Meet Abbie Williams, the Gold Coast Young Australian of the Year, who’s smashing mental health stigmas like a piñata, one heartfelt letter at a time.

Her brainchild, Letters of Hope, is a not-for-profit organisation that began with a simple but powerful mission: spread kindness and compassion through handwritten letters to those in need. These notes of encouragement, packed with coping strategies and support contacts, bring a personal touch that’s creating ripples of change across Australia and New Zealand.

Having faced her own mental health struggles as a teen, Abbie’s dedication to connecting with others and spreading kindness is truly heartwarming. We chatted with Abbie about her journey as the CEO and founder of Letters of Hope. She shared her passion for mental health advocacy and how she finds joy in the everyday.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I have now been a Gold Coast local for 7 years! I moved out here from the UK in 2017, and have called the Gold Coast home ever since. It’s certainly different from my hometown which is Leeds in the UK, a place that is much colder.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Definitely the beaches. I remember visiting Burleigh Heads the day after I landed in Australia and getting an acai bowl. I instantly felt at home. The beach is my go-to place whenever I feel stressed, anxious or am having a bad mental health day. There is something about dipping your toes in the ocean that brings a huge sense of calm. It’s still one of my favourite spots, along with Tallebudgera Creek.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Professionally, I’m the CEO and Founder of Letters of Hope, an organisation I started in 2018 to send handwritten letters to individuals facing tough times. Our mission is to spread kindness, raise mental health awareness, and break the stigma surrounding it. The letters we send include helpful coping strategies, words of empowerment, and support to those who are struggling.

On a personal note, I’m passionate about mental health advocacy and believe in the power of social connection, kindness, and compassion. I also have a fur baby named Benji, who is a Chug and he brings a lot of joy and mischief into my life. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking, walking, spending time at the beach, reading poetry, journaling, and exploring new places.

What inspired you to start Letters of Hope?
Letters of Hope was born from my personal journey and lived experience with anxiety and depression, which began in my teens. During my darkest moments, I felt very much alone despite being surrounded by people. Eventually, I reached out for support and embarked on my recovery journey, finding ways to manage my mental health and live a meaningful, fulfilling life.

After moving from Leeds, UK, to Australia in 2017, I started exchanging letters with my grandparents back home. Receiving their letters brought me such joy, especially on tough days. It was then that I realised the powerful impact of a simple, heartfelt letter. I wanted to share that feeling with others and bring light to those in need, showing them that someone out there does care and that they are not alone.

Why do you think there is still such a strong stigma around mental health, and how can initiatives like Letters of Hope help to break it?
I definitely think that the stigma around mental health has improved drastically in the last couple of years, though there is definitely a way to go. We seem to put a lot more pressure on ourselves, and sometimes others, when it comes to mental health vs. physical health. Even myself, a mental health advocate, on a bad mental health day can be really hard on myself, as if I have a sense of control over what is happening to me. Ideally, I think we need to view mental health in the same way that we view physical health: if we have an illness, we get support and treat it. If we see someone with a physical illness, we accommodate them and make sure they are comfortable as they recover.

The thing I am really loving about Letters of Hope is that our initiative seems to transcend generations – people of all ages are resonating with what we are doing, because it’s a really simple concept: if you are feeling down – whatever the reason – you can request a letter filled with kind words. That appeals to people, even if they do fear stigma, because it’s a moment of simple connection. In my view, that is what breaking down the stigma comes down to: kindness, compassion and understanding. And we are showing people that from complete strangers.

What efforts does Letters of Hope make to educate the community about mental health?
Because Letters of Hope was born from lived experience, I have always been able to use it as a vehicle to share my own lived experience with the world. That was scary at first, but I quickly saw how much people responded to the vulnerability and authenticity whenever I shared my struggles. The majority of our volunteer base also have lived experience, and that means we are continuously amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.

I think that is something that is absolutely crucial when it comes to educating the community about mental health, being able to share real life experiences and stories to promote understanding and awareness. Our letters haven’t just saved lives, but also increased helpseeking behaviours amongst letter recipients. We share support contacts in each letter, so this creates the opportunity to share helpful information with those who need it the most and ensure that they are connected to the support they need.

