May 14, 2025 • 48 mins
Two extraordinary leaders, one powerful conversation about turning personal tragedy into community transformation. This episode brings together Julie Penlington, President of 4 Paws Animal Rescue, and Mervat Quirke, General Manager of Bloomhill Cancer Care—two women whose personal journeys led them to pioneer life-changing community organisations on the Sunshine Coast.
Mervat's story begins with her husband's devastating brain tumour diagnosis while raising five children. When Bloomhill stepped in with volunteer drivers, meals, and crucial support, she witnessed firsthand the "corridor of support" she now champions professionally—where both those giving and receiving benefit equally from community connection. "It's not transactional, it's transformational," she explains, now leading an organisation that provides 800+ occasions of care monthly to 1,600 clients annually.
Julie's path to founding 4 Paws Animal Rescue evolved naturally from helping elderly pharmacy customers with their pets' medical needs. Twenty years later, her organisation has rescued and rehomed thousands of animals through dedicated volunteers. Her compassionate philosophy—"There, but for the grace of God, go I"—guides how she approaches each situation without judgment.
Both women demolish charity myths throughout our conversation. Despite significant community impact, neither receives ongoing government funding. They emphasize that sustainable charities require both purpose and profit—"Nobody will invest in a sinking ship," Mervat notes. Their volunteer retention rates are extraordinary—Bloomhill boasts 97% retention across 380 volunteers contributing 55,000 hours annually—because of deep "motivational alignment" with their causes.
What emerges is a master class in community-building. These organisations don't just provide services; they create the connected, compassionate community we all desire. As Mervat beautifully frames it, volunteers aren't merely performing charitable acts; they're practicing "active citizenship" by contributing to the community they wish to see.
Want to support these incredible organisations or learn about our McGrath Estate Agents Community Give Back program? Reach out today to discover how you can become part of this powerful community transformation.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard, where you get the
opportunity to learn all thereis to know about your real
estate journey fromprofessionals who are passionate
about property.
I'm Amy Bennett, your host, andI look forward to providing you
with education, inspiration anda behind-the-scenes look at the
world of real estate.
Good morning everyone.
(00:29):
I am absolutely delighted tohave two of my favourite people
on the whole entire planet, twoladies who have hearts bigger
than this room can hold.
I am joined by the amazingJulie Penlington, president of
Four Paws Animal Rescue.
Good morning Julie.
Good Rescue.
Good morning Julie.
Good morning Good morning Amy.
Good morning Mervat.
Lovely to be here with you bothtoday.
We are excited and I have themost beautiful Mervat Quirk here
(00:53):
.
She is the General Manager ofBloom Hill Cancer Care and
Development.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Good, morning, amy.
Yay, lovely to be here with youtoday too Exciting.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
We have had the pleasure of knowing each other
for quite a while through yourincredible work that you do in
community organisations here onthe Sunshine Coast.
We're going to talk about bothof those your journey to where
you are, and we are also goingto talk about the responsibility
of business owners andcommunity leaders in giving back
to their community.
So let's get started.
We've had a lovely chat off air, getting to know each other.
(01:27):
Like I said, both of you arevery valued people in my life,
both personally andprofessionally.
Thank you, amy, greatlyappreciated.
You've been beneficiaries ofCommunity Give Back countless
times.
So for those who aren'tfamiliar with our McGrath Estate
Agents Community Give Backprogram since well gosh, I've
been with the team since 2016.
(01:49):
And one of the key drivers ofme moving into the team was the
ability to give back and, Iguess, essentially to shape that
program to bring communitiestogether, you know, ultimately
for people to understand of allof the great work that people do
, often behind closed doors, butalso to really create a
community amongst organisations.
(02:10):
And you know we've certainlyseen beautiful relationships
form.
So it was really lovely for youboth to meet each other.
It is, it's very nice.
I really enjoy it.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Thank you, I've really enjoyed this morning as
well, Julie.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Yeah, so, mervat, we have journeyed with your time at
Bloom Hill.
Initially, you've done somebeautiful work with the Thompson
Institute as well, and now backat Bloom Hill, which is really
exciting.
They have the most amazingcaptain steering the ship.
We're going to get to knowabout Bloom Hill, but what we're
(02:42):
going to do is to get to whereyou are now.
There's been a journey.
I always like, if you can giveus, I guess, your path, your
career progression, but verymuch your first job is always my
favourite question to start.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Isn't that crazy.
It's actually Kmart checkoutchick.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I love it, everyone loves.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Kmart.
And do you know what I actuallyfound?
My first badge which my dad hadkept with my name on it, bless,
and I was moving just recently,so it obviously meant something
to him seeing me go into myfirst job.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Amazing Gosh was that when Kmart had a restaurant in
it like a cafe, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
A cafe and a hot food section.
That's what I remember Showingmy age here yes definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
It was Incredible, and so how did we get from Kmart
to where you are now?
Speaker 3 (03:31):
It's amazing, isn't it, when you think about it?
And I stepped out and leftschool at the age of about 16
and went into the banking systemand banking industry and worked
with an amazing state bankmanager who was a female, which
was very different at the time,of course Phenomenal leader.
She was sort of in her mid-60sand her professional life was
(03:55):
everything and she really wasthe one that shaped who I was,
how I actually worked withclients and customers, and she
always inspired me.
What a pioneer as well, Iimagine Definitely.
And during that time I did getmarried quite young.
I had five amazing children andthen moved to the coast and
stepped into the NFP space,going out of sort of corporate
(04:16):
where I was whilst being a mum,and into the NFP space, which I
absolutely loved.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
What took you from that corporate world to
non-for-profit?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
I think coming to the Sunshine Coast and seeing it
was such a community.
I just loved the fact thateverywhere I turned, there were
people who were actuallycommitted to wanting to make
their community be productiveand be connected.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
We are so blessed, right Like we're all nodding our
heads here because that's sucha commonality for all of us and
very much at the heart and soulof who we are.
Yeah, so five kids.
Yes, their ages range from Okayat the moment.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yes, they're like 35, 31.
No, it's not 33.
That's terrible.
30 and then 26 and 21.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Amazing Any of them at home, just the youngest one.
Amazing, yeah, the 21-year-old.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
So yeah, amazing Adult children.
Yes, you know when you tellpeople you've got five children,
and they sort of tend to thinkchildren.
Yes, but you can say they'reactually all very independent,
living their own lives at themoment, which is phenomenal to
see.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
And, like we just said off air, that's a credit to
who you are as a superstar, mum, and now a tata, yeah, a tata.
Tata.
Wonderful that's it a tata ofthree little grandchildren.
Beautiful and the origin oftata.
It's Lebanese.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Amazing, beautiful.
Yeah, it's where I was born, inLebanon, in Tripoli.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Incredible.
So three beautifulgrandchildren, yes, and three
fur grandchildren, three fur,grandchildren Beautiful.
We needed to put that inbecause.
Julie and I are fierce furmamas Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
And Julie would like to know that they've all been
sort of fostered and thenadopted as well.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
That's wonderful.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah.
I love and they're all part ofour family.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Amazing.
So your journey with Bloom Hill, I know, came about through a
huge moment in your life.
Are you happy to sort of sharehow they came into your life?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Yeah for sure it was at a time in which you know my
husband had a diagnosis of abrain tumour and again, if you
can think about it, you knowfive children working full time
and literally you wake up oneday and that just totally turns
upside down because you justdon't ever realise or you really
know the impact of what cancercan have on a family until
(06:34):
you're really in amongst it.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I had a one-year-old at the time and he literally
overnight.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
His tumour hemorrhaged and was flown to the
Royal Brisbane Hospital and Ihad to stop working and become
his full-time carer because hewas physically unable.
So he was wheelchair bound andwas given about three months to
live.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
And look, you know, without going into too much
detail, you know, recently youshared with me that you were
such a fierce advocate for him.
Yes, and you know, that meantthat you had so much more time.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Right, absolutely, and that happened because of
Bloomhill.
Yes, literally, because youknow, somebody said to me you
need to ring Bloomhill and I'dhad a lot of family support, but
it's just not the same.
Yes, and I'll never forget it,it was.
He had to have treatment foreight weeks and we had to go
down and to Broad Brisbane and Ihad to be away from my children
.
I could only take my youngestwith me, who was one at the time
.
But to be away for eight weekswas a long time to be away from
(07:33):
the kids.
So when I rang Bloom Hill it wasphenomenal because they
literally within 24 hours, hadcompleted a roster of volunteers
who were going to be drivingSteve and I down every day and
back home every day so you'd bewith the whole family.
To be with the whole family, andit was all volunteer based and
they were all local amazingpeople who actually stayed with
us during the treatment.
And what the amazing thing isis when I get home at the end of
(07:57):
the night there'd be a hot mealand an esky sitting at my door,
and the next morning you'd wakeup and the volunteer would be
at your door and there'd bebread and milk being handed to
you for the kids, or a box oflike groceries or just things at
the community.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
It's incredible, isn't it?
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Community.
Just it was out and then youknow so many things that they
did their services around buddy,respite their services, in
regards to how the nursesactually really do become the
calm amongst the chaos thatcancer brings, and that's
exactly what Bloom Hill reallyamazingly do is we work
alongside the hospital healthsystem to really you know
(08:34):
they're treating the cancer anddoing an amazing job.
In treating the cancer, we'retreating the person and their
situation.
And those are rallies, yeah, andtheir situation, and that's our
true value proposition becausewe have time.
The system is so overwhelmed.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
It's a wonderful gift to be able to give it, is it?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
really is and it's time that actually people need.
And yeah, I literally wasworking for another NFP and I
just thought I can see where Ican help.
Absolutely they were on thisbeautiful 10-acreage in a small
house and we put in, put my handup to volunteer and got some
(09:09):
big grants for them in regardsto infrastructure and stepped
into the CEO role after that.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Incredible.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
What a wonderful story, amazing.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Look, that's what I love most about this podcast and
we said that offline likeeverybody's story and Jules and
I said that today is thatultimately, you never know what
someone's got in the suitcase orwhat leads us to where we are.
But I always think it is reallyimportant to look back, because
we don't get to where we are byaccident, and what an
incredible part that Bloom Hillhas played.
(09:39):
So before we learn a little bitmore about their incredible
work and what you do there, I amdelighted to have my beautiful
friend, jules here Morning, whois speaking of pioneering women.
We've known each other now,nearly going on 10 years.
Yes, we would be, yeah, aboutto celebrate the 20th birthday
of Four Paws Animal Rescue.
(10:00):
Julie, it didn't just startwith Four P paws, but look,
before we get into yourincredible work there, let's
hear your journey.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Oh, my journey.
Well, I went to a Catholicschool in Sydney, in Lakemba,
and I'd always been, I guess,very involved with people and
animals.
I used to volunteer at anorphanage when I was in high
school Amazing, back when theyhad orphanages down in
Strathfield, you'd knowStrathfield.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
I do know Strathfield very well A.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Catholic orphanage there and always bring home
animals to be fixed.
And then, when I finished year12, I then went to work in a
pharmacy, as we've spoken about,which gave me a good structure
in how to do things, becauseit's very community oriented and
that's your goal to help theperson coming in, to get them to
(10:48):
have a better experience inlife.
And then what did I do then?
Then I managed a pharmacy inSydney, a big pharmacy in Sydney
, and then I met my husband.
We got married and we sailedaround the world for 12 years
and then came back as we passedthrough the Sunshine Coast.
We're going to live there oneday.
We like this community.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
And we did.
We stopped here and found it'slike no other place in the world
.
