Brilliant-Online-Magazine-September-2023

La Roja! A bittersweet moment for Olga Carmona

SUPER HEROES

INSIDE: This photo of Captain and team hero Olga Carmona had more than 13.7 million views on Twitter with her rejoicing the win of 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Final. Spain 1 - England 0. Hours later news about the passing of her father was revealed to her. This month we showcase Superheroes small and big in business and within our community.

Photo: Andy Cheung, Arck Photography

NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR

✦ Brilliant-Online features Superheroes this September

This month we are highlighting and celebrating a whole range of superheroes!

Not all superheroes don a cape or mask to conduct their impressive duties, something we constantly prove this month via a range of brilliant stories highlighting the often unsung heroes that we hope will leave you wowed!

Our cover story charts the remarkable success of the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand that saw an almost endless list of superheroes emerge. Not only eventual champions Spain but many of the other competing nations emerged with huge credit, in particular the Matildas of Australia who were embraced by the nation like never before.

Elsewhere, we learn more about the superpower “Little MEG” at TG’s Child Care, where the values of Mindfulness, Empathy and Gratitude are shaping not only educators and children but the broader community. Jessica Gray tells of her pride of working alongside a team of superheroes at

ABOUT BRILLIANT

Smart Coast Conveyancing, Bernie Ginnane explains how to be your own superhero and we catch up with the superhero performers from the Tortuga Festival, including Australia’s most prolific recordbreaker Chayne Hultgren, aka “The Space Cowboy”.

We profile superheroes in the animal world and champion the annual Save The Koala campaign that strives to protect and create a better future for the Aussie superhero marsupial. September is also the month to raise awareness of dementia, Alzheimer’s and the hearing impaired, and we look at some of the fine work being done in those areas.

Our content writer Yann Tyng recounts her experience of contemplative rest in a Spanish monastery and we also shine the light on the forgotten musician Sixto Rodriguez, a superhero during apartheid South Africa whose story is one of a superhero in its own right!

We hope you enjoy this month’s stories as much as we do bringing them to you.

Brilliant-Online is more than a one dimensional read. It is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses pushing for a better world in the digital era. Born witty, Brilliant unveils an online magazine featuring a variety of digital interactive content that makes it similar to the magical Daily Prophet newspaper from Harry Potter.

BRILLIANT CONTENTS

➹

Note from our editor Here Come The Girls! Superheroes from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Brilliant BUSINESS

A Little MEG a Day Keeps TG's Children Joyful at Play! How to be your own Superhero

The Superheroes of Smart Coast Conveyancing Micro Business Forum announces new committee towards an exciting year

Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) the new superhero for marketing?

Shark sighted, How Port AdVenture Cruises saved Joel Brilliant Finalists of Mid North Coast Business Awards 2023

Brilliant October Theme is "My Small Business" and "Cultural Infusion"

Sweet Tooth Marshmallows

Brilliant COMMUNITY

Children's Superhero Art Show at Wauchope Art Gallery

What's On during September and October 2023

A New Aircraft for Hastings District Flying Club

The Lost Plot is Bringing the Community Together to Celebrate and Educate

What is a Mooncake?

Brilliant HEALTH

Ride4Dyslexia is cycling for charity to raise awareness of Dyslexia

Making Sure We Are ALL Being Heard

Raising awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Walk with me Out of the Shadows

Brilliant ENTERTAINMENT

Meet Chayne Hultgren, known professionally as "The Space Cowboy" TORTUGA Festival's Superhero Performers!

The Superhero ‘70s Rock Icon Who Almost Never Was HEAVENS: A Boy and His Robot, a Singaporean movie 11 years in the making

Brilliant PETS

Coffee with (the REAL) Samso - the canine inspiration behind the name

Imagine an Australia without Koalas...

Celebrating Superheroes in the Animal World!

Brilliant TRAVEL

Monastery of Tulebras - for those who seek contemplative rest

Staying on top of things with the world’s best rooftop bars

Driven to a perfect getaway

HERE COME THE GIRLS! SUPERHEROES FROM THE 2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

✦ The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup was a knock-out success, producing superheroes aplenty and charting the way forward for the beautiful game to develop and prosper.

The Matildas performed heroically at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil

It’s been said many times before that not all superheroes wear masks or capes and that was certainly the case at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The month-long football extravaganza was an overwhelming success that found a new audience and united a nation like never before and, for that reason alone, everyone associated with the occasion emerges as a superhero!

The manner in which the tournament was organised and broadcast to the world was a testimony to the warm embrace

of both nations and the wonderful cities and their people that hosted the month-long festival. People who never really had any interest in the world game suddenly found themselves caught up in the hype and fever, especially in Australia as the mighty Matildas team excelled to reach the semi-final stage. That game alone against the Lionesses of England on August 16 was the most watched TV event in Australian history, with a staggering 11.5 million people tuned in at some point, almost half of the population of some 25 million, and an average audience of 7.13 million.

Photo: Arck Photography Andy Cheung

c“The Matildas have rewritten the history books,” said free-to-air host broadcaster Channel Seven’s head of network sport Lewis Martin. “Australia was captivated last night as the Matildas played their hearts out and did us all proud.”

Close to two million tickets were sold throughout the tournament, a record, and almost 500,000 more than initial targets. Packed stadiums were treated to some incredibly entertaining games and wonderful displays by teams from all over the world, with shocks aplenty, triumphant underdog stories and a clear validation that the women’s game is not only here to stay but to grow immeasurably.

Role models in Women's Football

So many teams and individuals emerged as superheroes and the impact on young girls the world over cannot be emphasised enough as a new breed of role models emerged brightly and confidently into the public consciousness. Sam Kerr, Cortnee Vine, Mary Earps, Yui Hasegawa,

Lauren James, Olga Carmona, Aitana Bonmatí, Salma Paralluelo, Linda Caicedo and many, many others are now the names on millions of youngsters’ lips across the globe, whose heroics on the pitch will now be copied in parklands, fields and beaches from Tokyo to Cameroon, from Rio De Janeiro to Paris, and beyond. Time for the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and many other luminaries in the men’s game to step aside as the girls now have heroes of their own!

Of course, the eventual winners Spain emerge with the most credit as overall champions, playing a brand of football that was enterprising and easy on the eye. Their captain Carmona scored the winner in a tense final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20. However, her elation soon turned sour as

she learned after the final whistle that her father had passed away, creating a maelstrom of emotions in the skipper. The day after the final Carmona dedicated her World Cup triumph to her father.

c“I have no words to thank you for all your love,” she tweeted. “Yesterday was the best and the worst day of my life. I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment - that is why I will be with my companions - so that from wherever you are, you know that this star is also yours, dad.”

Australia's Favourite, Sam Kerr

Photo: Arck Photography

Olga Carmona scores the winning goal for Spain in the final against England

Photo: Arck Photography Andy Cheung

For not only her exploits on the pitch in leading her country to their first world title, Carmona demonstrated such poignant elegance and respect of it during tragic times that she inequivocably emerges as a true superhero. It was Carmona’s teammate Aitana Bonmatí who emerged as the main superhero on the pitch and who was bestowed the Golden Ball Award for best player of the tournament. The

Barcelona star, already a Ballon d’Or winner, dictated play through the midfield and demonstrated an understanding and execution of the game not too dissimilar to former celebrated male compatriots Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

England’s players also emerged with great credit, demonstrating throughout the tournament exactly why they are current European champions with a series of smart

and resolute displays. Lauren James possesses undoubted quality and was on course to be recognised as the star player of the tournament before a petulant stamp on an opponent in the match against Colombia saw her red-carded and subsequently miss two games as the team progressed, with manager Sarina Wiegman reluctant to change a winning side meaning James did not start the final against Spain. Still, she will

Spain celebrates becoming World Champions

Photo: Arck Photography Andy Cheung

learn and undoubtedly improve, in talent and behaviour, and is unquestionably a role model for so many young fans in her homeland. Elsewhere, goalkeeper Mary Earps emerged with great credit for an outstanding tournament overall, even though her penalty save in the final game ultimately proved futile. She was awarded the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper and for most clean sheets throughout the tournament.

Everyone loves an underdog!

However, it could be argued that the most profound impact of the tournament was felt in the co-host country Australia. Football has always struggled to gain national recognition, kind of like the poor cousin to bigger, traditionally established sports such as AFL, NRL, rugby and cricket. Even netball, swimming, hockey and

volleyball were considered more prominent by many. However, the performances of the Matildas has elevated the beautiful game to an altogether different level, engaging an audience that was admittedly previously reluctant, even suspect, to indulge. Everyone loves an underdog and Australia is no different. The fact the Matildas weren’t given too much of a hope of impressing prior to the tournament yet ultimately finished

England goalkeeper Mary Earps was awarded the Golden Glove award

Photo: Arck Photography Andy Cheung

fourth – the best ever finish by an Australian male or female team in world football – captivated millions who found themselves jumping on the bandwagon and enjoying the ride to the semi-final. As CNN reported, “the ability of relative outsiders to make it that far has elevated Australia’s Matildas to hero status. Statues are being built, money is being granted, facilities upgraded and murals designed as a reminder of how they captured the imagination of the nation.”

Speaking ahead of the third-place game against Sweden on August 19.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr said, “It really feels like we have brought the nation together over football, which some people might’ve said we were crazy if we had said this would happen a year ago.”

cAn ode posted by a fan called LittleJemmings on Facebook seemed to beautifully capture the reflective feeling postmatch. Of course, it remains to be seen whether the furore can be sustained effectively to ensure the game grows and prospers both within female and male domains, but make no mistake, the Matildas have done an incredible job of shifting and driving momentum and everyone associated with the team can rightfully be declared a superhero.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr in action

Photo: Arck Photography Andy Cheung

Huge statement

Women’s football has made a huge statement, with the tournament generating revenue close to US$900 million, meaning that the future should be very bright indeed. There’s no doubt that the superheroes on the pitch will encourage many, many more young girls to take up the sport, while the women’s professional leagues continue to develop and prosper globally. As CNN states, “In the wake of the Matildas’ historic run, the Australian government stepped forward with 200 million Australian dollars for women’s sport – not just football – on top of the 357 million Australian dollars in its post-tournament plan, Legacy ’23. The government’s “Play Our Way” money will be

used to “promote equal access, build more suitable facilities, and support grassroots initiatives to get women and girls to engage, stay, and participate in sport throughout their lives,” the government said in a statement.”

Aussie star Sam Kerr weighed in with her own post-tournament thoughts in the same article in regards to what is needed for the game to develop in the correct manner moving forward: “We need funding in our development. We need funding in our grassroots. We need funding. We need funding everywhere. The comparison to other sports isn’t really good enough, and hopefully, this tournament kind of changes that because that’s the legacy you leave – not what you do on the pitch. The

legacy is what you do off the pitch.” Kerr is 100% correct and the hopes are that the game can continue to flourish. The bar has been set and it has been set high. Once the dust settles it will be the impact of the superheroes who played their hearts’ out for their respective countries during a wonderful month of football that will be most telling. Ultimately, the true act of a superhero is not only performing incredible achievements but inspiring others to do likewise, to motivate the next generation to be better versions of themselves and to dream to succeed. All the players from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup can hold their heads high knowing they collectively achieved this and so much more.

Women’s football has made a huge statement and the future of the game looks very bright

Photo: Arck Photography Andy Cheung

BUSINESSES Brilliant

A LITTLE MEG A DAY KEEPS TG'S CHILDREN JOYFUL AT PLAY!

✦ TG's Child Care have a superpower they want to share, and that is the power of Little MEG - Mindfulness, Empathy and Gratitude.

Every day, TG's Child Care is cultivating Little Heroes, all with the help of a superpower called Little MEG.

Mindfulness, Empathy and Gratitude affectionately known as Little MEG at TG's, are deeply ingrained in the DNA of everyone in the TG's Family. These values are not just a way of life for the children and Educators, but they also have a positive influence on their families and communities.

Whenever people step into TG's, they always notice what a joyful, loving space it is. That's the magic of Little MEG at play. Little MEG is essential in helping TG's children discover their Inner Zen,

and there are plenty of enjoyable ways to incorporate it into their daily routines.

How to practise Little MEG

cAs everyone at TG's often says, "Put Little MEG in your pocket!" Mindfulness, Empathy and Gratitude are powerful tools you can take with you wherever you go!

Today, TG's children are sharing their amazing superpower and offering suggestions on how we can all incorporate a little MEG into our lives. These tools are invaluable for promoting mental health, so let's explore some ideas from TG's children! Even adults can benefit from these tips, so why not give it a go, and unleash your own hidden superpowers?

1. Mindfulness: The Superpower Within

a. Practising Presence: TG's Educators promote activities that foster focused attention,

such as painting or delicately transplanting seedlings in the garden. TG's children fully embrace the present moment, unburdened by distractions, and most importantly, they thoroughly enjoy themselves! Remember, there are lots of Play Experts at TG's where Playing is Learning for Life!

b. Mindful Breathing: TG's children are taught the importance of taking slow, deep breaths when they experience intense emotions. This simple yet impactful technique enables them to find inner peace even in the midst of chaos.

TG's children are introduced to various engaging breathing exercises that resonate with them, such as blowing bubbles, tracing their five fingers, practising bunny breaths, and unleashing their inner

dragon with fire breaths. By equipping children with these uncomplicated techniques, we empower them to regain control and calmness when they are feeling upset.

Wellbeing for children with Healthy Harold at TG's Child Care

2. Empathy: The Heartfelt Connection

a. Storytelling: TG's children absolutely love stories, and TG's dedicated Educators are always ready to read with them books that promote diversity, compassion, and empathy. As TG's children engage in these captivating tales and thrilling adventures, they develop the

ability to empathise with others and wholeheartedly embrace their distinct journeys. At TG's everyone's unique learning journey is respected, and everyone's gifts are celebrated.

b. Role-Playing: TG's Educators also promote children's participation in role-playing scenarios, allowing them to imagine themselves as someone else. TG's playspaces offer numerous opportunities for such activities. One day they can pretend to be a veterinarian, taking care of all the sick animals in the room, and the next day, they can become treasure hunters in the garden, embarking on thrilling adventures. This playful engagement aids in the development of TG's children's empathy and their ability to comprehend others' perspectives and emotions.

3. Gratitude: An Attitude of Gratitude

a. Gratitude Journal: Very young children can express their gratitude by drawing or sharing verbally the things they are thankful for. You can try this activity with your family, friends, and children. Encourage them to think of three things they are grateful for. By emphasising the positive aspects, they will cultivate an attitude of gratitude. TG's Educators understand the importance of active listening and are always ready to engage in conversations with children about their sources of happiness and well-being. Why not have a go right now? Think of three things you are grateful for today. Share it with us here!

b. Thank You Notes: At TG's, the children are familiar with the concept of an Gift Tree. It is a place where they can leave notes expressing their appreciation for the Educators.

These notes are highly valued, and the Educators find them heartwarming to receive and read.

