OurNarangba & Burpengary Magazine January 2016

Look Up and Look Out for Koalas

Get Crafty in Narangba Stellarossa Opening in Narangba

January 2016 Edition

Meet the Artist, Teresa MacLean Join us on

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Y HL T N ITY O E M MUN NE E FR OM AZI C AG M

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Letter from the Editor Welcome to our January 2016 edition. I hope you are all having a safe and enjoyable holiday period.

Next month, due to the growing requests from our Burpengary readers, we will bring our community magazine to Burpengary. Our new look will be packed with new columnists, more local stories, a community noticeboard plus much more!

Our community will welcome Stellarossa to Narangba Valley with their new store opening this month. Why not stop by and say hello to Narangba locals, Gordon and Jo Baker, owners of this exciting new venue!

Read all about in on page 14.

I would like to welcome our new writers to our team, Danica Clayton, Kristine Lane and Melina Simpson.

They all have a passion for writing and love getting involved in the community. Our team has had a lot of fun writing for this edition as we spoke with Narangba koala rescue volunteer, Mark Southam, about the challenges we have with our koala population. I encourage you to take a moment to put the koala rescue contact number in your phone. We also had a chat with local artist, Teresa MacLean and met a group of skilled crafters!

For those who love fitness, we introduce you to the Crossfit New Beginning 4504 team. A great read on page 35.

We hope you enjoy our January 2016 edition and remember, there are more stories online so visit our website at www.ournarangba.com.au.

THIS EDITION NARANGBA TIES TO MORETON BAY KOALA RESCUE 4 L O C A L A R T I S T P R O F I L E : T E R E S A M A C L E A N

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R A Y W H I T E C O L O U R I N G C O M P W I N N E R S !

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O N O U R D O O R S T E P Cardigan Bar

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GET CRAFTY AT NARANGBA FREE CRAFT GROUP

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NARANGBA’ S NEW D I NI NG D ELI GHT

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T H E F L I P S I D E W I T H K I M & A L E X Dress for Summer

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NARANGBA BUSINESS GROUP Ridley Aquafeed

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H O M E M A D E W I T H H A N N A H F O R S D I K E Easy DIY Dream Catcher

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K E E P I N G Y O U R D O G S A F E & C A L M D U R I N G S T O R M S 19 HOME AND GARD EN WI TH NARANGBA HEI GHTS Keep Your Garden Happy Through The Summer

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TALK I NG FI NANC E WI TH LEE BOWD EN 23 It’s a Brand New Year, So Why Not Make a Fresh Financial Start?

R E A L E S T A T E W R A P U P W I T H D A R R E N G R I M W A D E 25 RENO AND FLIP - Strategy For Success, Or Buyer Beware?

C R O S S F I T N E W B E G I N N I N G 4 5 0 4

SPEAKING EDUCATION WITH KAREN CARTER 2016 - Full Steam Ahead!

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L I V E W E L L W I T H M E L T O R A Y A 29 One Simple Change L I F E I S T E T R I S 30 LETS TALK WELLBEING WITH THERESE O’BRIEN Counteracting Sexualised Culture

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I N R E V I E W W I T H J A D E M I T C H E L L Six of One and Half a Dozen of Another

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MICROVERSES: A WORLD WITHIN YOUR WORLD The Good Apples OUT & ABOUT

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D A T E C L A I M E R S 33 T R A D E S & S E R V I C E S 34 C O M M U N I T Y N O T I C E B O A R D 35

ADVERTISING For advertising rates, conditions and bookings please contact our team at ads@ournarangba.com.au or contact Darren More via phone on 0416 430 792.

COVER PHOTO: Orphaned rescue koala, Enya, who came into care in June 2015 weighing a mere 182 grams. Supplied by Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

Get In Touch Editor: editor@ournarangba.com.au Content Manger: rebecca@ournarangba.com.au

BUSINESS HOURS Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm DISTRIBUTION OurNarangba is available to residents and businesses within the Narangba area or online at www.ournarangba.com.au COPYRIGHT & DISCLAIMER No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. The information in this magazine is for information purposes only. OurNarangba and its editors, publishers and agents assume no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

The information contained about each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, event organisers or organisation without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of OurNarangba. Therefore, OurNarangba carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon.

INDEMNITY By advertising or submitting with OurNarangba you agree to indemnify all participating students or contributors and supporting businesses such as graphic designers and printers against any claims.

ABN 47 438 219 632

We cover the 4504 postcode

Advertising: ads@ournarangba.com.au

www.ournarangba.com.au EDITOR | Darren More CONTENT | Rebecca Fawcett-Smith GRAPHIC DESIGN | Rachel Woodcock | Graphic Design by JoJo PHOTOGRAPHY | Tami Bass | Kara Bust | Danica Clayton Copyright ©2015 OurNarangba. All rights reserved.

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Narangba Ties to Moreton Bay Koala Rescue

by Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

The origins of Moreton Bay Koala Rescue (MBKR) – a not-for-profit volunteer organisation involved in the direct rescue and care of injured or sick koalas across the Moreton Bay Region – began in Narangba by then local couple, Anika and Henk Lehmann, who settled in Narangba after migrating from Holland.

Out for a walk one night, Anika and Henk came across a deceased koala on Oakey Flat Road. ‘We talked to each other and said, do we need to report that? Does anybody need to know?’ explained Anika. ‘Twenty phone calls later, we were involved in koala rescue. That was two weeks after we arrived in Australia.’

Established in March 2000, MBKR (originally Caboolture Koala Care and Rescue), is a small army of volunteers who keep a watchful eye on the Moreton Bay koala population. Narangba local of 15 years, Mark Southam, is the group’s Membership Coordinator and sole Narangba volunteer. He became a rescuer three years ago after calling MBKR about a koala that he had been monitoring and was concerned about. ‘It didn’t look right so we found a number and called the rescue,’ said Mark.

Inspired by the opportunity to aid koalas and educate the public, Mark signed up and has since attended 50-60 koala rescues.

When asked to recount his experiences, encounters between koalas and canine pets loom large. ‘Unfortunately there are a lot of dog attacks,’ said Mark. Koalas are not always the ones that come off second best. ‘Some people don’t realise that,’ said Mark. ‘It’s for their own benefit as well as the koala’s to keep their dog away once they’ve got a koala in the yard. We get them to lock the dog up as soon as they call.’

Car hits are another threat to koalas, particularly during the

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breeding season between August and February when koalas are most active. ‘If you see an injured, sick or orphaned koala, stay with it, put a basket or box over it and call us on the rescue phone,’ advises MBKR President, Jen Mason. ‘Even a dead one.

Every second counts if there is live young. Stop and check. It only takes ten seconds.’ It is the group’s preference that the caller remains on the scene so that the rescuer can locate them quickly and get the koala the help it needs. Injured or sick koalas are transported to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for assessment and treatment.

