Our Experience with the Sunflower Lanyard: A Small Symbol, A Big Impact - written by Anna Widdrington

I first discovered the Sunflower Lanyard when reading a book by Chloe Hayden, ‘Different, Not Less’, and immediately went on the website to purchase some…. we had no idea how much of a difference it would make for Ned. At first glance, it’s just a simple green lanyard patterned with small sunflowers—but to those who recognise it, it signals something powerful: a hidden disability that may require understanding, patience, and support. Ned wears the green lanyard when he feels like he wants to and myself, my husband and Ned’s youger brother Tully wear the supporter lanyard and badge.

For us, the impact has been great. Ned has been able to access sensory rooms in places like the MCG and Scienceworks, providing him with a calm space away from the overwhelming noise and lights. At the MCG, we have not only had access to the sensory room but also had an MCG team member walk us halfway around the ground to make sure we found what we needed. 

At the airport, where crowds and queues can be daunting, the lanyard has allowed us as a family to move more smoothly through security and check-in, making travel far less stressful. Even on public transport, staff have been quick to offer assistance, ensuring Ned and our family feel comfortable.

But what makes the Sunflower Lanyard so special isn’t just the practical support, it’s the awareness and understanding it fosters. Hidden disabilities come in many forms, and not all are immediately obvious. Autism, ADHD, anxiety disorders, sensory processing challenges, hearing loss, PTSD, chronic illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease, endometriosis and more, these conditions may not be visible, but they can make daily experiences far more challenging.

By wearing the lanyard, isn’t just about receiving support, it is also helping shift public perception about hidden disabilities. People stop, take notice, and respond with kindness. It’s a reminder that not all challenges are seen, but all deserve understanding. 

One of my favorite moments was on the train when a woman noticed Ned’s lanyard and said,

Oh I like your sunflowers.

He looked to me to make sure he could talk to her and replied to her…

Do you know what this lanyard means?

He then proudly told her -

It shows that I have a hidden disability, I have autism.

He went on to explain how it helped him to show that he had a super power and that Autism means sometimes he can get really overwhelmed in busy and noisy places and -

I don’t really like trying new things.

The woman listened and by the end of their conversation, she thanked him for teaching her something new and told Ned and myself that she would make sure she shared the story of the Sunflower lanyard with people she knew. Ned might not always feel like sharing and for some people with hidden disabilities, they might wish to keep it that way, however I know each time he does he opens up conversations that lead to a more understanding world, a world that he doesn’t have to ‘fit’ into a world that just accepts without judgement. 

While for now most of our experiences have been in the bigger cities, we hope that the sunflower will gain more understanding rurally, so for the Moyne Shire to be opening up understanding, encouraging conversations, and empowering staff with greater awareness is a really positive step towards creating a more accessible and inclusive community. Of course, there is always more work to be done, but initiatives like this lay an important foundation for lasting change.

Daddy Don't Drop the Soap - Theatre Review by Jennifer Monk

In a time where theatre often feels like it's on life support, Daddy Don’t Drop the Soap breathes new life into the art form, reigniting that fire in your belly that only live performance can. Brent Thorpe, both the writer and performer of this show, directed by Adam Cook, has crafted a piece that doesn't just entertain—it challenges, educates, and most importantly, inspires. This contemporary piece takes us on a wild ride through a comedic blend of stand-up, drag tales, dance-offs, and biography. It's raw, honest, and, frankly, a much-needed jolt to the system.

The moment I walked into that theatre, I felt the pulse of something real, something alive, and by the end, I was left reflecting on why we, as creators and audience members, must continue to fight for the survival of theatre. This is why we need to keep making and seeing it. It's our spark.

Though I am not part of the queer community, Daddy Don't Drop the Soap resonated with me on a deep level. Was it because I’m a woman? A creator? Or because, in 11 countries (and possibly more by the time you read this), being homosexual is still illegal and punishable by death? This show isn't just for one community—it's a universal story about survival, resilience, and the sheer power of being unapologetically you in a world that demands conformity.