You can also create your own Gift Tree at home! Encourage your child to draw pictures and write thank-you notes, or they can pick a flower to show their appreciation to family, friends, teachers, or even someone in the community whose service they appreciate, such as the local grocer, fireman, nurse, etc. This simple act of gratitude helps teach children the importance of recognising and acknowledging kindness. Who would you write a thank you note to today?

As Educators, parents, and caregivers, we have the honour and duty to provide our children with the necessary life skills to navigate the world with grace and resilience.

By incorporating a Little MEG into their daily lives, we not only support their

emotional well-being but also guide them towards becoming compassionate, grateful individuals, and empathetic future leaders of our world.

TG's is embarking on a wonderful adventure with families, guiding little heroes towards a life of mindfulness, empathy, and gratitude. It's a journey filled with the joy of learning and empowering our little heroes to make a positive impact in the world. Let's encourage them to shine brightly and make a difference!

Are you ready to be a superhero and use your new Little MEG superpowers?

Join the amazing team of TG's Educators! Apply here: Join the award-winning TG's Family!

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN SUPERHERO

✦ Championing the best of those in their respective fields

All Super Heroes in their respective fields

Who are the Super Heroes in our communities? There Are Many! Some are visibly present such as front-line workers and those in the medical fields and teachers.

But there are also those not so seen or acknowledged at times, such as disability support workers,

carers, care givers, grandparents, single parents and parents in general juggling the demands of everyday living as they support and nurture their families.

Recently I facilitated a Mindfulness Meditation session for two groups of Carers to help them learn tools and simple practices for managing the challenges in their often, demanding roles. Some of the carers were young, some were older, many were caring for another on their own.

All of these carers are Super Heroes of their own stories.

And another group session I facilitated was for the Super Heroes in schools - the teachers.

I have a Super Hero neighbour, a friendly, thoughtful elderly man who, no matter the weather, greets the day with a friendly face and is always politely thoughtful of others and genuinely checks in with those in his neighbourhood, to see if they are okay.

Often, I have Super Heroes walk through my door seeking counselling, life coaching, guidance for managing stress, anxiety and loss. Some are in need of sound healing and meditation tools. Many are going through challenges and life changes, often while they continue to work or are engaged in volunteer services, whilst caring for others and holding families together.

What is a Super Hero?

A Super Hero is someone that is of service to others, and puts in effort and commitment to make a positive difference in the life of another.

The Super Hero starts with You!

Ways to being your own Super Hero

c1. Take Responsibility for Your Life.

2. Have Integrity – Be Honest and Reliable.

3. Be Self-Aware – Pause - Take a Breath - Think before You Act.

4. Forgive Yourself - Make Peace with Your Past.

5. Live in the Present Momentrather than your past or the future.

6. Practice Gratitude - start with the small and go from thereevery day.

7. Be Your Own Best Friend - Be Kind and Compassionate to

But to be the best Super Hero for others, it starts with yourself. It starts with putting that effort and commitment into you, so that you can be a better Super Hero for others.

Yourself.

8. Set Achievable Goals, Get Motivated and Take Action.

9. Shift your Mindset – from negative to positive.

10. Set Healthy Boundaries.

11. Practice Positive Self-Talk

12. Believe in Yourself.

Be your own Super Hero!

* It might be implementing a simple and achievable Positive and Personalised Mindset Plan to help you shift from the negative to the positive.

* It might be learning simple but very effective Mindfulness and Meditation tips and practices to help you live more in the present moment, to be self-aware and to be able to regulate your emotions.

* It might be to work on any blockages that might prevent you from putting in place, and maintaining, healthy boundaries.

* It might be helping you to identify blockages and to shift your focus to your core values and strengths.

THE SUPERHEROES OF SMART COAST CONVEYANCING

✦ In the comics, superheroes don capes and masks, dashing around cities to thwart villains. But I’ve come to realise that the genuine superheroes are the unsung ones, the heroes who touch lives daily with gestures of kindness and unwavering dedication. I'm privileged to work alongside such heroes at Smart Coast Conveyancing.

You see, for us at Smart Coast Conveyancing, our work isn't just about processing property transactions. It's about understanding that buying or selling a property can be one of the most monumental decisions a person makes in their lifetime.

Smart Coast Conveyancing has been awarded "Conveyancers of the Year 2023 - New South Wales" at the APAC Client Service Excellence Award 2023

I'm continually inspired by my teammates, especially those with heart sizes that seem impossible

to contain within a human chest. Our clients aren’t just names on paper; they become a part of our extended family. To us, every file isn't just a dollar sign or a file with a number but a life story, a dream, and the next chapter in someone’s journey.

The Smart Coast Conveyancing Superheroes: L-R: Tayla Jones, Kellie Cary, Jessica Gray and Tammy Bower

It's about being there, right alongside our clients, every step of the way on their lifechanging journey. Every day we are finding solutions and making it a stress free and enjoyable experience which we call“ “The Smart Coast Difference”.

Apart from her dedication at Smart Coast Conveyancing, Kellie showcases the epitome of selfless love. She recently embarked on the awe-inspiring journey of surrogacy, gifting the miracle of life to close friends. Her story isn’t just about her incredible gesture; it reflects the very essence that runs through our team at Smart Coast.

In an age where many would take a sabbatical for such a life-altering event, Kellie was right there at her desk hours before leaving for hospital and just a week after the

birth she was back to it, seamlessly blending her passion for her work with her passion for helping others. Her gift was more than just the physical act of carrying a child: it was a testament to the power of human connection and the depths to which people can go to change the lives of others for the better.

Baby James came into this world happy and healthy and blessed by human kindness. It is our hope that this one incredible gift results in so many possibilities that will continue to spread.

Who knows how Baby James will grow and impact this world. Will he be a part of the next generation of super heroes?

Let me share the story of my colleague and business partner, Kellie Cary.

Baby James and his proud parents Chris and Ash

Whilst there is nothing certain, all we know is that from little things, big things grow!

Every superhero story offers an invaluable lesson, a beacon of hope. From Kellie’s story, I’ve learned that the most impactful gestures often come from the places we least expect. Heroes like her don’t just bring joy into one life; they give us all hope and inspiration that we can all be better people.

The Smart Coast Team are all heroes

So, while comic book superheroes soar in the skies, I’m blessed to be amidst heroes at Smart Coast Conveyancing. Working every day in a team that genuinely cherishes the people behind every decision to buy or sell a property.

Sure, we don’t wear capes at Smart Coast, but our service to others? Undeniably super.

If you would like to experience the Smart Coast Difference, call us today on (02) 6519 4933.

Kellie and Baby James ➸

MICRO BUSINESS FORUM ANNOUNCES NEW COMMITTEE TOWARDS AN EXCITING YEAR

✦ The friendliest business network in town has announced its new committee members elected at their recent Annual General Meeting on 16th August 2023.

MBF 2023-2024 committee. From left: Alison Carroll, Secretary; Veronica Lind, President; Glenda Hamilton; Edgard Lopez, Vice-President; Judith Jackson; Lyn Richardson; Chrissy Jones, Treasurer (Absent: Barbara Smith)

these will be familiar names to those who have attended Micro Business Forum's events, where small business owners can come together to boost their education, networking and receive support from others who are also learning, growing and succeeding in their businesses.

New Committee Members

Seven nominations for positions on the committee were announced and accepted by consensus. They are as follows:

President : Veronica Lind

Vice President : Edgard Lopez

Treasurer : Chrissy Jones JP

Secretary : Alison Carroll

Committee Members : Barbara Smith, Lyn Richardson

Membership Secretary : Glenda Hamilton

Additionally, Judith Jackson was also nominated and accepted as a Committee Member.

Here you will find a variety of networking opportunities along with opportunities for collaborative partnerships. What members appreciate is how both their personal and professional development are constantly supported to grow.

Upcoming MBF Events

Upcoming events

Don't miss out on this upcoming event from Micro Business Forum.

Wednesday, 20th September 2023, 5:30 - 7:30pm Speakers from The Propagation Station. Shaun Thornton and David Shorter will be sharing their remarkable journey of Business Resilience and how community partnerships can help.

Register for Business Resilience Forum

About Micro Business Forum

The Micro Business Forum or MBF supports small business owners like you. We are a professional and the friendliest business network in town. We pride ourselves on providing education, networking and support to both start-ups and established micro and small business owners so that they can learn, grow and succeed in their businesses.

How to Use AI for Marketing

There was also a special treat after the latest AGM, where President Veronica Lind gave a presentation on “How to Use AI for Marketing”. Artificial Intelligence can help small businesses with sales and marketing automation, email and chat automation, linking a business’ sales, marketing and operations processes and even help businesses position against competition.

Attendees walked away with a clearer understanding of AI, and how to optimise it with a human touch.

Want to know more about AI?

Small businesses growing together in MBF

Micro Business Forum is a melting pot of experience, expertise and skills where everyone has something to contribute and share. Business owners come together to lift each other up and help the community to grow.

"Members enhance their technological skills, as it is key to driving efficiency, productivity and enabling scalable marketing, sales and operations. Small business owners learn to be more savvy with their marketing strategies to grow their business

"Running a business is a challenge, and business owners come together at Micro Business Forum to support each other and be role models of good health, physically and mentally for their businesses to really thrive."

- Veronica Lind, President

c

IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) THE NEW SUPERHERO

FOR MARKETING?

✦ Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Marketing are not as unlikely bedfellows as you may think. They may just be the best Batman-Robin combination that could make a difference to your business!

Veronica Lind, Business and Marketing Strategist of Vermilion Pinstripes, and CEO of our very Brilliant-Online, has been working in the field of technology since she was 18. For her, technological advancements are not something to be feared, but to be harnessed and used for a better cause. Today she shares some insights into why businesses can consider making friends with AI and get to know it better.

Whether it's AI-driven tools to ace data analysis or craft spot-on content, AI can help businesses to level up their marketing. AI can help you get to know your customers, and even help curate unique experiences they will enjoy. AI can help your message reach the right people at the right timing.

But where do I start?

Businesses can start with trying out ChatGPT, which is a text-based

AI developed by OpenAI and Microsoft. You can find a free version 3.5 ChatGPT and a paid version 4 which is faster with more features and advancements for $20/month. Do take note though, that the free version is on a server with information up to 2021.

What is AI in marketing?

AI in marketing refers to the use of artificial intelligence techniques and technologies to enhance different aspects of marketing strategies and activities.

With AI, marketers can analyse large amounts of data, automate tasks, and gain valuable insights to optimise marketing campaigns, improve customer experiences, and achieve better business outcomes.

AI can be applied in various ways:

• personalised recommendations

• chatbots

• predictive analytics

• customer segmentation

• sentiment analysis

• content generation

• automate repetitive marketing tasks e.g. data analysis, campaign management, A/B testing, and email marketing

This not only saves time and improves efficiency but also allows

marketers to focus on strategic decision-making and unleash their creativity.

By harnessing the power of AI, marketers can gain a deeper understanding of their target audience, make data-driven decisions, and deliver more relevant and impactful marketing messages. AI empowers marketers to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape and create meaningful HUMAN connections with their customers.

CAUTION: Before you start

That sounds great, and you're raring to go! But... before you start any marketing automation or AI, please ensure that you have a cookie and privacy policy on your website. In fact, your web designer should include these as part of their scope.

Why your website needs a privacy policy

When we create websites, we incorporate code that allows us to analyse the actions and behaviours of visitors to our site. This process is commonly referred to as placing cookies. It is important for us to collect information from visitors, and we want to ensure that they are aware of and understand our website's privacy policy. It is recommended to include the privacy policy on your Facebook business page profile as well.

So what can AI do for your marketing?

Learn more about your customers by analysing data from customer interactions and get insights that can help shape your marketing strategies.

AI can interact with potential customers on your website, guide them through their buyer journey and give you unlimited touch points to get your clients to convert.

AI can be your personal assistant to help with routine housekeeping tasks, scheduling appointments,

reminders and managing your calendar.

Analyse data using algorithms to predict customer behaviour so you can make data-driven decisions that are more effective.

Give you insights about brand perception by analysing social media conversations, online reviews and customer feedback.

Provide your clients with personalised product recommendations to improve cross-selling and upselling opportunities.

Chatbots and virtual assistants like Conversica can provide automated customer support, answer FAQs, and engage with website visitors. For a more detailed explanation,

check out this blog from Vermilion Pinstripes - https:// www.vermilionpinstripes.com/ marketing/ai-can-be-yoursuperpower-to-boost-yourmarketing

Human Reminders

When used well, AI can be your superpower to help your marketing take flight. Make sure you maintain the human in you with these simple reminders:

• Use output as suggestion not gospel

• Always personalise your content

• Add the human personal touch

• Be vigilant about data privacy and security

• Combine AI with your expertise to up your game

• Focus on building relationships with your customers, understanding their problems and providing solutions which AI can't do

Onboarding AI

Are you doing marketing right with AI? Speak to Veronica Lind about how you can harness the superpower of AI to boost your business. And yes, we promise it's the real Veronica in the flesh to speak to you!

Book a call with Veronica

SHARK SIGHTED, HOW PORT ADVENTURE CRUISES SAVED JOEL

✦ The day the Rhythmboat became a rescue boat for Joel

Amidst the lively entertainment that Port AdVenture Cruises offered, the day took an electrifying turn. David, the seasoned cruise director of the magnificent Rhthymboat, was guiding his crew and passengers through the picturesque Lady Nelson Wharf. The sun was blazing, the sea shimmered, and laughter filled the air.

Then, an unexpected sight jolted everyone from their carefree revelry. A young boy, stranded on a sandbar as the tide had ebbed away, desperately called out for help. His wide eyes and trembling

voice conveyed his sheer terror. What had triggered this alarm was even more spine-tingling - a lurking shark, stealthily prowling nearby. Without hesitation, Dave sprang into action. He relayed swift orders to the captain, directing the boat to a dramatic about-face. The emergency ladder clanked into place at the bow, and the vessel surged toward the sandbar with superheroic action.

Learn More about Rhythmboat

The Rhythmboat was as if a lifeline had materialised for the stranded boy. With nerves of steel, he climbed the ladder, his heart pounding, and the jaws of danger snapping just beneath the surface. With a final triumphant leap, he found himself safe aboard the Rhythmboat.

Joel, the young boy, was shivering, his body chilled from enduring 45 harrowing minutes on that isolated sandbar. Port AdVenture Cruises wasted no time. They wrapped him in warm blankets, handed him a steaming cup of comfort in the form of a hot drink, and a bag of lollies as sweet as their rescue. Joel's relief was palpable. His quivering lips curled into a smile as warmth spread through his trembling limbs. It was a moment of heroism, where a crew of everyday people became heroes. In the spirit of camaraderie, Port AdVenture Cruises continued its journey with a shared sense of victory among the passengers. They knew that sometimes heroes wore captain's hats and navigated vessels but with a token of compassion and valor.

Indeed, it was serendipity that had placed Port AdVenture Cruises in that precise spot at that exact moment. Sharks prowled these waters, an everpresent reminder of the wild depths below. But, thanks to the timely intervention of the Rhythmboat, Joel didn't have to make the perilous choice of confronting the sea's apex predator. The heroes of Port AdVenture Cruises had come to the rescue, leaving an indelible mark on a day that had begun as just another cruise but had transformed into an unforgettable tale of courage and compassion.

