Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities
Welcome to Engaging Conversations, the podcast that connects you with the pulse of our local communities.
Hosted by Leon Goltsman, Co-Founder of Ecolibrium Headquarters (EcoHQ), each episode invites you on an inspiring journey into the stories that shape and uplift our neighbourhoods.
From visionary leaders and industry experts to everyday heroes making a difference, Engaging Conversations offers an exclusive look into our society’s diverse and dynamic fabric. This podcast is your gateway to broadening your perspective, building meaningful connections, and being inspired.
Please note that the views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or EcoHQ. The discussions in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, medical, or legal advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
Tune in, join the conversation, and discover the people, places, and purpose driving positive change.
Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities
#29 - Orange Ribbons and Second Chances: A Birthday Interview in Kalipay with Astrid Hocking
What happens when compassion crosses continents? Astrid Hocking, Lake Macquarie's Woman of the Year, joins us live from the Philippines to share her extraordinary journey of protecting the vulnerable and building resilient communities.
From the orphanage that rescues children from trafficking to teaching young mothers income-generating skills, Astrid reveals how small acts of kindness create profound change. Her stories are breathtaking – finding an abandoned baby in a plastic bag who's now thriving with adoptive parents, watching disabled adults flourish on self-sustaining farms, and seeing traumatised children grow into successful adults simply because someone believed in them.
The Umbrella Hearts program, symbolised by an orange ribbon, has grown from a local initiative to an international movement shifting conversations around child protection. Astrid's approach emphasises dignity, consultation, and changing the narrative from "you can't" to "you can" – proving that sustainable change comes when people are empowered rather than merely helped.
This conversation isn't just about charity work abroad; it's about practical ways we can all contribute to stronger communities right where we are. Astrid's philosophy that "everyone needs support and kindness" reminds us that our small actions matter, whether comforting a struggling parent at the grocery store or mentoring a local teen. Her 50-year marriage and partnership with her husband, Frank, also demonstrate how support behind the scenes makes front-line compassion possible.
Would you be ready to make a difference? Visit www.heartsandhands.net.au to learn how you can join this movement of everyday heroes creating extraordinary change.
Thank you for listening!
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Engaging Conversations. I'm your host, Leon Goltsman, and each week I sit down with people who are helping shape stronger communities through leadership, compassion and the everyday actions that make a lasting difference. This episode is proudly brought to you by Niaz Cannoth and the team at Invest Intelligence visionary supporters of progress, purpose and possibility. Visionary supporters of progress, purpose and possibility. Today, I'm honoured to welcome back a truly remarkable guest, Astrid Hocking, our very own champion of hearts and hands and the 2025 Lake Macquarie Woman of the Year, recognised at the New South Wales Woman of the Year Awards for her outstanding service to children and families.
Leon Goltsman:While her roots are local, astrid's impact reaches far and beyond. She joins us live today from Calipay, an orphanage in the Philippines, a country with over 113 million people in a space just one-sixteenth the size of Australia. It's one of the most vulnerable places in the world for child trafficking and without intervention, many children would be left on the streets, exposed to abuse and neglect. But thanks to Astrid and her extraordinary team, these children are being rescued, protected and given a second chance with love, care, education and dignity. Her work not only changes lives overseas, but also reflects the best of what compassionate, community-driven Australians can achieve. In this powerful episode, astrid shares deeply moving stories from the field, from rescuing children and reuniting with those who've grown into thriving adults to equipping young mothers and displaced families with skills to rebuild their lives and displace families with skills to rebuild their lives. This is an episode filled with heart, hope and humanity, and I'm so grateful Astrid made time to join us, especially on her birthday. So without further ado, let's get into it.
Astrid Hocking:We can work in so many places in so many ways, but everywhere needs support in different ways Sometimes it's just encouragement. Sometimes it's more than that, sometimes it's just encouragement, sometimes it's more than that, sometimes it's physical or financial or whatever. But everyone needs support and kindness.
