Hi Peeps! 👋
I’m so happy to have had an extended stay in Byron Bay.
This part of the journey has been about stories, connection, writing, learning and preparing for what comes next.
And what a few weeks it has been!
🌿 Three Special Reasons for Byron Bay
- Sitting with Aunty Judy – Stories That Need to Be Heard
One of the absolute highlights of my year was being invited to spend three glorious days with Aunty Judy Atkinson and her daughter, Carlie Atkinson, in the Northern Rivers.
Three days of yarning.
Three days of sharing stories, experiences, laughter, reflection and some pretty deep conversations.
Aunty Judy and I spoke about the work we have both been involved in across the trauma, healing and Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence spaces, and we reflected on how narratives, language and experiences have changed over the decades.
There was something incredibly powerful about sitting together and having the time to really yarn. No rushing. No agenda to get through.
We talked about the things we have witnessed in our work, the things that have changed, the things that haven't changed, and the stories that continue to shape how we understand trauma, violence, healing and community.
And then came one of the most special parts.
I had the privilege of spending time with Aunty Judy capturing some of her stories on film.
Listening to her reflect on her experiences in the field and hearing the rawness and wisdom in those stories was something I will carry with me for a very long time.
I’m incredibly grateful to Aunty Judy and Carlie for welcoming me into their home and sharing their time, knowledge and stories.
This was absolutely one of my highlights of 2026.
And, knowing what was about to happen with my own writing, I think those conversations came at exactly the right time.
✍️ 2. From Writer to… Actually Writing the Book!
If you’ve been following my journey for a while, you’ll know that I’ve been talking about writing my first book.
Well…
I’m actually doing it!
Woo hoo! 🎉
I’m a Byron Bay Writers Festival Friend, so attending the annual Writers Festival was another reason I was excited to be here.
There was something incredibly inspiring about sitting in rooms filled with writers, storytellers and people who have put their ideas, experiences and imaginations onto paper.
I listened to writers talk honestly about their journeys—the challenges, the self-doubt, the editing, the publishing process and, of course, the joy of finally seeing their stories come to life.
Then I had the privilege of attending a writers' workshop with Kathryn Heyman.
It was only two hours. But sometimes two hours is all it takes to unlock something.
The workshop got the creative juices flowing and suddenly…
the floodgates opened.
Since then, I’ve been writing. And writing. And writing.
I’m now four chapters deep into my first book!
Honestly, I didn't expect it to happen this quickly.
The book is bringing together so much of what this journey has been about—Country, community, culture, Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence, healing, trauma, stories, the people I have met and the things I have learned along the road.
It is also becoming a very personal journey.
Writing has made me stop and reflect on things I have experienced, things I have witnessed and things I have carried.
Some stories are easy to write. Others require me to stop, breathe and sit with them.
But I’m doing it. And I’m loving it.
My goal is to have the manuscript completed and ready to explore publishing opportunities in 2027.
So, if there are any publishers out there looking for a new and exciting Australian First Nations writer with a few stories to tell…
Here I am! 🙋🏽♀️
🎓 3. Back to the Work – Taking Safe & Together on the Road
Of course, I’m not just hanging around Byron Bay writing books and eating pies!
There is still work to do.
The third reason I’ve stayed in the Northern Rivers is to deliver more Safe and Together™ training, this time in Lismore.
I’ll be delivering a full house next week, and I’m particularly excited because my son Lewis is flying across to spend some time with me and attend the training.
Having my son join me on the road is pretty special.
This journey has always been about more than the kilometres I’ve travelled.
It has been about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, strengthening practice and creating opportunities for conversations about how we can do things differently.
So having Lewis alongside me for part of that feels like another special piece of the journey coming together.
🌏 The Road Continues…
Although I’ve clocked up thousands and thousands of kilometres this year, the journey is far from over.
There are still more communities to visit, more training to deliver, more people to meet and—apparently—a whole book to write!
📍 Lismore, NSW
14–17 September 2026
Safe and Together™ CORE – In Person
📍 Hobart, TAS
13–16 October 2026
Safe and Together™ CORE
If you’ve been thinking about completing Safe and Together™ CORE Training, I’d love to see you there.
The training is relevant to practitioners working across child protection, Family and Domestic Violence, health, justice, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the broader community services sector.
The focus is on providing practical, evidence-informed tools to strengthen safety, improve collaboration, recognise patterns of behaviour and increase accountability for people using violence.
🌿 Planning for 2027?
Let's have a conversation.
My 2027 National Tour is already starting to take shape, and I’m now talking with organisations and communities across Australia about bringing Boomerang on the Road to them.
I’m looking at opportunities to deliver:
🌿 Safe and Together™ CORE Training through a First Nations lens
🌿 Strengthening Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Practice Through Culture workshops
🌿 Cultural supervision and reflective practice
🌿 Community consultations and co-design
🌿 Conference keynote presentations
🌿 Organisational consultancy and capacity building
And in 2027 I will be introducing ‘Stamp it Out’ Community Workshops. Please reach out to find out more by contacting me via email: Boomerang_consultancy@outlook.com
Let's bring the Boomerang on the Road journey to your community. 🚐🌿
🛍️ Want to Support the Journey?
You can also support the journey through Boomerang on the Road merchandise, including our tote bags and shirts.
Every purchase helps contribute to the ongoing journey as I travel Australia, deliver culturally responsive training and work alongside communities to strengthen responses to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.
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