TEDxNewy Speaker Alli Hammett: “Create, dream, believe…”
Image courtesy of Vigilant Futures
TED is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to ‘ideas worth spreading’ and culminates in 2 annual conferences that feature an array of amazing speakers. In the past, this has included Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Google’s Larry Page & Sergey Brin & Bono. TEDx events capture the enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of the TED philosophy and transport them to communities all over the world, presenting independent events often featuring local speakers & projects.
Newcastle is hosting its first TEDx event this weekend, TEDxNewy. The day will cover topics such as How I threw away my camera and became a film-maker and Learning from Dora the Explorer: lessons for teenage girls and their parents, and feature a selection of speakers with a special connection to Newcastle.
Alli Hammett is a social entrepreneur, community advocate & equality activist with roles within community organisations and Government Ministerial taskforces. As well as speaking about these roles, Alli will also be talking about the stroke she survived, how she’s gone on to become a public face for stroke prevention, and making stroke sexy…
We caught up with Alli to find out more ahead of her presentation at TEDxNewy this weekend…
How did you find yourself in Newcastle?
I came to Newcastle to go to Uni and do a Visual Arts Degree then I decided to do my teaching degree on top of that, so I could teach art.
As a child I always wanted to grow up an be an ‘artist’ but then when I experienced the ‘real’ world of juggling work and Uni, I realized it was probably a good idea to have a fall-back career, such as teaching, just in case I could sell my art work!! It seemed a good match – I loved teaching teenagers and I loved art!!
I also fell in love with Newy …. And a man, who I married. Newcastle is a great place to bring up a family, so I never thought of leaving!
What can you tell us about your TEDxNewy topic - Let’s make stroke sexy?
“Lets Make Stroke Sexy!” ….well, lets just say, peoples reactions to it so far is…”What? Are you crazy!” …. Well maybe I am? but I think I will let the audience decide that, so I am happy to let people judge for themselves!
What has been your proudest achievement to date?
I know this sounds corny but my two children who are young adults now! They are well-adjusted, kind, NICE people… so I’ve done something right there!
I’m also really proud of all my work (career and volunteering) empowering people, groups and communities to create positive changes in their lives and to recognize their own potential!
I still get a real “buzz” out of it, even after all these years. There is just something “magical” that happens when they achieve their goals! I still get teary!
What is your favourite quote?
Create > Dream > Believe = Reality! (I don’t know where it came from!)
What is your favourite thing about Newcastle?
The people and their sense of community. It’s visually a beautiful place, too!
What do you think events like TEDxNewy mean for Newcastle?
Enormous opportunity! It will showcase our region’s most talented, innovative thinkers and leaders and present them on a “global” platform! WOW!
I think Newcastle is a hidden gem in NSW, so this is an amazing opportunity which allows people to see Newcastle and the Hunter with fresh eyes! They will like what they see!
Tickets to TEDxNewy, being held this Saturday, 12 November at The Playhouse at Civic Theatre, have sold out. You don’t have to miss out on the action however, with overflow seating and a live screening of the talks in City Hall’s Mulubinba Room from 9am till 5.30pm. Alternatively anyone can watch the talks live via webstream at the TEDxNewy website.
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