The Story Room March 5th 2024

This months event is also suitable for those who are Hard of Hearing- AUSLAN INTERPRETED

(Please note there are two ticket types, they are the same price, however one is for those Hard of Hearing guests so we know how many to cater for and where to seat them so they can see the Auslan interpreter)

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

'Defining Moments

About the night

 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 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. 

Meet the Storytellers (in no particular order)

Sharon Xebregas (Bilingual Auslan and English)

Sharon Xabregas, a dedicated advocate for the Deaf and hard of hearing community, shares a compelling journey that has profoundly influenced her sense of purpose.

Her commitment to uplifting the Deaf and hard of hearing community stems from a place of genuine understanding and unwavering compassion. The narrative of her life unfolds with the challenges faced in establishing a foothold in the professional world, exacerbated by the hurdles posed by her own Deafness. Rather than succumbing to discouragement, these struggles ignited a fierce determination to pave a smoother path for others navigating similar obstacles.

In 2018, Sharon confronted a tribulation that tested her spirit—a distressing experience of bullying and discrimination within a prominent disability employment organization. Yet, even in the face of adversity, she summoned the courage to seek help. Sharing her pain with her GP marked a transformative moment, leading to a journey of recovery supported by workers' compensation.

Amid the gentle embrace of healing, the solidarity of the Deaf community enveloped Sharon. This support laid the groundwork for Sign Hear, a sanctuary offering tailored services to meet the unique needs of Deaf individuals. The unforeseen challenges of the pandemic did not stifle their spirit; instead, they ignited a wildfire of innovation and determination. Sign Hear flourished, evolving into a vibrant team of 17 dedicated individuals, most of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing, united by the common goal of shattering barriers.

In acknowledgment of her relentless dedication, Sharon has been humbled to receive successive Sutherland Shire Specialised Business Awards in 2022 and 2023, along with commendations from the New South Wales Parliament. The Shire Ability Film Festival in 2019 also celebrated her journey, amplifying her mission.

Sharon has had the privilege of standing shoulder to shoulder with esteemed artists at the Grand Final NRL, representing the heart of the Deaf community. As she continues on this path, she is reminded that her former vulnerabilities now empower her, shaping a narrative of resilience and triumph.

Dr Jodi Edwards 

(Due to popular demand in November Jodi is back)

Jodi Edwards is a proud Yuin woman, with Dharawal kinship ties and has been raised on Dharawal Country. Jodi has been involved in learning from the environment through Mother Earth and Elders for the last 35years. Jodi has learnt from knowledge holders the value of story sharing, to help reawaken our Dharawal languages and sharing this within her landscapes, through song and dance. I have been sharing Country knowledges with all people as my reciprocity and gratitude for the lessons from Elders and Country. This has been done through story, creative writing, song, and artistic movements utilising Wayapa Wuurrk which translates to “Connect to the Earth". Jodi uses story sharing as a way to inform and Builds Cultural capacity for independence for healing and strength. Throughout this time Jodi has advocated the use of Story Sharing, song, music, and dance as an ancient way in modern times to share Cultural knowledges. Jodi incorporates her theories supported by ancient pedogogies to strengthen Aboriginal knowledges from young people to adults. Her stories reconnect the disconnected thus building a culturally resilient, responsible, respectful, community whether you are Aboriginal or Non- Aboriginal. Through her stories Jodi links the ancient practices of reciprocity to allow all listeners to continue the journey of harmony within communities.

Tim Hewson (Mongrels Men)

Tim motivates hundreds of men to get out of bed, outdoors, moving and connecting with other men in their local community each week.

Tim is the founder and volunteer Director of Mongrels Men, a charity a mission to improve men's mental and physical health & wellbeing.

In less than 3 years, Tim has grown Mongrels Men from a couple of blokes running up and down Dee Why beach sharing their challenges to a registered charity with 16 volunteers running more than 700 events and activities for thousands of men across NSW & QLD each year. Along the way Tim and Mongrels Men have won awards from Australian Men’s Health Forum, Westfield, LG and ING (Bank Australia Limited). Tim was recently recognised in NSW State Parliament for his contribution to improving men’s mental health.

In addition to a busy full-time corporate banking job and raising three teenage kids as a single dad, Tim spends countless hours of his time working on the charity and attending four or five Meet-Ups each week for a chat with the Mongrels over a run, walk, swim, game of soccer or a coffee.

Tim’s vision is to have a Mongrels Community Champion in every postcode in Australia running events and activities so blokes have somewhere to go, something to do, someone to talk to and support when needed. 

Ruby Boukabou

Ruby Boukabou is a writer, performer and director who is part time Parisian and part time Sydneysider, depending on the weather. Ruby wrote and performs in the cabarets Parisian Time Step, Promenade à Paris and tap dancers in several other projects such as Le Shuffle Project and the Paris Tap Crew. Ruby is the author of The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris, The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris and The Art Lover’s Guide to Barcelona. She’s a regular reporter of The Cannes Film Festival (@thecannescouch and for various media) and freelances internationally as an arts and travel reporter. Ruby’s next live performance is 3rd February at Claire’s Kitchen, Le Salon. www.claireskitchen.com.au

Paul Dunne

As the youngest of 11 children, Paul Dunne has always been fascinated by family stories. So in between working as one of Australia’s most awarded advertising creatives, he’s written about, listened to and spoken of little else other than tales of family disfunction. From the hilarious to the heartbreaking, the stories Paul shares will help put your family foibles in perspective.

Sherrie Laryse

Sherrie Laryse is an author and Emotional Intelligence teacher with 12+ years working in human behaviour, neuro linguistics, grief, trauma, psychosomatics, mental illness, yoga and meditation.

Her focus is sharing techniques that work so people have the skills to process challenges that inevitably arise in life. She does this via private consultation, group classes, and via the hypnotic power of story in her very raw, very vulnerable ‘tell-all’ which is her book, On Path.

As one reader wrote on Amazon, Sherrie’s book is “A profound read that will unearth self-awareness and emotional intelligence in any reader.”

Sherrie’s aim is always to share practical methods of self-help, showing people how to reframe their thinking to feel a sense of freedom in who they are, as they are, no matter what unfolds in life.  

                                Because everyone has a story!