Jordan Wylie - Conquering extreme adventures for a better world
Jordan Wylie is an award winning extreme adventurer, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author, TV personality, Guinness world record holder, charity fundraiser, TEDx speaker and former soldier. He is also the United Kingdom national ambassador for Army Cadets.
Jordan Wylie is an international bestselling author, award winning adventurer and one of the stars of Channel 4’s BAFTA-nominated shows Hunted and Celebrity Hunted. He is also currently the United Kingdom’s national ambassador for the Army Cadet Force.
Jordan grew up on one of the largest council estates in the country in Blackpool, Lancashire. After a few brushes with the law at an early age, some harsh lessons learnt and having left school with no qualifications, Jordan talk the life-changing decision to join the British Army at 16 years old and has never looked back since.
Jordan has an exemplary military service record which saw him dedicate 10 years to Queen and country. He saw operational service in Northern Ireland and Iraq where he specialised in military intelligence, close reconnaissance and armoured warfare. Jordan spent much of his spare time as a soldier playing football and studying, he left the military proudly having represented the British Army as a player and coach and having obtained a foundation degree, Bachelors degree and Masters degree in the field of Security and Risk Management.
On leaving the Army, Jordan entered the world of Maritime Security, making headlines after armed Somali pirates boarded a ship that he was tasked with protecting. As the onboard security team leader, Jordan found himself in charge and forced to make critical decisions for the safety of his crew. It was this period of his life and unique experiences that led Jordan to write “Citadel: The True Story of One Man’s War Against the Pirates of Somalia”, which became a Sunday Times bestseller (general paperbacks) on publication.
Jordan has had a thirst for adventure and the great outdoors since he was a young boy but after having a mental breakdown in late 2015 with a diagnosis of severe depression and chronic anxiety, he has since dedicated himself to using the power of purpose and the spirit of adventure to have a positive impact in the world and the lives of others, especially the next generation.
Jordan is respected as a multi-discipline adventurer around the world and has set and broken several official world records whilst raising over one million pounds in the process for charitable and good causes including delivering a school from concept to completion and opening on the Horn of Africa.
Jordan is a proud patron, trustee, ambassador and volunteer of several charities. He is also the author of 4 books, two of which have been bestsellers in both the UK and US. Jordan is a regular commentator on Sky News and an accomplished keynote conference speaker.
Jordan lives by his own mantra of “Be The Difference That Makes A Difference”…
Socials:
Website: https://www.jordanwylie.org/
LinkedIn: Jordan Wylie
Insta: JORDAN WYLIE @mrjordanwylie
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Arianna Fox - Inspiring change as a girlpreneur
Arianna Fox is a girlpreneur, best-selling triple author, motivational speaker, actress, voiceover talent, and teen influencer. She is the founder of Big Ideas Kids Coaching, spreading her wisdom of “You Rock, Dream Big & You Got This!”
Known across the region as a little ball of joy and energy! Arianna Fox may come in a small package, but her ideas are as revolutionary as they are wide-reaching. For several years now, Arianna has devoted her life and much of her time to reaching out to others to spread messages of hope, inspiration, and self-confidence. Making a positive impact upon others and helping them rock their lives to maximum potential is part of this upcoming Kidpreneur’s goal for her interactions with kids, her fellow tweens, teens, adults, and all.
With her kid-tastic kapow speaking style and her ability to engage audiences of all ages, it’s easy to understand how Arianna has been able to raise her platform from her humble hometown in Delaware to a wide network online.
She is a National Award winner with the acclaimed NFPW (National Federation of Press Women), and Multi Award winner with the DPA (Delaware Press Association). She’s also a professional Voice-over actress & talent, performing for online commercial ads, web series and professional commercials.
In addition to this, Arianna has been interviewed and featured by many media outlets and is a regular contributor for award winning nationally published K.I.S.H. Magazine. An avid consumer of literature, Arianna first took pen to the page around the age of six and has been unstoppable ever since. Her first publication, a novel The Princess Chronicles: Not Your Average Princesses, was released in early 2017, teaching young children how to build their own character, confidence, and to create lasting friendships. Her new book, a young adult novel titled False Awakening, has been published and a hot item, including a knock-out book signing event at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Newark, Delaware. Her latest book is ‘Sabre Black’.
