Women of Wynnum Manly - podcast

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!

19/06/2025

I picked up my gorgeous new banner today, showcasing all three books, including my new release, The Girl from Normandy, out next Friday.

🎊🥳 Brisbane friends, are you coming to the launch party?

I'd love to see you there ❤️

Date: Saturday 28th June
Time: 5-7pm 🎊🥳
Venue: Cedar & Pine, 139 Bay Terrace, Wynnum
🍾🥂

Links for tickets in the comments 😊🍾🥂

13/06/2025

Kel was my second podcast guest, and spoke so beautifully about the love of her Nan. She also shared how difficult it was to watch Huntingtons impact on Nan.

This is a community event, and you can register and come along on Sunday, do it virtually in your own time and place, or just buy some raffle tickets to help with the fundraising that all goes towards supporting people experiencing this terrible disease.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1YZBapgAtv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Running for Nan's HD is back! 🏃‍♂️

Brisbane, it's time to lace up. Join us on Sunday 15 June at the Wynnum Esplanade for the 9th annual Running 4 Nan’s HD, organised by Kelly and Steve in loving memory of their Nan, who had Huntington’s disease.

🕠 Registration opens at 5:30am
🚩 Run starts at 6:30am (Wynnum Wading Pool)
💰 Entry: $25
🎟 Raffle tickets: $2 each (heaps of prizes to be won)

Can’t make it in person? Join as a virtual runner and we’ll post your medal.🏅

👉 Register + grab your raffle tickets: www.bit.ly/running4nan2025

11/06/2025

The chat with Saalihah was a long time in planning and I am really pleased we finally got there. Saalihah Seedat is doing great work with the Bayside community, with her Health for Life workshops at the Community Centre. She came a long way from Zimbabwe to live in our beautiful country, and I enjoyed learning about the work she does to improve the lives of others. Enjoy getting to know Saalihah.

You can reach out to Saalihah about her My Health for Life sessions on 0404 296 297 or [email protected]

Link to session in the comments.

08/06/2025

Aunty Becky Thompson has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. She is a proud Quandamooka woman and my conversation with her taught me a lot. Congratulations Aunty Becky!

Aunty Becky has been on my podcast interview wish list since 2022.  It was a delight and a privilege to be in her company and hear all about her family as the original "winnamites".  As the Chairperson for winnam.org, the work Aunty Beck...

10/05/2025

Julie Dixon is an example of what makes the Bayside the community it is. I was so pleased to learn from Julie the history of the Shire Cottage, as I was always curious about it. As a volunteer, she is responsible for running the lovely Shire Cottage Markets every second month, and I didn't realise how important they are for the Waterloo Bay Leisure Centre income. I head along every time for the Devonshire Tea in the Shire Cottage! A little bonus in this chat was hearing of Julie's connection to a VERY famous Brisbane band. Enjoy the conversation with Julie.

Listen on Apple podcasts, Spotify or google Women of Wynnum Manly podcast. Direct link in the comments.

18/03/2025

I could not have loved this interview anymore. As an avid op shopper, I am a regular in the Florence Street Wynnum Do-Op Shop. I always knew it was an op-shop with a difference, knowing the proceeds went back into the community. I just never understood how it all worked.

Nina and her daughter are co-owners of Do-Op, starting three years ago, driven by a desire to do more around sustainability. She also holds strong values around actions that facilitate women supporting women. Something very dear to my own heart.

Donna is the Manager at the Wynnum store, leading the charge in creating the incredible space that allows shoppers to have a fun experience when shopping. She has a wonderful energy and vibrant personality that translates into her work environment.

Enjoy getting to know Nina and Donna, and if you can, go and visit the Do-Op Shop, open 7 days a week in Morningside, Wynnum and Annerley.

BTW, Opportunities by the Bay (Allana and Shaz) are hosting an op shop tour on Saturday 22 March, commencing at Do-Op at 9am. Please reach out if you want to come along, even for part of the morning. Numbers are needed for our morning tea stop.

Link to episode in the comments or find on Apple podcasts, Spotify or google "Women of Wynnum Manly podcast".

08/03/2025

To all the exceptional women who have been a part of the podcast over the past three years, I would like to acknowledge my appreciation. Their stories of perseverance, motivation, and resilience in their lives have been inspiring. On International Women's Day, I recognize their incredible contributions to the beautiful Bayside.

19/02/2025

I met Kylie Madge at the Wynnum Manly Community Awards in 2024 and knew that having a long form conversation with her would be fascinating. She is a yoga teacher, life coach and spiritual mentor and the conversation we had didn't disappoint! Kylie is a life-long Wynnum-nite. Sharing her story about how she transitioned from the corporate world to assisting people in life to navigate their emotions, choices and reactions, to experience a more peaceful and fulfilled life was fascinating. Talking about being a curious person, I formed the impression that she has always had a strong sense of self awareness and at times made insightful decisions that defied her age. I appreciated the calmness that Kylie brought to our experience in recording the episode. Enjoy learning all about Kylie.

Due to some technical difficulties, I was unable to share a recording of an introduction to this episode, including an Acknowledgement of Country. The episode was recorded on beautiful Quandamooka Country, and I am grateful to be able to work, play and enjoy my life on this land.



Listen if you can directly through this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2002642/episodes/16584584-season-4-episode-3-kylie-madge.mp3?download=true