Salt Magazine Autumn 2024

if you’ve got a dream home to build... we have just the homesite.

Lancelin Precinct Stage III is within weeks of allotment titles being issued. Opening the way for some of Sunshine Cove’s most stunning homes to be built. You still have the opportunity to purchase land within Stage III, to take advantage of its breathtaking waterfront land or urban allotments.

One last chance to build the lifestyle home of your dreams.

Sales office open Monday to Friday, to make an appointment please call 5443 2766.

PAUL SMITH COVER PHOTOGRAPHER

I’m a Noosa-based photographer and have my own gallery in Noosa Junction. When I’m not taking photos of our stunning coastline, I’m photographing some of the worlds biggest stars for Rolling Stone magazine, including P!NK, Pearl Jam, Coldplay and John Mayer. paulsmithimages.com.au

instagram@paulsmithimages

ON THE COVER

This photo was taken late one afternoon at First Point, Noosa. It’s my favourite time of day to shoot.

I was experimenting with slow shutter speed techniques, and was just about to call it a day when everything aligned. The wind dropped, the water turned glassy, the sky was illuminated with beautiful pastel tones, and all just in time as local surfer Nic Brewer was riding his last wave for the afternoon.

Shot with a Canon 1dx and 17- 40mm lens.

SUE FOSTER SALES MANAGER

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

Summer is one of my favourite seasons on the Sunshine Coast, but I will admit I am looking forward to a reprieve from the relentless heat and humidity we have had this year!

As we embrace the golden tones of autumn, the air becomes crisper, the nights cooler, and the natural beauty of our region really shines.

Whether it’s camping, boating, hiking or enjoying a leisurely picnic at the beach or in the bush, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy this wonderful season.

If you need some inspiration, journalist Katie Robke takes us on a journey of the Sunshine Coast in autumn with plenty of ideas to take full advantage of the natural wonderland we have right on our doorstep.

The charming beach town of Caloundra is also in focus in this edition.

Winner of Queensland’s Top Tourism Town for 2023, this family-friendly town has been attracting attention for all the right reasons. Find out why on page eight.

Plus, as always, we have a great line-up of stories for you, including a tragedy to triumph tale as Jeanette Allom-Hill shares her remarkable life story (turn to page 26).

We also shine the spotlight on some of the talented artists who call the Sunshine Coast home. From musicians and painters to curators, the Coast is a melting pot of clever creatives.

Our Sunshine Coast Foodie brings you up to date with everything you need to know about where to wine, dine and play on the Coast; plus, we have some restaurant reviews to inspire your next gastronomic experience.

You will love poring over our pages of stunning fashion, beauty and homewares.

Plus, we have some great reads from Annie’s Books at Noosa. No doubt, you will be curling up to enjoy these titles during the cooler months.

You will also discover some great attractions and things to do on the Coast you may not know about in our Local Secrets section. Turn to page 14 for all the details.

We hope you enjoy this edition of salt magazine as much as we loved bringing it to you. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the autumn months ahead. Until next time.

CONTRIBUTING TALENTS: What do you love most about autumn on the Sunshine Coast?

DANIELLE BUSSA FASHION CO-ORDINATOR

CAITLIN ZERAFA WRITER

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Our distribution area covers the entire Sunshine Coast north to Rainbow Beach, south to Glass House Mountains and inland to Kenilworth.

I don’t think I will be the only one looking forward to some cooler autumn weather. I’m also looking forward to enjoying family time at Easter. Autumn is a great time for coffee catch ups with girlfriends, scrumptious food and of course a little shopping! pepper

What’s not to love about autumn on the Sunshine Coast? Clear blue skies and sunny days mixed with cooler nights often take me back to my childhood camping over Easter or Anzac Day long weekends out near Kenilworth. It’s still one of my favourite times of the year to explore the region.

Autumn weather on the Sunshine Coast is spectacular. I’m not going to lie; I’ll be happy to see the back of last summer and enjoy the beautiful days and cooler nights. I’m looking forward to a picnic atop Alexandra Headland with the family as we watch local surfers catch some waves.

INGRID NELSON, EDITOR

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“ IS BORN OF THE PUREST

BEACH TOWN etched in history

CALOUNDRA’S REPUTATION AS a family-friendly seaside playground has recently been thrust into the spotlight. Taking out Queensland’s Top Tourism Town award for 2023, Caloundra was also crowned one of Australia’s top three tourism towns. Following this stellar success, the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce launched the six-month Uncover Caloundra tourism campaign last December to draw even more visitors from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Townsville.

Caloundra Chamber CEO Brady Sullivan says the Uncover Caloundra campaign will ensure tourism providers can capitalise on the town’s increased profile.

“The chamber is excited to continue the momentum created with Caloundra’s recent award success,” he adds. “The future of Caloundra’s tourism industry is bright.”

And there’s no shortage of attractions to enjoy: pristine beaches, great surf, award-winning restaurants, a thriving retail trade, local markets, innovative craft breweries and a vibrant

arts and events scene, including the annual Caloundra Music Festival held from late September to early October.

With all this in mind, I decide it’s time to rediscover Caloundra, a place I occasionally visited as a child on family holidays. Driving towards the coastline, I consider the region’s heritage. I recently learnt that the name Caloundra comes from the Gubbi Gubbi word ‘kal’owen’, or beech tree, and ‘dha’, meaning ‘place of beech tree’. Most of the original beech trees were logged out years ago, but the town remains a place of restfulness and rejuvenation, of gentle sea breezes, of sand dunes and salty air.

I begin my journey by exploring Bulcock Street, named after Robert Bulcock, a Brisbane-based seed and produce merchant who built the first house in the area, known as ‘The Homestead’, in 1878. These days, the street is a buzzing boutique strip peppered with retail outlets. I explore a treasure trove of eclectic fashion and accessories (including vintage),

WORDS EILEEN HERBERT-GOODALL PHOTOS TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND & VISIT SUNSHINE COAST

homewares and antiques, unique gifts, crystals, books and even preloved vinyl records – a visit to Red Door Records is a must for music enthusiasts.

Next, I head up to the Kings Beach Ocean Pool. On this warm, sunny day, the bathing spot is well patronised. Positioned on the foreshore, the 25-metre seawater pool features an easy stair entry, and there’s ample seating beneath shade sails if you’d prefer to simply relax with a book.

I wander down along the boardwalk (part of the Coastal Pathway network) that meanders from Kings to Bulcock Beach.

Offshore, further to the south, lie Bribie and Moreton Islands. More immediately, I can see the water fountain and play park — the perfect spot for kids to cool off

Kings is well known as Caloundra’s foodie hotspot, and there’s a plethora of quality beachside eateries one could visit, including Aurenda Coffee Co., Coffee Cat, De Lish Fish, Dom’s at Kings, Frocals, Harry’s Beach Bistro, Yeti Restaurant and Bar and the Pavilion Kiosk, located in a gorgeous heritagelisted building constructed in 1937.

But I circle back to Bulcock Street because a little birdie

told me a divine little café lies tucked away off the main drag. I enter a quiet side street before pulling up outside a cute-as-abutton white building that houses Lamkin Laneway Espresso Bar. The café’s interior features splashes of nautical blue, while draping green vines add a funky touch. Spying the food bar, I’m struck by the prettiness of its presentation — goodies sprinkled with edible flowers, petite garnishes, and pastelcoloured icings and condiments. The all-day menu is extensive and includes plenty of vegetarian options. The service is friendly and swift. And the coffee? Fabulous!

Now in the mood for a cool treat, I make a beeline for Milano Gelateria. Located on Bulcock Street, this multi-awardwinning gelato store is owned and operated by Franco and Camilla Negri, Italian immigrants who moved to Australia

more than 20 years ago. I share a friendly chat with Camilla, who explains that she and Franco took a chance on settling in Caloundra in 2002, a decision they’ve never for a moment regretted. “We love the village feeling here and the variety of beaches that make Caloundra unique,” Camilla says.

Speaking of variety, Camilla tells me they regularly rotate around 100 flavours of gelato and dairy-free sorbet based on

PHOTO: Visit Sunshine Coast

traditional recipes. “We make everything from scratch and our recipes are truly authentic. I’ve even had customers say the gelato here is better than what they’ve tasted in Italy.”

I’ve never been to Italy. Still, it would be remiss of me to depart the gelateria without completing due research. So many choices… so little time. Eventually, I settle on a combination of mango and chocol-oat sorbet, possibly the most delicious I’ve ever tasted.

Finally, I proceed up Canberra Terrace and visit the Caloundra lighthouses (the old and the new stand side-byside). The lights mark the entry to Moreton Bay and the main shipping route into Brisbane, the North West Channel. The original lighthouse was built in 1896 and remains the oldest surviving Caloundra building. It was replaced by the new Signal Station, Light and Radar Installation in 1968. The Friends of Caloundra Lighthouses provide guided tours on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. Having a keen interest in lighthouse history, I make a mental note to book.

Gazing out to where the ocean meets the sky, it strikes me that the view is as enchanting as it is never-ending. If not for other duties, I could stay here for quite some time, drinking in the refreshing, peaceful, adventure-oriented vibe that is the essence of Caloundra’s soul.

Turning to leave, I make a deal with myself to soon return to this magical corner of the world, this one-time place of beech trees.

WHILE YOU’RE IN THE AREA

• Explore the Caloundra Street Fair (Sundays 8am to 1pm) and Caloundra Twilight Markets (Friday evenings during holidays).

• Let the kids burn off energy at the fully fenced and supervised Caloundra Skate Park.

• Dive into some culture at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.

• Check out the spectacular street art on display along the Caloundra Mural Trail.

• Dip your toes into a little history and visit the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra West.

LOCALsecrets

WORDS CAITLIN ZERAFA

If you want one of the most breathtaking and accessible views of Noosa, make sure you take some time out of your day to visit this lookout. LAGUNA LOOKOUT provides panoramic views of the Noosa River and across to Noosa Main Beach, the North Shore, Noosaville, and Tewantin. It’s the perfect spot to catch golden hour and watch the sun set over in the west, and a grassy area near the lookout is perfect for a picnic. There are two options to get there, either drive directly to the car park via Viewland Drive, Noosa Heads or walk the 1.3-kilometre bush track from Hastings Street. The well-maintained path includes stairs and some unsealed sections (so wear your active wear) and can be accessed via Morwong Drive at the eastern end of Hastings Street.

In the heart of Buderim you’ll find this 45-hectare subtropical paradise of towering trees, cool streams, meandering tracks and waterfalls that offer the perfect spot to relax on a hot summer’s day. At BUDERIM FOREST PARK, the waterfall cascades year-round and is surrounded by trees, dramatic strangler figs, ferns and melodious forest birdlife, such as whipbirds and catbirds. From the Harrys Lane entrance there is a 500-metre wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that allows visitors to enter the sensitive wet areas. From the Quorn Close entrance, well-designed walking tracks edged with weathered stones follow the line of Martin’s Creek and form stepping stones down the slopes and through the trees. The area also has toilets, barbecues and picnic tables.

There is no doubt that markets are a popular pastime and a wholesome way to spend a morning. Wandering through the stalls to purchase fresh produce or pick up a locally made item direct from the maker is a real treat. And if you haven’t yet been, be sure to check out the POMONA COUNTRY MARKETS. Held every Saturday from 7am to midday, what these markets lack in size, they more than make-up for in old-world country charm. Located around 30 minutes from the heart of Noosa, expect an interesting selection of food trucks and stalls, including home-style cooking, freshly brewed organic chai, homemade slices and jams, organic seedlings, native plants, organic farm produce, fresh flowers, open-air massage, crystals, unique trinkets, and collectible and vintage finds. Head to Stan Topper Park on Reserve Street, Pomona.

PHOTO: Visit Sunshine Coast

PHOTO: Visit Noosa

Correct us if we’re wrong, but we think the Sunshine Coast is bursting with talented artists from the hinterland to the sea. Each year, the COOLUM ART COLLECTIVE presents two exhibitions, with the next to take place during the Easter long weekend. This popular event, running from March 29 to April 1, will feature a diverse range of art and craft by some of the Sunshine Coast’s leading artists and artisans. All original artworks will be available for purchase. Visitors can expect traditional and modern styles, including oils, watercolours, acrylic, mixed media and pastel works. Don’t worry if you miss this one — the spring exhibition is held over the October long weekend. Head to Coolum Civic Centre on Park Street, Coolum Beach. coolumartgroupinc.com.au

If you’re into great live music from local and touring artists or hanging out with friends and family over a few drinks and some great food, then the Sunshine Coast’s newest entertainment precinct (complete with its very own skate park) will not disappoint. THE STATION recently opened at Birtinya and is run by a local husband-and-wife duo. Stage one of the precinct includes the major concert venue (which has already hosted the likes of The Temper Trap and DJ Havana Brown), a skate park, scooter and skate pop-up store, food trucks and bars. It’s been described as a playground for children and adults with something for everyone. The venue is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 9am to 10pm, at 201/8 The Avenue, Birtinya. thestationsc.com.au

This is a retro-filled festival not to be missed (and maybe not so much of a secret in the world of classic cars). DOWNUNDER

BEACHFEST is an annual event that celebrates hot rod, custom and classic motor vehicles and the rock and roll lifestyle. The five-day festivity has been held since 2015 and is full of car displays, entertainment, dancing and a range of other events. The main street of Caloundra comes to life on the Saturday as car enthusiasts enter their pride and joy in the show, with proceeds for the 2024 event going to The Heart Foundation. This year’s event will take place from May 29 to June 2. Head to Bulcock Street, Caloundra, for all the action. beachfestdownunder.com

PHOTO: Sunset Mood by Maureen Bainbridge

Autumn is the perfect time to start planting for a winter harvest of homegrown goodness. Did you know the NOOSA SEED LIBRARY is a great resource for all your seedling needs and advice to get your garden thriving? Starting ‘from the ground up’, the Noosa Seed Library provides seeds to library members to borrow, plant, grow, harvest and return. While enjoying produce from the plants, members are also encouraged to complete the cycle by harvesting seeds from their plants to return to the library for others to borrow. It’s a joint initiative with Permaculture Noosa and the Cooroy Community Permaculture Garden, created and coordinated by Noosa Libraries. Seeds are available at the Cooroy and Noosaville libraries. 5329 6555 or libraries.noosa.qld.gov.au

It’s no secret that the Sunshine Coast is home to many fabulous playgrounds and parks for families and children to enjoy (not to mention a great way to burn all that energy). So this autumn, why not pay a visit to HAPPY VALLEY PARK? Designed to replicate a lighthouse, the area includes a connecting bridge and multiple structures to keep young ones amused. There are sand tables and activity panels, a rock climbing wall, tunnels, a net climb, two slides, art panels, talk tubes, a (pretend) fish and chip shop, spinners, swings and even a pirate ship. The best part is once the kids are done playing, you can hit the beach for a refreshing dip to cool off. Head to the Esplanade at Bulcock Beach, Caloundra.

Your one stop shopping destination in Noosa, so you can spend more time doing what you love.

Located 10 minutes from Hastings Street with free parking, Noosa Civic has all your shopping needs covered in air-conditioned comfort.

To

out what’s on in Centre, visit noosacivic.com.au or scan the QR code

Happy Valley Park. PHOTO: Pablo Pavlovich

AUTUMN awakening

WORDS KATIE ROBKE PHOTOS TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND

WHILE SUMMER ON the Sunshine Coast steals the spotlight with its long days, beach trips, mangoes and icy beers, autumn has quietly emerged as the unsung hero. Our days now maintain their sunny embrace, without the threat of a heatwave or a sudden summer storm, making outdoor events a blissful experience.

