June 10, 2025 • 39 mins
What happens when compassion crosses continents? Astrid Hocking, Lake Macquarie's Woman of the Year, joins us live from the Philippines to share her extraordinary journey of protecting the vulnerable and building resilient communities.
From the orphanage that rescues children from trafficking to teaching young mothers income-generating skills, Astrid reveals how small acts of kindness create profound change. Her stories are breathtaking – finding an abandoned baby in a plastic bag who's now thriving with adoptive parents, watching disabled adults flourish on self-sustaining farms, and seeing traumatised children grow into successful adults simply because someone believed in them.
The Umbrella Hearts program, symbolised by an orange ribbon, has grown from a local initiative to an international movement shifting conversations around child protection. Astrid's approach emphasises dignity, consultation, and changing the narrative from "you can't" to "you can" – proving that sustainable change comes when people are empowered rather than merely helped.
This conversation isn't just about charity work abroad; it's about practical ways we can all contribute to stronger communities right where we are. Astrid's philosophy that "everyone needs support and kindness" reminds us that our small actions matter, whether comforting a struggling parent at the grocery store or mentoring a local teen. Her 50-year marriage and partnership with her husband, Frank, also demonstrate how support behind the scenes makes front-line compassion possible.
Would you be ready to make a difference? Visit www.heartsandhands.net.au to learn how you can join this movement of everyday heroes creating extraordinary change.
Thank you for listening!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leon Goltsman (00:00):
Hello and welcome back to another episode of
Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, Leon Goltsman,and each week I sit down with
people who are helping shapestronger communities through
leadership, compassion and theeveryday actions that make a
lasting difference.
This episode is proudly broughtto you by Niaz Cannoth and the
team at Invest Intelligencevisionary supporters of progress
(00:22):
, purpose and possibility.
Visionary supporters ofprogress, purpose and
possibility.
Today, I'm honoured to welcomeback a truly remarkable guest,
Astrid Hocking, our very ownchampion of hearts and hands and
the 2025 Lake Macquarie Womanof the Year, recognised at the
New South Wales Woman of theYear Awards for her outstanding
service to children and families.
(00:45):
While her roots are local,astrid's impact reaches far and
beyond.
She joins us live today fromCalipay, an orphanage in the
Philippines, a country with over113 million people in a space
just one-sixteenth the size ofAustralia.
It's one of the most vulnerableplaces in the world for child
trafficking and withoutintervention, many children
would be left on the streets,exposed to abuse and neglect.
(01:08):
But thanks to Astrid and herextraordinary team, these
children are being rescued,protected and given a second
chance with love, care,education and dignity.
Her work not only changes livesoverseas, but also reflects the
best of what compassionate,community-driven Australians can
achieve.
In this powerful episode,astrid shares deeply moving
(01:32):
stories from the field, fromrescuing children and reuniting
with those who've grown intothriving adults to equipping
young mothers and displacedfamilies with skills to rebuild
their lives and displacefamilies with skills to rebuild
their lives.
This is an episode filled withheart, hope and humanity, and
I'm so grateful Astrid made timeto join us, especially on her
birthday.
So without further ado, let'sget into it.
Astrid Hocking (01:56):
We can work in so many places in so many ways,
but everywhere needs support indifferent ways Sometimes it's
just encouragement.
Sometimes it's more than that,sometimes it's just
encouragement, sometimes it'smore than that, sometimes it's
physical or financial orwhatever.
But everyone needs support andkindness.
Leon Goltsman (02:10):
Absolutely, Absolutely.
You kind of find that the oldsaying birds of a feather flock
together.
It's kind of why we end upmeeting each other and our paths
continue to cross, because Ifeel the world does attract good
people to come together.
I mean, it also does theopposite, but I don't want to
say the opposite of good people,just probably people who got
(02:32):
their priorities slightly mixedup.
Astrid Hocking (02:35):
Yeah, and that could well be it, and sometimes
they haven't had the sameopportunities or they haven't
chosen the different paths wehave.
Sometimes we make choices basedon personal experiences or
other experiences around us, andwe can choose to go in
whichever direction we like, andsometimes we choose the right
path, I believe, and that pathis to help others.
Leon Goltsman (02:58):
It's usually our choice, isn't it?
I mean, despite what peoplethink, oh, someone made me do it
or I just didn't have theopportunity the reality is that
we do what we do as a choice.
We can always say yes and no toanything, pretty much.
Astrid Hocking (03:12):
Yeah, we can.
Sometimes I think, though,there are people that haven't
been shown there's analternative way.
If we can be shown that there's.
You know, you may have a verynegative experience, but if
somebody shines a lightsomewhere, you can either choose
to go down that negative path,or you can choose to say, okay,
I don't want that way.
I want a different thing in mylife, so I'll follow the light
(03:34):
that I've just been shown.
Leon Goltsman (03:36):
If we had to describe the light, what would
you describe it as?
Astrid Hocking (03:41):
The light.
Oh, sometimes it can be justsomething very, very small.
It's it's someone showing theycare.
It's even sometimes as simpleas a smile.
Sometimes, um, people saynobody smiled at me today.
Or you know, you say goodmorning, how are you, and say it
in a, with a pleasant voice,not in the, the tedious um, I
don't know what the right wordis.
(04:02):
But sometimes people will sayyou know how are you, but it's
just because they think theyhave to.
But when it's said with genuinefeeling, you can get the
impression that somebody doesactually care about you and how
you are and how you're feeling,and that kindness goes across.
The caring can be shared.
Leon Goltsman (04:21):
Well, I think for me anyway, when I say good
morning to someone, I genuinelymean it and you know, I know it
sounds funny, but I'd go downfor a walk down the promenade,
say down Bondi, or even thelocal streets at Lake Macquarie,
you know, up and down the lakeand going by the bicycle path
and the walk, just so I can sayhello and good morning to people
.
I come back and I actuallythink, oh, that feels good.
(04:43):
It wasn't just the physicalwalk, it was the connection we
make with people when we're outand about.
Astrid Hocking (04:48):
Yes, and when you smile at someone, what
happens?
They smile back.
It's an automatic reaction.
I've done it many, many times.
I walk around shopping centresat times deliberately smiling at
people who are not smiling, andthey always smile back.
When you do that, you smile atsomeone, they smile back, they
feel better.
You feel better and you'vebrightened the world in that one
little action.
Leon Goltsman (05:10):
You know, there's so much to talk to you, as
always.
Now, for those people whohaven't met you and I'm sure
there's two types of people I dojoke about this, but there's an
element of truth Two types ofpeople in this world the ones
that have met you and love you,and the ones that haven't met
you but wish they did.
Oh, thank you.
So for those people in between,somewhere, I do want to just
(05:32):
briefly introduce yourself.
Tell us a little bit aboutwhere you are right now.
Astrid Hocking (05:37):
My name is Astrid Hocking.
I live in the beautiful city ofLake Macquarie normally, but
right now I'm in the Philippinesbecause I'm involved in a
charity called Hearts and Hands,community Development, and one
of the things we do as just oneprogram is come to the
Philippines as volunteers, so wepay our own way, come here and
(05:58):
partner with differentorganisations in the Philippines
helping people.
It's a country with a lot ofdisadvantaged people across here
.
We partner with an orphanagethat rescue children from
trafficking and abandonment, andthat's something that I began
with my passion 12 years ago,just coming along to the
orphanage, but then realisedthat there was so much else we
(06:19):
could be involved with.
So we also partner with somevery disadvantaged communities
and help them to earn income sothat they can become
self-sustaining and have pridein what they do and better their
lives.
So we work with them, and nowwe've recently started a
partnership with anotherorganisation that are actually
(06:40):
working with disabled adults,which is something that's very,
very lacking in this country.
So we've got a group of adultsat the moment living on a farm
and very, very happy in theirlives because they're making a
difference for themselves.
They're growing their ownvegetables, they're
self-sustained, they're actuallyso excited that they can sell
(07:00):
some of the vegetables they growbecause they've got too much
for their own use, which iswonderful.
Leon Goltsman (07:05):
That's fantastic.
Well, a lot of what you'resaying is actually applicable to
parts of Australia.
A lot of people are fallingthrough the cracks.
Astrid Hocking (07:13):
I think there are organisations in Australia
as well that are helping in someof those areas, but people need
to be encouraged.
I think one of the importantthings is to actually consult
with people about what theywould like, not.
I think one of the importantthings is to actually consult
with people about what theywould like, not just walk in and
say this is what we're going todo, because that's where people
kind of put their backs up andreject that because it's not
their idea.
They don't have ownership.
They need to have pride.
(07:34):
They need to be given thatpride and that opportunity to
help themselves, but just shownsometimes along the way.
And that's the case, I think,wherever we are, we need to
consult with people and ask whatthey want.
Leon Goltsman (07:49):
And when you do ask people what they want,
you're not just empowering themand giving them ownership, as
you said, you're also givingthem dignity.
Isn't that what gets peoplegoing even more?
Astrid Hocking (07:58):
Absolutely.
