Issue 9 - AUGUST 2015
Photo Š Jade Hopley
KELLY FIELDING // Kelly is a passionate writer and we raw/vegan chef who combines her love of writing
CONTRIBUTORS +++
with her forays into health and wellness. Kelly has traveled and worked extensively across the world in health resorts, detox centers, raw to live simply, mindfully and sustainably.
Jade Hopley is the Co-
Her work is regularly published on several online
founder of Holistic Living and
journals as well as her own website ‘Bella and
HL Emagazine. She studied
Bhakti’ which offers information about plant-
BA Visual Arts at Southern
based living, vibrant nourishing recipes as well as
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photographer. Jade has a passion for promoting
JAMES O’MALLEY //
passions and dreams. A gypsy heart and lover of
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locals doing great things in the arts, environmental
James O’Malley is our resident
nature, Kelly finds inspiration in the world around
and humanitarian fields. She absolutley loves the
grapho , developing the layout
her and translates her visions into whimsical stories
Gold Coast surf lifestyle and wants to share it with
since it’s inception. He is a third
and edible creations.
the world. When she isn’t running around taking
year Graphic Design student
bellaandbhakti.com
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Cross University and is an emerging artist and
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food restaurants and wellness retreats, sharing ways JADE HOPLEY //
inspiration to encourage others to share their own
photos or writing articles for us, she hangs out with
from Wagga Wagga in rural NSW. With a passion
info@bellaandbhakti.com
local people living with disabilities. You can check
for all things print design and branding. Juggling
facebook.com/bellaandbhakti
out her work at
university study, competive kart racing, and ever
instagram.com/bellaandbhakti
instagram.com/moana_creative
growing portfolio of design clients. He prides
facebook.com/jadehopleyphotography
himself on being a rare breed of university student,
facebook.com/MoanaCreativeArts
one that is actually busy. Watch this space for details on how to view some of his work, but until then feel free to swing an email his way at james@ohmalleycreative.co
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KATE CHIFFEY-GRAY // Kate is a free thinking closet hippie with a passion for defining the meaning of life. She moved to the Gold BENJAMIN STRAND //
Transformers Holistic Health with her partner
Artist, Environmentalist
Cameron. Kate is enthusiastic about life, she finds
currently studying Ecology and
each moment whether labelled good or bad a
Conservation Biology at Griffith
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Coast from Melbourne in 2012 and started Body
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School of Environment. Father,
blessing. When she is not mentoring and training
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Husband, Son, Brother, Human Being.
Yoga, studying Eastern Philosophy, playing with
Greg Howell is an ethically
baoks333@gmail.com
her 3 crazy pooches or writing musings for various
minded compassionate
facebook.com/benji.strand
magazines and online journals! You can connect
autocrat who stepped on the
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GREG HOWELL //
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people in her studio she is practising Ashtanga
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facebook.com/BodyTransformersPTGoldcoast
even though this path is rocky & full of pitfalls is
instagram.com/katechiffeygray
committed to the end. Thank the cosmos he is also
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greening events with Climate Wave Enterprises and
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bodytransformers.com.au
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sustainability path towards
with Kate through.
a passionate environmental activist with Surfrider Foundation & surfer which keeps him tuned. climatewave.com greg@climatewave.com facebook.com/ClimateWaveEnterprises facebook.com/EcoChallengeGoldCoast
CONTRIBUTORS +++
twitter.com/climatewave
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for us to continue to enjoy the beaches as we do and to
Gold Coast for so many reasons, but our 24 degree
preserve them for future generations, we all need to do
winter days are definitely one of the reasons why our
what we can to keep our beaches, waterways, oceans and
beautiful city continues to grow. I was lucky enough to
coastlines beautiful.
have my parents up here for three weeks, staying at one
In this issue, our resident Enviro writer Ben Strand,
of our favourite beaches Fingal Head and my Dad was
continues with his series informing us what little changes
spending each morning and afternoon diving in the
we can make in our day to day lives to do just that, help
waves and body surfing. Mum would watch from the
preserve our beautiful planet for those that come after us.
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bank (still a little TOO chilly for Mummsy to get in), and
Deborah Brown from Bangarra Dance Theatre stopped in
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would be entertained by the Humpbacks playing and
for a chat about their new work Lore and the connection
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breaching behind the break. Needless to say, on the
with land and sea. Jadeo catches up with local killer
day before they left Dad turned to Mum and said “I think
surfer Freya Prumm, Kelly our lovely foodie gives us some
we should move to the Coast darl.” (They have lived in
tasty recipes for nourish bowls and Kate informs us about
Wagga Wagga – inland NSW for the last 30 years.)
the importance of boredom.
One thing that struck me while they were up was on
We hope you enjoy this ocean inspired issue, dedicated
their daily walks. Locals know that Fingal is well known
to Mummsy and Daddsy and their dedication to the
for pods of dolphins and they were visited by them on
environment.
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Winter? What winter? We are so blessed here on the
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EDITORS LETTER +++
their walks each day, but as well as enjoying the beaches, Dad would spend his walk picking up rubbish. See, my Dad has a deep love for the ocean and he knows that
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Love Josephine x
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Jade hopley
cool jams
bangarra dance theatre
closing the loop
The rubbish state
jake & Andy
shooty & Tom
NOURISH BOWLS
freya plum
importance of boredom
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ART ART
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photographer/researcher/interviewer/writer‌the list goes on in regards to the jobs she takes on for HL. Did you know though, Jadeo is ALSO an artist! Yes, as well as balancing all the bits and
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Words Josephine Flynn, Pictures care of Jade Hopley //
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Jade Hopley art Our very own Jadeo‌Co-Founder/
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pieces here at HL HQ, she creates art; beautiful art! Jadeo is about to embark on a new adventure, sailing the seven seas as a photographer, so it seems fitting that we really showcase the talent and beauty that is our very own Jadeo.
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H O L I S T I C L I
Credit Jade Hopley
V I N G
Where do you draw your inspiration from? It really depends on what I am
three artists that I admire alot and draw alot of inspiration from. You do a lot
working on and what medium I am working with. When I paint it is usually quite
of mixed media, but are also known for your photography and paintings.
abstract and that’s really raw emotion speaking. Also in paint and print making
Do you have a favourite medium you like to work with? I can’t say I love
alot of my inspiration came from the natural environment, mostly the surf. But also more recently with my mixed media works, it has come from
any one medium more than the other.
The camaraderie that I have with fellow artists when working in the print studio at uni, having people to be inspired by and bounce off when you have a block is the best.
subcultures and social issues as well.
