Biting the Bullet ...

As news of another corona outbreak in Melbourne rang in my ears, I realised I had to stop procrastinating. It was time to bite the bullet and step up to the readily available Covid-19 vaccine. I knew it was a necessary requirement, but felt dubious and a little fearful of the unknown, long term effects of the young booster. Until now I wasn't prepared to be a trend-setter and had decided to wait, hovering in the background. I'm certain I wasn't on my own.

However, another lockdown? Surely not! I believed we'd moved past these severe restrictions. I thought quarantine issues were finally understood and managed well in Victoria. I was convinced Australia, our vast island, was relatively safe, but no. It was time to put my big girl's pants on and take the jab. How else would this world ever open up again if we are not all immunised?!

On a mission, I immediately rang the medical centre to book an appointment time, assuming I would need to wait a few weeks before being seen. This would give me sufficient time to mentally prepare myself, I thought. However, two days later I found myself warily standing in the waiting room! Eyes peering out from over the top of all too familiar masks, I approached reception struggling to hear the young lady's directions. I accepted the face protection was mandatory and beneficial, but the impersonal aspect overwhelmed me just as it did throughout 2020.

The comfortably warm waiting room portrayed an organised busyness. Medical staff were constantly venturing in, out and through the spacious area calling patients' names. I admired and respected their dedication. A friendly receptionist with comforting, smiling eyes, which I immensely appreciated, handed me a form of extensive health questions to fill out while I waited my turn. I was still feeling a little apprehensive at this stage and as I looked around the room, I wondered how many others resonated with me. It seemed most were there for the same reason I was.

Interrupting my unhelpful train of thoughts, a seemingly efficient nurse suddenly appeared from nowhere and called my name. She then proceeded to voice a second name and it became clear two patients were shown into a consultation room at one time to be given the vaccine consecutively.

As I stood up and headed towards Nurse Nancy, I scanned the room wondering who I was to share this unnerving experience with. Then I noticed a little, old lady emanating a determined air of confidence. She had already reached Nancy and both were waiting for me to front up! I quickly hurried not to keep them and the orderly process waiting.

Faye, my vaccine comrade, sat down and promptly pulled up her sleeve ready for action. I started to unpeel my cardigan as I stumbled over my words, attempting to pick Nancy's brain one last time about the Astrazeneca vaccine, which was about to invade my body. Before I had completely removed my cardigan I had unobtrusively been administered the booster.

It was done.

Faye was next and didn't flinch an eyelid. There was no uncertainty or fear about her. She knew the intervention was necessary to protect her as much as possible from the dreaded virus. She seemingly breezed through the process with unshakable trust in Nurse Nancy and the vaccine. Although I am 180cm tall and towered over Faye, I suddenly felt extremely small!

Faye and I returned to the waiting room together and were required to sit for fifteen minutes in case any undesirable reactions surfaced encouraged by the booster. We chatted as we watched the clock together. Faye, who lives on her farm in Fish Creek, proudly disclosed she was in her nineties and felt fortunate to have suffered minimal health issues during her lengthy lifetime. Her happy, wise and content persona was inspiring and I felt honoured to share her company.

While Faye waited for her lift, I left the medical premises on the fifteen minute stroke and drove home, reassuring myself I'd half completed my duty towards healing the world. I was feeling good. Easy peasy, I thought. With a new appointment time booked, I would return in twelve weeks to complete the immunisation program and hope to once again cross paths with my new, elderly friend.

The following day I awoke feeling a little ordinary with a dull overall ache, which lasted the morning. A headache followed and remained for the afternoon. It wasn't an uncommon reaction I was told. I wondered how Faye pulled up and hoped her astounding, healthy track record continued throughout the post vaccine period.