I think giving them dignity isso, so important, because that
is what will keep them going, itis what will get them up in the
morning with a smile on theirface.
Leon Goltsman (08:05):
And I know that since the last time you've been
on our show, you just keep goingand going and achieving more
and more things.
Tell us about your most recentaccomplishment.
I was really proud of it, bythe way, but I'd rather you tell
us a little bit about thatThank you.
Astrid Hocking (08:21):
I was very, very surprised I was actually away
with my husband that Thank you.
I was very, very surprised Iwas actually away with my
husband having a few days away,because sometimes we just need
to switch off too and I receivedan email that said I'd been
recognised and I was beingawarded the Lake Macquarie Woman
of the Year for 2025.
I was so excited I had to shareit with friends almost
immediately, and just to knowthat somebody else thought that
(08:45):
what we're doing and what I'mdoing is special and deserve
that recognition was justwonderful.
But then we also, just veryshortly after that, as a charity
, we received a special awardfor an event that we ran as well
.
We ran a bike ride in honour ofchild protection, so that for
me was even more exciting, Iguess, or just as exciting,
(09:06):
because that was a whole teameffort as well and it really
shared the message even more ofwhat we do.
Leon Goltsman (09:12):
I've got to say, astrid, I was so, so proud of
you.
I was actually at anInternational Women's Day lunch
and there I am and I saw themessage and suddenly the people
at the table are like what areyou smiling at?
And honestly I couldn't containit.
I was so happy for you and Ijust thought you know, there's
my people.
(09:32):
She's just been recognised andit's incredible when other
people get an award or getrecognition, we feel good about
it.
Astrid Hocking (09:41):
I think that's part of the joy in having that
as well, that it's not just anindividual recognition.
You know that.
And recognition isn't the beall and end all and it's not why
you do what you do.
But it's really nice to knowthat somebody else does think
that it's pretty special.
But when other people sharethat it makes it even more
special.
Leon Goltsman (10:01):
And the accomplishments can sometimes
transfer as a recognition or anaward.
Of course it's humbling andit's nice to be recognized, but
I think the real success comesfrom the work that you've done
and, because of that work, theoutcome and the results that
shine the light on other peopleand, in your case, doing things
(10:22):
and supporting and strengtheningorphanages, especially in the
Philippines, and then seeing theoutcome, the results in the
success of the people you'vehelped.
Astrid Hocking (10:31):
Yeah, thank you for that.
I think the part about going tothe Philippines came about
because we were foster carersfor a long, long time, looking
after traumatized children inour own backyard.
So in Australia there are manychildren who are not protected
enough.
I have always had a strongpassion for children and their
protection, and then I becameaware of this particular
(10:52):
orphanage and said no, I'd liketo go there.
I really want to go and see thechildren and see that they are
within that home.
They are loved and cared forand do have some aspirations for
their futures too, because ofpeople who care.
Leon Goltsman (11:07):
So now you've returned to Calipay and for you
it's more than just a visit,it's a reunion with a purpose.
Now, Astrid, what did it feellike to be welcomed back by the
children and carers, and howdoes that sense of community
compare to what we experiencehere and other places like Lake
Macquarie?
Astrid Hocking (11:27):
I think joyous is a big word for me, because
Kalipay actually means joy intheir language.
So it was a very, very joyfultime to have the children come
running up to me with big hugs,big smiles and just very, very
welcoming.
It was just amazing.
I cried through part of it andthey just laughed.
They think it's hilarious.
(11:48):
When they see me, they do thatand then they tease me about
liking orange as well.
So we have some of that, lotsand lots of fun and giggles, and
it's so nice to see them happy.
And I think that's the thingthat I really like of children
everywhere when you see themsmiling.
I like sometimes just sittingin a local cafe and watching
families and watching thechildren interact with their
(12:08):
parents and smiling and laughing, so just watching children
everywhere.
It's just so important to seethem happy.
Leon Goltsman (12:15):
So, like that beautiful young lady that you
grew close with and I saw in thewedding photo and you told me
the story about that thatbrought tears to my eyes.
But seeing the long-term impacton the children who are now
thriving adults, must be deeplyaffirming.
Can you share one story oftransformation that really hit
home, something that mightremind our listeners that change
(12:36):
is possible, no matter wherethey start?
Astrid Hocking (12:40):
Well, a different story that I haven't
shared with you before was of atiny baby who was actually found
in the streets in a plastic bag, very, very tiny little one
brought into the orphanage whenI happened to be there in one
visit quite a few years ago.
And he was brought in andpeople within the Kalipay office
(13:01):
were saying we don't know if wecan take more children, we
don't have the funding.
How will we do it?
I said look, you have to takethis little one, please let me
sponsor him.
You have to take this littleone, please let me sponsor him.
So a friend and I then sponsoredthis little one with some other
children as well along the way,to make sure that they could be
kept safe in that beautifulenvironment in Kalipai, because
it is such a loving, caringplace.
(13:23):
And just last year he was ableto be adopted overseas and he is
leading and I've just actuallygot some more feedback about his
life yesterday and he's leadinga very special life with
parents who love him dearly andare giving him a wonderful life.
He's now almost nine andthey've been able to do that for
(13:46):
this child, and that sort ofstory does happen across Kalipai
.
Not all the children can beadopted, but they can be
fostered, they can remain there.
But one of the beautiful thingswithin that organisation is
also that education is the key,so we encourage the children to
have a good education.
There's a principal of theschool within the orphanage as
(14:07):
well who really, reallyencourages the children so much
that there are many childrenthat go to college and
university from there and thenlead successful lives.
Leon Goltsman (14:17):
Wow, and I promise myself I will not shed a
tear.
It's a good thing I've got abox of tissues next to my desk.
I didn't really expect to beusing it during this interview.
It really is touching and thatis the drive, the light that we
were talking about earlier on.
And you've been asked to motheruniversity students, which I'm
(14:39):
sure is also a deep honour.
How did that moment make youreflect on the importance of
mentorship and how can locals inLake Mac be the person in a
young person's life too?
Astrid Hocking (14:50):
Within the Philippines or within, certainly
, this area that I'm in, inNegros, when children graduate,
their parent would normally gowith them and accompany them
when their name is called andthe award or perhaps a medal in
some cases will be given to theparent and the parent passes
that on to the child.
When the children don't have aparent, they're able to either
(15:13):
go on their own Very few woulddo that.
Most of them will look forsomeone that is really special
and connected to them and I'vehad the honour of doing that on
several occasions where a childhas asked me to be their parent.
So I've been able to go withthem and yes, it brings tears
every time, including now.
You can't do it at that withthem and yes, it brings tears
(15:37):
every time, including now toedit that um.
But the young, the young ladyyou spoke about with the wedding
, I was actually um at hergraduation as her parent, and
she's actually now, now that shehas graduated and she's working
in a very successful job, has awonderful life with a beautiful
partner, when when they marriedand they're supporting her two
young siblings to go throughuniversity as well and they will
both graduate next year.
So I was asked to come as theparent for those children as
(15:59):
well, for their universitygraduation.
Leon Goltsman (16:02):
Astrid.
Astrid Hocking (16:03):
It's just amazing.
Very, very honouring.
Leon Goltsman (16:06):
Yeah, Look, I can imagine.
I can imagine A parent is alsoa very good role model, and we
do see a lot of good role modelsout there.
Sometimes parents go throughhard times of their own and
they're not always able to dothe best for their children.
Sometimes they don't realise itat the time.
Astrid Hocking (16:25):
I know within our area and many areas across
Australia, they have differentmentor programs, particularly
within high schools, which areextremely valuable and make a
difference for many lives whenyou're talking about parents who
may not be able to do thosethings for their children for
whatever reason.
So becoming a mentor is a verysuccessful way that you can
(16:45):
really help a young person andgive them that good role
modelling.
And then, if I extend that tothe sewing kind of thing we're
doing here, we actually have agroup of young mums and some of
them are talking about like 15and 16-year-old girls who have
become mums, who want to carefor their children, who want to
(17:07):
give them a good life but haveno means to do so but also want
education.
So they're actually coming to aday center that we've become
partners with as well and we'vebeen able to spend some time
with them and teaching themsewing, and the excitement on
their faces is just incredible.
It's to actually learn a skillthat they didn't have before and
(17:29):
they know that they can thentransform that into making items
, which we've certainly helpedthem with that they didn't have
before and they know that theycan then transform that into
making items, which we'vecertainly helped them with that.
They can make items now and sellthose and earn income, which
means a huge difference.
They can feed their children assomething that sounds simple,
but it means so much to so manyand just the joy on their faces
was incredible, was reallyreally special.
(17:50):
But I think we can do that sortof thing in Australia as well
in different ways justencouraging people but also
joining things like being social, particularly retired people
that may have a little more time.
They can join differentorganisations.
They can help people in many,many ways.
I'm also part of anorganisation that does some work
(18:11):
with domestic violence and alsoworking with people who have
come from very negativeexperiences and backgrounds
financial hardship, those sortsof things.
