Auspac Media

There’s the potential for explosive Sun-Pluto power struggles on Tuesday and Wednesday (with an authority figure, work colleague or loved one). So calm down, Rams, and try to communicate with extra care and diplomacy, otherwise you could overreact and do or say something you later regret. Friday looks rather fabulous, as the lovely Mars/ Uranus link highlights your adventurous Aries nature. Time to express, explore, experiment and enthuse!

TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)

Are your dreams achievable? Are you being realistic about a project that’s due to be completed? Perhaps you need to be more proactive, get others on board and learn to delegate? If you think creatively, work hard and capitalise on your group connections, then you’ll eventually taste success. Communication is emphasised, so expect plenty of phone calls, texts, tweets and emails. But avoid getting drawn into an argument about work, religion or politics.

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

On Tuesday there’s a terrific trine between Saturn and your patron planet, Mercury. So it’s a great week for mental focus, long-term planning and clever problem-solving, especially at work. But tread carefully with a temperamental friend or family member who wants things done their way – and may not be prepared to compromise. Joint finances could also be a point of contention. On Friday, do something adventurous that makes your heart sing!

CANCER (June 21 – July 22)

When it comes to a relationship issue, are you desperately trying to fix a frustrating situation? Prepare for some resistance from other people (especially your partner or a family member). Quick fixes won’t work. You need to slow down and think things through in a realistic and responsible fashion. However, when it comes to a personal project or a group endeavour, being proactive and adventurous will work in your favour. Strike while the iron is hot!

There’s a challenging connection between Pluto and the Sun, so try to avoid family squabbles, online arguments and run-ins with authority figures. If you are the person in charge, then resist the urge to be bossy and overbearing. Behaving like a demanding Diva will get you nowhere fast!

Strive to be extra patient …which is not one of your natural virtues. For some proactive Cats, Mars and Uranus shake things up and take you in a new direction at work.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Expect an eventful week, as the Sun/Pluto square stirs up trouble. A double dose of diplomacy is required if you want to keep the peace. The focus is on long-term relationships. How to nurture them, keep them … and then let them go if you have outgrown each other. Enjoyable mutual interests are essential to satisfying romantic and platonic relationships. A close friend could also be the final piece of the puzzle as you follow your true destiny.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Venus (your patron planet) is visiting your communication zone, which highlights flirtatious encounters, romantic adventures and long-term friendships. But – courtesy of the Sun/Pluto square – possessiveness and jealousy could rear their ugly heads. So slap on a diplomatic smile and share the love around. As actress/writer (and Libran birthday great) Carrie Fisher observed: “Everything is negotiable. Whether or not the negotiation is easy is another thing.”

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The Sun squares powerful Pluto (your boss planet) and then transits into Scorpio, which boosts your temperamental streak and your control-freak tendencies. You could feel like you’re stuck in a self-sabotaging rut or even going backwards. You’ll find the more stubborn you are, the more challenging the week will be. As comedian (and birthday great) John Cleese reminds us: “You don’t have to be the Dalai Lama to tell people that life’s about change.”

On Tuesday, take the time to listen to what a housemate or relative is really saying, but don’t let finances come between you and a friend. Do you enjoy your job and does it stimulate your mind? Take the time to re-evaluate a professional matter (or a volunteer position) as Mars and Uranus stimulate your work sector. It’s also a great time to be more adventurous physically, as you get active in the great outdoors via biking, hiking, bushwalking or camping.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week Pluto pushes your insecurity buttons, which could activate your protective Capricorn shield. But the more defensive – and resistant to change – you are, the more exhausted you’ll feel. And the more difficult the week will be. Try to get the balance right between maintaining the status quo (with things that are working) and changing the aspects of your life that aren’t functioning well. A close relationship certainly needs to be reviewed and renewed.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

With the Sun (creativity) and Mercury (communication) both transiting through your career zone, it will be easier to sort out workplace problems than at other times, especially if you articulate your thoughts and are prepared to compromise. A stressed friend or colleague is hoping you can provide some astute advice and a helping hand. Friday’s proactive Mars/Uranus link is fabulous for sorting out a work problem or motivating a family matter.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Someone may pressure you to reveal information that was given to you in confidence. Hence your current moral and philosophical conundrum as you ponder: ‘Is honesty always the best policy’?

