The Festival of Strong
The Festival of Strong started in October 2020 as a month long online event promoting mental wellbeing and celebrating kindness during the COVID19 Pandemic. The Festival provides a platform for Finding Strong or learning from people who have been through tough times and found their strong. Hosted by the Kindness Pandemic, the Festival takes an intersectional approach to learning about Strong and privileges the voices of people who are marginalised.
The Festival is free and includes online spoken events and a series of stories posted into the Kindness Pandemic Facebook Group, which has 560,000+ members. The response to the Festival was so positive - we are going to keep it going all year, with events on Sunday evenings. If you would like to participate please contact us using details at the bottom of the page.
The Festival is free and includes online spoken events and a series of stories posted into the Kindness Pandemic Facebook Group, which has 560,000+ members. The response to the Festival was so positive - we are going to keep it going all year, with events on Sunday evenings. If you would like to participate please contact us using details at the bottom of the page.
Program at a Glance
The following list presents the first events at the top of the list - please scroll down the page to watch the video from each event.
- Finding Strong in an Ageist world (presented by Celebrate Ageing)
- Rawah Arja - Muslim identity (by WestWords)
- White Cane Day (by Blind Citizens Australia)
- Donor Kindness - Andrew Chapman, Max Primmer, Louie Hehir, Sam McGowan
- Mateship Matters - mental and mental wellbeing (by Right Mate)
- Queer Strong - stories from LGBTIQ people (presented by Kerrie and Dolly)
- Ballarat Strong (presented by Ballarat Local Dementia Alliance)
- Strong Older Women ROCK!! (presented by Older Women's Network NSW)
- Pacific Island LGBTIQA+ strong (presented by Pacifiquex)
- Regional, Young and Strong (presented by Atman)
- Strong Refugee Leaders (presented by Community Four)
- Strong Artists in Residence (presented by Suzanne Phoenix)
- Cafe Sunshine Persian cooking class (by chef Hamed Allahyari)
- Survivor Strong (presented by LOUD Fence)
- The Dinosaur Squad - Making The Roar (presented by Alice's Garage)
- Strength in Sisterhood (presented by Trans Sisters United)
- Student Strong (presented by BoxHill TAFE students)
- Two Good Strong Men (presented by Celebrate Ageing and Drummond St Services).
Forthcoming events
TBC: Kofi Kindness
Kofi Abdi is a 13 year old boy who made a pledge to share a gratitude post to the Kindness Pandemic everyday. His posts were the highlight of the day for so many of us. In this event presented by Drummond street services, Kofi will talk about his experiences and he and his dad will launch the #KofiKindness Gratitude Journal.
Kofi Abdi is a 13 year old boy who made a pledge to share a gratitude post to the Kindness Pandemic everyday. His posts were the highlight of the day for so many of us. In this event presented by Drummond street services, Kofi will talk about his experiences and he and his dad will launch the #KofiKindness Gratitude Journal.
Sunday 6th December, 7pm - Carer Strong
Carers do it tough at the best of times. There are more than 2.7 million people in Australia who regularly provide unpaid care for the people in their lives. In the best of times, carers have the lowest wellbeing; and are 40% more likely to have chronic illness themselves. Most carers are female, and with the demands of caring for someone, carers often feel isolated. Even when you love the person you’re caring for, being a carer is incredibly demanding and it can feel relentless. And that’s just in the pre-COVID world! More info TBC
Carers do it tough at the best of times. There are more than 2.7 million people in Australia who regularly provide unpaid care for the people in their lives. In the best of times, carers have the lowest wellbeing; and are 40% more likely to have chronic illness themselves. Most carers are female, and with the demands of caring for someone, carers often feel isolated. Even when you love the person you’re caring for, being a carer is incredibly demanding and it can feel relentless. And that’s just in the pre-COVID world! More info TBC
Sunday 29th November, 7pm, Living with HIV stigma (presented by Living Positive Victoria)
People living with HIV have had to be strong. Partly to live well with the disease - and partly to live with the misinformation and stigma about HIV that too often leaves them isolated. These stories about being strong and living with HIV challenge the myth that you can catch HIV easily. They also raise awareness that HIV is a disease that can effect the whole community. More info TBC.
People living with HIV have had to be strong. Partly to live well with the disease - and partly to live with the misinformation and stigma about HIV that too often leaves them isolated. These stories about being strong and living with HIV challenge the myth that you can catch HIV easily. They also raise awareness that HIV is a disease that can effect the whole community. More info TBC.
