About Business December 2015 / January 2016 by Profile Magazine

MOVING FORWARD

DIGITAL WAVE

STELLAR SELLER

BLOKES ABOUT TOWN

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD FOR THINK SPEAKERS AND EVENTS WITH NEW OWNERSHIP

PROPOSED UNDERSEA DATA COMMUNICATION CABLE SET TO BOOST LOCAL BUSINESS

FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PASSION MEETS PURPOSE IN REAL ESTATE

THIS MONTH OUR BLOKES DISCUSS – WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART?

ALLAN PEASE MEET MR BODY LANGUAGE

After years of studying human behaviour, Allan Pease masters the art of communication NAMBOUR ON THE MOVE PROPERTY ADVICE, BUSINESS TIPS, AND MORE!

The original heart of the region has been revived, with exciting business and real estate opportunities

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JACK AND CHRIS CHILDS

WITH RAY MARTIN

LET’S CELEBRATE!

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t the end of the year, we often find ourselves reflecting on the year that has been and it’s been a big one at Think group of companies – in particular Think Speakers and Events. We’ve brought some big names to the Sunshine Coast including Lisa Wilkinson, Ray Martin, Sarina Russo, John Anderson, Guy Leech, Shane Webcke, Glenn Cooper and Robyn Moore, and the feedback we’ve had from local businesses has been heard loud and clear – ‘we want more!’ Most recently we had Matthew Hayden join us for the final Lunch with a Legend for 2015 and everyone revelled in hearing about Matthew’s colourful career in Aussie cricket, hosting cooking shows, launching his own radio show and the extensive work he does for charities across Australia, what a bloke! So let’s finish the year off with a bang. The brilliant Allan Pease, known worldwide as Mr Body Language is one of the most entertaining guest speakers this country has ever produced and his presentation offers a unique, refreshing insight into understanding human behaviour. You will not only learn from the best but you will also be left in stitches – the perfect presenter to finish a brilliant 2015. Allan will be joining us for a special VIP luncheon at See Restaurant on 11 December, which has completely sold out, so we’ve put on a second event to cater to demand. Catch Allan at our Get up and get motivated breakfast on 11 December starting at 6.45am at the Maroochy RSL, there are still seats available, but they’re selling fast, so head to the website www. thinkspeakersandevents.com.au to book your ticket. Thanks Gerry Morris – it has been a massive 2015 and I can’t wait to see what 2016 brings. New beginnings, new opportunities!

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oodCall!

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With Christmas fast approaching, it’s that time of year when business owners are thinking about taking a well deserved break with loved ones over the festive season, but what about those important phone calls you can’t afford to miss while you’re away?

difference and really help to support all our clients. “You can speak directly with the reception team at anytime, giving them the latest, up to date information about the management of your calls, and changes can be made throughout the day. “We use the latest technology and have enhanced the technology to ensure our team has all your comprehensive details at their fingertips.” SOI Virtual Receptionist employs a team of highly skilled receptionists who undergo extensive training with Michelle to offer the highest level of customer service. “Our clients vary from tradespeople, personal trainers, business consultants, health consultants, IT experts or any business that struggles to manage their incoming calls and wants to improve their professionalism and increase sales,” Michelle says. “Small business owners try to manage all facets of their business, which over time causes them to lose focus of why they started their business and they lose their passion and energy. It’s important to always keep focused on the reason you started your business and not to spend more time on the parts of the business you do not enjoy doing and are WE SIT dOWN not good at. An example of this is one client whose WITH EvERy ClIENT passion was helping TO gAIN A fUll people find their right UNdERSTANdINg career and supporting Of THEIR bUSINESS them through this change. ANd ExACTly HOW However, she was not THEy WANT THEIR good with accounts but did them anyway, until CAllS ANSWEREd the tax office advised her ANd MANAgEd. it would be better if she

ichelle Mills of SOI Virtual Receptionist has the answer. With 16 years experience in the business, Michelle says a virtual receptionist is the perfect solution offering you peace of mind that all your calls are being answered professionally and your business continues to run, while you completely switch off and take that well deserved break. So much more than just an answering service, SOI Virtual Receptionist prides themselves on being a unique boutiquestyle service which takes the time to fully understand your individual business needs. “We are definitely not a call center and offer a very different service and experience. We sit down with every client to gain a full understanding of their business and exactly how they want their calls answered and managed. This way our reception team becomes their dedicated receptionist and represents their business in the exact manner they require,” Michelle says. “We have been working with small businesses for over 16 years and understand how different each business is. Our systems are set up to ensure that each team member is able to capture this

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THIS ALSO ENABLES YOU TO TAKE THAT HOLIDAY THAT YOU NEED TO HAVE AND BE ABLE TO TOTALLY TURN OFF, SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES READY FOR AN EXCITING 2016.

outsourced that area of her business. “Let us help you to manage your incoming calls so you can focus on what you are good at and are passionate about. This also enables you to take that holiday that you need to have and be able to totally turn off, spend time with your family and recharge your batteries ready for an exciting 2016.” With no lock in contracts, clients can try the service without being committed for a set period. There are several packages that suit the different individual needs and budget, or SOI can tailor a unique package. Payments are monthly and start from just $69 + GST per month. “We are so confident in our service we are prepared to offer a one month free trial just so clients get a feel for what we can offer them,” Michelle says. “Business owners are often scared to hand their calls over to someone else initially and we understand that. But I would suggest you let us take your calls for a month and if you are not happy there is no obligation. I would be very surprised if you are not extremely happy.” WWW.SOIRECEPTION.COM.AU PHONE 07 3447 2400

Michelle Mills

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BUSINESS

WORDS NICOLE FUGE

THE BIG GUNS

SCOTT AND FIONA ROBERTS AND RAY MARTIN

Swapping war stories with Ray Martin, enjoying a girl’s night out with Lisa Wilkinson and exchanging business notes with Sarina Russo – Scott and Fiona Roberts have experienced the growth of Think Speakers and Events from the Platinum Sponsor hot seat and are now taking it to new heights under their guidance.

ith a few Coopers ales under his belt, Scott Roberts made a casual comment to long-time friend Jack Childs about buying one of his businesses. But it wasn’t the beer talking, it was a genuine offer to buy Think Speakers and Events – and ironically the idea was touted at a TSE event; Lunch with a Legend with Glenn Cooper. “When you have a few drinks you start loosening up in your conversation a bit more,” says Scott, “but I’ve always loved the concept of Think Speakers and Events, it just so happened an offhand comment to Jack has lead to where we are today”. Sitting around the marble boardroom table, Chris and Jack Childs of Think group of companies and Scott and Fiona Roberts of IBN Direct, meet to nut out the final details of Think Speakers and Events’ change of ownership and both parties are equally as excited about the growth of the business. Chris and Fiona have been friends for 15 years, having met in Rockhampton where Chris was a mortgage broker and Fiona was a business development manager with a lending institution. “It’s going to be a match made in heaven for these guys to run Think Speakers and Events,” Chris says. In late 2014, Chris and Jack launched Think Speakers and Events to fill a gap in the market and have brought the likes of profilemagazine

Ray Martin, Robyn Moore, John Anderson, Lisa Wilkinson, Guy Leech, Glenn Cooper, Sarina Russo, Matthew Hayden and Allan Pease to Sunshine Coast audiences. “As business people ourselves, we realised the benefits of motivation mixed with networking – it takes you out of the everyday slog of running a business,” Chris says. “During the last 12 months we’ve been putting on high calibre speakers every month and it’s working really well, however it isn’t Jack’s and my main focus in business. “We would never release this to anyone who we didn’t think could do it better than us and that’s what we’ve found, total gold in the fact Scott and Fiona will take this to a new level. I know they will be able to take this little seed of a business and fly with it.” Scott says having been involved in various events in the past and through their role as platinum sponsor of TSE, he and Fiona have wanted to further their involvement in high quality events on the Sunshine Coast. “We’ve always liked diversifying away from the finance industry and this is something that fits within what we do,” he says. “But it also fits within our own ethics and lifestyle, because at these events people always leave on a high and that’s what you enjoy in life, when you’re physically getting something out of it. “There’s not been one Think event we’ve been to that we haven’t walked away from

FIONA ROBERTS AND LISA WILKINSON

feeling great, so if we can continue that and expand upon it, it’s going to be magic,” Fiona adds. By the end of 2016, Think Speakers and Events will have expanded to take in the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and by the end of 2017, it will be a national brand, also covering Sydney and Melbourne. “We don’t like to do things in a small way, so we’ve reached out to some pretty big names, we want to bring some heavy hitters to the Coast,” Scott says. “From where TSE was 12 months ago, it’s a completely different company now, so what we’re taking over has had a great foundation and we just need to continue building on that. “I’ve lived on the Coast for most of my life, and rarely have we had an event company on the Coast who can bring these type of people here – that’s a great credit to what Jack and Chris have done with Think Speakers and Events.” Chris and Jack will remain heavily involved in Think Speakers and Events as the major sponsor. DON’T MISS OUT ON THE AWESOME SPEAKERS COMING IN 2016. VISIT WWW.THINKSPEAKERSANDEVENTS.COM.AU AND JOIN THE MAILING LIST.

