Maranoa Style Summer 2017

MARANOA

SUMMER 2017 ◆ ISSUE 14 ◆ FREE

style

FESTIVE FASHION

ON-TREND LOOKS TO TURN HEADS THIS CHRISTMAS

TANTALISING TREATS

WOW GUESTS WITH QCWA INSPIRED DISHES

C H R I ST M A S C H E E R BEAUTY ◆ WELLBEING ◆ FOOD ◆ HEALTH ◆ INTERIORS www.westernstarnews.com.au

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C O N T E N T S

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INSIDE 03..................... Stunning flooring Let Andersens Roma take your floors from drab to fab this summer 04..........................Festive Fashion Turns heads in these stunning Christmas day frocks 06 ..........................37 years strong DJ Johnny Mac has stood the test of time 18...........................Inspiring Jelena Jelena Dokic shares her story of triumph against the odds 21................Guilt Free indulgence Gluten-free Christmas cake to wow guests

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CONTACT US Writers: Carmen Miller, Joshua Macree Advertising: Tori Johnson, Greg Latta, Hineata Cash.

Enquiries: advertising@westernstarnews.com Publishers Indemnity: Maranoa Style magazine is published by Newscorp Australia in Roma. Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to style magazine, undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe any copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the trade practices act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above mentioned these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or it’s agents against any investigations, claims or judgements.

merry ChriStmaS & happy new year From • Preventive and general dentistry • Emergency (Tooth aches, broken teeth) • Tooth coloured fillings • Root Canal Treatment • Crowns and bridges • Extractions • Partial and complete dentures • Children welcome, CDBS bulk billed for eligible patients

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December 2017

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H O M E

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HARDWOOD RESCUE TIPS Get the most out of your floors with these helpful hints from Andersens Roma

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s resilient as hardwood flooring is, its natural origins and texture mean it isn’t actually invincible. Fortunately, there are methods to help you repair most damage and with common household items too. Gently, gently is the thing to remember when it comes to fixing scuffs, scratches, or stains on hardwood floors. A bit of general advice for maintaining hardwood floors: DO NOT use abrasive cleaners and chemicals. Treat your hardwood floor like skin – test your cleaners on a small patch of floor somewhere inconspicuous before getting to work.

Scuff Marks For Scuff Marks, all you need is a tennis ball. Use a sharp knife to cut a 1-inch X in the surface of an old (clean) tennis ball. Slot the ball onto the end of a mop or broom handle, then use the tennis ball covered end to gently scrub off the scuff mark.

Scratches For shallow scratches, you can use a flooring marker to colour in the damage. You’ll still be able to feel the scratch’s indent, but you won’t see it. Touch-up kits are available with several colours of markers, so you can find the best colour match for damaged areas.

For a more complete job, sand the surrounding area down using fine sandpaper to the level of the scratch so the surface is smooth again. Move the sandpaper gently over the scratch in line with the wood grain. Re-varnish, paint, or wax the area to return it to a uniform colour.

Stains In the instance of a dried surface stain that hasn’t soaked into the wood, you can use a sharp blade or putty knife and mild soapy water. Carefully scrape the stain off, making sure not to scratch the wood’s surface.

For shallow stains that have not penetrated deep into the wood, you may be able to sand them off and re-polish and varnish. For best results, contact a professional to match the colour of the sanded area to the rest of your floor most accurately.

Rugs However, to avoid having to do the above, an effective preventative measure against wear and tear on your hardwood floor is to use a rug. Not only can they complement your floor and make it feel cosier, but they will protect your floor from furniture legs, spillages and more.

These are just a small number of the many different methods you can use to maintain your hardwood floor. To learn more maintenance tips and for a wide range of designer rugs, step into Andersens Roma today.

r e m m Su o or New rugs fo

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Andersens has an exciting g new range g of rugs g to com lement our oor and li en u our home this summer.

For a free measure & quote call 4622 5629 or visit our 113 McDowall St, Roma.

