CORE LIFE MAGAZINE by CORELife Magazine

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Mar/Apr 2020

SHUTE HARBOUR MARINA RESORT DON’T JUST VISIT THE WHITSUNDAYS

LIVE THE LIFESTYLE

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INTEREST / REGISTRATION CATEGORIES Berths - 10m – 30m berths with undercover parking Land

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Contact Stuart Higgins on 0408 832 995 or email stuart@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au to receive further investment information. www.corelife.com.au 22 www.corelife.com.au

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Marina Club Marina Cafe & Bar Marine Education Facility Marina Service Area Marina Workshop & Store Marina Loft Apartments Undercover Parking Charter and Tours Cyclone Shelter Leisure Centre Chandlery Sea Rescue Mini Mart Bottleshop Newsagent Gift Shop

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Pier 61 - Shute Harbour Marina Plaza includes a number of boutique retail and commercial opportu nities. These include:

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- Commercial or Retail - Retail options available

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Exclusive Locals Offer

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FROM

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To book, call 1300 780 797 or visit hamiltonisland.com.au/locals *Price is per person, per night, twin share, inclusive of GST. Prices are based on Standby rates which are only bookable within 72 hours of travel. Advanced booking rates are also available. Two return ferry transfers included per twin share room. Rates are subject to availability at the time of booking and valid for travel until 31 August 2020. Standby rates available to regional market only (between Port Douglas and Gladstone). ^Kids Stay and Eat Free when sharing with adults and using existing bedding, and eat free from the kids menu when dining in selected restaurants. Further conditions and blackout dates apply. See www.hamiltonisland.com.au/locals for more information.

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Luxury Apartments • Villas • Penthouses

Short Term Rentals Available 3 Bedroom Apartments start from $999 per week!

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From the

CONTENTS

Editor Welcome to Core Life Magazine’s annual Women in Business feature, celebrating the dedicated and inspiring businesswomen in our community.

MAR/APR 2020

14 – 21

C OMMUNITY LIFE Discover ‘Kindness Rocks’, meet 92-year-old Isle who came face to face with Hitler, find out more about touch-footy and read about how local tourism companies are helping to monitor the reef

22 – 27

P ROSERPINE FEATURE Meet the local business community; from the sassy queens of style at Colour Me Crazy to the veteran bakers at Whitsunday Bakery, the animal loving vets, the Seat Shop experts and colonic specialists at Bottoms Up

40 – 72

W OMEN IN BUSINESS 32 pages of stunning businesswomen celebrating their success with Core Life’s skilled team of photographers, hair and make-ups artists and journalists

73 – 81

M IND, BODY & SOUL Meet the new owner of Hair Airlie Beach, follow inspiring health journeys and discover how to change your life with yoga

82 – 91

S OCIAL LIFE Find out what’s on in Townsville, meet the team at 9th Lane Grind, get excited about this years’ Mackay Turf Girl Race Day and the upcoming Airlie Fight Night

For some people a job is something they turn-up to every day, clock in and clock-out, collect a wage and spend no more time thinking about ‘work’ than that. In many ways, I envy those individuals because, for me, my job has always been something that overlaps into my personal life. I do not simply clock-out. In fact, I often wake up in the night and can’t get back to sleep because I’m thinking of new ideas. Since an early age, I knew I had to find a job that was also my passion, my purpose and my reason for getting up every day. I have found that with Core Life Magazine. From reading the inspiring articles in this years’ Women in Business, I can see that there are so many individuals in our community that share this same drive. It’s exciting isn’t it?! So, what unique characteristics do women bring to business? In my opinion, it is our deeply caring natures and natural connection with people. How many female business owners do you know that give their customers a hug when they look sad or connect people with someone else in the community that might be able to help with their garden maintenance or annoying back ache? Look around, there are many. One in particular woman who inspires us at Core Life Magazine every day is Norina Jane Kent, our much-loved photographer. After nine years creating sensational photography with Core, she is leaving us to focus on her new business. She will be missed but never far away! So, here’s to all the connectors, the carers and the creative thinkers. May we keep thriving and enjoying what we do best!

Rach xx CORE PUBLISHING AND EVENTS PTY LTD

p.0417 267 373

On the Cover Get up close to Emma Price, Co-owner of Get Real Workwear and proud mum of two. This resilient businesswoman has battled severe depression and anxiety, prevailing to regain her strength and confidence, so much so that she won the “Standing Out From The Crowd Award” at the 2019 Resource Industry Network Awards in 2019. For her full story turn to page 40. Cover concept and design by redhotblue. Photography by Norina Jane.

e. sales@corelife.com.au

Editor In Chief: Rebecca Douthwaite bec@corelife.com.au | Managing Editor: Rachael Smith rachael@corelife.com.au | Production: Marc Evans Tarnate | Rachael Smith | Rebecca Douthwaite Sales Managers: Rachael Smith rachael@corelife.com.au | Chendelle Kolasa chendelle@corelife.com.au | Accounts Manager: accounts@corelife.com.au | Writers: Amanda Wright | Rachael Smith Photography: Norina Jane norinajane@whitpro.com.au | Marty Strecker martystreckerphotography@gmail.com | Liz Andrews Liz Andrews Photography liz@lizandrewsphotography.com.au Cover Model: Emma Price from Get Real Workwear | Personalities Photography: Norina Jane | Marty Strecker / Liz Andrews | Hair Styling: Adam and Eve 07 4948 2711 Elk House of Hair 07 4951 0005 | Lush Beautique 0439 000 211 | Make-up: Loll Doll Make-up 0415 987 843 | Elk Make-Up 07 4951 0005 / Lush Beautique 0439 000 211 Publishers Indemnity. Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to CORE Life Magazine, undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe any copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title, breach of confidence, does not contain anything obscene or indecent, or does not infringe the Trade Practices Act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above mentioned these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements. All material is correct at time of printing and is copyright of CORE Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.

www.corelife.com.au 11

get to know

Susan Deakin

Liz Andrews

OWNER, TEACHER AND TEACHER TRAINER AT 8 LIMB YOGA

OWNER OF LIZ ANDREWS PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN

Fast Facts

Star Sign: Capricorn

Star Sign: Cancer

Fav Movie: Eat, Pray and Love

Fav Movie: Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, Notting Hill, Hidden Figures, Sister Act, all Marvels and DC movies, Boychoir

Fav Colour: Blue Fav Holiday destination: The Mountains in Bali Fav Music: Music that reminds me of special people and moments. My Spotify is full of my fav songs, along with my kids, my husband and friend’s fav music. It reminds me of them when I listen. Fav Quote: “dance like no one is watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening and live like heaven on earth” I’m still working on the singing one haha Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? At 19 I left Australia on a 3-year adventure travelling the world. I worked in American bars, restaurants and ski resorts, an English pub, luxurious sailing boats in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, a Moshav in Israel eating only what we picked. This taught me valuable lessons and resilience for life. Describe your personality in three words: Determined, Optimistic, and loyal It is a privilege to look back at your life and feel immense gratitude for the blessings you have been fortunate enough to receive. For Sue, she experiences this gratitude every day. A Mackay local, Sue met and married her soulmate, Dave, 30 years ago and the couple now have three adult daughters and one 10-week-old grandson.

Fav Colour: Green Fav Holiday destination: Sooo many….Morocco, Scotland, Hawaii, Italy,… Fav Music: Pop, Latina and classical Fav Quote: I dream my painting and then I paint my dream – Vincent Van Gogh Tell Us Something most people don’t know about you? I don’t like vegemite and I don’t swim. Describe your personality in three words: friendly, loud and daydreamer Mum, photographer and businesswoman, this Malaysian-born Mackaylocal sure knows how to get the most out of life. Starting out as a schoolteacher in her hometown of Kuching in Malaysia, Liz never dreamt her life would lead her here. That was 21 years ago and since then she has made Australia her home, raising her two boys in a new country, far away from family support. “Coming to Australia was a big change in my life, with little prospects and not knowing anyone was difficult,” said Liz. Since then she has formed great friendships and a successful life in Australia, something she is very proud of.

“I honestly have to pinch myself sometimes for the life I have been fortunate to live. I’m a true believer in destiny,” said Sue.

Liz moved to Mackay 12 years ago and now enjoys a happy life with her partner Henry and her two sons who are now 14 and 19.

Having owned many local businesses over the years, Sue is now happy to run her yoga studio while her husband runs Mount Jukes Eco Retreat. This permaculture haven is totally off the grid, operating as a working farm and a pleasant sanctuary for Sue to escape city life.

“Being a mumma to two healthy, well-mannered and supportive boys is a miracle,” said Liz.

In fact, she can be found at the farm most weekends, tending the veggie patches, cooking meals with produce straight from the farm or hanging out with her family, friends and fur babies. A firm believer in personal development and spreading knowledge through experience, Sue is currently in her 3rd year studying Ayurveda medicine, which is a life science. “Dave and I both have a purpose to improve the health of our community and live in a way which sustains our environment for future generations,” www.corelife.com.au 12 12 saidwww.corelife.com.au Sue.

While her boys were young Liz studied graphic design at TAFE. One day she picked up a camera as a hobby to take photos of her children and was surprised to discover not only a passion, but a talent for taking photos. “Then everything just fell into place,” said Liz. “My photography business took-off and the last 12 months has the busiest I’ve ever been. To be where I am now is beyond my wildest imagination. I am extremely grateful and feel very blessed.” In her spare time Liz loves to catch a movie, read a book, eat good food and catch-up with friends. She also enjoys Zumba, karate and jiu jitsu.

THERE IS A HUGE VARIETY OF MEAT AND SEAFOOD AT MBW!

NOT JUST YOUR ORDINARY BUTCHER!

Sarah Emily Cain

NUTRITIONIST/OWNER FOR INTENTIONAL NUTRITION, OPERATING OUT OF KISSUN CLINICS Fast Facts Star Sign: LIbra Fav Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s Fav Colour: Yellow Fav Holiday destination: Spain Fav Music: Depending on my mood anything from classic Jazz to Kyle Lionhart Fav Quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your own consent” Eleanor Roosevelt Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? I cannot handle a power point being on with nothing in it…. This is a constant argument in our household. Describe your personality in three words: Nurturing, Empathetic, Hopeful A self-confessed foodie, Sarah grew up watching family and friends struggle in their relationship with food. This inspired her to investigate how food can be a positive influence in your life instead. “Learning to overcome the fear I had around food has allowed me to really shift into fueling my body with purpose and sparked my passion for cooking even more,” she said. “I love helping others to nourish their body without restriction or rules, teaching them tools to shift to a mindset of abundance instead of lack.” When she’s not helping people with their food and nutrition, Sarah loves hanging out with her partner Kris, her ‘bonus’ child Evie and their Border Collie pup, Jessie. Originally from country town, Cohuna in Victoria, Sarah moved to the Whitsundays five years ago. Being an introvert, the move was a huge leap for her, stepping out of her comfort zone to discover herself.

Multi Award

WINNINGR BUTCHE

MBW AT MARIAN

NOW OPE

“Moving here has really allowed me to ‘come into my own’ and has shown me that I didn’t necessarily know who I was back home, instead I shaped into a mould,” she said. These days Sarah loves spending time at home with family & friends, cooking, organising, gardening, reading and walking. “I think how if a younger version of me, met me, probably barefoot, in the middle of the supermarket or choosing to spend my weekends at home playing with my plants in the sunshine. I would not believe it myself,” she laughs.

Whitsunday Shopping Centre near Coles

Cnr Shute Harbor Rd and Stewart Dr, Cannonvale

Marian Town Centre, Marian

4946 7461

4946 6753

4954 4882

www.corelife.com.au 13

s ’ e n o Every . e m o c wel

RARE

10-30m MARINA BERTHS LEASE TERM TO 2108

Inspect today

From retail, dining, relaxing or marina berths, we’re open. With boat ownership on the rise, so too is the demand for marina berths.

Along with our marina berth offerings, Port of Airlie has available to berth owners and visitors to the region, a retail precinct right on the marina.

Now is the time to guarantee for the future a prestige marina berth in one of Australia’s key aquatic regions, The Whitsundays.

Some of the services we have on offer are; • cafes, restaurants, bars and retail shopping • day spa and yoga studio • accomodation at Mantra Boathouse apartments • Whitsunday Transit Centre with bus & ferry terminal connections to the region.

Port of Airlie’s marina arm C is ready for occupation offering 20, 25 and 30 metre berths. Other available sizes and benefits are: • 10 to 20 metre monohull berths • 16 to 30 metre multihull berths • long lease term until 2108 • experienced on-marina management team • marina lounge, showers, washing and dryer • car park passes and use of courtesy vehicle • 7 day marina security / swipe access to berths • fuel dock / used oil drop area on the marina. For more information on renting or ownership of a marina berth at Port of Airlie, please call Andrew Forster on 0408 842 000.

We look forward to seeing you soon at Port of Airlie, only a 2 minute walk from main Street Airlie Beach.

Port of Airlie Marina and Sales Centre F7, The Boathouse, Airlie Beach Qld 4802 1800 676 526 portofairlie.com.au

See you at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show from 21-24 May 2020. The information in this advertisement is subject to change and will not form part of any offer or contract. Any person must rely upon their own inquiries. While reasonable care has been taken to

www.corelife.com.au 14 14 www.corelife.com.au provide this information, the seller, the receivers and related parties accept no responsibility or liability if anyone relies upon it or for any loss, damage or claim suffered by any person.

CommunityLife

Spreading Kindness With Rocks H

ave you found a painted rock? They are usually hidden in the nook of a tree or tucked into a secret place. You have to be curious and observant because they could be anywhere. When it is your time, you will find your rock. For Shelby Shaw the journey of Whitsunday Rocks began when her baby, Charlee, was born with a complex chromosome disorder. She spent seven long weeks by Charlee’s hospital bed, praying she would survive. During this time Shelby found it therapeutic to paint small rocks, which she would give to the nurses and occasionally, leave in areas for strangers to find. These rocks were symbols of hope and Shelby would fill them with love and energy, often leaving them with poems or notes of kindness. The gesture would mean so much to recipients that they would pay it forward with an act of kindness themselves. Thirteen years later, little Charlee is now a teenager who lives with a profound intellectual disability and is also on the Autism spectrum. The

rocks have become a creative outlet for the pair and a way to connect with the community. Shelby launched Whitsunday Rocks in June 2019, looking for friends her daughter could spend time with. They handed out 768 painted rocks at last years’ Great Barrier Reef Festival and since then, they have been part of many local charity events. Shelby is also working closely with local schools and youth programs hosting workshops and treasure hunts to promote kindness through creativity. The painted rocks have generated hundreds of stories about people finding them at a moment they needed guidance or hope. In addition, Whitsunday rocks have reached 22 countries around the world; one was even given to Yoko Ono on John Lennon’s birthday. Finding colourful painted rocks is not a new phenomenon, the first known artist was Alice Brock in the late 1960’s and years later Megan Murphy and The Kindness Rock Project. Locally we have many groups that do the same; Mackay Rocks, Moranbah Rocks and Emerald Rocks.

The power of kindness is spreading throughout our community; in fact we received a message from Mackay resident, Carol Hair who finds the concept incredibly inspiring. “It is getting the kids and families outdoors and walking through the parks. These rocks give so much pleasure to the young children finding them as well as us older kids.” Carol also found a children's book in a sealed plastic bag with a message saying “Congratulations you have found a ‘find a book surprise’, post a pic to Facebook and re-hide.” Like Carol, you never know where you’ll be when you find your rock. It could be walking along the beach, at the supermarket, in the cinema or at the hospital. This is the excitement of ‘kindness rocks’; they come into your life when you least expect it and quite often when you need them the most. Where will your rock be? For More Information please check out Whitsunday Rocks on facebook @whitsundayrockspage

Ocean views, cocktails at sunset and casual poolside dining - it’s a feast for the senses at The Rocks...

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CommunityLife

Ilse Janicki

91 and Living Her Best Life

he first thing you notice about Ilse (pronounced Elsie) as you walk into her Whitsunday home, is her sparkling blue eyes and broad playful smile. At a spritely 91 years old, Ilse has lived a colourful life, emigrating from Germany with her husband Felix in 1959. We sit down for a ‘cuppa and a chocky biccie’ and she excited to tell me about her life. A lifetime of stories tumble out, how she met Hitler when she was six years old and he patted her on the head. “At that age, I had no idea who he was. I told him to go away!” she laughs. She tells me how she worked at a washing machine factory and ran a delicatessen in Melbourne. Beautiful old pictures came out of a well-loved box and she shows me herself as a young smiling woman in overalls at a factory and standing behind the cake counter. When her husband passed away eight years ago, they had been married for 63 years and I could see her eyes well up at the thought of him. “I still miss him every day,” she confided. After his passing Ilse, moved to the Whitsundays to be near her son and his wife. Her son, now 72 himself, has helped her live the independent life she enjoys.