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MEET MR

BODY LANGUAGE LANGUAGE

BUSINESS

ALLAN PEASE

WORDS NICOLE FUGE PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

Starting out selling rubber sponges door-to-door at the age of 10, Allan Pease has mastered the art of communication, offering such a unique insight into human behaviour he is now sought after by some of the world’s most respected and prominent leaders.

“V

ladimir, two sugars in that coffee please,” Allan Pease gestures to the then Deputy Mayor of Saint Petersburg, Moscow. “He didn’t speak English so it didn’t help,” Allan says with a ferocious laugh. Although the coffee order was lost in translation for Putin, there was no language barrier for Allan, who is fluent in body language.

“First impressions happen in UNDER FOUR MINUTES, that’s when people decide up to 90 PER CENT of their opinion about you.” It was 1992 and just weeks after Communism had fallen when Allan and his wife Barbara were in Russia, teaching politicians how to present themselves in the media. “They were all karate chopping,” Allan says, hitting his right hand into his left, “and pointing and shaking their fists because that’s what Communism was about.”

FIVE BODY LANGUAGE STRATEGIES THAT GIVE YOU THE EDGE KEEP YOUR PALMS UP

eep o r palm i i le en o al e re pon e o i an ien ignal i ar ire in o e rain er ill rea you as non-threatening and will respond positively to you.

KEEP YOUR FINGERS TOGETHER

eople o eep eir finger lo e an an elo eir chin when they talk command the most attention. Using open finger or ol ing o r an a o e e in i le authoritative. Sourced from www.peaseinternational.com

summer holiday issue

KEEP YOUR ELBOWS OUT

Sitting with your elbows on the armrest is perceived as powerful and on e a rong image m le e ea e in i i al le eir arm rop inside the arms of the chair and keep their elbows close to their bodies to protect themselves. They are seen as negative.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

e pe per onal pa e i ill e grea e in e opening min e o a ne mee ing o mo e in oo lo e e ma re pon leaning a a or ing ge re a re eal eir irri a ion a r mming eir finger or li ing a pen

MIRROR THEIR BODY LANGUAGE

irroring o lang age an pee pa ern il rappor i l n a ne mee ing i omeone mirror eir i ing po i ion po re o angle ge re a ial e pre ion an one o oi e e ll eel ere ome ing a o o e li e en pre en ing o o ple a or who mirrors whom to uncover the decision-maker.

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Putin had not long resigned from the KGB and orchestrated the seminar for 300 of the nation’s new leaders, having been appointed the role of Deputy Mayor under Mayor Anatoly Sobchak’s leadership. Allan has watched Putin’s rise to Russian presidency with keen interest, eyeballing his every move to see how much he adopted of his teachings. “Russians have what I call the Soviet face, which means the whole time they look really serious, and that’s okay within Russia,” he says. “When you look at Putin, he wears this face, and one of the most important things I teach Russians is if you’re going to impress foreign leaders you can’t look like that when you have other world leaders like Malcolm Turnbull and Barack Obama smiling and Putin showing no emotion.” Allan’s infatuation with body language began in the 1950s, when he would shadow his father, an insurance salesman, around his hometown of Lorne, Victoria. “Back in those days, insurance salesmen would go out and collect the premiums and, as a form of canvassing for new business, would try to sell more insurance and try and meet the neighbours,” he says. “My father would take me with him two or three nights a week, the strategy was, there would always be women at home and a man on his own had trouble getting inside, but with a five-year-old they always invited him in for a cup of tea. “Rather than studying my homework I’d sit around watching my dad negotiating and presenting. He’d tell me if the price is too high, they’ll move back and put their hand on their face or on their head; if they’re interested they’ll lean forward and ask a question. I thought everybody knew this.” By the time Allan was 10, he got his first job knocking on doors selling rubber sponges and then as a teenager, spent five years selling pots and pans on weekends and after school. “At 19, I joined the life insurance industry, which was big time selling,” he says. “I wanted to give it a go because I was a crack salesman, the best pots and pans salesman you ever saw.” After 12 years in the insurance business, Allan went into business with Kerry Packer and Tony Greg, founding Lion Insurance Brokers. “When I was selling pots and pans, they’d get me to stand up in front of the sales group every week and teach them how to sell, I started my career as a teenager talking about handling objections, observing people, what

customers were likely to do by the way they behaved,” he says. “That was extremely popular so I put it into a 20-page handbook that I’d sell for $10 and they would knock me over in the rush to get one.” In 1976, Allan, then aged 26, released his first book Body Language, not long before he was picked up by Mike Walsh, who started The Midday Show. Three weeks later Body Language was number one in Australia. “I remember thinking if I can sell 10,000 of these it’ll be a smash hit,” he says. Not one to rest on his laurels, once the book hit 30,000 copies, Allan scoured foreign phone books for big publishers in

“When I was selling pots and pans, they’d get me to stand up in front of the sales group every week and TEACH them how to SELL, I started my career as a teenager talking about handling objections, OBSERVING people, what customers were likely to do by the way they behaved.” America and the United Kingdom, sending letters and a copy of his book to 57 of them. Unfortunately Allan was turned down by everyone, so bought a cheap plane ticket to New York and walked up and down Wall Street, knocking on doors. After further rejections, a tenacious Allan signed with an agent who sold the book to Bantam Books. Body Language soon went number one worldwide and was translated into 54 languages – last year it was still number one in six countries, almost 40 years on. “I knew it was going to be successful but I hadn’t thought about it being a global thing because I was only in my early 20s,” he says. In the 1980s, Allan had his own TV series airing across the Southern Hemisphere, and was a regular guest with TV personalities including Don Lane, Daryl Somers, Ray Martin and Kerri-Anne Kennerley. “It all expanded from a practical thing of going out with my father and watching how he would present,” he says. Allan has reinvented his material every 10 years. The sequel, Why Men Don’t Listen & Women Can’t Read Maps, co-authored profilemag om a

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“Some body language gestures are UNIVERSAL, the most universal one is flashing (raising) your eyebrows, monkeys and chimps do it too.”

with wife Barbara, sold 13 million copies, eclipsing Body Language’s six million copies, his third book sold three million copies and his fourth sold another two million copies. Allan and Barbara became a worldwide smash hit and for the next 15 years, travelled around 70 countries on book and seminar tours. Today they still travel three months of the year, spending the most time in eastern Europe, especially Russia and Siberia. Over the years, Allan has met and appeared alongside a bevy of big names. Most recently, he was in Moscow with Richard Branson, he’s sat in green rooms with Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe; Lindy Chamberlain; Princess Anne of England; and met British football player Will Carling on the night the story broke he was having an affair with Princess Diana. Allan also has a state-of-the-art recording studio at his home in Buderim, which sees him often rubbing shoulders with the stars – Curtis Stone recently dropped by to record a voice-over for his television series California Dreaming; and his studio engineered the title track to the movie Home, with Rihanna. But while Allan enjoys dabbling in such industries, his passion is human behavioral studies, his bibles are Charles Darwin’s The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals from 1888 and Desmond Morris’ The Naked Ape written in the late 1960s. “Some body language gestures are universal, the most universal one is flashing (raising) your eyebrows, monkeys and chimps do it too,” he says. “It’s an eye-widening signal used by primates to communicate, ‘I see you’ and it has a powerful effect on others when you meet them.