A social media sensation, Arianna has consulted and taught professionals how to build their networks and platforms effectively. In her own family business, SPLASH DESIGNWORKS LLC, she proudly works as Jr. Marketing Director and has also taken on the title of ‘Social Samurai’. At her young age, she is instructing and teaching adults and professionals all about Social Media management. “I came to be taught, but didn’t expect to actually be learning so much from someone so young,” was one comment from an attendee from one of the Social Media Workshops that she and her parents conducted. Watch out world, because here she comes, spreading her wisdom of “You Rock, Dream Big & You Got This!”
She has been featured multiple times in and on News & Media outlets.
Socials:
Website: https://ariannafox.com/
LinkedIn: Arianna Fox
FB: Arianna Fox
Insta: Arianna Fox @afoxauthor
Youtube: Arianna Fox @AriannaFox
Mentions:
The Box in the Basement (Movie)
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Nikita Dhawan - Taking legal action to save Shankar the elephant
Nikita Dhawan is a high school student from New Delhi, and is also the founder of Youth For Animals. Their flagship campaign to release Shankar the elephant from the Delhi Zoo, has garnered over 200,000 signatures and has been presented for consideration to the Delhi High Court.
Nikita Dhawan is a high school student at the American Embassy School in New Delhi. She has always been passionate about animal rights and environmental conservation and is the founder of an animal welfare initiative called "Youth for Animals.”
Nikita is leading the organization’s flagship campaign #FreeShankarDelhiZoo to free Shankar, an African elephant languishing in the Delhi Zoo, from his life in solitary captivity. Nikita has filed a legal petition in the Delhi High Court for Shankar’s freedom and has received over 200,000 signatures for her online petition. The campaign has been covered extensively by Indian and International media, including BBC, ABC News, Newsweek, Financial Times, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express etc.
Nikita is a recipient of the prestigious Diana Award and the Youth Award from the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organization (FIAPO). Nikita is also a Youth Ambassador for Born Free Foundation and Earthday org and a member of IUCN’s Commission on Education and Communication (CEC). Nikita is also a host for a UK based community radio station: All About Animals Radio.
Socials:
Website: Youth For Animals https://youthforanimals.org/
Insta: Youth For Animals (YFA) @youth_for_animals
LinkedIn: Nikita Dhawan https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikita-dhawan/
Petition to free Shankar #FreeShankarDelhiZoo
Mentions:
Animal Liberation - Peter Singer (Book)
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Elle James - Turning dreams into a silky slumberland
Elle James is the creator and owner of Elle James Makeup and Night Babe. After looking at silk bedding in a shop and not being able to afford it, Elle decided to create her own. She then thought there must be others out there who want the same, and Night Babe was born.
Growing up in a small rural town, Elle always had big city dreams. Her love of art, fashion and creating beautiful things lead her to a career as a makeup artist. Living in Gippsland and predominantly working in Melbourne may seem like a lot of unnecessary travel to many but to Elle it has given her the best of both worlds - fulfilled her love for all things hustle, bustle and great work opportunities in the city Vs empty beaches with her little loves and familiar happy faces around town.
It was also the perfect place to be when covid hit and like many businesses - the makeup world came to a halt. It made Elle stop and re evaluate her career, and also lead to Elle creating Night Babe - her product based e-commerce business where she sells her mulberry silk pillowcases.
She was able to use her beauty connections to help grow her name and get her product to the people. All Night Babe pillowcases are made from Elle’s family’s own soft furnishings studio in Seaspray, which she is extremely proud of.
Socials:
Website: https://nightbabe.com.au/
Insta: 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcases @night__babe
FB: Night Babe @the.ultimate.beauty.sleep
Website: https://www.ellejames.com.au/
Insta: Elle James Makeup @ellejames_makeup
FB: Elle James Makeup Artist @ellejamesmakeupartist
Mentions:
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Kerryn Vaughan - Bonus episode - Extending love and hope on Christmas Eve
Bonus episode to acknowledge that we do so much better when we look at all the tiny positive moments that the year (and life) has blessed us with - things that are too easily overlooked.
This episode is reflection that we need to extend much more love, and instead of focusing on how hard 2022 has been, let’s focus on the moments of joy that blessed us throughout the year. We all had those moments, but it’s so easy to override them with the things that have caused stress.
