Alive Magazine - Edition 22 - May 2022 by alivefrasercoast

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MAY 2022 EDITION #22

WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS A Bay mum’s fight to make a difference Full story on pages 04-07

Research is key How Gemma beat breast cancer

Mums

Edition

Full story on pages 12-13

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EDITOR’S WELCOME

ecoming a mother is the start of a journey that brings great joy, pride and happiness as well as worries and challenges.

If only kids came with a manual when they’re born!

ONLINE MAGAZINE ON THE GO

I remember my husband and I bringing our now nine-year-old from hospital thinking, what the hell do I do with this baby!

Originally it wasn’t a celebration of motherhood, but a time during Lent when people returned to their mother church – the main church – for a special service.

But, like always, we figured it out as we went along, and he survived just fine.

The tradition of gifting came from families reuniting at this Mothering Sunday service too.

I’d never spent more than five minutes holding a baby let alone been in charge of human life.

This is why Mother’s Day falls annually on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

The most important thing to me now is making sure my little man feels loved, happy, safe, and secure.

Children would pick flowers on route to church and gift bouquets to their mothers. Hence why an online flower delivery is still considered the go-to gift for Mother’s Day today.

I have also been blessed with my mum who is my best friend and confidant. Whenever I need her, she’s right there. I’m so thankful for that. In this edition we celebrate Mother’s Day and what it means.

I had never really thought much about the origin of the day, only that I look forward to my new pair of pink slippers just in time for winter each year. But what I found was quite interesting.

The origins of Mother’s Day and commemorating motherhood is a concept that dates back to the Ancient Greeks.

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In their spring festival, they celebrated the goddess Rhea, considered the Mother of the Gods. Rhea was closely associated with another mother goddess, Cybele, whom the Romans honoured.

To all the mothers and mother-figures out there, we salute you! Love you mum. ox

Kerrie

UPCOMING EVENTS

THE ALIVE TEAM

Editor KERRIE ALEXANDER editor@alivemag.com.au

Founder / Creative Director JOY BUTLER info@alivemag.com.au

Deputy Editor LEANNE ESPOSITO

Digital Editor LIZZIE MACAULAY

Advertising Manager LOUISE HOLMES advertising@alivemag.com.au Phone 0477 094 335

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Advertising Representative KAREN WHITE karen@alivemag.com.au Phone 0418 197 386

Head of Distribution JAMIE BUTLER Phone 0428 137 968

All editorial and advertising in Alive Magazine publications are published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibbility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Alive Magazine is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Feedback or suggestion? Send to: info@alivemag.com.au

7 May

WALK THE TALK SHELL’S WAY When: Saturday, May 7.

Where: Seafront Oval, Pialba. What: Walk The Talk Shell’s Way is a

community event to raise awareness and

support for Domestic and Family Violence prevention.

8 May

RIVER HEADS MARKETS

When: Sunday, May 8, 8am to noon.

Where: In and around the River Heads Progress Hall, Ariadne St, River Heads.

What: New markets to the Hervey Bay area. Live music, fresh produce, local arts and crafts, food and coffee.

15 May

May 7-8 SUPERBOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS When: Sunday, May 8.

Where: Watch from the foreshore along the Hervey Bay Esplanade.

What: Watch these amazing state of the art super boats battle it out risking everything for the title of 2022 Champion.

FRASER COAST WEDDING INDUSTRY SHOWCASE When: May 15, 10am to 1pm.

Where: Star of the Sea Catholic School Hall, Hughes Rd, Torquay.

What: The Fraser Coast Wedding Industry Showcase is a free community event which aims to exhibit the very best suppliers in the Wedding and Events Industry, all in one convenient location. This free event gives couples the opportunity to meet suppliers face-to-face and see if they’re the right fit for their wedding dream team.

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COVER S TORY by Kerrie Alexander

HEALING THROUGH

HELPING OTHERS

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Hervey Bay mum who has endured the crippling loss of child is now fighting to make a difference in the lives of children and families facing the same adversity.

The story of Amanda and Michael Christensen and their little superhero son “Captain Cooper” is beyond heart-breaking.

Cooper was diagnosed with a DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) brain tumour at just four years old. There was, and still is, no cure. On July 25, 2015, at 1.45pm, six-year-old Cooper Christensen died - one year, eight months and 26 days after he was diagnosed.

During those 20 months, Amanda would stay up for hours on end searching Google and brain cancer forums for answers, trying to find out what her little boy was about to endure.

Imagine being told that your child only has six to nine months to live. Surgery is not an option, and chemotherapy doesn’t work on this specific brain tumour. Amanda soon learnt that the only treatment available to Cooper was 30 rounds of radiation, solely to reduce the swelling on the brain.

This treatment is invasive but also the only option available for Cooper.

He would have to lie on a bed with his specially fitted mask, bottled to the bed. He would be all alone in that room. The radiation machine would be set to work radiating his brain from various angles. It was, however, the only treatment available to fight this incurable disease.

This would eventually see Cooper lose his hair and become wheelchair bound.

She was put in contact with Hand in Hand Fighting Brain Cancer Charity founder Carolyn Oldano after striking up a conversation with one of her friends at a brain cancer charity ball in Brisbane in 2016.

It was the start of a wonderful relationship that would see Amanda become a director on the charity and co-write a book with award-winning author Coral Vass called ‘Where the Magic Happens’ - a heart-warming story about Cooper’s fight with brain cancer. Carolyn started the charity after her husband Mike lost his battle with GBM brain cancer.

Amanda said he was a “manly man” who raced rally cars and wouldn’t scare easily. That was until he endured brain cancer radiation. He was horrified knowing children were experiencing the same treatment. It was his wish for Carolyn to help make the treatment easier on children and together with Amanda, and illustrator Nicky Johnston, they have helped make that wish come true. The book features illustrations of Cooper based off photographs that were taken during his treatment.

The cover features Cooper holding a Mikey the Martian doll that is now synonymous with the foundation. The first page features Cooper with his hospital wrist band and follows his journey of meeting with doctors, taking medicines, going through treatment, wearing a mask, and becoming the brave little superhero he was well-known for.

How on earth do you explain clinical medical terms to a fouryear-old without scaring him but still being honest about what was to come?

How do you explain the disease to his young friends who were by his side for the harrowing journey? Amanda said during this time there just wasn’t any resources available to her family in the darkest of days. After Cooper passed away Amanda knew she had to create something to help others in a similar situation.

Cooper had always loved Spiderman and the Avengers, especially Captain America, because he loved to see the good guys win. All these pieces of Cooper’s character come together in this beautifully written book.

“The book is about a little boy by the name of Cooper who isn’t feeling well and goes to the doctors with his parents and that’s when he finds out that he has a brain tumour,” Amanda said. “Then he has to go through radiation treatment and that also includes medications and having a mask made. You walk in and there’s a big machine that delivers the radiation … it’s something these children will experience so it’s a prepreparation.

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“With Cooper there was no pre-planning.

“We didn’t have anything to read that would help explain what was happening or about his brain tumour or what was going to happen with radiation and treatment and why he was having to go through all these processes in hospital.” Amanda said until you have sat in a doctor’s office and told that your child has brain cancer, it is hard to relate to the importance of the book.

The character Ture of “Captain Cooper” is now synonymous with RFAC and the Dunga Derby rally, which is the charities biggest annual fundraiser.

“It’s a process and we just hope that this book provides parents with some relief and something to hold on to during the worst time you will ever experience.

“I’m now a nurse and able to give that help and care for others, help raise funds for brain cancer research, I’ve cowritten the book to help family and children and I’m now working with Rally for a Cause who helped us endlessly when Cooper was diagnosed.

Her greatest hope is that the ‘Where the Magic Happens’ will make these families feel less alone and less scared of the unknown.

“During that time when you’re grasping for anything, this book is something that I would have loved to have had. “From the feedback we have had from some of the families it’s doing what’s it’s supposed to do. We are really proud of it.” Little Cooper would also be incredibly proud of his parents who have stayed true to his motto of “never giving up”.

“When his eyesight started going, he had a few eye surgeries before we found out he had brain cancer, and he would just get up and try again, fall down and get up and try again. “He just said one day that ‘it’s okay mummy I won’t give up because you can’t ever give up’.

“From then it was never ever give up! That became our thing.”

As well as the book, both Amanda and Michael raised over $56,000 for brain cancer research by holding the Walk for Cooper in Hervey Bay.

A chair on “Cooper’s Walk” on the Esplanade in Scarness has a plaque attached in loving memory of his brave fight.

Amanda swapped her career as a teacher-aid to become a nurse to help others in need and is now also the newly appointed Recipient Liaison officer for Rally for a Cause – a local charity that all started to help raise funds for Cooper and the family.

