Style magazine Toowoomba - July 2023

CatherineArdi

LEADING WITH GRACE AND GRIT

Our psychologist REVEALS the surprising benefits of travel p21

the Korean food trend: what to make and where to EAT p28

7 winter escapes you can’t miss p36

Is there anything better than a holiday? It’s no surprise that a few days out of the ordinary can do wonders for your mood, mind and, according to our resident psychologist Dr Clive Williams, it’s also a perfect way to revive and re-energise (p21).

This month in Style, we’re dreaming about taking a break – whether it’s a long weekend at the beach, a family trip to the snow, or a long-coveted trip overseas. No matter the destination or length of time, we’ve got travel on our minds.

Read Scarlett Keddie’s picks for the best places to stay this winter anywhere in Australia (p36); let our genius food writer Mariam Digges take you on a flavour-filled trip to Korea (p28); and get organised with Tiffany Pilcher’s guide to packing a capsule wardrobe (p17).

If you’re staying at home this month, however, we have plenty for you as well –from discovering the benefits of icy facials with Sava Ratukula, to plenty of June events in and around our beautiful Garden City.

We hope you enjoy travelling through the pages of Style this month; we’ve thoroughly enjoyed collecting these stories and ideas for you to read. Whatever you’ve got planned for the month ahead, we hope it’s a successful month – and one that includes some downtime here and there.

‘Til next month, The Style team xx

Model: Cat Ardi, Excavation Equipment general manager

Photographer: Matt Ryan, MRP Images

Hair: BNVS Hair

Makeup: Stephanie Louise MUA

Jewellery: Hogans Family Jewellers

Dress: Borrowed

Steel Caps: King Gee via Totally Workwear

Toowoomba @stylemagazinestoowoomba

GUEST EDITOR Melanie Collins WRITERS Alyssa Welke, Jessica Kramer, Megan Masters, Tiffany Pilcher, Rosie Double, Melanie Collins, Savaira Ratukula, Scarlett Keddie, Kate Salemme, Hayley Hinze, Mariam Digges, Kirrily Schwarz SUB EDITORS Sandra Killen, Lisa Toia DESIGN Paul Hunter, Justine Costello ADVERTISING MANAGER Erika Brayshaw STYLE

A team of Toowoomba locals had a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they took on the trek to Everest Base Camp to raise funds for Momentum Mental Health

Emily Bosman and Glen Twidale continue

their Australian

discovering picturesque South Australia

Leading with grace and grit

Meet the woman rewriting the rules, writes Megan Masters

There probably aren’t too many businesses worth more than $50m that are full of heart, but Catherine Ardi is proud to say she runs one of them.

The Excavation Equipment general manager was working as a business banker and laughs that it was watching her husband laboriously invoicing for his water truck business by hand that prompted her to step in with her own skill set, and it soon became obvious that they made a formidable partnership with their combined strengths.

Excavation Equipment was born around the kitchen table with just three people, but by 2014 had diversified into the beginnings of the impressive company it is today, running both online and on-site auctions, selling plant and machinery as well as import/ export operations and logistics.

By 2016, it had already made the Fast 100 List by BRW and The Australian Financial Review, a feat nothing short of incredible for

a regionally based business still in its infancy.

As proud as Cat is of their achievements and their incredible team dynamic, one of the things that makes her most proud is having grown the business to the point where it could give back to the community that supported them as a fledgling business.

“We’re so grateful to the Toowoomba community for endorsing us,” Cat says.

“We’re thanking our community for their business and one of the ways we can do that is to give back through supporting local people and organisations. I think it is so important,” she says.

“We were just a three-man band and we’ve grown to having 25 staff members, 30 through all the different divisions, and with holding sites all over Australia.

“We have Toowoomba to thank for that.”

GIVINGBACK

She says the list of worthy recipients includes boxer Stevie Spark, who was building his professional career out of Smithy’s Gym around the same time that Excavation Equipment was hitting its straps.

“It’s pretty cool that we can support a kid from Toowoomba on the big stage, but that was because we saw a kid with a lot of potential who needed a hand,” she says.

“We also support some younger kids with their sporting endeavours, along with bigger organisations like the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation for their amazing work in regional health.”

Other charities that have benefited from the sense of gratitude Cat and her husband Matt Brennan have for their community include Emerge cafe, the RSPCA, Beyond Blue, the McGrath Foundation and Toowoomba Repertory Theatre.

The heart doesn’t stop there, though.

FAMILYTIES

Cat says as a family-oriented business it isn’t just blood relatives who are welcomed with open arms and hearts worn on sleeves.

Every team member has a place in her

heart and has been integral to the success of the business, from sales managers through to the truck drivers that move their equipment across the nation.

“We are a family business,” she says.

“Obviously there is me and my husband, who is the key accounts manager, and I have a sister in sales and service and my nephew is a trainee.

“My brother-in-law used to work with us but sadly passed away after taking his own life and that shocked our team to the core, so a lot of what we do has a high emphasis on mental health.

“We didn’t see it coming, so we see mental health as being just as important as being safe in the yard.

“We don’t believe in leaving it at the door and want our team healthy holistically, so we

do wear our hearts on our sleeve.”

She says one of the greatest privileges in her life is supporting their workers through good times and bad, whether it is marriages, divorces, new babies or times of grief, and that simply being “good people” can have a wonderful ripple effect in a workplace.

“Nobody is above or beneath anyone else in this business,” Cat says.

“Ultimately, we’re all on the tools here and even though we all have our areas, if someone needs a hand you won’t hear ‘it’s not my job’ in this place.

“We’re not very glamorous but we do have a lot of fun together.”

THEPERFECTPAIR

At the heart of the business lies a partnership between Cat and hubby Matt that allows

each to work fluidly in concert with the other.

While they each have their own job description, Cat says that together they add up to a CEO, with one seamlessly picking up where the other has left off.

“Both of us have totally different strengths and weaknesses. He’s in the yard, I’m in the office,” she says.

“He’s very good at speaking to customers and putting buyers with the right machinery and locating the right machinery and I’m better behind a computer running that side of things.

“But I must say we have an amazing team to work with and they look after the business as if it were their own, whether it’s sales staff or yard staff. We all look after each other.”

As far as what the future holds, Cat says the goal is to be a $100m company by 2025,

focusing primarily on auctions and she believes Toowoomba will always be at the heart of their operations.

“Instead of having to go to other centres like Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Sydney, it’s about putting Toowoomba on the table as a machinery centre,” she says.

“We’re right next door to agricultural centres and close to all the construction that’s going on, so I can’t see why we can’t. We’re right here with the bypass and the airport, and there is so much future growth and potential here.

“The time is definitely now and we’re in such a great place for growth.”

Readersseekingsupportcancontact Lifelineon131114orBeyondBlueon 1300224636

We were just a threeman band and we’ve grown to having 25 staff members, 30 through all the different divisions ... we have Toowoomba to thank for that

The many faces of Excavation Equipment general manager Catherine Ardi, and above, collecting a Business Excellence Award alongside Lachlan Hogan of Hogans Family Jewellers.

Main picture: Matt Ryan, MRP Images

in rural

Thriving Queensland

Starting a business outside the sheltering confines of a large city can be a daunting task that comes with a range of unique challenges. This month in Style, Megan Masters shines a light on three vastly different businesses that have risen to these challenges, including one run by Queensland

Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer

JULIASPICER EngageandCreate Consulting

Goondiwindi local Julia Spicer was ready for a change when she resigned from her job more than a decade ago, but job opportunities were limited and her desire for change didn’t stretch to a desire to relocate.

As with many entrepreneurs, the move to start her own business was born of necessity coupled with a good dose of bravery and a dash of ingenuity.

“Something we find a lot in this space is people simply creating a job for themselves,” Julia says.

“It’s also very common to find women wanting to get back into the workforce or contribute to the family finances after having children, without going back into full-time work.

“Innovation is often born of necessity and women are often innate innovators.”

She says business ideas often come from not simply jumping a hurdle yourself, but following that up with the question of whether the problem could be solved for others too.

The result of her own experiences was Engage and Create Consulting, now a successful business working to help countless other businesses and not-for-profits reach their potential through services, such as online business courses, coaching and consulting, and branding and design.

“I gave three months notice, and told my network I’d be available for any small projects in January 2013, and I have honestly never looked back,” she says of her own journey into small business.

It didn’t come without its hurdles, but looking at that with an innovation mindset, her next step was to help others overcome similar problems.

That led her to take part in the founding of the Goondiwindi Business Hub and Magnolia House, which went on to provide services for other entrepreneurs looking for office, shopfront and meeting spaces, shared resources and moral support.

While she admits there can be unique challenges to founding and running businesses in rural and regional areas, which can range from increased set-up costs, slower growth curves and difficulties in sourcing assistance via networking, through to lack of staff and access to childcare, it comes with its fair share of benefits, too.

Not least of these is having closer access to decision-making bodies and having the opportunity to get to know mayors, councillors

and other decision-makers personally. Julia’s dedication to growing regional economies through innovation and entrepreneurship led her to be invited to take on the role of Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, so she now has the joy of helping even more clever business ideas reach fruition.

In the process, she has also proven that the role doesn’t need to be Brisbane-centric.

“I am the first person to do the role from a regional location,” she says.

“These sorts of (volunteer) roles should be able to be held by anyone all over the state, if they have the skill set to deliver on the role and task.

“I’m proud that I can show that there is capacity in the regions to deliver roles like this.

“There is a team in Brisbane and I connect with them weekly via teams if we aren’t at events and travelling together to other parts of the state.”

MICK&MARDIHENRICKS

TheFarmer’sForge

Working as a farmer and cattle transport driver through a crippling drought was sucking the soul out of Mick Henricks, but a gift from his wife Mardi and some support from his parents changed the course of both their lives.

“It was just getting too much and got to the point where I didn’t want to answer the phone,” Mick says.

“It was so sad.

“My parents had a lot to do with it because they could see it was sucking my soul, so the plan was to sell the main cattle block, we would sell the truck and they would take a step back and let us step in.

“That went well for a few years and if I’d had it a third year, we probably would have been all right, but it was just so dry.”

He began spending more time in the shed tinkering with his hobby, blacksmithing.

He had always had an interest in metal forging, and Mardi had bought him a voucher to attend a blacksmithing workshop at Cobb & Co Museum in 2009.

Mardi laughs that the workshop took his interest from hobby to borderline obsession, and she would sometimes wake at 4am to find Mick watching blacksmithing videos on YouTube to hone his understanding of the craft.

The farm shed they shared with his parents was fast turning into a working forge and friends and family were putting in orders for bespoke pieces.

She suggested that he start a business out of it but he initially shut that idea down.

Eventually, he allowed Mardi to set him up with Facebook and Instagram accounts, which then led to orders from enamoured fans of hand forged artistry.

At that stage Mick was making anything and everything, but after sitting down and mulling it over, he decided that if he was to take a serious crack at turning it into a business, he would need to set some goals and refine the business plan.

The result was whittling down the services to exclusively making axes and hammers, with Mardi giving up her job in Roma to take on the books and work on getting wholesale contracts across the country to sell the goods and create a solid income stream.

These days the duo is keeping an eye on the tightening economic conditions, but they believe the business still has the potential to take it to the next stage.

The final goal is to develop a working forge in town that offers both a tourism and a training component, so visitors can see Mick in action, buy beautiful pieces from the shop and even attain blacksmithing qualifications.

Someoftheaxesforgedby MickHenricksatThe Farmer’sForge(above); andEngageandCreate ConsultingfounderJulia Spicer(below).

In light of his goals, Mick has now completed his own qualifications so he could register as a training organisation.

In the meantime, he continues to work from the farm shed, creating beautiful pieces that have been sent as far afield as Belgium, China, Canada, Turkey and the US.

BRUCE&HEIDIRYMAN Lily’sArtisan

Helping farmers find a home for damaged and excess produce is something Bruce and Heidi Ryman are passionate about.

After three decades travelling the country, primarily running motels, the Rymans decided to buy a small farm complete with an orchard out at Haden, along with Highfields Motel, where Bruce put his chef skills to use creating an amazing dining experience to go with the country hospitality.

As with many hospitality businesses, things took a serious turn for the worse when Covid hit in 2020.

Not to be daunted, Bruce turned his hand to bottling the delicious sauces he was already

producing for the restaurant and the pair began taking them into the Toowoomba Farmers’ Markets to sell as a way of helping them recover some of their bottom line.

“We were at the farmer’s market and this farmer came up to me and says, ‘I’ve got all this leftover beetroot, do you think you could use it?’,” Bruce says.

“I took it back, turned it into beetroot relish, and the next weekend went back in and sold it, and at that point, Lily’s Artisan was born.”

He says soon farmers were coming over with all sorts of leftover fruits and vegetables and customers were marvelling at the fact that they were using only local, seasonal produce to make their wares, just like they remembered their grandmothers doing.

Within a year, the Rymans needed to buy a bigger trailer to transport their goods.

They had about 60 to 70 different product lines, depending on the season, and were working at night and jarring during the day.

Their next two big hurdles soon became apparent: staffing and space.

To solve the staffing issue, Bruce says they approached a local school with an offer of schoolbased apprenticeships, at which point he discovered both a knack and a burgeoning passion for teaching young people useful skills, so this aspect was soon incorporated as an integral part of the business.

To solve the space issue, they leapt at the opportunity when the old Crow’s Nest Bakery went up for sale.

After an extensive renovation and re-fit, Lily’s Artisan had a brand-new home complete with a restaurant specialising in local, seasonal produce, the facilities to train young apprentices and a place to sell their beautiful preserves, jams and sauces.

Bruce says he couldn’t be prouder of the fact that the business is going a long way towards helping prevent food waste, which is often what happens when farmers are unable to sell their produce at market or when it is damaged by weather events such as hailstorms.

But it is not just farmers supplying the produce.

He says plenty of people have fruit trees or vegetable patches with more than they can use, and with just 5kg of just about anything, he can come up with a small batch of something delicious to sell.

He says some people are happy to give it away, others happy to simply swap the produce for a few jars of the final product, and still others happy to sell it for a reduced, yet still fair price because it ultimately saves damaged fruit from rotting on the tree.

“Just this morning a beautiful farmer came through our door with a box of a Japanese citrus called yuzu, and I’ve got no idea what I’ll do with it, but he says it would probably rot on the tree otherwise,” Bruce says.

Mick Henricks (top) turned his passion into a business forging axes and hammers at The Farmer’s Forge; the Engage and Create Consulting team (above, from left) Yasmin Taylor, Julia Spicer and Natalie Woods; and (left) Lily’s Artisan co-owners Heidi and Bruce Ryman.

TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD

Interview by Jessica Kramer

If you recall Style’s story in our April edition, you’ll know Momentum Mental Health’s chairman Chris Black was taking a group of locals overseas on a trek to Everest Mountain’s Base Camp to raise funds for the organisation. We sat down with Chris and three other members of the team for a chat about their once-in-a-lifetime experience

Whatinitiallypromptedyoutogoonthis trip?Hadyoudoneanythinglikeitbefore?

ChrisBlack: Everest seemed like such a mythical but epic place. It lured me as it is the pinnacle of high altitude adventure, so I thought: “Why not have a crack and tick off this bucket list item?” It was purely my personal journey, but the more I spoke about it to people, the more interest developed –and ultimately it turned into a charity trek for Momentum. I had never trekked anything more than a few hours “walk” before committing.

MeganO’HaraSullivan: Chris Black is to blame, thank, curse and applaud. I ran into him at a few functions, and he thought it would be a good idea for me to tag along on his bucket list trip and to help raise money for a worthy cause. I have never done anything like EBC (Everest Base Camp) before, but have an adventurous spirit.

HeatherFearby-Roberts: My motto is to always say yes to any opportunity when adventures are involved, and work out the “how” along the way. It has served me well with some amazing adventures, experiences and meeting many extraordinary people

along the way. Life is an adventure – live every day.

CraigSleeman: This adventure really ticked all the boxes for me. For as long as I can remember, the mystery of Mount Everest and the draw of the Himalayas has been something I have wanted to experience. Then, throw in the ability to trek to Everest Base Camp with a group of local Toowoomba trekkers and raise money for an extremely worthy charity, and it really did appeal to me. While I have done a number of multi-day treks and experienced some amazing places, nothing comes close to this adventure and the challenge of hiking at altitude in mountains like the Himalayas.

Whatdidyourpreparationforthetripand theclimblooklike?

HFR: Too funny, and anything but conventional. I had just accepted a position that took me to one of the flattest parts of Central Western Queensland, so dragging a tractor tyre across desert flats was my training for the Nepalese Flats (up and down).

CS: The build-up to this trip was just as

amazing as the trip itself. As a group, all of our trekkers started to “come together” initially in September 2022. The build-up included multiple training sessions up and down the Toowoomba escarpment, social gatherings and fundraising events, all of which allowed us to build strong relationships among our group and really garner a strong respect for each other ahead of our trek in Nepal.

Canyougiveanoverviewofthetrip?

CB: We flew from Brisbane to Singapore and then on to the bustling city of Kathmandu, where ancient temples, a stream of scooters and partially demolished or rebuilt buildings from the earthquake dominated our focus. We then left Kathmandu at 1am via bus for a five-hour journey to the airport of Ramechhap to fly into the world’s most

dangerous airport in the side of a mountain at Lukla. Our hearts were racing as we celebrated a perfect landing and started the 12-day round trek up the mountains.

As we set foot on the trail, the atmosphere changed instantly. The air felt crisp and pure, and the scooters were replaced by yak trains, trekkers and a consistent brood of street dogs. The villages are well kept, with the locals taking immense pride in their humble shacks and terraced farms in which a simple lifestyle becomes apparent.

As we go up, the beauty is magnified through snow capped mountains towering over us, suspension bridges floating under foot, turquoise glacial streams and timber forests surrounding us. The weather was initially stunning, but quickly turned to sleet, rain and then snow. We then couldn’t escape

the cold as we hit over 4000m in elevation.

The higher we climbed, the more the landscape transformed from forests to shrubs and then finally a moon-like landscape of rocky terrain and ice and snow as even plants couldn’t survive the lack of oxygen. The natural beauty was stunning with picture postcard views around each trail corner. Most days we started trekking between 7 and 8am, stopped for a ginger lemon honey tea, then lunch and stopped at our overnight “tea house” by mid to late afternoon. We spent the evenings huddled around a yak dung fuelled fireplace, then retired to cold rooms for a well earned rest.

Everest Base Camp was pure emotion as we celebrated our personal milestones of making it there, but equally on the same day reached our $100,000 fundraising target.

We spent the night at Base Camp on a crystal clear but cold evening at -20 degrees, lying in our tents, on a frozen glacier, listening to small avalanches and watching the headlights of the brave climbers ascending across the dangerous Khumbu ice fall to start their epic summit of the tallest mountain in the world. It was magical, yet clear to me that the mountains commanded respect and could turn deadly at any point.

Whatwasthemostchallengingpartofthe trekforyou?Wasthereanythingthatwent wrong,ornotasexpected,thatyouhad toovercome?

HFR: Having to eat humble pie. As an adventure medic and leader, I have often had to assist trekkers in “making the call” when things don’t go to plan to keep them safe.

Let’s just say I had to measure up and heed my own advice and eat humble pie.

Whatwasthemostrewardingpartofthe trekforyoupersonally?Whataboutas ateam?

CB: I was blown away by our trekking team’s strength and vulnerability to advocate for positive mental wellbeing themselves but also of others. It was also an important reminder to be mindful and grateful and live in the present moment, have a break from the busyness of life and disconnect from technology and all the interruptions that fight to fill our attention constantly. It was beautiful to genuinely connect with people on a deep level. I was also so proud of the team who are courageous, generous and willing to go on such an epic journey for the

betterment of the mental health of themselves, but also the community.

Howdideveryoneworkasateamwhile onthetrekupEverest?Werethereany particularchallengesingellingasateam?

CB: The team were united with a common purpose of reducing the stigma around mental health, while raising money for Momentum. While we were a diverse group from all backgrounds and trekking experience we had, and continue to have, a genuine patience and empathy towards each other’s abilities. I can say I didn’t hear any anger or angst towards each other. There was however a rollercoaster of emotions from exhaustion to sickness to fear of failure to absolute elation and a sense of achievement that can only be found after accomplishing something truly difficult or overcoming extreme challenge.

MOS: We had had a chance to get to know each other a little before the trek but our group had excellent culture, lead by a strong and compassionate leader (Chris Black, who had paid attention to detail, like having a letter from our next of kin when we reached EBC and were all fairly depleted). Each person contributed something positive to the group and I was very proud to be a member of it. People encouraged each other in their achievements and looked out for each other if they were unwell or had to go slow.

Howmuchdidtheteamraisefor MomentumMentalHealthintotal?

CB: $105,404 so far, but the money only represented one element. More importantly, we now have 16 advocates for Momentum Mental Health who have lived and breathed the journey and aligned with the purpose of helping people. I’m so proud of Momentum’s leadership and the conversations that have begun all due to this adventure.

Anythingelseyou’dliketoadd?

CB: Reaching Everest Base Camp was not just a personal triumph but a collective victory for the mental health cause we advocated. Reflecting on our journey now, I realise that our shared experiences will bond us as a group forever. We all now know that our journey didn’t end at that big mountain, rather it will be an ongoing mission to advocate for mental health and look after ourselves as well as we look after others, like we did on the mountain. The team conquered a physical feat but have also ignited a spark of change, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of individuals struggling with mental health issues. I am eternally grateful to our crew.

MOS: Although it wasn’t on my bucket list, it was a such a privilege to be asked to participate and ultimately to raise the funds and awareness of mental health issues here in the Toowoomba region. The views and the scenery were spectacular but, like any travel experience, particularly to developing nations, it makes you appreciate the things we sometimes take for granted: running water, a warm bed at night and flushing toilets. That’s why the saying “travel is the antidote to ignorance” is forever true.

TheMomentumMental Healthteamcompleteda trektoEverestBaseCamp, raisingmorethan$100,000 forthecharity ontheway.

Pictures: Oak & Mist Photography

Chantelle

Kalum&

An idyllic family property complete with its own saloon was the perfect venue for a wedding and celebration for Chantelle Cameron and Kalum McKenzie

What was the date of your wedding? Any particular reason why you chose that date?

Chantelle: The date, March 25, is the day after my birthday.

Where was the ceremony and reception?

Why did you choose that space?

The ceremony and reception was held at my inlaws’ property at Barney Creek, which is in the Emu Vale Mountains. This property holds a lot of meaning to us being my husband’s family property and also the place we got engaged. We love spending our weekends here as a family with our kids doing all things farm related. It has breathtaking views and an old American style saloon.

How many guests did you have?

80 guests.

How did you meet your husband?

I met my husband through a good girlfriend of mine, at a birthday celebration.

How did he propose?

We were up at Barney Creek looking for some cows and horses. He took me to “Flagg Rock” which has a beautiful view of the mountains with a big rock. There was long grass everywhere, we had our first son Harvey with us and I was worried about snakes. Keen to get out of there, I was walking first to keep an eye out in the long grass, Kalum yelled “Chantelle” and I instantly thought “oh no there’s a snake”. Turning around to him being down on one knee!

When organising your wedding, what were some of the most personal and important aspects to get right on the day?

1. My dress, I wanted to feel comfortable while feeling beautiful.

2. Our guest list, we tried to keep it small as we only wanted to invite those to celebrate our special day with us who have always been there for us.

3. Food was also very important to us and our families. We have been to a few weddings where there hasn’t been enough food or the food just

simply was too fancy to fill you. My father-in-law is an incredible cook and always cooks for family events so he actually catered our wedding. Safe to say the guests have said it’s the best wedding food they’ve ever had!

What were some of your favourite parts of the day?

The morning and getting ready with all of my girls! I loved walking down the aisle and seeing my husband-to-be get emotional. Where did you get your dress from? Your bridesmaid dresses?

My wedding dress is from White Lily Couture and the bridesmaid dresses were from Petal and Pup. Who supplied the flowers, table settings etc?

Premier Cane and Flowers Toowoomba did all of our flowers and were incredible to work with plus super affordable.

Did you have a distinct wedding theme? How does this relate to both of your personalities and family history?

Our wedding theme was country rustic with the specific colours being rust, white and baby pink. This colour and theme tied in perfectly with our venue and the saloon which we both love. The saloon was built by my husband’s family for my father-in-law’s 40th birthday; it is literally their own two-storey pub. Since then it is where we have had many family celebrations, so it was super meaningful to have our wedding celebrations in it also.

Thedetails

Venue: Barney Creek

Dress: White Lily Couture

Brisbane

Hair: Meghan & Co

Make-up: Imbue Beauty

Flowers: Premier Cane and Flowers

Entertainment: Peter Lund

Photographer: Oak and Mist Photography

Videographer: Brisbane

Video Company

Celebrant: Roz Thompson Marriage

Celebrant

Caterer: Brett McKenzie

Cake: TS Designs

How to create a stylish and low-cost capsule wardrobe

Scarlett Keddie shows us how to make the first decision of the day, the easiest one

Does the thought of opening your wardrobe and choosing something new and unique to wear each day fill you with a certain level of dread? Us, too. We love adorning ourselves in beautiful garments but when you’re tired and needing inspiration, it can be difficult to find the wow factor day after day. Enter the magnificent capsule wardrobe. Here’s what you need to know.

WHATISACAPSULEWARDROBE

A capsule wardrobe is a set of garments, often in neutral tones, that can be worn in different variations. Think of it as a non-boring, fabulous uniform.

It’s a wardrobe reset, a cathartic cull, and a more mindful approach to dressing and purchasing.

Sustainable shopping has certainly had a (very welcome) surge in the past few years.

With fast fashion filling our earth with unnecessary and unwanted waste, there has been, and is, a cognitive effort in the industry to promote better practice, and more sustainable shopping trends for buyers.

The capsule wardrobe seeks to address this burgeoning issue. By buying, or keeping, quality garments that will endure the test of time, that we will hold on to and keep “in favour”, and that are versatile enough to work with several other capsule items, we are putting our most ethical step forward.

Essentially a capsule wardrobe is a group of garments that work well together so that they can be rotated in various combinations.

A bunch of sets of pants, a bunch of sets of shirts, a few different coats – you get the idea. It’s the uniform without the school bit. (Even though that in itself seems very appealing, too. Can we rewind?)

WHERETOSTART

First up is an evaluation of our wardrobe. A stocktake, if we’re going to be sticklers for fashion words. What do we have? What do we always wear? What do we never wear? What do we need?

Starting from the obvious, we hang on to those pieces that we wear often. Like our children, they’re keepers, and (mostly) spark joy. We then build around those well-worn items. We create outfits with them, and see where we might have some gaps that need plugging.

More often than not, these staples are timeless, and have and will see you through the years. Sadly those items that we once had fanciful designs on, but in reality sit and beckon hungry moths, need to go.

In an ideal world this is the last big cull you’ll be doing for quite a while, so be honest with yourself.

A way to work out whether you’re holding on too tight to clothes that don’t quite literally hold on to you, is whether you wore them last season. If it’s a no, that’s usually a good indicator.

And while it might sound obvious, part of creating a capsule wardrobe is committing. Set aside at least a few hours to navigate through your closet. It can’t be done when you’re rushing, because you really need to look back and be happy and content with your decisions.

HOWDOI‘FACELIFT’MY WARDROBEEVERYSOOFTEN

It’s unrealistic to think that we all won’t buy any more clothes. After all, for many of us clothes are a form of identity and expression, and we are constantly changing and evolving.

The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is while it is minimalist in its approach, it does allow for additions and tweaking. All that the capsule wardrobe asks for is considered purchases. So should you feel like your coat needs an update every five or so years, that’s the time to make sure your next buy won’t be a landfiller, but a long term lover. Also make sure that it’s versatile enough that you won’t get sick of it, after all, it can go with just about everything in your wardrobe.

One of the best upsides of a capsule wardrobe, too, is that you can justify spending more. Gone are the days of umming and ahhing over a more expensive handbag, a coat, or a pair of pants – now your discipline has paid off with a price tag reward. Invariably more expensive pieces are better made with quality textiles and materials, and hopefully in a fair and ethical workspace. You’re doing good to you, while you do good to the planet. We like the sound of that.

Investing in classic colours and good-quality fabric is a key part of creating a capsule wardrobe. We love (from left) Seed houndstooth blazer, $199; Witchery OCRF white shirt, $149.95; Country Road Australian cotton blend straight leg jean, $139.

Piper knit midi wrap skirt, $129.95

The art of layering

Rosie Double chats with local stylist Kerrie Carucci about how to make your winter wardrobe

out

It’s 10am and you’re sweating in the office in a chunky knit, but if you take it off you’ll surely freeze. Sound familiar? Striking a balance between fashion and function during the cooler months can be difficult, particularly if you find yourself going between cosy heated rooms and fresh outdoor environments.

To help you stay warm – and fabulous –this winter, try these simple layering tips.

Lessbulk,morestyle

We’ve all heard people say it’s easier to regulate your temperature in winter (as you can keep adding clothing), but Kerrie says there is such a thing as too many layers.

“I like to reference it as ‘the marshmallow effect’,” says Kerrie. “Too many layers combined without consideration of composition, and mainly just for warmth,

will result in adding too much bulk and you may struggle to move, even though undoubtedly you will be warm!”

Lightisright

Kerrie suggests experimenting with lighter layers instead.

“One of the most effective ways to layer and stylishly maintain warmth without the bulk, is to look at adding underlayers,” she says. “ I love both merino wool and heat tech underlays that provide warmth and streamlined layering under knits and coats.”

Sugar-coatit

Coats are the standout stars of winter, and an item that should be carefully considered.

“When looking at items that you are adding to your winter wardrobe it’s firstly looking at

your lifestyle and practicality for that,” Kerrie shares.

“Puffer or quilted jackets are perfect for the elements and to keep you warm whether you’re doing a school drop off or weekend sport.

“When picking a winter coat, also keep in mind that you may need to layer underneath so ensure when you’re trying the garment it allows enough room in the shoulder, arm and waist areas.”

Materialdifferences

If you’re wondering what else to look for when investing in a piece of outerwear, Kerrie says it’s all about the fabric, fit and also the longevity of the piece.

“Firstly, look at the composition of the fabric of the coat – wool and wool blends will give you extra warmth as it’s natural fibre,” she says. “And while it may be a higher investment, it will be a piece that will be in your wardrobe for the long term. In contrast, a polyester blend fabric can prove to be just as warm, though you need to also consider the lining and thickness of that fabric.”

Timefortexture

This year is the year of the brave with bold colours and textured coats trending.

“We have seen a rise in beautifully tailored pieces with a fresh spin on the traditional winter neutrals of black, caramel and tans,” Kerrie says. “From bold red right through to deep forest greens, this season we’re seeing winter coats making a true statement in the wardrobe.”

Are you ready to add a splash of colour to winter? To book a styling session, or for more wardrobe tips, visit kerriecarucci.com.au

work for you – indoors and

Get packing Get packing

It pays to pack smarter for this year’s winter holiday, writes Tiffany Pilcher

Packing for holidays can be fraught. We want to look and feel amazing, plus cameras will be snapping and posts will be made, so we often go out and buy a stack of bold, fun pieces to do the job.

But no one wants to spend all day awkwardly pulling at that ill-fitting skirt, wondering if sequins during the day might be a little too much or trying to act comfortable in something that’s decidedly not their style.

A well-thought-out capsule wardrobe is the answer. Rather than being restrictive, a considered selection of clothing will give you more freedom to enjoy your time away, knowing that you look good no matter what look you pulled together that day.

Let’s get picking and packing.

COLOURTHEORY

Monochromatic tones and neutral colours are far from drab or boring, and I’m going to advocate for them in a capsule wardrobe for several reasons. Whites, blacks, greys and neutrals match each other seamlessly for the most part, so it all just works. They’re also easier to pair back into your existing wardrobe – hello multitude of new outfits. Finally, these colours are perennially chic and don’t date, so

your new pieces will be in rotation until they’re worn out rather than tossed because they suddenly read “last season”.

SOLIDBASE

The best and most functional capsule wardrobes are built on a foundation of well-chosen base layers. These are the workhorse pieces that will form the cosy groundwork for every outfit you put together.

Opaque tights and warm singlets are musts. For singlets (or longer sleeves if you’re going somewhere extra chilly) Uniqlo’s Heattech range (right, High Neck Long Sleeve T-shrit, $49.90) is slim fitting and a well priced option, or go for Icebreaker’s base range of merino wool for high quality pieces that will last and resist odours. It’s nice to have a mix of black and white to match with darker or lighter top layers.

HEROESAMONGUS

Here is where the heavy-hitters come in. These essentials can be mixed and matched in every way to suit the day, the occasion or your mood.

Jeans. You will absolutely need jeans. A wider cut (straight, wide, bootleg, mum or balloon) in a rigid denim and a classic blue wash will serve you well as they can be dressed up or down with so little effort. We love

these (below) from Nobody Denim, Lou Jean Forever, $249. Layer in a range of basic long sleeve Tshirts. Two slim fit and two boxier cut options in both black and white, plus a grey or neutral will give you plenty of flexibility. Top those with some warm jumpers – two knits, and a basic sweater will be plenty. You’ll also need one or two wear-anywhere dresses. Your choices must be able to work for the most casual occasion you have, and for the most dressed up occasion you have. It’s achievable! Look for beautiful fabrics and cuts that can be layered up for warmth during the day, and show a flash of skin at night. We love this versatile style (left) from Dissh, Mila Caramel Slip Dress, $189.99. Including a well-cut suit that can be broken up and worn separately is a game-changer. Your blazer can dress up your jeans and dresses, and your suit pants can be worn with slouchier, more casual tops and sweaters. Wear the whole suit together for another nighttime option with a masculine twist.

ONTOP

This wardrobe requires only one coat to do it all. A classic doublebreasted wool-blend coat in black that hits below the knee will work

every single time. Accessories are the place to introduce and play with colour if you feel it’s been lacking, but refrain from overpacking. One cosy scarf or pashmina, one beanie, one day tote and one structured handbag is absolutely enough, I promise.

WALKTHISWAY

Holidays usually mean getting out from under your desk and exploring, so while your shoes need to look good, they must be comfortable to wear all day, too. All you will need is a pair of classic chelsea-style boots, some white sneakers, and enclosed flats, and some white sneakers – we love these (above) from Platypus, Converse All Star, $130. Don’t forget warm socks, and to break in any new shoes before you go.

THEBIG(SORTOF)SECRET

Given most of the clothing mentioned here is quite minimalist in style, the real trick to making each outfit look put together is the fit. The best way to achieve the right fit is taking the time to find brands with cuts that suit your personal style and your body and yes, you’ve heard this one before … tailoring. Tailoring isn’t just for special occasions and celebrities, it’s for anyone who wants to look effortlessly elevated, with their clothes sitting just so. It’s the key to throwing something on and feeling like you’ve nailed it. Factor this step into your shopping budget, find a good tailor (and when you do, hold on to them for dear life), and reap the sartorial benefits.

A considered selection of clothing will give you more freedom to enjoy your time away

Have you tried an ice facial?

Savaira Ratukula explains the healing qualities of an icy winter skin treatment

For decades, many cultures used ice for its healing qualities when applied to the human body. Today, ice packs – or frozen vegie packs – are the quick, go-to treatment for injuries like a strained muscle, ankle sprains or helping to ease pain, and recently ice facials have become a trending beauty fad that’s pulled in millions of users.

The inexpensive, natural and easy-to-use skincare remedy can be easily added to your routine.

They can offer effective skincare results by simply sliding ice cubes across your face or dunking your face in icy water. This action can cause the blood vessels in the face to narrow, lessening the appearance of pores and wrinkles, which can produce lighter, brighter and more radiant looking skin.

Based on anecdotal evidence, the concept of ice facials can be linked to cryotherapy. Also known as cold therapy, it is used to treat a variety of skin conditions by using extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal tissue. The drop in temperature boosts blood circulation that results in a higher metabolic

and caloric burn rate. With this increase in the circulation of healthy nutrients in the body, it stimulates various health benefits. According to healthline, ice facials have a number of benefits like reducing under eye bags, slowing down inflammation and minimising skin pores that reduce the production of excess oil. Improved blood circulation, reduced redness and glowing

and tighter looking skin are other benefits.

If you want to give it a go at home, here are a few simple steps:

● Wash your face before icing

● Use a dedicated ice tray for your face and clean regularly

● Pick an ice cube, wrap in a soft cotton cloth if desired, and massage your face for a couple of minutes

● Use a clean cloth to wipe your face

● Continue with the rest of your skin care routine.

You can also use cold water to wash your face or dip your face into cold water for around 30 seconds.

Changing your ice and wrapping often will help to avoid the spread of bacteria and ensure ice facials do not replace your whole skin care routine. Be careful of ice burns if ice cubes are used excessively and directly on the skin, and be mindful of any skin concerns you may have.

A popular tool to pop up is the GContour Cube ($34.95), which was developed right in our own backyard. This makes facial icing easier to add to your skin care routine by using the cube that you fill with water and place in the freezer. Once frozen, take the lid off the top and use as needed.

The Cube also ensures no mess with melting ice water dripping down your arms, and a sanitary application of ice to your face as you don’t directly touch the ice.

Also, ensuring the quality of the water in the ice cubes can help get the best results, whether it is filtered or unfiltered water, or by adding skin-friendly ingredients such as green tea or aloe vera into your ice cubes. Consulting a skin care or healthcare professional before beginning an ice facial can give you the opportunity to discuss any concerns or suggestions relating to a skin condition, current health status or medications being taken.

Holiday vibes in a bottle

Escape the daily grind – or, at least, feel like you are – with one of these mood-boosting fragrances.

With just a few spritzes, transport yourself to a tropical paradise, the snowy slopes or a relaxing weekend getaway. Stimulate your senses with fresh, woody or delicate notes, and free your imagination – even just for a moment.

1.Islandescape

For a budget-friendly break that’s all about fun, ARIANAGRANDER.E.M(100ml,$59, fromPriceline) is your go-to purchase. Empowering, uplifting and full of frivolity, with top notes of amber vanilla, warm caramel and fruity fig, this fragrance will whisk you away to a warm and sunny island with a single spritz.

2.Summeriscoming

From the clever minds at Marc Jacobs, comes

DAISYEAUSOFRESHBYMARCJACOBS (125ml,$99.99,fromChemistWarehouse). Fresh, floral and feminine, this sweet scent is marked with top notes of raspberry and grapefruit, which deepen into hints of wild

rose, musky plum and classic cedarwood. Full of whimsical charm and thoughts of sunshine on your skin, this fragrance will take you into spring and summer full of optimism.

3.Alpineretreat

JOMALONELONDONPOMEGRANATE NOIR(50ml,$164,fromMyer) is a mysterious blend that’ll keep you warm through winter. With rich notes of exotic pomegranate, pink pepper and sweet lily, this fragrance conjures up images of fireside gatherings and long days on the ski slopes. Take yourself away to a snow-capped mountain holiday with this smoky, dark and enigmatic scent.

4.Romanceinthecity

Right up at the luxe end of the scale is a cult favourite known as the “wow, what perfume are you wearing?” perfume. MAISON FRANCISKURKDJIANBACCARATROUGE

540(70ml,$369,fromMecca) is a celebration of the French crystal house Baccarat’s signature ruby crystals. Romantic, ethereal and soft, this one boasts a long-lasting formula, and features notes of jasmine, saffron, amber and cedar.

Can’t afford an actual holiday? Fill your senses with a refreshing fragrance and you might just feel like you’re a million miles away, writes Melanie Collins

LET HELEN AUSTIN PROPERTY HELP YOU

Changing markets - that’s where experience and local knowledge counts

If you are thinking about selling or wanting an idea of where your property sits in today’s market, please give us a call today. We would love to have a chat about how we can help you and how Helen Austin Property can get the best result for you.

We have just sold our home with the amazing Helen Austin. From the very beginning, we were overwhelmed by the lengths Helen went for us - she worked tirelessly in keeping us informed and on providing spot-on marketing advice. Her advice was always sound, especially her recommendation to styling the property. Without a doubt, this increased our fnal sale price considerably. The best decision we ever made was to have Helen work with us to secure an unbelievable price for our home.

Sellers – Mount Lofty

Helen explained and then detailed her marketing process in writing. This gave us great confdence. The video presentation was sophisticated, engaging, explanatory, personal and very true to the character of the home... This selling process was unique to the many homes we have sold. Yes, we’re smiling!

Seller – East Toowoomba

Exactly how to look after your skin while travelling

And we all know we need that while flitting about the place.

Apply in the morning, evening or both, and if you’re after some sun protection in the day, try to pick one with some SPF, too.

Take a squiz at some eye creams for every budget:

● Clarins Mission Perfection Eye SPF15

● The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum

When we’re on the move, skincare can fall by the wayside. It can be difficult to prioritise our regimen when we’re up and down, and all around. But we’ve got a cheat sheet to help you feel plumped, primed and hydrated – here’s your travel skincare how-to.

Laythegroundwork

When it comes to the basics, we can all agree that hydration is key. We need to have a beautifully nourished baseline to work with, and we want to keep it that way.

Hydration helps to rejuvenate our skin, by increasing elasticity, leaving it looking smooth and soft. The moisture flushes away toxins while simultaneously carrying nutrients to your skin. But did you know there’s a difference between moisturising and hydrating?

Hydrating adds water, while moisturising retains water. So it needs to be a doublepronged approach. You can’t do one without the other.

Enter our creams, gels, oils, clays – anything we can get our hands on to give us that dewy elixir look. You know the one – the “I have secretly easily managed my skincare while I travel” look. Use water-based products, serums and night creams to hydrate, and use a skin-type appropriate moisturiser to lock in that baby skin look.

Here are our top picks for hydrating products at every price point:

● Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

● Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

● Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Face Cream

Moisturiser

● L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives

Hyaluronic Acid Serum

● CeraVe Moisturising Cream

● Nude by Nature Night Cream

Doublecleanse,doubleclever

We all know it can be easy to skip the routine when you’re on holibobs. But trust us when we say, to skip double cleanse day (which is to say, every day is double cleanse day) would be committing skincare treason.

With all the walking, standing in the sun and sweating, your products, and the day, build up and, well, you’re wearing it all on your face. Time to remove that, pronto.

To be truly thorough, you might consider

starting off with a micellar water. It both cleans the skin and cuts through make-up without any rubbing, scrubbing. After that first pass, you can introduce your heavier duty cleansers, whether that be a foam, gel or cream.

Here are our top picks for cleaning your skin while on-the-go:

● Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser

● Go-To Properly Clean

● Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Face Wash

Theeyeshaveit

Never underestimate the power of an eye cream. Yes, the windows to the soul need their due attention, too, and as it turns out these types of creams can minimise dark circles, reduce the appearance of fine lines, hydrate and help to reduce any puffiness.

● Bondi Sands Eye Spy Vitamin C Eye Cream

Serveandprotect

If your sunscreen is your paint, then your face is the tapestry – and we need to make sure whatever is creating that masterpiece works in harmony with our skin. Not all SPFs are created equal, so with that in mind look for sunscreens labelled paraben, phthalate and sulfate-free so they don’t irritate your skin, avoid harsh ingredients like fragrances and dyes, and choose an SPF that’s at least 30 or higher.

Without stating the obvious, too, water is your hero while travelling. It increases blood flow to your skin, can even out your skin tone, and make your complexion look brighter –well, at least we like to think that along with all of the other known added health benefits of guzzling the good stuff.

