Dr Benjamin Omowaire is a specialist General Practitioner, and a Fellow of the Royal Australian college of General Practitioners. He holds Bachelor degrees in both Medicine and Surgery, and has a post graduate degree in Paediatrics.
Dr Benjamin has undertaken Skin Cancer training at the University of Queensland and Skin laser and cosmetic training at the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.
He is an expert in skin rejuvenation, skin pigmentation, chemical peels, cosmetic injections, vascular disorders of the skin, and understands how best to utilize the state of the art technology he has at the Hervey Bay Skin Clinic to achieve the results his patients are looking for.
Ben
Iamalways in awe of friends and family that can consistently pull off a perfect ensemble.
I am unfortunately a mix-match not made in heaven when it comes to making any kind of fashion statement.
I feel most comfortable (at home) in my favourite AC/DC shirt and daggy tracksuit pants that are so worn that their full of holey goodness.
However, I do try and create my own stylish look to go out and my go-to is usually a nice light flowing floral dress, a pair of my favourite wedges and a burgundy lipstick to give my light skin tone a bit of colour.
Finding a good fit amongst piles of clothes just shoved in my cupboard is often an effort, though. I really need to work on that.
Unlike columnist Michelle Robinson’s friend who has her underwear draw perfectly stacked and colour coded. Intrigued? Turn to page 45 to find out more.
So, I’m certainly no fashionista but thankfully we have some very talented locals who are.
Alive readers can always rely on the stylings of local stylist and fashion guru Kate Manley who shows just how easy it is to get a perfect subtropical look to fit Hervey Bay’s lifestyle. Perhaps I need to pay Kate a visit.
Our cover star Melea Lang is a re-emerging creative talent who has extraordinary flair and imagination. She has rubbed shoulders with fashion royalty and movie stars is highly illuminating. Haute-couture Designer, Member of the Australian Design Hall of Fame, RAQ award
winner and fashion icon Richard de Chazal is a close personal friend. Turn to page 4 to read Melea’s inspiring story.
We also caught up with former Maryborough girl, model and influencer Ruth Hewson who is using her newfound fame to give other black Asian Australian women and men a voice.
Ruth advocates that you don’t need to be tall, skinny, blond, and white to succeed in life.
Fashion is also a form of self-expression and local musicians Yoshi Castellana and Ralph Cardwell have certainly mastered a style of their own through friendship and music.
Yoshi, a NDIS support worker and Ralph, his client, formed a bond over music and D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) to become best mates and now want to help other like-minded people in the community find their path to musical freedom.
The two love to dress up in steam punk goggles and various wizard hats for their band ‘MADBLUDS’ YouTube appearances and they just love to have some MAD fun while doing it.
Have a wonderful month.
Founder / Creative Director JOY BUTLER info@alivemag.com.au
Editor KERRIE ALEXANDER editor@alivemag.com.au
LEANNE ESPOSITO
LIZZIE MACAULAY
LOUISE HOLMES
Advertising Executive
DARREN STIMPSON darren@alivemag.com.au Phone 0408 122 050
KAREN WHITE karen@alivemag.com.au Phone 0418 197 386
Advertising Representative KIM HARRIS kim@alivemag.com.au
JAMIE BUTLER
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.
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Send to: info@alivemag.com.au
When: Saturday, November 5, 9am to 4pm.
Where: Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
What: Psychic Readers, Aura Photos, tasty food, great coffee, crystals, tarot and oracle cards, essential oils, healing modalities, new businesses, old businesses and lots of fun and laughter.
When: Saturday, November 19
Where: View from Scarness Beach What: Barge2Beach is a two-kilometre open water swimming event with a difference! Get dropped off from a Kingfisher Bay Resort vehicle barge two kilometres offshore from Scarness beach in Hervey Bay. Swim back to shore with 200 other keen ocean swimming enthusiasts. This swim is part of the Hervey Bay 100 triathlon weekend run by the Hervey Bay Triathlon Club.
This mural depicts the Crimson Bottlebush (Callistemon cintrinus) which was declared the floral emblem of Maryborough in 1957. This species is native of coastal areas of eastern Australia. It is probably Australia’s best known bottlebrush and is widely cultivated. The bright red flower-spikes appear in both summer and autumn. It grows well in wet conditions and is generally described as bright red, tipped with dark anthers. Bees and small birds are frequently seen around the flowers. They can be seen in many trees in gardens in Australia and are often planted on roadsides.
When: November 27, 9am to 1pm
Where: Maryborough Showgrounds
What: There will be over 60 stalls of handmade and artisans’ wares from across the Fraser Coast and the Wide Bay region. There will be coffee and food vans, facepainting stall, and other entertainment for the kids.
To discover the humility of our very own Melea Lang has come as a profound awakening to me. I write the article with a close personal point of view. Melea’s mother Christine Smith, who is an awardwinning marriage celebrant and I previously collaborated on stories about love, life and style – particularly home design.
Many years ago, I was aware of the success of Melea’s jewellery range, which was sold through a local store on the Esplanade. Beyond that I was clueless. I know her as an engaging and articulate individual who presents an effervescent personality. Today, I believe she is enchantment personified. Totally unaware of her charms, her large beguiling eyes captivate an unacquainted audience. A broad easy smile invites a positive response.
Beyond the beauty, Melea is mother to three children and nursed her youngest son Jack through a difficult and ongoing medical emergency. In recent times she has suffered her own health battles. Despite the struggles she’s encountered, it is a re-emerging creative talent which endures.
Melea is a woman of extraordinary flair and imagination. Discovering that she has rubbed shoulders with fashion royalty and movie stars is highly illuminating. Hautecouture Designer, Member of the Australian Design Hall of Fame, RAQ award winner and fashion icon Richard de Chazal is a close personal friend. They’ve bonded over their mutual love of style and worked together on hair and makeup on race days. Nicole and Antonia Kidman were clients of her jewellery range Melea Lang Designs in its hey-day. She gives me an overview of that world.
“I remember watching the RAQ fashion awards. Richard was so flamboyant. When I found out Richard was coming to a race day in Toowoomba I was excited to meet him. I had on my black jersey Dogstar dress and, rather than a hat or fascinator, I wore a vintage broach in my hair. I introduced myself and because it was election day, he asked me to accompany him to vote. He calls me his country girl. I wanted that to happen and I made it happen.
“I managed the Chanel counter for Myer. I’ve worked backstage for the Sportsgirl Fashion shows in Melbourne and was even approached by a modelling agency in the Queen Victoria Building on a weekend away.
“I
would fly to Sydney and take my jewellery, cold calling with my drag bag. I sold to stores in Byron Bay, Paddington, Hasting Street Noosa and Toowoomba,” she said.
It is this colourful past which is as intriguing as it is inspiring. The chic bon vivant she’s inhabited throughout her life has me totally fascinated. Not only has her image graced billboards and covers of fashion and feature magazines, but she also scored an acting role in the telemovie The Starter Wife which starred Hollywood actor Debra Messing. Locally she’s starred in television advertisements for the Hervey Bay RSL.
Melea is not one to boast, or even to hint at her accolades. I was aware of her uniqueness and sense of style, but totally unaware of her past successes in the world of fashion.
