FREE
Jan/Feb 2019
THELOVEISSUE MACKAY | WHITSUNDAYS | BOWEN BASIN | CENTRAL HIGHLANDS www.corelife.com.au 3
Airlie Beach Main St
Port Of Airlie
Boat Ramp
IGA Supermarket
PCYC
Purchase & Settle by March 31st 2019 to
Jubilee Tavern
Airlie Fitness Gym
Brand New Playground
Receive a $10,000 Voucher
*terms & conditions apply
Lot 21 892m2
Lot 20 1021m2
Lot 22 745m2
5 Lawson Street, Midge Point
Lot 23 840m2 Lot 24 763m2
Lot 26 779m2
Sapphire Bay Jubilee Pocket’s Premiere Residential Estate
Only 6 Superior Blocks Remain Contact: Mel Butcher 0400 773 478 *Example Only
Brand New Design
FOR SALE
Fantastic brand new design from Moloko Homes this 4 bedroom floorplan offers generous bedrooms and large open plan living. This complete turn key package also includes turf and fencing plus featuring a brand new range of features from tiles to vinyl flooring. Only minutes from Whitsunday Plaza this beautiful home will be available next year.
PRICE: From $479,000 CONTACT: Rob Taylor 0428 466 124 rob@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au
Lot 207 Trader Court, Cannonvale
4
2
2
BED BATH CAR *Example Only
www.corelife.com.au 22 www.corelife.com.au
21/228 Shute Harbour Rd, Cannonvale
Blue Pearl Winner
FOR SALE
This sensational brand new home under construction has been specifically designed to allow for extra car or boat accommodation. Offering a brand new design from Moloko Homes the floorplan allows for 4 generous bedrooms and open plan living to generous covered alfresco. Plus something special for those looking to accommodate both cars and boats this standout property features a double lock up garage plus a separate carport with high clearance perfect for your boat or caravan. Exciting new bonus features such as new range of carpets, tapware and more.
PRICE: From $489,000 CONTACT: Rob Taylor 0428 466 124 rob@taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au
Lot 4 Parker Road, Cannonvale
4
2
3
BED BATH CAR
www.taylorspropertyspecialists.com.au
4858 1000
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www.corelife.com.au 44 www.corelife.com.au
Celebrate Chinese New Year with us and enjoy a traditional Thai banquet Authentic delicacies full of flavour served freshly cooked to your table
HOME DELIVERY
TROPICAL
24 River Street, Mackay. Call (07) 4957 8218 | 049 777 2426 for reservations, takeaway and delivery
www.corelife.com.au 5
GET THE
MADER
LIFE! At Mader we’re all about our people. We work around our team to find a perfect work-life balance, so more time doing what they LOVE.
Your job, your way www.madergroup.com.au www.corelife.com.au 66 www.corelife.com.au
f
w ishes th e Wh itsu nd ay s region a pro sp orou s 20 19 ! A SPECIAL offer to our readers, an amazing 20% discount! visit www.miragewhitsundays.com.au and then click on BOOK ME* Use Core Life Magazine Readers Special Promo code “locals� when making your reservation. *Subject to availabilty and terms and conditions apply.
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Mira Cafe and Ambrosia by Mira Restaurants and Satori Day Spa is OPEN to the public and Residents Located next to the VMR, down the road from the Police Station
For more information and special offers please check out our website on
www.miragewhitsundays.com.au 11 Altmann Avenue, Cannonvale, WHITSUNDAYS - 07 4948 1940
www.corelife.com.au 7
A BOHO GOURMET PICNIC FOR SIX PEOPLE Enjoy a sumptuous outdoor boho experience with stylish décor from Divine Weddings and delicious treats from Aquava Boutique Catering
From the
VALUED AT $865
Editor Thanks for picking up the first issue of 2019! We really appreciate your support and look forward to providing you with many entertaining, inspiring and thought-provoking articles again this year. It just dawned on me that it’s pretty amazing to write something that is read by a lot of people in our community. People I do not know, feel like they know me. My mum always tells me I’m an open book; easy to read, and for that reason I am more than happy to share my inner world with you, especially if I feel it might help in some way. This issue of Core Life has been tough for me. Not only is it the first issue of the year and transitioning from the gluttony and lazy afternoons of the Christmas Holidays is always a struggle! It is also our ‘Love Issue’, a subject I believe in immeasurably (as I have a deeply romantic nature) but also something I have lost in my own life. When I was younger and imagined my life in my mid-thirties I never thought I’d find myself a single mum of a three-month-old child. It certainly wasn’t the way I thought my life would end up. Now, a year and a half on from my separation I am starting to look for love again. Whenever I go out I feel like I have reverted to my teenage self, giggly and insecure, looking at every attractive guy with desperate wide-eyes as if they could be ‘The One’.
Enjoy a gourmet picnic hamper of Australian and imported premium soft, semi hard and hard Artisan cheeses, cured and smoked meats with crisp breads, crusty French sticks, antipasto selection, house made dips, Chef's selection of fresh sandwiches, black figs, strawberries and fresh grapes. The picnic also includes a gourmet arrangement of mini desserts, tarts and macaroons with seasonal tropical fruit. Divine Weddings will create a boho haven that can be brought straight to your back garden or selected public areas throughout the region. This includes a large picnic set up with floral decorations, mats, rugs, cushions, mini ottomans, a low picnic table plus decorative pieces with floral and tea-lights. Plus a bottle of Champagne!
What’s happened to the strong, independent woman I thought I’d become? She is a puddle on the floor! I guess braving the unknown and daring to believe in love again has been a big step for me. Also, learning to let go of the past and feel proud of who I am today. As the New Year begins in full throttle and everyone is talking about resolutions and fresh starts I have made the decision to take it easy on myself. Be grateful, stay positive and accept by mistakes for what they are; challenges I need to learn from.
YOU GOTTA BE IN IT TO WIN IT!
Hope you are kind to yourself this year too.
Rach xx enter online now at corelife.com.au Winner Drawn on February 28th 2019 terms and conditions apply LIKE CORE ON FACEBOOK TO SEE IF YOU’RE A WINNER
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A place past the horizon, over the reef. Where clownfish hide, mermaids dive and tequila sunrises are more than just a drink. Daydream Island, reopening April 2019. Book your stay at daydreamisland.com.
reservations@daydreamisland.com | daydreamisland.com
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The Whitsunday’s Newest Tropical Eco Resort Nestled in the Whitsunday’s rainforest region of Conway National Park, surrounded by 7 acres of lush tropical parkland and offering a variety of accommodation options to suit every traveller’s needs. • Recently refurbished accommodation • Modern facilities and tastefully designed • Accommodating couples up to large families • Pets are allowed in a range of accommodation subject to availability • Large shady powered and unpowered sites with a selection of grass, slab and drive through options • Camp kitchen and BBQ areas • A beautiful new pool to cool down on hot lazy summer days • Centrally located only 5 minutes’ drive from Airlie Beach town centre, The Port of Airlie and Shute harbour boat ramp. • Close to the Shute Harbour Airport strip where you can take a plane or helicopter to see the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsundays from the air
Call 1800 069 388 bookings@wter.com.au
wter.com.au
New Year, New Vision
Cannonvale Whitsunday Shopping Centre Ph 07 4946 6730 Proserpine 124 Main St. Ph 07 4945 2411 Ayr 137 Queen St. Ph 07 4783 1361 Townsville 246 Ross River Rd. Ph 07 4779 7433 georgeandmatilda.com.au
New Savings Local experts, personal care
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CONTENTS
JAN/FEB 14-60
COMMUNITY LIFE Meet the dynamic team behind Eco Barge Clean Seas, hear about the inspiring Tuff Minds App generating awareness for suicide prevention and discover how two friends found they were fullblooded sisters.
40-70
LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS & WEDDINGS A special feature dedicated to love; meet business couples that live and work together every day, discover the best venues to celebrate a wedding day and learn about the world of online dating.
23-35
WHITSUNDAY FOODSERVICES SPECIAL FEATURE Celebrating the opening of their new warehouse and muchanticipated expansion, this local business brings together staff, contractors, customers and suppliers to commemorate this huge achievement.
70-77
MIND, BODY & SOUL Female Mixed Martial Arts fighter tells her story, personal trainers at RPTM in Mackay inspire you to start your fitness journey and read your Horoscopes for 2019 to discover what’s in-store for the year ahead.
BUSINESS LIFE Introducing the new Hawkes Nursery, Café and Business Centre on Paluma drive and showcasing the team at Metro Tiles in Cannonvale.
78-81
36-39
SOCIAL LIFE Find out about local events, meet the team behind Airlie’s thriving Vietnamese Restaurant and get to know the chef from Sorrento’s Restaurant and Bar at Abell Point Marina.
On the Cover
Our sizzling hot cover models are Sophie Sneddon and Todd Jordan, owners of Aquava Boutique Catering in the Whitsundays. Recently engaged and planning their wedding for 2020 this genuinely loved-up couple are beautiful both inside and out. Bringing 30 years of industry experience Sophie is a front of house professional and Todd is an awardwinning chef. Together, they form an incredible team that delivers first-class catering for both large, glamorous events and small boutique occasions. Photography by the Iconic Norina Jane / Set Design By Divine Weddings Whitsundays / Hair By Whitsunday Platinum Hair Design / Make Up By Loll Doll Make Up / Food By Aquava Boutique Catering. Turn to page 40 to read their full story
CORE PUBLISHING AND EVENTS PTY LTD p. 07 4945 4429 e. sales@corelife.com.au Editor In Chief: Rebecca Douthwaite / bec@corelife.com.au / Managing Editor: Rachael Thackray /rachael@corelife.com.au Production: Rebecca Douthwaite / Chantal Browne / Marc Evans Tarnate Accounts Manager: Christine Forrest Writers: Amanda Wright / Rachael Thackray / Rebecca Douthwaite / Photography: Norina Jane norinajane@whitpro.com.au / Caroline Adele carolineadele@outlook.com COVER: Models: Sophie Sneddon / Todd Jordan / Photography: Norina Jane norinajane@whitpro.com.au / Make Up: Loll Doll Makeup / 0415987843 / Hair By: Whitsunday Platinumn Hair Design / 0422699609 Set Design: Divine Weddings Whitsundays / 0410164692 / Catering By: Aquava Boutique Catering / 0447990742 Personalities Photography: Norina Jane norinajane@whitpro.com.au Personalities Styling: Hair By: Adam & Eve / 49482711 / Hair & Makeup: Elk House of Hair / 49510005 / Make Up: Loll Doll Makeup / 0415987843 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
Annette Swann
Renee O’Dwyer
BUSINESS/MARKETING MANAGER AT MACKAY GP SUPERCLINIC
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER AT ECLIPSE FINANCIAL SERVICES
Fast 7 Facts
Fast 7 Facts
Star Sign: Libra
Star Sign: Aquarius
Fav Movie: Dracula
Fav Movie: Dirty Dancing
Fav Colour: Pink
Fav Colour: Purple
Fav Holiday destination: Bali
Fav Holiday destination: Anywhere that involves travelling, Bali is my frequent destination lately.
Fav Music: Pop/Rock Fav Quote: “If you believe you can do it, then you are already halfway there!” Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? I was a singer in a cover band in Melbourne.
Fav Music: Live Music! I like many genres so it is too hard to narrow it down but if you can see it live it is even better. Fav Quote: Life is for living Tell Us Something most people don’t know about you?
Describe your personality in three words:
I once applied for a reality TV show.
Positive, Loyal and Determined.
Describe your personality in three words:
When Annette moved to Mackay in 1991 and met the man she would marry, she discovered they had grown up in the same small suburb of Broadmedows in Melbourne and knew right then that it was destiny. Flash forward 25 years and the couple have three adult children, two boys aged 31 and 23 and a girl 18. They also have two fur babies; a terrier, called Bruiser and a Maltese/Shitzu called Monty. “I love funny, weird and wild moments with my family when out of the blue, we pull faces, sing crazily or talk weirdly. Those spontaneous moments make my face and stomach ache from laughing so much,” she said. Annette has dedicated her career to business and administration, starting off in the meat room at Coles where she saved enough money to do a computer course and pursue her dream career. From here she decided to progress further, taking on a university degree. She completed a Diploma of MultiMedia and went onto to finish a Bachelor of Arts in PR and Communications. “This gave me the opportunity to venture into Marketing and Business Management, which I am extremely passionate about. I am now blessed to work with two amazing and inspiring people who have become wonderful friends, Drs John & Eli McIntosh,” said Annette. One of Annette’s biggest challenges in life has been growing up with burn scars on her body which you can read about in her book, Burnt Face. She overcame this through personal determination and the support of friends and family.
Sociable, Outgoing and Passionate
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Walking around a house that used to be in her family for generations was something Renee never thought would happen. That was until last year when she travelled down to Melbourne to see a Pink concert. “I went to the house intending to take a photo when my best friend convinced me to knock on the door. The lady answered and once I showed her the photo of my mum out the front she invited us in. “It was surreal to know I was standing in the house I had heard so many stories about. The house my great great grandmother had lived in,” said Renee. Renee moved around a lot as a child, spending time in Rockhampton before moving to a town on Lake Macquarie in NSW when she was nine. It was in 2007 that Renee first moved to Airlie Beach where she raised her family of three sons alongside her husband of ten years. In her spare time, Renee loves organising community events and is one of the founders of the annual Eats and Treats Festival. She also loves going to see live music and regularly flies interstate to see her favourite bands in concert. With a passion for finance, Renee worked at Commonwealth Bank for many years before starting a new role at Eclipse Financial Services in 2015. Since then, she’s obtained her Diploma in Financial Services and now works as the Customer Service Manager and the back office support to the advisers.
THERE IS A HUGE VARIETY OF MEAT AND SEAFOOD AT MASTER BUTCHERS!
NOT JUST YOUR ORDINARY BUTCHER!
Tricia Schmidtke STORE MANAGER OPTUS MT PLEASANT Fast 7 Facts Star Sign: Taurus Fav Movie: Shawshank Redemption Fav Colour: Blue Fav Holiday destination: Fiji Fav Music: Cold Chisel Tell Us Something most people don't know about you? There is usually a reason people don’t know! Come see me to find out. Describe your personality in three words: Honest, Savage, Determined A dedicated football mum, Tricia can be found on the sidelines watching her son play for South’s most weekends. “He is an energizer bunny who keeps us on our toes,” she laughs. Tricia also has a daughter who is causing chaos in her teenage years and a husband of 12 years who works as an underground miner. In her spare time, Tricia likes to relax with her family. They enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and camping together in nature, usually with a cold can of ‘rumbo’ in hand! Born and bred in Mackay, Tricia loves the area so much she never needed to go anywhere else.
Multi Award
WINNINGR BUTCHE
MBW AT MARIAN
N
NOW OPE
“It’s too good to leave! A town full of great people, awesome weather and of course; close to my beautiful family,” she said. Tricia has worked for Optus in Caneland Central for six years and thrives in the fast paced, dynamic environment. Most recently she has been working as a Business Development Executive, assisting small businesses and guiding them towards the best product and service to suit their individual needs. Despite being a driven career mum, there is nothing more precious to Tricia than her family. “The best thing to happen in my life was having my two children and although they challenge me sometimes, I love every moment of my life with them.”
Shp 14/ 42 Stewart Drv, Cannonvale QLD 4802
4946 6753
Whitsunday Shopping Centre near Coles
4946 7461
www.corelife.com.au 13
Fi Broadbent and Libby Edge
M
eet powerhouses and local eco warriors, Libby Edge and Fi Broadbent who bring together a sea of dedicated volunteers to help clean our beaches, educate the community and rescue turtles throughout the region. It all began when Libby watched a documentary about marine debris in the Hawaiin Islands and decided to look at our local environment to see if it was in the same state. “I was devastated by the amount of marine debris and plastic I found,” said Libby. “I knew what this plastic was doing to our marine life and realised it was up to me to do something about it in order to protect our iconic Whitsunday Islands and local marine life.” Growing up on a yacht and travelling round the Pacific Islands as a child, Libby felt a calling to protect the fragile environment and started nonwww.corelife.com.au 14 14 www.corelife.com.au
for-profit organisation, Eco Barge Clean Seas in 2009. Now, a decade on and the community group has collected almost 200,000kg of marine debris, holds a register of almost 1000 volunteers, and has provided care for over 90 turtles. This incredible feat was accomplished alongside UK born Oceanographer and Project Coordinator, Fi Broadbent who moved to the area in 2012. Libby and Fi forged a common bond, dedicated to growing awareness and inspiring the local community to clean up our marine debris and waterways. “Being part of Eco Barge, seeing it grow, making a difference and engaging with the community is fantastic!” Said Fi.
CLEARING MARINE DEBRIS Eco Barge run 30-40 clean-up trips per year and each trip takes 10 volunteers to clear the south-facing beaches which are the worst effected by marine debris. They are now in a monitoring phase as they have dealt with much of the backlog but they still manage to return with 300kg of waste per trip. Once a year they run a southern Whitsunday Island four-day expedition, setting up base camp on Lindeman Island and clearing the more remote beaches. This excursion removes 2,500 kg of debris. RECYCLING NOT LANDFILL The next step in the eco-crusade is to ensure that the marine debris they collect from beaches doesn’t simply change location and join landfill. To assist with this, in May 2018 Eco Barge
Processing plastic on the Shredder Machine received a Shruder machine which was donated by Coca-Cola South Pacific in collaboration with the Plastic Collective. This machine is designed to be a mobile plastic recycling machine with a shredder and an extruder built into it. Eco Barge volunteers wash the plastic and sort into colours and plastic types before they are shredded into tiny pieces which can be transformed into new products. “This adds value to waste. If more products can be made from recycled plastics, it reduces the need to use virgin plastics therefore reducing the amount of plastics in the world,” said Fi. RESCUING TURTLES In May 2013, Eco Barge Clean Seas launched the Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre which aims to ensure a fast and efficient response to any turtle in need within the region from Mackay to Bowen. The Whitsunday Turtle Rescue Centre has enabled the successful rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine turtles. In 2018, 18 turtles were rescued and 13 made a full recovery. The Centre is staffed by a dedicated and trained team of volunteers who give up their time to care for these magical creatures. They have a roster of turtles carers, who prepare food, feed, clean and care for the turtles. EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION With so much demand and enthusiasm from our local schools and their students to learn more about Eco
Barge, 2015 saw the launch of the Eco Ambassador Program. In 2018, this project has become so successful that it has expanded and become open to all students (where it previously selected two from each school). At a series of open days throughout the year, Eco Barge Clean Seas gives every student the opportunity to learn about the threats of marine debris, caring for sick and injured turtles and what they can do to help. This increases awareness and educates the generation to come. The next Eco Ambassador Day for 2019 is planned for 23rd May 2019 which is World Turtle Day. INTERESTING FACTS • The reason Green Turtles are called Green Turtles is because their fat is green • A Hatchling’s gender depends on the temperature of the nest. Hotter temperatures produce more females and cooler temperatures produce more males. • Marine debris is threatening our hatchling turtles as they are eating plastic during their lost years • Turtles can hold their breath for up to 5 hours • Sea turtles are reptiles so they bask on the beaches in the sun to gain energy • The oldest sea turtle fossil is at least 120 million years old, which makes them one of the oldest creatures on the planet. www.corelife.com.au 15
Sisters Dorn Carroll and Karen Joy Sharp "Whenever you hear the sound of the Trumpet, rally us there. Our God will fight for us." Nehemiah 4:20 Or as author and screenplay writer, Karen Joy Sharp puts it, “It’s like, pull your socks up guys, he’s coming, he’s on his way and we’re not always going to feel this oppressed.” Her movie, The Trumpet Sounds, is the story behind a book of poetry she published in 2012. “It was only after witnessing the travesties of corruption, lies and deceit in very high places, and the pain and anger and ultimate questioning that comes from that, that bought about the culmination of the collection of poetry; Nor by Might Nor by Power but by My Spirit,” she said. After being raised in Mackay by her adoptive
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parents, Esmond (Dec) and Joyce (Dec) Stephens; Karen moved to London in her late teens. She was sent Christian books to read by her mother, and it was in Regents Park where she had her first major spiritual experience.