The Coast’s landscape transforms into a vibrant canvas of autumnal hues, and cooling temperatures summon the arrival of rich yellow, orange and pink tones — enhancing our region’s scenic beauty. Local produce is thriving, from finger limes to feijoas, rosellas, avocados and red-ripe tomatoes, creating a palette of flavours mirroring this colourful transition.

Whether the change in season inspires you to get outside and explore, treasure hunt in the hinterland, or try out some local seasonal food and drink — we have all the autumn inspiration you need.

SHOP

Sunday markets — Dive into a trove of fresh seasonal produce, snag some preloved clothes and indulge in homemade bites from the many food stalls on offer at Fishermans Road Markets. This is one market that’s not to be missed, operating every Sunday between 6am and midday. There’s even a jumping castle for the kids.

Noosa Junction — Why not meet up with a friend and make a day of exploring the more than 200 specialty stores and designer boutiques at Noosa Junction. From Friday through to

Saturday you can relish in the ambience of live music by popping into one of the many laneway cafés, restaurants and bars scattered along this bustling strip. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day of shopping.

Nambour vintage and retro trail — If you have a love for the past (and for a bargain!) then Nambour is your mecca for all things preloved, vintage and collectable. Currie and Howard Streets both offer an array of op shops, homewares and retro clothing stores, with everything from second-hand books and vinyl records to shoes, streetwear and bric-a-brac.

EAT AND DRINK

Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co — A true hidden hinterland gem, Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co is a family-owned brewery in Cooran and open to the public from midday every Thursday through Sunday. Cosy up in this heritage-listed building with a cold craft brew and a bite from the menu that was specifically designed to match your beer of choice.

Stonebridge Gardens — Spend a cool autumn morning strolling through 10 acres of lush environmentally sustainable botanic gardens at Stonebridge, in the heart of Palmwoods. After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the grounds, head over to the onsite café and bar overlooking the ponds. The menu features vegan, gluten- and dairy-free options. Open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9am to 3pm.

Noosa Eat and Drink Festival — Kicking off on May 30, this annual festival is back with more than 75 events across four

Take a stroll through Nambour

Maleny Botanic Gardens

mouth-watering days. With celebrity chefs taking the stage, and live music and DJs from 4pm daily, immerse yourself in gourmet delights, exquisite beverages, and the beach-side festival atmosphere. Grab your tickets now from noosaeatdrink.com.au

MOVE YOUR BODY

Barre class — Enjoy a mix of ballet, yoga and Pilates for a full-body workout that’s sure to get your heart pumping this season. The Coast is brimming with Pilates studios now offering barre classes for beginners, so find one that’s local and plié into shape! Leotards not essential. Aquatic centres — If you’re interested in trying out some group water aerobics or just after a leisurely swim away from the beach crowds, aquatic centres offer a way to stay active and submerged no matter the weather. With more than a dozen centres on the Coast, there’s sure to be a pool near you. Hot tip: grab a season pass and enjoy more visits for less.

TH7 BodyLabs — We have found the ultimate haven for body revitalisation this autumn. Indulge in a range of recovery options at TH7 BodyLabs on Noosa Drive in Noosa Heads. The centre offers everything from ice baths to infrared saunas, steam rooms and therapy pools. Whether you’re looking for post-workout relief, stress reduction, or muscle recovery, you can now prioritise your wellbeing in this new state-of-the-art centre. Your body will thank you.

EXPLORE

Noosa Everglades — Did you know the Sunshine Coast is home to one of only two everglade systems in the entire world? Why not book a chartered safari tour by Everglades Eco Safaris and be guided through the tranquil

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Mount Tinbeerwah

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Edwardian 18ct Yellow gold Pink Coral & Diamond Cluster Ring $6,900

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waterways of the Noosa Everglades. Learn about the rich history of this untouched area, home to a jaw-dropping 44 per cent of Australia’s native bird life. This is a once in a lifetime experience so be sure to bring the camera.

Ewen Maddock Dam — Pack a picnic and head out to Ewen Maddock Dam just north of Landsborough. Explore the dam’s surrounding trails by foot, bike or horseback, or take a refreshing dip in the designated swim area. With barbecue facilities, shelter and a playground for the kids, this is the perfect spot for a day of adventure and family fun.

Lookout — Make the most of vivid sunsets this time of year with a walk up to Mount Tinbeerwah lookout. You’ll be wowed by the uninterrupted panoramic views that stretch from the mountains to the sea. With safety rails and wheelchair access part of the way, this 40-minute return track is great for everyone, including little legs that don’t like to walk too far.

STAY

Camp — Autumn is the perfect season to camp at one of the Coast’s many designated campgrounds. One of our favourite spots to pitch the tent is Noosa North Shore Campground, which offers amenities such as toilets, a camp kitchen, kiosk and laundry. No need for a four-wheel-drive, simply hop on the ferry and use this spot as a base to explore the pristine beaches of Cooloola Coast. If you do plan to head off-road though, remember to secure your vehicle permit before going over. Maleny cottages — Unwind with a relaxing weekend in one of the many cottages or guest houses available in the picturesque town of Maleny. By day, you can enjoy rainforest walks and markets and sample the local village cuisine. By night, cosy up in your accommodation with temperatures finally cool enough to light the fire. Visit malenyaccommodation.com.au

With so much to see and do on the Sunshine Coast this autumn, there’s no better time to get out there and make the most of what our beautiful region has to offer.

Explore Noosa Northshore

Grab a tent and head outdoors

Beautiful Maleny

VanillaFood, Noosa Junction

EXPLORE DREAM DISCOVER

CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL EVENTS

NAMBOUR EXPO

MAY 4-6

If you love the great outdoors, be sure to mark one of the largest adventure events in the region into your calendar. At The Nambour Expo outdoor enthusiasts can compare the latest caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, accessories, fishing and 4x4 gear and more. Plus, discover new holiday and touring destinations. There’s plenty to see across the weekend, including great entertainment for the whole family.

when April 12 to 14

MALENY WOOD EXPO

Since 1996, the Maleny Wood Expo has been a much-loved event celebrating all things sustainable timber. The expo is designed to promote beautiful native timbers through the work of local and regional wood artisans and is now recognised as one of the best wood shows in Australia. It will host a range of fun and immersive activities for the whole family, including hands-on woodworking workshops. View the amazing range of crafted timber products and meet and talk to the craftsmen and women who’ve created them.

when May 4 to 6

where Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Maleny Stanley River Road, Maleny visit malenywoodexpo.com

APR 12-14

where Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour visit nambourexpo.com.au

2024 AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFE SAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2024 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will return to the Sunshine Coast this year. With Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba all sharing in the action, there will be plenty for spectators to see over the week-long carnival. The Aussies is an annual event where members from Australia’s 314 surf clubs come together to compete in more than 480 beach and ocean events. It is the largest event of its kind. The events cover all the skills required to save a life, from water skills and beach skills to first aid and team events.

MAY 18

LANDSBOROUGH MUSEUM STREET FESTIVAL

Celebrate 100 years of the Landsborough Shire Council Chambers during Australian Heritage Month, which focuses on the theme of ‘Connections’. The Landsborough Museum Street Festival is fun for the whole family, with heritage talks, classic cars, crafts, face painting and new museum exhibitions. The historic 1924 state heritage-listed building was the former chambers for the Landsborough Shire Council until 1967. This is a free event.

APR 13-21

when April 13 to 21

where Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba beaches visit sls.com.au/aussies

APR 20-21

AUSTRALIAN BODY ART FESTIVAL

Expect a festival of colour as the Australian Body Art Festival, Australia’s premier body painting event, attracts artists and spectators from across Australia and overseas. The weekend-long event will feature inspiring artworks, street performers and market stalls. The event is centred on competitions in full body painting (temporary art — not tattoo) with competitions in the categories of brush and sponge, airbrush, special effects and face painting, plus exhibitions in wearable art and surfboard art. It will be terrific to watch the art take shape right in front of your eyes. This is a free, not-for-profit event hosted by the Eumundi & District Historical Association. when April 20 to 21

where Eumundi Amphitheatre, 76 Memorial Drive, Eumundi visit australianbodyart.com.au

when May 18

where Landsborough Museum, 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough visit heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

MAY 25

RUNAWAY NOOSA MARATHON

Why not challenge yourself and chase the sun at the Runaway Noosa Marathon? Now in its fifth year, enjoy a flat, fast and friendly multi-lap course set in the heart of Noosa with multiple distances to choose from. With marathon, half-marathon, 10-kilometre or five-kilometre distances on offer, there is something for all stages, from the first-timers to the speedsters.

when May 25

where Lions Park, Noosa Heads visit runawaynoosamarathon.com.au

NOOSA EAT & DRINK FESTIVAL

The Noosa Eat & Drink Festival returns in 2024 with more than 75 events over four mouth-watering days. This year will have it all, from a new-look Festival Village, a new long lunch destination (or two), beach events and restaurant events in every corner of the region. If you can’t get to one of the events, be sure to grab a ticket to the festival village, which will be abuzz with celebrity chef demonstrations and masterclasses, live music, produce markets and plenty of delicious food and drinks. Tickets are available now.

when May 30 to June 2 where Noosa and surrounds visit noosaeatdrink.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST AGRICULTURAL SHOW

Roll up, roll up! The Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show is back again in 2024. As the oldest calendar event in the region, the family show highlights the abilities and talents of the local community while providing a platform to showcase local produce, livestock and other competitions such as wood chop and horse jumping. There’s also plenty of fun to have with entertainment, side show alley and a wheelchair-friendly Ferris wheel. Park at Nambour train station and use the free courtesy shuttle bus straight to the main gate.

when June 14, 15 and 16

where Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour visit sunshinecoastshow.com.au

SHE’S the voice

WELL BEFORE THE internet — and even TV — families and friends would crowd around a piano, follow the pianist’s lead, and sing together. Music was shared, laughs were had, happy hormones were released, and memories were made. It was shared entertainment at its best.

Classically-trained pianist and singer Lucy Ravenwood is determined to reignite people’s passion for a singalong and experience the enjoyment that comes with it.

The Buderim resident does this through her business, She Sings, a women’s singalong event held in various locations across the Sunshine Coast.

For those readers imagining Pub Choir, where the conductor teaches a large group one song in parts and they perform or record it at the end of the night, She Sings is a different concept.

“We sing around 20 to 25 songs at each event and we have the words up on screen,” Lucy says. “They’re popular songs, anyway, so a lot of people already know the words.”

At She Sings events, ladies need not fear the nerves of having to sing alone.

“I play the piano and lead the singing, and everyone sings along together. It’s not like karaoke,” she laughs. “By all singing together, there is safety in numbers.”

In fact, since commencing in 2022, She Sings’ attendee numbers have sat between 100 and 150 women per event, so the combined voices are loud and joyful.

“You can hardly hear yourself singing in the room,” Lucy tells salt

And don’t worry if you’ve only ever been a “shower singer”, as there is no vocal talent required, just a desire to have a fun night. Lucy says the all-women events are classy and fun, with a unique feeling about them.

“There’s a different energy with all girls,” Lucy says. “It’s a great night out, a different night out. Attendees have a sing and dance with other women, make new friends and strengthen

0413 809 625.

friendships they already have.”

Although it’s Lucy’s business, she refuses to take credit for the wonderful events.

“The people in the room make the magic happen and everyone gets swept up in it. Even for those [initially] saying ‘I’m not really sure about this’, that doesn’t last, as [the singing] truly creates a contagious atmosphere.”

“ Lily House, a Coast charity supporting young at-risk women and their children, has been a beneficiary of she sings in the past”

“I’ve had really lovely conversations afterwards, and it’s really nice to be able to find common ground with women of different backgrounds and ages. It’s a great chance to catch up with your girlfriends or family members or to meet new people in a fun, relaxed and safe environment. I like to call it: ‘the girls’ night out you didn’t know you needed’.”

And the ladies love it so much, many book tickets for the next event.

“Our following has really gained momentum since 2022, and we do see quite a lot of repeat attendees, which is fantastic,” Lucy says.

And while Coast ladies are having fun, a local charity also benefits from the tickets purchased.

“We always partner with a local charity, so every time we sing together, we are doing good for others,” Lucy says.

Lily House, a Coast charity supporting young at-risk women and their children, has been a beneficiary of She Sings in the past, along with other charities — particularly those that assist women.

Lucy hoped to hold her first She Sings event some years back, but, as it did with many fresh business ideas, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed her start date. She initially

came up with the concept in 2017 when visiting friends in the United Kingdom.

While in London, Lucy went to a singalong event, and the idea for She Sings was sown.

“I remember walking out of that event in London feeling like a million dollars, and thinking, ‘maybe I could do that’,” she reminisces.

And she wants attendees at her events to feel fantastic, too. “It’s really nice to have an impact and have ladies leave [one of my events] saying ‘that was so much fun!’, or, even days later, receiving feedback that someone has been ‘on a high’ since singing with us.”

Lucy often gets asked why her events are only for women, with many guys keen for a singalong, too.

“Well, my first event was on Mother’s Day weekend in 2022, and I thought, ‘let’s try it with girls first and perhaps open it to everybody later’. But I sold 110 tickets, and although I was initially nervous, everybody just showed up ready to have the best time.”

And “have the best time” they did! Women from 18-70 years of age came to that first event — friends, mothers, daughters and grandmothers. There was even a group of 10-12 work colleagues who had booked tickets together.

So, at this stage, Lucy is happy to keep She Sings events as is and help women enjoy the experience of group singing in a relaxed, fun environment.

Singing with a group is, indeed, an age-old form of entertainment, and, at She Sings events, Lucy is helping women have fun and “find their voices”.

UPCOMING EVENTS

(with more shows to be announced later in the year)

SHE SINGS MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, at Buderim Tavern, 7.30pm (doors open from 6.30pm).

Dancing afterwards with DJ Beverly Thrills. This event is for ages 12 and over, so mums can bring along their younger daughters.

SHE SINGS — ON A BOAT!

Saturday, March 23, aboard Cavalier Cruises in Mooloolaba, 4.30-6.30pm (4pm boarding time).

Tickets include a spot on this exclusive sunset cruise, grazing platters, and She Sings entertainment. Follow: facebook.com/shesingsau for further details and new event announcements.

JEANETTE ALLOM-HILL is a woman on a mission.

That mission is to empower women in leadership to reject bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct — behaviours so pervasive in the corporate world that she collectively labels them as “the silent pandemic”.

As the CEO of Sunshine Coast-based Lionhearted Foundation, which seeks to build a safer and more respectful workplace culture through programs aimed at protecting, empowering and educating women to lead with confidence in business and life, Jeanette is no stranger to the challenges faced by many women in senior leadership positions.

Her resume reflects the epitome of career success – she has held senior private sector positions at Optus, NBN Australia, and Microsoft, as well as working across all levels of government, with senior roles in several government departments, including New South Wales Treasury, New South Wales Transport and the Department of Prime Minister

and Cabinet. After moving to the Sunshine Coast five years ago, she was group executive at the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, a role which culminated in her receiving the Telstra Business Women’s Award in the Public Sector and Academia category in 2020.

But underlying her career triumphs is a string of traumatic experiences that began in her birthplace — apartheid-era South Africa.

Born in 1970 to a teenage mother from a wealthy family who did not want to acknowledge her, she lived the first few weeks of her life in an orphanage.

Adopted by an ultra-religious missionary couple, who did not believe in music or television, she and her younger brother were initially raised by their adored nanny, a black South African woman called Maggie.

However, during the Soweto uprising of 1976, tragedy struck when Maggie was murdered in front of seven-year-old Jeanette and her little brother.

