Breaking the silence. Let’s talk about suicide.

h

Breaking the silence – World Suicide Prevention Day, Let’s talk about suicide. 

      "Human Library at University of Essex" by University of Essex is marked with CC BY 2.0.

On the 10th of September. We are breaking the silence for World Suicide Prevention Day. We are talking about suicide. 

     Where: The event will be held at the Pearl Cove Library in the Pearl Room.

When: On Friday the 10^th of September, 2021. The event will run from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

Talking about suicide has always been a taboo. But it happens more than you think, closer than you think, and more than any of us want. It happens but no one talks about it. Why do they do it? What happens to the family and friends left behind? And how can we prevent it from happing again? 

So we are going to do it! We will challenge the social stigma around talking about suicide, and the assumptions we hold about people who attempt suicide. We will open the conversation to recognize the importance we all place in suicide prevention; and answer some of our burning questions while doing it. 

We are holding a Human Living Library event! 

What's is a human library? Human Libraries reduce social stigmas, challenge stereotypes, and promote an acceptance of others; by allowing readers to book, listen, and interact with the stories of real people. 

The books in the living library are people! The stories from the living libraries are real, the people right in front of your eyes. You can ask people questions you have always wanted answered but never felt comfortable to ask. Human Library events focus on breaking down these stereotypes and assumptions about others and encourage acceptance. 

This event will be focused on suicide. Our books are the families effected by suicide, people who attempted suicide, and experienced suicidal behaviors. We will all work together to break down these social barriers and recognize the signs that could lead to suicide.

Want to learn more about Human Libraries? Check out the Human Libraries Australia webpage. 

We will be holding private reading sessions from 1:30 to 5pm with our 10 humans books. You will be talking with the book of your choice one on one for 30 minutes. Check out our books and book a session below!

Our Human Books!

     h                                            

                                   "I almost died"                                     "I attempted suicide"                                                                     - Alice Alison                                          - Steve Rogers      

                 

                         "I am the family left behind"                               "I self harmed"   

                                  - Darth Vader                                              - James Bond 

                                                       

                    "The aboriginal that experienced                          "I lost my best friend"                                                            it all" - Sherlock Homes                             - Sam Samson

                                                          

                                "How I told my fiancé I                             "My family shamed me"                                                          wanted to die"  - Anthony Stark                      - James Barns          

                     

                                    

                               "I lost a loved one, I wanted                   "How my Asian family reacted"  

                               to join them"- Peter Parker                             - Clint Barton

                                            

Interested in a book? Click here and book one now

We hope to see you there!

Pearl Cove Libraries - Event Manager - Lauren Watson.

    

The Fear of Holding Hands ! World Refugee Day! - NH

 

   The Fear of Holding Hands! World Refugee Day!

Pearl Cove Library would like to invite you to attend our upcoming Event in Recognition and Celebration of Cultural Identity for Upcoming World Refugee Day.  

CC BY

Image Credit to : Truthseeker08

url: https://tinyurl.com/wkrarbsf

About the Event

This Hosted Event will allow attendee's to explore the division of Cultural Identity, build a stronger and more understanding community through Connection and Celebration. Come have a Chat and embrace story telling from one of our acclaimed Guest Speakers. 

Guess Who!

Event Bookings: Check out the details below!

Introduction to the Human Library Movement:

The Human Living Library is a Global Movement that promotes social change. This movement was first introduced at a Music festival in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2000 that was promoted by a Youth Organisation known as “Stop the Violence”. Concert Participates were invited to be a part of a collection of books that would tell aspects of their lives to people participating in the event, referred to as readers. The success story of this movement was the foundation for the founding of the Human Library Organisation.

Subsequently six years later, Australia was the first country to host a Permanent Human library with its live launch with aligned association of Australian Library and Information Association, Department of immigration and Citizenship and Lismore council forming the Living Libraries Australia. This organisation today is known as Human Library Australia.

What is a Human Living Library?

Human Living Libraries are a space involving a conversation between two parties, the book and the reader. In this case the book are people (real or architect) as well as readers that are people both promoting social change.

