Fare Thee Well When COVID-19 swept through the world, "Life is precious" became a glaring understatement. One can never know how much time is left and with so many families grieving losses brought about by the pandemic, it is a sobering moment to contemplate one's end. Nina Linder is one special person who offers support to those seeking a Good End of Life. Nina Linder of Fare Thee Well cares about the wishes of the person who is dying and she provides support for a ‘good death’ at home (wherever possible). She also provides support, counselling and ceremonial services at family vigils. “As a qualified nurse and registered Counsellor, I see the dying and their families having a difficult time dealing with terminal illness or sudden death. They become concerned about preparing for medical events. When you really think about death, would you be oppressed by the fear of death? I was and that’s why I decided to set up Fare Thee Well to help one navigate through End of Life Care and Meaningful Transition after Death; to help families and loved ones through the grieving process. Death then becomes a personal and spiritual event.”, says Nina. COVID-19 complicates End of Life Most people are very focused on the medical aspects of dying and while our Palliative team such as Specialists, General Practitioner, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals all play a vital role as we near our end, it is just as necessary for everyone to prepare early and have calm conversations about medical options and one's End of Life. End of Life conversations does not have to be frightening. When planned early, these gentle conversations help to set out your desires and wishes for the end and can help to lessen the anguish and stress later on. You are then free to experience more personal and spiritual aspects of your last days with your loved ones. The COVID-19 pandemic made us realise how difficult grieving is and social distancing has made it even harsher. People can only talk to loved ones through an iPad at the hospital and cannot attend funerals due to restrictions. While we trust in the quality care of hospital staff at this time, many do not have access to a more personal and spiritual support as they near their end. The pandemic is not here to strip us of our humanity. If anything, it is a reminder of how delicate life is and how we need to let our humanity, hope, faith and love endure through it. Planning ahead and making End of Life Decisions can help us overcome the fear, stigma and anxiety of contemplating death. Death can lose its sting when we accept it as a natural, transitory part of life. An Advance Planning Directive is a helpful tool to consider important medical decisions that will need to be made. These decisions are best made early on as they reduce the burden and pressure on your loved ones to decide for you when you are no longer able to. There are other helpful tools on their website as well. Please contact Nina to talk more about having an Advanced Care Directive or download this eBook " What Matters in Life " Art of Dying Well The Art of Dying Weill is actually the Art of Living Well. The simple question of "Are you happy?" can floor people who have never thought for a second about this. Are you living in pursuit of things that truly matter such as family, friendship, love, trust, compassion, solidarity for our community? At the end of one's life, it is these abstract things closest to our hearts that truly matter. They are the markers of having lived wisely and well. Death need not be feared. And life can be celebrated. End of Life Conversations If you are thinking about setting up a will with a legal professional, or notice how your abilities are reducing in your body and mind, it is time to have an end-of-life conversation with Nina. Do it with your loved ones so you have each other's support. You do not have to do this alone. Talk about options on how you wish to die and your plans for your death. Here’s a booklet that will guide you through decisions when considering an Advance Care Directive and call Nina on 0404 821 779 to discuss them. About Nina Linder Nina is a degree qualified Nurse with a passion for end of life care. She works with you and your loved ones so the process can be a more meaningful and peaceful experience for everyone. As a certified Counsellor, she guides you and your family during the difficult time of terminal illness or sudden death. Nina has had a long career in nursing (palliative care) and family services and she has been a registered Counsellor since 2019. Right now she is finishing her Masters of Counselling. Acknowledgement: The photo above was taken by Craig Mason of East Coast Photography Nina's gentle support and guidance help one's end of life to be a time of deep meaning and resolution for you and your loved ones. She guides and supports one through the grieving process and provides options if people prefer to die at home. Nina has a very full life she beautifully celebrates and she has many interests from busily establishing a native plant edible garden at her home in Port Macquarie to Salsa dancing and attending Toastmasters ( a supported environment to practice public speaking.) Fare Thee Well Services Nina of Fare Thee Well offers her services for you, your family and loved ones in the comfort of your own home in the Port Macquarie/Hastings district and also can provide online Counselling services to those living further afield. Believing that each person and family is unique, Nina’s supports and services also need to be structured differently to suit the individual. She offers an obligation-free 30-minute consultation in your home to discuss your options about the end of life care desired by either you or your loved one. Nina can show you options and help you to make choices based on what is best suited to you. A home death and vigil can be a time of deep meaning, Nina can assist with the process of grief for your loved ones. Counselling services for individual, couple or family groups are invaluable support offered by Fare Thee Well. Contact details Fare Thee Well t/ 0404 821 779 w/ www.faretheewell.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 .

