CityLife Cairns August | September 2018

CityLife MAGAZINE AUG-SE P 2 0 1 8

BUSINESS | LEISURE | HEALTH | FASHION | EVENTS

FRANGIPANI

CAIRNS

16 SEPTEMBER

to

RABAUL

Three (3) Nights weekend package to Rabaul, East New Britain, PNG Outbound Ex Cairns to Rabaul via Port Moresby – Friday 14th SEP 2018 Inbound Rabaul to Cairns via Port Moresby – Monday 17th SEP 2018

Choice of Hotels: Three nights accommodation with Inclusions and Airfares/Taxes included.

Rabaul Hotel - AUD$1134 per person Twin share

Taklam Lodge - AUD$1215 per person Twin share

Gazelle International Hotel - AUD$1295 per person Twin share

Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort - AUD$1,310 per person twin share

Three (3) Nights’ accommodation, Standard room • Return Airport transfers

Three (3) Nights’ accommodation, Deluxe room • Complimentary Breakfast • Laundry Services • Wi-Fi • Return Airport Transfers • Return Show Transfers

Three (3) Nights’ accommodation, Deluxe room • Complimentary Continental Breakfast • Return Airport Transfers • Return Show Transfers

Three (3) Nights’ accommodation, Executive Bungalow • Complimentary Tropical Breakfast • Return Airport Transfers • Return Show Transfers

All Flights via Por t Moresby ***All Air far es/Package conditions apply***

Call Air Niugini toll free 1300 361 380 or Email The Cairns Sales Team - sales.cns@airniugini.com.pg

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P U B L ISHE R’ S NOT E

I

love this time of year in Cairns. The weather is perfect, there’s excitement in the air and visitors and locals alike are basking in the array of wonderful events to enjoy.

We’re thrilled to showcase one of the biggest events in the city – Cairns Festival. Now in its 57th year, the festival showcases and celebrates our tropical lifestyle with a huge program of family-friendly events and activities over 10 glorious, fun-filled days. We’ve compiled a very special flip-magazine to showcase all the festival has to offer so you don’t miss out on anything!

JACQUI

LANCE

Well done to Cairns Regional Council and the dedicated team at Cairns Cultural Service for creating such an exciting program to keep us allentertained from August 24 to September 2.

We’re also proud to feature 25 of Cairns’

CityLife Magazine is published monthly by CityLife Pty Ltd August-September 2018. All material within the publication remains the property of the publishers unless permission is otherwise sought in writing. Those who make advertising placement and or supply editorial content to CityLife Magazine undertake to ensure all material does not infringe copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title. The above mentioned patrons agree to indemnify the publishers against any investigations, claims or judgements. The views expressed in CityLife Magazine are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily shared by the publication. CityLife P/L copyright August-September 2018.

CityLife 4 Magazine

prominent men in our Men in Business feature. I have been very lucky to have worked directly with many of these leaders over the years and have come to admire and learn from their business acumen, as you will too when you read all about them.

We also have a number of other must-read features such as our Spotlight on Seniors and Cairns After Dark features which you are sure to enjoy.

Enjoy this glorious time of the year in Cairns, and be sure to get out and about and enjoy all our vibrant city has to offer.

Jacqui Nolan CityLife Publisher

CityLife Pty Ltd F16 The Conservatory 12-14 Lake Street Cairns M. 0416 331 125

jacqui@citylifecairns.com.au lance@citylifecairns.com.au

CONTENTS CITYLIFE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

8 28

62

8

COVER STORY - RAY FRY, NORSHIP

10

25 PROMINENT MEN IN BUSINESS

28

EDUCATION

40

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

62

SPOTLIGHT ON SENIORS

FLIP - FESTIVALLIFE

2 18

2

10

CAIRNS FESTIVAL PROGRAM

10

CAIRNS AFTER DARK

18

FASHION

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LX 570 model shown.

The LX range pairs Lexus luxury with powerful off-road performance.

Featuring first-class refinement and advanced 4WD capability, the new Lexus LX 450d diesel gives you the confidence to explore uncharted territory.

Contact Lexus of Cairns today.

LEXUS OF CAIRNS 235 Mulgrave Road, Cairns PH: 07 4030 7555 www.lexusocairns.com.au

CityLife 5 Magazine

Fresh water crossing shown.

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KEEPING THE BUSINESS

SHIPSHAPE Ray Fry • Norship WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

He likes to stay under the radar, but anyone in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry knows that Ray Fry has one of the most brilliant minds in the business.

the refit, repair and maintenance and in-service support of commercial, tourism, fishing, luxury and private vessels, government vessels, Border Force Patrol and Defence ships.

Ray is the owner and brainchild behind Norship, a highly respected marine and engineering services business which has five divisions within its group – Norship Marine, Norship Darwin, Norship Engineering, Norship Manufacturing and Norship Port Hinchinbrook.

Norship Marine uses travel lift machines with capacity of 160 tonnes and 400 tonnes. It was Ray who designed the large travel lift that can handle vessels up to 400 tonnes, in particular the Australian Navy and Border Force Patrol Vessel fleet. This means that tugs, multihulls, motor yachts and other large craft are able to be serviced at the facility.

Norship has a long heritage, going back to NQEA, which his father Richard started in 1948 as an engineering agency supply company, then expanded into shipbuilding and repairs in the early 1960s. The company built more than 270 ships, including 14 Freemantle Class patrol boats and two Leeuwin Class survey ships for the Royal Australian Navy.

“Both my brother Don and I started working with dad when we finished school,” said Ray, a fitter machinist by trade. “I’ve only ever had two bosses in my life – my dad and myself !”

Ray learned everything there was to know about the shipbuilding and repair business by working hands-on.

“One of my jobs in 1971 was to build the slipway at NQEA, and that was a feat and a half because we started building that in March 1971 and launched a tug boat there on June 16, 1971, so we didn’t have much time to convert the swamp into a slipway,” he said.

Ray branched out on his own and started NERCO in 1975, which has evolved into Norship Engineering, and in 1984 started Norship, a privately-operated vessel maintenance and storage facility that specialises in

With this device, even 58-metre-long, 350 tonne Cape Class Cutters can be lifted from the water and parked on dry ground for maintenance.

The travel lift also allows Norship to maintain a specialised blasting and painting facility.

“We started Norship with two people, and we now have 260 people working here,” said Ray who was born in Cairns, as was his father. “We cater for over 600 vessels each year, and we’re proud to employ a lot of people and train apprentices. We have about 20 apprentices at the moment, and over the years between NQEA, NERCO and Norship we have trained 3000 apprentices.”

Ray is one of the largest employers in the city, including having some staff who have been with him for more than 30 years, yet he’s still very much hands-on in the business and can be seen working in the 5ha shipyard every day.

“I’m not one to sit in the office,” he said. “I have to get out there and do the job.”

Norship could arguably be described as Australia’s patrol boat maintenance

CityLife 8 Magazine

capital, with most Patrol Boat dockings being conducted by Norship.

This includes the former Customs Service Bay Class fleet under contract to Teekay, Armidale Class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy, Border Force’s new Cape Class patrol boats and Pacific Class Patrol Boats for South Pacific nations.

“We’ve had a few ups and downs, a few dry gullies, over the years, but I’m really proud of the company and the dedicated people working with me,” Ray said.

Ray is also a huge supporter of the Cairns Speedway and is a patron of various organisations in Cairns, including the Cairns Brass Band, which he played in for years, and the North Queensland Aero Club, where he was president and on the club’s committee for a number of years.

He was also one of the organisers behind Cairns setting the world’s single water ski record in 1986 for the number of people pulled behind a boat, which was 100. That record still holds today. It was during this time that he also helped develop the dynamic balancing of propellers to improve boats’ performance and reduce vibration.

Ray, a proud father of two daughters (one of whom works in the business with him) and grandfather of two boys, lives with his wife Phyllis on a farm in Atherton.

There is one aspect of Ray’s life that won’t let him stay under the radar, however. He’s an experienced pilot of 40 years and while he has owned a few planes over the years, he now prefers flying his helicopter all over the country and tries to get in the air at least once a week.

“I’m really proud of the company and the dedicated people working with me.”

Norship Marine 56-62 Tingira Street, Portsmith Ph: 4035 1722 www.norship.com.au

SECURE A JOB INTERVIEW WITH

CRYSTALBROOK COLLECTION With three new hotels due to open in Cairns from November 2018, TAFE Queensland have partnered with Crystalbrook Collection to ensure these new establishments are staffed with highly trained local employees.

On completion of training students will be offered an interview with one of the new Crystalbrook Collection hotels.

Only available to students studying in the following areas:

> Certificate II in Hospitality | SIT20316 > Certificate II in Kitchen Operations | SIT20416 > Certificate III in Beauty Services | SHB30115 > Diploma of Beauty Therapy | SHB50115 Subsidised training may be available to eligible students.

ENROL NOW 1300 308 233 | tafeqld.edu.au 3147 | RTO No. 0275

C i t y L i f e 10 M a g a z i n e

ARTIST IMPRESSION OF RILEY

TRAIN WITH TAFE QUEENSLAND

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

AARON FINN NAUTILUS AVIATION Helicopter charter company Nautilus Aviation this year celebrates an impressive 25 years in the Aviation Industry - complete with an impeccable safety record, state-of-the-art aircraft and the highly sought-after contract to operate Sydney’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters. The driving force? Chief Executive Officer Aaron Finn.

From humble beginnings as a line pilot, Aaron fast became the CEO of this privately owned and operated company and in only six years, he transformed Nautilus Aviation into one of the largest general aviation helicopter companies in Australia.

Under Aaron’s leadership, the one helicopter, one employee company operating at Townsville airport has grown to a company of 82 staff and a fleet of 27 helicopters positioned across three fixed bases in Queensland and two fixed bases in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

Aaron’s interest in flying began when on a scenic helicopter flight with his father over Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park in 2001.

“That was enough to get me hooked,” he said. “It took me another six years of thinking about it before I finally bit the bullet and got my licence. Unfortunately, I don’t fly a lot these days, but when the opportunity comes up I try and take it if I can.”

Aaron’s love for aviation and his sound business acumen has been crucial to the development of Nautilus Aviation, owned by Computershare founding member and Queensland tourism tycoon Mr Chris Morris.

“The support and opportunities Chris has provided to me and to Nautilus Aviation are world class,” said Aaron.

Today Aaron spends a lot of time working between the company’s offices. When not in Cairns (head office), Darwin or Sydney, Aaron can be found mustering and maintaining Mount Mulligan Station (a working cattle station also owned by Chris Morris), and even, ‘down the wire’ on rescue operations with Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters (having qualified as a Rescue Crewman for hoisting operations earlier this year).

The B412EP helicopter (pictured with Aaron) was purchased to carry out emergency response work and played a major role in extinguishing the Koah fires two years ago as well as the community resupply of essential items post Cyclone Debbie in the Whitsundays.

Aaron is modest about his role in helping Nautilus Aviation achieve great success.

“The secret to the success of any business is employing the right people, providing an exceptional product and backing it up with excellent customer service,” he said.

When not busy working, Aaron loves spending time with his children and being involved in their sports and activities.

“I also like getting out to the cattle station where there is no mobile reception. The kids and I get a chance to spend time together and after working the cattle during the day, which I enjoy, it’s a great place to have a glass of red at night under the stars in the peace and quiet”.

Hanger 9, Bush Pilots Avenue General Aviation Ph: 4034 9000 www.nautilusaviation.com.au

C i t y L i f e 11 M a g a z i n e

Eden by Design is not just about building a house, it is about building a lifestyle, according to director/builder Glenn Eden.

WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

“We are really building lifestyles - that’s what it is all about - the clients and the way they live,” Glenn said.

GLENN EDEN EDEN BY DESIGN BUILDERS

“After all my years in the building game I have worked hard to create a more personalised building experience and give my clients a bit of personalised old school service dealing with builds myself from start to finish. You won’t find a middle man here. It’s my name on the door and it’s my knowledge and experience that has built my reputation to be second to none when it comes to quality.”

Eden by Design is a boutique building company involved in new homes, renovations and additions.

“The service is unique where the clients have no salespersons or middlepersons, you get to talk directly to the builder,” Glenn said.

“I love the challenge of every project, from start to completion.

SERVICES

NEW HOME BUILDS

RENOVATIONS

EXTENSIONS

DECK & VERANDAH CONSTRUCTION

UNIQUE CUSTOM BUILDING DESIGN

“Seeing the project go from a simple sketch to completion gives me a real sense of achievement. To see the clients accept the project at handover is truly a great feeling to be a part of.”

Glenn has been in the building industry since he was 17. He was in training to become a manager at Cairns Hardware when a builder offered him an apprenticeship he gladly accepted.

He believes it is important in the building industry to be a good listener, have an open mind to changes and industry trends and to deliver on time.

Glenn has a great passion for BMX - he and his world champion daughter Portia are training partners. Portia recently won the world BMX title, while Glenn narrowly missed out on the final after being knocked out in the semi final.

9-13 Hickey Close Gordonvale Ph: 4056 6776 www.edenbydesignbuilders.com.au

INTERIOR DESIGN

DRAFTING

INSURANCE WORK

FOR THE FINEST BUILDING CONTRACTORS IN CAIRNS AND SURROUNDING AREAS,

CALL US TODAY ON 07 4056 6776

9-13 Hickey Close, Gordonvale QLD 4869 info@edenbydesignbuilders.com.au www.edenbydesignbuilders.com.au

C i t y L i f e 12 M a g a z i n e

FIND OUT HOW WE CAN MAKE YOUR DREAM HOME A REALITY. ABN 29 785 107 630 BSA Lic no 1163228

WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK

WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

GREG STANTON

TREVOR GARD

NORTHERN PROPERTY VALUERS Property is in the blood for Northern Property Valuers director and registered valuer Trevor Gard, whose grandfather had a real estate business in Cairns in the early to mid 1900s.

“Various family members are in the building, property and finance industries,” Trevor said. “I wanted to be involved in a profession that keeps me outdoors as much as in.”

Norther n P r o p e r t y Valuers conduct valuations, feasibilities and buyer’s agency services to various o rg a n i s at i o n s including banks and financial institutions, v a r i o u s gover nment departments, p r i v a t e companies and individuals.

The organisation has grown considerably over the years, from three staff in 2012 to 10 staff currently located throughout three offices in Cairns, Mareeba and the Sunshine Coast, with areas serviced reaching as far as PNG. Trevor said he has established his offices as small boutique operations that concentrate on dealing with local people that require a professional, reliable and approachable service.

GKS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

He said he is heavily involved in helping clients make the best decision in their property investment.

