Hello Sunshine Spring 2023 | HS12

THE TEAM

Editor’s Note

Ifeel the energy this spring is electric and we are all ready to switch it up a notch and hit play on party mode. With another full calendar of events and celebrations there is sure to be a social gathering that will tickle your fancy this season.

Spring racing carnivals and polo events invite you to frock up in your finery; street fairs and markets lure you in with their eclectic wares and vendors; venues open their doors for us to indulge in the best of our regions produce and people; artists bloom and studio spaces open to intriguing eyes; outdoor spaces become art galleries and the Maroochydore CBD lights up with spring time happiness and newness.

Spring brings with it a sense of potential and promise and in this issue we promise to fill your hearts and minds with the best of the savvy, surprising and spirited Sunshine Coast.

I hope this season is your reason to celebrate the beautiful place we call home.

Enjoy!

Carlie Wacker Editor

FIND US

Keep in touch with our e-newsletter: www.hellosunshinemag.com.au

SUMMER 2023/24 DEADLINES

Bookings close: 1 November 2023

Art Deadline: 13 November 2023

hello@hellosunshinemag.com.au

www.hellosunshinemag.com.au

DEB CARUSO PUBLISHER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Deb has more than 30 years’ experience providing strategic communications and brand reputation advice to clients in the government, business and not-for-profit sectors. She started IN Publishing to connect the community through storytelling and is passionate about working with local businesses and hanging out with her boys John and Maximus.

PAUL BIRD PUBLISHER

Paul is the Publisher and co-Director of IN Publishing He has enjoyed a successful career spanning almost 40 years working in media and corporate communications industries and more recently in the profit-forpurpose charity and business sector as an Independent Director and Corporate Advisor.

JOHN CARUSO WRITER/PODCASTER/MC

After 30 years in radio, John now runs the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast and in between being our writer, delivery driver and event MC; he spends time with his first love, recording a daily Drive program for regional radio while also raising his son Maximus.

CARLIE WACKER EDITOR

Carlie has spent the last 30 years in the media and entertainment industry. She is our Editor + Fashion Editor for Hello Sunshine Magazine and Fashion Editor IN Noosa Magazine and keeps busy managing our social media pages, churning out stories and as an event MC. She also owns menswear label Wacker Clothing Company and is dog-obsessed.

ALI SMITH DESIGN + OPERATIONS MANAGER

Ali is our go-to girl when it comes to design, deadlines and digital. An experienced graphic designer with nearly 20 years’ experience in advertising, magazines and publishing, she brings creativity and efficiency to the team.

JAKKI GOODALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

With 30 years’ experience in Marketing, Advertising, Sales and Promotions and an MBA, Jakki loves to develop local businesses which can be seen through her position on the Executive of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce as well as other local networks.

GEORGIA BEARD WRITER + CONTENT CREATOR

Georgia is a feature writer and storyteller exploring the triumphs and concerns of everyday people. With a Bachelor of Creative Writing and Publishing and a Minor in Journalism under her belt, she’s passionate about giving a voice to local communities. When she’s not out in the real world, she’s lost in a novel or writing one of her own.

JODIE CAMERON MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR

Jodie is a city-turned-countryturned-coastal chick. With a degree in Journalism & PR and a passion for pulling together events with flair. Her 15+ years’ experience is diverse (including launching a macadamia nut farm)! In her spare time, she’s beachside with her two tiny treasures and furry love Staffy x Red Cattle dog, Rudi.

MILLIE ROBSON DESIGN INTERN

Millie is in the homestretch of a Bachelor of Design degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is a lover of travel, having spent her youth across the UK, USA, and Australia. She has happily been calling the Sunshine Coast home now for almost a decade. Naturally creative, Millie is passionate about Graphic Design and also finds joy in sewing, cooking, and at the beach.

CONTRIBUTORS

MATT GOLINSKI FOOD

Matt is a highly-regarded chef with a passion for simple, producedriven cuisine based on seasonal, fresh local ingredients. He is an ambassador for the Slow Food movement, a champion of artisan producers and a generous mentor to keen young chefs. When he’s not cooking up stories for IN Publishing you’ll find him at food festivals or giving back to the many charities he supports.

JENNIFER SWAINE WRITER

A born storyteller and connector of people, Jennifer works with a number of SMEs looking after their branding, marketing strategy, communications, PR and events. As Chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards, Vice President of the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance and a Non-Executive Director of Visit Sunshine Coast, Jennifer proactively engages with local businesses.

REBECCA JAMIESON DWYER WRITER

Rebecca is a freelance writer, editor and communications consultant with a passion for connecting people and brands through storytelling. When she’s not writing or reading, you might find her moseying around the Sunshine Coast’s cute hinterland towns, stomping along a forest track, or hanging out at the beach with her husband, two small kids and rambunctious sheepdog.

BEC MARSHALL WRITER

Bec was a television and newspaper journalist for 18 years before she swapped newsrooms for boardrooms handling media relations, communications and marketing, brand and reputation, event management, content strategy and community engagement, with the odd emergency incident thrown in. Give Bec a laptop, a (strong black) coffee and someone to talk to and a great story will be unearthed.

NIKKI FOGDEN-MOORE LEADERSHIP

Proud local and lover of the outdoors Nikki is a highly regarded leadership expert, author, and speaker dedicated to empowering individuals to reach their peak performance and achieve optimal wellbeing. With over two decades of experience in both the business and health & fitness industries, Nikki has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor to high-profile executives, entrepreneurs and athletes who seek to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional resilience. Through her books, coaching programs and podcast, Nikki assists others in finding balance, vitality, and success in all aspects of life.

JACKIE HILLEGERS MINDFULNESS

Jackie holds Mindfulness Workshops, teaches Mindful Photography and is a Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapist & Holistic Counsellor. Her passion is working with children and teens to help them reduce stress and anxiety and increase self-love. She loves to create art and learn about the mind and brain from her studio.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

MEGAN GILL

www.megangillportrait.com

LAUREN BIGGS

www.laurenbiggsphotography.com.au

MORE THAN A MAGAZINE

We would like to acknowledge and pay respects to the traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara people, whose country we create on and we would like to extend our respect to their elders, both past, present and emerging.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/PUBLISHER: Deb Caruso, 0428 853 224 deb@inpublishing.com.au

PUBLISHER: Paul Bird

ADVERTISING: advertising@inpublishing.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS, EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS & DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: hello@inpublishing.com.au

5/2 Junction Drive, Coolum Beach PO Box 542, Noosa Heads Q 4567 www.hellosunshinemag.com.au

DISTRIBUTION: 20,000 printed copies available throughout the Sunshine Coast: Peregian to Caloundra and the hinterland, in locally-designed and handcrafted magazine stands. Hello Sunshine Magazine is also supplied to local businesses and visitors through its tailored distribution process, including placement in key resorts.

Hello Sunshine Magazine is a free publication (subscriptions available) published four times per year by IN Publishing, a business of IN Noosa Magazine Pty Ltd (The Publisher). All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reprinted without the express permission of The Publisher. IN Noosa Magazine Pty Ltd ATF Hello Sunshine Magazine, their related companies and officers hereby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of The Publisher, or any persons actions in reliance thereon.

Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement by The Publisher. Views expressed by contributions are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher.

Come inside some of the Sunshine Coast’s most interesting and stunning homes when Sunshine Coast Open House returns.

58

Catch all the action from our “Seafood Seduction” at Sole Restaurant.

ON THE COVER “Blossoming Eucalyptus”

by Amanda Brooks @amandajbrooksartist @AmandaBrooksArtist www.artbybrooks.com.au

Read her story on page 10.

Download the Everyone Has a Story podcast on all the best podcast platforms. More than 130 interviews with fresh content regularly!

Including: Ryhia Dank, Tony Kelly, Harri Jones, Matt Golinski and more!

74 SPIRITED

Meet the inspiring business leader on a mission to empower her Indigenous community.

78

SAVVY

SURPRISING 96

Prepare to be amazed and delighted when Sculpture on the Edge returns.

Giddy up for Spring glamour with our Racing-Carnival inspired fashion shoot.

OCHRE SUN

Event: Ochre Sun’s Fifth Anniversasry

Venue: Ochre Sun, Forest Glen

Ochre Sun Founder Alana Kennedy celebrated the fifth anniversary of her for-purpose skincare company with a traditional smoking ceremony before sharing her journey over the past five years and her plans for social impact venture “Watharra”.

Find out more on page 74.

SHOWDOWN SHOWCASE

Event: Sunny Coast Showdown

Showcase

Venue: The Met, Maroochydore

The Sunny Coast Showdown Showcase shared and aired three short films, a music video, two documentaries, and a reality-style program celebrating the creativity, talent, and spirit of our vibrant and emerging film industry right here on the Sunshine Coast.

PHOTOS: JAKKI GOODALL

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

L ÁNAI LAUNCH

IN Noosa Mag Winter Launch

Venue: Lánai Noosa

It was a full house to celebrate the bumper 180-page IN Noosa Magazine at The Ohana Group’s stunning new restaurant, Lánai Noosa on the Noosa River.

Guests enjoyed stunning canapés and fine wines while hearing about the latest events in town - what a way to spend a Sunday evening!

ON THE HORIZON

Event: Horizon Festival Program launch

Venue: Light Industries (Feral Arts), Kunda Park

It was lights, colour and action to launch the big, bright and bold Program for ten days and nights of Horizon Festival 2023.

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

PHOTOS: JAKKI GOODALL

Impressions LASTING Impressions

Georgia Beard discovers how our cover artist’s abstract and impressionist landscapes speak to human perspectives in all their diversity.

Tucked deep within the lush bushland of Doonan, Amanda Brooks captures the fleeting forms of the natural world from her shed-turned-sanctuary.

Vines creep through the gaps between the walls and roof, reflecting her overgrown canvases below. Pots of oils and acrylics crowd the workbenches, bouquets of brushes perch next to half-finished landscapes, and no surface is without a splatter of paint.

Much preferring to express herself rather than exhibit, she has all the makings of a reclusive artist. But her command of texture and colour tells me she isn’t withdrawn from the world but earnestly immersed in it.

Born in South Africa to a family of artists, musicians and dance choreographers, Amanda grew up with creativity eager to escape from her fingertips.

“Even as a toddler, I would be running around with crayons and pencils,” she said. “Then at school I was very involved in art, taking any opportunity to do school murals or make-up design for school concerts.

“Sometimes my dad and I would choose someone to paint a portrait of, and we would each do our own interpretation of them.”

Holding the arts in high esteem, Amanda’s parents encouraged her to

pursue a career in creativity. But her degree in graphic design ended abruptly when economic downturns drove her family to the Sunshine Coast in the 90s.

While studying floristry for her job in a gift boutique on Hastings Street, she absorbed the coastal surrounds and released them into watercolour landscapes of Laguna Bay.

Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa (now Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort) soon purchased her work as gifts for guests, giving her the confidence she needed to invest in art as a career path.

“I started with water-based paints with transparent layers and then I adapted that style to acrylic, which is textured and thick,” she said.

Switching to vast canvases, she developed a translucent balance between watercolour and acrylic, building upon layer after layer in abstract strokes.

“You develop a style and refine it over time, but sometimes you need to pull it

... sometimes you need to pull it back and go back to where you started, because there’s a looseness and a freedom in that...

Noosa Boardwalk Summertime -

back and go back to where you started, because there’s a looseness and a freedom in that without overworking it,” she said.

“I usually work on four or five paintings at one time because I have to wait for layers of paint to dry.

“It keeps me productive but also keeps it interesting when I get to bounce between different artworks.

“Even though I’m working every day and it can be quite labour-intensive, it’s also therapeutic. It’s an escape that removes you from every-day hardships, and it must reflect my feelings.”

When she stands before a canvas, her process is one of intuition and improvisation. All she needs is eyecatching reference or an evocative range of colours before she transforms broad strokes into detailed impressionist scenes.

From intricate florals and fruits to native birds perched on branches to

sprawling countryside landscapes, each painting is imbued with depth and movement we sense more than we see.

Our cover art, Blossoming Eucalyptus, is a joyful explosion of colour – teal upon gold upon magenta upon sage, visualising the human encounter with a eucalyptus in bloom rather than the natural process itself.

This is the experience at heart of Amanda’s artistic practice: the fluid relationship we share with our environment, one we never interpret the same way twice.

“I’m a bit of a chameleon with my art,” she said. “I like the diversity of creating lots of different things to keep it interesting and cater to people’s wants and needs rather than just a niche market.”

In Amanda’s industry, to commission a painting is to take a leap of faith. She urges her clients to trust her vision for the final piece rather than restrict her

creativity – a release that often excites her buyers.

“Most of the artworks people purchase for a sentimental reason,” she explains.

“I don’t want people to buy the artwork to match the couch – I want them to buy the artwork because they want that as an heirloom piece to keep forever or to pass on.”

Aside from personal commissions, Amanda has collaborated with global fashion and homewares companies to develop prints.

After exhibiting in festivals such as Noosa Open Studios, she’s looking ahead to Affordable Art Fair and the potential to privately open her studio.

No matter which eyes pass over Amanda’s artwork, each of us will find ourselves in the same play of pattern, colour and light just as she does – a connection she innately understands and one she will capture for years to come.

www.artbybrooks.com.au

PHOTOS: GEORGIA BEARD

Amanda Brooks in her studio

Blossoming Eucalyptus

Tropical Tapestry

CYCLEBreakers

Georgia Beard discovers how SunnyKids empowers communities to raise the safety net for victims of domestic violence, setting them on a path beyond the cycle of abuse.

SunnyKids is a cycle-breaker.

When economic instability and housing shortages threaten to force victims back into domestic violence, SunnyKids’s support systems knock out the hurdles to provide immediate rescue.

Emergency accommodation, food and financial relief, counselling, healthcare services – this is the complex safety net catching children and families as they escape violent situations. To hold this net out, it takes the hands of an entire community.

As much as health, education and child protection agencies spearhead early inventions, this community is founded on the efforts of passionate volunteers and donors.

According to the 2021/22 SunnyKids Annual Report, the organisation provided 7326 nights of accommodation in the last two years, delivering support for a total of 2042 victims at an increase of 22%.

This continual growth is an incredible achievement but also comes with the harsh reality that the demand for SunnyKids support is growing with up to 5,000 vulnerable and at-risk children every year. The work is far from over.

Launched at the SunnyKids Mayoral Ball in 2022, Save a Life Tonight is an initiative that fast-tracks the organisation’s response to offer immediate access to a night’s accommodation and essential needs for those escaping dangerous situations.

“Across all programs, we are dealing with some of the worst examples of human behaviour and trauma that is unmatched in most areas of our society,” said SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope.

“The Save a Life Tonight campaign is designed to break the cycle of harm and violence at one of the earliest possible moments,” she said. “The first step is recognising that what they are experiencing is not okay; then sending a clear message to children that they have a safe and protective parent who will take action to prevent harm; and finally, providing an opportunity for targeted support to improve the relationship dynamics and rewrite the script for their family.”

As a result of funds raised at last year’s Mayoral Ball, SunnyKids was able to provide lifesaving accommodation to 166 individuals within families through the S.A.L.T. program.

In general, these funds supported a total of 2500 individuals – 1500 of which were children – with 8000 nights of

accommodation in the last 12 months.

Encouraged by this potential for positive change, the SunnyKids Mayoral Ball will return to Venue 114 on Saturday 28 October, aiming to save a further 200 lives through S.A.L.T.

Supported by Mayor Mark Jamieson and Mayoress Lorrell Jamieson, the charity ball aims to provide the opportunity for community to come together and step up to be part of the solution.

Kathleen said while they were dealing with very serious and critical issues, the Mayoral Ball was designed to be a celebration of the work that has been done and to put the ‘fun’ in fundraising with a three-course meal from local award-winning chefs, premium beverages and a sensational band.

Our very own John Caruso and Carlie Wacker will once again host the event as MCs, facilitating an in-session discussion with key stakeholders from the SunnyKids Village.

From the importance of early intervention to work in schools and sports programs to youth crime, speakers will visit the myriad of ways they break the cycle for future generations.

An outstanding line-up of auction items will also be on offer, including a local artist showcasing their talent, opportunities to rub shoulders with sporting icons, award-winning vineyard experiences and much more.

Alongside these fundraising efforts, a $300 tax-deductible donation to Save a Life Tonight results in an instant village of support including a night’s hotel

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

MCs Carlie Wacker and John Caruso

Mayoress Lorrell Jamieson and Mayor Mark Jamieson

accommodation, food and hygiene products and safety planning with a DV expert.

From there, victims can find their feet and look to a positive future with the SunnyKids Virtual Village.

This practice model identifies the best support for families within five key areas – cultural connectedness, health and wellbeing, success in education, safe and nurturing relationships, and economic stability.

Kathleen said these were the foundational stones for a safe and connective community where every life can reach its full potential.

“Domestic and family violence is one of the most critical factors our society is facing right now, and we cannot continue to delegate responsibility to our government or services to fix the issue,” Kathleen said. “We all play a part, and we are all responsible for the outcome. The SunnyKids Mayoral Ball allows us to inform and educate, creating messengers to work alongside us to end violence for all children in our community.

“Sharing this night with likeminded people who share our values demonstrates to us that they are passionate about seeing this change in our community. Through their collective generosity, we will break the cycle.”

SUNNYKIDS MAYORAL BALL 2023

When: Saturday 28 October, 6pm – 11pm

Where: Venue 114, 114 Sportsman Parade, Bokarina

Dress Code: Black Tie / Ball Gown

Cost: $3000 for table of 10 x people. For table enquiries, contact Sue Gilbert at sue.gilbert@sunnykids.org.au Visit www.sunnykids.org.au/event/2023-mayoral-ball/ for more.

SAVE A LIFE

• Leading Diagnostics: EyeStar & ITrace

• Cataract Surgery & EDOF Lenses

• Tango Reflex SLT for Glaucoma

• Micro-incision Glaucoma Surgery

• Sutureless Pterygium Surgery

• Strabismus Surgery & BOTOX

Moorthy

CHO

Made for fun!

Brace yourself for a bucket load of food and adventure with a Sunshine Play Pass. With four passes to choose from there will be an adventure to delight everyone. Book your pass today and let the fun begin.

Brace for bucket load food with Sunshine Play Pass. With four passes to from there will an adventure delight and the fun

Prices start from $45 kids + $48 adults. Scan here to book.

Prices from $45 + Scan here to

AT SUNSHINE PLAZA At home

Creating a space that feels like home is made so much easier with the guidance of an interior styling expert. Carlie Wacker gets some home retail therapy with the new personal shopping experience at Sunshine Plaza.

Maryna King has worked in the styling industry for well over 20 years in Dubai, South Africa, Macao, Singapore and now the Sunshine Coast. The interior stylist and designer behind The Cushion Accessory Company now shares her exquisite taste and knowledge with shoppers at Sunshine Plaza through a personal shopping experience.

I booked a session with Maryna as I had hit a roadblock in my home decorating and needed an expert to put me on the right track to achieve my home styling goals. I also don’t have the luxury of time to scour websites and blogs looking for help only to be overwhelmed or worse still, seduced into making poor decisions.

“People are time poor and don’t always trust their own judgement on what to buy,” Maryna shares. “The options can be overwhelming so having an interior stylist by your side saves time and stress and guarantees a great result.”

Sunshine Plaza has such a vast offering when it comes to homewares, furniture and décor. Having an expert like Maryna there to bypass the elements that will help guide and complement your aesthetic direction was a game changer. I discovered new retailers that I had never explored before and found the bounties within the home departments of David Jones, Myer and H&M that I had never previously considered.

“Every style has specific design elements which will tie a living space together,” Maryna tells me. “I’m here to help you choose complementary textures, fabrics and colours.”

Before a styling session at Sunshine

Plaza with Maryna, you complete a questionnaire and share photos of the spaces you want to style.

I wanted to focus on updating the guest bedroom to create a coastal space that feels like you’re on holiday as well as continue my mission to decorate my main bedroom with ‘Hollywood Glam’.

Maryna planned our styling session based on that information to ensure our time together was maximised and that we were not distracted by items and stores that didn’t fit my needs. Her familiarity and knowledge of the homewares gems at Sunshine Plaza is second to none!

We start with a coffee at Little Sparrow to prioritise the shopping list.

First, Maryna gets to understand my interpretation of ‘coastal’ and identifies that I’m at the luxe end of this trend.

“Living on the coast we are drawn to this theme, but we can add a touch of glam but thinking outside the box,” Maryna says. “Kmart have beautiful handles that will add glam to your coastal oasis and you can add luxe to the coastal theme by doing simple things to tie the different styles together; the addition of palm tree handles, hooks or a brass lamp effortlessly elevates the overall look.”

We decide to start with an artwork and head to a little shop near Coles named ‘Ideas’ which has gorgeous paintings and prints. The very first one I saw drew me right in – Cali Dreaming. The guest room

was on its way to being the relaxing, calm and glamorous haven I envisaged.

With colours set by the artwork we were able to quickly source textured blue and natural linen-coloured cushions and throw rug at Adairs and Bed, Bath and Table which would pair perfectly with the existing white duvet cover.

The next room to conquer was the master bedroom which I wanted to feel like Old Hollywood glamour; a place where all the beautiful things are.

With my existing black leather and brass dressing table I was having trouble knowing how to dress the bed in that theme, so Maryna takes me directly to David Jones where we spot a studded velvet headboard – so delicious but too tall for my space. Next stop, Myer where we found quilted black velvet European pillowcases that serve as an alternative to my bedhead idea and start to bring the va va voom to my sleeping room.

Keeping in that dramatic style we pick up a swanky faux fur throw rug from Big W and some earthy but fluffy and fabulous cushion covers from H&M.

We shopped and successfully styled my spaces and I learnt so much about what will and won’t work in my home.

I feel confident in my home styling abilities thanks to Maryna and I know so much more about where to get the best home accents at Sunshine Plaza.

Save time, be smart and stylish by booking Maryna for your style session today. Visit www.sunshineplaza.com

Maryna King doing her thing

COASTAL Connection

Picnic blankets stretching out under pandanus trees, cabanas and volleyball nets scattered across the sand and seaside paths teeming from Alexandra Headland to the Spit; restaurants and bars spilling out onto the beachfront in alfresco opulence, ice creameries on every corner and communal barbecues sizzling with family feasts - this vision of Mooloolaba Beach is unmistakable.

It’s our leisure retreat, our playground, our gathering place on the edge of a radiant blue ocean. We locals never take it for granted – and the tourists always remind us how good we’ve got it!

