For our 21st birthday year we want real parents, real stories and real answers and we hope you’re here for it.
Hope you’ve been well wherever you call home. How was Easter? And ANAC Day weekend?
We had all of our adult children home for the Easter break + visiting family from Sydney. We’re not yet at the ‘grandparent’ stage but let me tell you we have become the ‘bring-your-dog-to-family- gatherings’ people. It was a weekend where commotion and love collided head-on: puppies, small children and busy big people. The garden got an unplanned trim thanks to rollicking dogs, the tractor barely pulled up, Farmer Ross had free labour to clean out 32 feeder bins, we went to the zoo and created a circus! And I was actually sad when it was all over.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that this year we are celebrating our 21st birthday and we’re giving you the gift. We are hosting LIVE Q&A sessions at many of our Expo events this year, kicking off with Emerald on 1-2 May. This week! We head up on Wednesday.
REAL PARENTS. REAL STORIES. REAL ANSWERS. Your boarding school questions answered live.
If you’re thinking about boarding school for your child then join us for our live Q&A panels where real parents of current boarding students, and past students share honest insights, practical advice, and what they wish they’d known. This is your chance to ask questions, hear real stories, and get a clearer picture of what boarding life is like for rural, regional, and remote families. It’s about building confidence, community, and connection—before you make the leap.
It’s going to be a great couple of days in Emerald. Help us spread the word and share this with your friends up in that region.
Until next month …. this one’s very late again so you might hear from me a bit sooner! We’ve got Dubbo Expo in a couple of weeks and I’ve so much to share on that one. Including the very fabulous Kaitie Nash who will be joining us as a future boarder parent and host of our Live Q&A for that event.
BRINGING BOARDING TO THE BUSH – 21 SCHOOLS & ONE BIG WELCOME
Get the real story on boarding at our first ever event in Emerald
It’s our 21st birthday this year and what better way to celebrate than by establishing a brand new event for our Queensland families. 21 boarding schools for 21 years! From all over Queensland and even one from northern NSW. We’re hosting a Live Q&A discussion on all things boarding – costs, emotions and parenting from afar. Real discussions, no glossy brochures available.
A CONVERSATION THAT MATTERS
CEO Sally Sweeney Shares the Dolly’s Dream Legacy
This episode isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about connection. Sally and I talk about what makes Dolly’s Dream such a unique and impactful voice in the mental health space, especially for families living remotely and for young people transitioning to life at boarding school or working on isolated stations. Sally shares the heart and drive behind their programs, including their tailored workshops for schools, workplaces like AA Co stations, and their upcoming program specifically designed to support young people transitioning from remote education into secondary boarding life.
REAL CONVERSATIONS. HONEST ANSWERS. SUPPORT WHERE IT MATTERS MOST.
Live Q&A for Boarding Parents: What It Really Takes to Make It Work
Discover our Live Q&A panels created by us and especially for rural, regional, and remote families navigating boarding school. From finances and emotional readiness to wellbeing and staying connected — hear directly from parents who’ve been there. Ask your questions, share your concerns, and walk away with genuine advice and practical tools.
Emerald 1-2 May
Dubbo 16-17 May
Wagga Wagga 20-21 June
Here are the things we’re loving right now…
LEARNING TO LAND WITH ANNABELLE HICKSON
I Do Like to Begin My Day with Heart & Resonance
Galah magazine is a gift to the heart. The writing is so often gentle, like a cooling summer breeze on a hot afternoon, and if you let it wash over you, can set you up for a day where you feel seen and uplifted. Well, that’s where it hits me. My days begin with a letter…from a writer anywhere in the world. I look for resonance and uplifting. If I didn’t enjoy procrastinating through this mission each morning I’d head straight to Galah’s ‘Letters from the Editor’. Every. Single. Time. This one speaks of ‘learning to land’ once all your children have begun boarding school. Enjoy.
ANOTHER PLUG FOR GRAZIHER
Our Favourite Magazine Got a Glow Up This Edition..
I know I recommended this last month but I’m rolling it out again because … well… how often do you find yourself on the reverse flip cover of one of Aus’s greatest publications? This edition is full of goodness, particularly Graziher’s Boarding School Guide 2025 which leads beautifully into the reason me and my tribe landed the reverse flip cover.
Go on, head into town and grab a copy. Some of my favourite schools are featured too 😉
Have you finished your boarding school journey ? Share our news…. tell your friends and family who might be on their way. Our website provides almost 20 years of resources and experience to families and students considering their options and beginning their days at boarding school.
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