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“Looking back, a lot has changed since Cooper passed away but a lot of good has come from it.

“Now I’m happily on board as one of the recipient liaison officers. I’ve been able to give back to so many others and it makes life after Cooper just a little bit easier knowing that your helping others. “Knowing him I think he would be extremely proud, and he’d be like ‘Yep, that’s my mum’. He’d be chuffed.”

It is the charities wish to have both Where the Magic Happens book and Mikey the Martian toy available for every child suffering from childhood brain cancer, in every hospital around Australia. May is also Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Fraser Coast residents can also log onto the Hand in Hand website and donate a $40 book bundle to families with children diagnosed with brain cancer. Visit handinhandfbc.org and click on the ‘store’ tab to donate.

Are you considering orthopaedic surgery? Dr Anthony Murray is a highly experienced and innovative orthopaedic surgeon who is now consulting from Hervey Bay and Bundaberg. Dr Murray specialises in minimally invasive total hip replacement, knee replacement, orthopaedic trauma and sports injuries.

Dr Anthony Murray Orthopaedic Surgeon

Phone: 07 5493 8038 | www.scorthogroup.com.au Alive Magazine Wide Bay |

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C OMMUNI TY CON N E CT I O N by Kerrie Alexander

CELEBRATE YOU IN THE FLOURISH GARDEN

Toni Page, Di Baek, Tracey Messer, Kaz Blackley, Kim Redpath and Genevieve de Szoeke look forward to welcoming guests to The Flourish Garden.

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s women we tend to forget to stop and smell the roses!

There’s no denying that women from all walks of life, simply get on with their lives, taking care of others, though not necessarily taking care of themselves. Ladies, how often do you take some time out for yourselves, without feeling guilty?

Well, this year the Fraser Coast Mates Golf Day, will not only be about coming together with mates, enjoying each other’s company, and playing golf, it will also be shining a spotlight on women. FCM will host the inaugural ‘Flourish Garden’ ladies marquee day, where women can come together to celebrate each other, and most importantly you can celebrate you!

For women, we need to stop and smell the roses so we can all admire the beauty that surrounds us, hence the Flourish Garden theme. It will be an event where women can come together, enjoy like-minded company, and be showered in positive vibes with a focus on women’s mental health and wellbeing. Fraser Coast Mates was formed nearly 6 years ago from a tragedy when a group of heart-broken mates, who lost their good friend and local businessman Geoff Redpath to suicide, came together. The huge impact that was felt throughout the community prompted Geoff’s wife Kim and some of his closest mates, to organise a golf day for the first anniversary of his passing, wearing his favourite-coloured pink shirt, as a way of remembering him and to also bring awareness and conversation to men’s mental health and wellbeing.

This first golf day has now become a greatly anticipated, sell-out annual event seeing over 200 golfers take to the course each year, and almost $100,000 raised for mental health awareness on the Fraser Coast since the inception.

Today, Fraser Coast Mates continues to build solid foundations within the community with funding for counselling and support services, organised social events, funded exercise PT sessions and walk for awareness day.

The Flourish Garden organising committee members, Kim Redpath and Genevieve de Szoeke, said as the years have gone by and the golf day has grown, more and more women have participated in the annual event. Now is the perfect opportunity for the day to evolve and to introduce this new event to compliment the golf day. Today more than ever we are all touched by depression and anxiety, and it is important that the women in the community have a way to come together to celebrate each other and more importantly, themselves.

While some ladies may still prefer to play golf, others will relish in a few hours of relaxation under the Flourish Garden marquee before coming together at the end of the day for fundraising and formalities with golfing participants.

“Geoff was a person that was amazing at connecting people and passionate about our Fraser Coast community, and the golf day evolving the way it has really is a reflection of the type of person that he was,” Kim said. “The success and growth of the event over the years has come from the overwhelming need to provide a relaxed platform that encourages conversations and opportunity to openly show support toward each other”.

Genevieve said being all-inclusive does not take away from why Fraser Coast Mates started in the first place; it’s simply the right time to evolve and raise awareness for the women in need on the Fraser Coast. “The golf day has been centred around men’s mental health and women have wanted to come on board and support the men in their lives. We need to also take the time for ourselves, to be a better support person. It’s about celebrating you! “Women can be with other women, share, connect, laugh and listen; just come together to ensure that we have time for ourselves.

“We are natural givers; we want to fix things and help people to make situations better but unless our cups are full, we can’t take all that on and be there for everyone. Sometimes it’s at our detriment for doing that.

“There is very much a purpose to this event. It will allow women to come together in a beautiful relaxing surround, while at the same time supporting, sharing, and conversing,” Kim said. “It’s to celebrate women, celebrate us, and celebrate you however we also need to talk about women’s mental wellbeing as well, but in a very positive light,” Genevieve added.

“That one chat, that one connection can change a person’s outlook. At the golf day over the years, we have seen how much just one conversation can change a person’s life. “We believe this is the foundation for bigger and better things. We hope to build an awareness and also continue to raise funds through more events like this in the future, all under the Fraser Coast Mates umbrella.” “We really want to establish support networks that are there for our community in the future and this event is a steppingstone toward that.

For ladies who are unable to attend or are dealing with mental health and want to reach out, please reach out. “The funding Fraser Coast Mates provides for counselling and support services isn’t just for men it’s open to anyone in our community.” The Flourish Garden event is on Friday 24th June, starting at 11.30am. Tickets are $80 and includes a champagne on arrival, canapés, and most importantly – celebrating you!

Would like to know more, email Fraser Coast Mates at admin@ frasercoastmates.com.au.

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LIZZI E L EA RNS TO Lizzie Macaulay

LIZZIE LEARNS TO…

MAKE A BALLOON GARLAND

y job never stops being excellent.

To learn this month that I was going to be learning how to make beautiful balloon arrangements, I couldn’t help but marvel at the incredible variety I experience for this column. (Just don’t ask me to skydive or play with spiders!)

I’ve been aware of The Pop-Up Party Co. since its arrival at the Junction on Truro in Torquay a couple of years ago.

Being a *lazy* parent with tiny tots, I’m yet to have my first foray into a beautifully decorated, themed event - partly because I believed it was going to be painful to bring together. For my column this month, I was about to discover how incredibly easy it can be.

Arriving into the store, you’re immediately soothed by the delicate palette and incredibly ordered space.

Jars of balloons every colour of the rainbow line the customcrafted powder pink shelving. This is absolutely my personal version of ASMR.

Owner Bec Albouze greeted us as warmly as if we were old friends, and the tone was set from the get-go. Looking around, and taking in the gorgeous aesthetic, it’s clear every detail has been meticulously tended to.

From the glorious packaging to the custom neon sign and signature Hey Posy blooms, the shop is a complete delight.

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As Bec puts it, the party starts from the moment you enter – or when your parcel arrives.

You see, the vast majority of the orders that Bec and the team field are from interstate customers. Not everyone has the opportunity to come in-person to what has to be the most beautiful shop in Hervey Bay. What I loved the most is that Bec’s intentions for her customers and business practices are so pure – to take the stress off customers in the midst of event organising chaos, and do it in a top-quality ethical, environmentally conscious way.

Add to that the fact that each customer is able to get creative – with or without the kiddos – and feel that sense of achievement that they built something beautiful.

As you’ll know by now, my artistic skills leave a whole lot to be desired, so I was interested to see how much skill would be required to become a ‘balloon engineer’. As it happens, I was in safe hands. Of course I was.

Bec and her team took me through a crash course in assembling the contents of their signature kits.

It sounded simple enough to bring together (especially as random order was the aim of the day).

I was surprised by the ease and simplicity, considering the net result was something truly spectacular. Each balloon kit includes a custom pump that inflates the

balloons no matter which way you use it. Speed and efficiency are strong areas of focus – again, handy for someone who has a massive party to organise, and not time to do it in.

We had 35 or so balloons to inflate, which didn’t sound like a lot until you saw them all sprawled across the shop floor. I felt almost guilty for disrupting the serenity of the shop’s orderly nature.

With the balloons all prepared, the next stage was assembly.

Bec showed me her secret weapon that made the whole job both transportable across the country AND accessible for almost anyone to create their garland with very little assistance… Balloon tape.

Naturally, I’d never heard of it, but I soon understood its value when I started to see our creation coming together. A green one here, a metallic one there. Just stunning.

Then, to complete the look, we got to stick on some teeny tiny mini balloons that not only fill in any gaps, but are just too cute in their own right.

Stepping back to admire our handiwork, I couldn’t believe that you could create something this spectacular for less than $50. **Getting it into the car was going to be an interesting undertaking, but for the moment, that was future me’s problem.**

I loved hearing Bec recount all the different ways her customers approach balloons – from cake matching to outfit matching.