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

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

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

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

By Robyn Flanagan of Wauchope Travel Happy New Year!!! Domestic Travel is becoming highly sought after, with many wonderful options for travel locally and interstate plus Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. We would LOVE to help you plan your Aussie Getaway! What a ride! Who thought travel would be so changed in these challenging times. The big winner is … Australia! So many hidden gems, so much to discover. Drag out the old road trip memories and get on board. While many of us hold credits for international travel which we cannot use at the moment, most of the companies have created holidays within Australia using their contracts and knowledge so always ask the question; is there something in Australia that I can apply this credit to? We have stunning beaches, fabulous hinterlands, and many quirky inland destinations just waiting to be explored. Even if you are nervous of border restrictions, within your own state you will find the Hidden gems, hideaways, farm stays and B & B’s that will renew, rejuvenate, and re-inspire you. Internet research is great; Local knowledge is greater. Ask your local travel agent to help you find that special something that will give you some time out of the routine. They have amazing research skills and are brilliant at matching your specific needs to their products. Travelling with Pets? Taking the children? No problem. Want some sporting facilities? Easy. Our systems and our local knowledge cannot be beaten when it comes to researching travel options . It's not just international travel that needs our skills, Australia has a vast array of travel product just waiting to be explored. To feed that travel lust have you considered; Day flights to Antarctica? Direct flights to cities outside the hotspots? Or just driving to those leisurely spaces where someone else gets to make the bed and cook the meals! Heaven! Our sparkling jewels, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, are eager for travellers to return. Island economies survive on tourism and both provide fantastic holiday memories with every type of accommodation and activity imaginable. Pristine waters, lush landscapes, did anyone mention natural perfection? And if you cannot tell one from the other, call your travel agent ! We are the experts! Contact Wauchope Travel p: +61 26 585 2288 e: robyn@wauchopetravel.com.au e: info@wauchopetravel.com.au w: wauchopetravel.com.au Follow us on our socials Instagram: @wauchopetravel Facebook: @wauchopetravel 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, businesses and people. - LUXE, latest trends and products 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 .

An Education Partnership A new era for hospitality industries in Australia and the Malaysian island of Penang has been cooked up - with the signing of an education partnership agreement between The Hotel School and the Penang-based Golden Chef College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality . The agreement, facilitated by an Australia and Asia-based corporate advisory and consulting firm ASEAN Focus Group , will create new international educational opportunities for students in Penang and across Malaysia with interests in culinary, hospitality and tourism sectors. The Hotel School is a unique partnership between Southern Cross University and Malaysian-listed Mulpha Group, a major investor in the hotel industry with properties in Sydney, Brisbane, Hayman Island, London and Auckland. Virtual Signing Ceremony The agreement - made online in a virtual signing ceremony - aims to boost established Australia-Malaysia education partnerships to enhance the quality of employees and staff in the hospitality and tourism industries of Australia, Malaysia and beyond. It’ll enable students who’ve completed the Diploma / Advanced Diploma in Principles of Hospitality Management and Diploma / Advanced Diploma in Culinary and Supervision at Golden Chef College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality to pursue The Hotel School’s Bachelor of Business in Hotel Management. Marc Lee, General Manager of Mulpha International Bhd., said: “We’re excited and committed to enabling current and future Golden Chef College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality students to achieve their educational and career goals. “Besides the excellent programmes offered in partnership with Southern Cross University Australia, The Hotel School’s association with our Australian subsidiary, Mulpha Australia Limited, provides strategic access to coveted internship opportunities both at our own properties as well as with our external partners.” Vincent Lee, Principal and Executive Director of Golden Chef College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, added: “This partnership aligns with our core objective of providing the best vocational education experience to our students, making their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs and leaders in the global culinary and hospitality industry become realities.” Top State Penang is a top Malaysian destination for domestic and international travellers. According to Tourism Malaysia, it’s one of the country’s top five states in number of total hotel guests received between January – June 2019 and has hosted the second largest share of the nation’s international guests after Kuala Lumpur. The tourism and hospitality sector is also one of the key economic drivers and services sectors for Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage site of Georgetown. A word from Brilliant's CEO Think out of the box The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed thinking to new levels. Now local students in Malaysia can still take advantage of Australia's education capabilities with partnerships like above. Signing ceremonies and media events can still occur virtually. Face-to-face interactions are always better but in this situation, we are not allowing the pandemic to limit what we can do! Have a Brilliant Story to Tell? Send your press releases to editor@brilliant-online.com.

