Anushree (Coach Nush) - MPH, PCOS Coach, Certified Health and Life Coach, Registered Yoga Teacher About Coach Nush I'm a certified Health and Life Coach focused on addressing PCOS in a natural and holistic manner through sustainable diet and lifestyle change. My background is in Public Health and I am also a 200-hr registered yoga teacher. I've been interested in optimizing health through diet and lifestyle for several years now and have reversed all of my own PCOS symptoms naturally where traditional medical approaches have failed. Now, I am on a mission to help other womxn with PCOS do the same. What is PCOS? PCOS/PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome/Disease) is a hormonal and metabolic condition that impacts 10-20% of womxn worldwide at varying degrees. Certain genes can predispose a womxn to developing insulin resistance (lower tolerance for metabolising carbohydrates and sugar) and increased levels of androgens (male hormones) which is the root cause of the majority of PCOS symptoms. However, these genes must be turned on first and can be triggered by certain lifestyle factors or a stressful event. Even though PCOS is so prevalent, most people have never heard of the condition largely because many consider it taboo to talk about due to it’s oftentimes embarrassing symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, facial hair growth, hair loss, acne, fertility issues, weight gain - just to name a few. Unfortunately, traditional medical approaches to PCOS have proven ineffective and cause more harm than good in the long run, exacerbating symptoms. Some examples are the long-term use of hormonal birth control pills which can lead to greater disruption in hormonal balance and in some cases, has even been shown to cause PCOS. Another example is the recommendation for extreme dieting and over-exercising for the purpose of weight-loss which most often puts a large amount of stress on the body, causing an increase in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, leading to an even greater hormonal imbalance. My Story with PCOS I was first diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 15 because I hadn’t had a period for over 6 months. My doctor was familiar with the condition and because of the few other telling symptoms I had such as weight-gain, acne, and hair-loss, he knew to test for PCOS. Once I received my diagnosis, I was told to take hormonal birth control and metformin/glucophage (a pre-diabetic medication used to help manage blood sugar, commonly prescribed for PCOS) and to work on losing weight. I was also told that I will probably face difficulty conceiving in the future but not to worry about that for now - “just come back when you want to have children”. This was a devastating and overwhelming diagnosis to get at the age of 15 and I felt very helpless about how to move forward and address it. I wasn’t given any guidance or hope that there could be more done to alleviate my condition and due to that I ignored my symptoms as best as I could and took the birth control for 10 years. At the age of 25, when I decided to work towards a healthier lifestyle by practising yoga regularly, improving my diet, and getting off my medication - I saw significant results and improvement in my PCOS symptoms. I did all this through years of research and trial & error. And when I realized I had uncovered a method of addressing PCOS naturally, I made it my mission to share this knowledge with as many womxn as possible. That is when I began my work as a PCOS coach, educator, and advocate. Managing PCOS Since PCOS is a lifestyle disease it can only be appropriately managed through sustainable diet and lifestyle change. PCOS cannot be cured, however, one can reverse their symptoms and balance out their hormones by addressing their nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, supplementation, and mindset. By doing so, one can live symptom-free with the condition. However, that doesn't mean that the symptoms won't come back when one falls out of balance in their diet and lifestyle. Hence, PCOS can be reversed but not cured. There’s no quick-fix or magic solution to managing PCOS - it’s a long-term game and requires complete physical, mental, and emotional well-being as all 3 of these things impact your hormonal balance and metabolism. Hence, it is important to focus on addressing your health holistically: Nutrition - eating whole foods, minimizing processed and packaged foods, eating nutrient dense foods like fruit/high-quality dairy, getting enough high-quality protein from eggs and animal products. Movement - strength training to build muscle (for insulin sensitivity), yoga to connect with one’s body and for relaxation, walking to get your body moving and blood flowing. It’s important to be mindful of over-exercising when you have PCOS as that puts a lot of stress on your body and can cause an elevation in stress hormones. Sleep - getting enough sleep and good quality sleep is essential. Stress Management - practises that help you lower stress levels on a daily basis are so important for balancing hormones. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, walks in nature, self-care practises, dancing - whatever it is that gets you to destress. Supplementation - taking the RIGHT supplements for PCOS can be so helpful in providing your body with nutrients it’s missing and doesn’t get from your what you eat. However, supplements cannot out-do a poor diet and lifestyle. Mindset - it’s so important to address your relationship with your body when you have PCOS. Oftentimes, we think our body is against us and we are constantly waging war with it. Diet culture perpetuates this and causes us to want to control our body. When we learn to love and trust our body and give it the resources it needs - everything changes. Each of these aspects of health can look different for everyone, and so a one-size-fits-all approach will never work. One has to discover what works for them and their body - that is EXACTLY what I help you do as your PCOS Coach. When seeking care for PCOS, it’s so important to work with someone who has expertise in PCOS or experience with working with womxn who have PCOS. It’s also important to work with someone interested in a more holistic root cause approach versus just treating symptoms. There is a MASSIVE lack in these kinds of professionals which is why I am dedicated to doing this work as a PCOS Coach, Eductor, and Advocate. I share tonnes of free information about PCOS via instagram ( @coachnush ) to raise awareness and to provide evidence-based practical advice to womxn who need help managing their symptoms. I also work with clients one-on-one to not only reverse their PCOS symptoms naturally through diet and lifestyle change but ALSO to significantly improve their quality of life. Contact Me: For inquiries DM me on instagram @coachnush or email me at nush@coachnush.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachnush/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/coachnush/ 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. 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If you are feeling that urge to dance, anywhere from your kitchen to the streets is a good place to start. When music comes on, there is a natural, instinctive drive in each person's body to want to respond to the music. A finger tapping rhythmically on the table is already a dance movement. A baby inside the mother has the urge to jiggle if she is blasting Elvis on her Spotify. Young people nowadays come fully plugged in to their music on the trains, their heads bobbing to the beat as they are transported in their private bubbles to an alternative dimension. Festivities across cultures include dance as part of their celebrations. Even birds use dance as a way to woo the fairer sex in their kingdom. So if you are feeling that urge to dance, anywhere from your kitchen to the streets is a good place to start. Macquarie Dance Academy (MDA) is a university society established in Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW where dancing is their shared passion. They are a student group that focuses on street dance culture and its art of expression. It was founded in 2007 to bring together people that have a passion for street dance and provide them with a platform to express themselves. Their members range from 18 to 26 years old and they are always on the lookout for people who have a shared interest in street dance. They welcome all university students to join MDA. Why