WNA Digital Magazine - Spring Summer 2024 (1) by Cheryl Gray

Women's Network Magazine

CHERYL GRAY Chief Executive Officer & Editor cheryl@womensnetwork.com.au

BEC McCOAN Content Manager

bec@womensnetwork.com.au

NICOLE BIRD Membership Officer membership@womensnetwork.com.au

Materials and articles in this publication are general comment, not advice. The information is believed to be accurate and reliable but no responsibility is taken for any opinions expressed or for errors and omissions. Readers should not act on the basis of the material without taking professional advice relating to their particular circumstances. We do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of any advertisements. We are not providing professional advice. Links to advertisers’ websites are provided for convenience. WNA does not endorse material on those websites, or any associated organisation, products or services represented in this magazine or online. We cannot guarantee that software downloaded from advertisers’ websites will be free of computer viruses.

Connect with us

@WomensNetwork @women’s-network-australia @womensnetworkaus @WNAAUS Morus Group T/A Women’s Network Australia ABN 70 824 668 791 PO Box 4453, Gumdale Qld 4154 Phone 1800 052 476 Email media@womensnetwork.com.au Visit womensnetwork.com.au

Editor's letter

In our previous edition, I confessed that I’d never been in business to make money.

The real confession followed: while I’d always worked hard to have ‘just enough’, I didn’t actually know what ‘just enough’ meant, in real terms.

How much did I need to earn to pay the bills, plus have some ‘play’ money, and set aside funds for a rainy day? And if that rainy day should come, how long would the funds last?

And what about retirement? With no actual retirement plan or date in mind, how could I possibly know how much superannuation would be enough to live comfortably?

What if I didn’t want to - or couldn’t - keep working this hard for another decade?

Suddenly, in a rush, I realised I’d been so busy being busy, and blocked by pre-conditioned attitudes to money that I was brought to the realisation that my definition of ‘just enough’ wasn’t, in fact, enough!

How could I be so blind?

Turns out, I’m not alone. And fortunately, I’ve been the beneficiary of some amazing assistance. Also in our previous edition, we featured WNA Ambassador for Finance, Money & Property Marion Mays. Marion wrote about her Money Strong program, her personal experience and how she’s been working with executive-level women whose financial situation was similar to mine.

Marion offered me her help and I accepted. Some of Marion’s session were grueling. Not because she’s a tough cookie - in fact, she’s the opposite; incredibly supportive, forgiving and kind. No, it was grueling because she asked questions and made me examine the very beliefs and values at the heart of who I am. She held up the mirror and made me examine some things I didn’t want to see.

And she made me accountable - not just for my financial information, but for conversations that I needed to have with my husband and my (adult) children, and myself. Because without this clarity, I could not move forward and reframe my attitude to money and wealth, and what that really means.

It was confronting, . There were some tears and there were times when I seriously wanted to run away and join the circus! So, was it worth it? You betcha.

With a renegotiated loan, I will save a considerable amount on repayments each month, have a three month ‘rainy day’ buffer and a small investment sum available to ‘make money from money’.

By having our insurances reviewed, my husband and I will save around $6,000 a year, and with new superannuation and retirement plans, reviewed annually, we will be able to sleep easy knowing that the future is clearer.

More importantly, I’m now empowered to think differently about money; to have values-centred conversations with my family about the future, and take the blinkers off my financial blindness.

My approach to business is still purpose driven but will be on a better financial footing.

I’m sharing this experience because I know there are many intelligent, high-earning women who are living from week to week. If we want to change that, we need to take action and, as Marion Mays says “meet reality where it’s at”.

I’m glad I did. And I’m blessed to have the support of Women’s Network Australia members like Marion Mays and her MoneyStrong program.

Together, we rise!

Cheryl Gray CEO, Women’s Network Australia

Cheryl Gray

WNA Membership

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Whyjoin?

You’re in business for yourself, not by yourself. Networking with others dramatically increases opportunities for success.

Put simply, when you surround yourself with supportive contacts from diverse business backgrounds and interests, and start actively networking and promoting your business, you’ll just do better.

Women’s Network Australia is all about supporting, promoting and showcasing our Members’ products and services and helping them to achieve their business goals.

Become a Member today and tap into an inspiring network, promotional opportunities, and learn skills that will see your business take flight.

Our members also enjoy

• An organisational structure and culture built by WNA over three decades which ensures Members are truly encouraged to do business with each other.

• The opportunity to grow and develop through exposure to our diverse range of speakers and trainers who are all experts in their respective fields.

• Being part of an organisation that provides real opportunities for Members to connect with each other for business support.

• A framework designed to create synergies between fellow Members which in turn leads to collaborative partnerships and mutually benefiting business growth for all parties.

• Meeting and sharing with like-minded businesswomen who understand and support each other. We’re not afraid to be vulnerable!

• Connections with women from a vast range of professions and business backgrounds who can become mentors and friends, and offer all forms of support for your business and career endeavours.

• The chance to hone your presentation skills through opportunities offered at our events and functions.

• The opportunity to showcase your products and services to an entirely new potential group of clients and referral advocates.

MAKING AN IMPACT

The Women's Network Australia 2024 Impact Awards finalists represent an array of talents, causes and commitments, each woman inspiring through her unique contributions. With initiatives spanning business, community, health, education, and social justice, these finalists reflect the limitless potential of women who use their voices, skills, and platforms to create lasting impact.

Congratulations to all our finalists – you are the changemakers of today and the legacy builders of tomorrow! Here, we celebrate their stories and achievements.

In a field often lacking in diversity, Shalaka Ekbote has carved a space for women and young minds in STEM through her organisation, STEM Birds Pty Ltd.

She provides educational programs that inspire curiosity and courage in students, creating opportunities for girls and women to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Shalaka’s mission is to break down barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields, helping to foster a culture of gender equality in STEM. Her programs empower future leaders who are equipped to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. Her contributions were recently acknowledged, winning the 2024 Business Elite’s ‘40 Under 40’ Award, Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Small Business Innovation Award and more.

At Transformational Brand Lab, Jessica harnesses energy and heart to help businesses and individuals reach their full potential. Her involvement in community initiatives including the Sydney Writers’ Festival, EMERGE Youths and The Lighthouse Toowoomba, highlights her passion for cultivating growth and creativity in diverse contexts.

By combining her branding expertise with her dedication to community enrichment, Jessica plays a vital role in shaping spaces where people can thrive and connect.

She has presented at WNA events and workshops and is a regular member of the WNA network in Toowoomba. Her award-winning transformative book, Clarity to Make Your Mark, is a best-seller!

Continued next page...

Shalaka Ekbote – STEM Birds Pty Ltd

Jessica Ritchie – Transformational Brand Lab

Image: Shalaka Ekbote

Image: Jessica Ritchie

Anita Dahlenburg – B Consultant

Anita’s work at B Consultant is rooted in the value of connections and community. She believes in the power of networks to elevate the visibility and contributions of women.

By fostering an inclusive, sharing culture, Anita not only builds meaningful professional relationships but also inspires young women to realise their own leadership potential. Her role in the community is one of advocacy, growth, and mutual support.

Caroline Lovett – Credible Source Solutions

A dedicated networker and advocate, Caroline has supported numerous community initiatives and networking groups, including Women’s Network Australia.

Caroline’s work helps bridge connections and build recognition for causes that strengthen communities. Most recently, Caroline has lent her support to The Carers Foundation Australia, assisting to elevate the organsation’s profile and fundraise for Australia’s first Wellness and Education Centre.

Alexandra Diggles – Pelviology Pty Ltd

Alexandra, founder of Pelviology, is transforming perceptions around women’s pelvic health. Her work highlights a critical, often under-discussed area of wellbeing, helping countless women understand and prioritise their pelvic health.

In addition to her clinical work, Alexandra lectures at prestigious institutions like the University of Queensland and Australian Catholic University, sharing her expertise and raising awareness about the broader implications of pelvic health on quality of life.

Her dedication is breaking down stigmas and empowering women to address an essential aspect of their wellbeing.

Continued next page...

Image: Caroline Lovett

Image: Anita Dahlenburg

Image: Alexandra Diggles

Marney Perna – Kinique Consultancy

With Kinique Consultancy, Marney embodies values of truth, honesty, and fairness in every interaction. She’s a mentor, a coach, and a supporter to clients, colleagues, and her community.

Marney shares her expertise generously, helping others navigate their journeys with integrity.

Her dedication to core values and ethical service fosters a trusted environment where clients feel respected and supported. Marney’s approach makes her an integral and valued member of her community, and Women’s Network Australia.

Kassandra Behrendt – Pagoni Jewellery

As the owner and creator of Pagoni Jewellery and an accomplished professional speaker, Kassandra Behrendt uses her artistic talents to create unique, bespoke jewellery while supporting women in business.

Beyond her craft, she is actively involved in notfor-profit work, serving as President-elect of Soroptimist International Moreton North Inc. Kassandra’s passion for philanthropy shines through her numerous contributions to fundraising initiatives, blending her love for the arts with her commitment to making a difference.

Her work not only celebrates beauty but also empowers women to embrace their own uniqueness and strength.

Lisa

– Performance Studios Australia

Lisa is a vocal coach and advocate for creative empowerment through her work with organisations like The Carers Foundation Australia, where she serves as Creative Director of the Unsung Heroes event.

Her commitment to supporting the community extends to coaching local community members who perform at charitable events. An ambassador for Cervical Cancer Australia, Lisa also champions numerous causes, fostering a supportive and dynamic environment for all.

Her dedication to creative and charitable initiatives has made her a pillar in the south-east Queensland community.

Continued next page...

Lockland-Bell

Image: Marney Perna

Image: Kassandra Behrendt

Image: Lisa Lockland-Bell

Amy Jackson – Nurturing Confidence

Amy Jackson’s mission at Nurturing Confidence is to encourage people to live bravely and fully. Believing that the world is better when individuals choose courage over comfort, Amy coaches people to achieve their potential and take bold steps toward positive change.

Her approach nurtures resilience and leadership, showing that individual confidence can be a catalyst for broader societal transformation. Amy’s work serves as a testament to the power of inner strength in creating outward change.

Vithyaa Thavapalan – Brown Boss Babes Australia

With Brown Boss Babes, Vithyaa created a pioneering community for South Asian women in Australia. This initiative not only celebrates their unique cultural identities but also offers a safe space for sharing personal experiences and building solidarity.

By providing a platform that values diversity and understanding, Vithyaa empowers women to be unapologetically themselves and to embrace their heritage. The impact of Brown Boss Babes is profound, offering support, inspiration, and a shared sense of pride that resonates with women from all walks of life.

