EDâs Note
Welcome to SoWot 9, flip the pages, be inspired, and let the journey begin!
Kirsty Perkins CEO Aspire42 Foundation
From the Editorâs desk
Welcome to Issue 9 of SoWot! Magazine! This edition brings you a dynamic mix of stories, from exciting travel adventures to deep dives into social media trends, groundbreaking tech, and inspiring charity initiatives.
In travel, we take you to the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, where we explore an epic hiking adventure through some of the most stunning terrains on Earth. Our Lifestyle section unpacks the ever-evolving world of social media, with The Rise of TikTok and Influencers in the Wildâtwo thought-provoking pieces that examine the power, pitfalls, and influence of digital fame.
For sports lovers, the rivalry heats up in State of Origin, as we gear up for another series of passion, skill, and unforgettable moments on the field. Meanwhile, sport and charity collide in an inspiring feature on The Melbourne Mavericks x The Tie Dye Project, showcasing how creativity and community can make a real impact. In Finance, we take a closer look at Credit Scoresâhow they work, why they matter, and what you can do to stay on top of your financial game.
Tech enthusiasts, you wonât want to miss our feature on provenance technology, where we explore how innovation is shaping the future and changing the way we live and work.
We remain committed to shining a light on important causes. This issue highlights Food on the Table, a charity dedicated to ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry. It serves as a powerful reminder of how collective action can create meaningful change.
You can be sure this issue of the SoWot! magazine has something for everyone.
Enjoy the read, stay inspired, and weâll see you next time!
SoWot! magazine is published by the Aspire42 Foundation. The Aspire42 Foundation was established to provide real solutions and opportunities for real people. Working in conjunction with the Aspire42 group and its collective companies, we run a variety of projects ranging from internships to practical experience provision and donations.
SoWot is the brightest magazine on the market, full of engaging articles on subjects as varied as new tech & gadgets, lifestyle, health & wellness, sport and travel. A refreshing antidote to all that nonsense content that makes you shrug and thinkâŠ. SoWot!
Published quarterly by the Aspire42 Foundation, SoWot is distributed to a national audience via numerous digital channels, including social media and EDM, and hosted on issuu.com and the Aspire42 Foundation website.
Subscribe to SoWot. Itâs free! Simply click here
FOUNDATION NEWS
Scooter Donation
The foundation partnered with Family Home Support Services to donate a mobility scooter to Paul. Purchased from Simonne at a discount, Paul is thrilled with his new wheels and grateful for the donation, which allows him to join his wife Deb at the shops. "Thank you for giving me my independence back," Paul said.
Keep Up for Change
Keep Up for Change - Kick for a Cause
Every kick brings hope to a child in Nepal. Join the foundation as we launch the #KeepUpForChange challenge, raising funds and awareness for The Nepal Initiative. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to sponsor 10 children for 12 months, covering food, housing, education, and healthcare. For more information, check out our Instagram and Facebook.
Motherâs Day Cookies
Our talented Michelle (events & communications manager), with Kirsty's (CEO) help, made delicious cookies for Mother's Day to raise money for the Nepal Initiative. They sold out quickly!
Ronald McDonald House
We love seeing our team give back in meaningful ways. Our Director of Fundraising, Kane, and his family volunteered to help feed families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Adelaide. The foundation will continue supporting their incredible work.
Maya Billingham
Maya Billingham recently attended the FIS Snowboard Cross Junior World Championships 2025 in Isola 2000, winning Silver in both the individual and team events. The foundation is proud to support Maya on her snowboarding journey.
OVER 150 SNAFFLE WINNERS are strutting to Katy Perry
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS!
As the official partner of Katy Perryâs âThe Lifetimes Tour,â Snaffle has provided so many strut-worthy opportunities including ticket giveaways and 5 Grand Prizes of âThe Ultimate Strutâ - A meet & greet with Katy Perry in Melbourne, including performing a Snaffle Strut on her stage, with flights, accommodation, concert tickets and merch included. A genuine money-canât-buy experience of a Lifetimes!
"OMG!!! I LOVE Katy Perry, my dreams have come true. Thank you @SnaffleShop. It will be my daughterâs first concert ever." â Kobi, Sydney
ALLAN PERERIA JANUARY WINNER
SIMPSON FEBRUARY WINNER
MARCH WINNER
CHLOE-JANE
EMILIE HARRISON
The COUNTDOWN IS ON!
Katy Perryâs The Lifetimes Tour kicks off in Australia next week! Congratulations to the hundreds of SnaïŹe ticket winners whoâll be heading along to see one of the worldâs biggest pop stars strut her stuff.
If you missed out on tickets, thereâs still an opportunity to get your strut on! YOU COULD WIN 2 TICKETS TO SEE KATY PERRY LIVE in Perth on Sunday June 22, just by answering one simple question. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
INFLUENCERS IN THE WILD
In todayâs world, where it seems every moment is a potential post, the pressure to capture the perfect image is higher than ever. For influencers, the pursuit of a flawless Instagram feed has now gone beyond filters and editing, to endangering wildlife habitats. So whatâs the true cost of a picture-perfect life?
"I have learned and am
As the digital age evolves, so too do strategies used to garner likes, followers, and brand deals. But at what point does chasing fame, become dangerous to the natural world that these influencers claim to love?
The trend of photographing interactions with wildlife â often in invasive ways - is growing and so is the controversy surrounding it. These photos, often meant to evoke awe, are created at the expense of fragile ecosystems and the species in peril.
Recently we witnessed the nationwide outrage over American influencer Samantha Jonesâ snatching of a baby wombat from its mother, with even the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese advocating for Ms Jonesâ immediate deportation. The footage featured the joey squirming and screeching before the influencer put it back on the road.
learned from this situation, truly sorry for the distress I have caused."
