They don't expect miracles, but they are completely onboard to work with the local community to make The World Incubator their own.

We all know that country folks are kind and generous and often say what they think. Their honesty is refreshing but can sometimes be a tad brutal, and that takes a little for the city folk to get use to.

We are all brought up to think that you will never get something for nothing. So there lies the biggest issue. Why is this person (aka me) giving people in Charters Towers the opportunity to start their own businesses, be mentored by the best in the business and be given a number of things for free? There must be something in it for her (sic).

I laugh when people ask this question. I had this idea 3 or 4 years ago, but there really isn't anything in it for me other than using my time to do good and investing my money in outcomes and people.

Unlike many of my counterparts, I don't have children to send to school, and I don't care too much for money. I look at people who have too much money and keep building it at the expense of others as being "ugly" and "unkind". I have no time for them, or their lack of compassion and values. I shake my head every single time I see a story in the paper well-placed about philandrophy, when the person has not given away a decent percentage of their wealth. They are just seeking publicity and its trendy to be called a philandrophist I guess. The worse comes when they get Orders of Australia, yet have never worked a minute in their lives and were born into extreme wealth. Let me assure you, there are more worthy recipients out there than silver spooners. But of course, they don't dine with Politicans who make these decisions.

So, it isn't surprising that many country folk take philandrophy that comes from an honest, not publicity hunting place, with hesitation. I read the social media posts yesterday, and people asked the question "why?". They have every right to ask that question. I take that question as being something that makes sense to me for people to vocalise.

My life has been amazing. I learned so much from my parents, namely good manners and to always be giving and kind. My mother, much to my dislike at the time, would invite all of these kids who didn't have a good meal or a shower, over for dinner on many occasions. She was always giving and kind and set a great example for me to follow. My issue was not that she cooked for days so that they would have the perfect meal selection, but the fact that they didn't have a shower. I was stupid, and naive, and I had no idea that it was possible that they didn't have anywhere to go to have a shower.

I never asked questions, and if my parents had one fault it is that questions were not encouraged. They still came from the premise that children should be seen and not heard. I wish I had asked that question, but perhaps they would not have told me simply because they didn't want me to think that these kids were different from my brothers or I.

Giving my time and money to The World Incubator is simply something that I have chosen to do. It's also something that our team has chosen to do. They can't fit it all into their workday, so they go over and above and work whatever hours to make The World Incubator get off the ground. It has become something that everyone is proud of.

I really want to make a difference to people's lives and give them hope that while Charters Towers has been in the past successful in tourism, agriculture and mining, it's time to add entrepreneurship. It's time to give the young people of Charters Towers career options that they would be able to access in bigger cities - but not so much at home. It's time to dream a little bigger.

I really hope that you join me on this journey. Don't be afraid of what you don't know. If you don't understand what an incubator is, Google it. Say yes to positive progress and don't block anyone's good idea. Encourage people in the incubator and those who are thinking about joining. Even if you don't think their idea will work, instead of saying that, focus on the positives. 

This is a great opportunity for Charters Towers and it needs 100% of the towns support. There is no room for negativity, that will only drain your energy and everyone around you. Let's do this together.