CARPET

TIMBER

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VINYL

TILES

RUGS

SHUTTERS

BLINDS

AWNINGS December 2017

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FAS H I O N

FESTIVE FASHION

Finding the perfect outfit for Christmas Day can often prove a challenge. Given the summer heat, something light and comfortable is an absolute must. Opting for a versatile dress or ensemble that transfers easily from a day to evening occasion is also another factor to consider given the Australian tendency to continue celebrations well into the night. The team at Style has compiled an array of stunning outfit choices which are sure to have you feeling truly fabulous this festive season.

1. Malo Collection Summer Fling dress.

2. Malo Collection Little Mermaid dress.

3. [et cetera] WOMAN Sophia Glamazon Knot Front Maxi Dress 4. Malo Collection Peony dress

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F E S T I V E F U N

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SURVIVING THE SILLY SEASON IN ONE PIECE No matter what your silly season involves, our helpful tips will see you start 2018 with a bang!

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. DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! Whilst it may be inevitable that your alcohol intake will increase over this period, many of us forget to increase our water intake during the Summer months. Water is necessary not only for carrying nutrients around the body, but it is also essential in the detoxifying process.

Drinking alcohol and caffeine both require you to increase your water intake. Did you know that by the time our brain tells us that we are feeling thirsty, we are already de-hydrated?

It is recommended that we need to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you are feeling particularly dehydrated after heavy exercise or a big night at the office Christmas party, an electrolyte replacement is a great way to re-hydrate quickly.

Water is also a great filler to use before heading out to those Christmas parties and all their delicious treats, as feeling full makes those yummy treats easier to resist.

2. MANAGE YOUR STRESS December can also be a time where your busy work and social schedule and added financial pressure can make you feel like you’re running a month long marathon, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted.

It has been proven that regular exercise reduces stress levels, but did you know that something as simple as getting outside in the fresh air an talking a walk around the block can help you relax and release tension?

Increased stress levels put a strain on your overall health, so eating a healthy diet is important to help maintain your immune system. There is also a wide variety of supplements available to help manage stress, increase your energy and boost your immune system.

Lastly, don’t over commit your time or your resources.

Remember, “It is OK to say no!” and “It’s the thought that counts!”

3. BE SUNSMART

If you are lucky enough to have some time off over the Silly Season and have planned some well earned R&R, remember to be sun smart. Over 400000 people are treated for non-melanoma skin cancer in Australia each year. You can lessen your chance of adding to that statistic by following a few simple rules.

Make sure you use a sunscreen with an appropriate level SPF. Skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes in our hot summer sun.

Sunscreen needs to be applied 20 minutes before exposure and re-applied every 2 hours.

Wear a hat. Not only can they be stylish, but they provide great protection for the head, face and neck areas. Wide brimmed or bucket styles are best.

Choose your hat wisely, keeping in mind that if you can see through it – the UV rays can pass through it. Closely woven fabrics provide the best protection.

Where possible, limit the amount of time spent in the sun during the hottest part of the day, (generally between 10am & 3pm) and choose shaded or covered areas when outdoors.

s a m t s i r ChGifts ! ni store We are committed to stocking high quality organic and certified organic products designed to promote health and wellness

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Merry Christmas from

Shop 4, 104 McDowall Street, Roma December 2017

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S P OT L I G H T O N

WHAT A COLLECTION: DJ Johnny Mac shows off his impressive record collection which he states houses “almost the entire musical history of Roma”.

A STELLAR CAREER John Macfarlane, DJ Johnny Mac, gets set to spin into his 38th year on the music scene

BY JOSHUA MACREE

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AVING played for 37 years as a one of the Southwest’s most recognised musicians, John Macfarlane has forged a career through continued excellence.

Better known as DJ Johnny Mac, he began his craft from a young age.

“I started my music when I was 12 and living in Maryborough and bought a couple of little turntables and then worked out I could actually play a little bit,” he said.

“After that, I just DJ’d in my bedroom and then when my family moved to Roma it just went from there.”

Within a few years, he was performing at the Hibernian Hall in the town centre. It wasn’t long before he then migrated towards pubs.