Dr Leanne Elich – Leanne Elich Consulting

A beacon of empowerment, Dr. Leanne Elich’s work goes beyond business. Her consulting firm addresses the educational, health, and environmental needs of the community, focusing on sustainable and impactful solutions. She believes that real change comes from understanding critical needs and equipping people with the resources to address them. Leanne is deeply committed to social responsibility, ensuring her contributions have a lasting and meaningful impact.

Her work speaks to her vision of a world where women have the knowledge, support and inspiration to become changemakers.

Kelli Martin –

Through her firm, KLM Solicitors, Kelli Martin advocates for vulnerable women, providing pro bono and affordable legal services to those facing domestic and family violence.

Her support extends to partnerships with organisations like Women’s Legal Service Queensland, Red Rose Foundation, and SunnyKids, where her expertise helps protect and empower those who need it most.

Kelli’s work is a testament to her belief in justice and community support, embodying the profound impact that accessible legal resources

Continued next page...

Image: Amy Jackson

Image: Vithyaa Thavapalan

Image: Leanne Elich

Image: Kelli Martin

Kat Lynn – Foodie Shots and Sonny & Kat Photography

Through her dual ventures, Foodie Shots and Sonny & Kat Photography, Kat Lynn uses visual storytelling to foster connection and compassion.

Her involvement in The Soup Box, an initiative feeding vulnerable community members while encouraging local business collaboration, exemplifies her dedication to social impact.

In 2024, Kat brought together six women for a project that visually narrated their unique stories. By capturing these narratives, she amplifies voices within the community, helping individuals see themselves in empowering and inspiring ways. Kat’s work reminds us that art can be both beautiful and transformative.

Sarah Hutson – SFH Designs

Having recently opened her new Miss Opulence by SFH Designs boutique in the bustling retail and lifestyle suburb of Bulimba, in Brisbane, founder Sarah Hutson has begun the next chapter in her retail and fashion career.

Sarah doesn’t just create a retail space—it’s a movement of positivity and empowerment through fashion. Sarah’s emphasis on positivity goes beyond her business, as she champions selflove and body positivity, advocating that every woman should feel powerful in her skin.

Featured at the 2024 New York Fashion Show in Times Square, Sarah is a regular supporter at community events. She regularly collaborates with charities, integrating fashion with social good and encouraging women to find confidence through their personal style.

Siobhan Whalley – pirkx Australia

Siobhan Whalley’s leadership as Managing Director of pirkx Australia is driven by a commitment to make health and wellbeing resources accessible to all.

She focuses on affordable, community-centred solutions, ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has the resources to support their physical and mental health.

Siobhan’s work at pirkx Australia impacts lives on a fundamental level, making her an advocate for inclusive wellbeing that prioritises equity and accessibility.

Continued next page...

Image: Kat Lynn

Image: Sarah Hutson

Image: Siobhan Whalley

Adrianne Fleming OAM – Tristar Aviation

Adrianne Fleming OAM has dedicated her career to elevating standards in aviation.

As a celebrated figure in Australian aviation, Adrianne’s achievements have earned her the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and the Nancy Bird Award, recognising her as a trailblazer for women in this field. Her commitment to safety, excellence, and professional development helps shape a future where women can thrive in aviation.

Adrianne’s legacy is one of resilience and relentless pursuit of quality in a traditionally male-dominated industry. A long-standing WNA Member and regular presenter, Adrianne was a recipient of a 2024 Churchill Fellowship to study the system, techniques, technologies and methods of instruction employed in pilot training.

Alison Rogers – LJ Hooker Pinnacle Property

A long-time supporter of WNA and women business owners across Tasmania, Alison Rogers uses her platform to champion causes for vulnerable communities.

Her involvement in local initiatives and support for Tasmania’s AFL team demonstrate her commitment to both her industry and community.

Alison’s work reflects a dedication to connection, pride, and compassion that strengthens the fabric of Tasmanian society.

She has been a long-term Member and Ambassador for WNA in Hobart, leading and supporting women in Tasmania to achieve success.

Leanne Sklavenitis – Fitness Tips

Award-winning personal trainer, group exercise instructor, speaker, coach and author Leanne Sklavenitis was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2017 and given a prognosis of 2 to 5 years. Despite the challenges, MnD has not dampened Leanne’s determination to live life passionately.

She continues to inspire women through her community, Fitness Tips. She embodies resilience, showing others that strength and community can uplift, even in the face of adversity. Through her work, Leanne connects and empowers women to lead active, fulfilling lives, inspiring a strong sense of community and perseverance.

She received the 2024 MND Blue Cornflower Award in recognition of her efforts to increase awareness about MND.

Continued next page...

Image: Adrianne Fleming OAM

Image: Alison Rogers

Image: Leanne Sklavenitis

Upma Kite – Ravishing Fashionistas

With Ravishing Fashionistas, Upma Kite is dedicated to shattering stereotypes within the fashion industry.

Her work focuses on empowering aspiring models of all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds.

Through her commitment to inclusivity, Upma redefines the industry, giving underrepresented groups a platform to embrace their beauty and potential, no matter their background. She also organises regular events, bringing together women in the fashion, and those who love fashion.

Carlie Clark – Hello Creative Agency

With over 15 years of experience, Carlie Clark has become a significant force in the creative industry.

Her Brisbane-based Hello Creative Agency stands out for its high-quality branding services and commitment to giving back to the business community. Every August, Carlie awards a branding grant to a small business in need, providing essential services that many startups can only dream of accessing. She also regularly provides pro bono work for nonprofits, reinforcing her dedication to fostering community impact through creativity. In 2024, Carlie donated more than 200 hours of graphic design time to supporting Women’s Network Australia and its members.

Her work has inspired many young women in business to follow suit, valuing community as much as commercial success.

Kim Lancer – Tall Poppies Leadership

Kim Lancer’s Tall Poppies Leadership program is designed to cultivate “Wonder Women” – strong, confident leaders who embody courage, resilience, and compassion.

Her programs take a holistic approach, emphasising not only business acumen but personal growth and wellbeing.

By nurturing future female leaders, Kim is helping to foster a culture of strong role models who will guide the next generation. Her approach ensures that leadership is accessible, inclusive, and transformative, creating ripple effects that will shape the community for years to come.

Photography by Ksenia Belova

Image: Upma Kite

Image: Carlie Clark

Image: Kim Lancer

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 WNA IMPACT AWARD EVENT

What is a financial agreement?

Financial agreements are available to married couples as well as those in a de facto relationship, including same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. They are legally binding under Australian law as long as the requirements for validity are met. Couples can use a financial agreement to determine how their assets will be divided in the event of a future separation.

To be binding, the agreement must be in writing and signed by both parties. Prior to entering into the agreement, each party must be provided with independent legal advice from an Australian legal practitioner as to the effect on their rights of signing the agreement, and the advantages and disadvantages of signing the agreement. Each party must have their own separate and independent lawyer; the same lawyer cannot advise both parties.

A financial agreement can be entered into at any stage of a relationship including before, during and after. There is no need to enter into a financial agreement prior to marriage (or the commencement of a de facto relationship) as this can be done at any stage during the relationship.

What can be included in a financial agreement?

A financial agreement records a couple's intentions as to how all, or some, of their property is to be dealt with in the event of a separation. It can also cover obligations by one party to pay spousal maintenance to the other in the event of a separation or terminate that obligation altogether.

In Australia, a financial agreement cannot include lifestyle clauses such as a "non-adultery" clause that punishes a party financially in the event of misbehaviour.

A couple can tailor their financial agreement to suit their own financial position, aims and circumstances. For example, a couple may wish to ensure that assets they bring into the relationship such as a house, business interest or share portfolio are quarantined. Alternatively, a couple may wish to ensure that any future inheritances are protected. It is becoming increasingly common for parents to gift or loan money to their children to buy their first house, and a financial agreement can ensure that those advances of money, or the property itself, are protected.

Financial agreements are increasingly being used by those entering into second or subsequent relationships, who wish to ensure that their wealth is protected and preserved for the benefit of their children, rather than susceptible to a claim from a spouse in the event of a breakdown of the relationship.

What is the effect of a financial agreement?

If a financial agreement has been properly prepared and the requirements met, it is binding on the parties. This means that neither party can then make a claim in the FCFCOA for property settlement or spousal maintenance in relation to the matters covered in the agreement.

This gives couples certainty in how their property will be divided in the event of separation and saves them considerable money in legal fees and time, with no need to pursue litigation in the FCFCOA at the end of the relationship.

Continued next page...

Who should consider a financial agreement?

Financial agreements may suit people who: have a disparity in their financial and asset positions, income and financial resources have children from previous relationships and wish to protect their wealth for those children are anticipating large inheritances or gifts from family members, which they wish to protect in the event of a relationship breakdown may be exposed to a significant spousal maintenance obligation in the event of a relationship breakdown wish to maintain separate financial arrangements from their partner during and after their relationship have interests in family businesses or other family assets seek the certainty of knowing what will happen to their assets and income in the event of a relationship breakdown.

Financial agreements are highly technical and detailed documents, and there are very strict legal requirements that must be met before they are binding.

Benefits of a financial agreement

The benefits of entering into a financial agreement include the following:

Parties can save themselves significant time and money, and avoid the distress, pressure and uncertainty of family law litigation if they separate.

Through negotiation, the parties have control and certainty as to the way their assets will be divided if they separate, and that decision is not left to a judge.

Through negotiation and discussion, financial matters will be fully disclosed leaving both parties more knowledgeable and understanding of their overall financial position.

Careful consideration and specialised legal advice must be sought to determine not only whether a financial agreement is right for each individual's circumstances, but also to record and document the most appropriate terms of the agreement.

Genevieve Dee is Partner in Charge of Landers & Rogers Brisbane office, where she also heads the Family & Relationship Law Practice Area. She is Chair of Women’s Legal Service Queensland, and Deputy President of the Queensland Law Society.

Image: Genevieve Dee

Business feature

Therighttodisconnect

WORDS BY SHANNON CHAPMAN Partner Employment & Workplace Relations

From 26 August 2024, employees covered by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act) have the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside their working hours.

This article contains some key suggestions and practical tips on the right to disconnect.

What is the right to disconnect?

Employees have a right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact or attempted contact from their employer, or third parties, outside of their working hours unless the refusal is unreasonable.

When will refusal be unreasonable?

The Act sets out factors that employers (and ultimately, the Fair Work Commission) need to consider in determining whether an employee's refusal to respond to out of hours contact is unreasonable. Factors that must be considered are:

The reason for the contact or attempted contact. How the contact or attempted contact is made and the level of disruption the contact or attempted contact causes the employee. The extent to which the employee is compensated:

to remain available to perform work during the period in which contact or attempted contact is made; or for working additional hours outside of the employee's ordinary hours of work.

