Connection in Action at Camp SAY: AU 2026

In January, they welcomed a record 30 young people who stutter to Creswick, with the majority attending for the very first time. Campers travelled from across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, arriving as strangers and leaving as a connected community. For many, it was the first time they had met another young person who stutters.

The Stuttering Association for the Young Australia (SAY: AU) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young people who stutter and their families through community, connection, and confidence-building programs. Founded in Melbourne in 2019, SAY: AU began with just seven young people participating in a local Melbourne-based program. From those small beginnings, the organisation has grown into a national community, now welcoming young people from across Australia to its camps and year-round initiatives.

This year also marked an important evolution in our program. For the first time, we extended camp to a full week, building on the five-day format of previous years. That extra time mattered. It allowed friendships to deepen, conversations to unfold more naturally, and space for reflection and storytelling. Rather than rushing from one activity to the next, campers had time to simply sit together, share experiences, and realise they were not alone.

One powerful addition to the program was our staff panel. Adults who stutter - many now at different stages of their careers and lives - shared their journeys openly and honestly. Campers asked thoughtful, courageous questions: What was it like starting university? Do you still stutter at work? How did you handle presentations? The discussion was candid and hopeful, offering real-world perspectives and visible role models. For many young people, seeing confident adults who stutter broadened their sense of what is possible.

Another highlight was a full morning dedicated to 'Confident Voices.' Campers and staff collaborated on creative performances (such as spoken word, skits, storytelling, music) before presenting them to the whole group. Standing up to speak in front of peers can be daunting for any young person; doing so in a space where every listener understands the vulnerability involved made it transformative. In that room, voices were not hurried, corrected, or judged - they were heard, valued, and celebrated.

Camp SAY: AU continues to grow, not just in numbers, but in depth. As Vice President A/Prof Elaina Kefalianos and I work alongside our dedicated SAY: AU team, we remain committed to creating spaces where young people who stutter can build confidence, connection, and pride in their voices.

Camp is more than a week away. It is a reminder that every voice matters.