CLPSite; Feature Image Template
Best in business honoured

South West Times: Thursday, October 31, 2024 HOLLY PRENTICE WROTE: The best businesses in the South West were awarded at the weekend during the South West Business Excellence Awards. The 30th annual awards saw South West business owners enjoy a three-course dinner at the Mantra Lighthouse Bunbury on Saturday night. Hosted by Bunbury icon Shauna Willis, the event celebrated the contributions and efforts of those thriving in South West business. Old Broadwater Farm Weddings won several awards including star business of the year, while John Triplett won star businessperson. Mayco The Salon in Margaret River won the trades award and the Indigenous business leader award, and The Vasse Tavern won the medium business award. CLP Advertising and Photography Services took home the micro-business award, Johnson Insurance Brokers won the award for professional services and Fempower Dance Co won the diversity and inclusivity award. Max's Kennel Club in Bunbury took home the customer experience award, while 540 Mechanical won the community contributions award. Kayla Morgan won the emerging business leader award for her business Loft Avenue For Hair.

Visit the South West Times Website

CLP Advertising & Photography Services' Ellie Clare accepts the owner-operator award.

bunbury_herald.06_08_2024_Page_2
Bunbury Geographe Chamber Commerce & Industry Awards

Collie-based CLP Advertising & Photography Services won the owner operator category. Bunbury Herald - August 6th 2024; Written by Sean Van Der Wielen.

Journey back from hard times

Bunbury Herald - May 14th 2024; Claudette Rizzi Wrote: A South West photographer and social media manager who fell into a deep depression following a workplace accident has shared how finding her passions, helping others and caring for her rescue dog has helped lift her out of tough times. Ellie Clare was lucky to escape without any permanent paralysis from the 2012 accident which left her with a damaged spine, but the inability for her to be active in the aftermath led to a dark place. "I suffered with mental illness, depression- I got to a point in my life where I had decided I was going to commit suicide because I just couldn't cope with the new normal for me," she said. Things all changed where she found her rescue dog online, describing it as giving her the spark she needed to want to live and push through her mental health challenges. "I fought every day in order to be there for him, that's kind of the way I look at it," she said. Also of assistance was Ms Clare's family, community members and the Federal Government's New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, which seeks to help new business owners.
Photo of the Bunbury Herald Newspaper Artical

She said she underwent a lot of personal development, going from a deep depression to being confident enough to speak to an audience. "The first presentation I did in front of a group of people I fainted," Ms Clare said. "I was so anxious and nervous within myself because I didn't think I deserved that. I had a lot of trouble talking to groups of people, there was a lot of impostor syndrome. In the last two years, this has completely changed." Ms Clare tries to help those who cannot afford marketing assistance from bigger companies by offering a price they can. Despite travelling all over Australia, she said she always gets drawn back to the region. "Every time I sort of get homesick I am really drawn to the (South West) community, the feeling that you get," Ms Clare said. "Life is worth living and everything does get better, you've just got to put the effort in."

Lifeline 13 11 14

7News Regional WA Report

7News Regional WA
RUOK Donnybrook

R U OK DAY It's R U OK day- when we are shining a light on mental health and the importance of reaching out. One Donnybrook local got her whole community on board, and covered the town in a sea of yellow.

View GWN Local News Report
PXL_20210909_041607363.MP
Donnybrook to ‘turn town yellow’ to encourage mental health conversations for R U OK Day

Ailish Delaney; South Western Times -Thu, 2 September 2021 “Are you OK?” A simple question that can have life-changing effects is at the core of one community’s challenge to bring mental health to the forefront next week. Donnybrook artisans Judith Morrisey and Clair Connolly will be hosting a raffle for R U OK Day. Donnybrook artisans Judith Morrisey and Clair Connolly will be hosting a raffle for R U OK Day. Credit: Ailish Delaney / South Western Times Donnybrook residents will be shining a light on suicide prevention by “painting the town yellow” for R U OK Day. On Thursday, the town will host an event with mental health professionals as guest speakers and a conversation cafe set up to show people how to start talking about suicide and mental health. Event organiser Ellie Clare said decorating the town was about raising awareness of an issue that was rife in the community. “We had a suicide impact our community recently and it’s important for people to know how to start the conversation and set the foundation to have mental health resources in town,” she said. “I know how hard it can be to ask people for help, so when someone starts paying attention and reaches out, it can be a massive change.” Ms Clare said yellow decorations may seem like a small move, but it was part of a wider discussion that could help save a life. “You could help someone you love, someone you may not know is struggling,” she said. “It’s OK not to be OK, but you don’t need to go through it alone.”

Lifeline 13 11 14