The nature of the employee's role and the employee's level of responsibility. The employee's personal circumstances (including family or caring responsibilities).

There is no 'one size fits all' approach to these factors, and employers are encouraged to exercise judgment and weigh up all relevant factors before contacting an employee outside of their working hours if they are expecting a response.

The reason for the contact

Out of hours contact may be appropriate in an emergency or if a matter is time sensitive. For example, if a crisis is unfolding and the employee's role requires them to respond immediately, or urgent action is required to meet legislated timeframes. Contact may also be deemed necessary or urgent if it relates to workforce needs or obligations, such as notification of roster changes for the next day.

How contact will be made

It is open to employers to ask their employees if they have a preference that contact be made in a certain way. Some employees may prefer phone or text messages rather than email, so that the employee does not need to monitor their email after hours.

The employee's role and level of responsibility

We would suggest that as a general principle, employers avoid contacting junior employees outside of their ordinary hours unless it is an emergency or contact is a recognised part of the employee’s role and responsibilities. This can be contrasted to the position with executives and other senior employees who are in positions with greater responsibility.

Should employees be compensated?

There is no rule or formula to identify whether someone is paid enough to ensure contact outside of their ordinary hours of work. Employers are encouraged to update policies/contracts to clarify the extent to which employees are being compensated for out of hours contact, and to consider other mechanisms to compensate employees for additional hours worked, such as flex credits, overtime, time off in lieu, or other arrangements.

The employee's personal circumstances

Employers should carefully consider employee's personal circumstances when considering out of hours contact - not only whether to contact an employee but if contact does need to be made, how to make that contact.

REFERENCES

[1] This commencement date is for large businesses. The right will come into effect for small business (fewer than 15 employees) employers and employees on 26 August 2025.

[2] If employers can adduce evidence that their contact or attempted contact was required under a law of the Commonwealth, a state or a territory, an employee's refusal to respond to such communications will be unreasonable.

[3] Compensation of an employee for remaining available to perform work outside their ordinary working hours can extend to non-monetary compensation (i.e. additional time off, flexible working arrangements, other tangible rewards).

Member profile

KATE ALROE Senior Associate Family Law

In the world of Family Law, there’s not much Kate Alroe hasn’t seen.

Kate is a Senior Associate in Lander & Rogers' Brisbane office, a team which has seen rapid growth since opening its doors in 2020 and is now considered among Brisbane's leading family law groups. Nationally, Lander & Rogers was recently named in the Australasian Lawyer list of the top 30 Australia and New Zealand-headquartered law firms recognised for their achievements across recruitment, diversity, employee retention, client growth, and performance.

As one of the most experienced practitioners in her team, Kate works across the spectrum of family law issues, which she says involves so much more than basic divorce. She has assisted hundreds of clients, from those experiencing severe family violence to helping families protect intergenerational wealth.

Kate has seen a significant shift in the community's attitude towards divorce, which she says no longer carries the same stigma it did for previous generations, particularly for women. She has noticed that more couples are prepared to move on from a relationship breakdown with a positive mindset and redesign their lives to align with their goals and priorities.

What brings Kate most joy is her community work, and particularly the services she can offer to children. She has volunteered for Townsville Community Law and the Women's Legal Service Queensland. Kate was also a Management Committee Member for Althea Projects, a service providing emergency, crisis and foster care for children, amongst other community initiatives.

She has worked with Queensland's LGBTQI+ Legal Service to support young people and their families seeking treatment for their transgender children, and represents those families in court if one parent refuses to provide consent to treatment. These cases often involve challenging and traumatic family situations, including domestic violence and mental health issues of children.

Her passion for caring for young people led her to become a Pyjama Angel with the Pyjama Foundation, a charity that aims to break the cycle of disadvantage experienced by children in care. Pyjama Angels read books aloud with a child, play educational games and help children with their homework.

Kate spends one afternoon a week with an 11-yearold boy in foster care, who loves soccer and card games. She says it is the highlight of her week. Kate recently organised a celebration of National PJ Day her office to increase awareness of the Pyjama Foundation and the work it does, letting others know about how they can get involved and, for a bit of fun, encouraging the team to wear their PJs to work for the day.

Kate's best advice for people entering the legal industry is to find a mentor you gel with, someone who understands you and who you find inspiring. Secondly, say 'yes' to opportunities, particularly those in the not-for-profit space.

Lawyers have so many skills which can benefit the community and those opportunities provide a level of fulfilment that is much different to private practice.

Image: Kate Alroe

Thebravestthingyoucan choosetodoisLEAD

FIONA CULLEN loves to lead. As a former elite athlete and now leadership coach, she shares her insights on the challenges and rewards of leadership.

For the past four years I’ve trained and coached over 1,500 supervisors, coordinators and middle managers across a broad range of industries and professions to develop their baseline leadership capabilities. Some were first time supervisors seeking confidence and clarity to help their teams perform and meet day-today pressures and expectations. Some were experienced managers who earned their people skills the hard way, through mistakes, trial and error. Regardless of their level of experience or mastery of baseline leadership skills, one thing they all had in common was the realisation that leadership is a choice.

In fact, some people got to the end of the Leadership Fundamentals program and concluded that leading and managing other human beings was not for them, which I considered a huge success. Why? Because the last thing any human being wants is a reluctant leader.

For those that do choose to lead, every single one of them will attest that leadership is easily one of the hardest things they have ever chosen to do (perhaps second only to being a parent, but isn’t being a parent just another form of leadership?).

So what is it about leadership that is so challenging?

Leadership takes courage. The reason why it takes courage is because the act of leadership is unnatural. As human beings, we are hard wired to survive, and when you choose to “take the lead”, we also choose to embrace uncertainty. Taking the lead means we are in charge, we’re calling the shots, which also means we are ultimately responsible for the outcomes we produce. No blaming someone else or sharing the responsibility with others. When we lead, we are saying to ourselves and the world – this is it – the buck stops with me.

Leadership is lonely. So often the definition of leadership is to have followers, but in fact, leaders are people who see what needs to be done and boldly move towards it, without waiting for others to support or follow them – they take the lead and show others what is possible, blazing the trail where before there wasn’t one. One of my favourite leadership quotes comes from Dr Dain Heer, author of Being You, Changing the World, he says: “A true leader knows where they are going, does not require followers… and is willing to go wherever they need to go, whether anyone else goes or not.” Think about different people in your life or the world that inspire you. Chances are that many of them are trailblazers, people who had the courage to walk a path less traveled and in doing so inspire

Lessons inlove Standing out

is critical to business success - even in the wedding industry.

Brisbane celebrant NATASHA HILL, of Hills Celebrant Services, shares her strategies for success in the wedding industry—insights that are relevant for businesses in any field.

Crafting personalised experiences: The key to success

Today’s consumers expect more than just products or services—they want personalised experiences. Natasha Hill, with over 14 years as a celebrant, emphasises the importance of tailoring her services to each couple’s unique story.

“Each couple is unique, and their ceremony should reflect their individuality, love story, and values,” she says.

This approach applies to any business. Personalisation, whether in marketing, products, or customer service, creates a deeper connection with your audience, turning one-time buyers into loyal advocates.

Prioritising customer service: Building trust & loyalty

Exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of success. Natasha’s approach involves clear communication, prompt responses, and attentive support from the first inquiry to the final farewell.

“Your clients are entrusting you with one of the most important days of their lives,” she notes, “so it’s crucial to make them feel valued, heard, and taken care of every step of the way.”

This dedication to customer service is crucial in any business. Customers who feel valued are more likely to return and recommend your services. Transparent communication and going the extra mile can significantly boost satisfaction and foster long-term success.

Staying ahead of the curve: Embracing continuous learning

In a rapidly changing world, staying ahead of trends and innovations is vital. For Natasha, staying current with the latest in the wedding industry means attending workshops, conferences, and networking events. This commitment to continuous learning allows her to meet the evolving needs of today’s couples.

This approach is valuable in any business. By staying informed about industry developments, businesses can anticipate changes, adapt and remain competitive. Continuous learning keeps your business relevant and positions it as a leader in innovation.

Building strong relationships: The power of collaboration

Success in business isn’t just about competition; it’s also about collaboration. Natasha advocates for collaboration over competition in the wedding industry.

“Forge genuine connections with other vendors in your community and look for opportunities to

collaborate and support each other.”

This principle applies to any business. Building strong relationships with other businesses creates opportunities for collaboration that benefit everyone involved. Partnerships, referrals, and joint ventures open new doors and create a supportive network.

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Utilising online platforms: Enhancing visibility and efficiency

A strong online presence is essential. Natasha leverages industry platforms like Easy Weddings as well as Google Ads & Maps to increase her visibility, attract leads, and manage her business more efficiently.

For any business, utilising online platforms enhances visibility and credibility, streamlines operations, and connects with customers effectively. From social media to specialised industry platforms, the right online presence can expand your reach and create new opportunities.

Final thoughts: Broadening the scope of wedding industry insights

The strategies Natasha uses to succeed in the wedding industry are relevant to any business aiming to thrive in a competitive market.

By focusing on personalised experiences, prioritising customer service, staying ahead of trends, building strong relationships, and utilising online platforms, businesses across all sectors can achieve sustained success.

Key points

1. Craft personalised experiences. Whether in marketing, products, or customer service, create a deeper connection with your audience and turn one-time buyers into loyal advocates.

2. Build trust and loyalty. Customers who feel valued are more likely to return and recommend your services. Transparent communication and going the extra mile can significantly boost satisfaction and foster long-term success.

3. Embrace continuous learning. By staying informed about industry developments, businesses can anticipate changes, adapt, and remain competitive. Continuous learning keeps your business relevant and positions it as a leader in innovation.

4. Harness the power of collaboration. Building strong relationships with other businesses creates opportunities for collaboration that benefit everyone involved. Partnerships, referrals, and joint ventures open new doors and create a supportive network.

Incorporating these insights into your strategy helps create memorable experiences, build lasting customer relationships, and stay competitive in an ever-changing market.

Whether in the wedding industry or any other field, these principles lay the foundation for longterm success and growth.

5. Use digital platforms to increase reach. From social media to specialised industry platforms, the right online presence can expand your reach and create new opportunities.

Contact: Natasha Hill, Hills Celebrant Services Website: www.hillscelebrant.com.au Email: natasha@hillscelebrant.com.au

Images supplied by Natasha Hill

swimwear

OLYMPIA® is making waves in the world of swim and resort wear with the launch of its latest collection, setting a new standard for style and sustainability. Aptly named OLYMPIA® GOES NEXT LEVEL, the collection combines fresh and fun designs with innovative technology and a commitment to cutting global emissions.

