Brisbane Magazine Issue 11 by map magazine

BRISBANE MAGAZINE

BRISBANE'S MOST SPECTACULAR RIVERFRONT DINING DESTINATION

BRISBANE MAGAZINE WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE LIVE, SHOP, WORK, RELAX + PLAY

ISSUE 11 / 2013/2014

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CONTENTS /

CONTENTS ISSUE 11 / 2013/2014

WELCOME

FEATURES /

Editor’s Letter

ENDORSEMENT

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

NEWS

Brisbane City

OPINION

Reveal

20 FASHION

FRITZ SCHWARZ

COVER BEE ONE THIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHRYN LINDGREN

28 DESIGN

BEN JOHNSTON

We never wanted to feel like we were going to work and we carried that ethos through when we started building a team. I guess it stemmed from our own desire to create a workplace that was fun and enjoyable, with work that was stimulating. BEN JOHNSTON – PAGE 28

36 BUSINESS

NOEL NIDDRIE 46 ARTS

LI CUNXIN

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/ CONTENTS

63 VILLAGES FEATURES /

FASHION 18

FASHION NEWS

BEGITTA STOLK

LEO YIP

BRISBANE CITY 66

FORTITUDE VALLEY

JAMES STREET

DESIGN 26

DESIGN NEWS

WILL MARX

JAMES DAWSON

NEW FARM / TENERIFFE 72

NEWSTEAD

BUSINESS 34

BUSINESS NEWS

CATHIE REID

ARTHUR APOSTOLOS

VANESSA GARRARD

44 74

EMPORIUM 75

THE BARRACKS 76

PADDINGTON / ROSALIE

SCIENCE 42

JUDITH CLEMENTS

16 9

SOUTH BANK

SPORT 43

CARLEE BEATTIE

WEST END / SOUTH BRISBANE

TRAVEL

ARTS 44

ARTS NEWS

JANE FULLER

DYLAN EVANS

EMMA LOUISE

KRIS STEWART

88 89

WOOLLOONGABBA

VALLEY OF THE LAKES

BULIMBA / HAWTHORNE

GREAT SANDY STRAIT 90

SPRINGBROOK

ASCOT/HAMILTON

GOURMET 54

GOURMET NEWS

HELEN BIRD

JOSH RUSSEL

JASMIN ROBERTSON

ADRIAN SLAUGHTER

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 07

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ISSUE 11 / 2013/2014

HELLO BRISBANE Welcome to the 11th issue of Brisbane Magazine. What an incredible year it has been and one that has seen our city grow at an incredible pace. Brisbane’s constantly changing landscape houses a collection of inspiring voices, ready to put thought and action into their valuable ideas that contribute immensely to the creativity and liveability of the city. Brisbane has an arts and culture scene that is outshining those of our country’s major cities, as well as others internationally. The streets are lined with vibrant and bustling cafes, restaurants and produce markets, and a retail and business sector whose innovation is always impressive. Brisbane now and into the future is a city that we can all be proud of. It is a city that encourages sustainability within its existing economy and fosters sustainable innovation in new business. This issue’s cover is dedicated to just that, featuring a business with a view to the future of Brisbane. Bee One Third utilises unused spaces on the rooftops of city businesses for the propagation of bees, production of honey and pollination of our city’s plants. Bee One Third is an inspirational sustainable business with a mission to educate locals about bees and their contribution to our beautiful city. In exciting news, next year will see Brisbane Magazine published twice a year. Brisbane is changing at such a rapid pace and as Brisbane Magazine approaches its 12th issue, we have seen an opportunity to bring the highlights of Brisbane to you biannually. I hope you enjoy the 11th issue of Brisbane Magazine, and continue to celebrate and embrace Brisbane as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

CARL LINDGREN MANAGING EDITOR, BRISBANE MAGAZINE carl@mapcreative.com.au

PUBLISHER map creative – map magazine pty ltd ABN: 98 088 035 045

THE TEAM MANAGING EDITOR Carl Lindgren BUSINESS MANAGER Wendy Schipper EDITOR Kathryn Lindgren PUBLISHING MANAGER Chrisanthi Demos ASSISTANT EDITOR Melinda Halloran EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Lauren Barker, Sarah Bristow, Linsey Rendell GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Tahlia Gregori, Isabelle Stringfellow, Lieve Torbeyns COPY EDITOR Matthew Brady CONTRIBUTORS Mikki Brammer, Frances Frangenheim INTERNS Georgia Lejeune, Ellie Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS Lauren Baker, Kathryn Lindgren, Linsey Rendell SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER Paige Gumbley ACCOUNT MANAGERS Georgia Boyle, Erica Asler MEDIA ASSISTANT Chole Carrucan

BRISBANE MAGAZINE is owned, produced and printed in Australia ISSN 1448521-4 Postal Address 5 Morse Street, Newstead, QLD, 4006 Telephone 07 3251 4900 www.mapcreative.com.au Contents of Brisbane Magazine are subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publication of editorial does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of views or opinions expressed. The publisher does not accept responsibility for statements made by advertisers. The Brisbane Magazine welcomes editorial contributions or comments. They should be sent by email to carl@mapcreative.com.au.

08 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

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ENDORSEMENT / LORD MAYOR GRAHAM QUIRK

OUR NEW WORLD CITY WHETHER YOU’RE A RESIDENT, A VISITOR, A COMMUTER WHO COMES TO BRISBANE FOR WORK, AN EXCHANGE STUDENT, OR ANYONE ELSE WHO CONTRIBUTES TO THE RICH FABRIC OF OUR CITY, I APPRECIATE YOUR DECISION TO BE HERE. IT’S BRISBANE’S DIVERSITY THAT MAKES IT SUCH A UNIQUE AND VIBRANT CITY. OUR RESIDENTS COME FROM 208 COUNTRIES, SPEAK A TOTAL OF 211 LANGUAGES AT HOME AND BELIEVE IN 110 DIVERSE WORLD RELIGIONS. WE ALSO ATTRACT ABOUT 80,000 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WHO ENROL TO STUDY HERE EVERY YEAR. WHY DO PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD COME HERE? IN THE HIDDEN LANEWAYS OF OUR CBD THERE’S FUNKY STREET ART TO DISCOVER, HOLE-IN-THEWALL BARS AND DESIGNER RESTAURANTS. OUR ENVIABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM HAS A NEW HIGH-FREQUENCY ‘MAROON CITYGLIDER’ BUS SERVICE ADDED TO THE MIX, TAKING PEOPLE BETWEEN POPULAR SPORTING VENUES AND RESTAURANT PRECINCTS EVERY TEN MINUTES DURING PEAK PERIODS. WE HAVE A STUNNING, NEWLY REFURBISHED CITY HALL, WHICH IS A NOD TO THE HISTORY OF BRISBANE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME OFFERS UP MODERN CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES WEEKLY (FREE OF CHARGE!). FROM OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITIONS TO MAJOR THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, FROM A MYRIAD OF LIVE SPORTING EVENTS TO THE VIBRANT FESTIVAL SCENE AND SHOPPING PRECINCTS, BRISBANE REALLY DOES HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. TESTAMENT TO ITS NEW WORLD CITY STATUS, LAST YEAR BRISBANE WAS CHOSEN TO HOST THE WORLD’S MOST PROMINENT FORUM FOR GLOBAL DECISION MAKING, THE G20 LEADERS SUMMIT, IN 2014. THERE’S NO QUESTION PEOPLE ARE COMING TO BRISBANE IN DROVES FOR ITS LIFESTYLE, FOR INVESTMENT, FOR BUSINESS AND FOR PLEASURE. I’M SURE WHATEVER YOU DO WHILE YOU’RE HERE, YOU WILL ENJOY IT.

GRAHAM QUIRK LORD MAYOR OF BRISBANE

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BRISBANE CITY / NEWS

BRISBANE CITY NEWS 155 QUEEN STREET Queen Street may soon undergo another makeover with property funds manager ISPT lodging plans for a retail and office redevelopment in the former site of entertainment retailer, HMV. If approved by Brisbane City Council, the existing building will be replaced by a boutique commercial development, including a three-level flagship retail store with office space above. The refurbishment is expected to enhance the city streetscape with the possibility of integrating the office levels of 155 Queen Street with the adjoining Regent Tower and Wintergarden centres. The development’s contemporary design will feature a double-height, glazed shopfront with an upper podium level facade treatment. ISPT has also earmarked the Broadway on the Mall site for possible future redevelopment. @ www.ispt.net.au

FIVE-STAR HOTEL IN CBD In a great vote of confidence for the Brisbane hotel market, one of city’s landmark buildings – the Brisbane Supreme and District Courts – will make way for one of the largest single CBD developments to date. The mixed-use precinct will include a 190-room fivestar hotel, a residential and serviced apartment tower and a commercial office tower. With Brisbane continuing to grow as a destination of choice for international visitors and high-profile events, the investment is likely to improve the city’s business potential even further.

12 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

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NEWS / BRISBANE CITY

LONGCHAMP

ASIA PACIFIC SCREEN AWARDS

Adding to the ever-growing strip of luxury design houses lining Edward Street in the CBD, French leather goods label Longchamp has opened its first Brisbane boutique. Founded in 1948, Longchamp has since become a go-to label for fashionable luggage, handbags and accessories. The luxury house is best known for its lightweight travel goods for both gentlemen and women, as well as a range of day-today leather essentials sporting intricate craftsmanship. This local boutique is the first in Australia to dedicate a space to the brand’s ready-to-wear collection. @ www.huntleather.com.au/longchamp

Brisbane is set to become the new permanent home of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, with Brisbane City Council announcing a three-year commitment to funding the awards. The move is aimed at strengthening Brisbane’s position in the Asia Pacific market, both in terms of future business opportunities and cultural relationships with regional neighbours. The council recognises that Asia Pacific is an economic powerhouse of the world and will provide Brisbane with an entry into some of our key source markets of China, India, Korea and the Middle East. @ www.asiapacificscreenacademy.com

FAT NOODLE

Brisbane foodies were already spoilt for choice in the CBD and now they’ve been treated to another new dining option with the opening of celebrity chef Luke Nguyen’s Fat Noodle restaurant in the Treasury Casino & Hotel. As the owner of the award-winning Red Lantern restaurants in Sydney, Luke brought Fat Noodle to Brisbane following its success at The Star Casino in Sydney. Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Malay cuisine all find their way onto the menu, but the must-try dish is Luke’s signature 20-hour beef broth, fat pho noodles. @ www.treasurybrisbane.com.au WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 13

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Esq is extraordinary. It comes with the trappings and kitchen brilliance that form the core of the full Esquire experience, but is faster-paced relaxed and far broader in appeal. And the processes are ludicrously good – if I gave a score for value it would be 10/10. Tony Harper Restaurant Critic Brisbane News

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4 out of 5.

John Lethlean, The Australian.

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OPINION / REVEAL

REVEAL

REBECCA LEVINGSTON

TOBY HUTCHEON

PAM DRUMMOND

JOURNALIST

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

QUEENSLAND MANAGER

ABC RADIO

QUEENSLAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL (QCC)

WORLD EXPEDITIONS PTY LTD

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I’m the Evenings presenter on 612 ABC Brisbane/ABC Local Radio Qld. My show airs weeknights 7:00–10:00 pm and it’s really about telling stories. I think of it as slightly saucy, moderately meaty and somewhat unpredictable dinner-party conversation. A mix of news, music, comedy, taboo ... all the topics that matter and a few that just make you think. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 13 years – I moved to Brisbane to study journalism after I’d been living in America. FAVOURITE PLACES? The open space and rolling green hills of Samford. WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? There are loads of things happening – food, music, art, sport, parks ... IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’d make public transport free. Choking roads reduce productivity and pollute the air. If more people used trains and buses, we’d read more books and listen to radio! WHAT’S MISSING? Free WiFi, a basketball team, a big park (with a public veggie patch) in the city and more water fountains. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? More life along the river like mobile food, coffee and pie carts. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? More boutique bars are popping up with a broader variety of beers. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS? Live radio shows from ABC headquarters in South Bank. We have a theatre inside our building that seats 250 people and I’m hosting monthly Evening shows from there. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GROWTH BRISBANE HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEARS? Diversity – whether it’s food, art, people, or shows. We’re growing up in terms of challenging ideas and performances. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN THE FUTURE? I hope we hang on to the ‘big country town’ tag, but wear it as a badge of honour. We can be a thriving, diverse, surprising city with plenty to nurture locals and tourists – but we don’t have to lose our friendly, safe, spacious style.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? QCC is the peak environmental NGO in Queensland. We are a membership-based organisation active in promoting environmental protection and sustainability. My role is to lead the organisation, and to represent the views of the environment community to government, business and other community sectors. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 12 years. FAVOURITE PLACES? Moreton Bay, Brisbane Forest Park and the D’Aguilar National Park. WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? The climate, the relative accessibility to services and urban bush and open spaces. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? To have a city built around a good public transport system and less dependent on the motor car. WHAT’S MISSING? An international name and reputation. We need to build a reputation for excellence – perhaps for liveability and sustainability – and centre ideas around these. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? Appreciation of what we have got and a community active in keeping it that way. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? It has become more sophisticated and more community aware. We should take the opportunity to demonstrate a positive impact to the world. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS? It’s all about community – the increase in local events, festivals, markets and cultural events, where people can come together and enjoy the place we live in. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GROWTH BRISBANE HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEARS? Our growth in community localism. Growth should not be about expanding our size and footprint but increasing quality of life. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN THE FUTURE? A city designed in harmony with its environment, where community and the natural environment are given precedence. A city which is healthy, equitable and inclusive and judges itself by the happiness of its people.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I organise active adventures for our clients in Queensland and the Northern Territory. I liaise with clients, travel agents, schools and groups of people interested in private tours. I am also involved in training travel agents and presenting at our information nights on different areas around the world to help people decide if travelling with us is an option for them. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 10 months. FAVOURITE PLACES? Bulimba, New Farm, Fortitude Valley, Mount Coot-tha, South Bank, Brisbane River and West End. WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? I love watching Brisbane grow. There are so many new cool places popping up everywhere. There is a great music and art culture here and lots of free events, which I think makes the city a really vibrant place to be. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would make public transport costs cheaper. WHAT’S MISSING? Nothing I can think of. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? I’d like to see more competition in cafes and restaurants. As a newcomer I find it hard to know where the ‘cheap eats’ are. Coming from Melbourne where there is so much competition, it is easy to go out and spend less than $20 on a main meal but I am struggling up here. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The development of older parts of the city into restaurant/cafe precincts makes it an exciting city to live in, explore and enjoy. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS? The development of Brisbane’s laneways is great and I love the laneway festivals and events that have been occurring. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GROWTH BRISBANE HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEARS? Brisbane is such a multicultural city. It is great to see people from all over the world living and working here – bringing their culture to us. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN THE FUTURE? A vibrant and cultured city with great music, arts and entertainment.

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REVEAL / OPINION

OPINION

RICCARDO RIZZALLI

AMANDA COOPER

BEN HAMLEY

ARCHITECT AND STUDIO LEADER

COUNCILLOR/CHAIRMAN

STRATEGY AND RESEARCH

DC8 STUDIO

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

QUEENSLAND MUSEUM

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I am the studio leader for an amazing crew of talented and passionate people. I am proud to say we have an enviable list of local, national and international clients, that we made the BRW Fast Starters in 2012, and were a finalist in the 2013 Telstra Australia Business Awards. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? Since 1984. FAVOURITE PLACES? South Bank is right up there. I have been lucky enough to design a good deal of Grey Street and Little Stanley Street. WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? Our people. Our weather. Our connection to the river. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I think we need to demand a better quality of design for our city compared to other Australian capital cities. WHAT’S MISSING? More people – and we need them living within the 10 km ring around the city where we have the infrastructure needed to support them. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? I’d like to see more creativity with our retailing, housing and our public spaces. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The way in which the people of Brisbane have embraced the river, living on it and connecting with it. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS? The promotion, support and development of the laneway culture in the city and surrounds. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GROWTH BRISBANE HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEARS? I believe we are now on our way to becoming a more mature city. We still have a long way to go, but we have begun the journey and we must keep it going. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN THE FUTURE? Vibrant, energetic, multicultural and creative, with an inner city that positively hums with energy. And our children engaging with a city that inspires them and challenges them to be a part of it by caring for it. I can see our visitors telling everyone how fantastic it is, and a Brisbane where creativity, authenticity and stewardship shine.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I am the Councillor for Bracken Ridge Ward and the Chairman for Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? 31 years. FAVOURITE PLACES? The recent refurbishment of the historical Howard Smith Wharves Boardwalk has made a once-derelict space into an amazing place to view the city. WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? I love the way our city has been successfully developing precincts like James Street, and Logan Road in Woolloongabba. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? There has been a huge amount of work done attracting world-class events to Brisbane. This is something that I believe we should be continuing to pursue. WHAT’S MISSING? I think our river has an abundance of opportunities for further activation. I would like to see more riverside dining venues, more mooring sites and better promotion of existing activities for riverside visitors. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? Pop-up events in the city and suburbs as well as the continued popularity of markets in our suburbs. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The outstanding success of the Brisbane Greeters volunteer program has shown that not only visitors but also residents are keen to find out more about what our city has to offer. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS? As part of the Ideas Fiesta, we’ve seen jazz in Post Office Square, the closure of Albert Street for a street picnic and a fashion parade in Burnett Lane. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GROWTH BRISBANE HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST YEARS? We have embraced our much-loved heritage and supported the reuse of heritage buildings such as Brisbane Powerhouse and City Hall. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN THE FUTURE? I want Brisbane to not just be a place where people live and work, but also where they relax and stay.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE? I essentially study humans who live in or visit Queensland, and find ways to get them engaged with their state collection. Outside of the museum, I’m on the board of the Brisbane Writers Festival, so I’m interested in culture, ideas and stories that shape our time and place. HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 16 years. FAVOURITE PLACES? City Botanic Gardens and Seaview Farm Retreat at Tamborine Mountain. WHAT DO YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? The sunset on Moreton Island and rainforest retreats of the Sunshine Coast hinterland and Tamborine Mountain. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Public transport prices. WHAT’S MISSING? We need another kind of public space. A third space! Something in between a library, museum, office and the furniture department of a large store, with lots of technology resources available for public use and idea generation. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF? Local food. Or at the very least, people who ‘know where they grow’ – there are so many wasted front yards that could be used to grow food and share it with the street. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? I’ve been lucky to have worked for some amazing organisations and people who are having a profound effect on the way we live, the technology we use and the ideas that shape our time and place. WHAT DO YOU THINK HAS BEEN THE CITY’S MOST EXCITING DEVELOPMENT IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS? The Cube at QUT – the entire Science and Engineering Centre is an incredible building. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE GROWTH BRISBANE HAS EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS? Our culture and style has started going out on a limb and creating for itself – I find that really refreshing. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN THE FUTURE? Public resources are far more transparent and public policy literacy is among the highest in the world. There are dedicated main/arterial and suburban routes for commuting by self-propelled means to promote healthy lifestyle. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 17

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FASHION / NEWS

FASHION NEWS CHANEL The recently redeveloped Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre has bagged yet another highly sought-after addition with the opening of the CHANEL Fragrance & Beauty boutique in March. Joining the QueensPlaza boutique as the second CHANEL location in Queensland, the Carindale space features the Espace Parfum fragrance concept including an Olfactive Bar and a dedicated, semi-private consultation area where customers can discover the latest in skincare innovation. Make-up artists, skincare specialists and fragrance experts are all on-hand to offer expert advice, while make-up playstations encourage customers to interact with the brand’s products. Limited-edition collections are available exclusively at the Brisbane boutiques, alongside the full complement of CHANEL make-up products. @ www.chanel.com

QUEEN STREET MALL Queen Street Mall has affirmed its status as one of the nation’s premier shopping destinations, attracting 26-million visitors a year. A number of high-end brands have recently set up shop, including Coach, Ben Sherman, Salvatore Ferragamo, CHANEL, Longchamp and Gucci. The mall is also set to attract more capital investment with various redevelopments and international retailers unveiling future plans. Prominent international fashion drawcards Zara, Burberry, Dior, UNIQLO and Topshop are all also considering retail space in the shopping precinct. @ www.bnecity.com.au

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S GREVE AEL CH MI Y B

AKIN COLLECTION

Queensland indigenous artists and emerging local fashion designers have collaborated to create and launch AKIN into the international marketplace. Quality fashion embracing people, places and the culture of the artisans involved, the AKIN collection is unabashedly contemporary in its sensual combination of relaxed styling with the unexpected textiles. The AKIN collection represents a new brand with deep values that are fully embodied in the design and manufacture of high-end ethical fashion collections. @ www.creativeenterprise.com.au/fashion

NEWS / FASHION

JAMES STREET Fortitude Valley’s James Street has long been a favourite of the well-heeled and it’s now home to several new denim favourites. Nudie Jeans Co has set up a new concept store, where old jeans are given a new lease on life thanks to the label’s Repair Reuse Reduce campaign. Customers can have their tired garments repaired on the spot or can trade them in for discounts on new items. Menswear boutique Pistols at Dawn has also made an appearance on the James Street strip, moving from its former location in the Wintergarden to offer a made-to-measure denim service. @ www.nudiejeans.com.au and www.pistolsatdawn.com.au

ANGLE DIAMOND DOT

Brisbane-based jewellery label Angle Diamond Dot has released its third collection of daring designs, entitled ’Primal Awakening’. Featuring rough-cut semi-precious gems and bold colours, the hand-crafted pieces are an impressive follow-up to the duo’s spring/summer 2012 collection, She Was an Outlier. With a distinct aesthetic and innovative design, it’s no wonder the creations of Brisbane sisters Courtney and Taylor Harris have found their way onto international magazine covers and into the hands of the fashion pack. @ www.anglediamonddot.com WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 19

You can find Winn Lane tucked away off Winn Street in Fortitude Valley. www.winnlane.com

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FASHION / FRITZ SCHWARZ

FRITZ SCHWARZ FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Stokehouse and Gerard’s Bistro. BAR Harajuku Gyoza and Laruche. WEEKEND RITUAL Sailing the bay. RETAILER Optiko. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... that my name is Rumplestiltskin.