It was truly a new world that I was entering, and very happy to linger in. As always, however, these things must come to an end, and my time in-store with Bec and her team was winding up.

I thought of all the ways I could use her products in the future, and how I was likely out of excuses for holding off hosting a grande soiree for my girls in the near future – but that’s totally OK, because Bec has thought of everything.

Since dropping by, I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time salivating over her arrangements through her Instagram feed and on her website. The bar for parties has well and truly been raised, and I’m so on board! With enormous thanks to Bec and the team at The Pop-Up Party Co. for your generosity and patience! You can nab your own amazing balloon garland kits by dropping in to the store at: 6/16 Bideford Street, Torquay or heading to thepopuppartyco.com.au. Follow along for inspiration on social media at: IG @the_pop_up_party_co or FB: facebook.com/thepopuppartyco

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H OME GROWN by Kerrie Alexander

CLASSIC FUN FOR A CAUSE

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emma Lightbody had just turned 30 when she felt a lump in her breast that just didn’t feel right.

The Hervey Bay resident and her husband Ben had already endured the loss of a child, major complications with their second pregnancy and their daughter Connie had been diagnosed with a rare heart disease. The chances of Gemma having breast cancer seemed inconceivable. Tragically, scans revealed two tumours in one breast.

“Me and my husband were both in disbelief as I was only 30. It took a while to sink in and then a lot of tears to believe it was real,” Gemma said.

“It was a Grade 3 and really fast growing; it was two types of cancer which was a shock and with two young kids, it was hard.” Yet, motherly instinct still trumped her illness.

Regardless of being terribly sick from the treatment and losing her hair, Gemma said it was important to make life as normal as possible for her young children, 5 and 2. “My youngest didn’t know … I really tried to shelter them. “I’d cry in the bathroom or cry at night-time.

“Because I was going to lose my hair, I got a book from Cancer Council so we could read it together. “We read about the nasty medicine, and he knew mum would feel tired and he knew mum would lose her hair. “I put a smile on my face and stayed as happy as I could for my kids.

“It was important to me to stay brave and strong because I am their protector. I’m the one that needs to be there to keep them safe and they are so young to have to see their mum sick.” Along with a double mastectomy (removal of both breasts), Gemma had five months of chemotherapy, alongside a drug called Herception that worked miracles. A year later, she is now cancer free.

These are drugs that were only developed in recent years thanks to those who dig deep and donate funds to assist Cancer Council Queensland with their relentless research to find a cure. “I don’t believe I would have got a full pathological response from chemo without Herceptin to go alongside the chemotherapy,” Gemma said.

“This was only discovered 20 years ago thanks to research into breast cancer, so I am so grateful for this … I probably wouldn’t be able to say I’m cancer free without this treatment.” That’s why it was an easy decision for Gemma to become The Hervey Bay Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic Ambassador for 2022. “I want to help spread the word and awareness of breast cancer and how many different types there are and different treatment plans as there is so many different factors involved which people don’t realise until they have it.

“Research is so important to keep women like me around to live longer and have the best chance to survive.” Tens of thousands of people around Australia will unite for the Mother’s Day Classic to celebrate and honour those affected by breast cancer and raise vital funds for research. There will be up to 70 event locations nationwide where supporters can walk, run, or jog for the cause on Mother’s Day.

In Hervey Bay, organisers Kylie Howe, Jade Wellings and a small team of volunteers have been piecing together the highly anticipated event on Sunday, May 8.

Jade said she was invested in making the annual classic the best event it can be, with the tradition of bringing the community together and showing support and honour for those touched by breast cancer well and truly in the spotlight. “A lot of the time breast cancer survivors or family members, or those who have suffered from it, will come up to us in tears, thanking us so much for what we’re doing … and that’s what keeps us going. It’s so important to us,” Jade said. “Aside from raising money, it also gives people a chance for reflection; if anyone has been touched by breast cancer,

themselves, or someone they care about, it’s like they are walking or running for that person and that side of it can be fairly healing. “A lot of the people that come to the event aren’t die hard runners, in fact, we get a lot more walkers than runners because they are there for the cause.” Jade said there was always a great family atmosphere and sense of camaraderie between participants including Martina Hallum and her family who supply free water bottles each year. “Martina does that every year in honour of her Nan who died from cancer,” Jade said. “They use the money they make from recycling bottles and cans to buy the water for the classic and go to the event as a family and hand the water out.

“It’s just so lovely. It really is a nice day for families to come out and do it together, especially on Mother’s Day. “We welcome kids, their scooters if they need to keep up and the family dog - participate how you like.”

The event will start at the Urangan Pier with the 5km and 10km walk starting at 7.30am, where those on the start line will take part in a survivor’s wave.

“Rather than an event where runners go to the front of the event and the walkers at the back, in this event the survivors and their family will be up the front.” This will be followed by the 5km and 10km run and 2km junior dash.

So, get dressed in your best pink outfit and get ready to be part of a passionate crowd with plenty of community spirit! You’ll also receive a commemorative medallion, handed over with pride when you cross the finish line. Entries can be taken on the day or signup online at mothersdayclassic.com.au/qld-herveybay FAST FACTS

• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and sadly, 8 Australians die from it every single day. • Together we can improve the lives of the 55 Australians diagnosed with breast cancer each day – now and in the future.

• In the 24-year history of the Mother’s Day Classic, almost $40 million has been donated to fund game-changing breast cancer research.

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L OCA L A RTI S T by April Spadina

@AprilSpadinaArt

SIMPLE PLEASURES DELIGHT

ike most kids growing up in the countryside, Amanda Kratzmann was encouraged to explore the great outdoors.

She learnt the ability to find joy in her surroundings, to love the simple pleasure of creating her own fun and to observe the changing landscape around her. These were the values she wanted to pass on to her children, and with her husband Mark they have instilled these strong qualities in their children, Parker 12, Charlee 10 and Bradley 9, with a life on the land and a joy of creativity and discovery.

The family are part of the rich tapestry that makes up Maryborough’s creative landscape. You may recognise the faces from the many characters they play at festivals in the region, from rugged pirates to French art critics, dusty chimney sweeps to vintage steampunk personas, this trio have certainly had their share of fun and frivolity! The whole family have even been immortalised as 3D statues in the Story Bank as characters from Mary Poppins!

The values instilled in them at a young age and encouragement from Amanda and Mark to do what makes them shine, is where their sense of adventure comes from. From their participation in local creative events and festivals, they have also developed a love of their beautiful historical city they call home, and Maryborough’s heritage buildings have become the subject of many recent pieces of art by the family

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as they join the Urban Sketchers each month to sketch the urban landscape they know and love.

Amanda, the eternal dabbler in all things arty, relishes in the fact that her “mini-me” Charlee is her side kick each month at Urban Sketchers and has become quite the celebrity of sorts. Earlier this year Charlee’s sketch of the School of Arts was selected as Alive Magazine’s Artwork of the Month! Charlee the proverbial apple that didn’t fall far from the tree, is quickly developing into a fine artist under the gentle guidance of her talented mum.

As they wander through the picturesque streets, the children often point out special features on buildings, that would otherwise go unnoticed. The curve of an archway, the delicate ironwork verandas, this natural ability to see the beauty in their surroundings and appreciation of where they live, is what Amanda wished for in her children. From the chalk drawings on the concrete driveway, to the gallery of artwork that hangs on their home walls, you can be certain that these children will always be encouraged and supported to strive for happiness and joy. Appreciation of the simple pleasures in life is ingrained in their essence, it’s part of their DNA, and a reflection of the type of parenting that comes from a place of love, and to Amanda and her beautiful family, there is nothing more important.

The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a community funding program for arts, culture and heritage on the Fraser Coast. Visit our website to find out more information about funding for your creative idea.

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/RADF

The part and

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LO CA L MUSI CI A N

VIBEKE VOLLER 16

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Have you always been musical? As a very young child I was fascinated by the grand piano in my grandparent’s home in Norway. I remember clambering onto the piano stool and exploring in amazement the sound of these black and white keys with tiny fumbling fingers! Growing up in Sydney I was always singing, and I wrote my first song when I was about 11 years old. I was asked to sing it for the whole school which gave me a taste for performing… I would dream of making albums and spent hours singing into a hairbrush! In my late teenage years I went back to Norway and spent 6 months studying music and singing. This experience was a great inspiration to me and was followed some years later by 12 years of vocal training, studies at the conservatorium in Sydney and incorporating performances at that time in Sydney and Fiji. I believe with any talent or gift it takes a lot of determination and hard work to pursue and fulfill the potential. What/who are your musical influences? Whilst growing up in my parents’ home the house boomed with the voice of Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey etc. and I thought there was something astonishing about the quality and depth of their voices which led me to appreciate singers like, Whitney Houston, Randy Crawford, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, and Eva Cassidy. What/who are you listening to right now? I always love to listen to jazz vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Barbara Morrison. Much of my jazz repertoire is inspired by their music. Lady Gaga, Guy Sebastian, John Legend and Jessica Mauboy are amazing contemporary vocalists that I love listening to as well.

