Style Magazine Toowoomba May 2020

TOOWOOMBA MAY 2020

m a g a z i n e

wake up

EVERY DAY WITH LEE FAULKNER

follow us

l u f i t Beau

BLUES BLUES

LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

FA S H I O N

SHOPPING

H E A LT H

BEAUTY

MOTORING

TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020 T R AV E L FOOD EVENTS

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ARTS

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contents

NOTE P

roud of you Toowoomba!

You have been amazing in these difficult times. Our community has pulled together to care (even more) for those in need and everyone is doing their best to support local businesses. We are so lucky to call this city “home”.

Supporting the community is exactly what Style magazine is all about. So in this edition you’ll find stories about all kinds of local businesses including online.

You’ll also find some winter fashion tips from our new fashion editor Camilla Meise and our new stylist Amanda Herron. Robyn from Toowoomba Farmers Market has given us the low-down on seasonal produce, while Gray’s Meats is sharing a fabulous pea and ham soup recipe – yummmm!

Many of us wake up every morning with Lee Faulkner (sorry Kim, you know what I mean!). We are delighted to share a profile on our wonderful friend written by former Style editor, columnist extraordinaire and now radio producer, Merryl Miller.

Stay strong Toowoomba. We love you!

The Style Team Winner Style Reader Survey: David Cassells

CONTACT THE TEAM EDITOR Ally Martell FASHION EDITOR Camilla Meise JOURNALISTS Darren Burton and Katherine Sampson DESIGNER Jessica Kramer ADVERTISING MANAGER Marg Alexander EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES - ALLY MARTELL Phone 4690 9481 Email ally.martell@thechronicle.com.au ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES - MARG ALEXANDER Phone 4690 9422 Email advertising@thechronicle.com.au Mail PO Box 40, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350 Street 109 Neil St, Toowoomba

Style magazine is published by News Regional Media. Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to Style magazine undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe any copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title, breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the trade practices act or other

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laws, regulation or statutes. Further to the abovementioned these persons

TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020

agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements.

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contents

INSIDE STYLE Get a look behind the scenes on what it’s like working with Lee Faulkner............................................................................................06 From leaving home at 15 to social media and business success: Style magazine talks to The Hectic Eclectic...................08 Meet the faces behind viral social media accounts with local roots and discover their tips..............................................................10 Discover the know-how for your winter 2020 wardrobe with stylist Amanda Herron.............................................................14 The Happy Gut author Reece Carter shares his recipe for a healthy, happy tum................................................................................18 Light it up! Bring some brightness into your home for the cooler months with pretty lighting options..............................23 Toowoomba’s expert gardeners reveal their tips and tricks for the last planting of autumn........................................................28 Be entertained with some great autumn reads and tours of museums, zoos and more, all without leaving the couch....31 Toowoomba Farmers Market shares what’s in-season for fresh produce...........................................................................................33 Get inspired during ‘iso’ as we go behind-the-scenes with locals who are working from home..............................................36 V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

ON THE COVER

TOOWOOMBA MAY 2020

m a g a z i n e

wake up

EVERY DAY WITH LEE FAULKNER

follow us

Beautiful

BLUES BLUES

LOCAL SUCCESS STORIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA FA S H I O N

SHOPPING

H E A LT H

BEAUTY

MOTORING

T R AV E L

FOOD

EVENTS

“I guess that’s why they call it the blues. Time on my hands could be time spent with you.” -Elton JohnPhoto of Arantxa Stevens by Theresa Hall Photography. Hair

by Naamah McKinnon at Framed Hair and Beauty. Makeup by Hayley Thomas.

ARTS

CONNECT WITH US stylemagazinestoowoomba @stylemagazinestoowoomba TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020

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feature

smoke

behind the ‘real’

the

& Lee Faul mirrors mirrors

BY MERRYL MILLER

Everyone knows Lee Faulkner, right? He is a bona fide radio star of this community – it’s his cheerful voice that wakes most of us up each morning; it’s his jokes that make us laugh on our way to work.

But there’s another side to the breakfast announcer that few people get to see. Triple M producer Merryl Miller shares her insights

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here is a special kind of bond that forms between people who see the sun come up together every day.

It’s kind of like you are alone in the world, and there are few of those general niceties that constitute the regular 9 to 5 workplace.

You see someone as they really are – bleary-eyed from the 3am alarm, dressed for comfort not style – and in my case, you watch as they don their on-air persona to take charge of the microphone for the next four hours.

Lee Faulkner has been the voice that Toowoomba and the Darling Downs has woken up to for the past 20 years.

The much-loved breakfast announcer on Triple M’s breakfast show, he is as much a mainstay of this community as Shannon’s hot chips at show time, conservative politicians, and a Friday arvo drink at Fitzy’s.

Listeners feel as though they know Lee. They feel as though he is their friend.

They know that he loves the Parramatta Eels only marginally less than his wife and kids, that he is a talented cook (courtesy of a

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cheffing career prior to radio), that he can talk up a storm, and that he is funny. Make that FUNNY! But there’s a lot about Lee Faulkner that only those who share a studio with him in the pre-dawn hours would know.

Did you know, for instance, that he honestly regards his regular listeners as friends?

He knows the names of their kids, what they do for a crust, if their mother has been in hospital lately, and if they are struggling.

I have seen him on more than one occasion personally help out a listener who is doing it tough; that ‘care’ you hear on-air is not fake.

Did you know that he is introverted?

That he still gets nervous each morning before the ‘on-air’ sign flashes red, that MC-ing a gig (a job for which he is in constantly high demand) can be tremendously draining for him, and that there is nowhere he would rather spend a weekend or holiday than tucked away at home not having to talk?

Did you know that he is a complete perfectionist?

He prepares for hours before each show, making sure he is fully informed of news, events and stories from around the world.

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ulkner I’m yet to see him get a fact wrong on air – he is just too much of a professional.

But when things go pearshaped (and they sometimes do) I can see him behind the glass wall of the studio raging to himself and shaking his fists.

But just like that, it’s over.

He is mercurial; incapable of staying angry.

More frequently however, what you see him doing behind that glass is rocking out to some classic Cold Chisel or Angels or AC/DC. The music is at full volume, and Lee is air-guitaring with the best of them.

There may be another career change for him yet.

But perhaps what I know about Lee better than many others is the sheer size of his heart.

Hold my beer, Phar Lap; there’s a bigger heart than yours in town.

This is a man who is touched easily; a man who has not been afraid to cry on air about his own battles with mental health; a man who broke down weeping when the recent news of the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three young children broke.

I’m not much of a hugger, but I hugged him hard that morning, because he cared in a way that all of Australia needed to.

In being so open about how deeply he cares, he makes the rest us care more too.

That’s a gift that is uniquely his.

There are many days I hate getting out of bed at 4.30am to go join Lee in the studio.

It’s cold, it’s dark, and I have normally stayed up too late the night before watching Married At First Sight.

But there has never been a job in my long media career that I have loved more – and that’s all because of Lee. I reckon that’s something everyone should know.

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feature

When Brandi Love left home at 15, she furnished her digs with op shop pieces and created a fabulous sense of style by playing around with colour, pattern and light. Fast forward fifteen years and that unique style now has an Instagram following of over 150K, making this “work-from-home” mum of three one of Toowoomba’s biggest social media success stories.

BY ALLY MARTELL

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ou’ll love “The Hectic Eclectic”! It’s bright, colourful, a bit boho, sustainable and great fun. It’s all about DIY decorating on a budget and stepping out of your comfort zone when it comes to style. It gives followers the confidence to create their own look without breaking the bank.

“It all started when I moved to a new house,” Brandi says.

