Building Bridges 2022

“Building Bridges Through Story” will be a celebration of diversity; an opportunity to build community and establish lasting connections that foster inclusion and respect and begin to break down the walls in our society. Walls built by ignorance and fear of people of different colour, race, culture, gender, religion, birth place and socio-economic status.

Through the encouragement of experienced and empathetic facilitators, we will listen to the stories of people from three groups; First Australians, people with Disabilities, and Muslim women.

It will be an engagement of the heart. A deep listening to the real stories of people who have experienced the pain and suffering as a result of being excluded, ignored, treated to unjust laws, discriminated against and often abused in public.

Every story told, is a piece of us; a gift to the listener; an attempt to find a deeper connection with other minority groups in our own community.

A bridge can be one way to reach a destination or solution. It can represent a transition – a crossing over – taking a journey from death to ‘new life’. A bridge can be a symbol of hope but for some, it can be a challenge. A struggle to overcome an obstacle or a barrier.

The event will take place Friday night (4 March) and all day Saturday (5 March) at Manningham Uniting Church Community Centre, Wood Street, Templestowe.