To understand how she evolved as a competent creative character we need to circle back to the beginning. The family influence was strong, and as luck would have it a significant intergenerational inspiration pervades. She tells me that her grandmother never left home without her red lipstick and matching shoes and bag. Melea continues the tradition choosing red lipstick as her trademark.
“My grandma and mum both sewed. As long as I remember mum had an old tea chest of clothes and fabrics that she would use for weddings.
“I did ballet from a very young age and mum made all the costumes. There were sequins and bits of satin and tulle all over the house.
“Of course, mum and dad had an interesting way of decorating the house and other things. I grew up surrounded by textiles and art.
“My cousins and I were always putting on concerts and fashion parades, swathing ourselves in fabrics,” she said.
While Melea did well at school she was never much
interested in mainstream subjects. Creative pursuits suited her well. Academia was not for her so she left school to undertake a hairdressing apprenticeship. Melea excelled in hair, makeup and fashion.
“I worked at John Le Court on the Sunshine Coast and Stefan Hair Salons. I won awards and ended up training other apprentices, even before I was qualified.
“My whole life has revolved around fashion, art and creativity. I was a hair and makeup artist on the Fraser Coast for a long time doing, weddings, formals and other commercial work,” she said.
As a teenager she was totally immersed in the world of fashion. Posters of Kate Moss, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista (the original supermodels) were plastered across her bedroom walls. Later Melea’s innate aptitude for costume design and fashion flair saw others copy her unique designs.
“We used to run a dance club in Toowoomba. I was a paid dancer and always had to have an interesting outfit. I would make hotpants and velvet body suits with gold lame. One night I hand stitched clear plastic record covers together over my pants which was funny because they fogged up.
“I would muck around with designs and other people would start to copy them and wear what I was wearing.
“I did what I thought was fun and ‘out there’. I made a pair of lace flares out of vintage curtains which still fit me today,” she said.
It’s clear that Melea has been upcycling, which is also known as creative reuse, now for decades. Her home is filled with an eclectic array of fabrics, patchwork, craft, crochet, swathes and other bits and bobs which she turns into outlandish lampshades or creative costumes like angels’ wings for a recent charity trivia night. The ability to take something of no use and give it new life, or a second chance is her forte.
“I always loved going to Gardhams in Brisbane. At Dew Drop In in Hervey Bay I found their secret stash (of expensive fabrics). I go op-shopping for inspiration. I find things and pull them apart.
“Leelee West gave me a dress and I liked the style. I copied the shape of it adding patchwork and crochet pieces. I used fabrics, and even doilies, and sculptured the dress.
“I got an old tablecloth and random table scraps. Each fabric has a memory attached. I chuck it altogether. It doesn’t cost me anything and when I look on social media I see similar styles appearing,” she said.
While Melea is clearly comfortable creating something from nothing, what is intriguing is the reason why and how does her creative mind work. Totally at ease with who she is now (favouring red lipstick, leopard prints and fancy underwear), she often questioned her differences. A latent diagnosis for ADHD may well hold the key. Melea describes the diagnosis as life changing to a point where everything finally made sense.
“I now understand neural diversity. Thank goodness for differences and how we see and sense the world,” she said.
Apparently persons with neural diversity look at life through different neural pathways. Dr Sue Wilkinson explores this further in an article published October 23, 2019, titled Creativity and neurodiversity – is there a link?
“The brain regions associated with perception and pattern recognition light up more in neural divergent individuals. Creativity is borne from not only being able to view the world differently, but also by being knowledgeable in a particular area or subject.”
It seems that neural diversity can be highly beneficial. Melea sees the world in a novel way which is advantageous to her creative leanings and combined with dexterous abilities and a design skillset, she is entirely unique. Melea explains her process.
“There would be times late at night when I can’t sleep, and if my body is feeling alright I’m inspired to create. I do with whatever I have in the house. I am excited about the challenge. I give myself the task and I have enough stuff to use,” she said.
So it seems that knowledge is power and her diagnosis has further fuelled her desire to create. She now finds herself in such a positive mental state that her motivation for creativity and ability to produce has increased.
Completely liberated she is often found in a state of flow where new, exotic and creative pieces literally fly around her living room. It’s almost like that spoon full of sugar moment when Mary Poppins declares “in every job that must be done there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap – the jobs a game, and every task you undertake becomes a piece of cake.”
But seriously, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi identifies this state of flow as where we feel our best, perform our best and fulfil our potential.
Apparently it is a beautiful state and he summarises that it is characterised by the sensations of feeling where our sense of self disappear, time distorts, and we feel a sense of
serenity and focus. He said that people often describe flow as being in the zone. It’s exactly how Melea describes it.
“I feel upgraded. As if I’ve been released from confinement. It’s a state of bliss, love and light. I’m like a conduit sometimes, in a total state of flow.”
I can see how peaceful and at ease she is in this process and how finally she can accept her amazing talents.
Creative people often struggle with their variances in a world where the perceived normal is different for them.
It’s delightful knowing that the multi-talented Melea will always bring a colourful flair and flamboyance to our oftendreary old world.
The day after graduating from Maryborough High, Ruth Hewson received a call from her agency that changed her life.
The model and influencers bags were packed ready to move to the city without hesitation after being given the chance to work with Brisbane-based clothing company Universal Store on a summer campaign.
Moving to Brisbane was the start of something big for the 19-year-old who was just itching to leave Maryborough and find a home where she could let her life-long love of fashion, modelling, influencing and creative side free.
“It was the biggest spark in my passion for modelling,” Ruthy said.
“It was a really good experience because I worked with amazing creators and models and learnt more about shooting in general.
“It was the first ever campaign I had that I was treated like an actual model, and it opened my eyes and made me realise that I wanted to continue pursuing my career in modelling.”
Ruthy has gone on to work with brands like Lorna Jane, Estee Lauder, and Cotton On, over the past five months on her social media platforms.
Her Instagram now has some 35,000 followers who adore her highly confident posts and videos but there’s far more to her success than just modelling clothing and brands.
Yes, she has magnificent skin and a wild afro that many models would die for but having these features hasn’t always been a blessing.
It has, in fact, been the centre of a long struggle with lack of confidence and self-worth until now, which is a story that will be featured in Melbourne’s Fashion Journal Magazine this year.
Born in the Philippines, her father left before she was born, and her mother left the country for some time and met an Australian man.
When her mother returned to the country, she was pregnant.
“I am a Black Asian (Nigerian and Filipino),and you don’t see a lot of those in the industry with an actual story,” Ruthy said.
“When I was little, I was bullied for my looks in the Philippines.
“I was very jealous because I didn’t get the attention that my little brother did because he was white, and I was black. This took a toll on my attitude in the family. I didn’t feel as loved which is not true at all.
“I would get bullied at school, emotionally and physically, because I was dark.
“Then when we came to Australia my mum didn’t know how to maintain my hair and I don’t blame her, but she would shave my hair and a lot of people called me a boy and called me names.
“I just thought I was really ugly as a kid, and I hated myself.”
