![What makes our writers tick? Read this Melbourne writers thoughts. She sent this beautiful letter while in lockdown.
“When likeminded creatives come together, amazing things happen. This is the perfect example of the ripple effect of change that can be achieved when ideas and creations come from a place of passion and heart.
As a writer, I’m hugely grateful at the chance to send my first letter and participate through something I love.
Thank you to the ever inspiring Connected AU for using the power of creativity to inspire and bring together community.”
Just as much as the recipient story is meaningful, so too is the writers.
I hadn’t thought about the part creativity plays in this project, but after reading this I realised we have had a huge amount of creatives take part; writers, artists, illustrators, songwriters. I guess this does provide the perfect platform for creatives to do something they love while supporting others in a meaningful way.
Did you find the creative opportunity appealing? I would love to hear from those who found this a meaningful way to share their gifts. 🎨]()
What makes our writers tick? Read this Melbourne writers thoughts. She sent this beautiful letter while in lockdown. “When likeminded creatives come together, amazing things happen. This is the perfect example of the ripple effect of change that can be achieved when ideas and creations come from a place of passion and heart. As a writer, I’m hugely grateful at the chance to send my first letter and participate through something I love. Thank you to the ever inspiring Connected AU for using the power of creativity to inspire and bring together community.” Just as much as the recipient story is meaningful, so too is the writers. I hadn’t thought about the part creativity plays in this project, but after reading this I realised we have had a huge amount of creatives take part; writers, artists, illustrators, songwriters. I guess this does provide the perfect platform for creatives to do something they love while supporting others in a meaningful way. Did you find the creative opportunity appealing? I would love to hear from those who found this a meaningful way to share their gifts. 🎨 ![We are all the sum of our experiences.
Our #bookclub book for June is spellbinding in its ability to portray this truth and connect it to the readers
In the first chapter, Michelle expertly introduces us to the forever importance of context and bearings through the narrative of her family.
“Even if we didn’t know the context, we were instructed to remember that context existed. Everyone on earth (they tell us) was carrying around an unseen history and that alone deserved some tolerance”
Context. My gosh how relevant this is now.
Our end of month meeting is set for June 1, Charlotte has already shared the questions and talking points with the group and from reading them, I expect to enjoy a lively, positive and passionate meeting, where we all try and speak as quickly as possible in the last 5 minutes to try and get everything out before it ends!
Scroll across to see some of the snippets shared from members over the month.
To join, click the link in our bio. ☺️📖]()
We are all the sum of our experiences. Our #bookclub book for June is spellbinding in its ability to portray this truth and connect it to the readers In the first chapter, Michelle expertly introduces us to the forever importance of context and bearings through the narrative of her family. “Even if we didn’t know the context, we were instructed to remember that context existed. Everyone on earth (they tell us) was carrying around an unseen history and that alone deserved some tolerance” Context. My gosh how relevant this is now. Our end of month meeting is set for June 1, Charlotte has already shared the questions and talking points with the group and from reading them, I expect to enjoy a lively, positive and passionate meeting, where we all try and speak as quickly as possible in the last 5 minutes to try and get everything out before it ends! Scroll across to see some of the snippets shared from members over the month. To join, click the link in our bio. ☺️📖 ![‘There are no unwanted children, just unfound families’.
I read this quote years ago and it really stuck with me. How one vulnerable child’s tale meets an extraordinary person’s tale and their story becomes intertwined.
Roma must be a special kind of person, to care for others in intensive care, her own children, foster children. What a woman.
I think now is the time to give back to her. What do you think?
Do we have any foster families here? What are some ideas?
#theletterproject #connectedau #connected #community #pelpal #letters #nurse #fosterfamily #fostering]()
‘There are no unwanted children, just unfound families’. I read this quote years ago and it really stuck with me. How one vulnerable child’s tale meets an extraordinary person’s tale and their story becomes intertwined. Roma must be a special kind of person, to care for others in intensive care, her own children, foster children. What a woman. I think now is the time to give back to her. What do you think? Do we have any foster families here? What are some ideas? #theletterproject #connectedau #connected #community #pelpal #letters #nurse #fosterfamily #fostering ![Something we see a lot of are these types of games and Q & A’s. They’re fantastic to see as they create some fun and help the writers get to know each other.