Together we can make a huge difference to the world if we just invest more love, care, hope and joy, and spend time celebrating the small moments that have brought a smile, not only to our face, but to the faces of others. And celebrating the moments that have brought joy into our hearts.
Life is not all about great big achievements and conquering massive mountains. There’s huge benefit in all the little moments that join together to create this things we call life.
Let’s get better at acknowledging and cheering on the positive.
Much love to all xx
Billie Groom - Rehabilitating dogs who just want to be loved
Billie Groom is an expert in Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT), and the creator of UPWARD Dogology. Her work over the past 30 years has led to multiple awards and recognition, and has saved thousands of dogs.
Billie Groom is the creator of UPWARD Dogology, as well as being a social entrepreneur, innovator, expert in Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CCBT), award winning author, podcast host, speaker, and animal welfare activist. Her work spans over three decades. She is featured in magazines, blogs, and on many podcasts and tv shows, including the LA Tribune, CTV, Roku TV, and Psychology Today Magazine.
Billie has received awards and accolades for her success in rehabilitating thousands of street dogs, community dogs, and dogs with unknown, or disadvantaged pasts, from Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Panama, Thailand, Spain (Galgos), and China, as well as dogs rescued from the Yulin Festival, dog fighting rings, meat markets, backyard breeders, and death-row. She is currently working (pro-bono) with dogs rescued from the Ukraine war. She also works with dogs who have no history of abuse or neglect to keep them out of the system and in good homes, and works tirelessly to create change to help animals in need.
Billie is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America, Comparative Cognition Society, and the Animal Behavior Society, is a graduate of University of Western Ontario, and is enrolled in the Graduate School of Leadership and Change at Antioch University. She lives in Regina, Saskatchewan Canada with her rescued dogs and cat who came to live with them.
Her mission is to continue to spread awareness on CCBT to decrease surrenders and euthanasia, increase adoptions, end harmful methods, and increase our understanding of adolescent and adopted dogs.
Socials:
Website: https://www.upwarddogology.com/
LinkedIn: Billie Groom
FB: Upward Dogology - Dog Behavior, Dog Training, Animal Welfare
Insta: UPWARD Dogology @upwarddogology
Twitter: UPWARD Dogology
Podcast: Dog Training DisrUPted
YouTube: Dog Cognition and Canine Behavior
LinkTree: Billie Groom - UPWARD Dogology
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James Clancy - Blending the pure perfection of Scarlet and Grace
James Clancy is the co-founder of Scarlet and Grace, a Gippsland business dedicated to providing a range of candles, diffuses, and other home and personal care products that are chemical free and made with only pure Australian ingredients.
James Clancy is the co-founder of Scarlet & Grace. Here’s the story…
The idea for Scarlet & Grace was born in 2016 on a Clancy family holiday on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
Recalling our childhood home and the wonderful scents that always filled the air, we started lamenting the fact so many home fragrance products today were made overseas and often contained harmful chemicals.
Mum then posed the big question. "If you don’t think the products are safe, why don’t you do something about it?"
This ignited a conversation about creating a range of personal care products unlike anything else on the market. Products that were designed to delight the senses, that take you on a real sensory experience, and were made from 100% Australian ingredients.
The next two-years were spent developing fragrances and building an exclusive supply chain of pure, natural, and Australian produced materials.
We were relentless in our search and refused to compromise on quality. We had a clear vision. We wanted to create the safest, purest, and highest quality products available on the market.
We knew there was a lot of competitors in the market, but we believed strongly that people deserved access to products that were made using natural Australian ingredients at the core, that offered a superior fragrance throw, and greater value for money.
Refusing to compromise on the quality or source of our products we released our first products just in time for Christmas 2018.
Beginning with a modest range of candles and diffusers, the Scarlet & Grace range has rapidly grown to a diverse product offering including room sprays, hand-creams, body-lotions, washes, and accessories.
While sales weren’t huge that first Christmas, we got something a lot more valuable than sales. We got feedback. Now for the first time we had the chance to hear from the most important person. The customer. The feedback we received from our retail partners instantly told us we were on a winner.
Customers returned to the stores wanting to order more. They told the retailer they loved the scents, the fragrance throws and routinely reported it was the best product they had used.
This feedback validated everything we had been working so hard to create and soon the sales volumes would follow.
