Women of Wynnum Manly - podcast

20/10/2025

https://www.baysidecommunityfund.org.au/bayside-community-awards-2025/

Hi everyone, just a quick reminder that there are only a couple of days left to vote for the podcast in the Bayside Community Awards. Whilst I am obviously chuffed as producer and host to be nominated, the real credit to the podcast goes to the incredible women who share their stories with me.

It only takes a minute to vote, and remember the podcast is nominated in two categories: outstanding community service individual (Allana Bianchi) and organisation (Women of Wynnum Manly podcast).

Thank you 🙏

Nominations are now open for The 2025 Bayside Community Awards. Nominate now for. Business of the Year, Best Business in numerous categories, Best Educator, Outstanding Customer service - Ind & More

16/10/2025

Kara Cook MP became the elected Federal Member for Bonner in May 2025, making her the third woman representing the Bayside across all levels of government.

I had a lovely conversation with Kara about what interested her in entering politics, and how her life from a young person in Yeppoon has been one with a strong connection to community values. Her early career work as an advocate for domestic violence survivors has led her to still have a fierce desire for wanting to play a role in contributing to systematic and cultural change in that space.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Kara.

Episode direct link in comments or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

30/09/2025

Thank you to all the incredible women I have had the privilege to speak to over the past 4 years. This nomination is for you all! The podcast has been nominated 😍

If you have a minute, use this Direct link to vote, and thank you! Outstanding Community Service - Individual and Organisation. 😘

https://www.baysidecommunityfund.org.au/bayside-community-awards-2025/?nom=Women

03/09/2025

Whoopsie... the voting doesn't start until 29 September, I got in a bit early! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hi, exciting news! I have been nominated in the Outstanding Community Service (Individual) category in the Bayside Community Awards.

I would appreciatete your support if you have a minute to vote. The podcast has allowed so many of our fabulous Bayside women to share their stories.

https://www.baysidecommunityfund.org.au/bayside-community-awards-2025

Nominations are now open for The 2025 Bayside Community Awards. Nominate now for. Business of the Year, Best Business in numerous categories, Best Educator, Outstanding Customer service - Ind & More

29/08/2025

Hi, I am a little embarrassed to say that the link I had for Elizabeth's episode was the wrong one. If you listen to the podcast via the direct link, here is the correct one:

28/08/2025

As the co-conductor of the Wynnum Choral Society (turning 100 in 2026!!), Elizabeth Ross shared with me her love of music and the joy of singing. We had a fun conversation that included voice impersonations, and lots of laughter. It has reignited my own passion for singing in a choir - not about having the perfect voice but all of the other benefits you gain. I hope when listening you can pick up the sense of enthusiasm and joy this conversation oozed.

Find out more about the Wynnum Choral Society, who raise money each year for charity, by contacting Esme on 3396 1450 or check out their page.

Direct link to episode in comments, or Apple podcasts, Spotify or by googling Women of Wynnum Manly podcast.

13/08/2025

Di Catto is the Rotary supported group leader for Days for Girls Australia, an organisation that changes lives for young girls. Finding out about Days for Girls blew me away, as they help make education possible for many, by providing menstruation bags. There is a space in the Bayside where people come together one day a week to make these bags, to be distributed to those in need.

Di is warm and easy to spend time with, and it is clear that she genuinely loves being part of something that is making a difference. I hope that you enjoy getting to know Di, and appreciate the contribution that Days for Girls, under her leadership, is making.

For more information about Days for Girls: http://www.daysforgirls.org

Episode link in the comments, or find on Spotify or Apple podcasts.

31/07/2025

Eleanor travelled all the way from the UK to live in our beautiful part of the world. She is the first podcast guest who as a young woman was inspired to join the Navy by Richard Gere's An Officer and a Gentleman movie 🙂. Doing so she did meet the love of her life and amongst a lot of joy, travel and adventure there has been darkness, which inspired 3Elements coffee. Eleanor and Terry do incredible work to contribute to better outcomes for those transitioning from the military, as well as make great coffee! Enjoy getting to know Eleanor.

3elementscoffee.com is an Australian and veteran owned company, started by Eleanor's husband in 2016.

Listen to the conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Women of Wynnum Manly podcast. Link in comments.

17/07/2025

How delightful it was to spend time with Sharon McRae, who after her own emotional and physical breakdown worked hard to claw her way back to be the best person she could be, and committed to helping others do the same.

Every now and then I have a guest on the podcast who I connect with their value and purpose, and Sharon was one of those. I loved hearing about how she goes about her work in supporting women who are in need of guidance to move forward in the way they live their lives. It was a great chat, and I hope you get to take something from it.

More information and links to what Sharon mentioned in the conversation:

1-on-1 coaching packages are here: https://paperbell.me/sharon-mcrae

The worksheet that changed Sharon's life - The Cycle of Pain - is available as a free download on the same site. (https://paperbell.me/sharon-mcrae)

A weekly email called Resilience Notes is especially for people who are coaching themselves through the hard parts but useful to anyone interested in emotional resilience and well-being. It lives here: https://sharonmcrae.substack.com/



Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Women of Wynnum Manly podcast.

30/06/2025

To say Sharon is important to me is an understatement. She is one of those people I feel like I have known all my life, and from the day I met her I knew I could be completely me with her. We connected about four years ago but the longer we know each other the more we uncover how our lives have intersected over a number of decades. When I thought of doing something to promote op shopping, I knew Shaz was the person to partner with. Of course, when I asked, she jumped in immediately with a yes.

In our chat we talk about our love of op shopping, our hopes for Opportunities by the Bay and just have a good yarn together! I hope you enjoy eavesdropping on our conversation.

Opportunities by the Bay are partnering with Do-Op Shop for a fashion parade at the Wynnum Fringe Community Day Street Party on Saturday 12 July. Come and hang around the stage on Bay Tce at 2.30pm for some country glam fashion fun!

Link to episode in the comments.

27/06/2025

Julie and her husband own Kova Furniture Removals, establishing the business together from one truck not all that long ago. She also finds the time to be the President of the Wynnum Manly Junior Rugby League Club. This is a big role, and both industries she is involved in are used to men being in charge! I had a lovely conversation with Julie and was interested in hearing her insights into what learnings she has from owning a small business, to position her for the role as President at the footy club. She is one incredible woman, and it is obvious she brings a lot of her wisdom, thoughtfulness and curiosity to both of her roles. Enjoy getting to know Julie.

For more information about Julie's business, check out kovafurniture.removals.com.au

Link to episode in comments, or listen on Spotify or Apple podcasts, or just google "Women of Wynnum Manly podcast". Thanks for all your support!