Get Off The Bench Podcast (Kerryn Vaughan)

Welcome to the Get Off The Bench podcast! This first episode is an introduction to the podcast giving you some background information. The podcast is a follow up to the book ‘Get Off The Bench’ written by Kerryn Vaughan, and naturally Kerryn is the host. Primarily this podcast exists to showcase people who have backed themselves and are having a go, in the hope that others will be inspired to ‘get off the bench’ and do the thing they’ve always wanted to do, but even this podcast started very shaky. Enjoy!

Mentions:

‘Get Off The Bench!’ book - https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/get-off-the-bench

‘Magnificent Kids!’ book - https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/magnificent-kids

Girls With Hammers - https://girlswithhammers.com.au

One Planet Classrooms - https://www.oneplanetclassrooms.com

Kerryn Vaughan - https://www.kerrynvaughan.com

Caitlin Grigsby shares her journey into taking a leap and starting her own HR business - Full Circle HR, as well founding the Gippsland Pride Initiative. Caitlin and her wife Meleah donated their house to Big Sky Sanctuary for animals and she shares how this was one of the best things they’ve ever done.

Full Circle HR supports small to medium businesses, non profits and community groups with all things HR and governance, management and policy.

Caitlin also talks about living in a caravan in her sister's generous garage while the building of their forever home is underway.

Mentions:
Full Circle HR & Business Service - https://www.facebook.com/fullcirclebusiness
Gippsland Pride Initiative - https://www.facebook.com/gippslandprideinitiative
Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby - https://www.facebook.com/GippslandRangesRD
Big Sky Sanctuary - https://www.bigskysanctuary.org

Want to meet a passionate man who never sleeps due to his enthusiasm for life and constant breaking down of barriers to make the world a better place? Then it’s hard to go past Footys4all’s Volunteer Founding Director Michael Gallus.
​
Michael was born in Fiji and came to Australia when he was 2. He is married to Amanda and father of three children Thomas, Lily and Benjamin. In addition to founding and directing Footys4all Michael is the Pakistan International AFL Female Coach, primary school teacher, Hero Round Table motivational speaker, Uber driver, community sporting coach, founding director of MGG Educators and Motivators and a Maths tutor to special needs children.
​
It was through his years of experience as a father, coach and teacher that he witnessed first hand the positive impact that sport had on children and youth. When he turned 40 and had his first midlife crisis, so his daughter told him, he started the volunteer children’s sporting charity Footys4all to distribute hope and a sporting opportunity to children in need. Footys4all gives disadvantaged and under privileged children around Australia and across the world, equal sporting opportunities through the provision of a sporting clinic and the gift of a new ball.

Footys4all is a totally volunteer run organisation and due to its passionate and worldwide supporter network, it has gifted sporting opportunities to over 25,000 children in need in
8 years of operation. Essendon AFL aboriginal legend Michael Long is the Footys4all ambassador, and 2010 Australian of the Year Professor Pat McGorry is a board member.

Footys4all is changing kids lives one ball at a time across Australia and around the world through its volunteer programs in Fiji, Pakistan, Africa and New Zealand.
​
Michael's volunteer work as the Founding Director of Footys4all has seen him awarded the 2017 Premier of Victoria Champion Volunteer Impact Award, the Pride of Australia Medal in 2016 and nominated for Australian of the Year in 2015.

Mentions:

Footys4all - https://www.facebook.com/Footys4All

Hero Round Table - http://heroroundtable.com

MGG Motivators & Educators - https://www.mggeducatorsmotivators.com

A colony of bees teaches us that we aren’t in this life alone, we have (if we want to!) an entire community around us that want to support and encourage us.

Maybe this is the reason Caroline Hammond became a beekeeper.

Moving to West Gippsland, Victoria from Brisbane about 8 years ago, Caroline sought to find a healthier lifestyle where she could be a valued part of her community.

After being there a few years, Caroline found the most idyllic place in the hills to call home and started to implement the self-sufficient lifestyle model/principles which she had yearned for since leaving the family sugar cane home in Queensland as a teenager.

She always knew she had a connection with nature and animals.

After setting up the perfect chook run, Caroline decided that she would now get bees, you know for pollination…and honey…and wax products…and mead!

Caroline’s idea was that she would be a classic beekeeper who used every element of the hive…in a no wastage principle.

Well…after only a short period, Caroline found herself working intensively with her mentor in his bee business and was soon out mentoring beekeeping clients and managing hives, as well as helping to run the day to day aspects of the business. She had made so many wonderful connections with people from all over Victoria in the beekeeping industry - an amazing community of people in itself. But more locally, she thought she’d really found her passion, being outside with nature… You see Caroline is from a corporate background, in her words ‘chained to a desk/computer/telephone’ and her health was starting to really show the signs of the imbalance this created.

A bitter sweet situation occurred where the above mentioned business no longer continued to operate, but Caroline found support from people around her and decided to start her own small business.

Come Fly With Me Beekeeping is her little bee business which was born to celebrate the connections we have with each other and our environment through the meeting and mentoring of like-minded people.

Her main focus is in mentoring beekeepers and helping them find their wings in this fascinating hobby. Through her techniques of teaching, she aims to empower confidence and understanding in people around her who are willing to give things a go.

To compliment her mentoring, she also has around 30 honey production hives across the West Gippsland region. These bees are nurtured to produce local honey, with all the amazing health benefits that Raw Honey has… and that list is long! She also has a good selection of beekeeping equipment and products such as protective clothing, paradise honey hive equipment, raw honey, unique gifts and artwork. She provides extraction services and sets up live bee colonies in the spring, among other things!

Whilst Caroline’s little piece of paradise is located in West Gippsland (Victoria, Australia), she finds herself travelling long distances locally, so if you happen to be located in the wonderful region of Gippsland, she’s able to help.

She thoroughly enjoys spending time with so many different people who she then has the pleasure of seeing grow with confidence and fascination through the activity of keeping bees. And I think that’s what has had her hooked from the beginning.

So, as Caroline says 'come fly with me, enjoy the journey’.

Get in touch with Caroline if there’s anything you’d like to ask -she really does love a good chat and a cuppa!

www.comeflywithmebeekeeping.com.au

Instagram - @comeflywithmebeekeeping

Matt Langdon has traveled the world teaching people how to be heroes. Through keynotes, workshops, and coaching, he helps people move from potential bystander to hero-in-waiting. He is as comfortable running an intimate day-long workshop for twenty global executives as he is addressing an audience of over 500 in a university, high school, or major event across the globe.

He has interviewed on stage many celebrities and thinkers, including Daniel Ellsberg, Philip Zimbardo, Joe Gatto, Edith Eger, Len Wein, Chase Masterson, & DeRay McKesson.

Matt is the creator of Hero Round Table that hosts conferences all over the world, and sets the stage for everyday heroes. As Matt says, he created the conference he would want to attend.

Mentions:

Hero Round Table - heroroundtable.com

From a young age, Kate had a passion for the oceans and this was only deepened when Kate moved to Melbourne in 2014 where she joined Sea Shepherd, an international, marine focussed environmental group with a mission to Defend, Conserve and Protect our oceans. Kate joined Sea Shepherd because she was passionate about preserving our planet and felt she could no longer be a bystander, anxious about threats to marine habitats. Starting off as an onshore volunteer; Kate spent her time fundraising for the organisation and promoting marine conservation in her spare time. She then signed up to crew on board the Sea Shepherd vessels and has since taken part in 6 campaigns off shore, starting with an Antarctica campaign to oppose Japanese whaling and most recently has been concentrating her efforts on defending the world’s most endangered marine mammal, the Vaquita Porpoise, from becoming extinct in Mexico.

Kate also decided she wanted to fundraise for this cause, managing to raise just under $7000 that was spent directly towards keeping the ships at sea and the crews fed and safe Mexico. Kate wanted to raise awareness for the plight of this animal and along with another Sea Shepherd crew member they did just that, by walking 400km in 20 days down the west coast of the USA, along the Pacific Crest Trail in January of this year. Sadly due to COVID these vessels are no longer able to patrol the area and for the few remaining Vaquita (estimated between 6-19) things are looking increasingly desperate.

Mentions:

Sea Shepherd - https://www.seashepherd.org.au/

Whale Wars (series) - https://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/whale-wars/

Animal Planet - https://www.animalplanet.com/

Cowspiracy (film) - https://www.cowspiracy.com/

The Cove (film) - https://www.opsociety.org/our-work/films/the-cove/

Blackfish (film) - http://www.blackfishmovie.com/

Sea of Shadows (film)- https://films.nationalgeographic.com/sea-of-shadows?fbclid=IwAR3aUzAFV2MhDcVxwCrJUp2tz4HGlDkcafM0ZJHJnQz5OIkEejDEyzrmcrs

Wild (movie) - https://www.searchlightpictures.com/wild/

Racing Extinction (documentary) - https://racingextinction.com/

Feral - George Monbiot (book) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feral_(Monbiot_book)

Lamave - https://www.lamave.org/

Hero Round Table - http://heroroundtable.com/

Personal Development Facilitator | Curator of Transformational Experiences| Leadership Training Expert | Purposeful Travel Advocate | CEO at Venture Within

Escaping the rat-race, Christy found herself in Nicaragua, deep in the jungle (but still close to the beach), and through this found inner-peace that kickstarted a whole new adventure.

Christy’s professional education expertise has afforded her the opportunity to work all over the world. Since achieving a Masters Degree and Teaching Credentials in Sussex, England, she has delivered educational and leadership initiatives internationally to individuals in the UK, Europe, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, South Africa, Canada, the USA, and Australia. After successfully creating and developing EDventure International, an organization combining leadership development, education, and conservation projects overseas, she launched Venture Within.

Her passion is creating transformational experiences for personal and professional growth through overseas immersion, coaching, and mentoring workshops, and adventurous experiences abroad. She enables and inspires others to live a full and meaningful life.

As Christy’s line up of 2020 Retreats has been paused due to COVID-19, she is working with one on one coaching clients, teaching personal growth and leadership for teenagers online, working on two books and a podcast about Expat Life, and has a youtube channel featuring BED TALKS.

Her lifestyle is the envy of many, as she still manages to find time for all the things that were important beyond work - yoga, guitar, pondering life while walking the beach, and stealing the neighbour's 80lb puppy who’s cuddles are second to none!

In this episode, we chat about how travel and teaching has taken Christy around the world in life and business, eventually living the ex-pat life in Nicaragua.

We explore WHY she started Venture Within, the "Ah-ha!" moment, personal breakthroughs and the magic people find on her Retreats, and how she’s keeping her own love for her business alive through Covid-19.

Mentions:

Venture Within - www.venture-within.com

Leah Mether helps people get out of their own way with the development of soft skills (which are really hard).

She is a speaker, trainer, coach, facilitator and author of the book Soft is the New Hard: How to Communicate Effectively Under Pressure.

With a background in leadership, corporate communications and journalism, Leah works with executives, leaders and employees across Australia to help them improve their communication, mindset and self-management.

Leah lives in the small town of Willow Grove overlooking Blue Rock Lake in Gippsland, Victoria with her husband and three energetic sons.

She is a dedicated community volunteer, trained speaker for beyondblue, and a raging chocoholic.

In this episode we speak about everything from the importance of backing yourself, through to starting a business, overcoming fear, the problem with perfection, communication under pressure, emotional intelligence, and self-management at times of stress.

Mentions:

Leah Mether - https://www.leahmether.com.au/

Brene Brown podcast - https://brenebrown.com/unlockingus/

Girls With Hammers - https://girlswithhammers.com.au/

Viktor Frankl - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl

Jim Collins - https://www.jimcollins.com/

James Stockdale - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stockdale

Stockdale Paradox - https://www.jimcollins.com/media_topics/TheStockdaleParadox.html

Leah’s Values checklist and other resources - https://www.leahmether.com.au/resources/

Questions:

What is it like to me around me?

What emotion am I feeling at the moment?

How am I doing at the moment?

How am I feeling?

What’s the worst that can happen?

What’s the reality if it did happen?

How do I mitigate the worst from happening?

Who am I?

Who do I want to be?

Kate Austin is the founder of Australian Not-for-Profit, Pinchapoo. After living through many years of domestic violence, and eventually ending in a situation that almost cost her life, Kate decided that nobody should ever have to go through what she experienced.

What started out as a sneaky movement to get people to pinch their hotel shampoo, has see Pinchapoo grow to become the biggest national NFP supplier of personal hygiene products, to disadvantaged adults and children.

Pinchapoo works with over 500 leading organisations, community groups and government institutions as a total hygiene solution, providing a reliable source of customised packs to EVERYBODY in EVERY situation of need.

In the 11 years since the trailblazing inception of Pinchapoo, Kate and her team have distributed more than 5.5 million hygiene items in a bid to maintain the dignity of those less fortunate.

Pinchapoo utilises the services of thousands of volunteers; Kate insisting that every one of those amazing humans are considered family - even wishing they could all come over for a Sunday roast!

So with the strong, brilliant, compassionate and energetic Kate Austin at the helm, Pinchapoo is making one hell of a difference.

And the future looks like it might also turn some heads!

Mentions:

Pinchapoo - http://pinchapoo.org.au/

Nicholas Domingo is certainly not your average superhero. Nicholas is a 29 year old entrepreneur, speaker, children's book writer and change maker obsessed with making strides towards creating a better tomorrow. He is currently the Co-Executive Director of the anti-bullying superhero non-profit, Captain Encouragement, an organization with the goal to cultivate the next generation of leaders. They do this by using early intervention leadership techniques combined with superpowers to work and inspire children in the Kindergarten to 3rd grade age range!

His story started in Ridgely Missouri, a town with a population of 64 people, growing up working random odd jobs Including: dishwasher, Server, rabbit farm worker, tobacco farm worker, furniture mover, landscaper and construction hand.

He Was a high school athlete with Years in the sports arena playing football, wrestling, mixed martial arts and briefly cage-fighting in the OFC based in Omaha.

He briefly stepped into acting and modelling, being on various shows including The Thundermans on Nickelodeon, Mighty Med on Disney and The Arsenio Hall Show.

His journey came to an abrupt halt due to a Subarachnoid Brain-Hemorrhage that nearly cost him his life. This life changing event sent him down a long path looking for answers and ultimately leading to self-discovery. This reshaped his focus to what was truly important, helping create a better world.

The program he currently runs has been to many schools around the United States and has gotten a lot of media attention and buzz, being featured in: The Boston Globe, The Rotarian Magazine, The Kansas City Star, The Union Democrat Newspaper, Action 41 news, among others. Through this program he has stretched his legs into children's book writing, live musical theatre, promoting and live acting, curriculum development, film production, video game development and more.

He continues to travel the country to help reach more children with a message of hope to create the next generation of leaders! He continues to work day and night until he works himself out of a job and we see an end to bullying and suicide.

Thanks to Rotary Club of Jackson (California), 101 Heroes, Paul & Debbie Sessa, Micro-Tronics, AutoTech & Tires, and Olga Jones for supporting these wonderful initiatives.

Mentions:

Call To Inspire - https://calltoinspire.com/

Captain Encouragement - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=captain+encouragement

David Johnson (videographer) - http://www.davidjohnsonproductions.biz/

Michigan State University - https://msu.edu/

Jemimah Ashleigh is a global authority on positioning, an international keynote speaker, MC and podcaster.

Jemimah is an Australian set on world domination. After a decade long career in law enforcement, Jemimah now works exclusively as a positioning consultant and coach to reduce the alarming statistic that 97% of female owned start-up businesses fail within the first 5 years. Women are failing at almost twice the rate of men. Jemimah seeks to be part of the reason this changes worldwide.

Jemimah started her journey in entrepreneurship with the creation of Tangs Design, an ethical jewellery business and then soon after started The Business Experiment Podcast. Jemimah is now the co-founder of Who Run The World.

She has spoken in Indonesia, United States, Canada and Australia, and has had the opportunity to take the stage with the likes of:

Valerie Jarrett - Former Senior Advisor to U.S. President Barak Obama

Frank Shankwitz - Co-founder of the Make a Wish Foundation

Elizabeth Broderick - Australian Sex Discrimination Minister

Jemimah’s debut book ‘Position Me’ is an international best seller on Amazon, and her media coverage includes Huffpost, Thank You, Marie Claire, Qantas, Business Chicks, MamaMia, Financial Review - Women of Influence, and NBC News to name a few.

As well as being a global thought leader in over 70 countries and having a reach of 6.3 million through social media and podcasting, Jemimah was also named in the Top 10 female entrepreneurs in Australia. She is also a board member of The Hope Project.

Mentions:

Jemimiah Ashleigh - https://www.jemimahashleigh.com/

Tangs Design - https://www.tangsdesign.com.au/

The Business Experiment Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-business-experiment-podcast/id1134351825

Gary Vaynerchuk - https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/

Jim Rohn - https://www.jimrohn.com/

World Health Organisation - https://www.who.int/

Bossy Pants - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bossypants

The entrepreneurial dip

The 5 monkeys study

Who Run The World

Growing up dyslexic and dysgraphic, Hugo is a self-taught entrepreneur, but with a particular focus on finding solutions for challenges that come with dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.

Hugo turned his own childhood challenges into a massive positive by creating efficient tools, specifically apps, that can be used for early detection of learning disabilities.

He had previously created an app Dyscreen, that screens for dysgraphia, and on the 1 June (just gone), Dyscreen was upgraded to include the ability to screen for Dyslexia as well.

There is also the app ‘Sliper’ that enable speech pathologists, specialised teachers and other professionals to support the kids they work with.

