About the Guest
Gillian Wells is an accomplished English author who has made Victoria, Australia her home for the past 31 years. Living with her beloved cattle dog Jess, Gillian has established herself as a distinctive voice in Australian literature, particularly known for her compelling stories set in the outback.

Gillian's path to becoming an author is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Though she dreamed of writing since childhood—boldly telling her father as a teenager that she would become an author—life intervened, and that dream was put on hold. It wasn't until after her children had grown and she found herself with more time that she finally sat down to write.
Her writing career began with children's books inspired by her grandchildren: the Bub and Tub series (volumes 1 and 2) and Boots and Scoots—stories she originally told to her grandchildren before committing them to paper. From there, she transitioned to adult fiction, and in just ten years has written an impressive 20 books (with more in the pipeline).

Gillian's work has received significant recognition in the Australian literary community. Her novel Alone was nominated for the prestigious 2021 Miles Franklin Award, followed by her sequel Consequences earning a nomination for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award. When asked about these nominations, Gillian was characteristically humble, admitting she was "completely blown away" and initially wondered if it was a mistake. She expressed being thrilled simply to be nominated alongside renowned writers like Tim Winton, never expecting to win but honored to be part of that conversation.

Gillian's rich life experience deeply informs her writing. Before becoming an author, she worked as a milliner, trained horses, performed as a concerto singer, and farmed in England. This diverse background, combined with decades of observation and her fascination with people and relationships, gives her work an authenticity that resonates with readers.
Despite being English, Gillian has captured the Australian outback with such accuracy that during her book tour for Alone through Queensland libraries, every reader told her she had "nailed it"—a compliment she treasures. She feels genuinely at home in the outback and in wild, isolated places, which comes through powerfully in her writing.

Advice to Aspiring Writers
When asked about her advice for new writers, Gillian keeps it simple: "If there's a story within you, then you need to sit down and write it." She encourages practicing and drafting until it's right, emphasizing that writing must come from within—from the heart. As she puts it, "practice makes perfect. The more you write, the better you'll get."

For more information about Gillian Wells and her complete catalogue of books, visit https://gillianwellsauthor.com.au/

Listen to the full inaugural episode of Launch Spotlight Podcast to hear Gillian's warm, engaging conversation with host Eddie about her journey, her craft, and the stories that drive her to keep writing.

Jessica Cane knew from primary school she wanted to be an accountant. She studied full-time at Deakin University while working full-time at a local practice, demonstrating remarkable drive and ambition. However, her first role at a traditional accounting firm nearly ended her career before it began. As a young woman seeking career progression, she found herself in an environment where advancement seemed impossible. Discouraged, she told her parents she was considering leaving accounting altogether.

Her mother's advice changed everything: try six other places first. Within days, Jessica had a new job at a modern, people-focused practice. This was "modern accounting" - strategic thinking, forward planning, and genuine client connection. After just eighteen months, the partners offered to sell the practice to just two staff members. At only 26 years old, Jessica was one of them. Despite the daunting debt and responsibility, she took the leap.

Fifteen years later, Accounting Solutions Victoria thrives on Jessica's unwavering focus on people and culture. Her philosophy is simple: you can teach technical skills, but you cannot change someone's attitude. The practice operates on making complex financial matters simple, ensuring every client understands their situation completely. As an SMSF specialist, Jessica navigates Centrelink and aged care complexities, holding clients' retirement dreams in her hands.

The practice has grown entirely through word-of-mouth referrals, serving clients across Australia including Queensland, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. Jessica maintains a strong preference for face-to-face meetings, believing personal connection is irreplaceable. She and her team actively support local sports clubs and schools, embodying her belief that in small regional communities, everyone needs to do their bit.

Jessica is honest about the challenges - the early years were brutal, filled with long hours and constant worry. Her survival strategies include reframing her mindset (from "I have to" to "I GET to"), finding trusted mentors, and sleeping on difficult decisions. Her family remains her biggest support network.

Staffing remains the biggest regional challenge, especially after the local RMIT accounting program closed. Jessica addresses this by hiring young people and supporting them through their studies while they work, creating deeply invested team members. Despite challenges, she loves the regional lifestyle - stunning natural beauty, close-knit community connections, and genuine client relationships.

Her advice to aspiring business owners: "You are more capable and stronger than you think, and you can handle anything that's thrown your way." Find somebody you can trust to talk through challenges - verbalizing problems provides relief and clarity.

Today, Accounting Solutions Victoria stands as testament to what's possible when you combine professional expertise with genuine human connection, prioritize people over profits, and stay deeply rooted in community.

