Adam Stanecki - Holding wholehearted space for men
Adam Stanecki is a men’s coach, helping men to live their best life through vulnerability and wholeheartedness. He loves nothing more than to support men to connect with their true selves and build wonderful relationships around them.
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:
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Rachel Tapscott - Amplifying businesses through camera confidence
Rachel Tapscott left her secure job in the TV industry to try something new on her own terms. She started ‘That Camera Girl’ to help people feel more confident in front of the camera, and now has a thriving business.
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
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Hans Kullberg - Transforming loss into legacy
After losing his 9 month old baby daughter, Hans Kullberg was determined to keep her spirit alive, and to help other bereaved parents to do the same. He is the author of the book ‘Baby Aviva Orangutan Diva’ and has many more books and impactful projects on the horizon.
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
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Rael Bricker - Helping others build business excellence
Rael Bricker knows how valuable life is. After a season of triathlons, and persevering with neck pain, he was diagnosed with 2 blocked arteries. This rude awakening helped him find his purpose, and now he helps entrepreneurs find excellence.
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
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Karen Humphries - Roaring to help others bloom from within
Karen Humphries is a clinical kinesiology practitioner, wellness coach, podcaster, author and meditation facilitator, on 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 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:
Sylvie Blair
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Fiona Demark - Seeing clear visions through blindness
Fiona Demark is an inspirational speaker and life coach who, despite being vision impaired, never says ‘no’ to a challenge or opportunity. She has a CAN DO attitude, and is fierce about supporting her clients to believe the same.
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
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Shayne Hood - Sharing Wounds and Wisdom to empower youth
Shayne Hood’s younger life was filled with domestic violence, addiction, criminal activity, and trying to make sense of the deep pain he was experiencing. After doing intense healing work on himself, he now works with youth and support organisations to minimise pain and accelerate healing in those experiencing disadvantage.
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
LinkedIn: Shayne Hood
FB: Shayne Hood
Insta: Shayne Hood @shayne.hood
Insta: Shayne Hood aka Johnny Brixton @johnnybrixton
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Wendy Kier - Overcoming trauma by being More Wolf
Wendy Kier, author of Be More Wolf (#bemorewolf), spent most of her younger years institutionalised in the UK care system. Abandonment, multiple foster placements, and multiple forms of abuse, left her traumatised and with crippling anxiety and depression, but gave her the passion to create the Trauma Recovery method to help others.
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
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Brandon Burns - Torching promo videos and startups
Brandon Burns is a seasoned professional Actor, Performer, TV Host & startup investor, and is the co-founder of TorchT Productions, a company passionate about helping challenger brands and startups stand out and be noticed for their unique X-factor.
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
Insta: TORCHT @torchtproductions
YouTube: TORCHT
Mentions:
JAANZ International Singing Academy
Go Live! (book by Fred Schebesta)
Tools of Titans (book by Tim Feris)
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Maree McPherson - Amplifying women’s worth
Maree McPherson loves nothing more than to lift women leaders and particularly in rural areas. Her books, ‘Cutting Through The Grass Ceiling’ and ‘Worthy’ were born from real life experiences and from stories shared in her coaching program.
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
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Alannah McGregor - Transforming grief into awareness
Alannah McGregor’s journey of grief began 21 years ago when two of her children took their own lives within a month of each other, prompted by workplace bullying. She has since formed SPAN (Suicide Prevention Awareness Network) in Bendigo and works to prevent other families experiencing what she did.
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:
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George Siegal - Moving the world with impact films
George Siegal began his career in front of the camera as a newscaster, sportscaster, and weathercaster. He then moved behind the camera and started his own film company, Move The World Films where he explores social issues and the impact they have on us.
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
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Scott Harris - Leaping forward over any obstacle
Scott Harris is a speaker, skydiver, pilot, photographer and many more things, and is well known as the infamous videographer that parachuted (uninvited) into Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding at Michael Jackson’s ranch. He is also the author of ‘Leap Forward’, a book that shows how to overcome any obstacle.
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 Audiobook download
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Shabnam Ighani - Fighting for a future
Shabnam Ighani is the author of ‘Fighting for a Future’ which tells the story of Shab and her young boys escaping Iran when she was 29. Prior to escaping her life was turned upside down by the Islamic Revolution, and an arranged marriage left her completely controlled.
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
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Bronwyn Manley - Harvesting sprinkles of joy
Bronwyn Manley loves nothing more than to sprinkle the world with joy. Starting with a bare farm, Bon and partner Dave have built a flourishing dried flower sprinkle business ‘Bon in the Garden’, that is creating colour and happiness to endless meals.
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
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Lily Bergqvist - Performing with unapologetic authenticity
At age 14, Lily Bergqvist auditioned for The Voice, Australia, and overnight became a household name. Her passion for performing is enveloped in unapologetic authenticity, and with wisdom beyond her years, she is certainly a voice to be reckoned with.
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
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Jason Sotiris - Turning sick kids into superheroes
Jason Sotiris was living and loving the tradie life, until his 1yr old daughter developed a rare form of cancer. In caring for her, he realised he could create a superhero medical garment to sick kids in hospital to feel strong and good about themselves.
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:
Life is beautiful (Movie) - Roberto Benigni
‘Man in the arena’ (poem) - Theodore Roosevelt
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Kate Gale - Dreaming big and conquering cancer
Kate Gale had 3 goals - become a hairdresser, marry the man of her dreams, have kids. Cancer was not on that list, but she was gifted with it nonetheless. Five years later her husband also received the same unwanted gift.
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/
Insta: Kate Gale - Author @kategale_author
LinkedIn: Kate Gale
Mentions:
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Glenn Dawson - Sucking up The Only Straw
Glenn Dawson and his wife moved to Lombok, Indonesia and converted a run down bar into a successful resort. But, so troubled by the plastic straw issue, Glenn set out to create the only straw that truly addresses sustainability and eco-friendliness.
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
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Eimear McNelis - Blogging the perfect lifestyle
Eimear McNelis is a writer and marketing specialist turned lifestyle blogger. Her initiative, Red Dirt Road Creative shares a plethora of great ideas about self-sustainability, wellbeing, travel and self care.
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
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