Hugo’s work includes the application of image recognition and natural language processing techniques, which he and his team uses to solve real-world problems.

He has worked on diverse Artificial Intelligence projects & startups in France, the UK and Australia.

Hugo is a co-founder of Dystech (who the apps are developed through) which has already gained support from the likes of Amazon and Dear Dyslexic.

The mission of Dystech is to help children with dyslexia to reveal their talents.

Mentions:

Dystech Australia - https://www.dystech.com.au/

Dyscreen (app)

Sliper (app)

Ask a Speechy - https://www.dystech.com.au/category/ask-a-speechy/

Rachel is a bold woman who constantly pushes the limits of her own boundaries. As a solo world traveller over the last 10 years, Rachel has learnt through direct experience to communicate vulnerably, lean into the discomfort of fear, follow the innate guidance within and step into her leadership.

“It wasn’t a decision to be a mentor, it was part of my becoming.”

Whilst living in Spain in 2013, Rachel received her first healing session and from that moment, everything in her life changed and a whole new way of being opened up. To live life from the flow, rather than the hustle of trying to make things happen.

Rachel has organised events with up to 500 people around Australia, United Kingdom, Bali & [an island in] Costa Rica.

With a 20 year career spanning the globe, 17 of which were in the corporate world as an Executive Assistant and Project Manager for companies such as; PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK), Deloitte, Macquarie Bank, Telstra and Novartis.

With the transition out of the corporate world in 2017 a new direction was born; the merging of all Rachels skills in the corporate world, talents as an intuitive healer and passion to support Visionary Leaders to overcome fear, breakthrough limitations and bring their epic vision to life.

If you’re ready for rapid transformation and to step into your leadership, Rachel is the woman to work with.

Rachel is an acclaimed Reiki Master, Qualified practitioner in NLP, EFT, Hypnosis & Past Life Regression.

Mentions:

Rachel Clissold - https://rachelclissold.com/

Chris Hollyfield started out as a Pro Wrestler but his big break came when he was invited to join the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), bursting into the arena as Little Boogeyman.

He is also a radio and TV personality, appearing in 3 independent movies - ‘WWF SmackDown!’ (1999), ‘Hell Date’ (2007), and Festival (2011).

Chris has also appeared on talk shows including Maury, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Jerry Springer, as well as appearances on ESPN, 60 minutes, Dateline NBC, and Primetime Live.

He has also made the rounds of the reality show circuit, featuring in - Road Trip, Gamers, 5 Days in the ‘A’, The real World Extreme Challenge, and Miami Ink.

Chris is an African American born with dwarfism. An undersized man in an oversized world, very determined to succeed in life. Standing just 4 feet 4 inches, Chris never let anything get in his way and despite al the amazing accolades, Chris is most proud of being an awesome Dad.

With an incredible career to his name, and with some differences to carry though life, Chris decided it was time to give back.

Chris wrote the book ‘Big Message Short Story’ to share the massage of anti-bullying. He certainly got his share of that over the years. He then created the ‘Got Respect Tour’, where he visits schools and organisations presenting as a motivational speaker on the topic of anti-bullying, with the tagline “I’m different to make a difference”.

Chris also gives back by coaching a Special Olympics Power Lifting team.

Physically Chris may be little, but the size of his heart is almost as big as him!

Mentions:

Chris Hollyfield - https://www.chrishollyfield.com/

Got Respect Tour - http://www.gotrespecttour.com/

WWE - https://www.wwe.com/

Jerry Springer - https://www.jerryspringertv.com/

Katrina-Jane is a down to earth, ‘out of the box’ clairvoyant medium, multiple times award winning author, inspirational speaker, teacher and thought leader - who is dedicated to guiding people on your soul journey. Her specialities include death and dying, clairvoyant readings, support for sensitive children and empowering women with the steps to help find their purpose and live their dreams.

Katrina-Jane has a passion for helping people to deal with death, dying and grief - both nationally and internationally. Through her work she deals with the passing of loved ones on a daily basis. Her aim is to help people get over the fear and awkwardness of speaking about death, whether this is through her books, speaking arrangements, writings or social media.

She has authored 4 books, having won an international book award for her inspiration biography ‘Christian to Clairvoyant’ and 5 international book awards for ‘Where Did They Go’. The latter explains to children in a simple but clear way what happens when we die. It takes away the mystique and fear that currently surrounds death and encourages people to talk, and has attracted significant global attention.

Katrina-Jane has also appeared on radio, been featured in the local press on several occasions and often guest writes for a variety of online blogs and new age publications, as well as regular and high profile keynote presentations. She openly shares the things she has been through, both good and bad, in a ‘tell it like it is’ way of speaking which is highly appreciated on many levels.

Having overcome many of her own obstacles in life, Katrina-Jane speaks and teaches from experience. She spent over 30 years in the Seventh-day Adventist Church – when life sent her a curve ball and she realised she was clairvoyant. She then had the challenge of overcoming years of indoctrination to follow her soul’s destiny as a Clairvoyant Medium.

Mentions:

Website - https://www.katrina-jane.com/

The Motivational Woman - http://themotivationalwoman.com/

FB - Katrina-Jane More Than a Clairvoyant

Insta - katrinajane01

LinkedIn - Katrina Bart

Jessyca Mathews received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint in English, with a minor in history, with a Specialization in Secondary Education. She received her Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. Along with these degrees, Jessyca attended Michigan State University and is a member of the Red Cedar Writing Project.

Ms. Mathews is a language arts teacher at Carman-Ainsworth High School and a Racial, Environmental Justice, and Institutional Racism activist. In 2017, Jessyca was named a finalist for the NEA’s Social Justice Activist of the Year for her work on the Flint water crisis. Jessyca has done national interviews, projects, protest, and community actions to speak out for those affected by the Flint water crisis. In celebration of her activism work, Jessyca was named the 2018 Secondary English Teacher of the Year from the Michigan Council of Teachers of English and the 2018 National Sanford Award Winner for being the most inspirational teacher in Michigan.

Recently, Jessyca was awarded Regional Teacher of the Year from the state of Michigan and was a finalist for Michigan Teacher of the Year 2019-2020.

Along with her activism work, she is a prominent member of the writing community. In 2013, Jessyca Mathews won a national contest sponsored by MANA Publishing and was named the 2013 Passion for Poetry writer. After winning this prestigious award, Jessyca was able to publish her first poetry collection, Simply: A Collection of Poetry. In 2015 she published her memoir, 318: A Chubby Chick’s Tale of Weight Loss Surgery. She co-wrote her first play, Appointments in 2017, which features a focus on the Flint water crisis. She also has been published writer in Nia Magazine, Pure Haiku, Mighty Magazine, and is now a blogger for Teaching Tolerance.

Mentions:

318: A Chubby Chick’s Tale of Weight Loss Surgery - https://www.amazon.com/318-Chubby-Chicks-Weight-Surgery/dp/1504984358

FB - Jessyca Matthews @JesTakeAStand

Insta - jes_the_activist

LinkedIn - Jessyca Mathews

Flint Water Crisis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint_water_crisis

Michelle is the founder of Advancing Women, an enterprise providing research and advisory services on equality, inclusion and gender diversity. She is also the founder of women’s network Women Who Get It, co-founder of social enterprise CDW (Culturally Diverse Workforce) and Co-Host of A Career that Soars! Michelle is determined to contribute to achieving global gender equality in her life time, especially through her research and advocacy about the leadership gender gap in the sporting industry.

Michelle is an experienced Non-executive director and is currently Chair of Speckle Financial Health and a member of the Wayfinder Steering Committee. She was previously a board director for Williamstown Football Club, Good Shepherd Microfinance, Gippsland Football Netball League and Business Without Borders. She is an Ambassador for Honour a Woman, Respect Victoria and Flexible Working Day. She has held executive leadership roles ASX & FTSE listed companies NAB, Telstra and Serco during her 30-year career.

Michelle was named City of Melbourne B3000 Female Entrepreneur of the Year (2019), is a proud recipient of the AFR 100 Women of Influence Award (2018) and was a finalist in the VicHealth EWN Community Award (2018) for her significant contribution to the AFL. She is a panel judge for the VicSport Awards and has been a long-term Telstra Business Women’s Awards judge. Michelle is a Graduate of the AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors), holds an Executive MBA (Distinction) and hold various accreditations in organisational diversity and coaching.

Social Media

LinkedIn: Michelle Redfern
Twitter: @redfernmichelle
Facebook: @AdvancingWomeninBizandSport

Instagram: @advancewithmichelle

Mentions:

Michelle Redfern - https://michelleredfern.com/

Advancing Women - https://michelleredfern.com/services/the-advancing-women-formula/

Mind Tribes - https://mindtribes.com.au/

Culturally Diverse Women - https://mindtribes.com.au/culturally-diverse-women/

Williamstown Football Club - https://www.williamstownfc.com.au/

Change Our Game - http://changeourgame.vic.gov.au/

Office for Women in Sport and Recreation - https://sport.vic.gov.au/our-work/participation/women-and-girls-sport/office-women-sport-and-recreation

VicSport - https://www.vicsport.com.au/

People ask how I got into woodworking, but, it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father is the kind of man who can do a bit of everything and knows a bit of everything (maybe a lot of some things, but I don’t want it to go to his head..). He was always working on something; a portable art gallery display for the local theatre, an elaborate plant stand for our orchard or a trailer BBQ for the local Rotary Club. I followed along, paid attention, helped where I could and tried to understand how this brilliant man’s brain worked (yeah, that’s definitely going to his head).

As I got older, I started planning my own projects. We would sit down together and throw around ideas of what was possible and, without fail, he would teach me something new every single time. I started to understand what went into planning a piece and learnt how to think a little more outside the box.

In 2014 I started a small business, AJ Artwork, which grew into Sarani Art & Events. I created rustic home decor, artwork and succulent stands, attending markets all across Gippsland every weekend. The woodwork skills that went into these creations were basic, but it sparked my creativity and love of all things timber. Unfortunately, after a couple of years I felt more like a production worker trying to keep up with the sheer number of items required to keep a stable income, and made the hard decision to cease this business.

In 2019 I needed a few things around my home - a custom bench, plant stand, dog lead holder, music stand etc. One thing lead to another, including taking an old potting table and making it into my new kitchen table, and The New Red. was born. I wanted to push my skills, to continue to challenge myself, to make things that I didn’t even know were possible.

It feels like riding a bike. If that bike was flying down a hilly road covered in large rocks. But, strangely, it feels like exactly what I’m meant to be doing.

Mentions:

The New Red - https://www.thenewred.com.au/

Squishy Face Animal Rescue - http://squishiesrescue.org.au/

Dr. Ash Pachauri is the president and founder of the Center for Human Progress in India. Founded in 2009, with the aim to improve the quality of life of individuals and societies by supporting, promoting and encouraging healthy behaviours and human rights.

He has also co-founded with, and inspired by, his late father R.K Pachauri, two global organisations - Protect Our Planet Movement (POP Movement) and the World Sustainable Development Forum.

The POP Movement’s aim is to empower youth to play an active role in addressing issues of climate change faced by our planet.

While the World Sustainable Development Forum, aims to mobilise global action for the effective implementation of both the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly.

With a PhD in Decision Behaviour and Master’s degree in International Management, Dr Pachauri has contributed to several initiates in the field of HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and sustainability.

As a master trainer in in behaviour change communications and strategic leadership, Dr Pachauri has led over 20,000 workshops, events, and activities globally to outreach to youth and communities to promote health and sustainable development.

As well his academic work being widely published and celebrated, Dr Pachauri has also been recognised by the United Nations for his dedication and leadership. He is valued member on boards and advisory groups of several organisations worldwide.

Social Media

FB:

The POP Movement @popmovement

Center for Human Progress - Ash At Work

World Sustainable Development Forum - @theworldsdf

Insta:

POP Movement - pop.movement

Center For Human Progress - centreforhumanprogress

WSDF - theworldsdf

Mentions:

World Sustainable Development Forum - https://worldsdf.org/

Protect Our Planet - https://thepopmovement.org/

Center for Human Progress - https://www.thechp.org/

Penny Cula-Reid began her journey at just 6 years old, playing football with the boys. It wasn't until the age of 14 after a training session one day, that she realised she might be different. She was tapped on the shoulder and told she couldn't play football anymore "because she was a girl" - but instead of listening, Penny asked "why?"

Alongside her peers Helen Taylor and Emily Stanya, Penny took Football Victoria to VCAT (Victorian Civil Administrations Tribunal), and the case was a landmark moment for sexual discrimination in Australian sport.

Girls could now play in mixed competition football up to the age of 14 (originally 12), and a girls competition for U/17's was introduced, effectively creating a pathway for girls and women in Australian Rules Football that previously did not exist.

With the birth of the AFLW (Australian Football League for Women) in 2017, Penny was drafted to play for her beloved Collingwood Football Club. Penny quickly realised that her passion lay in supporting other women, and helping to build them up in their own sporting journeys.

Penny began coaching the Collingwood VFLW team, and in just her first year led the team to become minor premiers and took out the Coach of the Year award for the VFLW. In 2019 she coached the team to back-to-back minor premierships, and finished the season winning the 2019 VFLW Grand Final.

Despite having achieved so much so early on, Penny continues to work hard and develop her coaching skills, currently with Williamstown Football Club.

Hoping to spread her message to as many young women as possible, and with a passion for empowering women to work together, Penny inspires many through her speaking events across Australia. She engages audiences as she talks about her experiences with facing adversity, and shines a light on how women can effectively work together.

Penny's latest achievement is being a part of the new Australian Sports Museum exhibition, where she is a feature piece in the creation of the AFLW.

It hasn't been smooth sailing for this young ambitious woman throughout her journey, overcoming many obstacles along the way, but that's what makes Penny determined, focused, and unstoppable.

Insta: @pcula

Mentions:

AFLW - https://womens.afl/

VFLW - https://vfl.com.au/women/

Collingwood Football Club - https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/

Williamstown Football Club - https://www.williamstownfc.com.au/

Even Girls Play Footy - http://www.evengirlsplayfooty.com/

Janet Hogan spent 30 years as a serial entrepreneur, running everything from restaurants to an advertising agency to multi-million dollar land developments. It wasn't till she was well into her 50s, during a simulated death experience, that she heard a voice deliver the ultimate brickbat : "You've let everyone down."

In that one wake up call, she realised that by being what she thought was selfless, sacrificing her life to work and family, she was in fact being selfish, denying the world her gift.

Today, this former consumer brand builder (remember "Aussie Kids Are Weetbix Kids"?) devotes her time to reshaping the human brand, through her pragmatic and provocative self-discovery program: The 5th Door. She loves nothing more than taking people on a deep dive into themselves to conquer their Core Destructive Belief, the one thing that, according to Janet, keeps so many of us feeling stuck and unfulfilled.

"I am here to wake people up to who they truly are and from there, craft a living that they love."

Mentions:

Website - https://www.janethogan.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/the5thdoor/

Roy Juarez Jr. is a speaker, author and activist, and travels to inspire youth.

At the age of 14 years old, Roy found himself homeless due to domestic violence, moving from house to house to survive. With only a duffle bag to call home, he was at the mercy of the streets and after navigating his way to college, Roy swore to never return to that life again.

Roy is extremely passionate about helping young people and providing them with hope for the future. He has dedicated his entire life to creating positive change in communities across the country, partnering with organisations such as the U.S ARMY, Ford Motor Company Fund, and the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

His work has also been featured on CNN and in the Chicken Soup For The Soul book - Extraordinary Teens

Roy is still young, but has lived a life beyond his years. Since 2010 Roy has been able to lecture to over 450,000 youth, educators, and parents throughout the US and abroad, as a motivational speaker and activist fighting for homeless youth, families and higher education.

He vulnerably shares his heart wrenching personal story of surviving the streets of San Antonio, Texas.

In 2005, Roy created and founded IMPACTtruth, Inc. which supports youth through variety of programs.

He is the author of the Book - ‘Homeless by Choice’ - A memoir of love, hate and forgiveness (2018), and the co-author of the Book - ‘4 steps to not allowing the pandemic to affect your home’ Co-authored with Ret. LTC Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch (2020)

Mentions:

Website - https://www.homelessbychoice.com/

Hardin-Simmons University - https://www.hsutx.edu/

Sandra Pankhurst is truly label-defying.

A transgender woman, Sandra has lived many lives, rising above adversity. Her remarkable life is the subject of the internationally acclaimed, multi-award- winning book ‘The Trauma Cleaner’.

Sandra (then “Peter”) was adopted into an abusive family, relegated to a backyard bungalow, malnourished, excluded from family life and escaped home in his teens.

Marrying young, he soon realised it was not possible to continue his life as a husband and father – so he left that life to become Sandra -- drag queen, sex worker and a gender reassignment patient in the early 80s. With an enviable work ethic, she went on to become Australia’s first female funeral director, a trophy wife and a local government candidate.

Sandra is now CEO of one of Australia’s most successful trauma cleaning businesses, transforming the filth and squalor of murder, suicide, drug dens, crime, and mental illness. The idea for her trauma cleaning business emerged when she was a funeral director, as there were no death/crime scene specialist cleaners. Sandra saw a gap in the market and created a business that combined her ‘neat freak’ CSI stain-removing genius with her next level ability to relate and connect to people in difficult situations, specifically in trauma. With a unique ability to treat her clients with unpatronising dignity and respect, she transforms their properties back to their former glory.

An active advocate for aged care rights, disability, mental health and ethics, Sandra has recently been an Ambassador for ‘Becoming Colleen’, a documentary about a woman who transitioned at 82. Sandra is extremely passionate about making a positive impact on the welfare of people of all lifestyles in the aged care and mental health sector.