You could also chill on those hot showers. Yes, hot water inflames the skin and causes redness, itching and general blotchiness. They can also strip your skin of natural oils and dry it out. It’s a balancing act though, because you want some level of heat and steam to clean out your pores. We trust you can manage the water tightrope while you’re on the road.

Here are some travel-centric products to help you protect your skin:

● Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF 30

● MCoBeauty Mineral Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50+

● Natio Rosewater Hydration Moisture Balance SPF 50

Travel helps us to rest, re-energise and revive

to building a life, an inevitable outcome may also be boredom. Wake, eat, work, sleep, repeat.

Travel, however, brings something new, even if for a short time. New things take us from our comfort zone and, for most of us, this is a good thing; a growing thing.

We humans are a strange animal and we need exact opposites. We need routine and we need the new.

Without any intention and with an issue devoted to travel, I actually am travelling. It’s a first since 2018, since returning to Toowoomba, since buying a farm, since starting a new practice, since Covid.

Travel breaks routine and this is a good thing. While routine is the stepping stone

The first provides a sense of security and predictability, a base for our lives. The new provides adventure, and travel can be a little time out from our lives to rest, reenergise and revive.

One of the recurring issues I see in my practice is people who are determined, focused and exhausted. They refuse to take time off. You can see their work suffer and

their relationships strain.

Travel won’t fix all this but taking time to revive will. Exhaustion may be seen as signalling hard working as a way of life; exhaustion is a recipe for disaster.

Travel is also a reminder that we humans are a varied bunch. Not everyone lives like us and it’s a good reminder that diversity adds to our lives. The sky won’t fall in just because people are speaking a different language or playing a different kind of footy or eating different kinds of food.

Last night I ate Spanish. The night before, Italian. Tonight Asian. Yum.

Finally, if while travelling is the only time you feel energised and alive, then you may need to rethink your everyday life.

Foreign places are not the only places to have an adventure. Play your child’s favourite online game with them. Take your long-term partner on a date. Forget about that load of washing or the overdue bill and jump on the trampoline. Travel can also be a state of mind. Where do you want to go?

A local psychologist with more than 30 years’ experience, Dr Clive Williams weighs in on the impact of travel on our mental health

Dr Clive Williams.

Baby is home. What now?

Many parents report a feeling of complete fear and anxiety when they arrive home from hospital and sit down and look at their newborn. It’s like “I have a small human that I need to keep alive. How do I do that?”.

Others take it completely in their stride –until a problem arises and they don’t.

My Midwives managing director Liz Wilkes feels that we don’t set new parents up well for their journey.

“We expect new parents to know what to do. What is normal, what isn’t normal and how to deal with that. Often arriving home from hospital is the first time a new parent has had to continuously care for a newborn for more than a few hours,” Liz states. “And it’s hard work.”

The main issues are how to feed baby and what to do around sleep.

“New mothers have sleep deprivation levels that could be equivalent to any form of torture – and it isn’t acceptable that they are not given sufficient support,” she says. “We need to adequately fund and support post-natal care to make this transition more manageable.”

Post-natal care, including having a midwife visiting at home, is the mainstay of most European maternity care systems. And in many cultures, women are encouraged to remain in the home for 40 days, being supported by family to ensure they get sufficient rest and recovery.

“There isn’t a one size fits all approach; some women want to remain at home, others want to have an experienced midwife visiting them, everyone is different,” Liz adds.

Within Toowoomba, post-natal services can be accessed in a few different ways.

Toowoomba Hospital provide post-natal care within their MGP program and through home maternity services for women who need additional care. Some private obstetricians have a midwife within their rooms.

Liz is passionate about ensuring every woman has access to a midwife.

“Medicare rebates midwifery care so it is important that women know where to access it. If it is possible to line up post-birth care during pregnancy and meet someone who can provide that service before baby is born, that is perfect. But if not, have a list of who you can access on the fridge for afterwards,” she says.

My Midwives is a private practice midwifery service that provides post-natal care across the Darling Downs and can see women regardless of where they birth and

who they birth with. Medicare rebates may apply.

Post-natal care can include checking the physical and emotional (mental) wellbeing of the mother, checking the baby’s physical wellbeing and weight, assisting with establishing feeding (breast, bottle and mixed), advising on parenting skills, and education on newborn care and behaviour patterns including sleep.

Most visits take an hour, and it is fantastic to also have the opportunity for that

midwife to be on call for you between visits.

“Everyone needs to have someone to call on and the first step is getting a plan for when you go home,” Liz says.

“Ask your care provider what they can provide, and seek alternatives if you are not satisfied with the answer.”

Ifyouwouldlikefurtherinformationabout post-natalcarewithMyMidwives,please contactoutclinicon1300982951orvisit ourwebsiteatmymidwives.com.au

MidwifeKarenassistsCourtney,mumofDanielandEamon.

The power of friendship

Transforming home care in Toowoomba

Since 2016, Five Good Friends has revolutionised in-home care, leveraging innovative, simple to use technology to help people remain living in their homes for as long as they desire.

The Five Good Friends technology enables the individual who needs care and their trusted loved ones to have greater control and transparency over their care.

As an approved provider of Home Care Packages and registered NDIS provider, Five Good Friends helps people with a wide range of services including domestic assistance, community connection, meal preparation, companionship and personal care.

“Our name is inspired by the famous

Blue Zones study,” explains Simon Lockyer, CEO and co-founder of Five Good Friends. “There are few places on Earth where people live longer, happier and healthier lives. The people living in these communities share a key thing in common: friendship.

The stress-shedding power of friendship is believed to contribute to a much better quality of life. That’s why Five Good Friends’ purpose extends beyond care.

As Simon Lockyer explains, “Our purpose is to provide high quality help and care so people can remain living in the home they love, connected to the friends, family and community they love.”

Five Good Friends is launching in Toowoomba this July.

Afriendlyinvitation

On July 10, Five Good Friends invites anyone interested in home care to join them for a free morning tea and information session. The session is being held in the new and beautiful retirement village, The Ninth Middle Ridge in Toowoomba. Discover more about the organisation, its services, and engage in discussions with experts in aged care and government funding. This event is not only an opportunity to explore care options for loved ones but also to consider a career in aged care.

When: Monday, July 10, 10am

Where: The Ninth Middle Ridge, 245 Rowbotham St, Middle Ridge. RSVP: call 3188 2355 or go to fivegoodfriends.com.au/ toowoomba

Our purpose is to help people live vibrantly in their own homes and communities connected to the friends, and life they love. If you or a loved one are thinking about home care services we would love to help.

There are a few places on earth where people live longer, happier healthier lives. People living in these communities share a key thing in common, friendship. The power of friendship is believed to contribute to a better quality of life.

Australia’s most innovative home care provider is now helping people in Toowoomba.

Medibank customers rate St Vincent’s hospitals No.1

St Vincent’s Private Hospitals have been ranked No.1 in Australia by Medibank customers for the third year running as part of the health insurer’s annual Patient Reported Experience Measures Survey (PREMS).

St Vincent’s Private Hospitals – which include hospitals in Queensland, NSW and Victoria – were ranked No.1 by Medibank’s customers across the four domains surveyed – communication and engagement, care in hospital, going home and hospital

environment. Kathryn McKeefry, CEO of St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba, has welcomed the result and thanked Medibank customers for their resounding feedback.

Measured against the 15 Australian private hospital groups ranked in the patient survey,

on the Darling Downs

St Vincent’s hospitals were ranked first in seven out of 12 subcategories including nurse communication, doctor communication, communication about medicines, cleanliness, quietness, overall rating, and NPS score (which measures patient experience).

Individually, St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba received high patient experience scores for nurse and doctor communication, cleanliness and pain management.

Ms McKeefry says the results are directly attributable to St Vincent’s extraordinary staff and their dedication to patient care.

“Staff in every area of the hospital contribute to this result and should be very proud of the part they play,” she says.

“This is a credit to each and every one of our team members who work so hard for our patients, their families and their communities.”

Ms McKeefry says being ranked No.1 by Medibank customers for three years running was just extraordinary.

“This result is a tribute to the St Vincent’s Toowoomba team’s focus on continuous improvement during what have been uncertain and challenging times in the healthcare environment,” she says.

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba has a number of exciting projects happening in 2023, including the construction of a new state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit, expanding car park areas and renovations to the Central Sterile Services Department.

on the Darling Downs

on the Darling Downs

The largest acute private hospital on the Darling Downs

•medical

•surgical

on the Darling Downs

hospital on the Darling Downs

•urology •vascular

•gynaecology

•ENT

•maternity

•emergency •cardiac •rehabilitation

•gynaecology

Supported by comprehensive allied health services and advanced medical and diagnostic services.

•paediatric

•orthopaedics

allied health services and advanced medical and diagnostic services.

•ENT

Supported by comprehensive allied health services and advanced medical and diagnostic services.

Supported by comprehensive allied health services and advanced medical and diagnostic services. Pathology, radiology and pharmacy are available on-site.

Pathology, radiology and pharmacy are available on-site.

Supported by comprehensive allied health services and advanced medical and diagnostic services. Pathology, radiology and pharmacy are available on-site.

radiology and pharmacy are available on-site.

Pathology, radiology and pharmacy are available on-site.

24/7 Emergency Department, with new Intensive Care Unit currently under construction.

24/7 Emergency Department, with new Intensive Care Unit currently under construction.

24/7 Emergency Department, with new Intensive Care Unit currently under construction.

24/7 Emergency Department, with new Intensive Care Unit currently under construction.

StVincent’sPrivateHospitalToowoombastaff havebeenhighlypraisedbyMedibank customers.

Dieting is all in the mind

When it comes to healthy eating, experts say changing your mindset from restricting foods to embracing them and understanding your habits will yield better results.

“If you want to lose weight, the first thing people go towards is calorie counting. So what they often do is still eat the same sorts of foods but cut their calorie intake in half, thinking that that will achieve an outcome,” says clinical nutritionist, Jennifer May.

“The result is they feel exhausted and they’re craving foods, usually unhealthy foods … until they ultimately give in.

“Try to focus on the foods that you should be eating rather than focusing on restriction or foods to remove.”

Fad diets such as keto, intermittent fasting and going vegan for weight loss all focus on removing foods or restriction, which can lead to cravings and binges.

Instead, mind dieting or psychological dieting takes a holistic approach to health by changing habits and encouraging you to pay attention to how your body reacts to food.

“You need to build awareness on how you feel when you make certain choices.

“How you feel physically, emotionally and connecting with all of that so you are naturally drawn towards not only the foods you love, but eating anything you want anytime is 100 per cent achievable with optimum health,” May says.

“But what usually happens is you get to a point where you actually want the foods that are right for you, at least 99 per cent of the time, because you have such awareness around how they impact you.”

Lifestyle choices, including getting enough sleep, exercise and managing stress also play a critical role.

“It’s understanding and encouraging healthy habits from every health pillar, rather than just focusing on diet and particularly, restriction,” May says. “Focus more on the psychological aspects of foods and the factors that lead into your choices – sleep, stress management, exercise, workload.

“When we focus on these other factors, and we’ve had a very positive outlook on every choice we’re making because we’re making it in the seeking of optimised health, plus choosing to focus on the foods to consume rather the foods to avoid, this will improve your diet overall and have you feeling happier

and more in control of the process.”

May says taking the psychological diet will also help to remove feelings of guilt when having a treat or two.

“One of the biggest mistakes is the ‘cheat day’ concept,” she says.

“We need to enjoy treats, enjoy the experience and get rid of the guilt, because ultimately that will lead to healthier decisions and more awareness.

“If we talk about weight loss alone, by taking this approach you’re going to be happier, enjoying your foods more, enjoying your life more and taking advantage of a very sustainable long-term approach, which will achieve weight loss.”

Nutritional scientist Dr Flavia Fayet-Moore says a mind or psychological diet should be

instilled early, including in parenting.

“Ideally, creating the mind diet or psychological approach to eating is around fostering a positive relationship with food from a very young age,” Dr Fayet-Moore says. “We should treat food for what it is and not name food as good and bad or healthy and unhealthy, and come back to that intuition around what your body needs, and not putting foods on a pedestal.

“It creates such a negative relationship with food that no wonder people are growing up emotionally eating, because that restraint on discretionary foods such as sweets and fried foods is happening from such a young age that they’re having that cognitive restraint in what they eat rather than listening to their hunger.”

Faddietsforweightlossfocusonremovingfoodsorrestriction,whichcanleadtocravingsandbinges.

Forget keto and intermittent fasting, ‘mind dieting’ is the new way to stay healthy, writes Kate Salemme

Keep in touch with breast health

Mikaela was just 23 when an accidental kick while changing her two-year-old daughter led to a breast cancer diagnosis. Mikaela had no family history of breast cancer and wasn’t experiencing any other symptoms, but her self-examination identified a lump in her breast and her decision to get it checked most likely saved her life.

Given Mikaela’s low risk profile her doctor initially thought the lump could have been scar tissue from a car accident two years earlier and that no further action was required. When it happened again Mikaela went back to the doctor and a referral was made for a scan of her breast and a tumour was discovered and biopsied.

Mikaela was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer on June 18, 2021. She was immediately referred to St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital breast surgeon Dr Eric Donaldson and oncologist Dr Natacha Sorour. Before the month was out, Mikaela started her first round of chemotherapy.

Throughout Mikaela’s treatment she has had the support of the Blush Cancer Care Nurses at St Andrew’s Hospital.

“It was a very difficult time for me, I wanted to be at home looking after my daughter and I was stuck in hospital, the breast care nurses would sit with me for hours,” Mikaela says. ‘They gave me so much information and were so caring. I don’t think I could have gotten through it, without them.

“In December 2021, a unilateral mastectomy was performed, removing the

affected breast and lymph nodes, at the time there were no visitors at the hospital because of Covid-19 and my surgery was delayed. My breast care nurse cancelled her other appointments for the day, so that she could be there for me,” Mikaela says.

In January 2022, Mikaela started her second round of chemotherapy. This treatment was given every three weeks for a further 10 months and she also completed 25 rounds of radiation therapy received five times a week, over five weeks.

Mikaela’s body was struggling; after each of the chemotherapy sessions she would need to stay in hospital for a week to receive intravenous fluids to help her body recover. On March 16 this year, Mikaela’s other breast was removed to prevent any new breast cancer developing, and she had reconstructive surgery with Dr Ian Ng to restore the breast shape.

Mikaela is now in remission and living a happy and healthy life with her now fouryear-old daughter and husband.

She checks in with her oncology team every six months to ensure the cancer hasn’t returned. Mikaela has a message for all women and men.

