SC November

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RANGE ROVER EVOQUE THE POWER OF PRESENCE

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28 sharny kIEser

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40 saya mcdermott

amber werchon

www.profilemag.com.au

features 12

view – larger than life Narelle Cameron

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people – one horizon at a time Alex Watson

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homegrown – from the bottom up Dan Murray

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ladies at lunch – the mother of all emotions ... Our ladies discuss the dreaded mummy guilt

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cover – mother of an idea ... Sharny Kieser

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success – permission to shine Tania Turner

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christmas feature sunshine coast excellence in business feature the last word Amber Werchon

regulars 4 publisher’s note

34 my style

58 travelfile

6 pinboard

40 style counsel

60 abode

8 he says, she says

44 life

70 business

32 briefcase

54 on the table

76 win

profile mystyle fun in the sun 36

Take care of your finances the way you take care of yourself. You may put a great deal of effort into looking after your health, but do you do the same for your finances? Considering how vital finances can be to your life and your future, doesn’t it make sense to also get them into shape? With an A-Z Review®,

ANZ’s Personal Bankers can look at your current lifestyle, future plans and advise you on everyday banking that could fit your individual needs. Drop into your local ANZ Branch to make an appointment today.

anz.com Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 76862 10.2010 W206943

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publisher’s note

T

GENINE HOWARD and luke brown

visit us on facebook.com/profilemag follow us on twitter.com/profilemag youtube.com/user/profilemagazine Scan this QR code with your smart phone or web cam.

he last few weeks have been a busy time for me – deadlines, managing our Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland Profile Magazines, personal training, events, fundraising, a husband who has been away as much as he has been home and then throw in a few dance practices each week for The 2011 McDonald’s Hear and Say Dancing With The Local Stars for good measure. Yes, I feel like a clown at the circus … it’s been a juggling act with too many balls in the air. But I can’t complain. There are women in business out there who do all of the above … and then some. Yes, throw a couple of kids in the mix and you have a recipe for one stressed-out, crazed, cranky mother. Sound familiar? This issue we meet some women who have a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to the ‘mummy juggle’, and no they don’t involve a magical nanny who flies around with an umbrella. These women, just like cover person (our inaugural naked cover!) Sharny Kieser, have learnt how to take being a mother and managing a business or career and mould them into something that could be described as ‘manageable’. Sharny has even developed an online TV show especially for mums where she shares stories and provides tips and advice to mums the world over.

Retraction – last month we incorrectly wrote that Jody Hawkins from Oceania Oncology was an oncologist. She is in fact their business manager. We apologise for any inconvenience to Jody and Oceania Oncolcogy.

THECOVERSHOOT This month’s slightly controversial naked cover was inspired by none other than that famous Vanity Fair cover with a very pregnant Demi Moore. Photographer Alana Hughes, makeup artist Pru Edwards, hair stylist Daniella Saville and Profile’s style queen Genine Howard recreated the infamous shoot with a then-eight month pregnant Sharny Kieser. And doesn’t she look amazing! Accessories are stylist’s own. Shot on location at Alan’s studio at Peregian Springs. Scan the QR code (right) with your smart phone to watch the behind-the-scenes footage or watch us on youtube.

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Our lunching ladies this month gathered at Bella Venezia Restaurant in Mooloolaba to discuss that age-old emotion that seems to strike when least expected … mother guilt, and we chat with the gorgeous Tania Tuner who juggles three children and four businesses, all without a hair out of place. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about the boys – we meet Olympian equestrian champion Alex Watson at his equestrian centre on the North Shore, and catch up with former Coast local Dan Murray, who at the ripe age of 21, has made a name for himself internationally … in underwear! This issue, there is something for everyone packed in our biggest issue yet … so I take this opportunity to thank our readers and our dear clients for your support to date. We welcome your feedback, so please drop me a line at genine@profilemag.com.au or chat with us on Twitter and Facebook. And if you want to watch my winning routine from The Hear and Say Dancing With The Local Stars competition (and yes, I may very well be bragging!), head to www. youtube.com/user/profilemagtv or scan the QR code (to your left) with your smart phone or web cam to jump straight to the footage.

GENINE HOWARD PUBLISHER / group MANAGING direcTOR


Sandra Wills

is a Certified Financial Planner TM who has been advising clients for over 25 years

You can’t always rely on the market ... but you can rely on Sandra for sound advice and peace of mind Call 5443 9433 to book a confidential private appointment, or to attend one of our ‘Learn About Money’ workshops: Sandra Wills is an authorised representative of Genesys Wealth Advisers Limited ABN 20 060 778 216 Australian Financial Services Licence No 232686 Principal Member of the FPA www.genesyswealth.com.au

Workshop 1: Introduction to personal financial planning Workshop 2: Cashflow is king – mastering the household budget Workshop 3: Understanding superannuation Workshop 4: Replacing employment income with retirement income Workshops are $66 per person or couple and are conducted by appointment at our Maroochydore office.

Phone. 07 5443 9433 Level 3, Ocean Central, 2 Ocean Street, Maroochydore Qld 4558 sandra.wills@genesyswealth.com.au

www.genesyswealth.com.au IMPORTANT INFORMATION Workshops provide general information only. Before making any investment decisions, we recommend you consult a financial adviser to take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation and individual needs.

DI VORC E | PROPERT Y | M EDIAT ION SUPER A NNUATION | CHILDREN’S ISSUES

We put you and your

Family first Leisa Toomey (Accredited Specialist - Family Law) Liz Catton | Suzanne Dillon

SUNSHINE COAST

057_18 x126

5413 8900

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NORTH BRISBANE

3482 0500

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stolaw.com.au 1/08/11 5 20 P 5


pinboard

group managing director / publisher Genine Howard

group general manager / publisher Hamish Rose

group editor-in-chief Alli Grant

sub editors Phyl Grant, Stacey Carrick

pga champs 2011

creative director Kara de Schot

november 4 scec environment awards 2011

graphic designer

Be seen to be green at this year’s Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) Awards (affectionately referred to as The Froggies), recognising individuals and businesses for their dedication to preserving our beloved environment. Just $15 per person, including light refreshments. From 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Lake Kawana Community Centre.

sunshine coast sales manager

www.scec.org.au

november 4 to 6 good food and wine show, brisbane The 2011 Good Food and Wine Show is on again at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring a pavilion from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council exhibiting fantastic local produce like chilli jam from Noosa Chilli, mandarin-infused olive oil from Nambour’s Olives Direct and pineapple-flavoured nougat from the Australian Nougat Company. www.goodfoodshow.com.au

november 24 to 27 australian pga championship The Australian PGA Championship has become an institution on the Sunshine Coast, and event organisers are promising a bigger and better event this year with more international players in the country for November’s Presidents Cup. Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Robert Allenby, Geoff Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley and John Senden have all confirmed their attendance. Entry is free (but ticket must be produced) on Saturday, November 26. Hyatt Regency, Coolum. www.championship.pga.org.au

Johanna Jensen Belinda Brill

business development manager Nadine Sullivan

noosa sales Meta Georgeson

feature writers Candice Jayde Olive, Angela Norval, Jaclyn Paul (intern)

photography Alan Hughes, Shawn Abrams, Katja Anton, Ben Connolly

email info@profilemag.com.au

call / fax 5451 0669 / 5475 4405

drop in Beach on Sixth, 104 / 65 Sixth Ave, Maroochydore

post PO Box 1065, Cotton Tree, QLD 4558

advertising 5451 0669, sales@profilemag.com.au

distribution 15,000 free copies are street delivered to high traffic areas such as high-end cafes, fashion boutiques, hairdressers and professional offices across the Sunshine Coast, monthly, and online along with an eMAG sent to 6000 inboxes fortnightly

subscriptions

november 25 nambour alive

www.profilemag.com.au/subscription, $65 +gst (12 issues)

Nambour will come alive with NambourALIVE. This local community Christmas street party, to be held in Nambour Town Square, will feature a moonlight market, live music, markets, international food stalls, wine bar, kids entertainment, and, of course, a visit from Santa.

Katherine Allan - accounts@profilemag.com.au

Phone 0416 217 093

november 27 ramsay health care triathlon The 2011 triathlon pink event is celebrating its fifth year, with all funds raised going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Entry is $60 for adults, $37.50 for children and $115 for relay teams. Quad Park Football Ground, Kawana Waters, from 7:00am. Phone Cathy Barratt 5459 7439

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accounts

Profile magazine is a free publication (subscriptions available) published 12 times a year by Profile Magazine Publishing Group Pty Ltd. All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of The Publisher, Profile Magazine Publishing Group Pty Ltd (“The Publisher”), their related companies and officers hereby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of The Publisher, or any persons actions in reliance thereon. Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement by The Publisher. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher.


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he says, she says

ll photography ben stone

From fake bags to fake boobs, the world has gone mad with hiding the truth. Is it okay to lie to your partner? Is a fake Louis handbag just as good as the real thing? What has happened to “Honesty is the best policy’? This month we throw our favourite radio hots, Todd and Sami from HOT91.1 FM’s morning show in the deep end to find out the truth … do they fake it? todd and sami

he says

She says

F

O

rom boobs to handbags to tattoos to TV deaths, fake is the way to go! Yeah, those of us trying hard to be a bit earthy and a little bit hippy by saying real and natural everything is ace, but the fact is that fake gets us what we want, where we want and who we want... instantly! Fake is king when it comes to buying cheap gear overseas; think handbags, perfume, henna tattoos and DVDs. Sure a man in a hat might get up to go to the loo halfway through your Iron Man 2 DVD, but remember, you only paid three bucks for it! A bargain fake! Still talking fake stuff, on the telly there’s nothing better than a mystery disappearance of a TV character, and Summer Bay seems to be the mecca for these mysteries. From Bobby’s vanishing act to Hugo’s fake death last year causing him to have to go into witness protection, a ‘fakey’ gives the character a chance to chillax and then whirl back in when the writers are ready. Faking facets of your relationship is also better than ‘keeping it all real, man’. Any bloke reading this knows what I’m talking about. If your beloved walks in front of the telly and asks, “Do these jeans make my bum look big?” you’re not going to be real and tell the truth, (“No honey it’s all the Cherry Ripes you eat that make ya bum look big”), you’re going to fake it! (“No way babe, you da bomb!”). But as usual, I digress! So from Bodacious tah-tahs to capped teeth, bedroom satisfaction to courtesy laughs at Dad’s lame jokes, it’s all better when it’s fake. I’ve even indulged in a fake tan! Having said all this, there are really only two things you shouldn’t ever compromise on and should always keep real. One is Cheezels; Homebrand Cheese Rings do not cut it. And secondly, cocktails. Fake cocktails or ‘mocktails’ remind me of Lara Bingle, very pretty and nice to look at, but no real substance.

h yes, it is the four-letter ‘F bomb’ to avoid at all costs at dinner parties, unless you want to throw a hand grenade into the crowd. Fake. Plenty of my friends have paid ridiculous amounts of money for new boobs, skinnier noses, slimmer thighs, fatter lips, smoother brows and tighter tummies. In most cases, it was not due to health reasons but simply because they wanted to feel better about themselves. Anyway, each to their own when it comes to fake tans, teeth and body bits that jiggle. I do not hold anyone in judgment who wants to get a nip and tuck to feel perkier and pluckier. But I have become ‘that’ boring and annoying person who truly believes laugh lines and even rolls of fat around stomachs are okay. Admittedly, there is a fine line between enriching our individuality and plain saggy boobs that resemble windsocks, but you get my point. And in closing this debate that fake is simply not for this little black duck, I would like to throw out two names to you: Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley. I thank the heavens daily for the gift of the Aussie bogan and the hot Pommy slapper finding each other in this great wide world and actually getting engaged. It is too good to be true. Yes, many a night I sit at home on my iPad, Googling what those two whacky love birds are getting up to. I cannot get enough of them. But geez, they have over done it, don’t you reckon? Warney is turning into Michael Jackson before our eyes. He is more tanned by the day and his skin is so tight he looks like a cat’s bottom. And we thought it was bad when he just had fake hair. I simply cannot wait for the wedding. Oh Lord, again, thank you for this gift.

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CREATING CONSCIOUS CONNECTIONS IN BUSINESS

“... where you mean more than just your business card” Natalie McIvor Director

goddesses@lunch - Wednesday 16th November 2011 Speaker: Jodie McIver - EQUIS Group Venue: 4th Floor Restaurant, Mooloolaba Time: 11.45am til 2.30pm. Tickets $40 pp RSVP 13/11/11

Venue: Peregian Springs Golf Club, Peregian Springs Time: 10.00am til 12.30pm. Tickets $40 pp RSVP 21/9/11

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goddesses@brunch - Thursday 24th November 2011 Speaker: Janine Hall - More Than Skin Deep


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coastline BMW feature

powered by Coastline BMW The Sunshine Coast is host to a plethora of entrepreneurs and business leaders who have shaped our great region and inspired us all to achieve. Each month we will meet and feature an outstanding business person; we will find out what makes them tick, what gets them out of bed every day and of course, find out what car they drive! This month we meet John Hutchinson from Kook Multimedia. After many years working in radio at Mix FM and Sea FM, John joined the Kook Multimedia team. He now leaves his gorgeous wife Caroline to the radio world, where she is well known as one half of the Mark and Caroline breakfast radio duo from Mix FM.

My first car was … a Datsun 1300 station wagon. Handled marginally better than the bulldozer

Meeting this month’s business drivers ... Caroline and John What car are you driving? X3 What inspired you to purchase your BMW? Our son, Gabe, bought a 20-year-old 325i as his first car. Tristan Kurz at Coastline warned us we’d get hooked, and we did. So after 12 years with our previous family car, the X3 was a 20 th wedding anniversary present to ourselves! Why do you love it? It’s big enough to comfortably get all of us around when needed (did we mention there are three and a half drivers in the family now?), but smaller than most 4WDs – making it easy to park, and very economical. What is your favourite feature of the car? There’s a spare key that’s plastic, that you can use for beach trips. You need to know our penchant for going swimming with mobile phones to appreciate how valuable that feature is! The proper keys stay at home. What is your best driving memory with your BMW? Any trip with the kids. They all get to pick a few songs each on the iPod, and so we have a playlist named after each trip. Daggy maybe, but a good way to remember.

john hutchinson My secret to success is … having good people around me. I have great business partners and excellent staff. My best results are team efforts. The greatest lesson I have learnt in business … is that you can’t be all things to all customers. Work on what you’re good at. My mentor is … a bloke called Brendan. He counsels me on everything from music to money. We laugh that we have a few Brendans among our close friends. One’s my bank manager, one’s my solicitor, and one’s a bloke I actually like. I believe in … the good intentions in most people. It’s too easy to be consumed with what people get wrong. Don’t forget to find someone doing something right! My first job was … working on a farm. I learnt to drive a bulldozer when I was 13. My first car was … a Datsun 1300 station wagon. Handled marginally better than the bulldozer. On the weekend you will find me … at Alex Surf Club. This is my first season not managing my daughter’s age group at Nippers, so loving it even more.

Coastline BMW

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Getting to know...

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www.coastline.bmw.com.au

NEXT PAGE: JOHN AND CAROL NE HUTCH NSON, WITH THEIR BMW X3.


coastline BMW feature

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view

words angela norval ll photography katja anton

FROM LANDSCAPING TO ACCOUNTANCY, NARELLE CAMERON IS A WOMAN WITH PLENTY OF PERSONALITY WHO REFUSES TO BE LABELLED, PREFERRING TO MAKE HER OWN RULES AND LIVE HER LIFE OUT LOUD. NARELLE SHARES WITH ANGELA NORVAL HOW SHE CONTINUES TO DEFY THE TRADITIONAL RULES AND MAKE HER MARK.

V

isiting the accountant is like being sent to the principal’s office as a child. You sit cautiously crossing and uncrossing your legs, smiling sweetly at the receptionist and pretending to be interested in the artwork on the walls. Thankfully on this occasion, the woman I am waiting for is nothing like your stereotypical accountant and I am actually interested in the artwork, madly trying to decipher what the piece to my left represents. When I finally do get to meet the woman behind the name Platinum Tax Solutions, Narelle Cameron, it becomes clear why the walls are splashed with such colour and bold artwork (that puzzling piece turns out to be a woman’s form). From the moment you meet Narelle you are immediately taken by her larger-than-life personality. She is a woman who has embraced everything life has thrown at her and continues to greet each day with contagious enthusiasm. As I sit across from her, I find myself declining a cup of tea because I am keen to know how a woman can make such different career choices work while raising three children (and when does she sleep?). Originally from Brisbane, Narelle began her career in landscaping, mentioning her mother as the driving force behind her decision. “I became a landscaper I think because my entire childhood I was dragged by my mother through antique shops and nurseries, but it must have rubbed off somewhere along the line,” Narelle recalls. “We were always involved in the garden at home and I developed a love of plants so decided to pursue landscaping. “As one of the first females to pursue landscaping qualifications, when I walked into my first class there were all these guys there and the teacher looked at me and said, ‘Are you lost love?’. “It took a while to be accepted into the classroom first and then when I broke into the industry I had to be twice as good as a female than a male.’’ Not one to be held back, Narelle became a foreman for a large recognised firm, gaining the respect of the men on her team before starting her own successful landscaping business with her husband, Brad, a fireman. If that wasn’t enough, Narelle and Brad also renovated not one but two houses during this time. Narelle jokes how her children, Nicola, Peter and Lachlan, remember having to stay out of one room or another or all bunking in together during the renovations.

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narelle cameron

Citing a desire for acreage, and ageing parents, Narelle then moved to the Sunshine Coast and decided it was time for a career change. “With our move it was a case of let’s go and live the dream, plus I was sick of working very long hours in the sun. It was hard work, and getting older I needed to grow up and get a real job. So I thought, oh well, I will study accounting.’’ Again Narelle’s survival instinct kicked in as she worked full-time for an accountant firm as well as studying externally for her degree with three children at home. It was then she met the amazing man who would become her mentor before his untimely death at 55 – Ken Spark. “Ken taught me many things in the time I knew him, including dressing for success, always showing your personality, and his favourite saying was ‘It’s not bloody rocket science’. “When he died I decided it was time to go out on my own. I had to prove to myself that all this mentoring worked.” From her office in Noosa Heads, Narelle has changed clients’ expectations of a staid accountant. Instead, she has filled her work space with colour and exuberant personalities much like her own. “Working for someone else, I find that very crippling creatively – here we throw ideas around and we create something from those ideas.” But life isn’t all work and no play for Narelle, who is a big believer in maintaining balance, escaping to 12 acres in the Noosa Hinterland when she needs a little peace and quiet. “Some days the stress can be amazing in this industry, so when I turn on to our little dirt road everything is good. “I have a glass of wine and walk around the garden, I just love that lifestyle.’’ Another passion that helps maintain Narelle’s sanity is music. So much was her love of music that last New Year’s Eve Narelle decided to learn the acoustic guitar before starting a band with friends, Geddy and the Whacka Sisters. But despite turning 50 in November, Narelle, much like her beloved mother who is now an eccentric artist, shows no signs of slowing down. Instead she is more focused on quality time with Brad and perfecting the guitar … and given Narelle’s enthusiasm, the guitar will probably not be her last project.