We used to call it Camelotbecause it's like a big village.
Yes, the coast is a very bigvillage and the community spirit
, as you said, Mervat is amazingStill to this day, right, still
to this day, you know it's just, everybody wants to help
(11:29):
someone else Absolutely and it'sa wonderful gift we've got by
living here.
I think it's probably notexperienced anywhere else that
such a we've had massive growthbut we've still got that
community, heart and love hereon the Sunshine Coast.
And then one day we had apharmacy in Mumbai.
It was a different place upthere.
Everybody knew everybody.
You'd give everybody a coffeewhile they were waiting for
(11:51):
their scripts and everybodywould have a yarn.
Yes, you know we're very big onyarns in Mumbai and we had
customers that had streets namedafter them old Mr Ed and old Mr
Wilson from Wilson's Lane andwe loved it.
And then I'd start takingmedications out to the elderly
and then they'd have a dog or acat that had a problem and I'd
say, oh, let me see if I canhelp with that.
(12:12):
Would you let me take it homeovernight?
I'll take it to my vet, becausea lot of the veterinary
medications were humanmedications.
They didn't have much money.
The vet would say just get Paulto dispense this and do that.
So I was the general, you know,runner arounder for a lot of
the elderly people in Wumbi,including one elderly gentleman
I had to ring every night atseven o'clock, old Norm, because
(12:33):
he was frightened he'd die andno one would take the dog.
The dog wouldn't be lookedafter.
So it was always going welluntil he'd forget, and then I'd
be back in the car racing up toWumbi to find Norm sitting there
having his dinner, you know.
But it was just a general loveof community and people that got
me where I am now.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
It's incredible because we share that
commonality.
I mean, I was in communitypharmacy.
Yes, I remember it was 14 yearsand nine months to the day.
I had my first role incommunity pharmacy in Beawall,
very similar railway town toWombi and Jules, and I chat so
much about that and look,pharmacy was a whole different
world then we were a photoprocessing centre, beauty,
(13:16):
cosmetics, gifts, everything.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
And you looked outside the box, you could tell
if we had someone coming in thatwas a farmer that mightn't have
got their money in for theirpines or something, and it was.
The doctor prescribed amedication that was a bit
expensive.
We used to just automaticallygo well, we put it on the slate
for you yeah, amazing, you know.
And then they could pay it offover four or five weeks and we
never had anyone not pay thebill.
But you could always tell, noone had to ask.
(13:41):
You could just think this couldbe a bit tricky for you.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
That's amazing.
You say I completely forgot weused to have monthly accounts.
Yes, Isn't that amazing.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, and it was just something you could do.
Or if we had veterans coming inI'm passionate about war
veterans Veterans would come inand they'd say, oh, I need this
dressing.
I'd say, look, that's $30 forthat box of dressings.
You've got a gold card.
You go back over and see doctorand get him to write you a
script.
Then you'll get it for pensionprice.
So, it was always doing thatsort of thing, you know, trying
to help people, yep.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Look, it's an interesting thing, isn't it?
So we all came fromservice-based industries where
customer service is paramount,and there's just so much synergy
with that in life as well,isn't it?
But I think you know genuinelythe three of us all.
I guess we are all veryheart-led, community-centric and
(14:32):
all know that it's far beyondour ability, but if we can bring
people together, so how onearth did we get to Four Paws?
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Well, it was from doing the elderly customers in
Wumbi's animals.
Yes, that's where it came from.
You know I'd always be helpinganimals that were strays and
different things and you know.
So 4Paws started from that thatthere was a need.
We got a call from a vet nursesaying look, we need another
(14:58):
rescue.
There's a lot of animals beingeuthanised, we need another
rescue.
And so that's how we started,you know, by going to the pound
and getting animals out andputting them in homes.
And I can't tell you we'verehomed thousands of animals but
it's always that if we can'tfind a home, I've got lots of
friends I work with in rescuethat we can facilitate.
(15:21):
You know, like I've got afriend at Sharpe Rescue.
Sharpe's are very tricky torehome, so you've got to have
someone that understands thebreed that can rehome that breed
.
So I've got a friend that doesthat.
I've got another friend thatdoes greyhounds, you know.
So we've got we all sort of geton there and send each other
emails and try and get animals,because I never like to say I
(15:43):
can't help you.
It's not in my being to say ifI get an email I can't help you.
I'll try and facilitatesomething that the animal can be
saved.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Look your passion and tenacity for that has just had
such a huge impact in thecommunity.
I know we spoke, you know,recently, and the pound.
I mean how often are youspeaking to the pound?
Speaker 2 (16:02):
The pound.
It's been a bit quieter lately,thank God, Thank gosh, yes,
thank God.
But private surrenders I thinkpeople are surrendering them
privately now more.
Yes, you know, we're gettingevery day, we're getting emails
for cats, dogs, every day, allday, all night, you know, and
people will say the big problemis people not having homes
(16:23):
anymore.
The number of homeless I'mliving in the car with my dog
cat, you know.
So we try and sort it out fromthe surrender.
I say every week we probablyget 50 or 60 people wanting to
surrender.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Yeah, it's just incomprehensible.
And you know what I always say.
You know, jules.
You know whenever we'redonating items for Four Paws,
you know I always say about.
You know your team are just sophenomenal with their
volunteering and fundraising,but you know that's a lot of
bunnings.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
It's a lot of you know.
I always put it in sausagecurrency you know, oh, that's a,
you know, 150 sausages, or.
But you know, that's the thing,we're 100% volunteer run, which
is quite an incredible thingbecause when you think of the
thousands of animals, like youknow, like our vet bills
sometimes run anywhere from$8,000 to $13,000 a month.
So that's a lot of fundraising,that's a lot of people doing
(17:15):
things and as volunteers, youknow, top to bottom, everybody
is a volunteer.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Your network of supporters, porters, is immense
and that is like I said.
That is, you know, kate, yoursecretary.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
She's incredible and you know I've had the privilege
of emceeing some of your eventsand helping where I can, you
know, to.
You know, like I said, on aSunday morning, you know,
whenever I'm at Bunnings and youknow I see the team setting up.
You know rain, hail or shine,humidity, you know.
And then you've got people thatfoster animals.
That's an immense.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Fostering is an incredible thing to do.
I'm rubbish at it.
I will just say they don'tleave your house.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
They don't leave.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
So luckily I've got a council permit for four animals
, but I've always been prettyrubbish and I always take the
ones that are a little bittrickier to rehome.
You know missing limbs or youknow little health challenges.
But foster homes.
We've had one lady here on thecoast, mary-anne, who's been
with us now virtually the wholetime, and Barbara's another lady
(18:19):
.
They've fostered literallyhundreds and hundreds and
hundreds of animals and they goout of their homes, well
adjusted and you know, and andhappier and go to wonderful
homes.
And we are strict with ourhomes because you can't.
I've got to be able to sleep atnight, absolutely so you can't
just people get cranky and say,oh, but you know, and we'll say,
well, this is, this is whatthis animal needs.
(18:41):
So we can't deviate from that,because we know this and if it
has anything different it won'tbe the right animal.
Yes, so we're very particularwith that.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
That's, yeah, absolutely incredible.
So, look, it's been a longjourney.
So far it has been a longjourney.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I'm 72 now.
I think I'm 72 now.
I think I'm 72.
I'm 72 now and I think, oh mygoodness, you know, and I think
really when I think back on itall the things I did when I was
working full time, absolutely,and doing forepaws and had the
most patient husband in theworld.
You know something would comehome and you'd go, oh my God,
that's not going anywhere andwe'd end up adopting it.
(19:19):
You know the little creature,and that would be how it is, and
I'd always try and come up withsomeone up at the street.
I was driving home and I lookedover on the left on the
motorway and I saw this littledog and he'd just roll his eyes
and go oh my God.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
From all accounts.
You said Paul was the mostpatient man.
Oh very patient.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
From what I put him through, you know, he's just
with animals coming home and allthese hours and he used to.
Back then there was no realafter-hours council number, so
the forepaws number was up thereso and the home number was up
there too, so he would answerthe phone and go.
Mrs Penlington's secretary whichwas hysterical, but no, it's
(20:02):
been a journey.
It's been a hard journey.
You know, back when we became acharity.
It was very hard to become acharity.
It took months and months, andmonths and I remember I used to
do a sausage sizzle in Wumbaya,down the road from our pharmacy
at IGA.
It's another wonderfulcommunity organisation.
Like McGrath's, give back to thecommunity.
And I'd shut the pharmacy at 12because Paul would be off the
(20:23):
road on the blocks up to gethome to the golf club at 12.30
and we'd do our sizzle.
I'd go down after work, ThenI'd get the money and I'd take
it to the vet our wonderful vet,Nicola Way vet and I'd say
here's the money, because backthen we had a $300 monthly limit
.
Okay, yes, and they would say,whatever, I'm short, here's my
credit card.
Top it up to $300.
(20:43):
Yeah, you know.
So he was very patient.
Yeah, he was a very patient man.
But it's been a wonderfuljourney and I'm very grateful.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
And look you know, it would be remiss of us not to
acknowledge every single personthat's been there in the journey
.
I know you were very quick tosay you know, whilst you are,
you know the El Presidente, as Isay.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Yeah, El.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Presidente, Because it's a bloody hard job doing
that.
You know you are a surrounded.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Oh look, my God, we've got incredible.
Like you said, kate's amazing,sue, our treasurer, is amazing
For foster carers, you know.
And the sizzle team, like Imean, you ever see it, that's a
crack sizzle team.
Yeah, team red apronseverything's hygienic number one
and Bunnings are very good, youknow.
They're great supporters ofcommunity as well, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
I think it's that collective, absolutely, every
single time there's such successlike that.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Yeah, Amazing success , julie.
Yeah, oh, thank you, thank you,thank you, thank you, same to
you.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
And Mervat.
Of course that's the same withBloom Hill right.
You've come back into the roleand you know there has been a
myriad of people.
I mean, when I had the pleasureof being up with you recently,
I was just blown away by all ofthe programs.
It's hard to capture what a dayin the life looks like, but I'd
love you just to share, I guess, some of the programs, the key
(21:56):
things and maybe a day in thelife.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Yeah, for sure.
I think that you know when youlook at a community organisation
there's so many differentpillars that keep that community
organisation.
You know, julie just sharedsome of those areas that keeps
it, sort of.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
So, when you're looking at, when we're talking
about a day in the life from amanagement perspective yes, you
know, I think that that's theamazing thing you do walk in and
the first thing I do is alwaysacknowledge our volunteers.
Yes, I go outside to our cafeand I say good morning, ask them
how their morning's been, andtheir response always just blows
me away.
It gives me something to thenlook forward to, because they're
(22:31):
like amazing, got two hands,two legs, I'm good.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
It's such a good reset right, Look where I am.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
I'm amongst you, know I'm sitting on this acreage.
I'm amongst you, know, I'msitting on this acreage, I'm
yeah, they just, and here theyare giving their time.
We've got about 380 volunteersat Bloom Hill.
It's incredible, Incredible,and they do approximately.
I think there's like 55,000hours a year.
That's done.
It's incredible.
So when we go in, it literallyis about the fact that we've got
(22:58):
our nursing team, we've got ourtouch therapy team, we've got
our allied health team, we'vegot our professional team retail
.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
I know it's so exciting.
We love a Bloom Hill op shop.
Speaker 3 (23:09):
I can tell you what.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Exactly, absolutely, and that in itself is a whole.
How many op shops are youoperating at?
Speaker 3 (23:15):
the moment We've got a total of ten.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
It's incredible, like it's nine op shops with a big
distribution centre.
