Monday, January 7, 2013

Bring on 2013! Happy New Year

There are big days ahead, and I know this new year will have many !

Its exciting times, as the world around us adapts to all that technology and nature can supply us with.

I continue to enjoy the spoils of Hidden Secrets, and also that of time with family and friends.

My House Sitting adventures have lasted longer than I had envisaged, but so far so good! - BUT I am looking for my next one from FEB 1st 2012! - DO let me know if you know of any that I can follow up on.

Happy 2013 to all, and I hope all your plans and ideas take you to wonderful places..

Salute, Sante, Cheers! to bring in the good luck of this year!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Nominating for Melbourne City Council

I have been involved again in the Melbourne City council elections this year.. How amazing it's been 4 years already!
After discussions and an invitation to participate by the incumbent deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley, I accepted with a mission to be more able to impact and learn of the ways that council makes decisions- especially with relation to Small business, Melbourne's public space, and it's involvement in the tourism sector with all the other local tourism stakeholders. If that's within council as a councillor, I am up for the challenge, but even from the outside after this election I pledge to continue my efforts.

Tourism to me is very much about about the visitor experience for ALL visitors.. These include locals, interstate travellers, international holiday makers, as well as conference delegates, school groups, intrastate family outings and business people on their break... etc.....

To get the message to these various VISITORS is not easy, and many methods need to be used, and many different enterprises will be involved - as their expertise may best relate...  It's not a simple one tick in a box suits all.... And this is an area that I am keen to be more involved in...

If you are a resident within the City of Melbourne, or a business owner within the same municipality, then vote Team Doyle - it is my belief that our senior members are able to bring great inspiring ideas to the table, that the final winning 11 councillors ( including lord mayor and deputy lord mayor) will debate with a healthy and informed passion. http://www.teamdoyle.com.au/index.html

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

House Sitting - this is what I do...

When you work a lot, and play almost as much, what time is there left for making a home... Plenty!!  But ... over the last 8 months, I have been house sitting... and discovering new suburbs, great house design, wonderful people, and a peace of mind.

Initially it was a measure of austerity.. I was never at home really, and so paying rent for a space to sit empty seemed a luxury I could forgo, as business was tight...
Now, I am actually in the swing of less is more.. consumables are habit, I don't need things, so it allows space to consider ... consider who to spend time with, who to eat with, who to spend with ...

Its not for everyone, and there are traps that can easily be fallen into, I have done house sitting before, and sometime may have stayed with friends longer than I should ( in between actual house sits) I am however really enjoying it..

So, if you know of anyone that is going away for longer than 14 days, and would welcome the idea of someone looking after cats, watering plants, cleaning gardens, and turning lights on ( and off) then please let me know.....  you can contact me here through the blog...

I have references, and am very low impact...
Thanking you in advance!



Thursday, June 30, 2011

Leadership...

For the first time in a long time, I have been doing some professional development..
Yes its within the Tourism Industry, but I am pleased to say the program Destination Melbourne have put together is a much more strategic long term investment. Melbourne Tourism Industry Leadership Program 2011...

Defining leadership I have found an interesting topic, and not sure I have the answer, nor the quote that might get me there...  but to inspire movement towards and end goal is a start...
I wonder how many one should inspire.. to be known as a leader... how will you ever know.. its all so indirect many of said actions..

Are leadership qualities innate?
Is it wrong to accept that perhaps I am a leader, but not always by my own design..
or is it that acceptance that is my first struggle...

Enjoy the view, and others will share it...   

Thats my motivational leadership thinking for today..