Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Kylie Michelle joined the Army at the age of 34 because she wanted a career that was important. That took her away from her daughter, but she remained a mother, helping her daughter through the usual struggles, at times from half a world away. When she finally exited the Defence Forces, she was diagnosed with PTSD, but has since worked hard to re-enter civilian life and guide others on their journeys.

Kylie's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Raony Condini is an ineffable ball of energy and positivity, but his journey to becoming the person he is today has been long. His life has been punctuated by periods of having nothing but his determination to push forward. Today, he is the owner and head instructor at Gracie Barra Townsville, teaching jiu jitsu to any and all comers.

Raony's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Lachy Downey is no longer with us, but his legacy lives on in the local community through Unlock the Lachs, an organisation dedicated to ensuring inclusivity and assisting families with special needs. In this episode, Cayley Downey, Lachy's mother, speaks about the organisation and some of the struggles they faced during Lachy's short but impactful life.

Some listeners may find the content of this episode confronting. If you need help, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or reach out to support services in your region. 

More information about Unlock the Lachs can be found here: https://www.unlockthelachs.com/

Cayley's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Beyond the trauma of her own past talked about in episode 7, Jo Lynam has faced additional struggles with her children. In this episode, Jo discusses the arduous process of adopting her two sons, Roshan and Laksiri, from Sri Lanka and the long journey to ensuring her daughter, Emma, found a place within our community.

Jo's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Jo Lynam is a unforgettable force for inclusivity within the Townsville community. In this episode, she shares the story of her rebellious streak, the traumatic event that reshaped her life as a young adult, and how she has worked to overcome that and become the inspiring, memorable woman she is today.

Jo's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

Please note, this episode includes discussion of sexual assault. If this topic raises any issues for you, please contact 1800 RESPECT or visit https://au.reachout.com/articles/sexual-assault-support for a list of support services available in your state.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

In July 2019, Kerry Schofield was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and given up to 24 months to live. Since then, she has faced her health issues with grace, energy, and pragmatism. In this episode, Kerry shares her story from her background in Early Childhood Education to the diagnosis, treatment, and the things she now wants to pass on to all who come after.

Kerry's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Keesha Booth is deeply passionate about empowering young people and enabling everyone to better understand the importance of consent and respectful relationships. She is a sexologist, youth facilitator, educator, and fierce feminist, and she brings her incredible energy to bear in this wide-ranging conversation.

Keesha's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

Please note, this episode includes discussion of sexual assault. If this topic raises any issues for you, please contact 1800 RESPECT or visit https://au.reachout.com/articles/sexual-assault-support for a list of support services available in your state.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Michael Bulley owns several Donut King stores around Townsville, but it's been a hard slog to get where he is today. From sleeping on the floor of his shop to almost going bankrupt following the introduction of the GST to suffering through the absolute devastation of the 2019 monsoon, Michael has stayed strong. He's bounced back from every obstacle life has thrown his way, and he's an absolute joy to talk to and listen to.

Michael's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

While on a bushwalk eleven years ago, social worker Amanda Nickson slipped and broke her neck—but didn't know it at the time. She hiked for several more days with an unstable fracture before learning about the severity of the injury. In this episode, Amanda shares the story of that week, the arduous recovery, her mental health challenges, and above all else the faith that has kept her going.

Amanda's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.

Welcome to BRAVE, a podcast from the Townsville Community Information Centre.

Kell's Kitchen & Brew Bar was one of the many businesses devastated by the 2019 monsoon event in Townsville and covid. In this episode, we speak to its owner, Kelly Bolger, about the experiences that led her to open the cafe and how she has persevered through the difficulties of the past two years.

Kell's story is just one of the many from our local community that we hope will inspire you.

BRAVE is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
This series is produced by Damien Lawardorn.