Since launching we have opened a new manufacturing and distribution centre in Sale, grown a network of hundreds of retail partners across Australia and New Zealand and in 2022 launched Scarlet & Grace across the UK and parts of Europe.
Our brand promise remains the same today as it did the day we conceived Scarlet and Grace. Anytime you buy a Scarlet and Grace product you can be confident it’s using the most natural, 100% Australian Made ingredients available.
As one of the only brands to have every ingredient scientifically tested and certified, we can guarantee the quality of everything we produce.
Driven by passion, the Clancy family continue to explore cutting-edge technology, new ingredient blends and fragrances, with the goal to further enhance the customer experience, elevate the sensory impact, and deliver unrivalled value and quality in every product we produce.
Socials:
Website: https://scarletandgrace.com.au/
Insta: Scarlet and Grace @scarletandgracearomas
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Erika McInerney - Helping small town businesses shine
Erika McInerney has spent the past 25 years in marketing, and after moving back to the Gippsland area in regional Victoria in 2011, she realised there was a deficit of digital marketing knowhow in the region. From this seed of an idea, Erika created Mac&Ernie social media and digital marketing training business.
Erika McInerney is a highly qualified marketer with over 25 years experience in the industry - seven of those in her own business Mac&Ernie. She founded Mac&Ernie to provide qualified and locally relevant training and development to individuals and businesses looking to increase their skills and confidence in marketing and social media.
After moving to Gippsland in 2011, Erika started working with small businesses and realised quickly that people in small towns and regional areas simply did not have access to relevant marketing or social media advice. They were 'winging it' or they were spending a lot of money on general tips from overseas 'gurus' for advice that just couldn't fit with an Australian audience, let alone a hyper-local one. Knowing that small businesses contribute hugely to the local economy, to tourism and to local pride, Erika has made it her business to help others shine online through her own training, and through mentoring within a number of national and state-funded programs.
Erika is passionate about authenticity and building genuine community, in what can be an unethical space. She seeks out opportunities to foster this through what she calls 'better social'. She has won awards for her contribution to her community and to business and she regularly hands out free advice via her social media and, more recently, via her new podcast 'small town business’.
Socials:
Website: www.macandernie.com.au
LinkedIn: Erika McInerney
FB: Mac&Ernie Social Media Training
Insta: Erika McInerney @mac_ernie
Small Town Business Podcast
Website: www.smalltownbusinesspodcast.au
FB: Small Town Business Podcast @smalltownbusinesspodcast
Insta: Small Town Business with Erika McInerney @smalltownbusiness_podcast
Podcast: Small Town Business Podcast
Mentions:
State of Social (Digital Marketing Conference)
Australian Small Business Champion Awards
Jetstreamer (podcast services)
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Kate Parker - Empowering girls to protect the oceans
Kate Parker is one the founder members of Daughters of the Deep and is Head of Operations for Oceania. Daughters of the Deep empower girls and young women around the world with skills and qualifications to enable them to protect the ocean and marine life in their local area.
Kate Parker is one the founder members of Daughters of the Deep and is Head of Operations for Oceania.
Kate is a qualified Dive Master and passionate diver, having been lucky enough to have dived in many locations around the world. This experience has opened her eyes to both the beauty in the oceans but also the extent to which human life has damaged our planet and the necessity to fight for the protection of our seas.
This inspired Kate to join Sea Shepherd and she regularly crews offshore defending marine environments. Kate also runs the Sea Shepherd Dive program in Australia/NZ with a goal to drive industry standards up to a more environmentally focused level.
Having seen first hand the under representation of women in many popular dive locations globally, Kate is honoured and excited to be part of a movement that combines both her core values regarding equal rights for women, and her passion in conservation diving.
In her spare time, Kate is also a member of the Coast Guard, as well as a full time speech pathologist.
Socials:
Daughters of the Deep
Website: https://daughtersofthedeep.org/
Insta: Daughters of the Deep @daughersofthedeepofficial
Sea Shepherd
Website: https://www.seashepherd.org.au/
Insta: Sea Shepherd @seahshepherd
Mentions:
Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
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Jamie Brock - Rescuing animals and humans with coffee
Jamie Brock is the owner of Coffee Rescue, a business started out of a renovated ambulance to help a family member. After attending a Get Off The Bench workshop in 2019, Jamie realised she could combine her 2 loves of coffee and animals and create something really special.
