Highlights:

• I’ve come from an intact nuclear family.
• I was a high school dropout, returned later to study as a mature aged student and completed a psychology degree. I am currently undertaking part-time postgraduate studies in Counselling.
• I have been a volunteer telephone counselor with Gay and Lesbian Community Services since 1981.
• I have suffered and witnessed discrimination in the past.

Gay Man

Canning Bridge Library

Tuesday, 18 March, from 4.30pm - 6.00pm

Highlights:

• I came from Pakistan to study as an overseas student at Edith Cowan University.
• I have worked in the IT industry and now run my own software company.
• I have been involved in interfaith programs for five years, to educate others, as well as myself.
• I believe that many problems are caused by the fear of difference and the best way to change fear is by education.

Muslim man

Civic Square Library

Wednesday, 19 March, from 4.30pm - 7.00pm

AH Bracks Library

Thursday, 20 March, from 10.00am - 1.00pm

Highlights:

• I had a conservative upbringing; I was loved and wanted as a child.
• I had a liberal, Jesuit education.
• I am retired from specialist Medical practice.
• I have successfully passed on my strong personal and professional ethics on to my children.

Gay Man

Civic Square Library

Monday, 17 March, 4.30pm – 7.30pm

AH Bracks Library

Tuesday,18 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Highlights:

• As a member of the Baha’i faith, my family and many others were persecuted during Ayatollah Khomeini’s regime.
• I fled from Iran to Pakistan with my two young children and only with a handbag full of belongings in 1985.
• I was forced to leave my husband behind who I never saw again.
• The religion which led to my persecution in Iran brought me happiness in a new home.

Iranian Refugee Woman

Civic Square Library

Wednesday, 19 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

AH Bracks Library

Thursday, 20 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Highlights:

• My life from the perspective of a person growing up with a disability.
• How I have coped with my disability and the loss of both my parents.
• I am an active member of the local community and a receiver of the ‘local hero’ award in 2006.
• I am a passionate photographer.
• I enjoy life – and participate in the community.

Person with physical disabilities

AH Bracks Library

Tuesday, 18 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Civic Square Library

Highlights:

• I am an internationally acclaimed musician.
• How I lost everything to heroin.
• My road to recovery – 10 years on.
• Today I care for others – people with disabilities.
• I am still performing, as well as caring.

Recovered drug addict

AH Bracks Library

Tuesday, 18 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Civic Square Library

Wednesday, 19 March, 4.30pm – 7.00pm

Highlights:

• My family came to Perth in 1975 when civil war started. I wasn’t able to join them for five years.
• My experience as a refugee in a new country and new life.
• I describe the tough past, challenging present and a hopeful future for East Timor.

East Timorese refugee

AH Bracks Library

Tuesday, 18 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Highlights:

• As a child I was not allowed to attend school like the other kids.
• I had no one to play with.
• I became an active volunteer and advocate for people with disabilities.
• I taught myself to read as an adult.
• I wrote a poem.
• I found a job on my own at a local government authority.

Person with an intellectual disability

Willagee Library

Monday, 17 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

AH Bracks

Thursday, 20 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Highlights:

• I am in a wheelchair.
• I competed in Dressage as part of the New Zealand Para-Equestrian Olympic team and also in Swimming at the Mini-Olympics in the Cook Islands.
• I was born in South Africa and lived there until the age of 12.
• I recently gained a Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Certificate.
• I am working towards obtaining a motorcycle licence to fulfil a dream of owning a hand-controlled motorcycle.

Person with a physical disability

Civic Square Library

Monday, 17 March, 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Highlights:

• I am a Muslim Australian from Kenya.
• I came to Australia accompanying my two children who were enrolled to study here. I decided to do a Masters degree.
• Since then, I have been in the workplace and still continue with academic pursuits – now doing a PhD.
• Come and listen about how I balance my life as a working mum between home, university, work, volunteering and of course being a Muslim woman!

Muslim woman

Civic Square Library

Wednesday, 19 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Highlights:

• Life before Bi-Polar.
• Seeing behind the mask – ‘when I’m up, I’m actually manic’.
• So you’ve got Bi-Polar: ‘Get over it!’
• Lifting of the veil.
• Relationship survival and renewal.
• If you don’t ask questions, you will never know.

Woman living with Bi-Polar

Civic Square Library

Wednesday, 19 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Canning Bridge Library

Tuesday, 18 March, from 4.30pm to 6.00pm

Highlights:

• Look into the not-so-simple mind of a Muslim Hijabi chick.
• I am NOT your average girl—seriously! Upon first glance, seeing me wrapped in my modest Islamic attire that exposes only my hands and face, many may not be able to help thinking to themselves, “Oh, that poor, oppressed, Muslim girl...” – but appearances can be deceiving…
• Something that surprises most people is what I drive - with its full body kit, sports exhaust, mags, and dragon seat covers, Rove would surely echo many in saying, “What the…?”
• Hear about my passions and you will realise there is much more to the mind of a Muslim Hijabi chick!

Muslim young woman

Willagee Library

Monday, 17 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Highlights:

• The life of Buddha.
• How I became a Buddhist.
• My life as an ordained Buddhist nun.
• The way of Buddhism.

Buddhist Nun

Canning Bridge Library

Tuesday, 18 March, 4.30pm – 6.00pm

Civic Square Library

Wednesday, 19 March, 4.30pm – 7.00pm

Highlights:

• I moved to Australia more than 14 years ago and had to face many challenges settling in a new home, such as learning a new language, making new friends but also learning how to use escalators!
• Considering the media image of Afghan women, many people might have expected me to abandon my religious practices like wearing the 'veil', especially now living in this "free country".
• Instead, this is a story of how I came to fall in love and have a deeper appreciation of Islam after migrating to Australia.

Muslim young woman

Civic Square Library

Monday, 17 March, 5.00pm – 7.00pm

Highlights:

• I was born and lived a safe and happy life in East Timor until 1975.
• When the civil war started, I and my three children were rescued in a ship to Darwin. My husband was left behind.
• I spent four days without knowing any news of my husband. We were finally reunited and moved to a hostel in Marybirnong.
• We finally settled in Perth…and built a new life. I went back to school and learned new skills and a career. I haven’t looked back since.
• I still have hopes for peace and prosperity in East Timor

East Timorese Refugee

Willagee Library

Monday, 17 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm