Featured Articles

Driver Inattention and the Rider – Inattentional blindness It should come as no surprise to most of our readers, that motorcycles are harder to see than other types of more common road vehicles. SMIDSY – Sorry Mate I Didn’t See you – is a common term that relates to the drivers response to an accident that has occurred, which in the majority cases has left a rider injured on the road, awaiting the care of an ambulance and an extended hospital visit. For many riders that face

Recently I was discussing the notion that a lot of parents have regarding homeschooling; “I don’t have the patience to home school”. Whilst it’s a nice thought that they feel we must have amazing patience, it’s not entirely accurate. I don’t know of a single family who chose to homeschool because they’re patient. What a lot of us have found is that through choosing this path we don’t need as much patience as we did with traditional schooling! Our children are no longer stress

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had music that reflected contemporary military service, as well as commemorating what happened in the past?”. This was the topic of conversation on Anzac Day 2023 in Newcastle, NSW, that sowed the seed for creating music that honours historical service while being relevant to currently serving ADF members and their families.   Standing on the Shoulders was written in a flurry of inspiration after Anzac Day 2023, with the words and music seemin

AUTHOR: Nicola Fraietta - local writer and book enthusiast   Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross - omantic Fantasy Goddess, Matilda is both Underling and Skyward, possessing hidden powers that the other gods would ruthlessly kill to acquire. When Matilda forms a bond with Vincent, a mortal man, their fated romance forces them to face warring gods. Matilda must decide how much she will sacrifice for the man that she loves and to protect her secrets. This highly anticipated read is

Life has a way of piling on responsibilities, and when your partner is away for work, whether for days, weeks, or longer, the domestic and emotional load can feel overwhelming. From managing daily routines to caring for children and maintaining a home, the weight of “doing it all” can take a toll on your mental well-being. The good news? A few simple, intentional strategies can make a big difference in maintaining your mental health and household harmony. Embrace Imperfection

AUTHOR: Peta Johansen - Co-Founder of Magnify Her   "Fear is information. Joy is strategy. Gratitude is grounding. Micro-steps are progress. And when women rise together, everything magnifies." Two years ago, I walked into the largest room I’d ever been - over 400 women from 40 countries at the Forbes 30/50 Women’s Summit in Abu Dhabi. Leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers surrounded me, and I felt that familiar knot in my throat and churn in my stomach. Who am I to be here?

By Jemmah Lowry – Sew Good Baby   After having kids, and while my husband was deployed overseas, I found myself looking for something else to fill my days. I started sewing and subsequently started my own small business!   My business enabled me to continue to care for my children, with the flexibility of working from home, while allowing me to be creative doing something I loved, and giving me a sense of fulfillment that I was also contributing to the family financially. It

As the wife of an ADF member, Jan Purcell has focused on her love of illustrating while exploring the country. We stumbled across Jan’s amazing talent on social media, and we’re excited to share her story!   When did you start illustrating? I loved drawing from a young age.  This passion for art led me to study interior architecture at university, where I honed my ability to draw in granular detail.  When I first met my husband, I had no connection or real understanding of th

Support women. Support mothers. Be patient. Be kind. In Darwin, the hospitality industry isn’t just built on food; it’s built on women. Women who lead kitchens, run venues, raise families, juggle full-time jobs and still show up every day with strength, creativity and heart. As a mother-daughter business ourselves, we see it all up close. Every week we turn up for shoots with cameras, ideas and Abi’s little boy, Jaya, on her hip, and the way these women welcome him says every

by Michelle Jarrett TRIGGER WARNING: Please be aware that this story contains material dealing with suicide and suicidality that could be distressing for some people. If you need urgent or crisis support contact a 24/7 service that can help you, such as Open Arms 1800 011 046; Defence Member and Family Support Helpline 1800 624 608; or Lifeline 13 11 14. In the Top End, behind my husband’s Defence duties, Cowork Coplay held me through my hidden battle. Darwin is geographicall

The Top Ender had the opportunity to catch up with Leading Seaman Rebecca Churches from the Young Endeavour during a recent visit to the Top End! We had some questions for Rebecca to celebrate International Women's Day and her amazing adventures within defence.     How long have you been in the Navy? 7 ½ years.   How long have you been posted to The Young Endeavour? 1 ½ years.   Why did you decide to enlist into the Navy? To explore a world outside of my hometown, to challeng

It doesn’t matter what the question is; Op shopping is the answer!  It’s the thrill of the hunt, the pure excitement of finding a like-new Mister Zimi dress for just $20 or a special edition Jumbuck Driza-Bone vest for my husband valued at $429, for only $50!    Needing day care clothes? Op shop. Need to frock up for the Welcome Ball? Op shop. Kids wanting more books? Op shop. And luckily for us, there’s plenty of stores to choose from! Here’s a few to check out: KATHERINE Re