The world population needs the administration of a Covid-19 vaccine to once again enjoy some sort of universal normality. I believe Corona isn't going anywhere. I feel we're obliged to adjust to life with and around the damaging virus strains, similar to the many illnesses we already endure on a daily basis. Seriously, what choice do we have? Do we wish to sit in our protected homes for the rest of our lives without social integration? I certainly don't! I've now taken the first step toward normalcy. Whether I feel apprehensive or not, it makes no difference. If the vaccine allows us to lead full, rich, purposeful lives, surely it's in our best interests to globally welcome the jab.

Faye being giving the Covid-19 booster by Nurse Nancy

Winter is drawing near in Australia ...

As I watch the rain pelt down through the living room window, I feel for the cattle huddled together in the far corners of the distant paddocks. The poor, young calves are shaking their little heads in an attempt to escape the pounding raindrops. The chilly wind is brutal as it forcefully blows sideways across the land and between the herds. It makes me shiver as I watch them. The seasons are definitely changing. I can't believe how quickly time continues to fly by. Before we know it, we will refer to the first half of 2021 in past tense as we enter the depths of winter. Winter already! How can that be?

When our coldest season springs to mind, I think of delicious, hot showers, cosy fires, spicy, thick soups, snuggle blankets and entertaining books to curl up with. That's after I've tackled frozen, numb fingers and toes, rosy cheeks, a runny nose, gumboots, mud, rain, frost and peeling off copious amounts of warm layers. The mornings are brisk and dark as I rise, while dusk descends as I return home at the end of each day. The hours of daylight seem to impulsively up their tempo.

However, I enjoy the diverse seasons we are fortunate to experience. Each feels unique in its own right and for me, creates a particular frame of mind. I tend to withdraw a little in winter and look within, contemplating ways to realise the dormant dreams I have yet to fulfill. I plan my wish list during the frosty months, armed and ready to take action as fertile spring emerges and typically showers me with renewed, vibrant energy. It's exciting moving forward with fresh insights learnt from past experiences. I just wish, as I continue to mature, time would slow down a tad.

Nevertheless, it is what it is and all is relatively well. I remind myself to take each day as it comes, for no one is promised tomorrow, and enjoy each hour to the best of my ability. Whether it's pressing work I need to complete or an activity I happily lose myself in, all is to be mindfully embraced, appreciated and deserving of my all.

May we all keep warm and healthy as we enter the cooler months ...

How lucky we are in Australia

How lucky we are in this beautiful country of ours! While much of the globe continues to struggle to tame the rampant Covid-19 health challenge, and some countries still experiencing devastating crisis, we are comparably safe on our vast island.

Initially, through trial and error,  fumbling our way to contain the growth of the unprecedented, unwelcomed antagonist, we have achieved massive results leading up to now. Predominantly we have listened to the voice of authority and heeded the guidance of our country's health specialists. We've done exceptionally well.

However, without sounding ungrateful, for I know how extremely fortunate I am, my thoughts tend to venture to around the late 1700's when over a significant period of time, various parts of our country confined overseas offenders. With an international travel ban in place (and rightly so), I feel a tad imprisoned on our golden soil.

Male prisoners were generally utilised as labourers to construct roads and buildings or put to use on government farms. The more  educated among them were placed in administration work. Convict woman too were useful on farms and were typically instructed to engage in domestic duties. 

I happen to carry out most of these activities on a daily basis, although I haven't broken any laws and do not wear a ball and chain around my ankle! Thanks to the pandemic I am, in a contemporary sense, somewhat feeling a minuscule sensation of our roots.

I miss overseas travel terribly. Finally reaching a stage in life equipped to frequently enjoy exploring different cultures and environments, my dream remains treading water. Hugging loved ones across the seas is but a surreal, distant memory. 

Besides the travel bubble presently in place between Australia and New Zealand (excluding Western Australia), the recommencement of international travel elsewhere is overshadowed by speculation and mystery. Department of Health Secretary Dr Brendan Murphy states, "It depends largely on the status of Australia's nationwide vaccine program. Even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don't know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus." 

Some major airlines like Qantas plan to restart their international flight schedules from October in line with our country's vaccination program. Although travel restrictions and government advice changes frequently, there are conversations of establishing travel bubbles with low risk countries in Asia and the South Pacific, such as Singapore, Fiji, Vanuatu, Japan and South Korea - as long as all travellers have had the jab. However, I'm not holding my breath!

