Everyone on the Sunshine Coast is talking about Stories that Stir! Come along to the next
event, designed to break down barriers, stir conversation, and inspire positive change.

You'll be inspired by six storytellers, who will each share their 10-minute raw and personal story on the topic of LOVE, in all its shapes and forms.

It's being brought to you by the Sunshine Coast dream team including, Stephanie Rother, Arnaum Walkley, Renee Paolini, and Nicolette Wijers.

Audience members rave about how good it feels to spend a lovely evening, listening to other people's funny, moving, and inspiring stories and how connected to humanity the event makes them feel

Please join us for a night of extraordinary stories that will make you laugh, cry, and view the world in a different light.

Meet your storytellers:

PINKSPIRATION Rebecca Vizi:

Bec has a Functional Neurological Disorder and chronic hip pain. She was one of the first people on the Sunshine Coast to use a mobility aid on the ICN bodybuilding stage and next year she’ll be doing the same on the FMG stage in the Gold Coast. Rebecca is determined to show others everyone deserves to shine on that stage, regardless of disability.

MOTHER LOVE Nicolette Wijers

When Nicolette returned to Holland to see her mum after a five-year separation (thanks to COVID), she discovered that dementia had transformed her from an intelligent woman to confused and dependent. Nicolette battled with bureaucracy and the lack of support from corporations and institutions, however by mastering the art of manifestation and love, she made the impossible possible.

OUT OF AFRICA Lillian Muchiri

Lillian grew up in a small village in Kenya witnessing a lot of scarcity, deprivation, domestic violence, and girls undergoing FGM among other experiences. 15 years ago, she moved to Australia and studied for a Master's Degree in Nursing, had two children, and now supports people who are undergoing mental illness. She has bought a two-acre piece of land in Marimanti, the village she grew up in, and is on her way to building a women's and children’s shelter.

LIMITLESS LOVE Samantha Halpin

In a world of polarity, Samantha has hit the high-notes and low-notes with grace and perseverance. Working for some of the most influential people in the world and having a brother she loved who was unable to find love within himself. Samantha shares her story of finding level ground on what seemed like a never-ending journey of peaks and valleys.

CHARITY INSANITY Ashton Wood

After years in Melbourne's corporate grind, Ashton found his true during a pivotal chat with a former police senior sergeant. This conversation ignited a nationwide mission, leading to over 8,000 phones being donated to domestic violence survivors. Join us as Ashton shares his journey and insights gained from spearheading one of Australia's most rapidly expanding charities.

KITH & KIN Mark Southwell

Why have Mark, his daughter, her life-partner and her partner’s parents come to be buying one property together? This is the journey of three families who have decided to put their lives together and the lessons they are learning about how to live in a shared environment. His story is about trust, boundaries, and the hazard of miscommunication in the digital age.

* 18+ event

*Trigger warning: Story content may include sensitive topics such as trauma, suicide, death etc.