“I was decorating and posting ideas when a few Facebook friends suggested I start an Instagram account. So I opened an account and started posting in August 2017 and it just took off! By December 2017 I had reached 10,000 followers and had my first paid collaboration. By December of 2018, I had reached 100,000 followers. I reached out to my friend and owner of Retrohex Design, Leisa Clark, for business advice who suggested I start my own blog and expand my business revenues.

“I learned a lot about running an Instagram business and Leisa and I started helping others by hosting workshops about how to be an influencer as well as how to build and grow a business using 08

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social media.”

Brandi is the creative; the ‘product stylist’, and her friend and business partner, Ally Muller, is ‘the brains’ behind their small online shop ‘The Hectic Eclectic Shop’ which was launched in August of last year.

“My friend Ally and I came up with the idea for an online shop selling products that reflect The Hectic Eclectic style. We both have the same passion for small, local and unique online businesses.

“We have been growing slowly and steadily, gradually increasing our product range with the goal of eventually owning a bricks and mortar shop here in Toowoomba,” Brandi says.

Brandi says she hardly ever buys new furniture and prefers to bring life to old pieces.

“It adds so much more character. I’m always painting pieces and decorating them with stencils and decals,” she says.

“I’m happy to share my knowledge with followers and post stepby-step instructions in my Instagram stories.

“Have a look at The Hectic Eclectic and you’ll find instructional stories about how to use and make your own chalk paint, how to lay TCHE01Z01ST - V1

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Find us Check out @the.hectic.eclectic and @the.hectic.eclectic.shop Shop: thehecticeclecticshop.com.au Blog: thehecticeclectic.com.au

Decorating on a budget – it’s Hectic Ttile decals, design tips and tricks, make bees wax wraps and more.”

As you can imagine, Brandi’s Instagram success has lead to various job offers and opportunities. But she is more than happy to keep growing her own business from home where she can also enjoy being a “stay-at-home” mum.

GET THE LOOK – TOP TIPS FROM THE HECTIC ECLECTIC. Colour: I was always drawn to bright colours at op shops; pinks, oranges and especially yellow. My first “away from home” room looked like a Mexican fiesta! When I was married my colour palette was called “compromise”: browns and neutrals. Then following my divorce I let colour explode all around me.

Pattern Play: I have about five different patterns on my bed alone! You have to play around with patterns and colours to create a really unique look. I always put a block colour with the patterns because it softens the contrast and gives your eyes a landing point.

Indoor Plants: I love how plants bring life to any space but admit I have killed quite a few over the years. I bought a really good V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

quality fake tree and it looks amazing. So now I have a mix of plants; real ones that I can keep alive and good quality fakes.

Lighting: Twinkle lights, festoon lights, lanterns and big in-yourface shades – I use lights for ‘wow’ factor. My verandah has festoon lantern lights down the entire length. I add twinkle lights to bed heads and to brighten up corners. Oversized rattan light shades make a big impact down a hall way or over a table.

Stencils and Decals: I’m a big fan of tile decals that can easily transform a bathroom, kitchen, laundry or piece of furniture. I am constantly asked about my spotty wall – it’s not wallpaper, the spots are painted with a stencil.

Rugs: If I had to buy one really good quality decorator item for the home, I’d say make it a rug. A good rug is a key piece that brings a room together. If you look after it, a good rug will last a lifetime.

Art: Another item that I can’t live without is art! Art can really brighten up a boring space in your home. You can even make art of your own. I have a wall dedicated to my children’s artwork and it’s one of the first things I see in the morning and really brightens my day as well as being a great conversational piece.

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our community

#follow The locals we love …

Who do you follow on social media – sports stars, entertainers, big name brands and influencers? Hopefully you follow a few locals too

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tyle caught up with some Toowoomba folks to chat about their social media adventures and what works for them.

Follow us #stylemagazinetoowoomba and join the conversation as we do our bit to try and support local business.

OVERSEAS CONNECTIONS #KARLEESKUPCAKES Cake-maker and decorator now based in US – 312K followers Karlee Towning (nee Prior) grew up in Toowoomba and attended Harlaxton State School and Toowoomba Christian College. From making cakes in Toowoomba she moved to Brisbane and then to the US in 2018 where she has developed a range of cake mixes and icing under the Karlee’s Kupcakes brand. Her move to the US has certainly expanded her follower base but as her family is still in Toowoomba, she plans to return with her new husband in the near future.

Start: I started my social media profile in 2011 – so it has been a really long time now! People get upset when they don’t have a ton of followers after 6-12 months but social media takes time and patience. It’s a long-haul journey – so strap yourself in!

Advice: If someone leaves you a negative comment and they don’t know you personally, don’t take it personally and get caught up with their opinions. Also, remember that while you’re sharing your work or life for others to see, you also need to gain some benefit from social media so it’s not all take, take, take.

Following: Amy Willis – #bitsandpiecesbyamy, #thesteveclaydon, #sweettalkcoffee, #ivydesignercollections.

Karlee of Karlee’s Kupcakes

Business: Social media has given me a direct and instant link to my followers around the world because it doesn’t matter where you are, if you have a cake question – I’ll answer! Social media has made it easier to show customers the cake they want for their next big event, or see the cake I made them in a post and all the lovely comments people make.

Most popular post: My wedding in the US with around 23k likes!

My followers (for the most part) do care about me as a person and that I have found my happiness. Cake-wise, the beautiful peach cupcakes got around 11k likes. I’ve had a few videos go viral with anywhere from 1 million – 7 million views which is just crazy!

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our community

FABULOUS FASHION LABELS #FLORENCEANDMARABEL Boutique owned by mother/daughter duo Donna and Alex Mills – 8K followers Independent fashion boutiques, like Florence & Marabel, bring a variety of exclusive labels to Toowoomba ensuring we keep up with big city fashionistas. The store at Grand Central is currently closed but you can still buy online.

Start: We started our social media six weeks before our opening date on the 1st October 2015. It was important for us to create some hype around our opening and start building our audience before opening the doors to our physical store.

Business: Instagram has helped us to connect with our audience and showcase our clothing and accessories on ourselves, so that the customer can see what the item looks like in real life before purchasing. It takes the guess work out of buying online.

Advice: Consistency is key! Running a business is hard work and it isn’t always easy to be consistent with social media but it really makes a huge difference. Also, engaging with your customers is important. Regular posting is great, but if you aren’t answering queries and interacting with your followers then you are missing opportunities.

Following: The Flower Grocer @the.flower.grocer, Balance Nutrition @balancenutrition_ and G.O Personal Training @g.opersonaltraining Most popular post: Our third birthday photo of Donna Mills and daughter Alex showcasing one of our most popular labels, Binny.

Anna Bartlett and her cactus lamp artwork

FUN ART WORKSHOPS #SHINYHAPPYART Art studio and guided workshops – 6.6K followers “Sip and paint” style guided art workshops are so much fun (and yes, they’ll be back). Local artist Anna Bartlett also offers some online classes to get us through this era of social distancing. Check out Anna’s own gallery of work too … just stunning!

Start: My brother talked me into starting a personal Facebook account in 2009 and my Shiny Happy Art business page in 2012.

Business: I really don’t think I’d have a successful business without social media! When I was running regular classes, I could fill my seats with regular posts – kids classes on Facebook and adult workshops on Instagram. Now I don’t worry about numbers and just post what I think might be interesting and social media will always come second to my mailing list.

Advice: Get comfortable in front of the camera and use Facebook stories to share things you care about.

Donna and Alex Mills of Florence and Marabel

Following: As many people as I can! Aaron from @harolds_finishing_touches, @mollyandmama, my mum @dianabattleartist, @sweettalkcoffee, artists, clothes shops, florists, Empire Theatre and I enjoy seeing what Geoff McDonald posts each day!