I just love the creative process and they all equally make me extremely happy and that’s the most important thing. You’re about to head overseas
Also since starting Uni I have learned that looking at other artists work can be
as a photographer. What an opportunity!! How are you feeling about
extremely inspiring. Who are your favourite artists? Wow that’s a crazy hard
the looming change? I’m excited to see more of the world and continue to
question to answer. Potts, Anthony Lister, Narani Henson and Chris Bennie are
grow as both an artist and a human. I think getting out of your comfort zone, 7
travelling and challenging yourself, although scary, is the best way to become inspired and to grow. I’ve had a few struggles with mental health issues recently and I believe it’s because I was not listening to my heart and following my passion. Photography, travel and art are my passion, it is my happiness and I cannot wait to immerse myself in it fulltime. You are constantly researching and finding new and unique artists. Do you have a favourite to date that you have interviewed for HL? Definitely POTTS! I have G
admired his work for many years and getting to spend
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some quality time with him, and visit his studio was an
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artist I have interviewed for HL. I have had ALOT of pinch
Credit Jade Hopley
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been able to make contact and work with every single
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unreal experience. But honestly I feel honoured to have
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me moments that’s for sure! Describe your ultimate
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studio space. It would definitely have views of the ocean, so I could drop everything and surf when it’s good. Just kidding. Honestly I love the idea of co working spaces. For many years I struggled to paint with other people around me, but now I really enjoy it. The camaraderie that I have with fellow artists when working in the print studio at uni, having people to be inspired by and bounce off when you have a block is the best. My current studio barely gets used because it is in a dark and damp garage; it’s not a very inspiring space at all, so I would definitely go for something light and airy something similar to Celeste Credit Jade Hopley
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Twiklers space would be beautiful. What is your most
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Credit Jade Hopley
Credit Jade Hopley
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frustrating aspect of being an artist?
Losing my mojo,
especially when you have deadlines. Forcing the creative process when you’re feeling uninspired or just can’t make your mind up about where you want the piece to go, is hard and I have handed in unresolved work at uni and felt really down about it in the past. It’s definitely something I need to work on. We’ve had so many “pinch me” moments over the last few years with HL. Do you have a moment you can recall that you just thought “This cannot be happening?” So many! But I think in the forefront was being front and centre in the G
photographers pit at Byron Bluesfest for artists I have admired
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all my life; Jimmy Cliff, Franti, Diesel and George Clinton
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seven seas for the next 6 months, I plan to come home and
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hold my first solo photography exhibition of photos from my travels. Where can our readers, friends and family keep up
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What does the future hold for Jadeo? Other than sailing the
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to name just a few. Wow! That whole week still feels surreal.
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with the adventures of Jadeo? Instagram @moana_creative facebook.com/MoanaCreativeArts Facebook.com/jadeonaturallightphotography ____
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BUSINESS
cool - jams Words
Josephine
combat night sweats and hot flushes
looking for natural alternatives to
especially if they have an Oestrogen
pharmaceutical medicines here at
positive cancer. So, I went on a little
HL, so when we heard about Cool-
search, as I also suffered from night
Jams and the relief they are providing
sweats, due to Menopause.
oncology patients as well as women
My initial desire, as an Oncology
going
and
Nurse in bringing the sleepwear range
people suffering with anxiety and
to Australia, was to provide much
depression, we knew we had to
needed relief to Cancer patients
investigate further.
Local oncology
who are unable to take HRT and
nurse Mary-Lou is giving relief to
are constantly searching for natural
Australia and New-Zealand from right
relief from the night sweats. I guess
here on the Gold Coast. Read on and
working in Oncology also helped me
find out more about this inspirational
make the decision not to go on HRT
business. How long has Cool Jams
as I knew the risk factors associated
been going for? The Parent company
with doing this. So I myself needed
and concept has been running in
to look for natural ways to combat the
the USA for 6 years now, and is in
many and varied symptoms of dealing
its infancy in Australia. What was
with menopause.
the reason you decided to bring
My search took me to the U.S.A
Cool Jams to Australia? I love this
and Canada, where I found the
question‌ As an Oncology Nurse,
most
it troubled me to think our Breast
Pajamas made from moisture wicking
Cancer Ladies did not have many
material, and made specifically for
menopause,
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options as far as taking HRT to help
through
Flynn,
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Pictures
Care of Mary-Lou // We are always
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world
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amazing,
renowned
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the appeals aligning with Cool-Jams was the CEO and Founder herself is a Philanthropist. I could tell reading her story that she had such a warm and open heart and even when I approached her to ask about owning the rights in Australia, she was very giving of her time to a very enthusiastic unknown chick down under. Working in Oncology, my heart is with Oncology patients. I would dearly love to give to every area of cancer research, but my heart lies with lesser known/less publicised areas like the Cherish Foundation for Gynaecological research. This will be our first charity giving. So how does the product work? I think the formula is locked in a vault‌ Our Cool-jams fabric was developed initially by Garmatex for the Canadian armed forces. The military had requested G
development of a fabric that would look and feel like cotton but had other
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this on a National level. How has the
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wanted to test the Pajamas myself,
response been? It has actually blown
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before introducing this product to
me away. Between our testimonials
the Australian market.
and the fact 90% of our customers
I remained a tad skeptical, but open
are repeat customers, this is speaking
at the same time.
The first night I
volumes. When you read a testimonial
tried them, I knew I had to let Australia
that lets you know your product has
know about this product. I also gave a
made a profound difference to their
pair to one of my patients who suffers
lives because they are sleeping so
from night sweats and she absolutely
much better, I know I am living the
loved them. The rest is history as I am
dream. The corporation itself gives
now the proud exclusive distributor in
quite a lot of money to charities
Australia and New Zealand.
including Breast Cancer Research.
I really do love making a difference in
How important is this aspect of the
my field of work, but now I get to do
company to your values? One of
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anyone suffering night sweats.