Dance? “Because you are alive. Studies have proven that a regular active life improves and maintains mental and physical health. Across time and cultures, communities have often come together to dance as a way to connect with each other.” Sabrina Tay is a member of MDA and for her, life is centred around university and work. MDA is where she goes to get recharged with motivation and energy by dancing. It has trainings, events and showcases in the university and in the city. It gets Sabrina out of bed each day, and gives her the drive to go through her day. She always looks forward to sharing her passion with fellow street dance enthusiasts. Her close group of friends are also from MDA. Simply said, it is where Sabrina feels most comfortable and welcomed at. This is her “tribe”. Why Keep Dancing? For Sabrina, it is important that MDA continues to nourish the culture and art of street dance as new generations of dancers come into the scene. MDA is a stepping stone for many onto the bigger scene of street dance, be it at the state, national or international level. MDA focuses on bringing foundational knowledge for those who have just been bitten by the street dance bug and it also provides consistent guidance in the form of classes, workshops, performances and competitions for more seasoned street dancers. To be able to keep MDA going, funding is also necessary. They get some funding through Macquarie University and they are also proactive in making revenue from their events, upcoming merchandises and fundraisers. What Kind of Dance? MDA does mainly street dance as a university society. They attend events, trainings and showcases. What makes them grow is how they also support other university societies whose focus is also on street dance. They see each other as fellow dancers coming together to share in the same passion and friendships are formed through their events and competitions. MDA focuses on street dance which is a generic term that can branch off into a variety of dance styles such as Waacking, Locking, Hiphop, Breaking, Krump, Vogue etc. There is a style for everyone. Which speaks most to you? How to Dance? MDA trains as a community weekly at the university or at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC), Sydney’s Dancers Lane. MDA has two crews in their society - the Battle crew and the Choreography crew. Battle crew is freestyle-based and always has a foundational style. Choreography crew follows a learn and teach format and can be inspired by different styles of the choreographers’ choosing. MDA takes part in showcases and they also host Battles. They participate in events hosted by other university societies as well as battles and showcases outside of university. Basically, wherever there is a space and a chance to dance, you will find someone from MDA there! Street Dance Battles More than Dancing, a Healthy Balance While dancing may course through the veins of these young people, they also have a healthy, balanced lifestyle where they spend time on their studies, work, friends and families and simply enjoy being a young person getting to know the world and finding their interests in life. Dance is their springboard into life. It is a space where they can discover, experiment and learn about themselves and each other as they find their place in the world around them. “We seek to create a safe space for students through dance and help them drive their goals into the greater dance scene.” - President, MDA Ready for a dance off? Then let’s take to the streets! Follow Macquarie Dance Academy on their social channels https://www.facebook.com/mqdance https://www.instagram.com/mqdance https://www.linkedin.com/company/mqdance https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsD8cTG4bB5GocknJU9vR7g To support MDA, write to Sabrina Tay, ims95095@gmail.com Acknowledgement We would like to thank Johnny from Photography JNY for these dance photos. Johnny is featured as one of the Top Sydney Photographers, 2021. Johnny had a passion for photography since 2013. His style is very diverse, adapting to the subject presented in front of him; shooting still-life and products that require meticulous attention to detail and precision, shooting dancers where timing is key to freeze action at its critical moment, shooting events where being aware of the surroundings lead to images that encapsulate a moment a time and shooting portraits that capture a person's character and beauty. Contact Johnny: https://www.photographyjny.com/portfolio/dance 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.

Finding it hard to fit the right balance of healthy pursuits into your busy life? Be inspired by this woman, who’s on a crusade to make achieving health and fitness goals a routine part of women’s lives with socially focussed Boot Camps Wife, mother, ex-policewoman Nicole Gallagher is a devoted wife and mother with an impressive sporting pedigree and a dedication to helping women snap out of sedentary lifestyles. A former Sydney policewoman, Nicole hung up her handcuffs to embark on a new career as a certified personal trainer and at the same time immersed herself in the gruelling world of triathlon. A move to Singapore with her husband 16 years ago opened up new opportunities – as a group fitness instructor with international gym brand Fitness First. She also launched her own boutique fitness and training brand, which included triathlon coaching and staging “Boot Camps” for women of all ages and abilities. This resulted in a client base across the globe, ranging from new Mum’s to elite athletes competing at world championships. Now settled back in the beachside Sydney suburb of Manly with her family, Nicole is focused on reshaping her fitness and training offerings for women keen to make real lifestyle and health changes. All Things Fitness Nicole has a deep wellspring of knowledge and experience to draw from in her quest to shape up women’s health choices. Nicole made her decision to leave the police and take a new career path after a growing interest in all things fitness began to intrude on her police work. She became certified with extensive education and training resulting in her Diploma in Fitness, worked with Fitness First before setting up her own fledgling fitness company. Her husband’s career move to Singapore in 2005 presented the chance to develop her own style of training with new clients in a completely new environment. Triathlon Challenges Her husband’s decision to take up triathlon in the years prior to their move to Asia, piqued her interest to combine personal training disciplines, with competing in triathlons herself. This resulted in Nicole furthering her education to ultimately become an elite level coach certified by Triathlon Australia. Her company – Beats Per Minute, or BPM for short – was the end result, staging Boot Camps for groups of expat housewives like herself in Singapore, while at the same time managing the careers of leading professional triathletes like world champions Pete Jacobs, Tim Reed, Caroline Steffen, Flora Duffy, Holly Lawrence, as well as current stars Ellie Salthouse and Lucy Charles. Working with professional athletes, alongside ‘ordinary’ people harbouring a desire to transform their health through fitness, gave Nicole a keen insight into the needs of people with diverse athletic abilities and how to meet these needs with tailored programmes. Along the way Nicole achieved a pretty impressive triathlon racing record – in addition to competing throughout Australia and Asia she’s completed three full Ironman events and also the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. Now happily retired from the racing scene, she crafts all her experience and knowledge gained over the years to help women target and achieve their personal fitness goals. “My training Boot Camps are first and foremost enjoyable social events for women to interact with each other while pursuing their own personal fitness goals,” she says. With a mix of face to face and online coaching, Nicole is passionate about utilizing her extensive background and knowledge to help her clients transform themselves and enrich their lives. “I love helping people to get fitter and it’s a real kick to see their journey of improvement. It’s also great to see women find the balance of fitness in their lives that works for them, and to be supported by everyone else in the group – it’s all a real collaborative group effort.” Contact w/ www.BPM-Sport.com e/ info@BPM-Sport.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.

