Madeleine West joins forces with SA lawyer Andrew Carpenter for Super for Survivors campaign

The former Neighbours star and childhood sexual abuse survivor has joined forces with an Adelaide lawyer to fight to change superannuation laws for the benefit of victims of abuse.

Madeleine West says working on her new Adelaide show has been like a form of therapy after revealing for the first time this year that she is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

The former Neighbours actor has arrived in Adelaide to star in The Very Last List of Vivian Walker, on Wednesday and Thursday at Star Theatre.

Based on the book by Megan Albany, West plays a woman who has a list of jobs to complete before succumbing to terminal cancer.

The 42-year-old – who revealed in January she was sexually abused as a child as part of News Corp’s Predatory podcast – said the show has allowed her to express her emotions during a challenging time.

“The show has been like therapy for me. It’s really allowed me to express all my feelings,” she said.

Andrew Carpenter and Madeleine West in Hutt Street, Adelaide. Picture: Ben Clark

Madeleine West’s one-woman show, The Very Last List of Vivian Walker, kicks off in Adelaide on Wednesday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

On Tuesday Ms West expressed her excitement at being in Adelaide on her Instagram story.

“Someone point me in the direction of Rundle Mall, Haighs here I come,” Ms West said after she arrived in Adelaide.

The actress also announced the Websters Lawyers exclusive prize package to see the show to five lucky winners.

West has also joined the fight to change superannuation laws to allow victims access to the retirement funds of their abusers as compensation for the trauma they’ve endured.

The Super for Survivors campaign also includes Adelaide lawyer Andrew Carpenter, Fighters Against Childhood Abuse Australia (‘FACAA’), the Grace Tame Foundation and the Carly Ryan Foundation.

West said it’s a “passion” of hers to “shift the focus from rehabilitation of perpetrators” of sexual abuse and to focus on victims who “bare a life sentence”.

Madeleine West posted to Instagram with the caption: “#adelaidefringe here I come”. Picture: Instagram

Madeleine said she was excited to buy Haighs chocolate. Picture: Instagram

She said the number of people that have stopped her on the street to thank her for her disclosure is a reflection of the statistics around sexual abuse.

“I’m stopped on the street at least three times a day,” West said.

“It takes my breath away the amount of people that have thanked me for my disclosure.”

Mr Carpenter said current statistics show that one in four girls and one in six boys will “suffer some form of sexual abuse”.

He said he is thankful that Ms West has come forward to advocate alongside him.

Ms West said it’s important for people to have “uncomfortable” conversations about sexual abuse in order to spread awareness.

“Change is necessary,” she said.

Adelaide man’s ‘second shot’ at life after nine days in a coma

When Luke Mann had a stroke, fatigue and sleep issues became part of life.

But now, the SA man is using the experience to make his dreams a reality.

“I make sense of my situation and make disability more accessible by sharing my ups and downs through humour,” the 31 year old said.

“I love nothing better than to get on stage, crack a few jokes and read one of my poems.”

Mr Mann was just 26 years old when, in August 2018, he had a life altering-stroke.

After nine days in a coma, he was left with cognitive issues, fatigue and loss of concentration.

But also, a “second shot” at life.

“I feel a keen sense of responsibility to make the most of my second shot at life – for my family, friends and for myself,” he said.

“I also feel a responsibility to live life to the fullest … I think that it would be a waste and unfair if I didn’t.”

Luke Mann is performing a comedy show this year after his life-changed in 2018 when he had a stroke. Picture: Simon Cross

That is why now, almost five years later, Mr Mann is performing at Ayers House – with his latest show, Flukey Lukey – Sleepless in Adelaide, touching on his fatigue and sleep issues.

Mr Mann said he had always dreamt of getting up on stage but it wasn’t until he had his stroke that his attitude changed.

“I don’t fight against myself anymore, which frees me up to pursue my dreams,” he said.

The comedian has had to adjust the show by using a text-to-speech program because of his current speech problems.

Luke Mann will perform Flukey Lukey – Sleepless in Adelaide on Saturday, March 18, at 6pm in the library at Ayers House on North Tce.