The Soul Fly Buddies
Who are we?
We are an advisory group of participants set up to oversee and advise the Gig Buddies project. We catch up monthly and help shape the Gig Buddies project going forward.
Gig Buddies prides itself on being a truly user led organisation. If you think we can make Gig Buddies better... we want to hear from you.
Monthly Meetings
We meet once a month for 2 hours to talk about the Gig Buddies project.
Click below for notes from these meetings.
Stavros, Lachy, Bevan, Nalyn, Alex, Jack, Audrey and Karen
Get to know us.
Audrey
Sydney Region
A little bit about me: I study film making with Bus Stop Films and advocate for people with learning disabilities. I’m also an ambassador for Don’t DisMyAbility.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies: It gives me the opportunity to represent others with a learning disability and it’s important to show inclusion by having a say.
Best event I’ve ever been to: I love going out with my buddy. We went to the Soda Factory for our Christmas party.
Stavros
Inner West Region
A little bit about me: I like going to to listening to lots of heavy metal, with my buddy Jess. I go to a regular Metal Group, with my friend Lindsay. I work in customer service in the city doing administration.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies: To make the program better and more accessible for people with a disability. To help people feel less lonely and depression by finding a gig buddy to go to gigs with.
Best event I’ve ever been to: Iron Maiden, in Homebush, with Jess (my Gig Buddy). I also went to Jess’ wedding because we have a really good friendship.
Lachlan
Central Coast
A little bit about me: I love sci-fi, music, reading and dogs.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies: To help the Gig Buddies project keep moving forward
The best event I’ve been to: Hair the musical.
Jack
Sydney Region
A little bit about me: I have Cerebral Palsy in the right side of my body, I’m a swimmer and I love going to the movies, to the point where it is almost an obsession for me
Favourite Music: Rock, Electronica, Pop, Film Soundtracks.
Favourite Artist: Eagles, Billy Joel, John Farnham, CHVRCHES, Jon Stevens, Cold Chisel, James Reyne James Newton Howard, Bruce Springsteen.
First Live Event: John Farnham in Canberra.
Best Live Event: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden.
Nalyn
Sydney Region
A little bit about me: I enjoy netball and represented NSW in the Marie Little OAM Shield, Special Olympics, and I have also volunteered as a sports coach. During the week I work with young kids reading stories, singing/dancing and making craft. I also love my cats, cooking and hanging out with my friends.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies: I joined Soul Fly Buddies to help with new ideas and to be part of the team.
Best gig I’ve ever been to: The best event I’ve ever been to was the Silent Disco with my gig buddy.
Alex
Sydney Region
A little about me: My name is Alex, I am a young adult between 25 & 35 years of age, I have been an OG-original participant of GigBuddies since the year 2015. I enjoy creating content that is largely digital for other like-minded people. I also enjoy watching Television shows such as F.R.I.E.N.DS! Family Guy, Futurama, The Simpsons, as well as kids shows from the Nineties era.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies: GigBuddies is such a fantastic organisation to be part of, so to show my support for it, I feel like I am doing a good thing by being part of SoulFly Buddies to help make the GigBuddies legacy continue to grow as well as stay strong for many years to come.
Best event I have ever been to: tricky...But if I had to pick, (apart from all things related to The Wiggles live shows), I would go with the two opportunities of participating in Mardi Gras 2021, as well as 2022 with GigBuddies, I enjoyed being part of both the same event that I would never would have thought I would have been part of, showing that people living with additional needs is not something that are they should be ashamed of but something that they should be proud of.
Karen
Central Coast Region
A little bit about me: I live on the Central Coast. I am a mum to a little boy; he makes my life a lot brighter. Things I like doing with my Gig Buddy Lisa include going to the movies, going to lunch, taking our kids to the park, going to different fun events etc. I am currently looking for part-time work in administration.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies: I joined the Soul Fly Buddies because I am thankful for what Gig Buddies has done for me and I want other people to have that opportunity; especially here on the Central Coast. I hope my ideas can contribute to that.
Best gig I’ve ever been to: Missy Higgins and John Butler Trio at A Day on the Green in the Hunter Valley. The best thing I’ve ever been to with my Gig Buddy was a family day out to Central Coast Comicon.
Bevan
Greater Western Sydney
A little bit about me:
My name is Bevan and I am 42 years old. I love films and martial arts. I work at a cafe a couple days a week, I love my job. I love to meet and hang out with new people. I love studying filmmaking.
Why I joined Soul Fly Buddies:
I want to be a part of something where I could be accepted. I have lots of ideas I would love to share.
Best event I've ever been to:
Karaoke Night. I loved it . I had a lot of fun
Soul Fly Buddies Mission Statement:
“We have fun, we meet new people and make friends.
We are the Soul Fly Buddies. We aim to be inclusive and help people with learning disabilities get out more and do different things.
We help shape the Gig Buddies project by coming together once a month and sharing our own lived experience.”