Conjunctivitis and cystitis are conditions that can be life threatening to koalas if left untreated. Armed with binoculars, rescuers will respond to all reported koala sightings to check for the tell-tale signs. ‘If we can get them early enough it can be treated,’ said Mark. ‘If they’re not caught and treated, eventually they will die a slow, painful death to the point where they can’t climb, they can’t feed. They starve.’

MBKR encourages the public to save the 24 Hour Rescue Service number, 0401 080 333, to their phone. ‘There’s nothing worse than if you are out at night time and you hit one, or you see one being hit. Everyone panics and doesn’t know what to do,’ said Mark. ‘But if you’ve got our number in your phone, you’ve got help straight away.’

People who initiate a koala rescue are invited to name the koala and are kept informed of the rescue outcome. Where a reported rescue results in a later release, the caller is invited to witness the koala’s return to its natural habitat, usually within 5km of the rescue site. ‘The most worthwhile part is seeing the releases,’ said Mark.

the Bruce Highway and Oakey Flat Road all the way to Morayfield as it is here that a large majority of sightings and callouts occur.

Anika retired as MBKR President a couple of years ago, and now cares for rescued koalas at her and Henk’s Ocean View property. ‘They (koalas) are an Australian icon and they need to be saved because we are looking at extinction. It might be ten, it might be twenty years, but they’re not going to last until the end of the century. And I feel it’s my obligation being a guest here in Australia to make sure that they’re going to survive.’

MBKR have logged 300 calls for sightings of koalas or other wildlife in need since August. Only 11 of those calls however were for koalas in Narangba. ‘The few left (in Narangba) are in decline and are very special and need to be protected,’ said Jen. ‘There is isolated pockets of habitat for the koalas (in Narangba), and they have been pushed into these due to the huge amount of habitat clearing for housing developments.’

MBKR request that Narangba locals exercise extra caution when traversing Scout Road to Kurwongbah, Narangba Road to Kallangur, Torrens Road to Petrie, New Settlement Road to

There are many important roles to play. ‘No matter if it’s an hour or two a week, the team need urgent help with fundraising, equipment, coordinating phone calls, the roster, record keeping and ambulance driving,’ said Jen. ‘If you are trained in tree climbing and would love to help, we need you desperately.’

Membership consists of a $5 joining fee and $5 annual fee. ‘The funds go straight to rescuing the koalas and our orphaned joeys in care,’ said Jen. Moreton Bay Koala Rescue meets at 7pm on the third Wednesday of each month at The Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC), located on Rowley Road in Burpengary. For more information visit MBKR’s Facebook page and website www.moretonbaykoalarescue.org.

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Mark Ryan MP State Member for Morayfield

E

P 07 5343 5100 morayfield@parliament.qld.gov.au

PO Box 991 MORAYFIELD Q 4506

www.markryan.com.au Authorised by M. Ryan 3/67 Morayfield Road Caboolture South Qld 4510

Your independent councillor representing residents across 600km of Moreton Bay Region from Mt Nebo to Narangba.

Council Services: 3205 0555 Email: mbrc@moretonbay.qld.gov.au www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au Twitter.com/CrBobMillar | Facebook.com/bob.millar.92

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Local Artist Profile: Teresa MacLean

by Danica Clayton

Teresa MacLean is a local artist who experiments with a variety of different styles. I caught up with Teresa to find out the story behind her art.

Teresa, along with her husband of 19 years and three children aged 15, 12 and nine, moved to Narangba from New Zealand’s North Island a little over three years ago.

‘Narangba’s reputation of being a safe and family-orientated community made it an easy choice,’ said Teresa.

Discussing life as an artist, Teresa said, ‘It’s not my first job as such because making money as an artist is pretty hard.’ The support of her family is key.

‘They allow me the freedom to create, and to be able to sacrifice a few things in order to follow my passion,’ said Teresa.

Teresa’s love of nature, is reflected in her art. ‘My biggest draw is from nature really. Birds especially are something that attracts me to draw.

Very much the New Zealand flora and fauna. Generally where I come from inspires me,’ she said.

The work of other artists also provide inspiration.

‘I follow quite a few different artists on Facebook and quite a lot of the artists I know personally,’ said Teresa. With pointillism featuring in many of Teresa’s works, it comes as no surprise that the late Rei Hamon, an acclaimed New Zealand artist, is Teresa’s biggest inspiration.

Teresa felt honoured earlier this year when she was contacted

by Hamon’s daughter and niece who complimented her on her art.

In 2010, Teresa held her first solo exhibition, Ebb & Flow, which showcased her collection of ocean orientated art. ‘It was more of a mixed media exhibition,’ said Teresa. ‘I played around with different materials to create really awesome 3D type art. Visitors loved it.’

Teresa’s work is currently on display for purchase at the Waterford West and Springwood Grandma’s Kiwi Kitchen cafes. When asked for comment on Teresa’s pieces, Jayde Walker (Director, Grandma’s Kiwi Kitchen), described the colour of Teresa’s canvas art as, ‘Vibrant and eye catching, which is appealing.’

The feedback to Teresa’s art has been very positive thus far. ‘They (customers) love the bold beautiful colours and they (the pieces) are an excellent price point,’ said Jayde.

Discussing her future plans, Teresa said, ‘I’d love to start creating more of a business where I’m creating large wall art, or murals for walls.’ Teresa was recently commissioned by a North Lakes family to paint a cityscape (pictured) across two 48” x 60” canvases for a young boy’s bedroom. To contact Teresa or to see more of her work, visit her Facebook page, Artistic Originz.

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WINNERS

WINNERS WINNERS

Alyssa Mead

Kimberley Ralston

Amyliah Pik

Each Winner Received a Family Pass to Australia Zoo, a Mr Toys Toyworld $100 Gift Card and a Subway Meal Voucher!

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our dooonrstep

Cardigan Bar Owners, Chris and Abby

by Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

Laneway bars are intimate by nature, and with an 80-90 person capacity, Cardigan Bar is no exception. When owners Chris and Abby opened the doors in July 2013, their dream was to provide the Sandgate community with a low-key, cruisy bar where locals could sample craft beer and interesting wines whilst enjoying the background sounds of the odd acoustic musician playing in the corner.

The more effort and variety Chris and Abby put into the music they showcased, the greater the community response, and Cardigan Bar soon became a thrumming micro-venue, showcasing local and emerging musicians, poets and comedians. ‘The grassroots music industry has gotten around the bar quite well,’ said Chris. ‘All of the musicians we get in here, we’re just so grateful to host.’

Against a backdrop of vintage bedheads serving as backrests and lampshades fashioned by Abby - a fine arts photographer - from her grandmother’s cardigans, touring artists including Ben Salter of Giants of Science, Jimmy Watts, Desert Blues Cartel, Jackie Marshall, Jimi Beavis, Mojo Webb and Green Mohair Suits have found in Cardigan Bar a stopover venue that offers something rare for a performer. An unpretentious, no pressure environment where they are free to try out new things. ‘The intimacy is as much about the space as it is the people in it,’ said Chris. ‘The people who come in to do their musical performance pick that vibe up. Our greatest artistic achievement is that the artists enjoy performing here’.