Other Super Ventures

In the realm of entertainment, Dave seized an extraordinary opportunity to leverage his chosen profession for the greater good. Over the years, he has extended a helping hand by generously donating his boat and services to numerous worthwhile causes.

"Among these endeavours, one stands out as my proudest and most heartwarming achievement: our annual hosting of the Wayside Chapel Christmas party since the memorable year of 1983," he told us.

"We are privileged to play a significant role in enhancing the experience. We provide the music, turning what was once a simple

Another Shark Encounter

gathering into a grand street dance party. The atmosphere is electrifying, brimming with goodwill and an abundance of love, creating a magical and heartwarming ambience," Dave said.

David continued this cherished tradition every Christmas Day until four years ago when, due to his relocation to Port Macquarie, the travel and commitments in his new home made it logistically impossible for him to attend. However, a dear friend stepped in to take up his role, and the day has continued to grow in both size and significance with each passing year. One unforgettable moment, a mix of both highlight and lowlight, has etched itself into Dave's memory. It was the year when the esteemed

former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, graced the event with his presence, a tradition he has continued year after year. In a moment of unintended comic relief, Dave introduced him to the crowd as "Malcolm Fraser"!

" To my chagrin, this amusing gaffe made its way onto national news that very night. Yet, despite the name mix-up, Malcolm Turnbull and his wife, Lucy, have remained steadfast supporters of the Wayside Chapel, and I am grateful for their understanding and continued commitment to this noble cause," he said.

What's happening with the

Rhythmboat

recently?

The Rhythmboat serves as a public vehicle, it undergoes a necessary inspection every three years, ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

Now, Dave, Elsa and their crew prepare for an exciting and bustling summer season. Their schedule is brimming with pre-booked Christmas parties, engaging social events, live entertainment that promise to dazzle, and serene river cruises that offer the chance to spot playful dolphins. It's a season filled with anticipation and joy, and they can't wait to share these unforgettable experiences with their guests.

David Lazarus of Port Adventure Cruises

Upcoming Cruise Events

September/October Cruises

• Seniors big day out - Tuesday 10th & 24th October

• Rockabilly’s - Sunday 8th October

• Pink Cruise - Saturday 14th October 11am-3pm - breast cancer fundraiser

• Hot Cruise!! YK 2000 - Saturday 14th October - 6-10pm. For tickets sold in September, a $5 per ticket donation will go to support Women’s Mental Health - Liptember

• Bogan Bingo - Saturday 21st October

• Halloween Cruise - Saturday 28th October - DJ Cruise6-10pm

School Holiday Cruises

Morning cruise 11-1pm

Sunset cruise 4-6pm

November/December Cruises

Melbourne Cup - 7 Nov

Christmas Day lunch - 25 Dec

Christmas Day afternoon/sunset

New Year Cruise

BRILLIANT FINALISTS OF MID NORTH COAST BUSINESS AWARDS 2023

✦ It's the time of the year where we celebrate the efforts and developments of businesses in our communities!

The Mid North Coast Business Awards is here again and the Awards Gala will be held on Friday 15th September 2023.

Brilliant-Online congratulates every single one of these Brilliant businesses who have put themselves out there to share their skills, knowledge and expertise! We say this, and we mean it - everyone is a winner here, and when we support each other to achieve excellence, our entire community thrives!

See here for a list of Business Awards Finalists:

This is a time to celebrate the innovation, resilience and dedication of all of these brilliant businesses in our communities. They play an important role in helping our communities to thrive.

These businesses are familiar faces we see every day around us and have become an essential part of our economic landscape. The awards have been recognising the hard work and dedication of a variety of businesses over the years, and it serves as a platform to highlight the best in our region. The awards aim to encompass all businesses, so regardless of the type of business, there is a category to suit everyone. These awards see many yearly entries of startups, small businesses,

Finalists for Mid North Coast Business Awards 2023

large corporations, innovative products or community services. Businesses appreciate having this space for them to come together to showcase their achievements and celebrate each other's excellence. There is a sense of shared unity to be part of a community of individuals who understand the challenges of running a business, and who are passionate about what they do.

As these amazing finalists await the judges' decisions, by simply

participating in the awards is already a way for all businesses to gain recognition and exposure. It is a part of each business's learning curve that can take them up to the next level.

Brilliant-Online is also a finalist in the Excellence in Innovation Award, and we are so excited to simply be a part of this. We continue to strive to bring innovative solutions for new and existing needs through our Brilliant stories that impact the wider community.

BRILLIANT OCTOBER THEME IS "MY SMALL BUSINESS" AND

"CULTURAL

INFUSION"

✦ Strengthening My Small Business

October celebrates My Small Business and Cultural Infusion ➸

The theme "My Small Business" for NSW Small Business Month 2023 in October has been designed to place the needs of small business owners and operators at the forefront by providing events that will aid them in strengthening their business across seven key areas:

• My Small Business Brand

• My Small Business Cyber Security

• My Small Business Health

• My Small Business Online

• My Small Business Resilience

• My Small Business Team

• My Small Business Trade

Advertise your Business

October celebrates Cultural Infusion

In October, there's a strong emphasis on promoting global unity and harmony, which resonates well with us here at Cultural Infusion.

c➹According to UNESCO, 75% of the world’s conflicts have a cultural dimension. Let's promote intercultural awareness, particularly in the globalised society that we participate in.

Brilliant-Online believes in making an impact, a positive difference to those who come into contact with us, and in kindness, treating everyone and everything with respect. Our interdependence means one small good act can have a ripple effect through our communities and world. See our blog for more details about the events and celebrations in October.

October Health Themes

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Adopting healthy lifestyles both physically and mentally, regular medical checks and being aware of what we can do for our health are key. It is also important to understand and support those who have cancer and their families. If your business is related to one of our health themes, do get in touch with our Brilliant advertising team.

Adopt a Dog

October is Adopt a Dog month. Many dogs are waiting patiently for

the right family to come along and take them to their loving Forever Home. If your business is related to pets, we would love to share your stories to help people understand

better about adoption and pet care.

All October Themes

Breast Cancer Awareness Month ➸

Adopt a Dog Month. On my way to my Forever Home!

Photo: Unsplash

SWEET TOOTH MARSHMALLOWS

✦ Local Lake Cathie resident, 12 year-old Patrick Dale, 2022 Top 5 Tween Entrepreneur in Australia, Business Owner and Creator of Sweet Tooth Marshmallows continues to grow and develop his business.

Anumber of achievements have occurred in the past month including his Chocolate Marshmallows being awarded a Gold Medal at the 2023 Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards. He has also been successful in securing Silver Medals for his coffee and vanilla bean lamingtons in the same awards.

Continuing success

Patrick has been invited to attend the 2023 Global Entrepreneur

Congress in Melbourne commencing next week. The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is four days of actionable intelligence, collaboration and collective action. It brings together thousands of voices, from more than 200+ countries to participate in creating one inclusive global ecosystem by networking, learning and sharing. This congress brings over 4,000 people to Melbourne.

cInvited as a young Australian entrepreneur, Patrick will showcase to the world his business journey, collaborate with other entrepreneurs and grow his network.

Sweet Tooth Marshmallows can be found at the local markets

All attendees make invaluable connections that grow their footprint in entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems around the world.

A simple question started it all

Why are there no chocolate marshmallows and why do shopbought marshmallows lack flavour?

Patrick told us, " Sweet Tooth Marshmallows started in November 2021 where, with the help of my Mum and after two months of testing, we created a unique recipe for Sweet Tooth Marshmallows not available in shops."

Based on family and friends feedback, Patrick launched his business in January 2022 at local markets on the Mid North Coast. He has created over 16 flavours, with all flavours, not available in shops.

Sweet Tooth Marshmallows have expanded to include a range of associated marshmallow products including rocky road, marshmallow

pops, chocolate marshmallow hearts, marshmallow domes and bites of heaven, to name a few.

A busy journey to be proud of

The opportunity to attend the 2023 Global Entrepreneurship Congress, would not have been possible without Young Change Agents involvement.

Patrick said “My business journey has been so much fun, learning about business, meeting my customers, connecting with mentors and creating a delicious marshmallow product."

He is proud of his achievements to date and looks forward to the opportunity to be involved in Global Entrepreneur Congress, meeting other Entrepreneurs and having the opportunity to showcase his business in the Youth Entrepreneur Congress component in Melbourne.

Patrick's primary business goal is to have his products in cafes and restaurants in the next 1-2 years and in supermarkets within 5 years.

“My business could not have happened without the support, and belief of my Mum, Dad and sister, my family and friends and my Mentors and my customers that have allowed my business to grow”.

He can be found at the Foreshore Markets in Port Macquarie and Laurieton Riverwalk Markets in Laurieton each month. He also attends markets in Taree and Old Bar and community events at different times throughout the year.

Contact Sweet Tooth Marshmallows

CEO Patrick Dale

P/ 0475 385 181

E/ sweettoothmarshmallows@ gmail.com

W/ sweettoothmarshmallows.com

BOO at the ZOO

Billabong Zoo

You'll be screaming for this family friendly Halloween night at Billabong Zoo! billabongzoo.com.au

ZOO

Lucy Humphries Photography

Use code BRILLIANT for $50 discount on bespoke photo sessions. Book Online

PHOTOGRAPHY

TG's

ART

Book Cruises Online

Port AdVenture Cruises

W: cruiseportmacquarie.com.au

F: @Portadventurecruises

T: 0417 681 031

or 0434 393 199

CRUISES

COMMUNITY Brilliant

CHILDREN'S SUPERHERO ART SHOW AT WAUCHOPE ART GALLERY

✦ Every child has their own superhero! See our talented little artists bring their superhero to life in Wauchope Art Gallery’s art exhibition.

Wauchope Art Gallery together with TG’s Childcare, Brilliant-Online and Wauchope Chamber pay tribute to the superheroes in our lives in a very special art exhibition showcasing talents of our youngest artists in the Hastings region. Young artists were invited to share their artist interpretations of the special superhero in their lives,

Every child is a superhero!

with prizes to be won. The art competition attracted a total of 220 entries!

The children's artworks will be on display at Wauchope Art Gallery, Shop1, 7 High St Wauchope from 26th to 30th September 2023, 8am to 6pm.

A superhero could be anything and anyone. We know our Ironman and Superman, but if you look

around you, there are superheroes everywhere who are not in a hightech suit or don a cape. Many of us would say a family member is their very special superhero, or a particular profession in the community e.g. firefighters, nurses etc.

Don’t miss this amazing Children's Superhero Art Show. It may give you new inspiration to see the people around you differently!

c"Each of us possesses unique talents, and there's immense satisfaction in guiding young minds to uncover their individual gifts. This involves providing them with opportunities to foster and develop these gifts, while instilling the confidence to eventually share them within their communities. At TG's, our dedicated educators meticulously curate the children's year-long creations, assembling them into portfolios that are presented to families on graduation day. We acknowledge and commemorate every instance of creativity. It's the right of every child to receive support from their families, educators, and communities, enabling them to reach their utmost potential. In our perspective, every child is a superhero." - Gayle Kee, TG's Child Care

Thanks to the prize sponsors, TG’s Childcare, Brilliant-Online and Wauchope Chamber, for their generosity and support for these little artists in our community. Every child deserves encouragement and nurturing to simply pick up a crayon, a paintbrush and allow their creativity to flow. Sharing one’s creative work with the world is an act of courage!

As the great Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Come support our little artists at the Children's Superhero Art Show at Wauchope Art Gallery!

There are superheroes everywhere in our communities!

WHAT'S ON DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2023

✦ Brilliant Experiences bring you a host of business and community events

Small Business Coffee Connects

Free event for small business owners to network.

Register for Thursday 14th September 10am at Bonny Hills Garden Centre

Register for Thursday 19th October 10am at Abundance Cafe, Sancrox

Small Business Events

Brought to you by Micro Business Forum and sponsored by Charles Sturt University.

1. Planting Success by Cultivating Community and Business Synergy on Wednesday 20th September from 5.30pm at CSU. Register here.

2. My Small Business on Wednesday 18th October from 5.30pm at CSU with discussions focus on My Small Business Brand, Cyber Security, Health and My Small Business Online. Register here.

3. 6-week Business Boost Program on Finance, Marketing, People & culture, Risk & Resilience and Innovation from October at Wauchope Art Gallery. Details and registration here.

Children's Superhero Art Competition and Show

Open to preschoolers and primary school students of the Port Macquarie-Hastings district. Submit your entries to the Wauchope Art Gallery by 15th September.

Sponsored by TG's Child Care, Brilliant-Online, Wauchope Chamber and Wauchope Art Gallery. Competition details here.

The Lost Plot Spring Fair

Workshops, Wood fired pizzas, live music, plant and seedling sale on 16th September from 9am to 12 noon at Central Road, Port Macquarie

Future Focus at Wauchope Rural Centre on Thursday 21

September 2023 from 5.45pm

Get ready for a dry Spring and hot Summer.

Are we supposed to be worried about a possible El Niño summer, making the hot and dry years even hotter and drier? Would that impact the cost of food? Remember the infamous $12 iceberg lettuce of winter 2022?

You might want to attend Future Focus with discussions on "How do we effectively manage our land, livestock, businesses against challenges such as climate, natural disaster and pests? What does all this mean for accessibility of feed and our harvests"? Register here.

Tortuga Festival

TORTUGA Festival returns to Port Macquarie's Westport Park on 22nd September 2023.

Read about the Superhero performers.

Read about Chayne Hultgren, the Space Cowboy

Ride for Dyslexia

From 7th to 15th October, Ed Godschalk and Greg Linsdell will be on their bikes cycling through back trails from Sydney to Port Macquarie, covering a whopping 820km to promote awareness for Dyslexia. That's over 10,000 metres of climbing, which is more than Mt Everest itself! Support their cause

Harmony Haven Festival

A multicultural festival of taste, moves and traditions. Celebrate our regions diverse community and varied culinary delights!

• Free entry

• Live entertainment

• Kids face painting and games

• Food stalls

Cultural workshops, interactive experiences and activations

Longworth Park, Laurieton | Saturday, 21 October 2023 | 10.00am - 2.00pm

More information - https://www. pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Places/ArtCulture-Heritage/Harmony-HavenFestival

Open Day at the Hastings District Flying Club

This is one of the rare times the hangar doors of the Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) are open to the public. View aircrafts, model aircraft and talk to the Pilots. Book a Discovery Flight and know what flying is all about.

Sunday 22nd October at Port Macquarie Airport

HDFC Open Day at Port Macquarie Airport on 22nd October

A NEW AIRCRAFT FOR HASTINGS DISTRICT FLYING CLUB

✦ A beautiful new Sling 2 has flown in to join HDFC's family of planes after 18 months of waiting!

Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) acquired their very first Sling back in 2019. Now in 2023, with two Slings in the hangar, HDFC is on its way to welcoming their third Sling! Over the years, the club has significantly increased their annual

flying hours, so there is clearly a need for more planes to take aviation enthusiasts to the skies!