Completed events
Each event was recorded (or involved a pre recorded video). The most recent event is at the top of the page.
Two Good Strong Men (presented by Celebrate Ageing and Drummond St Services)
John and Kerin were both husbands, parents, school principals and aged in their 50s when they were diagnosed with dementia. Their worlds feel apart and their view of themselves as men and providers was challenged. John and Kerin share their reflections on how they changed the way they thought about themselves as men - and what being good, strong men means to them. They launched their Two Good Men campaign, sharing a weekly post about their experiences of living with dementia. Link here
John and Kerin were both husbands, parents, school principals and aged in their 50s when they were diagnosed with dementia. Their worlds feel apart and their view of themselves as men and providers was challenged. John and Kerin share their reflections on how they changed the way they thought about themselves as men - and what being good, strong men means to them. They launched their Two Good Men campaign, sharing a weekly post about their experiences of living with dementia. Link here
The Dinosaur Squad (presented by Alice's Garage)
This event shares the story of making an intergenerational fairy tale about Dinosaurs and Pride. It focuses on a Dinosaur Squad (Story Telling Queers Against Discrimination) who wrote the happy ending to the story and made it come true for the 12 year old transgender protagonist in the story. The event includes reading the fairy tale and interviews with the Squad.
This event shares the story of making an intergenerational fairy tale about Dinosaurs and Pride. It focuses on a Dinosaur Squad (Story Telling Queers Against Discrimination) who wrote the happy ending to the story and made it come true for the 12 year old transgender protagonist in the story. The event includes reading the fairy tale and interviews with the Squad.
Survivor Strong (presented by LOUD Fence)
The Loud Fence movement began in Ballarat to send a message of hope for Survivors of institutional abuse. The tying of ribbons to a fence is viewed as a symbol that communities are committed to ending the silence. The movement has spread around the world. In this live event, Merrin Wake will talk to survivors about what strong means to them.
The Loud Fence movement began in Ballarat to send a message of hope for Survivors of institutional abuse. The tying of ribbons to a fence is viewed as a symbol that communities are committed to ending the silence. The movement has spread around the world. In this live event, Merrin Wake will talk to survivors about what strong means to them.
Strength in Sisterhood (presented by Trans Sisters United)
"Strength in Sisterhood” shares the narratives of 3 women of transgender experience and how their strong is drawn from their trans sisters, friends, family and themselves. This event closes with a special performance by Thalia Altura, Director of Trans Sisters United Canada. Presented by Trans Sisters United (Co-founders – Sasja Sydek & Rebeckah Loveday) in collaboration with Trans Sisters United Canada (Director – Thalia Altura).
"Strength in Sisterhood” shares the narratives of 3 women of transgender experience and how their strong is drawn from their trans sisters, friends, family and themselves. This event closes with a special performance by Thalia Altura, Director of Trans Sisters United Canada. Presented by Trans Sisters United (Co-founders – Sasja Sydek & Rebeckah Loveday) in collaboration with Trans Sisters United Canada (Director – Thalia Altura).
Student Strong (presented by BoxHill TAFE students)
The year 2020 has not been very kind to a lot of us. It has impacted each one of us in one way or another. It was a very challenging and tough time for everyone. We humans crave belonging and enjoy being out and about in our community, but COVID-19 bought a lot of restrictions specifically in Melbourne. We the students of BoxHill TAFE mental health course decided to share one idea of finding strength and self care. It is all the more important in these times to be kind to ourselves and take care of others.
The year 2020 has not been very kind to a lot of us. It has impacted each one of us in one way or another. It was a very challenging and tough time for everyone. We humans crave belonging and enjoy being out and about in our community, but COVID-19 bought a lot of restrictions specifically in Melbourne. We the students of BoxHill TAFE mental health course decided to share one idea of finding strength and self care. It is all the more important in these times to be kind to ourselves and take care of others.