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I’m Norwegian so I love mountains! They are also inspiring lyrics to not give up. Which instruments do you play? Keyboard What gig past, future or present would you like to have been to/go to? I have performed in Europe (EUROPAfest) and New Zealand several times at Jazz Festivals and would love to get back to international performing. Where do you see yourself in 5 years in the music industry? One of my favourite venues is the Brisbane Jazz Club; a classy venue on the Brisbane River where I have the privilege of working with some of Queensland’s finest musicians. My solo work on the keyboard is also a great passion incorporating a wide variety of repertoire; as long as I have opportunities to sing and perform, I’m happy! Where can people find your music? Spotify: search for Vibeke Voller. I have 3 albums. Website: www.vibekevoller.com FB: Vibeke Voller Vocalist | Facebook

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INSPIRATION FOR A REFRESH @messyzen @diykimi

@messyzenart

appy Mother’s Day to all you gorgeous Mumma’s!

A day to honour the seemingly endless kindness, compassion, endurance and love that Mum’s supply.

A common theme on social media each Mothers’ Day is Mum’s getting breakfast in bed accompanied by beaming offspring. Mumma looks tired - but appreciates the moment so much. She is ok to put a raw, unmade, private, braless, often unflattering photo - wearing pjs in bed on social media for all to see. I can’t think of another occasion when women share themselves this vulnerable… except perhaps photos taken at childbirth – blurry eyed, blotchy, bloated, exhausted, overwhelmed, and incredibly proud. The intimate photo from a hospital bed. A mother’s bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. A feeding station for babies, a place to go when a bad dream or thunderstorm strikes. At my house it’s where we did readers, watch movies, talk about late night problems, perform minor operations, medical inspections and cuddle the sick or emotionally bruised back to health.

This Mother’s Day I hope to inspire you to refresh your bedroom - to create a space that serves your current stage in life. Pregnancy, babies, toddlers, teens, or empty nest: very different life stages. If your bedroom is not evolving with the flow of life, it might be time to invest in a new energetic vibration – DIY. My hungry human housemates are 14 and 11. I feel like I need to use my new bedroom as a retreat! A space to call my own. I intend the space to feel clean, uncluttered, relaxing, stylish, creative, put together and grown up. Have a look at your bedroom and feel what it is telling you about you. Write down what you like and what you think needs a change, and record what items you might like to sell. Start a vision board or notebook for the project.

A change doesn’t have to cost the earth, so set a budget. A new set of linen, clean plump pillows, feature wall painting or hanging print accompanied by a declutter, tidy and clean may enough to reinvent your bedroom to fit your next chapter. Having renovated a few homes; my first stop is always a House & Garden style magazine. A mag will get the excitement levels happening and point you in the direction of what style you are vibing on. Paint choice is important. It’s relatively cheap and easy to do. Painting provides big bang for your buck! Home Magazines often provide the paint brand and colour used in the featured homes. If you like a paint you see in a magazine, it can be a good, safe choice rather than picking from 1000’s of options.

Google 2022 paint trends and 2022 paint colour of the year. You will find latest international colours. Dulux Australia 2022 Colour trends is current to Australian season.

I ended up using: Dulux NATURAL WHITE Low Sheen and Porters Paints GULF STREAM.

For skirting/trims/doors, I used Dulux NATURAL WHITE gloss Acrylic. Applying Acrylic on trim provides durability for the knocks and dings. More challenging than water based paint to work with, cleaning brushes requires Turpentine but do some research if you haven’t used oil-based paint before. Painting not your thing?

Try readymade VJ boards panels (Bunnings Warehouse) to create vintage drama or ready to hang wallpaper sheets, they have the wow factor. There are loads of gorgeous patterns to choose from! Be brave.

Thinner style sticker vinyl floorboards are impressive as a feature wall, planks will need to be screwed or nailed to secure – the forces of gravity will drop panels if not securely affixed.

I previously used stick-on vinyl floorboards on a small entrance ceiling. It looked impressive! Lighting and electrical is the one thing that I don’t skimp on when planning a project. Good lighting is not only practical but sets the mood of the space. Low light is great for relaxation, but equally you need good bright light to see in drawers, read, do makeup, clean or whatever. If you can’t get an electrician, there are many affordable lamps available or use an LED strip lighting system to create mood. Many options of LED strips are available, but prices greatly vary depending on the quality and features. If you are getting an electrician out it’s a good time to check if you have enough power points available for your room’s

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devices. USB ports are available in power points. I’m not a fan, but many people are choosing the convenience to have the USB port hardwired.

Matt Spargo and the team from Kool Spark Electrical Hervey Bay installed the air-conditioner, tv port and extra power points. Kool Spark are fully licenced and professional. Matt was super helpful and patient when making design choices.

Always use a qualified electrician. DIY or dodgy unlicensed electrical can be fatal.

I am loving my Hisense Air Con purchased from Good Guys Hervey Bay. Robyn helped me find the right sized unit for the room to ensure efficiency. The carpet in my place had to go! It was tired, buckling, stained, and worn. I choose Andersen’s in Pialba.

Tim from Andersen’s was helpful when deciding what product would suit my house. Andersen’s provided take home samples and a free in-home measure up.

I decided on a Vinyl Planking for easy clean, durability, and affordability. There’s a big variety of options to choose from. I choose an earthy neutral wood look commercial grade 0.5mm SD435 Laurel. Super durable option with 20-year

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residential warranty.

Prices vary depending on quality and thickness of vinyl. Planks are adhered with a commercial glue; a great feature is the ease to remove and replace individual planks if they get damaged… not an easy thing to do with other flooring varieties. I love this feature!

I was warned DIY vinyl planking is not straightforward to master. Ensuring your floor levels are even can be the challenge. I would love to hear your opinion, feel free to drop a message on my socials. Replacing flooring is a major expense and having carpets professionally cleaned or using a feature rug may be a decent alternative. Tiles can be brought back to life with a grout clean and seal. Polished concrete is not to everyone’s taste, I appreciate the industrial look in a home. It’s durable and easy to clean, certainly worth considering.

Andersen’s can help you make a choice on what options best suit your space, lifestyle, and budget. My two inside doggies Luna and Scooch are a factor when making purchases. Select products that fit your whole tribe. No white carpet for me! Window coverings need to be practical to your life; consider location, sunlight, and sleep patterns. I love the floaty look of sheers however sheer curtains aren’t always practical without a block out blind behind to keep out sunlight, plus save the neighbours from a free peep show! Installing blinds can be fiddly and somewhat challenging if you are not the best on a drill and tape measure. Ready to hang curtains are simple with only the rail to master.

Ensure your curtains aren’t too heavy for your rail choice or the screws could rip out of the wall with use. Before hanging gently wash, warm iron (follow cleaning guide on label). Hang immediately after ironing. Play around with the folds in the curtains to ensure the drapes sit nicely before they set. If you are not changing walls, a good clean with a bucket of warm water/sugar soap will get rid of oils, fingerprints and scuffs leaving the walls fresh Big stuff done - floors, walls, electrical!

Playtime now with furniture, linen, art, and accessories.

I like to play with layers, textures, plus different heights. It’s your private space, be creative, make it sing with your personality. The room makeover incorporates a hanging moon feature, faux fur, cord macrame, and velvet cushions, which creates visual, and tactical variety. All purchased at Spotlight.

Indoor plants add life to any room. I love my tall cactus … it creates boho drama! I incorporated a small pink/green Polka Dot Hypoestes plant. I am little bit obsessed with indoor plants and I know many of you are too. They are the perfect Mother’s Day gift I say! Choose a sunny spot and don’t overwater. Feel free to chat with your plants, apparently, they like that!

I really wanted a mix mash of levels and colour. I used a preloved black bar stool as a bedside table, with a gold metal drum style table on other side.

You can play with what you have available. DIY metallic paint would bring new life to a tired bedside table. It doesn’t have to match.

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The pattern/glow/scent of a lantern really is the cherry on top of any Mumma Bear bedroom makeover. I picked up mine ages ago from DUSK, but you could be clever and DIY… like I did In the February edition of ALIVE Home Projects. You can access the project on the ALIVE WIDE BAY website. I enjoy hanging out in my new bedroom. The space feels like fresh, vibrant, and alive.

