Lifeworx Blog Spot

To peruse my abstract for the up and coming Career Development Association of Australia conference

2012-02-09T22:01:00.000-08:00

Please go to http://www.onqconferences.com.au/CDAA12/workshopabs.html

Staying in Kalgoorlie

2012-01-17T22:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I would like to announce with pride and a huge sigh of relief that I have decided to stay on in Kalgoorlie. It will be 6 years this coming April with many ups and downs, but mainly ups. When I think about it though, the amount of times I have been AWAY from Kalgoorlie, traveling and whatnot, seems to more often than when I am IN Kalgoorlie. This year, however, I do plan to stay still more often than not; a complete turn around for me.

This year sees me try and perfect things in my business. I plan to perfect the Effective Supervision workshops that I designed originally for VTS, start working on a series of tools for practitioners working with Indigenous people in career development, start working on my 'A Man in Every Country' humorous novel and work on getting my little, comfy cozy house just 'so'.

At the moment though, I am participating in a a two week workshop called 'Cognitive Behavioural Therapy' (CBT), a concept I came across in my early 20s when I self admitted to Perth Clinic during a rough patch. CBT assist you to learn a different way of thinking to the way you currently do. Often we spiral out of control in our way of thinking and believe that, because we think a certain thing, it must be true Our thoughts become our reality. But if you really break it down, really analysis what we believe to be true, it often isn't. For example, we may believe people are looking at us and judging us; our clothes, our hair cut, our fashion, where in fact they are probably more worried about what YOU think of them than the other way around. But because we have thought this way for so long, it becomes our reality. Needless to say, the course is eye opening and bringing into question so many (incorrect?) beliefs I held on to for so long. So long in fact they impede on my ability to grow and move forward in so many different ways.

So please, keep reading this blog as it will contain a mixture of life skills, life reflections and career related inspirations. I enjoy writing this and I hope you will enjoy reading! All the best for 2012.

Benson Saulo, 2011 Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations – the first Indigenous representative to hold the position since it began in 1999.

2011-12-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

I feel that my appointment as Australian Youth Representative is a reflection on the youth of Australia and their aspiration to promote an inclusive society. Engaging and empowering the voice of the growing youth population will ensure the future leaders of Australia are informed and educated in the importance of an inclusive society with effective decision-making.

In today’s society the role of young people has evolved from being a silent bystander to becoming an influential voice with calculated, articulated conviction. Whether in school, the workforce or everyday life, young people are encouraged to have an opinion and voice their concerns. Education and awareness will become the tools in building a positive movement.

Over the coming years the understanding of recognition of the First Australians will be tested and debated, it will lead Australia on a journey of discovery in identity and history. It will be a journey that will look to define the term recognition and First Australians but it will be the existence and validity of te public debate involving young Australians that will ultimately lead to a successful outcome for Australia’s future.

Dr David Namwandi (Deputy Minister of Education, Namibia) www.newera.com.na

2011-12-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

Nowadays we talk about flexibility about the roles and tasks the individuals will perform. Increasingly, the focus is on employability and this requires learning new skills.

The creation of jobs cannot be regulated to one sector, i.e.: either to government or to the private sector but must involve the youth themselves and development of partners. It requires a concerted effort of all players. The education sector plays a key role in determining the skills that can be offered to meet the labour market.

Career development is important for an effective labour market. If people find jobs and career paths, which utilise their potential and meet their own goals, they are likely to be more motivated and therefore more productive, enhancing national prosperity. In addition, if individuals make decisions about what they are to learn in a well informed and thought out way that motivates and inspires them, they are likely to be effective learners.

This will result in higher returns from the money that is invested in education and skills training systems.

Good quality career development is dependent on good quality information and needs to include information on education and training opportunities, on occupations and their characteristics, and on labour market supply and demand. Career guidance programs are critical and…need to be thought out with employers to ensure that the guidance that is provided is relevant in the labour market.