“We started putting this biology into business training, for example, if you go to a coffee shop there’s a line of six people and you’re debating whether to stay or go, we’ve found if the person serving gets your eye contact, you’ll stay seven minutes longer before you leave, because you’ve been recognised with an eyebrow flash.” Another observation from within large corporations is as people, mostly men, are promoted, they show less gestures and keep a straight face when meeting people and shaking hands, whereas people in lower ranks tend to eyebrow flash, nod, and smile with their teeth. “Showing your teeth when you smile is the second most common gesture and primates do this too; we’re the only land animal that reveals their teeth and doesn’t bite next,” he says. “By showing you my teeth and giving you an eyebrow flash, you instantly feel comfortable and not threatened, whereas when someone who meets you and shows no expression are intimidating. “These are only little signals but they’re enormously powerful in making first impressions because first impressions happen in under four minutes, that’s when people decide up to 90 per cent of their opinion about you.” Not long before our interview, Allan penned the last sentence of his new book, within its pages are the letters he wrote spruiking his first book, and all of the replies. The book titled The Answer is about how to get what you want out of life and if the tales Allan has just spun are anything to go by, it’ll be another best seller.

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BUSINESS

WAVE WORDS ANNA RAWLINGS PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

There’s a buzz in our region surrounding the proposal for an undersea data communications cable, that if approved will place the Sunshine Coast firmly on the map as a digital hub and internet gateway attracting global corporation headquarters. Anna Rawlings investigates.

CRAIG JOSIC

t’s the development that could be a vital element of the Sunshine Coast’s evolving digital landscape and the region’s sustainable future, linking directly to foreign internet connectivity and global communications systems to form a strategic piece of national infrastructure. A proposal outlining the installation of an undersea data communications cable on the Coast, was pitched to thenCommunications Minister (now Prime Minister) Malcolm Turnbull at the Sunshine Coast and the New Economy Forum on 4 September, 2014 at the Sunshine Coast Airport. Already garnering support from the private sector and some key political figures, including Fairfax MP Clive Palmer, the concept would see Australia more intricately networked with data systems in Asia, the Pacific and the United States; and if successful the project will be backed by a consortium of private and public sectors. From an economic standpoint, global consultants AEC Group has independently forecast $700 million to be injected into the Sunshine Coast’s economy, and $1.1 billion to the Queensland economy, annually. Driving the bid are computer engineer Gavin Keeley, who is responsible for the initial idea to bring the cable to the Sunshine Coast; and Schoolzine chief digital officer Craig Josic. Craig (CJ) is part of the local ‘Silicon Valley’-esque movement of the Sunshine Coast. “The Coast is an innovative location and the undersea cable is a massive game changer for that,” CJ shares. “Connectivity is really important in every business and innovation, digital and creativity transcends across all industries, and we can recognise this opportunity is unique.” CJ imparted this message in September upon invitation from Mayor Mark Jamieson, at the Sunshine Coast and the New Economy Forum. “Our goal as a business community and at the forum was to highlight this opportunity to approve the cable submission so we can take it to the next level,” he says. profilemagazine

“The cable will lend itself to creating a NEW CULTURE in the business community and people will see the Coast as a place to do BUSINESS.” “We have great pillars of success; tourism, agriculture and building will always be here but we always need to look to the future and global opportunities. “Some people like to keep the status quo,” CJ admits, “but to maintain the lifestyle we have, we need to encourage different businesses and demographics. “The cable will lend itself to creating a new culture in the business community and people will see the Coast as a place to do business. “One of the most important things is to secure such a direct backbone, such as the cable and therefore attract a major global player to look at placing a head office here to create activity and employment, transcending the Coast to be a serious player.” Technologist and business leader with a career in international consultancy spanning 30 years, Gavin Keeley moved to the Sunshine Coast nine years ago, and after working on similar IT and communications projects internationally, incepted the idea four years ago and is welcoming the progression of the proposal. “What the council has done (with the forum) is take the lead in order to demonstrate political will and force the state and federal government and other political players to align,” he says. The cable would be Australia’s sixth undersea data communications cable; Sydney has four, Perth has one and the Coast’s will be one of the world’s most modern with the last cable of this nature being installed more than 10 years ago. With areas further north than Noosa classed as National Parks or lacking population density and shallow Moreton Bay and built up infrastructure of the Gold Coast to the south, a 1km wide and 40km long suitable corridor on the Sunshine Coast has been identified, although Fisheries and the ACMA are still assessing the intended protection zone. profilemag om a

“There is only one place suitable in Australia and it is the Sunshine Coast. You only have to go 40km offshore to get the Continental Shelf and it drops into 2000m of water, so there’s only a short run where the cable is exposed to shallow water,” says Gavin. “A lot of that area is equivalent to the Sahara Desert, which is good as we don’t have to destroy any marine habitats and sandy seabeds.” Gavin is still in the preliminary stages of liaison with cable manufacturers and a seabed surveyor, however, “we know what the cable run would look like and have prelim costing.” The five existing submarine cables are reported to carry around 98 per cent of Australia’s international internet traffic, with 80 per cent of the content we access mostly from the US, and the NBN increasing only domestic capacity; which Gavin compares to an analogy of a busy airport hub, and he pinpoints the four cables in New South Wales as vulnerable points of failure. “One of the reasons for wanting to put a cable into Queensland is geographical diversity so we aren’t beholden to those Sydney cables.” The Coast’s cable will link with one of the existing cables connecting Guam to Sydney, and meet land at the Sunshine Coast Airport, reported by Fairfax Media to have an estimated cost of $200 million to implement. As the proposal is still in the early stages, Gavin has to keep much of the technical information under wraps for legal reasons but says the cable’s build, lay and connect process is estimated to take 12 months, and will be installed by ships, of which there are only four in the world capable of such a task. But in the meantime, “We still need local and federal government permission and legal clearance. We’ve had different political parties in different levels deliberately disagreeing with each other ... what we are now trying to do is get all of them on either side totally supporting it, because then the investors will get on board,” says Gavin. CJ is optimistic. “I believe there is a good chance it will be successful, and especially after the forum, it will set a great foundation to show we are a growing economy, our region can be a significant global player and we can make a difference in Australia’s economy,” he says. “The next step for us is getting that message very clear through the approval process and then taking it to the next level and riding that wave.” Stay tuned to Profile Magazine and the Sunshine Coast Council website for further announcements on the undersea communications cable development, and follow the hashtag #speeditupsunshinecoast online. CRAIG JOSIC

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BUSINESS

AVOIDING CONFLICT AT SCOTT LORBACK PIPPA COLMAN & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS

Christmas can be a difficult time for some families. Scott Lorback from Pippa Colman & Associates looks at how problems can be minimised by applying these simple principles to family disputes.

hristmas is a time to come together, to enjoy the simple pleasures of familiar company among those we know best. For the millions of Australians living in separated families, however, Christmas can be a poignant reminder of the loss and division created by past relationship breakdowns. Children are often caught in the parental crossfire of December hostilities – an unfortunate trend we see repeated every year amongst clients old and new. Although every family is unique, and subject to its own particular personality dynamics, many of the problems we deal with every Christmas can be minimised by applying some simple principles to any family dispute involving children.

THINK LONG-TERM One of the most important things we tell clients to do is to focus on long-term outcomes. Like it or not, you and your former partner or spouse are going to have to communicate for years to come. As the kids grow up, the need for co-operation will inevitably arise. Decisions about things such as the child’s health, education or newfound love of death-metal require parental consultation. At the very least, there will be decades of joint attendance at family events. Doing what you can now to maintain workable communication will pay dividends for everyone involved in the future. If this means swallowing your pride and letting the kids go on that summer camping trip with the other parent – it is probably an investment worth making. profilemagazine

COMPROMISE WHEREVER POSSIBLE You should be trying to resolve difficulties, not win battles. If you see conflict looming and are preparing to dig in for holiday warfare, stop and ask yourself: what is the real motivation behind your resistance to the other parent’s wishes? Are you considering the children’s best interests, or are you resurrecting old grievances? Do the kids really need to listen to your Uncle Arthur’s annual Christmas speech, or are they better off spending quality time with their dad, even if he is someone you can’t stand the sight of?