Incredible.
Look, let's not deviate too far.
But what I've loved most andfor those that don't know, your
team of volunteers within thecollection centre.
I mean you just told me theother day about you know, mervet
has a jewellery team, julie,that actually is regenerating
(23:37):
jewellery that comes in,creating new pieces.
Your team have been there inthe eight years I've been here.
They will pick up furniture.
You know, like just incredible,it's amazing that that team, my
mum, whenever she visits she'slike we are going to every Bloom
Hill.
You know, up shop andeverything like that.
Like it's just incredible.
(23:58):
But talk to us about what thosefunds actually mean, because
you know you said to me bricabout what those funds actually
mean, because you know you saidto me bric-a-brac makes a
difference.
You know those $1 and $2 items.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Absolutely.
Those funds are massive.
We are not government funded.
Yeah, now we've had grantsone-off grants that have
supported us, which has beengreat, but, in all honesty, we
don't get any continuous fundingat all.
All our funding comes from ourop shops, but when we're
operating, at the moment, we'reat capacity, and I don't ever
like to say that.
But when we talk about thatwe're talking about probably the
funds that we're generating iscovering sort of 75% of our
(24:30):
budgets to support.
We're supporting about 1600clients each day at Bloomhouse
each year.
Sorry, incredible 30 to 40 newclients each month.
Incredible 30 to 40 new clientseach month Incredible, and I've
just looked at the data.
Yesterday there was each monthsits around 800 occasions of
care a month.
It's incredible.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Let's just chat about the touch therapy, because this
is something that just.
It's the thing that jumps outfor me most as an awareness
component of the importance ofthat and your incredible
specialist with the lymphedema,yeah she's phenomenal.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
Deb is our lymphedema specialist and you know,
understanding the importance oftouch, you know, on a body in
regards to when people are goingthrough treatment as well is
their specialisation is the factthat they know the impact of
tumours on a body.
They know the impact oftreatment on a body.
Yes, and that's why it's reallyimportant when we talk about
it's not a massage or something.
Yes, it's a touch therapy.
(25:25):
Yes, it is one that iscompleted by specialists and
what it actually does is it doesreally support people to be,
because of the lymphedema andthe swelling that happens, that
when they do a touch therapy andthey do the lymphatic drainage,
it actually can keep people,you know, up to two weeks
pain-free.
It's incredible Because of theflow of the fluid.
(25:45):
I'm not a clinician, no, no, no.
This is what they share with me, you know, and clients say that
they could not survive.
So the quality of life.
A lot of people, you know, arein their survivorship phase,
which is fantastic, you know,they've gone through their
treatment.
We've supported that, but whatends up happening in a lot of
most times is, when people havebeen through treatment, they are
(26:06):
living with chronic illnessesand so the impact of the
treatment continues to be beyondthe cancer.
Absolutely so that is the partthat we always say we're
supporting people to live withand beyond, yes, and that
chronic component aftertreatment and after survivorship
is where we find people needmost help.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
And I think as well too, I guess from an outside
perspective as well, and whatI've seen your team do
incredibly well is support theloved ones as well.
When I came and visited you, Ijust saw a beautiful lady.
She was just by herself writingin a journal, just enjoying
that space, and it really mademe think you're exactly right.
You know the process inhospital and of course,
(26:48):
everything has its reason, butit is very clinical and you know
they're doing an incredible job.
We know that at Adam CrosbyCentre we speak about that a lot
, but the ability to be able tobe supported and loved ones you
mentioned about the grant andthat ability to expand the space
you've got now.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
Yeah, absolutely, and I think that's what we're
really wanting to do.
You know, we've justamalgamated with the Leukemia
Foundation which for theSunshine Coast, is a fantastic
thing to be led and supportedand powered by Incredible
Another major charity.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
What I'm loving about that is that they see the
benefits in who we are and howwe operate.
Like this national organisationwho've been doing phenomenal
work themselves, want to learnand leverage from a Sunshine
Coast-based charity it's amazingand they see the good in what
we're doing and they see, morethan anything, it's the
community collective.
(27:39):
So we've sort of shifted a lotof those things.
In regards to volunteering, whydo people volunteer?
We've had those honestconversations and they're the
things that we love to sort ofhear.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
And the benefits.
We call it the corridor ofsupport.
So the corridor of support isyou've got at one end a client
who is in need of support, who'sgoing through a cancer
diagnosis and in need of supportwith their with you know,
family and situationalunfortunate impact adversity.
On the other end, you've got awhole community who want to give
(28:13):
their time and but thebeautiful thing about it is the
impact is evenly shared.
The people who are giving theirtime are receiving you know
what they need, as much as whatthe people who are receiving
that support.
It's incredible, so thatcorridor is a beautiful exchange
that we see, and it's nottransactional, no, it's
transformational.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Oh no, that is a good way of putting it.
She's an angel, isn't?
Speaker 3 (28:36):
she.
Yeah, we get to witness itevery day.
Yeah, yeah, we get to witnessit every day.
It's shifted the termvolunteerism into more to be
around, active citizenship.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Because it's no longer I'm doing a charity act.
No, it's not a charity act.
What you're actually doing isyou're contributing.
What I hear they'recontributing and they're
contributing towards a communitythat they want to live in yes,
what does that look like?
And to them it looks like aproductive, connected community.
Absolutely, and we all have aplace in that ecosystem.
Exactly, yeah, every single oneof us.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
Has a piece of that puzzle in the ecosystem that
makes it.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
All part of the wheel .
Speaker 1 (29:16):
you know what a blessing to be in your company
both of you but also to see theimpact that you have every day,
which is amazing.
Both of your organisations havebeen consistently beneficiaries
of our amazing Community GiveBack program.
It's incredible when youempower somebody to make a
(29:39):
contribution to a communityorganisation that they're
passionate about and gosh overthe like.
I said, nearly nine years, Ithink.
We've met over 250organisations, from right here
in Caloundra to all the wayaround the world, and it's
incredible, isn't it?
Because so often it's our ownpersonal journey is the reason
why we connected Mervat withyour 380 volunteers.
(30:01):
Do you feel that they've had apersonal connection with Bloom
Hill or a cancer journeythemselves?
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah, the majority have yes, and I think that that
motivational alignment.
I call it motivationalalignment.
Yes, we look at the retentionof our volunteers.
It sits around 97% retention.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
It's incredible, isn't it?
Yeah, I mean, julie, you're thesame too.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
You've got a lot of long-term volunteers.
Yeah, and it's just a gift,isn't it?
Speaker 3 (30:27):
It's an absolute gift .
It really is, and when you lookat that retention rate and you
think it's because of thatmotivation.
So we know that, like I look atall the different positions of
volunteers, the differentpositions of volunteers, there's
cafe people in our cafe.
There's people in our op shops.
There's people at adminconcierge.
There's you know transport,there's you know food delivery.
There's respite.
There's everywhere, you look atEven those things.
(30:50):
They're different, buteverything that motivates them
is one thing Correct, you know,and I think that's the beauty of
that motivational alignment itis about supporting others and
it is about working and livingin a connected community and
having a purpose, absolutely.
And we acknowledge that and Ithink that that ability to
(31:11):
really continuously share withthem what every single hour that
they're giving gives us.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
That's exactly right.
And when we speak, mervat,about the impact that a donation
makes as well, it's the same.
Jules, what I love is thatyou're able to be able to tell
what that equates to.
So this equals a certain numberof touch therapy, or this is
going to help with the vet bills, and what that looks like.
We will talk about theimportance of contributing to
(31:37):
society, and especially asbusinesses.
One thing I always like to askour guests is myths and
misconceptions, I guess, aboutyour organisation.
So, jules, we'll start with you.
What would be some myths?
You're consistently having toovercome.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
I guess one of the biggest things is just, you know
you'll have a dog up foradoption and what people don't
realise yes, you get the dog in,but then it may need $3,000 to
$4,000 worth of vet work to getit back out again.
And we had two little dogs comein.
One had to have eye surgery,the other both had to have major
(32:11):
dentals and one had to have agrowth on its side sorted out.
And then the adoption feedoesn't even cover remotely what
it is.
But the idea is to get theminto a good home.
But then someone will come onand be sarcastic and say, oh,
trying to make money out ofanimals.
And I'm thinking you have noidea.
You have no idea the volunteerhours, apart from the vet costs
(32:35):
that have gone into giving thislittle person a wonderful new
life.
And I think they think we'reall being paid, which we're not,
which we try to be very clearabout.
That's another misconception andyou know people can get very
funny because they think theyhave the right to have the
animal.
Yes, and it's not about theright to have the cat or the dog
(32:57):
, it's about the best home andwe will work tirelessly to find
that best home.
So it might not be the firstapplication that comes in and
people will get cranky aboutthat.
It might be the 10th, but it'sgot to be the perfect one.
And I guess it can be hurtfulsometimes when people say, oh,
you're just trying to rip people.
There was one man who used toalways comment on our Channel 7
(33:19):
posts oh yes, and he used toalways go ka-ching, ka-ching
four paws.
Even for permanent fosterswhere people don't pay any money
for them.
They're just an older animalthat's come from an older person
and we put them in a home withanother older person so they've
got companionship.
So no money changes hands to usand we support the vet bills
for the rest of the animal'slife.
And we support the vet billsfor the rest of the animal's
(33:39):
life.
Speaker 1 (33:39):
And you just want to, you know, and you try and sit
there and think be kind be kind,but I really want to slap you,
I know, look, I say that'ssomething about social media,
isn't?
Speaker 2 (33:46):
it.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Oh my goodness, you can say the grass is green and
someone says it's blue.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
Mervat, mr Misconceptions, I'm assuming,
probably also the funding isprobably a huge one.
Speaker 3 (33:57):
Definitely.
I think there's two things, thefunding being a huge one, but I
think that's where I've got abit of a passion around
explaining that to people,because the charity, what your
charity is doing, is phenomenal,Julie, right, and it needs to
be sustainable, right.
For it to be sustainable, ithas to operate as a not.
It's not just a not-for-profitdoesn't mean it doesn't have a
(34:19):
budget and an income.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
You know Exactly.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
It actually needs to be sustainable.
And for it to be sustainable,it's for purpose and for profit,
because nobody will invest intoa sinking ship, no, no.
And for us to continue to dowhat we do and create the
impacts that we do.
We know what we're doing.
You know the impact that you'recreating.
The fact is we're definitelyrelieving the health system,
(34:43):
Absolutely.
We're keeping people out ofhospitals.
We're ensuring that, everysingle day, that people are
being supported and are havingthe best quality of life.
For that, we want that tocontinue into the future, and
anyone who thinks that you know,every dollar is like has to be
expended on the day no, we needto have some kind of buffer.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
We don't have that at the moment.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
But we will.
You will Yep, incredible.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
Yeah, but also I think, mervat too, that's a
really important point becausethat's something you're really
passionate about.
You know there has to be.
You know this is ultimately abusiness operating right.
You need to be able to havedeliverables and you know, again
, having you, you know, at thehelm and having that mindset is
incredible and people look toleadership with that.
(35:29):
But also, you know I know yourpassion and I know that that's
your next chapter is being ableto do that and you know from me
being able to, just for thatsmallest moment, have you both
to be able to share your journeyand increase that awareness,
because it is really difficultto be able to communicate these
things as well and, I guess,always overcoming these
(35:50):
objections and things like that.
Incredible, beautiful ladies.
That is just such a goodsummary of what you do.
Like I said, I knew it would beamazing to have you both here.
