Big fish, little place

My conversation with Sarah Dimitrievski is fast-paced and solution focused, just like Sarah!  Sarah has had almost 30 years in the manufacturing and construction industries, is passionate about the role of women in both of these industries, the power of the regions, and how AI and AR could be an opportunity to unlock potential for rural Australia.She is a woman on a mission to solve the housing crisis for regional families and takes a no BS approach to solving the problems associated with it. With 4 young children, Sarah and her husband run Chandolin Constructions based in Bathurst, NSW and are focused on not just building homes, but building communities.This is a cracker of a conversation - and comes with a language warning !Thanks for listening to another episode of Big Fish, Little Place - a podcast by The Connection Table. We hope by sharing this story today that you feel inspired to go big, from your small place, or support those doing so!To find out more about The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website www.theconnectiontable.com 

This conversation has so many “tweetable moments” as Oprah Winfrey would say! Renae Kunda and her husband Roy are Cape York Motorcycle Adventures, in far north Queensland.  With insights like “regional people learn to adapt without panic” and “we don’t wait for perfect, we create it” there’s no surprise that their business has been leading and creating a whole new industry for the last 35 years.  Renae has now authored two books, uses her curiosity to find new communities and wants to ensure women’s voices are being heard.  This episode will fly by! Enjoy!Thanks for listening to another episode of Big Fish, Little Place - a podcast by The Connection Table. We hope by sharing this story today that you feel inspired to go big, from your small place, or support those doing so!To find out more about The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website www.theconnectiontable.com 

Sam Marwood and I crossed paths many years ago as he kicked off Cultivate Farms.  Since then his passion for young people to own farms hasn’t dimmed.  As the 5th of 6 children, at 8 years old he had a rude shock finding out he wouldn’t be handed the family farm!  He has strong convictions around the role that nature plays in Aussie farmers being paid for the good quality food they grow, and wants everyone to know that there has never been a better time in history to pursue ideas and create businesses in the regions as there is today - you can imagine how excited i got around these topics during this episode! Enjoy!Thanks for listening to another episode of Big Fish, Little Place - a podcast by The Connection Table. We hope by sharing this story today that you feel inspired to go big, from your small place, or support those doing so!To find out more about The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website www.theconnectiontable.com 

There is so much to dig into in this episode!  Matt is a Churchill Fellow having travelled the northern hemisphere to regional communities who had brought themselves back from the brink.  He calls Beechworth home and started the Asutralian Centre for Regional Entrepreneurship or ACRE to support communities across australia.  We discuss how communities can buyback community assets, how we can all agree that we want opportunities for our kids to prosper in place, and MAtt shared a quote I’m bound to use again - that we have to stop expecting the regions to make strawberry jam out of horse manure!  We’ll definitely be getting Matt back, so here’s his first instalment!Thanks for listening to another episode of Big Fish, Little Place - a podcast by The Connection Table. We hope by sharing this story today that you feel inspired to go big, from your small place, or support those doing so!To find out more about The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website www.theconnectiontable.com 

My guest today is Dan Redman, a 4th generation wine maker from Coonawarra, a town of 30 residents on the SA/ Vic border.  I loved this conversation and the way Dan described his family business, how he knew he always wanted to be part of the wine industry, and what he and other wine makers do in their region to ensure that they all succeed.  This really is a conversation about how when people work together, the benefits are genuinely shared.  Enjoy my conversation with Dan.Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Many people may know Mallacoota as a result of the horrific fires that decimated the region at the end of 2019.  Images of the coastal community on the NSW/ Victorian border went around the world as a result of the fires.  This conversation with Paris focuses not so much on the fires, but the catalyst for change and growth in the Mallacoota community as a result - the establishment of the Wilderness Collective, and the focus on year round employment rather than 6 week tourism contracts.  Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Today’s episode has me talking with Ash Watt, one of the co-founders of Why Leave Town - a business all about holding our money in the main street of our rural and regional towns. Ash is a great example of someone who grew up regionally, did some time in the big smoke, and then returned to live regionally.  Ash has been a paid beer tester, started a backyard cricket club with a mate, and is a classic example of a bush kid who has followed his hunches and is solving problems for regional Australia, while enjoying the ride!  Enjoy this conversation with Ash Watt.Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Liz Moss now calls Karratha home, incidentally Australia’s most expensive suburb, overtaking Bondi recently.   Working for Pilbara Innovation Partnerships, Liz speaks to me today about what building trust across the Pilbara region looks like, what happens when genuine place-based activity occurs and what she would do again in a public/ private partnership opportunity.  Liz talks honestly and passionately about the Pilbara and Karratha, where becoming a local, involves owning a boat!  Enjoy this conversation!Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!To find out more about The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠⁠ www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Today with my guest Tracy Cooper, we talk all things change - what’s changed in rural leadership since the 90s, how do we handle chosen and unchosen change, how is it altering how we lead organisations, corporations and even families, and lastly why we still need to focus on the health care sector across regional Australia.  There’s so much in this episode, let’s get into it!Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Through my work I have had the chance to take a contract with Welcoming Australia.  This is how the delightful Ken Dachi and I crossed paths.  In today’s interview, Ken will talk about how he arrived in Leeton in the Riverina of NSW via Kenya and Europe; he’ll share his unique perspective on privilege and how we can use it to act and to do good, as well as his hopes for the future of regional Australia and the work he does.There’s also a great story about how he and his wife chose Leeton as home, and what google images had to do with that!Enjoy!Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!You will realise quickly that my guest today, Bec Fing, is well known to me!  Bec has called Goondiwindi home for 25 years, grew up in Dirranbandi in SW Qld and works across Australia predominantly supporting farming families with work health and safety and business strategy.  In this episode we talk about why relationships are important to her, and how her first 2 clients at housepaddock training and consulting are still with her 20 years on.  We talk about creativity in problem solving, and how her love of art resulted in her opening a shop, Meld Lifestyle in down town Goondiwindi.  Enjoy this conversation with Bec Fing.  tephenson.To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!Oh my goodness, today’s conversation is a real treat!  Elise Stephenson is researcher, entrepreneur and is the Deputy Director, The Global Institute for Women's Leadership  The Australian National University.  She also calls Bynalong home, 1.5 hours out of Canberra with a population of 500 people.  In this episode we talk about career highlights while living regionally, how her childhood has set Elise up for many adventures across Australia, and why she still believes that we need to fix the systems not the women when it comes to more women being involved in leadership.  Elise has experienced first hand the way in which the regions are at the front line of innovation and change, this truly was such a delight to dig deep with Elise Stephenson.To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia!I have known my guest today Juliane Cowan, for roughly 10 years.  Not only has she always lived courageously in nth west Qld, but that is now the name of her business.  She is a bridge builder - more on that in the episode, she has intense curiosity of humans and what our tribes can do for each other.  She is pragmatic, systems focused and positively impacting businesses and couples all over Australia.  She is the messenger that gives the message it’s power.  Enjoy the conversation that I have with Juliane Cowan.To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! In this episode, I speak with Kylie Falconer who is based in Glenn Innes in NSW.  You’ll hear Kylie talk about the importance of community based organisations having clear visions and why it is important for community members to have ownership of the outcomes.  She discusses how natural disasters bring unexpected consequences to community, and can shake groups to consider their relevance.  I loved hearing the passion that Kylie has for her rural community. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Kylie Falconer To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website   www.theconnectiontable.com