Now is the perfect, and more or less, only opportunity to relish in Australian adventures. Our nation has some of the most incredible, diverse 'must sees', in the world, which never fail to take our breath away. From the frosty, white peaks of Cradle Mountain to the fiery, red earth around Uluru, the pristine sands of the Whitsunday Islands to the untamed beaches and bush of Wilsons Promontory. Every direction of our vast, beautiful land is waiting to be discovered. The stunning landscapes and differing climates are endless whichever destination you choose.

So if you're due for holidays or simply feel an urgency to nurture your mental health - and your circumstances allow - now is perhaps the ideal time to acquaint yourself with parts of our wondrous continent you haven't yet embraced. Take a road trip and spend your tourist dollars supporting struggling communities along the way or make the most of affordable interstate flights. Continue to practice good hygiene and sensibly social distance wherever possible. Simply be mindful of your environment as you rejuvenate your soul ... and look forward to one day traveling across the oceans again as I do.

One of the stunning sunrises looking across to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria.

The Roller Coaster of Life

 It is written we typically progress through seven stages of our lives. These are noted as infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood and later adulthood.

As I re-read the above words, I am somehow annoyed by their simple, uncompromising and blunt nature. To think of the many, colourful, chaotic shifts we endure or commemorate throughout our lives, these labels seem mere empty, cold words.

Life is one gruelling, dizzying, thrilling roller coaster of emotions. Gut-wrenching trials and tribulations, which can force us to our knees, have the power to change life in an instant. These occur either spontaneously flooring us from left field, or we take the initiatives ourselves to act on difficult, significant, life-changing decisions knowing in our hearts they are ultimately for the greater good.

Then there are the many triumphs, milestones and all the endless events in between, which offer joy, inspiration and cause to wholeheartedly celebrate. All is to be honoured on some level, even the despairing developments. Growth and transformation undeniably arise from the ashes of each experience.

According to Erikson's model of human development (one of many theories), infancy is recognised as the first couple of years after birth when a child is dependent, transitions into an active, inquisitive toddler and learns to speak. This stage, which promotes the most overall growth, is also where a sense of trust is formed.

During early childhood relationships and friendships are established. Healthy, functional connections depend greatly on the development of trust in infancy. Key aspects are independence verses dependence. Children learn to assert themselves, asking for their needs and wants to be met.

Middle childhood revolves around commencing school. Children learn to compare themselves with peers. Feelings of accomplishment or inferiority surface, hence self-esteem, or lack of, continues to form.

The adolescent stage is about developing a sense of self. This is also often referred to as the "identity crisis" period. It is a unique stretch of rapid physical and deep emotional changes. A confusing, uncomfortable, but also exciting time.

Early adulthood refers to our twenties where people begin to solidify their bonds and enter relationships or marriages. Studies or careers have begun and people move away from the nest.

Middle adulthood revolves around life's priorities one has chosen and established, such as raising a family and/or pursuing careers, often paying off a mortgage. Life is typically busy and time flies by. Before you know it, the fifties have arrived!

"Apparently" we have mastered life as we enter our fifties. Having been around half a century, we worry less about others opinions of us, while our self-acceptance, equanimity and contentment increases. Coming into our own and perhaps now freer of family obligations, our fifties allow us pockets of time and space to re-evaluate our existence. We've experienced a kaleidoscope of life's challenges and lessons and we are wiser. We know the drill, or do we?!

The time clock ticks louder. Our hearts break as we bury loved ones way before their time. By now marriages may have broken down, sometimes more than once, and life has changed directions. Numerous, pertinent questions arise, such as:

• What am I really about?

• Am I living the life I desire?

• Have I achieved that which I intended?

• What is it I am here to accomplish anyway?

• Am I making a meaningful contribution to the world?

• Am I fulfilled and happy?

