When you feel stuck A common story people tell Vermilion Pinstripes is how their businesses feel stuck and they do not know what is not working. "What we are hearing is - they want a change, and they do not know how to do it. And that is what gets us excited. We love looking at something and taking it apart from different angles and find a way to make small changes to make a business thrive again.", says Veronica Lind, Business & Marketing Strategist. Changes are a part of life and they are something the women at Vermilion Pinstripes can embrace. There is something each of us can do in our own way that can create a ripple of change in the fabric of the world. And with International Women's Day approaching on March 8th, it is an important reminder how much we have achieved in changing the lives of women and how much more we still need to do to bring balance and equality to women. This year's theme for International Women's Day #IWD2021 is Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world. The COVID-19 pandemic has sent the world spinning and as everyone is trying their best to keep going forward and recover, we are seeing women and young girls step up to participate and be involved in decision-making. Many women are standing at the front lines of this COVID-19 crisis as healthcare workers, caregivers, community organizers, leaders. Their efforts and contributions have not gone unnoticed. What is significant during this COVID-19 pandemic is how the majority of the countries that have had more success in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic are led by women. We are talking about the Heads of Government in New Zealand, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Iceland and Slovakia. It was just not about containing the spread of the virus. These women leaders stood out in the way they responded to the crisis. They responded efficiently and were decisive, and they had also the touch of empathy that is so needed during tough times. They were able to take in the whole picture and respond not just to the immediate health risks but also consider the broader socio-economic impacts. Leading a country in normal times is a challenge in itself. During a pandemic requires even more grit, steel and a very cool head on steady shoulders. The X-factor that made these women leaders stand out was their compassionate communication of information to the public that was fact-based, clear and transparent. The uncomfortable reality today is, many Heads of State and Government around the world are still not led by women because of social and systemic barriers to women participating in leadership roles. COVID-19 has plunged the dire situation of many women around the world deeper into an abyss. Lockdowns and restrictions mean that women are even more trapped in families that experience domestic violence. Many have unpaid care duties handed to them while others have to cope with unemployment while still finding a way to feed their families. We need to change the perspectives of what women and girls can achieve and this starts at the very root, in our daily lives as we all work towards equal opportunities and empowering women and young girls in our communities. Seven Wonder Women who Choose to Challenge We are so proud of the team of amazing women at Vermilion Pinstripes who come from all cultures, backgrounds and each bringing their own unique experiences and skills to the team. They are all working towards the same objective - to help businesses sell without selling, and build happy and confident businesses across the world. Come meet these women marketing enthusiasts - Veronica Lind, Koh Joh Ju, Charlene Tan, Mehreen Hasan and Kooi Yann Tyng! They are proud as women to be involved in this Modern Marketing world in the Experience Economy of today. A more gender-balanced world is being built every single day by women and young girls from all over the world. Women can enjoy a sense of purpose, fulfilment and balance in their personal and professional lives to live a full and happy life. And that is what the women on Vermilion Pinstripes are doing - striving for the opportunity to share their skills with businesses while also dedicating to their personal growth. Veronica Lind - the Steady Anchor As the Business and Marketing Strategist of Vermilion Pinstripes, Veronica Lind is our solid anchor who steers the steady ship of Modern Marketing. Her background as an entrepreneur, technologist and international marketer gives her a 360 degree vision in Modern Marketing. She fully understands the challenges and difficulties of what businesses go through as they start up, find the stamina to keep going and find ways to get past obstacles. For mature businesses, the focus is different, and Veronica guides them to seed new businesses and grow exponentially. She has owned several small businesses and growing them, so she is one to walk the talk and able to offer solutions that get to the root of the issue and which are realistic and effective. Listening to and helping businesses to understand themselves and improve their branding is her skill. Most importantly, whether a business is a young seedling or a mature one with many years under its belt, she knows how to listen and engage with business owners to get them to be enthusiastic about their business potential. Her gift is inspiring business owners to get excited about taking on new skills or pushing what they currently have to new heights. She is highly comfortable in the areas of technology, business development, sales and marketing. Veronica thrives on challenges - that is her adrenalin to keep pushing forward. She built a significant part of her career in IBM at Asia Pacific and Global levels. Veronica was also the first woman in Asia to be certified for structured cabling design, leading the successful design and installation of many large scale network cabling projects and building data centres across industries. Challenge to Change: Veronica started selling at the age of seven, which explains why marketing for her is very much a familiar territory. Her family faced financial challenges but that did not become Veronica's setback. If anything, it propelled her to learn how to sell. She became the richest poor kid because she realised there was no harm in asking people to buy. Regardless of the answer, she had a 50-50 chance of closing the deal, which is a pretty good figure! An even bigger challenge was not to grow up being consumed by money or fear a lack of it. If anything, her past experiences led her to empathise with others and be aware of what others need. She is giving back now by mentoring, which enriches both her and the others. Veronica credits her husband for bringing her down to earth when she gets too carried away with ideas, but she knows when she chooses to embark on a new project, she will give it her all. And a nugget of wisdom from Veronica - ¨if someone tells you it can't be done, don't believe them!¨ For Veronica, running a business is not about hearing the cash registers ring and having one's head full of numbers. In our modern marketing age, businesses need an open mindset and be ready to embrace new technology with curiosity and confidence. Resistance to technology is futile in the modern marketing age. And even more important than that, Veronica always advocates putting in the Human Touch in business strategies. Going the extra mile for clients and adding the personal touch can be the vital difference in making a business stand out and stick in the minds of customers. A powerful human engagement can give any business a strong competitive edge. With so many opportunities available out there, Veronica is always hungry for more and she has many accolades she is rightly proud of. Vermilion Pinstripes’ Modern Marketing Framework™ (MMF™) became the first of its kind to be trademarked by the Australian government’s intellectual property agency, IP Australia last year. Its unique blend of science, creativity and psychology combined with the latest technology helps to build confident, thriving businesses amidst rapid marketing technology changes. There is never a dull moment in Veronica´s power packed schedule - when she is not engaged in creative brainstorming moments with clients and her team, she can be found at numerous Modern Marketing events to help businesses Sell without Selling. Knowledge and experience are only useful when shared, and these events are where one can see her passion for what she does. Experience for yourself what exciting marketing feels like when you listen to Veronica share her ideas at her next event on using Wix to build a business website! Early this year in 2021, Veronica launched Brilliant-Online, a multi-dimensional magazine for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses in the digital era. And we still have a good part of 2021 to go - who knows what she will create next! Veronica takes her personal life as seriously as she does her professional. She is an avid cook and loves pottering about in the kitchen whipping up gastronomical delights for her loved ones at home. She is carrying on what she has learnt from her mother and also adding her own personal touch to her cooking. And a fun fact for you: Veronica actually owned her very own specialty café and restaurant! A prime example of how it is possible to combine passion and business and thrive! Koh Joh Ju - the Smart Strategist As the Communications Strategist at Vermilion Pinstripes, Koh Joh Ju specialises in seeing the strategic big picture, pinpointing what they need to focus on, and deftly guiding clients to achieve their business goals. Joh Ju has more than 20 years of experience in sales and communications, so she has her magic bag of neverending ideas for businesses to accelerate their business and thrive with confidence. Joh Ju has previously worked with technology and corporate clients such as Agilent, Oracle and Temasek Holdings. She was also Regional Communications Manager for IBM covering the Southeast Asia and India region for seven years. Challenge to Change: The working world can be a jungle if one does not know how to survive and it was where Joh Ju learnt she had to stand up for herself and stand her own ground. Oppression and aggression may be ways to control people but it is far from being the most effective. To initiate a change of behaviour in people, one has to find a way to engage with another so that both can be heard. Respect is a magic ingredient that can work wonders. For Joh Ju, the right way to engage and empower is to be respectful and inclusive. In both her professional sphere at Vermilion Pinstripes and her personal arena with the animal welfare volunteer group, she hopes she is doing it right. Joh Ju received the title of Certified Sustainability Reporting Specialist conferred by The Institute of Certified Sustainability Practitioners. In the arena of Modern Marketing, one can never really sit back and use