“I can’t believe we’re heading into another COVID-19 Ramadan!” was exclaimed more than once as Muslims started getting ready for the Islamic month of Ramadan, which began in many parts of the world on 13 April this year. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and the observance of which is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. For 29-30 days (until the next new moon crescent is sighted), all eligible adult Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from all food and drink – yes, even water! The sacred month is a focused effort to step away from the day-to-day minutiae and double-down on the more spiritual side of Islam – many consider it as a spiritual reset for the rest of the year. A large part of Ramadan is also connecting with the community, be it by taking the time to eat together at suhoor and iftar – the dawn and dusk meals – to sharing meals with family, neighbours, and the less fortunate as well. It goes without saying that the latter part of the celebrations has been turned on its head due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Going Digital As Ramadan happened in relatively early into the COVID-19 pandemic last year, many people were left scrambling on how to observe the month in a way without the usual resources of mosques and family gatherings. This year, many Muslims anticipated another lockdown or restricted Ramadan, so they have had more time to think about how they want to celebrate. Already, social media feeds are filled with pictures of Ramadan-themed activities to do at home with the kids (because, where else these days?), many of them offered for free to take a load off parents, and of living rooms twinkling with lights and geometric prints. Zoom sessions have been set up by Islamic institutions as well as by families, to share relevant stories, or just to say “Ramadan Mubarak!” across the physical boundaries of your houses. Enterprising individuals have taken the forced time at home to launch small businesses catering to the unique needs for this year, offering festive home décor, Ramadan themed cookie kits in the shapes of camels and mosques, gift boxes featuring different varieties of dates (a staple for fast-breaking meal), or food platters with beautiful assortments of snacks for people share with their friends, in lieu of meeting up in person. CuterieCo is one such company, where three sisters were anticipating another Ramadan without the usual hubbub that comes with meetings friends and family, and decided to create an offering that could create that festive atmosphere. Thus, their iftar box was born, a fresh, fun, and healthy take on the meal, while incorporating traditional flavours into foods such as date rolls, pistachio rose biscotti, kebab and falafel. Mosques have usually been the spiritual epicentre for the month, hosting for adults and children, and arranging communal iftars for any who wish to join. Many religious programmes throughout the year are usually done for free, with the support of volunteers and donations, and Ramadan is one of their busiest times of the year. But with many local guidelines playing restrictions on the number of people at a gathering, they too, have needed to rethink their usual programmes. COVID-19 has led to mosques using social media to get their word out, dipping into the world of Google and Facebook ads to raise awareness of their causes and using digital platforms such as LaunchGood to help securely contribute their funding. Institutions such as Meadowvale Islamic Centre, who are currently in the midst of constructing their own permanent structure, have been hosting all their events via Facebook Live, and raising awareness of their programmes and services offered via digital ads, WhatsApp groups and emails, giving them an avenue they otherwise wouldn’t have. A Modern Ramadan Such initiatives have made it easy for Muslims to be able to help others, and while this may not have been the usual way of doing things, it is helping people stay connected, in a time when they need to stay apart. Muslims are heading into another COVID-19 Ramadan, but rather than lament what used to be, they have their creativity and resilience to fulfill all aspects of the holy month. In fact, many of them have been so successful that it looks as if that many these will stay even after we are able to put our arms around our loved ones to wish them “Ramadan Kareem!” Let’s get cooking! Looking to get in the spirit of Ramadan? Why not try Meethi Khajoor (literally, “sweet dates”) that many households in Pakistan bake and place on their iftar table besides real dates! Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with a nuttiness and earthiness contributed by the semolina, this cookie is a welcome addition to any table. Meethi Khajoor Ingredients: 2 cups plain flour 1 cup semolina 2 cups sugar ½ cup butter, cold ¾ cup milk Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F 2. Mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl, rub in butter. 3. Add milk and mix, add more flour if required, so you can handle dough 4. Roll out into balls 5. Brush with milk and bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden brown 6. Exceptionally good when served with a cup of spiced chai! Makes 30 cookies 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.

Lisa McLeod, Pappinbarra Resident and Rural Fire Service Member, Pappinbarra and Hollisdale Rain events in Pappinbarra are a regular event. Living on the river and having to drive across it to get to your home is natural for me and many in the valley. This rain event was like no other though. Living on the land you listen to the forecast and then make your own mind up as to what may happen as it's never quite what you expect. You pack to stay out if it's going to rise too much or you shop to stay in. We packed to stay out as it could be a week or two and I needed to be able to get to work. No way did I think it was going to be this kind of disaster. It was unbelievable what happened and just how much the river changed and the damage it caused. For me personally our access road was destroyed. It's 2 klm long and will take months to repair. Our fences and paddocks are destroyed on our river flats and the trees along our creek and river have been ripped out. The whole community is reeling. I would estimate that 95% of residents have been affected. We had many houses wash away down the river and many homes inundated with water. Sheds, outbuildings, machinery, animals, farm equipment, pumps and irrigation have been damaged beyond repair or buried in the river. Personally I helped during the flood by opening the Hollisdale hall to the community as it is set up for a disaster of this kind and we have used it as a place of refuge for as long as I can remember. The 2017 and 2019 fires and now the 2021 floods. It has a 12.5kva generator which allows the community to shower, wash clothes, eat meals that we prepared and come together to talk and support each other. I manned this facility along with others for two weeks and also went out with my Hollisdale Fire Brigade crew and other locals to install zip-lines to several properties in the valley that were isolated across the river. We sent food and fuel across the river until they could walk across. I also delivered food to other properties as well. I went out with the Fire and Rescue team to show them all the properties to ensure they captured