In 2012, the Coffee Rescue journey started for Jamie Brock from an old ambulance converted into a food truck in Kalamazoo (Michigan), and has since grown into a brick-and-mortar coffee shop and coffee catering business in Portage, Michigan.
Coffee Rescue began operating as a way to provide income for a family member after going through a financial crisis, then slowly started building a stable customer base. Though the business no longer operates out of the original ambulance, it has expanded into a number of coffee food trucks, a mobile coffee catering company, a coffee shop and a drive-thru.
Alongside Jamie’s love for coffee, is her love for animals. In 2019, after attending a Get Off The Bench workshop in Michigan, Jamie realised she could combine the two.
In 2022, Coffee Rescue teamed up with Joe Gatto (known best from the hit television show "Impractical Jokers"), to create Gatto Pups Rescue Roast which is a Fair-Trade Organic, Ethically-Sourced light roast coffee blend from Ethiopia, Peru, Honduras and El Salvador. $1.00 from every bag of coffee sold is donated to The LovePup Foundation!
The LovePup Foundation is a non-profit animal rescue organization in Arizona that was founded by
104.7 Kiss FM's Johnjay Van Es in 2014. This foundation has rescued, placed, rehabilitated and reunited over 1000 dogs.
Jamie is now also partnering with a number of other charities, creating their own unique blend, and helping create a better world at the same time.
Socials:
Website: coffeerescue.net
FB: Coffee Rescue
Insta: Coffee Rescue @coffee_rescue1
Mentions:
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Doug Moczynski - Inspiring youth with inclusive adventures
Doug Moczynski is the founder of Gippsland Adventure Therapy, which supports youth with outdoor adventures that are inclusive, safe, fun and useful, to increase wellbeing and have a positive impact on their mental health.
Doug Moczynski started Gippsland Adventure Therapy because he has a burning passion for helping people access the outdoors and nature for increased mental health and wellbeing. He loves sharing experiences with others, and is at his personal best when he's engaged in something outdoors and can see the joy in peoples faces when they feel safe to try something new and challenging.
Doug has been working in the outdoor industry since 2003 where he’s had many roles spanning everything from camp counsellor in the USA to English teaching in China to snow skiing instructor and commercial outdoor adventure guide.
Over the past decade Doug has committed himself to working with youth in the out of home care sector where he has and continues to, work with children dealing with the challenges of developmental trauma.
Having completed a Graduate Certificate in developmental trauma, as well as a Diploma in Community Service work and outdoor recreation, Doug plans to round things off with a Diploma of Counselling.
No adventure is too small, and Doug’s priority is making it accessible to the participant’s level of comfort, but is very happy to make things more challenging for those who wish to push things further.
When Doug’s not running his business, he's out with his family connecting with the beauty of the outdoors in and around Gippsland.
Socials:
Website: https://www.gippslandadventuretherapy.com.au/
LinkedIn: Doug Moczynski
FB: Gippsland Adventure Therapy
Insta: Doug Moczynski @gippslandadventuretherapy
Mentions:
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Mark S A Smith - How to be nimble to navigate the chaos of today’s world
Mark S A Smith is the co-founder of NimbilityWorks, and the author of ‘The Nimble C-Suite’, and ‘The Nimble Company’, as well as multiple other books. Mark works intensively with company leaders to transform their business from a market challenger into the market leader in 3 years or less.
After a successful career in helping to bring to market billions of dollars of disruptive technology, Mark S A Smith now works with Visionmakers to turn market challengers into market leaders. He works with C-Suite leaders determined to transform their business from a market challenger into the market leader in 3 years or less.
This is exemplified in his two new books, The Nimble C-Suite: How to Align the Diverse Strengths of Your Executive Team to Predictably Deliver Extraordinary Results in a Transformational Economy, and The Nimble Company: A Proactive, Socially Responsible Framework for Driving Sustained Profits and Growth in a Chronically Chaotic World.
Co-founder of NimbilityWorks, a consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders embrace Nimbility, he brings his broad leadership perspective, extensive business models, professional speaking capacity, and tightly-honed coaching skills to leaders who desire to lead transformational businesses and teams that make a difference.