Just showing them that there issomeone who cares makes a
difference, but perhapssometimes giving them some ideas
of what they could do to bettertheir lives as well, and
(18:31):
offering that assistancewherever you can, and it can be
in such simple ways.
Leon Goltsman (18:36):
And that is very, very empowering, not just to
the people you're helping, butas a mentor.
You're also becoming a betterversion of your true self by
doing that.
Astrid Hocking (18:46):
Yes, I think that's true, and it also is that
when you're helping someoneelse, you're really helping
yourself in that way, in thatthat's one of the things you're
becoming a better person butalso you get so much reward from
it too.
It's not just about a one-waystretch, it's not always giving
it.
There is reward in all of thattoo, in knowing that you've been
able to help other people.
Leon Goltsman (19:07):
It just adds extra meaning to someone's day.
Astrid Hocking (19:10):
Yes, to everyone's, including your own.
Leon Goltsman (19:13):
Yep, absolutely, and I mean we're very fortunate.
You know, in Western developedcountries like Australia, we
don't see too many naturaldisasters.
We may get floods and bushfires, which unfortunately still has
a strong impact, but we bounceback, we bounce back, we get
into it and then a couple ofmonths or years later we kind of
(19:34):
forget about it.
Move on Third world countriesor other countries who aren't as
fortunate as us.
Astrid Hocking (19:40):
Yeah, I think that resilience is so important
and yes, we certainly have it inAustralia when there are those
sorts of disasters that occur,that people are resilient but
they get in and help one another.
It gets back to that as well.
It's caring about other people,it's making sure that
everyone's okay.
It's checking on all of thosesorts of things, but it is
happening certainly here in thePhilippines as well.
(20:02):
They have disasters on a fairlyregular basis.
Unfortunately, they have theircyclones and typhoons quite
regularly.
They have floods.
We had even while we were here,we had flooding rains as well.
So I was in the evacuation areafrom the volcano site.
The volcano actually eruptedagain last week and we're not
(20:24):
very far from that area.
They're expecting it to eruptagain in the very near future,
so we're keeping a look out onthat as well.
But the people that are thereare thousands actually displaced
from that, Thousands of peoplethat are in various evacuation
sites across this island and theone community that we've been
supporting for many years.
(20:46):
We've been visiting with themover the last few days as well,
Also teaching their senior girlsand some of the women sewing.
Again, we go back to somethingbasic that they wanted to learn.
They're sewing that.
But they actually moved intothat evacuation site in December
last year, so they've beenthere for quite a while.
They had no idea how longthey'd been there, so they've
(21:07):
actually started already, almostimmediately, growing their own
vegetables, which are nowstarting to be produced, so,
even having their own food,they're looking out for
everything they can.
They're taking care of oneanother.
They've actually also beenasked recently because there's
such a caring community withinthat site.
(21:27):
They were asked to care for twoabused children that were found
in some location verynegatively, but from the
government organisation askedthem if they could take in these
two children.
It was just amazing the supportand the love and care that they
had for others when they werealso struggling themselves.
And I think that's the thingwith resilience it's that help
(21:49):
and caring and love for others,not just the thought for
themselves.
Leon Goltsman (21:53):
Yeah.
Astrid Hocking (21:53):
And that's what we have in Australia most
definitely.
Leon Goltsman (21:57):
Yeah, putting the well-being of others before
ourselves, Isn't that a remedyfor selfishness?
Yeah definitely.
Astrid Hocking (22:07):
It's always something I've tried to live by
just do unto others as you'dhave them do unto you.
If you want someone to be kindto you, then be kind to them
first, Don't always expect it.
You need to be givingunconditionally, not expecting
that whatever you do or whateveryou give will come back to you.
Leon Goltsman (22:23):
And that goes back to the golden rule.
Astrid Hocking (22:25):
Yes.
Leon Goltsman (22:26):
And you've helped so many children find safety
after devastating abuse as well.
What's one small moment of hopeyou've witnessed that shows
just how much protection andlove can turn a child's life
around, and why does thismessage matter here at Home 2?
Astrid Hocking (22:40):
I think child protection matters, no matter
where you are, no matter whatcountry across the world you
live in.
Children are the world's mostvaluable resource.
We need to protect themeverywhere we can.
Are the world's most valuableresource.
We need to protect themeverywhere we can.
We've certainly had manyexamples of children who've been
able to flourish becausethey've been shown and given
love unconditionally here in thePhilippines, at home.
(23:04):
When I've travelled in differentcountries, I'm always trying to
be kind to children, doingsimple things.
Sometimes it can be helping amum and the children can smile.
It can be going to the grocerystore and seeing a mum struggle
with three children.
How am I going to get thegroceries in the car?
You know the children back inthe car seats, all of that sort
of thing.
Help them out.
Help people wherever you can.
(23:26):
I'm trying to think of anexample, but I can't just
isolate one.
There are just so manyhighlights for me of children
who are now succeeding, childrenwho, well, I can tell you of
one child that I thought of now,who I was told would probably
never amount to anything as asmall child because of the
(23:46):
negative circumstances he'd comefrom, is now a very successful
adult living a wonderful lifewith a beautiful family, because
somebody believed in him,Somebody loved him and cared for
him along the way.
Leon Goltsman (23:59):
Yeah Well, there's a saying that you become
what you think about most ofthe time, and if you think
you're wrong, you're right.
Astrid Hocking (24:11):
You're right.
Leon Goltsman (24:12):
I think that's the saying, and this applies to
so many people, especiallypeople with disabilities.
So you've seen people withdisabilities thrive with purpose
.
What did working with disabledadults on the farm teach you
about inclusion, and how can weadopt similar values in
(24:32):
workplaces and schools here inAustralia and throughout the
regions as well?
Astrid Hocking (24:35):
I think all too often people with disabilities
are told they can't do things no, you can't do that.
And then they believe itthemselves that they can't do
those things.
What we need to do is switchthat language around.
It's one of the things thatwithin our charity of Hearts and
Hands Community Development, wehave a program called Butterfly
Hearts, and within that programit is specifically aimed at
(24:55):
those that may have challengesof some kind.
But what we're saying is let'sswitch the language to can do.
We just find a way that we cando it rather than saying we
can't, and spreading thatmessage in so many places does
have an impact.
The people on the farm are beingtold they can do things.
They are enjoying working inthe farm.
(25:16):
They're enjoying watching theproduce grow.
They go out every day to look,they're collecting eggs they
have chickens there as well.
They collect the eggs.
They're given responsibilitiesfor things that they can do.
They have to make their ownbeds, and some of them have come
from backgrounds where theywere just continually told no,
you can't do that, no, you can'tdo that.
(25:36):
And they believe that.
But now they can see there areactually things they can do.
So it's really about changingthe language and that's
something we can do everywhere.
But I just watched the peoplehere on this farm here in the
Philippines are just so excitedabout their lives now that they
can do these things.
They've also been accepted intothe local community because the
(25:57):
extra produce they're growingthey go into the local community
once a week to sell that to theothers and people are looking
forward to that produce fromthem as well.
So the interaction they'regoing to the local church and
being accepted and all of thatis just making their lives
happier.
But also those who are caringfor them.
They're all enjoying and reallybeing joyous about what they're
(26:17):
seeing within these people.
It's just lovely to see.
But changing that language tocan do, finding a way how to do
it.
Leon Goltsman (26:25):
And the Umbrella Ribbon Program.
It's all about that.
You've demonstrated, you'veproven it with actions, not just
words.
The Umbrella Ribbon Program isabout local carers taking the
lead and doing exactly what youjust said.
Program is about local carerstaking the lead and doing
exactly what you just said.
How important is it that locals, whether in the Philippines or
our local communities here inAustralia, feel empowered to
(26:46):
protect and support thevulnerable?
Astrid Hocking (26:49):
Well, the Umbrella Hearts program is the
orange ribbon that we wear.
It has an umbrella as a symbolof protection.
It's bright orange becauseorange is a bright and cheery,
happy colour.
It began here in thePhilippines actually as a
program with the orphanage, whenI asked the carers to wear a
piece of ribbon and go out inthe community and encourage a
(27:09):
conversation, because wearingthat ribbon just suggests to
people they need to ask, becausethey do.
You know, it's something theydon't always recognise, so
people ask what does that standfor?
It gives you the opportunity tohave a challenging conversation
about children matter.
It's about protecting children,but it actually extends to say
(27:29):
abuse of any kind is not okay.
So we're suggesting now thatthey go right across the board.
Abuse is not okay for anyone,but wearing the ribbon is a very
, very simple way that peoplecan share that message by having
that conversation, becauseevery conversation matters.
And as well as that, we canthen say it's not okay for
(27:51):
anybody to be hurt.
And we can share that ribbon inso many different ways, not only
wearing the ribbon.
You know, locally, if we lookat the Lake Macquarie area, we
have volunteers that come alongand help produce the ribbons
because we need to keep the cost.
Obviously we're giving thoseribbons out.