With the Sun, Mercury and Uranus all activating your travel zone, adventure and faraway places beckon, so start planning your itinerary now. It’s also important to keep up to date with your international contacts. Who knows where they will eventually lead?

Returning from USA to Australia for select dates ‘Hometown’ Australian Tour 2024

RICK PRICE LIVE AT SANCTUS BREWING CO. TOWNSEND (via Maclean) SAT OCT 26TH.

With Special Guest MAK & SHAR.

Doors open 6pm and entertainment starts at 7pm. ‘Hometown’ is the 12th studio album from singer songwriter Rick Price. It is Price’s frst studio album of original material since ‘Tennessee Sky’ released in 2015.

Recorded featuring some of Nashville’s USA fnest musicians, Dennis Crouch on bass, Fred Eltringham on drums, Tom Bukovac on guitar and Jimmy Wallace on organ, the album takes you on a journey of Rick’s childhood to present day life in the USA.

“Hometown” is steeped in country, rhythm and blues, though the everpresent pop infuence of Price’s songwriting still rings through. From soul stirring ballads to smokey deep groves, these songs will leave you uplifted and hitting repeat over and over again.

Rick will be performing tracks from his new album ‘Hometown’ including ‘You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down’ and ‘Let It Go’ along with his classic hits - ‘Heaven Knows’, ‘Not a Day Goes By’, ‘Walk Away Renee’ and ‘River of Love.’

‘I love playing live and connecting with my audience...I’m so excited to be coming to Australia to share some new songs and old favourites with my friends.”

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Saturday 26th Oct @6pm

• Where: Sanctus Brewing Co, Townsend

• Price: $39

• Tickets: Via the QR code

Australian pop superstars, Sheppard, are returning to Australia to celebrate with their fans following the recent ARIA #1 success of their 4th studio album ZORA.

It will be the frst chance for Sheppard’s most dedicated fans to hear the music from their inspirational new album played live.

The band shares, “We knew that fans back here at home have been waiting for us to return from Nashville to tour again. There is no better feeling than being onstage here in Australia and watching our fans turn the show into a massive party”.

The ZORA Australian Tour will include stops in Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Kiama on the NSW South Coast.

Sheppard have asked their friend and multi- platinum dance music artist, Jolyon Petch to open at all their headline shows. The superstar ARIA Award nominated Producer and DJ has had an incredible eleven #1 singles on the ARIA Club Charts which includes his house rework of the iconic Fleetwood Mac single ‘Dreams feat. Reigan’. Licensed All Ages - Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult, parent or guardian.

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Saturday 26th Oct @7pm

• Where: Kingscliff Beach Hotel

• Price: From $66.25

• Tickets: Via the QR code

Join us for an exclusive morning tea and guided tour of the Tweed Regional Gallery. Join us for morning tea and an exclusive tour of the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, a recreation of Olley’s famous home studio. Hear from the Curator, Ingrid Hedgcock, about the renowned Centre and discover its hidden details.

We hope you can come along for a visit to this important regional arts centre, which has a special UQ connection: The Right Honourable

John Douglas Anthony AC PC CH, a UQ alum (Diploma of Agriculture ’84) and his wife, Margot, generously donated the land from their farm to the Gallery 21 years ago.

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Sunday 27th Oct @9:30am

• Where: Tweed Regional Gallery

• Price: $54.26

• Tickets: Via the QR code

Floodlights are back on the road in October for the ‘Can You Feel It’ Australian Tour.

After selling out all of their headline shows so far this year, the band will embark on a tour of Australia’s east coast before heading back to Europe in November.

This includes their biggest venues to date in Melbourne (Northcote Theatre) and Sydney (Crowbar).

Floodlights’ live performance is raw and intimate, intertwined with powerful outbursts and marching rhythms. Evocative lyricism lies at the heart of their songwriting and is enhanced by their unique sound. They explore themes of personal turbulence, national identity and the Australian landscape as a form of escapism.