This was hand drawn so there would have been significant time in creating this 👏🎉
Imagine you were a resident in a nursing home, or other facility, and your days all looked fairly similar. And then imagine receiving this! What a spark it would be, something fun, new, interesting, a talking point and feeing of purpose to respond. Absolutely fantastic. 👏
#theletterboxproject #connectedau #community #letters #penpals #writing #quiz #lonely #isolated #connection #community #qanda
I]()
Something we see a lot of are these types of games and Q & A’s. They’re fantastic to see as they create some fun and help the writers get to know each other. This was hand drawn so there would have been significant time in creating this 👏🎉 Imagine you were a resident in a nursing home, or other facility, and your days all looked fairly similar. And then imagine receiving this! What a spark it would be, something fun, new, interesting, a talking point and feeing of purpose to respond. Absolutely fantastic. 👏 #theletterboxproject #connectedau #community #letters #penpals #writing #quiz #lonely #isolated #connection #community #qanda I ![“I will always be thankful to Connected AU”.
For Lopa, who in 2018 moved to Australia to study an MBA, multiple COVID lockdowns and a 3.5 year separation from her entire family and loved ones living in India, brought on a bout of loneliness and declining mental health that she had never before experienced.
Lopa has been part of our Letterbox Project and Hobby Groups. She has a lovely way with words so we asked if she would mind contributing a little bit about her experiences of Connected AU.
❤️ What brought you to Australia?
I came to Australia to pursue my higher education. An MBA in International Business at Deakin University, Melbourne. I graduated in February 2020. Iv’e always been interested in Australia and I wanted to explore a culturally diverse country that has quite similar values to my home country, India.
❤️ What you thought it would be like and what that reality has been for you?
To be honest, I had a very open mind. However, loneliness is something I didn’t consider and how difficult this has been to navigate. I am used to some degree of loneliness having lived away from my family from the age of 12. But the feeling of loneliness in Australia is very different to what I experienced at home. The intensity has been much higher. And this has been a hard reality for me.
❤️ The impact of Covid on your mental health. How have you coped?
COVID has been unexpected for everyone. Me personally? I haven’t been home for 3 and half years. My plan was to graduate in February last year and visit my family in May for eight weeks. I had everything planned and was very excited. However, COVID and lockdown changed everything. For the first couple of months it was extremely distressing as I was unsure when or even if I would see my family again and my mental state took a dive. My parents live in regional Eastern India which faces cyclones every year so I was constantly worried for their well-being. With so many uncertainties I began to drift from friends and loved ones and began staying in my head.
More in comments 👇
@lopamudrajagdev @dailydosebylopa]()
“I will always be thankful to Connected AU”. For Lopa, who in 2018 moved to Australia to study an MBA, multiple COVID lockdowns and a 3.5 year separation from her entire family and loved ones living in India, brought on a bout of loneliness and declining mental health that she had never before experienced. Lopa has been part of our Letterbox Project and Hobby Groups. She has a lovely way with words so we asked if she would mind contributing a little bit about her experiences of Connected AU. ❤️ What brought you to Australia? I came to Australia to pursue my higher education. An MBA in International Business at Deakin University, Melbourne. I graduated in February 2020. Iv’e always been interested in Australia and I wanted to explore a culturally diverse country that has quite similar values to my home country, India. ❤️ What you thought it would be like and what that reality has been for you? To be honest, I had a very open mind. However, loneliness is something I didn’t consider and how difficult this has been to navigate. I am used to some degree of loneliness having lived away from my family from the age of 12. But the feeling of loneliness in Australia is very different to what I experienced at home. The intensity has been much higher. And this has been a hard reality for me. ❤️ The impact of Covid on your mental health. How have you coped? COVID has been unexpected for everyone. Me personally? I haven’t been home for 3 and half years. My plan was to graduate in February last year and visit my family in May for eight weeks. I had everything planned and was very excited. However, COVID and lockdown changed everything. For the first couple of months it was extremely distressing as I was unsure when or even if I would see my family again and my mental state took a dive. My parents live in regional Eastern India which faces cyclones every year so I was constantly worried for their well-being. With so many uncertainties I began to drift from friends and loved ones and began staying in my head. More in comments 👇 @lopamudrajagdev @dailydosebylopa ![I am sure everybody feels the same uncomfortable feeling when they see themselves in the media. I find it hard because I love my privacy, but the purpose of Connected AU is bigger than me so I do my best to say yes to all opportunities.