We need to keep that cost downbecause it's all voluntary.
But you know they can come tomy home, they can make you know,
(28:13):
help produce the ribbons.
We can have ribbons.
Businesses can actually becomevery involved and have displays
of the ribbons in their businessto say we too believe in child
protection.
Lake Macquarie Council have amotion within their records
saying they as a council believein child protection.
We have National ChildProtection Awareness Day has
(28:35):
been declared in federalparliament a couple of years ago
by our local Hunter MP, danRipicoli, and because he
believes in that, he shares thatribbon with politicians.
We need to be sharing thatwherever we can, I think with
the ribbons.
And, as I said, everyconversation matters.
Conversation from influentialpeople makes a difference Our
(28:56):
local MP for across my LakeMacquarie and I have to say I'm
very, very proud to be a LakeMacquarie woman and very proud
of the MP that we have in ourlocal area who does so much for
our area, greg Piper.
He's just a very special manwho does so much in the area,
has also on many occasions beenpromoting our ribbon, is happy
to have his photo taken, ishappy to wear the ribbon and
(29:19):
share that conversation as well.
So thank you to Greg as well.
It's just really special tohave so many people spreading
that message that we need to goeven wider.
So many more.
We need to encourage them.
Leon Goltsman (29:31):
Yeah, and people like Greg and Dan, they really
are, they're our leaders,they're our elected
representatives that they reallyreally do represent, not just
in title, but in what they do,in their actions.
Astrid Hocking (29:45):
Yes, it is the actions that speak much louder
than words.
We all know that saying actionsdo speak louder than words.
And to have someone asinfluential as Greg wearing that
ribbon, talking about it inParliament, sharing that
information with other people inhis local community, being
happy to you know.
(30:05):
On one occasion with Greg Istood outside Coles, he was
wearing the ribbon, we tookphotos, did all of that sort of
stuff.
It was just a bit.
It seemed like just a bit offun, but it has that important
message behind it all the time.
Leon Goltsman (30:17):
And it's also having role models who show that
it doesn't matter how seniorthey are, whether it's in
politics and parliament orwhether it's a celebrity on
television.
There's a responsibility forrole models to set a good
example, and when you've gotpeople like Greg doing just that
, for me it's one of the bestthings you can do for the next
(30:39):
generation by not telling themwhat to do, by showing them, and
it's also inspiring for peoplelike ourselves who are community
orientated.
We need each other.
We need each other to remind uswhat good people do.
Astrid Hocking (30:53):
Yeah, we do, and also within schools.
I think it's really reallyimportant to share the message
with children as well that theydeserve protection, that they do
have that right, and we havelots of local schools as well
sharing that message.
I know across the schoolcurriculum there is important
messages that the childrenreceive about the child
protection.
But we've also got some of ourlocal schools in Lake Macquarie
(31:16):
really sharing that message withanother program that we're
running called Camp Teddy, wherethe children can get very
involved in what it means to beprotected and the importance of
that too, because we haveprincipals who are sharing that
message.
Very, very clear message aboutyou are special as children.
Leon Goltsman (31:33):
And to do that, we're going to remain resilient,
because every day we're goingto have lots of amazing
successes when we deliver andthings turn out.
There are going to bechallenges, however, and despite
the challenges, it's great tosee that your hope hasn't
wavered.
Now, what keeps you groundedand motivated?
And what would you say tosomeone in our local community
(31:56):
who wants to help but doesn'tknow where to start?
Astrid Hocking (32:01):
Keeping me grounded is probably my husband.
Later this year we'll becelebrating our 50th wedding
anniversary, so he's been arounda long time.
Leon Goltsman (32:09):
Still a spring chicken.
Astrid Hocking (32:14):
What are you talking about?
Yeah, that would be nice if itwas real.
Yeah, no, he really does keepme grounded.
He's the logical person, I thevery much the emotional one and,
um, yeah, here come the tearsagain.
Um, frank is the person thatkeeps me grounded and he also
works so hard behind the scenes.
When we're looking at hearts andhands as an organization.
(32:35):
He's the one who says, oh, this, this is something you could do
, this is something you could do.
He works on the website.
If I need a certificate forsomething, because I always like
to say thank you to people if Ineed business cards, he's just
done some more of those for me.
If I need something, I just sayFrank, can you do that?
Can you do that?
He's organising our bike ride.
(32:56):
He's done a lot of thepaperwork and all the different
things that we need flyers andall of that sort of thing,
designing everything.
Just sitting at the computer dayafter day and enjoying what
he's doing, because that giveshim a purpose as well, but it
certainly does help to keep megrounded, but also sometimes
just taking time out foryourself, like here in the
Philippines.
We've been working and I haveanother lovely board member with
(33:18):
me from Hearts and Hands herewith me this time.
Sometimes I travel by myself,sometimes I have a team of
people.
This time there were just twoof us and we took some time out
last night for ourselves andwent to a nice concert and that
was lovely to just celebratewith some friends here and just
really just take time out fromwhat we've been doing and
working hard for the last fewweeks.
(33:38):
Really just take time out fromwhat we've been doing and
working hard for the last fewweeks.
So, yeah, I think that's reallyimportant.
But other people around thearea what can we do?
We can do so many things.
Small businesses can promoteUmbrella Hearts, the ribbons in
their business.
They can share the message.
They can wear the ribbon, theycan talk about our programs.
They can encourage, perhaps,talks.
(34:00):
You know, I go to manydifferent groups and talk to
them about what Hearts and Handsdoes as individuals, because
sometimes it's easier to hearthose messages face to face.
We've got other people withinour organisation as well who are
happy to share our messages.
We're spreading slowly and we'dreally like to do that even
(34:23):
more, because one of my goals isthat our ribbon as a child
protection program, because Iknow that can make a difference.
I know here in the Philippinesit's made a huge difference and
they do use it in someorganisations.
It was launched here as anofficial program as well and I
know Kalipay used that acrosssome of their events.
They really promote theimportance of that child
protection message.
(34:43):
But we can be sharing that in somany different ways.
If someone would like to helpwith the program in some way and
they're not quite sure where tostart, one of the simple ways
is to wear a ribbon.
To get hold of that ribbon, youcan do that by going onto our
website, wwwheartsandhandsnetau,or you can give me a phone call
(35:03):
.
I won't give you the numberright here, but you can get that
information from the website.
There's also an email addressyou can email us.
You can come along and actuallyhelp produce some of the
ribbons.
We do that on a regular basisso that we've got lots to be
able to give them out.
You can actually be sharing theribbons in lots of different
ways.
You can take them along toschools, to events.
(35:24):
You can have some ribbons on adisplay stand in a business.
We've got special littledisplay stands that one of our
supporters actually made thislovely Perspex stand to say this
is what this program is about.
Lovely Perspex stand to saythis is what this program is
about.
But a goal is that everyonewould know right across
Australia and hopefully othercountries as well, because we
(35:46):
now actually have ribbons inAmerica and England as well from
a holiday that I went on fairlyrecently, just sharing it with
other people.
So they've taken it back totheir own countries.
I once went on a holiday toEngland a few years ago and
walked into a store to buysomething and the lady looked at
me and she said oh, I know allabout that ribbon that you're
wearing and I said oh, why?
She said oh, my husband went toa conference in Australia a few
(36:08):
years ago and he brought theribbon back.
So you know the message wasshared.
I'd like to see everyone be ableto recognise that ribbon and
know exactly what it's about andshare the message, because it
does make a difference.
I once had a young man comeback to me and talk.
Quite a few months after I didhave a chat with him and gave
him a ribbon.
He came back and said we usedto have a household where I
(36:29):
smacked my children all the timeand I realised it wasn't making
a difference.
I needed to change.
He said you challenged mythinking and I.
Now don't do that anymore andwe have a happier household.
So wearing a ribbon can changea life.
Leon Goltsman (36:42):
Astrid, I'm always inspired by inspiring
people, and one of the reasonswhy I love having inspiring
people and wonderful people whoare doers on our program is
because they infect us withtheir positive energy.
You certainly do that.
I am so looking forward tohaving you return, coming back,
(37:05):
and I owe you a coffee and maybesome lunch just to say thank
you so much, but also just anexcuse to catch up with you.
You are fantastic.
Thank you so much, astrid, andI love your work.
Astrid Hocking (37:18):
Thank you for having me, thank you for
allowing me to share the messageand for the inspiring work that
you do in sharing wherever youcan.
Leon Goltsman (37:26):
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Now, how's that for inspiring?
We've just heard from AstridHocking, a woman whose
compassion, courage andconviction are quite literally
transforming lives.
From the front line of one ofthe world's most vulnerable
regions, astrid reminded us whatit truly means to protect
children, empower communitiesand lead with purpose, whether
(37:49):
it's rescuing children from theunthinkable abuse, training
young mums to earn a living orbringing joy and dignity to the
displaced and disabledcommunities.
Astrid's work is a powerfulexample of local action with
global impact.
And it all started right herein Lake Macquarie.