As a public speaker, Sandra does keynotes, panel discussions, interviews and book-clubs, and has been featured on ABC Radio, Nova100, SBS, Studio 10, and in The Guardian, Herald Sun, Life Matters and The Australian

Her incredible story reminds us there can be an after, survival and a next chapter.

Mentions:

Website - https://www.sandrapankhurst.com.au/

STC Services - https://www.stcservices.com.au/

Socials:

FB - Sandra Pankhurst - The Trauma Cleaner

LinkedIn - Sandra Pankhurst

Instagram - pankhurst_the_trauma_cleaner

Bob Harris is a screenwriter, speaker, author, and has been a quiz show superstar, radio commentator, TV host, and comedian.

As a screenwriter, Bob has written for Bones and CSI, was a consultant for Marvel’s Avengers: The Age of Ultron (the 10th top-grossing film of all time); head of the writers’ room on El Pantera, Mexico’s top action series; and the instructor of the graduate screenwriting program at the International Filmschule in Cologne, Germany.

Bob has written five books, including The International Bank of Bob (Walker/Bloomsbury), whose readers chipped in more than US $10,000,000 to fund businesses in more than 90 developing countries.

He was an Associated Press award-winning radio commentator for five years, and has contributed to dozens of publications ranging from The New York Times to The Intercept to National Lampoon. Bob has also contributed to Star Wars comic books, and as a travel writer for Forbes.

His speaking appearances include Adobe, Google, eBay, Visa, more than 200 US colleges; TEDx; and conferences hosted by the European Parliament and the US Department of State.

Bob has been a TV presenter and Co-host, and has appeared on dozens of talk shows, and was a stand-up comedian whose appearances included opening for Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, and Paula Poundstone.

And in quizzing, Bob’s US appearances include 14 episodes of Jeopardy!, and giving the fastest phone-a-friend response in the history of the American version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Bob is on the advisory board of the National History Bee and Bowl, the largest academic quizzing organization in the world, and The Pop Culture Hero Coalition, an anti-bullying charity.

Offstage, Bob has kissed the Blarney Stone, rocked the Casbah, performed three marriages (becoming an ordained minister once to do so) including one on the Jeopardy! set itself, and obtained a bachelor’s degree with honours in electrical engineering and applied physics.

Originally from a small factory town in Ohio, Bob now lives gratefully in Sydney.

Mentions:

Website - http://www.bobharris.com/

KIVA - https://www.kiva.org/

Socials:

LinkedIn - Bob Harris

FB - Bob Harris

Insta - bobharrisdotcom

As a performer and scriptwriter for stage, television, radio, magazines and newspapers, Jean Kittson came to national attention on 'The Big Gig', followed by Let the Blood Run Free, Kittson Fahey, Good News Week, the Glasshouse, Flat Chat, The Einstein Factor, Media Dimensions and Strictly Speaking.

Well known for her comedy debates for the ABC, Channel 9 and Channel ten, she has been a regular columnist with New Weekly, Sunday Telegraph, the Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney Magazine, Inspire Magazine, the Readers Digest Health Smart magazine and The Hoopla.

She is the author of 'Tongue Lashing', published by Penguin, as well as her recent book 'You're still hot to me', published by Pan Macmillan. Jean’s 3rd book, ‘We need to talk about Mum and Dad’, also published by Pan Macmillan, is a no-nonsense guide to parenting ageing parents.

Her film credits include Hating Alison Ashley and The Nugget. Theatre includes Mum’s the Word, Calendar Girls, Siren, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is a regular guest on ABC 702 radio drive programme, Thank God It’s Friday.

Jean is an experienced MC, keynote speaker, panellist, debater and facilitator of conventions, conferences, award nights and other after dinner frolics, in corporate, government and community arena.

She was a founding Director of the National Cord Blood Bank, the inaugural Chair of the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation (AGCF) and a founding Ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Australia.

Jean Kittson is currently an Ambassador for The Macular Disease Foundation, Northcott Disability Services, The Raise Foundation, Taldumande Youth Services and the Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation.

Most recently she has been appointed the Patron of Palliative Care Nurses Australia.

As an advocate for women’s health issues, Jean was invited to speak about her experiences of menopause at the National Press Club. This lead to her recently published book; ‘You’re Still Hot to Me. The Joys of Menopause’ (Pan Macmillan).

“It’s informative, accurate, funny and just so accessible. I love it and finally have the definitive book to recommend to my patients.” ~ Dr Penny Adams, GP and medical media personality for women’s health.

Jean Kittson is also a wife, mother and daughter, and is married to cartoonist and political satirist Patrick Cook. Jean is the mother of two daughters, Victoria and Charlie.

Mentions:

Website - https://www.jeankittson.com.au/

Lynda Gibson - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynda_Gibson

Girls With Hammers - https://girlswithhammers.com.au/

Greenhouse model aged care

Shameless Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/shameless/id1352875216

Socials:

LinkedIn - Jean Kittson

FB - Jean Kittson @JeanKittson . Comedian

Insta - Jean Kittson

Rachel is a radio host, model, spokesperson, and a fierce advocate for people with disabilities - particularly those with autism.

A senior at University of South Florida, double majoring in English and communications, Rachel advocates for those with disabilities through her non profit, The Ability Beyond Disabilities which inspires and helps those that have challenges to strive for their dreams as well as educating those who might not understand the challenges faced.

As an individual with autism, she often felt like she could not do many things. People with disabilities or anyone who is different are often targets for bullies as she was, but because of her life and social experience, she has overcome many challenges.

Today Rachel is a spokesperson for the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at the University of South Florida (CARD-USF) and also on their board. She also holds board positions at Unicorn Children’s Foundation, The Els Center for Excellence, Kulture City as well as the Dyspraxia Foundation USA, all of which provide services to individuals with disabilities. Her focus is now to bring awareness to individuals and companies to provide an opportunity for employment for people on the spectrum.

Rachel has performed the National Anthem at major sporting events and at Madison Square Garden. She also spoke at the United Nations on World Autism Day and recently filmed a short documentary for Sephora.

She has her own segment at a radio station in New York, and is currently working on a series of fantasy novels. Rachel is also no stranger to beauty pageants, and has just be named runner up Miss Florida.

Mentions:

Website - https://rachelbarcellona.com/

Tampa Children’s Museum - https://glazermuseum.org/

Tampa History Museum - https://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org/

Video - In Search Of Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_nvq2PgQ0o

Video - Teens With Guts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6lLGf5kbxM

Socials:

Facebook - Rachel Barcellona

Facebook Page - Ability Beyond Disabilities

Instagram - rachelbarcellona

Twitter - @barcellonaR

LinkedIn - Rachel Barcellona

With over 25 years in management with Australian public service, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the University sector, Erin Lord strives to make complex situations simple. Her current work as Director of Aeromedical Solutions, Australia’s only medical repatriation broker sees her and her co – Director Steve McLaren arrange the return of Australians who have been injured or suffered an illness overseas.

“It’s an incredibly complex situation for families to work their way through, you have the emotion and fear for your loved one as well as the complexities of both the clinical situation presenting at the time and then you add the aviation aspects and it’s pretty easy to see why you might be out of your depth”.

Over the past year Aeromedical Solutions has assisted more than 40 patients and their families with their return home. They’ve extended their offer to work with Governments and insurance companies with the aim to disrupt the market and find different platforms to return patients home and provide 24/7 care and contact with families throughout the journey home.

A committed Gippslander, Erin works from home in Sale and enjoys the challenge of assisting people all around the world in what is often the worst moment in their lives. In fact she considers it nothing short of a privilege.

Mentions:

Website - https://www.aeromedicalsolutions.com.au/

Royal Flying Doctor Service - https://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/

DFAT - https://www.dfat.gov.au/

Darren Chester - https://darrenchester.com.au/

Grandpa Baileys - https://grandpabaileys.com.au/

Start Up Gippsland - https://startupgippsland.com.au/

GippsTech - https://gipps.tech/

Launch Victoria - https://launchvic.org/

Latrobe Valley Authority - https://lva.vic.gov.au/

Wellington Shire - https://www.wellington.vic.gov.au/

Socials:

Facebook - aeromedical solutions

LinkedIn - Aeromedical Solutions

Rachel Dayoub describes herself as just an average lady and a single mom trying to do the best she can.

But in February this year (2020), she headed to the supermarket in her home town of Pittsburg, like any other day, but this time things were different - 2 men had decided to target and stalk her.

She was suddenly scared for her life and more scared that her kids may not have a mother if she didn’t somehow make her way out of this terrifying situation.

After a few days of being scared, even in the safety of her own home, she knew she had to look for the silver lining and find a way to reduce the chance of this type of thing happening to others.

By March, Rachel had founded Whispering Force - self defence classes for women and girls.

Despite being challenged by the lack of spare time to run this program, Rachel says there is no choice - the community has to be safe.

“I never want any woman or child to feel fear in their own community and that they cannot take care of themselves.”

Mentions:

FB - https://www.facebook.com/whisperingforce

Nigel Beck - AKA DJ Nige brought disco to town in the 70s and nearly 50 years later is still keeping the dance floor jam-packed. He’s effortlessly worked his way through vinyl, CDs and now digital.

Nige and his Kombi van Deidre are regularly spotted around Gippsland (Aus), spreading the love of music, and sharing the good vibes of love in and for the community he adores.

But it’s not just Deidre the Kombi! Nige also shares the stage with Deidre’s little sister - Audrey the Vesper!

The really cool thing about Deidre and Audrey, is that all the DJ equipment they house is completely battery/solar powered, which means they are environmentally friendly and can be taken totally off-grid.

For indoor events, Nige works without his friends on wheels - but inside or outside, his keen gift of reading the room and mood sees every event grooving exactly as it should.

DJ Nige is totally up for creating a vibe wherever people are. Be it on the street, in your driveway, cafe, beach, market, festival or wedding, but recently, due to COVID the usual way of doing business came to a grinding halt.

Rather than hold back the joy, Nige and Deidre hit the streets in their home-town of Warragul playing tunes and entertaining passers-by as restrictions allowed.

The recent slight easing of restrictions has offered Nige and Deidre the opportunity to hit the road and take the music to the people with their very own ‘Joyful Tour’ to lift the spirits of locals, with the support of Destination Gippsland, local Councils and the Victorian Government.

DJ Nige says: “The link between mental health, wellbeing and music is well researched and documented. This is the one thing I can do to lift community spirit and bring some joy back in our towns.”

Socials:

Website - https://www.djnigeandkombi.com/

FB - Dj Nige. @djnigeandkombi https://www.facebook.com/djnigeandkombi/

Insta - djnige_ https://www.instagram.com/djnige_/?hl=en

LinkedIn - Nigel Beck

Mentions:

Bank - https://www.bankwarragul.com.au/

Latrobe City - https://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/

Women in Gippsland - https://www.facebook.com/womeningippsland/

Lardner Park - https://lardnerpark.com.au/

Girls With Hammers - https://girlswithhammers.com.au/

Social Dilemma (film) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11464826/

NEIS - https://www.employment.gov.au/self-employment-new-business-assistance-neis

Nine years ago Nina G became a comedian, and at that point was the only female comedian who stuttered. Nina believes that the problem isn’t with the stutterer, but with a society that isn’t inclusive or accessible to those who experience this disability.

In her book Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen (She Writes Press, August 6, 2019), Nina challenges the status quo of how people who stutter are perceived onstage and off. Additionally, she substitutes the negative emotions of shame, denial and isolation with positive ones of pride, acceptance and community. And, despite learning disabilities, she has a doctorate and is now working at a community college with students with disabilities to access their education.

As a child, Nina had a life-long dream of becoming a comedian, but never thought she’d be able to go up on stage and make people laugh. Her story is about how stuttering caused her to first abandon her dreams, then to embark on a journey that culminated in a career as one of only a handful of stuttering stand-up comedians working today.

A keynote speaker across the U.S., Nina has learned that the issues that impact people with disabilities impact everyone. Therefore, she hopes her book will not only entertain, but also inform those who don’t understand the experience of people who stutter and help those that do.

Nina is a TedX speaker, a Huffington Post contributor, and is based in Oakland, California.

Socials:

Website - https://www.ninagcomedian.com/

Website - https://www.stuttererinterrupted.com/

FB - Nina G: Comedian, Author, Public Speaker

LinkedIn - Nina G

Insta - Nina G - ninagcomedian

Book - Once Upon an Accommodation: A book about learning disabilities

Book - Stutterer Interrupted: The comedian who almost didn’t happen

Mentions:

Comedians With Disabilities Act - https://www.facebook.com/comedianswithdisabilitiesact/

Disabled Only Comedy (CD) - https://www.amazon.com/Disabled-Comedy-Explicit-Various-artists/dp/B00VNB2G7U

Bookshare - https://www.bookshare.org/cms/

Carly Findlay - https://carlyfindlay.com.au/

Saturday Night Live - https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live

Michelle Pietrafitta is an artist-entrepreneur in the music industry performing throughout the U.S. as the drummer for independent band Banshee Tree.

She is a tour designer, she books all the tours and performances for Banshee Tree.

On the music side, she is a live performance artist, a studio drummer and educator. But on the business side, she deigns tour routes, pitches to venues, negotiates contracts and builds relationships with venues and talent buyers.

Michelle has booked and performed major festivals including Arise Music Festival, Sonic Bloom and NorthWest String Summit; and with major acts such as Keller Williams, Victor Wooten, the Infamous Stringdusters and Devotchka.

Michelle is passionate about sharing her knowledge and encouraging artists to take their career into their own hands. She believes that each person has a unique voice to bring to the table and implores artists to dig deep to uncover that.

She stands for breaking the traditional lenses through which we are taught to see gender roles.

Socials:

Website - https://michellepietrafitta.com/

Insta - Michelle Pietrafitta - Michelle.pietrafitta.drums

Banshee Tree (website) - http://banshee-tree.com/

Mentions:

School of Rock

The Artists Way (Julia Cameron) book

The War on Art (Steven Pressfield) book

Banshee Tree (youtube)

S. Todd Stolp MD is a physician and father of three who ran a full-spectrum rural family practice in northern California for twenty years. He then served as the Public Health Officer in California, for 12 years. 

During his public health career, Dr. Stolp worked on statewide and national public health committees, did overseas work on Ebola and stateside work on Zika and is now working on COVID-19.

He has also provided research and consultations on issues from Native American tobacco use to suicide. 

During his years of medical practice, he co-authored and illustrated four children’s books addressing a range of topics from the medical examination to vaccinations and habitual behavior. 

He has often spoken at conferences on topics related to health literacy, with an emphasis on good science made more palatable with a generous dose of humor. 

He now operates STS Studios in Sonora, California, producing media messages about the adventures of his career and lessons learned while raising three children, all with the aim of advancing health literacy.

Socials: 

Website - https://sts-studios.com/

LinkedIn - S. Todd Stolp

Mentions: 

California Department of Health

Jaimee Newberry spent most of her working life in the Web Interaction Design & Development industry, working with companies including Apple, Disney, Nintendo and Zappos.

But after a couple of years as an independent mom, and a nasty spell of Life Burnout paralleled with the loss of her dad in 2012, she decided to design her life as if it were a product using the tools she gained from a 15-year design career making award-winning digital products.

By 2014 Jaimee was being booked to share her story at events around the world, was an active podcaster, podcast guest, featured writer, and professional experimentalist. 

She learned how to own her time and pour focus into working on things she loves, with people she loves working with, and then teach others how to do the same through personal and corporate coaching.

In 2016, the evolution of an idea unfolded into what has become the most fulfilling work of her life, so far.

Jaimee co-founded Picture This Clothing (PTC) with her partner in life & in business (Ken Finney, Jr.), Launched by a single Tweet from her personal Twitter account, Picture This Clothing immediately went viral.

Jaimee is also mom to 2 human daughters, 5 cats, and 1 puppy, and is fuelled by fun, Muppets, Disney, and a heavy sprinkling of rebellion.

Her mission is to contribute something positive to the world and create tools that allow others to do the same.

Socials: 

Website - https://picturethisclothing.com/

FB - Picture This Clothing   https://www.facebook.com/picturethisclothing

Insta - Picture This Clothing     picturethisclothing    

LinkedIn  - Jaimee Newberry

Mentions: 

Steve Jobs - Poke Life

Huffington Post

Tech Crunch

Bored Panda

Now This

Power of Positivity

Scary Mommy

Ken Done

20% discount code for podcast listeners - GetOffTheBench - download your template HERE

Originally from Melbourne, Victoria, the year 2000 saw Wendy and her family pack up their lives and move to the Gold Coast. They opened a family café in Surfers Paradise and their children finished their schooling. After years of seven days a week in business Wendy and her husband Garry decided they’d had enough of café life and got “normal” jobs. 

Wendy took a job with the local basketball association and before long they grew to one of the largest associations in Queensland. In 2010 they took their first International junior teams to compete in Indonesia and Wendy’s love of travel blossomed. She was hooked. 

A trip to Thailand in 2011 ended with a detour to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. Never before visiting Cambodia, they noticed how cheap 5 star hotels were and decided to treat themselves - not something they were accustomed to.

Little did they know this trip would change their lives forever. Coming face to face with the poverty win the market place, they knew the luxury and guilt of 5 star was not for them. They vowed in that moment to come back and do something to help.

Passing through Cambodia in 2012, on the way to Vietnam the kids also fell in love with the country and the people.  

In 2013, they returned hoping to set up a basketball tournament, but went home realising the people needed a whole lot more help than basketball.