The constant bullying led to an eating disorder and other health issues but one defining moment in Hervey Bay helped Ruthy feel beautiful, inside and out.
That was being approached by local photographer Jess Gunn to do a fashion photoshoot.
“When I did the photoshoot with Jess, I realised I had a purpose and it motivated me to keep going with my dream of modelling.
“It was the first time that I loved looking at myself in photos. It felt like I held the power, and it pushed me to keep going.
“I skipped school and sacrificed hundreds of dollars for a train ticket to Brisbane and to pay for photoshoots with photographers to build my portfolio.”
She said her agency Everi-Body has been a big support network and an integral part in bringing her modelling and influencing career to life, with a huge number of Black-Asian Australian women and men following her work.
Ruthy says she is a now a voice for those with similar stories and advocates to that community that you don’t need to be tall, skinny, blonde, and white to succeed in life.
She now knows that it’s important to understand and accept that out of the billions of humans in the world there is one thing that is guaranteed; that not everyone will be your biggest fan. And that’s okay.
So, she changed her expectations and stopped seeking approval from others.
“I want to show them that people like us can get the recognition we deserve.
“They say in my DM’s (direct message) that I’m their comfort person.
“I thought that the only way the industry and people in general would accept me was if I was skinnier and whiter.
“I wouldn’t wear my hair out. This year is the first time I have worn my afro out proudly.
“I’ve been going to the gym, loving myself and eating well and I’m at the normal weight for a teenage girl now, which is really great.
“We are our own bosses. We don’t need to satisfy anyone else but ourselves.”
The next big step in Ruthy’s career starts next month when she heads to the Philippines for three months to collaborate with photographers and magazines to document her journey.
It will of course also be featured on the Ruthy Hewson Instagram account as well as her new YouTube account.
“I wanted to document my life in the Philippines as a black girl, which will open some eyes in a way.
“Where I am right now is perfect.”
When I was first tasked with interviewing a local horror punk YouTube band, I envisioned meeting dark personalities influenced by scary horror films and science fiction movies.
Yes, they love to dress up in self-expressive fashionable steam punk goggles and various wizard hats for the MADBLUDS YouTube appearances, but it was clear from the get-go that the depiction I had of band members Yoshi Castellana and Ralph Cardwell couldn’t have been more wrong.
The two big hearted Hervey Bay lads are more about the cheesiness of low-budget Hollywood pictures with big bugs and mad scientists and an undeniable love of music and bad movies.
So, this is not just a story about a band. It’s a narrative on how Yoshi, a NDIS support worker and Ralph, his client, formed a bond over music and D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) to become best mates and now want to help other like-minded people in the community find their path to musical freedom.
Ralph’s severe anxiety meant that finding a support worker that just “fitted” was difficult but once he connected with Yoshi and found that they had a mutual love of David Bowie and corny movies, the rest was history.
Yoshi, 27, is a self-taught guitarist who uses music with many of his clients and even though Ralph had only dabbled in guitar, they formed the MADBLUDS and started playing and recording the costumed clips for the YouTube channel out of Yoshi’s parents’ garage.
After only a year-and-a-half, the clips have been streamed to 132 countries via an American Screening platform called the Monster Channel that has over 70,000 views.
The music is a mix of Ralph’s love of old-school punk rock and bubble-gum, Partridge Family and Monkeys, and Yoshi’s love of Cure, Joy Division, and of course David Bowie.
The MADBLUDS is a “family” name with more people likely to be welcomed into the fold in the future.
Each member is initiated with a name starting with
Raul MADBLUD (Ralph) and Sweet Yoshi MADBLUD because “the ladies love him”, Ralph said with a laugh.
“It’s been pretty amazing and mind-blowing.
“It was just like, lets fool around and make a song and now we’re collaborating online with other musicians and have done 30 plus interviews with podcast horror hosts we’ve connected with online.
“I had played guitar all my life on and off and one day at his mum’s shed at the studio Yoshi handed me this bass and said why don’t you have a go and I just fell in love with it.
“I’ve played it every day since.”
Yoshi believes that music is a universal language that everyone can speak, and everyone should have the opportunity to grow and learn on guitar, piano, singing –whatever it is they love - in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
Ralph’s ability to overcome his anxiety to now appear in online interviews and band appearances is testament to that.
So, the next step in Yoshi’s plan to further progress MADBLUDS fame, work with his other band Quaint Butter, and open musical pathways to the public was put in motion.
His dream became a reality recently with the opening of Planet Sound Labs, located in a leased section of the Neighbourhood Hive building on Boat Harbour Drive.
It boasts a room filled with sound systems, lighting, and a big array of Yoshi’s musical instruments that he’s willing to let others use just to get a start in their musical journey.
And unlike his primary school classroom where the shiny electric guitars were under lock and key and only used by the privileged few, Yoshi says these instruments are there to “go hard”.
“I’m a guitarist mainly and I’ve seen what it does to help me and for someone wanting to try music is universally healing and it’s difficult to sometimes get the money and space to start that journey,” Yoshi said.
“From what I’ve seen from the guys that come in here, without any advertising, they are very open to come in
and do their thing and give them the confidence to progress and do more music.
“When I was in school, I wanted to play electric guitar and our music room was like the forbidden fruit, locked all the time.
“Unless you already had the talent you couldn’t touch it, so I don’t want that here.
“If you want to try drums, go, play it, and play around with all the pedals or just sing and record. Do fun songs. It doesn’t have to be serious. We’ve done plenty of silly ones for the MADBLUDS channel.
“The fact that we’re doing it and building confidence is great.”
Anyone who comes to the drop-in sessions with Yoshi and some volunteer musicians each Wednesday at the Hive from 3pm to 5pm will be welcomed into a safe and non-judgemental environment.
“I suffer with anxiety and one thing that Yoshi knows how to do is create an inclusive welcoming atmosphere,” Ralph said.
“No matter what challenge you might have, music is universal and speaks to everyone so anyone can come here and have a positive experience.
“There is no judgement here, just encouragement.”
Yoshi has big plans for the next 12 months with hosting events with local bands and recording local artists at the forefront of his ideas.
He wants to help musicians find the money for instruments through busking and fundraising ideas and work with the Neighbourhood Centre to secure grants for events and more instruments.
“When we have a live event, we will play a couple of songs to open and then let other local bands have a platform. It’s not about us it’s about showcasing other local bands,” Ralph said.
“It’s also about giving other people confidence,” Yoshi said.
“I want to have something in the middle of open mic nights and pub gigs; it would be ideal for us to have something every month because we have most of the equipment here so we can just roll it out.
“I’ve also started recording and mixing in the past year and I really want to get people in and record their music and promote them too.
“There will be workshops and events or free, but there will also be private tutoring and guitar repair and things like that to help pay the rent.”
Yoshi is still doing support work by day but says most nights will be spent at the Hive doing what he loves most.
“If they’d let me, I’d probably just sleep on the couch,” Yoshi said with a laugh.
MADBLUDS could do with a coffee sponsor or they might just go from steam punk wizards to apocalyptic zombies.
To find out more you can catch the guys on YouTube or follow them on Facebook under Planet Sound Labs.