the damage. The Australian Defence Force also asked me to drive with them to view the worst affected roads. My colleague Heather Smith and I reinstated our Facebook page Rebuild Pappinbarra which we started to help people in the 2017 fires. This allowed us to connect with affected families and to provide information to them on the recovery process and for us to help them individually with their needs and concerns, “Just being able to talk to someone when you're in distress is important and we wanted to help people this way if we could.” A real generosity of spirit comes out in natural disasters. It brings out the best and worst in people. I have seen both traits. Luckily the generosity shines the brightest. It is a tough time for everyone and everyone that wanted to help really made a difference. People pitched in to make meals, man the hall, clean the hall, pick up supplies. The main bridge had a tree over it limiting access. This tree was felled and removed so all vehicles could pass. Many businesses both in Wauchope and Port Macquarie were very generous with supplies and food. Essential Energy supplied us with fuel to put across the zip lines so families could keep their generators going to have power. Many other acts of kindness come to mind also. As a member of the RFS I was involved in delivering food and fuel to households and doing welfare checks on families up and down the valley. My Captain and another member cleared the trees off the road from the first wild night of weather so the road was accessible to the valley residents. Never have I seen a flood like this. The river is mainly a beautiful part of our valley. This time though it unleashed a torrent of water never seen before. Also serene creeks were swollen and running so high that it destroyed everything in its path. Some residents of the valley are still without access in or out of their properties, funding should be allocated for access to properties. We have been declared a natural disaster area by State and Federal Governments. The river ways are an environmental issue that must be addressed, and soon. The rubbish in the rivers will keep coming down to the ocean and they need to be cleaned up. The contamination is enormous. The majority of properties in the valley draw their drinking water from this river. They can’t survive without this river being cleaned up. “What’s next? How do we Rebuild Pappinbarra?” Sheer hard work and determination. Support from the Local, State and Federal Government. The damage to properties is overwhelming and requires more manpower than any family can provide. The army came to some areas in the LGA and did great work. Unfortunately, they did not provide any assistance to Pappinbarra or many other rural communities, we were waiting for them and they did not arrive. We really need assistance and I will champion this cause for as long as it takes to get some assistance for my community. If you can volunteer your time in this community, Lisa can put you in contact with a family that would really love some help. Contact Lisa at rebuildpappinbarra@gmail.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. 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Hi-Fi innovator Linn UK has applied almost five decades of digital technology learning and expertise to manufacture what’s claimed to be the ultimate streaming product and the closest you can get to streaming audio perfection. The next-generation Klimax DSM is a complete re-imagining of the legendary Scottish firm’s flagship streamer, designed from first principle and fully optimised for the very best musical performance. Recently launched via a global livecast from Linn’s Glasgow headquarters, it’s a stunning product that combines ground-breaking technical innovation and drop-dead good looks, that sets a new benchmark in audio excellence. Advanced Digital Technology An exquisite enclosure provides acoustic isolation with tactile luxury, while cradling the beating heart of Klimax DSM and its most critical component – Organik DAC, the cutting-edge, first-ever all-Linn digital to analogue converter. Here’s the technical lowdown - Organik combines FPGA (Field Programmable Gateway Array) processing with a discrete conversion stage, enabling Linn to precisely control and optimise every stage of the digital to analogue conversion process for the first time. This powerful FPGA processing stage uses custom-designed algorithms to provide increased upsampling, more precise volume control and distortion-free modulation. Its partnering discrete conversion stage renders the analogue signal with extremely low levels of distortion, thanks to a new ultra-low jitter oscillator and carefully-designed clock distribution network. They’re all cleverly combined within a unique double-sided design that reduces signal paths to an absolute minimum. All this means that Organik offers significantly lower noise and distortion, measuring better than Linn has ever achieved before. It expertly performs the digital to analogue conversion to achieve the most accurate re-creation of the original music signal – revealing more of the tiny details that provide closer emotional connection with the music. Extreme Engineering All this technological wizardry is entwined with engineering excellence - Klimax DSM’s casework has been precision-engineered to exceptionally unforgiving tolerances by Linn’s advanced new in-house manufacturing technology. Every aspect of the gorgeous custom-designed enclosure plays a crucial role in preserving original musical detail – and exudes a luxurious look and feel at the same time. Machined from solid, special-grade aluminium, the striking design takes on a fresh new Linn DSM family look, while retaining the distinguished and much-loved signature Klimax character. The sheer mass of the product, coupled with internal damping, isolates it from room vibration, while precision-cut pockets and partitions separate analogue, digital and power stages, fully protecting the electronics from any interior interference. Diamond-cut circles on the upper surface echo the grooves of a record, paying homage to Linn’s iconic Sondek LP12 turntable. The dial is rendered in the highest quality materials, from the turned brass bearing celebrating its provenance while creating the smooth handling of the precision-cut glass, to the photo-etched stainless steel surround that encases each of the 100 status lights. Connected for Best Possible Sound The exceptional audio performance of Klimax DSM with new Organik DAC, including support for up to 24-bit 384khz and DSD256 audio resolution, will give all streaming and connected digital, analogue and wireless sound sources a new lease of life. Connected analogue sources will also enjoy an extra benefit thanks to a brand new higher performance, lower distortion ADC design which has its own circuit board with dedicated power supply, while Exakt Link ports enable direct connection of an LP12 turntable with Urika II. A USB input enables direct connection to a computer for the ultimate performance stand-alone DAC. And built-in wireless connectivity enables convenient connection of sources via WiFi or Bluetooth. Additionally, the AV variant offers HDMI inputs and again uses Organik DAC to enhance the performance of all connected AV sources. It also provides eARC for Smart TV support. Find out more: https://www.linn.co.uk/ 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.

