TOGETHER by AVID - A Lifestyle Magazine - Edition 4

TOGETHER, BY AVID PROPERTY GROUP

Welcome to Edition 04 of Together.

As our AVID communities continue to grow, so too does the breadth of unique experiences and incredible stories we are lucky enough to capture.

In this fourth edition of Together we’ll be diving into the lives, hobbies, and journeys of AVID residents from all across the country, coupled with the usual tips, insights, and features you’ve come to know and love in Together

We profile young first home buyers making their home ownership dreams a reality, families embracing inter-generational living, a neighbourhood of green thumbs, and so much more.

Read about community initiatives from our charity partners, gain top tips from interior design experts, learn how to create a healthier home, and daydream with our travel features sure to inspire many holidays to come. From smoothie recipes to must-watch documentaries, Together offers a glimpse into the connected way of life on offer in AVID communities.

Join us for this new edition as we explore what it means to live in a thriving AVID community, together.

DISCLAIMER

While we have taken care to ensure the accuracy of information within this publication, AVID Property Group gives no warranty and makes no representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of any description, photograph, illustration, or statement contained within this publication and accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies upon the information presented. AVID, its officers, employees and agents disclaim all liability (except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded), for any error, inaccuracy in, or omission from the information contained in this publication or any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information. This publication contains general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or investment advice and should not be relied on as such. Before making any commitment of a legal or financial nature you should seek out independent, professional advice on your personal circumstances, particular investment objectives and financial situation before making any financial decisions.

Except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, AVID Property Group (including its officers, employees, and agents) will not be liable or responsible for any loss or damage suffered or incurred by any person who relies on the information provided within this publication. All information provided is subject to change without notice.

Togetherness is more than just proximity; it’s the weaving of relationships, trust, and shared moments. It’s about supporting one another, celebrating differences, and finding common ground. When we come together, we create something greater than ourselves—a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

TOGETHER, AGAIN

TOGETHER, AGAIN

Welcome to the fourth edition of Together magazine, a place where we celebrate AVID’s thriving communities across the country.

At AVID, we strive to build neighbourhoods that foster togetherness, belonging, and, of course, fun to make our residents feel truly at home.

In the past year, we’ve gone from strength to strength – welcoming close to 2,500 residents into our communities located along the Australian eastern seaboard states.

A testament to the efforts of our team, we have continued to be recognised by leading industry bodies, with our Covella community awarded Residential Subdivision winner at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) Queensland Awards for Excellence. Our strides outside of development were also recognised by the UDIA’s New South Wales arm, as we were proudly named the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Company of the Year for 2024.

While awards such as these help to solidify and acknowledge our successes, our focus is always on designing neighbourhoods where our residents are proud to belong. Throughout our communities we bring cultures and neighbours together through a commitment to activations, sponsorships and grants of local businesses, schools, and charities.

Together allows us to share the many stories of our customers who inspire the AVID team to design and deliver desirable addresses.

To all our current residents, recent purchasers, colleagues, business partners, and neighbours, happy reading.

Cameron Holt CEO AVID Property Group

A SENSE OF BELONGING

Driven by a vision of bringing people together, an AVID neighbourhood is all about nurturing positive community ties, something we hope our residents can feel each and every day.

In these pages, we explore resident milestones, newlywed adventures, multi-generational living, and put the spotlight on those people behind the scenes who truly make AVID tick.

Purchasing your first home is a big step for anyone,

SUCCESSFUL, SAVVY AND SIGNING ON TO THEIR FIRST HOME

but taking the leap at 20 years old was a life goal come true for Covella resident Jonah Blackburn.

AVID’s Covella community, located in Greenbank, is no stranger to first home buyers, who make up 50% of all their enquiries.

As the community celebrates its 1000th land settlement, some of the newest residents are an incredible example of making home ownership a reality as a young Australian.

Twenty year old Jonah Blackburn and his partner Caitlin made the move into their Covella home in late 2024.

“Purchasing my own home at a young age has always been a goal of mine.

“Having worked multiple jobs, saving by living at home, and taking advantage of the Queensland First Home Owner’s Grant and the $15,000 upgrade bonuses from our builder, was able to achieve that goal,” Jonah explained.

Caitlin and Jonah settled on Covella thanks to its central location and affordability.

“It’s a bonus my family live in the area, but we couldn’t go past the value for money presented to us at Covella.”

The couple opted for one of the community’s larger blocks where they built a four-bedroom home, a decision that was made easier thanks to a string of great incentives.

“By researching the different builder incentives available, we've been able to upgrade our features, saving us thousands. Our home has a 7-star energy rating, ducted air-conditioning and natural gas, features like this just aren’t available in existing homes currently on the market.”

The land in Covella ranges from 297sqm to more than 2,000sqm – with the larger blocks being more than five times the size of an average new block of residential land in Greater Brisbane.

This diversity within the community allows for greater lifestyle choices for residents, whether that be first home buyers or upgraders, who make up the second largest purchaser group in Covella.

Now settled into their new address, Jonah and Caitlin are looking forward to more family time and to making the most of the community parks.

“We’re really looking forward to what this new chapter brings with it.”

To find out more about Covella, please visit covella.avid.com.au

MEANT TO BE

Sometimes everything just falls into place. For Chloe and Jackson that was exactly what happened when they purchased their block in AVID’s Covella community, putting an end to a five month search for their first home together.

Primary school teacher Chloe and plasterer Jackson first met and became friends in high school, the start of a beautiful connection.

“We got married about a year ago and we knew that we wanted to purchase a home as quickly as we could. As soon as I secured my first teaching contract and Jackson finished his trade apprenticeship, we went straight to the bank to start the process,” Chloe said.

Chloe admits the search was anything but easy.

“We spent weekend after weekend going to look at different houses, blocks and apartments, but everyone else had the same idea – after five months this became really deflating.”

Coincidentally, while their house hunting was in full swing, Jackson had been working on some homes in the Greenbank area, including some in Covella.

“We’d heard good things about the neighbourhood, so we decided to go and have a look together. We drove around one weekend, and we saw lots of young families.”

“We’d heard good things about the neighbourhood, so we decided to go and have a look together. We drove around one weekend, and we saw lots of young families. We thought, this is really cool, we would love to be part of a neighbourhood where everyone is young and has the same goals,” said Chloe.

In a serendipitous turn of events, a new land release was launching the week after the couple’s visit to the neighbourhood.

“We were away the weekend of the release, but we came home a day early to chat to the sales team about purchasing a block. When we arrived, they had already sold out, we were devastated.”

After putting their details down, they were in luck when one of the buyers fell through.

“We got a phone call from the team asking if we wanted to take it. We just thought it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, so that’s when we got our block.”

Chloe explained it’s been a really exciting time for the couple as they receive updates from the AVIDConnect portal on their block’s progress.

“It’s also been great with Jackson working on some of the homes because he’ll check in on ours and keep me updated.”

“We’re hoping to be moved in early this year and just focus on building our circle with new people, in a new community.”

To find out more about Covella, please visit covella.avid.com.au

BUILDING THE NEXT CHAPTER

Not long ago, Eryn and Jean-Pierre contemplated the very real decision that faces many young couples and newlyweds: purchase an older home in need of some serious TLC or start fresh with a new build. For them, the decision was made easy after a visit to Amara.

Despite both originally hailing from South Africa, Eryn and Jean-Pierre’s journey together began many years later on Queensland’s beautiful Gold Coast.

“We’re both from South Africa but I moved over as a child, living on Hope Island on the Gold Coast for most of my life,” Eryn explained.

When Eryn, who works as a registered nurse, first met JP, he was living nearby in Brisbane. After hitting it off, the electrician made the move and joined Eryn on Hope Island.

After getting engaged it came time for the pair to buy the dream home for their next chapter.

“We were looking on the Gold Coast for nearly a year as I wanted to stay close to my family and friends.

“We realised through that process we couldn’t afford something brand-new in Hope Island at this stage with property prices so high.”

This left Eryn and JP with the option of older, smaller homes which were all in need of a renovation.

Until they discovered Amara, conveniently located in Ormeau only 15 minutes drive from Hope Island.

“The value for money of buying a new build in Amara was unbeatable. Why would we spend thousands renovating an old house when we could get a brand new, bigger home for a fraction of the price?”

After chatting with the AVID sales team and securing their new home, the couple described the build process as ‘seamless’.

“With most builders we found that you had to pay progress payments, so it was nice buying in Amara as we only had the one initial deposit, a single fixed-price contract and then we were done.”

Now, Eryn and JP are looking to the future and enjoying the area after a big (and exciting) year which included putting the finishing touches on their home and tying the knot in September.

“We’re just really happy to be in our new home and to be connecting with our wonderful neighbours in the Amara community.”

“We both love being outside. Having our own garden was really important to us so we enjoy spending time out there but also making the most of the trails in the community and going for walks and runs.”

To find out more about Amara, please visit amara.avid.com.au

FLOWER POWER

With the hashtag ‘gardentok’ reaching 3.6 billion views and counting on TikTok, it’s clear the traditional hobby is having a full-blown, global resurgence and making its way to a younger generation. For one AVID community, whipping out their shovels and secateurs is nothing new.

Waterford'sgrowingcommunity

At AVID’s Waterford community, located on the fringes of the picturesque Hunter Valley, residents have been on the gardening train for years.

With flourishing communal garden beds, a competitive gardening contest and even a visit from outdoor icon Jason Hodges, Waterford has become something of a ‘ground zero’ for residents who have caught the gardening bug.