The conversation held is designed to create dialogue, promote understanding of human diversity/differences and reducing prejudice and stereotype whilst, dissolving and breakdown barriers in the process. This aspect of the conversation connects and strengths people and community bonds. Yes, it's not an easy conversation.  

Questions and stories of books and readers are difficult to sometimes answer and listen too as you may experience your own prejudices in the process.

Introducing our Books?

Musician and Story Teller- Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – Gurrumul

Background: 

Embrace Identity and Join Hands with Gurrumul. An Aboriginal Musician and Storyteller. With his enriched life stories and is willing to speak up about how to Embrace Cultural Identity through Music and Storytelling.

Indigenous AFL Football Player - Daniel

Background: 

Daniel is a 20-year-old Aboriginal Player in the VFL for the Sydney Swans. He recently moved down to Sydney from the Northern Territory where he plays Professional Football. Daniel talks about his life growing up and speaks up about the challenges faced in the AfL Association for Aboriginal's and other Nationalities.

Refugee Iranian Mother - Leila

Background: 

Leila is a 30-year-old Persian Refugee that has now been Living in Australia for six years. Leila speaks up about the division of cultural identity for Persian refugees and overcoming Xenophobia since living in the local community and what it means to identify as an Australian refugee. 

Community Activist - Sabina Baltruweit

Background: 

Sabina is a Human rights and peace activist whom will be Celebrating World Refugee Day with you and speaking up about Community based projects that the Local LGA is encouraging to build stronger connection's, healing and expression.

Member of Refugee Council of Australia - John

Background: 

John is a Local Business Man and Member of the Refugee Council of Australia and will be talking about the support that is offered to refugees in the LGA and where to find this information. Q&A is encouraged during session. 

Event Bookings: Check out the details below!

Day and Date: Saturday 19th June

Where: Pearl Cove Library - Ground floor - Pearl Cove Room

Time:  10.00 am - 3.05pm

Bookings: For all Bookings please click on the link provided. 

Cost: $10 per Ticket. Cap 45. 

Event Brite:  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/

Booking Information: 

For further details please contact the Pearl Cove Library and the Outreach Team. 

Email: Outreach@pearlcovelibrary.com

PH: 02 134 236 75

Important Links: 

Xenophobia: https://www.verywellmind.com/xenophobia-fear-of-strangers-2671881 

Human Library: https://humanlibrary.org/ 

World Refugee Day: http://unescocenterforpeacenys.org/international-days-celebration/

Cultural Protocols: 

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/syrian-culture/syrian-culture-syrians-in-australia

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/iranian-culture/iranian-culture-iranians-in-australia

Refugee Welcome Zone: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/refugee-welcome-zones/

Blogged Posted by: Nicholas A. Houghton

Diploma student - Library and Information Services

Link: https://pearlcovelibrary.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-fear-of-holding-hands-world-refugee.html

NAIDOC WEEK HUMAN LIBRARY EVENT

 Hear their stories. It’s time.

 

Photo sourced from https://www.flickr.com/photos/25792994@N04/5424377128/

 

As part of NAIDOC Week 2021, Pearl Cove Library is running a Human Library event. National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week is a time for Australians to celebrate the culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Earlier this year, the world was rocked by the murder of George Floyd. The Black Lives Matter movement that followed showed how far Australia has to go itself with improving the inequalities in Australia. NAIDOC Week is one time where we can learn more about the Aboriginal community.

The Stolen Generation is part of Australia's history of terrible treatment towards the Aboriginal people. This human library is an event where you can come and have conversations with stolen generation survivors and learn more about their experiences, as well at their experience of racism in Australia. For a long time there hasn't been enough education and light shed on this event. Come along to hear their stories as we try and change this.

What is a Human Library event?

The purpose of the human library is for people to engage in their differences through conversation so they can learn and become educated. At human library events people have volunteered to be the ‘books’ and the attendees who come can ‘borrow’ the books for a specified amount of time. During this time attendees can ask the book questions without judgement in a safe environment. Human library events aim to challenge stereotypes and prejudice and make communities more inclusive and culturally aware.

