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📍 Episode Description:
In this episode of Built In The Bush, we welcome globally respected behavioural scientist, master negotiator, and communication strategist Allan Parker OAM, for an unmissable conversation on what it takes to build sustainable, successful family businesses — without losing your mind or your relationships.

With a career that spans over 30 countries, boardrooms of the United Nations, OECD and Microsoft, and grassroots consulting with multi-generational Australian family enterprises, Allan brings a unique blend of global insight and deep local heart.

Together, we explore:

• The soft spot Allan holds for family-run businesses, and why their unique strengths and challenges matter more than ever
• How to navigate conflict, succession, and communication breakdowns with clarity and care
• The surprising emotional patterns behind business disputes — and how to diffuse them early
• Why traditional negotiation tactics do not apply to families(and what to do instead)
• How bush values, legacy thinking, and emotional intelligence can transform leadership

Allan also shares stories from his time advising the OECD, shaping global SME policy, and working with the NSW Law Society, Macquarie Bank, and Microsoft across 11 countries, plus tips from his bestselling books Switch on Your Brain and Beyond Yes.

Whether you're in the thick of a family business, dreaming of passing on a legacy, or curious how to lead with more impact — this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and future-focused.

🌾 Because in the bush, we build more than businesses — we build legacies

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Tune in for part two, with Geoff Pike, to learn how things unfolded in the town of Thargomindah, during and after this devastating flood. Hard to believe that right now in Australia there is a township living in caravans and tents, hoping the country doesn't forget about them and the long road ahead to rebuild. This little community epitomises what it is to be Australian and how just turning up for your mates, is sometimes all the hope you need.

Tune in to listen to Geoff Pike - Ago Vires, Thargomindah. Hear how they prepared & adapted to a dynamic event that resulted in the biggest flood Thargomindah has every seen. Hear how an isolated community banded together and harnessed their collective ingenuity & resilience, to buy their town 3 more days and ultimately divert the worst case scenario as the SWQ flood unfolded for them in Thargomindah

Tune in as we catch up with Kris Jennings to find all that's happened since last week, and find out where they're trucks and donations are heading to this week.

Hear from the CEO of Rural Aid, John Warlters about what their involvement is in this disaster. How it all began, how much they've raised, where they support best AND his response to some of the questions that have been made in the media.

Imagine getting double your ANNUAL rainfall in a matter of 5-6 days. That's what happened in Quilpie. With annual rainfall of only 12 Inches, they received 24 (& more) in places.

If you live in Brisbane, the annual rainfall is 46 Inches (1.1 Metres of water), imagine getting 2.2 Metres of rain in 5-6 days? That's approx how much rain they had to cause the 1974 City Flood but they had warning & notice.

How is it in 2025 we've got regions facing similiar and no BOM to provide warning

Hear first hand from Primary Producer and business owner, Louise Hoch on how this devastating disaster unfolded.............without ANY warning, what the flow on effects are and what support looks like today.

Tune in,

Episode Synopsis:
In this heartfelt special edition of Built in the Bush, host Tanya returns to her hometown of Quilpie, a resilient rural community in Western Queensland, now grappling with the aftermath of unprecedented floods. She is joined by Quilpie Mayor Ben Hall, who shares raw insights from the ground—on how the disaster is impacting locals, the recovery efforts underway, and most importantly, how Australians can offer meaningful help.

Ben unpacks the real needs of the community, highlighting why direct donations of goods can often do more harm than good, and urging supporters to channel funds through local businesses and trusted organizations like CWA and GIVIT. From boundary fences to local jobs, Ben paints a vivid picture of how deeply the floods have disrupted life in Quilpie and what recovery truly looks like in the bush.

Listeners are also given a glimpse of hope as the town rallies around plans to hold the beloved Mungerannie Rodeo, a symbol of local spirit and survival. This episode is a vital call to action for anyone who values regional Australia and the food it produces.

Episode Breakdown:

• [00:00 – 02:00] Welcome & context: Tanya introduces the episode, Quilpie’s devastation, and the importance of rural recovery for all Australians
• [02:00 – 05:00] Mayor Ben Hall joins: Updates on the current situation, community resilience, and the early stages of recovery
• [05:00 – 09:00] How to help: Why donating items can cause issues, and how vouchers and local business support are far more effective
• [09:00 – 13:00] Economic impact: The invisible crisis hitting small businesses and why keeping money flowing locally is essential
• [13:00 – 16:00] Donation channels: GIVIT and CWA as key platforms; call for tech-savvy support to improve rural donation logistics
• [16:00 – 18:00] Emotional toll & the path forward: Damaged fencing, lost livelihoods, and the urgent need to sustain rural jobs
• [18:00 – 20:00] Looking ahead: Hopes to proceed with the Mungerannie Rodeo as a morale boost and Ben’s final message to supporters

Key Takeaway:
Supporting flood-impacted communities like Quilpie isn't just about donations—it's about doing it in a way that keeps rural economies alive. Buy vouchers, donate through trusted platforms, and when safe, visit and spend locally.