One of Waterford’s veteran green thumbs is Rebecca Dawber, a teacher and keen recreational gardener who lives in the neighbourhood with her husband and two children.

Since 2017, Rebecca and her family have been cultivating their dream garden with encouragement from their friends and neighbours.

“One of the things I love most about the community is the general pride people have in their gardens and yards. My husband was always the main gardener in our household, and he is a big help in bringing my ideas to life – we’re about to plant a potted magnolia as a feature in honour of my late mother.”

Rebecca is a firm believer that the benefits of gardening are considerable both mentally and physically.

“I find gardening therapeutic and great exercise, it’s always exciting to see my growing plants bloom,” she said.

In recent months, the Dawbers have been focussed on a front garden revamp.

“Our front garden is being redesigned, but in the backyard, we’ve created a cottage/Mediterranean vibe – not too many flowers but plenty of olives, citrus, bougainvillea, lavender, and hydrangeas.”

Rebecca said the Gardening Workshop at Waterford presented by Better Homes and Gardens legend Jason Hodges in 2023 was invaluable as her and her husband began their garden redesign.

“It was a great event, I loved the community spirit that was created.”

“One of the things I love most about the community is the general pride people have in their gardens and yards.”

– Rebecca Dawber, Waterford resident

Waterford residents attended the three hour event where Jason shared his gardening tips and tricks and answered resident questions on how they can improve their own yards.

At the time Jason shared his experience on the impact embracing gardening can have on one’s life.

“What I always say is that a good garden can complement your life, but a great garden will improve it, so starting your gardening journey off on the right foot is so important,” he said.

With a green space focused masterplan and many more community events in the pipeline, Waterford’s green thumbs have a lot more to look forward to.

To find out more about Waterford, please visit waterford.avid.com.au

Jason Hodges at Waterford

Rebecca’s front yard

Rebecca’s backyard

SISTERHOOD IN THE SUBURBS

There’s something of a sister act happening across AVID neighbourhoods in Victoria, courtesy of Niella Mac and her sisters.

Making use of AVID’s loyalty program AVIDRewards, the Mac sisters have bought three homes across Sienna Rise (located in Frasers Rise) and Carolina (located in Deanside) – with two of the sisters buying only three doors apart.

Keeping the family connected was close to Niella’s heart during the buying process.

“I grew up in Caroline Springs, and my sisters and I have all stayed local through AVID’s Victorian neighbourhoods. My older sister bought land in Sienna Rise a few years ago, and my younger sister and are both soon-to-be Carolina residents.”

After being referred through AVIDRewards by her older sister, Niella repaid the favour when it came time for the youngest to purchase her first home.

“Choosing a neighbourhood to build my first home was like choosing a restaurant – the reviews mattered to me. I had such a great experience buying at Carolina and I wanted the same for my sister. She’s going to be only three houses down!”

Niella and her sisters represent the very heart of the AVID vision and mission – connected communities where residents can enjoy the very best their neighbourhoods have to offer.

The arrival of Vantage Bloomdale, AVID Victoria’s landmark first land-lease community in Digger’s Rest, presents Victorians with even more opportunities to keep their loved ones close (and living in style).

Vantage by AVID is a brand-new portfolio of resortstyle living for over-50s with the added convenience of a land-lease model and without the hassle of exit fees.

In Vantage communities, people looking to kick up their feet and live a lifestyle they’ve dreamt of can find an entire neighbourhood of high-end amenities including Clubhouses, private cinemas, tennis courts, wellness centres and more.

Through AVIDRewards, residents can be rewarded with up to $3,000 in Prezzee gift cards, with a $1,500 gift card if they refer their loved ones to an AVID neighbourhood – including Vantage Bloomdale.

For Niella, having her sister close by was the true reward – and an addition to her furniture fund in the form of the Prezzee gift card was just a welcome bonus.

“I already knew wanted to continue the tradition of buying near family when I first considered referring my younger sister. I’m so excited to have her be so close by, and it’s been a lot of fun to watch the exciting building process side-by-side.”

“AVIDRewards sweetened the deal, a very friendly neighbour and a great gift card on top of that. I’m sure we’ll be fighting over who can refer our parents in no time!”

Niella Mac and her sisters are perfect examples of AVID's mission of fostering communities filled with connection, support, and shared memories. Through the AVID Rewards program, families across Australia can enjoy the practical benefits of staying close with the inimitable sense of togetherness that makes a neighbourhood feel like home.

To find out more about Vantage Bloomdale visit avid.com.au/communities/residential/ vantage-bloomdale

“I already knew I wanted to continue the tradition of buying near family when I first considered referring my younger sister.”

– Niella Mac, Carolina resident

Discover AVIDRewards here avid.com.au/avidrewards

The thought of moving into a new home in a new neighbourhood can be daunting. With so much to think about already, it can be difficult to navigate forming bonds amongst a sea of new neighbours.

At Carolina, a budding AVID neighbourhood in Deanside, Victoria, residents get the chance to connect with their future neighbours before their move-in day even arrives.

A sunny Sunday morning made the perfect backdrop for the most recent Meet Your Neighbours event. Over a delicious morning tea and beverages from the famous Carolina coffee cart, more than 65 recently settled residents came together at the Sales and Information Centre to meet their future neighbours and warmly share the happiness around.

For Naresh, a first-time home buyer, meeting his soon-to-be neighbours helped squash any nerves about the big move.

WHERE GOOD NEIGHBOURS BECOME GOOD FRIENDS

“We didn’t really know what to expect from a brand-new community like Carolina. However, getting to know everyone here today has been really important for us, and we can’t wait to move into a neighbourhood with connections already made.”

Similarly, newly settled ‘Carolin-ians’ the Rishi family, who are just months away from completing their dream home, said the event had only increased their anticipation about moving into Carolina.

“We’ve had the chance to meet so many of our new neighbours and being able to chat about the homebuying journey we’ve all been on recently was fantastic.”

“We can’t wait to see more wonderful events just like this –bringing neighbours together and sharing quality time in the community.”

In all AVID communities, placemaking and community building are of the utmost importance. Carolina’s Meet Your Neighbours events not only give residents like Naresh and the Rishi Family the opportunity to form meaningful connections with their fellow residents, but also offers an authentic introduction to the community spirit that Carolina aims to foster.

Between AVID’s famous Long Table Dinners, Easter, Christmas, and even Diwali events, Carolina’s newest neighbours are given plenty of opportunities to build lifelong connections and create a support network for years to come.

The Carolina neighbourhood is 60% complete with land now selling. Visit carolina.avid.com.au for more details on the community’s events calendar and vibrant neighbourly spirit.

“Getting to know everyone here today has been really important for us, and we can’t wait to move into a neighbourhood with connections already made.” – Naresh, Carolina resident

OUR SUPPORT ON THE GROUND

THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM THREE AVID EXPERTS

When you’re a resident of an AVID neighbourhood, there’s truly no place like home.

Providing constant support to residents new and established are our expert Sales Teams across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Keep reading to hear from three of our standout Sales Team superstars –Utam, Deborah, and Ronald on what support on the ground for purchasers and residents looks like for them.

UTAM LAL QUEENSLAND Chamber's Reserve

Chamber’s Reserve Sales Consultant Utam has been the support on the ground for residents and purchasers at Chambers Reserve for over 3 years now.

In Utam’s experience, building trust, confidence and an all-encompassing approach to customer support is the key to resident satisfaction in the Queensland AVID neighbourhood.

“I find a lot of happiness in seeing tears of joy and big hugs from purchasers when they settle on their dream home – I’ve even been invited to a few housewarming parties!”

What Utam loves most about his role is the real impact he can make on people as they take the leap into this new and exciting chapter, supporting them beyond the sales process and well into their new lives in Chamber’s Reserve.

“I can go home after work feeling content in knowing that I’ve contributed on a personal level to bringing smiles to the community.”

Beyond this, Utam said AVID’s dedication to creating sustainable communities aligns with his own personal values, making him all the more confident in the importance of his role.

“It’s clear that AVID takes pride in addressing environmental and sustainability issues within their communities and focusses on developing neighbourhoods with facilities that encourage people to make meaningful connections with their neighbours.”

Contact Utam on 1800 959 378

DEBORAH SILVESTRI

NEW SOUTH WALES

Waterford

Celebrating 10 years of fostering a blossoming neighbourhood and creating a tight-knit community, Project Sales Manager Deborah (Deb) Silvestri is the cherry on top of the Waterford experience.

“Waterford really is like a family. I’ve had the pleasure of helping some of our first residents purchase second and even third homes in the neighbourhood. It’s a place where people want to settle down and spread their roots.”

Waterford is known locally for executing very popular community events all year round and developing a masterplan that encourages togetherness. Sitting alongside these achievements is Deb, who really pulls the whole community experience together.

“I think the residents have come to recognise me as a familiar face they can go to whether they just need a chat, have a question about the community, or want to look at buying a new block in Waterford. I feel very proud to have developed that personal connection with hundreds of people.”

Deb’s support on the ground stretches long after the flurry of move in day and once the new residents have settled in.

“I always want to be the absolute best I can be at helping our residents create their tomorrow.”

Contact Deb on 1300 073 095

As an AVID resident himself, there’s nobody more qualified to support Carolina’s buyers and residents than Sales Consultant Ronald Mushtaq.

For over 4 years, Ronald has been the friendly face welcoming new neighbours to the community from the moment they enquire, right up until move-in day.

“By sharing my own experience buying within an AVID community, I feel can connect on a more personal level with prospective residents.”