This is what I have madly been working on

2011-11-02T06:00:00.001-07:00

http://lifeworxblogger.blogspot.com/

Why Warriors Lie Down and Die - reflections

2011-11-02T05:58:00.001-07:00

The ‘Bridging the Gap’ seminar, run by ‘Why Warriors’ was the best conference I have ever been to. One of the key features of its success was the ability of the conference presenters to ensure that we had a fifteen minute break every hour. This kept everyone fresh and interested and also gave the presenters a chance to refocus and ensure that the topics spoken about were short and to the point. Added to this, Richard Trudgen (main facilitator) has worked in Aboriginal communities and with Aboriginal people since the 70s. Also, the three people who helped Richard facilitate the conference were three Aboriginal people; Roy, Diane and Djambatj Mala (lead singer from Yothu Yindi). Richard would speak in language with them and then translate back to us. The three Aboriginal people knew how to speak English, and did on the odd occasion, but felt much more comfortable speaking in language. I noticed that when they did speak in language, the audience were intrigued and very focused, at first, however many would become bored and/or frustrated with the lack of understanding and they would literally switch off, start talking to the person next to them or start fiddling on their mobile phones. Imagine what people with a second language feel on an everyday basis. If we (who I will refer to as the dominant culture throughout this blog) can’t even focus for five minutes (as a maximum) can we really blame Aboriginal people for switching off when language becomes too hard?

I can completely understand how Aboriginal people feel when it comes to language barriers. While I was travelling through South and Central America I felt completely and utterly incompetent even though I know I am an intelligent human being. As a result of my inadequacies I reacted in a way common to how I did when I was studying maths at school; I switched off because I felt stupid. I didn’t bother trying and ended up alienating myself from the Spanish speaking population who couldn’t speak English. Instead I hung around with other English speakers so I didn’t feel so stupid. Not knowing a language or the way a culture works is very disempowering. Imagine how much worse it would be if I was in my own country and didn’t understand the dominant culture or the language? I am sure I would become introverted, spend time with others who felt like me, become disengaged and possibly even an addict of some form to escape reality or possibly even lash out and become a ‘menace to society’. Much like many of our Indigenous people do. It makes a horrible amount of sense to me.

I had quite a number of these light bulb moments during the conference. Another was when Richard asked Roy if he knew what a mortgage was. Let me put that into context. We were speaking about housing and finances and how many members of the dominant culture cannot understand how Aboriginal people have become so dependent on government hand outs. Roy was out of the room at the time so wasn’t there when Richard was explaining about housing and mortgages and how the government has provided Indigenous people with money and other forms of hand outs for a very long time now. Aboriginal people never traded in ‘paper’ (money) before so they were not aware that ‘paper’, a magical acquisition, would provide necessities in return. Whenever they ran out of ‘paper’ more ‘paper’ would be produced. Because this money had images of the Queen on it and the government provided it, Aboriginal people just assumed that the Queen printed more whenever she needed and the government did the same. To this day many Aboriginal people still assume this is the case. Why would they think any differently? Whenever they need money, they get it. This is the case with housing also. Not many Aboriginal people understand what paying rent means or what the term mortgage means. This is where Roy comes into it. Please note though that Richard was generalising. Because he has worked in so many Indigenous communities, and mainly remote ones at that, he was commenting mainly on the remote Aboriginal populations’ take on finances. As soon as Roy came back into the conference room, Richard asked Roy if he had ever heard of the word ‘mortgage’. Roy shook his head, so Richard explained the term until it was quite clear Roy understood, but it was also clear that he didn’t understand why we paid such a thing. Richard then asked everyone if they were happy to disclose whether or not they had a mortgage. Nearly everyone in the room put their hand up to indicate that they had a mortgage. Roy looked around the room bewildered. Then Richard asked if we were happy to disclose how big our mortgage was. I put my hand up and said ‘$199K’, someone chuckled and said ‘$300K+’, then another and another until the final hand up was over half a million. Roy was genuinely and honestly flabbergasted. He then turned to Richard and in language said, ‘Why don’t they get the government to pay it for them?’ He seriously did not understand that the general, dominant culture cannot simply turn to the government and request assistance when money is tight. But you see, the majority of Aboriginal people can. The houses on communities are free as are many other services so it would be a clear expectation that the dominant culture would have housing provided for them too. Why wouldn’t they? Aboriginal people do, so should Whites (I hurriedly add that this is a very legitimate thought through the eyes of our Indigenous people. This is all many of them know).