It was once said of accountants: “They know the cost of everything; but the value of nothing.” This pithy saying reinforced a generic view of accountants as robotic bean-counters with no appreciation of the finer, more intangible qualities of life. Although that may very well have been true in some cases, pigeonholing an entire profession is obviously problematic. And this particular view of accountants – although somewhat amusing – assumes their approach to work and life precludes them from appreciating values other than those on a balance sheet. But we all know that’s not the case. Moral Compass Values are an essential and individual part of everyone’s lives – even accountants. They’re the principles or beliefs by which we all organise and process how we live and interact with others. Like most things in life, our values can change and adapt over time, or in response to altered circumstances. But despite this innate capability to evolve, in essence our values remain as the guiding light of our lives, making up what has become fashionably known as our “Moral Compass.” That’s why they’re also often referred to as core values – principles or beliefs that you hold dear and are central to the way you live your life. Business Directions Personal values have an overarching presence in all of our lives and their influence also extends to the way we handle ourselves in our working lives. And playing this principle forward, values are necessary components of a business and the way it operates. These organisational values – just like personal values – should be rooted in the DNA of a company to shape attitude and behaviour, both externally to the marketplace of customers, suppliers and community, and internally to employees. Central to the ethos and character of a company, they’re the go-to resource that guides how decisions are made. A word from Brilliant's CEO As an organisation, it is so important for us to have our values where employees understand the company's purpose and how we should behave. Our values also attract like-minded people and clients that we want to work with. Our values are part of our value proposition that differentiates us from the competition. Our Brilliant Values The purpose of Brilliant is to Push for a Better World in a Digital Era Our goals are to: Help Gig Businesses around the world sell without selling Help the business community reach new audiences or engage with existing stakeholders to get their stories heard Enable our clients to use Brilliant Magazine and online multi-dimensional advertorial platform for business growth Fill a gap in the global marketplace for a new type of publication We do this by bringing to you a revolutionary online, multi-dimensional, interactive magazine in the likes of Harry Potter's Daily Prophet Newspaper. And evolving from these goals are our Brilliant Values, which guide what we believe in and how we behave as an organisation: We believe in AUDACITY, being passionate and bold in setting modern pathways We believe in IMPACT, making a positive difference to those who come in contact with us We believe in ACCOUNTABILITY and own every action We believe in KINDNESS and treat everyone and everything with respect List the Ways So, how does a person or a company identify values, compose them into a systematic format and apply them as guiding principles across life and all associated activities Australian counselling service Smooth Sailing Counselling has compiled a handy checklist that enables both individuals to do just that and can be easily adapted for organisations. Devised by Smooth Sailing’s Linda Mitten, the checklist is a step-by-step downloadable guide that takes singling out values that are felt to be important as its starting point. “When you define your personal values, you discover what's truly important to you,” says Linda. “Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work.” “Some of life’s decisions are really about determining what you value most. When many options seem reasonable, it’s helpful and comforting to rely on your values and use them as a strong guiding force to point you in the right direction.” The checklist encourages looking back at periods of life and career to identify times that were enjoyed, when good decisions were being made and dreams were fulfilled. A list is created by selecting up to five of the most important values and how they apply to different areas of life, such as business, health, relationships and leisure. The entire process raises awareness of the most important factors in life or business that can be used to guide and make the best choice or decision in any given circumstance. It’s a straightforward, analytical approach with a logical precision that will even inspire accountants to embrace values. See the Values Checklist on Smooth Sailing’s website: www.smoothsailingcounselling.com.au/values 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 .

