Running, Resilience & Reclaiming Space | Sissy Austin on Take Back The Track

Running, Resilience & Reclaiming Space | Sissy Austin on Take Back The Track

Running, Resilience & Reclaiming Space | Sissy Austin on Take Back The Track  What happens when the place that brings you peace becomes the place that changes your life forever? In this episode of Community Conversations by Clothing The Gaps [https://www.clothingthegaps.com.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com], host Sarah Sherry sits down with her dear friend Sissy Austin for a powerful conversation about running, healing, justice, advocacy, and reclaiming public space. Sissy Austin is a proud Gunditjmara, Keerray Woorroong and Djab Wurrung woman, passionate runner, truth teller, and founder of Take Back The Track.   Following a violent assault while running on Country in 2023, Sissy began a deeply personal healing journey that would eventually lead her to complete the New York City Marathon through the Indigenous Marathon Project and launch a national movement advocating for the safety of women and gender diverse runners. This episode explores: * Connection to Country through running * Healing after violence and trauma * Community care and collective strength * The Indigenous Marathon Project journey * Running the New York City Marathon * Resilience, grief, and recovery * Women and gender diverse peoples’ safety and public space * Media narratives and racism * Why Take Back The Track was created * The future of safe running for all This is a conversation about courage. About refusing to let fear steal joy. And about what it means to reclaim freedom, one step at a time. Guest Sissy Austin, Founder of Take Back The Track [https://www.takebackthetrack.com/] Links Take Back The Track [https://www.takebackthetrack.com/] ABC Article [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/sissy-austin-indigenous-advocate-attack-lal-lal-forest-ballarat/101966906] on Sissy's attack Chapters 00:00 Running, Healing & Connection to Country 02:45 Why Running Became Sissy’s Anchor 08:12 The Assault That Changed Everything 12:40 Community Care After Trauma 18:10 Returning to Running Again 23:00 Racism, Media Narratives & Public Response 26:05 The Indigenous Marathon Project Journey 33:10 Training Through Injury & Deep Water Running 36:35 Crossing the New York Marathon Finish Line 41:05 The Birth of Take Back The Track 46:05 Why Women Shouldn’t Have To “Run Safe” 49:18 Building a National Movement 51:00 Research, Advocacy & Changing Systems 51:57 The Future Sissy Wants For Runners

Climate Action and Just Futures Collab with Tishiko King

What does climate change actually look like when it’s happening to your home in real time? In this episode of Community Conversations from Clothing The Gaps, Sarah Sherry sits down with proud Kulkalgal woman, marine biologist and climate justice advocate Tishiko King [https://www.justfuturescollab.org.au/] for a powerful conversation about sea country, self-determination, climate justice and the future of Torres Strait Island communities. Tish shares what it feels like to grow up on Masig Island, why climate change is already reshaping life in the Torres Strait, and the emotional reality of fighting to protect culture, stories and country for future generations. The conversation also explores: * Rising sea levels and climate impacts in the Torres Strait * Why First Nations-led climate solutions matter * Decolonising wealth and philanthropy * The work behind Just Futures Collab * Climate adaptation, seawalls and justice * Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection * Community-led giving and climate action This is a deeply human conversation about responsibility, resilience and what climate justice really means when your homeland is on the frontline. 00:00 – “Picking up my ancestors’ bones like seashells”  00:16 – Welcome to Community Conversations  01:10 – Introducing Tishiko King  02:32 – What Masig Island feels like  06:24 – Life on a tiny Torres Strait island  08:24 – Who keeps Tish grounded  12:10 – The everyday reality of climate change in the Torres Strait  15:07 – Climate impacts on culture, country and ancestors  17:15 – Why climate justice is a First Nations issue  19:38 – The emotional weight of climate advocacy  22:00 – What self-determination actually looks like  24:49 – The risk of losing culture and country  26:19 – The story behind Just Futures Collab  29:03 – The Torres Strait climate human rights case  31:49 – Seawalls, adaptation and broken systems  38:11 – Decolonising wealth and philanthropy  41:35 – Funding Indigenous-led climate solutions  43:24 – What’s next for Just Futures Collab  46:04 – Everyday generosity and collective action  47:42 – Why mainland Australians should care  49:13 – Final reflections Connect with Tish and support Just Futures Collab here: https://www.justfuturescollab.org.au/ [https://www.justfuturescollab.org.au/]

