Barbara Baikie - Altitude: Two Womens Journey on Mount Kilimanjaro

Barbara

In the final stages of writing this book, another life-shock occurred.

My second son, Joe, aged 34, was killed tragically in February 2013 in a waterskiing accident. He leaves his wife, Mel, and their three children: Dougal, seven; Lucy, five; and Angus, three.

His death has had a catastrophic effect on his wife and children, as well as me, his mother, his father, his brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, other family and friends.

Although he was only 34, Joe led a rich, fully packed life. He never wasted an hour; he took time to support his loved ones; to work hard and play hard.

His death has been, without doubt, the hardest journey of allthe hardest and highest mountain to climb. I know, however, I must continue.

Many of the reflections and insights in this book have helped me endure the pain and loss of my precious son, Joe. They will also help me go on to live the life he would have wished for me.

Vale Joe Howard

12 September 1978 22 February 2013

Altitude: Two womens journey on Mt Kilimanjaro

First published in Australia in 2013
This Edition 2014

Website: www.altitudebook.com

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry

Altitude: Two womens journey on Mount Kilimanjaro ISBN 9781742984315 (eBook) Dewey Number 158.1082 Categories Professional Development, Personal Development, Psychology, Travel

Notice of Rights

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holders.

Disclaimer

Views expressed by individual contributors to this book do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. While every care is taken to provide accurate information, it is a guide only and readers are advised to seek professional advice as to the accuracy of the content supplied by contributors and/or its applicability to any particular circumstance.

Writing this book was a journeyone we did not take alone. We have many people to thank for their belief and support.

First, we publicly acknowledge each other for the mutual reinforcement we shared at times when it would have been easier to simply give up and write not another word.

Our thanks go to our families and friends for your understanding during this busy time, particularly Peter who was always there for Barbara and Brian for sharing his reflections of the climb.

Our thanks also go to Jo, Althea, Jill, Jela, Rikki and Marg who read earlier scripts.

Recognition must be given also to Andrea, who consistently gave insightful feedback and encouragement as the manuscript unfolded; to our editor, Bev Ryan; publicist, Heather Grant; and graphic designer, Megan Taylortheir wisdom and guidance were invaluable.

Now, let us climb

Barbara Baikie and Dolores Cummins climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africas highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world, in 2011.

Friends for a lifetime and business partners, Barbara and Dolores are management consultants, group facilitators and executive and leadership coaches who share their diverse and challenging life experiences to help clients make meaningful changes in both workplaces and personal lives.

Barbara (left) is a counsellor, HBDI certified practitioner and a certified executive coach. She grew up on a farm in rural Australia, attending a school with just nine pupils before becoming a small fish in a very big pond as one of 1500 students at her high school. Barbara worked in a pathology laboratory for six years after school, married young, lived on a farm and had two sons, before returning to study as a mature age student. She holds Bachelor and Master degrees as well as a graduate certificate in management and is working on a doctoral thesis.

Barbara has worked in local, state and federal government spheres, including senior executive positions, leading initiatives in the challenging areas of child protection and juvenile justice and disability services. She lectured in social science at Charles Sturt University for six years.

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1991, Barbara is healthier than ever today with a level of fitness belying her age. Over the past ten years, Barbara has taken her personal challenges to great heights, scaling the Himalayas, the Andes and most recently, Mt Kilimanjaro.

Barbara lives in Canberra with her second husband, Peter Fletcher.

Irish-born Dolores (right) brings business acumen, academic perspective and industry experience to clients workplaces. She also brings compassion, respect and courage borne of her own life challenges.

Dolores has worked extensively throughout Europe and Australia. Her early career in human resource management exposed Dolores to many organisational requirements. Career highlights include founding a multi-denominational school in Ireland, now part of a fast-growing network across that nation; initiating a new vision and strategic plan as chairman of SIDS NSW; managing litigation proceedings following New South Wales Chelmsford Royal Commission into mental health services; and working with the European Parliament and European Union.

A compulsive people watcher, Dolores is tertiary qualified in applied psychology and anthropology and is a qualified Master Practitioner of neuro-linguistics. She is a doctoral candidate exploring the impact of diversity in organisational leadership and a sessional lecturer with the business school of the Queensland University of Technology.

Dolores can be found in Brisbane with her family when shes not trekking or climbing mountains.

Barbara