Kids on the coast

By Belinda Hopper

It's easy to define ourselves by the problems that beset us, so it was surprising and refreshing to hear Robyn Woodrow, who in June of last year underwent significant surgery and six months of chemotherapy to treat ovarian cancer, say her life defining moment has nothing to do with having cancer, “I’m not defined by the cancer, nor has it facilitated any significant changes in my life - apart from forcing me to go back and better prioritise some aspects.”

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by Belinda Hopper

Inspirational Fitness Guru Mireille Ryan inspires thousands of mums, but believes we all have the power to inspire.

She says she lives by two mottos – “Thoughts become your words and words become your actions” and “if you can dream it, you can do it”. And when you learn Mireille Ryan is Australia’s leading fitness expert for mums who runs not one, but two businesses from home, you realise she means it—she actually does live by them!

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by Justine Stewart

Local mum Karen Keynes has ditched her former life as a corporate high flyer to take on a totally different challenge. As the owner/manager of GreenUrLife (it stands for “Green Your Life”) she manages to combine being a mum with running a business that aims to make the world a better place, from the kitchen, to the community, to the environment.

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by Sandra Smith

Music is the perfect way to express her joyful experiences of parenting, says singer and songwriter Nadia Sunde, whose work as a radio presenter and producer with ABC Coast FM has given her a high profile on both the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. Nadia’s indie music background includes touring on the Australian folk circuit as lead singer and bass player in popular folk/roots group Spot the Dog, and she’s now moving in a fresh direction, her creative journey enriched by motherhood.

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DANNIELLE MILLER TALKS ABOUT MOTHERHOOD AND HER VISION FOR GIRLS
by Sandra Smith

When Dannielle Miller started her career as a teacher working with youth at risk in Sydney in 1992, she found that teenage girls were in crisis. She realised that binge drinking, eating disorders and self-hatred are widespread, and that girls often don’t have healthy coping skills. As a mother and an educator, Dannielle wanted to share her personal insights and strategies with others, and in 2003 she co- founded Enlighten Education, a program that helps girls reach their full potential. She and her team of presenters, including Queensland’s own Storm Greenhill-Brown, now work with thousands of teens across Australia and New Zealand.

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by Sandra Smith

Cooking family meals with just four ingredients is a simple concept, but turning that idea into a bestselling cookbook has involved a lot of hard work and determination for mother-of-three Kim McCosker. It’s been an amazing three-year journey for the Sunshine Coast author and entrepreneur, and she is now an international celebrity with four bestsellers and two television series under her belt.

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ANDREW DADDO SHARES LIFE, WRITING AND PARENTHOOD

by Sarah Pye

The face of Andrew Daddo is easily recognised by most Australians. For around 25 years his face has graced our screens starting as a kids’ television presenter during his second year of uni. From there he hosted ABC TV’s The Factory and became the first Australian video jockey on American MTV. After a stint as an actor, Andrew was back hosting and is best known for programs like 11AM, Kidspeak and The Great Outdoors.

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Uberwoman Kate Sutton
by Sandra Smith

The glamorous world of television lost its appeal when producer Kate Sutton became a mother. Kate worked long hours on some of Channel Nine’s best-known shows and often worked away on location, far from her husband Adam and her newborn baby, Lulu.
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Jason Morris overcomes life’s challenges

by Sandra Smith

When Jason Morris lost his hand in an industrial accident at the age of 19, his life changed overnight. His dream of being a professional footballer was over, and his future was uncertain. He had to learn to cope with one hand quickly, because three months after the hand amputation his firstborn child, Jazzi, was born.  Read more

TERRI IRWIN SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON MOTHERING

by Madonna Hirning

The name Terri Irwin for most of us brings to mind the strong-minded woman who is the driving force of Australia Zoo – Queensland’s number one tourist attraction and a constant crusader for conservation. The Irwin name has long been famous around the world and synonymous with the much-loved Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. Terri was cast further into the spotlight three years ago after enduring the tragic loss of her husband Steve, who, whilst being a passionate conservationist was also a devoted husband and father to Bindi and Bob. Terri answers our questions on the hardest job of all – mothering.
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