“The Kibbutz I worked in was called Eilot in the most southern part of Eilat. We picked dates. The Kibbutz is a communal living place that makes its own products and sells it outside of the community to make a living,” Karen said.
“Gods Spirit opened up my heart and amid a great flood of tears the gift of tongues was bestowed upon me as I gave my life to Our Lord.”
Her movie, The Trumpet Sounds, is a culmination of the visions she was shown blended with her own life experiences, including her time in Jordan, fighting against corruption back home in Australia, a jawdropping adoption realisation and the turmoil of living in a drug-affected household.
She then hitchhiked halfway around Israel at the tender age of 17. “I gave my heart to the Lord in Regents Park in London, then I had the experience of the Holy Land at 17. Before I knew it, I found myself working on a Kibbutz in Israel, don’t ask me how. It must have been advertised somewhere and that was it, off I went.
She commented, “The movie opens with four horsemen of the apocalypse and closes with the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. While it’s very much my story in-between, these are things I was shown.” “My experiences have given me a personal witness to the harsh reality this world can inflict
Born to Be on the people, and thus given me a penchant in life to see a moral stand taken against immorality, the corruption, the great cover ups, truths that are hidden among lies, deceits, and bureaucratic red tape. “If we follow the law of the land, when the law of the land contradicts the moral laws of humanity then we are indeed, all doomed. It’s about the 99% of us that can feel oppressed by the other 1% “I am strong in the belief that God, has it all under control and my Faith continues to grow day by day by day. When the rose coloured glasses came off and I saw the dishonesty and cover ups, I cried a river for this world.” The movie also covers Karen’s incredible adoption story where she discovered her hairdresser was actually her full-blooded sister. Karen was adopted in Rockhampton but her parents moved to Mackay, where her older sister, Dawn Carroll, had also been previously adopted to. Dawn had just opened a hairdressing salon at age 22, where Karen, an outgoing 16-year-old, was one of her first customers. The two hit it off instantly and were amazed at the similarities they shared; both were adopted as newborns and their mannerisms and personalities were uncannily alike. They even swapped maternity wear when they both fell pregnant the same year, both giving birth to sons in 1992. Karen moved to the Sunshine Coast, but moved back to Mackay for Julian's schooling in a country town. Their sons, Julian Hewat and Joel Carroll became good friends at the same school in Mackay, without knowing their mothers knew each other. In 1998, Dawn told Karen that she was going to track down her birth parents, something they decided to do at the same time. The only thing Dawn knew about her biological mother was that she had two surnames. When she saw Karen’s adoption paperwork and noticed her birth mother had two surnames, she broke out in goosebumps and put the pieces of the puzzle together. “I think we’re sisters.”
Sisters
They certainly were sisters and tracked their birth mother down to find out if they were full or half sisters. They discovered their birth father had passed away, and in a greater shock, discovered they had two more full-blooded sisters and many half-blood siblings also. KAREN EXPLAINS WHAT HER AND DAWN DISCOVERED. “Our biological parents had other previous families, so we have half brothers and sisters that we haven’t met, there was an age difference of 34 years between our biological parents so some of our siblings have most likely passed away as they would be in their 80’s or 90’s. “Our biological father owned a lot of stations in the Darling Downs and our biological mother was a domestic. When she got pregnant with Dawn, the two families pushed to get her to give Dawn up and six years later, I came along, and again our mother was pressured to give the baby up for adoption. When she got pregnant the third and fourth time, she put her foot down and said ‘No Way.’ “The old man was 72 when he bore his last child. We’ve met our two full-blood sisters, we met our biological mother, we’re all very similar. It was ironic to see our hands and feet, the way we laugh, it was all very much the same, it was outrageous. We met one of our half-sisters, Audrey, she was the one who filled us in with most of this story, because the other two girls were too young. “Our biological mother and our two adoptive mothers all passed away within the same year.” Drugs are also a topic in the movie, as Karen’s second husband was a drug addict. “I suffered domestic violence at the hand of my husband, what I came to know is that it’s not the use of the drug, it’s the abuse of it. “If you never ever start, you never ever have to give it up. But once you get dragged into the hole, their whole world falls apart and it’s
a nightmare for the entire family. I believe we need to help these people instead of crucifying them. God doesn’t love a person any less because they’re stuck in a hole like that,” she said. Above all, Karen wants people to know that this movie is for the glory of God, for if He hadn’t bestowed upon her the faith and revelations she had, she doesn’t know if she could have gone through the hardship and tragedies she endured. “The movie covers forgiveness, unconditional love, the fight for justice. “Ray Braithwaite OAM said to me after Mum’s funeral that I would make a great PR girl for God and that’s how I feel. I’m just a handmaiden, I’m no one and nothing but I do have my story, my witness and my testimony of my life, and it’s powerful.
“The story is very spiritual. Not in a religious sense. It has Jesus as a head, but it’s the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, which is our Jewish roots. The poetry from my book is included in the movie to a degree, a few pieces, but it’s not all poetry. “I believe it is my destiny to get this out there,” she said. The Trumpet Sounds has already won two screenplay awards, giving confirmation to Karen that the story is one which must be told. It recently won Best Feature Screenplay at the Inaugural Australian Independent Film Festival in Brisbane. As well as a Top 10 placing at The Colortape International Film Festival for Screenplays entered in the Asia / Pacific Region. There were around 400 entries in this category alone. Karen laughs, “Big budget producer need only apply! Because it has these big opening and closing scenes it will take a big budget to create, I have been talking to a few producers, it’s just a matter now of finding the right person. “If it’s going to go ahead then it will be by his will, the glory is to go to Him and not me.”
www.corelife.com.au 17
Surviving the Eungella Bush Fires
MICK AND GABI HARDING
I
t’s during times of disaster that true colours are shown, where unlikely heroes emerge and complete strangers rally together as one community, driven to prevail. The enormous bushfires that swept across many parts of the Queensland Coast late last year touched many locals personally, especially those living in the areas of Sarina and Eungella. Strong winds and soaring temperatures fanned already fierce fires which raged through communities at a verocity not seen locally before. Two locals who were lucky to escape unscathed are Mick and Gabi Harding. The couple own 200 acres in Dalrymple Heights, made up of clusters of rainforest, creeks and grazing paddocks. They have 30 + head of cattle grazing the property. It was thanks to the actions of local property owners and firefighters that their property remained unscathed.
Mick commented, “The Rural Fire Brigade were magnificent as were several locals foremost, Lawrie Robinson, Ben Frederickson; and Greg Lenox from Parks & Wildlife who also happens to live in Dalrymple Heights. They all went above and beyond in protecting not only their own properties but neighbouring ones as well, including ours.” When their neighbours lost power and communications, social media was the only way Gabi and Mick could communicate with their neighbours. As soon as he was able to on the Friday, Mick received FireCom clearance to be police escorted up the range to deliver much needed supplies such as food, fuel and other essentials to their neighbours, including several kilos of tiger prawns purchased from Fishi to boost morale. Mick and Gabi’s property backs onto the Eungella National Park and the greatest threat was from a fire that looked to be headed toward their land. Fortunately, after several days, the wind changed direction and that fire fizzled itself out. www.corelife.com.au 18 18 www.corelife.com.au
Some of their neighbours weren’t as fortunate, losing hectares of grazing food for cattle. As Mick left last Sunday afternoon, it wasn’t known whether the fire would continue or enter more properties. On his way out, he saw burnt cattle pastures and surrounding bush devastated by fire and decided to organise some round bales for locals to feed their cattle. Mick and Gabi rallied local support from the Mackay and Whitsunday communities to come to the aid of their neighbours in need, supplying two truck-loads of feed for fire-effected farms. “Kelvin from Bowen did us a special price on Pangola and between Tropics Removals and Streeters Earthmoving who donated semi-trailers and drivers, we were able to escort these up the Eungella range. Within three days, we were able to purchase 80 bales thanks to the generosity of many Whitsunday and Mackay locals and businesses. Way too many to mention individually but all very much appreciated.
“It certainly was a great feeling when we arrived up the range with two semi-trailers full and surprised so many farmers who were desperate for cattle feed. We couldn’t have done it on our own,” Mick said. The couple were overwhelmed by the show of support from locals throughout Mackay and the Whitsundays. Gabi said, “The overwhelming support and generosity of the Mackay Region, Eungella district and the Whitsundays just goes to show how communities pull together when confronted with adversity. We were absolutely blown away by the kindness of so many people offering and wanting to support each other in times of need. It wasn't us (Whitsunday) against them (Mackay). It was one total community lending a hand, which is something us Queenslanders, us Aussies are purely known for. We are both so proud to be part of both of these communities.”
The Local App Saving Lives! If you haven’t been touched personally by someone who has taken their life by suicide, then you are one of the lucky ones. Despite numerous charities and organisations striving to improve the survival rate of those who suffer from mental illness, suicide numbers in the past 20 years haven’t improved. In fact, they’ve got worse. SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? Two local doctors have put their heads together to create TUFMINDS; an innovative mental well-being and suicide intervention program that is provided as a FREE smartphone app. Although only recently released, the app has been trialed by researchers at James Cook University who have shown that it can improve mental resilience by 30% optimism by 15% and stress and depression between 14 and 27%. The doctors behind the app are John and Elizabeth McIntosh, founders of the GP Superclinic Group who are vocal purveyors of positivity. The app has been more than three years in the making, as Dr John explains, it was originally designed for personal development and business purposes but was so successful in addressing mental health issues it was expanded to include mental illnesses and suicide intervention.
“The app is designed for everyone, firstly to improve mindset and mental resilience, and then as a tool to identify and help those struggling with mental illness. By downloading the app and knowing what to look for, you may just end up saving somebody’s life!”
“The app contains videos and audio modules that work through the mindset processes and gives many strategies for personal, relationship and workplace improvement. There are also specific processes to manage stress, insomnia and negativity from others.”
The app creates a different way of thinking, which identifies NITs (Negative Impulsive Thoughts) and replaces these negative thoughts with positive productive ones.
The other aspect of the app is to recognise signs of suicidal risk.
“This process increases each person’s optimism and resilience so they are more productive, successful and great to be around! Relationships with partners and children improve, workplaces are much happier and everyone becomes supportive and cooperative. This is all proven by research too,” Dr John said. The app was launched in November 2018 and has already been taken up both nationally and globally with a celebrity fundraiser and gala dinner being held at Airlie Beach in June 2019. Dr John encourages as many people as possible to make the most of this free tool, which is designed to help people in all aspects of life, from relationships to work and education.
“The app includes steps advising how to ask the questions and what action to take. This will also help to further reduce the stigma of mental illness and will reduce suicide rates.” The app works best when more people are in tune with eliminating negativity; drama, gossip and denigration disappear from circles of friends and family to eventually make a positive difference throughout the community. The likes of royalty and celebrities have already benefitted from downloading the TUFMINDS app, so you too can reap the rewards for yourself. We could all do with a little more positivity in our lives. This has been fully funded by Drs John and Eli McIntosh and operates as a not for profit charitable foundation. Sponsors and donations are required to continue to reach the masses and help SAVE LIVES!
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COMMUNITYUNITY
A Small Community Changing Lives "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has". -Margaret Mead
Q
uite often it is the understated, quietly determined groups of people in our communities that are making a big difference. From manning the stands at regular Saturday morning sausage sizzles to seeking much needed funding from the Government or bringing together the right resources with the right individuals to create positive social change. This is true of the hard-working, dedicated team at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre in Hazelwood Court, Cannonvale. The charity organisation began in 1976 when the local community became concerned with the increasing demand for and the lack of community support for youth, families in crisis, relationship counseling, domestic violence, drug and alcohol dependency to name a few.
issues, offer referrals to help with health and wellbeing and work with a range of services that travel to the area to provide specialist assistance. Onsite, they operate a Community Furniture Shed and Op Shop as well as flexible community childcare centre for local families. At the start of the year, the Neighbourhood Centre helps families with children returning to or starting school for the first time by organising vouchers for stationary items from BigW and vouchers for new footwear from Sportspower and Shoebiz. “Last Year we provided for over 180 students and we expect that we will meet that number again this year if not; exceed that,” said Executive Officer Bec Woods.
Shortly afterwards Government funding was allocating and just over a decade later a Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre was established to provide a physical base, community hub and social network for assisting with such issues.
“We also have 498 shoe vouchers worth $50 each to give away. We will happily provide vouchers to any applicant with children attending, however should we receive more than 498 applications, priority is given to families on low incomes.”
Now, almost three decades later, the organisation has expanded to offer a huge range of services that positively impact our community, changing lives along the way.
Bringing together the community generates a feeling of belonging instead of isolation, it unites us when we feel like we’re drifting apart and it helps provide people with purpose and meaning that could otherwise feel hopeless.
The group co-ordinates the Secondbite Program and Frozen Bread Scheme which, through Coles, provides surplus healthy produce including baked goods and fruit to those most in need. They act as a meeting place for cancer support groups, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, couple’s counseling, evening classes, senior bingo, line-dancing, macramé lessons, church groups and many more. In addition, they act as intermediaries for families in crisis, advocate for community
Bec and her team at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre have created this dynamic hub with kind hearts and open minds. Every person’s help is greatly appreciated so if you can think of a way you would like to give by volunteering your time, offering a donation or suggestion then please reach out. Equally, if you are a member of the community that feels lost, needs help or is struggling then please call 07 4946 5088 or speak to the staff in person at the centre.
Rebecca Woods, Nikki Twohill, Kelvin Traves
Macca’s Rising Star of the Future W
hen Rebecca Maher started working at McDonalds, she was just 14 years old. Back then, she never dreamt this would become a successful career choice for her; one where she would win a national award for Restaurant Manager of the Future and a dining experience with the CEO of McDonalds Australia. Bec is originally from Woolongong in NSW and grew up in WA before moving to the region in 2004 and joining the team at Mackay McDonalds when she was 17. Since then she has dedicated herself to progressing her career by taking advantage of the training and support offered by Licensees’ Niki and Ben Ramsay. “Through McDonalds I’ve gained nationally recognised qualifications like my current Diploma of Leadership & Management. McDonalds has also given me the skills I need to train, develop and mentor my employees through their own career paths. I’m also hoping to begin my MBA in 2019,” said Bec.
Currently Store Manager at McDonalds in Canelands where she has worked for 14 years, Bec enjoys the close mentorship and inspiring leadership offered by Niki Ramsay. “I have Niki to thank for every career opportunity I’ve ever been given. She has always been an amazing boss and supportive mentor which I think has really made a difference. If I’ve ever wanted to train/develop or attend different courses to further my knowledge Niki has always encouraged that which I am really grateful for.” With Niki’s encouragement, Bec applied for a national award of Store Manager of the Future, competing against 960 store managers Australia wide. The application process was grueling, with each candidate having to demonstrate how they had implemented new training and management material in their store during 2018. Bec was shortlisted as a state finalist and had to give a presentation to McDonalds Corporate
Leadership Team on the same subject. From here, she was selected as one of the 12 winners nationwide. The winners were then flown to Sydney for two days of motivational team building activities followed by dinner with CEO of McDonalds Australia Andrew Gregory. “There is sometimes a stigma attached to working at McDonalds like it’s a dead end job but it really is so much more! I’ll always be proud of the company I work for and the amazing opportunities it has given me,” said Bec. A career in McDonalds has not only given Bec a stable, satisfying career, it has also given her the opportunity to travel with her husband Duncan and their two year old daughter, Spencer. “Niki named me her Manager of the Year for 2018 and is sending my family and I to Hawaii next year which is such an amazing gesture. I was in shock when she told me and am so very grateful to work for such a kind, thoughtful and giving employer.”
DISASTER
DASHBOARD Don’t be caught unprepared when it matters most! Stay up-to-date with the Whitsunday Regional Council’s new Disaster Dashboard. With the latest emergency news for YOUR region – you can access the most up to date, timely and relevant information to help you make informed decisions and be better prepared - around the clock! What type of information can you find on the Disaster Dashboard? Everything from the latest road conditions, fire incidents, weather warnings, storm tide evacuation zones and power outages; to evacuation routes and active evacuation centres. Get access to resources, including your local emergency action guide, emergency guides for pets, radio stations and emergency contacts. Check your route ahead of time with road status
Phone: 1300 WRC QLD
Email: info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au
Website: disaster.whitsundayr.qld.gov.au/ www.corelife.com.au 22 22 www.corelife.com.au
updates and flood cameras, allowing you to take the safest roads in and out of the region. Stay informed on the latest flight information, with updates for both arrivals and departures at the Whitsunday Coast Airport. Keep an eye out on the skies and the water, with access to local weather radar and local river height updates. We are your one-stop emergency news outlet for YOUR region. Keeping you informed for when it matters most! Residents can access the Disaster Dashboard at disaster.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/ or via the link on Council’s website. Please remember, in the event of a life threatening emergency, call 000.
Whitsunday Disaster & Emergency Information
ess
UR
IS THAT A DREAM OR A GOAL? WHAT’S YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2019?