Iwaslucky enough to spend an afternoon with a group of five humans who shared private pieces of themselves in a creative and healing workshop hosted by ‘The Maker’s State’.
Meeting each other and mingling over fresh fruit, drinks and decadent wraps, the group seemed curious and excited to discover what unknown creative workshop activities were about to unfold.
The firepit warmed our skin on the cool afternoon. The Maker’s State offered writing paper with two questions for each person.
“I am grateful for my mind and body; I love my body… especially…”
The Maker’s State explained that we would write our responses and choose to burn the negative and keep the responses that felt good. The group chatted with playful banter and nervousness while we all got writing. Some beauties made jokes about themselves, negative self-talk, gurgling under the surface and waiting to be heard, not as a complaint but something much more.
The best way for all the women to connect with the take home artistic project was to ensure they connected with themselves and each other. ‘The inner beauty makers’ were ready. When asked if the group would like to share their words/thoughts before throwing in the fire pit, they all agreed to share. The experience was like nothing I’ve had before. It was energising and beautiful.
“I am fat, I am too tall, too much, loud, acne, I am not feminine enough.” I declared these things about my beautiful healthy body as the other women looked on with
understanding. I noticed how Emily nodded as tears rolled, we had discussed “being too muchy” in her interview and she could relate to the discomfort that being a courageous assertive female can entail. Emily spoke about playing her personality down at times to make others feel comfortable or to sink into the crowd and not be seen with eyes that form opinions.
Emily spoke of her empowerment felt by helping, hearing and talking with her clients and how she was an advocate for women empowering and raising up each other, not competing or comparing.
When I shared, the compassion shown wasn’t just for me. It was rather a collective feeling that we experienced in not appreciating our bodies and running a dialogue we knew wasn’t kind.
Women shook their heads disagreeing with my assertions, but others nodded as if confirming they knew how ridiculous it was that they felt the similar thoughts at times.
The script I run is not true, even if it is true, I know that appearance doesn’t define.
My life is full, I am healthy, intelligent, loved, desired, praised, friendly, kind, feminine, capable, creative, funny.
As much as I try, I can’t completely shake the beauty beast which lurks within. It’s lived within for as long as I can remember. It felt normal when I was younger, but with age and self-awareness the beast has become less frequent, easily identifiable and totally unwanted.
Audrey aged 11 said that she felt insecure at times that she was overly talkative, skinny and too short. She explained that she was often told these things about herself and was unsure why people felt the right to say she
“What negativity do you hold and are ready to release regarding your physical or emotional body?”
was skinny and short because it was not acceptable to call people fat. Audrey expressed that she thought people don’t realise it is just as hurtful.
Emily disliked that she struggled with her skin and body confidence at times. Emily felt the sting of being overly skinny, or excessively energetic - too much for some. ‘String bean IT girl’ was joked as some of the social commentary.
Emily felt social compassion was often lacking for “pretty” girls, which is an attitude that she has everything and therefore has no right to complain about anything is how I would summarise.
“It’s the perception that some people have everything, or things are easier but it’s not usually the case. We all have insecurities - no matter what they are – we’re all the same.” Emily.
Colleen said she was grateful to be blessed with age but didn’t like the wrinkles so much or not being able to dress as she did when she was a younger. Colleen told of the struggles growing up in a different era where women were not always respected. She fondly remembers her grandfather always being kind and telling her she looked more beautiful each time he saw her but some teasing about her appearance is still recalled from childhood.
Colleen spoke of how she accepted and appreciated her health and body so much more.
A genuine respect of her body is felt in the way she speaks about ageing.
Kristyn had wished to ditch cellulite and chunky ankles at times. She shared that she had recently caught herself feeling unworthy of her partner. She knew this not to be true and felt unsettled that the beauty beast had thrown this yucky feeling into her relationship. Kristyn said she felt confident and sexy in herself it was others who struggled with it. I like it to “how dare she be confident at her size”.
An aged 19 said she grappled with her abilities to understand others and socialise effectively because of neuro diversity. An was profound in saying she would not write down or entertain negative thoughts about her body, knowing that keeping the toxic talk out of her mind was a way she combated the feelings that were
prevalent in our group and society. An knew the beauty beast lurked, she felt it, but chose to fight it head on.
The mood shifted positively after An’s proclamation. We individually threw the notes in the fire to metaphorically release the power the words held - It felt good. I knew they weren’t gone for good, but it felt empirical to sit with a group of honest women and openly share and discuss deep social perplexities in a creative and social way.
An was brave, it made me optimistic for the next generation of girls, perhaps things were changing for the better. Equality could be possible. Lurking in my mind was the thought that I was ruined and might never be able to completely kill my beast. Comfort came from understanding that and accepting.
Kris: If you see me with both pants and a bra on it usually means I am going to work or going out into a place that those two things are expected by societal standards. (As a remote nurse) I deal with a lot of heavy issues and If I know it’s going to be a particularly heavy emotional day, I will make sure I have some cute little animal earrings on so when I look in the mirror I get a little smile from seeing them.
Colleen: Have a full-length mirror to check that your presentation and style is the very best for your look and body shape.
Emily: A defined Brow and Lash lift will certainly go along way in making you look refreshed and put together on the daily, without spending much time in the morning.
Audrey: A oversized hoodie/ jumper is a favourite. A big warm jumper always feels protective and safe.
The maker’s workshop women hoped An is not an outlier in her stance against defining herself by appearance.
I hope women can feel they are valued without their physical appearance and fashion being a defining factor in obtaining social and economic worth. Fashion and Beauty are not dirty words, many expressed how makeup made them feel creative and confident, beauty treatments enhanced already loved features and clothing was a form of self-expression. The process of
understanding insecurities was positive. The Maker’s State made a space to explore.
It was time to make the wall hanging art piece featuring a defining quality about you.
A simple personal DIY home project, encouraging self-acceptance, beauty in all forms, and mindfulness through reflection. The Maker’s State suggests you connect to you before making the wall hanging. Using the technique of identifying what you love most about yourself and releasing the unwanted dialogue.
The women who openly shared themselves for this article have shown courage, confidence and empowerment in their ability to learn and grow. The vulnerable responses can only be described as an act of kindness given to all who read this. I believe they shared to inspire others to feel safe in their thoughts, to offer a figurative hug and be like ‘it’s okay, we are all in this together- do whatever you need to feel confident and content in your amazing mind and body.’
Thank you Audrey, Kristyn, Colleen, Emily, An
• Wooden artists palette (Kmart) $5
• 5 small holes, drilled prior to creative workshop
• Bendable craft wire, string, or fishing line
• Paint or draw on a word that inspires you about you
• Crystals, feathers, rocks, beads, unused jewellery pieces anything that inspires you and feels like it will look gorgeous hanging in your home
• Attach your decorations with wire and plyers, twisting the wire around the items ensuring all pieces are secure
• Water based clear sealer spray or paint vanish to seal, protect and add shine applied last after any paint or glue is fully dry
In2020 Tamara Dowe took a massive leap of faith and opened Brow Republic and Lash Bar in Stockland Shopping Centre Hervey Bay.