198 Seymour Street, Sandgate QLD 4017 www.cardiganbar.com

/CardiganBar www.styletribeonline.com

Chris’ favourite night of the week is the Open Mic nights held every Thursday. From 7pm onwards, those whom Chris warmly refers to as the Sandgate Cardigan Bar family, gather to listen to local and emerging artists jam and perform. ‘Anybody who wants to play gets a guernsey,’ said Chris. ‘Having said that, the quality of music on Thursdays is mostly excellent. There are a lot of talented people in the area.’

This unpretentious, welcoming environment is invaluable to young artists cutting their teeth in the live music scene. ‘I really think that artists are so brave. You’re literally ripping open your chest and showing truly what’s inside, and then just putting that out for judgement,’ said Chris.

There are many great mentors who regularly stop by to offer feedback, including Nigel Oliver, lead guitarist of ‘90s delta blues band, Johnson Stompers. ‘There’s a really nice culture of assistance and support,’ said Chris. Not to be left out, audience members happily take up the BYO instrument invitation, spurring impromptu jams with the performers, often after a blues harp has been pulled from a pocket.

David Art Photography

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Get Crafty at Narangba Free Craft Group

by Melina Simpson

A sign on the front fence of Lisa Howe’s property welcomes all to the Narangba Free Craft Group. Upon walking up to the house, I hear peals of laughter from the back and head around to find an expansive, breezy patio overlooking bushland. The ladies all sit at a table, crocheting and designing cards for special occasions. They greet me warmly and I feel immediately comfortable and welcomed.

Lisa started the group just over a year ago after the Narangba Library closure.

She had been attending the craft group there and decided to open her own doors so that interested people had somewhere to meet.

Four years as part of the Australian Sewing Guild Inc., Kallangur, has ensured that Lisa is adept in many areas of craft and loves to teach others.

A volunteer for 15 years with both Girl Guides and Scouts, Lisa has always seen craft as a way to bring people together.

‘I worked with the Venturers, who are boys aged 14 to 20 something,’ she said. ‘It was such a thrill for them to be able to make their own beanies to take with them on overnight camping trips to freezing cold places.’

The current group consists of four to five ladies. Each has their own area of expertise in craft and they happily share their skills with each other and anyone else who walks in. I had the pleasure of meeting three of the regulars. Rita, the newest member of the group, who once taught craft at Redcliffe High School; Ronda, who makes beautiful cards and connected with Lisa on Facebook; and Nicole, who met Lisa through some of the amazing work they both do with the homeless.

Nicole has always been involved with charity groups and is passionate in bringing people together who would otherwise feel isolated. She established the Creative Caring Community group earlier this year for the purpose of bringing locals together in the hope of making a positive difference in the community.

The main goal of this group is to recycle plastic bags which would otherwise be detrimental to the environment. ‘I’ve been showing people how to make Plarn, which is ‘plastic yarn’, from plastic bags,’ explained Nicole. ‘We collect and keep plastic bags from recycling stations, department stores and family and friends. We all fight over the coloured bags!’ she added, laughing.

The plarn is crocheted into various items especially for those in need. Nicole makes tote bags, blankets, sleeping mats and slippers for the homeless. She also supports hospitals and families by providing handmade Angel Gowns for stillborn babies.

(The Creative Caring Community group is always grateful for donations of plastic bags, yarn and fabric to assist them in their projects. Visit their Facebook page for more information.)

Charitable work is a common thread (pun intended!) for the Narangba Free Craft Group. Most of what the group produces is donated or gifted to others.

Lisa has made quilts and slippers for the homeless and currently the group are fundraising for Rhonda’s disabled daughter who requires oxygen. They are a cheerful and inspirational bunch of ladies and promised they could even help someone as ‘craft-less’ as me!

Members of the Narangba Free Craft Group proudly display some of their wares. Clockwise from left: Lisa Howe, Nicole Bowers, Ronda Kay & Rita Gray. © Tami Bass

Future ideas include a craft shed on Lisa’s property, which would hold equipment and required materials.

People could use what they like and make a gold coin donation towards material reimbursement.

The group is open all year round, making it a great option for school holiday fun. The emphasis from every member I spoke with was on the social aspect and enjoyment of the group.

So, if you’re looking for a relaxed, yet creative way to spend the 1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of the month, head to 13 Mackie Road and get crafty!

Narangba

Our

.com.au

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Narangba’s New Dining Delight

by Kristine Lane

Australia’s latest and greatest café dining experience is coming to Narangba! Stellarossa, the immensely popular café-restaurant-bar franchise, will open its doors in January inviting the people of Narangba to celebrate in its much sought-after coffee, food and alcohol venture.

Situated on the corner of Young Road and Golden Wattle Drive, Narangba Village Shopping Centre (a few doors down from Red Rooster), local owners Gordon and Jo Baker are excited to be providing a stylish and contemporary outlet in their very own neighbourhood. ‘We live here, love it, and want to provide a service that we know the community will enjoy. We’ve got excellent coffee, fantastic food, and firstrate customer service – hallmarks of the Stellarossa brand name’, said Gordon.

Stellarossa, meaning ‘red star’ in Italian, has an impressive menu consisting of a range of options and styles from breakfast, bites, light meals, salads, pizzas and house specials catering to those who like the typical café fare to something a bit different that’s locally designed and created. And with Mrs. Baker as one of the in-house qualified chefs, popular meals will get that unique local twist that people always love.

There is even the option of ordering takeaway, and using the latest ‘Rewardle’ app, giving great rewards for loyal service.

With a background in business, Mr. Baker envisions his café and restaurant to be the forerunner for what the suburb needs by providing the area with something that is missing.

‘Instead of having Narangbararians leave the area to eat and drink somewhere cosmopolitan and refined, they can now stay in the suburb,’ said Gordon. ‘Our café and restaurant will be a fashionable hub, drawing like-minded people together. And by keeping money, jobs and residents in the immediate area, we can promote the best of what Narangba has to offer.’ Mr. Baker also owns the Stellarossa café at Mango Hill which, according to the steady stream of customers and high praise for their ‘home away from home’, paints an exciting picture of what’s coming to Narangba.

cafe

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Gordon and Jo Baker outside their Mango Hill Stellarossa store.

Photo supplied by Danica Clayton

An Australian owned company, with over 24 outlets in QLD alone, Stellarossa is all about experience, ambience and value for money. Its vibrant red and post-modernist décor is hip and welcoming, blending old fashioned service with contemporary style. Their own five-star coffee brand of medium dark roast is blended right here in Australia, and all food ingredients are sourced locally – even the wine is from Australia and New Zealand. ‘We believe in sourcing from our own, and giving back in return,’ said Gordon. ‘We aim to hire locally and to be an important part of the community.