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characteristics to include wicking ability, temperature regulation, quick drying
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ability, anti-microbial
diabetes, anxiety and depression suffer
and wearability.
as well. I have even had a customer
The technology is a three step process:
with Lupus (an auto immune disorder)
1- as the body perspires, moisture is
Where can we find the products? We
transferred through the material from
are primarily selling our products online
the skin to the outer layer of clothing,
at www.cool-jams.com.au What’s next
a process called moisture absorption
for Cool-Jams? Not only are the P.J’s
or wicking; 2- the moisture spreads
great for those with night sweats, but
over
(moisture
quite a few people have bought them
transport or disbursement); 3- the
for travelling as well because they are
disbursement process allows the outer
wrinkle-resistant,
air to evaporate the moisture (moisture
bact out technology, and feel softer
drying or evaporation).
than cotton, plus dry super quick. The
As moisture is pulled away from the body
travel area is definitely another area we
it carries with it the body’s built up heat,
know our P.J’s will benefit. My husband
helping to regulate body temperature.
took the shorts on a surfing trip, stuck
This is an invaluable process as it also
on a boat for days and he was the only
minimizes excessive temperature drops
one that didn’t have smelly P.J’s at the
in the body during the cool down period
end For those wanting to get involved,
which can occur following sweating.
how can we find out more? Just send
When we hang our product out to dry,
an enquiry on the website… We are
it literally takes 10-15 minutes. Who
definitely looking for joint ventures and
would you recommend the pyjamas
affiliates to join cool-jams… would love
to? Anyone suffering night sweats…
to hear from you.
surface
area
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or cancer sufferers, but people with
the
longevity
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and
effectiveness, anti-pilling, washability
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odour-resistant-with
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This is such a wide audience, as not only the obvious customers with menopause
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CULTURE
BANGARRA DANCE THEATRE Interview with Deborah Brown, Words Josephine Flynn, Pictures care of Bangarra Dance Theatre and QPAC // Bangarra Dance Theatre. A company synonymous with beautiful use of symbolism, story-telling, soundscapes, creative sets, innovative choreography and incredible dancers.
The new production Lore tells two very
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contrasting stories about life for the Aboriginal and Torres
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of I.B.I.S agreed to have a chat with us about life in
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the company, choreography, indigenous culture and Australian performing arts culture on the world stage. You
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born Deborah Brown, dancer and co-choreographer
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and sea.
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have an incredible list of titles to your name in not just dancing, but also acting, directing and choreography. This, however, is your choreographic debut for Bangarra Dance. How has the process been for you on the “other side?” Daunting! The major difference with placing the choreographic hat on is that I have felt more vulnerable as a storyteller. There are so many people placing their trust in you, that you’ll take them on a beautiful journey. Not just audience members but also the team of dancers and creative collaborators. I was lucky to share the experience with Waangenga. I didn’t feel like I was diving alone.
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Credit Jeff Tan
Your work in the current production of lore is I.B.I.S (co-choreographed with Waangenga Blanco) and tells of life in The Torres Strait Islands. Can you tell us how the work came to be and a little more about it? Originally the idea was pitched to both Waangenga and I over pinball and pizza from our Artistic Director Stephen Page. He was inspired by one of the more remote IBIS stores on Mer Island when we took our Elma Kris’s work Emeret Lu back to country. It can appear to be a typical food store but it really does become central to the community and can store what’s not so typical to others. For example, if there’s to be big feasting set up by one of the local family, that family may need the IBIS to help store extra food when there’s no space at home. We also touch on the theme of climate change. When Waangenga and I visited Mer Island last year we could see a change in sea life from 2008. The community have spoken of rising sea levels and
It is a strong, beautiful way to bridge a gap and open up an audience to a history that I think many are still afraid to understand.
Credit Jacob Nash
are slowly moving from their homes along the shore higher up the hill. There is such a strong sense of pride, identity and sustainability for where they live, a connection to land and
sea, that some will stay with the island until it’s gone rather than flee. How does your work compliment the other work Sheoak (by acclaimed choreographer Frances Rings)? You’ll see two very contrasting pieces but both with a strong message of hope to our future connection with land and sea. I.B.I.S shares a day in the life of Torres Strait Islanders circulating around an island’s local store. It celebrates the community’s connection with its environment. There is a lot of laughter in IBIS. Sheoak takes us into a more deep and dark place exploring that despite the challenges of a modern world changing our environment that there’s still hope for us to reawaken ourselves and reconnect Credit Edward Mulvihill
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are more stories to be told and
Both pieces believe in the optimism
hopefully the opportunity again to
and resilience of our indigenous
choreograph for Bangarra will come
culture. You started dancing from an
up! There’s so much I would love
early age. Was it always something
to explore in terms of Indigenous
you knew you wanted to do for a
and
living? I had always loved dancing.
all about finding which doors will
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dancing
open! How long has Bangarra been
growing up however, I had no
around? Bangarra has been around
expectations of building a career as
for 26 years now – it started way
a dancer. I didn’t believe I had the
back
facility to be a professional dancer
Stephen Page has been with the
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company since 1991, which is quite
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carved a somewhat successful career
incredible and we just keep going
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out of it! When I initially auditioned for
from strength to strength. What
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Bangarra it was more out of curiosity
does Bangarra mean? It’s a Wiradjuri
- I didn’t think I would be offered a
word and it means ‘to make fire’. How
position. However, once I was in
important do you feel it is to
the room learning the repertoire, I
continue
knew I really wanted to be a part this
traditions in contemporary arts?
iconic company. I love storytelling
I believe it’s highly important. It is
and what a great way to do so by
a strong, beautiful way to bridge a
fusing ancient and modern dance
gap and open up an audience to a
together! What’s next after Lore for
history that I think many are still afraid
you as a choreographer? I really
to understand. I think sometimes
have an interest in dance film which
preaching about “Black History” can
I would love to explore further. There
fall on deaf ears but through the
particularly
loved
tap
non-Indigenous
in
1989.
dance.
Artistic
It’s
Director
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with the environment around us.
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to
include
Indigenous
medium of dance it opens up the heart as well as the mind. Once the heart has been touched an openness to learn and connect becomes easier. The company has travelled extensively overseas. How does the International scene react to your productions compared to the Australian scene? Beautifully. In fact sometimes it can feel that there is a greater thirst and desire to understand Australian Indigenous culture from an audience overseas. The reactions are always positive and the conversations after a H
show are of great compassion and desire to learn as much
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as possible. Not to say Australian audiences lack the desire
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however, in our own backyard I find that the broader
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media waters down Indigenous culture whereas, despite
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what little knowledge of our culture is overseas they’re
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prepared to eat up as much knowledge as they can during
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our whirlwind visits. For all of our budding dancers and
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choreographers out there, how does one get involved in the dance company? There are many avenues that one can take. Whether it be through studying at a tertiary institution, or just being adventurous and exploring your own craft anyway you can, the path you take will always require perseverance, heart and trust. It’s finding the perfect balance of confidence and self-criticism - that’s challenging even after a decade professionally! ____ Credit Jacob Nash
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ENVIRONMENT
household organic waste and what
means you are a living organism, most likely human. Every
we can do to close the loop and live
living thing on this planet requires a few characteristics
holistically, sustainably and towards
to be classed as an organism, you are born, you require
healthy balance.
energy through input and digestion, you excrete that
We place most of our organic waste
energy and you die, hopefully starting a new cycle for
in landfill which produces a toxic
other living things and keeping that “loop” closed. What
liquid called “leachate”, a mixture of
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do I mean by a closed loop? Well it’s simple, you would
organic acids, battery acids, dissolved
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have heard of the water cycle in school or the circle of
chemicals and polluted water runoff.
