The
Quality Cut PACIFIC
PARADISE
Issue Four | November 2017
Clubhouse Update: It’s Finally Here
In the spotlight: Off the Beaten Waterways
Feature Facility: Bowling Green
Live the Lifestyle you deserve!
General Manager’s Message Welcome to the November edition of our newsletter. The resort has been a hive of activity in preparation for the Clubhouse Launch to the residents, on 19 October. The day was an enormous success and a great reflection of all the hard work and dedication that went into organising it. I’d like to extend my thanks to everyone involved, in addition to all our guests who attended and made the day special. Our facilities are now complete, meaning that residents of Living Gems Pacific Paradise can finally experience the resort at its full potential and enjoy all the opportunities just a few steps from their front door. With fewer than 50 homes left to build, your time is running out to purchase a home at this premier resort. Make sure you don’t miss out by getting in touch with our Sales Team so that they can arrange a private tour of the resort and our feature display homes. Vlad Pullich General Manager Living Gems
Sales Manager’s Message It’s all systems go at Living Gems Pacific Paradise! We are greatly looking forward to our display homes being completed – they are mere days away. The countdown truly is on. The selling season is well upon us, so now is the time to get moving and place your home on the market so that you can make your way into the Living Gems community. Our wonderful clubhouse is now open to the masses – just in time for the upcoming festive season. We hope all residents are thoroughly enjoying themselves, whether that’s
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The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
by playing a few games of tennis, relaxing in the sauna, or taking a dip in the swimming pool. In this issue of our newsletter, you can see for yourself all the wonderful activities that have happened at the resort over the last month. We also highlight some of our residents’ fascinating travel tales, their very chatty pets, and not forgetting all the latest construction updates on site. If you’d like any more information about our resort, homes, or perhaps have any questions, please feel free to give me a call or an email. Victoria Dent Sales Manager
596 David Low Way, Sunshine Coast Qld 4564
Social Update
Clubhouse Launch What a wonderful day it was! With everything from live entertainment, to a three course meal and a celebrity guest in the form of Fiona Simpson MP there were smiles as far as the eye could see. Sales and Marketing Director, Ben Livingstone said: “The day made me realise that we do not just build houses. The unveiling of this cutting-edge clubhouse represents what we are all about – lifestyle.” Thank you to our many guests for their kind support through the process of this build and we truly hope you enjoy it for the future.
www.livinggems.com.au | 1800 785 594
The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
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Social Update
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A Spook-tacular Evening 1
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble – the Living Gems Pacific Paradise residents were out in force recently after a tremendous day out on the golfing green. Everyone put in an outstanding effort with their costumes and plenty of fiendish fun was had by all at an impromptu Friday 13 party.
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Top: 1 The Living Gems Annual Coven meeting was a great success! Middle: 2 The Men in Black take a moment to enjoy some well-earned refreshments. 3 Even the scariest guests get hungry when socialising. Bottom: 4 We can only assume that this is Brian May and the Devil Incarnate 5 These two are utilising the ‘good cop, scary cop’ approach to photography! 6 These terrifying triplets were prepared for a good night… and perhaps a spot of mopping. 7 A little black dress always come in handy.
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The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
596 David Low Way, Sunshine Coast Qld 4564
If you’d like to get involved with a future outing, contact the Sales Team on: 0412 131 832 or email: victoria@livinggems.com.au.
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What a fantastic day out for residents and deposit holders!
A Day on the Green
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Playing Ambrose golf in teams of four, the group played across the Mount Coolum Golf Course. The slightly overcast weather ensured the players didn’t get too warm, despite a hotly contested game!
Top: 1 Meeting like-minded others is one of the great perks of moving to Living Gems Pacific Paradise. 2 Bonnie’s first try at golf - the nerves were kicking in. Middle: 3 Getting ready for the big day. 4 Taking a short rest in between all the fun. Bottom: 5 The winning team! 6 Making new friends is easy. 7 Cooling off with a cold one at Mount Coolum Golf Course.