Socials:
Website: https://nimbilityworks.com/
Web link to LinkedIn: marksonlinkedin.com
LinkedIn: Mark S A Smith
Books: ‘The Nimble C-Suite’ and ‘The Nimble Company’
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Tracie Lund - Standing for a stronger community
Tracie Lund is the manager of Morwell Neighbourhood House, and is now standing as an independent candidate for the Seat of Morwell. She was thrust into the leadership limelight at the time of the Hazelwood mine fires, as she spoke out about the injustices and challenged authorities about the health hazards.
Tracie Lund is the Manager of the Morwell Neighbourhood House and has worked tirelessly in the community since starting there in 2012. She has introduced and championed much-needed initiatives, resulting in the Morwell Neighbourhood House becoming a renowned hub where vital support is available for everyone, no matter their circumstances.
Tracie is currently running for the seat of Morwell, after running as an independent candidate in the 2014 State Election, securing 11% of the vote and transforming the once safe seat of Morwell into one of the most marginal electorates in Victoria.
Tracie has earned a reputation as a highly-respected community leader in the Latrobe Valley and is a sitting Councillor of Latrobe City Council after being elected in 2020.
In 2014 when the Hazelwood Mine Fire broke out just 400 metres from the heart of Morwell, Tracie was compelled to act as an advocate for the residents of Morwell and found herself thrust into the communications vacuum. She was a conduit between services and community, providing affected residents with up-to-date information and support that was lacking.
She is passionate about grassroots democracy and strongly believes that investment in and support of the community improves health and wellbeing, resilience, and employment opportunities. Her experience in supporting the local community every day on the ground has given her insight into what is required as the community navigates the future.
Socials:
Website: tracielund.com.au
LinkedIn: Tracie Lund
FB: Tracie Lund
Insta: Tracie Lund @tracielund4morwell
Mentions:
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George Siegal - Hoping and deciding in the face of Hurricane Ian
George Siegal is a film maker and podcast host. His most recent film ‘Last House Standing’ uncovers the potentially catastrophic impact of building houses that won’t stand up in hurricane affected areas, and in this episode we chat about the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
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: thelasthousestanding.org
Website: tellushowhowtomakeitbetter.com
FB: Tell Us How To Make It Better
Insta: Tell Us How To make It Better @tellushowtomakeitbetter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/movetwfilms
Podcast: Tell Us How To make It Better
LinkedIn: George Siegal
Mentions:
Brock Long (podcast interview)
John Scardena and Aris Papadopoulos (podcast interview)
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
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Daniel Fitzgerald - Wheelin to the mountains
To honour his own journey with depression, as well as honouring the memory of a mate lost to suicide, Daniel Fitzgerald over 3,000 kilometres across Australia to raise awareness and funds for the Black Dog Institute.
Daniel Fitzgerald cycled 3169 kilometres from Esperance, Western Australia to Omeo, Victoria to raise funds and suicide awareness for the Black Dog Institute.
He completed the ride in 22 days, which included 4 rest days.
In 2019 Daniel attended the funeral of ‘Whelan’ who lost his battle with depression, where the impact and ripple effect of suicide really hit hard.
A car accident back in 2004 claimed the life of another mate ‘Tim’, and Daniel didn’t deal with the emotions at the time. The emotions eventually resurfaced as depression, and after a period of hospitalisation, Daniel reached out for help. Eventually the therapy of EMDR changed Daniel’s life.
To show the positive change in his life, and in memory of Whelan, Daniel started making plans for his ride.
Daniel hopes the ride will also inspire people who have challenging situations going on in their lives to reach out and seek help.
Socials:
FB: Wheelin to the mountains @wheelintothemountains
Mentions:
Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/
Donate: https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraisers/Wheelintothemountains
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Heather Baird - Creating a better life for foster kids
Heather Baird entered the foster care system at two and a half years of age and for many years was plagues with self-worth and self-esteem issues. Understanding how this feels for others in the system, and driven by the need to provide supplies that were not readily available to these kids, Heather founded the charity A Better Life For Foster Kids.
Heather Baird is the founder of A Better Life For Foster Kids. She is passionate about raising awareness about the experiences of children in the out of home care system and how it takes all of us working collectively together to make sure children and young people in out of home care get better life outcomes.
