Program
DAY ONE - THURSDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2023
08:45 | WELCOME
MC: Dr William DeJean, inspiring educator and Founder, Unleash Learning™ www.unleash-learning.com
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
Uncle Allen Madden, respected Gadigal Elder, cultural representative for the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council
THE BIG PICTURE: HOW TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GREATER GOOD
8:55 | THE DREAMING PATH: INDIGENOUS THINKING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
The old people say, ‘When we leave this world behind, all we leave behind is our story. So make it the best story possible.’ Paul’s observation is many people aren’t living the best story possible. Through a concept called the Dreaming Path, Paul shares the key elements of wellbeing through the lenses of Aboriginal culture, philosophy and spirituality. Paul suggests these ways of knowing, being and doing are more applicable in the hustle and bustle of the contemporary world than ever. By sharing these insights, Paul hopes to create better a better story for the individual, nation and world.
Dr Paul Callaghan, Aboriginal man belonging to the land of the Worimi people on the coast of NSW, storyteller, dancer, community wellbeing consultant, and author of The Dreaming Path: Indigenous Thinking to Change Your Life.
9:20 | WELLBEING ECONOMY: WHAT IS THE GOAL – MONEY OR HAPPINESS?
Explore the main drivers in life, both for individuals and societies. What is most important to us and how is it measured? Is it possible that the means to the end has become the end goal? How did that happen and what can we do about it?
Dr Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir, psychologist, public health expert, governmental expert on Wellbeing Economy (WBE) for WHO, co-author of Creating the World We Want To Live In, Director of Public Health, Directorate of Health, Iceland
9:40 | LET’S CHANGE THE WORLD - ONE ACT OF GENERATIONAL KINDNESS AT A TIME
Gen K (or Generational Kindness) is an intergenerational movement combatting ageism and building stronger local communities through acts of kindness for people doing it tough. The Gen K framework acknowledges acts of kindness can transform the lives of giver, receiver and community.
Dr Catherine Barrett, Founder/Director, Celebrate Ageing; Founder, The Kindness Pandemic voted the Most Uplifting Facebook Group in the World
10:00 | ‘LIVING INTO BEING’ A WORLD WE CAN ALL BE HAPPY IN
If happiness comes from connection and purpose, can we (should we?) be happy in this world which disconnects us from each other and the natural world and is hurtling towards the precipice? Through his concept of “Living Democracy”, Tim Hollo shows how the simple, deliberate act of living together happily, with our hands in the soil and our hearts extended towards each other and the more-than-human world, we can transform the world into one we can all be happy in.
Tim Hollo, passionate advocate, campaigner, writer and organiser, working towards ecological democracy; Executive Director of the Green Institute; author of Living Democracy; founder of Green Music Australia
10:20 | MORNING COFFEE
HOW TO FIND GENUINE & LASTING HAPPINESS
10:50 | MAKE IT MEANINGFUL: A PATH TO PROFOUND AND LONG-LASTING HAPPINESS
After escaping a cult at age 19, Debbie underwent a deep meaning search and found happiness through volunteering and higher education. Explore the connection between meaning and happiness and how a deep sense of ‘mattering’, based on purpose and impact, can lead to eudaimonism rather than hedonism.
Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal, Professor of Business & MBA Director, Macquarie University; Author: Make It Meaningful
11:15 | THE OTHER SIDE OF HAPPINESS: WHY WE NEED DISCOMFORT TO THRIVE
Explore how our happiness in life may be determined by finding value in our negative experiences, rather than by seeking out more positive experiences. Does the cultural value we place on our emotional states too often blind us to what it takes to truly thrive in work and in life?
Professor Brock Bastian, social psychologist, researcher and author; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne; author: The Other Side of Happiness
11:35 | PANEL: IS CHANGING YOUR OUTLOOK ON LIFE EASIER SAID THAN DONE?
We often strive for things like happiness, comfort, material gain, good reputation and praise, and try to avoid unhappiness, discomfort, material loss, bad reputation and criticism. What if instead, we aimed to achieve a feeling of equanimity whatever experiences we encountered in life – ‘good’ or ‘bad’? How would we go about changing our outlook on life and the way we respond to the ups and downs along the way?
Dr Paul Callaghan, Aboriginal man belonging to the land of the Worimi people on the coast of NSW, storyteller, dancer, community wellbeing consultant, and author of The Dreaming Path: Indigenous Thinking to Change Your Life.
Dr Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir, psychologist, public health expert, governmental expert on Wellbeing Economy (WBE) for WHO, co-author of Creating the World We Want To Live In, Director of Public Health, Directorate of Health, Iceland
Tim Hollo, passionate advocate, campaigner, writer and organiser, working towards ecological democracy; Executive Director of the Green Institute; author of Living Democracy; founder of Green Music Australia
Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal, Professor of Business & MBA Director, Macquarie University; Author: Make It Meaningful
Professor Brock Bastian, social psychologist, researcher and author; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne; author: The Other Side of Happiness
MODERATOR: Jacinta Tynan: journalist, author and Founder of The Spiritual Book Club
12:05 | ENERGISER: TAI CHI
Tai chi is a martial art known for its many defence techniques but more recently also recognised for its many health benefits such as relieving anxiety and stress. It is a beautiful “moving meditation” that can be practiced to still the mind and allow you to rebalance and find harmony within.