Global AI Innovation Hub for Smart Future Singapore is set to be a global hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation, with leading semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies choosing it as its launch pad to accelerate to digital transformation. The scheme to map out and implement the company’s smart AI future by 2023 was unveiled recently to celebrate Infineon’s 50 years of operations in Singapore, and it aligns with the city state’s digital drive to be a Smart Nation . The S$27 million (US$20.2 million) initiative incorporates proactive engagement with Singapore’s semiconductor, electronics and innovation ecosystems through collaborations with SGInnovate - the government-owned enterprise helping scientists develop Deep Tech solutions to challenging global problems - local start-ups, institutes of higher learning and research institutions on new AI solutions. These organisations will be able to enhance their work by leveraging Infineon’s rich datasets to build solutions. Workforce Upskilling As a first step to prepare for this future driven by AI, Infineon will empower its Singapore workforce to be capable of developing and deploying AI solutions in all its business functions. More than 1,000 employees will be upskilled and around 25 unique AI projects covering Infineon’s entire Singapore value chain of activities will be deployed by 2023. Infineon will also focus on building a mindset of digital growth among staff by encouraging changes in behaviour through habit-changing nudges, and enabling managers to drive enhanced work performance. The three-year journey to set up Infineon’s global AI hub and seamlessly link Singapore’s real and digital worlds with AI has been dubbed ARISE – A ugment digital infrastructure; R eskilling, digital transform and drive change; I mplement AI-enabled projects; S hare success stories and events to build community; E xpand ecosystem partnerships. Investment Infineon has invested around S$700 million (US$ 526.1 million) in Singapore over the last decade, with the operation becoming the lead site for smart factory solutions development and global test hub for automotive microcontroller units. It’s also a key node for Infineon global distribution and one of the major microelectronics R&D centers in Asia. Dr. Reinhard Ploss, Infineon Chief Executive Officer, said: “Singapore is a global node of technology, innovation and enterprise that’s able to reinvent itself while conserving its strengths. The country offers a vibrant innovation ecosystem and an attractive environment for top talents to live and work in. “On its journey to become a Smart Nation , a key step is Singapore’s national strategy to develop impactful AI solutions - this fits well with Infineon Singapore’s vision to make it an AI innovation hub and a key player for our AI strategy.” Dr. Beh Swan Gin, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board, said: “Infineon's decision to locate its global AI innovation hub here is another important milestone in our longstanding partnership, which has spanned 50 years. “The latest investment will allow Infineon to build new smart solutions for its operations in Singapore and beyond, and in the process upskill its Singapore workforce.” To find out more about Infineon , visit: www.infineon.com A word from Brilliant's CEO Pushing for a better world Infineon Technologies is one of my favourite forward-looking companies that produces semiconductor design solutions and reference schematics used in automotive, industrial power control, power management, sensing solutions and security in IoT applications, all pushing for a better world. Some applications you might already be familiar with, like, sensor fusion for autonomous driving; smart washing machines and appliances, electronic passports, wireless charging of your devices etc. So now when you are out and about with your everyday life, remember that you might have an Infineon technology inside your car, appliance or device that enables a more functional life. 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 .

