It’s been a really massive start to the year, and over the last few weeks I have been appointed to the board of the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network; relocated from Charleville to Brisbane the day before the floods; spoken at a Queensland Leadership workshop breakfast in Brisbane on the topic of “Leadership and Betrayal”; gained my GFPT pilots license and started Bikram Yoga (those who have tried this mentally and physically challenging practice, will understand where I am coming from!). Tonight i’m spending my time at a Social Leadership Australia art show in Brisbane city.

The start to 2012 has been like a whirlwind but I have so much clarity and purpose and most importantly passion for the task at hand, that it hasn’t been overwhelming at all!

Last Thursday I did a interview with ABC Western Queensland. It’s poignant to share as I think it sums up what has been happening and where the future is headed for me and KBS! Thanks to Helen for inviting me to share.

Karen Brook speaks with Helen Shields on ABC Radio, Western Queensland

On another note, I am advertising for a graphic designer to join the team. To view the position details click here.

Happy Thursday!

KB

By now, one week later, everyday hero’s like this have been enabled all across western Queensland and northern New South Wales as flood waters recede and rise.

As I write this I am reminded of the power of mother nature. This time last year, Queensland was once again mopping up after the “Great flood of 2011″ and here we are again with the “Great flood of 2012″ – that isn’t even over yet.

As these events come and go, and as the clean up starts for some, the inundation has not yet begun for others. I am reminded of the capacity of the human spirit to endure mother nature at her liveliest. And ponder what it is about these events that brings out the everyday hero in us.

In times of crisis, as Aussies, we band together. We are a strong nation. A united nation, but all too often it takes something so strong and so beyond our control to remind us that what we have is worth fighting for – our families, our children, our towns, our schools, our local clubs, our pets, the list could go on and on.

I wish I could bottle this courage, this form of the human spirit that we see during times of disasters and crisis. The form that is willing and able to go above and beyond for the greater good of others, with little or no consideration for self. It’s what everyday heroes are made of and it’s within us all, always.

Maybe if we could buy it off eBay, or at the local corner store, or if there was a Facebook page or a iPhone app, we would be reminded that every day of our lives, we have the opportunity to be an everyday hero.

The thing about being an everyday hero you see, is that everyday, every act of kindness, goodwill or selflessness, in that moment in time, might just make a difference to someone forever.

Imagine our cities, our towns and our communities. It can be as simple as “hello, how are you today?”

So when the disasters are over and all seems ‘well’ in six months, twelve months, five years time… Let’s not forget about the everyday heroes of our floods, our cyclones, our bush fires and our droughts. Let’s not forget about the everyday heroes everywhere.

Let’s us be heroes. Every Day.

Below are a few photos I took during the “Great flood of 2008″. I wasn’t the best disaster photographer – my heart sank too much photographing the ‘everyday heroes’ when i could have been helping them. I used to struggle getting my pics to the newspapers by deadline because there would always be something else more important to be done. Now that i’ve witnessed a flood from the ‘outside’, I realise the importance of documenting the everyday heroes – so we can be reminded of their spirit and courage – always! Media need a “Every Ready” budget for times like these!

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service save a car from flood waters in Charleville during the 2008 flood.

The firies help move the local dress shop to higher ground!

Neighbours help shift personal belongings as Bradley's Gully in Charleville floods during 2008.

In 2010 I applied to participate in the 2010/2011 Queensland Leadership program run by Social Leadership Australia. I was lucky to gain a place in the program thanks to a rural scholarship from the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. Queensland Leadership taught me to how to use my power and passion for the betterment of the whole.

Queensland Leadership helped me expose the role I was individually and collectively playing in the social issues surrounding me, particularly the social and political gap between rural and urban communities.

Now with this recognition, and acceptance that I may have been contributing to the gap, rather than closing it – I’m able to start working in different ways to stimulate long lasting change in an area that is gaining agenda on the national stage.

This is not always easy though! I am honoured with the opportunity to speak about my experience of “Leadership & Betrayal” at an upcoming breakfast workshop in Brisbane, as part of the 2011/2012 Queensland Leadership program.

