salt magazine - summer 11.12

your complete sunshine coast lifestyle magazine summer 2011/12 queensland australia

from the editor

contributors

Welcome to the summer 2011/12 edition of salt.

Tell us about yourself (in the voice of your pet).

I must admit I had tonnes of fun researching our lead feature this edition, which lifts the lid on six hidden beaches on the Sunshine Coast. Every weekend, weather permitting, my husband and I have jumped into his classic (so he says!)

Holden HZ ute, with our pooch Harry Noodle hanging from the side with surfboards in the back.

Windows down and music up, we would make a beeline to an offthe-beaten track beach to play on. Smeared in sunscreen, equipped with notebook and various cameras in hand, I would spend valuable research hours beachcombing and saltwater bathing. We padded along the Alexandria Bay bush track that has been walked at dawn by keen surfers for generations, waded through knee-high water exploring Shelly Beach’s rock shelf (home to squirting black sea cucumbers) and surfed the swell at Yaroomba.

I always knew these beaches were on my doorstep, but it reaffirmed the breadth of variety that the Sunshine Coast offers. How lucky are we?

Do you like our new-look contributors’ page? We thought we would give our treasured feathered and furry friends a chance to shine: Something different for the glorious summer issue.

While you’re flicking through the 120 pages of wonderfulness, look out for this at the end of certain articles. It’s the green light to exclusive reader giveaways including bottles of bubbly, new release books and kite surfing lessons to name a few. Jump onto the WIN page of saltmagazine.com.au for your chance to harvest these gifts.

And finally, don’t be the odd one out: subscribe to pepper, our monthly e-zine. pepper lands into the inboxes of our salty friends who are regular visitors to the coast or are locals who love exploring the coast with the enthusiasm of a tourist.

If you sign up for pepper this summer and nominate a handful of friends, you’ll go into the draw to win a two-night accommodation package at Spicers Tamarind Retreat, including a five-course Thai banquet for two, to the value of $1400. To check out Spicers Tamarind Retreat online visit spicersgroup.com.au/property/spicers-tamarind-retreat Until next time,

subeditor and writer, jane fynes-clinton Little Kitty: “My favourite things are fresh food, lying in the sun and playing with my doggy brother Oreo when no one is looking. I like my humans; they tell me I am beautiful. I am mostly happy for them to live in my house …”

writer, linda read Tommy (2007-2011): “I was a gentle, loving and clever cat. I liked going out at night, and trained my family to let me in when I tapped on the window at 3am. My best animal friend was a dog called Harry.”

writer, alexander fynes-clinton Charlie: “Alex and I are best friends. He’s always up for sharing his food with me at dinner time, loves having a wrestle when I’m feeling playful and always lets me in his room for a snuggle when I’m cold.”

writer, leigh robshaw Nugget (1991–2009): “I was a scruffy little kind-hearted dog who loved my family and always wanted to be in on the action. I loved nothing more than going for walks in the gully near my home where I could be off the lead and free to explore!”

fashion and beauty editor, claire plush Finn: “I spend most days basking in the sun and strutting around. I love to eat out of my paws and I remain undefeated at hide and seek. I’m pretty sure that I’m a human stuck in a cat’s body. Seriously!”

become a fan on and follow us on at saltmagazine.com.au

Kate Johns

photographer, anastasia kariofyllidis Baby: “I’m a very friendly, loving bird who just loves to pose for the camera – I also love to hang upside down, roll on my back and play with my many, many toys.” cover photographer, nigel arnison “I am quite happy to let nature take the credit for being the artist. As a photographer we simply add a unique angle, choose a time of day and let the light play its part on the scene.

My passion for photography goes back to the film and darkroom days. I think this has ingrained a level of understanding that only comes from decades of trial and error.”

Nigel’s artwork can be found in the information centre at the end of the car park on the Noosa Heads’ side of Noosa National Park and online at onsurfari.com.au

designer, michelle weller Maximus: “I am Maximus the Great and I’m seven years young. I’m a surf dog so happiest when I’m at the beach or riding in the back of the truck. I also think I’m a pretty good backyard landscaper but Mum and Dad don’t seem to agree …”

salt is proofread by jane todd 2 salt

salt ingredients

summer 2011/12

“salt is born of the purest parents, the sun and the sea”

Pythagoras

in the limelight 06 hidden seaside gems

The Sunshine Coast beaches that are often overlooked but have a special magic.

18 river homes afloat

salt talks to a couple of locals about the wonders of living in a houseboat on the Noosa River.

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T O TALLY COVER E D This image was taken at the Sunshine Beach end of Noosa National Park using a Nikon DSLR and a 50mm prime lens in combination with a density filter and polarising lens. This generated a 20 second exposure at 11am under a clear sky.

52 close to home 16 secrets only a local would know

Cover kindly supplied by Nigel Arnison.

Get authentic information on the best things about the Sunshine Coast from the only people who really know – the locals.

on su rf ar i .co m.a u

36 precinct feature

Mooloolaba is a wondrous, varied place that boasts beautiful beaches, terrific shopping and an ocean full of fish.

Editorial and Advertising enquiries: Email: info@saltmagazine.com.au General Enquiries: 0438 851 981 Website: saltmagazine.com.au 4 salt

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114 GREAT OUTDOORS

salt gives the low down on the natural, wonderful high that is kite surfing.

114 taste & tipples 44 table talk

salt meets Osvaldo and Rita Melosu, owners of Cala Luna, and discovers why they share a taste of Italy on the Sunshine Coast.

48 PRODUCE PEOPLE

Meet the Barry brothers, who are passionate about organics.

50 plate up

salt showcases four vegetarian dishes that are fresh, tasty and healthy.

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creative expressions 30 pursuit of passion

Men’s Sheds meet community needs on the Sunshine Coast and have a higher purpose.

34 pageturners

salt looks at a handful of top-rate, new books to devour during languid summer days.

92 artist

salt meets Sue Gilmour, whose soul has been shaped by her years in Africa.

96 OFF THE WALL

Artist Linda Keough shares her views on the balance of light and shade.

98 art DATES

The Sunshine Coast has some of the best art galleries in the world. Find out what will be on show, where in the summer months.

102 art SPACE

salt’s very own gallery space, featuring some of the finest artworks on the coast.

52 culinary creations

The Long Apron executive chef Cameron Matthews is all passion and no pretence.

56 RELAXED RECIPEs

salt uncovers four easy recipes that centre around quinoa, a seed from South America that is rich in protein and fibre.

60 SALT CELLAR

Champagne is a land of sumptuous bubbles and hidden rules.

62 platter up

salt tastes some of the finest cheeses made on the Sunshine Coast.

glamour & glitz 64 fashion

A sensational spread of the most fabulous styles for summer.

body & beauty 84 beauty

salt looks at essential products that will give you that sun-kissed glow.

86 PAMPER AND PREEN

Luxury treatment at Asante Day Spa completes a salt staffer’s detox.

88 HEALTH

The amazing power of medicinal herbs.

living & lif estyle 82 natural connection

Rai Handiman shares the all-natural, sustainability philosophy of his business Blessed Earth.

106 in your dreams

A modern beach shack at Sunshine Beach is sleek and simple.

110 homewares

A selection of perfect items for living by the seaside.

112 MEET THE DESIGNER

salt meets Dianne Conley, who makes homes shine through her extraordinary interior designs.

staples 14 six senses

A selection of items based on the special powers that we humans use to experience the world – touch, see, hear, smell, taste and feel.

24 calendar of events

salt has hand picked a variety of events on the Sunshine Coast that are guaranteed to please throughout summer.

26 look at me

salt meets creative David Poulton, who makes windows dance and brings life to displays.

104 grains of SALT

Demographer Bernard Salt gets cranky about rude and lewd behaviour.

116 tourist information

Essential info for all visitors to the coast, including travel times, surf safety and market details.

118 Map from noosa to marcoola 119 Map from marcoola to glass house 120 Main Map

salt is a free quarterly magazine published by Johns Publications Pty Ltd for distribution between Bribie and Fraser Island and inland to Kenilworth and select areas throughout Brisbane. PO Box 1015, Maleny QLD Australia 4552 Fax: +61 7 5441 6589 © Copyright 2011/12. saltmagazine.com.au 5

feature

hidden seaside gems words & photos kate johns

There are more than 27 patrolled beaches on the Sunshine Coast dotted from the tip of Noosa in the north to Golden Beach in the south.

It’s no surprise that holidaymakers tend to stick to their closest beach, a stroll from the hotel room, beach bag slung over the shoulder and moments later the hot sand is squishing between relaxed toes. But what if salt were to tell you there are a handful of hidden beaches along the Sunshine Coast that are well loved by locals and remain a secret amongst visitors? >

Alexandria Bay 6 salt

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These are hidden beaches that are off the beaten track, either accessed by a scrubby bush track or zig-zagging through residential streets to find a tucked away car park that sits next to a deserted beach. And they are there for the enjoying.

Why not step out of your beach comfort zone this summer and explore a new beach?

Here are six hidden, treasured beaches that are worth finding.

Yaroomba Beach Map reference: noosa to marcoola, O20.

Yaroomba Beach is often forgotten compared to its popular neighbour Coolum Beach. And that’s exactly what local residents love about this beach. Not visible from busy David Low Way that hugs the coastline, Yaroomba Beach ticks all of the boxes for a perfect beach retreat. With its off-street parking, public toilets, picnic shelters, dog off-leash area and plenty of space to sprawl you’ll feel as if it’s your own private sand pit.

Point Arkwright pokes into the ocean on the north side, providing great rock fishing for keen anglers.

Pandanus trees fringe a section of the beach and a fresh water stream drips into the ocean. This a great place to set up camp under the shade of a tree and watch

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your kids try and dam up the stream or sail leaf boats on its waters. At the top of Point Cartwright there is a great view to the south where you can watch surfers take on the swell and watch the waves tumble onto the beach that stretches to the Maroochy river mouth. And finally, if you love long beach walks where you can deposit your problems in the sea wind, Yaroomba Beach is a great starting point, there are kilometres and kilometres of coastline to stroll along. >

SALT SEASIDE TIPS • Visitors need to turn off David Low Way onto Dewar or Andrew Street and onto Jubilee Esplanade where there is a car park and access to Yaroomba Beach.

• If you have a beach-loving dog, bring them along.

Don’t forget to pack your doggy poo bag and a water container. Your pooch will have plenty of unleashed canines to scamper with.

• Take your fishing rod. The rocks that jut into the ocean are a perfect habitat for bream, flathead and dart.

• Pack a picnic. Point Arkwright has picnic tables and offers killer views to the south.

• Yaroomba Beach has seasonal flagged patrols throughout the school holiday periods from September to May.

Mudjimba Beach Map reference: marcoola to glass house, N3.

Mudjimba Beach is named after its very own island, Mudjimba Island, a two-hectare island that sits one kilometre off shore and is accessible only by sea. Mudjimba is a sleepy seaside village with all of the essentials in its main street: Mudjimba Esplanade, bakery, coffee shop, real estate and newsagent amongst others. A pastel blue surf club sits on the edge of Power Memorial Park, which is also home to sheltered barbecue facilities, a kids’ playground and public toilets. It’s refreshing to see an old-school surf club still stands rather than a shiny new two-storey building that dominates the park and reaches above the dunes. On the weekends, locals earmark the picnic tables and barbecue from breakfast to lunch while kids amuse themselves by migrating from the beach to the park, leaving a trail of sand in their wake. A timber-decked walkway brings you onto the beach, framing the pint-sized island that sits out to sea. Dog owners will be pleased to know that it’s a dog friendly, off-leash beach.

Beach strollers can choose to head south towards the North Shore and the mouth of the Maroochy River or turn the other way and head north towards Marcoola. Depending on the wind, this tucked away beach can offer great swell for surfers or pumping white wash for keen body boarders.

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SALT SEASIDE TIPS • Mudjimba Island is also called Old Woman Island.

• Access to Mudjimba Beach is off David Low Way. Take the Mudjimba Beach Road and turn onto Mudjimba Esplanade where there is off-street parking and access to the beach.

• Not only is Mudjimba Beach a secret amongst locals so is Power Memorial Park which flanks the beach. It’s a sprawling, well-shaded park with oodles of barbecues, sheltered picnic areas and a kids’ playground. After your beach play, make use of the excellent barbecue facilities to cook up a storm while the kids amuse themselves with a game of beach cricket.

• Mudjimba Beach is patrolled year round. Put safety first and swim between the flags.

Alexandria Bay Map reference: noosa to marcoola, P7.

One of Noosa’s pristine and remote beaches is hidden deep within Noosa’s National Park, accessed only by foot. The bay is sandwiched between Hell’s Gate in the north and Lion’s Rock to the south and is a popular beach amongst surfers and nudists. Crescent shaped, the beach is vast enough for both of these groups, together with togged-up sun-worshippers to co-exist harmoniously. There is enough umbrella space for beach families to have their own space on the sand and in the sea, unlike Noosa’s Main Beach, which resembles an ants’ nest in the heat of summer.

The x-factor to ‘A Bay’ is its all-natural appearance; when bobbing in the crystal clear, salty waters there are no manmade structures peeking through the dunes. It’s a beach trapped in time, untouched and remote. >

SALT SEASIDE TIPS • Get with the local lingo. Alexandria Bay is known as ‘A Bay’ amongst locals.

• To nude or not to nude. It’s up to you, but be aware that this is a nudist beach so don’t be surprised when you see bare bodies walking up and down the beach.

• Settle in. Plan to spend a good part of a day here, bring your beach snacks, a good holiday read and an umbrella.

Sink into a languid routine of migrating from your towel to the ocean and back to your towel again.

• Alexandria Bay can be accessed via Sunshine Beach where you can either park on Parkedge Road and walk to the beach from here, winding through thick coastal scrub along Alexandria Bay path (4.6km return). Or from Sunshine Beach, scramble up the steep stairs and follow the coastal track, which will deposit you at the southern end of Alexandria Bay. If you’re coming from Noosa Heads you’ll park at the end of Park Road and take the coastal track that clings to the point, offering spectacular views to Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay and at Hell’s Gate before dropping down into Alexandria Bay. Don’t stop prematurely; you’ll pass two beaches before reaching Alexandria Bay. • Keep in mind Alexandria Bay is not a patrolled beach. Enter the water at your own risk.

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Point Cartwright Beach Map reference: marcoola to glass house, P7.

Point Cartwright Beach is hidden within the tangled suburban streets of Buddina and therefore is quite often left off the beaches to visit list. Known as ‘Carties’ amongst locals Point Cartwright is a popular surf spot for experienced surfers and is the home break for big wave surfer Mark Visser.

The Point Cartwright lighthouse stands on the headland and has been guiding ships into Moreton Bay since 1897. Gentle sloping parkland at the point provides a great viewpoint to watch the paragliders play in the sea wind and the surfers tackle the swells.

SALT SEASIDE TIPS: • Point Cartwright Beach can be accessed via Nicklin Way. Take Point Cartwright Drive and follow it along, turning left onto Pacific Boulevard where you’ll start to smell the salty air and hear the crash of the waves. Find a park anywhere along the northern end of Point Cartwright Drive and point your nose in the direction of the sea.

• Point Cartwright Beach is unpatrolled. Enter the water at your own risk.

• Bring your kite. There is plenty of space to launch a kite and practise your dive-bombing and swoops on unsuspecting family members.

• Flip to page 16, secrets only a local would know, to find out more about the coastal pathway that stretches from Point Cartwright in the north to Caloundra in the south.

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D Y ITE NIT LIM RTU PO OP

Land now selling from $199,000 *

Shelly Beach Map reference: marcoola to glass house, Q15.

Shelly Beach is one of six beaches that cling to the Caloundra coastline. Out of the coveted hidden beach selection, Shelly comes up trumps for the best rock pools. There are more than 20 different marine species that depend on Shelly Beach’s rock pool ecosystem. Expect to identify blue periwinkles, black sea cucumbers, sea hares and rose barnacles to name a few. Please remember to let these fragile sea creatures be, no picking up and pocketing. It’s a great beach to find a deep enough rock pool to wallow in for hours on end. Or if you feel like exploring, you can splash along the rock shelf that fringes the headland where you’ll see the popular Kings Beach in the distance and the shadows of the Glass House Mountains.

SALT SEASIDE TIPS: • Shelly Beach can be accessed via Victoria Terrace where there is a car park, public toilets and barbecue facilities.

Alternatively, take William Street into Ocean Court where there is a smaller car park.

• Drop into the charming, newly renovated Shelly Beach corner store, which sits on the corner of Albert and Alfred streets. Choose between an ice cold ice-cream to wash the saltwater from your mouth or a takeaway coffee and perch outside and watch the world pass slowly by.

• If you like running or power walking, there is a superb scenic track that promises to get your heart pumping. Start at Moffat Beach at the end of Seaview Terrace and follow the footpath south ascending to Moffat Headland alongside George Watson Park. Cruise past Shelly Beach, up and around Caloundra headland and down the hill into Kings Beach. If you’re breathing easy at this stage, continue on to Bulcock Beach and beyond.

Swap everyday life for Pure Living Nestled in the quiet and leafy enclave by Lake Doonella is a community where residents are close to nature. They’re also surrounded by all the things that matter – a short walk from schools, just minutes from great shopping at nearby Noosa Civic and a quick drive to the beautiful beaches of Noosa. Modern designer homes sit comfortably along beautifully landscaped streets where you still know your children can play safely.

What’s more, it’s far more affordable than you might have thought.

Discover Pure Living today.

Visit our Sales and Information Centre call 5447 4251 or doonellanoosa.com.au

• Shelly Beach is not patrolled, so swim with care. *Prices correct at time of printing and subject to availability. Average price $230,166.

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feel

six senses salt takes a fresh approach to the powers that we use to experience the world. We look at items that evoke us to see, hear, smell, taste and touch and we’ve tossed in an extra just for fun – feel.

Illustration courtesy of twigseeds studio, twigseeds.com.au Are you a fan of Ruby Red Shoes, the aware hare? She’s a popular member of the Twigseeds family where the clever Kate Knapp is at the helm. salt is excited to announce that there is a Ruby Red Shoes toy to give away to a lucky reader. Visit the WIN page at saltmagazine.com.au to enter.

taste Did you know that yum cha is Catonese for ‘drink tea’? It’s a Chinese style morning or afternoon tea that involves drinking tea and eating dim sum (small dumplings). salt recommends heading to Metal Tiger Tea Emporium on Gympie Terrace to experience authentic yum cha – vegan style. Mr Fung, who prepares the yum cha, uses a range of unusual vegetables to prepare authentic flavours. Diners will have plenty of opportunity to show off their chopstick prowess by digging into these Chinese food parcels while overlooking the sparkling Noosa River. A simple morning or afternoon tea is $12 for a pot of tea, a steamed bun and two dumplings, or customers can order dim sum directly from the menu. 1/253 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. 5440 5735 or metaltigertea.com.au

hear A concept album isn’t something you’d expect from a musician like Ben Lee. With proven pop sensibility and a long track record of pumping out happy-go-lucky indie anthems, you’d think the Sydney hit-maker would be well and truly set in his ways.

Not by a long shot.