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www.livinggems.com.au | 1800 785 594
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In the Spotlight
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Erie Canals: Off the Beaten Waterways In 55 years together, David and Beth Nielsen have been on 70 cruises spanning every continent apart from Antarctica. “We travel to see this fascinating world in which we live,” says David, “and we are somewhat addicted to it.” The Living Gems Pacific Paradise residents’ latest cruise took them along the historic Erie Canal in the United States. But first, David and Beth flew into California, where they spent four days with their daughter, before travelling to Newport on Rhode Island, where they boarded their cruise with the boutique travel company Blount Small Ship Adventures. What sets the company apart is that it is the only one with a boat suitable for travelling the historic Erie Canal system that connects the Great Lakes of the United States to the Atlantic Ocean near New York City. Apart from the boat, which he described as ‘rather tired’, David spoke highly of the tour. “The food was excellent, the service was excellent and the itinerary was superb.”
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“We sailed the coast to New York, from the East River to the Hudson River all the way up almost to Niagara,” says David. The boat entered the Hudson River in the early hours of the morning and sailed around the battery where the Twin Towers formerly stood. “The new freedom tower was there, gleaming in the sun,” says David. “It was a lovely morning.” The boat circled around the Statue of Liberty for a photo opportunity, and then proceeded up the Hudson River where they got a good view of the eastern skyline of New York and onto the canals. “We went through the Erie canal system through to the Great Lakes. From there, we followed the coast around, travelling through all four of the Great Lakes, and terminated at Chicago, Illinois after 16 days,” he says. “There are some very interesting ports and towns along the way.” The Nielsens particularly like river cruising: Amsterdam to Budapest on the Rhine and Danube Rivers was a stand out experience, and the rivers of South East Asia were unforgettable. “Those Asian rivers, such as the Yangtze, Irrawaddy, and the Mekong, are all captivating,” says David. “You can see all the riverside villages and see how the rural people live. It opens your eyes to what an interesting planet we live on. Get out there and see it: explore and experience our fascinating planet!”
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The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
The Living Gems Pacific Paradise residents are well suited to each other – they are hardy, adventurous and passionate about seeing the world.
“We felt that it was time to downsize, and by living here, at a turnkey resort, we knew we could go off travelling even more than we had in the past.” “Beth is the best travelling companion you could ever wish for,” says David. “I am very lucky and very fortunate to have her as my partner. We equally enjoy exploring the world, which is a lovely way to enjoy one’s marriage.” Moving into Pacific Paradise allowed the couple to downsize from their former canal front property on the Sunshine Coast, and it has freed them up to do more travelling. “We felt that it was time to downsize, and by living here, at a turnkey resort, we knew we could go off travelling even more than we had in the past,” says David. There was more to the Nielsen’s latest holiday than the cruise. After disembarking, David and Beth flew to Milwaukee, Wisconsin; where they hired a car for a week to drive around the state. They saw the Harley 596 David Low Way, Sunshine Coast Qld 4564
Take a Stroll to Bowl
One of the greatest things we offer at Living Gems Pacific Paradise is the opportunity to have a day out, without having to travel anywhere!
Our state-of-the-art championship bowling green will do just that. With six rinks, you won’t have to bother paying expensive membership fees or travelling to other clubs. Maybe you’d like to get a bowling team together and take it all very seriously or perhaps just enjoy a casual game with a beer – the choice is yours! Located just behind the country club at the heart of the resort, we have gone to great lengths to provide a quality experience through the use of needlepunch synthetic grass that is used by champions around the world. We have used the best of the best equipment to ensure no divots and excellent longevity. The 33m long, 12m wide bowling green will allow you to live the dream – just a few steps from your front door.