If your bedroom is not feeling like you, write a plan, start daydreaming, make a project for you. I hope I’ve given you some ideas to get started, feel free to get in touch if you have questions. It’s a really challenging job being a Mum - all the little things and the big things too. You are doing great and are absolutely enough! Happy Mother’s Day.

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THE MOTHER’S DAY

Gift Guide

It’s always a good time to honor the friends, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and teachers who have shaped us, supported us, and fed us. Below, the best for the best in your life—and plenty of gems to celebrate and cultivate your own inner-creator energy.

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CELEBRATING

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FA SHI ON by Kate Manley

Keeping cosy

1. 2.

his whole issue is a celebration of the gift of Mothers everywhere so we certainly don’t need to keep a secret about honouring the all the things our mothers mean to us.

As Mother’s Day approaches, it can often bring about mixed emotions. For some, it reminds them of the loss of their own mothers, or it could be their upbringing was far from ideal. It could be a child who has passed or the unmet need of bearing children of their own.

But, whether this day is one of blessing and abundance, or for some reason, pain and heartache, we hope there are family and friends to surround and support you and bring you joy.

Our fashion focus this month was inspired by a quote from Ambroise Bierce: Sweater, n.: garment worn by a child when its mother is feeling chilly.

So for all the women out there whose mothers, or grand mothers, told them to ‘rug up’, we have a collection of new seasons knitwear to keep you cosy this winter.

1. Beige wool blend jumper featuring black striped trim. 2. Cashmere and wool olive jumper with grey / silver stars. 3. Olive cable knit & button cardigan over cotton long sleeved v-neck top.

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DUNGA DERBY by Kerrie Alexander

THE MAMAS OF DUNGA I

magine being Mama to 250 for a four-day weekend! That’s many breakfasts, lunches, hats and water bottles. That’s hundreds to get through showers, loo breaks, morning teas and muster to bed on time!

Now imagine those 250 people are fully grown adults, and you’re in the countryside, in the cold, in Dunga cars!

Amy D’Amico is a loving mum of three young men, a student and an employee. She’s a volunteer, an adventurer and damn remarkable. She holds three roles across the Dunga Derby and Rally for a Cause Charities including Secretary, Bookkeeper and Organiser of the 2022 Fraser Coast event. What is even more remarkable is that Amy is one of MANY Dunga Mamas, who we’d love to celebrate. We have our volunteers and teammates from the Dunga Derby Teams, Wiggle Leaders, Officials, Supporters and

Amy D’Amico

Working Group, Dunga Derby Committee, Rally for a Cause Recipient Sub-Committee, Rally for a Cause Directors and our Rally for a Cause Volunteers and Employees! There are so many more, but too many to list. Dunga Derby and Rally for a Cause is surrounded and supported by a group of local Mama’s who are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They sacrifice so much of their time and energy on this local cause and inspire many to do the same. If you are interested in sponsoring, volunteering, or supporting either charity, please contact operationsmanager@rallyforacause.org.au From the whole family at Dunga Derby and Rally for a Cause, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Happy Mother’s Day to our behind-the-scenes crew, to our vibrant and forward facing Dunga teams, and to our recipients and members of the community.

The RealWay Team wish all mums a very

Happy Mother's Day www.herveybay.realway.com.au 363 Esplanade, Scarness | 07 4128 4255 REAL SERVICE – REAL RESULTS | 28

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ber

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cts Officer

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Mel - Wiggle Leader

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Donna - Recipient Committee

Lisa (Volunteer)

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SMA RT MO N E Y by Kodie Axelsen

@cofinancecompany

MONEY MANAGING MUMS

hout out to all the mums out there for Mother’s Day! If no one has told you recently, you are doing an awesome job out there in this world! It’s a big job being a mum!

As mums our worlds revolve around our kids. Teaching them life skills and how to go about living in this world is our top priority. We need to teach our children an understanding of money and where it comes from. These days kids think it comes from the money tree and who can blame them.

They see us swipe plastic or our phones and then “BEEP,” the money tree delivers. They need to be taught to respect money and how to use it. I think it is a shame that cash is being used less. It adds a tangible feeling to hold it in your hand and physically give it to someone in exchange for goods.

You feel it come in and you feel it go. I remember as a kid I used to work as the dish pig for my mum at her cafe and I’d get $50 for working a Sunday. Every two weeks I’d swap my two fifties for a green note. Safe to say every second week I was even more pumped to get the next one. I have watched my own kids in the toy section deciding whether what they wanted was worth the money it cost to buy it and if they would still be happy with how much they had left.

It absolutely lit me up to watch that scenario play out without my input at all. They made a conscious decision that they weren’t willing to purchase this toy as it was too expensive for their liking. They didn’t see the value in it, so they weren’t prepared to part with their hard-earned money. Funny how different that feeling is when you’re spending your own money and not mum and dads.

In our house our kids receive pocket money for their daily jobs, and they must contribute towards the daily running’s of our house. They all now have a Spriggy bank card that they get paid their pocket money into every week. They have a savings account and a spending’s account. They can even start additional accounts for specific goals. I also have the ability to set tasks for them to do for payment. A foot massage is a common one in our house! I see all the mums out there nodding their approval to this one! $5 foot massages are the bomb! We don’t swap jobs. They have their job that they’re responsible for. I find this teaches them resilience for those days they want to complain that their sibling has an easier job, or they want to swap. Too bad so sad. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. They have their responsibility towards contributing to our household and they receive a wage for their service that they can spend on what they want. I have found that their money management changes with their personality.

I have one child that can save till the cows come home and one that spends all her money on tuckshop. When she wants to buy a large item, I ask how much money do you have? I put the responsibility for not being able to afford that item back onto her. The fact that she can’t afford it has nothing to do with me. I find this is a great lesson early in life that will hold them in good stead for when they become adults and have no one to back them but themselves. It becomes even more interesting when they start to negotiate a way to purchase what they want. Again, great skills for them to acquire for later in life. Testing boundaries of what they can achieve and finding ways to make things happen if they aren’t yet in a position to do it themselves.

These small lessons in life can become huge contributors

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to their future success as money does impact your quality of life and the options available to you. It is a cold-hard fact that we require money to survive in this world. To not educate our children on the value of money is in some way letting their future selves down. I want to raise independent and responsible humans. I want to arm them with the knowledge and the experience of what it feels like to earn your own money, manage and spend it responsibly.

Arming them with the power of knowledge gives them the confidence to go out into the world guns blazing. If

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FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY & MUSIC FILM Love is a powerful thing, it gives me goosebumps. My heart is over-joyed to be able to create breathtaking keepsakes for you. It is a passion that lies deep within my soul that allows me to give you something special to adore. A moment in time, that is created through the beauty I see in you. It gives me such pleasure to sit with my clients and show them what my eyes saw through the lens and watch their faces light up when they too see, what I saw.

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SK I N C ARE

YOUR TIME TO SHINE

have to chuckle to myself as I sit down to write an article about super mums for Mother’s Day.

Oh, the Irony! I have been wondering all day about how I will find the time to finish yet another task in my busy day. Where do we find the time? How do we get all those things done every single day? Somehow, we do. That is what makes us super mums! I think one of the most amazing gifts I have ever been given is motherhood. It has taught me selflessness, unconditional love and how to give to myself so that I can give more to my child (and everyone else around me). That may seem contradictory, to be selfless yet give to yourself but that has been my biggest lesson as a mother.

Being a mother is a full-time job. Add a career and a side of a guilt (for never doing enough, being there enough, add in whatever your “not enough” is), not forgetting being a full-time housekeeper, cook, friend etc. and there you have a super mum. Here is the best kept secret to being a super mum though. To function at an optimal level and grow as a person you

by Kirsty Chenery

need to take time out for yourself. Super Mums are aware of the significance of taking care of their health, their mental health and their own needs.

I have lost count in my career as a therapist how many women have said to me, “I never do these things for myself”, yet after having a treatment always comment on how much better they feel for doing something for themselves that has made them feel good. Something just for them. I hear it on a daily basis, and it always makes me feel a little sad that they feel too busy, undeserving or are just always putting others first. You deserve to be nourished, looked after, and spoilt too.

Here at Mineral Earth Wellness Spa, we are the masters at looking after you! We would love for you to visit us, spend some time and nurture you.

Whether you a mother or not, everyone deserves a bit of me time and we are here to look after you. Happy Mother’s Day to all those amazing mothers out there, those that didn’t get the chance to be mother’s and those that are mother’s to others who may not be their own. You are all very special.

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FI TN E S S by Josh Hoodless

@liftherveybay

ight weights and high reps sculpt and tone female bodies, right? Wrong!

The conventional thinking is that these smaller weights will help “tone” your muscles without bulking you up. The word “tone” here is misleading because some people refer to the idea that you can achieve defined muscles by changing their shape or tightening an area. In reality you can’t get defined or tight without gaining some muscle and losing body fat. Your muscles can get bigger or smaller, you can’t change their shape.