Contact: accountingsolutionsvictoria.com.au | McLeod Street, Bairnsdale | Contact Susan for community support inquiries

Ian Pearson - Pier 70 Bar and Restaurant

In this episode of Launch Spotlight, host Eddie the Chef sits down with Ian Pearson, co-owner and driving force behind Pier 70 Bar and Restaurant, one of Paynesville's most beloved waterfront dining destinations.

From Europe to East Gippsland

Ian's hospitality journey spans continents—from kitchens in the UK, France, Greece, and Italy to Melbourne's vibrant café culture in the 1990s, before settling in the Gippsland Lakes region. His story is one of passion, perseverance, and creating authentic experiences in a stunning lakeside setting.

Surviving and Thriving Through Adversity

Pier 70's journey hasn't been easy. Opening just before the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, followed immediately by COVID-19, Ian and his business partners George and Rod faced extraordinary challenges. Yet through community support, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to quality, they've built a thriving restaurant that's become a regional icon.

The Philosophy: Simple, Seasonal, European

Ian brings a distinctly European approach to dining: exceptional local ingredients, simply prepared, in a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. "What grows together goes together" isn't just a saying—it's the foundation of Pier 70's menu, which celebrates Gippsland's incredible produce from suppliers like Forge Creek Lamb and local seafood.

Hospitality First

"I want them to feel welcome. That's it—hospitality," Ian emphasizes. This philosophy permeates everything at Pier 70, from the moment guests arrive on the Esplanade to their last sip of expertly crafted cocktails while watching boats drift past.

Building a Team, Creating Careers

One of Ian's proudest achievements is nurturing young local talent. Staff members often start at 14 or 15 and grow with the business, many returning even after moving on. This stability and culture of development has created a team that embodies Pier 70's values.

Staying in Your Lane

Ian's advice to aspiring restaurateurs? "Stay in your lane." Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, Pier 70 focuses on what they do exceptionally well: quality seasonal dining, stunning location, genuine hospitality, and creating memorable experiences—whether it's an intimate dinner, waterside cocktails, or a special celebration.

Looking Ahead

While maintaining their core identity, Ian sees opportunities in expanding functions and events, particularly during quieter seasons, and potentially taking their catering expertise to new venues across the region.

The Pier 70 Experience

Located at 70 The Esplanade in Paynesville, Pier 70 offers fresh Gippsland produce, an extensive wine list featuring local and international selections, innovative cocktails by award-worthy mixologist Matt, and arguably one of Victoria's best restaurant locations overlooking the water.

Visit: pier70.com.au | Book: Online or call for reservations

In this episode, host Eddie the Chef sits down with Chef Josh Thomas, the creative force behind East Handy Store—an intimate 20-seat degustation experience housed in a beautifully restored 1923 Art Deco milk bar in East Bairnsdale.

Josh's culinary journey reads like an adventure novel. As a teenager, he was dragged through France on cheese-making tours by his uncle, pioneering Australian cheesemaker Richard Thomas. He worked as a private butler in Irish stately homes, trained alongside legendary chefs from Movida and Key in Dinner Plain, and threw acclaimed Spanish-style feasts at his family's Tambo Upper property before discovering the abandoned corner store that would become his life's work.

Where others saw only possum droppings and banana-shaped walls, Josh saw potential. Despite 14 months of VCAT delays and multiple financial setbacks, he transformed what locals called "the Bronx of Bairnsdale" into a destination where diners gather around a courtyard fire before moving inside for a chef-curated journey through East Gippsland's finest produce—all prepared using traditional fermentation techniques including house-made sourdough, cultured butter, and cured meats.

Josh shares the philosophy behind his "fine dining meets fun dining" approach, why he chose a neighbourhood with a rough reputation, and how creating emotional connections matters more than any menu. With reviews comparing East Handy Store to Melbourne's best, this is the story of vision, community, and the belief that a corner store can once again become the beating heart of a neighbourhood.

Book your experience: easthandystore.com | bookings@easthandystore.com

In this captivating episode of Launch Spotlight, host Eddie the Chef sits down with Jamie Savory, the dynamic founder of Gippsland Financial Solutions, to explore an entrepreneurial journey that's redefining what's possible in regional Australian finance. What began as a modest dream of working three days a week has evolved into one of Victoria's fastest-growing mortgage broking firms, now employing 16 professionals and challenging the notion that meaningful careers require metropolitan life.

After 11 years with Commonwealth Bank, Jamie faced a breaking point in 2014. The banking industry was shifting toward impersonal digital service, pushing customers to ATMs and online platforms for life-changing financial decisions. Regional clients wanted face-to-face interaction—they wanted someone they could trust. When she quit on Thursday, the bank simply said to drop off her keys Friday. No thanks, no acknowledgment. The abruptness validated what she knew: it was time to build something different.

