By Lia Bichel
In a frightening attack that resembled a scene from a horror movie, Laurey Hamling woke from her friend’s couch to find a women standing above her holding a kitchen knife.
She put her hand above her face to protect herself, but was stabbed repeatedly in her arm and leg.
The sickening assault came to an end when the attacker, who Ms Hamling had met only two days before, accidentally stabbed herself.
One man at the house seized the weapon and the other called emergency services.
A year since the shocking incident, Ms Hamling, who had a promising future in musical theatre, and was a promotions model and make-up artist has defeated the odds and will be performing in the Dandenong Theatre Company’s Rewind, Fast-forward in Hallam this month.
Until she was attacked, performing arts had been a huge part of Ms Hamling’s life.
At the age of four, she studied dance at the Melbourne Dance Academy. She learned music theory and clarinet, pursued her love of musical theatre at Dance Factory and Dance World 301, took voice lessons and studied drama.
She had stints on Neighbours, City Homicide and television commercials.
Besides dancing and acting, Ms Hamling, 28, was proving to be a promising make-up artist and was scheduled to work for L’Oreal Fashion Week the day she was stabbed.
“After the stabbing, I was in hospital for four days. I had surgery and was only allowed to leave the hospital to go to my parents, where they had to care for me with the help of a nurse assist,” she said.
“My independence was gone. I was like a baby. I needed help to shower, dress myself and go to the toilet. I couldn’t walk because of the injury to my left leg. I couldn’t use my left arm – and I am left-handed.”
Ms Hamling had to stop doing what she was most passionate about in life- make-up artistry and dancing.
She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, was scared to sleep, was paranoid that her attacker would find her, was withdrawn from friends, and turned to food for comfort – gaining 20 kilos.
Ms Hamling received some comfort when, on 29 November, her attacker was jailed for three years for intentionally causing serious injury.
Also in November, eight months after the attack, Ms Hamling’s sister-in-law Kelly Price made a suggestion which would ultimately change her life.
“She encouraged me to audition for a play, but I said no. Only two months before I was re-teaching myself to walk again,” she said.
“But Kelly kept encouraging me, so I agreed.”
Having not danced since the attack, Ms Hamling said she was extremely nervous when she auditioned for a role in Rewind, Fast-Forward which involved dancing for three hours in front of the production team.
“I have always expected a lot of myself, so I was determined to prove that I could do it,” she said.
“I didn’t tell them I was stabbed, because I didn’t want that to jeopardise my chances. I wanted to feel normal.”
To her surprise, Ms Hamling was told that evening she received a part as a feature dancer and ensemble in the play, alongside Ms Price.
Now, Ms Hamling rehearses three times a week and said she was looking forward to the performance, which will be on one day and six evenings at Hallam this month.
She only told her fellow cast members this week about her painful past and was overwhelmed by their response.
Ms Price said Ms Hamling’s story lifted everyone’s spirits and brought them closer together.
“She inspired everyone,” Ms Price said.
“I have known Laurey since she was 14, so I always knew what she was capable of. I am so proud of her for what she has achieved.”
Ms Hamling said the play had given her a newfound hope for a better future.
“It’s made me realise you just have to believe in yourself,” she said.
“You can’t let tragedy defeat you. You need to never give up and fulfill your passion.”
For more information or to book to see Rewind, Fast Forward visit www.dandenongtheatre.org.au