old tools. Keeping well ahead with the latest trends and demands is a vital part of our strategy to make sure we stay fresh, alert and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skill sets to help businesses push ahead. Joh Ju dedicates her personal time with equal passion to cat rescues (every paw and every meow is unique and special to her!) and she is also committed to serving the vulnerable members of society to enable them to live a full and dignified life. Charlene Tan - the Marketing Magician The Modern Marketing Director, Charlene Tan, firmly believes in the power of human motivation. She knows how to engage with businesses to help fine tune their messaging and identity, identify gaps in their markets. Her background is in global corporations and she has been in the field for the past 18 years working with brands such as Ogilvy, Cisco Systems, IBM and Oracle. Charlene has amassed a rich store of experience with different clients across industries - she is convinced that modern marketing techniques are absolutely accessible to every company. She has been swimming in marketing waters since her university days, starting with a Bachelor degree in Marketing and the Media (Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia) as well as a Certificate in Public Relations (Institute of Public Relations, Singapore). Challenge to Change: Charlene used to do wakeboarding - it's not the "typical sports women do" but she is one feisty spirit and there was no way she could live in Perth and Melbourne and pass up the chance to challenge the waves there. This is one woman who is not afraid to ride the waves, get wet and be fearless at sea! There are no rules to say the capricious waves are only for 'surfer dudes'. So, who's afraid of a little water? Charlene has since hung up her adventurous board and is moving on to a different way to enjoy life - running with her also equally feisty pet Maltese who may be blind but is always ready to soak up life and all its smells, textures and tastes! Who says it's a dog's life? We would be quite happy to be Charlene's canine running companion! Mehreen Hasan - the Digital Master What do you get when you combine the best of marketing and technology? Mehreen Hasan! She is our Marketing Technologist who switched from Communications after 10 years to being Vermilion Pinstripes' Marketing Technologist. Her strong technology background stood her in good stead and gave her an edge over others with only marketing knowledge. She was mentored by Veronica Lind and over the years her expertise has grown to benefit many small businesses in Asia and Australia. She is responsible for creating active playgrounds of engagements in today's Experience Economy. Mehreen began her career at international public relations giant Weber Shandwick executing creative multi-market campaigns and communications initiatives for a number of global and regional clients including Microsoft, Nortel, Business Objects, SK-II, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Temasek Holdings. Mehreen also used to be the Marketing Manager for global training, consulting and conference service provider, Pink Elephant, a company with a pioneering and innovative spirit that has been introducing and spearheading revolutionary concepts and programs for 40 years. She later joined Pinstripes Communications (now known as Vermilion Pinstripes) to lead media outreach, editorial and research projects for clients such as Agilent, Honeywell Process Solutions, LexisNexis and Oracle. What Mehreen does as a Marketing Technologist is to support clients on web development, sales and marketing automation including social media, eMail marketing, Google My Business and technology integrations. Her experience in content development and media relations has contributed to the smooth execution of our Modern Marketing campaigns. Her calm collectedness and skills have been vital during challenging periods for clients. When the COVID-19 pandemic caused local businesses in Japan to close their physical operations, Mehreen was quick to execute clean, effective, simple solutions for My Body My Pilates based in Tokyo. She worked behind the scenes with them to empower their business to stay connected and engaged with their clients through digital platforms. Within days, the client was able to offer online Pilates classes for their clients and even added extra classes for new client segments! And all done with Mehreen´s trademark sunny smile and warm way of engaging. As a result of her skills and effort, Mehreen was able to ensure that the client remained a happy business with happy customers and regular revenue! All in the midst of a raging pandemic. We value Mehreen for being a smart, articulate and creative thinker. She is adept at managing multi-cultural projects right from the planning stage to execution, bringing in her expertise in message development, collateral development and logistics, global co-ordination, reporting and day-to-day management. Challenge to Change: Mehreen now heads Vermilion Pinstripes' North American office in Canada, Mississauga, bringing the team´s unique Modern Marketing expertise to clients on the other side of the globe, helping even more happy businesses thrive with confidence. Communication via languages is her interest and forte, be it learning new human languages or that spoken by computers. And Mehreen is clearly helping businesses speak their language to their customers! Kooi Yann Tyng - the Story Weaver As Content Writer at Vermilion Pinstripes, Kooi Yann Tyng is right at home surrounded by words, playing with them, and using them to enhance connections in human communication. Since graduating from the National University of Singapore with an Honours Degree in English Literature, she has been teaching, writing and translating all the way from Singapore to Spain where she is now based. At Vermilion Pinstripes, language is the tool she uses to give brands their unique character and flavour and engage more deeply with clients on an emotional level. Challenge to Change: Establishing a new life for herself in Spain learning the language, finding a job and a place to live and putting herself out there to make new human connections as herself, without the safety net of familiarity. And realising in the end, we are all beautifully human in the same way - we are all wired for connection. For Yann Tyng, learning languages is a rich and exciting way to spend her time. It is like getting to know a new friend, and she is currently challenging herself to pick up the Hungarian language. Languages are how people connect with one another and this goes beyond the written and spoken. Dancing is another language to express and explore oneself and ballet classes are her daily meditation where she goes to feel grounded. A day that is not spent dancing (even if it is in the kitchen) is a day wasted for her! Lifting others around us We are proud of this enthusiastic, talented and diverse team of women at Vermilion Pinstripes. On International Women's Day, we celebrate the strengths and achievements of women from the past whose efforts and commitment to change have allowed the modern-day woman to have their opportunities at living a rich and full life where they are free to explore and build their talents, passions and skills. They are motivated by what they have to offer and they are committed to empowering one another to make a change today and in the future. When we believe in what we can do and what we have to bring to the table, we also lift others around us. We salute all the women and young girls, past, present and future who are eager and ready to make a change for themselves and for their communities. Here's to building happy businesses that thrive and make a change for equality. An equal future is ours for the taking, when we each take one step to #ChooseToChallenge and make a change. Contact Vermilion Pinstripes for Modern Marketing w/ vermilionpinstripes.com e/ admin@vermilionpinstripes.com Australia . Singapore . Canada Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Digging into Data to Liven Up Businesses Bringing personality and liveliness into the business equation can be a big ask in today’s modern business environment, where software increasingly rules the roost. Bland-looking spreadsheets, P&L columns, balance sheets and forecasts are generally avoided by business owners. Some are quite happy to depend on their accountants to take care of all the arcane technicalities of numbers and figures. But with accountants themselves becoming more and more in thrall to the ease of software-based accounting systems, there’s a perfect storm brewing for those companies who prefer to hand over the running of their businesses to computers. Because computers are always right – aren’t they? What Could Possibly Go Wrong? In this age of sophisticated accounting software and internet-based business solutions, the chore of business bean-counting has never been easier or more straightforward. But what if all this automated ease that can churn out detailed spreadsheets at the touch of a button masks issues that have potential to derail a business? Do all these convenient software-based accounting processes encourage business owners to turn a blind eye to the realities of their day-to-day operations? Are the machines taking over and turning businesses into facsimiles of themselves – soulless, data-driven companies lacking the character to interact effectively with their customers and communities? Liz Jarvis of Better Business Decisions believes there’s more to it than that, and devotes herself to empowering business owners in the art of harnessing the strength of all this business technology for detailed insight and understanding of their companies’ financials. Bridging the Gap This one-woman crusade against the disconnects between business owners and their accountants takes a personal, hands-on approach to help them bridge this gap and build profitability. “Unfortunately, the rise of accounting technology and its speed of change has led to some business owners and accountants relying on software to run their businesses and depending on it to get it right,” she says. “It’s an inviting path to take, but it can be a perilous one for the unwary. Software accounting systems are invaluable for efficiency, but without human engagement, they take a bland view of a business. “I work with my clients to bring them back to the numbers and fully engage with their financial statements – it’s amazing how their perceptions of the business can change just by walking them through their financials as the ‘Story of their business.’ “And I always encourage them to adjust account names to be more meaningful to their unique operation.” What Liz does is become a bridge between the business owner and the business accountant, repairing the damaging disconnect and advising on rebuilding the infrastructure of the business to get it purring with more efficiency – and inevitably, increased profitability. For there’s much more to running a business than relying on AI and algorithms to do it for you. There’s no doubt that the advent of this sophisticated business accounting technology has done wonders to streamline and improve business functions, but with all this improvement has come a dangerous acceptance and over-reliance. Liz believes this has led to some business owners and accountants becoming further and further apart – with the computers filling the gap and growing in dominance. The Rise and Rise of the Machines It all sounds a bit reminiscent of Rudyard Kipling’s ominous poem The Secret of the Machines. Kipling was writing at the beginning of the 20th century, about the machines and technology of a different age – noisy, oily machines that replaced manual labour. But in dealing with the problem of modern technology and automation, Kipling was proposing an essential theory that’s just as relevant to our modern world of computers and smart software. He writes in the voice of a machine, explaining that - machines can serve humanity and are useful; but if they’re not used in the right way they can lead to disaster. Kipling ends by stating that - machines – although capable of great deeds – are still nothing more than creations of the human brain. This is a fundamental principle that Liz employs across her work with clients. “Everything the computer says shouldn’t be taken as gospel and we shouldn’t accept the figures it tells us without investigation and analysis,” she says. “Unfortunately, some business owners are reluctant to dig down into the data to find out for themselves whether it’s right or wrong. “What I do for them is support, educate and guide them – we uncover the information together, and this can reveal surprises, sometimes not all of them pleasant. “Unfortunately, it’s an undeniable fact that modern computers and software can cover up problems in a business. And these problems have the freedom to grow if no-one takes the time to uncover them and deal with them.” On-line Financials Ironically, technology is a big factor in all this for Liz, who runs Better Business Decisions from office premises in Wingham, New South Wales, where banks of computer screens and equipment connect her with clients right across Australia. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic gave rise to the popularity of Zoom she was an enthusiastic user of the app, hooking up with businesses to give them guided tours and analysis of their online financials. The technology enables her to closely collaborate with business owners and accountants to delve into their financials online together and follow trails to identify potential problems. Liz believes that if a business owner doesn’t become closely involved in the strategy of the business then it’s a great waste of a vital resource. “I’ve seen it become more and more prevalent within the business community for owners to step back from running their businesses in the mistaken belief that the software will run it for them. “There’s been a growth in shallow thinking, which is all down to technology and the rapid speed of change in the effect it’s had on businesses. “And it’s not just their businesses that some owners are putting at risk with this attitude, but also their employees and the wider community their business serves.” Liz tackles this issue head-on by collaborating and communicating with businesses with detailed online walk-throughs of their financials. She sees it as a combination of logic and problem-solving – bringing a lot of information into elegant simplicity. Bringing owners back to the numbers and engaging them with the true story of their businesses is Liz’s mission. This mission is also about deterring business owners from abdicating their responsibilities, to stop them ignoring the figures that are produced and instead spark a curiosity to explore all the inner financial workings of their businesses - so that they understand how profitable they actually are. Empowering Businesses Liz’s keen insight into what makes businesses tick – and what will make them run better and more profitably – is rooted in a lengthy career of working in various fields of business accounting. A graduate in Economics from Sydney’s Macquarie University, she worked for one of the city’s “Big 8” international accountancy firms, before a move to the country and a local firm of accountants, then a period in-house with a technology client. The introduction of GST pulled her back to compliance work, where she witnessed significant shifts in regulation of tax agents and financial advice impacting the holistic way accountants had traditionally served business owners. Her passion for empowering businesses came with a change of direction into business coaching to liaise with entrepreneurs, where she began to identify the negatives of a hands-off approach to a company’s financials. “The bottom line in accounting isn’t only the final line of a profit and loss statement – it’s analysing the detail, including balance sheet items and asking whether or not everything is complete and accurate. Once it is, you have the clarity to improve the bottom line.” says Liz “Assuming everything is OK because the software says so is definitely the wrong way to go. I work with my clients to challenge that mindset and empower them to dig deep into the numbers to find new directions and profits.” To liven up your business, visit Liz Jarvis of Better Business Decisions w/ www.betterbusinessdecisions.com.au e/ hello@betterbusinessdecisions.com.au t/ (02) 6553 0274 a/ 1/20 Isabella St, Wingham NSW 2429 Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Most people would not ask a woman with a disability when they are going to have children because it is just awkward. Sometimes that question is not even thought of. Dr. Namira Williams disAbility Maternity Care Samantha's story - vision-impaired mum Kara's story - happy mum suffering from a rare autoimmune disease Resource videos Disabled Mothers are now enabled with tools, resources, guidance and support services Dr. Namira Williams believes in supporting parents with a disability to become the best parents they can be. She honours the special connection one has with one's birth mother and that is what all mothers and their children should have the opportunity to experience and enjoy fully. Dr. Namira Williams, CEO & Educator of disAbility Maternity Care believes that all women have the right to establish relationships, have consensual sex, and become mothers should they so choose. disAbility Maternity Care was established to provide women with disability and service providers information to assist in supporting them to become mothers. Early Days As a child growing up in Fiji, Namira had always known she wanted to work in health. She saw a lot of poverty and health disparity around her. It put her on a career path to work with disadvantaged groups in Australia and other countries. People with disabilities have always somehow been a part of Namira's life. A friend of her mother's married a wonderful man who had cerebral palsy, and he became a mentor to her in her adolescent years. Later on, during her nursing training, she volunteered for a social youth group for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Since then, she has had three people in her extended family with a disability. Taking action to make a change Namira began disAbility Maternity Care when she realised that the current maternity system in Australia generally does not meet the needs of women with a disability. Having worked as a midwife for over 30 years, she has seen changes to better meet the needs of families. Fathers are now expected to be there at the birth, and birth centres have even been set up. These are some of the improvements that have taken place over the years. Despite the rhetoric of social inclusion for people with a disability, most people with a disability are not well supported to have children. This is especially so for women with an intellectual disability. And when they do, there’s a high chance that their children will be removed from their care. This creates trauma for the mothers, the family, and the infant, as well as health workers. "I have experienced this both at work and within my family. We know the consequences of child removal from the Stolen Generation in Australia. What we have seen is the devastating impact of this where intergenerational trauma is still affecting young children now.", says Namira. What's really important when it comes to work-life balance? Balancing work and family life is no walk in the park for Namira. She has a golden rule she lives by that helps her stay focused and balanced. She has learnt that the best way to cope is to focus on the most important issue at the time. It could be playing with her grandchildren or presenting a webinar for her business. She knows when she focuses on what is really important and be fully present, she can make it work. What also helps is the fact that Namira works for herself. She is able to choose and decide what she wants to be involved in, and beyond her business, she teaches at the University of Newcastle as a casual academic. She also undertakes some research projects. Having the option to choose how committed she wants to be in her projects means that she can juggle her passion for disAbility Maternity Care and her home commitments much better. Last year she completed her PhD in Midwifery with the University of Newcastle having undertaken research in maternity care for women with an intellectual disability. Namira is a mother to 3 children and now a grandmother with 4 grandchildren. Her family is the most important part of her life and has also been the inspiration for what she does. She would spend her last dollar on her grandchildren and experience their joy and being with them. For her, it is the memories of one's family that keep people alive and inspire one to keep going. She gives time to herself as well and enjoys reading, gardening and sewing. She makes time to have coffee or lunch regularly with her friends who are mostly midwives and like her are working to make a difference for parents. disAbility Maternity Care The primary goals of disAbility Maternity Care are: Promote awareness and knowledge of the needs of women with a disability as they journey through pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood. Promote the concept of inclusion and the rights of women with disabilities and partners to have a family. Provide up-to-date information, training, and links to resources to enable health and service providers to meet the needs of these women. Support for new parents is crucial to their success. “This can mean the difference between some mothers taking their babies home from hospital with them or not”. To address this, disAbility Maternity Care works with NDIS participants to coordinate