Sailing Away on a Dream Imagine selling your house, doing away with most of your possessions and cruising around Europe … a dream? It is an absolute reality for Geoff and Leanne. And they are a very down-to-earth, ordinary Australian couple. Geoff and Leanne retired early at the end of 2016. They bought a motorboat in England and now they spend five glorious months each year on the waters of Europe. The rest of the year is spent exploring the world on board luxury cruise ships for free by giving presentations as well as pet and house-sitting assignments. How did they get to this lifestyle that is the envy of many? Where Do I Live? Australia is an expensive place to live, so Geoff and Leanne mused over other options. And a boat turned out to be the perfect solution. They needed a boat that was versatile enough to manoeuvre through the narrower rivers and canals of Europe and which could also withstand open water and move along the Mediterranean coastlines. Geoff and Leanne decided on Broom Boats, a well-known English manufacturer with a reputation for quality. They chose a Broom 39 from James Dickens Marine in Southampton. Geoff flew to England in November 2016 to obtain a survey report, conduct a sea trial for the boat and that all concluded happily with the purchase of the boat. Preliminary Logistics Geoff and Leanne's retirement started officially on Christmas Eve 2016. They started selling and giving away their things and left nothing to storage. Next, they rented their house and said goodbye to family and friends. All they had was one suitcase each to start on their retirement travels. They also decided they would have no fixed address for an indeterminate period of time. Serendipity The universe conspires to give you what you want if you want it badly enough. And the planets were clearly in alignment because just before Geoff finished up at work, he attended a cruise ship conference in Sydney where he was asked to replace a speaker who was ill. Thanks to that opportunity, he was approached by a woman whose job was to find interesting speakers to entertain passengers. Geoff indicated his interest without expecting much to come of it. Just before they flew out of Australia, Geoff was contacted by her to present six talks on board a ship leaving Singapore for a 14-day Far East Asian cruise. Talk about serendipity! After submitting his topics, he was asked if he would be willing to do an additional 14-day cruise! Our boat, our home Brilliant caught up with Geoff and Leanne when they arrived into Port Macquarie on 17th April 2021. We were aboard a cruise ship where I was providing lectures to passengers when Covid hit. The route of the ship altered and then altered again and again before the directive was made for all ships to head for their home port. For us, that was the port at Southampton in England. Thus ended a 35 day cruise with 15 lectures that started as 9 days with 6 talks! The cruise company flew us back to Brisbane where we underwent two weeks of hotel quarantine. On the second day of the quarantine, we realised that if we didn’t have something to do, we would go crazy, so we made the decision to join the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard in Caloundra once we were released. Leanne and I undertook and passed both boat crew training and base radio operator training but finding a rental property is all but impossible at the moment, so we made the decision to revert to our happy place and purchase a boat to live aboard and make our home. After much searching, we found a 43-foot Carver Motor Cruiser in Newcastle, NSW and are currently in the process of cruising her back up to the Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately, we have had some gearbox issues and have been “marooned” in Port Macquarie for the past five weeks. We have really enjoyed our time here though and have spent time exploring the city and surrounds. Meanwhile, our other boat is safely tucked away in a shed at a yacht club in the town of Meppen in Germany, close to the Dutch border and we’re looking forward to hopefully being able to travel back there this time next year. Settling into the New Home May 2017 was when Geoff and Leanne arrived in England to pick up their new home. They renamed the boat Sunshine Coast in honour of their former home and quickly got down to settling into their new nest. They cruised along the English Channel and explored Portsmouth, Brighton and Ramsgate, passing the beautiful White Cliffs of Dover and even cruised up the Thames going past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament before resting in their berth for the next month at Chelsea Harbour Marina. New Experiences Getting out into the open has brought Geoff and Leanne lots of exciting new experiences. They were guests of the All England Lawn Tennis Club for the two weeks of Wimbledon. They met the director of Les Misérables, and got invited for a backstage tour. A gentleman they met at Wimbledon invited them to be his dinner guests at the Royal Thames Yacht Club. In Europe, they befriended a Belgium couple who highly recommended their country and Geoff and Leanne had a wonderful time exploring amazing cities like Kortrijk, Ghent, Brugge and Ypres. While in Belgium they took a side trip to Scotland. Before Geoff retired, he had assisted the Scottish Commonwealth Games team to set up a pre-Gold Coast Commonwealth games training and acclimatisation camp. This team invited Geoff and Leanne to be their guests at the last night of the Royal Military Tattoo in Edinburgh in August 2017. That was quite a highlight for them. Creative Solutions During the winter months when it was too cold to be out on the waters, Geoff and Leanne gave Sunshine Coast a rest at a marina in Antwerp. House and pet-sitting for people who were away on holiday became a way for Geoff and Leanne to get come accommodation that would pay for itself. They invested $200 on TrustedHousesitters.com and within two weeks they had secured 23 weeks of pet-sitting in the UK and Cyprus. This was a perfect solution for Geoff and Leanne as it meant they could stay in some fantastic locations at no cost and bask in the unconditional love from their new feathery and furry friends! They soon built up a reputation through references on the website and they started to get offers from all over the world. They have done pet-sitting in the UK, Cyprus, Germany and Australia. The bonus is, Geoff and Leanne made some amazing lifelong friends along the way. Cruising through Challenges Geoff and Leanne have been enjoying their retirement lifestyle for three and a half years now. They are loving every minute of their cruise through Europe and thanks to how commerce used to take place in the past, the rivers are connected and man-made canals help make it even easier, plus they are usually free to use. They love the peace and relaxing nature of cruising at 6 knots (the speed limit) where they can truly appreciate their environment. This lifestyle is not without its challenges. The EU has a three-month tourist visa rule so if they wanted to stay longer they had to figure how, and luckily Australia has reciprocal agreements with several EU countries which allowed Geoff and Leanne to work through this. Other practical issues like travel and health insurance also have to be sorted out. They also face some language barriers, but looking at the number of new friends they have made, there is something universal about connecting with another human that has allowed Geoff and Leanne to sail past this barrier. Well Worth It In spite of the challenges, Geoff and Leanne are steering on in their happy retirement lifestyle. Geoff is appreciative of how he fell into public speaking and lecturing thanks to his interest in maritime explorers and adventurers. This allowed them to circumnavigate the world on board luxury cruise ships for four and a half months at no cost, meeting incredible people and enjoying amazing experiences. Naming their new boat Sunshine Coast was a way for Leanne to continue living on the Sunshine Coast to ease her hesitancy about leaving and travelling so far away. In some ways, they have never really left home! The Sunshine Coast is still where they live! We wonder where Geoff and Leanne would be sailing to next. If you meet them, say hello and you may get into an interesting conversation with them about their adventures! Contacts: Trusted Housesitters (use code RAF155789 to enjoy discounted membership) Geoff or Leanne: retiredafloat@gmail.com Or on Facebook: Retired Afloat 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 .

Don’t be fooled by Bowen Therapy’s gentleness. It is gentle yet powerful. Bowen Therapy is a holistic treatment for all ages which helps the body realign and heal itself. Anissa Young, Feel Young Bowen Therapy explains Bowen. Bowen Therapy uses light pressure, non-invasive moves over muscles, tendons and fascia over specific areas of the body. It also resets the central nervous system to prevent future injury and interrupts the pain signals going to the brain. Apart from the standard injuries, anxiety, pain relief of any description (acute or chronic) allergies, skin conditions and a myriad of other conditions Bowen Therapy should be your standard go-to for holistic health. A typical first treatment includes realignment of the lower back and hips. Upper back and shoulders, neck, detoxing your kidneys and focussing on any other areas causing pain or discomfort. Bowen Therapy for Women Women’s specific issues which can effectively be treated include; menstrual pain or irregular periods, endometriosis and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hormonal migraines/headaches, hormonal imbalance. Constant pain can be minimised or completely diminished. Whilst not entirely women’s issues, Plantar fasciitis, bunions, thyroid issues, scoliosis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and gallstones are issues that can be dramatically improved with effective pain relief. Bowen Therapy for Mums and Babies And Bowen is helpful for all things baby-related. Pre-pregnancy with fertility Bowen to help your hormones balance, so there is an optimal chance for pregnancy. During pregnancy, Bowen Therapy can relieve lower back and pelvic discomfort. My sister, who is 26 weeks pregnant at the moment has been having Bowen weekly since long before her pregnancy. Bowen can also be administered whilst laying, sitting or standing, so it is perfect for mums to be that can’t lay on their belly. It is important that your body is as good as it can be inside and out for childbirth. And the baby can have Bowen straight after birth. It’s that gentle. Baby Bowen consists of several small moves made with one finger over the baby’s back and belly. It can help with sleeping issues, colic, reflux and feeding issues including torticollis. (Wry neck). I have had mother’s call me in tears because their baby that hasn’t slept properly since they came home from hospital is tucked up in their bassinet for the first time. And home visits can be arranged for new mums. In fact sleep is a side effect of Bowen Therapy for all ages. I have clients who come to me just for the sleeping benefits. They can then deal with other issues, as they aren’t tired and irritated. Breastfeeding mothers having difficulty producing milk or mastitis can benefit from a Bowen treatment also. Baby and mum should always be treated together, as the baby will quite literally feed off mum's anxiety. Bowen aftercare is pretty simple. Drink plenty of water to flush the lymphatic system. Refrain from hots/colds on your body, like wheat packs/heat creams or hot showers as these can interrupt the nervous system and undo the signals sent to reboot the system. Contact Anissa Young is Feel Young Bowen Therapy Anissa Young of Feel Young Bowen Therapy and works in her clinic in Wauchope at The Wellness Collective a/ 39 Cameron Street, Wauchope, NSW 2446 e/ feelyoungbowentherapy@gmail.com For appointments, please call or message/ 0422480994 Book online / www.fresha.com/a/the-wellness-collective-wauchope-39-cameron-street-zjrdbpat/booking?pId=260269 Facebook/ www.facebook.com/feelyoungbowentherapy/ 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.