Let's chat a little bit aboutlife outside of your
organisations.
Hard to imagine that there isbecause I know it's interwoven.
We all share that commonality.
(36:11):
But let's learn a little bitmore about you both.
I want you to share with me thebest day of your lives.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
Oh, the best day of my life so far.
So far the best day of my life.
I think it was coming back hometo Australia.
You know, my husband was veryadventurous.
He wanted to be a boat builder.
But his father, who was abrigadier general, said that's
no life, you've got to get acareer.
So he became a pharmacist.
(36:40):
In his heart he was alwayswanting to be.
So we built this big 60-footboat and we sailed for 12 years,
continuously, continuously,incredible.
I was always chronicallyseasick and very thin, which was
something.
But that was the only perk.
But I was desperate.
I was always a home girl.
(37:04):
I always wanted to be with mymother and my father and my
siblings.
So when we came back in throughSydney Harbour Bridge because
we sailed as far as Alaska andyeah, came back in and I looked
back at the life we had and Ithought, wow, what an experience
.
I wasn't a great sailor.
but coming back home and havingenjoyed that life and looking
back at some of the adventures,it was just like wow, look what
I've done.
That's epic yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:20):
No place like home.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
No place like home.
Speaker 1 (37:22):
Yeah, amazing Mervat, can you choose one day?
It's so hard, you don't have to.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
You make the rules.
I can't say my children,because there's five of them
that make five incredible days.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
You can have five incredible days.
A lot of people have said thatactually the the day of birth
was not great yeah that's right,but I think, when I really
think about it, from like Mervatyes, right, yes.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
That's the moment I met my children aside.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
I think about it from the context, because I was born
in Lebanon.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Yes, and.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
I came out here and I'm the youngest of 11 children
yes, and came out here when Iwas about six yes, and I'll
never forget.
So I grew up and loved that.
You know my dad and my mumalways championed you know
that's that hand up sort of nothand out life that you know
we've been privileged to come toa country that's given us life
(38:11):
and they really brought us up toknow that it's important to
give back and really madeAustralia our home.
But my sisters and I well, mysister feeder and Robin we both
hopped on a plane in 2018 andwent back to our home country
for the first time.
Speaker 1 (38:26):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (38:28):
And when the plane landed, I had never thought, but
I felt my DNA sing.
I really felt that DNA sayingYou're home.
Like I was, and it wasincredible to be on the soil.
Speaker 1 (38:42):
Yes, where I first came in.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Yeah, that's amazing.
So I think, when I look at that, that moment yes, was this, and
being there with my twofavourite people you know oh, I
do Honestly Julie Mervyn has themost beautiful family.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
That is incredible.
I had a similar experience whenI went to Denmark, because my
best of all, my gran, was anincredible part of my life and
all the stories she'd shared,and I was the same the first
time the plane touched down.
It's incredible.
We have so many beautiful daysahead, which is really exciting.
You just mentioned about aholiday, mervat, but if you
(39:19):
could go anywhere else in theworld, where would your next
holiday destination, dreamholiday destination, be?
Dream?
Speaker 3 (39:26):
holiday destination.
I have to say that because I'verecently been to Spain, when I
say recently, last year went toSpain.
I love Europe.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
Yes, I absolutely love Europe.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
So to me, my dream would be to actually take my
children, because I've only everbeen with myself and my partner
yes, yes, and not my kids,because I travelled as an adult.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Yes, like after they'd all grown up.
It would have been a lot.
I would have to finally affordit.
Yeah, seven.
Speaker 3 (40:00):
Airfares is even back then that's right.
But yeah, I definitely would go.
I'd go back to Paris.
Yes, that's where I would loveto go with my children and
experience.
It's a beautiful place.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Yes, jules.
Oh gee, it'd be hard to leavethe dogs.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
I always say if I could take the pugs with me.
Yep yep, yep, yep, All right.
Well, let's take the four dogsanywhere in the world.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Okay, we spend a lot of time when we're sailing in
California and I've got a lot offriends back in California.
We were moored at the BerkeleyMarina and had a lot of friends
teaching at UC Berkeley and weall became very close and had
some wonderful times there.
So I guess I'd go back toCalifornia and see them.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
I love it, I love.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
California.
Yeah, it's great.
Speaker 1 (40:44):
When you are holidaying and enjoying,
wherever you are in the world,your favourite food and drink
Jules Ooh, favourite food, mmm.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
Oh gee, I do like Mexican Mexican food.
Yeah, yep, I like properMexican food, not this Tex-Mex,
not Tex-Mex.
I don't mind a bit of Tex-Mex,but we sailed all down the
Mexican coast and some of thebest food we had was when we
went into these small Mexicanvillages further down, you know
the coast, and we went intopeople's homes and farms and
(41:18):
they cooked proper Mexican foodand it was just really delicious
With a sangria.
With a sangria, yes, yep.
With a sangria, yep.
Or a cold beer, nice.
Speaker 1 (41:27):
No.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Yes, light beer.
You're speaking my language.
Speaker 1 (41:30):
No alcohol Mervad.
Speaker 3 (41:33):
Favourite food and drink Every time I'm like, even
when I'm away on holiday.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
I always miss my Lebanese food.
Yes, amazing.
I love it because I cook a lotof Lebanese food, do you?
Yes?
So when I'm overseas.
Speaker 3 (41:43):
I crave it.
Speaker 2 (41:45):
It's very hard to get Lebanese food up here Good
Lebanese food.
Speaker 3 (41:49):
I'll have to have you guys over.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (41:53):
You realised you both came from the same part of
Sydney too, which is amazing.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
I grew up on virtually grew up on Lebanese
food with our neighbours andschool friends and everything,
yeah, Delicious.
But there was always the twokitchens.
They always had the twokitchens.
The kitchen for the cookingcould bring odour into that.
And then, yep, no, we hadwonderful parties.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
Our family was one of those ones that distributed it
to the neighbours and the streetmum and dad would cook.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
It's incredible.
Community is very much in bothof your.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
DNA.
It is absolutely.
Speaker 1 (42:23):
Ladies, before we get to my final question, I do
actually normally ask if youweren't doing what you were
doing now, what else would youdo?
Is there anything for either ofyou, that fulfilled career or
something that's there?
Speaker 2 (42:40):
I don't think so.
I mean, I've always beeninterested in helping elderly
people and animals.
Yes, and that kind of combinesa bit now because with the
demographic on the coast we'regetting a lot of people that
need help with their animals and, you know, move out.
Sometimes we get people we'vehad people that someone will
call us, a social worker, willcall us, and the people won't go
(43:01):
into palliative care becausethey've got a cat or a dog.
So we'll always jump in andsort that out because nothing's
worse, you know, because they'reworried, you know, and you know
, sadly sometimes there's no oneelse to take the cat or the dog
, and you know, and sometimesfamilies aren't in the position
or don't want to deal with that.
So that's always been mypassion, I guess animals and
(43:23):
people.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Yeah, you're exactly where you're meant to be, Mervat
anything?
Speaker 3 (43:28):
I can't say I've got this sort of passion to want to
support us having it's going tosound really boring.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
No, but better systems.
Speaker 3 (43:36):
I want to influence better systems.
Incredible, like I sort ofunderstand frameworks that keep
community connected.
Speaker 2 (43:41):
Yes, that's a good idea.
Speaker 3 (43:43):
And I just feel this thing that if I can be in a
position where you know we canchange how funding is provided
to communities and theimportance of grassroots funding
, you know, like co-design,community-led, you know they're
the things that I really want tosee more of from top down
(44:04):
Amazing.
Speaker 2 (44:05):
And bottom up.
I think you're right, mervyn, Ithink you know.
This is why the whole McGrathexperience is because it creates
and keeps a community going,and without community you've got
nothing, absolutely, you'vejust got blocks with people
living in them and nothinghappening.
Without that outreach andsupport, exactly right.
Speaker 3 (44:24):
And not having like.
We need to have more livedexperience.
People really be the ones todrive.
You know those opportunities inwhich create projects and
programs, and I think that's,amy, why the importance of what
you do.
Speaker 1 (44:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (44:39):
It's phenomenal because you're raising awareness
for so many different causes.
The advocacy around what you'redoing is continuous, because
not only is it obviouslyproviding much-needed funds to
organisations like ours, butwhat it's actually doing is
raising awareness of someonesaying I actually will pick up
the phone and call BlumhillAbsolutely, or I will actually
(45:01):
feel like this, you know behind,you know four paws.
Like is a phenomenal, likethat's where I know I can trust.
Say the next decision that theymake in regards to that.
Speaker 2 (45:11):
Yeah, and I think that's the important thing
Mervet people being able totrust us that we're doing the
right thing.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
Absolutely, and I think that's where you have to
have advocacy from community tobe, able to reiterate that and I
know for both of you.
you know including that in yoursocial responsibility.
But look, I think ultimately,today's podcast was about
understanding the importance ofgiving back.
I think also, what's reallyimportant for me is that you
don't have to have a livedexperience to do something.
(45:40):
Mervat, you know, we paintedour house pink and had a big
fundraiser for breast cancer andeveryone says, have you had a
personal experience?
And I went, no, but I've seenenough bloody good people that
have enough to go.
Let's make a difference now.
So I think the ability to sit,you know, sit and not be doing
anything, and especially in thiscommunity, is is an injustice,
and I think that's what I feelso passionate about.
(46:02):
Let's wrap up today's incrediblesession with a favourite quote.
If one drops in for you, it'salways the right one.
I say.
Speaker 2 (46:11):
Yeah, there, but for the grace of God, go I.
I think you can't judge someoneif they've got to surrender an
animal.
You know, like people say oh,you know, you see, on social
media someone says I need torehome my dog.
People are going oh, how couldyou, da-da-da, would you rehome
your child?
And I think, there, but for thegrace of God, go I.
You don't know what's happeningin that life.
You don't know whether they'reliving in a car, you don't know
(46:35):
whether they going on, you don'tknow the extra circumstances.
So I think people have got tojust take it back and think what
is the big picture here?
Speaker 1 (46:45):
Absolutely.
That's my get curious, notfurious, always Merva.
Speaker 3 (46:51):
I've got so many.
But to think about just whatyou shared, julie, it was
actually something that wasshared with me and it was a
quote that was shared with meduring an interview.
When I was interviewing someoneand you know I'd ask them about
their like.
I shared the organisationalvalues with them and I said what
values do you have?
And she said I live by thisquote that she you know.
And her quote was literallythat she said I have not, and
(47:15):
she said it in a much shorterway than I'm going to share it,
but she said I've not been partof the history that's created
the person in front of me andbecause of that I refrain
judgment.
Speaker 2 (47:28):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (47:28):
Okay, yep, yep, yep.
So that curiosity aspect, youknow, just that constant that
people will make their decisionsbased on their own experiences,
and who are we to jump in, youknow, and to me that was such an
important and I often reflecton that, if you know, I'm
finding, you know, people sortof doing things that maybe
(47:50):
doesn't feel right for me.
Speaker 1 (47:52):
I'm like okay well that's not your experience
that's their experienceAbsolutely, and I become more
curious.
Incredible.
Speaker 2 (47:59):
Yeah, very good.
Speaker 1 (48:00):
Well, ladies, what an absolute hour of power with two
of my favourite people on theplanet.
It's my absolute pleasure tohave you as my guest.
Oh, thank you, amy, and we willabsolutely share the message of
the incredible work that you'redoing.
Speaker 2 (48:10):
Oh, thank you, and it's such a pleasure to meet you
today, mervyn.
