Moulamein ladies: Get ready to put wellbeing on your radar

There’s not enough fun in the world, says motivational speaker Cynthia Mahoney.

“I think the world needs so much more fun at the moment; it’s pretty heavy going out there,” she says.

Her upcoming appearance at a special luncheon in Moulamein promises a journey into the world of wellbeing that no-one will have experienced before; she guarantees it.

Cynthia, renowned for her dynamic presence and expertise in empowering women, will be the special guest presenter at a Chicks in the Sticks high tea, to be held on 4 July at the Moulamein Bowling Club.

Hosted by Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council (YACTAC) and generously funded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) the day brings rural women together to connect, share experiences and be inspired.

The event is a continuation of the program’s mission to empower and connect rural women in the Riverina.

“I can guarantee that this will be a different sort of day and like no other wellbeing workshop that any of the women in the room will have experienced before,” said Cynthia.

“When people hear the word wellbeing they often associate it with the serious topic of mental health and expect another workshop full of the same stuff.

“Whilst it is a weighty subject, I have created something that is meant to be fun but also provides an opportunity for women to talk about wellbeing in a serious way and have fun while they are doing it.

“It’s going to be something very different; I can safely say that.”

Without giving away too much about Cynthia’s uplifting theme, she said the journey will involve checking in on excess emotional baggage, personal reflection, creating undo lists and working with a small crew to come up with a wellbeing challenge.

“We’ll have a look at what the warning signs are on the radar that tell them their wellbeing is not great like getting snappy, overeating, drinking too much, not sleeping.

“We’ll also look at things they’ve done to increase their wellbeing that have worked for them in the past.”

Cynthia focuses on positive psychology. Her mantra (taken from the latest neuroscience research) is that ‘Happier people are higher performing’.

Her first book, Cultivate: How Neuroscience and Well-Being support Rural Leaders to Thrive, helps leaders understand how to use the latest brain science and positive psychology and provides practical ways to thrive in a world that is full of disruption and change.

“The brain loves remembering past successes and that gives us confidence that we’ve had success in overcoming a challenge in the past and so we can do it again now.

“A highlight of the workshop is women being able to share a challenge they’ve got and other women providing their wisdom, ideas and strategies to give the obstacle the wings it needs to take off.”

Prior to starting her own business in 2011, Cynthia had an extensive career in the Victorian Department of Agriculture and understands the isolation that comes with living in rural and regional Australia.

She has worked as a facilitator in the Dairy Business Focus and Farm$mart programs, as a business improvement facilitator, a farm management economist, an agribusiness project manager, a biosecurity program manager, statewide Rural Women’s Network coordinator and as a leadership facilitator in the wine industry.

“I have a particular interest in working with rural women, because, well, I’m a woman and I grew up in the country. We go through lots of issues as women and it’s really good to get together, chat and connect.

“I aim to inspire but I really want people to feel like they’ve had a mental break from their environment.

“I want women to feel nurtured and nourished, to laugh and to have the chats they need to have.”

Cynthia facilitates workshops for teams and leaders, delivers keynote addresses, is a coach and runs programs for rural women and communities. Her clients range from federal, state and local governments, to corporates, not-for-profits, industry groups, small businesses and individuals – all of which share a commitment to growth and development.

She’s off to Dimboola next to run a wellbeing workshop for the local community.

Her presentations are met with superlative filled feedback forms; she asks guests to describe their experience in one word and is bombarded with all the feel-good ones: positive, empowered, whole, happy, invigorated, hopeful, inspired, connected, motivated, re-energised.

“One of my favourite recent comments was ‘My heart is smiling again,'” she said.

She hopes her keynote address to the ladies of Moulamein leaves participants feeling fabulous.

“I want them to leave feeling as though they are enough!

“Often women are their own worst enemy and we don’t give ourselves permission to look after our own wellbeing.

“Living and working in a rural environment, there’s often never a good time to get on the path to your own wellbeing, but that’s one of the first steps – you’ve got to start with looking after yourself.

“If you start looking after yourself then you’re able to have more energy and have more headspace to tackle a whole lot of other tasks.

“If we just stay on that treadmill of staying in the busyness and never take that time out, then we never get off it.”

Cynthia says one of the first things she does is congratulates the women who “show up”.

“There’s a lot of women in general who think ‘I should go to that, but I don’t have the time’, so when they turn up in the first place it is a great sign and I say good on you for prioritising your own health.”

Her sessions are filled with actionable insights, personal growth opportunities, and a touch of humour that leaves a lasting impression.

Tickets to the high tea event on 4 July are $25 (per chick, from any nest!).

For inquiries, please contact Bronwyn Thomas on 0427 433 123 or [email protected] or Facebook Yanco Creek System or Instagram Yanco 2024.