Former international student featured in museum project An award-winning former international student has been featured in the Australian National Maritime Museum’s inaugural migration stories project - A Mile in My Shoes , a partnership initiative with the Empathy Museum UK to celebrate the voices of migrants and refugees who have made this country their home – people who have changed the face of the nation and have been changed by it. Thomson Ch’ng joined by representatives from ISANA International Education Association, NSWACT branch Originally from Penang, Malaysia, Thomson Ch’ng arrived in Australia in 2009 when he first embarked on his international education journey at Curtin College in Sydney, a Navitas partnership with Curtin University. He was President of Curtin Sydney Student Guild before becoming a founding delegate and the 4th National President of the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) - the national peak student organisation for all international students in Australia. Sue Walker, Hon Advisor of the Duke Of Edinburgh International Awards Foundation, with Thomson Ch’ng and friends Thomson was awarded the 2013 NSW International Student of the Year (Higher Education) for his active contribution to the international student and wider multicultural community. After graduation, he continued to pursue his passion in youth advocacy and empowerment at the global level through the United Nations Youth platform. In October 2020, he was awarded the prestigious International Alumni of the Year - PIEoneer Award, the global awards program that celebrates innovation and achievement across the whole of the international education sector. “We welcome the inclusion of Thomson’s story in the Australian National Maritime Museum’s A Mile in their Shoes exhibition. It embodies the potential of international education to transform individual lives and enhance Australian communities, and as such it deserves to be told and celebrated,” said Scott Jones, CEO Navitas. “Thomson is just one of thousands of international students who have been able to reach their potential in Australia and have gone on to make positive contributions to their local community and wider society. We are very proud that he began his journey at one of our colleges.” Kevin Sumption, Director and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum said, “There has never been a better time for us, as Australians, to focus on what connects us rather than divides us – our common humanity. We want to shine the light on the experiences of a wide range of Australians from diverse backgrounds, to build understanding and contribute to an inclusive and harmonious society. “Australians are very curious about the world. When we ask someone where they are from, it is to understand them, rather than separate ourselves from them. By listening to another’s stories, we can better understand where they have come from and what has shaped them. We can share their journey, and empathise with them”. A Mile in My Shoes is one-of-a-kind pop-up store, housed in a giant shoebox at the Australian National Maritime Museum which allows the public to understand another person by literally walking a mile in their shoes. Visitors are invited to enter the store and try on a pair of shoes that belong to someone else and to listen to their story. It might be a tale of loss and sadness, hope and love, of odds overcome. About the Australian National Maritime Museum - A Mile in My Shoes The Australian National Maritime Museum , through the Migration Heritage Fund, partnered with Empathy Museum (UK) to bring the award-winning exhibition A Mile in My Shoes to Sydney. Originally created by artist Clare Patey and produced by Artsadmin, A Mile in My Shoes has been experienced in London, Sao Paulo, New York, Riga, Denver, Perth and Melbourne., among others. This new iteration, created with the Australian National Maritime Museum , celebrates the voices of migrants and refugees who have made this country their home – people who have changed the face of the nation and have been changed by it. https://www.sea.museum/ info@sea.museum 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour 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 Hastings District Flying Club reveals newly furbished hangar as part of Port Macquarie's bicentenary 2021 celebrations The Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) is opening its clubhouse and hangar doors to the public on Sunday 18th April from 9 am to 3 pm at Oliver Drive, Port Macquarie Airport. The HDFC Open Day is a Port Macquarie-Hastings Council bicentenary satellite event. HDFC’s newly furbished hangar will be revealed and members will show off their aircraft and people are welcome to talk with the owners and for selected aircraft, with the person who built it. The public can also sign up for flights on HDFC’s Sling2 aircraft. 30-minutes discovery flights will be available on this day. Flight vouchers can be purchased now or on the day itself. Many thanks to the New South Wales Government who contributed $27,000 as part of a Community Building Partnership grant to rebuild the hangar. That helps with subsidising part of the cost for HDFC's hangar refurbishment. HDFC boosts a 63-year aviation history and visitors can view historical presentations, radio control models, plastic aircraft models and flying training information in the clubhouse and hangar house. There will be prizes to be won on Open Day and raffle tickets can be purchased now from the HDFC clubhouse or during Open Day. First prize is a $500 Flight Certificate, 2nd prize a $250 Flight Certificate and 3rd prize is a $150 Discovery Flight. HDFC Open Day Program Special talks and entertainment will commence at 10 am. All-day Discovery Flights. You may purchase discovery flight vouchers in advance. 9.00-15.00 Aircraft, Hangar and Club House Displays 10.30 Official Opening of Hangar Reconstruction - Leslie Williams MP 11.00 Musical Entertainment - Z-Chords 11.30 Hangar Talk - Learning to Fly – Ray Lind CFI 12.00 Hangar Talk - Drones- All you need to know - Tim Hitchins 12.00-14.00 Musical Entertainment by singer-songwriter Pam Hata with her new music release WILD. 12.30 Hangar Talk - Build your own plane - Doug Toppazzini 13.00 Roulettes - Pilot signings and merchandise 16.00 Guessing Competition Draw FOOD AND DRINK AVAILABLE ALL DAY 17.00 Gather on the Town Green to view the Roulettes Aerial Display For more information and program for the day: https://www.hdfc.com.au/open-day CONTACT HDFC TO LEARN TO FLY The Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) is a leader in Recreational Flying Training specialising in professional pilot development. Their enthusiastic team of instructors draws on experience from many facets of aviation and will ensure that your flying training is conducted thoroughly, professionally, and to the highest standards. Flying training is conducted at Port Macquarie Airport (YPMQ) in a friendly atmosphere. Whether you're starting out in flying as a new student pilot or you are an experienced pilot wanting to add an endorsement or need a BFR, HDFC can help. All training is conducted in their SLING 2 aircraft. Ray Lind, Chief Flying Instructor, HDFC e: lindflight@gmail.com m: +61 428 820 698 w/ hdfc.com.au Flying training in Port Macquarie: www.hdfc.com.au/flying-training-in-port-macquarie 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.

A Community Comes Together in Celebration Prince would have belted out Purple Rain if he had been there on 11th March for the 37th Annual Lasiandra Festival to celebrate Purple People Day in Wauchope. Yes it was a rainy day, but it hardly dampened any festive spirits and it was a day for the community and businesses to come together to share a day of joy in the spirit of purple! Purple People Prizes These delighted people walked away with some happy prizes that day: The Best Dressed Staff Member - Dylan Thompson Dylan Thompson Dressed to Win with his colleagues from The Village Preschool and LDC in Wauchope Best Dressed Staff - TG’s Childcare Riverbreeze Congratulations to the team at TG's Childcare Riverbreeze for taking home the Best Dressed Staff Prize Here are our other prize winners... Best Large Window Display - NRMA office Best Small Window Display - Timbertown Pharmacy Best Premises Display - Bugden Accountants (for the 3rd year running!) Best Charity - St Vincent de Paul The Lasiandra Festival traditionally takes place from the second Saturday in March. That is when the Lasiandra flowers are bursting into life and you can see their beautiful blooms across the town. The Lasiandra Festival celebrates flowers, nature and growth. This is the time when people get busy with plantings around town. It is, very simply, a beautiful celebration of life! The Wauchope Lasiandra Festival aims to promote the town and the Lasiandra as Wauchope´s floral emblem. This is a time to encourage the plantings and maintenance of Lasiandras in the community. With everyone in the community coming together to celebrate, it is a way to support the various groups, organisations and businesses in the community. The Lasiandra Festival was actually the brain child of three Wauchope men - Gordon Rogers, Jack Dwyer and Noel Dunn. Thanks to them and their envisioning's, we now have an annual floral festival to promote the Wauchope area and ensure plantings take place every year. The community in Wauchope always looks forward to this festival as there is so much happening to bring people together. There is the Purple People Shopping and Market Day, and it is a time to see people get really creative dressing up in purple! So, have you planted any Lasiandras in your garden this year? To find out more about the Lasiandra Festival, please contact: Chrissy Jones +61 412 137 621 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.