“I love being involved as much as possible to work out the best possible outcome for individual clients,” he said.

“My main role at the moment is the operation of the business and that is what I enjoy the most. Business is a game, you just have to make sure the moves that you make benefit your team.

“We look forward and try to predict how our business is changing and anticipate those changes. I learn from my mistakes and have a positive outlook moving forward.

“We have expanded our valuation operation to also be a buyer’s agent for all levels of property investors. Due to our knowledge and database we can help investors find the best possible outcome.

We strive to give the best professional service for our clients and we can relate to small businesses in the region because we are one.”

3/36-38 Rutherford St Cairns North Ph: 4032 1627 www.npvaluers.com.au

For GKS Chartered Accountants Principal Greg Stanton, accounting is not just about the numbers, it is the interaction with clients he thrives on.

Ambitious business owners are the ideal client for the accounting firm, and Greg loves to help them succeed.

His passion is helping people achieve their goals through budgeting and business plans.

“We have had clients who were close to going broke and were even using their kids’ savings,” Greg said.

“Once we made changes to their business plan they had a million dollar profit.

“There was another couple who wanted to buy their own home. We helped them realise how much money they were spending on cigarettes and they decided to quit.

“We discussed what kind of house they would like, I then printed out a picture of a house and framed it so they could look at it and have a goal to strive for.

“This is what inspires me to go to work, to help clients achieve their goals.”

C i t y L i f e 13 M a g a z i n e

Greg said he practises what he preaches. “I have my own business plan and goals I strive to achieve,” he said. “I believe that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

GKS Chartered Accountants specialise in taxation, business, auditing, superannuation and bookkeeping.

“We focus on aspirational bu s i n e s s owners,” Greg said. “We help them run their businesses better so that they accumulate sufficient assets to enjoy a satisfying lifestyle.

“A key part of our approach is to help these business owners make more informed decisions.”

GKS also pride themselves on using the latest technology.

“We use a Xero add-on software package that provides forecasting, reporting, what-if and budgeting,” Greg said.

“It monitors a client’s data on a daily basis and helps us identify opportunities and threats and solve them quickly.”

197 Martyn St Manunda Ph: 4041 6768 www.gksca.com.au

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

COLIN VAN STAVEREN FNQ PLASTICS

ALAN REN AUDI CENTRE CAIRNS

Showcasing the educated use of plastics is what Colin Van Staveren, owner of FNQ Plastics, does best.

“There’s a lot of negativity about plastics in today’s climate, but whatever we make lasts 25 years and is typically recycled or recyclable,” he said. “We don’t make or use single-use plastics.”

FNQ Plastics supply and manufacture a versatile range of hardy plastic products and components for domestic, industrial, commercial, scientific, marine and retail/office applications.

Colin’s 31 years of professional experience in the plastics industry includes working with large corporate companies in metropolitan cities through to smaller businesses in regional areas.

When he took over FNQ Plastics 11 years ago, it was just him and two apprentices in a small 400sq m factory.

Today, with his wife Lesley, he employs eight, has moved into a 1100sq m facility and is recognised as being the Far North Queensland specialist in custom designed Perspex and plastic fabrication.

“I’m always learning,” Colin said. “The most exciting thing

about plastic is there’s always new things to learn and do with plastics.”

Colin puts a high priority on keeping his team happy, allowing them to take ownership of their work and upskilling them.

“You have to have the right people to make a successful business,” he said. “I believe in training our team and treating them the way you want to be treated as they are the heartbeat of our business.”

The father of three also believes family is the foundation.

“When your wife and kids are great, then you will be too,” he said.

Colin and wife Lesley are in the midst of planning FNQ’s first plastic recycling factory, which will turn plastic bags and bottles into garden edging, seat beaches, wheel tops, garden beds and a whole dynamic range of products.

“We are excited about this new factory,” he said. “We are at the beginning and it’s a long road, but it’s an exciting challenge and one that is vital for our region. I say bring it on!”

368 Mulgrave Rd, Westcourt Ph: 4054 7488 www.fnqplastics.com.au

Excellent customer service is now the cornerstone of the retail industry.

Audi Centre Cairns dealer principal/director Alan Ren believes that excellent service comes from the ability to listen to the customer and exceed their unique individual expectations.

He has succeeded in doing just that after acquiring the Mulgrave Road franchise last year, which specialises in Audi, Peugeot, Citroen, Foton and used cars.

It is currently ranked number one in the country for Audi aftersales customer service June year to date.

The ‘one stop shop’ is perfect for all your vehicle needs, including new and used vehicles, parts, service and finance.

Alan and his wife Connie and daughter Alana, 4, moved from Sydney when the Audi dealership opportunity arose.

“It was a combination of the dream business opportunity and lifestyle,” he said.

“I’ve always worked for multinational corporations delivering professional services to my clients. I

C i t y L i f e 14 M a g a z i n e

always had a passion for small businesses and taking the step into retail is something I’ve always wanted to do.

“There are a lot of challenges with operating a small business. The key is to empower the team to solve these issues timely by asking the right questions.”

Alan hopes to change the perception of the car industry.

“The perception can be that we are not transparent with our customers,” he said.

“I believe you need integrity and honesty above all else.

Word of mouth is incredibly important in business and life in general.

There might be no short-term benefit but it is the only way to establish a lasting business in the long term.”

The Cairns Audi Centre was ranked the number one Audi franchise in customer service and the fastest growing rural dealer in Audi sales for the first half of this year out of 42 franchisees in the country, an accomplishment Alan is incredibly proud of.

303 Mulgrave Rd Cairns Ph: 4046 6322 www.cairnsauto.com.au

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

TONY RODDA ALLAN’S POOL SHOP

As owner of one of the largest independent pool shops in Australia, Tony Rodda and his wife Elif credit the long-standing success of the city’s first pool shop to a number of things, but there is one main element they believe is the key.

“Without a doubt it’s the knowledge of our employees,” Tony said about his 22 staff. “We have numerous staff members who have been here for decades with some staff serving Allan’s for 30 years. Together, we have over 120 years of combined pool knowledge.

“Having that much knowledge in one place is absolutely invaluable.”

Allan’s Pool Shop, which was the only pool shop in Cairns when it opened in 1981, specialises in pool products, maintenance and pool services, looking after pools for residential, commercial, resorts, agents, body corporates and contractors from Port Douglas to Gordonvale.

As swimming pool designs and features have changed a great deal in the last 37 years since the shop opened, so has the water-chemistry technology and pool-maintenance equipment along with the advancement in pool equipment.

EXPERIENCE THE BEST POOL EQUIPMENT & SPARE PARTS POOL REPAIRS, POOL INSPECTIONS POOL CLEANING SERVICES POOL & SPA CHEMICALS CHLORINATORS, PUMPS & FILTERS WATER TESTING

www.allanspoolshop.com.au 67 ANDERSON STREET, MANUNDA | (07) 4051 9344

C i t y L i f e 15 M a g a z i n e

The range of pumps, filters and chlorinators has vastly improved with technical advancements.

“All our pool technicians now work off iPads and computers when testing the water and chemical levels in pools,” Tony said. “This new system provides much more accurate readings.”

As well as collectively knowing everything there is to know about the pool industry, Allan’s Pool staff members all have Cert 3 and 4 certifications in their specialised fields such as pool servicing, pool maintenance and retail. And to give customers even more peace of mind, all staff also have Police and Blue Card status.

Tony and Elif took over the popular business a year ago after previous owners George and Lucille Jackley retired.

“We have a great relationship with George and Lucille,” Tony said.

“George comes in and does a bit of work for us at times and helps us out with his vast knowledge of the industry, which is great.”

67 Anderson Street, Manunda Ph: 4051 9344 151 Bruce Highway, Edmonton Ph: 4055 4999 www.allanspoolshop.com.au

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

RUSSELL FISHER

MAX STOCK WHOLESALE FOOD SERVICE

As general manager of the highly successful local business Max Stocks Food Service, Russell Fisher is proud of his local roots and his family’s help in growing Far North Queensland’s economy.

The business was purchased by the Fisher family in 1980 as a small outlet to provide a quality wholesale food-distribution service for North Queensland. It has since grown into a large business with 45 staff, 15 refrigerated vehicles and a state-of-the art food-distribution facility.

Max Stocks distributes wholesale frozen, chilled and dry grocery items to restaurants, cafes, hotels, schools, hospitals, nursing homes and entertainment venues from Tully to Thursday Island and west to Kurumba.

“We’re a family-owned company that is up against national companies,” Russell said. “We’ve taken out some great awards, including the 2015 and 2016 Food Service Supplier Association of Australia (FSAA) National Award of Excellence in Regional Queensland, which is great because we’re keeping that money in the community instead of it

347 Little Spence Street Cairns QLD

P 07 4035 3911 F 07 4035 3913

going to other states or offshore to an overseas company.”

Russell oversees all aspects of the business including always looking for ways to improve and expand the business. At the beginning of the year Max Stocks merged with Cairns Ocean Products to offer fresh local seafood to their existing customer base.

“At both Max Stocks Food Service and Cairns Ocean Products we always strive to help our customers succeed and grow so FNQ grows,” Russell said. “We are passionate about the future growth of FNQ to ensure there are jobs for future generations.”

While he’s passionate about the business, the father of two gave one piece of advice that was given to him by a mentor.

“He told me, ‘make time for loved ones,” Russell said. “As most business people work long hours, it is so important to make time for loved ones. The work will always be there tomorrow.”

347 Little Spence Street Ph: 4035 3911 www.maxstocks.com.au

Max Stocks Wholesale Food Service is a locally owned and operated company, distributing wholesale frozen, chilled and dry grocery items direct to the kitchens of leading restaurants, cafes, hotels, schools, health care facilities and sports & entertainment venues.

www.maxstocks.com.au

C i t y L i f e 16 M a g a z i n e

Unsurpassed expertise WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

ROD HARRIS TELEBIZ

JOHN CAMERON CAIRNS JOCKEY CLUB

TeleBiz’s primary activity If anyone knows about is providing complex Telco business Telco solutions in solutions for businesses with FNQ , it’s Rod Harris, owner over 50 different NBN plans of TeleBiz. to choose from, a selection Rod, whose ITC career spans of market-leading phone over 30 years, established systems, discounted VoIP the first mobile phone shop lines and discounted mobile in Cairns in 1989 and was plans utilising Telstra’s appointed the first Telstra superior network Dealer in coverage.

Australia in 1992 which became In addition, Always the largest single TeleBiz is a purchase regional market Telstra dealership electronic leader in supplying outlet nationally.

In 2005, he equipment satellite phones, was appointed representing every from an the first Optus established model on every Master Partner network covering local in Australia Australia and supplier beyond. and established m u l t i p l e advises who can Rod branches across customers to provide Queensland “always purchase and Northern prompt and e l e c t r o n i c Territory. equipment from reliable In 2007, Rod an established ongoing launched TeleBiz local support. who can supplier as an independent provide Telco Broker and prompt and Communications reliable ongoing Service Provider and never support” and “beware of looked back. new market entrants offering “TeleBiz has excellent reseller deals that seem too good to arrangements with multiple be true”. upline Telco market leaders, TeleBiz is constantly which means we can focus recruiting extra staff and 100 per cent on providing expanding nationally via the best and most economical TeleBiz franchisees. solutions for our client’s When not working, Rod, loves specific circumstances,” boating and socialising with said Rod. “Whereas single friends. branded retailers have a much 109 Scott Street, Bungalow smaller range of solutions on Ph: 4040 2000 offer, and one size does not fit www.telebiz.com.au all.”

With a father who was a successful jockey in Melbourne, including having several rides in the Melbourne Cup, John started hanging around race tracks when he a young boy, and he has never left.

He became a jockey himself for a few years and a trainer as well as gaining a Business Degree in Sports.

He has also been GM of the We l l i n g t o n Racing Club and CEO of the Moonee Valley, Gold Coast and Kilmore clubs before joining the Cairns club in December 2015.

His credentials and knowledge have been an enormous benefit to the 105-year-old club, which has been enjoying a revitalisation, thanks to improved track drainage system, record prize money, additional race dates, record sponsorship and increased crowd support.

“It’s just so nice to be part of the Cairns Jockey Club

C i t y L i f e 17 M a g a z i n e

through this boom phase,” John said. “We are now up to 17 races a year and 15 of those are TAB meetings, where previously only seven or eight have been TAB meetings. We also have record prize money this year, and the track is in the best order it has ever been.”

While John has been a driving force behind the revitalisation of the club, he credits the team behind the scenes with its success.

“It’s nice to be part of a team that’s doing exceedingly well,” he said. “The combination we have is really special, and that’s why the club is going so well.”

John admits he does enjoy taking a punt on the races.

“I’ve had a few wins, but probably more losses than wins,” he laughed. “I wouldn’t consider myself a good punter by any means.”

585 Mulgrave Road, Woree Ph: 4054 1203 www.cairnsjockeyclub.com.au

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

KARL LATHAM ELITE REAL ESTATE SERVICES

PHIL CASSELL ECO CIVIL SOLUTIONS

For someone who didn’t know anything about real estate until he started his career, Elite Real Estate Services co-owner Karl Latham has proven that study, determination and hard work do lead to success.

Karl entered the industry in 2008 at PRD Nationwide, which became Elite Real Estate Services in 2010, and soon worked his way up the ranks before taking over the helm with co-owner Troy McGuane two years ago.

“I accidentally fell into real estate,” said Karl, who was named four times on Queensland’s A List, which ranks the state’s top property performers.

“I was a panel beater by trade and after that I wanted to experience what Australia had to offer so I went to work on a farm in the Outback and then worked on a fishing boat on the Gulf of Carpentaria. An ex employer then suggested I try real estate, and he planted the seed.”

While he’s not eligible to be on the A-list any longer because he’s a principal now,

he still lists and sells property.

In fact, he was recently told by a Cairns REA area manager that he is the number one listing agent in Cairns over the last 12 months with 124 properties listed on their realestate.com.au website.

The second agent listed 70.

“It’s not about accolades or awards, but the true reflection of success to me is how many people I have helped,” he said. “We’re here to help people achieve their lifestyle dreams.”

While he still lists and sells properties, his focus since taking over Elite Real Estate Services with Troy has been on modernising the business and training and upskilling staff.

“Our motto of helping people achieve their lifestyle dreams is not just about buyers and sellers,” he said. “It’s also about our staff members and helping them achieve their dreams.”

86 Woodward Street, Edge Hill Ph: 0403 887 645 www.elitecairns.com.au

While Phil Cassell is busy enough as Managing Director of Eco Civil Solutions, he is now spearheading five new projects to help improve employment opportunities and economic growth for the city.