Floodlights write honestly and poetically in the hope that it resonates with others. Gaining global attention with 2019’s sold-out EP ‘Backyard’ and 2020’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘From a View’, Floodlights went on to play sold-out shows and festivals across Australia. Amongst this they supported Pavement (USA) and black midi (UK).

Their debut international trip soon followed for SXSW in Austin, Texas. In April 2023,

Floodlights released their second studio album ‘Painting of My Time’, showcasing a natural progression and evolution as a band and individuals - It is a culmination of all that they experience inside and out of the group. Finalist for the Australian Music Prize, the record obtained national recognition. Floodlights played to countless devoted crowds while touring Australia, Europe and the UK for the better half of 2023. Back on home soil, they fnished off the year with a truly triumphant performance at Meredith Music Festival.

Floodlights went on to perform at Laneway Festival, as well as Panama Festival to begin 2024 before sinking their teeth into further writing and recording.

The tour will be celebrating the turning of a page - a new way, a new road. Can You Feel It?

EVENT DETAILS:

• When: Friday 25th Oct @7:30pm

• Where: Bangalow Bowlo

• Tickets: Via the QR code

Nestled in the outback of New South Wales, Lightning Ridge is a town like no other.

Known as the opal capital of the world, this unique destination is famous for its stunning black opals, quirky characters, and rich history. But there’s more to Lightning Ridge than just opals. It’s a place that offers visitors an unforgettable blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re a gemstone enthusiast or a curious traveller, Lightning Ridge is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

The Opal Capital of the World Lightning Ridge owes much of its fame to the discovery of black opals, a gemstone so rare and vibrant that it has become the pride of the region. Black opals are known for their striking, iridescent colours that shift and change with the light, making them some of the most coveted gemstones in the world. For those interested in the fascinating world of opals, a visit to the town’s many opal mines and museums is a must.

The Australian Opal Centre is a treasure trove of knowledge, where visitors can learn about the history and geology of opal mining. You can also try your luck fossicking for your own opals at one of the many public noodling areas.

Guided tours of the opal felds offer a behind-thescenes look at the mining process, where you can meet local miners and hear their stories of striking it rich—or not.

Exploring the Outback

While opals are the main attraction, Lightning Ridge’s rugged outback landscape is equally compelling. The town is surrounded by striking desert scenery, where endless red plains stretch beneath the vast blue sky. For nature lovers and adventure seekers, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

One of the best ways to experience the outback is by taking a dip in the famous Lightning Ridge Bore Baths. These natural hot springs are a soothing 40-50°C year-round, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration. The bore baths are said to have healing properties, and sitting in the warm waters under a star-flled outback sky is a truly magical experience.

For those who prefer to stay dry, a scenic drive around the town’s self-guided Car Door Tours is a quirky way to explore Lightning Ridge. The tours, marked by painted car doors along the roadside, take you to some of the area’s most interesting sites, including old mines, art installations, and even eccentric homes carved into the ground.

A Town of Characters Lightning Ridge is as much about its people as it is about its opals. The town is known for its eclectic mix of residents—miners, artists, and free spirits—who have been drawn to this remote part of the world by the allure of opals and the freedom of the outback lifestyle. Their stories and personalities have helped shape the Ridge’s unique culture.

One of the most famous local attractions is Amigo’s Castle, a quirky stone structure built by a local miner named Vittorio Stefanato (known as “Amigo”).

Without any formal architectural training, Amigo spent decades building his castle by hand, a testament to the creativity and eccentricity that defnes Lightning Ridge.

Then there’s the John Murray Art Gallery, showcasing the work of local artist John Murray. His vibrant, humorous paintings capture the essence of outback life and the spirit of the people who call it home. A visit to the gallery offers a different perspective on the Ridge, one that highlights the humour and resilience of this tough yet welcoming community.

Final Thoughts Lightning Ridge is more than just a mining town—it’s a place where history, culture, and nature converge in the heart of the Australian outback. Whether you’re fossicking for opals, soaking in the bore baths, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Lightning Ridge promises a travel experience unlike any other. Its unique blend of natural beauty, quirky charm, and fascinating history make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a true outback adventure.

So, if you’re planning your next trip, why not venture off the beaten path and discover the magic and mystery of Lightning Ridge? It’s a journey you won’t forget.