The Impressive Sling

Pilots love the Sling. It is an amazing machine designed to be the most practical and desirable

Light Sport Aircraft available. It offers coordinated and responsive controls, which is reminiscent of a fighter jet but it is not overly sensitive.

The Sling's performance surpasses that of most other aircraft in its class, while remaining economical

and enjoyable to fly. It boasts state-of-the-art avionics, a spacious cockpit, and excellent visibility. In addition to its fun flying capabilities, the Sling 2 is also built to withstand tough conditions.

To give you an idea of how impressive it is, the Sling has successfully completed two around-the-world flights, demonstrating its strength, reliability, and durability.

Now it's easier to learn to fly!

The Hastings District Flying Club has been a hub for recreational

flying since 1958, and in recent years, the popularity of this type of flying has soared. This is due to factors such as the simplified administrative system governed by Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus), the introduction of modern Light Sport Aircraft like the Sling 2, and increased affordability. This strong demand for recreational flying is the driving force behind the club's decision to acquire the Sling 2. The aircraft, ordered over eighteen months ago from South Africa, will enable the HDFC to continue offering affordable recreational flying training and private hire to the Hastings community and beyond.

Open Day at the Hastings District Flying Club

The new Sling 2 as well as HDFC’s club facilities will be open for the community to view during HDFC’s Open Day on Sunday 22nd October 2023 from 9am to 3pm.

Contact

Hastings District Flying Club incorporating Port Macquarie

Flying School 115 Oliver Dr, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444

e / marketing@hdfc.com.au

w/ hdfc.com.au

t/ +612 6583 1695

Rod Davison, President, HDFC receives the keys to the new Sling 2 aircraft from Errol Van Rensburg, Global Aviation Products

THE LOST PLOT IS BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE AND EDUCATE

✦ The 'The Lost Plot" Community Garden Spring Fair is happening in Port Macquarie on Saturday, 16 September, 2023 at their headquarters on Central Rd.

The Fair is an annual fundraising event that brings the community together in a day of family fun to celebrate the garden. The goal is to educate and grow community with a focus on attracting all members of the region, aligned with the Port Macquarie Hastings Council Inclusion Plan. It’s an opportunity to learn about the garden and become involved in food production and sustainability.

With a large crowd of over 500 people last year, the organisers are excited to be doing it again this year. They regularly receive feedback from visitors about how delighted they are after a tour of the garden and are looking forward to opening their garden gates to all.

Lots to see and do at The Lost Plot!

Entry is free and wheelchair friendly, including wheelchair

accessible amenities. The day includes workshops, market stalls, fun kids activities, music, plants for sale and world famous wood fired pizza. It's not to be missed!

The event is possible thanks to a grant from Port Macquarie Hasting Council, and generous contributions from local businesses including Laing & Simmons, Newcastle Permanent, Greenpatch Organic Seeds, Bunnings, and many others who have donated items for raffles.

Educational opportunities include mini-workshops on composting, kombucha making, organic fruit fly control and how to build a native bee hotel in your own garden. Plus loads for the kids to do with rock painting, crafts and facepainting, and a variety of musical acts to entertain throughout the day, Market stalls will include a range of items such as plants and seedlings, local organic produce, crafts, kids clothing and homemade treats and cold drinks available at our pop-up

cafe, with cash preferred on the day. You are invited to change the location of your morning coffee to the Lost Plot on the day!

Many volunteer groups in attendance

Not For Profit friends of the garden, The Nature School, Steiner School, The Native Bee Association, The Craft Association and the Make A Difference coffee truck will join in the fun of the day.

Go ahead and add it to your calendar and we look forward to seeing you there!

In the meantime, new members and visitors are welcome to attend the Thursday and Saturday working bees.

The Lost Plot

WHAT IS A MOONCAKE?

✦ This is not some gastronomical delicacy straight from a science fiction novel. It's a delicious little pastry eaten during the Mid Autumn Festival which is celebrated on 29th September this year!

You may have seen these pretty little round cakes in some bakeries or stores during this time of the year. They are about 2 to 4 inches in diameter and have a thickness of about 2 inches. It is covered on the outside with pastry skin and it has a dense, sweet filling.

These are called mooncakes and they are a typical sweet treat eaten during the Mid Autumn Festival which falls on 29th September this year.

To learn more about the origins of this festival, go to our Brilliant blog:

Families and friends gather together in the evenings to admire the beautiful harvest moon in all its fullness while partaking of dainty slices of mooncakes served with Chinese tea to wash down the heaviness of the pastry and filling.

For chefs with artistic tendencies, take note that mooncakes are typically round. You may find some squarish ones here and there, but when you know the reason behind the roundness you'll understand why. The circle is a symbol of wholeness and togetherness in Chinese culture. Just like the full moon, these circular symbols represent prosperity and reunion for the whole family. It is also a popular gift to share with friends and family as a way of spreading the good wishes and prosperity.

Admire the Brilliant Moon during the Mid Autumn Festival

Mooncake Recipe

Check out our Brilliant blog to learn how to make a beautiful Blue Snow Skin Mooncake, courtesy of My Blue Tea.

Recipe for Blue Snow Skin Mooncake

How will you celebrate this Mid Autumn Festival?

Share your ideas with us by emailing: editor@brilliant-online.com!

HEALTH Brilliant

RIDE4DYSLEXIA IS CYCLING FOR CHARITY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF DYSLEXIA

✦ Ed Godschalk and Greg Linsdell are peddling hard on a charity bike ride from Sydney to Port Macquarie via the scenic Blue Mountains. Yes, all 820km of it!

From 7th to 15th October, Ed Godschalk and Greg Linsdell will be on their bikes cycling through back trails from Sydney to Port Macquarie, covering a whopping 820km. That's over 10,000 metres of climbing, which is more than Mt Everest itself!

The 9-day bike ride will take them through the Blue Mountains.

Ed and Greg are doing this as a fundraiser to raise awareness of Dyslexia. On Saturday 7th October, Ed and Greg will leave Sydney Opera House and start their route inland to Port Macquarie. Supporters can get ready to cheer them on at the finish line at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie on Sunday 15th October.

Dyslexia is one of the most common learning difficulties. As many as 3 children in every classroom in NSW will experience learning difficulties. - Source: Dyslexia Mid North Coast

Why is Ed doing this?

Ed has been working in the NSW Department of Education supporting student wellbeing. He has seen for himself the struggles and frustration of students who face the challenges that come with dyslexia. With awareness, knowledge and specialised

support, students can progress through this condition. Everyone deserves the right to read and this is what gives Ed the motivation to take on such a challenge.

With a love for sports and the outdoors, Ed is always ready to get his limits challenged. Ed has previously supported other charity

challenges such as Tour de Rocks and MS Gong Rides to raise funds for the Port Macquarie Base Hospital and multiple sclerosis funding as a top 100 fundraiser.

Every charity challenge is Ed's way of giving back to the community, so be there to support Ed when he finishes the last leg of his bike ride!

And what about Greg?

Greg is no stranger to such arduous challenges either, so these two peas in a pod are eager with their bikes well-oiled and ready to go. Having climbed the highest mountain on every continent (7 Summits) and paddled across the Bass Strait in a kayak, you'd think this bike ride must be a piece of cake for him. Greg however, knows

better. You never underestimate a challenge when it comes to Mother Nature. Beyond the physical, there are other elements and forces of nature that could surprise them.

As a university lecturer, Greg has also seen what the impact of a lack of awareness and support for dyslexia can do. There are lots of misconceptions about dyslexia that need to be clarified. What he

and Ed are doing is to hopefully shine a light on the reality of dyslexia, contribute to more research, effective interventions and better resources for anyone who is struggling with dyslexia. Both are proud to support Dyslexia Mid North Coast during Dyslexia Awareness Month which runs from 1st to 31st October. This year's theme is 'Stronger Together'.

Ed and Greg are Stronger Together for pairing up to take on this charity challenge. Be there to support them when they return, and if you are interested to understand more about dyslexia, check out SPELD NSW.

Support Ride4Dyslexia

About Dyslexia Mid North Coast

Dyslexia Mid North Coast is a community of parents and professionals who promote literacy for all children and campaign to raise awareness of dyslexia and specific learning difficulties on the Mid North Coast.

Our focus is to share evidence-based information to promote a better understanding of dyslexia and how parents and teachers can better support students with specific learning difficulties. Because every child has the right to learn to read.

MAKING SURE WE ARE ALL BEING HEARD

✦ Positive strides being made to ensure more inclusivity for the hearing impaired community.

Let’s be honest, how many times do we take things for granted on a daily basis?

Be it where we live, our job, our friends and family, even our health. We’ve all heard the saying “don’t take things for granted” on numerous occasions throughout our lives and, whereas we no doubt try our best, we all fall into the same trap of being guilty of just that.

Imagine then not having the ability to hear or being seriously hearing

impaired? It’s pretty scary when you actually stop to think about it. Something that so many of us have had the luxury of for all of our lives that we arguably take for granted on a daily basis. Imagine not being able to hear the early morning birdsong from your garden, the laughter of your children, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore or your favourite music? Well over 70 million people throughout the world cannot hear, which is why campaigns such as

International Week Of The Deaf and International Day of Sign Languages are so crucial, and the more attention that is brought their way the better.

International Week of the Deaf was started in Rome, Italy in 1958 by the World Federation of the Deaf and is celebrated globally by the deaf community during the final week of September each year. This year it runs from September 1925 based on the theme ‘Building Inclusive Communities for All’.

A whole host of events will take place globally to not only promote a more inclusive society by raising awareness throughout the nondeaf world as to the typical challenges faced by deaf people but to simultaneously celebrate the unique vibrancy of those living with hearing impairments. Fundraisers, charity events, the learning of sign language and a broader engagement with the deaf community are all cornerstones of the campaign.

Fully fledged languages

Running concurrently is the International Day of Sign Languages, a United Nations (UN) driven initiative that takes place this year on September 23. As the UN website states, the day “is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.” The first International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated in 2018 as part of the annual International Week Of The Deaf, and while

structurally distinct from spoken languages, sign languages are fully fledged languages of their own, with over 300 different variations used globally. One popular way of supporting the cause is by learning some degree of sign language so as to be able to engage with the deaf community more effectively. Aside from the notion of alienation and exclusion deafness can bring, it can also have a significantly detrimental impact on job opportunities, relationships and mental health. Deaf people are often very unfairly classed as

rude for either not responding or becoming confused when they try. Worse still are examples of ridicule and mockery which can devastate the self-confidence and worth of someone with hearing issues, especially during formative and teenage years when the frustrations of being deaf are often more acutely felt.

However, progress has been made and continues to. Technology is opening up new doors for opportunity and engagement for the hearing impaired community, be it via enhanced and much

more discreet hearing aid devices or social media platforms. Fan engagement at major sporting events is slowly but surely starting to improve, with English Premier League giants Arsenal leading the way with their implementation of British Sign Language into everything that happens on the big screens at their Emirates Stadium. This includes an interpreter relaying all the information and content from pre- and post-match interviews, half-time entertainment and any contentious decisions under review during the game

itself. “It makes me feel included, and it’s so positive and so happy. I feel like part of the team and part of the family,” one lifelong fan told the Guardian in March. It is surely only inevitable that other teams and others sports will follow suite.

Last but not least, recall the 2021 movie ‘CODA’, a coming-of-age story of a girl living in a family who are all deaf. Maintaining the highest

levels of respect and sensitivity at all times, the film beautifully explores the challenging dynamic and brought the topic to a far broader audience. It won three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Troy Kotsur, who became the first deaf man to win the award. The only other deaf actor to win an Academy award was Marlee Matlin (who won Best Actress for her film debut in the 1986 film ‘Children Of A Lesser God’) and she also starred in CODA.

So, progress is being made but there is still a long way to go.

A robust and equal society should be founded on the core principles of inclusivity and that is why International Week of the Deaf and the International Day of Sign Languages are so crucial to ensure those who are hearing impaired are not ostracised or left behind. And that is why we at Brilliant Online champion both campaigns as we drive towards a brighter future for all. For more information on International Week of the Deaf click here and for International Day of Sign Languages click here.

Healthy habits for your hearing health

RAISING AWARENESS OF DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S

✦

‘Never too early, never too late’

It might sound like the most obvious of statements but every problem needs a solution. Some problems are relatively easy to understand and action a solution to, while others can pose far bigger challenges and even remain unsolved. Dementia falls into the latter category and is why Dementia Action Week and World Alzheimer’s Month, which both take place every September, are such important occasions, highlighting ongoing efforts to gain a clearer understanding of the disease and a potential cure for it.

Dementia Action Week

The theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week, which takes place September 18-24, is ‘Act Now for a Dementia-Friendly Future’. The objectives of the campaign are to generate a greater understanding of dementia which can lead to less stigma and discrimination and ultimately fear, while providing support and highlighting the tireless work done by carers within the community.

The Port Macquarie electorate has nearly 2,500 people living

with Dementia, which is the 2nd highest prevalence rate in state electorates of Australia. (source: Port Macquarie Dementia Friendly Community)

Useful tips to improve communication with those suffering from dementia

• Before speaking, make sure you have their attention first. Try to be face to face with good eye contact where possible and stay still while you are talking.

• Avoid background noise where possible, and reduce visual distractions (eg turn off the TV or radio)

• Give us TIME to speak. Try not to finish our sentences. Just listen, and don’t let us feel embarrassed if we lose the thread of what we say. Resist the urge to finish our sentences.

• Speak to us as an adult, don’t talk down to us. Please use clear and familiar words, in a relaxed tone of voice and with

positive body language. Focus on one idea at a time

• Speak positively, avoid arguments and confrontations. Try to give suggestions and not commands.

• Try not to ask direct questions that rely on memory. If you need to ask a few questions, make them clear and concise. Take the time to wait for the answer.

• It can be helpful to use orienting names whenever you can, such as “Your son James”

• When all else fails – you can SMILE!

World Alzheimer’s Month

World Alzheimer’s Month runs for the entire month of September. Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia classified by German doctor Emil Kraepelin in 1910, is a neurodegenerative disease that commonly starts slowly before worsening at a progressive pace and is one of the conditions most broadly associated with dementia.

cThe most typical early symptom associated with Alzheimer’s is gradual memory loss, including a difficulty to remember even very recent events, people’s names, family members, places, etc. It can be heartbreaking to watch someone close to you suffer as they seemingly slowly drift away into an arena of complete uncertainty. As the condition develops, sufferers will usually encounter problems with communicating (especially with language), a sense of disorientation, shifting mood swings and a general notion of withdrawal from everyday life.

Despite being classified by Dr Kraepelin more than 100 years ago, the medical world has largely struggled to understand the cause of the disease and therefore, ultimately, to find a cure for it. Genetic risk factors are believed to be the most common cause, including high blood pressure, previous trauma to the head and diagnosis of severe depression. The disease has traditionally been associated as an age related one, with most sufferers typically being over the age of 65, although there have been many cases where it has affected people much younger; most recently a 19-year-old man was diagnosed with the condition in China, the youngest ever on record.

