Lost Dogs of Hope
We all feel lost sometimes. The most important thing is knowing we don’t have to find our way back alone.
Lost Dogs of Hope is a Gillie and Marc art project created to encourage people to talk openly about the moments in life when they have felt lost, frightened or alone — and to remind others experiencing those feelings that they are not alone.
Where It Began
The idea grew from Gillie and Marc’s original Lost Dogs project. In 2013, the artists created 100 dog sculptures and placed them throughout Sydney. Within a month, all but three had disappeared, with many taken by members of the public. The Lost Dogs developed an unexpected following, with some reportedly continuing to appear in homes and unusual locations around Sydney.
But the idea of a “lost dog” came to represent something much bigger.
At some point in our lives, almost all of us will experience a time when we feel lost. We may feel overwhelmed, uncertain about the future or simply unsure of how to find our way forward.
Gillie and Marc realised that sharing these experiences could help others understand that feeling lost is something many of us experience — including people whose lives may appear successful or perfect from the outside.
Sharing Stories of Hope
Lost Dogs of Hope became a series of intimate short films featuring well-known Australians speaking honestly about times in their lives when they had struggled, felt lost or reached a particularly difficult point.
Gillie began by sharing her own deeply personal story about becoming a mother for the first time. At home with a newborn, isolated, overwhelmed and frightened, she remembered reaching a point where she felt she simply couldn't cope.
The response was extraordinary. People began sharing their own experiences, leaving messages and reaching out privately to say that hearing Gillie speak so openly had made them feel less alone.
It demonstrated something incredibly simple but powerful:
When one person has the courage to say, “I’ve felt this too,” someone else may finally feel able to talk.
Who Took Part?
Gillie and Marc were privileged to have people including Mia Freedman, Neale Whitaker, Olympian Elka Whalan, surfing champion Layne Beachley, actresses Allison Cratchley and Jolene Andersen, and television personality and blogger Lisa Clark share their own stories.
Each conversation was different, but together they carried the same message: there should be no shame in admitting that life can sometimes be difficult.
By speaking openly, these participants helped create conversations around vulnerability, loneliness and asking for help — conversations that can make an enormous difference to someone who is struggling.
What Can You Do?
Talk. Listen. Share your story. And most importantly, remind the people around you that they don't have to face difficult times alone.
Lost Dogs of Hope is about creating connection through honesty. Sometimes hearing another person's story is all it takes to realise that what you're experiencing isn't something you have to hide.
Share your story on social media using #LostDogsOfHope and #GillieAndMarc and help someone else feel a little less alone.
Because sometimes a small conversation can make an enormous difference.
If you are struggling or feeling overwhelmed, consider speaking with someone you trust, your GP, or a professional support service such as Beyond Blue.
VIDEO
Lost Dogs of Hope Finale
Our Lost Dogs have always represented the moments in life when we feel lost — something every one of us experiences at some point.
We created the Lost Dogs of Hope Project to start a conversation about those difficult moments and remind people that feeling lost is part of being human — and that no one has to go through it alone.
What happened next was extraordinary. In just 10 weeks, the videos reached millions of people, with incredible Australians including Mia Freedman, Layne Beachley and Matt Moran sharing their own deeply personal stories. Most importantly, people everywhere began sharing theirs too.
This is the final film in the Lost Dogs of Hope series, but we don't want the conversation to end here.
Please watch it. Share it. Talk to someone. Listen to someone.
When you've lost your way, hope can be the first step towards finding yourself again.
The conversation has begun. Let’s keep it going.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Layne Beachley
Seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley is the epitome of strength, yet even she has experienced fear, abandonment and rejection.
In this deeply personal Lost Dogs of Hope interview, Layne reminds us that no matter how strong or successful we appear, we can all feel lost sometimes.
Please watch and share her story to help others feel less alone.Talking can be the first step to finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Elka Whalan
Olympic swimmer Elka Whalan opens up about experiencing a breakdown during what should have been one of the happiest times of her life. Instead, she felt empty, overwhelmed and struggled with a loss of identity.
In this deeply personal Lost Dogs of Hope interview, Elka reminds us that feeling lost can happen to anyone.
Please watch and share her story to help others feel less alone.
Talking can be the first step to finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Heather Maltman
Actress and host Heather Maltman opens up about being badly bullied at school and the fear and isolation it caused.
By bravely sharing her experience, Heather reminds us of the lasting impact bullying can have — and why no one should ever feel they have to face it alone.
Please watch and share her Lost Dogs of Hope story to help others feel less alone.
Talking can be the first step to finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Leigh Campbell
Lifestyle editor Leigh Campbell shares the terrifying experience of her first panic attack and the secrecy and isolation that followed.
In this personal Lost Dogs of Hope interview, Leigh talks about the moment she decided things needed to change and began finding her way forward.
Please watch and share her story to help others feel less alone.
When you feel lost, hope can be the first step towards finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Matt Moran
Celebrity chef and TV personality Matt Moran struggled at school and felt little passion for his future until he landed a job washing dishes at Parramatta RSL.
In this inspiring Lost Dogs of Hope interview, Matt shares how a kid from Western Sydney who once felt lost discovered his direction and went on to build an extraordinary career.
Please watch and share his story to help others feel less alone.
Sometimes finding your way starts in the most unexpected place.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Jolene Anderson
Actress Jolene Anderson knows firsthand what can happen when we bottle things up. After a tragic experience left her struggling and vulnerable, she learned the importance of opening up and talking.
In this deeply personal Lost Dogs of Hope interview, Jolene bravely shares her story and how she found her way forward.
Please watch and share to help others feel less alone.
Talking can be the first step to finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Allison Cratchley
Actress Allison Cratchley bravely shares one of the most difficult decisions she has ever made — a choice that ultimately meant losing all of her friends.
In this deeply personal Lost Dogs of Hope interview, Allison reminds us how difficult finding your own path can sometimes be.
Please watch and share her story to help others feel less alone.
Talking can be the first step to finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Mia Freedman
We’re so grateful to Mia Freedman, co-founder of Mamamia, for opening up about an incredibly difficult time in her life when she felt completely lost.
By sharing such a personal experience, Mia reminds us that even when someone appears strong and successful, they may be struggling behind the scenes.
Please watch and share her Lost Dogs of Hope story to help others feel less alone.
Talking can be the first step to finding your way again.
Lost Dogs of Hope – Gillie Schattner
This is one of our most personal videos. Gillie Schattner opens up about a time in her life when she felt completely lost, overwhelmed and alone.
It became the first interview in our Lost Dogs of Hope series, created to remind people that we all feel lost sometimes — and that talking about it can be the first step towards finding your way again.
Have you ever felt lost?
Lost Dogs of Hope – Lisa Clark
Blogger and TV personality Lisa Clark opens up with incredible honesty about a time in her life when she hit rock bottom and felt completely lost.
This is the second interview in our Lost Dogs of Hope series, reminding us that everyone can feel lost — and that talking about it can be the first step towards finding your way again.
When did you last feel lost?
Lost Dogs of Hope – Neale Whitaker
We were incredibly moved by Neale Whitaker’s openness in sharing a time when he felt lost.
His story reminds us that no matter how accomplished or successful someone may appear, we can all experience moments when we lose our way.
This is the third interview in our Lost Dogs of Hope series, encouraging people to talk openly and help others feel less alone.
When did you last feel lost?