The challenge was amplified with tenacious timing delivering the onset of the Covid pandemic which held challenges for even the most established business. The Beauty industry was hit hard by restrictions.
The salon sits amongst the ‘Big Boys’ in retail Kmart, Coles, Cotton on, Lorna Jane. Many would not be so brave to risk it all and jump with no parachute. Tamara is building an empire and staring fear in the face in pursuit of the dream of a better life for her family and employees which she affectionate calls her ‘sisters’.
Tam’s journey has not been an easy one, nothing has been without sacrifice and constant hard work. Tamara pays above award wages, offers opportunity to single mums to work flexible hours, upskills staff to reach their full potential.
Tamara hasn’t got where she is by cutting corners. She knows poverty, pain and leans into business with her heart open.
Tamara Dowe candidly tells her journey to Alive Readers:
I’ve been in the beauty industry since 2008 when I first completed a beauty course at a college in my hometown of Toowoomba. After a relationship breakdown, I was suffering from domestic violence abuse which led me to move to Hervey Bay with my three boys. I got a job at a beauty salon in Stockland and fell in love with performing brow treatments and the reactions I got from clients who loved my work.
Because I moved to a town where I didn’t know anyone, I felt isolated but enjoyed work and being around clients and colleagues, and I made friends through work.
After about three years at that job, I was struggling to juggle the kids and working, in particular my son Archer (diagnosed with Autism when he was two-and-a-half). The day-care centres couldn’t have him for more than a few hours a day because that was all the carer funding allowed. I was still having to pay the full day of day-care fees even though I wasn’t getting the full day to work.
It didn’t make sense! It was costing me more in childcare fee’s than my five-hour shift could earn.
I loved my job and what I did, but I needed to find a way to make everything work. I needed to find a way to support us financially and provide something stable for my boys.
I approached Stockland Centre Management because I was familiar with the centre. I presented management with my concept and one lady really helped me in every aspect of getting my business off the ground.
Meanwhile, I was taking clients at home and perfecting my craft.
It took over a year to get into Stockland. I had to go back to TAFE for six months to complete a diploma in salon management.
I needed to purchase everything from ground up, my home became a storage unit for of all the salon equipment. My kids and I went without.
I got behind in my rent and we were on a strict food budget.
With my first pay I bought a trolley full of groceries and I paid my rent in advance; those moments stuck with me.
I was excited to give the women (and occasional men) of Hervey Bay a City Style premium experience, consistent service with exceptional quality treatments. Brow Republic and Lash Bar offers extras that you won’t otherwise find in regional salons like a hot towel and refreshment, comfy weighted blankets and phone charging stations.
I wanted to build a communal area where people can chat to the person beside them and not feel alone. I built my own tribe and community, something I always craved and knew others did too.
We opened in July 2020. It was during covid, but I had this planned prior pandemic, so nothing was stopping me, but it was challenging as a new business.
A communal area in covid seemed pointless so adaptation and innovation was called for. I made it work and clients weren’t phased. I think they longed for community.
I spent countless late nights working on marketing and doing Facebook lives and giveaways. Sending out promo boxes with gift vouchers and products to promote the business to get clients through the doors.
Once in the door I knew I could blow them away with our work and customer service.
I’m thankful to all my clients who spread so much positivity about the business. Every now and then I have a ‘pinch me’ moment when I see a new client sitting in the waiting area. Like, WOW, people love us and are supporting us. I did this, this is real!
The master plan was to expand after many clients asked if we are a franchise and I thought perhaps it really could! Why not? The idea worked and we have a constant flow of satisfied clients.
When Brow Republic and Lash Bar was voted 3rd best new business on the Fraser Coast, I decided to start working on the next chapter and dared to dream even bigger.
I approached Grand Central shopping centre in Toowoomba. I visit Toowoomba regularly and had a small handful of people there who wanted to help me grow the business. It felt right.
My best friend since high school Bek is the Toowoomba store manager. It still feels right.
Grand central is a large shopping centre and the complex already leased to an existing business somewhat similar to Brow Republic and Lash Bar, so consequently the board was denying my request for a lash and brow bar.
I was required to make a presentation and outline a direct comparison, proving that The Brow Republic was different. I could offer a service that was valuable and not the same.
After many challenges, The Toowoomba salon was approved.
I went back and forth to Grand Central meeting with leasing executives to secure the site.
Opening the Toowoomba store December 2021 was a great achievement. Toowoomba is running smoothly now and fully booked most days.
It’s time for salon number three in Bundaberg!
The newest Brow Republic and Lash Bar will be in Bundaberg’s most popular shopping centre ‘Hinkler’, due to open December 2022. Extending our signature luxe pink and gold fixtures, next level service, cosmetic tattooing and a focus of empowering women.
The philosophy of ensuring my staff and clients feel special and valued consistently has never left my mind. Bundaberg will be no different.
I will keep on supporting regional communities, listening to your lives while I work on making you feel gorgeous at each and every visit.
I will have three stores and three young sons! My next goal is to stop renting and buy a home to call our own, and save and offer my boys the opportunity to go to university to provide freedom and choice.
Treat Yourself Babe, XO Tamara
Research shows that millennials are wasting scores of textiles and damaging the environment more than the baby boomers simply because they don’t know how to sew!
Most of the textile waste is due to clothing being discarded just because of minor tears or missing buttons.
Sewing, hemming and button repair used to be common skills used at home with many making their own clothes, doing alterations or repairs to save their favourite garment or even a child’s favourite teddy bear.
The use of synthetic yarns and fibres were hugely popular in the 1950s and beyond.
Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case anymore.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for our youth with about 20 talented Fraser Coast ladies - predominately in their 70s and 80s - who are willing to pass on their skills to the younger generation and give back to the community while doing it.
Fraser Coast Artslink Creative Crafters Group Leader Annette Kitchener is the “whipper snapper” of the group at 62 years young.
Annette has fond memories of her school days studying a whole term each on cooking and sewing. She was also taught to knit and crochet by her Aunt and Nanna, which is the most used skill at the group get together every Wednesday.
Annette and the ladies say they would relish in the chance to pass on their skills to the younger generation and have plans in the pipelines for a workshop to do just that.
“Every child should know how to sew a button, at the very least,” Annette said.
“We need the younger generation to take over and
learn how to knit and crochet but getting them off the games to do it is another thing!”
“It’s not a hard thing to learn. Dagmar (member) showed a new lady how to make a worm in one lesson and the next time she came back she made six of them, no problem.”
The Creative Crafters, formed about 12 months ago, and are a sub-group of local not-for-profit community group Fraser Coast Artslink. Fraser Coast Artslink have been operating on the Fraser Coast for since 2015, and prior to that as the Hervey Bay Council for the Arts for over 30 years.
The ladies of the Creative Crafters put in endless hours of creating for those in need. Some extra, younger hands would certainly help their cause.
By the time school starts next year the team will have 400 very popular Handmade Read Bears and 213 Welcome Worms ready to distribute to Year 1 and Prep students at local schools to improve reading skills and parent-child interaction.
The Read Bears Project is an initiative of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre.
The bears come with a tag so that the child can personalise their cuddly friend with a name, then take them home and read to them every night of the school term.