Narangba is such a friendly, up-and-coming and growing suburb that it demands a place where people can experience sophisticated, high quality products and service in a lively and city-chic atmosphere. It now has that place.’

With the Bakers’ motto of ‘striving for excellence in everything we do’, the venue will be sure to offer something for everyone - from the place to stop for coffee when walking the dogs on a Sunday morning, to the ultimate escape on a Friday night after dumping the briefcase from a hard day’s work. Even mums desperate for a bit of down-time and catch-up, and young hipsters eager to be seen in all the right places, will find this place exciting and revitalising.

The café will open from 6:30am till late, seven days a week, with the Friday or Saturday night providing light, live, musical entertainment. ‘Come visit us at Stellarossa Narangba,’ said Gordon and Jo, ‘We’re looking forward to meeting you.’

restaurant

bar

Dress for Summer She says: “You are not wearing that...”, “Don’t think you’re leaving the house with that on”, “No you can’t buy them!”

These are just some of the phrases teenagers will have heard from parents about their clothes. Fashion and clothing has changed since our parents’ generation, and we sometimes have conflicting opinions on what is and what’s not acceptable to wear. Especially in the summer when our shorts get shorter and our tops tinier. Even though smaller clothes are ideal for staying cool, our parents don’t always agree. At the end of the day we have to understand that they’re looking out for us, so it’s good to find a compromising outfit that we still like and our parents don’t hate.

Wearing a bikini under most of my outfits is an easy way to stay cool as you’re always pool ready, and wearing it under clothes is less revealing. This is just one of the ways to compromise with our parents in order to still wear things that we like! Summer dresses are also a lovely outfit, but there is a thin line between a nice summer dress and one that is too inappropriate in our parents’ minds. Summer dresses which are low cut often don’t make the cut, but with a bikini underneath they are perfect for the beach and by the pool. What outfits do your parents hate that you love?

He says: Younger girls are acting like they’re married to Kanye and dressing like their school corridor is the catwalk. Yet they all still wear those white ballet flats from that discount shoe shop. That’s the red flag, gentlemen. From the ankle up, these girls are flaunting like a divorcé trying to get back in the game, meanwhile the girl I crushed on in school still wore t-shirts and jeans, and always had a sweatier, redder face than me. She had fun, she ran, swam and punched her way into my little sixteen-year-old heart. Now they’re just half-grown Barbie dolls wandering around Westfield, pouting for people’s hearts on Instagram. All I’m suggesting is a community screening of The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, and for the Instagram queens and their followers to go get their jeans torn, faded and full of memories. I promise you’ll snap some sweet Instagrams if you just leave your bedroom’s perfect lighting and the local Westfield’s food court.

Summer is here again, and you’ve probably neglected most of my advice this year, so take Kimmy’s instead. Dress your Barbies modestly and take her everywhere, wear some shoes you can run in and ruin your jeans.

Jump in the pool, go to the beach and most importantly, act your age.

At Sesame Lane, we understand the emotional journey for parents in looking for quality childcare, and have over 20 years experience educating children across the Moreton Bay Region.

We provide all of the services that you expect including All nutritional meals and snacks Nappy and linen service Japanese and music program Before and After school care Vacation Care Government approved Kindergarten programs.

But there’s one thing that sets us apart from the rest……. our staff. Our caring and qualified educators foster a learning environment that is fun, educational and allows children to develop their curiousity and broader thinking.

For more information or to book a Centre Tour visit www.sesamelane.com.au Narangba One 25 Banyan St, Phone: 3886 9800

Narangba Two 1-9 Cottontree Drive Phone: 3886 9800

Creating tomorrow’s thinkers today 15

print

approach

Ridley AquaFeed Fast Facts: • Part of the Narangba Innovation Precinct for more than 20 years • Employs approx. 60 locals • Largest Australian owned aquaculture feeds manufacturer/supplier • Sole Australian manufacturer of prawn feed

Ridley AquaFeed is part of Ridley Corporation Ltd, an ASX listed company and Australia’s leading producer of premium quality and high performance animal nutrition solutions. Ridley’s Narangba based operation is the headquarters and primary manufacturing site for its aquaculture feed business. Well over 50,000 tonnes per annum of aquaculture feed are produced at our Narangba feed mill.

Aquaculture is farming of fish, shellfish, seaweeds etc.

Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon for example, are produced by aquaculture, i.e. by farming, not wild fishing. With wild fish stocks overfished, and demand for seafood ever increasing, aquaculture is the only way forward for a sustainable supply of our favourite seafoods.

Ridley AquaFeed has doubled its sales volume in the past few years and is now supplying aquaculture feeds all over Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, for all of our region’s main aquaculture species including Atlantic salmon, chinook salmon, trout, prawns, barramundi, yellowtail kingfish and cobia amongst others.

Our Narangba team comprises approximately 60 people. Producing aquaculture feeds is complex and requires a highly skilled nutritional, technical, commercial and operational workforce and an emphasis on R&D and product quality. To achieve this, the Ridley AquaFeed team has five PhD, five Masters and many Bachelor Degree graduates on its staff. We employ a diverse range of skills and therefore provide employment opportunities in many specialist fields, including sales and marketing, customer service and administration, nutrition and research, laboratory, warehousing and logistics, procurement, materials planning and scheduling, finance and commercial, engineering and plant maintenance.

We run our plant 24/7 for 360 days per year. As well as employing our direct Narangba team as per above, we indirectly employ many service businesses and associated people within the locality.

Our factory was built in 1987 and acquired by Ridley in 1993. Since then, Ridley has significantly upgraded the plant and its capacity to what it is today. With our operation requiring a large land area, the business needs to be situated outside of a major city centre, while remaining close to logistics infrastructure, a skilled workforce, trade services providers, raw material and engineering spares supplies and reliable power and utilities availability. Narangba meets these requirements, and hence Ridley has remained here for more than two decades.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY The Narangba innovation Precinct is a thriving hub of innovation with world-class engineering facilities & sustainable businesses continually striving to reduce emissions and recycle waste.

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To find out more contact Anthony Dow on email: anthonyd@rdamoretonbay.org.au

repurpose. Try to incorporate a variety of different textures to give your dream catcher a shabbier look.

Easy DIY Dream Catcher After having seen a lot of doilie dream catchers around while Christmas shopping, I was inspired to try and make my own.

There are endless different ways to make a dream catcher, but this tutorial is quick and easy and looks beautiful! You may be able to find the supplies floating around your house or your local op shop, but if you can’t, you can probably buy everything you need for under $20 at somewhere like Spotlight.

You Will Need:

Take some ribbon and measure how long you want your hanging pieces; mine are about 30cm. Use this as a template to cut the rest of your material/ribbon etc.