Throw what you know about Lee out the window. Deeper Into Dream – a record all about, yep, you guessed it, dreaming – has completely changed up the formula and by god, is it refreshing!

The album is a whirlwind of eclectic folk, bright pop and deep indie musings, without any of the generic Lee-cheesiness that had begun to wear so thin.

Tracks like Pointless Beauty and Get Used To It are both beautifully understated in their composition, with Lee’s tight turn of phrase and delicate vocals interlocking brilliantly with explosive, colourful choruses.

Lee has hit the mark with album number eight. He’s taken a risk, changed up his tried and true formula and it’s paid off in spades. review by alexander fynes-clinton You could win a copy of the album by entering our Ben Lee giveaway at saltmagazine.com.au 14 salt

smell salt has found the perfect Christmas wine in the Crimson 2009, combining the spice of shiraz with the ripe jammy character of merlot. However, it’s the third grape variety, red muscat, which gives this unique wine its strong aromatic bouquet. This blended rosé style red is perfectly matched with turkey, leg ham and the Sunshine Coast summer climate. Give it as a present or keep it for yourself.

At $22.50 per bottle this versatile light red is best served chilled and enjoyed now.

Flame Hill Vineyard, 249 Western Avenue, Montville. 5478 5920 or flamehillvineyard.com.au

touch Grab hold of a Govino wine tumbler and you’ll be easily fooled into thinking it’s made from glass. It’s not until you either drop it or read the packaging that you find out it’s a food-safe, BPA-free polymer. These tumblers are the perfect travelling companion and are a barbecue, picnic basket must have for this summer. Pictured is the ‘go anywhere flute’, eight ounce, $19.95 for a box of 4. Available at Cooking Company, 20 Lanyana Way, Noosa Heads. 5447 4480 or thecookingcompany.com.au

see Although centred on the controversial topic of illegal immigrants and refugees, this delicate French film makes the circumstances surrounding one young man’s journey particularly human and touching.

Bilal (played with earnest integrity by Firat Ayverdi) is an Iraq-Kurdish boy who wants to reunite with his girlfriend who has recently migrated to England. After an epic journey, he reaches his final hurdle – the English Channel.

With no other options, stuck in the French portside town of Calais, he convinces a reluctant instructor Simon Calmet (Vincent Lindon) to teach him to swim so that he can cross the channel to be with his love.

The film combines the universal understanding of the determination of young love with the uncompromising political realities of immigration policies to lay the foundation for a heart-wrenching, polemic tale.

Welcome provoked national discussion in France about the country’s contentious immigration policies, particularly its anti-Samaritan laws designed to prevent locals aiding refugees. Perhaps our own stories will emerge from our current immigration crisis to do the same. review by libby munro saltmagazine.com.au 15

secrets

only a local would know YOGA IS GREAT FOR KIDS but don’t tell them that. The ancient tradition of yoga helps little people develop body awareness, listening skills, focus and physical ability. Rumour has it, they like it too. The number and popularity of classes specifically designed for children has grown enormously in the past few years, featuring games and fun exercises to keep them interested and involved. You’ll find classes on Mondays at Yin Health Birtinya (5438 8387) or Tuesdays at Sunshine Coast Power Yoga Buddina (0431 461 315) and bookings are essential.

Map references: Birtinya: marcoola to glass house, O12; Buddina: marcoola to glass house, P8.

LOVE A GOOD WALK? THEN SALT HAS JUST the pathway for you.

Begin your walking journey by parking at Harbour Parade at Buddina.

From here you’ll walk alongside the Mooloolah River where you’ll see trawlers motor in and out of harbour. The 3.5km circuit will take you around Point Cartwright where you’ll discover hidden beaches, palm tree groves, a lighthouse and plenty of park benches to take a rest. It is one of the most scenic walks on the Sunshine Coast. To complete the circuit you’ll walk around the point, past Buddina Beach and then adjacent to beach access number 7, cross over the road to Illawong Street, which will return you to Harbour Parade.

Map reference: marcoola to glass house, P8.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR an affordable source of organic and freerange lamb, pork and beef, real butter and organic free-range eggs, visit Julie Shelton at Forage in Maleny. As the leader of Slow Food Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Julie has excellent connections and can give you the kind of information about where your food came from that you just don’t get in a supermarket. She also sells gourmet products like smoked chilli sauce, Gympie Farm goats’ cheese and sourdough pizza bases from Crystal Waters. 38 Coral Street, Maleny. 0439 944 690.

Map reference: main map, J18.

TWO WORDS: SPICE BAR. This restaurant situated on First Avenue, Mooloolaba has been making a stir amongst savvy local diners since its inception. And there is good reason there is a hum about this restaurant – the modern Australian meets Asian food is exceptional and the service is excellent to boot. salt recommends putting your trust in the chef by choosing a set degustation banquet. Each dish is an explosion of flavours. 4/19 First Avenue, Mooloolaba. 5444 2022 or spicebar.com.au

JOHANNA DESIGNS, IN THE HEART OF KENILWORTH, is a gypsy’s wagon of female fashion from jewels to feather boas, 1950s-style dresses to unique hats and quirky bags. Montville locals would remember Johanna’s first boutique in Montville, which closed its doors more than four years ago. Followers of Johanna’s style will be excited to hear that she’s re-opened in the Mary Valley. Newcomers will love this Aladdin’s cave of sequins and sparkles, highlighting fashion from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Shop 8a, Elizabeth Street, Kenilworth.

5472 3498.

Map reference: marcoola to glass house, O7.

Map reference: main map, H16.

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HANDS UP IF YOU THOUGHT SKATE PARKS were just for big kids? The coast has more than thirty skate and BMX parks suitable for all ages and ability levels, including beginner. Many of the skate parks are also adjacent to aquatic centres, picnic areas and children’s playgrounds so you can make it a whole day of fun without spending a whole lot of holiday cash. Our pick of the bunch are Sunshine Beach (Girraween Court), Kawana (Sportsman Parade) and Caloundra (Arthur Street). If you speak the language, council’s online Outdoor Recreation Kiosk (sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au) has a breakdown of each facility including pipes, bowls, ramps and rails. PS: remember the safety gear!

Map references: Sunshine Beach: noosa to marcoola, P8; Kawana: marcoola to glass house, O11; Caloundra: marcoola to glass house, O14.

SALT HAS STUMBLED UPON an authentic French patisserie hidden in the backstreets of Cooroy. Maison de Provence is owned by the charismatic husband and wife team, Eric and Francoise Pernoud. The atmosphere is typically French, the sweet sounds of French are spoken at the front counter and the aroma of freshly baked croissants waft from the on-site kitchen. The tables of diners sip coffees and nibble on freshly made macaroons, homemade chocolates and savoury crepes. Be warned, Maison de Provence is extremely popular so book a table with a party of more than four to avoid disappointment. Oh, and another tip: eat a light lunch and save room for a French dessert – it’s all about the desserts at Maison de Provence. 9/13 Garnet Street, Cooroy.

5472 0077.

Map reference: noosa to marcoola, B9.

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feature

river homes afloat words linda read photos kate johns

There’s a houseboat which travels the Styx, the legendary river encircling the underworld of Hades.

The boat is captained by Charon, the ferryman who takes the souls of the dead on their journey to the ‘other side’.

It is the literary invention of John Kendrick Bangs in his novel A House-Boat on the Styx, which capitalises brilliantly on the romance and mysticism that have always surrounded these watery abodes.

For centuries, in rivers and canals throughout the world, people have chosen to live in houses on the water. The Noosa River, on the Sunshine Coast, is dotted with them. Living by the water is par for the course for many coast-dwellers; living on the water though offers an entirely different perspective. So just who are the people whose homes bob on the tides, and whose backyards flow into the sea? >

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feature

Long term houseboat owner Ivan Mather.

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Ivan Mather, 43, is a senior chef at the renowned Maisie’s restaurant in the thriving hub of Noosaville. His home is a handy stone’s throw from the restaurant, and his mode of transport to and from work is novel to say the least – a rowboat. Today, I am his passenger, and within five short minutes he expertly transports me, Charon-like, from life on the land to the 52 foot double storey houseboat he has called home for the last nine years.

a Sydneysider but who has lived in Noosa since he was sixteen.

Thankfully though, we cross the waters of the Noosa River, not the Styx, and the setting could not be more picturesque.

Ivan gained such knowledge from his father, a marine engineer who “worked his whole life at sea”. Every two years, the houseboat is pulled up onto the slip and Ivan scrapes the barnacles off and repaints, for sixteen hours a day for three days. “It’s three days of hell, and it takes me a week to recover,” he says.

Ivan, also an avid surfer, likes to row instead of using the tinny, he says, because he likes to keep fit. The rowboat instantly conjures an otherworldy feeling, and I happily turn my back to the shore as the oars slice effortlessly through the water. Recent rain has cleared to reveal a clear and calm day, and as I step aboard the houseboat it is hard to imagine the backdrop as anything other than perfect.

But Ivan assures me it is not always so.

“If it’s really windy, and raining that hard that you can’t see six foot in front of you, it’s quite scary because the boat swings round really fast and the whole thing’s shaking,” says Ivan. “But you get used to it. And what a beautiful view.”

What a view indeed.

Prime views of Noosa’s North Shore, Noosaville, and the mouth of the river surround us. The houseboat sways gently in the breeze which is starting to pick up. Other boats – yachts, passing cruisers – share the setting, yet the houseboat seems cocooned in its own private world.

“You look that way, and it’s just bush, and it feels like I’m out of Noosa, big time,” says Ivan, who is originally

But living on a houseboat is not all about the view, and like any house, it requires regular maintenance and a lot of hard work for it to remain shipshape.

“It’s a good lifestyle but it is hard work,” he says. “You need a lot of knowledge, or a lot of money.”

He shares his five bedroom and two bathroom fibre-glass home with his 17-year-old son Max, and for the last two years, his girlfriend Caroline and her two children. At the moment, the family is in the throes of re-painting the boat.

Ivan is passionate about maintaining an environmentally friendly lifestyle on the houseboat, and runs a small “ecofriendly” generator, a solar panel, fresh water tanks and holding tanks. He regularly ties off and “pumps out” at the marina, with all waste going into the town system, and not the river. With minimum power on board, there is no toaster, no iron, and no hair dryer (“Caroline dries her hair in the breeze”).

Caroline has her own tinny to get to and from shore to go to work, go shopping and do the school run. If they want to go out for a drink in Hastings Street at night, they go by boat “because it’s easier parking and it’s so beautiful”.

With an abundance of fresh fish literally on their doorstep and a master chef at the wheel, it is unsurprising that seafood is a permanent fixture on the houseboat’s menu. >

feature

Houseboat resident Doug Man.

Ivan keeps a fishing rod and lure permanently on hand: “Yesterday I saw the trevally chopping on the water, so I threw my lure out and I got one straight away,” he says.

“Sometimes if I can’t sleep, I come outside and fish in the moonlight,” says Doug. “You can see the fish in the water; there’re tonnes of them.”

Fishing at the back door is a common pastime for houseboat residents, and one shared by Doug Man, 36, whose pint-sized boat, “The Hillbilly Hilton” sits a little further down the river.

Doug and Sharni’s preferred method of travel for a night out, like Ivan’s, is boat. “We tie off for dinner at the yacht squadron, or the Boat House,” says Doug. “It’s pretty cool to pull up in your tinny and have dinner.”

This iconic floating cottage, with its tin roof, stained glass 1920s windows, and timber structure, looks for all the world like it has been plucked from its stilts in a country town and popped onto a raft.

Doug, who has owned the boat for three-and-a-half years and divides his time between it and his land home at Gympie where he manages his family’s business, calls it an “adult cubby house”. An apt description, given its cosy living room with galley kitchen, miniature verandahs with pots of fresh herbs, and loft-style bedroom.

On the day of my visit, Doug’s girlfriend Sharni is hand-feeding some friendly ducks, who regularly visit the little houseboat and even sit up on the verandah. But today, the ducks have to compete with the hoards of fish who have come to steal a free feed.

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“Pretty cool” is definitely one way to describe life aboard these waterhouses. Unconventional? Perhaps. Would it suit everyone? Probably not. For those who live it though, it seems predestined.

After Ivan has dropped me back on the shore, I stand, shoes in hand, and let the river lap at my feet. The houseboat bobs gently in the distance, and I watch his rowboat glide towards it like a magnet.

To get a taste of houseboat life on the Noosa River, there are a range of top operators that hire houseboats for holiday rental.

Luxury Afloat based at Tewantin has 10, 8 and 6 berth boats for hire that range in price. luxuryafloatnoosa.com.au

Bobbing about • While the exact origins of the houseboat are unclear, some of the earliest examples are from South East Asia. In Kerala, in Southern India, large luxurious houseboats are today a major tourist attraction, and are derived from the ancient Kettuvalloms, which were used to transport rice and spices.

• In Hong Kong, there is a famous fishing community in Aberdeen Harbour known as Aberdeen Floating Village, where there has been a permanent population of water dwellers in the harbour since the 1840s.

• In the United Kingdom, many people live in boats on the canals, and in Amsterdam there are some grand examples of water homes and hotels. In Hamburg, Germany, there is a houseboat community which includes a boatman’s church.

Many of the lakes and rivers in the United States also host thriving houseboat neighbourhoods.

• In Australia, houseboat hire is a popular holiday option for tourists in many parts of the Queensland coast, and the Murray River in South Australia. The first houseboats on the Murray River, which were launched in 1961, were conceived

by Ian Showell, whose designs were inspired by floating houses he saw along the river Nile in Egypt.

calendar of events

Circus workshop

Noosa Festival of Surfing

december CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL Kick off the festive season by exploring 29 community Christmas trees as part of the annual Christmas Tree Trail. The trees range in size and species, from fabulous figs to pretty paperbarks, and each will have a unique set of dazzling decorations featuring environmentally friendly LED lighting. New scan-code technology will enable passers-by to download the ‘story behind the tree’ with a simple swipe of their smart phones. when December 10 to January 5 where Mooloolaba cost Free

Carols on Kings Celebrate the spirit of Christmas at the familyfriendly Carols on Kings event. The program will include local performers and Santa will be there to help you sing along to all your favourite carols before the concluding fireworks extravaganza.

Bring a picnic and blanket or grab a bite to eat from one of the food and drink stalls. when December 18 where Kings Beach Amphitheatre, De Vene Avenue, Caloundra cost Free

NEW YEAR’S EVE MOOLOOLABA Experience New Year’s Eve Mooloolaba style.

This is the Sunshine Coast’s biggest new year’s event, with activities including children’s rides, amusements and live music. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks displays at 8.30pm and midnight. when December 31 where Mooloolaba Spit and The Esplanade cost Free 24 salt

explore dream

discover

Circus workshop Escape to the circus this summer! Learn circus skills from the professionals, from juggling to walking a tight-wire or flying on a trapeze.

From absolute beginners to daredevils, there’s something for everyone. It’s perfect for a bit of school holiday fun. when Six days a week during school holidays.

Closed Wednesdays. where Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Ocean Drive, Mudjimba cost Prices from $25 cirqueespace.com

january Lucas Parklands concert series Acoustically brilliant, this purpose built and visually stunning concert venue hosts performances of international standard. Relax in the cool hinterland rainforest setting this summer and enjoy sublime classical performances by Mozart, Arensky, Rodrigo, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev. when January 21, February 18 and March 24 at 7pm where Lucas Parklands, 126 Narrows Road, Montville cost $50 / $40 / $20 includes canapés lucasparklands.com

Lucas Parklands Concert Series

Australia Day thong challenge Head to the beach and join in the fun as Mooloolaba attempts to whisk the trophy for the longest line of inflatable thongs from the record holders, Bondi. Watch or participate in the dash for thongs, thong relay and a thong throwing competition. This event also raises much-needed funds for charities including Nippers. Who knew that a piece of rubber worn on our feet could inspire so much fun? when January 26 where Mooloolaba Beach cost registration starts at $25 havaianasthongchallenge.com.au

Australia Day celebrations Thousands are expected to join the Australia Day community party to celebrate a great day of family fun, Aussie-style. This free event at Kings Beach will be bursting at the seams with live entertainment, workshops, activities and market stalls expressing the national diversity that has become an important part of the Australian national character. when January 26 where Kings Beach Amphitheatre, De Vene Avenue, Caloundra cost Free

Ginger Flower & Food Festival This three-day festival is a true celebration of Queensland’s sub-tropical lifestyle, filled with loads of entertainment, glorious food and of course…flowers! Wander through the first ginger flower and heliconia blooms for the year, coupled with an exquisite showcase of more than 250 varieties of plants and a top line-up of chefs and gardening celebrities. when January 27 to 29 where The Ginger Factory, Pioneer Road, Yandina cost Free gingerfactory.com.au

Grape Stomp Festival

february Caloundra Triathlon Caloundra will play host to this leg of the state’s premier triathlon contest, the Queensland Tri Series. This section of the race will feature the popular Enduro, where professional triathletes hit a sprint lap course for fantastic spectator viewing, and a Kool Kids Triathlon. when February 5 where Caloundra cost Prices vary usmevents.com.au

Grape Stomp Festival Flame Hill Vineyard is throwing its annual Grape Stomp Festival to celebrate the harvesting of the vineyard. Join in as over a tonne of red wine grapes are stomped, squashed and squeezed to the sounds of jazz and wafts of delicious food from the award-winning Deck Restaurant. when February 11 where Flame Hill Vineyard, 249 Western Avenue, Montville cost Pre-paid tickets $25 flamehill.com.au

march Noosa Festival of Surfing Australia’s favourite surf festival turns 21 this year and to mark its coming of age, the festival is getting back to its roots at First Point.

There’s a range of surfing competitions to enter including tag team surfing, long board, finless, stand up paddle and a family challenge.

Or for those who would prefer to keep their feet on the land, there’s a beachside expo and entertainment including surf movie and live music. when March 11 to 17 where Surfing and entertainment at First Point, Noosa cost Prices vary noosafestivalofsurfing.com

Mooloolaba Triathlon Catering for all abilities, this festival includes an ocean swim, a twilight run along The Esplanade and kids’ triathlon event.

There’s also festival entertainment for spectators to enjoy and a Lifestyle Expo showcasing an array of sporting and lifestyle products and services for sporting enthusiasts, the health conscious and adrenalin junkies. when March 11 to 17 where Mooloolaba cost Prices vary usmevents.com.au For EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au for more events and exclusive online ticket giveaways. saltmagazine.com.au 25

look at me

windows on wonder worlds w o rd s a l e xan de r fy n e s - c l i n t o n p hot o s k at e j o h n s

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Do you ever walk past an awe-inspiring shop window display and find yourself blown away by the wonder within?

It’s likely David Poulton is the man behind the magic.

David is the owner and director of Noosabased Promotions In Motion, a company behind some of the world’s most inspired department store window displays. The enterprise designs displays for seventeen different contractors all over the world, ranging from Australian department store giant David Jones, to Cadbury World in Australia and New Zealand.

Most famously, the company is known for its world-renowned David Jones Christmas display windows, as well as its display work on the Sunshine Coast’s very own Ginger Factory ride.

David, a puppeteer by trade, says his passion for display work was a product of his lifelong obsession with puppetry.