Over his long career, he has also worked for Sony where he was tasked with being a carer for big-name artists which included Anastacia.

“I used to drive her around to interviews, newspapers, television and radio station interviews and doing in-store promotional material.”

As for his style, is an eclectic mix of genre’s including electronic, country, rock and hip hop.

“If you were able to see my large record collection, you’d know that I own almost the entire musical history of Roma and that as a result, what I play is pretty diversified.

Mr McFarlane feels that he has a close association with the town.

“I like Roma, all my work and family is here and you’re not in the profile so much like if you were in the city.

“I’ve built a solid reputation here and a lot of people in this town know me and know what I do. I think people appreciate my style and know that I play for the people which I learned to do from a young age.”

Waashing, Drying&Ironing Laurel Dorrough 38 Bowen Street, Roma Old 4455 Mobile: 0400 380 242 6

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HOME • STYLE • COFFEE Visit us instore or give us a call for all your Christmas shopping. We are happy to post orders.

EXTENDED HOURS FOR DECEMBER 8-4 Monday to Friday, Saturday 9-12 P. 4654 3969 | 120 ALFRED STREET, CHARLEVILLE FIND US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM ‘CHARLOTTESNESTTHESHOP’ www.westernstarnews.com.au

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N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U

REFRESH THE RESOLUTIONS Give yourself the best chance of success thanks to a different approach

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ith a new year quickly creeping closer, now is the time to start thinking about your plans for 2018.

When it comes to New Years’ resolutions, the stark reality is they often fizzle out after only a couple of weeks.

With this in mind, it is time to shake up how we view our resolutions and aim for a more positive, and hopefully successful, approach.

SET GOALS INSTEAD OF RESOLUTIONS Often it can be easier to set goals rather than resolutions, to break down attaining your achievements into more manageable, bite-sized pieces.

Here are some tips for keeping your resolutions intact for the entire year: ■ Call them goals instead of resolutions: This could help keep your motivation up to achieve them.

■ Break them down into steps: ‘Get fit’ for example is a pretty broad resolution or goal — instead, set some mini-goals or steps within the one broad resolution.

■ Write them down: Writing things down helps keep tasks more manageable and harder to forget about.

Whether you use a whiteboard where you can see it everyday or a notebook you can carry around with you, use whatever medium will be most effective to you.

■ Be gentle on yourself: Yes, there will be some days where you feel unmotivated to keep chasing your goal.

There will be days when you slip up, or feel like you’ve failed.

Don’t be too hard on yourself in these times.

■ Set rewards: Instead of only rewarding yourself at the end goal, set rewards for yourself along the way.

Rewards can motivate you to keep going even on bad days.

Weddings – Birthdays – Clubs – Hotels – Festivals And Much More!!

johnmacfarlane@bigpond.com 0427 125 829 8

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LEADING EDGE

Computers

Switched On Service

ROMA COMPUTER CENTRE 72 Wyndham St, Roma Qld 44 55 Ph: (07) 4622 5300 or (07) 4622 6300

Great Christmas Gifts Ideas!!!!

APPLE Mac's

APPLE Ipad's

APPLE MacBook’s

Come check out our range.... g Great Gifts for the Star Wars Fans and Gamers

The Team at Roma Computer Centre would like to wish their supporters and customers a Merry Christmas and Best wishes in the New Year.

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111 Mcdowall Street Roma | Open 8.30am - 5.30pm

Come in and see our ...

Massive Range of Clothing | 50% off Rack | Footwear Jewellery & Accessories | New Stock Arriving Weekly

Phone 4622 6165 | find us on facebook 6721500ac

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Mustang GT

You won’t be disappointed with the growl of the V8

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Mitsubishi ASX Auto LS it’s the unbeatable SUV price BUSTER

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Kia AWD Sorento Platinum Amazing, luxury 7-seater diesel

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Armstrong Auto Group Roma for all your motoring needs with huge range of USED vehicles available

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December 2017

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Kia Stinger GT

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Focus RS

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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS No stopping this 4WD wonder

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Armstrong Auto Group Roma for all your motoring needs with huge range of USED vehicles available