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FRITZ SCHWARZ / FASHION GROWING UP ON THE ISLAND OF RÜGEN IN GERMANY, FRITZ SCHWARZ TURNED HIS LOVE OF SAILING INTO A CAREER IN BOAT-BUILDING. NOW HAPPILY SETTLED ON THE SUNSHINE COAST, FRITZ HAS SINCE CHANNELLED HIS ARTISAN TALENTS INTO A NEW VENTURE, MAKING STYLISH YET IMPECCABLY ENGINEERED GLASSES FROM SUSTAINABLY SOURCED WOOD. INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER

Fritz Schwarz was in the habit of breaking things as a child. “Looking back, my upbringing on the island was important in terms of my relationship to material goods,” he reflects. “If things broke back then, we either had to repair them somehow or not have them at all. I was always breaking things and so I was really interested in how to fix things and, later, how to improve and make things.” As the years passed, Fritz’s tinkering evolved to a grander scale as a result of his passion for sailing and racing boats. He began spending his weekends modifying the family’s boats to make them more competitive. Those skills became particularly useful when it came time to do his compulsory year of civil service in Germany, which he spent working on a project with troubled youth on the island, restoring old boats and bicycles. As part of the project, he sat in on workshops with the young people he was working with, where he picked up extra skills such as welding, metalwork and cabinetmaking, inspiring him to eventually complete a boat-building apprenticeship. While at school on Rügen, Fritz happened to fall in love with an Australian girl who was living there as an exchange student. In 2005 the couple married and, not long after, decided to move to the Sunshine Coast. Upon arrival, Fritz set to work building their home and furniture, and soon also began building furniture for friends and family. As he settled into his new life, the next few years saw him take on a series of jobs that indulged his artisanal skills – building fittings for a multi-million-dollar yacht in Perth, as well as starting his own business building and selling wooden kite boards. In amongst his large repertoire of handiwork, Fritz had also long been making his own glasses – more out of necessity than creativity. “During my apprenticeship I’d have glasses break on me, but I’d still have the lenses,” he explains. “I had a lot of spare time on my hands and I’d been learning about carbon-fibre techniques. So I made a pair of glasses for myself out of solid carbon fibre and they were a great success, lasting for five years or so. They had no hinges, so they couldn’t really break, and they had a string attached to the back so they were great for sailing and diving.” Admiring his original creations, Fritz’s wife Mary requested that he make her a similar pair of glasses, but this time from wood. Pondering the conundrum momentarily, he solved it by crafting a carbon-fibre frame with a wooden veneer. Mary quickly began receiving compliments

about her homemade eyewear and sensed a business opportunity. “She kind of bullied me into going pro,” Fritz laughs. “But also, at the time, the kite-boarding business wasn’t doing so well. Beauty is really lost on most kite-boarding fanatics so you can’t really charge much.” In mid-2010, he registered Fritz Frames as a company and, within six months, was winning awards for his designs. “Part of what convinced me to continue with eyewear is that the response was overwhelming,” he says gratefully. “I can’t comprehend where that response came from, but then it’s not to be comprehended; it’s to be noticed and then followed upon. I’ve made a lot of things in my life, but nobody got excited about any of those as much as they have about the eyewear.” In contrast to the founding philosophies of many other eyewear brands, Fritz points out that his own approach grew from an appreciation of the materials rather than a desire to create a fashionable item. “It started with the craft and the materials, so there’s more of an engineering factor in it for me. It’s wood composite and has carbon-fibre and fibre reinforcements, so the material is extremely strong. That means you can have very thin rims, which gives you much more design freedom.” Another distinguishing factor of the Fritz Frames design is its coating, which protects the glasses from moisture and UV rays and prevents the wood from coming in contact with the skin. True to the problems often encountered by artisans who turn their craft into a successful business, Fritz says his greatest challenge has been making the move from the workshop to the office, and finding a healthy balance between the two. “But I’m quite proud of the fact that I didn’t have to borrow money or buy my success and that instead it happened organically,” he says. “I’ve gradually grown the company from grassroots and, for me, that’s something to be proud of.” Being his own boss also gave him the freedom to choose his own job title. Not wanting to bear the mundane label of CEO, he pondered other possibilities. At first he considered ‘creator’, but was quickly deterred by the Biblical connotations. “I don’t believe in a god. From my background in East Germany, we didn’t have any gods – we were all communists in a way and churches were for seeing blues musicians and occasional rock concerts.” Instead, he chose ‘realiser’. “A realiser is someone who not only makes things, but also makes things happen,” he explains.

Currently Fritz and his small team make around 50 frames a month, which are sold mostly through stockists (locally at eyewear den, Optiko). And while the brand’s international market is growing slowly, Fritz says he is content to focus on efforts closer to home. His inspiration, he reveals, comes from seeing other people’s perspectives of eyewear, be it in magazines or in the work of other designers he knows. “It’s not rocket science to design a pair of glasses, but there is a certain level of excellence involved. That’s what we aspire to.” Grateful to his wife for having nudged him in the right direction, Fritz says she inspires him in myriad ways. “She’s very artistic and has her own opinion about things,” he says fondly. “It’s also nice to have a female perspective on the whole fashion side of things.” In crafting his plans for the future, Fritz’s goals lie far beyond the world of eyewear. “My dream is to grow things to the point where the business is making enough money that I can go and travel and sail and not be in the workshop until midnight making a pair of glasses,” he says. “I’d like to find that sustainable balance.” For now he finds his peace aboard a boat when he goes sailing with a friend every Sunday, or when surfing and kite-surfing in “cyclonic conditions” with not a soul in sight. As for his advice to other artisans following in his path, Fritz believes that the most important factor is to maintain humility. “Stay humble and under promise but over-deliver,” he says. “If you start bragging about things, you can’t keep up with what you promise.”

HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? We have been stocked in Optiko since the very beginning. They really understand Brisbane, which is great for us. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Coming from the north of Germany, it’s not hard for Brisbane to feel unique to me. I grew up on a Baltic island; I’m a waterman so the river is a highlight for me. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The emergence of hipsters in Brisbane, all wearing glasses! WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Brisbane is the emerging metropolis of Australia. It’s an exciting place to live and, at the same time, it has a very Australian, laid-back feeling. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I would like to see more bike riding, sustainable living and gardening in the inner city. Hopefully the CityCycle scheme will somehow come into its own. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 21

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FASHION / BEGITTA STOLK

BEGITTA STOLK INTERVIEW BY FRANCES FRANGENHEIM

YOUNG BRISBANE FASHION DESIGNER BEGITTA STOLK IS INDUSTRIOUS AND EAGER TO LEARN. THESE ADMIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS HELP GROW HER NAMESAKE LABEL OF METICULOUSLY HAND-EMBELLISHED COLLECTIONS THAT CHANNEL WHIMSY, ELEGANCE AND FEMININITY. Begitta Stolk began handcrafting made-to-measure gowns and haute couture pieces straight out of fashion college in 2008. The same year she was a finalist at the Australian Retail Awards and scored design contracts with prestige car company, Peugeot. Before officially launching her own label, Begitta worked as a freelance fashion stylist in Brisbane until she saved enough to fund her dream to study in Paris in 2011. For three months, she studied intensively in sewing and haute couture at the Paris American Academy – a prestigious design school housed in a classically restored 17th-century building. She then completed a one-month course at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. Both experiences sparked a newfound passion for sewing and intricate hand-embellishing, giving her the precise skills and confidence she needed to officially launch her namesake “highend ultra femme” label, Begitta, upon returning from Europe to Brisbane in 2011. “When I started studying fashion, I wasn’t really into sewing,” she says. “It was more about the creativity and just being able to express myself. But when I went to Paris, my love for gown construction and my passion for what you put into a garment really grew. Now I enjoy being meticulous in putting

together a gown. I like to take my time.” Begitta will spend days crafting a piece and says it has become a meditative pursuit. “Audio books are my favourite. I just spent 55 hours on a gown and it was so wonderful to go into the studio and turn on an audio book and find my happy place and just sew and listen.” Begitta also trained in millinery under acclaimed Australian designers Torb & Reiner and studied in Paris with Monsieur Jean-Pierre Tritz, milliner and craftsman for Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture collections. Begitta’s label debuted at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival in 2012 and will show in the festival again in 2013. It was also a finalist in the 2013 Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards. Begitta recently launched her custommade bridal collection and opened her first studio in Hamilton. Almost as an understatement, Begitta notes, “It’s been a crazy ride and I’m enjoying every minute of it.” Begitta credits her father for being her mentor and instilling in her the business nous to cautiously build her label in such shaky global economic times. “My dad has been incredible for me. He’s quite entrepreneurial and has taken a lot of businesses from the ground up, which I admire a lot. I also had a mentor session with Toni Maticevski once and he gave me

a lot of good advice. I said, ‘I never sleep’ and he said, ‘That doesn’t change. I’m still doing that. It never stops’,” she laughs. A Brisbane girl at heart, Begitta enjoys doing business in her hometown. “I love everybody that I work with. Our community is incredibly supportive of creative people.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? It may be small but it’s just so full of character and has a wonderful creative scene. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane, where we will be launching our new collection in the Emerging Designer show on August 27. We are very excited for this year’s show! DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I think there will be a lot of growth. The city is ever-changing and always developing ways to showcase the beautiful sites and our wonderful community.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Ouzeri. CAFE/BAR Cloudland. WEEKEND RITUAL Picnics at Newstead Park. RETAILER Latrobe Terrace’s antique stores. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... about the fresh blooms at the City Farmers Market.

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Sourced from the depths of the Mississippi, the cypress logs used to craft Driftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handmade Delta Blues collection lay sunken in the river for more than 100 years. The collection is named after the musicians who travelled around bygone logging camps, and so a portion of the proceeds from the collection will go to the Music Maker Relief Foundation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a charity that looks after the musicians who continue the traditions of Southern music. Each piece of the collection is unique, eco-friendly and exclusive to Eye Candy in Brisbane.

shop 48, emporium 1000 ann street, fortitude valley t. 3666 0677

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FASHION / LEO YIP

LEO YIP INTERVIEW BY MELINDA HALLORAN

BRISBANE’S MOTORCYCLING COMMUNITY RECENTLY WELCOMED ELLASPEDE INTO ITS CLIQUE – AND THE LOCALE IS NOW FOSTERING A NEW FORM OF MOTORCYCLE CULTURE WITHIN THE CITY. It was the design elements of motorbikes that really drew Leo Yip to motorcycling – the industrial designer admits that he owned his second motorcycle for just three days before he began tearing it apart and customising it. But these days it’s Brisbane’s evolving motorcycling culture that inspires him. “Everyone in the motorcycling community in Brisbane has embraced us with open arms,” Leo explains of Ellaspede – a custom motorcycle centre where Leo and his business partner Steve Barry modify and build one-of-akind motorbikes. Leo and Steve began their Ellaspede journey almost by accident, after starting their industrialdesign company Heluva. As Heluva grew, the guys began to crave a project with more soul to it, so they started building one-off motorbikes with no intention to turn the side hobby into a full-time venture. But after the first bikes were exhibited at Artisan Gallery, Leo and Steve found themselves bombarded with enquiries and Ellaspede was born. Today Ellaspede is not only a place where motorcycles are built and modifications are made, but it is also the atelier of a line of fashion goods. The Ellaspede fashion collection includes t-shirts screenprinted at the Gold Coast, kangaroo leather

wallets and accessories that are closer in style to streetwear than traditional motorcycling attire. Leo likens the changing style of motorcycling to the evolution of skateboarding. “The skate industry started out just related to skateboards for a very long time, but then it built this entire culture of skate fashion,” he says. “It’s less about leather vests and leather pants these days and more about streetwear accompanying the motorbikes.” Just as the trend towards fashion is changing, so too is the look of motorcycles, with many of the customisation jobs brought into a Ellaspede being for cosmetic reasons. And while this style has become a large part of the culture of motorcycling, Leo’s inner industrial designer still loves enhancing the functionality of motorcycles. He and Steve begin each modification by meeting with a client to discuss design and functionality options and many clients remain part of the Ellaspede community once the job is finished. A small coffee shop operates at Ellaspede on Saturdays, offering a space for local motorcyclists to gather for a pre- or post-ride coffee, to show off their wheels and chat with Leo and the rest of the staff. It’s this open and collaborative approach to design that has seen

Leo and Steve become such a large part of Brisbane’s motorcycle culture. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? It’s an emerging city that has, in recent times, been cross-pollinated with interstate and international cultures. As a result, we are seeing a boom in ‘what’s new’, ‘places to experience’ and ‘chasing a goodtime’. Our relatively small geography means we are able to experience a lot of these things in hotspots that are in close proximity to one another. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Brisbanites themselves. I think our willingness to explore the city we live in as well as our strong sense of self creates a mixing pot of excitement. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? Food that rivals Melbourne and business that rivals Sydney, all mixed together with Brisbane fun, personality and sun.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT The Servery. CAFE Fonzie Abbott Espresso. WEEKEND RITUAL Motorcycle riding. RETAILER Apartment. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... where you can find Rainbow beer.

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DESIGN / NEWS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOBY SCOTT

DESIGN NEWS RACECOURSE ROAD HOTEL An exciting new development has been approved for Ascot, adding a contemporary touch to the long-established Racecourse Road strip. The proposal by Parthenon Enterprises Pty Ltd for a new five-star hotel has been approved by the council, with the mixed-use centre to feature 62 hotel rooms and 17 commercial tenancies across a five-storey and a three-storey building. Designed by Hayes Anderson Lynch, the complex will feature a rooftop pool and bar, a sky bridge connecting the two buildings and a laneway to house retail, restaurant and bar tenancies. Set on the corner of Racecourse and Lancaster Roads, the precinct will meld various shapes, textures and colours, and is sure to lure many a fashionable patron of the nearby Eagle Farm Raceourse.

GRAND IDEAS

Encouraging the use of upcycled goods in a new home build or renovation, Grand Ideas houses a new Salvage Emporium in Northgate. Run by Paul and Christine Norris, the space sees repurposed factory boxes converted into furniture, and industrial materials transformed into wall-sized metal screens. Many of the products in-store have been restored or given a new purpose, with Grand Ideas also stocking a large collection of salvaged French doors. The industrial antiques den is also home to a cafe fashioned from a shipping container, with the space built by local architect Phil Jackson from Guymer Bailey. @ www.grandideas.com.au

THE GLASS FACTORY

West End’s newest multi-use address The Glass Factory not only reflects the heritage of the site as a former industrial glass-production factory, but is also an example of contemporary architecture. Apart from the chic and welcoming residential lobby, the ground level is entirely retail, spanning three street frontages. West End-based architect Rothe Lowman White has carefully crafted a design that captures heritageinspired themes of the building’s history and complements the building’s surrounds to form the stylish boutique urban development at 57 Vulture Street. @ www.theglassfactorywestend.com.au

CHESTER STREET The burgeoning community surrounding Chester Street in Newstead is soon to acquire a new residential complex, with plans to develop a five-level boutique living precinct. The development is planned for 33 and 35 Chester Street and will include 45 one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as ground-level retail opportunities and a rooftop terrace with a plunge pool. Designed by Ferro Arch Architects, the contemporary apartment block will bring a modern touch to this predominantly industrial pocket.

HOUSE OF THE YEAR

Brisbane’s very own James Russell Architect has taken out the top national Houses Award, with Bisely Place House winning Australian House of the Year. Described as a robust and innovative courtyard home, the house celebrates the very ordinariness of its surrounds and rethinks the contribution architecture makes to suburbs. Bisely Place House, which also won the 2013 AIA Robin Dods Award, recognises that privacy should not take prescendence over a connection with nature. With a nod to the functionality of an industrial building, the dwelling provides unity with place, environment and community. @ www.jrarch.com.au

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOBY SCOTT

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DESIGN / BEN JOHNSTON

BEN JOHNSTON FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Mundo Churrasco. BAR The End. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Family breakfast at The Chelsea and a surf. RETAILER Goodtime Surf and Sail. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... that you can ask the adorable ladies behind the counter at Pamela’s Pantry to make you up a picnic basket of goodies.

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BEN JOHNSTON / DESIGN DON’T LET BEN JOHNSTON’S LAID-BACK, SHAGGY-HAIRED-SURFER DEMEANOUR LEAD YOU ASTRAY – THIS 29-YEAR-OLD ENTREPRENEUR AND CO-FOUNDER OF CREATIVE STUDIO JOSEPHMARK HAS HIS SIGHTS SET ON CHANGING THE WORLD.

INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARL LINDGREN

When you are born to exceptionally creative parents, life often takes one of two paths. Either you revel in your creative upbringing, nurturing it and exploring it in every aspect of life, or you rebel, yearning to explore a world of quantitative logic and concrete, provable theory. But when these two contrasting mindsets manifest themselves in one individual, an unshakeable entrepreneurial spirit is born. And such was the case for Ben Johnston. “I was an accident for two hippies,” he explains as the reason for his existence. “They were teachers who dabbled in art and when I came along they both changed their careers to be at home with me. They became live-at-home artists – my mum became quite an established papermaker and my dad did watercolour and sculpture. I had this crazy creativity around me all the time.” In spite of the creative influence from his parents, Ben’s penchant was for the analytical, particularly maths and science, and in his final years of school he began working towards a career in engineering. But a last-minute flirtation with the world of industrial design seized his curiosity in the end, and it was that path he followed into university. It was while Ben was at university in 2004 that the impetus for the beginning of Josephmark came. At the time he was living with best friend Josh Capelin and their girlfriends (who also happened to be sisters). Josh was studying advertising and the two lads decided to combine their complementary nous and start a business from their Paddington abode. “We had these ideals of running the business and surfing heaps, which we were kind of successful at,” Ben says of their initial philosophy, laughing at their neophyte naivety. “But we were really stimulated by ideas in general. It was design oriented but we didn’t really have any particular goal in mind, so the first couple of years were really spent just learning how to run a business.” About 18 months into the business, Ben and Josh hired their first design-specialised employee, Jess Huddart (who, these days, is Josephmark’s creative director). Lack of space forced them to search for a new work milieu, which they soon discovered within the charming confines of Substation 4 on Petrie Terrace. The responsibility of employees and rent was incentive enough for the lads to knuckle down and work hard at the business. Within a year they had gone from subleasing part of Substation 4, to occupying the entire building, which still remains their headquarters today.

While Josh left Josephmark in 2007 to pursue other dreams, Ben says that, even after evolving for eight years, many of their original visions for the business still imbue its daily activities. “We never wanted to feel like we were going to work and we carried that ethos through when we started building a team,” he explains. “I guess it stemmed from our own desire to create a workplace that was fun and enjoyable, with work that was stimulating.” Another core aspect is voracious curiosity. “Curiosity was one of the reasons that we started the business and has continued to carry us to some very interesting places,” Ben says. “We’re very comfortable with playing in the unknown.” Those forays into the unexpected have led Ben and the Josephmark team to expand their work into other realms. First there was Gilimbaa, an indigenous creative agency that brings elements of indigenous art and storytelling to the world of contemporary design and communication. Then there was the digital strategy company Native Digital, creative agency Breeder, music website We Are Hunted, and online t-shirt design studio, Made In The Now. And on top of all that, Ben still found time to open West End watering hole The End in 2011. “That was based on years of experience in drinking beer,” Ben laughs. “Originally we were looking at setting up a bar in the Substation and thankfully came to our senses and realised it would probably be detrimental to our businesses. When we eventually found the West End location, it became a pet project to create a space that represented our perfect bar that we really wanted to go to.” Following on from the success of The End, Ben and his cohort will also soon be opening another West End drinking haunt – a tiki-themed bar known as Jungle. Two of Josephmark’s latest projects include the design of online independent newspaper The Global Mail and the recently launched redesign of Myspace. Asked how a small creative agency in Brisbane caught the eye of the powers behind the revamp of the pioneering music site, Ben says he was just as confounded. “In September last year we got an out-of-the blue email from someone at Myspace asking if we were interested in taking part in their worldwide tender for the redesign,” he explains of the surprise. “We later found out that we were one of only five agencies asked to tender, and the only one outside the US. They’d approached us based on our experience with We Are Hunted. But, to be honest, I think we were thrown in at the last minute.”

Despite being up against some of the world’s best digital agencies, three weeks later Josephmark received the phone call confirming it had been awarded the Myspace contract. The site relaunched last month, but Ben says they’ve only just scratched the surface. “There’s still a lot more to come,” he teases. The recent success has allowed Josephmark to wedge its foot into the industry in the US, extending its operations to the West Coast where they are steadily building clients. The company’s latest project is with Digital Latin America (DLA) on its new video-on-demand product, NEON. “We’re thrilled not only because it’s a project of huge scale that’ll have a profound impact on many people’s lives, but also because NEON will be a world-first contextually relevant, transformative product that embraces Latin American culture with a truly authentic voice.” While their trajectory now points steadily towards success, Ben says there have been tougher times, but in the end his desire to make change always won over the doubts. “I think it was a naive optimism that made me not give up,” he muses. “I believed that we genuinely had a business that gave back more than it took and I just knew that it had to go on.”

HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? We’re lucky to call Brissie our home base whilst we continue to work on a global scale. The Brisbane community nurtures creative thinking, which has in turn produced a great and super-talented creative network. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Brisbane is a very supportive environment to grow up in – whether it’s a business or an individual, there’s an optimism that fuels our underdog spirit. We’re an ambitious city. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? Progressive resources like APDL and GOMA truly stand out on a national and international level. This may sound strange, but I believe the boutique liquor licence has been really positive for us as a city. It’s indirectly fostered a deeper culture, encouraging diversity in the social scene. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? For me, it’ll be seeing the launch of Jungle. I love that Brisbane is a city of individuality, best captured not with glossy marketing campaigns but by pockets of goodness spread across the city. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? The city’s culture will just keep growing – there’ll be more performances, more markets, more bars and more great restaurants. It’ll be an important five years of continuing to find and define itself. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 29

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DESIGN / WILL MARX

WILL MARX INTERVIEW BY KATHRYN LINDGREN

FURNITURE DESIGNER WILL MARX, WHO WAS THE WINNER OF THE QUEENSLAND FURNITURE AWARDS IN 2011 AND 2012, NEVER DOUBTED THAT FURNITURE WOULD BE A PASSIONATE PART OF HIS FUTURE. Will Marx recalls his high-school years, citing an intense love of timber. After a TAFE course in cabinet making and a four-year apprenticeship in furniture making, he embarked on travels through the UK and Europe, making furniture in different forms along the way as a source of income. Upon returning to Brisbane, Will worked with renowned traditional furniture maker Robert Dunlop, until he needed to earn some quick cash for more travel. He began working with friends who needed a hand with a yacht interior fit-out, and his travel plans then gave way as he continued with his longstanding love of timber and interiors. “My real intention was always to design and build custom furniture,” Will recalls. “I enjoy boats but it’s more about the interiors for me. At the time, yachts presented great rewards with long projects and high budgets”. This work evolved into his business Marxcraft, which Will describes as “focusing on beautiful custom furniture, exquisite interiors and unique designs whether it be residential, corporate or yachts.” Like most business people, Will’s time is spent partly in the office and partly in the workshop. “I only love the time in the workshop,” he explains. “When I am there I feel alive.” Will’s passion is

in the process – talking to customers about their ideas, turning the ideas into sketches, developing a prototype and then a product, and finally delivering it and seeing the customer’s reaction. He explains that the physical act of taking a piece of wood and turning it into a piece of furniture that does justice to the material inspires him. “Timber is a natural product and within each piece of timber there are always challenges – the grain might not go the way you want it to, or you might get a chip if you cut it the wrong way. So with that in mind, each piece will take on a life of its own to create a piece of furniture that is unique. Sometimes the piece of timber will dictate the way the piece of furniture turns out. It is not a moldable material and you just have to nurture it.” With the advent of the downturn in the economy, however, the bottom dropped out of the luxury end of the market, particularly yacht work. This saw Will explore other alternatives in his business model. His online shop Ghify.com was a way to introduce higher turnover with affordable furniture targeted at a broader audience. But recently Will has embarked on something a little different to his work with high-end timbers. His Once upon a Queenslander collection celebrates

our beloved state icon and gives recycled and salvaged timber a new lease of life as eco recycled furniture. “It is interesting to work with a material that is more sustainable and organic resulting in a more rustic piece,” Will beams of his collection. Having recently been showcased at an exhibit at the Queensland Museum, this collection has also been submitted to the 2013 Furniture Awards. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Our down-to-earth humility, charm and charisma. We have achieved a unique balance between city, arts, entertainment, nature, beach, parklands and bushlands. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? For me, it’s the upcoming birth my first child. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? A multicultural community that appreciates local arts, further developing the community’s unpretentious manner.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Kabuki. CAFE /BAR Yard Bird Ale House. WEEKEND RITUAL Local markets. RETAILER Hanasho. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW... Mama Ferrari’s Pizza Bar at Seven Hills is the best pizza in Brisbane!

