Suellen Cusack Interview: A Song of Strength and Solidarity: Autism Awareness Week 2026
Suellen Cusack has always been an artist shaped by lived experience, but in recent years her work has taken on a deeper resonance. Rooted in her upbringing in regional Australia and strengthened by her journey as a mother to Gabriel — who is level 3 autistic and currently non‑speaking — Suellen has become a powerful voice for awareness, inclusion and authentic storytelling.
Her latest project, a moving rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, arrives as the centrepiece of Autism Awareness Week and reflects the emotional landscape of neurodiverse families: the resilience, the uncertainty, the hope, and the quiet moments of connection that often go unseen.
With a major performance on the Autism Queensland True Colours Cruise and a growing platform as an ambassador, Suellen continues to use her artistry to amplify lived experience and create space for understanding. In this interview, she speaks candidly about motherhood, advocacy, collaboration, and the message she hopes audiences carry with them long after the final note fades.
Your journey began in regional Australia. How did your early life and community shape the artist and advocate you’ve become today?
Growing up in a regional community shaped so much of who I am. There’s a strong sense of looking out for one another and giving back, and that has stayed with me.
Around 20 years ago, I watched my best friend and business partner walk a path that I now find myself on. I saw the dedication, the care, and the determination to give her son the best possible future, even when that future felt uncertain. I also saw what it looks like to come through the other side and watch a child grow and thrive in their own way. That gave me hope, and it still does.
My music and advocacy are grounded in real life. Lived experience sits at the centre of everything I do, and that’s where the authenticity in my storytelling comes from.
Motherhood has played a huge role in your creative direction. How has raising Gabriel, who is level 3 autistic and currently non‑speaking, changed the way you approach music and storytelling?
Motherhood has shaped the way I see the world in every sense, and that naturally flows into my music. Raising Gabriel has deepened that even further. Having a child with additional needs has changed the way I tell stories. There’s a greater depth to it now, and a stronger sense of purpose. My connection with audiences feels more genuine than ever, not just through emotion, but through shared understanding.
It’s also about creating space for awareness. I want my version of this song to reflect the experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as the families and support networks around them.
You’ve spoken about the emotional depth and resilience you see in neurodiverse families. What aspects of that lived experience do you hope listeners feel in your rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone?
For many families raising a child with ASD, the journey can feel isolating at times. This recording is about connection and reassurance. It’s a reminder that you’re not alone, even in the moments that feel the hardest. There are other families walking a similar path, and there’s strength in finding that shared understanding. Whether that connection happens in person or online, it can make all the difference.
This song is iconic and deeply symbolic, what made you choose it as the centrepiece for Autism Awareness Week, and what personal meaning does it hold for you?
The inspiration behind this recording is deeply personal. My son Gabriel, who is level 3 autistic and currently non speaking, has reshaped my understanding of courage, connection and unconditional care. Through him, I’ve seen the quiet strength that exists in so many neurodiverse families. The resilience in everyday moments, the emotional depth, and the hope that carries us forward. Choosing You’ll Never Walk Alone felt like a natural way to honour that experience and share a message of inclusion and understanding.
Your collaboration with Nathan Lay brings a powerful classical presence to the track. What was the creative chemistry like between you both during the recording process?
Working with Nathan Lay has been a wonderful experience. He’s not only incredibly talented, but also kind and thoughtful in the way he approaches his work. There was a real sense of shared purpose throughout the process, and it felt very natural to create something together that carries such an important message. It’s a privilege to release this music alongside him.
You were recently appointed an ambassador for Autism Queensland. How do you hope to use this platform to amplify lived experience and support families like your own?
Through Gabriel, I’ve seen the strength that exists within so many families navigating life with autism. As an ambassador for Autism Queensland, I want to help create greater understanding around acceptance, kindness and advocacy. It’s about contributing to a future where children like my son are supported, valued and included.
Being part of the True Colours campaign is especially meaningful. It celebrates individuality and encourages people to see and appreciate others for who they truly are.
Autism advocacy often involves challenging misconceptions. What are the biggest misunderstandings you hope to shift through your music and public work?
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that autism looks the same for everyone. It’s a spectrum, and no two experiences are alike. The challenges faced by someone with level 1 autism can be very different to those of someone with level 3, and it’s important that we recognise and respect that diversity. Greater awareness helps create more informed, compassionate communities.
You’re preparing for a major concert tied to this release, how does performing You’ll Never Walk Alone live differ emotionally from recording it in the studio?
Performing this piece live is incredibly powerful in a way that’s hard to fully capture in a recording. There’s an energy in the room and a shared connection that builds throughout the performance. Some of the most meaningful moments come afterwards when people come up to share their own stories. Parents and grandparents who feel seen and understood. That connection reminds me why I do what I do.
Many neurodiverse families face barriers when attending live events. Have you incorporated any inclusive or sensory‑considerate elements into the concert experience?
This concert feels like a milestone in both your artistic and advocacy journeys. What do you hope audiences, especially those from the neurodiverse community take away from the night?
I will be performing You’ll Never Walk Alone live on the Autism Queensland True Colours cruise along the Brisbane River, where iconic landmarks will be lit up in recognition of Autism Awareness Week. To be a part of this event is incredibly meaningful and I hope the audience comes away feeling a sense of connection and understanding. Especially for those in the neurodiverse community, I hope it feels like a moment where their experiences are recognised and valued.
About the Author
Andrew Bistak When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.
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