Banksia Support Services

17/12/2025

🙏🏻❤️🕯️

16/12/2025

Lots of people expressing anger, rage, blame, frustration, grief and a raft of many other big feelings and thoughts.
It's causing stress on an epic level for many of us.
I think it's also causing a fear that saying different things could be construed as inflammatory, disrespectful or poorly timed.
I was threatened and attacked on social media last week for the first time ever so I'm certainly vulnerable to this.

I've turned off the TV. Walked away from the political and social media football match happening around me, tried not to cry, then said, bu**er it- I'm going to have a good bawl in the shower hoping the oxytocin will help.
It did for a while.
But the fatigue and exhaustion of caring deeply comes at a huge cost.
I wish I could turn it off.

I don't know what to say. I'm looking for leadership; in my community, my industry, my family... Someone to hold my hand or just my presence and convince me that the world hasn't gone to complete madness and that this will all be ok. I am an empath, so being around others right now in person is a bit on the dangerous side for my emotional climate.

I have reluctantly found myself as this leader in my family, and for many in my community. I am the grown up and I'm holding others at the moment.

Adulting is hard.

If you're still reading, and if you've followed me for a while, you'll know I am unashamedly authentic and will share the good, bad, ugly and all in between of my journey, always in the hopes that it inspires/motivates/agitates/empowers or provokes something good in those who read and gift me with their consideration.
So, to that end, I'll finish with this.

Feelings are like farts... they need to come out, because holding them in just gives you a gut ache. Whatever you are feeling, let it out. Be kind to yourself and try hard to be kind to others.
Everyone is fighting a battle you can't necessarily see.

15/12/2025

I don't have much to contribute.
My heart is really heavy.

But I have candles out the front of my house.
My husband and I will be donating blood.
I'm staying off social media.

Not much else to say or do except recognise how deeply our country has been impacted today.

14/12/2025

14/12/2025

As an Australian and a proud NSW citizen, I'm sitting here with my daughter asleep on my lap, holding my husbands hand while watching the news.
I'm feeling lots of things for those who were affected by the Bondi Terrorist attack this afternoon. I'm thinking about these innocent people, their families and the wider Jewish community. My heart is heavy.

I'm also having big feelings watching the footage of the gunmen.

I'm thinking about the bystanders, the first responders and the doctors and nurses operating tonight on the victims, desperately trying to save their lives.

I'm holding my daughter, my husband and feeling very sorry for those who can't do this for their loved ones.
I don't have more words, except to say...
These men don't reflect my country.
These men will not get between our community.

Please be calm. Please know we stand together.

13/12/2025

Meeting a legend!
This is Claire Smyth and she is the first female chef to earn three michelin stars.

She is a trailblazer in her industry and has paved the way for many, many others to aspire to the heights she has reached.
Her restaurant is my favourite in the world and its in Sydney. But it will close it doors in Feb 2026 and I'm devastated.
I've already booked again for Feb to taste her signature dish - the 'Potato and Roe' one last time.

There is nothing like it anywhere and it is a dish that genuinely brings back memories of childhood.

What a privilege to be inspired by such an incredible innovator and indulge in the sheer pleasure of a beautiful meal.

Feeling the joy!

06/12/2025

I learned alot from Oprah and Mel Doyle this week.
Seeing her live in conversation affirmed something for me; that the way we choose to live by our values or conversely deny our beliefs (or hide/shrink ourselves to fit into others perception) is a big factor in what shapes our happiness.
It isn't money, or influence or others perception of us that enables us to feel or BE satisfied.
It is the courage to be authentic. To know your SELF. To live and choose your intentions (even if this is to just find the satisfaction in putting your washing on your clothes line).

To know yourself and not be afraid of what you are capable of; and to stand in your power... even when that power is just to bring a light or a moment of kindness to another.
The ripple effect of a smile at a stranger and how that can influence their life in that moment cannot be overstated.