“The sense of community at Carolina is unmatched. I think it’s what sets our neighbourhood apart from others in the area, the team at the Sales and Information Centre truly care about the experiences of the people we interact with.”

Ronald is kept busy in the rapidly growing neighbourhood, with multiple stages being released annually and plenty of community events to attend.

“The entire journey of a sale is one of my favourite parts of my job. The final stages of seeing the community grow and getting amazing feedback from residents is very fulfilling!”

As the touchpoints between our residents and our organisation, our fantastic Sales Teams are crucial to our mission of building connected communities where people love to live.

Next time you find yourself near your local Sales and Information Centre, be sure to stop in for a catch-up with the team.

Contact Ronald on 1800 875 579

RONALD MUSHTAQ VICTORIA

WHY CHOOSE A LAND LEASE ADDRESS?

Making the move into a new home is a major life decision no matter if it’s your first home or fifth. There’s a lot to consider – is it close to what I love most, does the design cater to my needs, and is it going to make me feel comfortable for many years to come?

These considerations are no different when embarking on purchasing in an over 50s land lease address like AVID’s own Vantage neighbourhoods.

Our Victorian State Sales Manager Matthew Miller and Vantage Sales Consultant Jonathan Goldsmith have decades of experience supporting purchasers on their home buying journey, whether it be land lease or residential living.

With the launch of Vantage Bloomdale, AVID’s first Victorian land lease community, located conveniently within our masterplanned Bloomdale neighbourhood, Jonathan and Matthew have provided their insights into the benefits of choosing a Vantage community for life’s next chapter.

While the community itself is obviously a great reason, the surrounding area near Vantage Bloomdale offers further chances for connection with tennis clubs, lions clubs, craft classes, woodworking groups, and a local lawn bowls group allowing residents to bring their passions to the broader area.

A SENSE OF SECURITY

Security can come in many forms, and when developing our Vantage addresses it was essential that our purchasers felt secure in every sense of the word.

COMMUNITY

Being part of a community is something we all naturally crave and, while it’s easy to withdraw more as children start their own families, a land lease lifestyle takes residents in the opposite direction, bringing more to life.

Because of its proximity to the existing Bloomdale community, Vantage makes a natural choice for multi-generational living, with many parents and grandparents of Bloomdale residents looking to Vantage as the perfect option.

Community is created through shared values and experiences. At Vantage, purchasers are often excited by the possibility of living with like-minded people who they can connect and bond with. With an abundance of facilities available exclusively for residents and their families, including tennis courts, lawn bowls, parlour games, and gardening facilities, there are countless opportunities for friendship building.

As a gated community with secure entry and exit surveillance, residents can leave their home worry-free and enjoy stress free travel, especially as they enter retirement and look to travel more often.

From a financial perspective, it’s all about transparency, with our team focused on providing certainty around ongoing site fees, giving you the chance to focus on long term financial planning.

The affordable pricing of land lease homes rather than traditional residential homes allows many purchasers to free equity in their home without needing a reverse mortgage. As purpose-built, new homes, you’re also signing up for a convenient, low maintenance lifestyle with environmental efficiency features reducing running costs significantly compared to older homes.

HEALTH BENEFITS

It can be so easy to put your own health and wellness on the back burner, but Vantage makes it easy to stay on top of your health.

The Vantage Bloomdale community is moments from local medical centres and hospitals and has an abundance of facilities to guide you on your wellness journey. Within the community itself, you’ll find a golf simulator, a pool, a fullyequipped gym, and saunas, all just steps from our resident’s homes.

For those looking to stretch their legs and embrace nature, there are kilometres of walking trails across Vantage and the existing Bloomdale community, with some of Victoria’s finest national parks just a short drive away.

No matter your reason for choosing Vantage, our expert team are here to support you, allowing you to make the most of life’s next chapter.

OUR VANTAGE NEIGHBOURHOODS

Our Vantage neighbourhoods are located across the Eastern seaboard, including coastal options like Vantage Hervey Bay. To explore Vantage, please visit avid.com.au/vantage

To hear from some of our other Sales Consultants across the country, flip back to page 23.

Artist impression

Artist impression

UP FOR A CHALLENGE

It isn’t an exaggeration to call AVID’s current Executive General Manager Bruce Harper an industry icon.

He’s worked in all levels of government, including the Commonwealth level, lived in four Australian states, as well as internationally in New Zealand and the UK, and held leadership roles in highly successful private and publicly listed companies.

Interestingly, despite all this success, Bruce firmly believes that much of his career came down to luck and being in the right place at the right time.

But as an observer, it’s impossible to deny that his desire to innovate and embrace challenges gave him the career longevity and success he now enjoys.

As Bruce enters semi-retirement, Together sat down with this industry leader to learn more about his legacy, his views on the sector, and his plans for the future.

You grew up in New Zealand, why did you move to Australia?

“I studied to be a town planner because was really interested in the idea of building cities, but at that time the New Zealand economy was quite weak, so I knew I’d need to move overseas to be able to pursue that.”

What is an early career highlight?

“Being involved in the Golden Grove project in the 80s in South Australia was a highlight for me. It was the first ever masterplanned community in the country and I initially worked on it as a planner before moving through the ranks and switching over to the development side.

17 years later I rounded out my work on the project as the CEO of the joint venture partner. We broke new ground on innovation and delivery on that project, achieving the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Project of the Year Award in 1990.

The experience gave me the confidence and skill to replicate and build on its success in future projects.”

Can you talk about your move to AVID (previously Investa)?

“I had moved from Sydney back to Brisbane and took up a CEO role with a developer but unfortunately it was just before the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), so as soon as that hit, that company and many other property developers went under.

Through some industry connections it was suggested to me that apply for a position at Investa. It hadn’t been immune to the difficulties that the GFC brought so it

was a major challenge to join that team (which was relatively small at the time) and look at how to turn a business—which was struggling in the shadow of the financial downturn—and bring it to a commercial and successful position. I’m proud to say we succeeded in achieving all of those goals.”

What legacy have you left at AVID so far?

“My experience in masterplanned communities. When I joined, AVID had done a lot of subdivisions but it hadn’t yet done masterplanning. These communities have their own character and require unique skills so being able to bring my learnings from past projects together has probably been a big one.”

What is a great challenge that you face in your line of work?

“The challenge is to create really great communities. In this industry you’re creating people’s homes. It’s the most expensive thing they buy, the place they grow up in, the place they build a community in, and the place they create memories.

It’s a very important job and you have to love what you do to create a legacy you can be proud of.”

What does the future look like for AVID?

“It’s definitely centred around growth in the urban development space. We haven’t always been operating at this scale but with the addition of our building arm Villaworld Homes and more recently the development of Vantage by AVID, it’s an exciting time of expansion.”

What does the future look like for the development sector?

“Australia is still growing. I’ve been in the industry for over 40 years and I don’t think I could have predicted where we are now, so I think in 40 years it will be completely different again. We’ll see changes in where we live, how we live, how we recreate, and how we communicate with each other and that will change our urban form and how our cities grow. That’s exciting. It’s not to be feared but instead embraced.”

As a father of two what’s your advice for families on work life balance?

“I grew up on a dairy farm in New Zealand so I’m used to early rises. For me, starting work early meant that at the end of the day I could be home to pick my daughters up from school and enjoy dinnertime with them. never wanted to have regrets about not spending that time with my family, especially when they are young.”

What are your plans as you enter semi-retirement?

“I’d still like to be in the development industry one way or another but beyond that I’ve been taking up painting. I’ve also started back up with learning the piano so exploring musical interests a bit more, and of course some golf.

Although I’m retiring from corporate life, I’m not disengaging with the industry that I love, so I will be staying involved in the development sector in one way or another.”

Launch of Golden Grove 1987, Bruce featured in the diamond jumper

Cameron Holt (CEO) and Bruce Harper accepting UDIA National Award for Project of the Year

CONNECT

Connecting goes beyond just a fleeting interaction or brief meeting.

Connecting is when you lend a hand, find a common interest, learn about differences, and open your mind.

GRANTS SPOTLIGHT

‘SIGNING’ A LIGHT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNICATION

As the proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes that’s grandparents sharing the load with day care duties or friends subbing in for babysitting duties, and sometimes it’s just a kind shop assistant interacting with your little one in a small but meaningful way.

Getting help from others is essential to ensure the needs of a baby are met and they have the chance to thrive.

Key word sign (KWS) experts, Elaine Stigwood and Zoe Wadsworth from Sunshine, Sign & Sing may not be people you’ll ever meet in real life, but they should be part of that village.

As the creators of a very popular KWS program and even an Australian Baby Signing app, Elaine and Zoe are passionate about providing children with the skills to communicate their basic wants and needs, and for parents to understand them.

Not to be confused with Auslan, KWS is a communication tool that uses signs derived from Auslan, gestures, and facial expressions alongside speech. It can be used as an alternative by pre-speaking babies or anyone with communication barriers.

Providing infants and children with the skills to communicate their needs is a key part of Sunshine, Sign & Sing’s ethos.

“KWS education at an early age is incredibly important. Children know what they want and need at a very early age, and KWS is a simple but effective tool that can be used as early as 6 months old,” Elaine said.

AVID Property Group has been a proud partner of Sunshine, Sign & Sing since 2019 and have supported the organisation through some of their most exciting and far-reaching initiatives.

“AVID have been with us since the very beginning and have been instrumental in growing and promoting our business. From the initial community grant to our latest app development project, AVID have helped us assist potentially thousands of children in developing their communication skills,” Zoe said.