The New Year is often about reflecting on life and setting new goals. Whether it’s a new job, a move to a new town or simply the inflection point that is the festive season, the scent of goal setting and resolutions is in the air. The vast majority of New Years resolutions and goals are never achieved. The reality is that achieving most of them is hard work because it involves changing something in our lifestyle. Change is stressful at first and the natural inclination is to drop back to the old way of doing things when the going gets tough. There are two strategies to help make resolutions become reality, defining your goal and mapping out a sensible strategy to help get there. Most goals are really just dreams. A dream is a vague idea or feeling but a goal is something that has been thought through and clarified. A dream is to take a family
and then maintaining it at 4 per week once I holiday, if you dig deeper the real goal may be create lasting family memories and a reach my goal weight’. closer family unit. With this clear that general Once you have defined your goal, the holiday may morph into a two-yearly trip to next step is planning out how to achieve it. specific places with the extended family all Coaches and mentors can be a big help staying in the same house. A dream is ‘to and provide accountability. If it’s weight loss, own a boat’. A goal is ‘to own a 5 berth see a nutritionist and a personal trainer. If boat that cruises at 20 knots, is kept on a it’s anything to do with finances or lending, marina berth and is used 10 times per year see a good financial planner or mortgage for family trips and 15 times per year for broker. Savings goals, whether for retirement fishing’. Retiring comfortably is a dream. or lifestyle purchases can be mapped out. ‘Having enough built up to retire and These are long term projects so getting it provide an income for 25 years that allows right to ensure interest does some of the a lifestyle of 3 months caravanning per year, heavy lifting and the tax man isn’t taking too to run and update two cars and allows for much can make a huge difference. alternating a domestic holiday one year and an international holiday the next’ is a clearly What’s your 2019 goals and how defined goal. Better still, what size caravan, serious are you about achieving them? which cars and where to for how long on For a free consultation with local people holidays. A dream is ‘to lose weight’. A goal who understand the complexities of these is ‘to lose 10 kilos over the next 3 months or any other financial matter, contact by cutting out our soft drinks and gradually Eclipse Financial Services at Cannonvale on increasing varied exercise sessions from 1 PMS 2768 PMS 2728 PMS 382 per week to 6 per week over the first 6 weeks 49467359 today or visit www.eclipsefs.com c 100 | m 90 | y13 | k61 c 96 | m 66 | y0 | k0 c 28 | m 0 | y92 | k0 75% BLACK
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Congratulations Whitsunday Foodservice! Thank you for your continued outstanding service, and commitment to the industry... no matter how obscure our requests are, your team helps us ensure every meal is D’vine.
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Whitsunday Foodservice
Celebrates 35 years!
Whitsunday Foodservice S ince 1984, Whitsunday Foodservice has been providing food solutions for the Whitsundays. From the islands to the coast, inland to rural properties and servicing local shops and restaurants, what began as a simple milk vendor has continued to grow and expand to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. 2019 is no different. After a 12-month re-build and demolition, Whitsunday Foodservice has a brand-new warehouse and office block, remaining on the same site in Cannonvale where it’s been for 35 years. The exterior may be different, but what remains the same is the service and passion of its people. WHAT’S NEW AT WHITSUNDAY FOODSERVICE? The physical footprint is similar to the old premises, but Whitsunday Foodservice has implemented ways of getting smarter instead of bigger. Where there were 10 different temperature-controlled rooms and freezers, there are now only five, however with more useable space. The available storage space has increased from 800 pallets to 1700 pallets, more than doubling the holding capacity. The warehouse now has a large dry store room, one ambient room kept at 15 degrees C, one cold room, one freezer and an ante room which is the receiving and dispatch area. There are now new office wings to give the sales and administration staff more room to look after the
smooth-running of the business in the background. Seven new offices have been added as well as two bathrooms and office storage for IT and stationary.
more from anywhere in the world. Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the warehouse has allowed for the latest in warehouse management systems at all times.
WHY THE UPGRADE?
It also means the business can stock a larger range of products, offering more variety to the Whitsunday community while also servicing requests more efficiently. There’s absolutely nothing else like Whitsunday Foodservice in the Whitsunday region.
While Cyclone Debbie played its part in the need for a re-build, the planning for this has been underway for the past five years. Keeping up with local demand while constantly increasing and evolving food lines has meant that the business has been bursting at the seams for quite a few years. This re-build was crucial to the growth of the business and its ability to maintain its high level of service with its Whitsunday clients. FKG Group were awarded the construction contact with its Mackay-based crew. Many local Whitsunday and Mackay subcontractors were used throughout the past 12 months during the re-build and subsequent demolition of the old premises.
DIRECT TO THE PUBLIC Did you know you can buy direct from Whitsunday Foodservice? You don’t need to be a business! Retail customers can shop from the warehouse or the soonto-reopen Retail Store in 2019. Whitsunday Foodservice plans on re-opening its retail store in 2019 which will give the public the ability to browse the stock lines, sample new products and ask the friendly staff for advice. WHAT’S ON OFFER?
BETTER THAN BEFORE… The state-of-the-art facility is already making the job easier and more efficient for the Whitsunday Foodservice staff. In particular, the all-weather, allpurpose dispatch and receivals area now allow the Warehouse and Distribution Team to unload and load five trucks simultaneously whilst maintaining temperature. The refrigeration systems are utilising world-class technology with a monitoring system which allows staff to view power, generator, humidity sensors, slab temperature sensors, light control and
Whitsunday Foodservice are constantly stocking new products to meet customer demand. With more than 4,000 lines, there are simply too many to mention. However General Manager, Patrick Morrissey, gave us an insight into some of the crowd favourites. “Our Japanese Mayo is a very popular item as well as the Rich Brown Gravy and Hollandaise Sauce. My personal favourite is the Angus Reserve Cube Roll, one of the finest cuts of beef you’ll find on the market.”
“It is our desire to continue to service the Whitsunday community for many years to come. Our family-owned and operated business strives to provide the best variety and service to our customers. We have invested heavily in the new facility to continue to exceed the expectations of our community while providing local employment opportunities for the future.” Patrick Morrissey, General Manager.
thank you e to give a big lik ld ou w e ic serv g our business hitsunday Food f for supportin af st d ent an All of us at W rs lie and developm l clients, supp y - the rebuild ts da ec to oj to all our loya e pr ar t e es w our bigg to where ne yo lity was one of and getting us ci er fa ev se of t ou or eh d war out the supp ith w it ne of our depot an do ss. e couldn’t have ith our busine lved to date and w associated w that were invo or y contract s al an re m a e d th an to , you also impressive A huge thank sult is super re d en e th ! t, ec work! with this proj all their hard testament to orders@whitsundayfoodservice.com.au
We look forward to making
2 0 1 9
another successful year! 4940 2500 www.whitsundayfoodservice.com.au www.corelife.com.au 25
Meet the team PAT MORRISSEY General Manager
You might remember it as Prossy Milk or the Milk Depot, but the name Whitsunday Foodservice has been there from the start. A long-standing Whitsunday business constructed by the Dray and Murray families in the late 1980s. The building has had many alterations and add-ons up until 2013, with the latest renovation and build over the past 12 months being the biggest and most impressive of all. Pat Morrissey might be the bossman now, but when he first started with Whitsunday Foodservice 12 years ago, he was in the warehouse from 4 a.m. His progression from 2IC in the warehouse in 2010 led to Warehouse Manager, two years later he was in charge of operations and then the following year he oversaw all operations of the business as General Manager in 2013. “I liaise with key clients, suppliers and our management team daily to oversee every department within the business. Most importantly, I make sure our team have all the support they need in their designated roles.
along, there were a lot more of them working within the business every day in various roles to help grow the business to what it is today,” Pat said. What has been your favourite moment at Whitsunday Foodservice? “There have been many over the years, however it would have to be a combination of the transformation of the business over the last five years and the completion of our new facility. This is something that we have been working toward for a number of years, so to see it come to fruition is truly amazing.” Where is the most amazing place you've ever travelled to? “Turkey would have to be up there, the contrast of Middle Eastern and European culture was not what I had imagined it to be, visiting Gallipoli for the 100-year anniversary and hot air ballooning over Cappadocia was like nothing else.” What is something interesting about you that not many people know? “My batting average is better than the entire Australian Test team, I was also a bowler not a batsman.”
The Dray and Murray families have done a fantastic job with this business over the last 30 odd years. Well before I came
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Whitsunday Foodservice
Celebrates 35 years! KARL BOETTCHER
What is your favourite Whitsunday Foodservice product?
As with most in Whitsunday Foodservice’s management team, Karl Boettcher started at the bottom to work his way to the top. 10 years ago he was picking stock on the warehouse floor, before a progression through sales led to his position as Pat’s right-hand man.
“I would have to say lollies. I love lollies.”
His responsibilities are broad, overseeing the day-to-day running of the business; specifically overseeing sales and purchasing to ensure the company values are upheld and customer expectations are met.
“It would have to be a four-week camping trip with my family, up and down the East Coast of Qld and NSW, stopping at small secluded towns for the surf and beaches.”
Assistant General Manager
His most challenging moment throughout those 10 years was in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie. “Our primary concern was ensuring our team was safe both at work and at home. While it was a very challenging time for everyone, it was also extremely gratifying to offer support to the community and SES workers through harrowing times when they needed help the most.”
Burdekin Air Conditioning & Electrical Pty Ltd
What is your passion outside of work? “Aside from family, anything to do with the ocean.” What has been your favourite holiday moment?
What is something interesting about you that not many people know? “I am a little OCD, I once ran a kitchen that had pictures of all the menu items on the walls so that the kitchen staff knew how to plate up the meals. All the pictures were at odd angles, so I made the staff pull them down and stick them back up again… twice.” Favourite television series? “The Soprano’s and 24.”
group
CONGRATULATIONS PAT AND THE TEAM ON THE COMPLETION OF YOUR AMAZING WAREHOUSE
Congratulations to Pat and his Team on their stunning new facility
We are proud to have been in charge of cutting your grass, trimming your hedges and fluffing your bushes! We look forward to keeping your gardens looking good in 2019!”
“We are so glad that we could be part of making the WFS vision a reality. Also, a shout out to all the other Trades and WFS Staff that made the project run so smoothly.” – Mark Coldstream, Director.
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SERVICES WE OFFER:
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Congratulations to Whitsunday Foodservice from all the team at Sorrento's
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Whitsunday Foodservice
Celebrates 35 years! MARK RICHARDS
construction of a modern, cutting-edge cold storage facility.”
With longevity in any business, diversification and a willingness to learn and adapt is key, as Operations Manager Mark Richards has discovered during his 8 years with Whitsunday Foodservice. In 2010, his role started in a split position with Monday and Tuesdays being out on the road offsiding on the Airlie run, with the remainder of the week spent in the warehouse. He became Warehouse Supervisor the following year and progressed to Warehouse Manager and then Operations Manager in 2014. With the construction of the new premises came a change in focus for Mark’s position.
What do you enjoy most about working at Whitsunday Foodservice?
Operations Manager
“The last two years have seen 95% of my focus placed on the redevelopment of our warehouse in an unofficial Project Manager role. With construction winding up, I’ll be reverting to a traditional Operations Manager role. This consists of over-seeing all operations of the business, internal development, modernising practices, HR and processes among other things,” he commented. What has been your greatest achievement with Whitsunday Foodservice?
“The comradery. We’ve got a great group of staff here and no matter how tough or busy it gets, the mateship amongst staff never waivers.” What is your main passion outside of work? “Spending time with my young family and of course fishing. Well it is the Whitsundays.” Where is the most amazing place you’ve ever travelled to? “Fraser Island. I’ve been to a few places on the globe but setting up on Lake Mckenzie for the day or cruising along Eurong Beach is at the top of the list.” What is something interesting about you that not many people know? “I’m a Cronulla Sharks supporter. Quite unique here in North Queensland.” Favourite movie of all-time? “Love an Aussie classic so I’ll go with Chopper.”
“Without a doubt, being given the opportunity to design and oversee
TRISH SMITH Office Manager
With a focus on convenience for its customers, Whitsunday Foodservice has progressively improved its online ordering capability giving its clients more flexibility than ever before. In the role of Office Manager, Trish Smith has seen her position take on a diversified role as IT becomes a major focus. Having been with Whitsunday Foodservice for nearly 8 years, she is also responsible for growing the company’s social media presence and sees it as an opportunity to help promote the Whitsundays in general. “I enjoy creating fun, relevant and positive posts for our social media and advertising platforms, I love engaging with our customers and the community. The main focus of my position is to manage the smooth-running of our front office to ensure our admin team can provide the best service possible that we are known for,” she said. What has been your most challenging Whitsunday Foodservice moment?
me even prouder to be working here. We were all mentally and physically exhausted, but we all showed up to get ourselves and the community back on track as best we could. The comradery here is amazing and one to be very proud of.” Where is the most amazing place you’ve travelled to? “My husband and I travelled to America three years ago with friends; Los Angeles, Vegas and San Francisco were amazing, I would love to go back and do it all over again.” What is something interesting about you that not many people know? “I was involved in Skyrace Tasmania, an open air event that involves jet plane aircraft racing around a short course. It was an event sponsored by the business I worked for at the time. I became ‘Miss Skyrace’ for the day and was part of their promotions for the event. I even got to put on a flight suit ‘Top Gun’ style with photos taken in one of the jet aircraft for promotional advertising.
“Cyclone Debbie definitely stands out, it was a crazy time but one that made
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Whitsunday Foodservice
Celebrates 35 years!
MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
W
e know that first impressions count, which is why the exterior of your business needs to look just as sharp as the people within it. Nick Wynne-Jones Painting Contractors were the primary painting business for the Whitsunday Foodservice expansions. The painting contractor was hired by the main construction contractor, FKG Group; but founder Nick Wynne-Jones has had a longstanding relationship with Whitsunday Foodservice for more than 20 years. “I remember back in the early days it was called the Milk Depot, I used to go there and grab some milk, bait and even a cheesecake and write it on the blackboard and fix it up later because they weren’t open on the weekends. You could do that sort of thing back then,” he said. The painters were responsible for the crisp new exterior you’ll see at Whitsunday Foodservice, as well as the big task of applying a clear sealer to nearly 2,000 square metres of concrete for the warehouse floor. Nick has been a contractor for Whitsunday Foodservice for many years and enjoys working on the local building. “Every year or two I’ve been going there for painting jobs, so I’ve been in and out of the shop for quite a few years. I enjoy working there because the guys and girls are a friendly bunch, they’re always on for a chat, some of the staff have been there that long that you get to know them.” Nick’s painting business has been part of the local community for nearly 25 years. Major projects have included
Hamilton Island’s qualia and the resorts and apartments of Golden Orchid Drive from Pinnacles Resort down to Waters Edge. Some of the multi-million dollar houses he painted 20 years ago he still maintains today.
Nick Wynne-Jones Painting Contractors
“We did the first Colony Building Group house in the area, my first big project builder client back when I first started in around 1996. That builder just retired in 2018 and we did his very last one too. Same builder, same client for more than 20 years. I couldn’t have done it without that kind of support from great clients.” Nick puts his success down to having a great crew and providing a good service. “I don’t let people down, it’s as simple as that really. We currently have a team of 12, some of the guys have been with the crew for well over 10 years. Very happy and proud with the team we have, they work hard, especially since Cyclone Debbie, it’s been a tough task,” Nick said. The crew member who receives the most praise is Nick’s wife, L’Reen. “She’s the backbone of the business having managed the office for more than 20 years. She’s the glue that keeps it all together and we make a great team. I couldn’t do it without her.” Nick Wynne-Jones offer a varied range of services including render repairs, roof rejuvenation, both tiles and Colorbond resprays, painting and colour consulting. They are specialists in decorative and unique colour finishes for when quality and service matters to make your first impression memorable.
CONGRATULATIONS TO PAT AND HIS TEAM FOR COMPLETING THIS IMPRESSIVE PROJECT, IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU!
0417 887 900
wynne@mackay.net.au PO Boc 561, Airlie Beach QLD 4802
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DAN ZEALAND
Business Development Manager Dan Zealand is proof that experience doesn’t necessarily overrule hard work and a positive attitude. When he started with Whitsunday Foodservice around 9 years ago, he jumped into a sales role with absolutely no experience. “At the time, I was working alongside Karl who was a more senior sales exec and a couple of other very good leaders who took me under their wing. Over time, I took on more key customers and assumed the role of fresh meat purchasing,” Dan said. After a brief stint away, Dan returned in 2017 in a purchasing role, then merged back into sales and business development. “The thing I enjoy about the role is its diversity; I can be orientating my time toward a customer growth strategy one day, then moving into supporting and working alongside the current sales team, then working with the warehouse to assist with an upcoming project. It’s diverse,
but the management team here all extend help to different departments to achieve the common goal,” he commented. What is your passion outside of work? “Spending my time with family and martial arts when possible.” What is your favourite Whitsunday Foodservice product? “Coffee.” Where is the most amazing place you’ve ever travelled to? “Vegas. I was lucky enough to go there on my honeymoon 9 years ago and again in 2016. The sheer size of the city, the way they do things in extremes and the people you see over there makes for an entertaining trip.” What is something interesting about you that not many people know? “I was born with a third nipple.” Favourite movie of all-time? “Rocky.”
THE BYTE-WISE IT TEAM WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE WHITSUNDAY FOODSERVICE ON COMPLETION OF THEIR NEW WAREHOUSE We are proud to be their preferred IT provider, supplying and installing • Servers, Computers and Notebooks • Phone System • Photocopiers and Printers • Data Cabling • Audio Equipment • WiFi Equipment • Video Surveillance • Alarm System It is always a pleasure working at Whitsunday Foodservices, and getting to know their team
We wish them all the best for a successful future ahead 47 George St, Bowen | 07 4791 2500 | sales@bytewiseit.com.au | www.bytewiseit.com.au www.corelife.com.au 32 32 www.corelife.com.au
Whitsunday Foodservice
Celebrates 35 years!
Byte-Wise IT Solutions You don’t appreciate how heavily you rely on IT until it’s not working. If something as simple as a slow Wi-Fi connection can put a downer on your day, imagine how crucially many businesses throughout the Whitsundays rely on IT to operate full stop. In the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie, Whitsunday Foodservice was one of the first clients to receive assistance from Byte-Wise. Director, Owen Land explains; “Food is an essential need for life, so we knew how important it was to get Whitsunday Foodservice up and running as soon as possible. Since then, we have helped their business grow and expand with hassle-free implementation with little downtime.” Byte-Wise IT Solutions played a major role in the expansion of Whitsunday Foodservice with a complete IT overhaul to suit the growing business and new offices.
Owen commented, “Whitsunday Foodservices have enjoyed the integration of servers, desktop and notebook computers, cabling infrastructure (data, audio PA and access control), video surveillance and phone system. Work to the new facility includes upgrading the servers and a new CCTV to a full IP video surveillance solution. We have to make sure the hardware can operate in all temperatures. We have ensured all their technology is accessible onsite as well as remotely, as their team members aren’t always sitting in the office!” The locally-owned and operated IT providers have been in business for 27 years, and understand the pain and pitfalls many business owners go through. This is why they won’t oversell what businesses don’t need, to ensure IT costs are kept to a minimum. “Our customers come first, which is why my wife Naomi constantly jokes that our own IT never works at home. We pride ourselves on quality and cost-effective solutions and the knowledge
that our team provides across the whole information and telecommunication sector,” Owen said. Byte-Wise provides products, services and consultation across all fields of information technology, essentially a one-stop-shop for IT products and services. The business is highly specialised in each individual area of IT, both onsite and off-site, with remote support solutions to assist with servers, computers, phone systems and integration, data cabling infrastructure, photocopiers, video surveillance and NBN migration. Like Whitsunday Foodservice, Byte-Wise IT Solutions are a fast-growing local business. You’ll see their vans between Mackay and Townsville as they are steadily increasing their presence as a preferred supplier of IT solutions in Townsville. For reliable IT solutions, value for money and expert advice, contact Byte-Wise for a personal IT and telecommunications solution tailored to help your business thrive.