Step 2 Take apart your round frame; separating the outside and inside rings. Arrange and tie your hanging pieces from the outer ring.

Step 3

• Crocheted doilie

Set your doilie in the round frame. This can be a bit tricky,

• Cross stitch frame (round)

especially with all the ribbon in the way. Be patient, it may

• A selection of ribbon, lace, material etc

take a few tries. Just keep playing around until you are happy with how it looks.

Step 1 Choose what you want

Step 4

to hang from your dream

Tie a piece of string to the top of your dream catcher so

catcher. I sourced ribbon,

you can hang it up.

lace, string, material and whatever

could

For a relatively easy DIY, I was so impressed by the final

find. Op shops are a great

else

I

product. I loved using all white, but you can go with

place to find interesting

whatever colour scheme you’d like. You can also add

materials to cut up and

beads or feathers using a hot glue gun.

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Keeping Your Dog Safe & Calm During Storms

By Jessica Geroux, Dog Behaviour Expert Trained and Certified by “The Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan

Have you ever noticed your dog becoming anxious, panting, or acting in an agitated way for no apparent reason, and then sometime later you notice the storm clouds rolling in? Dogs know long before us humans do that a storm is approaching.

They can feel it, smell it and hear it, thanks to the help of their super senses.

Dogs have the ability to feel any slight change in the weather through the receptors that are located at the base of each hair follicle and within the layers of their skin. These receptors respond to change in air pressure and the shift in the static electric field before a storm, as well as detect low-frequency vibrations.

Dogs’ ears have more than 18 muscles at the base, which allows them to control the ear movements in order to pick up sounds, almost like a satellite dish. Dogs can hear much higher and lower frequencies than we do and often thunder can occur in a frequency range that is inaudible to humans.

Depending on the breed, a dog’s sense of smell can be 10,000,000 times more sensitive than ours. Dogs can move both nostrils independently to detect the direction of a scent and will change their breathing in order to take in a scent.

When it comes to storms, especially before and during, many of my clients experience the same issues with their dogs. Dogs become anxious, display signs of stress and some completely freak out. With the fight, flight or freeze response, some dogs may shut down completely or desperately try and escape.

Other behaviours that your dog may display could be shaking, panting, pacing, drooling, staying close to you, jumping on you or even destructive behaviours.

What you can do:

• Consult a dog behaviourist.

• Use Bach Flower Remedies for Animals .

• YouTube has great relaxation and meditation sounds of thunder, lighting, wind and rain to help in desensitising the anxious dog.

• If you are not always home with your dog, ensure they have a safe room or area like a dog house or crate that they can go to in order to feel secure.

• Dog jackets such as ThunderShirts can help calm a dog.

Most importantly, make sure your dog is microchipped and registered with your local council and that your contact details are up to date. Also check that your dog’s tags can be clearly read.

If you would like to know more, please email me at jessgeroux@gmail.com

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with Oxmar Properties

Keep Your Garden Happy Through the Summer The temperatures are soaring, the aircons are working overdrive and days seem to last forever. One thing is for sure – Brisbane knows how to turn summer on!

Summer is an excellent time of year to work on your garden, if you know how to manage the increase in temperatures. Learn how to combat the heat and keep your plants looking lively and vibrant with these simple tips.

Use sun shades Just like you, plants that are out in direct sunlight need their own version of sunglasses. Use gardening shade cloth, or recycle old thin curtains or bed sheets to create shade.

Plants should still receive about 25% sunlight, but should be kept as cool as possible. This is especially vital for any newly budded plants and seedlings.

Water sparingly You may be tempted to submerge your plants in water to keep them from drying out, but this can actually cause more problems than it solves. Do not let potted plants stand in water, and do not over-water your lawn or garden either.

Provide just enough water to moisten the ground or planting material, and always water in the morning so that the liquid

does not evaporate before the plants have a chance to soak it up.

Helpful tip: be particularly careful not to water your plants in the heat of the day. Watering your plants when the sun is high and the heat is at its peak can actually cause them to burn.

Plants with ‘hairy’ leaves, such as ferns, poppies and geraniums are most at risk.

Do not over-trim People have a tendency to want to mow their lawns as short as possible.

It is actually better for your yard to let it grow as long as your city or council rules allow. Do not let it get too leggy, but give it a chance to help cool off the ground and choke out weeds. This will also help keep your yard looking green and fresh even when the grass in your neighbors’ yards is a little more burnt and crispy.

Your garden can look incredible even in the heat of summer by following these easy tips. Keep them in mind and your yard will quickly become the envy of the neighborhood!

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It’s a Brand New Year, So Why Not Make a Fresh Financial Start?

Achieving your financial goals isn’t simply a matter of earning more. It’s also about making your money work smarter for you.

Build a budget Making a budget will help you keep your spending on track, so you can save more and pay off debts faster. By having a clear picture of how much money is coming in and how much you’re regularly spending, it will be easier to find ways to cut out unnecessary costs.

Start by keeping a record of all your earnings and outgoings for at least a month. Then, you can spot ways to reduce your spending, like bundling your phone and internet, or shopping in bulk.

With a clear budget in place, you may discover that your debts are costing you more than they need to be. Consider shopping around for a better deal on your home loan, or choosing a credit card that has a lower monthly interest charge. With some simple calculations, you’ll soon see how these kinds of debt management strategies could save you a lot of money over the long term.

Streamline your super By consolidating your super you can usually save on fees and charges, which can add up significantly over the years. Having a single super account also means less paperwork, so it’s easier to keep track of how your retirement investments are faring, or to change your investment strategy to suit your life stage. A word of warning though - when consolidating your super accounts, make sure you look into the potential risks – for example, there may be potential exit fees or loss of insurance.

Investigate your insurance With any financial plan, it’s worth making sure you have the right types of insurance cover for your circumstances. Having adequate life insurance

and total permanent disability insurance means your family’s lifestyle will be supported if you pass away or become permanently disabled. Critical illness can cover medical and other expenses, while income protection insurance can provide vital regular payments to cover your bills and expenses if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

But how much insurance is enough? It all depends on your needs, debts and income. The default cover offered through your super fund may be sufficient, but often is not. Everyone’s situation is different, so it might be worth getting professional advice before making any major insurance decisions.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc, as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Lee Bowden of MLC Advice North Lakes Pty Ltd and is an Authorised Representatives of GWM Adviser Services trading as MLC Advice, Australian Financial Services Licence 230 692.

Lee Bowden and MLC Advice North Lakes Pty Ltd are authorised representatives of GWM Adviser Services Limited trading as MLC Advice ABN 96 002 071 749, AFSL No 230692 (GWMAS), Registered Office at 105 - 153 Miller Street North Sydney NSW 2060. GWMAS is part of the National Australia Bank Group of companies. MLC Advice North Lakes Pty Ltd is not part of the National Australia Bank Group of Companies. National Australia Bank does not guarantee or otherwise accept any liability in respect of MLC Advice North Lakes or GWMAS. A116179-0515.

