About Me

Birthing the new paradigm, together.   Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are honoured to be joined by Indigenous Midwife, award wining Arts and Health Practitioner and PhD

Images of matter and what matters to you?   Historically, people labeled with intellectual disabilities (ID) have experienced stigma, discrimination, segregation, social isolation, and violence. Until today, social justice in

Strengthening the Vessel in the Ebb and Flow: Creative approaches in working with refugees and asylum seeker experiences.   Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are delighted to

Exploring the Role of Art Therapy in Post-Conflict Reconciliation and Detainee Rehabilitation   Art Therapist, Chanudi Wickramasinha is joining us in May 2024 to share learnings from her fascinating work

Rhythm in Flow - Dance Meditation   Dancing is a way of knowing ourselves beyond the physical. Dancing is a way of processing what is stored in the body Dancing

Playback Theatre - Live and Real   The Creative Mental Health Forum and Collective Care Retreat is delighted  to welcome Associate Professor, Dramatherapist Drew Bird as a specialist workshop presenter

Crafting Identities - a Barbie Art Therapy Workshop    Recently, Mattel released Art Therapist Barbie. She’s the first Barbie in a mental health profession. She’s young, light-skinned, casually dressed, sits

Singing Your True Nature    Join Nicky, a professional singer, musician and sound healer with over thirty years of experience, for a unique and transformative journey through the world of

Textural Trueness: Authenticity, Preservation and Permeable Boundaries of Lived and Living Experiences as Sustainable Resources to Support Diverse Populations.   Bree Till is a carer and art therapist with training

Give Voice : Check in, Connect, Release   A morning of sharing our voices in communal song. This workshop flows on from the Saturday evening yarning circle led by Marianne

Rhythm in Flow - Dance Meditation   Dancing is a way of knowing ourselves beyond the physical. Dancing is a way of processing what is stored in the body Dancing

Introducing Jorja Hello Parents! Are you looking for a fun and creative way to engage your children in meaningful activities? My name is Jorja, and I'm here to guide your

Join Tania for an Afternoon of Active Music Making and Group Performance    Hosts of the 2024 Creative Mental Health Forum are delighted to be joined by Tania Balilmusician and

Introducing Henry Meet Henry De Oleveira, a dedicated actor and theatremaker based in Naarm /  Melbourne. He graduated from Federation University's Arts Academy in 2021 with a Bachelor of Performing

"The Magic If" - What if a drama teacher and arts and health practitioner joined forces to co-create together?     Meet Steve Wiegerink and Rebecca Vandyk-Hamilton Rebecca and Steve

Introducing Nicky Meet Nicky De Gruchy, an artist, musician and sound therapist who draws inspiration from nature for her creativity and healing. With over thirty years of experience in teaching

Introducing Jess Jess Edwards (she/her) is a social worker and nature therapist. Jess is the founder and therapist at Flourish: Health and Wellbeing in Nature. She is also currently studying a Diploma in Creative Arts and

Artist's Statement I specialize in creating collages using antique and vintage papers, as well as found ephemera, which significantly influence my work. The patina and texture of these materials, often

Artist's Statement While life initially had its own intentions for her, Ricci McAuliffe painted herself into the visual arts corner in 2019.  Living between Inverloch and the Yarra Valley since

Facilitator Bio Samantha Brick is an independent Occupational Therapist who lives and works in the coastal town of Inverloch. She has a holistic approach to her work, which involves using

Artist’s Statement Cultural understandings inform me, as a Traditional Owner, that my ancestors lived along the waterways and I continue to occupy these areas through spirit. This knowledge is substantiated by