Cafe Sunshine (presented by Hamed Allahyari)
Hamed Allahyari is a Persian chef, caterer and cooking instructor who migrated to Australia in 2012. Hamed's life revolves around food - it is partly where he found his strong. He has set up his own Cafe and online cooking school and employs and empowers other refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants facing the same difficulties he faced when he first came to Australia. In this film Hamed shares some of his story and demonstrates cooking simple Persian vegetarian meals
Hamed Allahyari is a Persian chef, caterer and cooking instructor who migrated to Australia in 2012. Hamed's life revolves around food - it is partly where he found his strong. He has set up his own Cafe and online cooking school and employs and empowers other refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants facing the same difficulties he faced when he first came to Australia. In this film Hamed shares some of his story and demonstrates cooking simple Persian vegetarian meals
Strong Artists in Residence (presented by Suzanne Pheonix)
The COVID19 Pandemic has gutted the Arts industry. Performers, musicians, visual artists, photographers, painters, illustrators, designers and all sorts of creatives. Photographer Suzanne Phoenix collaborated with 50+ Victorian artists in a collaborative series called ‘Artists in Residence’ as her way of continuing to be creative, seeing and talking with her artist friends, managing her mental health and finding her strong. In this event some of the artists explore how they have stayed strong, survived and thrived. Including artists of diverse genders and ages from rockstars, singers and aspiring DJ’s, to body positive warriors, photographers and couture designers.
Artists include: Adah Kelleher-Roulston, Multidisciplinary artist www.shopfear.com; Anastasia La Fey, Multidisciplinary artist: www.anastasialafey.com; Anne Davies, Photographic artist; Carla Troiano, Singer, entertainer, storyteller: www.carlatroiano.com; Dakini Maddock, Artist: www.instagram.com/maddockdakini/; Holly Iris Deacon, Floral design & amp; aspiring DJ; Ian Bickerstaff, Photographer: https://ianbickerstaff.com/; Jessi Leigh, Rockstar, mermaid, nurturer and body positive warrior: www.instagram.com/missjessileighxx;
Lauren Hutchison, Photographer, multidisciplinary artist www.instagram.com/laurenhutchisonart/; Renata Filippi, Street photographer: www.instagram.com/rendogie/ and Suzanne Phoenix, Photographer and artist: www.suzannephoenix.com.au pss: love that this event made the local paper.
The COVID19 Pandemic has gutted the Arts industry. Performers, musicians, visual artists, photographers, painters, illustrators, designers and all sorts of creatives. Photographer Suzanne Phoenix collaborated with 50+ Victorian artists in a collaborative series called ‘Artists in Residence’ as her way of continuing to be creative, seeing and talking with her artist friends, managing her mental health and finding her strong. In this event some of the artists explore how they have stayed strong, survived and thrived. Including artists of diverse genders and ages from rockstars, singers and aspiring DJ’s, to body positive warriors, photographers and couture designers.
Artists include: Adah Kelleher-Roulston, Multidisciplinary artist www.shopfear.com; Anastasia La Fey, Multidisciplinary artist: www.anastasialafey.com; Anne Davies, Photographic artist; Carla Troiano, Singer, entertainer, storyteller: www.carlatroiano.com; Dakini Maddock, Artist: www.instagram.com/maddockdakini/; Holly Iris Deacon, Floral design & amp; aspiring DJ; Ian Bickerstaff, Photographer: https://ianbickerstaff.com/; Jessi Leigh, Rockstar, mermaid, nurturer and body positive warrior: www.instagram.com/missjessileighxx;
Lauren Hutchison, Photographer, multidisciplinary artist www.instagram.com/laurenhutchisonart/; Renata Filippi, Street photographer: www.instagram.com/rendogie/ and Suzanne Phoenix, Photographer and artist: www.suzannephoenix.com.au pss: love that this event made the local paper.
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True Leaders (presented by Community Four)
I’m what people call a typical Aussie. I’m an electrician, a tradie, I love my Aussie Rules, I eat too much BBQ meat and used to own a HT Holden. But it was women from refugee and migrant backgrounds that made me proud to be Australian. They taught me what strength really means. And I think they might have something to teach you. I run a small NFP, Community Four, that supports community leaders from migrant and refugee backgrounds to make a difference in the world. I want to introduce you to four hard-working women community leaders – because I think everyone needs to know their names and how they make our world a better place every day. These women are Australia’s true leaders. Like many other women, they are also the centre of their families and their communities. They hold everyone together through the most challenging times. But you know what, most Australians don't know anything about them. This video is a start in changing all that. Gavin Ackerly CEO Community Four.
I’m what people call a typical Aussie. I’m an electrician, a tradie, I love my Aussie Rules, I eat too much BBQ meat and used to own a HT Holden. But it was women from refugee and migrant backgrounds that made me proud to be Australian. They taught me what strength really means. And I think they might have something to teach you. I run a small NFP, Community Four, that supports community leaders from migrant and refugee backgrounds to make a difference in the world. I want to introduce you to four hard-working women community leaders – because I think everyone needs to know their names and how they make our world a better place every day. These women are Australia’s true leaders. Like many other women, they are also the centre of their families and their communities. They hold everyone together through the most challenging times. But you know what, most Australians don't know anything about them. This video is a start in changing all that. Gavin Ackerly CEO Community Four.