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RENO AND FLIP - Strategy For Success, Or Buyer Beware?

Buy an older home, give it a refresh, and sell it for a whopping profit. Sounds simple, right?

In theory, this is how the reno and flip strategy works – and it can be very profitable for those who know what they’re doing.

Renovating for profit is simple, but it’s not easy. The basic principle is to buy something that’s under market value, cosmetically change it to make it more appealing, and then sell it for a higher price.

To be successful, you need to buy at the right price in the right location, making sure all your figures stack up. Then you need to complete in a very quick timeframe to ensure your holding costs don’t eat into your profits.

How to ensure a profitable reno and flip: 1. Research the end sale price You need to discuss this with agents well before you sign on the dotted line. Don’t just rely on the figure that you think it would sell for; look at comparable sales for already renovated properties, and talk to a good local real-estate agents.

2. Target the low end of the market You can make more money and there’s less risk involved in lower-priced property. If you buy a $1m house, you’ve got to spend a lot on the renovation, and achieving your target profit is a lot riskier. At the low end of the market, your target buyer is less fussy, so you don’t need to put in Smeg ovens and fancy granite benchtops to satisfy the market.

3. Budget your renovation strategically You need to make sure your renovation costs no more than 10% of the purchase price. If the property costs $300,000, don’t spend a dollar more than $30k.

4. Allow 5% of the purchase price for stamp duty and legals You’ll also need to account for a range of other costs that may include lenders mortgage insurance, building and pest inspections, mortgage interest, agent commission and other costs of buying and selling.

5. Factor in the holding costs Mortgage interest, electricity, council rates and water rates will be payable during your renovation, and none of these expenses will be offset by any rental income. Interest rates are low at the moment, which is helpful.

6. Aim for a 10-20% profit after all costs Most successful reno and flip investors usually aim for a minimum of 12%, but considers over 10% a win.

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Coach Lisa putting some of her members through a gymnastics warm up drill. © Aperture in Action - by Sheridan Hetherington

CrossFit New Beginning 4504

by Melina Simpson

Picture an industrial shed. Plain and unassuming on the outside, set amongst mechanical repairers. Opening the doors however reveals something unexpected and exhilarating. People’s lives are changing. They’re reaching capabilities they never thought were possible. Achieving new levels of physical and mental strength, in a supportive, community environment.

This is Narangba’s own, CrossFit New Beginning 4504 (CFNB4504), which opened in October 2014. Owner and Head Coach, Lisa Hetherington, is deeply passionate about CrossFit and her members.

‘Owning and running an affiliate is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things I’ve ever done,’ she explains. ‘We welcome athletes of all levels and ages. We especially love introducing those new to CrossFit to all it offers. I love seeing it change the lives of others the way it has changed mine.’

And changed her life it has. Lisa started CrossFit in Sydney in 2011, after constantly struggling with weight and muscle function issues.

She was immediately hooked on a sport where her limitations were never mocked and she was always welcomed. CrossFit opened her eyes to a whole new level of potential within. ‘It taught me that it was okay for women to lift heavy things and to feel strong and empowered,’ Lisa said. Her coach believed she had a great eye for movement and encouraged her to become a CrossFit coach.

Lisa has been coaching for over two years now and has competed in strongman and powerlifting events – winning gold for Australia at the GPA World Powerlifting titles last year.

A massive achievement, which highlights her determination and advanced technical standards.

These qualities are transferred to the CFNB4504 members. They reap the benefits of careful 12 week programming blocks to ensure they progress towards their desired goals.

Michelle Rose has been attending classes for almost a year and considers it a step which changed her life. With five kids, running a household and working, she had no energy. Since beginning CrossFit, her body shape has become more defined, her energy levels have risen and she loves feeling fitter, stronger and healthier than ever. ‘My overall state of mind is clearer,’ Michelle said. ‘Each day is a challenge on its own. The atmosphere here is amazing – everyone comes together as one and everyone is (treated as) equal.’

Michelle will take on her first Powerlifting competition this month, which is something she never thought she’d achieve. She’s on a six week lifting program, specifically written for her by Lisa.

‘Another bonus of being part of CFNB4504 is that an individual program can be written for you to assist you in reaching your goals,’ said Michelle. ‘I love lifting weights and working on being better in each session.’

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CFNB4504 offers three levels of programming for members to choose from.

CrossFit – a standard CrossFit class with a strength element followed by a WOD (Workout of the Day). This includes Olympic lifts, gymnastics, running, rowing and body weight exercises in various combinations.

RXD+ – for the more advanced athlete with more complex movements and heavier loads.

Conditioning – something unique to CFNB4504. It maintains the essence of CrossFit but removes the complex and heavy barbell work. There are two high intensity workouts per class using simple movements, light weights and body weight to increase fitness and lean body mass.

Each level of programming can be scaled based on the participant’s level of mobility. The emphasis here is to show that CrossFit is inclusive. Regardless of any limitations, you will still enjoy a great workout with coaches who want to see you living a full, active life.

Classes are capped to ensure that all members receive plenty of individual coaching. Currently, there are over 33 hours of class time, but as membership grows, more classes will be offered to retain that focus. Future expansion will potentially include dedicated Olympic Lifting, Powerlifting and Strongman areas.

Yoga, Gymnastics and Lifting classes and programs are also offered at the gym.

Current Narangba members are full of praise for what’s on offer.

‘Not only do I enjoy coming to train at CFNB4504, but I have made great friends and feel part of a community,’ said Rose.

Ryan loves the programming. ‘There is great programming, a clean, well-equipped facility and a fantastic, encouraging group of people to train with. CrossFit has filled all the gaps in my previous training and has allowed me to do things I didn’t think were possible.’

Amy declared it, ‘A unique, friendly environment with support and focus on the individual athlete and their goals.’

Lisa is adamant in maintaining the traditional values of CrossFit. She’s proud of the strong, supportive community at CFNB4504 and vows to continue to provide opportunities for people of all levels to experience the positive impact this sport can have on their lives.

CFNB4504 is located at 62 McPhail Rd, Narangba. Contact Lisa on 0468 998 673 or visit their website www.crossfit4504.com.au for more information.

2016 - Full Steam Ahead!

The Christmas decorations are barely packed away for another year yet as I look around the shopping centres, Easter eggs and hot cross buns are on display already! So too are the ‘Back to School’ signs, signifying that our children are about to embark on their next academic year.

For many, excitement is in the air at the thought of getting new books, school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes and uniforms for 2016. Time to cover books, label items and get organised. Although parents may not be as excited as their children at this prospect, it is important for children to feel ready and prepared for the year ahead. Many schools provide a book pack which can be ordered and purchased prior to the end of a school year which ensures students have exactly what is required for them to undertake their school studies. These packs take the hard work out of trying to buy items on your own and suit many families.