Read more about the human library here
 

The Books:

Lowitja O’Donoghue - Indigenous Australian activist and Stolen Generation survivor

Shannan Dodson - Co-chair of the NAIDOC Committee 

Ruth - Stolen Generation survivor

Dr Marcus Woolombi Waters - Stolen Generation survivor 

 

Event Details:

When: Saturday 10th July 

Time: 10am-4pm

Where: Pearl Room, Pearl Cove Library

Cost: Free but bookings are essential

Bookings: Book via Eventbrite here

 

To find other NAIDOC Week 2021 events click here

Vivienne Heath

Pearl Cove Library presents: The Power of Community – a Human Living Library Event

     What is a Human Living Library?

The basic concept of Human Living Libraries is self-explanatory: the books can be any one person who is willing to tell their personal story or a faction of their own story in a one-on-one conversation, which normally goes on for no shorter than thirty minutes, as one can hardly have a meaningful conversation about anything in less time than that.

The first Human Living Libraries event was part of a project for Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen in 2000. Their goal was to challenge stereotypes and talk about subjects often considered taboo.

More information about this global initiative: Human Living Library website

Credit: Kate Lundy via flickr

    About the event

This event is featuring the following four human books of different minority backgrounds living in Australia, the theme of the event is combating isolation, unemployment, racism, cultural differences and general loneliness that comes with belonging to a minority group and the power of community raising up to lend a helping hand. This event is to bring culturally diverse people together to start a conversation and make a change, as it has been proven in the past that when the sons and daughters of many cultures work together is when the real magic happens.

More information about this global observance: United Nations website

.

    About the books

One of the books is a first generation Chinese migrant who has built a restaurant franchise in the region,
Our second book is an Indigenous Australian musician who busks for a living and teaches music to children in his community (and is married to a first generation European migrant, thus knows each side of being part of a minority extremely well),
Our third book is Iranian, whose family fled Iran in the early 2000s, she is completing her doctorate through a scholarship, rising to success from poverty and hardship,
Our fourth living book is from the UK, is a university professor in his 50s and has the knowledge of what it is like to migrate to Australia from an English speaking country.

The event takes place on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Day.

When:                               21st May 2022
What time:                       9:00am to 6:00pm
Where:                              Pearl Cove Library, Pearl Room

Tickets:                             $10/person
Bookings essential at:      Eventbrite or at the Library

Conditions of entry:        This event is CovidSafe.
                                           Facemasks and Vaccination Certificates are a must.

Refreshments:                  There will be water, coffee, tea, biscuits and cultural finger food available at                                                           the event (this is included in the price).

Age bracket:                     14 and over welcome!

Zsófia Boltos-Varga, 807088149

Stirring the CALDron - Pearl Cove Human Library Event

Stirring the CALDron - Let's talk about linguistic diversity

Image sourced from https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/motherlanguageday

To celebrate International Mother Language Day, Pearl Cove Library will be hosting a Human Living Library event. This is your chance to borrow human “books” to hear the voices of Pearl Cove and learn about their mother languages. 20% of Pearl Cove's residents were born outside of Australia, and 7% do not speak English as their first language. The top languages spoken in our community include Farsi, Arabic, and Mandarin. Pearl Cove is also a Refugee Welcome Zone for refugees from Iran and Syria. Human Libraries create a safe space to challenge ideas, and encourage unity amongst different social, cultural, and religious groups. Borrow a book for 20 minutes and discover how cultural and linguistic diversity can strengthen your business or institution and contribute to the development of the Pearl Cove Community. 

You can find out more about International Mother Language Day at https://www.un.org/en/observances/mother-language-day 

To learn more about Human Library Events in Australia, follow this link https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/ 

Meet the books

Emily Ford: Indigenous speaker and researcher of indigenous knowledge and languages

Aaron: Syrian refugee and member of Pearl Cove Community

Asphyxia: Deaf public speaker and activist

Donya: Iranian refugee and member of Pearl Cove Community

Event details

Date: Saturday 19th February

Time: 11am-12:30pm

Light refreshments will be provided

Location: Pearl Room, Pearl Cove Library

Booking info: This is a free event, please register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/

Contact: eventsmanager@pearlcovelibrary.com.au

Karina Young

Resilience + Hope = Me

Have you heard about 'The Human Library?'                                                                                                   

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/ej8xhndv

• Do you live in the Pearl Cove Community?
• Are you aged 18-65 years of age?
• Are you on low income or unemployed?
• Are you working but want to be working more hours?
• Do you lack work experience and/or qualifications?
• Have you had an illness affecting your ability to work?

