Category: Feature

Words from my brave

22/1/2026

Being ‘brave’ is one of those illusive things for me, for it means finding courage to attempt and believe in - the ‘impossible’.

It means standing up every day and shedding my fears; letting the world see the real me – the one who smiles gently, listens quietly, then wishes secretly that I could do all that others seem to do, so fearlessly.

Illusive for me, I find this to be, because I have to work so hard, every day – telling myself – being my own cheer squad – that anything is possible if you just ‘believe’.

This has been my motto for life – for performance – teaching – writing – art and business, but throughout all that … learning to be ‘brave’ has been an ongoing, uphill battle of nervous, creative energy needing to be released – to go somewhere and then, finding the strength to quieten my anxiety, shed my insecurities long enough ~ to get it done. So many times, I ask myself, ‘Why can’t you do that? Why not? You have talent.’ And then, I hear all the realists who say, “don’t be silly – you are not a kid – get a real job – you’ll never succeed at that!’

So, I find myself shelving all my ideas - doubting myself, believing that someone else’s ideas are more worthy than mine – losing my ‘brave’ and going back to my ‘real job’ because it is secure and fits the model of society’s belief that to work a 9-to-5 job for someone else…is normal.

All over my personal space, I have motivational quotes and art to remind me to be ‘brave’ – to put my best foot forward, to put myself out there without care of judgment or ridicule…to be brave in every part of my life because it seems bravery is so fleeting, and society’s ruthless methodologies for getting ahead in life – hits my heart so intensely, I must always rebuild and remind my head – so my heart does not faulter. And yes, this is so hard.

Creative ideas, artistic works, business creations – all different facets of me, under the persona of ‘Sketa’, has allowed me to grow – as if I am just helping someone – guiding them…sort of like being a mentor, but in this case, they are all facets of me – a broken me – slowly trying to stitch herself together every time, I lose my ‘brave’. And so I do not have to explain myself to anyone – I just reinvent myself and the image people have of me… when I am struggling with life, its unreasonable demands, its noise and expectations of what I can and cannot do.

In all the meaning and energy behind such a statement, ‘I really do believe anything is possible’ – it creates its own energy, purpose and momentum; the more times you start again – for in starting again, and again… one learns to be ‘brave’ – until one day something truly begins to stick. It becomes your purpose, becomes your meaning for life and nothing and no one gets to fill your head and heart with nonsense. You finally say, ‘Enough - I can do this and I do not care how the world works.’

I will stand by me – fight for me – be my own best friend – remain honourable, diligent and honest to me, my journey, my growth, my belief that ‘I am Possible!’

And in that – I shall find my balance, love, healing, resilience and my energy to ‘make it happen’!

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A Different Depth of Gratitude

3/1/2026

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Many of you might not yet realise, Beth Joy Rotteveel passed peacefully away on the 17th of December, 2025 – six days before Christmas; 26 days after ‘Jon’ – formally known as Johan Albert Rotteveel (Beth’s husband) passed away; 15 days before the New Year of 2026.

But what makes her death so remarkable, was that even in death, Beth was teaching me, yet another lesson, about life – for on the anniversary of my mum’s death the 30th of December, 2025 – who passed the year prior – was also the day of Beth’s funeral.

They say, loss of a loved one changes you, but none so much as those who impart valuable lessons about learning to be brave – to rise – to get up – even when you feel you have nothing left to give – to face the challenges head on and say ‘phooey’ to it all.

Getting up on the day of her funeral was one of the hardest lessons, I have had to endure and put to memory, for without these lessons of resilience, I would not be standing, today.

Bethy Joy was like a second mum to me – she was far more than family – she was a tower of strength, my mentor, coach and confidant throughout my dancing years and childhood.

We spent hours, days, weeks together – finetuning my abilities – she was there for me, every step of the way; loving and supportive, and I would not be who I am without her.

‘Jemima Puddle-Duck’, she affectionately called me - for as a dancer, I had lots of turn-out, but no strength or control. I was always making mistakes with my gangly, fine body and was never quite confident enough to just ‘give it a go’.