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ARMSTRONGAUTO.COM.AU | 4622 1900 December 2017

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ROMA NEWSAGENCY & BOOK SHOP

p 4622 1093 f 4622 4118 a 94 McDowall St Roma QLD 4455 e romanews@denakin.com.au

Christmas Trading Hours Christmas Eve - Normal Hours Christmas Day - Closed Boxing Day - 7am - 12pm

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For all automotive glass replacement OVER • Windscreens, side & rear glass for all vehicles

600 Screens in stock!!!!

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Workshop: 51 Duke St, Roma Mob: 0427 804 935 | Ph: 4622 1466 www.westernstarnews.com.au

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674 Yuleba Surat Road, Yuleba FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FREEHOLD 1250 ACRES YULEBA “4 Mile” - 1250 acres - Only 6km from Yuleba amenities- Three bedrooms, office, two bathrooms, two toilets, sewing room, open planned living room and kitchen, wood heater, screened veranda, satellite free tv, telephone/mobile reception, nice garden, approx. 13000 gallon rainwater storage, 3 bay carport, approx. 220 acres of cultivation, laneway to yards with vet crush under cover with AI Facility and electronic scales. Water connected to yards from dam. Carrying 80-100 head cattle, good grass cover of improved and native pasture. Fully fenced and watered by several dams.

Price $650 000 Agent Athol Cleland 0427 223 858

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115 Rosedale Road, Orange Hill Simply beautiful rural ambience This property has been designed with the horse lover in mind. Set on approximately 160 acres just 10 minutes from town. A shed style 2 bedroom cottage with all the comforts. All bedrooms are air conditioned. The spacious open plan kitchen, dining, lounge open to the entertainment area. Huge Bathroom with shower over bath, linen cupboard, vanity & toilet including separate laundry facilities.

The house yard is fully fenced with established lawns.

The property includes a 6 bay shed with 12m x 10m cemented work area, 3 stables with day yards attached, fed shed, tack room & saddle wash down area, cattle yards with loading ramp including holding yard with water access & lane way for easy mustering. Full sized sand dressage arena & separate warm up area. Well-watered by an electrically equipped shared bore with troughs to each paddock.

Price $750 000 Agent Athol Cleland 0427 223 858

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414 Bindango Road, Hodgson Stylish Acreage Home

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This beautifully renovated Queenslander sits on approx.. 160acres with a private bore. Freshly painted & on steel stumps, this home has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, lounge, kitchen/dining combined. The modern kitchen has electric appliances & ample storage. Separate office. Back patio area with downstairs laundry. Open verandah. Other features include 3 bay shed, 3 bay machinery shed, separate truck shed & carport. Set of yards with a loading ramp & stable.

Price $650 000 Agent Athol Cleland 0427 223 858

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127 Wyndham Street Immaculate Home This freshly painted cottage has all the period features, 3 comfortable bedrooms close to town. The home has tidy kitchen with a slow combustion stove, separate lounge & dining room. Bathroom has shower over bath & vanity. Security screens, solar hot water, rain water tank. 2 single lock up garage. Ceiling fans throughout.

Price $185 000 Agent Athol Cleland 0427 223 858

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38 Twine Street Colonial Style Set on low maintenance 1004 sqm corner allotment, this colonial 3 bedroom home plus office & extra room. Spacious kitchen with ample storage & gas stove. Modern bathroom with separate shower, bath & vanity. Recently replaced roof.

DLUG with power. Air conditioning throughout.

Price $285 000 Agent Athol Cleland 0427 223 858

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Only 18kms from the thriving hub of Roma is this fantastic opportunity for you and your family to fulfil your dreams. Health is forcing the current owners to sell. 160 acres of freehold fully fenced land with a permanent creek fed by spring, large dam, share bore and large tanks for water storage you can have stock, pets and gardens.

The large and homely solid Old Queenslander style home is ready for a new family. The homestead has 3 bedrooms plus an office, the main bed has a walk-in robe. This property also boasts a 9x9 barn style shed which has been used for visitors and entertaining with 2 large bedrooms, bath and kitchen. Both home and shed are powered by stand-alone solar which means no power bills ever.