As the Sunshine Coast transforms into a city of the future, our coastal paradise has welcomed its own change with the development of Mooloolaba Northern Parkland last year.

The space offered a much-needed expansion to Mooloolaba Esplanade’s recreational areas, making room for a local population on the rise.

To celebrate, the inaugural Mooloolaba Foreshore Festival opened the sprawling lawns, meandering boardwalks, sheltered dining areas and the multidimensional

adventure playground forever adored by families.

After last year’s success, event hosts Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce and organisers Cartel Music & Events responded to waves of positive community feedback with the decision to hold the event again in 2023.

The Mooloolaba Foreshore Festival will colour the coastline with a celebration of the sea – the jewel of our region!

On Saturday 4 November from 12pm to 8pm, sumptuous seafood, sand sculptures, mermaids, live music and sea-inspired displays will unite locals and visitors in the environment we treasure!

Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce President Graeme Juniper said the festival was a great way to celebrate everything that Mooloolaba has to offer.

“We’re inviting the whole community to come and join us for a free, family fun day at Mooloolaba Esplanade and Beach,” he said.

“Visitors can sample delicious food and drinks along the Esplanade, enjoy free activities and face painting for the kids, discover incredible sand sculptures, artisan markets and live entertainment.”

We’ll drift through the market stalls of Ocean Alley, showcasing sustainable, marine-themed and locally crafted products alongside street food and free rides, displays and workshops.

After collecting our treasures, we can settle down at Neptune’s Garden Beach Bar for a beer or cocktail overlooking the ocean. While we watch the sun sink over the horizon, the kids can visit Mermaid

Georgia Beard navigates oceans of entertainment at this year’s Mooloolaba Foreshore Festival, a marker for the region’s bright future on the horizon.

Headquarters to meet magical mermaids!

On the live stage, local favourites The SandFlys will get the community grooving with their infectious surf rock and The Sunshine Coast Sea Shanty Club will perform enduring songs from the sea. Among the entertainment, we might even encounter roving street performers!

Event Director and Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee member Lea Bye said it was an exciting opportunity to showcase the best of Mooloolaba alongside promoting ocean sustainability through markets, workshops and displays.

“The best part of last year’s event was bringing together all of the accommodation providers, local retailers and hospitality venues to create an iconic Mooloolaba event that is free for the whole family to come and enjoy,” she said.

“We look forward to creating a fantastic community event again in 2023.”

Keeping Mooloolaba Foreshore Festival accessible yet eco-friendly, we’re encouraged to catch public transport or ride the e-scooters and e-bikes now lining our streets!

Mooloolaba Central ParknGo is also available via Brisbane Road or Smith Street with the beachfront within walking distance.

As we celebrate all things in, on and under the sea, we’ll coast into a future with community connection with the wind in our sails.

Dive into the action!

Join

4 NOV SAT 12PM - 8PM

MO O LO O L A BA FOR ES H OR E

Live music from Sunshine Coast artists including The Sandflys

Dine in at local cafes and restaurants or browse the food trucks

Fun for the whole family with Mermaids, Sand Sculptures and Face Painting

Catch a Bus or try the new public parking facilities at ParknGo Mooloolaba Central

LIVES HERE Innovation

Jennifer Swaine discovers how some tasty innovations to local flavours are literally taking flight and creating new business opportunities.

The Sunshine Coast has earned the reputation as the ‘Entrepreneurial Capital of Australia’, with over 43,600 businesses across both the Noosa and Sunshine Coast regions, and when you scratch the surface of this connected, collaborative community you soon learn that this ecosystem is agile, innovative and incredibly unique.

Each business has a special story and when big business chooses to work with small business to create opportunities that lead to innovation, that’s a story that needs to be told.

Such was the case when Bonza decided to base themselves at the Sunshine Coast Airport. They could have easily chosen to use one of the big catering companies for the in-flight services from a preprepared list where the hard work was already done for them.

Surprising us all, Bonza chose to support the little guy, seeking to use local suppliers with great products who also aligned with their values and commitment to sustainability.

In doing so they demonstrated a genuine commitment to each of the communities they service, taking the time to get to know the locals and the products they offered.

One company to benefit from this collaboration was award-winning distillers Sunshine & Sons. The inclusion of their gin, vodka and Nil Desperandum rum on the Bonza flights soon had them searching for innovative and sustainable packaging options that would allow for ease of transport, storage and disposal.

“We knew we couldn’t use plastic or glass bottles so we had to find a solution that would allow us to serve our products in the right quantity, that was easy to pack and ship and would WOW

passengers,” Co-Founder and Chief Imagineer, Matt Hobson said.

The answer came in a small recyclable ‘eco pouch’ that is made from recycled materials and resembles a small ‘goon’ bag or wine cask bladder.

“Bonza created the opportunity for us to solve a problem and as a result we have invented a product that removes the

need for single use plastic, is lightweight and stores well,” he said.

“By adding in this new product, we have been able to increase sales because it’s the perfect size for backpacks and handbags and is suited for picnics, camping and just about any other occasion. We have also had to add an additional team member to service these new markets so the flow-on effect has been significant.”

For Silver Tongue Foods the chance to have their sourdough lavosh crackers included in the flight menu was too good an opportunity to turn down – but they also had to find a packing solution that would offer individual snack size cracker packs suitable for the aviation industry.

Co Founder Kristina Kaucan said the challenge was to have a cracker separate from the cheese which would allow the consumer greater choice as well as minimising the potential for food waste.

“We assessed what was available on the market at the time and what was

Andrew Tolson, Silver Tongue Foods & Jack O’Neill, Sunshine & Sons

traditionally being served on airlines,” she said. “We tailored a solution and presented it to Bonza as a cost-effective premium product that minimised food waste but retained passenger appeal.

“Bonza opened up a new channel for us in aviation and hotels, and we are now assessing the need for single serve products within the retail sector.

“The growth we have experienced on the back of the Bonza relationship has also seen us transition to a new production facility and we are looking at packaging options that will extend the shelf life of their product without the need for preservatives.

“We were given an incredible opportunity and we were small enough and hungry enough to be able to pivot and innovate. As a result, we have experienced a 20 per cent increase in production.”

Another small business finding innovative solutions for packaging was Woombye Cheese.

Owner Beth O’leary said they didn’t realise there was a market for single serve portions of cheese until Bonza reached out.

“While we missed the initial in-flight menu, it prompted us to continue working towards this product and we now have a 50g cheese available and the response has been great with a large hospitality group in Brisbane making a significant weekly order,” Beth said. “We completed several trials across our range of cheese where we were looking to see the product present the same way and have a similar shelf life in this smaller format which included a thin rind and a creamy paste. It ticked all the boxes and while we may tweak it further down the track, it’s certainly something we are very pleased with - and they look super cute too!”

Beth said that initial conversation with Bonza made her aware of how big the potential for this new product line was.

“The market for our ‘Minis’ is huge. A lot of venues don’t have a food license and this format allows them to offer a premium product,” she said.

“Because it’s packaged, hamper companies can box it up without worrying about the cheese taking on other flavours and vice versa.”

Melbourne-based brownie manufacturer Brazen Brownies is another small business who are featured on Bonza’s in-flight menu and who had to quickly pivot to take advantage of the opportunity presented.

“The challenge for us was to create a bespoke bite-size brownie for mass production without compromising our

high quality and handmade ethos while also documenting our processes to satisfy HACCP requirements. It was tough but incredibly rewarding at the same time,” Director of Sales & Marketing, George Kalpakis, said.

While Melbourne might be their home base, the relationship with Bonza has George and business partner Caroline Kropack looking for ways to expand their business into the Sunshine Coast.

“Bonza has certainly opened our eyes to the way people connect on the Sunshine Coast and we will soon announce a collaboration with a local producer that has resulted in the creation of a very special brownie,” George said.

“The Sunshine Coast has so much potential and such great produce that we are now talking to local macadamia growers and looking at potential commercial kitchens and manufacturing facilities in the hope that we can be part of this incredible food and business eco-system.”

He is absolutely right - the Sunshine Coast is home to so many bespoke food and drink producers who all do something uniquely different.

The magic is found in how, together with the broader business community, they connect, collaborate and find innovative solutions to problems that further enhances our reputation as the entrepreneurial capital of Australia – and that is a title we should all wear with immense pride.

...we were small enough and hungry enough to be able to pivot and innovate...

Global payments company SumUp has launched in Australia and its headquarters have been purposely located in the best part of the nation, right here on the Sunshine Coast. Bec Marshall talks to the man at the helm about growth plans, the fintech boom and what’s in it for local small business.

When Malcolm Areington was put in charge of launching global fintech company SumUp in Australia, he thought Sydney was the best place to be.

It didn’t take long before fond memories of holidays to Noosa and a yearning for the Sunny Coast lifestyle triggered new thinking and a bold move north.

“I’ve got a love for Noosa and the Sunshine Coast,” Malcolm says. “We’ve been coming here for a long time; we have family here and it’s always been a destination for us.

“I am South African by birth and I have lived in London and Asia, but this place is beautiful. It’s like a cleaner, safer South Africa and it’s just a great lifestyle, with the water and the sunshine. We are so blessed to live here.

“I was fortunate that the Australian government awarded me permanent residency as part of the global talent visa, because of my skills in fintech, so I decided to make my home in Noosa.

“We have plans of building our team here on the Sunshine Coast and I felt that if I was in Queensland, that allowed me to look at top universities and within the working environment to find good talent.

“I was originally in Sydney, but I quickly realised that if SumUp wanted the opportunity to have top-grade talent, I’d have to come out of New South Wales and Victoria. Fintech is definitely growing in Queensland and there’s a real push to create regional hubs.”

Malcolm said that being based here also meant they could offer a lifestyle that attracted and supported good talent.

So, what exactly is SumUp?

It is a private company that was founded in the UK in 2012 offering pointof-sale payment devices.

Its mission is to empower small

SUN’S UP TO SUMUP

market number 36.

“Australia has always been on the strategic roadmap for SumUp,” Malcolm says. “Once we have a sound base here, then we can scale a slightly different solution into Asia. It’s a different, faster market there, and we could potentially use Australia as a regional hub for the Asia Pacific.”

SumUp devices can be used across any type of business sector, however its target customers are small, micro and nano merchants up to mid-tier SMEs who want to accept payments online or in person, via the tap of a phone or card.

businesses and entrepreneurs with affordable and easy-to-use payment solutions including the Air Card Reader to suit every business.

SumUp has expanded its reach across the globe since 2012 and is now serving millions of merchant customers in 35 countries including in Europe, Latin America and North America. Australia is

“We want to be able to give merchants a choice outside of the traditional banks and other competitors within the market,” Malcolm says. “There hasn’t been enough choice for customers to make a sound decision.

“If someone has a Sunday market stall or a food and beverage business or a freelancing side hustle, we allow them to accept payment with a SumUp device that connects seamlessly to their phone,

This launch represents more than a new market for us; it’s a promise to empower small businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals across Australia with simple payment solutions.

iPad or tablet.”

Malcolm said SumUp’s point of difference was the transparency on pricing and the cost of the device.

“We offer merchants a simple, accessible and inexpensive way to accept payments,” he said. “We think we’ve found the sweet spot of a once-off fee for a device and a flat fee of 1.75% per transaction, irrespective of what cards you use.

“Our competitors have been in the market for 10 years. We’re a late entrant to the market here in Australia and we accept that, but all we want to do is demonstrate the value and reassurance of our brand and give consumers greater choice.”

Devices are available on Amazon, the

SumUp website and soon to be other channels in Australia.

Malcolm praises the 150-strong overseas team from SumUp who worked to “get Australia up and running” while he managed meetings at all hours across multiple time zones.

He’s appreciated being able to offset those long working hours with walks along Noosa River with his wife Charissa and their French bulldogs, Blue and Daisy.

Malcolm’s professional background is diverse, to say the least. He has played rugby internationally and worked in confectionery and building materials. But he has a passion for payments.

“I’ve been working in fintech and payments for 14 years,” he said. “It has

evolved so quickly in that time and is dynamic and forever changing.

“As a consumer, you don’t realise the complexity behind the simple action of tapping your card. The technical work that goes into it and the regulatory landscape that allows that payment is unbelievably complex.

“There are interactions between the bank issuer, card schemes, the merchant and customer and it has to happen seamlessly within a split second.

“The world moves around money and of course, payments are a massive part of that. If payments don’t happen between a buyer and a seller, nothing occurs.

“That’s why I’ve been in payments for so long. SumUp plays a crucial role in keeping the world of commerce turning.”

SUMUP STATS

Millions of merchant users

Active in 36 markets on four continents 3000+ employees, 25 offices and 90+ nationalities

Special offer*: $39 SumUp card reader (normally $49). $0 monthly cost.

1.75% transaction fee.

*Offer valid for one card reader per new SumUp profile.

Scan the QR code or visit www.sumup.com/en-au

Malcolm Areington

Artist Impression

CITY OF THE Future

Almost a decade ago, Sunshine Coast Council announced plans for a City Centre to be built on a patch of land that was at that time, a golf course. The vision was bold, yet necessary to unite a region and stake its claim as a City of the Future.

Owned by Sunshine Coast Council and being delivered as a partnership with SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd and Walker Corporation, this $2.5 billion, 53-hectare project site is the largest greenfield City Centre in the country.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Council’s vision for the Maroochydore City Centre – which is shared with Walker Corporation and SunCentral – is to create a vibrant hub of commercial and cultural activity, underpinned by outstanding liveability, technology and innovation; a truly contemporary 21st Century city centre.

“Residents, local businesses and visitors are already benefiting from what has been delivered in our new City Centre and these benefits will only expand as the development continues,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“We are rapidly creating a city centre which our community can be proud of, and which will become a magnet for new investment and generate enduring employment for residents.

“It will also host an Athletes Village during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with opportunities to deliver a long-running legacy and benefit for current and future generations.”

SunCentral CEO Amanda Yeates said the past 12 months has seen significant growth, with more to come.

“In the next few years, there will be more than a thousand people living here and triple the number of workers,” she said. “That will make the City Centre the economic heart of the Sunshine Coast and our role is to make sure that we stay true to the Sunshine Coast values and build a place for community, creatives and business.

“People choose to come here for a

reason and we want to make sure that what we are creating aligns with those values. Our partners at Sunshine Coast Council and Walker Corporation share that commitment.”

Amanda said the Maroochydore City Centre was leading the way in urban renewal – and would set a benchmark for future developments across Australia with a mix of commercial, medical, retail, dining, entertainment, arts and cultural facilities plus premium accommodation and residential precincts.

“This is the future for businesses who want to position for growth and I think that’s exciting,” she said. “By 2032, when people say they’re going to the city, they won’t be talking about Brisbane; they’ll be referring to here. And to achieve that, we need to have a cultural and social offering and something that connects the people in addition to the great activities underway at the Metropolitan (the MET).”

Amanda said a focus on interaction with the natural environment was also a key consideration with 4o percent of the site to be integrated as open space parks and waterways.

“This is a shared focus on responsible placemaking in the City Centre: creating quality places that people want to live work, play and learn,” she said.

“Investment within the City Centre will continue to grow as more national and international businesses call it home and together with Sunshine Coast Council and Walker Corporation, we’ll continue to leverage our collective efforts to shape a city that reflects the needs of the community today, and into the future.”

Walker Corporation CEO David Gallant agreed saying the City Centre would be a highly connected, vibrant hub of commercial and cultural activity anchored by technology and innovation.

“We have over 50 years of experience delivering some of the most complex urban transformations in Australia, so we have a strong understanding of the key placemaking attributes needed to make the Maroochydore City Centre one

of the country’s best CBDs, keeping more Sunshine Coast families and their kids living and working locally,” he said.

David said key ingredients included energy-efficient premium commercial buildings, surrounded by a diverse housing supply, connected to great retail, restaurants and cafes, open spaces for recreation, as well as health facilities, all delivered in conjunction with quality transport infrastructure.

“We are committed to creating environmentally and socially sustainable solutions for the long-term benefit of the city, community, and the thousands of workers and residents who will be commuting to and from here each day bringing more jobs, housing and amenities, enabling the region to become a world-class, well-connected destination where people want to live, work and visit.”

50 FIRST AVENUE

Walker Corporation’s first commercial tower within the Maroochydore City Centre is a $90 million,15-storey commercial tower with large open floorplans and space for more than 800 jobs just 800 metres from the beach and 10 minutes from the airport. This ‘new level of sophistication’ includes:

• Approx. 10,000 sqm of commercial floor space featuring 1,000+ sqm floorplates

• First-class end-of-trip facilities (bike storage, showers, amenities, and lockers)

• Concierge service

• Rooftop communal space for tenants

• Four levels of car parking

• A NABERs 5-star energy rating. Find out more: www.walkercorp.com.au/ commercial/maroochydore-city-centre/

It’s not every day that a City Centre is built from the ground up.

Deb Caruso discovers what’s at the heart of the emerging Maroochydore City Centre.

IMAGE:

50 First Ave Artist Impression

Unlock

SUCCESS THIS SPRING

The Mojo Maker Nikki FogdenMoore shares how the right mindset can be the creator of dreams and and how you can harvest it to achieve anything you really, truly want.

What stops us from really achieving what we want?

What makes the difference between setting goals and achieving them?

Three crucial steps: Clarity, Conviction and Consistency (aka ‘follow through’).

STEP 1: CLARITY: DARE TO DEFINE

First up: Get your Pizza Order right (a coaching tool of mine is to clearly define your pizza order and not keep messing with it once you’ve sent it off to the goal kitchen). Avoid finite thinking and just focus on the next right thing. Our goals and dreams evolve with us. Therefore:

• Set your intent, make sure it resonates then chip away at it every single day.

• What do I truly desire?

• Why is this goal important to me?

• What emotions and experiences am I seeking?

Your intent is more than just a goal. It’s a deep-rooted desire, a driving force that propels you forward.

By setting a powerful intent, you’re laying a foundation, ensuring that every step you take aligns with your core values and ultimate vision. The clearer the goal the better the outcome.

STEP 2: CONVICTION: BACK YOUR GOAL.

Be really honest with yourself - don’t make a mood board or a big audacious goal if you’re not willing to follow through.

Be super clear on what it is you’re going after and be really aligned with why you want it:

• Not a ‘sort-of’ goal.

• Not someone else’s goal.

• Not a fear-based FOMO or comparison goal.

A real - “100%, I can actually see and taste it” kinda goal.

It could be a financial, health and fitness goal, deeper relationship connection, a next level happiness, career, write a book, go travelling. Who knows? That’s up to you. But what I do know, is two things:

1. Nothing beats clarity, consistency and commitment.

2. You don’t always have to lose something to gain something.

I prefer to build on what you love and have done to date, rather than a ‘this or that’ approach.

To unlock the “goal-to-realityroadmap” it’s vital you get really clear on what you want and the fact you actually really want it.

That’s Clarity + Conviction. Then you’ve got to follow through:

STEP 3: CONSISTENCY: THE MAGIC HAPPENS HERE.

Ever wondered how tiny actions can lead to BIG transformations? Micro Moments Create Radical Results. Ditch the big statements and grand gestures and chip away each day.

Here’s why:

A) Easier Tracking: Just as a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, your path to success starts with setting clear, achievable intentions. Breaking your goals down into bite-sized tasks allows you to monitor your progress with precision. Every ticked box on your checklist reaffirms you’re heading in the right direction.

B) Boosted Motivation: Every tiny victory brings you closer to the grand prize. There’s no feeling quite like the rush of accomplishment, no matter how small the task. Every micro achievement acts as a shot of adrenaline to your motivation, urging you to march forward with renewed enthusiasm.

C) Consistent Progress: The beauty of micro moments lies in their manageability. No dream seems too vast, no task too colossal when approached one micro moment at a time.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Don’t over complicate it and don’t binge goal set: If you get stuck on this then apply my 1% Rule.

The 1% rule is to apply at least 15 minutes a day for 100 days on actions that are related to your goal; then review.

Just 1% effort a day x 100 days means 100% progress. Maths.

The other fact: if you don’t follow through you won’t know if it works.

So to recap your spring success plan:

• Choose something so simple and clear you won’t make excuses and find reasons not to. It needs to be bigger than the ‘why not’. Otherwise be honest and just remove it from your to-do list.

• Think it, then ink it. Once you’ve done that, working on that particular success goal needs to be part of your daily routine and Winning Weeks©.

I don’t do ‘hope projects’.

• Chip away at the tasks. If you really want something you need to be prepared to do the work.

Small, consistent steps can bring about life-altering change, setting you on a path to success, one micro moment at a time.

This method ensures that you’re not just dreaming but doing – each day brings you closer to making your aspirations tangible.

My motto: Stepping stones make an amazing staircase.

Things are not finite and you can build on wherever you are right now. Nothing is lost.

This spring, choose something you really want to set yourself to achieve, get really clear, back the idea and then chip away with micro moments towards it. Harnessing the power of follow through isn’t just about achieving goals; it’s about relishing the journey.

It’s the micro moments that make life rich, weaving together accomplishments, joys, and lessons and giving you the confidence to keep going as you see the results appear.

Stay open-minded. Stick to your own lane and trust your crazy ideas. Nothing is impossible. What we think about we bring about.

Find your mojo with free worksheets and more: www.nikkifogdenmoore.com

Unlock your ultimate life

Stepping stones make an amazing staircase.

"Welcome to unlocking your truest potential. To more mojo, less stress and more flow without turning your life upside down. Podcasts, videos, online programs, inspiration and daily tracking. Community & courses all in one place!"

ACCELER8TE! THE NEWEST ALL IN ONE APP BY AWARD WINNING COACH NIKKI FOGDEN-MOORE THE MOJO MAKER®.

CRUISEControl

In the words of that famous duet by Gwyneth Paltrow and Hughie Lewis

“I love it when we’re cruisin’ together” and there’s nothing like cruising the majestic Noosa River aboard a luxury boat purposely designed for good times.

Surrender all control and allow the dedicated crew of the M.V. Catalina Noosa to take you on a journey of discovery where you are guaranteed to fall in love – with the music, the food, the drinks, the view and the vibe!

The family-owned business was borne out of a desire to celebrate and connect with Noosa’s beautiful waterways – and they deliver it with luxe.

Tailored tunes, creative cocktails and fabulous food delivers amazing moments that flow as effortlessly as the tide while guests enjoy the stunning waterways and indulge in all the best life has to offer.

Bright, open and contemporary, Catalina is beachside luxury without compromise – the perfect setting for guaranteed good times.