Sometimes toning is associated with spot reducing, which refers to targeting a specific area - like your arms, stomach, or legs - to make it leaner. However, spot reducing is not real.

The majority of women don’t want huge, ripped muscles so they are afraid to start a weightlifting routine in case they get too buff after a week. It’s so important to distinguish myth from fact: it is hormonally and physiologically impossible for an everyday woman to naturally grow slabs of muscle like a man. It’s surprisingly hard for men to grow slabs of muscle. Ask any bodybuilder and they will tell you that gaining muscle isn’t easy. You won’t turn into Mrs Olympia just because you perform squats with your body weight let alone with a barbell and weights on it. Why should women lift? It’s the same reasons why anyone should lift!

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS: Strength training can lead to a surge in endorphins, along with other feel-good chemicals such as endocannabinoids, dopamine, and serotonin. The sense of improvement and achievement after lifting weights, pair with the happy hormone release, can really set the tone (pardon the pun) of your day. STOP MUSCULAR ATROPHY: After around 30 years old you naturally begin to lose muscle mass by about 1% each year, with sedentary adults losing anywhere from 3-8% Over time, this can lead to weakness stability issues and higher risk of osteoporosis and fat gain. Just remember if you don’t use it, you lose it until you use it again! BONE DENSITY: Osteoporosis Australia recommends

that we look after our bones by regularly participating in progressive muscular strengthening activities. It’s not just calcium and vitamin D alone that will keep your 206 bones strong.

FALL PREVENTION: Having a fall might not be on the cards for a while yet but the groundwork for stability when you’re older needs to be put in place before it’s too late. Weight bearing exercise and the increased muscle mass around joints will go a long way to prevent falling abs shattering them. INCREASE METABOLIC RATE: Even just sitting around, a person with more muscle mass burns more calories (energy). The energy requirements are higher for people who develop stronger bigger muscles. This can help with managing ideal body weight, which in-turn reduces a magnitude of chronic disease. MAKE EVERYDAY EASIER: From opening jars, starting the lawn mower, picking up children, lifting and moving furniture, to having more stamina at work. Being strong makes regular manual tasks easier and will decrease to need for assistance. MANAGE OR REDUCE RISK OF DIABETES: Diabetes Australia explains that a higher metabolism, due to increased lean muscle mass, helps your body keep blood glucose levels in check, while a lower fat-tomuscle ratio reduces the amount of insulin you need in your body.

Have I convinced you yet? Think of the busy mum who picks up a 20kg child under one arm and grabs 15kg of groceries in the other but then goes off to the gym to lift the 2kg dumbbells in fear of bulking up. Throw away those little plastic weights, hop off the elliptical, and give this whole strength thing a hard crack! Where should you begin?

Do some research into qualified and experienced personal trainers or strength coaches in your local area. Get assessed by them and have a goal-focused customised program for you to work on a few days a week.

One of my favourite things is to put a barbell in a woman’s hands for the first time and help them realise the confidence they have to achieve a stronger healthier body, with no bulking up!

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CELEBRATING OUR TRIBAL MOTHERS

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L I F E W RIT ING by Leanne Esposito

he famous African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child, still rings as true to this day.

Modern western societies where individuality is revered are not theoretically considered as collective as their eastern counterparts. The view is that the western mother gets on with raising her baby inside a small family unit with or without the assistance a partner. Whereas the more tribal cultures have a leaning towards shared mothering of children where the baby is passed around from bosom to hand. It’s an idea or myth worthy of debunking, considering, in my own personal experience, the many wonderful women who’ve been there to either raise me or help me raise my own children. It’s a reminder to mothers that we are never alone. Help is only a message, telephone call, or that brief smile away. It’s in that stranger who reaches out to say hello in the shopping centre to ask how old is your baby. They are saying they care. You’re doing a great job. Or perhaps it’s the strange Scottish man who crossed my son’s palm, all those years ago, with silver (albeit a twenty cent piece) saying that the frugality of a Scotsman is notorious, so having done this deed, my son would never be poor. Babies bring out the best in us all.

In celebrating my own tribe I’d like to pay tribute to the many wonderful women and men who helped me to cultivate and raise my own healthy children. All the midwives and maternal health care nurses, doctors, paediatricians and ancillary staff were vital. As an only daughter with no sisters on which to rely it was important for me to have the support of some beautiful women like my maternal grandmother, my mother, ex mother-in-law, sisters in law, and girlfriends, all with whom I spent endless hours sharing knowledge and anecdotes in domestic situations surrounded by babies, toddlers and infant paraphernalia. Living, learning and laughing alongside these women are still my fondest memories. I couldn’t have survived and neither could my children without their loving wisdom and support. These days I am overjoyed to be sharing that knowledge with my daughter and daughter in law who are now mothers. One of the most pivotal women in my life, is someone completely unlikely. I call her my other mother, who was as close to me as my own mother. Yes, two mothers raised me. In fact, this woman was so pivotal in my life that she is the protagonist of a story for which I have devoted an entire manuscript.

You see back in the sixties, when women were to stay at home and bake cakes, my own mother, Dawn Mckean, had a career. I am eternally proud of her efforts. She had a profession to which she was devoted. So I was fortunate that my care was handed over to a most beautiful motherly soul. A woman who had grown up in an eastern European culture.

A woman who had survived the horrors of a war in her own country and was grateful to resettle in a new country, but who forever missed the black baltic soil of her own beloved Ukraine.

Sixty years later I devote this question to her. What if women ruled the world – would there be wars? I’m not sure I’m qualified to judge. I’m no philosopher, social commentator, anthropological academic or forensic psychologist. I am fairly certain, that this is as divisive question as you can get.

However, there is one thing I know as a mother, and that is - I wouldn’t want my or anyone else’s child to risk their lives to fight in a war, any war, and especially one which was politically motivated. I say, let the politicians fight their own battles. If they have a beef with a neighbouring country the leader should lead and go into battle first. Then their families should stand right beside them. This approach may well change their ideas of war.

Mary Elizabeth Lease, an American suffragette is but one orator who was quite pointed on men who shed blood by putting the knife to the throat of a brother. She wanted them all demoted as rulers for their self-evident insufficiency.

What she wanted was to turn the management of affairs over to the mothers who would temper their justice with love. The current war in Ukraine has highlighted the horror of war and caused me to reflect on the manuscript which is devoted to my other mother.

Her name is Paula OIexienko. She died on the 14th of April 2017. She was 91. We were neighbours for 12 years. I met her when I was a baby and we had a lifelong connection. She came to Australia, with her husband and three young children, as a displaced person under the World War II Global Mass Resettlement Scheme in which Australia participated. Paula went on give birth to another four children and care for so many more. She worked tirelessly in and out of the home to make ends meet. Her family was her life and sadly she only went home once to see the family she left behind in Ukraine. That she is not alive to see what is now happening in her beloved country today is a blessing.

A fictional account of her retelling a story of enduring bombing raids in Germany during World War 2 can be read on the link in the Alive website following this article.

OTHERS MAKE WE CREATE

DELICIOUS PIZZA

DINE IN OR TAKEAWAY . NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED

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LAKE MCKENZIE (BOORANGOORA)

was caught iting which h w er ev Seth's first beach. up on the ug d e h i's ip using the p

D ISCOVE R 3 0 YE A RS O F WO RL D HERITAG E-L IST E D PA RA DISE !

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FIND OUT MORE

1800 FRASER mykgari.com.au

Photo credit:

Kerrie Alexander & Tourism and Events Queensland 38

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DE STI N A TIO N Kerrie Alexander

OUR NATURAL WONDER I

conic for being the world’s largest sand island, World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island) offers unusual surprises at every turn.

For Hervey Bay residents, we’re so lucky it’s just a ferry ride away! Not only is it the only place on Earth where tall rainforests grow on sand dunes at elevations of more than 200 metres (656 feet), but it also has half the world’s perched lakes (lakes formed when depressions in dunes fill permanently with rainwater). Within minutes of landing on K’gari, you’ll feel its magic.

Four-wheel drive enthusiasts love the challenge of driving on the inland tracks or take the Rainbow Beach Ferry and hit the wide-open beaches with the wind in your hair straight up. Marvel at shifting sand blows, swim in iridescent waters and witness playful marine life just metres from shore. Complete with a blend of east and west coast resort accommodation and back to nature camping, there’s a wilderness adventure for everyone on K’gari.

My family and I have been visiting this stunning part of the world most years since I was about six months old (I’m 40 now so that’s a long time!). We often change it up with how we get there, sometimes it’s on the ferry from River Heads to either Kingfisher Bay Resort or Wanggoolba Creek (make sure you have the mozzie spray if you stop to let your tyres down).