DiagnosticBreastClinic

The St Andrew’s Diagnostic Breast Clinic provides a comprehensive breast service for women and men of all ages who are seeking a breast review or experiencing breast symptoms. Symptoms may include lumps, pain or the patient may have a family history of breast cancer. A referral is not required to access the services of the Diagnostic Breast Clinic.

TheDiagnosticBreastClinicopening hoursare:Mon-Thu,8.30am-4pm; Fri,9am-2pm

Contact:1300139466and46463024

“You must regularly check your breasts. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a family history, it doesn’t matter your age,” she says. “If you discover something that isn’t quite right talk to your doctor.

“Had I ignored the signs there is every chance I would not be here and my daughter would not have a mother to care for her.”

Mikaelaisnowinremissionandenjoysher dayswithherfamily.

Staycation secrets

Forget the jetsetting, high-stress holidays – catch a break from the everyday with a restorative holiday at home.

“You can have a holiday wherever you are,” says women’s empowerment coach, Michelle Smith, of Michelle Claire Life Coaching.

Many choose not to travel far, with only 52 per cent of Australians holding a passport in 2021, according to data from the Australian Passport Office.

“Even at home, it’s good to take a break from the often busy and fast-paced everyday to support your wellbeing and remove that mental load,” Michelle says.

However you holiday, these regular breaks are great for changing up routine and adding variety.

“Humans need variety – and if we’re not getting that, we may seek it in other unhelpful or unhealthy ways,” Michelle says.

But surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of home, it can be tricky to step out of your routine.

“Routines are fabulous and protective, but our experience of time and how we spend our year is marked by big memories, new and novel experiences,” says Headspace App’s mental health expert, Carly Dober.

“Breaks from routine can positively influence our energy levels, motivation, can give our bodies and brains time to truly relax and recharge, and can provide joy and pleasure.

“This is important for both psychological and emotional health.”

To separate home from holiday, Michelle recommends setting an intention.

“A restorative holiday can come simply from feeling like you’ve achieved something – whether that be having fun, getting rest or spending time with family.”

It’s like holiday goal setting – but instead of sticking to a schedule of work deadlines and school drop-offs, your schedule’s filled with plans to sleep in, visit your favourite cafe and fill your time with purposeful activities that align with your intention.

HowtoHoliday

With all that free time, Carly says a new hobby or experience is a productive and brain-boosting place to start.

“Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression,” she says.

“New experiences are good for our emotional health. Trying new things gives

3stepstoabetter staycation

Planning a home-bound holiday?

Follow Michelle’s steps for a successful staycation.

SETYOURINTENTION

Whether you’re after a well-deserved rest, want to complete a renovation project or spend time with family, an intention forms the base of your holiday.

“Give your holiday a purpose – know why you’re spending a holiday at home and that will help with your planning,” Michelle says.

“It’s important to plan and be intentional, otherwise your holiday can fly by before you realise you haven’t set time for yourself or enjoyed your break.”

SETABUDGET

us a hit of dopamine (the brain’s feel-good chemical) and makes us feel rewarded. So try something you’ve always wondered about. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, cooking class or volunteering with animals – your brain will love it!”

You may not be sightseeing the Seven Wonders or lounging by the resort pool, but getting out in your own city can quench a need for adventure.

“Explore your suburb or city like you are a tourist; go hiking, swimming, or check out galleries and art spaces that you haven’t had the chance to,” Carly says.

“Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed.”

Whatever you choose, intentional activities will leave you ready to jump back into a routine post-holiday.

“Make the time off meaningful for you,” Carly says. “It can also be a source of eustress, which is a positive form of stress that can help to facilitate our ongoing growth and maturation.”

From movie tickets to plants for the garden, don’t forget to plan for the financial side of things.

“Just like any holiday, think of how much money you’d like to set aside,” Michelle says. “This will guide your planning and how much you can do.”

PLAN

Instead of a rigid and complex itinerary, Michelle recommends a clear outline of what to expect from each day.

“It’s best to plan before the holiday begins, and consider some extra research and preparation if your activities or hobbies need certain resources,” she says.

If it’s a family holiday, make sure to get everyone involved. “If you’ve got younger kids, talk up the activities and get them excited,” Michelle says.

“It’s helpful to have a joint intention, so if you’ve got teenagers, get them involved in the decision making too.”

Whether you’re saving for a big-ticket trip or just keeping things simple, Hayley Hinze explains how to make your homebound holiday feel like the real deal

continuative care in all areas of Women’s Health including Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Physiotherapy.

Caring for women through all stages of their life’s journey.

The rise of Korean food

From kimchi to fried chicken, Korean food is taking off around the country, writes Mariam Digges

Many Australians are by now acquainted with the charcoalkissed flavours of Korean barbecue, or the ubiquitous twice-fried crunch of Korean fried chicken.

But in recent years, more menus are sporting gochujang-spiked plates (that punchy, fermented red chilli paste), or teaming kimchi with western cafe staples. Elsewhere on the east coast, restaurants pedalling more regional Korean flavours have popped up, and Toowoomba has not been immune to the steady rise in popularity of the cuisine.

When Jeff Brady opened Kajoku on Ruthven St in 2014, he was sceptical about his home town being ready for a KoreanJapanese fusion restaurant.

“We were concerned before we opened that it wasn’t the kind of food Toowoomba people were interested in, but we were pleasantly surprised – nine years is a long time in restaurant terms,” Jeff says.

Introduced to the salty, spicy and nuanced flavours of Korean food during his time living in Tokyo, home to Shinokubo (Japan’s own Koreatown), Jeff wanted to bring those flavours – and a slice of Korean culture – back with him.

“I loved Korean food and movies, so I started learning the language. And there weren’t many places in Toowoomba I liked to eat, so I had to make my own fun.”

Of the synergy between the two cuisines, Jeff feels there’s a lot of common ground.

“Japanese and Korean food uses a lot of the same ingredients and equipment, so that’s (how) we do both,” he says.

Kajoku’s premium barbecue meats, housepickled banchan (a rainbow of sides that are often complimentary) and pickled radish

wraps have struck a chord with locals, who return in droves for the relaxed service and authentic flavours.

Jeff is quick to point out that he wasn’t the first Korean business in town, with the family-run Boaz Asian Food & Takeaway inside The Ridge Shopping Centre a Toowoomba institution.

“Mr and Mrs Wu have been selling Korean products and some takeaway foods for a long time,” he says. “They were here before Hanaromart.”

The Asian supermarket chain Hanaromart has outposts throughout Queensland, including one on Margaret St. Elsewhere in Toowoomba, Koala Carte Sushi and Chicken sells K-fried chicken in Rangeville, while Chimac on Margaret St teams Korean plates with soju (Korea’s national distilled rice spirit) and beer.

Jeff isn’t surprised by the recent take-off of the cuisine.

“It’s the variety and hospitality of the food that attracted me to it, and what makes it popular,” he says.

, and Toowoomba is riding the wave

Sweet and sticky Korean beef with quick kimchi and noodles

SERVES 4. PREP 20MINS.COOK 15MINS

INGREDIENTS

● ¼ cup brown sugar

● 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled, finely grated

● 3 garlic cloves, crushed

● ¼ cup soy sauce

● 1 tbsp peanut oil

● 600g lean beef mince

● 200g green beans, trimmed, thinly sliced

● 1 tbsp lime juice

● 200g packet dried egg noodles

● 1 tsp dried chilli flakes

● 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

● ¼ cup fresh coriander leaves

Quickkimchi

● 1 long red chilli, thinly sliced

● 2 tbsp Sriracha chilli sauce

● 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

● 2 green onions, thinly sliced

● 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar

● 1 tbsp sesame oil

● 1 tbsp soy sauce

● ¼ Chinese cabbage (wombok), roughly chopped

● 2 Lebanese cucumbers, thinly sliced

METHOD

1 Make quick kimchi: combine fresh chilli, chilli sauce, sesame seeds, onion, vinegar, sesame oil and soy sauce in a large bowl. Season with pepper. Add cabbage and cucumber. Toss

to combine. Set aside for 15 minutes to allow flavours to develop.

2 Meanwhile, combine sugar, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and 2 tablespoons water in a small jug.

3 Heat a wok over high heat. Add peanut oil. Swirl to coat. Add mince. Cook, breaking up mince with a wooden spoon, for 6 to 8 minutes or until mince is well browned. Add soy mixture and green beans. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until beans are tender and sauce thickens. Stir in lime juice.

4 Cook noodles following packet directions. Drain. Refresh under cold running water. Drain well.

5 Combine dried chilli flakes and sesame seeds in a small bowl. Divide mince mixture, noodles and kimchi among serving bowls. Top with coriander and sprinkle with sesame seed mixture. Serve.

Japchae (Korean sweet potato noodles)

Ingredients

● 300g dangmyeon noodles (sweet potato noodles)

● 1 ½ tbsp sesame oil

● 60ml (¼ cup) soy sauce

● 1 bunch English spinach, stems removed

● 1 ½ tbsp light extra virgin olive oil

● 1 large carrot, peeled, cut into matchsticks

● 1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced

● 5 green shallots, trimmed, cut into 5cm pieces

● 100g fresh oyster mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms, sliced if large

● 250g piece beef porterhouse steak, trimmed, thinly sliced

● 2 garlic cloves, crushed

● 2½ tbsp caster sugar

● Toasted sesame seeds, to serve

Method

1 Cook the noodles in a saucepan of boiling water for 6-7 minutes or until translucent and just tender. Drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Toss to coat.

2 Blanch spinach in a large saucepan of boiling water for 1 minute or until just tender. Drain. Refresh under cold running water. Squeeze out excess moisture. Coarsely chop. Transfer to a bowl.

3 Heat 3 teaspoons olive oil in a frying pan over high heat. Cook carrot and onion, stirring, for 1 minute or until tender crisp. Transfer to bowl. Add shallot. Cook, stirring, for a further 1-2 minutes or until just soft. Transfer to bowl. Add another 2 teaspoons oil to pan and cook mushrooms, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until just tender. Transfer to bowl. Heat remaining oil in pan and cook beef, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon sugar for 30 seconds or until combined.

4 Add vegetable mixture and beef mixture to noodles. Drizzle with remaining soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle with remaining sugar. Toss well to combine. Divide among bowls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Note: Look for sweet potato noodles in the Asian aisle of supermarkets or at Asian grocery stores.

Korean pork and kimchi soup

Ingredients

● 1 tsp vegetable oil

● 600g pork belly, cut into 3cm pieces

● 1 brown onion, thinly sliced

● 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

● 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger

● 2 carrots, peeled, chopped into 1.5cm pieces

● 1.5 litres (6 cups) chicken stock

● 2 cups (about 300g) kimchi, drained, lightly squeezed, coarsely chopped, reserving 1 tbsp juice

● 2 tbsp gochujang (available from Asian grocery stores)

● 2 tbsp soy sauce, plus extra to taste

● 300g silken tofu, cut into 2cm cubes

● 2 tsp sesame oil

● Green shallots, thinly sliced, to serve

Method

1 Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over high heat. Cook the pork belly, turning, for 3-4 minutes or until browned. Add the onion, garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until onion has softened.

2 Add the carrot, chicken stock, kimchi, gochujang, soy sauce and reserved kimchi juice. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour or until pork is tender.

3 Season with extra soy sauce if using. Gently stir through the tofu. Simmer for 2 minutes or until warmed through. Remove from heat. Stir in the sesame oil. Divide among serving bowls. Top with shallot to serve.

Kimchi

Ingredients

● ½ (about 800g) wombok (Chinese cabbage), trimmed, cut into large pieces

● 250ml (1 cup) water

● 60g (¼ cup) rock salt

● 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

● 2 large slices fresh ginger

● ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes

● 1 tsp rice wine vinegar

Method

1 Rinse wombok under cold water. Drain. Combine the water and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the wombok. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 4 hours to soak. Drain, reserving liquid. Place wombok in a bowl.

2 Add garlic, ginger, chilli and vinegar to the wombok. Stir to combine. Transfer to a 750ml (3-cup) capacity sealable glass jar. Pour over reserved liquid to cover. Set aside for 2-3 days to develop the flavours. Drain before serving.

Ginger and honey chicken

SERVES 6. PREP 10 MINS. COOK 10 MINS

Ingredients

● 1kg small chicken thigh fillets, quartered 60ml (¼ cup) tamari (wheat-free soy sauce)

● 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

● 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

● 2 tsp honey

● 1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced

● 3 shallots, trimmed, thinly sliced diagonally

● 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

Method

1 Place the chicken in a sealable plastic bag. Add tamari, garlic, ginger and honey. Rub to coat. Place in fridge for 4 hours to marinate.

2 Preheat a barbecue flat plate on mediumhigh. Drain the chicken from the marinade. Cook the chicken for 3 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to

a serving plate and set aside for 5 minutes to rest.

3 While the chicken is resting, cook onion on the barbecue, turning, for 1 minute.

4 Add the onion to the chicken and toss to combine. Top with shallot and sesame seeds.

SERVES 6. PREP 20 MINS. COOK 1 HR 10 MINS

SERVES 6. PREP 10 MIN (PLUS SOAKING AND PRESERVING TIME)

Let’s get technical

From home appliances to entertainment devices and bespoke items, Savaira Ratukula gives us the low-down on the hottest gadgets

The continuous release of new or improved tech gadgets and appliances offers much excitement and buzz for what else our current technology can offer us.

The speed at which these products are released tries to keep up with the fast pace of our everyday lives, which every now and then requires a little extra support, smarter solutions, and new ways of enhancing how we enjoy the little and big things in life. From home appliances to entertainment devices and bespoke items, here are some tech gadgets that will enhance your home and travel life.

PortableWirelessSpeaker($50-$100)

Don’t be fooled by the small and compact size of Sony’s Extra Bass Portable Wireless Speaker, with its surround sound able to pack a punch in any space. It’s dustproof and waterproof so it can be enjoyed at the park, river, pool or indoors. Other features include bluetooth connection, hidden USB ports, built-in mic for hands-free calling, a durable exterior and 16-hours of battery life. Sony, JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks are a couple of places you can find this product.

Garmentsteamer(upto$200)

From handheld to corded, a garment steamer can help slash your dry cleaning bills and save time. Without forking out hundreds of dollars, steaming can get rid of wrinkles effectively, is faster than an iron and less prone to burning your fabrics, and sanitises your clothes as the steam naturally kills off germs and bacteria. The Good Guys, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi or Myer are a few places you can find this product.

Disposableandreusablecameras (upto$200)

Making a nostalgic comeback, these cameras are

easy-to-use, small, cheap and great for capturing special occasions or casual gatherings. The finished physical print, whether instant or five to seven days for disposable cameras, is great for scrapbooking, adding to a photo album or decorating a designated wall or office space. You can find these products at Kmart, Big W, JB Hi-Fi or Officeworks.