At least 55 million people are believed to be suffering from

Alzheimer’s or similar dementia conditions worldwide, according to United Nations figures. A study by Alzheimer’s Disease Research states these figures will almost double every 20 years, reaching 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050, if breakthroughs are not discovered.

Preventive Measures

A healthy diet, regular physical exercise and frequent social engagements are acknowledged ways of reducing cognitive decline, while a recent study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

by Virginia Tech Carilion School of

Medicine

professor C. Kathleen Dorey and a team of researchers stated that five key nutrients are often lacking in Alzheimer’s patients and therefore urge people to increase their intake (the five are lycopene, retinol, lutein, Zeaxanthin and Vitamin E).

However, despite these seemingly preventative measures, currently there is no known official cure for the disease. Naturally, big pharma is in a race to find a cure, or at least a way to slow or control the disease to an extent. Most recently, Bloomberg reported the pharmaceutical company

Tiziana Life Sciences’s drug for Alzheimer's was approved by the FDA for a Phase 2 trial, while Quest Diagnostics recently released home blood test kits to help detect the disease early, something Scottish Brain Sciences is also exploring in collaboration with pharma giants Roche Diagnostics. Every other leading pharmaceutical company is working around the clock striving to find a cure, with many other lesser known organisations doing likewise. However, the fact that no absolute cure has yet been discovered arguably makes the situation even more daunting and, ultimately, scary.

It is why World Alzheimer’s Month takes on such importance as an occasion to raise awareness of a condition that is almost certain to impact us or someone we know directly. Organised and run by Alzheimer’s Disease International, the objective is not only to raise awareness globally but to challenge stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia. The event has been running since 2012, with September 21 specially designated as World Alzheimer’s Day.

How to Support

This year’s theme is “Never too early, never too late” which centres around risk factors and risk reduction by campaigning “to underscore the pivotal role of identifying risk factors and adopting proactive risk reduction measures to delay, and potentially even prevent, the onset of dementia,” according to Alzheimer’s Disease International.

It is an opportunity for individuals, businesses and charities to take positive action to raise awareness and support all those impacted by the disease, including

patients, carers, families and the medical industry. There are a whole range of ways you can get involved and support the campaign, including making a donation, fundraising, organising or participating in a memory walk, wearing a purple ribbon throughout the month (the official colour of Alzheimer’s Awareness), volunteering, honouring a caregiver and leaving a gift in your will. There are also a number of virtual activities. You can find out more here. More information on Dementia Action Week can be found here.

WALK WITH ME OUT OF THE SHADOWS

✦ Out of the Shadows is an annual walk of remembrance on World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September.

This is when the community comes together to recognise the impact suicide and mental health have on our lives, and a time to remember our loved ones lost to suicide.

A small group of friends joined Nicky Davis and Angie Williams to walk in memory of their mother whom they lost to suicide 16 years ago. They left Town Beach at nine in the morning and walked to Settlement Point for morning tea before returning back to Town Beach. They decided to do their own walk so that everyone could be there together. It's all about honouring the passing of a loved one in a way that is comfortable and meaningful to each person.

Suicide is a significant public health issue that has wide-ranging social, emotional, and economic impacts. Currently, there are over 700,000 suicides occurring worldwide each year, and the ripple effects of each suicide are profound.

cThere is no perfect answer to how we can help a loved one with depression. But letting the person know they are not alone, someone is there to support and listen, makes a difference.

Are you interested to be a telephone crisis supporter at Lifeline Mid Coast?

p/ (02) 6581 2800

e/ admin@lifelinemidcoast.org.au

w/ lifelinemidcoast.org.au/

ENTERTAINMENT Brilliant

MEET CHAYNE HULTGREN, KNOWN PROFESSIONALLY AS "THE SPACE COWBOY"

✦ A world record-holding sideshow, street and freak show performer, Chayne is a superhero in his own right - he is known as 'Australia's most prolific record breaker'.

Some of his records include:

• 'Most chainsaw juggling catches on a unicycle';

• 'Most weight dragged with hooks in the eye sockets';

• 'Most targets hit with throwing knives in one minute'; and

• 'Most swords swallowed underwater'.

He performs a number of acts, including juggling a sickle, machete and fire torch, or a battle axe, jungle machete and a butcher knife, whilst blindfolded on a 10foot unicycle to catching flaming arrows blindfolded shot from a crossbow.

Another is suspension (the art of dangling from hooks in the flesh), plus seven ball juggling, spoon bending, levitation of himself and other objects, sword swallowing and knife throwing.

His theatrics have included swallowing a 60-centimetre (24 in) 2000-volt neon glass tube with a microphone on the end, with his heartbeat audible as the light shines through his skin from the inside.

Australia's most prolific record breaker |

Photo: Chayne Hultgren ➸

Chayne will be performing at the 2023 Tortuga Festival - if you want to be enthralled, scared and amazed all at the same time, don’t miss this show!

Tortuga Festival Program ➹

Brilliant-online had the privilege to find out how the death defying feats started

"My journey into the extraordinary was ignited by my childhood fascination with the eccentric characters I read about in the Guinness World Records and Ripley's books," Chayne told us.

"The desire to see my own name in those pages propelled me into a life of relentless research and training. I poured my heart into breaking records and honing my performance skills, driven by the goal to not only make it into those books but to be the very best performer I could possibly become."

He has hosted his own Guinness World Records show and appeared on the Discovery Channel's 'Outrageous Acts of Science'. "It has been an incredible ride. The

cworld of stunts led me to these platforms. Being recognized as Australia's most prolific Guinness World Record holder opened many doors. The more I performed my unusual acts the more attention I gained," Chayne said.

Performances with celebrities

Having shared the stage with world famous celebrities such as Peter Dinklage, Oprah Winfrey and Sylvester Stallone, we asked what it's like to perform in front of such iconic figures? "It's surreal and humbling," he replied. "Seeing their amazement and enthusiasm is a reminder that awe transcends fame. It's an honour to share my passion with those who have achieved so much themselves."

Record Attempt Break

Chayne has confirmed he will attempt to break his own records at the upcoming Tortuga Festival, which has generated great excitement. He gave us a little teaser about what we can anticipate from this daring feat:

c"While I can't reveal all the details just yet, I can promise that the Tortuga Festival will be the stage for me to push my limits and attempt to break one of my own Guinness World Records. It's an electrifying opportunity to witness firsthand what can be achieved with unyielding determination and a touch of audacity."

Chayne is thrilled to be performing at the Tortuga Festival. "This will be my first time performing at the Tortuga Festival," he explained. "I heard great reports about the success of the festival last year, so I was thrilled to be invited to perform this time. I'm bringing my A-game, and I can't wait to see the reactions of the audience."

Chayne's name carries not only his celebrity status but also a legacy of unwavering dedication, relentless resilience and an audacious embrace of the impossible. Mark your calendars for an evening that promises to celebrate the extraordinary and gift you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Get ready for an experience that transcends the ordinary at the Tortuga Festival with The Space Cowboy’s upcoming performance. This isn't just a show, it's an invitation to witness a living legend!

➸ The Space Cowboy will perform at the Tortuga Festival

➸ For over 20 years the Space Cowboy has wowed crowds around the world

TORTUGA FESTIVAL'S SUPERHERO PERFORMERS!

✦ To celebrate TORTUGA Festival returning to Port Macquarie's Westport Park on 22nd September 2023, we had an exclusive chat with some of the stars.

Untamed Cabaret 23rd September to 8th October. Best of Kids Cabaret 1st to 8th October.

We asked some of the Untamed Cabaret and Best of Kids Cabaret performers what super skills they possess and which super hero they would be if they could and why?

Lilikoi Kaos - aka "The

Hawaiian Hurricane"

Lilikoi Kaos hailed as the Hawaiian Hurricane has hypnotised audiences from London to New York, Buenos Aires to… Port Macquarie with her heart-breaking hip-shaking hula-hooping and unparalleled comic timing.

Super skills: hula hoops, sideshow stunts, whips...

"I would probably be Storm because she has a really specific skill set, that looks cool but isn’t super helpful in most situations… But gosh, she looks magnificent, fierce, intimidating and often scarily possessed,” Lilikoi told us.

Imaan Hadchiti

IImaan Hadchiti The World's Shortest Comedian

Imaan Hadchiti

Super Skills: making people laugh. And think. And laugh some more...

Fun fact: Imaan starred in Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Chris Hemsworth.

Standing at just 3 feet 4 inches, Imaan holds the Guinness World Record for “The World’s Shortest Comedian”.

“I would probably be Batman.. for the anonymity of it. And the cars and I'd finally be able to afford to buy a property,” Imaan told us.

cJacqueline Furey - aka "The Human Heatwave"

Jacqueline Furey is a purveyor of the beautiful and bizarre straddling the worlds of sideshow, circus and burlesque in rhinestoned stilettos. Furey made her name as a trained dancer turned stripteaser, soon adding a myriad of risqué skills

Jacqueline Furey - The Human Heatwave

to her performance repertoire. As a fan dancer, fire eater, sword swallower, knife target girl, hair hanger and then some, she has graced stages from gilded theatres to grand circus tents the world over.

“If I were a superhero, I would be Dr Manhattan. The colour blue really suits me. I love being nude all the time and living life as an eternal, unknowable and all powerful being is how I conduct myself normally anyway,” Jacqueline told us.

Danik Abishev

Born into a Russian circus family, Danik Abishev started performing at age four. He toured with Soviet Union state circuses and in China he earned the title of Honoured Artist of Russia. After relocating to Brisbane, he continued his global performance career. Working with Tom Tom Crew in the Middle East and South America, he later wowed Australia on Australia's Got Talent.

Super Skills: handstands, planches, superhuman strength.

As seen on Australia’s Got Talent. Has also received the title of Honoured Artist of Russia.

“If I was approached with this question 30 years ago I’d choose different, but I’m 38 now, and after all the walk-ins, hijackings and implants I have no choice but to go with Venom,” Danik told us.

We can’t wait to see these incredible performers at the Tortuga Festival!

Danik Abishev ➸

THE SUPERHERO ‘70S ROCK ICON WHO ALMOST NEVER WAS

Singer-songwriter Rodriguez's quasi-mythical story is a truly fascinating one ➸

The name Sixto Rodriguez might be familiar with certain folks, while others may never of heard of him. Typically going by just his surname, the singer-songwriter’s quasimythical story is an amazing one that celebrates talent, adversity, humility and ultimately genuine admiration, recognition, acceptance and love.

Largely unknown in his home country, he became a superhero in another where his music became the soundtrack during an era of extreme political upheaval and struggle for human rights equality. Later, his story was made into an Oscar-winning documentary. Sadly, he passed away on August 8 this year so, in tribute, here is his remarkable tale...

“Cause the sweetest kiss I ever got is the one I’ve never tasted” - Sixto Rodriguez

cBorn on July 10, 1942 in Detroit in the United States to working-class Mexican immigrant parents, Rodriguez had a natural musical ear and aptitude from an early age, yet due to his Spanish-speaking upbringing, always felt like the outsider. Honing his talent, he recorded his first album ‘Cold Fact’ in 1970 and his second, ‘Coming from Reality’, a year later. Expectations were high for both yet, surprisingly, sales were slow and the record label Sussex dropped him. Disallusioned, Rodriguez quit the music scene and, by all accounts, drifted into a life of obscurity, working on construction sites in his home town.

Looking back many years later, the producers of ‘Cold Fact’ were completely bemused. “The only writer I had heard of during that time period that was writing that well was Bob Dylan,” commented Dennis Coffey, who knew a thing or two about quality music, having worked with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, Gladys Knight, Ringo Starr, Wilson Pickett, and The Four Tops. “He was this mysterious, inner-city poet who used his words to describe what he saw on the streets of the hard, gritty impoverished streets of Detroit and added music to it.” Fellow producer Mike Theodore was equally stumped: “Why didn’t he make it? Did he promote enough, do enough performances, was he too political? I don’t understand.”

Steve Rowland, who worked with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, The Cure, Peter Frampton, Gloria Gaynor, and Boney M, produced ‘Coming From Reality’ and was also at a loss to explain why Rodriguez and his music didn’t catch on. “I produced a lot of great artists but he is my most memorable – not just a talent – like a wise man, a prophet, way beyond just being a musical artist,” he recalled. “This guy deserves recognition.

'The only writer I had heard of during that time period that was writing so well was Bob Dylan,' said record producer Dennis Coffey

Nobody in America had even heard of him or was interested in him. How can that be, from a guy that writes like this,” Rowland reflected. He also explains how Rodriguez was dropped by the label just two weeks before Christmas, something the artist had almost implausibly foreseen and written about on the final song of the album ‘Cause’.

Shrouded in myth

However, even though Rodriguez and many others believed his story had already ended, it was actually only just beginning. The exact details as to how Rodriguez’s music found its way to South Africa are shrouded in myth, although the most plausible seems to be that a young lady brought a copy of ‘Cold Fact’ to Cape Town when she visited her boyfriend in the mid 1970s.

Bootleg copies were made on cassette and the music spread far and wide throughout a

conservative country that, at the time, was ruled by a hardline government pushing their apartheid agenda. People knew full well of the unjust conditions being enforced in their country, particularly on the black population, yet were unable to speak out or protest for fear of serious recriminations, including hard jail time. The government controlled the media, records were purposefully scratched so they could not be played on the airwaves and even televisions were banned. Disillusion and unrest was widespread.

Most record collections in privileged, white middle class homes at the time consisted of the standard fare such as The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Elvis Presley and Simon and Garfunkel but Rodriguez was soon added to the pile and he fast became regarded as a rebel icon. Anti-establishment wasn’t something even considered at the time yet his lyrics hinted at exactly this – even one of his songs

was titled ‘Establishment Blues’. He showed that it was ok to question the order, to show dissatisfaction with an unjust society, to express anger and protest in an effort to help push for equality.

The lyrics to ‘I Wonder’, Rodriguez’s most popular song in South Africa at the time, encapsulate this perfectly:

c“I wonder how many times you’ve been had/ And I wonder how many plans have gone bad/ I wonder about the tears in children’s eyes/ And I wonder about the soldier that dies/ I wonder will this hatred ever end… do you wonder?”