“I am very lucky. I have a house, I have enough money, I have great neighbours and the support of my community,” she said. One thing that struck me about Ilse is that she has immense gratitude for her life, a positive attitude and a feisty opinionated charm. “I saw that T.V. show about nursing homes last year, when that old man was hit with a shoe by a male nurse, I couldn’t believe it! If it were me, I would’ve hit him back!” I told her that this T.V. show had actually inspired us to write this story. We wanted to celebrate the good news stories, show how important it was to support our older members of the community so they could live independently for as long as possible. Ilse glanced to her left and smiled warmly at Anita who had been sitting with us the whole time. Anita is Ilse’s home care worker who works for Whitsunday Home Care, a government funded service, providing care for older members of our community. Anita visits twice a week to sit and chat, go for walks, help with cleaning and shopping. More than that, she is Isle’s friend and confidant. It was clear they enjoyed sharing many conversations. “I have the most wonderful job,” said Anita, looking fondly at Ilse and taking her hand.

“There’s nothing like coming to work and loving what you do. The love for your clients, the enjoyment you get when you see a smile on their face.” I soon discovered there is a team of support for Ilse, a community of people who all individually help. The police officer who lives opposite makes her feel safe at night, the neighbours who mow her lawn and her son and daughter-in-law who help with the weekly shop. With this caring community around her, Ilse’s house often has visitors and she feels connected to the outside world. Indeed, she has been known to help her neighbours out as well. “I get a call one morning at 2am from my neighbour. His wife has gone into labour and he wants me to go round there and babysit his two-year-old son. I put my dressing-gown on and went straight round,” she says proudly. After meeting Ilse, I can see how important it is for older people to be have the opportunity to live in their own home. Without Whitsunday Home Care and the supportive community around her, Ilse could not do this. They say it takes a community to raise a child, well, in that case, it must take a community to look after our older members as well. Do you have an elderly person living near you? Perhaps you could call round and say hi.

TRY OUR REFRESHING

McCAFÉ ICED RANGE

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CommunityLife

TOURISM OPERATORS

TURN INTO CITIZEN

SCIENTISTS TO MONITOR REEF

WATER QUALITY

ourism operators in the Whitsundays have begun collecting data in a citizen science project to keep track of the water quality in their area. The Whitsunday Water Quality Monitoring Blueprint for Tourism Operators project aims to increase understanding of water quality and reef health in the Whitsundays. Partners from the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership are working hard to improve the health of our waterways and marine environments. As the tourism community has a vested interest in the long-term health and functionality of the Great Barrier Reef, keen tourism operators have been assisting HR2RP with collecting samples for analysis. The operators are well positioned and willing to lead solution-based monitoring, and effectively communicate water quality results. Tourism operators will maintain data loggers and take water quality samples every six weeks. They are being trained by scientists from James Cook University in how to take water quality samples. The program method builds on the extensive water quality monitoring that JCU has been undertaking over many years with North Queensland Bulk Ports across three ports in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Tourism operators, JCU, Reef Catchments and the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association deployed two loggers on 4 February 2020.

Katrina Dent, CEO of Reef Catchments said it is great to see the tourism industry given the opportunity to have more involvement in understanding reef water health. “It’s very exciting to be working with such a diverse range of stakeholders and encouraging to see a group come together to examine the challenges, options and solutions for the future of the Whitsundays.” Sharon Smallwood, executive secretary of the WCBIA said: “Water quality is one of the Whitsunday tourism industry's ongoing challenges. At peak times our region carries more visitation to the Great Barrier Reef than any other on the east Australian coast, so it is vital we understand what is happening at our inshore island reefs. “Establishing baseline data through this water quality monitoring project will empower us to make the best possible management decisions for the benefit of the environment, a sustainable tourism industry, and the one million visitors a year we welcome to our section of the Great Barrier Reef.” NQBP Chief Executive Officer, Nicolas Fertin said that after being awarded in 2019 – jointly with JCU – the Business Higher Education Round Table award for Outstanding Collaboration for National Benefit to the Great Barrier Reef, NQBP is pleased to see the same technology and practices deployed more widely through the Citizen Science program. “NQBP is a proud partner of this project and the exciting connections it creates between

businesses, education and communities to increase common knowledge and understanding of what drives water quality in the Whitsundays,” Mr Fertin said.

The Mackay-Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership (HR2RP) represents 30 organisations committed to understanding and improving the health of Mackay-Whitsunday waterways and marine environments. From ports and resources, to agriculture, conservation and natural resource management, research and Traditional Owners – diversity amongst Partners ensures all sectors are at the table. The Partnership allows collective access to the best available science in waterway and marine monitoring programs, representing an investment of more than $4 million on an annual basis. This project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and NQBP, with support from Reef Catchments, WCBIA, James Cook University, Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership and the Whitsunday Bareboat Operators Association. Participating tourism operators are Ocean Rafting, Red Cat Adventures, True Blue Sailing, Southern Cross Sailing Adventures, and Tallship Adventures. www.corelife.com.au 19

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Let the adventure begin - you’ll love every moment... STAY, PLAY AND EXPLORE AT WWW.CSMR.COM.AU

CommunityLife

Bella Plays Ball Up And Coming Touch-Footy Sportswoman

n order to get the most out of your squad, you need your play¬ers to be more than teammates. For the DeBrincat family, they have this nailed. Mum, Dad and their three children, all play touch football; with four of the five playing in the same Whitsunday team. Not only does it help the family to deepen their bond, it also provides a sense of unparalleled camaraderie to back each other up on the sports field. Aaron DeBrincat, Alita DeBrincat, and their children; Xavier (13), Bella (12) and Jay (9) are all members of the Whitsunday Touch Association, based at the Whitsunday Sportspark. Xavier and Bella play in the same team as their parents in the C Grade competition, while Jay plays in the junior competition. The family extend their passion for the sport beyond competing. Aaron and Alita started playing many years ago and jumped straight into coaching the kids. They are both members of the Whitsunday Touch Association committee, while Aaron and Bella have also completed their referee course. Aaron and Alita are delighted with the progress of the Whitsunday Sportspark, sighting its potential to draw large touch tournaments in the future

“The Whitsunday Sportspark is really starting to take shape. At the completion of works it will certainly become a fantastic community hub for sports and socialising alike. Sportspark President, Justin Butler, has put in a great deal of hours each week into seeing this development progress. We hope that local council and the State Government continue to support our region by ensuring the Sportspark plans are fully funded to completion, to bring large sporting events to the Whitsundays,” Alita said. Player Profile – Bella DeBrincat Bella started playing Touch Football two years ago in both the junior competition and school competition. She’s starting to progress as a player to watch in the senior competition as a star player for the team, ‘Young and Winded’ aptly named for the combination of young and old in the team. Bella played in the school representative team and competed in a competition at Bowen. With a thirst for competition, she also enjoys triathlon, cross country and has recently taken up AFL. She enjoys time out on the water and will snorkel for hours. Why do you love playing touch footy? “I love competing, playing as a family and seeing

new people join the fun of touch footy. Being a referee is a little scary, but I have experienced refs to help me.” What are your sporting ambitions? “I’d love to become a professional touch footy player, but might set my sights on AFL. I’d love to do triathlons or become a policewoman. If sport doesn’t become a career, then I’d be happy to become a chef and travel the world cooking up a storm.” Who is your sporting idol? “Jonathan Thurston is the king! Dad and Mum encourage us to play a variety of sports, be it as an individual or as a team. They love to throw a footy with us and dad always wants to run and is pushing me to race harder. Soon I’ll be able to beat him on a run (I wish).” A game for everyone, Touch Football is especially welcoming to women and families. It’s a fantastic social game and caters for all levels of experience. Check out Whitsunday Touch on Facebook for more information and get ‘in touch’ today.

Bringing The Community Together Through Sport Whitsundaysportspark.com.au secretary@whitsundaysportspark.com.au

Sweet Country Charm

In Proserpine Proserpine is one of the most charming country towns in the whitsunday region. Forged from a largely agricultural background, it started its life as a small cane farming centre in the 1890s when access to the proserpine river, and vast flat areas, provided the perfect foundation to a booming farming industry.

see a colourful, quirky personality emerge. A wonderful example of this is the iconic destination of Colour Me Crazy with its wild and whacky style that captures the imagination of the town and beyond.

urrounded by swaying cane fields and with dozens of small railway tracks leading to the sugar crushing mill, Proserpine rejoices in its agricultural heritage and its reputation of being a small country town. Investigate a bit further, however, and you will

There is a genuine, infectious friendliness to Proserpine that nurtures the community and welcomes strangers. Everyone wants to stop for a chat and it would almost be rude if you had to scuttle off at a city-goers haste. Take your time, relax and enjoy some good ole’ country charm.

The town boasts traditional country charm with its ‘art-deco’ shop fronts, country style hotels serving hearty pub meals with cold Queensland beer and quaint bakeries serving fresh coffee and cake for weary travellers. Head to the community swimming-pool for a free splash at the council-funded waterpark and 50m pool. This kid friendly utopia is free for all; a perfect place to escape the summer heat and cool down with laughter and exercise. On the outskirts of town, on the highway to Bowen, is Whitsunday Gold Coffee and the Tourist Information Centre. This vibrant coffee plantation has a children’s play area, friendly birdlife and more information about the town. Next time you’re in the area, make sure to drive off the highway and show your support to our local small towns by purchasing a coffee and cake or just stopping for a chat. At Proserpine, you’ll always have a story to share or one to take with you when you leave.

Pastry, Pie and a Slice of Prossie Life Whitsunday Bakery Becoming an iconic local business, a place where locals like to meet and chat about their lives, takes time, passion and dedication. This is something Lorella and Steve have served up daily at Whitsunday Bakery for the last 34 years. “We started the business in 1986 with no staff and a whole lot of self belief,” said Lorella. The couple pride themselves on being a family run business and enjoy watching the different generations of Proserpine locals grow through the years. Their own staff members have been with them for many of these years as well. Susan who joined the team after deciding to make a career change from working at a local day care, where Lorella and Steve’s children went, has now been at Whitsunday Bakery for 15 years. Similarly, Sheena, began working for Steve as his assistant, then after getting married and having children, decided she wanted a more family-friendly career. Whitsunday Bakery was able to offer her the flexibility

www.corelife.com.au 22 www.corelife.com.au 22

she needed and she has been working there ever since. The close connection shared between all the staff members is obvious the moment you walk in, and this friendly, happy atmosphere feels like home. Indeed, customers from all over the region enjoy a cosy chat at the counter before heading off to work or home. “Coffee is a large part of our mornings with people running in for their caffeine fix. We love it! They tell us their stories as we make their cappuccino,” said Lorella. By far the most popular baked good is their iconic pies. This year, however, they have introduced a range of salads which can either be accompanied with a pie, spinach and ricotta parcel, savoury pastry, or even enjoyed as a meal in themselves. When it comes to your mid-morning coffee and relax, Lorella recommends the carrot cake for a perfect combo. So next time you’re in Prossie, make sure you callin and say hi, treat yourself to a cake or a pie, take a seat and share a story or two with the locals.

Proserpinefeature

You’ve Coloured Me Crazy for 24 Years!

he style-savvy ladies at Colour Me Crazy are celebrating a huge milestone this year. Not only has Colour Me Crazy been open for 24 years, their longest serving staff member, Stacey, has now been working there for ten years! With its vibrant, funky atmosphere, eclectic taste and effortless style, Colour Me Crazy is regarded as our regions most inspiring on-trend boutique shopping experience. Indeed, people come from all over the country to enjoy the wild and sometimes whacky adventure of shopping at Colour Me Crazy. Owner, Robin, decided to open a retail outlet to sell her homemade aromatherapy products and the funky clocks her husband made. Both products proved popular and as their reputation grew, so did the variety of products, expanding to the jewels in the Aladdin’s cave we see today. Robin’s alternative style and colourful taste, along with her barefoot antics certainly caused a few raised eyebrows when the shop first opened in Proserpine. Despite this, Colour Me Crazy has always been well received by Prossie locals and was instantly welcomed into the local

business community. Together Robin and Stacey are the creative vision behind Colour Me Crazy, their unique on-trend products furnish houses and make the perfect gifts. In addition, the two women have forged a friendship that will last a lifetime. “We joke that we spend more time with each other than our families!” Laughs Stacey. “Our saying is that ‘Stacey is the boss and Robin pays the bills!’ But in all seriousness our personalities bounce off each other. We are both very different but equally passionate about Colour Me Crazy” Top Picks In-Store Right Now Robin: 1. Stone & Silver jewellery 2. Kip & Co Homewares 3. Kompanero Leather Bags Stacey: 1. Kompanero Leather Bags 2. Anything Animal Print 3. Fashion Jewellery

Whitsunday Fresh Bread, Pies, Cakes, Sweet Treats and Delicious Coffee Baking in Proserpine for 30 Years

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Proserpinefeature

take a seat in proserpine S

pecialising in supplying and installing seats for almost any vehicle, machine and office space Seat Shop Australia is dedicated to finding the best seat to suit your needs. Managed by local mum, Amanda Smith, who is also a fully qualified mechanic, Seat Shop Australia first began in 2014 when Amanda’s parents expanded their Townsville business, FB Auto Repairs which opened in 1978. Amanda trained as a mechanic there 12 years ago before opening the Proserpine branch of Seat Shop Australia in December 2019 with her parents, Peter and Margaret. She brings years of family knowledge

and experience to Proserpine and is able to carry out any repair work needed in store. Now a mum of her own, with a one and three year old, Amanda is excited to get back to work after maternity leave. She has completed a second trade as a Mobile Plant Mechanic, plus Cert IV courses in Engineering and OEM courses on Palfinger VLCs. Seats Shop Australia offers a diverse range of products. They are the sole authorized Australian importer for United Seats Europe and market leader Sears Seating which come factory standard in machinery such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, John Deere, Kubota and more. Stocking a wide range of genuine or aftermarket

spare parts and accessories plus custom seat covers made right here in North Queensland. Amanda also offers Vehicle Loading Cranes (VLC) and tailgate loader service, repairs and spare parts plus VLC annual inspections. As a one-woman-shop, Amanda opens Monday – Thursday but as the family business expands she is looking forward to employing locals and extending these hours. Seat Shop Australia is located in the old shell service station building on the highway in Proserpine so make sure you call in and say hello to this new business owner who would love to help with your seating or mechanical needs.

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CLEAN COLON CLEAR MIND BOTTOMS UP COLONICS IN PROSERPINE Did you know the colon is the “second brain” in our bodies? It has more neurotransmitters than our spine and it’s also where we produce and store serotonin (our happy drug). This fact alone means that taking care of our colon is just as important as other health practices such as keeping fit, eating well and looking after our mental wellbeing. Quite often the colon gets overlooked in our general health regime, most often because it is tucked away in an area associated with embarrassing bodily functions such as poo and farts. Fortunately, as we become more aware of the importance of overall gut health through mainstream media; colon cleansing treatments such as colonics are becoming more popular. This is great news for local Proserpine businesswoman, Selena Daly, who has just celebrated her second year in business at Bottoms Up Colonics Whitsunday, colonic hydrotherapy clinic. “Everybody would benefit from a colonic! We have clients from as young as 5 through to 95,” said Selena. The procedure is very discreet, clean and hygienic. It lasts for 45 minutes to an hour and is performed while you lie on a massage bed. A speculum with inlet and outlet tubing attached is

inserted and this allows a steady and slow cleansing flush with continuous water flow. The water is infused with herbal or nutrientbased mixture so your body gets a boost of nutrients and during the flush your therapist will massage your abdomen with pure grade aromatherapy oils. After your treatment, you can expect to feel clean, empty, refreshed, energetic, light and clear-headed. Your tummy will be flat and you may also find that you lose up to 3 or 4 kilos from a single treatment! Selena first discovered the power of colonics when she was 21 years old after a series of health issues led her to trying colonics, which ultimately changed her life forever. She became so passionate about these health benefits that she decided to dedicate her life to helping others through her business. When she’s not changing the world, one colonic at a time, this local Proserpine lady enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. “My family and I love going to the beach to feel the wind in our hair, sand beneath our toes and salty kisses on our skin. Swimming, fishing and exploring is where it’s at for us,” said Selena.

WHAT ARE SOME MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH COLONICS? Myth: Colonics strip the gut of good bacteria Truth: colonics don’t remove anymore good bacteria than you do through a normal poo on the toilet, in fact colonics assist in flushing bad bacteria to create an environment for the food to grow and thrive Myth: Will I be embarrassed... Truth: Possibly, but after 10 minutes or so you should relax. Our therapists often use the treatment themselves and are very respectful and sympathetic to how you feel. They do their best to put you at your ease. You're covered discreetly, your tummy is massaged and the warm water is soothing for your bowel. Faecal matter is removed via the tube so there is no odour or mess.