If ever there was a wrong way of doing things – I found it, but she was so patient, understanding and passionate for life – nothing could ever feel wrong, because she always made it right.

Beth was there for me – for every blister, callous, tear, joy, disappointment, exam, rehearsal, opening and closing night. She was there to remedy the muscles, aches, sprains and broken feet; the embarrassment of flipping over backwards on my very first pas de deux lift, and the heartbreak at finding out my leading man was gay (yes, she smiled wisely at my innocence); the pain of family falling apart; my nerves, disappointment and exhilaration at exam time; driving me to venues, auditions – telling me to, ‘Calm down, Jemima – you don’t need to stretch any more – you’ve done enough.’

And when things did not turn out as I expected and I thought I had disappointed her – she would warmly smile and say, ‘There’s always next year, Jemima – they just don’t know you’re about, yet’.

And when I thought, my life would never amount to anything as a dancer, Beth knew it was just the beginning, for she stood proudly on opening night of My Fair Lady and said, ‘Phooey to classical ballet – this is where you belong!’
Resilience, being brave and finding confidence to take the first step, jete’ and pirouette on everything in life and what it will throw at you – is not easy. It is not something you magically find overnight, nor find in a cabbage patch. It is built from years and years of hard work, putting in the hours and never giving up. It is someone believing in you and the path set out before you; it is the dedication and tireless efforts of one soul, passing on the energy of life to another.

And while you think as a child, it is all about just finding one’s feet – as you learn – it is also about learning the lessons of life and remembering them, when you hit rock bottom – when you are at your lowest point, when all the chips are down and gone. For in those moments, one finds the spark that fueled the flame – to continue walking – to run – to dance back into life – reinvented, stronger and ready to start all over, again.

So, come Christmas ~ New Year period – the spirit of Bethy Joy sat heavily on my heart – to be exact, I did not know how I was going to dance my way out of this one – to say goodbye to someone who meant so much to me and who was so much a part of me – was excruciating.

‘Would I survive a triple whammy?’ I thought.
Then Bethy said, ‘Of course you will, Jemima – there is always tomorrow.’

Thank you, Bethy. Thank you for sharing your soul, loving heart and spirit with me.
You taught me so much about life. God speed - I’ll miss you…

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A Dancer’s Life…

12/4/2025

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Xavier Xue - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidate / Photo Courtesy - Prix de Lausanne 2025

Rhyan Foerster - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidate / Photo Courtesy - Prix de Lausanne 2025

A dancer’s life is always one of struggle, resilience, patience, pain, agony and shear brut guts and determination. There is not one athlete~artist on the planet that goes through more heart-breaking, enduring loss and then reshaping of mind, body and soul.

They are loved for their beauty of line, ridiculed for their style of perservance, envied for their form and athleticism. They are often given the cold shoulder by educators; schools-family-society persuade children not to follow this path of artistic learning in their senior years - because it is not a ‘real job’ - much like the condemnation of most artists in the world.

But do you know what?

‘Artists’ are not fickle creatures and are the ones who truly shape this world 🌎 They are the dreamers, the believers, the givers, the doers and are the ones who set the standards for reaching goals; for seeking the pinacle of excellence; for giving up their entire life - shelter, sustenance, spending time with others for the solitary existence they pour their heart into.

They live penniless most of their lives, but they are the beings who will be remembered for their selflessness to their art form. They are the names that fill the history books; who inspire the young to dream of magic, princesses and unicorns 🦄. Their art form is what you seek in design, music 🎶 theatre, books; everything you see to live, love and enjoy your life - you can thank that creative - dreamer called - the ‘Artist’.

Hanxi Wang - Prix de Lausanne 2025 Candidate / Photo Courtesy - Prix de Lausanne 2025

The ‘artist’ has shaped this planet beyond our wildest dreams.

Give thanks and gratitude to these givers - you owe them your mental well-being, your love of life, inspiration - past, present and future.

You owe them belief in miracles, snails 🐌 fairies 🧚‍♀️ and the ‘’I’m Possible”.

