Indigenous Health
Humour is an integral part of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander cultures and communities and Nelly has been privileged to work with many Indigenous communities and groups over the years. Humour can be healing; it can also just be bloody good fun and Nelly loves working with Indigenous writers and performers to achieve both objectives. These collaborations have included:
Ilbijerri Theatre Company
Nelly has worked with Ilbijerri twice to co-write shows for the Melbourne International Festival. These have been some of her favourite shows to work on and feature some of the best performers she's ever worked with including Isaac Drandic, Melodie Reynolds, Lisa Maza, Mia Stanford and Cy Fahey.
Smokes and Jokes Preview
Closing the Gap with Smokes and Jokes
Nelly is the Director and writing support for the ground-breaking show Smokes and Jokes that utilises some of Australia's best Indigenous Comedians to talk about quitting smoking. Reducing smoking rates is absolutely crucial to closing the gap and Nelly is proud as punch to be part of it. The show features great Australian performers such as Kevin Kropinyeri, Denise & Dawn McGuiness and Jason Tamiru. It is currently touring.
Sexual Health and Ethics
Nelly has worked with a number of Indigenous health organisations to deliver sexual health and ethics workshops and performances. Two are listed below:
"On behalf of Marie Stopes Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program (SNAKE Condoms), we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for participating in the recent SNAKE Forum: Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. It was a truly inspiring event, and since its finish we have already received many reports back from community about how greatly empowered and stronger the women have returned... Your ‘No Means No’ excerpts session was actually mentioned as being one of the most useful and enjoyable of the whole Forum! Thank you again for the magic you brought to the Forum, and we very much look forward to working with you again in the future."
Bev Greet, Manager Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Marie Stopes International Australia www.mariestopes.org.au
"We were thrilled to have Nelly perform at our ASHE Opening Day. She just has this relaxed way of connecting with young people that makes them comfortable to engage around what is a pretty delicate but really important issue. Hopefully this is not the last we see of Nelly. Her No Means No sidekick, Isaac Drandich, was fantastic too."
Phillip Guthrie, Manager - Academy of Sport, Health and Education