SPRING 2021
Meet Bundaberg’s blooming bio-innovators and conservationists
Green THE
ISSUE
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ON THE COVER & BELOW: The scent of flowers rolling across the farm signals Springtime in the Bundaberg Region. From Farm To Vase owners Katrin Rosse and Andrea Corbucci collect their beautiful blooms ready for delivery. Photography by Paul Beutel.
Our Crush Magazine models are not paid professionals, just people who love the Bundaberg Region.
MEET OUR MODELS, KATRIN AND ANDREA FROM FARM TO VASE ON PAGE 15.
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18 34 41 45 55 72
80 90
MEMORY LANE Celebrating Molly De Gunst, Bundaberg’s other famous singer
THE RISE OF THE SILVER VIXEN Women empowered and inspiring others by going grey
THE GREEN ISSUE Meet the Bundaberg businesses leading the charge for green change
AT HOME WITH… Op shop queen Jess Marsellos shares her thrifty style tips
OH HONEY An up close look at the little insect facing a big problem
TURN THE PAGE Bargara Book Boutique recommends some top reads for Spring
LIPS & LOCKS Going natural for a beauty boost
IN & OUT Designing and styling your home sustainably
THE DIARY Your guide to the Bundaberg Region’s Spring events
big things
FROM LITTLE THINGS,
GROW
we branched
The Green Issue of Crush Magazine is
out into public
about the future and the kind of world
relations and marketing before creating Crush Magazine. This solid grounding, fertilised by support from readers and advertisers, big and small, has enabled us to grow in size and vision. Crush is proof that positive change Whether you are a loyal Crush reader who has enjoyed every issue we’ve published to date, or you are only discovering Crush for the first time – welcome to Issue 5. We are often asked who owns Crush Magazine; is it a big multi-national media corporation or Council. The Magazine is such high quality; is it printed overseas? The answer to all three assertions is
happens one piece at a time and that, collectively, we are stronger together. One minute you’re a small business owner, doing absolutely everything yourselves, and the next you’ve assembled a small, talented team of locals (pictured right). Story by story. Issue by issue. Our staff and advertisers are helping readers see the Bundaberg Region in a whole new light. We are working to change
no! Crush is completely independent,
mindsets and perspectives, because
printed by a family-owned business
we want to leave our local community
in Brisbane and owned by two proud
and economy in better shape than we
local mums. Print journalists by trade;
found it. We’re nowhere near done.
we want to leave behind. There’s no denying the planet is changing, and so must we. Change is hard, but apathy and blame are perilous. The Bundaberg Region is home to countless inspirational locals who are leading by example. They’re not naively waiting for the world’s politicians and scientists to reach consensus on important environmental issues. They’re not pointing their finger at other countries, turning a blind eye or citing flaws in new technology. They’re taking matters into their own hands. And you can too. Switch to a reusable coffee cup. Spend more time outdoors. Consider where your food comes from. Plant some seeds. Pick up rubbish when you see it. Let’s stop kicking the can down the road. There is no Planet B. LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR & NIKKI SORBELLO
Crush Magazine has been designed and produced as a keepsake, that can be shared among readers. If you would like to recycle the magazine, simply remove the cover and pop it in with the recycling. Or subscribe to receive the magazine in digital format. Printcraft is a Forest Stewardship Council certified printer.
PUBLIC RELATIONS | STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT | MARKETING
PROUD PUBLISHER OF CRUSH MAGAZINE
PAUL BEUTEL
ROWENA PREDDY
ALICE THOMPSON
PHOTOGRAPHER
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
WRITER & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Crush Magazine wouldn’t be what it is without Paul ‘Bloody’ Beutel. Can you even call yourself a local if you haven’t been snapped by PBB? He’s captured some of the biggest news events of the past three decades and displayed his work in the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
Rowena, from Preddy Creative, created our masthead and specialises in magazine layout and design. She brings each of our pages to life and compiles them to create a single, cohesive publication. We’ve almost convinced Rowena to move her family from North
As well as co-ordinating our contributed magazine content, Alice provides strategic public relations advice to our communications clients. Prior to joining Crush, Alice worked for criminal intelligence agencies in Canberra. She’s done lots of interesting things – but she
Queensland to Bundy.
just can’t talk about them.
DAVID WISE
TARA JACOBSEN
RYAN PEARCE
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
WRITER, DIGITAL MARKETING & SALES
DISTRIBUTOR
The owner of Petals and Print, Tara loves nothing more than the smell of fresh ink on paper. Born in Bundaberg, when she isn’t working with our advertisers to create beautiful artwork, you’ll likely find her in her sister’s
Charming and cheeky, Ryan is our jack of all trades. He answers to ‘Chippy’ but has absolutely no carpentry skills whatsoever. Prior to starting at Crush, Ryan worked in entertainment,
David is possibly Larine and Nikki’s favourite team member, and for good reason. He hand-delivers all 10,000 hard copies of Crush Magazine each quarter. As the owner of Wise Words Communications, David also runs public speaking workshops and facilitates events.
hospitality and IT.
spellbinding chocolate shop.
CONTACT US
SOCIAL
Email: hello@crushcomms.com.au
@CrushMagazineAU
Studio: Palace Arcade, 10/133 Bourbong St, Bundaberg
@crushmag_au
Postal Address: PO Box 2426, Bundaberg Qld 4670
@crushcommunications
Telephone: 0447 669 431
#crushmagau #bundycrush #crushcomms
DIGITAL & PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS www.crushmagazine.com.au/subscribe ADVERTISE www.crushmagazine.com.au/advertise MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS www.crushcommunications.com.au
Crush Magazine is published by Crush Communications Pty Ltd (ABN 94 640 941 475) PO Box 2426 Bundaberg Qld 4670. The information contained within Crush Magazine (and other associated platforms) is given in good faith and obtained from sources believed to be accurate. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Crush Magazine and its Directors, NJ Sorbello and LC Statham, will not be held liable for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use or reliance on any information, advertisement, opinion, advice, errors or omissions contained herein. Use of such material shall be at your own risk. All material sent to Crush Magazine (including photos, emails and social media comments) will be assumed to be publishable, unless marked ‘not for publication’. We do not necessarily label content to distinguish between editorial and advertorial. Crush Magazine is printed by Printcraft Qld Pty Ltd; Hamilton Qld 4007. All material published in Crush Magazine is subject to copyright. Accordingly, all rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Retail products advertised and promoted in Crush Magazine are subject to availability, while stocks last. Colours shown may differ from products available due to the printing process. Please see our website for full Terms and Conditions, including those relating to competitions and giveaways.
PHOTOS: Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers/Paul Beutel
OUR
Harvest Festival
It is the horticultural event not to
due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Multiplex earlier this year. Surrounded
be missed! Once every two years
Region’s farming families and their
by fresh produce and machinery,
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable
supporters swapped steel-capped
Growers host an industry gala dinner
topped off with a fireworks display, it
boots for suits and stillettos.
was a celebration of the Bundaberg
About 580 guests dined on canapes
Region’s innovative, resilient producers
and a three-course dinner, centered
who contribute to the wider Australian
around local produce, at the Bundaberg
horticulture industry.
to celebrate the Region’s status as ‘the food bowl of Australia’. Having been postponed for 12 months
11
PHOTO CREDIT: Genesis Care/Paul Beutel
PRIDEof place
Did you know?
The Bundaberg Region has been the traditional land of the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Bailai peoples for thousands of years.
Bundaberg, even by name, has a long
Byron said it was Harold Russell who
because when people are proud they
proud history of reconciliation and
insisted Aboriginal people be recognised
respect their land and country and take
connectedness.
in the naming of the town. “They took
care of it. We are all as one.”
As Taribelang Bunda traditional cultural leader Byron Broome tells it, the town got its name as a show of thanks to the local Aboriginal tribe. “In the late 1800s there was a man named Harold Russell who had come here from Europe,” Byron said. “His wife became very ill and the local Aboriginal women took her out bush for some healing. When they came
the name Bunda from the true black Bunda people, and berg was the German word meaning town or hill – so it was the peoples’ town, bringing the traditional owners and other cultures together,”
Byron’s 14-year-old daughter Nikiya Broome-Tiger has recently started performing blessing ceremonies alongside her father. It’s a responsibility
he said. “At the time there were lots of
the Kepnock State High School student
Germans, living around the Hummock,
takes very seriously. “The dance
squatting in the dunes at Bargara, and
symbolises healing ourselves and
there were Italians and Chinese too.”
our country, reconnecting with our ancestors and calling on them to bless
back a week later, his wife was walking
It’s clear from how passionately he
and the colour had returned to her face.
speaks that Byron is a proud man.
Russell understood we were a resilient
“When I see signs that say Bundaberg
people and, no matter the cruelty and
clothing store or Bundaberg ambulance
and what I’m doing. I hope my eight-
massacres, we were still there to help
– that’s the name of my people proudly
year-old sister, Nikkayla, will join me in
the white people clean their house, plant
on show. I’m teaching my children and
leading our next generation, to make
their fields, pick tobacco and cut cane.”
people to be proud of where they live,
our family and ancestors proud.”
the land and the people who gather on it. I’m very proud of my culture
demanding lead role in Verdi’s Aïda. In 1935 Molly travelled to England and began to look for work in what was one of the cultural capitals of the world during the 1930s. Again, she was met with success after auditioning for the prestigious Saddler’s Wells Opera Company and spent four years as a principal soprano in their London productions, including another demanding lead role in Wagner’s Tannhauser. As it did for so many, WWII changed Molly’s life. Opera productions in London were suspended and she worked on the war effort of the British Arts Council and entertained the troops, touring with the Entertainments National Service Association.
miiss molly
GOOD GOLLY,
Bundaberg’s other great singer
In 1939 she married Gordon Kingsley Lark and when he was transferred to the north east of England towards the end of the war she went with him. Molly continued her engagement with the arts even when she wasn’t on stage and worked with a number of regional arts organisations in the north east for many years. Sadly, a serious dental operation in 1954 ended Molly’s ability to sing but she remained involved in
Memory Lane BY ROSS PEDDLESDEN
the arts throughout her long life. Molly de Gunst died at her home in Gateshead in 1994. For many years it was thought that no recording of her special voice had survived but in 2017 at the prompting
Just before the First World War, when
School of Music in Sydney and won a
of relative Kay de Gunst, Leonie Egan
the South State School Choir sang, one
residential scholarship to study there.
of the Our Glad Association went to
voice stood out. Born in Bundaberg in 1905, Molly de Gunst was recognised from an early age as having a special voice. She was tutored in singing and piano by well-known local Irene Marles, and competed in numerous eisteddfods.