Richard referred a lot to two different pieces of literature. One was ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ by Paulo Freire, and the other was ‘I’m Ok You’re Ok’ by Thomas Harris MD. Firstly, this is what he said about Freire’s work. Freire indicates that there are four levels of awareness; Magical, Naive, Critical and Fanatic. Basically, he said for ‘Magical Awareness’ that the Government provides housing to Indigenous people so ‘of course’ White people get housing from the Government too – why wouldn’t they? This sort of thinking is referred to Magical – money appears out of thin air. The Dominant culture is able to magically make anything they want appear. This is also somewhat naive, but ‘Naivety Awareness’ according to Freire, is like a copy and paste mentality. The dominated culture wants to be like the dominant culture. They want to be ‘just like YOU’ and start to copy things that the dominant culture do; music, haircuts, behaviour, expectations, which is quite a naive way of thinking. The next phase is ‘Critical Awareness’, which is where the dominated culture starts to question the dominant culture. It is the more critical stages of awareness that people start to feel better about themselves and can rediscover with pride their originals and traditions. During this phase of awareness they can see that the dominant culture isn’t as fantastic as they first thought it was. The next phase Richard pointed out was ‘Fanatic Awareness’, which is where the dominated culture goes too far the other way and starts to attack the dominant culture and is angry with what has happened. They become ‘fanatics’ and we see this around the world in various forms through various dominated cultures. The best place to be is in ‘Discovery’ mode. Richard spoke about Discovery Education and Demystification. A cultural broker is required in the middle to help breakdown the contradictions to achieve a breakthrough. We need to develop programs that help Indigenous people answer the WHYS of the world. We need to keep breaking the myths that the dominant culture will always provide and move people away from dependency. Once people understand the WHY of the world (Concept Education) they will demand Skill Education. At the moment, the Government is coming in from a skill education perspective. Richard stresses that this way of thinking does not work. It does not provide the WHY’s or reasons for Indigenous people. It does not give motivation or reason so why do whatever it is that the dominant culture wants done?

Richard also referred to ‘I’m Ok You’re Ok’ by Thomas Harris MD and that most communication between the dominant culture and the minority culture is very much a parent to child way of communicating. Although I’ve not read ‘I’m Ok You’re Ok’ in its entirety I have flicked through it and am aware of the Parent/Adult/Child model he refers to. We communicate in our relationships as a Parent, an Adult or a Child. When the Dominant culture communicates with a minority group, they communicate with them as a Parent does a Child and uses the language associated with a Parent/Child relationship, which can be quite undermining, authoritative and belittling at times, especially when communicating with Adults. Instead, Richard argues, we both need to be Adults in the communication game and ask each other for help to understand, and to cut out the childlike language and domination. He also went on to saying that Work Readiness Programs DO NOT work because of this Parent/Child type relationship. Aboriginal people are not going to stay in work simply because industry needs to tick a box to say they have Indigenous people in their workforce. Any Indigenous people are being psychologically abused in the workplace; they are being spoken to and treated like a child instead of the adult that they are.

Richard also spoke about two approaches to development as indicated by Jack Goodluck from Nungalinya College. The first he spoke of was ‘Domesticating’ and the second he referred to was ‘Liberating’. This is in regards to the history of Aboriginal people since colonisation. Domesticating has a series of stages associated with it; Annihilation, Assimilation, Integration and Self Management. Annihilation is basically when White people came to Australia and annihilated the Aboriginal population. Assimilation is when the dominant culture tried to incorporate (assimilate) Indigenous Australians into the dominant culture, Integration and then Self Management followed (we will fund you to do OUR thing in your area). A Liberating approach to development includes people becoming Self-Reliant at a local level, followed by a Participatory Research phase (shared understanding), then People Power (social analysis) and finally Mutual Cooperation. Richard said he saw Mutual Cooperation in full force in the 70s when the cultures honoured each other’s style, there was cross cultural communication and consultation. He called them ‘Dilly Bags of knowledge’. With this Richard went through the phases of history from his observations since working with Indigenous people.

He said when he first went out to community; the majority of work was done by the people who lived in the community. In the mid 70s the people dreamed about the future, self determination, freedom, land rights and independents. In the mid to late 80s they were disillusioned and self determination decreased, especially when they realised that land rights did not necessarily equate to independence. By the end of the 80s the majority of the jobs in community were taken up by expatriates. By the mid 90s death rates in Arnhem Land had increased 4.5 times the National average. In the late 90s and early 2000, there was a degree of consolidation where death rates slowed and there was a small decrease in ‘White’ control. In 2007 the government introduced Shires and in 2008 the Northern Territory had the highest imprisonment rate of Indigenous people in Australia. WHY? White people have had absolute power since colonisation. He kept reiterating how important it is for the dominant culture to learn language. Language will break down so many barriers to understanding. The common theme is that White culture dominates, the minority culture loses control to the dominant one, they begin to feel separated from each other, there is no communication, and no idea of what is happening, which leads to self destruction, depression and the annihilation of the cultural traditions. Richard states that there is nothing that cannot be taught, but it must be in language. The capacity to learn is dependent on how well the teacher teaches. Educators may have the degrees and qualifications, but what they lack is the cross cultural awareness, language and cultural understanding and appreciation. The most important principal for understanding, on both sides, is to learn the language. Because the dominant culture has an expectation that Aboriginal people learn English, the dominant culture will always dominate and have absolute power. A loss of power and a loss of control comes with having to subject yourself to other’s expectations and demands which, in turn, causes separation from each other, lack of communication with each other and confusion.