SoWot sat down with award-winning underwater photographer Tony Scott, to hear his personal recount of a recent incident in Salah Bay, Sunbawa, Indonesia:
âMy wife and I were living on Nusa Lembongan, a small island between Bali and Lombok, when we got a call from a friend we had worked with on the âRodney Foxâ Great White Shark Expedition boat in South Australia. She was going to Sumbawa to swim with the whale sharks and told us of a place where, just before sunrise, the bagans (fishing boats) pull in their nets, to catch krill, in order to attract whale sharks.
For many years, the fishermen used to simply kill the sharks as they thought of them as pests. More recently however, these same fishermen have discovered a very lucrative new businesscharging guests to venture out just before dawn as they pull up their nets so that the guests can get into the water and swim with these amazing creatures.
The fishermen mix up krill and water and pump it off the stern of the boat encouraging the whale sharks to stay around and feed. However, once the krill runs out, they then make up a cheap mixture of rice and sea water, not exactly on the sharksâ natural menu.
Instagram âtribesâ sit aboard Phinisi style boats typically carrying 50 to 100 people. Boats arrive during the night, or pre-dawn, tie up to the bagans and wait for sunrise, at which time the fishermen start to âburley up.â Many of the guests on the Phinisi boats are doing the trip from Lombok through Komodo Island, on the promise of secluded beaches and protected snorkelling spots along the way. The dream of most of the Insta Tribe is to âget the shotâ â that one amazing image of themselves with the whale shark.
They swim up close to, underneath, or on top of the sharks, oblivious as to how this affects the animals, as long as they âget the shotâ.
We left our humble accommodation at 4.15am on a small simple vessel crewed by a great bunch of local teenagers. Fifteen minutes out from our destination we could see the bagans already tied up, lit up like a stadium, surrounded by three smaller boats and two large Phinisi boats."
"I was shocked to see so many people in the water in such a small space, all getting as close to the whale sharks as possible. Each of the boats have their own local photographer who, encourages their guests to dive down and âposeâ next to the shark so they can get the shot.
The friend who had invited us to join her on this trip got into the water and was shocked to see the Insta girls actually grabbing a shark by the fin, patting and rubbing their hands over the animal.
It was a potentially hostile scene, reminiscent of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Young backpacker Insta Warriors, with little or no respect for these beautiful creatures, shouting and jeering at our friend who was politely asking the swimmers not to touch the sharks. I decided to take my chances in the water, so I slid slowly off our small boat. With no intention of joining the rest of the underwater rabble or going near the sharks,
I positioned myself with the sun behind me and well away from the crowd. I have had similar experiences while photographing Manta Rays off Nusa Penida.
Generally I wait and 9 times out of 10, sea creatures will approach. To my delight the whale shark came up to me, allowing me to take the photographs. I did not even have to move. I just waited, and enjoyed the show.
The next morning we tried our luck again, however there were more boats than people and more of the same chaos. We stayed only a short time, not even getting into the water. This time, the only highlight was Banana and Nutella sandwiches onboard.
In my heart, I believe there is a workable tourism business here. However all parties need to work together to set boundaries, guidelines and education. To put nature first and the Insta grid second.â
Tony Scott has ventured across the globe chasing his passion for the ocean and photography â capturing images of Great White Sharks and Sea Lions in South Australia, Manta Rays, Turtles, Dolphins and Whales in Australia and Indonesia, the rare Hector Dolphins in New Zealand and Raja Ampat which is a part of the world he describes as truly incredible.
Tony has won multiple photography awards including the prestigious Nikon Rodney Fox Shark Shoot out at Neptune Islands South Australia in 2018.
LIFTING THE LID ON CREDIT SCORES
Your credit score might not be the most thrilling dinner party topic, but itâs one of the most important numbers in your life. Whether youâre looking to buy some furniture, take out a personal loan, or even get a new phone on a plan, your credit score can open doors - or slam them just as quickly.
So, what is a Credit Score?
Think of your credit score as your financial report card. In Australia, your credit score is a number that lenders use to gauge how risky it might be to lend you money. The higher your score, the more credit worthy you appear to banks and financial institutions. But if you donât know your credit score, youâre not alone, as 3 out of 4 Australians are none the wiser. A credit score, usually reported by either Equifax or Experian, is typically ranked out of 1000 or 1200.
So, what actually affects that score, and more importantly, how you can improve it? Your credit score record is not like your traffic infringement points tally that regenerates after a set period. Rent payments do not affect your credit score but several factors do:
1. Repayment History
If youâve consistently paid your bills on time - credit cards, personal loans, energy bills over $150, the mortgage - it reflects positively. But even a single late payment can put a dent in your score.
2. Credit Applications
Each time you apply for credit (whether approved or not), a âhard enquiryâ is recorded on your credit file. Too many applications in a short space of time, even to payment methods like ZIP, can signal that you are living beyond your means and consequently lower your score.
3. Credit Limit and Usage
How much of your available credit youâre using also matters. This is called your CUR (credit utilisation ratio). Maxing out your credit card every month can negatively affect your score, even if you pay it off in full.
4. Type of Credit
The kind of credit you have also matters. A balanced mix of credit types (like a mortgage and a low-interest credit card) can help your score. Conversely, having multiple high-interest payday loans or âBuy Now Pay Laterâ accounts can really hurt your credit score.
5. Defaults and Serious Credit Infringements
A âdefaultâ is a debt over $150 thatâs more than 60 days overdue. These stay on your record for five years; whereas serious issues, like bankruptcies or court judgments, can drag your score downward for even longer periods. Like many Australians, you may have put a 6 month pause on your mortgage or credit card payments during the COVID pandemic, but this special circumstance did not affect your credit score.
According to 9NEWS (March 2025), an unsecured personal loan with a major bank could attract as much as 19.99% interest if you have a poor credit score; while the same loan applied for by someone with an outstanding credit score, might only attract 7.49% interest!
The credit you âdeserveâ
The existing credit scoring system is dated, arbitrary and itâs hard to translate the âscoreâ into anything meaningful. But there are alternatives emerging.
WalletPay is a revolutionary new payment option that uses a unique credit assessment alternative called PinPoint that judges your creditworthiness purely on overall financial behaviour.