Catalina’s core cruises offer something for every occasion. Here’s the lineup of luxe experiences on offer regularly:

FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL

Classics | Soul | Funk | Hip-Hop |R&B Fridays, 6pm-8.30pm

Friday knock-offs were never so funky! Grab your crew and groove to the cool sounds of the Coast’s hottest DJs, including Stevie G; DE SAINT and Jamie Vale. Enjoy the sunset market-style menu and choose your favourite cocktail (or two) to cruise into the weekend! Best for: shaking off the week that was and starting the weekend right!

LUNCH ON THE WATER

Disco| Soul | Down Tempo| Lounge

Saturdays, 12noon-2pm

The perfect combination of everything we love about the Coastal lifestylewarm sun, clear skies and a cool breeze rolling off the water to create an unforgettable cruise experience. Indulge in a progressive roaming menu showcasing some of the region’s best produce served with a fusion of sounds

by DJs dedicated to making the good times roll. Grab your favourite brew, bubbles or wine or trust the resident mixologists to shake, stir and mix the perfect cocktails for your pleasure. Best for: a luxurious Saturday done right.

TROPICALE

Tropical + Deep House | Disco | Dancefloor Anthem Remixes

Saturdays, 4pm-7pm

Take your Saturday afternoon to the next level with Tropicale’s Saturday afternoon beach club vibes - on a boat!

Hosting the best local and national touring DJs spinning disco, deep house and dancefloor anthem remixes served with a market-style menu and cool cocktails. Dance into dusk with a stunning sunset on the Noosa River. Best for: party with your pals as the stars come out!

SALTWATER SUNDAYS

Lounge | Tropical, Classic + Minimal House | Sunset Beats Sunday afternoons

End the weekend in style with a

laid-back, beach club vibe enjoying cocktails and a market-style menu to a backdrop of lounge, tropical and classic house beats as the sun sets on your weekend. The perfect way to celebrate a stunning Noosa sunset – and to set you up for the week ahead.

Best for: cruising into the week ahead.

For the ultimate experience book the VIP Lounge with uninterrupted river views on the aft (back) upper deck; priority boarding and check-in with your VIP Host; a welcome cocktail from your personal bartender; a tailored marketstyle menu; and a Polaroid film to capture the magical moments.

Best for: groups of 20 for full hire or ten for half hire and to make new friends!

Catalina also offers a unique venue for corporate events and celebrations for up to 160 passengers.

The crew are on a mission to deliver an unforgettable experience – from tailoring a bespoke menu and drinks package to selecting the ideal mooring and cruising locations for stunning vistas from sunshine soirées to starlight celebrations. Get on board!

Get on board the magic of cruising Noosa River on the stunning M.V. Catalina Noosa. Deb Caruso peruses the choice of cruises.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

FAMILY Values

From humble beginnings as North Coast Plumbing, NCP has built an inter-generational family business based on the key mottos of ‘family, integrity, quality, community and sustainability’.

It’s a vision shared by their almost 60-strong team with a combined 550-plus years of experience!

Family matriarch Shirley McDonald, 87, was born in Palmwoods and met Howard in 1952 when she was just 16 and he was a newly qualified plumber.

“After we met, Howard decided to stay on the Sunshine Coast and in 1953, he went into partnership to create North Coast Plumbing,” she said.

The pair married in 1955 and while Shirley raised their children and volunteered in the community, Howard built the business, which at the time was the only plumbing service on the Coast.

Their first store was on Duporth Avenue until Christopher Skase’s Quintex Group bought them out to build Big Top Shopping Centre in 1987. As part of the deal, he built the premises on Sugar Road, Maroochydore that they still occupy today.

Even though NCP still have a large team of expert Maintenance Plumbers which will always be a big part of the business, it was decided to ease back on large contracts realising there were more plumbers in the region (a lot trained by NCP). The company decided to focus on trade plumbing and retail sales with expert advice and the best quality brands at competitive prices thanks to NCP being part of Plumbing Plus, a major independent group which brings significant buying power.

Increased demand saw expansion into Noosa in 1982; Caloundra in 1985; Nambour in 1995; and Gympie in the early 2000s - all five showrooms are thriving today.

NCP can provide the full end-to-end service from custom-manufacturing parts on the original machine from 1978 to pvc piping, fixtures and fittings, the latest design trends in bathrooms, laundries - even the kitchen sink!

“We can assist customers who have their own plumbers or interior designers or work with them direct,” says Tracy Wilkins, General Manager - Sales.

The business became NCP in the nineties as the retail showrooms and trade services became more of a priority.

Around that time, Howard was elected as as local councillor and Athol Osborne was appointed the General Manager, retiring only recently after 50 years.

Success is not just built on luck but due to the loyalty and dedication of staff and the number of staff who have reached between 15 and 5o years of service is testament to the NCP culture.

While all five children (and often their partners) worked in the business at some stage; John McDonald and Tracy Wilkins are still actively involved; Lisa Morden recently left to open a gym; and Cheryl Rudd and Scott McDonald both recently retired, passing the baton to the next generation including Cheryl’s son Hayden and Scott’s boys, Brad and Matt.

“We’ve never been forced into the family business,” says Tracy. “It’s

always been an option and a lot of us have developed careers elsewhere before coming to NCP. It’s a great environment with such strong values and ethics, it’s a pleasure to be part of it.”

Over the past seven decades, trends have come and gone but reliable, family -friendly service, expert advice and quality products at the right price have endured. NCP has always been generous in supporting the community and the Family Council of five children, 12 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren; are actively involved in selecting charities and causes to support.

As for the next 70 years?

Despite opportunities to expand into other markets, Tracy says they are committed to the Coast.

“We grew up here, we’ve raised families and built our business here,” she said. “We’re going to focus on what we do well and stick to what we knowgiving back and providing customers with friendly service and expert advice to help them achieve their dreams.”

Here’s to the next 70 years!

It’s not that often that you get to meet a family-owned and run business that has been on the Sunshine Coast for 70 years!

Deb Caruso taps into the values, wisdom and heritage that has kept NCP in business for seven decades.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Sugar Road, Maroochydore

John McDonald, Tracy Wilkins, Shirley McDonald, Lisa Morden, Cheryl Rudd & Scott McDonald at the recent 70th Anniversary celebrations.

North Coast Plumbing Co, Duporth Ave, Maroochydore circa 1969.

OPEN DOORS

As Sunshine Coast Open House prepares to lay out the welcome mat on award-winning designs, Deb Caruso opens the door to what’s on offer.

Recently I had the pleasure of being a Judge on the Australian Institute of Architects’ Sunshine Coast Regional Awards Jury, spending two full days exploring and examining outstanding examples of architectural design in a coastal context.

The chance to see inside and explore the external design features of our region’s outstanding dream homes was inspiring and insightful!

Thanks to Sunshine Coast Open House, everyone now has the opportunity to explore a range of architectural treasures including a 1960s beach shack, a family tree house, a glamorous mountain residence and a historic homestead where you can go back in time.

Sunshine Coast Open House is part of the Open House Worldwide network, founded by Open House London in 1992 and now in more than 50 cities around the world and is our region’s largest public architecture and design festival.

Doors will be thrown open on a range of dream homes over the weekend of 21-22 October and there will also be a range of rare, behind-the-scenes tours, walks, talks and special experiences ahead of the Open House weekend.

Officially launched by Queensland Governor, Dr Jeannette Young on 5 September 2023, properties laying out the welcome mat this year includes:

• Eumundi House by Peter Ireland featuring art, architecture and horses in the Cooroy Mountain landscape;

• Banksia House, a relaxing oasis at Kings Beach showcasing stunning architecture by Dragi Majstorovic with an award-winning garden by Kirsti Sheldon;

• Currimundi House by architect Laura Hodgson which demonstrates how a humble beach shack can be transformed

into a comfortable family home;

• The Art Room at Tinbeerwah by Bark Architects will provide a beautiful example of giving an unused building a second life; and

• Stealth House at Palmwoods by Sealand Architects, with a glorious cantilevered deck beyond your wildest dreams!

This is just a taste of what’s on offer as this free community event celebrates the region’s historic, contemporary, and sustainable buildings from Caloundra to Noosa and through the hinterland.

Sunshine Coast Open House Committee Chair and internationally-renowned architect, Lindsay Clare, said he was thrilled to officially launch more than 25 of the region’s most inspiring buildings for the Open House weekend.

Black Mountain Residence, Morriarchi Architecture. Pic: Andy Macpherson Studio

Currimundi House, Laura Hodgson. Pic: Shane Hastings

Moon Mountain Sanctuary House, AJC Architecture. Pic: Shane Hastings

“Open House provides a rare chance to meet the inspirational owners, architects, designers and historians who create, build or preserve these buildings and whose contributions make the Sunshine Coast a unique and special place,” he said.

Lindsay will be part of two events as part of the Sunshine Coast Open House program. The first on 7 September at Uni SC about the work of Clare Design, discussing key projects over five decades including Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA); and the second talk will be the Open House Forum on 20 October at Altitude 9, City Hall, Maroochydore where Lindsay will be joined by prominent architect John Mainwaring to tell the story of the “Sunshine Coast School of Architecture” pioneered by Gabriel Poole. The legacy of this movement will be explored with a new generation of Sunshine Coast architects who continue to contribute to stunning design in the region.

Sunshine Coast Open House 2023 includes more than 15 lead-up events including Architecture talks, tours, library talks, ‘Paint and Sip’ events focused on the iconic Queenslander, a Heritage conference, Urban Sketching and a Children’s Activity program.

Helping the community to embrace good design, Sunshine Coast Council is proud to be the principal sponsor through its Arts + Heritage Levy and the Sunshine Coast Design and Cool Homes campaigns.

Noosa Shire Council is sponsoring a Heritage Conference at The J on 5 October that will provocatively explore - “...if the region has any heritage”.

For volunteer at a house or register for an event or tour, visit www.sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST OPEN HOUSE 2023 EVENTS

TALKS ON OPEN HOUSE DESIGNS

Be inspired by local architecture.

2-15 September, 10am-11:30am

Various Sunshine Coast Libraries

‘PAINT AND SIP’ TO CELEBRATE QUEENSLANDER ARCHITECTURE

Tuesday 3 October,12noon-3pm

Bankfoot House, Glasshouse Mountains

18 October, 5:30pm–8:30pm

The MET, Maroochydore CBD HERITAGE TALK - SUNSHINE COAST AND NOOSA, WHAT HERITAGE?

A series of speakers challenging the perception of ‘heritage’ in the region.

11 October, 4.30pm-7.30pm

The J Noosa, Noosa Junction OPEN HOUSE FORUM

Friday 20 October from 6pm

Altitude Nine, City Hall, Maroochydore ARCHITECT FOR A DAY

For high school students interested in studying architecture.

Saturday 14 October, 10am-1pm

Bellvista Meeting Place, Caloundra West ASK AN ARCHITECT AT ACE

Free mini consultation with an architect.

Saturday 21 October from 4pm

WALKING TOURS

Discover special places and learn more about the Sunshine Coast during several small group walking tours.

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October

URBAN SKETCHING

Celebrate the Sunshine Coast’s urban environment through Urban Sketching.

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October

CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

A fun activity book for children, full of amazing sketches and puzzles by some of the Sunshine Coast’s most creative architects, designers and organisations.

PHOTO COMPETITION

Enter the Sunshine Coast Open House Photography Competition for your chance to win $1,000.

Learn more about Sunshine Coast Open House or register for a tour or event at www.sunshinecoastopenhouse.com.au

The complete building list will be launched on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

Banksia House by Majstorovic Architecture and Landscape Architecture by Kirsti Sheldon

Stealth House, Sealand Architects. Pic:Jared Fowler

...art, architecture and horses in the Cooroy Mountain landscape.

FROM THE HEARTHandcrafted

Embracing individuality over mainstream, Venue 114’s Mega Youth Market is empowering kids to find self-expression in the handmade and second-hand, as Georgia Beard discovers.

Amid a commercial ecosystem of formulaic designs, mass-produced brands and neatly packaged aesthetics, an affinity for personal style is emerging – and young people are leading the charge.

You’ll find them among the bric-abrac of every op shop and flea market, in search of the original, the eclectic and the unapologetic.

They know individuality can’t be bought from department stores and fashion retailers. Instead, they’re finding reflections of their personalities in all things second-hand and handmade!

There is power in wearing threads and accessories you won’t find on anyone else; unearthing lovingly made décor to outlast seasonal junk; or collecting books, vinyls and CDs long out of print.

When you take a step back, you find all these treasures come together to represent an outward expression of the internal self.

The Sunshine Coast’s youngest generations have mastered this selfexpression, going treasure hunting in the first thrift market for young people by young people last summer!

And it’s all thanks to the passionate team at Venue 114.

The Mega Youth Market saw bargain hunters empowered to shop sustainably and authentically, rifling through collections of repurposed clothes, books and games.

Alongside preloved pieces, young artisans and entrepreneurs displayed a myriad of handcrafted wares. From crochet to candles to jewellery to upcycled surfboards, their designs were

rich with passion, imagination and sustainability.

As the owner of rahnistarbeads, Rahni Coulter first offered her beaded jewellery, seaglass art and paintings at markets in Moffat Beach. When she joined last year’s Mega Youth Market, her sales more than doubled!

Her online business bloomed out of lockdown boredom after she and her dad began collecting sea glass during their beach visits and gluing the pieces into portraits of whales and turtles.

“I started creating the jewellery for my friends this year because I thought it

would be a fun thing to do,” she said.

“I get the majority of my beads from op shops. I crimp a ring or a lobster clip to fishing line, and then I thread the beads through once I’ve measured how much I need.”

Her designs emerge from improvisation – and a little inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest. Now at 14, she’s experimenting with beaded charms for phones and seaglass frames for mirrors in time for this year’s Mega Youth Market!

In the same space, we’ll find 13-yearold Dakota Hasted’s handmade earrings, keychains, cow hide coasters and candles under Coco’s Gifts.

“I get most of the cow hide from The Skin Thing, and it’s all made out of scraps,” she said. “I also get wooden backs for the coasters and glue it all together with super glue.

“For the candles, I melt down candle wax, add scents and colours and pour them into jars with new candle wicks.”

Borne from the intersection of free time and creativity, Dakota’s business is now expanding to multiple marketplaces – both online and across the region!

There is power in wearing threads and accessories you won’t find on anyone else; unearthing lovingly made décor to outlast seasonal junk...

PHOTO: MEGAN GILL

Rahni Coulter

When developing the Mega Youth Market, Venue 114’s Marketing and Development Officer Kimberley Rider found young people were seeking stalls at larger markets on the Sunshine Coast which required heavy parental commitment.

“We wanted to offer a space that was indoor with plenty of facilities and that connected kids with similar interests,” she said. “Whilst parents attend with their children, it’s a more hands-on

experience for the kids.”

At only $10 per stall, Mega Youth Market hosted 40 stalls in Venue 114’s socially and environmentally responsible event space, recognised through their EarthCheck Evaluate accreditation.

“It’s well documented that our younger members of the community are much more conscious of their environmental footprint and have a deeper awareness of how their choices impact,” Kimberley said.

“We hope to have this event on a quarterly basis, which means our young stallholders will be able to plan around this and regularly schedule a ‘clear out’ of their quality preloved fashion.”

Mega Youth Market is returning this year on 2 December from 10am to 2pm, upgrading to 50 stalls with a potential extension into the courtyard if demand is high. Venue 114 is also sending out the call for Youth Buskers, the first step in expanding the market’s range of entertainment!

Just in time for Christmas, Mega Youth Market is the perfect source for exclusive gift-shopping while supporting our young creators and keeping our natural environments free of unwanted products.

As they come home with preloved and lovingly made goods, young people will find their own story told in the clothes they wear, the passions they pursue and the spaces they inhabit. It’s one common thread our kids deserve to share!

Mark the date in your diary and support our young creatives.

To find out more, book a stall or nominate for Youth Buskers, email venue114@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Dakota Hasted

ELECTRIC,Original

EUMUNDI MARKETS

Coffee is grinding, flavour and fragrance fills the air, instruments are being tuned, there is a hustle before the bustle when the gates swing open and the world gets a taste of the iconic Original Eumundi Markets. Carlie Wacker explores our local and iconic markets.

In 1979 a small group of local makers and growers got together to sell their wares in a European-style farmer’s market set up in front of Eumundi’s blue CWA hall.

There were two fresh produce vendors and a local artist selling pottery. They called it a successful day after making around $30 and so began the worldfamous original Eumundi market in the historic and picturesque southeast Queensland town. The iconic Original Eumundi Markets can now boast over 600 stalls and has drawn in well over a million people.

Visitors and locals flock to Eumundi every Wednesday and Saturday for an

experience that has grown far beyond that of a traditional market.

One of my favourite things to do is visit the Eumundi Markets. It’s my go-to for gifts, homewares, fashion and food and it’s as close as you will ever get to the locals that make, bake and grow - but it’s more than shopping, it’s a vibe!

The energy is magnetic on every market day and Acting Manager Lauren Becks explains it beautifully.

“It just feels electric in the market mornings when everyone is setting up and it’s still a little bit dark,” she explains. “You slowly start to smell the food being cooked, hear the sound of the coffee grinding and that aroma that

symbolises a fresh new day.

“The musicians start to tune their instruments, stallholders are chatting and setting up and that’s my favourite time of day - just before the market starts when there’s a buzz and you know something exciting is coming.”

When the markets fill up with eager tourists and locals the energy steps up and takes you on a magical exploration of local produce, art, craft, fashion, food and entertainment.

Staying true to the original ethos of ‘make it, bake it, grow it’ – every trader makes or grows their own products and/ or cooks on site with locally-sourced ingredients.

With stall spaces in high demand, the application review process is vigorous ensuring every marketeer is a maker, baker or grower and that’s what makes the Original Eumundi Markets so special.

It’s where you find the real local brands and products and meet the true locals, including entertainers.

“We attract artisans and people who are a little bit quirky and fun,” says Lauren. “They’re creating their own unique sound in their own way and they add that extra layer of sensory stimulation to the dynamic Original Eumundi Markets.”

That extra sensory overload fills the heart, tummy and shopping bags with all

it needs. It’s so cool knowing that the humble beginnings of the Eumundi Markets in 1979 with three sstallholders has grown into what it is today and has stayed so true to their original values – my inner hippie is as proud as punch.

To this day the Original Eumundi Markets is a not-for-profit community organisation led by Alori Gapes that employs 10 people including the grounds crew who pack up and set up the market entirely from scratch every market day.

“If you walk through here on a non-market day you’ll be walking through the trees, there’s nothing,” says Lauren. “You can look up, see the sky, the beautiful fig trees, - and then the

next day, you’ve got 600 marquees, countless tables, chairs, flags, all the marketing equipment,” says Lauren.

Market day is an electric experience; a nod to our local history and proof that when a community comes together to preserve and promote its uniqueness it creates a magical wonderland that we know and love as the world-famous and award-winning Original Eumundi Markets.

THE ORIGINAL EUMUNDI MARKETS

Saturdays 7am – 2pm Wednesdays 8am – 2pm Rain, hail or shine!

REVAMPED FOR Racing!

If you haven’t been to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club recently then do yourself a favour. At every turn, this place has been revamped and revitalised to offer a perfectly coastal, contemporary twist to the traditional venue we once knew. Yes, they offer the same exemplary race club model but now they bring a chic vibe to our globally-recognised Turf Club which boasts more race days than any other in the world!

Marketing and Events Manager Taryn Delaney brings previous experience in the same role at Victoria Racing Club and when I tour the refurbished Turf Club with her, she beams with pride and bursts with excitement as we explore how the Club has transformed this sprawling space into a modern hub of luxe venues to deliver racing and events.

Led by Chief Executive John Miller and architects BSPN Architecture, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club has morphed into a most majestic environment fit for events that set the heart racing in more ways than one.

“When I ask people if they have visited the Sunshine Coast Turf Club recently many say not for years,” Taryn says. “That’s when I speak about the venue refurbishments and how much things have changed and elevated.

“We’ve now got The Establishment, The Glasshouse, the TAB Greenhouse, Parade Ring Terrace and our members facilities which have all been renovated as well as the Members Bar and Bistro, the Atrium bar and dining - and even the Terrace. There’s hardly one area which hasn’t been retouched in the last five years. It’s a modern take on traditional horse racing with a luxe coastal feel.”

That’s exactly why I was set on shooting our colourful spring fashion editorial on the grounds of the Sunshine Turf Club (see page 78-91). There are so many Instagrammable moments and every venue conjures up a unique mood.

My first experience of the revamped Sunshine Coast Turf Club was at a recent race day where I was whisked away into the stunning new venue called, The

Things have changed at Sunshine Coast Turf Club and there are now many more glamorous reasons to attend a race day or book your next winning event at this iconic establishment. Carlie Wacker tours the fresh new club that is set to have your heart racing more than ever.

Establishment. The magic of any occasion is turned up a few decibels in this place with the prettiest floral entrance via a manicured and fenced lawn. The indoor-outdoor marquee delivered exceptional food and drinksand the fashion was akin to what you’d see at some of the world’s most famous racing events. A fairytale experience.

For something more intimate, The Glasshouse is the winning spot to take in the best views of the track, Finishing Post and super screen. It’s styled to perfection with air conditioned comfort – and a private alfresco balcony for guests to step outside and soak up the race day excitement and sounds. With its own bar and catering options, it’s the most delightful space for celebrations, small weddings, conferences and more.

The Champagne Garden is the closest you’ll get to the track with its own tote, screens and courtyard. There is also The Pavilion marquee that is a super special non-race day venue for weddings or celebrations.

Atrium Dining is your sophisticated indoor event space. On race days it offers

panoramic views of the track, a luxuriously styled interior and temperature-controlled comfort. An amazing space to hire for non-race day events also; and located in the members enclosure is the Chairman’s Club where I feel I should be sipping a martini and dripping in diamonds.

This chocolate brown leather, goldplated palace looks like a sleek cigar lounge from the Old Hollywood era. I think I’ll move in there.

Parade Ring Terrace is the pumping heart of any race day where you will soak up every bit of the race day excitement. Views of the track, mounting yard, winning post and superscreen make it the best allrounder; and the TAB Greenhouse is a two-level private cocktail style space with epic elevated views of the action on and off the field and privacy behind your picture perfect white picket fence.

I’ve been planning my outfits and venue preferences for the upcoming race days. Giddy up to experience the fresh new feel of the now-luxe, Sunshine Coast Turf Club - it’ll set your heart racing!