Davidson factory and museum, which David describes as “stunning”, even for a person who is not a Harley fan. “Virtually every model they have ever made is held in the museum, including bike number one, the very first motorbike Harley Davidson ever built. That was in a glass cabinet, fully restored in showroom condition, it is so rare and valuable.” That was one of the many highlights of the trip. At Racine, south of Milwaukee, is the Johnson Wax headquarters building, which is designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. “It is a stunningly beautiful building, even today it looks so new and modern.” From there, they drove along the Wisconsin Peninsula. It was cherry season and they bought a big bag of cherries for $1.99. “They were lovely.” Now, they are back home at Living Gems Pacific Paradise, no doubt planning their next trip. If you would like to contribute to our Resident’s Spotlight section in a future newsletter, contact the Editor at: editor@livinggems.com.au.
Clockwise from top: 1 Budapest on a late afternoon was a standout experience for the Nielsens. 2 The Statue of Liberty in New York stands proud over the Hudson River. 3 The Nielsens are cruise ship masters! www.livinggems.com.au | 1800 785 594
Perigian What a home! Offering open-plan living at its finest, the Perigian gives you so much, for so little! With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this plan gives you plenty of room to relax, recline, or entertain. The possibilities are endless. The intelligent zoning of this home ensures that you will never feel stuck in the middle. The master is completed with walk-in robe and twin vanities in the ensuite. With a walk-in pantry and double garage, downsizing from a larger home couldn’t be easier. • 3 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • Ensuite • Walk-in wardrobe • Remote control double garage • Air-conditioning
If you would like more information about this home or to arrange a viewing, call 1800 785 594 today.
The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
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Our Living Gems At Living Gems, we’re a community inside and out. We love getting to know our resident stakeholders, so here’s an opportunity for you to get to know us better too. A family-run business through and through, Living Gems would be nowhere without its staff members and we like to make sure they know that they’re appreciated. Here you can learn a little about their backgrounds and why they love working for us.
TJ Whatarangi has been with us for over three years and within that time we have seen him grow, develop and flourish into a fantastic member of our team. TJ came to us as a student whilst he was still in the process of gaining his Master’s degree from Griffith University. During his degree, TJ covered an enormous array of architectural designs from housing and commercial projects to public works and even bridges. TJ now heads our growing design team and here he tells us a little about himself: Why did you decide to become a designer? TJ: For as long as I can remember, I have always loved art. Whether that’s with pen and paper or electronically, I have always been creative. Choosing architectural design as a career was a fantastic way for me to marry my skills and passion with a strong and respected profession. What inspires you? TJ: There’s definitely no singular answer to that question! To try and get myself ‘in the zone’, I tend to just pick up a pen and start drawing. Even if it’s nonsensical doodling, it tends to help me focus. Just drawing, screwing the paper up and then starting again really helps me move forward. I take inspiration from a very wide range of architectural projects and it’s that variety that I believe shapes my enthusiasm and ability. What do you most enjoy about your role? TJ: I love the variety. Every project is different and it’s always an ongoing
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The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
journey to design a client’s home to their exact requirements – it’s something that I really enjoy. One thing that I’ve found is that I don’t spend a lot of time on variations. Living Gems homes tend to have all the luxury features - that wouldn’t normally be included in similar homes – already offered as standard. My role is almost like that of an interpreter; I have to extract a client’s ideas and translate that into the home’s design. Sometimes it’s easy; sometimes it can be challenging but on every occasion, I just get the tracing paper out and go for it. Problem solving is a skill that I use in terms of weighing up solutions to a client’s request without having it impact on other parts of the design. I work with a fantastic team who “I love working with people are all very supportive professionally and personally. which is why I’m always I love working with people happy to sit down with which is why I’m always our clients and work out happy to sit down with our clients and work out what’s what’s best for them.” best for them. What is your favourite Living Gems home? TJ: Funnily enough I have one that immediately comes to mind! I really like the Noosa II as it really does feel enormous inside. The clever positioning of the three bedrooms and double garage makes the home feel light and airy. Plus, with the efficient use of space there’s more opportunity for variations and creativity in addition to being excellent value for money. What do you like to do in your spare time? TJ: I love exercising and going to the gym – purely because I also love food, so it has to be a careful balancing act. When I’m not watching footy with the family, I enjoy socialising with friends which is definitely made
easy considering my apartment is on top of a brewery with regular visiting food trucks! Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time? TJ: I don’t even know where I’m going tomorrow! But really, I’m hoping I’ll be right here. We have so many exciting projects coming up in the future and I want to see that continue. I’m really looking forward to growing with the company and seeing us thrive. If you would like to speak to one of our Sales Team regarding your home, please contact Victoria on 0412 131 832 or email at: victoria@livinggems.com.au.