appropriate supports and help put them in place during pregnancy so these mothers can succeed. They do not provide clinical services and do not replace medical or health advice from the client’s particular doctor or health practitioner. A Mother's Vision - Samantha's Story Samantha was born with an idiopathic eye disease called Pars Plantitis as well as Intermediate Uveitis. At a young age, Samantha knew she was meant to be a mother. Her family had doubts about her ability to care for her babies. That did not stop her. Samantha was clear about becoming a mother and she wanted to give birth before she went fully blind so that she could see her babies. She was given that gift, and the joy she felt at seeing her babies for the first time gave her the strength to flourish in her role as a mother. As a vision-impaired mother, Sam faces many frustrations. She cannot take her children to the park or to doctor's appointments as she cannot drive. “I get hurt a lot too from running into things even with my cane or just at home. Luckily I have found ways to make sure I never hurt the babies when I carry them.” Being a mum is tough. Being a disabled mum is way tougher. Samantha has found ways to use her heightened senses to help manage her everyday life as a mother. She relies on her acute hearing to deal with caring for her children. In spite of her disability, Samantha has seen herself as a mother from a long time ago, and she is making this a beautiful reality for herself. An Interview with Jackie Rosen: Pregnancy with Disability Jackie Rosen, from ‘What’s the difference’ podcast talks about her disability, decisions to become pregnant, and how her cardiac and other conditions have affected her pregnancy. She provides an honest, open and humorous account of the challenges encountered in the first half of her pregnancy. There's No Stopping Her - Kara's Story Kara became paralysed by a rare autoimmune disease called NMO (Neuromyelitis Optica). She was already pregnant at that time and she had a C-section because a natural birth was not possible due to her paralysis. Kara had to deal with difficulties moving onto the bed but she had an amazing team of nurses who helped and reassured her. They got her safely through the delivery. After Winnie was born, Kara's husband was allowed to stay with her the whole 2 weeks she was in hospital. Kara appreciated the support she got from the hospital setup as it gave them meaningful time to bond as a family. She could enjoy being a first-time mother, knowing she had support around her. ¨Ask for help when you need it.¨ For Kara, her children are her motivation to gain independence. She may be paralysed but that is not stopping her from moving ahead in her life as a mother. Never Stop Growing Namira looks ahead to her future plans and she hopes to still be on the Mid-North Coast. She would like to see some changes for parents with a disability happening as a result of their work. They are currently providing education webinars on topics to assist maternity staff and midwives provide better care for these parents. They are beginning to provide specific support services to women who have an NDIS plan, and Namira is eager to grow her business so that all women with a disability are provided the support they need to become a mother. COVID-19 did not stop Namira's business. In fact, she continued to build the business over the pandemic year, and being on Zoom actually made it easier for them with education. Being available online meant the business attracted a lot of interest internationally. They have even had mothers with disabilities contact them from overseas. They did not feel supported in their countries to become parents and Namira's initiative was the voice they needed to hear to find a way to get support. Being a mother is a one-in-a-lifetime experience. Sometimes mothers may be unable to parent full-time, but they need to be supported to be the best mothers they can be, whatever their capacity is. Namira sees every family has as having its strengths and challenges, but it’s how they are supported that makes the difference. Supporting parents with a difference is what disAbility Maternity Care aims to do. Resources Contact details w/ https://www.disabilitymaternitycare.com/ e/ namira@disabilitymaternitycare.com Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Re-Setting the Carbon Balance Carbon more than lives up to its billing as being incredibly important to our lives on earth. It’s an essential building block of life, present in every living thing where it’s needed to form molecules like proteins. Ever-present, it’s stored in so-called carbon reservoirs like the ocean, geological formations, trees and plants. And it’s also present in the air we breathe. The fourth most abundant element in the universe, carbon determines whether something is organic or inorganic in origin. It can be in in solid form like allotropes, such as graphite and diamond, and compounds like limestone or oyster shells, or in gas form as carbon dioxide (CO2). But it’s the gas form of carbon dioxide that’s given carbon - this vital component of life - such a bad reputation in recent years, making the phrase Carbon Footprint a villain of everyday life. Upsetting Natural Balance Carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is a so-called greenhouse gas, that traps the sun’s radiation energy as it reflects back to space from the Earth’s surface. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, water vapour, and fluorocarbons are needed to create the greenhouse effect in the earth’s atmosphere – together, they maintain liveable environments for all of us below on the surface. Without them, we’d all be freezing in temperatures well below zero. Carbon dioxide is the most common of the greenhouse gases by volume and the most resilient, outlasting the others by hundreds of years. And these two qualities mean it’s also considered to be the most damaging of the greenhouse gases. Put this together with Man’s well-proven talent for overloading Mother Nature’s bounty and you have a recipe for disaster. Rise of the Machines For millions of years, Mother Nature happily kept carbon dioxide ticking over, with the greenhouse effect doing as it was intended to maintain optimal temperatures on earth for life to exist as intended. Then, about 250 years ago, came our Industrial Revolution with more and more carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels as rapid growth of industry and its associated pollution became routine. The atmospheric balance of greenhouse gases that had been sustaining life on earth was knocked out of kilter, and the planet began to heat up – in other words, global warming became an everyday occurrence. Another important ingredient in this recipe for disaster is deforestation, caused by destruction of forests for timber, or farming and housing to cater to the needs of expanding populations. Deforestation means there’s fewer natural carbon reservoirs in the shape of trees to absorb excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – and with fewer plants and trees to hoover up excess carbon dioxide, it builds-up as a greenhouse gas. The ocean is another carbon reservoir too, but all the excess carbon dioxide absorbed by its waters has caused ocean acidisation, wiping out marine creatures and coral, as well as affecting another building block of life, phytoplankton’s ability to photosynthesise. Restoring Balance In Nature, everything works well when there’s balance. But it’s pretty obvious that our carbon has gone off the scale, with the earth’s carbon reservoirs filled to bursting, causing runaway climate change from pole to pole. And we only have ourselves to blame. How to restore a healthy carbon balance and re-set the climate is one of the great challenges of the modern world. But with methodical approaches, a commitment to betterment - and now, support from new technological applications – there’s real optimism that the goal of restoring the planet’s carbon balance is achievable. Giant Step As part of this, the phrase Carbon Footprint entered our lexicon some years ago and is now an ever-present concern in the on-going crusade to clean-up the planet The theory is that each one of us has a carbon footprint – from the minute we get up in the morning, we’re doing something that emits carbon. Scientists have calculated that for our lives to continue comfortably on earth, the personal limit of carbon emissions of each person – an individual’s carbon footprint - is 2.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide. To put it into an alarming perspective, in 2019 the average Australian and American had around the same carbon footprint – of about 16 tonnes, way above the ideal 2.2 tonnes. Elsewhere, Germany’s per capita average was around 9 tonnes and in the UK it was 5.5 tonnes. Clearly, there’s massive room for improvement. But once you become aware of your personal carbon footprint it can become second nature to take steps that will reduce it. Cutting Back on Carbon It can become a bit like dieting, cutting out the foods you know are unhealthy and will thicken your waistline. So, once you become aware of your biggest causes of carbon emissions you can reduce them, or even cut them out completely. But this diet isn’t to help you lose weight, it’s for the health of the earth we all live on. There are obvious activities to reduce that will significantly cut down your carbon footprint – driving the car, reducing heating, switching light bulbs to LED, turning off electronics from standby modes and using re-usable products. Others are less obvious, such as changing your diet to cut out meat that’s been intensively farmed cutting-out imported foodstuffs that have been delivered by air, and avoiding banks or institutions that invest in fossil fuels. However, this road to reduce your personal carbon footprint – although paved with good intentions - can become wayward and confused without clear signposts to guide you to a better future. Technology to the Rescue Now an exciting new bang up-to-date way to chart a smooth, efficient path towards a better carbon footprint has recently been unveiled in the US. It’s a new smartphone App on iOS that helps you live more sustainably by tracking your carbon footprint – and at the same time suggesting better buying choices in the supermarket by comparing the carbon footprints of all the different products on offer. Launched by swrm, the app allows you to scan the items on sale to compare their carbon footprints and select the one that’s most environmentally responsible based on factors of production, manufacture and delivery. And this swrm app also has the potential to change attitudes for the better further up the food chain. For every time a product is left on the shelf based on its carbon footprint, it can leverage both the retailer and manufacturer to improve their product lines with better environmental credentials. New