UPCOMING EVENTS

17 Sept – Sunshine Coast Pink Ribbon

Race Day

15 Oct – Noosa Cup Day

29 Sept - Friday Night Racing Season Launch

7 Nov – Melbourne Cup Day

18 Nov – TAB Mooloolaba Cup Day

Bookings: www.sctc.com.au

PHOTO: LAUREN BIGGS

The Chairman’s Club

The Pavilion

POLO & Party!

Georgia Beard heralds the return of fashion, feasts and festivities with an after-party to remember at Polo & Provedores!

Spending a day at the polo is like stepping into another world, one with over a thousand years of history, yet rich with elegance and exhilaration. Men and women float across the field in linens and bright colours, florals and glamorous sunhats.

Cool champagne and canapés taste magical under the marquees, giving guests the verve they need to be part of the dash and divot-stomp.

The riders guide their thoroughbreds onto the pitch. As the thunderous clamour of hooves passes by, players bow like mounted warriors and mallets swing for the ball in graceful arcs.

Last year, Noosa Polo & Provedores debuted their chic sporting experience at Noosa Showgrounds with an emphasis on an amazing day out celebrating fillies, fashion and flavours. From families and fashionistas to socialites and sports enthusiasts, it was a hit.

Noosa Cartel and Black Ant Gourmet served the finest in homegrown cuisine while Master Jeweller Adrian Schulz of Diamonds of Distinction delivered a bespoke diamond pendant as first prize for Fashions on the Field!

On Saturday 14 October, Polo & Provedores will return with more extravagance and entertainment than ever, joined by Wishlist Sunshine Coast Health Foundation as their official charity partner for 2023.

The competitive arena style polo will culminate in the Polo & Provedores Grand Final, featuring some of the best polo players from across Australia!

Amongst the thoroughbred thrills, we’ll delight in the polo traditions of Divot Stomp, Find the Shoehorn and Kids’, Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s dash!

Billy J Fashions on the Field will reward the best-dressed guests with the chance to win a custom piece of jewellery

crafted by Diamonds of Distinction and valued at $5000!

As the sun sinks over a decadent day out on Noosa Showgrounds, the celebrations will hit next level with a live performance from world-famous Hot Dub Time Machine!

Australian DJ Tom Lowndes showcases songs from every decade and genre of music, weaving it into one expansive and electrifying music history lesson.

His time travelling sets have been welcomed by international audiences with open arms, already selling a phenomenal 200,000 tickets worldwide.

Hot Dub is a main stage regular at festivals across the globe, including Australia’s Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and Groovin the Moo; the UK’s Reading and Leeds; Europe’s legendary Tomorrowland; Asia’s It’s The Ship and even Coachella in the USA!

We’ll turn back time at the After Party where Hot Dub will play songs in strict chronological order, mixing and mashing visuals and audio live from vinyl turntables for the Best. Party. Ever!

From luxe hospitality havens to leisurely picnics on the fence, Polo & Provedores offers a breathtaking sporting experience alongside stalls by regional provedores.

There are a range of experiences on offer from Premium Private Pavilions for ten to rubbing shoulders with competitors in the Player’s Lounge; classy and casual rendezvous in the Colts & Fillies Bar; or the laidback luxe of a reserved picnic space overlooking the arena. The Bollinger Bar will be flowing and hits from Pomona Distillery Co and Boiling Bot Brewery will keep guests hydrated with plenty of food on offer to satisfy the appetite!

There’s free parking onsite, shuttle buses available or for those seeking the ultimate ‘sense of arrival’ travel in style with Sunshine Coast Helicopter Tours who’ll be offering VIP transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport!

No matter what draws you to the spectacle of polo, dress to impress and prepare for a full day’s entertainment with all the action on the field followed by a thrilling post-Polo performance from Hot Dub Time Machine!

POLO & PROVEDORES

Saturday 14 October, 11.30am – 6pm

Noosa Showgrounds, Pomona

Premium Private Pavilions

The Luxe Hospitality Experience; $400pp until 1 October, minimum booking of 10

The Players Lounge

A premium event experience for individuals and smaller groups; from $265pp

Colts & Fillies Bar

The place to be seen for a more relaxed casual polo experience; from $125pp

Event Tickets & Reserved Picnic Space

Laidback luxe from your resesrved picnic space; from $31pp

All-ages, fully-licensed event, no BYO. Free parking on site; return shuttle buses available to and from Coolum, Maroochydore, Noosa and Tewantin. Helicopter transfers available from Sunshine Coast Airport. Second release ticket prices end September 30! www.poloandprovedores.com.au

Hot Dub Time Machine

CULINARY Curations

The Curated Plate 2023 offered a glimpse into the future of a flourishing food industry, uniting local makers and consumers over the dining table, as Georgia Beard reflects.

This year, The Curated Plate returned in all its gastronomic glory – a plated presentation of culinary craftsmanship, perfecting the harmony of home-harvested textures, colours and flavours.

Satisfying our appetites after last year’s sample-sized The Curated (side) Plate, this 10-day celebration of artisanal food and drink redefined the meaning of the sensory experience.

We travelled from one end of the Sunshine Coast to the other in search of the experimental and the immersive. From overgrown pastures and winding waterways to refreshingly new haunts and fond favourites, no venue was left empty, and no kitchen left idle.

Four signature events made their debut, encompassing all markets and demographics in the regional food industry.

CRAFTed Food Agritourism Conference projected the future of local agritourism while Paddock to The Curated Plate Presented by Hot91 expanded local palates with a market of homemade fare.

Craft connoisseurs sipped their way through the coast’s favourite breweries, distillers and bars for MooloolaBARS before Riceboi, Sum Yung Guys and Spirit House united with local foodies and musos to deliver a lively Asian Food Festival at Spicerse Tamarind Retreat.

After last year’s sell-out success, we

celebrated the union of cuisine and conversation at our second Podcast & Pinot at The Doonan!

As we savoured Head Chef Wayd Bailey’s homegrown long lunch, four guest panellists shared their life stories, from The Doonan’s Rob Comiskey to OzHarvest’s Michele Lipner OAM to DÉ

SAINT

Our foray didn’t stop there! We toured Market Bistro, Bottarga and The Met among Maroochydore’s emerging cityscape to Meet the Sunshine Coast Makers presented by FAN; indulged in a La Dolce Vita trackside feast of food, fashion and entertainment at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club; and savoured gin-infused fare and fiery rum at nil Desperandum’s Rumfire!

This is merely a slice of more than 100 events stretching from Caloundra to Doonan, showcasing over 300 local producers and makers.

As the banquet expanded, so too did the appetite of diners, resulting in a soaring 9,500 ticket sales compared to last year’s 1,500!

“We are all thrilled with the result, and

to Hot 91’s Sam Coward!

Nutworks Macadamias

The Doonan

Meet the Sunshine Coast Makers presented by FAN

2GR Wagyu MB8+ Sirloin, fermented bunya nut, scorched onion, rosella at The Doonan

Travis Watson, Red + White Wines. Italy vs France Luncheon featuring Locale Noosa presented by The Long Apron

these figures incorporate small boutique experiences with 11 to 25 attendees to full blown festivals that could take unlimited numbers,” said Project Manager Zoe Sparks. “Our Sunshine Coast locals are hungry for what we had on offer, but we drew a large number of visitors too which shows that people are recognising the amazing food and beverage scene we have here.”

As Sunshine Coast chefs, producers, distillers and brewers invited us beyond the dining table, we got to know the people who gather our produce, prepare our plates and pour our glasses –enriching the flavours and the experiences!

The Curated Plate closed the gap between creators and consumes, forging stronger connections as the Sunshine Coast harnesses food tourism in revolutionary ways.

“We are very mindful of involving our local businesses as much as possible and ensuring we set them up for success,” Zoe said.

“One of our key drivers is to ensure that our industry partners do well, so our focus will always be on raising the diversity and quality rather than getting ‘bigger and bigger’.

“We have a lot of plans and ideas already for 2024 and we can’t wait to get the ball rolling.”

Neither can we! Cheers to 2024!

Head Chef Wayd Bailey and Deb Caruso at Podcast + Pinot at The Doonan

Paddock to The Curated Plate presented By Hot 91

Silver Tongue Foods

Foodservices Australia Chef of the Year Tom Hitchcock from Spirit House at Paddock to the Curated Plate

Nil Desperandum presents Rumfire

Hinterland Harvest presented by Tiffany’s Maleny

Italy Vs France Luncheon featuring Locale Noosa presented by The Long Apron

Flavours COMMUNITY Flavours

Georgia Beard savours the heartfelt, homegrown long lunch that was Podcast & Pinot at The Doonan!

When the final weekend of The Curated Plate approached, guests gathered under the lofty gable roof of The Doonan to celebrate Hello Sunshine Magazine’s Podcast & Pinot

As sunlight filtered through the leafy surrounds and views opened to the ice creamery, pizzeria, herb garden and forested lawns, we knew there was no better place to celebrate the union of cuisine and conversation.

Head Chef Wayd Bailey and his talented team delivered four courses farmed, foraged, reared and reeled from our local soil and waterways.

From seared Mooloolaba Prawn to full-bodied 2GR Wagyu Sirloin to native bunya nut, fig and rosella; each dish was expertly paired with four pinot wines. We just can’t stop thinking about that succulent, seared Yellowfin Tuna!

Between every serving, podcaster and MC John Caruso spoke with four fascinating guests from our podcast, Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa

OF THE

... four courses farmed, foraged, reared and reeled from our local soil and waterways.

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

Woombye Cheese Truffle Brie with Bundaberg Fig Cigars

Mooloolaba Prawn & Noosa Reds Tomato Consommé

Seared Yellowfin Tuna

Director of Comiskey Group and developer of The Doonan Rob Comiskey, Founder of OzHarvest Sunshine Coast & Gympie Michele Lipner OAM; international DJ DÉ SAINT and Hot 91’s Sam Coward shared their colourful stories before coming together for an entertaining and inspiring panel discussion.

As we heard the panellists’ tales of trajectory-altering experiences and self-made success, so too did we discover the lives of those at our tables!

We raised $400 to donate to OzHarvest and the volunteers sold a recordbreaking 40 Sunny Coast Eats cookbooks - which also meant that 40 cookbooks would be donated to clients in need.

The event was homegrown in every sense of the word – one that coaxed our palates to the paddock and our local communities to each other!

Chef Wayd Bailey

DJ DÉ SAINT

Rob Comiskey & John Caruso

Sam Coward

LISTEN IN? Catch all our chats with guest speakers by scanning the QR code below.

Michele Lipner OAM (middle)

SIPS BITES AND

What’s brewing, cooking and happening...

BLI BLI BRILLIANCE!

Bli Bli Hotel is rising from the old canefields to open in late spring! Expect a refined menu beyond traditional pub fare on three levels of dining, from a tropical garden-style events space to a light-filled bistro to a bespoke rooftop bar.

WONKY WONDERS

The Wonky Loaf is getting a wonky refresh and we can’t wait to experience the

renovated spaces, rebranding, a locally stocked retail store and new offerings including a surprising sourdough cake!

SICILIAN SPIRIT

Unwind after a sun-soaked day on the sand at Pizzeria Sisily, transporting you from Golden Beach to Italy with authentic woodfired pizza, delectable dishes, craft brews and curated cocktails!

SEASIDE SECRET

Pop into The Walkway for gourmet cheese, cured meats and dry goods! Caloundra’s newest side-street deli and café offers coffee, breakfast, lunch, fresh sandwiches and grazing

platters – perfect for a beach picnic!

RUNNING WILD

After two years in the making, Wild Barrel will open as the first and only brewery based on a farm in the Sunshine Coast hinterland! Produced from locally-caught yeast, organic ingredients and aged in barrels, indulge in unique vintages and limited releases!

PERFECTION IN A SCOOP

Artigiano has perfected the art of gelato! Visit their new store in Maroochydore for artisanal creations, in traditional pozzetti tubs!

COFFEE ON THE CORNER

There’s a new kid on the corner in Nambour! Taste

Ari Coffee Co’s vintage black coffee blend with a cheeky pastry or doughnut as the owners plan to expand their offering!

POP INTO POPPY’S

After serving Japanese, Korean and Asian fusion cuisine to loyal locals, Poppy’s Delights will also open a café for brunch in the same complex as their Sippy Downs sushi shop!

COAST CLASSICS

Four Sunshine Coast stalwarts have earned first places at the 2023 Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence! Congratulations to the alwaysamazing Bella Venezia for winning Formal

Italian Restaurant for the second year in a row; The Tamarind Spicers

Retreat for Asian Restaurant and Restaurant in a Hotel/Resort; Humble on Duke for Informal Contemporary Australian Restaurant; and Verona Pizza & Wine Bar for Informal Italian Restaurant and Pizza Restaurant!

SAVOUR THE DATE!

Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is back from 30 May to 2 June, 2024! Early bird tickets for the Festival Village launch 27 September. Join the mailing list for exclusive updates, and to grab pre-release tickets for the Long Lunch, Beach, and Restaurant Events! noosaeatdrink.com.au

Bli Bli Hotel

Wild Barrel

Artigiano

Pizzeria Sisily

Matt Golinski shares his favourite family-owned and sustainable meat producers for a better planet, community and plate.

MEAT TOplease you

September marks the official start of Spring here in the southern hemisphere, but if you didn’t own a calendar, you’d swear it started about six weeks ago.

That’s when all the trees started to flower, we stopped bothering to light the fireplace and packed away the beanies and jumpers.

As weather patterns become more erratic and unpredictable, people in all industries are turning their minds towards ways to make what they do to have less impact on the earth, and none less than the agricultural sector.

‘Sustainability’ is a word that has become a part of our daily vocabulary these days, and for a lot of our local farmers it has become an important part of their business model from not just an environmental perspective, but also considering economic and social views.

Some of the main priorities of creating a sustainable system include building healthy soil and promoting biodiversity, reducing soil erosion, managing water wisely, and using less pesticides and chemical fertilisers which contribute to pollution and degradation.

Producing and selling locally gives consumers access to the freshest and healthiest food, creates employment and keeps money within the community.

Meat production has always had a reputation for being high impact on the environment, but we’re lucky enough in this region to have a number of dedicated farming families who care deeply about the welfare of their animals and the land they’re grown on.

Below are just some of the options available in our region if ethical and sustainable carnivorous eating is on your radar.

PIGGY IN THE MIDDLE

Dean and Kate Mayne produce pastured free-range eggs and Berkshire pork and smallgoods on their ex-olive farm property in Kilkivan, north-west of Gympie. Dean does fortnightly home deliveries across the Sunshine Coast and you’ll find a range of his bacon and

salami at any of the White’s IGAs. For more information and stockists

www.piggyinthemiddle.com

BENDELE

Fred and Sarah Sterns grow free range chickens and turkeys also in Kilkivan (in fact they’re Dean and Kate’s neighbours). They offer free range and organic poultry as two different options. You’ll find their products at Sunshine Coast Organic Meats, Eumundi Meats, Wright Cut Meats, Cooroy, Pomona and Peregian IGAs, Maleny Butchery and Greensmith Grocers, Birtinya. They’re also at Noosa and Kawana Farmers’ Markets and Yandina Country Markets.

www.facebook.com/people/Bendele-FARM

BIMBURY LAAMB

Lindsay and Ann Boyle raise lambs in Windera in the South Burnett and sell direct to the public at Pomona Markets every second Saturday and Fishermans Rd Markets the following day. Check their Facebook page for which weekends they’re there.

www.facebook.com/bimburylaamb

MOYA VALLEY POULTRY

Kev Ross is a true veteran of the free-range poultry industry, supplying butchers and IGAs across the coast with top quality free range chickens for the last 25 years. On his property at Imbil he

produces and processes around 1200 chickens per week with a stocking density of around 1000 birds per hectare.

His chickens are allowed to develop naturally over a 49 day period as opposed to force fed chickens which are full size within 34 days.

www.facebook.com/moyavalleypoultry

NOOSA BEACH FARM

Mitch and Nina Bray have been using biodynamic principles to produce certified organic grass-fed Wagyu Angus Cross beef on their properties in the Darling Downs and Kin Kin north-west of Noosa, but are now 100% full time ‘coasties’ and will soon be ready to market their full blood Wagyu to the public.

www.brayfarms.com.au

EASTWELL FARM

Bryant and Susie Usher produce 100% grass-fed Nguni cattle, a tick resistant African breed, on their second-generation beef farm in Kin Kin. Bryant’s son Alex also grows exotic mushrooms like oyster, shimeji and Lions Mane on the property in a series of humidity and temperaturecontrolled shipping containers. Both the beef and mushrooms are available for home delivery from their online shop including value added items like pies, burgers and sausages.

www.eastwellfarms.com.au

PHOTO: KATJA ANTON

Forage Farms

FORAGE FARM

Stuart and Megan Andrews and their sons Hamish and Lachlan employ Natural Sequence farming techniques on their property in Kybong, south of Gympie, with chickens, pigs and cows all playing their part in creating a healthy ecology.

Pastured free range eggs, meat chickens, pork, beef and smallgoods are all available through their online shop and can be delivered to your door. www.foragefarms.com.au

K2 BEEF

Tim and Amber Scott produce certified organic, entirely grass-fed free-range beef from their Angus-Cross cattle on their property in Kandanga in the Mary

Valley. They are as passionate about supplying their customers with premium quality beef as they are about regenerating and improving the land they use, and are great advocates and educators of sustainable farming. You’ll find their products at their Kandanga Farm Store, Greensmith Grocers in Birtinya, Farmer and Sun in Gympie, and they’ll soon offer online ordering. www.k2beef.com.au

BAMBOO PARK FREE RANGE FARMING

Bamboo Park is located between Yandina and Coolum and produces pastured-raised free range heritage pork as well as honey. Both have the added interest factor of being influenced by the

presence of the sacred blue lotus growing on the property.

Stocked at Greensmith Grocers, you can also visit the farm from Wednesday to Sunday from 9am-5pm.

www.freerangepork.farm

BUNYA GROVE PRODUCE

There’s not much that Mick and Kylie Carr of Bunya Grove don’t produce on their biodynamic farm in Amamoor.

Persimmons are in full swing through Autumn, but year-round they have eggs, meat chickens, beef, pork and honey, even home-baked pastries (if you get to the farm shop early enough). You can even camp on the banks of the creek for a true farmstay experience.

www.bunyagroveproduce.com.au

Support local and taste the difference!

GET IT AT GREENSMITH GROCERS

Drop into Greensmith Grocers, Birtinya, for a great selection of frozen organic, free-range meats sourced from local suppliers including Bamboo Park Pork; Bendele Farm Chicken and K2 Beef; as well as local, wild-caught and sustainable seafoodincluding the ever-popular fish portions.

www.greensmithgrocers.com.au

RECIPES BY MATT GOLINSKI

Enjoy these fresh and seasonal recipes perfect for fresh spring days from local food champion and Slow Food Ambassador, Matt Golinski. Discover his favourite local suppliers on the following pages. The Slow Food Noosa ‘Snail of Approval’ program is a good reference for local champions that adhere to the global guidelines of good, clean and fair food. You can find a list of Snail of Approval recipients and stockists at www.slowfoodnoosa.com

Ingredients:

• 1.5kg piece skin-on pork shoulder

• 75gm miso

• 200gm dry udon noodles

• 75gm sunflower seeds

• 30ml tamari

• 1tbs ginger, grated

• 2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 2 tbs sesame oil

• 2 cups shredded wombok

• 50ml soy sauce

• 30ml rice vinegar

• 2 shallots, finely sliced

• Organic sunflower petals to garnish

Method:

• Thin the miso with a little bit of hot water and rub all over the underside of the pork shoulder.

• Lay skin side up in a deep baking tray, cover with foil and roast at 140°C for 4 hours, or until the shoulder is soft and falling apart easily.

• Drain off cooking juices and refrigerate until the fat sets and can be removed and discarded. Once cool enough to handle, shred the shoulder meat by hand and refrigerate.

• Cook the noodles in rapidly boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold running water until cool.

• Dry roast the sunflower seeds in a frypan until lightly coloured, remove from the heat and stir in the tamari. Allow to sit in the hot pan to dry out so they go crunchy again.

• In a wok or large frypan, heat the sesame oil, add the ginger, garlic and cabbage and stir fry for 2 minutes.

• Add the pork braising liquid, soy sauce and rice vinegar and bring to the boil.

• Add the shredded pork and noodles and toss through to reheat.

• Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the sunflower seeds, sliced shallots and sunflower petals.

UDON NOODLES WITH MISO BRAISED PORK SHOULDER, WOMBOK AND TAMARI SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Ingredients:

• 4 beef ribs

• 2 cloves garlic

• 2 tbs olive oil

• 1 x 400gm tin

crushed tomatoes

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 4 tbs baby capers

• 4 fresh bay leaves

Method:

• 2 sprigs rosemary

• Salt and pepper

• 200ml water

• 200ml milk

• 50gm instant polenta

• 50gm grated parmesan

• Rocket to garnish

• Dry the beef ribs and place in a casserole dish.

• Fry the garlic in the olive oil until fragrant, then add the tomatoes, chicken stock, capers, bay leaves and rosemary, and season with salt and pepper.

• Pour over the ribs, cover tightly with foil and bake for 3 hours at 150°C.

• Gently remove the ribs to another tray and refrigerate the sauce until the fat has set on top and can be removed and discarded.

• Bring the milk and water to the boil in a small saucepan and whisk in the polenta.

• Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then stir in parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

• Reheat the ribs and sauce and serve on a generous spoonful of the polenta garnished with rocket leaves.

SERVES 4

CHICKEN, AVOCADO, RUBY GRAPEFRUIT AND FENNEL SALAD

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 avocado, diced

• 2 ruby grapefruit, segmented

• 1 small fennel bulb, finely sliced

• ½ cup flat parsley leaves

• ½ small red onion, finely sliced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 50ml extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp fennel seeds, lightly toasted and crushed

• Salt and pepper

Method:

• Season the chicken breasts and fry in a hot pan until well coloured on both sides.

• Transfer to a roasting tray and bake for 10 minutes at 180°C. Refrigerate until cold.

• Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, mustard and fennel seeds and season with salt and pepper.

• Once the chicken is cool, slice thinly and gently toss with the avocado, grapefruit, fennel, parsley, onion and dressing.

• Divide between 4 plates and drizzle with a little more olive oil before serving.

BEEF SHORT RIBS BRAISED IN TOMATO AND CAPER SAUCE WITH SOFT POLENTA

Sea, Crêpes & Sun

Quality,

CRÊPES ON THE Coast

There’s been a French revolution on the Coast since Flo’s has come to town to fulfil our Francophile desires with mouthwatering crêpes and galettes just over one year ago. Georgia Beard asks Head Chef and Frenchman, Yann Gougeon about the journey and his favourite crêpes to cook, eat and serve.