Most popular post: My most popular Instagram post wasn’t planned at all. I decided to paint a blank lampshade with cacti, for my daughter’s room. I recorded the project on Instagram, and it went berserk! 12323 impressions and 480 likes. My second most popular post was a photo of me taken by a friend as I sketched at Charred one day. 2864 impressions, 302 likes and a 16% engagement rate. It’s been good for putting my face to my online presence.

As we all practise social distancing, it’s still important that we support Toowoomba businesses. You can do this by following them on social media, but please make sure you keep buying from them too.

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fashion

The epitome of grace, elegance and poise A

udrey Hepburn and Jacki Kennedy/Onassis led the way with their oversized sunglasses in the 1960s.

We loved them then and we’ve never looked back.

The 2020 versions have the same flair with extra touches: gold embellishments, tinted lenses, futuristic cuts and exaggerated shapes.

Labels embracing the new look big frames include Chloe, Bebe, Gucci and Longchamp – all available at Sankey Fraser Eyecare (Toowoomba, Roma and Emerald).

For the protection of our patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sankey Fraser Eyecare has reduced our normal business hours.

We are open for urgent eyecare and essential spectacle repairs and replacements.

However, we ask that you please phone us before coming in.

The Toowoomba store is open from 8am to midday, Monday to Friday, and you can call on 4632 3166.

Call the Roma store on 4622 3000 or the Emerald store on 4982 4450.

Alternatively, you can visit the website at www.sankeyfrasereyecare.com.au

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fashionfashion

VIDEO CALL DRESSING 101 Keeping it together during lockdown by Style Fashion Editor Camilla Meise

Many of us have had a paradigm shift in fashion lately as “working from home” changes everything.

Style Fashion Editor Camilla Meise shares her thoughts on women’s dressing during the lockdown.

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don’t know about you, but I am certainly guilty for picking comfort over fashion. Well, it’s so easy to fall into a uniform of Tees and sweatpants (or even stay in PJs) rather than put some effort into dressing each day.

But there’s one problem: video calls. They’re not just for work, we are joining video chats with family and friends — including virtual wine nights (yay!). Suddenly dressing from the waist up, like TV news anchors, is an easy option. But, maybe it’s time to rethink all this?

Good grooming and dressing up a little each day is important because it gives us some normalcy. Making the effort helps us prepare for the day (or virtual night in with the girls). You can still be your authentic self but just don’t let your standards slip so far that you forget who you really are. Above all, have some fun!

Tip 1: Colourful earrings You can never go wrong with a pop of colour; it will make your day brighter and might even brighten someone else’s day too. Hoop earrings are the goto trend this season because they spice up plain outfits. I love earrings from Polka Polly which can be found in local stores including The Hectic Eclectic Shop. Their earrings are bright and colourful with fun names like Golden Rainbow Ring Earrings.

Tip 2: Perfect Blouse, Coat, Jumper and shirt Why not put on that over-the-top blouse or coat you bought ages ago but haven’t had the chance to show off? Wear it around your home office and enjoy it because you deserve some self-love! I found the perfect pink blouse with a beautiful floral pattern from locally owned store Ivy Designer Collections called Bloom Nova crop.

Tip 3: Comfortable but cute flats Vogue says that flats are the latest trend this season so why not stay on trend and enjoy the comfort! Macartney and Creed has a stunning range of flats this season. Personally, I love my Valerio Conte Houndstooth Espadrille sneaker for both style and comfort. This is one easy trend to follow!

Tip 4: Stunning lipsticks Pop that lippie on and work it for the video calls. I personally love virtual wine nights with my girls because we all dress up and that special lipstick finishes the whole look. Red lipsticks or even burgundy lipstick is all the makeup you need for videocalls. Inglot has an excellent range of lipsticks and you can find them at the Hooper Centre Pharmacy.

Pop on in or get them delivered.

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fashion

Winter wardrobe must-haves

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ooler weather is the ideal time to experiment with a range of stylish looks – think layers and textures.

Add touches of wool, felt and leather and don’t forget accessories extend to gloves, scarfs and hats.

Before you go crazy shopping for this season’s latest trends, just check that your wardrobe has the basics.

Here is my list of top five essentials for creating a variety of stylish winter looks.

1. GOOD COAT The length depends on your height and overall style preferences, but always try to find one that draws in at the waist, creating a great shape – even if it’s just an illusion!

BY AMANDA HERRON, IMAGE CONSULTANT AND PERSONAL STYLIST WITH ART OF STYLE

3. SCARFS You will need at least three scarfs that you can rotate.

Choose colours and patterns that complement your coat and jacket while bringing energy and youth to your face.

Avoid bulky scarfs if you are broader on top.

4. THERMAL UNDERGARMENTS This is probably the most under rated item of clothing on the planet.

Nonetheless, if you have good quality thermals on, you can avoid looking like the ‘Michelin Man’ while you stay warm.

I always recommend these to my clients – and I get a few raised eyebrows – but trust me, those thermals from the outdoor stores really make winter much more bearable.

2. JACKET For those who work indoors and need a professional outer layer to wear outside or around the office, go for a quality well-cut blazer: A classic style will last for years.

Alternatively, pick a casual jacket that is light enough to keep you warm indoors but thick enough to protect you from the wind if you’re out and about.

Some great options would be leather, denim, bomber or military jacket.

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5. BOOTS Leather, pleather, suede, polyester, whatever takes your fancy.

Just get some on your feet for instant style that really will put some pep in your step.

We all love to wear black during the cooler months, which is why – more often than not – I recommend a black pair of boots.

However, if you have fair hair, don’t shy away from tan or camel colours; they are just as flattering.

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health and beauty

I’m not even wearing makeup!

Sneaky tips for your next Skype, Facetime or Zoom meeting from home, thanks to Jaime Barron of the Hooper Centre Pharmacy

1.

Let’s start with a quick and easy skin care routine.

Wash your face with warm water, cleanse or scrub, rinse off and moisturise with a day moisturiser.

2.

Prep with a primer to suit your skin type.

Designer Brands have five options to choose from and all work very well.

3.

Choose either a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream to cover your base; for a little more coverage apply two coats.

I choose Inglot Beautifier Tinted Cream for a light feel.

4.

Conceal those eyes that may have had a little too much Netflix last night with a concealer.

I highly recommend Natio Dark Circle Corrector.

5.

Optional: add a powder finish.

Just lightly powder your T-Zone where the bridge of your nose meets your forehead.

6.

Apply bronzer to your cheek bones, temples and jawline.

For a natural glow, choose a warm toned bronzer.

I love the Inglot Bronzer, which is available in two tones.

7.

Brows are important as they frame your face.

For a natural look, choose a brow mascara and try to stick to your hair colour or a lighter option.

Rimmel has a great colour range in brow mascaras.

Brush hairs upwards at the beginning of the brow and downwards towards the ends.

8.

Mascara, lashings of mascara, right.

As we all know this is what will complete our au naturale look.

Ardell have a fantastic new range of mascaras to suit everyone.

9.

Lips: as this is where all your Zoom buddies will be looking when you speak, let’s keep it natural and either opt for a clear lip gloss or a lip tint balm.

Inglot have a PH-balanced lip tint with a hint of pink that hydrates the lips for that perfect pout.

Friendly Service with a Smile

Pharmacy opening hours: MON-WED, FRI 8.00AM - 6.00PM | THURSDAY 8.00AM - 9.00PM | SATURDAY 8.00AM - 5.00PM SUNDAY 8.30AM - 4.00PM | PUB HOLS 9.00AM - 3.00PM hooper centre

pharmacy

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7079479az

The Hooper Centre Pharmacy showcases many services and professional, knowledgeable staff.