Lifestyles As well as applying the swrm App to measure their carbon footprints while shopping, its users can also track the carbon-emitting potential of their other daily activities, such as commuting, using smartphones or laptops, and even doing the laundry. All in all, it’s a powerful tool to make environmentally and socially-responsible choices - in the palm of your hand – and a fitting smart response to the carbon challenge And as an all-round response to this challenge, the swrm App also has a website of education and explanation, with information on climate change impacts, climate science and sustainable living. Its aim is to build a global community of like-minded people, whose actions to help each other build a more sustainable future are all evidence-based. The swrm App is being rolled-out globally and due to launch on Android this year. Free to download, it can be found on the App Store – in available countries and territories – under swrm or carbon footprint tracker. To find out more, visit: greenswrm.com Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Brothers Chris and Kim Francis are united in their passionate dedication to keep alive the fine art of fashioning traditional hand-crafted wooden furniture of distinction. Their Francis Furniture business in Port Macquarie is a veritable cauldron of creation, where Chris and Kim work with their team of craftsmen to design and craft bespoke pieces that enhance interiors with unique touches of class. The fact that they’ll soon celebrate 40 years of business, proves there’s still buzz in the market for their fine products, which range from fine contemporary pieces to reproductions of traditional period furniture. They use age-old skills of traditional woodworking that, unfortunately nowadays, are all too rare in an age of bland flat-pack and off-the-shelf furniture. Acknowledgement: The photo above was taken by Craig Mason of East Coast Photography Just as in days gone by, customers can bring their own ideas and for Chris and Kim to work with, or let them use their well-honed skills to come up with bespoke designs that will complement and enhance room spaces. It’s a tribute to their artisan talents and keen commitment that there’s still consistent demand from homeowners and businesses seeking their custom-designed quality wooden furnishings that bring real personality and style to interiors. Grains and Colours The brothers’ love affair with all things wooden and traditional is a lifelong passion that gained expression during their formative years. It took root when they were growing up in their home town of Cootamundra, south west of Sydney, where Chris went to work with wood as a shipwright and Kim began using it in his job to build doors. During their apprenticeships, they were both involved in building furniture projects, gaining an understanding of how the character of individual timbers can be adapted to suit particular styles of furniture and furnishings. This growing appreciation of the varying qualities of different woods, their grains and colours, led them to delve into how indigenous Australian woods could be used in their work – an aspect that became central to their output and is still an important part of Francis Furniture today. The beauty and soul of wood is at the heart of everything they do. So, using Australian woods like Tasmanian Blackwood and Sydney Blue Gum continues the theme of crafting furniture that isn’t only functional in a house, but part of its character too. That’s not to say they’re on a pure Australian track, as they also source imported timbers like American White Oak, European Beech and Canadian Rock Maple for their work. Keeping the Spirit Alive Francis Furniture was born, with a mission to design and create unique wooden furniture using age-old traditional techniques blended with modern technologies, in the early 1980s when Chris and Kim had finished their apprenticeships and relocated to Port Macquarie Fast forward to today, and the apprentices of present times play an important role in Chris and Kim’s goal of keeping the spirit of traditional woodworking alive and flourishing. For they maintain a policy of welcoming young apprentices to the company, to learn their craft and ensure it’s continued for generations to come. Their apprenticeship programme is carried out alongside working with local schools to showcase all the company’s skills to parties of visiting schoolchildren, maintaining interest and enthusiasm for the craft in coming generations. That entails still using some of the old-style practices of the past which have fallen out of favour elsewhere in the modern, mechanised workplace, such as dovetail joints and constructing everything carefully and properly by hand. And some of the traditional tools of the trade from Chris and Kim’s own apprentice days are still in use at the company – old timber planes and old chisels which are enjoyable to use and seem to impart their own old-style charisma on the furniture they produce. Hands-On Process The warmth and character of wood bring to a home is something special. Natural grain and abstract swirls make every piece unique and that quality is fully articulated in the custom designs that Chris and Kim create. It’s a thoughtful, hands-on process that can be almost as unique as the finished article itself. Visiting the customer’s home, discussing needs and requirements and then building dialogue to conjure up what’s required is painstaking and intricate. Just as painstaking is the selection of just the right timber to bring out the full expression of character in a finished piece. This is where the brothers’ deep knowledge and expertise find full expression. The blending of their furniture knowledge, traditional technical skills and passion for the natural beauty of hardwoods is what makes both their tailored service and products so exceptional. Heart and Soul In a furniture and furnishings world of mass-manufactured, soulless products – all function and no style – Francis Furniture carries the flame of a traditional skill that lovingly crafts individual wooden furniture with heart and soul. It’s also a company that – just as in times past – is an integrated part of its local community, and has an honest dedication to keeping that flame alive for the communities of the future. Above all, Chris, Kim and all their craftsmen have a deep love of wood and working with it to create tailored objects of unique beauty, that will provide both function and pleasure in a home or business for years to come. While people keep appreciating such fine furniture there will likely always be a market for such craftmanship. It’s somewhat uplifting to see this traditional hand-made craft continuing to impress and be valued in the modern age. To maintain such precious traditional skillsets in this day and age is no mean feat, and one that deserves plaudits. That the preservation of such skills and craftmanship results in the careful manufacture of beautiful, inspiring furniture is a wonderful bonus and a tribute to the lifelong passion of these inspiring brothers-in-arms. To find out more, visit: francisfurniture.com.au A word from Brilliant's CEO Made in Australia. The legs of our conference table at the office is handcrafted by Francis Furniture. Of course, this table is the centrepiece of the office. Handcrafted furniture is perfect for those who love personalised, valuable pieces that last. They're luxurious and you're contributing to earth's sustainability efforts. While shopping for furniture, I was surprised that some flat pack furniture is just as expensive! I always admire the skills and passion of these craftsmen. Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

The Great Lakes Food Trail Does the thought of bland, factory-processed modern food dull your palate and dishearten your conscience? Are you in search of foodie heaven in the shape of a plateful of authentic, ethically-sourced nourishment? Then get on the trail of this five-star showcase of sustainably-farmed and honest-to-good fresh food from a collective of premium producers in one of Australia’s most charming locations. Play this video: Palms Artisan Bakery It all happens in the Great Lakes, three hours north of Sydney in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, an area rightly renowned for its picturesque waterways and beaches. It’s also home to award-winning farmers and artisan producers dedicated to upholding traditional values of providing good, ethically-produced nutritious food. This treasure trove of fine local produce was a best-kept secret until five years ago, when its leading farmers and producers bandied together to set up the Great Lakes Food Trail. It’s a one-of-a-kind adventure for Great Lakes visitors and locals alike to get behind the scenes of ethical, traditional food production – and get a taste of it all at the same time. By providing this immersive, hands-on experience, the Great Lakes Food Trail is also a shop window for its Core Values of Real Food: Regenerative farming that builds and maintains soil health Environmentally, economically and socially sustainable Animals that are pasture-raised on paddocks Low-stress stock handling practices Free-to-range animals that can forage with their flock or herd Open and transparent communication with the community Organic farming principles, processes, and practices Diversity that develops healthy ecosystems This year, the Great Lakes Food Trail will be staged twice: in Autumn (March, April and May); and Spring (September, October and November.) It follows the Lakes Way scenic drive between Bulahdelah and Rainbow Flat with ten unique stops along the way, including these highlights at award-winning producers: In Bulahdelah, - At Yeo Farm meet the lambs and hear informative talks about farming practices - Take a free guided tour at Old Inn Road to learn how this vineyard uses organic principles to produce wines such as its 2019 Gold Medal Verdelho In Wootton, - Enjoy light refreshments at the community built and managed Brush Turkey Café and meet some of the local artists showcasing their work. - Try the local produce grazing platter and a glass of wine at the Great Lakes Paddocks, which will have live music in its back paddock In Bungwahl, - Book into a farm tour at the Burraduc Farm and Artisan Water Buffalo Dairy and taste the 2019 National Gold Medal Delicious Dolce Nina curd cheese and 2018 and 2020 State Winner Delicious Buffalo Mozzarella - Meet the Alpacas at Topi Open Range Farm and see a variety of slow grown heritage chickens - Explore award-winning gardens the Bungwahl Public School with its kitchen garden specialist and 2018 NSW Environmental Educator of the Year (Australian Association of Environmental Education), and enjoy canteen meals grown and prepared by the students In Forster, - Take a free guided tour of The Coastal Brewing Company with the brewer and enjoy award-winning craft beer tastings In Rainbow