Beyond The Back Paddock

The moment that you meet Adam Wake you are captivated by his energy, enthusiasm and passion.
His passion has and continues to be working to provide better life opportunities for children.
Adam joined Cottage by the Sea in Queenscliff as CEO in 2019, and that is where our paths crossed. I have been privileged to be an Ambassador at Cottage for many years.
The Cottage was founded in 1890 in Queenscliff, Victoria as the Ministering Children’s League by Annie Hitchcock and Elizabeth Calder, the vision has always been that every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood. Our rich history continues to this day.
Located only a stone’s throw from the beach, Cottage by the Sea aim to empower young people by providing them with inspiration, fun and opportunity through our four tailored programs – Take A Break, REEF, Mentor and National.
The young people who attend are chosen with the help of schools and welfare agencies from all around Australia.
Prior to taking on the role at Cottage by the Sea, Adam had spent 11years managing the Lions Village Licola Inc (LVL). A not-for-profit, 270-bed outdoor education camp in remote Victoria.  Many of the children welcomed to LVL are either disadvantaged, disabled or disengaged and have enjoyed rewarding, if not life changing, experiences.
Adam's resume is quite impressive. He has held management roles in outdoor education around the world including Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and Venezuela. He holds a law degree and also worked as an Investment Banker in London.
In addition to a valuable career experience, Adam has training in mental health first aid, childhood trauma, child protection and a range of professional studies that support his role as CEO of Cottage by the Sea.
Adam also pushes his own personal boundaries undertaking and competing in some extreme ultra marathon events across the world.
Adam has great values, where his family are at the core.
This is a great chat. Please enjoy.
To find out more information or to support the ongoing programs at Cottage By The Sea. Go to www.cottagebythesea.com.au

When I asked Bonnie Pappas to come onto the Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast I knew that the conversation would be fantastic. The conversation is full of gold. But also Bonnie's personality shines through in the conversation, and that is what makes Her good at what she does, She, above all is a caring person first.
Bonnie is a social worker who's worked across the mental health field in many situations. I met Bonnie in Rochester as part of the work that she was doing in flood recovery, particularly with small business support in Rochester, a small town in Northern Victoria, devastated by the October 2022 floods.
When Bonnie's contract expired in that role she's moved on to another field, working with kids in secondary school. This is a topic and field is something I am very interested in. There are many pressures navigating the teenage years, for both child and families.
Bonnie shares some great insights into her experience in flood recovery and also from her role now working in the education sector.
This is a great conversation. Bonnie has a tremendous amount of value to share. If you are from a community recovering from disaster, a parent of a teenager or a teenager yourself, please take the time to listen. Also if you know someone who might benefit from listening please share this conversation with them.
Please Enjoy. 

G'day and welcome back to the podcast.
My guest today on the Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast is 17-year-old regional NSW student, Rory Phillips, is an aspiring (and inspiring) young guitarist/singer/songwriter with a passion for positive change.  I recently had the privilege to witness his talent when he toured to Nathalia with The Bushwackers.
In 2020 he was named the Snowy Valleys Young Citizen of the Year, and more recently, the 2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Artist of the Year (under 25 category).  A two-time graduate and now staff member of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, an officially endorsed artist of Cole Clark Guitars, Buzz Box Guitars and Achilles Amps, and this year selected as a Featured Artist in the NSW Schools Spectacular, Rory continues to achieve great things with his music.
In 2022 Rory’s single ‘The Truth’ was named a finalist in the inaugural Environmental Music Prize alongside industry heavyweights such as Paul Kelly, Briggs + Tim Minchin, Lime Cordiale and Eskimo Joe to name a few. 
His follow-up single, ‘Because Boys’, has really intrigued me as a mental health advocate, as it takes an insightful look into the mental health struggles of young men and tries to break down the stigma associated with asking for help.  Rory also did a short video for Headspace where he sits down with a group of young men and discuss the challenges and tips to reaching out.
‘Because Boys’ was chosen by the NSW Department of Education's The Arts Unit as the repertoire piece for their 2023 Boys' Vocal Program, was a semi-finalist in the 2023 ‘Listen Up Music’ Song writing Prize (which advocates for mental health), and is being featured in the 2023 Schools Spectacular which will be broadcast on Channel 7.  2022 Toyota Star Maker Winner, Max Jackson, says “Young men will hear this song from Rory and take it like a high five from a mate, rather than a lesson from a teacher”.  
This young man has a bright future in anything he will put his had to.
Please Enjoy

Starting this podcast, it was all about bringing you stories of interesting people that I made along the way and bringing them to the audience. Today's guest is no exception.
Tess Marnane hails from Cork in Ireland, found her soulmate in Shepparton after a short stint of traveling.
For 18 years of her working life has been spent in leadership roles with vulnerable groups in the care industry.
After a less than smooth 12 months with her first child and the home birth of her second child, decided to put her experience into practice and is now a Doula, focused on providing families with support needed in childbirth and parenting, particularly with young families.
You can find out more about Tess at Nature Doula Tribe on Facebook or her podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/doula-tribe/id1649075800
Please enjoy

This episode of the podcast is a replay of a short conversation I had with Justin Smith for a mental health awareness campaign Tough Times from the Heart.
 