New Hope for Brands Emerging into the Light As we emerge dazed and confused from the darkened remnants of 2020, it’s only natural to look forward and blink with barely-disguised optimism into the dazzling dawn of a new year. Surely – after all we’ve been through - things can only get better? They certainly can’t get any worse! But if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to always expect the unexpected. And also to be skilled enough to swiftly adapt to all the changes and opportunities wrought by such an unprecedented event. The COVID-19 pandemic was – and is – absolutely extraordinary in its potency to profoundly impact all our lives with impunity, cutting great swathes of devastation across business and social communities. But out of darkness, cometh light. Humanity has an in-built resilience to confront apparently overwhelming odds. Amidst the glowering COVID-19 maelstrom there’s been encouraging sparks of light from people all over the world adapting the way they work and live, to prosper in what has been dubbed the “New World Order.” 2020’s Backdrop of Instability If COVID-19 managed to bring any benefits at all to 2020, it was to bring into sharp relief all the instabilities of the world’s endless political issues and power struggles. The pandemic became a malevolent backdrop to the cycle of events that played out on the world stage, highlighting their sway and effect on all of our lives. Domestically, the US residential election exposed deep societal fault lines, and Hong Kong was subjected to civil unrest as China began to impose its will on the territory. Internationally, China also attracted criticism with its economic influence continuing to grow and become more worryingly predominant. Other worries about climate change grew apace, with increased numbers of environmental calamities and the attempts to stop them appearing to be ineffective. Across societies worldwide, the rise of the Black Lives Matter phenomenon brought clear focus to decades of brooding anger over perceived injustices – and sharpened the long-held belief that, despite everything, all lives should matter. Alone, but Never Alone Paradoxically, despite all the principles of isolation mandated to stop the spread of COVID-19, the pandemic has done much to push people together and keep them more closely connected than before. Social media initiatives such as #AloneTogether have been instrumental in building networks of supportive online international communities. Zoom conferences became a routine component of business life and visits to the doctor also went digital. Technology has even embraced the spiritual life, with churches and their congregations brought together to worship in virtual services. COVID-19 may have put a temporary hold on international travel, but technology lets us all continue to connect. All these initiatives – forged in the despair of the pandemic to re-set our business and social interactions – give bright optimism for the future as we move forward into 2021. Technology is the key that brings people together, even if they’re alone. Turn and Face the Change So, what does this freshened and radically-different communications environment mean for businesses, their brands and their development as 2021 unfolds? Technology allows businesses to grow, and already the pandemic environment has seen many modify their business models into hybrids of old and new - to take advantage of opportunities available in new digital environment. Confronted by all the different digital scenarios in our “New World Order,” businesses can either panic and fade away – or engage, pivot and grow. A fundamental principle of business – Adapt or Die – is still acutely relevant, as it has been during all the world’s previous technological upheavals down through the centuries. Businesses who sit around and ride the waves, hoping to pick up a few crumbs, will inevitably be left behind as the world moves on. But others who actively seek out new spaces where they can make a difference, sense the market’s needs and respond to them, will become part of the "New World Order" and prosper with it. Unveiling a Brilliant Concept Another fundamental principle of business is that here’s always an opportunity in a crisis – no more so than when the market is subject to radical change and businesses strive to adapt and be relevant in the "New World Order." Hence the concept and launch of Brilliant magazine, a fresh, exciting online resource for businesses living and operating in the worldwide Gig Economy. Brilliant is targeted to all the members of that particular community with curated information geared specifically for them, so they can recognise and take advantage of what people and other businesses need – now and in the future. It aims to grow and support a community of happy businesses in the happy Gig Economy businesses - run by individuals pursuing second careers fuelled by their passions, or simply aiming to build a better world with their creations. Brilliant is a natural progression from initiatives launched during the early, dark days of the pandemic, when educational webinars brought the Gig Community together by providing resources and tools enabling them to re-adjust for new challenges. Instead of a generic magazine shoehorning new technologies into coverage of traditional processes, Brilliant is conceived and crafted purposely for Gig Economy businesses, in a format they can easily identify with. With a blend of business, art, science, psychology and technology, Brilliant is a multi-faceted source of information providing depth, insights and objective thinking for experienced Gig