Flat, - Enjoy the local produce in the café garden at Valley View Farm and try the 2019 and 2020 Australian Food Silver Award garlic Full details on The Great Lakes Food Trail, including opening dates and times as well as information on how to book can be found at: www.thegreatlakesfoodtrailnsw.com.au and www.facebook.com/thegreatlakesfoodtrailnsw Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Welcome Aboard the New Normal In our COVID-19 pandemic-ravaged world there’s probably no more horrifying scenario than sitting trapped in a long metal tube for hours on end, elbow-to-elbow with complete strangers, all of you breathing the same air continually circulated around the interior. Couple that with fellow passengers aged from a few months to old age and you have the perfect petri dish for fast transmission of COVID-19 infections. That’s why air travel – with its innate ability to transmit infection across international borders - was one of the first elements of normal life to be severely restricted when the world began to comprehend COVID-19’s virulence and potential for spreading far and wide. It seems incredible now, but not too long ago we were all quite happy to sit cramped into these long metal tubes alongside perfect strangers and breathe re-circulated air, sometimes on long haul flights across the globe that stretched for many hours on end. In fact – many of us looked forward to it, especially those up at the sharp end in Business or Economy with more space to stretch out and indulge themselves in the in-flight luxuries. It was a scenario that was entirely commonplace and repeated all over the world multiple times each day. But now that COVID-19 is entrenched worldwide throughout practically every aspect of our lives and has already changed so much - what’s the future of air travel? Will we ever see a return to those halcyon days of routine air travel – or are our hopes for such a return up in the air? Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury has described the COVID-19 pandemic as: “The gravest crisis the aerospace industry has ever known.” Elsewhere, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents almost 300 airlines, said the industry: “…is only at the very beginning of a long and difficult recovery,” and added there is: “…tremendous uncertainty about what impact a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases in key markets could have.” To put it in cold perspective, in April, Heathrow Airport’s passenger numbers were down by 97 percent; and it was estimated that 30 percent of the world’s 26,000 commercial jets were grounded. However, despite all the stark realities of cancelled flights, staff lay-offs, passenger numbers dwindling to almost nothing and mothballed fleets of aircraft, it’s worth remembering that even before COVID-19 the air travel industry had a resilient legacy of bouncing back from setbacks. A comparable crisis came in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, which engendered fear in the travelling public and as a result, created tumbling passenger numbers. Those passenger numbers eventually came back, although the healing process in the industry incorporated adjustments in activities and operations to align with reduced demands. Some airlines went out of business, while others with expansion plans were forced to scale them back to keep operating efficiently and profitably, to keep pace with an altered business environment. A graphic illustration of this is the high-demand lucrative US market, which prior to 9/11 had eight dominant airlines, but now only has four. But the overall result was a leaner and arguably more efficient industry, although passengers forced to cram into the fewer flights available might take issue with that. Essential Take-Off The air travel industry has also come under concerted fire in recent years from the climate change lobby, which demonised aircraft emissions as a major cause of global warming. This argument has achieved a certain degree of ratification during the COVID-19 pandemic, with sharp drop in worldwide flights allegedly resulting in clearer skies and even some repair of the ozone layer. But those who vilify the air travel industry as a malignant global polluter would do well to consider the many and diverse benefits it’s brought to many fundamental aspects of our modern life. Its transport and distribution of cargo is an integral component of international trade and industry, without which many modern businesses and the societies in which they operate would face very real struggles. And no matter your opinion of the growth of international holidays, this burgeoning industry and its associated tourism businesses provide employment and career opportunities to millions of people around the world. All this now faces serious and long-standing consequences caused by the onset of COVID-19. Closed Borders The shutters came down on international passenger air travel when many governments made it public policy – quite rightly - to close their borders to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection. Now with vaccines being rolled out and even forecasts made of returns to “normality” in the near future, some are assessing whether or not to lift the shutters, and to what extent to meet demands of the much-mooted New Normal. So, the easing of government entry restrictions is the basic consideration for getting airlines flying - and the business and tourism dollars flowing again. What signs are there of this happening, with governments still shouldering the responsibility of protecting their citizens from COVID-19 infection? The growing availability of vaccines give optimism and it’s likely that soon permissions for travel will be granted to passengers holding vaccine certification. Travel Bubbles and Travel Corridors have also been proposed and introduced in some markets as ways to develop flows of air travel between countries that set up reciprocal arrangements, based on assessed COVID-19 rates in each other’s populations to exclude potential new infections. But this may also involve testing all passengers at both departure and entry, a potentially cumbersome bottleneck which would require administration, create stress and stretch travel times. In-Flight Signs of the Times Airlines who’ve managed to operate limited flights within the restrictions of the pandemic have already given some clues about how the air travel experience for passengers will be re-set for the post-pandemic world. Many on-board amenities, such as in-flight magazines, pillows and blankets, have been scrapped. Even some meals served by cabin crew from trolleys are no more, replaced by snack bags and refreshments. These pared-back services are for a good and pragmatic reason – to reduce person-to-person contact that may give rise to transmission of the virus. They also have the added benefit of reducing costs, a vital factor for airlines that have been hemorrhaging money during the pandemic. And it goes without saying that masks and face shields will be de rigueur in post-pandemic passenger cabins. Most predictions are for these to still being mandated for public environments even when COVID-19 infection rates reduce. Of course, that probably means requirement of social distancing will also still be place, so it remains to be seen how airlines will square that particular circle with the need for passenger numbers to maximise load factors. They’ll also be trying to do this in the face of a recent US government mandate that now - and in the foreseeable future - airlines fill no more that two-thirds of their passenger cabins. Unfortunately, it seems that all these efforts to make airlines Lean and Mean won’t necessarily extend to lower fares. Some analysts have forecast fares will drop in line with passenger demand, but with aircraft grounded and fewer seats to go round in the global market the airlines may – even with potential lower fuel costs – be tempted to make hay by hiking prices to compensate for all their months of lost operations. Another aspect to consider in this is the very real possibility of the crisis forcing some airlines into bankruptcy. For it’s a sad fact that when an airline goes bankrupt it reduces the number of competitors in the marketplace, which forces up prices. Buckle Up The air transport industry’s standard MO of forcing hordes of people to share the same confined space for hours on end flies in the face of any COVID-19 considerations - no pun intended - and makes it a prime candidate for rigid implementation of restrictions. So, it may very well be that we never return to the days of crowded terminal queues and being crammed into poky aircraft cabins. Like everything else about this unprecedented pandemic, there’s widespread uncertainty about how - if at all – the industry which has become such an essential and ubiquitous part of modern life – will survive. Though as we’ve seen, efforts to adjust to the New Normal have already been made and the industry has previously shown that it’s resilient and flexible enough to tailor operations around new restrictions. And it’s more than obvious that air transport’s essential role in supporting and driving tourism economies around the world has to be revived. Whether we’ll ever again sit cheek-by-jowl with complete strangers in a long metal tube for hours on end remains to be seen. However, it’s pretty certain that in our future post-pandemic world we’ll still be buckling up and enjoying the ride – maybe just not that many of us as before, and perhaps in slightly more comfort. Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Good Things in Small Eco-Friendly Packages The Tiny House movement that started in America and became an international trend has now been integrated into an exciting new eco-tourism concept across Australia. Tiny House is a dedicated architectural and social philosophy that advocates simple living in small, affordable and eco-friendly homes. Doing so means people have to downsize and simplify the way they live, by cutting back on material possessions. In this way, tiny houses help to reduce consumption for a cost-effective and sustainable style of living. The entire concept is aimed at allowing stressed-out city dwellers to kick-back, relax and re-energise by living in a tiny house. In Australia, the company pioneering and developing the country’s tiny house movement is Tiny Away, which has taken the concept to the next stage by partnering with land hosts to site its handcrafted homes on wheels in spectacular rural settings, all surrounded by nature at its finest. Its choice of tiny houses live up Tiny Away’s ethos by being designed to be eco-friendly and built with sustainable materials. And with them placed on booking platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com it’s easier than ever to take a reviving break in a tiny house. Rural Bliss There’s tiny houses available in scores of scenic rural locations across Victoria and New South Wales, just waiting to host city-slickers in need of a comforting getaway close to nature. ​Feel the need to really get up close to nature with a tiny house break? How about staying at Merlot Tiny House at Windeyer in New South Wales for an outback experience that’s complete with friendly alpacas at its Alpaca Farm? Or there’s Merrijig Valley Tiny House in Victoria on a working cattle property, with great views of Mount Buller and the surrounding High Country to take in. while horse riding, mountain biking, hiking or fishing. There’s even local wineries to visit. Elsewhere in Victoria is Tiny House Big View at Bonea, in a peaceful country farm surrounded by views over the Bass Strait and close to National Parks, ocean bays, golf courses and vineyards. Back in New South Wales again visitors to the Weereewa Tiny House on a ridge overlooking Lake George can experience spectacular changing views across the lake, which disappears during the dry season when the lake bed becomes visible, then fills up again in the wet season. These tiny house stays can be as short as a quick weekend break or as long a holiday stretching or weeks, or even months! There’s flexibility in booking, with discounts for longer stays to encourage comprehensive destressing far from the madding crowd. The tiny house concept is also a two-way street – Tiny Away is always on the look-out for new partners keen to generate new income from their land by hosting a tiny house to expand the company’s tiny house portfolio. Good things really do come in small packages with tiny houses, with the added benefit of sound eco-friendly credentials. Find out more at: www.tinyaway.com or send us an email: ask@tinyaway.com Phone (Australia): 1800 181 926 Phone (International): +65 6208 3862 A word from Brilliant's CEO Tiny movement is Huge. Tiny Away is a great Air BnB style concept. What I like most is that most of these Tiny Houses are pet-friendly. I always dream of having Tiny Offices in various regional areas, so these Tiny Houses could be my mobile offices, as long as there's good internet. Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Linn's Space Optimisation Digital interaction that’s transformed so many aspects of everyday life for the better is now applied to the world of hi-fi music. Innovative industry leader Linn has introduced a high-tech marvel for owners of their music systems that lets them move speakers into their ideal room position, without even getting up from the sofa. Digital Dovetailing This virtual speaker placement is at the heart of Linn’s Space Optimisation - sophisticated acoustic modelling that matches up speakers with a room’s individual characteristics to open up true musical sound. Forget about lugging speakers around a room and spending hours tinkering with them to find their best position – now you can sit with your smartphone and use Space Optimisation to move and adjust them. Digitally dovetailing speakers with a room in this way takes all the guesswork out of speaker positioning - and means furniture doesn’t have to be moved around to accommodate them. Virtual Reality Owners simply use their Space Optimisation on Linn’s website to input the room’s individual dimensions, and characteristics like windows and other materials that can affect sound quality. They key-in their listening position and the physical locations of the speakers – then virtually place them into their ideal positions. If the best sound is achieved when the speakers are seven feet apart, but that isn’t practical because furniture’s in the way, they can just stay where they have to be - and Space Optimisation will re-create the ideal sound of seven feet apart. This means the sound becomes completely bespoke to the room and its listeners – it’s like the difference between off-the-peg and fine tailoring. Fine-Tuning Further refining – such as setting ambient room temperature and sound options to suit various music styles – is also inputted and adjusted until the room’s personal sound nirvana is attained. The digital delight of Space Optimisation is also available for use in speakers of other leading hi-fi companies. But if this all sounds a daunting proposition for non-tech music aficionados, there’s no need for them worry - it’s all part of the set-up services from the specialists of Linn’s dealer network. Linn has a deserved reputation for sophisticated hi-fi systems that make music come alive - this chic tweak makes rooms come alive too. Find out more at: www.linn.co.uk/technology/space-optimisation Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

TG's Child Care at Urangan, Queensland is where beautiful garden landscapes are created for children to explore, take delight in and learn at the same time sounds like a tall order. But it’s literally child’s play for TG’s Child Care, the award-winning early learning Kindergarten and Long Day care provider that focusses on play-based learning with a sustainable slant. Its recently-opened Urangan campus serving Hervey Bay in Queensland has all this in spades, just like all of TG's Child Care’s five others across New South Wales. Nooks and Crannies The first thing children notice when they arrive at any of these campuses is the inviting landscaped environment that kindles their natural curiosity to explore and play. They’re warm and alluring places that tempt them to delve and investigate every nook and cranny. These intriguing combined learning and play spaces are the fruits of TG's Child Care co-founder Trevor Kee’s extensive landscaping and design background – and they’re hallmarks of the company’s mission to create dynamic environments where children can thrive, learn and have fun. They’re carefully designed to provide stimulating areas where each child has their own particular challenges to support their emotional, cognitive, creative, and passive and active development. Their rich environments open up a range of possibilities and cater to each child’s varying moods, needs and interests. They speak to children as their own little haven where they’re free to explore all its delights at their own pace. Acknowledgement: The above photos are taken by Stuart Lyall Photography This is where children feel secure, supported and happy as they play surrounded by the beauty of a natural garden landscape. In fact, children have so much fun creating adventures in these rich learning grounds for hours on end that they usually don’t want to leave. Sustainability Values No matter where a TG's Child Care service is located, its outdoor environment is always carefully designed and created with creative play spaces, paved pathways, timber bridges and transition areas using natural materials and local resources. This keys into its sustainability values and commitment to supporting local economies and local trades in each community. At the new Urangan campus, renovating the land wasn’t a case of bringing in the bulldozers – instead, a sympathetic transformation took place with a conscious effort to be aware of the natural environment and share an appreciation of it with the children who would attend the campus – passing on the value in every leaf, worm and stone. This extended to the golden palms of the outdoor area, which as part of the renovation process were carefully relocated to a new spot and lovingly replanted to thrive and grow as part of the TG's Family. Part of the Community The palm relocation illustrated a keen desire for children of TG's Child Care to become both intellectually and socially eco-intelligent by setting examples from the very beginning as this new campus was being created in the community. With the children already learning how to take care of vegetables grown in the garden, they were also shown care of its other big plants in the form of the golden palms, learning another lesson of sustainability and care. This was also an exercise in building beneficial community relationships, local trades helping to move the palms to preserve the greenery. TG's Child Care’s gardens are fundamental to its belief that exploring nature is part of sustainability and builds a foundation of values for making the world a better place – that begin when children first step through its doors and continue long after they’ve left. In their natural and safe environments, children develop their independent and creative young minds, and engage in collective thinking with their peers. It’s where they build relationships with each other, identify their own strengths and share their gifts with everyone around them. Learn more at: tgschildcare.com.au and tgschildcare.com.au/urangan Book a play date: www.tgschildcare.com.au/event-details/play-date-with-tgs-child-care-urangan Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Can You Dig It? Love gardening, but hate the drudgery of digging? Or worried about the effect strenuous digging of tough soil might have on your back? If that sounds like you, there’s a handy way to take all the strain and backache out of gardening digging chores, and many other digging duties as well. DiggerBit is a selection of versatile, easy-to-use tools that put the power of efficient digging right in the palm of your hand. In technical terms, they’re auger earth drills – rugged drill bits that simply fit onto cordless power drills to convert them into efficient hand-held drill digging devices. DiggerBit’s multi-purpose designs enable them to quickly and easily slice into earth to drill out precise holes for a wide range of gardening needs – planting or re-cultivating plants, bulbs and flowers of all shapes and sizes, post holes for fencing and even holes for termite bait stations. Elsewhere around the garden they can also be used for mixing potting soil, blending fertiliser, placing grass plugs, aerating soil and compost, planting trees and even mixing cement. They’re especially useful if you’re confronted by hard or compacted earth that’s difficult to penetrate and break down with a normal hand trowel or spade. Its versatility is the key to DiggerBit’s success. For as well as its applications in the garden, it’s also ideal for drilling holes for use in many other outdoor activities – for beach umbrellas, volleyball posts. Proudly Australian Every homeowner and landscaper should get to know DiggerBit. Proudly Australian family owned company, its range of drill bits are all custom-designed to make digging holes, as well as handling other garden and lawn tasks, easy and simple. Owning a DiggerBit auger earth drill is handy for any avid gardener, landscaper or general groundworks – it simplifies working with the soil and is a wise addition to any shed of gardening tools. Take for example the chore of manually digging holes for sowing seeds or planting bulbs. Using a hand trowel or spade, it’s a time-consuming and laborious process. But attach a DiggerBit auger to your drill and you speed-up the process of digging holes in the soil, taking seconds to complete the task instead