Her music education in Sydney was thorough and formal, and included foreign languages and opera knowledge, as well as singing technique. Slowly, Molly began to get
the family home in FE Walker St and found a dusty box of Molly memorabilia. Amazingly a cassette with a recording of Molly singing Retorna Vincitor from Aïda was found (listen on YouTube).
work singing with a range of companies around Australia, but her big break didn’t happen until 1932. Initially an
Not nearly as well known as Gladys
understudy, she graduated to a lead
Moncrieff, but arguably as talented,
role with the Italian Opera Company,
Molly also completed her school
brought to Australia by J.C. Williamson.
education in Bundaberg. Just before
The company toured across Australia
her eighteenth birthday she auditioned
and then on to New Zealand. Molly
for Madam Ellen Christian of the Garcia
gained rave reviews for her huge and
See it!
A whole cabinet of Molly De Gunst memorabilia can be seen at The Bundaberg & District Historical Museum in Bundaberg Botanic Gardens on Mt Perry Road. Open 7 Days.
13
THE MAGICAL CHOCOLATE SHOP IN THE
Experience the magic of Cha Cha Chocolate in the heart of Bundaberg’s CBD. We source delicious chocolates from around the world, as well as the best Australian chocolatiers have to offer. SPECIALISING IN • Handmade Chocolates & Fudges • Unique Vintage Chocolate Cabinet • Gift Baskets for any Occasion • Local Bundaberg Products • European Chocolates • Gourmet Rocky Road & Old Fashioned Lollies • Vegan, Gluten and Dairy Free Products • Specialty Tea & Giftware
84 Bourbong Street Bundaberg
07 4152 4204
Shop Online at chachachocolate.com.au
A OF
BUNDABERG
Meet the models
CRUSH MODELS AREN’T PAID PROFESSIONALS, JUST PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE BUNDABERG REGION.
ALL THINGS
bright & beautiful
WORDS BY ALICE THOMPSON
contrast to her life now.
From the glamorous corporate world
Raised in Estonia, Katrin paused her
of Europe to a Queensland flower
career for a chance to travel to Australia.
“A high number of the flowers on the
farm—Katrin Rosse has swapped
After arriving in Bundaberg, Katrin
market are imported and there’s no
business attire for muddy boots to
formed a great friendship with Trish and
labelling. We want to educate people
bring the brightest and freshest of
Adam Robertson from Robertson Flower
around Australian grown flowers and
Bundaberg’s blooms to people’s doors.
Farm and one year away led to another,
make Bundaberg known for the local
and another. Eight years later Bundaberg
produce available here,” she said.
Katrin and her partner Andrea Corbucci own From Farm to Vase, a local
has become home.
to expand that experience to a wider audience,” Katrin said.
When they’re not picking a gorgeous
business that connects Bundaberg’s
Katrin met Andrea in Bundaberg.
bunch for customers, Katrin and Andrea
flower farms and allows customers to
Andrea is from Italy and was also
like to spend their downtime traveling
order beautiful seasonal flowers online
working at a nearby flower farm.
to new places or cooking with fine local
and find them in local retail stores.
While their romance blossomed, their
produce. With a new Australian home
shared interest in people, leadership
they love, a thriving business and their
and business planted the seed for their
first baby due this Spring, it’s fair to say
growing venture in From Farm to Vase.
that Katrin and Andrea are flourishing.
Katrin is in her element as she bunches stunning lilies, sunflowers and asters, and you could be forgiven for thinking she’s always worked with flowers. But
“I would meet people at the roadside
her former career in marketing and
flower stand who would comment
event management with European
how long the flowers lasted for and
and international brands was quite the
how fresh they were, and we wanted
Order it!
www.fromfarmtovase.com.au
15
Bee
MINE
Is there anything sweeter than giving a
Baltic amber. Even the decorative glass
dispensers has been selected to echo a
gift that makes your loved one smile?
vessels they’re contained in are stunning.
stay at Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
Romantic international getaways might
Their La La Land gift cards will warm your
be off the cards for now, but a trip to
heart and cause you to laugh out loud.
Saskia makes it possible to browse the exotic without leaving Bundaberg.
New to Saskia is Ayala Bar, an unconventional, artistic range of high-
Saskia is a fabulous little gift shop, which
end costume jewellery from Israel.
recently celebrated a decade of sourcing
Made from beads, patterned fabrics,
homewares and clothing from around the
crushed glass, stone, wood, metal and
globe. You’ll be swept away by the new
ceramics, these miniature mosaics are
items that arrive in store daily, ensuring
nothing short of stunning.
no two visits to Saskia are ever the same.
Adorned in bees, dragon flies and
Their range includes Voluspa candles and
butterflies, a special selection of porcelain
reed diffusers in decadent scents like
trinket boxes and refillable handwash
Emulate the feeling of a Mediterranean holiday this Spring by adding some new floral resortware and boat shoes to your wardobe. Saskia’s linens are sourced from around Australia and as far abroad as Italy. Add some marble jewellery or a light-weight scarf to complete the look. La vita è bella!
Want it?
133 Bargara Road, East Bundaberg
17
SILVER VIXEN RISE OF THE
Why women are giving themselves permission to go grey WORDS BY NIKKI SORBELLO
It’s been lauded as the newest redcarpet style. Something appropriated by young women looking for an edge. It may seem like grey hair is the new black, but how many are actually brave enough to surrender and let their natural locks flow?
obsessed culture, of money and of worry.
For those who have the courage to ditch the dye, there appears to be empowerment on the other side. These women talk in an enviable way. They talk a lot about freedom – of time, of youth-
From having to find new hairdressers to
Maria Ebert (pictured left), Samantha Ephraims (centre) and Donna McMah (right) had never met before their Crush
to entertain my kids and thinking, ‘this is crazy, it’s ridiculous, I’m just out’. It was just taking up so much time and I realised I wanted the time back more
Magazine photoshoot, but in an easy
than I wanted brown hair,” Sam said.
camaraderie they were soon swapping
At 50, the decision was more gradual
very similar stories about going grey. realising they needed a new wardrobe. Sam was 35 when she had a “realisation”. “I was sitting in the hairdressers trying
for Donna, but now she wishes she had done it 20 years earlier. “I’d thought about it and wondered about it quite a bit. But it took my eldest sister to actually go grey to
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE
curious about going grey? MARIA: “Grow your permanent colour out, and then you’ve got greater flexibility to use rinses and have a play and see what makes you feel the best. Then if you do want to make that change it’s easier and a bit quicker.” SAM: “As a person with long hair, I wish I’d taken the opportunity to get a pixie cut. In hindsight I wish I had just chopped it all off and grown it back out from zero.” DONNA: “Just do it. Fight the fear and just give it a go.”
inspire me, because she looked fabulous. After that my mind had been made up,” Donna said. Maria experimented with her hair, going grey twice, first at 37 then again in her late 40s. “When I was 37 it was a very silver grey, not the white grey it is now. And then I went back to a darker colour, then to blonde, now to this and I just love it,” Maria said. Despite the fact momentum is building for the grey movement, there is still a lot of stigma around women allowing their hair to be grey. While men are affectionately called “distinguised” or “silver foxes”, for women it is still regarded as a hair colour of the elderly. Sam said embracing grey hair wasn’t the same as accepting “looking old”.
“I think there’s this whole idea that it is letting yourself go, like you’re not interested in personal care anymore,” she said. “But for me, it wasn’t about letting myself go. It was about embracing who I really was. And I’ve spent that time working on other parts of myself.”
actually look better. I used to think I’d look sick if I let my hair go grey. But I look back at my old photos now and think the opposite. I think I actually look healthier now,” Maria said. The process of embracing their natural hair has also flowed into wardrobes and makeup bags.
For Donna, there was freedom in showing her true colour.
“I’ve never been the sort of person who
“People say they feel defined by their hair, and I have always felt that too, but now that I am grey, I still feel that way. I love my hair, and now I’m not worrying about getting in the pool, or how my hair is going to look for a special occasion. It’s just liberating,” Donna said.
couldn’t get my makeup to look right,”
Maria said her grey hair had enabled her to feel the most confident she has ever felt. “I think it suits me better. I feel like I
would get ‘my colours’ done, but I just Sam said. “You also need to adjust your wardrobe and even jewellery. I found I switched from gold to silver.” There are many different ways to go grey, which can reduce your use of chemicals, improve hair health and save you money. Hairdresser Kiralee Honor gives her tips for going grey on Page 73.
19
Emma Bauer knows property. Not just a real estate agent, she grew up on Bundaberg building sites and started her career as a conveyancer before branching out into interior design. Armed with 10yrs experience in the local market and consistently ranked among the region’s top agents, Emma is proud to lead a team dedicated to exceptional service and results.