A Women’s Empowerment Movement and Social Enterprise To Create Change Starting secretly online, in houses, offices and communities - you can be one of the special few that will change the world, by helping and empowering those who are disadvantaged because of their gender. Secret Sisterhood will do so, by creating a million-strong community of women and girls who vow to empower, uplift and support one another. Founded upon the belief that if women and girls come together they can eliminate gender inequality, their mission as a social enterprise is to provide a supportive and uplifting community for women and girls (and the men that love them). Their belief is that every person deserves to feel as though they have a safe space. One of the founding sisters, Jacquie Love has always been passionate about women’s causes, but is especially passionate about Secret Sisterhood, a movement of amazing women and girls offering beautiful jewellery, inspired events and community gatherings. 100% of all profits from the group’s endeavors go to women’s charities. Here's the interview with Jacquie Love. Tell us about yourself and the Secret Sisterhood, Jacquie. I am the founder of Secret Sisterhood, a women’s empowerment movement and social enterprise. We empower, uplift and inspire women as I believe that no person should ever be disadvantaged because of their gender. We created a symbol for gender equality, as there was no symbol out there! I am so passionate about spreading our symbol into the world as symbols are so uniting and can help spark monumental change. Secret Sisterhood symbol is one of a kind. It represents a community of women and girls who stand for women's empowerment. It represents love, unity and the feminine heart. We sell jewellery that features our symbol and then give 100% of our profits to women’s empowerment initiatives. Thousands of women around the world have joined our Sisterhood community and have worn their symbol in solidarity. Through their support, we have helped fund a range of initiatives. We have helped fund anti-trafficking programs, girls’ education, a domestic violence hotline and we have given micro-finance loans to women in developing countries. We have also helped distribute birthing kits to women in rural villages as well as menstrual hygiene products to women in Uganda. Why did you start Secret Sisterhood? I started Secret Sisterhood after a charity immersion trip to India. I was studying fashion design at university and undertook a sub-major in journalism. When I was studying journalism I came across the issue of human trafficking and was blown away by the horrific nature of the crime and that it was happening at such magnitude. I became very passionate about the issue and how it was very much a gender-based crime. When I finished university, I started questioning whether I still wanted to be in the fashion industry. So when the trip to India came up, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get away and get some perspective. India completely changed my perspective on everything. We visited slums where girls are often trafficked and found out that they are often trafficked at the young ages of 10, sometimes even younger. We also visited the brothels where girls are often forced to work in, and the conditions are absolutely horrendous. No person should ever have to live like that. No person should ever have their freedom, voice and dignity taken away. When I came back I wanted to make a difference to the women I had met but I had no idea how. I thought the best way to make a difference was to work in a charity, so I started to apply for jobs. Around that time, I randomly stumbled across the concept of a ‘social enterprise.’ A concept that means businesses can run for purpose, that they can make a difference. And that is how Secret Sisterhood was born, I was so excited that I could use my skills in design, create a business, and at the heart of it all was to give back and help empower women. What inspires you to do what you do? I am inspired by the women who are on the ground, every day actively creating change. In India, I met one woman who was trafficked at the age of 11. She was forced into sexual servitude for over 20 years. She finally made her way out with the help of an Indian anti-trafficking organisation. She now works in that organisation, every day, forming relationships with the girls in the brothels to hopefully encourage them to leave. I often think that if this woman can do that every day, then my challenges in my business are so small in comparison. I am also inspired by the incredible change that can occur when women come together to support one another. We have seen this time and time again throughout history. We saw it in the suffragette movement, the online #metoo movement and just recently when millions of women joined hands together in India to demand the end of violence against women. Women can create so much change, we just need to do it together. That is what inspires Secret Sisterhood, imagine the impact we could have if we unite with our fellow Sisters around the globe? As a businesswoman, how do you combine work and home life? Balance is extremely important to me, so I put in a lot of effort to make time for other aspects of my life. I believe in working smarter, not harder so I try to be as efficient as possible with my work so I have time for my friends and family. To help with this, I am an avid ‘to-do list creator’, it helps me compartmentalise my day and break up (sometimes overwhelming) tasks, into manageable small steps. Sometimes the big picture can be very daunting (like helping end gender inequality!) so creating small achievable goals is really important. I work mostly from home, so it is often hard to separate work from home life! If you are working from home, my biggest tip is to have a designated work area. Try and resist the urge to work on the couch in your pajamas, you are just never going to be as productive. Outside of work what are some of your interests? You will either find me at a beach with a good book, at a women’s empowerment protest, or studying at the library (I am studying a postgraduate MBA in Social Impact.) I also love being around people, so when I am not working I love to spend time with my friends and family. There is nothing better for the soul than catching up with a friend on a walk and discussing important world issues. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support I have around me. What did you do differently to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic? Incorporate flexibility. I heard someone speak at the start of COVID-19 and they explained that we need to be open to pivoting during this time. We should hold onto our purpose and mission tightly, however, we should be open to alternative paths to get there. Our destination is important but how we get there could change. I kept reminding myself of that throughout last year, and I believe it really helped our business to thrive. We were very clear on our mission of ending gender inequality so we became a lot more flexible with how we achieved this. We ended up achieving our highest growth to date at the end of last year, so that was incredibly exciting! Where would you like to be in 12 months? I would love for Secret Sisterhood to be reaching more and more women around the globe. I have a dream that the Secret Sisterhood symbol will become recognized around the world. I hope to be able to direct more and more funds to women’s empowerment initiatives and I hope that I can be a voice for the voiceless. If you were down to your last $20 what/who would you spend it on? Well, this question got me thinking! Well, I have seen the power of microfinance and what an impact it can have on a woman’s life. Microfinance involves women getting loaned a very small amount of money to help them kick start their business. I have seen how this can transform not only someone’s life but how it can help lift families and communities out of poverty. So I think I would invest it in either my own business or a fellow Sister’s business. What would we create with $20? Well, great question... I think I would have to get a lot more creative! Jacquie visiting women in rural villages in Malawi with The Hunger Project Australia. Thanks, Jacquie To find out more, visit: secretsisterhood.com To purchase jewellery with a purpose: secretsisterhood.com/shop/ 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.