Her inspirational drive to create change for children in out of home care and for carers is informed by her own experiences growing up in orphanages and foster homes from the age of 2 and a half, as well as her time on placement with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (then DHHS) in child protection, while she undertook a Diploma of Social Services.
Heather has been featured in numerous radio programs, podcasts, and news articles, and frequently gives talks on the issues faced by children in out of home care to groups around Victoria. People are often surprised by what they learn about the out of home care system when they hear Heather speak for the first time.
Socials:
Website: http://abetterlifeforfosterkids.org.au/
LinkedIn: Heather Baird
FB: A Better Life For Foster Kids Inc @abetterlifeforfosterkids
Insta: Heather Baird @a_better_life_for_foster_kids_
Mentions:
Westfield Local Hero
Gippsland Community Leadership Program
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Kerryn Vaughan - The fine line between showing up and self care
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the fine line between showing up and self care. I think there’s too much noise about hustle and grind, and it’s way too easy to drive ourselves into the ground and not take care of ourselves.
Kerryn Vaughan is an author, speaker, facilitator and the creator and host of Get Off The Bench.
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the fine line between showing up and self care.
I think there’s too much noise about hustle and grind, and it’s way too easy to drive ourselves into the ground and not take care of ourselves.
I do believe it’s important to show up, especially if that means changing people’s lives and making a difference. But we need to fine the balance so we can keep our own cup full first.
What do we hang on to and what do we give up. Today I share a few of my own thoughts which are true to me.
Socials:
Website: https://www.kerrynvaughan.com/
LinkedIn: Kerryn Vaughan
Julie Philip - Barbering to inspire self-worth
Julie Philip loves to follow her passions and loves to bring joy. A few years ago, Julie decided to pursue her dream of becoming a barber, and is now volunteering at a neighbourhood house one day per month bringing joy and self-worth.
Julie Philip believes in following your dream, and she doesn’t do it half-heartedly.
Following her passion for Africa, Julie decided to learn African drumming and after just one lesson found herself in a band. Not long after, she realised the deep connection she felt with art, so pursued that. Very soon she was holding exhibitions and selling her pieces.
Alongside the passions Julie follows, is her full time job as a public servant. In 2019, while having a review with her manager, and being asked what she really wanted to do, Julie said “I’ve always wanted to be a barber”. Fully supported by her manager, Julie began the year long journey to becoming a qualified barber.
But what has really impacted Julie, is how the simple act of cutting hair has led to an increase in confidence and self-worth for the people she lovingly styles.
Julie volunteers 1 day per month at the Morwell Neighbourhood House, and truly knows how she is changing lives. Not only do the recipients appreciate her work and care, Julie goes home feeling incredibly blessed to be in a position to share so much joy.
Her next venture? To build a Barber Army.
Socials:
LinkedIn: Julie Philip
Mentions:
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Tammy van Wisse - Swimming one and a half times around the planet
Tammy van Wisse is a World Record breaking endurance swimmer who has conquered some of the coldest, deepest and longest waterways in the world. Her swim distances add up to over an astonishing 65,000km, which is one and a half times around the planet.
Most people fly, some board a ship, but Tammy van Wisse has done it the hard way by swimming 1.5 times round the world. At 32, Tammy has swum 60,000 kilometres – a testament to her amazing stamina and strength.
Tammy is a master at conquering extreme challenges, including swimming some of the coldest, deepest and longest waterways on the planet including Loch Ness, Bass Strait, the English Channel and the Murray River, amassing an astonishing 65,000kms, which is equivalent to one and half times around the globe!
Victorian born Tammy started her formal swimming training at age 11. She progressed through her teens winning Victorian State Swimming and Victorian Royal Life Saving Titles.
Lifesaving became an integral part of Tammy’s career, and she entered events such as the Lorne Pier to Pub swim, which she won in 1986, 1987 and 1989.
Her first marathon swim was in 1986 from Beaumaris to Frankston, a distance of 20 kilometres.
A decade later, Tammy entered the Guinness Book of Records as the first person to swim Bass Strait.
Tammy went on to establish other record times and wins for swimming Loch Ness, New Zealand’s Cook Strait, the English Channel, the Olympic Games Centenary Marathon swim in Greece and the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in New York.
In 2001, Tammy completed her greatest challenge to date by swimming the entire length of the Murray River from the Alps to the ocean – a feat no one else has achieved, taking 106 days and covering a distance of 2438 kilometres.
