Thursday, November 14, 2024
11 C
Kilmore
- Advertisement -

Beyond your now

Popular Stories

Jo Kubeil
Jo Kubeilhttps://ncreview.com.au/
Jo Kubeil has recently joined the North Central Review team as a journalist, with interests in Indigenous culture, community services, and environmentalism. Jo has previously worked as an entrepreneur, designing apparel to help people feel dressed for success.

The Beyond your Now 2024 conference is where everyday women can witness honest stories told by other everyday women about the curveballs life has thrown at them.

Founder and organiser and first time event emcee Christina Matthews has themed the fourth conference trust through life’s trials, and she hopes to see new and familiar faces in the audience.

The Northside Christian College will make an appearance, and dance to Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler, and there are show bags and giveaways.

- Advertisement -

First time speaker Debra Charles will share her story from the stage’s prop couch.

“I married young at 18, and then I had my first child later that year. All I ever wanted was to get married and have a family and a white picket fence, but decisions made by other people have shattered that dream for me,” she said.

Debra said music and being embraced by a Christian church was the catalyst for healing.

“I didn’t want people to know I wasn’t coping. I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to share that. I’m beginning now, which is difficult, to start making decisions which are good for me. It’s hard after giving and giving,” she said.

Helena McNeill, who is a Melbourne-based creative storyteller, singer, and musician, will share songs that explore the messy joy and pain of life with raw honesty.

Wallan author Nikki Simos will speak about her first book Letting Go, Moving On that was released in 2016. The memoir was motivated by teenage pregnancy, abortion, and suicidal thoughts. Later, Ms Simos published Helping me to help you which is a co-authored community collaboration facilitated by the Mitchell Suicide Prevention Network.

In 2023, Ms Simos received a shocking diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and it led to hospitalisation and intensive therapy. Ms Simos said sharing stories and dealing with secrets can help overcome obstacles and help you live the life that you deserve.

Speaker number four, author Suzie Botross, has over 20 years of experience in speaking and equipping others with encouragement and direction.

Incidentally, each speaker felt their Christian faith helped them through the tough times, and Ms Matthews said she wants to support women to feel loved.

“It’s not a Christian conference, it’s more about planting the seed of hope through what we’ve done and how we’ve gotten through it. It’s just about reaching people, this [Beyond Your Now] has built up a community in itself,” she said.

Morning tea is provided, and Ms Matthews said she hopes the long lunch gives attendees time to slip out to a nearby cafe for a treat.

“The community of Whittlesea have been so amazing in supplying gifts, and we want to give back,” she said.

There will be a roving microphone so the audience can interact with the speakers, an SMS number for participants to send questions anonymously, and counselling support for anyone who needs to talk about a curveball life has thrown at them.

All profits from ticket sales will go to the charity of each speaker’s choice.

So mark Saturday, October 26, 9am–4pm, at the Whittlesea Secondary College Performing Arts Centre, 55 Laurel Street, Whittlesea, on your calendar, and book your spot now!

Tickets are just $40 and are available from trybooking.com/cskls.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement Mbl -

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

- Advertisement -

Latest Articles