Max's Island

Frank Scatchard has led an interesting and varied life.

During his visit to The Island, Frank shared with us some really interesting details from his original career as an industrial “kiln operator”. Yep, it’s not every day you meet someone that has operated an industrial kiln at dangerous temp’s of over 1000 degrees…and has lived to talk about it.

But whilst that was a significant part of his early working life, there was a drive for the freedom to work for himself. So, after some careful planning and creative working arrangements with employers, Frank was able to build up from scratch … his own lawn-mowing business.

This freedom of working for himself allowed him to embrace one of his passions … music … and become involved in community radio. After a couple of goes at it, Frank eventually did a course in radio announcing and then began a commitment to hosting a regular show on 6HFM … RockAria. A show that has aired regularly for over 10 years. Tune in every Saturday on 6HFM 107.3 @ 3-6PM. For the best listening experience, use the Community Radio Plus app to find the station and RockAria.

https://www.facebook.com/rockaria107.3

Frank’s other indulgence is BBQing … it could actually be regarded as a “dirty habit” … especially since he has over 10 BBQ’s in his backyard, just waiting to be fired up.

You can see his regular culinary creations at https://www.instagram.com/frankinatorscatchard/

As a developing child, Larissa Muir’s son was being excluded from aspects of the community and faced challenges in his initial years of education. Through clinical support and a medical process of discovery, he was initially diagnosed with ADHD, and eventually this led to a recognition of autism.

But, what do you do when you realise that the way he thinks … is the way you think and view the world. For Larissa, this was a revelation and allowed her to also be diagnosed with both conditions. As a professionally successful adult in her mid 30’s, she was now in a position to realise why her intuition and behaviour was shaped the way it was. But, it also presented a dilemma … how would people acknowledge her when she shared with them this important information.

In her visit to Max’s Island, we get an intimate insight into this world and how she now navigates the professional landscape in a way that suits her … and no longer conforming to accepted stereotypes.

Larissa is a successful CEO of an NFP and loves to share her story.

IMPORTANT:- There is a BONUS lesson to be learnt by everyone in this episode.

When faced with the emotional pressure of a long term relationship break-up it would seem natural to find the security of a safe space, in the company of loved ones and looking for stability in your life.

But for Alexis Naylor, when this happened she chose something quite different. She decided to embark on an adventurous life of living on the road and travelling around the country. With her re-fashioned ex-ambulance named “Van…essa”, Alexis was able to spread her wings, re-capture her independence and take control of her own destiny.

Being a successful musician, Alexis spent the next two and half years travelling around Australia, booking into studio’s to satisfy her creative expression and just playing gigs wherever she could.

When the journey ended and life returned to a sense of normality, Alexis contracted a condition that impacted on her ability to play the piano and perform live. During this time of rest and recovery her creative appetite was fulfilled with the creation of her podcast “Through the Creative Door”, where she meets talented creative types who share personal stories of the creation of their art…whatever that my be.

Alexis’s music can be found at www.alexisnaylor.com

And the podcast - Through the Creative Door” is on all major podcast streaming platforms.

After only 3 and half years knowing each other, Seb and Rhys chose to leave the professional comfort of Not for Profit organisations working in the disability sector, to create a business for themselves. They had a vision to create an entity that would continue to allow people with disability to exercise their independence through personal choice and control. And they did this in classic “bootstrapping” style … by believing in themselves.

The NDIS has created an interesting marketplace in the Australian disability landscape and the opportunity for independent, customer focused contract providers to create an impact, is strong.

Seb, working as an Occupational Therapist and Rhys, as a Support Coordinator, have brought complimentary skills and a sense of like-mindedness, to create a truly person centred philosophy that shapes their operation. This culturural influence, of ensuring the lives of others can always be improved, comes first … and they believe the financial security will ultimately follow.

Find Seb and Rhys at:- Haven Disability Services

https://www.havendisabilityservices.com/

https://www.instagram.com/havendisabilityservices/

Yvette Thomas and her husband had well established, long term careers. But they were forced to make a considered decision, during the worldwide pandemic, to seek a new life … and future.

This involved a move to regional Western Australia to operate a tourist accomodation … a project that lasted for 2 years and 9 months. However the intensity of running a 24/7 operation created physical and mental burnout which led to the need for both of them to take a break. The only way to deal with this was to take 3 months for “complete rest and recovery”.

After this time of contemplation, Yvette began a process of discovery to determine …”what’s next?”