CO-OWNER & REAL ESTATE AGENT
0402 711 465 emma@coastlinerealty.com.au
LOVE YOUR
NEIGHBOUR
FENCES, TREES AND NEIGHBOURLY DISPUTES Spring is here and it’s time to get
higher standard than would be sufficient.
outside and enjoy our gardens. But
In this situation, the party requiring the
the humble backyard can be a source
higher standard is required to contribute
your neighbour’s contribution. A
of great irritation and disagreement
the excess.
written quote must be attached to
among neighbours. Charltons Lawyers receives a number of enquiries about
TREES
neighbouring fences and trees and
There are several ways in which trees
what to do about them.
may affect your property. There may
Before turning to the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 (Qld), your first step should be to approach your neighbour and discuss what you are trying to achieve. Are you after a new or replacement fence or are
be overhanging branches, leaf litter and fruit dropping into your property or perhaps the tree is causing interference with sunlight or television signals. The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) website
TRENT OSBORN
each form. While the common law right of abatement applies (your right to remove overhanging branches and roots to your boundary line), requesting the tree owner attend to the works before acting yourself may save you from future tension down the track. While contacting QCAT is a straightforward process and lawyers are rarely required, maintaining good
there trees intruding on your property?
contains a standard form for each
FENCES
you will need to include the location
Your dividing fence may be badly in need
and type of tree. If fences are the
of repair or replacement. Neighbours are
concern, you will need to include the
Trent Osborn is a Solicitor at Charltons
required to contribute equally to dividing
boundary to be fenced, the method of
Lawyers, Bundaberg’s longest-serving
fences, unless the fence will be built to a
construction and the cost, including
law firm.
dispute. If the dispute is over trees,
relationships with your neighbours is the best way to avoid costly and timeconsuming disputes.
Lawn WORDS BY RYAN PEARCE It’s hard not to compare. We’ve all done it. Peering over our neighbour’s
Porn
turf. In early 2020 he and his wife Jess
“There’s nothing better than sitting
created The Lawn Lab to extend a little
on the lawn, having a few beers in
lawn love to others.
the afternoon, watching your kids roll around or kick a ball,” Travis said.
fence and … admiring their lawn.
“This was initially just a hobby for me,
You’ve probably heard the saying ‘the
but I wanted to learn more and dive
He said cultivating the perfect
into the science of lawn care to not
lawn didn’t always require technical
grass is always greener on the other
only improve my lawn, but help others
expertise. Sometimes the most
side of the fence’, but did you know
as well,” Travis said.
important tasks were the simplest.
Boasting an immaculate home lawn,
“To begin the process of creating a
it’s just as hard to mow? That’s where Travis Savage comes in.
complete with putting green, Travis and
great lawn, regular mowing and a
Often the brunt of his mates’ jokes,
Jess wanted others to know the joy
watering schedule are on the top of the
the self-confessed lawn tragic devoted
of having a fantastic outdoor space to
list,” Travis said. “If you can find the time
years of his life to tending to his own
share with family and friends.
to mow at least once or twice a week,
THE LAWN LAB’S
TOP 5 TIPS for a Lush Lawn
1. Regular mowing. The more you mow, the better your lawn will look. 2. Water/irrigate in the early hours of the morning. 3. Apply a quality granular fertiliser at the start of every season. 4. Apply Acelepryn for residual insect control. 5. Spend time on your lawn with family and friends. The more time spent on your turf, the better your chances of seeing any issues arise and catching them early.
you will begin to see the benefits.” What if your lawn isn’t as lush as it once was but you don’t want someone else cutting your grass? The Lawn Lab can provide products and guidance to fellow lawn lovers.
If it’s make or break, it might be time to call in the professionals. According to Travis, the perfect time to “renovate” your lawn is Spring. “You will notice after Winter a lot of ‘thatch’, which is dead plant material, built up under the grass canopy. You
“We supply and use only the best
can identify this if your lawn is spongey
lawn care products,” Travis said. “Our
underfoot,” he said.
products are non-toxic and only target
“To rectify it we scarify the lawn,
the problem areas, with no threat of
cutting into the soil profile. We then
harming household pets or the lawn’s
core aerate which allows water, air and
ecosystem of bees or spiders.”
nutrients down into the root zone, and
that is vital for lawn health. “We offer ongoing, targeted care and customised lawn programs that take into account your property’s size and dimensions. Irrigation installations, weed, insect and fungal control, cylinder mowing and grooming are just some of the other services we provide.”
Get it
For more details visit www.thelawnlab.com.au
23
Motoring AHEAD
Vehicles are an extension of our lifestyle,
businesses as possible, and we used in
particularly in regional Queensland
excess of 15 local contractors.
where public transport is limited. Cars enable us to tow boats and caravans or PHOTO CREDIT: Robert Crispe
venture off the beaten track for quality family time in the great outdoors.
“We’ve been supporting the Bundaberg community for 20 years. We look forward to this next chapter and welcoming our customers to this
Never before have Bundaberg
impressive facility to check out the
customers been so spoilt for choice
range of Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, RAM,
when it comes to buying a new car.
Honda, Nissan, LDV, Isuzu Ute and
Earlier this year, Bundaberg Motor
Jeep vehicles.”
Group (BMG) consolidated their eight sites into one modern purpose-built facility on Johanna Boulevard, making the process of buying a car a whole lot more convenient.
As well as making their own operations more efficient under one roof, BMG prides itself on providing top-quality servicing and parts, to ensure their customers’ vehicles run as economically
BMG Dealer Principal Brad Solomon
as possible. They stock a small range
(pictured) said the locally-owned
of hybrid vehicles from Subaru and
and operated business employed 60
currently display a full electric Kia.
people across nine new-car brands,
They are working towards becoming an
as well as their used cars, service and
accredited Hyundai ‘Blue Drive Dealer’,
parts departments.
to sell full electric Hyundai cars.
“The community should be proud of this project; it has been a real local collaboration,” Brad said. “We made the commitment at the beginning of construction to use as many local
Drive it!
70 Johanna Blvd, Kensington www.bundabergmotorgroup.com.au
ACTION RELEASE YOUR INNER
HERO WORDS BY RYAN PEARCE
Confession time. We’re all guilty of watching our favourite action movies and thinking ‘I could do that!’ Maybe you yearn for an opportunity to deliver a snappy one-liner like “go ahead, make my day” or “hasta la vista, baby”!? Well, now’s your chance. Peel yourself off the couch, turn off Netflix and put down the Xbox controller. If you fancy yourself as the next Jason Bourne or Black Widow; it’s go time. Put your real-life combat skills to the test at Jack Splat Paintball. For almost 20 years, Jack Splat has been the ultimate destination for heart-pounding paintball action in the Wide Bay Burnett Region. Only 15 minutes from the Bundaberg CBD and nestled in the scrub of South Bingera, Jack Splat’s grounds offer multiple scenarios for commando-style encounters in the fresh air. There are multiple game maps and modes, each offering distinct shoot-out possibilities. Speedball is a no holds barred, Battle Royale field where no team or individual gain an advantage. Tyre Dump is, as the name suggests, a field of tyres used as barricades. This is a team-based field with a twist: each team contains a secret ‘traitor’. Trust no-one. Road Rage contains numerous traffic barriers, and the name of the game is ‘get low and go!’ Tombstone is the classic ‘capture the fort’ pursuit, while keeping the enemy at bay. Gel blaster aficionados are also catered for, with a gel blaster tournament the third Sunday of every month. Jack Splat is perfect for birthdays, bucks’ and hens’ parties, and team building work events (I mean, who hasn’t wanted an opportunity to pepper their boss with paint or gel balls at some point?). Test your fitness and intuitive skills by engaging in camouflaged bush combat. Yippee Ki Yay!
Try it
161 Hills Rd, South Bingera www.jacksplatpaintball.com.au
25
We
Bundaberg! OF THE LOCAL RADIO AUDIENCE LISTEN TO
Listen on the Go!
Scan the QR Codes below to listen to your favourite station on your mobile device. ANYTIME, ANYWHERE!
BUNDABERG’S FAVOURITE RADIO STATIONS! Source: Bundaberg Radio Survey #1, 2021-EXTRA Insights. Station listened to most % *commercial.
SHOULD YOU SELL BY
auction or private treaty? In a property landscape even industry
offer situation, the agent can’t give
veterans have never witnessed before,
an indication to any parties on what
what are the pros and cons of an
another may be offering.
auction strategy versus private treaty? With more buyers and less properties for sale, there is no denying it’s a
However private treaty—where a property is marketed with a list price—also has a place in today’s
sellers’ market. It’s common to receive
market conditions.
multiple offers on new properties
An agent’s number one priority is to
hitting the market and if buyers miss
create the highest price possible for
the first inspection, they may find the
their vendor’s property and with the
property is already under contract.
conditions to suit them. The private
The auction process can feel stressful for buyers as there is no clear price indication. However, buyers shouldn’t be put off by an auction as it’s the most transparent way to conduct the sale of a property. The buyer knows exactly
EMMA BAUER
property will be within their budget. The risk for the seller is that the contract will usually be conditional for a few weeks after it is signed, although there are situations when a private treaty sale happens quite quickly with very few conditions. In an auction situation, the
treaty method gives the seller more
seller receives a cash unconditional sale
time to consider each offer as it is
with no cooling off period.
presented. Sometimes the buyer who will pay the highest price may still need a finance clause or want to do a building and pest inspection. These are
In an ever-changing market it’s vitally important to work with an agent you can trust and who you know is always
conditions that cannot be negotiated
acting in your best interest.
under an auction process.
Emma Bauer is the owner of Coastline
they received the highest price the
Buyers often prefer private treaty as it
Realty. She also has experience in
market was willing to bear. In a multi-
provides more certainty on whether a
conveyancing and interior design.
what others are bidding and willing to pay, and the seller can be assured
Farming taxation RULES Our rich and diverse farming landscape has evolved over time and several primary producers in the Bundaberg Region have moved from sugar cane into avocados, macadamias and other small crops. But did you know that changing your crops also comes with changes in tax rules?
spread over the effective life of the plant and the first claim comes in the year the plant produces income and the crop is sold commercially. Primary producers can also claim an immediate deduction for the cost of certain capital assets such as plant and equipment, fencing and sheds— providing the shed is primarily and principally used for the purpose of storing fodder (hay or straw) for cattle and other livestock. As always there are certain rules that need to be met to claim these deductions. Farm management deposits can help primary producers with uneven income flow by enabling them to set aside
KAREN PEALL
is worth actioning in low-income years. You have no doubt by now received your tax bills for the 2020–21 financial year and I would strongly recommend you begin your tax planning for the end of next financial year. Tax planning allows us to work with our client to minimise their tax burden ethically and morally, and to ensure you pay the least amount of tax allowable by law.