Leon Goltsman:Absolutely, Absolutely. You kind of find that the old saying birds of a feather flock together. It's kind of why we end up meeting each other and our paths continue to cross, because I feel the world does attract good people to come together. I mean, it also does the opposite, but I don't want to say the opposite of good people, just probably people who got their priorities slightly mixed up.
Astrid Hocking:Yeah, and that could well be it, and sometimes they haven't had the same opportunities or they haven't chosen the different paths we have. Sometimes we make choices based on personal experiences or other experiences around us, and we can choose to go in whichever direction we like, and sometimes we choose the right path, I believe, and that path is to help others.
Leon Goltsman:It's usually our choice, isn't it? I mean, despite what people think, oh, someone made me do it or I just didn't have the opportunity the reality is that we do what we do as a choice. We can always say yes and no to anything, pretty much.
Astrid Hocking:Yeah, we can. Sometimes I think, though, there are people that haven't been shown there's an alternative way. If we can be shown that there's. You know, you may have a very negative experience, but if somebody shines a light somewhere, you can either choose to go down that negative path, or you can choose to say, okay, I don't want that way. I want a different thing in my life, so I'll follow the light that I've just been shown.
Leon Goltsman:If we had to describe the light, what would you describe it as?
Astrid Hocking:The light. Oh, sometimes it can be just something very, very small. It's it's someone showing they care. It's even sometimes as simple as a smile. Sometimes, um, people say nobody smiled at me today. Or you know, you say good morning, how are you, and say it in a, with a pleasant voice, not in the, the tedious um, I don't know what the right word is. But sometimes people will say you know how are you, but it's just because they think they have to. But when it's said with genuine feeling, you can get the impression that somebody does actually care about you and how you are and how you're feeling, and that kindness goes across. The caring can be shared.
Leon Goltsman:Well, I think for me anyway, when I say good morning to someone, I genuinely mean it and you know, I know it sounds funny, but I'd go down for a walk down the promenade, say down Bondi, or even the local streets at Lake Macquarie, you know, up and down the lake and going by the bicycle path and the walk, just so I can say hello and good morning to people. I come back and I actually think, oh, that feels good. It wasn't just the physical walk, it was the connection we make with people when we're out and about.
Astrid Hocking:Yes, and when you smile at someone, what happens? They smile back. It's an automatic reaction. I've done it many, many times. I walk around shopping centres at times deliberately smiling at people who are not smiling, and they always smile back. When you do that, you smile at someone, they smile back, they feel better. You feel better and you've brightened the world in that one little action.
Leon Goltsman:You know, there's so much to talk to you, as always. Now, for those people who haven't met you and I'm sure there's two types of people I do joke about this, but there's an element of truth Two types of people in this world the ones that have met you and love you, and the ones that haven't met you but wish they did. Oh, thank you. So for those people in between, somewhere, I do want to just briefly introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about where you are right now.
Astrid Hocking:My name is Astrid Hocking.
Astrid Hocking:I live in the beautiful city of Lake Macquarie normally, but right now I'm in the Philippines because I'm involved in a charity called Hearts and Hands, community Development, and one of the things we do as just one program is come to the Philippines as volunteers, so we pay our own way, come here and partner with different organisations in the Philippines helping people.
Astrid Hocking:It's a country with a lot of disadvantaged people across here. We partner with an orphanage that rescue children from trafficking and abandonment, and that's something that I began with my passion 12 years ago, just coming along to the orphanage, but then realised that there was so much else we could be involved with. So we also partner with some very disadvantaged communities and help them to earn income so that they can become self-sustaining and have pride in what they do and better their lives. So we work with them, and now we've recently started a partnership with another organisation that are actually working with disabled adults, which is something that's very, very lacking in this country. So we've got a group of adults at the moment living on a farm and very, very happy in their lives because they're making a difference for themselves. They're growing their own vegetables, they're self-sustained, they're actually so excited that they can sell some of the vegetables they grow because they've got too much for their own use, which is wonderful.
Leon Goltsman:That's fantastic. Well, a lot of what you're saying is actually applicable to parts of Australia. A lot of people are falling through the cracks.
