Nikitia Beatty Story Teller.
An unforgettable after-noon unfolded at Boorowa Central School on Sunday, June 15, as the highly anticipated ‘This Is My Brave Australia’ (TIMBA) event brought stories of resilience, recovery, and hope to the forefront.
In front of nearly 60 attendees, six residents stepped into the spotlight, sharing deeply personal experiences with mental health to challenge stigma and build community strength. The show, part of a national storytelling movement, was organised locally with the support of Boorowa Rotary, community leaders, and passionate volunteers.
Despite a cold and rainy winter’s day, the turnout reflected the importance the community places on open conversations around mental health.
“The nervousness in the early stages is completely normal,” said event organiser and founder of TIMBA Tim Daly. “But by the time the show rolled around, every one of our story-tellers stood up with courage and clarity. They spoke from the heart, and the audience connected.”
Each speaker had been preparing for months, supported by the TIMBA (This Is My Brave Aus-tralia) team, and their confidence on the day was a testament to the power of shared experience. The event was not only a safe space for story-telling, but a platform for advocacy and healing.
“This is never about putting on a polished performance it’s about truth, lived experience, and the power that comes from saying things out loud,” Daly added.
“The resilience these story-tellers showed is a message in itself.”
One of the highlights of the afternoon was Boorowa Mayor Brian Ingram’s candid speech. Known for his strong community presence, the Mayor chose this moment to open up about his journey with mental health, adding a powerful layer of relatability and vulnerability to the event.
“It brought it home for a lot of people,” said Lyn Dixon, one of the local organisers. “When someone in leadership shares openly, it sends a strong message that no one is immune and no one is alone.”
Dixon, who played a key role in bringing TIMBA to Boorowa, expressed her pride in how the community embraced the event. “I’ve seen this format work before in other towns, but Boorowa truly made it their own. The stories, the energy, the support it was everything we hoped for and more.”
Outside the auditorium, attendees could visit resource stalls from mental health organisations, providing information and a chance to connect with support services. For many in the room, the experience was eye-opening. Several attendees admitted they hadn’t known what to expect, but left feeling deeply moved and more informed.
As Dixon noted, “The whole idea is to keep these conversations going not just during events like this, but every day. If we can reach some-one before they hit a crisis point, then we’ve done something truly meaningful.”
Plans are already being considered to bring This Is My Brave to other parts of the region, including Young, as word spreads about its impact.
For Boorowa, this weekend proved that when people come together to share their truth, powerful change can happen. Tim Hopes that by continuing to do these shows people feel motivated to seek out change and support in their own lives.
A full version of the show will be uploaded to the ‘This is My Brave Australia’ YouTube channel soon.
-Liam Stuart
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