Seen

Victoria Spence was still quite young when she realised that not everyone was treated equally, or well, in the process of dying and death. But it was her experience of losing her father that really cemented her drive to change how people are honoured at the end of life. Victoria is now dedicated to bringing a personal touch to what she calls the ‘Mcfuneral industry’, through her company Liferites. As she helps other people travel towards, and through death, she also brings wisdom and reflection in facing her own mortality.

From the moment Hadia Haikal-Mukhtar first moved to Australia from Lebanon as a teen, she was underestimated - both as a Lebanese immigrant, and as a woman. But her fierce intelligence and drive ensured Hadia would not be held back by the limited thinking of those around her. Hadia went on to study medicine and law, all while raising a brand new baby. She is now a trusted doctor and educator in her community, supporting women and their health, whilst helping to educate the next generation of doctors.

Kerryn Harvey was living a fit and active life until - in her mid 30s - a tragic cycling accident resulted in the loss of her entire arm. Not one to give up, she found herself starting again, re-learning the basics of everyday life - dressing, walking, and even cycling. Where others might have adjusted to a smaller life, Kerryn instead dreamed bigger, getting back on her bike to achieve international success on the parathletic race track. Now in her third act, Kerryn continues to be an inspiration through her fitness program, bringing together older women looking for ways to be fit, strong and powerful as they head into middle-age and beyond.

From a young age, Najla Turk had an appetite for learning but was surrounded by people and systems who made her doubt herself. It wasn’t until she married, and started her family, that she realised that she needed to overcome her self doubt, and become the role model she wanted to be to her daughters, and to herself. As Najla pursued her education, she found herself juggling the incredibly difficult 24/7 role of a carer - first for her father, and then her own husband. Using the same tenacity that saw her achieve her education goals, Najla now uses self-care and compassion to be an advocate and role model for other unpaid carers and their needs.

Lindy Lee is one of Australia’s most successful, and revered contemporary artists. However, she wasn’t always the iconic, confident sculptor we know so well today. A child of Chinese migrants, Lindy grew up under the racism of the White Australia policy. It took Lindy many years, and many careers, to finally find her artistic confidence, but once she started down that path she never looked back. Having spent a lifetime building her toolkit and cultivating her curiosity, Lindy feels like she’s only now - in her 70’s - coming into her prime.

Crystal Love Johnson’s journey has not been an easy one, but it is one of hope, joy and sisterhood. Growing up in the Tiwi Islands, Crystal knew early on that she was female, even if her family and community did not. When she found support among the other women to come out, she realised how important it is for people to truly see you. Going on to become one of Australia’s most iconic drag queen performers, Crystal now uses her position as a wise older woman to provide guidance and mentorship to the younger sistagirls and brotherboys of the Tiwi Islands.

Inspirational is an understatement when it comes to describing Duang Tengritrat. Born in a small Thai village with no running water or electricity, Duang was an entrepreneurial powerhouse right from the start. With big dreams as her fuel, she fought and won scholarship after scholarship - taking her out of the village to the big city, on to Australia and then the USA. Fighting racism, loneliness and isolation took her to the edge, but thanks to her generous heart, and passion for cooking, Duang has now found the thing she never knew she needed - a true community who embraces her for who she is.

Pauline Menczer is a women’s world champion surfer who, at the height of her success, went completely unnoticed and ignored - because she didn’t look the part of an ‘Aussie female surfer’. Despite the odds against her, she persevered and, as part of a bold group of female surfers, successfully fought to have women formally and financially acknowledged in major surfing competitions. Today, she is finally getting the recognition and respect that she deserves, continuing to champion the underdogs that are coming up in her wake.

If you can see it, you can be it, but what happens when you look around and nobody looks like you? Join host Yumi Stynes in a new season of SEEN, celebrating the trailblazers who, despite having no role models in mainstream culture, take risks, show huge courage, and rise to excellence anyway. In Season 3 we meet fearless, older women who are finding a fresh sense of purpose in their third act. Fierce females, whose resilience and tenacity demands that they be seen - on their own terms.

Today, Antonia Burke is a proud Indigenous woman who embraces her identity, her heritage and her community. But she wasn’t always proud. After years of deep detachment from her culture and a long career in the mining industry, she reconnected with her community just as the mining industry set their sights on drilling in her home. Join Yumi Stynes as Antonia shows us the resilience of community, the cruelty of generational trauma, and what it takes to heal.