GETTING A FLUSH CAN DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH AND MOOD

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Get Flushed LEARN ABOUT GETTING FLUSHED. CALL SELENA AT BOTTOMS UP COLONICS WHITSUNDAY ON 07 4945 3235 www.corelife.com.au

Proserpinefeature

A PASSION FOR PET CARE

riendly country vet surgery, Proserpine Vets, is a sanctuary for animals all over the region. Saving the lives of our most favourite furry companions is something Faye and her team do every day. “We have so many positive stories that happen every day,” said Faye. “Bringing babies into the world safely is a big one. Another would be saving the life of a beloved pet. Performing lengthy surgeries to remove a cancer or a blockage in the bowel like a corn cob or peach seed are others. There are so many different things, we save lives! There is, however, a very sobering side to what we do such as helping people farewell their beloved pets, something we take extremely seriously.” Faye and her husband Clay have owned Proserpine Vets for ten years, prior to that they worked alongside the previous owner, Dr Bill Bowman, and his main nurse Billye Jean Stevens for seven years. “We enjoyed this partnership. They had a great work ethic and passion for helping the community. They also had a good sense of humour whilst being very professional,” said Faye.

Every day is different at Proserpine Vets and all the staff need to be prepared for anything, ready to perform under pressure while keeping a smile on their face. It is important to Faye that her team are as passionate about the people as they are about the animals. To Faye, this is an integral part of working in a small rural surgery.

“I love the closeness of our Community. We have a colourful mix of primary producers, hobby farmers, retirees, travellers and all that is linked to being in one of the most beautiful places in the world to live and holiday in, we are very lucky!” Faye is very proud of her team and recognises how each person is a vital component. “Our catch phrase: ‘We are a friendly country service you can rely on.’ This is something we endeavour to uphold. We have each other’s back, and we strive, each day, to be our best.” With a young daughter diagnosed with the chronic degenerative illness Cystic Fibrosis, Faye needs more flexibility as a business owner than most and having an amazing team behind her allows this freedom to care for her daughter. “We now have four vets working at the surgery;

Melissa who is a local girl and married to a Prossie guy. She graduated with our Jason Mansfield “The Big Fella”, 5 years ago. Alycia, who hails from Elimbah, near Caboolture and recently graduated from JCU Townsville.” In addition to this, Proserpine Vets has two core nurses; Tegan King (Talbot) who has worked at the surgery for 13 years and her cousin, Georgia Plemenuk for 4 years. They both share Faye’s drive to serve the Whitsunday community and recognise the importance of the work they do. Over the last 17 years Proserpine Vets has steadily incorporated a diverse range of “add on” services including hydrobathing, grooming, a cattery, puppy preschool , quality food and merchandise. In the next 12 months they also will be extending the floor space in preparation for the decade ahead . “We are well placed to provide an excellent service, ever growing and ever caring about the people and the animals, large and small, within the Whitsundays and surrounds” said Faye. Please follow the Proserpine Vets on Facebook and Instagram to learn more. Look out for their regular posts to keep you informed.

PROSERPINE VETERINARY SURGERY For Large and small animals!

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Servicing: Calen, Bloomsbury, Midge Point, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Jubilee Pocket, Bowen, Collinsville

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HOW TO BOOST YOUR SUPER BALANCE AFTER HAVING KIDS

he average super balance for men and women at age 40 is $106,187 and $79,709. In other words, women only have three quarters the super balance of men. The imbalance gets even worse at older ages. One reason for this are that on average women are paid less than men so their employer super payments are lower. The bigger reason is that women often take many years out of the workforce to be the primary carer for children. Those years with no employer contributions have a huge impact on compound interest through to retirement. Then of course there is the reality that many women struggle to find employment after years out of the workforce and often go back to work on significantly lower incomes. PMS 2768

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Recognising this, the government have built some incentives into the superannuation system to try and address the imbalance. With rules changes over the last few years reintroducing caps on how much super you can covert to a tax-free pension in retirement, it’s more important than ever to consider these strategies. The first strategy involves superannuation splitting. This is an annual option for one partner to split up 85% of their contributions for the previous year into their spouses account. It’s a simple strategy that allows contributions to continue going into the lower balance spouses account to ensure it grows as well. It’s a great but underutilised strategy as it involves filling out a form each year. Another strategy is the government co-

contribution. This is a bonus paid by the government to encourage contributions into a low-income earning spouses account. The bonus payment is on a sliding scale based on the receiver’s taxable income and is capped. At it’s best if someone’s taxable income is under $38,564 then the government will pay a bonus of 50% of the contributions made to a maximum of $500 per year. In simple terms contribute $1,000 of personal money over the year and get a bonus of $500 or 50% in one hit. It doesn’t matter where the money comes from. These are simple strategies and incentives that have been around for years. Utilising them to help keep money going into a non-working or lower income spouses super can make a huge difference in retirement.

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“ NOT ME… I’M IN MY PRIME”

hose famously drawled words by Val Kilmer’s terminally ill character Doc Holliday in Hollywood’s blockbuster Tombstone, are very fitting for present purposes. Depending on our age and health, we all think we’re pretty bullet proof, despite irrefutable evidence that we’re all destined to end up the same way. Buying the farm. Pushing up daisies. Croaking. Pegging out. Sleeping with the fishes... FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER The truth is that we prefer to occupy our minds with less grim, more urgent, immediate, fun, thoughts: www.corelife.com.au 30 30 www.corelife.com.au

• where are we going to live? • where (and when) are we going to travel to? • w hat’s our social / sporting / cultural calendar shaping up like? • what’s on this weekend? • what’s on now? The point? We’ve got so much going on now, and so much life ahead of us it’s virtually impossible to comprehend it ending any time soon. Every so often there’s a reminder of our limited time on this planet. When someone close to us dies for example, it can be a telling and

devastating eye opener, especially when they’re young. Out come the clichés - time is precious, make the most of it, don’t take it for granted. You get the picture. All true. But for many of us these reminders only move the needle for a moment, and we inevitably shift back to the Oyster. We’re human. We’re optimistic. We’re consumers, and we’re back chasing down the new adventure, the new career, the new smart phone. THE VALUE PROPOSITION A while ago I caught a shuttle from the airport to my home in Airlie.

BusinessLife

Business was obviously good for the bus company – the seats were all full and I found myself in the front passenger seat next to the driver. We chatted easily for the trip. She got to asking me what I did. I told her. Possibly out of politeness, she said she needed a Will, and asked me what it might cost. I told her it depended on some circumstances but gave her some basic numbers and choices off the cuff. She whistled a breath in through her teeth, concluding it was too expensive. It occurred to me my bus driver saw zero value in doing something about a Will: whether it was a grudge purchase or just an unsavoury thought, she immediately went to a place where she believed this service was of little or no value to her.

one of life’s mysteries. She just shrugged and busied herself with the important task at hand of ensuring a bus full of people were delivered safely and on time to their respective destinations. We chatted and laughed a few more times and then I hopped off. THE DISCONNECT I’d missed the opportunity to get my message across just how important a Will was, regardless of who did it. It became a discussion on a dollar figure, and I don’t think that’s right. That said, I’ve heard and seen that perspective so often I was also left wondering if I’m the one missing the point. But, call me stubborn (get in line), I don’t think I am missing the point. It comes down to this:

I decided to push on a bit, not to win her over but rather just to understand her viewpoint, and given we’d established what felt like a pretty honest and frank rapport over the last 20 kilometres she appeared to have no problem with this.

• is the thing (the Will) worth the spend?

First, we talked about choices – it really didn’t matter to her which law firm she chose as the market pretty much dictated cost, and she felt like most firms had similar offerings. We then talked about the growing self-service market – she could most definitely buy a DIY version online but DIY also meant DIY legal research on your own time, and DIY your own guarantee that you can get it right and it will work out ok for your entire life’s net worth.

THE GUILT TRIP

We then moved on to the value proposition, and what I saw as the issue. If someone’s net personal wealth on their death might be substantial (say several hundred thousand dollars), why does having a Will professionally prepared for as little as a few hundred dollars to protect it not represent one of the very best investments a person (who we’ve established is guaranteed to die) could ever make? At this point, my driver’s interest in exploring the issue any further evaporated. Whether my attempts to understand her point of view veered into a lecture from a know-it-all (me), or whether she was now deep in thought following my ‘pearls of wisdom’, will remain

• W hat is the value attaching to it for me (my lifetime of assets and my family’s future); • w hat are my loved ones risking if I do nothing?

The hardest thing for us as consumers is that there’s no sugar hit, no instant gratification, no ‘new-car feeling’ from doing a Will. In fact, it’s a selfless gesture – we’re putting our family members first. Beyond peace of mind, we’re not getting any direct and personal benefit from making a Will during our lifetime. Not like a flat screen TV or some new clothes. Or that new smart phone. We’ll be dead. Ultimately, there is no real argument that making a Will is not worth it. So if you are actually inclined to acknowledge your own mortality and get a bit more info on exploring making a Will, give us a call obligation free. If not that’s ok too, but don’t avoid getting one because you don’t see the value. That’s frankly a cop out. It’s extremely valuable and you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be as informed as you can be and to get it organised.

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Socially Responsible Investing THE IDEA OF INVESTING IN COMPANIES THAT ARE SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SOME TIME.

The question is, do you sacrifice personal gain for your personal beliefs in what will benefit society, the planet and animals? I do know of people who have sacrificed personal gain for the satisfaction of not investing in industries that are seen to be environmentally damaging such as mining companies or tanneries. Often these investments have low returns and high fees but why, surely industries such as solar energy or re-cycling make profits? The other question is are they really socially responsible? My daughter recently sent me details of a socially responsible investment she was looking at investing in and I noticed that companies included in the investment contained mining and other industries I wouldn’t have expected. I queried this and she said they included companies that were ethical, but many companies claim to be ethical or socially responsible by highlighting the work they do in the community, such as the provision of grants to community groups and charities. This does not mean that their core business is in the best interest of society, the planet and animals. Even those industries that appear to be socially responsible, such as solar energy or LED lights, how do you know whether somewhere in their supply chain child labour hasn’t been used or that the energy used in the manufacturing process comes from fossil fuel? It can be a minefield and Scott Pape, author of “The Barefoot Investor”, thinks that you are better off getting the best return for your money and then directly donating the profits to the causes you believe in. www.corelife.com.au 33

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PINPOINT PROPERTY “Real estate is all about people, not property. The house is just the transaction piece. It's how well you deal with people that will create your success, you have to have integrity.”

here has been a universal shift in the expectations of customers over the past decade with promptness, accuracy and integrity being high on their list of priorities. As Owner of Pinpoint Property, Allison Cunningham firmly believes the real estate industry is miles ahead of its reputation, but still has a long way to go to diminish the inaccurate viewpoint most people have of the industry. "It's like all facets of life, there is always that minority who ruin reputation for others and I think it's important to do the right thing by people and be kind, even when others aren't,” she added. Allison entered the real estate industry straight out of school after completing work experience. Motivated from a young age, she enjoyed the interaction with people and challenge of the industry.

m a h g n i n n u Allison C

12 Gregory Street Mackay P: 0411 839 434 www.corelife.com.au 44 44 www.corelife.com.au

"I knew I could do this well. So I started my business from the dining room; letterbox dropping street after street. I had no clients, so I just spent all day letterbox dropping. Slowly I had one, two then ten. Ten years later I still have

some of those original clients who gave me a go." Allison is a current REIQ zone chairman for Mackay and her business grows more successful each year. Allison commented, "Starting from scratch, growing through the downturn and currently being recognised as one of Mackay’s top agencies is my biggest ongoing business achievement.” Nominated three years in a row for the REIQ awards for excellence in both best regional and best small office in QLD, it's not hard to see why. Allison has created a business culture that truly cares about doing 'it right'. With the daily pressure of being a business owner in a chaotic industry, Allison loves nothing more than a cuppa tea at home with her family to relax. “It's my happy place. It's that feeling I wish for everyone.” Q&A WITH ALLISON What's the best movie you've ever watched? “I love Aussie movies that stay with you decades on, like The Castle or Man from Snowy River. I mean, if you haven't seen those are you even Australian? Haha.” Photography by Marty Strecker

A FUSION OF TASTE

Leni Fries LA TABELLA

“I fell in love with the hospitality industry from the beginning, though it was by accident. I actually trained to be a hairdresser and worked in that profession for six years, but I also worked evenings in a restaurant for an additional income and found it was my perfect place.”

wner of Airlie Beach’s famous esplanade restaurant, La Tabella, Leni Fries is proud to say that it was her older brother who inspired her to head to the top of hospitality. Her brother moved to Switzerland to study hospitality at Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, often referred to as the best hotel management school in the World. After returning to Australia, he owned the very successful Colonial Inn in Berrima. Leni said, “I would visit in school holidays and my brother would have me running tasks throughout the hotel; from polishing glasses to delivering room service trays.” At age 25, Leni was managing the Inn for her brother and learnt the best hospitality techniques from him. Following the sale of the business she went to Sydney where she continued her successful career and managed the iconic La Grillade Restaurant in Crows Nest. From the strict Swiss teachings, she soon became a household name in the industry; renowned for her passion for great service and giving customers the complete dining experience. After working for her brother for more than 20 years, Leni and her husband packed up their life into an off-road camper trailer and travelled remote areas of Australia for more than two years. By chance, a block of land at Airlie Beach ticked all the boxes, and so began their life in the Whitsundays. Leni worked for the Oatley family on Hamilton Island, establishing the executive concierge services. Another twist of fate presented itself when an iconic Airlie Beach restaurant location became available. This was Leni’s opportunity to create a destination of her own, encompassing all she had learned about superior service through her years of hospitality expertise. When it comes to being a successful woman in business, Leni says there are no secrets, just a lot of hard work. “It can take years to achieve your desired result. Never lose sight of the big picture, no matter what hurdles you may face along the way. Employing the right people is key. They must share your passion and vision for exceptional service as they are the ones representing your business to your customers. Create a happy environment, one where staff are proud to work, and they will repay you with their support,” Leni said. Q&A WITH LENI Can you share an interesting moment from your travels around Australia?

Photography by Norina Jane

We went fishing on the Daly River in the Northern Territory in the hopes of catching a Barramundi. We had this inflatable rubber duck boat, like a small tender, that had travelled around Australia with us. On the river we certainly received a few raised eyebrows and looks from the other fishermen. We saw the occasional croc surface, but we felt safe enough. As it happens, we caught a 1.2m barra and lived to tell the tale!” If you could choose anything for your last meal, what would it be? “An open campfire with my husband, cooking a roast leg of lamb in a camp oven in the coals; with all the herbs and veggies roasting with the lamb inside. Under the stars dining at its best.”

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Jessica Seymour MINESPEC PARTS “I have always loved how things work and what components make them run.”

mashing stereotypes and proving that women can do anything, Jessica Seymour is a self-taught parts guru, with more than a decade under her belt in dealing with small engines and components before taking a leap into the field of large machinery. Feeling unfulfilled in an administration role, Jess took the initiative to read literature on engines and parts, researched motorcycle models, studies parts diagrams and engaged with people in the industry to learn as much as she could. Her move into parts and engines then set the foundation for her as a woman in a heavily male-dominated industry which Jess says has been fundamental in shaping her as both a strong woman and dedicated employee. “Perceptions and stereotypes will always be there, but I feel the way you present yourself and your ability to do your job will quickly alter any pre-conceived thoughts. “Minespec Parts are very much in line with gender balanced workforces, heavily supporting Miss Universe Australia and women in industry as a whole, so the team were very accepting when I made the transition to my role. I have grounded myself with customers and have formed great business relationships.” Jessica started with Minespec Parts just over a year ago as a parts salesperson. After 10 years working with small components, it was a calculated risk moving into a new industry, but as someone who likes to upskill, learn and be challenged, the move has been beneficial and rewarding. She starts her day at 6:30am and is responsible for marketing stock to clients and ensuring their client base has a point of contact for any urgent requirements as well as supporting her boss, Simon Ross and their travelling salesperson, David Jurik, with anything they need while on the road. She has received high praise from some of Minespec’s biggest industry clients. “When I had first started, I received a compliment for something that I perceived as myself just doing my job. The national manager for used parts at Komatsu, Jeff Barnes, had sent a great compliment of my work ethic which has stuck with me. It reminds me that I am capable of doing my job and I am great at my job. “Sometimes the littlest things have the biggest impact on a person.” FUN FACT ABOUT JESS It’s a good thing Jess grew up as a self-confessed tomboy, as she has a very real fear of dolls! “I am actually petrified of them to the point where I cannot be in the same room as them or go into the toy section.” Q&A WITH JESS

Photography by Norina Jane

Who do you look up to as a business mentor? “My brother, Todd, has been a big inspiration. He has such a positive outlook and has worked hard to create his image and business, Seyspark Electrical. We are both very competitive and strive for success in our chosen fields, but I closely follow him on Instagram to see his projects and finished products.” Any interesting stories behind a tattoo or scar? I have four tattoos, but a faded scar on my chin tells the most interesting story. As a child, I attempted the superman dive out of the cab of a Mack truck whilst on holiday in Cloncurry and split my chin open. The knee graze scars have been covered by other grazes. www.corelife.com.au 46 46 www.corelife.com.au