“When I started school as a little boy, I had a very severe stammer. I got teased a lot,” David explains. “I decided I wouldn’t put up with it and decided to just not speak. I became an elective mute. Three years later, I had a teacher put a puppet on my hand at school and I began to communicate through the puppet. That was where my passion began.”

From that moment on, a professional career was always in the offing for the New Zealand-born artist and a long stint on the live circuit naturally followed.

“I became a professional puppeteer at age twenty,” he says. “I got married forty years

ago to my wife Sally who came from a musical background. We naturally became professional entertainers and came to live in Queensland.

“Over the years I’ve been notable characters like Blinky Bill and presented the last large-scale stage version of The Magic Pudding. [Our company] played in forty-two countries.”

Somewhat ironically, it was David’s runaway success pursuing his first love that led him to his second.

“I’d toured for the Queensland Arts Council for thirty-five continuous years and showed to about three or four million kids,” he says. “We travelled a lot and in 1988 I was in Taiwan doing a tour and I was involved in a serious earthquake. Around us, about a hundred people were killed. It was a life changing moment.

“When you travel you quadruple your risk of not getting back. I’d done sixteen tours in Asia and of them, eleven had an incident that could have been life-threatening.

“I suddenly thought at the moment of this earthquake in Taiwan, as the building was shaking and the stairwell was collapsing, I knew it was time for me to wind back the touring.

“It was a lightning bolt moment. I knew I was going to be an animator.”

It didn’t take long for David to realise his vision. >

Fast forward a few short years from that landmark decision and Promotions In Motion now employs eleven full-time creative artists and constructs renowned displays for clients all over the world.

Most amazingly, all of the company’s work is produced out of their Noosa workshop – every shop window display, every puppet, every interactive animation.

“Within six months of setting my sights on the new venture, I had my first contract,” David says. “I had my photograph in The Australian newspaper alongside two other people, talking about the magic of Christmas.

“One of them was the David Jones national marketing manager.

I rang her up, told her I was interested in designing their windows and told her to have a look at my work in a big show I had in Sydney called ‘Santa’s Kingdom’. Within six hours I had a phone call.

“I fell in love with Noosa very early on in my life and I always wanted to settle down there. The new project was ideal in that sense.”

David says his display work, which heavily utilises puppetry to 28 salt

breathe life in scenes, was a natural evolution from his many years on the road performing.

“It’s really still puppetry – a lot like live theatre,” he says. “We have a challenge in that we have a window to portray a scene in a book or part of a story and you don’t have the same tricks you can rely on in theatre.

“You’re playing to a huge age group, from babies to older people and you have to make that window passionately exciting to look at. I still get a huge buzz from the challenge.”

With the amount of world-class work David and his team are producing from their Noosa workshop, one would think the search for more clients would be the furthest thing from the team’s mind. But nothing could be further from the truth.

David says Promotions In Motion is currently in talks with their biggest ever potential client.

“Negotiations are still ongoing,” he says with a wry confidence.

“But what I can say is that we’re in discussions with the world’s most famous store.”

For those curious, best get to your nearest computer and Google that last term.

pursuit of passion

blokes build bright tomorrows word s al e xan de r fy n e s- c l i nt o n ph o to s k at e j o h n s

Noosa’s Men’s Shed.

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Men on the Sunshine Coast are strapping on the tool belt, picking up the paint brush and dusting off those old overalls – and the results are more than just the satisfaction of a job well done.

A creative Australian enterprise is taking the fight up to men’s mental illness and depression like never before, and the Sunshine Coast is at the forefront of the revolution.

Over the past four years, Men’s Sheds have been set up all over Australia, providing spaces for Aussie blokes to connect and bond, while working together towards common goals.

All independently operated, the organisation provides males of all ages with a range of building materials and tools, offering a common interest from which to ignite new friendships.

On the Sunshine Coast, sheds are popping up everywhere.

The Noosa Men’s Shed lays claim to being the oldest, with roots stretching back as far as 40 years before the organisation formally joined the national network in early 2011. The group works together to build all the sets and props for the productions hosted by Noosa Arts Theatre, giving members an ongoing project to bond over and work towards.

Senior Noosa member Nelson Tomlin says working on team pursuits gives their organisation a unique social value.

“Our guys here build everything, all the sets, all the props and have been doing so for many years,” he says. “At the moment, we’re finishing off the set for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a big group effort. Apart from all the work we do on productions, we also do all the maintenance work on the theatre itself.”

But those with the impression Men’s Sheds are solely focused on construction are missing the bigger picture. The real value in the organisation comes from the unique relationships men form while working on different projects. And that sense of connection is a mighty weapon against depression.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one out of every six Australian men suffers from depression – a worrying record that was a driving force in the Men’s Shed push to unite men under the common interest of construction and skills building.

“You can’t put a price on [the societal value],” Nelson says. “It gets blokes out of the house. We have a laugh, a cup of coffee and you form some great new friendships. You’ve got guys from all walks of life. Nearly all of them are retired. They can be anything from solicitors to plumbers, all doing different things.

“The work takes you out of yourself and in our case, it makes you think about how you’re going to create the magic behind all of these wonderful performers.” >

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Buderim’s Men’s Shed.

There’s also a hugely valuable practical side to the work members of Men’s Shed are creating.

Men’s Shed with trepidation or fear of rejection. New additions are welcomed as warmly as wily veterans.

“The work improves member’s ability to do things – we all become home handymen,” Nelson says. “There’s always laughing and joking, and laughter is a good thing for healing. It makes you forget about your old aches, pains and worries.

“You’d have to see [the camaraderie] to believe it,” he says. “These are a bunch of guys who didn’t know each other a short while ago and when we get together, the noise and the buzz is just phenomenal.

“That’s the beauty of [working on] theatre. It takes [members] out of themselves into a whole new world. It’s all good for mental and physical health.”

“Visitors that come in say ‘you can just feel the atmosphere’. The men are all busying themselves with projects, but it’s the noise of them talking that’s the important thing. That’s what it’s all about – companionship and friendship.”

Down the road at the Buderim Men’s Shed, a similar tale of success is being woven, albeit in a slightly different fashion.

Unlike the Noosa Men’s Shed which focuses purely on projects for the Noosa Arts Centre, the men at Buderim are given the resources to create anything they desire. The shed provides facilities for woodwork, metalwork, furniture restoration, upholstering, computer skills and gardening.

Buderim Men’s Shed chairman Rick Beasley says that although the shed is only young, the organisation already fills an irreplaceable niche in the local community.

“Particularly in a place like Buderim which has a lot of retirees and people who move to the area to retire, men often find it difficult to re-establish themselves and make new friends,” Rick says.

“Dealing with mental health issues is a major problem amongst people who retire, move and become a bit isolated. Our target audience is basically men over 50 with time on their hands and giving that group a sense of purpose with something to do – offering them an outlet for male companionship.”

With the level of interest in Men’s Sheds on the Sunshine Coast reaching unprecedented levels, it would be natural to think it could be hard to come into an established social circle and break in.

Rick says that prospective new members needn’t approach any 32 salt

As the Men’s Shed movement continues to generate momentum, new organisations are continuing to open over the Sunshine Coast.

Currently, they also operate in Nambour and Gympie, and a group in Maleny meets regularly while they wait to erect a full-time base of their own.

Rick says the runaway success of the Buderim organisation, along with the momentum of the Men’s Shed movement on the coast, has taken him and other senior members of his shed completely by surprise.

“When I started this project last year, I thought there’d be some interest, as I knew of a few men personally who were in an isolated situation,” Rick says. “But we’ve just been overwhelmed with interest and every day we get new people walking in off the street and joining. We’re approaching around 180 people who have expressed interest in the shed in the short time we’ve been open.

“I’m just amazed with the response. You say you want to paint a room tomorrow, and a dozen blokes will show up with a paint brush. It’s really quite incredible.”

For full details about all of the Sunshine Coast Men’s Sheds, including information on how to sign up, visit mensshed.org

pageturners For relaxation, stimulation and pure escapism, nothing beats losing yourself in a good book. salt reviews four of the best latest releases.

T HE S T REE T S O F WHITEC HAP EL Dean Jacobs | Balboa Press or thestreetsofwhitechapel.com | $25.95 paperback

Jack the Ripper has intrigued generations since his reign of terror on the streets of Whitechapel in 1888.

His identity is a mystery for the ages.

Sunshine Coast author Dean Jacobs offers his chilling version of the events, from the perspective of one who knew Jack well. It is a story that moves quickly, with vivid descriptions of the dank, misty streets and colourful characters of the time.

Enhanced with artworks expertly drawn by the author, The Streets of Whitechapel is a work of historical fiction that will tantalise and fascinate.

BE Y O ND T HE RO A D S. Sean Tretheway | theroadlesstraveller.com and via local bookshops | $19.95 paperback

Adventure makes a reader’s mind wander and their heart sing, and there is plenty in local author S. Sean Tretheway’s new book.

Beyond the Road is the tale of four adventurers who climb aboard a boat to sail to the South Pacific. The journey is fraught and challenging, and further experiences await when they reach their destination of Tahiti, then on to New Zealand.

Action packed, thoughtful and inspiring, this is a book about creating the life you want and making the most of every single moment.

T HE 1 3 - S T OREY T REEHOUSE Andy Griffith, illustrated by Terry Denton | Macmillan | $9.95 paperback

Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. And who wouldn’t want to? This one has 13 storeys, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a library full of comics and a secret underground laboratory.

Throw in self-making beds, vines you can swing on, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that shoots marshmallows into your mouth and you have heaven for any kid.

The adventures Andy and Terry get up to are wild, fun and completely nutty.

This is the first of a new series by one of Australia’s most loved author-illustrator teams.

M Y HE A R T W A NDERS Pia Jane Bijkerk | Murdoch Books | $59.99 hardcover

What would happen if one day you decided to follow your heart? Where would it take you? Author, designer, stylist and photographer Pia Jane Bijkerk takes us on her journey as she leaves her comfortable life in Sydney to follow, unconditionally, her instincts and her heart.

Setting up home first in Paris, then on a houseboat in Amsterdam, Pia observes the serendipitous moments that present themselves after letting go and following one’s dreams.

Sublime photographs from her travels in France, Amsterdam, Belgium, Italy and Sydney give wings to readers’ dreams and complement tender words. This is a coffee table book to cherish.

FOR EXTRA SALT visit the WIN page at saltmagazine.com.au for a range of book giveaways.

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precinct feature

mooloolaba’s many faces wo rd s li n da r e ad phot o s an as t as i a k ar i of y l l i d i s

There’s a fisherman at Mooloolaba who stands at the wheel of his fishing boat perpetually braced against an oncoming storm.

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Timber trawlers anchor side-by-side out the front of the now Mooloolaba wharf.

The three metre bronze memorial sculpture, which commemorates fishermen who have lost their lives at sea, serves as a monument for families who do not have a grave to visit. Poignantly, the fisherman wears a wedding ring on his outstretched left hand.

His presence surprises me as I stroll through Fisherman’s Park on Mooloolaba’s Spit – the section of the beach towards Point Cartwright, between the river and the sea. But that’s the thing about Mooloolaba: it’s full of surprises.

Children climb over a giant spider web-like structure, and babies crawl off picnic rugs in search of sand to eat.

The park hums with beach goers and walkers, tourists and locals, and a couple of wet, panting dogs, whose owners are vainly trying to wash the sand from their paws.

Families revel in the simple joys this beachside setting provides, and the salty freshness of the sea permeates the air like a drug.

It beckons me closer, so I stroll down the boardwalk, which runs parallel to the beach, in the direction of the rock wall that juts out into the sea like a giant’s finger pointing to an unseen land. A young mother sits facing the water, feeding her newborn baby; an elderly couple walks along the beach at the water’s edge, holding hands.

Two bikini clad women silently soak in the sun, and a jogger with a pram trundles past me.

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Fishing paradise Mooloolaba’s fishing trawlers have become an iconic part of the town’s geographical and cultural landscape, often being visible on the horizon from Mooloolaba Beach.

Since early European settlement, Mooloolaba (formerly known as Mooloolah Heads) was favoured as a port over the Maroochy River because of the safe access offered to vessels by the protection of Point Cartwright.

According to veteran trawler skipper Bill Henebery, it provides the “perfect deep water access point” for the trawlers.

The fishing industry in Mooloolaba was beginning to develop by 1919.

Today, it is home to the largest fleet on the east coast, but numbers are dwindling due to several factors including cheap seafood imports and strict legislations.

Bill is passionate about preserving the industry he describes as having “put Mooloolaba on the map”.

“People are now having to walk away from it, throwing their arms in the air,” he says. “As these people exit the industry, so does their knowledge.”

The life of a trawler fisherman can be a “rough and tough and risky” job, but also offers an unsurpassed sense of freedom.

“It’s a fresh, free-living job. You’re breathing good fresh air and you’re out there. It can be fun. It’s typical fishing – one day it’s great, and the next you can’t find anything.”

Mooloolaba is the perfect setting for the public to meet the trawler fishermen as they unload their bounty.

“They love seeing trawlers with all their gantry, and all their nets,” says Bill. “You want to see it coming off the boat. That’s part of the culture of the area.”

Today, the sun is at its brilliant best, and tempered only with a gentle breeze coming in off the water. It create what fits my definition of a perfect day. The sky and the sea are an artist’s delight; the vivid rippling green merging with heavenly blue at the horizon.

At the end of the rock wall I find two young fishermen. They sit, shirtless, surrounded by buckets and tackle boxes, patiently waiting for their fishing rods to give them the sign that they are “on”. Nothing happens. Their buckets are empty, but they seem content nevertheless. One tells me that he caught a giant flathead earlier, but would you believe it, it got away. I leave them to their contemplation.

Back at Fisherman’s Park, a throng of lunch time diners have come to savour the sea’s freshest bounty at the seafood shops which hug the park. Some of the diners opt for the a-la-carte options – there are several – while many others choose the more casual setting of grass tablecloth provided by the park.

The seafood is as fresh as it can get – straight off the trawlers, in fact, which pull in right next door at the Mooloolaba jetty, home to the largest trawling fleet on the east coast of Australia. Inside one of the shops the smell is tantalising, and the rows of whole fish stacked on ice look for all the world like they are about to start flapping. Mounds of prawns are scooped into bags for the patiently-waiting customers who make a line stretching out the door.

These are no ordinary prawns. They are Mooloolaba King Prawns, famous amongst chefs and diners throughout the country.

“This Mooloolaba King Prawn here is one of the best prawns you’ll ever get,” says trawler skipper Bill Henebery. Bill should know, as he has lived in the area all his life and has been “prawning” for the last 30 years.

“These prawns are very sought after, even by other ports, because they’ve got a vibrant red colour,” says Bill, 49. “Tweed Heads like buying this prawn from up here. Lots of people do.” > saltmagazine.com.au 39

Health Hub • For the latest in fashionable haircuts and colours, drop into the uber cool Rok It Hair & Beauty (5444 4094) on Brisbane Road in the La Balsa building. Owner Alice and her team will spruce up your look while you read gossip magazines and sip on lattes.

• With its beautifully designed space and peaceful atmosphere The Spa Room (5326 1710), is Mooloolaba’s leading day spa. The boutique spa is a hit amongst locals and regular visitors due to its talented staff and range of rejuvenating treatments on offer.

AWESOME ACTIVITES • Mooloolaba sparkles at night with its well-lit parks and beach. At twilight The Esplanade and its beachside parks come to life abuzz with families cooking dinner on the barbecues and active souls playing touch football.

• If you love to hit the pavement, whether it’s walk, run or cycle, jump on the pathway that hugs the coastline offering sweeping ocean views. If you’re starting in Mooloolaba you can head north which will take you up to Alexandra Headlands and on to Cotton Tree. Or if you prefer the downhill slope head south towards the Spit where you’ll walk parallel to Mooloolaba’s beach ending at the Mooloolah River.

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Apart from the seafood, Bill reckons you’d be hard pushed to find a better spot to live or holiday than Mooloolaba.

“I have travelled all of the Queensland coast, fishing and holidaying, and I keep coming back here. The beaches are better here,” he says.

“The Spit is great. The fish and chips there are spectacular. I’m a fisherman, but I’ll go down there with my family and sit down and have fish and chips. The walkways there are brilliant, and you can go out to the rock wall and watch the boats go out to sea and come home. It doesn’t get much more family friendly.

“It’s the best place in the world to live, isn’t it?”

Bill says that when he comes home from sea, he also loves “wining and dining” with his family and finds Mooloolaba, with its plethora of eateries, the perfect spot to do just that.

“There’s nothing better than sitting up on The Esplanade there and having a cappuccino and a piece of cake and looking out at the ocean,” he says.

Sounds like a great idea, so I make my way to The Esplanade, where I find I am spoilt for choice in the coffee and cake department. But a quick perusal of the shops which now surround me suggests I will need fortification, so I decide on a short black and a homemade piece of cake – both of which are excellent – at one of the cafés, before I meander through this shoppers’ paradise.

Designer homewares, art galleries, and boutiques brimming with the latest summer creations could easily fill a day. That is, of course, if you’re not distracted by the beach just across the road, presided over by the iconic Mooloolaba Surf Club.

Mooloolaba Beach is well known as one of the safest beaches on the coast, because of its position in the bay. It’s also patrolled every day of the year, which makes it extremely popular with families. >

Feeding frenzy • Who doesn’t love sushi? Mooloolaba has its very own sushi house called Bar Sushi (5444 4970) located on Mooloolaba’s Esplanade with park and ocean views.

Perch up beside the railway and watch the sushi train whizz past offering fresh, colourful Japanese morsels of goodness.

And for a true local secret order the chicken and rice dish off the menu.

Scrumptious!

• The name Nude Deli Café (5444 4371) is synonymous with buzzing café culture and fresh, wholesome food. With their new flagship café located on Brisbane Road in the La Balsa building there is plenty of room to find a sun-lit table or a corner nook and sample the great produce.

Check out page 50 to see their melt-inyour-mouth veggie burger.

• It doesn’t get any fresher than the local, wild-caught seafood on offer at the seafood shops located at The Spit at Mooloolaba. Pack a picnic rug and head down to the southern point of Mooloolaba for a parkside feast.

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Retail roaming • Venture behind Mooloolaba’s Esplanade to First Avenue, which is home to two notable fashion boutiques.

Klingers Menswear (5444 4200) is a leading boutique in men’s fashion, stocking well-known labels like Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Brax and Henry Lloyd to name a few.

And the good news is they also stock a range of stylish shoes to accompany your groovy new outfit. For the best in women’s European fashion wander a couple of doors down to Kabucci (5477 7799). This tucked away boutique is bursting with summer fashions that can’t be found in mainstream fashion houses such as the muchloved Italian label Sarah Pacini.

• Carmel’s Designs & Homewares (5444 6946) situated on The Esplanade blends hard-to-find, coastal style homewares with fresh, classic-designed fashion that goes hand in hand with our beach lifestyle. Local designer Carmel Patchett has an ability to choose quality fabrics and design timeless fashion pieces that are a hit with women of all ages.

• Swing into the Silver Shop (5444 7260) to adorn your fingers and décolletage with must-have jewels this summer season. They have a fantastic range of ICE watches, Pandora and Najo to name a few; you can’t go past this jewellery shop dedicated to silver.