And it’s features like this, in this month’s @womensweeklymag that create huge impact. This will reach the coffee tables, and the doctors offices, and be seen by so many people who might be feeling vulnerable, lonely and disconnected.
After our @countrystylemag feature we had hundreds of people register for our Letterbox Project and lots of women in particular sign up for our hobby groups.
I am certain this feature will have the same impact, and that hundreds, if not thousands of Australians will be able to reach out.
@womensweeklymag has power in connection, and we are thrilled to be involved in this issue that the lovely @natalie_barr7 graces the cover of.
#theletterboxproject #connectedau #connection #story #media #nsw #community #lonely #isolation #ruralnsw #ruralaustralia #rural]()
I am sure everybody feels the same uncomfortable feeling when they see themselves in the media. I find it hard because I love my privacy, but the purpose of Connected AU is bigger than me so I do my best to say yes to all opportunities. And it’s features like this, in this month’s @womensweeklymag that create huge impact. This will reach the coffee tables, and the doctors offices, and be seen by so many people who might be feeling vulnerable, lonely and disconnected. After our @countrystylemag feature we had hundreds of people register for our Letterbox Project and lots of women in particular sign up for our hobby groups. I am certain this feature will have the same impact, and that hundreds, if not thousands of Australians will be able to reach out. @womensweeklymag has power in connection, and we are thrilled to be involved in this issue that the lovely @natalie_barr7 graces the cover of. #theletterboxproject #connectedau #connection #story #media #nsw #community #lonely #isolation #ruralnsw #ruralaustralia #rural ![Morgan: “In 2019 my stepdad had been serving overseas in the army for 6 months. Very sadly he couldn’t attend my brothers wedding so we had to improvise and include him in the celebrations via good old Skype.
I knew as I was holding the phone up just how significant this was, but it wasn’t until I came across the photo only recently that I realised exactly how important being a part of the day was to him, to my family - even if it was virtually.
Since working as Letterbox Project Manager my awareness for just how important connection is had grown immeasurably. It’s fundamental to us all, I can attest to it being life changing.
The photo is really personal to me, but it is also the perfect example of everything we stand for at Connected AU.”
📸 @torietheridgephotography
#connected_au #theletterboxproject #connectioncommunitycompanionship #connected_auconmunity #tetleytea #remoteaustralia #newsouthwales #virtualconnection #community #family #connection]()
Morgan: “In 2019 my stepdad had been serving overseas in the army for 6 months. Very sadly he couldn’t attend my brothers wedding so we had to improvise and include him in the celebrations via good old Skype. I knew as I was holding the phone up just how significant this was, but it wasn’t until I came across the photo only recently that I realised exactly how important being a part of the day was to him, to my family - even if it was virtually. Since working as Letterbox Project Manager my awareness for just how important connection is had grown immeasurably. It’s fundamental to us all, I can attest to it being life changing. The photo is really personal to me, but it is also the perfect example of everything we stand for at Connected AU.” 📸 @torietheridgephotography #connected_au #theletterboxproject #connectioncommunitycompanionship #connected_auconmunity #tetleytea #remoteaustralia #newsouthwales #virtualconnection #community #family #connection ![Last month in our Social Club meeting we all had a crack at making a Mocktail 🍹 This month we can all try our hand at guided art 🖼
Our special guest for this month’s meeting is the hugely talented Linzie Joanne 👩🎨
Linzie will be popping in to say hello and we will get the chance to watch her create one of her watercolour works while we all catch up. We’ll also get the chance to pull out a brush if we want to join in for a bit of extra fun 🎨
Some months, when the topic and timing is right, we will be bringing special guests to the end of month meetings. From a barista showing us how to make the perfect brew ☕️, to a comedian giving us a giggle. The meetings are still about social connection, just with a little extra fun.
This is a snippet of @linziejoanneartist work. I wonder if it’s too ambitious to think our creations will look something like this at the end of the 50 minutes 🤔🤞😂
If anyone is feeling alone, or just wants to join in the fun, you can find the groups in our bio.