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people

words candice jayde olive ll photography katja anton

alex watson

When the sun rises over the Noosa north shore, Alex Watson is there to see it. The former Olympian is in the midst of a plan to secure his future working with the animals that have brought him the most joy in his life. Candice Jayde Olive visited Alex’s horse riding property to see how far that dream had come.

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M

ost people who do what they love for a living inspire envy in their friends. It is said that the luckiest among us can claim that they enjoy going to work in the morning. You cannot, however, simply get up, go out and start doing what you love. It takes years of commitment, sacrifice and hard knocks. I’ve spent years honing my skills as a writer, surrounding myself with people who have the same

ambition, living and breathing the art. I’ve done the hard yards – lived on nothing, written for free, cried over rejection letters, been overlooked for jobs in the industry. I’ve taken risks and refused easier paths. I’ve written five novels, only one of which received any attention from publishers. I’m doing what I love, but it’s been a long road, one that has left me with more than a few battle scars. When Alex Watson began riding horses at age six, he decided then that this was something he


people wanted to do forever. As I sit with him in the office of his horse riding property, Equathon, in the Noosa North Shore, young people in riding gear lead shining horses along a fence in the light of the morning. Through the open door, I see a young girl instructing a group of people on how to dismount safely after a ride through the Hinterland. “I came from a sporting family,” Alex tells me. “No one was particularly into horses, but my parents used to send us to a family cattle property in western New South Wales to burn some energy on the school holidays, and there were plenty of horses there. I fell in love with them. I felt like I could get on a horse and I had the freedom to go anywhere. I was like a teenager with his first set of wheels.”

hospitality and catering, and for being a place to get away and get to know yourself. I thought ‘I can make something here. This is the place for me’.” Most of the horse riding tours Alex had experienced before had not satisfied him. “What you find often is that the horses are not well presented, the tours lack imagination, and there’s no real assistance to people who want to learn and develop themselves as serious riders. When I built Equathon, I wanted it to be different. I’ve got really high standards, not just for myself but for my customers and their experience.” One of the ways in which Alex tried to set Equathon apart was in his encouragement of riders who need to be helped through personal difficulties.

I felt like I could get on a horse and I had the freedom to go anywhere. I was like a teenager with his first set of wheels.” Through his teenage years, Alex began pursuing riding as a discipline with the support and encouragement of his family. As a pentathlete, he was Australian national champion eight times and represented his country in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona. He was also selected for 10 world championships. Alex received a silver medal at the 1982 Champion of Champions and a team’s gold at the 1988 Champion of Champions. Between his athletic highlights, he built his skills as an event manager and sports event marketer. In 1997, he joined the organising committee for the Sydney 2000 Olympics as competition manager for modern pentathlon, organising events in horse riding, swimming, running, fencing and pistol shooting. On a surfing trip to Noosa, Alex was inspired to bring together his love of horses and his skills in business to create his dream working environment. “I looked around and saw a wonderland for all things horse riding,” he says. “The area was beautiful, complex and natural, really perfect for touring on horseback in the Hinterland or along a pristine surfing beach. Noosa is known for its

“Some of the most rewarding experiences we have had at the property are with people who overcome phobias, who suffer big injuries from riding and believe they’ll never do it again,” he says. “We have a range of specialist horses that are appropriate for nervous people, people with select needs, and our staff undergo rigorous and ongoing training. We like to think that you can come here with any kind of riding background, and we’ll be there for you.” Alex’s dream has not come without its challenges. The equine influenza outbreak and Hendra virus cases in recent years have been frightening for the staff at Equathon. “Like anything, you do your best to make sure you don’t put people and horses at risk. There are a lot of precautions involved, and the business needed to be adjusted so tours could happen without breaking any rules. We were fortunate to escape without difficulties, only because everyone has been dedicated to ensuring every direction was followed for the safety of our customers, our staff and our horses.” On a Hinterland tour in November 2007, Alex met Rebecca Harr, a lone rider on holiday from California who had chosen Equathon from a

worldwide list. “I could have gone anywhere,” she says. “I was looking at tours in Europe, Canada, all over. I kept coming back to this one tour in Australia. When I booked, my sister told me ‘you’re gonna meet a guy, I can feel it!’” Rebecca tells me that by the time she had finished the seven-day tour, she and Alex were sitting at a picnic table in Eumundi trying to decide who would move countries so they could be together. In 2009, Rebecca was the one to pack up shop and move Down Under to be with the man she loves. Today, Rebecca and Alex share the business, which includes the management of nine staff who work on the property as stable hands, riders and instructors. Rebecca tells me that no one in the business is as wholly committed and loving of the horses as Alex. “He’s like a father with all these precious children,” she says. “When a tour is over and everyone is dead tired, he will be out there alone at midnight hosing the horses off and seeing that they’re fed. He cares so much about them.” What really drives Alex and Rebecca now is their newly purchased property in Widgee, a 640 acre cattle property they hope will become another holiday mecca for trail riding, tours and extended stays. The ranch will be another place for enthusiasts of cattle mustering and camp drafting, popular with business men and women who simply don’t have the time to care for their own horses. “That’s our next big dream,” Alex says. “We had a staff day over there recently where we let all the girls out to ride and explore. It’s perfect. We can’t wait to get things up and running.” Alex Watson may seem lucky, being able to get up in the morning, pull on his boots, slap on his Akubra and canter out into the sunrise on a glimmering horse, living a dream job with the woman he loves. Luck, however, has had little to do with it. From a passion that began when he was only six, Alex has carefully compiled the necessary elements to get what he wants. A planner, a worker and a fighter, Alex Watson is reaching for his dreams, one horizon at a time.

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15


homegrown

l words jaclyn paul Not many teenagers are confident enough to launch an idea in hopes of it becoming a successful business; Dan Murray was never one of those teenagers. He sits down with Jaclyn Paul to share his story on how a small idea has turned him into an international success.

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ith looks to make any girl blush and a down-to-earth personality to match, it’s a given that Dan Murray was made a Cleo Bachelor of the Year wildcard. But don’t be fooled by his surfer good looks; this guy has the brains too. While most teenage boys only give a thought to their underwear when they struggle to find a clean pair, Dan took his very seriously. So seriously that he never wanted to be caught wearing the same ‘duds’ as his dad, so he created a unique range that would make guys think twice about their undies and always sure to have a clean pair lying around ... The now 21-year-old launched his own business, Sly Underwear, at the ripe age of 17. Something I find truly incredible as he is only one year my senior and already making waves on the international business scene. This kid certainly didn’t waste any time making a name for himself. When I met Dan at his office in Ashmore (as he’s now located on the Gold Coast), my initial impression was ‘Wow, he sure is a sight for sore eyes. This guy could even model his own underwear’. But it was when I got the chance to sit down and chat with him that I learnt he’s a lot more than just a pretty face. As he shared how he started his business so early on, he instilled the belief into me that almost anything is achievable, regardless of age. Raised on the Sunshine Coast since his primary years, Dan grew up with a burning desire to become world-renowned. “The thought of not being famous, well I nearly cried when I was about six,” Dan confesses. “Knowing it was an option but not getting there, it was just a really weird feeling for a young kid to have. That’s all I could think about, but as long as I could remember I’ve always thought differently, I’ve always wanted to see where I could push myself personally and develop myself into something.” Upon graduating high school, Dan noticed a gap in the underwear industry that would end up becoming his ticket to success. So after buying the initial concept and name of the business from his old soccer coach, Dustin Slypen, Dan started selling his unique undies from the back of his van. “I saw a market in the industry where I thought, ‘you’ve got an expensive designer pair and then there’s the cheaper stuff that your dad wears, how can I create something at that low price but with the high-end design and appeal?’” By initially funding the business using most of his landscaping wage, Dan quickly realised the importance of being cost effective. “Funding everything by working as a labourer has helped me develop a creative way to do marketing by using a lot of social media and other transparent tools that are inexpensive. By being frugal and smart about the way you market your brand, you can get returns from a minimum investment. It’s definitely a principle I’ve taken from funding it with my own blood, sweat 16

dan murray. image courtesy of cleo

and tears. So I wasn’t going to spend a dollar unless it was necessary to spend.” After winning the Triple J Catapult competition for young entrepreneurs, Dan finally became noticed by American consultant Jalil Keval who offered Dan the opportunity to gain experience in the underwear industry in America. He spent the following four months under the mentorship of Jalil, teaching him everything he knew from his 20-year record in the industry. When he returned to Australia in September 2009, Dan came back more driven and ready than ever to grow his business.

Three years after the launch of the label, Sly Underwear is now stocked at more than 300 stores worldwide.’ “I went straight to the Gold Coast because I knew I had an opportunity to further the business there. I had a few mates down that way who have now become fundamental for helping me run Sly. My sales manager, Jake, and graphic designer, Josh, have really helped put the range together with their years of experience, along with Michelle, my production manager. So I’ve got an epic team helping me manage the growth of the business. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without the team I’ve got onboard.” Three years after the launch of the label, Sly Underwear is now stocked at more than 300 stores worldwide. With distribution in New Zealand, South Africa and more recently in the United Kingdom, Dan is now focusing on launching and expanding in the United States. Dan, who is driven and passionate about work, finds that what motivates him every day is being emotionally anchored to business. “You need to separate your emotions from your business life but in order to drive yourself, you need to be emotionally connected to a goal of some description. For example, I want to retire my parents so I think about the feeling of giving them that, rather than the money behind it. I believe that your emotional drive is stronger than anything else.” I came to realise that Dan is not an ordinary 21-year-old. His determined attitude and business sense defy his age to the extent that had me asking, ‘How does someone so young find the energy and perseverance to build on such a successful business?’ Quite simply he replied, “Red Bull” … a statement that finally speaks true to his age. One only has to look at Dan to believe that you’re never too young for success.


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Sunshine Coast Fertility Specialists: Dr George Bogiatzis, Nr Denise Donati, Dr Rebecca Matthews (Scientific Director), Dr Kirsten Morrow, Dr James Orford (Medical Director)

Sharing your journey for life

1 R r 201 E INN Yea W AL f The N O TIO NA Club d oo w n Fer

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We have the largest Group Fitness Timetable on the Sunshine Coast. Join us this month to take advantage of our special in club offers and receive a $50 gift voucher. *Conditions apply. Offer expires 31/10/11. Must join on 12 month membership to receive voucher. Gift voucher for use in Fernwood Maroochydore club only.

Fernwood Fitness Maroochydore Sunshine Homemaker Centre Call 5479 0744 fernwoodfitness.com.au 17


ladies at lunch

“We decided that my being at home was best for us, and I think everyone has to look at their own dynamic and what is best for them.” KYLIE WALSH

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“My kids are my life and I try to do everything I can with and for my kids, but something has to give.” KELLY LOE

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1. Donna Hannon 2. Kylie Walsh 3. Debbie Battaglini-Clarke and baby Sofia 4. Kelly Loe and debbie’s baby james 5. Mukti 6. italian fare at bella venezia

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ladies at lunch

words alli grant ll photography nadine sullivan ll sponsored by genesys wealth advisers and boq maroochydore ll venue bella venezia, mooloolaba

‘Mummy guilt’ – it’s a new and completely surprising emotion that takes over all other emotions as soon as your little one enters the world. We worry, we fret and we feel guilty … all in a day’s work for the average mum, no matter what our career choice and financial situation. Today, most mums have to work, and this is probably one of the key drivers of mummy guilt, as Profile Magazine mummy Alli Grant confirmed at this month’s Ladies at Lunch.

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hen I had my firstborn, I expected to be bombarded with new emotions. I expected to be overwhelmed with unconditional love for my little man, and to feel constantly afraid that I would get it wrong, that I would somehow break / hurt / disappoint him. I expected to be cry. A lot. I expected to feel confused and exhausted. But there was one emotion I wasn’t prepared for; the mother of all emotions … mummy guilt. Pack your bags, ladies, we’re going on a guilt trip! Once that little person comes into the world, you are destined to be consumed by guilt for the rest of your days. It starts on day one, and I’m told by mothers far older and wiser than I, that it just escalates from there into adulthood. I could drone on and on for days about the varying degrees of guilt, but at the top of my list is the working mother thing. Those of you who have been reading my dribble since Hudson was born know that I struggle with the juggle. Every day I’m emotionally torn. I feel guilty that Hudson is in daycare three days a week, even though he adores it and is flourishing. I feel guilty that Hudson’s grandparents are called on so often to help with his care, even though he’s far happier when playing with them than he is with me. I feel guilty when Hudson is babysat by Thomas the Tank Engine for too long, even though he thoroughly enjoys his favourite TV show and really doesn’t watch that much TV. Guilty, guilty, guilty! Mums all over the world feel guilty about working, about how much they work, or how little they work. Ironically, we also feel guilty if we don’t work, for a myriad of other reasons. We are seriously harsh on ourselves, aren’t we? So, this month we grabbed a gaggle of girls and a set of baby twins, appropriately, and off we headed to down a glass (or 10) of bubbles, gorge ourselves on Italian fare at Bella Venezia in Mooloolaba, and talk about what horrible mothers we are for working too much / too long / too late / not enough. The twins, the adorable Sophia and James, belong to our co-host, Debbie Battaglini-Clarke from BOQ Maroochydore. Debbie also somehow manages to juggle four-year-old Adison and her responsibilities at the bank she co-owns with husband Laurie. Snaps for Debbie!

Joining Debbie and me were six mums, all from very different situations and backgrounds: Donna Hannan, Kelly Loe, Kylie Walsh, Mukti, Sonia Lee and Nadine Sullivan (the newest member of the Profile Magazine team). And so it began … we started with introductions. profile: Tell me a little about yourselves ladies, relevant to your status of ‘mother extraordinaire’. donna: I have five children – the youngest is 18 and the eldest is 30. I’m also a grandmother to 18month-old Maya and have my second grandchild on the way. kelly: I have three children (including twins) and two step-children. kylie: I’ve got three boys, four, 10 and 12. I have learnt to say that I’m not ‘just’ a stay at home mum, but I don’t work much. mukti: I have two daughters, 10 and 16 and a half. I started my business as a single mum – it was really hard those first few years. nadine: I have two little girls, Kit, who is three, and KoKo, who is two, but I’ve also had five miscarriages. sonia: I have two boys, 11 and 13, and a new business [Panache Studio, Mooloolaba]. Starting the business took its toll on my marriage and my husband and I have recently separated. profile: And do you all work ‘outside of the home’? kelly: I work part-time as a paramedic – my husband is a paramedic too. He had a midlife crisis, left the Ambulance Service and bought a business, Raw Energy in Noosaville. Then he realised that he missed being an ambo, so he left the business to me! Now I do my 20-hours a week as a paramedic and run the business … I told my husband that next time he has a mid-life crisis I’d rather he bought a sports car and had an affair! donna: I didn’t work much when my kids were growing up, but I was a director of a business a long time ago. I work at Soul Diva boutique in Buderim, part-time. I worked at a daycare centre for three days a week – my youngest was in the same room. The kids were all at school so I thought it would be okay, but my eldest suffered so I stopped. I don’t have financial pressure to work, so I take my hat off to women who work full-time and work. I wouldn’t have coped.

kylie: I did go back to full-time work, but I realised that I just wanted to be at home. I have done lots of things to help the family – worked as a swimming teacher, painted faces at Bunnings. We decided that my being at home was best for us, and I think everyone has to look at their own dynamic. mukti: I started an organic skincare company [Mukti Naturally Organic Skincare] in 2000, when the organic movement wasn’t really around – it’s different today. I’d had a few businesses of my own, in hairdressing and beauty, and I was living in a permaculture community when my first child was born, but I was looking for something else. So I did the research myself … and created the business. sonia: I was always a stay-at-home mum when the boys were younger, and did the books for my husband’s business. But as they got older I realised I wanted to step up and do something for myself. I was so fearful of doing it, but it’s going really well. I have no regrets. It has really improved my confidence. profile: Do you think your children have suffered because you work, ladies? mukti: I thought I’d be really maternal when my baby came along, but I felt something else. I felt like I had to juggle both career and children. I actually struggled not working. Retrospectively, I have always been career-driven … I think my children have probably suffered a lot. I love them to death, but I guess I’m a bit of a narcissist! (profile: God bless the sisterhood. Our lunching ladies immediately jump on Mukti to tell her she is being far too harsh on herself as a mother. Something we are all damn good at, apparently!) debbie: I think it has a lot to do with quality over quantity when you’re working too. mukti: Definitely, it’s about being present when you’re there. kelly: I guess I have to work, but before we bought the business, I didn’t have to work as much. I have always been able to choose to work part-time. My kids are my life and I try to do everything I can with and for my kids, but something has to give. I am definitely spread too thin. My husband probably suffers the most. debbie: My mum was a working mum and she was definitely my role model. profile: Those of you who don’t work, or have worked very little since your children were born,

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ladies at lunch

“I think we do it to ourselves; the mummy guilt. Something always has to give.” MUKTI

our lunching ladies (and babies) enjoy an italian feast at bella venezia, mooloolaba

do you think you have missed out on anything? Do you feel fulfilled? kylie: I’ve definitely missed out on opportunities in my own career. But I do feel very blessed. I’m comfortable with our decision as it’s what works for us. I guess I’m very traditional in some aspects. (profile: Kellie pipes up to tell us proudly that Kylie cooks cakes … from scratch! We are all super impressed.) But making the choice to stay home definitely stopped my own growth in many ways. donna: There’s definitely a stigma attached to being a stay at home mum! But it was my choice. profile: Okay, time to fess up. Is it as hard as we say it is to manage the juggle? sonia: My friends without kids try to be supportive, but really, they have no idea. Juggling the boys and working is really hard – trying to get them to school on time, then get to work … the only time I really get to talk to them is in the car. It’s hard to juggle – I definitely have to plan well to fit it all into each day. kelly: The organising is the hardest part. You have to pick this one up, drop that one here … of course, they want to do everything. They have my personality! Some days it does my head in! And having a husband is like having another child half the time. (profile: Best I don’t share the discussion that unfolded following this comment …) mukti: I think it makes it easier if everyone helps. We have a tendency to be martyrs and try and do everything – we should work together as a team, like a village. profile: Right ladies … let’s talk about ‘mummy guilt’. debbie: Mummy guilt is real! We try to have it all – the successful career, to be the best wife and mummy. We do sacrifice a lot, but sometimes I think we need to acknowledge that we can only be good at one thing at one time … sometimes we can’t do everything! I feel guilty about not playing with Adi; trying to juggle her, and the twins and the business … so many balls in the air. Some days it feels like I have two cement blocks on my feet! mukti: I think we do it to ourselves; the mummy 20

guilt. Something always has to give. But I have been lucky in that the girls have their grandmother around to help – it’s such a special thing. donna: As much as I loved being a mother, I love being Nonna more. I hate to tell you, but the guilt never goes away, even when they are adults! sonia: When the boys were younger it was all for them. I guess it depends on the stage on you are at. I struggle and I do feel guilty some days. But if I compare the two worlds, I am definitely fulfilled. It’s a sacrifice though. nadine: I want to give them everything, and spend all the time I can with them, but if I don’t sacrifice something I can’t give them everything. I feel guilty but working has definitely given me my confidence back. It has been great for my self esteem. kelly: Oh my god. I just realised something. I don’t have mummy guilt … I have business guilt!

bella venezia restaurant and bar, mooloolaba How I love Italian! Every kind of Italian – meats dripping in delicious cheese, pizza, pasta … yum! And I am a big fan of the Italian fare at Bella Venezia on the Esplanade in Mooloolaba. Seated at our table, with room left for Debbie’s twin pram (boy they are quite the contraption, aren’t they?) the bubbles magically appeared, and we continued to be impressed throughout lunch by the professionalism and friendliness shown by our waiter. For starters, we were treated to a cheesy feast of focaccias to share – avocado, due formaggi, Napoli and bocconcini glaze each staking a claim on their quarter of delicious bread.

profile: Last words, ladies? kylie: I say do what makes you the best mummy and person you can be. kelly: Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think I have to be the best at everything, but some days I just have to realise that I can’t, and that’s okay. debbie: Try and be in the moment with your kids when you’re there.