Astrid Hocking:I think there are organisations in Australia as well that are helping in some of those areas, but people need to be encouraged. I think one of the important things is to actually consult with people about what they would like, not. I think one of the important things is to actually consult with people about what they would like, not just walk in and say this is what we're going to do, because that's where people kind of put their backs up and reject that because it's not their idea. They don't have ownership. They need to have pride. They need to be given that pride and that opportunity to help themselves, but just shown sometimes along the way. And that's the case, I think, wherever we are, we need to consult with people and ask what they want.
Leon Goltsman:And when you do ask people what they want, you're not just empowering them and giving them ownership, as you said, you're also giving them dignity. Isn't that what gets people going even more?
Astrid Hocking:Absolutely. I think giving them dignity is so, so important, because that is what will keep them going, it is what will get them up in the morning with a smile on their face.
Leon Goltsman:And I know that since the last time you've been on our show, you just keep going and going and achieving more and more things. Tell us about your most recent accomplishment. I was really proud of it, by the way, but I'd rather you tell us a little bit about that Thank you.
Astrid Hocking:I was very, very surprised I was actually away with my husband that Thank you. I was very, very surprised I was actually away with my husband having a few days away, because sometimes we just need to switch off too and I received an email that said I'd been recognised and I was being awarded the Lake Macquarie Woman of the Year for 2025. I was so excited I had to share it with friends almost immediately, and just to know that somebody else thought that what we're doing and what I'm doing is special and deserve that recognition was just wonderful. But then we also, just very shortly after that, as a charity, we received a special award for an event that we ran as well. We ran a bike ride in honour of child protection, so that for me was even more exciting, I guess, or just as exciting, because that was a whole team effort as well and it really shared the message even more of what we do.
Leon Goltsman:I've got to say, astrid, I was so, so proud of you. I was actually at an International Women's Day lunch and there I am and I saw the message and suddenly the people at the table are like what are you smiling at? And honestly I couldn't contain it. I was so happy for you and I just thought you know, there's my people. She's just been recognised and it's incredible when other people get an award or get recognition, we feel good about it.
Astrid Hocking:I think that's part of the joy in having that as well, that it's not just an individual recognition. You know that. And recognition isn't the be all and end all and it's not why you do what you do. But it's really nice to know that somebody else does think that it's pretty special. But when other people share that it makes it even more special.
Leon Goltsman:And the accomplishments can sometimes transfer as a recognition or an award. Of course it's humbling and it's nice to be recognized, but I think the real success comes from the work that you've done and, because of that work, the outcome and the results that shine the light on other people and, in your case, doing things and supporting and strengthening orphanages, especially in the Philippines, and then seeing the outcome, the results in the success of the people you've helped.
Astrid Hocking:Yeah, thank you for that. I think the part about going to the Philippines came about because we were foster carers for a long, long time, looking after traumatized children in our own backyard. So in Australia there are many children who are not protected enough. I have always had a strong passion for children and their protection, and then I became aware of this particular orphanage and said no, I'd like to go there. I really want to go and see the children and see that they are within that home. They are loved and cared for and do have some aspirations for their futures too, because of people who care.
Leon Goltsman:So now you've returned to Calipay and for you it's more than just a visit, it's a reunion with a purpose. Now, Astrid, what did it feel like to be welcomed back by the children and carers, and how does that sense of community compare to what we experience here and other places like Lake Macquarie?
Astrid Hocking:I think joyous is a big word for me, because Kalipay actually means joy in their language. So it was a very, very joyful time to have the children come running up to me with big hugs, big smiles and just very, very welcoming. It was just amazing. I cried through part of it and they just laughed. They think it's hilarious. When they see me, they do that and then they tease me about liking orange as well. So we have some of that, lots and lots of fun and giggles, and it's so nice to see them happy. And I think that's the thing that I really like of children everywhere when you see them smiling. I like sometimes just sitting in a local cafe and watching families and watching the children interact with their parents and smiling and laughing, so just watching children everywhere. It's just so important to see them happy.
Leon Goltsman:So, like that beautiful young lady that you grew close with and I saw in the wedding photo and you told me the story about that that brought tears to my eyes. But seeing the long-term impact on the children who are now thriving adults, must be deeply affirming. Can you share one story of transformation that really hit home, something that might remind our listeners that change is possible, no matter where they start?
