Speak Out Loud: Stories of Strength Kathryn Walton

Jessica Carey's deep connection with the Southern Downs Region goes back six generations. Today we chat about the cycles and seasons in nature, and that by choosing your mindset and your actions, you build your strength and resilience which positions you in a much better place to manage the changes, the cycles and the seasons in life. Jessica also shares her love of physical activity and sport, and the many opportunities across the region for joining in structured activities like sport, as well as unstructured leisure activities such as bushwalking that gets you connected with nature. Our conversation reflects many of the themes that we've explored in Season Two and I'm sure it will inspire you to get out there and get active.

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Jessica share:
her family connection to the Southern Downsher perspective of natural events that focuses on cycles and seasons health is a value which guides her choices in nutrition, movement, stillness, sleep, relationships, goals and natureopportunities for people to get active in the region including structured sport and unstructured leisure activitieshow to find information about physical activities including asking other people, using social media, accessing council’s website and asking local businessesher favourite ways to get active and what motivates herlocal spaces for hiking including Girraween National Park‘in town’ options for people to get activewhy she loves teaching children swimming skillsopportunities for adults to get involved with a new sport or activityincrease your physical activity by starting small, setting a goal and working towards it slowly whilst being kind and compassionate with yourselfmindset, movement and connection creates change that can increase your resilience and improve your emotional and physical well-beingit’s important to choose activities and ways of connecting that work for youher belief that the region has incredible opportunities to get active and explore the natural landscapes RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact Jessica Carey

VIEW THE HOPE + GROWTH 2019 EXHIBITION ONLINE  (PHOTOS AND POETRY)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

The information shared in the podcast conversations and associated handouts is intended for general information only and is not necessarily the opinion of the producers, host and funding bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this information was correct at the time of publishing. Please consult with your doctor, health provider and relevant trained personnel for professional advice and support based on your individual needs. 

 Liz Fama'aea  joins me to share the value of being connected with your community. Liz grew up in Stanthorpe and was motivated to move back with her family a few years ago so they could reconnect and benefit from the support of the community. She has a really interesting story to share about the damage her home and property sustained during the September 2019 bushfire and the incredible recovery journey of the landscape and community which was reflected in the recent Hope + Growth Photo Exhibition. 

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Liz share:
her family connection with the Stanthorpe community on the Southern Downsone of the things she loves about being a photographer is bearing witness to and recording personal and community events the Hope + Growth Photography Exhibition enabled people to share memories and feelings about the 2019 bushfireher own experience of the bushfire which damaged her home and property, and the remarkable story of what saved itthe importance of knowing your fire risk and preparing your propertythe amazing recovery of the bush with explosions of growth and diversityher sense of hope for bush recovery as plants flower and provide food for wildlifethings she’s learnt from the fire including: nurture your links and engage with your communityintroduce yourself to your neighbours – it can be lifesaving! community can respond faster than governments in times of needencourage a culture of mutual support – when you ask for help, it gives others “permission” to ask for help too  “survivor guilt” can be a barrier to people acknowledging the challenges and asking for helpbalancing personal space and community engagement is importantthe value of taking on the role of official photographer for the Hope and Growth Photography Exhibition Openingsthe exhibition was an opportunity to talk with others who had shared the bushfire experience and thank the emergency services workersimmediate mental health support is vital during crises, but there is enormous value in community events even several years later getting to know the bush around you helps you understand it and prepare for firesbroad-scale community fire management strategies are vitalmore education is needed to protect and support communities in fire-prone areas including the sharing of knowledge by older generations, trained personnel and Indigenous land management workers RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

VIEW THE HOPE + GROWTH 2019 EXHIBITION ONLINE  (PHOTOS AND POETRY)

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

The information shared in the podcast conversations and associated handouts is intended for general information only and is not necessarily the opinion of the producers, host and funding bodies. To the best of our knowledge, this information was correct at the time of publishing. Please consult with your doctor, health provider and relevant trained personnel for professional advice and support based on your individual needs. 

Carmel and Adam Wooding join me on the podcast today to chat about how digital technology can help you thrive by connecting you with your friends, family and community, as well as how digital technology is helping rural, regional and remote businesses across Australia thrive by connecting them with their customers and their teams. Carmel and Adam established their own business, Empower Digital, during the drought and the bush fires of 2019 in Warwick, Queensland. They also had plans to travel around Australia with their business when the pandemic changed what was possible. Their story reflects how important it is to have goals in your personal and your work or business life. But most importantly, it highlights the value of being flexible in how you work towards your goals. The themes in this episode encourage you to connect and to be flexible in life and business. 

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Carmel and Adam share:
their connection with the Southern Downs Regionhow they combined their interests in education and digital technology to create a family business in 2019 when the region was experiencing drought and bushfires why their business goal is to empower people with the use of technologyhow they planned to combine their business and family goals in 2020 how the pandemic unexpectedly impacted their travel and businessthe adjustments they made to their family travel goals that enabled them to return to caravanning and working on the roadthe surprising silver lining that COVID-19 had for their businesstechnology as a tool facilitates connection between people, businesses and communities in ways that help them to thrive especially in rural and regional areasaccess to technology and connectivity is a barrier in some parts of Australia where there are limited mobile phone and Internet services fear or lack of confidence in using technology is also a barrier for many peopleadopting the mindset that everything in life is a learning process can help people access and enjoy the benefits of technologythe importance of maintaining information literacy and remembering that everything you see on social media is not true or realisticbeing proactive with security measures is important practical tools to help you overcome some of the challenges with technology include: keep software up-to-date with the latest versions of apps and programs you useuse a password manager use a different password on every different account turn on two-step authentication wherever possible be careful which links you click on and who you share sensitive information withsupporting communities and businesses to improve connectivity and connection reflects the positive power of technology and facilitates self-determinationCOVID-19 has normalised virtual meetings and connections using technology RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact Carmel and Adam Wooding at Empower Digital