Young, Rural and Strong (presented by Atman)
Atman, a peer led service that uses their own lived experience to support each other and the community. Atman, pronounced at-muh, refers to the eternal self that lives on through and after death; to us it represents finding your true self, instead of allowing your thoughts to create an ego. Atman is based in Geelong , Victoria who is a community that has survived not only a pandemic but the lose of 7 young people in 2020 to suicide. For young people living in regional and rural areas its been tough. In this event the incredible young people of this regional area speak about what has helped them cope and what makes them strong.
Atman, a peer led service that uses their own lived experience to support each other and the community. Atman, pronounced at-muh, refers to the eternal self that lives on through and after death; to us it represents finding your true self, instead of allowing your thoughts to create an ego. Atman is based in Geelong , Victoria who is a community that has survived not only a pandemic but the lose of 7 young people in 2020 to suicide. For young people living in regional and rural areas its been tough. In this event the incredible young people of this regional area speak about what has helped them cope and what makes them strong.
PacifiqueX
PacifiqueX is Community Not-For-Profit Group bringing healing, celebration, story-telling and advocacy for Pacific Islands LGBTIQA+ community of Victoria.
PacifiqueX is Community Not-For-Profit Group bringing healing, celebration, story-telling and advocacy for Pacific Islands LGBTIQA+ community of Victoria.
Strong Older Women Rock (presented by the Older Women's Network NSW)
Older women experience tough stuff as a result of ageism and sexism (homelessness, family violence, elder abuse, poverty). In this film older women talk about how their own attitudes and self confidence can help to make them stronger. Presented by the Older Women's Network NSW, who work to empower older women. This film is joyous - and is presented as part of the Kindness Pandemic's Festival of Strong. More information: Older Women's Network NSW: https://ownnsw.org.au/
Older women experience tough stuff as a result of ageism and sexism (homelessness, family violence, elder abuse, poverty). In this film older women talk about how their own attitudes and self confidence can help to make them stronger. Presented by the Older Women's Network NSW, who work to empower older women. This film is joyous - and is presented as part of the Kindness Pandemic's Festival of Strong. More information: Older Women's Network NSW: https://ownnsw.org.au/
Ballarat Strong (Presented by the Bigger Hearts Ballarat Dementia Alliance)
In this presentation, Ballarat residents describe how they rallied to form a Local Dementia Alliance to help create a dementia friendly city for people with dementia living in Ballarat. Hear from advocates, health practitioners, educators and Parks Victoria about their initiatives - and listen to people with dementia and their families about how the support of their local community made them stronger.
In this presentation, Ballarat residents describe how they rallied to form a Local Dementia Alliance to help create a dementia friendly city for people with dementia living in Ballarat. Hear from advocates, health practitioners, educators and Parks Victoria about their initiatives - and listen to people with dementia and their families about how the support of their local community made them stronger.
Young, rural and strong (presented by Atman)
Hey everyone! I co-run a mental health brand called ‘Atman’, which was co-founded by two 17-year olds, Lewis and I. We want to help break the stigma around mental health and also teach others how we have learnt to help and work on ourselves! We feel honoured to be part of the Festival of Strong, and we decided to ask other young people what ‘being strong’ means to them! We don’t want this to just be about us, we want this to be about young people getting their voice out there, which we think our video can do! If you want to see more of what we do, our Facebook page is here Atman and our Instagram account is @atman.au, thanks Kyle
Hey everyone! I co-run a mental health brand called ‘Atman’, which was co-founded by two 17-year olds, Lewis and I. We want to help break the stigma around mental health and also teach others how we have learnt to help and work on ourselves! We feel honoured to be part of the Festival of Strong, and we decided to ask other young people what ‘being strong’ means to them! We don’t want this to just be about us, we want this to be about young people getting their voice out there, which we think our video can do! If you want to see more of what we do, our Facebook page is here Atman and our Instagram account is @atman.au, thanks Kyle
Queer Strong (Presented by Kerrie and Dolly)
For Queer (LGBTIQ) community members the daily threat of abuse and discrimination can have a devastating impact on mental wellbeing - and - to survive many Queers have found their strong. In this event Queer Community icons Kerrie and Dolly did a live cross from their weekly show, interviewing Queer icon Sally Rugg members about what strong means to her, and how she found it. The show also includes an interview with Laser Beak Man. Click on the pic below,
For Queer (LGBTIQ) community members the daily threat of abuse and discrimination can have a devastating impact on mental wellbeing - and - to survive many Queers have found their strong. In this event Queer Community icons Kerrie and Dolly did a live cross from their weekly show, interviewing Queer icon Sally Rugg members about what strong means to her, and how she found it. The show also includes an interview with Laser Beak Man. Click on the pic below,
Defining and Refining Strong (presented by Right Mate)
Mateship is part of the foundations of our society and ingrained into the Australian psyche, with COVID-19 showing us just how valued it is. However, COVID19 has been a challenge to everything it means to be a mate. Right Mate Inc partnered with Kindness Pandemic to send a note #ToAMateThatMatters, with details about the campaign on their website, www.rightmate.org.au/mateship. The team at Right Mate have also created a video to define and refine “strong” as part of the Festival, with the aim to challenge stereotypes which have no place in today’s world, inspire those that watch it and instigate a conversation that is well overdue in our society.