They are all made in exactly the same pattern, so the kids all have the same bear.
“We put a little poem that goes with the worm, and we give them to the kids to welcome them to school and being their first day, it’s something they can have to reassure them,” Annette said.
“The bears have improved the kids’ reading by about 80% because they have to read to the bear every night.”
blankets, shawls, worms, beanies, and
also donated regularly to the Hervey Bay and Maryborough Hospitals’ dementia wards, renal and cancer care wards, and local nursing homes.
Baby octopuses are also made to pop in humidity cribs for premature babies at the Hervey Bay Hospital.
bigger bear was designed by the ladies specifically for dementia patients in local nursing homes.
“We do anything for the community if they need it,” Annette said.
“The dolls were designed to be made of nice, soft material for the residents and they come with a little pocket for a heat pack”
“Our Secretary works at a local nursing home, and she says the look on their faces when they receive them is priceless! When we deliver them, we don’t even have a chance to give them out, they just come up and grab them.”
The funds to make all the donated goodies are raised from the group’s stall at the Torquay Markets and even then, the “reject” bears that were made in different patterns are handed out to children for free.
“We just love to see the glow on the children’s faces.”
The crafters were also grateful to receive a $1500 Hervey Bay RSL Community grant recently to help cover the cost of supplies.
Coming up to Christmas the ladies will have a massive variety of knitted and crochet goods for sale at their regular Torquay Markets stall including tea towels, bowl warmers, Christmas decorations, wine glass bases, very
popular hand-made rare Golliwogs and of course a variety of bears and worms.
“If anyone has any requests, we’ll try it.
“We do lots of things and we just love helping the community.”
Anyone interested in learning knitting, crocheting, and sewing can join the ladies every Wednesday from 9am to 12pm at the Fraser Coast Artslink Hall, 187 Bideford St, Torquay.
To find out more about the group visit www. frasercoastartslink.com.au or search for Fraser Coast Artslink on Facebook.
as they say, when two worlds collide magic happens. This is definitely the case for Fraser Coast artist Jo Williams with the delicious collision of her beautiful paintings and the fashion industry in the form of wearable coats inspired by the shape of the Japanese kimono.
Jo Williams is larger than life and makes no excuses for her bold personality and robust nature. Her artwork is a reflection of her personality with earthy, rustic tones and bold brush strokes. But there’s also a gentleness there as well, in her art and in her nature. Her body of work titled “Me and Leonard and an Old Piano” was a moving exhibition of her soulful connection to music and the old piano hammers that the universe somehow knew she was looking for.
The rhythmic patterns that appear in her paintings come from the interpretation of lyrics and music by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Phillip Glass, Bach, Mozart and the sounds of indigenous music.
Her work is like a map of her life, the path left behind her and yet to tread, a criss-cross of earthy colours, music notes and organic shapes and this is what has now become a new art in the form of fabric for her elegant coats.
Jo was one of three artists mentored by artist and businesswoman Nicole Duyst, a recipient of a Fraser Coast RADF grant to help artists transform their work into fabrics with the potential to start a business.
As a strong advocate for human connection, Jo insisted that anything she did had to involve local producers, so Nicole aligned the planets and contacted Point Vernon seamstress Sue Fluell-Smith who developed an dressmaker’s pattern to enhance Jo’s artworks and with her intricate stitching and attention to detail, the first of the garments were born.
Coats have been a strong presence in Jo’s art journey, visiting Jo in many forms over the years, so it’s a natural progression that they would now become wearable art.
Created from natural bamboo fibre, Jo’s artwork truly shines on the smooth, sumptuous fabric surface which were printed in Brisbane, as close to Jo’s home as possible and honouring her local requirements. But the details aren’t just in the fabric - delicate embellishments enhance the coat, and there are pockets! Who doesn’t love pockets!?
Jo Williams truly is a rockstar in so many ways. This fedora-wearing and black t-shirt-and-sneakers-rocking strong woman has immersed herself in art and music for decades so it makes sense that she would now wear the hat of fashion designer. In the lyrics of Leonard Cohen…
the bells you can ring. Forget your perfect offering.”
continues to ring her own bell.
The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a community funding program for arts, culture and heritage on the Fraser Coast.
our website to find out more information about funding for your creative idea.
The Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council.
2022 has been an exciting year for Abby, seeing her launch 2 music videos from her latest album ‘Build A Castle With Me’ as well as a string of highly anticipated performances with her band, including their recent appearance at Lighthouse Rock alongside Australian music legends Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Ian Moss and Choirboys, which received rave reviews.
Joined by bandmates and dear friends Craig Kickbush, Rohan Hems and Christian O’Donnell, the team performed mostly original songs, including singles ‘Gasoline’ and ‘What Do You Believe (Tum Tikki)’ but stunned the crowd with a finale of ‘Killing In The Name Of’ by Rage Against The Machine.
What was the most memorable moment of Lighthouse Rock for you?
The whole thing was a total thrill, but the most amazing feeling was walking through the crowd afterwards - the amount of love people showed me was something I’ll never forget. Our community is just amazing.
What’s next for you and your band after your successes this year?
I’d like to make a few more videos for Build A Castle With Me, but I’ve also started writing for the next album, so I plan on being quite busy in my studio. I’m also looking forward to playing more gigs with my band, every opportunity to jam with them is such a pleasure.
Who are your greatest musical influences?
I grew up listening to Tori Amos and Jeff Buckley, but I also used to sing opera and melodic metal, so I have a soft spot for those genres, too. I also really admire Beth Hart and Vanessa Amarosi as strong female vocalists.
You can check out Abby’s music, video releases and keep up to date with her latest projects atabbyskye.com.au
@AbbySkyeMusic www.abbyskye.com.au
JOY BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHER
Hi, I am Joy. Love is a powerful thing, it gives me goosebumps. My heart is over-joyed to be able to create breath-taking 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.
some of the best Fraser Coast’s
House of Holabox is your home of fashion, accessories, lifestyle and gifting complete with inhouse cafe where every trip feels like a treat.
For a personalised and unique shopping experience, you can browse our huge range of Australian labels and styles for the everyday or any occasion at Shop 1, 264 Bazaar St, Maryborough.
You can now also shop our entire store range of labels including Sass, Fate and Becker, Sage and Clare, Morgan and Taylor, White Closet, Label of Love, Fussy, Runway the Label, BTL, Jatea, AvE and Dusky Robin on our website.
www.holabox.com.au Shop 1, 264 Bazaar Street, Maryborough
Do you want to be supported locally, visit The Brave Hen, shop 4/13 Medical Place Urraween.
7+ years’ experience of lingerie and prosthetic fittings, no need to book an appointment.
We have bras and swimwear for ALL women, no one is left out. From AA to K cup & 8 to 30 band size. Front opening to underwire, no underwire, molded, strapless and maternity.
Valletta’s are changing the game, must try one on, built in shelf bra camisole singlet, made of bamboo and can step into it if you are someone who struggles to lift your arms above shoulder height. Extremely supportive!
www.thebravehen.com Shop 4/13 Medical Place, Hervey Bay
At Laser Clinics Australia Hervey Bay, we offer a range of results-driven body and skin treatments. One of the most popular is hair removal using our medical grade Candela Gentle LASE and Gentle YAG pro machines. We also offer a range of professional skin treatments, effective for many skin concerns such as acne, pigmentation, fine lines, stretch marks, rosacea and many more.
