Max's Island

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.

In her later teen years, Jayne Bryant was given a positive affirmation that she was good at singing and performing. It came from a comment made by her brother, to her dad, whilst they were on a family summer holiday.

From that moment she had the confidence to really focus on this passion and ultimately make the decision to postpone the completion of her University Science Degree and venture to Melbourne to undertake a one year course in music performance.

During that year in Melbourne her musical skills blossomed and she began to develop into a ‘real’ performer. On her arrival back to Perth, Jayne became immersed in her local music network and took the bold step to begin performing live. Whilst this lifestyle was challenging and ultimately not financially viable or fulfilling, an impressive body of work was created that culminated in an album of all her songs … called “Just as it Should” and released in 2008.

The science degree was completed after all and over time Jayne realised her passions were changing from music to ‘climate change’. The desire to influence decision makers and create a sustainable world for everyone, led her to Sweden where she completed her Phd. So, now as Dr Jayne Bryant, she is fully immersed in working to improve our world … but there is still a glimmer of hope that in the future she will still “create” music again and use this to connect people with her cause.

This podcast included Jayne’s song “All I am” … featuring the mesmerising cello arrangement and playing of Mel Robinson. Jayne’s music can be found on Spotify and Apple Music … just search for Jayne Bryant.

Being a lover of pets, and dogs in particular, is something familiar to many of us on Max’s Island. However, few of us go so far as to dedicate a big part of our lives to making sure ALL dogs have the best possible life.

Karen Rhodes was introduced to Homer at the Shenton Park Dogs Home many years ago and that relationship became deep and loving through a mutual bond between them. Homer was a big, strong masculine dog … but with a heart of gold and a loving disposition … and he became the companion Karen needed at the time. She could always depend on him.

Once their relationship was set, Karen began volunteering at the Dogs Home and that developed over time to now, where she is their long standing President and lifelong, committed supporter. Her commitment to rescuing, re-homing and fostering surrendered dogs is unyielding. She always puts the dogs position first and makes sure they are looked after.

You can support the Dogs Home by visiting their website www.dogshome.org.au

There you can apply to be a volunteer, learn about the great programs they have … or even make a donation. Get involved and make the lives better for all surrendered dogs.

Barry Mone is just like any dad … he’ll do anything for his children.

Since late 2017, when his son Charlie had just turned 8, Barry and his family have been on a crusade. Around this time, through a series of circumstances and even observations of others … including a lady who they met at the local park … Charlie was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) — an incurable and ultimately fatal condition caused by a lack of dystrophin protein.

Charlie had earlier in life been diagnosed with Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) … a common congenital developmental anomaly of the eye that causes a level of blindness, so when his “Duchenne” was diagnosed … life became more complicated.

As Charlie is the only “boy” in the world with both conditions, Barry and his family are on a constant journey to spread the word so that research and awareness … especially in Duchenne … is accelerated across the entire world. By doing this, they hope positive developments in treatments will occur and allow Charlie to continue to live his full life.

You can learn about “Charlie’s Hope” here:-

https://www.instagram.com/fightingforcharlie/

X/Twitter @dmdcharlie / @fightingforcharlie

http://www.facebook.com/fightingforcharlie

https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-mone-b500b320/