Life Coach, Co-Founder and Director, Authentic Vision Singapore People, especially women, put a lot of pressure on themselves by pushing themselves to conform to what the society expects of them. An increasingly fast paced society – all displayed, of course on social media – has only increased this pressure. The need to earn more, do more, show more, has conversely led to many of us somehow living less. Sometimes a journey inward is all that is needed to clarify what is truly important, allowing people to let go of all the excess baggage that they are carrying, leading to lighter, happier, and healthier human beings. This is where people like me can help. As a life coach (I have trained with CTI and am an ICF member), I help people connect with their values, their purpose, and their true self, while also identifying the beliefs that may be blocking them from achieving their dreams! In our conversations, coaches talk about their desired goals, and together we explore these aspirations, the journey, and possibilities to help them be more aware about themselves. This can be very liberating and empowering for them and a privilege for me to witness. As I like to say to my clients, “Dream big, for I will not let you play small!” Another hat that I wear is that of a TRE® (tension relief exercise) provider. TRE connects people to an amazing natural stress releasing mechanism nature has gifted us through a series of exercises. This usually helps people to relax and manage their day-to-day stresses better, and it affects people differently! For example, TRE had a dramatic impact on a client suffering from sleep issues. In just a few sessions she was, in her own words, sleeping like a baby! In my own case, it has helped me manage, and eventually reverse, my type 2 diabetes. What I love about TRE is that usually after three to four sessions with the provider you can do it yourself in the privacy of your home, and have it handy as your own personal stress buster. A little bit about myself I live in Singapore; my birth country is Pakistan, and I grew up in Egypt. So, I am a veritable culture mix! I am a life coach, and a Montessori educator – so you could say that my passion is people – both of the little and big varieties! Human potential inspires me. I feel each of us is such a unique miracle and what if we realize how amazing and wonderful, we really are? What becomes possible then? Just the thought excites me! Navigating through the pandemic My husband and I are both coaches at Authentic Vision, and we work from home, so we just work around each other’s schedules. At the same time as these are our second careers, we have consciously planned time to give space to follow our interests. COVID-19 has affected many lives around the world, including ours. While I had to reinvent my personal and professional lives, in many ways, this offered me a blank canvas that I took advantage of to try out things I would not have considered viable before. The lockdowns and restrictions gave me the opportunity to look closer to home. within the resources of my home to find my entertainment. To work via Zoom and it has been a game changer for me. It has expanded my horizons, geography is not an issue anymore, either for social activities or in the work arena. I have also come to appreciate the value of human contact. Of live conversations, being able to hug people. Having coffee or lunch with friends. The essentials which I had taken for granted earlier. Looking towards the future Professionally, I am currently developing coaching programmes for educators and parents. I would like to see them launched. Personally, I would want to be in a COVID free world! Really!! Contact Authentic Vision www.theauthenticvision.com info@theauthenticvision.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.

Royal Treats on the Ground and in the Air Port Macquarie was in for a treat on Sunday 18th April 2021. As part of Port Macquarie's bicentenary 2021 celebrations and the Hastings District Flying Club Open Day, the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes were at the HDFC new hangar displaying their Pilatus PC-21 aircraft and signing autographs. The Pilatus PC-21 is one of the most advanced training aircraft in the world. At 5 pm, the Roulettes, Royal Australian Air Force's aerobatic display team, flew over Town Green with bated breath to see these amazing pilots take to the skies and perform jaw-dropping aerobatics that consist of a number of manoeuvres flown in various formations at low level. They are an extension of formation, aerobatics, low level flying, and airmanship skills, taught to Air Force pilots and developed throughout their career. The Roulettes fly as low as 250 feet (80 m) at speeds of up to 370 knots to 685km/h and pilots can experience up to 6 ‘G', or 6 times, the force of gravity during a display. Flying as close as three metres apart, the team showcases the level of visual judgement and hand-eye coordination that pilots in the Air Force are able to achieve. Roulette pilots are Qualified Flying Instructors who work at the Central Flying School, based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria. Between displays, they teach other Air Force pilots to become instructors. Photos by Veronica Lind Meet the seven Roulettes We got to meet all seven Roulettes from left to right: Lachie Hazeldine, Ben Hepworth, Squadron Leader Jamie Braden, Nathan Stankevicius, Daniel Barclay, Mark Keritz and Aimee Heal. Roulette Squardron Leader SQNLDR Jamie Braden has over 5000 hours flying time! Jamie grew up in the Yarra Valley in Victoria and began flying when he was 16 years old. Roulette 2 FLTLT Nathan Stankevicius grew up in Brisbane, QLD and was fascinated with all things aviation from as early as he can remember. This is his very first season with the Roulettes. Roulette 3 FLTLT Daniel Barclay grew up in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. He began flying ultralights at the age of 14 out of Caloundra Airport, where he first developed a passion for flying. Roulette 4 FLTLT Ben Hepworth grew up in Hobart, Tasmania and began flying at age of 16. This is also Ben's first season with the Roulettes. Roulette 5 FLTLT Lachie Hazeldine grew up in Korumburra, Victoria and joined the RAAF in 2001 completing a degree in Aviation Technology at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Roulette 6 FLTLT Mark Keritz grew up in Vermont South, Victoria and began flying at age of 16. Roulette 7 FLTLT Aimee Heal is the team’s youngest and only female Roulette. Aimee grew up in Bundaberg, Queensland. She starting flying at the local aero club at 16 years old. The Roulettes had some lovely chats with the audience and also signed merchandise. The Roulettes definitely stole more than a few hearts that day with their performance and inspired children and youths to get curious about flying. Photos by Veronica Lind Everyone who came together to make HDFC’s Open Day come true all went home feeling wonderful and satisfied. It was a great turnout to celebrate the opening of the new hangar and it brought many people together in the community to share their passion, curiosity and interest in aviation. Keep looking up! You never know when you may know the pilot up there personally and can give a friendly wave from down below! We are delighted that HDFC’s new hangar is here to house many planes and breed pilots of all ages and backgrounds who share a genuine passion for the freedom of the skies. Video by Veronica Lind Learn more Roulettes: www.airforce.gov.au/displays/roulettes Learn to fly with HDFC: www.hdfc.com.au/ 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 .