What has been your most memorable shift since you began at Flo’s?

Since I was part of Flo’s opening, every little step is memorable, but I would say Mother’s Day was the most epic. It was the busiest one, but since we were expecting this number of customers, our mise en place was on point and the A-team was on the starting block, which meant that a non-stop, crazy-busy day went super smooth.

We did the service while having fun –absolutely no stress. At the end of the day, we were all amazed at how good such a big day went.

What is the most exciting Australian ingredient you’ve been able to work with?

What makes Australia taste like Australia is mangoes. Rarely in France could I find a decent mango. Here during peak season, it smells of sweet mango in every fruit shop, and properly prepared, this fruit goes well with so many sweet or savoury ingredients. It brings a sweet and refreshing taste, and depending on how ripe it is, its flavours and textures evolve. It’s an amazing product.

Out of your team, who eats the greatest number of crêpes in a week?

With no doubt, I call out our best barista Killian aka Kiki aka ‘the Ibis’. There is no crêpe or galette he doesn’t fancy. No matter the time of the day or the dish on offer, he is up to it.

I am convinced that from his coffee machine, he notices the sound of a plate being upsettingly set back on the workbench if it’s not perfect for the customer, and Kiki the Ibis appears.

Due to this, he is now a connoisseur, always happy to try new tastes and is able to identify many of the characteristics that makes a good crêpe or galette.

If you could only eat one crêpe for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

This one comes from my grandfather. Where I am from, crêpes and galette are history – we’ve made galettes since the 12th century. I grew up on crêpes and galettes, and I’ve seen my grandfather having butter-sugar crêpes since I can remember. I’ve tried many different combinations but there is something about the simplicity of melted, salted butter and crunchy sugar on the crêpe –no taste goes beyond the other.

It is naughty but never seems too heavy, and I am always amazed by the wonderful taste of such a simple combination - or maybe it is simply a nod to my grandfather with every one I enjoy.

What receives the most requests at home?

My family always goes simple – ham, cheese, eventually eggs. I try to source the best ingredients to magnify those classics. A Crêpe Suzette well-prepared

and flaming with Grand Marnier also goes a long way at family gatherings.

The experience of flambé with my family makes it feel like a party or a restaurant at home. It’s a big win every time – even the time my wife almost burnt the tablecloth pouring flaming alcohol and blowing on the flame - as I said, it feels like party at home!

The best drink to have with a crêpe?

Easy one! Cider, no doubt, but I would recommend cider doux. That’s how we roll in my family. It is the sweeter one, the less alcoholic one with around 2% alcohol. During summer reunion, sweet, sparkling cider is so refreshing. It goes well with crêpes, whether savoury or sweet, and because it is so low in alcohol, even the young ones could have a sip or two back in my days.

Nowadays, I also enjoy the rosé cider – sweet and tangy. If served in a wine glass, it brings a bit of a fancy feeling!

Which is better – crêpe or galette?

That’s a tricky one – there is no right answer here. I will say the La Complète galette – runny egg, cheese and ham.

I’ll add salad and cherry tomatoes to this, and that’s a guarantee of success. It’s filling, fresh and crunchy.

Have a butter-sugar crêpe with that, and you’ve got yourself a balanced meal and a piece of Brittany history!

PHOTO: FLORENCE LEMYRE

Owner Florian ‘Flo’ Guillemard and Head Chef Yann Gougeon

Mixing the charm of a small-town bakery with unmatched service, The Wonky Loaf is expanding to embrace a wide offering and an even wider community, as Georgia Beard discovers.

A MUCH-KNEADEDChange

Every town in Australia is home to a local bakery. We know the kind – humble and heartwarming; shelves stacked with steaming meat pies, crusty loaves and creamy desserts; a pitstop for every lunch-hungry local and visitor.

From an unassuming street corner in Kuluin, The Wonky Loaf has become this destination for the Sunshine Coast.

With their rare recipe of slowfermented, sustainable and organic sourdough goodies, exceptional coffee and a space embracing creativity and authenticity, the wonky humans behind the counter have made it so much more than the local bakery.

From peckish kids across the road at Kuluin State School; to the early risers collecting fresh, sustainable and organic sourdough bread and baked goods; to interstate travellers living like locals; The Wonky Loaf is a delicious destination.

After months of product development and planning; The Wonky Loaf is about to get... well, wonkier, with expansions; exciting new recipes and retail offerings that will officially launch in the first weekend of September!

For founder and owner Katie Faulkner, this transformation has been a long time coming.

“Over the years, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of change and firmly believe that growth, when done mindfully, can be a potent force for good,” she said.

“In this expansion, we see an opportunity and a chance to bring our health-centric, sustainable offerings to a wider audience.

“We will be launching a range of new products from the start of September, varying from creative adaptations of the classics that customers absolutely love to our biggest and most exciting product that has been in the works for many months.

“We are so excited to announce that we will be offering sourdough cake at The Wonky Loaf!”

For context, baking a cake is chemistry in action. With sourdough in the mix, the experiment grows harder to predict. But these talented bakers have

achieved their ideal chemical reaction, reaching the same high standard as their sourdough bread and pastries - to create a divine and decadent product that is as good on your tummy as it is on your tastebuds!

“Wheat, in its unfermented state, is difficult to digest and unwilling to give up its nutritional benefits,” Katie said. “By adding a live sourdough culture to the wheat flour in recipes and giving it the right environment to ferment for a long time, we break down that gluten structure, making it easier to digest and releasing the good nutrients contained within.”

After three years in business, the team also recognised their beloved bakery space – from the kitchen to the kids’ corner to the dog-friendly dining – needed a bit more love!

“We’ve embarked on some muchneeded renovations,” she said. “Imagine a space where every corner feels like the cosy yet spacious nook of a premium bakery, enveloping you with the warmth

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

of freshly baked bread and the alluring aroma of coffee.

“Our new retail space will remain in our café, making it feel more like a small grocer and community hub.

“We are passionate about high quality, local produce and have selected the best of the best on the Sunshine Coast to be part of our offerings.”

Expect to see the likes of Woombye Cheese Company, Sex Honey, Padre Coffee, Pargo, Suzie June Chocolate, Fresh Chai Co and Pottery by Mudra on the shelves.

The Wonky Loaf will also feature weekend blooms delivered by the parents of one staff member from their Gympie flower farm!

“In the background, our wholesale department has been on fire!” Katie added. “We’ve seen a significant growth there, partnering with local businesses to get our sustainable and slow fermented sourdough loaves into more hands across the Sunshine Coast.”

As The Wonky Loaf’s exclusive list of stockists expands, we can also find their sourdough delights at Kawana, Yandina and Eumundi markets on Saturdays and Noosa Farmers’ Market and Northey Street Market in Brisbane on Sundays.

“We have been working endlessly on our relaunch and can’t believe just how quickly the time has flown by,” Katie said. “We are so grateful for our dedicated team – we simply wouldn’t have been able to do this without them.

“By expanding, we aren’t just seeking to grow in size – we aim to magnify our impact and to make high-quality sourdough more accessible while continuing to champion the values of sustainability and organic produce.

“In essence, this move is an embodiment of our belief in harnessing change as a powerful tool to nourish our community and move closer to our vision.”

The Wonky Loaf’s sourdough croissant - yes, really!

GET WONKY!

Discover a new era on the rise at The Wonky Loaf slow sourdough Café + HQ 2-4 Melaleuca Street, Kuluin

Visit www.thewonkyloaf.com.au to discover stockists such as Greensmith Grocers, Grub Organics, Flying West, Ocean Folk Espresso (Ocean Addicts), Tewantin Market Garden, Yandina Market Garden, The Shop @ Coolum, Maple Street Co-op (Maleny) & The Barn on Flaxton.

Or come on board as a wholesale stockist at www.thewonkyloaf.com.au/apply

THE WO N KY LOAF

Relax with a coffee & sourdough pastry, let the kids play in our outdoor cubby and stock up on your favourite Sunshine Coast produce.

Opening

hours Monday:

your local stockist, enquire about wholesale opportunities & learn more about what makes The Wonky Loaf stand out. REVE Y THING ISSOUR !HGUOD

We are passionate about high quality, local produce and have selected the best of the best on the Sunshine Coast...

Are older women being seen? More importantly are they being heard? Millennials buried deep in a social media landscape seldom recognise what baby boomers have to offer. John Caruso meets a local woman who’s making some noise and very much still being seen.

VISIBLYConnected

Aldy is short for Aldath. Not a name that’s heard often.

“It’s very old. In the novel 1066 and All That there’s a Welsh Queen with a similar name and I believe it was one of the names of William the Conqueror’s grandmother. Also, in the book Seven Little Australians there’s a character called Aldith,” Aldy Johnston explains.

Together with husband George, Aldy has owned and run Secrets on The Lake for more than quarter of a century but they haven’t always been in the hospitality game.

“I was born in Dalby in 1944 and George was born in Scotland south-west of Elgin, and he came out to Australia when he was eight,” Aldy shares. “His father came first, arrived in Dalby and built the second motel ever, The Wishing

Well Motel, which is still standing.

“I met George riding our bikes together to and from high school.”

Uprooting from country Queensland and heading to New Zealand to get a degree was on her mind before marriage and settling down.

“There weren’t degrees in home economics available in Australia and I had no idea or clue where that would lead me but I’m a person who’s very adaptable,” she says. “It’s the people that count with me more than the place and my parents were never surprised about this. You grab opportunities and you do the best you can.”

I ask Aldy if she thinks of herself as a risk taker.

“A little bit, I think. Yeah. You’ve gotta jump off the edge sometimes. You can

John Caruso meets an inspiring local who has built one of the region’s most desirable destinations out of courage, commitment and compassion - and she’s not ready to disappear just yet.

have an idea, but if you don’t follow through on it, you’re never going to get anywhere,” she responds.

The couple started building Secrets on the Lake in 1985 and opened it for bookings in 1997.

Since then, Aldy has met, seen, spoken to, and built relationships with thousands of people.

“People come up to me and say, ‘you’re amazing! Keep it up.’ Older women tend to be written off; not seen, however a lot of women are still very capable of contributing, but they’re not given the opportunities,” Aldy explains.

There’s a team of about 30 at Secrets on The Lake and speaking out and being heard at age 79 is important to her.

“I run the business and still make decisions concerning it and if I’m talking

PHOTO: GEORGIA BEARD

George and Aldy Johnston

to someone who’s managing my kitchen or my restaurant, I expect them to listen. I think people switch off if you look old. That’s why I colour my hair,” she laughs.

Kerala in India with its cultural diversity, rich history and varied landscape that includes the Arabian Sea coast, seems worlds away from Dalby, the often-hot rural Queensland town where Aldy grew up and later worked as a teacher. However a diagnosis 16 years ago started a journey of discovery and wellness that continues today.

“In 2007, I was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she shares. “I survived it, and I got in touch with someone who suggested I go the Ayurvedic health centre in Kerala.

“I do that every two years, three weeks at a time. It keeps my weight in check, keeps me healthy and I’ve learned to utilise alternate methods to stay well and maintain a level of wellness beyond my biological age.”

For Aldy, paying it forward is also important, not simply because of the

‘good karma’ it may generate but also because of the sense of purpose it provides.

“It’s extremely important because a lot of people don’t have purpose in their lives, and they don’t have support,” she said. “We’re having a fundraiser in October to raise funds for the homeless, which we do most years because part of our focus is about helping others. It’s all about kindness.”

If there’s one lesson I learn again and again from recording fresh episodes of our podcast, Everyone Has a Story, is that listening is the key.

Any good interviewer will tell you that. And if you have the opportunity of sitting down with someone who’s a little more senior in years compared to yourself, then tapping into that deep well of experience is a privilege. Life has no instruction manual, however the guidance you seek is often in plain sight.

WANT MORE? Listen to our full conversation with Aldy Johnston on our podcast, Everyone Has a Story now.

THE SUNSHINE COAST'S BEST KEPT SECRET

Nestled in the rainforest overlooking

the hand-carved luxury treehouse accommodation and spectacular views from the Dining on the Deck Restaurant makes Secrets on the Lake a “must see” destination on the Sunshine Coast.

Secrets on the Lake

BEST OF Bella Venezia

The trophy cabinet is full and so are the tummies and hearts of the patrons and people that make Bella Venezia Restaurant so famous. Carlie Wacker serves up the latest news from Mooloolaba’s iconic Italian restaurant.

Todd and Kristine Young are the owners behind the restaurant that continues to place the Sunshine Coast on the map as a world-class destination for lovers of amazing Italian cuisine and exclusive wines paired with exceptional service – Bella Venezia Restaurant + Bar, Mooloolaba. Their cup runneth over with a plethora of global and Australian Wine List Awards, including the most recent win with Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards – the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service - in which they took out the 2023 “Best of Award of Excellence” which recognised their extraordinary dedication to offering the best in wine from around the world.

“Bella Venezia Restaurant is proud to be honoured for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2023 Restaurant Awards,” said Todd Young, Wine Director at Bella Venezia.

“We are thrilled to be awarded such a prestigious internationally-recognised award and to know that Bella Venezia is the only Sunshine Coast restaurant to receive this award from the New York based Wine Spectator Magazine again this year. It acknowledges our dedication and investment we have placed into our extensive wine program and the award recognition is great for both Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.”

The award-winning wine list is just one part of the Bella Venezia experience. This palate-pleasing powerhouse has also been awarded multiple Restaurant and Catering Awards for excellence in Australia; including the 2022 and hot-off-the-press - 2023 - Award for Best Formal Italian Restaurant in South East Queensland and the 2023 AGFG Readers’ Choice Winner

Bella Venezia Director Kristine Young said it was amazing to win the award for

the second year in a row.

“To have that kind of consistency is really something to be proud of,” she said. “It is extra special as it is awarded from recognition by mystery judges with a full-on judging criteria!”

The food and service is clearly coveted by locals and tourists alike who also voted Bella Venezia the 2021 and 2022 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Number 1 restaurant in Australia

The inspiring team continue to innovate and create spectacular culinary moments in Mooloolaba and to this end, have just launched the Bella Venezia exclusive private dining experience.

“We refer to it as a symphony of privacy and exquisite Italian cuisine,” says Kristine.

Music to our ears and mouths!

“The private dining setting is so special and nestled behind a sparkling

PHOTO: MEGAN

metallic curtain. It’s the perfect place for intimate gatherings and memorable celebrations” she says.

You can have up to 20 people in this exclusive dining room where they offer the regular menu or they can curate a menu with wine pairings especially for your occasion.

I think Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher of Wine Spectator put it perfectly when he wrote: “In a time of technological innovation, restaurants

offer the human experience diners are hungry for— listening to their customers and offering personalized experience.”

Bella Venezia are the ultimate example of a venue that delivers what the people want and adapts to an everchanging and growing hospitality environment.

With all the award wins continuing to come, Bella Venezia is going to need a bigger trophy cabinet.

Bravo Bella Venezia!

SEAFOOD Seduction

Sole Restaurant seduced us with a perfect combination of the freshest seafood, superb wine and stunning service. Carlie Wacker savoured the experience!

It was a full house of fine diners for a feast of the freshest seafood starting with live oyster shucking by Kris from Phresh Oysters and followed by three seductive courses curated by Sole Restaurant Head Chef Tom Staal.

Each course was expertly matched with a wine from Fermoy Margaret River Winery - a premium winery nestled in the beautiful region of Wilyabrup the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the famous wine making region of Western Australia.

Thank you David, Sarah and the Sole team – a magical day!

DON’T MISS! Brouhaha Beer Lunch. 6 October. www.solerestaurant.com.au

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

THE MENU AMUSE-BOUCHE

Live oyster shucking demonstration by Kris from Phresh Oysters served natural with lemon or with ponzu sauce.

Sparkling Grapefruit & Rosemary Spritz

ALTERNATE DROP ENTRÉES

Pan Seared Tasmanian scallops with fresh pea puree, buttermilk and mint oil dressing, Lonza and snow pea tendrils.

Yellowfin tuna tartar, with jalapeño aguachile, squid ink mayonnaise and pickles.

Fermoy Semillion Sauvignon Blanc

ALTERNATE DROP MAINS

Shellfish risotto with spanner crab, Mooloolaba king prawn, baby squid, fennel, roasted leek and bottarga. Confit Salmon with miso beurre blanc, grilled rapini, radish and citrus.

Fermoy Chardonnay/Cabernet Merlot

ALTERNATE DROP DESSERTS

Turmeric and yogurt Panna Cotta with mint and citrus. Orange and chocolate tart with cocoa nib praline and creme Chantilly.

Fermoy Rose/Cabernet Merlot

FRIENDLY Flavours

The deliciously different flavours of Dee Den are about to burst onto the spring menu and, as Deb Caruso discovers, they promise to be more flavoursome and friendlier than ever.

Dee Den is chasing away the winter blues with a spring menu as colourful as the blooms adorning the rafters of their hillside Queenslander!

Those who joined us for the Sunshine & Sons x Dee Den’s Something Different gin lunch indulged in a banquet bursting with playful Asian flavours and reckless creativity both from the kitchen and the distillery.

The response to the dishes was so overwhelmingly positive that Dee Den owners Jeremy Khoo and Head Chef Mike Meesuwan decided to keep some of the superstars on its fresh and flavoursome spring menu.

Try the Sashimi Hokkaido Scallop, served with Chilli sesame vinaigrette, lychee, ginger, kaffir lime zest, finger lime, sawtooth coriander, herbed oil and lemon aspen powder - an aromatic and divine combination of flavours!

The Thai Herbed Grilled Chicken with spiced sundried tomato, roasted kohlrabi radish, pickled fennel, basil, chipotle salt and crispy shallot is too good not to share and the swoon-worthy Sticky Pork Belly Salad with Gochujang chilli caramel, pickled daikon, red apples, Konnyaku noodles, Asian herbs, crispy shallot and cacao powder will now be a permanent star on the menu! As it should be!

No need to worry about your favourites vanishing - the classic Dee Den signature dishes will return to the table, including elevated Asian starters such as the Betel Leaf Wraps, now with a new filling of caramelised pork belly, pineapple, green apple, shallot, pickled chilli, finger lime,

and toasted coconut; and Banana Blossom Salad with pulled chicken, cashew nuts, coconut, tamarind, golden shallots, and roasted chilli jam.

Stir fries such as the Wagyu Basil & Betel Leaf Stir-Fry with traditional Thai mixed aromatics and spices, apple eggplant, chilli, and green beans; and indulgent, robust curries including the

Slow-Cooked Angus Beef Cheek

Massaman with sweet potato, almond flakes, and toasted coconut; and the Lamb Shank Rendang with Indonesian mixed spices, potatoes, pickled fennel, lotus root chip, candlenut and chilli threads; will also remain in favour and with full flavour!

The kitchen will be giving a fresh twist

Hokkaido Scallop Sashimi

Sticky Pork Belly Salad

Thai Herbed Grilled Chicken

to beloved dishes like the zesty Vietnamese Fried Turmeric Cuttlefish; and the Grilled King Prawns will be served with black garlic butter and lychee salsa - that’s decadently different!

The usual Dee Den delights of “Conversation Starter” questions and the Foodie Fun Interaction Map to help you choose your perfect dishes will be refreshed along with new banquet options and an updated “Trust the Chef” food journey.

In fact trusting the chef is now even easier with all items marked Gluten Free (GF) now crafted to be coeliac-friendly

by default, ensuring all coeliac guests can savour the complete Dee Den experience without any concerns or worries.

As a sufferer of Coeliac Disease, I couldn’t be happier and I appreciate the

effort and understanding of the Dee Den team to ensure a worry-free feast!

A trip to Dee Den isn’t complete without sampling some of the creative cocktails showcasing beautiful local Australian spirits and products from small distilleries and family farms.

The delights of springtime flavours from the soil and the sea, lots of fresh greenery and colours, a vision Dee Den has implemented for their spring menu.

Revisit Dee Den for Something Different – we know what magic they’re capable of creating, and we can’t wait to taste the flavours of spring!

The kitchen will be giving a fresh twist to beloved dishes like the zesty Vietnamese Fried Turmeric Cuttlefish; and the Grilled King Prawns will be served with black garlic butter and lychee salsa - that’s decadently different!

Tumeric Curry, available with Grilled Chicken or Agedashi Tofu & Roasted Pumpkin

THE UNBEARABLE Liking

OF BEAN!

Some may say coffee is a drug. For John Caruso it could be a religion.

Preparing my stove top coffee maker, or Moka pot - or caffettiera for those of us raised in an ethnic household - is a daily ritual that’s close to my heart. The grinding of the beans, the gentle heat, smelling the aroma and watching as the pot fills. Then the first sip - just magic and the perfect start to my day.

My Melbournian friend, Richie, Sicilian heritage just like me, gifted me my first caffettiera more than 30 years ago and I’ve been hooked on the ritualistic way of creating a rich, aromatic brew ever since. Coffee is more than just a drink for me. It’s a way of life, a culture, a passion. I love experimenting with different types

of beans, roasts and blends. There are many ways to enjoy coffee, and I’ve tried them all. From long black to cappuccino; latte to macchiato; espresso to mocha, there’s a coffee for every mood and occasion. But my favourite is still the long (medium) black, no sugar, just pure coffee goodness.

I’m not alone in my love for coffee. Australians consume an average of 2kg of coffee per person per year. That’s about 6 billion cups annually! The coffee market down under reached $6.2 billion in 2019, with more than 20,000 coffee shops across the country. It is a huge part of our economy and our culture. But not all coffee is created equal.

Some people still use instant coffee, which is easy but a crime against humanity. Instant coffee is made from low-quality beans that are roasted, ground, brewed, and then freeze-dried or spray-dried into granules or powder. It has less flavour, less aroma, less caffeine, and more chemicals than real coffee. To me, it’s like drinking dirty water with a hint of bitterness.

According to a survey, 27% of Australians still use instant coffee on a daily basis. That’s more than a quarter of the population! How can they live like that? Don’t they know what they’re missing out on? Don’t they care about their taste buds? Don’t they have any respect for themselves?

I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. But instant coffee is something that I can’t tolerate. It’s like eating cardboard instead of bread or drinking vinegar instead of wine. It’s an insult to the art and science of coffee making.

Sharing coffee with a friend or group of friends is another one of life’s simple pleasures. There’s nothing like having a cup of coffee with someone you care about whether it’s at home or at your favourite coffee spot. Coffee brings people together, sparks conversations, creates bonds. It’s a social lubricant that

makes us feel more relaxed and connected.