Whether your child is in Prep, Primary or Secondary School, the beginning of a school year is an ideal time to start off on the right foot. Parents are busy people, so it is important to establish routines to ensure the school day runs as smoothly

as possible. Encourage your child to become independent by involving them in packing school lunches, getting school uniforms ready and setting up a designated homework area.

Encourage your child to make sure that books, notes and resources are ready and organised each day. Independence and organisation are important skills for everyone to have, even young children!

It’s also good to take the time to introduce yourself to your child’s new teacher/s. Share your goals and let the teacher know your priorities for your child’s learning. Do however give the teacher some space to be trusted to do his/her job and time to get to know your child as well as all the other children in their class. Discuss with the teacher what might work best in terms of regular ongoing communication with you. Are there ways you can assist at school even in small ways to be more involved in your child’s learning?

So as another school year dawns with all its hustle and bustle, get ready, get set, go! Christmas will be here again before you know it!

Qualified ECT Tadpoles Early Learning Centre is a fun filled educational journey where our early childhood educators support and encourage your child to reach their full potential.

Tadpoles Early Learning Centre Narangba 2 12 Main Street, Narangba Ph: 3886 6488 narangba2@tadpoles.com.au

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One Simple Change The New Year presents a time for reflection, whether that be changing habits, making a resolution to improve, do better or just continue on a great path. For some, change has been happening constantly throughout the year, whereas for others, it’s a time to start a new story and rewrite the book. Whether your year has been great or downright awful, whatever has happened has continued to shape you into the person you are. Don’t forget to reflect on your year, on you, and those around you. Throughout all the tumultuous times, there would have also been glimmers of hope and good. And if your year has been fantastic, take a moment to bask in the glorious moments that have made you smile.

Instead of writing a list a mile long or making a million promises to do something different or better, just focus on ONE SIMPLE THING. There are so many simple changes you can make to help you manage healthy eating, physical activity, hydration, sleep or stress. You can try one of these ideas to get you started or add your own twist!

• If you sit a lot during the day, take a few minutes every hour to stand up, walk around and do some stretches.

• Eat something nutritious for breakfast (it could be a piece of fruit if breakfast isn’t your thing).

• Park further away from your school, office or other destination.

• Replace one caffeinated drink with one glass of water several times a week.

• Turn off and walk away from electronic devices at least one hour before bed.

Choosing one thing to implement is easy to do and achievable. Once you get one thing in place, you can increase it to two!

So go into this year filled with hope, determination and a smile. No matter what comes at you, you are capable of dealing with it. It may test you at times, but grow confident in the fact that you are not alone and you really can make a difference. Cheers to a fabulous and fantastic 2016. May it be your best year ever. Don’t stop at anything to make it happen!

Narangba

Our

.com.au

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Life is Tetris

by Kristine Lane

Life is so busy these days that it seems like a constant battle to fit things in.

Kids, house, work, friends, pets, neighbours, family, problems, and emergencies; a juggling act of ascribing particular events into appropriate vacancies. It’s a bit like that old game many of us once used to play when we had the time. You know – before kids. Remember Tetris? That simple electronic pastime where different coloured sized blocks would drop down the screen to be slotted into spaces of exact size. And remember getting that clean, even sweep at the bottom that made you inwardly sigh with satisfaction? ‘Bloopde-bloop-de-bloop’ – row erased – another line done and dusted.

But who has time for dusting these days?

We’re all too busy running errands, sending urgent work emails and doing the grocery shopping, that often, housework can go by the wayside. Unless of course, you’ve allocated half a day on the weekly planner to ‘clean’. But most of us just fit in a bit of housework when we have the spare time – which on most occasions, can be just a half an hour here or there. If, of course, it’s not eaten up by the unexpected: ‘Mum – I need some cardboard for my technology project’. ‘Honey – can you post this parcel for me’? ‘Mrs. Smith – your call is important to us, so please hold the line…’ Busy parents, busy kids and busy life.

It’s all about organising, rearranging, negotiating and planning – key attributes in surviving the day. And with many mothers having constant practise in all this, it’s no wonder we’d make great military instructors: we can create order out of chaos - or so the makers of Tetris say on their website. But if, like me, you can get through the day, ticking off your list’s items without feeling too overwhelmed with all the ‘chunks’ that seem to be coming at you from left and right and centre, then you’re doing well. A winner, in fact, I’d say.

Efficiency rules busy lives, and we all know that if we don’t follow that wall schedule, check our diary and rearrange for the unexpected, then the household will either cease to operate or collapse. A buzzer goes off and we lose. And that’s when the screaming and ranting starts. Tick, tick, tick…time and space is running out – and the end of the day is screeching towards that clifftop.

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So in order to have enough energy to continue playing out the ‘game of life’, I think it’s important to remember to set aside a bit of time for ourselves. Schedule in some downtime. Hit the reset button.

Pour that glass of wine, shut the bedroom door and grab our mobile phones. No - not to scroll aimlessly through Facebook, Twitter or post on Instagram, but instead to open that Tetris app and play. ‘Bloop-debloop-de-bloop’ – let that comforting sound of control and familiarity fill your mind; to momentarily push aside all those demands clawing hungrily at your door. And who cares if we lose - because at least we’ll know that if the blocks do cram up to the top; bars a mismatched hazard of colours and sizes, that it’s just a game. A moment in time that can be erased and begun again. Just like tomorrow.

Counteracting Sexualised Culture

by Liz Walker

Welcome to Let’s Talk Wellbeing. This month, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Liz Walker, Managing Director, Youth Wellbeing Project, who shares her insights into keeping our children safe while online.

Young people are bombarded with sexualised images from the time they are old enough to soak up knowledge. Yes, learning about sex is a completely normal part of young people’s development, however Australian research has found that porn has become a central mediator of young people’s sexual understandings and experiences.

For the love of our kids, we’ve all got to stop ignoring the naked elephant in the room.

The reality is, porn fails to teach young people about the holistic expression of sexuality: physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing. With the barrage of objectifying, degrading, violent and dehumanising portrayals of sexuality available in our porn-influenced culture, we must invest time and effort to correct and counteract misleading messages.

Parents and schools may like to consider the following areas as ways of empowering young people with correct information: 1. Young people (and all too often children) will see porn. Yes, filters are really important, but that doesn’t stop kids sharing their latest wild discovery with other kids via mobile devices.

2. Whenever humanly possible, monitor children’s access to the Internet and install home and device filters.

3. Point two shouldn’t be at the expense of regular, open and age appropriate conversations. This can start with naming body parts correctly at a young age, incorporating body-safety education, and teaching children what to do if they see something inappropriate.

4. Viewing inappropriate things online can lead to a range of feelings including disgust, intrigue, shame or guilt. Whatever their interpretation, let them know where to go for support and understanding.

5. Watching porn is likely to detract from a real life experience that incorporates intimate touch, creative exploration, emotional depth and spiritual connection.