Whilst Elaine and Zoe both see early childhood KWS education as their major target, they emphasise that KWS skills have benefits long into childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

“From

the initial community grant to our latest app development project, AVID have helped us assist

potentially thousands of children in developing their communication skills.”

– Zoe Wadsworth, Key word sign expert

“All children develop at different stages and all have their own preference for communicating. There is simply no right way to communicate, and speech is not the only form.”

– Elaine Stigwood, Key word sign expert

“Children exposed to KWS and baby sign regularly have larger vocabularies and greater language and literacy skills throughout childhood than their peers who didn’t learn these skills. KWS also leads to higher emotional intelligence, resulting in better mental health and empathy into adolescence and adulthood,” said Zoe.

KWS and baby sign aren’t only amazing tools for a child’s development – there are a lot of benefits for parents too.

By helping pre-speaking children communicate their wants and needs, KWS aids in reducing avoidable meltdowns and frustration on both sides. You don’t need to imagine a baby telling you when they are hungry, tired, or hurt, KWS allows them to communicate this clearly and effectively.

Elaine stresses that whilst KWS is an incredible tool for children who are too young to speak or face barriers in communicating through speech, all communication is good communication.

“All children develop at different stages and all have their own preference for communicating. There is simply no right way to communicate, and speech is not the only form. Take the pressure off speech, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly they progress!”

To view Elaine and Zoe in action, head to the AVID YouTube page and explore the AVIDEngage video series

Enter St John Ambulance Victoria (St John), a vital organisation with the simple goal of ‘more lives saved’.

In early 2024 Carolina, AVID’s Deanside community in outer Melbourne, first announced the Victorian iteration of the nationwide charity as its recipient of AVID’s annual Sponsorship and Grants Program.

The grant provided funding for their existing training and education programs, including CPR Lab, a free, 10-minute CPR workshop.

As creators of new neighbourhoods, welcoming hundreds of families to AVID’s network of communities each year, St John was a perfect fit.

As St John Victoria Executive Officer Gordon Botwright put it, CPR is something everyone needs to know.

“Everyone should be learning CPR, and CPR Lab is an accessible way for people to be exposed to these skills. Carolina is a young community, with lots of new families who might not have done first aid training yet.

“Our research has shown that only about 9% of Victorians would feel very confident responding to a medical emergency and 62% say no one in their home has received first aid training. Getting into communities allows us to change these statistics.”

St John’s CPR Lab brings the education to participants, with their mobile van and dedicated team of experts providing fun and informative workshops all over the state. CPR Lab is a mobile learning bus that helps communities learn lifesaving techniques by providing real-time feedback as they practice on a mannequin.

In October, the small but mighty van made its way to Carolina for an afternoon of CPR education for not only AVID residents, but for the wider community to attend as well.

MORE LIVES SAVED

Committing to sponsor or partner with local and national community groups and organisations is something AVID has long prided itself on. But grants and support shouldn’t be merely a box ticking exercise and instead, should enhance the lives of those being supported and be intrinsically linked to the broader mission and values of the company.

time as part of Carolina’s Diwali Family Fun Festival, bringing an educational aspect to the vibrant community event.

With over 200 local residents dropping in across the two sessions an impact was made on the community, but this was just the first step in an ambitious goal to make Carolina a CPR-prepared address.

“Knowing CPR is vital. You can never prepare for when this life-saving skill will be needed but what you can do is educate yourself and your family early and refresh yourself on the key steps to ensure you’re ready,” explained Bruce Harper, AVID’s Acting General Manager Victoria.

With the first two workshops now complete, the Carolina and broader AVID team are looking for new ways to bring CPR education to the forefront of its neighbourhoods.

“We’re posting about it on our social media channels and are planning to use our wide reaching AVIDEngage platform to collaborate on CPR awareness video content with St John which can be published on AVID’s YouTube channel and shared across all our neighbourhoods,” Mr Harper said.

“It is a privilege to be able to fund these initiatives and bring meaningful skills to our communities.”

7 WORDS THAT WILL SAVE A LIFE

While going to a CPR education session, like CPRLab, is the best way to truly be comfortable and build your skills, the below steps are a great place to start.

D DANGER

Check for danger and ensure the scene is safe for you, others, and the casualty.

R RESPONSE

Check for a response. Ask for the casualty’s name then gently squeeze their shoulders. If they don’t respond, then continue with the below steps.

S SEND FOR HELP

If they aren’t responsive, it’s time to call 000 or ask a bystander to make the call while you continue with these steps.

A AIRWAY

Open the casualty’s mouth and check their airway for any blockages like food, vomit, or blood. If there is an obstruction in their airway place them into the recovery position so you can clear out their mouth with your fingers. Once cleared, check to see if they’re breathing.

B BREATHING

Even once the airway has been cleared the casualty still might not be able to breathe. Less than two to three breaths every 10 seconds is not normal breathing. If they are not breathing, prepare for CPR.

C CPR

CPR is an important way to encourage a casualty to breathe by inflating their lungs and bringing blood to their heart. Follow these key steps:

1. Give 30 chest compressions with two interlocked hands

2. Tilt the head and lift the chin to give 2 breaths via the mouth, pinching the nose closed. Their chest should rise.

3. Give a further 30 chest compressions

4. Keep giving compressions and breaths at a rate of 30:2 until help arrives

D DEFIBRILLATION

If there is a defibrillator available, send a bystander to collect it as you commence CPR. Once turned on the defibrillator will provide clear instructions through voice prompts. Continue CPR between defibrillator use and until the casualty is responsive and breathing.

LOOKING FOR SPONSORSHIP OR GRANT SUPPORT?

Visit here for details avid.com.au/sustainableliving/sponsorship-grants

In November, the van stopped in again, this

STARTING FROM THE TOP

As the General Manager of People and Culture at AVID, Colette O’Reilly’s job is all about working with the Leadership Team towards building a culture where teams can perform well, work inclusively together, and importantly have a voice in delivering AVID’s vision of homes and addresses where people love to belong.

“We have taken a top-down approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to ensure our people practices support AVID’s objectives and accommodate our ever-evolving customer base.

“We’ve been lucky to be named an accredited ‘inclusive employer’ by Diversity Council Australia and be recognised with an Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by the Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW in 2024 but our work in this space is far from over,” Colette said.

As a small to medium business with 143 team members nationally, AVID is highly diverse for this relatively small pool. 30% of the team were born overseas and 21% come from a primarily non-English speaking background. Female representation is particularly high in the executive and people management teams and over 20% of employees are either under 30 or over 54.

“This fantastic and evolving mix of talent plays a crucial role in the development of a new project. When we are getting started on a new community, we invite team members from a range of departments to the table to bring the benefits of different ideas, backgrounds, perspectives, and insights into how we should approach the delivery of that community.

“The design and layout of each of our masterplanned addresses are focused on inclusion and connectedness.

Our greenspaces and parks are always centrally located in our communities to make them accessible and to provide a hub for residents to come together, socialise, and bond in thoughtfully developed areas.”

– Joshua Barak, AVID Victoria Development Manager

“Because of this initiative we are more reflective of the communities in which we operate, whether it be a Vantage address for the over 50s or our Carolina community which has predominantly first home buyers.

“We are more in tune to the contexts and sensitivities specific to certain groups and through this pool of knowledge we can widen our reach and relatability to varying ages, nationalities, genders, and cultures.”

When looking at the internal initiatives across AVID offices, it’s not hard to spot parallels between them and AVID’s community development programs.

For example, AVID offer their staff ‘wellbeing credits’ to spend on hobbies and fitness activities that interest them, whether that be Pilates or art classes. Across their communities, AVID holds a range of similar ‘wellbeing’ programs from free fitness classes and bootcamps to gardening workshops and men sheds.

“It’s all about creating inclusive neighbourhoods where everyone feels like they belong,” said AVID’s Community Development Officer Sarah Tebbutt, who has been involved in bringing the company’s internal DEI practices out into AVID neighbourhoods.

“It’s interesting to see the parallels between what we are doing within the AVID team and then with our residents. We design our community initiatives for the demographics in those neighbourhoods, so it’s always about celebrating their unique interests.”

In 2024 alone, AVID held numerous Easter, Christmas, Diwali, Neighbour Day, and other events across its communities.

“It isn’t just about focusing in on the needs of one group, it’s about creating initiatives where people can connect, get to know their neighbours, and find common interests,” Sarah explained.

Colette is eager to maintain momentum in the DEI space moving forward, with a particular focus on equity.

“For the first time we have 5 generations in the workplace. This presents some challenges, but it offers enormous opportunity to leverage the unique perspectives and experiences of different generations particularly when problem solving and supporting learning and growth.”

Looking beyond AVID, Colette would like to see greater focus on improving equity outcomes for children from disadvantaged groups in terms of educational outcomes. Stronger investment in public and vocational education could support this together with a shift away from thinking that university is the only pathway. Intentional design of programs offered via our vocational institutions for example could position us to provide young people with skills and competencies that will be both required and in demand into the future.

CREATE

OH SEW SIMPLE

If you’re doom scrolling your way through your weekends, struggling to entertain the little ones, or just need a new hobby, sewing could be the perfect pick for you.

The whole thing can seem a little intimidating at first glance and perhaps a little old-fashioned, but with a needle, thread, and a dash of patience you’ll be creating modern summer pyjamas, dog bandanas, pillow covers, or even finger puppets in no time.

Read on for our beginners guide to sewing and start stitching some creativity into your routine.

The Basics

Before you can get started on your sewing journey, you will need a few essential supplies:

○ Needle

Usually, you can buy a pack with a few different sizes. Keep in mind that bigger needles are generally better for tougher fabrics.

