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Franchise Expert Launches One of the UK’s Fastest Growing Franchises in Australia

October 6, 2016 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Following in the footsteps of Remington’s Victor Kiam, who was so impressed with the shaver he “bought the company”, franchise consultant Carolyn Dufton is launching Maggie Moo Music in Australia this week.

Based on the highly popular Moo Music UK franchise model, Maggie Moo Music Australia will wow Aussie 0-5 year olds with its infectious songs, cute farmyard characters and sensory ‘moosical’ format.

Franchising professional Carolyn Dufton, from franchisingplus and Hire For Baby, came across the franchise in early 2016 when Moo Music UK franchisor Ant Parker asked her to help develop a strategy for expansion in Australia.

Let’s Talk About Your Health Ladies

September 6, 2016 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

This time a year ago I training for one of the most physical and mental challenges I’ve ever undertaken: trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru. It is Jean Hailes Health Week Women’s Health Week (September 5-9) and as I think about my own health, I also think about the other women around me.

The Vibrancy Project has organised the Happy Healthy You event for Thursday (September 8) this week in Launceston.

Following the theme of the National Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week campaign, ‘Am I normal?’, the event promotes messages on women being champions of workplace health and wellbeing.

“We believe this year’s event will be the first of many that bring our female community together to support and encourage better health for women at any age,” says event organiser Sarah Yates.

“We are very passionate about delivering inspiring messages to guests on mental and emotional health on the night and feel that our speakers will help us achieve this,” says Sarah.

A range of women from the Tasmanian community, leaders, professionals and business owners will speak about the event about personal health stories and offer advice for working mums, young women and women leading demanding working and life roles.

“We are grateful to kick off this year’s event with such an amazing mix of female speakers, willing to put their hand up and support women’s health week,” says MC Ari Powell.

Purchase tickets at Eventbrite.

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: Ari Powell, Happy Healthy You, Jean Hailes Women's Health Week, Sarah Yates, Vibrancy Project

Tassie’s success with the golden spirit recognised at Whisky Live Hobart

July 25, 2016 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Pure air, clean water and a mild climate are just three of the ingredients needed to produce some of the world’s best whisky. Tasmania has an abundance of these, making it the place to be when Whisky Live hits Hobart this weekend.

This is the first Whisky Live event for Hobart, and will be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel on Saturday, 30 July, wrapping up the inaugural Tasmanian Whisky Week (22-31 July).

Many Tasmanian whisky brands will be sharing their whisky know-how and offering tastings at Whisky Live, including Lark & Overeem Distillery, Sullivans Cove Single Malt Whisky, Hellyers Road Distillery and Redlands Whisky.

Launceston Dentist Donates to Help Homeless Residents

July 5, 2016 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Shekinah House co-founder Louise Cowan accepts a $500 donation from Prospect Family Dental owner Dr Bing Lee.

After opening its doors late last year, Prospect Family Dental is acknowledging the overwhelming support from the Launceston community by making a donation to a local homeless charity.

Over the past two months dental surgery owner Dr Bing Lee has been contributing a percentage of the business’s fees to a donation fund until it reached $500. He then used the power of the Launceston community to help him decide which charity to choose.

“Our Facebook page hit 1,000 likes in April and we wanted to thank our valued patients for their support so we decided to make a donation to our community’s favourite charity,” Dr Lee said.

First Whisky Live in Hobart a Boon for Tassie’s Whisky Lovers

May 24, 2016 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Mark Twain believed, “too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough,” and Whisky Live organisers are banking on Hobart whisky lovers thinking the same.

Whisky aficionados and those who are yet to discover the finer differences between whisky and whiskey can discover all they need to know at Whisky Live in Hobart on July 30.

Whisky Live will be held at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, 1 Davey Street, Hobart on Saturday, July 30. Two sessions are available: 1pm – 4.30pm and 6pm – 9.30pm.

Two friends raise $10,000 for breast cancer research by trekking to Machu Picchu

November 18, 2015 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Eight months of training and fundraising culminated in a four-day trek through the Peruvian Andes for two friends from Sydney and Launceston, who raised awareness and much-needed funds for breast cancer research during their campaign.

Annalisa Holmes, of Sydney, and Johanna Baker-Dowdell, of Launceston, followed the Lares trail through remote Peruvian villages up to 4450m above sea level and concluded their trek at Machu Picchu earlier this month.

They undertook this trip with 12 women from around Australia, who had each committed to raising at least $4000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to help the charity reach its goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030. The trek is run by Inspired Adventures.

Launceston Woman Raises Thousands for Breast Cancer Research

October 16, 2015 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

In just over two weeks Trevallyn resident Johanna Baker-Dowdell will be swapping the rocky terrain of Cataract Gorge for the Lares trek en route to Machu Picchu to raise money for breast cancer research.

Johanna, 40, and her friend Annalisa Holmes, 44, have been training and fundraising for most of this year for Trek Towards a Cure in Peru this November.

“It’s hard to believe that after almost eight months of training, planning and fundraising we’re so close to leaving now,” Johanna said.

One Imperfect Mum Sets Out to Empower Melbourne Women

July 27, 2015 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

The rules imposed on women living in today’s society can be stifling and dangerous, but self-confessed ‘imperfect mum’ Kristy Vallely is leading the charge by challenging women to create a fulfilling life for themselves through her Melbourne event Empowering Women.

Empowering Women has been organised by Kristy, who founded The Imperfect Mum online community, to inspire attendees to take action and give their lives meaning.

Mother of three Jessica is one example of how Imperfect Mum’s online sisterhood empowers women. Jessica turned to the community when experiencing postnatal depression and considering suicide (see Jessica’s account here: https://youtu.be/5PSzJkLTvJ4) and credits Imperfect Mum with saving her life.

Launceston Screening of Overfed & Undernourished for Breast Cancer Research

June 11, 2015 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Two Launceston residents are bringing groundbreaking film Overfed & Undernourished to town as a fundraising event for NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) on June 22.

Overfed & Undernourished follows overweight boy Liam as he works with his aunt and uncle (executive producers and Queensland chiropractors Anthony and Kate Golle) to turn his health around and regain his zest for life after family tragedy.

Juice Plus co-owner Celine Egan, from Blackstone Heights, is hosting the film screening to help Trevallyn resident Johanna Baker-Dowdell and her friend Annalisa Holmes reach their fundraising goal for Trek Towards a Cure in Peru this November.

Business & Baby on Board in top 20 for ‘SMART 100’ Readers Choice Index

May 29, 2015 By Johanna Baker-Dowdell Leave a Comment

Business & Baby on Board has been named one of Australia’s most innovative products, in one of the largest and most audacious innovation awards of its kind in Australia – the Anthill Magazine ‘SMART 100’ Index.

The business book written by Tasmanian entrepreneur Johanna Baker-Dowdell was not only ranked in the SMART 100 Product Winners, but was also ranked 16th in the Readers’ Choice list.

“I’m thrilled to have the book I worked so hard to produce recognised by Anthill as an innovative product, but to have the extra recognition from the magazine’s readership is really icing on the cake,” Johanna said.