Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength

Jessica Carey's deep connection with the Southern Downs Region goes back six generations. Today we chat about the cycles and seasons in nature, and that by choosing your mindset and your actions, you build your strength and resilience which positions you in a much better place to manage the changes, the cycles and the seasons in life. Jessica also shares her love of physical activity and sport, and the many opportunities across the region for joining in structured activities like sport, as we...

Liz Fama'aea joins me to share the value of being connected with your community. Liz grew up in Stanthorpe and was motivated to move back with her family a few years ago so they could reconnect and benefit from the support of the community. She has a really interesting story to share about the damage her home and property sustained during the September 2019 bushfire and the incredible recovery journey of the landscape and community which was reflected in the recent Hope + Growth P...

Carmel and Adam Wooding join me on the podcast today to chat about how digital technology can help you thrive by connecting you with your friends, family and community, as well as how digital technology is helping rural, regional and remote businesses across Australia thrive by connecting them with their customers and their teams. Carmel and Adam established their own business, Empower Digital, during the drought and the bush fires of 2019 in Warwick, Queensland. They also had plans to travel...

Tanya Jobling joins me for today's episode to share information about the Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group, a not for profit organisation which has been active across the region for 30 years. The Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group collaborates with other organisations to help the community connect with land management workshops and projects that benefit the health of the land and the health of the people. This includes education on techniques such as natural sequence farming, regenerative...

Today's guest is Helen Lewis who shares valuable insights and tools to help you manage tough times. Helen is a primary producer from Picot's Farm near Warwick on the Southern Downs. She has a keen interest in educating communities about chosen change and unchosen change as well as decision-making for your farm, your business, your family, or your personal life that's based on your values and your longer term vision. Helen also shares some information about the Outback Way Project which highli...

Peter Gill is my guest on the podcast today. Peter lives on the Granite Belt in the Southern Downs Region where he's surrounded by bush land that's a habitat to a diverse range of vegetation and wildlife, including many birds which you might hear as you listen to this episode. For Peter, writing poetry is a catalyst for self-expression and creativity. He shares one of his poems with us today that conveys the relief and the despair of returning home after the bush fire in September 2019. Peter...

Mary Findlay is my guest on the podcast today. Mary is the director of the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery and her enthusiasm for connecting people to the creative arts is incredibly contagious. As Mary says, the arts are a wonderful connector that brings people together as well as being a valuable way to express your own voice or story.Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Mary share:the story of her connection to the Southern Downshow connection with your community can be strengthened ...

Jolene Nelson joins me on the podcast today. Jo is the Visitor Management Ranger for the South West Region. We chat about the National Parks in the area, the activities that are on offer, and she shares with us the recovery journey that she's seen following the bush fires, particularly at Girraween National Park where she's worked for over 20 years. The region has some incredible green spaces and I really hope that this episode inspires you to get out there, to get active and to connect with ...

Julia Keogh, President of the Warwick Chamber of Commerce joins us on the podcast today. The Southern Downs Region supports a wide range of industries and businesses, including agri businesses, which feel the direct impact of events such as drought, bushfire, and flooding. In this conversation Julia shares practical ideas for business owners to manage their preparation for, and their recovery from adverse events, such as these as well as the impact of COVID-19. I hope you'll be inspired for t...

Nathan Parkes joins me on the podcast today. Nathan is the president of the Dalveen Sports Club which is housed by the Dalveen Community Hall. The hall is a hub for this vibrant community that's located between Warwick and Stanthorpe on the Southern Downs. There's so much going on at the hall, so many opportunities to connect with locals and visitors, to get involved in volunteering and with community groups. And this community has some really innovative ideas that Nathan shared with me in th...