The cape of intuition

As a woman I often forget to use my intuition.

There have been many moments in my life where I have ignored my six sense.

The churning of my stomach.

The feeling that something isn’t quite right.

We overthink the feeling, ignoring the butterflies freaking out.

Read More
EMPOWERMENTFallon Drewett
Courage the ultimate shapeshifter

We often forget the power of courage.

When it comes to confidence in ourselves, it comes from the hard things we sometimes must do in life.

We can’t escape hard conversations or the moments that change our lives forever.

Yes, we can ignore them, hide out under the rug, but that won’t help us or others in the long run.

Read More
Mother of all Mothers

If there was ever an example of a woman who has their finger in many pies in the Mackay region it is Danielle Jesser.

She’s an accomplished journalist and still writes historical news articles for the Daily Mercury, she’s edited books, she’s written a short history book about the Mackay region, giving the proceeds to her local Habana Progress Association.

Right now she’s immersed in a podcast projects about an extinct native bird.

Read More
What does it cost to be a woman?

What does it cost to be a woman?

This is the ultimate question for many women from all walks of life, but more so for women who have become Mothers.

When women make the choice to have children and start a family, their monetary value plummets, they can lose economic freedoms and a dwindling superannuation due to periods of paid and unpaid parental leave and casual work.

And let’s not mention the gender pay gap.

Read More
A diamond in the rough

Tina Burger has been described as the magic maker of the cheerleading squad world.

A former cheer girl herself, life has thrown her some curve balls. But through it all,  she’s always found a way to stay involved with the sport that she loves.

 She has been nationally recognised as a coach in cheer and gymnastics. She has written programs implemented by Gymnastics Australia and choreographed dances performed in China for Chinese New Year.

Read More
On the GP Frontline

Dr Sarah McLay, founder of the Clermont Country Practice (CCP) located in Clermont.

Sarah is passionate about sustainable medical service provision in Rural Australia and cares for the people of the Isaac region.

In the past year Sarah has been a voice for rural medicine and has made many sacrifices to her young family to provide care and service to the Clermont and Isaac region, during a national doctor shortage and the COVID 19 pandemic.

Sarah’s vision is to provide consistent high quality medical services to a country town in great need.

Read More
Reducing the stigma of mental illness one coffee at a time

Sonya Oliver Scoble believes we need to treat mental health issues and sufferers with the same compassion, support and dignity as we would any other potentially terminal illness.

Sonya, with her husband Barry started MAD Cow Coffee Mackay as a legacy to their son Aiden who lost his battle with Mixed Anxiety and Depression (MAD) and a tribute to a great bunch of Mad Cow friends and family who supported and continue to support them through the hard times.

Read More
A leader of Kickass Women

Jo Sainsbury is a successful role model for women in male dominated industries.

She promotes women in non- traditional roles through ‘Kickass Women’. But it’s not just about employment platforms but also charity dinners and regular women’s events for networking.

As part of Kickass Women Jo also hosts a radio show where she speaks with a variety of inspiring guests who share advice on career changes. 

Jo’s mantra is inspiring women here in the Greater Whitsunday region and abroad.  

Read More
The inside out woman: The never-ending work load

I am an over thinking woman. The thoughts and worries I put out each day could power every household in my neighbourhood – talk about renewable energy.

Most days I love being a woman. But recently I have been thinking about all the roles we play, in our increasingly busy lives. How we give so much of ourselves to our families, partners, careers, and others.  Like my patience it is spread thin.

Read More
Giving her gift to empower women

Shirlz Russell knows what it feels like to be at ground zero and have the strength to rebuild brick by brick.

 Shirlz is the founder of Build Your F’empire an online platform that is helping women realise the retirement of their dreams through educating, supporting and mentoring women to create future financial foundations for themselves. Online groups, courses, and one on one mentoring sessions are just some of the things she has created.

Build Your F’empire offers an eight- week course to help all women take control of their lives and become financially independent.

Read More
The life of a visionary

Jody Euler is a woman who can see the big picture long before others can.

It starts with a simple conversation where ideas are in their infancy and then there it is, her mind has already started to travel to a place where the magic is happening.

She is a published author, a guest speaker and loves nothing more than dreaming up her next big idea.

Read More
Respect has left the building

This past week we have seen two powerhouses leave the building.

Australian journalist Stan Grant, walking away from Q+A and his passion, after racist treatment. All while leading with love in his heart, despite the vitriol of hate he has endured.

Then we said goodbye to musical icon, domestic violence survivor and one of the leaders of the women’s empowerment movement Tina Turner, who passed away at the age of 83.

When we refer to someone as a powerhouse, they are a person of a thing of great energy, strength or power.

When we label someone as a powerhouse, why does it become a sport to pull them down?

Read More
Once Upon A Female: Shaye Moengaroa

For Shaye Moengaroa dark times don’t last forever.

And you can feel this in her presence, she is happy and genuine- despite her shadows of grief. 

As Shaye walks through the Mackay City Centre, her white dress floating in the breeze, she is holding her gorgeous daughter Zara - the light of her life. 

Zara is Shaye and her husband’s James rainbow baby, after losing their first daughter Mia at 38 weeks pregnant.

Read More
Beauty of the beholder....

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

Perhaps it is felt through the heart.

Our eyes are the windows to our souls but its our tears that baptise us through the agony.

Despite it all can you still look them in the eye?

Even if we close our eyes, we are still reminded of the memories that hang in our mind.

Read More
Not Now, Not Ever

I first met Karen Jacobson, a little bit before Julia Gillard became the first female Prime Minister of Australia. 

Let’s just say it was in the same era of history, I was a journalist and Karen had returned to her home town from New York, to share her story and wisdom with the students at Mackay North State High School. 

More than a decade later, I watched Karen perform live for the first time, at the Misogyny Opus Not Now Not Ever with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. 

Read More
What would Jamie Lee Curtis do?

This week has been an emotional shit show.  

I have felt low. I have felt like a failure. 

Second guessing my abilities and contribution.  

I have cried several times in public, trying to shake off a stubborn feeling that won’t go away.  

It is hard to put yourself out there, for the world to see. You open yourself up to judgement, opinions and beliefs of others.  

Read More
When in doubt.....

DOUBT is one of the most unsettling feelings you can have.  

It sits in the pit of your stomach.  

Doubt feels like you have swallowed your heart, it is uncomfortable, and the beat is out of sync.  

For me doubt decides to crash into my life, when I feel as if I have been successful or had a win.  

Read More