For the past 12 years I’ve lived on 5 acres just outside a small country town. A (get out your air quote fingers) “lifestyle” block I believe it’s called (when I’m ready to sell), a grass farm I call it in the meantime. Over the years I’ve become very good at not hearing jibes, ill-intended […]
What living on a rural block taught me about getting things done (and not done) Read More
One of the things I love, and love to learn about about a regional community is what makes it’s heart beat. Thinking about my many visits to Norfolk Island I have a ritual when I visit that enables me to feel grounded in the community. Because feeling grounded is the only way you can notice
Getting to the heart of a regional community Read More
Work life balance – as far as I’m concerned can go suck a dic-tionary. Plenty of spare words in there for unsuspecting parents to latch onto and suck marrow out of every single emotion working as a parent brings forward. In my 22 years of parenting I’m yet to find a sensible, guilt free role
Are you worrying too much about work/life balance? Read More
Every summer I look forward to some decluttering and garden time. I sweat, I swear, I purge and I feel an enormous amount of satisfaction as my body aches, the sun kisses my skin and I remember – if I choose to, I can and that makes me very lucky. As I work, I think
Will chipping away solve our biggest problems? Read More
Hi there, thanks so much for expressing interest to offer an online course on the Community Practitioner Academy site. A few points following to give you some more clarity about the offer and if you have questions, or want to get started please email me here. Background The Community Practitioner Academy was established in 2022
Course community information Read More
So. You want to deliver a message into a regional community but you’re not sure where to start. I’ll be straight with you, unless you have a gazillion dollars to spend on reaching your regional audience your best methodology will always be word of mouth. But – how do you get that word of mouth
Reaching the regions: PART ONE where to connect Read More
With much government funding now honing in on regional Australia it’s no wonder companies are spreading their geographic wings embracing the idea of ‘going bush’ to deliver their many and varied services, or at least saying they do across the broad country. While this phenomena is far from new the increased investment brings with it
9 tips to be a better partner for change in the regions Read More
No matter what anyone tells you there is only one sure fire way to build trust in any regional community and that’s to keep showing up. Every regional community has seen its fair share of Johnny-come-lately’s who appear from out of nowhere, point out the obvious accompanied with big ideas and then disappear just as
I’ve had too many conversations with women who tell me they felt they became invisible at 50. Certainly, there is a lot of truth to this idea, it does happen. But I also believe there is an incredibly powerful flip side, a flip side that honours the experience and wisdom of these women and also
What’s age got to do with social impact? Read More
After focusing my attention on regional and economic development for the past 7 years my return to the social impact world in the context of regional Australia has been somewhat disappointing – why? It’s simple. Nothing has changed. Of course there are flurries of activity surrounding champion regional enterprises and even some communities – but
Ecosystems of change: Why things don’t change in the regions Read More