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life by a stoic animated father Mufasa (I know, I still get
Leachate is a huge problem for ground
teary thinking about his demise). Just like the allegory of
water and contaminating aquifer, so…
the worm being eaten by the bird, the bird then feeds its
Why does organic, bio-degradable
young, the bird dies and is then food for the worm, a very
waste end up being a part of the
condensed example of a closed loop, just natural events
problem when there are easy solutions
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Words Benjamin Strand // If you are reading this that
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CLOSING THE LOOP
that anyone can do? These solutions
Approximately half of all household waste is organic and all of it can be recycled through worm composting.
are not difficult to implement and live by once you get used to it. So what am I talking about, Worms. Everyone
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perfectly in harmony and balance. Current western society
has heard of compost, the process
has managed to create linear systems, open loops, to
of breaking down organic matter
the detriment of our natural world and in effect, us. This
in a compost pile, and the results
article will focus on how we can more effectively treat our
produce some of the best fertilizer
you will find. However, worms do it
than the zucchini frittata you had for
better. Understandably not everyone
lunch? Well worms can do it, and
has a garden or enough space to
with surprising results. As the worms
accommodate a compost pile, but
decompose organic material in a
everyone has space for a worm farm.
worm farm, they change the chemical
Approximately half of all household
makeup of the waste. Secretions
waste is organic and all of it can be
in the worm’s intestinal tract add
recycled through worm composting.
concentrated nutrients as the soil
Worm farming produces a rich, dark,
passes through. Earthworm castings
earthy soil called Vermicompost, a treat
contain 5 to 11 times more nitrogen,
for your garden, herbs or indoor plants.
phosphorous,
You can have the worm farm indoors
normal soil, nutrients that all plants
or outdoors and some of the models
need to thrive and grow. Worms
available at your local hardware/
also work in conjunction with smaller
gardening store are affordable and not
friends, the cooperation between the
very big, making for year round supply
worms and microbes produce humic
of compost and closing the loop, but
acid and plant growth hormones.
these cosmetic benefits are only the tip
The humic acid binds to minerals
of the wriggly iceberg. These guys are
and nutrients in the soil. It protects
scientifically awesome!
the minerals from being degraded
using bacteria that thrive in high temperatures. These high temperatures
Worms are masters of their art and
by UV rays or washed out of the soil
kill off some of the microbes but with vermicompost, waste is broken down
have been for a very long time, we
through watering. The acid “holds”
aerobically at moderate temperatures, as opposed to high temperature
owe much of our fertile soil and
them in the soil in a form which can
anaerobic environments in landfills. This allows a much wider spectrum of
natural beauty to these natural waste
be easily absorbed by the plants.
microorganisms to develop in the final product. It is these microbes that can
disposal geniuses. Who else can say
Vermicompost may have up to a 1000
convert nutrients in the soil to a form that is more readily absorbed by plants.
that they improve the nutrient content
times higher microbial population
Vermicompost was also found to help increase a plant’s resistance to disease.
of the food they eat as it passes
than normal compost. Traditional
The theory is that all the microbes present compete for the nutrients in the
through them? Is your poop healthier
compost piles break down materials
soil and make it harder for the harmful microbes to survive. By having a
and
potassium
as
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won’t take much time out of your day
harmful microbes have a harder time surviving. Wineries
because, well, worms are fairly low
use vermicompost to help prevent loss of grape vines to
maintenance, the most time you will
disease, you can thank worms for that nice merlot after
spend is setting it up and cleaning out
dinner. Researchers continue to observe remarkable
a tray every few months. You can also
results and in some cases, it has even been found to repel
be kind and share the benefits with
pesky mites, a natural form of pest control… but this is an
family, friends and neighbours.
area still being investigated. These wriggly powerhouses
Being holistically minded does not
are amazing, the humble worm truly can be a useful tool
have to entail a radical upheaval in
to help you live more sustainably, cutting out organic
your lifestyle, a more effective route
waste in landfills, re-introducing healthy microbes into
would be to tweak small aspects of
soils, and closing the loop in your home.
your everyday life to align closer with
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With this information in mind, doesn’t it make sense to
holistic principles. We are indeed
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recycle your organic house waste through worm farming?
interconnected
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Think about it, your offcuts from making dinner can
and
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be placed in your worm farm, you then use the worm
sustainability will create a healthier
castings and the nutrient rich liquid that comes off the
home for all of us and every other
vermicompost, also known as “Worm Tea”, to fertilize a
living thing we share our spaceship
small herb garden you might have on a window sill and
Earth with, a large number of small
then use the herbs in your next dinner. Right there is an
acts add up, so what are you waiting
effective closed loop, and this can be applied from small
for?...
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diverse population of microbes in the soil, diseases and
to large scale. If you have success with a worm farm at home, why not mention it to friends, co-workers or family members, even suggest the practice to your local café? This process is completely environmentally safe, produces an all-natural fertilizer for lawns, vegie gardens and indoor house plants and you can even save a few extra dollars. It
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on
unknown. The
levels
known
evolution
of
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Little by little, becomes a lot.
O L I S T I
Change a community by educating a family...
C L I V I N G
Run by volunteers, so all funds raised go direct to educating children who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. How would you like to give someone the helping hand that will change their life forever?
littlepaths.org.au
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ENVIRONMENT
QUEENSLAND 'THE RUBBISH STATE' Words and Pictures Greg Howell // When was the last time you went for a surf and didn’t see any rubbish?...the
5.25 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in the world’ s oceans and killing hundreds of thousands of marine animals every year.
1970’s! Queensland is the most littered state in Australia with plastic bottles and plastic packaging representing the bulk of that litter. The rising tide of plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans is causing increasing worldwide concern. The CSIRO
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has recently completed a survey which found that “three
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quarters of the rubbish along Australia’s coast is plastic”.
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human food chain. 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic are floating
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in the world’s oceans and killing hundreds of thousands of marine animals every year.