KEEP YOUR COOL If your former partner is impossible to deal with, or deliberately frustrates your Christmas plan, try your best not to let it get to you. Yes, the other parent may be three hours late dropping the kids off, or has fed them entirely on sugar and lies for a week, but this is probably done only to get a reaction from you. Don’t give them the satisfaction and don’t let the children see you lose your cool. There is a lifetime of Christmases to enjoy. If you are part of a high conflict family, one of the best gifts you can give your kids is a Christmas without confrontation. This might mean changing, postponing or even cancelling your short-term plans but in the long run it will benefit the children.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT PIPPA COLMAN & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS ON 07 5458 9000 12/64 SUGAR ROAD, MAROOCHYDORE QLD 4558 WWW.PIPPACOLMAN.COM

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PRIORITISING YOU

FIONA ROBERTS ALL ABOUT AWESOME

It’s that time again, when everyone starts reflecting on the year just gone and what they aim to achieve in the next 12 months – whether that be healthwise, in a business sense or in terms of personal achievement. To make your goals easier to achieve, Fiona Roberts shares her top five tips.

ight about now, everyone is getting all excited about Christmas. And don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. But, if I were to be completely honest, I REALLY love New Year! There’s just something about new beginnings. Yep, I’m the person who actually packs away our Christmas tree on Boxing Day. It goes up on the first of December, and comes down on Boxing Day – because I crave five days of peace and reflection in anticipation of the New Year. A chance to reflect and learn from my journey of the past year, and the excitement of fresh challenges that lie ahead – a new story to be written. Ahead of writing this column, I started thinking about what I’ve learned this year and what I want to achieve moving forward, and the result is my top five tips for an awesome year ahead:

PRIORITISE YOURSELF. This is my big lesson for the year. I spent a lot of time in 2015 allowing my actions to be defined by obligation – real and imaginary. Being true to yourself is absolutely essential for your happiness, and the happiness of those around you. Being your best you (for me that means being healthy, happy and calm) means you inspire those around you to be their best selves also. It also has the side benefit you can nail any challenges easily as they arise. Trying to change the world is an admirable cause, but change yourself, and the world will reflect your change.

BE PRESENT. This is another ‘biggie’. It’s hard in this world to avoid distractions, but they can be minimised. Eat at the table with your family. Turn off the TV and put the phone away every now and then. Immerse yourself in the moment and enjoy it.

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BE INSPIRED. What lifts your energy? A day trip, watering the garden, dancing, a swim in the ocean, lunch with good friends, or a quiet cup of tea and a good book? It doesn’t matter how you raise your energy, it just matters that you DO. Make a list of all the things that can do this for you, and when you are ‘having a moment’, take even a few minutes to be good to you – rejuvenate!

BEGIN IT NOW. Why wait for New Year, or Monday, or the first of the month? Yes, enjoy your rituals (Boxing Day, spring cleans etc), but consider scheduling a little time to reflect more regularly and make changes then, rather than waiting.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. Be defined by what you do, not what you say you are going to do. Even the smallest action that brings you closer to your goal is progress. Be clear, know what you want, and question yourself everyday – do my actions reflect my goals? So what will 2016 look like? How will you be your best you? Only you can decide what needs to change in your daily life to bring you closer to your dreams, and only you can make those changes. Personal growth can be challenging, but please don’t feel you need to do this on your own. Join in the conversation at www.allaboutawesome.com.au. I’d love to hear about your goals, challenges and successes. Fiona has many hats. She and her husband Scott own IBN Direct: Alternative Funding Solutions, and she is also a small business mentor, blogger, celebrant, wife and mother. Check out Fiona’s website: www.allaboutawesome.com.au and the IBN website: www.ibndirect.com summer holiday issue

phone 1300 334 566 www.bcglaw.com.au BrisBAne north • stAfford BrisBAne south • eight Mile plAins sunshine coAst • KAwAnA

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PROMOTION

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BUSINESS

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: CRAIG, LEUNIS, PAUL, MALCOLM, TAMA, BJ, NEIL, GERRY, AND SCOTT

RICK’S OYSTERS

W H AT S E T S YO U R B U S I N E S S WORDS INGRID NELSON PHOTOS

CHESTERTON SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY VENUE RICKS GARAGE PALMWOODS

Ingrid Nelson catches up with the Blokes About Town over a delicious lunch at Ricks Garage, Palmwoods for their take on what sets them apart in their field.

eing in business is tough. There will always be competition, periods of uncertainty when the economy is challenging and pressure to stay ahead of the pack to find that elusive niche in the marketplace. But for those who are passionate about being the best in their field, the rewards far outweigh the challenges as I discovered during a recent lunchtime chat with the Blokes About Town at Ricks Garage, Palmwoods. Despite being from vastly different industries, there was a common thread among these successful businessmen when it came to what they considered to be most important to their business – customer service. To find out more I was joined by my co-hosts Gerry Morris of Think Speakers and Events, Craig Levitt of Think Business Development and guests Neil Underwood, of Underwoods Fine Jewellers, Leunis Kruger, assistant sales manager Pacific Jaguar Land Rover, Malcolm Mitchell, state sales manager with Flight Centre Business Centre, Scott Christie, director of SPC Finance and Paul Anderson of Aspire Real Estate. profilemagazine

profile: Tell us a little about you and your business? neil: I have been in jewellery for 40 years. We started off in a shed behind my grandmother’s house in Parramatta in 1968. My eldest brother kicked it off, then my other brother joined him and then me. We started our apprenticeships at 14 years of age. My uncle and cousin are also jewellers. We later discovered that 100 years ago the family were silver smiths in England. I opened Underwoods Fine Jewellers in the Sunshine Plaza 20 years ago and we also have a store at North Lakes. craig: I work for Think Money. We provide investment advice for creating wealth through property. My background is in marketing and I am also a business coach. We test and measure everything so we know it works. Our lead generation and sales are up 30 per cent from last year. You have to spend money to make money. When business is tough you can’t pull back on marketing too much or you will have no business at all. profilemag om a

neil: It’s taken me 40 years to learn what you’re talking about. If someone had explained that to me 30 years ago, I would have been 30 years better off by learning from someone who has actually been trained in the skill. scott: SPC is a finance brokerage business operating for 21 years. We do finance for motor vehicles, plant equipment, earth moving, trucks ... mainly for small business but also for consumers and individuals. We also have a home loan section which does commercial property, which is run out of our Brisbane office. Our niche is knowing how to put an application together particularly for new business ventures which are traditionally hard to get. leunis: Jaguar motor vehicles deals in the upper end of motor vehicles. It’s extremely busy at the moment. The market on the Coast has grown quite significantly in the area of luxury SUVs and luxury sport cars. paul: Aspire Real Estate has just turned 12 months old. It has been a big journey. My partner started the business and his goal was 24 properties for the first year and we have sold nearly 60. The market has been fantastic. gerry: I run Think Speakers and Events, bringing high profile and entertaining speakers to the Sunshine Coast. We run business breakfasts, sports luncheons and inspirational dinner events. We have had the likes of Amanda Gore, Ray Martin, Lisa Wilkinson, Sarina Russo, John Anderson, who started Contiki tours and Glenn Cooper of Coopers Brewery. We finish the year with Allan Pease who is a world class guest speaker and very funny, so we are looking forward to finishing on a high with lots of laughs. profile: What makes your business stand out from the crowd? neil: Ninety five percent of jewellery in Australia comes from India, Thailand or China and the life expectancy is roughly 14 years. However, we believe jewellery should last forever so we took that approach from the start. We might be 10 per cent dearer but we sell only quality pieces and give a 10-year warranty. malcolm: I would say it’s the relationship we build with our customers, that is our biggest driving force. The person who is on the other end of the phone is that relationship. If you can get across the line with a client for one or two bookings and you deliver excellent service, they are a client for life. scott: We have always been conscious of the fact ours is a service industry so we try to provide top class customer service every time. It’s also about building relationships. We are dealing with people’s personal and business

“[Business is] about BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS. We are dealing with people’s personal and business financial information so they have to TRUST us.”

We’re on a mission to save lives. Are you?

