Resilience Mindset

Meet Lis Jamia and Eden, talented makeup artists, played a crucial role in Breaking the Barriers Through the Lens, using their skills to empower and uplift participants. Specialising in makeup and hair for weddings, photoshoots, and film, they embraced the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.

Lis joined the project through her connection with photographer Simon, while Eden, new to Lis’s team, found joy in conne...

Meet Jo or Joanne Schwarzkopf’s journey with Breaking the Barriers Through the Lens has been transformative, reconnecting her with creativity and purpose after a career-ending shoulder injury forced her to leave hairdressing. Once defining herself by her profession, she found fulfilment in helping participants feel confident and empowered through beauty and styling.

Despite her own pain, Joanne dedicated herself to the pro...

Meet Simon and Julie Stein are an award-winning husband-and-wife team who balance their day jobs as a wood machinist and an early childhood educator with their shared passion for photography. In their spare time, they love heading out with their cameras on evenings and weekends to capture life’s most meaningful moments.

As recognised professionals in their field, Simon and Julie specialise in documenting the heartfelt memo...

Meet Temiekan Christensen, an artist, photographer, and mother of two who embodies resilience and creativity. Living with autism, ADHD, lipoedema, and lymphedema, Temiekan has faced her share of challenges but has never let them define her.

From navigating a past marked by domestic violence to stepping into her full identity, Tem has transformed her experiences into a powerful story of self-discovery and strength. Whether she’s capt...

Meet Tanya Kay—a woman of resilience, adaptability, and determination. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis just six years ago, Tanya has had to navigate life’s changes, learning to embrace new challenges while finding ways to thrive.

From relearning to drive with adaptive controls to taking her first big trip since becoming disabled, Tanya has faced each obstacle with courage. She is passionate about raising awareness of MS and invisi...

Meet Sandy Johnston—a woman of resilience, self-discovery, and strength. Born with Klippel-Feil Syndrome and Sprengel’s Shoulder, Sandy has faced a lifetime of physical challenges and chronic pain. Yet, she has chosen to embrace life fully, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth.

From her experiences as an exchange student to rebuilding her life after escaping psychological abuse, Sandy’s journey has been one of courag...

Meet Nicole Spehar—an athlete, massage therapist, and advocate who has spent her life defying expectations. Born with cerebral palsy, Nicole has never let challenges stand in her way, proving time and again that determination and adaptability can lead to incredible achievements.

From winning a bronze medal in discus at the Pacific Games to overcoming skepticism about her abilities, Nicole has built a life centered around resilience,...

Meet Lateisha Gizycki—a childcare educator, postgraduate student, and a determined advocate for self-discovery. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression in childhood and more recently with ADHD, Lateisha has navigated life’s challenges with resilience, creativity, and a commitment to growth.

From studying abroad in China to pursuing her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher, Lateisha is proof that stepping outside your comfort zone ...

Meet Joedy Mcmurray a proud father of three and grandfather of five, Joedy has spent his life overcoming challenges with determination and grit. A former scaffolder and FIFO worker in the mines, Joedy’s life took a dramatic turn in 2016 when a freak accident left him with a spinal cord injury and an incomplete quadriplegia diagnosis. Despite doctors telling him he’d never walk again, Joedy defied the odds.

Through sheer pe...

Meet Jenni Strauch—an artist, surf club volunteer, and proud cat mum from Geelong. As she approaches her 40th birthday, Jenni celebrates a life of creativity, independence, and resilience, made possible by a strong support network of family, friends, and NDIS services.

For the past five years, Jenni has flourished in her art classes at JUZT Art, where she has found both passion and community. She is also deeply connected to the Angl...

Meet Jaclyn Davie, a dedicated advocate, artist, and full-time worker in the disability sector. Having lived in Geelong for 13 years, Jaclyn’s journey has been one of resilience, self-discovery, and breaking barriers, despite living with disabilities herself.

Finding her voice has been a lifelong journey, and today, Jaclyn continues to push past challenges with courage and determination. Her support system—including her beloved dog,...

Meet Fiona Demark—a proud mother,  who has spent her life overcoming obstacles with resilience and creativity. Diagnosed with Rod-Cone Dystrophy at a young age, Fiona was told she might one day lose her sight, but she refused to let that define her. Instead, she has approached life with a mindset of adaptation, proving that barriers aren’t meant to stop us—they’re meant to be worked around.

As a storyteller at heart, Fiona...

Meet Donna Bolch—a mother, wife, artist, and advocate who approaches life with humour, resilience, and creativity. Living with fibromyalgia and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Donna faces constant challenges, from chronic pain to neurological symptoms, yet she refuses to let them define her.

Through her art and public speaking, Donna raises awareness about invisible disabilities, breaking down misconceptions and inspiring ch...

Meet Diane Barclay—a proud Geelong native whose life is a testament to resilience, humour, and adaptability. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2003, Diane has never let her condition define her. At nearly 75 years old, she continues to embrace life with laughter, creativity, and an unshakable spirit.

From working various jobs while raising her family to taking on thrilling adventures like riding on the back of a racing sidecar, D...

Meet Deb Fribbins, a seasoned professional and passionate advocate. Diagnosed with diabetes over 25 years ago, Deb has balanced her health, career, and personal life with grace and determination. With decades of experience in retail, including 26 years at Target, Deb has broken barriers in her field, paving the way for others.

Now retired, Deb channels her energy into consulting for small businesses, supporting Rotary initiatives, a...

Meet Dave Sayers—a business owner, mental health advocate, and survivor of profound loss. Growing up in Gippsland, Victoria, Dave’s life took a devastating turn when he lost his partner in a car accident at just 21. Grief reshaped his world, leading him on a journey of healing, resilience, and renewal.

Through support, personal growth, and deep connections, Dave rebuilt his life, finding purpose in business, fatherhood, and advocacy...

Darihan Mullenger—an artist, advocate, and resilient force who has found strength through creativity. Living with fibromyalgia, autism, and chronic pain, Darihan has navigated life-changing challenges with determination, discovering a renewed sense of purpose through pottery.

What started as a single class at the Roseville Community Centre has become a lifelong passion. Now working from home with her own kiln, she creates ...

Darcy and Julie Fisher. At 18 years old, Darcy is a vibrant young man with a love for basketball, dancing, and music—especially Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses. His infectious joy and intuitive nature bring light to those around him.

Julie is a passionate advocate, author, and mum who has dedicated her life to championing inclusion and breaking down misconceptions about disability. From writing books that share her family’s exp...

Meet Craig and Rizza Young—a recently married couple whose story is one of resilience, love, and faith. Craig, living with epilepsy since childhood, and Rizza, managing rheumatic heart disease and vision loss, have never let their disabilities define them. Instead, they’ve used their challenges as stepping stones to prove their strength and determination.

From Craig’s heroic act of saving a man from a burning house to Rizza’s incred...