Your âscoreâ is given as a weekly credit allowance that allows you to start shopping immediately with a clear limit of how much you can spend and how much and how long youâll have to make payments.
Whatâs more, PinPoint doesnât adversely impact your other credit scores.
Find out more at walletpay.com
NEVER rely heavily on Buy Now Pay Later services as providers are now reporting to credit agencies.
NEVER ignore or forget those annoying small bills as they can become a default if left unpaid for too long, damaging your credit for years.
NEVER close credit cards too soon because if itâs an old account, doing so might shorten your credit history and reduce your score.
NEVER become a Guarantor! Itâs a generous move, but co-signing someone elseâs loan can hurt your score if they defaultâand youâre legally on the hook.
Now, the good news.
You can improve your credit score. It takes a bit of patience and some smart financial habits, but it is achievable. Hereâs how:
Pay your bills on time
This includes not just loans and credit cards but also utilities and mobile phone bills.
Limit the number of credit applications you make
Only apply for credit when you really need it. Multiple applications within a short time frame can be a red flag to lenders. With payment methods like WalletPay, you only need to apply once!
Reduce credit card limits
If youâre not using your full credit limit, consider lowering it. This can help improve your CUR.
If you have multiple debts, consolidating them into one manageable loan can not only reduce interest but also simplify repayments, making it easier to stay on top of them.
Keep older accounts open
The longer your credit history, the better. Closing old accounts can shorten your credit history and negatively impact your score.
With legislative changes set to take affect in Australia in June, especially around services like Buy Now Pay Later, now is the time to get your house in order. Look for services which offer a credit assessment process based on your financial behaviour, not how much money you have.
Remember, improving your credit score isnât about quick fixes; itâs about building solid financial habits over time!
Check your credit score
You can get a free report through official sites like Equifax, Experian, and illion. It's quick, secure, and a smart step toward financial empowerment. Youâre entitled to a free copy of your credit report every 3 months. Check it for errors - like incorrect defaults - and dispute anything that looks suspicious.
And
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HIKING SOLO ACROSS ICELAND
A journey of trusting yourself one step at a timeâŠ
âThe privilege of a lifetime is being who you areâ â Joseph Campbell
When you head off by yourself, alone into the wilds; you really have to know the ins and outs of things on your own - your safety gear, your skills, your physical capacities, interpreting weather etc. There is not necessarily going to be anyone else around to help figure things out or come to the rescue. That is what embarking on a solo hike across Iceland was for me: a journey about self discovery, resilience, and an opportunity to nurture the most committed relationship we are entrusted with in this lifetime, ourselves.
Hannah Hokarari Social Ambassador for Snaffle.
Why walk alone you may wonder? Sure enough, lifeâs joys can be doubled when shared, and the sorrows halved, as they say. And while knowing that to be true, time spent in solitude can be incredibly valuable and necessary, for some more than others, perhaps. Everything is not for everyone, but for me, going solo was a time to remember, time to listen, and space to reimagine. It was a needed moment to distance myself from othersâ well-meaning opinions, ideas and beliefs, and tune into my own which I had become estranged from; my internal visions clouded by the noise of external voices. A chance to truly listen from within. To hear the calling and guidance that is always present, yet seldom heard. A willingness to ask myself the questions I so often look to others for in search of the answers.
Spending time in nature on human powered expeditions was something I was familiar with, and had done a lot of over the years, mostly recreationally with my partner Daniel, and working professionally as a guide. However, going solo for a month on foot would be a first.
As I journeyed multiples bus legs from the capital Reykjavik in the southwest to Myvatn my starting point in the north east I set the following intention for my trek: âMay the next three weeks on trail connecting with this majestic land of fire and ice be a time of deep listening to the currents, the calls, and the curiosities within. May I find what I am looking for. May each step be a communion with my heartâs desire, and with the bounty of natural wonders. May I bring joy, love, passion, and awe into each day, to dance with fascination for the fierce beauty surrounding me in softness. May the winds bring wisdom of the worlds known and unknown, may the waters wash the worries of the world from my feet, and flow freedom into my being. May the mountains remind me of the courage and strength born into the lineage of ancestors that have come before me. May the birds be a vital vista of reassurance to adjust and adapt my course as necessary. Nature always decides, and may I diligently follow that humbling path.â I honestly believe we are all capable of so much more than we think we are or dare to dream possible.
Often, we simply need a compatible environment to challenge and inspire, trusting support from near or afar, and compassionate curiosity within ourselves to breathe our full being into life.
Being a wild child at heart myself, continuously drawn to remote natural wonders of the world, Iceland truly is an adventurer's dream. Mountain peaks soaring up from lava fields, chilling glacial streams braiding the lowlands, silvery waterfalls cascading from the heavens at every turn, and a colour scape of magnificence for
your eyes to feast upon like never before. Exploring this dramatic and dynamic land of âfire and iceâ is seriously a full-time gig, especially in the summer with light around the clock to keep you engaged and awe inspired. Your day, or night for that matter, can delightfully start when you would like it to, weather permitting of course given you have all the waking hours that are possible to play with in our Earthly 24hr schedule. The things you can do when there is a willingness to and when there is no one else to rely on. It is up to you - to manage the time, the effort, the discipline, the energy.
As I commenced the hike, Thich Nhat Hanhâs words, âBecause you are alive, anything is possibleâ, resonated deeply. The gale force winds, and freezing temperatures tested my resolve but heading out in such conditions knowing I had the skills to do so felt empowering. Navigating through fog and drizzle, the landscape revealed stunning basalt canyons, and fog shrouded trails, making every step an adventure. Only a few hours into the trip I came across a fellow hiker, a mountaineering theologian who had explored this wild country inside and out over the last few decades. He offered invaluable advice and encouragement, reminding me to respect and learn from Icelands highlands. His words stayed with me, reinforcing the notion that the wilds demands both humility and confidence. Each step forward was not just a physical movement but a mental affirmation of my ability to face the unknown. As Iceland begun to reinforce time and time again; anything can be scary or fear inducing when we are not yet well acquainted with it. A reminder to question what it is we are afraid of and why, and then spend time with whatever the fear is. And then, with time, what was once feared becomes familiar and may even become befriended. It does not necessarily mean that we will then have no fear, but it will be more familiar and therefore something we learn to navigate with more confidence and clarity.