And if this episode moved youeven just one moment, I'd love
(38:12):
to hear from you.
Email me directly atleon@ecohqcom.
au and let me know what stoodout, what gave you hope or what
challenged your thinking.
Your feedback doesn't just helpus grow.
It keeps these conversationsalive and if you know, someone's
story deserves to be heard,someone quietly making a big
(38:32):
difference in their corner ofthe world I want to meet them,
invite them to contact me, let'sget them on the show.
And in the meantime, if youfound value in today's episode,
please follow EngagingConversations and share it with
someone who needs a reminderthat good people are out there
doing great things, I'm LeonGoltsman.
(38:52):
Until next time, stay engaged,stay compassionate and let's
keep building strongercommunities, together.
Hello and welcome back to another episode of
Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, Leon Goltsman,and each week I sit down with
people who are helping shapestronger communities through
leadership, compassion and theeveryday actions that make a
lasting difference.
This episode is proudly broughtto you by Niaz Cannoth and the
team at Invest Intelligencevisionary supporters of progress
(00:22):
, purpose and possibility.
Visionary supporters ofprogress, purpose and
possibility.
Today, I'm honoured to welcomeback a truly remarkable guest,
Astrid Hocking, our very ownchampion of hearts and hands and
the 2025 Lake Macquarie Womanof the Year, recognised at the
New South Wales Woman of theYear Awards for her outstanding
service to children and families.
(00:45):
While her roots are local,astrid's impact reaches far and
beyond.
She joins us live today fromCalipay, an orphanage in the
Philippines, a country with over113 million people in a space
just one-sixteenth the size ofAustralia.
It's one of the most vulnerableplaces in the world for child
trafficking and withoutintervention, many children
would be left on the streets,exposed to abuse and neglect.
(01:08):
But thanks to Astrid and herextraordinary team, these
children are being rescued,protected and given a second
chance with love, care,education and dignity.
Her work not only changes livesoverseas, but also reflects the
best of what compassionate,community-driven Australians can
achieve.
In this powerful episode,astrid shares deeply moving
(01:32):
stories from the field, fromrescuing children and reuniting
with those who've grown intothriving adults to equipping
young mothers and displacedfamilies with skills to rebuild
their lives and displacefamilies with skills to rebuild
their lives.
This is an episode filled withheart, hope and humanity, and
I'm so grateful Astrid made timeto join us, especially on her
birthday.
So without further ado, let'sget into it.
Astrid Hocking (01:56):
We can work in so many places in so many ways,
but everywhere needs support indifferent ways Sometimes it's
just encouragement.
Sometimes it's more than that,sometimes it's just
encouragement, sometimes it'smore than that, sometimes it's
physical or financial orwhatever.
But everyone needs support andkindness.
Leon Goltsman (02:10):
Absolutely, Absolutely.
You kind of find that the oldsaying birds of a feather flock
together.
It's kind of why we end upmeeting each other and our paths
continue to cross, because Ifeel the world does attract good
people to come together.
I mean, it also does theopposite, but I don't want to
say the opposite of good people,just probably people who got
(02:32):
their priorities slightly mixedup.
Astrid Hocking (02:35):
Yeah, and that could well be it, and sometimes
they haven't had the sameopportunities or they haven't
chosen the different paths wehave.
Sometimes we make choices basedon personal experiences or
other experiences around us, andwe can choose to go in
whichever direction we like, andsometimes we choose the right
path, I believe, and that pathis to help others.
Leon Goltsman (02:58):
It's usually our choice, isn't it?
I mean, despite what peoplethink, oh, someone made me do it
or I just didn't have theopportunity the reality is that
we do what we do as a choice.
We can always say yes and no toanything, pretty much.
Astrid Hocking (03:12):
Yeah, we can.
Sometimes I think, though,there are people that haven't
been shown there's analternative way.
If we can be shown that there's.
You know, you may have a verynegative experience, but if
somebody shines a lightsomewhere, you can either choose
to go down that negative path,or you can choose to say, okay,
I don't want that way.
I want a different thing in mylife, so I'll follow the light
(03:34):
that I've just been shown.
Leon Goltsman (03:36):
If we had to describe the light, what would
you describe it as?
Astrid Hocking (03:41):
The light.
Oh, sometimes it can be justsomething very, very small.
It's it's someone showing theycare.
It's even sometimes as simpleas a smile.
Sometimes, um, people saynobody smiled at me today.
Or you know, you say goodmorning, how are you, and say it
in a, with a pleasant voice,not in the, the tedious um, I
don't know what the right wordis.
(04:02):
But sometimes people will sayyou know how are you, but it's
just because they think theyhave to.
But when it's said with genuinefeeling, you can get the
impression that somebody doesactually care about you and how
you are and how you're feeling,and that kindness goes across.
The caring can be shared.
Leon Goltsman (04:21):
Well, I think for me anyway, when I say good
morning to someone, I genuinelymean it and you know, I know it
sounds funny, but I'd go downfor a walk down the promenade,
say down Bondi, or even thelocal streets at Lake Macquarie,
you know, up and down the lakeand going by the bicycle path
and the walk, just so I can sayhello and good morning to people
.
I come back and I actuallythink, oh, that feels good.
(04:43):
It wasn't just the physicalwalk, it was the connection we
make with people when we're outand about.
Astrid Hocking (04:48):
Yes, and when you smile at someone, what
happens?
They smile back.
It's an automatic reaction.
I've done it many, many times.
I walk around shopping centresat times deliberately smiling at
people who are not smiling, andthey always smile back.
When you do that, you smile atsomeone, they smile back, they
feel better.
You feel better and you'vebrightened the world in that one
little action.
Leon Goltsman (05:10):
You know, there's so much to talk to you, as
always.
Now, for those people whohaven't met you and I'm sure
there's two types of people I dojoke about this, but there's an
element of truth Two types ofpeople in this world the ones
that have met you and love you,and the ones that haven't met
you but wish they did.
Oh, thank you.
So for those people in between,somewhere, I do want to just
(05:32):
briefly introduce yourself.
Tell us a little bit aboutwhere you are right now.
Astrid Hocking (05:37):
My name is Astrid Hocking.
I live in the beautiful city ofLake Macquarie normally, but
right now I'm in the Philippinesbecause I'm involved in a
charity called Hearts and Hands,community Development, and one
of the things we do as just oneprogram is come to the
Philippines as volunteers, so wepay our own way, come here and
(05:58):
partner with differentorganisations in the Philippines
helping people.
It's a country with a lot ofdisadvantaged people across here
.
We partner with an orphanagethat rescue children from
trafficking and abandonment, andthat's something that I began
with my passion 12 years ago,just coming along to the
orphanage, but then realisedthat there was so much else we
(06:19):
could be involved with.
So we also partner with somevery disadvantaged communities
and help them to earn income sothat they can become
self-sustaining and have pridein what they do and better their
lives.
So we work with them, and nowwe've recently started a
partnership with anotherorganisation that are actually
(06:40):
working with disabled adults,which is something that's very,
very lacking in this country.
So we've got a group of adultsat the moment living on a farm
and very, very happy in theirlives because they're making a
difference for themselves.
They're growing their ownvegetables, they're
self-sustained, they're actuallyso excited that they can sell
(07:00):
some of the vegetables they growbecause they've got too much
for their own use, which iswonderful.
Leon Goltsman (07:05):
That's fantastic.
Well, a lot of what you'resaying is actually applicable to
parts of Australia.
A lot of people are fallingthrough the cracks.
Astrid Hocking (07:13):
I think there are organisations in Australia
as well that are helping in someof those areas, but people need
to be encouraged.
I think one of the importantthings is to actually consult
with people about what theywould like, not.
I think one of the importantthings is to actually consult
with people about what theywould like, not just walk in and
say this is what we're going todo, because that's where people
kind of put their backs up andreject that because it's not
their idea.
They don't have ownership.
They need to have pride.
(07:34):
They need to be given thatpride and that opportunity to
help themselves, but just shownsometimes along the way.
And that's the case, I think,wherever we are, we need to
consult with people and ask whatthey want.
Leon Goltsman (07:49):
And when you do ask people what they want,
you're not just empowering themand giving them ownership, as
you said, you're also givingthem dignity.
Isn't that what gets peoplegoing even more?
Astrid Hocking (07:58):
Absolutely.
I think giving them dignity isso, so important, because that
is what will keep them going, itis what will get them up in the
morning with a smile on theirface.
Leon Goltsman (08:05):
And I know that since the last time you've been
on our show, you just keep goingand going and achieving more
and more things.
Tell us about your most recentaccomplishment.
I was really proud of it, bythe way, but I'd rather you tell
us a little bit about thatThank you.
Astrid Hocking (08:21):
I was very, very surprised I was actually away
with my husband that Thank you.
I was very, very surprised Iwas actually away with my
husband having a few days away,because sometimes we just need
to switch off too and I receivedan email that said I'd been
recognised and I was beingawarded the Lake Macquarie Woman
of the Year for 2025.