Thorpe's and his Boys - James Barry and Matt Cavagnino, performances are nothing short of electrifying. Their characterisation, movement, commitment to each scene are all executed with precision. The passion and tightness of the acting were paired with choreography that was equally sharp, perfectly in sync with the narrative and emotion of the show. And when the audience is invited into the action—yes, this is a show where you, the spectator, might be pulled onto the stage—you can't help but respond. I leapt from my seat when I was invited to join them. This was the kind of show that dared you to engage, to take risks, and that is what theatre is all about: being moved, shaken, and challenged to participate in the creative process.

Daddy Don't Drop the Soap is a reminder of both the struggles of the past and the ongoing fight for equality in the present. It shows us that the world is unpredictable, that life can change in an instant—and that no matter who you are, “you are never too old to take a pill, put on a jockstrap, and dance on a podium.”

Thorpe’s writing is witty, smart, and never patronizing. It’s educational without preaching, offering sharp insight without ever feeling like an “I told you so.” Instead, it’s a gentle reminder of what we already know, but perhaps momentarily forgot.

In the end, this show is an experience—not just a performance. It’s full of surprises, laughs, sing-alongs, emotional highs, and the kind of commitment to storytelling that leaves you buzzing long after the final curtain. With its simple yet effective costumes, tight choreography, and just the right balance of cheeky humour, Daddy Don't Drop the Soap will take you on a journey you won't soon forget. And maybe, just maybe, it'll remind you that not every space is for you—because some spaces are meant to challenge us, to help us grow, and to force us to see things from a new perspective. If you walk away offended, remember: This isn’t your safe space, but that’s okay. Not every space is supposed to be.

This show is an absolute thrill, and it’s a testament to what happens when a true artist takes the stage.

Mum Poem: 10 Years by Shanon Kulupach

In the box of your things;

Your wallet. Its red, because someone told you it was good feng shui to have a red wallet.

I opened it and counted your last $9.85.

Your license expired in sept of 2015 but you were gone by then.

There’s 8 school photos, 4 of me and 4 of Shaun. Shaun with varying hair lengths and me kinda just looking the same.

There’s a crusty old piece of paper with mine, Shaun’s and dads phone number written on it. That made me laugh, coz I know you’d never be able to remember them, even though mine is the simplest number in the world.

I sprayed your perfume. It doesn’t smell as bad as i remembered. I cried a little then.

The pair of shoes still has the shape of your feet moulded into them. They are white, of course.

I have the last jars of the Dr Lewinn’s face cream you used every day of my entire life, the silly little elephant that sat beside your bed, Your compact, your hair clip,a lipstick, your hand cream, a box of your hair dye and your sunglasses.

A black and white photo of your dad. I hope you’re with him now.

There’s a letter from you to me from 2010 where you called yourself “your sexy mum”. You werent wrong.

I held your phone in my hand. God its so small.. And covered in rhinestones…If you could see me now…

There’s a “women in home” magazine printed from the month and year of your birth. I remember when we found that in a little shop in Morpeth!

Your watch! I’d forgotten about that but i can see it on your wrist now, under the lights at Cue. It never ceases to surprise me, all the forgetting.

There’s so many letters in here, some to me, some from me and others you’re writing to yourself. I’m not sure I can read them this time.

This box reminds me you were real.

Okay the perfumes giving me a headache…

JMonk Vision and F Word Films in association with Girls Act Good present a new three- part webseries

Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy
Written by Jennifer Monk and Lisa Dallinger
Directed by Jennifer Monk

New mother Nadia is at breaking point. Exhausted, overwhelmed, and desperate for respite, she checks into the Head to Heath facility—a luxurious retreat that promises the ultimate in self-care. Here, she's offered the perfect blend of round-the-clock therapy, spa treatments, facials, yoga, and cocktails—a dream escape from the pressures of motherhood. But as Nadia settles in, it becomes clear that this utopian sanctuary might not be what it seems.