The surf club, established in 1922, is one of the oldest in Australia, and has no doubt seen many changes. As has Trevor Webb, 74, who has lived in Mooloolaba all his life, and is a life member of the surf club.

Trevor remembers when the town had “seven or eight houses and a couple of shops”, and the bay was “chock-a-block” full of mullet. The car park, which now accommodates beach goers’ and tourists’ cars, was home to about 500 Rhode Island Red chooks.

“When the mullet season was on, every truck that was available would go to Brisbane with a load of fish on it. It would take them three to five days to scoop all the mullet out. They’d just get rid of them and another lot would turn up. You’ve never seen so many mullet,” says Trevor, whose father used to own a transport business.

Despite travelling widely as a lifesaver, and witnessing many changes to his home town, Trevor describes Mooloolaba as “the best place in the world” to live and holiday.

It’s a sentiment echoed by another long-time local resident, Hayden Kenny, ironman, and father of ironman legend Grant Kenny, who was raised on the beaches in and around Mooloolaba. Hayden has also seen many changes, but praises the foresight of the town’s planners.

“They were pretty good visionaries,” he says, “because we haven’t really lost the appeal we already had.

We’ve still got the beach atmosphere.”

The beach atmosphere has well and truly taken its hold on me. It’s time for me to go, but instead I kick off my shoes, dig my toes into the sand, and walk to the sea’s edge. I look across the bay to where I know the fisherman stands, and breathe in the ocean.

Maybe I’ll stay just a little longer.

FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au to see more photos of Mooloolaba.

table talk

morsels of the Italian soul wo rd s lin da r e ad phot o s an as t as i a k ar i o f yl l i d i s

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Cala Luna – “Moon Bay” – is a stunning, 700 metre long, pure white, half moon crescent beach on Italy’s Sardinian coast. Said to be one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, it is all the more appealing because it is only accessible by boat or by foot.

Happily, a little piece of this Mediterranean magic exists in the southern hemisphere too – in the form of an Italian restaurant by the same name. Cala Luna, at Maroochydore, is set against the backdrop of the Sunshine Coast’s own version of beachside brilliance.

World’s most beautiful beaches aside, it is the Italian heart, soul, and legendary love affair with food, captured by owners Osvaldo and Rita Melosu, which have really set this authentic Italian eatery apart since its opening three and a half years ago.

Murals of the picturesque Italian bay cover the walls, and the first-floor position obscures the view of the road while curved glass windows take full advantage of the ocean view.

They describe their menu as a combination of their “joint families’ regional cooking” – Osvaldo’s from the island of Sardinia and Rita’s from Veneto and Friuli. Osvaldo, 46, who is also the head chef, says that about half the recipes are his own creations, and reflect his passion for working with fresh seafood. His produce comes directly from the sea via a trawler at Mooloolaba, a few minutes away.

This is the third restaurant the couple has opened on the coast, and the fourth for Osvaldo, whose first restaurant was in Italy, a ten-minute boat ride from – you guessed it – Cala Luna.

It didn’t take long for Osvaldo to discover that becoming a chef was his destiny, despite the irony that growing up as a boy in Sardinia, he wasn’t allowed in the kitchen at home.

It was firmly the realm of his sisters.

“I remember my mother always had an apron on,” he says. > saltmagazine.com.au 45

“I used to put octopus or rabbit on the menu, I wouldn’t sell it. Now it sells like hotcakes. It’s a whole different story.”

Pasta dish: Culurgionis di coniglio (Homemade Sardinia pasta filled with rabbit served with a fresh tomato sauce Dessert dish: Panna Cotta al ciocolato con cointreau (Chocolate and contreau panna cotta served with fresh raspberries)

“She woke up, she used to go to the market every day, buy the things and cook. I used to watch, but I was not allowed to help. When I grew up in Italy, boys didn’t do these things. Not back then.”

But in true Italian fashion, the whole family would become involved in the ‘big’ food events: “We used to all go and buy the tomatoes and make salsa, the tomato sauce, for the whole year. We used to do that together. Sometimes we would go and buy all the grapes and make the wine. I always loved it.”

When he finished school, Osvaldo had a dream: to travel. But he had to earn money. His father gave him some advice, based on friends he had who were willing to take on his son as a trainee.

“You know Italians with their connections,” Osvaldo laughs. “He say to me, ‘well, you got two options. You can go to the school to become a chef, or a dentist’. So I did the dentist. I lasted two weeks and I didn’t like it, and I left. So I did the school to become a chef.

“As I worked as a chef, I really started to enjoy it. It was very easy for me. You could say it’s in my blood, yes.”

Osvaldo’s travel dreams were realised. He worked in Switzerland for several years before opening his restaurant in Sardinia, and then worked in restaurants throughout Europe. It was when he was in England that he met Queensland-born Rita. They came to Australia, Osvaldo says, for a holiday, but he fell in love with the place, and they have been here ever since. That was 20 years ago. The couple has two children: Roberto, 13, and Valentina, 5.

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During those 20 years Osvaldo says he has witnessed a revolution in Australian diners’ food and eating attitudes.

“Before, I find it very hard, because I couldn’t cook my own way,” he says. “They want more sauce, more this – they always change the recipes. Now, they want to try everything. I used to put octopus or rabbit on the menu, I wouldn’t sell it. Now it sells like hotcakes. It’s a whole different story. It’s a lot more enjoyable. It’s easier, because I cook what I love, people get to try it, and they enjoy it.”

His homemade duck cannelloni, which is served with béchamel and fresh tomato salsa, is now his bestseller (“They won’t let me take it off the menu”). Traditional Italian desserts, all made on the premises, are also firm favourites.

Osvaldo says that both he and Rita cook at home, and he loves cooking for friends in their time off. But it’s a different story when they visit Sardinia. While Osvaldo’s family in Italy is “very proud” of his success as a chef, he is still not allowed in the kitchen when he visits.

“Italians, when you go there, and they haven’t seen you for a couple of years, they cook, they entertain you. They get offended if you don’t visit them all. They won’t let me cook.”

Cala Luna, Beach Front Towers, Shop 3, 4 Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore. 5479 4115 or calaluna.com.au

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produce people

down to earth wor d s and p h ot os c la ire plu sh

Living the way nature intended is not always an easy thing to do.

But luckily for the Sunshine Coast, two young brothers are bringing food and products back down to earth and straight into our hands.

Joshua and Kris Barry’s shared passion for deliciously good produce and organic products can be seen beaming from the shelves, down every aisle, of their Noosa store, Organika.

Growing up on acreage in Belli, just outside of Eumundi, the seed of love for all things fresh was planted early.

“The fresh food side of things has always been with us,” Kris says. “We used to grow our own beef at home.”

With a father as a grower and a mother who loved to cook, Joshua and Kris began walking down the path towards the produce industry while they were still in high school. From making strawberry cartons up for their dad’s business to working in the produce section of Franklins to helping their parents with a gourmet fruit store they had bought, the pair’s knowledge of the industry steadily grew.

While Kris continued working for the family business, sourcing and buying fresh produce, Joshua travelled to the United Kingdom where he stayed for six years. It was during his time in England that Joshua was exposed to the world of organics and fair trade, and another seed was unknowingly planted.

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“It was definitely bigger there than it was here,” Joshua says.

“Because they don’t grow all of their produce, in the supermarket you get fair trade bananas and fair trade mangoes on the shelf.”

It is the only certified organic store on the Sunshine Coast and holds within its walls “fresh produce, skin care, supplements, dairy, meats, grains and nuts, nappies, chocolates… everything”.

Back home, Kris was ready to start something of his own. But, like a puzzle missing a piece, it wasn’t until Joshua returned to Australia that the brothers decided to go into business together.

Much like the store’s contents, the brothers’ knowledge of the organic industry has evolved with the time that has passed.

“We were originally just talking produce, like Mum and Dad’s,” Joshua says, referring to their parent’s Bliss Gourmet Market in Nambour. But after brainstorming with his girlfriend and their parents, Joshua says he and Kris decided on a store with an organic slant.

“Ideas were going like this,” Joshua says, clicking his fingers repeatedly.

“It was born in a few hours,” Kris finishes.

In 2007, six months after the original idea had sprouted, the refreshingly relaxed pair opened the doors to Organika. Within four months, they had doubled the size of the premises in response to the constant traffic they were getting from locals and visitors.

“It exceeded all of our expectations,” Joshua says.

The gourmet store, which prides itself on stocking organic produce and products wherever possible, sits across from Noosa River in a building with wooden features that seem to reflect the fundamentals of the business in their appearance.

“It was a complete learning curve, a whole different ball game,” Kris says of the move from the produce industry to the world of organics.

The pair, who weren’t living organically when they launched Organika, made changes to their lifestyle with each slice of information that they devoured.

“Through learning, it’s a no-brainer,” Joshua says simply of his decision to use organic products. But it’s not only the benefits of organic products and produce that the brothers have embraced.

“The people we deal with, all the suppliers, they’re all in it because they believe in it,” Joshua says.

“For them it’s about what they’re selling and why they’re doing it,” continues Kris. “It’s an amazing industry to be in. It’s like a big family.”

Organic produce and products are available daily at Organika, 2/205 Weyba Road, Noosaville. 5442 4973 or organika.com.au FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au to see more photos of Organika.

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plate up p h ot os k a te j ohn s

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You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy meat-free fare. salt has selected four of the best vegetarian dishes available on the Sunshine Coast that are sparkling with health.

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1. dish House made, pan fried sweet potato gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce, golden needle mushrooms, sage and toasted pine nuts tipple Plantagenet Omrah unoaked chardonnay, 2009. Western Australia chef Emmett Malone Sirocco Noosa, 2/257 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. 5455 6688 or sirocconoosa.com.au

2. dish Chickpea and tofu burger with fresh salad and avocado and lettuce with mayonnaise, sweet chilli sauce on toasted Turkish roll tipple Orange, carrot, lemon and apple juice chef Jan Mora Nude Deli CafĂŠ, Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba. 5444 4371 or Shop 3, Rovera Plaza, King Street, Cotton Tree. 5443 8819.

3. dish Vegetarian Maki roll tipple Iced tea chef Holly Reynolds Bar Sushi, opposite Hastings Street taxi rank, Noosa Heads, 5449 2866 or Shop 5, Landmark Resort, Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba. 5444 4970.

4. dish Vine wrapped haloumi with beetroot salad and olive tapenade tipple Massoni chardonnay 2008 chef Carl Mitaros The Loose Goose, 3/175 Ocean Drive, Twin Waters. 5457 0887 or theloosegoose.com.au saltmagazine.com.au 51

culinary creations

fiery passion for slow food word s lei g h r o bs h aw p h o to s a n as t as i a k ar i o fy l l i d i s

Hervey Bay scallops with cucumber, yoghurt, avocado and ink cracker.

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minutes away worlds apart putting back a little of what life takes out.

Talk to Cameron Matthews about food and his rapidfire conversation confirms what his casual demeanour suggests: that he’s all passion and no pretence.

Ask him to define great cooking and without taking a breath he’ll tell you it’s about creating honest, whole food, like making bread and butter from scratch, or transforming a humble carrot into something sensational.

“I have a bit of a problem with people who say ‘we take the best ingredients and cook them simply’,” says Cameron. “Truly being able to cook for me is being able to take something that’s a lesser cut and turn it into a dish that’s amazing, rather than taking something like a truffle and plonking it on a plate.”

Cameron is a slow food advocate and grows his own vegetables and herbs with his wife and three kids at his Montville home, which he then takes to The Long Apron at Spicers Clovelly Estate, where he is executive chef.

He believes a good meal is made entirely from scratch, every morsel of it infused with enthusiasm. He wouldn’t be caught dead ordering his bread rolls from elsewhere; a telling sign of his food philosophy.

“I hate it when you go to a restaurant and you get the same bread roll as they serve in ten other restaurants,” he says. “It’s great that you put the hibiscus on the plate and the smoke and mirrors, but why don’t you

take those off and show me your skills through something as simple as bread?

Bread’s not easy to make, that’s why everyone buys it in.

“My challenge is to fill the kitchen with staff who have a passion for cooking and want to make bread and butter from scratch. The guys I’m working with are really passionate and sometimes they tell me off if they think I’m taking the easy way out. I think it’s amazing for employees to be able to say that.

“I expect them to put every ounce of their soul on to the plate, so if they don’t get to be involved in making the decisions, why would they bother? A lot of chefs seem to be afraid of having good chefs in the kitchen with them, but if I can learn something from them, then good.”

Cameron didn’t grow up with foodie parents and jokes about not having any “glowing stories” of sitting on his grandmother’s lap learning her secret recipes. He just always knew what he wanted to do, and went straight from high school into an apprenticeship at the acclaimed Simone’s Restaurant in Bright, Victoria. During that time he won Victorian Apprentice of the Year, in 1994 and 1995. >

listed in top 5 destination day spa in australia

46 grays road - doonan - noosa tel: 5471 1199

www.ikatanspa.com saltmagazine.com.au 53

Cooking the Long Apron way Held once a fortnight for a maximum of eight people, The Long Apron’s cooking classes include lunch, wine, a branded apron from the restaurant, recipes from Cameron and a take-home gift. Classes run from 10am to 3pm and if you organise your own group of six to eight you can book in for a class on the date of your choice.

Classes alternate between a French or Italian theme, and participants learn how to produce dishes such as free-range chicken and asparagus terrine; chicken in salt crust with hay, grapes and mushrooms; pork rillettes and caramelised shallot tarte tatin with goats cheese – and enjoy their creations under the jacaranda tree on the beautiful grounds of Spicers Clovelly Estate.

For cooking school dates throughout summer refer to spicersgroup.com.au

“That’s where I got my passion for food,” he says. “Being Italian it was very passionate – we used to put whole pigs in the wood fired pizza oven. The year I started they got a Chef’s Hat in the Good Food Guide and by the time I left seven years later they had two.”

About that time he opened a café in Bright, which earned its own Chef’s Hat, then went on to work his magic at renowned establishments such as Donovan’s Restaurant in St Kilda, Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton, and Siggi’s in Brisbane.

Cameron was thrilled when the job at Spicers Clovelly came up, saying the Spicers group is full of people as passionate as he is, and set about creating The Long Apron in 2009, a modern European restaurant inspired by its surroundings. This year it won Best Prestige Restaurant at the QHA (Queensland Hotels Association) Awards and it was awarded one star by Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide 2011/12.

“I’m so happy there because they’ve let me create what I wanted to create,” he says. “In keeping with the ambience of a European guesthouse, our food is refined, high end, surprising and delightful – and one of the most memorable experiences people have dining out.”

Cameron loves the Sunshine Coast for its diverse produce, and cites Cedar Street buffalo mozzarella, Glass House snails and Dakota Vale duck from Gympie as some of the local ingredients he likes to incorporate into his menu.

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Not content to simply cook for others, Cameron now teaches people how to cook well for themselves at fortnightly cooking classes held at The Long Apron.

“It’s a good chance to share our passion for food and I learn from them as well as teaching them a few things,” he says with not a hint of pompous chef about him. “I don’t base the classes on teaching a set recipe but on trying to teach them some instant tips and tricks to take home. People get really hung up on recipes – I’m really anti-recipe. People don’t know how to substitute or omit or chop and change.”

If there’s one thing to take away from a chat with Cameron it’s not to be so uptight about rules and recipes and to simply relax, have fun and take time in the kitchen.

“The biggest mistake people make in their cooking is not cooking their onions long enough,” he explains. “Most people just dump them in and give them a bit of a stir, then everything has a raw onion flavour and it’s bad for digestion. I cook my onions for 10 to 15 minutes and use plenty of butter, oil and salt. By cooking onions longer and slower, you get a more complex flavour at the end.”

Cameron says his cooking classes are personally satisfying while the restaurant is professionally satisfying, but that the two are very closely linked.

“I just love everything about cooking. As soon as I started I thrived – it’s who I am. The pressure of the kitchen, the camaraderie of the kitchen, the ability to take raw produce and turn it into something always amazes me. I love the science of it. I honestly can’t see myself doing anything else. My role will probably change as I get older and my knees and back give out, but I’ll always be in restaurants; it’s a massive part of who I am.”

For more information call 1300 252 380 or visit spicersgroup.com.au FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au to see more photos of The Long Apron.

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relaxed recipes

captivating quinoa w o rd s s al l y t r u de p hot o s an as t as i a k ar i o f y l l i d i s

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), a seed from South America, can be used in both sweet and savoury meals as a substitute for grains.

What sets quinoa apart is its high amounts of protein, fibre and iron.

Gluten-free, easy to prepare and with a nutty flavour, what is not to love? Add a bit of seasoning with main courses and your taste buds and health will sing.

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Basic recipe Combine a cup of water to each half cup of dry quinoa in a pan.

Bring to a full boil for five minutes, then cover and set aside for fifteen minutes. This quantity will make two cups of cooked quinoa.

Try substituting chicken or vegetable stock for the water in any of the methods listed below.

All sorts of variations are possible with this basic recipe. Quinoa will enhance many other salad recipes. Try it with a tuna salad.

Chicken quinoa salad Serves 4-6 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed 1 cup quinoa, cooked (basic recipe) 1 cup celery, diced ¼ cup walnuts, chopped 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup paprika Salt and pepper to taste Chill all ingredients and combine. Sprinkle paprika on top for colour.

Mediterranean quinoa salad 1 cup dry quinoa ¼ cup white wine vinegar 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp sugar ½ cup olive oil Salt and pepper 115g feta cheese ¼ cup roasted, salted almonds Rinse quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. Place in a medium saucepan with two cups of water and boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover until quinoa is translucent (about 15 minutes).

Set aside.

Combine vinegar, mustard, and sugar in small bowl. While whisking constantly, slowly add olive oil in a constant stream until completely combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour dressing over warm quinoa and stir until absorbed. Cube feta and toss on top with almonds. Serve warm or cold. saltmagazine.com.au 57

Quinoa pilaf Serves 6-8 ½ cup carrot, diced ½ cup shallots, diced ¼ cup celery, diced ¼ cup green capsicum, diced ¼ cup red capsicum, diced 6 cups quinoa, cooked (basic recipe) ¼ cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 cup almonds, sliced ¼ tsp dried oregano Salt and pepper to taste Sauté chopped vegetables in olive oil until clear, yet crisp. Stir in oregano. Add sautéed vegetables to cooked, hot quinoa, mixing well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Dry roast almonds in a heavy fry pan until lightly golden. Add almonds and mix.

Vary the pilaf using your favourite vegetables, or by cooking the quinoa in chicken, fish or vegetable stock instead of water.

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Warm quinoa and spinach salad with baby tomatoes Extra virgin olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed About ½ to 2/3 cup cooked quinoa per person 1 generous cup washed baby spinach leaves per person Handful of baby tomatoes per person, halved 1 shallot per person, washed, sliced Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste Sprinkle of nutmeg Sprinkle of fresh or dried herbs (parsley, thyme, basil or mint) Squeeze of fresh lemon juice Gently heat a large frying pan or wok. Pour in some extra virgin olive oil. Add the garlic, stir and warm the oil for a minute. Add the cooked quinoa and heat through. Add the baby spinach leaves, tomatoes and shallots. Season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Sprinkle with nutmeg and herbs. Stir to mix.

