The Story Room October 15th 2024

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

"Hidden Super Powers"

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)

Craig Foster

Craig Foster is a former Socceroo, broadcaster, adjunct professor, author, filmmaker, and human rights activist. As Australia's 419th Socceroo and 40th Captain, he had a decorated football career before transitioning into one of the country’s most respected sports figures. He is widely recognized for his work as a broadcaster, social justice advocate, and human rights campaigner. In recent years, Craig has gained prominence for his relentless advocacy for refugees and asylum seekers. His efforts in 2021 were pivotal in the evacuation of approximately 100 Afghan athletes, including the entire Afghan women’s national football team, from Kabul on an Australian evacuation flight. Craig's commitment to social justice began early, even during his youth as a soccer player. His natural inclination to help those in need extended into his professional career, where he became chairperson of the players’ association, fighting for better conditions for athletes. In the 1980s, he played a key role in advocating for improved contracts and medical support in the National Soccer League. His dedication to equality was further demonstrated in the 2019 landmark pay agreement, which equalized pay and conditions for the Socceroos and Matildas. Beyond football, Craig has championed causes related to First Nations people, homelessness, anti-racism, and domestic violence prevention. However, his work with refugees and asylum seekers remains a defining aspect of his activism. He attributes his passion to his experiences in football, the multicultural game, which made him a global citizen. Craig views the treatment of refugees as one of the greatest injustices in Australian society. Known for his fearlessness, Craig uses his platform to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Despite facing backlash, he remains committed to his cause, believing that life is about helping others, and hoping his courage inspires others to follow suit.

Galuh Wandita

Galuh Wandita began working on gender, peace and conflict issues since the 1990s, working with Oxfam and civil society groups in Indonesia. Together with a group of  East Timorese activists, she co-founded East Timor’s first organization to work on violence against women, Fokupers in Dili in 1997. She was a humanitarian worker with Oxfam during the 1999 referendum in East Timor, leading a civil society-led emergency response to the conflict. She later joined the United Nations mission in Timor-Leste.

In 2002-2005 she was appointed Deputy Director of Timor-Leste’s truth commission (CAVR), where she led the formulation of the institution’s strategic plan, and district-level activities. She returned to Indonesia, as a Senior Associate for the International Center for Transitional Justice, an international NGO based in New York, working on accountability in Indonesia and Timor-Leste. In 2012, she co-founded Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) and continues to lead the organization as its Executive Director, focusing on human rights and accountability in the region. As a member of the Working Group on the Stolen Children, she has led the initiative to find more than 160 survivors of childhood abduction from Timor-Leste (now living in Indonesia), reuniting 80 stolen children with their families. She was appointed by Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister as a member of the advisory panel on the Centro Nacional Chega (CNC), a follow-up body with a mandate to preserve memory and assist survivors. She also is engaged as an advisor to the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Her writings can be read in AJAR’s publications, such as Enduring Impunity: Women Surviving Atrocities in the Absence of Justice (2015); All the Birds are Gone: Indigenous Women Speak Out Against Forest Loss in Papua (2021); and more recently, co-wrote a graphic novel with Putu Oka Sukanta, A Flowering Country (2023.)

She also has produced videos on the legacy of conflict in Timor-Leste, with documentaries entitled “Nina and the Stolen Children of Timor-Leste” (2016), “Women in Hotel Flamboyan” (2012), and “Stone and Flower (2015.) She is also a regular contributor to Jakarta Post’s op-eds.

Greg Thorsby

Gregory J Thorsby is not only a playwright, actor, Film Composer

and award winning Television Ad maker,

he was also the 5 night carry-over champion

of Channel 9's afternoon Game Show - Burgo's Catchprase!!!

(He'd also like to mention that he was in a band that got the number 3 in the triple J Hot 100

and that Paris Hilton once called to wish him happy birthday

... but he fears that that would just be showing off)

Please welcome... the biggest head in Prague - Gregory J Thorsby!!!!

Vanessa Venning

Vanessa coaches executives to navigate pivotal career moments, to re-connect with confidence and build resilience to achieve career success. She is a leading Executive Coach, facilitator, presenter, and author : her first book titled “Pivotal Career Moments – How Confidence can impact career success & what to do about it”, has been a game changer, in particular for executive women. She helps executives to think beyond, to navigate personal and professional change, rediscover career confidence and design transition strategies for future executive careers, Non-Executive Board and Portfolio careers. Apart from her Business, Board and Coaching qualifications, Vanessa draws on wisdom gained from a diverse and unique career – her decades long corporate career, as a People and Culture Director spanning diverse sectors, as well as her background as a Registered Nurse, an award-winning professional singer and recording artist. A fun fact – Vanessa created history recording the first multi-track digital single in Australia entering the National Film and Sound Archives, as well as being a television presenter with Seven Network.

Theodore Avery

Theodore is an actor, travel blogger, and creator of the YouTube channel The Conscious Experience (https://theconsciousexperience.com/), sharing practical concepts in philosophy, mindset, and mental health. He believes that our beliefs shape our reality, and has changed his beliefs to pursue dreams like travelling the world, building a 6-figure travel blog business, and pursuing a career as an actor. Theodore has shared his stories at the Business Blueprint conference, Stories That Stir, PIP Talks, and on YouTube.

Monique Storey

Meet Monique Storey: local artist, whiskey enthusiast, host of The Optimistic Artist Podcast and major cheerleader of artists. With a passion for empowering creatives—especially those just starting out—Monique is on a mission to help aspiring artists turn their hobby into a thriving creative business. She’s all about bringing the clarity, strategy and inspiration to help creatives find what’s possible and take their next step. Monique’s journey has been nothing short of eclectic. From being a fairy at kids birthday parties (think jumping out of the bushing hurling glitter at stunned 6 years olds) to winning the Apple Distinguished Educator award as a teacher and the Young Innovators Award as co-owner of an app development company. After becoming a mum and moving to a new country where she knew no one and having no idea how, as she decided to pursue her career as a full time artist. As you can image- many obstacles, failures and glasses of whiskey later, she found herself a winning strategy for building a community of collectors (and discovered her superpower in the process). Combing her love for technology and art, Monique now creates interactive artworks that sells around the world. Her work is inspired by local bodies of water and she’s enjoyed the privilege of working with local businesses like Sydney Road Gallery, Pilu at Freshwater and Manly spirits. After six sold-out collections, Monique decided to tap back into her first love: teaching and inspiring other emerging artists through her podcast and resources

Because Everyone has a story! 

Don't miss out - secure your tickets now...