Richard then spoke about the detrimental effects of naming. He asked everyone to call out terms that they have heard ‘name’ Indigenous people. Names included Primitive, Nomadic, Nobel Savages, Natives, Hunters and Gatherers, Backwards, Traditional and Dreaming. He then explained where the term ‘Dreaming’ comes from. Dreaming is actually a term coined by a White man called Sir Walter Baldwin Spencer (1860 – 1929). It is an incorrect linguistic translation, connoting a sense of fantasy and imagination. This term is not correct in its translation. What the dominant culture refers to as ‘Dreaming’ is much more than that; it is a sense of spirituality, of place, of importance. It is the essence of belief. Hunters and Gatherers depict a sense of hunting and taking without consideration, much like fishermen do. Again, this is incorrect. Richard exploded this myth by providing us with an example of turtle egg hunting. He said he went out turtle egg hunting with some Aboriginal folk when he first moved to a community and noticed that they removed only four of the seven eggs. When he asked why they didn’t take all of the eggs, they looked at him with curiosity and said, ‘For breeding’. Exactly! If they took all of the eggs, then there wouldn’t be any left for next season. Clearly!

He then asked Diane, Roy and Djambatj Mala to list the names Aboriginal people call Whites. Mokuy (cheeky spirit/White devil), Rom Mirin (lawless people), Watu (dog; in relation to sexuality (the dominant culture is overtly and disgustingly sexually explicit)), Mandjarr (leaves that blow across the land), Wanjamirin (homeless people), and Warrakan (birds who fly across the land and don’t care what they take or what they leave behind) were some of the names they listed. I can understand why they would name the dominant culture such names. Indeed, many of us do move across the country as if we are homeless (I know I have lived in many a place), we do take from the land and don’t give back in return, we do live under our own laws that are not set but can be manipulated to suit our own needs and we are over sexual and tend to not hold sexual acts as private acts (just look at what we watch on TV). He then put up on the screen a poem written by an Aboriginal man called Muta, a Murinbata Aboriginal man:

White man got no dreaming

Him got ‘nother way

White man, him go different

Him road belong himself

This poem really resonated with me because it captures exactly what Diane, Roy and Djambatj Mala were trying to say.

The next part of the conference really grabbed my attention. Richard spoke about Whole Community Empowerment. Another area the dominant culture goes wrong in is focusing on one person, small group of people or the youth in a community and giving them all of the information with the expectation that they will impart their newly found knowledge to the rest of the community. This is actually disempowering and ostracises them from the rest of their community.

In regards to language he asked us to consider when a YES is not actually a YES. A YES is quite often not a YES. No one wants to look stupid or let another down. Everyone wants to try and understand so you keep saying YES to try and get more information. I did this quite often when I was overseas. I wanted the person to think I was following them, even though I didn’t have a clue what they were saying half the time. Instead, a better way forward is to draw pictures and make sure there is enough response time – do not rush for an answer. In Indigenous culture it is rude to answer straight away as this implies you weren’t listening intently to the person or provided them enough of an opportunity to complete what they were saying. It is also important to remember that a person with English as a Second Language is processing what you have just said into their language, then translating it back into English for your benefit. This times time.

Anyway, there was so much more...too much more. At times I felt like I was so far behind in my understanding but at other times I was proud of what I have learnt to date. Our Indigenous people have so much to offer and are such a wealth of knowledge. It saddens me to think that the dominant culture has gotten it wrong for so long and continue to do so. To me, there were quite a number of core messages; messages that can easily be carried out IF only Government would listen. These messages include:

- Stop treating Aboriginal people like children. Remove the PARENT/CHILD relationship

- Teach whole communities not just the children

- Empower everyone not just a few

- Learn the language and see value in the language

- Remember that English is a second language

- Ask for understanding and use images

- Be patient

- Focus on a Discovery Education Model NOT Skills-based model

- Utilise a team interpreting model (you tell me, I’ll tell them, we all learn together)

Finally I would like to thank Richard, Diane, Roy and Djambatj Mala for sharing. Australia needs more people like you!