Everyone’s Health Matters Stay home and protect the vulnerable ones in our community Ask us about our ‘NON CONTACT’ delivery service

Shop 2C, 187 Hume Street,Toowoomba Queensland 4350 | Ph: (07) 4638 2210 | Fax: (07) 4632 3474 E: hoopercentrepharmacy@gmail.com | W: facebook.com/HooperCentrePharmacy

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health and beauty

Keep them smiling Spending a lot more time with your children lately, huh? What a great opportunity to help them develop some good health habits. We talked to Westridge Dental’s Dr Lloyd Svenson about habits that keep you smiling.

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ook after your children’s teeth from an early age and you’ll be doing them a big favour for the rest of their lives,” Dr Svenson says.

“Developing routines and being consistent is proven to achieve good results in study, in sports and it’s also how to maintain a healthy mouth: so brush and floss twice a day,” he says.

“Just check that your kids know how to brush their teeth and that they are doing it properly.

“Keep sugary treats and soft drinks for special occasions – they are not daily food options, unless you want to damage your teeth.

“Now is a great time to serve up a variety of healthy foods and get your kids to join in meal preparation too.”

Dr Svenson also recommends drinking plenty of water.

“Keeping hydrated is good for study, for exercise and it’s also good for your mouth as it rinses away acids and sticky foods that could be caught in your teeth.”

COVID-19 Toowoomba dentists are following Australian Government guidelines relating to COVID-19.

In the meantime, if you have a dental emergency – such as a broken tooth or injury to the mouth – the best thing to do is to visit your nearest hospital emergency department.

CHILD DENTAL BENEFITS SCHEDULE GOOD SMILE FOOD: Fresh fruit and vegetables – anything crunchy and chewy like carrots, broccoli and snow peas will help clean your teeth; foods with calcium – so leafy greens, dairy and soy products; and protein including lean meat, nuts, eggs, fish and tofu.

As soon as the lockdown is lifted, make an appointment to see your dentist and take advantage of the Australian Government’s Children’s Dental Scheme.

You could be eligible for up to $1000 in treatment per child aged from two-years-old up to 17 years: www1.health.gov.au

Midwifery Continuity of Care... for pregnancy, birth and post birth period As Australia’s first Medicare rebated midwives to have visiting access to a hospital, we provide ultimate care to pregnant women and their families.

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Home visits are available.

331 Margaret St, Toowoomba | Ph: (07) 4642 2977 | www.mymidwives.com.au Also located at: Brisbane | Shepparton & Echuca | Melbourne | Perth 16

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promotion

Mum’s the special word for Rosie R

osie Bambrick’s first Mother’s Day is a milestone she doesn’t take for granted for a single moment.

The Toowoomba mum has survived Hodgkin’s lymphoma twice, undergoing intense chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in Brisbane, followed by radiation therapy in Toowoomba.

Her dream to be a mother seemed touch and go, at best.

“With all the therapy I needed to survive cancer, my nowhusband Owen and I decided to freeze some eggs and embryos so we could start a family down the track,” Rosie says.

“We were lucky that our first IVF attempt was successful and, at around 12 weeks into the pregnancy, our fertility specialist in Brisbane was ready to hand us over to an obstetrician for the rest of the pregnancy,” she says.

“I was really keen to find a Toowoomba obstetrician who’d be confident in taking me on with IVF and my complicated medical history making it a high-risk pregnancy.

“From the first phone call, Dr David Chettle was great.

“He explained to Owen and me that he’d be monitoring me closely and he had a plan for anything that happened.

“As it turned out, I developed gestational diabetes and later in the pregnancy the baby’s growth rate slowed, which can be an issue with IVF babies.

“I also needed two transfusions to keep us going through the third trimester, as my blood counts were low.

“This was not only due to my cancer treatment history; I also have thalassaemia, a type of anaemia.

“Not all Australian doctors have worked with thalassaemic patients, but David was well experienced in what to expect.

“David talked us through every decision in terms we could both understand, so we felt very involved and trusted we were in safe hands.”

In July last year, baby Rosalinda Hope Bambrick was born via an emergency caesarean just eight days before her due date.

“Even when two attempts at inductions were unsuccessful, being prepped for a caesarean section was a very calm experience,” Rosie said.

“One of the midwives stepped in and took some photos,

capturing Rosa being lifted out Lion King style.

“I found all the midwives to be very encouraging and supportive as I was determined to breastfeed.

“They really coached me through the early days.

“It was also valuable to have the in-house lactation consultants to help us get on the right track.”

Mother’s Day 2020 is set to be a quiet one for the Bambricks, but special nonetheless.

Maternity services at St Vincent’s Toowoomba during COVID-19 We have been delivering babies for almost 100 years. Our obstetric and midwifery teams continue to provide a safe and supportive environment for mums and their partners during pregnancy, through birthing and in the post-natal period.

07 4690 4000 | www.svpht.org.au V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

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health and beauty

Herbal remedies for a happy gut S

elf-confessed ‘herb nerd’ Reece Carter has made herbal remedies new again with teas, tinctures and recipes for healing. His two books The Garden Apothecary and The Happy Gut will inspire you to grow your own herbs for fun and good health.

I’ve also included other ingredients known for their beneficial effects on the gut — yoghurt for probiotics, chia seeds for fibre, pineapple for its protein-digestion enzyme called bromelain, and ginger and cinnamon as herbal digestive aids.

The combination of banana, pineapple and coconut makes this smoothie taste like a tropical treat. Serves 1.

HAPPY GUT HERBS AND SPICES Ginger is Reece’s favourite choice for nausea and tummy upset.

Sip spicy ginger tea throughout the day – add a little manuka honey which has antibacterial properties. You can add fresh ginger rhizome or dried ginger to cakes, stir fries and teas.

Cinnamon helps with indigestion and can be made into a decoction (boil cinnamon bark for a few minutes in water, cool and sip).

Angelica root will help reduce bloating and boost a sluggish appetite. Reece recommends Angelica in a tincture (recipes for tinctures can be found in The Happy Gut).

Turmeric is renowned as an anti-inflammatory and is a wonderful addition to many savoury dishes such as curries.

However, it is also popular in lattes and smoothies. Reece is happy to share this delicious recipe with Style readers. Enjoy!

GOLDEN GLOW SMOOTHIE Turmeric is the number one anti-inflammatory herb for the digestive system. With the gut being prone to long-term inflammation from stress, alcohol and poor dietary choices, it makes sense to incorporate turmeric as part of a healing plan for the gut.

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What You’ll Need: 1/2 cup sliced frozen banana 1/2 cup chopped frozen pineapple 1/4 cup vanilla whey protein (or vegan alternative) 1/3 cup Greek yoghurt (or dairyfree alternative) 1 cup (250 ml) coconut milk 2–3cm piece of fresh turmeric, peeled, or ½ teaspoon ground turmeric 2–3cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled, or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon chia seeds Large pinch of toasted coconut flakes, to serve Method: 1. Combine all the smoothie ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.

2. Pour into a glass, top with the coconut flakes, and enjoy.

The Happy Gut ($39.00 RRP) is available wherever good books are sold or you can order online from Booktopia.

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promotion of surprise, that cannot be predicted in any way.

How many years is the ICU celebrating during 2020?

This year, it will be celebrating 20 years of service to the hospital and community. How quickly those years have passed!

What is the best part about working in the ICU? It’s a very close-knit professional unit. This fabric of people, personalities, ages, cultures, beliefs, and levels of experience – both professional and personal – makes for a strong, happy and productive workplace.

Why is St Andrew’s such a great place to work?

St Andrew’s Hospital has always demonstrated a friendly, down-to-earth, welcoming environment for all who enter. This is paramount for any organisation to excel in the healthcare industry.

St Andrew’s Hospital: Intensive Care Unit

How much preparation have you done to prepare for COVID-19?