596 David Low Way, Sunshine Coast Qld 4564
Gem of a Home: $569,000 What a stunner! This home boasts our coveted Marcoola I design. With two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, and of course, spacious open-plan living, this home has it all covered. A walk-in pantry ensures that you will never be stuck for storage and the timber laminate flooring coupled with the plantation shutters really sets off the overall feel of the home. Located just a short stroll from the clubhouse and facilities, you couldn’t ask for a better spot to call home! • 2 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • Remote control 1.5 car garage
• Ensuite • Walk in wardrobe • Air conditioning
Call 1800 785 594 or email: victoria@livinggems.com.au for more information or to view our stunning range of homes.
5 Starters for a Successful Spring Clean Spring is here, and that means it’s time to get rid of the winter clutter and get your home ready for the warmer months ahead. Here’s Living Gems top 5 tips for a delightful declutter: 1. Make time Everyone is busy, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to avoid a good spring clean. If you’re a chronic procrastinator for menial chores, book yourself in for a ‘declutter date’ with your calendar. You don’t have to spend the whole day, but spend at least an hour or two on it. No excuses!
2. Set goals Before you start randomly picking things up and throwing them into the bin, think really hard about what you want to achieve by decluttering. Do you want to make more room in a specific space? Are you getting rid of that excess downsizing gear? Or are you looking to make a little bit of clean-up cash? The more specific your goal, the more likely you are to achieve it.
www.livinggems.com.au | 1800 785 594
Ask if the item brings you joy, if it’s useful, and think hard about the last time you really used it. 3. Get inspired A good spring clean sometimes needs inspiration. There are plenty of books and blogs on decluttering and most of the home shows on TV also have plenty of tips and tricks to take note of. Remember: another man’s trash is another man’s treasure! So, don’t be afraid to put your clutter on websites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace to earn yourself some easy pocket money.
4. Question everything There’s a strong chance you already know what you want to get rid of before you start a spring clean. Perhaps you’ve become sick of looking
at the old golf clubs in the garage that have been gathering dust over the last five years? Don’t just declutter the obvious objects; question everything you own. Ask if the item brings you joy, if it’s useful, and think hard about the last time you really used it.
5. Keep it up Even if you carry out the most efficient spring clean, chances are your home is going to fill up with unwanted stuff again. With that in mind, it’s really important to declutter at least once a month. Plus, the more you clean – the less you’ll have to do next time! If you’d like advice on how to get ready for your move into Living Gems Pacific Paradise, feel free to give us a call on: 1800 785 594 or email at: victoria@livinggems.com.au. The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
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Talking Pets Keeping up-to-date with our residents is very important to us here at Living Gems Pacific Paradise. As a pet-friendly resort, we see our animals as part of the family – so in this section of our newsletter, we catch up with our hairier residents. Name Tabasco
Age 14
Sex Female
Parents Tony & Di Cass
What type of cat are you? Tabasco: I am a well-travelled tortoiseshell tabby. My earliest memory was being taken from a cat rescue society shelter by Tony and Di’s nephew around 14 years ago. We moved around a lot – I’ve been from Sydney to Airlie Beach to Agnes Water and on to Hervey Bay and now we’re down here on the Sunshine Coast. I have a sister, Chilli, but I haven’t seen her in years. She went missing from our house at Agnes. That’s a bit sad. I have a feeling she’s safe, though. What’s your preferred food? Tabasco: Unlike many other cats, I’m not fussy on the type of food, but it has to be fresh. I’ll eat chicken, tuna, and tinned food mixed with some dry biscuits, but if it has been sitting in the bowl for more than five minutes, I won’t eat it. It must be served fresh from the tin. What is your favourite pastime? Tabasco: For a long time, I have been a gecko hunter. Now that I am 14 years old, though, I can’t ever catch them, which pleases Di. I can still chase them, though. Which part of Living Gems Pacific Paradise do you enjoy the most? Tabasco: My home. I’m very territorial, so it’s best that I stay away from other felines. I reign supreme. In Hervey Bay, I had an acre to roam. I patrolled the boundaries and chased away foxes. It’s probably good that I’ve downsized in my old age. I’ve settled down quite well and am ready to reduce my queendom.