If you have dreams of being self-sustainable, if you have horses, if you are looking for more land to spread your wings, if you are starting a family and want your children to have country values, if you just want peace and quiet or if you want a property with dual living then inspect this one today, it could be just what you have been searching for.

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Lot 32 Daisybank Road Live your dreams!

Price $669 000 Agent Athol Cleland 0427 223 858

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M U S T R E A D

INSPIRING JELENA WORDS BY T E R R Y M A L L I N D E R OF WEEKEND MAGAZINE

J

elena Dokic feels liberated.

While never fully healing her wounds, the former tennis star’s incredible tell-all book has allowed her to at least exorcise some of her demons.

The demons that came with being raised by the tennis dad from hell.

Until the release of her autobiography, Unbreakable, Dokic had never revealed the extent of the shocking mental and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of her infamous father.

Damir Dokic wanted his daughter to be the best tennis player in the world – at any cost.

Most harrowing is the revelation of the beatings she suffered when failing to perform to the levels he demanded.

It would often mean being whipped by his belt – something she has detailed in graphic fashion.

Jelena was once beaten so badly after a defeat she lost consciousness.

“I’ve never really told my side of the story, never really spoken about anything in my life,” Jelena, now 34, tells Weekend Magazine.

“But I always knew I would. I knew I would go out there at some stage and tell my story. It was something that was really important to me, something that I wanted to do for a while.

“It’s not that I was running away from it.

“It’s just that it’s such a complex story… there’s so many parts to my life and I think it needed to be said together.

“A book was the perfect way.”

Jelena was also twice a refugee, fleeing war-torn Croatia with her family for her father’s homeland, Serbia, when she was seven, before ultimately arriving in Australia.

In the book, she recalls the time she saw her first dead body.

But despite such a confronting early childhood growing up in eastern Europe, nothing would compare to the personal horrors at home, particularly through her teenage years after the family moved to Sydney in 1994.

Damir’s aggressive nature was apparent to the wider tennis community not long after Jelena burst on to the scene as a 16-year-old rising star of the women’s game in 1999.

He was ejected from Wimbledon in 2000 for smashing a

journalist’s mobile phone, kicked out of the US Open later that year for taking exception to the price of fish in the players’ lounge, and booted from the Australian Open in 2001 after accusing organisers of rigging the draw.

He would ultimately be banned from the women’s tour for six months.

Few were aware of the extent of his wrath, however, and the painful impact it had on his daughter.

“People assume they know everything, know what’s going on,” Jelena says.

“You never really know what’s going on behind closed doors.”

Being behind those closed doors was a living nightmare for Jelena.

“In a way it was really liberating to write it,” she tells Weekend of the book, co-authored by journalist Jessica Halloran.

“But at the end it’s such a difficult process going through all the drafts, and editing.

“I had to read it about 10 or 15 times. It was very hard at times, because you constantly had to go over and over the really difficult parts, the really hard times.

“Parts of it were a relief to get it out, but also at times it was emotionally draining.”

Jelena says one of the hardest incidents to have to recall was when her father abandoned her at Wimbledon in 2000.

She was 17, and had just lost a semi-final to American star Lindsay Davenport.

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Located Nea Amby just r 45 Min driva from Roma!e

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Why not have a weekend getaway with us to celebrate your special occasion to relax, unwind and enjoy your favourite craft with friends or consider the scenic venue for a wedding surrounded by bottle trees and a serene farm setting.

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M U S T R E A D

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ot happy with the result, Damir left her at the courts and refused to allow her to return to the hotel room she was actually paying for.

In Unbreakable she writes of the exchange following the defeat. “The dull slur in his slow, loud voice tells me he is drunk.

I know this tone; it’s the tone of white wine and probably a few glasses of whisky. He is angry. Furious that I lost. His voice booms down the phone.

‘You are pathetic, you are a hopeless cow, you are not to come home. You are an embarrassment. You can’t stay at our hotel.”