Sprinkle with lemon juice and stir. When the spinach begins to wilt remove from heat. A crumble of feta cheese can also be added before serving.

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salt cellar

Champagne is the land of the blend, a place where big brands rule and the consistency of a house style is prized above the distinctive character of an individual vineyard.

At least, that’s how it used to be. word s tys o n s t e l z e r

champagne house rules

Whiz along the D9 that skirts the bottom of the slopes of the Côte des Blancs in the fabled heart of Champagne and the fairytale spires marking its finest villages flash by, less than a kilometre apart.

Each village forms its own “cru” and its vineyards make a seamless patchwork stretching high up the slopes behind, every site unique in its exposition, slope and soil.

Never have I seen the Champenoise more determined to express this detail than during my visits this year. Champagne’s 19,000-odd growers once sold their fruits virtually entirely to larger champagne houses. Now, more than a quarter make their own wine. Across hundreds of small villages, signs heralding new champagne brands adorn many an old family home. There are now more than 5000 champagne labels, most of these tiny “grower producers” whose wines never leave France.

Increasingly, the fruit of the better growers is finding its way to Australia, and our seemingly insatiable thirst for fine fizz coupled with a strong Aussie dollar means we will see more champagne brands on the shelves this Christmas than ever. Last year we popped 3.7 million bottles of champagne, an increase of a quarter on the year before and all indications point to another record this year.

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It’s not only the small players who are homing in on the detail of the Champagne landscape. Rows of tiny, gleaming, new, stainless steel tanks and little barrels line the walls of many a Champagne winery, from the smallest estate to many large houses. Pressing and fermenting every parcel separately is now the norm, even if it is ultimately destined for a larger blend.

“My father said if you have a chance to vinify a wine on its own you will express more of its personality,” Olivier Krug of the legendary house of Krug told me. “The more individuality you get, the more precise you can be with selection choices.”

This is an astonishing philosophy for a house that gathers more than 200 such parcels every vintage and blends ten vintages into every non-vintage cuvée. The complexity of permutations that this creates is nothing short of mind-boggling. Suddenly a $300 price tag seems vaguely comprehensible!

The changes at play in Champagne make the fast-evolving landscape of fine fizz an ever more captivating place. Champagne lovers who have only ever reached for familiar household brands are now discovering an exhilarating dimension of individuality captured by the best smaller producers. Likewise, those who have limited their hunt to tiny grower producers find a compelling dynamic in the finest houses.

Sorting the best from the rest is a tougher task than ever now, and this is why the new edition of my book, The Champagne Guide 2012, features twice as many brands as last year. Drinking champagne in Australia has never been better. Pop a cork to celebrate this festive season!

FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au for your chance to win a copy of Tyson’s book The Champagne Guide 2012 and a Billecart-Salmon gift pack containing Billecart-Salmon NV Brut Reserve, ice bucket and champagne flutes to the value of $120.

Finest fizzes • J. Dumangin Fils Brut 17 NV................................................$55 Gilles Dumangin is one of Champagne’s hardest working small players, making a range of pristine bargains.

• Pierre Gimonnet Selection Belles Annees 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs NV..............................................................$60 Fanatical attention to every detail makes Gimonnet one of Champagne’s finest growers and outstanding value.

• Veuve Fourny Blanc de Blanc NV........................................$65 Brothers Emmanuel and Charles Fourny hand-craft one of the finer expressions of the premier cru village of Vertus.

• Pierre Péters Cuvee de Reserve Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV................................................................$70 Mineral texture is derived directly from chalk under the vineyards of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne’s most famous chardonnay village.

• Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve NV.......................................$80 Perpetually one of the finest of the famous NVs, from the house that captures finesse more precisely than any other.

• Gosset Grand Blanc de Blancs NV.....................................$125 Blanc de Blancs means champagne from chardonnay, and Gosset’s brand new rendition exemplifies the purity of the style.

• Taittinger Brut Millesime 2004..........................................$140 Elegant minerality and finesse exemplify the importance of sticking with the finest producers in lesser vintages.

• Larmandier-Bernier Rosé De Saignée Brut 1er Cru NV...$142 The purity of a single village (Vertus), a single vintage (2008) and a single variety (pinot noir) creates an ethereal red cherry experience.

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platter up 5.

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pleasing cheese

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word s cl ai r e pl u s h p h o to an as t as i a k ar i o fyl l i d i s

There’s something about summer that screams cheese platters.

Whether it’s a chilled beverage that aches for an accompaniment or a low-key get together that requires some nibbles, a platter is the perfect addition to any occasion.

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Cheese accompaniments featured are Barossa Bark, Muscatel Raisins and are available at Organika, 205 Weyba Road, Noosaville.

5442 4973 or organika.com.au

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With an extensive range of cheeses stocked in supermarkets, delis and markets, it can get a little confusing when it comes to making a selection.

To help ease the process salt has handpicked some of the tastiest local cheeses from across the Sunshine Coast. From gooey and creamy to sharp and firm, these delectable cheeses work well together or can be devoured individually – the choice is yours.

1. DEVILS FOOT CHEESE Deliciously smooth, Fromart’s Devils Foot is an awardwinning mature cheese that displays striking buttery, daffodil hues. Handcrafted in Eudlo, its silky chewiness is similar to that of fudge, while the bouquet of flavours displays a mix of clotted cream, buttermilk, marzipan and caramel. While it is a great addition to any cheese platter, Devils Foot is also ideal for melting. price $43.90/kg where Fromart is available at Noosa Farmers’ Market on Sundays, Weyba Road, Noosaville or Yandina Plant & Produce Market on Saturdays, Wonga Park, Yandina Sports Ground or fromart.com.au/shop/overview

2. MALENY MARINATED FETA Marinated with juicy olives, sundried tomato, bay leaves and Italian herbs, this feta is a mouthwatering addition to a platter or salad. Made with local milk, this crumbly cheese balances

the delicious burst of flavours with the saltiness of traditional feta. price $8/330g where Maleny Cheese is available at Maleny Cheese Stop Café, 1 Clifford Street, Maleny or Noosa Farmers’ Market on Sundays, Weyba Road, Noosaville or Caloundra Country Market on Sundays, Arthur Street, Caloundra.

3. BUFFALO MILK HALOUMI Want to try haloumi with a twist? Handmade in Maleny with fresh buffalo milk, this haloumi is silky, soft and like no other. Pan fry lightly and eat immediately. price $12 to $14/170g where Cedar Street Cheeserie is available at Noosa Farmers Market, Weyba Road, Noosaville or Maleny IGA, 25 Maple Street, Maleny.

4. MATURE CHEVRE Full of flavour and zing, this mature chevre is made from a French recipe and with local ingredients. While goats cheese is an acquired taste, the semi-soft texture of this cheese makes it very adaptable and perfect for platters, salads or cooking. price $14/130g where Gympie Farm Goats Cheese is available at the Mary Valley Fruit stand at Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Memorial Drive, Eumundi.

5. GILDORA TRIPLE CREAM BRIE This triple cream brie is the new kid on the block. Crafted with Cooloola milk

by Queensland’s youngest professional cheesemaker, Erin Jones, this brie is creamy and mild with a subtle hint of mushroom in each mouthful. price $12/200g where Mary Valley Cheese is available at the Mary Valley Fruit stand at Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Memorial Drive, Eumundi.

6. RE D MALLING VINTAGE CHEDDAR Sharp with a slightly open texture, Red Malling Vintage is a cornerstone of the Kenilworth Cheese range. Created by ‘Poppa’ Hansen in the early 1990s, this cheese is made to the original recipe and has been labelled as the only true Queensland cheddar cheese. Covered with red wax, it is well accompanied by full-bodied red wines. price $4.50 to $5/156g where Kenilworth Cheese is available at The Shop Coolum, 3/10 The Esplanade, Coolum Beach or The Fruit Factory, 158-170 Karawatha Drive, Mountain Creek or local IGA Supermarkets.

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fashion

w o rd s an d sty lin g claire plu s h

endless

summer Drift through summer’s never-ending days in floaty fabrics, bursts of colour, incy wincy swimwear and fuss-free pieces. With temperatures set to soar, the Sunny Coast’s laid-back lifestyle will kick into overdrive.

This season is all about keeping cool, looking refreshed and glowing with happiness from dawn ’til dusk.

Sao Paulo 64 salt

Country Road

Available at: Sao Paulo, Gingers Boutique, Shop 2, 56 Burnett Street, Buderim, 5445 6616.

Country Road, Sunshine Plaza, Horton Parade, Maroochydore, sunshineplaza.com saltmagazine.com.au 65

california dreamin’ Release your inner hippie with sheer kaftans, oversized hats and floaty maxi dresses.

Flirt with the ’70s and add a hint of leather, some flowers and stone jewellery. Flick off the shoes and go barefoot to complete the carefree look.

Helen Kaminski hat

Buffalo Girl

Galeria Hola

Available at: Buffalo Girl, The Romantic, Shop 4, 12 Grebe Street, Peregian Beach, 5471 3235 or theromantic.com.au Helen Kaminski, Must Have Gifts and Fashion, Shop 10, Pacific on Coolum, Birtwill Street, Coolum, 5446 3055.

Handmade Peruvian woollen handbag, Galeria Hola, by appointment only, 0407 050 401 or galeriahola.com.au

Mela Purdie

Mesop

Mela Purdie

Available at: Mela Purdie, OV Boutique, Shop 4, The Dunes, 27 Cotton Tree Parade, Cotton Tree, 5479 4505.

Mesop, Carmel’s Designs & Homewares, Shop 20, The Peninsular, Mooloolaba, 5444 6946 or 21B James Street, Burleigh Heads, 5535 9255 or carmelsdesigns.com.au Phyllis Boho, Waterlily, 25 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, 5455 3399.

Polaroid

Buffalo Girl

Phyllis Boho

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cool water

2 Chillies

Unwind by the water’s edge in style with this season’s hottest bikinis and one-pieces. Pack a pair of comfy sandals, play peek-a-boo with dark sunglasses and settle in for a relaxing day at your favourite beach or waterway.

Available at: 2 Chillies, Poolside, Seahaven Resort, 13 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, 5448 0896.

Oroton, Noosa Optical, 1 Lanyana Way, Noosa Heads, 5447 3711 or noosaoptical.com.au Polaroid, Get Set Footwear, 230 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, 5447 1755 or 82A Bulcock Street, Caloundra, 5492 7185 or getsetfootwear.com.au

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Oroton

Polaroid

Baku

Saucy Rose

Lalu Lalu

Giselle Bunchen by Ipanema

Available at: Baku, Poolside, contact information on page 68.

Saucy Rose, 8 Levuka Avenue, Kings Beach, 5437 2260 or saucyrose.com Lalu Lalu, Two Old Ladies Tea and Gift Shop, Shop 2, 25 Factory Street, Pomona, 5485 0147.

Giselle Bunchen by Ipanema, Get Set Footwear, contact information on page 68.

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cool water

Baku

Available at: Baku, Poolside, contact information on page 68.

Jets, Waterlily, contact information on page 67.

Saucy Rose, contact information on page 69.

Jets

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Jets

Saucy Rose

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she’s a rainbow There’s nothing mellow about yellow or any other colour this summer. Wear lashings of vibrant, happy hues and watch your mood lift as you reach a colour high.

Cooper St

George, Gina & Lucy

Available at: Cooper St, Myer, Sunshine Plaza, contact information on page 65.

Artisan, Essential Style Boutique, Shop 7, 23 Cotton Tree Parade, Cotton Tree, 5479 4785 or Gingers Boutique, contact information on page 65.

George, Gina & Lucy, OV Boutique, contact information on page 67 or Whitebeach Home and Living, 1/214 David Low Way, Peregian Beach, 5448 1320 or whitebeachnoosa.com.au 72 salt

Artisan

Katherine

Sarah Pacini

Available at: Enamel Bangles, The Romantic, contact information on page 66.

Ice Red Sili Forever Watch, Silver Shop, Shop 393, Level 1, Sunshine Plaza, Horton Parade, Maroochydore, 5452 7577 or Shop 104, Sirocco Resort, The Esplanade, Mooloolaba, 5444 7260 or silvershop.com.au Katherine, Gingers Boutique, contact information on page 65 or Minx and Max, Shop 3/18 Lanyana Way, Noosa Junction, 5447 3366 or OV Boutique, contact information on page 67.

Pomegranate, Essential Style Boutique, contact information on page 72 or Soul Diva, 45 Burnett Street, Buderim, 5456 4111 or souldiva.com.au or Watermelon Red, Shop 12, Pacific on Coolum, Birtwill Street, Coolum Beach, 5473 9550 or watermelonred.com.au Sarah Pacini, Kabucci, 29 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, 5477 7799 or kabucci.com Saucy Rose, contact information on page 69.

Enamel Bangles Ice Red Sili Forever Watch Pomegranate

Pomegranate

Saucy Rose

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down by coolriver water the Swap the beach for the riverside and relish in the change of scenery.

Sip on chilled wine, dine in the sun and watch ferries chug past.

Nautical pieces, fitted pants, feminine dresses or collared shirts are must-haves for a day near the water. It’s a little bit posh, after all.

Available at: Brax, Kabucci, contact information on page 73 or Klingers, 29 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, 5444 4200 or klingers.com.au Holiday, Carmel’s Designs & Homewares, contact information on page 67 or Watermelon Red, contact information on page 73.

Metalicus, OV Boutique, contact information on page 67 or Soul Diva, contact information on page 73.

Metalicus

Banana Blue

Brax

Holiday

Maiocchi

Banana Blue

Mensroom Clothing

Florsheim

Available at: Banana Blue, Gingers Boutique, contact information on page 65 or Mint Tea and Me, Shop 3A, 66 Jessica Boulevard, Minyama, 5477 6255 or OV Boutique, contact information on page 67.

Florsheim, Get Set Footwear, contact information on page 68.

Maiocchi, Soul Diva, contact information on page 73.

Mensroom Clothing, Shop 1C, Arcadia Street, Noosa Junction, 5449 2775. saltmagazine.com.au 75

Brigid McLaughlin

summer essentials Revamp your wardrobe with everyday pieces for relaxed living. Lightweight fabrics and breezy dresses will allow your skin to breathe on sultry days. Choose simple white pants or a structured dress for a more sophisticated look. Add personality by wearing accessories that are all about you.

Didier Parakian Meredith 76 salt

Meredith

Ted Baker

Available at: Brigid McLaughlin, Minx and Max, contact information on page 73.

Carmel’s Designs, Carmel’s Designs & Homewares, contact information on page 67.

Didier Parakian, Essential Style Boutique, contact information on page 72 or Gingers Boutique, contact information on page 65 or Must Have Gifts and Fashion, contact information on page 66.

Gloss Diamonds, 18K Princess Cut Diamond Ring 1.00ct with matching 18K Princess Cut Diamond Band TDW 0.50ct and 18K Gold Wedding Ring, Level 1, Sunshine Plaza, Horton Parade, Maroochydore, 5443 8188 or glossdiamonds.com.au LouenHide, Fae Rentoul Summerhouse, 2/3 Gibson Road, Noosaville, 5474 3900 or summerhouse.com.au or OV Boutique, contact information on page 67.

Meredith, Gingers Boutique, contact information on page 65 or Minx and Max, contact information on page 73.

Oroton, Noosa Optical, contact information on page 68.

Paula Ryan, Mint Tea and Me, contact information on page 75.

Ted Baker, Klingers, contact information on page 74.

Paula Ryan

Carmel’s Designs

Oroton

Gloss Diamonds

LouenHide

tribal tales Turn to the earth for inspiration and find solace in her rich tones and deep knowledge. Keep make-up and accessories to a minimum and let the natural you shine through.

Sao Paulo

Country Road

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Mela Purdie

Verge

Oroton

Melissa Lua Feather

Holiday

Available at: Country Road, Sunshine Plaza, contact information on page 65.

Holiday, Carmel’s Designs & Homewares, contact information on page 67 or Watermelon Red, contact information on page 73.

Sao Paulo, Gingers Boutique, contact information on page 65.

Mela Purdie, OV Boutique, contact information on page 67.

Melissa Lua Feather, The Romantic, contact information on page 66.

Verge, Minx and Max, contact information on page 73.

Oroton, Noosa Optical, contact information on page 68.

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Anne Everingham Enhance

Nicole Fendel Gordon Herford Anne Everingham

NY2K Gloss Diamonds Opals Down Under

jewellery box Make a statement with an elegant necklace, romantic ring, chunky bracelet or chic earrings.

Add a wrist-worthy watch that oozes class to the mix and you’re ready to take on the festive season, on time and in style.

Ice Watches

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Mondaine

Available at: Anne Everingham, Sterling Silver with Coral and Yak Bone Prayer Beads from Bhutan and Sterling Silver and Baltic Amber necklace, by appointment only phone 5442 8051 or everingham.com.au Askew2, Mondaine watch, 32 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, 5447 3007.

Essential Style Boutique, Enhance, contact information on page 72.

Gordon Herford, Platinum and diamond set twin palms with briolette diamond coconut, Poeta, 62 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, 5455 4899 or poeta.com.au Gloss Diamonds, 18K 3 Stone Diamond Ring and 18K Princess Cut Diamond Ring 0.50ct, contact information on page 77.

NY2K, Rose gold and silver bangle, Rovera Plaza, King Street, Cotton Tree. 5443 1955 or ny2k.com.au Opals Down Under, Sterling Silver Ring featuring 1.11ct Queensland Boulder Opal, 11 Ballantyne Court, Palmview, 5494 5400 or opalsdownunder.com.au Silver Shop, Ice Pc Swarovski Crystal Set Watch and Ice Sili Swarovski Set Watch, contact information on page 73.

Watermelon Red, Nicole Fendel, contact information on page 73.

natural connection

flow of good intent w o rd s kar i n a e as t w ay p hot o a n as t as i a k ar i o fyl l i d i s

Fair trade, organic, biodynamic, sustainable.

To the uninitiated, these buzz words can be confusing when searching for products which are ethically and environmentally responsible, not to mention healthy. But for Rai Handiman, who was practising sustainable farming long before it was oh-sofashionable, these words are a way of life.

Business owner, entrepreneur, cooperative communities advocate and one-time advisor to Tasmania’s Greens, Rai’s many roles have resulted in a unique perspective on life and a refreshingly simple business philosophy – a flow of good intent.

Rai’s philosophy is put into practice by ethically sourcing organic, biodynamic textiles from Australia and overseas to provide affordable, finest-quality clothing, bedding and linen for his Maleny-based store, Blessed Earth.

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“It comes all the way from the supplier, through us and on to the consumer. It’s a natural flow and it’s not cut short by commercialism,” he says.

It’s a “big-picture” view but having visited suppliers in Egypt and India – both developing farming communities – Rai has seen firsthand the difference good intention makes. In a small Indian village outside Indore, the local families not only grow the cotton, but are now cleaning, spinning, weaving and sewing the high grade linen in a fair-trade environment of being paid decent wages and working in safe, clean conditions.

“Where we get our cotton from has just the most beautiful people, a village of about 300 families,” Rai says. “Everything is used from the cotton plant: leaves for compost, twigs for starting fires,

branches for building. That’s sustainability in action. That’s the way we align ourselves as a business.”

