Catherine Deveny – our MC, is a writer, comedian, author and speaker well known for her work as a columnist with The Age newspaper, as a Melbourne International Comedy Festival favourite and as an ABC regular.

Our speakers

Simon Fenech
A workplace accident changed Simon’s life forever. He went from a happy home and family life into drug addiction, and eventually jail. Inside prison he began a slow process of recovery through education but the reality of post-prison life hit hard. Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get any worse, a chance opportunity turned his life around. Today Simon is an operations manager at social enterprise Fruit2Work where he inspires and mentors others, helping them get their lives back on track.

Lana Masterson
Lana runs the social enterprise Down The Track, which is a life-changing program targeting marginalised young people in the small town of Lake Cargelligo. Down the Track is changing the lives of disengaged youth through mentorship, practical education, training, employment and wellbeing support.

Ian Roberts
Former rugby league champion turned actor Ian Roberts has led an extraordinary life. He was the first and only openly gay man to have played in the league. But Ian had a bigger secret. He had difficulty reading and writing. And it wasn’t until he reached the age of 37 that he got help in the form of a mentor who gave him faith in his ability to learn. And he’s never looked back.

Performances

Joe Geia – renowned First Nations singer–songwriter

Paco Lara – acclaimed Spanish flamenco guitarist

Wednesday 1 September 2021, 1:00 – 3:00 pm AEST

FREE virtual event (places limited)

#ALW2021 launch program

Supported by the Australian Government.