Modest and elusive

His music stirred a generation, his lyrics set many people’s minds free and influenced countless emerging bands who used their music to protest against the government and, specifically, apartheid. His music showed there was an alternative to prejudice, injustice

and suppression and a way to achieving it - in many ways serving as a remedy to the situation. However, due to sanctions, South Africa was cut off from the rest of the world. No musical artists were allowed to tour and therefore Rodriguez remained a total mystery to his legion of passionate fans. Also, due to the fact he had effectively vanished from the

scene, no information at all was accessible on him. People could cross check The Rolling Stones or Miles Davis but not Rodriguez. He was widely believed to have died, with several reports he had committed suicide and thus, in essence, was a ghost. A total enigma. But if anything, this made Rodriguez even more of a national treasure to South Africans. He was

Rodriguez fast became regarded as a rebel icon in South Africa during a tumultuous time in the country's history.

their star who helped reshape a generation and was the musical backdrop during a time of so much societal change. He was bigger than Elvis Presley, bigger than The Beatles. He was their superhero, and not just for his musical output. Two such obsessive South Africans, record shop owner Stephen ‘Sugar’ Segerman and music journalist Craig Bartholomew, set out to track down the mythical musician, to clarify the cold facts surrounding his life and possible death. They discovered that he had a similarly huge cult following in Australia and New Zealand, where

he had toured in 1979 and 1981 although his footprint outside of these countries and South Africa seemed non-existent. In 1998 Segerman and Bartholomew were rewarded for their efforts when they discovered Rodriguez in his hometown of Detroit, still working in construction and living in the same house he had done since the 1970s, modest and elusive. Shortly after, Rodriguez toured South Africa and was left gob-smacked and genuinely humbled at the reception he received and his popularity which, of course, was unbeknown to him for decades. I was personally fortunate enough

to be introduced to his music by the brilliant DJ, producer and soundtrack composer David Holmes in 2002 and managed to see Rodriguez play live in London in 2005, a truly magical moment and a wonderful memory.

Some years later Swedish documentarist Malik Bendjelloul met Segerman and Bartholomew and ‘Searching For Sugarman’ was made. It went on to achieve mass critical acclaim, most notably winning a BAFTA and an Oscar. The subject himself, displaying typical humility, refused to take to the stage to accept the award in Los

Rodriguez's music stirred a generation, his lyrics set many people’s minds free and influenced countless emerging bands

Angeles as he did not want to overshadow the filmmakers’ achievement, something that producer Simon Chinn said summed the man up perfectly. Subsequent interest in the life and work of Sixto Rodriguez skyrocketed and brought him the recognition, respect and rewards that he so richly deserved and that had so alluded him for so long. An estimated 500,000 of his records were sold in South Africa prior to 1998 yet he never saw a cent in royalties. The man himself though displayed a typical humble take on a life story that many others would be bitter about:

c“All my life, I never gave up on music and though there was a lot of disappointment for some that the commercial thing never happened, it has never been a disappointment for me.”

It seems remiss to try and relay details or attempt a review of ‘Searching For Sugarman’ here as it is something truly special that deserves viewing in its own right. It is a story of a genuine superhero that is completely fascinating, at times dumbfounding and tragic, yet ultimately heart-warming in a way that only a tale as unique as this could be. By the end you are almost certain to have a tear running down your cheek, or at least a lump in your throat! If you haven’t already seen it then you could do far worse than invest in a viewing – and even if you have, it is a tale so fantastic that it deserves a repeat experience.

An estimated 500,000 of Rodriguez's records were sold in South Africa prior to 1998 yet he never saw a cent in royalties.

HEAVENS: A BOY AND HIS ROBOT, A SINGAPOREAN MOVIE 11 YEARS IN THE MAKING

✦ Fans of the mecha genre, get ready to eat your hearts out. Singapore's first liveaction feature film is set to blast its way into cinemas in Japan this November!

"HEAVENS: A Boy and His Robot" trailer to be released in winter 2023

Good things come to all those who wait. And fans of mecha are going to have the time of their lives come November 2023 when Heavens Entertainment will debut HEAVENS: The Boy and His Robot, a fully produced-in-Singapore movie ELEVEN YEARS in the making.

Mecha is a genre of Japanese manga and anime that features or focuses on mechanical innovation e.g. robots and cyborgs. Some of you may recall

from your childhoods Astro Boy, Mazinger Z or Gundam. Perhaps internationally-speaking, the clearest example would be Transformers. This line would surely take you way back"Autobots, transform and roll out!"

HEAVENS: The Boy and His Robot is a fully Singaporean production, which is an amazing achievement for the Singaporean film industry, and one they should be rightly proud of.

What is the story about?

This is an action-adventure drama set against a backdrop of epic galactic warfare that follows the journey of a struggling young pilot, Kai, and his fighter mecha, Little Dragon.

Kai has a dream of joining the Mecha Corps to bring peace to a war-torn world. In spite of the focus on machines and technology, mecha has a strong human element to it, and the unique

friendship between Kai and Little Dragon is one that will touch hearts.

The Man Behind The Movie

Rich Ho is the visionary behind this epic movie. When you look at how he is involved in this movie, you'd start to wonder if he is human or perhaps a highly innovative robot. Rich Ho serves as:

• Producer

• Director

• Writer

• Film Music Composer

• Art Director

• Set Designer

• Director of Photography

• co-Visual Effect Supervisor

Most people would have their hands full with just one role. It clearly shows his passion and dedication to this project.

c“HEAVENS: The Boy and His Robot is a story to be enjoyed together with friends and family. Just as Kai, the film’s lead character, grows as he steps up to make a difference around him, and fights against a world that tells him how things are impossible, the making of this movie is very much 11 years of my own personal story. It is one I have made together with people whom I now consider my friends and family – people of very different cultures and backgrounds, but all walking together in the same direction towards a common vision of creating this story.” - Rich Ho, CEO of Heavens Entertainment.

Japan: Birthplace of Mecha

Japan was chosen for the world premier because it is the birthplace of the mecha genre.

Up-and-coming Elles Films will be distributing the movie in Japan and its production team is set to tap into a younger generation and keep the mecha fever going strong.

In Japan, the movie will be released as Mechaverse: Shōnen to Robotto. Top award-winning and popular Japanese voice actors such as Kenshô Ono and Hanae Natsuki, will be lending their voices to the characters. The theme song is composed by Japan's 2023 Grammy Awards winner Masanori Takumi and performed by popular girl group Chō Tokimeki Sendenbu. For more information on the Japanese version of the film, visit the official website (Japanese only) here.

Rich Ho, Writer and Director

Photo: IMDb

"Since its inception in 2012, my vision for the film has been to embody true cultural diversity both on-screen and behind-the-scenes. This inclination likely stemmed from my upbringing in Singapore, a vibrant multi-cultural society that celebrated and embraced the richness of various cultures, backgrounds, and languages. Thus, I was thrilled to see this vision come to life as early as the Research and Development stage (2013-2015), with our partners and artists hailing from around the world, including the US, Japan, South Korea, China, and many others.

- Rich Ho

c"When we officially entered production in 2016, our global collaboration extended to countries like Australia for editing and visual effects work, and New Zealand for numerous film shoots.

"As we worked together, food and jokes became the bonding agents that brought us closer, and the shared understanding of the movie's vision, along with the belief in its story, united us in a common direction.

"This bond proved to be valuable as we continued to work remotely on the post production across borders during the global pandemic lockdowns.

"I sincerely hope that the tale of our film, crafted by a diverse and multi-cultural cast and crew spanning multiple countries, will inspire others around the world to pursue similar ideals."

This is going to be one mega Brilliant Movie, and we can't wait to see The Boy and his Robot on the big screens! Get ready to dive into the Mechaverse!

About Heavens Entertainment

Founded in 2016, Heavens Entertainment, based in Singapore, manages the HEAVENS® entertainment franchise. With a global focus on wholesome entertainment, it utilizes innovative technology and collaboration to revolutionize the film industry. The HEAVENS® Universe, shaped by worldwide partnerships, aims to delight and inspire audiences through captivating stories. Expansion into new media platforms is underway, promising an immersive journey into the HEAVENS® Universe.

PETS Brilliant

COFFEE WITH (THE REAL) SAMSO - THE CANINE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE NAME

✦ Guess who the real inspiration behind the name of Samso is? It's a friendly labradoodle called, you guessed it, SAMSO!

samso is a familiar name to our Brilliant readers. Our Brilliant Investments section is our partnership with Samso in bringing the latest and most intriguing ASX stories to readers worldwide.

Noel Ong, CEO of Samso, otherwise known as The Man in the Hat, is the one inviting thought leaders to share compelling ASX stories that intrigue investors, and keeps them following ASX companies that pique their interest.

Now what really intrigues and piques our interest is where the name Samso comes from and what it means.

Samso is actually the name of Noel's beloved pet dog! Samso is a gorgeous labradoodle who is Noel's trusty sidekick and is with him through thick and thin. We wonder who the real Samso would invite for a canine version of Coffee with Samso! We turn the tables on Noel today and invite him for a Coffee with the Real Samso and interview Noel instead!

Brilliant Red Seagulls take flight with Samso-Brilliant Online partnership

Hello Noel, welcome to another Brilliant Story. Today we're going to deep dive into the story of The Real Samso, so welcome Noel! Let's start with some basics. How did you come up with the name Samso for your dog?

I'm a dog person, and have had dogs all my life. I wanted to find a suitable name for a dog, and when I put all my children's names together i.e. Silver Aiden Megan Sarah Ong = SAMSO, I thought it sounded perfect for a dog. Silver is my first child here in Australia.

When did Samso first start living with you, and how did that come about?

We got Samso from a breeder in September 2012, and he's now 11 years old.

Did you do a lot of DYOR before getting Samso?

A little, we wanted a pet that did not shed hair, and is smart so it is easy to train. The labradoodles, in many parts the "noodle" dogs do not smell and because of the wool, it does not keep dirt. I must say that the breeding of the poodle (smartest dog) and the labrador (5th smartest) is a good mix.

*DYOR - Do Your Own Research (a catch phrase often heard on Coffee with Samso, to tell investors to research, learn and listen to the stories of ASX companies they are keen on)

How would you describe Samso's personality?

As I mentioned before, I've had dogs all my life, and I remember

when we were in Malaysia, we had six dogs as the main family, two of them were a pair and they had puppies. As much as I loved all of them, and if you're a dog lover you'll know how hard it is to pick favourites, I have to say that Samso has been the most

affectionate and has the most 'human' characteristics. He is like my shadow and is always looking for affection. He loves snuggling up and he'll let you cuddle him to sleep. I think he's the pet that every child wants their soft toy to be.

Samso proudly posing for his photo with Noel Ong, CEO of Samso

What made you decide to name your company after your dog?

I wanted a catchy name and what better than Samso! I am also a very sentimental person in wanting to create a legacy for the future. Family is a big part of my DNA and I want everything I do to be meaningful.

What's his favourite thing to do?

He loves going on walks and just being with people. And he loves his car rides too! He's easygoing and he's just as comfortable sitting beside you on the couch and being close to people. I guess he's a people dog! He does play with other dogs too but he

seems to have little attention span for his four-legged friends! Oh, and he loves food. ALL kinds of food!

What's the best thing about Samso the dog?

He is super loyal, he is affectionate and he has the best temperament. He seeks your attention and wants to be with you.

Any interesting anecdotes about Samso?

He's really quite photogenic! I think he loves posing for photos! Not long ago someone mentioned that Samso looks like he really enjoys being the model for photos!

Peter Harold is pictured here with the delicious coffee given away at Coffee with Samso interviews, thanks to Florence Drummond, who recommended KIK, an indigenous business supporting Coffee with Samso with their brew.

Now on to more serious business. What would Samso say about your business?

Samso the dog is all about people and being close to them. He does not like conflicts and treats everyone the same. The business of Samso is all about telling the story. It's not about having a happy or a sad ending. Every story has a need to be told. I don't chase people for payment, and I don't hold any clients to a contract. If clients like what the Samso platform is doing, then great. If they no longer find it suitable, I don't force them to stay contractually.

How has Samso inspired or supported your business?

From a personal point of view, Samso's character is my inspiration, and that may be a trait he and I share i.e. we enjoy what we do, and that is why we do it.

What milestones has Samso witnessed and celebrated with you in your business?

Samso has been there from the start. We have celebrated all our milestones together. Every development, expansion, exploration... he's always been there.

You often say mineral exploration takes time

Does that hold

for owning a pet too?

Absolutely. Patience and the ability to train and make your pet yours is important. All pets are similar to the human spirit. They want security, they want affection and they want to enjoy the fruits of life.

Treat them like you would your child and the enjoyment of the pet experience is forever.

There is a reason why there is a saying, " If you want a friend, get a dog".

and investors have to be patient with companies as they explore and develop their ASX stories.

true

Samso looking as dapper as Tony Goode and Peter Harold of Poseidon Nickel Limited

Here's looking at you, Samso! (if you can spot the dog, that is!)

Who would Samso invite for a canine-version of Coffee with Samso?

Samso is everyone's friend. I honestly think he would welcome anyone that pats him and offers him food!

Does Samso follow you along to your coffee interviews?

Not really, but as we have expanded to having more venues, whenever we do a Coffee with Samso or a Rooster Talk in our home office, Samso does make

an appearance. We have thought about including him into our coffee conversations, but I let the clients decide if they are comfortable with his presence. He's a friendly chap and he made his first official appearance just recently!

What makes Samso the dog Brilliant?

He is smart looking, he has that cuteness that melts every emotion, and he's extremely loyal. I love dogs that just somehow become 'your' dog. Because he always shadows me around, it makes me feel like he's always looking out for me.

Samso is my comfort. When I'm stressed, all I need is to see his eagerness for my attention and a hug from him and the stress disappears. He is always my friend, and will always be my best friend no matter what.

And

of course, the big question - does Samso like wearing hats too?

He has no choice in the matter! :-) Thank you for your time with us today, Noel, and we look forward to following the journey of Samso, both your dog and your business for many more years to come!

IMAGINE AN AUSTRALIA WITHOUT KOALAS...

✦ Ask anyone throughout the world to name something archetypically iconic to Australia and the chances are very high that the koala will place towards the top of the list, if not even at the very top.

While Uluru, vegemite, budgie smugglers and kangaroos are also common answers, there’s no doubting that for many people the cuddly little eucalyptus-scoffing tree dwellers symbolise so much about the land Down Under.

Indeed, according to the Campbelltown NSW government website, “each and every year millions of tourists travel vast distances from across the globe to see koalas in their natural habitat. It is reported that 75 per cent of tourists travelling to Australia report that they hope to see a koala whilst visiting Australia.”

From Dorothy Wall’s publication Blinky Bill, later a staple diet TV show for so many Aussies growing up, through to advertising campaigns by Qantas and pictures of the furry marsupials with range of international celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Serena Williams, Jennifer Lopez and Rafael Nadal, the koala is an Aussie cultural icon of identity. The Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) has reported that “koalas and koala tourism provided a $3.2 billion dollar a year benefit to the Australian economy and that the industry directly or indirectly employed more than 30,000 Australians.”

It’s why we at Brilliant Online are shining a light on the fantastic efforts of the AKF and the Save

Each and every year millions of tourists travel vast distances from across the globe to Australia to see koalas in their natural habitat

The Koala campaign during the month of September, with the last Friday of the month (Friday 25 this year) specifically designated as Save the Koala Day. Held annually, this worldwide event is dedicated to raising awareness about Koalas and their habitat and creating a more sustainable future for them to thrive in.