Today is World Mental Health Day.
'Mental health is a universal human right', is this year's theme.
World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone's mental health.
 
In rural and agricultural areas mental health is a major concern due to uncontrollable factors like the isolating nature of the work, natural disasters, weather, industry downturns and financial pressures.
Stigma and lack of access to resources also play a massive role in the mental health of rural communities.
 
In Australia rural people are 2X more likely to die as a result of suicide than the rest of the population.
 
Seeking help is not a sign of weakness.
 
In times of crisis and or uncertainty, when you feel like a conversation is too big for family or friends alone, connect with a trusted health professional like your GP, and or services like Lifeline 13 11 14 or TIACS by calling or texting
0488 846 988 Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST or the many other local and government support services.
Beyond Blue
1300 022 946
Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467
 
#not2TUF2speakup
 

Welcome back to the podcast.
After having a week off due to some technical difficulties and some traveling that I've been doing across Australia speaking we are back.
Today our guest is a coach, a connector, author, artist and poet.
After spending most of his working career in the banking industry developing teams and people today's guest Nathan Carkeek took a leap of faith and left the banking industry to follow his purpose and co founded Minds on Purpose a business that's passionate about helping people live with purpose clarity and choice.
There is massive value to all aspects of your life particularly your mental health and wellbeing, when you discover a more balanced and in tune self.
Enjoy todays podcast with a curious and open mind and I am sure you will come away with some tools to become the best version of you.
Enjoy

Todays guest on the Podcast is Alex Thomas. Alex is the founder of #PlantASeedForSaftey
If you've checked out Alex's socials, the first thing you'll notice is her bubbly personality and her infectious delivery.
Alex is full of energy full of energy.
Inspired by her journey as a carer for her disabled Dad as a result of his life’s work in agriculture, Alex is a speaker,facilitator and consultant, and is the Chief Planter of Seeds for #PlantASeedForSafety – a rural social change initiative that spins yarns that save lives, and ultimately, brings people home to their loved ones at the end of each day.
With 17+ years’ experience in work health and safety, Alex was a national winner in the 2020 Syngenta Growth Awards, the 2018 AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year (South Australia) and the winner of the 2018 SafeWork SA Augusta Zadow Award, amongst others.
For Alex, her work is all about challenging the status quo. About synthesising real life experience with evidence-based solutions, and about cutting to the core of what it means to be ‘compliant’ with work health and safety legislation: which put simply, is just. don’t. kill someone.
As a consultant, Alex empowers organisations to rethink policies, procedures and box-ticking, and to consider a different approach. A people-based approach.
A Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Program and a graduate of the National Farmers Federation Diversity inAgriculture Leadership Program and the Safety Futures Advanced Safety Professional Practice Program, Alex’swork has been formally endorsed by the Executive Director of Safe Work SA.
Passion, professional rigor and an infectious energy for change are at the heart of everything she does.
Please enjoy my chat with Alex

As a quick heads up this episode covers topics of suicidal ideation, so care should be taken when listen, and if you are challenged by the conversation please seek help. Lifeline 13 11 14
When I set out to create a podcast, I had a particular guest in mind. The guest on this episode is that person.
Lucy Marsh had a massive impact on what I actually do today.
Lucy probably doesn't realize the impact that she has had.
On my travels as a speaker, we met back in 2018 at an event in South Australia, and the impact that she had on my life has changed the way that I thought about being a speaker and how I'd share my story.
Her life hasn't been easy and has had plenty of ups and downs. I can't wait for her to share her story with us.
Its is an absolute privilege to have Lucy as guest and hopefully those who listen can take something away from her story even if it is just empathy towards those how struggle with their mental health.  
In times of crisis and or uncertainty, when you feel like a conversation is too big for family or friends alone, connect with a trusted health professional like your GP,  and or services like Lifeline 13 11 14 or TIACS  by calling or texting0488 846 988 Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST or the many other local and government support services.
Beyond Blue1300 022 946
Suicide Call Back Service1300 659 467