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The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
What’s your most annoying habit? Tabasco: Being a nocturnal creature, I’m often awake at night, and I’ll go looking for my servants – if I can’t get to them when the door is locked, I will scratch at the doors. If the door is open, I’ll jump on my servants’ heads, as they should be up playing. I won’t be disobeyed.
Did you know that we have a Facebook page? Find us at www.facebook.com/ LivingGemsAus and click follow to be kept up-to-date with the latest and greatest news and fun.
Your greatest achievement? Tabasco: My word. It would have to be putting up with Tony and Di for a decade. I’ve got them wrapped around my little paw! Who treats you the best? Mum or dad? Tabasco: Do you mean my servants? Well, Tony does get up at 6am each morning to brush my coat and get me ready for the day. And I like to sit on Di’s lap, but only when she puts a towel down first. Living Gems Pacific Pines is a pet-friendly resort that promotes active lifestyles and welcoming communities. If you are interested in becoming part of our resort and would like some more information, contact Victoria on: 0412 131 832 or email: victoria@livinggems.com.au.
Have you seen our workshop in action? https://youtu.be/VZTIdR051wU Find us on YouTube for a sneek peek into what you can do in our workshop. 596 David Low Way, Sunshine Coast Qld 4564
Get stuffed with Living Gems Treacle Tart We never need an excuse to make a delicious dessert – especially a traditional one. If you love nothing more than fresh bread from the bakery, you might find that you end up wasting it after it goes stale. If you’re struggling to get through all the bread you’ve been buying, let it go stale and whizz it in a food processor to make bread crumbs. Ingredients: • 250g plain flour • 130g butter, plus extra for greasing • 400g golden syrup • 150g fine fresh white breadcrumbs • 2 lemons, zest and juice • 1 free-range egg, beaten, to use as egg wash
Method: • First make the short crust pastry: measure the flour into a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add about three tablespoons of cold water and mix into a firm dough, wrap in cling-wrap and chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes. • Preheat the oven to 200°C and put a heavy baking tray in the oven to heat up. Grease your loosebottomed fluted flan tin with butter. • Remove 150g of pastry from the main ball and set aside for lattice. • Roll the rest of the pastry out thinly on a lightly floured work surface and line the prepared flan tin with the pastry. • Prick the base with a fork to stop the base rising during baking. • Place the reserved pastry for the lattice top on cling-wrap and roll out thinly. Egg wash the pastry and set aside to chill in the fridge (the cling-wrap makes it easier to move about). Do not cut into strips at this stage. Do not egg wash the strips www.livinggems.com.au | 1800 785 594
Preparation time: 30 minutes to 1 hour Cooking time: 30 minutes to 1 hour Serves: 8 Equipment: 18cm, loose-bottomed fluted flan tin
once they are on the tart as it will drip into the treacle mixture. • To make the filling, heat the syrup gently in a large pan, but do not boil. • Once melted, add the breadcrumbs, lemon juice and zest to the syrup. If the mixture looks runny, add a few more breadcrumbs. • Pour the syrup mixture into the lined tin and level the surface. • Remove the reserved pastry from the fridge and cut into long strips, 1cm wide. Make sure they are all longer than the edges of the tart tin. • Egg wash the edge of the pastry in the tin, and start to make the woven laying lattice pattern over the mixture, leave the strips hanging over the edge of the tin. • Once the lattice is in place, use the tin edge to cut off the strips by pressing down with your hands, creating a neat finish. • Bake on the pre-heated baking tray in the hot oven for about 10 minutes until the pastry has started to colour, and then reduce the oven temperature to 180°C.
