HELLO SPRING

Hello Spring - You Gorgeous Thing!

www.oasismagazine.com.au

THIS REALLY IS CAIRNS’ MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

The city is alive with the excitement and colour of festivals and spring racing, and there is an air of rejuvenation about the city, undoubtedly generated by a few weeks of cooler temperatures. And speaking of celebrations - we’re in party mode as Oasis Magazine turns three! Hip Hip Hooray!

I want to extend my enormous gratitude to the droves of wonderful people who have contributed to my magazine since its launch back in 2014. I’m so incredibly thankful to be supported by some of Cairns best and brightest business owners, who continually offer me so much motivation, guidance and criticism when it’s necessary!

And here’s to many more candles on the cake!

In this issue, as usual, we’ve searched high and low to bring to you the most interesting bits of local life.

A highlight of this issue was being welcomed into the home of Meaghan Confait and Liam Downes, whose life changed so dramatically in 2012, after a seemingly ordinary activity saw Liam slip from a ladder, break his neck and then begin the greatest battle of his life. Theirs is a story of love and family, of hope and strength, and a determination that is infectious. Please join us on page 38, and hear the heartwarming promise Liam made to Meaghan.

We also catch up with former Oasis Magazine cover-couple, Michelle and Wade Champion, as they join the Marsh Property team in their stunning Edge Hill office.

We’ve got the inside scoop on the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef movement, the brainchild of the founder of Earth Hour, Andy Ridley, and we meet Redlynch siblings, Ben and Sam Hope, to chat about their band, Twelve Ballet, recently being unearthed by TripleJ.

Our resident columnists, Hayley Gillespie, Keesha MacLean, and Bluey Forsyth give us their take on the local arts, music, and sporting scenes, while Dave Warner gives us his two cents worth in Warner’s Corner. And we take a look at the soaring successes of female architects in Cairns.

We also check in on a few of the upcoming TEDxJCU speakers, and find out more about this global innovation movement that Jen McHugh has brought to Cairns, and Aylie McDowall reveals her new design showroom, Pattern By Design.

And the fashion - who can resist the fashion!? This time of year is perfectly designed for kitting up in our finest, and this issue’s style will not disappoint. Our front cover and fashion shoot features the very stunning Nicky Balderson, oozing glamour in gorgeous outfits from Tea Lily, while Oceana Walk Arcade introduce their Cairns Cup Fashion Ambassadors - Maddy Dixon, Stacie Galeano, Michele Annison and Rachel Bradley.

Supporting local small business is what we’re famous for, and in this issue we have an abundance of local style for you to draw inspiration from. I’m delighted to feature some of the city’s finest, locally owned fashion retailers - Tea Lily, Oceana Walk Arcade, Lulubelle’s, Wild Sugar,

F'Amazing and Pattern By Design. Local businesses rely on the support of locals, so can I please ask that when you’re hunting for new outfits for the upcoming season, to look local first. Your purchases will mean the world to the families who run those businesses.

Until next time,

JULES STEER Publisher | Oasis Magazine