That night, the house was packed up and abandoned, and the children were put in a church overnight. The family fled to Australia the next day. Jeanette and her brother barely knew their parents, who had spent most of their time on the missionary field.

“We thought of Maggie as our mum,” Jeanette says.

“I remember Maggie and joy and laughter and dancing. That was my childhood.”

What followed for Jeanette were years of dire poverty and relentless bullying at school in Sydney. Added to this was the tragedy of what she describes as her mother’s nervous breakdown, causing her to be emotionally and physically abusive towards her children.

It wasn’t until Jeanette was studying teaching at university and landed a job teaching English in Thailand that she saw a glimmer of light through the darkness.

She reached a turning point when she visited her Thai colleague’s humble one-room home and witnessed the joy of a happy family. “There was this lightbulb moment for me; it certainly set me on a path of thinking that there is joy out there, and joy in the most important things, like each other and family, and life, and learning. That was a real trajectory of changing things for me.”

It was a combination of her “ache for joy” and an innate resistance that saw Jeanette overcome such adversity to achieve

“ There was this lightbulb moment for me; it certainly set me on a path of thinking that there is joy out there”

stunning career success in the business sector and have a happy family of her own.

However, another form of trauma would present itself that would test that resilience to breaking point when Jeanette became the victim of workplace bullying and harassment at a senior level in one of her workplaces.

Rather than let that destroy her, she made the conscious decision to use the experience to give other women a message that they, too, can find hope in what may seem like a hopeless situation. Ultimately, the experience led to the establishment of the Lionhearted Foundation.

“If I hadn’t gone through that bullying episode, I’d never have set up Lionhearted,” Jeanette says.

“I didn’t start to tell my story until I moved to the Sunshine Coast because I suppose I was embarrassed. I was a ‘high-flying career woman’, and I didn’t want people to know that I’d come from poverty or that there’d been trauma.

“But the more that life broke down, the more I thought, ‘if

I can’t speak my truth, then why am I living my life’?

“And now, when I speak my truth, it changes women’s lives, so it makes me speak my truth more. I’ve had so many life lessons, and you either let those lessons break you or you let them do something good in the world.

“I think my pain has driven my passion.”

This year, that passion is fuelling the foundation’s national growth, with staged launches planned in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Jeanette’s ultimate plan is to enter politics, where she plans to make lasting and meaningful change in workplace culture, including the elimination of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which prevent women from speaking publicly about their experiences of bullying, harassment and sexual

misconduct in workplaces.

She urges any woman who may find herself in a traumatic or uncomfortable situation — either in their personal or business life — to speak up and to reach out for help.

“The bottom line is that there is hope, and I know it sounds kitsch, but in any situation that you’re in, the number one thing to realise is that there is a way out; there is hope,” Jeanette shares.

“This is not it; this is not the final chapter. When you acknowledge that and find that tiny glimmer of hope, then ask for help. And take one step forward at a time.”

If this article raises concerns for you, contact DVConnect on 1800 811 811.

ANTARCTICA

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PONANT Expeditions feature a Buenos Aires Package with return flights to Ushuaia.

Encounter awe-inspiring wildlife, including penguins, seals, and whales, in their natural habitat. Explore with landings in Antarctica and witness towering glaciers, and dramatic fjords while benefiting from PONANT’s commitment to

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Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of the White Continent, enjoying exquisite

For the ultimate Antarctica experience, guests onboard Le Commandant Charcot can sail and walk directly to the Emperor Penguins of Snow Hill Island as PONANT’s Le Commandant Charcot is the world’s only luxury Icebreaker.

the White cuisine, can sail walk of Snow Hill as is world’s Icebreaker.

from $17,960 in a Balcony Stateroom. PONANT offers FREE Solo

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The team at Noosa Cruise & Travel will help you discover the magic of Antarctica with PONANT for an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

you discover the of Antarctica with PONANT for an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

For more details or bookings contact Noosa Cruise & Travel

5449 8866 or email natalie@nccat.com.au

OUR ECO warrior

THERE’S A THRIVING platypus family in the middle of the bustling hinterland town of Nambour that is helping to transform the way communities interact with their environment.

The platypuses may be unaware of it, but they are important players in one of the citizen science projects run by ECOllaboration, a Sunshine Coast-based not-for-profit environmental organisation headed by CEO Jacqui Atique, who was the winner of the 2023 Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Sustainable Business Woman of the Year award.

Jacqui is not only a leading aquatic ecologist and businesswoman whose team works with government, businesses, and other stakeholders to implement and manage major environmental projects, but she is a passionate environmental advocate who believes that change happens from the ground up.

Enter the platypus family — as well as frog monitoring and mangrove monitoring projects. These are the citizen science programs that make ECOllaboration unique in the environmental management space.

These programs engage local volunteers from within communities to collect data from across various dedicated sites on the Sunshine Coast. The results are analysed and used to measure the health of the ecosystem and the success of ECOllaboration’s ecological restoration efforts.

The community-based programs are just one arm of the company’s work and are funded by commercial natural restoration projects for organisations such as the Sunshine

Coast Council and Seqwater.

ECOllaboration’s footprint is spreading across south-east Queensland. A branch has recently opened on the Gold Coast, and the company also works with councils in Brisbane, Logan, the Scenic Rim and the Lockyer Valley, with a 10-year strategic plan to cover the whole of Queensland.

Jacqui’s passion for engaging communities to make meaningful change stems from her belief that “one person can change many”, a motto that has underpinned her career and has driven her to engage with locals, corporations and government departments across the country.

Her positivity about the future of the planet is contagious. Although climate change is at the forefront of her mind, she nevertheless has a firm belief that individuals can actually make a difference.

“The climate really is not in our favour at the moment, but I’m very, very much an optimist,” she tells salt.

“I think people react better to positive messages than they do to those of doom and gloom.

“That [negative] messaging needs to be reversed so people can see that they can actually make a difference and have a positive impact. Things like the platypus are just the best way to get kids involved, and we have to get that next generation involved.

“You can imagine how excited a child gets, or even an adult for that matter, when they see a platypus up close. It really has an impact on people. So, it’s a great way for us to get people aware of the issues that are in our local waterways

when you put the focus on something that is cute and fluffy. Environmental stewardship is the best way to describe it.”

Another soon-to-be-launched project Jacqui is spearheading is Carbon Catchments, an offset program that involves planting trees on local land. This is aimed at local businesses that may not be large enough to invest in major schemes and that can see exactly where the trees they are helping to fund are planted.

As hard to believe as it may be, Jacqui has not always worked in the environmental space. Originally from Tasmania, she was working in the travel industry and had her first child, a son, who tragically died when he was just a baby.

It was 20 years ago when this tragedy brought her to the Sunshine Coast for a break. She found herself wandering around Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo.

“I was just overwhelmed, not by the animals or the displays, but just by messages of conservation and what he was doing as one person to make people think of conservation differently.

“I was working in travel up to that point and hadn’t really found my calling. I thought I wanted to work in travel, but then when I had Lachlan, my first child, my perspective changed.

“Coming to Australia Zoo made me think; I’d been contemplating what my future was, then it just hit me like a ball in the face, and I haven’t looked back.

“I was even enrolled in my Bachelor of Environmental Science before I’d even got on the plane. That was just this epiphany for me.”

As all true callings go, however, Jacqui had to overcome many challenges to reach the point she is at now in her career. Tenacity, it turns out, is one of her strongest attributes.

She completed her science degree and further study in communications, had three more children, moved interstate a couple of times, and worked in several minimum-wage jobs.

She points out that although she is now the CEO of a 100-person organisation, that achievement has not come without dedication and hard work, and seizing opportunities when they arise.

Her advice to others?

“Never give up,” she says.

And it is with that same determination that Jacqui is taking the message about the importance of environmental

stewardship across the state.

Meanwhile, in the creeks and waterways of our communities, the platypuses and frogs — along with the myriad of other contributors to the ecosystem — remain under the watchful eyes of a growing number of people who are hearing that message.

“The future for this planet is getting people wanting to protect their own patch, whether that be the creek out the back of their house, the beach in front of their house, the dunes their house sits on, the piece of forest that their house backs onto. Whatever it might be, where they live is what they tend to want to protect,” she says.

“We just literally do that one child at a time, one person at a time, one school at a time, with that vision of continually providing positive messages, and trying to make people think that yes, like Steve [Irwin] did, one person can change many.”

Bronwyn Edinger AM

What do you do?

I’m the chief executive officer of The Events Centre, Caloundra, the leading performing arts centre on the Sunshine Coast. We deliver arts, entertainment and events to delight, inspire and connect our community.

What would you do if you weren’t in your current career?

I’m fortunate to work in an area that I’m passionate about, and I’ve experienced the power of the arts to make a difference, whether it’s by making you think, connecting you with your tribe, or just laughing together. It’s hard to get that sort of job satisfaction anywhere else, so there is nothing else I would rather do.

When you have visitors where do you take them to show off our beautiful region?

I recently took people to Australia Zoo — it blew me away. It was deeply impressive, and I don’t think, as locals, we value it enough. So here’s my shout-out: Australia Zoo, you rock!

The Events Centre, Caloundra

What is your favourite restaurant on the Sunshine Coast?

Unsurprisingly, I usually eat at the café at The Events Centre. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, parking, air-conditioning, a 30-second walk from my office, great menu, great coffee and they remember my name. It’s unbeatable!

What is your favourite meal?

My husband’s chicken curry. Somebody has to do the cooking in our house, and if it was me, we’d starve. Cooking is not part of my skill set; eating is.

Your favourite song?

Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves — Eur ythmics (although given my cooking capabilities, I recognise that’s a bit hypocritical).

What is your favourite shop in the region?

The Caloundra Regional Gallery Shop — beautiful things made by local artists. Great for gifts.

The Events Centre Cafe

Chicken curry

What is your most prized possession?

A beautifully framed set of Martin Sharp prints of Nimrod Theatre posters from the ’70s. They cover the walls of my office. Who inspires you?

I’m fickle and it changes daily. One day it’s Penny Wong, and the next day it’s Adam Grant. The other day, it was Criena

Criena Gehrke

Eurythmics

Gehrke, the executive director of Queensland Theatre. I guess the one thing in common is that they’re all incredibly smart, considered and articulate. I always hope when I listen to them, it will rub off on me.

What are you most looking forward to at the moment?

Seeing the opening performance of Queensland Theatre’s Drizzle Boy at The Events Centre. It has been many years since this prestigious theatre company has toured, and we have secured the tour’s premiere performance. It is going to be everything that you want from a show — happy, sad, great acting, great story. Audiences will love it. I might cry.

What are you reading now?

Who has time to read? I wanted to say something really deep, but the truth is I read Australian detective fiction to wind down before I go to sleep.

What was the best day of your life?

The day I married my husband, although he would debate this as I cried all the way down the aisle and all the way through the ceremony. I’m a crier. What can I say?

What do you miss most about the Sunshine Coast when you are not home?

Polite drivers. When I go to Sydney and Melbourne for meetings, it’s like The Hunger Games on the road.

Drizzle Boy

Read Book giveaway

all about it

Recline in your favourite chair with one of these beauties.

BEST BEACHES

Lonely Planet | $50

Lonely Planet has done it again, serving up a new guide that takes readers to 100 of the world’s most incredible beaches. Of course, Queensland is featured, even making it onto the list of Top 5 Best Beaches to See Nature. With exquisite photography throughout, this hefty tome is divided into Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Pick your paradise and discover why it’s so special and how to get there.

THE SHARED APRON

Ethan & Julie Jansen | Self-published | $47

Grab your apron and join Sunshine Coast mum-andson duo Julie and Ethan Jansen in the kitchen as they teach you how to whip up a tasty and nutritious meal. This is more than a cookbook. Yes, it features beautifully illustrated and mouth-watering recipes, but it’s also a handbook on learning valuable cooking skills, fuelling your body with nourishing food to boost energy and health, and using delicious fare to create happy memories with loved ones. A great gift idea for the teen in your life.

THE SEARCH PARTY

Hannah Richell | Simon & Schuster | $33

Thanks to Annie’s Books on Peregian, we have a copy of Best Beaches to give away. For your chance to win this prize, head to saltmagazine.com.au and click on the ‘win’ tab to enter.

Five friends and their families reunite on a remote property on the Cornwall coast for what should be a fun, relaxing weekend of glamping. But when one of them controversially reprimands another one’s child, the mood quickly changes from jovial to tense. That tension escalates dramatically when a storm rolls in and one of them goes missing. Friendships are tested, secrets are exposed and lives are endangered. This book is full of mystery and intrigue from beginning to end. A juicy read with sophisticated writing and well-developed characters. Buckle up for a wild ride!

SUMMERS IN FRANCE

Caroline Clifton-Mogg | Simon & Schuster | $90

This book is a feast for the eyes. Celebrating classic French country interiors, Caroline Clifton-Mogg takes readers on a breathtaking tour of 12 charming homes that showcase the sensual appeal and timeless style of arguably the world’s most romantic country. We ‘oohed and aahed’ our way through the collection of furniture, fabrics and glorious decorative detail and restorations, all of which ooze comfort, simplicity and elegance. This stunning book should be enjoyed with a glass of wine, crusty baguette and camembert for the full French experience.

Discovery Tour

9:15am 14 March 2024

POSSABILITIES

Victoria Alexander | Love Books | $90

This book is a show stopper. From its denim hardcover to the whimsical paper flowers that pop up from the top, this book is unlike any you’ve seen. And the magic continues on the pages of this memoir, with the author using her 14 career incarnations to offer readers heartfelt inspiration to be courageous, take chances and make changes. A master of reinvention, Victoria’s creative resume includes experience as a fashion editor for Vogue Australia and Cosmopolitan magazines, a stylist, forecaster, creative director, photographer, author, publisher and designer. Her story is not driven by ambition but rather curiosity to find out what lies on the other side of possibilities.

Book reviews by Annie’s Books on Peregian, 8 Kingfisher Drive, Peregian Beach. 5448 2053 or anniesbooksonperegian.com.au

At NCC, we offer students an enriching and nurturing learning environment that focuses on cultivating character and fostering a sense of community in each student. Our extensive programs and opportunities empower your children to develop into confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals, equipped to make a positive impact on the world. With an education at NCC, your child will be prepared to embrace their future with purpose and excellence.

2 MCKENZIE ROAD

WOOMBYE QLD 4559

www.ncc.qld.edu.au

COAST VODKA judged world’s best

SUNSHINE & SONS has put Australia and the Coast township of Woombye on the map as a distiller of worldclass premium vodka.

Its Original Vodka made from grapes was named the world’s best by an esteemed panel of international judges at the coveted World Vodka Awards in London in February.

The tribute came off the back of Sunshine & Sons being awarded Australia’s best vodka in the first round of judging, which determined winners at a national level. An expert panel blind-tasted vodkas from 38 countries in four categories: pure neutral, varietal, botanical and flavoured.

In the final round of judging, the Australian underdog was pitted against England and France for the title of the world’s best vodka in the botanical category – and it emerged triumphant.

The innovative grape vodka is made using millennia old volcanic rock from the Sunshine Coast for filtration, which gives it a minerality described as “a floral pepperiness”.

Veronika Karlova, chair of judges for the World Vodka Awards, said: “All World Vodka Award winners this year impressed judges by their quality and taste. Year-on-year we see an increase in World Vodka Awards entries for varietal, botanical and flavoured categories, which confirms that the future of vodka is leaning towards styles with a lot of character and flavour.”

The Original Vodka was among a class of ‘new world’ drops, which is one of less than five per cent of vodkas globally that are produced from grape.

