As I approach my 400th follower (395 as I write this) I thought I would reflect on my journey with this platform so far and focus on the people I have met and the communities I am fortunate to be a part of.
As a new user with only a small amount of crypto knowledge, I came to Steemit with a sense of excitement and apprehension. I was worried about putting my content and stories out there for the world to see, forever. I was worried that I would find it hard to make connections and find like-minded people. Oh how wrong was on I the second one.
I was lucky enough to have joined the platform when two very important communities came into existence: #minnowsupportproject and #teamaustralia. Both of these communities accepted me with open arms and allowed me to meet some wonderful new people who I am now lucky to call comrades, buds, friends. Lets meet a few shall we:
@Tremendospercy
This british beer swilling bloke was one of the first people I met in the MSP. He likes to play golf, drink Victoria Bitter (VB) and collect copper coins. He has a real hankering for sausage as well.....
@Sammosk
Many of you would know as the kind and caring Mod from MSP. Well he has a dark side too. He likes his rides hard and fast but also has the eyebrow of an angel. He has helped me compile many a story and encouraged me to share when I didn’t think I should. Just don't look into the eye!
@Choogirl
Well the name says it all. This Panamatic girl loves Jimmy Choo. Is the #teamaustralia welcome girl and loves a good old ‘glove-slap’.
@Ausbitbank
The father of @Centerlink and an all round good guy. Always dedicated to building this community and supporting both the #minnowsupportproject and #teamaustralia. He and wonderful better half were one of the first to welcome me to Steemit. He is always hard at work:
@Gohba.handcrafts
Another valued member and supporter who always seems to have his hand on some wood. Never afraid to say G’Day or throw a controversial comment or two into the mix. Always ready with a slap or two for unsuspecting punters.
A wonderful soul of a person. Always drawing, always there to return comment or answer questions. The creator of the upgoat drawing (see footer below). Truly a talented individual.
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The founder of the Upgoat and the local news guy. Always ready to tell you as he sees it. He loves German scheizer porn too (apparently)
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Another one of the first people who I met on the platform and the resident photographer. He never uses Steemit at work (never).
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A fellow surfer who would rather the colder waters of the south (that way he has an excuse when getting changed at the beach). He is always there to read and support.
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@DrWom
A smart wombat by all accounts. He usually eats, roots and leaves!
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The faithful and creative graphic designer of the team. She created all the #teamaustralia footers you see. Proudly branding the team for the good of the country.
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A relative newcomer and the baby of the bunch. Often he will cover his ears when 
This guy I like to call Mr Fitness. Always doing the chin-ups and the push-ups. His virtual yoga classes are not to be missed.
The humble, yet mysterious founder of #teamaustralia. We are yet to get him into the #teamaustralia Discord Chat channel but I think we can convince him to come out of the batcave!
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These are the guys and girls who come to chat and play on a regular basis in the #minnowsupportproject #teamaustralia Discord channel. It is a place of fun and frivolity and has made my experience here on Steemit so much more thrilling and fulfilling. There are others I know I have missed but I thank you all for making this place somewhere I look forward to visiting each day.
The moral of this story is SteemIT is whatever you want to make it. It is the connections, communities and friends that you make that make this experience worthwhile. Earning STEEM and SBD are just a byproduct of being able to interact with like-minded people in a safe and caring place.
Thank you to 