Red25 is uniting with Sunshine Coast organisations to save lives through blood donation. 1 DONATION CAN SAVE 3 LIVES

Imagine how many lives you and your colleagues could save together. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

It’s a life-saving social responsibility program that everyone can be proud to be part of. WHAT’S INVOLVED?

Simply make blood donations part of your organisation’s calendar. We’ll provide the expert advice and resources. WHAT’S NEXT?

Register your group and choose a Red25 coordinator from within your organisation. To find out more call Rebecca on (07) 5409 2116 or visit donateblood.com.au/red25

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RICKS GARAGE

financial information so they have to trust us. craig: Two things. The knowledge and experience of our staff and providing excellent customer service. All clients who walk into the Think office for their initial free consultation will walk out with new information. The second thing is building relationships. The service levels at Think are incredibly high. leunis: When we sell a car we don’t just say ‘here are the keys see you later’. People are spending a lot of money with us so when they leave the dealership we want to ensure they completely understand what they have bought and what the machine can do. paul: Yes I agree. Service is what sets you apart. I’ve been on the bad end of real estate transactions. We are all about sitting down for a cup of coffee with our clients rather than communicating via email. We offer a very personal service. profile: How have trends changed? paul: We used to be the gatekeeper of information, whereas now, with access to the internet, people can get all their information online. Often they have researched it more than me so you can get down to the nitty gritty earlier because they are informed. I think that’s a positive. neil: I think people are collaborating more across different businesses and thinking more laterally. We are always introducing new things and moving with the times. You can never stop learning, innovating, networking. When times get hard, just get into it! malcolm: I find people are reverting to value versus price as far as travel goes. When the internet came about and people realised they could book online there was a flood towards that but a lot of mistakes happen and that is where we come into play.

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Ricks Garage has become almost an institution on the Sunshine Coast. Well known for its award-winning burgers and unique,1950s-themed diner filled with interesting memorabilia from yesteryear, the family-owned restaurant has done remarkably well since opening its doors in 2011, putting the hinterland town of Palmwoods firmly on the map. I’m not surprised either, as a resident of Palmwoods myself and regular visitor to Ricks Garage I have never been disappointed. The meals are always generous, the service is warm and welcoming and the family-friendly atmosphere makes it a firm favourite among all ages. Owners Rick and Lisa Jamieson, together with their sons Tama and Ben (BJ) are hands-on operators who are passionate about making every customer feel important. On the day of our visit we were treated to a selection of delicious starters from the menu to begin with including spicy chicken wings, garlic bread, salt and pepper calamari (some of the best I have eaten) and delicious oysters. The extensive range of mouth-watering burgers makes it difficult to choose. The signature Ricks Burger was a firm favourite among the blokes, with the chicken burger following a close second. Vegetarians are also well catered for and I can highly recommend the vegetarian burger. Diners can chose from regular or mini-sized burgers depending on your appetite and the chips are an absolute must! The casual outdoor beer garden is ideal on a laidback Saturday or Sunday afternoon when you can enjoy some chilled live music and let the kids play on the grassy area. Pop in, you’ll love it. 14-16 MARGARET ST PALMWOODS PHONE: 5445 0933

BJ AND TAMA JAMIESON

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GAME

CHANGERS WORDS NICOLE FUGE PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

Mortgage brokering is no longer about men in suits speaking in tongues, just ask Donna Martin and Meagan Sing – two mums with banking backgrounds changing the way finance is done.

t’s an appointment mortgage broker Donna Martin has been in many times before, sitting opposite a bank manager to discuss the details of a home loan. But this time, Donna was there as a mum. “My 20-year-old has just bought his first home,” she says with a big smile, “it was great, I was so pleased I had the knowledge to share with him because I certainly didn’t have it when I bought my first home. “To be able to put everything in simple terms, the reward came when the solicitor and real estate agent each sat down with him to discuss their requirements, and spoken like a typical 20-year-old, his reply was, ‘Yep I understand all of that, Mum’s gone through that with me’. That, for me, was lovely and he truly did understand everything.” Donna and her business partner Meagan Sing, who collectively own and operate BeMyBroker, pride themselves on providing the personal and nurturing service often missing from financial transactions. BeMyBroker, which has access to over 40 Australian lenders, specialises in Residential Finance, Commercial Finance and Personal Finance; handling all of your refinancing and debt consolidation needs, and of course looking after the first home buyers. “Our favourites are first home buyers, because it is getting them into their dream home and helping them along the way, because it really is a daunting and scary time,” Meagan says.

DONNA MARTIN

MEAGAN SING

“That’s where we come in, we can put it into simple language and being women, it’s a natural extension of who we are – we pride ourselves on nurturing and educating our clients through the whole process ... that’s the heart and soul of BeMyBroker.” Donna and Meagan launched BeMyBroker in July 2015, having met while working for a major national brokering company and bonding over their backgrounds in banking and similar approach to business, which ironically was very different to their employer’s. “We had restraints on what we could do,” Meagan says. “We did not fit their mould so to speak,” Donna adds. Donna and Meagan felt restricted and wanted to deliver on all aspects of lending, “In finance, people buy the relationships, not the product”. BeMyBroker can also help with setting up accounts, credit cards, insurance and loan protection. “It’s the complete package that a bank can deliver, but we can access so much more,” Donna says. “Typically if you go to a bank and you don’t fit their policy you may be turned away, but we have access to so many other options. “And with our banking background we have the understanding, explanation and appreciation of the process and we can educate our customers from start to finish and ongoing.” “We’re with them every step of the way,” Meagan adds. “It’s maintaining that relationship and understanding what their long term goals are as well, we would like to build on that relationship, we want to be their preferred finance brokers.” Donna, who is a mum to two sons aged 22 and 20, and Meagan who is a mum to three children aged 11, six and four, also recognise there are many family and living situations and therefore tailor their business around their clients. “We understand you having kids running around, it’s okay we will come to you, let them run around and you and I will chat,” says Donna. “We don’t take the clinical approach or the nine-to-five approach, we understand not everything can be done within those hours,” Meagan adds. There’s no doubt Donna and Meagan are changing the face of the industry in more ways than one. For your finance needs phone Donna 0412 875 548, Meagan 0432 769 422 or visit the website www.bemybroker.com.au. Sponsored content: This special feature has been written on behalf of an advertising business. We only bring you content we think is relevant and interesting to our audience.

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MONEY

makeover

WORDS NICOLE PEDERSEN-MCKINNON

How much money have you earned in your life? What do you have to show for it? If the answer is not much, you’ve probably had plenty of fun, but how are you going to fund future fun? Follow this simple ‘SMART’ money acronym.

5 STEPS TO SMARTER MONEY SAVE DON’T CAVE – ‘debt’ is one of the nastiest four-letter words around … and the average Aussie has more than $4000 on a credit card, $20,000 on a personal loan and $350,000 on a house. At average interest rates that costs them nearly $3000 a month in repayments and more than $300,000 in total interest. With my fellow financial literacy campaigner, Paul Clitheroe, I recently assessed the nation’s household finances and graded them on ‘money smarts’: we failed the average household on the basis of too much debt attracting too much interest. MODERATION NOT DEPRIVATION – if you’re a bit of a health and fitness junkie, you have the right mentality to optimise your money – intake, output, focus, determination. But like good health, good wealth has to be sensible and sustainable for a lifetime. Don’t forget to reward yourself either – I love the 80:20 noble-to-naughty ratio. AMASS A CASH STASH – Albert Einstein took time out from physics for a little finance in his time, proclaiming compound interest as the eighth wonder of the world. His Theory of Relative Worth went that, “He [or she] who understands compound interest earns it; he [or she] who doesn’t, pays it”. If you can make an average 8% annual return, you can be a millionaire by 60 if you save $190 a month from age 15, $1052 a month from 35 or $5496 from 50. So get cracking!