Sunshine & Son’s founder Matt Hobson maintains the distillery is “at a relative advantage” to more traditional vodka-making countries because it’s not weighed down by centuries of tradition in producing a particular vodka style.

Australians largely tend to think of vodka as made from potato, mainly because of our cultural introduction to the spirit by the Polish migrant community. However, the definition of vodka is it can be made from any fermentable sugar source. Internationally, grain is the predominant source of those sugars; it’s typically cheaper, more readily available and infinitely more transportable.

Matt identifies three USP’s (or unique selling points) for its Original Vodka: its fermentable sugars come from grapes; Sunshine Coast volcanic rock filtration; and distillation in pot stills, which are full and rounded rather than the traditional method of column or continuous distillation.

Head distiller Adam Chapman (previously the head winemaker at Queensland’s Sirromet Winery) was the “maverick” who championed the use of grapes.

“Adam’s very passionate and focused not only on taste and aroma but also on how the spirit feels textually in your mouth, which is a very important part of winemaking,” Matt tells salt. “When Adam joined us, we encouraged him to really explore texture, and that’s why our vodka, and all our gins, are made off grape.

“The grapes give our vodka a soft, spongy and velvety texture that is unmistakably premium in comparison to traditional grain, sugar cane and potato vodkas.”

WORDS LUCINDA DEAN PHOTOS BRIAN KERR AND SUPPLIED

Matt Hobson

Australia doesn’t have a long history of producing world-class vodkas and Matt is proud of what his team has achieved in four short years. It’s the only vodka the distillery produces, with no immediate plans to expand the range.

“From the first time we tasted our Original Vodka back in 2020, we knew we’d found something special and we bottled it. We’re keen to grow our standing around that singular expression.”

The local brand was invited by the Australian Government’s Austrade to exhibit at an enormous food and beverage expo in London in March, as well as trade fairs in Manchester and Düsseldorf. Matt says the invitation is validation of the brand as “not everyone gets a seat at the table”.

“We’re certainly very focused on our Nil Desperandum rum brand – it’s Australian-certified organic. It’s already the most awarded rum brand in Australia, which is a phenomenal achievement after only two years of that product being available in the market, so we’re excited to see if we can continue our domestic and national success abroad.”

The high-flying small Aussie brand is also celebrating another big business achievement. January marked 12 months onboard with Bonza, which supports quintessentially Australian producers. Sunshine & Sons Original Vodka is one of the most popular drink choices on the airline’s all-Aussie menu.

“Bonza’s cabin crew tell us once they serve one pouch, everyone onboard looks around and asks: ‘What is that?’”

Bonza challenged Sunshine & Sons to develop a practical vessel for its spirits, which could be used for airline cabin service. Now, its purposedesigned 50ml pouches of vodka, gins and rums are set to be judged as part of the onboard hospitality awards, which are the premier innovation awards for airlines, rail providers and cruise ships. The winners will be announced at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo in May.

Curious to know more about the story behind the brand? Join the Founders Tour which is on at 1.30pm daily. This high-end personalised tour offers visitors a deep dive into the story behind the spirits and the business. “We talk about ambitions for our business from before it actually became a business,” Matt says. “This type of experience is just not accessible in other businesses like ours, and bigger than ours, across Australia.

“We speak openly about our challenges and some things we haven’t got right, which we’ve learnt from and are learning from, and the feedback from the public is very positive.

“People love our spirits, but they also love that awareness of who we are and what our motivation is.”

SHAKE, BABY, SHAKE!

Become a cocktail queen (or king!) by immersing yourself in a fun and interactive cocktail masterclass based on Sunshine & Sons spirits and Nil Desperandum rums.

You will be handed a cocktail on arrival and be guided by one of the distillery’s mixologists on how to mix, shake, strain and pour three delicious cocktails using a hospitality-grade cocktail kit.

Graze on a share platter of Woombye cheese and Silver Tongue lavosh crackers while soaking up the atmosphere of the barrel room or the cocktail terrace.

And you’re guaranteed not to go home empty-handed, you’ll get $15 fully redeemable on the purchase price of any 700ml bottle.

What a wonderfully civilised way to spend an afternoon with friends or bonding with that special someone. Bookings Friday to Tuesday from 3.30pm-5pm. Minimum two people; maximum 10. Cost $99 per person.

www.sunshineandsons.com.au/tours-and-tastings/

MARTIN DUNCAN

SunshineYour f die

Martin Duncan AKA the ‘Sunshine Coast Foodie’ has a passion for showcasing the Sunshine Coast’s restaurants, cafes, producers and products. He is a former chef and restaurateur, and a true connector of people in food agribusiness, including the plant nursery and hospitality industries. Martin’s other passion is Sconetime – a wonderful opportunity for older people, along with their carers, companions and family, to establish social connections and come together with other people from the community over scones.

NOSH news

IN THIS STUNNING autumn edition, we have plenty of pages full of delicious foodie pics and stories for you to pore over, as well as what’s hot in food and beverages, produce, products and venues.

If you are looking for a special experience to share with your family, friends or other half, foodie experiences are the hippest thing to be doing right now. There is no shortage of them on the Sunshine Coast. Check out some of our recommendations in this edition of Nosh News

Curious about bush tucker? I highly recommend you visit Gathaa First Nations Market at Forest Glen Village Centre. Aunty Dale Chapman conducts numerous bushfood workshops and training sessions at My Dilly Bag.

For workshop bookings, visit: mydillybag.com.au/ pages/gathaa

If you love wood-fired pizza (who doesn’t) you must visit Bottarga Restaurant at Maroochydore, it’s our new favourite. You’ll love their parma pizza, featuring San Marzano tomato, fior de latte, prosciutto di Parma and rocket, or try their cheesy pizza bread with mozzarella and rosemary – oh my, yum!

Some other worthy pizza spots are Bocca at Birtinya, Maiori Pizzeria in Nambour, Tziki Bar in Forest Glen and Cafe Sisily in Golden Beach.

If it’s views you’re chasing, look no further than The Surf Club Mooloolaba. The club’s Bayview Bar & Bites offers panoramic views of the Mooloolaba beachfront and a focus on fresh seafood. Read our review on page 52.

In other exciting news, the former NightQuarter site at Birtinya has reopened as a family-friendly, all-inclusive entertainment precinct known as The Station. It includes a concert venue, skate park, retail shops, food truck precinct and bar area. Make sure you check it out.

Other fun foodie happenings include the GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival. It’s a celebration of Mary Valley growers, producers and creators, with breakfasts, dinners, farm tours, family fun day, tasting day, workshops, art, music and much more.

The Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is back this year from May 30 to June 2, with more than 75 events over four mouth-watering days – it really is one unmissable Noosa weekend!

I look forward to sharing more great stories about our artisan producers and Sunshine Coast foodies in future editions. Until next time, bon appetit!

If you love Italian cuisine then don’t miss BOTTARGA Restaurant, a modern and elegant dining space where you can experience the best of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Owner Frank Boulay and his team craft every element of the food by hand, honouring the traditional dishes of the Southern region. Enjoy fresh pasta dishes, as well as hearty mains, rustic, hand-stretched pizzas and antipasto, perfect for enjoying over a bottle of wine with friends. Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, a family event, corporate gathering or a catch up with friends, Bottarga is the perfect choice. Select from an array of delicious wines, which have been paired to suit the menu.

Bottarga Restaurant is at 1 Mundoo Boulevard, Maroochydore. Phone 5443 8304. bottargarestaurant.com.au

Gather ‘round. Whether it’s a catch up with your bestie or a family feast, GRILL’D at Sunshine Plaza promises to delight tastebuds all around! Kids are in for a treat with their mouthwatering HFC natural chicken bites, while adults can’t resist the allure of the Big Queensland burger or the Superpower salad. And let’s not forget about their famous chips – a must-have for any mealtime adventure. Don’t miss out on the chance to support local causes through Grill’d’s Local Matters initiative while enjoying your meal. Soak up the sunshine and savour every bite as you dine by the river at Grill’d, Sunshine Plaza. sunshineplaza.com

Do you like to go behind the scenes to meet the local growers and producers of the amazing food and produce the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and hinterland have to offer? CREATIVE TOURS proudly support local farmers and producers and encourages guests to buy local. Their small, personalised tours take you to explore the hidden gems of the local region in a private or shared group in modern, airconditioned vehicles. Josh, Deb and the team specialise in creating unique itineraries and custom tours. Contact them so they can create amazing local experiences and memories to suit your group.

Creative Tours is at The Wharf Mooloolaba, Shop 8/123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba. Phone 5499 3477. creativetours.com.au

Family-owned and operated, CANEFIELDS DISTILLERY is a small artisan distiller y based on the family’s sugar cane farm. This fourth-generation cane farming family’s motto is ‘Farm First, Distillery Second’. Canefields focuses on quality, single-origin rums and sugar cane spirits with a whole-of-lifecycle approach by growing, harvesting, crushing, fermenting, distilling, bottling and selling all from the same farm shed. Tours are by arrangement and bottle sales via the distillery door. facebook.com/canefieldsdistillery/

Introducing Carissa Coorey and Dale Chapman at MY DILLY BAG store in Forest Glen. My Dilly Bag offers a range of nutritious and tasty products ranging from native herbs and spices to jams, relishes, pasta and snacks, all made with Australian Sovereign Food ingredients. Their products are not only delicious but promote sustainable and ethical practices.

My Dilly Bag is at 5B/354 Mons Road, Forest Glen. Phone 0402 616 056. mydillybag.com.au

NATIONS MARKET is a fun family day out filled with bushfood, music, crafts and cultural activities. Immerse yourself in cultural workshops, bushfood demonstrations and the yarning circle or engage in conversations with our First Nations stallholders, who offer an array of products from arts and crafts to apparel, jewellery, homewares, artefacts, kids’ fashion, live entertainment and much more. An enriching celebration where culture meets community. Heads up: the future market dates in 2024 are Sunday, April 7, May 12, July 28 and September 22. Everyone is welcome. Entry is free (no pets, sorry).

Gathaa First Nations Market is at Forest Glen Village. mydillybag.com.au/pages/GATHAA

Revitalise your day with a burst of flavour on the fly at JAMBA, now open at Sunshine Plaza. Dive into a world of freshly blended fruit and veggie smoothies, vibrant bowls, and more, all crafted with real, top-notch ingredients for a truly nourishing experience. Indulge in the ‘whirled’ famous mango-a-go-go smoothie, sip on the refreshing orange carrot twist juice, or dive into the luscious acai primo bowl. Feeling adventurous? Customise your creation with an array of fruits, veggies, toppings, and boosts to suit your unique tastebuds. Whether you’re seeking a vitamin-packed pick-me-up or a protein-powered punch, Jamba’s got you covered.

sunshineplaza.com

French Mediterranean cooking using locally grown products

Nestled in the beautiful village square of Peregian Beach, Periwinkle restaurant offer a modern French Mediterranean cuisine with delicious seafood, hand crafted sourdough breads, char grill beef and seasonal vegetables. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast, lunch or dinner in the family friendly village square park.

Monday to Sunday 11am - 8.30pm

2/216 David Low Way

Peregian Beach QLD 4573

07 5448 3251

periwinklerestaurant.com.au

GATHAA FIRST

It’s all about the coffee at TJ’S COFFEE CORNER. Located in (but independent from) Cycle Zone bike store on Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba. Owner Lani Johannsen named the café after her late dad, Tavis Johannsen (TJ) as he had two great passions in life (after his family), bikes and coffee! You’ll get a fabulous coffee, plus Lani has got a little something for everyone — those with a sweet tooth can choose from a selection of delectable Byron Bay cookies and protein balls. Or, if you need something refreshing, there is cold-pressed juice and even a savoury snack option. Psst… You can enjoy your hot cup of joe comfortably on the cushioned chairs while your partner browses the bike store. Or, why not grab a takeaway coffee, as the spot is only a two-minute walk to Mooloolaba Beach. Pets are more than welcome. Lani even caters to your four-legged friends with puppychinos and heart-shaped pumpkin dog treats.

tj’s coffee is at 17-19 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba. tjscoffeecorner@gmail.com.

You’ll love FRANK FOOD & WINE (formerly Shotgun Espresso). A charming bistro tucked away in the Maleny hills. Co-owner and executive chef Kelly Robson and her team present fun European classics full of flavour and designed to be shared. They also have a great wine list with a number of handpicked Australian and European beauties that change weekly to suit the menu and season. You can also enjoy a sneaky cocktail with a sprinkle of local native ingredients. Warm and inviting, Frank Food & Wine serve up dinner from Wednesday to Saturday nights and you can enjoy yummy breakfasts and great coffee from Tuesday to Sunday. The upcoming menu includes slow-cooked beef short ribs at night and rice congee, Portuguese sardines, pickles and toast by day — yum!

Frank Food & Wine is at 48 Maple Street, Maleny. Phone 0455 747 996. frankmaleny.com.au

THE SURF CLUB MOOLOOLABA is the ultimate beachfront location. Dine in the spacious Boathouse Restaurant or on the outdoor deck. You’ll love their newest addition, Bayview Bar & Bites, which has panoramic views of the Mooloolaba beachfront. Pop in for an icy cold beer or wine; you’ll find they have a fine selection to meet the occasion. Relax on the deck with a coffee and a delicious dessert from the Coffee Corner. Grab a bite to eat from their lunch and dinner menu, available all day from 11.30am in Boathouse Restaurant. It’s a great place to meet your friends. Live music on Sunday afternoons is the perfect way to wind down your weekend. All of this and more is waiting for you at The Surf Club Mooloolaba.

The Surf Club Mooloolaba is located on the Mooloolaba Esplanade. Phone 5444 1300. thesurfclub.com.au

You will love relaxing

everyone. The top level is dedicated to functions and events. Rest assured, your guests will experience a seamless journey from the car park to the function level, thanks to convenient lift access. With versatile function spaces accommodating anywhere from 12 to 450 people, your guests will revel in comfort and ample space. Ask for events manager Jack — he is amazing at what he does. The VineWine Bar is the perfect place to catch up with friends, family or colleagues. Unwind after a long day and enjoy the lively atmosphere of this stylish bar, while chefs rock out beautiful food and fabulous bartenders blend refreshing cocktails and serve the latest craft beers.

The Bower Tree is at 10 Courage Street, Sippy Downs. Phone 5450 4288. thebowertree.com.au

Seafood Restaurant & River Lounge

just a ferry ride up the river from Hastings Street

a modern approach to dining with old world charm

river lounge specials half price oysters 3pm-4pm happy hour 4pm-5:30pm

at THE BOWER TREE. With five dining experiences on offer, four beverage outlets, function facilities, kids and youth room and a gaming lounge, there is something for

TASTY TOURS provide premium, small-group experiences across the Sunshine Coast, taking guests behind the scenes and off the beaten tourist track. Their experiences showcase destinations that value community and sustainability and produce world-class products. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in fabulous curated experiences, meet our local artisans, producers and chefs, hear their stories, see the process in action, and get hands-on. tastytours.com.au

ALL THE beautiful things

MY NEW FAVOURITE destination-within-a-destination on the Coast is The Shed, a beautifully restored century-old railway siding shed perched alongside the train line at Palmwoods.

I liken the once-derelict shed to a grand old dame who has been given a new lease of life. It now houses a delightful vintage emporium and a relaxed dining bistro, Chew Chew.

Time seemed to stop in its tracks the Sunday afternoon I first visited this enchanting place that’s fun and interesting to explore. As soon as I set foot inside The Shed I felt a sense of calm wash over me. Here I could breathe and take my time.

It was like stepping back to a less complicated time before technology became so pervasive, a time perhaps when family entertainment meant huddling around the wireless listening to radio plays.