6. Watching porn can lead to addiction and the inability to appreciate intimate touch from a partner. This can have a huge impact on relationships.

7. Porn is often abusive, can lead to negative attitudes towards women, and minimises the severe negative outcomes of sexual and domestic violence.

8. Personal decisions can either empower or disempower overall sexual and relational wellbeing.

9. Young people need help to develop a personal moral compass and identify positive values that guide actions to build healthy relationships.

10. Modelling good decision-making and positive communication skills can transfer to every facet of life, particularly when it comes to respect, negotiation and consent.

Parents, schools and community can work in partnership to place priority on ethical, respectful and love-filled relationships; and help children and young people deconstruct negative messages.

For assistance, ask Liz Walker at Youth Wellbeing Project about presentations, programs and increasing conversation within our community. www.youthwellbeingproject.com.au

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Six of One and Half a Dozen of Another The hardest part about reviewing twelve stories - even twelve short stories - is picking what aspects to focus on.

Though far shorter in length than a novel, a short story still has a fullness that makes it difficult to review in just 400 words. Harder still is the fact that I rarely read short stories myself. This is a fault on my part, for as a writer you must ‘read a lot, and write a lot’, particularly in an area you wish to write in. Even so, I often find short stories too fleeting.

Richard Lancaster, with his twelve short stories and one poem, does admirably in creating that fullness within each of his stories, striving to leave the reader with a sense of completeness at the end.

The stories focus on emotion - love and sadness in ‘An Affair to Remember’; exasperation and humour in ‘The Caruso’s Lemon Tree’, and delve into the actions and reactions of the characters within.

The stories are whole and entertaining, though some perhaps could use a bit more length in order to really bring out the shine in the stories.

The characters are interesting and engaging but most importantly they are relatable, with flaws and problems that everyday people can relate to.

Quite a few of the stories are set in Australia, giving the local reader an added bonus of familiarity within some of the stories. Others are set abroad, giving the book a nice balance of the familiar and the exotic.

The Good Apples Natasha always thought Grandad was a hummingbird. Now, looking down at Grandad in his nest of hospital bedsheets, Natasha realised he had become the sparrow her cat gave her the other day.

Once, Grandad laughed at Natasha’s bear and the rabbit joke, at poo stuck to fur. Now she could see poo stuck to Grandad’s furry legs, which wasn’t funny. Maybe it wouldn’t if she told the joke again.

“Hey, Grandad! D’you wanna hear my ‘the bear and the rabbit’ joke again?”

Grandad’s eyelids fluttered; Natasha interpreted this as a yes.

“A bear was pooping in the forest when he saw a rabbit. The bear asked the rabbit if poo stuck to his fur, and the rabbit said it didn’t, so the bear wiped his—” Natasha’s older sister, Natalia, briefly frowns her into silence before her mind resumes drifting through memories like a dog tracking scents.

Throughout her writing degree, her instructors told her to write what she knew, but she couldn’t; just like the man before her, her creative juices have dried up with time—until she recalls an anecdote from her research about the Kurdaitcha, a ritual executioner in Australian Aboriginal culture: “In 1953, a dying Aborigine named Kinjika was flown from Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory to a hospital in Darwin. Tests revealed he had not been poisoned, injured, nor was he suffering from any sort of injury. Yet, the man was most definitely dying. After four days of agony spent in the hospital, Kinjika died on the fifth. It was said he died of bone pointing.”

So if you enjoy short stories, go and check out ‘Six of One and Half a Dozen of Another’ by Richard Lancaster.

As a quick side-note, since we’re talking about short stories, the University of the Sunshine Coast has just released its fourth anthology of short stories. Contributions are written by students present and past. I’ve listed them below in place of the usual marathon list.

Once again, I’d like to reiterate how much I enjoyed Richard Lancaster’s short stories, particularly, ‘The Bush Doctor’. With its mysterious, open-ended finish, this story left you contemplating what exactly had happened, which I quite enjoyed.

Out of ten, I rate Six of One and Half a Dozen of Another: Plot - 7.5/10

Characterisation - 8/10

Setting - 7.5/10

Predictability - 8/10

Overall rating - 7.75/10

My Short Story Shout Out:

• In. Tense • Kaleidoscope • Fractured • Within Without

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Natalia was researching the Kurdaitcha for an academic journal article about her true passion - history - but the Kurdaitcha had escaped her article outline, and was with her now in this room for a vastly different purpose. Bone pointing connected to finger pointing much like Grandad’s skin-veiled joints before her. Family feuds were undoubtedly where fingers were pointed, but who was the bone pointer?

Her dogged brain wandered through thoughts until it lingered on fragments of William Blake’s ‘A Poison Tree’: “I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears, night and morning with my tears, and I sunned it with smiles, and with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, till it bore an apple bright…”

Natalia believed she and Natasha were that bright apple Blake wrote about centuries ago. Although they may not have fallen far from the tree, with the right amount of force, she felt that they could roll away from their grief and start anew.

Out & About

Photography by Kara Jade Concepts

DATE CLAIMERS Fri 1st

Public Holiday New Year’s Day

Every Saturday

Burpengary Markets | 7am - 2pm Burpengary State School, 35 Station Rd, Burpengary For more info contact: Angela 0414 713 520 cardyshack@hotmail.com Yoga | 8am - 9:15am Narangba Community Centre, Mackie Rd, Narangba QLD For more info contact: Karen 0412 150 900 feelgoodyogaqld@hotmail.com

Every Tuesday

Gretas Craft Group | 9:30am - 12:30pm Corner Maitland Street and Old Bay Road, Burpengary For more info contact Greta 0404 053 468 gallery@artisansguild.org.au Computers for Beginners | 2pm - 3pm | FREE Burpengary Library, 121 Station Rd, Burpengary. Class is suited for adults

Mon 11th

Fierce Ferocious Beast Cartooning | 10am - 11am | FREE Burpengary Library, 121 Station Rd, Burpengary. Bookings are required.

Ages 6-12.

Fri 15th

Clay Mythical Creatures | 10am - 11am | FREE Burpengary Library, 121 Station Rd, Burpengary. Bookings essential.

Ages 6-12.

Sat 16th - Mon 18th

All day School Holiday Horse Riding Camps Burpengary Equestrian Centre 114-116 Mathew Cres, Burpengary For more info contact Christine 38916611 interschool@equestrianqld.com.au

Sat 23rd

Rural Fire Brigade Australia Day BBQ | 7:30am - 4pm Bunnings Morayfield. Lots of fun will be had with the Rural Fire truck on display as well as children’s D.I.Y. workshops, face painting & snow cones!

Mon 25th

School Term 1, 2016 commences Education Queensland Staff Professional Development Day Check with your school regards student attendance requirements

For more what’s on visit www.ournarangba.com.au Get your event listing for free! Simply email katy@ournarangba.com.au

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