Amazing to think my last blog entry was in June. The past 3 months have whizzed by and I had some personal decision-making to work through and the up-shot is some very happy results and opportunities whilst, amazingly, allowing me my wish of becoming more Darwin-based for the immediate future. There is no glamour in travelling for business and infact it becomes quite exhausting with one hotel room blending into another and they are all pretty much alike.

My happy personal situation has been made possible largely because I am now committed to being pretty much Darwin-centric, which has also enabled me to take on the role of CEO of LifeLine Top End – another exciting development! I have just completed my first week in the position and fortunate to be working with a great bunch of people, all of whom seem to share my passion for community focussed NFP work and for making a difference. It’s always motivating to be with similar-minded people.

Just in case you are wondering, I have not left behind my beloved dragons – Dragon Abreast or Dragon Sisters. The Dragon Sisters personal and professional development consultancy business continues to grow steadily and I remain in my role as founding dragon and chief dragon director of ‘dragon doings’ but the actual work is shared across our network and I do very little day to day hands on. Dragons Abreast remains our charity of choice and we continue pro-bono support of the charity closest to my heart but my activities are NT focussed rather than national and I was very involved with the Chaging Face of Breast Cancer Forum presented in late September here in Darwin and just last week attended the Pink Breakfast.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue my passions and preferences in this way and there is definite truth in Goethe’s words:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” 

And so a new chapter begins……

Michelle