Available at 25 stockists in Australia and New Zealand - see website for details, or order online at www.azurebeach.com.au

Inspirational Careers

Dr Samantha Pillay is a surgeon and international best-selling award-winning author, whose mission is to inspire young girls to Dream Big, Aim High. When I'm an Entrepreneur, from the Inspirational Careers for Kids Children’s Picture Book Series, is a series of affirmations that nurture dreams and propel the next generation of entrepreneurs toward realizing the extraordinary.

When I’m an Entrepreneur

Available in eBook, Paperback & Hardback Tropical

Ladygarden Wines

Ladygarden Wine is made by women, sharing our stories, supporting our friends, colleagues and celebrating women in wine. Read more about the Ladygarden story on page 25.

Order online at www.ladygardenwines.com.au

RRP $30-$40

Bon Bon Fusion

Christmas crackers are an essential tradition during silly season festivities, yet classic bonbons with the same old knickknacks fail to ignite excitement.

To reinvent the classic tradition and bring people together, Brisbane rocket engineer Nick McLean founded BonbonFusion, creating innovative Christmas crackers holding clues inside requiring people to work together and solve a mystery with Bonbon Fusion’s Adventure Hunt Christmas crackers.

Order online at www.bonbonfusion.com.au

RRP $59.95 (pack of 6)

Florals Swimsuit

Designed and handmade in the Pagoni studio, 'Lisa' earrings with hot pink feathers, faceted glass and real leaves electroplated with gold, finished in gold hardware are the hottest look this summer!

Each bespoke piece by Kassandra Behrendt is a wearable work of art. Pagoni also offers Ready-to-Wear jewellery, effortless chic to complete any outfit.

Order ‘Lisa’ online at www.pagoni.com.au

RRP $295

A Serengeti Story

One of Tanzania’s best wildlife photographers, Mohamed Sufian, has captured nature at its best in this limited collection. Step into a world of wild with lions, stealthy leopards, fireball sunsets, playful elephant calves and a seemingly endless wildebeest migration herds.

This collection is on display for a short time at the Moreton Bay Discovery Centre, Manly, in Queensland. Or contact Donna Duggan for direct sales via email donnaduggan@hotmail.com

Pagoni ‘Lisa’ in hot pink

D’Vine intervention

Kelly Pearson took the plunge and bottled her passion for winemaking.

Ladygarden Wines celebrate women in wine. Founder KELLY PEARSON works with her ‘partners in wine’, other women winemakers, creating a range of wines that speak of their place and to the passion and specialty of each winemaker.

After over 25 years wine industry experience, Kelly struck out on her own and created Ladygarden Wines. It’s a business in the business of celebrating women in wine.

Based in Geelong, Kelly initially crafted wines with grapes from her home town and has since partnered with several other women winemakers from around Australia to produce wines under the Ladygarden label. Each year she works with a new group of women: experienced winemakers who have their own established businesses, emerging winemakers and women new to the industry who benefit from mentoring.

Working with women in wine, telling stories and fostering the next generation takes me to my happy place; innovating, evolving and inspiring.

Creating a collaborative environment with Ladygarden’s ‘partners in wine’, the goal of Ladygarden Wines is to be an inclusive wine business that not only showcases women in wine but also gives back to the wine community.

Through the provision of scholarships to women wishing to undertake viticulture and winemaking studies, internship (or work experience) placements and winemaking, business and sales support, Ladygarden will provide a strong network that also creates a positive economic outcome for all involved.

“Wine became a passion for me during my early 20s. Living in London for a year opened my eyes to the world of food and wine,” Kelly said. “I came back to Brisbane in the food and wine boom of the mid- late 90s, heady times. I was hooked!”

Kelly has worked across most aspects of the wine industry, from retail wine sales, operating wine and private members clubs, brand management and marketing, through to wine production and consulting.

This experience has provided her with insights in every aspect of the industry, with winemaking at the heart of it all.

“My winemaking has ranged from small batch, boutique winemaking to large commercial operations and has taken me all over Australia and much of the world, and back to my home town of Geelong,” Kelly said.

“Ladygarden is an evolving being and for me; working with like-minded, passionate women inspires me, especially given I work with a product I love.”

Find out more or order online from Ladygarden Wines.

Image: Kelly Pearson (KP) working the vintage

Business feature

Letkindnessshine

WORDS BY ANNA SARELAS Author and Workplace Relations Executive info@light-workers.com.au www.light-workers.com.au

I have built a career from managing teams and situations that are in the eye of the storm, whether its leading high-profile negotiations, managing chronic complex people matters, or applying systems-based order onto a change crisis, my professional career has been what others steer clear from.

This may include individual matters such as an employee who unfortunately has chronic medical problems, with obviously patchy attendance, three medical teams that are liaising with a bewildered leader, independent medical requirements required by the organisation, a medical insurance claim, maybe a few lawyers providing letters from the employee, and is represented by a union; or leading the first bargaining negotiations post privatisation with high political and media interest with 5 unions; or managing people practicalities of what does a merger actually mean for employees when we now have duplicate teams, and there are now two payroll teams, two talent teams, two sets of change managers.

The common thread amongst all this is that the work is highly emotive. By the time it has made its way to me, opinions have been formed and solidified, villains have been appointed, many mistakes have been made, stress leave has been taken by many stakeholders and I have observed that even the most intelligent of people can no longer retell the narrative of this matter in a linear way. Because everyone, no matter how senior they may be, is overwhelmed with emotions.

I vividly recall a transformation manager who had been tasked with analysing different areas of responsibility following a large-scale merger, recoiling at my teams remit and effectively giving us both a wide berth and a greater budget. Recoiling and almost pitying us that we weren’t doing the glamorous work.

The secret to my job? People are fundamentally good.

Every day, I see people at the toughest meeting of their busy week, discussing the toughest situation of their month (or year). And each day, I see people regardless of hierarchy or industry, show up to these matters with open hearts, vulnerable, and trying their best.

These meetings will include long discussions on the mental health impacts on both the employee, but also their broader teams, and often themselves. The discussion will include strategies on how we can try to help. It’s always about ‘how can we help’.

In these meetings, time is spent on exploring ‘the kinder option’. The ruthless option is usually clear, it may not be easy to achieve, but the outcome may be quite clear. Yet leaders are comfortable in either leading or responding to options that reflect a more empathetic approach to the complex matter they are working through.

This approach is also evident in the interactions within the meeting itself, amongst each other. The leaders will pause, reflect, they will genuinely listen to counsel and seek guidance without reservations or ego.

Things are not always rosy. There are times when a termination of employment is the kinder option, or when the redundancy discussions are taking place, or when you are forced to hold firm on a decision that you don’t fully support, but in the eye of the storm, where things are the calmest, they can be kind.

This antithesis with how one expects such matters to unfold and how they actually do, was a source of inspiration for my book, LightWorkers, as things are not always how they appear.

Anna Sarelas is senior executive in workplace relations. She is also the author of LightWorkers: The Genie, The Hero, and The Siren, a novel suited to upper primary and young adult readers.

Find out more at www.light-workers.com.au

Sounding thealarmon customer care

CATHY BRAND is the CEO of Brooks Australia, a business that began from humble beginnings as an electrical contractor working on the Sydney Opera House to being a market leader in fire safety. In this article, Cathy shares her insights on the cornerstone of business success – understanding the customer.

In today's world, where customer expectations are higher than ever, Australian businesses face a critical challenge: delivering exceptional service that meets these heightened demands. It’s alarming that over two-thirds of Australian consumers believe companies aren’t placing enough emphasis on this –a sentiment that has remained unchanged for seven years. This ongoing disconnect offers businesses a prime opportunity to differentiate themselves by providing outstanding service.

The face of the company

What concerns me most is that eight out of the top 10 reasons consumers stop buying from a company are related to poor customer service. These front-line employees are vital to your business; they act as the face of the company, they are the first point of contact, and often, they are the determining factor in whether a customer decides to continue doing business with the company.

As most businesses already know, Australian consumers are very active in sharing their customer service experiences, particularly more likely to talk about their negative experiences than their positive ones.

When I think of good customer experiences, it’s the attention to detail and the personal touch, that stands out. Good honest help that is fast and clear, that tries to find solutions no matter what. It is not enough to merely have a great product; without exceptional service, even the best products can fail to create lasting customer relationships.

Great customer service is great brand reputation

As a female CEO in a traditionally male-dominated industry, I've faced unique challenges that have shaped my approach to leadership and customer care. During my time as the CEO of Brooks Australia, I have seen firsthand the difference prioritising customer care can make. Our industry is one where trust and reliability are paramount, and our commitment to exceptional service has become a cornerstone of our success.

I'm a firm believer that great customer service equals great brand retention and reputation – a great customer experience is long remembered after the price of any item is forgotten.

To bridge the gap between customer expectations and service delivery, businesses must prioritise the training and development of their customer service teams.

Maintaining an accurate nurtured Customer Relationship Manager System (CRM) enables us to manage and track customer requirements which is key in enabling us to become more strategic and proactive with our customer service solutions.

From the top down

Customer service plays a pivotal role in the heart and soul of every business; it deserves to be cherished and prioritised in every aspect of your operations.

As a female leader, I've found that a diverse perspective can bring innovative solutions to the table. The commitment to customer service excellence must begin at the top; leadership must prioritise customer satisfaction and create a culture where exceptional service is valued and rewarded. By instilling this into your organisational ethos, you ensure every team member understands the importance of customer satisfaction, leading to consistent and high-quality service that builds lasting customer loyalty.

By valuing and investing in our customer-facing staff, you will not only enhance your reputation and sales, but also ensure customers feel heard, valued, and satisfied. Because, when it comes down to it, all the customer wants is to be heard and understood. It's vital to convey to customers that their problems are your problems, and you won't stop until you've provided a solution. This, ultimately, is the true measure of success in the modern business landscape.

REFERENCE https://www.cpm-aus.com.au/the-state-of-cx-inaustralia/#:~:text=Importance%20of%20real%20people&text=Over%207 0%25%20of%20consumers%20surveyed,information%2C%20consistenc y%20and%20knowledgeable%20help.

Health feature

Self-careisyour#1priority

WORDS BY Marney Perna hello@kinique.com www.kinique.com

As a small business owner you can wear many hats, however one hat that is often overlooked is the hat of self-care! Life can become very busy with business and personal responsibilities, career and carer duties, commitments, deadlines, KPI’s to name but a few. All of these actions require one very important aspect… good health!

Stress is the number one contributor to ill health without exception. Stress activates the adrenal system, which is the body’s centre of immune response. Stress on its own is not the bad guy, in fact some stress is good for the body. It is when stress is As the pressure mounts to keep up with and on top of everything, the body uses something called the adrenal system. This system releases adrenal hormones to help regulate several bodily functions including metabolism, blood pressure and your body's response to stress.