From here we were in for quite the Italian feast. But what to choose? The Anatra Puccini (organic duck), Moreton Bay bug ravioli, Filetto Chianti (250gram eye fillet) or San Marco Pizza (with smoked chicken breast)? For me it was the ravioli – Morton Bay bugs are my absolute favourite and the meal did not disappoint. Delicious! And our guests were not disappointed with their selections either.

The bottom line is that we mums are bloody tough on ourselves – and I think we always will be. It’s how we are wired. But perhaps our image of what is ‘best’ is just a little distorted? Perhaps we put just a wee bit too much pressure on ourselves? So, here’s my commitment to my little boy. I will try to be better organised so I can spend more time with you. I will try to be present more, to be fully in each moment. I will try not to be consumed by unreasonable feelings of guilt, 24-hours a day. I will try to bake a cake from scratch. And I will love you, unconditionally, with all I have, for the rest of my days on this earth. No matter what the title on my business card reads, this is my true job, my true calling – to be your mummy.

Next dessert – an Italian must! With tiramisu, pizza dolci (banana pizza), and vanilla and wild berry panacotta to select from, we were all tempted to partake in a sweet treat. Heavenly. Bella Venezia is an institution on the Sunshine Coast, and rightly so. The service is always spot-on, the servings generous and the quality of food exceptional. I have been known to roll out of Bella Venezia, just once or twice. Open for lunch and dinner, seven days, from 12:00pm til late. 95 The Esplanade, Mooloolaba 5444 5844 www.bellav.com.au


Property Style With Grant Smith

Grant Smith, director licensee of CENTURY 21 Grant Smith Property, Sunshine Coast, knows real estate. In fact, not only is he classed in the top 2 per cent internationally for CENTURY 21, he was Australia’s youngest CENTURION award winner for five years in a row. Not bad for a boy from Buderim! Each month, Grant will share his secrets to the property market with Profile Magazine readers …

the secret to sales success It takes a special talent for a busy, pro-active agent to make each client feel as though you are his only priority, and Grant Smith has it in spades. I adore Grant’s honesty, professionalism, and most of all his respect for my family and our home. Selling our home with Grant has been seamless and worry free.

GRANT SAYS … The most important factor in selling your home is choosing the right agent for you. Some important factors to consider are;

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Most importantly, select an agent you feel will work to get the highest price in minimal time. But more importantly, select an agent you will get along with and who you’re comfortable consistently sharing feedback with. You will definitely need to form a relationship with your agent over the selling period.

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Has your agent come through referrals? This is the strongest way to select your agent; speak with others who have recently sold as they will give you feedback on their experiences.

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Does your agent come with high credentials and testimonials readily available? The more people who speak highly of an agent, the stronger chance they will have of achieving your desired result.

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Will the agent you select guide you through expectations and market movements before they have committed you to signing any agreements? It is important to understand the market and make informed decisions before committing to an agent and a marketing campaign.

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Make sure your agent goes through the marketing process and assists in styling your property for the photo shoot. Imagery is crucial and the marketing must reflect the image you want to portray and the buyer you are targeting.

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Compare the professionalism shown by agents in their marketing. Request examples of their marketing materials, and ask yourself if this is how you want your property presented. Will it capture the target buyer at a premium price?

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Remember, you only pay your agent if you achieve the sales result you desire, so do not make your decision on professional fees, make your decision upon who you truly feel will achieve the best result in minimum time!

LIAN WELSH

Speak with Grant Smith 0410 21 21 21 grantsmith.c21@century21.com.au facebook.com/grantsmith.c21

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business promotion

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the simmonds family

Ellerfield Financial Planning is a leader in its field, its success backed by ethics, a long history of helping individuals reach their financial goals, and a ‘family’ ethos. Ellerfield would like to introduce Prue Simmonds who, with husband Andrew and their three young children, lives in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast. Prue has kindly agreed to share her family’s experience of deciding to engage the services of a financial planner and what differences this has made to their lives. What prompted you to consider working with a financial planner? Andrew and I have three children and we wanted to make sure we had a good start on a plan for the future financially. Why did you choose to work with the financial planner you selected? When we met with Ellerfield we were not sold products. David Weir at Ellerfield Financial Planning really worked with us to develop a plan to achieve not just our financial goals but also our life goals. What were you hoping to achieve by working with a financial planner? We wanted to have a strong financial future and not to just live month to month. Has your financial planner been able to help you achieve these goals? We couldn’t be happier with Ellerfield as we now have solid direction on not just our short-time goals but also our long-term goals. Could you explain how ‘ellerCentral cash flow management’ has helped your family? EllerCentral is great. It really helps you keep on track with spending your money on a day-to-day basis and it makes you think before you spend.

So much so, Andrew now enjoys entering all our receipts into our budget daily. Within the first couple of months of using Ellerfield’s ellerCentral budgeting process we have saved a substantial amount of money that we would not have done otherwise. Your financial planner also helped by referring you to another business here on the Coast. Can you tell us about this? We needed a solicitor and Ellerfield put us in contact with the correct kind of legal specialist at a local Sunshine Coast firm, which was a great help to us. Ellerfield genuinely takes a holistic approach to its clients’ needs and David’s attention to this matter was well beyond what we had expected a financial planner to do. David Weir is your planner at Ellerfield, and you have said you were surprised by how he looks after your affairs. Could explain this? David has been great for us. We really feel we have someone watching our back on our financial affairs. Would you recommend Ellerfield Financial Planning to friends and family? Absolutely. It has been the best move we have made for our family and our future.

Phone 5476 8744 First Floor, ‘Ballinger Place’, 3-5 Ballinger Road, Buderim, Qld, 4556 www.ellerfield.com.au

Ellerfield Pty Ltd ( ABN 13010991081) trading as Ellerfield Financial Planning is an Authorised Representative of GWM Advisor Services Limited (ABN 96002071749) an Australian Financial Services Licensee, Registered Office 105 – 153 Miller St, North Sydney, NSW 2060. This advice may not be suitable to you because it contains general advice that has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal and tax advice prior to acting on this information.


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success

words candice jayde olive ll photography shawn abrams

tania turner

Some women are movers. They are driven by the constant need to be better, to get further, to exceed their own expectations and to make something of what little life gives them. Tania Turner, owner of the Shine Beauty empire, is one of those women. Candice Jayde Olive chats to Tania about building her dreams from the ground up.

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he evening train from Brisbane central station to Landsborough is packed with commuters who are damp from the pouring rain. I squeeze in, wrestling my shoulder bag from between two other office workers, and am immediately crammed up against a wall with my notebook, pen and phone in hand. It’s 5:00pm; my day job has finished, I’m on my way home to spend the night filling in PhD applications, and the only time slot I can find to call Tania Turner between her busy life and mine is now. After some wriggling and writhing I find the most comfortable way to write and talk is crouched in the corner by the door, eye-level with a council worker’s backside, the phone clamped under my ear and my notepad against my chest. When I ask Tania what kind of person she is, she tells me she is terribly ambitious, driven, unable to spend idle minutes in her day without doing something, achieving something, working towards her future. I look around me as I write and tell her: “Yes. I think I know what you mean.” Mother of three and queen of the Shine Beauty

dynasty, Tania Turner began her journey to success by stepping on to a plane to Australia from her New Zealand home at the tender age of 16. With no money, no qualifications and no support, she fell into insurance administration, a career path far from her true desires. “I spent six or seven years wandering between jobs, without the background or training to do what I really wanted. Those times were hard, but it wasn’t something I thought about then. I didn’t sit around dwelling on the fact that I had no money to socialise, that opportunities were going to people who had qualifications that I didn’t. When I found myself a single mother at age 23, I sat down and said, ‘Right. What do I have to do to get where I want to be?’ There was no choice. I needed to find a path and get on it.” Tania tells me that her entry into the beauty industry came after she begged for government funding to pursue qualifications. At the time, she was forced to put her daughter Chanel into day care five days a week while she studied and worked “It was awful,” she says. “But I told myself: this is what you do. When you want something,


success you start clawing your way towards it, and along the way there are trials. I knew this would be the first of many.” Tania moved into a converted garage in a bushland suburb in order to make ends meet, happy despite the snakes and spiders that infested the surrounds, the car she prayed daily wouldn’t die. “When I got my first job working for a beauty therapist on the back of my training, those things didn’t matter. I was on my way, and that’s what counted.” It was while she was working in this role that Tania met her husband, Joel, in the members’ stand on Melbourne Cup Day. On his way to starting his own advertising business, it was a meeting of two people who would not stop until they had what they wanted from life. As I interview Tania, she calls questions to Joel in the background when she can’t remember dates or figures. “Joel’s the talker in our relationship,” she says. “He’s the numbers man. Meeting Joel was just one of those incredibly wonderful things that happened to me on my way to where I am, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been out there, if I hadn’t been constantly driving towards my dream. “My big break came when I was given the opportunity to run my own beauty room in an established shop,” Tania tells me. “This was my chance to build up my clientele with my bare hands. I started working 50-hour weeks, and gradually the workload became too much for the room I was allocated. A shop opened up right next door, and although I couldn’t afford to occupy and fit out the entire space, I worked around it by walling off half the space and disguising it with plants.” As she accrued the necessary funds, Tania fitted out her first Shine Beauty salon in Southport. “Three months after I opened the doors I was pregnant. One year later, on the very day I had opened the salon, I had my son, Max. The juggling act I had been doing with my business, my dream and my family just got a little trickier.” With Joel’s help, over the next four years Tania built three more stores between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, often with a baby on her hip or a screaming toddler in tow. The salons, located in Southport, Maroochydore, the Brisbane CBD and Chermside, now attract nearly 40,000 customers each year, due to Tania’s commitment to hiring with impeccable standards, employing strict systems to ensure quality of service, and keeping in touch with her employees. “Once a week or so I get into my Shine uniform and I get on the floor working in the role

I worked in when I began. It’s something I do so the staff understand that I can do what they do, that I’ve been where they are and I’m going to lead them with care, knowledge and passion. It reminds me of where I came from and what I’ve worked for all this time.” The juggling Tania speaks of has not stopped, not by a long shot. She tells me that while she manages her dynasty she also manages the health and well-being of her family, passionate as she and Joel are about living a sustainable life. “You’ve got to take care of yourself if you’re going to live this way,” she says. “There are times when I’ll drop my daughter off to her dance lessons for a half an hour and run to the gym, workout and run back. It’s a part of my need to be constantly doing something, but also my belief in an active and wholesome life. It’s something I try to pass on to my children.” Tania tells me that her children have been instrumental in keeping her going as she works towards her goals. They are proud of the business, and consider it their own. “We try to use the businesses to teach the children about doing what you love, fighting for your stake in life and appreciating what you get. We employ them, in ways, because they feel like they’re a part of what’s going on and their contribution matters. Max takes his role as coordinator and mailer of promotional postcards very seriously. Jade is in charge of shredding, and Chanel takes over in admin whenever she can.” When her school teacher recently asked Jade, 7, what she wanted to do when she grows up, she replied: “I want to work for w-w-w-dot-shinebeauty-dot-com!” As I arrive at my train station, after calling Tania back nine times over the course of the interview due to reception problems, I am tired, my feet are sore and my neck is cramped from wedging the phone against my shoulder. I am, however, deeply moved and inspired by the restless, driven and courageous woman Tania has proven herself to be. The world is not enough for either of us, and though we may reach one destination, one point in time when a list of achievements lies behind us, our futures are always filled with more. We appreciate the people who walk with us, care for those who give us strength, and we are not afraid to fill our lives to the brim with what opportunities luck and hard work afford us. We are those women who will not sit still.

When I found myself a single mother at age 23, I sat down and said, ‘Right. What do I have to do to get where I want to be?’”

Tania Turner, business owner and mother of three, successfully juggles her busy life, all the while shining along the way

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business promotion

with Chris Childs We all know banks make huge profits every year. Where do they get this profit from? You and me; their account holders. Banks obviously set up our accounts, loans and credit cards to maximise their profits, yet when we want a loan, we ask the bank what sort of loan we should have! It’s like asking the mouse where you should store the cheese, isn’t it?

It’s time you looked at doing your banking differently, to maximise YOUR bottom line instead of theirs. Think Money specialises in teaching people just like you to do their banking differently, managing your money to reduce your debt, not your lifestyle, and take back control of your life. Once you have the knowledge of how to beat the banks at their own game you will be surprised at how quickly the years will fall off your mortgage. Paying high interest on credit cards will be a thing of the past. With Think Money’s Debt Reduction program you will have a caring professional by your side to teach you proven debt reduction strategies and guide you through the process. “We have had clients reduce their 25-year mortgages to as little as five years just by doing their banking differently,” said Chris Childs, founder of Think Money. Chris has more than 20 years’ experience in financial planning, mortgage broking and wealth creation through property industries. This experience has helped hundreds of people take control of their finances and turn their lives around. Call today to make a time to review your financial situation and learn the secrets to reducing your debt not your lifestyle. See how many years you can take off your mortgage.

Contact Christine Childs Mobile 0419 744 193 chris@thinkmoney.com.au

Phone 5430 4777 55 Sugar Rd Maroochydore

CASE STUDY Bill and Caz Klein were amazed at the difference Think Money made to their financial situation in a few short months. “When we first came to Think Money we were pretty well high in debt, credit cards were maxed out, life was pretty stressful. We felt like we were working really, really hard and really not getting anywhere. “We came to Think Money and we sat down with Chris. I just felt like a world of weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The Think Money Debt Reduction System is so easy. You don’t realise until you sit down with a professional that changing the way you do your banking will make everything fall into place. Not only have our debts reduced dramatically in just a few months but our lifestyle has actually improved. We are still on the same income but our debt reduction has just been amazing. “Our stress level is a lot lower now and we are so happy. From thinking just a few months ago things were insurmountable, we have not only got our finances under control, but within the next couple of months we will be heading towards our second investment property. Thank-You Think Money! “Everyone wants to get ahead. We just don’t know the right steps. Think Money has the tools to make those steps happen so easily. Sometimes you know in your head what to do, but actioning it is really quite difficult. Chris and her team hold your hand the whole way. You can see them, ring them or email them anytime, its just awesome. I would recommend anyone wanting to reduce their debt or increase their wealth should contact Chris Childs and the team at Think Money. They know what they are doing,” says Caz Klein.

www.thinkmoney.com.au


cover story

I think we do need more support out there. We can definitely be too critical of another woman’s choices. But we shouldn’t ever judge another mum.”

A first-time mum at 16, it was 14 years before Sharny Kieser re-entered the world of motherhood


cover story

words alli grant ll photography alan hughes ll shoot styling genine howard ll makeup pru edwards ll hair kooshka hair and fashion

Becoming a mother for the first time can be a daunting experience, even for the most confident, collected and capable woman. The world as you know it completely changes – forever. It can be terrifying, overwhelming and lonely. But as mother of one Alli Grant recently discovered, one local mum, sharny kieser, is doing her part to empower new mums everywhere, changing the world one yummy mummy at a time.

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efore having Hudson, my now two-and-a-half-year-old, I thought I was a pretty confident woman. I had achieved in my career, I had weathered a divorce, I was a capable, independent and extremely confident person. This motherhood thing would be a walk in the park. I could change a tyre, put up a tent, read a road map, make risotto and even replace the element in an old-school kettle (thanks Dad) ... surely I could look after a little person? How wrong I was. And I’m in good company – how wrong we all were – right ladies? Why is it that successful, intelligent, confident women turn into a big bowl of raspberry-flavoured Aeroplane jelly when faced with the prospect of feeding, bathing, changing and looking after our offspring? Sometimes I think my obstetrician secretly (and swiftly) conducted a lobotomy while I was delivering Hudson. I certainly wouldn’t have noticed. Big Bird could have been in the labour suite dressed in a mankini (a la Borat) doing a tango with Brad Pitt and I wouldn’t have noticed. Too busy screaming in agony, birthing a small elephant. I digress. Oh yes, back to motherhood and my newfound stupidity. Who knew that, after bathing myself confidently for some 30 years of my 34 years on this planet, I would need to be taught how to bathe my son? But yep, I did. Who also knew that changing his nappy would be a two-person job? And then there’s the breastfeeding thing – ouch, ouch and more ouch, the sleeping thing (what sleep?), the juggling work thing (still dumb on that front), and the ‘have I taken a shower in the last three days? Um, I’m not sure!’ thing. Apparently becoming a mother for the first time brings with it an avalanche of unexpected things. But surely I expected them? I’d been gobbling up every parenting magazine ever published for eight months. Okay. Again, I defer to the secret lobotomy. It’s the only plausible explanation. Brain-dead or not, I quickly realised that if I were to nip this motherhood thing in the bud and regain at least one small morsel of my former confidence, I would need to go on a quest for knowledge. I became an information junkie, desperate for my next hit. I got to know the girls at my local book shop intimately (did you know there are more than two million books on sleeping?), and I Googled ... a lot. And when I had sucked all I could from these information sources, I went out to get me a new hit. I talked to friends and family. What was I doing wrong? What could I do better? Why wasn’t he sleeping? Why wasn’t I sleeping? Would I ever sleep again? Quite honestly, while I gleaned a great deal of information (some of it helpful, some of it ridiculous) from my two million new books, talking to, okay grilling, my family and friends with children seemed to be the most useful tool in my quest. I learnt so much from their experiences – the good and the bad, the right and the wrong. But when next I jump on the motherhood train, I will have a new tool in my mummy tool belt … It’s not a book, it’s not a parenting website, it’s not a girlfriend … it’s a ‘yummy mummy’.

Her name is Sharny Kieser and she is the creator of Yummy Mummy TV– an online television show dedicated to helping women (post lobotomy) just like me … women starved for information, women desperate to learn from other women. Sharny is definitely onto a winner! Admittedly I was a little hesitant about the ‘yummy mummy’ title. When I think ‘yummy mummy’ I think super skinny celebrities who put far too much pressure on us mere mortals to return to our former baby glory. I conjure up visions of Victoria Beckham in a skinny pencil skirt and crop top leaving the hospital with child number four, and subsequent tabloid stories that report on how quickly she returned to a size ‘minus four’ after the birth. Please! Sharny’s Yummy Mummy TV is the polar opposite of this superficial world where everyone is back in their skinny jeans and strutting on the catwalk in bikinis (yes, that’s you Miranda Kerr) just weeks after birthing their little one. It is about real women sharing real stories about real issues. Pure and simple – it’s a resource for mummies just like me. Yummy Mummy TV was created by Sharny after the birth of her second child, Alexis, who at the time of our interview was about to turn one. She was also about to welcome a little brother or sister into the world – Sharny, 31, was about eight months pregnant.