Switchgameconsole($90-$600)

Gaming has become a mainstream pastime activity with the latest gaming technology delivering the Nintendo Switch console. It makes for a good gaming-on-the-go option now that the world is back to travelling. Offering three modes –TV, tabletop and handheld – makes it a versatile and flexible device for your gaming needs. It can be found at a few places including Nintendo, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys or Target.

Portablehomeprojector($250-$1300)

Creating a movie theatre experience at home has become a comforting pastime for families and friends, and projectors are the way to go. Making sure you buy the right one to suit your user needs is important with portable or mini projectors seemingly the best when it comes to flexibility on where you can watch movies. Setting them up is easy whether you are at home, a friend’s place or creating an outdoor cinema space. A few places you can find this product include JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys or Samsung.

Robotlawnmower($900-$6520)

Like a robot vacuum but for your lawn, this product can take care of your lawn. They offer six different brands of mower that can each cater to

the specific needs of your lawn. With the experienced team providing personalised advice you can make sure your lawn is receiving the right care depending on your lawn size and gradient. Based in Brisbane, Robot Lawn Mowers Australia serves customers all over Australia to deliver personalised advice on the best mower to choose for your lawn’s needs.

Bespokefridge($2000-$6600)

The new range of fridges from Samsung’s Bespoke Life products allows you to customise personal and unique fridge designs to your household. Flexible combinations are an option allowing you to choose from the classic single door fridge and freezer to four-door designs with up to seven colours and two types of finishes. Having these design combination options can help to improve the function of your kitchen by catering to the needs of your household. Samsung and The Good Guys are a couple of stores where you can find the product.

NeoQLEDTV($1400-$17000)

Samsung’s latest smart TV product is said to elevate your TV experience with accessories including an auto rotating wall mount, a studio stand and slimfit camera. The Neo QLED TV upgrades your watching experience with an infinity display to enjoy near edge-to-edge picture, Quantum Matrix Technology delivering quality pictures and next level details, Neo Quantum HDR 8K Pro helping unveil hard to see details especially in dark or light scenes and True Dolby Atmos offering a cinematic sound experience. The product can be found at stores like Samsung, The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman.

Creatingamovietheatre experienceathomewitha portablehomeprojector; agarmentsteamerisa handywaytohelpslash yourdrycleaningbills;and Nintendo’sSwitchconsoleis agreatgaming-on-the-go option.

Getreadyforthespringbloom

Garden guru Mike Wells shares his must-do for July gardening jobs

Thinking of entering The Chronicle Garden Competition? If not this year (don’t forget, entries close August 11) perhaps next year? Start getting ready now and you’ll have a garden ready to show off come spring.

This year, Style magazine is bringing you a series of articles and advice from renowned gardener and Garden Competition entrant liaison Mike Wells.

He’ll share his tips and tricks on getting your garden competition-ready – it’s not as daunting as you might think.

2Somewinterbulbsmaybeintotheir floweringroutinenow.Lookfor Snowflakes(Leucojum),anddaffodilsand jonquils(Narcissus)asmanyoftheseare earlybloomers.

3Startplanningyourwinterpruningof ornamentalandproductivetreesandshrubs. Lookforcrossingandrubbingbranches,“hangers” (branchesthatgrowdownwardsthenupwards,and anydead,diseasedordamagedbranches.

1Yourearlierplantedspringbulbsmay bepoppingupthroughthemulchatthis time.Resisttheurgetofertilisethem,wait untilthey’vefinishedfloweringbefore feedingthem.

4Don’tprunefrost-tenderplantsnow, we’relikelytogetmorefrostsinsome regions.Waituntilalldangeroffrosthas passed,probablylateSeptemberin mostareas.

Nominations are now

Applications are open for The Chronicle Garden Competition this year, as a feature event during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Look out for entry forms in The Chronicle every Monday until applications close. Applications Close: 2pm on 11 August 2023.

5

There’sstillalargeamountof moisturelostfromgarden bedsinwinter–rememberto mulchandirrigateduring prolongeddryspells.

We’vegottostopthinkingthis

writes Ros Burton, Principal, The Real Estate People

Here’s something that’s said way too often: “Property managers are all the same.”

It’s a generalisation I hear a lot; and I hope it’s not true – because I’ve seen some bad ones in my time. Really bad.

Whether it’s through laziness, inexperience or a slapdash approach to processes or accuracy, I’ve heard a number of horror stories from across the industry.

I think customers deserve better.

I talk a lot about trust – I think that’s the cornerstone of any relationship whether it’s a loving couple, a vendor and an agent; or a landlord and their property manager.

I’ve had professional dealings with people where I’ve been misled or even downright lied to – and I don’t like it.

They’ve lost me forever.

That’s why my team knows the value I put on being honest with our clients.

I stress the importance of being honourable and accountable and sometimes that means delivering bad news. And some customers don’t like it.

But, if you sugar-coat the problem or shy

away from the realities of the issue, you’re only going to compound the trouble – and then YOU become the “bad guy” instead of the solution.

I’ve been yelled at by clients and I’ve

received beautiful bouquets of flowers in the same week.

I treat all of it as a learning opportunity.

If I’ve absolutely nailed it and the client couldn’t be happier – fantastic, let’s take what we did right and repeat it again and again and again until it becomes part of the office culture.

But, just as telling, if we drop the ball we have to learn from that as well … and then examine why it happened and how we’re going to prevent it from occurring again.

I make mistakes, my staff can make mistakes (we all do in life) – through lack of hours in the day or miscommunication, sometimes it happens.

But good property managers vow to better themselves as a result; the bad ones simply hit the snooze button – ensuring another disaster is just 10 minutes away.

Don’t let it happen to you – you deserve better than that.

So, the answer to the opening statement is: “No, not all property managers are the same” and my incredible team and I promise to keep it that way.

WINDOWS TO YOUR WORLD

The ins and outs of glazing

Over the last few months in these Style magazine articles I have explored the importance of orientating your home to take advantage of the energy efficiency benefits of the natural environment; that is, positioning it to optimise the sun’s free warmth in winter and cooling breezes in summer. Then we have discussed the benefits of insulating the entire envelope of your home to improve its liveable comfort and sustainability even further.

These two simple techniques can improve a basic 4.5 Star home — requiring over 110 MJ of heating and cooling energy per m2 over a twelve month period — to a potential 8 Star home only requiring 40 MJ of energy per m2 over the same period for heating and cooling.

The next obvious cost-efficiency topic to consider are the windows and doors and how we can get a better energy outcome without putting too much pressure on the overall construction budget. Up to 40% of a home’s heat can be lost in winter through the glass and frames of the windows, the external doors, and skylights. In summer this is even more dramatic with up to 87% of the home’s internal heat gained through these external openings.

So, here’s some insight and tips on how to choose the best glazing options for your home, unit, or office. The properties of glass, for windows, are described in three distinct values.

1. Solar Heat Gain (SHGC). This measures the rate that energy from direct sunlight passes through the glass and frame of your external opening. The smaller the SHGC number the lower amount of solar heat is transferred into the building through that opening.

2. Conduction U Value (Uw). This gauges the resistance to heat flow that the entire door or window casement

produces. Again, the smaller the number the better the product is at resisting heat flow into the building in summer or out of the same building in winter.

3. Visible light Transmittance (VLT). A low VLT number indicates a low heat gain through the window glass in summer (what you want), but too low a number is not good either, for it means the glass will also resist light in winter, making for a gloomy and cold home. Using these properties as a guide we can determine the best glass to use for your building based on budget, how much natural light the orientation of your home allows for, and what other insulating factors are in place. The glass generally specified in most build quotes is clear float glass. I normally suggest an upgrade to a low emissivity glass (low E) with a pyrolytic coating at the very least. This change alone will greatly improve your building’s thermal performance. Also, the glass can be configured in single, double or triple glazing

Smart Design... Smarter

and the frames themselves have a multitude of alternatives to choose from. We also always keep in mind the cost benefit ratio — spending thousands of dollars extra for only a small benefit is obviously not worth the expense. Now that you have decided on the best glass and frames for your building, there are several other design adaptions that will enhance this selection.

Strategic placement of shading over the external openings can maximise thermal comfort by allowing in lower angled winter sunlight when you want warmth, but blocking the higher angled summer sun when you don’t want it. Placement and size of openings in the external envelope also enhance your building’s performance — smaller openings to the west and south, larger to the north. Importantly, more effective sealing around the external openings will reduce air infiltration and thus improve the performance of your home’s thermal properties.

The right glazing fitted correctly will make a significant difference to the comfort and energy performance of your home, unit, or office for the life of the building —and they are all ‘budget-conscious’ one-off expenses.

If you would like to know more, simply arrange a time to visit me at my Design Centre at 20 Stradbroke Street Toowoomba.

— Geoff Gibson

Source: Adapted from the Australian Window Association

No one would blame you for having a love-hate relationship with holidays. There’s great anticipation, the family are all together, there are new sights to be seen – but if it’s not planned in advance, then it can feel a bit, well, difficult, to put it mildly. This is where our handy how-to sweeps in. We’ve got a suggestion for every state, so get your travel hat on, and enjoy some of these epic homegrown family holidays, pre-approved by us.

MagneticIsland(QLD)

Get on island time in this picturesque spot just a short 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville. Palm-fringed and dazzling, you and the kids can enjoy hikes, snorkelling, sailing, and koala and wallaby spotting from sunrise to sundown.

Book accommodation in Nelly Bay, where most of the locals live, and you can leisurely amble between the restaurants and cafes. Need we say more?

VictorianSnowfields(VIC)

Sometimes overlooked in favour of its counterpart over the NSW border, Victoria’s

wonderfulwinter holidayideas

largest snow resort, Falls Creek, has got it all and more. Ski-in ski-out accommodation, perfectly groomed ski runs, winding tawny cross-country trails, tobogganing and terrain parks – there’s everything you need if you’re after a heart rate spike (the good type).

And if you need a hand getting streamlined and one with the snow, there are adult and children’s ski lessons available, as well as spa treatments, restaurants, cafes and a cold afternoon beer with a view.

Broome(WA)

Where the desert meets the sea, Broome is the less obvious path this winter. Explore the 22km stretch of Cable Beach (on camel back, no less), kayak along Broome’s coastline, 4WD on burnt dunes, try your luck mud crabbing, track 130 million year old dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point, and marvel at the red, jagged cliffs at James Price Point. After a busy day, head to the world’s oldest outdoor picture garden to recline in canvas deck chairs and watch a film.

BrokenHill(NSW)

Scorched and unique, Broken Hill is a bustling old mining town in the middle of

sunburnt country. Packed with outdoor activities for the kids, beeline for the Living Desert State Park – a jostle of sandstone sculptures that stand sentinel and ochre. Head to Mutawintji National Park to see Indigenous stencil paintings, red rock formations, and still billabongs; Kinchega National Park for its birdlife, lake system and river red gums; or – a bit closer to home –Twin Lakes for duck feeding, and a picnic.

CradleMountain-LakeStClair NationalPark(TAS)

It may not be the warmest destination in the cooler months, but Tasmania in winter is a magical thing to behold.

Think white, laden trees lining Lake St Clair, the Enchanted Walk flecked with snow, and the Overland Track that’s best enjoyed on near-gliding snowshoes.

Particularly enjoy how the landscape changes from alpine wilderness to eucalyptus forest as you get closer to Cradle Mountain.

You might even meet some of the local residents – wombats, wallabies, quolls, echidnas, platypus, possums and Tasmanian devils.

AdelaideHills(SA)

If you’re looking to burn down the batteries then Adelaide Hills is the place. While you decide between semillon and sauvignon, there’s a plethora of child-friendly options to be enjoyed.

Head to Hahndorf Farm Barn for a close, friendly encounter with farm animals, or for something a little more exotic, head to Cleland Wildlife Park to meet the likes of dingoes, Tassie devils, reptiles and koalas. Sample delights at Melba’s chocolate factory, and zip line or balance on ropes at Mount Lofty Adventure Hub. Just a hint of what you can all sink your teeth into.

KakaduNationalPark(NT)

Waterfalls and waterholes, billabongs and boat cruises – the whole family will drink up Kakadu National Park. Experience Aboriginal culture, discover rock art, stumble upon termite mounds and spot wild crocodiles. Join some of the free ranger talks that incorporate walks, wildlife tours and even night-time slideshows.

The best part? Heading in winter means you’re going in the dry season – no rain, no bugs, no worries.

A slice of sunshine A slice of sunshine

Get the most out of our gorgeous state this winter with this destination guide from Kirrily Schwarz

Didyouknow?

● The Sunshine Coast stretches more than 60km from north to south.

● Average winter temperatures are between 12C and 22C.

● Whale season runs from June until September each year.

● It’s only about 200km from Toowoomba to Caloundra.

There’s a lot more to the Sunshine Coast than just sunshine and coast. It’s the only destination in Australia where three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves sit side-by-side: the Great Sandy Biosphere, the Noosa Biosphere, and the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

The natural diversity includes ancient peaks, lush rainforests, and fascinating everglades, which means your first port of call on holiday should always involve something outdoors.

Winter is the perfect time to view whales, especially if you sign up to swim with the huge mammals with Sunreef Mooloolaba (sunreef.com.au). Whales migrate north to calve in the warmer waters every year, before making their way back to Antarctica with their young. Or if you’d prefer to stay dry(ish), opt for a tour with Noosa Ocean Rider (oceanrider.com.au) and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and turtles. It’s a huge thrill to spot them in the wild.

But high-speed travel isn’t the only option. Kayaking the Noosa Everglades with Kanu Kapers (kanukapersaustralia.com) is a truly special experience, because the ecosystem is the only one of its kind in Australia. It’s a sustainable way to explore and a great

way to see the wildlife – the waterways are home to more than 40 per cent of Australia’s bird species.

Of course, there are great waves to be caught all year round. Noosa is a World Surf Reserve and it’s home to some of Australia’s longest waves. Beginners will benefit enormously from a lesson with the friendly crew at Coolum Surf School (coolumsurfschool.com.au).

If dry land is more your speed, but you don’t want to be too far from the salt and sand, take the family horse riding with Rainbow Beach Horse Rides (rbhr.com.au). You can also work up a sweat with some day hikes in the stunning Glass House Mountains, which were formed during a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred between 25-27 million years ago.

And while you’re in the area, the Mary Valley Rattler (maryvalleyrattler.com.au) is a must. The restored heritage steam train offers you a chance to rest your legs while you roll through some of the prettiest parts, rumbling over rolling hills and through picturesque towns.

