Bupa Blog Awards 2017

I have been trying to publish this blog post since Friday morning.  But you all know what happens when I go to town and mix with actual people… anyway, here it is, better late than never.  I am now back home on the station after my whirlwind trip to Melbourne and Brisbane.  Flew back to Isa yesterday and drove home.  Feeling a little jet lagged to tell you the truth.  Ok – on with the show…

Thursday 2nd November 2017, 4:47pm…

I sit here typing this from my gorgeous room in the Prince Hotel in St Kilda.  It is a funky little boutique type hotel and just so cool I can’t believe my eyes.  It is also where the Bupa Blog Awards event is being held this evening.

You see I have been lucky enough to be nominated (in case you didn’t know, ha ha ha) as a finalist in this years awards.  I am one of about 30 finalists and one of only 5 in my category – Personal Blog Category.  I seriously still can’t believe it.

I am just back from an afternoon in at the Bupa office in the City where a workshop/networking afternoon was held as a kind of get to know you day for the finalists.

Being nominated as a finalists means I join the Bupa Blogging Alumnae (i’m not even sure how to spell that) and it is all kind of a big deal.  I was sitting in the workshop with all the other finalists and listening to everyone talk and wondering “why the hell am I here”…. surely they don’t even know my name or who I am.  I live at Bum Truck Nowhere, how do they even know me???  HOW????  I was honestly sitting there thinking “I’m not sure if anyone has figured this out yet, but I don’t think I should be here”.  But then they said stuff like “each and everyone of you are here for a reason, you have been selected because we want you”…  what the actual?  I nearly started crying.  Maybe they do know ‘lil old Chards.

Bupa gets us.  They get bloggers and they actually want to work with bloggers.  They even have their own blog, if you will and you can find it here at The Bupa Blueroom.   How exciting.  So… I guess I just wanted to jump in and tap tap tap away before I don my dress and head off for some drinkies with ALL THE PEOPLE.  I wanted to get my thoughts down on paper because I have a feeling the next year is going to be such a great one, working with all these fabulous bloggers, working with Bupa, working with people who GET IT!!!  It is beyond exciting my friends.  Who cares if we win an award or not, we are all winners because we all get to do this amazing stuff together.

Hell I am just excited to be on a little trip away where I get to dress up, put on make up and drink wine with ALL THE PEOPLE!!!  TICK!!!

Isn’t it funny how you always seem to migrate to your “tribe” and find your people.  Well after yesterdays workshop at Bupa I found myself climbing into a dusty ute to get a lift to my hotel.  Of course it was Emma who drove me.  Bron from Maxabella Loves also jumped in.  Bron lives in Sydney now but spent a lot of her childhood in the Northern Territory, near Tennant Creek of all places and totally gets where I live.  She even did School of the Air and had a Governess.  Bron is an absolute champ and I just loved hanging out with her.  So many laughs!!!

Emma used to be a Governess too.  We were all laughing at how we somehow all managed to find each other.  Life’s funny like that isn’t it.

So, for now – this little extrovert is going to try and get her introvert on for about an hour and calm down before I hit the Chardy.  Thank you Bupa, I feel so lucky to be a small part of this wonderful initiative that you have going on.

Friday morning 3rd November 2017

…. And now I sit here tapping away sipping a coffee with a slight headache after such a wonderful night.  Oh wow, Bupa you sure do know how to put on an event.  What a great night it was with a bunch of wonderful women.

Gosh it was fun, the Chandon was flowing freely and the company was second to none.

I was lucky enough to sit next to this lovely lady…

Her name is Sam and she blogs over at The Annoyed Thyroid.  Both Sam and I were finalists in the “Personal” category and Sam won!  Well done Sam and boy it was so great to get to know you better, I had such a fun night sitting next to you.  Thanks for all of the laughs.

And what about this chick…

This is Emma from She Sows Seeds.  I am sure some of you already know Emma and follow her blog.  I have met Emma a couple of times but it was so good to also get to know her better yesterday.  And guess what… not only did Emma win her category but she also took out the major prize – overall winner.  How exciting!  Emma blogs all about life on her farm a couple of hours out of Melbourne with her husband and two gorgeous little girls.

It’s always a lot of fun catching up with this gorgeous lady… it is Stacey from Veggie Mama 

Stacey grew up at Bourke in NSW… see – finding my tribe again!!!  She is lots of fun and even though se is a Veggo (sorry Stace) she still drinks wine and parties on with me even though I live on a BEEF CATTLE STATION!  Ha ha ha.

SO MANY WONDERFUL WOMEN…. have I said that already?  I am so excited to be a part of this amazing group.  Thanks again Bupa!!!

Anyway, as my very brief time in Melbourne comes to an end I am so grateful to Bupa for this wonderful opportunity.  This is just the beginning as we all work with Bupa over the coming year.  I can’t wait.  I know I am going to learn so much and couldn’t think of a better bunch of women to be teaming with.

We are all winners and I am just so excited.

Right, now to finish my coffee and get to the airport.  Next stop: Brisbane to take Tom out for two nights and catch up with my lovely friends.  Might need some panadol first.

…. Had a great time in Brisbane with my gorgeous boy and beautiful friends.  Only 3 weeks until he is home for Christmas holidays.  Gosh that has gone fast.  Feels like we only just dropped him off.  He has had such a great year.

What are you up to tomorrow for Cup Day?  We always have a little soiree here poolside with the neighbours.  I guess you could say it is our end of season party.

Have a great one. xx