#connectedau #hobbygroup #hobbygroups #art #artistsoninstagram #artwork #artoftheday #artist #watercolour #watercolourpainting #drawing #draw #mocktail #connection #lonely #loneliness #isolated #isolatedbutnotalone #isolatedartchallenge #community #communitysupport #catchup #socialclub #socialclubmembership #artoftheday #artdaily]()
Last month in our Social Club meeting we all had a crack at making a Mocktail 🍹 This month we can all try our hand at guided art 🖼 Our special guest for this month’s meeting is the hugely talented Linzie Joanne 👩🎨 Linzie will be popping in to say hello and we will get the chance to watch her create one of her watercolour works while we all catch up. We’ll also get the chance to pull out a brush if we want to join in for a bit of extra fun 🎨 Some months, when the topic and timing is right, we will be bringing special guests to the end of month meetings. From a barista showing us how to make the perfect brew ☕️, to a comedian giving us a giggle. The meetings are still about social connection, just with a little extra fun. This is a snippet of @linziejoanneartist work. I wonder if it’s too ambitious to think our creations will look something like this at the end of the 50 minutes 🤔🤞😂 If anyone is feeling alone, or just wants to join in the fun, you can find the groups in our bio. #connectedau #hobbygroup #hobbygroups #art #artistsoninstagram #artwork #artoftheday #artist #watercolour #watercolourpainting #drawing #draw #mocktail #connection #lonely #loneliness #isolated #isolatedbutnotalone #isolatedartchallenge #community #communitysupport #catchup #socialclub #socialclubmembership #artoftheday #artdaily ![A return letter with the sweetest writing “the autumn leaves are falling gently from the beautiful trees in my street”
The connections made in this project are extraordinary. It’s fostering personal growth, breaking down stereotypes, building intergenerational connections. Such great stuff 👏
Happy long weekend ☺️✍️
@tetleyaustralia @regional_pr_co @hollie.cg
#connected_au #theletterboxproject #lettering #writing #penpal #penpalswanted #community #loneliness #isolation #positivity #seniors]()
A return letter with the sweetest writing “the autumn leaves are falling gently from the beautiful trees in my street” The connections made in this project are extraordinary. It’s fostering personal growth, breaking down stereotypes, building intergenerational connections. Such great stuff 👏 Happy long weekend ☺️✍️ @tetleyaustralia @regional_pr_co @hollie.cg #connected_au #theletterboxproject #lettering #writing #penpal #penpalswanted #community #loneliness #isolation #positivity #seniors ![Who else puts the kettle on when someone pops in to say hello? Or pours someone a warm cup of tea if they’re in need of a shoulder to lean on? It’s so natural isn’t it, to connect over a cuppa.
Our sponsor for 2021 was just meant to be wasn’t it? @tetleyaustralia have been bringing warm tea to the world since 1837, they’re the second largest manufacturer of tea in the world, enjoyed in around 49 countries.
As well as making delicious brew, @tetleyaustralia work towards creating a sustainable environment and better lives for all of us.
They are one of the founding members of the Ethical Tea Partnership, committed to improving the conditions of farmers growing tea around the world. They are also part of the Rainforest Alliance aiming to conserve biodiversity.
And now they are supporting our Letterbox Project, helping us fight loneliness.
I hope this is the start of a long and rewarding partnership, and that we make real change together in Australia and afar.
Please help us thank them. 👇Comment, share, tell us what you think of their effort, or if you have a nostalgic memory of tea, or Tetley.
#theletterboxproject #connectedau #loneliness #connection #isolation #letters #penpals #penpal #tetley #tetleytea #sponsor #partner #dogood #cookingclub #gardeningclub #bookclub #socialclub #connection #feelgood]()
Who else puts the kettle on when someone pops in to say hello? Or pours someone a warm cup of tea if they’re in need of a shoulder to lean on? It’s so natural isn’t it, to connect over a cuppa. Our sponsor for 2021 was just meant to be wasn’t it? @tetleyaustralia have been bringing warm tea to the world since 1837, they’re the second largest manufacturer of tea in the world, enjoyed in around 49 countries. As well as making delicious brew, @tetleyaustralia work towards creating a sustainable environment and better lives for all of us. They are one of the founding members of the Ethical Tea Partnership, committed to improving the conditions of farmers growing tea around the world. They are also part of the Rainforest Alliance aiming to conserve biodiversity. And now they are supporting our Letterbox Project, helping us fight loneliness. I hope this is the start of a long and rewarding partnership, and that we make real change together in Australia and afar. Please help us thank them. 👇Comment, share, tell us what you think of their effort, or if you have a nostalgic memory of tea, or Tetley. #theletterboxproject #connectedau #loneliness #connection #isolation #letters #penpals #penpal #tetley #tetleytea #sponsor #partner #dogood #cookingclub #gardeningclub #bookclub #socialclub #connection #feelgood
