Join Feminartsy for their November Story-Share (and last event of the year!)

 

When do people look at themselves and say 'yeah, I've really made it!'. Have you 'made it' when you're showered with public accolades for your work? When your bank account stretches six figures? When you've won a Nobel Peace Prize? Is making it all about setting yourself a task, achieving it and then moving on to the next one? Or is it as the recently departed legend, Tom Petty, said "Do something you really like, and hopefully it pays the rent. As far as I'm concerned, that's success."

 

November's Feminartsy story share asks three very different Canberrans about their thoughts on 'making it':

 

Nipuni (Nip) Wijewickrema is a passionate and driven young woman, trying to change the world one flower at a time. At the age of 20, Nip realised there was a lack of meaningful employment opportunities for people with special needs, specifically ­ her sister Gayana who has Down syndrome. Unable to sit back and let Gayana live a life without purpose, Nip and her family established Canberra's most­ loved floral business ­ GG's Flowers. Starting in the bathroom and moving to the garden shed, GG's Flowers has now grown into a successful and established business that is empowering and employing people with special needs from all walks of life and has delivered beautiful bouquets to thousands of Canberrans. Nip believes that all people with special needs are capable of leading fulfilling and engaging lives and this can be achieved through meaningful employment. Nip understands that combined with a little bit of love, compassion and patience, her social enterprise has the power to change lives. Nip maintains close connections to the community and has been a volunteer suicide and crisis counsellor for Lifeline Australia for over five years.

 

In 2016, Nip was named the ACT Young Australian of the Year.

 

Early to comedy but late to stand up, Endrey’s debut show, ‘The World’s A Playground’ toured to sellout crowds at comedy festivals and theatres around the country. A regular on the ABC, less regular writer for Crikey and the Canberra Times, and the former host of cult variety show, ‘In Canberra Tonight’; Chris tours around a lot and performed at Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2016.

 

Jane Alver is an Australian lawyer, activist, PhD candidate, and gender equality advocate. Jane has worked as a private sector and public sector lawyer in Australia, England and Kiribati for 20 years and is an admitted solicitor in all three jurisdictions. She has been a senior public servant for the Attorney General and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Australia. She has provided technical assistance and training and legislative reform assistance on behalf of the Australian government in Australia, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Samoa, Nauru, PNG, Federated States of Micronesia, and Fiji.

Jane has served as a Director of the YWCA Australia National Board, Chair of a school board, and Director of QE2 private hospital helping families and young children. She has served as the President of the Women Lawyers Association NSW, President YWCA Canberra, Vice President YWCA Sydney, Director Australian Youth Policy & Action Coalition and the legislative adviser for the Australian National Council for Women

 

We’re delighted to have the wonderful Bec Taylor playing for us this month. A renowned Canberra singer, musician, songwriter, teacher and musical activist, Bec Taylor spearheaded feminist punk band Glitoris in 2014, after many years with performance-pop band Fun Machine. As a key song-writing and performing member, Fun Machine grew to great heights, winning four Music ACT Music Industry Awards (MAMAs), including Best Artist 2013, and Best Song 2013 for a Taylor-written track, ‘Ready for the fight'. Bec has performed at renowned Big Sound Conference, as well as supporting industry heavyweights such as Gotye, The Cat Empire, Architecture In Helsinki and The Darkness. Bec has performed around the country at music venues and festivals including Groovin’ The Moo, Woodford Folk Festival, Foreshore and the National Folk Festival and has performed in New York City as part of the CMJ festival.