He purchased Cairns Service Centre in December, a mechanical workshop where he hires people over 50 as well as young people as apprentices to get them back into the workforce again.

He also bought 50 per cent of a multi-media company and is planning to open eight franchises in Queensland, employing countless people across many industries.

“The multi-media company is centred around holiday destinations,” he said. “The first site will open in October, so people who want to visit Queensland can plan their whole holiday on that website including booking tours and accommodation.

“My focus is on regional Queensland. I think there are some fantastic employees in these regional areas who just don’t get the opportunities they would in the big cities.

So, let’s give them the opportunities.

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“Some of these people have seen hard days and just need a small step up to get them back into life,” Phil said with a philanthropic tone.

He recently started the NQ Civil Construction Association, an incorporated membership association for the civil construction industry from Mackay to the Torres Strait. He wants to unite the industry and get advocacy to see more r e g i o n a l companies get preference for major projects.

In addition, he has also taken on a 10-year leasehold of the Jones Park Leagues Club, home of the Cairns District Junior Rugby League, to build the club. Further to this, he also bought a sailing yacht that he’s having refurbished, with the intent to offer the sailing club opportunities to use it to train young sailors.

“I’m having a great life with many opportunities,” he said.

“Good people have helped me along the way, and it’s time to pay the karma back for all it has given me. For me, there is certainly satisfaction in doing this.”

Ph: 0418 187 756 www.ecocivilsolutions.com.au

WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

DR BARRY BENNETT BB DENTAL

SERVICES: Preventive Dentistry

Prevention is better than cure, according to dental surgeon Dr Barry Bennett, who has operated his own clinic in Earlville for more than 30 years.

Dr Bennett said it is much better to have regular checkups so any minor dental issues can be detected before they become major concerns.

He and his team at BB Dental pride themselves on being friendly and caring in a relaxed, comfortable environment.

Dr Bennett recommends sixmonthly checkups to ensure the best possible care.

“Early intervention is certainly the most effective strategy,” he said. “That way we can detect small problems early. If they are left for a couple of years they can become major problems.”

If you are scared of visiting the dentist, Dr Bennett and his team are on hand to ensure your experience is as fast, comfortable and painless as possible.

BB

“Some people are anxious when they visit the dentist,” he said. “We are as gentle as we can be and they usually realise it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be.

Dental techniques have also improved significantly over the years.

“We use relaxation techniques such as breathing deeply through their nose, distracting them and informing them what’s happening. We even have laughing gas to help them relax.”

Dentistry is a career Dr Bennett certainly loves, after more than 30 years.

“I love the variety and range of things I do,” he said. “I don’t just specialise in one thing. I also have a number of patients I have known for years who have become friends. I believe if you do the right thing by people, they will treat you well in return.”

46 Balaclava Rd Earlville Ph: 4054 1255 www.barrybennettdental.com.au

Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

DENTAL

Root Canal Therapy (Endodontics)

Implants, Crowns & Bridges

Minor Oral Surgery & Dentures

Thanks to advances in dental technology, patients no longer have to dread root canal therapy. Endodontic treatment is much more comfortable and successful, although we do offer sedation options for patients nervous about treatment.

Ph: 4054 1255

info@barrybennettdental.com.au

www.barrybennettdental.com.au

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WORDS BY JANIE BARTON

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

CARE CHIROPRACTIC QUEENSLAND

CAIRNS AVIATION SKILLS CENTRE

Starting from humble beginnings working one day a week out of a shed in Malanda, Drs Jim Ainsley and Matt Jacob have built Care Chiropractic Queensland (CCQ) into the success it is today with practices now in Cairns, Mareeba, Malanda and Innisfail.

It started in n 2012, when Dr Jim returned to native soil in Far North Queensland a f t e r practicing chiropractic and consulting in Europe. He had made a promise to a keen chiropractic student, Matt, that the two would start a practice when Matt finished college at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic.

And so they did. They partnered with Dr Tim Jack, a fellow classmate of Dr Matt’s who now runs the Malanda practice, and together serve all members of the four communities, including newborns, multi-generational families, seniors and athletes.

The CCQ Cairns clinic started in the suburban outdoors on Dr Jim’s back patio, and soon outgrew its premises and moved to McLeod St. From there, CCQ purchased its existing

CHRIS PIGOTT

practice on Aumuller Street, where it operates six days a week.

The CCQ Innisfail practice started with longstanding patients who had been travelling from the Tablelands to see Dr Jim. The chiropractors soon introduced a monthly road trip with stops between Cairns and Mission Beach, where they would stop in at patients’ houses along the way to care for the patients and their families. After an existing practice in Innisfail closed, CCQ Innisfail officially opened and included those patients.

In 2018, after six years together, Dr Jim is passing the reigns to Drs Matt and Tim and wishes them well looking after the patients.

CCQ strives to provide the highest quality chiropractic care and is supported by the delivery of workshops on spinal care, nutrition and family health. Their goal is to create vibrant families within our communities.

CCQ Cairns 165 Aumuller St, Bungalow Ph 4051 2988 www.carechiropracticqld.com.au

Chris Pigott is passionate about helping people gain a career in aviation.

The Business Manager for Cairns Aviation Skills Centre (CASC), a position he’s held for 12 years, says the time is perfect to pursue a career in the industry.

“Airbus just published their forecast for aircraft orders, and they’re predicting an additional 15,895 aircraft in the next 20 years in our Asia Pacific region,” he said. “That is an additional 794 aircraft a year for the next 20 years. The airlines are going to need a lot of trained aircraft engineers and pilots to look after these new aircraft.”

CASC is a purpose-built aviation training centre of excellence offering internationally-recognised aviation qualifications.

It currently trains 40 apprentices from FNQ and 43 from the Northern Territory. Students from over 14 countries have been trained in Cairns, and CASC currently also conducts Cert 2 high school programs and Certificate 4 in Avionics and Mechanical.

“Aviation is vital to Cairns,” Chris said. “Without aviation

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the whole place stops. We conduct aircraft engineer training for the Australian and European authorities, so our graduates can work anywhere in the world.”

To help promote a career in the industry, CASC, Cairns Airport, Hawker Pacific and the aviation industry are hosting a Cairns Airport’s Careers Day August 26 from 9am to noon.

“It’s free to attend,” Chris said.

“Representatives from all the operators here at the airport will attend, and we’ll have about 20 aircraft on display that the public can actually access.”

As a former apprentice himself, Chris is highly supportive of giving people the best training possible.

“All of the instructors at CASC are highly qualified aircraft engineers with many years’ experience and we try and pass on as much knowledge as we can to the students to help them and produce the best apprentices we possibly can for the industry,” he said.

1 Tom McDonald Drive, Cairns Airport Ph: 4034 8101 www.aviationaustralia.aero

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

LAURIE AND DENNIS MANNING MANNING’S PIES

A picture of Laurie and Dennis Manning taken when they were kids hanging around the business and happily eating pies hangs on a wall in the reception area of Manning’s Pies. While many things have changed since that photo was taken, some things have remained the same.

The two brothers, directors of the 82-year-old business, still smile when the bite into a Manning’s Pie, which they do at least once a day.

But instead of hanging around the business, the two are now handson in running it.

They both work nights in the kitchen making 26 varieties of pies and sausage rolls, and they have also started making fresh bread and buns this year. With 3000 pies made daily, they also have seven others helping them in the kitchen.

Both started working at the business, which was started by their grandfather in 1936, while they were in high school.

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“We still have friends from school who come in to buy pies,” Laurie said. “Some even come in every day.”

While the basic recipe for the pies is based on their grandfather’s original meat pie recipe, ingredients have changed over the years and new creations, such as curry pies, have been added. Their most popular are the beef steak and curry pies.

Manning’s Pies can be found throughout North Queensland at petrol stations and IGA stories, to name some of the outlets. They are also handily available from privately-owned vans which sell them on the side of the road.

“The secret to the success of the pies is that we use good-quality local meat and good-quality ingredients inside each home-baked pastry,” Dennis said. “That’s why we have so many regular customers who have been coming here for years.”

194-196 Newell Street Bungalow Ph: 4054 3077

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

GARRY GILHOLM ASR COLLISION SPECIALISTS

MORGANS FINANCIAL LIMITED

Little did Garry Gilholm realise when he opened a small repair shop with a couple of hand tools and a strong work ethic 40 years ago that he would grow his business to be one of the most highly respected vehicle accident repair specialists in Cairns.

Owner of ASR Collison Specialists, formerly known as Airport Smash Repairs, Garry now employ 35 staff and has two facilities including the addition of a customised aluminium repair facility in its Cairns branch in 2016 to become a Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Australia Factory A p p r o v e d Repairers.

“Garry is constantly learning and always expanding his knowledge,” said manager Corey Croft.

“He’s dedicated to being the best and most reliable vehicle accident repair business in Cairns.”

ASR, which also has a facility in Edmonton, has expertise in repairing all makes and models as well as prestige vehicles including Mercedes Benz, BMW, AUDI and Volkswagen.

MICHAEL RYAN

Thanks to Garry’s longstanding and trustworthy reputation, ASR Collision is also an approved repairer for major insurance companies including Suncorp, AAMI, AIPA, Allianz, CGU and NRMA, to name just a few.

Garry, who is also involved in the Motor Trade Association Queensland (MTAQ), is a firm believer in apprenticeships, which is why he always has at least one apprentice on board and currently has three.

Corey said Garry’s success stems from not only his industry knowhow but his oldfashioned work ethic.

“Garry works hard and encourages all workers to do the same,” said Corey. “He’s also always trying to be innovative and in 2017 won a MTAQ innovation award for the customised aluminium repair facility.

“He also moves with the times, embraces technology and doesn’t rest on his laurels.”

31-33 Moffat Street, North Cairns Ph: 4053 5335 57 Swallow Road, Edmonton Ph: 4045 1645 www.asrcollision.com.au

Helping clients realise their investment objectives is what Michael Ryan does best.

The principal and branch manager of Cairns’ Morgans Financial Limited, which started in Cairns in 1987, has been a trustworthy financial expert with Morgans for over 25 years.

“We advise experienced professional investors as well as novice investors finding their way in the market,” he said. “We pride ourselves on providing client-focused advice based on thorough r e s e a r c h , c o m p re h e n s i ve c o m p a n y knowledge and many years of experience in the Australian share market.”

The married father of four adult children loves helping clients achieve successful outcomes.

He prides himself on providing sound objective advice based on informed analysis and prudent judgment.

“It is both humbling and exciting to be able to provide financial advice and have a special relationship with two and three generations of the one family,” he said.

He is also proud of his team including brokers Iain Cooper and Kellie Kennett, who have been with him for 16 years, and financial planner Matt Carlsen, who joined four years ago.

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Together they offer expertise and experience in generating clientfocussed strategies to help grow financial portfolios.

“They’ve all been instrumental to the success of the business,” said Michael, whose interest in the industry developed when he started investing himself. His own personal experience is why his advice to clients is always based on a genuine understanding of their individual investment goals.

“We take the time to understand whether a client is looking for income or growth investments or a combination of both, whether they are heading into retirement or just starting out on the road to wealth creation,” he said.

Michael is also a life member of the Cairns Surf Lifesaving Club, an avid swimmer and surfer, a life member of Tobruk Pool and is a keen A-grade golfer.

“We love living in Cairns,” said Michael, who grew up at Southport and travelled all over the world. “It’s just such a beautiful place.”

Michael Ryan Authorised Representative: 000259344 Morgans Financial Limited ABN 49 010 669 726 AFSL 235410 A Participant of ASX Group, Professional Partner of the Financial Planning Association of Australia Level 15, 15 Lake Street, Cairns Ph: 4222 0555 www.morgans.com.au/cairns

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

JOHN YOUNG

IMMIGRATION AGENTS CAIRNS

Helping change people’s lives for the better is what drives John Young, owner and founder of Immigration Agents Cairns.

John, who has been a migration agent for 29 years, has helped thousands of people across all walks of life make Australia their home.

“I like the satisfaction of getting someone residency, and I love the satisfaction of changing someone’s life,” he said.

His expertise is exceptional. He was formally a Director of the Migration Institute of Australia and an Associate Fellow and former director of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. He was also the Victorian President of the MIA and National Vice President for more than six years.

He moved to Far North Queensland from Melbourne in 2004 and soon after started Immigration Agents Cairns.

“John Young is the real immigration guru in Far North Queensland,” said Ethan Buxton.

“My partner and I came to John after tirelessly searching for a migration agent with experience, confidence and an understanding of our complex situation.

“John provided an exceptional level of knowledge regarding our complicated case, and he had a complete understanding of what would be required for a favourable outcome.”

John handles every type of visa and is also highly successful at achieving positive results with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for those whose visa applications were not successful.

The Immigration Department in Australia makes changes and finetunes the regulations at least three times a year to keep up with the demand for overseas workers and family members who want to join their Australian extended family or for the demand for migration.

“There are a lot of changes that have affected people, which is why I make sure I’m constantly up to date with the legislation, and my staff and I continually undergo professional development,” John said. “It’s just a wonderful feeling to help people.”

2/196 Sheridan Street Ph: 4041 3955 www.immigrationagency.com.au

The Department of Home Affairs Immigration and Border Protection makes changes and fine-tunes the regulations at least three times a year to keep up with the demand for overseas workers, family members who want to join their Australian extended family or the demand for migration. At the moment there is a trend towards encouraging more graduates from Australian colleges and trade schools to remain in Australia.

John Young has 29 years experience as a Migration Agent, and was formally a Director of the Migration Agents Registration Authority and an Associate Fellow of the Migration Institute of Australia.

2/196 Sheridan Street, Cairns Qld 4870 P 07 4041 3955 www.immigrationagency.com.au John Preston Young Migration Agents registration number 9251554

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WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

DUANE CASH CAIRNS CITY TATTOO Duane Cash is well established in the tattoo industry after opening his first shop when he was just 17.

The director and owner of Cairns City Tattoo has come a long way since then, and he now proudly operates three shops in the Cairns CBD. “I have proven consistent quality and I’ve been around a long time,” Duane said.

“We have always been the premier tattoo studio in Cairns - we’ve been operating for 35 years.

“I’m even starting on the next generation - people are now coming to me after their parents recommended me. They said: ‘You can only go to Duane’. I guess it’s better the devil you know.

“I think it’s important that you treat people right, you keep it real and you don’t overcharge customers.”

Cairns City Tattoo offers street shop tattoos and custom designs, as well as laser tattoo removal, modifications and piercings.

Designs range from realism, traditional Japanese, body suits, mandalas and tribal.

“People want to get something that means something to

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them personally,” Duane said.

“They want something that will last and something that will look good. All styles are done to suit the customer’s request.

