The power of community can often be underestimated, but this September, we will be talking about how the community coming together can play an important role in supporting people after tragic personal experiences and how it can also help to create positive, lasting change on a broader scale.

Our guest speaker, Michelle Davis, will be sharing her story of hope, connection and inspiration after tragically losing her two teenage sons in a motor vehicle accident in 2005.

Michelle became Co-Founder and Project Coordinator of ROADwhyz NSW (Hunter) Inc. ‘Choice & Consequence' program. This young driver awareness education program is being delivered in local high schools to Year 11 and 12 students, as well as apprentice groups and various other educational facilities. In 2007, Michelle became Co-Founder and Coordinator of the H.O.P.E Support Group Inc.- a support group set up to assist parents who have lost children.

Through her work in the community via ROADwhyz and H.O.P.E, Michelle brings like-minded people together, sharing similar experiences, circumstances, goals and passions and who all aim to be part of helping others and giving back to the community.

She has become passionate about helping others to create long-lasting, healthy lifestyle changes so they can live to their fullest potential, and she is particularly inspired by those who can overcome adversity and move forward, one step at a time.

Michelle has been honoured with several community awards, including Maitland's 'Woman of the Year' 2014, Steel Magnolia Newcastle 2014, Extraordinary Woman of the Year 2014 and most recently, the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of her road safety initiatives and her tireless work in supporting others who have experienced loss.