Reflections on five years of storytelling and connection

For the past five years, Sharlene Dadd has been our wonderful Head of Partnerships and Communications here at Documentary Australia. In that time she has brought immeasurable drive, passion, care, kindness, love (and plenty of laughter) to our team. Sharlene is now transitioning to an advisory role on special projects, and we cannot wait to see what this exciting next stage will bring. Below, read Sharlene’s poignant reflection on Documentary Australia, the work that we do on a day-to-day basis, and all that we achieve together with our invaluable community of filmmakers, supporters and partners.

Whenever I tell people I work at Documentary Australia, they invariably share details of a documentary that has changed them in some way. In the past five years I’ve learnt that while everyone loves documentaries, not everyone understands what they are. A true documentary is defined by its creative, interpretive treatment of actuality. It explores ideas and issues in depth to expand understanding. In essence, documentary helps us make meaning of life.

Documentaries can be a catalyst for personal growth and new awareness, but they are also a beautiful foundation for connection. They’re a powerful way to move beyond small talk and into meaningful conversation. When thoughts are exchanged, minds open and perspectives shift. Documentaries make us more worldly, interesting and tolerant. They make us curious, empathetic, and perhaps even better humans.

At Documentary Australia, connection is at the heart of what we do. We bring people together through stories that resonate across communities and borders, aiming to foster meaningful conversation, inspired by the hundreds of documentaries that we support each year on our platform. Like a web of chatterboxes, these conversations spread ideas, empathy, and understanding. We’re working hard to weave this web across the country…

Last week we were in Melbourne convening with some of our most significant supporters. This week, as well as later in the year, we’ll be in Victoria building relationships to help bring our new Women’s Voices and Engaging Young People programs to life. We recently met with filmmakers in Perth to deliver our Advancing Impact Workshop, which we will be repeating this May in NSW, and hopefully in other states such as Queensland too. Across Australia, we’re encouraging community screenings using our DocAccess resource.

Melbourne VIP Event 2026

As I reflect on my five years with Documentary Australia, I’m preparing to transition into an advisory role. I first discovered the organisation during COVID while isolated in regional NSW, listening to podcasts and doing farm work. With time to reflect on the impact of the pandemic and our collective challenges, I developed a firm belief that sharing stories is the most potent way to inspire hope, build empathy, and drive change. When I saw how Documentary Australia connects storytellers with audiences and impact partners, I was hooked. It was a revelation, and I began working as Head of Partnerships and Communications alongside Mitzi Goldman, Andrew Myer AM, and our excellent team.

Every day, we focus on creating strong partnerships to support filmmakers, nurturing emerging creators through programs and workshops, and championing diverse stories to help people feel less alone in an increasingly disconnected world. This is because while statistics inform, stories connect.

When I think of the work produced by the filmmakers we support, I’m often in awe of their bravery in sharing personal truths to strive for a better world. It is a reminder that real change begins with the courage to tell a story, and willing others to listen and evolve through new understanding of a situation.

I’m deeply grateful for the past five years and glad to remain involved in an advisory capacity as we look toward our 20th anniversary in 2028 – with an expected contribution of over $70 million to the sector due to incredible supporters like Shark Island Foundation.

So my tip: watch a documentary (perhaps on DocPlay), and strike up a conversation. You might see the world differently, connect more deeply with others or even become a better person. That’s something to strive for!