It is difficult to ask yourself difficult questions. Especially the questions whose answers you fear to hear. Am I being honest with myself? Am I always looking or hoping for something better?
I tried to follow the simple rule of if in doubt; ask the heart, be patient, wait with kindness. It is an ongoing process of learning to trust oneself to know when something is and is not right for you. Knowing you can only do the best you can with the knowledge you have in that moment, along with your present physical, mental, emotional, and energetic capacity. So, a gentle reminder to myself to ask questions without expectation of answers by any given time frame. Also, trying to ask the questions without expectations of a particular answer, otherwise you will not necessarily hear anything else.
Your ears will await the answer it desires and become deafened to anything else that presents itself. Be willing to ask. Be willing to wait. Be willing to be surprised. Because life is very surprising. People are endlessly unpredictable. And, the most magical moments of your life are too extraordinary to be planned, confined to a date, a time, a place. They often happen when you least expect it, blowing any and all expectations out of proportion and transcending ideals of perfection. So, endeavour to meet the moment with presence, patience, trust, and curiosity.
Being on your own naturally invites a deeper awareness of what is happening around you â not always from a hyper-vigilant way, but more from a point of necessary curiosity. For example - âAh, thereâs greenery, water must be near!â Or, âIf I keep the N wind on my right, I know I am heading W.â A flow of daily reminders to always trust that inkling of âitâs time to set up the tentâ, even when you feel the grass is greener, or dryer on the other side. You literally do not know, especially out here! One must be present and receptive to the offerings of the moment. Awakening to clear vistas and silence after days of wild winds was a real treat. The mountains and rocks, now unveiled, spoke of the need to trust the moment and the path as it reveals itself. The warmth of the Icelandic summer sun was also a welcome surprise. As the snow melted before my eyes, I took the time to appreciate this dynamic grand landscape. I loved how quickly things change out there, a more ever-present reminder of the impermanent nature of things â always changing, never constant â moments roll in and out, as do the storm clouds and sunshine that follows. This landscape was not like anything I had ever seen before⊠Horizons of gold, red, grey, and white all weaved together, with blooming of pinks and purples birthing life from the hardiest of soils beneath. You move swiftly, understanding the pace of weather change that can occur; then pause every now and again as you remember that you cannot predict what is coming anyhow. The wilds echoing; be present and patient with the reality upon you. For this very moment will never come again, for better or worse. Do not rush to a future that does not exist, the only guarantee is what you can see, feel, touch, hear NOW.
The adventure continued with a particularly memorable day navigating lava fields by sunlight and an exceptionally stunning climb of the Askja volcano come night. As the rest of camp cleaned their teeth and went to bed, I packed a hiking bag for the night and headed out. The trail was an Icelandic classic â a near vertical ascent of a sandy gravely path, of which there was no warning about. You must be the judge of your own ability, not someone else.
There are no signs about what to expect, no recommendations about oneâs ability needed to undergo said trail, nothing. It seems to be an outlook of make your own decision and know your own ability. Which I do feel is lacking today, as we sadly often look to others to decide what is right for us or not; to confirm or contest what we are capable of. But out here in Iceland, it is up to you and nature to work things out. It felt like I had the whole of Askja to myself that nightâ no sounds, just the silence of nature doing its extraordinary thing. Truly unbelievable vistas, dramatic beyond description â the shapes, the sizes, the angles, the colours, all extreme beauty that my eyes had not navigated before.
Listening to your heart is not as easy as it sounds, if by chance that is something that sounds quite natural, second nature perhaps. You know in your mind that your heart is beating, but to actually feel its rhythm and hear its call is another thing. And what an amazing organ the heart is â pumping O2 to our whole body, removing CO2 and waste. Working incessantly day and night to keep us alive. It connects us to the deepest joys, and sorrows of the human experience. It explodes with happiness, it pains with sadness, it trembles with fear. It is our guide, our mentor, our life support. Always there, humbly, and heart-fully at the ready. The heart knows before the head. It releases the butterflies of nerves and excitement, it quickens its pace when it senses danger near, and it softens into a distant drum of reassurance when all is well, and rest can be received. This precious heart, so humble in size, yet mighty in magnitude of messages rippling out, pulsing through the body. Author Sarah Wilson wrote once; in a certain culture their version of greeting is to ask one another âhow is your heart today?â. How beautiful and earnest is that.
It certainly was a daily question for me traversing the Icelandic wilds; followed by the challenge of trying to listen honestly to the replies. Which varied from prayers of peace, safety, joyful, and respectful journeys for people.
Reminders of presence, reminders to continue the path I am paving, and minimise the pivots. The wise voice of my yoga teacher back in India softly speaking to me from afar, with a heart fuelled reminder, âyou can do anything, you canât do everything!â.
A stormy night left me tent bound for two days, giving me time for introspection and gratitude. This period of enforced stillness allowed me to reflect deeply on my journey thus far, and the significance of each experience. Iceland and her wild ways, now becoming a dear friend of force, fun, fierceness, with an ever-humbling presence â making every step a challenging reward, and always worth the effort. Moving through glacial streams, surrounded by snow-streaked mountains, riddled with geothermal activity of steaming coloured rocks, acid white streams, sulphuric aromas, and the most delicate of blossoms and birdlife. Eventful snow stretches to test the trust and to remind myself to use my tools, trust myself, and the process. With the weather constantly keeping me on guard, one eye to the ground, one eye to the sky, little mantras of motivation such as âyouâre warm and dryâ, âyou know the routeâ, âyou can always stop and pitch camp if it all gets too hecticâ - proved very helpful along the way to keep trusting in my ability to make good decisions, especially when times get trying. These internal dialogues are small and subtle, almost background noise, until you begin to notice them. The heart guidance that keeps you safe and on your path; like a reliable compass always there to heed direction. Feeling more empowered with that in mind as each day went on, moving into the unknown, and out the other side, whatever the weather, knowing I have got this.
