There is something to be said about social workers who are graciously willing to tell their story, just 12 months after diving into their remote social work experience. Still in the midst of a giant learning curve, Alanna Audus joins me on Talk the Walk to share the ups, downs and delicious highlights of her beginnings in Alice Springs. Alanna is a newcomer to narrative therapy and is delighted with the way her somewhat ‘kooky’ conversations with people are beginning to shape their lives for the better. She works as a generalist and victims of crime counsellor for CatholicCare NT with some of the most marginalised Aboriginal people in Australia.
This conversation is as delightful as it is authentic. So be warned, Alanna’s heartfelt generosity may inspire you to pack up your city life and go bush.
On episode 27, we explore:
- What led Alanna to pack up all her belongings and head to Alice Springs
- What it’s really like starting out in social work with no prior experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Alanna’s unique story which has influenced her passion and drive for social justice
- A ‘fly on the wall’ account of Alanna’s approach to counselling, starting out in narrative therapy
- Why relationships are at the heart of Alanna’s practice and feeling okay about not knowing
- The rich conversations that transpire working with metaphors
- Methods of narrative documentation such as letter writing which record people’s processes of acknowledgement and achievement, and what difference this makes to clients
- Struggles and challenges Alanna has faced in her first year in a remote community and the notion of ‘doing therapy on yourself everyday’
- The influence of nature and the raw environment on Alanna’s self care, allowing her to do high intensity social work
- Reflections on resilience in ourselves and our clients
- The people, institutions and the influence of radical politics that have shaped Alanna’s social work practice framework and life
- Reflections on the NT Emergency Intervention more than a decade on, a continuation of ongoing oppression and disempowerment which began with colonisation
- Words of wisdom for other social workers considering the move from big city to remote outback and avoiding burnout
- A sparkling moment from Alanna’s last week
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Contact Alanna on alanna.audus(at)gmail(dot)com
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There’s something about the blue sky, the sparse landscape and the weaving of cultural stories that drew Louise O’Connor to Australia’s red centre. Far from her homeland of Ireland and not satisfied with the big city lights of Melbourne, Louise O’Connor packed up her meagre belongings and head to Alice Springs. She found herself working with the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council as a Domestic and Family Violence Case Worker and hasn’t looked back. Since arriving, Louise has been drawn to narrative therapy as an approach for working respectfully with Aboriginal women. She now supports a team of case workers implementing the Council’s new domestic and family violence prevention framework developed in consultation with the Australian Childhood Foundation and the large group of women they support in the NPY lands. Louise brought with her a long history of case work with refugees and asylum seekers, youth and people at risk of homelessness or in crisis, both in Australia and Ireland. Louise’s passion for sharing stories and helping others tell theirs shines through in my conversation this week on ‘Talk the Walk’.