Mum told me he was my responsibility, it was my decision … she didn’t take over as she wanted me to take responsibility. And I’m really appreciative of that.” Sharny’s first foray into the world of motherhood came some 15 years ago. Born and bred in country Toowoomba (with a stint in the Whitsundays along the way), Sharny fell pregnant at 16. “Looking back now, it was such a gift – and you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, do you?” she tells me, with her trademark smile beaming. “People always ask me if it was hard. I don’t know if it was hard – it was all I knew. But Josh is my best friend. He is so amazing, so mature. He is certainly an older soul than me. As I was so young, I guess I grew up with him – we have a very honest relationship,” Sharny explains, proud of her son and their incredibly strong bond. Thankfully, her family, while shocked, was incredibly supportive. “Mum told me he was my responsibility, it was my decision … she didn’t take over as she wanted me to take responsibility. And I’m really appreciative of that.” Determined to finish her education, Sharny stayed at school until about a month before Josh was due, completing her studies from home after his

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cover story

We thought it was time we pumped out a few more kids. We’d like to have five … really quickly. That was always the plan.”

Sharny Kieser always wanted to be an actress. Today, she has created her own television show, Yummy Mummy TV, a program embraced by mothers the world over

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arrival. When Josh was six months old, she returned to school, finishing year 12. Where to from here? “I put Josh in family daycare and decided to do a diploma of business at TAFE. I didn’t know what I wanted to do but I just knew I had to do something that would inspire my son.” Sharny was to find her feet in the world of radio, initially working in the promotions department of 4GR and CFM, and eventually working her way into on-air roles. “It opened up a new world for me. But I really wanted to transfer to the Sunshine Coast. I had holidayed there with a friend and I decided I wanted to bring Josh up near the beach.” Obviously, Sharny and Josh did make it to the Sunshine Coast – via a short stay in the country. Sharny was offered a position in Kingaroy in a dual marketing and on-air role. After a few months, reward for doing her “time in the country” was to follow – Sharny was appointed promotions coordinator at SEA FM on the Sunshine Coast. It was here that Sharny would meet Julius – the love of her life, her business partner, her soul mate … and a wonderful father. Julius was a South African who lived in New Zealand who was visiting the Sunshine Coast on holiday. After a chance meeting at a night club during which Sharny accidentally spilled her drink all over him (and she was sober, she tells me), the pair quickly became a couple, marrying in 2006. “Julius and I met at the launch of a new night club in Mooloolaba – I wasn’t supposed to be going but someone was sick so I went along. As I was leaving, I turned to walk out, bumped into a tall blond and spilt my drink all over him. He walked me to my car, after an hour of chatting. The next day he came into the station to ask me to lunch. It was my last day of work. Maybe it was fate that he came in on that day?” she recalls. Sharny was soon offered a role with HOT 91.1 when it first launched. But Sharny was longing for something more … perhaps an acting career? She accepted a part-time promotions role with HOT 91.1 while completing an acting course in Brisbane – all the while being the best mum possible to young Josh. Anyone would be overwhelmed by the prospect of being a mother, employee and student … but Sharny still wanted more. Upon completing her acting course, she was offered a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF). “I’d always been a gym junkie, so I thought applying for a scholarship would allow me to ride the ups and downs with a career in acting. Being a personal trainer was perfect – it gave me the best of both worlds as I could take time off for castings and auditions.” Back to Sharny’s story. Three months later, Sharny finished her course and opened her personal training business, Stripfit, on the same day. The year was 2007. While she still has a passion for acting, she admits that balancing her thriving business that now boasts a team of five, and a fledgling career in acting was quite the juggling act. But she was soon to throw another ball into the air – time to have a baby. “We thought it was time we pumped out a few more

kids,” she jokes. “We’d like to have a few more [five in total]… really quickly. That was always the plan.” That’s some serious procreating! Hudson is two-and-ahalf and the thought of getting a new goldfish sends me into a cold sweat… let alone pumping out three or four babies in three or four years. (Who am I kidding? I’d have another tomorrow if it were that easy … but just one!) I wonder how different motherhood at 30 is frommotherhood at 16. “It’s really different – obviously I have more support and I’m more mature. I certainly have more confidence as a mother too.” At eight months pregnant, Sharny looks, well, hot. Her obviously fit body has coped well with this, her third pregnancy. Admittedly, she does look like a yummy mummy … not a beached whale like yours truly at eight months. “I do pregnancy well,” she tells me. Appears she does birth well too – Alexis’s birth took just 20 minutes. In fact, she was almost born in the elevator at the hospital with only young Josh to help! “Julius had dropped us off while he parked the car and somehow we got lost. Josh kept saying, ‘Mum please don’t have her here – in the lift’. We got out of the lift and I only had time to get in the shower … we just made it,” she laughs. Life was good. Alexis had made it safely into the world. Stripfit was almost running itself, with the help of Julius who gave up his career in finance to work with Sharny in their business, and the new mum decided to take a little time off to enjoy her new life. “I thought I’d give myself to the end of the year, and then I’d make a decision. But I got really bored at home …” Julius put that natural marketing brain of his into action, developing an idea for Sharny to implement. Together the couple created Yummy Mummy TV – primarily as a way to keep Sharny’s mind active. “He suggested I start my own TV show on the internet – something that would help mums like me. Julius thought I should interview women, experts in their field … we could help women learn about becoming mums. “We figured that even if hardly anyone watched it, if we could help even two or three mums it would be brilliant.” And brilliant it is. In just 12 months, Julius and Sharny have grown the Yummy Mummy TV concept into something that is universally embraced. The decision was made to cover topics relevant to women of all nationalities – postnatal depression, healthy eating, immunisation … their goal is to provide the information so women can make well-informed decisions. I certainly would have lapped up Yummy Mummy TV when I had Hudson, had it been around. “Julius does the filming and I do the interviews. We take Alexis along to the shoots. It really started as a hobby and now it has gone viral.” Initially members of the Yummy Mummy TV community (www.yummymummy.tv) had to register to view the shows, which are loaded every three weeks or so. Four months ago they opened the website up to the world and haven’t looked back. “We went from 800 to 6000 Facebook friends in two


cover story

weeks. The big companies are now coming to us as they want to advertise.” With a star-studded line-up of contributors, including Rachael Bermingham (4 Ingredients), Cyndi O’Meara (Changing Habits), Jodie Hedley-Ward (You Sexy Mother) and Phillip Day (author of books about cancer and health), no wonder potential advertisers are beating down their door. “We encourage our mums from all over the world to let us know what questions they would like answered on motherhood. It can be anything! “Women have this thirst for information – we are so scared that we might do something wrong. For those first few weeks, especially, you feel so disconnected. It’s such a new experience. All of a

sudden you’re locked away in your home with this new baby. It can really scare some mums. “We can be so hard on ourselves. Every choice, every decision, what food our baby should eat, when they should be introduced to solids … oh my God, did I give my baby a strawberry too soon? We constantly want the best for our babies.” Sharny also agrees that we women can be our own worst critics. “We can definitely be too critical of another woman’s choices. But we shouldn’t ever judge another mum – they are making the best decision for them and their child at that moment.” She thinks for a moment and adds, “I think it comes from fear. Sometimes when you are critical of something or someone it’s actually a reflection

of something in yourself you’re not happy with”. What’s next for this yummy mummy, her thriving business and quickly expanding family? “Yummy Mummy TV still needs some work, but we are also working on fitness videos, and will soon launch our book, Never Diet Again. My passion is to show people that exercise doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, if you hate it you should stop it.” How does Sharny balance it all? It’s a selfish question – I’m an information addict still looking for answers myself. “It all comes down to my default diary,” she explains. “We are really strict. We don’t waste any time in our lives – especially on things and people who don’t make us feel good,” she explains. “You can always make more money, but you can never get time back.” Ain’t that the truth! “Our diary is incredibly regimented. We only answer the phone at certain times. We plan everything.” She explains that Julius starts his day at 2:00am as he likes silence to work. Yes, that’s right. 2:00am! He then works until 10:00am, with a 15 minute break for breakfast, and throughout the rest of the day the dynamic duo share their time between work and baby Alexis. When she tells me they manage to get all their work done and have a four hour window for family time, I am instantly jealous. Although Sharny is quick to point out that their routine doesn’t allow for too much of a social life, as Julius is generally in bed by about 7:30pm. This works for them – they are in sync with each other, and that’s what’s important when it comes to family and relationships. On the health front, Julius and Sharny certainly walk the talk – they don’t drink, and live and breathe health. “What we preach we definitely practise. I do believe in organic foods, but I know it’s not affordable for everyone. Ultimately it’s better to eat any fruit and veggies than none at all. “Sometimes Julius will have salmon and veggies for breakfast and I’ll have a chicken salad. We listen to our bodies – if that’s what I feel like, why shouldn’t I have it?” Clearly a beacon of health, inside and out, I wonder if Sharny is comfortable with her pregnant body, given our somewhat risqué but incredibly gorgeous cover shoot. “I think that pregnant women, no matter what size or age, are inspiring – they just glow. I feel really beautiful, and I felt really comfortable on the shoot. But everyone has self doubt. To be truly comfy in your own body you have to believe in yourself.” Sharny Kieser certainly believes in herself, and so she should. She is living out a contented life and fulfilling her dreams, thanks to a little naked ambition and a mother of an idea.

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briefcase

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daniella saville

ew York – one of the most stylish and fashion-forward cities in the world. But did you know we have a little piece of New York here on the Sunshine Coast, in the form of Daniella Savilla from Kookska Hair? Don’t for one minute think that this fashionable American isn’t at home on our shores. She adores the laidback lifestyle on the Coast, especially our great outdoors, although she does confess to staying away from the beach. “My stilettos don’t balance well on the sand,” Daniella jokes. One seriously sassy woman, Daniella has spent almost 20 years working as a professional stylist, with 10 years as part of the Redken Artistic Team. She is a qualified makeup artist and multi award-winning session stylist who has worked on cover shoots for fashion magazines the world over. But this is just the tip of the styling iceberg for Daniella, who has also worked at numerous Fashion Weeks in Paris, Milan, New York, and of course, Sydney. “My career has taken me all over. Working backstage at Fashion Weeks can be high-pressure – trying to make an impact with the hair and add our part to the entire experience. Hair, fashion and

words alli grant ll photography katja anton

makeup have to marry in a very high-stress, highpressured environment. It’s an amazing experience.” Prior to moving to the Sunshine Coast with her husband in 2009, Daniella lived and worked in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Having married an Aussie, the couple decided to settle down where they had previously holidayed – Australia. Daniella is one of those truly lucky people with a passion for what she does. “For me it’s not a job or work … it’s a lifestyle. Full stop. I get to make people feel beautiful for a living. I have so much fun with people – no matter what they’re wearing. Even if it’s a dress and thongs, if your hair is slamming … nothing is better than that feeling,” she explains. Daniella opened Kooshka hair in November 2010, just 12 months ago, with the desire to bring a little bit of her international flair to the Sunshine Coast. “Just because you live in a sleepy beachside town doesn’t mean you can’t be fashionable. What’s really great is that I can jump on a plane and head to Melbourne or fly to the US or Europe to do hair, but then I get to come home and live here. Here, I have the best of everything.”

words alli grant ll photography shawn abrams

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dr kylie isaacs

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ou can tell Dr Kylie Isaacs gets a kick out of her career, and understandably so. Kylie, a gynaecologist and obstetrician, gets to share in the most memorable moments of her patients’ lives – welcoming their beautiful little babies into the world. To me, it’s the ultimate gift. “It’s great to play a role in what is a major part of someone’s life. And it’s really nice to see women turn from this crazy monster during labour into a caring mother as soon as they see their little baby,” she laughs. I ask her what she loves the most about her job, and she laughs, telling me, “It’s not the late nights, I can assure you of that! “From a gynaecological point of view, it’s such a vulnerable time, so it’s nice to make an impact on something so personal.” Kylie admits that all areas of medicine make a difference to patients’ lives, so why did she choose this particular specialty? “I’d always liked surgery, and with obstetrics and gynaecology it’s a nice mix as I get to do the surgery and the general medicine and look after healthy patients, most of the time.” Kylie completed her study and training in Brisbane, working at both the Logan and

Mater Hospitals as well as in Rockhampton. While at the Mater and Logan Hospitals, two of the larger maternity hospitals, Kylie gained experience in both general and high-risk obstetrics as well as general gynaecology. In April of this year she relocated to the Sunshine Coast to take on her own practice, buying Dr Ted Weaver’s Nambour-based business. “I heard that Ted was thinking of retiring and that he didn’t just want to close his business – he was looking at succession planning so wanted to sell it. My husband did his first year of training in anaesthetics up here and loved it. We always said we would come back after I finished my training [in Brisbane], so I gave him a call,” she tells me. Dr Weaver is somewhat of an institution on the Coast – I certainly know many local women who have put their babies in Ted’s trusted hands. It must have been quite an honour to follow in his footsteps. “The business is going really well – it’s really nice to see a mix of old and new patients now. And this is it – this is where we will stay forever. Who knows, maybe I will be the next ‘Ted’ in 20 years – seeing the babies I have delivered growing into adults?” Quite an achievement indeed.


business promotion

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his month we meet Clare Ingram, who joined Henzells just over a year ago as a receptionist / sales support.

What drew you to a career in real estate? I have always been interested in property plus no two days are ever the same! What do you love the most about your role? Meeting new people everyday. Aside from your job, what is your true passion in life? Socialising and catching up with fiends. How long have you lived on the Sunshine Coast? Originally from Sydney I have lived on the Sunny Coast for two and a half years now and I just love it! If you could be on any reality TV show, what would it be? I would go on Dancing With The Stars as I love to have a dance. What do you love the most about living on the Sunshine Coast? The lifestyle is fantastic especially with young children plus the beaches and weather are just stunning! Three words to describe you? Energetic. Vivacious. Efficient. Something most people wouldn’t know about you? I am the youngest of seven children! Favourite place on the Sunshine Coast? Happy Valley. I love getting a coffee and walking along the boardwalk! Favourite holiday destination? Turkey. It is unlike anywhere else in the world – it is diverse and Cappadocia was certainly a highlight! Most embarrassing life moment? Vomiting mid-air while doing a tandem hand glide! Highlight of your personal life? Having my two beautiful boys, my gorgeous husband and my fabulous friends. Describe your dream home? Large open plan home on the water with a large backyard and a pool. How do you unwind? Have a few drinks with my friends. What’s the best part of your day? Relaxing with my husband once all my work is done.

ll photography shawn abrams The big, wide, wonderful world of real estate can be a daunting beast, with so much money on the line and people’s lives and family homes at stake. So, it stands to reason that you wouldn’t want to trust the sale of your property to just anyone. When it comes to making one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll make in your life, you want someone you can trust on your side. With this in mind, meet the stellar team at Henzells Agency, Caloundra – a team of honest professionals who live and work in the local community. Professionals who, after all, are just like you and me.

Motto you live by? Live. Laugh. Love. Learn. Who is your greatest inspiration in life? My Mum – who is kind, strong, wise, considerate, generous, caring, loving and has a great sense of humour! clare ingram, shot on location at Caloundra RSL

www.henzells.com.au AGENCY

Henzells Caloundra 49 Bulcock Street, Caloundra Qld 4551 Phone: 07 5491 2000 Fax: 07 5491 5166 Email: sales@henzells.com.au



style counsel

your ultimate guide to fashion and beauty

vanity case

PROFILE LOVES

beauty advice


profile loves

on the cover

Eco Diva pure silk hand painted kaftan, RRP $149. Gypsy Girl Boutique, Cotton Tree and www. silverwingdesigns.com.au (as seen in October special ‘Pink’ issue page 16, Adrienne Catherall story)

twinkle twinkle Holster ‘Twinkle’ Jelly Sandal, RRP $52.95. available from www. holsterfashion.com and stocked all over the sunshine coast, including its Noosaville concept store on Gateway Drive. Phone 5449 0232

stitched up Desigual Stitched Tank, RRP $129. Gingers Boutique, Buderim, Phone 5445 6616

teeny bikini blue shoes

coral colour

Zeta range blue espardrilles from Spain, rrp $99.95. I Cherry Shoe, Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads. www.icherryshoe.com.au

Red Coral sterling silver ring rrp $49 and earrings rrp $35. Gypsy Girl Boutique, Cotton Tree, www.gypsygirlboutique.vpweb.com.au

Venice ‘Atoll’ bikini top, RRP $49.95 and Malibu ‘Atoll’ bikini bottom, RRP $49.94. Available at www.pull-in-store.com.au

Summer, beach, bikini, cocktails ... sound like a holiday? heavenly top We don’t need to go anywhere! It’s all right here in Heaven at Trixan Body top $52.20, Queensland. This month, Profile Magazine has put briefs $31.30. Available from www.trixanbody.com.au together everything you need for a day in the sun, focusing on garments from our very own local designers. play time Millie Loves Min luka playsuit, RRP $119. Available from www.millielovesmin.com

14 Moko Turquoise Necklace, RRP $159. Gingers Boutique, Buderim, Phone 5445 6616

pink licorice Souls Thongs Pink Licorice with Diamonte RRP $17.95. Available online at www.soulsthongs.com.

premiere fashion Immy by Imogen Lane, priced from $100. Local Sunshine Coast designer premiering at the Ethereal Runway Fashion Show at Lake Kawana Community Centre on November 3. Photography courtesy of Jessica Amey Photography. Available from immyiloveimmy.tumblr.com

saucy stuff Saucy Rose ‘French Affair’ One-Shoulder Full Piece, RRP $150. Designed by local restaurateur and swimwear designer Sally Cook. Available from Saltwater Food and Fashion Boutique, Kings Beach, phone 5437 2260, or visit www.saucyrose.com

jungle beats white hot Hive Kaftan in white, RRP $45.95. Available from Hive Swimwear and local stockists, available from www.hiveswimwear.com.au. Designed in Noosa

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Zafiro green orange Jungle Beats $130. Phone 0402 575 016 or email ww@zafiro.com.au

lovely lady This is Genevieve ‘Lady Darbaville’ one-piece swimsuit, RRP $179. Available from www.thisisgenevieve.com


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vanity case nature baby Natural Babycare connects home-grown, handmade brands with mums and bubs across Australia. Natural, organic and unique, mums can trust that each piece has been created by a Work At Home Mum with love. Shop online at the brand new website naturalbabycare.com.au, find them on Facebook or at boutique markets in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Also available from www.naturalbabycare.com.au

soothing range Butterfly Essence’s soothing natural baby range for bubs including Lavender Gentle Wash and Chamomile Gentle Wash, both RRP $15.95 for 250ml; Nourishing Shampoo – Lavender and Peppermint and Chamomile, both RRP $15.95 for 250ml; Bubble Bath – Lavender and Chamomile, a comforting blend of scents for your baby’s bubbly bath, RRP $15.95 for 250ml and For Bubs Baby Powder, RRP $12.95. Butterfly Essence’s ‘For Bubs’ range is now available at www.butterflyessence.com.au

for tired mums

This month, we celebrate all things motherhood with a few of our favourite baby-related products and a couple of treats just for mum. After all, “Mother knows best” ...

