Award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist, Carly Findlay, will be heading to Kyneton next week as part of an event that highlights the role of lived experience in creating inclusive health services for those with a disability.
Carly lives with a rare, severe skin condition called ichthyosis and is a regular contributor to news outlets including the ABC, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and SBS.
She received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 for her work as a disability advocate and activist.
Hosted by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, the evening will include a performance by local inclusive theatre group, BoilOver Performance Ensemble, a physical theatre company that offers disabled artists a professional platform to explore their creativity and artistic skills.
The ensemble will perform extracts from their recent production, Heart Strings, which premiered at The Bowery Theatre in St Albans earlier this year.
BoilOver, a program of Sunbury and Cobaw, has been running for over 15 years and is led by professional arts practitioners including creative producer, Carmen Maddison.
“BoilOver is such a unique and important group that fits so well within community health,” Ms Maddison said.
“Through each production we are able to advocate for a more inclusive and diverse arts industry.
“The arts have a transformative and impactful role in giving people with disability a voice and a platform for self-expression allowing them to move away from being passive receivers of services to become active contributors to the community.”
The ensemble is planning to take Heart Strings to the Adelaide Fringe next year following success at the Melbourne Fringe in 2023 with their previous production, The Birds.
The free event is open to all and takes place on Thursday November 28 at 5pm at 1 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton. Following the performance and guest speaker, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health will hold their annual general meeting. Refreshments will be provided.
For registrations go to www.sunburycobaw.org.au/disability-a-lived-experience or contact Jen Hardman by calling 5421 1666 or emailing admin@scchc.org.au.