Every detail of the restoration tells a story as much of the original existing building materials were used because of the heritage overlay. History-imbued timber floorboards span the entire length of the building, and rusted and worn tin roofing has been repurposed as wall panels in the bistro dining area, giving it a thoroughly rustic charm.

At the far end of the bistro is the private dining room, which can comfortably seat 14 guests for a small wedding reception, Christmas party, milestone birthday, baby shower or any celebration that calls for an intimate setting, even a boardroom meeting.

The bistro can also be booked for private functions for around 80 guests.

Georgian furniture and mid-century pieces sit side-by-side, original Belle Epoque posters adorn the walls, and the imposing wall-mounted moose head and cow rug give the space a French provincial-meets-New York kind of vibe.

It’s a massive eclectic mix of eras and styles, but somehow, it all comes together beautifully; that’s the charm of this place.

My designer friend, Francesca, joined me, and I couldn’t think of a better place for two creative souls to enjoy a girls’ lunch. It’s a place to stop and let time go lightly while enjoying good, unpretentious food and a cocktail or glass of wine.

The bistro staff were friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. I started with a beautifully aromatic cocktail aptly named Young & Beautiful: gin, watermelon, rose water and lemon juice topped with rose. Each ingredient was perfectly balanced and a delicate waft of rosewater tickled my nostrils before it hit the palate. Divine.

Francesca had the Bel. Bev Co pinot grigio, which paired perfectly with the seafood marinara linguine. The dish was presented with two plump scallops in their shells, atop an impressive mound of seafood and linguine.

Everything about this dish was fresh and abundant, from the juicy king prawns to the perfectly cooked mussels. The tomato basil sugo was rich and slightly sweet to support the hero of the dish, the seafood.

I chose the traditional club sandwich because it fondly reminded me of family lunches as a kid at our local swimming club, albeit this was a more upmarket version of a ’70s classic favourite.

Thick slices of rustic white bread layered with cos lettuce, sliced tomato, Swiss Gruyère, grilled chicken and bacon topped with roast garlic aioli. I wondered how I was going to get my chops around the high sandwich stack, but I managed it and was rewarded by the crunch of crisp lettuce, fresh tomato, salty bacon and thick, juicy chicken breast. It was served with a moreish side of beer-battered chips.

Chew Chew offers wholesome country food that fills the plate in a relaxed, ambient dining setting. Owners Dianna and Geoff Ryan are big on creating a family atmosphere where people feel welcome. For them, this is the basis of what hospitality is all about — making visitors feel welcome and cared for.

This philosophy is the foundation of their business approach, from how they select every single piece of stock for the emporium down to using seasonal and local produce to create awesome meals.

It’s with this passion that they open the front doors daily to welcome customers for breakfast, lunch, coffee and cakes with a side of curios and collectables.

The alfresco dining area on the platform deck has an altogether different feel, grungy and low-key. The owners intentionally chose to keep the graffiti on the side of the old railway shed and even had a local graffiti artist do some work over the existing graffiti tags to tie it together thematically. It’s a funky alternative space to sit and watch the trains go by with

a completely different look and feel to the rest of The Shed.

I was rather taken with one of the new pieces of street art, a resplendent vintage lady with this quote beneath: “She’s an old soul with young eyes and a vintage heart and a beautiful mind”. To me, this sums up the entire shed and its spellbinding effect.

There’s even a herb garden and edible flowers planted out back, which are used on the bistro’s cakes and in the kitchen.

The emporium is both a charming nod to yesteryear and a trendy, vintage arty space. It’s a haven for creatives and anyone who has an eye for good taste and décor items.

It’s little wonder set designers from Movie World are known to procure pieces from The Shed.

If you love the phenomenally popular Netflix series, Bridgerton, or even Hamptons style interior design, then you’ll love what’s on offer at The Shed. This fusion of old and new is very on-trend.

Dianna is an interior designer who masterfully designed this eclectic space brimming with pre-loved furniture, vintage curiosities, art and décor, tastefully peppered with contemporary homewares, jewellery, gifts, plants and soft furnishings.

Dianna and Geoff are particular about what passes the threshold of the emporium. Everything must be either beautiful or interesting, of high quality and condition or collectable and quirky.

Among my special finds were a vintage Dolce & Gabbana bling clutch purse, burlesque-style black vinyl thigh boots, a Louis Vuitton travel bag and suitcase and a vintage Royal Worcester china dining set from England perfectly matched with contemporary, yet vintage style, cut crystal glasses.

The business also gets a big tick for sustainability from its use of recycled building materials to its kitchen garden and recycled furniture, décor and bric-a-brac.

be talking points.

This design approach is perfect for farmhouse, coastal Cape Cod style, Hamptons and vintage eclectic homes, right through to contemporary Australian homes.

It’s hard to leave The Shed empty-handed. Francesca made a rare find, a fashion bible titled The Label The Lady The Lifestyle featuring couture fashion by designer Keri Craig. Also tucked under her arm were vintage giftboxes by Chanel and Tiffany and a vintage French tea box.

I couldn’t go past a set of Waterford crystal champagne coupes, cut in a style as seen on Bridgerton. This place is a magnet for style queens, arty types and anyone who just loves beautiful things. I know I’ll be back.

The emporium is all about giving pre-loved things new life. Dianna says pre-loved furniture fits perfectly in modern homes as one-of-a-kind items, and given their history, they can even theshedsca.com.au

DOES IT GET any better?

A CHILLED GLASS of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, giant Mooloolaba prawns fresh from a catch the night before, and a bird’s eye view of stunning Mooloolaba Beach — it doesn’t get much better.

But that was just the beginning of what was a truly memorable, delicious and romantic lunch my husband and I enjoyed recently at the iconic Surf Club Mooloolaba.

Located on level two, Bayview Bar & Bites is the club’s newest dining option and arguably one of the Coast’s best-kept secrets.

Boasting a classy, modern décor with crisp white tablecloths, it has a high-end feel. And of course, the panoramic view has to be one of the best on the Coast.

There was not a cloud in the sky on the day of our visit.

The pristine, white sandy beach was peppered with couples and families enjoying the glorious weather.

From the moment we arrived at Bayview Bar & Bites, the service was friendly and welcoming. Bustling with a lunch time crowd of couples and larger groups, the restaurant’s atmosphere was vibrant and lively. It’s not hard to see why this venue is a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.

After selecting our wines from the extensive list and soaking up the views while we perused the menu, we finally decided on the chilled Mooloolaba king prawns to kick things off

They didn’t disappoint. Big and juicy, served with a delicious dipping sauce and wedges of lemon, you could taste the freshness from the first bite.

HOMEWARES

Washed down with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022, it was the perfect precursor to our main meals.

With so many delicious options vying for our attention, I couldn’t go past the crispy skin barramundi while my husband settled on the 300g rib fillet.

Served with potato gratin, roasted truss cherry tomatoes, broccolini and lemon caper hollandaise sauce, the barramundi was cooked to perfection. The white flesh of the fish fell off my fork and was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

A self-confessed carnivore, my husband was equally as delighted with his selection. Served with plenty of delicious roasted chat potatoes, baby carrots, broccolini and red wine jus, the steak was tender, flavoursome and cooked just to his liking.

Other options, such as the Mooloolaba prawn and seared scallop risotto and the crispy twice-cooked pork belly, are on

our list for next visit.

Despite our large main servings, the dessert menu was simply too good to pass up for Mr Sweet Tooth.

After much deliberation, we couldn’t decide between the strawberry cheesecake, crème brulee or orange panna cotta with grilled pear, so we just had to order all three!

Each dessert was beautifully presented on the plate. The panna cotta was light and perfectly accompanied by fresh fruit and chocolate pieces, while the cheesecake was soft and fluffy, served with lashings of fresh cream, each mouthful a heavenly explosion of texture and flavour.

We both agreed the crème brulee was one of the best we have sampled, with the perfect amount of sugary goodness on top and a delightful, creamy consistency.

As we relaxed over our drinks (the bar is open all day for those seeking a mid afternoon or pre dinner drink) and took in the last of the magnificent Mooloolaba views, lunch at Bayview Bar & Bites confirmed we really do live in paradise.

Great food, great weather, great views, great service — what’s not to love?

Now, time for a swim to burn off some of that lunch.

thesurfclub.com.au/eat-drink/bayview-bar-and-bites

HEARTY healthy fare

OX-HEART TOMATO WITH STRACCIATELLA, ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM, LOCAL SEASONAL BEANS AND CHILLI, MACADAMIA PANGRATTATO

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

250g ox-heart tomatoes

50ml aged balsamic

40ml extra virgin olive oil

50g stracciatella

4 zucchini blossoms

15g chopped red chilli, seeds removed 20g basil leaves

20 parsley leaves

70g yellow and green beans

1 zest of lemon (add to 20ml of olive oil)

80g macadamia nuts

70g aged sourdough bread

2 cloves garlic

SEA BREEZE COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

30ml Wolf Lane Grapefruit Aperitif

15ml Seabourne Coastal Dry Gin

60ml cranberry juice   15ml simple syrup

METHOD

Ox-heart tomatoes

Slice and season well and dress with aged balsamic and the finest extra virgin olive oil.

Split the zucchini blossoms in half and top with sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, extra virgin olive oil and chopped chilli.

Grill on a barbecue plate and finish with basil and parsley.

Seasonal beans

Blanch and dress in the lemon olive oil. Roasted macadamia, garlic and chilli Roast at 160 C for 15 minutes and blend into a coarse mix.

Pangrattato

Crumb the sourdough into a coarse mixture. Brush with olive oil and bake at 160 C for 20 minutes.

Mix a third of the roasted macadamia, garlic and chilli and two-thirds of the breadcrumbs.

To plate

Place stracciatella on the plate, then add tomatoes, zucchini and beans. Finish with pangrattato and garnish with baby basil.

Dress with aged balsamic and the best extra virgin olive oil.

To enjoy an E XCLUSIVE PRIVATE PREVIEW of our event space including VineWine Bar, contact our Events Manager - Jack.

This recipe is courtesy of Park & Cove Noosa

ORANGE BLOSSOMS

WORDS STEVE LESZCZYNSKI

THE PICTURESQUE AND lush rolling hills of the Orange wine region boast a diverse array of attractions for connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. As the only wine region in the world bound by altitude, it is the highest wine region in Australia, with most vineyards perched 900 to 1200 metres above sea level, with Mount Canobolas as the epicentre at 1390 metres high.

The modern Orange wine region was established in the mid-1980s, but has been building some serious momentum in the past decade. Just a two-hour flight from Brisbane or three-and-a-half hour drive from Sydney, the endless splendour of the district awaits.

It’s a region that thrives on events and festivals. Be it the Orange Winter Fire Festival or the Orange Wine Festival in spring, the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival in summer or F.O.O.D Week and the Running Festival in autumn, a visit at any time of year is sure to be memorable.

But the hunt for wine was my priority, and with more than 60 wineries and 40 cellar doors to wade through, it was time to get to work.

Worth noting is the higher the altitude, the leaner the fruit profile gets. Whites thrive up high, and the reds have found a happy home further down the slope. As history has shown, cooler years have been more favourable for sparkling and white wines, and warmer years see red wines flourish.

Coming in via Bathurst, a stop at the heritage-listed town of Millthorpe is a must. Cobbled roads, bluestone buildings and tree-lined streets. It’s a step back to the early 1900s.

It’s here you can find the Slow Wine Co and Angullong cellar doors. A short stroll from one another, the wines at Slow are built with a lovely textural presence. The Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 ($50) is a highlight with its autumnal feel and delicate spices.

Angullong has the lowest vineyards in the Orange region,

and their exploration of Italian varieties is most impressive.

There is something for everyone, be it the silky Fossil Hill Barbera 2022 ($30), the cherry cola and red apple crunch of the Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2022 ($30), or the muscular Fossil Hill Sagrantino 2022 ($30), the varied range caters for all wine lovers.

One producer that certainly needs to be on your radar is ChaLou. With 2022 Young Winemaker of the Year Nadja Wallington at the helm and husband Steve toiling in the vineyard, this dynamic duo explore texture, creating a delicious collection of wines. With numerous varieties under a few labels, the 2022 pinot noir is a stand-out and a cracking deal for $35.

A stone’s throw away and around the corner, you’ll find the wonderfully manicured vines and old schoolhouse that is Mayfield. Here you’ll embrace the sizzling Backyard Riesling 2022 ($34), but the star of the show is the Block 14 Chardonnay 2022 ($65). Flinty with a concentration of peach, it’s a fabulous

drink, hands down.

Some of the first-planted vines in the region can be found at Canobolas Wines (formerly Canobolas Smith). The prestige and elegance across the range is supreme. Under the new ownership of winemaker Jonathon Mattick (formerly of Ten Minutes by Tractor), the offerings have elevated the brand and delivered an exceptional chardonnay 2022 ($65) and a blistering cabernet franc 2022 ($55). These wines are an asset to the region.

Ross Hill Wines was Australia’s first certified carbon-neutral winery. With a number of wines across several price points and a cooking school onsite, it’s the cabernet franc 2021 ($50) that made me sit bolt upright. Equally as captivating is the tightly coiled Eastern View Chardonnay 2021 ($95) that will age gracefully in the cellar.

Duck down the road to the cute and charismatic Colmar Estate cellar door. These wines are precise and made from estate-grown fruit. Barely a hair out of place! You’ll find exceptional riesling, chardonnay, sparkling and pinot noir. Go here.

For a winemaker of Jeff Byrne’s experience and status to uproot and move to Orange speaks volumes for the potential of the region. His Byrne Farm wines present class on a platter yet offer value deluxe. Byrne’s chardonnay is possibly the best in the region, for a skinny $35. There is no doubting his Hunter Valley roots with the Hunter River burgundy-inspired shiraz pinot 2021 ($45) showcasing a delicious and silky medium-bodied delight.

One of the most compelling wines I tasted in 2023 came from Hoosegg. Made by the highly regarded Philip Shaw, who has been making wines for more than 60 years, these wines are precise and elegant. The Seven Heaven Chardonnay 2018 ($140) spent 16 months in new oak, yet the balance and shape were nothing short of incredible. No corners are cut at Hoosegg and the quality simply glistens as a result.

Be sure to head to Rikard. With one of the most spectacular cellar door vistas in the region at one of the highest vineyards, winemaker Will RikardBell prides himself on texture and finesse, and his vast array of wines demonstrate his ability to build components which lead to complexity. Hanging his hat on riesling, the Black Label 2022 ($60) is a German- and Austrian-style that hits the target deluxe. Mind you, the Black Label Chardonnay 2021 ($65) is dripping with interest and class.

Tiny producers are golden, and Amour Wines is one of the smallest in the district. Make an appointment and you’ll be in raptures with Matt Eades’ passion and drive. Not afraid to push boundaries, these wines are patient, elegant and generous. The fine detail and rhythm of the chardonnay 2021 ($60) is captivating after seeing 15 months in French oak. But it’s the wonderfully layered and detailed pinot noir 2021 ($75) that is bliss in a bottle.

After all that, you’ve earned a feed and eating at Charred Kitchen & Bar is a must. This restaurant would not be out of place in any capital city with its exquisite food and superbly appointed wine list. It’s no wonder it continues to draw praise from far and wide.

STEVE LESZCZYNSKI is a wine writer, author, wine dinner host and MC. Apart from writing for his website qwinereviews.com, Steve co-authored a book, Grenache –Barossa Grown. He contributes to Halliday Wine Companion magazine, Vinomofo, Wine Business Magazine and Grapegrower & Winemaker magazine.