Mandy Bennett P

FEEL AT HOME AT MANDYS

MANDYS CAFÉ

art of being a successful business owner is to trust your instincts and go with your gut. When Mandy Bennett was offered the opportunity to purchase the Michel's Patisserie Company franchise in Cannonvale, initially she said yes; but after in-depth investigation, her intuition led her to buying the business outright to make it her own. From there, Mandys was born. Located in the Whitsunday Plaza, Mandys is a family-owned and operated café serving food from the heart. While the dream of owning her own café is Mandy’s, everyone in the family has a vital role. Her husband Craig looks after the administration behind the scenes and is the on-call handyman. Their son Mitchell works alongside Mandy and has become quite the frittata maker; and when her daughter, Kate is not studying year 9, she is the team’s youngest superstar barista. Before establishing the café, Mandy ran the Cannonvale State School Tuckshop for three-and-ahalf years. “I always wanted a cafe where people could come and feel comfortable and recognised, relaxed and at home. We home make a huge majority of our cabinet food and everything is always fresh and well presented. On any given day you’ll hear giggles coming from the kitchen and great music playing for our customers. “We also love our family food times together at home and believe it is key to our success as a family and our business,” Mandy said. DID YOU KNOW? Mandy and her family lived in spectacular Egypt for three years, viewing the pyramids on a daily basis from the rooftop of their apartment. Three days after arriving back from a visit to Australia, Mandy and Kate were being evacuated because of the 2011 revolution. The first plane the company had arranged was hijacked by a higher bidder, the second was grounded in Alexandria due to all internal flights being cancelled, all the while Craig was stuck at work in the desert. It took 41 hours via Rome, London to Houston; with only carry-on bags they had gone from 40 degrees to -1. Thankfully Craig was reunited with them a few days later. Q&A WITH MANDY

Photography by Norina Jane

What has been your most memorable day at Mandys? “I received a call from a lovely lady to make a cake for her wedding anniversary. Of course, I was happy to, and she was delighted with the result. I was then to learn that it was for her and her son, as she had lost her husband. My heart was broken but I was delighted that I could do this small thing for her. All of this was done over the phone and she had collected the cake on my day off, so I had never met her. I was very privileged to be able to meet this wonderful brave woman later when she came in for lunch and introduced herself. The first thing I did was give her a hug and tell her how brave and wonderful I thought she was. I now get to see her often as a valued customer and it iswww.corelife.com.au an honour. 47

Ashleigh Lawson ALLWAYS DIGITAL

ranslating business goals into successful online marketing campaigns is what Allways Digital is all about. At the helm is Digital Marketing Specialist, Ashleigh Lawson who explains how discovering and defining your brand is important in the digital age. “We take the time to break down digital marketing into terms that are easy to understand. It’s important to deliver a marketing strategy that is true to your business’ brand and which will generate more authentic leads with your ideal clientele,” Ashleigh said.

to boost her mood and motivation. Fun fact about Ashleigh: She recently got her first tattoos – a little bowl of noodles and a goose. “These seem completely random to most; but are actually sweet reminders of my nephews. My nephews are Ned (Noodle) and Angus (Goose) so it’s a cute yet abstract way for me to represent my love for them. The fact that my childhood BFF was the one to do the tattoos just added to the sentiment. Q&A WITH ASHLEIGH What's the most memorable experience you've ever had on holiday?

Ashleigh has always had an interest in computers and at age 14, she taught herself basic coding. She has also had a lifelong passion for art and design. When she realised she could merge the two, Ashleigh found her ideal industry in digital design and marketing. She enrolled in a Bachelor of Digital Media at CQUniversity and immediately got to work forming successful business relationships.

“In Year 12, I went on an incredible school trip to visit Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Russia. As a passionate modern history student, I loved visiting the places we had studied and being immersed in the culture. Experiencing an insane overseas holiday with a big group of seventeen-year-olds was one of the craziest travel experiences I think I’ll ever have. Looking back, those two weeks totally felt like a coming of age movie.”

“While studying, I began freelancing and was able to build a strong portfolio. I was offered a full-time role at the end of university, where I built and represented another local digital firm. Towards the end of last year, I was looking to branch out on my own and local accounting firm, Connole Carlisle, were looking to provide a reliable digital marketing referral for clients; so we partnered up.”

What is your favourite fragrance? “Daisy Dream – Marc Jacobs.”

Ashleigh says that she is lucky to work in a fast-paced environment to keep her challenged. “Like many creatives, I can get bored easily, so my ever-changing daily landscape is a massive benefit of my role. I can spend entire days or weeks focusing on website design and coding. In general, I spend a good portion of time interacting with clients to humanise digital marketing. I’m absolutely a people person so I love having a chat or workshopping an idea together over a coffee. Other than that, my day is spent translating ideas and briefs into creative and strategic projects,” she added. Ashleigh loves true crime and says that she can spend hours going down the rabbit hole of unsolved mysteries. She visits her nephews in Townsville often as they always find a way

Photography by Liz Andrews

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“My motto is simple; ‘Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.’”

Manuela Liesch

WHITSUNDAY REALTY

rom a small village in Germany, Manuela (Mani) Liesch packed up her life in 2004 to swap northern constellations with southern ones. One of her favourite childhood memories is ice skating on a frozen lake in her hometown, and her once white Christmases have now been replaced by white Whitsunday sand. While moving to the other side of the world was as much frightening as it was thrilling, Mani looks at how much her life has changed. Her and husband Troy have three beautiful children and after moving to the Whitsundays from Central Queensland, they established their own business, Whitsunday Realty, in 2006. With a strong educational and retail background, Mani was perfect to step into the role of office manager. She studied Science of Education at University in Germany and gained retail experience once moving to Australia; giving her the perfect blend of administrative and customer service knowledge. The ability to tailor solutions to their clients is what Mani

believes gives Whitsunday Realty an advantage. “We do have a strong focus on superior customer service. That comes from tailoring solutions for each individual customer, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all rentals and sales approach. We strive to keep a positive outlook and genuinely enjoy what we do. Our dedicated property management specialists will ensure that your tenants are desirable, your property is professionally managed, and your rental returns are maximized, going that extra mile.” Centrally located in Proserpine's Main Street, Whitsunday Realty services from Dingo Beach to Midge Point and all areas between, including Airlie Beach, Cannonvale and Jubilee Pocket. FUN FACT ABOUT MANI Mani is such a sports fan, that two of her children are named after famous sporting personalities. Her main sport to watch is soccer as it’s ingrained into the German culture, but also a basketball fan, her eldest son is named after the late Kobe Bryant, while her second son is named after Cooper Cronk. She also enjoys watching ice hockey and tennis. As a mum and woman in business, Mani’s motivation and admiration comes from her own mother as well as other mothers who are in business. “I know how hard it is to juggle running a business with raising a family,” she added. DID YOU KNOW? Mani speaks four languages; German, Russian, English and Latin. She is currently learning a fifth, Italian. Q&A WITH MANI What's the most memorable experience you've ever had on holiday?

Photography by Norina Jane

“Traveling Egypt, diving the Red Sea and of course, Troy proposing on top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.”

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Photography by Liz Andrews

Find You

Nicole Shepherd

Nicole Geisler Gayle Bobbin

Michelle McIntosh Leanne Druery

Rebecca Smith

INTRODUCING THE TRIBE

hey say that behind every successful woman is a tribe of successful women who have her back. These Mackay women in business brought together by Leanne Druery have found their tribe. Individually they are as strong as rivers, but together they form the force of a mighty ocean. LEANNE DRUERY Sales Consultant | Gardian Real Estate Leanne has discovered the joy that comes with sharing success with other likeminded businesspeople. As a result, she supports an important ecosystem of men and women throughout her community. “Our tribe understands the focus is always on giving our clients the best customer experience. It is an absolute pleasure helping my clients achieve their life goals.” MICHELLE MCINTOSH Owner | Shelby and Co Cleaning Services Spotless for inspection and sparkling clean www.corelife.com.au www.corelife.com.au 50 50takeover; for Michelle from Shelby and Co

ensures her team of experienced cleaners leave no mark unscrubbed. “This amazing group of women is bound together by the willingness to go the extra mile for our clients; striving for excellence and supporting each other is what we are about.” NICOLE GEISLER Financial Adviser | Phillips Mortgage Choice Financial Planning As a financial adviser, Nicole’s mission is to help clients achieve their financial goals. At Phillips Mortgage Choice, she works toward protecting people’s finances after the purchase of a property. “I have an inherent ability to care for the people I do business with. It allows me to better understand what really matters to my clients when helping them achieve their life goals.”

TIFFANY BLANCH Senior Loans Manager | Phillips Mortgage Choice As an experienced mortgage broker, Tiffany helps people to find the best finance deal to suit their property purchasing requirements. “The service our tribe provides is second-tonone. My individual strength is in the care and passion for what I do, to help people find finance solutions to purchase their dream home.” DANIELLE MIDDENDORP Sales Associate to Leanne Druery | Gardian Real Estate Danielle works closely with Leanne to prepare properties for the sales market, liaising with the other tribe members to ensure cleanliness and style is on point for potential buyers to view. Did you know? Danielle has a degree in Zoology and Animal Science! This has led to her globetrotting to work with more than 50 animal species.

our Tribe

Tiffany Blanch Catherine Zamparutti

Debbie Smith

DEBBIE SMITH Conveyancing Officer | Property Law Centre

CATHERINE ZAMPARUTTI Owner | Catherine Zamparutti Photography

Debbie’s role in the tribe is to guide Gardian’s buyers and sellers through the process of transferring property.

In a fast-paced world, every second counts. That’s why Catherine places emphasis on ensuring the first impression captures attention with skilful real estate photography.

“I am one of a small team of dedicated women who want the best outcome for our clients. We are ready to take the hassle out of what can sometimes be a stressful process.” KELLY PARKER Director/Lawyer | Parker Law QLD Having a good lawyer is integral to the buying or selling process. Kelly and her team complete the legal requirements to ensure a smooth transaction. “As a director of a boutique law firm, I pride myself on speaking to every client of my business, providing personalised advice based on my 20+ years of legal experience.”

“Our inter-group relationships enhance our ability to work with and build on each other’s strengths; we share each other’s vision, passion and desire for a great outcome.” NICOLE SHEPHERD Owner/Stylist | NicNax Property Staging and Styling As a stylist, Nicole’s aim is to give your property the edge in marketing. By presenting an immaculately styled home, the likelihood of a speedy sale and top dollar is increased. “I work closely with the clients, photographers and agents to gain a precise understanding of the target market and our ultimate goals.”

Danielle Middendorp

Kelly Parker

GAYLE BOBBIN Stylist | Wishbone Property Styling Preparing your home for sale can be a huge task, but the team at Wishbone Property Styling can spruce up the gardens, complete necessary maintenance and then fully stage your property for sale. “Our success is a result of focusing on quality output rather than financial income. This integrity and work ethic tie this tribe of amazing women together.” REBECCA SMITH Owner | J & B Pest Control Ensuring the creepy crawlies have moved out before you move in is what Rebecca Smith does best. She works with Leanne to provide accurate and in-depth pre-purchase pest and building reports. “Being in a mainly male-dominated field, having women in other fields to support me is incredibly important. We provide each other honest, reliable services and advice and support.” www.corelife.com.au 51

THE FINAL CLICK

Norina Jane Kent FROM WHITPRO

he was smiling when her camera made the final click; another Core Life Magazine client captured in perpetuality, another creative vision making a difference to local business owners. It wasn’t until the magazine’s owner, Rebecca Douthwaite, asked, “Are you sad?” Then the floodgates opened. The realisation that the shutter was now shut, for good. That almost a decade of adventures with a best friend was coming to a close. The end of an era. Many people in our community know Norina Jane as one of the best wedding photographers in North Queensland. Her work was exceptional and she was highly sought after. But running a landscaping business with her husband Tim, as well as being a wedding photographer and freelance photographer for Core Life Magazine took a toll. So after 1011 couples, she was done with wedding photography, it was time to give up photos for plants and return to her horticultural roots. Norina’s late father, Raoul Kent, was the highestranking martial arts master in the world at the time of his passing. He taught her about the dedication it takes to truly excel in any chosen field. “My father would say to me that it takes a million repetitions before you can call yourself a master at anything. Well it’s been more than 25 years and I worked out that I have taken more than 10,000,000 photos. I actually have arthritis in my trigger finger, that’s funny but it just might be an indication that it’s time for change.” The sacrifice Norina made to master her craft also ended up becoming her biggest regret. She opens up about the hardest day of her professional career as a photographer. “I received a call on a Wednesday that the cancer that had spread through Dad’s body had taken a toll and he was nearing the end of his time. I was in Queensland, he lived in Victoria. “I didn’t know if he would be gone in hours, days, a week or two? I called Dad, but he was so consumed by morphine that the conversation was challenging. I could feel him reaching out to me and I could hear that he was drifting in and out of conscious thought. “I had a wedding booked for Saturday with a

couple who had their heart set on me as their photographer. I battled with the choice, should I fly on Friday to get to my Dad and crush this couple, days before their wedding; or fly on Sunday and hope Dad holds on until I get there? “Dad passed away on Friday and I had chosen to stay to shoot the wedding. Saturday was the hardest shoot of my career. As the father walked the bride down the aisle the tears streamed down my face. The wedding was beautiful and I don’t think anyone had any idea of the grief I pushed through. I’m sorry if the couple ever read this, but this sacrifice is one I will regret forever.” Any wedding photographer will empathise and agree that the profession requires a tremendous amount of personal sacrifice. Shooting an average of 50 wedding per year with bookings often two years in advance meant she missed the weddings that mattered most, those of friends and family. Working late every weekend meant missing parties and dinners with friends. She sacrificed time with her husband and children to work every weekend. “The gratitude you receive from couples for the moments captured that they themselves were sometimes not aware of on the day, is addictive. When loved ones pass and the most special photo they have of them is the one you captured, your work takes on a new meaning. Being recognised for my work at the National Professional Photography Awards was also a driving force when I would feel fatigued near the end of wedding season,” she added. She’s now pouring that same love and devotion into Whitpro. Her background is as an owner / manager of a 70-acre orchard in Gippsland. She missed getting her hands dirty and is enjoying hitting the books to grow, both herself and the plants. “I love improving soil with organic matter, creating compost from waste, encouraging beneficial micro organisms, growing plants from seeds and sharing knowledge with people who want to look after the environment in their own small way. “At Whitpro, we are working around the clock to see the new location at 124 Paluma Rd be a place for the community to enjoy. Our vision is to have an ecofriendly environment, looking after our land, the environment, our community

and beautifying what was once an overgrown jungle of metal and waste. “We are planting out the natural water ways on the property, we have restored the old Queenslander, restored the run down sheds and are coming up with some interesting, quirky and awe-inspiring areas where people can enjoy spending time with family and friends,” Norina said. While Norina gave up the wedding photography two years ago, she continued shooting for Core Life Magazine. However, this edition is her last. From wading through stagnant water to rolling in cow poo, Norina would go above and beyond to capture the perfect shot. Through the highs and lows, the greatest accomplishment for her is the friendship she has formed with Bec. “I cried at my last shoot for Core. Bec asked if I was sad and the flood gates opened. “We have become such good friends through sharing the highs and the lows of good days and challenging days. “With long drives to remote locations we would talk and share funny stories, hardships, relationships and family. When you spend that much time with someone, you just get each other. Those friendships don’t come by very often. Sure, at times we have wanted to strangle each other, that’s relationships, but at the end of the day we are as thick as thieves. “The team at Core Life will be hard to forget. Rachael, the Managing Editor, has impacted my view of the world. Her positive, outgoing and kind nature has never waivered, even through her personal health challenge this past six months. Rach has shown me the importance of our mind-talk and how it changes life’s journey so dramatically. “I also remember the first story Amanda ever wrote about me, I accused her of talking to my mother! She is intuitive and put my story into words so beautifully. Thanks Core team.” We will miss you too, Norina. Thank you for capturing the heart and soul of the people who have made this magazine truly special. Ansel Adams said, ‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it.’ You helped make Core Life Magazine what it is today.

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BEHIND THE CURTAIN WITH

Maree Foote FROM WINDWOVEN BLINDS AND AWNINGS

hat started as a flair for flooring has progressed to windows of opportunity for Maree Foote. Working alongside her husband, Paul, the owners of Windwoven Blinds & Awnings have taken active steps to ensure that their business is their career and not their life. Maree commented, “Having owned the flooring business previously in Victoria, I had experience to draw on when considering the purchase of Windwoven Blinds & Awnings. I have to say it was not a decision we made lightly. “Our biggest goal was to ensure the business stayed separate from the rest of our life, so our life didn’t become all about work. We met with a business coach which helped us focus on priorities and goals both in life and in our business. “I am really proud to be working the business with my husband. As we celebrate 25 years of marriage this month there is no one I would rather be spending my days with.” Windwoven Blinds & Awnings is a local business that has been operating in the Whitsundays for more than 25years. Maree and Paul have recently updated their showroom and have expanded the product range. “Along with all types of awnings, outdoor and indoor blinds; we now offer a full range of curtains to complement our indoor window furnishings. Our product range includes Veri Shades, Sheers, Zipscreens, Zipslide Retractable Flyscreens, Aluminum outdoor shutters, Plantation shutters, motorised blinds, fixed louvres and privacy screens.” For anyone considering going into business for themselves, Maree shares her words of wisdom. “Small businesses can easily take over your life, especially when you work with your partner. Setting up clear boundaries around when we discuss business matters works for us. “I enjoy camping and boating with my family. But my real happiness comes when I’m in the garden. I love the peace and quiet and improving the landscape. It’s all about taking time to appreciate all aspects of life.” Her business inspiration came from watching the work ethics of her parents. “They started with no money and little education and became very successful business farmers. They were able to provide well for their family and have recently retired to enjoy something they always wanted to do, travel,” Maree said.