Astrid Hocking:Well, a different story that I haven't shared with you before was of a tiny baby who was actually found in the streets in a plastic bag, very, very tiny little one brought into the orphanage when I happened to be there in one visit quite a few years ago. And he was brought in and people within the Kalipay office were saying we don't know if we can take more children, we don't have the funding. How will we do it? I said look, you have to take this little one, please let me sponsor him. You have to take this little one, please let me sponsor him.
Astrid Hocking:So a friend and I then sponsored this little one with some other children as well along the way, to make sure that they could be kept safe in that beautiful environment in Kalipai, because it is such a loving, caring place. And just last year he was able to be adopted overseas and he is leading and I've just actually got some more feedback about his life yesterday and he's leading a very special life with parents who love him dearly and are giving him a wonderful life. He's now almost nine and they've been able to do that for this child, and that sort of story does happen across Kalipai. Not all the children can be adopted, but they can be fostered, they can remain there. But one of the beautiful things within that organisation is also that education is the key, so we encourage the children to have a good education. There's a principal of the school within the orphanage as well who really, really encourages the children so much that there are many children that go to college and university from there and then lead successful lives.
Leon Goltsman:Wow, and I promise myself I will not shed a tear. It's a good thing I've got a box of tissues next to my desk. I didn't really expect to be using it during this interview. It really is touching and that is the drive, the light that we were talking about earlier on. And you've been asked to mother university students, which I'm sure is also a deep honour. How did that moment make you reflect on the importance of mentorship and how can locals in Lake Mac be the person in a young person's life too?
Astrid Hocking:Within the Philippines or within, certainly, this area that I'm in, in Negros, when children graduate, their parent would normally go with them and accompany them when their name is called and the award or perhaps a medal in some cases will be given to the parent and the parent passes that on to the child.
Astrid Hocking:When the children don't have a parent, they're able to either go on their own Very few would do that. Most of them will look for someone that is really special and connected to them and I've had the honour of doing that on several occasions where a child has asked me to be their parent. So I've been able to go with them and yes, it brings tears every time, including now. You can't do it at that with them and yes, it brings tears every time, including now to edit that um. But the young, the young lady you spoke about with the wedding, I was actually um at her graduation as her parent, and she's actually now, now that she has graduated and she's working in a very successful job, has a wonderful life with a beautiful partner, when when they married and they're supporting her two young siblings to go through university as well and they will both graduate next year. So I was asked to come as the parent for those children as well, for their university graduation.
Leon Goltsman:Astrid.
Astrid Hocking:It's just amazing. Very, very honouring.
Leon Goltsman:Yeah, Look, I can imagine. I can imagine A parent is also a very good role model, and we do see a lot of good role models out there. Sometimes parents go through hard times of their own and they're not always able to do the best for their children. Sometimes they don't realise it at the time.
Astrid Hocking:I know within our area and many areas across Australia, they have different mentor programs, particularly within high schools, which are extremely valuable and make a difference for many lives when you're talking about parents who may not be able to do those things for their children for whatever reason. So becoming a mentor is a very successful way that you can really help a young person and give them that good role modelling. And then, if I extend that to the sewing kind of thing we're doing here, we actually have a group of young mums and some of them are talking about like 15 and 16-year-old girls who have become mums, who want to care for their children, who want to give them a good life but have no means to do so but also want education. So they're actually coming to a day center that we've become partners with as well and we've been able to spend some time with them and teaching them sewing, and the excitement on their faces is just incredible. It's to actually learn a skill that they didn't have before and they know that they can then transform that into making items, which we've certainly helped them with that they didn't have before and they know that they can then transform that into making items, which we've certainly helped them with that.