Theresa Perry, Holistic Life Coach, Tai Chi and Meditation Teacher, Theresa Perry Wellbeing
12:10 | PERSONAL STORY: NAVIGATING LIFE AFTER TRAUMA - AN INSPIRING STORY OF ACCEPTANCE, COMPASSION AND COURAGE
Gillian Coutts, a beloved member of the Happiness & Its Causes community, suffered a major stroke in June last year, spending the following eight months in hospital and now living with a permanent disability. Be inspired by a heartfelt conversation with her husband Steve, and friend and colleague Jenny, as Gillian courageously shares her personal story and the subsequent hurdles she faced. Hear her profound insights on acceptance, compassion, love, resilience, perseverance, and the vital role of a supportive network in navigating the complex journey towards a new sense of happiness.
Gillian Coutts, Co-National Director, Potential Project Australia
Steve Quinlan, Managing Director, The Sales Desk
Jenny Steadman, Co-National Director, Potential Project Australia
12:45 | LUNCH BREAK
HOW TO MEET LIFE’S CHALLENGES WITH HOPE & RESILIENCE
14:00 | ENERGISER: AFRO STEP
Step up and let the beats move you! Have fun getting your body moving to this dynamic fusion of Afro beats and step aerobics.
Sheron Sultan, Wellbeing and Movement Facilitator; Multicultural Energiser; Founder of Yatimba!
14:05 | I’LL LET MYSELF IN: BREAKING DOWN DOORS, CLAIMING YOUR SPACE AND FINDING YOUR WHEELS
Growing up differently and coming of age in a world not built for her as a disabled woman, Hannah Diviney is used to letting herself in. Used to understanding the light and shade of a life well-lived. She often jokes that the strongest muscle in her body is her resilience one, and that the greatest form of rebellion for someone like her is joy. Join Hannah as she weaves stories together that remind us all that to be human is to be different and that to be different is like being on a rollercoaster that never stops thrilling, surprising and terrifying you. But with any luck, and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can make the ride both wild and smooth all at the same time.
Hannah Diviney, writer, disability and women’s rights advocate, and actress; Finalist for Young Australian of the Year 2022; author I’ll Let Myself In
14:25 | HOW MINDFULNESS CAN UNLOCK YOUR FULL POTENTIAL
Have you ever wanted to take a risk but felt too scared? Reinvent yourself? Find deeper purpose and meaning? Mindfulness meditation might just be the doorway. Elise will share how mindfulness can unlock your potential and support you in being an agent for positive change in the world. You’ll hear some cutting-edge research around the neuroscience of mindfulness, and she’ll share her research conducted with Monash University answering the question: ‘How long do you need to meditate to experience the benefits?‘
Dr Elise Bialylew, a doctor trained in psychiatry turned social entrepreneur and mindfulness expert; founder of online global fundraising campaign Mindful in May; best-selling author of The Happiness Plan
14:45 | SWIPE RIGHT ON YOUR BEST SELF: HOW TO BE COURAGEOUS IN THE FACE OF LIFE’S CHALLENGES
Life is a series of challenges. The quality of our lives depends to a large extent on how well we can courageously meet our challenges. Learn some simple ways you can become more courageous – to swipe right on your best self.
Eric Winters, self-leadership coach offering science-based strategies to meet challenges more effectively, Author: Swipe Right on Your Best Self
15:05 | HIP HOP & HYMNS: THE HEALING EFFECTS OF MUSIC
The music you choose to listen to can have a profound impact on your wellbeing. This is the case across genres. Whether it’s country, pop, alternative or rock, music has a way of getting right into your soul. When you lend your ears to a particular song, you’re taking in the angst or joy of the vocalist, the energy or mellow nature of the track – and sometimes its political message. There are certain songs that will remind you of particular moments in your life and artists you may regard fondly because of that. Music can be healing. But what about the music you find challenging and yet seductive? How can listening to a song that makes you cry be just as therapeutic as the ones that’ll make you dance?
Mawunyo Gbogbo, ABC journalist specialising in popular culture; author of Hip Hop & Hymns
SPECIAL GUEST: Kween G, consciousness-raising hip-hop artist, industry and cultural leader, community advocate and emerging African-Australian icon
15:30 | AFTERNOON TEA
HOW TO ENHANCE CONNECTION & BELONGING IN OUR LIVES
16:00 | THE ART OF CONNECTING & ENGAGING: HOW TO HAVE SAFE AND HEALTHY YARNS
Learn how to build relationships, respect and rapport with Anny’s seven ways to have a safe and healthy yarn.
Anny Druett, proud 4,005th generation descendant of the Ngemba mob from far north western NSW; cross-cultural trainer, teacher, speaker and co-founder, Pearl’s Plan
16:25 | THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BELONGING
What if the secret to happiness and well-being lies in our ability to cultivate a sense of belonging? In this thought-provoking presentation, drawing from recent research, we will embark on a journey into the world of human connection, exploring the profound impact it has on our mental health, the potential consequences of a lack of belonging, and how belonging can be nurtured. In addressing the question of what truly brings happiness, we will be offered a metaphorical compass, guiding us on a path toward a more connected life.
Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Allen, School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Monash University; Founder and Lead Director, Global Belonging Collaborative; Author, The Psychology of Belonging
16:45 | NAMES: THE GATEWAY TO CONNECTION
If a strong social network is closely tied to happiness, how do we build one? When we meet someone new, one of the first things we do is exchange names. Teaching people to navigate multicultural names makes it easier for newcomers from non-Anglo backgrounds to find personal connection and belonging in Australia.
Dr Fiona Swee Lin Price, storyteller, songwriter and cross-cultural communication specialist; Director, Globalise Consulting