There has been considerable work done in the ICU in preparation for COVID-19, both structurally and in upskilling of staff. Hospital executive, ICU consultants, nursing staff and many other people have been working extremely hard as one big team to ensure that the ICU and hospital as a whole is ready.

What does a typical day look like for the ICU at St Andrew’s?

The unit serves the whole hospital campus and cares for highrisk post-operative patients and seriously ill medical patients who need more invasive and intensive care.

Another important and large part of the ICU is our cardiac services, and the large number of patients admitted and cared for under our Coronary Care Licence.

Therefore, a typical shift or day in the life of the ICU staff is one

What was the most touching thing to happen in the ICU? Some of the most memorable and touching moments working in the ICU, are times when patients and or their family members return to thank the staff for the care given them while there.

“Our people do amazing things” Specialist Medical & Surgical Services…

We offer true holistic continuative care in all areas of obstetrics, gynaecology and women’s health.

Women’s Health Physio and Dietician services now available.

Pregnant or planning pregnancy?

Talk to us about your birthing options.

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

Dr David Chettle

Services Supported By… • • • •

Dr Matthew Stinson

Want to know more?

Find us on Facebook or call our office for an appointment.

P: (07) 4688 5533 www.evolvewomenshealth.com.au St Vincent’s Private Hospital,Toowoomba V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

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utique difference...

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FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

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PRICES STARTING FROM $348,000

YES, WE ARE OPEN FOR PERSONAL TOURS! The Living Gems community spirit has become even STRONGER over the last few weeks and our BIG GEM family has been working even harder during these unprecedented times.

House hunting hasn’t been stopped yet! If you can’t make it in person, then please visit our website and experience one of our online tours – from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Give us a call to book a personal tour of our fantastic display homes – THEY ARE STILL OPEN! Prices start from an amazing $348,000!

Compare us with the rest. We think you’ll be impressed.

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home

Let’s get the terminology right here: this category of lighting is generally referred to as “string” lighting.

Strings of lights can be hung in a festoon style which means the line is fixed at set intervals to create curves or drapes.

Strings of lights can also be wound around trees or fixed to building edges.

Party lights can be coloured, they can include little lanterns or other decorative features.

They are often hung in a festoon style.

Twinkle lights, on the other hand, tend to be very small indoor lights which are used to decorate pieces of furniture or curtains.

Tiny lights can be entwined with floral or leafy garlands and some are even be battery operated.

We’ve looked around Toowoomba and we reckon there’s a string of lights to suit every taste and budget – well, they range in price from $5 to $200.

Typo has twinkle lights including leafy cascading garlands.

Kmart has LED solar string lights, coloured ball string lights, curtain lantern lights and twinkle lights starting at $8. You’ll find colour-changing string lights at Bunnings for $29 and commercial grade outdoor coloured lights at Beacon Lighting for $126.

Time to lighten up Fairy, festoon, chain, party, string and twinkle: we’re talking lights here, garland style. As the weather cools down, you can cheer up by giving your home some extra sparkle with beautiful lights.

T

here was a time when fairy lights meant a party – or Christmas. Thank goodness we’ve relaxed the rules these days! Fairy lights are still festive but they can also be romantic, glamorous, vintage, industrial, quirky and kitsch.

Swimming at home made simple

With public pools being closed, there has never been a better time to have a pool in your own backyard!

Now Your One Stop Shop

Since joining forces with Leisure Pools, we can look after your pool with the best products available on the market, along with the best maintenance and servicing.

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1300 SPLASH (1300 775 274) www.leisurepools.com.au TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020

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Inspire. Design. Create.

FREE MEASURE & QUOTE!

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For classical elegance and simplicity, the beautiful herringbone shape in marble is hard to go past, supported by Como Jackrabbit tiles on the floor.

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LIVE IT O U T B AC K R U S T I C Australia’s gifts are yours to keep

The rich, earthy tones of the Australian outback set the perfect backdrop for this warm and cosy style.

Hybrid | Aqua-Tuf Longboard | Native Blackbutt

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25

promotion

Keen to avoid court?

Try collaborative law

BY AMANDA SCHMIDT, DIRECTOR OF KENNEDY SPANNER LAWYERS

C

ollaborative law is an option that allows a resolution of your parenting matter and/or your property settlement when you want to avoid going to court.

So what is it? A process that involves a series of meetings between you, your spouse and your collaboratively trained lawyers.

You and your spouse, in that process, have committed to resolving your differences without the threat of court proceedings.

Where necessary, financial advice from a third party can be used, and also independent advice from a child expert.

The informal meetings do away with the traditional process of lawyers exchanging correspondence – something that can flare emotions and send parties towards a polarised position which is not ideal for moving towards resolution.

Instead, in collaborative law any communication usually involves and engages you and your spouse.

You and your spouse are usually present for the negotiations and, in fact, are the drivers of those negotiations.

The lawyers involved help you identify the

issues and generate options for resolution.

You pick the outcome and the lawyers then formalise the agreement that was reached.

What sets collaborative law apart is the lawyers engaged in the process have agreed at the outset that they cannot represent the parties further if court becomes necessary.

This ensures the absolute commitment of the lawyers to the process and sets it apart from litigation-based negotiation.

While the process of collaborative law is relatively new in Australia, it has been used successfully in America for many years.

Why will it benefit you? It can minimise legal costs compared to traditional methods.

Collaborative law focuses on both of you maintaining an amicable relationship, which is particularly important where children are involved.

The resolution is often an outcome that a court could not entertain and this is particularly the case in property settlements.

If you are keen to minimise legal fees and wish to avoid the two of you “going into your corner”, speak to a lawyer trained in collaborative law.

CONTROL YOUR COMFORT As Individual As You Are

Ring Now for Your FREE Measure & Quote

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INTERNAL & EXTERNAL PLANTATION SHUTTERS • Slider & Bifold, Internal & External Window Furnishings • Stylish Clean Lines TIMBER LOOK SPECIALISTS

• Control Light • Views • Privacy & Ventilation • Fast Turn Around • Custom Colours Available

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home

Your curated space A

curated gallery wall in your home is a powerful reflection of your personality and sense of style. Done well, it’s super impressive and will lift your decor to a new level of sophistication.

ONE How to choose the right wall: It doesn’t have to be large or a main feature wall. It could be in a stairwell, a foyer or a powder room.

Ensure your chosen wall is strong enough to hold all the items and consider what equipment you will need to attach pieces to the wall.

You don’t want to damage the wall or the items you are hanging.

Know where the electrical wiring is located within the wall.

incorporate squares, rectangles, circles, hearts and crosses.

FOUR However, you are not limited to items in frames. For round shapes you can use plates, hats, clocks and baskets. Use fabric, macramé, clothing, tools, sporting equipment and musical instruments.

FIVE On a piece of paper draw a thumbnail sketch of the wall and surrounding space so you can play around with shapes until you get the right look. Remember that we tend to look from left to right so make sure your collection has flow. If you’re putting lots of small items on one side, balance them out with a large item on the other.

TWO Choose your style: Start with a theme such as French chic or Scandi, eclectic bohemian, birds or botanicals, black and white photos, abstracts or portraits

SIX Cut the shapes of your chosen items to scale from sheets of paper and, using Blutak, stick the paper representations onto the wall for an all-important final check.

THREE Choose the items that suit your style: Ensure there is something that connects them such as their frames – all wooden or all black – or link pieces with a colour palette. You can mix up shapes and

SEVEN Gather adhesive and other hanging supplies that won’t damage your wall. Start creating your gallery.

4 Sto 0% off f or rew the mo id e nth of Ma y

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home

Autumn plantings…

From Secrets of Toowoomba’s Gardeners – available for purchase at The Chronicle; phone 4690 9300.