MAKE 2016 YOUR YEAR THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO START YOUR STUDIES.

ake a New Year’s resolution that really counts and get the skills you need to achieve extraordinary things with a course at TAFE Queensland East Coast. From health services and business, to trades and creative industries, we’ve got you covered with hundreds of courses available. Still deciding? Get a taste of what TAFE has to offer at the January Open Days 20 and 21 January 2016! Meet award winning teachers, visit our state of the art facilities and find out what options will fit your future. Join a range of free activities, workshops, demonstrations and site tours and enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, giveaways and radio broadcasts. Enrolments are open for semester one 2016 with thousands of students across the region already making great happen for their career. Enrol now. Call 1300 656 188. For more information visit tafeeastcoast.edu.au

RATES NOT MATES – my number crunching reveals the average Aussie gives away more than $90,000 in interest. That’s the cost of lifetime loyalty to one of the big four banks as opposed to holding the average Australian debt with the cheapest providers (think credit card, personal loan and mortgage). It’s also more than the average annual salary and could buy you a luxury car. All your financial products should be with different institutions and you should change them regularly. TARGET SWEET REWARDS – why bother with all this? For the family ski holidays, for liberation from mortgage repayments, for the ability to take a year off and travel around Australia, for early retirement. Your goals should be so tantalising you can almost taste them. That way, one day, you will. Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon writes ‘money’ for all Fairfax publications, talks ‘money’ on Channel 7 and others, and presents her ‘Smart Money Start’ in high schools around Australia. Email www.themoneymentorway.com Twitter @NicolePedMcK

Nambour Campus 10.00AM–12.00PM

Mooloolaba Campus 10.00AM–12.00PM

PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY SPC FINANCE & LEASING. PHONE: 5443 1644. WEBSITE: SPCFINANCE.COM.AU profilemagazine

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omen often look at the photos of women adorning the walls of Paula Brennan’s boutique Mooloolaba studio and exclaim at their ‘unachievable beauty’. “Yet every single person in my photos is real, not a model,” smiles Paula. Before moving to the Coast in 2012, Paula ran a successful wedding and portrait studio in western Sydney for 10 years, photographing over 700 weddings and winning multiple awards during her 16 years in the industry; still in such demand she regularly travels back to Sydney to shoot weddings. Photographing women at their weddings has meant the transition to shooting women in portrait sessions has been a natural progression for Paula. “It’s been overwhelming but very rewarding,” says Paula. “The challenge is getting women to give themselves permission to do the photos, they put everything else on their priority list!” Part of Paula’s decision to move to the Coast was to be a “more present” mother for her eight-year-old daughter Aria, and having battled her own challenges, empathises with her subjects. “I know what it feels like to feel insecure, so I make women feel like they are enough.” Paula recently launched a video series of her clients’ transformations, and is now working on Christmas gift packages, and a project focusing on positive body image messages from mothers to young girls. “It’s so emotional that something as superficial as getting your hair and make-up done and photographed is so empowering. All I’m doing is showing them a different mirror.”

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uanita Childs is one of those magic-minded people who can focus on the most intricate creative details and the big picture business strategy at once. Nita, as everyone calls her, is the owner of What The Fox Creative, a full service marketing and design agency. With a vast, multidisciplinary background, Nita has a knack for developing key messages and enjoys helping businesses reach their market potential. What The Fox Creative was established in early 2014 to cater for a gap in the market, noting that no one was pushing boundaries and delivering a full range of design services that are intrinsically motivated by marketing strategy. Growing at a remarkable pace, What The Fox Creative is now a team of 12 operating out of their awesome creative studio space in George Street, Maroochydore. The foxy team is made up of a digital department, a suite of graphic designers and dedicated strategists to deliver collaborative, comprehensive inhouse services. Nita’s two-year-old son is the littlest member of the team. “Having a toddler around is good for your creativity, he adds that bit of extra energy,” Nita laughs. “We are designers, developers, strategists and account managers so we each have different roles but we put our heads together to bring a new energy and playfulness to each new job,” says Nita. “I think that’s what our clients really value, having access to the whole den of foxes is great because together we can make a good idea great. “It’s not just about staying on design trends, but designing for the user. The way people consume media has changed so much with smart devices, consumers are more savvy, and the market is changing with technology.” As for the future, Nita says, “What the Fox will be where I want it to be when our clients are being recognised for amazing marketing strategy that turns heads, and keeps people interested and engaged”.

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IN FOCUS

IN FOCUS Paula Brennan Paula Brennan Photography, Mooloolaba

Nita Childs What The Fox Creative, Maroochydore

stellar seller looks beyond sales PHOTOS REBECCA SMITH

Vicki Cooper wanted to do more than simply sell a lot of property; she wanted to change the perception of real estate on the Sunshine Coast and polish the tarnish from the reputation of the industry... she wanted to make it shine.

Vicki cooper

“We quickly discovered many people were looking for a genuine alternative and we began to attract business through word of mouth recommendations and through our innovative approach to marketing.”

fter 10 years in the United States, Vicki Cooper and her husband Bryan returned to Australia in 2005. While he was looking forward to a quieter time after a long career as an international advertising executive, Vicki was keen to resume a life in real estate, which had been put on hold during their time in America. Regular holidays in the Noosa area had convinced the couple that the Sunshine Coast was where their future lay. But when they began to search for a house Vicki was dismayed to discover that perceptions of the real estate business seemed no better than when she had been working as a sales agent in Brisbane many years earlier. “Over the years I have met lots of honest, very hardworking agents who have their customer’s best interests at heart. But unfortunately it’s the ones who don’t do the right thing that still seem to attract all the attention and give our business a bad name,” says Vicki. “I suppose part of it is training, but the major issue is the focus on transactions rather than relationships, which is the opposite of the way a modern service business needs to be. “When we opened Star Noosa early in 2008 the property market was at its peak but the GFC was about to take prices over the edge of the cliff. “People were very stressed about losing money. Many agents were afraid that if they told sellers the truth they would lose the summer holiday issue

listing. But right from the start I decided I would tell clients what they needed to know – and not just what they wanted to hear. “We quickly discovered many people were looking for a genuine alternative and we began to attract business through word of mouth recommendations and through our innovative approach to marketing.” Six years later Star is the number one agency in the area and in the last three years Vicki has personally averaged a sale every eight days. From a base in Peregian, the agency is now active along the Coast from Marcoola to Noosa but has no plans to grow at the expense of service.

“If I had to say one simple thing that makes us successful it’s that we’re nice to people.” “Yes we work hard, we’re very professional and we get results,” says Vicki, “but if I had to say one simple thing that makes us successful it’s that we’re nice to people. “Both buyers and sellers go through a range of complex emotions during the purchase process and empathy and understanding tend to be remembered and appreciated. “There are still not that many female principals in the business and I do think that can sometimes be an advantage. For some

reason the image of the nasty unscrupulous real estate agent does tend to be a male a lot of the time. “But whatever gender they are, it’s high time we put that reputation behind us and developed our business in a way the community respects and our children can be proud of.” Sponsored content: This special feature has been written on behalf of an advertising business. We only bring you content we think is relevant and interesting to our audience. profilemagazine

REAL ESTATE

TANYA MUNGOMERY Integrity. Knowledge. Results. Tanya Mungomery brings 20 years of client service experience to her role with McGrath and prides herself on exceeding clients’ expectations through her friendly and professional manner. Dedicated to delivering exceptional results in a stress free manner with proven results, Tanya makes an excellent choice for the sale of your property offering six star service and advice delivered with integrity.

Tanya Mungomery Sales Agent M 0414 260 711 T 5450 8000 E tanyamungomery@mcgrath.com.au W mcgrath.com.au

MAKE YOUR H ME MORE

energy efficient

With the rising cost of living and the effect of climate change, today’s home buyers are becoming more concerned with saving money in terms of the home’s energy efficiency. Here are the four most environmental upgrades to make your home more appealing to a mindful buyer.

Water efficiency in the home

Remember to advertise any water-saving or water-efficient features in real estate listings and point these out to your real estate agent. Features such as greywater systems and rainwater tanks may appeal to keen gardeners, and water-efficient showers and other appliances may appeal to large families and those who want to minimise water costs and avoid wasting water. If sellers are looking at renovating their wet areas or replacing old appliances, sellers should look into water efficient products and fittings.

“Insulation can help CUT the homeowner’s cooling and heating bills by up to HALF.” Insulation

Good insulation not only helps to minimise the amount of heat entering the home on a warm day but also helps keep the heat in on a cold day. Insulation can help cut the homeowner’s cooling and heating bills by up to half. profilemagazine

Energy efficient lighting

Reduce the amount of energy used for lighting by 50 per cent by making smarter lighting choices. Switch all lighting to energy efficient light bulbs, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CLSs), light emitting diodes (LEDs) and fluorescent lights.