The Legacy of the Aborigines Advancement League with Aunty Esme Bamblett

What is worth saving in this country if not our history? In this powerful episode of Community Conversations by Clothing The Gaps, we sit down with Dr Aunty Esme Bamblett, a respected Elder and long-serving CEO of the Aborigines Advancement League. With over 50 years of advocacy, leadership, and lived experience, as the current serving CEO of the Aborigines Advancement League, Aunty Esme shares: * The truth about assimilation and its impact on Aboriginal communities * The origins and legacy of the Aboriginal Advancement League * Stories of resilience, activism, and cultural survival * The role of leaders like William Cooper and Pastor Doug Nicholls * The importance of identity, kinship, and community * Why Aboriginal culture is something Australia must protect * What real allyship and “upstanding” looks like today * Her vision for the next seven generations This is more than a conversation. It’s a history lesson, a call to action, and a reminder of what truly matters. Chapters 00:00 “What Is Worth Saving in This Country?” 00:25 Welcome to Community Conversations 02:05 Aunty Esme’s Early Life & Family Story 05:08 Education, Motherhood & Leadership Journey 06:41 A Legacy of Activism & Political Strength 08:01 The Origins of the Aboriginal Advancement League 09:46 Community, Culture & Collective Responsibility 11:10 Walking in the Footsteps of Giants 13:09 The Power of Early Aboriginal Activism 15:54 Standing Against Global Injustice 17:15 Why Safe Spaces Like The League Matter 19:22 Fighting for Land, Rights & Community 20:06 The Truth About Assimilation 22:27 Place, Belonging & Cultural Safety 23:33 Saving Lake Tyers & Community Land 25:38 The Black Power Movement & Cultural Pride 27:04 “Black Is Beautiful” – A Turning Point 30:56 The League as “Mother” of Community 33:31 From Activism to Treaty Conversations 36:11 What The League Means Today 38:11 Thinking in Seven Generations 40:01 How to Support & Take Action 41:18 Why Aboriginal Culture Must Be Protected

Travis Lovett on a Walk for Truth

In this episode of Community Conversations by Clothing The Gaps, we sit down with Travis Lovett, a leader in Australia’s truth-telling movement and founder of the Walk for Truth. This conversation dives deep into: * Why truth-telling is essential for healing and progress * The real lived experiences behind Australia’s history * The myths and misconceptions about First Nations people * What the Yoorrook Justice Commission uncovered * Why a national truth-telling process is needed now * The emotional weight of carrying community stories * How everyday Australians can be part of change * The impact of the Walk for Truth movement * What the future could look like if we get this right This isn’t about blame. It’s about understanding. Because healing can only happen when truth, justice, and action come first. Chapters 00:00 “History Is Always Told by the Oppressor” 00:24 Introduction to Trav & Truth-Telling 02:15 Identity, Language & Resistance 05:27 Where Australia Is Right Now 07:36 The Power of Walking Together 09:01 Calling for National Truth-Telling 11:01 Debunking Myths About First Nations People 13:15 The Weight of Truth-Telling Work 15:05 From Stories to Solutions 17:21 Why This Responsibility Belongs to Everyone 18:21 Truth → Justice → Healing 19:31 What a National Process Could Look Like 22:44 Why Truth-Telling Must Be Local & National 25:15 Creating Safe Spaces for Sharing Truth 28:21 Celebrating Strength, Not Just Trauma 28:46 For Those Who Feel Uncomfortable 31:36 Understanding Context, Not Blame 32:40 The Walk for Truth Movement 34:58 Why Walking Creates Real Connection 36:43 How You Can Get Involved 37:07 What Could Change in 10–20 Years 40:43 Ways to Support the Movement 42:09 Final Reflections & Invitation to Act More Information: The Walk for Truth - https://www.walkfortruth.com/ [https://www.walkfortruth.com/] Yoorook Justice Comission - https://www.yoorrook.org.au/ [https://www.yoorrook.org.au/] Open Letter to the Prime Minister - Add your Name Here [https://www.walkfortruth.com/pledge]

Australia Day: If not Jan 26, then when?

January 26 is a date that continues to divide Australia. For some it is “Australia Day”. For many First Peoples, it is Invasion Day, Survival Day, or a Day of Mourning. In this episode of Community Conversations, host Sarah Sherry (Clothing The Gaps) is joined by Laura Thompson (Gunditjmara woman, CEO and co-founder of Clothing The Gaps) and Phil Jenkyn (OAM, barrister and community activist, co-convener of the Australia Long Weekend idea) to unpack why January 26 is not a date to celebrate, how community pressure is shifting public perception, and a new proposal that aims to create a more inclusive national moment. Together they explore symbolism and policy, cultural safety, truth-telling, and a practical alternative: an Australia Long Weekend set on the second last Monday in January, designed to keep a summer long weekend while quarantining January 26 as a day for mourning and reflection. Key takeaways * January 26 carries deep hurt for First Nations people, and the day often brings heightened racism and division. * Symbolism matters: changing an administrative date can be a meaningful first step toward larger justice and truth-telling. * The Australia Long Weekend proposal aims to keep a summer celebration without anchoring it to colonisation. * Momentum is growing because the issue now impacts many Australians, including new citizens who feel uncomfortable with January 26 ceremonies. * Change requires respectful dialogue, accuracy, and shared responsibility from community, media, business, and government. * Links and resources: * Sign petition [https://c.org/86vCsrnYrv] * Australia Long Weekend website [https://www.australialongweekend.com.au/ ]  * Clothing The Gaps Not A Date To Celebrate campaign [https://www.clothingthegaps.com.au/pages/not-a-date-to-celebrate ] * Learn more about January 26 and its history [https://www.clothingthegaps.com.au/blogs/blogs/8things-you-need-to-know-about-january-26 ]