When we do not take care of our cars and send them for regular maintenance checks, the car can easily become a hazard and a danger to us. The same goes for trees in our urban environment. They cohabit with other greenery, with people, with buildings, with other urban infrastructure around them. These trees need care and maintenance for their own health, for aesthetic reasons and most importantly, for safety issues. We shared about what happens when trees become hazardous and how home or property owners can look out for warning signs. Today we take you with us so you can see what happens on the arborists' side of tree hazard assessments. After the Floods Recently, Australia has, unfortunately, had to endure another battering of the elements and the floods have caused great damage in the Mid North Coast, New South Wales. It is not just the properties and infrastructures that have been destroyed. The trees around have also fallen victim to their own destructive forces of nature. With fallen trees or those which are still standing but have heavy branches that are left hanging, they can become hazardous and they need to undergo hazard assessments and management so they do not cause further damage to the property or infrastructure around them or cause injury to people near them. Breaking Down Hazard Assessments Accomplished Tree Management is experienced with the hazards that trees pose and while they may be our passion and we are dedicated to their care, we also recognise they are large, heavy structures that need to be respectfully managed. Usually what happens is, the owner of the property where there is a problem contacts us and explains the nature of the hazard, how the tree looks and how it is "behaving". As in the case of the recent floods, it is a weather-related event that has prompted property owners to call us. So even before we actually get down to seeing the tree and assessing it, we already have some important information from that call. Accomplished Tree Management breaks down hazard assessments into two categories: non-invasive (Stage 1) and invasive (Stage 2). Stage 1 - Interpreting Body Language What happens in Stage 1 assessment is reading the trees. This means observing and picking up any information the tree may give us, understanding the signs the tree is sending out. Trees have their own unique body language (and the beauty of it is each species of tree has its own way of expressing itself) and as arborists we understand what they are trying to say. Are some branches or even the entire tree predisposed to failure and cannot be saved? Any change in their environment can affect trees and they respond with their own signs to show if they are adapting well to the changes or not. So at this first stage of assessment, arborists need acute and detailed observations. You can see Stage 1 as a merely visual assessment where we walk around the tree in question looking for any obvious problems e.g. broken parts, dead bits, any large cavity openings etc. We also use this initial screening to identify which trees need more urgent attention in terms of hazard level. Stage 2 - Bring Out the Tools Stage 2 of hazard assessments is an "invasive" one, and it involves having to physically manipulate the tree itself. We always work with care to ensure that it does not cause the tree any long term harm. As long as we have not passed a final decision that a tree needs to be removed due to its hazard threat, we treat each tree with care and respect and our aim is always to ensure life carries on as best as it can. Depending on what each tree needs, we recommend two different techniques in Stage 2. One technique uses a Resistograph®. This may sound like a rather negative name for a tool, but it really is simply a specialised drill that creates a very discreet hole (approximately 1.5 - 3mm in diameter) in the tree. Think of it like giving the tree a tiny injection. It is essentially a decay detection equipment typically used at the more advanced stage of tree hazard assessments. This tool helps detect any internal decay in trees that cannot be observed from the outside. When the drilling needle passes through the tree, it records the resistance it encounters. So if there is sign of low resistance, this tells us that there is a possibility that a crack or an area of decay is present. This is minimally invasive to the tree and gives arborists useful information which we would otherwise not have access to. The Picus® Sonic Tomograph is another tool for this stage of the assessment. It uses the velocity of sound waves in the wood to detect and calculate the area of decay within a tree. Sensors mounted into the cambium (external) layers are placed radially around the tree and these activate the sound waves. If a tree has any damage or disease (causing fractures, cavities or rot), the sound waves get blocked and do not pass directly through the wood. This tool is non-invasive and does not require introducing any instruments into the tree itself. What Happens Next Beyond the technicalities of tree hazard assessments, Accomplished Tree Management also needs to consider other factors when documenting the assessment. They think about if people could be exposed in the area of the potentially hazardous tree and how many, what kind of activities are taking place in the area affected and also how the terrain is where the tree in question is being assessed. Trees that have been affected by extreme weather conditions (e.g. bushfires, snowstorms, floods) are on a priority list to ensure they get assessed and if hazardous, they are removed before further damage can occur. If you are in an area that has been affected by the floods and are not sure how hazardous the trees are on your property, contact Accomplished Tree Management to see what we can do to check the hazard level of trees. Choosing Life We have seen Australia battle more than its share of natural catastrophes. From bushfires to floods over the last year, we continue to bring our skills and experience to guide the safety of people on properties with trees and also to ensure the longevity of trees that can be left alone to heal, grow and flourish once again. Trees are our constant reminder that life is stronger than the elements. Seeing a fresh green shoot on a burnt tree and watching a tree survive cruel waters inspire us to go beyond our job to deliver the best of our experiences and expertise to our clients. It is a message to tell us to always choose life, even in our darkest moments. As Ralph Waldo Emerson so simply puts it, The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. Contact Accomplished Tree Management t/ +61 411 443 535 w/ https://www.atreem.com.au/ e/ sales@atreem.com.au Tree Services Tree Removal, Palm Tree Defronding, Stump Grinding, Council Regulations Maintenance Services Heding, Deadwooding, Pruning, Palm Tree Maintenance Consultancy Arboricultural Reports, Hazard Assessments 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 .

Taking on the Tax Burden Fear and distrust of tax authorities seems to transcend time and geographical locations. As far back as 1789, United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” As if this wasn’t enough, about 100 years later another American, author Mark Twain, rubbed it in by repeating the same sentiment: “The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.” Later on, The Beatles – even amid the flower power of Britain’s Swinging Sixties – were moved to write a bitter song, titularly-titled Taxman, after a bruising tussle with the tax authorities, that included this verse: “If you drive a car, I'll tax the street If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat If you get too cold, I'll tax the heat If you take a walk, I'll tax your feet.” In Australia, where the federal tax system is generally considered onerous, overly complicated and confusing, the taxman tends to be perceived as a vindictive, data-driven bogeyman with all the compassion and empathy of Attila the Hun. No wonder many small business owners – overwhelmed by what can look like mountains of unintelligible taxation paperwork – are fearful of engaging with the taxman and coming to terms with their tax obligations. Take Heart But is all this just a convenient cliché and an excuse for taking a swerve on taxes in the fervent hope the taxman will somehow skip over you in his records system? Will avoiding your tax bills possibly mean that the taxman will avoid them too? Well, for the answer to that, refer to the quotes above by Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain. What they said hundreds of years ago still holds true today – and even more so. But small businesses dazed and confused by the enormity of their tax procedures - and the grim reality of dealing with them - can take heart that there are specialists out there ready and willing to take on the burden of leading them through the taxation maze. And they actually enjoy doing it – going with gusto into financial places where most small businesses fear to tread! Taking the Bull by the Horns Tax accountant Lyndall Ward is one such specialist who revels in wallowing in all the intricacies of tax compliance on behalf of small business clients. With her firm CATS4Tax, she’s devoted her professional career to following a passion for straightening out the tax affairs of small businesses - and taking the fear factor out of dealing with the taxman. A combination of genuine enthusiasm for a subject most people shy away from, experience and expertise in drilling down into a company’s financials and well-honed relationships with the Tax Office makes CATS4Tax a one-stop shop for any small businesses reluctant to take their tax bull by the horns. CATS4Tax is named after Lake Cathie, where Lyndall lives and works, just a 15-minute drive south of Port Macquarie, allowing easy access to the personal client visits she thrives on. With her status as a Registered Tax Agent, Lyndall enjoys direct phone access to the Tax Office – which means faster answers to questions instead of hanging on a call waiting system for hours on end. This personal touch at the Tax Office is also seen at the other end of the business spectrum in Lyndall’s client relationships, where she values providing painstaking commitment to build trust and reassurance that her tax compliance procedures are thorough and effective. Tax Compliance ‘When clients are overawed or dismayed by the looming tax liabilities it’s vitally important to reassure them by giving them the trust that their affairs are in professional, experienced hands,” says Lyndall. “Helping clients to meet their tax compliance can be a convoluted process, but it’s really nothing to be scared of and in fact it’s a responsibility that businesses have to meet in the corporate world. “Unfortunately, although taxation is part of the fabric of society, it’s not taught in school and some businesses start-up with no real idea of this responsibility or how to meet it. “Avoiding being tax compliant is the worst approach for a business to take. “I’ve had to work with some businesses when it’s all caught up with them a few years down the line - they always have a real ‘Deer in the Headlights’ look about them when they realise the situation they’ve got themselves into.” Keep Receipts When businesses side-step their tax liabilities over periods of time, Lyndall’s work in digging deep into their financials to get everything back on an even keel is a methodical, forensic process. A deep dive into company financial records can sometimes uncover missing details and blank areas that point to unfamiliarity with efficient bookkeeping – a wide-open invitation for the taxman. “Keeping detailed records is of prime importance and it’s something that some businesses fail to keep up,” she says. “I sometimes think I should have T-shirts made with a big ‘Keep Receipts’ image on them. “But I enjoy digging back into a company’s financials – I’m like a dog with a bone and I’m task-oriented to get the job done and get the client fully tax-compliant.” Refund Surprises But although the expectation of most errant businesses is they’ll face a tax bill once all their affairs are brought up-to-date and they’re tax compliant – there have been a number of occasions when Lyndall has been able to give them the good news that they’re actually owed a refund instead. Lyndall, with a background as a software consultant, is also able to train clients to be more hands-on and streamlined with their financials by training them in application of accounting software, such as XERO, which she’s certified in. It’s sometimes hard to keep pace with Australia’s ever-changing financial regulatory system – witness the recent confusion over changes to GST. So, a tax accountant like Lyndall with a finger on the country’s taxation pulse is a required asset for small businesses. This quality, coupled with a dedicated work ethic to build trust and confidence in getting the job done effectively is what makes CATS4Tax an essential component for any business wary of the taxman and unfamiliar with his requirements. Taxation may be an inevitable fact of life, but the services of CATS4Tax make it a more reassuring experience. Find out more: w/ cats4tax.com.au e/ lyndall@cats4tax.com.au p/ 0404 483 685 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.