The fifties can be confusing. Our bodies change, menopause may leave women with compromising residues and we perhaps feel a sense of urgency to assess our lives and create monumental changes, possibly well overdue. If we choose to listen, our hearts easily and promptly decipher the answers to our questions. It's our heads that predominantly get in the way of our personal truth.

However, after many interesting conversations with older folk, it seems once we enter our sixth decade confusion is typically replaced with a sweet sense of calm, confidence and clarity. While ageing may lead to various, undesirable physical issues, we tend to feel happier, content and generally more balanced than in previous years. We've sifted through our priorities, goals and dreams and confidently know how we wish to tackle our remaining senior years. Relinquishing old, limited identities we expand, become increasingly empowered and closer to our true selves. We learn not to sweat the small stuff.

At the end of the day, age is but a number. Whichever life stage you find yourself, choose wisely and embrace your selected path. Relish in the triumphs and realise the interwoven messiness, challenges and upheavals of life ultimately reward you with emotional strength, insight and personal growth. Have faith in yourself, always do your best, live life with integrity and act on your gut feelings. Do not allow fear to stand in your way. Remember, life is but a blink of an eye ...

Venus Bay's Local Dog Whisperer.

Christine Grant, a passionate, wise, empathetic woman, has treasured an innate connection with canines since early childhood. She adores the four-legged creatures and is unable to imagine her life without them.

Born and raised in Leongatha, Victoria, Australia, Christine worked as a disability support worker for many years. In 2000, an opportunity arose that was too good to refuse. Christine, her partner, and two cherished Labradors headed north on a road trip to commence work on a small cattle property in New South Wales.

It was there Christine stumbled upon a cattle dog trial, exhibiting the skills of working dogs and the amazing relationships they shared with their handlers. She was instantly in awe of the clear communication between man and beast, and the physical abilities, beauty and grace of the animals. It was on that exceptional day Christine discovered her calling.

During the inspiring event, Christine met Mick Davis, who would become her mentor, teacher and lifelong friend. Mick was a well known, respected horseman, cattleman, dogman and showman. Rough around the edges and direct, he would tell it like it was. Sadly, he passed away in 2019.

Mick would be gone with his dogs in tow three to four months of the year, travelling throughout New South Wales and Queensland to work as a stockman on cattle properties. Upon his return his twelve dogs were trustingly placed in Christine's care. Possessing the capacity to house them, she happily took the hard-working pooches in to feed, exercise and interact with daily.

During the months Mick was home, he returned the favour by sharing his extensive knowledge. He visited Christine three times a week to collectively train his and (by then), her six beloved dogs with encouragement, but stern harangue. “It was tough at times,” Christine claimed, “but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”

Over time, additional canines joined Christine's pack and she too, headed up north for three years to work as a jillaroo on rugged cattle properties. She particularly enjoyed handling young cattle; teaching them to be respectful of the dogs, while being guided by them. A perfect example of symbiosis!

In 2007, through a sudden turn of events, Christine, her partner, and her then ten, precious, working collies returned to a farm in South Gippsland, Victoria. Acclimatising wasn't easy. In an attempt to fill a void, Christine sought out a local dog working group in Berrys Creek. At the time, this proved to be the perfect pursuit for herself and her furry friends. The connection shared among the dog enthusiasts, through a love for working dogs, was sincere and nurturing. For over two years Christine thoroughly enjoyed engaging with such a wonderful community, while learning a wealth of information.

In that time frame Christine also successfully completed Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training, offered by the National Dog Trainers Federation in Melbourne. Gaining accreditation as a comprehensive dog trainer, it was at the end of 2008 she excitedly launched her business 'Everydog Behaviour & Training'. She consequently began feeling her way within the industry, working locally, one on one, with dogs and their humans.

By 2010, life had taken another twist and Christine relocated to stunning Venus Bay with five dogs by her side. Sadly, all five  companions have since passed on, however a new, adorable friend, Fingers, arrived nine months ago. The two are inseparable, a pleasure to watch, and renowned in the area.