A

utumn is a busy time in the garden and according to Toowoomba’s own ‘gardening guru’ Mike Wells, you should be planting your spring flowering annuals and bulbs from mid-May through to early June.

Toowoomba is generally considered to have a ‘temperate climate’, however, if you live in a cold and frosty part of town, think about planting for a ‘cool climate’.

Check tags on seedlings and make sure you buy what will work in your area.

IT’S TIME TO PLANT: Alyssum, marigold, petunia, pansy, daisy, cineraria, dianthus, snapdragon.

•Pinch out early flowers to encourage plant growth.

•Protect from frosts (using covers).

SPRING FLOWERING BULBS: These can be a little trickier, so follow instructions on the packets to a tee.

Some of Toowoomba’s award-winning gardeners plant bulbs in pots so they can control their environment.

Try ranunculi, tulips, daffodils, jonquils, grape hyacinths and Dutch iris.

PLANT VEGETABLES FOR WINTER: Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, silver beet, turnip, carrot, lettuce, celery and broad beans. Check seed/seedling packets as some vegetables can be planted all year round.

SLUGS AND SNAILS: MIKE’S TIPS FOR ANNUALS: •Have your beds ready in advance.

•Soak seedlings in weak seaweed solution before planting to reduce transplant shock.

•Apply seaweed-based plant tonics each week for the first four to six weeks.

•Liquid feed with boosted organic fertiliser every two weeks.

Lift, divide and replant your herbaceous perennials including day lilies, agapanthus and delphiniums.

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Bridgestone, Firestone, Bandag Retreads and other quality brand tyres

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Deter them naturally by sprinkling crushed eggshells, coffee grounds or sand around plants – slugs and snails don’t like crawling over these textures.

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The New Volkswagen T-Cross

Available at Wippells Volkswagen

The new T-Cross is many things, but conventional isn’t one of them. The striking design of the leaves day-to-day conventions behind.

From its eye-catching range of colours to its distinct rear with reflective strips and LED tail lights, the T-Cross is undeniably unforgettable.

From the outside the T-Cross looks like a compact SUV but on the inside it’s very comfortable.

With its raised seating position and incredibly spacious interior, you’ll always feel like you’ve got room to move in a T-Cross.

With a capacity of up to 455 litres, the luggage compartment is pretty impressive, too.

technology, it can help you stay safe on all those adventures, too.

If that’s not enough, the rear bench seating can be folded to provide more space to transport larger items or adjusted to make your passengers more comfortable with extra legroom.

Versatility is one of the hallmarks of the T-Cross, and what’s under-the-hood has been designed with this in mind.

Experience complete connectivity in the new T-Cross. Whether you need the latest traffic information, directions to your destination or just fancy listening to your favourite music, the T-Cross is ready for any adventure. And using innovative

Its TSI petrol engine technology and DSG transmission ensures a smooth and efficient journey whether you’re zipping around the city or heading further afield on a weekend road trip.

Experience the strikingly stylish and brilliantly versatile T-Cross at Wippells Volkswagen. .

Your Volkswagen Partner

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Tel. 07 4631 9922 www.wippellsvolkswagen.com.au V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

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home

Tile trends Toowoomba Tile Warehouse forecasts what’s hot in the world of tile for 2020

A

new year, a new decade, and yes – new tile trends!

From bold colours and classic shapes to the latest advances in manufacturing, 2020 tile styles offer a prime opportunity to create residential and commercial spaces unlike anything seen before.

It has been exciting for us to add new colour palettes to our showroom and, in turn, Toowoomba homes.

SUBWAY TILES Subway tiling first appeared in New York subway stations in the early 1900s and the timeless look quickly became a favourite in homes and businesses.

The traditional white 100x200 glazed ceramic subway tile has evolved into a myriad of colours and finishes, enhanced by innovative laying patterns.

Different looks in vertical and horizontal include stack, brick and herringbone.

Clean white subway tiles will continue to reign in 2020; this year will see a lot of revamped subway tiles.

Expect to see experimentation with colour – not only with the tiles, but with grout.

Grey or vibrant coloured grout make designs pop.

ENCAUSTIC (CEMENT PATTERNED) FLOOR AND WALL TILES Encaustic (cement) tiles have been used by many cultures over hundreds of years and are the most traditional type of tile we know.

Today we replicate the traditional look in a practical porcelain tile that won’t fade over time and doesn’t need sealing.

Foyers, bathrooms, ensuites and laundries are the perfect places to be 30

TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020

bold and create a rug-like effect with these alluring, colourful patterns.

Whether you want your room to look rustic and romantic, sleek and modern, warm and welcoming or anything in between, patterned tiles create a focal point and guarantees the ‘wow’ factor.

HERRINGBONE PATTERN A little pub trivia for you – the word ‘herringbone’ refers to the way the layout resembles the bones of the humble herring fish.

Exactly.

The most amazing tile trend of the year is herringbone pattern.

This simple yet elegant option is widely used for both flooring and walls.

This classic pattern is being seen everywhere, from swanky bars and hip hotels to fashion runways and designer handbags.

And we can see why: herringbone tile is beautifully versatile and classic, all at the same time.

Love the timeless look of subway tile but craving something unique?

Herringbone pattern is super trendy for bathrooms and splashbacks in 2020 and it’s a sure-fire way to give any surface a sophisticated finish and will likely last the test of time.

Our inspiring showroom has large displays of floor, wall and feature tiles, from the latest trends to timeless classics.

Our warehouse carries more stock than anywhere else in Toowoomba, which allows you to purchase and collect your order on the same day if needed.

Additionally, we cover tiling needs including glues, grouts, sealers, tile trim, floor wastes, waterproofing and tiling tools, as well as contacts to tilers and so much more.

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entertainment

Book reviews

by Jessica Kramer

FAUNA BY DONNA MAZZA

S

tacey and Isak are recruited to become part of a new experimental IVF program called LifeBLOOD after loosing their last child during pregnancy.

The program, which offers amazing financial support as well, blends Stacey and Isak’s embryo with edited cells – but no-one knows just how edited these cells are, or how human the resulting child will actually be.

The book follows Stacey’s journey from successful implantation until her daughter Asta is eight years old, covering her experiences with pregnancy and motherhood, the change Asta brings to her relationships with her other children and her husband, and the protectiveness Stacey feels for her daughter.

The writing style for Fauna is unique – sentences are short and choppy, sometimes even seeming abrupt, but vivid in their description.

It almost reads more like a science-fiction short story than a contemporary novel in this regard, but it works.

The format draws the reader in, engaging them completely with the story and deepening the relationship between them and pointof-view character Stacey.

The portrayal of motherhood is so poignant and real, the reader feels they are also experiencing pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Fauna is published by Allen&Unwin.

THE VANISHING DEEP BY ASTRID SCHOLTE

L

ast year, Australian Astrid Scholte burst onto the novel scene. With an impressive portfolio in film, animation and television, the author debut novel, Four Dead Queens, was met with international success.

Now, Schotle returns with another young adult mystery, The Vanishing Deep.

In what appears to be a post-apocalyptic Earth, people can pay corporation Palindromena to revive a loved one for 24 hours.

Since her sister Elysea drowned two years ago, Tempest has been diving for old-world relics that she can sell for Notes to pay for her sister’s reviving – and discover what her sister was hiding about their parents’ death five years ago.

The mystery is thrilling and the characters interesting, but for The Vanishing Deep, it’s the world-building that makes it fantastic.

While the reader is never directly told it’s set on Earth, the narrative takes time to set up the lore of ‘the Great Waves’ that submerged almost all land across the planet, and how humanity survives in this new, wet world.

In regards to the plot alone, this book could be considered long, but Scholte uses this to her advantage by building depth and complexity in the three main characters.