Economy businesses, taking them to tomorrow where the future is digital. The Future’s Bright It’s all very well having a new and more accessible digital world in which to market and sell your brand, but what changes have to be made for a brand to be relevant, desired and bought by the consumers of this new environment? Recent research shows that companies will need show they’re more transparent, sustainable and purpose-driven if they’re to satisfy the demands of post-Millennial generations over the coming decade. These consumers’ top consideration in choosing a brand is predicted to be environmental consideration, as concerns over climate change and global warming grow. Brands that can demonstrate sound environmental credentials will be in preferred categories. On the technology spectrum, a primary factor in the future marketplace is said to be AI, with the prediction that consumers will increasingly depend on machines to make buying decisions, based on their stored brand preferences. In the same futuristic realm is biometric data, deemed to become a key part of customer identification over the coming years, which will make it a necessary focus of marketing strategies. Advertising per se is seen as unlikely to disappear, but more subtle forms of advertising such as sponsorships and product placement, are likely to become increasingly prominent. And as all these innovations develop their presences and no doubt become indispensable in the marketing mix, it’s predicted they’ll all be underpinned by a global collaboration among companies to standardise them across transactions, identity and security. An Ironic Legacy of Hope As all these marketing opportunities take hold and evolve, it’s fair to say that there’s probably never been a more exciting time to be creating and building a brand with all the tools and resources of the New World Order at your disposal. It’s an odd circumstance that the scourge of COVID-19 can be viewed as the catalyst for the formation, growth and acceptance of this optimistic new digital marketplace. Despite its horrendous ravaging of populations across the world, as the pandemic’s influence inevitably recedes in 2021 it’s also likely – somewhat ironically - to leave behind a legacy of new hope for brands. Let us know if you have a story to tell: editor@brilliant-online.com Robin Wilson Editor-at-large Advertise with Brilliant-Online The purpose of Brilliant is to push for a better world in the digital era. We specialise in interactive advertorials that let your brand sparkle and help you sell without selling. Brilliant-Online is an empowering read for progressive individuals and dynamic businesses. For all enquiries about advertising with Brilliant-Online, please contact us here .

Australia’s leading eyewear manufacturer has a clear vision of sustainability in its passion for creating fashionable frame styles that put smiles on faces. For Optex , which produces distinctive spectacle frames for optical and fashion houses across Australia and New Zealand, maintains a strict policy of using only ethically-sourced, recyclable raw materials. The frames are made of recyclable cellulose acetate, conforming to the Optex principle of maintaining environmental sustainability and diverting waste from landfills. Optex is also committed to maintaining sustainable, ethical manufacturing processes and partnering with like-minded businesses in its supply chain – this is highlighted by its partnership with Mazzucchelli, a world leader in acetate sheet manufacture, to use its Becycle material for Optex frames. Located in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Optex has its own purpose-built production facility equipped with the latest sustainable manufacturing technologies enabling it to create stylish, environmentally-friendly eyewear that’s also fun and exciting, reflecting the radiance of Australia’s blue skies, open spaces and sunshine. Optex works closely with optometrists and fashion houses to design original, inspirational eyewear to suit current trends, market demands and purpose, for both medical and fashion needs. The eyewear is hand-crafted in an intricate manufacturing process of more than 50 stages, with a unique blend of timeless professionalism, environmental awareness and contemporary aesthetics. This all results in finished frames with an appealing authenticity that radiates happiness and inspires smiles. Optex Australia 29 Jindalee Rd, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 To find out more about Optex , its products and much more, visit: www.optextaust.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, businesses and people. - LUXE, latest trends and products 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 . Editorials If you have a brilliant story to tell, send your press release to editor@brilliant-online.com