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DESIGN / JAMES DAWSON

JAMES DAWSON INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER

JAMES DAWSON ONLY RECENTLY TURNED HIS HAND TO DESIGN, BUT HIS INNATE TALENT HAS ALREADY SCORED HIM SEVERAL AWARDS AND A REPUTATION FOR ELEGANT YET AVANT-GARDE DESIGN. Anyone who met James Dawson as a teenager may have had an inkling as to what his future career might be. Not only did he entertain himself by rearranging his parents’ living spaces, but he would also visit secondhand stores in search of chairs that he could reupholster and resell to his family and friends. Now 29 and contentedly settled into the profession of interior designer, James combines his boundless imagination with his eye for superior design to create elaborate yet elegant residential and commercial spaces throughout Queensland. Brisbane born and raised, James says that the city provides a great platform for his design work. “I like that Brisbane is a city that is big enough to work from but it’s still relaxed,” he says. “You still have the freedom to go and sit and have a coffee or drive everywhere. It isn’t busy or dirty – there’s a nice balance. It’s also really good that a lot of showrooms like Corporate Culture and Living Edge are getting more products. Brisbane’s really a growing city and I’m quite happy with that.” Currently working with a team of two, James says he likes the personal approach that having a small operation entails. “I think you have to be really careful in this industry not to over-expand.

For us, it’s all about the design orientation of what we do and we use products that have a story behind them. I want to make sure that the business doesn’t blow up so quickly that we lose that attachment.” James’ inspiration often comes from the worlds of fashion and architecture. “Parisian architecture really inspires me because a lot of it is really modern but still very beautiful, and the fashion there is the same. So anything I can take away from those little things, I chew up in my head and put it into my designs. I also think manipulation is really important as well – taking things and seeing how you can manipulate the material to then create a finish.” That creative philosophy recently earned James both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards in the annual Rooms of Inspiration competition at the 2013 Housing Industry Association Renovate & Build Expo. Praised for his ability to create rooms that were both sophisticated and warm, and fun yet tranquil, James was the clear favourite of the competition. A secret to his success is his commitment to developing his own individual aesthetic. “I really want to make my own path and not get involved in what other people are doing,” he says. “I’d like to be known for creating beautiful, elegant, avant-garde

spaces and for having design integrity. I never use replica furniture and I will never use anything that hasn’t been created with a the principles of design in mind. It’s really about staying true to yourself.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Brisbane is the perfect city as it’s big enough to work successfully from, but without the hustle and bustle of Sydney or Melbourne. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The most exciting thing happening in Brisbane is actually what’s on the James Dawson Interiors drawing board. We have a very exciting brand extension to unveil in the coming weeks that will bring the brand into even more Australian homes! DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I’d like to see more design events similar to Brisbane Indesign last year. That was a fantastic event as it brought the Brisbane design community together like never before.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Harveys. CAFE/BAR At Sixes and Sevens. WEEKEND RITUAL Mornings at Corner Store Cafe. RETAILER Calibre. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... about our weather.

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12/08/13 7:13 AM

BUSINESS / NEWS

BUSINESS NEWS 180 BRISBANE 180 Brisbane endeavours to enhance and strengthen the identity of the north-western edge of the CBD. Tucked into a prime location on Ann Street, the 34-storey office tower will set a new standard of sustainability, targeting a six-Green Star GBCA rating and a five-star NABERS energy rating. The eco-friendly design allows natural light and fresh air to filter through the space, enhancing the modern working environment. Cafe, restaurant and bar tenancies on-site will add convenience, while joggers and cyclists will be happy with the inclusion of changing rooms, showers and lockers, along with secure bicycle storage. A development by Japanese property developers Daisho Group, it is the first commercial high rise (without precommitments) to be built locally since the GFC. @ www.180brisbane.com.au

DIGITAL EXPO The CLICK! Digital Expo will be coming to Brisbane for a second time in 2014, offering up to 60 exhibits plus a range of seminars, interactive demonstrations and case studies. The free event will see digital and technology leaders, innovators and niche providers educating small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organisations on the growing opportunities within the digital space. Taking place in Brisbane City Hall on March 13–14, the Regional Development Australia Brisbane initiative will offer information on the capabilities of online and technologybased solutions to improve productivity and efficiency in operations. @ www.clickdigitalexpo.com.au

34 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

INSIGHT THROUGH REWARDS Data driven marketing is all abuzz within the business community, but what happens if your interactions are too limited for big data gains?

In what appears to be a revolutionary step forward, My Membership Rewards builds and configures, customisable, private label rewards programs for organisations that provide their Brisbane-based tech firm, My customers with one to one offers Membership Rewards, offers a and discounts through household unique solution for businesses to name partners. tap into previously inaccessible customer data and view The firm then track and overlay behavioural analytics and triggers. information with existing data subsets, in order to predict, target CEO Graeme Hughes stated, and trigger customer interaction. “For companies with slower The future isn’t tomorrow it is transaction cycles it can be here today. virtually impossible to capture behavioural data due to limited interaction mechanisms and opportunities for data capture.”

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NEWS / BUSINESS

THE CUBE Set in the Science and Engineering Centre at QUT Gardens Point, the Cube is one of the largest touch and display systems in the world. Melding the arenas of science, technology and innovation, this unique space offers engaging programs for university students, families and companies. Open to the public, the Cube has various opportunities for businesses to utilise the technology for visualisation, simulation and modelling, to tap into staff expertise and make use of the interactive space. From future airport development to astrophysics and disaster scenarios, the multi-touch, multi-user display screens allow companies to plan future projects in a digital capacity. @ www.thecube.qut.edu.au

Beehives have been popping up on rooftops across Brisbane in a bid to encourage sustainable practices in the city. The apiarists behind Brisbane business Bee One Third, Jack Wilson Stone and Kat Skull, are on a mission to save the honey bee, reduce food miles and educate locals on where their food comes from. The urban beekeepers install and maintain the rooftop hives, offering the building’s occupants a percentage of the honey extracted each year. The resulting product is 100% raw, single-origin, artisan honey, which has a unique taste depending on the surrounding suburb’s flora. @ www.beeonethird.com.au

HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS Two major hotel developments are currently underway in Brisbane. The existing Chifley at Lennons hotel on Queen Street in the CBD will be redeveloped into NEXT Hotel™ Brisbane and a luxury retail space. The 300-room hotel is expected to open in time for the November 2014 G20 Leaders’ Summit. Across town, the site at 949 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley has been purchased by private developer Kenlynn Group, which plans to develop the 150-room five-star Lawrence Hotel, due to open late 2014. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 35

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12/08/13 7:14 AM

BUSINESS / NOEL NIDDRIE

NOEL NIDDRIE FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Caravanserai. BAR Brewhouse. WEEKEND RITUAL Reds or Wallabies at Lang Park. RETAILER Those at Woolloongabba. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... how beautifully the sunset reflects off the river at South Bank. 36 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2012/13

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NOEL NIDDRIE / BUSINESS DRIVEN BY A DESIRE TO SEE POSITIVE CHANGE IN ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNTIES, NOEL NIDDRIE FOUNDED WINANGALI. AN INDEPENDENT INDIGENOUS CONSULTANCY, THE COMPANY PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT AND ORGANISATIONS SEEKING TO COMMUNICATE AND ENGAGE WITH ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE. INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER

About 13 years ago, a friend came to Noel Niddrie to ask his advice on a speech he had written for an upcoming conference about communicating effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “Being the opinionated man that I am, I told him that he was wrong,” Noel laughs. “And halfway through our conversation he told me that I should be giving the speech instead of him. So a week later I was in Canberra at a conference, sitting at the table of some pretty important people in the prime ministerial cabinet, giving a speech.” Two weeks after he had given the speech, Noel received a letter in the mail asking if he would like to become a consultant to the federal government. He accepted happily, setting in motion the beginnings of his business, Winangali. “Winangali is a professional services company that does community engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Noel explains of the business. “We facilitate effective communication, both to the community and from the community, for those who really want to listen to what those people have to say. The ultimate goal is to empower the community and to assist in community development, by ensuring that companies and organisations that have services to the community communicate and deliver those effectively.” Winangali is currently in its last phase of facilitating the national switchover between analogue and digital TV amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. “The government has a lot of assistance available for the lowersocio-economic communities and those who have difficulties engaging with services providers,” Noel explains of the project. “And because our audience is over-represented in lower-socio-economic status, the messages are particularly relevant.” He and his team have also recently come to the end of a four-year domestic violence-prevention strategy. Focusing on educating young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged eight to 14, the strategy was based on teaching the concept of respect for their peers. “The idea is that when these kids start embryonic relationships, they understand that concept of respect,” Noel says. While a lot of positive change results from Winangali’s work, Noel points out that it isn’t a non-profit or charity organisation. “We’re a forprofit company, so we’re not really a behavioural change or social change organisation,” he clarifies. “Of course, what we do has a social dividend – the empowerment of the community – as well as a financial one. One of the great things that we do is that wherever we go we don’t believe in a colonial attitude. It’s not for me to tell somebody else in

another country what is and isn’t appropriate. So if someone told me that they wanted me to tell Noel Pearson in Hope Vale what to do, it’s not my right. It’s like Silvio Berlusconi telling David Cameron how the world works.” The Winangali approach is to engage local indigenous people around the country as contractors, to work on its behalf in that particular community. “By doing that, it achieves a number of things,” Noel explains. “We help them get ABNs and with basic financial and tax matters, and then the more we use them, the more training they get. It reaches the point where, after us, they could be a consultant to anybody else, so it’s really a capacity building thing. We’ve done that with about 200 people in the last 13 years and right now we have 60 people contracted doing stuff for us.” This network of contractors, originally known as Indigenous Liaison Officers, is now known as the Ngara Network, which translates as ‘social group’ in Kamilaroi – the language of Noel’s mother’s country (Winangali means ‘to listen, to know, and to remember’). “The Ngara officers have to be indigenous, because they have to know the politics and the people and they have to know the community as well,” Noel explains. Noel says that one of the greatest hurdles he’s had to overcome in the past 13 years is educating the market that there is a demand and a need for the services that Winangali provides. “Because the people in the community that I communicate to are not seen as high-value consumers, I’ve had to educate government suppliers and organisations such as pharmaceutical companies. It’s important to explain to them about why there’s a need and why we use the approach that we do.” While one of Noel’s proudest moments was receiving the 2012 Telstra Queensland Business of the Year Award, which has enabled Winangali to open a Sydney office and double its staff numbers from four to eight. “I’m such a fan of the NBN because every Monday morning we have a Skype conference with our Sydney office and it enables us to exchange documents very quickly,” he says. “We were spending somewhere in the vicinity of $60,000–$70,000 a year just getting on planes. And hopefully we can halve that once the NBN comes in for everybody, not just for us.” Despite the success and recognition, what he sees as his greatest achievement is Winangali’s network of Ngara officers. The opportunity to engage and communicate in a social space, he says, is what has always driven him in his work. “I think my motivation has always been really to see change,” he says. “I’ve always worked in a space that doesn’t

really sell a product but instead really informs communities.” One of Noel’s current inspirations is a quote from David Hinson, a Barack Obama appointee in the US Department of Commerce, who recently gave a speech in Australia. “Someone asked him what the common elements were of businesses that fail,” Noel explains. “He said that in his portfolio, the businesses that fail are those businesses that fail to dream big enough. I found that really interesting, that it’s not the businesses that dreamed too big and overreached that failed. It was those that didn’t reach far enough. Before we won the Telstra Award last year, we were really doing a kind of Groundhog Day – doing the same thing over and over again – and we really considered ourselves to be in a small niche market. But once we won the award, I re-evaluated our skillset and our service offering and realised that we were all project managers, not researchers, not communicators and not marketers. So just by changing that mindset, the world opened up and we’ve realised we can do pretty much anything. Our goal now is to dream big and fulfil those dreams The answer is always yes.” HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Business for us is great. Being based in Brisbane offers our clients from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne a refreshing alternative. We bring a regional perspective to their work. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? The positive attitude to making things happen is inspiring. There is an entrepreneurial spirit to facing business challenges and creating opportunities. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? Telstra’s South Brisbane fibre upgrade has been a game changer for us. With fibre-optic internet we have been able to send large 100+ MB files between offices and too and from clients rapidly. Instead of waiting days for feedback on our work, we can get it in hours. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The development of South Brisbane, West End and the inner south areas has seen more businesses move from the CBD and into less expensive accommodation south of the river. This will see more urban professionals living in residential accommodation, which in turn will attract more business. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I see an economy servicing Southeast Asian countries with knowledge-based services. Brisbane needs to take up the challenge of servicing the rapid Indonesian economic growth with its worldclass education and knowledge-based industries. It should be less resources reliant and more internationally competitive. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 37

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12/08/13 7:16 AM

BUSINESS / CATHIE REID

CATHIE REID INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER

CATHIE REID SITS AT THE HELM OF APHS, A LEADING PROVIDER OF MEDICATION COMPLIANCE SACHETS THAT HELP PEOPLE KEEP TRACK OF MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS. Cathie Reid was one of those lucky souls who found her calling early. Her first part-time job came about when she took over her boyfriend’s sister’s job at a retail pharmacy – and she’s never worked outside of the pharmacy profession since. “I just really enjoyed what I was doing there,” she recalls of what piqued her interest in pursuing pharmacy as her path. “I always knew that my career would be in pharmacy but I thought it would follow the more traditional path of studying pharmacy and then working my way up to retail pharmacy ownership.” Cathie had been following that trajectory until a traumatic relationship break-up caused her to reassess her life. In a bid to escape the heartbreak and humiliation she was feeling, she decided to go to a pharmacy conference in Fiji. While there, she was offered the opportunity to become involved in a start-up for a unique style of pharmacy that focused on aged care and private hospitals. “That was kind of my Sliding Doors moment, where everything changed dramatically,” Cathie laughs. “If you’d have told me that I’d end up where I am, I’d never have believed it. The way that you think your life is going to pan out when you’re 18 is very rarely the path that it actually follows!” These days, as founder and CEO of APHS,

alongside husband Stuart Giles, Cathy leads the company in its provision of specialised hospital, oncology and aged-care pharmacy services. APHS is particularly renowned for its web-based Medido Monitored Compliance Device, which alerts a patient when their medication is due and advises their carer if it is missed. In recognition of Medido’s positive impact on aged care, in 2011 Cathie was awarded the National Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award at the Telstra Business Women’s Awards Asked why she is so passionate about making change in the aged-care sector, Cathie says that it’s always been an area of interest. “Elderly people generally are the highest consumers of medication and they actually have the greatest need for the service and advice that pharmacists provide on how each of their medications interact with each other,” she says. “When you can see the work that you’re doing is actually making a tangible difference, it certainly makes it easier to find your inspiration.” Cathie also gains much of her inspiration from her husband, Stuart. “Part of the reason that we’ve been able to do what we do is that my husband and I are a great team, both in business and in life. Being able to share that is really critical.”

As for what she loves about her job, Cathie says she enjoys it all. “I’m a big believer that if you don’t actually love what you’re doing, then you need to find something else,” she says. “You’ll never be able to be great at something if it doesn’t consume you and fuel your passion.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Its ‘liveability’ factor. Our climate means an outdoor lifestyle is possible all year round to make the most of our beautiful waterways and parklands. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The ongoing reinvigoration of areas such as South Bank, The Valley and in and around the city, continue to unlock new places. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? Hopefully businesses continue to see the work and lifestyle benefits of being located in Brisbane, enabling our depth of industry and position as a business hub to grow.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Stokehouse Q. CAFE/BAR Cru Bar + Cellar. WEEKEND RITUAL Shopping and champagne on James Street. RETAILER James Street precinct. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... how good AirportlinkM7 is!

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12/08/13 8:47 AM

Queensland Centre for Photography

Catherine Nelson

A cultural destination in the heart of South Brisbane, showcasing monthly exhibitions of Australian photographic art. Visit us at the corner of Cordelia and Russell Streets, South Brisbane

www.qcp.org.au QCP acknowledges the assistance of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

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QCP 12/08/13 11:38 AM

BUSINESS / ARTHUR APOSTOLOS

ARTHUR APOSTOLOS INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHRYN LINDGREN

ARTHUR APOSTOLOS IS A THIRD-GENERATION FORTITUDE VALLEY DEVOTEE. HIS VISION IS TO FOSTER THE CREATIVE LIFECYCLES OF INCUBATOR ARTISAN BUSINESSES THROUGH THE LANEWAY DEVELOPMENTS OF HIS FAMILY’S PROPERTY IN THE VALLEY. With the success of its small boutique tenancies in Winn Lane, Arthur’s development company AMC Developments has put a full plan in place to develop Bakery Lane into a space where an artist/ designer can live, make and sell their products. “The retailer concept in Brisbane, and the rest of the world, is changing and developers need to offer a package for a creative hub – and that’s what Bakery Lane will do,” Arthur says. Bakery Lane, which is council approved, is due to commence in early 2014, and will still have a retail focus with bars and cafes but will also include living spaces. Arthur envisions some tenants working from their home spaces and selling products at the markets that will run through the laneways. As those tenants test their products and gain confidence, they can progress through the stages of the developments. The potential end result is that they’ll end up with a prominent hightraffic Ann Street frontage after starting in Bakery Lane and progressing through the mid-level zone of the proposed California Lane. “Bakery and California Lanes were a twinkle in our eye, but the actual cocoon-to-butterfly concept had not been developed thoroughly until we saw the success of Winn Lane,” recalls Arthur. California Lane shops

will be similar in size to Winn Lane but they will have workshop spaces upstairs and, contrary to Bakery Lane, no living spaces. This means that there will be live/work/sell and work/sell spaces as well as the simple sell spaces of Winn Lane and Ann Street. “We have every stage of the lifecycle to offer in terms of leasing space,” beams Arthur of their development philosophy, which fosters creative artisans to progress through the business lifecycles. Back in the 1930s and 1950s, Arthur’s grandfather and father had a passion for securing a future for their family. With the success of his father’s famous California Cafe came investment in property. Years on, the family remains focused on the future. “The Valley is like our home. When you see it as your home, you don’t try to milk it – you nurture it and have a long-term view,” says Arthur of his vision. He has an accounting background and after graduating he worked abroad commencing with internationally renowned finance company Goldman Sachs in Switzerland. A move to New York continued his accounting career path but after 12 years he returned to Brisbane. “I was always involved in the properties, even from overseas, but at this time it was more

investment rather than development,” says Arthur. Returning home, he envisaged a new opportunity and commenced an architecture degree of which he is now in his fourth year. “I’m still young in the architecture world,” Arthur acknowledges. Irrespective, he seizes the opportunity to match his business project management skills with design to drive the laneway developments and business culture of Fortitude Valley. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? The live-music scene that has flourished in Brisbane over the years thanks to the support of such places as the The Zoo. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? QMusic’s BIGSOUND conference in September. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills and Newstead will continue to grow into areas where people work, live and play.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Giardinetto. CAFE /BAR Laruche. WEEKEND RITUAL Escape to the Northern NSW coast. RETAILER Atavist Books. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... Jacaranda blooms mean it’s exam time.

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12/08/13 7:18 AM

VANESSA GARRARD / BUSINESS

VANESSA GARRARD INTERVIEW BY FRANCES FRANGENHEIM

E3! CEO VANESSA GARRARD HAD HER FIRST JOB AT AGE EIGHT AND STARTED HER FIRST COMPANY AT AGE 12. SHE NOW RUNS FIVE FLOURISHING COMPANIES WITH SCOPE ACROSS THE WORLD. Brisbane CEO, entrepreneur and mother-offour Vanessa Garrard is naturally driven and inquisitive. She relishes her role as CEO juggling five companies in the electronics industry with offices in Brisbane, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Los Angeles. After launching her main company E3! in 2006 at age 28, Vanessa has grown her unique business model with astounding success, exceeding turnover of US$8 million within the first three years and doubling it soon after. She explains that when she designed the business model for E3!, which has its main office in Brisbane and employs 29 staff, it was so original that even the banks didn’t understand how to fund it. “We look at products, such as an iPad or smart phone for example, and say, how do consumers want to enhance their experience of this product? We go beyond what the product actually is and go beyond what the accessories are to say, how else can we make it fun or personalised or fashionable or on trend?” Rather than creating one product and selling it all over the world as its competitors do, E3! researches and develops product solutions in accessories, youth electronics and promotions for major clients such as Kmart, Target, Mattel, Big W, Dick Smith Electronics and Tandy.

Vanessa loves her job because it demands her to continually innovate. “I love learning new things and trying to set the path so we know where we’re going. And I love developing the product ranges. There is no one else in the industry doing what we do, so we can’t copy others. We have to create.” Vanessa shares that E3!’s talented team is working on exciting new international projects, including its first global licence with a major brand (apparently the first company in Australia to do so) and its new digital platform that will contain more than 9,000 products developed by E3! and available for leveraging worldwide. Vanessa says her hometown of Brisbane is the perfect base for doing business. “We’re only 8.5 hours to Asia. So I’ll arrange meetings in our China office for a day or two and fly back again. I see that trip like a domestic flight. I love the culture of Brisbane – I love living here.” Vanessa’s lofty career in electronics has taken a sharp tangent from her childhood dream to be a marine biologist. “The funny thing was that I felt claustrophobic under water. But my early traits were that I was always working out an easier way or a smarter way to do things. I was always entrepreneurial – I liked starting businesses and doing extra jobs to earn

money.” Asked where she finds peace away from her hectic schedule and international time zones, Vanessa says, “I love being at home and having a cuddle and a laugh with my family. I don’t work weekends. I make sure my phone is on silent.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? We have a strong and enthusiastic business community. If we harvest this we can develop more business opportunities and more jobs. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? There seems to be more focus on supporting local businesses, which I believe it absolutely crucial to the growth of Brisbane’s economy. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? For it to become a hub of innovation for Australian business, with collaboration across businesses to drive innovation in our economy and increase exports of innovation and technology.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Mundo Churrasco. CAFE /BAR Shadow Lounge. WEEKEND RITUAL Beach at Redcliffe. RETAILER Farmers markets. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... about long lunches at Breakfast Creek Hotel. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 41

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12/08/13 7:18 AM

SCIENCE / JUDITH CLEMENTS

JUDITH CLEMENTS INTERVIEW BY LAUREN BARKER

QUT’S DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR JUDITH CLEMENTS IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S LEADING BIOMEDICAL RESEARCHERS AND HAS LED INTERNATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER. As a young schoolgirl growing up in Melbourne, Judith Clements dreamed that one day she would work in the field of biomedical science. What she couldn’t have imagined was that she would become one of the country’s foremost cancer researchers and the first woman to be awarded the title of Distinguished Professor at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Judith and her husband made the move to Brisbane almost 17 years ago when she took up a role as a cancer researcher at QUT where she now heads the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Cancer Program. What started out as two small groups of researchers in 1996 has now bloomed into ten teams totalling almost 105 scientists, spanning prostate, ovarian, breast, endometrial and lung cancers. The program also recently moved into a new facility in the Translational Research Institute (TRI) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Biomedical Precinct. Judith’s own research explores the roles of specific proteins that activate and deactivate factors involved in the progression of prostate and ovarian cancers. “They’re an important family of proteins that we need to understand more about to see if we can use them as therapeutic targets for these

cancers,” Judith explains. There’s also potential for the proteins to act as biomarkers, which may help identify patients at greater risk. “The research is showing that some of these proteins are involved in chemo-resistance in ovarian cancer, so that means that if we also gave an inhibitor or antagonist to the protein, we might make the cancer more sensitive to the chemotherapy.” Judith’s goal is for her research to one day reach the point where it can be translated into a clinical setting and her incredible progress hasn’t gone unrecognised. The Distinguished Professor was presented with the Women in Technology Biotech Outstanding Achievement Award last year and she’s also been internationally acknowledged with Gold and Silver Medals from the German Frey-Werle Foundation. Judith’s sharp mind and unrelenting drive is in good company in our fair city, with Brisbane playing host to some of the brightest minds and best research facilities in the country. “I think at this point in time we possibly have the greatest critical mass of scientists in Australia working in the biomedical research space, and they’re internationally renowned,” she says. In addition to her work with QUT, Judith is also

a Principal Research Fellow at the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, chair of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Queensland Board and Scientific Director of the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre – Qld. Judith says it’s the challenges and the ‘scientific buzz’ that keep her committed to her painstaking work, which she hopes will one day lead to more international recognition for QUT and better outcomes for cancer patients. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? It’s a big, vibrant and cosmopolitan city but has retained its friendly feel. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? I’m looking forward to Brisbane Festival 2013 – TRI is a partner at this event. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? We’ll be considered the ‘come to’ place for the next generation of scientists.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Augustine’s on George. CAFE/BAR GOMA Cafe Bistro. WEEKEND RITUAL Previews at Philip Bacon Galleries. RETAILER Blue Illusion. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... the best Vietnamese restaurants are in Clayfield.