I was so excited I had to shareit with friends almost
immediately, and just to knowthat somebody else thought that
(08:45):
what we're doing and what I'mdoing is special and deserve
that recognition was justwonderful.
But then we also, just veryshortly after that, as a charity
, we received a special awardfor an event that we ran as well
.
We ran a bike ride in honour ofchild protection, so that for
me was even more exciting, Iguess, or just as exciting,
(09:06):
because that was a whole teameffort as well and it really
shared the message even more ofwhat we do.
Leon Goltsman (09:12):
I've got to say, astrid, I was so, so proud of
you.
I was actually at anInternational Women's Day lunch
and there I am and I saw themessage and suddenly the people
at the table are like what areyou smiling at?
And honestly I couldn't containit.
I was so happy for you and Ijust thought you know, there's
my people.
(09:32):
She's just been recognised andit's incredible when other
people get an award or getrecognition, we feel good about
it.
Astrid Hocking (09:41):
I think that's part of the joy in having that
as well, that it's not just anindividual recognition.
You know that.
And recognition isn't the beall and end all and it's not why
you do what you do.
But it's really nice to knowthat somebody else does think
that it's pretty special.
But when other people sharethat it makes it even more
special.
Leon Goltsman (10:01):
And the accomplishments can sometimes
transfer as a recognition or anaward.
Of course it's humbling andit's nice to be recognized, but
I think the real success comesfrom the work that you've done
and, because of that work, theoutcome and the results that
shine the light on other peopleand, in your case, doing things
(10:22):
and supporting and strengtheningorphanages, especially in the
Philippines, and then seeing theoutcome, the results in the
success of the people you'vehelped.
Astrid Hocking (10:31):
Yeah, thank you for that.
I think the part about going tothe Philippines came about
because we were foster carersfor a long, long time, looking
after traumatized children inour own backyard.
So in Australia there are manychildren who are not protected
enough.
I have always had a strongpassion for children and their
protection, and then I becameaware of this particular
(10:52):
orphanage and said no, I'd liketo go there.
I really want to go and see thechildren and see that they are
within that home.
They are loved and cared forand do have some aspirations for
their futures too, because ofpeople who care.
Leon Goltsman (11:07):
So now you've returned to Calipay and for you
it's more than just a visit,it's a reunion with a purpose.
Now, Astrid, what did it feellike to be welcomed back by the
children and carers, and howdoes that sense of community
compare to what we experiencehere and other places like Lake
Macquarie?
Astrid Hocking (11:27):
I think joyous is a big word for me, because
Kalipay actually means joy intheir language.
So it was a very, very joyfultime to have the children come
running up to me with big hugs,big smiles and just very, very
welcoming.
It was just amazing.
I cried through part of it andthey just laughed.
They think it's hilarious.
(11:48):
When they see me, they do thatand then they tease me about
liking orange as well.
So we have some of that, lotsand lots of fun and giggles, and
it's so nice to see them happy.
And I think that's the thingthat I really like of children
everywhere when you see themsmiling.
I like sometimes just sittingin a local cafe and watching
families and watching thechildren interact with their
(12:08):
parents and smiling and laughing, so just watching children
everywhere.
It's just so important to seethem happy.
Leon Goltsman (12:15):
So, like that beautiful young lady that you
grew close with and I saw in thewedding photo and you told me
the story about that thatbrought tears to my eyes.
But seeing the long-term impacton the children who are now
thriving adults, must be deeplyaffirming.
Can you share one story oftransformation that really hit
home, something that mightremind our listeners that change
(12:36):
is possible, no matter wherethey start?
Astrid Hocking (12:40):
Well, a different story that I haven't
shared with you before was of atiny baby who was actually found
in the streets in a plastic bag, very, very tiny little one
brought into the orphanage whenI happened to be there in one
visit quite a few years ago.
And he was brought in andpeople within the Kalipay office
(13:01):
were saying we don't know if wecan take more children, we
don't have the funding.
How will we do it?
I said look, you have to takethis little one, please let me
sponsor him.
You have to take this littleone, please let me sponsor him.
So a friend and I then sponsoredthis little one with some other
children as well along the way,to make sure that they could be
kept safe in that beautifulenvironment in Kalipai, because
it is such a loving, caringplace.
(13:23):
And just last year he was ableto be adopted overseas and he is
leading and I've just actuallygot some more feedback about his
life yesterday and he's leadinga very special life with
parents who love him dearly andare giving him a wonderful life.
He's now almost nine andthey've been able to do that for
(13:46):
this child, and that sort ofstory does happen across Kalipai
.
Not all the children can beadopted, but they can be
fostered, they can remain there.
But one of the beautiful thingswithin that organisation is
also that education is the key,so we encourage the children to
have a good education.
There's a principal of theschool within the orphanage as
(14:07):
well who really, reallyencourages the children so much
that there are many childrenthat go to college and
university from there and thenlead successful lives.
Leon Goltsman (14:17):
Wow, and I promise myself I will not shed a
tear.
It's a good thing I've got abox of tissues next to my desk.
I didn't really expect to beusing it during this interview.
It really is touching and thatis the drive, the light that we
were talking about earlier on.
And you've been asked to motheruniversity students, which I'm
(14:39):
sure is also a deep honour.
How did that moment make youreflect on the importance of
mentorship and how can locals inLake Mac be the person in a
young person's life too?
Astrid Hocking (14:50):
Within the Philippines or within, certainly
, this area that I'm in, inNegros, when children graduate,
their parent would normally gowith them and accompany them
when their name is called andthe award or perhaps a medal in
some cases will be given to theparent and the parent passes
that on to the child.
When the children don't have aparent, they're able to either
(15:13):
go on their own Very few woulddo that.
Most of them will look forsomeone that is really special
and connected to them and I'vehad the honour of doing that on
several occasions where a childhas asked me to be their parent.
So I've been able to go withthem and yes, it brings tears
every time, including now.
You can't do it at that withthem and yes, it brings tears
(15:37):
every time, including now toedit that um.
But the young, the young ladyyou spoke about with the wedding
, I was actually um at hergraduation as her parent, and
she's actually now, now that shehas graduated and she's working
in a very successful job, has awonderful life with a beautiful
partner, when when they marriedand they're supporting her two
young siblings to go throughuniversity as well and they will
both graduate next year.
So I was asked to come as theparent for those children as
(15:59):
well, for their universitygraduation.
Leon Goltsman (16:02):
Astrid.
Astrid Hocking (16:03):
It's just amazing.
Very, very honouring.
Leon Goltsman (16:06):
Yeah, Look, I can imagine.
I can imagine A parent is alsoa very good role model, and we
do see a lot of good role modelsout there.
Sometimes parents go throughhard times of their own and
they're not always able to dothe best for their children.
Sometimes they don't realise itat the time.
Astrid Hocking (16:25):
I know within our area and many areas across
Australia, they have differentmentor programs, particularly
within high schools, which areextremely valuable and make a
difference for many lives whenyou're talking about parents who
may not be able to do thosethings for their children for
whatever reason.
So becoming a mentor is a verysuccessful way that you can
(16:45):
really help a young person andgive them that good role
modelling.
And then, if I extend that tothe sewing kind of thing we're
doing here, we actually have agroup of young mums and some of
them are talking about like 15and 16-year-old girls who have
become mums, who want to carefor their children, who want to
(17:07):
give them a good life but haveno means to do so but also want
education.
So they're actually coming to aday center that we've become
partners with as well and we'vebeen able to spend some time
with them and teaching themsewing, and the excitement on
their faces is just incredible.
It's to actually learn a skillthat they didn't have before and
(17:29):
they know that they can thentransform that into making items
, which we've certainly helpedthem with that they didn't have
before and they know that theycan then transform that into
making items, which we'vecertainly helped them with that.
They can make items now and sellthose and earn income, which
means a huge difference.
They can feed their children assomething that sounds simple,
but it means so much to so manyand just the joy on their faces
was incredible, was reallyreally special.
(17:50):
But I think we can do that sortof thing in Australia as well
in different ways justencouraging people but also
joining things like being social, particularly retired people
that may have a little more time.
They can join differentorganisations.
They can help people in many,many ways.
I'm also part of anorganisation that does some work
(18:11):
with domestic violence and alsoworking with people who have
come from very negativeexperiences and backgrounds
financial hardship, those sortsof things.
Just showing them that there issomeone who cares makes a
difference, but perhapssometimes giving them some ideas
of what they could do to bettertheir lives as well, and
(18:31):
offering that assistancewherever you can, and it can be
in such simple ways.
Leon Goltsman (18:36):
And that is very, very empowering, not just to
the people you're helping, butas a mentor.
You're also becoming a betterversion of your true self by
doing that.
Astrid Hocking (18:46):
Yes, I think that's true, and it also is that
when you're helping someoneelse, you're really helping
yourself in that way, in thatthat's one of the things you're
becoming a better person butalso you get so much reward from
it too.
It's not just about a one-waystretch, it's not always giving
it.