Rotary Group Study Exchange to Texas

2011-10-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

Yep, you read right. I was nominated by the Hannans Rotary Club to participate in a Group Study Exchange to Texas next year and won. There is a group of us going - a lady from Esperance is our back up person in case someone isn't able to go, there is a Commonwealth Bank Manager coming, a Main Roads communications lady coming, a guy who works at Rockingham Shire in Infrastructure and Planning coming, and me. Our Team Leader, Steve Coads, is an Engineer and led another GSE a number of years ago. I would also like to give a big shout out to Michael Young from Westralia Homes who won a position to Russia.

So the process. It was a lot simplier than expected actually. Esther Roadnight (bless her cotton socks) and I were having a cuppa a few weeks ago and I mentioned how I am planning to apply for a Churchill Scholarship. She shouted out, 'I can't believe I didn't think of you!' and proceeded to tell me all about the Group Study Exchange (GSE) available for 25-40 year olds. The only potential problem was that applications were due in by the end of the week. All good though - the application process was quite straight forward. I just had to write a short biography and fill in some paperwork. Once that was submitted I simply had to wait to hear whether or not I was granted an interview. YES!

I took myself off to Perth on the train and studied all I could on Russian history, because that's where Esther told me the exchange was for. On the Saturday night it was more of a meet and greet, providing an opportunity for previous exchange students, past Rotarians, Team Leaders and current Rotarians, including the panel, to see how we interacted with others, our time management, presentation and levels of enthusiasm. It was here that I found out that the exchange was heading to Texas OR Russia - the panel would decide which would be bestf or each individual. Funnily enough I shared quite a fair bit in common with others. For a start I didn't know Michael had been nominated so that was a blast, then there were two ladies from Esperance who I shared mutual acquaintances, a couple from Kojonup who knew a guy I used to house share with, a guy with the same sir name of an artist I'd recently bought a painting from, and a lady from Busselton who knows a good friend of mine (AKA: Foot).

The next day my interview was at 11am. There was a panel of 7 and I had 20 minutes to answer 13 questions, which they gave me 10 minutes beforehand. It was ok - relatively easy questions. After that I went back to Louise's place and proceeded to get EXTREMELY nervous. Louise was GREAT though. We went to the Wanneroo Markets, had lunch and then IGA and then I went for a walk around Lake Monger. It was just after 4pm when I got the call. 'You're coming with me to Texas', said Steve! OMG - I was so excited that I started to cry! All these people were walking passed me, they must have thought I was a nutter!!!!

That afternoon our group met at The Dome to offically meet each other - Kylie, Jo, Mick, Jenny and Steve with Lynda as a back up. While we are in Texas we stay with host Rotarian families and they try and match us as best they can with our vocation of choice. I have requested to visit the equivalent of our Centrelink and Job Search Australia agencies. If this isn't possible I would like to visit with schools and training organisations that embed career development into their packages. I would also like to see if they have anything specific for their Indigenous peoples.

Aside from that, that's pretty much all I know about the program. Thank god I have Rachel Dodge, my very special friend from Texas who will hold my hand through the learning process, I'm sure.

I hope you all share myexcitement!!!!

That night, my cousin, Deb, Lou, Olly and I celebrated by eating a truck load of pasta and drinking lots of wine.

I know a lot of people don't like him much, but I think he's right on the money with this comment!

2011-09-11T20:54:00.001-07:00

September 09, 2011

Last night, President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress to speak about job creation -- one of the most crucial elements to spurring the economy and getting America’s workforce back on track. With the nation’s unemployment rate consistently hovering above nine percent, it has become more important than ever for American citizens to utilize career counseling services that assist job-seekers to make conscious career choices, identify opportunities for learning value-added workforce skills, and find a career that will lead to job satisfaction and productivity.

The National Career Development Association recently commissioned a national survey, performed in conjunction with Harris Interactive, which assessed the perceptions of today’s workforce on the effectiveness of career specialists. The feedback from the survey is very clear: career practitioners are a vital resource for the livelihood of our nation’s workforce and are underutilized relative to their potential need. Click here to learn more about NCDA’s 2011 National Survey on Working America and how career counselors are on the front lines of addressing the nation’s job-related economic issues, and to find a "Dear Representative/Senator" letter you can send to your Members of Congress in support of career counseling programs. Please visit www.NCDA.org for additional resources.