Our skin treatments can be combined with highperformance cosmeceutical skincare products by Skinstitut for maximising results. Body sculpting treatments are also offered by CoolSculpting® to permanently eliminate fat cells without surgery and little to no downtime.
And lastly, one of the most effective and results-driven antiaging treatments we offer are Anti-Wrinkle and Dermal Filler injectables. These are non-invasive treatments performed by our expert trained cosmetic injectors who will help you to rejuvenate and enhance your best features. Whoever you are, whatever your body and skin goals are, Laser Clinic Australia can deliver the results that are affordable, accessible, and tailored to your needs.
Witha population of around 60,000 and visitors numbering around 650,000 per annum, Hervey Bay is a very desirable place to live as well as a mecca for tourists.
As a stopping off point on the way to Fraser Island or Lady Elliot Island, eco-tourism on the Fraser Coast is thriving.
It is no surprise that the Hervey Bay fashion scene is alive and well. Boasting a subtropical climate, a superb north facing 9 kilometre pristine beach and a laid back lifestyle, the choice of clothing is very relaxed.
So this month we are featuring some of our most popular selling outfits all of which accentuate the breezy, casual, comfortable and cool direction of the Hervey Bay fashion aesthetic. And if you shop hard wearing, breathable, natural fibres such as cotton, linen and silk, you’ll be combining luxury with longevity. Happy shopping!
Trendsin beauty, just like fashion, come and go out of style. We’ve had the pencil thin brows where we overplucked, then there was a shift from the thin look to a darker, bolder and more powerful statement-making brow (which may I add is a difficult task growing a brow back from the brink of extinction) We had the 80s where blue eyeshadow, bright neon make-up and a perm was every girls go to.
Skip to the 2020s and we have decided that matte is out and shiny is in. If your makeup doesn’t resemble a glazed donut, you’re doing it wrong! With an emphasis on active skincare and a collective movement towards serum based products (which we have plenty of on hand in the Spa!) and highlighters, glowing skin is evidently this decade’s main priority.
There is one thing in beauty that never goes out of fashion and that is clear skin. Clear skin is definitely in! So much so that mini-facials were practically a prerequisite for backstage skin prep at the latest New York fashion week. Clear complexions with a glowing and glass like finish with minimal makeup were evident throughout the catwalks.
Here at Mineral Earth we have a vast range
@mineralearthhb
of treatments perfect for achieving that clear complexion catwalk glow! Microdermabrasion is one of our more popular treatments in the Spa as it reveals a clearer, brighter complexion and has minimal downtime.
IPL is also a popular treatment for the lightening of pigmentation, evening out skin tone and general skin rejuvenation.
If you’re looking to clear your pigmentation and can handle a couple of weeks of downtime our Cosmelan peel is incredibly effective.
The newest machine we have on hand is our Hydrafacial. This is an amazing facial machine that cleanses, peels, exfoliates, extracts and then infuses an ampoule into the skin.
It leaves the skin squeaky clean, incredibly hydrated and has zero downtime! You really do need to try this facial to see the amazing results for yourself. No one has left after having this treatment disappointed.
If you would like more information on any of our advanced skin treatments, book in for a free consultation with any of our highly skilled beauty therapists. See you in the Spa for your personalised clear skin journey soon!
Florals
FLORAL
Whether fresh, preserved or dried,
headwear designs (think: crowns,
headbands, pins and clipsoh my!) get me crushing
They’re also one of
Not just
brides, are
are
by Jessica Gunn Photographyof
One tradition that has survived the test of time when it comes to formals are corsages and boutonnieres. With the current popularity of dried and preserved flowers, it’s no surprise to see more modern looking florals being worn. We love!
(Photos by Jessica Gunn Photography)
When it comes to everyday fashion, this season’s botanical graphics range from striking bolds and exotics, to feminine and seductive wildflowers and roses, and digital florals. If you love this look, you’ll find it at some of my favourite local boutiques like HOUSE of HOLABOX in Maryborough and Pocket in Hervey Bay.
(Available from Pocket and House of Holabox)
Flowers will always play a big part in weddings, however we’re starting to see florals move beyond the bouquets and table arrangements. From floral pocket squares (rather than the traditional boutonniere), to floral-print bridesmaid dresses or subtle floral lace/embellishments on bridal gowns, flowers in bridal fashion are definitely having a moment. I also adore the move from neutral colour palettes to brights over Spring/Summer.
(Photos by Jessica Gunn Photography with Hey Posy bouquet.)
Herewe are again! Another month of money goodness! This topic made me go straight to fast fashion, Afterpay, Zip Pay etc. It is easy to get caught in the trap of utilising such readily available credit such as Afterpay and Zip Pay. With paid advertising and phones tapping into all that you want and throwing it in your face on a daily basis, it’s likely you’re going to be baited into buying all the things you want but don’t need. Over consumption has created a market for businesses like Afterpay to swoop in and come to your rescue allowing you the instant gratification of those jeans you want but can’t afford to be delivered to your door in the next two days. Well damn! If you find a more better suited facility for the young generation I’ll eat my shirt.
There isn’t much this generation is used to waiting for and now money has become one of them. It is creating a society where instant gratification is the norm and accessing quick credit is normality. I see it in my profession on a daily basis and it has become a question that every client gets asked. Do you have Afterpay or Zip Pay? 90% of people do. There facilities have now become classed as credit facilities and they do show up on your credit file much like a credit card. So beware they are no longer treated like they don’t exist and in any cases
we are having clients shut their facilities down prior to accessing credit when their borrowing capacity is an issue.
This may be on the extreme side of things but it is almost a gateway drug to being a credit junkie. People become addicted to buying items without feeling the hurt of the money leaving their account. It is like their brain doesn’t connect the dots that you worked so many hours in your day to buy this item. There’s no questioning of the decision as the implications don’t hurt there and then. You’re training your brain to love on all the feels of buying new clothes and things but not connect to the pathway of the feeling you get when you realise you truly can’t afford them.
Moral to the story, be wary. Think before you buy. Do you really need what it is you want to buy but don’t necessarily need or are you loving all the feels of the delivery of that package on your doorstep. Truth be told I am not immune to the feeling of the excitement when a package rocks up on my doorstep. But. In saying that I am not frivolous with my money and I reflect on the true cost of that item in regards to my time and my sacrifice. Be smart. Take a day before jumping into a purchase and ask yourself if it is something you can truly afford and if it helps you achieve your financial goals in the long run.
sees the start of the closed Barramundi season until February 1. This means targeting Barramundi in tidal waters is off limits for anglers in Queensland. Luckily, we have some great stocked impoundments not too far away.
Lake Monduran and Lake Awoonga are certainly worth a look if you are after a barra fix.
As for the Bay, things are warming up and the pelagic scene is starting to really get going! The inshore reefs are also firing up so plenty on offer at the moment.
