There is nothing like the word Haighs for giving a person away as a South Australian!

‘What is Haighs?’ as a friend asked the other day. What?! Only the best chocolate in the world! Better than Swiss, better than (sorry to all native Western Australians!) The Margs Chocolate Factory (only marginally, though) and certainly better than Hershey’s, even though the Americans claim otherwise.

Here we are on the 4th of January. It’s only going be what feels like a few days time we all say: ‘wow, it’s December already, where has the year gone?!’

Anyway, I wanted to start the new year with a bit of a ditty on me for all the new people who have recently discovered my books; I’ve had a few people who have got in contact over Christmas and said they’ve read my books for the first time. I LOVE hearing this!

A new rose for a new year. Gorgeous, isn't it? I'm not sure what rose this is - I think it might be Peace, which, if so, is the perfect rose for me coming into 2022. What about you?

I'm not one for maths. Which makes writing a really good profession for me! And, you would think there isn't any maths at all, tapping out words on a keyboard. But this is a myth! I've been told a few times that the only way to make good decisions is to base it around facts.

Never be afraid to be the only woman in the room. A hard take in Australian Agriculture, but today, on the International Day of Rural Women, I’m reminded of how far women in agriculture have come, and how much things have changed for women who want to work on the land.

I've always told my kids that "if we don't share our stories, then how can we help people?"

I watched with annoyance the ABC’s 4 Corners report on glyphosate and its ‘carcinogenic causing’ qualities, then with amusement when the 7.30 report started its series on Australia: how big is too big?

It's been ages since I've been able to read. I'm not sure why, because it was my favourite pastime. I started to find it hard when I was under a lot of pressure: looking after a sick family member, then my marriage breakdown, and so on and so forth!

Being a woman, 'you'll need to lose weight' is NOT a phrase you really want to hear. Still, I heard that last Monday when I went to see my specialist about my back.

Thinking ahead is critical in life. Planning is important. You'd think at nearly 44, I would understand this. So, today (Saturday morning) I fail to understand why I have woken up with a slight hangover and found there to be no cold pizza in the house for breakfast.

This entrepreneurial businesswoman, who was born and bred in Kununurra,  has recently been named Western Australian winner of the RIRDC Rural Women's Award and one of Business Women Australia's Women on the Rise.

"Passion for the land is a pure and marvellous thing! Dream big, work hard, take advantage of the wealth of knowledge out there …but most of all, take the time to listen to your heart. It won’t always be easy, but it WILL be worthwhile."

“I am driven to improve agriculture and the viability of rural communities, and to show others just like me that we can do anything!”

— Dr Jillian Kelly

Welcome to my series, Bush Lanterns, highlighting women in the rural and agricultural sector! There are so many amazing and wonderful women who don’t always get recognised for what they do, and I feel it’s my job to be able to bring them to you.

“Don’t be afraid of being the only woman in the room. People judge more on ability, smarts and character, so just be yourself and prove your knowledge, and you will be able to talk to anyone.”

— Laura Bennett

Success isn't an accident. A dream doesn't become reality through just clicking your fingers. It takes sweat, determination and hard work. There aren't secrets to success, just as there aren't any get-rich-quick schemes.

Work hard but also work smart. Keep up with what is happening around you. You don’t have to attend every meeting, workshop, etc., but you can always find out what is happening by staying in contact with others who do get to attend.

Esperance received a fair bit of rain on Thursday. Rain is one of my all-time favourite parts of Mother Nature. I grew up in the mid-north of SA, where it wasn’t a common occurrence, and as a farmer, I know there are good times for rain and others not so great.

I've been a little quiet on the blog for the last couple of months - there has been a reason why! It's been busy!

So, my very important information. What is it?