Coffee is more than just a drink for me. It’s a story, a culture, a passion, a friendship; one of the greatest pleasures of life. It’s something that enriches my life every day. I can’t imagine what life would be like without it. But I do know one thing - I don’t want to find out.

TYPES OF COFFEE & WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE DRINKER*

Long black - For blokes that don’t eat quiche. Espresso - As above, with much less time. Cappuccino – The milk & chocolate sprinkle moustache is only for the master of disguises. Café Latte – A no-no for the lactose intolerant - and there’s no point in almond or oat substitutes.

Vienna – Ordered when making a scene and looking for attention. (There are loud shirts in your closet)

Flat white – You need to get out more. You’re boring!

Macchiato – You want to give up dairy, but you’re not there yet.

Americano – Don’t bother. The Yanks have no idea.

*author’s opinion only.

ESPRESSO MARTINI

INGREDIENTS

Ice cubes

1½ part Vodka

¾ part Kahlúa

¾ part Espresso (cooled)

3 whole coffee beans

PHOTO: MEGAN GILL

FROM ACQUA RESTAURANT, CALOUNDRA

BURNING Ambition

It was time for heartwarming celebrations to give cheers to the national expansion of our favourite local spirit and the success of The Curated Plate 2023.

As the sun sank over the hills, the air caught alight with the crackling glow of a great bonfire at Nil Desperandum Rum and Sunshine & Sons Distillery!

Wrapping up the first week of The Curated Plate, RumFire celebrated the official launch of Nil Desperandum’s flagship national product, SPECIAL

We were welcomed with a delicious rum and Fever-Tree cocktail, an opportunity to try SPECIAL and the limited edition Nil Desperandum GO FOURTH, and delighted in the vibrant flavours of Mooloolaba Prawn Paella from The Paella Fella while Sunshine Coast singer-songwriter Sari Abbott set the vibe.

The night was such a success, the guys at Nil Desperandum are already planning to make RumFire an annual affair.

The Distillery is open, albeit without a bonfire, every day from 10am till sunset for tours, tastings and cocktails on their rainforest-surrounded terrace. We can’t wait to see what Nil Desperandum Rum curates next!

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

SUNSHINEVibes

It was Sunshine and good Vibes for the launch of the latest Hello Sunshine Magazine and Village Vibes Guide. Deb Caruso loved every minute of it!

It was a double celebration when our biggest edition of Hello Sunshine Magazine and our third Village Vibes Guide were launched in style at Peregian Beach Hotel’s stunning Il Porto Bar.

The room was abuzz with inspiring locals keen to drink, eat and meet likeminded artists, business owners and the IN Publishing team.

Members of the Peregian Beach Business Association joined in the celebrations for the launch of the Village Vibes Guide 2023 - an essential guide to The Village Peregian Beach.

The Peregian Beach Hotel team even created a bespoke cocktail for the occasion using our Hello Sunshine Parfait Gin distilled by Sunshine & Sons!

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

FOOD | DRINKS | FUNCTIONS

www.peregianbeachhotel.com.au

BEER Pine-eers

According to website Savvy, craft beer revenue grew by almost 18% last year and while mainstream beer sales declined, consumer’s interest in the craft beer portion of the pie grew!

One of the early pioneers of craft beer was 4 Pines Brewing Co. which was born from a conversation between a father and his son following a surf, 15 years ago.

“We’ve been a beer loving nation, but I think options were really limited in terms of getting a well-made craft beer more than a decade ago,” explains Adam Dearing, General Manager of Hospitality for 4 Pines.

“They weren’t a lot of independent brewers around when 4 Pines opened its first brew pub in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Compared to today, there was a real lack of choice, so we feel we were pioneers in that space and now we’re

There’s no denying the boom in craft beer consumption down under. Our resident frothblower John Caruso discovers one of the pioneer brands now pouring on the Sunshine Coast and promising to deliver on three key promises: offering great beer, food and a place to meet with family and friends.

seeing the fruits of our labour with an impressive expansion of 14 venues across the East coast of Australia.”

With the synergy of sun, surf and thirst, the Sunshine Coast presented itself as a perfect location for the brand’s interstate expansion.

“There are many parallels with the Sunny Coast and our traditional home of Sydney’s Northern Beaches area where 4 Pines Brewing Co. was born,” says Adam. “The customer experience remains at the centre of the 4 Pines universe: genuine, warm, engaged service, a delicious feed and a cracking pint of lovingly-crafted beer.

“This was the start, middle and end of everything that our founders cared about.

“Aspirationally, we’ve always wanted a home on the Sunshine Coast and sought to partner with someone who is

locally connected to help tell our story and deliver on the great experience we pride ourselves on in our other locations on the East Coast.”

The expansion of the 4 Pines brand in Mooloolaba and Noosa has been the result of a perfect partnership between 4 Pines Brewing Co and a well-known local business identity and venue operator, Helliwell Hospitality.

“Our group owns and manages high profile businesses within the hospitality industry and we’re a community and family-focused group that’s renowned for having accessible, tasty food and friendly service which results in creating the occasion,” explains Nathan Weiss from Helliwell Hospitality.

“Local Clayton Williams, owner of Heliwell Hospitality, has 40-plus years in hospitality running places like The

Group Executive Chef Gavan Kennedy

Duporth and the Commercial Hotel, Nambour and he’s committed to brands that deliver in the local community.

“Clayton also started the Brothers Rugby Union Club in Maroochydore, so he’s entrenched at a grassroots level.”

Group executive chef Gavan Kennedy ticks the group’s third commitment box when it comes to delivering on the 4 Pines’ expectations of a modern menu.

“Gavan joined us earlier this year and he’s already demonstrated his expertise during the opening of the Noosa 4 Pines venue by developing a modern menu that pairs perfectly with our craft beers,” says Nathan.

Born in Ireland, Gavan discovered his passion for cooking while working in Jacques Restaurant and Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork where he developed a flair for fine dining and contemporary cuisine.

In 2015, he joined Rockpool Dining Group as a Sous Chef and was gradually promoted to Executive Chef overlooking various locations.

“Gavan’s experience and his understanding around what the food offer should be is critical,” explains Nathan. “He’s reviewing what’s presented on the plate and updating our specials.

“The food quality has gone to another

level at our two 4 Pines locations here on the Sunshine Coast.”

From looking for a frothy fix after a family surf on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to the shores of Mooloolaba and Noosa, 4 Pines is true to its root of offering well thought-out brews, fresh and fulfilling food and a destination for any occasion.

True to the 4 Pines philosophy that good beer needs good people, why not drop in and enjoy the 4 Pines hospitality over an award-winning beer and tasty feed from this highly accredited brewery. Cheers to that!

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

Wellness

consistent results from clinical trials and TGA and FDA registered.

“We have advanced, world-leading technology and devices that are among the most innovative machines available to the public,” Trent says.

“While our offer may seem broad, we realised that we have the same vision of overall wellness; whether that’s through body confidence, healing, self-love or general health and wellbeing.

“We truly want to help people and we want them to feel good through a total transformation that is more than just aesthetic. We have seen people have life-altering experiences.”

Jess credits the TeslaChair as one of the lifechanging treatments for clients.

“We have had people crying because they’ve been incontinent for years and they’ve regained muscle strength,” she said. “It’s amazing the confidence and quality of life that is restored.”

Trent says BTI has been a year in the making and he was excited to bring this ‘whole person’ offering to the Coast.

“Being an acupuncturist and holistic health practitioner, I look at all areas of a person’s life, not just one thing,” he said. “It’s about supporting people on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually; to achieve the best results. A lot of our services cross over, and so the treatments go hand in hand.”

The team is proud of their considerable investment in a large range of cuttingedge equipment, sourced through extensive research and all supported by

“From infrared light therapy to a hyperbaric chamber; and a HOCATT biohacking machine. We also offer skin and body treatments and services such as skin resurfacing, cosmetic acupuncture, body sculpting and fat freezing, muscle functioning treatments for people with atrophy and incontinence, and ozone therapy which increases oxygen in the body to help with inflammation, blood circulation, vascular injuries, detoxing, wound healing and long-term illnesses.

“It’s great for athletes but accessible to everyone with no pain and all gain to deliver an optimal way of living that enhances body, mind and soul.

“Everything we do is non-invasive. There’s no body-toxic fillers or invasive surgery, yet we deliver permanent results. Fat freezing, for example, results in 40–95% fat reduction and can prevent liposuction surgery. You can come in during a lunchbreak, have a treatment and go back to work.”

Jess, who is also mum to sevenmonth-old Lylah, says: “We want to be able to offer affordable health and wellness in the most holistic and beneficial way possible; for longerlasting benefits, not quick fixes.

“I’m excited to offer the community these services to support people on their health journey. Everyone should have access to these treatments and technologies.

“It’s everything I want for myself, for Lylah, for the world.”

PHOTO: MEGAN GILL

Danni and Suzie

Jess, Lylah and Trent

TO SAYING SAY

‘NO.’ ‘Yes’

‘No’ - Why is such a short word so hard to say? Jackie Hillegers explores why - and how - we should say yes to saying no!

We live in a world where we avoid conflict by agreeing to do the things we do not want to do - due to a fear of being judged, disliked or being left out in the future.

‘No’ is a complete sentence, but it can take practice to say it in the right way.

We often say ‘yes’ way too fast, which causes us not only to feel annoyed and frustrated with ourselves, but also feel resentment towards the person who put us on the spot in the first place.

We need to take the time to think our options through in order for it to be a genuine agreement or commitment.

Research has shown that women have a harder time saying no than men and this could be because women have a need for acceptance and a want to belong.

BEING A PEOPLE PLEASER

Pleasing others is in our nature, and we often change how we act to fit in with those we want to impress. Your worth becomes based on how other people see you – kind, generous and helpful; always there to lend a hand and help out.

This is great at first but can become exhausting trying to keep up with commitments. People pleasers tend to like validation but avoid conflict, which is why ‘no’ is so hard to say.

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GIVING BACK

Helping others or giving back is extremely important so I am referring to situations when you are overcommitting by constantly being a ‘yes’ person.

Others can make you feel guilty with statements such as ‘everyone else is helping so would you like to join in’ or ‘make sure you are free on this day’ which can create a sense of panic or confusion.

What we need to realise is that we need to protect our own energy too, so if we have had a busy week our body deserves downtime to rest and digest. We work best when we recharge when our body needs it!

LEARNING TO SAY NO

Practice saying no to smaller situations. Try to make eye contact, speak in a softer but more assertive tone in order to be more confident in your decisions. Notice how people react with their body language and have techniques on hand to reassure them that you will be available in another time and place.

It can be hard to back out when you verbally commit on the spot so try to ‘practice the pause’ before saying yes or no by breathing slowly for a few seconds, and consider what you are about to say.

Have a sip of your drink to stall for time or gather your thoughts and consider your options. Try not to give a drawn out reason why you cannot help or attend as it may sound like a weak excuse.

HERE ARE SOME ANSWERS YOU COULD USE:

If I can’t make this event, will there be another one coming up I can commit to?

I don’t want to double-book, so let me get back to you?

This month I am over-committed sorry. I can volunteer my time for an hour or two, if that would help?

Regretfully, I cannot make it as I have other commitments.

Thank you for thinking of me, but I will have to decline.

I appreciate the offer and please keep me in mind for next time.

SETTING HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

When we set healthy boundaries for ourselves, we feel more balanced and confident. Make a list of how many events you are willing to attend per week. You may have a certain day in mind when you are not so busy. Prepare your answer and schedule in advance. Think about how full your cup is before committing.

Just remember that you are only one

person and you can only stretch yourself so far before you snap.

When you do start to feel more comfortable with saying no, you will feel more genuine and at peace. If you get a funny uncertain feeling that you cannot commit, try to say ‘maybe’ as yes and no can be taken as gospel.

So, focus on less pleasing other people, and foster more confident decision making for yourself. You will be surprised just how much more energy you will have when you stop saying yes to everything. Next time someone asks for a favour, you will not only be able to say yes with certainty but you will feel 100% invested and committed in saying the word ‘yes’ - or ‘no’.

WHY WE PEOPLE PLEASE:

We feel guilty or unsure of how to say no Scared of rejection

We change who we are as a person to fit in with others

Happy being a follower instead of a leader We put other people ahead of ourselves and our own needs

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For Buderim-based Alana Kennedy, taking care of her skin is something she’s been conscious of from a young age. Growing up in Mount Isa, she remembers experiencing a drying and burning sensation due to the intense heat, and was thankful to have a mum who worked in beauty and a nanna who was passionate about skincare, with both passing their knowledge down to her.

It’s perhaps no surprise then, that Alana went on to found Ochre Sun – a brand of Australian-made, lightweight SPF50+, cruelty-free sunscreen that harnesses the power of ethically and sustainably harvested native ingredients such as Kakadu Plum and Sneezeweed to nourish and heal the skin while protecting it from the sun’s harsh rays. Made in a cosmetic manufacturing laboratory on the Sunshine Coast and distributed throughout Australia, Ochre Sun has gone from strength to strength since its conception in 2018, growing its revenue by over 127% and partnering with a number of different stockists and community organisations.

Making hay while the sun shines, Alana plans to expand its range to include botanical-infused moisturisers, serums and more – offering customers the chance to incorporate more plantpowered goodness into their daily beauty

routine while providing a reliable source of income for the team of Indigenous growers who harvest the ingredients.

But she can’t do this alone. The innovative brand is about to launch an equity crowdfunding campaign through Microwd – a platform dedicated to raising capital for woman-owned companies – that will enable investors to contribute to the next stage of growth and development, and help make the Ochre Sun skincare dream a reality.

“To unlock our vision, we’re inviting locals to join us on this investment journey,” Alana said. “Investment will help support the strategic growth of our current business through increased sales and distribution channels, marketing and promotion, as well as a brand refresh to broaden market appeal nationally and beyond.

“Additionally, it will go towards strengthening our authentic Indigenous supply chain, developing an extraction facility to harness additional revenue streams, and a protection strategy to preserve our IP as a botanical supplier.

“Together we can take Ochre Sun to the world and create a real, lasting and tangible impact for Indigenous people and communities.”

Incorporating ancient wisdom into modern skincare is important to Alana, both because of the medicinal properties found within native flora that First Nations peoples have always understood and her commitment to helping preserve this knowledge.

“Native Australian plants carry immense potential and wisdom that has long been overlooked in mainstream skincare,” she said. “The significance of our vision goes beyond skincare.

“There is rhythm in Country – ancient rhythm and remedy gifted to us in the cultural way, and our purpose is to harness bush medicine and gift it to the world; to harness raw plant potential to benefit our bodies. Everything we need, we already have.”

Alana acknowledges the First Nations peoples who’ve come before her, as well as the many industry experts that help guide the brand and ensure it adheres to

It’s a true privilege and a deep honour to represent black women in business –we have a voice that needs to be amplified.

strict clinical guidelines.

“We don’t do this work alone – not only do we have the knowledge and wisdom of 60,000 years of culture guiding us, we also lean on a diverse advisory network that includes leading Australian and international skincare experts, academics, scientists and industry professionals,” she said.

Ochre Sun plans to launch a non-profit called Watharra – meaning “come this way and grow” in Alana’s Kalkatungu language. Watharra will provide respite, education and employment opportunities for Aboriginal women who’ve experienced domestic violence, homelessness or any other kind of adversity, along with cultural immersion and healing on Country for non-Indigenous women.

“Watharra will be a place for women to reconnect with Country and elders in a safe place for as long as they need,” Alana explained. “None of this will be possible without the generous support of people who believe in our vision and understand that investment in the Ochre Sun brand will help change lives for the better.”

Alana is conscious of the fact that, as a proud Waanyi Kalkatungu woman, she’s helping to forge a path forward for others and encouraging young people to be what they can see.

“It’s a true privilege and a deep honour to represent black women in business – we have a voice that needs to be amplified,” she said. “There are strong women that have come before us, and I feel I’m just riding the wave of their successes. Now I’m trying to continue that responsibility – to widen the pathways for more of our women, and most importantly, our young people, to discover business and entrepreneurship for themselves and their families.”

As someone who lives and breathes skincare, Alana’s personal beauty philosophy is to appreciate each of the precious days you spend under the sun and nourish the skin you’ve been given.

“Cherish the skin you are in, because as you do so, you will inspire other women,” she said. “Beauty is more than skin deep, but it starts with the skin.”

Always consider the general CSF risk warning and offer documents before investing. Crowdsourced funding is open to eligible Australian residents (including citizens and permanent residents) 18+ years.

Opportunity to invest with OCHRE SUN

Native Australian plants carry immense potential and wisdom that have been long overlooked in mainstream skincare, we believe it is time to showcase skincare as it was intended.

Come on this journey by investing in Ochre Sun and you will have the opportunity to build something so sacred and extraordinary by showcasing Indigenous native botanicals through suncare and skincare to the world.

PHOTOS: MARKUS RAVIK

It takes a village of creative artisans to bring a wearable art piece to life. Carlie Wacker gets up close and personal with the talented faces behind the face and body makeup art at the Australian Wearable Art Festival 2023.

The wearable art on display at the Australian Wearable Art Festival is nothing short of breathtaking and every year gets better and bolder and braver. The art worn by the talented models requires a very special application of makeup to ready it for the runway.

I went behind-the-scenes at the 2023 Australian Wearable Art Festival (AWAF) to find out more about the makeup and the magicians behind it.

Official Hair & Makeup Director for the AWAF 2023 this year was Franchesca Blandon. Originally from San José, Costa Rica she is an award-winning hair, makeup and body artist. I asked Fran what the process was when considering the right look for each amazing artwork.

As this event’s focus is obviously the wearable art, we gave the artists the option to send through special requests on hair and makeup that they considered could compliment their entries,” she says. “However, some felt comfortable leaving that decision to me. I took into consideration the colour palette, styles and materials used on each category.”

She nailed the looks but with a show this big Fran doesn’t work alone.

“This year I was so excited to have a very talented team of twelve hair and makeup artists,” Fran shares. “Some qualified, others emerging or currently getting their diplomas at The Australian Academy of Cinematographic Makeup (AACM) in Brisbane and more locally, Demi International.

“My team is very versatile, so I assigned the looks to everyone based on their experience, skills and strengths plus I took over some of the more complex looks that required intricate airbrushing myself whilst directing and supervising the teamwork.”

The end result was a seamless blend of creativity - from the wearable art to the hair, makeup and choreography. Kudos goes to AWAF Directors Wendy Roe and Helen Perry whose vision has created the space for others to create.

The hair and makeup team at the Australian Wearable Art Festival should take a bow – they are such an important part of the final product.

WEARABLEMakeup

PHOTOS: EYES

AWAF Supreme Winner Floriana Winner Isabelle Cameron Dear Babushka

The hair and makeup team

AWAF Trashion Runner Up Elzbieta Cios-Jonas Citric Chic

AWAF Trashion Winner Tatiana Sheverda Awakening

AWAF Sustainable Nature Winner Karen Lynch Recurvata

carnival colour of

Creative Director: Carlie Wacker @worldofwacker

Hair Makeup Artist: Fran Blandon @makeupandhairbyfran

Photographer: Lauren Biggs @laurenbiggslbph

Creative Assistant: Ally Chuck @ally_chuck

Assistant: Millie Robson @designedbymillie

Models: Miah Bye @miahelizabeth Jake James @_kingjake93

MIAH WEARS Vintage dress, knee high suede boots and amethyst necklace, La Extravaganza, 0478 627 886.

The hot tip for spring fashion is colour. The bolder the better. You can never have too much colour in your wardrobe - or in your life!

We had the most spectacular day shooting at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club and meeting some race superstars including The Face (pictured left) – we now know him as ‘The Face of Hello Sunshine Magazine’!

This gorgeous horse is trained by David Vandyke, one of Australia’s most talented horse men, who gave us exclusive access to his stables.

Welcome to our spring carnival of colour!

MIAH WEARS Elk soma shirt dress, kassel bag and emra bucket hat in kult print, purple earrings, Uncle George, 5474 5871.

MIAH WEARS: Kurt Geiger Kensington sandals and bag, Alémais Isabella V midi dress, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57; 15ct Victorian Etruscan bangle, 18ct bark finish bamboo bangle, 9ct oval fancy floral earrings, Australian sapphire necklace, 9 Australian parti sapphire ring, Australian teal sapphire ring, 18ct Australian green sapphire and pink diamond ring, plat and diamond modern art deco yellow sapphire ring, Victorian sapphire and diamond ring, Avenue J, 5444 4422.

9ct Yellow Gold Necklace with 122 Natural Australian yellow, green, blue and Parti Sapphires, Avenue J, 5444 4422

French Art Nouveau 18ct Yellow Gold With Plique A Jour Wings, Diamonds & Enamel Dancing Fairy Necklace. $42,000

Victorian Handmade 15ct Yellow Gold Etruscan Revival Bangle , Avenue J, 5444 4422

Vintage Italian 18ct Solid Yellow Gold Bamboo Bangle c1960. Hallmarked by the Italian maker Dal Cornono Ferruccio, Avenue J, 5444 4422

$22,500

Victorian Beautiful 9ct Yellow Gold Large Oval Fancy Floral Detail Earrings, Avenue J, 5444 4422

4422

Art Deco French Handmade Platinum Onyx, Dark Brown Carnelian & Diamond Bracelet 1920 $14,950

18ct Rose & White Gold Australian Pink Argyle and Diamond Ring

18ct Yellow Gold Ring with 5 Yellow Round Brilliant Cut Natural Australian Sapphires and 22 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds, 9ct Yellow Gold Ring with 7 Parti Natural Australian Sapphires, 9ct Yellow Gold Teal Green Oval Cut Natural Australian Sapphire ring, Avenue J, 5444 4422

Handmade Victorian 18ct Yellow Gold 3 x Sapphire & Ring surrounded by Diamonds in a cluster style, Avenue J, 5444

MIAH WEARS: Misha calandra bonded crepe midi dress, pearl headband and Aje bag, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57; earrings, Elmari Boutique 0457 931 473; 15ct Victorian Etruscan bangle, 18ct bark finish bamboo bangle, Avenue J, 5444 4422; Stylist’s shoes.

JAKE WEARS: Politix hansen camel suit, evans dress shirt, lorenz chesnut leather shoe and green tie, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57.

JAKE WEARS: Politix hansen camel suit, evans dress shirt, lorenz chesnut leather shoe and green tie, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57.

MIAH WEARS: Alquema dress, green earrings, and Liv and Milly eloise bag, Elmari Boutique 0457 931 473.

