Flourishing

A LifeCare Special Theatrical Event

Flourishing tells the story of one woman’s journey out of brokenness and the community that made it possible. An inspiring and heartwarming theatrical event, Flourishing explores the capacity each and every one of us have to step into the moment and help another person to flourish.

All proceeds go towards supporting the important work of LifeCare.

Our Story

One of our key aims at LifeCare is to provide what I call 'wrap-around' support for clients. The way I see it is that while it's wonderful to receive professional help when we need it, but what if there's also practical support, opportunities to make new friends, opportunities to use your skills to support others? LifeCare's services aim to provide wrap-around support. Flourishing is another example of 'wrap-around' support through performing arts. The cast ~ Matt Jones, CEO LifeCare

Flourishing features a support cast of professional performing artists working alongside community members and clients of LifeCare who bring their own lived experiences and passions for family violence recovery support to the performance.

CEO LifeCare

Matt Jones

I am impressed with this wonderful little organisation. Am I allowed to say that!? LifeCare serves our local community with such a special blend of deeply held passion alongside practical wisdom. The team are ready to roll up sleeves and get beside people in tough places to support, empower and bring hope. Caring words are spoken, listening ears are open, shoulders are cried on, prayers are offered, wisdom is shared, practical needs are supplied, opportunities to join us in the work are given. All this contributes to life being lived out in the everyday with a little more hope, and flair, and flourish!

This event is particularly special for us. We've valued getting to know Kendall over the last couple of years and it's been a privilege to partner with Kendall to create this original production 'Flourishing'. We're grateful for her brave willingness to share some of her story with us and her desire to use her talents and skills to be a blessing to us, in writing and directing this show. All the work involved to get to this singular night has already brought people together in beautiful ways. We're really grateful for everybody's contributions, particularly those in the cast and crew. And now Flourishing brings us together tonight, promising to inspire and challenge us. We hope you enjoy the experience.

Writer / Director

Kendall Bryant

I could not have asked for a more truly beautiful group of humans to work with as we put together this production of Flourishing. Every single person on that stage tonight and behind the scenes has contributed to my flourish and to our flourishing cast and crew. Thank you to each and every one of you for all that you bring, all that you contribute and all that you are. And I am not only talking about this show. I mean every single day, just by living as you. We have been beyond blessed in this journey - we have been nourished and enriched. Together we are flourish-ING. It’s a continuous, never ending, team thing - wink - and Team Flourishing knows it!

To Matt Jones. You have scraped me off the floor more times than either of us care to remember and been my rock and friend as I let these waters flow. You took a risk and became a knot in my net and, because of you, I am here and I will breathe.

To my therapist, Yvonne Kraemer. You were not afraid to take the risk and sit in the space of this other. Together we have searched for light in dark places, ravaged storms and high seas and sailed out so deep, at times I couldn’t see the shore. But you steered and navigated with me. And because of you, unrelenting, unyielding, unconditional you, I have been found. And tonight? Tonight I cast my net over the other side … and we shall handle the haul together in the coming weeks.

I hope you, our guests tonight, can leave here knowing that you are worth it and you will never be alone in the dark. If you only look around … you will be found.

Family Violence Program at Crossway LifeCare

Our service exists to empower and support women and children who have experienced family violence. We focus on supporting them once they are out of crisis, as they rebuild their lives and heal from the impacts of family violence. We do this through group therapy and case management programs, which offer both therapeutic and practical support. Some of our programs are short-term while others offer support for up to 12 months, catering to the varying needs of each individual and family. We offer occasional childcare alongside our programs, so that single mums with young children are able to access our support. One of our driving values is to create opportunities for women to connect into a community, rather than just a service, as they meet other women who have had a similar experience of family violence. This connection reduces social isolation and creates an empowering and hopeful environment for healing to occur in. Our holistic care model is unique, and we are passionate about providing this support to more families. Thank you for purchasing a ticket to Flourishing to help fund this important work

Meet The LifeCare Team

Matt Jones

CEO, Crossway LifeCare

It's such a great privilege to be one of the people who gets to oversee the work of this community organisation. As we seek to help others in transformative ways, we receive so much ourselves. It's a real two-way street! When I’m not serving the wonderful LifeCare team in my day job, I like to spend time exploring the great outdoors on foot with family. I also love music, a good book, and sharing with friends over good food