Stress feeds the adrenal system ; however, stress is not meant to be prolonged or perpetual. As the system starts to feel overwhelmed and exhausted it looks for a way to rebalance and regulate. It can create a stress bank deficit. This is when the amount by which your stress levels exceed your life energy, which results in a health shortfall.

In a 2021 Forbes article, Debbie White, founder and CEO of brand strategy and coaching entity Frankly Deb, quoted research that showed entrepreneurs aged 50+ were twice as likely to be successful as those in their 20s – something that can be put down to one main factor: experience.

White said: “Not only have mid-life women had more time to develop those leadership and relationship-building qualities that significantly help grow a business, through a combination of direct purchasing and influence over others, they also essentially hold the world’s purse strings by controlling more than 64% of global spending.”

“Women in their 40s and up influence their parents’ and offsprings’ spending, control most household purchasing and generally have more money to spend, making them a real economic superpower.”

These entrepreneurs are also referred to as the “sandwich generation”. Their personal commitment can include juggling caring for their parents and or their grandchildren on top of their businesses. This can place a heavier burden on their resilience and capacity to manage and prioritise self-care.

Five top tips for Self-Care

Tip 1: Learn to say NO! There is an old saying, “Give a job to a busy woman and she will get it done!” Very true, but at what cost to herself? It is not selfish to say no. For those who find saying ‘no’ a challenge another way of saying it is “Not at the moment”, “Can I think about it and get back to you”, “I appreciate the opportunity, but I cannot commit to that at this time”.

Tip 2: Book a ‘me time’ appointment in your work diary. Make it non-negotiable, adding it to your work calendar prevents double booking.

Tip 3: Establish personal boundaries that align with your health and wellness objectives. Ensure that others do not undermine your goals. A personal boundary prioritises self-respect.

Tip 4: Kick FOMO to the curb! Instead, embrace JOMO �� This is the Joy Of Missing Out - the opposite of FOMO. It’s the freedom and happiness you get from doing whatever you want without concern for what other people are doing somewhere else. You might have even been invited to do those other things, and you feel free or empowered by your choice to sit those activities out.

Tip 5: Schedule regular kinesiology sessions to reduce stress and boost your energy. Other selfnurturing practices could include massage, yoga, meditation and mindfulness, connecting with nature or enjoying coffee chats with friends.

Prioritising your health boosts energy, enthusiasm, and resilience to tackle challenges. It enables you to create calm amid chaos and helps to unlock your joy, happiness and success.

Community AccessCare

Passionate about helping people living with different abilities work toward achieving their goals and live life to the fullest, JULIE McCRACKEN founded Community Access Care (CAC) an NDIS and NIISQ Registered Disability Support Company.

Starting the family-owned and operated Community Access Care business in her hometown of Bundaberg in 2018, Julie McCracken knew she could make a bigger impact and provide quality support and care to many more people with disabilities by growing the team.

Julie soon expanded locally and subsequently opened the CAC Hub in Bundaberg which enabled the business to move out of a home office and into a facility that housed the growing Admin Team and had space for participant activities, events and recreation areas.

In early 2022, Julie opened a second CAC Hub location in Toowoomba, due to overwhelming requests from participants reaching out for similar services in the Toowoomba, Darling Downs region.

In addition to offering participants support and programs to enhance skills, creativity and education in both regions, Community Access Care has also created employment opportunities for people living with different abilities through its popular Toowoomba ‘Community Car Wash’.

The car wash facility not only leaves customers’ vehicles sparkling clean inside and out, but also provides 'on the job' work experience for participants, along with confidence building and customer service skills whilst being paid award wages. This also gives the participant some financial independence, which many lack.

Julie sees the role of CAC as assisting independence and providing trusted care in the home and community.

With the desire to further assist people living with different abilities to achieve independence and work toward their plan goals, Julie purchased Heart 2 Heart Support Coordination (H2H) in October 2022 to offer assistance, choice and support across a wider range of services within the NDIS and Participant plans. Through the H2H Team, participants are assisted to identify their objectives, create a service plan to work towards achieving those milestones and ultimately find the best services suited to each individual. H2H is Participant-focused and dedicated to assist Participants to link with supports best suited with building capacity and outcomes. H2H has since successful branched to Bundaberg providing similar services across both regions.

As Community Access Care and Heart 2 Heart Support Coordination continue to grow, integrity, compassion and heart remain the core values of the family business.

To find out more about the services offered at CAC phone 1300 522 104 or visit the website communityaccesscare.com.au

Howtodo businessinthe MiddleEast

MARIAM ELLIOTT is on a mission to bring cultures and business together. In this article, she addresses the four common challenges business face when taking on Middle Eastern markets.

Expanding a business into the Middle East presents exciting opportunities but also unique challenges.

Whether you're a small business or a corporate entity, understanding these challenges is crucial for success. Having worked with businesses across various industries for over 25 years, we at Middle East Connect & Cultural Advisors (MECCA) have identified four common obstacles that businesses encounter when entering this vibrant and complex

1. The Investment of Time and Money

Many companies underestimate the importance of investing in proper translation services, cultural advice and adaptation for the Middle Eastern market. It’s easy to focus solely on the financial aspects of expansion, but time and financial investment in localising business documents and marketing materials can make or break a deal. In Middle Eastern markets, poorly translated content or culturally insensitive materials can lead to misunderstandings, damaged relationships and lost opportunities. Businesses must recognise that a relatively small investment in professional translation and cultural consultation offers substantial returns by enhancing the effectiveness of communication and securing long-term success.

The Complexity of the Arabic Language

Arabic is a rich and complex language with many regional variations, presenting a significant challenge for businesses. While many companies rely on AI-powered translation tools to cut costs, these tools often fail to capture the linguistic subtleties and cultural nuances essential for effective communication in the Middle East.

AI may misinterpret the intricacies of Arabic, leading to errors that could result in significant miscommunication. Professional human translators, especially those experienced in business and legal contexts, are indispensable for accurate translation and ensuring your message is correctly understood, fostering trust and respect with your local partners.

4. The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Many businesses entering the Middle East overlook the significance of non-verbal cues. In a region where gestures, body language and facial expressions carry as much weight as spoken words, failing to interpret these correctly can undermine business relationships. Non-verbal communication is an unspoken language that permeates every interaction in the region. For example, a raised eyebrow, a slight movement of the head, or even the positioning of hands during a conversation can significantly affect the outcome of business discussions. Mastering the art of non-verbal communication is as essential as understanding the spoken language. At MECCA, we help businesses decode these subtle cues, ensuring smoother interactions and fostering mutual understanding.

Navigating the Middle Eastern market requires more than just understanding the language. It demands a deep appreciation for the region’s culture, traditions and unique business environment. At MECCA, we specialise in offering comprehensive cultural advice, translation services, and professional insights tailored to help businesses overcome these challenges.

For more information on how MECCA can support your business in the Middle East, visit www.middleeastconnect.com.au or email info@middleeastconnect.com.au

Issue in Focus

Randomactsofkindness

WORDS BY CHRIS KNIGHT

Director, Inspirational Connections

Soroptimist International Global Ambassador grachris@iprimus.com.au linkedin chris-knight-906a7034

When was the last time you received a random act of kindness by way of a small gift, a compliment, a referral, a welcomed hug, an award nomination, or received a note that simply says “thank you - you’ve made my day”?

These little random acts of kindness make a real difference in our lives that fill our cup with joy and happiness both as a giver and a receiver.

Reflecting on the current partnership project with Soroptimist International Moreton North Inc. (SIMNI) and funded by Civic Solutions to Shine A Light On Invisible Illnesses to reduce the stigma’s and discrimination of people living with an Invisible Illness there is one absolute stand-out from the hundreds of conversations that we have had: the significant role of being a Carer and being Cared For. These may be by family members, frontline services, support staff, volunteers in not-for-profit and community organisations and individuals that go the extra mile to let someone know that they really do matter. Each encounter provides an opportunity to deeply listen to their lived experiences including their own personal healing journey, the grief of losing loved ones, the joys of succeeding in achieving their goals and all the love that they share in connecting with others to help them feel part of a community that really does care and is not afraid to show it. Each small gift was received with surprise and with gratitude.

Two special conversations: one was with Ronnie

Have you ever thought about what carers do, their responsibilities and the issues they face each and every day? The next time you’re about town and see a carer, why not stop, think and wonder for a few moments what that person might be going through; why that person is the way they are and what that person has committed his or her life to; what sacrifices that person is making to care for another – a parent, family member or a friend? Could you commit to, and honour the precepts of being a carer?

The Precepts of Being a Carer

A CARER COMMITS to being there and making oneself available 24/7/365: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days in the year for the benefit of the person being carer for.

A CARER IS RESPONSIBLE for affording continued personal company, emotional, physical and spiritual support so as to ensure the safety, wellbeing and good health of the person being cared for.

A CARER PROVIDES security, comfort, encouragement and reassurance so as to ensure a continued quality of life and independence of the person being cared for.

A CARER MAKES the person being cared for his/her priority, often ignoring and neglecting their own physical and mental health, personal well-being and circumstances.

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Proudly Supported By

Issue in Focus

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A CARER TAKES ON additional household duties and basic chores including: shopping; bill-paying and banking; mail despatch; the completion of form-filling, paperwork and correspondence, and medication dispensary, etc.

A CARER UNDERSTANDS that the person being cared for will be desirous to attend to personal shopping matters from time-to-time and will need transport to get, and assistance to be there.

A CARER UNDERTAKES to, organises and sometimes carries out maintenance around the home.

A CARER GIVES personal, business, and health advice unreservedly so as to promote the independence, personal safety, active health, wellbeing, and community interaction by, and of the person being carer for.

A CARER LIAISES with all third parties – and intervenes accordingly – to ensure that any bothersome financial, health, or other administrative matters are addressed and resolved in a timely manner to the satisfaction of the person being cared for.

A CARER TAKES ON the responsibility of seeking out and ensuring that medical care and assistance can not only be obtained, but attended to, and delivered in a timely manner.

A CARER ENSURES that the person being cared for is taken to all medical appointments and for diagnostic tests in a timely manner.

A CARER UNDERTAKES to ensure that a means of transport is available at all times by committing and undertaking to provide an accessible, ready, and reliable mode of passage as required.

A CARER RECOGNISES and appreciates that the person being cared for can have unique mobility issues and undertakes to assist the person being cared for in any way possible by providing the means to access and utilise available mobility assistance devices so that he, or she can retain a certain level of independence.

A CARER ENDEAVOURS to preserve consistency and familiarity of life for that person being cared for by ensuring that there is minimal disruption to routines, disturbances in surroundings and upheavals in the life of his or her charge.