In April 2014 they built a house for a family and then took a group of friends back in November 2014 to build a second house. 

Garry had previous building experience, and through the already existing tour company we were able to bring people to help build houses. That was the start of the change in their lives.

By 2015 they registered the charity Heartprint. By then they were travelling to Cambodia every few months and staying for weeks or months at a time. By April 2016 Wendy and Garry moved to Cambodia permanently. 

To date, Heartprint has built 64 houses, 53 toilets and installed 27 wells, as well as employing 6 full time Khmer staff. They have distributed 199 bikes and sponsor 26 students to go to an English school, with one about to start University.

Socials: 

Website - https://heartprint.org.au/

FB - Heartpint  @HeartprintCambodia

Insta - Heartprint    heartprint_cambodia

Mentions: 

Reece Plumbing

As a teenager, Jan Cavelle went to a very posh UK boarding school which groomed young ladies for marriage. Failing to be groomed, Jan progressed to London and became a ‘suitable secretary’, which lasted about a week. 

With a keen desire to be independent, Jan started working her way through a succession of jobs, finding secretarial work a nightmare, and sales easy. She hated being employed and at the mercy of the decisions and expectations of others, so initiated a series of hustles, from selling to catering.  

She travelled around Europe and had a memorable job as cook, but also found some excitement in taking an old ferry boat for a test sail to see if she was seaworthy (she wasn’t). 

A marriage left Jan with two small kids to support and very little experience to do so.  Refusing to go out to work and leave them, she started a small business, telephone selling bits and pieces to interior designers, operating from a shelf under the stairs of her tiny cottage. 

After a lot of mistakes and crazy gambles it succeeded and became a multi-million-pound business. 

The designers wanted furniture, but as Jan was no furniture designer, she put her sales hat on, looked what sold, and developed her current ranges, earning herself the honourable title of “designer”.  

Despite awards and exciting experiences, Jan still struggled with insecurity and imposter syndrome.

Once her son had left for Australia, she struggled to scale the business, not having the same motivation she had with small kids to support, and after several years and progressively worse health, decided to break it up and sell the only bit worth having which was the brand.

It took Jan quite a little while to crawl back out of her hole after that, but she decided she wasn’t beaten.  She had always wanted to write since she was small. 

Jan’s first book - ‘Scale For Success - Expert insights into growing your business’ is due to be released in 2021, after winning a contract with Bloomsbury Publishing.

So it’s full circle, Jan’s childhood dream out of the ashes.

Socials: 

Website - https://jancavelle.co.uk/

FB - Jan Cavelle - Scale for Success  @JanCavelleWriter

LinkedIn - Jan Cavelle

Twitter - @jancavelle

Insta - jan.cavelle.scaleforsuccess

Mentions: 

Harry Potter - J.K.Rowling

Tim Ferriss

Simon Sinek

Trav Bell is The Bucket List Guy...The Worldʼs #1 Bucket List Expert. 

As a self-appointed ʻBucket Listologistʼ, Trav helps people live their Bucket List before it’s too late! His unique life-engagement message really wakes you up, stops ground-hog days and helps you to experience more fulfilment. 

He says, “A Bucket List is a tangible Life Plan...where our Business Plan or Career Plan should fit into our Life Plan & not be the other way around.” 

No one practices what they preach more than Trav. His ‘crazy’ globe-trotting adventures are contagious, hilarious & always fresh. He is the author of the best-selling book, The M.Y.B.U.C.K.E.T.L.I.S.T. 

BlueprintTM, a TEDx Thought Leader, and a Certified Speaking Professional.

Trav is also the Founder CEO of Bucket List Coaches, who are now on a mission to help 10 million BucketListers #tickitB4Ukickit. 

Before Trav became ʻThe Bucket List Guyʼ, he founded & franchised a chain of personal training studios across Australia. Starting with 1 client, Trav & his team went on to do over 2 million personal training sessions & motivated 10's of 1000's of clients. 

Trav is now regarded as one of the world’s most in-demand motivation speakers.

Socials: 

Website: https://www.thebucketlistguy.com/

Bucket List Coach webinar: https://www.bucketlistcoach.com/webinars

FB: Trav Bell - The Bucket List Guy   @thebucketlistguy

Twitter: The Bucket List Guy @TravBell

LinkedIn: Trav Bell - The Bucket List Guy   https://www.linkedin.com/in/travbell/

Insta: Trav Bell  bucketlistguy.travbell

Mentions: 

Reach Foundation

Bronnie Ware - 5 Regrets of the dying

Burning Man Festival

Eurovision

Life’s Too Short (TEDx) - Trav Bell

Sue Smethurst is an award-winning journalist, who has written for Australia’s biggest and most respected titles, including The Australian Women’s Weekly, The Weekend Australian magazine, The Age Good Weekend, New Idea, Woman’s Day, the Herald Sun, Australian House and Garden, the Victorian RSL’s Mufti magazine, Woman’s Own (UK), Chat (UK).

Her career has taken her around the globe interviewing a who’s who of celebrities, newsmakers, colourful identities, sports stars and politicians. In addition to her editorial career, Sue has worked on and off camera with A Current Affair and Sunrise, and spent five years as a weekly commentator with Neil Mitchell on 3AW.

Sue is a best-selling author with book sales in excess of 100,000 copies, specialising in non-fiction.

Her first books, The Clothesline Diet series were published by Pan Macmillan in Australia and Harlequin in the United States. In 2015 she won a prestigious Sassy Award for her book Behind Closed Doors, published by Simon & Schuster, which was also a finalist in the 2016 Davitt Awards.

The highly acclaimed book, Blood on the Rosary was published by Simon & Schuster in 2018 followed by the epic Australian outback memoir A Diamond In The Dust, which was also published in Germany in 2020.

Sue’s most recent book, The Freedom Circus (published by Penguin Random House in 2020) is a deeply personal story of how her husband’s grandparents used the cover of a Polish circus to escape the Nazis.

Socials: 

Website: http://suesmethurstmedia.com/

LinkedIn - Sue Smethurst

Twitter - Sue Smethurst    @SmethurstSue

Insta - smethurst.sue

Mentions: 

Tarax Show

Sloppo the Clown

Moscow Circus

Carolyn Rowland is the founder and head designer of Cazinc The Label, a Melbourne born designer label that satisfies the modern woman's needs of having a functional, yet stylish wardrobe.

Caz worked as a fashion stylist for more than 15 years and struggled to find womenswear labels that were not only timeless, but also affordable.

She knew her clients wanted classic, contemporary styles they could mix and match, and keep in their wardrobes season after season. They also shared her passion for slow fashion; quality garments made to the highest possible ethical standards. 

In 2018, Caz set out to design useful, wearable wardrobes that create planning for easy to wear styles a breeze, and versatile clothing designed to last. This was the birth of Cazinc The Label.

Beginning as a curated collection of trans-seasonal wardrobe staples designed to work for any occasion and celebrate every figure, the range has since evolved to include sharp, tailored investment pieces and everyday basics. 

Caz is committed to cruelty free clothing, and has remained committed to her original vision: classic cuts, beautiful fabrics and high-quality, sustainable product that is accessible for every woman.

She is evolving as a designer with today’s society and the needs of women, especially as their body shapes change with age and other factors, including pregnancy and menopause. 

Cazinc The Label has been featured in multiple fashion magazines including Onya Magazine, Ragtrader, The Trend Spotter, Shawtalk, Instyle Magazine, and Fashion Journal.

The range also includes charity tees, with proceeds going to the Rize Up charity which supports victims of domestic violence.

Socials: 

Website - https://www.cazincthelabel.com.au/

LinkedIn - Caz Rowland  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caz-rowland-21abb8145/

Insta - Cazinc The Label

FB - Cazinc The Label

Twitter -Cazinc The Label & Blog

Mentions: 

The Resilience Project

Dress for Success

Rize Up

Ken Baade and Leonie Orgill can’t get enough of Christmas, and in particular the squeals of joy from the kids. Even the parents get excited! What matters most to the pair of them is the amount of joy and happiness they spread to their local community.

Dressed in their full costumes, Santa Claus and Mrs Clause spend every Christmas in the driveway of Ken’s home handing out candy canes and spreading Christmas cheer to the hundreds of people that pass by every day.

20 years ago Ken set up some Christmas lights and bought a $5 Santa suit and started handing out lollies in his driveway, prompting Leonie to join him some 12 years later. The duo has become a local hit, and they have no plans to stop in the near future.

Paul Goddard has one main goal at Christmas - to bring the mystical world to life.

Paul started out as a plumber in 1970 and worked his way up to becoming a manager and a mentor to apprentices.

After 35 years in the trades, he retired and moved to Gippsland where he spent the first year improving the home and paddocks on his 6 acre creek frontage property.

Not fully satisfied with the retired lifestyle, Paul attained a vocational teaching qualification and started teaching plumbing at Tafe.

This year he became part of the ‘Scene to Believe’ Traralgon team and became a Santa at the Traralgon Centre Plaza. This is Paul’s first year as Santa and already he is saying he’s in it for the long haul!

That’s if he can find the time amongst his plethora of hobbies which include being an amateur apiarist and aviarist, breeding Australian parrots, and breeding and milking a small herd of goats and making goat’s cheese.

Socials:

FB - https://www.facebook.com/crypto.santa.71

Mentions:

Stockland Plaza Traralgon

Scene to Believe

If it is your mission to heighten human consciousness and spread emotional awareness you are in the right place.

Tyson Sharpe looks to achieve this mission by helping spiritual coaches, healers, and lightworkers create more reach, impact, and income in their business.

In the last 6 years, Tyson has coached hundreds of online business owners helping them integrate their spiritual growth with profitable business strategies so they can step into the role of the ‘Heart-Centered CEO’, allows them to execute business growth strategies through the filter of love, compassion, kindness, and contribution.

Tyson is the creator of the online community called ‘The Serving Circle’ and is also the host of the ‘Awaken Your Business’ Podcast.

He believes that integrating your spirit with business strategy is the best way to create the impact and income that your heart is pulling you towards.

Socials:

Website - https://tysoncoaching.com/

LinkedIn - Tyson Sharpe

FB - The Serving Circle - Heart-Centered CEO Collaboration

Insta - Tyson Sharpe  tysoncoaching

You Tube - Tyson Sharpe

Podcast - Awaken Your Business

Mentions:

Tao Te Ching. Taoism scripture from 2500 years old and stems from the teaching of Lao Tzu

Tyson also recommends reading - Wayne Dyer- ‘Change your thoughts, change your life’

As one of Australasia’s most successful Medical Technology Business Leaders, Leanne Elich is a passionate Oncology Advocate and Global Healthcare Specialist with over 25 years experience in both clinical and corporate environments with executive leadership.

Leanne began her career immediately after graduating from the University of Sydney working at Prince of Wales and Liverpool Hospitals in Sydney. With a desire to help patients on a larger scale and make a significant impact within the healthcare industry, she transitioned into oncology and medical business working for several high profile companies specialising in the latest technology. There she was able to continue her passion of oncology and medical research together with business development, commercial investment and advocacy, expanding her network and business relationships locally and internationally. 

Leanne is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She is an Honorary Clinical Fellow and a University guest lecturer in both Australia and New Zealand. Leanne is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Harvard Medical School having recently completed Genetics, Cancer Genomics, Precision Oncology and Therapeutics. Leanne is also an International Keynote Speaker, Writer and Women in Leadership advisor.

Socials:

Website - www.leaneelichconsulting.com

LinkedIn - Leanne Elich Consulting 

Insta - leanneelich

FB - Leanne Elich Consulting

Twitter - @LeanneElich

Mentions:

Operation Game

Insight Timer App

After seeing the absolutely horrific scenes of the badly injured wildlife during the bushfires in 2019, 10 year old Mikaela Van Haren was gutted, and vowed then to save up as much pocket money as she could to help the koalas and all their animal friends. 

Saving incredibly hard all year, and going without purchasing her favourite thins, Mikaela managed to raise $1400.20. She also did her own fundraising with family and friends, who had no problem donating to such a worthy cause, especially her 8 year old brother! 

Even with the isolation of covid, and the devastating hail storm that Mikaela’s family and house endured, her determination to save money to help the animals has never wavered.

Mikaela has always loved animals and cares for them dearly. She is adamant she will join her Aunty in the veterinarian field when she graduates university.

Mentions:

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

7 News

After 15 years in law, Jenn bought a retail business in a regional town in Victoria. She built that business into a highly profitable 7 figure business and eventually sold it. Since then, Jen has been assisting other small business owners in retail, service based and tourism, around the country, to achieve their business goals.

Jenn specialises in helping start-ups in rural and regional areas turn ideas into businesses, online and offline marketing, social media and community building.

The founder of Buy From a Bush Business, Co-Founder of Spend With Us - Buy From a Bush Business Marketplace and host of the very popular podcast Small Business Made Simple, Jenn is all about community and humans interaction with humans! H2H Marketing - human to human marketing.

Jenn believes that the currency of ‘community’ is underestimated in business, and in 2021 is profoundly deeper than so many business owners, corporate companies or solopreneurs realise to their business.

With a community of more than 300,000, Jenn talks the talk but importantly, walks the walk!

Jenn is a gold winner of the Aus Mumpreneur Awards, and has been featured in MamaMia, Ticker, Whimn, Weekly Times and the Social Hub, Jen has appeared on the ABC, and is a highly sought after podcast guest.

Socials:

Website -  jenndonovan.com.au

Website - Spend With Us

FB - Buy From A Bush Business

FB - Like Minded Business Owners 

FB - Social Media and Marketing  

Insta - Small Business Made Simple

Insta - buy_from_a_bush_business

Insta - spendwithusaustralia

LinkedIn - Jenn Donovan

Podcast - Small Business Made Simple

Mentions:

Ventra IP 

ASIC

Premium Beat

abr.gov.au

IP Australia (Trade Marks) 

Brodie Pyle is a young comedian who is on a mission to showcase his beloved Gippsland. 

His passion to support local business led to the creation of Gippsland Promotions, which provides free Gippsland social media content. The purpose of Gippsland Promotions is to rally around the community and make people laugh whilst getting valuable exposure for local businesses.

Brodie believes Gippsland Promotions puts purpose behind him talking shit, which he does fluently on his podcast ‘Brodie Pyle talks SH*T!’

Brodie can be seen around Gippsland with his microphone overtly sharing his pzazz with the world, and for the lucky ones, he can be seen strutting his alter ego Barbara Billions up and down his makeshift catwalks.

Socials:

FB - Gippsland Promotions

FB - Brodie Pyle

Insta - Gippsland Promotions

Insta - Brodie Pyle    brodie_pyle

Podcast - Brodie Pyle talks shit!

Mentions:

Voyage Fitness

Gippsland Jersey

DJ Nige

Ellstyle Boutique

Grant Denyer

Lady Gaga

Lee Hicks is a Human Development & Lifestyle Educator, Visionary & International Speaker. 

Against many odds, Lee has accomplished extraordinary mile stones & achievements in his life. 

He has visited 49 countries around the world, was a pearl diver, delivered a sailboat from Australia to Florida, became one of the youngest qualified Super Yacht Captains in the industry & sailed around the world for 10 years. 

He then moved to the land & developed a rain forest retreat in Noosa Australia, built large teams in two marketing companies & is now the Founder & Director of The Define Your Vision Discovery Movement. 

Lee created The Define Your Vision Movement because he personally experienced a very real struggle that most online entrepreneurs suffer from. Lee had invested large amounts of time & money on both his personal development & the latest marketing skills, however he began to feel frustrated, burned out and overwhelmed when he wasn't creating the income he felt he was worth. 

It was only when he realised he was chasing the money instead of creating a Vision in accordance with his core values, innate strengths & what he LOVED to do, that things began to manifest & shift!

Hacia Atherton is Speaker, Company Director, Certified Practicing Accountant, Ambassador, Industry Thought Leader and Philanthropist. 

In 2017, Hacia was crushed by her 600kg warmblood horse and doctors told her she would likely never walk again in any meaningful way. 

Devastated by her new reality, Hacia fell into a deep depression. However, her fighting spirit revived itself, as she faced her toughest challenge yet - to stand unaided for the first time since her accident. Hacia was only able to stand without assistance for three seconds. She cried in agony, defeat, and frustration at the helplessness of her situation. 

It was at this point mentally and emotionally that Hacia realised she had a choice. To let her tragic circumstances dictate the remainder of her life, or to face the seemingly impossible goal of walking again with courage, positivity, and spirit. 

Three years and thirteen operations later, Hacia has defied the odds, not only learning to walk again but also completing two 100km bike rides and achieving her CPA from her hospital bed - successfully turning a major life trauma into a triumph. 

Hacia’s adaptability and resilience, and her ability to redefine her own version of success, is a story she now shares to inspire audiences across Australia. 

Hacia is also the founder of NFP Empowering Women in Trade, with the mission to radically increase female representation in skilled trades in Australia and to create a more equitable, balanced workforce that values and prioritises the participation of skilled female tradespeople. Empowering Women in Trade also aims to support women who are in vulnerable situations.

Hacia’s courage, adaptability and resilience has been recognised by numerous organisations. She has been invited to join the CPA Emerging Leaders Network Committee, is a Just Strong Ambassador and has been accepted into the pilot Women and Leadership Program run by the City of Darebin. 

Socials:

Website: https://haciaatherton.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haciaatherton/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haciaatherton/ 

Instagram: @haciaatherton

Mentions:

Atherton

Amy Gillett Foundation

Monika Krimendahl & Rick Hayhurst, are the co-founders of BlitzBe, a Digital Media Company helping Entrepreneurs make the world better by creating currency through traffic and connections.

