HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE NEXUS TEAM (AND OUR SUMMER PLANS)

This is a very all things 2020 closeout read.  In Leadership in Turbulent Times, Goodwin covers the presidents she has studied most closely — Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

No common pattern describes the trajectory of leadership and this Pulitzer Prize read is a road map for aspiring and established leaders in every field.  In today’s polarized world, these stories of authentic leadership in times of crisis, confusion and conflict are very relevant in both business and politics.

Bistecca: Looking forward to visiting this Classic Italian Steak Restaurant hidden beneath Sydney’s CBD. Tuscany is the home of bistecca alla Fiorentina, a T-bone steak and considered one of the finest cuts of beef available.

The steak is cooked to the weight you choose, over a combination of ironbark and charcoal, served medium-rare. One Chefs Hat, Good Food Guide Awards 2020 and Three Goblets, Australian Wine List of the Year Awards 2019. Yum!

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams. Challenging as it is to admit, I was an avid reader of Oxford English Dictionary, as a child. Hopefully there are other that remember the joy of looking up words in a hard cover dictionary? This book has great reviews and would appear to be right up my alley .

Element Bar, Coffs Harbour.

A very relaxed bar near Coffs Harbour Jetty, with great food, fabulous drinks and with fingers crossed we’ll get to see some great local live music as well.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

Having spent more than five weeks at the top of the NY Times bestsellers list, Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey outlines snippets from the diaries of Oscar Winners over the last 35 years.

I will be visiting Whitton Malt House – in regional NSW – located 25 mins away from my family home. I plan to visit this award-winning dining destination with family & friends to celebrate the new year and an excellent 2020 harvest.

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing.

It’s hoped reading about Shackleton’s journey to the Atlantic will keep me cool while I await an air-conditioner.

A return to Emma’s Snack Bar out at Newtown for some contemporary Lebanese food – but you’ll need to book weeks ahead to secure a spot here.

Number one on my list is Upturn: A Better Normal After COVID-19 by the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP. With this unprecedented year coming to a close, this series of novels from pre-eminent Australians presents a pathway to a better Australia in 2021.

I look forward to being inspired by the thoughts of such figures as Shadow Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers, economist Ross Garnaut and former Environment Minister, the Hon Peter Garrett on how we can make the next decade Australia’s best.

In the newly redeveloped EOS SkyCity, the Sôl Bar and Restaurant is situated on its rooftop, giving a 270-degree view of the Adelaide skyline from the hills to the coast.

This summer, I will be reading Breaker Morant by Peter Fitzsimons.

As an Australian history buff I enjoy reading Peter’s new book each year, despite vehemently disagreeing on his republican views.

This summer, I’m hoping to dine at the Nimbo Fork Lodge.

Situated on the fork of the Tumut River and Nimbo Creek in southern NSW Nimbo Fork Lodge hosts the current iteration of the critically claimed Three Blue Ducks restaurant.

Shuggie Bain has been on my list, as well as My Brilliant Friend, as a part of my attempt to read more fiction and less historical biographies.

Now that Melbourne is re-open for a visit, a brunch at Cumulus in Melbourne’s famous art and fashion precinct, Flinders Lane, is a must.