General News
25 October, 2026
Smiles with Sally: Can you do a wheelie?
With the biggest smile and so much happiness in his voice, he said, “Hello, do you know how to do a wheelie?”
With the biggest smile and so much happiness in his voice, he said, “Hello, do you know how to do a wheelie?”
I had so many thoughts madly rushing through my head, said I didn't know, and asked if he could.
I had been riding my mountain bike along the Wimmera River track when I came across a primary school-aged student who asked me the question.
He continued by saying that if he did a wheelie, I had to as well.
With that, he took off, and his front wheel left the ground, while all I could think about was the multiple broken bones, concussion, and pain I experienced after falling off my mountain bike in January 2026.
I did not want a repeat of that!
I felt I had little choice, so I asked how I could do a wheelie.
The student patiently talked me through the action and showed me what to do, so I gave it a go.
There I was, a grandmother in her fifties, lifting my front wheel about two centimetres off the ground, but attempting it!
We both smiled and went our separate ways, but the experience had me smiling for days afterwards.
How often do you attempt something when others have confidence in you?
Would you have tried it otherwise?
We often speak about leadership, but how often do we recognise it in the people we see every day who don't have the title of leader?
I saw so much leadership in this primary school student.
He smiled and warmly greeted me, creating a sense of welcome and acceptance.
He asked if I could do something, seeing an ability in me that I didn't see in myself.
He encouraged me to have a go but led the way by going first.
He didn't ask me to do anything he wouldn't do himself.
When I asked a question, he didn't make me feel stupid.
Instead, he patiently and warmly showed me how to do a wheelie.
When I attempted it, he offered nothing but encouragement and support, even though I barely left the ground.
I would love to know the impact this student is having on others now and will have in the future.
Our brief encounter certainly left an impression on me.
So, this week, why not look for the leadership in those around you, regardless of their age or position?
You never know what someone might teach you, or how your smile, encouragement and willingness to help might make their day.