Episode 3
Ode to my Little Friend
Louisa recounts her experience of being sexually abused by her grandfather starting at age six. The abuse was continuous and became more violent as she grew older. Isolated and feeling unable to confide in anyone, she found temporary solace in music and later experimented with drugs as an escape. Despite the trauma, she completed her education, got married, and had children, although the scars of her past remained. Years later, other family members disclosed that they too had been abused by the same grandfather, prompting Louisa and her sisters to seek legal action. However, the case was dropped due to her grandfather's age and health. This revelation fractured her family relationships further. Throughout her life, Louisa remained vigilant in protecting her children from similar harm and openly discussed the dangers of sexual abuse with them. Sharing her story, she hopes to raise awareness and help protect other children from abuse.
L-R: Narrator: Heather Mitchell, Actor: Zoe Carides, Producer: Tanya Lee
Heather Mitchell
Heather Mitchell is one of Australia’s most acclaimed actors.With a career spanning four decades she has performed in hundreds of theatre film and television productions. She has won awards both here and in the US.
Her acting credits include: Ricky Stanicky starring Zac Efron and Love Me season 2 alongside Hugo Weaving. Other screen credits include Upright, The Unusual Suspects, Rake, A Place to Call Home, Spellbinder, Palm Beach and The Great Gatsby. Heather recently received the Sydney Theatre Award for her performance in The Sydney Theatre Company’s RBG Of Many One by Suzie Miller and the AACTA award and Silver Logie for Love Me.
She is on the Board of the Sydney Theatre Company and a Director on the Foundation Board. She was awarded an AM in the 2019 Australia day honours. Everything and Nothing is her first book.