Speaker 3 (48:21):
Oh, it's just yeah, my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (48:22):
I love you both so much.
Thank you for listening to thisepisode of beyond the signboard
.
We trust you enjoyed it as muchas we enjoyed making it for you
.
If there are any topics youwant covered in the future, make
sure you reach out and let usknow.
Also, feedback and suggestionsare appreciated almost as much
as like shares and downloads.
Welcome to Beyond the Signboard, where you get the
opportunity to learn all thereis to know about your real
estate journey fromprofessionals who are passionate
about property.
I'm Amy Bennett, your host, andI look forward to providing you
with education, inspiration anda behind-the-scenes look at the
world of real estate.
Good morning everyone.
(00:29):
I am absolutely delighted tohave two of my favourite people
on the whole entire planet, twoladies who have hearts bigger
than this room can hold.
I am joined by the amazingJulie Penlington, president of
Four Paws Animal Rescue.
Good morning Julie.
Good Rescue.
Good morning Julie.
Good morning Good morning Amy.
Good morning Mervat.
Lovely to be here with you bothtoday.
We are excited and I have themost beautiful Mervat Quirk here
(00:53):
.
She is the General Manager ofBloom Hill Cancer Care and
Development.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Good, morning, amy.
Yay, lovely to be here with youtoday too Exciting.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
We have had the pleasure of knowing each other
for quite a while through yourincredible work that you do in
community organisations here onthe Sunshine Coast.
We're going to talk about bothof those your journey to where
you are, and we are also goingto talk about the responsibility
of business owners andcommunity leaders in giving back
to their community.
So let's get started.
We've had a lovely chat off air, getting to know each other.
(01:27):
Like I said, both of you arevery valued people in my life,
both personally andprofessionally.
Thank you, amy, greatlyappreciated.
You've been beneficiaries ofCommunity Give Back countless
times.
So for those who aren'tfamiliar with our McGrath Estate
Agents Community Give Backprogram since well gosh, I've
been with the team since 2016.
(01:49):
And one of the key drivers ofme moving into the team was the
ability to give back and, Iguess, essentially to shape that
program to bring communitiestogether, you know, ultimately
for people to understand of allof the great work that people do
, often behind closed doors, butalso to really create a
community amongst organisations.
(02:10):
And you know we've certainlyseen beautiful relationships
form.
So it was really lovely for youboth to meet each other.
It is, it's very nice.
I really enjoy it.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Thank you, I've really enjoyed this morning as
well, Julie.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
Yeah, so, mervat, we have journeyed with your time at
Bloom Hill.
Initially, you've done somebeautiful work with the Thompson
Institute as well, and now backat Bloom Hill, which is really
exciting.
They have the most amazingcaptain steering the ship.
We're going to get to knowabout Bloom Hill, but what we're
(02:42):
going to do is to get to whereyou are now.
There's been a journey.
I always like, if you can giveus, I guess, your path, your
career progression, but verymuch your first job is always my
favourite question to start.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
Isn't that crazy.
It's actually Kmart checkoutchick.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I love it, everyone loves.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Kmart.
And do you know what I actuallyfound?
My first badge which my dad hadkept with my name on it, bless,
and I was moving just recently,so it obviously meant something
to him seeing me go into myfirst job.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Amazing Gosh was that when Kmart had a restaurant in
it like a cafe, yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
A cafe and a hot food section.
That's what I remember Showingmy age here yes definitely.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
It was Incredible, and so how did we get from Kmart
to where you are now?
Speaker 3 (03:31):
It's amazing, isn't it, when you think about it?
And I stepped out and leftschool at the age of about 16
and went into the banking systemand banking industry and worked
with an amazing state bankmanager who was a female, which
was very different at the time,of course Phenomenal leader.
She was sort of in her mid-60sand her professional life was
(03:55):
everything and she really wasthe one that shaped who I was,
how I actually worked withclients and customers, and she
always inspired me.
What a pioneer as well, Iimagine Definitely.
And during that time I did getmarried quite young.
I had five amazing children andthen moved to the coast and
stepped into the NFP space,going out of sort of corporate
(04:16):
where I was whilst being a mum,and into the NFP space, which I
absolutely loved.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
What took you from that corporate world to
non-for-profit?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
I think coming to the Sunshine Coast and seeing it
was such a community.
I just loved the fact thateverywhere I turned, there were
people who were actuallycommitted to wanting to make
their community be productiveand be connected.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
We are so blessed, right Like we're all nodding our
heads here because that's sucha commonality for all of us and
very much at the heart and soulof who we are.
Yeah, so five kids.
Yes, their ages range from Okayat the moment.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
Yes, they're like 35, 31.
No, it's not 33.
That's terrible.
30 and then 26 and 21.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
Amazing Any of them at home, just the youngest one.
Amazing, yeah, the 21-year-old.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
So yeah, amazing Adult children.
Yes, you know when you tellpeople you've got five children,
and they sort of tend to thinkchildren.
Yes, but you can say they'reactually all very independent,
living their own lives at themoment, which is phenomenal to
see.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
And, like we just said off air, that's a credit to
who you are as a superstar, mum, and now a tata, yeah, a tata.
Tata.
Wonderful that's it a tata ofthree little grandchildren.
Beautiful and the origin oftata.
It's Lebanese.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Amazing, beautiful.
Yeah, it's where I was born, inLebanon, in Tripoli.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Incredible.
So three beautifulgrandchildren, yes, and three
fur grandchildren, three fur,grandchildren Beautiful.
We needed to put that inbecause.
Julie and I are fierce furmamas Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
And Julie would like to know that they've all been
sort of fostered and thenadopted as well.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
That's wonderful.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Yeah.
I love and they're all part ofour family.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
Amazing.
So your journey with Bloom Hill, I know, came about through a
huge moment in your life.
Are you happy to sort of sharehow they came into your life?
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Yeah for sure it was at a time in which you know my
husband had a diagnosis of abrain tumour and again, if you
can think about it, you knowfive children working full time
and literally you wake up oneday and that just totally turns
upside down because you justdon't ever realise or you really
know the impact of what cancercan have on a family until
(06:34):
you're really in amongst it.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I had a one-year-old at the time and he literally
overnight.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
His tumour hemorrhaged and was flown to the
Royal Brisbane Hospital and Ihad to stop working and become
his full-time carer because hewas physically unable.
So he was wheelchair bound andwas given about three months to
live.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
And look, you know, without going into too much
detail, you know, recently youshared with me that you were
such a fierce advocate for him.
Yes, and you know, that meantthat you had so much more time.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Right, absolutely, and that happened because of
Bloomhill.
Yes, literally, because youknow, somebody said to me you
need to ring Bloomhill and I'dhad a lot of family support, but
it's just not the same.
Yes, and I'll never forget it,it was.
He had to have treatment foreight weeks and we had to go
down and to Broad Brisbane and Ihad to be away from my children
.
I could only take my youngestwith me, who was one at the time
.
But to be away for eight weekswas a long time to be away from
(07:33):
the kids.
So when I rang Bloom Hill it wasphenomenal because they
literally within 24 hours, hadcompleted a roster of volunteers
who were going to be drivingSteve and I down every day and
back home every day so you'd bewith the whole family.
To be with the whole family, andit was all volunteer based and
they were all local amazingpeople who actually stayed with
us during the treatment.
And what the amazing thing isis when I get home at the end of
(07:57):
the night there'd be a hot mealand an esky sitting at my door,
and the next morning you'd wakeup and the volunteer would be
at your door and there'd bebread and milk being handed to
you for the kids, or a box oflike groceries or just things at
the community.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
It's incredible, isn't it?
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Community.
Just it was out and then youknow so many things that they
did their services around buddy,respite their services, in
regards to how the nursesactually really do become the
calm amongst the chaos thatcancer brings, and that's
exactly what Bloom Hill reallyamazingly do is we work
alongside the hospital healthsystem to really you know
(08:34):
they're treating the cancer anddoing an amazing job.
In treating the cancer, we'retreating the person and their
situation.
And those are rallies, yeah, andtheir situation, and that's our
true value proposition becausewe have time.
The system is so overwhelmed.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
It's a wonderful gift to be able to give it, is it?
Speaker 3 (08:49):
really is and it's time that actually people need.
And yeah, I literally wasworking for another NFP and I
just thought I can see where Ican help.
Absolutely they were on thisbeautiful 10-acreage in a small
house and we put in, put my handup to volunteer and got some
(09:09):
big grants for them in regardsto infrastructure and stepped
into the CEO role after that.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Incredible.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
What a wonderful story, amazing.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Look, that's what I love most about this podcast and
we said that offline likeeverybody's story and Jules and
I said that today is thatultimately, you never know what
someone's got in the suitcase orwhat leads us to where we are.
But I always think it is reallyimportant to look back, because
we don't get to where we are byaccident, and what an
incredible part that Bloom Hillhas played.
(09:39):
So before we learn a little bitmore about their incredible
work and what you do there, I amdelighted to have my beautiful
friend, jules here Morning, whois speaking of pioneering women.
We've known each other now,nearly going on 10 years.
Yes, we would be, yeah, aboutto celebrate the 20th birthday
of Four Paws Animal Rescue.
(10:00):
Julie, it didn't just startwith Four P paws, but look,
before we get into yourincredible work there, let's
hear your journey.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
Oh, my journey.
Well, I went to a Catholicschool in Sydney, in Lakemba,
and I'd always been, I guess,very involved with people and
animals.
I used to volunteer at anorphanage when I was in high
school Amazing, back when theyhad orphanages down in
Strathfield, you'd knowStrathfield.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
I do know Strathfield very well A.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Catholic orphanage there and always bring home
animals to be fixed.
And then, when I finished year12, I then went to work in a
pharmacy, as we've spoken about,which gave me a good structure
in how to do things, becauseit's very community oriented and
that's your goal to help theperson coming in, to get them to
(10:48):
have a better experience inlife.
And then what did I do then?
Then I managed a pharmacy inSydney, a big pharmacy in Sydney
, and then I met my husband.
We got married and we sailedaround the world for 12 years
and then came back as we passedthrough the Sunshine Coast.
We're going to live there oneday.
We like this community.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
And we did.
We stopped here and found it'slike no other place in the world
.
We used to call it Camelotbecause it's like a big village.
Yes, the coast is a very bigvillage and the community spirit
, as you said, Mervat is amazingStill to this day, right, still
to this day, you know it's just, everybody wants to help
(11:29):
someone else Absolutely and it'sa wonderful gift we've got by
living here.
I think it's probably notexperienced anywhere else that
such a we've had massive growthbut we've still got that
community, heart and love hereon the Sunshine Coast.
And then one day we had apharmacy in Mumbai.
It was a different place upthere.
Everybody knew everybody.
You'd give everybody a coffeewhile they were waiting for
(11:51):
their scripts and everybodywould have a yarn.
Yes, you know we're very big onyarns in Mumbai and we had
customers that had streets namedafter them old Mr Ed and old Mr
Wilson from Wilson's Lane andwe loved it.
And then I'd start takingmedications out to the elderly
and then they'd have a dog or acat that had a problem and I'd
say, oh, let me see if I canhelp with that.
(12:12):
Would you let me take it homeovernight?
I'll take it to my vet, becausea lot of the veterinary
medications were humanmedications.
They didn't have much money.
The vet would say just get Paulto dispense this and do that.
So I was the general, you know,runner arounder for a lot of
the elderly people in Wumbi,including one elderly gentleman
I had to ring every night atseven o'clock, old Norm, because
(12:33):
he was frightened he'd die andno one would take the dog.