“Body suits take a lot of time and dedication on the part of the customer, so when it comes together you get a good feeling.”

Cairns City Tattoo is popular with locals, interstate residents and also backpackers who wish to have a souvenir of their time in Cairns.

The art of tattooing is in the blood for Duane, whose father and uncle were also tattoo artists.

Duane operates Cairns City Tattoo in Shields St and Grafton St, as well as FNQ Tattoo in Abbott St. He leads an incredibly busy life, with his other business interests including a boat yard, a superyacht supply company and commercial rental properties, as well as attending tattooing conventions.

26-28 Shields St Cairns City Ph: 4041 1669 www.cairnscitytattoo.com @cashtattoo, @cairnscitytattoo Cairns City Tattoo

A POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP George Thirkell and Enrico Bulic

George Thirkell and Enrico Bulic have been involved in the design and engineering of some the region’s best buildings.

He has worked with many of the local architects and makes their projects come to life, so you can get a real sense of the design.

Their new partnership combines the art and science of architecture and engineering to deliver 3D virtual developments incorporating structural elements, materials, engineering data and analysis as well as material quantities. This helps reduce project cost and associated risks as well as seamlessly communicate design intent.

“There’s not much that Enrico can’t do with design software, so much so that he has trained others to use it for many years.”

“We partnered together to provide expert knowledge and visualisation capabilities,” said George. “Our clients will have a 3D virtual development to study and refine. The integration of engineering into a 3D computer generated model enables reliable structural analysis, building costings, reduces risk and saves time and fees for our clients.”

George explains that both he and Enrico will be the first to offer their combined expertise in a Cairns based business that is accessible, affordable and available for all building types and projects.

George and Enrico recently met to talk about Cairns, the construction industry and where they saw their future. Both agreed that it was time to sell their combined skills as local construction professionals rather than this business going to non-Cairns based companies.

“Enrico’s work has a real wow factor that you can only get from his 20 plus years of experience,” George said. “I believe he is our region’s leading 3D visualiser and software expert for architectural design and structural engineering construction documentation.

George explains that traditionally architects and engineers operate separately, but when closely integrated can provide an end-to-end service.

“We like to innovate and provide a better outcome and service for our clients by reducing the time it takes and the overall costs involved,” he said.

“Today, we’re very technology centric,” Enrico said. “We model something up in 3D, do all the structural design in 3D and then we also use that same model for marketing, so we bring all that 3D information and animations over to the marketing side. Having that end-to-end design and marketing aspect is unique, especially in North Queensland.”

George, who started award-winning Thirkell Consulting Engineers in 2004, is a structural and civil engineer with qualifications and experience as a building designer. He has over 25 years of experience in the industry and has delivered well over 1000 projects for businesses, families, community organisations and government.

He has engineered some of Cairns’ major buildings and structures including Skyrail, Yorkey’s Knob Marina and Boat Club, House on the Hill Apartments and Port Village shopping centre. He has

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SERVICES PROVIDED: • Scheme design and design development, • 3D visualisation and automation, • Structural and civil engineering, • RPEQ Certification and Form 15 & 16 certificates, • Construction drawings, • 2D drafting, • Material specification documentation,

• Inspection and reports, • Contract negotiation and documentation, • Scope of works documents, • Building inspections: prepurchase and construction administration, • Expert witness services, • Development and building applications and approval administration and • Feasibility and desk studies

THIRKELL BULIC ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERS WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTOS BY CATHERINE COOMBS

also provided construction engineering services for the Cairns Convention Centre and Royal Harbour to name a few.

His work experience in the UK includes cutting-edge buildings such as the iconic Swiss-Re ‘gherkin’ building in the city of London and formula one cars McLaren’s European headquarters in Woking.

Both George and Enrico’s wives are hands-on in the business, bringing their own wealth of experience and adding complementary skills.

Hong Bulic models and designs soft furnishings and plants.

“It’s great that Hong can complete the design to such detail that you see the interior of the project before it has been built,” George said. “Hong’s landscape architecture work is outstanding.

“Hong and Enrico must have developed about the best presentation of tropical flora and fauna that there is. Bringing the building’s alive with the tropical beauty of the surroundings alongside can be very powerful, especially knowing the drawings are also detailed right down to the engineering.”

She compiles and administrates client’s development applications and building approval documentation. She also carries out the business’s administration duties including accounting and marketing.

George and Emma own and operate www.tropicalbuild.com.au, a resource for building sustainably in the tropics, and have worked with economic development agencies, government and industry stakeholders to develop buildings that are appropriate for our tropical climate.

Caio Galvao, who is also part of the team, specialises as an engineering technician and draftsperson. Caio is from Brazil and speaks Portuguese. Jack Robinson adds his skills as a building designer. Jack is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in building design with Central Queensland University.

The team has a proven track record in the industry. The company is prequalified with Local Governments Local Buy, the Queensland Government and body corporate managers. They deliver services throughout the North Queensland, PNG and Pacific Island region and have developed long-standing and trusting relationships with suppliers and building contractors.

Hong also speaks Mandarin to assist Chinese clients.

Emma Thirkell has a business degree from the University of Queensland and is registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. She has over 25 years of experience including property valuation and development.

Suite 6, 36-38 Grafton Street, Cairns admin@thirkell.com.au Ph: 4032 5335

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YEAR 5 STUDENTS AT MACKILLOP AND PRINCIPAL, LUKE REED ARE EXCITED FOR YEAR 7 IN 2020.

NEW KINDY AND DAY CARE TAKES MACKILLOP FROM BIRTH TO YEAR 12 MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter

The construction fencing is up, machinery is in action and excitement is in the air as Cairns Catholic Education’s new long day-care centre prepares for opening in 2019 on the grounds of MacKillop Catholic College at Mount Peter.

The MacKillop Catholic Early Learning and Care will care for children through to school age, including babies, toddlers and kindy kids and will be situated adjacent to the College’s Prep playground and near the Outside School Hours Care facility.

The centre, which will be beautifully appointed and landscaped to allow day-care and Prep students to interact in a safe and natural environment, will also have a Kindy program for four-year-old children to help them prepare for a smooth transition into ‘big school’.

“Parents are delighted,” said MacKillop Principal Luke Reed. “All of the children from a family can come to this one place and be cared for. Working parents who have children at the school who are in outside school hours care know their youngest children will be well catered for right next door in the long day care centre.”

The new long day care will have places for 81 children and will be open from 6.30am to 6.30pm. It will offer full-time and sessional kindy programs, starting at 8.15am to allow

parents to settle their children in, and will finish at 2.45pm to coincide with the school finishing time.

“I think that’s a wonderful service,” MacKillop principal Luke Reed said. “The earlier start and later finish times gives parents that extra time to travel to and from work in the city.”

The construction of the long day care won’t be the only building happening at MacKillop this year as Stage 3 planning is well advanced for additional primary school spaces and initial secondary school facilities in 2020.

“Effectively, this creates an environment of learning and care for children from birth through to school-age within the long day care and kindy centre, from Prep to Year 6 in our primary sector and then in secondary from Year 7 (in 2020) through to finishing school in Year 12,” Principal Reed said.

Stage 3 will include two additional prep classrooms, a multipurpose classroom, student amenities, staff amenities, a fullsize undercover sports court with associated change rooms, another tuckshop facility and additional administrative facilities. It will so include a specialist Secondary School facility for Design, Arts, Technology and Science (DATS) building incorporating 15 innovative learning areas.

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“Our enrolment policy will prioritise a place in our Secondary program for students from our neighbouring Catholic primary schools,” he said.

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Principal Reed encouraged parents with children at other Catholic schools in the area, including St Michael’s, Gordonvale and St Therese’s, Bentley Park, to not move their child out of fear of missing a place at MacKillop for secondary schooling.

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“There’s been a lot of demand,” Principal Reed said. “At the end of last year, we decided to increase our classes, so this year we have three Prep classes and three Year 1s and two groups each in Years 2-5. It’s been a very rapid growth, not only with the number of students and families, but also with the number of teachers, support staff and specialty teachers.”

Enrolments for the new Catholic Early Learning and Care and Year 7 are now taking place. Contact admin@ccelc. catholic.org.au for the new long day care centre and office. mountpeter@cns.catholic.edu.au for MacKillop College.

Principal Reed said everyone in the school community is excited to be part of the college’s growth.

“It’s a wonderful time for everyone,” he said. “Our students are so proud of the tradition they’re creating; our staff are very eager to help form our young people into effective learners and support them to mature into their best selves; and our families are delighted that their children can join us from birth in the long day care right through to young adulthood.”

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Eventually the college will have four streams throughout primary level and six streams from Year 7 to 12.

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“The buildings that we create in this phase will cater for our growth in 2020 for Year 7. Every two years after that we will build again until complete. Our first year 12 students will graduate in 2025, and some of those students are already with us in Year 5.”

Date

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“It’s a massive building program that we need in order to provide the facilities required to deliver a state-of-the-art contemporary secondary education program,” Principal Reed said.

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MacKillop Catholic College 1 MacKillop Road, Mount Peter Ph: 4045 5252 www.mackillopcatholiccollege.qld.edu.au

PAVING TYPE 1 - SOFT BROOM FINISH, CCS OXIDE COLOUR TBA PAVING TYPE 2 - SOFT BROOM FINISH, CCS OXIDE COLOUR TBA PAVING TYPE 3 - EXPOSE AGGREGATE COLOUR D CONCRETE. COLOUR ED TBA STONE MULCH

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INSIDE THE PLANNE

MacKillop to be the birth to Year 12 solution MacKillop Catholic Early Learning & Care opening early 2018 Enrolment Expressions of Interest to: admin@ccelc.catholic.org.au

Year 7 in 2020 Enrolment Expressions of Interest to: office.mountpeter@cns.catholic.edu.au

Come Join Us! MacKillop Catholic College

Catholic Early Learning and Care

1 MacKillop Road, Mount Peter

Ph: 4046 5679

Ph 4045 5252

www.ccelc.catholic.org.au

www.mackillopcatholiccollege.qld.edu.au

Don’t let the myths around Catholic school enrolment stop you from securing your place…

Head to our Mythbusting FAQs page to find out… ✽ Do Catholic schools have catchment areas?

✽ How much Religious Education is there?

✽ Is there a quota for Catholics and non-Catholics?

✽ What can a Catholic School offer my child?

✽ Who can enrol?

✽ What support is there for my child?

✽ When should I apply?

✽ Are Catholic schools expensive?

✽ How do I apply?

✽ What if I can’t afford it?

✽ Does my child need to be Catholic?

✽ How do Catholic schools differ from private and independent schools?

✽ Do we need to be Catholic? ✽ If my child isn’t Catholic, will they feel left out?

✽ Why are there fees?

www.cns.catholic.edu.au/mythbusting-FAQs

Have other questions you’d like answered?

Email communications@cns.catholic.edu.au Want information and contact details of all Catholic schools in the Cairns region?

Visit cns.catholic.edu.au/our-schools

CATHOLIC SCHOOL ENROLMENT

Do Cairns Catholic schools have catchment areas?

No. There are no geographical boundaries to attending any of the 29 Catholic schools and colleges in the Cairns diocese.

Is there a quota of Catholics and non-Catholics?

No, despite this long-standing myth, there has never been a defined percentage of non-Catholic students that a school must enrol. Each enrolment is assessed on its merits against the enrolment criteria.

Who can enrol?

Catholic schools are welcoming to all including those from culturally diverse backgrounds, those who seek to deepen their faith in a Catholic context, those from backgrounds of marginalisation and disadvantage and those with disability. Enrolment positions are offered on a school-byschool basis, depending upon availability and application.

When should I apply?

Enrolment procedures can vary from school to school, as individual schools manage their own enrolments. Generally, enrolment offers for Prep are made in Term 2 or 3 for the following year, although applications are welcome at any time. It is best to contact the school directly to find out when to apply.

How do I apply?

Application to many schools can now be done online, from either the Cairns Catholic Education website or the school’s website. Printed forms can be obtained from each school or downloaded from the school website.

Does my child need to be Catholic?

No, students in Catholic schools are from a variety of religious backgrounds. Catholic schools are welcoming to all who seek and support their values.

Do we need to be Catholic?

No, parents or guardians of a student do not need to be Catholic for the student to enrol.

If my child isn’t Catholic, will they feel left out?

Not at all. Classroom teaching of religion and the religious life of the school are respectful of all learners and is based on the foundational belief in the dignity of every person.

How much Religious Education is there?

It is a requirement that 2.5 hours per week of religion teaching is provided in both primary and secondary schools. Hence there are 27.5 contact

C i t y L i f e 32 M a g a z i n e

Cairns Catholic Education Services www.cns.catholic.edu.au/mythbusting-FAQs Ph: 4050 9700

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON ILLUSTRATION BY PEMBROKE GRAPHICS

hours in a Catholic school compared to a government school which is required to have 25. The approach taken respects learners and promotes critical thinking, leading to a richer appreciation of self and others.

What can a Catholic school offer my child?

Catholic schools are known for their high standards, the quality, faith and values-based education they provide and the broad range of academic and vocational outcomes available. A holistic education provides for the full development of each student – intellectually, spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically. Catholic schools are welcoming, inclusive, and connected communities where respect for self and others is paramount. The resulting good behaviour creates environments where quality learning and teaching can take place. Students are encouraged to value diversity, develop a sense of social justice and become valued, contributing members of society.

What support is there for my child?

Support is available to all students including collaboration with parents, learning support, tailored learning plans, social and emotional learning programs, extension plans for gifted and talented, counselling and access to specialist services such as psychology, speech language pathology, occupational therapy and numeracy and literacy coaching. Supported enrolments are available for students with a disability, medical diagnosis, history of difficulty with learning or concern with speech, hearing or vision.

Are Catholic schools expensive?

Catholic schools remain an affordable option for most families and are surprisingly more affordable than some may realise. The fees are

comparable with, if not less than, kindy fees and compare very favourably with private schools. Discounts for siblings and country areas apply and there is an automatic 70% fee concession for concession card holders.

New or existing families who don’t have a concession card but are experiencing genuine financial difficulty are encouraged to seek special consideration from the Principal. These requests are treated with respect, dignity and confidentiality.

What if I can’t afford it?

Don’t let this be a barrier. Catholic schools balance the need to charge fees with their historic role of providing access to quality schooling for all.

No child is denied a Catholic education based on their family’s financial situation.

How do Catholic schools differ from private and independent schools?

The mission and ethos of Catholic schools to live the Gospel values of Jesus Christ permeates all aspects of Catholic school life. Because of their outreaching focus and preferential option for the poor and disadvantaged, Catholic schools seek to keep fees as low as possible to allow access to a Catholic education for families who seek it.