○ Thread

These come in all colours so have a think about what fabrics you’re buying to make sure it matches.

○ Stitch ripper

This is a great little tool for any stitching mishaps as it protects the fabric and gets under any accidental stitches much easier than scissors.

○ Pins

Pins are essential for keeping you on track (literally) by mapping out the line you’re wanting to follow and guiding where to sew.

○ Scissors

Make sure to pick up some good quality fabric scissors, as that’ll ensure you have clean cut pieces to work with. Be sure to use your sewing scissors on fabric only, as paper may dull them.

○ Fabric

The key to it all. Consider your fabrics carefully. Fabrics like leather are tough and not the best to learn on, so try to stick with cotton fabrics and felt as a starting point.

Those six ingredients are enough to get you started on hand sewing, which is an essential skill to master, allowing you to learn different stitching styles and create beautiful, embroidered designs.

Once you’ve tested out your hand sewing skills it’s worthwhile investing in a sewing machine. These machines are ideal for bigger projects, making the whole experience much quicker and far less laborious. They’re a perfect option for any sewing that requires long straight lines like clothes and pencil cases.

Often, you’ll want to use a combination of the machine and hand sewing. For example, if you were making a patchwork quilt, you could use a sewing machine for the quilt itself and then incorporate blanket stitches on the patchwork squares.

When embarking on sewing, the worst thing you can do is aim too high with your first project. Attempting something tricky like a fitted shirt, dress, or a handbag can just leave you frustrated and not exactly eager to continue on your sewing journey.

For your very first creation, consider a felt pouch. This is an easy one to hand sew and all you’ll need to whip it up is two rectangular pieces of felt (long enough that a few pens, or a pair of glasses could fit) and a needle and thread. As mentioned earlier, there are a few different stitch styles you can experiment with, but opting for a blanket stitch with a bright, contrasting colour to the felt can be a great way to add some fun to your creation. There are hundreds of easy-to-follow tutorials online to learn all about different stitching styles, so be sure to check that out and start experimenting.

Once you’ve made your felt pouch, it might be time to whip out the sewing machine and create a pencil case or a small tote bag. These are great choices because you’ll sew on the inside, so once you flip it the right way around you won’t be able to see the stitching at all!

A BEGINNER’S First Creation SOME SEWING Inspiration

Knowing what to sew can be half the challenge, but places like Pinterest are a great port of call to help you out and get the creative juices flowing. Here’s some of our recommendations for beginners.

– A felt stuffed finger puppet or toy

– Fabric coasters

– A zipper pouch

– Felt key rings

– Phone or tablet stands

– Fabric bookmarks

– Scented pouches for your drawers

– Embroidered flower stitches

The art of needle and thread can take you places you never expected. Once you’ve built up your skills, teaching friends and family can be a great way to share the hobby with others. Alternatively, consider selling your creations and turn your passion into a side hustle.

CREATE

How to:

MAXIMISE YOUR SPARE ROOM

COZY CORNER

Adding some comfy seating to your spare room is a must, so why not buy a couch that can double as a sofa bed, immediately resolving any issue of ‘where will the guests sleep’? There are lots of comfortable sofa bed options out there, so be sure to browse the market. Brands like Koala, Eva, and Temple & Webster are popular choices and usually a pretty safe bet. With spare rooms often doubling as a makeshift play room for little ones, make sure you opt for a darker-coloured, kid-resistant covering. On the note of coverings, choose a couch that looks like it could be recovered with new fabrics again and again. This is a great way to reinvent a room without wasting furniture as your style changes and the original fabric wears.

STUDY CENTRE

Whether you’re using your spare room primarily as a bedroom, fitness area, kids’ hangout, or movie room, we guarantee there’s always space for a desk.

FITNESS HUB

The spare room can be a great place to workout, and with some compact equipment, there’s no need for your fitness foray to take up the whole room. If you’re working from home or just want to get some steps in during the evening, a walking pad treadmill is a great option. Without the handrails of traditional treadmills, it’s easy to slide it under other furniture once you’re done or pair it with an adjustable sit/stand desk to get some work done on the move. This way, you can stay active throughout your day without disrupting your space.

If you’re looking for less cardio and more strength training, there are lots of super compact adjustable weights and dumbbells on the market that are the perfect size to slot into the closet or to pop into some sleek storage units when you’re not using them.

Ah the spare room. A place so often forgotten that either ends up a bit like a storage facility with cupboards of knick-knacks or just a dusty guest bedroom that doesn’t get the use it deserves.

With the rise of WFH, spare rooms have had a resurgence as makeshift offices, but the space is probably still not reaching its full, untapped multi-purpose potential.

We’ve pulled together a holy grail ‘how to guide’ to take your spare room from dusty dumping ground to family favourite in no time.

If you’re wanting to sew, work from home, do some online shopping, or even just take some time to put pen to paper on your goals and plans, a great desk can help put you in the right mindset. Opting for a wall mounted fold out desk can be a great option. These just look like a wall cupboard, but when you open and fold them out there’s a fully-fledged desk with storage inside. If you’d rather not mount it to the wall, a secretary desk can add character to your space and are well-worth scouring antique stores to find. The great thing about fold out options is you don’t necessarily need to think about chairs either and you can just pull a chair from the kitchen over to the spare room as and when it’s needed.

MOVIE MEMORIES

Now this is the easiest one yet. With your couch added all you need is some black out curtains, a white wall, and a projector to create your very own, very cozy cinema room. Setting up movie nights in a separate room can make the experience feel so much more special for the little ones and with projectors starting from about $50 it’s not a huge investment either. Make it extra special by decorating the room to the theme of the movie, so the excitement builds throughout the day and the decorating chaos stays separate from the rest of the home.

Metricon

HOST WITH THE MOST

An event expert’s guide

A lot goes into becoming ‘the host with the most’ – just ask Abi Brown of MASK Events. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Abi is an industry leader, a regular collaborator on AVID’s famous events, and knows a thing or two about catering to your guests every whim whether there’s five or 205.

The Together team was lucky enough to sit down with Abi to help readers take the guess work out of hosting, as she exclusively shares her insights and tricks to pulling off any event, big or small, in your own home.

As the Sunshine Coast’s first event company and a go-to choice for hundreds of companies, MASK Events have been collaborating with AVID on community events from Display Village Openings and Christmas Spectaculars to Long Table Dinners and more for years.

For Abi, events are all about connecting with your guests, something she has been able to achieve through her work with AVID.

“We love working with AVID because we can tell they genuinely care about their communities. This really resonates with MASK’s core values, as we’re also all about human connection and lasting relationships.”

“Anyone can plan an event, however, to make it memorable, my best advice would be to activate all of you guests five senses.”

“My personal favourites are always the Long Table Dinners. It’s such a delight to see a whole community come and sit together and engage in fun activities, conversations, and creativity.”

According to Abi, everyone has it in them to be a true host with the most. It’s not the budget or venue that truly makes an event stand out but instead it’s the thought behind it and the smaller details that you incorporate for guests to discover.

“Anyone can plan an event, however, to make it memorable, my best advice would be to activate all of you guests five senses. What will they be hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing and feeling in their surrounds?”

“Once you’ve upgraded your venue by bringing together all five senses, every time that guest tastes that food, or smells that amazing candle you were burning at a later date, they will automatically be transported back to your event.”

Next, consider the practical side of your event. Hosting doesn’t need to break the bank, a few simple steps courtesy of Abi can help to keep costs low and payoff high.

“Try avoiding overly trendy items that you won’t be able to reuse. I’ve seen trends like bohemian-style mustards and neon signs come and go, but classic staples you can reach for time and time again will always make for a stylish fit-out.”

“It’s also really easy to get caught up in the craziness of event planning. always recommend making a list and actually sticking to it. An extra tip is to prioritise sourcing the bigger items like catering and décor first in case any issues pop up and it effects what other items you need.”

Once you’re finished carefully planning, bringing together the details and engaging all your guests’ senses, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy.

“Allow yourself more time than you would think to prepare and set up. That way, you can fully enjoy the event you worked so hard to put together and spend quality time with your guests.”

With some attention to detail, creativity and ingenuity, hosting doesn’t have to be expensive, overwhelming, or too much work. Take some inspiration from Abi and the MASK Events team and have your next event be the talk of the neighbourhood.

5 Steps to ENGAGE ALL 5 SENSES

1. Smell

A subtle yet effective way to set the scene and mood of your event, don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed candle or diffuser to truly transport your guests.

2. Touch

A small treat for your guests to pick up and take home is always appreciated! This doesn’t need to blow your budget, get creative and think about what you could DIY.

3. Taste

There’s nothing quite like a party to build up an appetite! Think about what you could cater that is easy to eat, won’t lead to unfortunate stains, and suits your theme. Don’t forget to ask your guests about any allergies either.

4. Sight

The first glimpse of your event is very important to setting the tone – first impressions count! Consider the little details and remember that sometimes all it takes is a cohesive colour scheme, homemade decorations, or even just tidying up.

5. Sound

Whether you’re an expert playlist maker or a DJ in disguise, curating the perfect soundtrack for your event is a great finishing touch. Stick to your theme or go for classics everyone will love – the choice is yours.

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

1. Find your why

What is the main reason behind your event. It can be as small as just wanting to get together with friends for a milestone birthday. Zeroing in on the ‘why’ will help refine the theme and feeling you want to achieve.

2. Think about how you want your guests to feel. Even if some guests don’t notice the little details, it’s these special additions that really make an event memorable. An effective and wholistically planned out event will have people leaving wowed.

