Bite sized yarns: ‘Lost & Found’ is a conversation about loss, courage and the resilience it takes to find ourselves again.

The event and this theme is in honour of my beautiful mum, who survived breast cancer twice but sadly passed away in 2020. Losing her had a huge impact on me and in many ways changed the trajectory of my life. What I've found since then has been a resolve to honour her life and be her living legacy of love, to help build a kinder and more loving world.

Join me and special guest speakers for a heartfelt yarn about what this topic means to them, each bringing their own unique perspectives about the brave steps they've taken in their everyday lives.

Welcoming women, femmes and non-binary folks for an afternoon of conversation and connection.

Ticket price: $60. All proceeds raised go to the Cancer Council NSW.

What's included: A light lunch including grazing plates and sweets. Drinks can be purchased separately. (Please advise of any dietary requirements with ticket purchase)

Raffle: There's a chance to go in the draw to win some awesome prizes!

Location: Bernie's Bar, Newcastle

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I'm so excited and grateful to be joined by some wonderful speakers. Here's a teaser of who they are, I hope you can join us to find out more about these interesting people.

Ree Hodges (she/her), Artist

Ree Hodges from Newcastle, NSW, is a visual artist guided by her innate passion for artistic expression.

From an early age, Ree was drawn to the charming allure of art, quietly observing the world around her and immersing herself in its expressions. Though initially reserved, her passion for creativity served as a silent catalyst, guiding her on a journey of self-discovery.

Infused with a soft and feminine aesthetic, Ree's work evokes a sense of serenity and beauty, inviting viewers into a place of tranquillity and introspection. While her repertoire predominantly comprises gentle abstract pieces, evolution towards more adventurous experimentation with bolder colours, contrast, and defined contours has been a welcoming one. Combining the two styles, she uncovers a harmonious balance between them.

Ree's creative process is an exploration of colour, a symphony of hues drawn from the rich tapestry of everyday life. Whether inspired by the delicate shades of dawn's first light, the raw emotion of personal experiences, or the rhythms of music, each stroke of her brush serves as a testament to the boundless beauty found in the world around us.

Ennia Jones (she/her), Strategy & Governance Professional and Founder

Ennia is a Dr John Yu Fellow for Cultural Diversity Leadership from the University of Sydney Business School. She brings extensive experience in project leadership within the Higher Education sector, contributing to policy development, governance, community engagement, organisational change initiatives, philanthropy and corporate stakeholder engagement.

Ennia’s commitment to inclusivity and engagement led her to found ‘A Splash of Colour Swimming’ – a not for profit, holistic and inclusive learn-to-swim program designed for CALD women. The program addresses mental, financial, and cultural barriers to swimming, creating pathways to health, social connection, employment and safe water practices for CALD women. For her efforts, Ennia’s program was recognised with a NSW Parliament Community Recognition Statement, speaking and media engagements and grant awards.

Ennia's multifaceted career background equips her to inspire audiences with valuable insights into career development, overcoming professional challenges, and capitalising on opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Nerissa Jones (she/her), Manager, CSIRO (bio written by her husband, Huw)

Nerissa Jones is an Anaiwan woman from the New England Tablelands of NSW. She has just submitted her PhD thesis, creating a visual framework for Indigenous design thinking. She doesn’t see herself as an overachiever, but rather as someone who diligently chips away at things.

Nerissa has been her own guardian since age 16. She studied industrial design in Brisbane and San Jose and earned a master’s degree in teaching. Her diverse career experiences range from working at the Wollotuka Institute and as a school librarian to her current role designing digital learning programs for CSIRO.

Beyond her 9 to 5, Nerissa is a mother to two neurodivergent boys who, like all children, require learning and advocacy. She shares her family life, love, and responsibilities with her husband, Huw.

Nerissa’s strengths are her tenacity and willingness to give time and effort to a team, whether at work, with her friends, or with her family. She finds balance between creativity and pragmatism, evident in her creative hobbies such as sewing and dreaming up renovation projects.

By pushing and pulling on these elements—creativity and pragmatism—as well as relying on the support she has earned through her effortless altruism, Nerissa is able to be resilient and thrive. However, Nerissa would smile and say, "I’m happy, I’m doing alright."

Litia Van De Mortel (she/her), Industry Professional, Creative and Entrepreneur

Litia is a Māori-Tongan woman. She currently lives and plays on the lands and waterways of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples. She has over 20 years experience in the Transport industry, ranging from frontline through to middle management. Outside of Transport, Litia taps into her creative energy in projects and event management.

Through her experiences, she wants to empower, especially her children to change generational and societal norms, championing for inclusion and diversity for all people in particular women and women of colour.

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And finally, a little bit about me - your host!

I'm Ofa Fitzgibbons (she/her) and curiousity, connection and integrity are the values that drive all that I do.

These values have landed me a diverse range of experience where I've worked with teams to deliver positive impact on the world. I'm a partnership broker and storyteller and have spent the last eight years at the CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. My work has helped to develop strategic industry and government partnership programs that are solving some of our biggest challenges - on topics from the impacts of climate change to COVID research, to launching new tech platforms and putting new diets on bestseller booklists - showcasing Australian science and technology innovation to the world. When I'm not supporting scientists, I also serve on the Newcastle Writers Festival Board and support equality and social justice advocacy work at Women of Colour Australia.

I'm grateful to work, live and raise my family on the beautiful lands and waterways of the Awabakal people. I've spent most of my life here in Newcastle and call this place home.

This event is to help raise important funds for the Cancer Council NSW. Here's a bit more info on what they do and how your support will help Novocastrians.

The NSW Cancer Council is a leading cancer charity dedicated to reducing the impact of cancer on individuals and communities. With a mission to defeat cancer through advocacy, research, and support, the council provides vital services to cancer patients and their families, including counselling, financial assistance, and access to support groups.

Their research initiatives aim to improve cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, contributing to better outcomes for those affected by the disease. Cancer Council NSW is 94% community funded, therefore funds raised from Stars of Newcastle go right back into the community supporting all cancer patients in our region.