| | | Dear Guest, "Keep calm, stay wise, be kind." Such simple words, but words that can make the difference for everyone around us. Tomorrow is International Day of Happiness and it's a powerful reminder that in a world that is a little frazzled at the moment - finding those rays of joy and sunlight are so important. I was sitting outside one afternoon this week and during a rainy storm a wonderful and clear rainbow crept across the sky - it made me smile. We often forget, when we are busy and stressed, to just sit sometimes and enjoy the little things like cups of tea, a walk in the garden or a quick phone call with our siblings or friend. You can download the Coping Calendar which is a small but positive way of looking after each other and ourselves. I completely agree with shutting down our phones and getting more hours of sleep - stepping away from our phones helps us to live in the moment more. I am also going to commit to putting a few pieces of my Christmas serenity puzzle together - it's finding the time and committing to small actions that we enjoy. Make sure you find time for you this week or someone you love. After two full weeks of IWD events I was keen to get back in the office this week! I had free movie passes to get out to members, more Charity High Tea raffle tickets to sell, phone calls to make and preparations for the array of wonderful events we have coming up. Speaking of events, I do wish everyone in Hobart today the best for your luncheon - Belinda Shaw will be fantastic and I hope you all walk away feeling motivated and enlightened. Our WNA Charity High Tea is next week and our raffle is now live so please jump online to purchase your tickets and get in the draw for some exquisite prizes. Diamond Pendants and beautiful artwork are always delightful gifts to receive. Socialise at Sunset was wonderful on Friday afternoon just passed. I have already booked in the next one on April 9 and would love for you all to join again! Looking forward to bringing you a new event from the Brisbane Hub on April 13 which will encompass connections, light refreshments and definitely a lot of happiness! I also came across a pertinent grant opportunity that could support many of our female entrepreneurs and startups. Read on to find out more!
With Easter now only two weeks away, keep sharing your product and event ideas in our WNA Facebook Group! Gail Eaton-Briggs' WNA Blog this week was very timely! You can read about her influential tips for finding more grit in your life later on. Sharing is caring and we want to read and share more of your wonderful WNA blogs each week. Please keep sending them through. For a little something else, there is a flowing theme around health and wellbeing. Read about keeping your kidneys healthy, why you should ride your bike to school or work today, and how sleep really is a lifesaver! Finally, there is a good read by the army's first female combat helicopter pilot and another great chance to promote and nominate women leaders in your communities for an award.
I'll head off now as there is much to do! Thank you as always for your support of WNA and our wonderful group of empowered women.
| | | WNA CHARITY HIGH TEA - RAFFLE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE! The Friday 26 March event is sold-out and only one week away! I am jumping out of my skin for this one. We are very fortunate to have the wonderful and The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and Lady Mayoress of Brisbane Nina Schrinner along to engage our guests. If you can't make the event, I will definitely share their wisdom and insights as a wrap-up after the event.
The online multi-draw raffle is open and raffle tickets are selling like crazy. Thank you for your support so far. Please share these details with family and friends and show your support for Women's Legal Service Queensland. Every ticket we sell helps support vulnerable women and children in need. There are a number of fabulous prizes such as a Tracie Eaton Fine Art Reproduction and an exquisite diamond pendant from Starfire Diamond Jewellery. Winners will be drawn on the day and will be notified by telephone and email (if provided).
| | SOCIALISE AT SUNSET - THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR IWD STORIES!
Last Friday, we had a stellar attendance at our March Socialise at Sunset. There were stories about how you have #chosentochallenge the status quo in your lives, stories of women who have shown tremendous leadership in their business and personal lives, and there were also stories of kindness and grace. I loved hearing them all!
Socialise at Sunset is proudly a FREE event for WNA members and a great way to finish off your work week and embrace the weekend. The next one is scheduled for April 9 - lock it in your diary!
Get your free ticket and connect with us nationally at 4.30pm AEST. | | | THE BUSINESS FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT IN BRISBANE!
At our recent event in Brisbane, "Keeping It Real" we showcased members and how they pivoted and adapted their business in 2020, while keeping a positive outlook for 2021.
The business future is shaping up brightly for Brisbane. On Tuesday April 13, you can join us for Conversations with three prominent business leaders, Alice Barbery, CEO of Universal Store, Dominique Lamb, CEO of National Retail Association and Liz Golding, Fashion Director of Illuminate, to reflect on the impacts of the pandemic on our local economy and discussion around where the trends are expected to shape our city for years to come.