3. Always have a Plan B, maybe a Plan C too! A contingency plan or two is an absolute must. When you help to minimise panic in an unplanned scenario and cover your bases, nothing can rain on your parade! Abi’s Top 3

CREATE THE INSIDE ADVANTAGE

An expert in crafting sophisticated, high-end, and user-friendly designs in retirement, residential, and commercial spaces, Arkee CEO Paula Bowen is the mastermind behind Vantage by AVID’s community spaces.

Leading the team of highly qualified design professionals at the Melbourne-based design house, Paula shares her insights into the inspiration behind some of our most coveted communities and how everyone can bring their own unique flair and sophistication to the home.

IMMACULATE INSPIRATION

When it comes to the design inspiration behind the interiors of Vantage’s shared spaces, Paula and her team worked collaboratively with AVID to craft truly unique places.

“Within the Vantage community spaces, absolutely everything has been considered. Each community has its own unique feel, but they share the same elevated, resort style themes.”

“Across the board, we’ve focussed on thoughtfully designing spaces where people can gather or just enjoy life – it was important to maintain the highest standards of design and delivery in both the larger, open function areas and more intimate spaces for residents to comfortably connect with each other.”

Paula and the Arkee team were careful to entrench a sense of homeliness and familiarity in the interior design across the Vantage properties, with the utmost consideration being taken in the communal areas.

“We want residents to think of these shared spaces as an extension of their own homes. Everything is situated in the way it would within a private residence, like the private dining room flowing into the games area and lounge, whilst the wellness and cinema rooms are more private and removed.”

“ We want residents to think of these shared spaces as an extension of their own homes. Everything is situated the way it would within a private residence.”

– Paula Bowen, CEO of Arkee

ENVIABLE AMENITIES

Reflecting AVID’s vision of resort-style enclaves, Vantage communities house numerous luxurious and enviable shared amenities behind their gates.

“My personal favourite features have to be the entertaining spaces such as the bar and kitchen. It’s quite amazing how they’re going to operate, and the kitchen is completely fitted out to have a restaurant-like back of house.”

“There’s not a moment that Vantage residents could be left wanting for an activity or amenity. Between the luxe cinemas, spa spaces, bowling greens, private parklands, games rooms, libraries and more, not a thought has been spared when it comes to making the community amenities the best possible.”

DIY DESIGN – INTERIORS IN YOUR OWN SPACES

Paula’s expert eye doesn’t stop at the shared community amenities.

“In your own sanctuary spaces, be sure to really curate what you put in. There’s something very freeing about only keeping objects and knick-knacks that are truly beautiful and suit the space.”

“Scale is also something that is so important, but often overlooked. Smaller pieces aren’t always the answer in a smaller space – thinking about how different textures, shapes, colours and sizes will work in tandem with each other is one of my tricks of the trade.”

With four thriving land lease neighbourhoods now selling across Queensland and Victoria and many more to come, be sure to book a Discovery Tour at your nearest Vantage location.

To explore Vantage, please visit avid.com.au/vantage

MOOD-BOOSTING SMOOTHIES CREATE

Staff Favourites

Whether you want to kickstart the day with something other than coffee, quench your thirst with fruity goodness on a hot summer day, or simply give your blender a workout, smoothies are a fantastic option. Explore our AVID staff’s mood boosting, thirst quenching favourites.

“This gluten free and dairy free smoothie is my go-to each and every morning and I never get sick of it! My dog Mr Monk also can’t resist the leftovers so it’s a win-win.”

Nina Suares, Project Marketing Manager, Victoria

NINA’S COCONUT BLUEBERRY SKIN SMOOTHIE

Ingredients (Serves 1)

○ 3/4 cup coconut milk

○ 1/4 cup coconut water

○ 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

○ 2 scoops vegan vanilla protein powder

○ 1/4 cup wheat free oats

○ 1-2 medjool dates

○ 1 tablespoon chia seeds

○ 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter

○ 1 scoop prebiotic collagen powder

Instructions

1. Blend all the ingredients together.

2. Pop into your favourite glass and top with shredded coconut.

JANA’S PASSION MANGO MARVEL

Ingredients (Serves 1)

○ 340g of frozen Mango (or canned Mango pulp)

○ 1 x large passionfruit

○ 1 x dollop of natural yogurt

○ A few ice cubes

Instructions

1. Add the ingredients to a blender.

2. Serve and enjoy.

“This smoothie is my husband’s creation and is a favourite with our kids. It’s inspired by a popular Boost juice so it has all the mango, passionfruit deliciousness that’s perfect for a hot summer’s day.”

– Jana Gorman, Marketing Manager, New South Wales

“As a smoothie fan, I’m usually whipping this one up as an afterlunch snack. I love this recipe because it saves me reluctantly diving into the Tim Tam bowl in the kitchen that our Office Manager Phillipa generously replenishes every Monday morning.”

– Nathan Atkins, Development Manager, New South Wales

NATHAN’S BANANA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients (Serves 1)

○ 1 overly ripe banana

○ 1 cup milk (any milk)

○ 1/4 cup oats

○ 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

○ A few ice cubes

Instructions

1. Add the ingredients to a blender.

2. Announce and give warning to the office with the disturbing NutriBullet noise.

3. Blend until smooth.

4. Apologise to all colleagues for the disturbance.

5. Pour into your favourite “don’t talk to me I’m busy cup” and enjoy!

JOSH’S MORNING BERRY ALMOND SMOOTHIE

Ingredients (Serves 1)

○ 1 cup of organic unsweetened almond milk

○ 2 tablespoons of healthy empire smoothie ‘Morning Companion Smoothie’ powder

○ 1 teaspoon of Kfibre (gut health fibre)

○ 1 teaspoon of almond butter

○ 1 teaspoon of Australian linseeds

○ A squeeze of honey

○ A handful of frozen mixed berries

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients and blend.

2. Serve up and enjoy for breakfast.

“I’ve

always enjoyed experimenting with different smoothie variations, but this is definitely my favourite.”

– Joshua Barak, Development Manager, Victoria

DISCOVER

GOLD COAST’S

HIDDEN GEMS

The Gold Coast is an iconic Australian hotspot, famous for its stunning beaches, bustling nightlife,and flashy high-rise buildings lining its endlessly vibrant shores.

Beyond the well-known destinations lies a

Tallebudgera Creek

Burleigh Beach

Surfers Paradise

BEST OF THE BEACHES

Your ultimate guide to the Gold Coast’s beaches and suburbs—where to swim, eat, and explore.

MAIN BEACH

Despite its name, Main Beach is actually a quieter choice for those looking to enjoy a beautiful beach day in peace. Positioned on the northern end of the Gold Coast, this stunning spot may be surrounded by modern apartments but at its heart is history. On the beach you’ll find brightly coloured retro change rooms that take you back to the roaring 30s and 40s. You’ll also find the Main Beach Pavilion built in 1936, still in all its original glory and now a popular cafe, serving up quintessential Aussie chiko rolls and fish and chips. The perfect nostalgic feeds to accompany any beach day.

Main Beach is also surrounded by great parks including Hollindale Park with playgrounds, seating, and grassy fields, everything you need to enjoy a picnic or lunch under the sun.

If you’re looking to go a little further afield from the white, sandy shore of Main Beach, Sea World is mere moments away. Take in a marine show, immerse yourself in the sea life that surround you, and experience everything this much-loved theme park has to offer.

BURLEIGH BEACH

A favourite for many Brisbane and Gold Coast locals, Burleigh Beach is a mecca for great dining, fashion boutiques, and incredible surf.

You could dedicate a full weekend to Burleigh alone, kicking things off with a morning walk along the Burleigh Heads National Park trails, featuring sweeping views of the gorgeous coastline. If you’d rather be in the ocean, the surf is world-renowned with many experienced surfers catching waves from the Burleigh Headland each morning.

Once you’ve had your fill of beachside fun, this oncesleepy cousin of Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise is quickly becoming a thriving hub for fashion lovers and dining connoisseurs. If you’re looking for a breakfast to remember, head to the Paddock Bakery or Tarte Bakery and Café and enjoy their delicious patisseries or avocado toast options.

For lunch or dinner, you can’t go past Burleigh Pavilion with its easy eats, fantastic drink selection and sweeping ocean views. While you’re in the area, be sure to drop into James St which has a great range of local labels and Australian designers so you can walk away adorned in your beachside best.

KIRRA BEACH

A Southern suburb of the Gold Coast, Kirra, is a great seaside escape if you just want to relax and enjoy the coastal beauty.

It’s a popular spot for surfers all year round, thanks to the outstanding surfbreaks and, back on land, its trails make it an ideal spot for cyclists. The trails are also a popular choice for walkers and runners as it forms part of the 36 kilometre Gold Coast Oceanway. Start from Kirra Point and head 30 minutes along the path to Snapper Rocks and take in the greenery of the Norfolk Pines juxtaposed with the beautiful blue waters of Coolangatta.

An added bonus is there is no shortage of pitstops along the walk, including some fantastic cafes. Cross the road from the beach and head to Café All Sorts in Kirra for breakfast whether you’re craving a sticky date waffle stack or their staple ‘All Sorts Big Breaky’ it won’t disappoint. If you’d rather get something to enjoy while you walk or to devour on the beach, stop into HiPoke and choose from their great range of smoothies, acai, and of course, poke bowls.

TALLEBUDGERA CREEK

If family friendly fun is on the agenda look no further than the sparkling Tallebudgera Creek. Nestled between Tallebudgera Beach and Burleigh Heads National Park it’s something of an oasis that has holiday makers returning year in and year out.

