Our impact
Stories of our impact in schools and workplaces, and for Tasmanians who experience stigma and discrimination.
Let’s Get Together – making an impact at Cosgrove High School
Assistant Principal, David Bryant, says that the program, “has been an important contributor to our school’s improvement over the past few years. The Let’s Get Together program is a fantastic program to support schools to harness student voice and agency, a key component of a connected, aspirational and respectful community of learners”… Continue reading…
Chloe – happily living as my true self
“Hi, my name is Chloe. I am a transgender woman in my late 40s. As part of the human library, I talk about what it was like for me growing up and how I came to understand myself as a trans person, and how I came out at my workplace.” Continue reading…
Leyla – A Fairer World all-rounder
After intensively studying English through the Young Migrant Education Program at TasTAFE and participating in projects including Students Against Racism, the Hobart Human Library and Women’s Business, Leyla now jokes “I talk all the time!” Continue reading…
Marzi – from Iran with love
“I’m from Iran, and I found out that people in Tasmania don’t know much about my country and my culture… for me, talking about my country and our culture is really fulfilling. It makes me happy to share my lived experiences with them.” Continue reading…
TasNetworks – leading diversity and inclusion in Tasmania
“We invited the Human Library to our leadership conference and out of the overwhelming support and connection that our Leaders had with the ‘books’, we all had a sense of urgency to introduce this to our organisation.” Leader, People, Culture and Community, TasNetworks Continue reading…
Natasha – surviving abuse and finding her voice
“Child abuse, yes it’s being spoken about more now, but I don’t think people really understand a whole lot about it. And not many people can talk about it.”
But Natasha believes she is one of the lucky ones who is able to talk about her abuse. Continue reading…
Paul – embracing life’s adversities
“I have gratitude for that rock.” Paul was 29 when a free-falling boulder the size of a laptop scythed into his skull and caused him a devastating brain injury. A professional mountaineer from Manchester, Paul was tackling the Totem Pole on Tasmania’s Tasman Peninsula when the incident occurred. Continue reading…
Sam – helping others by accepting himself
Acceptance is an important part of Sam Horton’s story. It’s not just something he hopes people will be more open to upon hearing his story, it’s also the reason he’s able to stand up in front of an audience at all. Sam is a 20 year old film-maker, university student and Dr Seuss fan. He also happens to have autism. Continue reading…
Glenda – born with determination
“I just got used to climbing stools and climbing supermarket shelves back when they made them really strong.”
Glenda’s is a story of persistence, and a reminder that difference is not necessarily limiting. Continue reading…
Andy – a story of change
“Oh hey, I’m transgender” is how Andy chooses to open the story he shares with audiences.
There are many turning points in Andy Gall’s life that have shaped who he is today, his story as a human ‘book’ is just one of them. Continue reading…
Sylvia – Master of Accounting & human ‘book’
Sylvia came to Tasmania in 2014 on a student visa to undertake a Masters in accounting. On the surface her young adult life has been one of opportunity and adventure. Continue reading…
Chill Out Room – Rose Bay High School
Students at Rose Bay High School, with the assistance of our Lets Get Together program, are working together to create a more respectful school environment. One brainchild of the program – a ‘Chill Out Room’ – was conceived by participating Year 7 students as a safe space where … Continue reading…
Robin AM – a life of advocacy
Robin’s contribution as a human ‘book’ at A Fairer World has assumed major importance in her life. In her early years Robin saw the community’s response to disability focus on pity and paternalism. It didn’t move her and she couldn’t connect with it at a personal level. But then she says, disability “… became a human rights issue … and that’s when I could really get involved.” Continue reading…
Michaela – passionate & active uni student
“I’m an ambitious uni student. What others say without thought for my feelings has never stopped me, but instead encouraged me to strive for the best. I have spinal muscular atrophy type 2.” Michaela has been a ‘book’ with the Hobart Human Library since it began and during this time she’s worked tirelessly presenting to schools, educators and workplaces. Continue reading…