Astrid Hocking:They can make items now and sell those and earn income, which means a huge difference. They can feed their children as something that sounds simple, but it means so much to so many and just the joy on their faces was incredible, was really really special. But I think we can do that sort of thing in Australia as well in different ways just encouraging people but also joining things like being social, particularly retired people that may have a little more time. They can join different organisations. They can help people in many, many ways. I'm also part of an organisation that does some work with domestic violence and also working with people who have come from very negative experiences and backgrounds financial hardship, those sorts of things. Just showing them that there is someone who cares makes a difference, but perhaps sometimes giving them some ideas of what they could do to better their lives as well, and offering that assistance wherever you can, and it can be in such simple ways.
Leon Goltsman:And that is very, very empowering, not just to the people you're helping, but as a mentor. You're also becoming a better version of your true self by doing that.
Astrid Hocking:Yes, I think that's true, and it also is that when you're helping someone else, you're really helping yourself in that way, in that that's one of the things you're becoming a better person but also you get so much reward from it too. It's not just about a one-way stretch, it's not always giving it. There is reward in all of that too, in knowing that you've been able to help other people.
Leon Goltsman:It just adds extra meaning to someone's day.
Astrid Hocking:Yes, to everyone's, including your own.
Leon Goltsman:Yep, absolutely, and I mean we're very fortunate. You know, in Western developed countries like Australia, we don't see too many natural disasters. We may get floods and bushfires, which unfortunately still has a strong impact, but we bounce back, we bounce back, we get into it and then a couple of months or years later we kind of forget about it. Move on Third world countries or other countries who aren't as fortunate as us.
Astrid Hocking:Yeah, I think that resilience is so important and yes, we certainly have it in Australia when there are those sorts of disasters that occur, that people are resilient but they get in and help one another. It gets back to that as well. It's caring about other people, it's making sure that everyone's okay. It's checking on all of those sorts of things, but it is happening certainly here in the Philippines as well. They have disasters on a fairly regular basis. Unfortunately, they have their cyclones and typhoons quite regularly. They have floods. We had even while we were here, we had flooding rains as well. So I was in the evacuation area from the volcano site. The volcano actually erupted again last week and we're not very far from that area. They're expecting it to erupt again in the very near future, so we're keeping a look out on that as well. But the people that are there are thousands actually displaced from that, Thousands of people that are in various evacuation sites across this island and the one community that we've been supporting for many years.
Astrid Hocking:We've been visiting with them over the last few days as well, Also teaching their senior girls and some of the women sewing. Again, we go back to something basic that they wanted to learn. They're sewing that. But they actually moved into that evacuation site in December last year, so they've been there for quite a while. They had no idea how long they'd been there, so they've actually started already, almost immediately, growing their own vegetables, which are now starting to be produced, so, even having their own food, they're looking out for everything they can. They're taking care of one another. They've actually also been asked recently because there's such a caring community within that site. They were asked to care for two abused children that were found in some location very negatively, but from the government organisation asked them if they could take in these two children. It was just amazing the support and the love and care that they had for others when they were also struggling themselves. And I think that's the thing with resilience it's that help and caring and love for others, not just the thought for themselves.
Leon Goltsman:Yeah.
Astrid Hocking:And that's what we have in Australia most definitely.
Leon Goltsman:Yeah, putting the well-being of others before ourselves, Isn't that a remedy for selfishness? Yeah definitely.
Astrid Hocking:It's always something I've tried to live by just do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. If you want someone to be kind to you, then be kind to them first, Don't always expect it. You need to be giving unconditionally, not expecting that whatever you do or whatever you give will come back to you.
Leon Goltsman:And that goes back to the golden rule.
Astrid Hocking:Yes.
Leon Goltsman:And you've helped so many children find safety after devastating abuse as well. What's one small moment of hope you've witnessed that shows just how much protection and love can turn a child's life around, and why does this message matter here at Home 2?
Astrid Hocking:I think child protection matters, no matter where you are, no matter what country across the world you live in. Children are the world's most valuable resource. We need to protect them everywhere we can. Are the world's most valuable resource. We need to protect them everywhere we can. We've certainly had many examples of children who've been able to flourish because they've been shown and given love unconditionally here in the Philippines, at home.