The Vanishing Deep is published by Allen&Unwin.

Enjoying entertainment during isolation

by Jessica Kramer

L

ife feels uncertain, the entire family is home all the time, and all your upcoming events and getaways have been cancelled.

Sound familiar? That’s right (ding ding ding), it’s the social distancing measures for the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom (read: frustration at the kids and hubby, boredom eating, watching the entire Netflix catalogue, and a slow decent into insanity).

There are actually many ways you can enjoy local facilities and the arts without leaving the comfort of the couch.

VIRTUAL TOURS Visit museums, galleries, zoos and the like through Google Maps and other platforms – you can even visit overseas locations!

Queensland Museum Network From our own Cobb+Co Museum to those further afield, discover facility collections, watch informative talks (like Curator Conversations), and enjoy fun activities through the portals on the website athome.qm.qld.gov.au “Through video you can now virtually participate in science experiments, hear from our curatorial team, and go behind the scenes of the museum,” Cobb+Co says.

Art and Culture everywhere Visit artsandculture.google.com/ and you’ll find many art galleries online, as well as museums and even sporting facilities.

There’s fun activities and quizzes for the kids, history and artworks for the adults, and virtual tours for all – including one of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum with a penguin as your tour guide, or one set to music in the Indianapolis Museum of Art. You can even virtually visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground or tour around Italy!

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Many galleries and museums have also instigated virtual tours on their own websites, such as the Louvre in France, so it’s work checking out.

Zoos and wildlife From daily live ‘safari’ sessions online with Cincinnati Zoo in the US, to live streams of animal enclosures so you can get up close at the Smithsonian National Zoo, to ‘walk around’ tours of Yellowstone National Park, there’s something animal-related for everyone.

VIRTUAL FESTIVALS AND SHOWS New York’s Met Opera is hosting live-streamed opera classics nightly at metopera.org, while many conventions and festivals are now holding their events online via video conferencing platforms and/or social media.

What‘s great about these is that now international people can participate in events they wouldn’t normally be able to travel to!

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cuisine

A delicious winter warmer A classic cold-weather meal, enjoy this easy-to-make, yet delicious, pea and ham soup

Cook on high for six hours (or low for eight hours), or until the peas are tender.

Use tongs to transfer the ham hock to a large heatproof bowl.

COURTESY OF GRAYS MEATS TOOWOOMBA

Step 2 Add the frozen peas to the slow cooker and cook for 15 minutes or until heated through and tender.

INGREDIENTS 1 medium (about 600g) ham hock (available at Grays Meats Toowoomba) 1 1/2 cups (300g) dried green split peas, rinsed and drained 1 leek, pale section only, thinly sliced 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped 2 celery sticks, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 4 cups (1 litre) Massel chicken style liquid stock 1 cup (120g) frozen peas 1/2 cup (125ml) thickened cream Flat-leaf parsley leaves, or your choice of fresh herbs, to serve

METHOD Step 1 Place the ham hock, split peas, leek, carrot, celery and garlic in a slow cooker.

Pour over the stock and two cups (500ml) cold water.

Step 3 Meanwhile, remove any meat from the ham bone.

Discard bone and rind.

Coarsely chop the ham.

Step 4 Transfer half the pea mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.

Return to the slow cooker with half the ham and half the cream and stir to combine.

Step 5 Ladle the soup among serving bowls.

Drizzle with remaining cream and top with remaining ham.

Sprinkle with parsley or herb leaves and serve immediately with crusty bread or croutons.

GRAYS

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cuisine

What’s in season: At the Toowoomba Farmers Market

We can buy most produce throughout the year in Queensland but there are still a few seasonal goodies to look out for. We asked Robyn Ayles from Toowoomba Farmers Market to share some tips for Style magazine

A

utumn is traditionally harvest time but as Queensland tends to be warm until May, we can still enjoy some summer produce including fresh figs, olives, plums, nectarines, beans and corn.

Apples are available throughout the year but they are always extra crisp and juicy in autumn – look out for Stanthorpe Pink Lady and Red Delicious.

The Lockyer Valley is our local food bowl, providing lots of bumper crops including spinach, lettuce and broccoli but as the colder weather settles we’ll see new season cabbage, Brussels sprouts and artichokes.

Quince and persimmons both have strictly limited seasons so grab them when you see them and enjoy.

Mushrooms are available all year round at Toowoomba Farmers Market.

We offer a range of gourmet mushrooms (oysters and shiitake) that you simply won’t find at greengrocers or supermarkets.

Robyn recommends cooking the oyster mushrooms as you would button or Swiss Brown mushrooms: in soups, stir fries, pastas and casseroles.

One of her favourite ways to serve large oyster mushrooms is to

crumb them in herbed bread mix and grill with a splash of olive oil, served with your favourite sauce or beetroot hummus.

Avocado lovers: May will see the last of our rich buttery Shepard Avocadoes as we head into Hass season which lasts until February.

Gardeners: You’ll find a really interesting selection of flower, vegetable and herb seedlings at the market – things you don’t normally find at your local nursery.

Buy them individually or in punnets and get first-hand advice from the growers.

KEEP LIFE SIMPLE – ORDER ONLINE Vegie boxes: Order a vegie box, or any individual items, ahead (by Thursday 7pm – bakery items by Thursday 7am) online and pick up between 8am and 10.30am at the Saturday market.

Mixed vegie boxes range in price from $40 to $60 each.

All products sold at the market are available in the market boxes including meats and smallgoods, eggs, baked goods, olives, oils, jams and pickles etc.

The Toowoomba Farmers Market is open and operating according to government guidelines.

Check website and social media for updates.

Park House Cafe oPen for Take away Coffee & Meals

Check our menu online & phone in your order, we can deliver to your car, or drop by & we will take your order outside.

Follow us on Facebook for updates.

Menu available at www.parkhousecafe.com.au

Open 7am - 2pm Wednesday to Sunday 92 Margaret St, Toowoomba • Phone: 4638 2211 • info@parkhousecafe.com.au 7100902ae

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promotion

Are you okay?

BY ROS BURTON PRINCIPAL - THE REAL ESTATE PEOPLE

H

ow have you been coping during the Coronavirus ordeal?

While many Australians are stuck at home having a “break”, we all know it’s anything but a holiday.

Financial pressures, the uncertainty of job security and the ongoing threat to our very health from the pandemic has combined with cabin fever to have everyone on edge.

It’s a harrowing time for all of us (bosses, employees, landlords and tenants) and I thought it had the potential to create a dangerous pressure cooker of emotions that could explode at any minute.

But, do you know what? Amazingly, it has been the exact opposite with our office and the day-to-day dealings with the outside world.

We’re actually seeing how people are more understanding and more appreciative in these difficult times.

Like any business, we’d get the occasional curt or demanding email from time-poor customers in the past. But they’ve now been replaced with genuine concern: “Hope you’re going okay…”, “Hope you’re safe…”, “I realise you’re busy, but could I please…”.

It’s a credit to everyone and it proves adversity does bring us together.

I’d like to think that we (The Real Estate People) have contributed to this in a small way as well.

Very early in the piece, before the full effects of the virus had become known, we implemented some comprehensive measures to protect our customers and offer support in uncertain times.

We were telling our clients what we were doing and maintained constant communication to help cut through “the noise”.

I think they’ve appreciated that we’ve had their back.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone could continue this empathy and understanding on the other side of the chaos?

We all have a finite amount of time on this planet – why spend it at loggerheads when we can work together to make great things happen? * We are continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and how it us affecting the real estate industry. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

At The Real Estate People, we consider our word is our bond and we understand how clear communication and following through on promises is an integral part of good customer service.

So, whether you’re buying, renting or selling, call us today or visit our Herries Street office and discover how we can help you sleep easy at night.