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Whitsunday Foodservice
Celebrates 35 years!
LEON WHEATLEY
What is your favourite Whitsunday Foodservice product?
Eight years ago, Leon Wheatley was up before the crack of dawn, receiving fresh milk deliveries for the day before arranging the stock for deliveries. Before the days of online ordering, Leon had to input all orders manually from faxes, emails and the answering machine. He progressed to supervisor before being promoted to Warehouse Manager.
“We have a whole bacon loin, I love it because I can cut the bacon as thick as I like.”
Warehouse Manager
“Back when I was doing the administration in the mornings, Pat used to come in and give me a hand on Mondays and Fridays, even though it was ridiculously early we would still manage to have a laugh. “Now, I’m the guy that everyone calls if they need something done or fixed! I manage the pickers and delivery drivers in the warehouse as well as the ordering of the dairy lines. The team I work with is great, everyone is always willing to help each other out,” Leon said.
Where has been your favourite holiday destination? “It would be when I travelled over to Koh Samui for a month, my wife and I got married at a beautiful resort and spent some time overseas with family and friends.” You’re at a restaurant and money is no object, what do you order? “Whatever has the most cream and cheese in it.” What is something funny about you that not many people know? “I wear odd socks on purpose.” Favourite movie of all-time? “All the current Marvel Universe movies.”
The FKG Group building in Mackay
With an office based locally in Paget, the FKG Group have proudly been a part of the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday community since 2008, delivering construction and civil engineering projects for the region. Starting from humble beginnings over 40 years ago, the FKG Group still maintains a modest and family-oriented perspective. Their mantra remains to employ locally, and ensure they continue to add value and support the area’s economy. From minor works construction and maintenance services, through to multimillion-dollar developments, the FKG Group has been involved in design, civil engineering and construction projects for a variety of industries in the area. The FKG Group deliver projects under a range of contract forms, including but not limited to; early contractor involvement, construct only, managing contractor, and design and construct. Projects are also executed via lump sum, schedule of rates, performance incentive cost reimbursable, or Alliance style remuneration methods. The FKG Group has great flexibility and a strong client focus across differing sectors, from private clients, through to all levels of government. Local projects have included the Mackay Trade Training Centre, AMP Control, Moranbah Cool Schools, Moranbah Resource Recovery, Hastings Park, Mirani State High School, Mackay Council Depot, Glenden and Newlands Maintenance, and the Whitsunday Schools Refurbishment Package. Following the devastation left by Cyclone Debbie in 2017, the Whitsunday Foodservice buildings required repair, and the company saw the opportunity to expand their facility. Now completed, the high-quality facility features state-of-the-art equipment, encapsulated by an effective and well thought out design. This project was delivered by FKG Group’s team at their Paget office, with a focus on regional participation. The FKG Group procured 86% of subcontractors and suppliers regionally, from Rockhampton through to Townsville. The overall quality of this facility is a testament to the Whitsunday Foodservice’s pursuit of high industry standards and the commitment of each and every person who participated in this project. For more information on FKG Group’s capabilities and experience in the region, visit fkg.com.au or call Brad Gardner directly in our Mackay office on 07 4998 6500.
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www.corelife.com.au 35
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BUSINESSPROFILE
Are your tiles on trend? Take a look around your home. How does it make you feel?
Do you feel excited? Relaxed? Inspired?
Sheila Cars, Rebecca Ross, LindaMary McQueen
I
f your abode doesn’t put a smile on your face, it may be time for a makeover. The saying, ‘A change is as good as a holiday’ rings true, the feeling you can get from renovations is similar to the thrill of vacation, yet the good vibes continue long after the Champagne stops flowing. Not only that, the money you invest into an interior refresh can add to the value of your home. So, let’s get designing! The team at Metro Tiles Airlie Beach are ready and waiting to advise and inspire. Rebecca is the Managing Director and is as passionate about the placement of one tile as she is with 1,000. Helping her clients achieve their perfect personal space is what gives her the ultimate sense of achievement. “We’ve been in Airlie Beach for 14 years now and I couldn’t be prouder of the projects we have been involved with over this time. We have our clients and lovely locals to thank for this support, we look forward to tiling more of the Whitsundays in 2019,” she said. LindaMary is Metro Tiles’ accounts extraordinaire, a mastermind with numbers ensuring the business’ financials are in order and everything runs smoothly. She’s been a part of the team for one-
and-a-half years and is a huge support across all areas. Sheila is a senior Sales Consultant who Rebecca describes as ‘one-in-a-million.’ Her passion for the Metro Tiles brand has seen her product knowledge and confidence grow in the past three years, assisting Rebecca in high-profile projects throughout the region including Mt Whitsunday’s Elamenta and refurbishments for InterContinental’s Hayman Island.
Hayman Island’s luxury resort is scheduled to open in July 2019, and Metro Tiles have been working with builders on different projects throughout the island. “Some of our tiles will be seen in the day spa, one of the restaurants, penthouses and many other projects. Some absolutely gorgeous tiles have been utilised for these projects, from natural travertine to amazing copper penny rounds. It will certainly be spectacular when finished.”
KEY PROJECTS
TRENDS FOR 2019
Elementa has been designed to incorporate natural materials that results in an elegant, organic and energising habitat. The seven stand-alone villas are part of a unique design on Mt Whitsunday Drive, built by Cumberland Homes.
Rebecca and Sheila offer their advice for what will be on trend in 2019.
Rebecca said, “Large format tiles have been used throughout all of the homes giving them a sense of spaciousness and continuity. My favourite so far is house 7, the Alp Quartz Stone, by Ermes Aurelia Italy, is a beautiful series with natural highlighted stone effects, with all the expressive power of stone from the Italian Alps, given a touch of elegance thanks to the careful study of the veining effects in the natural stone.”
“At the tail end of 2018 ‘Terrazzo’ tiles started to appear and they look great. I think this ‘Dernier Cri’ trend is going to be a big hit in 2019, it’s such a stunning base that can be coupled with geometric walls tiles, timber tile feature walls, traditional subways; anything really.” “Colour is also going to resurface and the staples from 2018 will be back again, artisan, subway, herringbone and hexagons.”
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WHITPRO MOVES
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BUSINESSPROFILE
TO AN ICONIC NEW LOCATION I
magine a tranquil environment in a natural setting, where people will come together to relax and enjoy the lush green surrounds.
This is what you will find at Whitpro’s new and exciting location, which will feature a pet friendly Hawkes Café and Nursery, amongst many other exciting improvements. Owners, Tim and Norina look forward to adding to the Whitsundays community through Whitpro’s vision and eagerness to give back to the town they love. “This new property gives us natural shade and a unique atmosphere that we do not need to create but simply enhance,” said Norina. “We want to develop a space for the community to enjoy, somewhere to relax, have a coffee and delicious meal in the comfort of the café or outdoors under the old fig trees. Guests can walk through the plant nursery and let the kids feed the chooks, wonder through the grounds and see some of Joe Hawkes collectables.” Previous owner, Joe Hawkes, is embracing the changes as the new Hawkes Café and Nursery, named in honour of his family, is taking shape on the site of his old home. Knowing that Tim and Norina are working alongside their Whitpro team with a conscientious approach, prioritising the integrity of this iconic site. Many of you will have heard of the Hawkes family, stemming from a long line of boat builders who, for generations, have worked within and shaped the Whitsunday boating industry. Joe Hawkes, who is now 65 years old, grew-up as an only child, living in a beach house property with his parents and grandparents, where Earlando stands today. In the 1960’s his family bought some land and created Hawkes Boat Yard at Abell Point Marina.
“Back then, there was no marina!” Laughs Joe. “We had to build a slipway with rails to move the boats. It was a big event if we slipped a 40ft boat, these days you’re flat-out finding one!” It was 1980 when Joe’s family bought the property on Paluma Road and back then they had dreams of transforming it into a coconut plantation. Instead they built a family home in 1993, a place that holds many memories for Joe. “There has been 50 years worth of collecting in that house. Four Army Blitz Trucks, Four Boats, seven Landrovers, the list goes on!” said Joe.
Tim and Norina are excited to establish a permanent and evergreen new home for Whitpro on Paluma Road. It is with this freedom that the couple can finally stretch their wings and take flight towards a new vision that is set to inspire many in the community.
TIM AND NORINA Tim and Norina have been together for 14 years and believe it is having common goals that has kept them together. What’s it like working together?
Once open, visitors will be able to view some of Joe’s old collectables which will be left onsite with a story of their history to be shared with the community.
“I love it! It is when we are at our best! One of us being the person who sees the big picture and the other being detailed orientated, it works” said Norina.
Although some items will remain, not all will, as the collection was extensive and clearing the new site has been a momentous task for the team at Whitpro.
“I entertain myself… digging holes for Norina to fall in, she looks great when she is wet and muddy! We have common work goals, so we are on the same page. I love working with my wife, she is my best friend.“ said Tim.
“With the help and guidance from close friends, looking after Joe’s affairs while he recovers from ill health at Proserpine Nursing Home, we have worked our way through the mountain of items left, being very careful to keep as much of the green life as possible.” Whitpro have been able to move the enormous amount of items collected and stored on this property over the years. This was achieved using Whitpro’s earth moving equipment; excavators & bobcats to move the copious amounts of heavy items, tree arborists removing damaged tree limbs and trees leaning on structures as well as numerous trucks to take these items to their new homes. Freed from the restraints of a commercial lease,
What’s the secret to a happy relationship? “Accept the ups and downs and search for shared future goals so you are on the same path moving through your lives together” said Tim What are you excited about growing together in your new adventure? “Most of all we are excited about the new additions to Whitpro’s services in this special location where we will bring the gardens back to their formal glory and add a little Whitpro landscaping too. Where friends will catch up over coffee. Where time is spent strolling the paths, to simply enjoy the natural surroundings. Where children can play around the impressive established fig trees, feed the chocks and eat ice-cream!”
group
HAWKES NURSERY AND CAFÉ
COMING SOON! For more information contact Tim or Norina on 0412 137 337
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THELOVEISSUE What is your number one tip for couples on their wedding day?
Todd and Sophie
A
filigree of narrow lanes crisscrosses the verdant valley, best known for its exquisite food and beverage. The Hunter is famed for gourmet delicacies, but this region has delivered more to the Whitsundays than just wine and cheese. It was the place where owners of Aquava Boutique Catering, Todd and Sophie, first met and fell in love. The couple both grew up in the rolling emerald hills of the Hunter Valley and were drawn to its world-class gastronomic scene. Sophie is a front-of-house hospitality professional and Todd is an award-winning chef. They both completed their training at the Hunter Institute, but it was at a lodge in the vineyards where fate brought them together. Their passion for cuisine and delivering warm and professional service has allowed them to travel the country, working in boutique hotels and exclusive resorts. Sophie explains how their careers brought them to the Whitsundays and ultimately inspired them to start their own boutique catering business. “After hosting and managing the former Paradise Bay on Long island for six years, we knew that the lush, tropical surrounds of the Whitsundays was now home and decided to continue our journey on the mainland. Our focus on hospitality and customer experience lead us to the creation of Aquava; an opportunity for us to deliver memorable dining experiences from intimate dinner parties to weddings and events. “We have worked together throughout our entire 12-year relationship and know that we are at our best when we work alongside each other. We bring every bit of our 30 years of combined hospitality experience to our business and are passionate about showcasing local cuisine with flair and flavour,” she said. Aquava Boutique Catering is a Whitsunday based catering business specialising in weddings and events. The business is based at Villa Botanica, where Aquava is the exclusive catering contractor for the luxury wedding venue. The business caters as far abroad as Mackay, servicing the local Mackay and Whitsunday region along with the surrounding Whitsunday islands. Todd commented, “No event is too big or too small. We frequently cater for intimate elopement dinners for two, up to great gatherings of 400 people. We have a wonderful team that work with us; together we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional cuisine to personal and professional events, boasting delicious food and excellent service. Our food is refined with a focus on fresh and vibrant local cuisine.
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“As well as Villa Botanica, we are recommended caterers for a number of beautiful local venues, including Palm Bay Resort, Earlando, Paradise Cove, Elysian Retreat, The Palm House, VMR – Whitsunday Marine Club and Private Estates. Due to expansion, we are currently in the midst of building a second commercial kitchen located at The Wedding and Event Centre on Shute Harbour Road. We plan to service all offsite wedding and event catering from this premises.” Recently, the couple catered for the inaugural Wildfire event at Earlando, which Sophie says came together with the cooperation of a great group of talented Whitsunday suppliers. “This was the first of what will be an annual event for the region. We look forward to creating more unique events and dining experiences in alternating spectacular venues throughout the Whitsundays.” While the couple cater for multiple weddings, they are in the middle of planning their own Whitsunday wedding after Todd executed an elaborate proposal on a trip to Thailand in 2017. “Todd had secretly organised an impromptu luxury getaway whilst on a summer holiday to Thailand in 2017. He packed a bag and whisked me away via speed boat to a beachfront bungalow at an exclusive retreat on Phi Phi Island. After two days enjoying the resort, we charted a private traditional longtail boat to Maya Bay where our skipper, upon request, nestled into a secluded bay where we could snorkel and enjoy our very own peace of paradise without interruption. “Whilst relaxing in the shallows I was more than surprised to turn around to find Todd on one knee in the water, so much so that I leaped for his arms without taking a second look at the exquisite ring he held in the box that he had been carrying in his boardshorts the entire day (even in the water). “I said YES of course! “Beachside solitude has always been our favourite place to be, it was perfect!” The couple are planning their wedding for May 2020, a three-day celebration with a beachside ceremony with cherished family and friends. Experience Aquava’s fusion of culinary delights amid the crystal-clear waters of the Whitsundays. Todd and Sophie look forward to creating an unforgettable event providing delicious food and exceptional service for your special day.
“Your focus on your special day should not be on the details (that's what the professionals are for), but rather the celebration of love and family. Take time to appreciate the moments.”
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THELOVEISSUE
In Bed With Business Strong Minds and Loving Hearts
John and Elizabeth McIntosh are the inspirational leaders of GP Super Clinic in Mackay. We find out their secrets to happiness in love.
How many years have you been together? 15 years Tell us how you first met? Our Children were friends from the age of 5 and we knew each other through our children over a ten year period. What’s the secret to a happy relationship for you? Although we don’t always agree with each other at first we show respect to the other by first listening to the others point of view. Consideration is also key and not taking each other for granted. It is paramount to maintain a good sense of humor, especially when you work together so I make a point of making him laugh out loud at least once a day. Going out of your way to complement each other. This also cultivates the in-sync behavior that keeps us engaged with no mixed messages or mind games! Open and kind communication is also vital. Lastly, we are both focused on the other’s joy. What are the positive and negatives about working together? Two minds can solve one problem at a time. John is a visual person analytical, rational and organised and I am auditory, creative, and inspirationally free spirited. Our weakness is the others strength. The only thing we have to be aware of is the amount we talk about our work.
Building the Dream with Foundations of Love
Laureily
Rob and Lauriely Taylor own Taylors Property Specialists in the Whitsundays and with over 30 years experience in real estate they are experts in the local property market.
What’s his worse trait?
We sit down with them both and discover what is takes to be a local power couple in love. How many years have you been together? 19 Years
What’s his best quality? Rob knows me really well, with one look he can tell whether I am upset or not. This is a funny one because it is also probably one of his best. He always gives 110% and I think at times he struggles why others can’t do the same. What’s the most romantic thing he’s ever done for you? On our second Wedding Anniversary he surprised me with a helicopter trip to Palm Bay.
Tell us how you first met?
Rob
We first met over a rinse tank at a Dive Centre in Dahab, Egypt where we were both working as Dive Instructors.
What’s her best quality?
What’s the secret to a happy relationship for you?
What’s her worse trait?
It’s about communication and balance between family, personal, children and having interests outside the relationship.
That every time she gets a new car it looks second hand the next week. Let’s just say she doesn’t know how to look after a new car.
How do you think you work well as a couple in the workplace?
What’s the most romantic thing he’s ever said/done for you?
We both know our strengths in the workplace so try to ensure we play to that. We also get to bounce ideas off each other.
Her caring nature and her ability to always see the best in people
For me, there isn’t just one moment; it’s always acknowledging how much we appreciate one another. If I had to pick one though, it would a trip over to Indonesia when our first two boys were young. We went by ourselves, just the two of us, and it was like reminding each other why we fell in love in the first place.
Love Behind the Glass Trent and Mei Elson met when they were teenagers and through years of hard work, established thriving local business North Queensland Glass and Glazing. They have three children together and run hectic lives but still manage to have fun with each other, nurturing a loving relationship which has spanned the decades. Here, the couple share their love story with us. How many years have you been together? 24 years Tell us how you first met? We actually have two different versions of how we first met because Trent doesn’t remember the first one! It was at my brother’s party and I was asking Trent and his group of friends to leave because he was uninvited! A mutual friend had brought 25 guys from the football team. It was crazy. When I asked them to leave Trent was the only one who was respectful and convinced the rest of the guys to go quietly. He seemed like a genuine, decent guy and I found that really attractive. Soon after, I arranged for the same mutual friend to bring Trent to the Camden Show (which is where Trent remembers meeting me) to introduce us. I got really dressed up and at first Trent paid me no attention which I found infuriating but it also made me want him more. Eventually I asked him out and he sad yes, the rest is history! What’s the secret to a happy relationship for you? www.corelife.com.au 42 42 www.corelife.com.au
Finding time to have fun together.
Eli What’s his best quality? I love his brilliant mind. What’s his worse trait? He is so humble he does not know his own brilliance. What’s the most romantic thing he’s ever said/done for you? The most memorable is our Honeymoon when he secretly booked an overseas mysterious destination. I didn’t find out where we were going until we boarding the plane.
John What’s her best quality? She spreads sunshine everywhere she goes. What’s her worse trait? She has none! Elizabeth is like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way! What’s the most romantic thing he’s ever said/done for you? Elizabeth showers me in romance all the time, romance is part of our everyday life to keep the flame well and truly alive.
Amie & her team at Adam & Eve are your Whitsundays wedding specialists. What are the positive and negatives about working together? Working every day together means that we know what each other has been through during the day so we are more patient and understanding when we get home. On the flip side, we can feel like we are spending too much time together.
Mei What’s his best quality? He’s funny What’s his worse trait? Procrastination What’s the most romantic thing he’s ever done for you? When he surprises me with a getaway
With many years experience they offer the highest level of skill & professionalism in the region.