The dog wouldn't be lookedafter.
So it was always going welluntil he'd forget, and then I'd
be back in the car racing up toWumbi to find Norm sitting there
having his dinner, you know.
But it was just a general loveof community and people that got
me where I am now.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
It's incredible because we share that
commonality.
I mean, I was in communitypharmacy.
Yes, I remember it was 14 yearsand nine months to the day.
I had my first role incommunity pharmacy in Beawall,
very similar railway town toWombi and Jules, and I chat so
much about that and look,pharmacy was a whole different
world then we were a photoprocessing centre, beauty,
(13:16):
cosmetics, gifts, everything.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
And you looked outside the box, you could tell
if we had someone coming in thatwas a farmer that mightn't have
got their money in for theirpines or something, and it was.
The doctor prescribed amedication that was a bit
expensive.
We used to just automaticallygo well, we put it on the slate
for you yeah, amazing, you know.
And then they could pay it offover four or five weeks and we
never had anyone not pay thebill.
But you could always tell, noone had to ask.
(13:41):
You could just think this couldbe a bit tricky for you.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
That's amazing.
You say I completely forgot weused to have monthly accounts.
Yes, Isn't that amazing.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Yeah, and it was just something you could do.
Or if we had veterans coming inI'm passionate about war
veterans Veterans would come inand they'd say, oh, I need this
dressing.
I'd say, look, that's $30 forthat box of dressings.
You've got a gold card.
You go back over and see doctorand get him to write you a
script.
Then you'll get it for pensionprice.
So, it was always doing thatsort of thing, you know, trying
to help people, yep.
Speaker 1 (14:11):
Look, it's an interesting thing, isn't it?
So we all came fromservice-based industries where
customer service is paramount,and there's just so much synergy
with that in life as well,isn't it?
But I think you know genuinelythe three of us all.
I guess we are all veryheart-led, community-centric and
(14:32):
all know that it's far beyondour ability, but if we can bring
people together, so how onearth did we get to Four Paws?
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Well, it was from doing the elderly customers in
Wumbi's animals.
Yes, that's where it came from.
You know I'd always be helpinganimals that were strays and
different things and you know.
So 4Paws started from that thatthere was a need.
We got a call from a vet nursesaying look, we need another
(14:58):
rescue.
There's a lot of animals beingeuthanised, we need another
rescue.
And so that's how we started,you know, by going to the pound
and getting animals out andputting them in homes.
And I can't tell you we'verehomed thousands of animals but
it's always that if we can'tfind a home, I've got lots of
friends I work with in rescuethat we can facilitate.
(15:21):
You know, like I've got afriend at Sharpe Rescue.
Sharpe's are very tricky torehome, so you've got to have
someone that understands thebreed that can rehome that breed
.
So I've got a friend that doesthat.
I've got another friend thatdoes greyhounds, you know.
So we've got we all sort of geton there and send each other
emails and try and get animals,because I never like to say I
(15:43):
can't help you.
It's not in my being to say ifI get an email I can't help you.
I'll try and facilitatesomething that the animal can be
saved.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
Look your passion and tenacity for that has just had
such a huge impact in thecommunity.
I know we spoke, you know,recently, and the pound.
I mean how often are youspeaking to the pound?
Speaker 2 (16:02):
The pound.
It's been a bit quieter lately,thank God, Thank gosh, yes,
thank God.
But private surrenders I thinkpeople are surrendering them
privately now more.
Yes, you know, we're gettingevery day, we're getting emails
for cats, dogs, every day, allday, all night, you know, and
people will say the big problemis people not having homes
(16:23):
anymore.
The number of homeless I'mliving in the car with my dog
cat, you know.
So we try and sort it out fromthe surrender.
I say every week we probablyget 50 or 60 people wanting to
surrender.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Yeah, it's just incomprehensible.
And you know what I always say.
You know, jules.
You know whenever we'redonating items for Four Paws,
you know I always say about.
You know your team are just sophenomenal with their
volunteering and fundraising,but you know that's a lot of
bunnings.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
It's a lot of you know.
I always put it in sausagecurrency you know, oh, that's a,
you know, 150 sausages, or.
But you know, that's the thing,we're 100% volunteer run, which
is quite an incredible thingbecause when you think of the
thousands of animals, like youknow, like our vet bills
sometimes run anywhere from$8,000 to $13,000 a month.
So that's a lot of fundraising,that's a lot of people doing
(17:15):
things and as volunteers, youknow, top to bottom, everybody
is a volunteer.
Speaker 1 (17:20):
Your network of supporters, porters, is immense
and that is like I said.
That is, you know, kate, yoursecretary.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
She's incredible and you know I've had the privilege
of emceeing some of your eventsand helping where I can, you
know, to.
You know, like I said, on aSunday morning, you know,
whenever I'm at Bunnings and youknow I see the team setting up.
You know rain, hail or shine,humidity, you know.
And then you've got people thatfoster animals.
That's an immense.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Fostering is an incredible thing to do.
I'm rubbish at it.
I will just say they don'tleave your house.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
They don't leave.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
So luckily I've got a council permit for four animals
, but I've always been prettyrubbish and I always take the
ones that are a little bittrickier to rehome.
You know missing limbs or youknow little health challenges.
But foster homes.
We've had one lady here on thecoast, mary-anne, who's been
with us now virtually the wholetime, and Barbara's another lady
(18:19):
.
They've fostered literallyhundreds and hundreds and
hundreds of animals and they goout of their homes, well
adjusted and you know, and andhappier and go to wonderful
homes.
And we are strict with ourhomes because you can't.
I've got to be able to sleep atnight, absolutely so you can't
just people get cranky and say,oh, but you know, and we'll say,
well, this is, this is whatthis animal needs.
(18:41):
So we can't deviate from that,because we know this and if it
has anything different it won'tbe the right animal.
Yes, so we're very particularwith that.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
That's, yeah, absolutely incredible.
So, look, it's been a longjourney.
So far it has been a longjourney.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I'm 72 now.
I think I'm 72 now.
I think I'm 72.
I'm 72 now and I think, oh mygoodness, you know, and I think
really when I think back on itall the things I did when I was
working full time, absolutely,and doing forepaws and had the
most patient husband in theworld.
You know something would comehome and you'd go, oh my God,
that's not going anywhere andwe'd end up adopting it.
(19:19):
You know the little creature,and that would be how it is, and
I'd always try and come up withsomeone up at the street.
I was driving home and I lookedover on the left on the
motorway and I saw this littledog and he'd just roll his eyes
and go oh my God.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
From all accounts.
You said Paul was the mostpatient man.
Oh very patient.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
From what I put him through, you know, he's just
with animals coming home and allthese hours and he used to.
Back then there was no realafter-hours council number, so
the forepaws number was up thereso and the home number was up
there too, so he would answerthe phone and go.
Mrs Penlington's secretary whichwas hysterical, but no, it's
(20:02):
been a journey.
It's been a hard journey.
You know, back when we became acharity.
It was very hard to become acharity.
It took months and months, andmonths and I remember I used to
do a sausage sizzle in Wumbaya,down the road from our pharmacy
at IGA.
It's another wonderfulcommunity organisation.
Like McGrath's, give back to thecommunity.
And I'd shut the pharmacy at 12because Paul would be off the
(20:23):
road on the blocks up to gethome to the golf club at 12.30
and we'd do our sizzle.
I'd go down after work, ThenI'd get the money and I'd take
it to the vet our wonderful vet,Nicola Way vet and I'd say
here's the money, because backthen we had a $300 monthly limit
.
Okay, yes, and they would say,whatever, I'm short, here's my
credit card.
Top it up to $300.
(20:43):
Yeah, you know.
So he was very patient.
Yeah, he was a very patient man.
But it's been a wonderfuljourney and I'm very grateful.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
And look you know, it would be remiss of us not to
acknowledge every single personthat's been there in the journey
.
I know you were very quick tosay you know, whilst you are,
you know the El Presidente, as Isay.
Speaker 2 (20:59):
Yeah, El.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Presidente, Because it's a bloody hard job doing
that.
You know you are a surrounded.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Oh look, my God, we've got incredible.
Like you said, kate's amazing,sue, our treasurer, is amazing
For foster carers, you know.
And the sizzle team, like Imean, you ever see it, that's a
crack sizzle team.
Yeah, team red apronseverything's hygienic number one
and Bunnings are very good, youknow.
They're great supporters ofcommunity as well, you know.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
I think it's that collective, absolutely, every
single time there's such successlike that.
Speaker 2 (21:30):
Yeah, Amazing success , julie.
Yeah, oh, thank you, thank you,thank you, thank you, same to
you.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
And Mervat.
Of course that's the same withBloom Hill right.
You've come back into the roleand you know there has been a
myriad of people.
I mean, when I had the pleasureof being up with you recently,
I was just blown away by all ofthe programs.
It's hard to capture what a dayin the life looks like, but I'd
love you just to share, I guess, some of the programs, the key
(21:56):
things and maybe a day in thelife.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Yeah, for sure.
I think that you know when youlook at a community organisation
there's so many differentpillars that keep that community
organisation.
You know, julie just sharedsome of those areas that keeps
it, sort of.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
So, when you're looking at, when we're talking
about a day in the life from amanagement perspective yes, you
know, I think that that's theamazing thing you do walk in and
the first thing I do is alwaysacknowledge our volunteers.
Yes, I go outside to our cafeand I say good morning, ask them
how their morning's been, andtheir response always just blows
me away.
It gives me something to thenlook forward to, because they're
(22:31):
like amazing, got two hands,two legs, I'm good.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
It's such a good reset right, Look where I am.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
I'm amongst you, know I'm sitting on this acreage.
I'm amongst you, know, I'msitting on this acreage, I'm
yeah, they just, and here theyare giving their time.
We've got about 380 volunteersat Bloom Hill.
It's incredible, Incredible,and they do approximately.
I think there's like 55,000hours a year.
That's done.
It's incredible.
So when we go in, it literallyis about the fact that we've got
(22:58):
our nursing team, we've got ourtouch therapy team, we've got
our allied health team, we'vegot our professional team retail
.
Speaker 1 (23:05):
I know it's so exciting.
We love a Bloom Hill op shop.
Speaker 3 (23:09):
I can tell you what.
Speaker 1 (23:10):
Exactly, absolutely, and that in itself is a whole.
How many op shops are youoperating at?
Speaker 3 (23:15):
the moment We've got a total of ten.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
It's incredible, like it's nine op shops with a big
distribution centre.
Incredible.
Look, let's not deviate too far.
But what I've loved most andfor those that don't know, your
team of volunteers within thecollection centre.
I mean you just told me theother day about you know, mervet
has a jewellery team, julie,that actually is regenerating
(23:37):
jewellery that comes in,creating new pieces.
Your team have been there inthe eight years I've been here.
They will pick up furniture.
You know, like just incredible,it's amazing that that team, my
mum, whenever she visits she'slike we are going to every Bloom
Hill.
You know, up shop andeverything like that.
Like it's just incredible.
(23:58):
But talk to us about what thosefunds actually mean, because
you know you said to me bricabout what those funds actually
mean, because you know you saidto me bric-a-brac makes a
difference.
You know those $1 and $2 items.
Speaker 3 (24:07):
Absolutely.
Those funds are massive.
We are not government funded.
Yeah, now we've had grantsone-off grants that have
supported us, which has beengreat, but, in all honesty, we
don't get any continuous fundingat all.
All our funding comes from ourop shops, but when we're
operating, at the moment, we'reat capacity, and I don't ever
like to say that.