Why are there fees?

Fees and levies are necessary to make up for the shortfall in government funding that is provided for a child in a Catholic school, compared to funding for a child in a state school. By having the freedom to choose a Catholic school for their child, parents are effectively helping the government fund their child’s education through the school fees and levies they pay.

C i t y L i f e 33 M a g a z i n e

THE DIGITAL CURRENCY REVOLUTION The rise of digital currencies like Bitcoin has been a hotly debated news story, with skyrocketing prices throughout 2017 generating global media interest and while the market has since given up some of those gains, one small Cairns startup is banking on the success of this emerging technology.

Bitcoin, which was invented in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto, is just one of thousands of new, digital currencies that have emerged in recent years -- a fintech gold rush -- fueled by the race to iterate on Bitcoin’s underlying technology blockchain.

This explosive growth has taken a relatively niche product from the domain of tech enthusiasts and hacker-types and thrust it onto the global stage, generating a new asset class with a market capitalization hovering around USD$300bn according to website CoinMarketCap. Ben August is a professional currency trader based in Cairns and comments on this recent market growth saying that “while Bitcoin had been around for a few years, it wasn’t until around 2015 -- when the volume in these markets started to pick up -- that I really became interested and started looking into this space.”

Ben is now the CEO of local fintech startup Massblock -- a software company that develops tools for traders who are operating in the digital currency markets.

“Coming from a background in forex markets, I was carving out a living by going to battle against hedge funds and algorithms for a slice of market movements totalling just a few percent.“

“Then along comes cryptocurrency, where we regularly see movements of hundreds or even thousands of percent. It was exciting.

It was like the Wild West out there and that kind of environment is a traders dream.”

It’s this very volatility that created headlines throughout last year and drew the attention of traders, regulators and pundits alike, with some detractors going as far as to call Bitcoin a scam and more reasonable commentators comparing it the Tulip Mania of the Dutch golden age.

Indeed, the advent of instant, cross-border, anonymous payments has presented a headache for regulators across the globe, with some governments like China making moves to ban the use of digital currencies entirely.

Australian regulators have been much more welcoming of this new technology and the industry that is springing up around it, with the ATO, ASIC and AUSTRAC all working on guidance and legislation to help create a safe operating environment for Aussie consumers and businesses.

Merchant adoption is growing as well, with a number of cafes, newsagents and post offices installing payment terminals around the Cairns CBD.

Jamieson Baker (left) and Ben August (right).

Co-founders of Massblock.

While the rise of digital currencies has the potential to revolutionise banking, tourism and other sectors, investing in assets like Bitcoin isn’t without risk, as Ben August cautions.

“Whilst the tools and the regulations are getting better, we’re still very early to this.”

“It’s like when the first car was designed -- it was designed to be driven with reigns, which made sense, right? It’s how we’d been driving things for thousands of years. It wasn’t until later on that someone comes up with the idea for the steering wheel.”

The appeal of a truly global currency for consumers is an easy one to grasp and Cairns is the ideal candidate for this kind of technology, given our strong tourism sector.

“Bitcoin is like that car with reigns. We’ve got this revolutionary technology, but the tools we’re using to drive it still need work. We’re still figuring out how some of these innovations are going to play out.”

A global currency like Bitcoin allows for payment at local vendors whilst traveling without the need for expensive currency conversion fees when compared to cash or credit cards.

“I would urge anyone who is interested in digital currencies to just make sure they’re doing their research and understanding the technology before getting involved.”

Brisbane-based startup TravelByBit recently inked a deal with the Brisbane Airport to install digital currency payment terminals in vendors within the airport that allow travellers to purchase their coffee and paperback in on one of twelve different cryptocurrencies -- a model that could easily be emulated here in Cairns.

C i t y L i f e 34 M a g a z i n e

Massblock is a Cairns based company providing tools and education around digital currencies and tokenized assets. For more information, you can visit the website (https://massblock. io) or find Massblock on Facebook (facebook. com/massblock.io) or Twitter (twitter.com/ massblock_io).

GIRL POWER WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK PHOTOS BY JANELLE GEARY-EDEN

Cairns is home to a BMX world champion after Gordonvale student Portia Eden won the 2018 BMX World Championships in Azerbaijan.

The 11-year-old won the title in her age category for the second time, after winning the championships in Colombia in 2016.

Portia has competed in six world championships, securing podium finishes in all six. She completed her first USA Grands challenge race last year.

“After just coming back from two broken arms with two weeks until race day and securing a third place in 10 year girls was pretty fantastic,” she said.

“Putting on an Australian jersey is such a privilege and when I hear my name and country being introduced before a final I feel like the proudest Aussie in the world.”

Portia has been racing since the age of two. “My dad loved riding so he took us down to the track,” she said.

“I picked up my brother’s bike and without training wheels I started riding it like a duck to water.”

Portia loves to prove to other girls that it is possible to achieve your dreams.

“When you train as much as I do and you focus every day on what it would feel like to win and that vision actually becomes a reality there is no greater feeling, “ she said.

“I believe in not giving up but going out there with something to prove and showing other girls it’s possible, just keep believing you can achieve your dreams.

“When I started I was the only girl racing five-year-old boys but girls are making a big impact and the female riders are just as competitive.”

The next big race for Portia is the BMX State titles in Brisbane in September, while the Grands in the USA is also on the cards in November, and eventually the Olympics.

C i t y L i f e 35 M a g a z i n e

“When you focus on what it would feel like to win and that vision actually becomes a reality there is no greater feeling.”

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

DANIEL MACCARTHY KATTER’S AUSTRALIA PARTY As a father of five and soon-to-be grandfather, Katter’s Australia Party (KAP) candidate for Leichhardt Daniel McCarthy is focussed on improving the future opportunities for young North Queenslanders.

“My vision is really about creating a North Queensland where more young people can embrace greater opportunities to fulfil their dreams and futures here rather than having to go down south,” he said.

Daniel, who has been living in Cairns for 33 years, is married to Rayleen, who is Head of Special Education Services at a local college.

Both are also passionate about health care and improving the health care industry.

“With aging parents needing various levels of care coupled with Rayleen being a recent cancer survivor, we certainly understand some of the issues facing many people,” Daniel said.

(GBRMPA) tourism and recreational advisory committee, a decade as president of the Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association, chairman of the Cairns Game Fishing Hall of Fame and in the Cairns Game Fishing Commemorative Association, which installed the Giant Black Marlin statue in the marlin Marina in 2016 as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Daniel’s love of the water prompted his interest in politics.

“Back in the early 2000s when the government decided they were going to rezone the GBRMP, it became obvious, early on that the outcome was going to be purely a political decision. It was not based on science and certainly not made in the best interest of people who are responsibly using our marine resources,” he said.

This prompted some friends of Dan’s to form the Fishing party, which evolved into the Fishing & Lifestyle Party. Because of the political pressure they applied, they were able to get then Prime Minister John Howard to commit $250 million compensation to businesses that were negatively affected by that outcome.

“Clearly we need to do more to care for our elderly as well as continue to streamline the health system.

People who are unwell need to concentrate on recovering, rather than stressing over the costs and other frustrations, including travelling far away from their homes and the long wait times for services.”

“We’ve got the third largest territorial sea in Australia and yet we have one of the absolute lowest commercial harvests of any country,” he said. “I’m certainly not someone who wants to see our seas and our natural resources on the land exploited, but we have to utilise them responsibly and sustainably.

While growing up, Daniel lived in three different countries while his father served with the Australian Defence Force. While he says it was hard sometimes moving every 12-18 months, it exposed him to a lot of different cultures.

“It has given me a good balance and armed me with lots of different tools which I take into my political life as well,” he said. “I respect and can relate to people, regardless if it is sitting on a street corner talking with someone who is struggling or to the prime minister.”

His family, including two brothers and a sister, settled in Cairns when he was 13 and where he attended St Augustine’s College. His parents and sister are still here, and he says his feet are firmly planted in Cairns.

“North Queensland is an amazing place,” he said. “I love the climate, the fishing, going bush and going out to the reef. I just love everything about it.”

Daniel has never been afraid of hard work. After completing school at St Augustine’s, he started work the very next day on the Cairns slipway.

He worked as a commercial fisherman and a charter boat deckhand, then spent five years working for the Fisheries Department conducting surveillance, enforcement, patrolling rivers, the reef, Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria. He has spent the last 25 years as a charter boat operator.

He also started a lawn mowing run from scratch and commonly held a couple of jobs at a time to supplement his income when his kids were young.

He has dedicated much of his free time to voluntary positions on industry committees including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s

“Our politicians have little on-the-water experience and don’t understand our ocean. For too long they have been manipulated by foreign lobby groups. We need more members of parliament with marine expertise. We don’t need public servants in Canberra telling us what to do. We can make up our own mind and manage our own back yard.”

Daniel ran as an independent for the seat of Leichhardt last election, and this year joined KAP. “The big issues people want fixed is the excessive cost of living caused by increasing electricity, insurance and fuel bills,” he said. “Also, the cost of more regulations is really hurting businesses. I strongly support improving public infrastructure that helps business grow, like the Cairns sea port.

“The Katter’s Australian Party have a great future. We are focussing getting all levels of government to work together for North Queensland to get our fair share.”

When not on the campaign trail, Daniel and his family enjoy being outdoors camping, fishing and being on the reef.

“North Queensland is the most amazing place in the whole world,” he said. “We are blessed with the Great Barrier Reef and with amazing natural resources on the Cape and in the Peninsula. The potential here is incredible.”

C i t y L i f e 36 M a g a z i n e

DAN & KAP’S 10-POINT PLAN F O R

L E I C H H A R D T:

ELECTRICITY COSTS: Deliver a competitive, subsidy free market to lower prices and eliminate GST on bills.

INSURANCE COSTS: Put a STOP to insurance premium price gouging in North Queensland.

CRIME: Allow judges to use relocation sentencing to deal with youth offenders.

HEALTH: Upgrade Cairns Hospital funding to tertiary status

SAFETY: Deliver the KAP Safer Waterways Bill to reduce crocodile numbers.

SEA PORT, DEFENCE & IMMIGRATION: Dredge the port of Cairns and amend the Reef 2050 plan for the ports future. Expand HMAS Cairns and increase border protection for defence, immigration, resources and health in the Torres Strait.

ROADS: Fund infrastructure to stop congestion and extend the national highway to Smithfield. Seal the 210 kms left of the Peninsula Development Road. Lower the cost of road freight and triple road trains to Cape York. Build a bridge over the Jardine River.

WATER SECURITY: Lead the fight for the dams and open agricultural land on Cape York.

LAND SECURITY: Secure land titles so indigenous people can establish business and improve their futures

GREAT BARRIER REEF PROTECTION: Restore integrity into science policy and research funding. Address issues of commercial and recreational fishing sectors to restore a better balance and repeal the unnecessary Vegetation Management Act.

C i t y L i f e 37 M a g a z i n e

End of Year Cheers

C i t y L i f e 38 M a g a z i n e

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Millyard Family Lawyers are a Cairns law firm specialising in the practice of family law.

Director and Principal Amanda Millyard, an Accredited Family Law Specialist, has 19 years experience in the practice of family law.

Tailored advice is provided on divorce, property settlements, binding financial agreements (including pre-nuptial agreements), child custody issues and alternative dispute resolution options in family law matters.

Understanding that every case is unique, we find innovative solutions to our client’s legal issue that are grounded in law.

We are committed to being of service.

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Voted into Doyle’s 2018 List of Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers - North Queensland

Sorted Super is a Cairns-based Chartered Accounting firm providing SMSF Consulting and Administration Services to Trustees, Accountants and Finance Professionals. We are experienced, highly qualified professionals, with a passion for all things SMSF. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and building proactive relationships with our clients.

THE SUPER RULES HAVE CHANGED FROM 1ST JULY 2017.

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Sorted Super Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1241255) of Independent Capital Advisers Pty Ltd AFSL 378693

THE POWER OF SELF-BELIEF EVA GRABNER

I recently spent six days of my life from 9am until 2am in sub-zero temperatures surrounded by 1,500 people. We danced, we yelled until we were hoarse, and we cried until we could cry no more. And we paid up to $12,000 for the privilege. Now, who on earth would want to do that you ask yourself ?

Passionate, mindful and successful people from all walks of life gathered together at Tony Robbins’ Date with Destiny in Cairns, Australia. People who want to become versions of themselves, who want to improve their relationship with themselves, and in return improve their relationships with everyone around them.

Providing an unrivalled one-on-one bespoke service, Eva Grabner is the changing face of the recruitment industry. As an Executive Recruiter and Search Consultant with over a decade of experience, Eva works alongside her clients to understand their business and culture.

With an extensive global network and current knowledge on market conditions, Eva quickly identifies the best high performing candidates for her clients and works closely with both parties to ensure a seamless transition.

I had attended a Tony Robbins seminar in Sydney about five years ago and it was the best thing I could have done for myself and for the business at the time. I had been wanting to attend his next event for years but with raising my child and growing the business I just never had the time until now.

I chose to attend for a variety of reasons, one was because I am always looking at ways to grow both personally and professionally and the other was because you always walk out of a Tony Robbins seminar with a new lease on life. Who doesn’t want that every now and again! Or even every day …

Tony says that “every decision in your life is controlled by your beliefs and values. You may not realize it, but you have the power to choose what you believe about your life, people, money and health. You can either choose beliefs that limit you, or beliefs that empower you to move toward success. Your beliefs energize you to create the world you want to live in right now. The key is to be aware of them because what you value determines what you focus on.”

One thing he asked us to focus on was what is our question? What do we ask ourselves on a daily basis that ultimately defines us? For some of us this was really easy to identify, for others it was hard. What do we say that stops us from being who, and what, we really want to be? Think about this. What is your question?

I am, by nature, a very positive and passionate person. I refuse to follow the norm and to listen to naysayers. I will and always have, done exactly what I want to do. I write my goals, I reach for them and I work hard to achieve them. Yes, I’ve had times where I’ve been knocked down and once it took years to get my ‘mojo’ back but I dug myself out of that hole and found the old Eva again. I’m glad I did. I like being happy, I like enjoying my life and I like living each and every day like it’s my last.

Another important question I ask myself on a regular basis is ‘Who do I surround myself with’? Do the people I mix with on a daily basis support and empower me, or do they criticize and belittle me? Some people think they are doing you a favour by ‘advising’ you but are they stopping you from being the best you can be?