Waking up to a blanket of snow one morning, I set off with renewed determination. Each step was a celebration of trust and self-belief. Icelands extremes were a constant reminder of the impermanence of life. As the weather shifted from sun to snow and back again, I learnt to an adapt and find peace with the ever-changing conditions. The challenges of the trail from navigating tricky terrain to enduring the elements, taught me valuable lessons about persistence and adaptability. An example being that wild occasion when you are putting up your tent at 4am, having spent the whole day, night, and early morning exploring magical lands and skies. The sign did say no âovernighting,â which I decided I was not given it was technically daytime already, the sun had spoken. The calling of geese, the splashing of trout, the faint dancing of flies on the tent, all reminding you that warmth and sunshine had arrived. The colours of Iceland are truly of a palette simply indescribable; they dance, evolve, merge, and magnify as the day dials along. Every part of the landscape has its moment to shine, to take centre stage for the most majestical performance out there. Nature: LIVE, free viewing, stay as long as you need, be respectful of place and people, take only photos, leave only footprints, thank you. Enjoy!
As I neared the end of my journey, I reflected on the life lessons learned and the bountiful beauty witnessed; a cherishing of this precious time reconnecting with nature and myself. Icelandâs extreme existence reminds you of this daily â this moment is magic, it is happening now, take it all in; breathe, be, see, surrender, listen. If you forget, nature will remind you how. The journey was marked by moments of solitude and introspection, but also by brief meaningful interactions with fellow travellers and locals. These encounters added layers of richness to the experience, highlighting the balance between solitude and social connection. My emotions welling as all the magic of the past few weeks culminated, feeling how profoundly a place has touched you, and all that it has taught you. What was once foreign, now familiar. The lovely reoccurring lesson of time, patience, and persistence with anything that is new, scary, or unfamiliar will forever be etched into my being. Along with the reassuring reminder to take each step with care, curiosity, confidence, and courage along the path â trusting in the âknowingâ that you do not need to see the âend destinationâ â you simply make the next step, trusting that each step before has prepared you for the present, and so forth. Walk, and the path indeed will appear⊠Listen, and your heart will help you along the way. Welcome all the questions, the doubt, the fears, the curiosities, the callings known and unknown. Allow the expression of your being to flow freely from its source â sacred and seen. Hiking solo across Iceland was more than a physical journey for me; it was a profound exploration of self-trust and inner belief.
As I walked across the land of fire and ice, I discovered that the true adventure lies within. The journey reminded me that self-discovery is a continuous process, one that requires patience, kindness, resilience, and a
By Hannah Hokarari
Photos and Writing
STATE VS STATE . MATE VS MATE .
Series Wins STATE OF ORIGIN
26 - 17 QLD NSW
For 45 years, the annual State of Origin rugby league series between Queensland and New South Wales has aroused unheralded emotions, with club team mates often face to face under the cloak of state representation. Now on the eve of the 2025 series opener, with the shield once again in the balance, the series sits apart as one of Australia's most iconic and fiercely contested sporting events.
Reuben Cotter of the Maroons is tackled by Jake Trbojevic (L) and Reece Robson (R) of the Blues during Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium, 17/07/24. © AAP Image/Darren England
The origins of Origin
From humble beginnings to a multi-million-dollar event that captivates the rugby league world, the State of Origin series has become a symbol of pride, passion and the unique cultural identities of Queensland and New South Wales.
Prior to 1980, interstate rugby league eligibility was based on club location. Affluent NSW clubs buoyed by poker machine profits, regularly contracted the best players from Queensland which resulted in these players often playing against their home state in very one-sided matches. By the late 1970âs however, a revolutionary change was brewing, led by visionary figures such as Senator Ron McAuliffe who proposed the idea of a new competition that would truly harness the rivalry between Queensland and New South Wales.
The concept was simple: players would represent their state of origin, regardless of where they played their club football. The idea gained traction, and in July 1980, the first State of Origin match was played at Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium) where Queensland, led by rugby league immortal Artie Beetson, stunned the highly rated New South Wales with a 20-10 victory. The match had been billed by the media as nothing more that an exhibition match but when a fight broke out involving regular club teammates facing off against each other, it captured the imagination of rugby league fans across the nation and ignited a passion that set the tone for the future.
Legends were born
The early days of Origin cannot be recounted without its central figure, Wally Lewis, known as âThe King.â Wally, supported by future legends such as Gene Miles and Mal Meninga, became the face of Queenslandâs dominance in the early years and is regarded as arguably the greatest player in Origin history. Today, the annual Player of the Series medal bears his name.
The 1980âs were not kind to the NSW Blues with many pundits suggesting that they lacked the passion of the QLD Maroons who won the first 3 official series and 3 more to close out the decade. But finally in 1985, the Blues under the gritty captaincy of Steve Mortimer delivered a series win which they backed up in 1986, setting the tone for the fierce rivalry that exists today. So intense were the battles played out at Lang Park in those years that it earned the title âthe Cauldron.â
The 1990âs⊠and that chant
While those early years of State of Origin are typified by Queensland rise to prominence, the 1990âs saw a reverse in fortunes, with the Blues capturing 6 series wins in the decade, driven by a new sense of state pride. NSW players such as Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler and later Andrew Johns wrote their own Origin stories⊠while Queenslandâs Billy Moore, looking for an edge that would bond his team in battle, created the now famous âQueenslanderâ chant which upset the Blues so intensely, that hearing it on the field later became a trigger to start a fight.
"Itâs a Miracle!"
The 1990âs did however offer up one of the most iconic moments in Queenslandâs State of Origin history - and one that encapsulates the unpredictability and drama that make State of Origin so special - when Mark Coyne, on the end of a 10 pass sequence, scored an unforgettable try in the final minute of Game II, 1994 to clinch victory. A try that would go down as the greatest in Origin history and one that the Voice of Origin, Ray âRabbsâ Warren iconically described as âA Miracle.â For many fans, Rabbsâ commentary became an inseparable part of the Origin experience.