Jamie's initial vision was refreshingly modest—help some clients, contribute to household income. But life had other plans. She fell pregnant, had her third baby three months premature, and found herself bringing him in a car capsule to client meetings. That three-day-a-week dream lasted six months. The volume of clients following her from Commonwealth Bank was overwhelming, and within a year she was working full-time with three young children. Her biggest lesson? "If I had my time again, I would have put staff on sooner."

Operating in regional Victoria presents unique advantages. Since COVID, 26 branches have closed across Gippsland, leaving a void Gippsland Financial Solutions fills perfectly. "We still see 65% of our clients face-to-face," Jamie emphasizes—a statistic that distinguishes her business in an increasingly digital world. The remaining 35% get personalized phone service from real humans in Bairnsdale, Traralgon, or Warragul—never an overseas call center.

Perhaps most distinctive is Jamie's commitment to creating career opportunities for women in regional areas. Of 16 employees, 15 are women—including brokers, support staff, and her husband who quit his chef career to support the business. "I'm super passionate about giving working mums the opportunity to have a career in a regional location," she states. She provides flexibility mothers need—working from home when kids are sick, adjusting for school commitments, understanding that family doesn't disappear during business hours.

This attracts skepticism. "I always get, 'Have you ever tried to employ men?'" she says, frustrated by the double standard. But her philosophy isn't about exclusion—it's about breaking the myth that ambitious women must leave Gippsland to build substantial careers.

Jamie's expansion strategy defies convention—she doesn't select locations first. "It's all about finding the right people," she emphasizes. When she finds brokers with the right work ethic and shared values, she builds around them. A fourth office is opening because someone reached out wanting to join the team.

Looking ahead, Jamie envisions expanding toward a one-stop property transaction shop. But her deeper legacy transcends metrics: "I just hope I can provide financial freedom for all my staff to be a mum plus work, have career and social connections in a regional area."

Her journey proves you don't need Melbourne to build substantial careers. Regional Australia offers abundant opportunity for those serving communities with excellence, empathy, and unwavering commitment to people.

Visit www.gippsfinance.com.au to experience the difference—real humans ready to help navigate your financial future with integrity, expertise, and genuine care.

A Mother's Love Becomes a Thriving Business

What begins as a mother's desperate search to help her son becomes one of East Gippsland's most beloved artisan businesses. In a recent episode of Launch Spotlight, host Eddie the Chef sat down with Bianca Workman, founder of Nicholson River Soaps, to explore her remarkable 15-year journey from kitchen experiments to running a thriving regional enterprise that's making waves across Australia.

The Catalyst: A Son's Diagnosis and a Mother's Determination

In 2010, Bianca faced a challenge that would change her life's trajectory. Her son Cooper had been diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome and was suffering from severe eczema on his legs and arms. Traditional products weren't providing relief, so Bianca turned to research, diving deep into natural remedies that might help soothe her son's inflamed skin.

What she discovered was that goat milk soap, with its pH level remarkably close to human skin, offered exceptional soothing properties. Without any formal training or courses, Bianca taught herself the craft through internet research and YouTube videos. "There was lots and lots of mistakes," she admits with characteristic honesty, describing the trial-and-error process that would eventually lead to her signature products.

The results were transformative. Cooper's inflammation began to subside, and the soap that started as a home remedy became something friends and family couldn't get enough of. Their encouragement planted a seed: perhaps this could become more than just a home solution.

The Power of Authenticity in Regional Business

When asked about running a handmade soap business in regional Victoria versus a metropolitan area, Bianca believes there's something special about the regional mindset. "People down here are more accepting of handmade products," she notes. Country people appreciate the craftsmanship, the natural ingredients, and the story behind the soap – it's "something different" that resonates with regional values.

The Human Element: Cooper's Story and Community Connection

Bianca remains comfortable sharing Cooper's story and its role in the business's origin. The diagnosis that led her to soap-making also revealed that her two eldest children carry Fragile X Syndrome as well, opening a "big Pandora's box" as the genetic condition's hereditary nature came to light.

Rather than hiding this personal journey, Bianca embraces it as part of the business's authentic narrative. "Telling people about it just opens up a whole new sort of avenue for them," she explains. Customers connect not just with the product, but with the genuine human story behind it.

Advice from the Heart

For aspiring regional entrepreneurs, Bianca's advice is refreshingly simple: "Be yourself. A hundred percent. Just be yourself. Just go out there and just do it."

Her final counsel emphasizes research and market knowledge, but her own success story proves that passion, authenticity, and persistence can sometimes matter more than perfect planning.

Experience Nicholson River Soaps

Located at 174 Main Street, Bairnsdale (next door to Toy World), Nicholson River Soaps invites customers to experience an "overwhelm of delicious smells" – from signature goat, buffalo, and camel milk soaps to hemp skincare products, body creams, room deodorizers, and sustainable refillery options.