If at this stage, the lattice seems to be getting too dark brown, cover the tart with tin foil. • Bake for a further 25-30 minutes until the pastry is golden-brown and the filling set. • Remove the tart from the oven and leave to firm up in the tin. Serve warm or cold.
Chef’s top tips: • Breadcrumbs should be fine and fresh. The bigger they are, the lumpier the texture and consistency will be, and the mixture can burn/catch slightly when cooking. • If you can’t be bothered making your own pastry, use frozen ready-to-roll instead.
If you have a family recipe that you’d love to share with us – send it through to the Editor at: editor@livinggems.com.au.
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What’s on
November
$490
Wanderlust Sunshine Coast
$150 Espresso 101
Thursday 9 November – Sunday 12 November 10am-5pm Novotel Twin Waters Resort
Friday 24 November, 9am Padre Roastery, Noosa
Choose your own adventure with multi-level yoga and meditation sessions, mouth-watering local organic dinners, heart-pumping music, inspiring lectures and workshops, outdoor activities from SUP to camping, all surrounded by breath-taking tropical landscape. Find your true north to lead to a health and inspired life.
Covering the essentials of espresso brewing and ensuring participants leave with a comprehensive understanding and practical skills, this course guarantees that you’ll come away with a finer appreciation for coffee. This course is very hands-on and capped at three participants per class in order to maximise your time with a commercial espresso machine, grinders, and experienced trainer.
Reducing “What’s for Dinner” Stress Thursday 2 November, 5:45pm The Source Bulk Foods
$25
Join the Kitchen Coach to reduce stress when it comes to what you cook for dinner. Through meal planning done efficiently and introducing simple habits for success, this workshop will have you pre-prepped and pre-planned for less stress in the kitchen.
Mindfulness Works Thursday 23 November 7pm Millwell Road Community Centre, Maroochydore
$110
The Mindfulness Works exclusive four-week introductory course provides you with an opportunity to experience the benefits of mindfulness. Mindfulness simple means ‘paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally”. Modern research about mindfulness and meditation suggests that over time and with regular practice, people can experience less stress, less anxiety, greater focus, calm, and happiness.
Introductory iPad Lessons Wednesday 8 November, 10am Mooloolaba Bowls Club
$19
This two hour introductory group lesson will help you conquer any fears and gain confidence when using your iPad or iPhone. Even if you have had your iPad for five years, you will be amazed at what you can learn with this hands-on lesson. You will be given large, easy to read notes and the lesson is delivered in a quiet and calm environment. Bring your own iPad and make sure that your device is fully charged.
Ignite Chilli Festival Saturday 25 November, 1pm Bulcock Street, Caloundra
FREE 12
Attracting a diverse range of locals and visiting chilli enthusiasts, the Ignite Chilli Festival will serve up unique stalls offering products related to anything chilli, including: arts and crafts, fashion, street food, jewellery, home-wares and lifestyle products with a focus on handmade and local wares where possible. Lively bands and entertainment make this event, hot, hot, hot!
The Quality Cut – Pacific Paradise Issue Four – November 2017
$50 Ageing with Wisdom and Style Workshop Saturday 11 November, 10am Cooroy Library Learn how to transcend those limiting beliefs of ageing, enabling you to find joy in your life now and always. Be inspired and empowered by this special event for women offering a guaranteed friendly and supportive environment. Learn the tricks of personal styling to reflect a confident and beautiful you. Admission includes two workshops and a delicious morning tea.
FREE Introduction to Social Media Wednesday 22 November, 2pm Woodford Library Learn how to connect with family and friends on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more! Reconnect with old school friends and catch-up with people you haven’t seen in years at the simple touch of a button. Staying up-to-date with current technology is a must! 596 David Low Way, Sunshine Coast Qld 4564