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breaks up into small particles and enters the marine and
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Plastic debris is dangerous to the environment because it
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A Cash for Containers scheme that applies refundable deposits on all beverage containers is the proven approach to reducing beverage container litter with schemes operating in over 40 jurisdictions around the world. Quality lobbying saw the now Queensland government taking a container deposit scheme to the election, which they won and so are now keen to deliver. State Environment Minister Steven Miles is seeking support from the community to bring the legislation to parliament & have it all in place by 2017. The Minister wants to hear from you and has set up his own survey at http://www.
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stevenmiles.com/cashforcans
so
please Have Your Say.
Greg Hunt is about to review our national marine debris plan - a
The Total Environment Centre formed
plan that doesn’t currently include
the
made
packaging as a high priority threat to
organisations,
Australia’s marine life. So head over
and held a Summit to discuss the
here and sign the petition at http://
latest developments and solutions.
www.boomerangalliance.org.au/
Boomerang
risso_petition
up
Boomerang of
Alliance,
supporting
Alliance
presented
If you’d like to show your support or
scheme
offer assistance for the upcoming
in
Queensland
which
will benefit the economy and the
event
environment.
Foundation’s Greg Howell on 0414
contact
Surfrider
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please
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a model for a container deposit
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www.facebook.com/surfridergct
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939 942 or check out -
contacting
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Here on the Gold Coast we will be movement,
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for them to show their support for
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environment
not
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the
organisations,
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just
all
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such a scheme and an eventual ban on plastic bags also. Gecko & Surfrider Foundation are working together towards an event on the 5th of September at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club, Broadbeach sponsored by Barefoot Wines which we’d love to see you all there. After reading this I know you want to do something right now so here you go… Federal Environment Minister
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MUSIC
jake & andy
day both our Dads boast enviable record collections, with everything Van Morrison, CCR, The Doors, The
Local duo and mates Jake and Andy are not our usual
Stones and Led Zepplin… to the less
feature artists, but we had to showcase them because
so, like Sublime, Angus and Julia, The
what they do, they do well! Well known in the pub music
White Stripes and The Black Keys.
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scene, they’re now more often seen comfortably nestled
So it makes sense that Andy’s guitar fills
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in at private functions. We caught up with the guys to
are typically blues driven, while similarly,
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find out how they juggle Fatherhood, full time jobs, gigs
Jake’s vocal approach has powerful but
and of course where the bro-mance began. Explain your
smooth and smoky huskiness.
style of music. We started in cafés, bars & pubs but now
We are honest fans of a huge range
almost exclusively play private functions. So although our
of musical genres, and thoroughly
style is definitely all our own, we have to be pretty adaptable.
enjoy playing laidback, cruisy sets
The root of our sound is probably buried in rhythm n blues.
suited to Sunday arvos, as well as
Music was a huge part of both of our up-bringings. To this
using a bit more force and sweating
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Words Josephine Flynn // Pictures care of Jake and Andy
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from the expected inclusions like
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CULTURE
through a grittier, blues-rock ho-down. We generally don’t have to ever play
It’s obvious when you watch you two play together that
a song that we don’t personally like. We try to ‘respectfully’ cover these songs
you are also great mates, did you meet through music
we love and they generally come out of the speakers sounding like, love
or was the friendship first? We met by chance, on a boat,
every song we play and always try and make it sound like… well, Jake & Andy. How long have you both been playing music? Together (and counting a few years on the couch), for just over 10 years. Neither of us are musically ‘trained’, but
surfing through Indonesia.
We try to ‘respectfully’ cover these songs we love and they generally come out of the speakers sounding like, love every song we play and always try and make it sound like… well, Jake & Andy.
we’ve put in a bunch of time playing together
Andy was 19 and Jake was 17. We met on a boat and spent the next 12 days ‘trapped’ with each other. Luckily we got on
been best mates. We always had this common love for
half as good without the other.
music – liking the same bands and artists – but we also
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other’s style strengths, and to be honest, neither of us would probably sound
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pretty well, and it’s almost since then and there that we’ve
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and our skillset seems to have developed accordingly. We complement each
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travelled Europe and worked together for a couple of
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years. We’ve lived together a couple of times. We enjoyed
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each other’s company, and spent so much time together,
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that it was probably inevitable that we’d play an Open
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Mic night somewhere and decide that we had musical chemistry too. And that’s what happened. True story. You are both working full time jobs as well as family men. How do you find them time to fit everything in? In short, we have understanding wives. It’s funny but true. When this goes to print both our wives would have just had babies (we should now have 2 kids each!). We both have full-time ‘day jobs’ and our weekends are largely taken up gigging. We’re lucky because we get to do it with each other, so it doesn’t really feel too much like work (though sometimes we can go several weeks without a ‘nothing to do day’, and that can be tough). Like any 25
get to play ‘our’ creations, we get to play ‘our’ versions
old real quick if you don’t truly love
of our favorite songs, and we get to do it close to home
it. We love what we do, and we get
and for functions that are (generally) the happiest day
to do it while hanging with your best
of someone’s life. Any plans on releasing an album?
mate. You play all over SE QLD and
Recording an album? Definitely! Releasing it? Who knows?
Nth NSW. Any plans for an Australia
We’ve been talking about it for years. We’ve got a bunch
wide tour? Ahhh the dream… back in
of tracks that would probably need a good freshen up, if
the day we were called Pretty Penny,
they were to be marketed publicly. It probably interests us
but we gave up on the ‘original
more to record what we have, exactly as it is right now, just
music’ thing a while back. I guess we
as a sort of sonic time capsule. If they sound like there’s
could organise an east coast pubs
potential, perhaps it could be taken further. But more than
tour and surf our brains out during
likely, it’d just be something nice to have. To look back
the day! But our young families might
on & spin for our kids, when they think we’re old and
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not appreciate that too much. We’ve
uncool. What is your favourite gig to date? Gigs we’ve
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found a really nice niche within the
played or that we’ve been to? Sheesh, both are tough
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Weddings & Corporate Functions
questions. But the easier to answer is definitely, gigs we’ve
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industries, and though we don’t
played. It’s certainly not the best we’ve played (I’d like to
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‘job’ you undertake, it’s going to get
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rock with lyrics we could really ‘feel’. We also listened to
properly, we played a long weekend
heap of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Silverchair, Chilli Peppers,
Saturday at North Straddie Pub. The
Soundgarden... and as we got a little more mature in
place was packed with about 200
the ‘feels’ department, we fell in love with a more folky
people. It was the mid-Summer, the
sound, and the story tellers, like Bob Dylan, early Jack
surf had pumped all day, we had
Johnson, Nick Cave, Augie March & Missy Higgins. But
barely enough songs up our sleeves
to answer your question, there’s 2 albums that we’d both
to get through a 3 hour set, everyone
put in our Top 3 of All Time; The Chili Peppers’ Blood
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go past the Sublime albums. Rock, reggae, sca &, punk-
when we’d only just started gigging
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album as youngsters? As youngsters we probably can’t
these days), but about 5 years ago,
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think we’ve got a much better sound
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doing the rounds too. All local guys doing good things
in Bali over a decade before and
for music. Where can our readers follow you? We’re on
could never have imagined we’d be
the wide wide world of web at www.jakeandandy.com.au
back there playing a gig together.