There are many stories from the March, 2021 Floods, some say the biggest flood event in 100 years. On the preceding pages we talk to a few of those affected and some of the helpers. Miss Nellie’s Cafe The March 2021 Floods across Eastern NSW have been beyond extreme, Miss Nellie’s Cafe at Kendall has been greatly affected and have an unsure future. Chrissy Jones spoke with owner Jenelle Nosworthy about the devastation caused to her business. Can you give me a description of what happened? We were cut off at home from the cafe due to flood waters morning of Friday 19/3 and friends sandbagged for us at 8am as the river was rising quickly, thinking we could prevent an inch or two from coming under the doors. We weren’t too concerned at first. Within a few hours the river had broken its banks and we were sent photos of the water approximately 1m deep - up to the window sills, by 8pm it was over 2m and above the front door. We knew then we would lose a lot of equipment but could not imagine the devastation that ensued. We had no time to prepare and get things out so we have pretty much lost everything! We received photos the next morning, Sat 20/3 at 8am (24 hours after sandbagging) and the cafe had been decimated - side verandah and garage ripped off, sidewall ripped out and front windows and doors smashed in with the deluge creating devastating havoc inside. When we finally got in to see for ourselves that afternoon, the water had subsided to ankle depth and we could not have imagined the devastation. Locals quickly came to our aid with scaffolding, roof supports and anything else they could do to secure the building. We have lost all our contents, equipment, food, utensils, furniture, keepsakes and grandma’s handwritten recipes, most of which travelled downstream or were strewn around the backyard in trees and stuck in fences, under mud and debris. After trading all through COVID and thriving since lockdowns eased, we bought the cafe property off our landlord after saving hard and renting it for 8 years... now almost everything is gone. My heart breaks the most when I see the devastation in the faces of my youngest staff, my friends and then when I read the messages of support from so many of our customers, from near and far as well as complete strangers. We want to rebuild. The community needs us to rebuild. They will help us rebuild. Emotions are circling. I am able to process it now that I have seen it for myself but keep flashing back to how beautifully maintained and welcoming our 100 year old building was only a few short weeks ago. I also feel defiant though and want to do this for the Community, our staff and customers as much as for ourselves. It won’t be easy and quick but we have lots of options for “temporary Miss Nellie’s” and so many offers from local trades to help us rebuild and repair. The Community have come to know us as friends and many are like family. Miss Nellie’s has been a comforting and familiar sight when you drive into town and many of the local children have grown up with us, in the past 9 years with many of them eventually working for us! At the other end of the scale, we are very popular amongst the older generation who regularly visit for scones, homemade cakes and light meals because our food evokes memories of their past, growing up as children in their Grandparent’s kitchens - it is a timeless tradition. We also host many of the local Tennis members, Social Clubs, Seniors buses and over the years repeat visitors from interstate and overseas return year after year. The building has now been secured and assessors have been but now just waiting to see if/what insurance will cover. There is a chance the building can’t be saved but still hoping we can restore it rather than a complete rebuild. We are going through the process of cleaning up what we can so we can set up a mobile garden cafe approximately mid May, more exciting details shortly. The local tennis club has also set me up in their commercial kitchen so I can start baking ASAP. The response to our GoFundMe page is truly humbling and regularly brings me to tears. I am so thankful for the support we have received and continue to receive. My fondest childhood memories are of sitting on my grandparents kitchen bench baking lemon cheese tarts and Afghan Biscuits with my Grandma, Jean. She used to let me help but I think I was really just eating the raw cookie mix from the bowl - hence our Tagline “life is short, lick the bowl” GOFUNDME LINK: https://gofund.me/051ca4fe FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM: https://www.facebook.com/MissNelliesCafe/ https://www.instagram.com/missnelliescafe/ Family Home Lost To The Floods - Bianca and Rob Costigan, Pappinbarra Very good friends of our Sales & Operations Manager Chrissy Jones, Bianca and Rob had their home of 3 years destroyed totally. They have lost most of their possessions, but thankfully having a good insurer they are looking ahead and will rebuild on their land at Pappinbarra, just a bit higher up the hill away from the river they told us smiling. Bianca, Rob and their two children, Dray and Ava are strong and have a close bond with their daily and friends that will help them through this challenge. Family and friends rallied when the call went out for a working bee to clear the debris, Rob jumped on his dozer and went to work. Where their lovely home once stood now is a pile of metal and wood. They have salvaged what they could, solar panels amazingly still intact on the roof, windows and sliding doors will be reused in their new home. An architect has kindly offered their services free of charge when the young family are ready to start planning their new home, also a Basix expert has done the same, both very generous offers of assistance. They have just purchased a caravan and as soon as power is restored to the property will move back and start the process to rebuild their lives. Neighbour Yvette Buthmann was flooded in on the side where the home once stood. A long-term resident of the Pappinbarra Valley since 2002 she has experienced a number of floods, the largest prior to this was back i 2013 which was very high, but not as destructive as this one she told us. “The banks of Pappinbarra River looks like a bomb has gone off and flattened everything in its wake.” Yvette and husband Christian were trapped for 11 days from Thursday 18th March through to Sunday 28th with no power. They were able to salvage a generator from their neighbours property and had enough fuel to run it, after draining it of water and cleaning it up. Neighbours, Bianca and Rob, lost their home. Yvette was first to see the devastation of their family home. She says that she will never forget it. The night before Bianca, who was locked out due to the rising flood waters, was getting worried. As we had lived here and experienced many floods, I assured on the phone her that it would be fine. I remember on the Friday afternoon when seeing how high it was on our property that the water had come up as high as their side steps when we went for a look. Unable to walk to Bianca and Rob’s home until the Sunday as the water was too high over the road down to their place, she remembers seeing the roof of their home and thinking it was all good. But as she got closer she soon realised that the whole house had come off it’s piers and been pushed against 2 large pecan trees. The cottage, which was Bianca’s Dads house, had been also swept off it’s piers and spun 180 degrees and slammed into the power pole between the 2 houses. All she could do was say no. no .no and got very upset. Stunned to say the least Yvette started walking back to her home. She met her husband Christian coming down in the car and told him what had happened, he couldn’t believe it either. We were both in utter shock. Telling Bianca and Rob was one of the most heartbreaking things she has ever had to do. From Tim Walker, Business and Community Development Manager for the Hastings Cooperative Ltd. Port Macquarie and the surrounding hinterland districts were drastically affected from the March 2021 flood. The Hastings Co-operative in situations like this are the go-to or the gel between businesses and community, and we try to help in many ways. We are like a web, connected to many organisations, both in the community and business sector. keeping everyone linked and working together however remaining a central point of contact. Initially we have provided many pallets of free bottled water to the first responders, SES and the RFS and to the outlying areas and the community halls in our large LGA region. It was helicoptered into remote and cut off communities, Francis Retreat at Bonny Hills, Telegraph Point, Pappinbarra, Beechwood, and into the Camden Haven. The Hastings Co-operative has also provided support to the Stabilcorp run relief campaign that they were doing in the Camden Haven, a massive clean-up of the area utilising their trucks and equipment. We have also provided supplies to the residents of King Creek that were cut-off, along with Al’s Bakehouse who provided loads of fresh bread. The supplies, fresh bread, milk and more were taken to one side of the flooded bridge and then taken across by boat from the King Creek RFS to the waiting and appreciative community. Al from Al’s Bakehouse was a great asset to collaborate with, he and his team spent hours baking fresh bread. At Easter St. Joseph's school called me up wanting to help. Also, that night a resident of Telegraph Point contacted me asking if the Hastings Co-op could donate some easter eggs for their children. So, I talked with St. Joseph’s the next day and suggested we co-ordinate together in a cooperative and combined way. We ended up helping several schools and communities, Telegraph Point, Upper Rollands Plains, Rollands Plains, Beechwood, Long Flat, Wauchope and Comboyne to have an Easter Egg Hunt, we also