This involved a simple Google search of “trauma informed education” and opened her world to new opportunities. The first step was to complete an online course called “The Trauma Informed certificate for Coaches and Healers”

Now she is a trained “Root Cause Therapist” and “Trauma Informed Manifestation Coach”.

This has totally changed her life and she truely understands that when you “step into your courage” you will be rewarded … no matter what.

You too can be inspired by Yvette on her blog … found at https://fromloathingtolove.com/ and she is also prominent on Insta @fromloathingtolove

Ali Horriyat established Compassiviste to unite individuals into collectives that can make real change to the world.

Following a self described “ mindset experience “ with a homeless person who shared food with him when he was “on the streets”, … Ali embraced a clear understanding of compassion, and most importantly, the actions of compassion that help others to make real change…from these thoughts came Compassiviste.

Ali has devoted his time and thoughtful mindfulness to capture many concepts that form the basis of the Compassiviste way. His featured essays and manifesto’s continue to develop philosophies in areas that include:-

Collectivism

The environment

Social issues

Spiritualism

And an area called The seed.

In this second part of Ali’s visit to the Island, he expands on these beliefs and continues to describe what impact Compassiviste has made and what is hoped for the future.

www.compassiviste.com

In 2016, businessman-turned-charity founder Ali Horriyat gave away his entire personal fortune of almost $100m. This was not just a meaningless distribution of cash to satisfy an ego charged desire for personal fulfilment, but it came from a real belief in a better way to shift the social impact dial.

He went to the extremes of experiencing homelessness, connecting with people who’s human values mattered more than their wealth and spent many hours, weeks, months and years capturing a manifesto of beliefs that were used to set the basis for his future life.

He is one of the great moral and social thinkers of our time.

The inspiring and selfless progression of his life lead to the forming of Compassiviste, a charity committed to building social and environmental equality on a global scale.

In this first episode, of a two part series, we discover important developments in Ali’s life, leading up to the revelation that a change was needed … and highly desired.

https://compassiviste.com/

Ryan Honschooten has been on Max’s Island before … when he has shared stories about his world renowned blind sailing expertise and his “later in life” interest in playing blind cricket that has also seen him travel the world with his ‘baggy green’ cap… most importantly to India, the current heartbeat of world cricket. Ryan is the epitome of the uniqueness that exists in all humans … and that is not to be defined by his life story, but be shaped and cultured by many individual stories of his life.

In this episode on Max’s Island, Ryan shares his passion for community radio and reflects on his many years of involvement in this world … and then experience of most recently, reengaging with this interest to the extent of becoming the Chairperson of 6HFM 107.3.

He has assumed a pivotal role in steering this organisation and with the help of his small but enthusiastic band of fellow volunteers, aims to build on the existing solid foundations to grow the staion to become a force in the local community.

Listen to 6HFM on the FM dial at 107.3 … or look for radio streaming app’s like Community Radio Plus. (available FREE, in all your regular app stores)

In Western Australia where Max’s Island is recorded, we are in the midst of another exciting Aussie Rules football season.

At the highest level of AFL, the local scene has featured the strong “on-field” improvement of the Fremantle Dockers and “Harley Hype” is gripping the West Coast Eagles fan base.

The local WA Football League also continues to generate incredible community support and be the important “feeder” system for the elite players.

But, it wasn’t that long ago when things were compromised by the pandemic and in WA, we experienced an isolation that actually allowed this local competition to continue and provide a real emotional outlet for many…at a time of collective community anxiety.

In today’s episode, we reflect on the two occasions Cameron Britt, CEO of the South Fremantle Football Club, visited the island to share his story about his journey in football, how he came to WA and the bizarre times of successfully running a football club during a pandemic.

Following a casual comment at work a few years ago, Dott Dacey and Odette Jordan discovered they both had a hidden desire to not only walk the Kokoda Trail but also absorb the spiritual experiences of those who had gone before them … especially those soldiers who had defended the Australian heritage in WWII.

They both challenged themselves to reach the physical and emotional heights of successfully walking Kokoda. Yet, this didn’t happen by chance, it came after a determined period of physical training, a focus on mental preparation and a commitment to support each other through the experience.

This episode is divided into three distinct sections:-

• Before the journey … what they expected and hoped for.

• A series of recorded (daily) snapshots of their emotional and physical experiences.

• and what it meant to them as they reflected on their trip once they had returned home.

Listen to this unique episode as you are taken away to a place that is truely unimaginable.