Blessed Earth also supports the communities by providing funding to the local Swayam Institute School in India and a local hospital in Egypt.

“Egypt is very poor. There’s a lot of people that can’t afford medication so they finish up being dumped on the [hospital] doorstep,” Rai says.

“Companies in the West should really put back into these communities as much as they can in terms of quality of life rather than just taking what they produce cheaply and exploiting it.

“A lot of businesses are failing because they haven’t grasped the idea of putting back. They’re all about trying to make an income for self and the times ahead are not going to support that.”

Rai’s personal relationship with the suppliers means he is able to guarantee the quality of the product. All the cotton is certified organic and grown with the aid of biodynamic preparations, a way of energising the plant.

“Organic is the absence of chemicals. You still use compost but you don’t have the benefit of the energising factor that comes with biodynamics. Biodynamics builds up soil structure over time so you get vibrant soil.

“With our products you’re surrounded by highly-energised products. Whether you’re wearing the clothing, the underwear, sleeping on the mattress, the quilt, the pillow. It’s just highly energised and your body instinctively – being a highly sensitive organ – understands that,” he says.

Rai says current textile labelling regulations are very loose, with no safeguards in place to protect the consumer.

“They can call it organic cotton, but really there’s no proof anywhere,” he says. “There’s no safeguards or requirement to prove anything. We’re very strong when we say something’s organic we offer certification details.”

In addition to the beautifully designed linen and clothing already available in store and online, Rai is developing a range of organic clothing and personal-care products for men under the label Organic Ombre.

“There’s a lot of (organic) stuff around for women and children, especially babies. For men there’s not much, and they’re kind of half the population,” he jokes.

“I love it. There’s a creative flow there towards something good.

As an entrepreneur it’s always exciting when you’ve got an idea that’s not out there, therefore you have to build it and shape it.

“That’s the joy of business for me. It’s never about the bottom line, it’s always about the creative process.”

Not surprisingly, Rai hopes to inspire others through the Blessed Earth business and assist other communities in finding more holistic practices.

“Definitely we see that what we’re doing is part of a bigger picture. A better way of doing business and a better way of living,” he says.

Blessed Earth, 43 Maple St Maleny. 5494 2189 or blessedearth.com.au saltmagazine.com.au 83

beauty

sun-kissedbeauty Get your glow on this summer with these essential scrubs, creams, make up and hair products. Pulling off the ‘I just got back from holiday’ look has never been so simple.

w o rd s an d sty lin g claire plu s h

beautify Mozi Zanzibar Lip Balms use a beeswax base to soften lips, leaving them totally kissable. 20g, $19.95rrp. Made with 24-karat gold flakes Jane Iredale Sun Beam Bronzer is the ticket to a lust-worthy golden glow. $90rrp. Brighten and enhance the appearance of your skin with The Body Shop Radiant Highlighter. 25ml, $25.95rrp.

Liven up your hands and feet with Butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Primrose Hill Picnic.

11ml, $19.95rrp. Infused with orris, sandalwood, patchouli and fresh vetiver, Crabtree & Evelyn Iris is an alluring, light fragrance perfect for day and night use. 100ml, $69.95rrp. Thicken and lengthen natural eyelashes by 300 per cent with Love Alpha Fibre Flutter Extender $39.95rrp. Fake that golden glow with Naked Tan Goddess Bronze, a self-tanning cream enriched with organic shea butter and soothing aloe vera. 150ml, $31.95rrp.

body Nourish dry skin from head to toe with Saya Coconut Body Custard, a creamy moisturiser enriched with organic shea and cocoa butter. 250ml, $34.95rrp. Dispose of dead, rough skin with Eminence Pear & Green Apple Sugar Scrub. 250ml, $74rrp.

Available at: Butter London, The Romantic, Shop 14, 12 Grebe Street, Peregian Beach. 5471 3235 or theromantic.com.au Crabtree & Evelyn, Fae Rentoul Summer House, 2/3 Gibson Road, Noosaville, 5474 3900 or summerhouse.com.au Dr Spiller, Grace Kovac, 4/5 Gibson Road, Noosaville. 5447 1172 or 0410 681 250 or gracekovac.com.au Éminence, The Spa, Noosa Springs, Links Drive, Noosa Heads. 5440 3355 or noosasprings.com.au Germaine de Capuccini, Asante Day Spa, Shop 5/7-13 Beach Road, Coolum Beach. 5446 5229 or asantespa.com.au 84 salt

Goldwell, Smyths Inc. Hairdressing, Islander Resort 187 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, 5449 8877 or Shop 2, Ocean Breeze, 52 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, 5447 4422 or smythsinc.com Jane Iredale, Ikatan Spa, 46 Grays Road, Doonan.

5471 1199 or ikatanspa.com or One Spa RACV, contact details below.

Love alpha, Rok It Hair & Beauty, Shop 105A, La Balsa, 45 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba. 5444 4094.

Mozi, Watermelon Red, Shop 12, Pacific on Coolum, Birtwill Street, Coolum Beach. 5473 9550 or watermelonred.com.au Naked Tan, One Spa RACV, 94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, 5341 6900 or racv.com.au

Pure, Eco Organic Hair and Body, 3/1, King Street, Cotton Tree. 5451 1300 or eco-organic.com Saya, Saya Factory, Shop 6/41 Gateway Drive, Noosaville. 5473 0257 or sayaskin.com Thalgo, Aqua Day Spa, Sheraton Noosa Resort, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. 5449 4777 or aquadayspa.com.au or The Spa Room, contact details below.

The Body Shop, Ground Level, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore. 5479 3309 Ultraceuticals, The Spa Room, The Esplanade, Mooloolaba. 5326 1710 or thesparoom.com.au Wella, Toni & Guy, Shop 2/30 King Street, Cotton Tree. 5451 0251 or toniandguy.com.au

hair Enhance natural waves and protect your hair with Goldwell Style Sign Structure Me. 150ml, $22.95rrp. Wella SP Sun UV Spray coats your locks with a gentle barrier against damage from UV rays, wind, sea and chlorinated water. 125ml, $32rrp. Mend, smooth and hydrate split ends with the repairing blend of goji berry oil and exclusive ‘Pure Complex’ found in Pure Divine Ends. 150ml, $26.95rrp.

face Gentle and effective, Thalgo Softness Exfoliator removes impurities while preserving the natural protection of the skin. 50ml, $59rrp. Ultraceuticals Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30+ is the ultimate sunscreen with its triple action formula acting as a moisturiser, boosting skin with a dose of antioxidants and protecting it against harmful UVB, UVAI and UVAII rays. 150ml, $69rrp. Conceal redness, dark spots and other imperfections with Germaine de Capuccini Synergyage BB Cream Perfectionist. 50ml, $79rrp. Soft and clean skin is at your fingertips thanks to Dr Spiller Cucumber Cleanser, a creamy blend that will purify, revitalise and lighten your skin. $62rrp.

pamper & preen

sublime treatment completes life reset word s c l ai r e pl u s h p h o t o a n a s t a s i a ka r i o f y l l i d i s

Detox is a word that gets thrown around a lot. And until recently I had a mere one-finger grasp on what that word really meant.

A detox is about ridding the body of toxins and unnecessary substances, and while the concept may seem liberating, it is actually quite difficult to do.

For two weeks I religiously followed a clean eating program (goodbye dairy, wheat, sugar and my beloved caffeine) in the name of a ‘life reset’. But while, with eagle eyes I watched what I put in my mouth, I had sadly let my mind, muscles and outer layers slip off the radar.

A visit to Asante Day Spa would, I hoped, clear my head, dispose of any tightness I was feeling and discover the healthy-looking skin that was lost under a thin sheet of dullness.

Asante, meaning thank you in Swahili, is an African-themed retreat tucked behind the main street of Coolum Beach.

On the outside it looks like any other shop front, but as soon as the door opens I am wrapped in spicy scents and earthy music.

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My therapist, Libby, greets me at reception with a gentle smile and a soft voice. Placing a delicious peach and rose tea in my hands, she tells me about the treatment I will enjoy for the next three and a half hours.

I am led down a dark hallway and into a candle-lit room, decorated with eclectic adornments. Soft white material gathers at the centre of the ceiling and drapes to each corner of the room, making the space feel like a large, luxurious tent somewhere off the beaten track.

Libby signals the start of the treatment with a teak mist ritual, releasing a soft spray into the air that lightly falls around me.

Using a nutmeg, cinnamon, sesame and bamboo mixture, she begins to exfoliate my body from toe to tip in a pressured circular motion. My skin begins to tingle with new life, as dead skin cells are grinded away.

A spa bath filled to the brim with detoxifying ingredients like red grapes, sits behind a door attached to my room. I am led to the spa where instead of the delicious (but forbidden) cheese and fruit platter that was on the menu; I am served a specially brewed pot of spiced herbal tea.

I close my eyes in between sips of the soft blend and decide that >

Where is it?

Asante Day Spa is at Shop 5/7-13 Beach Road, Coolum Beach. asantespa.com.au or 5446 5229 What is special?

Pampering and relaxation go hand in hand, and it makes sense that the longer it lasts the more rested you will feel. This treatment dedicates three and a half hours to non-stop pampering to ensure that guests have enough time to truly switch off.

Tribal music, dimly lit rooms and spicy air all add to the exotic atmosphere of the African-themed day spa and make it a great place for visitors and locals to escape the daily grind.

Which treatment was enjoyed?

Exotic Spice Essence package valued at $350. This body ritual package showcased a range of treatments that worked together to leave me feeling relaxed and enlivened.

This package was an experience for the whole body from head to toe and involved a teak mist ritual; a spiced body polish; a red grape spa where I opted for a pot of spiced herbal tea instead of a delicious platter lined with cheese, crackers, fruit and homemade chocolates; a silk foulard stretch; a deep tissue massage; a Germaine de Capuccini hyaluronic collagen masque facial; Moroccan Oil scalp ritual; and a deluxe Shellac sole soother where feet are preened and nails are painted.

Final tips?

Choose a package that suits your time frame. You will feel more at ease if you’re not thinking of where you have to rush off to next.

If you can’t find a spare three and a half hours to enjoy this pampering session, Asante also offers each of the treatments individually.

I am satisfied with Libby’s healthy alternative to the decadent platter. The subtle flavour and lightness of the tea is far better suited to my current detox state.

I’ve lost track of time and my mind is starting to drift like the orchids that surround me.

I am ushered back into the treatment room and am massaged with a saffron balm.

A long piece of silk is gently pulled from underneath me and wrapped around my arm. Libby gently pulls the silk, giving me a soft, yoga-like stretch.

Using the silk like a gymnast uses ribbon, Libby continues to twist, wrap and pull the material in different directions as she glides around my limp body.

I’m feeling more relaxed as each minute evaporates and catch myself drifting to sleep as the facial begins.

For the next twenty minutes I sink deeper into the massage table as my face indulges in a Germaine de Capuccini hyaluronic collagen masque, my scalp is massaged with Moroccan Oil and my feet are treated to a much-needed pedicure.

To say I am feeling cleansed, rested and rejuvenated would be an understatement.

Floating out of Asante and back into the world, I feel like someone has hit the ‘reset’ button.

My detox is officially complete.

FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au for more photos of Asante Day Spa. saltmagazine.com.au 87

health

healthy herbs w o rds l i n da rea d

One of nature’s sweetest scents is that which wafts from a herb garden after a shower of rain.

There is something earthy and exhilarating about plucking a sprig of fresh rosemary to add to a lamb roast, or a handful of juicy mint leaves to flavour a summer punch.

Herbs, both fresh and dried, add life and zest to just about every dish in the modern kitchen.

But as well as their renowned culinary prowess, the associated medicinal qualities and health benefits of herbs have been documented and debated for many thousands of years.

H e r bs in histor y Many ancient texts record the use of herbs in medicines. According to an article in the Medical Journal of Australia which investigated the health benefits of herbs and spices, when King Tutankhamen’s tomb was excavated, cloves of garlic were found. Ancient Egyptian papyri record the use of several different types of herbs. The Sumerians were using thyme for its health benefits in 5000BC, and the farmers of Mesopotamia were growing garlic in 3000BC. In China and India, the use of herbs for medicinal purposes is legendary.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used herbs extensively for medicinal purposes. The Greek physician Hippocrates, known as ‘the father of

medicine’, used herbs such as garlic, cinnamon and rosemary in his treatments.

In Australia, the Aborigines used herbal medicine for thousands of years, based on the plants that were available to them. Examples include the use of river mint for coughs, and wattle and eucalyptus for diarrhoea and fever.

The World Health Organisation has said 80 per cent of the population of some Asian and African countries depend on traditional medicine for their primary health care, and that herbal treatments are the most popular form of traditional medicine.

What is a her b?

The Oxford English Dictionary describes a herb as “any non-woody seed-bearing plant which dies down to the ground after flowering” and “any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine, scent etc.”. While this may be the botanical definition of a herb, other foods renowned for their health benefits are often referred to as herbs, such as garlic.

Sunshine Coast herb farmer and author Isabell Shipard, who has grown, distributed and studied herbs for 30 years, includes in her

definition of herbs “any plant that is used by man for food, flavouring, medicine, aroma, dye, or any other use”. Spices, she points out, are also herbs which are used in their dried state and are generally very aromatic and pungent.

How can we use herbs for health?

Many herbs are taken internally, in the form of supplements in tablet or powder form sold commercially, or by including them in cooking and drinking. They are also widely used externally on the body in various ways to promote general health and address specific health and cosmetic issues.

Nutritionists and diet experts promote the use of herbs and spices as a substitute for salt to encourage variety in healthy eating and an increase in vegetable intake. In Greece, where the traditional diet is recognised as one of the world’s healthiest, they state in their official dietary guidelines that herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme are good sources of antioxidant compounds.

Growing fresh herbs at home is easy and rewarding. Even if you’re pushed for space

herb hOT SPOTS • Noosa Farmers’ Markets, Weyba Road, Noosaville. Open Sunday from 7am to noon.

• Yandina Markets, Farrell Street, Yandina. Open Saturday from 7am to noon.

• Eumundi Markets, Memorial Drive, Eumundi. Open Wednesday from 8am to 1.30pm and Saturday from 6.30am to 2pm.

and time, you can still reap the benefits of a pot or two of seasonal herbs on your balcony or doorstep.

While the list of herbs and their uses for health is endless, the following is a snapshot of a few favourites and their associated health benefits, taken from Isabell Shipard’s book How Can I Use Herbs in My Daily Life? >

Natur e’s medicine cabinet Aloe Vera: Also known as the ‘living first aid plant’, aloe is renowned for its healing properties. Use internally and externally as a pain and allergy inhibitor, for inflammation, fluid retention, itching, moisturising the skin and aiding the digestive system.

Fenugreek: One of the oldest recorded medicinal herbs. Able to bring on a sweat and help detox the body. Also helps clear congestion, and has featured for peptic ulcers and inflamed conditions of the stomach and bowel.

Lemon Balm: The oil of lemon balm has a gently sedating effect, which helps to disperse tension and stress. Often drunk as a tea, which has a calming, relaxing and refreshing effect. Has also featured for colic, headaches, gout and arthritis.

Cinnamon: Delicious and fragrant, cinnamon has a long history of use and was treasured and extremely high-priced by early spice traders. Has been found to contain constituents that can kill bacteria and other micro-organisms which are the source of infections.

Horseradish: An extremely powerful stimulant to the body.

Has antibiotic and germ-killing properties, which can protect the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria. Also taken to help purify the bloodstream and cleanse the body of wastes.

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Helpful herb hints: • Group herbs with similar watering needs together.

• Herbs vary greatly in their native origins, so consider the plant’s native habitat when deciding on a plant site.

• Provide good drainage for your herbs. Most herbs like moisture but dislike soggy soil. Water frequently to keep the soil moist.

• Try growing herbs in your vegie garden – some herbs have the ability to repel pests, and will attract pollinating insects, which will help fruit set.

• Pruning naturally stimulates plant growth. Pinch back herbs during their growing season to maintain healthy plants.

• Plant herbs early in the morning or late in the day to minimise stress on the plants.

• ‘Waterwise’ herbs (those with lower water requirements) include thyme, rosemary, lavender, sage and oregano.

Cat’s Whiskers: An esteemed tea for kidney diseases, and for the treatment of kidney and urinary stones or discharge. Leaves can be used fresh, or dried as an infusion. Also used for gallstones, rheumatic pains and coughs. Indigenous to southeast Asia and Australia’s tropical north.

Wasabi: Valued medicinally for its antibacterial properties, antiinflammatory action used for coughs, colds and sinusitis, and for its ability to stimulate the appetite and remove toxins from the body.

A powerful digestive stimulant which exhibits strong antioxidant properties.

Licorice: Since earliest recorded history, licorice has been used as an aphrodisiac and beautifying agent used for vitality and longevity.

Works on the digestive, respiratory, nervous, reproductive and excretory systems. Useful as an expectorant and a cough suppressant.

Dandelion: A daily tea of dandelion root, or eating the leaves, is recommended for liver complaints. Can be eaten regularly as a preventative, to keep the liver at peak efficiency. Helpful for people who suffer from allergies, eczema and other skin conditions.

Carob: Has high pectin content, which is valuable for assisting digestion. Also used for heartburn. Its tannin content also inhibits bacteria, and can stop certain toxins and free-radicals. herbs-to-use.com saltmagazine.com.au 91

artist

freedom found in paint word s lei g h r o bs h aw p ho t o s ka t e j o h ns

There are countless ways a childhood spent in Africa can shape the soul of an artist.

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Cry me a river

Sue Gilmour, who grew up in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, began drawing because there wasn’t much else to do, and from there she developed a passion for capturing the essence of arid landscapes that continues to fuel her artwork today.

“When we lived in Uganda we lived in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, or the ‘mountains of the moon’,” says Sue. “We used to get chimpanzees coming into the garden and trying to take our vegetables. Our life was lived very close to nature.”

Now living a world away in Mooloolah, Sue speaks in a quiet British accent about her parents taking her to live in Africa at the age of six months and how her first language was Swahili.

“My mother went to work and my nanny only spoke Swahili,” she recalls. “She used to take us to her African friends’ houses and we ate the food straight out of their cooking pots. It was a great life, we had plenty of space and people were really friendly. I was always drawing as we didn’t have a lot of resources.”

Sue’s family moved from Tanzania to Kenya when she was 10, then to Uganda when she was 15, where she relished the social life of boarding school after having lived so remotely.

When political instability began to brew in the nation, Sue’s parents encouraged her to go to London to study.

Her mother wanted her to become a secretary, but for Sue the idea of working in an office was repugnant, >

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so she chose art college. For the 19-year-old who had known nothing but sunshine and open spaces all her life, it was a huge culture shock.

“I felt like an outsider in England. It was such a different culture.

We’d never been to a cold, dismal country. Their way of life was so different and I was really unhappy.”

She persevered and graduated with an honours degree in art, and subsequently moved to Australia in search of the warmth, space and connection with nature she had so desperately missed.