If you have answered YES, Pearl Cove Library has an AMAZING opportunity for you to attend our new Human Library event titled Resilience + Hope = ME. To celebrate Mental Health Month, the inaugural theme of The Human Library is focused on hope, overcoming adversity and resilience. 

What is The Human Library? 

The Human Library started in Denmark in 2000. With a Human Library, the 'book' is a person - a human book - and the 'reading' that happens in a Human Library is a conversation between the reader and their human book. These personal conversations are designed to improve understanding of diversity, challenge prejudice and contribute to greater cohesion. Learn more about The Human Library here.

About The Human Books:

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/4xz2ar8u

Brooke Boney - Indigenous Australian Journalist, Today Show Entertainment Reporter.  Resilient. Fearless. Passionate. Promotes tolerance.

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/42ejpnep

Kevin El-Hagge - a Pearl Cove resident who is keen to make a difference and share his story. Overcoming major illness, prejudice and long-term unemployment, Kevin returned to study as a mature-age student and now works full-time as a graphic designer.

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/cvvw8vpf

Carolyn-Lee Felhaus - Carolyn-Lee is no stranger to stigma. Overcoming adversity since her formative years, Carolyn is resilient. A proud single parent of two children, she manages a chronic health condition, is under-employed, content (for now) working in a casual role and concurrently studying part-time at University.

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/n6axtsn4

Joseph Lonti - Joseph wants you to know how volunteering in a charitable organisation can open doors (literally). Establish new friendships, increase self-confidence whilst you build your work experience. Joseph has an amazing life story he is just waiting to share, which will make you question your thinking. 

Image source: https://tinyurl.com/34v8ccbc

Hamay Deoudi - Hamay recently arrived to Pearl Cove as a refugee from Syria. Her story. Her reality. Don't judge a book by its cover.

Event Details

At this event you will have a 20 minute conversation with each Human Book (rotation basis). Come for a conversation. Learn about their life story.

Time: 10.30am - 2.00pm 

Date: Thursday 27th October 2022

Location: Pearl Room (Ground Floor), Pearl Cove Library

Free event. Tea and coffee will be supplied

No children allowed

Bookings

Places are limited and will fill quickly. Book NOW to avoid disappointment on EventBrite

Questions? Need help to book?

If you have any questions about the event or require assistance to make a booking, please contact our dedicated Pearl Cove Library Events Desk at events@pclibrary.nsw.gov.au

Pearl Cove Library is committed to connecting members of the community, establishing dialogue and focusing on mental wellbeing through initiatives designed to support and improve the mental health of Pearl Cove community members. 

Need support? 

Get in touch with Headspace and Beyond Blue. Ready for you.

Ju (>>amended 23/11/21)

Pearl Cove Library Presents

A-Spectrum of Job Seekers-Human Library Event

Striving for inclusive workplaces across the spectrum 

Image sourced from https://epicassist.org/the-world-needs-neurodiversity/

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2018), 205,200 Australians have Autism and only 38.0% of the working age are employed. 

Did you know people with Autism can bring many benefits for everyone in the workplace? 

“Our team have all benefited from having someone with a different way of thinking”. (Manager- Westpac) “Autistic employees are 92% more productive and 48% faster than non-autistic employees” (JP Morgan Chase). Source Specialisterne Australia.

As part of World Autism Awareness Month in April, the Pearl Cove Library will be hosting a Human Library event called A-Spectrum of Job Seekers, focusing on the employment issues that people with Autism experience.

What is the Human Library?

The Human Library is where you can borrow a person who is referred to as a human book from diverse backgrounds, to have meaningful conversations and challenge the stereotypes they often face. At this event each of the conversations with the eight human books will last about 20 minutes, where you can ask the questions you have always wanted to ask, with a chance to challenge the stereotypes & misconceptions often associated with Autism.

For more information about the Human Library:

https://humanlibrary.org/ 

https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/ 

 

Who are the Human Books?

Daniel is a indigenous Australian, who has Autism and is a job seeker.