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!!! ALERT !!!

2/11/2024

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!!! ALERT !!!
Let's Talk Scams

Dear Friends, family, and loved ones.

Please be aware that myself and my company Sketa Oz Group Pty Limited - which includes ELK Publishing, have become the victim of cybercrime.

Please be diligent in the pursuit of justice and honour. Not everyone out there in the world of the internet, is as honourable - as they should be. One can only assume, people are desperate, and this causes them to engage in not so savoury actions, when dealing with others.

Our world is so severely screwed up. Warring countries and their people have no means. You know what I mean - war, pain, and misery - is increasing on a daily basis. So, they will try anything, with the hope of making a few dollars - to survive.

There are no boundaries to which these people will go. Accept no one on socials you have not approved with stringent processing - if that takes 6 months - so be it - just be safe.

In business, make sure you have all your security measures in place. Nothing is too much.

They will manipulate you.
They will impersonate you.

They will isolate you.

They will make you feel, as if they own you.

You will feel violated.

They will pretend to be your friend, customer, or business partner.

Anything goes.

Just so they get, what they want.

Do yourselves a favour and educate yourself - further. Education on this, is everywhere.

I thought I was educated. I thought my instinct would protect me. I thought that all my years of training on this stuff through business, school, and private research – would be enough. It was not.

And maybe, quite possibly - people who are empathetic and caring – just become easy targets.

I have placed some links below to assist you all on this fight for justice. Please take your time, watch, absorb - process the information.

You will say to yourself, “I know all this stuff. I do not need to look at this.” Well, maybe you do… But just maybe – maybe - you need to look at this, again.

BBC World Service Documentaries

Help in Australia

Help Global

UK - Action Fraud
USA - ReportFraud.ftc.gov

You can also visit the Sketa Oz - Report a Scam page.

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June Feature

10/6/2019

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Photo - Sketa Oz

This month, I thought it would be nice to take a photographic journey around some of the most interesting parks in Toowoomba. And, believe it or not, Toowoomba has quite a few parks that our trustworthy, talented gardeners tend to every day, so they look just right for our visitors and so they are ready for the opening of the September - Carnival of Flowers.

Now because our gardeners look after over a 100 gardens across the Downs, it is far too big an assignment for me to cover in one foul sweep. So I might do a series. Anyhow, here are some really interesting statues I found hidden in the Scented Gardens.

Photo - Sketa Oz

I have to say, I was totally blown away by the number of statues available at the Scented Garden. I counted over 30 statues, but these were my favourites. The attention to detail is just superb and proportionally, each statue stands about three quarters the actual size of a female figure. Centrally place among the falling autumn leaves, these little ladies are very much worth viewing, on a crisp winter morning. The lighting is just great, then!

Photo - Sketa Oz

Among the ladies however, this one really captured my attention as the statue sort of grows out of the dead of leaves.

Photo - Sketa Oz

I don't know how old or how long these statues have existed at the gardens, but I do know they have been here for many years. I remember as a kid, dad would bring me to the parks on various photo shoots and I'd be in my element tossing the leaves about the winter fog. Those were the days when the rains came in the winter months - not much of that happening lately.

Photo - Sketa Oz

This young fellow stands beneath a huge growth of trees, as you enter the Gardens - not far from the tiered iron sculptures that house beds of hanging flowers in the summer months. Yes, they are pretty empty at the moment, but come summer, he'll be in his element among the blossoms. For the time being, this fellow is rugged up for the winter and I don't see him going anywhere fast. :)

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Selina's Blog

Words from my brave

A Different Depth of Gratitude

A Dancer’s Life…

!!! ALERT !!!

!!! ALERT !!!
Let's Talk Scams

BBC World Service Documentaries

June Feature

Information

Partners

Selina's Blog

​Words from my brave

A Different Depth of Gratitude

A Dancer’s Life…

!!! ALERT !!!

!!! ALERT !!! ​Let's Talk Scams

BBC World Service Documentaries

June Feature

Information

Partners

Words from my brave

!!! ALERT !!!
Let's Talk Scams