So, what did I learn after six days of little sleep and lots of dancing? I think my biggest breakthrough was around my question, it was something I asked myself all the time and it was so ingrained in me that I didn’t even know it was there! I have now changed that question and I take the time to focus on being more grateful for what I have, where I live and how wonderful my life truly is. It may seem simple but it takes a lot of work to truly believe it and to actually implement it on a daily basis and not just fall back into your own daily habits.

I am a visual person, so a vision board keeps me on track but if you truly want to succeed, if you truly want to be the best version of you and if you truly want to be happy, motivated and grateful for this life then don’t listen to your head, follow your heart.

Enjoy this life, it’s short and be happy!

Eva Grabner Managing Director Elite Executive Pty Ltd www.eliteexecutive.com.au 0409 59 11 88

FI NDI NG LEADERS FOR YOU R SU CCES S • Executive Recruitment • Global Search Specialists eliteexecutive.com.au info@eliteexecutive.com.au 07 4088 1571

C i t y L i f e 41 M a g a z i n e

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CO-PARENTING AFTER SEPARATION – PART 2 NARDINE COLLIER

As a separated mother of 2 teenagers, I know first hand that Co-parenting while you are both together can be difficult. Coparenting after separation can sometimes seem almost impossible.

Last article I talked about two very important things separated parents can do, to make the minefield of parenting a bit easier. The first and most important thing is to protect your kids from conflict. Children can’t watch the two people they love most in the world yell and scream at each other without feeling miserable, scared, worried, at fault. Kids don’t need to hear one parent talk badly of the other.

So the aim is, to put your feelings aside for the benefit of your children and develop a “business-like relationship” with the other parent.

How can you do this?

N ard in e Collier is an accr edi t ed S peci alis t in Fam ily Law, a M edi at i on S peci alis t and Ma na gi ng Di r ect or of Workp lace Le ga l Sol ut i ons, Cai r ns Med iati o ns a nd Collie r Law yer s.

Improve your communication This is really the key to any successful relationship – good communication. Being able to get your point across without it all falling apart into a horrible argument.

Feeling as if you are being heard. Feeling as if the other parent is listening to you, even if they might not agree with what you have to say.

Mediation is the ideal environment to discuss strategies for effective co-parenting.

Mediation is structured so that each person gets their turn to speak without interruption. A mediator can assist you to try and see the other’s point of view. A mediation can put together a list of things to be decided, moving forward - how will we communicate? What about? How often?

What can we agree, so our parenting is consistent?

For example, you might agree to only communicate by text or email, unless it is an emergency. Of course we all know someone who regularly talks to their ex on the phone (some even go out together regularly!) and while that is fantastic, it isn’t for everyone.

Or not yet, anyway!

You will hopefully put some boundaries in place – i.e. that all discussions are respectful and only about the children. You might agree to use a “communication book” – this is a book which passes between the parents in the child’s bag, for example, in which you record only matters of importance to do with the children’s welfare such as illnesses, activities and so on. Just be mindful that if children can read, I guarantee you they will read this book – it’s all about them after all! – so it is vitally important that what is written in there is respectful and without conflict.

In the digital world parents are using communication apps like “Talking Parents”.

Also in this digital age, schools have apps, allowing both parents access to information direct from the school.

Consistent parenting Imagine if you had two jobs and one boss was very laid back and you could do what you liked but the other boss was a stickler for the rules. You’d get confused, right?

Children do best when they have similar rules in each household – as to TV time, social media, what is expected in relation to jobs, what time is bedtime, and so on. You and the other parent can hopefully agree on these sorts of things. As for the things you can’t agree on, try and work out why you disagree. For example you might think a particular TV show is not age appropriate but the other parent doesn’t see anything wrong with it. Mediation is an opportunity to work through these issues to see if you can reach some compromise.

All parents – loving each other or not – are going to disagree at times about how to raise their children. If you can work out what those disagreements are and how you might manage them, co-parenting will be a lot easier!

M: 0428 526 568 P: (07) 4214 5666 E: nardine@collierlawyers.com.au W: www.collierlawyers.com.au

DON’T LITIGATE | MEDIATE • • • • • • •

Affordable Rates Flexible Payment Fixed Price Family & Workplace Mediation Resolving Family & Workplace Disputes Investigations and Advice Workplace Policy Development M: 0428 526 568 P: (07) 4214 5666 www.collierlawyers.com.au

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THE POWER OF PR WHY SPONSORSHIP? DAN A E J O NE S

There is no question in business that we get asked to contribute to so many organisations and sponsor so many causes.

And it’s sometimes easier to just say no so people stop bothering you and asking you to put your hand in your pocket.

But I’d like you to think about it differently for a moment. Have you ever sat down and really thought about what organisations, charities, not for profits or causes align with you and your business? The cause doesn’t need to be associated with your industry, but the organisation might embody a whole heap of goodness that is important in life and to you and your team emotionally.

I encourage you to sit down with your team and take the time to brainstorm this. Then choose one or a handful of entities you wish to support.

Now I don’t want you to think that you need to contribute significantly to all of these organisations, it might be something considered quite small for you, but could be received as something very big for that organisation.

D anae Jo n es i s P r in c ip a l o f P R & Market i n g f i rm D a n a e J o n e s C onsu l t i n g e : da n ae@d an aej o n e s .c o m .a u w: ww w. d an aej o n e s .c o m .a u

If you don’t have surplus cash to donate, consider in-kind support. This could be demonstrated in a variety of ways – here are just a few ideas: 1. A member of your team sitting on their Board or Committee and offering your skill sets to that organisation on a pro bono basis.

2. Offering to initiate a third-party fundraising event to help raise funds for the organisation.

It could be something as simple as you decide to chip in $1,000 and you ask your team to come up with a fun way to match the donation. It might be a morning tea or a dress a certain colour day to work in return for gold coin donations from your staff. This might be a regular activity that you run over a period of 3 months to build up the fundraising bucket for the organisation before you do the official hand over.

3. It could even be something as simple as purchasing tables at one of the charity events

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throughout the year and encouraging all your big spending clients to come along and also help raise money for the cause.

My point is, sponsorship does not have to be for big business, everyone in business can get involved in some way shape or form and attract a mutual benefit from it.

Sponsorship Marketing has been defined as: “A corporate sponsorship is a form of marketing in which a corporation pays for all or some of the costs associated with a project or program in exchange for recognition.”

Source: Investopedia Sponsorship is a Marketing and PR tool just like any other form that you can use in your business to help you achieve your desired goals.

Before entering into a sponsorship agreement you need to first be clear about your reasons for doing it, how much you want to spend on it, and what you want to achieve from it. Do you want to do it as part of your marketing mix, or do you just want to do it because it makes you ‘feel good’ (i.e. contributing to your child’s school or sporting team) with no expectation of anything in return.

Once you are clear on what you do or don’t want to get out of it, then you can start to work up your sponsorship plan. Let’s assume you do want to achieve recognition from the sponsorship – then you need to develop a sponsorship strategy so you achieve best BANG for BUCK. Just some benefits of Corporate Sponsorship include: • Improving your public image or perception in the marketplace as a ‘good corporate citizen’ • Increase your degree of influence • Increase your brand awareness • Increase employee satisfaction • Increase sales • Assist with market research • Target a niche group The key to the most successful Corporate Sponsorships is ‘mutually beneficial’ agreements.

TOP 5 BENEFITS OF MORTGAGE REFINANCING SCO T T BU RNE S S

There’s no reason to pay more for a product that you could buy for less – the same logic applies to mortgage refinancing. One of the biggest (and priciest!) decisions you’ll make in your life is buying your home. Mortgage refinancing is all about making sure you’re not overpaying and that you’ve got the right deal for you. I see people checking the price of food items, choosing inferior products to save a dollar, whilst continuing to pay too much interest on their mortgage for years – .5% on a $400k loan is $2,000p/a - it doesn’t make sense!!

You could save money with mortgage refinancing The main reason to refinance your mortgage doesn’t get any better than that – you deserve to make the most of your hard-earned money.

A few simple changes to your mortgage, like paying off your mortgage fortnightly instead of monthly, could save you thousands of dollars over the course of your loan.

Of course, there are a heap of other options that you can explore when you talk to a broker about your mortgage. Even small savings made over time could result in massive differences in your finances that would give you a much sweeter deal than what you may have expected.

Ye llow Bri ck Ro ad Contact us today on 40402040 for a free consulation.

Switching can be easier than you think Many people know they could save money with mortgage refinancing, but are still not quite ready to make the move. And that’s only natural because the world of finance can seem complex. When you’re busy with your work life, your family life and trying to balance a million different things, it’s not easy to keep track of what happens on your mortgage or to do the math to find out if there’s a better option out there.

Yes, there is a bit of work involved, but that’s just at the start and your broker can give you a hand with the paperwork. Talking with a mortgage broker means you’ll be able to lay out your financial situation and find the right mortgage option for your needs. Once you know where you stand and what your options are it’s a lot easier to make a smart decision.

Sign up for fresh, new features Refinancing your mortgage is not just about changing who your mortgage is with – that’s just the start. You could also take advantage of some great new features. It could be the new

Beat the banks with a better deal If you switch today, you could save over $30,000** on your home loan.

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rates that might save you money or it could be the option for you to repay your loan faster without paying penalty charges. Some loans won’t charge you a monthly account fee or a fee for withdrawing money when you need it.

There could be a host of features that would give you more power over your finances when you refinance your mortgage.

Save on interest with an offset account This is one of those features that sounds complex, but is actually really simple. An offset account could allow you to pay less interest without changing your interest rate. An offset account is a bank account linked to your home loan. Any money in the account is applied against your home loan, offsetting the interest like a repayment would. For example, if you have a home loan to the tune of $350,000, and you have a balance of $30,000 in your offset account. You’d only be paying interest on the remaining $320,000 in your home loan because the $30,000 in your offset account acts to reduce the balance of your mortgage.

There are different types of offset accounts, and you may want to check with a mortgage consultant to see which one would suit you.

You could move to a mortgage with an offset account when you refinance your mortgage which could see you pay less interest and take years off your mortgage, in the long term.

Fund your dreams with your home’s equity You might have planned a home renovation and be itching to get started, but you might not be quite willing to dig into your savings to get it done. Refinancing your mortgage can open the doors to your home’s equity, which could be used to fund your dream home renovation.

The line of credit your equity gets you depends on the value of your home and on the amount that you have repaid on your mortgage. You could use the new money available to you to fund your university education or buy one of the big ticket items that you would love to add to your home. The advantage of borrowing from your own home’s equity is that you might be able to save on cost compared to other types of loans.

Time involved – for the client; 2 – 2.5hrs including a 40min interview with me, not a lot of time for a potential huge saving!!

Speak to us for a better deal today.

Yellow Brick Road Branch Scott Burness Principal and Wealth Manager T 07 4040 2040 M 0402 073 375 E Scott.Burness@ybr.com.au

THE POWER OF THE WORD “NO” DEB JOHNSTONE

In my work, I have noticed the word “no” brings up a whole range of feelings and emotions and because of that many people find it difficult to say the word “no”.

We often learn at a very young age, because of the response we have received and the way we have felt, that saying “no” is a bad thing.

The truth is “no” is just a word like any other word, its neither good nor bad. And with a changed mindset it can create the same feeling as the word “yes”.

And, it’s important to do this because if we continue to say “yes” to everything then it means we often don’t have enough time for ourselves and what’s important to us. Our productivity levels go down and we feel like we don’t have enough hours in the day.

There are many reasons why people find it difficult to say no.

You might feel like you’re letting someone down and feel guilty when you say “no”.

You possibly want to keep people happy and you’re afraid you won’t be liked.

Perhaps you’re a natural giver and if you say “no” you feel selfish.

Mindset and NLP Coach CBWC Sole Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist 2016 and 2017

I’m not saying doing things to help others out is a bad thing; it’s a good thing and its good for everyone.

When it’s not good for everyone is when you say “yes” to others requests to the detriment of yourself.

You start to feel tired and resentful and you don’t have time for what you want to do.

The thing is when you give from this space then the other person can feel you are doing it from a place of obligation and it doesn’t feel good to them either.

What is also really powerful to realise is that

when you automatically say “yes”, then you are often taking away the other person’s opportunity to grow.

This is an organic result when they do something they find difficult or challenging.

The key is to learn to say “no” from a powerful mindset and this means changing the way you look at it and giving from a different view point.

When you do this then you can create a win/ win situation, something that’s good for you and good for them.

Remember it’s good for them When someone requests help from you, think about how good it will be for them to tackle it for themselves, what benefits they will gain and how it can build their confidence.

Remember the sense of achievement you felt Think back to a time when you tackled something you found challenging and that sense of achievement you felt after you completed it.

Also remember how much more able you felt.

Consider how the other person will feel Remind yourself other people can sense your obligation. Even if you think you are hiding it and you have a smile on your face, they can feel it in your energy and it doesn’t feel good.

This is giving to others from a totally different space of awareness. You are giving in a way that is good for them and good for you. You’ve created a win/win.

Meanings and feelings we have associated with particular words can be unlearned and relearned, it takes practice.

Start saying “no” from this powerful mindset and notice how much more empowered you feel, not to mention having more time for you.

And, if you still find the word “no” challenging then reach out to an NLP coach.

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DEB JOHNSTONE 0408 004 670 success@debjohnstone.com.au www.debjohnstone.com.au C i t y L i f e 45 M a g a z i n e

TAKE’EM TO THE CLEANERS

I have lost count of the times a client, struggling with the emotional pain from the breakdown of a relationship, has asked me to ‘take ‘em to the cleaners’ We all know what the phrase means of course, particularly in a matrimonial relationship. Take all the assets and leave the other party with nothing. After all, don’t they deserve it? Leaving the relationship and their former partner in deep psychological distress and emotional pain deserves retribution doesn’t it? The client is hurting and wanting pain inflicted on the other party, to seek revenge by taking aim through their wallet. But can you really ‘take ‘em to the cleaners”? Is that really possible in the no fault system under the Family Law Act?

SUZANNE HADLEY

To the angry former spouse standing, hands on hips and demanding that because the other party left they should be ‘taken to the cleaners”, I’m sorry, it’s just not an option in the Family Lawyer tool kit. The only party likely to get ‘taken to the cleaners’ is the client, attempting to pursue an unrealistic outcome. The only winner, in such a scenario, is the lawyer.

That’s not a good option for anyone When it comes to the division of property, Family Lawyers apply the basic well-established family law principles of the four-step process of determining the assets and liabilities; consider the contributions both financial and nonfinancial; consider the ‘75(2)’ factors and then consider whether the proposed outcome is just and equitable, in the circumstances.

A consideration of the assets involves determining all of the assets and all of the liabilities of the parties, as well as any financial resources available, reaching agreement on values or obtaining independent advice for this purpose.