There is no wedding party too big or small - Adam and Eve has lots of space for you & your wedding party to feel comfortable on your special day. We also offer a mobile service for weddings.
Trent What’s her best quality? Honesty What’s her worse trait? She doesn’t stop! What’s her most romantic thing he’s ever said/done for you? She compliments me all the time
Phone: 07 4948 2711 Shop 16, Whitsunday Business Centre Cannonvale QLD 4802 facebook.com/adamandevehair www.adamandevehair.com.au
www.corelife.com.au PB
Proposals Engagements Weddings Or Just to say I Love You!
WEDDINGS • FORMALS • TOURS PRIVATE AND CORPORATE HIRE
We prepare, deliver and pick up from Just about anywhere in the Whitsundays
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0418 847 401 44 44
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e: info@whitsundayhotrodtours.com.au www.whitsundayhotrodtours.com.au
THELOVEISSUE
The hottest way to roll to your wedding
M
eet Betsy, Letty and Bonnie. These bangin’ beauties will ensure heads will turn and mouths will drop as you glide to your ceremony in hot rod style. Luxurious Letty is a favourite for weddings. The 1949 Chevrolet Styleline features a custom metal-flaked roof, chrome trim and a spacious luxe interior. With a closed roof, she is a great allweather choice and a favourite with the ladies who want to ensure their hair and makeup stays pristine. She’s a little flashy and a lot of fun. Betsy, a 1928 Ford Tourer, is a favourite with the blokes. With an open-top she’s a real head-turner and perfect for the gents who don’t need to worry about their hair flying out of place. Betsy is also perfect for after-ceremony photos, the bride and groom can gather in the hot rod surrounded by their bridal party and family. Bonnie, a Ford Sedan, is the newest edition to the fleet and will be ready for the 2019 wedding season in September or October. She is currently undergoing the conversion to right-hand drive. Her grungy and original 1930 exterior is perfect for Boho and vintage-style weddings. Your hosts, Lucas and Rachel, will dress the part in classic retro attire and greet you with a complimentary bottle of bubbles to toast your special day. Add a touch of class and nostalgia to your wedding day with the head-turning entrance you’ve dreamed of.
Visit whitsundayhotrodtours.com.au for more information – the website is now live!
WEDDING PACKAGES
Testimonial - Sam & Ant Windsor
$600 per car – includes three hours of hire with a personal chauffer and complimentary bottle of bubbles. Plenty of time for pre-ceremony photos with your bridal party, a comfortable cruise to your ceremony and post-ceremony photographs.
Rachel & Lucas from Whitsunday Hot Rod Tours were fantastic to deal with before, during and after our wedding in September 2017.
Longer packages are available upon request. The cars will also travel outside of the Whitsunday area upon request, please visit whitsundayhotrodtours. com.au for package information and special requests. What is your tip for the wedding day? “Don’t sweat the details (on the day)! If something happens that wasn’t supposed to, or it was meant to happen and it didn’t, forget it and just enjoy your day! Don’t spend time worrying about things out of your control, just enjoy spending the day with family and friends, or for those eloping, with each other!” What’s your advice for a happy marriage? “Haha, Lucas would say “happy wife, happy life” (and he does do that well). I think honesty is a huge part of any relationship, to us it is one of the most important things. We talk to each other about everything and whether we’re happy or not we tell each other. That also goes for telling each other that you appreciate them, or they look good, or you miss them when they’re not with you. The best part of being in a relationship with someone you love is when they compliment you right? Don’t stop making each other feel good.”
They were polite and extremely courteous. I loved how Lucas would help me getting in and out of the car and even pulled leaves out of my dress. They never made us feel rushed and helped keep our day relaxed and fun. Everything from their courtesy, patience, clothing, attention to detail and pricing was perfect. The look on my now husbands face when he first saw the cars was everything I had hoped for (my surprise to him). We have and will continue to recommend Whitsunday Hot Rod Tours to anyone. Many thanks again for helping us make our day everything we dreamed of.
www.corelife.com.au 45
BIG4 Adventure
Whitsunday Resort
If your wedding is about celebrating with family and friends, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort offers you the complete location to bring everyone together ‘under one roof’ for a memorable event. One of the most popular resorts in the Whitsundays, it is set amongst beautiful tropical gardens and offers a relaxing oasis for friends, families and children to enjoy a host of in-house activities and exciting Whitsunday tours, so that everyone can enjoy your wedding, their way. The resort’s onsite multi-purpose function venue, The Palm House, elevates the style and magic of Whitsunday weddings and receptions for up to 180 guests for an intimate three course dinner or up to 300 guests for a relaxed canape style event. Its elegant, purpose-built design allows its large space to be reconfigured into an intimate, smaller area opening to an undercover terrace and outdoors landscaped with beautiful gardens. The Palm House’s full kitchen, mobile bar and dance floor ensure your wedding is perfection in paradise. With a wide choice of self-catering accommodation from camping sites to studios, cabins and luxury three bedroom condos there is something lovely to suit every taste and budget. The resort has masses of facilities including a lagoon style swimming pool, huge waterslide park, a very popular Kid’s Club, an Animal Park, jumping pillows, mini-golf, tennis and a whole lot more. The event co-ordinators are friendly and professional and can help to organise family gatherings, group tours or just ensure all the details of your special day are well organised so your wedding dreams become reality. Co-ordinators Guy Butterworth and Melissa Schroeder
Paradise Found Accommodation
Resort Facilities
Ceremony & Reception
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort is a blissful union of botanic-like tropical gardens, relaxing Airlie Beach ambience and serene ceremony and reception options at the onsite Palm House function venue, coupled together with accommodation spanning from budget to spare-no-expense luxury. The perfect selection for a perfect day.....Whitsunday wedding paradise found.
adventurewhitsunday.com.au • #adventurewhitsunday • email: reservations@adventurewhitsunday.com.au • Ph 07 4948 5400 www.corelife.com.au www.corelife.com.au 46 46
THELOVEISSUE
s d n u o b a Luxury Lure at
T
ailored toward couples who prefer paradise over the predictable, Lure at Abell Point Marina allows you to create and celebrate your dream wedding day.
The captivating ambience of Lure has created a unique waterfront venue, its nautical theme is as decadent as it is relaxed. Although the interior provides a sophisticated backdrop by itself, its neutral canvas allows couples to beautifully decorate to their own chosen theme. WHY WE LOVE A LURE WEDDING The photographic possibilities are endless. Perched upon its uniquely designed iconic breakwater, Lure is beautiful by day or night with a plethora of photo opportunities and panoramic views guaranteed to leave guests speechless. Yachts, sparkling azure water, Bohemianchic restaurants or manicured gardens; beautiful photos can be captured at every turn throughout the marina complex before and after your ceremony or reception. EXCLUSIVITY Lure is exclusively yours on your wedding day, providing supreme privacy and intimacy. PETITE TO GRAND
can be as action-packed or as low-key as you desire. A range of ceremony locations are available at the marina, mere footsteps from your reception venue. The foreshore at Lure overlooks the sparkling azure water and marina yachts, nearby Shingley Beach provides the toe-in-sand experience for beach nuptials and there is a wedding space currently under development in the 2.5ha adjacent garden space overlooking Abell Point Marina, due for completion in 2019. A range of accommodation is within walking distance along the marina boardwalk from Lure, for the ultimate in convenience for guests and your wedding party. For a grand entrance, why not arrive at your ceremony by yacht or helicopter; or hire a helicopter for an hour or two for post-ceremony photography, to be taken to some of the most remote locations in the Whitsundays. THE FOOD IS AMAZING
From gourmet canapes, bountiful grazing tables and the traditional alternate drop; the food at Lure is as stunning as the venue. Host your pre-wedding dinner at Hemingway’s restaurant, or post wedding drinks at The Garden Bar to soak up the tropical vibes and reflect on a magical time.
CONVENIENCE IS KEY
After all is said and done, Abell Point Marina then provides the ultimate launching pad for Whitsundays adventures. Hire a helicopter to fly over Heart Reef, spend a day relaxing on the pearlescent sand of Whitehaven Beach or charter a yacht and begin your honeymoon sailing smooth Whitsunday waters.
With all the facilities of Abell Point Marina at your fingertips, your wedding
It’s your special day, make it alluring at Abell Point Marina.
You don’t need a large list of guests to enjoy the luxury of a Lure wedding. Lure can accommodate intimate weddings from 20 people through to grand affairs; up to 120 seated and up to 230 cocktail style.
SUMMER WEDDING SPECIAL Book your summer 2019/20 wedding at Lure and get FREE venue hire when you pre-pay a minimum bar spend of $1000! Terms & Conditions apply.
Tro pical
FOR COUPLES WHO PREFER
TO TRADITIONAL
Lure is the perfect choice if you’ve always dreamed of exchanging vows in a laid-back tropical paradise.
LU R E W H I T S U N DAY S .C O M
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www.corelife.com.au 48 48 www.corelife.com.au
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Say
“I do”
at Souths
What’s your wedding tip for happy couples? “Keep it simple and always bring backups!” Heather Cole Marketing and Events Manager
D
on’t sweat the small stuff. With event coordinators by your side, a wedding at Souths is the serene occasion you’ve dreamt about.
exclusive entry for you and your guests from the rest of the club as well as private amenities and a private courtyard as well as two bars serving the needs of your wedding party.
The perfect venue to start your new and exciting life together, Souths Leagues Club in Mackay will deliver a sense of awe and romance amid professionally catered function rooms.
DEDICATED SERVICE AND SUPPORT
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SOUTHS CATER FOR? Souths have four dedicated event areas, the largest being the Milton Platinum Room. Each dedicated function space offers a diverse range of options and inclusions to suit every occasion, from intimate to large. Reef Room........................ 30 people Milton Blue Room.............. 70 people Milton Gold Room............. 80 people Milton Platinum Room....... 180 people The Milton Platinum Room comfortably seats 180 guests on round tables and can host 300 people cocktail-style. The Platinum Room has an
The functions team are with you every step of the way, from planning and preparation to delivering your dream day. Staff will walk you through your options and give you a guided tour through each room, highlighting the benefits of each space. They take into account what you envision for your big day to ensure personal touches are tailored to you.
CUSTOMISABLE CATERING Tailored cuisine options range from an alternative drop menu to a sumptuous buffet, or a range of platters from basic to gourmet. Souths chef utilises local fresh products and places an emphasis on ensuring each dish is delicious and beautifully presented to wow your guests. Souths Leagues Club is passionate about helping you create your perfect day. Phone 4957 2166 to arrange your personalised viewing appointment and discover the elegance and mystique of the Milton Rooms
Payment plans are also available to make your dream wedding achievable. Little touches Having our wedding at Souths was the best decision we made! make the occasion one Heather and Sarah were fantastic. Nothing was too big of an ask and to remember. There is a everything just ran so smoothly on the night without a fuss. I have had bridal room for the bridal so many compliments on the professionalism of the staff and the food party to utilise throughout with comments like "The best wedding food I’ve had". the event, and the bridal We could not recommend Souths Functions team any more highly table is looked after - not one fault. by a personal waitress Jake and Elyshia Bailey - May 2018 throughout the evening.
181 Milton Street | 4957 2166 functions@southsmackay.com.au Like Us on Facebook www.corelife.com.au 49
The perfect moment to remember Experience stress-free wedding planning with a variety of elegant ceremony and reception options at Peppers Airlie Beach, Whitsundays.
Say “I do� for under $5,000* Keep it simple, but romantic and elegant with an on-site ceremony and intimate reception package including a 3 course gourmet menu for up to 30 guests in the open-air Tides Pavilion.
Experience Peppers. Call (07) 4962 5119 or visit peppersairliebeach.com.au Bride and groom image courtesy of Brooke Miles Photography. *Conditions apply. Applies for new bookings only. Inclusive package based on a maximum of 30 guests. Bookings must be made by 30 June 2016 for weddings held by 11 December 2016. Not valid with any other offer.
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Peppers Perfection B
rides and grooms at home or from afar take delight in the lavish surroundings of Peppers Airlie Beach. With four onsite ceremony options to choose from, there’s picture perfection to be found around every corner with an azure Whitsunday water panorama for the backdrop.
Reception venues
There are a number of venues within the resort that can be utilised on your special day including the tropical surrounds of the stunning wet edge resort pool, the stylish and nautical inspired Tides Restaurant & Bar and the luxurious main banquet room. Packages can also be tailored to meet special requests, ensuring a unique and individual experience with the classic finishing touches you would expect from a Peppers venue.
An air-conditioned venue with ambient lighting which can seat up to 80 guests including a bridal table and dance floor, or 120 guests for a stand-up cocktail reception. Includes exclusive use of the conservatory and terrace outside the room.
Ceremony venues Tides Pavilion An open air venue located by the pool, suitable for ceremonies for up to 60 guests. The stunning water views provide the perfect backdrop to say "I Do". Conservatory and Terrace This area is partly undercover and is ideal for ceremonies for up to 40 guests. The space is air conditioned and boasts spectacular views of the Port of Airlie. Ocean's Edge Villa The Villa is an exclusive area with undercover decks and stunning water and rainforest views. There are two venue options in the Villa which are suitable for ceremonies for up to 60 guests. Packages are also available for a coordinated beach ceremony at beautiful Boathaven Beach.
Tides Pavilion Located adjacent to the pool, it boasts stunning elevated water views and is perfect for sit down dinners for up to 30 guests and cocktail style receptions for 50 guests. Lohrey Room
Peppers Airlie Beach has it all. From elegant ceremony and reception venues to world-class cuisine and luxury apartment accommodation. All-inclusive packages take the stress from the big day, leaving the little details to the experts to be executed to perfection. Fully self-contained apartments with opulent inclusions such as large spa baths make for an ideal place for couples to spend their first wedded night together. With family-sized apartments also available it is a convenient arrangement for guests. Peppers Airlie Beach offers an elegant and romantic wedding experience with all the trimmings, while the natural tropical setting makes it the perfect escape for a honeymoon. What is your number one tip for couples in the lead up to their big day? “Delegate the small stuff. Nominate jobs for family and friends so it's less for you to do and makes them feel included in the celebrations.” What is your advice for a happy marriage? “As with all relationships, communication is key.” - Sandi Holman, C&E Sales Manager, Peppers Airlie Beach.
After tying the knot on the gorgeous white sands of Boathaven Beach, this couple from Victoria celebrated their love in an intimate reception with 11 guests at Tides Deck, Peppers Airlie Beach. “We chose Peppers because of its fantastic wedding packages and because it’s such a relaxing, picture-perfect location. We also liked not having to travel far between the ceremony and reception location. I’d definitely recommend going through a wedding coordinator as it takes the stress out of planning a wedding.” - Kara and Josh.
Images courtesy of Brooke Miles Photography and Tropix Photography
Illawong Beach Resort Your special day deserves a unique setting, one where the vista stretches for miles to a distant horizon. Illawong Beach Resort is positioned on absolute beachfront, offering a peaceful, private and unique tropical setting, acting as a blank canvas for your wedding planning. A natural destination ideally suited for a beachfront wedding, enjoy a stunning ceremony on the beach before the golden sky makes way for a canopy of glittering stars. Illawong Beach Resort blends convenience and affordability with flexibility. Its function room can host up to 120 people and is a cost-effective venue. Flexibility is key with the couple being able to provide their own catering and alcohol, a great way to ensure you get exactly what you want for your wedding, with no setmenus or pricey cocktails to break the budget.
With 37 villas scattered near the beach, friends and family will love the convenience of walking back to their accommodation when the celebrations have ended. With cooking facilities and two-bedroom options available, they are perfect for families or groups of friends. For the happy couple, a secluded villa located on the point provides privacy and beautiful sea views. Illawong Beach is one of the favourite destinations in Mackay to enjoy a sublime sunrise, the perfect way to begin your first day together as a married couple. Relax by the pool, enjoy a beachside barbeque or stroll the golden sand and watch kite boarders skim along the surface. This beachfront paradise offers the ultimate in relaxation, before and after your wedding day.
To get in touch, visit illawong-beach.com.au or phone 07 4957 8427 for more information.
BEACHSIDE CEREMONY Function Room catering up to 120 people Uninterrupted Stunning Views
Whitsunday Sailing Club...
Just say yes!
Right in the heart of Airlie Beach, the Balinese-style Pavilion is renowned as a picture-perfect location for its amazing view of the Whitsunday water. The venue is ideal for weddings of all sizes, whether relaxed or formal, and the setting creates the perfect backdrop for your ceremony and or reception. Call (07) 4946 6138 to book your dream wedding e: functions@whitsundaysailingclub.com.au
For more information P: 07 4957 8427 E: illawong@illawong-beach.com.au www.illawong-beach.com.au
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IT’S MAGICAL AT MANTRA
N
estled amidst a cove of tropical gardens overlooking the tranquil lagoon-style pool, Mantra Club Croc offers superb destination choices for you to say ‘I-do.’ Offering unparalleled service and surroundings, A Mantra Club Croc wedding promises to deliver the perfect opportunity to be pampered in paradise. Every wedding occasion is tailored to the couple’s desires, whether it be a private affair or an elaborate occasion for many.
THE CEREMONY Mantra Club Croc is a sanctuary that offers the ultimate indulgence, the resort blends perfectly with its seaside location creating a beautiful setting for your perfect wedding celebration. Your ceremony can be held on a beach of your choice or at Mantra Club Croc. Choices include the perfectly designed function room, beside the lagoon pool or in the tropical resort gardens. If you choose to hold your nuptials on the beach, Mantra Club Croc can arrange the paperwork to be completed with Whitsunday Regional Council.
A CULINARY JOURNEY Specially designed wedding menus serve the best in fresh regional produce to your guests. Choose from a seated option of two or three-courses or opt for the popular and plentiful buffet. Enjoy additional choices such as decadent dessert bar and pre-ceremony platters so your bridal party can relax and enjoy the day. Treat your guests to a glass of bubbles, some delicious wines and icy cold beers with a
beverage package. With upgrade options you can tailor your package to suit your needs.
ACCOMMODATION Once you’ve danced the night away, you’ll be relieved to find your bridal suite mere steps from your reception venue. Guests will love the ease of on-site accommodation also. Featuring a collection of beautifully designed rooms, you’ll be swept away by Mantra Club Croc’s tropical ambience from the moment you arrive. Boasting 160 rooms the largest inventory in the region, choose from a collection of beautifully appointed hotel rooms including some with Garden, Pool or Coastal views.
A GIFT FOR THE HAPPY COUPLE Receive one complimentary nights’ accommodation in an Ocean View Room on the night of your wedding, including champagne on arrival. (Terms and conditions apply).
PACKAGES From an intimate elopement to a group of family and friends, there is a package to compliment every dream. Options can include decorations and seating for the ceremony to the private use of the function room and Champagne to toast the happy couple. Mantra Club Croc’s wedding coordinator can recommend local suppliers to provide the finishing touches to make your day one to remember forever. For more information, visit mantra.com.au/clubcroc or email clubcroc.conf@mantra.com.au.
