High Hopes

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse offers hope for a safer future - at the level of the institution. Like the ant that moved the rubber tree plant, survivors and families are sharing stories of abuse to enable the Commission to hold powerful institutions to account in ways that some of us never dreamed possible. While the Commission offers hope for a safer future at the level of the institution, there is also a need for hope at the level of individuals, families and communities.This page is dedicated to building hope amongst survivors, families and communities effected by the Royal Commission. It aims to turn 'epicentres of abuse' into 'epicentres of support'.
We respectfully acknowledge those who shared stories of abuse with the Commission. Without your courage we could not hold perpetrators to account, nor identify the necessary reforms. This project is for you.
We respectfully acknowledge those who shared stories of abuse with the Commission. Without your courage we could not hold perpetrators to account, nor identify the necessary reforms. This project is for you.
The importance of hope

Hope is important for everyone and is particularly so for people experiencing difficulty. Hope helps us to heal and can create a sense of wellbeing. Hope expert Shane Lopez says it is important to differentiate between optimism and hope. Both focus on the desire for a better future, but hope involves action. A sense of hope can come from realising our power to take the steps that create a better future for ourselves. You might notice this when you think about your hopes for yourself. Lopez says Hope is Infectious - so our wish for you is that this page brings you hope.
How to participate
To participate:
- Write about your hopes for the future on the blank side of one of our postcards (see postcard template below - or simply use plain paper/please do not name individual or organisational perpetrators.
- Decorate the postcard
- Share the postcard by emailing it to us at ticketsonmyself@gmail.com or by posting
- Feel the support on this page: ticketsonmyself.com/highhopes
Postcard template
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Please feel free to download the postcard template on the left by opening the pdf file. You are welcome to print the postcard for your own use or circulate amoungst others. You can also contact us if you would like some postcards posted to you.
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Need to talk to a health professional?
If you need to talk to a professional please contact Lifeline (131114) or beyondblue (1300 224636).
Ballarat Hopescape
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In November 2015 the Ballarat Hopescape was launched at a Loud Fence event (see facebook.com/loudfence). There were loads of little children there who wanted to participate - they were also asked about their hopes for the future. Their postcards are quite special. If you have made a postcard and would like it to be included in the Ballarat HopeScape - please write the word 'Ballarat' on your postcard before you send it to us. In mid 2016 the Hopescape will be pulled together into an e-album. We would also appreciate your help spreading the word - please let us know if you would like us to send you postcards for distribution or a school or group project. Please feel free to circulate the project poster (to the left)
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Tickets
In the following section you'll find messages of hope from survivors, families and communities - that are not linked to the Ballarat Hopescape. The most recent tickets are at the top. You can click on the tickets to get a bigger image.