THE PROJECT

FROM RUIN TO RECOVERY

In 2012, Melbourne writer Arnold Zable conducted writing workshops for people with gambling addiction, the result was an anthology of eleven stories ‘From Ruin to Recovery – Gamblers share their stories’.

FROM WORDS TO PERFORMANCE

With an invitation to present the book at the 2013 Melbourne Writers Festival (See short film here), Artistic Director Catherine Simmonds OAM, came on board to dramatize the reading with participants. The presentation was met with a standing ovation and as the silence of shame cracked, it became our defining moment.

TRANSFORMING SILENCE INTO ACTIVISM

Recognised as pioneering and powerful, the demand for our performance-based activism quickly grew. It continues to evolve in collaboration with the sectors of local government, mental health, justice, education, alcohol and other drugs, family violence, research, community and cultural groups.

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

Our storytelling, both in-person and online, continues to reach audiences across Australia igniting conversations, challenging stigma, building empathy and all the while framing gambling as a public health concern.

ONLINE – SILVER LININGS

Telling stories in these times of the pandemic, we discovered silver linings by creatively developing and delivering our performances online. Through live storytelling and crafted video stories in collaboration with service providers and communities the scope and visibility of our work stretched across regions and states with the click of ‘connect’