Motivational Speaker

“Marianne is a passionate teacher with outstanding communication skills. She is kind, creative, and empathetic toward people and wants nothing more than to make the world a brighter, happier place to live.”
— Operations Manager, Starstruck, 2017

About Marianne

As a breast cancer survivor, Marianne draws upon her personal experiences to inspire others to find their purpose and create positive change in their lives. She enjoys a diverse range of artistic pursuits, including drawing, painting, singing, performing, scriptwriting, and empowering individuals of all ages to feel confident in their creative endeavors.

Marianne holds a Graduate Diploma in Teaching from Central Queensland University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology through Open Universities. Her experience from 2004 to 2010 as a facilitator, supervisor, and counselor for a community organization enriches her approach at Starlet Creative Industries, allowing her to support individuals and community groups in overcoming obstacles, developing confidence, and applying these skills to their arts projects.

Our Journey

Starlet Creative Industries was established in 2014 initially to support community theatre. However, after the tragic loss of two family members in 2016, Marianne redirected the organization’s mission to become a social enterprise focused on fostering resilience and hope among students. We aim to equip young people with the skills and opportunities to rise above adversity.

In memory of her brother, Stephen Buchanan (October 1990 – May 2016), and cousin, Ben Spencer (April 1990 – October 2016), Marianne dedicates Starlet Creative Industries as a social enterprise to their memory. Stephen was a talented theatre set designer before being diagnosed with leukemia in 2015. Ben, a philosophy student, supported Stephen through his treatment but struggled with the profound loss of his best friend & cousin Stephen, ending his life just five months later. Their legacy of creativity, critical thinking, and compassion drives Starlet Creative Industries forward.

A percentage of profits from Starlet Creative Industries is dedicated to supporting Amity Place to assist individuals and families facing adversity.

Testimonials

“Marianne was invaluable to the operation of our school musical ‘Doctor Who’. She ran lunchtime sessions and drama activities in the classroom, generously donating her time to attend rehearsals and performances.”
— Primary School Teacher, Northern Suburbs, Brisbane, 2014

“I appreciated and valued Marianne’s informative and friendly delivery of drama tuition. She was both fun and nurturing, skilled at identifying and fostering individual creativity while encouraging effective expression of ideas and emotions. Marianne’s commitment to these sessions was 100%.”
— Community Member, Brisbane, 2015