THE PERFECT ELEMENTA TO
W
hen you imagine your dream wedding accommodation do you see a collection of custom-built villas with room for the entire wedding party? Somewhere you can easily spend time together but also have the privacy and seclusion to nurture the romance of the occasion. If so, the newly opened boutique absolute sea view villas at ‘elementa’ offer the ideal combination of tranquility and splendor to capture the most discerning couple’s heart. PERFECTLY SITUATED Located 500m meters from the Port of Airlie, elementa has uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea while being close enough to have interactive views of the Port of Airlie. Connected, but far enough away for privacy and seclusion. REFINED STYLE MEETS ORGANIC BEAUTY The architecturally designed houses nestled in the side of Mt Whitsunday reflect the inherent beauty of the area, incorporating natural materials to create an elegant, organic and energising habitat. From the moment you enter elementa you will be surrounded by life, living green walls, edible gardens and native landscapes are prominent throughout the development. There are seven individual villas at elementa, that each stand-alone with no adjoining walls. Each villa has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms; two of the bedrooms are suites with their own en suites and
walk in robes. The intimate collection of villas can cater for private groups of up to 36 guests. FIRST CLASS FACILITIES At elementa, the designers have created a sublime environment. No expense has been spared in choreographing a living space of opulence and effortless style teamed with modern appliances and creature comforts. Australian hardwood is a feature throughout the residences, which provides a rich, earthy feel using both Kweila and Blackbutt throughout. Each villa boasts two separate living areas with private balconies and large open areas allowing fresh air and light to move freely and easily throughout the accommodation. A freestanding PicassoTM Natural Stone Bath overlooking the Port of Airlie offers a spectacular feature in each master bedroom ensuite, complimented by matching stone basins. A Soji privacy screen separates the master bedroom from the ensuite, enabling privacy if required or free flowing living. Moving to the kitchen you will discover 50mm CorianTM raincloud benchtops with waterfall ends. The large island bench works as an excellent food-prep area and spacious dining environment, comfortably seating 6 people. As an extra touch, there is a wireless charging station in the CorianTM bench top that enables phones to be charged wirelessly when placed on the benchtop.
In addition, there are gas hot plates, a frameless corner window, Vintec wine cooler, double draw dishwasher and pyrolytic self-cleaning electric oven. LED ZenTM light switches with pictogram icons provide elegant and simple light features, combining USB chargers, fan controllers and dimmers all from the one switch panel. And, of course each villa has reverse cycle airconditioned throughout. POOLSIDE PURITY IN PARADISE Relaxing in the cool waters of your own private swimming pool is the perfect way to de-stress after the chaos of wedding day preparations. Find your zen in elementa’s magnesium mineral water infinity pool which is shared between the residences. Magnesium has been found to have significant beneficial properties for internal health, as well as helping to relax your mind and body. It can assist with detoxifying the body, reducing aches and pains, plus relieve stress and anxiety that has a habit of building up in our bodies. A soak in the pool will leave you feeling invigorated and ready to tackle the rest of your day. This uniquely fresh water is a result of the Enviroswim ES3 pool filtration system which sanitizes the water without adding chemicals, except for ph balancing requirements.
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YOUR WHITSUNDAY DREAM What remains is the purest, cleanest swimming water you will ever find! There will be no more red eyes and your skin will not smell of chlorine when leaving the pool. The water quality even meets NZ drinking standards! There is also a Spa section to the pool, simply press the button on the wall to start and stop the bubbles. During the winter months the pool is warmed to a comfortable 28 degrees Celsius. This takes the edge off any cold mornings.
landscape at elementa is a combination of rare and unique plant species derived from a lifetime of experience. The result is a purely unique environment with vast retaining walls which have been used to create living green walls. Elementa is a unique and inviting utopia that embraces nature and redefines luxury. Book now for the ultimate group accommodation whether it be for a wedding or special occasion, elementa villas create the perfect backdrop to your Whitsunday dream.
GARDENS Inspired by Norm Silberling from Conway Exotic Gardens, the outdoor
B ook Dire ctly th rou g h ou r websi te for Local Deal s www.e le me n tawh itsu n d ays.com | 0 447 674 1 61
D’Vine’s
A TASTE OF THE D’VINE With a variety of different foodie tastes, dietary requirement and personal preferences to consider on your wedding, deciding on the right caterer is crucial. When you pick a caterer with prestige and pizzazz, one that is willing to listen and make every detail perfect for you and your guests, you know you have made the right decision. The D’vine Catering team have been creating sensational wedding day cuisine in the Whitsundays for over 12 years. Their expertise spans both large and small, extravagant and simple reception styles and can be brought to you at any location in the region. They have a team of over 53 staff, including 7 chefs and have earned an iconic reputation through their dedication to creating a happy wedding day for countless brides and groom.
5
top
tips
FOR WEDDING CATERING 1. You don’t have to accept the menus as displayed, packages are never set in stone. A great caterer will work with you to adapt something perfect for your day to suit your personal tastes, budget, food allergies, cultural needs and age groups; from the big kids to the little ones. 2. Be conscious of seasonality, if you want an outdoor wedding the best months of the year are the winter-spring months, avoid wet season. Seasonal and local produce also offers a unique spin on your event, sourcing the best that the local area has to offer will ensure your event stands out. 3. Food can create moments in events with the colour, the smell and the flavor. The memory will live on as your Guests reminisce on your special day. At D’vine Catering & Events, we are here to help guide you in building these moments within your day. A specialised caterer appreciates that your day should be like no other ever experienced. 4. Bigger is not better! Some of the best weddings we’ve catered have small intimate numbers. 5. A stand alone catering company has the option of multiple locations and can suggest everything from a 5 star facility, to a deserted beach, a backyard, even a super yacht! Our team loves to think inside and outside the box. The team at D’vine Catering’s three favourite ingredients are love, laughter and food. It’s your day and you must have it exactly as you wish.
any style of food. any location. any event. WEDDINGS • CORPORATE EVENTS OFFSHORE CATERING • PRIVATE VESSELS
Our Mobile Rum Bar can add can flavour to any event! Our Courtyard space at Fish D’vine is available for private functions. Ph: 1300 318 661 • dvinecateringandevents.com.au
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7 SECRET TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST COCKTAIL 1. Always buy the best alcohol and fresh ingredients you can afford. The better the quality of alcohol, the better the flavour notes in your drink. 2. Garnish is important as we consume with our eyes as well as our taste buds. Always garnish your drink with ingredients that have been used to make it. 3. Start with less and you can always add more. Sugar is like salt in cooking, it helps to bring out flavours but too much and it’s ruined.
COCKTAIL MAKING EVENINGS
4. Lime or lemon? A good rule of thumb is to use lemons when you’re using brown liquors and lime when you’re using white liquors.
WITH BLACK TIE BAR SERVICES
5. Combining Spirits. When using similar spirits in your cocktail, you will need an equal amount of each. When combining two different spirits go for an ounce and a half of the weakest and a half ounce of the strongest liquor.
Adding style and flair to your pre-wedding party with a cocktail-making class is a sure fire way to win your friends hearts. Not only do you all get to drink an array of different cocktails, you will also learn how to become a mixologist for the night.
6. Chill your glass for 10-30 minutes beforehand.
The professional bartenders at Black Tie Bar Services in Airlie Beach, come to your home or hotel room if you are visiting so you can take a cocktail class in the comfort of your own space.
7. Be prepared to experiment. This is, after all, the best way to learn
Packages range from 2-4 hours and cost between $50 and $150 per person depending on how many cocktails you would like to learn how to make.
DID YOU KNOW Putting a sprig of mint in the palm of your hand and then clapping your hands together bursts the aroma-rich enzymes in the leaves and thereby releases the flavour?
“Our classes are very hands on and fun, you will get to make every cocktail yourself and also try one made by our very experienced bartenders,” said owner Blair Frew.
Popping a lemon in the microwave for 10 seconds can give you 50% more juice
In addition, each guest is given a hard copy of the recipes to try for themselves at home. Black tie bar services also do private parties, weddings, staff training, cocktail menu design and hospitality consultancy
For more information or to book please contact Blair on 0421187204
Aquava creates a fusion of culinary delights within a personalised atmosphere based amongst the picturesque mountains and crystal clear waters of the Whitsundays. Let us help you create an unforgettable event boasting delicious food and exceptional service. Boutique Weddings | Special Events Island Catering | Private Functions Corporate events | Dinner Parties
p: 0447 990 742 e: info@aquavaboutiquecatering.com.au w: aquavaboutiquecatering.com.au
With our stunning coastal backdrop and vibrant hinterland, we are lucky enough to have a plethora of wedding styles to choose from in our region. From barefoot on the pristine silica sands of Whitehaven Beach to the plush airconditioned environment of a stylish resort, a grassy knoll a waterside location or in-land for a boho country themed wedding. Which one will you choose? We sit down with Lou from Divine Weddings to find out more.
Resort Style Resort style venues either offer air-conditioned indoor function rooms or open-air restaurant-style areas by a pool. They are a blank canvas and usually include event style seating and white linen clothed tables in their room hire. With this in mind, light features and soft textures are a must! Overhead LED lighting along with large flowing chiffons through the ceiling creates ambience, warmth and light. Crystal Chandeliers are timeless and add a stunning lit central feature. Usually a more formal location, opt for extravagant or taller table centrepieces with mirrors, glass and crystal elements or large foliage statement pieces. Try glass style lanterns and vases with added decorative features such as beads and flowers. Natural tones are more trending this year. Choose softer natural colours such as champagne golds, lattes or dusty pinks. If you like brighter colours then opt for rich natural colours such as olive greens or wine.
Beach Side / Island Beach side and island weddings are more relaxed. For beach ceremonies keep them natural and simple to suit the surrounds. Wooden arbours and unstructured driftwood arbours are becoming increasing popular. Arbours Dressed with loose flowing chiffons and bright flowers or lush green foliage with the azure blue sea backdrop certainly provide a pop of colour and texture. Make sure you consider providing parasols and large garden umbrellas for guests. When choosing a beach inspired centrepiece I would recommend natural colour table runners for a base. White wooden elements such as white wooden lanterns or natural pieces provide key features whilst driftwood or polished ornate shells can add more detailed elements. Aqua candles or marine blue vases and jars can add that splash of colour against the natural tones.
Waterside Venues Waterside venues with lush lawns can be dressed up or dressed casually to create a wonderful outdoor wedding.
THELOVEISSUE
For ceremonies I would recommend a bamboo arbour with oversized tropical foliage statement pieces.
Boho country
For Table decor styling choose tropical luxe. Colour can be added with splashes of white and gold elements which style beautifully with lush natural green leaves.
Macrame hangings suit the bo-ho look and work wonderfully when enhanced with lush native foliage and florals.
Lighting is important for evening outdoor receptions. Lanterns are also a popular chioce adding colour features and creating a fuller effect above. Large lit balloons are also on-trend. Where a Bridal Table is set by the waterside I would highly recommend a backdrop of cascading lighting. It adds lift and light to the Bridal Party and makes for beautiful backdrop photos once the sun has set.
For country style venues Boho and Rustic elements are on trend.
Whilst white linen dressed tables and white chairs can still look striking on a country lawn, solid wooden rustic tables blend beautifully and provide a more rustic look. In keeping with the natural look choose natives and trailing varieties for your foliage. For florals reds, pinks and purples work well with boho and rustic decor style.
Artificial floral and foliage walls with cascading lights create wonderful backdrops and photo areas.
In keeping with the boho theming choose décor elements to include cast iron or copper pieces, wooden lanterns, candlesticks or candle stands, and simple ornate pieces mixed in.
Use all available space on a waterside lawn and create low chill-out seating areas with coffee tables and ottomans along with relaxed picnic areas.
Wine barrels and hay bales also create casual areas and are in keeping with the wood and natural elements of the rustic theming. Teepees and Marquees work well at country locations and provide an “instant venue”.
Boutique wedding and event styling specialists Supplying beautiful decor for ceremonies, receptions, events and celebrations Professional wedding planning service specialising in ceremonies, elopements and private weddings With a passion for creativity and flair, many divine designs are unique, detailed and custom-made. We provide beautiful decor to suit your style, colours and theming requirements. With vast wedding and styling experience spanning over 12 years, Divine Weddings Whitsundays can create your special event that will be simply...divine!
0410 164 692
e: divineweddingswhitsundays@gmail.com www.divineweddingswhitsundays.com.au
r a o l e r T r e f Jenni Photography Y
our wedding day will become one of the best stories of your life, your own private fairytale.
A photographer plays a crucial part in capturing the moments to make them eternal, for you to cherish happily ever after. Local photographer, Jennifer Treloar, knows she has an advantage when it comes to wedding photography. Born and raised here, she knows where the light shines best, where to find perfect panoramas and where to seek beautiful backups for unexpected weather events. After studying photography in school, she knew that’s all she wanted to do. She began her career in a newspaper darkroom and then as a staff photographer before starting her own business in 2001. This allowed her to focus on her true passion, capturing people during important moments of their life. Every photographer has a niche, and for Jennifer, it’s being able to capture sublime sunset photography for her couples. She explains that experience is an important component in choosing a photographer for your wedding day. “An experienced photographer will know the format of how things run on the big day, so they are in the right place to capture those crucial moments. An angle can be everything when it comes to capturing surprise, happiness, tears and elation as well as those special kisses. It’s about being able to anticipate moments, adapt to situations quickly, handle large groups of people and have an eye for detail.
JENNIFER TRELOAR PHOTOGRAPHY Weddings • Families • E Shoots
0408 195 778 | jennifertreloar.com.au
“Angles and perspective also play a big part in helping people to look their best. I offer advice on where to stand, how to hold your body, where to look and what to do, to make sure we are capturing their best self on this special day,” she said. Jennifer also creates beautiful albums and keepsakes to commemorate the special day. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY? “I love the love, the sentiment, the vows people make to each other and the beautiful dresses.” WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AS A PHOTOGRAPHER? “I will go to great lengths to take an awesome image, from laying in a cow paddock to climbing a tree to get a different angle. I am creative, fun, I shoot all different styles from candid, to romantic. I am able to make a couple and bridal party relaxed and enjoy themselves as they should do on their wedding day.” WHAT IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TIP FOR A WEDDING? “To see the photography time as a great opportunity to hang out with friends and family and have a great time. The gorgeous photos will come from that experience. Also, give yourself moments to be present and take a breath as it’s a whirlwind of a day.” WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE? “Love should be easy.”
s w e r d n A z i L y h p a r g o t o h P Wedding photography captures one of the most emotional and memorable moments in one’s life. That’s what makes the images both timeless and priceless. As well as careful composition and perfect lighting, couples of today crave bold and creative images, so their wedding photography isn’t identical to everyone else’s. THIS IS WHERE LIZ ANDREWS SHINES BEHIND THE LENS. “I love bold and different. I am constantly looking for new photographic ideas so I can offer every bride and groom fresh and creative wedding photos. This way your wedding photos are never the same as ones previously photographed. Getting to know the bride and groom in my initial consultation and knowing their wedding plan helps a lot with planning my photography ideas and creativity. “Knowing what is important to the bride and groom means I can customise my photography style to what they want me to capture on their wedding day,” she said. Liz Andrews Photography was born from the birth of her own two children. With Malaysian heritage, Liz has been living in Australia for 20 years now and moved to Mackay 11 years ago with her partner. She loved the move to Mackay, it reminded her of her home-town of Kuching, Sarawak before it grew into a big city. Her passion was taking photos of her two young boys and scrapbooking. She found herself composing different scenes to create unique shots and would often joke that she had her second son to take more photos.
She received her first DSLR camera, a Nikon D40 as a Christmas present in 2007, so she enrolled in a photography course and photoshop design through TAFE. This is where her hunger for photography grew as she enhanced her skill and opened her passion to a world of possibility. Liz commented, “I love to be creative and wedding photography gives me that opportunity. This is why I was drawn to it. I can combine my photographic knowledge and experience with my design and editing skills as well as my own unique style and creativity to come up with some truly unique concepts for couples. “I like to think of myself as an advocator for documentation and preserving memories. My job is to capture as many things and moments as possible for the bride and groom. The difference is I can make these captured memories beautiful and romantically elegant.” WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE WEDDING MOMENT? “That’s a hard one! I honestly can’t choose one memory as I remember every wedding I photograph. I share their memories, feel the overflowing emotion and I remember the expressions captured on their faces. Every wedding I photograph is very special to me.” WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER ONE TIP FOR COUPLES GETTING MARRIED? “The feedback I often hear from the bride and groom is that so much happened on the wedding day they couldn’t remember this/that, as they looked through their wedding photos. The one keepsake you can’t afford to skim on is hiring a professional photographer or videographer.” WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE? “ALWAYS make time for each other and nurture the romance, because once the kids leave the nest, there’s just you and your partner.”
Photography & design l i zan d rews p hotog ra p hy.com
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THELOVEISSUE
Jenna and Caroline “I have adored makeup and beauty for as long as I can remember. It all started with a makeup kit I opened for Christmas when I was sixyears-old; the lifelong love affair started at that moment and never stopped.” Makeup Artist and Mackay Mum, Jenna Quast, is well-known throughout the wedding and beauty industry as one of our region’s most talented MUA’s. She has been a key part of the Core Magazine team behind-the-scenes for the past year and has recently started an exciting collaboration with our Mackay-based photographer, Caroline Adele. “I needed a makeup artist for upcoming business projects and Jenna came the most recommended to me. From there, both a friendship and keen business relationship has developed. I took an interest in wanting to learn about professional makeup application to enhance both my photography career and to help with my skincare business also,” Caroline said. Jenna commented, “I’m currently training Caroline part time to be a MUA within Lush, however her main focus is still photography and social media
marketing strategy coaching and she has helped me with within my own business to begin to grow Lush.” Both women enjoy the confidence and boost in self-esteem that a makeup session can give other women, and plan to use their combined experience to hold makeup application classes. “What I love most is that I can make others feel beautiful and confident for all their special events, there is no better feeling than watching my client’s reaction to seeing themselves in the mirror upon their reveal. Knowing that my creativity and passion for makeup enhances their self-esteem brings me so much joy. With Caroline’s degree in Education and my longterm experience in the industry, we are looking forward to bringing a special level of makeup education to the ladies of Mackay,” Jenna said.
Lush plans on creating a first for Mackay with miniworkshops for specific areas of makeup application. Jenna explains, “So for example, if someone wishes to step up their brow game, they could come along to a concentrated class specifically aimed at learning the latest makeup techniques to conquer their brow demons.” Caroline and Jenna’s collaboration shows that when two women come together, there’s more power in the ‘we’ than the ‘me’. Both of their businesses are benefitting from each other’s talent.
When it comes to the wedding industry, Jenna is one of the most experienced MUA’s in Mackay.
