Suffering in Silence.

"Anzac Day Ceremony (c)Henk Deleu" by VISITFLANDERS is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

 The blight being endured by those who return from service in our military. 

About: We often think of the servicemen and women of our armed forces as indomitable bastions of willpower and fortitude. However, this is not the case for many of our ex-service personnel. Ex-service personnel have some the highest rates of depression, anxiety, and risks of suicide within Australia. Worst still is the silence around the issue and the silence from those who suffer the most. This Anzac-day, come to Pearl Cove Library to hear their stories and ask about the difficult lives of the ex-service personnel who have survived, endured, and lost. For more information: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/veterans/national-veteran-suicide-monitoring/contents/summary

Human Libraries: Have you ever read a book and wondered what other stories the author or characters could tell? That’s what human libraries are for! Human Libraries are events where people become the books. They get the opportunity to tell their story, and the listener gets to ask about the life and experiences of the human book. Come and experience the insight of some of the many extraordinary tales the world has to offer. Learn more: https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/

Please be aware that some of the content discussed may not be suitable for some audiences. 

This event may feature, discuss, or have images of people who are deceased. 

Discretion is advised. 

Books:

-    Retired SGT. Major Stanley Yelnats (male survivor)

     

-    Retired Private Keith Thompson (retired)

-

- Retired Lieutenant Kirra Alura (first nations retired)

-    Retired Corporal Alison Peters (female survivor)

-    Mary Markerson (family of victim)

        

 

Details:

When- Anzac Day 25/04/2021. 11:00-15:00.

Where- Pearl Cove Library CAFÉ.

How- Bookings are essential for this event. Walk ins may be accepted, but book availability will be subject to demand. Please find an Eventbrite link to confirm your booking: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/

Contacts:

-    Pearl Cove Community contact line: 02 9999 9999

-    Pearl Cove Community events email: pearlcoveevents@pearlcove.nsw.au 

If you or anyone you know is suffering from mental health concerns, please contact beyond Blue for a discrete helpful chat. 

- 1300 22 4636 

- https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 

Picture references. 

"Portrait of young man. Colombia" by World Bank Photo Collection is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

"Portrait of police woman. Mexico" by World Bank Photo Collection is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

"Australia: Aboriginal Culture 002" by babasteve is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

"Steyr Aug" by Bonesaw 0311 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

"Woman Portrait" by Product-Studio is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Flashbacks+Flashforwards: Snapshots of Life in the Defence Force

                                           Image source: Anthony McAvoy

Join us for a morning of conversation and remembrance at Pearl Cove Library's first Human Library
When: 10am-1pm, Friday 8 November 
Where: Pearl Room, Pearl Cove Library
Make your booking at: www.eventbrite.com.au/flashbacks+flashforwards

What is a Human Library?
Originating in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2000, the Human Library program is a cultural event where readers can borrow a human "book" and have a conversation about their unique life story. The Human Library is a safe and open place to listen to stories that aren't usually heard and ask questions that aren't usually asked, connecting community members with unique perspectives and experiences and combating prejudice towards marginalised, and misunderstood, groups.

The 11^th of November is Remembrance Day in Australia. During this time of remembrance, this event provides a chance for the community to openly discuss the past, present and future of soldiers in the Australian Defence Force. The event will explore topics such as:

- the daily life of a soldier in an active combat zone

- discrimination in the past and present as a minority in the armed forces

- coping with PTSD in civilian life

- the large community of homeless veterans

- the motives of the next generation joining the army

Meet our Human Books:

• Paul - a homeless veteran of the Iraq War who suffers from PTSD
• Sam - an Indigenous Elder and Vietnam War veteran
• Kelly - a junior officer currently studying at the Defence Force Academy
• Taylor - an openly gay veteran who served in the mid-90s after the ban on gay and lesbian personnel was lifted in 1992

For more information about Human Libraries visit https://www.humanlibraryaus.org/

For more information regarding how you can support our veterans visit https://www.woundedheroes.org.au/

For more information about this event contact
Kate Ficarra - Events Officer at Pearl Cove Library
Phone: 90583356
Email: katef@pearlcovelibrary.gov.au

                                                    Kate Ficarra

'How Are You Doing?'

Pearl Cove Library is holding its first mental health awareness human library event!

(https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/64124e48-8db7-4e83-b0ac-85110c2eeacc)

We will be hosting a ‘Human Library’ event for people to tell their stories and educate the community on the importance of mental health. The ‘books’ will be either those effected by mental health, or those who have experienced it themselves. Each individual will be able to ‘borrow’ their ‘book’ for 15 minutes at a time, and places are running out fast.

The individuals available for ‘loan’:

-          A male suffering PTSD and Depression

-          A new mother who experienced post-natal depression

-          A woman who lost her brother to suicide

-          A mental health advocate from ‘Beyond Blue’

Event Details

Date: Friday 13^th September 2019

Time: 12pm-4pm

Location: Pearl Cove library Courtyard

Booking information
Online: pearlcovelibraries.eventbrite.com

Phone: Contact Sara Lance at (02) 1300 8989 for more information

For more information on ‘Living Libraries’:
    https://humanlibrary.org/

Lifeline Suicide Prevention Hotline: 13 11 14
     https://www.lifeline.org.au/

For more information on Beyond Blue:

     https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

For more information, please visit Headspace:
     https://headspace.org.au/

Demystifying Autism - Living Library Event

Dennis Brendel, 2019, retrieved from https://unsplash.com/

Being Different Together: Demystifying Autism Spectrum Disorder

A Human Living Library event for World Autism Awareness Day

Have you ever wondered about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Do you know someone who has ASD and are curious to learn more?

Pearl Cove Library invites any who are wanting to learn more about ASD, or are simply curious, to engage with people's real-life experiences of ASD next April for World Autism Awareness Day.

When: Thursday April 2nd, 2pm - 5pm

Where: Pearl Room, located at Pearl Cove Library

How: Bookings can be made through Eventbrite

Who: Ages 16 and up

What is a Human Living Library?

A Living Library is a new, inclusive event where member of the public can interact and chat with "Human Book" - a collection of people willing to share their experiences on a topic. It promotes diverse thinking and helps people to overcome unconscious biases and break down prejudices. (For more info go to Human Library Australia)

More About the Event
Pearl Cove Library is inviting four individuals to talk about their experiences with ASD in a series of short one-on-one conversations. Books can be "borrowed" for up to 25 mins, during which time attendees are invited to listen to their stories and ask questions about the topic. Tea/coffee and a small selection of biscuits will be provided throughout the day.
Attendees are reminded to be respectful towards the Books, and to not raise their voice or act aggressively towards them. The Books are free to refuse to answer questions or terminate the conversation early if they feel uncomfortable.

Meet the Books
Peter Thorne - A representative of Aspect Australia
Kaitlan Monroe - A mother of a young child with ASD
Matt Reid - An indigenous Australian with ASD
Addison Rudd - A woman only recently diagnosed with ASD

Tickets will be $10 per person and are available from Eventbrite. Limited slots available

Please contact the library for more information about this event
0404 033 212
libraryenquires@pearlcove.gov.au

Find out more about ASD at Aspect Australia
Find out more about Living Libraries

By Stephanie Oppen-Riley