BlitzBe, the umbrella brand, is simply the experience we’re all having each and everyday.   

The Blitz: hurrying, racing, deadlines, etc.  and the Be: rest, balance, breath, centering. 

BlitzBe comprises 3 main areas:

BlitzBe Integrative Lifestyle Directory with over 20,000 members, ShopBlitzBe, which provides a variety of organic products, and BlitzBe Marketing

Monika and Rick have also created The Gold Rush Summit, A Movement That Transforms Lives.

BlitzBe and The Gold Rush Summit are the result of Monika and Rick journeying down their own healing paths to discover the joy of supporting others in their Big Dreams! 

In their words “Healing is simply about improvement on any level. Manual Therapies, Yoga, Meditation, Coaching, Spa Life, Education, Activism have all created the crescendo that has culminated in the creation of a movement.”

Monika and Rick are committed to bringing healing to a world that needs it!

Socials:

FB - The Gold Rush Summit

Websites:

BlitzBe Marketing 

BlitzBe Integrative Lifestyle Directory

ShopBlitzBe

The Gold Rush Summit 

Mentions:

Matt Langdon / Hero Round Table

Trav Bell (The Bucket List Guy)

Victoria Reeves is a Writer, Storyteller, Producer and the Host of SOUL STORIES LIVE. 

Victoria loves to channel her parents and other wild characters into her stories, and is well known for her stage appearances at Soul Stories Live, This Much is True, Inspired Live Lit, and Louder than a Mom. 

Her one woman show “BRASSY + INTREPID: Fighting to Be Me” was selected for Lifeline Theatre’s 23rd Annual Filet of Solo Festival and the Elgin Fringe Festival. 

A passionate Creativity/Career Coach, Victoria is also the Founder/Guide for Creativity Lab - Women Thrive Here. Creativity Lab offers a virtual playground for judgement-free exploration and tools to curate an “experientially flexible” life!  

With new classes every month, women from around the world connect, collaborate and celebrate their unlimited possibilities.

Socials:

Website - https://www.prosperitycareercoaching.com/

Facebook - Creativity Lab - Women Thrive Here  http://www.facebook.com/PlayatCreativitylab

Facebook - Soul Stories Live http://www.facebook.com/SoulStoriesLive

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/VictoriaReeves

Mentions:

Panera Bread

Happy Colour

Clubhouse

Aisha Alim is an empowerment coach, speaker, consultant, mentor, facilitator and now a published author. 

Born in country Victoria, Aisha was raised in a domestically violent home, experiencing multiple forms of abuse and leading to a life of anxiety and severe depression. Aisha has also endured more than 40 surgeries.

A mother, former primary school teacher, Aisha became trained in life coaching including Meta Dynamics, NLP, and Mental Health First Aid. Aisha is also trained in body language, learning from world renowned experts, Greg Hartley and Scott Rouse.

In 2017 she turned her attention specifically to life coaching and facilitating adult workshops, with a passion in helping people find their purpose, overcome fear and develop confidence. She takes a very balanced view of things and believes true authenticity comes from experience and a willingness to learn.

With over twenty-five years’ experience, she aims to take her workshops worldwide to audiences seeking to better themselves and welcomes the opportunity to do so. She is heavily involved in her local community with a particular interest in teaching dance and umpiring hockey, as well as serving on a local committee. 

Aisha’s hope is that every person walks away from her workshops feeling empowered and ready to change their lives by implementing her tried and tested tools. 

During lockdown in 2020, Aisha wrote her first book It’s All Within You - a book not just for confidence, but a book for life.

Socials:

Website - aishaalim.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-alim-265315201/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/Aisha-Alim-Coaching-Solutions-105232071133341/

Insta - Aisha Alim Coaching Solutions  @aishajalim

Book launch: 12th March - Traralgon

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=713697&

Tommy Walker is a Mindset, Business and Life Coach, and better known as ‘The Mind Engineer’. 

He started his entrepreneurial journey more than 21 years ago, and has endured many struggles, but the past 10 years has seen Tommy’s success transform as a result of studying and working on the mind.

He has created 2 successful businesses, focusing mainly on the mindset and has reached more than 120 thousand people and has been invited to offer lectures around the world.

He has combined the best practices in the world, mixing the entrepreneurial journey and mindset, to develop Rapid Transformational Reprogramming™, combining coaching, neuroscience, inner child connection, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. 

Tommy is the author of ‘Mindset Secrets’, and the founder of ‘Unleashing Your Mindset For Success’.

He is now living his dream life, with his wife and kids in the mountains.

Socials:

Website: https://www.unleashingyourmindset.com/

FB - Tommy Walker (The Mind Engineer)

LinkedIn - Tommy Walker - The Mind Engineer 

Book - Mindset Secrets

Mentions:

Celestine Prophecy (book)

Jane Sahhar started as a Secondary school English teacher, who noticed how many teenagers wore headphones as the ultimate accessory. Her move to co-founding ‘Friendie’ with her husband Phil, came after a realisation that 2 children and just 1 iPad is not great math!

It all started with an audio splitter so the kids could connect two headphones to one iPad and share music and movies on the go. After purchasing a splitter for an exorbitant price, Jane and Phil looked at it and thought, “We could do this better. We could produce these. These are useful, small, simple yet powerful. They are marketable and could be made to look beautiful.” 

And they embarked on a side hustle start up journey of brand creation, marketing from scratch, product creation, challenges, setbacks and triumphs. They became addicted!

Jane and Phil then noticed a gap in the market for the perfect headphones. There was nothing to compliment the splitters, which were now very successful. There were no high-end, sportsluxe headphones that were on trend, fashion forward and versatile with great sound. 

Step two for Friendie was to embark on a new journey of creation and produce headphones, which opened the door for more opportunities...and some pretty big leaps of faith…and the rest is history. 

Friendie has been featured on the runway at Melbourne Fashion Week, pictured in glossy magazines and online, as well as being proud partners of Miss Universe Australia in 2020 and 2021. As a company, they are determined to give back to the community and Jane’s proudest moment of 2020 was running a “Friendie for Beyond Blue” campaign. Friendie donated headphones to those in need, asking customers to simply “Pay What You Can”, with profits going to Beyond Blue.

From a business born in their own home in country Victoria, and which begun literally in their lounge room, co-founders Jane and Phil now run a hugely successful company boasting a range of Bluetooth headphones, audio sunglasses, speakers and accessories.

But Jane will still tell you that her greatest achievements are their kids, Thomas and Charlotte.

Socials:

Website - https://www.friendie.com.au/

FB - friendie  https://www.facebook.com/sharewithfriendie

Insta - friendie_audio

LinedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janesahharfriendie/

Mentions:

Start Up Gippsland

Sophie Cachia 

House of White 

Erika McInerney

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Patti Dobrowolski is a nationally acclaimed comic performer, high performance business consultant, and 4-time TEDx speaker. 

She is also the author of two books:

 9 Tips to Up Your Creative Genius

Drawing Solutions: How Visual Goal Setting Will Change Your Life

Patti works with teams at all levels to up their creative genius and capture their vision and strategy into huge, beautiful visuals with everyone from small/medium business owners to global clients Nike, Starbucks, Microsoft, amazon and the Gates Foundation. 

She is known for her high energy, quick wit and commitment to helping people and businesses achieve their goals.

Socials:

Website - https://www.upyourcreativegenius.com/

Website (courses) - https://www.creativegeniusyou.com/

FB - Up your Creative Genius  https://www.facebook.com/upyourcreativegenius

Insta - upyourcreativegenius

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-dobrowolski-532368/

Mentions:

Robin Sharma - The 5am Club (20/20/20 Rule)  https://www.robinsharma.com/book/the-5am-club

Hoffman Le Roche pharmaceutical   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann-La_Roche

Draw Your Future class free code - DYFFREE

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Victoria Lioznyansky teaches introverted entrepreneurs and business professionals how to overcome their fear of public speaking and become confident, compelling, captivating speakers.

After moving to the US from Russia more than 25 years ago with limited English, Victoria overcame her own crippling fear of public speaking to build several businesses, teach in a variety of industries, and speak in front of small and large audiences. 

She appeared on Fox Morning News and has been featured in numerous publications, including CBS, NBC, Houston Chronicle and BizWest Media.

Taking her own experiences of going from scared to sought-after speaker, Victoria founded Brilliant Speakers Academy®, an online public speaking coaching program for anyone struggling with the fear of public speaking on and off stage.

She also owns Nutty Scientists of Houston, a passion project about inspiring kids to fall in love with science, which she grew to #1 Nutty Scientists franchise in the United States.

 Victoria holds a Master of Science in Computer Science and is currently completing a Master of Arts Degree in Communications and Media Technologies. She lives in Houston with her husband and two sons.

Socials:

Website - https://www.byvictorial.com/

FB - Victoria Lioznyansky

LinkedIn -  Victoria Lioznyansky

Insta - byvictorial

Youtube - Victoria Lioznyansky

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Danielle McAlpine Johnson is a Writer, Director, Producer, devoted to using film & TV as a catalyst for change in the social justice landscape.

With an innate desire to see the next generation rise up in their own identity, Danielle believes that every human being on the planet has a unique purpose and that relentless love & passion we can overflow in our lives if we choose to pursue that purpose.

Along with her husband, singer/songwriter Chico Johnson, Danielle runs boutique production house CheekyMac Productions who have recently premiered Beyond The Fire on Network 10 - a 7 part documentary series dedicated to Gippsland's unsung heroes as they recreate life from the ashes after the Black Summer Bushfire Crisis. In late 2019 they released Behind The Sash - a 10 part humanitarian series currently available on AACTV & Virgin Inflight entertainment. 

Parents to three beautiful children Jason, River & Nevaeh, Chico & Danielle continue on the pursuit of truth & revelation through music, TV and film, enjoy travelling with their family and plenty of adventure.

Socials:

Website - Danielle McAlpine Johnson - https://www.daniellemcalpinejohnson.com/

FB - Danielle Johnson - https://www.facebook.com/danielle.mcalpinejohnson

Insta - daniellemcalpinejohnson

CheekyMac Productions

Website - CheekyMac Productions - https://www.cheekymac.com/

Insta - cheekymacproductions

FB - CheekyMac Productions - https://www.facebook.com/cheekymacproductions/

Youtube - CheekyMac Productions - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZOPd7A-wBXKNwQ14VQyElw

Behind the Sash

Website - Behind the Sash - https://behindthesashtv.com/

Insta - behindthesashofficial

Beyond the Fire

Website - Beyond the Fire - https://www.beyondthefire.tv/

Insta - beyondthefire.tv

FB -  Beyond the Fire  - https://www.facebook.com/beyondthefire.tv

Mentions:

Gippsland Times

The Sanctuary - Mallacoota

Gippsland Lakes Complete Health

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Yolunda Elam aka Yo, has taught in public schools for over twenty years, is an inspirational speaker with an infectious smile and contagious energy, and known for her compassionate spirit, ambitious mind, and being unapologetically herself.  

Yolunda currently teaches Spanish to eighth graders in her local school district.  She has held multiple titles in her twenty-year tenure including Teacher of the Year, Department chair, and Campus cheerleader.  

She is a Marvel fan, loves to laugh, tell lame jokes, and spend quality time with her five grandkids.  

Yo was diagnosed with the disease of alcoholism in March of 2019 and is passionate about sharing her journey with others in hopes they too may be freed from the bondage of addiction. 

She is the founder of ‘Freedom to Yo’ which is about is finding a rhythm with all the parts of your life and making them flow the best way it can for YOU!  

In Yo’s words ‘Be Yourself Everyday!!’

Socials:

Website -  https://www.loveyolife.me/

Facebook Group - Be Yourself Everyday

FB - Yo Sadler Elam

IG - @loveyolife37

Twitter - @YoElam3

Clubhouse - loveyolife

Linkedin - Yolunda Elam loveyolife2020

Mentions:

Tyson Sharpe

Lee Hicks - Define Your Vision

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Dani Holloway is the CEO & Founder of Merry People. 

Merry People is a gumboot company that Dani founded in 2014 and has bootstrapped the business (literally) to where it is today.  

Born and raised in Leongatha, South Gippsland, Dani moved to Melbourne for University and work. Seeking a city appropriate gumboot and unable to find any she loved - Dani decided to have a go at creating her own. 

Dani is trying to change the perception of the humble gumboot, from a daggy occasional product, to an everyday fashionable staple that can be worn city to county, morning to night!

Dani now has a team of 7 based in Collingwood, with third party warehouses in Australia, the USA and soon the UK. Dani was named in the Top 50 people in Australian eCommerce for 2020 for Inside Retail, coming in at #12 and given an award ‘The One to Watch’. 

Outside eCommerce and gumboots! Dani loves exercise, travelling and spending time with loved ones and her dog Sadie.

Socials:

Website - https://merrypeople.com/

FB - Merry People 

Insta - merrypeople

LinkedIn - Danielle Holloway

Mentions:

Mooka

Meeka and Max

E-Store Logistics

HoMie

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Cody Byrns is an award-winning speaker and performer with over 16 years of professional experience. 

Cody’s life underwent a major shift in 2013 after a horrific traffic accident left his body burned and scarred. 

After years of countless surgeries, and innumerable physical and emotional hurdles, Cody has since founded his own nonprofit Burn Foundation, and is on a mission to spread his story of inspiration, hope, and recovery to everyone he meets.

Author of best selling book - Scar Release: Breaking free of yesterday’s troubles, Cody does not let his scars dictate his identity. He encourages a life of freedom, and wants to help people live free from the bonds of scars™.

Socials:

Website: https://codybyrns.com/

Foundation website:  TheCBFoundation.org

Instagram: thecodybyrns

FB: Cody Byrns @TheCodyByrns 

LinkedIn: Cody Byrns 

Podcast: Scar Release

EPIC Life Game Plan

Mentions:

Dr Sean Stephensen TEDx talk

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Sophie Wilksch is the founder and director of  Shedding Community Workshop Inc. Sophie established Shedding as a not-for-profit organisation in 2018, through her own passion for carpentry and building… But most of all a passion for people and wellbeing!

Shedding’s aim is to provide a unique, supportive and hands-on environment for all members of the community to come together and develop sustainable skills in carpentry, building and everything in between. It is a place to shed your fears and build with curiosity.

In the third year of Sophie’s degree she had the opportunity to join the Design Construct Program co-ordinated by architect-builder David Morris.

The group headed out to a small town in the Australian desert to construct a number of buildings they had designed and prefabricated at the university workshop.

A couple of years later Sophie ventured off on a trip up the coast, but her engine had a major tantrum and she ended up on the side of the road in Mullumbimby.

With a dream to start a little carpentry business, she had just a square, a handsaw, a drill and a block of sandpaper.

This was the beginning of the Shedding journey. Taking all she has learned from mentors, Sophie and her crew have supported over five hundred students and have watched the community come together to support the organisation because they too share the same dream.

Socials:

Website - shedding.com.au

FB - Shedding Community Workshop

Insta - Shedding Community Workshop

Mentions:

Pat Gregory - Woodwork for Women 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Katie Underwood is a certified Meditation Teacher &  registered Member of Meditation Association Australia. She has also trained in Remedial & Relaxation Massage, Reiki, Sound Healing Therapy, Yoga of Sound & Traditional Tibetan Sound Healing. 

A multi-instrumentalist, Vocalist, ARIA-nominated and APRA Award winning Recording Artist.  She has been working in the Wellness industry for 10 years and Music industry for over 35 years.

Her current passion & purpose is empowering people to enhance their self-healing with regular meditation, healing sounds & strong social connections, online and in person. 

A prolific music producer, Katie has produced five meditation music albums in the last four years - Madrigal, Journey to Mantra, Awaken, Mantra Dreaming & Mantra Rising - available on iTunes, Spotify, CD & USB.

Socials:

Website: www.underwoodhealing.com

FB: Katie Underwood  @underwoodHC Meditation Centre

Insta: Katie Underwood katieunderwoodhealing  

LinkedIn: Katie Underwood  

Mentions:

Bardot

Gippsland Kirtan website

Live From Your Heart - Gippsland Kirtan event

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube  https://youtu.be/LAPuvAZONSI

Belle Chapman is a photographer, mum, wife, adventurer, and storyteller. 

When Belle had her first child in 2013, she decided to give up the 9-5 and try her hand as a work from home photographer, after falling in love with photography many years before at high school.

At the age of 5, Belle lost her father to cancer - he was only 36 years old. Losing her Dad and growing up in the days where we didn’t have mobile phones with good cameras, meant she has limited images of him (especially looking healthy). 

This pain has driven Belle’s passion to cement the love and adoration families feel for each other in memories that can be kept for life to hand down through generations.

The pain was also the catalyst to Belle founding the Forevermore Foundation, a not-for-profit that provides a free photography session to families about to be impacted by the devastation of the cancer journey. 

Belle’s aim is to capture the smiles, cuddles and laughter before treatment starts, so that these memories are the ones that last a lifetime, despite the outcome.

Socials:

Website: https://www.bellechapmanphotography.com.au/our-story

FB: Belle Chapman Photography

Insta: Belle Chapman Photo

Website: https://forevermorefoundation.com.au/

FB: Forevermore Foundation

Insta: forevermorefoundation

Mentions:

Footprints Foundation

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Mandy Horvath, is a bi-lateral above knee amputee, who in 2018, became the first female double amputee to ascend the Manitou Incline, raising awareness for limb loss. One month later, crawled all 13 miles of Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak, using only her arms, to raise funds for Operation Ward 57 & The Battle Buddy Foundation. These historic events garnished local, national and international press.