289 Herries St, Toowoomba | 07 4633 8899 (just up from Glennie School)

7104091ak

We say what we do… and we do what we say

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be inspired

We got the blues Cobalt blue is associated with communication, introspection and clarity. It’s a solid, dependable hue that we can rely on and it’s the official colour for 2020. Pantone Classic Blue 19-4052, we think you’re beautiful!

P

antone’s Colour of the Year is a big deal.

It’s a reflection of what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time and it manifests itself across a wide range of consumer products including fashion, cars and interiors.

The colour is chosen by a panel of trend-forecasters and colour experts including international pigment makers who are responsible for putting the colour into dyes, paints and inks that are then used to make various products.

In 2019, the Pantone Colour of the Year was ‘Living Coral’, in 2018 it was ‘Ultra Violet’ and in 2017 it was ‘Greenery’.

Classic Blue is a universal favourite described by Pantone as “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection” – and it’s easy to embrace.

Look out for classic blue in fashion including shoes and boots, in beauty including hair dyes and mascara, in cars (think Audi Nogaro, BMW Estoril and Subaru Mica Blue) and interior decorating such as paint and carpets.

If 2020 is all about calming blue, we wonder what colour will be trending by 2021?

Family Law Solutions Kennedy Spanner

Call now for a fixed fee initial consult

Elizabeth Adams

Amanda Schmidt

Associate

Director

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7014527aq

L AW Y E R S

(07) 4639 2944

156 Hume Street, Toowoomba TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020

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social

JO SHEPPARD

SCENE We are usually inundated with fabulous, colourful and glamorous socials – often too many to publish. But this edition is different. Our social pages are a true reflection of what we are all doing right now: and that’s staying home!

Director, Stakeholder Engagement, Office of the Pro ViceChancellor (Engagement) at USQ I love working from home.

I have always seen it as a luxury and somewhat of a gift.

I am more productive working from a home office and as mum to three boys, I appreciate the added efficiencies working from home can deliver across all aspects of your life!

However, adding social isolation restrictions to the equation makes this a whole different kettle of fish!

I miss my friends, my family and my favourite work, industry and community colleagues.

Zoom and Microsoft teams, while useful tools, cannot take the place of a coffee meeting, a Chamber Business @ Dusk networking event or that unofficial work meeting on the sideline at your son’s touch football game!

These are some of the things I will appreciate so more once we come out of our ‘COVID Coma’ but in the meantime, I remain positive.

I am grateful that I have a job, thankful that my family remain healthy and that my teenage sons and I are tackling this unexpected challenge of working and schooling from home – together.

HELEN AUSTIN Webster Cavanagh Real Estate It’s fairly common for real estate agents to have three offices – the agency office, the home office, and, increasingly, the car (although Jon maintains that I have a fourth office that rotates around a few of favourite coffee shops!).

I used to do most of my work at other people’s homes, now I do most of it from mine.

Working from home isn’t all that bad.

It’s given me an opportunity to establish some routines around exercise and professional development that often went by the by.

Our weekly staff meetings seem to be shorter and more focused – perhaps because we’re never certain how long everybody’s Zoom connection will stay stable.

On the downside, I’m very much a people-person and the loss of connection with people in person has been quite difficult to adjust to.

I’ve always used visual imagery in property marketing and as we were preparing for this lockdown, we conducted our own video recordings of properties that I had on the market, and still do walkthrough video sessions for all properties that I’m now listing.

So, I’m still doing much the same work as previously, just in a very different way and from a different location.

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social

JOY MINGAY Recruitment Manager, Classic Recruitment and Human Resources I have been so busy that even working from home hasn’t changed my schedule all that much.

However, I have found that it’s a great opportunity to try new recipes.

I’m ‘home early’ so I can follow my favourite chefs and make those complicated dishes that I wouldn’t normally attempt during a busy work week.

I’m looking forward to sharing a few fabulous new finds with family and friends later in the year.

I’ve enjoyed lots of lovely catch-ups via video and phone, but I do miss seeing our clients and friends face-to-face.

AMANDA SCHMIDT Director, Kennedy Spanner Solicitors A huge plus for working from home is that it’s much quicker to get into ‘the office’ without the daily commute.

There’s no excuse not to be on time!

But I am missing that coffee from the local cafe on the way to work.

I’ve also enjoyed the more casual work attire on the days I know I won’t be video calling with anyone.

In the current times it’s also been good not to have to wash a tonne of sanitiser off your hands and arms at the end of the day.

DI BALKE Community Relations Manager, Grand Central With technology these days, working from home is certainly easier than it would have been a few years ago.

Microsoft Teams is my new best friend!

While I’m missing the social interaction, there’s something to be said for comfy clothes and minimal makeup.

And the best thing … definitely having my dogs snoring at my feet while I’m working.

Although they do occasionally demand to feature on video calls, so everyone I work with has got to know Toby and Rolly (pictured left with Di) really well.

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puzzles

Beat the ‘iso’ boredom with this crossword ACROSS 6 What purplish-black tincture is used as an antiseptic? (6) 7 Which is Switzerland’s largest city? (6) 10 Which World War 1 fighter pilot was the head of Hitler’s Luftwaffe in World War 2? (7) 11 What plant that produces dense spikes of yellow, blue, purple, white or pink flowers is cultivated for ornament? (5) 12 What under the bed obsessed US senator McCarthy in the 1950s? (4) 13 What is a material used for piano keys? (5) 16 Which gold coin was formerly used in most European countries? (5) 17 What knitting stitch is like doing a plain stitch backwards? (4) 20 What is another name for saltpetre, a component of gunpowder? (5) 21 What is a spoken Turkish title of address equivalent to Mr? (7) 22 What is the indigenous religion of Japan? (6) 23 Who joined with his rival to form a famous circus? (6)

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DOWN

A Chartered Accountant with a sense of humour V1 - TCHE01Z01ST

Jeff Hannaford is a Community Chartered Accountant and Trouble Shooter who has been in business since 1978 when he opened up his first office in Inglewood. His business has now grown with another 2 offices in Texas and Millmerran.

Don’t delay, contact and enjoy the experience of good old fashioned service.

For a free insight into what changes you could make to your business, call Jeff on 0429 894 937

Jeff Hannaford Pty Ltd Office Contacts: Millmerran 07 4695 1477 | Inglewood 07 4652 1106 Texas 07 4653 1155 TOOWOOMBA STYLE, Friday, May 1, 2020

7011863an

Hairy does the Job

Across: 6 Iodine, 7 Zurich, 10 Goering, 11 Lupin, 12 Reds, 13 Ebony, 16 Ducat, 17 Purl, 20 Nitre, 21 Effendi, 22 Shinto, 23 Barnum.

Down: 1 Fingerprints, 2 Addenda, 3 India, 4 Jutland, 5 Pippi, 8 Hank Williams, 9 Eggbeater, 14 Burette, 15 Quinine, 18 Strip, 19 Offal.

22 23 1 With which identification system is Sir Francis Galton associated? (12) 2 What is a list of additional material at the end of a book called? (7) 3 In what country were almost 10,000 people killed by an earthquake in 1993?

4 Off which north-west European peninsula was a major WWI naval battle fought in 1916? (7) 5 Who (____ Longstocking) is the gawky red-headed character created by Astrid Lindgren? (5) 8 Who wrote the songs “Jambalaya” and “Your Cheating Heart”? (4,8) 9 What kitchen tool was an early slang term for a helicopter? (9) 14 What is a graduated glass tube with a tap, used in a laboratory? (7) 15 What substance from the bark of a tree was used to treat malaria? (7) 18 What is a name for the identifying outfit worn by a playing team member? (5) 19 What are the edible internal parts of an animal, such as the heart, liver, tongue? (5)

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