Astrid Hocking:When I've travelled in different countries, I'm always trying to be kind to children, doing simple things. Sometimes it can be helping a mum and the children can smile. It can be going to the grocery store and seeing a mum struggle with three children. How am I going to get the groceries in the car? You know the children back in the car seats, all of that sort of thing. Help them out. Help people wherever you can. I'm trying to think of an example, but I can't just isolate one. There are just so many highlights for me of children who are now succeeding, children who, well, I can tell you of one child that I thought of now, who I was told would probably never amount to anything as a small child because of the negative circumstances he'd come from, is now a very successful adult living a wonderful life with a beautiful family, because somebody believed in him, Somebody loved him and cared for him along the way.
Leon Goltsman:Yeah Well, there's a saying that you become what you think about most of the time, and if you think you're wrong, you're right.
Astrid Hocking:You're right.
Leon Goltsman:I think that's the saying, and this applies to so many people, especially people with disabilities. So you've seen people with disabilities thrive with purpose. What did working with disabled adults on the farm teach you about inclusion, and how can we adopt similar values in workplaces and schools here in Australia and throughout the regions as well?
Astrid Hocking:I think all too often people with disabilities are told they can't do things no, you can't do that. And then they believe it themselves that they can't do those things. What we need to do is switch that language around. It's one of the things that within our charity of Hearts and Hands Community Development, we have a program called Butterfly Hearts, and within that program it is specifically aimed at those that may have challenges of some kind. But what we're saying is let's switch the language to can do. We just find a way that we can do it rather than saying we can't, and spreading that message in so many places does have an impact.
Astrid Hocking:The people on the farm are being told they can do things. They are enjoying working in the farm. They're enjoying watching the produce grow. They go out every day to look, they're collecting eggs they have chickens there as well. They collect the eggs. They're given responsibilities for things that they can do. They have to make their own beds, and some of them have come from backgrounds where they were just continually told no, you can't do that, no, you can't do that. And they believe that. But now they can see there are actually things they can do.
Astrid Hocking:So it's really about changing the language and that's something we can do everywhere. But I just watched the people here on this farm here in the Philippines are just so excited about their lives now that they can do these things. They've also been accepted into the local community because the extra produce they're growing they go into the local community once a week to sell that to the others and people are looking forward to that produce from them as well. So the interaction they're going to the local church and being accepted and all of that is just making their lives happier. But also those who are caring for them. They're all enjoying and really being joyous about what they're seeing within these people. It's just lovely to see. But changing that language to can do, finding a way how to do it.
Leon Goltsman:And the Umbrella Ribbon Program. It's all about that. You've demonstrated, you've proven it with actions, not just words. The Umbrella Ribbon Program is about local carers taking the lead and doing exactly what you just said. Program is about local carers taking the lead and doing exactly what you just said. How important is it that locals, whether in the Philippines or our local communities here in Australia, feel empowered to protect and support the vulnerable?
Astrid Hocking:Well, the Umbrella Hearts program is the orange ribbon that we wear. It has an umbrella as a symbol of protection. It's bright orange because orange is a bright and cheery, happy colour. It began here in the Philippines actually as a program with the orphanage, when I asked the carers to wear a piece of ribbon and go out in the community and encourage a conversation, because wearing that ribbon just suggests to people they need to ask, because they do. You know, it's something they don't always recognise, so people ask what does that stand for? It gives you the opportunity to have a challenging conversation about children matter. It's about protecting children, but it actually extends to say abuse of any kind is not okay. So we're suggesting now that they go right across the board. Abuse is not okay for anyone, but wearing the ribbon is a very, very simple way that people can share that message by having that conversation, because every conversation matters. And as well as that, we can then say it's not okay for anybody to be hurt.
Astrid Hocking:And we can share that ribbon in so many different ways, not only wearing the ribbon. You know, locally, if we look at the Lake Macquarie area, we have volunteers that come along and help produce the ribbons because we need to keep the cost. Obviously we're giving those ribbons out. We need to keep that cost down because it's all voluntary. But you know they can come to my home, they can make you know, help produce the ribbons. We can have ribbons. Businesses can actually become very involved and have displays of the ribbons in their business to say we too believe in child protection. Lake Macquarie Council have a motion within their records saying they as a council believe in child protection.