Or you can follow us on the other things too -
At a wedding no less! Playing over-
www.instagram.com/jake_and_andy
looking the same body of water
www.facebook.com/JakeAndAndy
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really like Agent 66 and Fat Albert as ‘cover bands’ that are
what a gig to be offered! We met
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of great solo acts performing locally at the moment. We
people, a great party, and seriously
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out? Mattie Barker, Ben Amor and Matt Buggy are a couple
Bali that was simply amazing. Good
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We’ve also played at a wedding in
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musicians/bands do you recommend our readers check
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Sugar Sex Magic & Sublime’s self-titled. What other local
those all-time weekends and gigs.
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was frothing… it was just one of
where we met (gosh we bromance, don’t we)! That was a special gig for
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us for sure. What was your favourite 27
MUSIC
SHOOTy & TOM Words Jade Hopley, Pictures see photos for credit // These guys met whilst studying at the Queensland conservatorium of music so you know they both possess an incredible amount of musical talent. They connect via a mutual love for folk music and their connection to the natural surroundings of the Gold Coast and Hinterlands. Tom and Shooty will transport you on a journey through G
their beautiful lyrics and soulful, melodic folk tunes. Jadeo recently caught up
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with the pair and had a chat about everything from their childhood heroes to,
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freedom. How long have you both been playing music? We have played
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music since we were wee little boys. We both have music in our blood and grew up with music all around
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We play raw, lush, organic folk tunes that carry happy vibes and thoughts of
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what the boys have planned for the rest of 2015. Explain your style of music?
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us. You guys met whilst studying at
Queensland
conservatorium,
what was it that inspired the two of you to collaborate? We both had similar interests and enjoyed the
We are inspired by nature and living with freedom. We are blessed to live in a location with beautiful beaches to the east and pristine rainforest to the west. Trying to divert from modern consumeristic culture and lifestyle.
same musical styles. Then one day we journeyed out to Springbrook, sat on the edge of a waterfall and started to jam. Everything just fell into place, we wrote and recorded our single Meraki during this one day. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=67eRxVS2Zok&feature=youtu.be) I discovered your sweet sweet sounds at Surfers Paradise Festival, and was blown away by your musical talent, but also your song writing skills. I was Credit Jake Dodd
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transported into your world and it was wonderful. What inspires your lyrics?
We are inspired by nature and living with freedom. We are blessed to live in a location with beautiful beaches to the east and pristine rainforest to the west. Trying to divert from modern consumeristic culture and lifestyle. Soaking in the sunshine bathing in the sea, making the most of what Mother Nature has to offer. You released your first EP in 2014 called Meraki (available on itunes or pick up a cd at one of the lads live shows), any plans for another release anytime soon? Shoota has recently released a Credit Gerald Valilio
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Credit Gerald Valilio
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single ‘Heartstrings’ and we are releasing another single
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in a couple of months. You recently played at Broadbeach Country music
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festival, how was it? It was an interesting experience not playing to our usual
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crowd. It was nice to play alongside our friends ‘Fox and Fiasco’ who played
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an awesome set. What was your favorite album as a youngster? Shoota:
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Gorrilaz. Tom: John Butler ‘Sunrise over Sea’ What other local musicians/ bands do you recommend our readers check out? Aquila Young, Tommy Sheehan, Jackson James Smith, Scott Dalton, Creature Kind. Where can I readers follow you? Facebook (facebook.com/tomdoddmusic or facebook.com/shootymusic) Instagram (@tomdoddmusic or @shooots) Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/shooty-tomdodd) Web (http://tomdoddmusic.tumblr.com)
Credit Gerald Valilio
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NUTRITION
Words and Pictures Kelly Fielding //
help was called in to try and pull
My journey to healthy eating wasn’t
me back to a normal life again.
without challenge and obstacles.
Somewhere along the timeline of my
As a child and teenager I had a very
healing journey I discovered yoga. I
unique relationship to food. I didn’t
still remember walking out of my first
like junk food as a child, I refused
class and the sense of intoxicating
the food offers at children’s birthday
peace that had nestled into the
parties and my lunch boxes contained
nooks and crannies of my physical body. I was banned from gyms and
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homemade sandwiches and muesli
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bars- food that I recognized as wholesome and nourishing, even
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primarily
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NOURISH BOWLS
fruit
and
vegetables,
H
from a young age. My parents thought I was a dream child; demolishing broccoli at dinner and refusing ice
As a child and teenager I had a very unique relationship to food. I didn’ t like junk food as a child, I refused the food offers at children’ s birthday parties and my lunch boxes contained primarily fruit and vegetables
cream for dessert. Yet when I hit my
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early twenties, my relationship to food
intense exercise at this point, yet
went from careful and conscious to
yoga was given the tick of approval
destructive and debilitating.
and it became my saving grace. It
For several years I suffered from
taught me how to see my body as a
anorexia and bulimia. My already
home for my inner spirit. It taught me
slight figure became nothing more
how to breathe and find stillness and
than skin and bone and professional
calmness in the hectic maze of my
chaotic mind. It taught me how to find balance both on and off the mat and my life began to swerve gracefully back on track again. Turning vegetarian when I was 15 I already enjoyed what I came to read about as a yogic diet or satvic diet. I read all I could about ayuvedic principals, about nourishing the body with wholefoods, about eating for grounding and strength as well as lightness and clarity. Combining my passion for yoga and my original and innate love of healthy food, I began working in a vegetarian café, learning about food as medicine as I nursed my own body back to health. H
The concepts of beauty and devotion have always ignited my yoga practice and
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have consciously been carried into my daily life. When I create and serve food to
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Rainbow Nourish Bowl //
Place the leafy greens into the bottom
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the spirit and soul. I like to encourage people to eat mindfully and joyously, with
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others I strive to offer food that nourishes the physical body while also speaks to
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deep gratitude for the food on their plate, the company that surrounds them
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of two bowls. 1 cup of cooked millet
Then simply arrange the millet and
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One of my favorite things to create is what I call Nourish Bowls. Nourish Bowls
1 large carrot grated
vegetables
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are a combination of clean proteins, healthy fats and vibrant vitamins and
1 medium beetroot grated
different sections.
minerals that offers the body all it needs to thrive and glow from the inside out.