gave them hot cross buns. It was a combined effort between the Co-operative and St Joseph’s school, where we both provided the money to buy the goods. In coming days, weeks we will be reaching out to our rural suppliers for their best offers on fencing gear, seed, ag equipment and supplies. We also want to help our farmers who have lost so much in the flood with the best deals we can get for barbed wire, fence posts and the like. I think this flood event has actually affected more people in the community than ever before. Our whole community has rallied, cooked meals, helped clean homes and debris, supplied new fridges, freezers, homewares and clothing to those in need. To see this has been an amazing thing. We are an incredibly strong community and together we will get through this. From Jeff Rogers, IPN Valuers Wauchope CBD was hit hard by the March 2021 Floods, especially the businesses located at the bottom end near the railway line. IPN Valuers had 100mm of stormwater through their office early on the Saturday morning. Whilst high rainfall was forecast, we didn't expect the sheer volume in such a short period of time, we received a SMS from emergency services, but we were away on holidays so there was nothing we could do. Our neighbouring shop was similarly impacted as was the funeral directors opposite us. The clean-up has been a big job. We had great help from family and friends for a number of days after. Sandbagging, carpet and rubbish removal, damaged office furniture, 4 loads to the tip - on the bright side, it was a good way to clean-out 18 years of clutter! Thanks must go to Mum and Dad (Chris and Sandra), Terry O'Hagan, John Smallie, Erica and Luke Parkes. They helped move furniture, files, office equipment, did sand bagging, trips to the dump, cleaning and stormwater removal. On a personal level our driveway got washed into the dam and the chooks were very damp, but other than that we were fine. Lifeline’s Veronica Godfrey Was In The Field, Supporting People Through Tough Times Veronica has been working for Lifeline as a member of the Crisis Support Team for the past four years and volunteering on the Lifeline Crisis Support Telephone line for the past 8 years. She grew up in the Hastings area and now is lucky enough to be raising two beautiful children, Zander and Zoe here with her wonderful husband Godfrey. She has been visiting evacuation centres around the Mid North Coast since the flooding event, different recovery hubs and evacuation centers in our local government area from Port Macquarie through to Telegraph Point and everything in between. The stories she heard are a mixture of inspiring and heroic tales and tales of devastation and heartbreak. The community support that wraps around people who are heartbroken is something that she has been totally inspired by. Kate McFarlane from Resilience NSW, has been incredible in organising and meeting the needs of our community through the disaster hubs. Some of the local heroes that Veronica personally encountered include the Port Macquarie Mud Army and Olivia Tape, Helping Hand, Fran Pearse, John Faithfull at Telepoint, Kingsley at North Shore, Dee Crisp in Dunbogan, Teresa Glen Holmes, Jerome from 40 Winks, Alistair Flower, Jess and Andy from Round and Round, Tunny, and the manager from the Golf Club. She says there are too many to mention and so many more out there, just doing amazing things for people flood affected by the community. In terms of support, Lifeline would encourage anyone who needs it to call 13 1 14. And we also have the hubs in every community. There are support services visiting daily, donations still being received and GIVEIT which is an amazing service. “It has been humbling and my absolute pleasure to offer support when needed. I am in absolute awe of everyone helping and those who have been affected by this extreme event.” - Veronica 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 .

Liz Jarvis, President Wingham Chamber of Commerce It’s Saturday morning at 6 AM, I am looking forward to sleeping with all this rain we’ve had for weeks and then the phone rings. It’s my son, “Mum you better get down to the office and check, get your computers and files up high!” Surely the water wouldn’t be coming to my office if it is that means many people around me are already flooded. Sure enough the water was higher than I’ve ever seen it. People heading into the Main Street were having to be flagged down so that they didn’t drive into the water, you couldn’t see it in the dark. It’s quite surreal when you slowly start to realise how many people would be impacted. And it’s hard to know what the right thing to do is when you’re a giver. I recall having the feeling of just wait, look after yourself first and where you are needed after that would reveal itself. As the morning progressed it became apparent that today I would be wearing my Vinnies volunteering that hat. The reason, despite having stepped back from conference volunteering, I still held a key to the office which meant I could access the shop. Across the road there was a bit of commotion as one of the shop owners realized no one had seen the fellow who lived at the back of the shop next door. He was still inside and needed assistance to get out the water had risen while he slept. Soon our local off-duty policeman, our fire brigade and SES we’re on hand to help this fellow to escape his flooded home. Once that was done I spoke with the SES and advised that I had a key to Vinnies and asked how I could best help. It was then I discovered that the Evacuation Centre had been set up at the Golf Club and the best thing to do was head up there to see what they needed. As I drove up to the Golf Club in front of me was a table top ute traveling very slowly with a lot of dogs on the tray and a person reassuring those dogs as they slowly made their way to the evacuation centre. Although there were a lot of people at the evacuation center it seemed calm and well organized. Our town Wingham was completely cut off from all in all directions. Fortunately we have locals that volunteer for Red Cross and employees of the Department of Justice and here they were doing what they trained for. Just over a year before they had been doing the same for Bush fire evacuees in a different evacuation centre. The manager of our Vinnies Shop and the head of our Vinnies conference were cut off and unable to come to town to coordinate support for flood victims. We looked on helplessly as a number of businesses became inundated with water but there was nothing we could do until that water subsided. Modern technology comes into its own in these emergencies. Facebook becomes a great tool to seek help and notify people. We have a Wingham noticeboard site to be used by any local only a year ago and it was a hive of activity during the flood. However, the methods of the days of old were missed. We have no active police in our town and it seems that there was an expectation that people would know to evacuate, when in years of old locals would’ve door knocked. I spoke with someone who kept waiting for someone to tell them to leave but it was very telling that the water had to be in the house before it’s occupant was willing to leave. I grow weary of the naysayers and those armchair critics who can always find fault in these situations. Instead, let’s celebrate how quickly our townsfolk, emergency services, Mid Coast Council and Outreach groups rallied to help those less fortunate and to get roads open in record time. It will be a long time before anything is perfect in Wingham, but we are more fortunate than most. Often the battle is that living in low lying areas the land is cheaper to buy in the first instance but these people are then badly affected at times like this, times of flood. For some I understand their homes were emptied by the Army of damaged stuff as they weren’t home, and so the grieving process didn’t take it’s course leaving them feeling even more vulnerable than ever. As President of the Chamber of Commerce I was proud to see business helping business and their customer communities pitching in as well. We used Facebook communities to spread the word as various things unfolded. Through Mid Coast Community Outreach businesses outside the area donated office furniture and equipment. Wingham has a population of around 5,000 people, I am guessing about 100 homes were affected with maybe 50 seriously damaged. No one expected it to get so high - in our town it’s the creeks and storm water backing up that are the problem. It’s particularly bad if the excess water combines with a high tide which is what happened that day. There was fear that it would peak again even higher at the next high tide but fortunately the heavy rain fell away from the particular catchment that feeds Cedar Party Creek. Winghams shopping precinct lost power, meaning cafes and Granty’s Fruit and Vege had to ditch all perishables. Granty’s was quick thinking and donated all their milk, lovely yoghurts etc to the Evacuation Centre, so nothing went to waste and it was very much appreciated. The most seriously affected by water were locally owned businesses. Celebrations Liquor store, The Hay Shed, a produce store, Body Strength Health and Fitness, a personal training studio. Of course our farmers are businesses too. Their disruption and damage is immense. ABC TV shared a story about a dairy farm across the Bight bridge that lost 20 or so of their carefully reared replacement heifers. Many members of our community are back on their feet quickly, but it will be months before some of the homes can be properly repaired. This story about the Hay Shed is very poignant, and Liz took the reporter for a tour of the devastation https://www.abc.net.au/radio/adelaide/programs/am/wingham-businesses-vow-to-continue-trading/13276424 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 .