A CARER ACCEPTS that unexpected situations may arise where contingency plans will need to take priority over all else so as to ensure that the rights and interests of the person being cared for are vigorously defended.

The Precepts of Being a Carer is reproduced with permission of the original author, George W. Helon, National Carer Advocate: Toowoomba; 2024©

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home.

-

Mother Theresa -

Tiredof sittingon theshelf gathering dust?

Women’s Voices Matter Now More Than Ever!

Yep, you have heard it all before, so this article is all about one more time with feeling to remind WOMEN that they are the ones in control of their own lives and decision-making capabilities, writes CHRIS KNIGHT.

Women represent more than half the world’s population, yet our voices are continually subjected to being silenced within the home, within the community, within the nation and internationally. The age of the digital divide is helping civil society to close the gaps around information sharing, data collection, research and holding others accountable for how decisions are being made about us and often without our input. We need to stay vigilant in reviewing budget allocations and evaluating and monitoring the implementation of recommendations and commitments made by our respective governments on issues impacting on women.

So, let’s take a trip back in time... 50 years ago, the Office for Women was established within the Ministry of our Federal Parliament. This came about from the hard work of the feminists movement back in the 60s-70s. While we have achieved many ‘firsts’ since then, including the appointment of women to senior positions, an increase in women elected at all three levels of government and many, many, many (yes, I am repeating myself) National, State / Territory / Parliamentary Enquiries, Summits, Forums, Gatherings and Conversations held around the country and globally about women’s basic human rights, and that includes our health and gynaecological rights not just our reproductive and sexual rights, financial rights (pay equity), protection from violence rights, access to higher education rights, paid maternity leave rights, access to housing and affordable child care rights and so the list goes on…

Next year, 2025, will be the 30th Anniversary since the Fourth World Conference for Women was held in Beijing. A Platform for Action on 12 critical areas was agreed upon by the 189 member states. 17,000 participants, including 6,000 government delegates were at the negotiations along with 4,000 accredited NGOs and civil servants and 4,000 media representatives.

This was a transformational gathering of delegates from around the world at the official conference while another 30,000 women travelled to Beijing to attend the NGO Parallel Forum. The international community came to a consensus and agreed to a comprehensive blueprint of commitments supporting the full development of women and their equality with men in 12 critical areas of concern: (1) women and poverty; (2) education and training of women; (3) women and health; (4) violence against women; (5) women and armed conflict; (6) women and the economy; (7) women in power and decisionmaking; (8) institutional mechanisms; (9) human rights of women; (10) women and media; (11) women and the environment; and (12) the girl child.

Well, what’s changed? We are still struggling with the fundamental shifts in recognising the concept of gender and the relationships between men and women.

As Alice Cooper’s hit song Only Women Bleed put it so eloquently: “She cries alone at night too often”

Women’s gynaecological health is where we also need to elevate our voices by integrating the lived experiences and responses with data that has been gathered to make the systemic changes that are needed.

It is almost 20 years since the Senate Standing Committee issued the Breaking the Silence: a national voice for gynaecological cancers report. While some funding was made available not all recommendations have been implemented. And what about the follow-up? That’s something I’m looking at now along with Kath Mazzella, another WNA Member and internationally recognised advocate for Women’s Gynae Health, in particular Vulva Cancer.

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There have been two significant national surveys carried out this year. One was Share the Dignity’s Bloody Big Survey with 153,620 respondents – the world’s largest body of data on menstruation. It found that 56 percent of respondents missed work due to their period with an estimated loss to the economy of around $9.6 billion dollars each year… not including health issues related to Men-O-Pause pre and post symptoms.

The second survey was the Nurofen Gender Pain Gap Income Report that gathered information from health care professionals and individuals. The data identified that one in two women feel that their pain was dismissed because of their gender and that they were consistently interrupted when talking about their pain. Their PAIN PASS tool is also very effective in monitoring chronic pain. Pause the conversation, Ask questions for clarity, Speak Up, Seek another opinion.

I would encourage you to read the findings of the report and to also gauge your own pain thresholds.

On 23 August 2024, the Australian Government received the final report from the expert panel appointed to undertake a rapid review of evidencebased approaches to prevent gender-based violence. The report provides specific and practical advice to strengthen prevention approaches and builds on considerable work currently underway in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032. The report makes 21 recommendations across six key areas for action by federal, state and territory governments. The recommendations will be taken forward as a priority for discussion by National Cabinet. While Violence Against Women continues to escalate the report has identified specific advice on how to strengthen approaches to dealing with these issues. On a positive note, Natasha Stott Despoja AO has been re-elected for a second term as Australia’s representative to the Commission on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEDAW) 2025-2028.

Call to Action. In the preparation and planning for International Women’s Day 2025, there are two key themes. The IWD Alliance calls on us to Accelerate Action and to support women funded charities and the UN Women’s theme is March Forward.

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of all the marches and protests. I want to see us Accelerate Agenda 2030 for Gender Equality and I don’t want to be left sitting on a shelf gathering dust without giving it my all to accelerate affirmative action for change for all women. Will you join me?

REFERENCES

Australian Government:

7 March 2024: Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality is published. Developed by the Office for Women, this is Australia’s first national gender equality strategy. The Strategy outlines where the government will focus its efforts over the next decade to achieve its vision – an Australia where people are safe, treated with respect, have choices and have access to resources and equal outcomes no matter their gender.

March 2024: The Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Act 2024 becomes law, expanding the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme weeks to 26 weeks by July 2026.

In October 2024, this is followed by the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Act 2024 becoming law, to enable superannuation contributions on PPL. This brought PPL in line with other workplace entitlements.

23 August 2024: The Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches report, Unlocking the Prevention Potential: Accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence, is released. The report provides independent advice on opportunities to expand and strengthen prevention efforts across all forms of violence against women and children, including a particular focus on preventing homicides.

6 September 2024: National Cabinet meets in Canberra to agree practical steps to accelerate action to end gender-based violence. Announcing a comprehensive $4.7 billion funding package, First Ministers agreed ending the national crisis of gender-based violence to remain an ongoing priority for National Cabinet.

REPORTS

Breaking the silence: a national voice for gynaecological cancers (2006)

Bloody Big Survey 2024 | Share the Dignity

Nurofen_GPG_Report_2024_V10

SEE MY PAIN | Get Your Free PAIN PASS Today | Nurofen AU

The first 50 years of the Office for Women | PM&C

Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995

The Beijing 12 critical areas of concern deconstructed | UN Women – Headquarters

UNITE to End Violence against Women Campaign | UN Women – Headquarters

IWD: Let's get ready for International Women's Day 2025

Executive summary: Unlocking the Prevention Potential | PM&C

WORDS BY CHRIS KNIGHT

Director, Inspirational Connections

Soroptimist International Global Ambassador & WNA Ambassador for Outreach and Advocacy

grachris@iprimus.com.au

linkedin chris-knight-906a7034

Belonging

In this deeply personal reflection, LAURA LEWIS reveals the challenges and frustrations of parenting a ‘non typical’ child under the glare and judgement of others.

Her family’s journey through a hostile education system provides valuable insights for other parents of children transitioning to secondary school.

Laura is WNA’s Ambassador for Micro Businesses, and an advocate for families and carers.

Belonging is something we all yearn.

It first starts with family. We need to feel safe and a welcome member of our family. Acknowledging family is different for many. If we do not experience this in our early developing years, we may be set up for a life of struggling to trust anyone or over-thetop people pleasing. Both to our personal detriment

We then begin our educational years. If we began life in a safe, nurturing family, we have great foundations for building healthy friendships in Prep/Kinder. For some however, the introduction to mainstream schooling can be confusing and fraught with exclusion, isolation and sometimes bullying.

This isolation and exclusion is also felt by the family. The parents who join the P&C and feel unwelcome. The younger siblings who follow in years to come. We are all related to that child. In my experience, the people who adopt this approach have had zero contact with that child. You know that child that is the subject of gossip at the school gate. That child who they form unfair assumptions about based on bias, gossip and judgment. Five year olds and their families quickly learn about gatekeeping. They learn about exclusion and sometimes bullying from the earliest years of school.

In the first five years of my child’s life we had already faced the incredulous conversations at play group. “Why can’t your child talk”? “Why do they parallel play and only with spinning wheels”? “Why do they still have formula rather than solids”?

While our very young child is protected by us, we were judged by our parenting or what they decided was a lack of parenting. We then begin the diagnostic process. We listen to allied professionals half our age who identify all that is wrong with our child and the way we support them. (Let me be clear – our child was fed, clean, loved and needs met; even though they were not typical).

This process is demeaning and as a parent of a two year old you are told they will never speak, never get a job and never live independently. We are told there is a narrow window of opportunity to implement a regime of early intervention which may help our child. We are told we must panic and fit in 40 hours of therapy because they have deemed there is something ‘wrong’ with our child.

This experience leaves feeling that we have always made poor decisions. That somehow the fault lay with us. When in fact there is no fault.

We chose to continue with mainstream and typical experiences for both our children would navigate together. Kindy, day care, and also some play based therapy which was not ABA. That was a difficult decision as we were told again and again our child needed more. We simply could not agree that there was anything wrong with our child. We wanted to offer them a range of experiences that continued with nurturing and used an approach all children that age would experience. An experience both our children as siblings can enjoy together. We had no understanding of how we arrived at this decision and looking back I believe it is because we felt both our children should receive the same opportunities.

We second guessed every decision. We were given uninvited advice by people who’s neighbour’s Aunt’s grandson was autistic and thought they were an expert. We were judged for visiting our shopping centre or a restaurant due to the sensory challenges this sometimes created.

Continued next page...

We kept doing everything as a family. Sometimes it would mean leaving an event early resulting in an upset and disappointed younger sibling. We were also fending off a lot of snake oil salesman who were interested in exploiting us by offering unnecessary therapy with no evidenced base research.

I remember the overwhelming anxiety I faced during the summer between primary school and high school. It was not made clear how our young person would be supported with a very different environment.

My child was not strong with translating what they had learned. No effort was made to make this a family collaboration. I didn’t know I had the right to ask. Instead I spent that summer colour coordinating my young person’s timetable with all books wrapped in colours to match the subjects, the teachers and the rooms. The week before school started we received an email with an updated timetable. I was very distressed. I rang the school to inquire about the change and was told to expect many timetable changes and that it is what it is. (I did not know at that time that I too was autistic.)

My young person was very excited about starting high school. I was a wreck. There was no measures in place for nervous parents. We were expected to be absent and uninvolved.

For my young person the first six months of high school was smooth. I felt rather smug despite the rocky start for me. Finally I had this parenting gig sorted. I personally was not managing things well, but my child was. As they say pride goes before a fall.

