prison and losing the best years of his life, John finally found redemption. Today at 83 he is giving back to society. He is an author and speaker sharing his message to troubled youth, law enforcement agencies and advocating for victims of violence.
In his words,
"I KNEW I COULDN'T CHANGE THE PAST, BUT I COULD CHANCE WHAT I DID WITH MY FUTURE."
What started as him stealing food for survival soon turned into a fierce gambling addiction which lead him to robbing banks to sustain his gambling habit.
After spending a total of 30 years in prison and losing the best years of his life, John finally found redemption. Today at 83 he is giving back to society. He is an author and speaker sharing his message to troubled youth, law enforcement agencies and advocating for victims of violence.
In his words,
"I KNEW I COULDN'T CHANGE THE PAST, BUT I COULD CHANCE WHAT I DID WITH MY FUTURE."
Life hasn’t been easy for Scot Gray. Diagnosed with ADHD at 14 he struggled to learn at school. He felt like an outcast. At 18 his life changed forever after his best friend was run over by a bus and killed. His life then spiralled out of control. He turned to drugs to escape the pain which led to a life of crime. All in order to sustain his drug habit.
He spent 7 years in prison as a result of crimes he committed.
Then he was facing more time after being falsely accused of a heinous crime. One he didn’t commit.
He prayed for a miracle...
His miracle came and today he has found healing from a gruelling addiction which almost ended his life and has been clean from drugs for 5 years. His message: never give up hope no matter how hard things seem.
He spent 7 years in prison as a result of crimes he committed.
Then he was facing more time after being falsely accused of a heinous crime. One he didn’t commit.
He prayed for a miracle...
His miracle came and today he has found healing from a gruelling addiction which almost ended his life and has been clean from drugs for 5 years. His message: never give up hope no matter how hard things seem.
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