Christine delights in her coastal lifestyle and takes great pride in her dog training venture. She strongly believes teaching dog owners to read their pets' subtle body language so as to understand their communication, is vital towards gaining mutual respect. Christine affirms, “It's not rocket science. If dogs are settled, the relationships  between them and their owners flourish. It's about training people to train their dogs.”

Christine, fuelled with passion and expertise, has successfully assisted many breeds of dogs and their human families or individuals to bond on a deeper level. Her unique, kind and intuitive manner with canines is remarkable. For this reason, she is recognised throughout the community and surrounds as the local dog whisperer.

Christine & Fingers.

Nature Inspired.

The Corona virus restrictions in 2020, while frustrating and devastating for many, simultaneously bore wonderful, exciting initiatives. Young couple, Bianca Bennett and Eric Grattan from Victoria, Australia, utilised their lockdown periods last year to bring their dream of creating a meaningful online business to fruition.

Both possessing a love for the great outdoors, Bianca and Eric share a passion for living as environmentally friendly as possible, forever searching for new, sustainable resources to weave into their lifestyle. Wishing to motivate others to proceed in the same direction, their intention is to ultimately protect and honour the environment one step at a time.

Bianca holds a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in Ecology and Environmental Management, while Eric is a sole-trader carpenter. Both lead busy lives, each working demanding, full-time jobs. 

Over the last couple of years, Eric contributed to building their high-performing, eco-friendly home in stunning Venus Bay. The delighted couple, along with their adored pooch, recently moved in to enjoy the coastal area. The couple strive to protect their native surroundings by implementing green living products and practices, transitioning to attain a zero-waste lifestyle.

Every day the couple is inspired by nature. After some hesitation and contemplation, it was in July last year Bianca and Eric took the unnerving plunge and established their online business venture, naturally naming it 'Nature Inspired'. Initially sourcing plastic-free products for themselves, they were amazed and excited over the extensive range of green products available through numerous Australian businesses. They then proceeded to apply to various manufacturers to become wholesalers for their purposeful products. Bianca claims, "It's wonderful to collaborate with a like-minded, passionate business community and we often receive positive feedback for our efforts."

Nature Inspired makes eco shopping easy! Bianca and Eric pride themselves on tirelessly researching and sourcing merchandise to sell from the one online platform. Offering the best range of reusable, compostable and biodegradable products, all are shipped plastic-free. However, before any items are sold, the couple test-drives each product themselves.

Bianca and Eric's passion and motivation is to inspire and educate others to make a difference to our wonderful world. They aim to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by providing sustainable solutions for everyday household items. Bianca says, "We encourage a continuous habit, similar to eating healthy or learning a new skill. People may slip up from time to time, but that's ok. As long as there's a willingness to take part in the journey. It's about making simple, but hugely impactful changes."

The motto behind Nature Inspired is:

"We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly." - Anne Marie Bonneau, Zero Waste Chef.

Through consistent, interesting posts, showcasing available stock on Instagram, Facebook and the Nature Inspired website, Bianca and Eric receive weekly orders from all over Australia. Not only is this venture helping to protect the planet and the health and wellbeing of loved ones, but also the future of our children.

Well done, Bianca and Eric, for throwing caution to the wind and establishing a business with such an important message. Your efforts will surely continue to be rewarded.

Bianca & Eric at home exhibiting numerous varieties of eco-friendly household products.

The Challenges of Reporting.

Possessing a passion for the written word, I've in the past typically concentrated on documenting personal experiences as they occurred throughout my life. I found my sentences flowed easily in light of my emotional attachment as I 'felt' my way through the unfolding tales. My intention, besides relishing in writing, was to carve significant memories into stone; to revisit as I sit in my rocking chair during the winter of my life. My succeeding generations may even feel inclined to read my scribes one day.

However, over the last nine months through wonderful opportunities, I've tried my hand at reporting community stories around people, places, events, even animals. While this form of writing is foreign and sometimes challenging, it's simultaneously rewarding if my articles are well received.