“We were on a pontoon in Mauritius; beautiful scenery, clear blue skies and water so clear. My husband, son (4 years old at the time) and I were all going paragliding in tandem together. The safety levels were questionable, especially as someone broke and fell through the wooden pontoon floor! However, the take-off was fine and what an experience floating high over this beautiful part of the world. I was concerned the height might scare my son, so I asked him if he was alright ‘Yes Mum’ he replied ‘I’m fine but I am a little bit hungry.’” WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK? “I loved the book written by Ann Do; The Happiest Refugee. It’s all about overcoming challenges and caring for family. There is a quote from his father in the book which has inspired me; “there’s two times in life, there’s now, and there’s too late.”

Photography by Norina Jane

Travel is something Maree and her family do as often as they can, with Maree sharing a memorable experience during a trip to Mauritius.

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Debbie Teske ELEMENTS OUTDOOR LIVING

s poignant in life as it is in business, the saying “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result,” resonates with many business owners as more retail stores close their doors. Determined to not become another statistic, Owner of Elements Outdoor Living, Debbie Teske, knew she would have to change in order to survive. With more than 15 years of experience selling outdoor furniture in Mackay and Cairns, Debbie stepped away from the Ambiance Indoor Outdoor Living brand to establish her own family-owned and operated identity, Elements Outdoor Living. “We just couldn’t keep doing the same ol’ same ol’ and expect a different result. Bricks and Mortar retail stores have suffered over the last two years, evident with more major brands closing down. We made the heartbreaking decision to close our Cairns store, but keep the Mackay store open while now providing an online option to continue to service North Queensland while branching out Australia-wide. “I wasn’t happy with the status quo; after all its not what happens, it’s what you do about it! We still

don’t know if this is the right decision, but change brings challenges that help us grow,” Debbie said.

nature, to live within the four seasons and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

By establishing her own independent brand, Debbie can offer a better quality of product to her clients.

“We believe in supporting and working consciously with people and with Mother Nature; this belief is at the core of everything we value in promoting a happy, healthy lifestyle by providing products to inspire people to relax, entertain and enjoy their outdoor space,” Debbie said.

She added, “We have chosen to align ourselves independently with global suppliers who are passionate about design, durability, practicality and environmental awareness. Our customers deserve a better choice in the knowledge that their investment in quality furniture ensures longevity in our North Queensland climate and is obtained from sustainable sources. We go the extra mile to create value in our customers’ experiences by sourcing quality pieces from all over the world.” This ethos resonates with Debbie’s affinity with natural outdoor living, which was part of her decision in using Elements as her new brand. “The four ancient elements of life consist of the earth, fire, water and air. The unity of the elements are harmonized in the creation of the Elements Outdoor Living logo. These foundations form a powerful symbol of how to live our lives in alignment with

FUN FACT ABOUT DEBBIE – “Almost 30 years ago, John and I were the first people to independently travel solo on a motorbike and sidecar from the top of Africa, through the Sahara Desert, across the Congo and down the East coast of Africa to South Africa. A journey that took two-and-a-half years.” Q&A WITH DEBBIE What's the hardest thing you've ever done? “Picking grapes in the south of France for six weeks in the mountains where it was freezing cold. Labour intensive, back breaking work; but the litre of red wine I got at the end of each day plus the great people I worked with made it well worth it.”

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SALES SUPERSTAR

Melinda Butcher

FROM TAYLORS PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

hen it comes to becoming a top real estate agent, Melinda Butcher from Taylors Property Specialists says that it can be summed up in three words; passion, authenticity and organisation. “It’s important to be authentic, just be you. To keep up with the hours we do in the industry, you need to be passionate, you have to love what you do. You also need to be organised, I always say that a minute spent organising is an hour earned! On top of these factors, going the extra mile never goes unnoticed. Many times, I have mowed the lawns of a client who is away on holiday, spot-cleaned the house before settlement or put the bins out to be emptied before a new owner moves in,” she said. As a Mum of two, once Melinda noticed her children were quickly growing, she felt it was the right time to get back into the workforce. She applied for a property manager’s role with a local agency, but was told that her experience ideally suited a sales position.

“With a little nudge from Rob Taylor and discussing it with my husband, I stepped into a sales role and never looked back. When the opportunity presented itself to become a part of the first boutique real estate agency in the Whitsundays, I moved to Taylors Property Specialists since its inception. To me, it was a logical move to continue working with like-minded, hard working individuals with true passion for their role,” Melinda said. She loves to live a balanced lifestyle, from working on projects with her husband on their 80-acre property to cruising in her EH ute. A couple of passions include catching live music where possible and travelling to remote locations, both of which have produced some tales to be told. “Some things are best not captured forever in print, but over a glass of wine I’m happy to share the story of how I ended up Go Go dancing on a stage at the Melbourne Big Day Out, or how we got busted climbing a pyramid in Cairo,” She laughed. Q&A WITH MELINDA Any interesting stories behind a tattoo? “Foot tattoo - Tahiti 2004. My husband and l searched the island looking for someone who would ink the traditional way, but ended up laying on the beach in a bikini with a Frenchman tattooing my foot!” What's the most memorable experience you've ever had on holiday? “Firstly, meeting my husband 25 years ago in La Rochelle whilst backpacking the world. Secondly, our various family holidays traversing The Simpson Desert and exploring the NT; including climbing Ayres Rock with my kids, sunrise at The Devils Marbles, having Big Red to ourselves and experiencing the beauty of the remote and rugged lands of our great country.”

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Sister Restaurants

GARDEN BAR AND SORRENTO AT CORAL SEA MARINA, AIRLIE BEACH In business, Mandy and Penny Coles understand the value of having both their reflection and confliction represented to strengthen the diversity of their management styles. Mandy and her husband, Iyas Shaheen, are well-known as co-owners of Sorrento Restaurant and Bar at the Coral Sea Marina Resort. Mandy’s sister, Penny, has recently joined the team as co-owner; turning the award-winning restaurant into a true family affair. Both sisters have owned and managed other businesses, have travelled extensively and experienced cuisines, cocktails and cultures from all over the world. Importantly, this enables them to relate to tourists who visit the Whitsundays, but with Penny having lived in Airlie Beach for 35 years and Mandy for 15 years, they also know what locals love. Not only do the sisters own and manage Sorrento’s, they also manage The Garden Bar Bistro on behalf of Coral Sea Marina Resort. The sisters say it is an honour to have the opportunity to manage such a beautifully designed cocktail bar, both having travelled to Key West, Penny has

always said that the Garden Bar had hit the mark on this particular style, which suits our area perfectly. Mandy is the Business Development Manager while Penny is the Operations Manager. This is a reflection of their strengths; Mandy with experience and expertise in business development, marketing and psychology and Penny’s experience and expertise in high-end hospitality including managerial positions on super yachts and award-winning cocktail bars and restaurants. As women in business, the sisters strive to showcase their professional development to their daughters. Mandy’s daughter, Hannah Shaheen, is in Year 9, while Penny’s daughter, Charlotte Brown, is in year 10. The girls are very close cousins and like to work part-time on the weekends in both businesses, bringing a fresh family-feel to each establishment. Mandy said, “The value for them is in learning responsibility and how to work with others, building social skills. Earning their own money while enjoying the experience can only help form a fun attitude toward the family business.”

Penny added, “There are certainly pros and cons, but we believe the pros strongly win.” The sisters are looking forward to guests experiencing the street eats style menu fused with influences from across the globe, incorporating fresh local produce, freshly grown herbs and flowers from the Garden by the sea, as well as special events, functions and a fun vibe. Q&A WITH MANDY AND PENNY What is the most memorable thing you’ve done on your travels? Mandy – “Home-schooling Hannah around some crazy parts of the world; from the Middle East to sailing to South America. But also, white water rafting down the biggest sequence of level 5 rapids on the Zambezi River in Africa; there were rapids I wasn’t sure we would make it out of, but we eventually managed to stagger back to camp.” Penny – “Swimming with grey whales in Cabo San Lucas - we saw them, the Captain stopped the yacht which allowed me to jump in and swim with them. It was both www.corelife.com.au terrifying and awesome. I just felt so small!” 59

Photography by Norina Jane

"A sister is both your mirror; and your opposite."

Charlie Morgan HEALTHY RIVERS TO REEF PARTNERSHIP

hile she misses the hearty food and beer of the United Kingdom, Charlie Morgan knew that a move to a much warmer climate was necessary if she were to pursue her passion for protecting the environment. As an environmental scientist, Charlie was first introduced to the fragility of underwater ecosystems while diving in cold water as part of her Degree in Science. Her fascination was a driving factor in moving to Thailand, where she gained experience as a diving instructor before working for the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Her experience with coral reefs and coastal communities in Thailand shaped an understanding of how dependent we are on healthy waterways. Charlie commented, “Understanding how the sea provides so many ecosystem benefits to us with the IUCN really made me realise just how connected we are to the big blue. And how vulnerable we are when things change; such as climate change, overfishing and poor water quality. As the Executive Officer for the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership, Charlie has applied those learnings here when developing the waterway health report card for the MackayWhitsunday-Isaac region. Charlie explains, “The Partnership is a collection of 30 organisations representing government, industry, science, community and Traditional Owners. They have all come together with one key aim; to document and improve waterway health in our region. Our team produces an annual report card; like the kind your kids would have; but on the health of our rivers, estuaries, reefs and communities. Our initiative is regionally owned and driven, and that is incredibly important. You can check out our report cards at www.healthyriverstoreef.org.au.” Not surprisingly, Charlie loves to dive the Great Barrier Reef as often as possible, although one greater love became Charlie’s number one priority around a year ago, with the arrival of baby Freya Rose. “Getting out amongst the Reef fulfils some internal instinct to be immersed in nature. We look forward to the day we can take her out to the Reef to see it for herself. Hopefully it is as beautiful then as it has always been,” Charlie said. When it comes to helping others to understand the risk climate change poses on our local environment, Charlie doesn’t hold back with her urgency for people to take it seriously. “To me, climate change isn’t an expression, it is a reality. My work in Thailand a decade ago was examining how coastal communities can start to prepare for the changes that are coming. The time for questioning whether it is happening has been and gone – and the time for action is now. Climate change is the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef.” Q&A WITH CHARLIE

Photography by Norina Jane

What is the most interesting thing to happen to you as an environmental scientist? “When working in Thailand on a project off the Island of Phuket, we got word that Pierre-Yves Cousteau (grandson of the legendary Jacques Cousteau) was ‘in town’ and wanted to meet us. We were tendered over to Cousteau’s vessel, sister ship to the legendary Calypso, the Calisto. There ensued a very surreal four hours sipping cocktails in 5-star luxury, chatting to Pierre-Yves about his passion for the ocean, diving and the legacy of his Grandfather. I encouraged him to visit the Great Barrier Reef – he’d never been. I hope he now has!”

Gillian Sandhoff SYNERGY ACCOUNTANTS AND ESTATE PLANNERS

f the only time you see your account is in the hectic leadup to the end of the financial year, then you may be missing a golden nest egg opportunity. Like many other industries, accountants are evolving with the times. Instead of thinking of your bookkeeper as a bean counter, you should see them as the best friend to your business, offering valuable input throughout the year on how to minimise expenses and maximise profit. Synergy Accountants and Estate Planners shows that when it comes to building both personal and business wealth, your accountant can often discover pitfalls and profit-making platforms that you may not have considered. Director and doyenne of accounting, Gillian Sandhoff explains; “A good accountant provides value to a business beyond doing the books because we are at the coal face of your business finances. As a result, we see threats and opportunities often before the business owner can. Many businesses launch into operation without consulting an accountant first. Not having the correct amount of working capital can be a costly mistake.” Those who are lucky enough to have Gillian keeping a close eye on their finances know that she has a knack for looking beyond the numbers to help businesses grow. This is part of her ethos and vision statement, to build a place where all people matter, including her employees. “We believe that everyone deserves to have a good accountant, no matter how big or small the business. We provide the same service to all of our clients and strive to improve the financial lives of the people who place their trust in us. Often, business owners are so busy running their business, they have no time for planning or restructuring. They get caught up in the daily grind and can’t look outward to see the big picture. This is often where we can help,” she said. Did you know? Gillian has always had a passion for animals, in fact, her fist job was as a vet nurse! After moving to Australia, she grew fond of protecting native wildlife and became a registered wildlife carer to look after rescued animals. At the moment she is nursing a baby possum, Milo, whose mother was killed by a dog. Gillian has even created a pet-friendly office, where her employees can bring their pets to work when needed. Q&A WITH GILLIAN As a lover of shoes (Gillian has more than 200 pairs) what is your favourite pair?

Photography by Marty Strecker

“Christian Louboutin in a pinky, purpley shade, covered in crystals so they sparkle and shimmer with every step.” If you could choose anyone to cook you a meal, who would it be and what would they cook? “My daughter’s boyfriend, Axel, is a fine dining chef and has worked in Michelin Star restaurants. I would choose something French, I love French cuisine, accompanied by a good French wine.”

MINING MULTI-TASKER

Lisa Callander D.A.C. MINING SERVICES

“Happiness and fulfillment, that’s the key to any career. If you enjoy what you do, it doesn’t feel like a job.”

hrough the ups and downs of the mining industry, adaptation is the key to survive the lows, to thrive during the highs. The husband and wife team of Drew and Lisa Callander of D.A.C Mining also know that balance and communication are vital. The couple combined their decades of mining experience to establish D.A.C Mining in 2004, adapting their business model and supporting each other when they became parents. Lisa commented, “Being able to balance home life with work and being happy in my role is crucial to being a working parent. I get the kids ready for school, then when I’m in the office it’s head down tail up to give the business my full attention.” Lisa’s experience in the mining industry was primarily in HR, Safety and Training. This is where she specialises for D.A.C Mining as the Field Services Manager. She is the first point of contact for clients to ensure their labour requirements are managed effectively. “There’s never a dull moment, it’s busy all the time. My job revolves around recruitment and labour scheduling, overall management of the office and attending site meetings,” she added. When Lisa and Drew went into business 15 years ago, they started from humble beginnings. It’s through hard work and sacrifice that this couple have grown their business to become a well-respected maintenance provider across multiple industries. “We are a hands-on husband and wife team that believe in what we do and are engaged in the day-to-day running of the company. Our team is amazing both in the office and in the field. We believe in our people and have forged great relationships with them and our clients,” Lisa said. The secret to Lisa’s achievements is that she is driven to succeed. Instead of following others for motivation, she draws from her own strengths and learns from her mistakes. Celebrating 20 years of marriage this year, Lisa believes that living and working together for so long has shaped her and Drew as a couple; strengthening their relationship as they rode the highs and lows together, creating a formidable business team. Did you know? Lisa’s competitive nature also comes from being a champion sailor. She and her father won the Queensland State Titles for the Hobie 18 class at Airlie Beach in 1992. Q&A WITH LISA What’s the most memorable experience you’ve ever had on holiday? “We’ve had so many, but recently we went to Disneyland as a family. Seeing the look on our kid’s faces and then watching them smile was priceless.” What’s your all-time favourite movie? “I love the Goonies. It is just a classic. Funny story, I won a colouring in competition that was in the Daily Mercury back in the day and won a ticket to go watch it at the cinema, which back then was a real treat! Maybe that’s why it’s my favourite.”

Photography by Norina Jane

A Man’s World? Not at MBW MASTER BUTCHERS WHITSUNDAYS & MARIAN

Left to right - Nicola, Cassie, Indy, owner Karen, Tegan, Ashley and Leticia

ielding a knife in a boning room has for many years been thought of as a man’s job; but as these ladies from Master Butchers Whitsundays will tell you, their workplace is far from feeling like testosterone territory. In fact, the common opinion they all share is that the balanced workforce provides a fun work environment and a place they look forward to going to every day.

One of the gourmet products she prepares daily is chicken with asparagus, cranberry cheese with pancetta.

Owners Karen Rix and Don Cameron have never viewed gender as a prerequisite for employment and have created a supportive work environment where both men and women feel valued.

Tegan loves that females are welcomed into the industry, as it’s provided a career opportunity she enjoys. She says that she feels well supported by the owners, Karen and Don; and looks forward to the banter with the butchers.

Karen is mainly based at MBW on the Barbie, alongside senior sales consultant Nicola Albergo and part-time counter support, Cassandra Marsden. Nicola has been with MBW on the Barbie since the store opened, and enjoys the diversity of her position. She laughed, “I’m a jack of all trades, master of none. I do a bit of everything and love meeting so many new people from the community daily.” Photography by Norina Jane

At Master Butchers Whitsunday, Cassandra’s sister, Tegan Marsden, works as an office clerk while assisting with counter sales. She’s joined by Indiana Candy who joined the team in 2016 after the Target fire left her without a job.