Astrid Hocking:We have National Child Protection Awareness Day has been declared in federal parliament a couple of years ago by our local Hunter MP, dan Ripicoli, and because he believes in that, he shares that ribbon with politicians. We need to be sharing that wherever we can, I think with the ribbons. And, as I said, every conversation matters. Conversation from influential people makes a difference Our local MP for across my Lake Macquarie and I have to say I'm very, very proud to be a Lake Macquarie woman and very proud of the MP that we have in our local area who does so much for our area, greg Piper. He's just a very special man who does so much in the area, has also on many occasions been promoting our ribbon, is happy to have his photo taken, is happy to wear the ribbon and share that conversation as well. So thank you to Greg as well. It's just really special to have so many people spreading that message that we need to go even wider. So many more. We need to encourage them.
Leon Goltsman:Yeah, and people like Greg and Dan, they really are, they're our leaders, they're our elected representatives that they really really do represent, not just in title, but in what they do, in their actions.
Astrid Hocking:Yes, it is the actions that speak much louder than words. We all know that saying actions do speak louder than words. And to have someone as influential as Greg wearing that ribbon, talking about it in Parliament, sharing that information with other people in his local community, being happy to you know. On one occasion with Greg I stood outside Coles, he was wearing the ribbon, we took photos, did all of that sort of stuff. It was just a bit. It seemed like just a bit of fun, but it has that important message behind it all the time.
Leon Goltsman:And it's also having role models who show that it doesn't matter how senior they are, whether it's in politics and parliament or whether it's a celebrity on television. There's a responsibility for role models to set a good example, and when you've got people like Greg doing just that, for me it's one of the best things you can do for the next generation by not telling them what to do, by showing them, and it's also inspiring for people like ourselves who are community orientated. We need each other. We need each other to remind us what good people do.
Astrid Hocking:Yeah, we do, and also within schools. I think it's really really important to share the message with children as well that they deserve protection, that they do have that right, and we have lots of local schools as well sharing that message. I know across the school curriculum there is important messages that the children receive about the child protection. But we've also got some of our local schools in Lake Macquarie really sharing that message with another program that we're running called Camp Teddy, where the children can get very involved in what it means to be protected and the importance of that too, because we have principals who are sharing that message. Very, very clear message about you are special as children.
Leon Goltsman:And to do that, we're going to remain resilient, because every day we're going to have lots of amazing successes when we deliver and things turn out. There are going to be challenges, however, and despite the challenges, it's great to see that your hope hasn't wavered. Now, what keeps you grounded and motivated? And what would you say to someone in our local community who wants to help but doesn't know where to start?
Astrid Hocking:Keeping me grounded is probably my husband. Later this year we'll be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, so he's been around a long time.
Leon Goltsman:Still a spring chicken.
Astrid Hocking:What are you talking about? Yeah, that would be nice if it was real. Yeah, no, he really does keep me grounded. He's the logical person, I the very much the emotional one and, um, yeah, here come the tears again. Um, frank is the person that keeps me grounded and he also works so hard behind the scenes.
Astrid Hocking:When we're looking at hearts and hands as an organization. He's the one who says, oh, this, this is something you could do, this is something you could do. He works on the website. If I need a certificate for something, because I always like to say thank you to people if I need business cards, he's just done some more of those for me. If I need something, I just say Frank, can you do that? Can you do that? He's organising our bike ride. He's done a lot of the paperwork and all the different things that we need flyers and all of that sort of thing, designing everything.
