Meet Sarah Molnar, Art of the Minds
Art of the Minds’ focuses on finding creative ways to engage the Surf Coast community through conversations around mental health while reducing the stigma of living with a mental illness.
Sarah Molnar (top, first from left) has stepped up from Vice President to President, taking over from the founder.
Each year they hold around 30 events during Mental Health Week, empowering people to share their stories, challenge stereotypes, and find strength in community.
Art of the Minds was recipient of a 2024 Ashbury Community Fund grant.
How are you been involved in Art of the Minds?
SM: Throughout my time with Art of the Minds, I’ve been deeply involved in both the strategic direction of the festival and the delivery of community-based initiatives.
In addition to my leadership role, I also facilitate Mental Health First Aid training as part of our mission to create a more mentally health-aware community on the Surf Coast.
What are some changes you/the community group has been able to make that you have seen?
SM: Our events are intentionally diverse, from our annual song contest to poetry slams, offering something for all ages and backgrounds, while keeping the topic of mental health front and centre.
A key initiative has been our Surf Coast MHFA 500 campaign, launched in 2025. This bold goal aims to see 500 locals trained in Mental Health First Aid, creating a more compassionate and informed community response to mental illness.
Our work has supported countless individuals to feel seen, supported, and safe, and continues to drive meaningful, long-term change in the region.
What does Art of the Minds have planned next?
SM: Our Medical Health First Aid 500 Initiative was launched this month, and we are aiming to train 500 Surf Coast residents in Mental Health First aid – for free, removing the financial barrier to this training.
Highlights from 2025 so far?
SM: Our HER Story event in May, which Ashbury Community Fund provided funding towards, was a beautiful and very special event.
The event’s keynote speaker was mental health expert and author Kabinga Mazaba, who shared her own story of resilience, as well as insights on moving through trauma from her best-selling book CONFRONT: Reclaim Your Life, released in January last year.
The audience also heard from Rachel Bishop, the founder of EndoArt, a series of creative workshops for people with endometriosis, and five-time mayor and Medal of the Order of Australia recipient Rose Hodge.
The event concluded with performances from Art of the Minds vice-president Elizabeth Riordan, 2024 Art of the Minds songwriting competition finalist Jasmine Jade, and the Secret Songwriters Club, a music project for preteen girls aged between eight and 12 led by Melody Moon.