When the asset pool has been established, consideration is taken of the financial

and non-financial contributions; assets brought into the relationship, inheritances monetary or significant property gifts and non-financial contributions. The latter could be labour, by the parties or others, perhaps tiling, plumbing fencing, construction or landscaping property of the parties. It can be bookkeeping or office work performed in a business operated by the parties as well as contribution as a homemaker and parent.

Other factors outlined in the Act, often referred to by family lawyers as the 75(2) factors, take into consideration future needs, the parties’ age, state of health and capacity for employment, the parties’ standard of living, the care of children under the age of 18; whether child support is being paid, a spouse’s need for support, whether there is a new de facto relationship and if so its financial circumstances and several other factors, depending on the parties’ individual circumstances.

Having considered those factors, the court reviews a range of possible outcomes and then turns its mind to whether the outcome sought is just and equitable in the circumstances. This important consideration ensures that justice and fairness is part of the decision.

“Take ‘em to the cleaners’, or the desire for vengeance or retribution plays no part in our no-fault system where, except in certain exceptional circumstances, the conduct of the parties is not taken into account. Those circumstances are a subject in themselves.

The above outline is merely a snapshot of how property division is approached and does not constitute legal advice.

Individual circumstances differ greatly and seeking advice from an experienced Family Lawyer will assist you to determine what is an appropriate range of outcomes in your particular situation.

• Divorce applications.

CAIRNS FAMILY LAWYERS

• Cohabitation agreements.

• Prenuptial and binding financial agreements.

PRACTICING FAMILY LAW AND DE FACTO LAW hadleyfamilylaw.com.au

82 Scott Street, Cairns

• Surrogacy and assisted conception agreements.

• Assistance with the resolution of parenting arrangements.

Ph: 07 4044 5000

C i t y L i f e 46 M a g a z i n e

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HPV – A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION (STI) D R PH O E BE H ONG

HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus.

There are more than 150 different types of HPV that infect human skin cells and mucous membranes. Of these, more than 40 types infect the anogenital area and throat.

Low-risk HPV, such as HPV 6 and HPV 11, cause genital warts but rarely cause pre-cancer or cancer of the lower genital tract. These viruses are also different from those that cause warts on other body parts, such as our hands or fingers. It is therefore reassuring to know that contact with skin warts does not give you genital warts.

We classified the HPV types that are known to cause pre-cancer or cancer of the lower genital tract, such as cervix, vaginal, vulva, and anus, as high-risk HPV or oncogenic HPV.

L ev el 2 Cai rn s Cen t ra l P laza , 58- 62 M cL eo d Str e e t, Ca irns Q L D 4870 ( o pp C a ir n s S hoppin g Cen t re) P h: (07) 4230 0030 F : (0 7) 4 079 5490 E : phoe b eh o n g @ d rphoe b eh o n g . co m. a u w ww.drp h o eb eh o n g . c o m .a u

From the 1st December 2017, Cervical Screening Test (CST) becomes our new Pap test. Although the sample collection method remained the same, the testing for these oncogenic HPV has become the main test performed. HPV 16 and HPV 18 which accounts for about 70% of invasive cervical cancer are reported separately, but HPV types such as 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68 are all clumped under the term “oncogenic HPV (not 16/18)”.

To hear that you have tested positive for highrisk HPV or oncogenic HPV sounds scary as many associates oncogenic with cancer. It creates a lot of anxiety amongst women with abnormal test result, especially the term of oncogenic HPV is still very new to us.

It is important to know that HPV infection is extremely common. Without vaccination, 80% of adults will contract this infection at some point in our lives. It is usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact during intimate sexual contact with someone who has HPV, whether penetration occurred or not. It is not transmitted by blood or body fluid, such as semen or vaginal discharge.

In most people, HPV infection is harmless and often cleared by our body’s immune system within 12 to 18 months. In some, low-risk HPV infection causes genital warts. Genital warts, although may cause cosmetic issues, are harmless and do not turn into cancer. In some, oncogenic HPV infection can cause pre-cancer, which can then progress to cancer

but cervical cancer is generally a slow process that takes years.

Partners will inevitably share HPV as there is no way of knowing when it was contracted or from whom a person acquired it from as most do not show signs of HPV infection. Some have argued they have a normal STI screen at the beginning of a new relationship but routine STI screening does not include testing for HPV or genital herpes (HSV). In addition, HPV can remain dormant in our body for months or years before causing genital warts or cervical abnormalities. Hence, a new onset of HPV infection, genital warts or cervical abnormalities does not mean you or your partner has been unfaithful.

Treatments are available for genital warts or abnormal cells. However there is currently no treatment for HPV infection. Like a lot of viral infections, such as flu, HPV infection is usually dealt with by our immune system. Since it is a virus and not a bacteria, the use of antibiotic is futile. Having a healthy lifestyle, de-stress, and quit smoking if you do smoke are good ways to boost your immune system.

HPV vaccination, ideally before being sexually active, is the most effective way of preventing HPV. Condoms may lower the chance of contracting HPV if used consistently and correctly but one can still acquire HPV through areas that are not covered by a condom. Regular cervical screening test (every 5 years as per Australia’s new National Cervical Screening Programme) is crucial in order to detect, manage and treat it before cancer develops.

Key points: 1. HPV infection, although sexually transmitted, is common and nothing to be ashamed of.

2. Most women with HPV infection do not develop warts, pre-cancer or cancer.

3. Partners will inevitably share HPV and its infection does not mean your partner has been unfaithful.

4. Treatments are available for genital warts, pre-cancer or cancer but the elimination of the virus itself depends on our immune system.

5. HPV vaccination and regular cervical screening test are keys to prevent cervical cancer.

Providing best Care for women’s health Level 2 Cairns Central Plaza, 58-62 McLeod Street, Cairns QLD 4870

C i t y L i f e 48 M a g a z i n e

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SCANNED ALIVE MRI

(Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Fig.1

Fig.2

Since the 1st July, 2018 the Federal Government has enabled rebates to be available to appropriate men for MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) screening in cases of possible prostate cancer who have been referred to a specialist Urologist.

MRI is a method of using the detection of magnetic fields in the various tissues which have characteristic images and properties.

This enables the identification of varying conditions that may arise and the ability to find the types of prostate cancer which are likely to warrant treatment to be detected early. The likelihood is that with early diagnosis there is a greater chance that the man will not suffer from prostate cancer.

A multi parametric MRI scan is carried out and has the ability to define the anatomy of the prostate (Fig.1). The patient is required to lie flat on his back for about 30 minutes and receives a small intravenous injection of “dye”. Abnormal “functional” appearances can also be demonstrated.

The “multi-Parameters” are as follows: Diffusion Weighted Imaging or DWI is a method of measuring the movement of protons which are particles smaller than atoms as they move through water in the body. In cases of cancer there can be different patterns of movement which can be shown in Fig 2.

The cancer appears like a “black hole”.

Fig.3

Dynamic Contrast Enhancement (DCE) is a method of showing the properties associated with the transfer of fluid between the blood vessels and the tissues themselves. This is affected by the blood flow and the “leakiness” of the blood vessels. Cancer can have characteristic changes which are different from normal tissue and can be shown in a 3D colour image as shown in Fig 3.

Unfortunately, it is still necessary to take samples of the area to be sure that it is cancer and what type. Usually, only one or two biopsies of the detected lesion are required.

Sometimes it is necessary to take samples from the surrounding area. Around 50% of the tumours found are non-aggressive and may not threaten a man’s lifestyle or lifespan and are therefore not regarded as requiring major treatment but need to continue to be monitored in case changes occur.

Generally speaking, people want to be around for a good time and a long time and so investigations and treatments should not be worse than the disease by causing unpleasant consequences or side effects.

Dr Neil Gordon Urologist Urological Surgeon at Cairns Urology M.B.B.S (Melb) F.R.C.S (Glasg)F.R.C.S Ed F.R.A.C.S., F.I.C.S

• MRI is a method of using the detection of magnetic fields in the various tissues which have characteristic images and properties.

• A multi parametric MRI scan is carried out and has the ability to define the anatomy of the prostate.

• Diffusion Weighted Imaging or DWI is a method of measuring the movement of protons which are particles smaller than atoms.

• Dynamic Contrast Enhancement (DCE) is a method of showing the properties associated with the transfer of fluid between the blood vessels and the tissues themselves.

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HEAR BETTER, ENJOY LIFE MORE! J OA N N A MAGE E

When we increase our hearing ability we increase our capacity in so many areas of our lives. Our capacity to interact with others increases. Communicating effectively strengthens our relationships with family and friends, enabling us to participate in social and community events and increases our capacity to do our job better and to enjoy the rich sounds of life be it music, laughter, enjoying the punch line of a joke or a shared secret or just listening to bird song or the sound of the ocean.

These are experiences that most of us take for granted but which people who have their hearing restored to them via amplification tell me are very special. Being able to have a family dinner and enjoy conversation without people repeating themselves or speaking loudly was one of the highlights for the wife of a recent client. She indicated that it was a joy.

Another client told me that after forty years of not hearing her daughter encouraged her to seek assistance as her first grandchild was arriving. With tears in her eyes this lady told me that she could now hear and understand these sweet little people’s voices.

J oann a i s an accr e d ite d ‘E A R ’ with the Ro yal Au st r a lia n C o lle g e o f Ge neral P ract i t i o n e r s (R A C GP) a n d is invo l ved i n ed uc a tio n a l s e m in a r s for D o ct o rs, Nu rse s a n d A llie d H e a lth Profe ssi o n al s.

All of this is possible with today’s hearing technology, discreet with miniature computers on board and packed full of features to enrich sound and bring all the rich nuances back to life. No wonder surveys indicate an improved quality of life, improved mood, improved cognition when hearing is enhanced. Research indicates that even with mild to moderate hearing impairment other areas of the brain are utilised to help with hearing. For example, short term memory is utilised to store the parts of the sentence that needs to be recalled for deciphering whilst the first part of the sentence is decoded. This is because there is a lag in the cognitive part of the brain as it tries to decode and process the meaning of the sounds when it isn’t receiving sufficient information in the first instance.

Speech tests on people using amplification not only score better but people answer faster. This is a marked improvement.

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C i t y L i f e 51 M a g a z i n e

Take the strain of these areas of the brain and release them to do their job, enhancing your brain capacity. “Many clients tell me they feel less tired and more vibrant, more engaged in life when they can hear life well.

It is a joy when client’s lives are improved and recently a very happy fellow left the clinic singing “oh happy day! It doesn’t get much better or more rewarding than that!”

Our philosophy of letting people volunteer to trial product is great opportunity for people to trial new technology without having to make a commitment to purchasing it. There were many interesting outcomes with clients from all walks of life able to experience the great improvements that clear hearing brought to their lives.

Some people with tinnitus found the device had a marked masking effect on the ringing in their ears called tinnitus. When using the devices their awareness of the tinnitus dropped and in some cases it disappeared completely.

It was great feedback for our clinical team.

As the product is long-wear we had to adhere to strict protocol to ensure that the ear health of the individual was suitable for such long term use. Many people preferred a similar device which was equally invisible when worn but which could be removed to enable the ear canal to be cleaned or even an itch to be satisfied.

We are offering a free trial of the latest technology in the invisible removable device so if you feel you have a hearing loss that may benefit from improvement and you would like to experience a whole new dimension of hearing there is no better time.

Call 4041 7860 for a free discussion on the latest hearing devices to help you improve your life or visit the clinic at 125 Grafton Street, Cairns or our new clinic in Atherton at 3/3 Cook Street or at a visiting clinic in Mareeba, Yungaburra, Innisfail or Mission Beach.

BUILDING A NEW HOME – PERSONALISED TO YOU. ROSLY N S MIT H

There’s been a change in the market recently with existing home prices on the rise, making it even better value for money to build a new home.

Whether you are building on a strict budget or larger budget for upgrading to a long term family home, when you build a new home you get a home that is tailored to your family’s individual needs.

You get to put a bit of ‘you’ into your new home.

It can have modern fittings, the most up to date technology, it will be approved to the latest building standards and you have a home that will need a minimum of maintenance for many years to come.

Building a home gives you the option to choose the location, the design, the inclusions and level of finish. You get to personalise your home with colour schemes and a design that compliments the land’s best features and is suited to your family’s needs and tastes.

Once you’ve decided on which block of land to purchase then consider the layout and design of your new home, as this is extremely important. It can make the difference for you being excited to come home each day and enjoying the lifestyle your new home offers.

A good energy efficient design that takes into account our tropical climate can

decrease your home’s running costs and maintenance needed over the years, as well as improving the home’s livability and ultimately the selling price of your home in the future.

A knowledgeable and experienced builder will be able to work within your budget to give you options for your new home in designs and inclusions. They can guide you to the most suitable products and should be able to give you advice on best value for money for your personal choices.

Remember it’s your home and you get to decide what you want to include.

If you are looking to build a new home, come in and have a chat about what we can provide. We have a variety of Home and Land packages in many suburbs from first home owners and investment homes to individual custom designed homes, so I am sure we will have something that will suit you.

Roslyn Smith Winner HIA NQ Partner in Business 2017 Winner QMBA Women in Building 2016 Affinity Designer Homes & Value Homes (NQ) Building Designer and Licensed Builder Phone : 40518866 Mobile : 0439 855851 email - ros@affinitydh.com.au

SPECIALISING IN: • conceptual budgets • sloping sites • energy efficient homes • narrow or irregular land

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NAMING RIGHTS PARTNER

2018 HIA-PIONEER NORTH QUEENSLAND CAIRNS HOUSING, KITCHEN & BATHROOM AWARDS HIA and Pioneer North Queensland invite you to celebrate excellence in design, innovation and construction at the Cairns residential industry’s night of nights.

WHEN FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER 2018 VENUE Pullman Cairns International, 17 Abbott Street, Cairns TIME 6:30pm COST $130 per person / $1,170 per table ENTERTAINMENT The Rockmans MC Scott Brown and Paul Furse DRESS Formal RSVP 12 October 2018

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HIA would like to acknowledge the support and contribution of our partners

Natural Selection

Think natural, wicker style furniture and hand woven accessories and immediately you’re transported to another time and place.

Well now you can relive that retro feeling because woven furniture and accessories are very much ‘on trend’ this season and looking better than ever!

HARLOW Two Sofa Set 4 Piece $1,290

HARLOW Two Sofa Set 4 Piece $1,290

EDEN Monsteria 25lvs 57x38x87 $129

ARUBA Outdoor Cushions From $12.50

EDEN Potted Agave Green Leaves 80cm $99

EDEN Potted 130cm Magnolia $99

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ACACIA Hydrangea Bush x5 30cm Purple $14

EDEN Boxwood Three balls 158x38x35 $349

GET YOUR HOME SPRING READY.

