Voices heard loud and proud at the self-advocacy expo!

We’re still buzzing with excitement from the recent Self Advocacy Expo, held in proud collaboration with our friends at New Wave!

Participants from Yooralla’s Leongatha Community Hub brought their energy, creativity and passion to the event, confidently stepping up (and dancing up!) to express their voices, share their experiences, and connect with others passionate about self-advocacy and inclusion.

“I agreed to participate in this event to have a chance to talk about my rights and to let others know that they have rights too,” said Kara, Hub participant.

Corran, who also attends the Hub agrees, saying “I wanted everyone to know that I have rights, and they must treat me as a person. I only have a disability,” he said. 

During Art sessions in the lead up to the event, clients created signs emblazoned with slogans that reflect their individual spirit of advocacy, such as ‘I have the same rights as everyone else’, ‘My Life, My Way, OK’, and ‘I will speak up’. 

“My message on my banner was “My Life, My Choice”, I drew and painted it myself,” said Lindy, Hub participant.

Madison also shared an equally powerful message on her banner. “My message while walking around with my banner was that everyone has rights and people should not be afraid to talk about their rights,” she said.

“People must speak-up when they feel something is not right.”

Holding their signs high and heads held even higher, our participants proudly marched laps, declaring their rights and voices loud and clear. Then came the dance moves during a very special dance performance – bold, joyful and impossible not to smile at!

“I think it was a good way to teach people that people with disability have rights like everyone and they need to treat us with respect,” said Kara. 

“We walked around…holding- up messages of what we want people to know about us, about our rights as people. We were not shy. I want people to respect me, and my message was clear,” Craig said. 

“I felt amazing when I held my banner up walking around while the music we choose, ‘What about me’, was playing – it felt that I was in the middle and everyone watching me showing them my rights,” added Madison.

This event was a powerful public showcase of the incredible self-advocacy work happening at the Leongatha Community Hub – and a testament to the strong, ongoing partnership we share with New Wave.

Thanks to Jess from New Wave’s weekly visits, advocacy remains a regular and empowering part of life at the Hub. Participants are supported to speak up, work through challenges, and explore their rights and goals with confidence.

“We’re proud of everyone's contributions and grateful to New Wave for creating such an empowering space,” said Annick, Assistant Service Leader. 

“We look forward to continuing this momentum and supporting even more opportunities for self-expression and leadership!”

With this continued support, our participants are building their leadership skills, growing in independence, and discovering bold new ways to make their voices heard.