What advice or message do you have for individuals who may be hesitant to seek help for their mental health or well-being?
To anyone hesitant to seek support for their mental health, I want you to know that you are not alone, and there is help available out there. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about seeking help, but taking that first step can make a world of difference. My favourite quote is “focus on the step in front of you, not the entire staircase” – so focus on that tiny step in front of you, then the next thing, then the next thing.

I avoided seeking support for so many years, and for a number of different reasons. When I reflect, I wish I’d done it sooner because I now have a toolkit and strategies to lean on when things get tough. I never thought that I’d come this far, but I am so pleased that I have.

It might start with seeing a GP, or if that is too overwhelming as a first step, reaching out to a free helpline (BeyondBlue has an online chat service that I use frequently!)

How do you recruit and engage volunteers to write letters, and what motivates them to participate?
Letters of Hope has grown beyond what I ever would have imagined across the last couple of years. People often find out about us through word of mouth, social media, or even receiving a letter – we are seeing this beautiful cycle of letter recipients becoming letter writers which I love. Most of our volunteers are motivated by their own journey and own lived experiences, which makes their letters all the more powerful. I’m so inspired by them each and every day and have been lucky to see the good out there in the world. Given that you can write letters from anywhere, we can reach people who might not otherwise be able to volunteer whether that be because of location, a disability, or struggling for time. Our volunteers contribute in a way that works for them, whether they write a letter every day or once a year. People can register at www.lettersofhope.care

What does the future have in store for Letters of Hope?
Given how quickly we have grown, I hope to see that growth continue. I want to reach more and more people and show them that they are not alone, and I want to continue to inspire people to show kindness to others in the community. I’d love for more people to learn about what we are doing, and recognise how much a small act of kindness can impact someone’s life. I think that’s a message we need to get out there more.

We have had a lot of Corporate support through our workplace mental health programs, including Mental Health First Aid, which fund our charity’s operations. I can’t wait to see that grow more so that we can educate more people about mental health in the workplace, which is so important given that it’s where people spend a lot of their time.

I enjoy working with schools and youth groups, because sometimes it feels like I am speaking to teenage Abbie! So I want us to be able to eventually do more in that space.

What are your Gold Coast favourites:
Café: Side Piece, Varsity Lakes. It’s my daily go-to coffee spot. Their menu is delicious, and their sweet treats (especially the cookies and portuguese tarts) are incredible. Not to mention the staff being so warm and friendly.
Restaurant: My family are visiting soon from the UK, and the first thing they have asked me to do is book a table at On Fire Greek Restaurant in Broadbeach. I took them there last time they came, and they were honestly blown away by the amazing food.
Bar: I don’t know if this counts, because I am yet to try their Gin Bar (have been meaning to for a while) but I absolutely love Miami Marketta. The atmosphere, the music, the food!
Beach: Burleigh Heads/Tallebudgera Creek (it’s hard to choose between the two and I often visit them both the same day!)

How do you choose to spend your days off?
I try to focus a lot on self-care on my days off. I love going out for food, checking out great local spots and sharing it with loved ones, spending time outside walking whether that be on the beach or in the hinterland, I enjoy reading and journaling, and I’ve recently gotten into baking which is such a peaceful experience. I also spend lots of time with my dog Benji.

We don’t mean to startle you before your morning coffee… but what if we told you the Gold Coast sends around 14 tonnes of used coffee grinds to landfill every single week? That’s a whole latte waste. Thankfully, two local legends – Jess and Nat – are doing something about it.

Seed the Ground is a homegrown, female-founded not-for-profit that’s taking composting to the community – one bucket of old broccoli and cold brew grounds at a time. They’ve teamed up with more than 20 Southern GC businesses to turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost and keep it out of our already crammed landfills. And they’ve already diverted a whopping 110 tonnes. Yes, tonnes!

With International Compost Awareness Week (4–10 May) just around the corner, we caught up with the hilarious, big-hearted duo behind the movement to chat dirty bins, early morning coffee runs, and why they’ll never stop fighting for a cleaner, greener Gold Coast.

Spoiler: they’re absolute compost queens.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Jess: The vibe and the lifestyle. Especially in our little pocket where we live in Miami. Everyone is getting outside, enjoying the ocean and there’s a real community feel.

