Little Brown Bird

What a week it has been.

I’ve officially registered for an ABN, chosen a business name, and opened a business bank account. A huge step — and one that feels deeply personal.

But why Little Brown Bird?

It only recently dawned on me…….. it’s always been about the bird. 

In the early days after Coop died, Beth sent me a video – a small, precious moment from Phillip Island. In it, Coop is playfully mocking our love of birdwatching (I know right, who would have thought we’d ever get into bird watching?). With his best David Attenborough impressions, he says “Look at these birds, so rate, only found at Phillip Island”. It makes me smile every time l watch it and l’m so grateful Beth shared it with me. It’s a reminder of his humour, his voice, and his joy.

Not long after that, a bird call started visiting me every morning. A yellow-tail honeyeater — its call sounded like it was saying “get up, get up.” Like a message from beyond. For months, it came, calling me out of bed, reminding me to keep going.

Then came the little brown bird.

Every day it would appear. Sometimes when I opened the curtains at the front of the house, sometimes at the back door, often on the woodshed roof. Other times, if I hadn’t seen it, I’d wonder where it was — and like magic, it would appear. It followed me quietly, gently, hopping along fences, flitting across the garden, unconcerned by the dogs or my presence. Just… there.

That’s when I realised — the bird had always been with me. Watching. Comforting. A companion on this path I never asked to walk.

Little Brown Bird felt like the only name that made sense.

It also connects to Bunjil, the creator in Indigenous culture — a presence I deeply respect, especially through my friend Murrundindi. I’ve been lucky enough to witness Bunjil circling above us more than once — an experience that felt powerful and sacred.

So here I am, starting something new, with the quiet strength of that little brown bird beside me. A small, steady guide. A comfort. A symbol of something greater.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me, little brown bird!🐦 

Affirmation

You think you have something special, but you can never be completely sure. The people closest to you—those you choose to share your work with—will often build you up. They'll say the story is beautiful, moving, wonderful. It’s kind, and it means the world, but sometimes... it’s not quite enough to quiet that little voice of doubt.

This week, something changed.

A dear friend and early childhood teacher offered to read my manuscript aloud to her granddaughter. Hearing my words spoken out loud, just as I wrote them, was something I didn’t realise would move me so deeply. It brought tears to my eyes. I felt something shift—like maybe, just maybe, this story truly has a place in the world.

What made it even more powerful was where we were: sitting together in a library, surrounded by the books of published authors. Shelves lined with beautiful, timeless stories. To hear mine among them, even informally, felt like stepping into a dream I didn’t know I was allowed to have.

It was a quiet, extraordinary moment—and such a gift.

Thank you, Neelika and Alex, for sharing it with me. I’ll carry it forward, always.

Empowered connections

We live in a world that often feels like a constant competition—where success is measured against others, and comparison is the norm. When I first stepped into leadership in the early years, I struggled with this mindset. It didn’t sit right with me. So, I did something different: I opened the doors to anyone who wanted to see what we were doing.

Some might have seen this as risky—why share your methods, your ideas, your hard work? But here’s the truth I discovered: no one can steal your philosophy. They might take inspiration, adopt a few ideas, or integrate some approaches. And to me, that’s not a threat. That’s the highest compliment.

Today, I was reminded of the power of openness once again. I connected with a fellow author, Peta Wilson, and was met with such kindness and generosity. The support and encouragement I received were truly heartwarming. In that moment, I was reminded how shared experiences and authentic connections can build confidence and light the way on a new journey.

To Peta—thank you. Your words and guidance meant more than you know.