Well, we got busy again…..what have you been up to? How are you all holding up coming into another unknown time in our history? Has anyone been doing any networking or socialising? It might be too late soon I feel.
Do you love our photo called Ladies in Black? Taken by another true professional in Rainbow Beach Jess McKenzie from Rainbow Beach Wedding Photography. She just offered to do this photo shoot again this year and she is truly amazing. Thank you Jess. She also just volunteered to take over 100 photos of Santa with any child or parent at the local Christmas party – what a great effort and gift to our community.
A lot of people are feeling pretty fragile at the this week and I think this Christmas will be remembered for all the wrong reasons but we have to try to be calm.
Many people are feeling like their backs are against the wall and teachers, police, masseuse and health professionals and especially café and entertainment venues, even in our little town are feeling the pinch – no one is immune. The businesses are scared and how do you prepare or get staff or if you are staff – what are your rights – its a nightmare. I hope you are negotiating life okay and trying to see both sides. Everyone is certainly affected in some way.
Try to find enjoyment in the simple things, and be kind, as they say, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.
On the Women’s HQ front – well, we are networking again ladies as a lead in to the 2022 Ladies Day 2022 which is set for 5 and 6 March 2022 in Rainbow Beach. We have a fantastic sponsor in Michelle Agnew from Century 21 Gympie and the Cooloola Coast who I thank immensely for her support. Michelle has been in Real Estate for over four years specialising in Rainbow Beach, but has been working in the Gympie Region in media and events for over twenty years and raised four amazing daughters while working full time and being wife to Dave. Michelle is very good at real estate and will go the extra mile so if you want to buy or sell – just call Michelle – shameless plug lol.
While its been a while since we had these events, it is timely as I felt the there was a need to bring women together and create another platform so ladies had support in business and opportunities to network and grow friendships.
It is also a way to empower and highlight the work women are doing in our region – as always – women do so much and it is important they/we all feel supported. We can’t do it all, but we do try, to our detriment.
We started the events in October and Cooloola Coast Women in Business is a networking opportunity for women, of all ages and from all places in their journey from students to retirees.. Everyone has so much to give and share and women need time out with other women to learn and laugh with and this is a non judgmental space safe space to do just that. It is a networking opportunity whether that is business or friendship.
It is always great food, good fun, lots of laughter, cold bubbles and a view of the stunning Carlo Point with its fishing boats creating images of Ernest Hemingway’s life.
During Covid the local community centre organised a catch up to share books and invited fabulous Brooke and her coffee cart so we could have a cuppa while we chatted, and it was wonderful. People met, borrowed books, had a chat at a time when there was so much confusion – a little bit like now, and it was good for our souls. Then Martine showed us her incredible cake making skills and we are rose to the occasion and agreed to sample them all – quite an extraordinary baker.
Now, we are in confusion mode again so it was time to create an opportunity for women to get together and either have a laugh, or use the time to make deals and eat great food, win a few prizes and bring out the best in us all. And it is wonderful.
We meet monthly at new local restaurant Quay Carlo Rainbow Beach and the food and service is beyond wonderful with all our needs catered to and they are very happy to have us. Our wonderful guests are super generous with their products which we can give away, and our speakers are quite unique with lots of takeaways and aha moments.
In October we had the super duper mum, wife, charity CEO Angela Mansey who the girls were thrilled to meet as was I. She told her story and in her book, you get to feel like you know her as a best friend and fall in love with her family and her world. Angela has been involved in Women in Business and networking events for years and while she doesn’t have the time now, it was how she was first introduced to so many.
In November we invited Jimmi Bradbury who met the guests and had a chat about his international business coaching online and his promise to get you online in 12 weeks with whatever your passion might be from your own experience. It could be teaching, art, menopause, swimming – whatever your interest is – there is so much content, information, support and heaps of fabulous homework so a total commitment is required which is wonderful for those looking to get their teeth into something.
Our next networking luncheon is this Friday and it’s our Christmas Party. As our hosts at Quay Carlo Rainbow Beach are English I just know it is going to be delicious with a three course light lunch and the venue decorated by Beach and Bay Weddings based on the Cooloola Coast – awesome business and thanks Christine for looking after us at such a busy time!
Each guest is bringing a $10 present and they will go home with someone’s present, PLUS of course they might win the lucky door prize of freshly ground coffee beans from the lovely and always smiling Brooke from Coffee Cart of Maryborough; a solid heavy timber cutting or charcuterie board from Cooloola Coast Furniture and Bedding at Cooloola Cove – great store; or a first aid kit kit from the very generous Marie Gee of Rainbow Beach Safety Supplies; or a meat pack from Zaneta from Rainbow Beach Meats; or a quarter page advertisement in the paper I work for Cooloola Coast Today which is part of Gympie Today and the Today group. Such Generosity!
This week we will finish the also super generous and talented Net’s artwork. Net owns Net Rae Art and I could fill my house with her paintings – stunning beach scenes – just beautiful and a story in each one.
Net has been a big supporter of the Women in Business and Ladies Day events and we thank you Net! She has created a painting, we will all add to it and auction it off to someone this Friday at the lunch. SO excited!
And last but not least, our speaker it one of my favourite NFP’s, IDCare – cyber safety experts based on the Sunshine Coast but working with the biggest businesses across Australia and New Zealand – doing remarkable work and with a victim support toll free hotline of 1800 595 160. Only four days ago they appeared on A Current Affair with their Scream at a Scammer booth.
So, we are back to weekly blogs to keep you updated on what the team are up to. But more importantly, what are you up to? What do you need help with – we genuinely want to know – so drop us a line at lee.mccarthy@womenshq.com.au
This photo is just a few of the incredible women I get to mix, mingle and work with every week and I find it remarkable there are so many talented, driven, good, strong ladies in such a small community. They are all a mixture of mum, daughter, wife, business owner, staff member and community volunteer, and this is just the tip of the iceberg – the town is a bustling community of remarkably accomplished women.
We will introduce you to some of them next week. Thanks again Jess xx
Talk soon xxx