2 roma tomatoes chopped
Add the avocado and top with hemp
Nourish bowls have an infinite number of variations and can be easy adapted to
2 cups of mixed leafy greens
seeds.
suit seasonal produce and personal taste. They can grace a breakfast, lunch or
½ a ripe avocado
Scatter the millet with black sesame
dinner table and their colorful nature means they are usually enjoyed by those
1 teaspoon of hemp seeds
seeds for contrast.
familiar with healthy cuisine or those new to the world of things such as quinoa,
1 teaspoon of black sesame seeds
Add the sauerkraut in the center.
the
bowl
in
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Feel free to top with tahini, olive oil,
to eating and are a wonderful way to introduce people to the concept of eating
Optional
for health as well as pleasure.
Olive oil
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chia seeds or kale. They fit perfectly in line with my ‘food as medicine’ approach
around
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and the life they choose to live.
lemon or your favorite herbs.
Lemon juice Tahini Fresh herbs 31
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Prepare the chia pudding by adding the milk to the seeds
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Sunrise Nourish Bowl //
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clumps. Add the sweetener and vanilla and mix to
1 teaspoon of coconut nectar
combine.
A small pinch of vanilla powder
While the chia absorbs, slice up your fresh fruit and
Fresh fruit sliced - I used banana, kiwi
prepare your muesli by mixing all the ingredients together
fruit and blueberries
in equal portions- I used around 1 tablespoon of each
Homemade or bought muesli -
ingredient. You can also use your favorite store purchased
I mixed dedicated coconut, flaked
variety.
almonds, flax seeds, dates, raisons,
When the chia is ready, simply arrange the chia pudding,
pumpkin seeds
muesli and sliced fruit in your bowl. You can drizzle with
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absorb, mixing frequently so it sets evenly and without
1 cup of coconut milk or almond milk
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and whisking well. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes to 3 tablespoons of chia seeds
more coconut nectar or add a dollop of coconut yogurt if you desire. ____
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SURF
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Credit Matt Burgess
freya plumm Words by Jade Hopley // Originally hailing from the far south coast of NSW, Freya Prumm now calls Coolangatta home. Well when she isn’t galavanting around the globe chasing waves and competing in WQS events. Freya’s goal is to join the world tour, and with the dedication and talent she has, it’s safe to say we will be seeing her up against Steph and the likes before we know it! Seriously! The girls throws airs as high as Craig Anderson and gets barrelled as deep as Kelly! She has got it! So you can imagine how excited we were to have a chat about her latest adventures in Mexico with her lady slider counterparts!
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Credit Fran Miller
H O L I S T I C
Cabos, we suggested she change all of her plans and
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Mexico and the States. What was the reason for the
join us. So she did. It was a pleasure to travel with these
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trip? Firstly, I was competing in a QS 6000 competition
inspiring ladies. During our trip we were already discussing
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in Los Cabos, on the Baja coast which coincided-ish with
the destination for our reunion! How long have you been
my 5 weeks break from Uni. What better way is there than
surfing? I tried to start when I was pretty young – about
to spend your Uni break gallivanting through Mexico
age 5, I hated it and was totally scared of the water. At
with your pals? Who did you go with? Frances Miller –
about age 8 I got more comfortable in the warm waters
cofounder of GSN, Annabelle “Chips” Smith – former
of Coolangatta, where we were holidaying. My parents
national running champion, Anna Segal – former world
pushed me into 1foot Green Mount,. We hear you’re a bit
champion, Olympian, slope style skier (and hell woman
of a Burrito fiend. How do the genuine mexican burritos
– you should see the size of the jumps she goes off), and
compare the 241 tuesday Burrito’s at Aztec here, in
the grom Tayla Hanak – South Aus big wave charger and
Cooly? Yes, you hear correctly, Burritos are my passion.
only 18 years old! Tayla was travelling on her own in Los
Mexico is actually more about soft shell Tacos, essentially
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You just got back from an epic 7 week trip through
a mini burrito. To be honest, I’m more of a Sombrero gal, however when my
compete in 3-4 weeks time in the States for the Super Girl
mother comes to visit, she shouts me Aztec’s! Generally, the main difference
Pro, let alone surf the rest of the trip. But my luck changed
in burrito is you get more cheese, guacamole, and sour cream in Australia and
when Fran and I were cruising in Puerto Escondido and
the USA. In Mex, is more about the rice, cabbage, bean and salsa combinations
we ran into Fran’s friends, and one of them, Claire, just
with some carne. I kept a tally on my eats: 53 tacos, 13 burritos & 8 quesadillas,
happened to be a physio. She helped me so much, bless
in 52 days. My goal is to eat more next trip ha ha. We also hear you sustained
her soul! Then I just rehabbed it the best I could and
an injury on the trip, how did you manage that? Yes I sprained my ankle,
strapped it so I could surf super fun Puerto in the final
probably a week into the mainland Mex portion of the trip. I managed it poorly
days of my Mex trip. What was it like having to sit on the
-mainly because I had no idea of what I’d done or the extent of damage. Fran,
beach taking photos while your friends got to surf all
Anna and Chips had similar injuries in the past so they gave me some advice
day? I tried to stay active, I chose to be in the water with
but I was still freaking out because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to
my friends to try and capture the vibe with the Go Pro. I am not that confident in the ocean without a board so it was good for me. But yeah it was pretty hard watching super playful right handers roll by, and also the maching barrels of Puerto Escondido. But I was quite relaxed about the whole thing, I think that the universe gives you what you need, and I really needed to rest. What’s it like traveling with a bunch of like minded surfer girls? I would say for 98% of the time it’s the best thing ever! I normally travel to events solo so it was a new thing for me, to have friends, ha ha. When things go wrong, it’s easier to keep on laughing when you’re surrounded by patient individuals. Travelling will bring out the best and the worst in people, it really is a good way to get to know someone more thoroughly. I was really grateful to share the adventures with such talented and warm souled females who are now some of my best friends. You mentioned that you didnt
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Credit Fran Miller
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too pleased. A memorable night was when a hurricane was hitting Cabo and
adventures did you get up to, whilst
the power went out. Fran and I got our guitars out and we jammed for hours
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waiting for a new swell to hit? Yes
playing mainly old school Grinspoon. Not quite known for our expansive
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some political turmoil in Oaxaca
repertoire, yet we made up a song that kind of became the theme of our trip.