“I work in the office behind where the butchers operate, and their favourite pastime is to sing along to songs on the radio but change the words to something ridiculous. Occasionally they’ll throw my name into the lyrics just to see if I’m listening,” she said. The newest of the MBW stores is MBW at Marian, where former chef Leticia Ross and former

hairdresser, Ashley Schmidt work. Leticia has been working in the butcher industry for more than a decade, while it was a very different environment for Ashley who came from working within a female-dominated industry to one with more men. Ashley says that she prefers the environment of working in an industry with a balance of men and women. “It’s an easier workplace, relaxed, we have lots of laughs. That’s the part of the job I enjoy the most, is knowing when I get to work there will always be fun and good times. “I meet a different blend of people in this job, more people from the country. I was able to go to a sausage competition with Don and Karen to get a better appreciation and understanding of the industry. Best of all, at MBW every day is a good day,” she said. Stereotypes notwithstanding, the face of the meat industry is changing. As more women find careers slicing the steak, the future looks bright with progressive businesses like MBW welcoming them with open arms.

Sonya Oliver-Scoble MAD COW COFFEE “When memories are all you have, they all become the most beautiful. Everything from the first time I held him to our very last goodbye.”

alking about her son’s suicide is one of the hardest challenges Sonya Oliver-Scoble regularly faces, but she knows that by sharing her story and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, she may just stop another family having to live through the pain and grief she endures. Her son, Aiden, was a bright, quickwitted 20-year-old. He studied Information Technology at University, he worked part-time and enjoyed Muay Thai kickboxing. He had a great bunch of mates, a supportive family who loved him and he enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. These are important to know, because from the outside looking in, Aiden had a great life with all the promise in the world for an exciting future. But mental illness doesn’t discriminate. He was diagnosed with anxiety and depression only seven months before he took his own life. Sonya talks about how important it is to seek help and utilise community resources when faced with a mental health diagnosis. “Seek help early, that’s my biggest piece of advice. Talk openly about mental health, develop good techniques for positive thinking and mindfulness. Complete the Safe Talk and mental health first aid courses available in Mackay and educate yourself on the signs and symptoms as much as possible. Never be afraid to ask the difficult questions and talk to your GP as openly as you would when you have a physical ailment.

Photography by Norina Jane

“Losing Aiden and learning to live after the loss of my first born is the most

difficult thing I have ever faced. His siblings have lost a big part of their lives, he was not only their big brother, protector and an inspirational figure but a great mate. I don’t want another family to live through that pain,” she said. Sonya believes that Aiden felt like he was unable to reach out and talk about what he was going through. Through her business, MAD Cow Coffee, she wants to offer support and a listening ear to anyone who may ever find themselves in that situation. “I wanted to raise awareness and openly tell our story to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide. The support given to me by a great bunch of MAD Cows (mountain biking mums who competed in a 12hour mountain bike race together) was invaluable to me during Aiden’s battle with his mental illness and after his passing. My herd provides me with much support, this was the inspiration behind MAD Cow Coffee. “Aiden was a lover of coffee and would open up and chat over coffee. I want to be able to help others navigate the resources available and start the important conversations,” she said. MAD Cow Coffee has a profit-forpurpose business model, supporting the local community and local farmers. They are also a Grapevine ‘help-a-mate’ hub. Q&A WITH SONYA Do you have an important meaning behind a tattoo? “I have ‘Aiden’ with a butterfly. I got this after Aiden passed, as tattoos are forever, as is the memory of him.” If you or anyone you know is in need of crisis support contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or visit Beyondblue.org.au. If in risk of immediate harm, dial 000.

We Can Hear You! SARAH LOGAN AND ROBYN CORRIGAN FROM WHITSUNDAY HEARING

Sarah Logan Owner/Audiometrist “I wanted to have a career that was more than just a job. As an audiometrist, I get an opportunity to make a positive impact in people’s lives on a daily basis.” At the time of launching into the hearing industry, Sarah Logan was a single mother. But that didn’t stop her from achieving her business goals. Inspired by her father who was a builder and owned his own business, it had always been a goal of Sarah’s to do the same. Having worked for government owned hearing providers, large national chains and small family owned hearing businesses; she knew she could take the best parts of each of these and deliver a hearing business which provides the best in service and solutions. Now married to her husband Stephen, she is Mum to three energetic boys. Scheduling time for herself has been key to running a successful business.

Photography by Norina Jane

“I love parkrun, running and being in the great outdoors. Since the 1st January this year, I have set a goal to exercise for at least 5Km a day for as

many days as I can; rain, hail or shine. It’s important to take time for your own health and know when to switch the phone off to spend quality time with family,” she said. Whitsunday Hearing is a family owned, local and independent hearing provider that offers wax removal, hearing tests, hearing aids, workplace hearing test and customised noise and swim plugs. Sarah commented, “Although I took over the business in January 2019, Whitsunday Hearing has been supporting the local community for more than 17 years.” DID YOU KNOW? Sarah was an aerobics instructor whilst at school, before the pre choreographed Les Mills programs came along. Meet the Office Manager Robyn Corrigan

turning 60 years of age! She crossed the finish line in Melbourne and thanks the Whitsunday Running Club for their guidance and support. Robyn moved to Airlie Beach 13 years ago from Victoria and hasn’t looked back. At Whitsunday Hearing, Robyn looks after the dayto-day needs of the business, assisting Sarah where possible to ensure customers receive exceptional service. Robyn is also a mother-of-three, as well as Nanny to six beautiful grandchildren. She loves to cook and enjoys spending time with friends and family over a coffee or wine. Q&A WITH ROBYN What’s your favourite mantra? “What goes around comes around.” Q&A WITH SARAH

Like Sarah, Robyn enjoys running and is part of the Whitsunday parkrun community. Proving that age is no barrier to achieving your dreams, Robyn completed her first ever marathon last year, just after

Robyn

Sarah

What’s your favourite childhood memory? “Returning from a walk down the river and my Nan had been busy baking scones, pikelets and other yummy treats for us to tuck into.”

PINT-SIZED BAR MAID

Isabelle Mcfie

AT THE PUB, AIRLIE BEACH HOTEL

f you’re a regular at the Airlie Beach Hotel, you may have seen this pint-sized barmaid making her signature mocktail, the Tropical Trop. It’s not on the menu though, at only 9-years-of-age, aspiring business girl, Isabelle Mcfie, refuses to divulge her secret recipe to the rest of the staff, so it’s only available upon special request. This moxie is only matched by her desire to be helpful. Having grown up in various hospitality establishments up and down the East Coast of Australia, Isabelle’s work ethic was instilled from a young age. Her mother, Bonnie, recalls when Isabelle tried to step in as the hotel receptionist at only 4-years-of-age. “Her father, Mike, was managing the Clarion Hotel in Mackay at the time. Isabelle would wake before all of us, get dressed in her uniform and head downstairs to reception. The staff would set her up behind the computer watching cartoons on YouTube to keep her entertained. One day the phone rang while a staff member was in a back office. Before they had time to get back to the phone, Isabelle had answered it, and passed on the message ‘The lady said she would call back.’ From that point on she was told to not answer the phone, ever,” Bonnie laughed. Mike and Bonnie have spent the last 16 years working together in hospitality. Just over nine years ago, Isabelle was born, and the family-owned establishments have become like a second home to her, where she has always felt safe and confident. Bonnie commented, “It has never crossed her mind that she couldn’t try any of the jobs that need doing within the establishments. She is very creative and started to make her own pizzas, mixing up toppings and then dishing them out for the staff to try. What she loves most to do though is to create mocktails behind the bar. She started doing this at the Reef Gateway but really perfected it at Mangrove Jacks where she started to sell them. Any that she sold she would collect the money and put it into the guide dog charity tin.” When she’s not at the Airlie Beach Hotel, Isabelle is at school at the Whitsunday Christian College. Her passion is dance and this year Isabelle will be taking Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics and Modern Ballet classes as well as learning a solo dance through Whitsunday Dance Connection. Her dedication to the arts was recognised last year at school when Isabelle took out the Arts Award for her year. On top of that she is in the school choir, participates in the school musicals and also takes piano lessons. Bonnie added, “Michael especially has always encouraged Isabelle to try new things and to expose her to as much as he could to what life had to offer. This truly has been a huge factor in forming Isabelle’s confidence in herself to try new things knowing that she can succeed, but also that it’s okay to fail as long as you keep on trying. “We want to instill in her that providing you try your best; be it at work, school, dance; you can and will be a success.” Q&A WITH ISABELLE What do you want to be when you’re an adult? “I want to be a dancer, actress or model and if not those than I want to run my parent’s business. If all of that doesn’t work out then I’ll be a vet.” Do you have any pets? “Two Maltese shiatsu dogs, Coco and Ralph, and a bird called Popcorn (who lives at a friend’s house because my mum is scared of birds) and I have a fish called Shadow who is at my best friend’s house in their fish tank.”

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ADAM & EVE HAIR

ome men suspect it, and all women know it. We don’t just go to the salon to get our hair done. Of course, walking out with that lifted self-confidence, swishing our beautifully soft hair from side to side, watching it sparkle in the sun; and somehow thinking we’ve just gone from a solid six to a ten in two hours, is definitely the result we crave. But, the salon gives us much more than that. It gives us time out and peace and quiet, like a serene sanctuary where we can close our eyes and let someone massage our head until we almost purr. It’s a chance to connect with other people and open up about our highs and lows. In fact, hairdressers often say that listening to people is as big a part of their job as the cutting and styling. No one understands this better than Adam and Eve Hair owner, Amie Chalmers. She has developed her business to provide quality over quantity; meaning that the salon experience and ensuring excellent results is more important to her business model than churning through a lot of clients.

experience. It’s so much more than just getting your hair done; it’s having a laugh, sipping wine or coffee, nibbling on a cheeky chocolate and enjoying your moment,” Amie said. As a business owner, Amie also understands the need for men and women to take time out from their busy lives. For many people, they achieve this at her salon. For Amie, she has worked on selfimprovement to channel stress into drive. “Life will always have bumps in the road. It’s how we face these that will determine whether we rise or fall. I’ve learnt to relax more and deal with each hurdle as it comes. Nothing is ever improved by throwing more stress onto a fire already fuelled by it. Everything can be fixed by changing the perspective;

channeling stress into drive with a focus on ambition and harnessing positive energy.” Amie has also learned that the secret to success is to surround herself with people who share her positivity and drive. We get to know her right-hand girls, Jess and Emily. Q&A WITH AMIE, JESS AND EMILY “What's the most memorable experience you've ever had on holiday?” Amie – “Virtually my whole trip through USA with my best friend. But, particularly, cenotes in Mexico and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco What do you do regularly to practice self-care? Jess – “I make sure I take time each day to exercise, whether it be Pilates or a gym workout. I also take at least half an hour every day to sit down with my three puppy dogs and read. This year I have made a resolution to read one book a week, so that fills my cup. What's your favourite childhood memory?

“With experienced staff, a friendly and welcoming environment and high-quality products, we ensure an exceptional

Emily – “Definitely the trips out to our Dingo Beach house with all of my family.”

Emily Jess Amie

A sisterhood of empowerment Photography by Norina Jane

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STATEWIDE FAMILY LAW

KATRINA PETERS AND EMLYN QUINN

hen people meet Katrina Peters and Emlyn Quinn for the first time, it’s often during an emotionally charged set of circumstances. But this is where their expertise can make all the difference in the world.

Whether it’s advice in relation to divorce or property settlement, assisting in paternity disputes or arranging Recovery Orders; both ladies were drawn to family law for the opportunity to help families and individuals during some of the toughest moments they will face in their lives. Katrina’s caring nature stems from studying to be a social worker when she left school. This blended with a legal career when she was offered a traineeship with a local Mackay law firm. After her daughter turned one, she decided to complete the law degree which she had previously deferred and credits her family for their support. Katrina brings with her a wealth of experience in family law having worked for more than 18 years in the legal industry. She has a particular passion to assist others in the community. Statewide Family Law was established as an extension of the Statewide Conveyancing Shop which specifically services both existing and new clients across the state. I was offered the opportunity to establish Statewide Family Law. I jumped at the challenge and was thrilled at how quickly we built the clientele to the extent that I have had to add another solicitor, Emlyn, to service the demand. “I jumped at the chance to have the opportunity to be involved in something from the very beginning. In November 2019 I was promoted to Associate due to having established a reputation as a hardworking, client focused family lawyer. It was an acknowledgement of my strong work ethic and I am really proud of that personal achievement.” she said. “Over the years I have worked hard to create trusted and strong relationships with clients who now send me regular referrals”. DID YOU KNOW? Katrina has a twin sister! “Often my sister will tell me that someone was furiously waving at her or has stopped to say hello thinking it was me. It happens to me too. We have an agreement to always smile, wave and say hello so that people aren’t embarrassed!” Emlyn grew up in different parts of regional Queensland, so it was her goal after graduating University to return to a regional area for the work / life balance. She saw law as an opportunity to help people when they need it the most, commenting “After undertaking an elective in family law and obtaining some volunteer experience, it cemented for me that this was the right field for my personal skills. While family law can be high conflict and emotional, it is possible to achieve positive results by working with your clients effectively.” Emlyn enjoys building positive relationships with clients to help support them on their journey through the family law process. DID YOU KNOW? Emlyn spent five days solo hiking across Scotland to reach Lindisfarne Island in the north of England. “On the first day of my hike, they had a record-breaking heatwave in Scotland!” Q&A WITH KATRINA AND EMLYN If you could have anyone in the world prepare a last meal for you, who would it be and what would they cook you? KATRINA – “I would love Rick Stein to cook for me. Anything seafood related would be perfect.” What's the most memorable experience you've ever had on holiday? EMLYN – “Last year I saw the northern lights in Tromso, Norway during a solar storm. It was one of the most beautiful natural sights I have ever seen.”

Photography by Norina Jane

f o s s e n i s u b e In th s ’ a n i r e l l a b g n maki

ADORE DANCE - JUANITA

or the love of dance; becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding professions a dancer can achieve. Not only does it provide the opportunity to continue a passion so pure it becomes a part of your soul, but the opportunity to guide and encourage the next generation becomes daily life.

Adore, to the Whitsundays five years ago. While many of her former students have danced on the world’s biggest stages; including Moulin Rouge and Paris Disneyland, Juanita says it’s the small achievements which bring her the most joy as a teacher.

For as long as she can remember, Juanita White has loved to dance. She grew up with wonderful dance teachers who nurtured her passion, shared their knowledge and provided purposeful direction. As the Director of Adore Dance in the Whitsundays, this early foundation set the scene for a career where she can instill confidence and charisma into tomorrow’s dance stars.

“Teaching dance isn’t just about turning out great dancers. It’s the small successes that mean so much and bring greatest joy. Seeing young students finally being able to skip fluidly on their own and change feet without me reminding them to change legs, or have the strength and coordination to jump off that one foot. For older students it may be them finally mastering the leg line they have been striving so hard to improve or that triple pirouette. It is the growth in the dancer that makes me the proudest, as it takes hours of lessons, practicing and listening to and applying corrections for the student to improve and continue to grow,” she said.

Whilst at University, Juanita had had the opportunity to perform at the Sydney Opera House. She holds a BA in Dance and a Dip Ed in Sec Ed, ADV Registered Teacher and Assessor, is a Member & Associate Teacher of the CSTD and has her Acrobatic Arts Teaching Certificate. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, she taught in Mackay for a decade before bringing her own dance school,

Juanita believes it’s important to provide budding performers the opportunity to attend a quality dance school in rural areas, not just metropolitan cities.

“Adore is a community that cares greatly about its students. It’s a very supportive environment, nothing like the ‘Dance Moms’ shows on television. “Along with current, quality and safe dance practice, we are proud to offer the best to our rural dancers. This year we are taking a group of students down to Melbourne to the Victorian Dance Festival in April where they will take classes from the best in the industry in all dance genres as well as watch some amazing performances,” Juanita added. Q&A WITH JUANITA What is your favourite fragrance? “Dior - Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet” What is a favourite childhood memory? “When I wasn’t at the studio I was more often than not with my Dad in the stables (he was a jockey and driver), riding at the races or out shoeing horses. I love animals and spending so much time with Dad doing this over the years have created a huge catalogue of special memories.”

FIONA BARRETT Specsavers Partner | Optometrist Do you have 20/20 eyesight? Even if you have sharp optical skills, it’s important to have regular eye examinations. Many eye diseases have no early symptoms, the only way to detect them is through the expertise of your optometrist. For Fiona, successfully treating eye disease is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. As some eye disease is treatable when detected early, she is excited when someone’s vision is saved because they took the proactive approach of getting an eye examination. “It is very satisfying to see a patient return with a smile because we were able to resolve their problem,” she added. Fun fact: Outside of work, Fiona enjoys jigsaw puzzling. Q&A with Fiona What is an integral piece of equipment you use at work?

Donna Lloyd

Photography by Norina Jane

70 www.corelife.com.au

Specsavers C

What's the most memorable experience you've ever had on holiday?

