Meeting the Duchess of York

From vision to reality - how I came to meet Sarah Ferguson.

When opportunity meets vision, magic unfolds. Just a month ago, I created an ambitious vision board in my office, capturing my wildest dreams—personal and professional. It wasn’t about mundane goals like buying a new car or planning a holiday; it was about dreams as grand as meeting Sarah Ferguson, attending the Women Changing the World Summit in London and Paris, and witnessing the Northern Lights from Antarctica.

Photo caption: Sarah is holding her copy of Boy of Steel, which I gifted her along with the 'Explaining to Kids' series of children's books.

Admittedly, these dreams seemed distant. Yet, I displayed them as a daily reminder to stay motivated and manifest whatever my heart desired. And manifest they did. Although a trip to London felt daunting, especially with my roles as a wife and mother of four, I held onto hope. Then, two weeks ago, a Sunday afternoon scroll through social media changed everything—Fergie was coming to Perth! I assumed tickets would be sold out, but I contacted my friend and fellow publisher Karen Weaver, who lives in Perth, to ask if she knew much about Sarah's Australian plans. To my surprise, Karen responded, saying she was the event organiser for the event in Perth on 1st November! Without hesitation and after a flurry of messages and rapid flight and accommodation arrangements, I secured the opportunity to meet Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York on home soil.

Reality set in with the classic, "What will I wear?" Fast forward 10 days, and I found myself at Joondalup Resort in Perth, surrounded by 700 elegantly dressed women, waiting for Sarah Ferguson to be interviewed by acclaimed author Tess Woods. I managed a seat in the second row, just behind Karen. Sarah's hour-long talk was captivating and filled with humour, honesty, and warmth. When it was time to meet her, I felt profoundly grateful to Karen for this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

It is extraordinary to think that Sarah now holds my books, possibly sharing them with children and families in need. This moment was particularly poignant as Sarah had already encountered Bowerbird Publishing this year through various opportunities—a testament to the incredible and serendipitous connections that have shaped my journey.

Meeting Sarah Ferguson was more than a personal milestone; it affirmed that...

the sky truly is the limit.

Success isn’t defined by how we measure up against others but by pursuing our passions and contributing to the world. Even Fergie, a successful author and duchess, exemplifies this by continually pushing her boundaries. She openly shared her ambition of adapting her novel The Intriguing Woman into a mini-series and winning an Emmy, then an Oscar. I was surprised—she is already a New York Times #1 best-selling author, a duchess, and a champion of literature. Yet, she still dreams big. This inspired me to embrace my own aspirations unapologetically.

Success is subjective. To outsiders, my meeting with Fergie might signify ‘success,' but true success, for me, is loving what I do each day and helping writers share their stories. It’s about the journey, not an endless chase for recognition.

Sarah shared lessons on living fully and nurturing self-love. Her wit, warmth, and candid nature charmed the audience, as did her dedication to helping children navigate life's challenges through fiction writing. Her work has my deepest respect and admiration.

Sarah’s bond with Australia is strong. Her sister has lived in Perth for 50 years, and she mentioned connections to the parents of her grandchildren’s nanny and her publisher, Karen. She’s collaborated with Australian authors and illustrators, cementing her literary ties here.

Her memories of Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth were touching. Sarah spoke fondly of their unwavering support, recounting light-hearted anecdotes, like how the Queen would offer treats to her corgis during meals—gestures Sarah has continued, bringing daily comfort and a sense of connection to the Queen.

Reflecting on her life, Sarah described her wedding to Prince Andrew as her happiest day and proudly claimed she had married the best-looking royal. Before her marriage, she worked for a London publishing house, showcasing her literary talents long before her 80 published books. This full-circle moment resonated deeply with my career path and reminded me to always acknowledge how far we have come.

Photo caption: Enjoying the electric atmosphere with #joanne_colely_art and #thefarahmak

At 65, Sarah exudes pride and resilience.

A breast cancer survivor with a double mastectomy, she humorously refers to her reconstructed breasts as 'Derrick' and 'Eric.' She spoke proudly of her daughters’ health journeys—Beatrice's battle with severe dyslexia and Eugenie’s with scoliosis—and their choice to display their scars as symbols of strength.

One insight that stayed with me was her advice to treat ourselves as we would our six-year-old selves, offering the kindness and reassurance often needed in moments of doubt.

Meeting Sarah Ferguson reinforced my role as a storytelling advocate. She belongs to a community of like-minded individuals, including Karen Weaver, Justine Martin, Peace Mitchell, and Katy Garner, who all champion creativity and community. Together, we inspire and support each other, standing out by embracing our unique paths.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thanks Karen Weaver for her unwavering love and support. She is my idol. You can find out more here: Karen P Weaver

Here are some more photos from the event and my time in the stunning Perth...