If you can't beat them …. change the rules, register a company, convince friends to join, ask them to work for free, spend an outrageous amount of time building an app, just so for once, I might be able to win something!!! Have you ever tried to win an activity-based competition against Mr. and Ms. Joe public, using one of the many mobile apps available for download? Perhaps it was a competition to do the most steps or maybe cycling from point A to point B in the fastest time. How did you get on? Did you win? Did you even come close to winning? Let me tell you; I've tried, I've tried many times. Everyday cycling to work, I tried to beat Sarah, John, Rajeev, Seref, Barbara, Rina, or any other seemingly super-human person deciding to get on their bike that day. Needless to say, I never won. I never came close to winning. On my cycle to work, there was a stretch of road that included a steep hill climb. The app I used had this as a timed segment. So, anyone else using the same app, who cycled the same 'segment,' would appear on a leader board. I planned my strategy and set the date. The following Monday morning would be my time to shine. I would start my ride to work very slowly to conserve as much energy as possible for the hill climb. I would give it everything I had. I would get to the top of the hill and then leisurely cycle the rest of my route to work. I decided to rest the Sunday before the big day. I did nothing other than clean my bike (that makes it go faster, right?). I pumped up the tyres and left out a banana ready to eat for the morning of my, sure to be, epic victory. 6 am Monday, and I'm wheeling my shiny clean bike out of the garage. I'm pumped; I've already eaten my banana, convinced it would have the same effect as spinach for Popeye. "Go easy," I tell myself as I jump on my bike, "you have 6 km to reach the hill." I'm now 6 km into my morning ride, and when I turn right at the end of this road, the timed segment begins. I can see that the traffic lights are green at the end of the road and will likely turn red before reaching them. I need all the help I can get, and beginning the segment from a standing start is less than ideal. I wait, I wait for the lights to stay red just for a little longer. I'm starting to peddle, I'm picking up speed, but the lights are still red. "Change, change to green!" I scream to myself as I get closer to the end of the road. I'm going fast now and starting to panic as the lights are still red. I must be only 10 metres away from the traffic lights that I now think are broken and stuck on red. I'm now going at what could only be considered by witnesses as an absurd speed. Shall I break? I don't know, shall I break?! They're green. They've changed to green with only a couple of metres to spare. I turn the corner at great speed. Now it's on, what a great start. I'm at the bottom of the hill and starting to climb. I stand on the pedals, giving it everything. The bike is flailing left to right and creaking under the strain. I refuse to look to the top of the hill; I'm just concentrating on applying as much pressure to each rotation of the pedals. I'm going so fast I can hardly believe it. I must be close to the top now, I'm starting to tire, but I'm still making up good ground. It can't be far to go now. Don't look up, "keep pedalling," I tell myself. A few more seconds pass, and my curiosity is starting to get the better of me. I lift my head to take a sneak peek. I'm nowhere near the top of the hill; I'm not even halfway there. Worst still, I'm starting to feel pretty bad. Both legs are beginning to hurt, I'm slowing down, but I'm still going faster than I would on any other given day. I finally make it to the top. I've done it. What an achievement. I gave it everything I had, but I'm now a broken man. I can barely catch my breath. I look down at my legs expecting to see actual flames to explain the violent burning sensation. I feel like I'm close to needing medical attention. I throw my bike onto the pavement and wait for my heart to explode in my chest. I had been telling myself that getting in the top 10 would be my target, but based on that last performance, I think I've won. I could not imagine anyone else putting in that amount of effort today. I have no choice but to crawl the rest of the 10 km to work as I have no energy to muster any respectable speed. I looked like a child who's just had their stabilisers removed, weaving from left to right, barely going fast enough to keep the bike upright. All I can think about is opening the app and seeing myself at the top of the leader board. After taking a shower, I finally sit down at my desk. I'm like a kid in a sweet shop as I open the app on my phone. I navigate to the leader board as my confidence begins to soar at the thought of seeing my name right at the top in bright lights. 11th, only 11th!!! Are you serious?! You must be kidding me! I nearly killed myself, and all I get is 11th. Look at Jane at the top of the leader board. Does she have a bike or a motorbike? David 2nd, Rajeev 3rd, Kathryn 4th, all those names on the leader board are laughing at me. So the problem with these activity-based competition apps is simple, It's just not fair competing with people who are better than you. And the solution, that's pretty simple too. Just change the rules, so it's not about the person who does the greatest number of steps or achieves the fastest time from point A to Point B. But instead, give points to users for beating their average. Let's take a simple steps competition as an example. Two players enter into a 7-day competition. Player 1 typically does around 3000 steps a day. With Player 2 doing about 10,000 a day. If the competition was only looking at who does the most steps over the 7-day competition, it's very likely to be Player 2 that wins. But if each player is awarded 100 points for beating their average (Player 1 does 3001 steps, and Player 2 does 10,001), we are now starting to level the playing field. We now have a simple solution to a simple problem, but I haven't yet mentioned the most significant issue. Three years ago, when I started looking, this app did not exist. So the obvious next step was to register a company, convince seven friends to join (who, unlike me, have the skills to make this app a reality), collectively spend thousands of hours working on the app. All of this, just so that I can join a competition and have a real chance of winning. So come and join me for a 7-day steps competition, because I'm feeling pretty confident now. It doesn't matter if you're an athlete or someone who barely moves. Because all I need to do is beat my average to beat you. Download the first version of ileadit on both the Apple and Play Stores and try your luck beating me. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ileadit.android Paul Mathews, Co-Founder of ileadit www.linkedin.com/company/ileadit Coming soon: w/ ileadit.app www.facebook.com/Ileadit www.instagram.com/ileadit.app twitter.com/ileadit_app 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.