Get Off The Bench Podcast

Andrea Lane is an economist who believes in the irrefutably brilliant impact of artists in regional places. She is also the co-founder of FLOAT, an art space in East Gippsland, located on the gorgeous Lake Tyers. 

Andrea and the crew at the FLOAT are following their instinct. For art, nature, generosity and fairness, in pursuit of a regenerative region. With the luxury of being (non-indigenous) Elders they feel blessed to be free from bureaucratic fear, and can frugally invest in the things they know are important, stemming from their 20/50+ years of volunteer ‘project management’. 

Andrea arrived in Nowa Nowa in 2001 as the Fairfax / Business Review Weekly online national manager … to marry an artist. At that time, the population was 200, and there was no internet.
As Andrea telecommuted for the next 10 years, she discovered a life from which she has never wanted to return.

Despite useful qualifications in economics, information management, community development, and art in public spaces, there were few career options in East Gippsland, and none compared to what art could do to multiply her impact on regional life and the local economy.   

FLOAT revealed that regional life was jam packed with potential, particularly with art. But not just art as Andrea knew it. Rather, it was art as life, nature based art, ephemeral and environmental art, and community activation art. Towns were flipped from the poorest to the grooviest. There was an economy to be generated, and a sustainable economy to be built, and so they imagined and created ‘F Incorporated’.

Art trails dotted with wild and backyard fruit - (F)ROUTE.
A thriving maker collective in Bairnsdale - FOUNDRY.
Annual breakfasts for 200 folk, full of Johnsonville peaches – FROUTEVILLE.
An artist-made travel bureau @ Docklands – FROUTELAND.
A floating arts studio offering global arts – FLOAT.
Next up – FLOAT A.I.R. a trail of arts residencies in under-used spaces.

Andrea and her crew believe in the value of local knowledge and know that it has an economic value that has been lost in the bureaucracy. But they are finding lots of friends in the new REGEN GIPPSLAND.

Socials:

Website: http://www.float3909.com/

FB: FLOAT

Insta: FLOAT @float.3909

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In this episode I chat about the fact that ageism sucks. A lot of people have the narrative that they are too old to start something new or to change jobs, or to change their life. 

I share a story about Shirley Newton (see link below), who just held her first art exhibition at 92 years old, and a few other thoughts on this matter.

Hopefully it inspires you to believe in yourself and not let your age stop you, and I also hopes it inspires people in the middle of too young and too old to encourage others to shine their light brightly.

Mentions:

Shirley Newton story

Girls With Hammers

Brock Williams is a 22 year old, 3rd year chiropractic student, who has shifted his life significantly from his days of school yard trouble maker.

Brock was never a great student, and spent most of his later years in school giving the teachers grief. 

Brock grew up thinking he would play some form of elite level sport, but it wasn't meant to be, so from the age of 17 he fell into the cycle of coasting through life, not applying much effort to anything, and drank every weekend away.

In an effort to change his life, Brock decided to study chiropractic and make the big move to the city and start fresh.

But the real catalyst happened last year when Nedd Brockmann ran across Australia. Brock excitedly checked instagram each night when Nedd was doing his recaps, and something shifted inside him. Brock thought this was amazing. 

From there, Brock signed up for his first half marathon. He then developed a love for marathons and started noticing a heap of unintentional associated benefits. He was more productive, and more motivated to eat healthy and do more exercise. 

Brock then ran a marathon in his own time around his home town of Rosedale, and the pride began to swell.

He then signed up for the great ocean road 60k ultra marathon, got up each morning at 5am to train, and finished the run while at the same time raising $3,500 for the Starlight Children's Foundation. 

Brock’s focus is now on his mate Xavier who is fighting cancer, by running from Adelaide to Sale in 16 days this December, averaging 62.5km per day. All money raised will go to the Sony Foundation.

Brock says the purpose of all this isn't self attention, but the belief that he can play a role in people realising their potential. He also says he doesn’t have any god given talents, but wants people to realise that everyone is capable of so much more, and it all comes down to a tiny bit more effort.