Spring is in the air so its time to dust off the cobwebs and put the winter blues to bed. The flowers are coming out, the Mango trees are coming alive in readiness to fruit, and the birds and bees are well, doing what birds and bees do in spring.

Here are some useful tips to get your place spring ready.

Clean the gutters. As dreary as it sounds all you really need to do is grab a ladder and a hose. Point the hose down the downpipe in the corners of your gutters and turn that sucker on. Then run down to the storm water outlet on the road gutter. If there’s water coming out, job done.

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Turn on the air conditioner. It may not of been run for a while so you need to blow the cobwebs out and make sure it’s running smoothly to get ready for the warmer months on the way.

Clean the outside furniture. Yes its time to get back outside to eat, drink and entertain. Don’t wait till the last minute when the guests are arriving, get a head start and have those chairs and tables begging to be used. Don’t forget to clean out the back of the speakers for the outside sound system as I find wasps nest in them over winter.

Clean the grill on the Barbie. Essential for spring BBQs that you have a clean plate ready for those Shish Kababs and BBQ prawns. Get the pressure cleaner onto that plate and give the outside a shine. Get moving because Spring has Sprung

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C i t y L i f e 56 M a g a z i n e

TYRE SAFETY CHECK

With the September holidays just around the corner it’s the time of the year that a lot of us take to the roads for that long-awaited camping trip. This means we are on the road for sometimes up to a couple of hours or more. Its important that before you go you check your tyres. Now checking your tyres is not giving them a kick for pressure or a quick look over for tread. Although it doesn’t need to take forever it’s imperative you do some simple checks. Remember that your tyres are the only contact your vehicle has with the road. It’s especially important in the far north with our ever-changing conditions that can dramatically affect our roads.

Emergency brake, swerve and avoid situations don’t happen every day however when they do you need the best protection. Many of us are not even aware of the minimum legal tyre standards, and this is creating a hazard on the roads.

Check your tread wear. All tyres have tread wear indicators. This is a bar of rubber molded into the main grooves of the tyre to indicate the minimum legal tread depth. When the tyres are worn down to the point that the tread around the indicator is approaching flush with the indicator bar, your tyres require replacement. Check the tread all over the tyre. Uneven spots indicate bad inflation or alignment issues and will need to be addressed. Turn your steering wheel to full turn to better check your tyres.

Check for foreign objects. Nails, screws, sharp rocks, look for any objects that have the potential to deflate your tyres. Look along the sides for cuts or bulges as these will need to be checked by a professional tyre technician. These are signs your tyres are going to fail.

Check your tyre pressure. Your tyres need to be running with the correct pressure or else they are a potential hazard. Underinflated tyres generate heat which will make your tyres fail. Overinflated tyres will assist in losing grip with the surface. Correctly inflated tyres will save your fuel consumption and your life and those of your loved ones.

If you are unsure remember to speak with your tyre technician and get them to check over your tyres and have a safe road trip.

C i t y L i f e 57 M a g a z i n e

Age Amazingly WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS

NICKI BELLE FOUNDER AND CEO OF FACE TODAY MEDI-CLINIC AND LYNELLE DABELSTEIN MANAGER OF RUTH’S WOMEN’S SHELTER

WORDS BY JANIE BARTON • PHOTO BY CATHERINE COOMBS

Re/Max’s Whitfield Chapel was packed to the rafters at the recent launch of Age Amazingly, an educational event focused on helping people age beautifully.

The brainchild of Nicki Bell of Face Today Mediclinics and ex-runway model and current fashion advisor Pam Petherbridge, and co-ordinated by Cairns’ make-up and style guru Amanda Macor, the event’s theme was ‘50 is the new black’.

“Our focus was on re-inspiring and exciting everyone that 50 is the new black and the start of the second chapter of exciting lives of less children interaction on a daily basis, giving back to the community, travel, less pressured lifestyles and hopefully good health,” Nicki said. “Aging is a choice.”

The event included special guest speakers and a catwalk show by Tea Lily Boutique, featuring models who were mostly 50 years of age and older who had never been on a catwalk before.

Tickets to the event, which cost $39 and included a tasty cocktail on arrival and canapes, raised $3,900, which was donated to Ruth’s Women’s Shelter. A highly success raffle on the night also raised $750 for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter.

The event was inspired during a normal girlfriend catch-up dinner between Nicki

“WE BELIEVE EVERYONE CAN AGE AMAZINGLY.” and Pam when they decided to create a movement to achieve awareness for those dreading their advancing years.

They believe aging is actually a new beginning, a fresh restart and a reason to celebrate, not commiserate. They decided on the name Age Amazingly because that is what they feel they are creating for their own lives and wanted to shift people’s perception of ageing.

Nicki’s background as palliative care nurse where she saw so many young people’s lives end before their time made her well aware of the gift of health and positive longevity.

She then moved into the cosmetic arena and for the last 23 years helped many men and women look and feel better through treatments in the areas of injectable rejuvenation, fat reduction, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation “Seeing people in palliative care sat in my heart so deeply, so now I’m just so

C i t y L i f e 59 M a g a z i n e

passionate about helping people to be the most confident and beautiful person they can be,” she said.

Pam, who has extensive experience in the fashion industry, particularly in the bridal arena, found she was styling and giving confidence to many people who were marrying for the second or third time.

“My focus now is to inspire people of all ages and to instil in them that they are incredibly special and not to be frightened of those numbers turning over each year,” she said.

“Age with gratitude as it is indeed a gift, and always remember we are given two hands one to look after ourselves and one to extend the hand of friendship and love to others.”

Both were thrilled with the success of the event, which was sponsored by Face Today, Vintage Hire Co, Koko Lashes & Brows, Tokunai Hair, Ministry of Makeup, Tea Lily, Paul Macor Homes, Triple M and CityLife magazine.

“We actually really emphasised an AAA attitude, which is Age Amazingly Attitude,” Nicki said. “If you get up in the morning and you put that on, I can assure you that you will shine every day.”

“And we believe everyone amazingly,” Pam added.

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C i t y L i f e 60 M a g a z i n e

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C i t y L i f e 61 M a g a z i n e

It used to be called entering the twilight years, but this phrase is no longer relevant. It gives the connotation that it’s time to sit back and get swept along with old age. The twilight years express is leaving and your age dictates that you better get on board.

Well no more. The new phrase is positive aging. And that’s how we roll with the Spotlight on Seniors. Active retirement. Being an active senior can slow down the aging process, delay mental decline, promote well-being and subsequently increase quality of life.

Get out and get amongst it. Check out the Cairns Art and Cultural Map. This guide is put together by the Cairns Regional

Council listing Arts and Culture in our region. Festivals, shows, cultural organisations, public art, historical sights and a whole lot more. Having trouble working on the computer to track down events? Check out the U3A (university of 3rd age) website. They have great info for those seniors who are not as tech savvy as they would like. There are classes and simple explanations layed out to make navigating easier.

Cairns has some fantastic services available for seniors. Take Ten Years Younger. They provide a range of great services from companionship and everything in between to end of life care.

Its not the end it’s a new beginning and Cairns has its Seniors covered to enjoy this time of life because they deserve it.

Proudly providing the Cairns Community with superior and flexible in-home aged care services for the past 10 years.

At Ten Years Younger Home Care, we know it is a privilege to deliver tailored peace-of-mind to your loved ones within their home environment.

We have an array of care services for your convenience, both as a Government Approved and Private inhome care provider, which can be tailored to you or your loved one’s individual needs. ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Tailored care in the home Ongoing Care plan reviews Clinical care and monitoring Transport to appointments Support team of Registered Nurses

➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Comprehensive service 24/7 care Licenced and professional staff National Police checks

Ten Years Younger Home Care employees the highest calibre of staff to deliver gold standard care.

Call us to find out how we can tailor a care solution for you or your loved ones on 4255 6822 or visit www.tenyearsyounger.com.au

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Centacare Social Wellbeing Hub

Centacare’s Social Wellbeing Hub caters for people over the age of 65 and people who have disabilities.

We focus on developing, maintaining and supporting social connection and independence, in an easy-going homelike environment. We are a small centre with a friendly team located at beautiful Holloways Beach.

Social Support

We offer a range of activities including sports, games, creative programs, outings and special occasion events such as the Melbourne Cup and other festivities.

RESERVE YOUR FREE TRIAL

Try us for size and see if we fit. Come and make new friends, learn new skills and boost your wellbeing; make these your goals for 2018! Hurry! Spaces are limited Contact us today for more information!

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STER D

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E

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ndis

IS

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I PROV

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ND

Contact us to find out how we can meet your needs.

Call (07) 4055 0890 or email to swh@centacarefnq.org

R

Morning tea is provided and lunch can be arranged or brought from home.

centacarefnq.org

C i t y L i f e 63 M a g a z i n e

Q. How did you meet and where was your first date?

A. I worked for my father driving a loader for the Cairns City Council, and Carolyn was nursing at the Cairns Base Hospital. We met through a mutual friend at Imperial Hotel which was on the corner of Abbott and Shield Street. It was the “IN” place at the time, the boys would sit by the open windows and wolf whistle the girls, it was all a bit of fun.

Q. How many years have you been married?

A. We have been married for 48 years this year. We were married at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on Sheridan Street, on the 26th of December 1970.

Q. How did you pop the question?

A. After six months of dating I unromantically popped the question and two and a half years later we were married.

Q. What’s your best advice for newlyweds?

A. The best advice that we would give would be to always do things together and even if you are arguing still say goodnight to each other and never leave the house without saying goodbye.

C i t y L i f e 66 M a g a z i n e

Q. How do you spend Friday nights?

A. Now days our Friday nights are spent relaxing at home or having dinner on the Esplanade.

Q. Do you think Cairns has plenty of options for Seniors?

A. If you are motivated enough there is always things for all aged to do in Cairns. We are so tied up with the Cairns Show Grounds that we don’t have much idle time.

Q. Do you have favourite places you frequent, whether it is for lunch, dinner or just time out?

A. We love to visit antique shops and heritage villages whenever we get the chance. For a long time on Saturday nights we would find different restaurants and dine out with a group of friends.

Now we entertain at home.

Q. What do you look forward to most in the future as a couple?

A. Most people want to retire and downsize, we want to move to a larger place with plenty of sheds. We collect antiques, old farm machinery and memorabilia and feel you can never have enough. We also want to be surrounded by our children and grandchildren.

When Independence, Dignity and Peace of Mind Is Important.

Complete Mobility and Rehab looks firstly at the needs of our customers.

We will treat you as if you are a family member or a close friend.

We want to promote safe ageing and independence in the home, supplying products that improve your quality of life with increased mobility and comfort.

Complete Mobility & Rehab are proud registered NDIS providers.

Shop 1, 92 Anderson Street Cairns Opposite Brothers Leagues Club

(07) 4032 1140

w w w . c o m p l e t e m o b i l i t y. c o m . a u

U3A CAIRNS INC University of the Third Age

Age is definitely a state of mind. Whatever your age you can still remain a child at heart. Here are some funny sayings about old age so we don’t take it too seriously.

As you get older three things happen. Your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.

U3A is a not-for-profit community organisation operated by people aged 50 and over who wish to enjoy a wide range of activities.

Don’t let old age get you down because it’s too hard to get up again.

It is part of the worldwide network of Third Age “universities” which started at the University of Toulouse, France in 1973.

You know you are getting old when you can pinch an inch on your forehead.

Why Third Age? The first age is childhood; the second age is adult working life, and the third age is fulfilling your goals.

We encourage a passion for learning, knowledge and a healthy lifestyle.

Old age ain’t that bad when you consider the alternative.

You know you’re getting old when everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work.

Respect old people they graduated without Google or Wikipedia.

I still have a full deck, I just shuffle a lot slower now.

Live Laugh and age positively and make those around you do the same and you will be a shinning light that never goes out.

cairnsu3ainc.u3anet.org.au 129 Mulgrave Road (PO Box 6915) Cairns Qld 4870 u3acairnsinc@gmail.com

4051 0400

C i t y L i f e 67 M a g a z i n e

Loved ones often pass away at unexpected times.

At the new Gordonvale Funeral Home, the focus is not just on a personalised service, it’s about peace of mind.

The Gordonvale Funeral Home is a extension of the Cairns Crematorium in Mount Sheridan and is designed to service the needs of clients in the southern corridor and to offer them affordability in services in a closer location.

WORDS BY STACEY CARRICK

Gordonvale Funeral Home 10b Thumm St Gordonvale Ph: 4088 1565 office@gordonvalefunerals.com.au www.gordonvalefunerals.com.au

us to bridge the gaps with cultural sensitivity and protocols within the local community,” Aquilar said.

“BEING ORGANISED AND PREPARED CAN ELIMINATE THE STRESS OF PLANNING A FUNERAL

We have a small chapel for viewings, small funeral and memorial services with a slide show facility and a capacity to fit 40 family members to allow for a no-fuss, intimate, dignified and private service .

Our aim is to fulfil the needs of families and give them peace of mind and a helping hand at this difficult time.

General Manager WHEN IT Aquilar Luki and “We have the utmost the team of funeral HAPPENS.” respect for family directors have extended members, their culture the opportunity to meet and customs. with families and members of the community for a free consultation “Our staff members make people feel to discuss pre-arrangement funeral comfortable. The feedback we receive details. This experience means they is that people appreciate how humble can offer you the best service and and respectful we are. advice possible, leaving you with that peace of mind knowing your loved “We help them understand the ones’ wishes have been honoured. process when a loved one passes and provide them with direction and a The team at the Gordonvale sense of relief. and Cairns Funeral Homes pride themselves in their ethnic “Being organised and prepared can backgrounds from Australia, New eliminate the stress of planning a Zealand, Polynesia, the Philippines funeral when it happens.” and the Torres Strait. “This allows

Our experienced team, in connection with Cairns Crematorium Funeral Home, are dedicated in helping families with the momentous task of arranging a final farewell for their loved ones.

We are a fully operational funeral home, able to handle both burials and cremations. Our newly refurbished chapel at Gordonvale, can host intimate funeral services suitable for those wanting a more private farewell. The chapel is easily accessible, with parking available close by.

07 - 4088 1565 • www.gordonvalefunerals.com.au • office@gordonvalefunerals.com

C i t y L i f e 68 M a g a z i n e

The help you want wherever you live Our staff work with you to help you enjoy the best possible quality of life. We’ll take the time to understand what’s important to you. Our services include:

Home nursing

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Shopping and excursions

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See how we can support you boltonclarke.com.au 07 4047 4300