Gel Jambes Legeres, RRP $51.00. A soothing gel treatment for legs and feet that is non-sticky and non-staining. Cools, soothes, refreshes, decongests and drains, relieving discomfort from tired, aching legs and feet. For Guinot stockists phone 1300 300 954, or visit the Guinot website at www.guinot.com.au

sleepy eyes Rationale Eye Specialist, RRP $125. A triple action eye cream designed to eliminate the main areas of under eye stress from all those middle-of-the-night interruptions. Available at COZmedics Medispas, Maroochydore and Noosa or www.cozmedics.com.au

soft wash

fun in the sun Auscreen SPF30+ Kids sunscreen, RRP $12.99. The mess free trigger spray and coloured lotion help make suncare fun for kids on the go. Available from Woolworths, Safeway, Big W, Target and independent supermarkets or phone 03 9338 5222

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Buriti Baby Ultra Soft Wash Cloth, RRP $12.95. This wash cloth is the ideal accessory to create a lather with the body wash and shampoo. Buriti Baby Shampoo 250ml, RRP $22.95. Buriti Baby Body Butter 200ml, RRP $27.95. ALL Available from The Body Shop, Sunshine Plaza or www.thebodyshop.com.au

moisture for mum The AVST™ range is a series of products that provides a complete skin care program. The concentration of vitamins A and C increase in the step-up system of the moisturisers. AVST 1 50ml RRP $75; AVST 2 50ml RRP $80; AVST 3 50ml RRP $84; AVST 4 50ml RRP $92; AVST 5 50ml RRP $97; AVST cleansing lotion 200ml RRP $66; AVST Eye Gel 15ml rrp $80; AVST A, C & E Body Oil 100ml rrp $90. Available from Asante Day Spa, Coolum Beach, phone 5446 5229 or visit www.asantespa.com.au


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mystyle

ll photography katja anton

Saya McDermott is the founder of Saya Skin – a unique range of skincare made right here in Noosa. Saya has extensive knowledge in health and natural therapies. This month we talk with Saya about her unique style influenced by both our beautiful Sunny Coast beaches and nature.

profile: What do you love most about your job? saya: Working for myself. Although it can be pretty full-on, I still have a good sense of freedom, which I love. Plus all my efforts are for me, no one else! profile: What looks can we expect to see this season? saya: Spring I think is the season for vivid colour, as well as soft neutrals. I have seen a lot of lace and floral prints on the racks. I especially love lace. I think it has a natural, earthy yet feminine look. profile: What must-have item should we all have in our wardrobes this season? saya: I would have to say the two must-have items for me are firstly, for style, comfort and femininity, you can’t go past a dress. The large variety of designs, beautiful fabrics and vivid spring colour and neutrals allows you to choose the dress that suits you perfectly depending on the occasion and preference. I would go for one that is good for day and with a few accessories can take you into evening. Choosing a dress made from light as a cloud flowing fabric or neutral lace would be a must. Secondly, for a stylish, chic look, a shirt or oversize T-shirt is a definite must-have of the season. Simple style are the ones to aim for, so go for simple white as it can be matched to virtually anything. Shirts and T-shirts can be paired with a variety of stylish outfits from jeans to skirts, achieving an equally fabulous look. profile: Who is your favourite designer? saya: I don’t really have one favourite designer but I really like labels such as Collette Dinnigan, Alannah Hill, Lisa Ho, One Teaspoon, Bec and Bridge and Tigerlily. profile: How would you describe your own style? saya: I would have to say I feel most comfortable in more casual / classic styles. I love fashion with a boho edge. profile: What is coming up in-store? saya: We have released our new range of body products, including body custards rich in certified organic butters of mango, shea nut and cocoa. Our Moroccan argan oil range has expanded to include body oil blends rich in virgin coconut, evening primrose, sweet mandarin, earthy patchouli and fragrant ylang ylang organic oils. Our range of 100 per cent natural products is soon to be certified organic, so there is a lot going on. profile: What is your fashion fetish? saya: I do have a slight obsession with jewellery. All kinds, especially chunky with semi precious gemstones like turquoise … love, love, love! profile: What was your fashion disaster? saya: I think between the years of eight to 14 years old ... the early ‘90s fashion. So bad, so daggy. profile: Who is your fashion / beauty idol? saya: I do love the styles of celebrities such as Nicole Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kate Bosworth.

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Saya McDermott


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advice

fashion week highlights with Wade Blackford Spring Fashion Week produced all kinds of surprises this year, including a protest against fur in a show that had no fur, some remarkable hair colour, and for me personally, I directed hair for two different shows. The face of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, Sophie Van Den Akker, was flawless every time she hit the runway. The other standout would have to be Kate Peck, who sported all pink hair thanks to the new KEVIN.MURPHY COLOUR. BUG. This amazing new product is a wash-out colour – just apply and brighten up for the night. It washes out completely the next day, even on blondes. The COLOUR.BUG is available in three seriously cool colours – purple, orange and pink. Check out www.kevinmurphy.com.au and make sure you take a peek at the instructional podcast.

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The opening night was halted temporarily by protesters who stormed the building and threw flyers from the balconies in support of the no-fur movement. They clambered on to the stage and performed a catwalk show of their own. The irony is that there was no fur in the show, but I guess they had a point to make, and they definitely did that. The situation was handled very professionally by organisers, who cleared the catwalk and let the protesters have their say and leave of their own accord. The highlight for me was directing hair for the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology students on the final night. We had 24 models, four different hair styles and about two hours. We managed to pull it off with an array of different styles, including rosettes sewn in around the hairline, braided pig tails, a synthetic pony tail and an ode to the beehive.

The girls hit the catwalk in the week’s most spectacular garments – wooden dresses, outfits made from leather wetsuits, material rope and everything in between. t really was something to behold. Do yourself a favour and pay a visit next year – you won’t be disappointed. Strut Hair and Beauty 5443 5605 www.struthair.com.au


advice

the modern man with Dr Alison Jamieson It is widely accepted that as men age they become wiser, more attractive and more distinguished – think of Sean Connery or George Clooney. While this remains true for some men, others are wanting to halt the ageing process and the trend is changing at a rapid rate. Men are increasingly turning to non-invasive cosmetic treatments, the most popular being anti-wrinkle treatments, acne scarring procedures and laser for permanent hair reduction. While it is difficult to establish accurate figures that reflect the rate at which Australian men are engaging in cosmetic procedures, Australian trends usually follow American trends. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported minimally invasive procedures have increased 110 per cent over the past 10 years, and from 2000 to 2005, there was a whopping 44 per cent increase in procedures among men, which has continued to increase year on year.

Why have attitudes changed? It seems that more and more men are associating success in the workplace with a youthful appearance – they are staying in the workforce longer and maintaining a more active lifestyle. Clients say that in order to remain competitive they have felt the need to “refresh their look” in order to compete with their younger counterparts. Convenience is another factor that has influenced male attitudes. A simple lunchtime procedure is easily incorporated into a daily schedule with little to no visible signs. Treatments that result in a significant amount of downtime are often not appealing or feasible to incorporate into our increasingly busy lifestyles. Top five male essentials are: anti-wrinkle treatment, dermal fillers, laser hair reduction, vascular laser, and acne scarring procedures. Anti-wrinkle injections work by relaxing the muscles that cause people to frown or squint. Once the muscle is relaxed, you cannot continue

to make the undesirable facial expression, resulting in a more youthful, confident and often less stressed and angry appearance. Dermal fillers are placed beneath the wrinkle and/or fold to ‘fill in’ or ‘plump up’ the depression. Men desire a considerably different outcome to women. Men want to maintain a masculine appearance, therefore the areas most commonly treated include vertical frown lines, subtle 3D sculpting of the face to restore volume, eye rejuvenation and nose correction. Other increasingly popular treatments are permanent hair reduction, most commonly on the back, chest and beard, as well as laser procedures, which treat age spots, redness, tiny red veins on the face called telangiectasia, red or purple spider veins on the face or body and acne scarring. COZmedics Medispas – Noosa, Maroochydore, Ascot, Kenmore 1300 792 299 www.cozmedics.com.au

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life

permanent weight reduction with Maggie Wilde Research shows that permanent weight reduction involves more than calories in and calories out. Doing this can definitely achieve results. However, unless issues such as emotional eating patterns, attitudes to food and an increase in self-confidence, self-belief and self-image are also addressed, keeping the weight off becomes a never-ending cycle of dieting and disappointment. To achieve permanent weight reduction it is important to get off the ‘dieting’, ‘deprivation’ and ‘I have to’ cycle. This causes distress to the body, emotional stress, self-doubt and disappointment, not to mention confusion to the metabolism. f we get caught in the trap of weight loss / weight gain we learn the starvation / storage rule, with this rule the body assumes we are starving when we diet. Weight reduction then becomes harder and slower, or worse still, weight gain returns once we start our ‘normal’ life again because the ‘diet’ itself was too hard to maintain or we didn’t learn the skills, self-image, motivation or confidence to create permanent change.

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Top tips for permanent, easy weight reduction •• Seek help for self belief / self esteem issues concerning yourself and your body •• Chew more slowly (15 to 20 chews per mouthful) •• Put your knife and fork / sandwich down between mouthfuls •• Drink more water (people lose weight just by drinking water) •• Keep a progress journal •• Visualise yourself at your ideal weight and shape and size (the brain doesn’t know the difference between real or imagined) •• Imagine unzipping the ‘fat suit’ •• Do at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily (appropriate for your level) •• Tell someone (research shows we are more likely to achieve goals when we become accountable) •• Use ‘doublethink’ visualisation techniques in

self-hypnosis. Research shows this helps us succeed. This is mind rehearsal e.g. practise overcoming difficult challenges during selfhypnosis, It makes success in real life easier •• Seek help to overcome challenges (recognise when you have an unhelpful eating or exercise pattern and get help to change it once and for all). When people begin to reduce weight and learn how to keep it off once and for all, it has an enormously positive impact on their overall self-image, confidence and of course, their health. Health issues such as high cholesterol and blood pressure tend to be positively reduced when our stress and weight levels are addressed. We can re-learn to like who we are and love our body too. Maggie Wilde Stress Reduction and Weight Loss Hypnosis Centre 1300 664 544 www.maggiewilde.com


Are stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia overwhelming you? Are anti-depressants not working for you? Find out why! Are you not as happy as you used to be? Are stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia or ADHD overwhelming you? Are anti-depressants not working for you? Do you find yourself irritated, not able to feel excited, or constantly thinking negatively? Do you have trouble sleeping, your mind won’t stop racing, or you wake frequently during the night? Do you get anxiety at bed time and you can hear your heart beating while your head is on the pillow? We had an incredible response from all who were logged on for the webinar we ran about one of my favourite topics – “Solving the puzzle that creates depression and anxiety”. When you put it all together, it all makes sense. There are seven key underlying triggers which can cause all of these symptoms, including anxiety, nervousness, depression, or lack of excitement and motivation for life. Stress feels overwhelming, and little upsets cause feelings of anger. Palpitations, excessive heat in the body, tingling in the hands or feet, irritable bowel syndrome, foggy brain and lack of concentration including ADHD in children, can also be present. Often these symptoms have been going on for months, years or even

decades. You may suffer just a few of the above symptoms or perhaps all of them. The seven key common triggers that affect your brain cause a compounding effect that your brain cannot deal with, which leads to long term, and then permanent brainwave pattern changes, affecting your personality, mood, and ability to think and cope, forever! Fortunately it can be quite easy to address – I have seen patients who have suffered depression for four decades, and after treatment for one month have improved out of sight. Other patients have shown improvement after just one week of treatment, including sufferers of major depressive disorder, and children with ADHD, who have then been able to reduce their medication in less than seven weeks, and these results are permanent! Proven with testing, these steps improve brain function immeasurably, without the help of medication, in adults and children. To find out more, call the centre and arrange a free half hour consultation, or register for the next webinar on Wednesday, November 9th at 7.30pm. A webinar is simply a seminar that you can see on the internet. You just log on through an email that is sent to you after

you register. It’s easy and it’s free. Register now for 7 Steps to Freedom from Depression and Anxiety at https://www1.gotomeeting. com/register/604148793 “Awesome, awesome, awesome … this webinar is a must for everyone who cares about their overall health ...” J.M. Buderim

“Oh my lord, what an informative webinar … Brilliant” L.D. Chermside

“I thought the webinar was fantastic ... I now have a fuller understanding of my health ...” L.C. Buderim

www.advancedwellness.com.au Jodi Chapman B.H.Sc Naturopath Advanced Wellness & Behavioural Centre 5443 1987 44 Baden Powell St, Maroochydore

Ph: 5452 7894 45


life

pain relief during childbirth with Dr James Moir As someone who has attended thousands of births, there is one thing that they all have in common – they are all different! This is particularly relevant when talking about pain relief during childbirth. Not everyone likes to use terms such as pain, labour and contractions, but for the purposes of this article, let’s use those words. Having a baby is a natural process, but there is pain and discomfort involved. Pain can be affected by everything from the size of the mother’s pelvis to how tired or anxious the mother is. I recommend attending childbirth and antenatal classes to educate you on the different methods of coping with pain and to get plenty of regular exercise to strengthen your body and prepare you for labour. When labour comes, there are several non-medical pain relief methods which many women find helpful, including: relaxation exercises; breathing techniques; massages and back rubs; taking a walk; yoga, meditation or

hypnosis; acupuncture by a trained practitioner; having a shower or bath, and using heat packs, or Tens machines.

Finally, remember that this is your day, your labour. The choice of techniques you use to manage pain is up to you. You will be supported.

In addition to these techniques, there are a variety of medical pain relief options, including a nitrous oxide gas mixture administered via a face mask. Pain killers such as morphine and pethidine can be given by injection. These will not affect your contractions, but they can cause side effects to both mother and baby, which are minor and easily dealt with.

Be prepared to be flexible, go with the flow, and consider the advice of your care givers, as this most amazing event progresses. Best of luck!

A further pain relief option that is commonly used is regional anaesthesia, or epidural, numbing the nerves in the lower half of the body without leaving you sleepy, affecting your brain or altering your breathing. This involves numbing a small area on your lower back and injecting anaesthetic into the epidural space in your spine. In the occasional situation where Caesarean section is required for the birth of the baby, it can be done using the same epidural – just ‘topped up’ to be more effective for the operation.

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Moir Medical 5444 0799 www.moirmedical.com.au

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life

fertility on ice with Denise Donati

You want to start a family but your partner works away from home for extended periods of time in the mines or on overseas oil rig – sounds familiar! This is becoming a very common scenario facing many young couples today. If this is a familiar story read on to find out what are your options for ensuring you have the best chance of conception every month? The answer could be freezing sperm. Freezing sperm before your partner leaves ensures that the chance of conceiving during the months he is away is not missed. One sperm sample can provide several vials for freezing. The frozen vials are then stored in the laboratory and are ready for use today, tomorrow or in 10 years’ time. Because sperm can usually tolerate freezing and subsequent thawing better than other human cells it makes sperm freezing a real option for many couples. There has been a reported case of a woman conceiving and

giving birth to a healthy baby using sperm that was frozen 10 years earlier. The benefit of freezing sperm is that once stored, it enters a state of ‘suspended animation’ and can be thawed many weeks, months or years later at a time that suits you and your partner. In order to maximise the chances of a pregnancy, many clinics will conduct ultrasound monitoring and blood tests to ensure that the time to inseminate the thawed sperm is carried out at the optimal time, leaving nothing to chance. This procedure is known as artificial insemination or intra-uterine insemination. When it has been determined that the woman is about to ovulate, the sperm is then thawed and prepared in the laboratory so that it is suitable to be placed into the woman’s womb. The whole process takes just a few minutes and is very similar to having a pap smear.

Sperm freezing is also a suitable option for men who are about to embark upon cancer treatment in which case their future fertility may be in question or for those men who are going to have a vasectomy and just want some sperm frozen as ‘insurance’. In all instances sperm can be frozen, stored and used when the time to start or extend your family is right for both of you. Fertility Solutions Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg 1300 FERTILITY (337 845) www.fssc.com.au

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life

mouth myth-busters with Dr Simone Ricketts The television show MythBusters has proved to be very popular because people are generally fascinated by myths. Even in dentistry it is intriguing to listen to commonly held tooth and mouth myths, or old wives’ tales. Here are a few myths debunked … Myth: Tooth loss is a normal and unavoidable part of ageing. With good professional preventive and home care your teeth are intended to last a lifetime. Certainly ageing can challenge your teeth but routine checkups and hygienist tooth cleaning can save your teeth. Myth: I was born with weak teeth. Generally patients will use this term if they believe their teeth are more susceptible to gum disease or tooth decay. However, from a dentist’s point of view, it is only an illness usually during the tooth developmental stage (even in utero) that can cause a tooth defect or weakness. Tooth decay is not genetic, rather it is an infectious bacterial disease.

Myth: Baby teeth are not important. Baby or deciduous tooth care is critical in establishing good hygiene and dietary habits for children, which will in turn create lifetime habits. Baby front teeth are very significant for speech development, and children’s teeth also determine the position of the permanent teeth. Myth: Wisdom teeth are making my teeth crowded. Your wisdom teeth have no effect on the position of your other teeth (provided all your other teeth are present). As we age, teeth will actually wear between the teeth, as well as on the biting surfaces. This can result in teeth drifting towards the front of the mouth (midline drift) so it looks like crowding is getting worse. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Myth: Laser or light one hour teeth whitening works better than other whitening methods.

whitening gel, usually a carbamide peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide in different concentrations and consistencies. Myth: There is no link between gum disease and heart disease. Worldwide there are many scientific studies linking poor gums with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Several species of bacteria that cause gum disease have also been found in the atherosclerotic plaque in blocked arteries in the heart. Gum disease and gum infections seem to add to the inflammatory burden on individuals, increasing heart disease risk. So moth ball these myths and instead pamper your pearly whites. Smile by Design 5443 2888 www.smilebydesign.net.au

It has been scientifically proven that lasers or lights have no effect on the whitening result! Whitening works only because of the action of the

(Visit the website to claim a free hypnosis audio) 48


life

foot mobilisation technique with Tyson Franklin Foot Mobilisation Technique (FMT) is a proven alternative treatment solution that uses the ‘hands-on’ techniques of joint mobilisation. When combined with prescribed foot exercises by a podiatrist, it can eliminate the cause behind many foot and lower limb complaints.

FMT is a gentle, painless technique. The philosophy behind FMT is that ‘everything works best when it’s in the right position’. FMT basically helps the body repair itself by realigning bony structures through mobilisation of soft tissues around the joints.

While FMT is relatively new within podiatry, physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths have used the basic principles of mobilisation for decades. It just hasn’t been used exclusively to treat biomechanical disorders of the foot and leg, which is what makes FMT so unique.

For some patients, especially women, this can be an alternative treatment to orthotics, especially if footwear is a concern.

