CreateAbility Events Network works towards developing a culture of inclusiveness, tolerance and respect, giving everyone the opportunity to express themselves - to sing, to dance, to act, to joke, to listen, to mix, to get out more, to live more.

People with disabilities are increasingly seeking opportunities to be involved in the arts and in leisure and social activities enjoyed by the community at large.
The arts are a great vehicle for getting communities together and involving a cross section of people. Because performances and events occur in public places there is an immediate profile that can be used to promote the contribution of people with disability to our community.

CreateAbility was created by John Willis and Sara McQueenie who were inspired by Club Wild in Melbourne. Five years ago they started to run dance parties three to four times a year. They then added art workshops in 2004 and the current group created in 2005 with Mary Thorpe running the drama group which is now run by Sky Lilly Simpson. They meet every Saturday morning.

The CreateAbility Drama Group have been working together for two years, their first production was held in the Old Fire Station in October last year, titled Love and other telephone Calls and was a sellout both nights.

This year one of the CreateAbility drama Group members Nicholas Walsh won the City of Greater Bendigo Raw Arts Literary Award, He writes regularly for the drama group and is currently writing two novels.
Sarah Goninon, another drama group member spent a week working with the Back to Back company in Geelong in July this year.

2007 has been a big year for CreateAbility with recently creating extended groups who write and develop scripts and devise sketches, they performed for the Growing a fringe festival in Bendigo and in the awakening festival in Horsham.

The drama group was also involved with The Old Van's performance Don Koyote at the Bendigo Mine but don't think that is all there is, there are still many other projects they are working on or are involved in.

Golden City Support Services is a principal founding member of the network and is the auspicing body for CreateAbility events Network. The network comprises other service providers, people with a disability, carers and family members. People with disability are encouraged to participate at all levels of the organization. They have been given encouragement and practical support from the disability service providers in the region, Club Wild, Arts Access and the City of Greater Bendigo, Community Cultural Development and the Department of Human Services.

For Further Information please contact the Coordinator, Felicity Johnson at Golden City Support Services.
Phone: 03 5441 4206 or E-mail felicity.johnson@gcss.org.au