But when the cameras were off, she struggled with alcoholism, and after a series of events, Mandy found herself in hot water with the law after committing 3 DUIs in a 6 month period and harmed an AMR paramedic who was attempting to assist her. 12 hours after she was awarded a community medal, she was found asleep in her car intoxicated. Because of a series of poor choices, in one night, Mandy went from being recognized as a community icon to being very publicly shamed for her wrongdoings.

Mandy was given a chance to resolve her addiction, and she figuratively ran with it.

Almost 3 years later and sober, Mandy has led a successful excursion of 4 grown men, including fellow bi-lateral amputee US Army Veteran Travis Strong, to the summit of Pikes Peak, became the first documented amputee to crawl up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, and is now preparing to ascend Mt. Kilimanjaro.

She will be the first female amputee to reach one of the globe's 8 summits without the use of prosthetic equipment, and will be the legacy she leaves for her own children.

Socials:

Website: mandyhorvath.com

FB: Mandy Horvath @lifeproofMandyHorvath https://www.facebook.com/lifeproofmandyhorvath

Insta: @lifeproofbionicwoman 

Go Fund Me (Mt Kilamanjaro)

www.Gofundme.com/f/MandyHKilimanjaro

paypal.me/lifeproofbionicwoman

Mentions:

Cars4Heroes  https://www.cars4heroes.org/

Travis Strong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78lqEalvm58

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube  https://youtu.be/-4yRejHWrnI

Sarah began her working life as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer at a leading international law firm. While she enjoyed several years building strong professional foundations, she found it increasingly challenging to reconcile the all-consuming corporate lifestyle with her personal passions for health, wellbeing, creativity and adventure. 

In pursuit of balance, Sarah and her partner started Matcha Maiden closing a gap they discovered in the health food market for matcha green tea powder. Matcha is now one of the world's premier health food trends and Match Maiden leading the way with a very bright (green) future ahead. 

Sarah has now hung up the suits and heels to step into the business full time. In 2016, the matcha mission developed into a physical venue and cutting edge cafe, Matcha Mylkbar, which is taking the food world by storm. 

Sarah now splits her time between the two businesses and is thoroughly enjoying life as a full time funtrepreneur. 

She has also started a podcast, Seize the Yay, which investigates the difference between success and happiness, the importance of cultivating "joy" and showcases the down to earth, human side of her diverse and esteemed guests. 

The podcast became a book in 2020 and Sarah continues to grow the yayborhood as far and wide as possible.

Socials:

Website: https://www.spoonfulofsarah.com/

FB: Spoon Full Of Sarah

Insta:  spoonful_of_sarah

LinkedIn: Sarah Davidson

Pinterest: Sarah Holloway

Youtube: Spoonful of Sarah

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Lisa Schermerhorn is a transformational leader, award winning speaker and expert in the fields of human behavior, leadership and personal development.  

She also trained in the “Winners Mindset” with Bob Reese, the former head trainer for the NY Jets and helped a professional golfer win Golfer of the Year! 

As a Certified Hypnotherapist and Master Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), she helps entrepreneurs and high performers get from where they are to where they want to be much faster than conventional coaches. She has also helped people with pain reduction, memory loss and stress reduction, using virtual reality.

Lisa is also trained as a Why Coach, helping people discover their Why, based on Simon Sinek’s, “Know Your Why”. Lisa not only helps individuals discover their Why, but she also helps people discover the Why of their business and how to use it in your branding. 

Lisa is the mom of two amazing adult children, and lives in Vermont with her rescue dog Lily, who she rescued at 10 years old from a high kill shelter. 

Socials:

Website: https://peakperformancemindsetcoaching.com/

LinkedIn: Lisa Schermerhorn

FB: Lisa Friedman Schermerhorn

FB: Lisa Schermerhorn Coaching

FB: Peak Performance Mindset Coaching

Insta: Lisa Friedman Schermerhorn   lisareiki

Mentions:

WHY Institute  https://discover.whyinstitute.com/

$150USD if you email Lisa and say you saw this on the Get Off The Bench podcast

lisa@peakperformancemindsetcoaching.com

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Thomas Sartor is an international speaker, partner/event director for the Hero Round Table series of conferences, and the Vice President of the Heroic Imagination Project.

Formerly an owner of an asphalt and concrete paving company in Detroit, Thomas was unable to work in this industry for a while due to a back injury, which is when his journey took an unexpected turn into the world of heroism.

After volunteering for some time with the Hero Round Table global conferences, Thomas was soon invited to become an event partner, where he does his best to make sure every speaker and attendee at the Hero Round Table genuinely enjoys their time at the event.

Thomas is very passionate about the idea that people are capable of having an impact, and that anybody is capable of acting heroically. 

Socials:

LinkedIn: Thomas Sartor 

Twitter: teej @teejsartor 

Website: Heroic Imagination Project

FB: https://www.facebook.com/HeroicImaginationProject

Insta: Heroic Imagination Project @heroicimaginationproject

Twitter: Heroic Imagination Project @HIPorg

Website: Hero Round Table

FB: https://www.facebook.com/HeroRoundTable

Insta: The Hero Round Table @heroroundtable

Twitter: Hero Round Table @HeroRoundTable

Youtube: Hero Round Table

Mentions:

Hero Construction Company 

Pop Culture Hero Coalition 

Philip Zimbardo 

Stanford Prison Experiment 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Carmel Murphy is the ‘Communication Queen’ and is known for being an out-of-the-box thinker and an expert in human behaviour, marketing, and business strategies.

She wholeheartedly knows that in Marketing it is vital to get the ‘Right message, to the right person, at the right time’. 

Her passion for people, curiosity, know-how, business acumen and background have come together to develop unique programs around marketing, copywriting and videos designed to create higher conversion and increase sales and profit in business.    

Carmel is the host of the Youtube series ‘For Feck Sake! Marketing Adventures with Carmel’, and also coordinates, hosts, and delivers membership programs, workshops, and events to teach business owners how to build and market a sustainable business.   

She is a staunch believer that the power of copy, video, and clever marketing strategies will monetise your message sooner. 

Socials:

Website: https://www.thecommunicationqueen.com.au/

LinkedIn: Carmel Murphy

FB: Carmel Murphy

Insta:  Carmel Murphy the_communication_queen

Youtube: For Feck’s Sake Marketing Adventures with Carmel

Mentions:

Answer the public

Airtable

Asana

Otter

Canva

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Katie Dawson is the co-founder of Cottage Garden Threads, a boutique business nestled in the quiet hills of country Victoria, Australia.

Mother-Daughter duo Pam and Katie along with their passionate team of local women, design, create and produce unique, hand dyed products one-by-one. 

The journey began many years ago when Pam dyed fabric in the family home. Katie, as a child, was given the job of tearing meterage from the rolls of homespun. 

Many years later, a family friend couldn’t source the threads she needed, so asked Pam to create them for her. Cottage Garden Threads was born and the first 35 threads were created at Pam’s kitchen sink. 

6 months in Katie joined the business and the pair were learning the business side if things on the fly.

Over the years they have seen many highs and lows, but Cottage Garden Threads continues to grow beyond their wildest dreams, and with the support of an amazing team, and a global spike in needlework, Katie is convinced things will keep getting better and better.

Socials:

Website: https://www.cottagegardenthreads.com.au/

FB: Cottage Garden Threads 

Insta: cottagegardenthreads 

LinkedIn: Katie Dawson

Mentions:

Startup Gippsland

Full Circle HR

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Nicky Williams is the co-founder of Girls With Hammers.

From a young age, Nicky loved writing and dreamed of a life as an author. Throughout her years in corporate work, Nicky penned endless persuasive ministerial papers, but these fell short of giving her life meaning.

In 2019 she put her fears aside and blessed the world with her empathy-filled blogs.

While the majority of her work is published as blog posts on the Girls With Hammers website, she has also written articles for Medium, Elephant Journal, Thought Catalog, and Thrive Global.

Nicky’s goal is to help people feel that they are not alone in their struggles and that there are other people out there just like them.

Socials:

Website: girlswithhammers.com

FB: Girls With Hammers

Insta: Girls With Hammers  girls_with_hammers

LinkedIn: Nicky Williams 

Mentions:

Bronnie Ware - 5 regrets of the dying

Fred Hollows Foundation

Gippslandia 

Gippsland Times 

TRFM 

ABC Gippsland 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Henry Darby is the principal at North Charleston High School in South Carolina, is considered nothing short of a guardian angel by many in his community.

Upon realising that many of his students were struggling financially, and some even being forced to sleep under a bridge or in their cars, Henry decide to do something about it.

But rather than expecting authorities to do something, he rolled up his sleeves and got a part time job at Walmart, stacking shelves three nights a week from 10pm to 7am, just so he could donate his pay check to his students in need.

Henry says "I was taught if your hands find something to do, do it. So I came to myself and said, 'Perhaps I need another job in terms of part-time.’”

His selfless actions have led to the community donating close to $100,000 to the school to help the students, as well as Walmart donating another $50,000.

Mentions:

ABC Eyewitness News story

Unsung Hero News story

Dr Martin Luther King 

Rosa Parks 

Viola Liuzzo 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Madeleine McKenzie is a cabaret singer who enjoys nothing more than bringing pure joy to audiences.

For the past 40 years she has been the show stopper with a variety of acts, including duos, trios and full bands. 

In 1988 Madeleine broke her neck in a car accident and decided  "I can still have kids - and I can still sing! So I did”. She rocked up to an audition with David Briggs from Little River Band and Peter Williams from The Groove and got the gig. 

The trio formed the act "Some Like It Hot”, and this gave Madeleine the courage and mindset to back herself to the point that she was not scared anymore to work with anyone.

Madeleine also got to work with UK singer, Allison Norfolk and 25 years on are still performing together.

During the bushfires in East Gippsland, Madeleine felt stressed in her day job selling Photocopiers which supplied copiers to businesses all over east Gippsland, and decided to leave to do something that makes her happy - sing! 

She started entertaining folks at nursing homes around Gippsland and then Covid 19 happened - so the next best thing to live - was recording live shows from home and sending them to the homes.

And then there’s Madeleine’s dad and super fan, who loved her singing and proudly announced to everyone at every garage sale - “Do you know my daughter? She sings!”

His sister has Alzheimers and lives in a care home and is one of Madeleine’s biggest fans. On a recent visit she remembered that Madeleine was a singer, which prompted Madeleine to leave her with a concert on her phone.

Madeleine’s business, Cabaret On Call, now provides online music to aged care facilities, and she says her heart couldn’t be more full.

Socials:

Website: https://www.cabaretoncall.com.au/

FB: Cabaret on Call

Insta: Cabaret on Call @cabaretoncall 

LinkedIn: Madeleine McKenzie 

Mentions:

Startup Gippsland

Work My Own Way

Central Gippsland Health

Edith Piaf

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Ian Speirs is the co-founder of ONE Better World Collective which is a non-profit organization and multi-platform initiative with a 10- year strategy to equip people everywhere to act upon the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030, through a transformational message of love, founded upon principals of human dignity and universal responsibility. In addition, Ian is presently establishing a parent project to ONE Better World Collective – EnSaTerra, a sustainability-focused incubator.

Ian is also the co-founder of a national NGO, ‘I Love First Peoples’ which works to support Indigenous peoples, providing Ian the opportunity to work directly with over 90 First Nations and Inuit communities.

Ian’s most memorable achievement is having brought Mother Teresa to Canada for the first time and spent four unforgettable days with her. 

More recently, Ian initiated an historic online event, uniting 13 cutting edge influencers and change-makers, to seek guidance from the Dalai Lama to deliver actionable hope for all of humanity.

Ian is the president of Elite Vision Communications, an artist and event management company through which he organizes national film and music tours. He is also a mentor and life coach to many.

Socials:

Website: ONE Better World Collective https://onebetterworld.org/

FB: ONE Better World Collective @OBWcollective

Insta: One Better World Collective  one_better_world_collective

Twitter: ONE Better World Collective 

Website: I Love First Peoples  https://www.ilovefirstpeoples.ca/

FB: I Love First Peoples   @ILOVEFIRSTPEOPLES

Insta: I Love First Peoples i_love_first_peoples

LinkedIn: Ian Speirs  https://www.linkedin.com/in/iainspeirs/

Email: ian@onebetterworld.org

Mentions:

Missionaries of Charity

Janome 

Baffinland

Better We, Better World 

Good 4 Global  

The Grizzlies (movie) 

Jacquie Pohl 

Dr Natalie Schmitt 

Andrea Bocelli 

Raheen Fatima 

Massey Whiteknife 

Hyper T

Emmanuel Jal 

Poutine - Canadian dish 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

With 12 published books in 6 years, Dr Dan Eddy is one of Australia’s most prolific non-fiction authors. His authored and co-authored books include: 

King Richard: The Story of Dick Reynolds, (2017)

Larrikins & Legends, (2017)

Always Striving (2017),

The Norm Smith Medallists (2018),

and his latest book, Crimmo: The Peter Crimmins Story which was released in 2020.

Dan currently has a number of exciting book projects in the works, including the authorised biography of Hawthorn and Australian football legend Peter Hudson, plus the untold story of ‘Operation Payback’ - the failed merger between Hawthorn and Melbourne. 

He is also working closely with former Olympian and Parliamentarian, Nova Peris (OAM) on her latest autobiography.

Dan is also a mental health advocate, and in 2018, while speaking at the Hero Round Table conference, Dan opened this conversation publicly, revealing the personal challenges he has faced while dealing with major depression, anxiety and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Dan has a Master's degree through Victoria University (2013) and a PhD through Federation University Australia (2019). The South Gippsland-born storyteller has a passion for sports history and biography.

Dan and his son Ernie live in Leongatha, in Victoria’s picturesque Gippsland region, with their loyal sidekick, Dennis the border collie.

Socials:

Website: daneddybooks.com

FB: Dan Eddy Books 

Insta: Dan Eddy Books 

LinkedIn: Dr Dan Eddy 

Mentions:

Jeff Slattery - Slattery Media 

David Parkin

Jay Shetty

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Toni Lontis a Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Blogger and International Tour Host

She is also an inspirational woman who has dedicated her life’s work to helping women and the men who love them, find their passion, purpose and voice.

Toni's career began in the Health Care Sector where she practiced as a registered nurse. Toni witnessed many lives that needed change, support, encouragement, empathy and most importantly love. She gave all that and thrived in this field.

Despite having a wonderful career, her personal life was filled with dysfunction and trauma. The recovery and work she did on herself to heal and find happiness, formed the basis of her book, ‘Resilience – Memoir of a Broken Little Girl’, which helped her to discover the real Toni - a woman of strength and beauty. 

After the publication of her book, Toni starting to grow her voice and quickly became a Public Figure, creating awareness about domestic violence, sexual abuse and social-emotional and cognitive health. Her passion and energy grew a large following and this birthed many other things in her life; her Radio Toni live show, her podcasts, talks sessions, TV show, and mentoring began to experience growth. 

From the platform of Radio Toni, she support victims of verbal, physical, sexual abuse and any traumatic event in their lives, to tell their stories, helping many find inner peace and healing.

Toni has escaped from the bounds of low self-worth, anger and pain from a dysfunctional childhood marred by a congenital facial defect, sexual assault, verbal abuse, depression, anxiety and the failed flawed relationships that plagued her adult years. Toni wants to be a beacon of light in a dark world. I sign of hope after trauma.

Socials:

Website: Radio Toni https://radiotoni.com/

Website: Toni Lontis https://tonilontis.com/

LinkedIn: Toni Lontis

YouTube: Toni Lontis

FB: Radio Toni  @toniradiotoni 

Insta: Toni Lontis @tonimlontis 

Twitter: Toni Lontis

Pinterest: Toni Lontis

Mentions:

Talk 4 Media

Brene Brown

Matthew Pollard

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Steve Noble was born and bred in Gippsland (Regional Victoria), which meant Steve spent his after-school hours working on his parents farm. Upon leaving school, Steve had many retail jobs including furniture and car sales, as well as stock feed, eventually becoming a fertiliser consultant with local company.

For many years Steve had dreams of owning his own clothing range, but the clothes he was supplying to local sporting clubs were not yielding enough of a margin to survive on.

In February 2020, Steve and his wife, Alice decided to launch Hugh Charles clothing as a side hustle to earn enough so that Alice didn’t have to go back to work after their son Timmy was born. 

It quickly grew far beyond a side hustle, and by August 2020 Steve had quit his day job to pursue the business full time. 

Growth is still amazing and currently the business is consistently selling 300-350 shirts and vests per month throughout Australia, and occasionally abroad.

Socials:

Website: https://www.hughcharles.com.au/

FB: Hugh Charles Clothing  @hughcharlesclothing  

Insta: Hugh Charles Clothing  hugh_charles_clothing  

LinkedIn: Stephen Noble 

Mentions:

Startup Gippsland

Patagonia

Laurence O’Toole

Mick Harrington

The Voice

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Charlotte Le Hardy is the Modern Day Magi. She is an award nominated creative educator, business strategist, and transformation coach passionate about crafting a better world for people and planet. She is on a mission to drive forwards a new era of collective wellbeing and planetary prosperity.

Charlotte was a Course Leader in Fashion Communication and Promotion at the University of Suffolk, and is now a Lecturer in Fashion Business and Marketing at Norwich University of the Arts, which one of the world’s leading creative arts universities. She is also a Lecturer in Business Management and Leadership at the School of Higher Education at CCN teaching on University of East Anglia validated degree programs.