The threats to Koala welfare are significant ➸

The threats to Koala welfare are significant. Disease and other wild animals pose a substantial, some might argue natural, threat. However, loss of habitat remains the major threat as humanity continues to expand its presence at the behest of the koala, with new housing and retail developments, roads and infrastructure resulting in eucalyptus forests being felled at

an alarming rate. The devastating bushfires of recent times have also had a hugely detrimental impact on the koala population, with the WWF stating that over 60,000 were affected by the “black summer” blazes of late 2019 and early 2020. “The fires impacted more than 41,000 koalas on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island, more than 11,000 in Victoria, nearly 8,000 in NSW,

and nearly 900 in Queensland,” it reports. AKF reports it is estimated there are less than 60,000 Koalas left in the wild.

Imagine a world without koalas? Doesn’t sound at all appealing, does it? So what can you do to help? Well, there are a range

of fundraising activities taking place all throughout September that are easy to engage in so you can play your part – make a donation to AKF directly, organise a fundraising activity with friends or at school, adopt a koala, plant a tree, volunteer at a koala care centre, help raise the awareness of

family.

Save the Koala

AKF and the Save the Koala Month campaign by spreading the word on social media channels and to friends and

Thank You Billabong Zoo for donating Family Pass Tickets as prize for Children's SuperHeroes Art Competition

Additionally, Mother Natured has specially devised eight activities to involve children during the month-long campaign, to not only help the cause but to educate youngsters about our endangered furry friends. These include: print and play with a koala mask accessible on the website; learn

to bellow like a koala; watch koala YouTube clips; teach others about koalas; read koala themed books; hang a koala garland; search for koalas if they live in your local area; help koalas.

A world without koalas isn’t one that even bears thinking about.

We all know how invaluable they are, not only as wild animals that need our care and protection but as cultural symbols of Australia the world over, so please play your part if you can, however big or small. For more information visit Save the Koala Month at the AKF website.

Koalas need our care and protection

CELEBRATING SUPERHEROES IN THE ANIMAL WORLD!

✦ Let’s face it, all animals are superheroes at heart in their own unique way.

As pets, they are beloved members of the family, bringing unbounded joy and an unconditional love that can often be hard to truly quantify, while wild animals continue to attract our allure and admiration in many different ways. However, there have been countless stories over the years of pets and animals actually stepping up to the breach to perform as true superheroes when called upon. While the list is exhaustive, here we take a look at a few of them.

Starting off we don’t have to venture far as our first superhero pet belongs to none other than Brilliant Online’s own Edgard Lopez

Sherman, Ed's Border Collie who saved Annabelle twice ➸

whose border collie Sherman has stepped up on more than one occasion to perform the role of superhero dog!

“Annabelle is our youngest of four daughters and loves being around nature and the animals. She and Sherman are close and he always has her back,” Ed explains.

“We live on a farm in the Mid North Coast of NSW, off-the-grid, surrounded by rainforest, trees, mountains and lots of wildlife,” Ed tells us. “On the farm we have an abundance of animals although our farm dog Sherman is without doubt the smartest border collie you will ever meet!

c“One day Annabelle was feeding the chickens inside one of the many coops on the farm when suddenly a rooster attcked her from behind, pecking at her back and leaving her screaming in pain. Sherman heard her cries of anguish and came running to the rescue, managing to get under the fencing to confront the aggressive assailant before pushing him away from the stricken young girl.

“While Annabelle had endured some rather nasty cuts on her back

from the attack, it wold have been far, far worse had Sherman not jumped in to rescue her,” Ed recalls. “The second instance of Sherman coming to her rescue was when Annabelle was walking in the rainforest only to come across a red-bellied black snake on the path. Frozen by a combination of fear and an awareness to remain absolutely still, young Annabelle did not move a muscle, although she was, in effect, trapped. Cue Sherman’s entrance, who confronted the reptile by barking in order to distract it. Despite the snake becoming quite aggressive in the face of Sherman, the faithful farm dog did not step down and

Ban reunited after Tsunami and Earthquake in Japan Photo : www.huffpost.com

successfully managed to shoo the reptile into the bush, never to be seen again.”

Two incredible acts of bravery from beloved Sherman, illustrating that having a faithful farm dog is always important, no matter the size of the property, as they will always be on protective guard as true superheroes!

Dog’s best friend!

Our next superhero pet emerged from the devastation of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami that hit Sendai and the eastern Japanese seaboard in March, 2011. Amid the chaos, a two-year-old dog called

Ban was swept away, believed to be lost forever. However, three weeks later a coast guard spotted the canine on the roof of a house adrift in an island of debris nearly 2-kilometres from the shore. Recognising Ban on TV news footage, her owner reached out and the two were soon reunited, with the anonymous owner declaring “we’ll never let go of her [again].” You can watch footage of Ban being rescued then reunited with her owner here.

Another heart-warming story emerged from the same disaster in Japan, proving that dogs are not just man’s best friend but can be other dog’s best friends too!

Days after the devastation struck, a news crew came across a mudcaked spaniel who was protecting an injured mate, who they initially thought was dead but realised was actually still alive. The dog appeared to have remained by the side of his injured friend to protect him for days, never leaving his side and even offering touching moments of comfort by stroking his stricken friend with his paw. The loyal mate managed to attract the attention of the TV crew who then called in a rescue team. Thankfully both dogs were taken into animal care and survived. You can watch the video clip here although make sure you have tissues to hand!

Going back much further in time we have the courageous story of another superhero dog known as Togo. In 1925 the isolated Alaskan village of Nome was hit by a ravaging case of diphtheria and medicine was unable to be shipped by plane or boat. The decision was made for dog-led sleds to make the perilious journey across the frozen terrain. While the whole team played their part, Togo covered the hardest sections, including a 200mile trek and a traverse across the hazardous Norton Sound, where the brave canine saved his team and driver in a courageous swim through ice floes. A true superhero, if ever there was one, who had a statue erected in New York in 2001

and a Disney+ film made in his honour in 2019. Read Togo’s full story here

Motherly love

The story of Sergeant Billy, the Canadian goat hero of World War I is an amazing one. Billy was smuggled into France as a mascot by Canadian troops but soon proved his worth as one day he headbutted three of his comrades into a trench to avoid an exploding enemy shell, saving all of them in the process. Billy endured his fair share of injuries during the conflict, including shrapnel wounds, trench foot and shell shock and was even arrested for eating military

Ultimate Loyalty: Japanese Dog Refuses to Leave Friend Behind Explained

equipment but there is no doubt he served with distinction and deserves his title of a superhero! Read Billy’s story here

They say parents will do just about anything to protect their children and that certainly applies to our next superhero animal, Scarlett the cat. Living as a stray on the streets of Brookylyn in New York City, Scarlett had taken refuge with her four-week old kittens in an abandoned garage which, unfortunately, caught fire one day. Firefighters arriving at the scene were aghast to see the badly burned feline who had rescued her young, carrying them one-by-one from the burning wreckage and leaving none behind, despite the

serious wounds she endured. The story soon made the news and over 1,000 subsequent offers to adopt brave Scarlett came in. One came to fruition and Scarlett spent the remainder of her days being pampered in a loving environment, as did her rescued kittens by all accounts. Scarlett was such a superhero that several books have been written charting her brave plight and astonishing act of love, loyalty and protection. Read her inspiring full story here

Our final example is another superhero who was lauded for saving the lives of fellow animals. Moko the bottlenose dolphin had become a regular fixture on the beaches along the east coast

of New Zealand’s North Island in the summer of 2008, playing with swimmers on a daily basis. One day, however, play turned to helping her fellow mammals when she saved two beached pygmy sperm whales, successfully communicating with and aiding them where humans could not. “I don’t speak whale and I don’t speak dolphin,” Conservation Officer Malcolm Smith told the BBC in 2008, “but there was obviously something that went on because the two whales changed their attitude from being quite distressed to following the dolphin quite willingly and directly along the beach and straight out to sea.” Read Moko’s story here.

Togo covered the hardest sections, including a 200-mile trek and a traverse across the hazardous Norton Sound

Photo : www.huffpost.com

TRAVEL Brilliant

MONASTERY OF TULEBRAS - FOR THOSE WHO SEEK CONTEMPLATIVE REST

✦ Our Brilliant-Online content writer Yann Tyng took a few days off to experience staying in a monastery and she didn't want to leave!

There are many ways to travel, and staying in a monastery is clearly one of the less travelled roads. It may not be on everyone's bucket list of things to do, but the fact that it is such an unusual way to spend time off it may well be seen as an alternative sort of 'adventure'.

Few would say they dislike travelling or experiencing new places, but the truth is, planning a trip does take a lot of brain cells. You need to research where to go, where to stay, what to see, where to eat, what time to do different things and when FOMO starts raging in one's head, we just want to squeeze in as many activities

as we can. With soaring prices of hotels, transport and holiday destinations, having a decent holiday without breaking the bank has become quite a challenge. Sure, we all want to party in Ibiza or walk down the streets of New York, but when money is tight and the demands of modern life leave us feeling suffocated, a desire for such holidays only serve to frustrate us.

Yanntyng, our Content Writer, lives in Spain and last summer she decided to consult Saint Google about where to go for a short break that was affordable, generated minimal stress and where one could really rest. She got directed to the guesthouse of the Monasterio de Santa Maria de la Caridad, also known as Monasterio de Tulebras (Monastery of Tulebras) in the north of Spain in the Navarra province. Last summer she was there for 10 days and didn't want to leave. This summer she went back and found her peace again. She did not need Hamlet to tell her to 'Get thee to a nunnery!'

Monasterio de Tulebras

This is a monastery in the town of Tulebras in Navarra, Spain. The nuns belong to the order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (or Trappists). It's a Roman Catholic contemplative religious order. They are part of the larger Cistercian family, with origins tracing back to 1098. They follow the Rule of St Benedict, and are a part of the Benedictine family.

This particular monastery was founded in the 12th century in 1147 and was the first female Cistercian order in Spain.

Is it strict?

Staying in the monastery's guesthouse for a few days does not mean you have to be Catholic, and it does not mean living a nun's life, and it does not mean having to be silent, have your phones confiscated, or be chided for nodding off during meditation and prayer.

I was hesitant when I contacted the monastery. I explained I’m not Catholic, and was simply looking for a quiet refuge to help me work out a few kinks in my head and get some balm for my mental health. And I was very warmly welcomed.

So to answer the question, the only

strict thing about the monastery is the meal times! Breakfast is served at 9am, lunch at 2pm and dinner at 8pm. The nuns have a busy and tight schedule, so it helps if the guests are on time and keep the clockwork going. I personally absolutely enjoyed the meal time routine. The fact that I did not have to plan what to eat (healthily), or go to the supermarket to get the ingredients, spend time cooking and cleaning up and simply show up at the table was a luxury. The food they serve is simple traditional Spanish fare made with

a lot of love and just so homey it makes you feel so good. Mealtimes there are certainly the highlight of my day. For someone who cannot cook to save her life, having delicious home cooked food is a royal treat.

Before every meal, everyone joins in a little song (in Spanish) to say grace and give thanks for the food. Nobody is obliged to do so if you're not comfortable. I did manage to learn it, and am genuinely grateful to whoever the cook is for whipping up such a variety of delicious meals every day!

View of the church from my room

After the meals, everyone automatically returns their own plates and cutlery to the kitchen, wipes down the tables and sets up the things for the next meal. I learnt by watching what the other guests did, and when they leave and new guests come, they learn from those who are present and so it passes on.

Of course, smoking is forbidden in the rooms, and people who have chosen to come here to stay are seeking peace and quiet, so needless to say, loud music and parties are simply not on anyone’s mind.

Keeping up with the times

People may think that just because these nuns live within the monastery they probably are cut off from the outside world. Not at all. They are well aware of what’s happening around the world and having been a fortunate recipient of the monastery’s hospitality, I am grateful and impressed they have the confidence and wisdom to keep up with the times and make sure their hospitality can be found and made known to people.

Not all businesses are aware of the necessity of having a functioning website to draw visitors. It was thanks to their easy to navigate and clear website that I not only found them but wanted to surf through it and find out more. And when

I got to the section about their guesthouses, the photograph of a friendly nun that was so welcoming really made me drop my fear and hesitation and simply write to them to book a place. Spirituality does little good if it is not made known to the world, and the monastery understands fully that they have to flow with the times and not fear technology. (The monastery even has a Facebook page where they post daily readings or prayers and it allows the community to be connected to the monastery even if they don't live in that town). The monastery is well aware of how far they are willing to go with technology. They have decided they need only enough for people to be aware they exist, but they do not need to go overboard with technology.

Guesthouse at Monasterio de Tulebras

At the end of the day, technology is a useful servant to help groups of people who share a common interest to be connected. It allows stories to be shared, and even ASX companies are riding on technology for their stories to be heard by investors.

Ora et Labora

'Ora et Labora' is Latin for 'prayer and work' and it is motto of St Benedict. Beyond the prayers, the nuns also keep busy with tasks such as making artesenal products. Every monastery is different and have their own unique products based on the region. Here, the monastery makes their own honey. The nun who manages part of the technology side of things is also the same person who looks after the bees. So you see, they lead very busy lives even if we can't see what they do!

Humility and being teachable

One thing that I was curious about was how a group of people could live together in harmony, in a closed area for the rest of their lives. There are a few nuns who have contact with the guests in the guesthouse, but the rest are in the monastery. They do leave the premises for medical appointments, have family visits and other necessities, but otherwise they are there 365 days a year.

I spoke to one of the nuns and she told me that yes, of course, living together with anyone is a challenge, be it outside in the 'real world' or within the walls of the monastery. The thing is to remember that we all have our quirks and personalities, and we are not always right and do not

have to be right. It's a lesson in humility to also consider the other person's point of view, and to be able to learn from the other.

The nuns have their readings to do every day, so they are constantly learning and nurturing their minds. They read the Rules of St Benedict and apply his teachings to their lives. What binds the nuns together is their shared single-minded devotion to God and with this primary purpose to keep them on track, everything else is then put in proper perspective. They are also practising the notoriously difficult art of letting go and trusting in whatever life or God brings them. I confess to being guilty of having toddler tantrums in my head when things don't go my way. Perhaps I can start with the small things such as the next time the train is late, I can tell myself to let it go instead of whinging about it!

Just keep walking

Just outside the monastery is a Tarazonica Greenway which used to be a railroad track. The tracks have been removed and now it has been converted into a walking and cycling trail. It connects a few of the nearby villages, so you can take a nice, long walk from where the monastery is to the next village. On either side of the trail you can see fields of different crops such as grapes, corn, sunflowers, olive etc. I went for a walk twice every day, once in the morning, and then later in the afternoon or evening.

As it’s such a long trail, you don’t see many people. You may meet a cyclist or two sometimes, or people could be out walking like myself. It’s very, very quiet and somehow the vastness of the fields, skies and mountains in the background is a powerful reminder of how small and insignificant I am. This is a delicious feeling of freedom, of right-sizing my ‘problems’. Making these walks a routine part of my stay is important to helping clean out my headspace. Read our Brilliant article about why it’s so important to simply get out and move.

Who comes here?

