The “all local” story went down so well! There has been a huge amount of great feedback, even from pretty tough judges! Lots of people who play important, but generally unrecognised roles, were in the story, there’s been a terrific “buzz” around the town over the last couple of days. And it rained yesterday…. must be your rainstick! Thanks again!

Tony Ford, Rushworth Football-Netball Club, July 2008

“We really like it that you get who we are as an organisation.”

Samara Pitt, Schools Team, Urban Seed, February 2008

“Look out for Julie’s story-telling courses. Julie has the gift of invitation, welcoming both the novice and the proficient. She re-introduces us to our own stories by evoking memories sometimes deeply hidden. She creates a safe place to tell. She listens keenly. Her feedback is always worthwhile, gently and respectfully given.

I use the stories at my kids’ primary school, teaching at uni, presenting at conferences, informally at family gatherings. Doing a storytelling course helps me to disentangle the words, images and ideas which get knotted up in my mind. Gradually I see my own stories from a different angle, explore them with different senses and create of them a new weave.”

Elizabeth Deverell, Senior Orientation and Mobility Instructor at Guide Dogs

“You could see from the enthusiastic way the students reacted in the workshop that they’d taken so much in. Very successful day, well done and thanks!”

“A wide range of material able to be accessed by a range of abilities. Post discussion with staff useful, exploring suggested material, provided space to reflect on the role of storytelling in the curriculum.”

“Delightful opportunity for students and adults.”

Penders Grove Primary School, March 2008

“Julie was an asset to have as the presenter on Easter Camp08 – an annual event we run for young people from across Victoria. Julie’s storytelling is mesmerising. We had evening story sessions by the open fire and more interactive sessions during the day. Julie was able to captivate the young people and and connect with the wide age range of 12 to 28 year olds in her audience. They opted for “myspace” periods of quiet reflection and journal writing after the story sessions – and there was no stampede to the door when this was over – the young people were quite immersed! I would highly recommend Julie to any school, church or organisation looking for a different type of input to their group. She is FANTASIC!”

Drew Hanna, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Uniting Youth Ministries, CTM, Parkville

“Winter Solstice was warm and real. Thankyou.”

“I loved the weaving in of David Abrams. I’ve remembered that quote – ‘in order to restore the land we have to re-story the land.’”

“Julie really held the space, it was delicate and masterful.”

“So timely to hear stories of place.”

Feedback from the Winter Solstice Concert, Northcote June 2008

“I enjoyed everything about last Saturday evening, starting with the milk bottle candle lights right through to walking back up the same path in the still night’s darkness. Thank you so much for including me in your jam-packed crowd of gentle folk. Good-heart can be brought to the fore so easily with the right ingredients. Yes Julie was such easy and rich company, like having a memorable serve of some yummy tucker, she readily shares her delight in life with others. Just remembering the evening has warmed my cockles.”

From the April Soiree

“Beautiful writing; hilarious, captivating performance - Just some of the feedback we have been getting this week. Thanks for being part of the RMIT Creative Media Festival.”

Clare Renner, Programs Manager Professional Writing and Editing, Professional Screenwriting

“Julie’s leadership was outstanding. Her presentation, her engagement in story and her giftedness in establishing an atmosphere which was secure, creative and full of enjoyment were all evident.”

Jill Manton, Wellspring Centre

“Thanks again for your gifts and support, we thought of you often as we told the stories.”

Caz Coleman, Refugee and displaced people program, National Council of Churches

“Your compassionate and thought-provoking reflection meant a lot to us.”

Jeanette Suhr OAM, Road Trauma Support Team Victoria

“Julie did a wonderful job of working with community members to elicit their stories about birth. The resulting performance communicated very directly with its audience. People laughed and cried. It was a gem.”

Beth Shelton, Director, Once upon your birthday

“I would regard Julie as a very gifted, spell binding story teller who was able to engage her audience’s curiosity, and challenge them to make connections with the gospel, and with their own lives. Her humanity and sharing of her self shone through, as did her beautiful theological insights.”

Terry McDevitt, Head of RE, Westminster School

“I thoroughly enjoyed Julie’s presentations. They were insightful, relevant, appropriate, personal and engaging. They captured the spirit of Holy week…and I would say that this was, in my view, the best Holy week series that I have been involved in during my time at Westminster.”

Michael Degenhart, Head of Performing Arts, Westminster School

“In twenty minutes at the end of the day, you were able to safely ground the group. Your gentle contemplative approach had an amazing effect; the calm that settled on the room was palpable.”

Helen Rowe, Moreland City Council