Deducting the cost of horticultural
pre-tax income that can be drawn upon
crops such as avocados and macadamias
in future low-income years. Deposits
is based on the capital expenditure
made to a farm management account
incurred in establishing the plants.
can be claimed as a tax deduction,
Karen Peall is the Executive Manager
This may include costs to acquire the
which is beneficial in high-income
of Lyons Judge Bundaberg and has
plant, ploughing, contouring and topsoil
years. When the money is withdrawn it
more than 20 years’ experience in
enhancement. The deduction is then
forms part of assessable income, which
accounts and taxation.
This advice is general in nature and is not personal financial advice.
27
wild
INTO THE
weather patterns had changed to La Nina. Angry with how the project was handled, many in the community argued the plant was not necessary. While predictions of a population boom did not eventuate, the 2016 ABS Census showed that in five years the permanent residential population grew by 21.8 per cent. And now, in 2021, we find ourselves in drought again. In more recent years, Gladstone Regional Council’s environmental efforts to preserve the Discovery Coast have been focused on irradicating pests and diseases. Iconic pandanas trees have been dying back in large numbers due to an infection caused by the pandanas leafhopper insect. As far south as Baffle Creek, the Council has been working with pandanas dieback expert Joel Fostin and Coastal Ecosystem to treat infected trees, mitigate the risk of infection, establish a pandanas nursery and revegetate areas that have
PHOTO CREDIT: Tourism and Events Queensland
been lost. The infection damages the trees’ ability to provide a food source,
The Discovery Coast is renowned for
During the severe drought of 1997
its natural and relatively untouched
to 2009, a desalination plant was
beauty. It’s one of the few stretches
commissioned for the Discovery
of Queensland coast that remains
Coast to purify seawater using
Over the next three years, starting
rugged, undeveloped and laid back.
reverse osmosis technology. The then
in September this year, Gladstone
Protecting the environment and
Miriam Vale Shire Council argued
Regional Council will work
the undergound aquifer was running
with neighbouring councils and
out of water and could not sustain
environmental groups to humanely
both local residents and authorities.
predicted population growth. There
remove European red foxes that prey
were community protests, council
on endangered sea turtle eggs and
Each holiday season, Agnes Water
amalgamations, funding disputes and
hatchlings. A fox den detection dog and
and the Town of 1770 triple in size.
construction delays which stretched
handler will help locate active fox dens
The local economy is built on tourism.
the project out to 2013, when
near turtle rookeries for fumigation.
managing incursion from people and pests is a delicate balancing act for
a wildlife habitat and to help stabilise dunes in our coastal ecosystems.
adella ctice mana ger P aula C itt erg p ra Bund ab
tomorrow
with Bill B eime rs
OWN A sign in reception at SEQ Advice on
zone or appetite for risk,” he said.
careful not to chase returns based on
“We generally advise our clients in
the performance of the past 12 months.
the present climate to take a diverse
The All Ordinaries, for example, are up
own tomorrow”. Between their offices
investment approach for their portfolio;
by close to 30 per cent,” he said. “It’s
in Bundaberg, New Farm, Ipswich and
take a step back while the world
Gold Coast, the financial planning firm
tempting, but you don’t want to put
finds a new normal, because we
has 22 staff and 500 clients, with about
all your eggs in one basket and leave
don’t know what’s going to happen
$300 million under management.
when Government stimulus ends,
yourself over exposed at the wrong time
Barolin Street states their mission as clear as day: “we’re here to help you
Managing Director Bill Beimers said his aim was to make finance and investment
or the broader implications from the COVID-19 global environment.”
understandable, to improve quality of
Bill said yields from cash deposits and
life. “Whether you’ve got $20 grand
bonds were at an all time low, returning
or $50 million; doesn’t matter. What’s
less than one per cent per annum. “Ten
important is for people to make that last
years ago term deposits were returning
through retirement,” he said. “Our life
four to six per cent and considered a
expectancy is longer. Even at 60 most
reasonable investment,” he said. “The
of us probably have another 30 years
property market seems to be in a bubble
ahead of us, so we want to help our
at the moment, so many investors edging
clients have financial peace of mind.”
towards retirement are faced with these
Bill said it was becoming increasingly difficult for investors to navigate the
more volatile investment options, which definitely poses a dilemma.”
right investment options. “Investors
Bill said the global stock market had
are looking for advice that is tailored
been performing very strongly, with
to their specific circumstances, in a
many international indices reaching
manner that sits within their comfort
all-time highs. “People need to be very
in life.” Bill said it was important to consider other financial strategies too, other than investing. “Ten years out from retirement, it’s important to look at ways to maximise Social Security entitlements. How can we structure your assets and investments to minimise unnecessary taxes and increase your eligibility for the age pension.” *Bill’s comments are general in nature, only. Please consider your personal circumstances and seek independent advice before making investment decisions.
Visit
51 Barolin Street, Bundaberg South 07 4153 1033 www.seqadvice.com.au
29
Now, the News
Brenda’s passion for recycling STILL GOING STRONG
Local woman Brenda Cobb
“This includes cardboard boxes,
established printer cartridge refilling
packaging air bags and cartridge
business PCS in Bundaberg 24 years
shipping protectors,” she said.
ago, having now refilled more than
allowing refilling of their products. “Many of the printer manufacturers now use software or chips to ensure
“This year alone we have refilled 576
refilled cartridges are not accepted in
toner cartridges.”
their printers.”
Brenda said the number of cartridges
This hasn’t deterred Brenda, who
PCS had refilled over 24 years was
said she was working with suppliers
now 504,231, saving customers more
to find other solutions to benefit her
than $19 million.
customers and the environment.
recycling initiative, PCS also reused the
Brenda said over the years, the
“We encourage those that wish to refill
packaging each customer returned with
printer cartridge recycling process had
their cartridges to contact us for advice
their empty toner cartridges.
changed with some manufacturers not
on which printer to purchase,” she said.
half a million cartridges. “Refilling cartridges saves our customers money over buying new, and saves tonnes of plastic and metal going into landfill,” Brenda said. Brenda said as part of her business
In Brief ORECO GROUP SELECTED IN SHOWCASE
ORECO Group participated in Inside Advanced Manufacturing, a state-wide initiative showcasing the innovative manufacturing techniques and technologies of Queensland’s top manufacturers.
ecoBiz Sustainability Coach, Ross Anderson and Beach 365’s Cyndi Kruschel
Free ecoBiz program helping local businesses save Beach 365’s Cyndi Kruschel is
per cent of them have recorded
encouraging all small to medium
an increase in savings and
businesses to register for the free
productivity.
online ecoBiz program, aimed at saving money and helping the environment by reducing waste and energy costs.
“We didn’t think we had much impact on the environment but now that we have talked it through, we realise that by setting
More than 1000 Queensland
an example to our customers we
businesses have registered for
can have a larger impact in the
the program and as a result 90
community,” she said.
Oreco Group manufacture agricultural and horticultural products for both retail and consumer customers, and demonstrated its stateof-the-art automated European machinery and unique process of vertical integration during a behind-the-scenes tour. The company is heavily investing in technology to scale up production and training to ensure staff can maximise the potential of this machinery.
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN
As part of a state-wide move to reduce waste and help the environment, a range of single use plastics will be banned in Queensland from September including straws, stirrers, cutlery, bowls, plates and containers. To help residents and community groups navigate through the changes, Boomerang Alliance visited Bundaberg to discuss the Plastic Free Places program, aimed to increase understanding of the ban and how it would benefit both industry and the environment. Half of all plastic produced in the world is designed to only be used once and then thrown away. This explosion of single-use plastic has outpaced the ability to deal with the waste created. Bans on certain products have been introduced in local and international communities to stem the tide of single-use plastics.
Crunchy’s a conservation celebration Crunchy, the spotted-tailed quoll, celebrated his third birthday at Alexandra Park Zoo this year at the same time as the status of the quoll species in Queensland was upgraded from vulnerable to endangered. Crunchy came to the zoo in 2019 from Devils@Cradle, a wildlife conservation facility at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.
Most parts of Australia were once inhabited by at least one quoll species before they became endangered, with the creatures among the first native animals to be described by European scientists. Alexandra Park Zoo is committed to maintaining a diversity of species, with programs in place to assist in providing education about other endangered species, such as the cotton-top tamarin monkeys.
For the latest news:
www.bundabergnow.com.au
RECOGNISING INSPIRING WOMEN
A new Bundaberg Regional Council project aims to honour the inspiring women of the Region through memorials in public spaces, including the possibility of a bronze ‘Statues for Equality’ monument. Bundaberg Regional Council is calling for residents to put forward ideas for local women who could be acknowledged in public spaces, from street names to memorials in parks, buildings and other civic facilities. Mayor Jack Dempsey said the idea had originated from a petition to State Parliament by eightyear-old Malia Knox, who called for greater representation of women and girls in public spaces.
@bundabergnow
31
TIP OF THE
ICE'
berg
mart Urban Awareness Protect Reduce Solar Recharge atteries Lighting Change Influence Life Planet Technical Collaboration Measure Data Negative Informed Action ive Wildlife Threatened Endangered Population Evidence Science Denial Energy Climate Carbon Tax Emissions perature Trees Filtration Water Food Conservation Forestry otech Bioeconomy Bio-innovation By-products Renewable tainability Vegan Vegetarian Pescatarian Pollination Waste Hybrid Hydrogen Desalination Reduce Recycle Upcycle se Zero Wind Turbine Bagasse Sea levels Fuel Fossil Coal s Treatment Plastic Compost Efficiency Credit Methane ring Free Range Future Refinery Bleaching Permaculture uaculture Hydroponic Extinction Genetics Patents Global Warming Rescue Care Smart Urban Awareness Protect duce Solar Recharge Batteries Lighting Change Influence e Planet Technical Collaboration Measure Data Negative nformed Action Positive Wildlife Threatened Endangered pulation Evidence Science Denial Energy Climate Carbon Tax Emissions Temperature Trees Filtration Water Food onservation Forestry Biotech Bioeconomy Bio-innovation By-products Renewable Sustainability Vegan Vegetarian catarian Pollination Waste Hybrid Hydrogen Desaliniation uce Recycle Upcycle Reuse Zero Wind Turbine Bagasse ea levels Fuel Fossil Coal Gas Treatment Plastic Compost ciency Credit Methane Flaring Free Range Future Refinery eaching Permaculture Aquaculture Hydroponic Extinction netics Patents Global Warming Rescue Care Smart Urban areness Protect Reduce Solar Recharge Batteries Lighting nge Influence Life Planet Technical Collaboration Measure
WORDS BY LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR With so many buzz words, scientific jargon and bureaucratese, many of us have switched off from the issues impacting our planet. Busy getting through each day, making ends meet, many of us leave it to the affluent, inner city soy latte-sipping set to agonise over. Sometimes it’s easier to dismiss the green movement as little more than a fad lifestyle or doomsday scaremongering.