Caroline said, “A part of my business is shooting contemporary style portraiture to assist small business owners with their social media styling. Lush is now a part of this as Jenna does the makeup for the ladies I photograph. On the days when I’m not photographing, I am either assisting Jenna in the studio as her understudy or we are developing our plans and ideas for the next 12 months in each of our businesses over a few wines.
“I was extremely humbled to place two years running in the Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards and plan to enter again this coming year.”
“I had no idea when I put the call out online for an MUA that it would lead to all this, but I am most grateful to have not just a new business partnership but also a wonderful friend also.”
Wedding Day
Perfection
for Eyes and Skin
W
alking down the aisle on your wedding day as a vision of beauty and grace is every brides dream.
A natural glow and bronzed radiant skin makes your wedding dress look even more divine and the pop of your long luscious lashes makes your eyes twinkle. As your loved ones turn to see you shine, they are mesmerised. When preparing for your wedding, it is important that you plan your beauty treatments in advance and follow a few simple tips and tricks to accentuate your natural features. Most of us aren’t lucky enough to have naturally long-lashes or un-blemished flawless tans. Fortunately, there are two indulgent, easy and affordable beauty treatments that can create effortless radiance without any fuss. A professional all over spray tan gives your skin a natural glow preventing patchiness from homeapplied bottle jobs and the blotchy effects of the sun on your skin. This method ensures your tan looks even for an all over beautiful bronzed finish. In addition to this, the mesmerising effect of eye-lash extensions create a flutter of beautiful long lashes without the need for mascara. Best of all when you wake in the morning your bronzed body and luscious lashes are ready to go! These simple beauty treatments leave you looking stunning 24/7 without needing to spend any additional time on your look. We meet Cynitta from Nitta Beauty who has recently moved from Collinsville to Cannonvale for a seaside change. Back in Collinsville Cynitta owned a salon for five years and has ten years experience in the beauty industry. She lives with her two daughters; Trinity who is eight and Miley who is four and their Cavoodle puppy called Rocco. Cynitta tells us about her professional spray tan and eye-lash extension business.
Tell us about getting a spray tan with you:
Tell us about your eyelash extension treatment:
I like to make my clients feel comfortable by offering a thorough consultation in advance, so they are reassured they are receiving a quality service with leading Australian product, Techno Tan. I have different shades available so that we can achieve a perfect shade for each person.
Eyelash extensions help enhance the natural shape and colour of your eyes. I offer classic and volume lashes in various lengths, so am able to create the perfect look and desired effect for each bride.
How does it work? The service takes around 20 mins in a cool, calm environment. It then needs two hours to develop and once you wash off the excess you will have a perfect tan that can last up to 10 days. It is important you follow the correct after tan care; staying hydrated and moisturising regularly.
N I T TA B E A U T Y 04 3 4 2 1 4 649
S ERV I C ES
Eye l a s h E x te n sio n s | B row S cu lp t in g | S pray Tanni ng
How does it work? The service can take up to 1.5 hours and your extensions will last 2-3 weeks. After this time you will require infills or removal. To get the best out of your extensions I recommend you follow my after care information and to utilise the spoulie provided to care for the lashes. Cynitta specialises in wedding day beauty treatments and can cater for large bridal parties.
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If You Are Looking For The Perfect Wedding Gown Jill Burston For Brides Extensive Range Of International And Australian Designer Labels Include Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Debutantes, Flowergirl Dresses, Mother Of The Bride, Jewellery And Accessories. For more information on this collection or to try these gowns on call in and see the team at Jill Burston For Brides.
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d r i We ky
k c d a n a W aditions a r T e g a i r r a M
The seductive removal of a garter between teeth, a group of single ladies feverishly lashing out at a bunch of flowers being thrown in the air, stuffing cake into each other’s mouths and awkwardly shuffling across the dance floor for your first dance as a married couple. These traditions are completely normal to us, but would appear bizarre to many other cultures across the world, just as many of their traditions seem completely mind-boggling to us. Here are some of the weird and wacky love and marriage customs from across the world.
Banging on your wedding night. France Ok, so in our terms, this would be completely expected! But this is not the kind of banging you may have immediately thought of. An age-old French tradition known as Charivari sees family and friends gather outside the residence of the newwlyweds to bang on pots and pans. If that wasn’t strange enough, the newlywed couple is expected to serve them drinks and food.
Valentine’s Day – every month! Korea Think you’re too lovey-dovey? South Koreans up the anti when it comes to cutesy wootsey. They wear matching outfits, you’ll find couple-oriented meals on most menus and there is a plethora of romantic holidays, including Valentine’s Day on the 14th of every month. Because once a year just isn’t enough! Also from Korea, let’s hit the groom with fish. I’m not entirely sure what Korean’s do on their wedding night, but to adequately prepare the groom for his first night as a husband, some South Korean’s believe he must be beaten by dead fish and bamboo.
Let’s make the bride and groom ugly before their wedding – Scotland This ritual, known as blackening, involves family and friends covering the bride and groom in disgusting things BEFORE their wedding! Pouring a sticky black goo over their heads, tying them to a tree and throwing food scraps like rotten eggs and fish is not out of the ordinary. This tradition is done so the bride and groom can face anything that comes at them as a married couple.
It’s my wedding and I’ll cry for a month if I want to China Crying for the Tujia people in China means the welcoming of a good marriage or event, so in the month leading up to her wedding, a bride will cry every day for an hour.
Busting? Too bad, no toilet for you for three days. Borneo The bride and groom of the Tidong community in Borneo are confined to a house or a room where they are not allowed to excrete any waste products from their body for three full days and nights. That’s right, they have to hold number one and two for three. Too bad if either of them ate something nasty on their wedding night.
You’re cursed, you must marry a tree. India In some parts of India, it is said that girls born during a certain astrological period are cursed and this will lead to the early death of their husband. In order to break the curse, they must first marry a tree and then have the tree cut down before they can marry an actual person.
Ladies, let’s move to Russia March the 8th is Women’s Day, a special day where Russian men bestow lovely gifts on their ladies, cook for them and take care of the household chores. In fact, in Russia, this holiday is not called “Women’s Day”. It’s such a huge event that it’s just referred to as “the 8th of March” and includes all special women; sisters, partners and mothers. C vos’mym Marta! (Happy March 8th!). The greatest happiness in life is to love and be loved. You know you’ve found the one when it’s the most joyful ‘Hello’ and the hardest ‘Goodbye’.
www.corelife.com.au 67
COULD LOVE BE JUST A CLICK AWAY? HELPFUL TIPS FOR ONLINE DATING WISHING AND WAITING FOR MR OR MISS ‘RIGHT’ TO COME ALONG CAN FEEL ISOLATING AT TIMES. Especially if you feel awkward at social gatherings, hate the idea of another drunken one night stand or happen to be a stay at home single parent. It can feel like your chances of meeting your soul mate are pretty limited. That is until you consider the world of online dating. An exciting, mysterious arena awaits, one that is full of promise, opportunity and of course, a little bit of risk. While it is important to be cautious and safety-minded when venturing into the realm of online dating, try not to let social stigmas deter you from experiencing the platform first-hand. Trust me, as a single mum, even though I was petrified in the beginning, the exhilarating feeling of flirting with a stranger from the safety of my smart phone added a new exciting dimension to my life. Since then, I have been on three dates in six months. Each guy was respectful, decent and authentic, genuinely looking for love and connection. Now I look back, this didn’t happen through luck alone, it came through taking it slowly, learning how to use the forum and following a few guidelines I worked out along the way. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS FOR BEGINNERS: 1. Choose the right dating app. As many of you know Tinder is a swipe left swipe right system where you base your level of attraction on physical first impressions. While this suits many people, I knew I needed to choose an app that matched my intention of finding love and possibly meeting my life partner. That’s why I
chose EHarmony. The sign-up is $300 for the year and while this is expensive, at least you know that people on the site are serious about finding a relationship. Secondly, on this sort of site you can share more about your personality and discover more about potential partners than looks alone. 2. Identify your deal-breakers. Think about what it is you are looking for but also what lifestyle choices or character traits that are deal-breakers for you. Read each profile carefully and be honest with yourself as to what behaviours, lifestyle choices would conflict for you. 3. Be open-minded. Unlucky in love? Have you ever considered you are gong for the wrong type of person? Online dating gives you the opportunity to broaden your radar and connect with people you wouldn’t normally be drawn to in the physical world. Try chatting with someone who wouldn’t usually be your ‘type’ and see what happens. 4. Rules of Engagement. Develop an understanding of how to communicate to potential online matches. For me, I could tell whether we were going to get along after a few messages. I found that if we didn’t have much in common via messaging, it soon fizzled out on both sides. 5. Go on a date. I would recommend not leaving it too long before you share a phone call or arrange to meet-up. You don’t want to let your conversation stagnate on social media and, if you are serious about meeting ‘the one’ you need to chat or meet to find out if they are in the running.
TIPS FOR CREATING THE PERFECT PROFILE 1. Be who you say you are. There is no point putting a picture of yourself when you were five years younger and 10kg lighter. Not only will this delude your potential matches, it will also leave you feeling terrible about your first date. Online dating gives you the opportunity to be yourself, no bravado and no illusions. Just be honest, that will give you the best chance of finding a true match. 2. Choose the right photo. Make sure the main profile pic is of you alone and shows an element of your personality. The main profile pic should not include a photo of you with funny filters, your mother, ex-wife/husband or kids. Potential lovers need to see you, open, honest and real. 3. You are what you attract. Remember, how you represent yourself on your chosen dating app is what you attract. Be accurate, kind and genuine in your profile to find someone who is drawn to your natural qualities and has similar mind-set themselves. 4. Don’t put yourself down. Not only is this unattractive to potential mates, it is also pointless. You need to find beauty in your flaws and recognise your unique attributes. There is someone out there for everyone. Someone who will love your quirks and idiosyncrasies. If you suffer from lack of self-esteem ask you best mate to write your profile for you as they see the best in you. 5. Don’t take it personally. Sometimes people won’t reply but that doesn’t mean they didn’t like you. Perhaps they have just started seeing someone else or a specific detail such as religion or smoking/drinking was a deal-breaker for them. In that case they weren’t meant for you either.
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SMILE FOR THE CAMERA! Your photographer is going to capture many beautiful moments between you and your future spouse. They are trained to transform those special snapshots into lifelong keepsakes. Now while they can do amazing things, they can’t Photoshop straighter teeth. So what can you do?
ONE STEP FURTHER Most people quickly think of teeth whitening as the obvious step for a fabulous smile, but if you struggle with crooked teeth, that may not be enough. Being self-conscious of your mouth could take away from your day and your focus. The good news is that you don’t need to spend years in traditional metal braces to get straight teeth. Our solution: Invisalign.
THE DISCREET OPTION Invisalign uses a series of Invisible, removable and comfortable aligners to move your teeth into the correct position. This means you can still smile confidently during treatment as well as after. Invisalign is made with 3D computer imaging technology that creates individual personalised aligners. Before you start planning your wedding, make sure to talk to Dr Rodriguez from Braces 4U. She can assess your situation and see if Invisalign is the right choice for you. See for yourself why wedding parties choose Invisalign for their special day!
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Is your child’s hearing school-ready? Stationery? Check! Lunchbox and water bottle? Check! Hearing check? Check!?! In Australia we are lucky to have access to free universal newborn hearing assessments. Early diagnosis of hearing loss is important to ensure natural developmental progress and a happy and healthy baby. But did you know how quickly hearing can change in a child? By the time they are ready to go to school they may be suffering from some form of hearing loss. In 2016 a report showed that almost a quarter of school-aged children in Queensland are likely to suffer from some form of hearing issue. In school-aged children with a hearing disorder you may notice: • Inattention • Difficulty concentrating • Poor performance at school
• Difficulty following instructions • Sitting close to or turning up the TV • Frequent requests for repetition. Unlike vaccinations there is no set schedule in Australia for hearing or vision checks but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that hearing screenings should be conducted regularly. The schedule recommended would be the following for Australian. • At school entry for all children • At least once at ages 6, 8, and 10 • On entry to high school • At least once during high school • For any student entering a new school system without
evidence of a previous hearing screening Apart from hearing loss, Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is one of the more common hearing issues affecting school children. CAPD is essentially the brain having difficulty understanding or processing what is being heard by the child in certain environments. Testing for CAPD must wait until the child is 7 years old as it is not until then that the auditory processing system has developed to an advanced enough stage to allow us to test it. Things to look out for in school aged children in grades 2-3 and onwards include: • Difficulties following instructions • Poor listening ability in noisy places
Hearing Health with Grant Collins Principal Audiologist/Owner Clarity Hearing + Balance
• Difficulty with learning at school • Being distracted or easily fatigued at school. The positive take-away is that there are ways to treat or address problems associated with both disorders and the sooner treatment begins the better it is for the long-term development of your child. Clarity offers school readiness hearing and central auditory processing assessments and screens for kids starting Prep or continuing in grades 1-6. Contact us today on 1300 252 748 for more information or to arrange an appointment.
Start them off on the right foot Start their schooling right with a Clarity School-Readiness Hearing Screen With a quarter of Queensland school children affected by some form of hearing issue, it’s never to late to help set them on the right path. With a Clarity School-Readiness Hearing Screen you can rule out or identify any issues before they become a major concern. Clarity’s clinical hearing screens for school starters and hearing screens and Auditory Processing screens for older kids can help identify and allay your concerns.
If an issue is diagnosed your Clarity clinician will recommend a range of success-focused strategies including • listening strategies for the classroom • active communication techniques for daily life • listening exercises or computer software programs to improve auditory processing skills; and • assistive listening devices such as Bluetooth microphones. Talk to Clarity today and start the school year on the right foot.
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IT’S TIME TO BRING THE PERSONAL BACK INTO PERSONAL TRAINING. A trainer who has your best interests at heart, someone who understands your life goals and will help you to strive toward achieving them. Someone who can get results. Results Personal Training Management understand that goals aren’t necessarily numbers on the scale. They are about improving the quality of life, helping you feel fitter, stronger and more confident in your everyday surroundings. Linda Rankin was inspired to seek a career in the fitness industry after the birth of her first child and studied while she was pregnant with her second. She became the director of RPTM in 2014 and completely overhauled her nutrition and fitness regime to lose more than 12kg and three dress sizes. She used her own experience to help other busy mothers and fathers to lose weight and gain back their lives, starting with popular boot camps and outdoor group training sessions. The demand for her style of training became so popular that
Linda expanded her business by setting up a training studio in 2016. The personal training studio in Glenella has allowed Linda to expand her team, offering more one-on-one training sessions and incorporating a greater range of strength training. RPTM holds group training sessions in Mirani as well as boot camps and personal training in Mackay. The blend of one-on-one sessions as well as challenges and group training is a recipe which has seen much success for locals wanting to get fitter and stronger. Linda puts the success down to RPTM not being like a conventional gym. “You really feel part of a family. It’s not a place where you sneak in the door, do a few reps and go home. You’re supported with one-on-one training to ensure correct technique is used at all times and during group classes there’s a really fun vibe. “We take the time to look at the big picture. What your routine is like at home. How stressful work is. What’s your nutrition like? How much sleep do you get? These are all factors which can work against
your training, and we want you to get the most from the time you put in with us. It’s about being happier and healthier, not striving for perfection but striving for health instead. The rest will come,” she said. Linda also stressed that success in exercise comes from finding something you enjoy doing. “If you’re not loving it, then we want to find something you will enjoy. You have to find joy in what you’re doing to want to continue to do it long-term. Whether it’s a boot camp, Hiit, boxing or strength training. Our goal is to get you smiling while you’re working out with us. A lot of our members make some really great friendships here, it becomes as much about social connection as it does about exercise and that all contributes to positive mental health and better overall results.” Make an investment in your own health and happiness, visit RPTM – Results Personal Training Management on Facebook to find out more and start your plan today to be better tomorrow. p: 0403520544 | e: info@rptm.net www.rptm.net
Bec Weall N
ot many girls would get in a boxing ring to fight. In fact, for many years Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been widely considered a man’s sport. But why should it be? In this modern age, isn’t it ok for women to push their boundaries and test their resilience in physical combat just like the men do? MMA requires training in striking, wrestling and submission fighting. It involves a high level of technique and strategy making it the ideal combat sport for women to compete alongside the men. When Bec Weall started watching MMA with her partner of six years, Richie, it was a way to spend time with him and share his passion. It wasn’t long, however, before Bec began to enjoy the sport too. “I very quickly began an obsession of my own. We spent most weekends watching fights and pretty much every holiday we have been on together has been to go to an MMA event!” Said Bec. Travelling interstate to indulge their passion for MMA meant they could witness the excitement of a live fight but when they returned to their hometown of Exmouth in WA they struggled to find any MMA or boxing gyms. It took a move
over to the other side of the country before they had the opportunity to get involved with a club. “The first thing we did when we arrived in Airlie was look up Whitsunday Martial Arts (WMA). It took a bit of time to pluck up the courage to actually walk into a class, but once I did there was no looking back!” Said Bec. The moment she walked into WMA changed Bec’s life forever. She went from watching live fights to training with experienced fighters and joining a strong community of similar minded people who are passionate about MMA. At first, Bec was completely outside of her comfort zone. She hadn’t exercised since high school, was a smoker, drank most evenings after finishing her shift in hospitality jobs and knew nothing about nutrition. Training regularly at WMA gave her a new sense of awareness. “I quit smoking, started learning about eating healthily and fueling my body and pretty much gave up drinking alcohol as it made it harder to get up for the 6am conditioning classes the next day.”
“The best thing that training at WMA has given me though, is a group of friends that I 100% consider to be my family. I met most of my closest friends in Airlie Beach through Whitsunday Martial Arts,” said Bec. With a network of loyal, hardworking and motivating mates, it wasn’t long before Bec decided to train for a real fight, competing in front of a crowd in a live show of her own. It was April 2017 and Bec had been training for months to compete at Airlie Fight Night, dedicating every spare hour and every part of her body to finely tuning her technique. This was also the same time Cyclone Debbie hit the Whitsundays leaving the entire region without power for a number of weeks. This did not stop Bec, however, who kept training in the dark most nights and went home to cook nutritious food on a camp stove. Then, just three days before the fight her opponent pulled out. Devastated that her hard work had been for nothing, Bec searched for another female opponent. Fortunately, Nicole Farrelly, who had been training at Courage Training Centre in Townsville, agreed to an exhibition fight with Bec.