The creek waters are calm making it a great spot for a swim and a splash or to test your skills kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. A popular location for campers, the creek has several amenities so you can stay for as long or as short as you’d like. If you’re in need of sustenance, why not head to the Tallebudgera Surf Club and enjoy some pub-style favourites and spot the nippers training.

CURRUMBIN BEACH

Currumbin Beach is another great choice for holiday goers for a number of reasons. Firstly, there’s nowhere else in the Gold Coast you can take in the famous views of Surfers Paradise quite like you can in Currumbin. While you can see it all from ground level, locals recommend heading to the platform at the top of Elephant Rock to really appreciate the unique view of sun-soaked high rises lining the beach.

Another plus – Currumbin has some amazing rock formations, so a day at the beach can be spent perusing the incredible natural structures that line the shore. Once it’s time to refuel, there’s an abundance of little cafes and the surf club to enjoy a bite before getting back to exploring.

If you’ve had your fill of beachside entertainment, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is located within walking distance of the beach and is home to a range of wonderful native and exotic critters. Get up close and personal with an echidna or get the adrenalin pumping with their treetop challenge.

Tallebudgera Creek

Tallebudgera Surf Club

Kirra Beach trail

Burleigh Beach

Main Beach

A SCENIC TRIP TO THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

Discover rolling hills, hidden cellar doors, charming villages and award-winning eateries just a day-trips distance from Sydney in the Southern Highlands.

Milton Park

The Press Shop

DISCOVER: NSW EAT, PLAY & STAY IN THE HIGHLANDS

The Press Shop

To fuel up for days filled with exploring, head to The Press Shop in Bowral for the most important meal of the day. A favourite with locals and visitors alike, this charming café focusses on seasonal, local produce and clean, healthy meals. Sit down and enjoy a wide variety of unique dishes and breakfast classics from zesty Turkish eggs to jam packed breakfast burritos.

thepressshopbowral.au

Gumnut Patisserie

Winners of the Presidents Medal at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the pâtissiers at Gumnut Patisserie know a thing or two when it comes to mouth-watering baked goods. With outposts in Mittagong, Bowral, and Berrima, Gumnut Patisserie often boasts a line out the door with visitors eager to sample their freshly baked selection of delicate pastries, moreish meat pies, and cakes guaranteed to have you reaching for a second slice. Make sure this is one of your morning stops –the cabinets are often emptied out by midday.

gumnutpatisserie.com.au

Surveyor General Inn

With nearly two centuries under its belt, the Surveyor General Inn in Berrima is NSW’s oldest continuously licensed pub. Since 1834, they’ve been delighting visitors with classic pub meals and a wide variety of drinks on and off tap. While there, choose between dining al-fresco on the veranda overlooking a historic gaol, in the beer garden, or in the cozy dining room. Their seasonally rotating menu offers gluten free, vegetarian and kid’s options, so everyone can enjoy this slice of Australian history.

surveyorgeneralinn.com.au

Southern Highlands Wine Trail

Home to over 60 wineries and 15 cellar doors, the Southern Highlands is the perfect destination for Australian wine enthusiasts. Luckily for us, the local tourism office has crafted a carefully selected vineyard and brewery trail bringing together the very best of the region. Non-drinkers – don’t worry! The wine trail offers spectacular scenery and delicious food at many of the stops. There truly is a drop or bite for everyone.

visitsouthernhighlands.com.au/trip-ideas/wine-trail

Redleaf Farm

Home to enough farm animals to shock even Old McDonald, Redleaf Farm makes a memorable stop for families. On this working farm, budding agriculturalists can say hello to highland cows, pigs, sheep, horses, ducks, and even a donkey! This is an amazing opportunity for city slickers to learn all about where their food comes from and how farmers are embracing more ethical practices.

Call 0411 763 373 or visit redleaf-farm.com

Ngunungulla Art Gallery

On the outskirts of Bowral, inside a converted dairy, sits a one-of-a-kind, award-winning regional art gallery. Created collaboratively by the National Trust and the NSW Government, Ngunungulla Art Gallery hosts an impressive roster of exhibitions that feature local and international artists. The Gallery sits on the grounds of Retford Park Estate, so be sure to take a stroll around the extensive grounds and take in the spectacular gardens after your visit.

ngununggula.com

SHOPPING

Whilst it may seem unassuming at first glance, Bowral is home to a treasure trove of unique stores and boutiques for shopaholics from all walks of life. For antique enthusiasts, wander through a maze of unique finds at Dirty Janes in Bowral. If you’re looking for your new favourite outfit, visit Birdhouse by HEM for special finds sourced from around Australia. You can even embrace the Southern Highlands’ country atmosphere with a new pair of boots and an Akubra from The Countryman.

dirtyjanes.com/dirty-janes-bowral hemstore.com.au

thecountryman-bowral.com.au

HIKE

Mt Gibraltar Hike

If you’re looking to embrace the fresh, countryside air, head to the highest point between the Illawarra Coast and the Great Dividing Range – Mt Gibraltar. Over 150 million years old and standing 863 metres high, Mt Gibraltar has a range of accessible lookouts and walks ranging from 10 to 45 minutes. The area is teeming with native plants and wildlife, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled and soak up the natural wonders.

visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/southernhighlands/mittagong/attractions/mount-gibraltar

The Press Shop

Ngunungulla Art Gallery

DISCOVER: NSW

Berida Hotel

Inside a stately 1920’s manor lies a slice of Europeanstyle luxury. A perfect home base for visitors looking for an unforgettable stay, the Berida Hotel is arguable the chicest in town. On a cool night, guests can keep warm in front of one of many wood-burning fires in the exclusive whiskey bar or highly recommended Bistro Sociale. Plus, the friendly and knowledgeable staff can recommend the best hidden gems in and around the Southern Highlands.

beridahotel.com.au

Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa With massages, a sauna, lawn tennis and an indoor and outdoor pool all on-site, Milton Park Country House Hotel & Spa is the ultimate Southern Highlands wellness retreat. Situated right outside Bowral on a woodland topped hill and inside an English-style manor, this is an amazing spot to relax and unwind in the fresh country air. Elegantly decorated rooms offer guests a luxurious home base amidst the excitement of the region – a true treat for body and soul.

miltonpark.com.au

Converted Dairy in Fitzroy Falls

You’re not going to find a stay like this anywhere else. Set on a stunning 29-acre property, this charming cottage is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and fronts a lily pad-dotted pond. The converted dairy is light and bright with a fireplace, air conditioning, and amazing views throughout the property. When you book this stay you have it all to yourself, meaning more space for families and plenty of room to roam.

airbnb.com.au/rooms/18127911?s=67&unique_ share_id=9783fefc-d0fe-4b9d-9d3ac3aa3243e328&source_impression_ id=p3_1707203156_J%2FBjar5PUGA%2FNXEr

Milton Park

Milton Park

Milton Park

Berida Hotel

A FOODIE’S GUIDE TO MELBOURNE

The culture capital of Australia continues to shine with its diverse and delicious range of cafes, bars, and restaurants. Whether you’re searching for high-end dining, Asian delights, delicious sweet treats or farm-to-table favourites, Melbourne never disappoints when it comes to culinary options.

We’re sharing our top spots for special celebrations, fun family outings and catch-ups with your nearest and dearest.

MELBOURNE MEALS

Pipi’s Kiosk

Nestled on the Albert Park foreshore with ocean views towards St Kilda, Pipi’s Kiosk celebrates seafood in a classic Australian style. Offering both quick, casual window service and an elegant, light-filled restaurant,

SPECIAL OCCASION SPOTS

Longrain

Longrain have fast become known for their vibrant, modern Thai cuisine, dishing up excellent options for patrons seeking a special night out. High ceilings filled with flickering paper lamps and a relaxed dining style create an ambience that lends itself to a perfectly romantic evening. Longrain’s meals are inspired by the chef’s memories of growing up in Thailand, so prepare to be wowed by comforting, authentic Thai favourites with an elevated twist.

Call 03 9653 1600 or visit longrainmelbourne.com

Julie

White tablecloths, a farm to table philosophy and a spot inside the historic Abbotsford Convent – the makings of a perfect night out. Julie has a constantly changing menu thanks to the team’s dedication to making the most of the produce grown right next door at the Collingwood Children’s Farm. Your reservation could bring you any number of mouth-watering meals from Jerusalem artichoke salad to braised lamb with potato gratin. Julie prides itself on showcasing the very best of locally grown ingredients, an ethos that fits in perfectly with Melbourne foodie culture.

julierestaurant.com.au

Pipi’s ambience evokes memories of classic beachside surf clubs but with a modern, fresh revamp. This spot is a standout option for lovers of all things seafood, with a menu boasting Sydney Rock oysters, salt cod croquettes and of course, their specialty ‘pipi pasta’. Book in for an early evening dinner to witness the sweeping sunset views over the ocean, the perfect complement to a fresh seafood meal.

pipiskiosk.com.au

FAMILY FUN

The Boatbuilders Yard

For a family friendly option, head to The Boatbuilder’s Yard in South Wharf. With a relaxed indoor-outdoor atmosphere and options like mini cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets for little ones, this is a great choice for family outings. An added bonus? There are plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options to cater for everyone’s tastebuds.

theboatbuildersyard.com.au

Shush Burger

There’s nothing quite as crowd pleasing as a good burger, and Shush Burger serves up what is arguably Melbourne’s best. Celebrity chef Sean Connolly has mastered the art of the perfect burger, and Shush Burger’s menu has options ranging from classic, to experimental and everything in between. Our favourite is the Shush Grand Master – deliciously decadent with two patties, double cheese, onions, pickles and ketchup. Make sure to leave room for dessert, as their soft serve options inspired by classic Aussie treats like iced vovo and mint slice are always a hit.