The people I have connected with over time have been approachable, interesting and a pleasure to meet. I've even made new friends! Truth be known, occasionally my given topics didn't initially excite me and with no former knowledge I needed to thoroughly research my tasks before attempting to write informative articles. Once I investigated themes I engaged with the contacts I was asked to interview, either by phone or in person, to gather customised details and quotes. Together with my groundwork I blended the information to form the features. As I wrote I again imagined myself in the subject's shoes, striving to bring the sentences to life through assuming emotions.

Writing the stories seems to be the easy part of reporting! Trying to engage with contacts can be tricky. Co-ordinating days and times to catch up for interviews is often difficult as everyone's lives are busy - including mine. Once the stories are written, emailed, read and ticked off by the organisations or individuals I report of, I submit the articles to the editor. However, waiting on story confirmations can sometimes seem like forever, especially if I am to meet a deadline.

Often over numerous days, there's a back and forth of editing communication before a final draft is completed. This again is due to coordination and prioritisation of time involving all parties. For this reason I conscientiously begin the process of constructing my articles and interacting with the public as early as possible.

I recall I was once asked to write a 1000 word article on an animal refuge, given three weeks to complete. Over that time four meetings were locked in and subsequently cancelled, for one reason or another, by the interviewee. I couldn't hold off any longer knowing how much I fumbled around editing my completed pieces until I was happy with the end result.

I researched the shelter's website and blindly formulated a believable article around the information I interpreted. The story read as if I knew exactly what I was talking about which I found amusing not having ever visited the establishment! 

Being an avid animal lover, I coloured the content assuming how life within an animal shelter would appear. I then emailed my words to the refuge manager in the hope our pending and rather urgent conversation would be about filling in the blanks - and that's exactly what eventuated! A date and time was organised four days prior to the story's submission date, I was asked to add a few significant facts and my story was complete. Both the shelter staff and the editor loved the article. I couldn't believe what I had achieved! Nevertheless, while it was an interesting and exciting process, it's not something I'd like to make a habit of.

I've also come across a touch of language barrier. Occasionally people speak with a strong motherland accent or minimal English. Comprehending their words and phrases to really grasp what they're trying to voice can be tough, especially over the phone. Asking them to repeat themselves numerous times is awkward. However, communication comes in many forms and although it may take a little longer, a story is always successfully written.

I religiously make a point of emailing my completed articles to the people or businesses I've reported on. Without their final approval I wouldn't feel comfortable submitting my work; to cover both our butts! Maybe that's the norm in journalism. I wouldn't know, but I call it courtesy and common sense.

I've personally learned so much since formulating articles around community interests. Not only am I writing in a different format, but many topics I've never dreamt of entertaining I'm now knowledgeable of. My vocabulary is expanding and sometimes, as I'm about to document an intended word within a storyline, I suddenly find myself writing a completely different, more fitting one from left field. I have no idea how or why this happens, but I love it when it does!

I still enjoy writing stories of a personal nature. With only myself involved I can pick and choose the most appropriate times to indulge in my passion. There's no pressure, interviews or research to tackle and I don't second guess myself as I know my words are true - because it's my truth.

I love losing myself among words to formulate non-fiction stories. In fact, if it were possible I'd scribe all day, however that wouldn't buy the baby a new bonnet! Besides, sitting down for so long my ageing back would complain while my backside would inevitably spread to new dimensions.

My intention is to evolve my writing skills through  perseverance, learning and growing as a person along the way. Often I am approached by folk who compliment my articles, which for a short while places a spring in my step. At times others possessing writing credentials, occasionally advise me to thoroughly proof read my pieces before I submit them. That sets off alarm bells, but I appreciate the constructive criticism as it motivates me to become more diligent.

Most importantly, writing is my joy and presently keeps me sane and focused during this unprecedented and frustrating pandemic situation. Seeing my stories in print is just the delicious, sweet icing on the cake .

My little, furry writing companion. ❤️