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 well as unstructured leisure activities such as bushwalking that gets you connected with nature. Our conversation reflects many of the themes that we've explored in Season Two and I'm sure it will inspire you to get out there and get active.

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Jessica share:

• her family connection to the Southern Downs
• her perspective of natural events that focuses on cycles and seasons 
• health is a value which guides her choices in nutrition, movement, stillness, sleep, relationships, goals and nature
• opportunities for people to get active in the region including structured sport and unstructured leisure activities
• how to find information about physical activities including asking other people, using social media, accessing council’s website and asking local businesses
• her favourite ways to get active and what motivates her
• local spaces for hiking including Girraween National Park
• ‘in town’ options for people to get active
• why she loves teaching children swimming skills
• opportunities for adults to get involved with a new sport or activity
• increase your physical activity by starting small, setting a goal and working towards it slowly whilst being kind and compassionate with yourself
• mindset, movement and connection creates change that can increase your resilience and improve your emotional and physical well-being
• it’s important to choose activities and ways of connecting that work for you
• her belief that the region has incredible opportunities to get active and explore the natural landscapes

 RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact Jessica Carey

VIEW THE HOPE + GROWTH 2019 EXHIBITION ONLINE  (PHOTOS AND POETRY)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

The information shared in the podcast conversations and associated handouts is intended for general information only and is not necessarily the opinion of the producers, host and funding bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this information was correct at the time of publishing. Please consult with your doctor, health provider and relevant trained personnel for professional advice and support based on your individual needs. 

 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 Photo Exhibition. 

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Liz share:

• her family connection with the Stanthorpe community on the Southern Downs
• one of the things she loves about being a photographer is bearing witness to and recording personal and community events 
• the Hope + Growth Photography Exhibition enabled people to share memories and feelings about the 2019 bushfire
• her own experience of the bushfire which damaged her home and property, and the remarkable story of what saved it
• the importance of knowing your fire risk and preparing your property
• the amazing recovery of the bush with explosions of growth and diversity
• her sense of hope for bush recovery as plants flower and provide food for wildlife
• things she’s learnt from the fire including: 
  • nurture your links and engage with your community
  • introduce yourself to your neighbours – it can be lifesaving!
  •  community can respond faster than governments in times of need
  • encourage a culture of mutual support – when you ask for help, it gives others “permission” to ask for help too 
  •  “survivor guilt” can be a barrier to people acknowledging the challenges and asking for help
• balancing personal space and community engagement is important
• the value of taking on the role of official photographer for the Hope and Growth Photography Exhibition Openings
• the exhibition was an opportunity to talk with others who had shared the bushfire experience and thank the emergency services workers
• immediate mental health support is vital during crises, but there is enormous value in community events even several years later 
• getting to know the bush around you helps you understand it and prepare for fires
• broad-scale community fire management strategies are vital
• more education is needed to protect and support communities in fire-prone areas including the sharing of knowledge by older generations, trained personnel and Indigenous land management workers

 RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

VIEW THE HOPE + GROWTH 2019 EXHIBITION ONLINE  (PHOTOS AND POETRY)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

The information shared in the podcast conversations and associated handouts is intended for general information only and is not necessarily the opinion of the producers, host and funding bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this information was correct at the time of publishing. Please consult with your doctor, health provider and relevant trained personnel for professional advice and support based on your individual needs. 

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 around Australia with their business when the pandemic changed what was possible. Their story reflects how important it is to have goals in your personal and your work or business life. But most importantly, it highlights the value of being flexible in how you work towards your goals. The themes in this episode encourage you to connect and to be flexible in life and business. 

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Carmel and Adam share:

• their connection with the Southern Downs Region
• how they combined their interests in education and digital technology to create a family business in 2019 when the region was experiencing drought and bushfires 
• why their business goal is to empower people with the use of technology
• how they planned to combine their business and family goals in 2020 
• how the pandemic unexpectedly impacted their travel and business
• the adjustments they made to their family travel goals that enabled them to return to caravanning and working on the road
• the surprising silver lining that COVID-19 had for their business
• technology as a tool facilitates connection between people, businesses and communities in ways that help them to thrive especially in rural and regional areas
• access to technology and connectivity is a barrier in some parts of Australia where there are limited mobile phone and Internet services
•  fear or lack of confidence in using technology is also a barrier for many people
• adopting the mindset that everything in life is a learning process can help people access and enjoy the benefits of technology
• the importance of maintaining information literacy and remembering that everything you see on social media is not true or realistic
• being proactive with security measures is important 
• practical tools to help you overcome some of the challenges with technology include:
  •  keep software up-to-date with the latest versions of apps and programs you use
  • use a password manager 
  • use a different password on every different account
  •  turn on two-step authentication wherever possible 
  • be careful which links you click on and who you share sensitive information with
• supporting communities and businesses to improve connectivity and connection reflects the positive power of technology and facilitates self-determination
• COVID-19 has normalised virtual meetings and connections using technology

 RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact Carmel and Adam Wooding at Empower Digital

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)