Another advantage to the Sunshine Coast’s beauty is that it seems to inspire a huge

amount of creativity. Even on rainy days, there are plenty of things to do. For example, you could get your hands dirty making a masterpiece at The Pottery Studio (thepotterystudio.com.au) in Nambour, or if you’re with a group of adults, try your hand at a Paint’n’Sip class at Frida’s (fridas.com.au) which has wine-friendly art studios in both Noosa and Mooloolaba.

Every creative journey should include the popular Eumundi Markets (eumundimarkets.com.au), which are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. They’re open come rain, hail, or shine, and feature an incredible display of artisan treasures as well as live music and great food.

Speaking of things to eat, you’ll find the hospitality scene goes beyond mere bites –it’s about delights.

You really can’t go wrong on this front, seeing that the whole region is a food bowl filled with passionate producers, but notable stops include the paddock-to-plate menu at Mapleton Public House (mapleton.pub), an Asian-inspired class at Spirit House Cooking School in Yandina (spirithouse.com.au), a snack at Maleny Cheese (malenycheese.com.au), and an elegant and

indulgent high tea at Aimee Provence (aimeeprovence.com.au).

Finally, when it comes to accommodation, some of the most intriguing options are available via Hipcamp (hipcamp.com.au). It’s an online marketplace dedicated to outdoor stays, which means most of its listings are budget friendly and nestled into the spectacular landscapes.

Singles and couples will love the Tuscan Cabin, a two-person tiny home about 10 minutes from Maleny, which is walking distance from creeks and waterfalls and offers a bathtub on the deck. Meanwhile, families will enjoy Maluka Park, near Imbil, which offers vehicle and tent camping on a 45ha working cattle and horse property with 1km of creek frontage.

The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations, especially when the mercury drops on top of the Great Divide. Even better, it’s less than three hours away.

Spirit House Cooking School

Rainbow Beach Horse Rides

Kanu Kapers Australia

Eumundi Markets

Pictures: Tourism and Events Queensland

Coolum Surf School

DiscoveringAustralia’s hiddengem

Emily and Glen’s adventures continue as they roll into picturesque South Australia

South Australia felt like a hidden gem. We followed the coast line over the first week stopping at Point Brown, Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln.

We camped on the beach and spent our days fishing for squid and playing cards.

We were looking forward to a change of scenery so we decided to head north to Coober Pedy, in hopes we could drive along the Oodnadatta Track which would take us across to Flinders Ranges. However the luck didn’t play in our favour and we were met with massive downpours of rain.

Even though this made our stay at Coober Pedy much more pleasant, this meant the track was closed and we had to go the long way around to Flinders Ranges.

There is so much history in the Flinders Ranges National Park.

Lots of old buildings have been preserved over the years from big stations that used to operate. They are open to the public to walk around and explore.

There are also great hikes with even better views, and many to choose from within the national park.

We stayed with my brother in Adelaide for a few days and then we were joined by friends who had hired a van to travel South Australia for the week.

We drove the Yorke Peninsula and were spoiled with great weather.

After spending a few days on the beach we drove to the Barossa Valley and enjoyed great wine and food.

Once we said goodbye to our friends we were on our last few days in South Australia which we spent back on the coast exploring Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor.

Destinations

● Point Brown

● Streaky Bay

● Coffin Bay

● Point Lincoln

● Coober Pedy

● Flinders Ranges

● Adelaide

● Yorke Peninsula

● Barossa Valley

● Cape Jervis

● Victor Harbor

Adventuredreamscometolife

At the Queensland Outdoor Adventure Expo

There’s something undeniably captivating about embarking on a journey with the freedom of the open road and the comfort of a home on wheels.

For those seeking adventure and tranquillity, we are lucky to have the picturesque region of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs in our own backyard, offering a multitude of travel opportunities.

With the latest and most innovative selection of caravans and camper trailers hitting the market, you deserve to start planning your next road trip with the range of adventure options and advice right at your fingertips.

The Queensland Outdoor Adventure Expo has become a haven for adventure, travel, and outdoor enthusiasts, featuring a major lineup of products and services to ensure that Darling Downs dream can become a reality!

Showgrounds July 28 to 30, 2023, the expo provides visitors with an opportunity to explore and compare the widest range of caravans and camper trailers on the market, as well as delve into the best of camping, fishing, 4x4s, adventure gear, accessories and more.

Exhibitors like Pickering Caravans and Camper Trailers are excited to feature top brands at the Queensland Outdoor

The rise of Tatum Stewart

Olympic dream is driving Toowoomba’s new Hockeyroo, writes Kate Salemme

Tatum Stewart used to throw tantrums when it was time to play “the game with the stick and the ball”. She was only four years old but already she knew what she did and didn’t want to do – or so she thought.

Encouraged to play the same sport as her brother Fraser, who was six years old at the time, she would throw a tantrum before going to what she now knows is called hockey.

“We went to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, watched some hockey while we were there and my older brother proclaimed that he wanted to play the game with the stick and the ball,” Stewart recalls.

“So, we’d make the trek on the weekends and during the week for training so we could play the game with the stick and the ball.

“Initially I wasn’t a big fan. I used to throw a little tantrum every week because I wanted to play netball or something like that.”

It’s a good thing Stewart persisted.

Fast forward 17 years and that same girl who threw those tantrums is now a Hockeyroo.

The now 21-year-old’s love for the sport grew after a chance meeting with then-Hockeyroo Angie Lambert.

An Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist and fellow “Toowoomba girl”, Lambert had just returned from the Commonwealth Games – the same Games Stewart and her family attended.

“I had no idea what was going on but she had a shiny medal and pretty much from that point on I was convinced I’d be playing so I could win some of those,” she laughs.

Stewart’s rise to the Hockeyroos has been a steady one.

She made Queensland representative teams every year from the age of 12, was selected for national championships and first played for her country in the under-17 Australian Schoolgirls team, travelling to South Africa and Europe.

“It was at that point I really thought I could pursue hockey seriously when I finished school,” she says.

Stewart’s dream took off when she became a member of the Queensland Academy of Sport for hockey and moved to Brisbane in 2020.

On March 23 this year, she made her debut for the Hockeyroos against China in Bunbury.

“It’s still the most difficult thing to put into words because it honestly means everything,” Stewart says.

“You work so hard for an achievement like this and there’s not many people who can say they represented their country in any sport, so it’s the biggest honour and biggest privilege to be able to do it.”

Off the field Stewart is studying to be a physical education teacher at the University of Queensland, can often be found walking along the river in Brisbane and cafe-hopping to find the best brew in town – her order is an iced latte or a cappuccino.

“Since there’s no river in Toowoomba it’s pretty spectacular to me,” she laughs.

“I love my coffee so I tend to jump around to different cafes all around Brisbane and find out which cafe is the best.

“I’m more than content just going and sitting by myself and drinking a coffee.

“I like to journal – nothing too dramatic, but I’ve always loved writing things down and having a structure to things – and I love music. I could listen to music forever.

“I love going to concerts … I was absolutely devastated when I found out Coldplay was coming to Australia but not to Brisbane.”

HockeyrooandToowoomba nativeTatumStewartinfull flightinthegreenandgold; celebratingduringan AnzacDayFIHPro-League Women'sHockeymatch betweenAustraliaandGreat BritaininNewZealandin April;and,Stewartasachild meetingthen-Hockeyroo AngieLambert,anOlympic andCommonwealthgold medallistalsofrom Toowoomba.

But Stewart admits she misses home.

“It has a very special meaning to me, Toowoomba,” she says.

“I still every now and then get a little bit homesick and think about all the people and family that are back there.

“I love my family more than anything, we are a very family-oriented little group.

“Sometimes we’d go and have a little picnic at Queens Park and we had two dogs (Milo and Yogi) so we’d go for walks with them and try and find parks we could go to.”

When asked what three words people would use to describe her, Stewart says: “Once upon a time, my mum would say obnoxious. I’ve dialled it down now … I’ve grown up a little bit, thank goodness.

“(But) probably enthusiastic, maybe smiley –it’s rare to catch me when I’m not smiling and mucking around – and for lack of a better word, disciplined or hardworking or something like that.”

Stewart is a person who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go for it. She’s living proof of what can happen when you chase your dreams.

“I’ve always been driven … I’ve always been someone that, once I put my mind to it, I’m going to do it regardless of what anyone thinks or if anyone says, ‘Nah, you can’t’. That just makes me want it more,” she says.

As for her next dream?

“Obviously the Olympics are next year so it’s hard not to want to be there, but regardless of when, to go to the Olympics and represent my country is definitely the next goal I have my mind set on,” she says.

IMAGE: June LEE / Bystander (detail) 2022 / thread on resin cast / 24 x 5 x 4cm each figure

/ Photographer Myoung Studio / © June Lee

TOOWOOMBAREGIONALARTGALLERY

InternationalArtTextileBiennale2023

July15-August27

The International Art Textile Biennale 2023 seeks to exhibit the best of contemporary art textiles, and this second Biennale reflects a wide range of works related to the textile medium.

The goal of the exhibition is to include innovative work rooted primarily in textiles, as well as art that explores unexpected relationships between textiles and other creative disciplines.

IATB23 is proudly produced and managed by Fibre Arts Australia. ToowoombaRegionalArtGalleryat531RuthvenSt,Toowoomba,isopenWednesdayto Sunday10.30am-3.30pm.Entryfree.

toowoomba

CROWSNESTGALLERY

StatementinClay

June28-July23

The transformation of clay and silica to ceramics is a fascinating process. The material in the hands of the potter starts as something that is plastic and pliable. Through a process of shaping, drying and firing, where it is subjected to intense heat, it becomes something that is solid, yet brittle; which can no longer return to its original organic form. This exhibition features pieces that use different clay bodies and a variety of surface decoration and finish to provide a snapshot of a range of approaches to the creation of vessels using clay. CrowsNestGalleryisonthecorneroftheNew EnglandHighwayandWilliamSt.Itisopen WednesdaytoSunday10.30amto3.30pm. Entryfree.

ROSALIEGALLERY

Susan Lynch / Evolution 2018 / Toowoomba wild clay / 21x16x10 cm / Toowoomba Regional Art gallery –Toowoomba City Collection 2259 / © Susan Lynch

Revitalise,Renew,RefreshQueenslandArtTeachers–DarlingDowns

June28-July23

A group exhibition that showcases the artistic practice of local art teachers. This show offers a diverse collection of works and perspectives from working artist educators and how they see the world aesthetically and academically, working in traditional media and techniques to display contemporary interpretations of our world.

RosalieGalleryat89MocattaSt,Goombungee,isopenWednesdaytoSunday 10.30am-3.30pm.Entryfree.

Chrissy

Dwyer;

ShannonJorgensen/Waitingforrain2022/graphiteonpaper/30x42cm/ ©ShannonJorgensen;

NadineReynolds/EverychildhasaspiritofCreation2023/acrylicandsilkthreadonsilk /140cmx48cm/©NadineReynolds

Clockwisefromtopleft:LeighNicholson/Glasswarestilllife2016/leadpencilon cartridgepaper/70x45cm/©LeighNicholson;

Dwyer/StilllifewithGreekvaseandhorsestatue2022/acryliconcanvas/ 60x60cm/©Chrissy

The Next Big Thing art prize

Talent is on display with the launch of The Toowoomba Gallery’s national art prize, writes Savaira Ratukula

This year sees the launch of The Toowoomba Gallery’s (TTG) very own national art prize: The Next Big Thing (TNBT).

TTG business partners and art connoisseurs, Bec Statton and Niki Hall, say the amount of interest in – and submissions generated so far for the art prize – is exciting.

“We’ve had about 200 entries so far, so that’s really exciting (and) we’ve had some amazing entries,” Bec says.

“They’ve really surpassed our expectations.

“There’s a very interesting mix, so that will make them a great exhibition because there will be a very eclectic mix of different styles.”

A panel of judges will have the difficult task of condensing the submissions down to just 25 finalists, who will be notified by June 30. The works will be judged and available for sale at the Finalist Group Show, before the winner of the TNBT prize is announced at the same exhibition.

The gallery has received works from local and international artists, including a few submissions all the way from the US which has been “really cool”, Bec says.

“(We’re) feeling really excited about it –nervous about picking the 25 but excited about actually hosting the exhibition,” she says.

“To have 25 really great up-and-coming artists and showcase them in the gallery and showcase them to our Toowoomba locals and anyone else who comes along is a really

great opportunity.”

The first prize is $5000 cash, a solo exhibition at TTG, up to ten works at the Affordable Art Fair Melbourne 2023, and 12 months representation by the gallery.

Five runner ups will each receive $500.

The art prize was inspired by the city of Toowoomba and its potential for producing The Next Big Thing, be it a new restaurant, retail store, festival or something else.

“We get a lot of inquiries from artists regularly so we thought a good way of consolidating all of that and also generating a bit of interest and excitement was to start an art prize,” Bec says.

“Toowoomba itself is a really interesting city, where they love everything that’s new and shiny and the next big thing.

“It was kind of a little play on that, as well as a little bit of fun, to look at what artist is going to be the next one that everybody in Toowoomba loves.

“Also, the town itself is just starting to get noticed all around the country so it’s kind of the next big thing as well.”

The TNBT prize is something they are hoping to host every year at TTG, Bec says. Bec and Niki opened their gallery doors in August 2021, sharing their love for art with the local community and beyond.

The gallery has gone from strength to strength to offer a place that delivers a great experience and welcoming space to all visitors.

“We want anybody to be able to come in and whether you’re going to buy a painting or not, it’s about getting people to have a really great experience in the gallery (and) really enjoy looking at fantastic pieces of art,” Bec says.

“What we also try to do is we have a lot of disability support workers coming to the gallery with (the people they are caring for) and getting exposure to different things, so we’ve kind of become in this new space a bit of a community space as well.

“We have artists coming in and painting; we have all sorts of different things

happening that we don’t charge for.

“It’s just a really great space to let people come in and be surrounded by some really fantastic, really fun art and also, feel a bit connected to it and have something to talk about as well.

“We’re a commercial gallery so we sell constantly as well, but we like to have a little

bit of both, because everyone should be able to just come and look at great paintings.”

The gallery has recently completed work on a new space, which Bec and Niki will be unveiling in July.

Feeling “excited”, they will be hosting both the TNBT prize award and the official opening of their new space together, making for one memorable and celebratory night at TTG. “We were building earlier this year and it’s an old antique centre, and we’ve just done a little renovation of it and turned it into this really amazing art gallery space,” Bec says.

“We were planning on having a big opening night party anyway, so it kind of worked well to combine the two together because people are really curious about our new space.

“(It’ll be) something that’s fun, but really relaxed and enjoyable.”

The Finalist Group Show exhibition is free and open to the public, with invitations set to be released through the gallery’s socials and website.

