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19 April 2026
By Fiona Bridger, Senior Researcher and Writer
Sometimes the most powerful moments begin with the simplest question.
As part of National Reconciliation Week, Achieve Australia recently hosted a yarning circle at one of our North Ryde homes. We gathered outside beneath beautiful gum trees, on Country, as sunshine broke through and the rain politely decided to take a break. It felt like the kind of weather that shows up just when you need it most, setting the tone for what was about to unfold.
The yarning circle began with an Acknowledgement of Country, recognising the Traditional Custodians of the land and paying respect to Elders past and present. Then we came together in a circle and asked a simple question:
What makes you happy?
At first, there was a gentle awkwardness. The kind that lives in any group when silence arrives before courage does. A few smiles, a few glances around, a few people wondering if there was a “right answer”.
But slowly, the circle softened. People began to speak. Laughter appeared. Shoulders relaxed. The space shifted from uncertain to alive.
People shared joy in the simple things. Music that lifts the mood. Walks in nature where the world feels a little quieter. Road trips with no strict destination. Coffee outings, favourite places, and yes, chocolate. A surprising amount of chocolate which felt less like a preference and more like a shared life philosophy.
One of the most moving parts of the morning came when the conversation turned to people who communicate non-verbally.
Team members shared what they know brings happiness to the people they support, and wht stood out was the depth of knowledge, care and genuine affection in every word. These were not assumptions. They were reflections shaped by years of trust, shared routines, daily moments, and deep connection.
They spoke about favourite songs, familiar places, treasured routines and the small things that bring comfort and joy. As they shared, you could see it clearly in the faces of the people they support. Smiles appeared. Eyes brightened. Heads nodded. There was a quiet recognition that said, without words, “Yes, you know me.”
It was one of those moments where communication goes far beyond language. It becomes understanding. It becomes relationship. It becomes care you can see.
We also heard from employees about their own happiness. Many shared that they feel most fulfilled at work. They spoke about belonging, friendship, purpose, and the joy of being part of something that genuinely matters. It was a reminder that connection is not one-sided. It flows in every direction.
People from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences sat together as equals. Some were born in Australia, while others came from countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. Some lived with disability, while others did not. Yet in that moment, those differences mattered far less than the shared humanity that connected everyone in the circle.
As stories were shared, a simple truth appeared. Happiness is rarely loud or complicated. It is often found in music, kindness, laughter, sunlight, and being truly seen by another person.
The yarning circle left everyone with something special: a reminder that when we take the time to listen, connect and learn from one another, we discover just how beautifully intertwined our lives really are.