A foot, if allowed to roll inwards for many years (over-pronation), will develop joint dysfunction and compensation of related structures, (muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves). Joints within the foot, which are dependent on these soft tissue structures for correct movement, will become immobile, creating long-term joint stiffness and pain.

Overall, FMT can be very useful for treating many foot and lower limb problems by helping restore proper foot function and mobility.

Patients often ask, “Is there an alternative to orthotic treatment?” Yes. However FMT is not a quick fix, even though patients often feel better after just one treatment, because mobilisation reduces joint pressure and immediately gives a feeling of relief. Proper FMT treatment should be implemented over a number visits over a number of weeks, similar to ongoing chiropractic care.

Proarch Podiatry 1300 776 272 www.proarch.com.au

Therefore FMT can play a major part in regaining movement and function of the joints within the foot, and exercises help to maintain this movement gained from mobilisation. However, joint mobility cannot be maintained through exercises alone, and certainly not by rest.

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christmas feature

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fancy flip flops

Can you believe it s officially Christmas … next month? Eeek! Here s a gaggle of last-minute Christmas gifts for those of us who haven t yet slipped into festive season mode. This year enjoy the gift of giving!

Perfect for our long, hot summers – treat the feet of someone you love to a pair (or two) of Lindsay Phillips flip flops. At just RRP $24.95 for a basic pair, you can easily change the look with the addition of a snap-on embellishment, from just RRP $9.95. Visit www.lindsayphillips.com or head to your local Terry White Chemist.

for the person who has everything Joyspreaders, in support of The Smith Family, are gifts that keep on giving. By purchasing a voucher in the name of your loved one, you will both be supporting the education of disadvantaged Aussie kids. ‘It Takes Two’, RRP $35, helps The Smith Family’s student2student program to identify students struggling with their reading, matching them with peer buddies trained to develop literacy skills. Visit www.thesmithfamily.com.au or phone 1800 024 069.

handmade with love The Profile girls have all asked Santa for one of these old-fashioned, handmade shower caps for Christmas. Divine! At just RRP $22.95 for most styles, why wouldn’t you visit www. sopretty.com.au to snap up a bargain for the stylish woman in your world?

golfing greatness pretty purse The Miami Coin Purse, in white tropical fabric, is a fabulous little stocking filler. At just RRP $14.95, this nifty little purse can double as a makeup holder, iPod carry bag, camera bag or mini clutch. Available from www.escapetoparadise.com.au, or visit one of the many local stockists listed on their website.

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Callaway will make every golfer’s dreams come true with the release of its highly anticipated RAZR X set of clubs, designed in collaboration with designer Perry Ellis. Using material designed in partnership with Lamborghini, the RAZR X collection is the lightest, strongest, most precise material either company has ever employed. Spoil your man with a RAZR XF Iron, RRP $169.95 (www.callawaygolf.com).


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christmas feature

playing it safe with seafood Christmas on the Sunshine Coast equals scrumptious seafood! But it’s imperative to prepare and store seafood correctly. Authors of The Chef and I, Paul Leete and Vicki Brown, share their tips for safe seafood. “Take your seafood out as soon as you get home; you don’t want to leave it in the plastic bag,” Vicki explains. “Plastic containers are the easiest way to store fish and crustaceans. Line the bottom of the container with paper towel to absorb juices. Place fish fillets to form a layer. Use another piece of paper towel on top of that layer, then another layer of fillets.” “Never mix cooked and raw seafood in the same container,” Paul advises. “Use a separate container for crustaceans. It’s also a good idea to write the date on the container as seafood should be eaten within one to two days of purchasing.”

If there s one thing we love about Christmas in addition to the presents and parties of course it s the food … and lots of it! It s the one time of the year we are allowed to indulge guilt free. If you re yet to plan your Christmas feast here are a few tips for fabulous festive food.

a quick dip Try this easy mushroom dip at your Christmas party … Saute a cup of chopped mushrooms, crushed garlic and chopped green onions in butter until soft. Allow to cool, drain off excess liquid. Use pulse button on food processor to process until finely chopped. Stir in thick Greek-style yoghurt, chopped parsley and a dollop of Dijon mustard. For more mushroom recipes head to www.mushroomloversclub.com.au.

share a little sparkle It is the season to be jolly … so why not be jolly with a glass of Te Hana sparkling from New Zealand this Christmas? With two styles of vibrant and contemporary sparkling wine, why pick just one? Te Hana Rose Cuvée and Te Hana Reserve Cuvée, RRP $19.95 each, available from Vintage Cellars, Liquorland and First Choice.

christmas cranberries Bright pink cranberries, generally only available at Christmas time, team perfectly with ham and pork. Creative Gourmet cranberries are the perfect ingredient for homemade cranberry sauce, and for fruit pies, tarts and puddings. The Profile girls plan to invent a new cranberry cocktail this year! Visit www.creativegourmet.com.au for recipe ideas and local stockists.

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top of the chocs Whether you’re searching for an indulgent Secret Santa gift or a festive table treat, Max Brenner, the king of chocolate, has the answer. Chocolate! Inspired by traditional Christmas decorations, Max’s ‘Chocolate Is Good For You’ range is available from www.maxbrenner.com.au. The piece de resistance is the gift box (pictured) is RRP $59.95 (plus delivery).


bliss on buderim

beauty

...it’s all about you

Stylish Soles, So Comfortable!

Noosaville - 230 Gympie Tce 5447 1755 Caloundra - 82A Bulcock St 5492 7185

www.getsetfootwear.com.au 53


on the table

berry delicious pie

with Annette Sym Symply Too Good To Be True author www.symplytoogood.com.au

berry delicious pie SERVES: 12 ingredients

method

Base

To make base: In a food processor crush biscuits. Melt margarine and combine with milk then add to processor and combine well. Coat a 23cm pie plate with cooking spray and press biscuit mix on to base. Refrigerate.

•• 12 Highland Oat biscuits •• 1 tablespoon Flora® Light margarine •• 1 tablespoon skim milk •• cooking spray Filling •• 4 x 150g vanilla low-fat Fruche® Fromage Frais •• 2 x 200g tubs strawberry no-fat yoghurt •• ¼ cup blueberry juice from a can •• 1 teaspoon gelatine •• 1 sachet (9 grams) light strawberry jelly •• 1 x 415 grams can blueberries in light juice (drained)

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To make filling: In a large mixing bowl beat Fruche and yoghurt together using an electric beater. Heat ¼ cup of drained blueberry juice in microwave until hot then combine with gelatine and jelly crystals, mixing together really well until the crystals have dissolved. Gradually beat into the filling. Add drained blueberries to the mix and beat with an electric beater until combined, but still leaving chunks of berries visible. Pour filling into the pie plate and refrigerate until ready to serve. Not suitable to be frozen. Dietitian’s Tip: This is an ideal dessert, full of fruit and oats for fibre and gastrointestinal health, and dairy products for calcium and bone health.

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his simple but very tasty pie (from Symply Too Good To Be True 6) is a winner when you want a special dessert that is easy to make. The creamy, fruity flavours really work well together and it looks great too. Blueberries are so good for you and now that they are back in season you can decorate the pie so it looks ever more fabulous. But remember, don’t be tempted to go back for seconds! Everything in moderation is the key to weight loss success and good health. Join me at my next three-day workshop retreat from March 23 to 25 2012 for a life changing experience. For more details, recipes and tips go to my website www.symplytoogood.com.au. Happy cooking, Annette Sym.


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on the table

This is the place where we look at what’s cool, what’s stylish, and what’s healthy in the food world.

fine wines showcased

the perfect match f you’re drinking riesling with red meat and shiraz with prawns, perhaps you need a little help in the food and wine matching department? In Search of the Perfect Partner (The Food & Wine Matching Formula) by Ryn & Cordie might be just the thing you need to make food and wine matching accessible, easy and fun.

with Dr Plonk www.drplonk.com.au

Available at selected book stores and bottles shops (including Purple Palate in Maroochydore and Maleny) and via www.rynandcordie.com.au

refreshingly ginger Summer is just around the corner and the weather is heating up. Cool down with an old-school ginger beer, just like Dad used to brew. Simply add a little soda water to Ginger Refresher Cordial from Buderim Ginger. This cordial is also the perfect addition to cocktails, and if you need a little extra zing in your day, add a drop or two to your favourite fruit juice.

new in nambour

Available at all good supermarkets, www.buderimginger.com.au

a wild xmas function Wild Rocket @ Misty’s in Montville has a bevvy of options if you’re still looking to lock away that special Christmas function, with dining rooms over three floors. The Montville Room seats up to 24 and is perfect for private events or dinners. Wild Rocket can design a special menu, featuring local produce, to suit all budgets and tastes.

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www.nambourrsl.com.au

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142 Main Street, Montville, 5478 5560, www. wildrocketfood.com.au

Next time you’re at the Nambour RSL, expect to be surprised! Breaking the traditional club mould, the latest stage of the RSL’s development provides a new level of dining and entertainment for members and guests. Enjoy a little Italian at Altro, the RSL’s new café, an open kitchen-style café featuring fresh food displays and even a green herb wall. If it’s a bit of a punt and a cold drink you’re after, head to the Zinc Lounge Bar and TAB – the club’s new signature bar and entertainment destination, complete with stunning mountain views.

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Only 2mins drive from Uni!!

Open 7 Days 4 -877Lunch & Dinner www.ii-naa.com 8am - Late 56

Schultz Toomey O’Brien (STO) knows how to throw an A-list function. Every year STO and Purple Palate combine to supply the wine, and winemakers are only too happy to fly in for the chance to espouse the virtues of their vinous products – this year held at the Innovation Centre with more than 100 wines on show. Makes you want to get a legal bill from STO just to get a ticket to this premium event. The quality and value of Australian and New Zealand wine never cease to amaze me (especially as I write this from the Taj Hotel in India). The plethora of sub $20 wine is a welcoming phenomenon. Producers like Massoni constantly turn out great wines like their El Nino range, which includes a pyrenees merlot 2006 with plum, berry and earthy notes with a full, slightly tight palate. Ant Moore pinot gris Marlborough 2010 NZ exuded subtle pear and stone fruit characteristics with a creamy full palate and a hint of acid. Turkey Flat Butchers Block 2006 Barossa shiraz grenache mourvedre blows you away with its plum violet and spicy nose enforced by its well-structured layers of juicy fruit, pepper and balanced tannins at that $20 level. Do yourself a favour by buying some Poonawatta Estate 1880 Eden Valley shiraz – at $90, you are drinking history. One-hundred-and-thirty-yearold vines produce fruit of incredible intensity that display jammy plum leather and spice aromas and exude a luscious balanced sweet palate. Thanks to STO for quashing those allegations (again); it is a generous charitable firm that supports many local causes. Most of all, keep supporting the wine industry and freeloaders like Dr Plonk.

Drink Voucher One free drink with every purchase over $10 when you mention Profile Magazine!


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travelfile rumba resort, caloundra

ll words alli grant It’s a crazy world we live in; a crazy, stressful, busy old world. So surely we’re justified in taking a little time out every now and again? Just a few nights away with a girlfriend or two by the beachside can do wonders for the soul, as Alli Grant and Genine Howard discovered when they escaped to Rumba Beach Resort on a Girlfriends’ Getaway.

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aloundra. Beautiful, dreamy, sleepy, relaxed Caloundra. I’ve been holidaying in Caloundra since I was a teenager, and have so many fond memories; wild nights at the local skating rink, strawberry milkshakes and hot chips at the Dicky Beach takeaway, holiday crushes on tanned surfer boys, and long, sticky days followed by long, balmy nights on the beach with friends. Today, what I love most about Caloundra is that it still has that same sleepy feeling it had in the late ‘80s when I first started visiting, when the most stressful decision I had to make was whether I would wear the hot pink one piece or the fluro green bikini. Decisions, decisions! While my life is somewhat more hectic than back then, Caloundra has remained the same … well, almost. Somehow a little bit more of the new, in the form of swanky apartments and award-winning restaurants, has managed to seamlessly blend with the old of yesterday. In my humble opinion, Caloundra has only gotten better. On my most recent sojourn back to my old stomping ground, I was to experience a little less of the old and a little more of the new, thanks to a Girlfriends’ Getaway at Rumba Beach Resort in Caloundra. I packed all the essentials, including my wonderful friend and business partner, Genine Howard, and headed to Caloundra for a weekend without husbands, without children, without washing that needed to be done and meals that needed to be prepared. But admittedly, not without work – well, a little on the side. Genine and I had promised ourselves we would perfectly balance overdue business planning with even more overdue R and R on our two-day escape. I guess you could call it a ‘working holiday’, but when you’re on a girly getaway with one of your closest friends with to-die-for views and a bottle of bubbles in the fridge begging to be opened, how could you not enjoy yourself? This was my first official visit to Rumba Beach Resort, but knowing managers Bill Darby and Mark Hall as I do, I knew to expect nothing but the best. They didn’t disappoint. The resort is just beautiful – while white, sleek and contemporary in both look and feel, it certainly doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb, like new resorts so easily can. It’s perfectly positioned on the Waterfront Boardwalk on Bulcock Beach Esplanade, with divine views over pristine waters. And while it was a little too chilly to partake in a dip on our visit, I was certainly tempted. The features of the resort itself are fabulous, starting with the pool. Again, a little too cold during our winter visit for a swim, but we will be sure to return and sample its clear blue waters one day. However, we did enjoy cocktail hour at the pool bar (heavenly) – a must-do for visitors, and checked out the giant jacuzzi and the heated lap pool, two more essential ingredients for a girly weekend away.

The rooms are really well thought-out and perfectly furnished. We spent many hours ‘brain-storming’ on our balcony – somehow the sea air seems to wash away the stress and make room for clarity and creativity. Or that could have been the bubbles … Whatever the reason, we certainly got a heck of a lot of work done, which meant one thing … time for rest and relaxation. We started each day with a stroll along the boardwalk and around to Kings Beach – well we had to pretend to do some kind of exercise and is there a more cleansing way to start the day than with a walk along the ocean? Breakfast time! Conveniently located just downstairs is a bevy of restaurants, including Hog’s Breath Cafe, La Dolce Vita, The Coffee Club and Channel Sports Bar and Bistro – spoiled for choice on the breakfast front. Night one we decided to take a stroll and found an authentic little Italian joint in the main street full of old world charm and well-priced pasta. Just as I would expect from good old Caloundra. After another day of serious business planning and strategising, we started to feel a little guilty about hogging all the Rumba fun, so we invited the Profile Magazine girls along for a night of champas, cheese and chatter. A girls’ night in on our girls’ weekend away – seriously girly, seriously silly! We ended the night with a bit of Thai takeaway and some very bad reality television in our PJs, washed down with bubbles, of course. Day three and it was time to finish off our planning, pack up and depart – back to reality. Not only did we get a lot of serious work done but we really enjoyed ourselves. We talked, we laughed, we relaxed, and we enjoyed being us … good friends staying in a fabulous resort with all the trimmings. Rumba Resort is a slice of stylish and new, plonked perfectly in the middle of the Caloundra of old; a beautiful escape no matter who you are travelling with … your friend, your partner or your family. THE DETAILS Rumba Resort’s Girlfriends’ Getaway package includes a five-star, two-night stay in a two bedroom resort spa suite (starting from $290 per person) for two persons, twin share, or two extra guests can stay for free (up to four guests can stay in a two bedroom suite). The package also features: • Lindauer Sparkling Strawberry Fraise NV on arrival • A complimentary cocktail at Rumba’s Pool Bar • The finest Swiss chocolates • Beautiful spa gels, lotions and crystals www.rumbaresort.com.au 07 5492 0999

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Italy

travel to with Sonia Baldissera

Why visit Isola D’Elba? Who could believe the Italian province of Tuscany has its own archipelago? When I think about archipelagos, I imagine Novaya Zemlya and Florida Keys, the Maldives and islands on the Great Barrier Reef, Micronesia and Polynesia, but Tuscany in Italy? Yet, there is the Tuscan Archipelago, a chain of seven islands between the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea, west of Tuscany. Elba, with a population of 30,000 and a territory of 224 square kilometres or 86.5 square miles, is the largest of all seven. For the record, another islet belonging to the Tuscan Archipelago is Montecristo (visible from Elba) which is really tiny – about 4.3 kilometres or 2.5 miles across at its widest point – and best known as a fictional place in The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. The Montecristo is an Italian nature preserve and can be visited only with a permit. Elba, on the other hand, is a popular tourist destination known for its white sandy beaches and sparkling waters. Elba has a rather rich history – mentioning of the island goes back to as far as 500 BC. Elba survived Etruscan and Roman periods; in the Middle Ages the island changed hands not once from Republic of Pisa and Cosimo I dei Medici to Spain and France. French emperor Napoleon I was exiled to Elba in 1814 and stayed on Elba for 300 days. Globaltraveller 0424 255 697 info@globaltraveller.net.au

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abode old is new handcrafted table wear Beautiful handcrafted linen table wear in Country Blue, from Aura by Tracie Ellis. Available at Pillow Talk Maroochydore, phone 5443 7238

Vintage Style Coco Sofa in plush velvet 3 .5 seater as featured rrp $2499. Available at Oz Design Maroochydore, phone 5479 1377

florence’s secrets Beautiful deluxe edition of Helen O’Neill’s award-winning book, Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives, rrp $69.95. Available at www.signatureprints.com.au

make an impression Vintage-inspired Impressions Chandelier, rrp $1300. Phone Domayne, Fortitude Valley on 3620 6600

classic chair Adiron Chair. This classic Adirondack folding chair, RRP $238 and footstool, RRP $98 are available in oyster from Big W stores nationally

Old is new again with these beautiful, vintage-inspired textiles and home furnishings. rug up Crocheted grey lace rug by Hooked Design, Finland. 120cm rug, $420. Available at www.galloplifestyle.com.au

with Belle Hemming Interior Designer www.spaceplanners.com.au gorgeous print Gorgeous vintage fashion print, rrp $59 for a 43cm x 61cm print. Available at www.vintagevenus.com.au

perfectly paisley

hint of romance shower in style Make a stylish statement with the Venice shower curtain, rrp $36. Available at www.galloplifestyle.com.au

The Audrey quilt is influenced by the bright, romantic flowers of the 1950s, rrp $179.95 for a double quilt from Kas Australia. For stockists visit www.kasaustralia.com.au

The beautiful Vixen Paisley Rug is inspired by a vintage silk scarf, 2m x 3m, rrp $4950. Available from Designer Rugs, Fortitude Valley, phone 3852 6433


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excellence in business awards feature Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards

We all know having an award under your belt means credibility for business – and none more so than a prestigious Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Award. These awards, now in their 18th year, draw out the best businesses from their daily grind to rise above the pack and show the Sunshine Coast just how amazing they are. Head to www.maroochy. org to see a full list of winners and finalists. we now meet some of the finalists.

business services AB FAB the stress free movers

BOQ MAROOCHYDORE

figurit bookkeeping

Ged and claire lunny

LAURIE AND DEBBIE CLARKE

Linda Chesher

Ab Fab The Stress Free Movers, ‘the stress free movers’, is a family owned removals business based at Kunda Park that operates right across South East Queensland. It has a long-standing first class reputation for ensuring the delivery of top quality service to clients at every stage of the removal process. Business owner Ged Lunny has had previous careers in banking and project management, through which he has learnt the importance of customer satisfaction. “Word-of-mouth referral is critical to success, and I’m delighted to acknowledge that more than half of our work continues to come from referred or repeat business,” he says. “That’s a fantastic endorsement of the quality of our service.”

