News from 2007....
Catching up with the Shanns
Sam and Jenny were thrilled to catch up with Gayle and Mac Shann when visiting Theodore in rural Queensland during November 2007. They became friends after being touched by the Shanns' ''Australian Story".
Called 'With This Ring', it related how Gayle suffered shocking injuries when her arms were caught in a post hole digger, the aftermath and the amazing love and support of Mac.
Their story was voted the most popular "Australian Story" ever at the program's tenth anniversary celebrations in 2006.
Jenny said, "It was so fantastic to catch up with Gayle and Mac because we have so much in common, but living so far apart we rarely get to see each other. We are often asked during our travels how Gayle and Mac are going.
"We're delighted to report they're going well. Gayle continues to amaze us with her guts and determination. She musters cattle by using her feet to ride a four wheel bike or drive a four wheel drive, uses a computer proficiently with her feet and she and Mac continue to successfully breed cattle and horses."
Sam and Jenny with Gayle and Mac Shann at Theodore, Queensland, in late November 2007.
Theodore dinner sold out
There was a waiting list for a fundraising dinner called "A Baileys or two by the Dawson", held on November 25, 2007, in Theodore, Central Queensland. The dinner was organised by the Theodore and District Pony Club, and funds will help with a new amenities block at the showground where the pony club meets...although regular events are currently being disrupted by the Equine Influenza restrictions on horse movement. Sam and Jenny are pictured with the organisers (l-r) Fiona Skinner, Michelle Isler, Janelle Simpson and Jackie Jewell - all mothers of children who ride with Theodore pony club. Sam's visit to speak in Theodore was funded by the Theodore District Health Council Inc.
Percy Street Festival a hit
The inaugural Percy Street Festival was held in Wellington on the weekend of November 17 and 18, 2007. It attracted good crowds, including more than 100 people to a fundraising lunch at the Wellington Polo Club. Sam's pictured with the committee members (l-r) Lucy Maurice, Carla White, Katie Barton, Mardi Taylor & Sara Fergusson. The event celebrated Percy Street...one of Wellington's oldest streets...and helped raised money for charity and beautification of Percy Street. The committee are pictured in front of Katie Barton's fantastic art gallery and gift shop, Percy Street Gallery.
Rural support workers get together
We caught up with rural support workers to share our story in Chinchilla, rural south-west Queensland, during November, 2007. The conference was a rare chance for them to get together to network, share their own experiences and be re-invigorated with new ideas. It was organised by Breakaway Toowoomba. We're pictured with (standing l-r) Regina Hamilton, David Boden and Brad Hills from Breakaway Toowoomba at the conference dinner on November 8. Find out more about Breakaway Toowoomba.
Meeting the First National leaders
We visited the Peppers Fairmont Resort at Leura in the Blue Mountains on November 3 and 4, 2007, to join First National's team and speak at their NSW Conference. What a great bunch of people! We're pictured here with (back, l-r) Member Services Manager Hayley Dixon; NSW State Chairman, Cherylee Elliot; and National Chairman, Mike Macqueen. Find out more about First National Real Estate. See First National's response to our talk. We will also be speaking at First National's national conference in May 2008 which we're very excited about.
SWAP to a great way of learning
If you're in business and looking for some inspiration than SWAP might be an organisation that interests you.
We spoke at the SWAP International Convention at Kingscliff on October 14, 2007, meeting members from across Australian and New Zealand...and learning about the organisation.
Business Swap is an international network especially for professional people, business owners and the self employed. The purpose of Business Swap is to foster the professional and personal development of members through education, motivation and experience. This is accomplished through regular meetings, networking and the Professional and Personal Development Program into which all members are enrolled.
S.W.A.P. (as it was known) began in the USA in 1955 with a group of salespeople who met in Colorado Springs for encouragement and support. In 1973 John Nevin brought the S.W.A.P. concept to Australia and established the first club (Pioneer) in North Sydney.
In 2002 the name of the organisation was changed from S.W.A.P. to Business Swap and a considerable number of new services were added.
There are several breakfast seminars held every working day throughout Australia and New Zealand. You can learn more at the Business Swap web page.
Peter and Wendy Close are members of Business Swap Central Coast. We're pictured with them at the SWAP International Convention held from October 11 to 14, 2007, at Peppers resort, Kingscliff, where we spoke on the Sunday morning.
Baradine flying high on airport fundraising success
(Photos and story by Liz Cutts)
Baradine's airport will get extra funds for lighting and fencing thanks to a highly successful charity dinner at which Sam Bailey was the guest speaker.
Bardine Progress Association and Bardine Airport Committee joined forces to organise the "You Don't Need Wings to Fly' charity event to help fund lighting and fencing around the town's airport.
Sam shared his heartwarming story of conquering adversity with more than 140 people from Baradine and surrounding districts, including Coonabarabran, at the Baradine Bowling Club on Friday, September 21, 2007.
The dinner raised more than $3,500 for the airport project. Sam and Jenny also donated $500 to the cause. It will allow installation of lighting on the medical transfer strip and electric fencing around the runway perimeter.
"I would like to thank everyone for attending the dinner and their wonderful contribution to the Baradine Airport project," commented Becky Featherbe, president of Baradine Progress Association.
"The Baradine aerodrome is an important part of our emergency service management and this is a priority project so that we can meet safety regulations and continue to be serviced by the air ambulance for critical care patients.
"I would like to express deepest appreciation and thanks from the Progress Association to our guest speakers Sam and Jenny Bailey, Cr. Peter Shinton (master of ceremonies), Murray Munns (PA system), Rick and Trish Crawley (donation of accommodation) and to our very capable events coordinator, Gaye Farrell, for their valued contributions towards making this fundraising dinner such an enormous success."
John Farrell, chairman of the Baradine Airport Committee, congratulated the Progress Association for holding the successful event.
'I would like to thank the Baradine Progress Association for organising this wonderful dinner," stated Mr. Farrell. "We also have to thank the NSW Government, Premiers and Cabinet, for their valued contribution.
"I am probably a bit biased, but I think this airport project is one of the best community projects we have.
"Dr. Badami started the project around 1990 and since then we have carried out a number of improvements, including runway lights and culverts, worth approximately $40,000 and made up of cash and in kind contributions from the Warrumbungle Shire and community volunteers.
"We thank everyone for their support and generosity.
"Now we only have a small amount left to do. Technically aircraft are not allowed to leave the lit area of the strip. The taxi-way to the transfer pad and the transfer pad itself need identification lighting to facilitate safe movement during nighttime air ambulance emergencies.
"The project also includes improving feral animal control on the airstrip by installing electric fencing around the airport perimeter. This is in light of the recent costly accident at Coonamble Airport, where something in excess of $100,000 in damages was done to an air ambulance."
Members of Baradine Progress Association were thrilled with the success of the fundraising event. (Back left to right) Irene Worrell, Liz Cutts, Nea Worrell, Niel McDonald, Becky Featherbe, Gaye Farrell, Judy and Ted Hayman; (front) Jenny and Sam Bailey.
It was great to find young people attending the dinner keen to talk to Sam and Jenny; (back left to right) James Campbell, Adrian Worrell, Brad Purdy, Zara Farrell, Beau Buckley, Andrew and Alexander Deans; (front) Jenny and Sam Bailey.
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