Sony Foundation - https://www.sonyfoundation.org/

Starlight - https://www.starlight.org.au/

Socials:

FB: Brock Williams

Insta: Brock Williams @brockwilliams_training

Adelaide to Sale Donate - https://www.sonyfoundation.org/event/brocks-border-run/donate

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Carolyn Apostolou is a true catalyst for change, dedicated to transforming workplace well-being and inspiring individuals and organisations to reach their full potential. As an accredited coach, mentor, and keynote speaker, Carolyn has spent years empowering leaders and teams and implementing corporate wellness programs that foster a thriving culture of success.

Drawing from her extensive experience as a teacher, school leader and education advisor to prestigious institutions, including the International Baccalaureate and the Victorian Department of Education, Carolyn brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She is a well-regarded corporate health and wellness coach. Her qualifications in psychology, training, neurolinguistic processing, timeline therapy, and hypnosis allow her to use proven techniques to help staff and executives manage stress, avoid burnout, implement healthy boundaries and reclaim their vitality and productivity.

Carolyn specialises in empowering staff and senior executives to champion corporate wellbeing and create an organisational culture where all employees feel seen, heard and valued, which results in enhanced staff retention and productivity, better teamwork and collaboration and a flourishing company culture.

Her proven training programs are transformative, fun and engaging and packed full of quick and easy wins to inspire and ignite success.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Carolyn is a devoted mother of four, demonstrating firsthand the

ability to integrate work and family life harmoniously.

Socials:

LinkedIn: Carolyn Apostolou

Insta: Carolyn | Corporate Wellness Coach @inspired2nurture

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James Hand is a series author, but life didn’t start out like that. Ian Handasyde (real name) spent most of his life as a Primary school teacher, and musician. His cover band Turn It Up can still be found entertaining crowds throughout the leafy Melbourne suburbs. 

Ian eventually found his way into film making. Having written a number of scripts (Feature and Shorts), he decided to dip his toe in the water and develop and produce one of his feature scripts, ‘Zyco Rock’, a futuristic, anti-drug teen film.

Although ‘Zyco Rock’ was shown at a number of festivals around the world, it didn’t catch the eye of major distributers, causing Ian to lose a lot of money. However, a later Short Film, “Just Friends” was accepted and shown at Cannes Film Festival.

Receiving that shot in the arm of confidence, Ian decided to turn one of his feature scripts into a book ‘Luina’, using the pseudonym James Hand.  With the finish of ‘Luina’,  Ian (we’ll call him James from here) pondered… “So, what happens to Beth Duncan?”, the lead character in the novel. 

James drew up a rough outline and set to creating the series. To date, 4 books have been published: ‘Luina’, ‘The Fit Girl (Part 1)’, ‘The Fit Girl  (Part 2)’, and ‘Shh, Secret Girl’.

Each novel leading straight into the next, is based on the continuing adventure of Beth Duncan… and boy does she have some adventures!

To date, James has written 8 books, with the next one ‘London Bound' set to be published October this year. 

The ninth, ‘Olympics' I will start later this year. Yes, Beth goes to the Olympics as an 800m runner! 

James writes all his manuscripts freehand and prefers to write at the beach. His family travels to Palm Cove every year for 2-4 weeks, and with his outline, James sits on a chair on the beach, takes out his folder and lets his imagination run wild.

Socials:

Insta: James Hand @jameshandauthor

You Tube:  James Hand Author  @jameshandauthor

Band - Turn It Up : www.turnitup.biz

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From schoolyard-bullied introvert to extraverted entertainer extraordinaire, Nathan has a lot of unique insights on overcoming adversity, all the world being a stage, and the entertainment industry.

Nathan has become an award-winning Master of Ceremonies with over a decade of experience, including as a former Entertainment Host with Princess Cruises. Based in Sydney, Australia, Nathan specialises in bringing energy and excitement to every event he emcees, from weddings to festivals, gala evenings to award nights, and charity events to trivia – he really does it all! 

Nathan’s dynamic stage presence, charming smile, and professional attitude have earned him a reputation for being able to elevate any event to the next level and create truly unforgettable live event experiences.

Nathan also created an anti-bullying program when he was in his high school years which was associated and sponsored by the Wests Tigers.