Veronica Lind, CEO Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves This latest edition of Brilliant online takes its cue from the recent annual International Women’s Day, with a sparkling showcase of inspired women who’re all taking it to the max in their chosen fields. From ingenious accountants to a ground-breaking musician; from an innovative fashion designer to a meticulous vinyl wrapping specialist who transforms cars into colourful works of art, they’re all empowered women making tangible differences. It’s interesting to note that today’s social environment encourages and celebrates women making these kind of achievements is not a product of our recent, more enlightened times. Historic Context In fact, the first International Women’s Day was held more than a century ago, in 1911, to celebrate – as it still does – the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and mark a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine what societies were like in such a distant time, three years before the outbreak of World War One when everything was, without question, a Man’s World. With the traditional mantra of a Woman’s Place is in the Home echoing around them, it’s no wonder that women of the time felt resigned to enduring pedestrian, unchallenging lives of home-making and child-rearing. So, the advent of International Women’s Day in 1911 must have come to them as a refreshing revolutionary wind of change and a harbinger of change for women’s rights and equality. For those of us who mistakenly believe that the fight for women’s equality only began in the enlightened times of the late 1960s when Women’s Lib was the watchword, this is an eye-opener. Don’t forget that back in 1911 women everywhere were marginalised from decision-making in society, however a measure of change had already been introduced in some countries. Eighteen years previously in 1893 New Zealand had become the first country in the world to give women the vote in parliamentary elections – although they were still barred from standing for elections themselves until 1919. And a year later in 1894 South Australia extended universal suffrage to all women, the first colony in Australia to do so. From these small steps began the path for women to become politicians and eventually take leadership roles as prime ministers and presidents. Stepping Up to the Plate In the workplace, professional careers were more or less out-of-bounds to women in those far-off times, except for menial jobs. And even women who held down good professional jobs were expected to abandon them and retreat into a life of domesticity upon marrying. But two world wars put an end to that, with women stepping up to the plate to more than effectively fill the gaps in workforces caused by men leaving for military service. Both these wartime periods were instrumental in proving women’s worth in the traditionally male-dominated workplace. Against this historic backdrop, the progress of women in society and professionally – as articulated by International Women’s Day – is really something to celebrate. This year’s International Women’s Day banner is #ChooseToChallenge, a fitting narrative for the outstanding women of achievement presented in this latest Brilliant online. Last week, I spoke with Susan Jain, a former chief marketing officer in a global technology company whom I’ve worked with before. “The thing that I really appreciate about ‘Choose to Change’ is the intentionality of it, because not only do you choose, you choose to challenge,” Says Susan. “Yes, challenge happens naturally in life, no matter what you’re doing. But choosing to challenge is different than just happening upon challenges which we all do in life. It is purposeful and international, and that’s very important and certainly relevant in today’s day and age.” As the CEO of Brilliant, I put my marketing and technology skills into this Brilliant Magazine and challenge the boundaries of interactive advertising. Therefore it is also fitting that we’re able to do all women’s achievements justice by telling their stories in full and absorbing detail - with our array of links to associated websites, blogs, videos and podcasts. Enjoy this inspiring multimedia read! Let us know if you have a story to tell - send your story to editor@brilliant-online.com Veronica Lind CEO 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 .

Spreading a Magical Musical Message Pam Hata is an artist who plays to the beat of her own drum, fashioning a vivid vision of her own musical future and the music scene of her adopted Australian stamping ground. This talented musician with a heart full of original songs, big voice and quirky stage presence hails from the Land of the Long White Cloud – Aotearoa, New Zealand – and now bases herself in Port Macquarie and the Lower Clarence region. Photo credit: Craig Mason of East Coast Photography Pam is a full-time independent solo artist playing a soulful blend of blues, R&B, funk, reggae and roots covers, as well as a repertoire of original material. Her stage shows are memorable and engaging, with unique performances of favourites and originals blended in storming mash-ups that get toes tapping and hands clapping. Adding to all this musical energy is Pam’s personal line of merchandise - funky one-off items crafted by local artisans. On Stage Pam has supported acts and shared stages with the big names like Busby Merou, Wolf Mother, Booseeka, Gold Member, The Beautiful Girls, Kalidad, Claud Hay, Pete Murray, Frank Sultana, Austin Alsop and most recently Ash Grundwald with Brad Cox and Chris Rose at the region’s first post-COVID festival “Live At The Smokehouse.” It’s these shows that quickly gained her an organic following and momentum on the festival circuit. But with the music industry battered by swathes of COVID-19 restrictions, Pam tuned-up to challenge the musical torpor and support local communities Undismayed, she kept up her musical profile online and carefully worked around the restrictions with a string of shows conforming to safety regulations. Completing two single releases on her debut tour of Australia, together with one international tour in the past three years on her own and with a band, Pam spent 2020 writing her new series of original EPs - “Raw” and “Wild.” Acknowledgment: The photo above was taken by Bobby Rose Photography and Makeup by Abbie Taylor And in an initiative to support her fellow musicians, she launched a live movement online through a physical and virtual collective - “Original Sound Lounge” - via the Pluto Entertainment website. “This is what I want to do with my life and I’m doing it!” she says. “Despite the industry being in ruin I refuse to stop. I don’t know how to be literally everything else and, in the end, it always comes back to this - I’m an artist, I’m independent and I want to constantly learn and support professionals in the industry to better my craft and eventually release my first independent album.” She can take heart from the success of one of her ventures - now in operation for the fourth year, Original Sound Lounge survived COVID-19 and has actually experienced growth! Online Festival COVID also presented opportunities for staging music online: “I created my first online festival named 'Fox Fest' during COVID with my good friends at Pluto Entertainment, who were all out of work at the time. This was an all female line up, we did this to keep musicians paid and performing on real stages and look forward to the event being held annually now.” “We picked up a world of new artists and fans and expanded from the Mid North Coast to the northern rivers, providing exclusive COVID-safe arts showcases to areas that really need it,” says Pam. “And I’m happy to say nearly all have been sold out since restrictions have lifted.” “This is my way of giving back - I love the communities we live and play in, and most of all the people who come to see us like the Mum and Dad locally-owned venues that support us." “It’s so important we look after each other and this was the best