Sharna

Ben

THIS FAIRYTALE STARTED off like something from a movie. In a small town, boy meets girl, boy and girl develop a friendship, and boy and girl fall head over heels. The rest is history.

Well, for Ben and Sharna Coan that is almost exactly how their love story played out.

Growing up in Bundaberg, they both knew of each other, but it wasn’t until Sharna’s sister began dating Ben’s best mate some six years ago that their worlds intertwined.

Soon, Ben and Sharna were hanging out in the same group, going to the same parties and spending a considerable amount of time together.

“It didn’t take long,” Sharna tells salt on how their relationship blossomed.

“We hung out for a couple of weeks and then pretty much spent every day together after that.

“We went to the same gym so we would see each other there also.

“I moved in with him pretty early on and we’ve been together six years now.”

Despite sharing a love for the outdoors and hiking, the proposal came as somewhat of a surprise to Sharna when atop Mount Walsh in the Bundaberg region.

“We were going to go on a camping trip a few weeks before and camp at the base of this mountain and climb it, but it was raining, so we cancelled it,” Sharna says.

“Apparently, Ben had this plan to do it then, but then we ended up going one random day with my sister and his sister.

“We were at the top and he started acting a bit strange, and

“ The happiness of that moment — nothing compares”

then he got down on one knee.”

While the timing of the proposal came as a surprise, Sharna says six months prior to their engagement, the couple visited DM Jewellers at Maroochydore to design the ring.

“I had a design in mind, but I couldn’t find it anywhere, so we decided to design it. Then I left it up to Ben.”

For their wedding, the couple wanted a “wholesome” day that reflected them as a fun, outgoing couple.

They wed at Maleny Manor in front of 80 of their nearest and dearest.

The ceremony was held on the helipad, with photos taken around the grounds of the manor. The reception was held in the main house.

“It was honestly the best day of our lives,” Sharna says.

WEDDING DAY ROLL CALL

CEREMONY AND RECEPTION

Maleny Manor

DRESS

White Lily Couture

HAIR

Evalyn Parsons

MAKEUP

Ru Makeup

FLORIST

Mondo Floral Designs

PHOTOGRAPHER

Meadow Lane Visuals

JEWELLER

DM Jewellers Maroochydore

“I think it reflected us — we’re outgoing when we’re comfortable, we’re a bit fun and bit wholesome and the day was just us.”

She says most of their inspiration came from ideas they found on Pinterest, opting for a natural colour palette of light latte browns, champagne and soft peaches. “I was in love with my flowers and how everything came together.”

Sharna says the whole day was “perfect”, recalling some of her favourite moments from the big day.

“I loved the morning, getting ready with the girls, and afterwards, going off and getting photos with Ben. The happiness of that moment — nothing compares.

“It was the happiest day of our lives.”

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Tourmaline and diamond Art Deco style ring, $4250, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

Fall inLOVE

Handmade 18ct yellow and white gold 3.01ct solitaire diamond ring and 18ct yellow gold diamond eternity band, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

Victorian 9ct rose gold scalloped edge locket c1870, $2500, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

9ct white gold bangle with diamonds, $4264, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

18ct white and rose gold pear-cut Argyle pink diamond ring, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

18ct yellow gold South Sea pearl and diamond pendant, $5390, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

Handmade 18ct white and rose gold blue topaz and diamond octagonal cluster ring, $10,500, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

18ct yellow gold champagne diamond halo ring, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

14ct white gold and diamond pendant featuring 3.61ct Queensland boulder opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

Boulder opal ring in fine gold and sterling silver, The Opalcutter, Montville, 5442 9598

18ct white and rose gold earrings with Argyle pink diamonds, from $5900, Diamonds of Distinction, Buderim, 5445 5709

Handmade 18ct rose gold and platinum tanzanite and diamond collar, $24,780, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

14ct white gold and diamond ring featuring 2.57ct Queensland boulder opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

La Deux sapphire ring, $1495, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

14ct white gold and diamond pendant featuring 1.6ct Lightning Ridge black opal, Opals Down Under, Glenview, 5494 5400

18ct yellow gold and platinum white and champagne diamond ring, $12,980, NY2K, Cotton Tree, 5443 1955

Vibrant red boulder opal ring, handmade in Australia. 18ct yellow gold, $18,000, The Opalcutter, Montville, 5442 9598

Extravagant Art Deco platinum diamond ring, $19,950, Avenue J, Mooloolaba, 5444 4422

ROYAL

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Sandra Nez Navajo handmade rare Sonoran gold turquoise necklace, POA, Pearls for Girls, Eumundi, 5442 8778

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Blue bird ring, $395, Pearls for Girls, Eumundi, 5442 8778

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CAPTURING the magic

WHICH GEMSTONE COMES to mind when you imagine a rainbow? It is told, in one Indigenous Dreamtime story, that the opal was created when the colours of a rainbow touched the Earth.

When moved in light, these beautiful gemstones can indeed sparkle in wondrous patterns with all the colours of a rainbow – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet –creating a unique palette of these combined hues.

The opal is our national gemstone. According to the Australian Government, Australia’s opal fields are bigger than those in the rest of the world combined. Although opals are found around the world, The International Gem Society states that Australian opals account for 95 per cent of the world’s supply and that unique geological formations in Australia favoured the formation of the gemstone.

Modern opal mining and trading stems back to 1889 when

South Australian Tullie Cornthwaite Wollaston took 60 brilliant pieces of Queensland rough opal to London. Wollaston’s wares were initially rejected, but he eventually sold the stones to an international jeweller and the demand for Australian opals grew.

Most opals found outside Australia originate from volcanic rocks and have a high water content. In comparison, Australian opals form when water containing dissolved silica trickles into gaps between rocks, and tiny spheres of hydrous silicon dioxide form. It’s a fascinating creation and one that Australian company Opals Down Under continues to share globally from right here on the Sunshine Coast.

The business is run by three individuals with complementing skills. Scott Coggan, opal artisan, owns and directs the company; Jessie Burns is the assistant manager, providing support and first contact information; and Rhys Fox

is the manager, photographer and creative designer.

Rhys started with Opals Down Under in 2006 to run the website and organise advertising, editorials and photography.

“Given that I had a background in PR and online marketing, that part was easy,” he explains. “It was the challenge of learning about Australian opals, how they work in jewellery, how to photograph them correctly and the sales process that I had to tackle.”

Rhys loves working with the opals each day and calls the artistic process of drawing and photographing them “dopamine” for his creative brain. Photographing the gemstones is time-consuming; however, this attention to detail helps maintain Opals Down Under’s reputation as one of the world’s leading opal and opal jewellery websites.

Rhys takes 12-15 photos per opal and creates a movie to showcase each item clearly. It is easy to miss details.

“You won’t notice the smallest bit of dust, fingerprint, or hair until you view these images on the screen,” Rhys explains. “Opal gets its colour from the diffraction of white light, so I have to work with a light box to diffuse the lighting and best represent the opal as it would be seen in a daylight situation.”

“ I do love seeing the opals come to life as their own artwork on the big screen. it’s so random and often mesmerising”

Each opal is a piece of art, and Rhys says photographing the gem is also an art form – which he’s worked at for more than 17 years.

“I’m still trying to perfect it,” Rhys says. “There’s a few more secrets to it, but I’m not willing to let those out. I do love seeing the opals come to life as their own artwork on the big screen. It’s so random and often mesmerising, particularly with the high-end gems.”

When a client visits Opals Down Under with an idea, Rhys will sketch some concepts, taking on board their requirements. For some time, these ideas were brought to life on paper, but technology has changed the process, with Rhys now utilising an app on his iPad called Procreate – which tattoo artists also use.

“I take a photo of the unset opal, sometimes on the client’s skin or finger, to give a better perspective and build the sketches around that,” he says. “Then I can just AirDrop or email through the concept to the client right there and then.”

The team cuts the opals on site and then works with outside jewellers to create the final product. “I’ll send the created sketches through to the jeweller. Then they build

Rhys Fox & Jessie Burns

the model.”

Opal engagement and wedding rings are increasing in popularity, most likely due to the brilliant uniqueness of every stone. “We are dealing with a gemstone that is completely unlike the next, and there’s an ever-increasing interest,” Rhys explains.

“Designing really unusual engagement rings can be a bit of a buzz. One recent one required the use of an opal centre stone, surrounded by a halo of multicoloured gems, which did turn out to be rather spectacular and attention-grabbing.”

Word is that celebrities frequent Opals Down Under –in-store and online – with overseas visitors wanting a beautiful opal piece to take home.

“We’ve had our fair share of well-known influencers, local and visiting celebrities and even international royalty. Can’t say who, though,” Rhys laughs.

While many businesses, unfortunately, succumbed to COVID-19 lockdowns, Opals Down Under’s online sales tripled. “We’re preparing to celebrate 40 years as a business in 2025, having survived recessions, the GFC and COVID, and that says something to me.”

And so, Australia’s national gemstone continues its popularity. With its spectrum of rainbow colours and lightreflecting beauty, Rhys reasons that “the opal is not an everyday item”.

It seems buyers here and around the world would agree with him.

AUSTRALIA’S PRECIOUS OPALS INCLUDE:

Black opal, for which Australia is best known. Its colours include red, green, blue, violet, magenta or yellow against dark backgrounds. The majority of the world’s supply comes from New South Wales’ Lightning Ridge. White opal, the most common type, has vibrant colours on a white or milky background. The bulk of these come from Coober Pedy in South Australia.

Crystal opal is transparent or extremely translucent, with colours that appear from below the surface. White and crystal opal form up to 80 per cent of opals supplied to the world from Australia, with the majority coming from the South Australian fields of Coober Pedy, Andamooka, Lambina and Mintabie.

Boulder opal is the second rarest of the Australian opals and is unique to Queensland. It’s found in veins and cavities in ironstone host rock, in fields such as Winton, Opalton, Quilpie, Yowah and Eromanga.

opalsdownunder.com.au

A LIFE LESS ORDINARY

WORDS LUCINDA DEAN

FROM OUTBACK NURSE to company director, Jasmine Leggatt certainly has a big lust for life and adventure.

The 37-year-old trailblazer opened her first cosmetic injectables clinic eight years ago at Mt Martha, Victoria, at a time when she says the industry was “still a bit secretive”.

Jasmine spent 40 to 60 hours a week working early and late under the cloak of secrecy because many of her clients only wanted to see her and not tell anyone they’d had any work done.

“The busier I got, the more I worked. Word-of-mouth got me the loyal client following I have today,” she says. After doing a lap of Australia with her husband Jon in 2020, the couple found their patch of paradise on the Sunshine Coast and opened the doors to their second clinic, Coastal Aesthetic Injectables, at Emporio Place, Maroochydore, in 2021.

On reflection, Jasmine certainly took the road less travelled to get there. She grew up on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, and followed her mum and sister into a nursing career.

“It was almost not a thought; it was a given,” she tells salt . After completing a Bachelor of Nursing, Jasmine accepted a graduate position doing various rotations around

regional and remote Western Australia. It sparked a passion for emergency nursing.

Subsequently, Jasmine undertook a graduate program, which gave her the opportunity to experience working in hospitals miles from anywhere. She also worked with the Royal Flying Doctors on patient transfers.

“It was always really exhilarating and exciting. You never knew what was going to happen, so that met my desire for adventure,” she says.

Quite often, Jasmine was the only nurse (and trained medic) at the scene, which led to some nail-biting moments.

“I recall being on call on the remote coast in WA. There was a group of five young men on a buck’s day and they thought it would be funny to inject each other with one of their diabetic friend’s insulin.

“Several of them went into cardiac arrest. It was just me with a phone and no access to doctors or anyone. I had to do CPR on two people at the one time. They ended up all surviving but they had to be medevaced to Perth.

“That was certainly a story for them. It could’ve turned out so differently.”

Jasmine says nursing has taught her so much about life

and helped shape the person she is today.

“It’s a rewarding experience being there to help people when they are in trouble. It does shape you so much as a person because you’re exposed to all these really raw situations that you never otherwise would be.

“It definitely teaches you a lot, to appreciate every day.”

Jasmine spent years completing many contracts around Australia, including in the areas of Broome, Exmouth, outback Queensland, the Whitsundays, Darwin, Alice Springs and the Torres Strait Islands, before meeting her husband Jon in 2014.

It was a turning point for Jasmine, who wanted to be closer to home after meeting Jon. Jasmine did a postgraduate certificate in cosmetic nursing, initially thinking it would be a side hustle between nursing contracts, but little did she know how much she would love it.

“I believe the qualities that made me a good nurse paved the way for me to excel in cosmetic nursing and running my own business,” Jasmine says.

“I really am so proud of the beautiful space we have created and the magic that happens in our clinic. It really is a privilege to be able to assist someone to enhance their confidence and witness incredible transformation both physically and emotionally.”

The Maroochydore clinic has a wide catchment area with clients coming from Brisbane, Caloundra, Maleny, Cooroy and Rainbow Beach. The clinic also gets referrals from clients on the Mornington Peninsula who have friends on the Sunshine Coast.

Eight years ago Jasmine did not believe it would be the kind of business where she would hire staff or expand too much. But now she has a database of more than 10,000 clients and plans to continue to expand in line with the latest cosmetic treatments, techniques and technologies.

“For a long time it’s had such a taboo reputation, but I do feel like it’s an industry that should be celebrated.”

Jasmine says the success of her business rides on the fact her clinics offer bespoke cosmetic injectables without the hefty price tag and her hands-on approach to customer service. “Our team now comprises a tight-knit group of 10 highly skilled registered nurses/advanced cosmetic nurse specialists across the two clinics, who are all kind, courteous,

understanding, non-judgemental, knowledgeable and genuinely care about their client’s needs,” says Jasmine.

“We offer free consultations, complimentary follow-up appointments and I personally deal with all client calls, messages and enquiries to ensure the best possible results and experience.”

Jasmine’s lust for travel and adventure also led her to create fly-in/fly-out clinics in Darwin, Exmouth and Airlie Beach. She achieved this by collaborating with beauty salons and hairdressing salons in these locations, which she visits on rotation every three months when her clients are generally due for a botox boost.

The ‘FIFO queen’ of the cosmetic injectables industry describes these trips as a work holiday.

“I can fly to Exmouth and everyone is so grateful for my visit, but I get to go stand-up paddle boarding alongside whale sharks or snorkelling with turtles – it’s such a rewarding experience, I’m so passionate about it.”

As a business owner Jasmine says she never really switches off, but she appreciates having work-life balance.

“I love business. It’s a huge passion in my life because it allows me to do all things I love and creates all these rewarding experiences for me.

“I’ll get to share it all with my daughter (four) when she’s a little older. I’ll take her on those trips and she’ll get to enjoy them as well.”

The Coastal Aesthetic Injectables team

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LA DOLCE vita

WORDS LUCINDA DEAN

THE MOMENT YOU walk into Vista Monti on Buderim, you exhale deeply. This light-filled, spacious luxury home is a sanctuary from the everyday. It was designed to evoke a holiday resort feel, which instantly invites a sense of expansiveness and relaxation.

Vista Monti means ‘mountain view’ in Italian, and it certainly lives up to its name. It’s orientated to capture stunning views of the hinterland and Mt Ninderry from various vantage points within the home, including the second-floor kitchen and the master ensuite bathroom, which won Bathroom of the Year in the HIA Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay Housing Awards, held in November 2023.

This five-bedroom, four-bathroom luxury family home was also a finalist in the Kitchen Design and Spec Home award categories.

Vista Monti was the first build for Zaleta, a newly formed family-building company on the Coast. While the husbandand-wife team behind the brand, builder Wojtek Stainwald, and designer Melissa Stainwald, have been designing and building aspirational homes on the Coast for 25 years, this new venture brought son, licensed builder Arlan into the fold.

