Being Differently

WestWords and Cumberland Woman's Health are celebrating Women's Week by asking Western Sydney to share their experiences and personal understanding of Being Differently in a landscape of competing and intersecting identities. We invite our audience to express and celebrate their "differences" in whichever way that theme resonates. Join us for a day of workshops, talks and open mic performances with a cash prize! This is an inclusive she/her/they/them event.

10am-11am - "Being Differently" Join authors Fiona Murphy and Zeynab Gamieldien with moderator counsellor Julia Ellis as this exciting panel engages with and dissects what it means to 'be differently' in their work and in the wider world. Hear what women's week means to them, and to what degree their identity influences their artistic voice. To what extent is difference, or 'the other', embraced or rejected by their art?

11.30am-12.30pm - Writing Workshop
Join Fiona Murphy for a short form life-writing and memoir writing workshop. Explore and expand your spoken-word and poetry skills. This workshop is an excellent opportunity to find your voice, and create something ready to perform at the open mic event!
OR
11.30am-12.30pm - Mindfulness & Stories.
There is bravery, strength and sometimes a confronting nature to sharing one's story. Join counsellor Julia Ellis for a group discussion and self-soothing activities.

12.30pm-1.30pm - Lunch provided

1.30-2.15pm - "Books that do things differently" Join Zaheda Ghani and Alex Sarkis in conversation with Augusta Supple as they discuss how their stories deal with intersecting identities, and the ways in which they sought to break the mould with their stories.

2.30pm-4.30pm - We invite local poets, writers, songwriters and spoken word artists to perform at our open mic, on the theme "Being Differently". This event features special guest feature poet J. Marahuyo. At the end, a winner and runner up will will a cash prize!