I've been experiencing burn out lately. It's been a big year, with a lot accomplished and MANY lessons learned. But I'm tired. My body is telling me it needs a rest.
I feel like I've lost my laughter (because I forgot to look for reasons to laugh).
I live to be of service and use to others. But sometimes, the 'hardness' of this work can outweigh how much I love to support others live their best day.

I know I'm not the only one in our industry or as a parent to two kids with additional needs who is feeling this.
We all feel isolated at times.
But sitting in a room with 8500 others who mostly laughed, cried and were silent listening to arguably one if the most famous and wise women in the world made me feel really connected.

Thanks Oprah. You have pulled back some blinds in the window of my mind and the light is streaming in.
I have remembered my 'why' and I love that I was able to hear your wisdom.

With love,
Amy

03/12/2025

Things I’ve learned this year…

🟣 Set the goal, even if it feels wild.
Even if it makes you think “Who am I to even try?”. This year I stood on stages I never dreamed I’d reach. I launched things that scared me. I backed myself - shaky hands and all - and I’m better for it.

🟠 Ask for help.
Not when you’re already drowning - before. This year taught me that strong doesn’t mean doing it all alone. It means knowing who’s in your corner, and letting them show up.

🟢 Take time out.
Life doesn’t stop when we’re busy. Illness, surgery, moving house, parenting, big emotions…they all happened this year. And instead of pushing through, I paused. Slowed down. Gave myself permission to put life first. That was growth for me.

🟡 Try the thing.
Even when it's imperfect. Even when you’re not ready.
Launching a course, running a fundraiser, speaking at conferences, travelling across the world…none of it happened in perfect conditions. But it happened. And it changed me.

This year cracked me open in the best and hardest ways, and I’m grateful.

To the people who walked alongside me, thank you. To those still trying to figure it all out, I see you. You’re doing better than you think.

Let’s see what next year brings. I’m not setting safe goals. I’m setting meaningful ones. And I hope you do too.

— Amy

02/12/2025

What’s really happening during a meltdown?

Let’s break down “flipping your lid” - a simple way to understand the brain in moments of overwhelm.

Dr. Dan Siegel came up with a hand model of the brain that helps explain why people lose control when they’re distressed.

Here’s how it works:
✋ Imagine your hand is your brain.
Your palm is the brain stem (survival zone).
Your thumb is the amygdala (emotional brain).
Your fingers curled over the top are the prefrontal cortex — your thinking brain.

When someone is calm, all parts of the brain are working together. They can think clearly, manage emotions, and make good decisions.

But under stress - like when someone feels unsafe, overwhelmed, unheard or unsupported - the amygdala takes over.

The thinking brain “flips up” (like your fingers lifting off your thumb), and logic goes offline. This is what we call “flipping your lid.”

In this state, the person isn’t choosing their behaviour; they’re reacting from a place of fear or distress.

This is not defiance, it’s a nervous system in survival mode.
And the key thing to remember is this: People do well if they can. No one wants to have a meltdown. They’re awful to go through.

What helps? Not punishment, not shame, but connection, safety and co-regulation. These are the tools that support the brain to come back online.

So next time you see a meltdown - in a child, a teen, or even an adult - remember:
It’s not about bad behaviour. It’s a brain doing its best in a moment it can’t yet manage.

And we can meet that moment with understanding, not control.

27/11/2025

🌻 In case you missed it - we did it - $10,000 raised! 🌻

Thanks to the generosity, heart, and support of this incredible community, we’re absolutely thrilled to officially share that our Authenticity & Action event raised over $10,000 for the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation and Melanoma Institute Australia.

Every ticket purchased, every auction bid, every raffle entry, every donation - it all added up to something powerful. Real impact. Life-saving support.

To every single person who showed up, bought a raffle ticket, donated a prize, shared a post, or helped make this event happen: thank you. You made this possible.

The energy in the room on Saturday night was electric. It was a room full of kindness, connection, and purpose. This is what happens when good people come together for a great cause!

Thank you to our sponsors White Lady Funerals, Carmel and Co Gymnastics , PCL Money , McNeice , Cool Blue Air Conditioning, Neurobloom , Fiducian Financial Services , Wave FM 96.5