Strip away the politics and polarising extremists, and the green movement becomes a whole lot less complicated and dull. It all boils down to one thing: life! Each of us only gets one. And we have only one planet. We are living longer and there are more of us, gradually consuming our glorious globe. Researching the plethora of obvious environmental issues occurring around the world is harrowing and overwhelming. Given those same negative impacts are not yet being felt in regional Queensland, it may come as a surprise to Crush readers to discover just how many well-informed locals are quietly making changes, big and small, for the common good. It seems there is no such thing as “out of sight, out of mind” in Bundaberg – we know how good we’ve got it here and we want to protect our patch. The number of people in the Bundaberg Region who are actively trying to be part of the solution is nothing short of inspiring and uplifting. The local businesses, organisations and projects featured in this Green Issue of Crush Magazine are just the tip of the ice‘berg (see what we did there?). There are thousands of others out there, quietly going about their business, making small changes for the better.
LITTLE DROPS OF WATER MAKE A MIGHTY OCEAN Exactly what motivates Bundaberg residents to contribute seems somewhat tied to our age, career, interests and the number of stamps in our passport. Local children from 20 schools proudly refer to themselves as Reef Guardians
(St Patrick’s Catholic School pictured). As well as participating in Great Barrier Reef research and monitoring activities, most will collect stray litter to “protect the turtles” without giving it a second thought.
Sugar Mill and Austchilli Group (read
Rubbish warriors like Michael Tooley (pictured) are also taking matters into their own hands. Most days he walks the 10km round trip from Kepnock to the Bundaberg CBD, collecting cigarette butts, broken glass and small pieces of plastic. When Crush asked Michael why he picks up rubbish, he simply replied:
example, is Australia’s largest supplier
"If everyone just did a little, we’d have a beautiful country."
more on page 50). There are countless local businesses dedicated entirely to helping others reduce their impact on the environment. Kookaburra Worm Farms in Gin Gin, for of fishing and compost worms. Their philosophy is to “work with nature, rather than against it”. GreenCollar Group helps graziers and landholders generate income through changes in land management practices, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions or store carbon in soil and vegetation. For others, it’s about education. Burnett River Clean is a volunteer organisation dedicated to removing rubbish from local waterways and raising awareness of illegal dumping. Terra Tribe Farm
“why not? Clean Up Australia Day is not just one day in my eyes; it’s every day. If everyone just did a little, we’d have a beautiful country.” Frustrated by the ever-rising cost of their coal-fired electricity bills, more than 15,000 Bundaberg households installed rooftop solar in 2020. According to Clean Energy Australia’s 2021 Report, that makes Bundaberg the rooftop solar capital of Australia. Hervey Bay placed third on the list. It makes good economic sense for businesses to be reducing their waste and finding efficiencies. You’d be hard pressed to find a local farm or food processor that doesn’t utilise by-products to generate energy and improve their soil, or schedule their irrigation to minimise evaporation. Sustainability is a way of being for agri-businesses like Isis Central
(pictured) near Howard runs a forest school in the holidays, where kids can get grubby and learn about biodiversity. Health and wellbeing is another important motivator. Advocates for non-toxic, animal-friendly cosmetics and cleaning products argue we should be putting as much thought into what we rub on our skin as we do into what we eat and drink. Then there are those who detest gluttony, materialism and overconsumption. They see beauty and style in the pre-loved and enjoy turning trash into treasure. Artisans like Bella Botanica use second-grade flowers from local farms to create jewellery. John Oslen builds sculputures from scrap metal. There are countless craftsmen using discarded timber pallets to make outdoor furniture and kids’ cubby houses. Continued on page 36.
35
with large organic waste producers, like farmers, to convert their waste into energy and manufactured products, such as textiles and cosmetics. In addition
IT’S RUBBISH IF YOU DON’T RECYCLE Leading many of the less glamorous, but vitally important, local green initiatives is Bundaberg Regional Council. Each year about 7800 tonnes of waste from residents’ yellow top wheelie bins is collected by Council, and then sorted and recycled by IMPACT Community Services, providing employment to about 30 people with disabilities. As well as providing “Containers for Change” collection points, dump shops for recycling and upcycling unwanted goods and converting green waste to mulch,
to hosting Council’s water services laboratory and a Utilitas biorefinery,
ONE MILLION TREES
talks are underway with other potential
Dedicated to building Australia’s
bioHub tenants that work in aquaculture
best regional community, Bundaberg
and advanced anaerobic digestion.
Regional Council maintains and
Keen to see more of the Region’s abundant biomass put to use, Council hosted the inaugural Bioeconomy Bundaberg Conference last year. The event, which will be held again in November this year, brings together farmers, scientists, academics and industry to identify sustainable opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
regularly improves 330 parks, gardens and nature reserves across the Region. As well as enhancing the Region’s aesthetic appeal and giving people outdoor spaces to improve their health and wellbeing, these natural areas (pictured above is Woodgate Banksia Trail and Bargara Turtle Park, pictured previous page) support local biodiversity by providing important habitat for native species of plants, insects and animals.
Council waste facilities convert methane
Council has been championing the
gas generated by landfill to carbon
Last year, Council announced an
development of a $300 million hydrogen
dioxide by flaring. Carbon dioxide is
ambitious target of planting One Million
hub to produce green fuel and assemble
Trees in public and private gardens
zero waste vehicles. Proposed by a
across the Region in four years to
consortium called Green Hydrogen
increase biodiversity, improve climate
Last year Council and Utilitas partnered
Australia Group, the hub is earmarked
resilience and increase shade, to cool
to repurpose the decommissioned
for 200 hectares of Bundaberg Sugar
the CBD and encourage shoppers
East Bundaberg wastewater treatment
land at Fairymead, located inside the
to stay longer. To achieve this goal,
plant into a bioHub. Utilitas engages
State Development Area.
a whole-of-community approach is
about 23 times less harmful to the environment than methane.
prevents hatchlings from finding the ocean, significantly limiting their chances of survival. needed. As part of the program any resident can apply for free trees, from two to 250, by completing an Expression of Interest form at www.ourbundabergregion.com.au/ million-trees-bundaberg-region.
REDUCING URBAN GLOW TO HELP THE TURTLES GO Prolific artificial light is the enemy of
For more than 50 years, researchers and park rangers have protected and studied these incredible creatures at Mon Repos and, in the late 1970s, internationally revered researcher, Dr Col Limpus, first proposed a tourism experience to educate and inspire people to protect these threatened marine animals.
powered sensors were manufactured and installed along the coast. Combined with timers, the smart lighting responds to factors such as cloud cover and movement. They detect when people and vehicles aren’t present and dim lighting output to about 15 per cent;
For generations, locals have proudly
ramping back up to full capacity when
embraced the visiting turtles but it’s
lighting is required. The highly-technical
only been in recent years that the
project measures the amount of
campaign to cut local light pollution
urban glow across selected precincts
has gained momentum. Funded by
and monitors trends and patterns
the Australian Government, Council’s
of community behaviour. The data,
Reducing Urban Glow project is a
combined with events like Turtle Hour,
collaboration between the likes of
help raise awareness and encourage
Bundaberg Tourism, Ergon Energy, Sea
people to make informed lighting
Repos, Burnett Heads, Moore Park
Turtle Alliance and the community.
choices and take positive action to
and Bargara. Most of their nesting
Council has transitioned more than
activity occurs at night. Artificial light
200 conventional streetlights to
disorientates nesting and hatching
smart-enabled LED lights and installed
turtles. It impedes an adult turtle’s
specially engineered turtle-sensitive
ability to select nesting sites and
lighting along the foreshore. Solar
sea turtles and the Bundaberg coastline hosts the largest concentration of nesting endangered sea turtles on the Australian east coast. All of the world’s sea turtle populations are considered rare, threatened or endangered. Six species live in Australia; three of which nest at Mon
reduce urban glow.
PHOTO CREDIT: Paul Beutel, Tracy Olive, Sabrina Lauriston, Rowan Bestman, Elizabeth Pohlman, Bundaberg Tourism, Tourism and Events Queensland, Bundaberg Regional Council.