way I knew how. You roll over and die - or you get up!" “We literally had nothing to lose with these two hands, six strings and hopes and dreams!" Pam has spent the holiday season touring the East Coast again - around border closures and COVID outbreaks. In doing so she’s been showing support for communities and musicians determined to continue to keep music appreciators connected at their favourite local venues and festival stages. Pam’s accomplishments as a musician and in her community movement have attracted media attention, both for her solo work and music events as her new line of merchandise which includes T-shirts, stubby coolers, jewellery and even a fragrance all locally sourced grown and hand-crafted to support local communities and local businesses. Support Artistes Donations are most welcome to support artistes to continue their cause - https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/plutoentertainment Original Work Pam’s current roster of originals comprises 30-45 minutes’ worth of compositions she can perform either solo with acoustic or electric guitar, or with a backing band. “They’re written about life - they’re all true stories, all relatable and interactive with my crowds." “I don’t release them online unless they are recorded live by the sound guys or in-studio at radio station interviews because I want the sound to be authentic for my fans. “Post-COVID I recorded CDs with my friend Stephen Bartlett who sound engineered and produced my work in his home studio and I titled it “Raw”. I wanted the sound to be raw and authentic. It is void of the many effects and polish of a studio, It’s like a 90s mix tape nostalgia." “I only make them available to purchase at shows or supporting venues, because I want people to actually come to shows, not just download them! It’s something I’m passionate about - Spotify should pay artists better!” Pam’s current list of original songs to listen out for is: The Fall Fool’s gold Moved Lennox Patchwork Heart I’m Only with Him ‘Cos He’s Crazy Big River Run Road Man’s Lullaby Daddy Issues Regional venues where Pam’s wowed the crowds include Flow Bar, Pandannus Crescent Head, Botanic Wine Garden, The Great Northern Kempsey and The Brew Box. As well as performing the local club scene, her recent events include: Meat Stock Festival Auckland 2019 NZ; Meat Stock Festival Sydney; “Raw” EP tour Mid North Coast 2021; and Live at the Smoke House Festival 2021 Pam's recent achievements include winning the singer song writer competition at Long Point Vineyard where the winner was chosen to support Ben Lee. She also just helped raise money for International Women's Day 2021. Next up for Pam in her busy schedule is to support Ben Lee at yet another SOLD out show before the release of her EP “Wild,” while working towards recording her studio album “Tame the Maine.“ Listen to Pam's Originals Here: CONTACT PAM HATA t: 0434 379 282 Follow: Facebook @pamhatamusic Insta @pam_hata_official 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.

Counting on Emotional Support When the business going gets tough, who wouldn’t appreciate a friendly financial Guardian Angel taking them by the hand? Thinking of a bullet brings to mind images of speed, accuracy and targeted efficiency – ideal qualities for an accountant. But these cold, hard images and their association with accountancy are only part of the services provided by Haley Emerson’s Bullet Business Solutions . There’s a clue in the reason behind the title of her company – named after a beloved former pet dog Haley's business services are a long way from the norm as Haley likes to take a holistic approach to all her customers as not one size fits all! Alongside valued advice and counsel on bookkeeping, payroll and taxation, she also offers friendly emotional support for companies who may be reeling from the effects of unexpected adversities. She’s a rarity in the world of business – a dedicated numbers person with heart and a passion for getting close to what makes small businesses tick and helping them to overcome adversity to reach successful new heights. Numbers Whiz Haley’s own background in business goes a long way to explaining where her empathy for businesses in need comes from. Although a whiz with maths and numbers at school, she also had a desire to be involved in the hospitality sector and work closely with people, so she joined the staff of a Sydney hotel at the tender age of 17. Starting at the bottom in various roles among the hotel’s housekeeping department, her natural flair was quickly recognised and within five years she’d reached a managerial position. After that she moved to other prestigious Sydney hotel and hospitality properties, gaining more insights into different management cultures. “Those years involved in all the various nuts and bolts of a hotel’s services gave me an appreciation of how different layers of business integrate and depend on each other for a successful outcome,” says Haley. “It also got me involved in accounting and financial functions, which re-ignited my love of numbers and finance. It also got me thinking about the fundamental role of accounting in business and how essential good accounting is to success.” Haley’s expertise in business was then further developed during six years of managing a Tourist Park in the scenic South West Rocks, when Haley discovered a real love of bookkeeping and tax. Then a family move to Forster in regional New South Wales provided the opportunity to work with accounting firms as a bookkeeper/ accountant, as well as working in payroll for a local firm with more than 100 staff. The icing on the cake was the completion of her Advanced Diploma in Accounting But along with Haley’s growing understanding of business functions came a realisation that emotion also accompanies business success – and a determination that emotional support would be a big part of her own business she was planning to establish. This all came to fruition when she established Bullet Business Solutions last year to bring this ideal to reality. Hand-in-Hand And with cruel irony, when Haley launched Bullet Business Solutions in her hometown of Forster in February 2020, it was at a time when small businesses were at their lowest and in dire need of all the emotional support they could get. Already stunned by the turmoil of raging bushfires, businesses were then hit by all the unprecedented effects of Covid-19. “It wasn’t a matter of providing straightforward business services – and it still isn’t,” says Haley. I wanted to be there for them, to work hand-in-hand to guide them through all the confusing regulatory procedures - that in some cases they weren’t even aware of.” Her knowledge and expertise enabled her clients that were hit by the bushfires to claim the government’s stimulus grant to help them back on their feet. This work carries on today, with Haley liaising on behalf of clients to process claims for other government stimulus funding, which is sometimes obscured by bureaucracy and officialdom. “With Jobkeeper, it’s now more important than ever for small businesses to ensure all their accounts, tax returns and finances are in good order,” she says. "It’s also important to have a forensic examination of a business to identify any red flags that may appear in the future to trip them up." “I want to make sure all these businesses get that done so that they can sleep at night. Working as a team with a client and other 3rd parties like their Accountants enables us to plot the direction of their business to achieve their goals.” Holistic Service Bullet Business Solutions ’ client roster includes businesses right from Haley’s Forster hometown and from Port Macquarie all the way down the Mid North Coast to Sydney. They’re all diverse businesses operating across different business sectors – in hospitality, cleaning, beauty, landscaping, and even dance studios. What they all have in common is a business support that’s truly holistic and not simply confined to professional assistance with accounts, payroll and