As cracks begin to form in the facility's glossy exterior, Nadia uncovers unsettling truths that challenge her perception of mental health care. Hidden agendas, misleading promises, and sinister undertones force her to question everything she thought she knew about seeking help. In a world where mental health systems are broken, and support is out of reach, Nadia finds herself caught in a maze of absurdity and deception.

Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy is a darkly humorous and emotionally raw three-part web series that takes a hard look at the flaws in modern mental health care, particularly for women. Drawing from real stories and experiences, the series highlights the stigma, shame, and strength that come with navigating a system that often fails those it claims to help.

The webseries explores the resilience women summon in the face of these broken systems. As Nadia's journey unfolds, it becomes clear that the help she sought may not be out there at all— perhaps the true healing lies in confronting the flawed system and leaning on the support of her community. Through biting humor, poignant storytelling, and raw emotional moments, Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy shines a light on the mental health crisis affecting so many today, reminding us that when we crack up, we don’t have to face it alone.

Slightly Cracked: The Trilogy began as an acclaimed theatre production at La Mama Theatre written by Jennifer Monk and Lisa Dallinger and has since been adapted into this unique, three- part webseries by JMonk Vision and FWord Films.

Slightly Cracked is Laura Jane Turner (she/they) and Jennifer Monk's (she/her) third project together. Both longstanding arts professionals, Turner and Monk's award-winning careers both span acting, producing and directing across multiple mediums, making them a great team. Prior to Slightly Cracked, they collaborated on producing the multiple award-winning web series, Last Breath, and the award-winning short film, Hansel's Gretel.

Performed by Lisa Dallinger, Laura Jane Turner, Joss McClelland, Sophie Lampel and Jennifer Monk.

Watch Trailer HERE

Media Release written by Emma Jane Caldwell.

Screen grab from Episode 3 - Family Dinner. Cinematographer Ruby Taylor.

The Frozen Heart by Perri Cummings

As the eternal drought turned everything to dust, Mary saw her husband’s heart blacken and shrink. The life inside him burnt away, until nothing was left but a charred outer husk. She knew, if things didn’t change, if she couldn’t keep the small spark of life burning inside her, the same thing would happen to her. But the one thing that kept her heart warm enough to keep beating, was the love she had for her two boys. But like all wild things, Mary knew they were not hers to hold onto forever.

And she was very lonely. 

So, when she felt the cold wind, the kind that prickles your skin and gives you the chills even on the hottest of days, Mary felt the change in the air and realised bad news was coming. She feared the storm of war that had gathered on distant horizons would demand a sacrifice closer to home, taking her boys to grind into dust on foreign shores. So, when it was her husband that heard the call, that packed his bags and went to fight, Mary felt nothing but relief. 

Now that her husband had gone, the wind again whispered through Mary, stirring the restlessness deep within. And she knew the time had come to loosen her grip and let her boys begin to slip through her fingers.

To allow them to run free.

And they did. Creating chaos with the wild pack that lit fires in the dark. And Mary, still ruffled by the wind, began to search for new life. 

It was then that Matthew caught her eye. Young and strong, he had walked through the fires, set by the reckless wildlings of the town, to save a boy’s life. The marks of his heroism scarred into his body, creating beautiful patterns across his skin. And Mary knew that if she could have this man, warm and strong and naked beside her, if only for one night, he may be able to breathe the spark of new life back into her heart again.

So, she came to him to tend his wounds. As she rubbed aloe into his bare skin, tracing the lines of his scars with her fingertips, a light within them was ignited. Mary felt she had finally found something she could hold onto. Something to quell the aching loneliness within.

So, she made a terrible wish.

She wished her husband wouldn’t come home. She got down on her knees and prayed for a terrible miracle.

She knew she was tampering with fate but what is done is done.  She tried to cling to her boys, to protect her from her own weakness and the desperate yearning for the feel of skin on skin. But they were growing into their own kind of men, one sullen and secretive, the other restless and in the need of adventure, and she knew the time to completely release them had come.

She threw herself into good works, a secret penance to save her soul. She worked tirelessly for the town by day and lay with Matthew at night, the only one who could peel away the hardening layers of skin and still find the soft heart beneath.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to be happy. For a brief moment, she hoped that her prayer may not be answered.

