The word ‘failure’ often connotes a negative experience; the Oxford Dictionary defines it as a “lack of success”.
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But an event coming to Bendigo aims to turn that idea on its head and show how failure can provide an impetus for growth.
The Festival of Failure will be a highlight event of the Bendigo Inventor Awards program, and will bring together individuals from various fields to share their experiences of failure and how they turned them around.
Actor and comedian Dion Williams, who hails from Echuca, is among those who will speak.
Mr Williams’ career was launched when he scored the part of Marlon in Chris Lilley’s series Angry Boys; he has since had a lead role in the Nine Network’s Gallipoli miniseries and roles in the ABC’s Redfern Now and The Time of Our Lives.
Recently he was named runner-up in the Melbourne Comedy Festival Deadly Funny stand-up competition.
Mr Williams said he had experienced numerous unsuccessful auditions in his career, but these had had a positive impact.
“It’s taught me to be more resilient, I believe,” he said.
Mr Williams said this way of thinking was learned, explaining his tendency was to overthink situations.
He credits his father Kevin with helping him strip his focus back to basics and what is within his power.
Mr Williams’ experience competing in Deadly Funny was the result of overcoming fear of failure – it was the first time he had done stand-up.
He admitted he was “terrified”, but simply continued to tell himself it was something he was going to do.
Also a footballer, Mr Williams suffered a recent setback with surgery on his knee, sparking uncertainty as to whether he should continue playing.
But he said he decided to focus on what he needed to do to continue playing, and recently returned to training.
Bendigo Inventor Awards project director David Hughes said the Festival of Failure was an acknowledgement everyone experienced failure, but it was an opportunity from which people could learn and move forward.
He said the event would be both entertaining and inspiring.
Mr Williams’ fellow speakers will include former Bendigo resident and current News Corp national political editor Annika Smethurst and House of Mirrors artist Christian Wagstaff, among others.
Money raised from the July 20 event will go to the prize pool for the Inventor Awards, which have a focus on emergency services and disaster management.
An event will also be held in Melbourne.
For more information, visit www.bendigoinventorawards.com.au.