Sonia Orchard
Sonia is a writer, teacher, advocate, speaker and festival founder and director who believes in the power of storytelling to inspire, create belonging and connection, and effect positive change in the world.
Her writing and work is driven by her passions for social justice, the environment and child and teenage wellbeing. Most recently, since the publication of her memoir “Groomed”, she has become a strong advocate for CSA and SA survivors, campaigning for justice reform, and the rights of children, teenagers and victim survivors.
Sonia is currently researching and writing a book for Monash University Publishing in their 'In the National Interest' series, to be published August 2026, on preventing (non-institutional) child sexual abuse.
Meet the Speaker
Where were you born?
I was born and grew up in Melbourne. In my twenties I took off and travelled through thirty-odd countries and worked in America, Europe, Malaysia, the Bahamas, around Australia, and at sea as well as on land, only to realise that Melbourne’s a pretty darn good place to live.
What other jobs have you had?
Too many to list! From scuba diving instructor, university lecturer, festival founder and director, chef and piano teacher. I also breed whippets!
What themes are recurring in you work?
Survival/resilience, mental health, domestic violence, childhood trauma, nature, family and creativity.
What have been the highlights of your career?
Founding and Festival Directing Mountain Festival, Australia’s only writers’ festival that focuses exclusively on the environment, and having sell-out audiences each year. Publishing my memoir “Groomed”, because of the journey it took to get it written and published, also feels incredibly special.
What themes are recurring in you work?
Childhood and youth mental health, justice reform (especially regarding sex crimes), feminism, community, animals, family and nature. And food.
Haven't I seen you before?
Speaker Type
- Author
- Inspirational Speaker
- Education Consultant
- Social Issues
- Wellbeing
- Journalist
- Personal Development/Welfare
- Victim/Survivor Advocate
- Adult Fiction
Audience
Locations
Sessions
Power, Resilience, and Abuse (Awareness / Prevention of Grooming)
These sessions are available as a 1-hour or 2-hour sessionOptional: 1-hour online or in-person Parent Session see sessions...
Parent Session: Raising Resilient Kids Through Awareness / Prevention of Grooming
Optional Parent Session:1-hour online or in-personStrongly encouraged as an add on!Sonia will share her personal experience...
School Leadership Package (Primary & Secondary)
1-hour in-person session with power point presentation.This session is designed specifically for school leadership teams to...
Primary School Raising Resilient Kids – Awareness / Prevention of Grooming (Parents)
1-hour online or in-personIt's crucial to talk to primary school children about these issues before they reach high school....
Tell Your Story - Memoir Writing Workshops
Memoir writing workshops are favourites of Sonia’s because learning how to ‘tell your story’ has so many far-reaching...
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