Window coverings

To help reduce the loss of heat in winter and minimise the heat entering the home in summer, make the windows and doors more energy efficient. Either have all windows and doors double glazed or a less expensive option is to add window tints, blinds or shutters.

“Reduce the amount of ENERGY used for lighting by 50 PER CENT by making SMARTER lighting choices.” profilemag om a

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PROFILE

NAMBOUR

on the move

Throughout the early establishment of the Sunshine Coast, Nambour was the thriving epicentre of the region. But during the early 1960s, as the Coast grew and Maroochydore became the central location, Nambour experienced a downturn and was no longer the beating heart of the region – but all that is about to change.

he hinterland town of Nambour is now in the early stages of a long-awaited revival. In late 2013, major businesses began moving back into the area, and throughout 2015, savvy entrepreneurs saw the potential in Nambour and set up in town, and a host of existing shopfronts underwent extensive refurbishments. The biggest turning point was in October 2015, when Sunshine Coast Council endorsed the Nambour Activation Plan, giving the community the green light to reactivate the hinterland town. “Nambour has already embraced increased business investment and the final Nambour Activation Plan further empowers the business sector and community to use their innovative ideas to build on Nambour’s strengths,” Divisional Councillor Greg Rogerson says. “The plan has been developed as a collaborative project by the Nambour Project Working Group – consisting of local residents, members of the business and notfor-profit communities, education leaders, clergy and the Nambour Alliance – and is a culmination of previous planning and projects, community aspirations, and the outcomes of recent community consultation. “Based on the feedback received, the plan

places more significance on being family and pedestrian friendly, improving the ‘look, feel and lovability’ of Nambour, and the importance of building on existing cultural and heritage assets.”

The plan idenTifies four key sTraTegic projecTs:

· Creating Petrie Creek as a major pedestrian and green spine · The Nambour Heritage Tramway Project · Investigation of a Nambour water splash park and leisure corridor · Connecting the town centre to the event hub at Nambour Showgrounds.

Cr Rogerson says one of the key recommendations is a funding request to undertake a $60,000 feasibility study for a water splash park in association with the Nambour Aquatic Centre, as part of 2016/17 budget considerations. “The study will explore a range of splash park elements, consider the traffic

management and car parking of the site and determine what might be viable,” he says. Cr Rogerson says the plan is a contemporary and creative approach to urban renewal and sets a framework to guide activation of businesses, streets and public places in Nambour. “The plan’s success relies on an ongoing collaborative approach and council looks forward to working with the community and focussing on opportunities to make Nambour an extraordinary place to live, work and play,” he says.

for invesTmenT opporTuniTies in The hearT of nambour call 07 5451 1080 or visiT www. ThinkinvesTmenTrealTy.com.au

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Villas on Image rare investment opportunity in the heart of nambour

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perfect for the investor, villas on Image offers the very latest in aterials and fit out and features lar e ell a ointed itc en and bathrooms with generous room sizes and front and rear courtyards.

Location This quiet location in thriving Nambour hub of the Sunshine coast hinterland, is handy to the ever expanding hospital precinct, major shopping centre, train and bus station and a variety of educational and health care facilities. os ital ed are us interc an e rain tation o in ir ort arooc dore

standard inclusions Spacious Bedrooms Impressive Kitchen air conditioning clothes dryer

centre Robe + Storage covered Outdoor Living area Window coverings dishwasher

2 Large Bathrooms Remote Entry garage Security screens

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1km 900m 1.4km 2km 2.2km 17.5km 18km

NAMBOUR StANdS OUtS fOR

Affordability, Growth and Yields By Terry ryder, director, hotspotting.com.au

he Sunshine Coast is one of the strongest up-and-coming regional markets in Australia - and the inland town of Nambour is one of the strongest parts of it. Median prices have risen 9% for units and 7% for houses in the past 12 months, but the market remains one of the most affordable in the Sunshine Coast region. Rental yields are also strong, with a 6.8% median yield for units. Nambour, with a population around 10,000, is a comfortable drive to coastal shops, restaurants and nightlife – but it doesn’t really need to be, because Nambour is a self-contained regional centre, with an array of shopping, business, government and other services.

It’s the administrative centre for the Sunshine Coast Region. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has its HQ in Nambour. State Government agencies in Nambour include Primary Industries, Natural Resources and Transport. The Nambour Civic Centre offers a 900-seat concert hall and a 200-seat theatre. Nambour General Hospital, a major regional hospital, recently had a $24 million expansion and employs around 2,500 people. It is currently the major hospital for the Sunshine Coast region (until the $2 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Kawana is completed). Selangor Private Hospital is also at Nambour. Parmalat, a subsidiary of dairy giant Pauls,

“Nambour, overall, presents an attractive package to property investors: an affordable precinct backed by strong services and amenities, in a growth region, with low vacancies and strong rental returns.”

has a milk processing plant in Nambour, while the Department of Primary Industries Maroochy Research Station is nearby. Nambour has numerous primary and secondary schools - including Nambour Christian College, St Johns Catholic College, Nambour State High School and Burnside State School - plus the Sunshine Coast TAFE Nambour Centre. The key centres of Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, as well as the Sunshine Coast Airport where a $450 million upgrade is planned, are all within 20 minutes by road, while Noosa Heads is a 40-minute drive. Nambour has a busy property market, with over 200 houses sold in the past 12 months. Affordability is a key market driver. The median house price is $350,000, compared with the Sunshine Coast average around $500,000. The Nambour median has grown 7% in the past year. The median rental yield for houses is 5.6%. Rents are expected to remain strong, as the vacancy rate is below 1% (and has been consistently below 2% for the past three years). The unit market has recorded 60 sales in the past year at a median price of $245,000, up 9% in 12 months. This market has attractive rental returns, with a median yield of 6.8%. Nambour, overall, presents an attractive package to property investors: an affordable precinct backed by strong services and amenities, in a growth region, with low vacancies and strong rental returns.

for invesTmenT opporTuniTies in The hearT of nambour call 07 5451 1080 or visiT www. ThinkinvesTmenTrealTy.com.au

WHERE THE RIVER

meets the sea Sophisticated, elegant Sunshine Coast living does not get better than this – The Retreat at Cotton Tree embodies the finest architectural design principles, aesthetic brilliance and location.

rivacy is paramount at The Retreat; towering over seven levels, there are only two apartments on each level and no adjoining walls, enhancing exclusivity, tranquillity and future desirability at this boutique 14-apartment development. With a perfect north-east aspect positioned in a pocket where the river mouth meets the sea, the apartments range from two to three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with expansive timber decks complete with privacy screens.

Designed by acclaimed Architect Frank Raadschelders, whose brief was to create “penthouse quality” apartments; the higher level apartments showcase gorgeous ocean views, and there is a seven metre vertical garden which is at the forefront of intelligent design and energy efficiency. Other features include: Caesar stone benches, air-conditioning, floor plan to facilitate cross ventilation and lock-up storage in the basement carpark. Promoting a healthy, active and relaxed lifestyle, with boutique dining, shopping, cinemas, library, bowls club, parks and waterways a pleasant short stroll away, it truly is an unsurpassed location – with something to satisfy all tastes and lifestyle choices. Currently under construction, with an estimated completion date of early 2017, you can start making plans to sell and relocate to this premium location where you can walk, fish, run, ride, swim, dine out, shop, paddle, kayak... and just relax.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST, CALL JESS RUSKIN FROM AMBER WERCHON PROPERTY MOOLOOLABA ON 0407 231 788.

summer holiday issue

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REAL ESTATE PROFILE

TO SELL A PROPERTY WORDS SUE GODFREY

When assessing the appearance of your home before putting it on the market, do a check list and be brutal. Research either online or do drive bys. Look at properties in your location and of a similar price range. What separates them from each other? At first glance what grabbed your attention? What made you want to enter the house and look further?

ow try and apply this to your property. Remember first impressions are the most important. Buying property is emotional unless you are an investor. Start at the very front, look at the letterbox, is it in good repair or should you replace it – is it in keeping with the style of the property? In the front garden and pathway, does the vegetation need cutting back or possibly some more interesting plantings, is the pathway even and neat? Is there foliage surrounding the house and blocking light, if so remove or trim? And make sure there is no rusted guttering or peeling paint. Take a look at your front door – does the door need replacing or perhaps in need of paint, do you need to replace door handles with something more modern or in keeping with the house style? These actions are quite minor yet can make a huge difference to the street appeal. You want the potential buyer to want to enter this property and look further. Emotion is the biggest element in prospective buyers purchasing a property. The heart rules first, then the head. You need to harness the emotion by creating the property to connect with the buyers. The buyers have a lot of choices and you need to stand out from your competition. Generally a buyer will connect with a property in the first few minutes of viewing. If you present it correctly, it will make it easier from a marketing/sales task to get it sold. THE MOST IMPORTANT ROOMS YOU NEED TO ENSURE ARE STYLED AND DRESSED TO SUIT BUYERS ARE:

• Entry • Living areas • Kitchen

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• Dining room • Master bedroom • Ensuite

If there is a feature area for your property, such as an outdoor area then this should be dressed. Once again you need to be brutal in your own assessment! Remember your property does not need to be presented in how YOU live but what visually appeals to the maximum buyers.