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12/08/13 7:19 AM

CARLEE BEATTIE / SPORT

CARLEE BEATTIE INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMBELLYSH PHOTOGRAPHY

A LONDON PARALYMPICS SILVER MEDALLIST AND WORLD-RECORD HOLDER IN LONG JUMP, CARLEE BEATTIE NOW HAS RIO DE JANEIRO 2016 IN HER DETERMINED SIGHTS. Raised in Warwick, Carlee Beattie was born with a passion for sport running through her veins. “I remember when I was growing up, seeing my dad’s name in our school and regional athletics record books,” she says. “It’s still there for a couple of events! He was a big influence on me and I sort of idolised him in that way.” The fact that she was born without a fully formed left arm was little to deter Carlee from her sporting aspirations, and she competed in athletics, hockey and netball during her school years. “My parents were always encouraging me to try sports and I’ve always been quite good at working out a way to do things,” she says. “If you know no different, then you just adapt. I’m sure it would have been different if I’d had an arm and lost it.” While she never aspired to be a professional athlete, those surrounding Carlee encouraged her to pursue her talent. “When I graduated, my PE teacher told me that I should keep going with my athletics, but at the time I didn’t really think much of it because I wasn’t really sure how, being in Warwick, I could progress any further.” After moving to Brisbane for university when she was 19, Carlee rediscovered her love for athletics a few years later and officially began competing in

2007, both in sprinting and long jump events. Carlee says it was a significant challenge moving from a small town to a big city. “I really had to work on my confidence. And that’s something I had to work on in sport as well – you really have to gain confidence for that. Sometimes you wonder whether you’re good enough.” Her multiple world records in long jump prove that her confidence is now in full stride. Winning Silver in the Women’s Long Jump – F46 at the 2012 Paralympic Games, Carlee recently broke her own world record at the 2013 Sydney Track Classic. Her greatest professional achievement in addition to her world record, Carlee says, has been competing alongside able-bodied athletes at the National Athletics Series meets – and doing well (she qualified in the top eight). “I’m quite a determined and goal-driven person, so once I put my mind to something, I want to achieve it.” In the immediate future, Carlee – now 30 – is focused on finishing the Bachelor of Health Science, specialising in nutrition, that she began in 2005 but set aside once her athletics career began to burgeon. Her long-term goal is to keep competing up until the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Her advice to young athletes looking to follow in her path is to chase your dream wholeheartedly. “If you really love it, then go for it,” she says. “It’s worth the little sacrifices that you have to make.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Brisbane has a nice laid-back feel to it despite being a big city. The people are really friendly and you are always sure to find something fun to do. The climate makes it really easy to enjoy outdoor activities year round. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? I love getting dressed up and going to the races so, if I was in the country, I would most likely head to People’s Day. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? As Brisbane folk become more health conscious, I can definitely see the emergence of more restaurants/cafes that are dedicated to serving healthy wholefood options.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Popolo Italian Kitchen and Bar. CAFE/BAR The Three Monkeys. WEEKEND RITUAL Markets and a movie. RETAILER Shugah Boutique. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... about Apples on Ainsworth. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 43

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ARTS / NEWS

ARTS NEWS The second half of the year is always an exciting time for art in Brisbane, and this year QAGOMA is set to deliver two significant exhibitions in November. Commencing on November 2 at the Queensland Art Gallery, California Design 1930–1965: Living in a Modern Way offers a major study of the globally influential modern design that emerged in California in the mid-20th century. Featuring furniture, graphic and industrial design, ceramics, fashion and architecture, the exhibition examines the crucial role the region played in shaping the material culture of the post-war United States. From November 23, GOMA will showcase Cia Guo-Qiang: Falling Back to Earth – a major exhibition of work by leading international contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang. This will be Cai’s first solo exhibition in Australia and is exclusive to GOMA. @ www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

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GALLERY UPDATE

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IMAGE: CAI GUO-QIANG, CHINA B.1957, HEAD ON 2006, DEUTSCHE BANK COLLECTION BY MATHIAS SCHORRMAN, IMAGE COURTESY DEUTSCHE BANK.

MUSEUM OF BRISBANE

The revitalised Museum of Brisbane reopened in April 2013, after leaving its City Hall home in 2010. Shifting back to the rejuvenated City Hall after a temporary residency on Ann Street, the museum now sits in a purpose-built gallery on the third level of the historic building. Inside its sanctioned walls, the museum acts as a place to learn about what Brisbane stands for as a city. A number of exhibitions will travel through the museum each year, delivering a glimpse into the city’s iconic events and unique residents. Visit Light Fantastic: Expo 88 Parades Rewired and The River: A History of Brisbane until January 27. @ www.museumofbrisbane.com.au

MUSICAL THEATRE

There’s been a number of elaborate musicals grace the stages of QPAC in recent times, and this festive season sees two more dynamic shows host Brisbane seasons. November 19 marks the start of a lavish production of childhood favourite, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. With its timeless story an unforgettable score, the musical will warm the spirits of the young and young at heart. Fishnets and stilettos will then take centre stage for the new 40th-anniversary party production of rock and roll musical Rocky Horror Show. The season will welcome the new year, opening at the Lyric Theatre on December 31. @ www.qpac.com.au

ART WITH ALTITUDE Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Art with Altitude festival is taking art to new heights this October 24-27 with larger-than-life interactive artworks, Queensland Theatre Company children’s theatre performances, and children’s art workshops presented by QAGOMA. This free festival held on the greens at Skygate celebrates its airport setting with themes of connections, voyages and crossing borders that challenge how and where art should be enjoyed. @ www.artwithaltitude.com.au

FESTIVALS

The Queensland Poetry Festival (QPF) will take up residence at the Judith Wright Centre from August 23–25. Unearthing beauty in the spoken and written word, QPF features both local and visiting poets. On the music front, BIGSOUND will deliver a packed set of performances and panel sessions from September 11–12 while, come November, Harvest Festival brings Massive Attack, Franz Ferdinand, Goldfrapp and Neutral Milk Hotel to the City Botanic Gardens. And in cinema, Brisbane International Film Festival returns to Palace Cinemas from November 13–24, screening an array of feature films, short films and documentaries from around the world.

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ARTS / LI CUNXIN

LI CUNXIN FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Augustine’s on George. CAFE/BAR Bars on James Street. WEEKEND RITUAL Movies, theatre, cooking, reading and massage. RETAILER Mitchell Ogilvie. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... Eagle Farm Markets.

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LI CUNXIN / ARTS CHINESE-BORN RETIRED BALLET DANCER LI CUNXIN (PRONOUNCED SHWINSING) IS KNOWN TO THE WORLD AS ‘MAO’S LAST DANCER’ AND ONE OF THE MOST GIFTED DANCERS TO TAKE TO THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE.

INTERVIEW BY FRANCES FRANGENHEIM/ PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIAN AAS

Li hung up his ballet points 14 years ago at age 38 while dancing as principal with The Australian Ballet, but the dance has never left him. Li’s recent appointment as Queensland Ballet’s artistic director enables him to revisit his passion for dance and share with the company dancers his astounding experience and commitment during his 27-year international career. Li – a successful stockbroker and motivational speaker who was based in Melbourne but has relocated to Brisbane – has long supported Queensland Ballet, as his wife, ballerina Mary McKendry, is a Queenslander. He explains he has lofty goals and dreams for the company. “The Australian Ballet is considered one of the top companies in the world and I think in Australia we need more ballet companies to be recognised at an international standard,” Li says. “There is no reason why Queensland Ballet shouldn’t be one of the best companies in the world. I think we have incredible potential. People love ballet. People flock to it.” Li intends to nurture and inspire a new generation of dancers through his work with Queensland Ballet. “I’d like to take this company to truly international standards, to help dancers realise their utmost potential and to attract and retain the highest standard of dancers to this state. I also want to attract wonderful choreographers and creatives – costume designers, musicians, lighting designers – to come and help us achieve our goal.” Li’s first shows of the 2013 Queensland Ballet season – including Cinderella, Giselle and Elegance – signal he has wasted no time in working towards these ambitious goals. Cinderella sold out quickly and was a raving success. The cherished classic was an opportunity for Li to reunite with internationally acclaimed choreographer Ben Stevenson OBE, who was the artistic director when Li first joined the Houston Ballet in 1979 at age 18. The December staging of The Nutcracker will see Ben return to Brisbane to spin his brilliance over the festive fantasy. For the ambitious dancer, Li’s life story provides plenty of inspiration. His best-selling autobiography, Mao’s Last Dancer, was published in 2003 and has sold in more than 20 countries. It shares his tales of tragedy and triumph from age 11, when he was taken from his poverty-stricken village in northeast China by Chairman Mao’s cultural delegates to become a supporter of Mao’s vision for China. From that fateful day, Li left behind his family – his parents and six brothers – to begin a gruelling ballet training regime at the Beijing Dance Academy. Despite this harsh experience, Li’s determination, grit and passion set him on a path

to becoming one of the most legendary dancers in the world, dancing with the Houston Ballet for 16 years and in guest roles for the best ballet companies around the globe. Li made international headlines in 1981 at age 20 when he defected from China while in America – a dramatic event that he considers one of his greatest life challenges. Li moved to Australia at age 34 with wife Mary and, for the last three years of his career, danced as the principal with The Australian Ballet. Li recalls his childhood dream was to go one step further than his peasant father, whose dream was to drive a truck. Yet what Li’s parents lacked in wealth, they made up for in values. “My parents are such honest people and have such integrity and dignity in what they do and how they treat people. And they are the hardest working people. Those qualities have left such a deep impression and influence on me,” Li shares warmly. Li retired from ballet in 1999 at the peak of his career. “When I was dancing in America I saw one of the dances by Rudolf Nureyev towards the end of his career. And in my personal opinion, he went for too long. It really took the magic of his dance in my mind away. From that moment, I promised myself I would never dance past my best.” While dancing with The Australian Ballet, Li planned for his retirement by studying accounting and finance courses by correspondence. In 1999, he began working as a stockbroker but, while he trusted his decision to retire from ballet, he still yearned for the stage. “For a while, I really suffered physically and emotionally,” he admits of the transition. “When ballet is your life, your love, your passion for so long, and then you suddenly walk away – it was very difficult. Sometimes I wondered what the hell I was doing sitting in front of a computer. But I have learned a lot about business, about management, and about finance, so I think all of these things will become invaluable for me in my new role.” When Li was approached to take up the initial four-year role with Queensland Ballet, he did some serious soul searching. “That passion for the art form was always deep within my heart and I feel I was inspired by the prospect of taking Queensland Ballet to the next level.” Li’s advice to young dancers is to be passionate, dedicated and hard working. “It’s really about the pursuit of perfection. It’s about what kind of dancer you can become rather than worrying about what role you might get because when you become a good dancer, the leading roles will come to you.” Li has had to overcome significant challenges to achieve success. He recalls the despair of having to leave his family at age 11 to train in Beijing. “To conquer that homesickness was an enormous

hurdle – the longing for your mother’s love and attention. Even to hear her voice once during that first year would have helped enormously, but there were no phones to use.” He also suffered a major fall in his mid-20s and endured full bed rest for several months. Doctors were dubious he would ever walk comfortably or dance again. “I really felt my passion for ballet would end there. But again it was a challenge I was determined to overcome. So I nursed myself back and I exercised and made myself even stronger. I went on to dance for another 13 years.” Asked his greatest achievements, Li doesn’t point to his dance career but rather his strong family bond. Awarded Australian Father of the Year in 2009, he is a proud parent with Mary to three children (their youngest child, aged 15, has relocated with them to Brisbane, while their two elder children, aged 23 and 20, remain in Melbourne to work and study). “I have made a huge difference in the lives of my parents and my six brothers and their families. And I’ve been a good father to my three children and I am most proud of this family commitment because I think that’s the hardest to achieve because you’re taking on the responsibility of helping others, not just yourself.” Li is excited about the future. “I’m a forwardlooking man,” Li explains of his positive approach to life. “I am genuinely excited about what’s ahead of me. I always set myself goals and aims. Whatever I do, I really want to see how best I can do it. So the pursuit of excellence and perfection is what motivates me to go forward.” HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Our business is going very well. To date, all our Season 2013 performances have sold out – we’re delighted by such popular demand for tickets. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? The beautiful river, South Bank and our vibrant performing arts precinct, the generous people and the wonderful weather. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? I’m a relative newcomer to Brisbane, but I have been deeply moved and impressed with how people positively responded to the devastating flood in 2011. I also strongly believe the cultural and entertainment areas have made Brisbane an even more desirable city. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? I’m really excited about The Nutcracker season. I’m looking forward to starting our annual Christmas tradition of performing The Nutcracker and sharing the Christmas holiday spirit with Queenslanders. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? Brisbane will be one of the most vibrant and liveable cities in the world. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 47

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ARTS / JANE FULLER

JANE FULLER INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER

NEW TO BRISBANE HERSELF, JANE FULLER IS LOOKING FORWARD TO REVEALING THE CITY’S CHARMS TO THE WORLD AS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF THE UPCOMING AUSTRALIAN PERFORMING ARTS MARKET (APAM). Jane Fuller got her first taste of the performing arts while spending her afternoons with her father, who was a lighting designer at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre. “It was kind of my after-school program,” she recalls. “And I’ve been in the industry ever since.” Similar to her father, Jane’s role has always been behind the scenes. “I’ve never performed ... Except during regrettable nights at karaoke bars!” After studying visual arts at university, Jane’s first professional foray into the industry came through designing sets for Sydney Theatre Company. She then extended her repertoire to lighting, sound, scheduling and budgeting, before she eventually found herself taking care of productions in their entirety as producer. In the years following, Jane’s career spanned several countries, as she worked in producing roles in Sydney, Adelaide (including Adelaide Fringe) and Hong Kong, as well as a year in central Java, Indonesia working an arts developer for a local NGO. When she was offered the opportunity to executive produce the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) in Bali, Jane leapt at it, helping to deliver the two most successful festivals to date in the UWRF’s ten-year history. “On one side of things, there’s no difference

between running a writers festival and a performing arts festival,” she explains. “With festivals – whether it be a motorcycle festival or a ballet festival – you’ve still got a product, you sell tickets and you’ve got venues and audiences to consider. There’s a lot of similar considerations. However, both performing arts and writing – in their very essence – are looking at concepts of the human condition and where we fit within the ecology of ourselves, as well as each other and other species. Essentially they both have ideas and thinking at their core, but performing arts can make you live right in the moment and is very demanding of you.” Earlier this year, Jane settled into a little Art Deco abode in New Farm, as a newly minted resident of Brisbane and the executive producer of APAM, which will be held in 2014 at Brisbane Powerhouse. “APAM is extremely exciting for Brisbane,” Jane enthuses. “It’s the biggest and most respected market in the Southern Hemisphere. It brings in 600 of our leading practitioners – artistic directors, producers and buyers from around the world – to see the best work that we can offer. It’s been tightly held by Adelaide for so long – and they did a great job. But when it came up for tender, Brisbane Powerhouse submitted a great proposal

and at its very heart was the river. The way Brisbane places itself in the region was very also important – it definitely looks towards Southeast Asia – which is very complementary to a market showcasing the best of Australian work. And I can’t wait to see the event happen.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? A stand-out has definitely been the river – it relinquishes itself to its residents so gracefully and yet reminds us all of its powers. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Embracing of ideas, discussion, and reflection on our culture, our place and our legacy. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? More planning and care for the spaces we inhabit as a community and not as an individual. More life on the street and not in malls – a more energised place where we meet as a culture and share our stories and our identities.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT 1889 Enoteca. CAFE/BAR Burnett Lane generally. WEEKEND RITUAL Northey Street Organic Markets. RETAILER Wray Organic. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... I’m open to any suggestions.

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12/08/13 7:21 AM

DYLAN EVANS / ARTS

DYLAN EVANS INTERVIEW BY FRANES FRANGEHHEIM

BRISBANE PHOTOGRAPHER DYLAN EVANS IS AN ENERGETIC ARTIST WITH A QUIRKY AND HUMOROUS CREATIVE AESTHETIC. NATURALLY, HIS IMAGES CHANNEL HIS ADVENTUROUS APPROACH TO LIFE AND WORK. Unlike most new graduates, Brisbane photographer Dylan Evans completed university with a clear vision for where he would take his career. Graduating from Queensland College of Art in 2012, Dylan, 28, is pegged as one of the most sought-after and entertaining young talents in Australia. His diverse portfolio – which he diligently developed while studying – boasts dynamic and eye-catching images across fashion, art, advertising and events. His clients include the little red company, La Boite Theatre Company, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, shake & stir theatre co, Brisbane City Council, Dead Puppet Society, Scene Magazine and Red Bull. Asked what he wants to achieve with his career, Dylan says, “I want to be an advertising photographer that people get really, really excited to work with. I want people to come to me with open ideas and be excited about the possibilities of working with me and exploring their ideas … I’m a long way from being where I want to be, but every time I shoot I get more excited and more confident.” A natural entertainer, Dylan is also enjoying success as a rapper, featuring on the prestigious line-ups at the Big Day Out and Homebake festivals in 2012. He admits he looks at life through

a childlike lens and no doubt it’s this youthful vibrancy that fuels his creative approach and signature aesthetic. His work is adventurous and often humorous, dynamic and alive. “I want to excite people. There are so many images out there I would love to put my spin on and get creative with,” he gushes. Dylan has noticed a growth in Brisbane’s photo advertising scene as clients start to trust the quality of local photographers rather than immediately looking interstate for the hottest talent. “There are some amazing photographers in Brisbane and that’s why businesses are getting more excited to try new things. For a long time people would go to Sydney and Melbourne to get this creative work. Now people are starting to come to me to say, ‘I love your style. Let’s have a bit of fun. Let’s get people excited and let’s use a dynamic image rather than the same portraits we’ve been taking for a long time and using text to engage’.” Dylan is grateful to have found his passion. As a child, his dream was simply to be happy. After finishing high school, Dylan studied and worked as a hairdresser for seven years. “That was my safe option to be creative. I was about 25 when I decided I was sick of doing bobs and graduated layers and suggesting fun

things to do and people saying no. I thought, let’s do something I really love that’s a bit more risky. So four years ago I decided to be a photographer. And it’s let me have more fun with my life.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? The fact that a person like myself is seen as a creative and not crazy is so good! People in Brisbane are attracted to personalities, and don’t push them away. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The EKKA! This is my favourite time of the year. It’s so bad that it’s so good – a time where I can act up and become a kid again, except now I can do all that and have a few wines at the same time. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? Flying cars, home-delivered coffee, Brisbane Roar wins the Asian Cup, higher ratio of beards to shaved faces. A man can dream, can’t he?

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT The Kettle and Tin. CAFE/BAR Pablo. WEEKEND RITUAL River bike ride. RETAILER Urbbana. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... about the Venetian-style crespelle from Bar Alto. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 49

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12/08/13 8:48 AM

ARTS / EMMA LOUISE

EMMA LOUISE INTERVIEW BY LAUREN BARKER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE EDWARDS

INDIE SONGSTRESS EMMA LOUISE HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM HER BUSKING DAYS, BUT NO MATTER HOW MANY AWARDS SHE WINS AND FANS SHE GAINS, THE 22-YEAR-OLD VOWS SHE’LL ALWAYS STAY IN QUEENSLAND. Only a few years ago, Emma Louise’s stage was a local cafe or a patch of earth at the West End Markets. Fast-forward to 2013 and the singersongwriter is playing sold-out shows across Australia, scoring international gigs and landing her tunes on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy. She’s a Queensland girl through and through, having been born in Townsville and spending her childhood between Maryborough, the Sunshine Coast and Cairns. Her musical journey began when she picked up a guitar at the age of 12 and started strumming along to her favourite tunes. “I started learning songs but my friends would say, ‘That’s not how the song goes,’ so I kind of did my own thing after that ...” The schoolgirl soon found she was better suited to penning her own melodies. “Whenever I felt something, I’d try to write a song about it,” she explains. “I was expressing my feelings and I really liked that.” These days Emma Louise performs at festivals like The Great Escape in the UK and South by Southwest in America, although the first time she played in front of an audience was for a small circle of family and friends on a camping trip. But no matter how big her audience grows, the singer says she always finds being on stage a therapeutic

experience. “It’s very peaceful and you kind of lose everything. You’re in the moment and not focused on anything else, which is pretty awesome.” After scooping two Queensland Music Awards (formerly Q Song) at the age of 15, the budding starlet went on to support Aussie favourites like Sarah Blasko and Bob Evans before making the move to Brisbane at the age of 18. Her style has evolved since the release of her Full Hearts and Empty Rooms EP in 2011, adding electronic elements and lush layers to her trademark dreamy vocals. It’s made for an impressive debut album, Vs Head Vs Heart, which was released to eager fans in March. After sharing her new tracks with capital cities and regional centres across Australia, Emma Louise will return home to perform at Brisbane Festival in September. It’s clear the musician enjoys playing for her home crowd just as much as they love listening – she’s even promised them a few extra surprises at the show. Yet in typical Queenslander fashion, Emma Louise has remained humble despite her success. “My life is definitely a lot busier and you can’t help but get caught up in the pressure,” she says. “But I think I’m doing pretty well with handling it and

learning that it’s better to be myself and do what my heart wants me to do.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? This city feels like a small town in the shape of a city. I don’t think I’ll move out of Queensland because everyone’s attitudes are very open – it’s not like ‘What do you do?’, it’s ‘How are you?’. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? I think there’s a developing art scene in Brisbane at the moment that’s pretty exciting. There’s an amount of humbleness to it. It’s growing and people aren’t cliquey – it’s very welcoming. I’m also getting really excited about the cafes and the coffee. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? People won’t have to move to Sydney or Melbourne to be part of an artistic community. I’d like to see more venues, more creative spaces and more ways for people to express their creativity.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT The Burrow. CAFE/BAR Pablo. WEEKEND RITUAL Touring at the moment. RETAILER Blonde Venus. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW... where to park in Fortitude Valley.