And then a letter edged in black came to her door. And she realised what she had done.

And on this day her eldest came to her with a letter of his own. He had faked his documents and signed up to join the distant war.

And she knew the price for her sin was not yet fully paid.

And the chill wind blew through her freezing her heart until it shattered in her chest and turned her skin cold to the touch. Two shards pierced her eyes, freezing her tears and turning her soft brown eyes a ghostly ice blue.

And Mary knew it would take a miracle to make her feel again, and miracles, in this small town as hot as the pits of hell, cost too much.

image supplied by JMONK Vision

GIRLS ACT GOOD ALLOWS THEIR MEMBERS TO BE MOTHERS AND HAVE A CAREER

Written by Emma Jane Caldwell

Girls Act Good is a collective of female performers, writers, producers and creatives who have come a long way from their humble roots reading scripts together in founder Jennifer Monk’s living room to keep their skills honed and to support each other in a challenging industry. Years on, those living room readings still happen monthly with members Skyping in from wherever they are in the world. Girls Act Good have a hefty body of work behind them, with 2018 being their busiest year yet, seeing the release of their short feature The Association, a new web series, Last Breath, and a return season of their festive theatre show, A Christmas Tale.  

From the living room, to the stage, this collective of women have long been champions of supporting each other through momentous life events (babies, breakups, weddings, job changes etc.) and ensuring that acting opportunities are still available to women in all stages of life. Most recently, this was on display in A Christmas Tale, with cast member Constance Washington taking the stage at 20 weeks pregnant with her second child.

So, I asked Constance what her first reaction was to her pregnancy.

“When I first fell pregnant I thought my career was over. Dramatic I know but I just couldn't see how it would work." And the challenges of juggling being a mum of a toddler, pregnant with her second and performing in a show? "It has definitely been harder to remember lines with a small human stealing my brain and I certainly feel far more tired. I stand on stage with a growing bump squeezing into my costume and my older, and bigger and far more vocal first-born running around the theatre. I'm still lucky enough to have been able to take her to rehearsals with me. She chats to the girls, gets up on stage with them, starts singing mid scene. But the girls don't blink an eye, they just stop what they are doing and join the toddler in a chorus of 'If you're happy and you know it'. And I am. I am very happy and I know it."

Long-time ensemble member, Lisa Dallinger, gave me some insight into what it’s like rehearsing with a toddler around.

“Having a bub in rehearsals can of course be distracting! We would often just stop and watch her, as she is so cute and beautiful, however we would then simply refocus and continue on. We would just adapt. This is what we do. Why can't we have a family and have careers as well?”

Shanon Kulupach adds

“When it’s Constance’s turn to concentrate we just take the reins in entertaining her daughter, playing games to distract her to let mama work!” 

Director and founder of Girls Act Good, Jennifer Monk, explains to me what her experience has been directing a pregnant ensemble member, especially since Constance had been cast prior to finding out about her pregnancy. Jenn explained to me “I wanted her in the show, but I had never directed a pregnant woman and wanted her to know she had choices about what she wanted to be involved in. Constance said that initially when she told her partner she was worried about the show… but her partner reassured her and said

“Jenn will love it, she will use it in the show.”

And that is exactly what I did.” That’s not to say that it wasn’t a challenge physically for Constance, with the long days and nights of independent theatre sometimes taking a toll. Jenn told me that her “real eye-opening moment was on the day we opened. It was going to be a big day, 10am start, a rehearsal tidying up some scenes and dance, 2 tech and dress rehearsals, radio interview, photo shoot and then the opening of the show. The night before I asked if there was anything I could do to make it easier for her. Constance said, she just might to have a sleep in between runs. And she said that she might not go full blow in all the dress runs. I offered to bring in a blow-up mattress if she needed.”

It’s supportive environments like this that enable women to continue their craft at all stages of their lives. Girls Act Good are certainly an example of a collective of women that believe in supporting each other to ensure that they have opportunities to perform and create irrespective of their circumstances.

Images by Shanon Kulupach