37
good
TRAVEL FOR
Demand for immersive nature-based, sustainable travel experiences is growing, especially since COVID-19. Travelling for good means more now than ever before. Whether we are holidaying at home or travelling further afield, we want to know our presence isn’t doing harm to the environments we visit. We want to support communities by buying locally. We enjoy meeting interesting characters and learning about different cultures and ways of life. We want future generations to experience the same wondrous things we have. Like feeling sand between our toes, sitting by an open fire and admiring stars in an unpolluted night sky, or being transformed by the miracle of seeing turtles hatch in the wild. Bundaberg Regional Council, supported by Bundaberg Tourism, is on a mission to achieve Eco Tourism Australia’s stamp of approval that says the Bundaberg Region is an authentic destination for environmentally-aware visitors. Eco-certified destinations are those that help visitors experience natural areas, fostering environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation. Certification is an involved process that Council started in mid 2020. Before a destination can be independently certified, it must demonstrate a community-wide commitment to sustainability that extends beyond the tourism sector (something we hope this special Green Issue of Crush Magazine will help with!). The Bundaberg Region currently has three eco-certified businesses which are shining examples of what it means to be a business with a conscience; inspiring others to follow their lead. This Spring, step out of the city or away from your computer. Channel your inner David Attenborough and support the businesses achieving, and working towards, these eco credentials. You’ll experience space, simplicity and a new level of connectedness to planet Earth.
anchor to the reef, keeping their impact to a minimum. As a result of LME’s regular presence and strict “look but PHOTO CREDIT: Tracy Olive
don’t touch” policy, the local marine life trust guests enough to swim right alongside them. Knowing LME guests do not pose a threat, curious sea turtles reward snorkelers and divers with playful upclose encounters. As well as eliminating single use plastics on board, Lady Musgrave Experience
experience
THE REEF at its finest
strongly encourages its guests to use reef safe sunscreens that do not contain harmful chemicals. As a Citizen of the Great Barrier Reef, LME contributes to the charity’s Citizen Science Program by spending countless hours conducting reef tourism and health impact surveys and helping control crown of thorns and drupella. Gidarjil Land and Sea Rangers join in many of these monitoring activities. They generously share their knowledge, stories, history and perspectives to provide guests with a deeper understanding of Traditional Owner connection to country, ensuring the sustainable management of the Marine Park. If you want to contribute to reef research and conservation, or have ever wondered what it would be like to be a marine biologist, here’s your chance. Lady Musgrave Experience guests
Rich with marine life and a significant
wind. Lady Musgrave Experience
seabird breeding ground, Lady
is working to establish a new reef
Musgrave Island is surrounded by
ecosystem around the HQ pontoon, by
a peaceful and protected turquoise
transplanting and propagating coral for
lagoon, making it an incredible
marine life to enjoy.
location to snorkel and dive. The best way to discover it is with independently-certified High Standard Tourism Operator Lady Musgrave Experience (LME). Now open for bookings, the new threelevel Lady Musgrave HQ pontoon is
Lady Musgrave Experience actively
can learn how to monitor the reef’s ecosystem or spend a day swimming alongside their Master Reef Guides, by becoming A Marine Biologist for a Day or joining the Reef Keeper Program. There are junior immersive programs too for children ages six and up. Subsidised
adopts environmental protection, reef
by the Queensland Government, school
resilience and tourism sustainability
groups regularly attend educational
well above the legislated levels, which
excursions aboard LME.
is why it was awarded the coveted High Standard and Advanced Eco badges by Ecotourism Australia and EarthCheck.
the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s first
Travel in style by high-speed catamaran
permanent underwater sleep-on-the-
from the Port of Bundaberg at Burnett
reef accommodation (pictured top). It’s
Heads to Lady Musgrave Experience’s
an extraordinary example of sustainable
permanent mooring in the Marine
construction and eco-tourism. It’s
Park Green Zone. Having a permanent
100 per cent powered by solar and
mooring means they don’t have to
By touring with Lady Musgrave Experience you may even be leaving the reef a little better than you found it!
Dive in!
www.ladymusgraveexperience.com.au 07 4151 5225
39
Lady Elliot Island
ECO RESORT
Just a short 25-minute flight from
restoring the Island back to its natural
Bundaberg Airport, Lady Elliot Island
state, after guano (bird excrement)
is a haven of biodiversity both above
mining in the 1800s degraded the
and below the water. As the Great
landscape. Resident and migratory
Barrier Reef’s southernmost island and
birdlife has returned and today the
a protected Green Zone, last year it
Island is a significant breeding ground.
became the first island to be named a “climate change ark” by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Expected to be one of the last parts of the Reef affected by climate change, researchers hope it will become a refuge for marine animals and birdlife that are forced
Since 2005, under the custodianship
HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?
of Peter Gash, the Island’s award-
Download the Eye on Reef app to
winning Eco Resort has been dedicated entirely to research, protection and rejuvenation of the fragile ecosystem. Internationally-renowned, the resort
south to escape the heat.
has been designed to minimise guests’
Lady Elliot Island’s plankton-rich waters
its eco-friendly structural design, the
make it a beacon for large marine life, like manta rays and migrating humpback whales. Master Reef Guides educate visitors on the underwater playground that’s home to more than 1200 species of marine life.
impacts on the environment. With resort’s island footprint is only 25 per cent and all rooms are energy efficient, water saving and powered by a hybrid solar power station. They’re committed to recycling and composting. The mainland products they use are sourced
On dry land, the Island’s guardians and
locally and they employ eco-conscious
caretakers have spent the past 50 years
housekeeping initiatives.
Kelly’s
share photos of what you’ve seen while snorkeling or diving the reef during your stay and help contribute to the Island’s reef monitoring. Take the time to learn about the Island by visiting the Native Plant Nursery or participate in a Marine Debris Clean Up. Buy or bring a reusable water bottle to fill up with the Island’s pure, additive free desalinated seawater. In 2012, Lady Elliot Island was the first island on the Great Barrier Reef to eliminate selling single-use plastic water bottles in the resort. www.ladyelliot.com.au
BEACH RESORT
Family owned and operated, Kelly’s
the output of electricity and gas across
Beach Resort at Bargara strives to
the resort.
inspire environmentally-sustainable and culturally-responsible tourism within the Bundaberg Region. Empowering their staff and visitors to “go green”, it is the extra care, thought and practices happening behind the scenes that have
HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?
Offset your holiday’s carbon emmissions by contributing towards the cost of native reforestation. Kelly’s Beach Resort has a partnership with GreenFleet and
earned them eco-certification.
will match your donation to plant a tree
When holidaying at Kelly’s Beach
Reserve near Mon Repos.
Resort, your immersive eco experience begins at check-in. Spread across 5.5 acres of exquisite gardens, the resort’s lilly ponds and streams bring an immediate sense of tranquility. Meet bearded dragons and colourful birds. Their ‘Think Green’ policy demonstrates their commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle. They use environmentallyfriendly cleaning products and regulate
on your behalf at the Barolin Nature Place your recyclable containers in the collection bins around the resort – 100 per cent of the proceeds go to the local Sea Turtle Alliance organisation. Take note of the ‘Think Green’ signage around the resort, with suggestions on how you can minimise your impact on the environment during your stay. www.kellysbeachresort.com.au
at home with..
THE THRILL OF THE
thrift-shop hunt WORDS BY JESS MARSELLOS I wish I could say my journey to op-
this era. They have had previous homes,
shopping was altruistic and I have
lives and memories and by taking them
always been an environmentally
home you can be the caretaker of a new
conscientious shopper - but it wasn’t,
life for these pre-loved items.
and I’m not. I was dirt poor, working a retail job to fund four years of university, but still wanting pretty outfits for the weekend and special events. I just didn’t have the funds to buy new things. Fast forward to today, and I’m in my midthirties and a passionate advocate for opshopping. Our charity shops are treasure
Shopping and donating to op-shops enables you to keep resources in the circular economy game, to reuse and recycle and buy into the sustainable fashion mantra which is using less, producing less, consuming less and repairing and caring for the items you have.
troves of beautiful clothes, handbags,
Op-shopping to a newbie can seem
shoes, homewares, books, accessories,
daunting and a bit overwhelming but
kids’ clothes, furniture and much more.
there is something at an op-shop for
There are items you likely won’t find
everyone. Here are my top tips to ease
anywhere else, because sometimes the
yourself in and fall in love with the thrill
one of a kind pieces you find are not of
of the thrifty hunt!
TOP TIPS • Shop regularly and visit the same places over and over. You will get to know what shop is best for what you are searching for. The Australian Red Cross is wonderful for those hunting brands from previous seasons (think Ksubi jeans for $5), The Dorcas Op Shop on Woongarra Street has amazing vintage dresses from Australian designers, Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul) has a bit of something for everyone. • Use your eagle eyes to see prints you like and then flick, flick, flick through every piece on the rack, pull things out and have a good look. • Shop with something in mind then look in those sections first before you get distracted. • Have cash on you. Most shops are converting to card but some of the smaller ones haven’t switched yet.
41
PHOTO CREDIT: Morgan Parremore/Paul Beutel
she’s got it! BY GEORGE,
Sandra Reeves didn’t set out to start
don’t care who you are or what you do –
happened in that little space,” Sandra
a homewares store or quaint holiday
it’s important to feel valued and money
said. “I wish I could record the stories
rental. All she knew was that as a full
talks. Our time is worth something.”
people share. I think that’s why the
time stay-at-home mum she had lost who she was, but didn’t want to return to teaching. “As a mum, there’s no annual review. No pay increase,” Sandra said. “My husband Daniel and I had always done DIY. I
Sandra said unlike doing the dishes or washing clothes, she could paint a
business has grown so organically – it’s just women connecting.”
piece of furniture and it stayed done. “It
A New Vintage retail outlet was born
stays beautiful and is a reflection of you
and soon Sandra branched out into
in your own home. Every piece tells a
homewares “because she wanted
story and is entirely unique.”
a pretty space”. “I hand pick small collections of things because I don’t
was casually painting my own furniture.
She built a shed in the backyard,
Family and friends were telling me it was
where she started running furniture
amazing and started buying pieces and
painting and upcycling workshops.
telling their friends. Before I knew it I
“People would walk up beside our
had a social media page. My husband
house and see scattered kids toys
As well as running workshops and selling
was nudging me, encouraging me. I
and washing on the line, but magic
homewares, New Vintage is the exclusive
ever want my customers to walk into their friends’ home and see the same clock hanging on the wall.”