David Breen

Community Connections Team Leader

I lead the community connections team at Crossway Lifecare. That means I have a lot to do with food, fun outings and community events, including managing a shower truck for people who are sleeping rough. Riding bikes and swimming are two of my hobbies, and apparently, I have a good singing voice (so I'm told). I help Kendall lead the community choir and the community gathering at Forest Hill Chase. My amazing wife and I have four amazing children and one grandson (so I may be older than I look). My mug shot (not my face btw) is not plain but designed creatively and beautifully just like you and me!

Anne Elliott

Counselling Team Leader

This mug has a Swedish dala horse on it. It reminds me of the Swedish town in America that my mum grew up in. We spent summers there and seeing a dala horse always brings back great memories.

My life is largely made up of work, church, family in Australia and family in America. Travelling long distances has become a regular thing as I try to spend as much time as practical with my family in America.

I love people and my main hobbies are reading and organising things.

Beth Taylor

Team Leader of Family Violence Programs

I still pinch myself that I get to support women who have survived family violence in my daily work. It's the biggest honour to hear their stories and walk alongside them as they rebuild their lives. Outside of this work, I find joy and refreshment in doing yoga, being out in nature (mountains or beach, I'll take either!) and baking yummy things.

Matt Farmilo

Community Mentoring Team Leader

I get to lead an awesome team who spend their time connecting people with volunteer mentors to sit alongside them and start building a little bit of community. Seeing ordinary people helping each other in this way is very rewarding work. Outside of work, I enjoy running, a (good!) coffee, and spending time playing with my son – who also gave me my favourite coffee mug.

Meet the Cast

In alphabetical order

Adam, Father, Maid

Administration Assistant

Anne Sullivan

Ensemble

Ensemble, Guitarist

Florence Nightingale

Helen Keller

Hospital Administrator

Kate

Kendall

Man, Ensemble

Nurse 2nd in charge, Mary

Nurse, Ensemble

Nurse, Hannah, Theo

Nurse, Receptionist

Peyron

Priest

Psychiatrist

Realtor

Therapist

Venue Manager

Vincent Van Gogh

Young Helen Keller

Moya Lucy

Leesa Watts

Sarah Rietmeyer

Akemi Kawabata

David Breen

Matt Jones

Paul Butler

Jess Graham

Raina Ye

Dorothy Graham

Chelsea

Kendall Bryant (herself)

Jane Leishman

Catriona Taralrud-Bay

Karen Breen

Aysha Chrysostomou

Sarah Butler

Shauna Priest

Angela Chung

Zara Price

Nicole Johnston

Sarah Kassig

Helen Parkes

Helen Walker

Yasmine

Meet the Crew

Director/Choreographer

Co-Producer

Assistant Producer

Assistant Director

Set Designer

Assistant Production Designer

Stage Manager

Dance Assistants

Vocal Assistant

Lighting Designer

Sound Designer

Graphic Design

Videography

Editing

Soundtrack

Screen Image Curator

Screen Art

Event Manager

Public Relations

Pastoral Support

Administration and Production Support

Kendall Bryant

Matt jones

Moya Lucy

Sarah Rietmeyer

Moya Lucy

Charlene Yong

Courtney Vanderleest

Shauna Priest & Sarah Rietmeyer

Sarah Rietmeyer

Oliver Ross

Sarah Gooda

Rikki Heylen-Silva

Paul Butler

Alexandro Francisco

Paul Butler

Sylvia Schmelzle

Kendall Bryant

Jude Prentice

Chelsea and Helen Walker

David Breen

Karen Breen, Chelsea, Nicole Johnston, Jane Leishman, Sarah Rietmeyer, Hannah Wright

Special Thank You

Thank you to Vermont Men's Shed for constructing our stage set. Their skill and support is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to Bunnings at Vermont South for donating parts to the stage set.

Thank you to Kerryn Pell and the Whitehorse Churches Care gang at The Forest Hill Chase Community Space for giving us a home to rehearse in and helping out in so many ways along the journey