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KRIS STEWART / ARTS

KRIS STEWART INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER

A PENCHANT FOR THE UNIQUE, SURPRISING AND SUBVERSIVE IS WHAT HAS DRIVEN KRIS STEWART IN A CAREER SPANNING BROADWAY, FILM AND THEATRE. HIS MAVERICK SPIRIT IS NOW IN ITS ELEMENT IN HIS NEW ROLE AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BRISBANE POWERHOUSE. “I’ve always liked people who work in popular genres and manage to make something unique and exciting in them,” Kris Stewart reveals of what inspires him most. “It might be Stephen Sondheim working in musical theatre, or Frank Miller working in comics, or other people working in TV and film. That’s always excited me and made me want to be a bit subversive and different but do it in things that are contemporary and popular.” Adelaide-raised, Kris moved to Perth after high school to study at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, graduating with a post-graduate diploma in theatre directing. While there he found plenty of opportunities to direct small shows, helping him to navigate his way into the industry. At age 28, with his career taking flight, Kris decided to make the move to New York. Selling most of his possessions, he decided that if he didn’t do it then, he’d always regret it. “There were many times, especially in the first year, where I found it really tough,” Kris admits. “I didn’t know many people, which is difficult when you’re trying to make your own opportunities happen.” The experience gave him a realistic perspective on how to survive in the theatre industry. “New York is very competitive,” he says. “So you realise

that if it’s not you, there’s 500 other people to take the opportunity, which really makes you appreciate what it means to make the most of things.” During his last year living in New York, Kris tried his hand at commercial producing, with a show on Broadway and the feature film Red Hook, but realised he was ready to come home to Australia. It happened to be that his friend was about to announce his plans to bring Wicked to Australia and asked Kris if he would like to come back to Australia to be a part of it. “It was a nice way to transition and find my place back in Australia and work out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to live,” he says. Having settled in Sydney to work on Wicked, Kris later took on other projects including Sydney Fringe Festival, and the role of director of Tasmania’s Festival of Voices. And then came the opportunity to become artistic director at Brisbane Powerhouse. “Brisbane Powerhouse is one of the great iconic buildings in Brisbane,” he says. “It’s amazing what has grown there during the last ten years and the chance to be part of that is something that I thought was an incredibly rare and exciting opportunity and I was flattered to have the chance. What I’m really excited about is making sure people know there’s an open door for stuff to happen there

and I’m looking forward to engaging a lot of local, interstate and overseas companies to be a part of it.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? The perfect lifestyle mix – great weather, excellent food, authentic people, and a wide range of cultural and sporting events. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The increase of people just planning to do it themselves and not look so much interstate or overseas. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I see Brisbane getting more intricate physically. From more bike paths to laneway restaurants and cafes, the city will keep reclaiming small spaces and using them in creative ways. There’s also our economic power – the city’s ties to Asia Pacific will grow stronger and we will become more multicultural across all aspects of public life.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Ortiga. CAFE Campos. WEEKEND RITUAL Catching up on industry blogs and inspiration. RETAILER Comics Etc. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... that the best Sunday afternoons are spent in New Farm Park. WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 51

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12/08/13 7:29 AM

GOURMET / NEWS

GOURMET NEWS PONY Sydney’s famed dining institution Pony has made its way north and opened up in the Riverside Centre at Eagle Street Pier. Chef Damian Heads first opened the venue with restaurateurs the Kyprianou boys at two Sydney locations in The Rocks and Neutral Bay and has now offered his hometown of Brisbane a taste of the Pony dining experience. The restaurant’s open-plan kitchen invites diners to watch as chefs transform fresh produce, quality cuts of meat and seafood into creative modern-Australian cuisine, while the trademark woodfire grill and custom rotisserie also play starring roles. Those after a drink will be tempted by the extensive wine list and outdoor bar with garden terrace. The 200-seat restaurant takes advantage of the spectacular riverside location and complements it setting with contemporary interior design from Woods Bagot. @ www.ponydining.com.au

MARY VALLEY GINGER Abundant with rich farmland and natural beauty, the Mary Valley region will gain an agricultural direction with Australia’s biggest producer of ginger set to establish a new farm at Tuchekoi Road in Bollier. The Templeton family has been growing ginger on the Sunshine Coast for three generations, with the new production space expected to produce 800 tonnes of local ginger and 5,500 tonnes of sugar cane by 2018. This new venture will help to meet the demand for ginger in the Australian market, meaning more local produce on our plates rather than imported varieties that have clocked up significant food miles to reach our markets and grocers. @ www.templeton.net.au

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NEWS / GOURMET

DEPO

THE GOLDEN PIG

Fans of The Golden Pig Food & Wine School in Newstead now have even more opportunities to get a taste of the establishment’s goods, with the opening of a School Canteen for breakfast and lunch on weekdays and a drink and a nibble on Friday afternoons and evenings. Take your pick from healthy breakfast items or a selection of sandwiches, salads and hot dishes for lunch. Enjoy antipasti and tapas-style dishes with a bottle of craft beer or glass of wine from 4:30 pm on Fridays. @ www.goldenpig.com.au

Covering all bases, new West End locale Depo is open from early morning breakfast through to dinner, with wine and oysters or cheese and charcuterie boards for grazing on in between. In the kitchen, chef and co-owner Erik van Genderen crafts an ever-changing menu based on the fresh produce available from local farmers each day. The produce is sourced via Food Connect, which acts as a distribution point for natural, holistic and ethical produce from local farming families. Depo’s coffee is a seasonal single origin from Cup Specialty Coffee paired with Barambah Organics milk, completing the community circle. Co-owner Alexander Lotersztain is behind the design of this foodie haunt. @ www.the-depo.com

CHILLIWOW

Chilliwow is a Mexican-style cantina that takes its theme seriously. Everything from the decor to the drinks list and food menu has been carefully considered to ensure that ‘arriba’ is the first thought that pops into your head upon entering the bar. Tables surrounded by stools encourage guests to mingle, while Frida Kahlo eavesdrops on the more private conversations happening in the booths. Chilliwow is a bar at heart, with Mexican beverages being the focal point of the drinks menu. The food offerings are simple, but substantial, and designed to fit with the theme. @ www.chilliwow.com.au WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 55

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GOURMET / HELEN BIRD

HELEN BIRD INTERVIEW BY MELINDA HALLORAN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINSEY RENDELL

ANYONE WHO HAS DINED ON THE SIDEWALKS OF BANGKOK OR SHANGHAI WILL KNOW THE JOY OF SAVOURING A MEAL FRESHLY PREPARED BY A GRACIOUS LOCAL. HELEN BIRD IS BRINGING STREET FOOD DINING TO BRISBANE THROUGH STREET FOOD AUSTRALIA (SFA). SFA is a fledgling social organisation that aims to foster a culture of street dining in Brisbane, and also provide migrants and refugees with skills to drive their own small business by operating an SFA food bike. The organisation is an initiative of Helen Bird, who hopes that the introduction of food bikes into public spaces will complement the city’s cultural landscape and also reinvent the way we interact with public spaces. Helen is in the midst of negotiating the introduction of street food trading with Brisbane City Council, and is seeking out vendors with recipes that fall outside the food options on offer in Brisbane. By serving home-style cooking in public spaces, SFA will deliver an authentic form of multicultural dining. An entrepreneur at heart, Helen has spent her life pursuing various business opportunities, including a stint at the helm of an organisation that makes circus equipment, and travelling the world in search of new experiences. While in Asia, Helen found that she continually gravitated towards street food, preferring to dine on a bustling footpath than in perfectly polished restaurants. When the time came for Helen and her partner to return to Australia, she instinctively knew that Brisbane was the city that would nurture her

entrepreneurial spirit. She decided that continuing on in her field of architecture wouldn’t be fulfilling, and she took the opportunity of a new start to launch her own business with her friend, and now business partner, Billerwell Daye. Helen had moved from Sydney to Brisbane at age 16, and it was the charm of Brisbane’s landscape and multicultural fabric that lured her to return. “I wanted a strong business community and a place where I knew I could survive and thrive really well,” she says. Upon returning to Brisbane, Helen made a list of all things she’d like in a business – food, sustainable transport and working with people in way that would empower them were high priorities. At the same time, she began to long for the street food she relished while travelling – and so SFA was born. Vendors from countries including China, Malaysia, Mexico and Denmark are ready to begin selling food and, in the short term, SFA is catering at private events until public trading is approved. Helen’s love of food and desire to change the way Brisbane dwellers dine both serve as constant sources of motivation. “Being able to really connect people to food – that really excites me,” Helen muses. Her journey is now well underway

and she is confident the first bikes will be on the streets by the end of 2013. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? The river, the hills, the trees. Brisbane is a city with lots of nature in it, around it and through it. This provides great relief from living in a city – it is its own antidote. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? I’m loving the young design movement in Brisbane. Passionate people are following their dreams, chasing an idea and just doing it their own way. We support individual expression in all its quirky forms. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? In five years, Brisbane will be richer in culture, arts, music and design (all the things people currently move to Melbourne for). They will all move back realising it was being made all around them, and that they just couldn’t see the forest for the trees.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Mizu. BAR The End. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Playing with Remi, my seven-year-old son. RETAILER Avid Reader. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... that the Brisbane River can run backwards.

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GOURMET / JOSH RUSSELL

JOSH RUSSELL INTERVIEW BY FRANCES FRANGENHEIM / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKKI BRAMMER

A CARPENTER BY TRADE, JOSH RUSSELL OPENED HIS WEST END CAFE, CUP COFFEE, IN HIS QUEST TO CRAFT THE PERFECT BLEND FOR COFFEESWILLING AFICIONADOS. Cup Coffee owner Josh Russell lives by some simple words of wisdom: “Do the best with what you have. Quality is the most important thing.” You’ll find this meticulous approach threaded through every aspect of his and wife Sarah’s buzzing West End cafe on Russell Street and their newly launched specialty roastery and training facility at Woolloongabba. Josh is committed to roasting the tastiest coffee from seasonal, high-quality, traceable green coffee beans grown on ethical farms. Asked why he cares about his humble coffee-making mission, Josh shares, “I can’t really do anything without trying to do it the best way possible. I find if I can’t do something really, really well, I don’t want to do it.” Through years of research and training, Josh has learnt that every step of the coffee process is as important as the next. For freshness, the green beans should be roasted, cupped and consumed within three months of being received. Roast the beans for seconds too long and the acidity, fruitiness or goodness can be drastically compromised. It’s also vital to trace the beans to their origins to ensure the environment and workers’ rights are respected. To achieve this, Josh sources his beans seasonally from reputable brokers in Sydney and Melbourne

who have direct links with small, often familyowned, sustainable farms around the world. For example, the Santa Clara, one of Josh’s favourite beans, is a Guatemalan coffee cultivated on a sustainable farm by a family who has been growing coffee for more than 100 years. Josh wasn’t always a coffee devotee. He grew up in Inverell in country New South Wales and followed in his dad’s footsteps, working as a carpenter for nine years. When a new cafe opened in town, Josh started buying ground coffee to make at home and his curiosity with roasting grew. In 2005, Josh and Sarah moved to Brisbane and Josh worked as a freelance graphic designer – he’d studied online design courses and taught himself the rest. He began dreaming of opening his own cafe. Various people tried to talk him out of it, so Josh worked for two years as a barista to find out for himself. He and Sarah opened Cup Coffee in January 2010 and haven’t looked back. The wholesale aspect of their business is growing daily; clients include such notable cafes as Sourced Grocer at Teneriffe, The Golden Pig Food & Wine School at Newstead and The Little Prince at Woolloongabba. The neverending quest to master coffee making is what keeps Josh motivated.

“Coffee for me is really frustrating and I think that’s what got me sucked in … The more I learn, the more I realise I don’t know that much.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? It’s fairly big but doesn’t feel that way. I’m from the country but don’t feel out of place here. Hopefully I don’t look too much out of place either. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The cafe and bar scene is picking up well. Smaller local operators are starting to get to their second shops and, with a bit more working capital, can focus more on quality throughout. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? West End and The Valley will grow fairly fast, and this will change the feel of those suburbs. As long as they maintain character, it will only make them stronger and better places to live and do business.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT The Crosstown Eating House. CAFE/BAR Sourced Grocer. WEEKEND RITUAL Saturday morning cupping (coffee tasting). RETAILER Avid Reader. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW... that West End’s best Thai food comes from a cafe.

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12/08/13 7:34 AM

JASMIN ROBERTSON / GOURMET

JASMIN ROBERTSON INTERVIEW BY LAUREN BARKER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINSEY RENDELL

AFTER TAKING OVER HER MUM’S BUSINESS AT THE AGE OF 21, JASMIN ROBERTSON HAS BUILT ROZA’S GOURMET SAUCES INTO A SUCCESSFUL BRISBANE INSTITUTION THAT HAS NEVER LOST SIGHT OF ITS VALUES. For Jasmin Robertson, business is personal. When she reads an email from a Brisbane expat imploring her to distribute her products to a new region, or she bumps into a customer who was brought up on Roza’s Gourmet Sauces, it’s another reminder that she made the right decision to take over the family business five years ago. At the time, Jasmin was studying acting and had no interest in a career that would see her spending her days filling out stock orders and manufacturing products. But after her mum, Roza, passed away and her dad entered retirement, Jasmin knew she either had to take over the company or shut up shop. The Robertson family had invested too much time and energy into the business to let it slip away. Roza started selling her homemade sauces from the end of her driveway in 1991, while sixyear-old Jasmin was in charge of decorating the jars. She remembers spending her weekends at the South Bank Markets, helping run the stall until she grew bored and started busking next to the counter. As she entered her teens, Jasmin would spend her afternoons labelling the jars that covered every surface of the family dining room, eventually hiring a friend to help meet the growing demand.

When Jasmin first took over the business, she managed it part-time between acting classes until reaching the point where she realised it was makeor-break time. “I finally got the guts to say, ‘I’m going to put 100% in to make it work,’” she says. “That’s when the real growth started.” In the five years since Jasmin took over the reins at Roza’s Gourmet Sauces, she’s rebranded, repackaged, added new products, reworked old favourites, moved to a commercial kitchen, boosted the brand’s online presence and expanded into international markets. Not bad for someone who says she had “no idea” what she was doing when she started. Social media and online ordering have opened the business to new markets and spread its reach to as far away as Singapore. Jasmin has also kept up with the changing tastes of her customers, adding dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan products to a range that is gluten-free, uses 100% natural ingredients and contains no artificial preservatives or sweeteners. Jasmin says that while the past five years have been a steep learning curve in terms of business, the biggest challenge was developing her own confidence. But after guiding the company to success and doubling its turnover while staying

true to the key philosophies of the brand, there’s no doubt that Jasmin has done her mum proud. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Brisbane is the hub for the best fresh produce in Australia and supplies the southern states with most of their fruit and veggies. We have a booming culture of farmers markets and independent growers selling direct to the public. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? There are so many new start-ups happening in Brisbane – cafes, restaurants, festivals, markets, boutiques and bars. It’s really exciting to see something new popping up every week and especially great that it’s no longer isolated to the city centre. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I’d like to see Brisbane evolve into a diverse precinct-oriented city.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Public. CAFE/BAR Anouk. WEEKEND RITUAL Taking my pugs to the New Farm dog park. RETAILER James St Market. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... Sunnybank has the best Asian food in Brisbane! WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 59

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GOURMET / ADRIAN SLAUGHTER

ADRIAN SLAUGHTER INTERVIEW BY MIKKI BRAMMER / PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHRYN LINDGREN

ABANDONING A FINANCE CAREER THAT HAD TAKEN HIM TO LONDON AND NEW YORK, ADRIAN SLAUGHTER RETURNED TO BRISBANE TO BRING THE CRAFT BEER CULTURE HE HAD SEEN IN HIS TIME ABROAD TO HIS HOMETOWN. When Adrian Slaughter decided to follow a career path in finance, it was less out of passion and more the fact that he just happened to have a knack for it. His real passion was for brewing – a love he had harboured ever since he was given a cheap Coopers homebrew kit for his 18th birthday, which he admits was responsible for the creation of some “horrendous” beers. It was his elder brother’s passing in 2001 that convinced Adrian he needed a change and the next few years saw him working in finance in the UK, where he was able to explore his love for craft brewing. “While living in London, my friends and I would always do daytrips to little countryside villages to visit all the English pubs, where there would be all these obscure beers with ridiculous names,” he explains. “I fell in love with that whole culture and everything that came with it.” As fate would have it, Adrian met his soonto-be wife in London, a romance made all the more exciting by the fact that her mother was a commercial brewer in the UK. “As you can imagine, it was every guy’s dream,” he laughs. “After that, I was more or less always in her mother’s brewery. She’s obsessed with real ale and the culture and basic produce that comes with it.”

After seeing brewing on a more commercial scale, Adrian began to take his passion more seriously. When his job took him to New York City, he found himself immersed in the city’s growing craft beer movement. “We used to go down to this place in Brooklyn called Sixpoint Brewery, where they’d just have a rollerdoor up on this dodgy street,” he recalls. “There would be Wall Street guys in suits next to taxi drivers and guys from the meatworks around the corner. It was something that didn’t exist in Australia – that myriad of people and faces and the culture around the beer. The focus was on knowing which beers were local and I loved that. I guess it was then that things began to stir in me.” When he was offered a voluntary redundancy, Adrian knew it was time to follow his heart. He and Abigail returned to Australia, where he connected with his childhood friend, Marc Chrismas, and together they envisaged the idea for a locale that would infuse Brisbane with the same passion for craft beer he had experienced in New York. Their dream soon came to life as Green Beacon Brewing Company, which opened the doors of its old converted warehouse in Teneriffe in early 2013. “What we’re doing is bold and it wouldn’t have worked in Brisbane ten years ago,” Adrian admits

of their venture. “But it seems to me now that the place is ripe. People want this and there’s an understanding within Brisbane’s food culture. So we decided that we were going to just go for it and brew the best local beers that we could.” WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? It is a city with a future, constantly evolving and redefining itself, but doing so in a manner that is distinctly in keeping with the locale. WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The rise of the entrepreneur. There are so many smaller businesses starting that will instil character and charm into the city. And all the events that follow, like local festivals, districts with prevalent characters and urban village renewal. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2018? I see a real sense of urban re-gentrification and an overt desire to support and promote vibrant local businesses.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE RESTAURANT Malt Dining. CAFE/BAR The Scratch. WEEKEND RITUAL Late breakfast and a river walk. RETAILER Dure & Kaufmann. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW ... when the ‘Hop Buoy’ is pouring at the Beacon.

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The Emily’s Sweet Treats story Emily is the alter ego of talented pastry chefs Emil Silva and Jenny Li, who fused their names when embarking on their own culinary venture. Emil and Jenny met during their studies and discovered a mutual love of the refined art of pastry making. Their shared passion is now poured into Emily’s Sweet Treats, where the award-winning duo concocts delectable delicacies for every occasion. Their complementary skill sets and collective industry experience of more than ten years have helped the pair take out several coveted awards, including first prize in a number of categories at the National Baking Industry Association Baking Awards. Baking everything from macarons to elaborate cakes and rustic French pastries on-site to ensure freshness and quality, Emily’s Sweet Treats is the perfect place to order your sweets for your next function.

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/ EXPLORE

EXPLORE VILLAGES

A SELF-CONTAINED DISTRICT OR COMMUNITY WITHIN A TOWN OR CITY, REGARDED AS HAVING FEATURES CHARACTERISTIC OF VILLAGE LIFE

TRAVEL DAYTRIPS

SNAPSHOTS OF BRISBANE SURROUNDS

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VILLAGE / BRISBANE CITY

BRISBANE CITY BEST PLACE FOR BURGERS AND BEER Miel Container FOR SUMPTUOUS FOOD Gramercy Espresso & Eats FOR A TAILORED LOOK Tinker Tailor FOR FRESH SOUP Soupa FOR VIETNAMESE CUISINE NamNam FOR A COSY CORNER TO READ Archives Fine Books FOR THE DAPPER GENTLEMAN Ermenegildo Zegna FOR A CLASSIC TIMEPIECE The Hour Glass FOR A BOWL OF NOODLES Fat Noodle FOR A COSY COFFEE DATE Brother Espresso FOR A HOT PORK BUN Steamed TO SATISFY THE SWEET TOOTH The Dark Chocolatier FOR ECLECTIC FASHION Violent Green FOR LUXURY SHOPPING CHANEL

Angular metallic outlines of skyscrapers fill the cityscape of Brisbane. Cranes and construction sites are a common occurrence in the bustling central business district, where growth impressively expands by the day. This includes the renovation of government quarters, such as the new Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law, which display contemporary artworks amidst sophisticated buildings. The courts former space today houses many glamorous hotels for the increasing number of interstate and overseas visitors dropping in to town. There is a constant buzz and movement in the heart of Brisbane – city workers busily pound the pavement, escaping into the midst of its shopping mecca Queen Street Mall when breaks allow. This strip is a flurry of activity at all hours –

used as a shortcut for commuters and a destination for a day’s shop. Fans of leading labels can flock to the stylish QueensPlaza, or Edward Street, which drips with luxury stores and is set to welcome even more international design heavyweights in the coming months. Community events continue to make the CBD appealing to those without business affairs to attend to. Weekly farmers markets, childfriendly seasonal events and roving international acts aplenty are making their mark in some of the city’s distinguished squares. For those seeking refuge from the bustle of Brisbane’s centre, the City Botanic Gardens offer plenty of quiet, as well as the outdoor amphitheatre Riverstage, which hosts big-name musicians on tour.

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BRISBANE CITY / VILLAGE

EAT 1

RIVERBAR AND KITCHEN

PROMENADE LEVEL, 71 EAGLE STREET, BRISBANE CITY T. 3211 9020 www.riverbarandkitchen.com.au

Riverbar & Kitchen is another venture by Matt Moran and Peter Sullivan, the talented team behind ARIA. A strong nautical theme is embraced in the open-plan space, which provides stunning views of the Brisbane River and nearby Story Bridge. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered with a fresh, seasonal menu. The venue also caters to a casual tipple and is particularly lively with the corporate crowd after hours, who indulge in cocktails from the bar and fruit-laden jugs of Pimm’s.

DRINK 2

MONTY’S CHOCOLATES

288 EDWARD STREET, BRISBANE CITY T. 3211 7541 www.montyschocolates.com.au

Discreatly nestled opposite Central Station, Monty’s Chocolates accommodates those who are sweet of tooth. Specialty chocolates collected from the far stretches of the globe abound on shelves, including those sourced from the exotic lands of Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Ghana and Madagascar. Nibble on cacao-based delights while you treat yourself to a cup of coffee from house blend Supreme Roasters, or a sumptuous milkshake made from dark couverture chocolate paired with rose, orange, raspberry or chilli.

SHOP 3

DESIGNER ARCHIVES

WINTERGARDEN,171–209 QUEEN STREET, BRISBANE CITY T. 0414 794 118 www.designerarchives.com.au

Designer Archives is a boutique that stocks a carefully curated selection of pre-owned highend luxury and contemporary fashion. Garments are sourced from celebrity and film wardrobes, stylists, models, auctions and collectors’ as well as consignments. Items from brands such as CHANEL, Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo are amongst the covetable goods in-store, and purchases come accompanied with guaranteed authenticity.

DOING BUSINESS

DEMETRI CONIAS

VENUE MANAGER, EMBASSY CRAFT BEER BAR 214 ELIZABETH STREET, BRISBANE CITY

PLAY 4

T. 3221 7616 www.embassybar.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? Apart from spending 2010–2012 in Toronto, I have lived in Brisbane all my life. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? That big country town feeling – the city doesn’t feel bigger than you are. When you visit places like New York, London and Paris, you feel like a spectator. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Being a close-knit city, word travels fast. The challenge is to avoid becoming old news by paying close attention to local trends. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? People became hungry for variety. The city reached a cultural tipping point, which you can see in the bars, restaurants, cafes and other haunts that have opened. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? We suffer from a dispersed population. Brisbane has all the right ingredients, but we just need density. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? About where Melbourne will be in 2014. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Food trucks – there needs to be more of them. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … The Little Larder in New Farm has the best mango smoothies. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Having just opened the bar with my brother, Alex, my life revolves around work and visiting other local businesses for research.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Warm(ish) winters. SUBURB West End. RESTAURANT Sakura Japanese Restaurant. CAFE Briki Espresso and Gelati Bar. BAR The End. ESCAPE Gold Coast. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Painting. PICNIC SPOT New Farm Park. RETAILER Scotch & Soda. LANDMARK Suncorp Stadium.