of all the time it takes with manual tools. And as a result, your production increases with a reduced effort on your part. Uniform Holes A further benefit is the ability to dig holes of an ideal size for plants, for as every gardener knows, plants will thrive when they’re planted in holes with the right size and depth that encourages their roots to grow and spread evenly. DiggerBit’s augers take all the guesswork and difficulty out by drilling out precise holes quickly, consistently and easily. Once you become accustomed to using DiggerBit’s augers the alternative method of using a manual gardening tool and striking the ground to create the holes you desire becomes an uncomfortable scenario of the past. Attaching the DiggerBit auger to your drill speeds up the process of digging, which in turn increases production as now it will take just seconds to dig a hole for planting seeds or bulbs. So there’s no need to spend all day digging, you can be freed-up with ample time to focus on other tasks around the garden. Because DiggerBit augers are small and used in conjunction with a cordless drill, it’s a portable system that’s easy to handle. Holding a drill with the auger isn’t heavy, which means people of all ages are capable of using the tool to dig into the soil. The power of the drill combined with the blades of the auger eliminates the need to use physical strength for digging. Easing the Effort That brings us neatly to another of DiggerBit’s benefits – the vast reduction, and in most cases elimination, of physical discomfort from the effort of manual digging with conventional tools. Acknowledgement: The above photos of the Kelahers are taken by Craig Mason of East Coast Photography Of course, it’s normal for the human body to suffer from exhaustion when physically digging soil for gardening or other requirements. Hands and backs endure unnecessary strain that requires regular breaks and there’s also the fact that people with pre-existing conditions, such as arthritis, struggle to maintain the physical intensity needed for digging holes. But using an earth auger can eliminate the physical pain of manual labour, and it will do a better job into the bargain. Drill Bits for All DiggerBit offers a range of four different auger drill bits designed for specific applications: 2x7 DiggerBit - made of solid steel, this 5cm x 17.5cm auger is the smallest in the range and best used for punnets, seedlings and small bulbs. 3x7 DiggerBit - when you plant your flowers, or simply need to cultivate soil before planting larger bulbs, the slightly bigger 7.5cm bit is perfect for larger bulbs that might just need a bit more space in the ground. 3x12 DiggerBit – if you have a vegetable garden you may need to do deep cultivation and tilling, or drill post holes, which makes the longer shaft of the 30cm planting auger the perfect tool for the job. 3x24 DiggerBit – this is the ideal tool for when it’s difficult to bend – that’s why it’s named the Back-Saving Auger and renowned as the best tool for comfort gardening. The 60cm shaft will allow you to stand comfortably while you dig post holes, mix compost heap or aerate the soil. It can even be used for mixing cement or similar for bigger projects. There’s a choice of the Essential DiggerBit Kit, which contains three of the augers, or the Complete DiggerBit Kit with all four of the augers for any gardening project. Proper Planning The easiest way to make successes of gardening or DIY projects, is to plan carefully and properly Even before you start, be sure to check with Australia’s Dial Before You Dig service so they can locate any underground utilities and avoid you causing damage to a line you didn’t know was there. Make a checklist of supplies to make sure you have everything – and that includes selecting the right auger for the job. DiggerBit provides full specifications of each auger for precise selection to match the needs of the task in hand. It’s also important to have the right drill for auger to be used on the job. For its augers, DiggerBit recommends an average domestic cordless drill with at least an 18V battery. Drilling at the wrong speed is a common mistake that can be made. It’s always best to drill at a low speed, applying relevant pressure to the particular soil being worked on. You should limit digging to arable soils. Although you can dig holes with DiggerBit augers in a variety of ground surfaces such as soft soil, hard soil, shale and clay, don’t try to drill through anything solid, such as rock. Hard ground may need a bit of pressure to start the hole and it’s recommended to use DiggerBit’s augers on screwdriver mode on a cordless drill; the speed can always be slowly increased if needs be. Once drilling, keep the auger in a vertical position. There’s no need to press on it once it starts digging, just hold it vertical and let it do its job. Get Creative As previously noted, there’s several ways to use DiggerBit’s auger bits when working outdoors. They’re must have tools that can handle a variety of tasks, including: Planting bulbs - special auger bit for planting makes it easy to dig perfectly-spaced holes of uniform depth for your bulbs. You can use these attachments with any power drill, which means that you can also dig your holes cordlessly. Digging post holes - augers aren’t just for planting – you can also use them to dig post holes for fences, decks, mailboxes, and other projects that require a lot of digging. This tool can make all these tasks much easier and less stressful. Installing termite bait stations - termites can be quite a nuisance, but you may not even know that you have them until they have already caused significant damage. An earth auger can make it much easier for exterminators to install termite bait stations. Digging irrigation trenches - if you need to dig trenches for a sprinkler or irrigation system, an auger can make the job faster and simpler. It can also keep you from having to rent expensive equipment or pay a contractor, potentially saving you a significant amount of money. Making potting mix - you can use an auger to put together your own potting soil by combining compost, pearlite, and peat moss. Pre-made commercial mixes can be expensive, and this method is easy and affordable. To find out more, visit: www.diggerbit.com.au Purchase products: www.diggerbit.com.au/products/ A word from Brilliant's CEO Gardening is therapeutic I don't have green fingers :) so the main person who tends to our gardens and herbs is my husband :) I must say that you can learn a lot by playing in the dirt. I observe one of our clients, TG's Child Care who are extremely proud of their award-winning gardens and how the children become super eco-intelligent playing there. As toddlers, they know where food comes from, the germinating process, how earthworms come into play in the entire eco-system, recycling water and of course ultimately enjoy the fruits of their gardens. It's so admirable what they do. So with DiggerBit, dig deep, throw your stress into the soil and grow a beautiful day! Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. - PERSPECTIVES of the world, environment and businesses. - LUXE, latest trends and products in fashion, motoring, grooming, watches, jewellery, design, technology, food and wine, property, architecture and interiors. - FACES, aspiring individuals. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.

Robin Wilson, Editor-at-large Dive in for a New Information Experience A very warm welcome to this latest edition of Brilliant magazine and please feel free to dive right into the depths of our digital multi-media information experience. We’ve devised the Brilliant format as a sparkling, 360 degrees response to the limitations of the traditional printed word. This one-dimensional style can only tell so much and - as down through the preceding centuries - it relies on readers’ imaginations to put flesh on the bare bones of a story and create the full picture. So we decided to bring things bang up-to-date with a new online magazine chock-full of vivid digital elaborations of both its editorial and advertising. Digital Rabbit Holes Brilliant comes fully-loaded with a technological armoury of tools for you to build fascinating multi-dimensional images of a story or advert with extra information, images and sounds. You can veer off down digital rabbit holes of embedded websites, videos, podcasts and other multi-media avenues, building layers of colour and character. This brings Brilliant alive with fresh perspectives, painting richness and complexity for a fulfilling read. What’s waiting to be experienced this month? Those of us still reeling from adjusting to the effects of pandemic lockdowns are probably casting their thoughts to the prospect of travel to get away from it all. We examine some possible aspects of future post-COVID air travel and also look at the growing trend of downsizing with rural breaks in tiny houses available in scenic locations across Australia. The eco-credentials of these tiny houses meshes in with this Brilliant edition’s theme of sustainability that pops up in other editorials, including an outline of how an award-winning child care service integrates its principles of sustainability and community relations into nurturing development of young minds. Brilliant’s digital character means we’re never very far away from aspects of technology that enhance our lifestyles. How about using a digital innovation to virtually move hi-fi speakers around a room to get the best sound out of them? We show how this can be done with technology from a leading hi-fi company. And we see how one of the world’s top semiconductor manufacturers is making Singapore a global hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI), using the city-state as a launch pad to move to digital transformation. Traditional Values On the other hand, we don’t stint on celebrating age-old crafts that continue to enrich our lives by fashioning traditional objects of beauty and function. The workshop at a long-standing furniture business run by two brothers does just that - we look at their dedication to producing quality home furnishings that stand the test of time. Back in the great outdoors – or more accurately, in the sea – there’s a story about the number of historic shipwrecks that lie on the seabed around beautiful Fraser Island, highlighted by the recent chance discovery of one rarely-seen example that was exposed to view by shifting tides and sands. That’s obviously an apt story to dive into – but dive right into all the others and the advertisements as well for the full experience. Discover Brilliant online. Let us know if you have a story to tell: editor@brilliant-online.com Robin Wilson Editor-at-large Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. We specialise in interactive advertorials that let your brand sparkle and help you sell without selling. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here.