The PublicAndProud Exhibition, located in Ballarat’s state government offices, was launched by the Victorian Public Tenants Association as part of Victorian Housing Week and aims to address the stigma associated to those living in public housing.

The exhibition features 16 items profiling the likes of famous AFL player Doug Hawkins, actor Bryan Brown and Head of the Business Council of Australia Jennifer Westacott.

VPTA spokesperson Raoul Wainwright said the profiles are designed to give youngsters a sense of empowerment.

“The purpose of the profiles is to target young people who are living in them (public houses) now,” he said.

“These are people who have been in your shoes. It’s about inspiring young people to pick a dream and chase it.”

Mr Wainwright said it’s important to eliminate certain misconceptions surrounding public housing tenants.

“There are people who have done great things with their lives who had had this benefit of receiving the housing they needed at different points in time,” he said.

“(It’s about) empowerment. There’s a stereotypical view of people who live in public housing that’s wildly inaccurate.”

The profiles are mounted across the waiting area of the state government offices.

Christine Couzens – Labor Member of the Victorian Parliament

Doug Hawkins – AFL player

Bryan Brown – Australian actor 

Lorraine Kennedy – Braybrook Community Organiser

Ror Da Poet – Fitzroy Community Organiser

Ann Taylor – Former President of Victorian Trades Hall

Graham Watt – Liberal Member of the Victorian Parliament

Michael Aboujundi – Winner of the Penington Award

Damian Ferrie – Health Centre chief executive

Jennifer Westacott – Head of the Business Council of Australia

Anthony Albanese – Former Deputy Prime Minister

John Hargreaves – former ACT Minister for Housing

Colleen Hartland – Greens Member of the Victorian Parliament

Kellie Harris – Child Care Centre Manager

Martha Monyping – Richmond Community Organiser

Steve McGhie – Secretary of the Ambulance Union