A year earlier at London’s All-England club, Jelena caused one of the biggest upsets in women’s tennis when as a 16-year-old qualifier she beat then world No.1 Martina Hingis.

It was the first of nine occasions she would defeat a current and former top-ranked player.

Jelena herself briefly reached No.4 in the world in 2002.

But despite tour earnings topping $6 million, she would never reach her full potential.

“I could’ve won a grand slam and maybe been No.1 … certainly I could’ve been a regular top five player and certainly had a much longer career,” she says.

“Once you read the book … you kind of understand why I struggled in my career.

“It was very hard to focus with so many things going on.

“It’s good to be on tour and playing this professional sport, especially at the elite level.

“But that (distraction of her father’s behaviour) was what cost me my career a little bit.

“It is what it is. It’s what I’ve had to deal with. I can’t change it.

“I wish I had the maturity that I had today.”

Following Jelena’s revelations Tennis Australia confirmed officials at the time had reported concerns about her welfare to

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police, but “without cooperation from those directly involved, unfortunately it could not be fully investigated”.

The sport’s governing body did add in a statement that it was now “working closely with the Australian Childhood Foundation to strengthen the safeguarding of children across the sport”.

Jelena finally escaped Damir’s clutches in 2005 when she returned to Australia.

While enduring a stop-start playing career, she had an on-again, off-again relationship with her father in those later years on the circuit.

Jelena said she didn’t “hate” her father for the years of abuse, but had no desire to remain close to him and settled in Melbourne.

Damir remains in Serbia, where he was arrested in 2009 for threatening to blow up the Australian ambassador. He spent almost a year behind bars.

“There really isn’t much of a relationship,” Jelena says.

“I tried to kind of make it work a few times. I don’t think it’s going to happen.

“We don’t have the same views, we are very different people.

“It’s very hard to communicate with him.

It’s hard to even talk to someone who doesn’t ever think they do anything wrong … to even say ‘sorry’.

“I’ve accepted that’s how it has to be and Published by Penguin you’ve just got to move on.”

Random House Australia, RRP Jelena just hopes her story can be a $34.99. valuable lesson for others.

If you or someone you know “It’s about speaking out and helping people … if it can help one person out there, needs help, phone Lifeline on 131 114. it’s worth it.”

INNOVATIVE AWARD AWARD-WINN WINNING PRODUCTS | QUALITY LOCAL SERVICE Locally made hams, from your local award-winning butcher Shop 2 Westlands Plaza, Roma Q 4455 | Order Online at www.westernstarnews.com.au

Please call us on 4622 1317 for our daily specials

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ADVERTISEMENT

LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY WINS NATIONAL AWARD

ROMA travel agency Maranoa Travel Centre has been setting the bar since 1949, and have once again been recognized for their tireless work.

12 months is that we have locals supporting locals,” he said.

Maranoa Travel was one of just 10 Australian travel agencies presented with a Bronze Choice Award during a Travellers Choice Awards ceremony held this month in Perth.

“Thanks to the support of the local Maranoa region travelers, our Travellers Choice preferred supplier holidays have improved by 126% on the September quarter in 2016.

The company also won the award in 2015, but agency owner Peter Flynn said this one had more signi cance.

“If anybody walks in to book a holiday through us we have a number of experienced travel agents who can give them an idea of what it will be like through their own rst hand experience.

“There’s 150 Travellers Choice travel agencies “Just this year we have had staff do a Contiki Tour in across Australia, of those 10 there was only two in Queensland who received an award,” Mr Flynn said. Thailand, a 2 day American tour and full uropean tour.”

“It is more signi cant this time because the local economy isn’t as buoyant as it was.”

Mr Flynn said it’s been the unwavering support of locals across the region combined with the experience of his staff that has held his company in good stead and kept them on an upward trajectory.

“One of the things that we’ve seen here in the last

Maranoa Travel has also just started a partnership with TripADeal, one that Mr Flynn is adamant will provide his customers with even better experiences.

