Michele,

Unfortunately, I haven't really met or worked with anyone from/in australia, so I wouldn't be able to give you any leads in that respect. :-(

However, I do work with quite a few people in the United States, Europe, Asia and Scandinavia.

My advice to you is to network, network, network. And while you're networking, keep on writing.

I've noticed that through out the last several years, the more I wrote, the better I got along the way. In addition to that, the more I networked, the more friends I made and the more opportunities came my way.

Put yourself out there. Don't be afraid. Fear is the number one reason why people don't get what they want in life. Forget it. Believe in yourself, be true to yourself, and go out there and get it. :-) Of course, do not by any means do anything unethical in the process.

I have learned that by being myself, being honest to those around me and being GENUINE, people respond so much more to that rather than to someone who is "sharking" the waters.

Also, do not give up. By all means do not give up. I have found that no matter how many obstacles have come my way, there is a lesson to be learned and to keep on going. Persistence is key. True failure comes to the individual who can only see the illusionary wall in front of them and decides that that is the end of the road. Walk through the wall. It's not really there. You will find that if you do walk through that wall, the road keeps on going and you will keep on walking until you find yourself at the golden gates of success. There will be many failures/illusionary walls. Just keep on walking. Success will come. Believe it, Do it, Accept it.

Greg