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! Today’s conversation is with Casey Budd from Moree, NSW.  Casey is an agronomist, wife & mother, interested in property development and creating wealth for her family whilst appreciating the lifestyle of her rural community. Casey’s conversation is a cracker - she talks about the need to ensure that we are making opportunities accessible and inclusive, how to be proactive when we might not have all the services available in the regions, and the new project that she is working on - Tarrawingee Farm - a wedding venue that will be a new attraction for the region. Enjoy this episode with Casey Budd. To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Lillie Holcombe opened her first retail bricks and mortar & online business, Harry & Kit  8 weeks after her first son was born.  The shop was in Goondiwindi and 4 years later she now also has a shop front in Toowoomba, Qld. Lillie’s story is one of girl meets country boy, moves to country, works remotely while considering what her future holds in her new community, and then absolutely follows her gut, to create the success she is now having.  I love her story and how she has given back to community after receiving support herself through the Buy From the Bush Campaign.   Harry and Kit and its marketing is creative and a good example of regional community at its best!    Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Today’s episode is with Tash Johnston, founder of Drought Angels.  Tash calls the Western Downs of Qld home, originally Chinchilla and now Miles.  Drought Angels turns 10 this year and as a charity organisation supporting farmers and families during drought, Tash shares some of the ways in which the organisation has grown, some of the challenges they have faced, and what the next 10 years looks like. Tash also talks through how awards have played a part in helping position the organisation’s brand recognition.  I loved hearing what Tash would do if she was all powerful for a day - farmer’s of Australia really do have an angel in Tash Johnston, enjoy this episode. Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! Adrienne Rourke from Stellar Consulting Services is from Mackay.  In this episode she shares with us the concept of inclusive growth, why we need to break the cycle of tall poppy syndrome when sharing stories around our regional businesses, and why networking and showing up is so important. Adrienne is a star, and a true regional advocate, I’m sure you will agree! Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! This week I speak with fellow Goondiwindi-ite/ Goondiwician, Jerome Leray. Jerome and his now wife Emma moved to Goondiwindi to establish their business InFarm. Emma is also a pharmacist, and Jerome was a founder of Discover Farming - a not for profit organisation helping to tell the stories of Goondiwindi. In this episode Jerome shares why he thinks we need to be more ambitious in the regions, how accessing decision makers can be as easy as looking at the Mayor’s number and how we can learn from other global rural communities. Enjoy this conversation! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! In this episode I speak with Annabelle Brayley who is based at Morven in SW Queensland. Annabelle’s overwhelming message is to embrace opportunities and through our conversation you will hear how her ability to say yes, without necessarily having all the information or skill has led her to a position where she is ensuring that rural Australians have access to better health services.  I love her story too about what happens when you answer a strange phone number from Melbourne!   I hope you enjoy listening to Annabelle’s story as much as I did! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Sam Fryer hails from Hughenden in Qld.  He is a positive and solutions focused human who is using his life experiences to improve opportunities for yung people in agriculture.  We talk about succession planning, community contribution, how to support vital services in the region and what could happen if we look at land ownership differently.   Enjoy this conversation with Sam Fryer. Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠

Big Fish Little Place is a podcast by The Connection Table. This podcast showcases that great people can impact the world from anywhere across Australia! In this episode I speak to Fraser Nai, from Masig Island in the Torres Strait. Fraser shares why he started Strait Experiences with his business partner John, what got happens in remote communities when the entire economic footprint is driven by public sector jobs, and how he went from a work for the dole program to meeting a Prime Minister in 4.5 short years.   Enjoy all that is the fabulous Fraser Nai! To find out more about  The Connection Table’s mission to get more rural Australians a seat at the decision making table, head to our website ⁠www.theconnectiontable.com⁠