Sandra’ s TOP TIPS
for upcycling furniture • Is the piece of furniture solid and in good condition? • Is it a nice shape, with ornate detail or unique character? • Timber furniture, suitable for upcycling, should not be expensive. Stay within your budget and consider the total cost of the project including brushes and paint. • You wouldn’t cook spaghetti in a toaster, so don’t use paint that isn’t suitable for furniture. • Invest in quality paint brushes with natural fibres and they’ll do 98 per cent of the work for you.
local stockist of Jolie furniture paint.
recently started creating dried flower
perfect for enjoying a relaxing cup of
Modern to antique, black and white to
arrangements. Committed to reducing
tea or glass of wine. With grey painted
boldly bright. Water-based, non-toxic and
waste, their beautiful bouquets,
timber floors, historic windows and
quick drying. Jolie paint can be painted
wreaths and wall hangings are made mostly from surplus stock from local
traditional Queensland architecture,
straight onto a clean surface, without the need for time-consuming preparation. “You don’t need to worry about the fumes. You can paint a piece of furniture right in the middle of your lounge room among your laundry. A little Jolie paint goes a long way, so if you have leftovers, you can get a small sample pot of another shade to create an entirely new colour.” The team at New Vintage has
florists and flower farms, and by foraging friends’ gardens. Earlier this year, Sandra and Daniel established George’s Cottage – a quaint Queenslander in West Bundaberg, filled with one-off New Vintage furnishings. Available for holiday and business rental through Airbnb, George’s Cottage sleeps up to six guests and boasts an expansive north-facing covered deck that’s
it’s a beautiful extension of Sandra’s eclectic, warm and elegant style.
Visit or Stay
NEW VINTAGE Shop online and instore Shop 12A Barolin Street www.newvintage.com.au GEORGE’S COTTAGE Bundaberg West www.airbnb.com.au
43
! y e n o h 45
Photo essay
PHOTO ESSAY BY PAUL BEUTEL WORDS BY LARINE STATHAM-BLAIR Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. Shoo fly; don’t bother me. Insects can delight and terrify. By far the most diverse creatures on the planet; if an insect isn’t regarded as a pest to be exterminated it is largely ignored. But we do so at our peril. Every buzzing, crawling, digging and hovering bug plays a vital role in our ecosystem. And according to entomologists and ecologists, insects are vanishing at alarming rates. Insects are part of nearly every food chain. There is a direct correlation between the demise of insects and a decline in bird, bat and fish populations. Insects help decompose the dung of grazing animals to unlock nutrients that fertilise our soils. Tunnelling insects aerate the ground to help soil retain moisture. This prevents productive lands from becoming barren and stops arid regions expanding. Predatory insects can reduce our use of toxic pesticides, protecting our waterways and saving the agricultural sector millions of dollars. Pollinators, like bees, are arguably the most vital of all insects. The majority of food consumed by humans relies on pollination. Without pollinators, crops can’t reproduce, and animals and humans lose key food sources. Continued on page 48.
47
Photo essay
So what’s behind this insect decline?
And then there are the likes of
Humans are. Increased use of
Len Shaxson from Bonna Apiary;
pesticides, air pollution, urban sprawl,
professional apiarists who supply hives
deforestation, drought and bushfires.
to farmers and garden nurseries to
In the Bundaberg Region, there is
enhance pollination.
a growing number of organisations,
Watching Len and Tim at work,
businesses and residents who
checking their hives on a local
are doing their bit to support bee
strawberry farm, is serene. In contrast
populations. St Luke’s Anglican School and the Windmill Café at Bargara, for example, both host small native bee
to the busy bees they serve to protect, Len and Tim have a calming ease about them. Their knowledge is remarkable.
hives in their gardens.
Their passion is infectious.
Hobby farmers like Denise Powell
Bee keeping is altruistic artistry. It
have become fascinated by bee keeping, after she discovered a hive in
requires instinct and science to keep sensitive colonies alive, pollinating our
the wall of her weatherboard home.
food and producing golden honey.
Rather than kill the bees, she enlisted
Locally, at least, we are working hard to
the help of Tim Pyle to create an
find equilibrium. More home gardeners
innovative device to draw the bees
are planting flowering plants that attract
out and rehome them. Denise and
birds and bees. Our farmers understand
Tim have since joined forces to create
the direct correlation between bee
Bee Allured Honey, a honey and bee
populations and crop yields. What could
keeping supplies business.
be sweeter than that?
07 4152 2999 | 102a Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central
49
LOCALS LEADING
industry change
overall plastics nationally, yet there is
grower, their agronomy team uses so-
substantial pressure on growers to farm
called “old time” principles combined
more sustainably.
with modern science and technology
Local growers are rising to the challenge by value adding, recycling BREE GRIMA Farm waste is a common topic of conversation. The agriculture sector attracts its fair share of negativity, perhaps due to the visibility of waste. Understandably, roadside rotting melons are not a pretty sight, but the reality is they’re left behind for any number of reasons: low prices and oversupply, uneven pollination, varietal
And then there are the likes of Order of
sustainable methods to contribute to a
Australia Medal recipients, Wendy and
circular economy.
Trevor Cross from Cross Family Farms,
For example, in 2019 Simpson Farms became the first in the world to use biodegradable tray liners for their avocados and mangoes, reducing their inorganic waste both in the packing shed
worth of produce over the past eight years to Meals on Wheels, Foodbank Queensland and Angels Community Group to help feed those in need. Bundaberg’s fruit, vegetable, herb
change is estimated to have replaced
and nut farmers provide 25 percent
1.8 million plastic liners annually.
of Queensland’s fresh produce. BFVG
expectations set by the supermarkets.
in the Bundaberg Region for 50 years,
waste, such as the lines of plastic film
who have donated more than $5.5million
and throughout the supply chain. The
The Austchilli Group has been farming
categories: organic waste and inorganic
delivers nutrient-packed fruit.
and utilising environmentally-
issues or not meeting strict consumer
On-farm waste falls into two main
to create healthy soil, which in turn
and for half of that they’ve been value-adding and manufacturing foods. They are committed to sustainable farming right across their business;
is proud to represent an industry that is contributing to sustainable land management and protecting our waterways. Local industry champions are showing others how waste can be repurposed or value-added to improve their businesses, society and
that crops are planted into, cardboard
from solar power to recycling 100 per
and chemical bins. Interestingly,
cent of their water. They’ve reduced
plastic used in the agriculture sector
plastics and have a zero-food-waste
Bree is the Managing Director of
accounts for about five per cent of
philosophy. As Australia’s largest chilli
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers.
the environment.
• R ESI D ENT I AL • L I FESTYLE • R ENTAL S • C O M M ER CIAL • R U R AL • FR EE AP P R AI SALS
Louise Hamann
Philip Dowling
RESIDENTIAL & LIFESTYLE SALES SPECIALIST
PRINCIPAL - RURAL SALES SPECIALIST
P 0417 603 002 E sales@childersfn.com.au
P 0429 062 588 E phil@childersfn.com.au
8 6 C H U R C H I L L S T R E E T, C H I L D E R S , Q L D 4 6 6 0
www.childersfn.com.au
TELEPHONE 07 4126 2777
green
The Steinhardt family has a strong connection to the environment and is committed to sustainable farming for generations to come.
From the soil and water that feeds
remote solar powered controllers. The
the growth of majestic macadamia
introduction of beneficial insects, like wasps,
trees, to the discarded shells used to
dry their world-famous nuts, Macadamias
1
reduces the need for pesticide chemicals. Hectares of native bushland surrounding the
Australia made a promise long ago to look
orchards is cared for to provide a home for
after the land they farm.
important wildlife.
More than 60 years since founders Ron and
The newly-established cracking plant
Marion Steinhardt started growing produce on their Alloway farm, their children – Trevor, Kevin and Janelle – are leading the way with sustainable farming. Macadamias Australia Director Janelle Gerry said the legacy their parents handed down was, in essence, a responsibility to be true custodians.
2
at heart repurposes macadamia shell to produce heat for the drying process. This renewable source burns clean and produces multiple energy sources that are utilised in other stages of production. A by-product, bio-char, is returned to the orchard as a form of carbon. “It is a complete circular economy,” Janelle said. “Across all areas of our business our mission is to continually innovate our farming
“We are committed to a clean, green future,
and processing practices, improve our energy
caring for the environment, each other and
efficiency, whilst minimising our impact on
every life we touch,” Janelle said.
the environment.”
Every detail of the farming process is
The family is showcasing their commitment to
continuously improved to ensure the impact
sustainability at their new Visitor Experience
on the environment is minimal. This means
at the farm on Goodwood Road.
recycling all organic matter, including the macadamia husks, from the orchard back to the earth to increase soil nutrition, store carbon and reduce soil erosion. Water
Learn More
www.macadamiasaustralia.net
conservation is critical and managed via
3 1. Macadamias Australia’s commitment to sustainability starts with ensuring the soil is packed with nutrients and stores carbon. 2. The introduction of wasps helps Macadamias Australia control harmful pests, while also providing a biodiverse ecosystem. 3. Every detail in Macadamias Australia’s business is scrutinised to improve energy efficiency while minimising the impact on the environment.
51
PHOTO CREDIT: Kyle Schneider Photography
“Protecting soil health while reducing environmental impacts is important to our entire farming operation and worth the investment in this innovative project,” Peter said. The whole process from green waste to compost takes about three-and-ahalf months. The raw green waste is
Green solutiion TO GARDEN WASTE Greensill Farming's Peter Greensill and Nathan Freeman.
grounded down, screened and then formed into windrows. These windrows are turned several times using a special
Green waste makes up the largest percentage of contents in Bundaberg Regional Council wheelie bins:
29 PER CENT!
machine until it has decomposed into a fine soil sediment. The compost is then
It’s gardening season! Time to dust
“They convert household green waste
off and oil the hedge trimmers and
into compost at scale, with this product
secateurs. But before you battle the
then used on agricultural land to
screening and is ready for dispatch.
wheelie bin, trying to shove a palm
improve soil health,” Peter said.
While the compost was initially for
Not only does the composting process
use on the company’s farms, so many
frond down beside your household waste, consider the benefits your green waste could provide as compost.
have a huge impact in reducing the company’s carbon footprint, but it also
Green Solutions Wide Bay has put
creates healthy soil biodiversity.
this idea into practice on a commercial
“By using green waste compost, we are
scale, creating an innovative and hightech facility, taking all household and commercial green waste for free. It is transformed into beautiful compost that will help Greensill Farming improve soil conditions, reduce reef runoff and increase crop yield. The inspiration for Green Solutions came from a study tour that owner Peter Greensill attended in the United States with a number of other local growers.
able to reduce the amount of synthetic products we use, such as fertilisers and
left to cure before it is given a final
people were asking to buy the compost and mulch that Green Solutions Wide Bay has now made the products available to purchase. “Green Solutions Wide Bay has been in the pipeline for a few years and
other soil amendments,” Peter said.
we are extremely proud to have
“Improved soil health, along with
benefit our farming operation, but the
sophisticated irrigation operations, particularly the use of lateral irrigators, will also reduce run-off and contaminants from entering our local waterways. Improving our soil biodiversity in turn has the added benefit of improved crop yields and production.
completed this project, not only to wider community of Bundaberg.”
