Panel Discussion: A heartwarming take on tackling social isolation
Hosted by comedian, Melinda Buttle

  Saturday 21 March
  2:00pm to 3:00pm
   $10.00 (all proceeds to Happy Paws Happy Hearts)

* Banner image photo: Alzheimers Association Qld and Happy Paws Happy Hearts, Photograph by Russell Shakespeare

Be part of the audience for a heartwarming, sensitive and entertaining discussion that will inspire us all to consider innovative ways to tackle the growing issue of social isolation.

A Fierce Hope artist, Donna Marcus will ignite the discussion with insights about her artwork, Clowder, inspired by the importance of touch to people who are socially isolated and the impact the Happy Paws Happy Hearts program has for people affected by this social issue.

Panel Host, Comedian Mel Buttle will bring a light-hearted perspective to the serious topic of social isolation and mental health.  As a practitioner of the medicine of laughter, Mel’s unique experiences will thread together the ideas discussed by the panel. Perhaps we’ll hear about Mel’s stint as a professional dog walker as research for her 2018 solo show!

It is now well documented that positive connections with other people and animals is an important component of good mental health.  Associate Professor of Psychology, Genevieve Dingle will give insight into how social prescribing to community groups may help to address this public health issue.

As an audience member you will have the opportunity to meet, play and cuddle RSPCA rescue animals and listen to the diverse panel discuss the issue of social isolation and ideas for how those affected can have accessible opportunities for regular connection.

All proceeds from $10 tickets sales will be donated to Happy Paws Happy Hearts.

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PANELLISTS

	Facilitator:  Melinda Buttle, Comedian & RSPCA Ambassador Comedian and RSPCA Ambassador, Mel Buttle was recently nominated as the best female presenter at the AACTA Awards. Mel has been performing on Australia’s live comedy circuit since 2010 and has also been a regular columnist for The Courier Mail, writer for The Drum, ABC’s Ronny Chieng International Student and Network Ten’s This Week Live with regular appearances on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Hughesy we have a problem and The Great Australian Bake Off.  You can catch Mel’s 2020 show Hands on Heads at the Brisbane Powerhouse until March 2020. “Mel proves again to be a solid observational comic with a keen eye for the absurd minutiae of life in contemporary Australia.”  The Music
	Donna Marcus – Artist Artist, Donna Marcus, spent time with Happy Paws Happy Hearts and their clients inspiring her creation of artworks Hearth and Clowder as part of the A Fierce Hope exhibition. Donna Marcus is an Australian artist well known for her sculptural work constructed with discarded kitchen utensils and aluminium kitchenware, her sculptures draw viewers into worlds both remembered and imagined. Marcus is engaged by the stories evoked by these objects, and by the familiarity they engender in many viewers.
	Zoe Black – Happy Paws Happy Hearts Zoe Black is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Happy Paws Happy Hearts Foundation (HPHH), connecting vulnerable members of society with RSPCA animals for mutual therapy. HPHH was founded in 2014 and is now a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider, running a variety of programs for the disabled, the elderly and those in need of social connection. HPHH acts compassionately to enhance the lives of people who are at risk of becoming socially isolated and connects them with RSPCA rescue animals in unique small-group social visits.
	Genevieve Dingle – Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Queensland (UQ) Genevieve Dingle is a registered clinical psychologist and academic at the School of Psychology, UQ. Her research examines how belonging to groups and communities can influence mental health and wellbeing. This includes both therapy groups (such as group cognitive behaviour therapy), as well as arts-based groups such as choirs. Her recent work focuses on loneliness, and how social prescribing to community groups may help to address this public health issue.
	Tom Kunst, Veteran and RSPCA Volunteer Tom Kunst is a Veteran who served this country for 30 years. Tom began as a participant with RSPCA in their intensive Veteran program in 2018. Tom is currently in the RSPCA’s general pool of volunteers volunteering once a week including for some of RSPCA’s largest events.