Tofindoutmore,headto: thetoowoombagallery.com/pages/thenext-big-thing

CROWS NEST Statement in Clay

28 June - 23 July

The transformation of clay and silica to ceramics is a fascinating process. The material in the hands of the potter starts as something that is plastic and pliable. Through a process of shaping, drying and fring, where it is subjected to intense heat, it becomes something that is solid yet brittle; which can no longer return to its original organic form. This exhibition features pieces that use diferent clay bodies and a variety of surface decoration and fnish to provide a snapshot of a range of approaches to the creation of vessels using clay.

TheToowoombaGalleryco-ownersNiki HallandBecStatton.

CANCER

Jun21-Jul21

Well it has finally arrived, that time when all crabs wave their nippers crazily as they dance across the floor looking like a percussionist in a funk soul band, maracas shaking out the rhythm. July is also the month to consider your future in regard to career goals, are you really on the correct path to lead you to job satisfaction? If not, it will become apparent to you where your dreams lie once you have recovered from the party to end all parties. Pass the corn chips please.

LEO

Jul22-Aug22

I see that you are sharpening your claws looking like the latest villain to oppose James Bond. However it is not as it seems, you are simply trying to impress someone close to you that may not be aware of what a catch you really are. Sending the right signal is paramount as no one likes mixed messages especially you. During the next few months family will be important to you more than ever so spending time with those near and dear will bring you closer than ever.

VIRGO

Aug23-Sep23

Over the past few months Virgo has been subject to the highest highs and the lowest of the lows. Still you stride on, determined to get through the last part of the year with the courage and determination that is needed right now. Don’t let the pressure of being perfect stop you from achieving goals no matter how small they may appear to be. Every goal is another step on the right path, just don’t deter from the trail.

LIBRA

Sep23-Oct22

Libra perfectly balanced as always – it is the most amazing time of year for you to

CANCER

finally make sense of your life. Finances come into play this month with your career soaring, money will come in handy when it comes to being able to provide for your family. Libra has always marched to the beat of a different drum which is why you are so unique when it comes down to it.

SCORPIO

Oct23-Nov21

Life is pretty good now girl, you are positively glowing – showing that having family, friends and active career ambitions never detract from your energy. Positively charged at present, you could possibly light up the entire city – seeing your name in lights will come as no surprise. Nothing can dim your light at present; when the stars align just right miracles happen. If studying, it will be time to set strict study times so you don’t miss those all important results.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov22-Dec21

Prepare to be surprised, perhaps it is a

special event in your life that matters to you and your partner. All I know is that the best month for you both is July. When it weaves magic, take it and run, go see the world or take a family vacation. If thinking of a new business venture then ensure that you have fully researched the full impact this will take on your time. You know that without proper planning it will not get off the ground, and also ensuring that all of your health needs are met, I can see no problem with it being a huge

CAPRICORN

Dec22-Jan20

You could be fooled into thinking that the world is not moving fast enough for all of the jobs you have to accomplish this month. Perhaps it is moving too fast and small tasks are being overlooked, meaning more in the longer scheme of things. Don’t fret, if you remain calm and breath deep you will have time to achieve everything in your mindset. Remember that Rome was not built in a day so take your time, enjoy life and keep on carrying on.

AQUARIUS

Jan21-Feb18

When are you going to realise that all work and no play does not make for a happy partnership. If relationships are struggling, you need to go back to what attracted you to each other in the first place. It does take time. As you move through very stressful situations, remember who has supported you during this period. Friends will surprise you with how much energy they bring into your life.

PISCES

Feb19-Mar19

OK so this may not seem like the best idea but a holiday is just what you

need right now, away from family and work. Perhaps a trip to a relaxation retreat would be on the cards. I can already see you taking time out to meditate and regain focus into your life. Your fish bowl has been agitated and you need calmer water to see clearly through any tricky situations that could arise.

ARIES

Mar20-Apr18

Renovating your home is foremost in your mind, with your new look house inspiring you to give yourself a makeover as well. It is high time that you gave yourself a new look. If you can afford it after your expensive makeover, then perhaps think about where you are headed in your life. If single, watch out for an interesting person who will come in and sweep you off your feet. If attached, then think about bringing back the old razzle dazzle. Watch the sparks fly.

TAURUS

Apr19-May20

Health is very important right now. You have been so strong, but it is incredible how quickly fitness and having the immune system of a raging bull can come to an end when you take time out. Get back out to the gym and load up on healthy food, exercise and try a cleansing ritual. It should bring you back to being fit and focused for the remainder of the year.

GEMINI

May21-Jun20

That is another year gone by too soon, but you do not let a little thing like birthdays get you down. With each passing year, it seems that your life is getting better in more ways than one. Recent events may have seemed like a challenge but were they really? When it comes to giving advice, Gemini have all the answers so if in doubt look to your inner self to provide the correct direction to take.

does the Job

What’s new in entertainment

READ…

VanishedbyNicoleMorris

ReviewedbyJessicaKramer

Intriguing and devastating all at once, this non-fiction title features 10 Australian missing persons cases from as long ago as 1979 to as recently as just a few years ago.

The author has spoken with family and friends of the missing and compiled detailed accounts of who they were, what happened in the days before they went missing, what investigations took place, and the impact of the disappearance. The cases include a young Tasmanian man who vanished from the lobby of a casino, a woman who was last seen entering a clubhouse in a remote Western Australian mining town, two teens who might be early victims of the notorious Ivan Milat, and a man who disappeared in the outback after a few very strange and out-of-character days.

It’s clear from the outset that this book is different from standard true crime books; the author cares for the subject matter and has developed relationships with some of the family and friends of these people over time.

As the founder of the Australian Missing Persons Register, Morris wrote the book to raise awareness. It’s a heart-wrenching read but ultimately eye-opening, and almost hopeful in a way, with encouragement to contact Crime Stoppers if the reader has any details on the cases mentioned therein. VanishedispublishedbyBigSky Publishingandisavailablenow.

WATCH…

NoHardFeelings

ReviewedbyJessicaKramer

Jennifer Lawrence steals the show in this laugh-out-loud lewd comedy that is surprisingly deep.

Finding herself without a car for the summer peak period as an Uber driver, Maddie (Lawrence) desperately needs a job before her house is repossessed due to unpaid taxes.

The solution comes in the form of a job listing with a car as payment, but there’s a catch –the wealthy helicopter parents want a girl to “date” their son to bring him out of his shell before he leaves for college.

Enter Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman): shy, awkward, but ultimately sweet and a

READ…

GrowingGrapesMightbeFun byDeirdre

Macken

ReviewedbyJessicaKramer

This honest and hilarious memoir is much like its title: fun.

Journalist and author Deirdre Macken moved to Cockatoo Hill, up the road from Yass, NSW, in 2016, shortly after husband Roger retired. The vision was to turn part of the sheep property into a vineyard and follow in their family’s footsteps of winemaking.

romantic, Maddie has her work cut out for her. What follows is outrageous and hilarious and not for the faint of heart (it’s rated MA15+ for a reason, folks) – and yet ultimately this film surprises with a heartfelt message about friendship, moving on and healing, and life in general.

From the outset, you know you’re in for an unexpectedly good time when the opening frame is unconventionally a close-up of a tow truck’s hook. It’s this kind of humour – perfectly placed soundtracks, smart visuals, and brazen physical comedy – that lifts No Hard Feelings from a run-of-the-mill film typical of the genre to uproariously funny. Blend that with the deeper statements that the movie makes, and it’s a recipe for a delightfully fun hour-and-forty-five minutes. SeeNoHardFeelingsforyourselfatEvent Cinemas.

However, when they arrived at the property, they discovered it full of junk –to the extent that much was even visible on Google Earth. What followed was a hard slog, tidying up the property, getting the land ready for planting, and then looking after the vines through drought, storms, and everything else the land threw at them – including some cheeky sheep who found the new vines quite tasty. The couple slowly learnt how to work with the land, appreciate the talents of the locals, and eventually harvest their wine grapes.

Ultimately an optimistic and heartwarming tale, this memoir’s charm is in its candid and funny account of one couple’s farming journey. The author’s down-to-earth sense of humour shines through in even the photograph captions on the coloured plates, and in the simplest of paragraphs. Even for readers who may not usually pick up a memoir, this is an entertaining journey.

GrowingGrapesMightbeFunis publishedbyAllen&Unwinandis availablenow.

Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman star in No Hard Feelings.

july markets

MarketintheMountains

Sunday, July 9, 8am-noon

Stanthorpe Showgrounds Pavilion, 8 High St, Stanthorpe

WINTERMARKETSATSUMMER LANDCAMELS

Saturday,July15,8.30am-2pm

WHERE: Summer Land Camels, 8 Charles Chauvel Dr, Harrisville

WHAT: Eat, shop, have a great time with friends, enjoy the stunning views from our property, and relax to the sounds of a local entertainer while you browse through the stalls. We’re also running a competition with fantastic prizes up for grabs. Entry will be free – look out for the posters with the QR codes at the entry and around the farm! There will be camel rides with bookings on the day. More information at summerlandcamels.com.au

SCENICRIMTRAILRUNNING SERIESROUND3

Sunday,July23

WHERE: Ivory’s Rock Caravan & Camping, 310 Mt Flinders Rd, Peak Crossing

WHAT: There will be a Long Course of 15km, a Short Course of 11km, and Intro Course of 5km and Kids’ 2km fun run. The Scenic Rim Trail Running Series is the first of its kind in the area. Spectacular and rugged, the Scenic Rim is just an hour’s drive south of Brisbane and 40 minutes from the Gold Coast. Mountains, forests, lakes, single track, dirt, expansive views, wildlife – the Scenic Rim Trail Running Series will take you through it all in five challenging and highly rewarding events. For more information go to ontheedgeevents.com.au/scenic-rim-trailrunning-series

JUMPERSANDJAZZIN JULYFESTIVAL

FromJuly20toJuly30

WHERE: Various locations throughout Warwick

WHAT: Jumpers and Jazz in July brings together a program of over 100 event experiences across the region during the 10 days of the festival. The program is bookended by two big weekends of

celebrations providing plenty of opportunities to make a weekend of it. Or avoid the crowds and take advantage of the festival’s midweek offerings. Visitors embrace the chill and are inspired by vibrant music and art while enjoying around 90 trees wrapped in art by textile artists from all over Australia and overseas. Add to the mix an eclectic program

of workshops, exhibitions, pop-up art and craft shops, street festivals, a giant bonfire night, static car display, dining events, country style breakfasts, swing dance, live jazz entertainment and you will discover a festival abundant with colour, creativity and excitement. For a full list of events go to jumpersandjazz.com.au

THEWAIFS:UPALLNIGHT20TH ANNIVERSARYTOUR

Saturday,July22from8pm

WHERE: Empire Theatre, Neil St, Toowoomba

WHAT: Folk heroes, and independent trailblazers, The Waifs are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their breakthrough album Up All Night with a massive tour of Australia. On this special night the band will play the full album from beginning to end, then share other fan favourites. They will be joined by special guest and great friend Mick Thomas. The Waifs will mark this tour with the limited edition, signed release of Up All Night on vinyl, which can be purchased as part of a VIP package with bonus poster and concert lanyard. Tickets: VIP Package $165; A Reserve $90; B Reserve $80. A transaction fee of $5

Yarramanmarkets

Every Saturday, 7am-noon (later start in winter)

Corner D’Aguilar & New England hwys (Toomey and Margaret sts), Yarraman

ToowoombaFarmersMarket

Every Saturday, 7am-noon

The windmills (next to the Cobb+Co Museum), 27 Lindsay St, East Toowoomba

ToowoombaPCYCmarket

Every Sunday, 7am-12.30pm

PCYC Toowoomba, 219 James St, Toowoomba

FerrariParkMarketsLaidley

Saturday, July 22, 6am-noon Patrick St, Laidley

applies for phone and internet bookings. For information and tickets, thewaifs.com

QUEENSLANDOUTDOOR ADVENTUREEXPO

July28-30,from8.30am-5pmonFriday andSaturdayand8.30am-4pmSunday

WHERE: Toowoomba Showgrounds, Glenvale Rd, Glenvale

WHAT: The Queensland Outdoor Adventure Expo is the region’s largest event of its kind, featuring more than 140 companies. There’s a massive display of caravans and camper trailers, hybrids, vehicle and 4×4 accessories, holiday and tourism providers, tools, gadgets, camping gear and more. There’s plenty to see and do, enjoy the daily entertainment including Freestyle Motorcross, Camp Oven Cooking Demonstrations and Offroad Skills

Demos. Tickets: adults single day $15, adults three day $18, seniors card single day $12, seniors card three day $15 and 16 and under free. Check out adventureexpo.com.au

2023 Focus HR Business Excellence Awards launch

On Wednesday, May 24, members of Toowoomba’s business community gathered for a special Chamber of Commerce Business@Dusk which included the launch of this year’s Business Excellence Awards.

Pictures:MattHickey,SaltStudios

Caitlin, Lachlan, Luci, Rowena and Paul Hogan.

Naomi Wilson, Alisa Panzram, Jessica Pasfield, Alistair Green and Rikki Gainey.

Jamie Allsop with Caitlin Hogan.

Petria Cumner and Tanaya Treadwell.

Brodie Taylor and Jo Capp.

MJH Finance Colour of Change Breast Cancer Luncheon

On

Nicole Carlile, Leesa Siebenhausen and Melinda Wendland.

Thursday, May 25, Toowoomba’s community decked themselves out in pink and gathered at Fitzy’s for a luncheon, raising a final tally of $77,060.59.

Pictures:PeterDenyerPhotography

Jaimee Crisp, Rebecca Wilke, Vanessa Gleeson, Emma Pattinson, and Alina Butler.

Katrina Costigan, Jacqui Wheatley, Erin Rayner, and Stephanie Edmondson.

Amy Evans and Erin Brookman.

Edwina Todd, Rowena Hogan, and Nicole Winter.

Chelsea Saldumbide and Bec McConnell.

Clayton Menyweather and Barton Castley.

Chronicle Club with merv hughes

Samantha Perry and Ben Bradley.

David Russell with Christine James, Gus Romero and Kevin George. Amy and Jake Cooper with Russell and Lisa Hughes.

Skye Prasser & Matt O’Sullivan.

Special guests of The Chronicle gathered at the Oaks Hotel on Friday, May 12, to enjoy dinner and an exclusive interview with cricket legend Merv Hughes.

Pictures:BevLacey

Guest speaker Merv Hughes with Erika Brayshaw.

Damon and Cindy Phillips.

Peta McEachern and Emily Devon.

Barry Bernoth and Sonya de Wit.