There is reward in all of thattoo, in knowing that you've been
able to help other people.
Leon Goltsman (19:07):
It just adds extra meaning to someone's day.
Astrid Hocking (19:10):
Yes, to everyone's, including your own.
Leon Goltsman (19:13):
Yep, absolutely, and I mean we're very fortunate.
You know, in Western developedcountries like Australia, we
don't see too many naturaldisasters.
We may get floods and bushfires, which unfortunately still has
a strong impact, but we bounceback, we bounce back, we get
into it and then a couple ofmonths or years later we kind of
(19:34):
forget about it.
Move on Third world countriesor other countries who aren't as
fortunate as us.
Astrid Hocking (19:40):
Yeah, I think that resilience is so important
and yes, we certainly have it inAustralia when there are those
sorts of disasters that occur,that people are resilient but
they get in and help one another.
It gets back to that as well.
It's caring about other people,it's making sure that
everyone's okay.
It's checking on all of thosesorts of things, but it is
happening certainly here in thePhilippines as well.
(20:02):
They have disasters on a fairlyregular basis.
Unfortunately, they have theircyclones and typhoons quite
regularly.
They have floods.
We had even while we were here,we had flooding rains as well.
So I was in the evacuation areafrom the volcano site.
The volcano actually eruptedagain last week and we're not
(20:24):
very far from that area.
They're expecting it to eruptagain in the very near future,
so we're keeping a look out onthat as well.
But the people that are thereare thousands actually displaced
from that, Thousands of peoplethat are in various evacuation
sites across this island and theone community that we've been
supporting for many years.
(20:46):
We've been visiting with themover the last few days as well,
Also teaching their senior girlsand some of the women sewing.
Again, we go back to somethingbasic that they wanted to learn.
They're sewing that.
But they actually moved intothat evacuation site in December
last year, so they've beenthere for quite a while.
They had no idea how longthey'd been there, so they've
(21:07):
actually started already, almostimmediately, growing their own
vegetables, which are nowstarting to be produced, so,
even having their own food,they're looking out for
everything they can.
They're taking care of oneanother.
They've actually also beenasked recently because there's
such a caring community withinthat site.
(21:27):
They were asked to care for twoabused children that were found
in some location verynegatively, but from the
government organisation askedthem if they could take in these
two children.
It was just amazing the supportand the love and care that they
had for others when they werealso struggling themselves.
And I think that's the thingwith resilience it's that help
(21:49):
and caring and love for others,not just the thought for
themselves.
Leon Goltsman (21:53):
Yeah.
Astrid Hocking (21:53):
And that's what we have in Australia most
definitely.
Leon Goltsman (21:57):
Yeah, putting the well-being of others before
ourselves, Isn't that a remedyfor selfishness?
Yeah definitely.
Astrid Hocking (22:07):
It's always something I've tried to live by
just do unto others as you'dhave them do unto you.
If you want someone to be kindto you, then be kind to them
first, Don't always expect it.
You need to be givingunconditionally, not expecting
that whatever you do or whateveryou give will come back to you.
Leon Goltsman (22:23):
And that goes back to the golden rule.
Astrid Hocking (22:25):
Yes.
Leon Goltsman (22:26):
And you've helped so many children find safety
after devastating abuse as well.
What's one small moment of hopeyou've witnessed that shows
just how much protection andlove can turn a child's life
around, and why does thismessage matter here at Home 2?
Astrid Hocking (22:40):
I think child protection matters, no matter
where you are, no matter whatcountry across the world you
live in.
Children are the world's mostvaluable resource.
We need to protect themeverywhere we can.
Are the world's most valuableresource.
We need to protect themeverywhere we can.
We've certainly had manyexamples of children who've been
able to flourish becausethey've been shown and given
love unconditionally here in thePhilippines, at home.
(23:04):
When I've travelled in differentcountries, I'm always trying to
be kind to children, doingsimple things.
Sometimes it can be helping amum and the children can smile.
It can be going to the grocerystore and seeing a mum struggle
with three children.
How am I going to get thegroceries in the car?
You know the children back inthe car seats, all of that sort
of thing.
Help them out.
Help people wherever you can.
(23:26):
I'm trying to think of anexample, but I can't just
isolate one.
There are just so manyhighlights for me of children
who are now succeeding, childrenwho, well, I can tell you of
one child that I thought of now,who I was told would probably
never amount to anything as asmall child because of the
(23:46):
negative circumstances he'd comefrom, is now a very successful
adult living a wonderful lifewith a beautiful family, because
somebody believed in him,Somebody loved him and cared for
him along the way.
Leon Goltsman (23:59):
Yeah Well, there's a saying that you become
what you think about most ofthe time, and if you think
you're wrong, you're right.
Astrid Hocking (24:11):
You're right.
Leon Goltsman (24:12):
I think that's the saying, and this applies to
so many people, especiallypeople with disabilities.
So you've seen people withdisabilities thrive with purpose
.
What did working with disabledadults on the farm teach you
about inclusion, and how can weadopt similar values in
(24:32):
workplaces and schools here inAustralia and throughout the
regions as well?
Astrid Hocking (24:35):
I think all too often people with disabilities
are told they can't do things no, you can't do that.
And then they believe itthemselves that they can't do
those things.
What we need to do is switchthat language around.
It's one of the things thatwithin our charity of Hearts and
Hands Community Development, wehave a program called Butterfly
Hearts, and within that programit is specifically aimed at
(24:55):
those that may have challengesof some kind.
But what we're saying is let'sswitch the language to can do.
We just find a way that we cando it rather than saying we
can't, and spreading thatmessage in so many places does
have an impact.
The people on the farm are beingtold they can do things.
They are enjoying working inthe farm.
(25:16):
They're enjoying watching theproduce grow.
They go out every day to look,they're collecting eggs they
have chickens there as well.
They collect the eggs.
They're given responsibilitiesfor things that they can do.
They have to make their ownbeds, and some of them have come
from backgrounds where theywere just continually told no,
you can't do that, no, you can'tdo that.
(25:36):
And they believe that.
But now they can see there areactually things they can do.
So it's really about changingthe language and that's
something we can do everywhere.
But I just watched the peoplehere on this farm here in the
Philippines are just so excitedabout their lives now that they
can do these things.
They've also been accepted intothe local community because the
(25:57):
extra produce they're growingthey go into the local community
once a week to sell that to theothers and people are looking
forward to that produce fromthem as well.
So the interaction they'regoing to the local church and
being accepted and all of thatis just making their lives
happier.
But also those who are caringfor them.
They're all enjoying and reallybeing joyous about what they're
(26:17):
seeing within these people.
It's just lovely to see.
But changing that language tocan do, finding a way how to do
it.
Leon Goltsman (26:25):
And the Umbrella Ribbon Program.
It's all about that.
You've demonstrated, you'veproven it with actions, not just
words.
The Umbrella Ribbon Program isabout local carers taking the
lead and doing exactly what youjust said.
Program is about local carerstaking the lead and doing
exactly what you just said.
How important is it that locals, whether in the Philippines or
our local communities here inAustralia, feel empowered to
(26:46):
protect and support thevulnerable?
Astrid Hocking (26:49):
Well, the Umbrella Hearts program is the
orange ribbon that we wear.
It has an umbrella as a symbolof protection.
It's bright orange becauseorange is a bright and cheery,
happy colour.
It began here in thePhilippines actually as a
program with the orphanage, whenI asked the carers to wear a
piece of ribbon and go out inthe community and encourage a
(27:09):
conversation, because wearingthat ribbon just suggests to
people they need to ask, becausethey do.
You know, it's something theydon't always recognise, so
people ask what does that standfor?
It gives you the opportunity tohave a challenging conversation
about children matter.
It's about protecting children,but it actually extends to say
(27:29):
abuse of any kind is not okay.
So we're suggesting now thatthey go right across the board.
Abuse is not okay for anyone,but wearing the ribbon is a very
, very simple way that peoplecan share that message by having
that conversation, becauseevery conversation matters.
And as well as that, we canthen say it's not okay for
(27:51):
anybody to be hurt.
And we can share that ribbon inso many different ways, not only
wearing the ribbon.
You know, locally, if we lookat the Lake Macquarie area, we
have volunteers that come alongand help produce the ribbons
because we need to keep the cost.
Obviously we're giving thoseribbons out.
We need to keep that cost downbecause it's all voluntary.
But you know they can come tomy home, they can make you know,
(28:13):
help produce the ribbons.
We can have ribbons.
Businesses can actually becomevery involved and have displays
of the ribbons in their businessto say we too believe in child
protection.
Lake Macquarie Council have amotion within their records
saying they as a council believein child protection.
We have National ChildProtection Awareness Day has
(28:35):
been declared in federalparliament a couple of years ago
by our local Hunter MP, danRipicoli, and because he
believes in that, he shares thatribbon with politicians.
We need to be sharing thatwherever we can, I think with
the ribbons.
And, as I said, everyconversation matters.