KEY POINTS POTENTIAL BUYERS RESPOND TO ARE:

• Light

• Space

• Flow

• Harmony

Make notes on what appealed to you at the open home inspections you visited with other properties or in your research either online or print media. Did the rooms appear to be spacious, how much furniture was in the rooms, was there plenty of light coming in, was it a neutral pallet of colour, did you get a feeling of harmony and flow and most of all could you picture yourself in this property? If not, why not? If your answers were because the layout was not suitable for you, the room configuration didn’t suit your particular needs, location, or it was on a busy road etc., these are issues you cannot control or change. But did you like the feel of the property inside? Was it the colours/ furnishings etc., did it give you the ‘I could see myself living here’ feeling? Now look at your own property, what could you do to make some of these changes. We all have those ooh aah moments when we visit show homes – you should ask why? It is because it presents so beautifully that we can imagine living in this space. Make yours do the same! Remember this is about you selling a property to obtain the best price in the shortest time.

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WIDE OPEN SPACES CLOSE TO THE ACTION ONLY 15 MINUTES FROM MAROOCHYDORE

NOW SELLING 19 architecturally designed house & land OvER 60% packages SOLD

INvEST or LIvE

artist impressions only

FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACk CALL 07 5451 1080 WWW.THINkINvESTMENTREALTY.COM.AU

WIDE OPEN SPACES AND LARGE BLOCkS CLOSE TO THE ACTION

Leafy hinterland Woombye is only minutes from it all ... plantation park Woombye is a peaceful hinterland setting only 15 minutes from the vibrant and dynamic urban hub of Maroochydore – the sunshine coast’s commercial heart. along with access to world-class beaches less than 20 minutes away, plantation park is the perfect blend of beach, hinterland and urban lifestyles. • Woombye is well-positioned for both car and rail connectivity to Brisbane and other destinations. • Brisbane is 80 minutes drive with access to the Bruce hwy only minutes from the Woombye town centre.

• the Woombye train station has daily trains to south to Brisbane or north to the rural centre of gympie. the Woombye lifestyle, sense of community and familyfriendly location make Woombye an ideal place to live. locals love the immediate bushland surroundings that include impressive children’s playground areas. the area’s convenient proximity to other parts of the coast or outside the region are also a key feature.

“I like how close we are to everything. We live in an area that is more country-like, but it’s only a 15 minute drive to the beach”

FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACk CALL 07 5451 1080 WWW.THINkINvESTMENTREALTY.COM.AU

WOOMBYE IS THE AFFORDABLE HILLS ALTERNATIvE TO THE COASTAL STRIP By TERRY RYDER, director, hotspotting.coM.au

Choose from a mix of 3, 4 or 5 bedroom homes with nature on your doorstep •

exclusive house & land turnkey packages ready to buy off the plan. •

designed homes – some with media rooms. •

within a natural bushland setting. •

setting in the sought-after growth area of Woombye on Queensland’s sunshine coast.

For more information visit plantationparkwoombye.com.au

Woombye is part of the Sunshine Coast, which we rate as one of the strongest up-and-coming markets in Australia. And, in numerous different ways, Woombye has better statistics than Sunshine Coast averages. It is more affordable, its houses sell faster, its discounting levels are (slightly) lower and its long-term growth rate is (slightly) better. Woombye is a hinterland town of about 3,000 west of the Bruce Highway, inland from the coastal strip. This means it’s about hills and acreage living rather than beaches and apartments. It also means it has an advantage the coastal suburbs lack – it has a train station with rail links to Brisbane. Woombye’s history is as a hub for pineapple and citrus farmers. It’s now making a gradual transition to urbanization in an area where the acreage lifestyle is popular. Gradually it is merging with neighbours Nambour to the north and Palmwoods to the south. Woombye is a comfortable drive to Sunshine Coast shops, beaches, restaurants and nightlife. The key centres of Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, as well as the Sunshine Coast Airport, are all within 20 minutes by road, while Noosa Heads is a 40-minute drive. opping in oom e in l e an permar e a po o fi e a newsagent and a hardware & rural supplies store. Nearby Nambour has two shopping centres: the long-established Nambour Plaza is anchored by Woolworths, while Coles built a new store in 2013, creating 300 construction jobs and 100 operational jobs. Proximity to the services and infrastructure in Nambour is one of core elements of Woombye’s appeal. Nambour General Hospital, a major regional hospital, recently had a $24 million expansion and employs around 2,500 people. It is currently the major hospital for the Sunshine Coast region, but will be supplanted by the $2 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital now under construction at Kawana. Selangor Private Hospital is also at Nambour. The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has its HQ in Nambour. State Government agencies in Nambour include Primary Industries, Natural Resources and Transport. The Nambour Civic Centre offers a 900-seat concert hall and a 200-seat theatre. Parmalat, a subsidiary of dairy giant Pauls, has a milk processing plant in Nambour, while the Department of Primary Industries Maroochy Research Station at about 3km from Woombye. There are numerous schools and colleges within easy reach of Woombye residents. Woombye township has the Woombye Primary School and Suncoast Christian College, while Nambour Christian College and St Johns Catholic College are on the southern fringe of Nambour, within 2km of Woombye township. Nambour has numerous other primary and secondary schools, plus the Sunshine Coast TAFE Nambour Centre. Affordability, solid rental yields and low vacancies are key characteristics of the Woombye property market. The median house price is $435,000, compared with the Sunshine Coast average of $500,000. Its long-term capital growth average is 3% per year, compared to the Sunshine Coast average of 2.4%. Typical Woombye houses sell within about 90 days (Sunshine Coast average 125 days) and discounting is typically around 6%, slightly better than the area average. The median rental yield is a little over 5% and the vacancy rate is low around 1%. Woombye’s future appears to be as an acreage lifestyle suburb on the fringe of the Sunshine Coast, with good proximity to the Maroochydore CBD, the Sunshine Coast Airport and the services and amenities of Nambour. The airport, where a $450 million upgrade is planned, is a 20-minute drive from Woombye.

FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACk CALL 07 5451 1080 WWW.THINkINvESTMENTREALTY.COM.AU

artist impressions only

LARGE ELEvATED LOTS IN A LEAFY HINTERLAND SETTING ONLY MINUTES FROM THE URBAN HEART OF THE SUNSHINE COAST

SELLING FAST

invest or live The homes at Plantation Park each plantation park home has been designed by

• large elevated blocks overlooking a landscaped green belt of parkland

award-winning architects to capitalise on generously proportioned large land lots – some with elevated

• architecturally-designed and quality construction by an award-winning builder

views across the rolling hills of Woombye, and others overlooking designated parkland. they are designed for

• higher than standard ceilings

comfortable living, with generous rooms and outdoor

•

• close to major infrastructure such as hospitals, railway

this development delivers exceptional value without

station and the Bruce highway • close to one of the coast’s best primary schools

For more information visit plantationparkwoombye.com.au

FOR YOUR FREE INFORMATION PACk CALL 07 5451 1080 WWW.THINkINvESTMENTREALTY.COM.AU