The Dynasty
While the 2000âs started in much the same way as the 90âs, with another 3-peat of wins by the dominant NSW Blues on the back of spectacular performances by future immortal Andrew âJoeyâ Johns, 2006 saw a turn in the tide as a new batch of Maroon hopefuls began a dynasty, the likes of which had never been seen. This golden era from 2006 to 2017 saw Qld win 11 of the 12 series contested. Led by captain Darren Lockyer and later Cameron Smith, the Maroons enjoyed an unprecedented period of dominance built on a foundation of brilliant individual performances from players like Lockyer, Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater. The Queensland teamâs cohesion and mental toughness during this period are often cited as key factors in their success, with their ability to perform under pressure becoming legendary.
For New South Wales fans, the dominance of Queensland during these years was both painful and inspiring. Despite the best efforts of players like Paul Gallen, Mitchell Pearce and Steve Menzies, New South Wales struggled to find the formula to break Queenslandâs stranglehold on the series.
National interest
While traditionally the State of Origin matches have been played in Queensland and New South Wales, the NRL has in recent years, experimented with taking the series to other state capitals including Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth as part of an effort to grow the gameâs national audience and tap into the passionate rugby league fanbases in other parts of Australia.
This strategic expansion of the Origin concept now includes the Womenâs State of Origin. The single annual interstate challenge match which had been played since 1999 was re-branded as State of Origin in 2019 and in 2024 grew to a best of 3 series to match their male counterparts.
From a concept 45 years ago to the reality of todayâs spectacle, State of Origin has become more than just a rugby league series. It is a cultural institution known across the rugby league world as the gameâs toughest.
The NSW Blues celebrate winning State of Origin 2024 by 2 games to 1, after Game 3 at Suncorp Stadium, 17/07/24. © AAP Image/Darren England
THE RISE (AND FALL?) OF TIKTOK: THE RISE (AND FALL?) OF TIKTOK: THE RISE (AND FALL?) OF TIKTOK: Cultural powerhouse and virtual marketplace
TikTokâs rise from a niched lip-syncing app, to one of the most downloaded digital platforms in the world has caught everyoneâs attention - for a good reason. With almost 2 billion active users globally, including more than 8 million in Australia, TikTok has become a cultural phenomenon reshaping what we have previously known social media to be, offering endless opportunities for brands and businesses just as much as the average user. But with such rapid growth and immense influence, the platform has also faced its share of scrutiny. As TikTok becomes an integral part of our daily lives, itâs crucial to examine the forces that have propelled its success, the challenges that accompany it and the ongoing debate surrounding its uncertain future.
TikTokâs origins can be traced back to 2016 when the Chinese tech company ByteDance launched a platform called Douyin for the Chinese market. Douyin was designed as a short-video app where users could create and share 15-second videos, often set to popular music. It became an instant hit in China, with millions of subscribers. ByteDance, founded by Zhang Yiming in 2012, recognised the potential of short, shareable videos and capitalised on the growing smartphone market. In 2017, ByteDance acquired the lip-syncing app Musical.ly, which had gained significant traction in the U.S. and other Western markets and about a year later ByteDance merged Musical.ly with Douyin. The result was the birth of TikTok as we know it today. The number of app users quickly grew beyond its Chinese origins, first to the U.S. and Europe and later to Australia and other markets around the world. Today, TikTok is valued at over USD $100B, more than double the USD $44B that Elon Musk paid for Twitter in 2022.
The algorithmâs ability to quickly propel a video to viral status has given rise to a new form of celebrity and made TikTok a platform where ordinary users can achieve extraordinary levels of fame overnight and brands can experience exponential growth in reach, which remains unmatched by any other platform.
But in recent years TikTok has also emerged as a keyplayer in e-commerce. No other platform has managed to combine entertainment and shopping in such a seamless way, creating a bustling and interactive marketplace within a social framework. TikTok has created its own unique niche of âsocial commerceâ in which brands and business are tapping into a highly engaged community through viral trends, giving the consumers an immersive shopping experience. Research reveals that 74% of Gen Z turn to TikTok for product searches. As a result, 55% of TikTok users discover new brands through the platform, and
Recognising TikTokâs potential, a new wave of marketing agencies has emerged, specialising in platform-specific content creation. Among them is Oysterly, one of Asiaâs fastest-growing social video agencies, founded in 2022 by Melissa Laurie. The company specialises in owned user-generated content (UGC), influencer loyalty campaigns and employee-generated content (EGC) for some of the worldâs biggest brands.
âThereâs been a clear shift towards creator-led content, as consumers now crave real, authentic social videos from brands. If your video looks like a traditional ad, your audience will scroll past. Thereâs an art and science to what we do," says Melissa.
Despite its immense popularity, TikTok has sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding national security. The primary concern is that the Chinese government could access user data and influence content, given that TikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. While security is the primary concern, U.S. lawmakers have also raised issues about the appâs addictiveness, the spread of misinformation, its impact on mental health, and the vast amount of user data it collects. In response to similar concerns, countries such as Afghanistan, India and Iran have fully banned the app, while others have imposed partial restrictions. In the U.S. a 2024 bill labelled the app, along with others owned by ByteDance, a âForeign Adversary Controlled Applicationâ. Under this bill, signed by former President Biden, ByteDance was given 9 months to sell TikTok to a company based in the U.S. or an allied country, or face a full U.S. ban, jeopardising its 170 million American users.
In response, TikTok has stated that it does not sell user data and has implemented several measures to address global concerns.
However, ByteDance did not sell TikTok and in January 2025, the app was banned for all American users and removed from app stores and websites. Creators and businesses raged, with many users migrating to RedNote, a similar Chinese-owned platform, partly out of necessity and partly in protest of the ban. That said, only after around 12 hours, President Donald Trump - who had previously supported the ban - signed an executive order that extended ByteDanceâs deadline to sell by 75 days and enabled TikTok's operation in the country, with another 75-day extension granted on April 4th, 2025.