“It’s the smile on their face as they talk about sharing in the moment when their grandkids whispered a secret into their ear, or that they were at a gathering and could hear friends sharing jokes around a table despite all the background noise. It’s letting people get back to loving life that I enjoy most,” she said.

“My fiancée proposing to me while on holiday in Mozambique, on the beach at sunset.”

Fun fact: She is playing her 3rd AFL season this year with Magpies.

REBECCA MORIARTY

Q&A with Rebecca

Specsavers Audiology Partner | Audiologist.

What's your all-time favourite item in your wardrobe?

Just as it is important to detect eye disease in its early stage, hearing loss can be managed more effectively if caught in the early stages. Because it can be a gradual decline, we often don’t realise how bad it’s getting until someone brings it to our attention.

“Spell designs maxi dress – I love their boho vibes to raise your spirits on any given day.”

“My essential piece of kit at work is our OCT – 3D retinal scan. It is relatively new to business, we have only had it for two years, but I cannot imagine doing my job without it now.”

As an audiologist with Specsavers, Rebecca’s favourite moments are when customers delight in hearing all the things they may have been missing for years after receiving hearing aids.

What's the scariest thing to happen to you? “I attempted to go on the infamous silver mine tour in Bolivia – despite the fact that it has been deemed unsafe to mine to which we only later found out, turns out I got VERY claustrophobic and just freaked out.”

Ashley Minter

s Cannonvale ASHLEY MINTER Specsavers Optical Assistant

More than selling glasses, as an optical assistant Ashley Minter is constantly challenged with troubleshooting specs and fixing tricky repairs. She is on the front line with customers and enjoys building relationships with regulars and helping first-timers navigate the world of spectacles. “The most beautiful moment I witnessed at work was seeing this lovely elderly lady who had cataracts try on a new pair of glasses. She had trouble with her vision for so long, that when she could finally see clearly she cried with joy. This is one of the reasons I love my job, we can give the gift of sight.” Fun fact: She has a passion for reptiles! She owns a turtle and two Eastern Bearded dragons. Q&A with Ashley Do you have any tattoos? “I have many tattoos, but the one that has most value

Fiona Barrett

to me would be my little sun and waves on my ankle. It is a symbol of Airlie Beach and best friends. A dear college friend of mine who moved away in January has the matching tattoo.

tricky and daunting experience for those who are new to it, but once they get it, the happiness they show makes it all worthwhile and they leave confident in themselves.”

Favourite movie?

Fun fact: Her introduction to the Whitsundays was a bumpy one to say the least. Her husband had bought them a sea plane flight to Whitehaven and Hardy Reef. At the end of the trip the pilot crashed into a section of reef and had to swim to a glass bottom boat to call for help.

“One that stands out most to me is Nappily Ever After. Ladies, if you have not seen this movie on Netflix yet, you are missing out. If you love being empowered, this is the movie to watch.” DONNA LLOYD Specsavers Optical Assistant Donna has been with Specsavers for two-and-ahalf years and says that it is still an ever-changing environment. From styling the spectacle display to helping patients choose styles, updating administration or assisting with pre-test procedure; every day is different. “One part I particularly enjoy is teaching the correct way to put in contact lenses. It can certainly be a

In her spare time, Donna enjoys yoga and Pilates to keep body and mind in line. Q&A with Donna If you could choose anyone to cook you a meal, who would it be and what would you have? “My husband, Jack and it would be roast chicken.” Favourite fragrance? “CK One.

Rebecca Moriarty

www.corelife.com.au 71

RAISING THE BROW

y h p r u M a t t i Cyn COSMETIC TATOOING AND BEAUTY BY CYNITTA

Photography by Norina Jane

ack Black was quoted as saying, “You must never underestimate the power of the eyebrow.” When it comes to beauty in 2020, never a truer word was spoken. Perfectly enhanced brows frame your face and accentuate your best features, but many of us are lacking in the volume required to achieve today’s strong brow look. Whether our diminished arch comes from years of over-plucking or natural loss due to ageing, we used to reach for the pencil or pomade to plump up the definition. The problem with these solutions are that they need to be re-applied every day, and can smudge in our hot, humid climate. This is where Cynitta Murphy comes in. The hottest new cosmetic beauty salon has reached Airlie Beach, working from within Adam and Eve Hair Salon. Cynitta was formerly a hairdresser at Adam and Eve, but before this she owned her own salon. As a mum to two beautiful girls, Trinity and Miley, Cynitta decided to get back to business and pursue a passion for beauty; to give her more time to spend with her daughters.

“After hairdressing for 12 years, I was ready for a change. I’ve always had a passion for the hair and beauty industry, specifically cosmetic tattooing was a specialty I had developed curiosity for. I took the plunge and trained in cosmetic tattooing on the Gold Coast before opening Cosmetic Tattooing & Beauty by Cynitta here in the Whitsundays,” Cynitta said. Already she has a reputation for building bold and beautiful brows, through her techniques of powder brow, feather stroke and hybrid brows. Each technique has its benefits depending on the desired result. As well as eyebrow tattooing, Cynitta also provides eye enhancement tattooing, which is a soft line placed along the lash line to give a more permanent solution to eye liner. Finish off the look with a set of eyelash extensions and one of Cynitta’s famous golden spray tans and your completely ready for events, parties and other occasions you wish to look fabulous for. When it comes to balancing her business with being a Mum, Cynitta says that it’s a tough

balance, but one which is very rewarding. “No doubt it can be hard at times, but routine is the key.” Q&A WITH CYNITTA Do any of your tattoos hold a special meaning for you? “The roses on the inside of my forearm. One night I dreamt about getting this tattoo, so the next day I researched the meaning behind it. I discovered that the roses express promise, hope and new beginnings. So I got two, one for each of my daughters.” What do you do for stress release or self-care as a business owner? “Going to gym would be both my stress relief and my regular self-care. Sometimes I do get a little snowed under and can’t get there as often as I like, but it makes a world of difference for my mental and physical health when I do.”

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Emma, zuki (puppy), Amy, Palmyr

It’s all hair in Airlie Beach

f there’s one thing us women can agree on, it’s that any day is better when it’s a great hair day. Forget glass slippers, the fairy godmother to the modern woman waves her scissors instead of a magic wand to grant our wish. As a busy mum of two energetic kids, Hair Airlie Beach salon owner, Amy Warnock, knows that finding time to pamper yourself is almost as rare as finding a fairy godmother. But she wants to encourage other busy women (and men) to take the time they deserve to find the right colour and style to enhance their lifestyle. She has surrounded herself with the best in the business and says that a great team is crucial to delivering the best service. “Emma is a born and bred local and loves her Dachshund pup, Suki. She’s in her second year as an emerging stylist and is producing some incredible looks for our regulars. “Palmyr is a senior stylist and a Wella colour expert, she has a reputation for nailing on-trend

colour and is amazing with blondes. She creates the perfect balayage and is a favourite with customers who like to come in for a blow dry. “Sarah is our other senior stylist and is a business owner herself, so she understands the needs of busy women. Our team of four take every client through a personally designed consultation before the pampering begins with massage basin chairs and complementary beverages,” Amy said. Amy says that there’s no secret to being a great hairdresser, she believes you either have the passion and creativity or you don’t. “Even as a little girl I would cut my doll’s hair, being creative was with me from the start. The passion I have for hair I can’t even sum up into words, I honestly can’t see myself doing anything else. Going into business for myself is the next step and I’m up for the challenge.” Amy was born in the UK but moved to New Zealand as a two-year-old. She’s proud of what she’s accomplished from a small-town New Zealand

Boutique hair salon in the Whitsundays offering a unique, customised and personal service. Go on you deserve it!

4946 4477

163 Shute Harbour Rd - Shop 6 Cannonvale (previously Samantha Jane Hair Design)

upbringing, to becoming a business owner in Airlie Beach. She was a colour ambassador while in New Zealand and specialises in creative colour as well as wedding and formal hairstyles. Amy’s fun fact: She has two children and a pug called Cruze, who you may see in the salon occasionally, as Cruze shadows Amy more than her children do! Q&A WITH AMY What’s your number one hairdressing tip? “Be the Queen you are and take care of your crown! It’s important to look after your hair in-between appointments, so maintain the health with quality salon shampoo and conditioner.” Tell us about your tattoos? “I get asked about them often since I have a lot. I think of them like art on a wall; some have a story and a reason, others I may just like the look of, like a great piece of art.

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Braces For Businesswomen

f there is one defining facial feature that draws attention, it’s your smile. For businesswoman, Joscelyn O’Keefe, she believed it was worth investing in her smile to build self-confidence and help with that allimportant first impression. From a young age, Joscelyn had a large gap beside her front teeth. While celebs like Madonna have trademarked this gappy look as sexy, Joscelyn had different feelings about her gaps. “Two of my adult teeth never came down because they were impacted in the roof of my mouth, so I had this huge gaps to fill. I had oral operations and fixed braces in my teenage years, but I was less diligent at wearing my retainer while I was at University. My teeth moved dramatically and by my early 20’s I had set off on worldly adventures, so my teeth were no longer a priority. The problem is that they continued to get worse with age,” Joscelyn said. As the Marketing and Business Development Manager for Coral Sea Marina Resort, Joscelyn wanted to feel more confident to shake hands and smile when meeting new business contacts. It wasn’t until after she had children herself, that Joscelyn decided that it was time to do something about it. “I never used to smile with my teeth showing in photos and noticed that the shape of my face was starting to change, because my two canines looked like they were missing. I went to see a new dentist who recommended Dr Rosario from Braces4U. “At one of my first consultations we discussed a photo she had seen of me in Core Magazine and that the fact I didn’t smile made my face look strange. She promised that when she had finished, she wanted to see me back in the magazine with a big teethy smile,” Joscelyn added. The process

couldn’t have been easier, Joscelyn explained. “Invisalign is a progressive set of aligners which you wear for 24 hours per day, apart from when you take them out briefly to eat. The aligners change weekly to keep moving the teeth in the right direction. After my initial records and digital scan, it only took a couple of weeks to receive my first box of aligners. “People barely notice I am wearing them. Braces4U offer a great monthly payment plan which makes the process affordable. Initially it seems like two years is a long time, but it has flown by and I couldn’t be happier with the results. My family in the UK are blown away with the change every time we FaceTime. I really do wish I had done it 10 years ago!” With only a few months left of final tweaking, Joscelyn is excited to reveal her new smile. “One tooth is being a little stubborn, but Dr. Rosario is fabulous, she won’t let me finish until my teeth are absolutely perfect.” If you’re at all self-conscious about your smile; no matter your age; it’s worth a consult with Dr. Rosario at Braces 4U. The investment you make today will pay itself back with a lifetime of smiles.

Call Braces 4U for a consultation 4840 2832 or find us at www.braces4u.com.au

BRING REAL MAGIC INTO YOUR LIFE

A FEW YEARS AGO I WAS LOST. FRUSTRATED. SCARED. UNSURE. ANXIOUS. TRAPPED. UNFULFILLED.

y daughters had grown up and I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do with my life. I cared for myself enough to change my life, but I didn’t have the slightest clue where to start.

One thing that was coming up in my thoughts was to go to Yoga. I used to go with my Mum in my early 20’s and always felt different after class. I wasn’t sure then why but I do now. It was never about the postures to me I knew it had deeper meaning and I have been studying the self and sharing the yoga principles and personal experience in my Yoga Teacher trainings ever since. What I now know is “we are all the same, we are all capable of learning this wisdom and we are all capable of an extraordinary life” My biggest wish and life work is To encourage more people to live an extraordinary life. It is imperative that you know who you truly are, and to do so you must explore who you truly are.

If you feel trapped in an unsatisfying existence, Wasting your precious time doing things that you really don’t want to be doing, afraid to express your uniqueness than learn the wisdom of yoga. Discover who you truly are and fully give every aspect of your uniqueness to the world. Learning the yoga postures is usually where we start. We learn how to get the body strong and open so the life force can flow through us. This stuff we call Prana is magic. It does everything you need. “When you know it’s power the way you see the world will never be the same” Our beginner programs have been designed to teach you the fundamentals of practice in a safe supportive environment so that you are confident to join in our scheduled weekly classes. Make yoga apart of your life. Discover your true self, beyond the physical. Give yourself time everyday to be still. In the silence you can here the answers of your unique passions, strengths, values, desires and motivations, which are all yearning for your expression.

Testimonial from Elizabeth Nowell ‘I wanted to get back into Yoga and ease myself into it so I signed up for the 8 Limb Yoga beginners course. Maryanne my teacher was fabulous – she had loads of experience, a good heart and someone you can trust when you are first starting out in something new. In a short time my mind became more focused and I’m also a lot more calm. There is definitely something deeper that starts happening through this practise. If you haven’t done Yoga before I definitely recommend you come along and try the beginners course at 8 Limb Yoga’

www.8limbyoga.com.au

The inside out with Bec Douthwaite Rowena and Bec

Two years ago Rebecca Douthwaite, Publisher of Core Life Magazne, launched into her 40’s. She wanted to change her body, lose the comfort kilos that had accumulated over the years and discover the secret to happiness.

e followed her story in Core Life Magazine which showcased her ‘Finding 40’ journey, watching in awe as she completed an eight-week Boot Camp that inspired everyone around her. She then continued her fitness journey by committing to another two bootcamp challenges and a strict daily regime with Whitsunday Martial Arts. The whole time she was eating a restricted diet, weighing herself daily and kicking fitness goals. Her body grew lean and toned. Then, by the time she hit 40, Bec had shed 20kg. A different woman was staring back at her in the mirror and she liked what she saw! But was she happy? As the glory and celebration of her achievement wore off, Bec settled back into normal life. She soon realised that her intense fitness regime was something she could no longer sustain. She was pushing herself too hard. Within months, old habits returned. She was drinking and eating more than she wanted to and exercising less. Flash forward one year and Bec is ready to put her health first again. This time, however, she is not only focusing on her physical health, she would like to improve her health from the inside out, working on her internal wellbeing as well. Mental health has been a regular battle for Bec who slips into bouts of anxiety and depression. 76 www.corelife.com.au

Despite her physical fitness last year, Bec realised she needed to tackle this issue as well as return to a regular fitness regime with Whitsunday Martial Arts. To nurture her body from within, Bec reached out to Rowena, owner of Kissun Clinics. This inspiring Naturopath is famous for helping people through an array of health issues, from skin problems to cancer treatments, depression and more. Despite this Bec felt extremely nervous ahead of her first consultation. “I was terrified!” discloses Bec, “I spent weeks feeling scared that I would be judged or that my blood would show something I didn’t want to hear. The opposite could not have been truer. Rowena is one of the most non-judgmental people I’ve ever met. She wasn’t shocked or fazed when I told her everything. In fact, it was a relief to let it all out! She didn’t even tell me to stop drinking, that was something I have done myself.” On New Years Eve, Bec sipped her last drink. It has now been over 70 days since she tasted a drop of alcohol and the difference has been life changing. “I have clarity of thinking that I have not had in years!” Bec said excitedly. “Despite all the exercise I did last year, I continued to drink, not realising this was taking its toll. Without alcohol, I have more energy, my skin is clearer, I can focus and I feel a lot happier,” said Bec.

Alcohol is known to reduce serotonin activators in the brain, and it is the body’s natural happy drug. Since she stopped drinking Bec has more time to enjoy her evenings in a positive way. She takes long bubble baths, reads inspiring books and spends quality of time with her family. Why Bec decided to see a Naturopath? Most people don’t really know what happens at the naturopath. In fact, many of us could be forgiven for thinking that it is a hippy-dippy plant-based alternative to traditional medicine, that doesn’t really work. This of course, is absolutely false. Naturopathy works alongside science to treat the body according to its individual needs. There is no sweeping prescription that is deemed suitable for a certain ailment. Everyone is treated as the unique individual they are, and this formula is deduced from a study of their blood. “We’re not in the business of diagnosing conditions, we do in-depth pathology testing to understand the imbalances of the body,” said Rowena. “We took a small amount of blood from Bec’s finger and analysed it to reveal any deficiencies. From this we discovered she was lacking in Omega 3 so she needed more healthy fats in her diet. We could also see that her liver needed help, so our first step was a detox to reduce the acidity in her system,” said Rowena.

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Rowena explaining the results and changes to blood cells on Bec’s second visit Rowena prescribed a regime of naturopathic supplements to assist Bec’s journey. The combination of herbs, vitamins and minerals prescribed to return her body to a balanced state.

Rowena identifies cells that appear "murky" to others, which shows the need for a liver detox

During the consult, Rowena also advised that, within time, they could manage Bec’s depression and anxiety meaning she could slowly come-off her anti-depressants altogether. “We don’t talk enough about our mental health or how we cope with life’s challenges. We are so busy with family and work we think we need to do everything and be everything, however being a strong woman sometimes means recognising when you’re taking on too much and need to stop and take a breath. Its ok to admit you aren’t coping and need help,” said Bec. Bec visited Rowena on the 20th of December, and when she went for her first month check-up in January, she already showed amazing signs of improvement. “Bec really has taken control of her health and has made excellent progress. She’s already lost 6kg, she has more energy, she’s sleeping better, and she is making excellent progress with her mental health. We will advance this progress to help her continue with her weight loss and boost serotonin,” Rowena said. To complement her regular consultations with Rowena, Bec is committed to a regular fitness

regime with Whitsunday Martial Arts and is following a diet plan with nutritionist Sarah who also works from Kissun Clinics. “It’s about treating the whole body, I wish I had walked into Kissun Clinics years ago!” Said Bec. Visit kissunclinics.com for more information on how naturopathy can assist you in living your best life.