Natalie: I love that the GC isn’t what you’d expect! There are many pockets of greatness! In 2017, I moved here for a 12 month work contract, never expecting to stay AND certainly not expecting to make such great mates like Jess and the arts community of the coast (yes, we have an awesome arts scene here)

Tell us a bit about yourselves.
Jess: I wear lots of hats….I’m a mum, a physio, a lover of exercise and I’m passionate about preserving our natural areas. I’m happiest when I’m either in the ocean or have my hands in the dirt, and it’s this connection to nature that on Seed the Ground.

Natalie: SOOO many caps/hats are worn by us and our team. When I’m not composting or hanging at Pizzey Park with my little daredevils, I am an arts projects producer and currently delivering SURFACE Festival with Miami Marketta & Solstice Brasil at HOTA. Jess & I randomly meet in 2017 in a playground at Talle Creek (little people playing often helps you make friends). Jess told me about The Yards 1/2 price coffees on Tuesdays, so we’d meet up there, spend very little money but talk big about our shared passion for sustainability and community connection.

What is Seed the Ground?
We are a female-founded not-for-profit, dedicated to getting our hands dirty for a clean cause! One of our main goals is to help our community of residents and businesses keep food waste out of landfill. We have set up several Compost Hubs on the Gold Coast. At these Hubs we turn the food waste from local businesses (mostly cafes and childcares) plus local residential food waste, into compost. We then gift-on or sell the nutrient-rich compost.

Why is a not-for-profit like Seed the Ground needed on the Coast?
As a NFP, our only focus is on ensuring the community benefits from our operations. Unlike other states in Australia, the Gold Coast does not have a green bin FOGO program (food organics, green organics). SOOO for most of our community, their food waste is going in the red lid bin and headed to landfill. Other than stinky bins and maggots, there are 3 significant issues with this:
1. Gold Coast’s landfills are FULL and will close in the coming decade.
2. Food waste in landfill generates methane emissions comparable to those from the industrial sector (we call it a toxic sludge sandwich).
3. Food scraps should be seen as a resource not a waste!

To date, we have kept 110 tonnes of food waste out of Gold Coast landfill through community composting initiatives. These low-cost, space-efficient hubs, located in Miami, Burleigh, Varsity, Robina, and Currumbin, offer a viable alternative to traditional commercial waste management where big trucks and lots of land is required.

What do your roles at Seed the Ground entail?
Jess: Every day is different, which is why I love it. My role as director involves getting dirty and composting food scraps at our hubs, as well as managing our grant funding and our accounts with cafes. I’m also involved in planning our educational programs……we have lots of planning and strategy meetings and a heap of fun making our social media content!

Nat: Many moving parts. Jess often says ‘Nat, we’ve got enough going on, no need for more projects.’ But I do dream of growing this company, to a point that our City Council sees us as an important as the picture for tackling our cities waste problems. Also, you’ll often find me at 5am in the bin stations of cafes, collecting buckets of used coffee grinds. At 15 kg/bucket it’s an awesome workout.

How does a cafe get involved with Seed the Ground?
We’re always keen to work with our local cafes! This city serves over 1 million cups of coffee weekly, which means approximately 14 tonnes of used/spent coffee grinds head to landfill. Cafes can head to our website to find out more about our collection service. Heading to our website to sign up or message through socials @seedtheground.com.au

How do GC locals get involved?
Locals can sign up to our Swap and Go service to keep their food scraps put of landfill, they’ll get a compost caddy to fill with their kitchen scraps and we’ll do the dirty work for them. We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to join the movement and help at our compost hubs as well. You can register to volunteer on our website.

What are your Gold Coast favourites?
We have a family of hospitality partners that we LOVE! but… for the purpose of this article…
Cafe: Jess: Holliday in Nobbys.
Nat: That’s Whyld for a good dose of laughter with your cold brew
Restaurant: Jess: Can’t go past the Pav for location & I love the wine list at Moustache.
Nat: Currently I’m do more dining at the Burleigh Farmers Markets than anywhere else! It’s our Saturday morning ritual.
Best beach: Jess: Crisp autumn arvos out the front at Miami. Come in from a fun surf and enjoy the sunset with a wine and good company.
Nat: Throw me in Talle Creek, just at the opening to the ocean and foot of the Burleigh Headlands.