The bullying was not a slow campaign starting with name calling. It was rampant physical abuse from the start. The kind of abuse the police would be called had it occurred in a workplace.

From the start, the school was hostile. I was insulted and faced gaslighting. It was very traumatic for my young person but I too experienced trauma in trying to maintain a civil relationship with the school. I did not think my expectations of my son being kept safe were outrageous and yet in school meetings my mental illness was disclosed without my permission.

I was chastised for making 60 telephone calls to the school. A parent of a disabled child, who themselves struggled first with the high school transition and who also never had my phone calls returned. Surely there was something wrong with me to want to just communicate with the school.

The school then demanded our child sign a positive behaviour contract and I’m so ashamed to admit we signed this on their behalf. I have examined all the report cards after my person graduated and all comments describing behaviour are satisfactory, good or excellent.

I feel like the education system was a sluice. Families are churned through the sluice. The bright and shiny people are caught and kept. The rest of us are the grit and gravel that is conveniently washed away. Hoping to never be seen again.

Advice I would offer parents whose children are starting school or transitioning to high school is:

Visit schools

Talk to teachers as well as Principals

Chat to parents

Understand that you have rights

Also our experience at this school has not been other family’s experiences

Keep visiting schools until your satisfied.

Helpful link for parents: https://www.unicef.org.au/our-work/informationfor-children/un-convention-on-the-rights-of-thechild

Social Scene

Lifelong learning, financial capability and health are the three strategic pillars for Women’s Network Australia. These themes have guided our in-person and virtual events this year, attracting high-calibre speakers and engaged guests. Many thanks to Lander & Rogers for hosting events in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, and to our regular venues in Hobart and Toowoomba for excellent service!

1. Megan Christie, Justine Campbell and Marion Smith at Melbourne Business Lunch| 2.Kassandra Behrendt and Ronnie Benbow at Brisbane Workshop| 3. Janette Corporal with Natasha Hill | 4. Melbourne Business Lunch| 5. Genevieve Collins and Cheryl Gray at Lander & Rogers Brisbane Office 10th Anniversary Event | 6. Joan North presenting at The Coffee Commune, Brisbane | 7. The Hon. Madeleine Olgivie MP addresses the Hobart Networking Luncheon | 8. Dr Leanne Elich at Sydney Business Event | 9. Shannon Chapman, Cheryl Gray and Sarah Yip in Brisbane | 10. Leah Boyd, Lucinda Gemmell, Sally Moten and Sophie MacIntosh presented in Sydney

Social Scene

1. Alison Rogers and Kirsty Lark-Booth at Hobart Networking Luncheon| 2.Guests at Hobart Networking Luncheon with the Hon. Madeline Ogilvie MP| 3. Hobart Networking Lunoheon guest Simone de Haas, with guests | 4. Kassandra Behrendt, Kelli Martin, Lisa Lockland-Bell, Bec McCoan and Joanne Brooks at Brisbane lunch| 5. Members and guests at Hobart Luncheon with speaker Bronwyn Kidd | 6. Members and guests at Brisbane presentation by Amy Jackson, being addressed by Bec McCoan | 7. Toowoomba Network Brunch presentation of laptops to CWA Crows Nest | 8. Laptop presentation to Community Access Care | 9. Hobart Networking Luncheon presentation by Bronwyn Kidd | 10. Lisa Lockland-Bell and Elena Gosse, celebrating the release of Elena’s book.

Business books

Wholehearted Revolution

How One Woman Was Called Into Action

Author KATE MACNAMARA

Are you ready to embark on a journey that will transform your life from the inside out?

Imagine your healing journey not just as a path to recovery, but as the doorway to real empowerment, embodied wholeness, and a life that’s deeply inspired and fulfilling.

Wholehearted Revolution is more than just a book; it’s an invitation to heal, transform, and step fully into your innate wisdom and True Self. This epic narrative is a testament to the power of genuine healing, profound transformation, and liberation— guiding you toward embracing the wholeness that is your birthright.

Imagine reconnecting with your emotionally intelligent, heartfelt wisdom—a wisdom that leads you to even greater self-discovery, fulfilment, and more...

This trilogy transcends the boundaries of an adventure tale, memoir, or self-help guide. It offers a revolutionary approach to healing and transformation, introducing the innovative ThreeTiered Wholehearted Empowerment Process©. This approach supports you in safely navigating your healing journey, embracing your wholeness, and fulfilling your true purpose.

Let Wholehearted Revolution be your trusted companion on this sacred journey. May it illuminate your path to empowerment, purpose and fulfilment. Your wholehearted revolution begins now!

Available on Amazon in Kindle or Hardcopy.

“Wholehearted Revolution is the incredible story of an ordinary woman with the courage to live into the extraordinary. Kate provides a living example of what is possible for all: To heal from fears, wounds, and trauma that limit and entrap us individually, relationally, and collectively. Her quest takes her on an astonishing nine-year journey, where she encounters the depths of her own shadows and trauma—as well as the profundity of awe-inspiring, mystical experiences.”

— Eileen Grafton, RN BN MAdvancedPrac(Hons) GCertClEd HHDip(HC) FHEA MACN

Business books

No treading water A visionary leadership guide...

Author

ELENA GOSSE OAM

They say that New York is the city that never sleeps. The same could be said about Australian CEO and author, Elena Gosse OAM.

As well as heading up her Australian-based, globally successful water disinfection manufacturing company AIS Water, Elena recently published her first book, Leadership Sh!t Show, officially launched at Madison Square, New York, on 6 November 2024.

No stranger to having her name up in lights, the launch event included a touch of New York City magic with an exclusive billboard screening of Elena and her book in the heart of Times Square.

Elena’s book takes readers on a compelling journey of resilience, transformation and personal and professional empowerment. She shares her experience as a Russian born immigrant arriving in Australia and her journey to becoming a visionary leader, author, public speaker, Medal of the Order of Australia recipient and CEO, all thanks to her fresh perspective on leadership.

Humour is always present in the book’s pages, including how Elena arrived at the books unconventional title. An unintentional mispronunciation of the word "leadership" courtesy of her Russian accent meant that others thought she was saying 'leadershit’! It led Elena to reflect on the perpetual cycle of true leadership from facing challenges, then leading a shift, and ultimately leading your own ship to success, whether personally or professionally.

The book equips readers with the tools and inspiration needed to lead with confidence and courage and reminds us that leadership is a continuous journey of growth and transformation.

Purchase Elena’s book Leadership Sh!t Show from Amazon HERE

In this candid and insightful book, Elena shares her hard-won lessons and personal insights to help empower readers to laugh in the face of adversity and turn every stumble into a step forward toward authentic leadership. The book serves as a blueprint for anyone ready to embark on a journey of lifelong growth, whether an established leader, an emerging entrepreneur, or someone overcoming personal challenges.

Leadership Sh!t Show equips readers with the tools and inspiration needed to lead with confidence and courage and reminds us that leadership is a continuous journey of growth and transformation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elena Gosse OAM is the CEO of AIS Water, where she leads with a dynamic vision to reimagine leadership and safeguard our most precious resource—water.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Elena is a fierce advocate for empowering women and eradicating domestic violence, using her platform to drive meaningful change. Her leadership journey is testament of her belief that every individual has the potential to thrive.

Inspirational read

Awesomeness

through adversity

Author LEANNE SKLAVENITIS

Finding Awesomeness: An Incredible Journey of Resilience & The Power of Change

Award-winning personal trainer, group exercise instructor, speaker, coach and author Leanne Sklavenitis was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2017.

Despite the challenges, MND has not dampened Leanne’s determination to live life passionately. Her story continues to inspire others as she provides practical strategies for building resilience and offers a fresh perspective on facing life’s challenges.

Leanne’s memoir explores the pivotal moment in her life when she was given her life-limiting diagnosis. Through sharing her story of living an awesome life with MND, Leanne inspires others to realise they can achieve anything they put their minds to despite the obstacles they face.

In this book, Leanne brings authenticity, vulnerability and relatedness, showing: how she took ownership of her life and the choices she made to pave a way forward how she developed a growth mindset to overcome adversity of living with a terminal illness

how to learn through perseverance how setting goals has changed her life.

ABOUT MND

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a degeneration of the nervous system which disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscles responsible for enabling us to move, speak, swallow and breathe. There is no cure and is life-limiting. Although it progresses differently for each person, the average life expectancy is 2–3 years.

MND goes by a number of names. MND is most common in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and some other countries, however throughout the US, Canada and other parts of the world it is known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease after the famous baseball player who died of the disease.

Although MND can affect adults of any age, it occurs most often in those over 50 years old. The lifetime risk of developing this disease is 1 in 300 people, and in 90% of diagnoses there is no inherited genetic mutation (i.e sporadic MND).

There are a number of Australian organisations, including MND Australia, working tirelessly to raise awareness and fund vital research, so that one day we may live in a world without MND.

Business books

Centred

How to Lead with Confidence in times of Complex Change

Author SUSANNE LE BOUTILLIER

Caught in a perfect storm of complex change?

Leadership today often feels like navigating relentless turbulence, where forces beyond your control constantly shift the landscape. The key to thriving isn’t just surviving—it’s learning how to centre yourself in the calm eye of the storm.

Centred by Susanne Le Boutillier offers a valuable model for leaders to avoid burnout, overcome overwhelm, and take the next right step, even when faced with uncertainty.

It’s not just a quick fix—it’s a guide to mastering high performance and wellbeing as you navigate through the constant waves of change. You’ll discover how to recognise and release the reactive tendencies that act like anchors, and learn how you can stay present, deeply aware of your context, and move forward purposefully and in alignment with your true self.

As you navigate between the eyes of the storms, you’ll find yourself stronger, more focused, and more centred—always ready to lead complex change, with confidence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susanne has a rare ability to switch between an analytical perspective and nurturing emotional connections. Her ability to see the big picture and her experience navigating rapidly changing contexts and collaborating with stakeholders put her in an excellent position to help clients navigate complex change and adapt in the face of adversity.

Her ability to be both warm and objective is an advantage when the situation demands emotional complexity. Her unique mix of perceptive insights, sensitivity, intuition, creative experimentation and coaching approach will help you and your teams build the skills and confidence to adapt and thrive in complex environments.

Centred is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle HERE

WNA BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Birgit Schnelle

Professional EOS Implementer® with over 15-years’ experience in General Management and Executive Leadership roles, leading teams across various industries such as Health, ECommerce, Manufacturing, Import/Export and Retail.

Contact Birgit Schnelle birgit.schnelle@eosworldwide.com www.eosworldcom/birgitschenelle#

Allsure Insurance

A second-generation, familyowned and operated business with offices in Geelong and Hobart, delivering exceptional service to clients.