A Great Awakening Written in the Stars The start of a new year is always a time for shaking off the debris of the past and looking forward with optimism for hopes of a better year to come. Traditionally, this has usually meant using astrology as a way of finding forecasts of good fortune. And after everything we experienced during 2020, anyone would be excused for casting their eyes to the heavens for signs of improvements in the year ahead. It’s useful to put all this in perspective by balancing the astral signs with previous patterns and what we know of current activities. So, with that in mind, an astrologer, Jenny Ashton, is telling us we can expect throughout 2021, predicted to be a year of hope and social change. Planets on the move - Jenny Ashton We ended 2020 with Jupiter and Saturn leaving Capricorn and starting their journey through Aquarius. Leaving behind the heavy energy we have all felt in 2020, 2021 will herald a time of originality, scientific advancements and progressive reforms led by group awareness, education and knowledge. Humanity will demand freedom from old and irrelevant concepts. A time of new social reforms will be challenging for many people to understand. There will still be great periods of global stress with the possibility of violent conflict against authority during January. It will be hard to plan realistic goals for 2021 as the year will be in flux, being flexible and making alternative plans will be challenging. A creative approach could ease any tensions. Landmark astrological events in 2021 will be the first Eclipse on 26th May, a total Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius; and on 10th June there is a Solar Eclipse in Gemini. This will shift our method of communication and interest in learning new ways of living. On 19th November a Lunar Eclipse in Taurus will question values and resources; while on 4th December, a Total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius could bring a quest for truth highlighting legal issues. The Sagittarius energy highlighted during this Eclipse period from 26th May to 4th December could involve legal issues. Turmoil of Governments Where to Start? With unprecedented scenes of disorder already in Washington DC, Brexit turbulence in Britain and Europe, and all the trials and tribulations of a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, governments have become confused, panicked and forced – it seems – to think on their feet. This sense of confusion has trickled down and spread among their peoples, leading to what many see as a vicious circle of uncertainty. It all brings to mind the celebrated quote by author John Steinbeck: “I know now why confusion in government is not only tolerated but encouraged. I have learned. A confused people can make no clear demands.” But it’s not all bewilderment in the astrological outlook, which says although Aquarius energy can be unpredictable, both personally and on a world stage, it can also be rebellious, eccentric, humanitarian, inventive, and independent. Personal freedom and independence will have a major influence on political change so the many political and social changes predicted for the first quarter of 2021 will need to be carefully balanced between the importance of humanitarian welfare and radical change, to avoid creating a sense of distrust with government and big businesses. There will be a great awakening within various groups that have felt the limitations from big organisations and governments, and many groups will demand equality and the freedom to choose and create their independence. A time of optimism is forecast with Jupiter in Aquarius until December 2021. Humanity can look forward to a time of a great awakening to the potential of what can be achieved when we work together for a common goal and the common good. With Saturn also in Aquarius right through until March 2023, humanity will be rewarded for hard work. There will be many scientific advances throughout 2021, in agriculture, medicine, and technology. This heightened energy could also lead to ideals that can be revolutionary and possibly rebellious - combined with a strong sense of justice this could give rise to protests. Jupiter in Aquarius energy will shine a light on inequalities, and great change in human consciousness will create opportunities to expand human understanding. Creativity Leads the Way The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic early last year, while unexpected and profound, contained the benefit of forcing businesses to take creative action to stay open, ready and available in the New Normal. This creativity looks to continue as an important element of 2021, with businesses staying the course of pivoting and adapting to take advantage of new opportunities arising. This may indeed be a long-standing New Normal. The astrology forecast says 2021 will be a time of working towards realistic objectives, of understanding there will be limitations to what can be achieved and that because nothing will happen quickly, being persistent is the key to success. Throughout these delays and limitations humanity will have the time to learn patience, humility, wisdom, and compassion. From February to August there will possibly be countries that experience limited food production and distribution. Uneconomical and outdated methods of production will be replaced with methods that are environmentally sustainable and provide employment within communities, but it will take time to establish new structures, so patience is required. This could be a time where market and community gardens provide food on a local level, where wisdom and knowledge are shared. Climate Change Climate change – its causes and effects – has become a worldwide issue in recent years, attracting everyone from celebrities and politicians to its banner. In fact, many would argue that climate change is nothing new and has been ebbing and flowing for many centuries, just as the astrological planets and constellations whirl in the skies above us. But with this issue so much in the forefront of people’s minds, it’s hardly surprising that it looms large in the astrological outlook for 2021. It’s forecast that organisations that continue to harm the environment and their employees will be the target of social campaigns. Water resources will be brought to world attention in August and September in the form of either floods or water restrictions, highlighting