By Hayley Pearson
If you know us, you’ll know that we’re ridiculously passionate about championing inspirational South Aussies. Why? Because we know that their stories can actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
And man, do we have something that’s change-the-world-inspiring for you!
The Australia Day Council of South Australia has always recognised South Australians who take action to change the world, and on October 16, at The Hilton Adelaide, in one ultra-incredible event, they’re working to stop domestic violence and homelessness in SA!
Supporting Catherine House and the Hutt Street Centre, In Conversation with Change Makers has one hell of a lineup of outstanding speakers who all have one thing in common — HEART! They’ve each experienced either domestic violence or homelessness and will share their personal stories in the hope to help others.
Without further ado, please all stand for these super humans…
Body Image Movement change-maker Taryn Brumfitt…
Taryn is by far one of the most delightful, fierce and passionate Adeladies you’ll ever meet! She’s an internationally recognised keynote speaker, the woman behind The Body Image Movement and best-selling author and director of the inspiring social-change documentary Embrace! She’s all about motivating the next generation and shifting the way the world thinks about themselves and their bodies! And it’s not just us who think she’s wonderfully amazing, Olivia Newton-John, Rosie O’Donnell, and Ashton Kutcher have all famously praised her activism as being “good for the world.” Taryn is also a proud Foundation Board member for The Hutt Street Centre and the perfect speaker for this incredible event!
Comedian Corey White…
Through comedy, Corey has given light to some serious and confronting topics. He shares a personal story of his experiences growing up in foster care, surviving domestic violence, recovering from drug addiction and dealing with mental illness. The ABC have recognised this award-winning funnyman and you can now find the full series of his show, Corey White’s Roadmap to Paradise, on ABC iView. The show will solve all the world’s problems while continuing to advocate for change for kids stuck in our dysfunctional foster care system.
Creator of Gogo Events, Sarah Gun…
What a gal!
Sarah Gun is the super-passionate advocate and entrepreneur who established Gogo Events — training homeless and disadvantaged people to produce décor event items, then employing these trainees to install their events. Brilliant hey?! Wait, it gets better — in the first six months of 2017, together with the Hutt Street Centre, they created more than 100 paid work opportunities! So, it’s fair to say Sarah is changing lives and empowering people by building their confidence! This is part of why she was awarded this year’s Women Hold Up Half the Sky award from the Australia Day Council of SA.
And White Ribbon Ambassador Arman Abrahimzadeh…
For Arman Abrahimzadeh and his sisters, sadly, domestic violence was a normal part of childhood. The three siblings lived in fear of their domineering father, who, in 2010, would eventually murder their mother Zahra in front of 300 people on a dance floor at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Arman and his sister were left to parent their 12-year-old sister and continue their mother’s battles in court. Arman vowed to never follow his father’s footsteps into a cycle of abuse. Now a White Ribbon Ambassador, Arman works with various organisations to support victims and raise awareness. A passionate advocate for better legislation to protect women and children, Arman speaks to schools, sporting clubs and police cadet training. In 2015, he established the Zahra Foundation Australia to assist women in crisis and empower them with education and financial independency. While his life has been scarred, Arman is reaching out to help the half a million Australian women experiencing domestic violence each year. It’s not surprising that Arman was awarded as the Young South Australian of the year a few years ago and we are sure he will go on to do even more to change lives for families.
It’s people like Arman, Sarah, Taryn and Corey who make the world better. And you can too! We absolutely encourage you to get together a group of friends, work mates or family and come and support Catherine House and the Hutt St Centre in one hell of an empowering event!
In Conversation with Change Makers: Supporting Catherine House and the Hutt Street Centre is Tuesday October 16, 6.45am for a 7.00am start at The Hilton Adelaide.
We would love to see your face there. For all the information and to grab your tickets, head over here. Be quick, too – the last event held by the Australia Day Council of SA sold out weeks before the day itself
Hayley xx