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

Tanya Jobling joins me for today's episode to share information about the Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group, a not for profit organisation which has been active across the region for 30 years. The Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group collaborates with other organisations to help the community connect with land management workshops and projects that benefit the health of the land and the health of the people. This includes education on techniques such as natural sequence farming, regenerative agriculture, bio controls and bushfire risk mitigation, as well as bush care groups which are open to anyone interested in getting involved. 

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Tanya share:
her connection to the Southern Downs in her role with the Condamine Headwaters Landcare Groupthe Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group delivers projects relevant to farmers, conservationists, bush carers and land managersfarmers prepare for disruptive events such as floods, drought and fires which are a normal part of the landscape they managea recent project was inspired by the early adopters of natural sequence farming in the region and delivered workshops, courses and funded works on local propertiesregenerative agriculture projects have looked at a range of techniques to build soil, biodiversity and agricultural health which creates resilient systemscurrent regenerative agriculture projects include natural sequence farming, multi-species cover crops, pasture crops, grazing practices, tree establishment, soil health and system health for farmingthe benefits of regenerative agriculture can be seen across the landscape and the communitymany people are discovering that regenerative practices are interesting and rewarding as they gain a deeper understanding of the diverse range of options available and how they can work with the landscapechange is certain, and a top tip for dealing with change is to focus your energy on looking after yourself and being prepared for changecultural burning workshops have helped participants understand the indigenous perspective of land management, the landscape health benefits of appropriate fire, and bushfire risk mitigationLandcare is resilient in the face of reduced funding, aiming to be an effective community group in the current system and looking towards the future RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact  Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

Today's guest is Helen Lewis who shares valuable insights and tools to help you manage tough times. Helen is a primary producer from Picot's Farm near Warwick on the Southern Downs. She has a keen interest in educating communities about chosen change and unchosen change as well as decision-making for your farm, your business, your family, or your personal life that's based on your values and your longer term vision. Helen also shares some information about the Outback Way Project which highlights the benefits of connections within and between communities and the power of collaboration.

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Helen share:
 the story of her connection to the Southern Downsthe emotional, physical and landscape impacts of bushfires, droughts and floodsnatural disasters are “unchosen change” the process of managing “unchosen change”  the process of “chosen change” how a local farmers’ group has helped her manage her business through the droughtthe importance of improving your landscape function to mitigate the impact of natural disasters focusing your energy and attention on your Circle of Control can grow your Circle of Influence and diminish your Circle of Concern the value of early decision-making, knowing your “drought trigger point” and being clear on your risk level profileland management practices such as planned grazing helps prepare the soil for future weather events values-based decision-makingtools in the land management toolboxthe importance of understanding how nature works so you know which tools to use the Outback Way project the Southern Downs Food Map the mindset that you’re either winning or learning is a powerful, positive and pro-active space RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

Contact Helen Lewis, Picot's Farm

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)

Peter Gill is my guest on the podcast today. Peter lives on the Granite Belt in the Southern Downs Region where he's surrounded by bush land that's a habitat to a diverse range of vegetation and wildlife, including many birds which you might hear as you listen to this episode. For Peter, writing poetry is a catalyst for self-expression and creativity. He shares one of his poems with us today that conveys the relief and the despair of returning home after the bush fire in September 2019. Peter also shares with us the vital importance of preparation and being proactive, including asking for help of any kind, if you need it. 

Listen to the podcast conversation to hear Peter share:
 his connection with the Southern Downs including what attracted him to the area one of his poems “Returning Home” that was exhibited in the Hope + Growth Photography Exhibitionhow his poems include elements of emotional expression and education  the agricultural community deals with stress each year such as hail, flood, fire and economic issuespart of the strength of the community is that support is availableit’s important to acknowledge when you need supportyou can access formal help and connect informally with othersthe Blue Tree Project is an awareness-raising initiative that encourages people to acknowledge difficulties and work towards solutions there’s always a solutionpreparation for troubles such as bushfires is vital and includes mental preparation and practical actionthe bushfire provided him with an opportunity to simplify, put things in perspective, see the silver lining and reduce risk for future events, all of which enabled him to deal with loss and bounce back better dealing with loss is not about moving on and forgetting, but moving on knowing you survived, recovered and identified ways to reduce your future risk  there is great value in taking the step of asking yourself how you can fix a problem or issue and then being proactive and taking action yourself  - don’t expect recovery to come to you  poetry is his preferred form of expression but other people might use painting, drawing or plantingbe prepared for ongoing cyclical seasons of dry weather, fires, wet weather and growth RESOURCES and LINKS
Download a handout which includes a summary of the episode and a full list of the services, organisations, events and resources mentioned

Read the transcript of the episode

View the Hope + Growth 2019 Bushfire Photography Exhibition online

Contact Kathryn Walton from Kathryn Walton Consulting and Outdoors is my Therapy

Music by Twisterium from Pixabay

Series 2 has been jointly funded under the Commonwealth and State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (2018)