Anyone is welcome to attend the breakfast, but RSVP is essential. Click here for more information or to RSVP.

Date: Thursday 9th February 2012, 7.30 – 9.30am, Christies Corporate Building, Brisbane.

Hope to see you there!
KB

I have spent the last few days out there, packing up and giving away my things. A momentous decision, and one that has required a big ‘leap of faith’.

In 2007 I moved to Charleville and in 2008 I bought my first house there. It was a renovator’s delight! A lovely 1970s, four bedroom home with a pool. If you were to ask my friends, they would say I bought the property for the pool – not the house, but I beg to differ! I’ve been slowly renovating ever since, and with it nearly finished, and looking quite swish – I am moving on and letting it all go!

Just after I bought my house in March 2008.

After commuting between Charleville and Brisbane for the last 18 months (that translates as never having fully unpacked any one suitcase at any particular time!), I have decided to settle in Brisbane.

Living and working across Western Queensland over the last five years, together with my upbringing in Birdsville, has been the best experience. It’s given me incredible opportunities, amazing insight and wonderful challenges. Most importantly it has given me the courage to embrace change and believe that everything really does happen for a reason.

I am eternally grateful for these experiences, as they have helped shape the person I am today.

A heartfelt thank-you.

KB

The Branding Strategy
The Charleville Neighbourhood Centre is a physical reflection of the
needs, wants and values of the community and district itself. The visual
interpretation of this statement reflects both the history and heritage
of the community and centre, combined with a modern and progressive
interpretation that leads the community through social change and into
the future.

Visual Output
The circular shape is a modern interpretation of the Aboriginal symbol
for “meeting place, campsite or waterhole”. The circular symbol is
held between two energetic figurines with energy moving upwards and
forwards into the future.

A clean and simple design making for an engaging and meaningful publication.

An uncoated stock was specially selected to represent the natural resource management aspect of the organisation and a matt celloglazed cover with a UV spot varnish is by far the feature of the report.

Major grant and funding success includes:

• $20,000 ex GST Blue Print For The Bush Grant for Charleville Cup Festival 2009
• $20,000 ex GST Queensland Events Regional Development Program – Charleville Cup Festival 2010
• $20,000 ex GST Queensland Events Regional Development Program – Blackall Heartland Festival 2011
• $12,000 ex GST Festivals Australia Funding – Blackall Heartland Festival 2011

I begin 2012 launching this new website for KBS, a soon to be new Rural Image Gallery (to replace the older Karen Brook Photography website) and this blog Red Dirt Stilettos.

And yes, all of it has been a long time coming. But good things come to those who wait.

The last few years has been a period of consolidation and transformation, helped kindly by the Global Financial Crisis, but i wouldn’t have had it any other way.  I have personally evolved to gain a deeper understanding of my purpose, my business and who I am and the role I play in the big wide world.

I’ve had the name ‘Red Dirt Stilettos’ for a year or two now, not quite knowing what to do with it, but knowing that it probably summed me up to a tee -

“Lots of stilettos. Wears them in downtown New York. Wear them in the middle of a dust storm, somewhere in dingo whoop whoop in Outback Australia. Courageous.”

I’ve been told, once or twice before, that my own personal and professional journey and stories has given courage, energy and a helping hand to others encouraging them to follow their passion and dreams.

So with this in mind, I share with you Red Dirt Stilettos. Oh what fun!

KB

KBS developed a suitable brand strategy inline with the future business goals of the company; then developed a company brand and implemented it across marketing materials.

The brand represents the history and individuality that Kinnon and Co bring to their outback tourism operation. It has been designed so that it is interchangeable to accommodate a wide range of current products along with products that may be developed in the future. The stylised hand lettering look of the logo dates back to the early pioneer days when great care and craftsmanship was undertaken to visually represent services and product logos.

The Kinnon brand identity captures that look and feel of nostalgia, history and pride.

Visit their website: www.travelwest.com.au