BOQ Maroochydore provides a full range of banking services to both personal and business customers. Owned and managed by Debbie and Laurie Clarke, and with their team of eight staff, BOQ Maroochydore clients get the benefits of: •• Continuity – knowing they can deal with the same people every time •• Expertise – more than 30 years of banking experience, particularly in corporate and business banking •• Commitment to personal service – small business dedication backed up by a large and innovative financial institution

Figurit Bookkeeping Solution’s personnel are members of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, MYOB certified, Xero partners and approved BAS agents – everything you want and need in a bookkeeper. The business is owned by Linda Chesher, who has 30 years’ experience in the industry. As a professional, progressive bookkeeping company, Figurit Bookkeeping Solution’s bookkeepers use a variety of popular software for data entry, payroll, reconciliation of accounts, creditor and debtor control and completion of BAS and IAS.

Ab Fab offer a full range of residential and commercial moving services, including pre-packing and unpacking, long and short-term storage, as well as provision of all necessary packaging materials.

The branch has recently been awarded the maximum seven Stars in BOQ’s 2010/11 Star Rating Program – one of only two branches nationally to achieve that benchmark. This award reflects outstanding overall business performance and customer service.

“Your time is valuable and keeping accurate and up-to-date books can be a real drain. Is paperwork consuming your day? Are invoices on time? What about BAS? Don’t worry, it’s not unusual, but it is important you establish a system that works,” Linda says.

“Our motto is ‘the stress free movers’ because we understand that the process of moving can be extremely stressful,” Ged says. “That’s why we continually focus on things that make a difference to our customers, like excellent communications from start to finish. It’s these little touches that set Ab Fab apart from the competition.”

BOQ Maroochydore’s community support is reflected through a range of activities including its Celebrity Charity Golf Day and Corporate Sports Lunch with event host, AFL legend Robert DiPierdomenico. This event alone has raised in excess of $100,000 for local children’s charities in its three-year history.

Phone 5445 8797 www.abfab.com.au

Phone 5443 2711 www.boq.com.au

Figurit was one of the first Australian businesses to become Xero certified and to specialise in the migration of MYOB files to Xero software. This is an outstanding achievement. Figurit embraced this ‘in the Cloud’ bookkeeping software and teamed it with its electronic filing systems so that worldwide online access can be offered to a company’s accounts … 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Phone 0421 454 168 linda@figurit.com.au


excellence in business awards feature

business services HAYCROFT WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS

Graeme Haycroft Haycroft Workplace Solutions takes the ‘work’ out of ‘workforce’, freeing you from the administrative hassles of employing staff and putting you back in control of running your business. This coast business makes it possible for you to seamlessly outsource all employment-related functions in your business, including payroll, human resources, industrial relations, fair work compliance and workplace health and safety. These services can be purchased individually, or you can enjoy the synergy of appointing a singlesource professional employer for a complete employment solution. Haycroft takes pride in delivering superior service to hundreds of satisfied clients and thousands of happy employees Australia-wide. The company has spent more than 20 years building its reputation in the employment industry, providing innovative solutions to advocate simplicity and flexibility in the workplace. Consultants pride themselves on their broad base of expertise – you will be astonished at the services on offer. Contact Haycroft to find out how you can work smarter, not harder. Phone 5491 9800 www.haycroft.com.au

Momentum Software Solutions

Al Emery Momentum Software Solutions provide customized MYOB Enterprise Solutions to businesses throughout QLD and Northern NSW. MYOB Enterprise Solutions is the MYOB mid-market product range specially designed for businesses that are experiencing growth and feel that they may have outgrown traditional software products like MYOB AccountRight or Quickbooks. Based on the Sunshine Coast their experienced consultants are able to assist businesses with system selection, implementation, training, customisation and ongoing support. Momentum Software Solutions are a fully accredited MYOB Enterprise Solutions Partner. Businesses that have benefited from their solutions include wholesalers, importers, not for profits, mining services, manufacturers, labour hire, retailers, professional services, job or project based businesses and more. Phone 5479 1877 www.momentumsoftwaresolutions.com.au

WOOMBYE MECHANICAL REPAIRS

russell and carlee webber Woombye Mechanical Repairs is your local one stop mechanical workshop that prides itself on the level of service it provides its clients. This local mechanic offers a full range of services to passenger vehicles, light commercial, fourwheel-drives and fleet vehicles. including; •• Log book servicing •• Maintenance and repairs •• Tyres and Air Conditioning •• Auto electrical •• Brake and clutch repairs and machining •• Steering and suspension maintenance and repairs •• Roadworthy certificates •• Mobile breakdown and auto electrical service •• Courtesy vehicle •• RACQ approved repairs They also offer follow-up quotes for future work, send reminder messages for upcoming services and a loyalty program. Woombye Mechanical Repairs prides itself on highly-qualified mechanics who offer outstanding service. Phone 5442 1558 www.woombyemechanical.com.au

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excellence in business awards feature

creative knowledge industries ASV Audio visual

di henshall interior design

mediamojo

rod fishwick

Di henshall

john banitsiotis

ASV Audio Visual is one of Queensland’s leading sound, audio visual and lighting specialists. So what’s their point of difference? ASV adds the human dimension to their state-of-the-art equipment, while priding themselves on having lifelong relationships with their clients. Their passion lies in bringing your vision to life. The team does this by combining innovative ideas, creative and technical design and more than 50 years of industry experience from around the world and Australia-wide. So you can be confident your event or installation is in good hands. ASV design and install audio visual systems in a variety of businesses, schools and venues throughout Queensland. With a dedicated business events team, ASV is also active in marketing our spectacular region and venues to the interstate business events sector. ASV has evolved into the Sunshine Coast’s largest supplier of professional audio visual equipment and continues to provide quality service to clients both locally and across Australia. This local business has built their brand with quality, integrity and innovation. Phone 5476 4566 www.asvaudioviual.com.au

Di Henshall has just celebrated 23 years in business, which is a pretty good testament to the company’s achievements in the tough, competitive world of interior design. Di, who trained in interior design in the UK and has since qualified as a registered builder with further training in GreenSmart building principles, heads a talented team that takes on a broad range of projects around Australia, including commercial and hospitality projects, renovations, house design and full furniture installations for some very classy residences. Each staff member at Di Henshall Interior Design specialises in particular sectors of the company, all working together as an integrated machine. “I always control the design, in concept and development, ably assisted by our qualified interior designers who are an essential part of the design process, both in the assessment of the concept and the facilitation of the design development,” Di says. “Our repeat business sits at around 70 per cent, which hopefully is an indication that we doing a pretty good job!” Phone 5449 0788 www.dihenshall.com.au

Mediamojo is a small but feisty design studio packed full of talent, located on the shores of the Noosa River, Noosaville. Specialising in offering a complete graphic design service, Mediamojo seek to build lasting customer relationships, partnering your business as your very own design team. Not only will your business cards wow your customers, so will your website, brochures, packaging, e-newsletters and anything else that Mediamojo apply their creative genius to. Guiding clients in their journey to embrace new technologies, Mediamojo will help you understand how to apply these new ‘fandangle’ tools to a successful marketing campaign. Whether it’s a new website or a Facebook business fan page, outstanding design and intuitive functionality are crucial in achieving favourable results. Founder and creative director John Banitsiotis invites you to experience what he and his team can do for you. “Contact us today and discover our blend of outstanding service and creative solutions”. Phone 5455 5058 www.mediamojo.com.au

The

The Stress Free Movers

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excellence in business awards feature

lifestyle services eyedea media

MOS SKINCARE

SUNCOAST FITNESS HEALTH CLUB

JED CAREY

AMANDA TUNNEY

MARK STITT

Eyedea Media Makers builds awesome websites. They have more than 500 happy clients in some 300 industries based in nine countries. This local business is a dynamic web agency that strives to push the boundaries on what is possible online. Core services include web design and development, CMS software solutions, custom software development, complex shopping cart facilities and online marketing strategies. Eyedea has a proven three-step formula that has helped hundreds of their clients. Before Eyedea even starts the first design concept, they take you on a discovery process by asking a set of questions. This in turn allows you and Eyedea to clearly identify the reason for your new website and the best strategy for implementation. Once a strategy has been formulated, the forefront of any successful website is a great user interface. However, don’t assume that just because something looks good that it’s going to generate enquiries or sales. Our experienced team will guide you on how to create a creative yet impactful design that generates the business outcome you’re want to achieve. Phone 1300 858 756 www.eyedea.com.au

If you could make one simple choice to change the world, would you? Choose skincare that is focused on a global campaign for change, one that uses fair trade, cruelty-free, organic ingredients. Choose skincare that contributes to the education, protection and nourishment of the world’s most desperate children. MOS products contain ingredients that have been used safely and effectively for thousands of years. Gone are the days when ‘organic’ meant a compromise on quality. Products include thick, silky lotions and creamy body butters, zesty scrubs and healing tea. This local business is a proud UNICEF Champion for Children Partner. By purchasing MOS products you are supporting UNICEF in its work to educate, nourish and protect the children of the world. Saving the world doesn’t have to take a huge personal contribution. All it takes is simple choices, made one at a time. It’s easy to revolutionise, when it only comes down to what you put in your trolley.

If you have lived on the Sunshine Coast for any period of time you have no doubt heard of the Suncoast Fitness Health Club. The facility has pioneered fitness on the Coast since 1994 and takes great pride in having the same director since its inception, as well as many members and staff. Suncoast Fitness has a reputation for outstanding service and facilities and continues to grow with the Coast by continually reinventing itself and creating a facility that is a relaxed, comfortable environment in which anyone with any degree of health and fitness can enjoy a healthier lifestyle. “We pride ourselves in being part of this community,” director Mark Stitt says. “Suncoast has always involved itself in this community and will support and grow with the Sunshine Coast and endeavour to guide the community to a healthier, happier and more energetic lifestyle.” Phone 5409 7070 www.suncoastfitness.com.au

Phone 0438 965 390 www.montvilleorganicskincare.com

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excellence in business awards feature

professional services Brandon & Gullo Lawyers

brad read design group

Sunshine Coast Radiology

ASHLEY gullo

brad read and brenden creed

Dr Siavash Es’haghi

Brandon & Gullo Lawyers opened its doors in March 2007 and has since established itself as one of the leading providers of legal services on the Sunshine Coast, specialising in comprehensive legal services for SMEs, litigation, property law, structuring, personal injury and wills, and estate services. “Even as a kid, I was justice-orientated and always quick to defend the underdog and level out uneven sides. This is the same approach our firm takes, whether we’re providing litigation services, helping a small business with a commercial issue or negotiating a contract,” Ashley Gullo said. “Our firm’s mission is to provide peace of mind and hope to clients through strategic and tactical legal advice and representation. “Our clients enjoy straightforward, succinct advice from us, and we have developed great relationships with our clients. I think that’s partly thanks to the fact that while we work hard, all of our staff are very personable and we have a lot of fun doing what we do. t really makes a difference when all the team is committed to providing a reputable service in an enjoyable environment.” Phone 5479 4733 www.bglaw.com.au

BRD Group is a local building and interior design business that has been operating in Mooloolaba since 2000 and Loganholme since 2008. This local business prides itself on producing quality, innovative designs while focusing on budget and constructability. Directors Brad Read and Brenden Creed encourage an office environment that embodies teamwork, respect and communication as the core values when working together and also with its clients in completing projects. Through their experience and passion for design, they strive to exceed their clients’ expectations on every project. BRD specialises in all sectors of the industry, including residential, multi residential, interiors, commercial, hospitality, institutional, industrial and urban design, with numerous award recognitions received at regional, state and national level. While the majority of its work has been local, the company has also worked on projects throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, as well as New Zealand and Dubai. Phone 5444 1733 www.brdg.com.au

In just four years, Sunshine Coast Radiology has become arguably the largest and most successful independent radiology group on the Sunshine Coast, with seven practice locations and more than 65 staff. With an ambitious and entrepreneurial lead radiologist, Dr Siavash Es’haghi, the business attributes its growth to quality imaging, patient care and service, combined with the experience and skills of the highly-trained radiologist team who provide their patients with the highest level of diagnostic accuracy. Imaging services include X-rays, ultrasounds, dental, bone mineral densitometry, CT and MRI, with a new nuclear medicine service opening soon in Maroochydore. Practice locations across the coast include Maroochydore, Buderim, Nambour Selangor, Nambour Howard Street, Caloundra Private, Warana and Landsborough. The Maroochydore practice is open on Saturdays from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Bulk billing is available for the majority of examinations. Phone 5430 3900 www.scradiology.com.au

We sustain business. People sustain us. omes down to it, g usiness success begins with great people.

The future of your business: training staff today

Brighter Business... Sustainable Solutions.

Sustainable practice through innovation

Contact us today to find out how to grow your business.

07 5457 1000 www.sunshinecoast.tafe.qld.gov.au Find us on

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Investing in staff training is one of the best business decisions you can make. Building skill levels, improving productivity and retention of key personnel all have a direct impact on profit margins. Qua ity training is a positive and profitable way to develop and grow a motivated and skilled workforce, generate higher profit margins and increase customer/client satisfaction and ultimately, productivity. Sunshine Coast TAFE offers pre-vocational programs to Advanced Diplomas as well as dual qualifications with universities and skill-set based short courses. We offer fully customisable, cost-effective and nationally accredited programs to suit not only the requirements of your industry but more directly of your business. We are ideally placed to support your business growth through a mix of innovative, practical and sustainable business solutions.

Access to funding to support your business Sunshine Coast TAFE can assist with advice and support in accessing Government funding and incentive payments to help support your business.


RETAIL Sunshine Coast Haematology and Oncology Clinic

Sandra Reardon Sandra is the chief executive officer and co-founder of the Sunshine Coast Haematology and Oncology Clinic, the first free-standing day hospital to treat cancer patients in Queensland. Sandra obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at Griffith University and a Diploma of Education with the University of Queensland and went on to be head of the biology departments at Trinity Grammar, Sydney. In 1996, a proposal was submitted to Queensland Health to build a hospital from the patient’s perspective, a unique and innovative idea. Patients can receive chemotherapy and blood transfusions in a homely environment. The clinic has won numerous excellence in service awards and has been inducted into the Sunshine Coast business Hall of Fame. Sandra has been a Queensland finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards also. “It is a visionary project – one of care and compassion. You could never measure in terms of millions of dollars, the care and quality of life this Centre will bring,” said Mike Horan, Minister for Health. Phone 5479 0000 www.schoc.com

tourism accomMODATION

all about kitchens

METZO NOOSA

greg and susan morgan

helyn and jim lloyd

All About Kitchens is owned and operated by husband and wife creative designers Greg and Susan Morgan. By combining their vision and expertise with their clients’ dreams and imagination, they create designs for custom-made kitchens to suit any lifestyle and budget. Their versatility extends to other areas of the home, including vanities, laundry cabinets and outdoor kitchens. With a background in cabinetmaking, manufacturing and more than 30 years’ experience in the kitchen industry, this dynamic team is uncompromising in delivering projects that exceed their clients’ expectations. Dealing directly with the business owner from the initial complimentary in-home consultation to the presentation of several 3D design options and throughout the entire installation process, clients can be assured of outstanding customer service.

Jim and Helyn love their job, and why wouldn’t they? As owner / managers of Metzo Noosa Resort, they get to interact with a wide cross section of people; both international and domestic guests. The couple find it most rewarding to welcome repeat guests back to the resort for a short weekend stay or a longer vacation, and since taking on the role two years ago, they have built a strong base of repeat clientele. Jim and Helyn, who took over management rights in 2009, aim to provide a friendly, relaxed atmosphere for families, couples and visitors to the Sunshine Coast. “We endeavour to provide a warm welcome and friendly ambience while staying at Metzo Noosa Resort,” Helyn said.

Greg and Susan’s relentless commitment for sourcing quality products and maintaining their reputation in the industry ensures each client receives a stunning, well-planned kitchen or product that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Metzo Resort is a small, boutique 4 1/2 star resort that specialises in short term, self catering holiday accommodation. All apartments boast water views over Lake Weyba, and the resort is centrally located within walking distance of the restaurant and café precincts of Gympie Terrace and Hastings Street.

Phone 5477 7481 www.allaboutkitchensqld.com.au

Phone 5440 7500 www.metzonoosa.com.au

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excellence in business awards feature

tourism experience

hospitality

OUTSTANDING BUINESS PERSON

private airport transfers

hathi indian restaurant

high heels and steel caps

lynda and patrick herron

Peter de silva

Bronwyn Armstrong

Private Airport Transfers is a family-run business operating prestige vehicles, offering extra luxury at no extra cost. Quality service is its number one objective, with the owners providing a service they felt was needed on the Coast. Private Airport Transfers provides affordable wedding and conference transfers, as well as airport transfers. Other tours include whale watching tours to Hervey Bay, Gold Coast theme parks and Australia Zoo, all for a maximum of seven passengers. Brisbane theatre packages were recently introduced for clients who require a first-class night out and do not want the hassle of driving after enjoying a glass of wine with their meal. Private Airport Transfers offers transfers in luxury Mercedes vehicles. Phone 0422 382 217 www.patransfer.com

The Hathi Indian Restaurant journey began in November 1992 as a labour of love for aspiring restaurateurs and brothers Chris, Peter and Aldrin de Silva. Recognising a void in the market for ethnic food, a plan was devised to provide the Coast community with the opportunity to savour the delights of the sub-continent in an informal and family-friendly atmosphere. To enable Hathi to keep up with projected growth, in February 2010 it relocated to beautiful Alexandra Headland, directly across from the beach.

High Heels and Steel Caps is recognised and respected within the industry as an accredited business training organisation that delivers a high level of on the job training to anyone wishing to gain a formal qualification and develop new skills. Whether you are an employee wishing to redefine your career goals, a woman returning to the workforce or a business owner, the organisation provides in-house training tailored specifically for the individual. Bronwyn is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Hathi now offers a variety of dining options, including ocean views from its main dining room, alfresco dining by the calming water feature or a private dining room for that special occasion or business function.

Her journey has involved owning and operating small businesses and working in the corporate sector, as well as training, mentoring and developing strategies for personal and self improvement .

Previously judged as Best Indian Restaurant in Queensland (RCQ), Hathi has also collected numerous local awards for its culinary excellence and was the proud recipient of the 2010 Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Award – Large Restaurant, and is a finalist for 2011.

As a single parent of three with a full-time job, Bronwyn has achieved success and personal satisfaction. She utilises the strategies she teaches in her daily life to achieve personal success.