While petitions and protests to keep TikTok accessible continue across the U.S., the threat of a ban remains imminent - posing serious implications for global brands and content creators who rely on the platform for visibility, engagement and revenue. But even if ByteDance agrees to sell, other challenges may arise. For example, a new owner could introduce functional changes that drive users to alternative platforms, as seen when the ban took effect, even if the app remains available.
In Australia, the government recently passed groundbreaking legislation banning anyone under the age of 16 from accessing TikTok, as well as other social media platforms including Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. The law, aimed at protecting the mental health and wellbeing of children and teenagers, was passed in late 2024 but is not expected to take effect until the end of 2025 to allow time for platforms to comply. The ban has sparked mixed reactions - some argue that social media provides no health benefits for young people, while others warn it could lead to a loss of connection and inclusivity.
The TikTok saga is far from over, and the future of the app remains uncertain. However, with 170 million American users, it's safe to say that a U.S. ban would drastically reshape TikTok as we know it today, impacting both businesses and consumers worldwide.
TIED TO PURPOSE Amy Parmenterâs colourful impact on and off the court
When the Melbourne Mavericks, led by Amy Parmenter, burst into Suncorp Super Netball in 2024, they wasted no time making waves. Now, as the MAVS return for their second season, all eyes are once again on Amy - whose influence
A charity founder and 2025 NSW Young Australian of the Year nominee, Amyâs impact is felt both in her sport and in her community. SoWot caught up with her to explore the woman behind the athlete; her charity The Tie Dye Project; and the driving force behind her mission to make a difference.
At 27, Amy Parmenter has already reached major milestones in her netball career that many athletes spend their lifetime dreaming about. In 2019 she was offered her first professional contract. Just 3 years later, she was selected for the Australian Diamonds and made her debut against the Silver Ferns in Auckland â something she describes as an unforgettable moment in her career.
But her passion for netball had been sparked long before that.
âI began my netball journey playing for Randwick Rugby on Saturday mornings at Heffron Park with my school friends. Some of my favourite memories come from those early days. I first represented Randwick Netball Association (RNA) in the Under 14s rep side at the State Age Championships, which was where my passion for competitive netball really took off,â she says.
In 2019 Amy made her pro debut in Suncorp Super Netball (SSN). The same year, she received the Rising Star Award for her outstanding on-court achievements. After 5 years and over 70 games, she parted ways with her team and made the move south to take on a new challenge â captaining the newly formed Melbourne Mavericks.
âIâm incredibly proud to be part of building something from the ground up.â
But netball is only a part of Amyâs story. In the summer of 2017, Amy and her sister decided to revive their motherâs love for Tie-dye craft after losing her to cancer in 2013. What started as a summer project in memory of their mum, soon became something much bigger. In 2018, during a visit to the Sydney Childrenâs Hospital Radiothon, Amy met 12-year-old Molly Croft, a fellow netball lover bravely battling high-grade osteosarcoma.
âAfter I met Molly â who was wearing a rainbow cast at the time â something clicked and I knew that I wanted to use tie-dye to help fight cancer, and because she understood what it was like to deal with it, I asked her if she wanted to do it with me,â Amy recalls.
Molly joined forces with Amy to co-found The Tie Dye Project as a grassroots fundraising initiative. Molly, a two-time osteosarcoma survivor, embodies resilience and optimism, which, alongside Amyâs passion for making a positive impact, have become a driving force behind the organisation and a source of inspiration for many. Eight years on, with the support of hundreds of volunteers, The Tie Dye Project has grown into a powerful not-for-profit, raising over AU$1 million to fund clinical trials, research, and critical support for those affected by sarcoma.
âMolly showed me that playing netball at the highest level is about way more than just winning games and getting paid to do the sport that you love - it's also about having a really positive impact on the next generation and using a platform to make a difference where you can. Itâs definitely defined my whole purpose as a netball player and as an athlete,â Amy says.
She looks forward to the future for the Tie Dye Project and growing the organisation into new formats, increasing events as well as launching new merch to help grow the impact and support new projects, research and clinical trials.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are charging through their second Suncorp Super Netball season. With a solid first year behind them, Amy is feeling optimistic about the road ahead.
âThe support we get around our initiatives off the court and help in raising awareness for the things were passionate about away from netball is so cool,â she says. "The Mavericks partnerships play a huge role in both supporting the Tie Dye project and the team.â
That sense of support is felt most on home games, where the energy is undeniable, due largely to the roar of passionate fans and the buzz created by the Snaffle Squad, the Mavericks' popular on-court dance team. Every match feels like a celebration of sport, community, and purpose.
From leading the Mavericks to lighting up the community with tie-dye in rainbow colours, Amy Parmenter is proving sheâs not just playing the game, sheâs changing it.
To learn more about the Tie Dye community and its projects or to support and donate, please visit tiedyeproject.com
FAKE NEWS!
As long as people have been making things, people have been faking things. So how do you prove something is what people say it is? New technology might have the answer.
On 19 February, 2025, authorities in Italy uncovered a forgery operation and confiscated 70 fraudulent works of art attributed to the likes of Picasso and Rembrandt*. In the art world this was just a drop in the ocean. In his book False Impressions: The Hunt for Big Time Art Fakes, former Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art estimated that 40% of the works he examined during his tenure were fake.
Meanwhile in China in January 2024, authorities raided an illegal factory churning out fake wine by the thousands of bottles by filling them with cheap bulk white wine and adding counterfeit labels and caps**. Australian Wine and Whisky Fraud / Authentication expert Scott Evers estimates that 20% of all wine and 30% of all whisky is counterfeit.
Over to France and in 2022 a raid by customs seized enough fake Louis Vuitton fabric to cover 54 tennis courts. Some estimates suggest that 10% of all branded goods sold may be counterfeit.***
We could go on, dipping in to the world of signed memorabilia, clothing and even aircraft parts (scarily, you read that correctly.) The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the trade in counterfeit goods could reach USD1.89 trillion by 2030, while the International Chamber of Commerce has the number much higher; already suggesting itâs USD4.2 trillion by 2023.
