Life Journey TV

Following the birth of their baby boy, Mark and Anna Dombkins had an overwhelming desire to add to their family by adopting a child who would never otherwise have the opportunity to be part of a loving family.

The Dombkins moved to Tanzania to fulfill their dream with by this stage, two babies in tow.  

Seemingly never doing things by halves, Mark and Anna adopted not one but three siblings, suddenly bringing their family of four, to a family of seven.  

On their return to Australia a couple of years later with five small children, Mark and Anna added another biological child to the fold and their family was complete.  

Not content to leave things there however, the Dombkins began 'Forever Projects', which assists families in Tanzania to become self-sustaining allowing them to break the chain of extreme poverty and to provide for their own families.

My guests this week could live by two old sayings –

               ‘from little things big things grow’ and ‘every cloud has a silver lining’.

When Felicity Burton and Georgie Keats (along with Georgie’s mum Belinda), watched their friends from regional Queensland experience a particularly challenging time with their little family, they watched on helplessly wondering how they could help ease the burden.

Both Felicity and the Keats family have had their own distressing times.  They fully appreciate how difficult it is for regional families to suddenly pack up and spend months away in cities undergoing medical care.

These three women came up with the idea of buying a house in Toowoomba which could become a home away from home for families needing that care and so the Common Ground Foundation was born.

This coming week, there is an amazing fundraiser at Bracknell Lodge near Toowoomba for the foundation – Ride for a Roof.  

I recently caught up with Georgie and Felicity who share their dream for the Common Ground.

Australian journalist, radio host, television presenter and rugby league coach.  ⁣

⁣These are just a few of the hats Rob Brough has worn during a career that spans 40 years.⁣

⁣I first met Rob in the late 1990’s and was struck by his humility and kindness. ⁣

⁣Rob has had times of immense sadness in life which has instilled in him much wisdom and courage.  ⁣

⁣I hope you enjoy hearing from this remarkable man as he shares tales from his childhood through to his distinguished media career.  ⁣

As Dolly’s Dream gathers momentum with each passing year, so too does the resolve of Tick, Kate and Meg Everett, to make the world a kinder place in honour of their daughter and sister Dolly.

In my chat with Kate this year, she shares what it is like during the lead up to Do It For Dolly Day for her family and the tremendous support they receive from so many people and just what that means for the charity.

We also talk about the marathon Kate took part in recently and how much that has helped her. 

Kate has recently been named in the top 100 Most Powerful Women in the Northern Territory – it is easy to see why.

Many thanks to my sponsor for this episode – Fitton Insurance Brokers Australia

When Queensland grazier Wallace Gunthorpe worked through a succession plan with his family, he found himself at a loose end.  

 Rather than slip into retirement life spending his days playing golf, a trip to Vietnam led him into Cambodia where he heard about this Aussie bloke who was helping the Cambodian people through a ‘cow bank’. 

On his return to Australia, Wallace contacted that bloke - Cosi Costello, with an offer to help him with Cows for Cambodia and the rest as they say, is history. 

Wallace has become an integral part of Cows for Cambodia and I recently caught up with him to find out the part he plays in this amazing charity.

 Many thanks to Kennedy Livestock for their support in bringing you this interview.

When Cosi Costello first visited Cambodia with a mate seven years ago, he fell in love with the Cambodian people.

From that initial visit, Cosi began Cows for Cambodia, a ‘cow bank’, to support families and help them break the poverty cycle.

 Cosi has done so much for the people of Cambodia and has watched his charity go from strength to strength, now having branched into Botswana.

 To support Cows for Cambodia, head to Cosi’s facebook page or www.cowsforcambodia.com

Many thanks to Kennedy Livestock for bringing this interview to you.

This year for Anzac Day, I invite you to watch my interview from last year with Sergeant Tim Hibberd.

Sergeant Hibberd shared with me, stories of his time in Afghanistan and what Anzac Day means to those who have returned from service.  

Lest we forget.

"He was solution driven. The problem was just a small part of the equation", Tory Acton. 

Graeme Acton was a monumental man. He was a force to be reckoned with and one of the most influential figures in the cattle industry of our time.

He had the ears of policymakers and great hope for the future of the beef industry.

I remember when we heard the news that Graeme had been seriously injured in a campdrafting accident. 

The magnitude of his passing sent a tsunami of disbelief and sorrow which spread from the halls of Parliament House to the dustiest of paddocks in remote Australia - the part he loved the best. 

Graeme's business life and accolades have been well-documented but what was he like as a person and what did he most value throughout his life? 

Join me, in this very special interview, as I hear from Graeme's family who share with me the story of a husband and father.

Many thanks to Stabler and Howlett Veterinary Surgeons for bringing this interview to you.

From dabbling in a little bit of art at school to becoming one of Australia's foremost bronze sculptors, Kay Paton's journey has not been easy.  

Kay is proof that if you stick with something even when the going gets tough, you will succeed. 

A strong mentor who has an unwavering belief in you doesn't go astray either!

Join me as Kay shares her story of becoming a master in her craft.

 'An impressive human being', 'an incredibly positive, loving vibe' - these are just some of the words others use to describe my guest this week.  

Lynda McCallum's brave story has touched many who know her and I am humbled she has allowed me to share her journey here.

Following her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and with the understanding and support of her husband Jim, Lynda competed in the 2018 NCHA Cutting Futurity placing second in Australia's largest Cutting event (for those of you who don't know about cutting horses, it's a pretty big deal!).

In our interview, we chat  about the tools she used to put herself in that winning mindset when everything seemed to be against her.  Her tenacity and motivation can be applied to anyone wanting to excel in whatever endeavor they set their mind to.

Then we delve into what its like living with MS, her fears and let-downs along with some remarkable coincidences and her hopes for the future.