Our networking event will start on the rooftop of the Brisbane Hub, and move down to Level 2 to commence the Panel discussions. There will be lots of warm conversations, business connections and light refreshments. Book your ticket today | | BOOSTING FEMALE FOUNDERS INITIATIVE
There are many Government Grants available currently and I saw this one and thought of many of you as fabulous WNA business leaders and owners. The Boosting Female Founders Initiative - Round 2 is open and could just be the opportunity that your business needs!
The $11.6 Million program will provide targeted support on a co-contribution basis to female founders of startup businesses to scale into domestic and global markets. The program will also provide expert mentoring and advice to meritorious applicants.
All eligible applicants can apply for a grant between $25,000 and $400,000. To be eligible you must be a female founded (majority owned and led by women) startup as defined in the grant opportunity guidelines and have an Australian Business Number (ABN). Apply here.
Applications close 22 April, 2021 at 5.00pm (ACT local time) | | | A REMINDER TO LOOK AFTER YOUR KIDNEYS!
With 1 in 3 Australian adults at risk of kidney disease, Kidney Health Week is a great opportunity and reminder to all Australians, particularly those living with diabetes and/or hypertension, to get a Kidney Health Check. If caught early, kidney disease can be slowed down or even stopped.
Together we can help more people ensure our critical message is spread as far as possible and help more people detect kidney disease early to prevent a life with #nofilter.
You can get involved on social media by sharing your life with #nofilter using the hashtags #lifewithnofilter #kidneydisease #earlydetection. You can also encourage family and friends to take the online Kidney Risk Test. Kidney Health Australia have some fantastic and informative resources if you would like to know more.
You can also free call the Kidney Helpline on 1800 454 363 if you need more assistance and information. | | NOMINATE AN INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN LEADER FOR AN AWARD NOW!
The Women's Agenda Leadership Awards 2021 are open for nominations! This year's awards celebrate how women have defined the year we've just had, and how women will take us forward into the critical decade ahead.
The awards will identify emerging female leaders who get results by leading teams, businesses and agendas in a way that's inclusive, collaborative, compassionate and courageous!
Nominations are due by 29th April 2021 so don't miss out!
I am sure there are many WNA members who would be perfect for these categories! And so many more - please read here to see all the available awards! Don't be afraid to nominate yourself! | | USING GRIT TO BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!
Are you tenacious, determined, courageous and consistent? Do you have passion, spirit and strength? If you do then you probably know a lot about grit and you are probably unstoppable in everything you do in your life. Gail Eaton-Briggs, a very gritty and determined WNA member has written a timely WNA blog all about finding how to move from the zone of unconscious grit to the zone of conscious grit. There is so many good tips in this blog you must read on to find out!
And if you need a little bit more determination and grit, you must check out the wonderful book - The Grit Factor by Shannon Huffman Poison. Shannon provides many crucibles from her own personal experiences from becoming the first woman to climb Mt McKinley to becoming the Army's first female attack helicopter pilot. She also acquaints herself with other military women who have achieved great feats in their combat careers, and more candidly have led and prospered at the highest levels in the most complicated, challenging and male-dominated organisation in the world - the Army. You will be amazed!
| | REGULAR SLEEP FOR A HEALTHY FUTURE!
Today is World Sleep Day and the World Sleep Society wants you to remember "Regular Sleep, Healthy Future." The World Sleep Society is calling all sleep professionals to advocate and educate the world about the importance of sleep for achieving an optimal quality of life and improving global health.
Studies have shown massive benefits if you can improve your quality of sleep including: - Better mood
- Psychomotor performance
- Academic and work achievement.
World Sleep Society recommends the following 10 steps to achieve healthy sleep: - Fix a bedtime and an awakening time
- If you like taking a nap, do not exceed 45 minutes of daytime sleep
- Avoid excessive alcohol ingestion four hours before bedtime
- Avoid caffeine six hours before bedtime
- Avoid heavy, spicy, or sugary foods four hours before bedtime
- Exercise regularly, but not right before bed
- Use comfortable bedding
- Find a comfortable temperature setting and keep your room well ventilated
- Block out all distracting noise and eliminate as much light as possible
- Don't use your bed as an office, workroom or recreation room.
| | | RIDE YOUR BIKES TO SCHOOL OR WORK TODAY!
National Ride2School Day is Australia's biggest celebration of active travel and one of the best days on the school calendar. It is a day full of fun and colour where students, teachers and parents discover the joy of riding and kick-start healthy habits for the future.
The Ride2School Program is proud to partner with World Bicycle Relief to help change lives through the power of bicycles. Schools around Australia are encouraged to help raise funds for World Bicycle Relief. For every $195.00 raised, a Buffalo Bicycle is provided to a student in need. You can learn more about what they do at worldbicyclerelief.org.
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