Maddie is a job seeker on the Autism spectrum.

Paul Micallef who has Autism, is a Youtuber and an advocate for people with Autism.

Adriana is a young job seeker, who has Autism.

Chloe Hayden who has Autism & AD-HD, is an advocate for young people with autism, she is also a Youtuber, singer, actor and influencer. 

David is a disability employment trainer for people on the Autism spectrum.

Alex is a young man who has Autism and is a job seeker.

Emily is the mother of Alex.

Event information: 

When: Monday 11th April at 2pm to 4.30pm. 

Where: Pearl Cove Library in the Pearl room and Cove meeting room.

Cost $5 for admission. 

Bookings are through Eventbrite:

https://eventbrite.com.au/pearl-cove-library-events/ 

For further enquiries please contact:

Phone: (02) 9764 7781

Email: events@pearlcovelibrary.nsw.gov.au 

For more information on creating inclusive workplaces for people with Autism visit:

https://specialisterne.com.au/  

For more information about Autism visit:

https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/

Lachlan Hemmert

A Discussion DYING to Be Had

Pearl Cove Library is Hosting a Dying to Know Day Human Library Event

   Sunday August 8th 2021 2-6pm

Sourced from Sahara Funerals: http://www.saharafunerals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/green-funerals.jpg

It's time to talk about death, dying, and how to deal with the grieving process. 

Dying causes a lot of stress and costs a lot of money because we are often unprepared for it. Death is obviously a part of life but despite this it is a taboo and put off conversation. 

By engaging in conversations with experts around death, alternative burial practices (which are cheaper and better for the environment), funeral wishes and what is to be done with property, early and explicitly the experiences around death and grieving are easier and less expensive. Allowing everyone to approach death with dignity.

Find out more about the work being done to inspire these conversations at https://www.thegroundswellproject.com/

But what is a human library event?

A human library is what it sounds like, a library collection not made of traditional materials but people: their lives, stories, and experiences. 

Experts on a topic are 'books' available to be borrowed by readers for a thirty minute conversation.  

More information about The Human Library is available here 

https://humanlibrary.org/

The Books

Indigenous Elder and Caretaker for burial traditional knowledge

Eco Burial Expert from National Death Advocacy Network

Palliative Care Nurse

Probate Lawyer

Local Imam

Local Pastor

Event Details

When: Sunday 8th August 2-6pm

Where: Pearl Cove Library

Register for your free spot now at                                        https://www.eventbrite.com.au/

Katya Cahill

Welcome to Australia

 

                Welcome to Australia 

To celebrate Refugee Week, Pearl Cove Library is hosting an event that gives you a chance to engage in a chat one-on-one with a refugee about their experiences coming to Australia. 

We would love you to join us for this occasion.

Date: 22nd June 2021

Time: 11am - 1.30pm

Venue: The Pearl Room, Pearl Cove Library

Light refreshments available.

Please reserve your spot through Eventbrite.

We welcome the opportunity to learn more about our four speakers or "human books" who represent the Refugee community and have volunteered to participate in this Human Library event. We encourage you to join us, meet our human books and engage in a respectful and interesting conversation.

Our human books are:

Peter Bol                      Australian Olympian.

Behrouz Boochani       Author, journalist, film-maker.

Lowitja O'Donoghue    Advocate for indigenous rights,    

                                    Member of Order of  Australia, 

                                     Australian of the Year, and  

                                     Australian National Treasure.

Samah Shda                International advocate for refugee rights, 

                                     Public speaker for Refugee Council.

The Human Library started in Denmark in 2000, and is based on the concept that everyone has a story to tell and can be a “human book”. 

The intent is for people to loan out a “human book” as you would in a library and have a respectful conversation. 

The aim behind the Human Library concept is to reduce prejudice, judgement, improve knowledge and empathy through conversation.

Please contact Pearl Cove Library with any further enquiries or booking assistance.

contact@pearlcove.library.com

ph: 2345 6789

Photo credit: Lukens, A. 2019. Strategy Movement Core Team. Wikimedia Commons.

Image credit: Human Library. 2021. 

Catherine. M. Baird 

Diploma student - Library and Information Services