The Story Room July 4th 2023 What I've Learnt Along The Way

Overview

The ancient art of storytelling comes to life on the stage when six storytellers from different walks of life share a true and deeply personal story. 

Theme for the evening

"Lessons I've Learnt Along The Way" 

About the night

The venue, Bucketty’s Brewing Co. Brookvale, is a warm and friendly environment, where you can mingle with friends, make new friends, relax with a beer, enjoy a meal and be entertained by the eclectic and talented storytellers. This event connects the community through the sharing of real stories. Enjoy drama, laughter and sometimes tears and have a chance to be a part of something different here on the Northern Beaches.

 Please Note:  Venue will be open from 5.15pm allowing time for you to order a meal and have a drink before the entertainment commences at 7pm sharp. 

About the New Venue - Bucketty's Brewing Co, Brookvale

There is so much to learn about Bucketty's and its humble beginnings.  It's a family owned business with much blood, sweat and tears making it what it is today. 

I can't think of a better place for Story Room Aus to call home, after-all beer and stories are like peas in a pod, they just fit perfectly.  

https://www.buckettys.com.au/p... 

The Food

Check out the menu. You certainly won't starve to death while you listen to some great stories. We are however trying to learn how many people might buy meals, as Nick the owner will open the food truck especially for us. 

Check out the menu....https://www.buckettys.com.au/p...

How to get to Bucketty's

The B1 will drop you on Pittwater Road, not far from Warringah Mall.  It is a short walk down Orchard Road to number 26. 

If you drive there is loads of free parking in the surrounding streets of Brookvale. 

NB: If you going to have a few drinks, be sure to nominate a designated driver or grab a taxi or an uber. Safe travels
 

Because Everyone has a story!

Meet the Storytellers (in no particular order)

Brendan Donohoe

Brendan is a Bachelor of Town Planning (UNSW) and worked for The National Trust of Australia
(New South Wales) through the 80’s.
A surfer since the 60’s, a stay at home dad to his two kids has allowed him to
work with Surfrider Foundation since 1998 where he’s served as local Branch President, National
Director and National Chair.
Brendan won the Manly Environment Centre Award in 2010 and the Northern Beaches Council
“Caring for the Coast” Eco Award for 2021.
He has addressed conferences, rallies, senate hearings and schools, evolved countless
submissions on everything from toilet blocks to offshore sand nourishment, he schmoozes
businesses and bends the ears of profile surfers in his pursuit of sustainable coastal
management

Sarah Martin 

Sarah Martin is wife to Shane and mother to three beautiful but very different adult children, two cats, and a dog who thinks she’s human.

Despite being an experienced theatre nurse and part of an extended family of medical professionals, nothing could have prepared Sarah for navigating the health system after her daughter Alice began experiencing psychosis and later, bipolar disorder.

Dear Psychosis, is Sarah’s first book and describes not only the dramatic rescue of her unwell daughter from Turkey, but the ongoing impact of helping a loved one deal with mental illness.

Most of all, it is a story of recovery, hope and the power of family. 

 Sarah is now an accredited mental health first aider, a mental health advocate and peer ambassador with SANE Australia.

When not tackling the stigma and silence around mental illness, Sarah loves playing golf and making and baking sourdough bread.

David Callan

David Callan is an actor, comedian, voice artist, podcaster and ex-spy who graduated from ASIO in 1993 with majors in counterterrorism, counter-espionage and clowning. His voice can be heard everywhere from ads and animated series to ABC’s Media Watch. Live performance has seen David host the Beach Volleyball at the 2000 Olympics, play Peter Sellers (twice) as well as innumerable appearances as an improvisor and stand-up comic around Australia and the world. On TV and film, he has played coppers, crims, lawyers, doctors and one delightfully savant electrician in Australia’s first improvised television drama “Going Home” for SBS. David resolved the dichotomy of his previous life as a spy with his current life as a comic when he created his smash-hit one-man show “I Spied – True Confessions of an ex-ASIO Spook” which garnered the only ever 6-out-of-5 star rating along with Best in the Fest n Award. In 2020, he was commissioned to create a 12 episode podcast around I Spied and three years and 150 episodes later he can be heard every Monday dissecting, explaining and generally deriding the goings on of the world of spooks, terrorists and global political intrigue. David is also highly regarded as a teacher and is in demand as an impro coach in schools as well as in the corporate sector as a specialist in soft skills and communications.ominations in the Adelaide and Perth Fringes, and the Adelaide Fringe Critics’ Choice

Oliver Phommavahn

Oliver Phommavahn is a children’s author and comedian who uses his experience as a primary school teacher to inspire kids to write funny stories.

He has performed in various comedy festivals around Australia and has also participated in many writing festivals in Asia and Australia.

His books include Thai-riffic!, Punchlines and his latest, What About Thao, which was a CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Notable Book in 2023

Anne McKeown 

Anne McKeown is a highly regarded Master Coach who empowers women to step up, speak up and show up with confidence in business & life, so they can enjoy more happiness and success every day.

She is the owner of 2Mpower Coaching and her main driver is to be a good role model for her two daughters, Maris & Megan (the 2Ms in 2Mpower).

She incorporates NLP techniques when coaching or facilitating individuals and groups because she knows it’s not enough to tell people what to do - it’s essential to show them HOW to do it.

Anne is also a published author, Take Back Control of Your Life Now and the founder of Sydney Women’s Self-Empowerment Meetup which has over 600 members.

Anne was one of the two trainers at The Crafting Your Story Workshop. This workshop was a joint collaboration with Christine Greenough and Karen Sander (founder and host of The Story Room) 

Danny Shannon- A very different story this month- more surprises...

By age 15, Danny had developed a full-blown drug and alcohol addiction. Spending his 18th birthday in Parramatta Prison, Danny has since turned his life around and is now 13 years sober.

"I have lived a colourful life and my experiences now serve as lessons for others. I now represent a symbol of hope for so many people going through exactly what I did for over a decade, and I couldn't be happier about that.  smile way too much and its my job as a human being and a man in recovery to make people happy!"

Journal/Instructional Bookmark now available for purchase at the checkout

So you have been coming along to Story Room Aus and you think that perhaps one day you might like to share a story or perhaps you are considering writing your memoir sometime in the future to share with your family and friends. After searching for months I came across a beautiful aluminium covered journal. I purchased it and have been recording events that happen each day, week or month in my life. I came to the conclusion that others might like to do the same. After all journalling is not only therapeutic, it helps you recall events in your life and when it comes to writing your memoir the journal will be a wonderful help. Purchase one at the checkout and we will have it at the door waiting for you at the next Story Room Aus (available in silver and gold)