She believes the symbiotic relationship between business leaders, brands and consumers can be harnessed to make systemic change, and she is here to help initiative positive change, cultivate happiness and empower people to navigate challenges, so that together we can thrive as global citizens.

Through her creative solutions and strategic initiatives, Charlotte empowers people and organisations to make positive social and environmental impact. Striving to bring awareness to the power of our minds and how we can harness our creativity to craft a better world, her work shines a light on a new future of prosperity for all.

Charlotte has been acclaimed by the Human Givens Institute and featured in their peer reviewed journal for writing a Ba (Hons) Fashion Communication degree program that strategically aligns with the Human Givens principles, the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

She is also the UK Ambassador for the One better World Collective.

Charlotte delivers educational lectures, seminars and practical workshops that spark real change.

Socials:

LinkedIn: Charlotte Le Hardy (The Modern Day Magi)

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Kylie Miller has spent her career as an award-winning journalist and communications consultant. 

After trading the city life for a tree change in East Gippsland, Kylie experienced first-hand the devastating bushfires of the 2019-20 Australian summer. 

Her first children’s picture book, Heroes of Black Summer, co-written by Craig Sheather and illustrated by Karen Erasmus, tells stories of heroism, courage, resilience, and generosity as the community recovered from the disaster. The book provides fire-affected communities with a tool to support healing and recovery, to help children process the trauma. 

Kylie has spent the past 18 months restoring her fire-affected Wairewa property and working on a picture book series for Laneway Press. 

She lives by the Gippsland Lakes with her partner, Brett, two rescued greyhounds Teddy and Dotty and a 16-year-old cat called Molly. Molly is the boss of them all.

Socials:

Website: Cupcake Communications  http://cupcakecommunications.com.au/

LinkedIn: Kylie Miller 

Heroes of Black Summer (book)

Mentions:

Nowa Nowa General Store

Gippsland Primary Health Network

Bushfire Recovery Victoria

Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund

DELWP

Parks Victoria

Victoria Police

Country Fire Authority (CFA)

Laneway Press

Australian Geographic

Sparky The Wonder Puppy (book) - Craig Sheather

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Kasha Sequoia Slavner is a Gen-Z, multi-award-winning first-time documentary filmmaker who comes to the profession as a seasoned photographer, entrepreneur and social justice advocate for over a decade. She was only 16 years old when she set out across the world for six months to make The Sunrise Storyteller and completed it upon returning to high school. 

Using her passion for visual storytelling to make the world a better place, she was selected as the recipient of the very first Kim Phuc Youth Award for Peace . In addition, Kasha was selected for the class of 2017 Global Teen Leaders by legendary music producer Nile Rodgers’  We Are Family Foundation & TEDxTeen and was also selected into the inaugural cohort of the We Global Learning Centre's new social entrepreneurship program.  In 2018 she was chosen by Yunus & Youth as one of their Fellows and in 2019 selected by Global Changemakers to join their cohort. 

Most recently this committed changemaker became a Diana Award Holder, for sustaining positive social change in the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. In 2019 she was chosen to be part of the inaugural launch of projects selected for the  Voices of SDG16+ at the United Nations High Level Political Forum.  In September 2019, she was spoke to over 750+ students at the United Nations for The International Day of Peace Student Observance on the topic of climate & peace. 

Recently she became a 2021 Climate Ambassador of the Global Youth Climate Network and a liaison for the One Better World Collective.  Kasha is an 11x UN Youth Delegate, presenter, adjudicator and a long-time member of The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, the former Ontario Regional Advisor for the Canadian Council of Young Feminists. She is a frequent public speaker and is an accredited expert for the  Women's Media Center, a non-profit co-founded by Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan.

In addition, Kasha tours with a 32 piece photography exhibition “Travels into the Heart” and has completed a second large scale exhibit about Sustainable Development Goal #16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions) - The exhibition is entitled Picture 16©  At 17 Kasha wrote & published her first 200+ page book of photography “Reflections of the Sunrise Storyteller – A Journey into the Heart as a Global Citizen”. She's a frequent public speaker, has been commissioned by  National Geographic Learning, is a contributor to Thrive Global, The Huffington Post, Good Magazine, Matador Network & appeared in several podcasts.  

The Sunrise Storyteller is the young filmmaker’s first feature-length documentary, which she directed, filmed, scripted and edited. Since it’s release in 2017 it has screened at 60+ festivals and won 30 awards, including the Ron Kovic Peace Prize for the segment on Vietnam napalm survivor Kim Phuc, as well as the Eva Haller, Women Transforming Media Award. 

Currently, Kasha is in development with her second feature documentary “1.5 Degrees of Peace” which is fiscally sponsored by The Redford Center.

Socials:

Website: The Global Sunrise Project 

Website: The Sunrise Storyteller (film)

Website: 1.5 Degrees of Peace (film)

FB: The Global Sunrise Project 

FB: The Sunrise Storyteller 

Insta: globalsunrisers

Twitter: M&K @GlobalSunRisers 

LinkedIn: Kasha Sequoia Slavner 

Mentions:

The Ghosts In Our Machine (documentary)

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Sarah Dowell spent several years working across East Africa for organisations tackling extreme poverty. Time and time again, she witnessed the frustrations that charities face, when programs that are making positive impact, are halted by a lack of funding.

Living back in Australia, she simultaneously saw the power of social enterprise. 

The simple link between purchasing products from social enterprises, and these brands financially supporting charities, provided that continuation of funding that was so often missing. 

Sarah saw an opportunity to find and support grass-root social enterprises and create a marketplace where consumers could genuinely make a positive impact in the world, simply through the products they bought. 

This was the birth of ‘Asanti’, an online platform for brands that give back, with a purpose to inspire consumers to have a positive impact through everyday purchases.

‘Asanti’ is Swahili for “Thank you”. This language is spoken by tens of millions of people across East Africa, crossing borders and bringing people together from a host of nations.

‘Asanti’ was chosen in the spirit of uniting Australians with the people of developing countries and sharing in a common goal to make our world a better place.

Socials:

Website: Asanti  https://www.asanti.com.au/

FB: Asanti @shopasanti

Insta: shopasanti 

LinkedIn: Sarah Dowell 

Mentions:

Heartprint

Thank You

Who Gives A Crap 

Good Frances 

Startup Gippsland 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Eimear McNelis is the owner of Red Dirt Road Creative. She has been a Media Journalist, Photographer and Marketing Specialist for the last 21 years, and has worked in media roles, corporate roles and freelance roles in the UK, Ireland and Australia for medium to large scale companies. 

She has written copy for many businesses and organisations in the areas of education, philanthropy, travel, health and wellness and horticulture. 

As a result of beginning and writing her lifestyle blog “Red Dirt Road Blog”, she has had the chance to work on some amazing writing and media projects, and has been able to connect with many in the horticultural industry and undertake professional development in Horticulture.

Eimear has written regular magazine features for Gippsland Country Life Magazine, and has traveled to exciting emerging and prominent horticultural gardens throughout Gippsland, Victoria and Melbourne, as well as Ireland and the UK. 

Eimear hosts workshops in cooking, gardening and blogging, and has spent many hours volunteering at her local community garden.

She is currently enjoying her home based life with her family, enjoying the new challenge of homeschooling, while also indulging in more creative writing and in the planning stages of writing her first book. 

She lives close to Melbourne, in the Gippsland Strzelecki Ranges with her family where they grow yummy food in the glorious red volcanic soil.

Socials:

Website: Red Dirt Road Life  https://www.reddirtroad.life/

FB: Eimear McNelis

Insta: Eimear McNelis @red.dirt.road.life 

Twitter: Eimear McNelis @RedDirtBlog

LinkedIn: Eimear McNelis 

Mentions:

Schitt’s Creek

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

A troubled childhood and high school dropout at 15, Glenn Dawson always looked for something fulfilling to do with his life and find meaning in the lack lustre careers he'd had in his journey (his words!). 

Eventually, Glenn took the plunge and moved with his wife to Lombok (Indonesia), and bought a run-down bar and restaurant on a beach. He then proceeded to build a new hotel on the site in 2006, and in 2009 he built a second hotel in the backpacker famous Gili Islands.

While the hotel business conjures up images of a life of exotic adventures, it also brought to light the devastation of single use plastics that were washing up on the beaches daily.

Glenn had a lightbulb moment that cascaded into endless research about straws and the devastating effects they had on the planet. The project idea was abandoned and allocated to the back blocks of his mind as Glenn longed for a world that would or could have the plastic straw banned one day.

By 2019, the hotels were sold and Glenn and his wife were living back in The Gurdies, Victoria permanently. Glenn’s hope picked up as he heard the governments of Australia talking about bans on plastic straws, and decided to act on his idea. 

Applying his passion, and gaining entry into the prestigious Startup Gippsland incubator program, Glenn’s kickstarted his project, and successfully made it through to the final.

The Only Straw, is a completely biodegradable, compostable and zero waste drinking straw, and Glenn is excited about how it will evolve into in the future, and hopes other green products will follow.

Socials:

Website: The Only Straw  https://theonlystraw.com.au/

Insta: The Only Straw @the.only.straw 

LinkedIn: Glenn Dawson 

FB: The Only Straw  @jointhestrevolution

Twitter: @TheOnlyStraw

Mentions:

Startup Gippsland

Bass Coast Shire

Latrobe Valley Authority

Jim Rohn

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Kate Gale grew up in Sale, Gippsland in a very loving family. She had three dreams in life 1. To be a hairdresser 2.To get married to the man of her dreams 3. To become a mum. She nailed all three dreams by the time she turned 24, however being diagnosed with breast cancer was not in her life plan.

She wrote her first book, ‘The Breast Is Yet To Come’ while going through breast cancer treatment in 2012 and has recently released her second book, ‘Thanks For The Mammaries’ in 2020.

‘Thanks for the Mammaries’ is an honest recount of her journey with cancer. After being diagnosed at the young age of twenty-seven with breast cancer, she fought a hard, uphill battle, stared it in the eye, and won. She may have won the cancer battle, but along the way, picked up a little thing called anxiety.

Five years later, as life was getting back to “normal’’, tragedy struck her young family again when her husband was diagnosed with renal cancer. What followed was the biggest curveball that Kate had been handed to date when roles were reversed, and she was sitting on the other side of a cancer diagnosis. It opened her eyes to life, what was important, who was important, and which direction she wanted to go in. It also forced Kate to own up to the fact she hadn’t dealt with what she had been through and she needed to take control of her anxiety and learn how to live with it. 

Having seen both sides of the disease, from two different perspectives, Kate knew she had to break down the barriers that surrounded cancer. Her positive, inspiring, and honest attitude towards her battles are not only refreshing to some, but something that will leave you wondering what is important to you. Kate shows people how dreaming big, giving back, and having a never-give-up kind of attitude can turn a negative into a positive whilst continuing to smile.

Kate now lives in Ballarat with her husband Bob and two teenage daughters Bree and Gemma. She hung up the hairdressing scissors five years ago and is now funnily enough working as a Practice Manager in an Allied Health practice. Who would have thought she’d end up working in the health sector?!  She continues to raise funds for cancer research whilst speaking and raising awareness about cancer, fighting anxiety, and how she found her new normal.

Socials:

Website: https://www.kategaleauthor.com/

FB: Kate Gale - Author

Insta: Kate Gale - Author  @kategale_author 

LinkedIn: Kate Gale 

Mentions:

John Farnham

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Jason Sotiris is the founder of the award winning charity, ‘Supertee’ which provides superhero costumes for sick kids to wear in hospital.

Beginning as a tradie, a devastating turn of events with his daughter Angela, made Jason decide to pack up the tools and make kids’ dreams come true.

Jason’s daughter Angela was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2013, raising Jason to absolutely ‘useless’ when a tangle of wires and tubes left him unable to change her clothes without difficulty and discomfort for Angela. In 2018 Jason launched Supertees.

‘Supertees’ fasten with plastic buttons to bypass wires and tubes, and can safely be worn in scanning machines. The innovative design provides an easier way for parents and hospital staff to change, access and bypass medical lines, without impacting the child’s dignity.

Over the past 3 years, 7,000 costumes have been given to sick Australian kids with more than 8,000 still to be delivered.

Socials:

Website: https://www.supertee.org.au/

FB: Supertee @theSuperteeChartity

Insta: the_supertee_project @Supertee

LinkedIn: Jason Sotiris

Mentions:

The Living Room (Channel 10) 

Royal Children’s Hospital

Life is beautiful (Movie) - Roberto Benigni

‘Man in the arena’ (poem) - Theodore Roosevelt

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Lily Bergqvist, otherwise known as ‘Lily B - Artist’ became a household name in 2021 at the age of 14, when she auditioned for The Voice Australia, singing the legendary song ‘Candle In The Wind’. She went on to join Team Jess, with the highly acclaimed Jessica Mauboy, and then into the next round.

Since Lily first performed on stage at the age of 6, singing “Over the rainbow”, she has loved performance and theatre.  

Her favourite musical theatre productions are Les Miserable, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hanson and Beetlejuice.  

Outside of music and performing, Lily enjoys all things creative including drawing, painting, creating art pieces and drama.  She has joined a number of junior musical theatre productions, where she enjoys taking on other characters and most of all having fun and making new friends.  

Lily also likes to perform voice impressions of movie characters and keeps others entertained with her recital of movie lines.  She has recently been studying Shakespearean insults and thinks it is pretty cool. 

Lily lives life by the motto, “Hakuna Matata” (no worries) – and recently said “You are not going to be here forever so make the most of it”.

Socials:

Insta: lilyb.artist - Lily B (Lily Bergqvist)

FB: Lily B  @lilyb.artist (Musician/Band) 

See Lily’s Voice audition here

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Bronwyn Manley hails from NSW where the local environment caused endless allergies, which hampered her desire to grow her own food. Finally her move to regional Victoria gave wings to her dreams.

Starting out in their suburban back yard, Bon and her partner, Dave created a beautiful garden oasis that yielded enough produce for Bon and Dave, but also enough to share with others. Dave’s passion for gardening was sparked by time spent in the garden with his Grandfather, and this passion ignited a fire in Bon, and together they focused solely on growing fruit and vegetables.  

Bon soon became interested in growing flowers because of the benefits of companion planting flowers and vegetables.  Bon fell in love when her first zinnia started flowering and then fell deeper in love when she noticed how the bees and other insects were attracted to it. In an instant, Bon started allocating more space for flowers.

Having a background in hospitality, Bon started working at the local Tinamba Hotel, which led to discussions with the owners and the Head Chef about microherbs and edible flowers.  A discussion that continued to play on Bon’s mind.

Bon’s son started at local primary school and the family fundraised for the school with the kids growing flowers and microherbs.  

A few years later Bon and her family moved to Seaton and started working on a new farm with a billion and one dreams of what they wanted to do with it. One idea was growing veggie boxes, but disappointment set in as that idea wasn’t viable, and the first few years on the farm were really hard.

A few restaurants wanted Bon and Dave to keep growing veggies for them, but Bon’s real passion was trying create dried sprinkle blends. When the first big lockdown came, they made the decision to turn the edible flower part into a dry farm, and haven’t looked back, with the sprinkles now being distributed Australia wide.

Socials:

Website: http://boninthegarden.com.au/ (Coming soon!)

FB: Bronwyn Manley 

Insta: Bon In The Garden @boninthegarden 

LinkedIn: Bronwyn Manley

Mentions:

Tinamba Hotel https://tinambahotel.com.au/

Diggers Club https://www.diggers.com.au/

Startup Gippsland  https://startupgippsland.com.au/

Postcode Hives https://www.postcodehives.com.au/

Hugh Charles https://www.hughcharles.com.au/

Pete Collings (Architect)  https://www.linkedin.com/in/petecollingsarchitect/?originalSubdomain=au

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Shabnam Ighani was born in the North of Iran, of Bahá’i  faith and with a wonderful childhood, she believed in the equality of men and women and the emphasis on girls education.

She was 12 years old when the Islamic Revolution happened in 1979 and the Islamic government took over the country. It was a memorable moment in her life as she remembers she was in secondary school and wearing a nice pink shirt with short grey skirt uniform that changed overnight in to a long black dress and head cover referred to as a “Manto”. 

Subjected to discrimination, bullying and harassment for being non Muslim, all Bahá’i people with a government job, qualified doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers and other professions lost their jobs.

At the age of 18, she married an over protective and controlling man who slowly made her miserable to where her confidence and self-esteem hit their lowest point and she became physically and mentally sick. She could not make any decision for herself and was subjected to emotional and psychological abuse for many years, leaving Shab with the conclusion that she had no choice but to escape to a free country. She counts herself lucky that Australia gave her that refuge. 

Her book titled - ‘Fighting for A Future, Trapped Behind the Border’ tells her life story. 

Shab attained her master’s degree in nursing specialising in Nursing Management and Clinical Nurse studies, and today works as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Royal North Shore Hospital.

Shab has a YouTube channel, predominantly in Persian, with more than 3,000 subscribers. Her aim is to help other people who are doing it tough in life and who are looking for answers and a direction.

Socials:

Website: https://www.shabnamighani.com/

LinedIn: Shabnam (Shab) Ighani 

FB:  Fighting For A Future: Trapped Behind The Border @shabnamighaniauthor 

Insta: Shabnam Ighani  @shab_ighani 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Scott Harris comes from a family of established, highly-successful individuals. At a very young age, Scott convinced his parents to send him to a military boarding school in Wisconsin he learned to fly at the age of 12.