The Art of Possibility - CDAA's Leadership Forum

2011-09-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

A great big thank you goes to Carole Brown and Les Emery and all of the National Career Development Association of Australia National committee members. Last month, 25 CDAAs current and emerging leaders were invited to Canberra for the Association's inaugural Leadership Forum...of which I was one :-)
The forum focused on:
- achieving shared understanding about how CDAA is currently positioned and its strategic priorities and challenges, and
- building stronger leadership capability to take CDAA and the career industry forward

Discussions were intense and insightful with everyone sharing outside the box ideas. It was fantastic for me too, on a business level, as I met with a lady who is similarly passionate about Aboriginal career development. Kim is based in Darwin and I will be travelling there at the end of October to attend the 'Why Warriors Lie Down and Die' workshop as well as spend a week brainstorming ideas with her.

Driven by a high level of commitment to our profession and focusing on what is possible for CDAA, the themese that emerged include:
- building an evidence base about the value of career development practice
- embracing our diversity and what we offer as a profession. This was likened to the health profession. Everyone specialises in something different in regards to their chosen field. If we are not able to assist in one area (because this is not our chosen profession) then we are able to refer to someone who is more specialised.
- continuing to grow an outward focus through strategic partnerships, and
- building financial strength through diversifying our income stream

Added to this, it was decided by all participants as well as the National Committee, to create a Leadership workshop that can be delivered throughout each State. The relevant participant at the Leadership Forum will be equipt to deliver the workshop, which will go for approximately 3 hrs, depending on how many participants we have. I look forward to this opportunity.

Til then, take care all!

Indigenous Education, Training and Transition to Work

2011-08-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

An amazing time away. The first leg of my journey saw me attend the Leadership Forum hosted by the Career Development Association of Australia. A Forum compiled of future leaders hand picked from each State in Australia by the current CDAA National Division. I met some amazing people all looking to increase the profile of career development in our society. As usual though, the argument arose as to what Career Development actually means. To me it's about life...holistic and all encompassing. Straight from Canberra I flew to Sydney where I attended the above titled forum and where I met some amazing people with insightful ideas on how to assist Aboriginal Australians with their career development needs.
A quick stop over back in Perth for the night I then headed to Broome where all the focus is on the proposed mining through Woodside. The opinions were divided but most agreed that it would probably see the ruin of Broome's tourism and beautiful environment. I was also lucky enough to head out to Looma, an Aboriginal community about 3 hours drive from Broome where I spoke to a number of community members at length about their career requirements.
In South Hedland I attended the Bloodwood Tree Career Expo and ended my trip in Karratha where I spoke with Sandra Chandler, who has recently completed her Masters Thesis in Aboriginal literacy learning. Watch this space as well as LinkedIn and Lifeworx home page on Facebook for further insights.

Opportunities through the Curriculum Council

2011-06-27T00:55:00.000-07:00

The Curriculum Council contacted me on Friday. They are looking for a Chef Exam Supervisor as well as Supervisors for the up and coming TEE exams. Please feel free to check out their website and, if you contact them directly, drop my name :-)
http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/internet/About_Us/Employment/Supervisor_Application_2011

Why Warriors...

2011-06-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

I am so incredibly excited. Whilst looking through websites to include in the resources I am creating for the Department of Training and Workforce Development, I came across this website: http://www.whywarriors.com.au/index.php - I have been a huge fan of Richard Trudgen since reading his book 'Why Warriors Lay Down & Die' and now I find he is presenting in Darwin. I simply must go. If anyone is looking at researching Aboriginal Career Development and initiatives, check out this website too: http://www.aihw.gov.au/closingthegap/ - fabulous!!!!

Search Engine Optimisation REALLY does work

2011-06-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went through the process of including my details into an SEO. It was fairly straightforward and then I emailed my web designer the wording to include in my website so it would show up when people do a search. This morning I had a call from the Australasia Institute of Policing asking if they could include my details in their annual journal as a service provider. I asked him how he got my details, 'Hot Frog', was his reply. Well, I had ONLY just included my details in the Hot Frog Directory. It REALLY does work!!!!!

New blogger

2011-05-27T19:13:00.000-07:00

Good morning all and welcome to my new blog site. I am completely and utterly new to this but with time I am sure I will start to understand the best ways possible for you to get the most out of what I am writing. Until then, please feel free to view lifeworx.com.au, add me on Linked In, or find me on facebook. I try and use the same photo of me for each of the sites so as not to confuse you.
All the best and ta ta for now!!!!