Astrid Hocking:Just sitting at the computer day after day and enjoying what he's doing, because that gives him a purpose as well, but it certainly does help to keep me grounded, but also sometimes just taking time out for yourself, like here in the Philippines. We've been working and I have another lovely board member with me from Hearts and Hands here with me this time. Sometimes I travel by myself, sometimes I have a team of people. This time there were just two of us and we took some time out last night for ourselves and went to a nice concert and that was lovely to just celebrate with some friends here and just really just take time out from what we've been doing and working hard for the last few weeks. Really just take time out from what we've been doing and working hard for the last few weeks. So, yeah, I think that's really important. But other people around the area what can we do? We can do so many things. Small businesses can promote Umbrella Hearts, the ribbons in their business. They can share the message. They can wear the ribbon, they can talk about our programs. They can encourage, perhaps, talks. You know, I go to many different groups and talk to them about what Hearts and Hands does as individuals, because sometimes it's easier to hear those messages face to face. We've got other people within our organisation as well who are happy to share our messages. We're spreading slowly and we'd really like to do that even more, because one of my goals is that our ribbon as a child protection program, because I know that can make a difference. I know here in the Philippines it's made a huge difference and they do use it in some organisations. It was launched here as an official program as well and I know Kalipay used that across some of their events. They really promote the importance of that child protection message.
Astrid Hocking:But we can be sharing that in so many different ways. If someone would like to help with the program in some way and they're not quite sure where to start, one of the simple ways is to wear a ribbon. To get hold of that ribbon, you can do that by going onto our website, wwwheartsandhandsnetau, or you can give me a phone call. I won't give you the number right here, but you can get that information from the website. There's also an email address you can email us. You can come along and actually help produce some of the ribbons. We do that on a regular basis so that we've got lots to be able to give them out. You can actually be sharing the ribbons in lots of different ways. You can take them along to schools, to events. You can have some ribbons on a display stand in a business. We've got special little display stands that one of our supporters actually made this lovely Perspex stand to say this is what this program is about. Lovely Perspex stand to say this is what this program is about.
Astrid Hocking:But a goal is that everyone would know right across Australia and hopefully other countries as well, because we now actually have ribbons in America and England as well from a holiday that I went on fairly recently, just sharing it with other people. So they've taken it back to their own countries. I once went on a holiday to England a few years ago and walked into a store to buy something and the lady looked at me and she said oh, I know all about that ribbon that you're wearing and I said oh, why? She said oh, my husband went to a conference in Australia a few years ago and he brought the ribbon back. So you know the message was shared.
Astrid Hocking:I'd like to see everyone be able to recognise that ribbon and know exactly what it's about and share the message, because it does make a difference. I once had a young man come back to me and talk. Quite a few months after I did have a chat with him and gave him a ribbon. He came back and said we used to have a household where I smacked my children all the time and I realised it wasn't making a difference. I needed to change. He said you challenged my thinking and I. Now don't do that anymore and we have a happier household. So wearing a ribbon can change a life.
Leon Goltsman:Astrid, I'm always inspired by inspiring people, and one of the reasons why I love having inspiring people and wonderful people who are doers on our program is because they infect us with their positive energy. You certainly do that. I am so looking forward to having you return, coming back, and I owe you a coffee and maybe some lunch just to say thank you so much, but also just an excuse to catch up with you. You are fantastic. Thank you so much, astrid, and I love your work.
Astrid Hocking:Thank you for having me, thank you for allowing me to share the message and for the inspiring work that you do in sharing wherever you can.
Leon Goltsman:Thank you. Thank you very much. Now, how's that for inspiring? We've just heard from Astrid Hocking, a woman whose compassion, courage and conviction are quite literally transforming lives. From the front line of one of the world's most vulnerable regions, astrid reminded us what it truly means to protect children, empower communities and lead with purpose, whether it's rescuing children from the unthinkable abuse, training young mums to earn a living or bringing joy and dignity to the displaced and disabled communities. Astrid's work is a powerful example of local action with global impact. And it all started right here in Lake Macquarie.
Leon Goltsman:And if this episode moved you even just one moment, I'd love to hear from you. Email me directly at leon@ecohqcom. au and let me know what stood out, what gave you hope or what challenged your thinking. Your feedback doesn't just help us grow. It keeps these conversations alive and if you know, someone's story deserves to be heard, someone quietly making a big difference in their corner of the world I want to meet them, invite them to contact me, let's get them on the show. And in the meantime, if you found value in today's episode, please follow Engaging Conversations and share it with someone who needs a reminder that good people are out there doing great things, I'm Leon Goltsman. Until next time, stay engaged, stay compassionate and let's keep building stronger communities, together.