Or, if the tide is right, we’ll jump on the Manta Ray at Rainbow Beach. Either way, you must have a 4WD to get there. If you don’t have a 4WD or don’t feel confident enough to drive on the sand, there’s a great range of guided tours on offer so you don’t miss out on experiencing this magical destination.

Last month we decided on the River Heads to Wanggoolba Creek landing because Mr 9 wanted to visit Central Station.

It’s about 9km from the landing so we were there in no time!

Central Station was once the centre of the forestry industry when there was logging on Fraser Island, these days this amazing rainforest area houses a display explaining the development of Fraser Island and its various flora and fauna, information centre and picnic area. There’s a picnic area, camping facilities, and a scenic boardwalk through the rain forest along the banks of the crystal-clear Wanggoolba Creek.

It was disappointing to see that all the historic logging machinery had been removed from the displays. They were always a highlight to see.

On the boardwalk trail, a Fraser Island guide was kind enough

to quickly point out the massive Angiopteris ferns. These species have the largest fern fronds in the world. An interesting fact we never knew, so thank you Mr Guide! After a quick refresh we got back on the track with K’gari Beach Resort (formerly Eurong Beach Resort) in our sights. From the landing it’s about 13.4km. The tracks were quite good, so it was about a 45-minute drive. We arrive at our holiday home for the next four nights at second valley (just next to Eurong).

When I was younger, we stayed at a holiday home at my very favourite place on the island - Orchid Beach. But it does take ¾ of a day travel to get there. So, for a shorter stay, second valley is the way to go. It’s only about a 40-minute drive along the beach to the iconic Eli Creek, where we spent a day lazing under the awning, swimming in the freezing cold by crystal-clear waters and had a great Aussie sausage sizzle.

While we were up that way on 75-Mile beach, we stopped for the umpteenth photo opp at the legendary Maheno - the most famous of the Fraser Island shipwrecks. We arrived just at the right tide to get a glimpse of the old girl from the ocean side. A little bit disappears each year but she’s still an incredible piece of Australian history. It’s well worth a Google search! For the remainder of this trip, we simply cruised up and down the beach finding nice little swimming holes, fishing for whiting (which were aplenty), building sandcastles, and enjoying Mr 9s new favourite hobby, digging for pipi shells. For the island newbies, pipi’s can be found just under the sand’s surface and are brilliant to use as bait. You need a good eye to see their tell-tale round and raised mounds as you drive along the beach.

In previous trips we have been all over the island to the famous Lake McKenzie, Champagne Pools, Indian Head, and Orchid Beach but never braved the tracks to the Sandy Cape, which I’m told is magnificent. The trek over Ngkala rocks makes me nervous. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough!

A quick Google search will also highlight many other beautiful lakes and walks to visit. We finished off four wonderful days with a drink and lunch at Kingfisher Bay Resort, before jumping on the 1pm ferry home. K’gari is simply amazing and never disappoints.

To book your adventure, head to www.fraserislandbarges. com.au. Keep in mind that Queensland Parks and Wildlife vehicle access permit is also required if you are taking a 4WD on K’gari.

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Saturday 4 June 10am–5pm

TICKETS

on sale now!

Portside Precinct and Queens Park, Maryborough

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L O C A L E VENT

A TASTE OF RELISH FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL A

s you wander through Portside Precinct and Queens Park, Maryborough, there is a delight to be found for each of your senses. Immediately you are welcomed by the aromas of food wafting through the air. You see regional wineries offering taste-testers, market stalls displaying unique and tasty items for sale, cooking demonstrations hosted by celebrity chefs in the Food Lover’s Marquee, and of course, more food options than you can count. You will need to map out a game plan just try as many offerings as possible. You hear talented local musicians take the Solo Stage, the clatter of woks, sizzling of BBQ’s and clanging of cooking utensils as meals are served, and the laughter among friends and family enjoying their time together. This is Relish Food & Wine Festival. A one-stopshop to journey through the bountiful farmlands, vineyards and distilleries of the Fraser Coast.

You taste your way through the region, sampling fresh produce, regional wines, unique flavours, and newly curated dishes that take your breath away. You discover new beverage blends you had not thought to try before. You feel excited, the Session you’ve been waiting for is about to begin. You take your place and watch on as your host demonstrates just how versatile and unique produce within the region is. You finish your Session and explore the remaining areas of the festival, gravitating towards the Hyne Timber Main Stage where the atmosphere is electric and you feel the joyous energy of those around you.

Your belly is full, you’ve tried new things, you are surround by friends and family, and you’ve collected a goodie or two to take home. The memories you have made will be shared for weeks! This is what the Relish Food & Wine Festival is all about. You cannot wait for the next one.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the Relish Food & Wine Festival 2022 visit www.relishfrasercoast.com.au.

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B RA NDI NG DES K

BREAKING DOWN BRANDING

by Marta Hackett

hat is branding? For new small business owners, understanding the art of branding can be a challenge.

But with a bit of knowledge, you’ll feel confident and empowered to elevate your brand. In essence, branding is how a person intuitively feels about your business. A brand is a reputation. Designers use logos, taglines, patterns, colours, textures, fonts, packaging and more to craft a visual identity. But I want you to know there is so much more involved. Sometimes people can use the term branding interchangeably with the term logo or business, and it’s wise to understand that isn’t quite right. Instead, you should know: A brand is not a product.

The logo is a symbol, not the brand. A brand is not just a promise. A brand is a reputation. A brand is made by a customer/client assumption and experience within the business. As a well-known and respected branding master, Marty Neumeier says: “Your brand isn’t what you say it is. It’s what they say it is.” From a strategy point of view, that might sound like a paradox, but it’s not. Designers use brand strategy to inform the visual identity (logo, colours, fonts, patterns etc) to position your brand to influence the customer or client on what to think about the brand. So, use strategy and design to your advantage. When

consumers buy from you, they are buying into their individual identities.

Shopping at a store is more than a purchase, it’s a way to express themselves. If they value quality, they will be happy to pay more for a service or product. Take Levi jeans, for example, you can get great quality clothes at a fraction of the price of Levi’s products. But Levi jeans have a reputation for high-quality garments that stand the test of time.

If customers value flexibility, people will want more options in their service. Take a look at Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness or Maryborough Fitness and Bodyworks. They are 24/7 access gyms. If you join one of these gyms, you gain the flexibility to train when it suits you, and you get a healthy range of equipment to choose from. But why would someone buy a membership from Maryborough Fitness Health and Bodyworks over Anytime or Snap? It’s because of their story. Maryborough Fitness Health & Bodyworks is a locally founded gym. The owners Chris and Tina Black love people, fitness and community. The owners are an integral part of the Maryborough community and people who value family, connection, and safety will choose this gym over franchised gyms because it aligns with their values. Branding is powerful. Elevate your business and invest in branding. Need your questions answered? Send me a DM @The_Solutionist

@The_Solutionist

WORK WITH US TO LEVEL UP YOUR LOGO & BRANDING

BRAND REFRESH FROM $500

Contact Marta

For a free consultation 0439 789 745 www.solutionistbranding.com The_Solutionist

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TH E B I G CAT CH

LOCAL REEFS IMPRESS

hat a wild few months it has been for Fraser Coast anglers!

Local fishos have been riding a roller-coaster of weather with extreme rain events and then a few glass outs in-between. The good news is that the winter weather is on its way and we should see some stability in the weather. Burrum

The Burrum has produced some good whiting catches over the bigger tides but away from the moon will be a little slower. The night tides seem to get the best results with some good bream in with the whiting. Out the front, mac tuna can be found working the small bait along with longtail tuna. The Burrum 8-Mile will be one of the early spots to target snapper. Day break tide changes are always a favourable tide and if you can get live bait, even better! School mackerel, golden trevally and blackall have been reported coming from the 8-Mile. Urangan Pier

Big longtail tuna have been creating some fun off the Pier taking live baits under balloons, along with free spooling live baits out with the current.

Spanish mackerel, broad bar mackerel and school mackerel have also made an appearance at times. Whiting, bream and flathead are the main targets in the first channel. Squid have been about at times but are not in any numbers as yet. Wide Grounds

The wider reefs have been a little out of reach for many

by Andrew Chorley

over the last few months. For those with larger vessels they reported coral trout, squire, scarlets, parrot, cod and red emperor. Local Reefs

The local reef scene has seen some impressive coral trout taken inshore. Many of the better fish have been taken on live baits, with cod also being a steady bycatch. Snapper have not showed up yet but will not be far away. Diver whiting have been reported in their usual haunts, but the size seems to be different every day. The bigger fish certainly seem to be more scattered with the bigger patches holding smaller size fish. Live yabbies as always have been the go-to bait along with gulp worms for those willing to try soft plastics. Mac tuna can be found In the shipping channels with very small slugs from 10 to 15g getting results. A few spanish and school mackerel can be found off Point Vernon and have responded well to trolling. Sandy Strait

On the ledges a few cod have been taken on live baits and soft vibes along with grunter.