MIAH WEARS: Lulasul dress, Isabella misty sandal, Hey Layla, 5293 7754; Liv and Milly pink bag, Hoop earrings, Elmari Boutique 0457 931 473; Gregory Ladner knot turban headband, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57. JAKE WEARS navy short sleeve shirt, sandstorm linen shorts, Wacker Clothing Company, wackerclothingcompany.com.au; Politix teramo brown loafer, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57; Serengeti Chadwick crystal blue lenses, Hammond Optometry, 5476 2333.

Prima Donna Twist Glow Countour Balconette, LadyBird Noosa, 5455 4070

Prima Donna Las Salinas Contour Bra in Empire Green LadyBird Noosa, 5455 4070

Marie Jo Georgia Plunge LadyBird Noosa 5455 4070

MIAH WEARS headband, Madame Melanie, @madame_melanie; Kurt Geiger fable pink heel and Sass mandy frill singlet, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57; Maude Vivante trousers, necklace and Frida Kahlo La La Land bag, Hey Layla, 5293 7754; green earrings, Elmari, 0457 931 473.

MIAH WEARS elk jacket, pant, necklace and earrings, Uncle George, 5474 5871; LA Eyeworks acorn sunglasses, Hammond Optometry, 5476 2333.

JAKE WEARS:Politix Oscar three piece suit, Mclennon shirt, Politix teramo brown loafer, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57; 14k yellow gold ring with black opal, 14k yellow gold pendant with boulder opal and 18k yellow gold rope chain, Opals Down Under, 5494 5400.

MIAH WEARS Misha dress and Kurt Geiger fable pink heel, David Jones, Sunshine Plaza, 13 33 57; headpiece, Paper Flowers Australia; 14k white gold earrings with crystal opal, 14k white and yellow gold ring with pearl and boulder opal, Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

Released from the rough, carefully shaped, and polished to perfection. It's rare, it's precious and utterly unique. There will never be another one like it.

We know that what we do is something very special because there is nothing quite like the moment when an opal captures your heart.

See the full collection in-store or online .

14k yellow gold pendant with boulder opal and 18k yellow gold rope chain, Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

14k yellow gold ring with black opal Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

14k white gold earrings with crystal opal Opals Down Under 5494 5400 14k white and yellow gold ring with pearl and boulder opal Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

Multicolour Boulder Opan Pendant in 14k White Gold with diamond highlights Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

IT TAKES two

Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer meets the mother-daughter duo behind Elmari Boutique – an iconic local fashion retailer celebrating 20 years of fostering joy, confidence and connection through clothing.

If you ever find yourself in the fitting room at Elmari Boutique’s Mooloolaba, Cotton Tree or Coolum Beach stores, don’t be surprised if the other customers start complimenting your outfit, sharing style stories or offering you impromptu fashion advice.

The brand, started by founder Elmari ‘El’ Putter 20 years ago, is beloved by a tribe of women who want to feel stylish, comfortable, and most importantly, like themselves at every age – resulting in a sense of community and camaraderie that brings El and her daughter Cher Harck immense joy.

“A real highlight is watching our lovely customers having fun giving each other advice, even when they’ve only just met in the store moments before,” Cher said. “Watching women complement and support each other is a part of the job we just love – nothing beats women cheering each other on.”

El opened her first boutique at Mooloolaba Wharf in 2003, offering casual, comfortable, beautiful clothing for women over 40 at a competitive price point. Originally from South Africa, she tailored her range to the Australian lifestyle, with plenty of natural fibres such as cotton and linen, and shapes and silhouettes that were flattering to real bodies.

“The Australian lifestyle is so relaxed, and natural fibres breathe better and are more comfortable on our skin,” El said.

That first store was an experiment to see if there was the demand for her concept – she could never have imagined that, 20 years later, she’d have three thriving locations and her daughter working by her side.

Cher helped out in the shop during high school before studying accountancy at university, travelling the world and working in a corporate role in London.

After returning back to Australia with her family a few years ago, she surprised herself by falling in love with Elmari Boutique while working on the shop floor over the Christmas period.

“I used to work ridiculously long hours sitting down at my corporate job, but I eventually realised that wasn’t what I wanted; I was truly passionate about something else,” she said. “Now I’m working just as hard, if not harder. But I’m having a lot more fun!”

The pair’s mutual love and respect for one another is clear to see, and it seems that working together has only brought them closer, as well as helping them see each other in a new light.

“Cher has really taken the business

from strength to strength,” enthused El. “She’s so motivated. I can only admire how good she is at reading people and working with them. The energy she radiates is both inspiring and a pure joy to be around; she’s fun for all of us to work alongside.”

And Cher is similarly appreciative of her mum: “Working with El has been totally enlightening and really quite spectacular,” she said. “I always admired her for trusting her gut, her tenacity and her willingness to take risks, but I really had no idea!

“To actually come on this journey and see it firsthand has been amazing. I’ve loved seeing how she’s built this beautiful community and I’m getting more of an insight into her true skills.”

Part of Elmari Boutique’s success is the genuine passion El and Cher have for helping their customers feel confident in

their clothing.

“The reason we’re in this business is the love we have for serving our community – for helping ladies find their best beautiful selves again,” said Cher.

They’ve become famous for the time and effort they put into providing styling advice, inviting customers to set aside a morning or afternoon to come in for a ‘play’, where they can try on garments in various shapes, styles and colours, guided by the expert team, until they find the pieces that light them up in the way only a fabulous outfit can.

“We look at the customer, consider their personality, and take guidance from them about what they feel comfortable in. This isn’t about looking like something out of a fashion magazine –it’s about looking and feeling your best and having your personality shine through,” Cher explained.

“That’s why our customers continue to come back and trust us to dress them for special occasions, such as being mother of the bride – because we put in the time to truly understand them.”

Like any business, Elmari Boutique has had its challenges, such as in 2022 when the ceiling in their Coolum Beach store caved in due to a heavy rain event right

at the start of the Christmas trading period. A huge amount of stock was ruined and the shop was closed for three-and-a-half weeks for repairs during the busiest time of the year.

But rather than focusing on the negatives, El and Cher chose to build something beautiful from the rubble, holding a fundraising drive for local charity SunnyKids, which was wholeheartedly supported by shoppers.

“As soon as our doors opened, the response was just amazing,” remembers El. “So many people came in to donate money and buy discounted damaged stock, and customers were calling their friends to come down and support the cause.”

While El and Cher bring their own different skills and backgrounds to the table (and shop counter), they’re similar where it matters: their outlook on life

and business, as well as their personal approach to fashion, which is embodied through their own label, Bella Carina.

“We’ve both got real bodies and we want to look good,” Cher says.

“We’re on the go and we live on the Sunshine Coast so our label specialises in elevated casualwear in beautiful Italian linen, because that’s what we wear every day.”

The duo also has a highly unusual skill that comes in handy during busy days on the shop floor and long buying trips.

“Neither of us need to eat or drink anything for a really long time – we can keep going for 12 hours with just a cup of coffee to power us through, and then we crash when we get home!” laughs Cher.

El may have been in business for two decades now, but the future’s looking extra bright with Cher on board.

“Cher doesn’t get bogged down by challenges. Every day, she reminds me to celebrate the small wins,” El says of her daughter.

And Cher knows that it’s thanks to El’s unique superpower that the business has grown to where it is today.

“El has this amazing ability to preempt our customers’ needs – that’s her magic,” Cher says.

El has this amazing ability to preempt our customers’ needs –that’s her magic.

A BEAUTIFUL Life

Uncle George is the most colourful shop on the planet and it has new owners bringing a new splash of energy and vibrancy. Carlie Wacker chats with the inspiring couple that have welcomed Uncle George into their beautiful family empire.

Tiffany and Brandon Gombert are united by their love of beautiful things and memorable experiences. They emigrated from Johannesburg, South Africa in 2015 with plans to build a portfolio of businesses that bring joy, colour and exceptional customer service to the lives of Australians.

With Brandon’s experience in corporate leadership roles and Tiffany’s love of exceptional customer service, it was obvious they would succeed in a customer focused industry such as retail.

“We pride ourselves on absolutely exceptional service, always striving to go above and beyond to make sure our customers feel as special as they are,” Tiffany shares. “I have always believed in not only satisfying our customers but also in making them feel truly happy by the time they leave one of our stores. It should be a memorable experience for both our customers and our staff.”

Those memorable shopping experiences began with the purchase of their first boutique under their company, Bunny & Bear Brands, in 2017. Noosa Juniors on Hastings Street was a well established children’s boutique when the Gombert’s took over and they have continued to grow the much-loved local kids clothing hub ever since, even adding their gorgeous in-house brand, Laguna Bay Original Clothing.

“The kids’ fashion and swimwear industry is constantly changing,” says Tiffany. “You need to stay on top of

trends and introducing new brands and categories to replace those that are becoming less popular. There is definitely a niche market for high-end kids’ fashion and in the last few years Noosa Juniors has moved towards specialising in popular labels and continually sourcing new ones.”

Tiffany and the team have cemented Noosa Juniors as the place to go for the best curation of premium, top quality kids’ swimwear and fashion brands not just on Hastings Street, but on the Sunshine Coast with brands including Camilla, Seafolly, Scotch & Soda and Funky Trunks.

Their fresh, fun and oh-so-fashionable

store makes me want to be a kid again!

“Our plan was always to grow our company, Bunny & Bear Brands, to multiple stores around Queensland, and possibly the rest of Australia, and for our kids clothing label to be stocked in many locations around Australia and eventually abroad,” Tiffany adds.

The next business expansion opportunity presented itself earlier this year when Uncle George hit the market.

“We have always admired the Uncle George stores in Noosa and Maroochydore and since we were practically neighbours on Hastings Street, we developed good relations with both the owners and all the awesome staff,” says Tiffany.

“When Michelle and Bruce put the business up for sale, we knew we’d be over the moon to have it under our umbrella, even if it meant putting a hold on the other plans. So, we just did it!”

Tiffany and Brandon purchased Uncle George before Easter in April 2023 and

Uncle George is sometimes a little bit naughty - but in a nice way...

Tiffany Gombert

couldn’t be prouder.

Uncle George has always been the go-to boutique for a kaleidoscope of colourful homewares and fashion and it’s awesome to hear that the most colourful shop on the planet will stay bright and has found a new family that will love and adore it as much as we do.

“We believe if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Brandon said. “Michelle and Bruce did a wonderful job of creating a lifestyle brand and we intend to continue to play in that niche and not disappoint the

legions of loyal fans - and hopefully win more fans over as well.”

Tiffany loves that Uncle George is known for quirkiness and vivid colour.

“Uncle George is sometimes a little bit naughty - but in a nice way,” she says. “It offers a unique design sense and brilliant mix of dazzling productsalways a delight for the senses.”

The customer experience continues to grow with familiar faces behind the counter and some fresh new people to help colour your life happy.

For those that want the same Uncle George experience in a more laid-back environment check out the warehouse outlet at 37 Gateway Drive in Noosaville (just down from Bunnings).

“It’s an opportunity to shop Uncle George in a more relaxed environment where customers can browse through lookbooks and catalogues for that perfect piece of furniture or work of art for their home or business,” says Tiffany.

Colour your life happy and pop in and say hello to Uncle George’s new family.

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

OUT

CARVING Creativity

Georgia Beard explores the evolution of Sculpture on the Edge into an immersive arts festival, empowering local creatives to make their mark on the national arts industry.

Striking out beyond its borders, Sculpture on the Edge has transformed from a local sculptural competition into an immersive arts festival attracting globally-recognised artists.

From 23 November to 10 December, Arts Connect Inc. invites us to roam the sprawling lawns, meandering garden paths and vast halls of Flaxton Gardens, all embedded with abstract and figurative sculpture.

Alongside art encounters, the festival will expand with an 18-day program of local food, live music, artist talks, workshops and masterclasses, including Quiet Mondays for visitors who struggle with sensory overload.

Monte Lupo Arts and Paintbox Art School welcome artists of all ages and abilities to experience clay and painting workshops, while Janna Pameijer offers a more advanced clay masterclass.

Explore wax to bronze sculpture with Lainie Cooper; portrait painting with Jessica Ashton; landscape painting with Robert Dujin; and professional development for artists with Barry Alsop, Tina Cooper and last year’s Overall Winner Nicole Voevodin-Cash.

Led by Jinibara artist BJ Murphy, Sculpture on the Edge’s inaugural First

Nations program will feature workshops in firestick making, clapstick making, ochre painting and walking and talking on country.

On 2 December, the highly anticipated Sculpted Dinner returns with a menu curated by the Flaxton Gardens team and Australian food stylist Jaime Reyes.

Nicole Voevodin-Cash also joins a diverse collection of curators to decide the Sculpture on the Edge finalists, armed with experience in sculptural curation at Noosa’s Sculpture by the Sea during the 2000 Summer Olympics and Townsville’s Ephemera

“As an artist myself, I am honoured to collaborate with the talented team and contribute to the unfolding narrative that Sculpture on the Edge promises to deliver,” Nicole says. “It’s an artistic odyssey that celebrates the convergence of imagination and artistry, and I couldn’t resist being a part of it.”

When selecting finalists, she searches for works integrating seamlessly with the landscape, as if they had sprouted from the soil or made a home of their habitat.

“I am particularly intrigued by works that embody a compelling narrative, reflecting the artists’ process of creation and the material’s dialogue with the environment,” Nicole shares.

“By curating pieces that resonate harmoniously with the gardens, I aim to create an immersive experience that elevates both the artworks and the natural beauty of the location.”

Responding to the competitive works, Arts Connect Inc. has mustered a panel of judges diverse in arts practice and experience.

Alongside Noosa Regional Gallery’s Michael Brennan, Second Judge and multimedia artist Justene Williams joins the panel with a 20-year legacy of creation and exhibition in 3D media.

Her prolific works in sculpture, installation and audio-visual performance has led her from Sydney and Melbourne to New Zealand to Canada, experimenting with theatrical Dadaism and Futurism.

During the Opening Night on 23 November, the judges will announce the official prize winners of six categories,

Parthenopi - Sugarbag

Leroy Hilder

including Overall Winner; Highly Commended; Local Artist; Reclaimed & Recycled Art; Artist’s Choice Peer Award; and Emerging Artist.

Despite the competition’s worldwide invitation, it is the locally-focused hearts of our community who ensure our sculptural artists have room to grow.

Flaxton Gardens and the De Deyne Family have provided $10,000 and $5,000 respectively to the Overall Winner and Highly Commended prizes.

Alongside Illume Creations, The Opal Cutter, Tina Cooper Glass Gallery, Montville Art Gallery, Bodo Muche Studio, the Montville Chamber of Commerce and Hammond Optometry, all sponsors have generously donated a total prize pool of $22,000.

Sculpture on the Edge Director Gretchen Keelty said they were grateul for the support of Sunshine Coast Council, through its grants programs as well as several councillors who had provided further assistance to ensure that the event was a success.

“Council has shown that it understands the value that these events bring both to the community and to the local economy,” she said. “Telstra has also joined us as a sponsor to improve the

connectivity at Flaxton Gardens so that visitors can have a more connected experience, including an online voting system for People’s Choice.”

On the Board of Directors for the Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation, Ferre De Deyne envisions a community where our creatives shape the topography of art industries everywhere.

“The arts are the basis of our society,” he says. “A community without art is a community without a soul.

“There’s so much talent on the Sunshine Coast, and we want to grab hold of it and push it and let the world know they’re here.”

Sculpture on the Edge, 8am-4pm, 23 November-10 December 2023, Flaxton Gardens, Flaxton. www.sculptureontheedge.com.au

VOTE FOR PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD!

Attend Sculpture on the Edge and vote for your favourite sculpture to go in the draw to win the Voter’s Prize for People’s Choice - an accommodation package from Lovestone Cottages!

Keith Chidzey Christian Newton

Catherine Anderson - Where to Now?

LAND HOLDS memory

At Caloundra Regional Gallery’s upcoming exhibition, no landscape is neutral. Georgia Beard explores how artists and their artmaking perceive the deep memories held by Country.

“I’ve been moved by the tireless sea a-churning And them scarlets of an inland dusk When a close friend has died I turned away and cried As they laid ‘em down and shovelled in the dust.”

When Murri singer-songwriter Kev Carmody penned the words to I’ve Been Moved, he did not follow human footprints trampled through dust and scrub. Instead, he went where his Country urged him to walk.

As the waters, wind and wildlife sang for themselves, he relinquished his own understanding and listened. His revelation? Country does not belong to us, but we belong to Country. Such is the challenge for every artist

moved to capture the landscapes in which they live. Their encounters with nature are often clouded by the overlap of culture, belief and emotion, and that is what their art becomes – an expression of themselves.

Searching for Country’s voice and silencing their own, Uncle Kev and UniSC Adjunct Professor Dr Lisa Chandler followed five artists into three landscapes across Queensland.

Deep in the Bunya Mountains, Girraween National Park and Carnarvon Gorge, Joanne Currie Nalingu, Joe Furlonger, Pat Hoffie, Peter Hudson and Euan Macleod shifted from observation to sensing of sites – their scars and songs, their death and rebirth.

Now the culmination of three years’

work, Land Holds Memory showcases their paintings, drawings, photographs, recordings and writings in response to Country.

Exhibiting at Caloundra Regional Gallery from 20 October to 3 December, the exhibition immerses us in culture and place as First Nations connection clashes with ‘whitefella’ intrusion.

According to Curator Nina Shadforth, artists commenced each site visit by connecting with and listening to the First Peoples of each location before embarking on their artmaking.

“For First Nations Peoples, these locations are places of deep connection, sacredness and sustenance,” she said.

“The sites are significant for their

Peter Hudson | Carnarvon Landscape (3) (detail) | 2023 | oil on board | 43 x 45.5cm | Image courtesy of the artist | Photo by Richard Muldoon, Vivid Photography

geological presence both in the physical and spiritual sense, as a source of inspiration, and as important places carrying the histories and stories of those who have walked these lands for many thousands of years.”

Inviting both indigenous and non-indigenous artists onto Country, the project reflects a vast tapestry of perspectives and interpretations.

“An image of a landscape implies a person viewing the landscape, so that the ‘see-er’ and ‘seen’ are bound up in a relational engagement,” said Dr Lisa Chandler.

“This involves both the lived experience of being in that location and the cultural perspectives that enable or disrupt, orient or disorient perceptions of place.

“Consequently, several of the exhibition works explore this entangled relationship.”

In The Functionalism of Landscape (Astigmatism), Pat Hoffie imagines soaring trunks of Bunya Pines as cathedral pillars, dissected by shafts of jewel-like light to imitate stained glass windows.

As a Scotland-born immigrant to Australia, her religious imagery is inherently European, a bias distorting her vision of an indigenous landscape.

Meanwhile, First Nations artist Joanne Currie Nalingu draws on her memories of childhood on Queensland’s Maranoa River to encompass waterways as metaphors for change and connection.

Her resulting works –Morning Glow, As the Evening Falls and Evening Flow – link each of the three sites with dissecting rivers where generations of plants, animals

and people have gathered and passed through.

Perhaps one of the most sensory works comes from New Zealand-born artist Euan Macleod, whose Kev at Carnarvon positions Kev Carmody with confidence and calmness in the centre of the canvas.

Euan forgoes a hard outline to blur the edges between the subject and his natural surrounds, allowing him to emerge from the landscape while remaining interconnected with it.

Kev himself captures this reciprocal relationship between the human and the non-human in his sound piece, Painting the Silences.

As he disperses fragmented poetry between the cries of birds and animals, instrumental rhythms, percussive pulses, stillness and storms, Kev urges us to unearth the stories in the soil of Country.

This soil is where our voices, memories and histories are laid to rest.

What remains are the marks we leave on the land, from ancient art carved into rock shelters to swathes of suburbia rolled out over the environment.

Once we bear witness to Country and our place within it, we will realise our relationship with nature is always one of exchange.

When one speaks, the other listens. What do you hear?

LAND HOLDS MEMORY

New works by artists reflecting experiences of walking, listening, and creating in the landscape

LAUNCH: Thursday 19

October, 6-8pm

EXHIBITION: 20 October to 3 December 2023

Caloundra Regional Gallery

22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra www.gallery@sunshinecoast. qld.gov.au

What’s On Exhibitions

Sunshine Coast Art Prize

Sunshine Coast Art Prize is a dynamic visual arts award reflecting outstanding contemporary 2D and new media arts practice in Australia.

The forty artworks selected as finalists are on show at the Caloundra Regional Gallery from 18 August until 15 October 2023.

The winners’ announcement will be held on Thursday 5 October, 6-8pm. To register for the event, or vote for your favourite artwork to win a prize, go to gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

The Regional Galler y of the Sunshine Coast presents a dynamic exhibition program featuring leading national and local ar tists, complemented by immer sive public programs, educational programs, tour s and events The Galler y Store showcases regional and national ar tisans, with a focus on local, hand-crafted items and a curated Pop-Up Feature Ar tisan program with ever y exhibition. The Galler y is also home to the region’s diver se ar t collections – the Sunshine Coast Ar t Collection and the Public Ar t Collection.

His revelation? Country does not belong to us, but we belong to Country.

Photo: by ben vos productions

Esther Erlich Camouflage 2021

Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2023 finalist

ARTMAKING Action IN

Georgia Beard follows the art trails of Noosa Open Studios from coast to countryside, offering a glimpse of the artists welcoming audiences into their creative environments.

When we study a painting hung on a wall or a sculpture placed on a pedestal, our connection with the work is deeply personal.

We meet a reflection of ourselves on the canvas. We reckon with confronting and captivating recreations of the world around us.

But the artist who chose each colour, engraving and glaze is absent, offering no more than a wall-mounted statement of their messages and mediums.

When Noosa Open Studios returns for its eighth year from 6 to 15 October, we will gain an experience just as valuable as the art itself – the artmaking.

As local creatives will open their studios for the public to explore, we discover the inspiration behind their ideas, the sketches, swatches and rough drafts, every broad stroke and detailed touch coming together in a finished piece – and then we might take it home!

Committee member and participating artist Saren Dobkins says over a third of artists in this year’s exhibition are new participants, enriching the diversity of the local arts landscape.

“The amazing depth of talent is highlighted by the number of our artists who have been working on their artistic pursuits for decades – some for over 40 years,” she says.

“Honing skills and pursuing a creative dream takes commitment and focus. Many of these artists provide mentoring and support to the next generation, and we are so lucky to have them on our art trail and supporting creativity in Noosa.”