Each time Melissa designs a home, she says she envisages herself living there. It is evident that Vista Monti was certainly designed with la dolce vita (the sweet life) in mind.

“When designing Vista Monti, we intentionally set out to create a space where every day felt like living in a resort,” Melissa explains.

“For me, nothing screams holiday luxury like sipping a cup of tea in a bubble bath with a view, so we used this inspiration to create such a space in the master ensuite.”

Light plays an important part in projecting a sense of luxury. The home is bathed in natural light thanks to six judiciously placed skylights, including one above the curved shower in the master ensuite.

“Watching clouds dance overhead through the skylight adds that extra touch of luxury to your daily showering ritual,” says Melissa.

This sense of ‘lightness’ is amplified by large windows and

Zaleta's Arlan, Wojtek, Melissa

glass doors as well as ambient, task and accent lighting throughout the home.

Function meets comfort and style in the luxuriously appointed bathroom. Two large drawers with internal drawers help keep the bathroom clutter-free, along with the two wall-hung recessed cabinets. The toilet and vanity are also wall-mounted, which gives the bathroom the illusion of more floor space, creating a grander feel.

The tiled arched doorways, alabaster stone wall lights and brass fittings elevate the sense of luxury and give the space a

soft, feminine ambiance.

Melissa’s design objective was to bring the outside in through the use of tactile, grounding textures such as Tasmanian oak timber used for the floor-to-ceiling slat cladding and flooring down to the veneer on the rangehood and pantry shelves. Handmade Spanish tiles and limestone underfoot bring character and individuality through variation in shape and texture.

“Each tile is one-of-a-kind and imparts a sense of warmth, authenticity and human touch to the home.”

This attention to textural detail is evident even down to lighting fixtures incorporating clay, rattan, banana leaf and raw brass. The hand-cast, white-set render on the curved stair balustrade and the fireplace reiterate the raw organic feel.

The spiral staircase is the showstopper feature of the home. Melissa says the original plan had a “very boring” staircase taking up too much of the foyer. “What’s the first thing you notice when you go to a resort?

“It’s all about the entrance, when you have that first feeling of excitement, like I’m on holiday.

“So, the staircase had to be really exciting and welcoming and really set the tone for what the home was trying to say.

“In the end, it was a talking piece. Everyone loved it because it told a story.”

Soft curves and arches throughout the home provide an architectural point of difference. Melissa describes it as “the new Mediterranean” or “minimalist Mediterranean”.

“Sometimes when you think of Mediterranean

[architecture], you think of extremely overdone spaces. But this has a new Mediterranean feel that’s really pared back and really raw.”

These arches and curves also evoke a soft, feminine feel, thereby creating a more welcoming space.

Another design intervention that has paid dividends was putting the kitchen, which was originally slated for the ground floor, on the second floor.

Melissa insisted it go on the second floor to capture the view — the island bench looks over a wall of glass. This necessitated the installation of a commercial-grade dumb waiter, which serves a dual purpose — carting groceries up to the kitchen and sending food down to the alfresco and pool entertainment area.

The landscaped garden was designed to evoke a lush, subtropical haven and features an inground MagnaPool and firepit area.

Zaleta means ‘quality’ in Polish. The name is not only a tribute to Wojtek's ancestry, it underpins the company’s mission, which Melissa says is to redefine and rewrite the

dialogue around building a home.

Melissa says all too often she hears people who have just finished the build process complain: “Oh, I'm so exhausted. Oh, that was horrific. Oh, that was a terrible experience. We’re glad that's over. We'll never do that again.”

So, Zaleta unpacked the reasons behind this and asked: “How can we rewrite that story and make it a positive experience?” Two key things the Zaleta team did were introduce a client concierge and team up with Lifesize Plans at North Lakes, which offers customers a virtual, real-scale walkthrough of their floorplan.

“You can literally walk through your house, move furniture around, sit at your bench, see if you're happy where the doors and windows are,” Melissa says.

And Zaleta’s concierge attends every customer appointment, from initial colour consultation through to laying the slab. “She is basically there to answer your questions before you even ask. Communication is vital. I think people get nervous when they don't know what's going on.

“So, we try to tick all boxes.”

8am to 1.30pm each Sunday

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Elevate your space with homewares that demonstrate your impeccable taste.

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A DRAGON-SIZED ADVENTURE AWAITS

The first Zog Trail in Australia has landed at THE GINGER FACTORY Visitors can fly headfirst into the enchanting world of Zog in this interactive forest trail. Featuring an augmented reality adventure through the rainforest, it’s sure to excite the whole family. With friendly dragons, flying antics and fire-breathing lessons, embark on the forest trail adventure with Zog, Princess Pearl, Sir Gadabout and Madam Dragon. The trail experience is free and open daily at The Ginger Factory. gingerfactory.com.au

ENJOY LUNCH AT PICTURESQUE NOOSA GOLF COURSE

Nestled between Noosa National Park and picturesque Lake Weyba, just three kilometres from Hastings Street, is the tranquil NOOSA SPRINGS GOLF AND SPA RESORT. Relish Restaurant is a lovely place to relax and enjoy lunch on the beautiful terrace overlooking the golf course and out to the hinterland. The head chef creates daily lunch specials inspired by local, fresh produce with three entrée, main and dessert options to choose from. Choose an entrée and main package, main and dessert package or pair the meal with a glass of wine. noosasprings.com.au

There are plenty of things to explore, see and do on the Sunshine Coast, so get out there and enjoy the range of activities, events and attractions.

LOCALS love

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE AUTUMN SEASON WITH A VISIT TO EUMUNDI

Autumn is the favourite season for visitors and locals to experience the splendour of I LOVE EUMUNDI MARKETS. Walk under the shade of beautiful tree canopies while browsing hundreds of stalls that collectively offer one of the most diverse and locally produced shopping experiences in Australia. Visitors will find wholesome street food, local designer jewellery and clothes, artisan goods, seasonal fruit and vegetables, live music and performers around each corner. I Love Eumundi Markets is open Wednesday and Saturday from 7.30am to 2pm. It includes the Eumundi Square, Eumundi Parkside Markets and The Terraces. Eumundi Square is also open Friday from 8.30am to 1pm. iloveeumundimarkets.com

SIP ON SPECIALITY COFFEE AT THIS LOCAL ROASTER

FLYING WEST has spent years planning and executing how to offer customers the best coffee and café dining experience possible. The team is dedicated to offering a selection of specialty coffee — from single origins to a unique range of blends — as well as an amazing assortment of delicious, wholesome food. The café offers both air-conditioned indoor seating and a beautiful outdoor seating area, with four-legged friends welcome. You can also find the team at its new, custom-designed market stall box at the Noosa Farmers Market, Yandina Country Markets and Eumundi Markets. flyingwest.com.au

EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF EUMUNDI AT WORLD-FAMOUS MARKETS

Experience the essence of the Sunshine Coast this autumn at THE ORIGINALEUMUNDI MARKETS. Rain, hail or shine every Wednesday and Saturday, immerse in the ‘love local’ spirit while exploring diverse stalls, perfect for a school holiday adventure. Support small businesses and dive into the vibrant culture of Eumundi. The markets offer handmade goods and local delights on every corner. While in town, be sure to check out the newest brewery, Matso’s Sunshine Coast. The Original Eumundi Markets are open every Saturday from 7am to 2pm and Wednesday from 8am to 2pm. eumundimarkets.com.au

STEP INTO AUTUMN FASHION AT TRENDY NEW FASHION STORE

Step into style this season with All About Eve, a Geelong-based fashion powerhouse that has been setting trends since 2003, recently opening its newest store at SUNSHINE PLAZA. Discover their AAE Active line, featuring stand-out pieces like the Teddy quarter zip this autumn and winter. Crafted with plush teddy fabric, sleek nylon pockets and stylish trims, it’s the epitome of cosy chic. Pair it effortlessly with the active legging for an ensemble that’s both comfortable and stylish. Stay ahead of the fashion curve with All About Eve. sunshineplaza.com

EXPERIENCE THE BEST IN ENTERTAINMENT

For all things entertainment, this venue draws some of the best local, national and international talent to its stages. THE EVENTS CENTRE is kicking off the year with a stellar line-up of fun, inspiring and feel-good performances in Caloundra. There’s something for everyone, including music, comedy, ballet, opera, dance, children’s theatre and so much more. Be sure to get in early and grab tickets for incredible shows that will leave a lasting memory. Upcoming headlines include Anh Do, Missy Higgins, Opera Queensland, Marcia Hines and The Gruffalo, just to name a few. theeventscentre.com.au

MORE THAN JUST A SHOPPING DESTINATION

Exciting developments are well and truly underway at NOOSA CIVIC, delivering much-needed, local community health services at Noosa Civic Medihub and more residential accommodation options at Hof Noosaville. Stockwell has also lodged development applications for an expansion to the existing Noosa Civic shopping centre as well as a new Village Green precinct anchored by Reading Cinemas, with cafés, restaurants and retail, as well as new office suites and a cutting-edge early learning centre. With its diverse array of shops, Noosa Civic offers a leisurely shopping experience. noosacivic.com.au or noosabusinesscentre.com.au

CAPTURE YOUR MASTERPIECE WITH THESE FRAMING SPECIALISTS

Embark on framing perfection at NOOSA COMPLETE FRAMING. With more than 20 years of expertise, these specialists can transform photos, prints, art, images or canvasses into captivating masterpieces. From custom framing to dynamic hanging systems, digital printing, photo restoration, and property styling, no project is too big or too small for the home or business. Located at Noosa Civic, the expert team will take the time to work with each customer to display artwork at its best. completeframing.com.au

PLENTY ON OFFER AT RSL

MAROOCHY RSL has a beautiful aesthetic and modern facilities, including a large multi-room events centre. At the bustling bistro, chef Gareth Little and his team explore fresh local produce, offering a range of quality classic meals, while the café boasts a wonderful cake cabinet with fresh house-made offerings. A kids’ club with family seating nearby will keep little ones entertained. As a not-for-profit organisation, Maroochy RSL’s annual charity contributions also help many local groups, including its own Veteran Hub, community groups, schools and sporting clubs. Find the Maroochy RSL at 105 Memorial Avenue, Maroochydore. maroochyrsl.com.au

GOLF AND MUCH MORE AT TANAWHA OASIS

Escape the hustle and bustle at this family-run, nine-hole, par-three golf course. THE GREEN AT TANAWHA owners, Dimitri and Natalie, envision creating a space that promotes wellness, and provides connection through golf, leisure and events. Nestled within the picturesque bushland of Tanawha and neighbouring the Maroochy Botanic Garden, this course offers more than just golf, including a licensed cafe, function space, pool, tennis court, group fitness and yoga classes, retreats and community events. There’s something for everyone. tanawhagolf.com.au

MONDAY NIGHT - Play Free Trivia

TUESDAY NIGHT - Burger Night

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - $23.50 Steak Night

THURSDAY NIGHT - $19 Schnitzel Night

FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS - Free Live Music, $3,000 in Gaming Draws each night!

SUNDAY LUNCH - Kids Eat Free with a adult main meal purchase & free family entertainment

T&Cs apply, offers subject to change

maroochyrsl.com.au

Maroochy

ARTISTIC rebellion

WORDS KATIE ROBKE PHOTOS BRIAN KERR AND

IN THE REALM of art curation, there are those who assemble exhibitions, and then there’s Kevin Wilson — a visionary art curator, gallery manager and director who breathes life into the spaces he oversees.

Kevin’s journey through the art world has been nothing short of remarkable.

From the vibrant halls of Melbourne’s Linden New Art public gallery to the coastal surrounds of Noosa Regional Gallery, as well as various stints internationally, Kevin has undoubtedly shaped the cultural landscape of each institution he’s entered.

His approach to curating involves more than just selecting art; it’s about identifying themes that resonate and then meticulously crafting exhibitions that transcend traditional boundaries.

“I’m a little bit of a rebel in a way,” Kevin confesses, a hint of mischief in his voice. “I like to go against what people think I should do and come up with a theme I’ve either noticed forming around me or that I think would be a bit of a challenge to take on.”

“I want to challenge people, but I’m also careful not to push people too hard. The thing is, though, art is always attractive, one way or another.”

Kevin’s exhibitions are not confined to paintings; they often encompass works of photos, video, architecture, sculptures, and even music. In his eyes, the more immersive the experience, the better.

A talented artist in his own right, Kevin has curated an exhibition for the Caloundra Regional Gallery called aboutplace / about-face, which starts in May this year and stems from his PhD in creative arts.

“It involves a series of 21 short films based on interviews with people who visited my property at Kin Kin,” Kevin says.

“I interviewed a range of people who had a relationship to the land — geologists, farmers, surveyers and 16 different artists.

“The idea is when you look at land or nature you are looking at yourself, you are imposing your cultural values and your own lived experience of the land.”

There is a lot that goes into putting together a new exhibition, Kevin admits. “It does take a lot of time preparing

“The Caloundra show is a chance for the artists involved in the process to show their work and how it relates to their relationship to land and nature.

Botox by Alex Lange

PHOTO: Brian Kerr

shows,” he says. “People may not realise, as a curator you spend a lot of time studying the artists, talking to the artists, making sure they’re right for the theme.”

“I discover many artists through social media,” he says. “It’s a great help as you can get a sense of someone and where they are at by seeing what they’re posting online.”

Kevin’s discerning eye is not only honed through years of curating experience but also shaped by his early days as an artist. “I was an artist in Melbourne and had a lot of shows there as well as in Hobart and Germany,” he says.

It was the responsibilities of parenthood that prompted a shift in his trajectory from artist to art curator. “With a young daughter, I knew I needed to get work – I couldn’t just be ‘the

“ i got really interested in the different kind of art when i was in Europe, where it was art made out in the bush”

artist,’” he says. “And once you start getting into it [curating] you don’t stop — it just takes your life over.”

With an honours degree in English Literature and having recently submitted his PhD at Queensland University of Technology, Kevin also regularly takes on work as an art writer, forming a blend of literature and creativity that enhances the understanding and appreciation for an artist or piece he showcases.

“Occasionally I write for Artist Profile magazine, where I interview the artists and interpret their artwork overall, then put it into context for the reader so they understand where the artist has come from.”

“I learn a lot doing it,” he says. “Generally, with shows too, I’ll write essays for the artists for the exhibition booklets and various publications.”

Securing grants plays a crucial role in supporting Kevin’s ideas, often providing the necessary resources to push beyond the conventional and explore innovative ideas.

But despite having been a member of the Australia Council Grants Panel and Arts Queensland, and understanding the intricacies of the grant system, Kevin says obtaining a grant in the world of arts is often unpredictable.

“Even when you know how it works, it can still be hard

Floating Middens – Residue 2015 by James Muller

Imposter Circle by Renee Kire

PHOTO: Brian Kerr

getting a grant yourself,” he says. “Once I wrote a grant in half an hour, and I got it. Whereas I would spend weeks on another one and it wouldn’t go through.”

One show Kevin worked on that received a grant was Hot Modernism, which took place at the State Library in Brisbane in collaboration with the University of Queensland. It was a show celebrating the architectural and design history of Brisbane from 1945 to 1975.

“The State Library has rooms filled with old house plans and we thought, what can we do a bit differently? So, we built a house inside the gallery, using the exact full-scale dimensions of a 1950s house in Brisbane, and filled it with modernist furniture. It’s a challenge to do something different like this, but if you’ve got the space, usually you can just go for it.”