the effect of climate change. With Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all in retrograde motion, this will be a time of reflecting on the changes that have occurred since the beginning of the year. In October and November, we could experience limitations and restrictions that will be sudden and unexpected because of misunderstandings or a breakdown in communications, while November’s Eclipse will bring positive changes humanity has been working towards – valuing our natural resources. Past Lessons for Future Change The popular modern notion of ignoring the past and future to live for the present is one that’s taken strong root with successive recent generations. But if these people are so fixated on the present, then it’s unlikely they’ve taken notice of the Edmund Burke quote: “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” This reminds me of a poem, " Said Hanrahan ", written by John O'Brien and published possibly in July 1919, that describes the recurrent natural cycle of droughts, floods and bushfires in rural Australia as seen by "Hanrahan", a pessimistic man of Irish descent, referencing to the drought and banking crisis of the early 1890s. The full poem is published below this blog. So is this climate change or the recurrent natural cycle of weather? And what of a concern for what may happen in their futures? Astrology may be perceived by some as frippery, but it can be a useful tool for plotting and effecting change in both personal and business lives. Right from the start, 2021 is forecast to have a strong Aquarian presence, and with Uranus the traditional ruler of Aquarius and from February to early August, this will influence the heavy Saturnian energy. The impact of this influence will be felt in difficulty to accept change, especially when old attitudes must succumb to the process of change, leading to questioning of morality and ethics. This fear of change could see communities react in a negative way, as the fear of the unfamiliar can cause panic. It may be difficult for some people to break from the past, as self-examination of their beliefs would be painful and confronting, giving rise to feelings of alienation from groups, communities etc. It’s likely we’ll see organisations unexpectedly giving way to the stubbornness of the past and working with science to create a new humanitarian society. In the end, 2021 closes with the focus on social and political change, continuing to evolve and humanity learning lessons from the past. Jenny Ashton Jenny lives in Taree, New South Wales, Australia. For astrology and horoscope readings, please contact Jenny below. Email Jenny t: +614 0960 5414 Poem - Said Hanrahan "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, In accents most forlorn, Outside the church, ere Mass began, One frosty Sunday morn. The congregation stood about, Coat-collars to the ears, And talked of stock, and crops, and drought, As it had done for years. "It's lookin' crook," said Daniel Croke; "Bedad, it's cruke, me lad, For never since the banks went broke Has seasons been so bad." "It's dry, all right," said young O'Neil, With which astute remark He squatted down upon his heel And chewed a piece of bark. And so around the chorus ran "It's keepin' dry, no doubt." "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out. "The crops are done; ye'll have your work To save one bag of grain; From here way out to Back-o'-Bourke They're singin' out for rain. "They're singin' out for rain," he said, "And all the tanks are dry." The congregation scratched its head, And gazed around the sky. "There won't be grass, in any case, Enough to feed an ass; There's not a blade on Casey's place As I came down to Mass." "If rain don't come this month," said Dan, And cleared his throat to speak-- "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "If rain don't come this week." A heavy silence seemed to steal On all at this remark; And each man squatted on his heel, And chewed a piece of bark. "We want a inch of rain, we do," O'Neil observed at last; But Croke "maintained" we wanted two To put the danger past. "If we don't get three inches, man, Or four to break this drought, We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out." In God's good time down came the rain; And all the afternoon On iron roof and window-pane It drummed a homely tune. And through the night it pattered still, And lightsome, gladsome elves On dripping spout and window-sill Kept talking to themselves. It pelted, pelted all day long, A-singing at its work, Till every heart took up the song Way out to Back-o'Bourke. And every creek a banker ran, And dams filled overtop; "We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "If this rain doesn't stop." And stop it did, in God's good time; And spring came in to fold A mantle o'er the hills sublime Of green and pink and gold. And days went by on dancing feet, With harvest-hopes immense, And laughing eyes beheld the wheat Nid-nodding o'er the fence. And, oh, the smiles on every face, As happy lad and lass Through grass knee-deep on Casey's place Went riding down to Mass. While round the church in clothes genteel Discoursed the men of mark, And each man squatted on his heel, And chewed his piece of bark. "There'll be bush-fires for sure, me man, There will, without a doubt; We'll all be rooned," said Hanrahan, "Before the year is out." - John O'Brien #astrology #SaidHanrahan #JennyAshton #climatechange #2021predictions 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, businesses and people. - LUXE, latest trends and products 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 .