But when we talk about thatwe're talking about probably the
funds that we're generating iscovering sort of 75% of our
(24:30):
budgets to support.
We're supporting about 1600clients each day at Bloomhouse
each year.
Sorry, incredible 30 to 40 newclients each month.
Incredible 30 to 40 new clientseach month Incredible, and I've
just looked at the data.
Yesterday there was each monthsits around 800 occasions of
care a month.
It's incredible.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
Let's just chat about the touch therapy, because this
is something that just.
It's the thing that jumps outfor me most as an awareness
component of the importance ofthat and your incredible
specialist with the lymphedema,yeah she's phenomenal.
Speaker 3 (25:04):
Deb is our lymphedema specialist and you know,
understanding the importance oftouch, you know, on a body in
regards to when people are goingthrough treatment as well is
their specialisation is the factthat they know the impact of
tumours on a body.
They know the impact oftreatment on a body.
Yes, and that's why it's reallyimportant when we talk about
it's not a massage or something.
Yes, it's a touch therapy.
(25:25):
Yes, it is one that iscompleted by specialists and
what it actually does is it doesreally support people to be,
because of the lymphedema andthe swelling that happens, that
when they do a touch therapy andthey do the lymphatic drainage,
it actually can keep people,you know, up to two weeks
pain-free.
It's incredible Because of theflow of the fluid.
(25:45):
I'm not a clinician, no, no, no.
This is what they share with me, you know, and clients say that
they could not survive.
So the quality of life.
A lot of people, you know, arein their survivorship phase,
which is fantastic, you know,they've gone through their
treatment.
We've supported that, but whatends up happening in a lot of
most times is, when people havebeen through treatment, they are
(26:06):
living with chronic illnessesand so the impact of the
treatment continues to be beyondthe cancer.
Absolutely so that is the partthat we always say we're
supporting people to live withand beyond, yes, and that
chronic component aftertreatment and after survivorship
is where we find people needmost help.
Speaker 1 (26:26):
And I think as well too, I guess from an outside
perspective as well, and whatI've seen your team do
incredibly well is support theloved ones as well.
When I came and visited you, Ijust saw a beautiful lady.
She was just by herself writingin a journal, just enjoying
that space, and it really mademe think you're exactly right.
You know the process inhospital and of course,
(26:48):
everything has its reason, butit is very clinical and you know
they're doing an incredible job.
We know that at Adam CrosbyCentre we speak about that a lot
, but the ability to be able tobe supported and loved ones you
mentioned about the grant andthat ability to expand the space
you've got now.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
Yeah, absolutely, and I think that's what we're
really wanting to do.
You know, we've justamalgamated with the Leukemia
Foundation which for theSunshine Coast, is a fantastic
thing to be led and supportedand powered by Incredible
Another major charity.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (27:19):
What I'm loving about that is that they see the
benefits in who we are and howwe operate.
Like this national organisationwho've been doing phenomenal
work themselves, want to learnand leverage from a Sunshine
Coast-based charity it's amazingand they see the good in what
we're doing and they see, morethan anything, it's the
community collective.
(27:39):
So we've sort of shifted a lotof those things.
In regards to volunteering, whydo people volunteer?
We've had those honestconversations and they're the
things that we love to sort ofhear.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
And the benefits.
We call it the corridor ofsupport.
So the corridor of support isyou've got at one end a client
who is in need of support, who'sgoing through a cancer
diagnosis and in need of supportwith their with you know,
family and situationalunfortunate impact adversity.
On the other end, you've got awhole community who want to give
(28:13):
their time and but thebeautiful thing about it is the
impact is evenly shared.
The people who are giving theirtime are receiving you know
what they need, as much as whatthe people who are receiving
that support.
It's incredible, so thatcorridor is a beautiful exchange
that we see, and it's nottransactional, no, it's
transformational.
Speaker 1 (28:34):
Oh no, that is a good way of putting it.
She's an angel, isn't?
Speaker 3 (28:36):
she.
Yeah, we get to witness itevery day.
Yeah, yeah, we get to witnessit every day.
It's shifted the termvolunteerism into more to be
around, active citizenship.
Speaker 1 (28:47):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 3 (28:49):
Because it's no longer I'm doing a charity act.
No, it's not a charity act.
What you're actually doing isyou're contributing.
What I hear they'recontributing and they're
contributing towards a communitythat they want to live in yes,
what does that look like?
And to them it looks like aproductive, connected community.
Absolutely, and we all have aplace in that ecosystem.
Exactly, yeah, every single oneof us.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (29:12):
Has a piece of that puzzle in the ecosystem that
makes it.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
All part of the wheel .
Speaker 1 (29:16):
you know what a blessing to be in your company
both of you but also to see theimpact that you have every day,
which is amazing.
Both of your organisations havebeen consistently beneficiaries
of our amazing Community GiveBack program.
It's incredible when youempower somebody to make a
(29:39):
contribution to a communityorganisation that they're
passionate about and gosh overthe like.
I said, nearly nine years, Ithink.
We've met over 250organisations, from right here
in Caloundra to all the wayaround the world, and it's
incredible, isn't it?
Because so often it's our ownpersonal journey is the reason
why we connected Mervat withyour 380 volunteers.
(30:01):
Do you feel that they've had apersonal connection with Bloom
Hill or a cancer journeythemselves?
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah, the majority have yes, and I think that that
motivational alignment.
I call it motivationalalignment.
Yes, we look at the retentionof our volunteers.
It sits around 97% retention.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
It's incredible, isn't it?
Yeah, I mean, julie, you're thesame too.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
You've got a lot of long-term volunteers.
Yeah, and it's just a gift,isn't it?
Speaker 3 (30:27):
It's an absolute gift .
It really is, and when you lookat that retention rate and you
think it's because of thatmotivation.
So we know that, like I look atall the different positions of
volunteers, the differentpositions of volunteers, there's
cafe people in our cafe.
There's people in our op shops.
There's people at adminconcierge.
There's you know transport,there's you know food delivery.
There's respite.
There's everywhere, you look atEven those things.
(30:50):
They're different, buteverything that motivates them
is one thing Correct, you know,and I think that's the beauty of
that motivational alignment itis about supporting others and
it is about working and livingin a connected community and
having a purpose, absolutely.
And we acknowledge that and Ithink that that ability to
(31:11):
really continuously share withthem what every single hour that
they're giving gives us.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
That's exactly right.
And when we speak, mervat,about the impact that a donation
makes as well, it's the same.
Jules, what I love is thatyou're able to be able to tell
what that equates to.
So this equals a certain numberof touch therapy, or this is
going to help with the vet bills, and what that looks like.
We will talk about theimportance of contributing to
(31:37):
society, and especially asbusinesses.
One thing I always like to askour guests is myths and
misconceptions, I guess, aboutyour organisation.
So, jules, we'll start with you.
What would be some myths?
You're consistently having toovercome.
Speaker 2 (31:50):
I guess one of the biggest things is just, you know
you'll have a dog up foradoption and what people don't
realise yes, you get the dog in,but then it may need $3,000 to
$4,000 worth of vet work to getit back out again.
And we had two little dogs comein.
One had to have eye surgery,the other both had to have major
(32:11):
dentals and one had to have agrowth on its side sorted out.
And then the adoption feedoesn't even cover remotely what
it is.
But the idea is to get theminto a good home.
But then someone will come onand be sarcastic and say, oh,
trying to make money out ofanimals.
And I'm thinking you have noidea.
You have no idea the volunteerhours, apart from the vet costs
(32:35):
that have gone into giving thislittle person a wonderful new
life.
And I think they think we'reall being paid, which we're not,
which we try to be very clearabout.
That's another misconception andyou know people can get very
funny because they think theyhave the right to have the
animal.
Yes, and it's not about theright to have the cat or the dog
(32:57):
, it's about the best home andwe will work tirelessly to find
that best home.
So it might not be the firstapplication that comes in and
people will get cranky aboutthat.
It might be the 10th, but it'sgot to be the perfect one.
And I guess it can be hurtfulsometimes when people say, oh,
you're just trying to rip people.
There was one man who used toalways comment on our Channel 7
(33:19):
posts oh yes, and he used toalways go ka-ching, ka-ching
four paws.
Even for permanent fosterswhere people don't pay any money
for them.
They're just an older animalthat's come from an older person
and we put them in a home withanother older person so they've
got companionship.
So no money changes hands to usand we support the vet bills
for the rest of the animal'slife.
And we support the vet billsfor the rest of the animal's
(33:39):
life.
Speaker 1 (33:39):
And you just want to, you know, and you try and sit
there and think be kind be kind,but I really want to slap you,
I know, look, I say that'ssomething about social media,
isn't?
Speaker 2 (33:46):
it.
Speaker 1 (33:46):
Oh my goodness, you can say the grass is green and
someone says it's blue.
Speaker 2 (33:49):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
Mervat, mr Misconceptions, I'm assuming,
probably also the funding isprobably a huge one.
Speaker 3 (33:57):
Definitely.
I think there's two things, thefunding being a huge one, but I
think that's where I've got abit of a passion around
explaining that to people,because the charity, what your
charity is doing, is phenomenal,Julie, right, and it needs to
be sustainable, right.
For it to be sustainable, ithas to operate as a not.
It's not just a not-for-profitdoesn't mean it doesn't have a
(34:19):
budget and an income.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
You know Exactly.
Speaker 3 (34:22):
It actually needs to be sustainable.
And for it to be sustainable,it's for purpose and for profit,
because nobody will invest intoa sinking ship, no, no.
And for us to continue to dowhat we do and create the
impacts that we do.
We know what we're doing.
You know the impact that you'recreating.
The fact is we're definitelyrelieving the health system,
(34:43):
Absolutely.
We're keeping people out ofhospitals.
We're ensuring that, everysingle day, that people are
being supported and are havingthe best quality of life.
For that, we want that tocontinue into the future, and
anyone who thinks that you know,every dollar is like has to be
expended on the day no, we needto have some kind of buffer.
Speaker 1 (35:04):
We don't have that at the moment.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
But we will.
You will Yep, incredible.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
Yeah, but also I think, mervat too, that's a
really important point becausethat's something you're really
passionate about.
You know there has to be.
You know this is ultimately abusiness operating right.
You need to be able to havedeliverables and you know, again
, having you, you know, at thehelm and having that mindset is
incredible and people look toleadership with that.
(35:29):
But also, you know I know yourpassion and I know that that's
your next chapter is being ableto do that and you know from me
being able to, just for thatsmallest moment, have you both
to be able to share your journeyand increase that awareness,
because it is really difficultto be able to communicate these
things as well and, I guess,always overcoming these
(35:50):
objections and things like that.
Incredible, beautiful ladies.
That is just such a goodsummary of what you do.
Like I said, I knew it would beamazing to have you both here.
Let's chat a little bit aboutlife outside of your
organisations.
Hard to imagine that there isbecause I know it's interwoven.
We all share that commonality.
(36:11):
But let's learn a little bitmore about you both.
I want you to share with me thebest day of your lives.
Speaker 2 (36:19):
Oh, the best day of my life so far.
So far the best day of my life.
I think it was coming back hometo Australia.
You know, my husband was veryadventurous.
He wanted to be a boat builder.
But his father, who was abrigadier general, said that's
no life, you've got to get acareer.
So he became a pharmacist.
(36:40):
In his heart he was alwayswanting to be.
So we built this big 60-footboat and we sailed for 12 years,
continuously, continuously,incredible.
I was always chronicallyseasick and very thin, which was
something.
But that was the only perk.
But I was desperate.
I was always a home girl.