Visit NicholsonRiverSoaps.com to explore the full range, or call 0412 171 450 to speak directly with Bianca and her team.

From one mother's kitchen experiments to a regional success story serving customers across Australia, Nicholson River Soaps embodies the resilience, innovation, and authenticity that makes regional Australian businesses special.

Support local. Choose natural. Experience the difference at Nicholson River Soaps.

In this episode of Launch Spotlight, host Eddie the Chef sits down with Jackie Banson, one of Bairnsdale’s most respected business leaders and a powerhouse in regional hospitality. Jackie’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 20 years old, when she launched the Gateway Café at the local Visitor Information Centre — a humble start that would grow into a 30-year legacy of resilience, creativity, and community spirit.

Listeners are taken through Jackie’s evolution from early café days serving travellers on the Melbourne–Merimbula route, to building enduring local favourites including New Leaf Café, Jackie’s Catering, and the House of Bloom Florist. She shares candid insights into the challenges of being a young woman in business, learning on the go, and the importance of family and mentorship in her success.

Jackie reflects on 25 years at the Heritage Café and Garden Centre, her bold decision to expand into floristry after Dolson’s Garden Centre closed in 2024, and her daring “panic buy” of Bairnsdale’s former Main Hotel in 2025, transforming it into a new multi-business hub. From surviving the pandemic by launching a wildly popular family meal service to catering everything from weddings to bushfire relief operations, Jackie’s story is one of courage and constant reinvention.

The conversation explores:

· How to balance risk-taking with sustainability in business

· Building a loyal, people-first team culture

· Maintaining high-quality, homemade cuisine in a fast-paced industry

· The value of community connection and giving back

· Lessons in adaptability, leadership, and longevity in hospitality

Crowned with a Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award (2024) and guest speaker honours the following year, Jackie’s influence extends well beyond her businesses. She embodies what it means to lead with heart, humility, and hard-earned wisdom.

💡 “You’ve got to love what you do — and you’ve got to trust your people. That’s how I’m still here after 30 years.” – Jackie Banson

Join host Eddie the Chef for an extraordinary conversation with Sonia Buckley, Deputy Mayor of East Gippsland Shire and seventh-generation High Country resident. From mountain cattleman heritage to creative director, from singer-songwriter to political advocate, Sonia's journey embodies the resilient spirit of rural Australia while charting a bold path toward sustainable regional leadership.

Sonia Buckley is a fifth-generation High Country resident from Benambra who now runs Buckley's High Country Adventures, a retreat property on the Mita Mita River where she farms cattle and horses. Recently elected Deputy Mayor in December 2024, she is serving her second term as councillor through 2028.

1.Heritage & Identity: The weight and gift of seven generations of High Country living
2.Practical Conservation: Finding middle-ground solutions that honor both environment and culture
3.Resilience & Courage: Learning from a father who never quit fighting for what was right
4.Political Service: The reality of local government work and civic duty
5.Cultural Preservation: Protecting mountain heritage and storytelling before it's lost
6.Work-Life Balance: The struggle to maintain personal identity while serving publicly
7.Lateral Thinking: Bush living teaches problem-solving that applies to politics
8.Strategic Partnerships: The power of bringing stakeholders together
9.Intuition & Integrity: Trusting your compass while treating everyone with respect
10.Community & Connection: The healing power of deep friendships and culture

About East Gippsland
Throughout the conversation, Sonia paints a vivid picture of East Gippsland as:
•God's country—a natural plateau at the top of mountains
•Home to untapped beauty, adventures, snow, rivers, and "decent farming folk"
•A region with deep Indigenous and first-settler cultural history
•Growing ecotourism hub (Omeo mountain biking, equine tourism)
•A community of "real characters" with unique mountain culture
•The jewel in the crown of Victoria

The Bottom Line
Sonia Buckley is proof that you can honor heritage while forging new paths, that practical solutions exist for seemingly impossible problems, and that rural leadership demands both toughness and tenderness. Her story is one of a woman who learned from legends, travelled the world, returned home to fight for her community, and is building a legacy that bridges conservation, culture, and compassion.

As she says: "We have a duty and an obligation... If I could live half the life my old man lived, then I reckon I'm doing not too bad."
But she's not just living half his life—she's creating her own remarkable chapter in the High Country story.
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For more information:
•Buckley's High Country Adventures (retreat property on Mita Mita River)
•East Gippsland Shire Council
•Contact through official council channels

Note: Sonia speaks in this episode as both Deputy Mayor and as "Citizen Sonia" when sharing private opinions, clearly distinguishing between her representative role and personal views.