BIRD GALLERY AND STUDIO

181 GEORGE STREET, BRISBANE CITY www.birdstudios.org

Inner-city creative space Bird Gallery and Studio hopes to nurture local artistic talent and encourage its growth. The space is available to local, interstate and international artists and curators. The gallery helps to represent stand-alone artworks, as well as host regular exhibitions and workshops. The versatile space can accommodate a range of different artistic requirements, and has been known to host a variety of live-music and performing-arts events within its laneway destination.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 65

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VILLAGE / FORTITUDE VALLEY

FORTITUDE VALLEY BEST PLACE FOR LANEWAY DISCOVERIES Winn Lane FOR A QUIET CUP OF COFFEE Ltd espresso TO BE INSPIRED Institute of Modern Art FOR MODERN HOMEWARES Luxxbox FOR A UNIQUE LUNCH Sushi Pod TO HAVE A WEEKEND BROWSE The Valley Markets FOR A GOURMET HOT DOG G-Doggs FOR VIETNAMESE STREET FOOD Ho Chi Mama FOR 24-HOUR FITNESS Jetts Fortitude Valley FOR A CHINESE FEAST Oriental Yum Cha Restaurant FOR A COSY BEER Black Bear Lodge TO SEE A PERFORMANCE Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts FOR LIVE MUSIC The Zoo FOR A DRINK WITH A VIEW Elixir Rooftop Bar

Of Brisbane’s villages, Fortitude Valley is perhaps the one that imbued the most character. As the city’s most renowned district for nightlife and after-hours entertainment it is certainly the location of many a local’s wilder fables. The expanding collection of pubs and clubs attracts youth in large numbers every weekend, particularly once the sun has set. Live music is also the area’s forte, with a majority of locales in the district hosting a revolving list of touring musicians. Aesthetically, the suburb’s lengthy history has caused it to be somewhat of a patchwork of architecture, varying from the historic grandeur of McWhirters to the opulence of the latest bars to claim place. Stylish shops and boutiques are also spread throughout the suburb, offering

Brisbane’s fashion-forward a chance to trawl independent retailers for treasures. These quirky stores often specialise in alternative fashion and are housed in clandestine areas such as Winn Lane. Cafes are tucked amidst the boutiques, but the area’s biggest foodie drawcards are the morsels served in neighbouring Chinatown. Foodstuffs from all over Asia are hawked in specialty supermarkets and dumpling houses, with BYO restaurants aplently. Fortitude Valley’s facilities continue to grow with its rapid expansion, particularly in business opportunities. The M&A development on the corner of McLachlan and Ann is taking shape slowly and no doubt heralds plenty of office growth in the suburb and its surrounds.

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FORTITUDE VALLEY / VILLAGE

EAT 1

ALFRED & CONSTANCE

CORNER ALFRED AND CONSTANCE STREETS, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 3251 6500 www.alfredandconstance.com.au

Alfred & Constance houses a series of eating and drinking experiences in one expanded venue. The space combines six themed sections in two adjoining houses, containing the White Lightning Tiki Bar, The Vanguard Beer Garden & Restaurant, Alfred’s Cafe, The Hidden Bar, Hemingway Room and Tune Bar. Gastropub fare is the star, with a menu of woodfireroasted meats and seasonal salads. By night the venue turns into more of a house party, with dancing until the early morn held on the upper tier level.

DRINK 2

INCIDER TRADING

153 WICKHAM STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 0421 851 329

Housed in an unassuming dwelling off Wickham Street, InCider Trading is a boutique wine and cider cellar. Run by Tim Fanning and Daniel Pierce, the venue operates as both specialty bottleshop and bar, offering an array of wines and ciders from smaller producers in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Visitors will find specialty champagnes and handpicked rarities, alongside biodynamic, organic options, mead and brandy. Those drinking in-store can take a seat in the accompanying brick courtyard out back.

SHOP 3

HAUT BOHEME

5C WINN LANE, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 3252 9007

Haut Boheme is a petite boutique housed in the alternative shopping corner of Winn Lane. The shop’s interiors are inspired by the natural world, embracing elements of raw wood, beach foliage, driftwood and a scattering of sand to form the beach vibe within. The store houses labels that include owner Chantelle Cox’s creation Farron, as well as Aje, A.T.G swimwear and Ecoya candles. A neutral palette is the basis of the labels stocked, and is complemented by a spattering of bright neon and black accessories.

DOING BUSINESS

MELISSA JOSEPHSON

OWNER, THE MODERN FURNITURE STORE 161A ARTHUR STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY

T. 3254 3885 www.themodern.net.au HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? All my life, except for the 1990s when I lived in Sydney. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? The sense of community. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Very good, provided you are offering a unique product or service at a price that customers consider to be good value. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? Definitely the enhancement of our retail and dining villages. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Anything that would increase population and visitors to the inner regions of the city. We have everything a great city needs for growth: transport, space, parks, facilities and accessibility. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? I’d love to see the continued growth of community villages and more independent traders offering unique services. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Trading initiatives like James Street Up Late are a great way to keep customers interested in the area. These occur a few times per year and have particular focuses, such as fashion. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that we have great recreational choices at our doorstep, aside from beaches, like great bush tracks. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Fun, although hectic between work and family.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE The 100-km Oxfam Trailwalker. SUBURB Fortitude Valley. RESTAURANT Public. CAFE Sassafras. BAR At Sixes and Sevens. ESCAPE Moreton Island. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Doing the city loop with my boys. PICNIC SPOT Western Beach, Moreton Island. RETAILER The Modern Furniture Store. LANDMARK Kurilpa Bridge.

PLAY 4

THE RABBIT HOLE

22 AGNES STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY www.attherabbithole.com

A hive of activity, The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe was built as a space to meet, work, share and create. The hub is one that provides the perfect environment for optimum productivity, creating a comfortable area to study. The rustic interiors are just cool enough to distinguish the space from a stale library, providing the essentials of tables, internet access and inspirational reading material for stimulation and focus. The area also offers a selection of delicious morsels such as cakes, sandwiches and toast to tuck into while you study.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 67

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VILLAGE / JAMES STREET

JAMES STREET While it’s only a short stroll from Fortitude Valley’s centre, the tranquil precinct of James Street seems a world away. The relaxed sprawl of shopping and dining is favoured by Brisbane’s fashion pack and is a beloved stretch for those dedicated to shopping pursuits. James Street’s number of independent boutiques is growing, accompanied by the introduction of a fleet of national and international fashion names favoured by label lovers. There are many different wares available within the chic district, helping to cater to the design-savvy individual’s furniture, wardrobe and even kitchen requirements. Brisbane’s fashion crowd frequents the strip, visiting the boutiques and pop-up stores of local designers and creative talents. It’s these regular visitors to the district who make the

neighbourhood swell with people, particularly at lunchtimes. Catering to the area’s nourishment needs is a flock of cafes and specialty food nooks, from coffee houses to renowned cake shops. The stretch is also home to a notable food market that stocks tantalising cheeses and other foods from the far reaches of the globe. When evening arrives, shoppers tote full bags of purchases to the suave bars and sleek restaurants nearby. The precinct adeptly offers lavish samples of specialty cuisine, ranging from decadent Italian dishes to the Middle Eastern-inspired. Foodie offerings on James Street are increasing, with the intimate James Lane sitting at one end of the precinct and 15 James at the other.

BEST PLACE FOR A NEW WORKOUT WARDROBE Lululemon FOR A QUICK BITE Pronto Bucci FOR FRESH SMOOTHIES Quench FOR A COLOURFUL CAFTAN Camilla FOR THE AMATEUR CHEF James St Cooking School FOR SOME SMOOTH TUNES Title FOR A DECADENT MEAL Gerard’s Bistro FOR BOHEMIAN COLLECTABLES St. Barts FOR A WARDROBE MAKEOVER French Rendezvous FOR COFFEE AND CAKE Sugar Jar TO REINVIGORATE YOUR FEET The Thai Foot Spa FOR SILKY SMOOTH LOCKS Sublime Hairdressing FOR THE STYLE HUNTER Calexico FOR A SUSHI ROLL Fresh Sushi Co. 68 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

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JAMES STREET / VILLAGE

EAT 1

CHOWHOUSE

SHOP 4A, 9 JAMES STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 3852 5155 www.chowhouse.com.au

Snuggled into a space neighbouring popular Palace Centro cinemas, Chowhouse is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While its food is delicious, the restaurant often attracts guests with its intriguing architecture. A wooden frame borders the outdoor dining space, with small terracotta pots of ferns and herbs scattered throughout. Classic bistro favourites are served up alongside a number of Asian dishes, specifically those inspired by traditional street food. Diners will also enjoy the large array of cocktails.

DRINK 2

AT SIXES AND SEVENS

67 JAMES STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 3358 6067 www.sixes.com.au

At Sixes and Sevens is a sleek gastropub perched at number 67 James Street. The former Queenslander has been drastically renovated and adorned with inviting furnishings that entice guests at lunch and dinner. The eatery and bar serve up a selection of bar snacks, share plates and pub meals in creative pairings. Think modern, gourmet interpretations of toasted sandwiches, and fish and chips. Match the edible offerings with a refreshing cider or craft beer, or share a carafe of wine served from the barrel.

SHOP 3

BEAU IN THE WOODS

SHOP 8, 65 JAMES STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 3161 0133 www.beauinthewoods.com

Beau in the Woods is home to a colourful collection of womenswear that embraces a playful mentality to dressing. The store’s vibrant namesake label is available, with a handful of fellow local names, as well as international designers. Visitors will discover goods from Dallas & Carlos, Nathan Smith and Miss Bibi. Alongside the sartorial threads that hang on racks is a selection of equally quirky homewares for dressing your abode.

DOING BUSINESS

GRAEME HUGHES CEO, GIFT NATION

SHOP 3, 49 JAMES STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY

PLAY 4

T. 3252 2980 www.giftnation.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? I was born in Brisbane and have been based here my whole life. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? The climate, the people and the close proximity to great beaches. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Retail trading is steadily increasing, with a boost in customer sentiment. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? In the corporate sector there has been a strong willingness from medium-to-large enterprises to improve business for consumer insight, understanding and engagement. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? I would encourage large organisations to set up head offices within our city. Providing economic stimulation, increased commercial competition and innovation are all important for growth. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? I see a matured yet relaxed environment, with a strong growth in population and infrastructure. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Innovation, development and growth, both in business and construction in and around the city. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that the people of Brisbane make it the city that it is. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Active and always moving forward.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Walking along the Brisbane River. SUBURB Hawthorne. RESTAURANT Byblos. CAFE Flute Food & Wine. BAR Mr & Mrs G Riverbar. ESCAPE At the beach. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Jan Powers Farmers Markets. PICNIC SPOT New Farm Park. RETAILER Gift Nation. LANDMARK Story Bridge.

BROOKLYN BEAUTY BAR

SHOP 5, 15 JAMES STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY T. 0421 202 447 www.brooklynbeautybar.com.au

After a day trawling the stores of James Street, visitors to the district can primp and preen themselves in the cool haven of Brooklyn Beauty Bar. Taking style cues from the famed New York borough, the interior teems with brick finishes and bookshelf wallpaper. The beauty bar specialises in eyebrow sculpting and colouring, while also offering a range of skin treatments, tanning and hand and feet services for both men and women.Try the famous 30-minute Glow & Go Facial or the Middle Eastern practice of threading.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 69

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VILLAGE / NEW FARM / TENERIFFE

NEW FARM / TENERIFFE BEST PLACE FOR ALL-DAY BREAKFAST Au Cirque FOR FINE DINING The Continental Cafe TO TASTE LOCAL FARE Sourced Grocer TO STRETCH OUT Ten Toes Yoga FOR A BOUTIQUE ESCAPE Spicers Balfour Hotel FOR A TASTE OF THE EXOTIC Himalayan Cafe FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION Eve’s on the River FOR FRESHLY BAKED BREAD Wunderbar Bakery Bistro FOR A STRONG COFFEE London Coffee Company FOR A PICNIC New Farm Park FOR FRESH PRODUCE Jan Powers Farmers Markets FOR AN ORIENTAL BREAKFAST Mizu FOR MODERN ART Fireworks Gallery FOR A SLEEK NEW LOOK Revolution Hair

The family-friendly district of New Farm offers the best of both worlds, with proximity to the city and large proportion of open space. The suburb is renowned for the impressively sprawled greenery at its namesake New Farm Park. Groups play animated games of football on its marked pitches, alongside families enjoying barbecues and picnics galore in hazy afternoon light. A manicured rose garden leading to a pergola where brass bands serenade audiences is another beloved feature of the popular park. Surrounding New Farm Park is a winding stretch of leafy properties and sloping hills. A cafe-friendly district, the suburb is home to a range of breakfast eateries on most of its corners. Weekends are thus a busy part of the precinct’s calendar, with

the park overrun with visitors and almost every local cafe full. Impressive architectural structures also fill the area, with the number of modern residences mounting, and coexisting alongside a handful of historic buildings. Modern development is particularly evident in the next-door suburb of Teneriffe, which is home to several opulent apartment developments. Crafted from former factories, these are stylish additions to Brisbane’s growing residential offerings. While the tiny suburb’s main drag is filled with eateries, it seems the quirky additions to its backstreets are proving to be the most popular dining destinations. Specialty stores have been introduced to cater to the gourmet tastes of the suburb’s large number of young professionals.

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NEW FARM / TENERIFFE / VILLAGE

EAT 1

PRIMAL PANTRY

CORNER OF FLORENCE AND MACQUARIE STREETS, TENERIFFE T. 3252 5960 www.primalpantry.com.au

The paleo lifestyle is the central inspiration for Teneriffe cafe Primal Pantry. Open for breakfast and lunch (as well as takeaway meals), the space crafts meals from health-conscious, gluten-free and organic ingredients. Breakfast options include cinnamon pancakes topped with grilled fig, accompanied by roasted organic and single-origin coffee from Fonzie Abbott Espresso. Coffee is served on paleo-friendly offerings of coconut and almond milks, as well as regular organic dairy options.

DRINK 2

REHAB BREWHOUSE

SHOP 6, 36 VERNON TERRACE, TENERIFFE T. 3252 8945 www.rehabbrewhouse.com.au

Rehab Brewhouse is an eating den situated on the main drag of Vernon Terrace in Teneriffe. The eatery specialises in share plates and tapas, making it a great dining alternative for larger parties. Sit inside the raw, urban interior and tuck into the delicious flavours of menu options including soft shell crab and green apple aioli, or one of the many daily deals. Guests can partner their choice of savoury dish with the craft beer and boutique wines at the bar.

SHOP 3

BANNETON BAKERY

876 BRUNSWICK STREET, NEW FARM T. 3161 5231 www.banneton.com.au

New Farm locals collect their pastry requirements from the petite Banneton Bakery that resides right by Merthyr Village. The narrow area houses both a cafe and bakery from which you can buy all manner of traditional baked treats. Buttery croissants and breakfast pastries are on offer alongside golden loaves of bread, delicate cakes and smaller sweet treats to cater to daily indulgences. All dough is prepared fresh daily using a process that avoids artificial additives and preservatives.

DOING BUSINESS

BRADEN SAUNDERS DIRECTOR, BITTER SUITE

75 WELSBY STREET, NEW FARM

PLAY 4

T. 3254 4426 www.bittersuite.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 30 years. Basically my whole life, except for two years I spent in Townsville and five years in London. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? The stage of growth of the present business environment makes it dynamic and interesting. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Young and vibrant. Many facets of business in Brisbane are at a pioneering level at present. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The growing thirst for good beers and the increasing interest in trying different styles is great. There’s also been a growth in interest in how certain types of beer can complement different foods. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? I would like to see reduced localised competition and an increase in collaborations between businesses. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? Look out Sydney and Melbourne! WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The revolution of the hospitality environment, as well as the movement towards creating localised community hubs. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … where to get good craft beer. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE I work hard and I play hard, with an occasional day out to relax.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Socialising with my staff, friends and family. SUBURB New Farm. RESTAURANT Bitter Suite, of course! CAFE The Three Monkeys. BAR Press Club. ESCAPE Beach Hotel, Byron Bay. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Relaxing. PICNIC SPOT Newstead Park. RETAILER Hugo Boss. LANDMARK The Gas Stripping Tower in West End.

BRISBANE POWERHOUSE

119 LAMINGTON STREET, NEW FARM T. 3358 8622 www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Nestled on the banks of the Brisbane River beside New Farm Park, the Brisbane Powerhouse has become a distinct landmark, both as a stunning industrial creation and as a hub for creative endeavours. After 30 years as a derelict power station, the space is now a venue for theatre, music, comedy, film, visual arts, festivals and ideas. The heritage-listed building hosts a 700-seat stage theatre, an intimate 200-seat apron-stage theatre, an 800-viewer open platform, two restaurants, conference and rehearsal rooms, and offices.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 71

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VILLAGE / NEWSTEAD

NEWSTEAD BEST PLACE FOR DECADENT CHOCOLATES Dello Mano TO TREAT YOUR POOCH The Pet Pad TO DECORATE YOUR HOME French and English FOR STUDIO HIRE Ross Street Studio FOR WHOLESOME FOOD Entice Me FOR A RELAXING LUNCH BREAK 33 Squares FOR AN EDGY ACCESSORY Convict Cuffs FOR FRESHLY BAKED TREATS Chester Street Bakery and Bar FOR A COSY BREAKFAST Shucked Coffee House FOR TAKEAWAY SUSHI Crazy Fish Sushi Bar FOR KITSCH AUSTRALIANA Everingham & Watson FOR A COSY COFFEE Larder 2 FOR YOUR DAILY COMMUTE Fusion Cycles FOR FRENCH ANTIQUES Vieille Branche

Flanked by factories and car showrooms, Newstead is a largely commercial pocket of land that is slowly transforming into a residential area. Heralded by the iconic Newstead House on its corner, the suburb hugs the curves of the river banks and sits snugly in between Teneriffe and Hamilton. The population of this village continues to multiply, thanks to the number of locals eager to move in and make the most of the area’s easy river access and picturesque views of the water. Apartment complexes are growing in Newstead, with construction of the chic Waterfront development recently completed. Manicured lawns surround architecturally designed parks and seating areas, where active denizens walk their four-legged friends. The walkways also attract

a large number of fitness fanatics busy undertaking running and cycling expeditions along the pavement morning and evening. Industrial estates and factories mostly surround these river-facing blocks, but such establishments are reducing in number. Taking their place is a range of residential and lifestyle offerings, as well as foodie hubs and cafes that are flourishing in unassuming buildings and hidden warehouses. Newstead will also soon welcome the long-anticipated Gasworks development, which will focus on improving the suburb’s lifestyle facilities. The extensive property space will offer plenty of retail opportunities, as well as office blocks and residential compartments for those wanting to be part of the area’s imminent growth.

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NEWSTEAD / VILLAGE

EAT 1

ROGUE BAR + BISTRO

14 AUSTIN STREET, NEWSTEAD T. 3257 0227 www.roguebistro.com

Rogue Bar + Bistro supplies delicious morsels of breakfast, lunch and dinner to Newstead locals. The culinary haunt boasts a relaxed atmosphere that combines smart interior restaurant-style seating with a more casual outdoor laneway of couches on which to recline. The minimalist interior is the setting where gourmet fare in a range of enticing sweet and savoury options is served. For passersby without a hankering for a meal, there is also the option of enjoying a simple cup of coffee by day, or glass of wine at the bar when evening rolls around.

DRINK 2

BLUE SKY COFFEE

32 COMMERCIAL ROAD, NEWSTEAD T. 1300 232 575 www.blueskycoffee.com.au

Blue Sky Coffee is the perfect place to get your Newstead caffeine hit. The boutique roastery supplies beans to businesses across Queensland, while the cafe invites customers to take a seat at one of the communal wooden tables and enjoy a cup of coffee brewed using specialised machines. The drinks menu is extensive, ranging from green jasmine and pear tea through to ristretto or cold-drip coffee. You’ll also find a selection of sweet and savoury items to savour for breakfast and lunch.

SHOP 3

FLOWERS IN HAND

34 WYANDRA STREET, NEWSTEAD T. 0435 457 300 www.flowersinhand.com

Flowers in Hand is a small floristry studio run by florist Rebecca Kell, who has a passion for crafting modern and bright bunches of blooms for a wealth of different occasions. The floral specialist avoids flowers grown using unnecessary chemicals, instead using domestically sourced blooms and those that have been ethically farmed. Request your own vibrant arrangement for your next event or special occasion. You could also learn to style flowers at one of the venue’s classes that instruct in the art of floristry.

DOING BUSINESS

CARL RHODES

MANAGER, TIPPLER’S TAP 22 MASTERS STREET, NEWSTEAD www.tipplerstap.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 12 years. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? I love how close Brisbane is to great camping spots and the mountain-bike tracks up Mount Coot-tha. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? I’m in the craft beer game and business is good. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? Awareness of craft beer has increased hugely, which has had a positive impact on me. Traffic has also gotten a lot worse, which makes me want to ride my bicycle more and that’s had a positive impact on me too. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? I believe in strong business ethics and respect, and that supporting local businesses is the way forward. Working within the community is sustainable and rewarding if everyone’s involved. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? I’d like to see more respect for our environment – fewer motor vehicles and more bicycles, with less smoking in public places. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? For me, it’s the evolution of the craft beer community and the growth in the number of cyclists, farmers markets and community gardens. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … where all the road potholes are located. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Nothing fancy but it works for me.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE

PLAY 4

TANGLED YARNS

9 CHESTER STREET, NEWSTEAD T. 3666 0276 www.tangledyarns.com.au

EXPERIENCE Mountain biking on Mount Coot-tha. SUBURB West End. RESTAURANT Mama Ferrari’s Pizza Bar. CAFE Cup Specialty Coffee. BAR The Scratch. ESCAPE Camping out of town. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Family time and bike riding. PICNIC SPOT Mount Coot-tha. RETAILER Gear. LANDMARK The steel kangaroo on George Street.

Craft-inclined types with a penchant for knitting and crochet will feel right at home at Tangled Yarns. The store presents an array of knitting and craft materials, including knitting needles, crochet hooks and a rainbow of different-coloured yarns. This is in conjunction with a number of books, patterns and accessories available. For those who are looking to improve their skills, the space also holds a range of lessons on subjects that include lacemaking, dyeing and crochet.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 73

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VILLAGE / EMPORIUM

EMPORIUM BEST PLACE

On Fortitude Valley’s edge sits Emporium. While the destination was once distinctly fashion focused, it’s direction has changed in the past 12 months thanks to an abundance of new eateries. These recent additions appeal to crowds hankering for a quick and delicious takeaway dish, helping to cater to the multitude of offices in the surrounding district. A notable assortment of fine-dining and specialty restaurants are also housed within the precinct, presenting a more formal affair for those wanting to while away an evening with a sophisticated meal. Specialty boutiques are also interspersed throughout the precinct that is dominated by the stylish urban residence, Emporium Hotel. Jewellery, fabrics and homewares abound in stores, with impressive collections of famed international menswear and womenswear labels available. Those seeking items for the little ones will also be pleasantly surprised with the precinct’s range.

