Summit Dinner

Summit delegates, presenters, speakers, sponsors, and organisers will have an opportunity to relax and socialise at a dinner and open mic night. 

Peer Power: Plugging into our creativity open mic

Join us for an evening of delicious food and talented performances from our very own Peer Workers.

Date: Thursday, 20th February 2025

Time: 5:30pm onwards

Location: Venue 114, 114 Sportsman Parade, Bokarina.

Tickets are now SOLD OUT 

 

 

 

 

What to Expect

Enjoy a night of delicious food, good company, and entertainment.

The evening will begin with drinks and canapés and opportunities for social networking.

Followed by a two-course (main and dessert) scrumptious sit-down dinner.

Tickets include meal; a bar is available to purchase alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. 

Open Mic event begins.

Showcase Your Talent

We all have a creative side, but we don’t all have the opportunity to share that. Whether you sing, recite poetry, or tell jokes, our open mic is the perfect platform for you!

Grab the mic and share your talent.

Everybody is welcome. Listening and watching is participation too; come and be part of the audience. Some of us may need your encouragement and peer support. We invite you to clap, cheer, and sing along if you feel inclined.

If you would like to share your talent at the Open Mic Event, please complete this form, and we will be in touch.   fill this form out for a call back

Meet our Open Mic Master of FUN 

Hello! 😊 Leena here! Most of you know me as Leena Bates (oh hey there, if we haven’t met). Did you know my full name is Helena? Bonus fun fact... as of January 30th, 2025, I have legally changed my surname to Favolosa.  So, introducing Helena Favolosa. Please feel free to still use my nicknames Leens/Leena.

Right now, I am feeling the tactile pool of Leena Bates swimming and floating around me as it laps up against the phoenix of Helena Favolosa. In this state, writing a bio about ‘who I am’ feels way off base, as really... I have no idea. What fun!!😉

In that spirit, here are some things I’ve done. I am a Social Science graduate from RMIT who spent the first part of my career working in youth mental health. Then, after many years spent falling completely off the side of the earth (only to find out my feet hadn’t been on the ground in the first place), I began my journey into the Lived-Living Experience (LLE) workforce. Alongside some peer work, my lived expertise in previous roles has focused on bringing LLE into the design of technology – Technology for Social Justice. I was responsible for the LLE advisory into Ask Izzy as well as bringing LLE into the human centred design of other social impact programs, websites and services.  In my most recent role at the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, I was lucky enough to speak with around 300 epic humans already in peer work or seeking to enter the LLE workforce in Queensland through the Peer Work Scholarship program. Hearing this collective speak to the personal and shared values of this work, was pretty.damn.magical.  Currently I’m in the role of Lived-Living Expertise Program Manager, at the Queensland Mental Health Commission working to expand and regulate the LLE Workforce in Queensland.

At the Open Mic I am going to sing a song by Ainslie Wills called ‘Society’. It’s a stunning song that has carried me through many deep feelings of loneliness coming from the loss of belonging to family, systems and society. I’ll do my best to sing it from a place of confidence while also honouring the big feelings.  Thank you in advance for holding space for me… I am absolutely looking forward to holding space for you. See you there 😊

 

Meet our Open Mic Master of FUN

Salam! I am Rahim, an embodiment of my name which means merciful in Arabic. I arrived in Australia as a refugee from Afghanistan. I am a relentless advocate for change and am determined to positively impact the world around me. I bring enthusiasm and energy to every endeavour I make, and I hope we can all work together to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all. I believe in the sanctity and value of life, and I do everything I can to improve people’s lives. I am currently working as one of the Lived Experience Engagement Leads at the Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland.

I am a Psychology graduate from QUT who utilises my lived experience and expertise in mental health to drive systemic change. I have been involved with over 20 organisations via advocacy and advisory groups across Australia. Through these organisations, I have devoted my time to important issues such as mental health and suicidality, CALD representation, youth representation, refugee and disability rights, child and family safety, and youth justice.

When I'm not advocating for change, you can find me indulging in my creative side by writing poetry, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, catching up on movies and TV shows, being active through sports, or being lazy by playing video games. Fun fact, I have also tried out stand-up. Nevertheless, this will be my first official co-MC role, so please be nice to me 🙂