Redgate Clinic

Contact Melissa Donaldson Principal melissa@allsure.com.au www.allsure.com.au

Contact Sue Barford IBCLC sue@redgateclinic.com.au www.redgateclinic.com.au

Supporting breastfeeding journeys for a relaxed, enjoyable experience. From wellbeing imbalance, pain or stress, back to loving life again.

Performastery Contact Fiona Cullen Founder fiona@performastery.com.au www.performastery.com.au

I inspire managers to step up, take responsibility, and create an environment where teams can excel. Optimise your team's productivity and focus through transformative leadership development.

Rachael Downie

Unlock the greatest tool you never learned to use, your mind. Get unstuck, release frustration, replicate success and lead your life.

Contact Rachael Downie Business Success Mentor rachael@rachaeldownie.com.au www.rachaeldownie.com.au

Marsh & Partners

As specialist business accountants, we’ve developed a bank of knowledge to help our clients create a successful and sustainable business.

JTS Insurance

Offering small to medium businesses a broad range of products, competitive pricing, and flexibility in meeting their insurance needs.

Contact Bronwyn Condon Partner bronwyn.condon@marshpartners. com.au www.marshpartners.com.au

Nurturing Confidence

Transforming mid-level professionals into confident communicators and leaders. Together we will build the skills and habits needed to think strategically, communicate clearly and step in confidently, however difficult the challenge may be.

Contact Tina Sapoungis AR Broker tina@jtsinsurance.com.au www.jtsinsurance.com.au

Contact Amy Jackson team@amyjackson.net www.nurturingconfidence.com.au

WNA BUSINESS DIRECTORY

KLM

Solicitors

Contact Kelli Martin

Managing Partner (07) 3733 0901

Specialists in Family and Criminal Law, we can help you bounce back when life doesn't go to plan!

Love your legals

admin@klmsolicitors.com.au www.klmsolicitors.com.au

Mindset coaching, clearing head trash and emotional pain, for lasting behavioural change in individuals, teams and audiences worldwide. Author of “The Face Within: How To Change Your Unconscious Blueprint”.

Contact Sue Lester sue@suelester.com www.suelester.com

Our mission is to educate and empower women to become their own best advocate, with the knowledge and tools from an experienced small business lawyer.

Contact Shalini Nandan-Singh hello@loveyourlegals.com.au www.loveyourlegals.com.au

Digital Age Law

Katherine Hawes at Digital Age Lawyers is a Barrister and Solicitor, business influencer, social entrepreneur and media personality who positively shapes her clients’ business culture. She is passionate about the need for businesses to future-proof their assets.

Contact Katherine Hawes Barrister and Solicitor katherine@digitalagelawyers.com www.digitalagelawyers.com

Kinique Consultancy

Situated on Brisbane’s northside, offering a variety of consulting services and natural treatments to support optimal wellbeing, specialising in the essential area of stress management.

Contact Marney Perna Director and Principal Consultant info@kinique.com www.kinique.com

Hills Celebrant

With 14 years experience, rest assured I know a thing or two about weddings! Based in Brisbane’s Bayside, I cover most areas including the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowoomba and Northern NSW.

Contact Natasha Hill natasha@hillscelebrant.com.au www.hillscelebrant.com.au

Ladygarden Wines

Ladygarden Wines celebrate women in wine. Founder Kelly Pearson works with her ‘partners in wine’, other women winemakers, creating a range of wines that speak of their place and to the passion and specialty of each winemaker.

Flourish Community Solutions

Contact Kelly Pearson CEO & Co-Founder info@ladygardenwines.com.au www.ladygardenwines.com.au

Contact Ruth Cleminson

Servicing families and communities across Australia, Flourish Community Solutions deliver a high standard of specialist intervention, psychosocial education and consultation to facilitate growth and achieve better outcomes for families and communities.

Lets Connect Support Services

Supporting NDIS participants with their plans throughout all of South East Queensland. Our dedicated team of Support Coordinators have years of experience in the disability sector and have over 40 years of shared knowledge.

WEConnect International helps drive money into the hands of women business owners by enabling them to compete in the global marketplace.

Managing Director & Principal Consultant ruth.cleminson@flourishcs.com.au www.flourishcommunitysolutions.com

Community Access Care

Community Access Care is a family-owned company and registered NDIS support provider, with grassroots values at its core. Founder Julie is joined by her family, who are all a part of CAC. Good old fashioned family values ensure the team and Participants feel part of the family too.

Contact Sue Grier sue.letsconnect@outlook.com www.lcss.com.au

Contact Julie McCracken jmccracken@communityaccesscare.com.au www.community accesscare.com.au

Sproutopia combines expert plant growing, personalised gift tags and convenient, ecofriendly wrapping, completing the service with door to door delivery.

www.sproutopia.com.au

Sue Lester

Thalia Stanley Group

Contact Marion Mays marion@thaliastanley.com.au www.thaliastanley.com.au www.moneystrong.com.au

Our mission is to inspire and facilitate the growth of our clients both personally and financially. We know the quickest pathway to success is to find a mentor who has walked the path before.

Leanne Elich Consulting

Contact

Foodie Shots

Whether you need food and product photography for menus, websites, socials and branding, or you would like us to teach you how to manage your food photography yourself, Foodie Shots has a solution for you!

Contact Kat Lynn kat@foodieshots.com.au www.fodieshots.com.au

Sales Psychologist and Business Strategist helping to improve performance by empowering people, teams, leaders and businesses through psychology driven learning programs, workshops and coaching strategies.

LJ Hooker Pinnacle Property

Hobart-based partner and Property Consultant Alison Rogers combines her desire to empower others and her passion for real estate.

Leanne Elich M.D., GAICD CEO, Honorary Clinical Fellow info@leanneelichconsulting.com www.leanneelichconsulting.com

Contact Alison Rogers Partner & Property Consultant 122 Murray Street, Hobart arogers@ljhookerpinnacle.com www.pinnacleproperty.ljhooker.com.au

Hello Creative Agency

We empower business owners to make clever, creative decisions, by planning and executing a custom strategy to bring creative ideas to life.

Contact Carlie Clark Founder & Creative Director carlie@hellocreativeagency.com www.hellocreativeagency.com

Autom8Now

Affordable Search engine optimisation packages for small businesses. Services include Digital Marketing Strategy | Simple Steps for SEO | Social Media | Google Adwords | Social Media Ads

Laura Lewis

Microbusiness Champion and advocate for diversity and inclusion. I am an advocate for autistic employment opportunities and support others to navigate the NDIS.

Contact Nici Bickley Founder helpme@autom8now.com.au www.autom8now.com.au

Inspirational Connections

Empowering women to value their self-worth and achieve their business and life dreams.

Stickybeak Marketing

Book writing and marketing expert with a 6-Step Book Writing and Publishing Framework developed specifically for successful Professionals, Coaches and Consultants.

Contact Chris Knight, JP Qual Director & Facilitator grachris@iprimus.com.au or via LinkedIn

Contact Sigrid De Kaste Director sigriddekaste@gmail.com www. stickybeakmarketing.com

Contact Laura Lewis lauraklewis@bigpond.com or via LinkedIn

GAP Management Consulting

Your Strategic HR and Advisory Services provider, helping to unlock business and human potential. We work with Senior Executives and Boards to deliver strategic growth or transformation imperatives.

Susanne Le Boutillier

Susanne is a consultant, coach, facilitator and speaker who helps high achievers thrive and creates space for people and organisations to think and explore so they can head into the future with more confidence.

Contact Penny Sahinis penny@gapconsulting.com.au www.onlineHRsolutions.com

Navig8 Biz

Navig8 Biz is where my mission unfolds, empowering female entrepreneurs to shape their ideal futures.

Contact Susanne Le Boutillier

Managing Director susanne@lebout.com.au www.susanneleboutillier.com

Contact Joanne Brooks

Thought Leader & Coach joanne@navig8biz.com www.navig8biz.com

SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

This diary does more than help organise our lives, it’s packed with expert health advice important to every woman - like breast, heart, family, finance and mental health, along with diet, exercise and lots more.

Plus you’ll be helping identify new treatments for the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women, giving hope to the 57 people diagnosed with breast cancer every day.

LISA WILKINSON

Award-winning journalist and mum of three

$ from Newsagents, Woolworths, Participating Post Offices and womenshealthdiary.com.au

breastcancertrials.org.au 1800 423 444 19.99

womensnetwork.com.au

WNA Digital Magazine - Spring Summer 2024 (1)

Women's Network Magazine

Editor's letter

WNA Membership

Whyjoin?

MAKING AN IMPACT

Anita Dahlenburg – B Consultant

Caroline Lovett – Credible Source Solutions

Alexandra Diggles – Pelviology Pty Ltd

Marney Perna – Kinique Consultancy

Kassandra Behrendt – Pagoni Jewellery

Lisa

– Performance Studios Australia

Amy Jackson – Nurturing Confidence

Vithyaa Thavapalan – Brown Boss Babes Australia

Dr Leanne Elich – Leanne Elich Consulting

Kelli Martin –

Kat Lynn – Foodie Shots and Sonny & Kat Photography

Sarah Hutson – SFH Designs

Siobhan Whalley – pirkx Australia

Adrianne Fleming OAM – Tristar Aviation

Alison Rogers – LJ Hooker Pinnacle Property

Leanne Sklavenitis – Fitness Tips

Upma Kite – Ravishing Fashionistas

Carlie Clark – Hello Creative Agency

Kim Lancer – Tall Poppies Leadership

SPONSORS

What is a financial agreement?

What can be included in a financial agreement?

Who should consider a financial agreement?

Benefits of a financial agreement

Business feature

Therighttodisconnect

Member profile

Thebravestthingyoucan choosetodoisLEAD

Lessons inlove Standing out

Key points

A Serengeti Story

D’Vine intervention

Business feature

Letkindnessshine

Sounding thealarmon customer care

Great customer service is great brand reputation

Health feature

Self-careisyour#1priority

Five top tips for Self-Care

Community AccessCare

Howtodo businessinthe MiddleEast

1. The Investment of Time and Money

The Complexity of the Arabic Language

4. The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication

Issue in Focus

Randomactsofkindness

The Precepts of Being a Carer

Issue in Focus

Tiredof sittingon theshelf gathering dust?

REFERENCES

Belonging

Social Scene

Social Scene

Business books

Wholehearted Revolution

How One Woman Was Called Into Action

Business books

No treading water A visionary leadership guide...

Inspirational read

Awesomeness

through adversity

ABOUT MND

Business books

Centred

How to Lead with Confidence in times of Complex Change

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

WNA BUSINESS DIRECTORY

JTS Insurance

WNA BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Ladygarden Wines