Given the size of the problem, provenance becomes a global challenge and opportunity. But the challenge for any industry wanting to attack the issue is that there are few universal solutions, and the industry specific ones tend to involve a high level of expert knowledge, explaining why the role of âauthentication expertâ exists in the first place.
As Evers references, for wine it involves: âLighting, magnification, measuring, cutting, cleaning, photography, and a deep knowledge of wine, producers, packaging, technologies/changes, classification systems, food and beverage laws in respective countries, forensic techniques etcâ. The fact he had to train for years sums up the issue.
Certificates of authenticity have traditionally played a role in provenance, depending on the industry involved. But in the modern world, these are relatively straightforward to copy anyway. More technical solutions have been offered up such as digital watermarks, microdots, QR codes or smart labels. These have offered varying levels of success but no universal adoption. Holograms or QR codes are easily copied and have high error rates, which integrated solutions like RFID or NFC chips have short lifespans and are hackable.
So where does the answer lie for this multi-trilliondollar problem? One solution may lie by looking to courts of law, where provenance is clearly critical; in particular when it comes to identifying people accused of crimes. Since the 1980s, DNA profiling has been used in criminal cases to identify people. What if âthingsâ could have their own DNA? It may sound far-fetched, but a recent craze indicated how this might be possible.
Remember NFTs? For about five minutes there, they were big news and the latest darling of speculative investors. NFT stands for non-fungible token and is a unique digital identifier used to certify ownership and authenticity. NFT trading in 2020 was worth USD82 million. By 2021 it was USD17 billion. In 2022 the market collapsed. A simplistic view of the craze would say that while NFT might have solved the problem of authenticity, they werenât attached to anything of any value.
Who wants to âownâ a piece of digital art that anyone can view or copy? But what if you could take the authenticity benefits of NFTs and apply them to physical objects? Thatâs what one US-based company is working on to create a verifiable world whereby physical objects can have immutable identity with molecular NFTs based on synthetic DNA. Or, as its Australian arm Indelible calls it: DNA for things.
If that last paragraph made as much sense as some of the highbrow art that it intends to protect, let us explain a bit further. It is possible to create molecules of synthetic DNA that contain data that is unique to that molecule. The molecules can then be added to physical objects, either by coating the object or even inserting them into the object.
One example of how this can be used is for signed merchandise. The clever types at Iridia can take the ink out of a pen, add the data encoding DNA molecules and put it back in. Anything that is signed by that pen can be sampled and âreadâ. The data in the molecules can be compared to a database to ensure that the object is legit. Thatâs just one use case, but the technology is applicable to anything. It means every inanimate object can be a data storage device. And if it can store data, it can store its origin story.
Iridia is already working with companies in the sports memorabilia and luxury whisky space among others as it hones its product. Iridia President and CEO, Murali Prahalad says âconsumers, companies and governments all want to trust that the objects or materials they purchase are authentic and will perform as promised.
This is true regardless of whether its signed memorabilia, medicines or military hardware. For the first time in history, objects and materials can carry information in molecular form about themselves, their origins and chain of custody. We can now enable a verifiable world where legitimate celebrities, craftspeople and manufacturers can get rewarded for their hard work, and customers can have confidence in what they are buying.â
So while the burden of proof weighs heavily on many industries as they battle the counterfeiters, technology may be coming to the rescue in a way that could counter the counterfeiters for good.
*bbc.com/culture/article/20250311-rembrandt-to-picasso-fiveways-to-spot-a-fake-masterpiece
**vino-joy.com/2025/03/31/shanghai-police-bust-white-winecounterfeit-ring-amid-rising-demand/
***theguardian.com/fashion/2022/may/10/spot-the-difference-theinvincible-business-of-counterfeit-goods
FOOD ON THE TABLE
Food on the Table is a 100% not-for-profit organisation committed to ensuring that all South Australians experiencing food insecurity have access to free, nutritious meals. We support a wide range of community members, including those experiencing homelessness, domestic and family violence, youth at risk, Aboriginal communities, and others facing hunger.
Our Story
Food on the Table began in 2017 when the owners of a small café on Whitmore Square saw a growing need in their local community. Driven by a desire to make a difference, they transformed their café into a social enterprise, reinvesting profits to support those doing it tough.
By 2019, CafĂ© Outside the Square had become a recognised hub for social good, offering a soup kitchen, community function space, and launching the nowannual Soup & Sleep fundraiser in 2021. In 2025, our mission continues to growâwe now support thousands of individuals and families across South Australia every year.
Our Mission & Vision
Each year, we provide over 135,000 nutritious, readymade meals to people in need. But our impact goes far beyond food. We help improve health outcomes, support childhood development and education, and build stronger, more connected communities.
At Food on the Table, we believe access to fresh, healthy food is a basic human right. By working together, we can break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change. Since our beginnings, weâve built strong partnerships with local suppliers, community groups, and likeminded organisations to extend our reach and deepen our impact. We aim to be a model for food support programs across the countryâchanging lives, one meal at a time.
A Message from our CEO
âOur mission thrives on the generosity of the local communityâschools, corporate supporters, and most importantly, our incredible volunteers. Without them, we simply couldnât do what we do. They are our heart and our lifeline.â
- Rikki Cooke, CEO
GET INVOLVED
Weâre always looking for passionate people to join us in the kitchen, deliver meals, or help raise funds. Volunteers are welcome Monday to Friday, with shifts from 9:30â12:00pm and 12:30â3:00pm. To volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@foodonthetable.org.au.
Interested in donating, fundraising, attending an event, or becoming a partner or sponsor? Get in touch at hello@foodonthetable.org.au or call 0434 706 332. Together, we can ensure no one is left without food on the table.
Pictured here are Kevin (Chairman of the Board), Michelle (Event and Communications Manager), Kirsty (CEO), and Timmy (Project Manager) after volunteering at Food on the Table. Together, they rolled up their sleeves to help prepare and serve meals, demonstrating the heart and hands on spirit behind the Aspire42 Foundation.