FOR FINE FABRICS Alla Moda TO SPOIL YOUR BELOVED Angelo Andronis FOR THE DANCER IN YOU Bloch FOR FRESH DINING Buzz Bistro FOR THE DESIGN SAVVY ASA Tiles TO CARE FOR YOUR COMPLEXION Ella Baché TO TREAT YOUR LITTLE ONE Growing World FOR COMFY COUCHES King Furniture FOR MOROCCAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE Mecca Bah FOR A RED VELVET CUPCAKE Poppy Cakes FOR DISCERNING COLLECTION C Gallery TO PLAN YOUR NEXT VACATION The Couture Travel Company

EAT

ANN GYOZA BAR

DRINK

NANT WHISKY BAR

SHOP 26, 1000 ANN STREET,

SHOP 10, 1000 ANN STREET,

FORTITUDE VALLEY

T. 3172 3020 www.gyozabarann.com.au

T. 3160 2633 www.nantdistillery.com.au

Open for lunch and dinner, Ann Gyoza delivers delicious crispybottomed Japanese gyoza, alongside traditional bento and tower boxes crammed with delights. Evening hours see an extended menu introduced to the venue.

An extension of Nant Distillery in Tasmania, this dapper bar brings a collection of the distillery’s best whisky offerings to Brisbane. Sample from a range of 80 single-malt whiskies, served alongside a tapasstyle menu of Tasmanian produce.

SHOP

MITCHELL OGILVIE

PLAY

MÖVENPICK

SHOP 5, 1000 ANN STREET,

SHOP 57, 1000 ANN STREET,

FORTITUDE VALLEY

T. 3666 0328 www.mitchellogilvie.com

T. 3257 7778

This debonair menswear boutique houses a crop of international labels. Both formal and casual occasions are catered to with racks brimming with the latest threads from Paul Smith, Gant, Scotch & Soda, Ted Baker and Brioni.

www.moevenpick-icecream.com

Tuck into a delicious dessert at Swiss ice-creamery Mövenpick. Waffles and pancakes smothered in ice-cream are served alongside a choice of more than 30 ice-cream flavours, and an enticing range of drinks.

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THE BARRACKS / VILLAGE

THE BARRACKS BEST PLACE

The location where the notorious Petrie Terrace Gaol once stood is now a beacon of entertainment and dining destinations. The precinct is housed in Petrie Terrace, a petite suburb characterised by an intriguing assortment of older buildings and modern architectural beacons. Adjacent to The Barracks is lively Caxton Street, a growing community of bars and pubs that are particularly popular prior to and following sports matches at nearby Suncorp Stadium. At The Barracks, eateries are the area’s specialty – they cater to surrounding businesses as well as leisurely locals visiting the precinct. The cafes and restaurants act as the preface to the luxurious cinema that screens arthouse and international releases in comfortable surrounds. And as an added convenience, a supermarket, specialty stores, boutiques, a bottleshop and a chocolatier are also conveniently bundled in The Barracks’ selection of offerings.

FOR HANDCRAFTED BREADS AND DELICIOUS PATISSERIE ITEMS French Twist FOR A SLICE OF PIE The Chelsea TO FILL A PRESCRIPTION Barracks Pharmacy FOR FRESH BLOSSOMS Pure Florist TO WASH OUT STUBBORN STAINS Peerless Dry Cleaners FOR GOURMET BURGERS FaB Fish and Burger Grill TO SEND AN IMPORTANT EMAIL HiSpeed Internet Kiosks FOR CLEARER VISION 20/20 Optical FOR A RUSTIC SPANISH EXPERIENCE Peasant FOR QUICK AND DELICIOUS SUSHI Hanabishi FOR A CAR WAX AND POLISH Splash Car Wash FOR REEF AND BEEF Hog’s Breath Cafe

HAPPY LITTLE DUMPLINGS

DRINK

SHOP 16A, 61 PETRIE TERRACE,

THE BARRACKS

T. 3367 3353 ww.libertine.net.au

www.littledumplings.com.au

Restaurant and bar Libertine serves decadent plates of FrenchVietnamese cuisine amidst a sumptuous interior. Dishes are enjoyed alongside a range of wines sourced from boutique and organic producers, and elaborate cocktails.

EAT 1

LIBERTINE

SHOP 5, 61 PETRIE TERRACE,

Happy Little Dumplings (HLD) is a recent addition to The Barracks and the fourth addition to the HLD family. The dumpling menu spans flavours like pork and chive, pumpkin and sweet potato, and chilli duck.

SHOP

MAYFIELD CHOCOLATES

SHOP 8, 61 PETRIE TERRACE, THE BARRACKS T. 3367 3323 www.mayfieldchocolates.com.au

Mayfield Chocolates specialises in combining Belgian traditions with distinctly Australian tastes. Chocolate bites are formed by partnering cocoa with exotic bush flavours, such as lemon myrtle and macadamia.

PLAY

FLIGHT CENTRE

SHOP 16B, 61 PETRIE TERRACE, THE BARRACKS T. 3333 3800 www.flightcentre.com.au

If the daily grind is getting you down, Flight Centre at The Barracks will provide a welcome reprieve. Consult the travel experts for information on a range of travel locations, whether you want to explore our local Australian hotspots or fly across the seas.

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VILLAGE / PADDINGTON/ROSALIE

PADDINGTON / ROSALIE The imagery most often associated with Brisbane may be the rolling hills of Paddington, dotted with the wooden structures of iconic Queenslanders. Many of these older dwellings are inhabited by student residents, who bring a youthful energy to the suburb. It’s this buzz that is increasingly enticing professionals to Paddington, many of whom are renovating older cottages and modernising the precinct’s architecture. Paddington tempts visitors with its picturesque nature, but the region also serves a practical purpose as a shopping mecca. Latrobe Terrace runs straight through the length of the verandah-clad suburb, and the busy thoroughfare houses an array of boutiques that stock unique garments and local design

labels. Accessories for the abode can be found at the many interior design stores, and there’s also ample fossicking opportunities for vintage threads at the growing number of op shops and secondhand stores. Catering to the local tastebuds is a number of cafes interspersed amongst shopping quarters. Restaurants are also a prominent feature, including some of Brisbane’s oldest and most beloved establishments. More dining options are available next door in the leafy village of Rosalie, which is just as quaint as its neighbour. The tiny hub panders largely to the whims of foodies, offering locals a chance to explore its gourmet markets and number of specialised restaurants, which offer a varied range of fare.

BEST PLACE FOR A LAVISH HONKY TONK SALOON Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall TO DRESS UP YOUR LITTLE ONES Small Brown Bird FOR FLOATY FROCKS Mood Paddington FOR A PLACE TO WATCH THE SUNSET Little Brew TO STOCK UP THE PANTRY Pamela’s Pantry FOR TRADITIONAL ITALIAN Cafe Marinara FOR MODERN JAPANESE FLAVOURS Moga Izkaya & Sushi FOR HANDMADE HOMEWARES Green Tangerine FOR A CLASSIC READ Novel Lines Bookshop FOR LOCAL DESIGNS 108a Latrobe FOR RECYCLED HOMEWARES House 139 FOR NORTH ITALIAN EATS Il Locale FOR A LITTLE BIT OF INDULGENCE Blue Room Cinebar FOR A CAFFIENE HIT Tall Short Espresso 76 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

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PADDINGTON/ROSALIE / VILLAGE

EAT 1

BUNGALOW BAR

4/155 BAROONA ROAD, ROSALIE T. 3876 4653 www.bungalowbar.com.au

Bungalow Bar & Restaurant forms an urban oasis in the middle of Rosalie Village. The bar and restaurant’s structure is forged from an intriguing assortment of exposed lightbulbs, rope, wood and dangling greenery. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Bungalow also provides services for a tipple late into the evening, while hearty meals are served alongside a selection of boutique beers and wines. Traditional drops are available in conjunction with a seasonally appropriate cocktail list.

DRINK 2

THE ROGUE RENNARD

106A LATROBE TERRACE, PADDINGTON T. 0434 720 106 www.theroguerennard.com

Francophiles will adore The Rogue Rennard, which offers a French-inspired setting on Paddington’s main strip. The petite cafe is adorned with antique finishes indoors and rustic white tables and chairs basking in the sun out front, at which you can enjoy a meal from the all-day breakfast and lunch menu. The menu favours simple yet tasty meals, and the selection of offerings changes fortnightly. Coffee blends brewed at the cafe are by Cup Specialty Coffee, made using milk from Maleny Dairies or Bonsoy.

SHOP 3

GEMÜTLICH

SHOP 6, 151 BAROONA ROAD, ROSALIE T. 3162 7211 www.gemutlich.com.au

Gemütlich contains an awe-inspiring array of kitchen accessories within its space. Providing equipment for the most basic of home cooks as well as the professional, the shop stocks essentials for all manner of culinary activities. Within its walls you’ll discover a selection of stainless-steel pots and pans, knife sets, cake tins, and coffee-making essentials. For those hosting an upcoming dinner party, tableware and glassware is available, as well as a range of recipe books to serve as inspiration.

DOING BUSINESS

ALEXANDRA PONTING OWNER, AP DESIGN HOUSE

15 LATROBE TERRACE, PADDINGTON T. 3369 7144 www.apdesignhouse.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For 16 years. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? It’s like a big country town with all the perks of big city life. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Very steady with lots of highs! Our customer base is increasing rapidly by word of mouth and repeat business. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The talent that has been coming out of Brisbane is so refreshing, from fashion designers to artists, musicians and restaurateurs. These creatives make me so proud of our city. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? We need to make cafes and shops dog friendly! We also need to stay positive about our economy and stop focusing on the negatives. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? Beautiful, with more parks and more cultural precincts amongst all of our suburbs. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Angus McDonald is exhibiting at Edwina Corlette Gallery from October 1-19. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that impromptu BYO shop drinks at AP Design House generally occur on a Friday night. If you see the doors open and stools on the footpath, feel free to mosey on in. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Brisbane to me is a place of opportunity but is also close to my heart, as it is filled with my nearest and dearest.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE A long lunch with friends. SUBURB Paddington. RESTAURANT Montrachet. CAFE Little Brew. BAR Cru Bar + Cellar. ESCAPE Atlantic, Byron Bay. WEEKEND ACTIVITY A Mount Coottha walk. PICNIC SPOT The grass hill by Popolo Italian Kitchen & Bar. RETAILER Maryon’s. LANDMARK Stuartholme.

PLAY 4

THE FRENCH PEG

SHOP 2, 237 GIVEN TERRACE, PADDINGTON T. 3367 2230 www.thefrenchpeg.com.au

In a small but light-filled nook that sits in Paddington’s heart is The French Peg, a boutique run by a local fashionable sister duo. Housed within is a large range of clothing from well-known labels. Womenswear garments by May, State of Georgia, Chip Chop! and Lilya are just some of the fashionable labels hanging from its racks that stretch the length of the store. Adding even more colour to the clothing range are scatterings of colourful shoes and accessories displayed throughout the shop.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

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VILLAGE / SOUTH BANK

SOUTH BANK BEST PLACE FOR FRESH BLOOMS Flowers of the World FOR A SWEET SENSATION Great Aussie Sweet Company TO REST YOUR FEET Collectors Cafe, QM FOR RIVER VIEWS The Jetty South Bank FOR A SEAFOOD FEAST South Bank Surf Club FOR A PRE-SHOW TIPPLE Russell Street Wine Bar, QPAC FOR A GLOWING COMPLEXION Clearskincare Clinics FOR A GREAT PAIR OF SHOES Izabel + Sebastian TO UNWIND Blue Basement Cafe FOR ICE-CREAM MAGIC Nitrogenie FOR WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE Eve Health FOR ASIAN CUISINE Obsession Restaurant and Bar FOR OPEN-AIR DINING The Shore Restaurant and Bar FOR SCHOOL-HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT Children’s Art Centre, QAGOMA

Travellers and locals alike find refuge by the river at South Bank, with the precinct’s most famous destination – its sandy man-made beach – often filled with eager children joyfully splashing in its shallows. And its surrounding grassy banks are where visitors from abroad soak up warm rays of the Queensland sun. Walkways wind their way along the river banks, lined with colourful bursts of bougainvillea. These popular tracks stretch along the river and past a cluster of some of Brisbane’s most distinct cultural landmarks, including QPAC, State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art. These hotspots of cultural activity host a wealth of international drawcards, ranging from exclusive

productions to expansive groundbreaking art exhibitions. Newsworthy and educational buildings of note are also at home in this sector, including the ABC headquarters and the educational complexes of Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Queensland College of Art, which see students flock to the precinct on weekdays. Bars, cafes, eateries and formaldining institutions also line South Bank’s main pedestrian regions in the Parklands and on Little Stanley, spreading into nearby Grey Street. Devout foodies will also find heaven at the indulgent selection of restaurants in the tranquil River Quay hub – a secluded dining destination that overlooks the river at the far end of South Bank.

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SOUTH BANK / VILLAGE

EAT 1

AQUITAINE BRASSERIE

RIVER QUAY, SOUTH BANK T. 3844 1888 www.aquitainebrasserie.com.au

Riverside restaurant Aquitaine Brasserie holds an enviable position at River Quay. Inspired by the region of Aquitaine in south-west France, the brasserie offers a contemporary twist on classic French cuisine – think French onion soup, steak tartare and bouillabaisse. The wine list sees French and local drops sit side by side, while Aquitaine also directly imports Kronenbourg draft beer. The split-level venue takes advantage of its picturesque location, featuring an intimate mezzanine space upstairs and alfresco dining area downstairs.

DRINK 2

CHAMP KITCHEN & BAR

114 GREY STREET, SOUTH BANK T. 3844 4470 www.champkitchenandbar.com.au

champ kitchen & bar is snuggled into the ground floor of the modernist structure that houses the new ABC headquarters. In keeping with its surrounds, the venue embraces industrial tones, with concrete walls, timber, exposed pipes and caged lighting appearing throughout. During the day visitors can indulge in a leisurely breakfast or lunch, all the while enjoying the riverside views. At night, however, the space transforms into a lively destination for a drink and a nibble.

SHOP 3

TITLE

133 GREY STREET, SOUTH BANK T. 3844 4900 www.titlespace.com

TITLE is a store filled with leisurely delights that particularly appeal to the interests of bookworms and film buffs. The slick space stocks an impressive collection of CDs, records, novels and coffee-table books, alongside movie and film paraphernalia to trawl through. Items are sourced from all around the world, helping to create a varied collation of goodies. Amongst the shelves, guests will find both literary classics and rarities, as well as a music collection that stretches from jazz to world music.

DOING BUSINESS

DOMINIC ROSE

EXECUTIVE CHEF, RYDGES SOUTH BANK HOTEL CORNER OF GREY AND GLENELG STREETS, SOUTH BANK T. 3364 0800 www.rydges.com/southbank

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? All my life – I was born in Redcliffe and grew up in Strathpine. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? It is such a liveable city without all the hustle and bustle of down south. Brisbane has grown up a lot over the past few years and is finally getting the recognition it deserves. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Quite good considering! Obviously in an election year spending is tight, but Brisbanites are resilient and we are looking forward to business improving later in the year. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The Inner City Bypass and AirportlinkM7. I use it every day and it cuts my commute in half. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? We need more hotel rooms. We now have one of the best convention centres in Australia and need the hotel rooms to help support the demands on it. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? The G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2014 will really put Brisbane on the world stage and we will just continue to go from strength to strength. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Brisbane Festival and Riverfire, which get bigger and better each year. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that, before its redevelopment, South Bank was home to World Expo 88. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Laid-back! My wife and I like spending time in our garden and tinkering around our house.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Watching the F-111 fuel dump and burn at Riverfire. SUBURB Clayfield. RESTAURANT Bacchus. CAFE Alfred & Constance. BAR Bacchus. ESCAPE Event Cinemas Gold Class. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Driving my wife’s MINI Cooper S. PICNIC SPOT West End. RETAILER Apple. LANDMARK The Cauldron (Suncorp Stadium).

PLAY 4

THEOBROMA

SHOP 23, 164 GREY STREET, SOUTH BANK T. 3846 7097 www.theobroma.com.au

Tucked away from South Bank’s beach and busy surrounds, Theobroma is a great place to find some solitude within the precinct. The cafe appeals to chocoholics with a menu providing an array of cocoabased treats. Cakes, muffins, slices and cookies are all on offer, which can all be accompanied by an equally indulgent drink such as a creamy milkshake, hot chocolate or coffee. And for those with slightly stronger stomach pangs, there is also a number of savoury dishes to choose from.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

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VILLAGE / WEST END / SOUTH BRISBANE

WEST END / SOUTH BRISBANE BEST PLACE FOR HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS Hoo Ha Bar FOR SIPPING A LATTE Del Patron TO STOCK UP THE MUSIC COLLECTION Egg Records FOR FRESH PASTA The Spaghettihouse Trattoria FOR YAKITORI Bird’s Nest Restaurant FOR A FEEL-GOOD BEER Bosc FOR SOME VINTAGE SHOPPING Rag and Bone FOR HOMEMADE GYOZA Zagyoza FOR BREAKFAST IN THE SUN Merriweather FOR COFFEE TO GO Bass Espresso FOR THE SWEET TOOTH Filo & Co TO CAPTURE LIFE Queensland Centre for Photography FOR A TASTE OF THE ORIENT Chop Chop Chang’s

Just across the bridge from Brisbane’s CBD is West End – a thriving community that embraces its multicultural community. The suburb’s immigrant population gives visitors the opportunity to sample cuisine from all around the world. Greek souvlaki and salty haloumi are served on chequered tablecloths, while tasty pho and spring rolls reign supreme in crowded Vietnamese restaurants along Hardgrave Road. West End is also renowned for its coffee scene, which hosts a number of Brisbane’s key players in the realm of caffeine sipping. You’ll find nooks that craft delicious cold-pressed creations, alongside specialists offering the chance to sample beans from local roasteries, and petite cafes that proudly boast a dedicated crowd of regulars.

Organic edible delights can also be acquired at the famed Davies Park Farmers Markets, one of Brisbane’s most popular markets for finding fresh fruit and vegetables. Nestled right by the water, Davies Park is also a reflection of the area’s changing face, neighbouring a collection of charming old rowing sheds, as well as a growing number of sleek new apartment complexes. The culinary charm of West End is matched by its eclectic boutiques and quirky architecture, which enhance the offbeat persona of the suburb. Bridging West End and the CBD is the growing suburb of South Brisbane. As one of the city’s oldest areas, South Brisbane sees heritage buildings sitting alongside contemporary commercial and residential developments.

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SOUTH BRISBANE / WEST END / VILLAGE

EAT 1

THE ROASTERY CAFE

25 GLENELG STREET, SOUTH BRISBANE T. 3255 1655

Decked in striking shades of red, white and yellow, The Roastery Cafe is a colourful coffee house that has taken over the space of an old converted warehouse in South Brisbane. Stepping inside the destination’s white picket fence, you’ll be greeted by a group of communal tables, surrounded by stools on which you can sit and chat with your companions. Enjoy coffee roasted fresh in the cafe’s own roastery, partnered with one of the simple but delicious dishes that star on the tempting menu.

DRINK 2

COBBLER

7 BROWNING STREET, WEST END www.cobblerbar.com

Watering hole Cobbler has assembled a cocktail menu and list of drinking options that are tailored to the whisky enthusiast. The sleek bar offers its guests an array of specialty whisky-based drinks and concoctions that are crafted from liquor imported from all around the world. Revellers can choose to sample their choice of drink at the bar, or spend their time in comfort with a place at one of the many lounge- and bench-seating options that decorate the interior of the intimate two-level space.

SHOP 3

THE HAPPY CABIN

58 VULTURE STREET, WEST END T. 3844 9989 www.thehappycabin.com

The Happy Cabin is a cosy shopping space with an aesthetic reminiscent of a vintage-inspired camping experience. The boutique embraces a quaint outdoors appeal with its furnishings, which include hand-built tree-trunk clothing racks salvaged from the roadside. Stocked in-store is a collection of garments, clothing and quirky wares from a range of independent, international and local fashion designers and artists. These include labels Blackbird and the Owl, Field Notes, Muui and Mr Simple.

DOING BUSINESS

DUSTIN DAVIS

OWNER, SLING LOUNGE 153 BOUNDARY STREET, WEST END T. 3255 3522 www.slinglounge.com

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? For more than 17 years now. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? Brisbane is a fantastic vibrant city with the best weather in the country, surrounded by beautiful greenery and the sea. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? I think business is pretty healthy. There’s a lot going on and new places popping up everywhere. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? In hospitality, I think that the public’s perception of quality and a more scrutinising and discerning attitude has been a real plus for our industry. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? More support for small business is a necessity. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? Brisbane is only going to go from strength to strength with the constant development of the inner-city suburbs. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Brisbane Festival, which is a chance to showcase all the amazing things the city has to offer its residents. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that Margarita Mondays at Sling Lounge is the place to be on a Monday night. There are more than 40 margaritas to choose from. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE I work a lot, but in my downtime I try to take advantage of Brisbane’s many facilities.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Skydive Ramblers. SUBURB West End. RESTAURANT Mizu. CAFE Sourced Grocer. BAR Press Club. ESCAPE Far North Coast of NSW. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Relaxing. PICNIC SPOT The beach. RETAILER Michael Innis Menswear. LANDMARK Story Bridge.

PLAY 4

THE BOX

29 VULTURE STREET, WEST END www.theboxwestend.com

Local artistic hub The Box was born from nine young locals’ passion for supporting and harbouring Brisbane’s emerging talent. The petite venue resides in the former quarters of renowned vintage store Boxvintage, but today acts as a platform for multiple creative art forms. The charming converted Queenslander hosts exhibitions, theatrical productions and live music, while its back garden is home to another separate performance zone for larger and more lively affairs.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

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VILLAGE / WOOLLOONGABBA

WOOLLOONGABBA Sports enthusiasts will no doubt be familiar with the inner-city suburb of Woolloongabba, thanks to the grand Brisbane Cricket Ground (nicknamed ‘The Gabba’) that sits in its midst. In the shadows of this looming sports mecca, sits a suburb with a growing arts and food community that is attracting a new breed of visitors to the area. The cultural suburb branches outwards from a designated section located at the end of Logan Road. In recent years, this dead-end section of the main street has been transformed into a quaintly decorated foodie destination that caters to grumbling stomachs morning, noon and night. Many of Brisbane’s rising and brightest food stars can be discovered here, with opportunities to indulge in plenty of refined

modern-Australian cuisine, as well as dishes that are a little more on the exotic side. Weekends see the destination flourish with locals eager to welcome the two-day break with a tasty breakfast and a stellar coffee outdoors. It’s also common for these morning visitors to then make their way to the live antique auctions that are regularly underway, or traipse through the increasing collection of antiques centres and specialty furniture stores that abound in the nearby area. Independent galleries are also interwoven amongst Woolloongabba’s warehouses and welcome visitors to peruse local artistic talent. And for the shopping addict, there are plenty of boutiques to explore throughout the neighbourhood.

BEST PLACE FOR A GREAT CUP OF JOE The Little Prince Espresso FOR LOVERS OF COFFEE Foxy Bean FOR PALEO ENTHUSIASTS Purely Decadent Cafe FOR THAT ROCKABILLY LOOK That Shop FOR A BEAUTIFUL SCENT Damask Perfumery FOR INSPIRING ARTWORK Woolloongabba Art Gallery FOR A ROUND OF TRIVIA Australian National Hotel FOR SPECIALTY BAKED GOODS The Baker’s Arms FOR A FRESH MOJITO Canvas Cocktail and Wine Bar FOR FUNKY FURNITURE Woolloongabba Antique Centre FOR A RELAXING MASSAGE Total Bliss Health and Beauty FOR EUROPEAN EPICURE The Servery TO SWEAT IT OUT Rehab + Fitness FOR A BOUQUET OF BLOOMS Fast Flowers Woolloongabba 82 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

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WOOLLOONGABBA / VILLAGE

EAT 1

BIRDCAGE PAN ASIAN

14 LOGAN ROAD, WOOLLOONGABBA T. 3162 1185 www.birdcage.com.au

A vibrantly decorated addition to the Woolloongabba food scene is BirdCage Pan Asian Cuisine. The charming restaurant serves up steaming plates of exotic dishes inspired by the heady flavours of Southeast Asia. A range of different Asian cultures combines to create an intriguing menu that blends Vietnamese with Malaysian cuisine, led by the talents of former Bistrot Bistro chef, Matthew Baillie. A full cocktail bar accompanies the tantalising meal options on offer.