Kevin has found a lot of his inspiration during his work travels. It was a specific movement he observed in Europe, art-in-nature, that led him to instigate the Sunshine Coast’s Floating Land exhibit in 2001, which still runs bi-annually.

“I got really interested in a different kind of art when I was in Europe, where it was art made out in the bush and in

villages,” he says. “There would be a two-week residency, for example, and people would come from all around the world.” The philosophy was that artists connected with community and worked outdoors to create art in nature that defied the traditional gallery experience.

With a career spanning five decades, one that has been both colourful and fulfilling, Kevin says he’s proud of the life he has curated so far. But he is happy to stay put now and enjoy a slower, more humble life on the coast.

‘I don’t have any real inclination to want to do more than what I’ve done.” Kevin says. “But I often think about a filmmaker Derek Jarman, from London, and in the latter part of his life he bought an amazing little cottage on a shell beach and made an entire garden with objects and sculptures.”

“They’ve now made the house into a museum that people can go and visit. And I think, one day I could make my place into something that’s my artwork.

“That would make me very happy.”

gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Kevin interviewing artist Joolie Gibbs for the about-place / about -face exhibition

LOVE, PAIN & art

SOON AFTER RUSSIA invaded Ukraine in 2022, Svetlana Soldatova sent a painting of magnolias to the Montville Art Gallery. The painting was the artist’s reaction to the violence and the persistent resilience, beauty and life that she has observed in her birth country since Russia launched its attack.

“The first couple of months after it started, I was completely in shock, depression. I didn’t sleep, I didn’t paint. I can’t imagine how people lived in sight of that horror,” Svetlana says.

“One of my Facebook friends attended the same art college as me. He is living in the centre of Kyiv next to the botanical gardens and he has an old mum, and in the first horrible days of the war, they visited the botanical gardens every day.

“In March, magnolias start to blossom, and they took plenty of beautiful photos of magnolias in those horrible, horrible times. I asked permission from the guy to use those photos to make a picture.”

While not all her paintings carry the same meaning as the magnolias, Svetlana’s formidable florals and trees, painted with a brush heavily dipped in realism, are what she is best known for in Australia.

At Montville Art Gallery, which has represented Svetlana since she moved to the Sunshine Coast five years ago, she is regarded as a “true artist”, persistent and dedicated to her craft, with a growing following of admirers and a bright future.

“As with all well-known artists, her work is recognisably distinct from other painters. Impressively coloured and rendered with small brush strokes, Svetlana creates a lush thick impasto tapestry of paint,” says a gallery statement.

“Nature in general, and foliage and flowers in particular, are her inspiration, with dense, highly complex compositions. Occasionally underwater scenes will be part of the mix, blending effortlessly with the other works in her collection.”

While Svetlana chooses to concentrate on realistic portraits of nature, the truth is she is capable of many artistic

styles – folk art, illustration, design, even collage.

“They are just different parts of my personality. I might be crazy,” she jokes.

Born to artist parents, she was destined to be an artist.

“My parents let me paint on the table and on the walls,” she tells salt .

“I can remember when I had chicken pox, and they used a very green liquid, antiseptic, green liquid, on the spots, and I took that very green paint and I remember there were plenty of animals on my body, a very crazy, animal zoo.

“Much later, when I studied Ukrainian folk art, I recognised it’s really traditional for Ukrainian women to paint plants and monster animals.”

Svetlana studied art as a teenager before she began illustrating children’s books and designing posters for children’s musical theatre.

The work of creatives was closely monitored. A poster

she designed for a children’s musical about an ugly duckling attracted the attention of authorities, concerned that her depiction of a big egg surrounded by smaller eggs was a comment on the Soviet system.

“Those guys in the Department of Culture, they tell me, ‘He isn’t born yet and he thinks he is better than the others’?”

But times were changing.

“It was interesting times in the ’ 80s. The Soviet Union was collapsing. It was hard times but interesting times. Artists of my generation were lucky to live in a more free society than past generations,” she says.

“I had a few exhibitions: solo exhibitions and a lot of group exhibitions. It was difficult to make money, but it was easy to show pictures.”

Svetlana moved to Australia with her brother and mother in the mid-1990s, attracted by a relatively safe environment,

“ Plenty of wonderful artists actors, wonderful writers, scientists are dying in the war. THey came to the war as volunteers”

strong democracy and warm climes.

It was not an easy transition. Language was a barrier, so she decided to learn English and study art and design again.

“Here, I am not illustrator anymore, I’m not artist anymore. I’m nobody here, let’s start from the very, very, very beginning,” she says.

“I thought when I came here that I already have design experience but no, it’s good to learn.”

She says it took her a long time to regain the feelings of connection and confidence she missed after leaving Ukraine.

“Only in the last 10 years, I come back to myself, who I was in Kyiv,” she says.

“I speak English better; I understand people around me. Thanks to computers, I have a Google translator.

“I can get a lot of information from Google, a lot of art history, a lot of folk traditions, the different cultures.”

Svetlana worked as a designer for Catholic Education and a t-shirt company in Sydney, painting at night, but has been able to focus on her own art since downshifting to

Her first solo exhibition in Australia was at the Queen Street Gallery in Sydney, owned by the family of the late artist Robert Dickerson, which was an honour for her. She still has work in the Gannon House Gallery in Sydney, but after moving to the Sunshine Coast, Svetlana linked with Arts Connect Inc, which led to her ongoing relationship with Montville Art Gallery.

She is connected to Ukraine artists both in Australia and abroad, and was recently one of six artists involved in an exhibition, Terracotta Soil , at Scrumptious Reads Gallery, Red Hill, Brisbane to support Ukraine’s defence efforts and the creatives in Ukraine who defy Russia’s authoritarianism.

“Plenty of wonderful artists, wonderful actors, wonderful writers, scientists are dying in the war. They came to the war as volunteers,” she says.

“Ukraine is losing its best people. Russia sent criminals from jails but Ukraine, people that come and volunteer are the best people.

“They just feel strongly that they need to defend their country, the democracy.”

Svetlana admires the work being done by Ukrainian artists, who are continuing to produce and exhibit throughout the war.

“It’s like saying, ‘No, we’re still alive’. They’re so courageous. They go to exhibitions, go to concerts and continue conversations,” she says.

“Even in the first couple of months, when people were surviving in the subway train stations, they were singing songs.

“They’re trying to be creative. It’s a way to say no to Russia and yes to life.”

montvilleartgallery.com.au

TINA COOPER ART & GLASS GALLERY

“TRAVELLERS EXHIBITION”

By Tina Cooper

An exclusive Art experience, showcasing the largest range of Tina Cooper Art Glass, Including The Red Door Gallery & Studio with Workshops & Demonstrations by Wolfgang Engel Mob. 0431982393

Tribal Goddess

Hand blown glass 90cm tall Ph. 0417 194

Caloundra South.

ARTdates

Take a moment to peruse some of the finest works from some of the best galleries on the Coast.

ONGOING

1. AUTUMN EXHIBITION

Hearts and Minds Art continues to showcase a stunning range of works by artists including Erin Hughes, Pepi Wren, Maree Welman, Christina Power, Sara Paxton, Ray Wilson, Fi Clark Photography, Leigh Karen Joyce, Jeanette Smith, James McKay, Jade Thompson, Karen Gemming and Veronica van de Vorst. when ongoing where Hearts and Minds Art, 1 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. 0418 108 299 or heartsandmindsart.com.au

2. TINA COOPER GLASS

Internationally known glass artist, sculptor and wood artist Tina Cooper is celebrating 35 years in hot glass in 2024. Her works are showcased at her exclusive, award-winning Tina Cooper Gallery nestled in the lush rainforest overlooking the Baroon Pocket Dam near Montville. She offers glass blowing lessons on a torch and glass repair services, plus showcases the work of Wolfgang Engel at The Red Door Gallery. when ongoing where Tina Cooper Glass, Montville. Visits by appointment. 0417 194 329 or tinacooper.com

PROTEAS & GINGER JAR BY JUDITH DALOZZO, Montville Art Gallery

3. LOCAL CONTEMPORARY ART PRIZE 2024

Visit the gallery and view the 40 finalists and winners of the Local Contemporary Art Prize 2024 exhibition. Accompanying this year’s event is an exhibition of 2D works by upcoming artists ranging from five years through to 18 years old, supported by the Friends Gallery patron Marie Pigott with help from primary and secondary schools across the region. when ongoing until May 5

where Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra. 5420 8299 or gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

APRIL

4. APRIL EXHIBITION

In April, Montville Art Gallery will feature the work of artist Judith Dalozzo. Judith comes from an extremely artistic family, and at a young age, she was offered two major international art scholarships. After studying in Belgium, she began her successful career as an artist, and her exquisite paintings of flowers have freshness and vitality. The gallery is open seven days a week. All new works will be online. when April 1 to 30

where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville. 5442 9211 or montvilleartgallery.com.au

5. REMEMBER TO FORGET

Remember to Forget is an eagerly awaited solo show by local abstract artist Michael Whitehead. Having exhibited on Hastings Street over 20 years, The G Contemporary is delighted to showcase his new collection. Michael explores old and new styles and introduces you to a stunning body of work. Opening night is Saturday, April 13 from 5pm to 7pm. RSVP is essential. when April 11 to 28

where The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Laguna on Hastings, Noosa Heads. 0400 716 526 or thegcontemporary.com

THE PELICAN BRIEF BY MAREE WELMAN, Hearts and Minds Art

MAY

6. MAY EXHIBITION

Montville Art Gallery is featuring the acrylic works of long-time gallery artist Karen Atkins. Karen’s works are self-described as “whimsical”, often with a surreal, dream-like quality. New works are arriving for her May display and can be viewed seven days a week at the gallery.

when May 1 to 31

where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville. 5442 9211 or montvilleartgallery.com.au

7. DIRECTORS CHOICE

See an eclectic collection of artists’ work rotated weekly with a special showcasing of retro paintings by Melbourne artist Steve Rosendale.

when May 1 to 31

where The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Laguna on Hastings, Noosa Heads. 0400 716 526 or thegcontemporary.com

8. COLOURS OF MAY

Art Nuvo is brimming with a diverse range of mediums and subject matter in a wide range or genres, from luxurious, high-end paintings to fascinating sculptures and beautiful ceramics. Group exhibition Colours of May will feature the works of local artist Roger Lane, with Melbourne artists Sara Paxton and Chalie MacRae. The gallery will be awash with colour.

when May 3 to 24

where Art Nuvo, 25 Gloucester Road, Buderim. 5456 2445 or artnuvobuderim.com.au

9. ABOUT PLACE ABOUT FACE

Curated by writer and curator, Kevin Wilson, this exhibition takes a different viewpoint on the concept of ‘natural place’. It works from the assumption that our perspective and understanding of ‘natural place’ is imbued with our own lived experience. In a sense, when we look at a place, we inevitably look in a mirror at ourselves.

when May 10 to June 16

where Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra. 5420 8299 or gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

JUNE

10. JUNE EXHIBITION

Montville Art Gallery’s featured display will have a focus on the ocean, with works from various gallery artists showcasing coastal

PARADOX BY MICHAEL WHITEHEAD, The G Contemporary

scenes. See all available works on the website and in the gallery.

when June 1 to 30

where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville. 5442 9211 or montvilleartgallery.com.au

11. DIRECTORS CHOICE

See an eclectic collection of artists rotated weekly with a special showcasing of still life artists Jo Young, Anne-Marie Zanetti and Mitchell Cheesman.

when June 1 to 30

where The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Laguna on Hastings, Noosa Heads. 0400 716 526 or thegcontemporary.com

12. CONNECTION

Geelong-based artist Casey Burrill’s solo show Connection is an exhibition of art that is visually connecting, like a puzzle. Elements from each canvas adjoin the next work. This is the first solo show for Casey in Queensland and Art Nuvo is thrilled to present this top-level abstract artist at Buderim. when June 15 to July 6. where Art Nuvo, 25 Gloucester Road, Buderim. 5456 2445 or artnuvobuderim.com.au

AVATARS BY TINA COOPER, Tina Cooper Glass

BUDERIM

Art Nuvo, 25 Gloucester Road, 5456 2445

Koningen Art, 0490 778 462

Tiffany Jones, 0407 452 024

CALOUNDRA

Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, 5420 8299

COOLUM BEACH

Cool Art Picture Framing & Gallery, 5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach. 5471 7366

COOROY

Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre, 11A Maple Street, 5442 6665

EUMUNDI

Apma Creations Aboriginal Art Gallery & Gift shop, Shop 3

Eumundi Village Centre, Eumundi, 0437 617 390

Artisans Gallery, 43 Caplick Way, 0409 848 098

David Suters Timber Craftsman, 43 Caplick Way, 0413 509 482

Red Desert Gallery, 43 Caplick Way, 0414 504 360

GLENVIEW

Opals Down Under, 11 Ballantyne Court, 5494 5400

Solitude Art, 163 Glenview Road, 0413 013 882

MALENY

David Linton Gallery, 14 Maple Street, 5429 6831

Maleny Art Direct, 21 Maple Street, 0413 885 220

Peace Of Green Gallery, 38 Maple Street, 5499 9311

MAPLETON

Art Antiques Antlers, 3/1 Post Office Road, 0414 782 079

MINYAMA

Sunshine Coast Art and Framing Gallery, 3 Longwood Street, Minyama, 5444 0009

MOFFAT BEACH

Seaview Artists Gallery, 4 Seaview Terrace, 0434 917 610

MONTVILLE

Ben Messina Landscapes Gallery, 178 Main Street, 5478 5164

Illume Creations Gallery, 4/127-133 Main Street, 5478 5440

Montville Antiques, 162 Main Street, 5442 9400

Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, 5442 9211

Sally Hayes Art Studio, 6/133 Main Street, 0439 726 836

The Opalcutter, 4/171-183 Main Street, 5442 9598

Tina Cooper Art & Glass, 0417 194 329

MOOLOOLABA

Avenue J, 14/47-51 Mooloolaba Esplanade, 5444 4422

Bluechip Investment Art Galleries, 23/13 Mooloolaba Esplanade, 5452 5600

Gallery Beneath, 5444 7775

NOOSA HEADS

Art by Brooks, 41 Sunset Drive, 0417 071 336

Enigmatic Drawings, 75 Hastings Street, 0490 395 346

Hearts and Minds Art, 1 Hastings Street, 0407 840 745

Explore the region’s many galleries, artists’ studios and antiquestores from Noosa down to Caloundra.

Isabella’s Fine & Antique Jewellery, 2/41-47 Hastings Street, 5449 2626

Poeta Herford On Hastings, 5/62 Hastings Street, 5455 4899

The G Contemporary,6/32 Hastings Street, 0400 716 526, 0400 716 553

NOOSAVILLE

Noosa Arts & Crafts, 1 Wallace Drive, 5474 1211

PALMWOODS

The Shed, 3-5 Main Street, 5479 6603

PEREGIAN BEACH

The Gallery Peregian Beach, 12 Grebe Street, 5448 2314

POMONA

Pomona Railway Station Gallery, 10 Station Street, 5485 2950

SIPPY DOWNS

University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, 5459 4645

TEWANTIN

Gaiungan Gallery, 11b Tewantin Plaza, 113 Poinciana Avenue, 0401 742 678

Gallery93, 93 Poinciana Avenue, 0439 752 543

Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican Street, 5329 6145

TINBEERWAH

Art Tours Noosa, 0424 456 877

Phillips Gallery, 0406 198 300

YANDINA

Stevens Street Gallery, 2 Stevens Street, 0414 687 895

Yandina Historic House, 3 Pioneer Road, 5472 7181

“ IS BORN OF THE PUREST PARENTS, THE SUN AND THE