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meant we couldn’t drive down south
You just have to make your own fun no matter the situation. We sat in the car
where we intended to surf which
for 4 hours in a 2km long queue of cars that didn’t move for 3 days, the grom
meant we missed some good swell.
and I giggled the whole time! Tell us how you got into surfing and what your
We had some odd things happened
aspirations are for the future? I got into surfing through my parents, they are
to us, booked a hotel that didn’t exist,
both solid surfers. I remember being at our home break, Merimbula Bar, and I
the political manifestations forcing
paddled myself into a peeling left that went for ages and I totally claimed it! It
road closure, about 3 times! I actually
was the double fist pump to stylish dismount. I couldn’t even turn or anything.
experienced two Earth quakes! I
It was that feeling of going down the line that I am forever chasing. I really want
also got us bogged and punctured
to be successful on the WQS so I can join the World Championship Tour. I am
a tyre. Oops. We had such fun four
currently re-thinking my approach because I have not seen results. Change is
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wheel driving and exploring the coast! However, the hire car company wasn’t
of waves, So what shenanigans/
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really score big on the trip in terms
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Credit Kim Eulenstein
definitely coming on. Also, I want to challenge myself in bigger surf, mainly just get big barrels. I feel the most satisfied in surfing when I take off on a wave that scares me and just pull in. I should note that I am easily scared. I also want to finish my Pharmacy degree, play music more seriously and go on hell surf trips. Any advice for any young grommies out there reading this, that are thinking of going pro some day? I don’t feel like I am the best person to take advice from, but here it goes anyway. Look after your body, you only get one. It’s the vehicle that will allow your goals to be fulfilled if you nourish it properly so stick to wholefoods! This also includes your mind; resolve your past traumas, talk G
about your problems, learn to manage stress -you need to be free and frothing
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to have the confidence and belief that you can do it.
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• Don’t go cheap on yourself – you are worth the investment.
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• Try to set some process goals that will ultimately lead you to your ultimate
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goal if you commit to the process. • Get a team of health professionals and coaches who you trust will support
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you 100% of the way.
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• Learn about how your body works and about nutrition. • One of the best ways to improve is by watching footage of your self. Challenge your self, go out even if you are scared. • Going over the falls is better than not going at all. Go out even if its crappy. • Remember that some people never get to see the ocean in their lives so don’t carry on like a spoiled so and so when someone accidently gets in your way, you are actually the lucky one. • Don’t try and catch every single wave, let a few go here and there. Appreciate all that your parents do for you. ____
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WELL-BEING
The other day I sent out an email with list of instructions
The obsessive addiction to social
to my clients. The instructions were very straight forward
media in all its forms and endless
all they had to do is follow each step. Although these
online information is creating a
instructions were simple they were long winded requiring a
whirlwind that pulls people into a
certain level of patience to work through them. Accidently,
hypnotic
I had forgotten to create a link on the document so they
connection and disconnection. Have
could just click on it and would get sent straight to the
you ever been on your iPhone or
page they needed. An interesting thing happened; half
any smart phone scrolling endlessly
of my clients found a way to make the link work by copying
through your Facebook or Instagram
and pasting the URL into their browser. The other half
feed and there is nothing there that
emailed me asking for me to send them the URL because
interests you BUT you can‘t stop? It
they couldn’t click on it and didn’t want to type it in the
encapsulates us!
browser letter by letter. What really interested me and got
younger generation that get pulled
me thinking about the reality of a Zombie Apocalypse was
into a trance most humans do. But
the half that figured out they could copy and paste were
the difference between us in our late
all 30 years old and up. The other half wanting the URL
twenties onwards is we grew up in an
were 21 years old and under.
era relatively free from the constant
Why was it that all of the under 21’s didn’t attempt to
bombardment of online information
solve the problem? It got me thinking about the way our
and social media.
younger generations are being shaped by the obsessive
I still remember being in High
Words Kate Chiffey-Gray. // I have a confession to make.
culture of social media.
School and the first Commodore 64
I’m slightly obsessed with the show “The Walking Dead”.
be constantly dialled in and stimulated mentally. They
computer was released!
I even have a whole strategy of survival if we encounter
are being sucked into a vortex of instantly gratifying
we grew up in a time where we
a real Zombie Apocalypse! HAHA! I can definitely tell
information, which, from a recent study in the USA, the
had to use our imaginations to
you I am 100% sure the best place to shack up would be
average teenager spends 7.5 hours looking at! This desire
cure boredom, entertain ourselves,
Bunnings as they have an endless supply of zombie killing
to be constantly connected is forming a modern day
exercise patience to get things we
weapons!
Zombie Apocalypse in our younger generations.
wanted like see our friends, or even
trance
of
simultaneous
H O L I
It isn’t only the
S T I L I V I N G
They are being conditioned to
C
the importance of boredom
Because
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games 70 times a day. The mind is being constantly
us to think outside the box, practice patience problem
distracted and stimulated.
solve and exercise individual creativity. This makes us less
It is not uncommon for 10 and 11 year olds to have phones,
vulnerable to becoming a zombie slave to the endless
Instagram and Facebook accounts. They are growing up in
stream of online information.
a World where they are constantly entranced by the world
In this mass technology era the most important skill that
of online information leading them to not be able to
is being lost in our younger generation is that of learning
develop the ability to be ok with discomfort or boredom.
how to be “bored”. They have no idea how to do nothing,
We need to re-install in our younger generation that it’s ok
to just sit and admire their surroundings without snapping
to just be and not to not need or do anything.
a selfie of themselves and uploading it to Instagram and
With these constant distractions of our ipads, iphones
L
Facebook. There are a lot of negative connotations to the
and computers infiltrating nearly every moment of
C I
word “bored”, I am not using it in a negative way. I simply
existence we are losing the gift that is found within
S T
mean to just be, without the need for distraction, or to
stillness, nothingness, boredom or discomfort. This gift is
I
document the current moment with a Facebook post or
discovering our own human strength, courage, creativity
an Instagram photo.
and discipline. Without these gifts we simply become
Because the younger generation has grown up with always
slaves to the technology and social media channels we are
having something in front of them entertaining them, they
intoxicated by and only ever reach half our full potential as
have no idea how to mentally dis-connect. Technology,
human beings.
the internet and social media has enriched our lives in
So let’s say no to the Zombie Apocalypse by putting down
many ways that is for certain. The constant stream of
our smart devices and being present, being bored and
information isn’t all bad of course but the fact that it is
being uncomfortable.
H
O
L
I
V
I
N
G
learn new information, we still developed skills that allow
a constant stream is an issue. On average an Australian teenager checks their phone to see Facebook or play
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H O
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L I S T I C
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