shushburger.com.au

Prahran Market

Open daily, the Prahran Market offers visitors a smorgasbord of the very best in local produce, deli items, specialty food and drinks, flowers and more. Your local farmers market has nothing on this! Conveniently located in Central Melbourne, the Prahran Market is a hub for Melbournians each and every weekend and is a great place to spend a day wandering through and sampling delicious treats.

prahranmarket.com.au

SPQR

It’s not often you can find a family favourite restaurant in a stadium, but if you find yourself inside the MCG head to SPQR’s outpost to discover delicious wood-fired pizzas. You can also head to their CBD location and dig into their extensive menu ranging from San Marzano topped with nduja and hot honey and the Amatrice packed with guanciale, confit garlic and chilli. Those with dietary requirements don’t need to miss out either, SPQR offers gluten free bases, vegan cheese and plenty of vegetarian options. Delicioso!

spqrpizzeria.com

FRIENDS GET TOGETHER

Yum Sing House

Located in one of Melbourne’s famous alleyways, Yum Sing House channels 1960’s Hong Kong to bring tasty modern Cantonese dining and late-night karaoke all in one spot. Groups can enjoy specials like $2 freshly shucked oysters on Wednesdays and a $60 banquet plus a one hour karaoke deal on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Message the group chat, warm up your vocal chords, wander down Sutherland St and take dinner out to a whole new level.

yumsinghouse.com

Bhang

Serving dishes from all over India in a Bollywood-poster adorned warehouse is Bhang, a restaurant designed for sharing fun times and amazing food. Bring together your best friends and share a traditional thali – a selection of smaller dishes perfect for groups wanting to try everything. Plus, Bhang brings the good times even further with a happy hour every day from 5-7pm.

eatdrinkbhang.com

Lune

A viral sensation that lives up to its online popularity, Melbourne-founded Lune is the ultimate bakery-cafe destination. Their iconic croissant is a must have to sweeten up even the rainiest of days, and be sure to visit more than once to taste their many daily specialty pastries like lemon curd cruffins, kouign amanns, and Tim Tam croissants. Open 7:30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, this is a crowd-pleasing spot to enjoy a sweet treat with sweet company.

lunecroissanterie.com

Caption

Longrain

The Boatbuilders Yard

Lune

The Boatbuilders Yard

INSPIRE

Move beyond trends and embrace what speaks to you and your individuality, with a little dose of inspiration to get you started.

Bring new ambience to your home with beautiful scents, snuggle up to a new book, or expand your perspective on life with a new film.

Healthy home

SCENTS THAT MAKE SENSE

Scents are powerful things. They can transport you back to baking cookies for a primary school play date, to a beach trip with your extended family, or just signal the comfort and safety of stepping through your own front door.

BRANDS TO SMELL BY

For some ‘healthy home’ choices check out some of our favourite Australian candle brands.

Circa

Circa’s soy candles are hand poured in Sydney and their packaging and gift sets make for perfect housewarming presents. Lots of their scents have a fresh coastal flair so they are a great option for light filled rooms or bathrooms. Our top picks? Oceanique or Coconut and Watermelon.

Great joy can come from creating a space that not only visually appeals to you, but also smells just the way you like it.

In this article, we’re sharing our favourite scented candles and other aroma-creating techniques to take your home’s ambience to new heights.

Safety First

Bringing smoke into the home can cause concern, especially if you’re worried about harmful chemicals. The good news is the likelihood of harm from household candles is very low and there are a few simple things to keep in mind to enjoy stress-free candle lighting.

Paraffin wax candles contain more chemicals than other wax varieties, so if you want to play it safe opt for a beeswax, soy wax, plant-based wax, or coconut wax options instead. For the wick itself, stick to cotton, hemp, or wood wick options.

Beyond that, to keep smoke to a minimum remember these four tips:

– Ditch the draft: Don’t burn candles in drafty areas.

– Trim the wick: Keeping the wick between 5 and 10 millimetres is the optimal length.

– Snuff the candle: Avoid blowing it out and instead snuff it with the candle’s lid or a snuffer.

– Air it out: Once you’ve extinguished the flame make sure the room is ventilated.

No candle? No problem

If the idea of a candle isn’t for you, or you prefer some variation to your scent sources we’ve rounded up some great alternatives that will still add some aromatic wonder to your space.

Diffusers: With wooden stick options and machine options these are a hassle-free choice if you want to set and forget but still enjoy some aromatherapy thanks to its gentle release of essential oils. There are so many different variations of diffusers, so do you research to pick the right one for you.

Incense: Incense sticks are great options for an immediate scent release and are safer for forgetful folk who might not remember to snuff their candles. With scents that can help calm anxiety they can be a great choice after a day at work.

Bare Body Beauty Co

Selling everything from body scrubs to doggy shampoos this label hailing from Bowral in NSW is focused on natural and organic products that leave customers feeling great. The Bare Burn candle comes in three size options and are made with soy wax, natural fragrance, essential oils, and cotton wicks. There are lots of divine scents on offer, but you can’t go past their calming (and rather unique) tobacco and hay option.

Hut Woods

If you’re looking to splurge, this is it. These Vogue-approved candles are made with natural coconut soy wax and wooden wicks which create an ambient and soothing crackling sound. Scent choices include everything from spiced orange, nutmeg and clove, to baked apple, cinnamon, and vanilla, so you’re bound to find one you like.

Ivy & Wood

Brisbane founded Ivy & Wood offer coconut wax and cotton wick candles for every mood, room, and season. Working with a range of local artists they have a suite of beautifully illustrated candle jars each showcasing the unique scents available, most of which are inspired by native Australian flora. Their botanical collection isn’t to be missed with bamboo, fig, and vetiver scents through to an orchid and ginger option.

Hot tip:

Add a different candle to each room in the house, matching the scent to the overall ambience you want that room to create. You’ll start to link the décor with those smells and so will your guests.

THE AVID READER

After a long day or week, a touch of imagination can be the perfect remedy to help escape into another world and truly unwind. Whether you’re after a heartwarming story to share with the little ones, or a documentary worth cancelling plans and curling up on the couch for, our AVID staff members have a recommendation for you.

Fortheyoungatheart

Attacking Life

Recommended by Michael, Senior Estimator

With music composed by AVID’s very own Michael and inspired by the true story of his cousin, Brett (who also co-directed the film), Attacking Life takes audiences through the journey of recovery from a gruesome, nearly life ending shark attack and discusses themes of perseverance, mental health and more.

You can find Attacking Life exclusively on Stan.

Chimp Empire

Recommended by Tim, VIC Acquisitions Manager

Narrated by Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, Chimp Empire examines the lives of rival groups of chimpanzees in Uganda’s Ngogo rainforest. Showcasing shockingly complex social patterns and dynamics, eerily human-like behaviour and the threat of poaching these creatures face, it’s a fascinating series for animallovers and budding sociologists.

The Day the Crayons Quit

Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers

Recommended by Linda, General Manager Marketing & Customer

A hilarious story about a pencil case full of crayons who can’t seem to see point to point and one boy’s quest to reunite them and keep on colouring. A #1 New York Times bestseller loved by kids and parents alike!

Best for kids aged 3+

I’m Australian Too Mem Fox

Recommended by Jane, HR Administrator

Don’t be fooled by its sweet rhymes and beautiful illustrations, this book from Mem Fox is a truly insightful story of diversity, inclusivity, celebrating our differences and the harsh realities facing those who move to Australia in search of refuge from war, hunger and disease.

Best for kids aged 5+

Deltora Quest Emily Rodda

Recommended by Jennifer, Head of Treasury

A captivating 15-book series following Lief’s adventures through the wild and wonderful world of Deltora.

A must-read for many Australian kids, Deltora Quest is a great stepping stone for young children transitioning from picture books to novels.

Best for kids aged 7+

The Snail and the Whale Julia Donaldson

Recommended by Lesley, Marketing Manager

Whilst a snail and a whale may seem like unlikely friends, this book proves otherwise with details of their adventures around the world (big and small!). Teaching the importance of friendship, emotions and resilience, The Snail and the Whale has 4.9 stars on Amazon and Goodreads.

Best for kids aged 2+

Clarkson’s Farm

Recommended by Sanjay, Digital Marketing Specialist

Ever think you’d see Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson running a 1,000 acre, working farm? Clarkson’s Farm is an eye-wateringly funny series following Jeremy’s adventures in setting up a real farm in England’s Cotswolds –complete with animals, crops, a farm store and a hilarious 21-year-old property manager. A must watch for the whole family.

The Vietnam War

Recommended by Richard, General Counsel

Over $30 million dollars and 10 years went into the making of this 10-part series from icon Ken Burns. Stunning cinematography, interviews with subjects including John McCain, Jane Fonda and Henry Kissinger, and neverbefore-seen information from over 24,000 photographs and 1,500 hours of archival footage make this a true feast for the eyes and mind.

The Supermodels

Recommended by Dani, Project Marketing Manager

An unprecedented peek into the lives and mindsets of the most famous fashion quartet of all time - Naomi, Cindy, Linda, and Christy. A delightful nostalgic feast for those of us who grew up seeing these faces attached to so many brands.

And for others, it’s a fascinating glimpse into a vanished world in which magazines were a portal to greatness and where all photos amounted to art and a handful of figures could dominate a cultural landscape.