Cuppa with Helen W

Who is your hero?

Rosey Batty, she has been instrumental in putting Family Violence on the agenda. I also like Kermit the Frog.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Europe, you could pop into many European countries. Love the buildings, art and food.

What was your first job?

Worked at Myer Melbourne in the ladies shoe department.

If money was no object, what would you do all day?

Travel all around the world and take in the arts.

What is your favourite book or movie?

Good Will Hunting. I love Robin Williams movies

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Asian food I like variety

Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?

music

Do you love or hate rollercoasters?

I Hate them. I am scared of heights.

What three items would you take with you on a deserted island?

partner, phone and a sense of humour

What was your favourite subject in school?

Literature/drama

Do you collect anything?

Frog ornaments

Who was your favourite teacher? Why?

Ms Sergi, she was a geography teacher who saw me as Mature and knowledgable.

Why did you get involved in the production of “Flourishing”?

I like the experience of performing and being around like minded people-creatives. Its exciting to all work together to put on a show.

Who is your favourite character in the show and why?

Kendall, I admire this character who is brave to share her personal story. To bring empathy to the social issue of family violence.

Florence Nightingale was known as the lady with the lamp because she spent time with her patients and really stepped into their darkness and cared for them. Who is a person who is not a family member who stepped into your life and helped you flourish?

A therapist who helped me see the world as caring, safe and forgiving.

Vincent van Gogh dreamed of people being deeply moved by his art.

If you had all the talent in the world, what kind of art would you want to be creating?

Writing, Music, drama, film and art

Helen Keller once said: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”

What is your “one thing” you can offer to help a person in a tough place flourish?

Listening to someone, they feel heard and seen.

What messages, thoughts, and/or feelings would you like the audience to leave with after watching “Flourishing”?

I want them to be moved. I want them to be provoked to think about that people with challenges can still achieve great things. That with care we can find a way to carry on. That we need to care for one another