The guests who come to the monastery to stay are from all over Spain, locals as well as foreigners, sometimes they have visiting nuns and monks from South America as well. Each person comes with their own agenda, and they are free to do what they wish. Some choose to be in silence and not speak. Others come to simply rest. Many return to the same monastery year after year. What was really interesting for me was to meet people who used to come here to prepare for important exams. When I was there this year, there

Monasterio de Tulebras

Photo: Alberto Gamez

was a young law student who came to have peace and quiet to study in preparation for her exams. It’s also typical to have people come here to study for the notoriously difficult Spanish civil service exams called Oposiciones, or for those struggling to write their thesis. It’s a perfect set up for these students as they have their own room, silence, meals all prepared, and they can fully concentrate.

I met an array of interesting guests during my stay and they have all been friendly and welcoming. Nobody had an issue with me not being Catholic and I had some amazing conversations with guests

there. Perhaps it’s the spirituality of the place, perhaps it’s because people who go there are in search of something deeper or beyond and that opens up a space for very authentic conversations even with complete strangers.

The beauty of stability

I was told the nuns here follow four vows - that of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability. Through the eyes of the world outside, it may seem like a poor life of not having the possessions so many of us angst over, but perhaps in their devotion to a

single purpose, in their clarity of their chosen vocation, the stability of their dedication to a life of contemplation they are much, much richer than others.

Even being here for just a few days, I notice how having routine and stability helps time to pass, helps to give order and discipline to the day. They pray seven times a day, with the earliest being at 5am and the last at 8:45pm. You know what time it is when the bells ring, you know when it’s time to be at the dining room. Perhaps even as adults we’re not that different from toddlers who need routine to feel safe and grounded.

Guests are free to attend their service if they wish. On my first trip there I even tried attending service at 5am! It was quite a challenge to be up then, but it's an experience worth having. It's incredibly quiet at that hour, and knowing most of the planet is still asleep, hearing the singing voices of the nuns... there is some magic in that special hour. If it's difficult to 'hear' what the universe is saying to us in our busy day-to-day, perhaps in the quiet of that magical hour one can tune in better to the frequency that's beyond the human realm.

The beauty of simplicity

This is one ‘holiday’ where I do not need to plan anything beyond

getting train tickets to get to the town of Tulebras. I came with just a small suitcase and as I came in summer, I could wash my clothes and have them dry the very next day. The rooms here are very clean, simple and comfortable. Towels are provided as well.

For these few days, the simplicity of not needing anything else feels like a luxury. Simple clothes, simple activities, simple food. There is Internet connection here so I was able to check in on bits of work. There is plenty of time for solitude, and there is also a refreshing park nearby with trees and shade and a little brook if I wanted to be outdoors but also respite from the heat. There is a lake within walking

distance, and those who come by car are free to explore sights around the area. As I don’t drive, I was content to simply stay where I was and explore whatever was available on foot. There wasn’t a need to plan anything or tick off items on a checklist just to prove I was there.

Coming home

I do hope I can return to this monastery next summer. There is a reason why people keep returning to this monastery for their personal retreats. It does feel like ‘home’, the nuns recognise me and they give the most loving hugs. This may not be an Instagram-worthy holiday, but that’s not what I need

at this phase in my life. The journey inward is what I and many others are seeking. Why not journey back into yourself, tune in to your inner voice in a space where everything slows down.

As it says on the monastery's website,

“Aquí tienes tu casa y no es solo una forma de hablar.”

(Here is your home, and it’s not just a figure of speech.)

Having been here last summer, it meant that when I returned this year, all the prioress had to do was escape from her chores for a few brief seconds to say hello, give me a hug, hand me the key to my room and say, “You know your way around! I’ll see you later at lunch!” which felt warm and welcoming.

cSelfishly speaking, I do hope places of refuge like this monastery can keep going for years to come. At the moment this monastery has 16 nuns, and with modern life steamrolling through the years, there aren't many young people who have found the vocation to follow on this journey.

Why not listen to a snippet from the nuns at Monasterio de Tulebras singing Salve Regina, and invite in a few moments of peace as you wind down for the day?

If you are looking to try out a different sort of rest, there is a Cistercian monastery in Tarrawarra, Australia.

Cistercian Monastery in Tarrawarra, Australia

Those who are curious about the inner lives of these nuns and monks, check out these documentaries.

Salve Santa María de Tulebras - Navarra - España

STAYING ON TOP OF THINGS WITH THE WORLD’S BEST ROOFTOP BARS

✦ There aren’t many better ways to spend a pleasant summer evening than on a rooftop bar, socialising in good company with, typically, wonderful views onto the surroundings below you.

In fact, scratch it, rooftop bars make a great destination no matter what time of year it is! While rooftops have been around as long as buildings have been with us, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that they started to be used in a commercial sense by embracing social entertainment and the rooftop bar was, in effect, born.

cThe first such entity is widely believed to be on the roof of Madison Square Garden in New York, which offered “300 tables, multicolored electric lanterns, and the best views in the city, thanks to the Garden’s 300-foot tower,” according to the New York City history website emphemeralnewyork.com.

It seems fitting that the first rooftop bar was in the megalopolis affectionately known as The Big Apple as they are, in essence, products of their environment. Rooftops bars make perfect sense in space-limited, dense, modern day cities where a tendency to build upwards has seen almost every major city in the world possess a multitude of such establishments. Here, we profile just a few:

One of the world's first rooftop bars was on the top of Madison Square Garden in New York

Nowadays, many purport the best rooftops bars in New York to include Daintree, Overstory, Westlight, Ophelia and Harriet’s Rooftop and Lounge. Chicago boasts Terrace 16, Rooftop at Nobu and Z Bar among its many offerings, while Perch, High Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Erwin, L.P. Rooftop Bar, Grandmaster Rooftop, and The Highlight Room are among the best spots to visit when in glitzy Los Angeles.

Europe has more rooftop bars than you could shake a stick of celery at before putting it in your Bloody Mary cocktail! While the weather mightn’t be guaranteed, if in London be sure to check out The Rooftop St. James, LSQ, 12th Knot, Netil 360, The Lucky Club Camden and Laurel's On The Roof.

Paris also has an abundance of great spots such as Sequoia, Terrasse at the Hôtel Montmartre,

Zoku, the Skyline Paris Lounge and Bar, Créatures Paris, L'Oiseau Blanc, Perruche and Le Perchoir Ménilmontant that will offer a variety of incredible views of the City of Lights.

In Rome highlights include Terrazza Monti, Terrazza Navona, Cielo Terrace and Mater Terrae at Bio Hotel Raphael, while Sky Bar at Hotel Iberostar, Eleven BCN, the Panoramic Terrace at Hotel Colón

SKAI Bar Singapore ➸

and La Isabela at Hotel 1898 are regarded as among the best spots in Barcelona.

Asia has seen a boom in rooftop bars in recent years. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities on earth and that is where you will find Sevva. Opened in 2008 and situated on the 25th floor of the Prince’s Building in Central, the wrap-around Terrace offers awe-inspiring, panoramic views of the Victoria Harbour and the city. Other spots to enjoy the legendary Hong Kong skyline include Cardinal Point, Skye, Plume, Faye and Popinjays.

Often classed as rivals in many respects, Singapore’s answer to Sevva was, up until recently,

1-Altitude Gallery & Bar which occupied the top three floors of 1 Raffles Place in the CBD and offered incredible views across and off the island. However, due to leasing complications, it closed its doors earlier this year. Alternative current options in the city state include Altro Zafferano, 1-Arden, Levant, Level 33, Atico Lounge and SKAI Bar.

Elsewhere across the region there is CÉ LA VI, The Jade Room + Garden Terrace and Marunouchi House in Tokyo; the Social Club at Hôtel des Arts in Saigon; Skye at the Menara BCA building in Jakarta; Asilo at the St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai; Il Bar at the Bulgari Hotel in Shanghai; and Vertigo and The Banyan Tree in Bangkok.

Moving Down Under, Sydney boasts a variety of cool, chic locations such as Zephyr, CIRQ Bar & Lounge, The Light Brigade, Bar Ombré, The Glenmore and Old Mate’s Place. Likewise, Melbourne has a host of great spots, including Naked in the Sky, The Stolen Gem, Ellora and Rooftop at QT. By now you’re probably getting the picture that there are a LOT of wonderful rooftop bars in cities in all over the world, which would be impossible to cover here. And to think we haven’t even touched South America, the Middle East or Africa so if you know of any gems in these locations please feel free to let us know so we can add them to a list that is only ever likely to keep on increasing!

Wauchope local shares her Greece rooftop bar experience

Recently returning from an overseas trip with her husband, that included a visit to Greece, Yvette Buthmann told us she was amazed at the sheer number of rooftop bars and restaurants that could be found in every street.

"Athens itself is a city of apartments, so making the most of outside dining in such a hot climate is a no brainer. You need to book to get a table in the peak season as these were very crowded although not uncomfortably so." Yvette said.

cDining or drinking above the city was amazing she told us. " Whether it was at night or during the day, the views were spectacular, not to mention cooler. These varied from simple dining to high end restaurants and bars. I should warn you though that a lot of the buildings have either very tiny, old elevators or massive amounts of stairs, which at times was entertaining after a few drinks attempting to leave."

Definitely a must to add to a bucket list if travelling.

Rooftop dining in Athens offers spectacular views, but be sure to book in peak season

DRIVEN TO A PERFECT GETAWAY

✦ Travel writer Susie Boswell wraps up her series on ideal Sydney airport hotels for passengers seeking affordable secure car parking while away.

A refreshing swim, pre- or post-flight, keeps junior passengers occupied

I’ve driven, solo and non-stop, four hours or so from north coastal NSW to my hotel at Sydney International Airport. I’m feeling a little tired now, ahead of flying out tomorrow.

As I arrive at the entrance two well-groomed men rush forward to greet me and to get the car door as I alight. One is impeccable

in a suit and tie, the second sports an impressive uniform with epaulettes. The first is one of Novotel Sydney Airport’s concierges. The other chap, I learn, is a pilot with a foreign airline, like me, a guest at the hotel. He saw me drive up, hadn’t noticed the concierge emerge, and was simply leaping forward to help unload my luggage.

‘4.5-star Novotel is the first choice… such is its proximity to the International Terminal’

It turns out the 4.5-star Novotel is the first choice of crew of a number of leading overseas airlines, such is its perfect proximity to the International Terminal, on the other side of the road, across a golf course and overlooking the vast expanse of the airport’s taxiways and runways. But it’s even more popular with impending passengers like me. Few of us, if honest, have the sangfroid to be entirely nonchalant about catching an international flight. To run late, flustered, or more so to miss the gate entirely, has so many implications: a mislaid travel document, misplaced hand luggage, a dropped sweater (or, horror, a child’s favourite toy) and so on. Then: there’s

revised travel, accommodation and itinerary arrangements to be made, at cost, and even the risk of partner disharmony, throwing a pall over the entire trip.

Airlines firmly advise arriving three hours before your flight's departure time to allow for checkin, baggage drop, sorting any issues, and clearing security and customs. And despite the bestlaid plans by the most punctual of people, it’s very easy to be delayed enroute to Sydney International.

Unlike in the movies, taxi drivers will not drive like maniacs to make up for the city’s frequent, unpredictable, traffic jams. Airport personnel and other passengers will not miraculously part the waters to make up for your predicament.

Hence: Novotel.

The pleasant welcome I’d enjoyed was to be the leitmotif of my stay. My luggage had been taken inside before I drove in to the hotel’s impressive underground car park: there’s heaps of room for vehicles - not supermarket-style sardine spaces. I would be leaving my car here while away on my trip, no need to fret that tight spots would see me return to scratched side doors; no worries if a hailstorm hit, with my SUV safely under cover.

I emerged from the lift into the lobby to find Reception anticipating my arrival, prepped with room keys coded, check-in documentation ready for signing, my questions answered before asked, and a porter standing ready with my bags.

An impressive start to an impressive stay ➸

It seems catering to both airline personnel and passengers, where time is always of the essence, means delivering snappy service is second nature.

My eye was caught by a cute feature stationed next to the desk: a replica airport aid in the form of a scale to check luggage weights, for guests’ reference. Handy!

My room was already warmed to just the right level – a nice touch, the wide king bed deeply comfortable; sofa, ottoman and TV screen ideally placed for me to collapse to take some time out; double-glazing and blockout curtains; a work desk; generous easily-accessible wardrobe; marbled bathroom a touch of luxury. And

the dozen other amenities one expects, such as wifi, coffee, iron, safe, hairdryer and so on, all in place.

But what grabbed me right away was the view through the tall windows to the golden glow of the airport’s lights with dusk just fallen, silhouetting the comings and goings of those buzzy airport ground-vehicles, catering trucks, luggage carts and the massive skybirds soaring upwards, settling down on the tarmac and taxiing about. A Iittle boy’s Tonka Toys fantasy come true, perhaps. For me: hinting at the thrill of my impending departure the following day.

c‘It’s child-friendly – special rooms, a dedicated activity centre and kids gifts’

Speaking of the little ones, Novotel boasts it’s family-friendly: family rooms and interconnecting rooms are offered at good rates and for all junior guests there’s special gifts in the form of mini soft-stuffed marine animals and a variety of activity-play sets.

Junior passengers get special guest amenities and gifts

There are children’s channels on the room TV and the hotel features a dedicated kids’ corner where movies are shown and games can be played on an interactive electronic game table. Nice one, Novotel!

Other aspects of my first-time stay here that grabbed me were the restaurant, bar, entertainment, pool and gym. Marke restaurant won my admiration for its generous and hygienic buffet breakfast. Normally, and despite often premium room rates, I can’t abide what’s often congealed scrambled eggs, greasy bacon and standard bain-marie fodder, with other guests snatching at your slices on the - ever-slow, or malfunctioning - toasting machine and hovering breathily too near over jugs of juice and milk.

Marke's buffet is very well laid out, spacious along a flowing crescent, dishes covered as appropriate, not

lying in bulk to stew or become cold but replenished appropriately by eagle-eyed staff. I found the roving table service impeccable, waiters alert to suggest fresh coffee, noting more butter or honey needed, offering to process extra toast, removing used plates. Marke opens at 6:30am seven days, provides 24-hour room service and I’m told a food pack is available for those leaving earlier for the first flights of the day.

The restaurant continues on through lunch and dinner to 10pm daily, the adjacent cocktail bar open till 11 five nights for drinks and snacks, with live entertainment on Friday evenings.

Lying beside the gym is the piece de resistance for me: an openair pool with views clear through the airspace to city landmarks including Sydney Tower and Crown at Barangaroo.

More than 120 of its own on-site

undercover parking spaces make this spot the airport precinct’s best for secure parking for international travellers. Stay, Park & Fly packages begin at one night’s accommodation for two with shuttle transfers, and are standard for three nights and seven nights. Additional nights added to the packages are offered at a discounted rate of from $10 a car –outstanding, unmatchable value in my long experience, at the airport, as well as elsewhere in the city. This indeed is a hotel perfectly dedicated to travellers.

Contact:

Novotel Sydney International Airport

Reservations and inquiries - Tel: +61 2 9518 2000