Chess in slums, data storage in plants, vodka-like liquor from CO2, Indigenous Science and more

In the spirit of reconciliation I?acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. I pay my respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

In 2024, my focus is 'COMMUNITY' and I've decided to create a monthly 'Pay it Forward' newsletter, highlighting people, organisations or even articles I come across each month, who are doing interesting, powerful and kind things. It will intentionally cover a variety of topics - to get us out of our algorithm formed bubbles.

I'd love to have you join this journey, so please feel free to create your own list, tag people doing cool sh*t here, or share these newsletters.

Thank you for being a part of my community.

Hannah

Chess in Slums Africa.

If you haven't seen the remarkable work of Tunde Onakoya and his foundation, I encourage you to follow and engage. Tunde's vision is:

To empower, uplift and educate 1 million children in slum communities, in 5 years, using chess as a focal point.

Aircohol

'The global alcohol industry produces hundreds of megatons of CO2. Aircohol? technology cuts these emissions by making favourite drinks from only one ingredient: carbon dioxide. These emissions never reach the atmosphere, and the process leaves nature’s resources untouched.' This neutral spirit can be used to make a variety of liquors.

'No crops are harmed in making drinks with Aircohol? technology,' Founder Simo H?m?l?inen

TradeMutt & TIACS

TradeMutt is a social impact workwear brand, by tradies for tradies. We make funky eye catching work wear designed to start conversations about mental health among the blue collar community, helping make an invisible issue impossible to ignore." They also do scrubs for frontline workers, and kids shirts too.

You can follow along by checking out tags #FunkyShirtFriday or #Spotto across all social platforms.

Daniel Allen Edward Ross Jason Banks Shannen Cooper Zac van Manen

Great Wrap - Compostable "plastic" wrap and pallet wrap

When I was exporting to China on a regular basis, I was disgusted by the amount of plastic pallet wrap that was being used and discarded. This soft plastic was going straight into landfill once our stock reached China.

In searching for alternatives (even as a SME), I came across Great Wrap; brainchild of Jordy Kay & Julia Kay . It was a game changer. Composting is common in China - and mandated in many cities, and this was one of the easier battles to win once goods arrived in China.

Indigenous science - in partnership with Indigenous communities and the CSIRO

"We acknowledge the extraordinary contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made, and continue to make, to our culture, the economy and science. We're working with Indigenous communities and organisations to create Indigenous-driven science solutions that support sustainable futures for Indigenous peoples, cultures and Country." CSIRO

If you have 15 minutes to learn; this is what you should spend it on today.

Indigenous-led approaches to strengthening and sharing our knowledge for land and sea management, in partnership with the CSIRO .

This 15 minute video provides a pathway for understanding how to engage with those on country to collaborate and form best practices. It takes time, but is an investment we should pursue.

Loved hearing from Professor Anne Poelina on 'working and living with country,' and from Barry J Hunter , 'when you go into certain parts of country and you might feel the hair stand up on your back, that's your country telling you that there's something special there.'

A great example of this 'knowledge weaving' has been demonstrated by the Savanna Burning Project - which is helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Distill Ventures Pre-Accelerator Program Applications Open

This is an opportunity for funding and mentorship - a program that is designed specifically for premium spirits & non-alcoholic drinks brands led by underrepresented founders. Open globally, you'll be guided over 9-12 months to get you to the next stage in your drinks business!

Successful applicants of the Pre Accelerator programs will receive an initial investment of up to $500k/￡350k and support from our expert team.

Ara Carvallo ?? Holly Browne

The Anxious Tradeswoman Podcast

Host, and heavy diesel mechanic Louise Azzopardi shares everything she has learnt through the tears so you (as a tradie) don’t have to! It's the big sister in your ears.

Louise is a life coach and keynote speaker who supports tradeswomen and tradies through the challenges of life giving them tools and resources to create change. A great resource for tradies everywhere! Find where to Listen here.

Grow Your Own Cloud - Data storage in plants

"Scientists are exploring the feasibility of biological data storage, namely in synthetic DNA. DNA is the oldest storage device in the world, and is one of the most promising ways of solving our data management problems. This new technology has the potential to store all of the world’s data in just 1 kg of DNA. It can last a remarkably long time in the right conditions and the format would never become obsolete. Most tantalizing of all is the possibility that we might be able to genetically modify organisms which sustain themselves such as bacteria, utilising ‘blank space’ in DNA structures to archive data." Cyrus Clarke

This is one of a number of curious projects from Cyrus & team. Check out more here.

And that's all for now. Thanks for playing along!

Hannah x

(If you'd like to know a bit more about who I am - read this).