Jacks have been the most popular target species in the Burrum River. The warm weather has certainly switched them on, and they have been taking prawn imitations, paddle tail plastics and hard bodied lures. Mullet fillets and live baits have been working well for bait fisherman.
For anglers looking for a feed of flathead trying the mangrove islands and black bank has seen a few turn up. Sand whiting have been reported with the full moon, with specimens up to 40cm coming in on live yabbies particularly at night.
The shallow reefs off Point Vernon and Pialba have produced a few coral trout, cod and sweet lip. Trolling has worked on the trout with fresh baits also getting some attention. On the deeper reefs school mackerel have been taken on metal spoons and live herring. Golden trevally has also been about and are often a sporty bycatch while targeting reef species. Reef dwellers like sweetlip, cod and coral trout have also been reported.
Platypus Bay has seen a few school mackerel trickle in over the reefs and bait grounds. It won’t be long before we see spottys with their arrival due any day now. Sweetlip, scarlets and blackall have been reported coming in on baits fished on the bottom.
The wide grounds can be tough this time of year with the ever presence of menacing sharks. Working your spots quickly and constant moving about is the best way to get a feed and feed lee sharks. Coral trout, sweetlip, snapper, scarlets and various mackerels have been reported from the Southern gutters and reefs through the central bay
Big Queenfish to 110cm have been keeping anglers busy on the pier. The queenies have been taking live herring in the first and second channels. Flathead, bream and golden trevally have also been reported.
The Mary River has been fishing well in the upper reaches of late for threadfin salmon. The threadies have been caught on soft vibes and trolled hard bodied lures along with taking live baits. Grunter, flathead and bream have been reported from the mid-reaches of the Mary system with a few nice cod in the deeper holes around the mouth. In the Sandy Strait, mac tuna can be found in the channels with scarlets, sweetlip, cod and tusk fish coming in off the ledges.
Welcometo November’s Life-Chat. This month I am exploring the energy of colour and whether, like me, you are an ‘emotional dresser.’ An emotional dresser chooses their clothing according to how they feel each day.
Let’s begin with a question.
Bring to mind the drawer or shelf that stores your underpants. What does it look like?
I have a female friend whose panties’ drawer is beautifully tidy. Not only is it tidy (undies folded neatly and stacked in rows), all her underwear is beige, white or black – actually, it’s mainly beige but there are a few white and black pieces for wearing when required.
I was a bit shocked by this discovery, that someone owned only neutral coloured underwear because my panties’ drawer looks like the wrappers of a chocolate box after all the chocolates have been eaten and those leftover wrappers have been tossed into a pile of colour. I mean, doesn’t everyone have flowers, hearts, spots, stripes, animal prints, and patterns on their undies? Doesn’t everyone have bright red, gorgeous pink, sky-blue, sunset orange and beautiful purple (to name a few) panties so they can choose what feels right for them each morning? Who wakes up and feels like, ‘It’s a beige day today’?
I am reluctant but also a little defiant to admit that my wardrobe follows the trend of my underwear. Again, I have several friends who dress reliably in neutral colours. They look great, by the way. I am not criticising their good fashion sense; I’m merely reflecting on my own lack of it.
My wardrobe features all the colours of the
rainbow. It is entirely feasible that purple, pink, blue, green, orange, red and black might share the same blouse or skirt. That this blouse may look as though a three-year-old has tossed splotches of paint on it from across the room in no way detracts from its vibrancy and beauty. (In my eyes.)
My confession is that I am an emotional dresser. I am guided each day to wear the colours that I feel I need. Colour has energy and I believe that particular colours will help me in creating the right energy and mood for any occasion.
If I feel a bit low in energy, but need to dress conservatively for work, my underwear will be bright and colourful. Red is great for increasing confidence and giving me a boost. If I’ve had a rough night and my mind is whirling, I’ll select calming colours like green and blue to help settle my emotions for the day. I love purple anytime. It’s just a colour that feels right, particularly if I’m doing intuitive work, whereas if I’m feeling introverted, indigo or black is perfect for me.
I wonder how colour impacts you, and whether you use colour as a strategy to navigate your day? Connecting with colour in nature is a very powerful healing experience for me, and a worthy topic for another column. Until then, I hope that you have enjoyed our life-chat this month.
Remember, 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
Have a wonderful month, Michelle
“The most important thing to remember is that you can wear all the greatest clothes and all the greatest shoes, but you’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world.” – Alicia Keys
Dec 22 -Jan 19
It’s time to open up your wings and fly Capricorn. If you have had some projects or plans on the back burner, now is the time to make them happen. There is no time to waste, you are being encouraged to move forward.
Jan 20 - Feb 18
Have you been feeling on edge because a stressful situation has been weighing you down? Rather than getting on the bandwagon to prove a point, save your energy and choose a peaceful resolution instead.
Feb 19 - Mar 20
Energies are changing around you Pisces. Rather than running from change, choose to embrace instead. You have everything you need to move forward. Be brave and trust your intuitive side.
Mar 21 - April 19
You have incredible inner strength Aries. This month you may be tested, but stay true to you. You are more resilient than you think. If you are not sure what to do next, do nothing. stay exactly where you are. You’ve got this.
Taurus April 20 - May 20
There are no secrets this month for you Taurus. If you have been unsure of something, this month will reveal the truth. Take note of inner feelings and know that you must act on them. There may also be a need to be more nurturing to yourself or others.
May 21 - June 20
A great time for you Gemini. The energy of love is surrounding you. Be more loving to those around you, and to yourself. Time to trust and listen to your intuition. You have an innate knowing, believe in yourself. A great month for relationships.
Cancer June 21- July 22
Have you been a bit of an airy fairy lately Cancer? This month is a great time for a mind set check! You attract what you think. My advice, things will go your way if you change to a more positive mindset. Manifest abundance and good times, you can do this.
It is time to stop cocooning and trust your vision, because you have so much to offer. There may be an opportunity to thrive this month. Do not self doubt, you are being encouraged to be proud of your ideas and of who you are. Take the credit!
Aug 23 - Sept 22
Are you happy with who you are Virgo? I wonder if you are being true to who you really are. Out with the old, and in with the new. Shed the skin of who you think you should be, and get real. November is a time for abundance, renewal and connection. On a different note, be aware of a snake in the grass.
Sept - 23 - Oct 23
Be careful what you wish for this month Libra. You have high capabilities to manifest your desires. This month there is an opportunity to rise up, and show your capabilities. Make a plan, and step by step make it happen.
Oct 24 -
21
You are being encouraged this month, to look beyond a current situation. You may become clouded, so step back, take out the emotion, and look at the big picture. You will then have the opportunity to see things clearer, and act accordingly.
Patience grasshopper. November sees a need for a gentler approach. Slow and steady wins the race, so breathe and just go with the flow. Remember, life has ebbs and flows, just like the ocean. Go with the flow this month, and just ride the waves.
We are the Maryborough Qld chapter of Urban Sketchers!
The Urban Sketchers mission is to raise the artistic, storytelling and educational value of on-location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world who draw on location where they live and travel.
“See the world, one building at a time”. More info please go to our Facebook group: Urban Sketchers Maryborough Qld