As a human water quality tester, Tammy has long been a campaigner for cleaner waterways. Through her amazing swims, Tammy raises awareness about environmental issues confronting Australia’s river systems, such as poor environmental flows, salinity and toxic algal bloom.
Career Highlights
Swum more than 65,000kms, equivalent to one-and-half times around the planet
Fastest woman to swim the Cook Strait, New Zealand
First and only person in world to swim Bass Strait (97.4km) – Tasmania to Victoria, Australia.
Fastest person to swim Loch Ness, Scotland
Fastest person to swim 2438km length of the Murray River, Australia.
Champion for change highlighting the Murray River’s environmental plight from her own perspective as a “human water quality tester”.
Broke world record for New York to New Jersey, USA as tribute to Gertrude Ederle, first woman across the English Channel and her contribution to Women in Sport.
Has a day named after her in New Jersey, USA.
Winner of round Manhattan Island Marathon Race, USA (48kms)
Two solo swims of the English Channel with honour of fastest person across in 1993 and first brother & sister to cross together in 1994.
Lifesaver of the Year & winner of more than 150 Victorian State Lifesaving Titles.
Australian Geographic “Adventurer of the Year”
Ambassador for National Drowning Prevention Day & Play it Safe by the Water
Ambassador for The Male Hug – raising awareness of Men’s Mental Health
Socials:
LinkedIn: Tammy van Wisse
Insta: Tammy van Wisse @tammyvanwisse
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Ben Price - Flying high for a childhood dream
Ben Price is one of the seven crew who make up the Royal Australian Air Force aerobatics team, the Roulettes. His childhood dream of becoming a pilot happened several years after leaving school, and bored with his then job, Ben decided to chase that dream.
Flight Lieutenant Ben Price, 34, grew up on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. From a young age, Ben had dreamed of being a pilot. However in the years following Year 12, he started and completed an apprenticeship as an electrician. After seven years in the electrical industry, Ben decided to chase his long-term dream of becoming a pilot in the Air Force. With no aviation experience, Ben was accepted into the Air Force and began his new career as a Pilot in 2015.
Ben graduated on 246 Pilots Course in 2017 on the Pilatus PC-9/A and was posted to No. 33 Squadron to fly the KC-30A out of RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland. During his time on the tanker aircraft, Ben was involved in two Middle East region deployments, VIP tasking and various operations and exercises both domestically and internationally.
This is Ben’s first season with the Roulettes and first posting to Central Flying School. Away from work Ben enjoys time with his fiancé, young son, family and friends. Ben enjoys everything AFL, the beach, the snow and a good laugh with friends.
Air Force Roulettes
The Roulettes are the Royal Australian Air Force's aerobatic display team. They were established in 1970 following the success of earlier teams, the Red Sales and Telstars.
The Roulettes had their first public display at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1970. The team flew a Macchi MB-326 aircraft, which was replaced by the Pilatus PC-9/A (the Air Force's new pilot training aircraft) in 1989. Since then, the Roulettes have become a six aircraft, seven member team which completes two display seasons each year (a season runs for six months).
The Pilatus PC-9/A retired from Roulettes operations in March 2019 and was replaced by Pilatus PC-21 – one of the most advanced training aircraft in the world.
Roulette displays are flown all around Australia and consist of a number of manoeuvres flown in various formations at low level. They are an extension of formation, aerobatics, low level flying, and airmanship skills, taught to Air Force pilots and developed throughout their career.
The Roulettes fly as low as 250 feet (80 m) at speeds of up to 370 knots to 685km/h and pilots can experience up to 6 ‘G', or 6 times, the force of gravity during a display. Flying as close as three metres apart, the team showcases the level of visual judgement and hand-eye coordination that pilots in the Air Force are able to achieve.
Roulette pilots are Qualified Flying Instructors who work at the Central Flying School, based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria. Between displays, they teach other Air Force pilots to become instructors.
Socials:
About Ben Price: https://www.airforce.gov.au/displays/roulette-seven
Roulettes: https://www.airforce.gov.au/roulettes
FB: Airforce Roulettes https://www.facebook.com/AirForceRoulettes
Insta: Airforce Roulettes @airforceroulettes https://www.instagram.com/airforceroulettes/
Mentions:
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