Naomi Lake
“I am passionate about children’s literacy because reading and writing has opened the world for me.”
Heartlines explores what it means to write – from the heart and soul – and where that writing takes us. Every writer’s journey is different, so we invite you to take a moment to read, pause and reflect on what it means to shape stories for the page.
Naomi Lake is a Health Ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia and gives presentations to health professionals about inclusive communication and improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. She likes to be a voice for others who cannot speak up for themselves. Naomi has written and self-published 3 children’s storybooks.
Naomi recently completed participating in a 6-month mentoring program in partnership with My Studio, a arts studio run by the team at My Place. My Place provides flexible, individualised NDIS support services and care for individuals with disabilities in Western Australia.
Centre for Stories: What is your most surprising hobby or interest?
Naomi Lake: Looking after my chickens and talking to them!
CFS: Are you reading or watching anything at the moment?
NL: I have just finished reading Wonka. I watched the film so I bought the book.
CFS: Why do you write?
NL: I like telling stories. I am passionate about children’s literacy because reading and writing has opened the world for me.
CFS: What did you enjoy about working with your mentor?
NL: Easy to talk to, very knowledgeable, wonderful to work with.
CFS: What writing did you work on with your mentor?
NL: Two stories that I had written but needed more detail and fleshing out.
CFS: What are you working on next?
NL: At the moment I’m working on a presentation that I’m going to deliver at the United Nations in New York City!!
Naomi Lake is a Health Ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia and gives presentations to health professionals about inclusive communication and improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. She likes to be a voice for others who cannot speak up for themselves. Naomi has written and self-published 3 children’s storybooks.
Writing Change, Writing Inclusion is Centre for Stories’ signature writing program for 2021 to 2024. Generously funded by The Ian Potter Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, My Place, and Centre for Stories Founders Circle, this writing program features mentoring, hot desk, and publication opportunities for emerging writers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and/or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Copyright © 2024 Naomi Lake.
These stories have been licensed to the Centre for Stories by the Storyteller. For reproduction and distribution of these stories, please contact the Centre for Stories.
This interview was published on 6 March 2024.