Mateship is part of the foundations of our society and ingrained into the Australian psyche, with COVID-19 showing us just how valued it is. However, COVID19 has been a challenge to everything it means to be a mate. Right Mate Inc partnered with Kindness Pandemic to send a note #ToAMateThatMatters, with details about the campaign on their website, www.rightmate.org.au/mateship. The team at Right Mate have also created a video to define and refine “strong” as part of the Festival, with the aim to challenge stereotypes which have no place in today’s world, inspire those that watch it and instigate a conversation that is well overdue in our society.
Donor Kindness
People who are waiting for organ donation need to find their strong; they may be quite unwell and life can be tough. Organ donation is such a powerful act of kindness. The first film shares stories from Andrew Chapman, Max Primmer, Louie Hehir and Sam McGown about their experiences of organ transplant and calls for everyone to consider signing up for organ donation. The second award winning film Yellow, by Chris Franklin, tells Andrew Chapmans story of organ transplant.
People who are waiting for organ donation need to find their strong; they may be quite unwell and life can be tough. Organ donation is such a powerful act of kindness. The first film shares stories from Andrew Chapman, Max Primmer, Louie Hehir and Sam McGown about their experiences of organ transplant and calls for everyone to consider signing up for organ donation. The second award winning film Yellow, by Chris Franklin, tells Andrew Chapmans story of organ transplant.
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White Cane Day (presented by Blind Citizens Australia)
Blind Citizens Australia is the national representative organisation of people who are blind or vision impaired. BCA coordinate a Kindness Pandemic campaign called #BlindnessKindness to raise awareness of the COVID19 experiences of people who are blind or vision impaired. The event was hosted on White Cane Day.
Blind Citizens Australia is the national representative organisation of people who are blind or vision impaired. BCA coordinate a Kindness Pandemic campaign called #BlindnessKindness to raise awareness of the COVID19 experiences of people who are blind or vision impaired. The event was hosted on White Cane Day.
Rawah Arja (presented by Westwords)
Rawah Arja is a writer and teacher who will be talking about her new book The F Team, including Muslim identity in her work and how she mines personal stories for strong representative characters. Rawah's writing has featured in Arab, Australian, SBS Voices and at the Sydney Writer’s Festival. She is a member of the Finishing School collective of women writers, and teaches creative writing at schools and workshops. Rawah's presentation is supported by WestWords, who are dedicated to celebrating and championing the stories of the people, places and cultures that comprise the heart of Western Sydney. Watch the event video below.
Rawah Arja is a writer and teacher who will be talking about her new book The F Team, including Muslim identity in her work and how she mines personal stories for strong representative characters. Rawah's writing has featured in Arab, Australian, SBS Voices and at the Sydney Writer’s Festival. She is a member of the Finishing School collective of women writers, and teaches creative writing at schools and workshops. Rawah's presentation is supported by WestWords, who are dedicated to celebrating and championing the stories of the people, places and cultures that comprise the heart of Western Sydney. Watch the event video below.
Opening Night: International Day of the Older Person - Holding strong in an ageist world
To launch the Festival on International Day of the Older person, we shared eight innovative films that celebrate the lives of older people. Most of the films are a few mins long.
To launch the Festival on International Day of the Older person, we shared eight innovative films that celebrate the lives of older people. Most of the films are a few mins long.
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Contact us
If you would like more information about the Festival, including any information about taking part, please contact Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237 or email: [email protected]
Partners
The Festival of Strong is an initiative of the Kindness Pandemic. If you would like to support the Festival please contact Catherine on the details above.