taxation. It’s the emotional element that makes a striking difference with these services – an honest empathy with the emotional needs of a business and a dedication to getting everything on an even keel. According to Haley, there’s some common mistakes made by businesses that can lead them down the path to trouble. “The biggest mistake is to assume that everything’s fine and running well, without taking a really good look at the details,” she says. “More often than not a detailed examination will uncover inaccuracies with the potential to cause real damage.” These can usually be traced back to miscoding – the wrong figures being initially inputted into the system, which then snowball to set everything out of line. “Setting up payroll systems requires the same level of accuracy. Modern software-based accounting systems are great and simplify things – but they’re only as good as the numbers inputted into them. This knowledge of accurate bookkeeping is all so important with Superannuation to consider.” It’s all food and drink to this self-confessed “tax geek,” who even spends some of her spare time reading up on tax and business. Work-Life Balance That’s not to say she’s a total workaholic – with two young daughters and a growing puppy to raise, as well as a supportive husband - Haley strives to achieve a work-life balance with a fulfilling family life alongside her dedicated work for clients. “I don’t overbook my schedule and ensure that I’m organised each week – family is so important as my girls are six and nine, with a very busy dance schedule! “While my girls are young, I’ll only take on so many clients which will allow me to dedicate my work time to them.” There’s a philosophy behind all this which inspires Haley to strive for success both for herself and her clients. “I enjoy working with people and I also love numbers and tax, which most people may not,” she says. “My aim is to help other small businesses thrive in their chosen business sector and maximise their potential – and also to help them create their own work-life balance.” “I want to support business owners as little or as much as they need, so that they know they can call upon help when needed.” Building a Future One aspect of Haley’s life away from work is linked to her passion for work-related activities, however. Together with her husband, they focus on their own investment portfolio which will hopefully one day enable them to not have to work as hard and then spend more time with family. It’s a pastime with a purpose that’s had Haley researching funding, architects and builders to coordinate their projects. And with a natural eye for cost-cutting, she’s already made savings by using her husband to complete the landscaping! Contact Haley Emerson: e/ bulletbps@hotmail.com t/ +61 425 563 402 f/ facebook.com/BulletBookkeeping 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 .

Seeding a Big Business Big things grow from tiny seeds. Hilberts Hardware is one dynasty that started off small and has kept growing till today. And Sharon Griffiths is proud to share the story of how it grew. Early beginnings… It all started when Grandfather Marten Hilberts started the business to help Sharon’s Uncle with his building company by buying bulk timber and hardware. He ended up with an excess of supplies and decided to open a small shop front in Hastings Street, Wauchope. It catered to not only the building industry and the home handyman but also the timber logging industry that was thriving in the Wauchope area at the time. That was a wise business move and Hilberts Hardware was born. Photo Credit: Craig Mason of East Coast Photography Long, long ago… And what was Grandfather Marten’s story? He originated from Holland and he had a peat business back then, supplying fuel for heating and he managed a team of workers in his business. In the 1950s, he decided to immigrate to Australia as the family had lived through the atrocities of the Second World War. Marten wanted his family to live in a country that was free of war and safe. The family settled west of Wauchope in the hinterland and he started work in a timber mill. The early days of settling in were tough. The family home had a dirt floor, and they did their best to make a new life there. It was not an easy start but here they were safe, and that was what mattered in building up a family in the new country. Sharon’s Dad Max was 14 at that time. He spent about a year in school, then went to work on the railway. Fast Forward… The hardware store has progressed over the years from the small shop front opened by Marten. His son Max eventually started working alongside him and when he took over the business, he doubled the original shop front. In 1990 Max purchased land across the road and built the two-story shopfront we see today. The dynasty continued when Sharon took over the business some 6 months later after the sudden passing of her father Max. 30 years on, the store has over 10,000 stock lines, and caters not only to builders, handymen, and the logging industry but also has a vast range of gardening tools and equipment, paint, hydraulic fittings, sealants and glues, grease equipment, and products, bearings, V/Belts, pulleys, roller chain, lift jacks, bench grinders, power tools, pneumatic tools, drills, taps and dies, calipers, air inflators and gauges, welding gear, MIG wire, ropes, and even kitchenware and camping gear. Each generation has taken a part of their business and put in their hard work and efforts to expand it and bring in more products for the community. Never underestimate the power of starting small. Big things have small beginnings! Helming the Dynasty Sharon Griffiths plays many roles and shines in all of them! She is a Business Woman, Councillor, Mother, and Grandmother. Definitely one with a busy schedule but with a clear head on rock-solid shoulders, she is very organised and has learned through the generations to always put her best foot forward and help others along the way. She is the third generation in the Hilberts Hardware dynasty in Wauchope, and she is proud to celebrate their 50th year in business in 2021. Hilberts Hardware has come a long way since Sharon’s grandfather started it. About Sharon Sharon was born and resided with her family in Newcastle until the age of 15 when her grandfather suffered a heart attack and her Dad Max moved the family to Wauchope to take over the hardware business. This was the catalyst for the continuation of the strong family-run and owned business that has become part of the Wauchope community. She got into the business at a tender age and while Sharon attended Wauchope High School, she also worked in the hardware shop to help out after school and on the weekends. Once she finished school, she did a one-year stint alongside her father learning the ropes. One with a spirit for adventure, Sharon packed her backpack and set off travelling around Europe, the US and Canada for 5 months. She thoroughly enjoyed every minute and soaked up all the experiences. When she returned home to Wauchope, she landed a job at the Department of Education, then with a local accountancy firm. Whilst working for the accountancy firm, she started up a business with her husband Jeff Griffiths. It was a tractor wrecking business, and Griffiths Traders is still a thriving business run today by Jeff’s family. Not long after, she left the accountancy firm to work for Kempsey Timbers ( known today as Australian Solar Timbers ) as their office administrator and bookkeeper. Sharon helped that business to grow and devised a very successful bonus incentive scheme for their employees. In 1991, after the sudden passing of Sharon’s father Max, she returned to the family business and took over the helm, further expanding the business and becoming a very successful businesswoman in her own right. When asked how she succeeded in a man’s world, dealing with log fallers, farmers, heavy haulage drivers, builders and the like, she chuckled and said... ”I think I've educated them over time, they know that if they're going