The Magic of Connection & Community by Sue Shaw

Creating safe, supportive and happy environments for people to connect, share, and thrive has always been a cornerstone of what I do, and I didn’t fully realise it until I started writing this column.

That sense of wanting people to feel welcome and comfortable has been within me since I was a child. My mum would often recall a memory of seeing me take any newcomers to the class under my wing and introducing them to everyone.

This trait continued throughout my adult life and in my corporate roles. As Staff Services Officer at SGIC, it was my job to increase staff morale. This involved managing the staff social club and planning events that catered for everyone. I also wrote the staff newsletter to keep people connected.

I was later promoted to Media Liaison Officer, creating media launches, writing media releases and speech notes for managers, and getting publicity for our products.

After 13 years at SGIC, I joined the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) as their National Campaign Director, organising fund-raising events throughout regional SA, as well as the Wilpena Under the Stars event in the Flinders Ranges and the Wings for Life Ball.

I loved my job because it connected me with caring, considerate, and generous people in the community who supported the RFDS in every way. It felt good to be around people who wanted to do good.

After starting my own event management business 27 years ago, I’m still evolving, growing, learning and adapting.

It’s changed over the years from corporate event management to wedding planning to a wellbeing sanctuary, to starting the Enlighten Adelaide Festival, SA’s “feel good” festival, which ran for 13 years, then the Enlighten Tribe community and Enlighten Tribe Convoy events!

I’ve gone full circle and last year opened the Collective Soul Centre – SA’s home of healing in Royal Park, SA. This beautiful homestead was lovingly transformed into a wellbeing centre and is home to a collective of professional wellbeing practitioners offering something truly unique that supports everyone on their healing journey to self-actualisation and love.

The intention of this collective space is for you to feel like you have come home. It’s a safe space to connect, learn, heal, share, and grow.

Sue Shaw Wellbeing is my other business that offers a range of wellbeing treatments in my beautiful space at the Centre, the Emerald Room. I also run a number of events in our Temple Space, including monthly Sacred Cacao Ceremonies.

It’s been a colourful life, and there have been lots of other things occur in between, including marriages, divorces, a son, and massive learning that I bring into everything I do.

In a nutshell, I’m living my life on purpose, with joy and gratitude, and in service for unity consciousness.

It’s an absolute pleasure to connect with you all on this community platform that Vanessa Finnigan has lovingly built.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Collective Soul Centre soon, and you’ll get to meet some of our wonderful practitioners in the coming months.

With blessings.

Sue Shaw
Sue Shaw Wellbeing & the Collective Soul Centre
1/1202-1208 Old Port Road, Royal Park, SA
www.collectivesoulcentre.com.au
www.sueshaw.com.au