This year, over 100 artists can be found along five art trails, meandering from our coastlines to our tight-knit towns to our hinterland hideaways. All studios will be open over two weekends with select studios open each weekday.

We’re invited to choose our own art adventure, unearthing the secrets of each art studio on the Noosa Trail; Beaches Trail; Tinbeerwah to Eumundi Trail; Cooroy Trail; and Pomona Trail.

Stepping inside Saren’s Tewantin studio on the Noosa Trail, we’ll find oil-on-canvas works reflecting the passage of this year’s events and experiences in bold yet intimate imagery.

“I respond to current social and political events, but the intersection between the personal and the universal is the tightrope on which all my work is balanced,” she says.

“My intention is to make the unconscious visible, to show that underneath our humanity we are connected, while asking deeper questions in a time of angst, social uncertainty, and polarisation.

“Visitors are invited to enter conversations with myself and others, as these narrative, expressionist works often provoke questions and engage us on a deeper level.”

As we coast down the Beaches Trail, Charlotte Wensley awaits in her Peregian Beach studio, layering collage, printmaking, drawing and painting in abstract works.

“With landscape as my muse and colour and shape as my companions, each painting unfolds through curiosity, inquiry and a liminal approach,” she says.

“Visitors this year will be the first to see my latest body of work, which has flowed on from my recent Portal Series as a more formal investigation into colour interaction, shape and a diversification of process.”

Among lush bushland along the Tinbeerwah to Eumundi Trail, Dennis Forshaw shapes, fires and glazes awardwinning vessels on his pottery wheel.

...the intersection between the personal and the universal is the tightrope on which all my work is balanced...

Charlotte Wensley -

Charlotte Wensley

Saren Dobkins - Acting with Intent

He shares his studio with partner and abstract expressionist Cheryl McGannon at Evoke Modern, displaying a blend of old and new ceramic works with lustres of gold and silver.

Meandering north on the Cooroy Trail, we’ll encounter Geoff Cook of Crocodile Creek Knives forging ancient Damascus blades for food preparation and hunting in intricate detail.

“My knives are made to last forever with the selection of steels, forging, heat treatment and tempering,” he says. “Then I incorporate quality timbers such as African ebony, Australian hardwoods and deer antler for the hilt.”

As we approach Lake Cooroibah on the Pomona Trail, Noreen Flood invites us to immerse in fluid, impressionist landscapes alongside new cyanotype prints and oil and cold wax works.

“Lake Cooroibah never fails to inspire

me with its changing seasons, colours, moods, tides – I endlessly search to capture and express so much of its majestic presence,” she says.

No matter their medium, artists scattered along every art trail are united by the craftsmanship and passion they pour into their work. As we share in that self-expression, we close the gap between maker and receiver.

Launching later in August, the 2023 Art Trail Guide will be available to pick up from Wallace House, the Noosa event hub

with an exhibition of artwork from all artists and tips from knowledgeable volunteers.

From 2 to 10 September, Studios 100 art exhibition returns to the Butter Factory Arts Centre in Cooroy, offering a preview of participating artists before you embark on a choose-your-own adventure art trails.

Enjoy the journey of discovery!

Geoff Cook - Damascus Chef’s Knife

Dennis Forshaw

Dennis Forshaw

Noreen Flood - Along the water’s edge

SERIES-LY Stunning

The first Art Series presented by ca gallery and Palm Creek Estate was an indulgent and inspiring art immersion, as Deb Caruso discovered.

The Art Series by ca gallery launched with works by Amy Clarke exhibited in Palm Creek Estate’s luxurious, contemporary barn space together with champagne and canapés before an engaging and insightful artist talk and Q&A with Amy and Palm Creek Estate’s Austin Smith.

Guests then enjoyed a long table Italian lunch by Dar Nasone with matching wines by The Bartenders and live music by Renny Fields.

ca gallery’s Joe McFeeters said he had been sitting on the idea of an intimate art and food experience for some time, so it was a fortuitous meeting when Palm Creek Estate’s Austin and Anna suggested a collaborative event while visiting the gallery last year.

“The aim of The Art Series events is to offer a different way for audiences to engage with contemporary art on the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “A shared experience of Australian contemporary culture, connecting guests with local artists, food providores and musicians, over a delicious and relaxed long-lunch.”

Erin Castle from ca gallery said the first of The Art Series was definitely a celebration of exceptional and local contemporary art, food and music.

“The long lunch style event lended beautifully to flowing conversation, and an intimate way to experience Amy’s new body of work,” she said. “Palm Creek Estate is such a serene, natural setting, and perfectly equipped venue. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Wednesday.”

Palm Creek Estate’s owners and artlovers, Austin and Anna, said they were excited by the opportunity to host an exhibition within their luxurious, space and to offer a local art and food and beverage experience unlike any other for the Sunshine Coast!

DON’T MISS!

THE ART SERIES: PAM WALPOLE

Wednesday 18 October.

10.30am-2.30pm

Palm Creek Estate, Yandina Creek

Pam’s bold contemporary paintings are based on the landscape – whether it be the parched inland deserts, salt pans or outback flooded plains of Australia, Africa or ice fields of Antarctica. Closer to home she is attracted by the Coastal dunes and estuaries and portrays vignettes of the reflections they inspire. An afternoon of contemporary art, fine food and wine awaits!

For more details and to book visit: www.palmcreekestate.com.au

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

Featuring artists from across the region and regular exhibitions

Located at 5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach

The home of Cool Art Picture Framing and ca Gallery (07) 5471 7366

coolartgallery.com.au

EXHIBIT COLLECT ENJOY

‘Boreen Point #1, #2, #3’, by Blair McNamara, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 120 cm each

ARTS RADAR

Discover exciting new exhibitions at the Sunshine Coast’s leading galleries, studios and arts centres!

CALOUNDRA REGIONAL GALLERY

UNTIL 15 OCTOBER

SUNSHINE COAST ART PRIZE 2023

The national acquisitive Sunshine Coast Art Prize is a dynamic visual arts award reflecting outstanding contemporary 2D and new media arts practice in Australia. Now in its eighteenth year, the exhibition presents remarkable finalist works by artists from across the country. Winners will be announced on 5 October

20 OCTOBER UNTIL 3 DECEMBER LAND HOLDS MEMORY

No landscape is neutral. Land Holds Memory of stories bearing human and environmental imprints emanating from deep time to the present day. Featuring Kev Carmody, Joanne Currie Nalingu, Joe Furlonger, Pat Hoffie, Peter Hudson and Euan Macleod. Celebrate the launch on Thursday 19 October from 6pm.

22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra

Ph: 5420 8299

www.gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

CA GALLERY

19 SEPTEMBER - 10 OCTOBER

P I E C E S: BLAIR MCNAMARA 2023

“These works are my surrender to ‘play’ as I swim deeper into abstraction. With my acrylic paints, colours emerge in layers as an indirect response of my gratitude for belonging here.” - Blair.

6 UNTIL 28 NOVEMBER

AN EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY JAN WILLIAMSON

As one of Australia’s premier portrait artists, Jan’s work portrays people and often intricate studies of children at play, engrossed in their own world. This will be a long-awaited solo exhibition for those that know and love Jan’s work. 5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach

Ph: 5471 7366 www.coolartgallery.com.au

18 OCTOBER, 10.30AM-2.30PM

THE ART SERIES: PAM WALPOLE

Presented by ca gallery, enjoy Pam’s bold yet minimal works inspired by nature along with fine food and wine, live music and artist talks.

Palm Creek Estate, 36 McCords Rd, Yandina Creek. Ticketed event. www.palmcreekestate.com.au

OLD AMBULANCE STATION

16 SEPTEMBER UNTIL 6 OCTOBER MAKE BEADS NOT WAR

The Little Glass House presents an exhibition of beaded jewellery with a pop-up shop, workshops and glassmaking demonstrations!

80 Howard Street, Nambour www.theoldambulancestation.com

UNISC ART GALLERY

UNTIL 28 OCTOBER

YOU ARE NEITHER HERE NOR THERE AS PART OF HORIZON FESTIVAL

Curated by Hamish Sawyer, this exhibition brings together four projects made during the first decade of Queensland artist Sam Cranstoun’s research-driven practice including key works from four major projects alongside new paintings that extend the artist’s investigation of modernist art and design, the built environment, and capitalism.

90 Sippy Downs Dr, Sippy Downs Ph: 5459 4645 www.usc.edu.au/art-gallery

STEVENS STREET GALLERY

8 SEPTEMBER UNTIL 29 OCTOBER ABSTRACTION

Featuring Artists Charlotte Wensley, Krystal Bradford, Katherine Spiller, Juanita Van Den Burgh and Marty Williamson unlock the imagination and liberate the mind with abstract works!

8 SEPTEMBER UNTIL 29 OCTOBER

POCKET PIECES

Celebrating another year of bringing art to the community, Pocket Pieces returns with a huge collection of small art works (30 x 30cm) from over 50 local artists. An accessible and affordable way to bring art into your life!

1 NOVEMBER UNTIL 31 DECEMBER

COLOUR POP

This exhibition is a vibrant artistic celebration of colour with bright, bold artworks to finish off the year with a brilliant explosion of the colour wheel!

2 Stevens Street, Yandina

Toni – 0414 687 895 / Alicia – 0437 141 786 www.stevensstreetgallery.com.au

Charlotte Wensley - Moon Walk

Sue Needham

Sebastion Toast - Paddle Pool

Blair McNamara - Boreen Point #1

REVERENCE ART STUDIO

2, 9 & 16 SEPTEMBER, SYMBOLS OF REVERENCE

Journey through a world of symbolism and meaning at the Symbols of Reverence Oceanic tribal art exhibition. Uncover the spiritual and cultural significance of these masterful works that pay tribute to the diverse beliefs and traditions of indigenous cultures. Opening Night, 26 August, 5pm to 7pm; September viewings, 9am-12pm or by appointment.

11, 18 & 25 NOVEMBER; 2 DECEMBER

SPIRITS OF REVERENCE

Embark on a journey of spiritual discovery and reverence at this Oceanic tribal art exhibition. Immerse yourself in the masterful works of indigenous artists that capture the essence and power of the spirits that guide and inspire their cultures. Opening Night, 11 November, 5pm to 7pm; viewings on 18 and 25 November and 2 December, 9am to 12pm or by appointment.

47-51 Lysaght Street, Coolum Beach Ph: 0407 565 900 www.reverenceartstudio.com.au

BUDERIM CRAFT COTTAGE

23 TO 24 SEPTEMBER

OFF THE SHELF ART SALE

As Mixed Media artists declutter their studios, connect with and take home bargain-priced art from watercolour, acrylic and oil to printmaking, collage, charcoal and pastels.

7 UNTIL 15 OCTOBER

SCULPTURE GARDEN EXHIBITION

Celebrating 26 years and the work of the Pottery Group, skilfully moulded, dried, glazed and fired to entrap the warmth, personality and talent of each artist. Large and small artworks for sale.

27 UNTIL 29 OCTOBER

SILVERSMITHS EXHIBITION

Discover handmade jewellery and metal art and watch the artisans in action, creating their original modern classics or rustic, recycled pieces.

3 TO 5 NOVEMBER

LIFE DRAWING EXHIBITION

Stunning portraits and life drawings by local artists in pastel, paint, charcoal. Try your hand at portraiture.

24 TO 25 NOVEMBER

BUDERIM CHRISTMAS FAIR

The annual community event everyone loves with many art and craft stalls plus coffee and cake!

5 Main Street, Buderim Ph: 5450 1714 www.buderimcraftcottage.com.au

ART SCHOOL CO.

Home to the creative soul, Art School Co. is a new destination for fine art supplies and art classes. Directed by award-winning artist Jess Le Clerc, Art School Co. guarantees the best priced art supplies on the Sunshine Coast. The Zone, 32 Wises Road, Buderim Phone 0491 756 172 artschoolco.com & artstoreco.com.au

EUGENE RUBULS ART

Eugene’s talent for capturing nature brings the beauty of underwater seascapes to life on canvas with vibrant colours and textures. He specialises in creating bold, contemporary statement pieces for Sunshine Coast interiors and beyond. Maroochydore

www.eugeneart.com.au

ART BY BROOKS

Amanda’s vibrant, textured, original paintings on canvas use acrylics, ink washes and oils. Her studio is open by appointment and welcomes commissions and limited edition art prints. info@artbybrooks.com.au Phone 0417 071 336 artbybrooks.com.au

STEVENS STREET GALLERY

An independently-run creative space that supports local artists featuring a variety of different mediums and artists. New group exhibitions every two months plus a program of creative workshops. 2 Stevens Street, Yandina Phone 0414 687 895 stevensstreetgallery.com.au

COOL ART PICTURE FRAMING

Our professional framers have over 25 years’ experience in custom picture framing services including artwork, canvases, photographs, memorabilia, conservation framing and more.

5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach Phone 5471 7366 coolartgallery.com.au

THE ART HUB

Join one of our local artists at Sunshine Coast’s original Paint & Sip studio. You will feel right at home as you paint, sip and have some fun. Sessions are all BYO drinks & nibbles. Ages 18+. The Strand, 19b-11 Bulcock Street Caloundra thearthub.com.au

PHOTO: ALEXANDRA ROSE PHOTOGRAPHY

A GROWING

Success

My grandma was a gardener, my mum is a gardener and so far my daughter seems to be a gardener, but somehow the green thumb gene skipped me.

I’ve tried many times. Each year as the weather warms up I head outside to my designated vegetable garden patch; I pull out the weeds, dig in some fresh new soil and manure, and happily head off to the nursery to buy all sorts of seedlings to populate my virgin garden bed.

As I browse the large array of edible seedlings to choose from at my local Manawee Garden Centre, I start to get excited thinking about the fresh spring vegetables and summer salads and flavoursome marinades I’ll be able to create from my own hard work.

Lettuce and leafy greens, kale, beans, snow peas, tomatoes, cucumbers - I’ve had a crack at all of them. I even got excited and tried broccoli one year.

Strawberries and blueberries were popular with the kids when they were small, but now will no longer eat my odd-shaped fruits. My greatest success was perhaps the raspberries. I let them roam, or some might say take-over my garden, and with a bit of luck I enjoyed a few handfuls of fresh berries - and a few prickles in the process too.

As we head toward the warmer weather I am again contemplating my garden projects.

Exploring the garden centre, I spy a fresh crop of vegetables growing.

Sitting there in the middle of the fruit trees and herbs, right next to the colourful pots of colour, was an oasis of lettuce, raddish, beans, basil and even beetroot. As I admired the lush, green leaves I wondered how they made it look so easy.

Before long I was explaining my upcoming project ambitions and my previous failures to Manawee owner and garden guru, Simon Van Roy.

He was quick to point out that I was failing in the three key ingredients for a successful vegetable garden: soil quality, pest management and maintaining a proper growing climate with regular watering.

Instead of falling into the same cycle of mediocre soil prep and lack of follow through when it comes to watering and feeding my vegetables, he suggested I try a Vegepod.

This revoutionary, raised garden bed allows you to control the growing environment away from the groundand therefore, away from various pests that roam your garden.

A new level of excitement and ambitions started to grow; it sounded achievable and easy!

Simon explained that once the Vegepod was set up it takes the hard work of gardening away.

So, how do we set up this Vegepod?

“It’s a tool-free kit build and can easily be clicked together in approximately 30 minutes,” Simon explains. “Fill the Vegepod with a mixture of Perlite and good quality organic potting mix which will give your veggies a perfect balance of drainage and essential nutrients.”

Tick! Quality nutrients is taken care of.

While Simon recommends an organic plant food like a five-in-one liquid organic fertiliser every two months, using quality growing potting mix from the beginning gets us off to a great start.

The raised design of the Vegepod which lifts the garden bed up off the ground has multiple benefits.

The main one being that it saves your back and knees from the strain of gardening at ground level!

It also lifts your plants away from pests and crawling critters looking for an easy feed. For extra protection, add in a durable mesh cover that works to maintain a micro-climate while also providing a barrier from birds and flying insects while also decreasing the need for sprays to keep pests away.

Tick! Critters, pests and birds eliminated.

And the final piece to the puzzle is water. Vegetables are thirsty buggers usually requiring a good watering every day or two.

Tick! Once again, the Vegepod has this covered with a built-in mist sprayer to keep the plants hydrated.

Simon also explains that if I hook it up to a hose with a timer then I won’t even need to remember to water my garden. Now that is a bonus.

The Vegepod even has drainage and overflow holes to prevent flooding, so it can’t be over watered.

Not likely to happen in my neglected garden but is great to know for when those summer downpours arrive.

So as the weather warms up and you too get inspired to take on a little grow-your-own project, think of me and consider a Vegepod for your backyard or balcony.

It’s my way of turning my brown thumbs a little greener - and keeping my family healthier with homegrown goodness.

Alison Smith discovers a genius solution to growing, harvesting and enjoying homegrown goodness.

Breeze blocks - Aires, Cube, Pinwheel designs, Sunshine Living Tile and Stone, 5309

Wooden bench with glazed tile, Vintage Haveli Barn, 0432

Apaiser Lunar bath and Sentosa basins, NCP, 5443 2522

Outdoor awning, Harlequin Blinds and Shutters, 5476 9888

BEHIND THE Blinds

Georgia Beard lifts the curtain on the local blind manufacturer furnishing windows to enhance our home comforts while meeting the demands of life in the subtropics.

The climate is capricious on the Sunshine Coast.

Hidden in the mountainous hinterland, my Maleny home welcomes molten sunsets from the west and cool moonlight from the east.

Mornings grant us the most clement weather we will ever see in one day. By mid-afternoon, the sun peers through our windows to overheat our living spaces and temporarily blind us.

By evening, bitter draughts replace the balmy breezes flowing through our flyscreens.

All this unpredictability should have us complaining like Melbournians. But adapting to the weather’s impulsive whims doesn’t take much effort – it’s simply a matter of pulling the blinds.

Since establishing their homegrown company in the 1990s, Harlequin Blinds and Security have manufactured window dressings and security screens that tailor to both the climate and their clients’ conditions.

Owners Marilyn and Julian Black understand our desire to let the natural environment into our homes while keeping out prying eyes; to soften the sun against our furniture; or to create total blackouts during naps and movie marathons.

To determine the custom needs of a client, Harlequin Blinds visit homes to test the look and feel of products and offer styling advice with their free in-home Measure and Quote service.

Marilyn and Julian’s dynamic, tightknit team then produces an extensive range of long-lasting blinds, curtains, awnings, shutters, security doors and

windows from their factory in Kunda Park on the Sunshine Coast.

Aluminium and timber Venetians, cellular blinds, panel glide blinds, roller blinds, Roman blinds and sunscreen blinds offer diverse results for interior styling, privacy, sun protection and light filtration.

The same can be said for roller and plantation shutters, which also improve ventilation, security and protection against extreme weather.

These blinds and shutters are often paired with blockout, sheer or decorative curtains, softening hard edges and enhancing an interior with subtle elegance.

Marilyn says neutral colours – whites, greys, blacks and gentle blues – will always be the first choice in fabric, outlasting seasonal trends and allowing bold furniture to still make their statements in the room.

As a member of Fashionline Australia, the nation-wide association of blind manufacturers, Harlequin Blinds and Security gains access to high-quality Australian and imported suppliers such

as Ricky Richards Fabric, Ziptrak and ScreenGuard.

Recently, the company has integrated Maurice Kain’s Recycled Polyester into their supply of curtains.

Every metre of the Deserts and Forests Collection contains 81 one-litre plastic bottles, shredded and spun into sustainable drapery to reduce landfill.

When exploring options for blinds and curtains, the team considers the window orientation and effects of weather in bedrooms, media rooms, lounge rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.

Marilyn Black

PHOTOS: LAUREN BIGGS

According to Marilyn, west and east-facing windows benefit from solid fabric to reduce glare and control heat, while north and south-facing windows benefit from soft, sheer fabric to filter light into dark spaces.

“Windows can certainly hold heat from the sun and cold from the night air,” Marilyn says. “As soon as you add a blind or a curtain, you change how the room will feel temperature-wise. For example, shutters can block out 60% of the heat and cold.

“In the kitchen, it’s good to have sunscreen blinds to block out the sun but still keep the window’s outlook.

“In the bathroom, I look at products that are going to resist an even dampness

from the shower, the bath or the heat.

“All fabrics generally have mildew resistance, but I will put in a fabric you can wipe over and dry out quickly.”

Moving into media rooms and bedrooms, the edges of blockout blinds can be sealed inside tracks using Ziptrak technology, immersing rooms in complete darkness for entertainment, privacy or sleep.

Ziptrak Awnings and Zipscreen

Blinds are also available for patios and

verandas, reflecting heat and harmful UV rays with spring-based or motorised operation. Gone are the days of crankoperated systems!

As technologies and trends widen the world of home improvement, Marilyn and Julian keep personal experience at the heart of their services.

Family-owned and locallymanufactured so, when we unfurl the window furnishings, we can take comfort in the spaces we inhabit.

IT’S A DOG’S Life!

It truly was a dog’s day out for the annual A Dog’s Life: Pet Expo on the stunning Noosa River.

Exhibitors and exhibitionists were on display for the always pupular Furry Fashions on the Field hosted by Hello Sunshine Magazine’s Fashion Editor and Furbaby Mumma Carlie Wacker.

With CATegories (sorry!) including Attention to fashion deTAIL; PAWfect Posture; Taking the LEAD in fur kid fashion trends; DOGgone cuteness; and PAWsonality, the PUParazzi and superstar DOGfluencers had a HOWLing good time!

This vibrant event celebrated our furry companions and had plenty on offer to keep them happy and healthy, including displays and demonstrations, nutritional and grooming advice, obedience training, education and more with the latest in training, treats, fashion and trends to be explored.

The Puppy Play Zone was a big hit as were the Training Demonstrations and SUP and Skimboarding sessions.

The day raised more than $10,000 for PTSD Dogs Australia to help them continue to rescue Veterans and First Responders, we’ll wag our tails to that!

Pups and their pawrents came together to celebrate all things canine and raise much-needed funds for PTSD Dogs Australia. Deb Caruso tells the tail.

PHOTOS: SANDY BOLTON

PUPPY PARADISE

Wrap your paws around these Australian owned and designed goodies made with love from Indie Boho for your favourite furry friend.

Foxy Tales quick-dry and fur-free bath and beach towel, comes in a waterproof bag.

Daydream Shells blanket

Native Flora water-resistant travel mat (rolled) designed by Debi Hudson.

Native Flora water-resistant travel mat (long size) designed by Debi Hudson.

Daydream Shells XL bed

PARTNER WITH US