Fighting to raise money in the war against bullies
The phrase “fighting for peace” takes on a whole new meaning on the 22 July at the Gold Coast Hotel CBD when writer Lowen Taylor, muay thai champion Nathan “Carnage” Corbett and Wesley Mission Brisbane anti-bullying expert Fiona Ware unite to raise money in the fight against bullying at a preview book launch of “Jilly and the Bully”.
Oe thing all three of these people have in common is that they are passionate in the fight against bullying. “Jilly and the Bully” author Lowen Taylor was herself bullied at school and then, to protect herself from the hurt it caused, she turned into a bully.
“It was a terrible time,” says Lowen. “Looking back now I can understand what happened and why it happened but it took me many years to overcome the trauma associated with the experience. I answered violence with violence and it was wrong. I have written “Jilly and the Bully” to show children there is an alternative. You don’t have to get physical to fight back against bullies.”
“When I read about and then attended one of Fiona’s Walk in my Shoes workshops I was blown away. If this program had’ve been available when I was at school it would have saved me years of trauma – I wouldn’t have become a bully. It would have saved those I bullied too. Walk in my Shoes is an amazing program and I want to throw my full support behind it. Therefore all profits from this event will be going to the Wesley Mission Brisbane Walk in my Shoes program.”
Muay Thai champion Nathan “Carnage” Corbett will also be there to speak out against bullying. Although neither bullied nor bully at school he was he says, lacking in confidence.
“Being strong doesn’t mean having the strength to push people around physically,” says Nathan. “It’s the opposite. Strength comes from the inside and that’s why I am going to be there on Thursday night. Walk in my Shoes teaches people to talk things out, to understand where people are coming from and “Jilly and the Bully” offers a non-violent message to kids. They are valuable tools."
Wesley Mission Brisbane was established in 1907 and leads the way in providing aged care, youth support, disability services and support for the disadvantaged and homeless.
