Lisa Dennis
Castlemaine will host a new arts festival next month to celebrate neurodiversity.
Neurodiversity is the acceptance and celebration that different people’s brains work differently to one another’s, especially in relation to conditions like autism and ADHD.
The inaugural ‘Sensory Sanctuary’ arts festival (June 24-July 7) is the brainchild of local resident Louise ‘Rockabilby’ Cooper and is thought to be the first event of its kind in regional Victoria.
Louise was diagnosed with autism six months ago and her two children are also autistic.
“My diagnosis has completely changed my life direction,” Louise said.
“I am a professional artist but now I am studying for a Graduate Certificate in Autism and I am determined to make a difference for the community.
“Since my diagnosis, I have unearthed some pretty confronting statistics.
“New research suggests as many as one in 33 people are autistic and the unemployment rate for autistic people in Australia is 31.8 per cent – which is three times the rate of people with disability, and almost six times the rate of people without disability.
“And most startling, that people with autism have a significantly shorter life expectancy,” she said.
At 35, Louise is determined to use the time she has left to make a positive difference for those who are neurodiverse in our community and to create a brighter future for our children.
She has founded a not-for-profit and the ‘Sensory Sanctuary’ festival was born.
“We are planning to host 102 events for children, youth, adults, sensory avoiders and sensory seekers during the upcoming school holidays at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and The Goods Shed,” she said.
“Some of the events we will be hosting range from ‘Rainbow Nature Walk’ for Under 7s and Sensory Sticks led by local support worker Sam Rowe, a Neurodivergent Pride Lantern Parade and All Ages Glow Disco.
“We have a number of artists and therapists coming to the region to run a myriad of workshops on everything from LEGO therapy and watercolour painting to creative therapies.
“We will also have some very helpful sessions for teachers on ways to support those who are neurodiverse, with Natasha Siryj from Practice Inclusion and Andrea Broughton from Early Childhood Outreach presenting professional development workshops.
“Melanie Martinelli of The Little Black Duck will also be visiting us from New South Wales to speak about Autistic Play, what it is and how we can support it.
“We really encourage members of the wider community to come along. We want to build more awareness and encourage community building and inclusion.”
Louise’s youngest son Lockie, 6, said he was looking forward to being part of the ‘Minecraft Workshop’ and her eldest Angus, 17, will participate in a reading of an interactive sensory play the pair are developing. Angus is also looking forward to the skill development and creative writing workshops.
“We will also have a chai tent and a coffee cart where parents can mingle and chat,” Louise said.
The festival aims to support neurodivergent creatives with 70 per cent of workshop facilitators neurodivergent.
Funds raised from the festival will be used to create mobile ‘Sensory Sanctuaries’, which can be hired for community events and festivals similar to the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group’s Wash Against Waste trailer and provide a place of sanctuary where people who are neurodiverse or those who suffer other conditions such as anxiety can retreat and reset.
“The sanctuaries would be supported by trained professionals and aim to make community events more accessible for all,” Louise said.
The festival will kick off with an opening night celebration, the ‘Psycho Social Masquerade’ at The Goods Shed on Saturday June 24 with an Acknowledgement of Country by Wiradjuri artist Keira Long and a performance by local neurospicy songbird, Sarah Hancock.
Festival goers may be eligible to utilise their NDIS funding to attend their chosen events.
To find out more and secure tickets, visit www.sensorysanctuary.net.au