At the age of 17, he enlisted in the army, where he developed a passion for skydiving, and he soon won the National Collegiate Skydiving Championships. A terrible skydiving accident left with him with a shattered femur, broken tibia, three broken ribs, facial stitches, and concussion, but he was back in the air 3 months later.

Scott earned Commercial, Instrument, and Certified Flight Instructor ratings, and would eventually run a parachute school. 

Years later, he met his 2nd wife, who connected him to the world of photography which became his profession. Over the years, Scott has built a successful property inspection business, and has become known as an expert in infrared thermography.

Scott is also the author of the book ‘Leap Forward’, a public speaker and provides training programs for the corporate sector to help managers and entrepreneurs achieve their goals and improve their performance.

You may also remember the infamous photographer that parachuted (uninvited) into Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding at Michael Jackson’s ranch - yep, that was Scott.

Socials:

Website: https://www.scottkharris.com/

Facebook: Scott K Harris @Scottspeaks1957

You Tube: Scott Harris

YouTube (Skydiving is a metaphor) 

Leap Forward (book)

Leap Forward Audiobook download

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

George Siegal began his career in front of the camera as a newscaster, sportscaster, and weathercaster. His work took him from San Antonio Texas, to Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. In addition to work in front of the camera, George was a feature reporter and producer.

In 2001 he formed J.E.L. Productions, a video production company that produces commercials, infomercials, television programs and documentary films. The company also created their own original programming, which included a Texas Travel Program and a building and remodelling show.

George is most proud of his latest venture, forming the documentary film company Move the World Films, Inc. He wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary films ‘The Last House Standing’ which explores the fact that most people think catastrophic destruction will never happen to them, and ‘License to Parent’, which looks at how parenting is the most important job in the world, and how anybody can do it regardless of how qualified they are.

Socials:

Website: movetheworldfilms.org

Website: thelasthousestanding.org

Website: licensetoparentmovie.com

FB: Move The World Films, Inc.  @movetheworldfilms

FB: The Last House Standing @thelasthousestanding

Insta: Move The World Films

LinkedIn: George Siegal

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

After suffering the terrible loss of two children, Alannah McGregor has worked tirelessly over the past 19 years to raise awareness of suicide prevention and to de-stigmatise what was once considered a taboo subject.

Alannah worked with other communities to create a campaign in central Victoria, promoting suicide prevention strategies. From this, the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network (SPAN) was formed.

Alannah helped establish Safetalk suicide prevention workshops with community groups, while also mentoring funeral directors, health agencies and bereaved families - using her personal experience to help educate others.

In November 2021, Alannah was the winner of the inaugural Fred Awards, an initiative by The Fred Hollows Foundation to recognise the ‘humanitarian of the year’.

Socials:

Website: spancv.org.au

FB: SPAN Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network 

Mentions:

Dougy Centre

Bendigo Advertiser

Jim Stynes

Tobin Brothers

Fred Hollows Foundation

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Maree McPherson is an author and leadership coach who is passionate about women creating possibility in regional and rural areas. 

Her book ‘Cutting Through The Grass Ceiling’ was released in 2017.

Born from the recognition that many women are prevented from taking leadership opportunities or they lack confidence to put themselves forward, Cutting Through The Grass Ceiling teaches women how to change their mindset, gain control of their decisions, better understand their values and become visible in their careers.

Maree has just published her second book, ‘Worthy’ which helps women to ‘stop mauling your mojo; straighten your self-talk and create an intentional life’.

Maree is a credentialled coach with the International Coach Federation, and is a Femeconomy approved provider.

Socials:

Website: www.mareemcpherson.com.au

LinkedIn: Maree McPherson

FB: Maree McPherson @mareemcphersonconsulting  

Insta: Maree McPherson  @mareemcpherson

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Brandon Burns is a seasoned professional Actor, Performer, TV Host & startup investor. Brandon is a passionate advocate for having an entertain-first mindset, helping challenger brands and startups differentiate with amazing content and virality. He has worked extensively in sales, marketing, digital, startup and corporate environments.

Brandon loves comedy and making his audience laugh. He has appeared on classic Australian shows such as Neighbours, Round the Twist, Blue Heelers, Rush and has featured in short films such as Dugong directed by Erin White and End of Town by award winning Australian Director Julius Avery. He was also an Australian Idol contestant.

Brandon currently voices the characters of several children's cartoons, airing on Channel 9, 7, 10, ABC Kids and BBC kids in the UK. 

He is the co-founder of Torcht Productions, and believes that failures help to shape us and push us to learn quickly and propel into future opportunities.

Socials:

Brandon Burns

Website: https://www.brandonburns.com.au/

LinkedIn: Brandon Burns

FB: Brandon Burns

Insta: Brandon Burns @brandonjkburns

Twitter: Brandon Burns @BrandonJKBurns

YouTube: Brandon Burns

TorchT Productions

Website: https://www.gettorcht.com/

LinkedIn: TorchedT Productions

FB: TorchT @gettorcht

Insta: TORCHT @torchtproductions

YouTube: TORCHT

Mentions:

JAANZ International Singing Academy

Angel List 

Burchal Investing

Runway HQ Geelong

Go Live! (book by Fred Schebesta) 

Tools of Titans (book by Tim Feris) 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Wendy Kier spent most of her younger years institutionalised in the UK care system. She experienced abandonment, multiple foster placements, an adoption breakdown, abuse, violence, rape, homelessness and the loss of three jobs due to dyslexia discrimination. As a result, Wendy was left traumatised which eventually led to crippling anxiety and depression. 

Wendy is a motivational speaker, and the author of the book ‘#bemorewolf - a survivor’s story, breaking the trauma cycle’. 

She is also the creator of the ‘Trauma Recovery Method’, TRM. 

Wendy is now living an extraordinary life on her terms TRAUMA FREE, and works with private clients and practitioners to empower women to do the same.

Socials:

Website: https://www.consciouscoachingandmentoring.com/

YouTube: Wendy Kier

Facebook: Wendy Kier 

Twitter: Trauma Recovery Method for Women

Instagram: Wendy Kier @traumarecoverymethod

LinkedIn: Wendy Kier

Book - (Amazon UK) #bemorewolf 

Book - (Amazon AU) #bemorewolf

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Shayne Hood is a highly motivated, compassionate and progressive individual, as well as being highly regarded in the fields of social work, community services and education.

But as a young man, Shayne had personal experiences of family violence, addiction, and criminality, which have all contributed to his determination to help and inspire people caught in negative cycles to find positive and constructive ways to rebuild their lives.

Shayne's vision is to transform the misconceptions of the people who are criminalised or marginalised in society by developing new approaches, teaching and support methods that create positive social impact. 

Combining his own lived experience, with the support and guidance of other relevant professionals and organisations, Shayne has designed and developed dynamic ways of working with people experiencing disadvantage. This has led to dramatic changes in system structures, practitioner experience and most of all positive outcomes for people that previously felt disconnected and disempowered.

Shayne strongly believes that we can all play a part in helping marginalised people re-write the challenging stories that have kept them trapped in hardship, and replace them with powerful narratives that reflect strength, aspiration and hope.

Socials:

Website: Shayne Hood Consulting

Website: Wounds & Wisdom 

Website: Cutts Avenue

311 Journal

LinkedIn: Shayne Hood 

FB: Shayne Hood 

Insta: Shayne Hood @shayne.hood

Insta: Shayne Hood aka Johnny Brixton @johnnybrixton 

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Fiona Demark is an inspirational Speaker and Life Coach, who helps people who are stuck and frustrated with their lives to create a new reality. Fiona has been legally blind since birth and loves to share her story of resilience, positivity and life achievements to inspire and motivate others.

Fiona knows the importance of a positive mindset and a ‘Can Do’ attitude. This has helped Fiona to overcome adversity and think outside the square in order to achieve her dreams. Her interest in natural therapies has led her to study hypnotherapy and reiki to compliment her skills in life coaching and social work.

After moving from the Outback to the city to complete her Social Work studies at University, Fiona has worked with a range of people to support her clients through significant life changes. Fiona is the proud mother of two teenage daughters, works a full time job at VicRoads, and manages her own business.

Fiona loves adventure, often being pillion passenger on her husband’s motorcycle. “Riding around Phillip Island at 300kmph was something I will always remember.”

Fiona lives her life focusing on her main four senses that now work more efficiently than if Fiona could see. “I love the smell of rain, clean clothes and the bookstore. (Yes, I go to the bookstore and smell the books – even though I use audio and eBooks to read!) I love the touch of the sun on my skin, the wind in my hair and hugs from loved ones. The taste of a great meal or glass of wine are things I savour. And, of course my hearing. I enjoy reading audio books, chatting with friends and listening to a wide range of music.”

Fiona never says “No.” to a challenge or opportunity, never letting her disability prevent her from achieving the things she sets her mind to.

Fiona speaks to community groups, job seekers, and corporate organisations to share her story of inspiration, motivating others to set goals and achieve their dreams. She also works individually with clients to provide one-on-one support and coaching.

Socials:

Website: fionademark.com.au 

FB: Fi Demark

Insta: Fiona Demark @fiona.demark_blind_inspiration  

LinkedIn: Fiona Demark

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Karen Humphries has a mission to support people to rewrite their trauma tale and renew their life by choosing to change, so they can bloom from within.

Karen is a clinical kinesiology practitioner, wellness coach, podcaster, author and meditation facilitator (to name a few). She’s renown for her laughter and having the superpower to reframe all things negative back into the light. Karen’s passion and life purpose is to support those who have been tripped over by life experiences, and show people how to embrace the gifts that life provides. 

Karen believes and advocates we all have stuff. Learning to become willing to explore your experiences and associated stress patterns, can readily empower you to arrive at a space where you can shine your light brightly to the world.

Karen is a wife, mother of a teenage daughter and slave to two chocolate labs. Together they live in regional Victoria. She understands the constant juggle to achieve a balance between being a busy mum, self-love and success. 

Karen appreciates the joy of good health. She loves sharing her high vibe passion for life and laughter with those motivated for change! 

Her book ‘This Is My Roar’ was released in 2020, sharing decades of tips to live a thriving life.

Karen understands people and their stress behaviours, triggers and patterns. She creates inviting environments which support individual clinical work, group participation, as well as encouraging team building and collaboration.

Karen’s corporate services extend to:

Facilitated ‘resilience’ training including informal ‘team building’ programs;

Empowerment & motivational cancer ambassador workshops, programs and campaigns;

Conference presentations and workshops;

1:1 individual and corporate ‘facilitated change’ sessions;

Online ‘Above & Beyond’ Group support program;

Intuitive Meditation Group programs; and

Online Training Programs.

Socials:

Website: www.karenhumphries.net.au 

Instagram: Changechick @karenhumphries_changechick 

Facebook: Blooming From Within with Karen Humphries  

LinkedIn: Karen Humphries

Mentions:

Pema Chödrön 

HeartMath Institute 

Leah Mether

Kath Walters

Sylvie Blair

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

In 2013, Rael Bricker was given a rude awakening when after a season of triathlons, he decided to run a marathon. All this was part of a plan before turning 50. Each time he ran, he experienced neck pain and it was discovered that he had two blocked arteries.

This experience helped Rael find his purpose in life, which is sharing his experiences of 30+ years of achieving excellence as a serial entrepreneur, in everything from education to finance to fitness, with business owners and entrepreneurs around the world.

From being 6000ft underground in a mine, to starting an education business (that grew to have 4000 plus students) to spending years working in venture capital, Rael has seen it all. He has listed companies on multiple international stock exchanges, and his financial services group has settled more than $3bn in loans over 20 years.

Rael holds two Masters degrees; an MBA and MSc (Engineering) and is currently a Fellow of the MFAA (Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia), a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)  (Professional Speakers Australia) and a Member of AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors).

He is definitely not a "bench sitter" unless resting at hockey which he still plays at 57.

Socials:

Website: https://www.raelbricker.com/

LinkedIn: Rael Bricker 

FB: Rael Bricker

Free Ebook: https://www.raelbricker.com/freebook

Email: rael@raelbricker.com

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Hans Kullberg is an Author, specializing in Children’s Books and Parenting Books. Also a serial entrepreneur, Hans is a loving father of 4 wonderful children and prides himself on being a father first and foremost, cherishing every moment of his fatherhood journey. Making up silly, fantastical tales of dragons, race cars, flying unicorns and laughing llamas at bedtime every night is just part of his parenthood duties.

Due to the unexpected tragedy of losing his daughter Aviva at 10 months old, Hans is motivated to share her fearless character, fun-loving spirit and vivacious personality embodied through an orangutan in his book Baby Aviva Orangutan Diva. Even though she is no longer here to meet friends, Aviva can still change lives and create positive impact through the messages of this book including overcoming adversity by using your inner strengths, never judging a book by its cover and staying true to yourself. That is her Dad's ultimate hope and motivation for writing – to bring smiles to children all over the world while sharing his daughter’s beautiful story and turning sorrow into a wonderful legacy.

Knowing intimately how precious life truly is, his mission is to help other parents embrace the wonderful experience of parenthood to the fullest, always cherishing our children by leading with love. 

In addition, through sharing his story about the most difficult tragedy a parent can imagine, he hopes to bring attention to the often-overlooked grieving journey and how supporters of bereaved parents can provide comfort simply by showing up. Grief is a process that society in generally doesn’t necessarily embrace well and, through an upcoming book on the grief journey, Hans hopes other bereaved parents will be adequately supported during the time they need it most. 

Socials:

Website:  www.hanskullberg.com 

Twitter:  @AvivasDaddy

Instagram: Hans Kullberg @avivasdad

Facebook Page: Baby Aviva Orangutan Diva

Hashtag (All Platforms):  #BabyAviva

Email:  avivasdaddy@gmail.com

Baby Aviva Orangutan Diva (Book) Amazon Link:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GG8SYD2

Mentions:

Finding Meaning (book) - David Kessler

5 Stages of Grief - Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Rachel is a video storyteller and camera confidence coach, helping people overcome their fear of the camera so they can get their message out into the world to the person who needs to hear it. 

She runs a Video Production and training business called That Camera Girl, which offers professional quality video services as well as training and support for business owners who want to learn how to leverage the power of video in their business themselves.

Rachel studied film, television and radio at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, and began her career as a camera operator and editor for regional news. She then moved on to work as a freelance camera operator for different video production houses, before launching her own business.

Socials:

Website: https://thatcameragirl.com/

Youtube: That Camera Girl

Insta: That Camera Girl | Rachel @that_camreagirl

LinkedIn: Rachel Tapscott

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

For almost 30 years, Adam Stanecki has been investigating how to live the best life possible. He began by doing a lot of work on himself, and has since helped thousands of people on their journeys too.

Adam now holds space and provide guidance as a Wholehearted Men’s Coach, so that he can support men to be all that they can be, and in turn be of great service to the world.

Throughout his life Adam has been a massage therapist, personal trainer, gym owner, business coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and men's coach.

Adam believes that the answers to the big questions present themselves when we get out of our heads and into our hearts.

Socials:

Website: https://adamstanecki.com.au/

Podcast: Wholehearted with Adam Stanecki 

Linkedin: Adam Stanecki

FB group - Wholehearted Men 

Insta: Adan Stanecki @adamstanecki

Youtube: Wholehearted with Adam Stanecki 

Mentions:

Ram Daas

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube

Lizbeth Meredith is an award winning author, speaker online teacher who enjoys coaching and consulting part-time - a fun addition after three-decades career serving crime victims and offenders.

As a young child from a chaotic home punctuated by ineducation, family violence, and parental kidnapping, Lizbeth couldn’t wait to become an adult to create a brighter future. Instead, in her mid-twenties, she found herself living in a domestic abuse shelter in 1990 with her two small daughters. It took everything and then some to get a degree in journalism, learn to parent instead of control, and get a job at the very battered women’s shelter that had previously helped her.  

In 1994, Lizbeth Meredith said good-bye to her four- and six year-old daughters for a visit with their non-custodial father only to learn days later that they had been kidnapped and taken to their father's home country of Greece.

Her memoir, Pieces of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters, was published by She Writes Press, and has recently been adapted as Stolen By Their Father: The Lizbeth Meredith Story on Lifetime Television.

Socials:

Website: https://lameredith.com/

LinkedIn: Lizbeth Meredith

FB: Lizbeth Meredith

Insta: Lizbeth Meredith @liza8m

Mentions:

The Paper Bag Princess (Book)

Liane Moriarty (Author)

Enjoy the visual here on Youtube 

Kerryn is an international speaker and author, facilitator, and podcast host.

For many years Kerryn lived the self-focused rockstar life, until the fateful day her younger sister was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Carolyn lost her battle, which made Kerryn believe she was a failure for not being able to save her sister. This catapulted Kerryn into a journey of searching for meaning, eventually leading her to discover the pearls of altruism.

After 11 years of frustration and pain, she finally realised that the answers lie within and that she had the power to slam her own stake in the ground and build her life on her terms with the clear focus of impact.

Since that realisation, Kerryn’s award winning book ‘Magnificent Kids!’ was the catalyst to her founding the global organisation One Planet Classrooms, which facilitates projects such as clean water solutions and student sponsorship program, to schools and communities in Africa.

Kerryn then launched Girls With Hammers which hosts conferences and workshops aimed at empowering and connecting women, has released her second book ‘Get Off The Bench!’ to help people bring their ideas to life, and brought the ‘Get Off The Bench!’ Podcast to life after a number of false starts and a stint of despair.

Socials:

Website: https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/

LinkedIn: Kerryn Vaughan

FB: Get Off The Bench - Kerryn Vaughan

Insta: Kerryn Vaughan @getoffthebench