Conversation from influentialpeople makes a difference Our
(28:56):
local MP for across my LakeMacquarie and I have to say I'm
very, very proud to be a LakeMacquarie woman and very proud
of the MP that we have in ourlocal area who does so much for
our area, greg Piper.
He's just a very special manwho does so much in the area,
has also on many occasions beenpromoting our ribbon, is happy
to have his photo taken, ishappy to wear the ribbon and
(29:19):
share that conversation as well.
So thank you to Greg as well.
It's just really special tohave so many people spreading
that message that we need to goeven wider.
So many more.
We need to encourage them.
Leon Goltsman (29:31):
Yeah, and people like Greg and Dan, they really
are, they're our leaders,they're our elected
representatives that they reallyreally do represent, not just
in title, but in what they do,in their actions.
Astrid Hocking (29:45):
Yes, it is the actions that speak much louder
than words.
We all know that saying actionsdo speak louder than words.
And to have someone asinfluential as Greg wearing that
ribbon, talking about it inParliament, sharing that
information with other people inhis local community, being
happy to you know.
(30:05):
On one occasion with Greg Istood outside Coles, he was
wearing the ribbon, we tookphotos, did all of that sort of
stuff.
It was just a bit.
It seemed like just a bit offun, but it has that important
message behind it all the time.
Leon Goltsman (30:17):
And it's also having role models who show that
it doesn't matter how seniorthey are, whether it's in
politics and parliament orwhether it's a celebrity on
television.
There's a responsibility forrole models to set a good
example, and when you've gotpeople like Greg doing just that
, for me it's one of the bestthings you can do for the next
(30:39):
generation by not telling themwhat to do, by showing them, and
it's also inspiring for peoplelike ourselves who are community
orientated.
We need each other.
We need each other to remind uswhat good people do.
Astrid Hocking (30:53):
Yeah, we do, and also within schools.
I think it's really reallyimportant to share the message
with children as well that theydeserve protection, that they do
have that right, and we havelots of local schools as well
sharing that message.
I know across the schoolcurriculum there is important
messages that the childrenreceive about the child
protection.
But we've also got some of ourlocal schools in Lake Macquarie
(31:16):
really sharing that message withanother program that we're
running called Camp Teddy, wherethe children can get very
involved in what it means to beprotected and the importance of
that too, because we haveprincipals who are sharing that
message.
Very, very clear message aboutyou are special as children.
Leon Goltsman (31:33):
And to do that, we're going to remain resilient,
because every day we're goingto have lots of amazing
successes when we deliver andthings turn out.
There are going to bechallenges, however, and despite
the challenges, it's great tosee that your hope hasn't
wavered.
Now, what keeps you groundedand motivated?
And what would you say tosomeone in our local community
(31:56):
who wants to help but doesn'tknow where to start?
Astrid Hocking (32:01):
Keeping me grounded is probably my husband.
Later this year we'll becelebrating our 50th wedding
anniversary, so he's been arounda long time.
Leon Goltsman (32:09):
Still a spring chicken.
Astrid Hocking (32:14):
What are you talking about?
Yeah, that would be nice if itwas real.
Yeah, no, he really does keepme grounded.
He's the logical person, I thevery much the emotional one and,
um, yeah, here come the tearsagain.
Um, frank is the person thatkeeps me grounded and he also
works so hard behind the scenes.
When we're looking at hearts andhands as an organization.
(32:35):
He's the one who says, oh, this, this is something you could do
, this is something you could do.
He works on the website.
If I need a certificate forsomething, because I always like
to say thank you to people if Ineed business cards, he's just
done some more of those for me.
If I need something, I just sayFrank, can you do that?
Can you do that?
He's organising our bike ride.
(32:56):
He's done a lot of thepaperwork and all the different
things that we need flyers andall of that sort of thing,
designing everything.
Just sitting at the computer dayafter day and enjoying what
he's doing, because that giveshim a purpose as well, but it
certainly does help to keep megrounded, but also sometimes
just taking time out foryourself, like here in the
Philippines.
We've been working and I haveanother lovely board member with
(33:18):
me from Hearts and Hands herewith me this time.
Sometimes I travel by myself,sometimes I have a team of
people.
This time there were just twoof us and we took some time out
last night for ourselves andwent to a nice concert and that
was lovely to just celebratewith some friends here and just
really just take time out fromwhat we've been doing and
working hard for the last fewweeks.
(33:38):
Really just take time out fromwhat we've been doing and
working hard for the last fewweeks.
So, yeah, I think that's reallyimportant.
But other people around thearea what can we do?
We can do so many things.
Small businesses can promoteUmbrella Hearts, the ribbons in
their business.
They can share the message.
They can wear the ribbon, theycan talk about our programs.
They can encourage, perhaps,talks.
(34:00):
You know, I go to manydifferent groups and talk to
them about what Hearts and Handsdoes as individuals, because
sometimes it's easier to hearthose messages face to face.
We've got other people withinour organisation as well who are
happy to share our messages.
We're spreading slowly and we'dreally like to do that even
(34:23):
more, because one of my goals isthat our ribbon as a child
protection program, because Iknow that can make a difference.
I know here in the Philippinesit's made a huge difference and
they do use it in someorganisations.
It was launched here as anofficial program as well and I
know Kalipay used that acrosssome of their events.
They really promote theimportance of that child
protection message.
(34:43):
But we can be sharing that in somany different ways.
If someone would like to helpwith the program in some way and
they're not quite sure where tostart, one of the simple ways
is to wear a ribbon.
To get hold of that ribbon, youcan do that by going onto our
website, wwwheartsandhandsnetau,or you can give me a phone call
(35:03):
.
I won't give you the numberright here, but you can get that
information from the website.
There's also an email addressyou can email us.
You can come along and actuallyhelp produce some of the
ribbons.
We do that on a regular basisso that we've got lots to be
able to give them out.
You can actually be sharing theribbons in lots of different
ways.
You can take them along toschools, to events.
(35:24):
You can have some ribbons on adisplay stand in a business.
We've got special littledisplay stands that one of our
supporters actually made thislovely Perspex stand to say this
is what this program is about.
Lovely Perspex stand to saythis is what this program is
about.
But a goal is that everyonewould know right across
Australia and hopefully othercountries as well, because we
(35:46):
now actually have ribbons inAmerica and England as well from
a holiday that I went on fairlyrecently, just sharing it with
other people.
So they've taken it back totheir own countries.
I once went on a holiday toEngland a few years ago and
walked into a store to buysomething and the lady looked at
me and she said oh, I know allabout that ribbon that you're
wearing and I said oh, why?
She said oh, my husband went toa conference in Australia a few
(36:08):
years ago and he brought theribbon back.
So you know the message wasshared.
I'd like to see everyone be ableto recognise that ribbon and
know exactly what it's about andshare the message, because it
does make a difference.
I once had a young man comeback to me and talk.
Quite a few months after I didhave a chat with him and gave
him a ribbon.
He came back and said we usedto have a household where I
(36:29):
smacked my children all the timeand I realised it wasn't making
a difference.
I needed to change.
He said you challenged mythinking and I.
Now don't do that anymore andwe have a happier household.
So wearing a ribbon can changea life.
Leon Goltsman (36:42):
Astrid, I'm always inspired by inspiring
people, and one of the reasonswhy I love having inspiring
people and wonderful people whoare doers on our program is
because they infect us withtheir positive energy.
You certainly do that.
I am so looking forward tohaving you return, coming back,
(37:05):
and I owe you a coffee and maybesome lunch just to say thank
you so much, but also just anexcuse to catch up with you.
You are fantastic.
Thank you so much, astrid, andI love your work.
Astrid Hocking (37:18):
Thank you for having me, thank you for
allowing me to share the messageand for the inspiring work that
you do in sharing wherever youcan.
Leon Goltsman (37:26):
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Now, how's that for inspiring?
We've just heard from AstridHocking, a woman whose
compassion, courage andconviction are quite literally
transforming lives.
From the front line of one ofthe world's most vulnerable
regions, astrid reminded us whatit truly means to protect
children, empower communitiesand lead with purpose, whether
(37:49):
it's rescuing children from theunthinkable abuse, training
young mums to earn a living orbringing joy and dignity to the
displaced and disabledcommunities.
Astrid's work is a powerfulexample of local action with
global impact.
And it all started right herein Lake Macquarie.
And if this episode moved youeven just one moment, I'd love
(38:12):
to hear from you.
Email me directly atleon@ecohqcom.
au and let me know what stoodout, what gave you hope or what
challenged your thinking.
Your feedback doesn't just helpus grow.
It keeps these conversationsalive and if you know, someone's
story deserves to be heard,someone quietly making a big
(38:32):
difference in their corner ofthe world I want to meet them,
invite them to contact me, let'sget them on the show.
And in the meantime, if youfound value in today's episode,
please follow EngagingConversations and share it with
someone who needs a reminderthat good people are out there
doing great things, I'm LeonGoltsman.
(38:52):
Until next time, stay engaged,stay compassionate and let's
keep building strongercommunities, together.
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