Socials:

Website: https://nathancassar.com.au/

LinkedIn: Nathan Cassar - Master of Ceremonies 

FB: Nathan Cassar - Master of Ceremonies

Insta: @nathancassar_mc https://www.instagram.com/nathancassar_mc/

Youtube: Nathan Cassar: Master of Ceremonies

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Mridula Minasvi is a passionate grassroots activist and community organiser, who truly believes in the power of people to create positive social change. She is particularly thrilled to be a feminist activist, challenging oppressive patriarchal norms and sparking innovative ideas for achieving gender justice. Her work as a fascinating artist and digital media practitioner allows her to promote democratic values, advocate for data justice and digital rights, and share powerful stories of freedom and social justice. 

Mridula is the founder of Gabiasplice, an online platform aiming to create resources that ensure that quality education for international curriculums is delivered equally around the globe.

She is also the founder of The Plantterra, an organisation created to make a difference by educating individuals and encouraging them to take on the role of saving the environment through events, social media content and via an app that is currently under development.

Being a technology enthusiast, gives Mridula a platform for striving to advance gender equality, social justice, and civic space through digital innovation, while ensuring individual privacy and freedom. As a dedicated climate change activist, Mridula is committed to promoting inclusive and responsible business practices and urging governments and businesses alike to take action on this urgent global issue. 

Mridula’s aspiration is to become a doctor, and as well as academics, she also has a creative side with a love for drawing, painting, and crafting. Additionally, Mridula is a dedicated athlete.

Socials:

LinkedIn: Mridula Manisva R K

Insta: The Planeterra @theplanterra

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Brett Ashby is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, presenter, and author from Naarm, Australia. Ashby’s art practice includes sculpture, performance, installation, painting, music, and major public commissions, framing Ashby as a prodigious figure in the contemporary art world.

Ashby is recognisable for his unique methods of practice employing a skateboard or surfboard as a tool to paint aura. His work is linked through a poetic and intuitive sensitivity to the expressive potential of space, light, colour, context, and materials.

Ashby is the Director of the short film ‘The One I Love’, which received Best Short Film awards in 2023 from countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Serbia, and Russia and was awarded Best Inspirational Film at the 8 & Halfilm Awards. 

Capturing the vibrations and energy within the time and space he is creating in, the colours in his art align with positive psychology, art therapy, and faith and offer healing properties. 

His work is in various collections worldwide, including Berlin, Texas, Cape Town, Edinburgh, Geneva, Sri Lanka, London, Paris, New York, Miami, Tokyo, Dubai, Tennessee, and many parts of Australasia.

Links to work:

His short film success here

‘Inner Essence’ Docklands for Renew. 

‘Gods' here

Press Kit here

Socials:

Website: http://www.brettashby.com/

LinkedIn: Brett Ashby

FB: Brett Ashby

Insta: Brett Ashby @brettashbyartist

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In a recent leadership workshop, I asked participants to make a list of characteristics that great leaders might possess. One word that came up was convincing. This prompted me to talk about my Influence Scale model, where the word ‘influence’ is challenged regarding the negative and positive intent that aligns to this word.

In the episode, I explain the Influence Scale, and how we can lead people through empowerment, rather than by coercion, and create a world that focuses on the greater good beyond ourselves.

Bessie Kay is a TV Presenter, Producer & Marketing Director, with 20 years experience working in the entertainment and media industries. Bessie started her career as a performer in the Australian musical theatre industry and eventually making her way into Australian TV, both on screen and behind the scenes. 

Her most 'noteworthy' TV credits include Presenting Australia's Best Houses, Luxury Homes Revealed and Open Homes Australia (all Channel 9Life), and also producing within Open Homes Australia. Bessie is currently the Integration Producer for Khnah Ong's Wild Food, airing Sunday's 8:30pm on SBS Food.

Bessie’s love is working within dynamic teams in creative industries, and this focus has driven her through her professional life. 

However, 4 years ago Bessie reached the point where she had to make some significant changes and improvements to her emotional health and sense of identity.

After years of working in demanding industries in different jobs and with different roles, she struggled to really know who she was, and to see the power in true self acceptance. 

4 years into this (everyday evolving) journey, Bessie’s aim each day is to try and show up as her whole and healed self. Some days are much better than others, but each day is a commitment to learning, growing and enjoying the process!

Through sharing her passion for music, dance, media and community, Bessie uses her value pillars of creativity with integrity, as a springboard for encouraging others on their journey of self discovery and finding joy.

Socials:

Website: bessiekay.com

LinkedIn: Bessie Kay

Insta: Bessie Kay @bessiekay

FB: Bessie Kay

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