After venturing into textile design, screen printing and metal sculpture for a number of years, then becoming consumed with raising three children, Sue eventually returned to painting. Her

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abstract paintings of the Australian outback reveal her deep understanding of its space, tones and textures.

She effortlessly captures the grandeur of desert landscapes with a familiarity and understanding ingrained in her from spending her formative years in Africa. The energy of her work is admired by the owner of Lasting Impressions gallery at Kenilworth, Kaye Cathrow.

“I’m sure she doesn’t intentionally mean it, but I see similarities with Fred Williams and Brett Whitely,” Kaye says. “She’s a very enthusiastic painter and that definitely comes through in her work.

She paints the Australian outback landscape very well; she deviates from that from time to time to do other things, but she’s a very good landscape painter and she has a way of showing the inland arid landscape the way it is.

“I’ve shown her work for quite some years now and I’ve seen big developments in the last couple of years with the content of her work. She’s been included in some very good awards too, and I’m very confident in her ability as time goes on to become a highly successful painter.”

Sue also does a lot of figurative work and life drawing, though she admits she’s “too impatient for photo realism where you can pick out every whisker”.

Sue’s trademark palette of earthy, neutral tones is now being enlivened with shocks of turquoise blue after a recent visit to Turkey, which inspired a new series of work that will be exhibited during December and January at Lasting Impressions.

A fistful of Ned

“I found Turkey was very alive,” says Sue. “Everything happens outside and it’s not as claustrophobic as say, Paris.

“They’re quite creative in everything they do because they’re not a wealthy country. There’s so much less pressure there and they have a really interesting history. We went into buildings from the fourth century. They don’t cordon them off; it’s just part of everyday life.”

Sue paints every day, whether its only half an hour to put some marks on a canvas and stay in the loop, or seven hours straight.

She paints to music to free up her brushstrokes – the louder the better, whether it’s classical, reggae or rock – and when she gets bored she paints over work and sometimes regrets it later.

“I’ve had people come to me and say they’d like to buy a painting they saw a while ago and then I’ll realise I painted over it!” she says.

While she may tire of working on a particular piece, she says painting for her is never a chore, and that she hopes to continue evolving as a painter for the rest of her life.

“I feel a real sense of freedom when I paint, I feel it’s really me.

When I’m painting, things I normally worry about seem to disappear.”

Portrait of a river

Lasting Impressions Gallery will display a small collection of Sue Gilmour’s recent works throughout December and January. Lasting Impressions Gallery, 6 Elizabeth Street, Kenilworth. 5446 0422 or lastingimpressionsgallery.net

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off the wall

light balanced with shade wor d s k a rin a ea stwa y p or t r ai t p h ot o k a te johns

Linda Keough’s love affair with light is unmistakable, yet it’s her affinity with shadow which brings her distinctive paintings together and draws the viewer in.

The contrast of light and shade, the known and the unknown, imposes a focus on her subject matter – an empty chair, an abandoned bird’s nest, a discarded cup – while also creating a sense of mystery.

“When I paint a landscape, it rarely incorporates bright skies, there must always be an element of strangeness,” Linda says. “A painting must have a sense of unease, mystery. The viewer should feel that something has occurred, but the moment is ambiguous.”

Inspired by history, Linda’s subject matter creates a sense of longing for the past, shaped in part by incorporating items from her own childhood such as pieces given to her by her grandmother. Linda’s aptly named Nostalgia and Light exhibition, showing at Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery in Buderim from December 4 to 18, is the result of nine months of full time painting and is Linda’s first solo show.

Since 2004 Linda has participated in group exhibitions in Queensland and has received several art awards as well as winning the 2009 Border Art Prize. Her entry in the 2006 d’Arcy Doyle Art Prize for Landscape was subsequently bought by Gold Coast mayor Ron Clarke. Up until 1997 Linda had put her remarkable talent, evident since primary school, on hold preferring to pour her energy and creative expression into raising a family.

“That’s what mothers do. That’s what parenting’s about, putting your children’s needs in front of your own. That’s how it is, that’s how I see it anyway,” she laughs.

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But as her three children got older and less dependent, Linda was able to get back to art and discovered oil painting through her mentor, Dutch artist Dirk Van De Lindt.

“That got me back on track and I decided that painting was a way of expressing myself without having to speak – something I’m not fond of. Of course [as a single mother] I still had to work part time, so I had a job at night which paid the rent and allowed me to paint during the day.”

Following the traditional Dutch method, Linda’s oil paintings are slowly and meticulously built up in a series of layers. Art gallery director Tiffany Jones says that this devoted method of painting means that Linda can only produce a small number of paintings each year.

“Linda’s paintings are eagerly awaited by her growing band of admirers and they are acquired quickly by art collectors because of their scarcity, emotive beauty and fine technique,” Tiffany says.

Linda’s subjects exude an incredible stage-like presence, influenced by a childhood growing up in the wings of the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings, New Zealand.

“For a small town, Hastings was culturally artistic.There were always shows and musical theatre in the art-deco opera house.

I was always either backstage or right up in the gods watching Mum rehearse and Dad would be in the orchestra pits – I loved it.

“I like to spotlight subject matter. There’s a theatrics to it, focussing in on one object. Isolating the subject and drawing the viewer in to examine it on a more intimate level,” Linda says of her use of light.

“I like that sense of solitude or abandonment. It’s what drives me to paint. I’m drawn towards objects that exude a feeling of melancholy, loneliness. The ‘darker’ side.”

While Linda’s artwork is an example of exacting realism, it still leaves room for intrigue and the unexpected. It’s something

Hedge & Doll

she has admired in artists such as Dali and Magritte since discovering the surrealist style as a teenager.

“I was fascinated at the obscure strangeness of a steam train coming out of a fireplace. It made me think. A painting has to draw you in and that’s what they did,” she says.

Linda is happy to leave us pondering the same unanswered questions in her own work.

“I do the paintings and that’s as far as I go. If people see something in the painting that draws them in – that’s great, I’ve achieved something.”

Linda Keough’s exhibition, Nostalgia and Light, will be held at Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, 138 Burnett St, Buderim, from December 4 to 18 (closed Mondays).

5450 1722 or tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au

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BrisVegas by Kendall

art dates Eye candy. Food for the mind and soul. Take a moment to peruse some of the finest works of art from some of the best galleries on the coast through summer.

Fractured II by Lindsay Hamilton

december PRECIOUS LITTLE Annual feature with the focus on smaller works of art to bring quality and originality back to Christmas gifts. when Now to December 24 where Art on Cairncross, Cairncross Corner, Maleny. 5429 6404 artoncairncross.com.au THE WRAP UP Wrap up the year with Art Nuvo’s final showing for 2011. The exhibition brings together the coast’s finest artists in all mediums featuring Gary Myers, Roger Lane, Carmen Hannay, Shannon Garson and Lindsay Muir. Artwork to suit all budgets. when Now to December 24 where: Art Nuvo, 25 Gloucester Road, Buderim. 5456 2445 artnuvobuderim.au JAN HODGSON Jan’s attention to detail, eye for colour and fascination for the simple but often complex beauty of nature’s gifts enables her to produce superb pastels with an almost photographic finish. when Now to December 31 98 salt

where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville. 5442 9211 montvilleartgallery.com.au ALONG THE LINES BY LINDSAY HAMILTON Abstract original artwork by Lindsay Hamilton.

Mixed Media on Canvas. Featured above is Fractured II by Lindsay Hamilton, which will appear in the exhibition. when Now to January 1 where Studio 4 Gallery, 25 Seaside Boulevard, Marcoola. 5457 0298 studio4gallery.com.au CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR COLLECTABLE ART SALE Save on beautiful art by prestigious artists at the Sunshine Coast’s premier investment art gallery with discounts for a limited time on original works by Boyd, Dickerson, Doyle, Hart, Heysen, Kilvington, Lindsay, Namatjira, Nolan, Olley, Mora, Sawrey, Storrier and more. when Now until mid January where Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, 138 Burnett Street, Corner Townsend Road, Buderim. 5450 1722 tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au

Hartz Pass by Bruce Buchanan

january SERENITY IS… MARGI PARRY

KENDALL

Gathered in this exhibition are some of Margi Parry’s moments of serenity. Each work recalls a past memory, captures the now or anticipates the future, while savouring the insight of each moment. when: Now until January 15 where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra. 5420 8299 caloundraregionalgallery.org.au

Kendall, one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular artists, has stormed the global art scene in a blaze of colour, producing florals, cityscapes, yachting scenes and jazz musicians in her own vibrant style.

Featured on page 98 is BrisVegas by Kendall, which will be included in the exhibition. when January 1 to 31 where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville. 5442 9211 montvilleartgallery.com.au

MY MORNING RITUAL: NICOLA CHATHAM Nicola Chatham takes the physical and emotional experience of her natural environments and personal relationships, translating it into a beautiful visual and literary record of day to day selfexamination. when December 7 to January 15 where Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra. 5420 8299 caloundraregionalgallery.org.au ROBERT BAINES: METAL Robert Baines is one of Australia’s most prominent and influential jewellers and goldsmiths with a career spanning more than 30 years. when December 16 to January 29 where Noosa Regional Gallery, Riverside, Pelican Street, Tewantin. 5449 5340 noosaregionalgallery.com CARESSING THE TIGER: AN EXHIBITION BY DALE LEACH Caressing the Tiger is a collection of paintings and prints that has become a muse on the nature of creativity itself. when December 16 to January 29 where Noosa Regional Gallery, Riverside, Pelican Street, Tewantin. 5449 5340 noosaregionalgallery.com

LOOKING AHEAD Showcasing the depth of artistic talent, this feature includes stunning drawings and paintings, exceptional ceramics, glass and sculpture, and all with a positive attitude.

Featured on page 101 is Things Persian

by Nan Paterson, which will feature in the exhibition. when January 3 to 31 where Art on Cairncross, Cairncross Corner, Maleny. 5429 6404 artoncairncross.com.au UNBELIEVABLE Group exhibition showcasing paintings, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and paper art. when January 5 to February 5 where Studio 4 Gallery, 25 Seaside Boulevard, Marcoola. 5457 0298 studio4gallery.com.au WEEK OF WORKSHOPS Nine days of inspiration and creativity – painting, drawing, jewellery, sculpture and printmaking. when January 7 to 15 where Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 MalenyStanley River Road, Maleny. 5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au

Murranbidgee by Robert Hagan

WATER AND DUST BY ROBERT HAGAN

IAN SMITH: ON AND OFF THE ROAD

From dusty cattle to lazy times at the beach, Australiana is Robert’s favourite muse.

View a selection of this artist’s famed work at this exhibition. Featured above is Murranbidgee

by Robert Hagan, which will feature in the exhibition. when From January 12 where Landsborough Galleries, 27 Caloundra Street, Landsborough. 5439 9943 landsboroughgalleries.com.au

This new exhibition features large scale paintings and drawings made since 2001 that deal with Ian’s fascination with the imagery and experiences of being on the road. when February 3 to March 18 where Noosa Regional Gallery, Riverside, Pelican Street, Tewantin. 5449 5340 noosaregionalgallery.com

MEMORY, MYTH AND THE 1/4 ACRE BLOCK: BRONEK KOZKA

The combination of abstraction and realism in this exhibition celebrates both the differences and similarities shared in the recognition that there is a sacredness that connects all aspects of our lives. when February 3 to March 18 where Noosa Regional Gallery, Riverside, Pelican Street, Tewantin. 5449 5340 noosaregionalgallery.com

Through elaborate tableaux photographs, Kozka explores memory and remembered moments of growing up in suburbia. Featured on page 101 is Sunshine House by Bronek Kozka, which will be included in the exhibition. when January 18 to March 4 where Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra. 5420 8299 caloundraregionalgallery.org.au PAINTING/DRAWING CLASSES WITH SONJA GEORGESON Ongoing classes covering all media, styles, subjects and levels. when Thursday mornings from January 19 or Saturday mornings from January 21 where Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny. 5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au

february GARY MYERS Known for his brilliant colour and dynamic brushwork Gary Myers’ acrylic paintings perfectly capture the life and scenery of the Sunshine Coast and the hinterland. when February to March where Gary Myers Gallery at Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny.

5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au TODD WHISSON A plein air artist in the style of the Heidelberg school, Todd paints in oils using a large palette knife to produce impressionistic landscapes and seascapes. when February 1 to 29 where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville. 5442 9211 montvilleartgallery.com.au 100 salt

OF TREES AND ORDINARY THINGS…..

DRAWING FUNDAMENTALS WITH SONJA GEORGESON These nine classes are ideal for beginners and cover the seeing process, line, space and shape, three dimensions, linear perspective, light, shade and composition. when Saturday afternoons from February 4 or Tuesday mornings from February 7 where Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny. 5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au PORTRAITS AND SCULPTURE BY BONNIE SALTER The portrayal of each individual story is captured not only in the eyes, but also in the body’s expression. when February 9 to March 4 where Studio 4 Gallery, 25 Seaside Boulevard, Marcoola. 5457 0298 studio4gallery.com.au

march CREATIVE SATURATION Local and interstate artists working across a range of media, subjects and styles on exhibition in the beautiful and serene surroundings of Maleny’s countryside. when March where Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny.

5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au

Sunshine House by Bronek Kozka

Things Persian by Nan Paterson

40th BIRTHDAY EXHIBITION Founded in 1972, the Montville Art Gallery celebrates its 40th birthday this month with an exhibition showcasing the works of 40 of our award-winning artists. when March 1 to 31 where Montville Art Gallery, 138 Main Street, Montville.

5442 9211 montvilleartgallery.com.au STANLEY RIVER WORKSHOP WITH SONJA GEORGESON Learn to trust the process and achieve surprising and inspirational outcomes in this mixed media workshop. when March 3 and 4 where Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny. 5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au ONE FOR THE BIRDS! Our feathered friends in paint by Deidre Ryan, in clay by James L. Peterson and in bronze by Chris Gavins. Celebrating how our environment is rich in both birdlife and artistic interpretation. when March 3 to April 1 where Art on Cairncross, Cairncross Corner, Maleny. 5429 6404 artoncairncross.com.au BRUCE BUCHANAN Buchanan’s compelling watercolours introduce us to a new appreciation of our natural and urban landscapes. Featured on page 99 is Hartz Pass by Bruce Buchanan, which will be featured in the exhibition. when March 4 to 18 where Lasting Impressions Gallery, 6 Elizabeth Street, Kenilworth.

5446 0422 lastingimpressionsgallery.net FRIENDS SELECTION FROM THE KEN HINDS COLLECTION Members of the Friends Regional Gallery Caloundra Inc. are invited to make a selection from the Ken Hinds Collection. The top 40 to 50 items will be put on display. when March 7 to April 22 where Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

5420 8299 caloundraregionalgallery.org.au saltmagazine.com.au 101

E L GAL LO ^ artist David Chavez medium Oil on canvas size 580 x 680mm price $1600 Galeria Hola, open by appointment. 0407 050 401 galeriahola.com.au

WOODED LA N D S CA P E artist Andre Leveille medium Oil on canvas size 920 x 710mm unframed price $10,500 Highly Strung Picture Framing & Art Supplies, corner Lowe Street and Memorial Drive, Eumundi. 5442 7044 highlystrung.com.au

CRIM S O N H U MMI N G B I R D > artist Belinda Herford medium Photograph size 490 x 460mm framed price $400 Poeta, Herford on Hastings, The French Quarter, 62 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. 5455 4899 poeta.com.au 102 salt

Strawberry Gem artist Anne Middleton medium Oil on linen size 460 x 350mm price $1250 Art Nuvo gallery, 25 Gloucester Road, Buderim. 5456 2445 artnuvobuderim.com.au

art space These artworks, featured on salt’s own gallery space for summer, inspire, challenge – and give pause for thought.

^

Chair , A ntique Lace & Birds N est artist Linda Keough medium Oil on canvas size 910 x 910mm price $7500 Tiffany Jones Fine Art Gallery, 138 Burnett Street, corner Townsend Road, Buderim.

5450 1722 tiffanyjonesfineart.com.au

Morning V iew – Stradbrok e I sland artist Gary Myers medium Acrylic on linen size 540 x 540mm price $1900 Gary Myers Gallery at Maleny Arts Retreat, 901 MalenyStanley River Road, Maleny.

5499 9801 malenyartsretreat.com.au

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grains of salt

wor d s bern a rd sa lt i l l us t r at i on peter holla rd

society for the abnormally normal

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I have had it up to here with some people and their rude behaviour.

Do you get annoyed when someone asks for a meeting or makes an arrangement and then they don’t turn up at the nominated time? What about when you send a gift to a friend or relative and you receive not only no ‘thank you’ note but no acknowledgement that they have even received it?

And do you have some friends who are more than happy for you to sit and listen to them talk about their kids, their job, their holiday but who get all antsy and impatient when you start talking about your interests?

This is best evidenced in the holiday photo exchange. This is when someone comes around to your place with photo album under their arm to walk you through every loving photo of their Contiki tour to Europe. But these very same people would no more allocate that time to your photos of your trip than fly in the air.

If you have experienced part or all of these situations then you are just like me. I don’t know how many times I have come away from a business function where I have thought “am I the only normal person in the world?”

If this is you then you need to join my most recent excellent adventure: I have set up a Society for Normal People Facebook page and it already has close to 2500 subscribers. There are 22 million people in Australia but just over two thousand of these are normal – or think they’re normal.

Here’s a chance for you to meet other normal people and to vent over the actions of what might be described as rude people.

As this whole thing was my idea I have declared myself the Dear Leader or El Presidente of the People’s Republic of Normalstan which is only inhabited by normal people. We are kind and courteous; we reply to phone calls; we thank people for presents and we thank hosts for their effort in hosting an event. We are different because we are normal.

As El Presidente, I am on the look out for a suitably militaryinspired uniform. I’d like something with braid as well as a sash.

Apparently all crazed dictators are wearing gold braid and a sash this season.

After joining the Society for Normal People (all you have to do is ‘like’ the page) you are then eligible to attend our occasional normal people drinks functions. We held the first of these at the Cuvee Bar in the Brisbane Sofitel in September and about fifteen people turned up.

And I have to say that for people who had never met each other we all immediately got on famously. No one was rude; everyone was polite. Most were 40-55 and from what I would call the genteel professional class.

These are the people who are most concerned about the demise of manners. When anyone mentions manners to Generation Y they tend to recoil in horror. But if I package the same concept as respect for others, I am sure the younger generation would support the idea.

You do realise of course that I intend taking over the world with this Respect Revolution. We at the Society will not stop until we have converted everyone to our way of thinking, including the good residents and many normal people of the Sunshine Coast.

I want all normal people from Caloundra to Noosa to support this idea that we can create a better society if we all treated each other with a bit more respect. Perhaps it’s time to remember that it’s not all about you!

Bernard Salt is a KPMG Partner, bernardsalt.com.au To see illustrations by Peter Hollard visit peterhollardart.com saltmagazine.com.au 105

in your dreams

sleek, modern beach shack keeps it simple word s & p h o to s c l ai r e p l u s h a n d co u rt e s y o f christo ph e r fr e de r i c k jo ne s

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Nestled in Sunshine Beach, away from the hum of Noosa Heads, is a modern holiday retreat that pays homage to the original beach shack.