How do you choose to spend your days off?
Jess: Coffee in the sun, surfing and then a lazy arvo reading a good book
Nat: I’m looking for performing arts events and shows! I don’t travel as much now, so I rely on great shows coming to the Gold Coast.

If you haven’t already binged Apple Cider Vinegar, the viral Netflix series that had the internet questioning every wellness influencer they’ve ever followed – where have you been? The mastermind behind the series? Samantha Strauss. A Gold Coast-born writer, producer, and showrunner who took the wild true story of Belle Gibson and turned it into must-watch television.

We caught up with Samantha to chat about her Gold Coast roots, her impressive career and what’s next. Oh, and if you’re wondering where to find her when she’s back on the Coast? Probably at her mum’s dinner table – because, according to her, that’s the best restaurant in town.

How long were you a Gold Coast local and where are you now?
I was born in Southport, went to school at St Hildas and Trinity Lutheran College, university at Bond and lived on the Gold Coast until my mid 20s. I was lucky enough to come home to make the series The End for Foxtel and film all around the Gold Coast and try to represent it in a way it’s not often seen. I’m currently living in Sydney but am about to move to Ireland to make a show.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Family life. I was just home for Christmas and love swimming at Main Beach with my daughter and nieces and walking the dog down at James Overall Park with my Dad and Mum. We all visited the Mt Cougall rock pools on New Year’s Day.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a writer, executive producer and showrunner. I’m the co-founder of Picking Scabs which is my production label. A joint venture with See-Saw Films.

What does your day-to-day job entail?
There are different phases which keeps it interesting. We did the writer’s room for my current project last year. Right now, I’m chained to my chair writing madly. When we go into pre-production, I work with all of the Heads of Department to bring it to life. Locations, casting, schedule. Filmmaking is such a team sport. Then when production starts, I’m on set working with the director and the actors. And when we’re in the edit, I’m with the post-production team helping refine the material. Over and over and over again. It’s a long process.

Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing?
Life, definitely. My family and friends are used to it, so many moments from real-life ending up on screen. They’re very generous about it.

Has there been a personal favourite project to work on and why?
I love all my babies equally and they’re all thrilling – challenging and wonderful – in different ways. But I could not have gotten luckier with my first show, Dance Academy. I learnt to write on the job across 65 episodes and it still plays all over the world.

What career achievement are you most proud of?
Right now, I love the conversation that Apple Cider Vinegar has generated about not trusting everything you see on social media. Especially when it comes to our health.

Can you tell us what you’re working on next?
I adapted Liane Moriarty’s novel The Last Anniversary with the same producing team who made Nine Perfect Strangers and Big Little Lies. It’s out on Binge. March 27th. It’s the first of Liane’s novel adaptations to be set in Australia which feels very special. I absolutely love it. I’m also gearing up to bring Marian Keyes’ novel, Grown Ups, to the screen for Netflix. This will be filmed in Ireland so I’ll be moving there for many months. I love Liane and Marian’s novels so much. I’m very grateful for this moment in time.

What do you think about the film industry on the Gold Coast?
Exciting. I’ve always loved filming on the Gold Coast and would set everything there if I could. The crews are wonderful and so are the locations. It’s very film friendly. I’m very impressed by the work Schuyler Weiss (working with Baz Luhrmann) is doing to make it an even bigger hub for film and television.

What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Restaurant: My Mum’s dinner table. She does all her shopping at Standard Market in Ferry Road.
Bar or place for a drink: I wish! My Gold Coast time these days revolves around playgrounds. The Southport Broadwater one is fantastic. We have nothing like that near us in Sydney.
Hotel: I just stayed at The Langham for the AACTAs and it was absolutely wonderful. We had so much fun at the Palm Court bar and in the magnesium pool.
Beach: I grew up on Main Beach so it has my heart.

How do you choose to spend your days off?
I have a four-year-old, so my days off belong to her. We currently watch Matilda on daily repeat, play with magnets and go to the beach (mostly Curl Curl) here in Sydney.