“We’re looking forward to working with TripADeal, we’ve had some training this week through them so we’re looking forward to suppling locals a cheaper alternative for all price ranges of travel.”

CURRENTLY LARGEST RETAILER IN AUSTRALIA FOR QANTAS DOMESTIIC AIRFARES FOR TRAVELLERS CHOIC CE ALL OUR STAFF ARE ABLE TO HELP AS THE TRAVEL PACKAGES THA AT WE OFFER HAVE BEEN EXP XPERIENCED FIRST HAND

LOCALS SUPPOR RTING LOCALS thank you For more information contact Maranoa Travel | Email: info@maranoatravel.com.au Email: bookings@maranoatravel.com.au | www.facebook.com/MaranoaTravelAgency

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R E C I P E

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GLUTEN-FREE CHRISTMAS CAKE Enjoy a delicious Christmas Cake without the guilt thanks to this beautiful recipe RECIPE BY THE QCWA

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NGREDIENTS ■ 225g butter, room temperature, cubed (extra for greasing) ■ 450g green apple, roughly chopped ■ 200g dates ■ 100g raisins ■ 4 large eggs, beaten ■ 150g gluten-free white bread flour, plus a teaspoon extra ■ 100g ground almonds ■ 1½ tsp gluten-free baking powder ■ ½ tsp ground ginger ■ 1½ tsp cinnamon ■ 2 tsp pine nuts ■ 2 tbs demerara sugar ■ A good grating of nutmeg

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METHOD

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease the base of a 22cm round cake tin and line with baking paper.

Place the apples in a food processor with the dates, butter and half the raisins, mix until combined.

Using a spatula, scrape into a bowl and mix in a third of the beaten eggs.

In a separate bowl combine flour, almonds, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

Add a third to the apple mixture and combine, then continue adding and combining the egg and flour mixtures in alternating batches until all mixed together.

Fold through remaining raisins, then pour into prepared tin.

Combine pine nuts, sugar and extra teaspoon of gluten-free flour in a bowl and scatter over the cake mixture.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, until golden and cooked through.

Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out.

Roma Toyworld | 58 McDowall St, Roma | PH: (07) 4622 1084 | www.toyworld.com.au | roma.toyworld@hwy54.com.au www.westernstarnews.com.au

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THAT SUMMER STYLE Bring the outdoors in with clever design ideas for your home this summer.

W

ith the summer months arriving, now is the perfect time to breathe new life into your interiors.

And with time outdoors on the mind once more, why not turn your interiors attention to all things nature for inspiration?

With a focus on creating a peaceful energy and positive vibe in your home, there’s nothing more soothing than a home inspired by nature.

One half of the design duo behind Something Beginning With, Laelie Berzon, said it really is as simple as looking outside for ideas.

“The introduction of an abundance of plants,” is a great place to start she advises, “as if to invite nature into a space”.

“Good natural light and large windows,” are also excellent things to consider, adds Laelie.

“Think of raw timbers, a warm colour palette, soft inviting fabrics and finishes,” the other half of the design duo, Lisa Vincitorio, said.

1. Colours and fabrics “Whether it be lush greens, sky blues, or the pinks from your favourite flowers,” Laelie says, “draw your colour palette from nature”.

The on-trend colours inspired by the outdoors popular now include powdery pink, terracotta, sand, ochre, cinnamon, rust and olive green.

Each is extremely versatile and pairs really well with natural timbers.

2. Art and decor From plants dotted around on table tops to a cluster of ceramics inspired by nature, when it comes to art and decor for the naturist-look home, the world is your oyster.

Just keep things tonal with the rest of your colour palette throughout the home, opting for only a few statement pieces in bolder colours.

“Soften the palette with chunky knitted cushions and earthenware,” Lisa advises.

“Choose moody photographic prints or an abstract painting.”

3. Furniture and lighting When it comes to furniture and lighting, keep things minimal

and sleek and let a few statement pieces do the talking.

“A clean and simplified design will make the space look impactful, effortless and balanced,” Laelie explains.

“Pare it back with a juxtaposition of artwork, artefacts and greenery.”

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