This month I celebrated a milestone birthday in a beautiful way surrounded by loved ones; family and friends, who had all in some way played a special part in my life through their love, support, friendship, guidance and encouragement.

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and 10 October is world mental health day. It is the day and the month that aims to raise awareness and spread education about mental health issues across the globe.

I know for so many life, particularly in recent weeks, has been really challenging. People around Australia and the world struggling with the isolation and mental anguish of lockdown and restrictions, coping with the devastation of natural disasters, paralysed by the fear of oppression and violence, and all of us still trying to navigate through constant uncertainty. And for many of us some days are easier to bear than others.

In the last few days, we have all been horrified and heartbroken by the chaotic, frightening and tragic scenes coming out of Afghanistan as its American-backed government fell at lightning pace to the insurgent Taliban, nearly 20 years after the US first sent troops to the country.

This month brings with it the long awaited and much anticipated Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. For many of us the belated Games bring a much needed source of distraction, excitement, joy and most importantly, inspiration.

From Sunday 4 July to Sunday 11 July in Australia, we celebrate NAIDOC Week.

This week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together every year to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

At the beginning of this month, the Australian Government announced a complete travel ban on all direct flights from India as a result of the rapidly growing rates of COVID-19 in the country. The Federal Health Minister in a press conference stated that anyone, including all Australian citizens trying to return home from India, who attempted to break the rules would face a fine of up to $66,600 or 5 years imprisonment or both.

This month in Australia and New Zealand we commemorate ANZAC Day. A significant and poignant day for our countries that in many respects, through the sacrifice of our men and women, marked our coming of age as nations.

Last month I was writing to you from the Gold Coast, reflecting on how fortunate we were in Australia to once again enjoy the freedom of movement and travel within our country. Now as I write to you, parts of Queensland are hours away from going into lockdown and facing an uncertain week ahead with many questions around what Passover, Easter and Ramadan for many will look like.

Last month I asked you what word or words would you choose to motivate you, guide you and inspire you for 2021, and I shared with you that for me those words would be compassion and hope.

No doubt for so many this year began and will continue for some time to present deep challenges. So much of the world is feeling the impact of the global pandemic worse than ever before, as hospitals bursting at the seams, frontline workers continue to serve beyond exhaustion, and families care for and mourn the loss of loved ones.

As we head into the festive season and hopefully take some time to reflect on what an incredible, unpredictable, rich, and rollercoaster of the year 2020 was, I would like to share with you a podcast interview I took part in with my friend Michael Prince and his colleagues at Oasis People and Culture. They have started a leadership conversation series called ‘Life-Giving Leadership’ and I was privileged to be the second interviewee, following on from the inspirational former Chief Justice of the West Australian Supreme Court, Wayne Martin.

Last month we spoke about individualism versus collectivism, and holding the line as leaders when it is imperative we do so for the greater good. More than anything this relates to culture - creating, maintaining, and, when required, enforcing a positive culture where clarity around values, standards, and discipline are essential.

I hope this month’s e-newsletter finds you all well and with the continued resolve to look for the lightness, beauty, and silver linings in the world we are all navigating - the message I focussed on last month.

Recently my husband Anthony celebrated a ‘significant’ milestone birthday, and my children and I decided to organise a special gift to mark the occasion. He is a lover of indigenous art and has huge respect for Aboriginal culture and country. So, after months of searching, I found the perfect indigenous artist to paint a specially commissioned piece of artwork that represented Anthony’s geographical life journey in WA, around Australia, and overseas.

What a month it’s been - for many of us personally, for our communities, our nation and all humanity. Increasingly as we adapt, cope, change, manage, navigate and progress through this global crisis my belief grows stronger that this time has been gifted to us all as an opportunity. A golden opportunity, a gift, which if we receive it with all it’s potential, invites us to stop, reflect, look deeply within ourselves and not just around us, and come to a deeper, greater understanding about who we truly are.

All around Australia we would traditionally be celebrating NAIDOC week in the month of July. In my State of Western Australia, one of the few places in the world where we currently enjoy no community spread of the coronavirus and a great many freedoms compared to those interstate or overseas, we are still celebrating this important week in July. However, the rest of the country will be celebrating it this year in November.

I have been writing a lot recently about people-led movements for change. This phenomenon has never been so evident as in recent weeks.

I hope this finds you all safe and well?

Last month I spoke of the paradigms we are currently facing whilst living through this unprecedented global pandemic.

We are living in a time of unprecedented crisis. Borders of countries and states have closed, people are panicking and disconnecting, and physical distancing is our new norm. A friend of mine recently pointed out that during this time we as the human race are facing two scenarios, and the one we choose will inform the future of our world.