Panel Host: Stephanie Dalzell, ABC Health Reporter
Stephanie Dalzell is a federal political reporter at the ABC’s Parliament House Bureau. She has worked for the ABC for more than ten years, after starting as a cadet in Perth in 2011. She is particularly passionate about health journalism, drawing on her own experience of navigating the health system with chronic migraines, endometriosis, and two brain tumours.
Gabriella Marie Kelly-Davies, Author
Gabriella Kelly-Davies has been writing stories ever since she mastered the alphabet—now that passion has seen her win three writing prizes. Gabriella has studied life writing at Oxford University, Sydney University and the Australian National University and she is a doctoral student in biography. She is the author of Breaking Through the Pain Barrier about the extraordinary life of pain medicine pioneer, Dr. Michael J. Cousins. Gabriella is also the founder of Share your life story and has written over thirty self-published memoirs, life stories and family histories for her clients. Gabriella is President of Life Stories Australia Association and believes the art of biographical storytelling is a particular writing genre – it’s not fiction, but it requires the weaving of someone’s life story into a form that compels readers to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.
Sarah Allely, Journalist & Podcaster
Sarah Allely makes podcasts and radio documentaries for the ABC and other organisations. She previously worked as a journalist for Fairfax and SBS TV, but transitioned to audio after releasing her critically acclaimed podcast, Brain on Nature. Sarah started making the independent series while recovering from a mild traumatic brain injury. She wanted to find out why the natural world was relieving her headaches and improving her focus and concentration, and she wanted to share her story and research with others. Sarah continues to deepen her connection with nature to improve her health and wellbeing.
Sarah Orwell, Business Owner
Sarah is a 36 year old busy mother of three who runs a digital business with her husband Luke. Sarah lives in Bulli NSW and has Intracranial Hypertension and a VP shunt. Sarah was diagnosed in 2019 and is an advocate for self-care and managing symptoms with what you can control (diet, exercise, sleep). As a busy mum and full-time worker from home, she is a professional juggler and knows intimately the challenges that come with managing chronic conditions. In her limited spare time, Sarah volunteers for The Brain Foundation and Sydney Homeless Connect.
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