Phone 5443 5411 www.hathi.com.au

Phone 0438 892 855 www.highheelsandsteelcaps.com.au

“ Your story, Our magic”

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P: 0417699905


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business

market turmoil inspires savings with Linda Ireland Have you been wondering what other people have been doing in relation to the recent financial market turmoil? A recent survey suggests that it has influenced 60 per cent of Australian mortgage holders to create a bigger savings buffer for ‘unforeseen circumstances’, according to the 2011 Saving and Spending Insights Survey commissioned by Mortgage Choice. First homeowners felt the pressure most keenly, with 66 per cent saving more for this purpose. Investors were second most affected (63 per cent), followed by next homebuyers (57 per cent) and homebuyer / investors (56 per cent). Overall, 83 per cent of the 1009 mortgage holders surveyed over late August and early September said they had saved money in the past year, with the top reasons being for a holiday (53 per cent), to repay their mortgage faster (45 per cent) and for unexpected changes to their finances (37 per cent). One quarter managed to put aside more than 20 per cent of their after tax income. It’s uplifting to see that despite facing a hefty interest rate increase last November, rising

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living costs and a flood levy, the vast majority of Australians with a mortgage managed to save money over the past 12 months in addition to meeting their repayments.

Next homeowners were by far the most likely to (56 per cent), followed by homeowner / investors at 46 per cent and investors at 45 per cent.

Recent turbulence in financial markets is clearly influencing borrower attitudes to saving, but although they recognise the need to save for a rainy day, letting their hair down with some time away from work is even more important.

•• Six per cent store savings under the mattress or similar; 1 per cent give savings to another for safekeeping.

Other key findings about mortgage holders:

•• Forty per cent were not bothered by slowing / falling housing price growth, 43 per cent were a little and 12 per cent a lot.

•• Forty-four per cent were paying more than 30 per cent of the total after tax household income on their home loan. However, when these people were asked if they were in mortgage stress the most common response was ‘no’, (44 per cent), followed by ‘yes, a little’ (38 per cent), ‘yes, a lot’ (15 per cent) and ‘unsure’ (3 per cent). •• Thirty-four per cent did not know their interest rate, with first homeowners the most likely to not know (39 per cent). •• Forty seven per cent factor in an interest rate buffer of 1 per cent or more into repayments.

•• Twenty-six per cent said they had taken on significant debt in the past year.

It’s always a good idea either way to regularly look at your finance structures and assess whether there is a better way for you. It might save you thousands! Mortgage Choice 5476 9333 linda.ireland@mortgagechoice.com.au


business

it’s all about you! with Leisa Toomey I really love and appreciate the feedback I receive from Profile Magazine readers. This magazine has clearly earned a wide following of both men and women and it pleases me that my columns help in some small way. However, this month I thought I would seek some input back from my readers. The reason is simple enough. I can provide you with information and statistics about divorce, in the world, in Australia and also in Queensland. However, statistics a little closer to home are harder to obtain and as a result I am conducting some research on the topic. As with any form of research, the quality of the results is dependent on the feedback you receive, so to get me started I would love to hear from readers who have the time to answer a few questions (anonymously, of course). I will then collate the information and report the results over the coming months.

Research questions •• What is your age? •• What is your sex? •• Are you currently married or living together in a de facto relationship? •• How many times have you been married? •• Are you thinking of separating? If yes, how long have you been thinking about this?

You can email the responses to Profile Magazine at info@profilemag.com.au or simply fax them to 5475 4405. I hope you can assist me with my research and look forward to receiving your responses. Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers 5413 8900 www.stolaw.com.au

•• If you are not separated but contemplating, would you seek legal advice? •• If you have separated at what stage did you seek legal advice? •• If you have separated did you seek legal advice? •• How many years have you been married? •• If you are not happy, what is keeping you in the relationship? •• Do you have children? If yes, how many?

www sabracreative com 0422 375 833 71


business promotion

jason garland and miriam torres

MEET MIRIAM TORRES – BUSINESS MANAGER Although I have been managing businesses for more than 16 years in electrical, telcos and IT industries, the past eight years have been the most rewarding. Achievements over the past few years include being a finalist in the Sunshine Coast Women’s Business Network as Professional Woman of the Year and being nominated as Telstra Woman of the Year two years running by my clients and peers, which has been extremely rewarding. Being on the events committee for the Sunshine Coast Women’s Business Network has given me the ability to work alongside amazing business women. I’ve taken immense pleasure in developing Secure Access, seeing it grow from strength to strength, from managing a team of 12 staff at the Sunshine Coast office to managing businesses varying in size from two to 420 people. It’s been our mantra to not only keep businesses’ IT requirements working well, but to streamline processes and allow them to work more productively – which I believe is our point of difference. I have a passion for meeting new people, staying motivated by surrounding myself with like-minded people. MEET JASON GARLAND – DIRECTOR I have 20 years of IT industry experience, which has encompassed hands-on technical support from small businesses to enterprise space, consulting to universities on IT security and developing commercial software for the educational market space. My decision in 1997 to start a company specialising in IT service and support was driven by a passion to address an increasing market problem – allowing businesses to gain real returns from their IT investment, particularly, the cost of not getting IT wrong. I believe my ability to consistently ‘get IT right’ drives my business success. Certified by Microsoft as a systems engineer and possessing a plethora of other accreditations from industry bodies, I prefer a hands-on approach to running the company, personally involving myself in the day-to-day technical side. IT is a rapidly changing industry with an expanding breadth of services, keeping a hands-on approach ensures we are able to help our clients shift safely as technology affects their industries. Beginning as a sole trader, we have steadily expanded Secure Access over the past 14 years to become a leader in Sunshine Coast technology, and world-renowned with overseas companies seeking local support through us. I have a strong interest in the promotion of evidence-based technology, by investigating the real needs and benefits of investment, rather than running the current trend. There is a lot of technology out there that doesn’t suit all businesses, but on the flip side, some businesses are not realising some of the potential improvements they can make. Small and medium businesses are referred to us, rather than through traditional marketing systems. We did not even advertise in the Yellow Pages until two years ago. It really shows faith in our clients, that they are willing to put their name to our company and refer their valued clients to us.

Phone 07 5443 7766 Email: admin@secureaccess.com.au web: www.SecureAccess.com.au

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SECURE ACCESS – LEADING BUSINESS IT SPECIALIST ON THE SUNSHINE COAST Secure Access has been successfully operated by director Jason Garland for 14 years and business manager Miriam Torres for 9 years. Together, they continue to realise their vision of raising the benchmark for IT support and becoming a driving force meeting Sunshine Coast IT business needs. Secure Access was the first IT services company to become a Microsoft Gold Partner on the Sunshine Coast. It reaffirmed its support services quality earlier this year as Microsoft changed its partner program with firmer guidelines and tougher requirements. Secure Access was the only IT company to receive the new gold level accreditation specialising in server and desktop solutions, recognising the company as a specialist in its field and acknowledging its dedication to providing superior customer service and delivering individual business requirements through hardware, software and ongoing technical support. The company’s outstanding support team has taken on clients ranging from small businesses requiring basic assistance through to supporting some of the largest companies on the Sunshine Coast and continues to service medical centres, legal firms, accountancy practices, construction firms, property developers, pubs and clubs, high schools, primary schools and universities around the country. Secure Access has a focus on Sunshine Coast business, yet also provides software, hardware and technical support to businesses throughout Australia and New Zealand, continues to expand considerably and is at the forefront of technology solutions.


business

benefits of a business mentor with Melanie Jacobson Do you know what Richard Branson, Colin Powell, Hillary Clinton, Russell Crowe and Steven Spielberg all have in common? Apart from being highly successful, they all had a mentor to guide them. Your friends and family, the internet and trade publications can all provide you with a steady stream of industry news, information and opportunities. Consultants, employees and good networking contacts can share their expert knowledge on situations you may encounter. But only a mentor can share their wisdom with you on an ongoing basis. What makes a mentor different? A mentor is someone with more entrepreneurial business experience than you who serves as a trusted confidant over an extended period of time. Why do they do this? Mentoring allows mentors to prove themselves as leaders, expand their professional network and cement their role

as subject matter experts. A true mentoring relationship works in both directions – they learn about new ideas from you just as you learn timeless wisdom from them. Benefits of having a mentor for your organisation include: •• Creating an environment that fosters personal and professional growth through the sharing of business information, skills, attitudes and behaviours •• Increasing role modelling of leaders teaching other leaders •• Accelerating processes for the identification, development and retention of talent

You can also have different mentors for different areas of your business, each approaching you with new perspectives and experiences. Sometimes a differing viewpoint is exactly the right ingredient to resolve a previously stale matter. If you have exhausted all your options and feel like there are no other solutions to your challenges, a business mentor can facilitate a new beginning. Sometimes the best mentors don’t provide the answers, but ask the right questions. PJT Accountants & Business Advisors 5413 9300 www.pjtaccountants.com.au

•• Increasing job satisfaction for mentees and mentors •• Sharing and leveraging strategic knowledge and skill throughout the organisation •• Leveraging intellectual capital and property knowledge

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business

an email to my 20-year-old ... with Sandra Wills CFP® Dad and I reckon you should start to pretend you’re paying off a mortgage and start building up a deposit to buy your first home by opening a First Home Saver Account and depositing $1000 initially plus $500 per month every month for the next four years (or longer if you’re not ready to buy your first home in four years’ time – the longer the better, but must be a minimum of four years). If you contribute at least $5500 each financial year, you will get you the maximum government co-contribution of $935 each financial year for the next four years (17 per cent of the amount you contribute). Assuming you invest $1000 initially, plus $500 per month for four financial years at an interest rate of 5 per cent per annum, in four years’ time you’ll have $32,000 – and importantly you’ll be in the habit of making regular payments towards your home.

Note that monthly repayments on a $300,000 mortgage at 8 per cent per annum interest would be $2509 per month for 20 years. If you can’t commit at least $500 per month for four years now, you’ll never handle a mortgage. The longer you save, the bigger the deposit, the smaller the mortgage, the more houses you’ll own in the future and the quicker you’ll own your own home (as opposed to the proportion of ‘your’ house that the bank owns). Every monthly deposit is buying $500 worth of your future property. You can own $32,000 worth of property in four years’ time. Don’t think of it as a bank account – think of it as a house. First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA) are offered by banks, building societies, credit unions, life insurance companies, friendly societies and the trustees of public offer superannuation funds – shop around and open a high interest, low-fee FHSA.

The account earns interest like any high-interest savings account. The interest is concessionally-taxed at 15 per cent (compared to your other savings that are taxed at 31.5 per cent). You have to contribute at least $1000 each financial year for a minimum of four years before you can access the money. You can only access the money to buy or build your first home to live in. Further information can be found on the government website www. moneysmart.gov.au. Get started – every monthly deposit is $500 worth of property. Love, Mum and Dad. Genesys Wealth Advisers Maroochydore 5443 9433 sandra.wills@genesyswealth.com.au

Important information - The information presented in this document is not intended to be advice. It has not been prepared taking into account any particular investor’s or class of investor’s investment objectives, financial situation or needs, and should not be used as the basis for making investment, financial or other decisions. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. While we believe the information contained in this to be correct, no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness is given. Genesys Wealth Advisers Limited ABN 20 060 778 216 AFSL NO. 232686 Principal Member of the FPA www genesyswealth.com.au

first move

jump OFF

help us jump off the rental treadmill Think that buying your own home is out of your reach? You may be pleasantly surprised by what you can afford and how reasonable it can be compared to renting. We’ll help you work out how much you can borrow, find a home loan that suits you and the best way to make your repayments affordable, sort out the first home owners grant and do all the paperwork and running around. So talk to us today.

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business promotion Very few couples can work together harmoniously … it’s a fact. But for Kellie and Paul Robertson from Commander Centre, they wouldn’t have it any other way. The couple met at work in 1989 and were married some two years later. Soon they found themselves in Singapore, starting up the Asian branch of a Melbournebased software company. This was their first experience working together, and what a way to start! “We shared just one desk, facing each other all day … this is the sort of situation where you discover if you can actually work with the one you love. Luckily for us, it worked!” Kellie recalls. “Singapore was a great experience. The expat life was amazing; we met loads of interesting people …” And this was just the start of a solid and successful business partnership, and an adventure-filled life. After leaving Singapore, the couple returned to Brisbane where Kellie took on the role of advertising manager for a well-respected magazine. But soon it was time for another adventure – off to Darwin, not long after the birth of their son, Chad. “In Darwin I actually worked for Paul … again, it worked for us! It was hard having Paul as my boss though. After three years, the opportunity arose for us to finally realise our dream … to work for ourselves and live on the Sunshine Coast.” Today, the couple co-owns and manages Commander Centre Sunshine Coast. Commander is an Australian owned Telecommunications Company completely based in Australia – no overseas call centres. Kellie and Paul own the Sunshine Coast office, which specialises in providing businesses with cost-effective solutions in regards to phone systems, landlines, mobile plans and ADSL, across systems such as Samsung, Siemens and Avaya. “We do this by visiting customers at their workplace and looking at how their business runs. We then formulate a solution designed for them, offering competitive rate plans suited to the company’s individual call pattern,” Kellie explains. “Locally we aim to be the preferred source of all business technology via our sister Company The Fuji Xerox Business centre with copier and printer solutions. For IT solutions we partner with All Digital Computer Services.” Paul and Kellie opened their business in Maud Street in February 2007, although Commander has been around for almost

30 years. There are local centres all across Australia. “It has been an interesting, challenging and rewarding trip so far. We have a loyal and wonderful team of eight, comprising admin staff (the backbone of our business), customer service engineers (affectionately known as our techs) who keep our customers up and running, and last but by no means least, our very important sales staff, who represent us in the marketplace. “The best part is that we are here as your local contact on the coast and we have the backing of our Australian Based Call Centre if needed. When you call our office here in Maud Street you will speak directly to someone who can assist you – no queues!” While the couple has definitely settled into life on the Sunshine Coast long-term, they definitely have no regrets about their globetrotting experience prior to opening Commander in Maroochydore. “I have learnt that no matter where you work – Brisbane, Sydney, Singapore, Darwin or the Sunshine Coast – business is business. Yes there are differences; the weather, or what you wear to do business and the different approaches to businesses, but some things are common across all of these environments. To me, these things are; working hard, providing great customer service and simply doing what you say you will do.” While Kellie has the full support of her business partner and husband, like any mum, she sometimes struggles to find a balance between work, family and play. “I am forever trying to find life balance between being a mum [to 11-year-old Chad], being involved in the day-to-day running and success of our business, being a wife, a friend, a daughter and sister, and being active in school life. I really try to make sure I am there to enjoy everyone in my life.” Ultimately, Kellie enjoys the flexibility that comes with running her own business. “I love the flexibility of working for myself, although there are challenges that come with it. I love that I can attend most school functions and social functions that occur throughout the year. I especially love being a rugby mum … and I am learning to love being a cricket mum too!” For Kellie and Paul Robertson, it’s really about giving a command performance, in all areas of their lives.

A COMMANDING PERFORMANCE ll photography ben connolly

Phone 5430 4888 www.commander.com


win

win a pamper package from clynic Landsborough-based Clynic offers its customers procedures to enhance their natural beauty by restoring healthy skin tones, blending damaged areas and complementing each individual’s colour range. This month, Clynic is giving away an Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion Facial (O2 facial) valued at $150, in addition to a lash enhancement package, valued at $480 – pigment will be skilfully embedded through the lash base, giving definition and refinement. One lucky reader will win the facial and the lash enhancement. Beautiful!

scan this QR code with your smartphone or web cam to jump straight to our competition page

They say you have to be in it to win it ... Check out the fabulous prizes up for grabs in this month’s Profile Magazine. Head to www.profilemag.com.au for entry details, terms and conditions.

win a lovely laundry The Stendi Junior by I Love Laundry (www.ilovelaundry.com.au) is an easy-to-handle, vertical clothes airer, perfect for singles, couples and small families who want to cut down on electricity costs and reduce their carbon footprint. This indoor or outdoor line can hold up to two full loads of washing (33 metres of washing space) and is available in a variety of colours. Profile Magazine and I Love Laundry have two Stendi Junior lines to give away, valued at $155 each.

win kids welcome guides To celebrate the launch of the Kids Welcome web directory of more than 2000 family-friendly activities, attractions, tours, places to eat, places to stay, events, beaches and playgrounds, local author Sarah Pye and Profile Magazine have 10 copies of Kids Welcome to Queensland up for grabs this month (www.kidswelcome.com.au), valued at $24.95 each.

win a bevy of business books If you’re looking for inspiration and education, head to www.wiley.com to check out the vast range of management and business titles published by John Wiley and Sons. This month, two lucky winners will each receive a gift pack of six business and marketing books (such as Learn Marketing With Social Media in 7 Days and Learn Bookkeeping In 7 Days), valued at $183, with all the guidance and inspiration you need to ramp up your business over Christmas. 76

win beautiful bibs for your bub

win baby bowl for busy mums

Renowned for its extra large size and super absorbency, the eeni meeni miini moh (www. eenimeeni.com) bib is a must-have item for all new parents. Eeni meeni miini moh and Profile Magazine have five packs to give away – three packs of boy’s bibs (two bibs in each) and two packs of girl’s bibs (two bibs in each). Bibs are valued at $24 each.

Written by 4 Ingredients’ Kim McCosker, Baby Bowl focuses on fast preparation and easy cooking – perfect for busy mums! Baby Bowl walks you through which foods to introduce when and the importance of nutrition through providing healthy, homemade baby food, covering topics such as allergies and reflux. Profile has 12 books to give away, valued at $15 each.


WWW.HOT91.COM.AU WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HOT91


the last word

Paul McHugh, baby Max and Amber Werchon

ll photography greg gardner The Sunshine Coast has watched real estate guru Amber Werchon grow up. From Rookie Real Estate Agent of the Year in Australia, to owning her swag of self-branded real estate agencies, Amber has now delved into a new phase in her life … motherhood. We catch up with Amber to remind ourselves why this petite blonde is a dynamo in the real estate industry.

My most “ annoying habit

is … talking too much and too fast!

I grew up on … the Sunshine Coast, living in the Woombye Pub, when my parents were the publicans, then later Bli Bli.

Most people don’t know that I … am a health freak. I also eat like a horse … and that was well before I was pregnant!

I would love to be a better … everything! I’m always looking to better myself in every way.

When I was growing up I wanted to be … first a teacher, then a lawyer, then an accountant … until I worked in retail at school and bought my first property and thereafter I was hooked on sales / property!

I am at my happiest when … I’m relaxing with my husband and Max. When I am not working I am … looking after Max.

I wish I could … simplify my life more and reduce the number of activities / events I get involved in. This would allow me more time to pursue other interests. The best meal I have had was at … a waterfront restaurant in Italy, a fresh seafood risotto – will never forget it!

Real estate guru Amber Werchon and her husband, lawyer Paul McHugh, are now proud parents to baby Max – they couldn’t be happier with their new family life

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My favourite restaurant is … hard to pick just one, depends what food I feel like. For example, for Asian – Spice Bar. I also love Blue Fish. My favourite holiday spot is … Bali.

My all time favourite movie is … hard to choose just one, I never really watch anything twice. But I will never forget The Green Mile. My greatest achievement is … my son, Max. My most annoying habit is … talking too much and too fast! In five years I hope to be … the mother of another child and the leader of the best real estate business on the Coast. The one person I would most like to meet … Barack Obama. My hidden talent is … barking like a dog.




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