MINDBODYSOUL No turning back now, it was time to get in the ring and hit like a girl! “Before the fight I was 100% scared,” said Bec. “But once I got in the ring I had the best time and I just felt exhilarated. Afterwards it didn’t feel real, it all happened so fast that it was like I had dreamt I had fought. I feel like that after every fight, if I didn’t have photos I wouldn’t believe that any of them had actually happened!” Bec went on to compete at the 2018 Airlie Fight Night in November and is travelling down to Coolum in February to compete against Kristie-Anne Ryder for the first Coastal Combat Flyweight Title. Watch this space as this ringside vixen is challenging herself to be the best and setting a new benchmark for the aspiring female fighters who train alongside her. We look forward to supporting her every fight along the way. HOW HAS BECOMING AN MMA FIGHTER CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON? I love MMA because it gives me focus, routine and keeps me motivated to push myself every day. It has also improved my confidence in myself and it makes me a more level headed and calm person. It is a very humbling sport, there is no place for ego on the mats and you learn a lot about yourself and your resilience as it pushes you to your limits every single day. WHAT’S IT LIKE BEING A FEMALE FIGHTER IN A MALE DOMINATED SPORT? Truthfully, the guys at WMA treat me exactly the same as every other person in the gym. I’m definitely not given any leniency or any special treatment because I’m a girl! I’m expected to work just as hard as the guys and they don’t go easy on me! (Although I do sometimes have to convince new guys that they’re allowed to hit me back when we’re sparring). I do wear my heart on my sleeve a little more than the boys, but they’re used to me being a bit more emotional than them (and they’ve pretty much learned to ignore my mood swings!). I actually think the hardest thing about being a female fighter in this sport is the fact that pretty much everyone I train with is bigger than me because 98% of them are male. It ends up benefiting me in the long run, but it can be frustrating at times. I do feel as though I have to work hard to prove myself but I think that every fighter feels like that, not just female fighters. WHAT’S YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE? I really would like to fight in Perth, it may seem like a small dream but I consider that my ‘home crowd’ and it would be amazing if all of my family could come and watch. Other than that, I don’t have any real plans or visions for the future for where MMA may take me, I am just trying to enjoy every fight experience and focus on bringing the Flyweight Belt back home to Airlie Beach! QUICK QUIZ Favourite famous fighter: Khabib Nurmagomedov Who would you like to get in the ring with? Miesha Tate (just to show Dan Zealand that her nose actually is bigger than mine) Your best move? I don’t know if it’s my best, but a Head & Arm Choke is my favourite! Your weak spot? Now I couldn’t give that away could I?!
ARIES: (March 21- April 20)
TAURUS: (April 21- May 20)
GEMINI: (May 21- June 21)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Friday
Lucky Day: Monday
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 7.8.9.3.
Racing Numbers: 5.6.2.1.
Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.3.
Lotto Numbers: 4.12.23.24.35.41.
Lotto Numbers: 2.15.26.30.11.19.
Lotto Numbers: 1.18.21.12.25.45.
Some travel plans in the air and more interest in your love life should make this a happy year ahead. Try not to act too impulsively as you could misjudge someone. Some good luck around your financial prospects or earning power. However, don’t overlook what’s under your nose before heading into the unknown. Success can come through the impression you create on others. Your personal popularity increases and financial prospects are brighter. Some problems concerning a past relationship could re-emerge around the middle of the year, be very tactful for the best results. Support can come from influential people. April is a good time to ask for favours. A pressing problem finds a solution. Be flexible around travel plans, some may have to defer a trip. Love relationships look good for the singles and babies.
Now that you’re feeling so much better you could all those marvellous things you have been hoping for. This is a good year for you. Financially this year should be very good and increasing your travel and social life will help you even more. Some new ventures that should be successful and new contacts near and far could bring out new talents you did not know you had. With personal affairs, a low-key approach will be the best bet. Very important to keep an eye on expenses and details of all ventures as errors could happen. Planning holidays might be very much in your mind around the middle of the year. Your financial luck should be much better and it might be a good idea to try something different now. Watch out that you do not waste your time with someone unsuitable.
The unattached could form romantic links during this year and some could come close to gaining their wishes or dreams. Don’t rely heavily on your own judgement in career decision making get advice from the experts. Take life as it comes as there won’t be any reason not to enjoy yourself. For many money can be coming in faster than it is going out (surprising as it seems). Romantically it may be a time of wanting to get away from the old and making way for the new. Sudden changes in plans can throw you off balance, make sure you keep any extreme tendencies under control. You could tend to go overboard on physical activities at the expense of your love life. It could be a case of too many parties and too many friends this year so look after your health. Could be wise to refuse at least half of the social activities offered.
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13/17 Evans Ave, North Mackay www.corelife.com.au 76 76 www.corelife.com.au
MINDBODYSOUL
CANCER: (June 22- July 22)
LEO: (July 23- August 22)
VIRGO: (August 23- September 23)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Colour: Lavender Blue
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Monday
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 1.3.5.6.
Racing Numbers: 9.1.2.3.
Racing Numbers: 2.3.2.1.
Lotto Numbers: 1.12.16.36.3.44.
Lotto Numbers: 8.13.20.22.26.31.
Lotto Numbers: 2.13.26.25.40.44.
This is a very lucky year for you everything you touch turns to gold so take care that you are in the running. Charm and diplomacy will help you to get much further than you hoped for in the first place. You must work harder than you planned for this year and your returns will also surprise you. Family relations should be on the improve and a happy mood should prevail. You might talk yourself into more work if you are not careful but if that is what you want go ahead and you will find the coffers filling up more than you expected. If you know what you want go ahead and the results will surprise you. Popularity with the opposite sex will bring some happy times and more invitations. Your future will be very much in your mind this year. Some positive steps towards your goal will be achieved and a surprise gain will help you speed things up.
A good year to trust your intuition in most aspects and in financial dealings it should be spot on. Someone could help you to achieve what you have been hoping for. Try to be honest with each other where love relationships are concerned. Someone may come to you for advice regarding a sexual problem they are experiencing, be gentle make sure you keep it to yourself as gossip could get you into big family problems around June. Try to impress at work. This can help your chances of promotion. Many will be improving their love life, either with a holiday or extra social activities. At work many surprises are indicated, it’s best to stay flexible. If married try to spend more time with your partner. If still single a new relationship may take some time to developed into something really worthwhile. Make sure that nobody takes advantage of your good nature at work.
You should be able to charm your way to anything you want this year. Lots of invitations and more people to meet. Some of your new-found friends could introduce you to something different. Getting away from it all could be a good idea for you this year and start to enjoy life instead of work. Too much work will get you ahead but also make you tired and jeopardise relationships. It is an emotional period in which you could make errors of judgement. The time has come to get rid of some old things and ideas and start a fresh. If you have to do some signing of papers make sure you know what you are doing and get expert advice. If you have had bad experiences with someone, it could be that you will again so do not trust them. This is not a year for second chances with people. People could be nice if you let them and asking for help is a wise thing sometimes.
LIBRA: (September 24- October 23)
SCORPIO: (October 24- November 22)
SAGITTARIUS: (November 23- December 20)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Colour: White
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Lucky Day: Monday
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.5.
Racing Numbers: 9.6.2.1.
Racing Numbers: 1.2.1.4.
Lotto Numbers: 1.15.45.20.32.22.
Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.29.34.36.
Lotto Numbers: 1.14.45.8.6.33.
Influences are around you and some could be trying to take advantage of your generosity. Don’t mix business with pleasure. Routine matters should be dealt with now, but leave important decisions till later in the year. A good year in which some of the things you thought would be impossible will happen. Although career or financial dealings are favourable your loved ones need special attention. Be careful if signing documents. People seem to be expecting more from you and your time will be very much taken by the demands of others. If planning to travel, you must be rather ruthless in your demands to get what you want. You might not be in agreement with loved ones about an important issue. Do not let it get too big to handle. There are more demands on your time and your ability. This is a year for practical considerations when making plans and getting your ideas through.
Financial affairs could be keeping you busier than usual. There are excellent opportunities to expand present activities. Some could become involved in a new and exciting romantic relationship. You seem to be getting an itchy feeling and will cast your eye around for a new job. The grass always looks greener. But just trust your instincts. Make sure you don’t neglect your lusty partner because of this entire job improvement bit. In career matters more opportunities arise, some could be offered a better position in a past job. Your luck should increase especially around a Pisces. A very busy year with plenty of variety, past contacts brings surprises. An opportunity you missed may arise again so take the chance this time. Most will be meeting new people. Don’t assume others are on the same wavelength as yourself; make sure your message is clear.
If you are prepared to accept responsibility and work hard the rewards will more than compensate. A very romantic year, singles could decide to become doubles, some will be coming close to the move they want to make. Demand everything in writing during this year as verbal agreements are not worth anything. Your love life should be much better and someone special could bring a smile to your face. Luck is very much the word during this year it could be in love or money matters or both. Keep away from gossipy people as they could cause problems and watch out for promises made under duress. This could be the year in your life when you meet the one and only provided you are single of course. But keep away from other people’s love affairs as your opinions could vary a lot.
CAPRICORN: (December 21- January 19)
AQUARIUS: (January 20- February 19)
PISCES: (February 20- March 20)
Lucky Colour: Dark Blue
Lucky Colour: Apricot
Lucky Colour: Fawn
Lucky Day: Sunday
Lucky Day: Friday
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 2.6.5.8.
Racing Numbers: 4,7,8,9,
Racing Numbers: 4,7,2,4,
Lotto Numbers: 1.15.26.34.40.22.
Lotto Numbers: 1,16,23,35,45,11,
Lotto Numbers: 1,16,23,36,41,9,
It could be a year in which people are looking for your leadership and guide in their problems. Plenty to do and also attending to those tasks you have been neglecting of late. A quick decision might be necessary regarding career offers especially around March. Lots of good things should be happening during this year. Avoid domineering people or friction will occur, be very tactful but do it your way. A great year to entertain and be social and friends you make could bring more romantic interludes. In career matters, good time to put your ideas forward and state your views. Many will become involved in selfimprovement courses, either mind or looks. Many will be paying a lot of attention to everything you do so make sure you are presenting yourself at your best all year. Quick wits and a ready tongue can get you to new opportunities.
It’s a year to curb that spending spree and think about what your plans are for the future. Professional help in property and financial deals is important for the whole year. This should be a very prosperous year in business affairs. Make sure you read the fine print and consult your legal advisor if in doubt. Improvements in your love life. If planning travel or moves make sure you recheck all appointments and reservations. Some beneficial information from a distance could help you in your business ventures. Loved ones should be a source of much happiness during this year and you will really appreciate what you have. Do not let anyone sway you from your chosen path. Extra care should be taken when travelling. Business and career problems should be easier to cope with and better times are ahead.
The familiar activities may seem boring and some could be looking for some more excitement. Do not work yourself into a temper over minor details. More visitors and means you could have a fuller house all year. Although most will be in the mood for more action, unexpected events could start off a chain reaction you could do without, so it is wiser to plan ahead. Unexpected opportunity for advancement, be ready to take on something new around June. There is a great chance of achieving most of what is in your mind, enjoy it to the fullest. Some could be feeling restless or unsettled, try not to take it out on those near you. Discretion should improve the situation that is occupying your time and your mind. A year ahead in which you should be careful who you talk things over with. www.corelife.com.au 77
Sunset Cocktails and Succulent Seafood at
W
ith stunning marina views and two levels of al fresco dining, Sorrento Restaurant & Bar at Abell Point Marina is the ultimate location to watch the sunset while enjoying great food, wine and cocktails. Live music plays every weekend and the downstairs bistro always has a vibrant atmosphere with a mix of locals and tourists.
Sorrento’s tastes. Try the seafood platter with a bottle of sparkling wine for the ultimate romantic Valentine’s Day feast. If you are bringing the family, you can’t go past our delicious gourmet pizzas or our rich, indulgent pasta sauces with handrolled pasta. CAN WE BOOK LARGE GROUPS FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS?
As the sun sets on another magical Whitsunday afternoon, Sorrento’s is the perfect place to see soft swirls of pink, orange and purple transform into the nights sky.
Yes, for sure! With two levels including an a la carte menu upstairs and more casual bar menu downstairs we can cater up to 150 people. From small intimate parties to large groups, everyone is welcome!
True to its namesake, Sorrento’s, embraces Italian inspired cuisine with delicious fresh seafood at its heart.
CHEF’S TIP
We talk to chef Lukasz Pieczykolan who tells us more about the menu and the dining options available. WHAT’S ON THE MENU? Seafood is our specialty and we pride ourselves in using only the best, fresh seasonal produce to create mouth-watering
If you would like to experience the full menu make sure you book a table on our upstairs deck. The sunset views from this location are amazing and we offer a more extensive menu here. If you enjoy more casual dining I would recommend the downstairs al fresco dining area where you can enjoy freshly-made pizza, pasta and other dishes from our bar menu.
Lukasz Pieczykolan
FROM OUR ALFRESCO VERANDAS
live music | free wifi book us for functions, weddings, parties & conferences enjoy cocktails, pizza & pasta full menu for dinner | lunch available 7 days customer parking available Bookings Essential SHOP 22 SHINGLEY DRIVE, ABELL POINT MARINA, AIRLIE BEACH Q
07 4946 7454
WWW.SORRENTOWHITSUNDAY.COM
NOW OPEN Fresh, Authentic & Delicious Open 7 days: Lunch 11-3 Dinner 5-9
6 Airlie Esplanade, Airlie Beach 4948 1212
An UnPHOgettable Experience!
V
ietnamese cuisine is famous for using fresh, vibrant ingredients creating simple yet beautiful dishes packed full of flavour. At D’Viet House, on the Esplanade in Airlie Beach, the family owned restaurant uses a secret recipe passed down through generations to create a deep, full-flavoured Pho that is quickly becoming known as the best Pho in the region! For those of you that don’t know, Pho is a type of Vietnamese soup made with a bone beef broth, banh pho noodles and thinly sliced beef or chicken, fresh herbs, bean sprouts and other vegetables. It is both delicious and healthy. We meet Chef Paul Lucas and Restaurant Manager Ah Young Choi to find out more about this delicious cuisine. MEET AH YOUNG Ah Young is originally from South Korea and has been living in Airlie Beach for almost four years. She loves welcoming guests to D’Viet House and promises to give them an unPHOgettable experience! What do you love about Vietnamese food?
MEET PAUL
Vietnamese food is very healthy. Most of our meals come with lots of vegetables. If you want to be healthy, come and eat with us!
Chef Paul Lucas is originally from Melbourne and has worked all over Australia before finding a new home in Airlie Beach where he has lived for the past five months.
What would you recommend on the menu? Number one is our authentic Vietnamese Pho. The amazing flavour comes from a secret family recipe from the boss’s heritage. Once you taste it you will be back three times a week!
“I learnt to cook Vietnamese food right here at D’Viet House! The owners taught me their way and they share their passion for their food with all the staff so we are motivated to create an amazing dining experience for every guest,” said Paul.
What’s for dessert?
What’s your favourite item on the menu?
Our specialty dessert is Deep Fried Ice-cream; it’s the bomb! Soft, rich vanilla ice cream inside and coated with a coconut crumble.
The Pho Rare. This rare beef dish cooks the beef in its broth making it tender and juicy. Combined with the fresh crunchy vegetables, secret broth recipe, noodles and a touch of chilli, this meal is incredible filling, very healthy and of course; delicious!
Please come to our D’Viet house, you’re welcome PHOever!
What do you love about the Vietnamese style of cooking? It uses fresh and vibrant ingredients, which speak for themselves. They are the heroes. The cooking techniques are simple and uncomplicated. Tell us about the unique cooking process used to make the Pho: It involves a lot of love! Two days of love are put into making every Pho broth. I believe the time and the loving energy, plus the ingredients from our secret family recipe, are the reason our Pho tastes so incredible. Come and try it for yourself!
whats on
Saturday 26th January
Weekly Events at the Reef Gateway Hotel in Cannonvale
AUSTRALIA DAY PANCAKES AND PLAY IN THE PARK AT THE MACKAY SUGAR BOWL SKATEPARK
POKER AT THE GATEWAY
In partnership with Neighbourhood Watch Northern Beaches the men’s group ‘Shed Happens’ are organising a community event called ‘Pancakes And Play In The Park’, at the Mackay Sugar Bowl Skate Park. The event will be held from 10:00am – 3:00pm and there will be three family oriented team building games for teams of eight participants from 10:30am – 2:30pm. Neighbourhood Watch will be serving pancakes, jam and cream from 11:00am – 1:00pm. This is the first of many appearances by ‘Shed Happens’ in community events in 2019. Their aim is to get the ‘Shed Happens’ brand out into the community and have it recognised as a separate entity from the Men’s Shed Australia. Regular Shed Nights are held at 6 Ungerer St Nth Mackay and give men the opportunity to come together, taking it in turns sharing their stories in a supportive environment. Hearing about each other’s lives; the good, the bad, happy and sad. Each event kicks off at 6:30pm with a men’s sized BBQ and finishes at 8:30pm.
Join the gang every Friday in the Reef Room for a game of Texas Hold'em hosted by APL Whitsundays. AUD350 in cash and prizes to be won every week! New players welcome. Registration from 6pm for a 7pm start. Early bird cutoff 6.45. TRIVIA NIGHT Every Thursday evening, free to play with music rounds, lollies, lots of fun and prizes. So get a team together and come join in the fun! BINGO Come down on a Tuesday night for twilight bingo in the Coral Room from 7pm. There are progressive jackpots, lucky door prizes, lucky numbers, bonuses and raffles. Fun for all ages! POOL COMPETITION The pool competition is back in the public bar every Tuesday night from 7pm. Just $5 entry and the winner takes all! Plus runner up prizes. See Wayne for more details.
Discover the Whitsundays at Mantra Club Croc, Airlie Beach Lagoon style swimming-pool | Sumptuous al fresco dining area | Newly renovated rooms and facilities
Stay 3 nights or more and save up to 15% off*
Leisure, Business, Weddings & Events To book, call 07 4940 2300 or visit mantra.com.au/club-croc *Conditions apply, valid to book and travel before 30/06/19 *some block out dates apply
Friday 22nd January REAL BODY RUNWAY PRESENTED BY THE JUST SAYING PROJECT AT THE MECC Celebrate the beauty of every woman. This body positive event will feature style and stories from fabulous females while shining a light on self acceptance and body love. 'Role models' from the Mackay community will walk the Real Body Runway and share their inner fashionista and what fashion and beauty means to them. Along with the runway, there will be a panel of self love speakers sharing their stories on body image and self esteem. There will be entertainment and empowerment for women from all walks of life. Tickets are $69
Saturday 16th February GILBERT AND SULLIVAN’S PIRATES TO PINAFORE AT THE MECC Promac Productions are proud to announce the national tour of a world first. All 14 Gilbert and Sullivan musicals in one sensationally fast paced, hilarious and beautifully sung production. Hit songs and scene highlights from such wonderful musicals as The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, The Gondoliers, Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe and Patience to name but a few. The songs speak for themselves. You will hear hits such as I am The Pirate King, Take A Pair of Sparkling Eyes, A Policeman’s Lot, He Is an Englishman, Three Little Maids, The Hours Creep on a Pace, and many many more. Pirates To Pinafore is the latest instalment from Promac who have performed many great and critically acclaimed Gilbert & Sullivan productions over a number of years to all parts of Australia.
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www.corelife.com.au 22 www.corelife.com.au