to ask me a question, I'm probably going to give them the answer, or I will find the answer promptly.” The invaluable knowledge gained from working alongside her grandfather and father through the years since she was young prepared her well to deal with business and challenges her working environment brought her. Sharon also learned to be humble enough to realise she always had the option to research and ask if she did not know something, and this is a special touch that her customers appreciate. Her customers are never left hanging - if she did not know, she would source for the product and find an answer for the customer. Taking Pride in the Dynasty It has always been important for Sharon to keep the dynasty going. She believes there is a need in the community for a business like Hilberts Hardware . It is unique, and she is positive that if it disappeared off the business footprint in Wauchope, people would notice. It is a constant in the lives of many and has brought the community many conveniences. There are so many products that you do not generally see on the shelf in most stores. Often items that have a slow turnover and therefore not stocked by other shops can be found in Hilberts Hardware . That shows them as a heavyweight in the industry - they are not worried about a fast turnover. It is more important to them to supply what the customer wants. Keeping the Community Close The community is something that is close to her heart, and Sharon became a Councillor on the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council over eight years ago. She has served 2 terms and is considering running for a third. It was a male-dominated field at the time, but Sharon saw a need to step in and take pride in what she has to offer. She feared a loss of community and felt the need to bring about locations or interconnections where people could meet and actually connect. Sharon saw infinite possibilities in bringing a community close - people could gather in a park to talk over beautification works, or involve community groups and activating people to get together to enable volunteering or they could even establish more local events to draw visitation to the area. Contributing to the Community Being open and approachable meant that if a member of the community had an idea to do something in their community, they found it easy to go to Sharon and she is always ready to help in any way she can. Sharon believes that if someone is willing to do the work and put it all together, it should be encouraged. Sometimes all they need is some support and help so they have the correct information to help put their ideas into action. Potholes were another reason why Sharon became a Councillor. She saw a need to fix the potholes, a big point in case a little over 8 years ago. She was very concerned about the Council´s financial future and believed that her accountancy and business administration background would be an asset. One way Sharon believes she has helped the PMHC finances is the inception of the Waste Incentive Scheme. This scheme has allowed both the Council and residents to actually save money while doing something good for the environment. How the scheme works is this - residents are offered a discount on their waste charges if they choose a particular bin, and there are three sizes to choose from. Council also saves in the long run by minimizing the waste that goes into landfills. This means that the landfill area does not need to be expanded, so there is no new acquisition of land. This means saving dollars and future capital expenses. Sharon has got so much energy, ideas and drive that simply being a successful business owner and a voice for the Port Macquarie/Hastings community as a Councillor is not enough for her. Sharon has furthered her education and has become a Certified Basix Assessor. Having an interest in the building industry and especially home energy efficiency (she does not like waste), Sharon has a desire to help new home builders to save energy. She believes her help will lead to the energy efficiency of the home and in the long run, save the homeowner money by using less power to run their dwelling. Beyond the community, these schemes and plans that Sharon is introducing are helping the environment. Every bit of effort counts to making a change for the planet. It may sound like Sharon is busy all the time with business and community. She keeps a balance in her personal life with her strong family values and taking care of her health by going to the gym at least once a week. She also loves walking and going to the beach. She is health-conscious and so she watches what she eats, but can be found eating a works burger or a large bowl of pasta and she does allow herself to give in to the chocolate temptation on a regular basis! After all, she works hard and a little treat or two is a happy way to pamper herself after a long day! CONTACT HILBERTS HARDWARE w/ www.hilberts.com.au t/ +612 65 852 400 a/ 43-45 Hastings St, Wauchope, NSW, Australia 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 .

A Perfectionist Chooses to Challenge the Car Wrap Industry Melanie Fergin has overcome barriers set against her as a woman to become recognised as one of the car wrap world’s most talented and distinctive specialists. Based in Adelaide, her self-taught skills have even led her to the finals of an industry contest in Las Vegas, USA, where she rubbed shoulders and shared wrapping expertise with some of the world’s top car wrappers. Ironically, the annual global competition “Wrap Like a King” inspired Melanie to become a Queen on the top rungs of her chosen profession. It’s been a long road for Melanie to reach these heady heights and become an independent professional car wrap specialist, but one that’s been eventful, enjoyable and fulfilling. Hooked on Wrapping Her journey began when Melanie made a switch from being a highly successful signwriter to car wrap installer. “I owned and operated a signwriting business in Adelaide for 15 years,” she says. “After so many years designing and installing car wraps for private and commercial clients, it was a natural progression for me to start doing colour change wraps." “And after my first full commercial vehicle wrap, I was hooked!" “Since then, I’ve worked on just about any type of vehicle you can imagine - buses, planes, trams, yachts, go karts, motorbikes and even an Australian-built track focussed hypercar. “I’m a very meticulous person at work and I pay a lot of attention to detail. I’m always striving for perfection and I think car wrapping totally suits my personality.” Dogged Determination Melanie put in many hours into learning about wraps from either online resources such as videos, or participating in wrapping workshops. “I attended different short wrap courses and always left with a new skill, a solid mind set and even more determination to improve.” Her dogged determination paid off. She started to gain a good reputation in her local vehicle wrap industry, as well as among car enthusiasts, as a talented and meticulous wrapper. In 2019, the Porsche 911 Turbo S wrapped by Melanie was crowned the continental winner in Wrap Like a King Challenge that year. “When I saw the 'Wrap Like a King’ competition, I remembered imagining that I could win this,” says Melanie At the same time, she also thought about all her hard work over the years to learn and acquire her skills for car wrapping, despite the obstacles put in the way of her chosen career path. Undeterred by Rejections “I found it impossible to get an apprenticeship – there was always something about me being too small, or being a girl.” But undeterred by these rejections, Melanie still wanted to make a career out of car wrapping with her own resources. “I thought if I can win this, it will really prove to young people - especially women -that we can get into the industries of our choice. “We can make the impossible happen if we really want to.” Follow: Melanie Fergin #AveryDennison 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 .