Whilst it may look a little different to its predecessors on the outside, its foundation is made of much the same: sea, sun and salty air.

Lindy Atkin and Stephen Guthrie from local architecture firm Bark Design used these natural building blocks as inspiration for a low-maintenance holiday home for a young Melbourne family.

Set behind a timber fence, and pushed towards the southern boundary of the property to gain maximum sunlight, it is obvious the house has taken visual cues from coastal shacks of mid last century.

A low-lying boardwalk leads visitors from a sturdy gate across a manicured lawn to a timberscreened entry.

The result is a robust beach house that sits comfortably on a leafy 536 square metre site and wraps around a secluded central oasis, perfect for spending long, lazy days at home.

Entering the house, a sense of calm can be felt.

White empty walls and polished concrete floors bounce light around the space, making it feel expansive and seamless.

The owners bought the land in 2009 after an unsuccessful search for the ultimate holiday home. At the time of purchase, a tiny shack riddled with asbestos and a rundown shed occupied the property. Still, the couple saw the small slice of coastal land as the ideal location to build their second home.

A guest room falls off the main hallway near the entrance, complete with a walk-in robe, small patio and a bathroom that can also be accessed from the pool area. Side tables are positioned on either side of the bed and have been custom-made by Lindy and Steve as part of their agreement to furnish the house on behalf of the owners.

Enlisting the help of Lindy and Steve was the next step the owners took, after spotting one of Bark Designs’ recent projects nearby.

Through phone conversations, emails and several face-to-face meetings with Lindy and Steve, it became clear what elements were important to the couple and what form the house would take.

The owners wanted it to have a relaxed beach vibe, be relatively fuss-free and extremely secure.

Lindy says that she and Steve chose ready-made furniture for the home as well as designing several pieces themselves.

“It’s the dream commission,” she says of the opportunity to work across all areas of the project.

Further into the house a laundry branches to the left and opens on a private drying courtyard on the southern edge of the property. >

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As the heart of the home is entered, the ceiling lifts and the walls seem to drop.

An open kitchen, large living area and outdoor patio are melded together to create a striking social space under a double-height ceiling.

A narrow pool screened off by timber slats runs parallel to the outdoor space but on a higher level.

Lindy explains the positioning of the pool is for two reasons.

“One is that you don’t have to have a whole fence around it because the pool forms the fence itself. Secondly, to get it up to the light a bit more,” she says.

Hidden from the street and surrounding houses, the entertaining area is the focal point of the home and uses the northern side of the property.

“Because there’s no view to the ocean, the whole idea was to make this a central oasis and catch the sun,” Lindy explains.

A smaller room flows off the back of the main indoor living area, housing an essential part of any holiday home – a large pool table. Walls of doors line three edges of the poolroom and open onto the living room, backyard and a smaller patio where the owners like to enjoy an afternoon drink.

For the owners, who regularly share the home with visitors during holidays, it was essential that the house was open yet had defined spaces where people could retreat separately.

“To be able to have the space and all feel connected, but then to be able to close it off and have different zones was something that we were quite keen to try and achieve,” says one of the owners.

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Behind the kitchen, stairs climb to the second level of the home passing twin wall polycarbonate windows.

A mezzanine study floats on the landing and hangs slightly over the kitchen area below.

To the right of the study, two stairs lead to the carpeted kids’ quarters featuring a media room, bathroom and two bedrooms. Reading nooks are created with boxed windows in each room and custom-made bunk beds provide ample sleeping facilities.

From the kids’ area, a bridge lunges over the main body of the house to a parents’ retreat at the back of the site.

Enclosed to waist height, the bridge is lined in polished ply and overlooks the living area and kitchen on one side, and the outdoor space on the other.

Open cavity sliders conceal and reveal the main bedroom, which is shaded by the trees outside. Attached to the room is a walk-in robe and a large ensuite where louvres provide privacy and cross ventilation.

Remaining faithful to its inspiration, the U-shaped home is a true beach house that provides the owners with a place to unwind by the sea.

Whilst it’s a world away from their city lives and is a stark contrast to their ‘dark’ Edwardian house in Melbourne, it’s these differences that they relish.

“I love the brightness, and just how relaxed it is. We walk in and it all opens up so easily,” says one of the owners.

“It’s such an easy space to live and feel comfortable in.”

FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au to see more photos of this Sunshine Beach holiday home. saltmagazine.com.au 109

seaside

1.

selections

homewares

Create a coastal haven with these beach-inspired designs, textures and artworks. styling claire plush

1. Hammamas towels $39, available in 21 colours. Available at Carmel’s Designs and Homewares, Shop 20, The Peninsular, Mooloolaba. 5444 6946 or 21B James Street, Burleigh Heads. 5535 9255 or carmelsdesigns.com.au 2. Denim blue handwoven rug $139.95, 70x140cm. Available at Giddy and Grace, Shop 2, 1 Maple Street, Maleny. 5494 3636 or giddyandgrace.com 3. Kathryn Ireland designed fabric from the Mexico meets Morocco range, 100% linen, Casablanca pattern POA. Available at Carole Tretheway Design, Shop 8b, 14 Arcadia Walk, Noosa Heads. 5447 3255 or ct-design.com.au 4. Dark blue bottle neck lamp with linen shade $575. Available at Fae Rentoul Summerhouse, 2/3 Gibson Road, Noosaville. 5474 3900 or summerhouse.com.au 5. Citta design insulated picnic basket $65. Available at Mint Tea and Me, Shop 3A, 66 Jessica Boulevard, Minyama. 5477 6255.

6. Anthropologie dining set $1,870. Available at Watermelon Red, Shop 12, Pacific on Coolum, Birtwill Street, Coolum Beach. 5473 9550 or watermelonred.com.au

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artwork

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7. Upcycled Zoology canvas print from Vintage Book $22, 17x13cm.

Available at Metal Tiger Tea Emporium, 253 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville.

5440 5735 or metaltigertea.com.au 8. Whitebeach Home and Living Surfing World canvas artwork $299, 90x60cm. Available at Whitebeach Home and Living, 1/214 David Low Way, Peregian Beach. 5448 1320 or whitebeachnoosa.com.au 9. Jonathan Adler Whale Pitcher $165. Available at The Romantic, Shop 4, 12 Grebe Street, Peregian Beach. 5471 3235 or theromantic.com.au 10. Paviot Lobster print, disposable serviettes $16.95, pack of 20.

Available at Cooking Company, 20 Lanyana Way, Noosa Heads. 5447 4480 or thecookingcompany.com.au 11. Fish basket $88. Available at Gnu Cargo, 17 Rene Street, Noosaville.

5474 2490 or gnucargo.com

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meet the designer

fantasy homes made real w o rd s lei g h r o bs h aw p h o t o k a t e j o h ns

Dianne Conley has an impeccable knack for style and an eye for quality.

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An interior designer from Sunshine Beach who got her start in design in Melbourne in the 1980s, she has the ability to wave a magic wand and transform a home into something straight out of the pages of a glossy magazine.

As the owner of Blink Living, along with partner Peter Lillies, she specialises in styling homes that are on the market to help them sell faster and fetch higher prices.

When Dianne walks into an empty space, she knows exactly the pieces she needs to select from her Noosaville warehouse to infuse it with warmth and class: a striking black and white zig-zag patterned coffee table offset by a white linen sofa; a heavy glass vase filled with zesty lemons or exotic lilies; an eye-popping zebra print feature rug; or an earthy, inviting dining suite lit by a golden lamp.

“What we do is so visual it’s hard to put it into words,” says Dianne. “We’re not furnishing the house for someone to live there, we’re furnishing the house so when people walk in they say, ‘wow this is great, I want to live here’.”

Dianne favours an eclectic mix of styles and her design philosophy refers to the rules of form, composition, scale and balance as they apply to art and as found in nature.

“I just know what works and what doesn’t,” she says, making the art of property styling sound deceptively simple. “Most of our furniture is contemporary classic pieces.

They tend to work really well in most spaces in most homes. We don’t go over-the-top contemporary and we certainly don’t have old-fashioned pieces. Colour is usually saved for art and accessories, which can bring an interior to life.

“Sometimes we even impress ourselves because a house really does look so much better with beautiful furnishings in it, rather than being empty and soulless.”

Ask her about the prevalence of Balinese and ethnic styling on the Sunshine Coast and she comes straight to the point.

“I can’t stand Balinese styling because people overdo it,” she says. “I think when you’re using strong, ethnic pieces you don’t need a lot of them. It becomes too much, so you need to mix them with other pieces.

There’s no point in having ten feature pieces of furniture in one room – your eye doesn’t know where to stop. You’re better off having one lovely piece and the rest fades into the walls.

the US four years ago that Dianne came up with the idea of opening a property styling company on the coast. She saw it being done in LA, and realised no one was doing it here.

While most of Dianne’s work is in styling properties for sale, she also styles and renovates private homes. She says the major mistake most people make in decorating their homes is that they have “too much stuff”, or the pieces they choose are unattractive or don’t fit the space.

“Often they’ve chosen an ugly sofa or they’ve let things get tatty,” she says. “With all of these shows on TV now, people are much more educated than they used to be. Everybody wants their home to be a reflection of their personality and people use their homes as a way of expressing their creativity.”

Knowing where to go to buy quality pieces is the crucial element to creating a professionally styled look, according to Dianne, although she will often choose an inexpensive piece that stands out. She points to a quirky barrel-shaped glossy white coffee table that didn’t cost a lot but looks like a designer piece when placed next to an expensive German wicker sofa.

“We buy very high quality furniture and I think it makes a difference. You can’t put a cheap sofa into a $3 million home, or even cheap accessories. I think quality and style are evident. You don’t need to examine the furniture to know it’s well made and well designed.”

Dianne describes her own home as very relaxed and comfortable, with some special pieces: a polished stainless steel Alessi bowl; a Chinese cabinet; a beautiful Persian rug and several beautiful artworks by each of her three children.

With the success of Blink Living – Dianne has about twenty homes furnished at any one time – she’s now venturing into event styling. Her daughter, a designer and artist, has joined the family business, allowing Dianne more time to branch out.

“To be able to do this business you really have to specialise in doing property styling – you can’t dabble in it because you need hundreds of thousands of dollars of furniture. Because we have so much, we can now use it to style events. We just did our first event, which was a 60th birthday party at The Boathouse Floating Restaurant – we did the whole function room out in 1920s style.

“When you look at an interior, your eye reads a lot more than you’re conscious of.

That’s why people love travelling and going into fabulous churches and castles, so they can absorb the feeling of that particular place, with its history and culture.”

“In another lifetime I would have loved to have been a film set designer. I admire the ability of a set designer to pull together all visual elements down to the finest detail.

Film sets are pure fantasy – limited only by the imagination.”

It was during her own travels in Europe and

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great outdoors

surfers take flight word s al e xan de r fy n e s - c l i nt o n ph o to s r i c h ar d g r e s h am

For most, little can trump the simple pleasures of a Sunshine Coast summer – a hot, beaming sun, the sweet spray of salt water and a warm, rolling breeze. But then most haven’t experienced the raw ecstasy and unbridled adrenalin of hurtling along the waves at speeds of up to 56 knots.

Kitesurfing is taking off around the Sunshine Coast, with a host of dedicated instructors champing at the bit to get newbies on board with the sport.

Strap a board to your feet and a kite to your waist, and you’ll soon find out just how exhilarating summer can be.

“It’s a real adrenalin fix – a lot of fun and gets people so ecstatic on life,” says Sunshine Coast Kite Surfing proprietor Jonno Mojo. “It’s almost like a drug. You get an absolute high off the endorphin and adrenalin rush. There’s nothing like it.

“Once you start learning and get a handle on the ropes of how it all works, you realise you’re actually in control of a high, three-dimensional power vessel. Kitesurfing is now breaking the wind speed world records set by the wind surfers, believe it or not.”

Not long ago, kitesurfing (or kiteboarding as it’s alternatively known) was on the very fringe of extreme sporting popularity in Australia.

The sport, which involves using a large, controllable kite to propel a rider across the water on a board, was a craft high in danger and pursued only in niche circles.

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But with recent technological developments, the sport’s popularity has risen to the point where it’s not unusual to see pockets of Sunshine Coast beach awash with colourful kites on a blowy summer’s day.

“Back when I got into the sport, it was really for the extremists – there wasn’t much safety at all,” Jonno says. “It was a two-line kite and you couldn’t de-power it, meaning you could get stuck out at sea quite easily.

“Over the years, however, the sport expanded to become so much more commercially popular. Companies have made the kites so much safer, to the point where it’s now a sport that anyone can enjoy – kids, families, men and women can all get on board and enjoy it.”

As with many extreme sports, the camaraderie between kitesurfers both out on the water and on the shore is higher than that of many individual traditional sporting pursuits.

“Kiteboarding still has a real element of danger, and it’s those factors that keep everyone on the water so close,” Jonno says. “You’re on a powerful water vessel that can take you quite a way out to sea, and you can be let down by winds or product failure.

“But everyone is looking out for one another and the friendships that come from that awareness and respect out on the water are just fantastic.”

Despite its seemingly complicated point-ofentry, the high quality of Sunshine Coast tuition means kiting is now a very real option for weekend warriors or holiday-makers in search of their next big thrill.

“It takes around six to ten hours to get out in the water on your own, unassisted,” Jonno says. “Through lessons, you get familiarised with the products and their safety, learn how to control the kite and become familiar with its power in a controlled setting and then get out on the water to learn how to control the board.

“It’s a complete work-out. It builds your core immensely – you’re using your thighs to balance, you’re using your arms to wrestle with the strength of the kite and it gets your cardio system working hard.

“We get you up and running and then it’s up to you to master the art. It’s such a rush – there’s no limit to what you can achieve out on the water once you obtain and practise the skills taught by instructors.”

Learning to fly • For adrenalin seekers looking to get into kite surfing on the central Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Kitesurfing offer a range of lesson packages at Golden Beach and Maroochydore.

The company’s ‘Passport to Ride’, which includes six hours of tuition, costs $400.

Visit sunshinecoastkitesurfing.com for full booking details.

• For northern Sunshine Coast thrill seekers, Adventure Sports offers lessons out of their Noosa home base.

A full six-hour lesson package costs $500.

• For those keen to take things slowly over a few weekends, two-and-a-half hour lessons can be purchased for $250.

Visit kitesurfaustralia.com.au for full booking details.

All gear hire is included in lesson package prices.

FOR EXTRA SALT visit saltmagazine.com.au for your chance to win a two-hour lesson with Sunshine Coast Kite Surfing.

The lesson is for one or two people at either Maroochydore or Caloundra and includes all equipment. saltmagazine.com.au 115

tourist information

Backwar d Glanc e Can you guess where on the Sunshine Coast this is and in what year? Visit the READ SALT page on saltmagazine.com.au to find out.

Image courtesy of Sunshine Coast Libraries.

climate

travelling distances

No wonder it’s called the Sunshine Coast, with an average of seven hours of sunshine daily (one of the highest amounts in the world).

Summer (December to March) days are always popular with visitors with an average temperature between 17°C to 32°C and an ocean temperature of 24°C. Temperatures in the hinterland can be several degrees cooler.

Brisbane to Caloundra............................ 100km Brisbane to Mooloolaba.......................... 105km Brisbane to Nambour............................. 110km Brisbane to Noosa ................................. 148km Noosa to Montville.................................. 56km Mooloolaba to Maleny............................ 41km Caloundra to Kenilworth......................... 77km

school holidays December 10, 2011 to January 22, 2012.

emergency telephone numbers Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Police, Coastguard, Rescue...........................000 Poisons Information Centre...................131 126 Ambulance Transport............................131 233

markets Cotton Tree Street Market, King Street, Cotton Tree, every Sunday, 7am to noon.

Eumundi Courtyard Village Market, 76 Memorial Drive, Eumundi, every Saturday 8am to 2pm, Wednesday 8.30am to 1pm. Caloundra Markets, Bulcock Street, Caloundra, every Sunday, 8am to 1pm.

Caloundra Country Markets, Central Park, Arthur Street, Caloundra, every Sunday 7am to noon.

Kawana Waters Farmers’ Market, every Saturday, Stern Street (Sportsman Parade end), 7am to noon.

Noosa Farmers’ Market, AFL Grounds, Weyba Road, Noosaville, every Sunday, 7am to noon, Maleny Market, Maple Street, every Sunday, 8am to 2pm.

Fishermans Road Sunday Markets, Fishermans Road, Maroochydore, every Sunday 6am to noon.

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surf safety patrols (Times vary between 7am – 5pm) Year round 7 days/week Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach, Peregian Beach, Coolum Beach, Twin Waters Resort, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba, Dicky Beach, Kings Beach.

To stay safe at the beach remember: Too much exposure to the sun can cause serious damage to your skin. Make sure whenever you are going in the sun that you take adequate precautions.

slip, slop, slap and wrap Slip on a shirt (preferably a long-sleeved shirt).

Slop on the sunscreen (30+ and reapply as needed).

Slap on a hat.

Wrap some UV protective sunglasses around your eyes.

It’s also a good idea to avoid direct exposure to the sun during the hottest part of the day – between the hours of 10am and 2pm – and try to take advantage of shade when possible.

directory

useful information when visiting the sunshine coast dental

medical COOLUM BEACH

DOCTORS

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& MoleMax SKIN CHECK CLINIC

Riverside Dental offers swift, accurate and pain free treatments. Friendly advice and great value.

Suite 2/17 Thomas Street, Noosaville.

5455 5066 or 0432 907 559 (after hours) riversidedental.com.au

BULK BILL Open 8am - 7pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Shop A, Coolum Village Shopping Centre 8-26 Birtwill St, Coolum Beach 5471 6333 lookingafteryourhealth.com.au

SKIN CHECK CLINIC Coolum Chambers Building 5-7 Birtwill Street, Coolum Beach 5446 5300 lookingafteryourhealth.com.au

electrical

Looking for a reliable and prompt electrician? green energy electrical services the domestic, industrial and commercial industries. Accredited in solar grid connect. Call Steven Pilcher for a no obligation free quote on 04211 62007 or email stevenpilcher@bigpond.com

BULK BILL Peregian Springs Doctors Open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday At the new Coles Peregian Springs Shopping Centre, 1 Ridgeview Drive (formerly Havana Road West) Peregian Springs, 1st floor above Amcal Pharmacy.

5471 2600 lookingafteryourhealth.com.au

would you like to advertise in our directory? contact salt magazine 0438 851 981

advertise with salt for free* Each edition salt gives away a third page advertisement worth $1100 to a worthy non-profit organisation that tugs on our salt strings. This edition we’re proud to donate a third page advertisement to 101.3FM Noosa Community Radio. If you know or are a part of a non-profit organisation that needs to spread the word, please let us know. To find out more visit saltmagazine.com.au and click on the free ad link.

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map - noosa to marcoola

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map - marcoola to glass house

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main map

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Coral Sea

ON THE COVER: PARADISE COVE

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Map Disclaimer: These maps were not created to any scale, and no claim is made to their accuracy. Most natural features are eliminated, as are changes in elevation. These maps do provide a starting point for finding your way around. Maps depicted are subject to change.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;salt is born of the purest parents, the sun and the seaâ&#x20AC;?

Pythagoras