DRINK 2

MOOSE & GIBSON

77 JURGENS STREET, WOOLLOONGABBA T. 3172 7667 www.mooseandgibson.com

Moose & Gibson is a cafe with an industrial edge that is tucked just off the main drag of Logan Road in Woolloongabba. Various natural textures such as polished concrete floors, wooden tables, a timber bar, exposed copper pipes and a vertical garden create the industrial feel. Take a moment to glance up, and you’ll spy a large antler light that plays on the name of the cafe. Moose & Gibson serves breakfast until 2:00 pm, along with a selection of sandwiches and cakes and Two Seasons coffee.

SHOP 3

LITTLE PEACH CO.

663 STANLEY STREET, WOOLLOONGABBA T. 3391 6342 www.littlepeachco.com.au

Avid stationery lovers will be enamoured with the delicate goods for sale at letterpress specialist, Little Peach Co.. The local business focuses on creating custom-made letterpress designs for wedding invitations, business cards and unique stationery. Each quaint piece is created from scratch for the individual, with the owners working with traditional methods of letterpress, foil stamping and Verco-type thermographic printing to achieve a distinct look for each design formed in studio.

DOING BUSINESS

PETA VINNING

CO-OWNER, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS 39 LOGAN ROAD, WOOLLOONGABBA T. 3391 1444 www.absofab.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? I’ve spent most of my adult life in Brisbane. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? I have enjoyed watching it morph into the great city it is today. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Currently it’s fabulous and it seems that it’s only continuing to grow. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? The relaxation of licensing laws. I love all of the new bars and restaurants that are popping up around the area as a result of these laws changing. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Customers need more inspiration – I feel that’s a really important part of business. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? I would like to see Brisbane standing proud and hopefully bathed in the same glorious sunshine. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? Definitely Brisbane Festival. I always enjoy the Spiegeltent, as well as the entertaining display of fireworks at Riverfire. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that the Woolloongabba area has some of the best ethnic food shops available in town. Try Pennisi Cuisine or Mirch Masala for some delicious goodies. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE It’s definitely busy, but very fun at the same time.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE The CityCat. SUBURB Woolloongabba. RESTAURANT Any with good service. CAFE All in Woolloongabba. BAR My balcony! ESCAPE North Stradbroke Island. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Strolling along the Brisbane River. PICNIC SPOT Mowbray Park. RETAILER Absolutely Fabulous. LANDMARK Cultural Centre.

PLAY 4

JAMIESON’S

37 LOGAN ROAD, WOOLLOONGABBA T. 3194 6836

Logan Road is host to a number of home and fashion boutiques, but step inside this Woolloongabba store and you’ll find both in the one place. Home furnishings and bright trinkets share the space with carefully selected clothing garments for both men and women. The interior of Jamieson’s Home & Fashion is a hub of modern furniture, practical homewares and contemporary design. Whether you’re decorating a new home, browsing for a gift or looking to treat yourself, this quaint boutqiue is the place to go.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

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VILLAGE / BULIMBA / HAWTHORNE

BULIMBA / HAWTHORNE A gentler pace of life is enjoyed in the adjoining southside districts of Bulimba and Hawthorne. Dappled light fills leafy streets that weave around the area’s main thoroughfares of Riding Road and Oxford Street. Scattered along these roads is an abundance of character-filled eateries and cafes, which provide the perfect perch for a spot of people watching and a leisurely breakfast or lunch. Oxford Street is the most renowned stretch of the neighbourhood and features dining destinations for all budgets. This range of eateries attracts a bustle of activity that lasts from lunchtime through to night. But it’s often the early hours when you will see the area come to life. The prominent cafe culture buzzes with coffee-seeking locals who stop for a quick break and catch up

amongst friends, or to grab takeaways from hole-in-the-wall espresso bars. The elongated strip of Oxford Street also leads directly up to a picturesque jetty where you can catch a ferry to explore the river, accompanied by commuters making their way into town for business. The easy-going lifestyle of the Bulimba and Hawthorne neighbourhoods maintains a distinctly family-friendly ambience, offering plenty of entertainment options for the younger generation. The Bulimba Memorial Park is a grassy space complete with a playground that sees flocks of children climbing its equipment daily. The area also houses two older but beloved cinemas that often overflow with both families and film buffs.

BEST PLACE FOR A FILM Hawthorne Cinemas FOR FRENCH INSPIRED CLOTHING Blue Illusion FOR ECO ACCESSORIES Cork Leather FOR UNIQUE GIFTS Green Grass Home & Body FOR TEQUILA AND TACOS La Quinta Mexican Café y Bar FOR JAPANESE DELIGHTS Sushi Mura FOR THE BOOKWORM Riverbend Books and Teahouse FOR BROW MAINTENANCE BrowZing FOR A CRUSTY LOAF Bread & Butter FOR WHOLESALE GOURMET TREATS Fino Food and Wine FOR A HEALTHY OPTION Willes Fine Foods TO DECORATE FOR YOUR NEW ARRIVAL My First Room FOR LOCAL ART LOVERS Bulimba Village Gallery FOR HOLE-IN-THE-WALL EATS Yum Yum Gyoza House 84 BRISBANE MAGAZINE 2013/14

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BULIMBA / HAWTHORNE / VILLAGE

EAT 1

BUNGALOW 4171

1/134 HAWTHORNE ROAD, BULIMBA T. 3899 9956 www.bungalow4171.com.au

A row of picturesque white wooden deckchairs helps to entice passersby inside the cafe of Bungalow 4171, which is perched on one of the Bulimba’s busiest roads. Vintage decor is embraced amongst the corner cafe’s interiors, enhancing its cosy menu of rustic breakfast meals, homemade treats and old-fashioned favourites. Guests can tuck into enticing plates of big breakfasts, accompanied by juices served in old milkshake glasses and adorned with a whimsically striped paper straw.

DRINK 2

MUGGED ESPRESSO BAR

134 OXFORD STREET, BULIMBA T. 3399 4005

Mugged Espresso Bar is a hole-in-the-wall favourite that sits directly opposite the beloved Bulimba Memorial Park. The petite space tempts coffee lovers from all over the neighbourhood daily with its range of freshly brewed espresso options. The cafe offers up strong cups of Campos coffee, which partner a selection of delicious sweet and savoury treats. These include daily made ciabattas, muffins and warm banana bread smothered with butter. Intended for the time-limited, all offerings are made for takeaway only.

SHOP 3

SUGO MI GROCERIA

SHOP 3, 190 OXFORD STREET, BULIMBA T. 3395 6327 www.sugomi.com.au

Tucked down an alleyway next to its adjoining pizza bistro, Sugo Mi Groceria and Gelateria stocks a plethora of staples for the Italian pantry. Rounds of pizza dough to spin and stretch at home are available, alongside fresh pasta, cured Italian meats, cheeses and antipasto essentials. For sweet tooths, the space is renowned for its homemade gelato and sorbet. Made fresh daily, the lavish range of gelato flavours includes delectable pistachio, salted caramel and pomegranate sorbets.

DOING BUSINESS

DAN PALMER

OWNER, THE HAWTHORNE GARAGE 285 HAWTHORNE ROAD, HAWTHORNE T. 3899 5511 www.hawthornegarage.com.au

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? I am a born-and-bred Brisbanite. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? In an hour or two, you are at the best beaches and islands in the world. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? While there have been challenges for businesses during the past few years, consumer confidence is starting to emerge again. I believe there is now a lot of opportunity in the market. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? There is an increasing love for quality fresh produce and good food. Consumers are wanting healthier and more diverse meal solutions. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? I am a big believer in customer service. Having seen the level of customer service available internationally, I think we definitely have room for improvement. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? With improved infrastructure and transport systems to cope with the increasing population and growing culture. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? The Hawthorne Garage is just about to celebrate its first birthday. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … the secrets of Moreton Bay and its islands. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE When not at work, I take every opportunity to get to the beach and catch up with family and friends.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Waterskiing on the Brisbane River. SUBURB Hawthorne. RESTAURANT 1889 Enoteca. CAFE Ave Cucina & Coffee Bar. BAR Laruche. ESCAPE The Gold or Sunshine Coasts. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Anything on or near water. PICNIC SPOT It’s been a while since I have been on a picnic. RETAILER The Hawthorne Garage. LANDMARK Story Bridge.

PLAY 4

SIDE STREET VINTAGE

SHOP 5, 85 RIDING ROAD, HAWTHORNE T. 3399 2729 www.sidestreetvintage.blogspot.com.au

Side Street Vintage hosts a collection of wares that cater to those with a passion for collecting quirky vintage items, as well as those with a penchant for crafts. In-store is an abundance of craft supplies and quirky handmade goods, as well as a selection of ladylike tea-sets and unique jewellery. The store also accommodates those with an interest in interior decoration – a range of coloured chalk paints is sold and a growing collection of retro-inspired prints and posters is available for purchase.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 85

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VILLAGE / ASCOT/HAMILTON

ASCOT / HAMILTON BEST PLACE FOR A SELECTION OF CHEESES MacNab Provedore FOR GREAT COCONUT CRUMPETS Zest Bistro FOR A FRENCH DINING EXPERIENCE Baguette TO SHOW SOMEONE YOU CARE Hacienda Flowers and Furnishings FOR AN INTIMATE DINNER Byblos FOR FRESH PRODUCE Eagle Farm Markets TO WATCH THE LASTEST FLICK Dendy Portside FOR CHARMING HOMEWARES Victor Scot Gifts and Homewares TO COMPLETE YOUR LOOK Hamilton Lashes FOR THE CATCH OF THE DAY Fresh n Wild Fish Portside TO BOOK A CRUISING HOLIDAY Go see Touring FOR A BOUTIQUE WORKOUT SPACE Studio Pilates FOR THOSE CHILLI CRAVINGS The Burrito Bar FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY Moda Events Portside

Resplendent poincianas pave the hillside streets of Ascot and neighbouring suburb of Hamilton. The prestigious area is decorated with a handful of notable parks and manicured gardens that host historic houses, including many grand Queenslanders. At the area’s centre is the popular Racecourse Road, which contains lifestyle essentials for the neighbourhood. Supermarkets, boutiques and a selection of celebrated restaurants fit together into an easily walkable stretch that is particularly popular for leisurely lunches throughout the week and weekend breakfasts. The suburban location also surrounds two large racecourses that form the heart of Brisbane’s racing community – Doomben

Racecourse and Eagle Farm Racecourse, as well as the horseharness and greyhound racing track at Albion Park Racecourse. Dapper gents and ladies dressed to the nines flock here weekly, placing bets and losing money with equal enthusiasm before making their way to the various drinking holes and iconic pubs nearby. Hamilton’s borders continue to expand with the developments at Portside Wharf. These new complexes of luxury apartments face the river and surround a precinct of shops and eateries, as well as the art-houseinclined Dendy Portside cinemas. Portside Wharf is also the preferred location for cruise ships to dock before setting sail, and it’s customary for locals to spend a lazy afternoon (with cocktail in hand) gazing at the luxury liners in port.

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ASCOT/HAMILTON / VILLAGE

EAT 1

STRAY LEAVES ON HIGH

SHOP 3, 7 BUTLER STREET, ASCOT www.strayleavesonhigh.com.au

Stray Leaves on High is a unique space in Ascot that combines the owner’s passion for books, food and coffee in one petite setting. Tables adorned with quaint tablecloths and stacks of readable material welcome customers to take a seat at the cafe out front, where cups of hot tea and coffee can be enjoyed with a slice of cake. Head out back, and you’ll discover a miniature bookstore, complete with a range of pre-loved literature offerings and a handful of curios.

DRINK 2

DEER SIR

PORTSIDE WHARF, 39 HERCULES STREET, HAMILTON T. 3216 4116 www.deersir.com.au

Tucked away inside the gorgeous Co Design homewares shop at Portside Wharf, Deer Sir is a calm oasis to enjoy a cup of coffee and a nibble. Take a seat amongst the antiques, gifts and jewellery of the cafe’s sister store and recharge with a delicious range of treats before continuing your shopping experience. Allpress Espresso coffee and organic Harney & Sons tea are on the Deer Sir menu, as is a range of sweet and savoury treats.

SHOP 3

HUNT & GATHER

PORTSIDE WHARF, 39 HERCULES STREET, HAMILTON T. 3868 4104 www.huntandgatherboutique.com.au

The rows of colourful garments that fill the racks at Hunt & Gather Boutique appeal to the fashionable ladies of the district. Clothing options for a range of different occasions fill the boutique, ranging from casual ensembles to cocktail dresses, as well as a selection of formal options intended for racing events at nearby racecourses. Labels such as Wish, Charlie Brown and Ladakh are available in-store, beside a section dedicated to bags and accessories.

DOING BUSINESS

KIM HODGES

DESIGNER, KIM HODGES DESIGN 159 RACECOURSE ROAD, ASCOT T. 3268 7432

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN BRISBANE? Since I was six years old, so for most of my life. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN BRISBANE? I love its subtropical climate. HOW’S BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? Quite varied – business always tends to suffer coming up to an election period. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? There have been great cultural improvements. I’ve seen QPAC continue to grow since it first opened, when I designed its uniforms. HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE BUSINESS IN BRISBANE? For everyone to be in work, meaning the council needs to create more job opportunities. HOW DO YOU SEE BRISBANE IN 2019? Hopefully more like Paris, with plenty more green spaces, fountains and water features. Brisbane is a subtropical city and its public features and spaces should reflect that. WHAT’S THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE? All of the new exhibitions and stage productions that are arriving, particularly the My Country, I Still Call Australia Home exhibition at GOMA. ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW … that there is a two-cell lock-up from the early days of Brisbane’s settlement tucked into the Kangaroo Point Cliffs. DESCRIBE YOUR BRISBANE LIFESTYLE Laid-back, lazy and subtropical.

FAVOURITE BRISBANE EXPERIENCE Brisbane by night. SUBURB Kangaroo Point. RESTAURANT Little Greek Taverna. CAFE Le Bon Choix. BAR Brisbane Jazz Club. ESCAPE Visiting art galleries. WEEKEND ACTIVITY Gardening. PICNIC SPOT Brisbane Botanic Gardens. RETAILER Archives Fine Books. LANDMARK Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

PLAY 4

BOU’S FOR MEN

PORTSIDE WHARF, 39 HERCULES STREET, HAMILTON T. 3868 2154 www.bousformen.com.au

Portside Wharf barbershop Bou’s For Men caters to the grooming-conscious gentleman. The store delivers barbershop services that range from a basic trim to the latest celebrity trends in haircuts, pairing each service with a luxurious and complimentary cut-throat neck shave and scented hot towel. Other options available include clipper cuts, beard trims and shaving for the face and head. Complement your experience with products available in-store from Taylor of Old Bond Street, American Crew and Truefitt & Hill.

FOR BRISBANE’S WEEKLY FOOD AND LIFESTYLE NEWS, VISIT THEWEEKENDEDITION.COM.AU

WWW.BRISBANEMAGAZINE.COM.AU 87

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TRAVEL / VALLEY OF THE LAKES

VALLEY OF THE LAKES

The Valley of the Lakes, also known as the Somerset Region, is a natural sanctuary one hour north of Brisbane. From native bushland and farmland, to winding rivers and spectacular lakes, the region encourages visitors to breathe in the fresh country air and enjoy the very best of nature. Whether you’re keen to learn more about the area’s rich history, experience the local hospitality or get active on Lake Wivenhoe, Lake Somerset or Atkinson Dam, the Valley of the Lakes has it all. As the gateway to the Brisbane River catchment, the region presents a wealth of opportunities for watersport enthusiasts. Visitors and locals enjoy swimming, canoeing, water-skiing, wake-boarding, fishing and sailing on the lakes, while the townships of Esk, Fernvale, Lowood, Toogoolawah and Kilcoy offer a great range of accommodation options and dining destinations.

VISITOR INFORMATION

– Lake Wivenhoe is more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour, so take advantage of the opportunity with a kayak. – Hop on a bike or a horse and follow the path of the old Brisbane Valley Rail Line. – Grab a fishing permit and try your luck catching Golden Perch, Mary River Cod and Australian Bass at Lakes Wivenhoe and Somerset. – Strap your walking shoes on for a tour of Glen Rock State Forest.

CONSUME

– Picnic spots and barbecue facilities are dotted around the lakes, providing the perfect location for a midday munch. – Take the time to pop in and sample an award-winning drop at one of the Somerset Region’s many boutique wineries. – Experience the charm of the friendly locals with a meal at one of the quaint cafes, bakeries, restaurants or country pubs. – Join the fun at the regular Esk Picnic Races.

KEEPSAKES

– Stroll through the charming streets and pick up an antique item or craft piece. – Find plenty of historical buildings and natural wonders to snap on your camera. – Treat the kids to a fun farmstay experience while residing in an historic homestead. – Browse the Fernvale markets on a lazy Sunday morning for some takehome treasures. – Gourmet gifts for friends and family from local olive farms.

visitbrisbane.com.au / IMAGES COURTESY OF TOURISM QUEENSLAND

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GREAT SANDY STRAIT / TRAVEL

GREAT SANDY STRAIT

If you’re in need of a seachange, the clear waters and calm bays of the Great Sandy Strait could be the perfect cure. The 70 km sand passage estuary separates the mainland from the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and is home to an abundance of shorebirds and marine life. UNESCO awarded the Great Sandy Region with Biosphere Reserve Status in 2009, keeping its waters protected and allowing the native flora and fauna to thrive. Wetlands and beaches merge into woodlands and rainforests, creating one of the most diverse regions in the country. The sleepy villages of Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay, Poona, Boonooroo, Tuan and Tinnanbar dot the coastline, offering a number of great attractions and accommodation options. Enjoy a spot of fishing, sailing, birdwatching or bushwalking – or simply take a break and stretch out on a secluded patch of golden sand.

VISITOR INFORMATION

– Take the 218 km drive from Brisbane at a leisurely pace and stop off at Bribie Island and the Sunshine Coast. – Walk 2 km along the beach from the Rainbow Beach Surf Life Saving Club and witness the Coloured Sands in all their glory. – Bring the kids on an exploration of the local bays, sand flats and mangrove-lined creeks. – Pack a life jacket and throw in a line while sailing on The Great Sandy Strait.

CONSUME

– Pick up takeaway fish and chips or catch your own. There’s no better place to enjoy it than right on the beach. – Visit Tin Can Bay Marina Bar & Grill for breakfast, lunch or dinner with spectacular views. – Pack some roadtrip treats and head out on the Great Sandy Strait Discovery Trail. – Enjoy an evening tipple aboard the Blue Dolphin catamaran with a Champagne Sunset Cruise around Hervey Bay.

KEEPSAKES

– Experience a thrill when you paraglide or hang-glide over Carlo Sand Blow at Rainbow Beach. – Spot a dolphin, turtle or dugong dwelling its natural habitat. – Map out the region’s designated 4WD areas, turn up the music and enjoy the exhilarating ride through nature. – Time your visit to take part in the annual Bay to Bay Trailerable Yacht Race, held each May. – Get amongst nature and hire a houseboat or pitch a tent.

visitfrasercoast.com / IMAGES COURTESY OF TOURISM QUEENSLAND

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TRAVEL / SPRINGBROOK

SPRINGBROOK

Nestled in the Gold Coast hinterland just 100 km south of Brisbane, Springbrook offers a relaxing escape less than one-and-a-half hours from the CBD. Boasting lush subtropical rainforests, scenic mountain outlooks, awe-inspiring waterfalls and a host of rare flora and fauna, the McPherson Range is quite simply a natural wonderland. The key areas of Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal, Natural Bridge and Numinbah form the heritage-listed Springbrook National Park, meaning there’s no shortage of fun activities to do and gorgeous sights to see. Whether you’re in need of solo contemplation, a romantic escape or an action-packed family getaway, Springbrook will cater to all moods and agendas. It may have been 22 million years since the region’s volcano erupted last, but visitors will find plenty of natural splendour in the Gondwana rainforest.

VISITOR INFORMATION

– Enjoy an evening of stargazing at the Springbrook observatory. – Breathe in the fresh mountain air on one of the many bushwalks or hiking trails, suitable for a range of fitness levels. – Snuggle up with someone special in a romantic self-contained chalet at The Mouse’s House rainforest retreat. – After the sun dips behind the horizon, strap on a head torch and search for glow worms and luminous fungi.

CONSUME

– Refuel with organic produce at the Dancing Waters Cafe, located next to Springbrook National Park. – Pack a picnic and take advantage of the gorgeous parks and scenic lookouts and barbecue facilities in the area. – Pick up a bottle of local O’Reilly’s wine from Springbrook General Store and Cafe. – If you’re in need of a sugar hit, hop along to The Fudge Shop and stock up on coffee, fudge and ice-cream.

KEEPSAKES

– Pack your camera and capture photographs of rare and threatened species in their natural habitat. – Experience a renewed energy that comes courtesy of the fresh air and lush surrrounds. – Pop into local gift shop Craft Corner Gallery to collect souvenirs and exquisite glassworks. – Take home a piece of your own artwork and some new creative skills after a session with GC Arts Councilling.

springbrooktourism.com.au / IMAGES COURTESY OF SPRINGBROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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a r e v a m Pri

ING R P S T L E B E GRANIT nature ~ e r u t l u c ~ food ~ wine

Steeped in European heritage we have celebrated Primavera (Italian for Spring) for generations. Join us as we celebrate renewal with a delectable menu of Spring events; savour the region’s flavours and learn the stories of the winemakers, providores and artisans who bring the season to life. Granite Belt Wine Country lives life by the seasons.

Primavera offers an array of cultural and gastronomic events with new wine vintage releases and the opportunity to ‘meet our makers’ amongst a visual feast of apple blossoms and wildflowers.

www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 1800 SO COOL

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BRISBANE MAGAZINE

BRISBANE'S MOST SPECTACULAR RIVERFRONT DINING DESTINATION

BRISBANE MAGAZINE WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE LIVE, SHOP, WORK, RELAX + PLAY

ISSUE 11 / 2013/2014

ISSUE 11 2013/2014 $6.95 FASHION FRITZ SCHWARZ DESIGN BEN JOHNSTON BUSINESS NOEL NIDDRIE SCIENCE JUDITH CLEMENTS SPORT CARLEE BEATTIE

CONTEMPORARY FRENCH CUISINE

COVE BAR AND DINING ALFRESCO OYSTER AND CHAMPAGNE BAR

POPOLO

MODERN ITALIAN FARE

RIVERQUAY.COM.AU (SIDON STREET, SOUTH BANK)

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THE JETTY

QUEENSLAND CUISINE WITH ASIAN INFLUENCES

STOKEHOUSE Q CONTEMPORARY MEDITERRANEAN

WHO WE ARE, WHERE WE LIVE, SHOP, WORK, RELAX + PLAY

AQUITAINE BRASSERIE

ARTS LI CUNXIN GOURMET HELEN BIRD

12/08/13 7:00 AM