One small prick of the finger can tell you so much!

Go to: www.kissunclinics.com to learn more about our services or call 07 4946 7910 for appointments in Mackay, Cannonvale or Sydney

DR FRASER LYON HAS ARRIVED! Introducing the new Dentist at Smile Makers Whitsundays Having graduated from James Cook University in Cairns, Dr Fraser is looking forward to joining the friendly, proficient team at Smile Makers Whitsundays.

Stocker of Davines and Pure Haircare, Olaplex and Faboloso

Specialising in General Dentistry, Dr Fraser can guarantee a gentle, personal approach. You can also be sure of the most modern practices as he is always continuing his professional development, keeping up to date with the latest research by regularly attending conferences and workshops all over Australia. Originally from Tasmania, Dr Fraser loves the outdoors; mountain biking, hiking, camping, spearfishing and diving. With his recent move to the Whitsundays, he is looking forward to many more opportunities to follow his passion for adventure in our beautiful region. Dr Fraser’s love for new experiences also extends to spending time in the Soloman Islands, a trip he took last year to practice dentistry in communities that do not have access to any dental care. “It was an amazing experience that really put life into perspective,” he said. With a deeply caring attitude and forward-thinking approach to dentistry, Dr Prashant and his team are thrilled to welcome Dr Fraser to the team. Quick Quiz Top cleaning tip? Use an electric toothbrush, It’ll be the best investment in your oral hygiene you’ll ever make Worse food/drink to eat for your dental hygiene? Sweet fizzy drinks Best food/drink to eat for your dental hygiene? Water!! Common myth about dentists? As much as you might think we are not actually scary Your Favourite dental procedure? Delivery of the final product of a patient’s treatment plan

MARCH & APRIL SMILE MAKERS WHITSUNDAYS SPECIAL Comprehensive Examination Check-up & Scale/Clean + Bite Wing Xrays* $199.00 Available to ALL New & Existing Patients when booking with Dr Fraser in March & April. *Terms & Conditions Apply

HI-CAPS is available on-site for ALL private health members to claim instant rebates.

Smile Makers Whitsundays is a preferred provider for:

New Trading Hours (Effective February) Mon – 8am to 6pm | Tues – 8am to 6pm | Wed – 8am to 5pm Thurs - 8am to 6pm | Fri - 8am to 2pm | Sat / Sun – CLOSED

Contact us now (07) 4946 5007 nopain@smilemakerswhitsundays.com.au www.smilemakerswhitsundays.com.au 2/121 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale

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MY CANCER CURVE BALL It Took Everything I’ve Got But I Made It!

t’s been six long months, eight rounds of intravenous chemo, 960 chemo tablets, an array of natural remedies and I am finally done! I’ve made it!

“I think we could consider skipping the last round of chemo and just finish off with the chemo pills instead,” said my doctor.

As many of you will know, I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in August last year. The tumour was removed 48 hours after discovery because they were concerned it could have blocked my bowel completely.

I haven’t told many people this, but essentially, I was offered a free pass that day. The lure of going shopping and taking a lazy lunch with Kellie instead of plodding up to the chemo ward and starting another four-day fuzzy journey was huge!

I was then given an ultimatum. Complete six months of chemo and I would have an 85% chance of returning to normal health. Take my chances without chemo and it was a flip of a coin, 57% chance of survival. The decision was easy for me as I knew I needed to do everything I could to be there to raise my son. So, I took the chemo and have spent the last six months operating in survival mode. I knew that in order to survive this I had to give it everything I had. This meant changing my diet, reducing my stress levels, maintaining a positive outlook, actively manifesting a healthy body and engaging with a natural health practitioner. I followed an integrative oncology program with the help of my naturopath and guardian angel, Rowena Kissun from Kissun Clinics. Not only did she prescribe tonics, powders and tablets which enabled me to continue working throughout the six months, she also encouraged and supported my mental wellbeing throughout the journey. Rowena noticed when I was down and always offered candid, inspiring words that lifted me up. She also personally took me to two of my chemo treatments in her own time. On Thursday 13th February I travelled down to Mackay with my dear friend Kellie for my last chemo treatment. As always this began in the consultation room with my oncologist. I described the latest side effects; my feet were quite painful, feeling numb and hard to walk on some days; my tongue was still a little numb as well.

I looked at Kellie, then back to the Doctor and I knew what I had to do. “I’ll do the last one,” I heard myself saying. “I need to know I’ve given this all that I’ve got and completed the course.” It felt crazy to be committing to the agony of another round when I didn’t have to, but I did. Plus, we had brought cake which we handed out to everyone on the ward and I think this really lifted people’s spirits. A week later I celebrated my 38th birthday and finished the last of my chemo tablets. As I write this, I have been chemo-free for one week. It’s very early days and I am only just getting used to the idea of not taking tablets every day or mentally preparing for the next round of chemo. It is strange to exist without the chemo cloud following me around, but every time I remember, a huge smile spreads across my face and I delight in the freedom. I can finally plan the future, spend endless days of quality time with my son, go out for dinner like it’s not ‘the last supper’ and generally enjoy the sweetness of everyday existence. Thanks to everyone who has followed my journey and my Facebook blog; My Cancer Curve Ball. If you or anyone you know is going through a cancer journey, I would be happy to talk with you at any time. Just look me up on my blog and PM me or send an email to rachael@corelife.com.au.

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WHY YOU SHOULD GET A HEARING CHECK? A hearing check could ward off dementia Imagine what it’s like to be sitting with friends, but not be able to join in the conversation. Because you can’t quite catch what’s being discussed. In situations like these, people can feel self-conscious and end up opting out of the social activities they’ve always enjoyed. Isolation and loneliness can result, and evidence is emerging that shows isolation is a risk factor for dementia.

A key reason to check your hearing Loss of communication is a fundamental symptom of dementia. It’s already known that deafness leads to a greater cognitive strain on the brain and studies are now indicating that hearing loss is much more than an inconsequential part of ageing. A twelve-year study at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, in conjunction with the National Institute of Ageing, found that older adults with hearing loss were significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. In fact, for each 10-decibel loss in hearing, the participants’ risk of dementia rose by about 20%! The study found people with severe hearing loss were five times more likely to experience a decline in mental ability! Even a mild hearing loss doubled the risk. Although other variables were taken into account such as age, gender and medical conditions, the likelihood of developing dementia increased as the hearing loss became more acute.

Reduce risk, make an appointment with Attune Of course not everyone with hearing loss will suffer dementia, however evidence suggests that using hearing aids could help lower the odds of developing this devastating condition as social isolation is reduced when we can communicate. Another plus: studies also show that getting together with people and joining in daily interactions protect against dementia. Most likely that’s because it relieves stress, and stress is known to be harmful to the brain. These are just some of the reasons to be proactive and have your hearing checked early. Attune is Australia’s most trusted hearing professionals supported by GP’s and ENT’s. Even treating a mild hearing loss can be well worth your while because you’ll not only improve your hearing – you could also be protecting your brain. That’s advice you can rely on, from Attune.

Diabetes and Hearing Loss Diabetes is one of Australia's most widespread health issues, and the links between diabetes and hearing loss are not well known. Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in the world and in Australia there are estimated to be over 1.5 million people with diabetes. A recent study found that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes, as it is in those who don't have the disease. Also, of the over 2

million adults in Australia. who have pre-diabetes, a condition, in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes, the rate of hearing loss is 30% higher than in those with normal blood sugar. Hearing depends on the correct function of small blood vessels and nerves in the inner ear. Researchers believe that, over time, high blood glucose levels can damage these delicate vessels and nerves, diminishing the ability to hear. Diabetes is also a well-known risk factor for sudden onset inner ear hearing impairment and recurrent ear infections are also commonly seen in diabetics. For most people hearing loss occurs over time and this means that the symptoms can be hard to notice. Often family members and friends notice hearing loss before the person experiencing it. If you are diabetic or have pre-diabetes you are at increased risk of hearing loss. If you suspect that you may be developing some hearing difficulty, a full assessment with an audiologist is recommended. From a full hearing assessment, you will learn more about your hearing and can discuss with the audiologist what can be done if a hearing loss is identified. As people with diabetes and pre-diabetes are at increased risk of hearing loss an annual hearing evaluation is recommended.

Call our Audiologists, Sara Bella or Ramandeep Kaur from Attune Hearing Mackay on 4965 4664. www.corelife.com.au 81

THE PERCIVALS

2020

EXHIBITING 22 MAY – 19 JULY townsville.qld.gov.au/percivals Jenny Rodgerson, Balancing in the big red coat [detail] 2017, oil on linen, 180 x 150 cm. Winner of the acquisitive Percival Portrait Painting Prize 2018, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville City of Townsville Art Collection

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nafa-tsv.com.au Official Event Partners The North Australian Festival of Arts will present a curated program of national and international acts and showcase the vibrant artistic and cultural talent of northern Australia.

Australian

Festival of Chamber Music

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eat. pray. coffee. M

ackay has an emerging café culture where trendy eateries can be found in eclectic laneways. Not only can our community enjoy an array of quality caffeination stations, we can indulge in regional flavours, textures and creative cuisine to complement our tropical lifestyle. 9th Lane Grind is such a place. Aptly named for the lane in which it sits, 9th Lane Grind can be found between Wood and Sydney Streets in

Mackay’s city centre. At the forefront of innovative inspiration is Director, Kristy Borg; owner of 9th Lane Grind plus an array of other gourmet cafes in Mackay, specialising in affordable yet delicious deli-style food with a fine dining twist. Her collective of cafes includes Curb at Northpoint Retail and K&Co which made a move to HomeCo in the Northern Beaches. Her food is as delicious as it is Insta-famous, with drool-worthy fusions and immaculate presentation. Yet, Kristy remains humble about her creations, insisting it is a team collaboration with Head Chef, Dylan. “With an array of amazing fresh produce in our region, we strive to deliver that fresh paddock to plate experience. Growing up in New Zealand, Dylan brings different ideas to the way which we deliver that flavour experience, so we collaborate together well. We aim to let the tastes of our region shine without too much tampering. We make everything from scratch and use refined techniques to bring out the unique flavour combinations of each creation,” she said. From local lettuce and hinterland fresh milk to farm-fresh free range eggs and sweet local honey; Kristy believes it’s important to support local businesses and showcase our region on a plate. The result; fresh vibrant innovative cuisine featuring the diversity of our hinterland and coastal produce, reflecting our relaxed tropical lifestyle. Kristy added, “Our number one purpose is for people to enjoy our food. It doesn’t matter

whether you grab-and-go with a wrap and a coffee, or if you dine-in for one of our Saturday morning specialty breakfasts; we take you on a journey with fresh flavour. Monday to Friday we stay consistent with a combination of sweet and savoury; while on Saturday we get a little creative and experiment with some pretty epic dishes. These are the ones which we have become a little famous for on Instagram because they look so pretty and taste incredible.” Kristy said that inspiration for a new item can strike at any time. “One of our most unusual creations was a Cereal Milk Panna Cotta with Fruit Loops and waffle. I was watching a Netflix documentary and saw cereal milk ice cream and thought, I can go one better than that. For Australia Day, Chef Dylan created a smashed avo dish with Vegemite hummus. For special occasions and Saturdays, we have the opportunity to play and deliver one-off specials to stretch our creativity.” 9th Lane Grind, Curb and K&Co all use a beautiful coffee blend provided by Grinders. A representative from Grinders visits Kristy’s barista’s monthly for regular training, to ensure passion is poured into every cup. Try a brew with a homemade doughnut for morning tea heaven. Corporate catering, wedding and events catering is also available for when only the best will suffice for your occasion to impress. Visit the café’s on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and let local food take you on a rustic journey back to your roots.

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Mackay Turf Girl 2020

Nominees for 2020

nzac Day will be celebrated trackside this year at the Mackay Turf Girl Race Day, due to be held on Saturday 25th April from midday –

6pm.

The spirit of Anzac Day will be captured in a commemorative game of Two Up, held in the shade of the cool betting ring from 2-5pm. Race-lovers from around the region will be able to enjoy the thrill and fast-pace of the horse-races while indulging in a little flutter to mark a significant historical event. All proceeds from Two Up will be donated back to the RSL. The annual Mackay Turf Girl Race Day is a colourful and exciting event, which brings out the best in our region. Guests looking for a luxury experience can choose to book a place in the VIP Winning Post Lawn Party. This secure private area offers marquees & umbrellas for shade, comfortable seating, a private bar, gourmet food platters, a drink on arrival or drinks package and a live DJ to keep everyone grooving in between the live local races. Alternatively, the General Admission area is a-buzz

with life. A selection of food vendors will keep you fuelled all day and the vibrant Sportsbar will be open for hydration and comfort. Another stunning element to a beautiful Mackay Race-Day is its namesake, the stylish and scintillating Turf Girls. These thoroughbred ladies are a highlight of the day, which culminates in the crowning of the 2020 Mackay Turf Girl. With a rigorous application process, each Mackay Turf Girl must not only emanate grace and beauty, they must also be able to generate excitement for the event on social media, escort corporate clients and race sponsors and become ambassadors for the event.

Last years’ winner Kianna Coyne

In addition to this there are a variety of exciting events taking place around the Race-Day. Enjoy a Cocktail Party on Friday 27th March with a live DJ to entertain. If you are one of the exclusive 100 Club members you can win a fully catered table of 10 and race sponsorship at Mackay Cup and Melbourne Cup valued at over $5500. There is also the Mackay Turf Girl Race Day after party which will be held at Moss and Wood again this year with a courtesy bus taking party goers between events.

Last years Mackay Turf Girl, Kianna Coyne, was an impeccable choice whose charm and spirit brought happiness to all around. This year Kianna will crown the new Mackay Turf Girl who will be one of the ladies pictured above.

Organisers would like to thank the following sponsors: Silk Laser Clinic, Incogneato Hair Artistry, Funk it Up Makeup, Rydges Suites Mackay, Moss on Wood, Isabella Photography, Starcut Flowers, Cheryl Green Tanning, Salt Restaurant & Mackay Turf Club. Plus Major Media Partners in Core Magazine, Channel 7, Hit Fm & The Daily Mercury.

This year also introduces a new major sponsor, Silk Laser Clinic, who is hosting a meet and greet on Saturday 14th March from 11-12.30pm.

Tickets are on sale now for the Cocktail Party and Race Day through Mackay Tickets. Get your backside trackside and support the local nominees.

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unique experience delivered by Traditional Ngaro Indigenous Guides. They will be sharing stories and messages in the hope guests develop a greater understanding of the history of the Ngaro Tribe, an ancientisland-sea tribe with strong traditions and customs. 2020 is the year of Indigenous Tourism; we hope to see lots of new developments in this space over the next 12 months and beyond.

TOURISM WHITSUNDAYS NOTE FROM CEO TASH WHEELER The Whitsundays celebrated the launch of the first guided indigenous tour. The Ngaro Indigenous Cultural Tour will provide a

The phase two Wonders of the Whitsundays campaign our team is managing launched last week. The campaign has come hot on the heels of the hugely successful Wonders of the Whitsundays campaign, which was launched in early 2019. Phase one of the Wonders of the Whitsundays campaign was successful on several levels; namely, the campaign successfully brought in well over $3.5 million in sales to the region. The overarching objective of the campaign is driving destination awareness of the Whitsundays in key markets. Phase two of the campaign Tourism Whitsundays and Tourism and Events Queensland has partnered with nine local operators; Cruise Whitsundays, Coral Sea Marina Resort, Daydream Island, Elysian Retreat, #GoBareboating, Hamilton Island, Intercontinental Hayman Island Resort, Palm Bay Resort, and Pinnacles Resort. The key factor in developing phase two of the

campaign is to drive visitation to the region and provide consumers with excellent holiday packages, encouraging more domestic travellers to holiday here this year. With the events that have taken place in the opening of this year, from the bushfire crisis to the Coronavirus crisis, the global tourism industry is going to endure some further tough times. We want members to know we recognise the challenges the industry is being faced with, and during the last networking event, I outlined some marketing activities over the next five months. So far this year the team have generated over $28M in publicity for the region; reached close to 3.5M potential visitors via @ VisitWhitsundays Facebook page; the region was featured on Channel Nine’s Married at First Sight, and now in-market is the Wonders of the Whitsundays (WOW) $600K campaign. Scheduled for the coming months includes print advertising in Australian Traveller and Great Destination Weddings, significant trade campaign activity; airline campaign activity; and the Great Barrier Reef Campaign. Being resilient in the face of crisis is something you, our industry are all too used to. Over these coming months, the key will be down to working together and strong collaboration from around the region.

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