(37:04):
I always wanted to be with mymother and my father and my
siblings.
So when we came back in throughSydney Harbour Bridge because
we sailed as far as Alaska andyeah, came back in and I looked
back at the life we had and Ithought, wow, what an experience
.
I wasn't a great sailor.
but coming back home and havingenjoyed that life and looking
back at some of the adventures,it was just like wow, look what
I've done.
That's epic yeah.
Speaker 1 (37:20):
No place like home.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
No place like home.
Speaker 1 (37:22):
Yeah, amazing Mervat, can you choose one day?
It's so hard, you don't have to.
Speaker 3 (37:26):
You make the rules.
I can't say my children,because there's five of them
that make five incredible days.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
You can have five incredible days.
A lot of people have said thatactually the the day of birth
was not great yeah that's right,but I think, when I really
think about it, from like Mervatyes, right, yes.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
That's the moment I met my children aside.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (37:47):
I think about it from the context, because I was born
in Lebanon.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Yes, and.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
I came out here and I'm the youngest of 11 children
yes, and came out here when Iwas about six yes, and I'll
never forget.
So I grew up and loved that.
You know my dad and my mumalways championed you know
that's that hand up sort of nothand out life that you know
we've been privileged to come toa country that's given us life
(38:11):
and they really brought us up toknow that it's important to
give back and really madeAustralia our home.
But my sisters and I well, mysister feeder and Robin we both
hopped on a plane in 2018 andwent back to our home country
for the first time.
Speaker 1 (38:26):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (38:28):
And when the plane landed, I had never thought, but
I felt my DNA sing.
I really felt that DNA sayingYou're home.
Like I was, and it wasincredible to be on the soil.
Speaker 1 (38:42):
Yes, where I first came in.
Speaker 3 (38:44):
Yeah, that's amazing.
So I think, when I look at that, that moment yes, was this, and
being there with my twofavourite people you know oh, I
do Honestly Julie Mervyn has themost beautiful family.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
That is incredible.
I had a similar experience whenI went to Denmark, because my
best of all, my gran, was anincredible part of my life and
all the stories she'd shared,and I was the same the first
time the plane touched down.
It's incredible.
We have so many beautiful daysahead, which is really exciting.
You just mentioned about aholiday, mervat, but if you
(39:19):
could go anywhere else in theworld, where would your next
holiday destination, dreamholiday destination, be?
Dream?
Speaker 3 (39:26):
holiday destination.
I have to say that because I'verecently been to Spain, when I
say recently, last year went toSpain.
I love Europe.
Speaker 2 (39:39):
Yes, I absolutely love Europe.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
So to me, my dream would be to actually take my
children, because I've only everbeen with myself and my partner
yes, yes, and not my kids,because I travelled as an adult.
Speaker 1 (39:54):
Yes, like after they'd all grown up.
It would have been a lot.
I would have to finally affordit.
Yeah, seven.
Speaker 3 (40:00):
Airfares is even back then that's right.
But yeah, I definitely would go.
I'd go back to Paris.
Yes, that's where I would loveto go with my children and
experience.
It's a beautiful place.
Speaker 2 (40:09):
Yes, jules.
Oh gee, it'd be hard to leavethe dogs.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
I always say if I could take the pugs with me.
Yep yep, yep, yep, All right.
Well, let's take the four dogsanywhere in the world.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
Okay, we spend a lot of time when we're sailing in
California and I've got a lot offriends back in California.
We were moored at the BerkeleyMarina and had a lot of friends
teaching at UC Berkeley and weall became very close and had
some wonderful times there.
So I guess I'd go back toCalifornia and see them.
Speaker 1 (40:41):
I love it, I love.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
California.
Yeah, it's great.
Speaker 1 (40:44):
When you are holidaying and enjoying,
wherever you are in the world,your favourite food and drink
Jules Ooh, favourite food, mmm.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
Oh gee, I do like Mexican Mexican food.
Yeah, yep, I like properMexican food, not this Tex-Mex,
not Tex-Mex.
I don't mind a bit of Tex-Mex,but we sailed all down the
Mexican coast and some of thebest food we had was when we
went into these small Mexicanvillages further down, you know
the coast, and we went intopeople's homes and farms and
(41:18):
they cooked proper Mexican foodand it was just really delicious
With a sangria.
With a sangria, yes, yep.
With a sangria, yep.
Or a cold beer, nice.
Speaker 1 (41:27):
No.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
Yes, light beer.
You're speaking my language.
Speaker 1 (41:30):
No alcohol Mervad.
Speaker 3 (41:33):
Favourite food and drink Every time I'm like, even
when I'm away on holiday.
Speaker 1 (41:40):
I always miss my Lebanese food.
Yes, amazing.
I love it because I cook a lotof Lebanese food, do you?
Yes?
So when I'm overseas.
Speaker 3 (41:43):
I crave it.
Speaker 2 (41:45):
It's very hard to get Lebanese food up here Good
Lebanese food.
Speaker 3 (41:49):
I'll have to have you guys over.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (41:53):
You realised you both came from the same part of
Sydney too, which is amazing.
Speaker 2 (41:56):
I grew up on virtually grew up on Lebanese
food with our neighbours andschool friends and everything,
yeah, Delicious.
But there was always the twokitchens.
They always had the twokitchens.
The kitchen for the cookingcould bring odour into that.
And then, yep, no, we hadwonderful parties.
Speaker 3 (42:12):
Our family was one of those ones that distributed it
to the neighbours and the streetmum and dad would cook.
Speaker 1 (42:18):
It's incredible.
Community is very much in bothof your.
Speaker 2 (42:21):
DNA.
It is absolutely.
Speaker 1 (42:23):
Ladies, before we get to my final question, I do
actually normally ask if youweren't doing what you were
doing now, what else would youdo?
Is there anything for either ofyou, that fulfilled career or
something that's there?
Speaker 2 (42:40):
I don't think so.
I mean, I've always beeninterested in helping elderly
people and animals.
Yes, and that kind of combinesa bit now because with the
demographic on the coast we'regetting a lot of people that
need help with their animals and, you know, move out.
Sometimes we get people we'vehad people that someone will
call us, a social worker, willcall us, and the people won't go
(43:01):
into palliative care becausethey've got a cat or a dog.
So we'll always jump in andsort that out because nothing's
worse, you know, because they'reworried, you know, and you know
, sadly sometimes there's no oneelse to take the cat or the dog
, and you know, and sometimesfamilies aren't in the position
or don't want to deal with that.
So that's always been mypassion, I guess animals and
(43:23):
people.
Speaker 1 (43:23):
Yeah, you're exactly where you're meant to be, Mervat
anything?
Speaker 3 (43:28):
I can't say I've got this sort of passion to want to
support us having it's going tosound really boring.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
No, but better systems.
Speaker 3 (43:36):
I want to influence better systems.
Incredible, like I sort ofunderstand frameworks that keep
community connected.
Speaker 2 (43:41):
Yes, that's a good idea.
Speaker 3 (43:43):
And I just feel this thing that if I can be in a
position where you know we canchange how funding is provided
to communities and theimportance of grassroots funding
, you know, like co-design,community-led, you know they're
the things that I really want tosee more of from top down
(44:04):
Amazing.
Speaker 2 (44:05):
And bottom up.
I think you're right, mervyn, Ithink you know.
This is why the whole McGrathexperience is because it creates
and keeps a community going,and without community you've got
nothing, absolutely, you'vejust got blocks with people
living in them and nothinghappening.
Without that outreach andsupport, exactly right.
Speaker 3 (44:24):
And not having like.
We need to have more livedexperience.
People really be the ones todrive.
You know those opportunities inwhich create projects and
programs, and I think that's,amy, why the importance of what
you do.
Speaker 1 (44:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (44:39):
It's phenomenal because you're raising awareness
for so many different causes.
The advocacy around what you'redoing is continuous, because
not only is it obviouslyproviding much-needed funds to
organisations like ours, butwhat it's actually doing is
raising awareness of someonesaying I actually will pick up
the phone and call BlumhillAbsolutely, or I will actually
(45:01):
feel like this, you know behind,you know four paws.
Like is a phenomenal, likethat's where I know I can trust.
Say the next decision that theymake in regards to that.
Speaker 2 (45:11):
Yeah, and I think that's the important thing
Mervet people being able totrust us that we're doing the
right thing.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
Absolutely, and I think that's where you have to
have advocacy from community tobe, able to reiterate that and I
know for both of you.
you know including that in yoursocial responsibility.
But look, I think ultimately,today's podcast was about
understanding the importance ofgiving back.
I think also, what's reallyimportant for me is that you
don't have to have a livedexperience to do something.
(45:40):
Mervat, you know, we paintedour house pink and had a big
fundraiser for breast cancer andeveryone says, have you had a
personal experience?
And I went, no, but I've seenenough bloody good people that
have enough to go.
Let's make a difference now.
So I think the ability to sit,you know, sit and not be doing
anything, and especially in thiscommunity, is is an injustice,
and I think that's what I feelso passionate about.
(46:02):
Let's wrap up today's incrediblesession with a favourite quote.
If one drops in for you, it'salways the right one.
I say.
Speaker 2 (46:11):
Yeah, there, but for the grace of God, go I.
I think you can't judge someoneif they've got to surrender an
animal.
You know, like people say oh,you know, you see, on social
media someone says I need torehome my dog.
People are going oh, how couldyou, da-da-da, would you rehome
your child?
And I think, there, but for thegrace of God, go I.
You don't know what's happeningin that life.
You don't know whether they'reliving in a car, you don't know
(46:35):
whether they going on, you don'tknow the extra circumstances.
So I think people have got tojust take it back and think what
is the big picture here?
Speaker 1 (46:45):
Absolutely.
That's my get curious, notfurious, always Merva.
Speaker 3 (46:51):
I've got so many.
But to think about just whatyou shared, julie, it was
actually something that wasshared with me and it was a
quote that was shared with meduring an interview.
When I was interviewing someoneand you know I'd ask them about
their like.
I shared the organisationalvalues with them and I said what
values do you have?
And she said I live by thisquote that she you know.
And her quote was literallythat she said I have not, and
(47:15):
she said it in a much shorterway than I'm going to share it,
but she said I've not been partof the history that's created
the person in front of me andbecause of that I refrain
judgment.
Speaker 2 (47:28):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (47:28):
Okay, yep, yep, yep.
So that curiosity aspect, youknow, just that constant that
people will make their decisionsbased on their own experiences,
and who are we to jump in, youknow, and to me that was such an
important and I often reflecton that, if you know, I'm
finding, you know, people sortof doing things that maybe
(47:50):
doesn't feel right for me.
Speaker 1 (47:52):
I'm like okay well that's not your experience
that's their experienceAbsolutely, and I become more
curious.
Incredible.
Speaker 2 (47:59):
Yeah, very good.
Speaker 1 (48:00):
Well, ladies, what an absolute hour of power with two
of my favourite people on theplanet.
It's my absolute pleasure tohave you as my guest.
Oh, thank you, amy, and we willabsolutely share the message of
the incredible work that you'redoing.
Speaker 2 (48:10):
Oh, thank you, and it's such a pleasure to meet you
today, mervyn.
Speaker 3 (48:21):
Oh, it's just yeah, my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (48:22):
I love you both so much.
Thank you for listening to thisepisode of beyond the signboard
.
We trust you enjoyed it as muchas we enjoyed making it for you
.
If there are any topics youwant covered in the future, make
sure you reach out and let usknow.
Also, feedback and suggestionsare appreciated almost as much
as like shares and downloads.
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