Whiting fisherman will have to work hard this week with less run in the tide.

Again, night-time tides are the go with it getting harder to get a feed in daylight hours these days. Flathead have been about on the flats with soft plastics working well. In the Mary River system, a few barra have been in the upper reaches of the Mary. The lack of rain has seen a few fish push right up along with threadfin salmon. Hervey Bay Fly and Sportfishing

www.herveybaysportfishing.com.au

Vlad from Brisbane with a solid golden trevally

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HEA L TH HUNTE R by Rhian Hunter

ROSEMARY + GARLIC MUNG BREAD

Makes 1 loaf Ingredients:

Method:

Serving Suggestions:

2 tbls Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2. Discard any floaters, or stones from the soaking beans, drain and rinse the mung thoroughly. Divide the soaked beans in half, place the first half in a high speed blender of food processor and blitz until smooth puree consistency is achieved, and pour into a large mixing bowl. Blend the second portion to a rough consistency, but ensure no whole mung beans are left. Add this to the bowl and combine.

Toasted with Ghee + Salt + Cracked Pepper

1 1/4 cups Whole Mung Beans, soaked overnight 1 tbls Fresh Rosemary, chopped 1/4 tsp Hing (Asafoetida) 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Jaggery or Coconut Sugar

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt 4 tbls Lemon Juice

1/2 cup Lukewarm Water

1. Preheat oven to 180c and grease a loaf tin with olive oil.

Toasted with Ricotta, Orange Zest, Olive Oil, Honey (Maple for Pitta)

Toasted to dip into soup, or soft eggs

3. In a separate bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients except the lukewarm water, and mix well. Add the lukewarm water, mix well and then combine with the mung bean batter. Immediately add to your loaf tin, and bake the bread for 35-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and springy to the touch.

@healthhunternaturaltherapies 44

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MUM’S THE WORD W elcome to May’s edition of Life-Chat.

I’m introducing the theme of my column this month by sharing some information I heard on ABC breakfast television recently.

During the course of their lives, one in three Australian women will experience difficulty with an anxiety disorder.

Naturally, many men also struggle with anxiety; and the likelihood of a man developing a problem with anxiety is currently one in five.

So, whether one is a man or a woman, experiencing the unpleasantness of anxiety is not unusual, and yet statistically, more women struggle with anxiety than men.

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that one of the most potent triggers for women’s anxiety is their lack of confidence as a parent. Whether one is a mother through natural birth, or is an adopted Mum to young ones, concerns about being a ‘good enough mother’ affect millions of Australian women each day. These concerns often stem from unreasonably high expectations placed upon them. We live in an age where images of the perfect mother stare at us from our media feeds, and Dr Google reveals so much advice for the wellbeing of our children, that parents are permanently nonplussed.

When I was pregnant, in the 1980s, I had three books about parenting, and they were the same books owned by most of my friends. It was much less daunting, in some ways, than the indecision that information overload and the fears of making wrong decisions creates. No-one expected us to be perfect back then. This column is a ‘shout out’ to all Mums, and my message is straightforward.

If you love your kids and give them the best version of you

L I FE C H A T W I TH M I CHELLE by Michelle Robinson Bach. Counselling. Dip. Clinical Hypnotherapy

that you can manage right now, you are a good enough mother. In fact, no more can possibly be asked. You’re doing just fine. Children remember how we made them feel, far more than the gifts given on significant occasions, and the best chance we have of making our kids feel good, is to feel good about ourselves.

The behaviour we model speaks volumes about whether we respect and value ourselves.

If I don’t value myself, then how can my children believe they are worthy of value? My words just won’t carry honesty, and kids intuitively know it. The same is true for you. I believe that a Mum’s (or Dad’s) self-care should be a priority and never considered a luxury. Finding time to connect to the ‘you’ who is more than a parent, is essential. A healthy, happy Mum is a gift across generations, inspiring not just her own children but eventually, her grandchildren, to seek fulfillment and explore the possibilities their lives may offer.

I’ve recorded a meditation that inspires parents to believe in themselves and have confidence that their best is good enough. You can access this MP3 audio from the link below, at no cost. Please use headphones, and never listen while driving or operating machinery as there is a hypnotic quality to the suggestions. My ‘Parenthood Without Anxiety’ meditation is available from https://jmp.sh/O4bwkJZ

Finally, if you would like to stay connected with me to receive positive tips for life each morning, feel welcome to join my free Facebook group “Your Intuitive Gifts At Work.” Here is a direct link where you can join my group https:// www.facebook.com/groups/yourintuitivegiftsatwork Until next time, have a wonderful month.

www.facebook.com/groups/yourintuitivegiftsatwork

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INSPI RA TI ONS

MAY INSPIRATION

by Alison Dunlop

Something my own mother said was, it doesn’t matter how old you are, I will still be your mother. How true that is! Embrace your mum this Mother’s Day.

My mother is no longer here, but I will always fondly think of the good and the fun times we had! See you next month!

Capricorn Dec 22 -Jan 19

Cancer June 21- July 22

Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18

Leo

Pisces Feb 19 - Mar 20

Virgo

Aug 23 - Sept 22

Aries Mar 21 - April 19

Libra

Sept - 23 - Oct 23

How is your health Capricorn? Is it time you had a checkup with your GP, or is it your emotional heart that needs healing? Either way, always trust your intuitive feelings, and run with them.

This month suggests positive changes coming your way! It might also be a good time to detox from those easter goodies. Good luck!

The alarm clock is going off this month. What have you been procrastinating on? This month, whatever you have been holding back on, just do it!

Love could be in the air this month! Watch out for that. Keep your thoughts positive and watch everything fall into place. You are supported in more ways than you realise.

Taurus

April 20 - May 20

Could you be psychic? You very well could be! This month’s card suggests you trust your inner knowing, because as you know it is always right. A golden opportunity is also on the cards, so watch out for that.

Gemini May 21 - June 20 Are you dealing with a challenge this month? Don’t give up! Change your perspective, because there is another way to deal with it. You are also being reminded that you are divinely supported.

Alison Dunlop Kinesiologist. Find out more at: www.alisondunlopkinesiology.com.au (Cards drawn from The Modern Oracle by Katy-K)

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What do you need to focus more on this month? The card suggests that books are somehow highlighted. Perhaps you are being guided to focus on more study, or perhaps taking up reading books for pleasure. A legal matter may be indicated.

July 23 - Aug 22

Do not be surprised if there are slight delays this month. You will be fine, just be patient. You are also being reminded to keep your cool while driving, especially when other drivers frustrate you.

There is a possibility of overwhelm this month. Take it easy, and remember to breathe. Remeber to take things one step at a time, and one day at a time. You will get through this.

Your card this month suggests some frustration, possibly at work. It is a reminder to communicate as effectively as you can with others. If there is a need to blow off steam, just walk away. This will allow you to calm down and regroup. It is important to let others know how you are feeling.

Scorpio

Oct 24 - Nov 21

Scorpio, this month you are being reminded that you do have all the time in the world! Slow down and just go with the flow. You will still get to where you need to be, but with more clarity. Try and enjoy every moment.

Sagittarius Nov 22 - Dec 21 Let your inner child run wild this month and have some fun! Enjoy time outdoors with family and friends. Also you are reminded to bring some colour into your life. Try painting or even colouring in.

Crossword of the month

RE A DE RS ’ G ALLERY

ARTWORK OF THE MONTH

by Lyn Hooper - Watercolour and ink

Last month’s solution

RECLINE YOU DESERVE IT Ask box office for more details Now Showing

128 Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba

Starts May 19

Starts May 26

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FREE COMMUNITY FUN AFTERNOON EVERYONE’S INVITED 26 MAY 2022 We invite everyone to join us for a FREE Fun filled afternoon Laser Tag, Rock wall climbing, Silent Disco, Games, HPV rides, Face painting, music and entertainment, Plus Food and Drinks available for purchase... A great opportunity for our Maryborough community to get together !

PRINCIPAL TOURS VISIT US - 26 MAY 2022

Looking For The Best Start For Your Child? We invite you to join us for a Tour.

SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW Awarded based on merit for the values of Service, Courage and Justice.

FUN AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM

NEW ADVENTURES EACH TERM For all Year 4 and 5 Students In the Fraser Coast.

Years 7 - 12 www.smcm.qld.edu.au (07) 4190 2200