Drop it
417 Windermere Road, Qunaba www.greensolutionswidebay.com.au
53
Gooburrum Grove lime farm THE JOURNEY TO REGENERATING
It is impossible not to feel happy
thought it would be a good opportunity
“We had Cameron Enterprises come in
when you catch the scent of lime
to try it on a larger scale.”
and mulch everything right there in the
floating in the air. It is beautiful and fresh and makes you want to pop one of Gooburrum Grove’s perfectly round dried lime wheels in a glass of sparkling water for a Spring spritzer. Delicately stacked up in a glass jar, the lime wheels are a large departure for owner Rachael Coffison. The family recently sold its three businesses in Capella, north of Emerald, to make a
Regenerative farming, the practice of rehabilitating and enhancing the entire ecosystem of a farm, is something Rachael is passionate about. “It just makes so much sense to be giving back to the soil you’re using instead of always taking. So we are working to transition from some of the conventional ways of farming,” she said.
orchard, which is great, because you are using what biomass you’ve got, which will increase the organic matter in the soil,” she said. “From then we will start to reintroduce or encourage the beneficial fungi and bacteria into the soil, which will also improve the water infiltration.” Rachael has a few ideas for valueadded lime products, but for now is
literal tree change, purchasing a lime
“To start we are going to get the soil
focusing on making Bundaberg home
farm at Gooburrum.
and foliage tested and then once we
among the orchards, fresh limes and
“We thought it was time for a change
introduce our ‘re-gen’ approaches and
dried limes wheels.
and the lime trees really appealed to us,” Rachael said. “After we sold our businesses, we didn’t want to sit idle. We’ve always been avid
permaculture principles, we’ll continue to get the soil tested to monitor how it’s improving or, if it’s not improving, to work out what we can do.”
gardeners at home in our little veggie
The family have begun their farming
patch. We were already implementing
journey by pruning the entire orchard
some permaculture principles and
by hand.
Get it!
Gooburrum Grove dried limes wheels are available at Nana’s Pantry, Olsen’s Corner and Alloway Farm Market.
SECOND LIFE for best-loved books It was a covid lightbulb moment that
reading nook or a secret library.
“I think it’s really important for us to
led Tunja Cottier to start a new chapter
There are trinkets and gifts scattered
be conscious of our buying and our
in her life. Between being a single
throughout – little reminders that self-
spending. I do buy myself new books,
care and time out are important.
but pass them on to someone else right
mum and home-schooling, stumbling across a social media post about the Bargara bookstore being for sale
“I love being able to partner with so
changed everything.
many other local businesses as well.
“I have always loved books and been an avid reader and I knew instantly it was something I could throw myself into,”
It’s really important to me to give some of the smaller micro businesses the opportunity to showcase their products.”
Tunja said.
The book boutique focuses largely
Weeks later, Bargara Book Boutique
on second-hand books, with new
was born - a quaint little store, that
releases carefully selected by Tunja. An
evokes thoughts of a warm and cosy
exchange program is also available.
away, so they always have a second life,” Tunja said. “There’s a lot of people who love that someone else has read a book - almost like it has its own story.”
Read it
Shop 13a, 5 Bauer St, Bargara 0447 139 540
TUNJA’S TOP PICKS Spring! My favourite season. There is nothing better than grabbing a picnic rug and relaxing under a shady tree with a fabulous book. These two breathtakingly good novels by two outstanding Australian authors, are sure to keep you captivated for the season. Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray
A story of love, grief and
(River of Dreams) is set on
brotherhood, We Were Not Men
beautiful Wiradyuri country and
by Australian author, Campbell
tells a powerful tale of Aboriginal
Mattinson, is a moving and
peoples’ identity and connection
powerful novel that you will be
to country. Based on shocking
unable to put down. This book
true events, Anita Heiss, one
will punch you in the heart from
of Australia’s most prolific and
the very beginning then take you
well-known authors, has written a
on the journey that is the life of
powerful story of love and family,
twin brothers, Jon and Eden. As
loss and recovery. An engrossing must-read historical
they navigate grief, grow up and become men, you will
fiction and a story that will stay with you forever.
explore with them what it means to love.
Published by Simon Schuster Australia, 1 May 2021
Published by HarperCollins AU, 2 June 2021.
plating
up
OUR FRESHEST PRODUCE
If freshness had a scent, it would likely come close to that of One Little Farm in East Bundaberg. Tucked away in a little shopping complex on Bargara Road, beautiful bottles and jars line the walls with artisan spreads, oils, vinegars, preserves and more. The smell of fresh flowers being carefully arranged in the back corner mixes with the fresh fruits and vegetables for sale. Tables and chairs are now spaced throughout this greengrocer-meets-florist-meets-café, with a cabinet full of hand-made salads, light meals and treats on offer to go with a coffee or fresh fruit smoothie. It’s hard not to imagine our grandparents shopping in a store like this, browsing the seasonal produce that has just been brought in from the farm. Only now you can sit and enjoy a light meal made from the beautiful ingredients that surround you. It’s something owners and farmers Kate and Anthony Rehbein always envisioned for One Little Farm. “We’ve got more than 40 local farmers that supply us throughout the year. We are fortunate we can go to the farms and buy directly from them what is fresh and in season. We sit at their kitchen tables and talk to them about the quality and price,” Anthony said. “We have a close affinity with our farmers. When we say we serve up local food, we are not talking about one part of a dish, but multiple. When you come here it is like eating at our kitchen table, it’s something really authentic.” As the weather warms up, alongside savoury muffins, quiches and frittata, the salads at One Little Farm are something special, bursting with pops of flavour from across the district. “Our salads are really tasty and enjoyable – they are not simple salads, they are something completely different that you wouldn’t normally see, and it is grown from the heart. We also mix in our micro herbs that we grow on our own farm.” One Little Farm is open 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday (morning tea and lunch served until 3.30pm) and 7am to 1pm on Saturday. The light meals are available to take away, but are elevated with the rustic ambiance of dining in.
Taste it
Shop 3/133 Bargara Road, East Bundaberg 07 4152 3322
great
&
Set on the banks of the beautiful Splitters Creek is a working cattle farm and rescue animal sanctuary doing everything it can to look after the environment as much as it does the animals. Splitters Farm, which looks after about
small
we don’t have a destination,” Carly said. This way of thinking has permeated every aspect of Splitters Farm, from large initiatives like solar electricity and recycled water to smaller changes like
Cafes supply fruit pulp from juices, Kalki Moon supplies used botanicals, Ohana Cider House (pictured above) supplies crushed apples and strawberries. Unwanted sweet potatoes make their
going paperless and having multiple
way from local farms to Splitters.
bins available for cans, bottles, recycling
“Businesses and farmers kindly collect
400 rescue animals, is proving how
and waste.
sustainably farming and tourism can
“Water is our most precious resource,”
store it while they wait for us to collect.
be done. The goal? To be the largest
Carly said. “Our sewage is fully recycled.
This all takes more effort than just
tourism attraction that runs without a
We’ve invested a lot of money so our
ploughing it back into the ground or
carbon footprint, possibly becoming
waste water can be treated and pumped
carbon negative.
throwing it in the bin,” Carly said.
onto paddocks to irrigate the Rhodes
It was as much a philosophical and
grass that we grow for our animals.”
moral decision as it was a business one
Ashley manages Bundaberg Solar and
for owners Carly and Ashley Clark.
AC Electrical in his spare time, and has
“Surrounding our property is 100 acres of bush land and kilometres of beautiful pristine, freshwater creek, so for us it was absolutely essential to protect our
installed solar panels on all buildings. A solar shed to one day house batteries aims to take the farm ‘off the grid’ within the next five years.
natural surrounds as much as the farm
They also run a “Scraps for Splitters”
itself. Without our natural surrounds,
program to supplement animal feed.
their seconds and by-products and
“But it feels good knowing you’ve been able to use something someone else couldn’t.”
Visit it
Feed the animals with a guided or self-guided tour. Camping and accommodation available. www.splittersfarm.com.au
57
PLAYING Gone are the days where playground equipment was just a staircase to a slide and a swing. Modern playground set ups are purposefully designed to promote problem solving, develop physical skills and encourage social interaction. And some of the best are built right here in Bundaberg. WillPlay is a leading Australian manufacturer of custom-designed playground equipment. They create
for keeps
recycled plastics.
“Our playgrounds can include up to 80 per cent recycled materials, and
something our stakeholders, employees and the community expect,” Jared said.
everything is made to last for at least
“We want to ensure that our equipment
20 years. There are no ferrous steel
lasts a lifetime in whatever surroundings
products, so there won’t be any rusting,
it is placed in, and when it’s life is
or any material breaking or wearing over
finished it can be recycled to make new
time, We use aluminium and stainless
equipment for the next generation.”
steel structural posts and components
Everything is made with high-quality
which offer full coastal specification on all the play elements,” Jared said.
playgrounds that are fully-recyclable at
He said WillPlay was committed
the end of their lives. This is just one
to providing better, safer play
part of the company’s commitment to
opportunities for future generations.
sustainable practices and caring for
own needs. We really feel this is
materials, sourced in Australia where possible, and designed to withstand harsh Australian and coastal conditions. It is this dedication to quality that has resulted in WillPlay equipment being sold across the country. It’s a remarkable
“We believe in sustainable development
feat for a company that started out in
– that means being able to meet
Bundaberg just eight years ago with two
Design Manager Jared Silcox said
the needs we have today, without
staff, and has now grown into a team of
WillPlay playgrounds were also made,
compromising the ability of future
25 across two locations, with agents and
in large part, from Australian-sourced
generations to be able to meet their
distributors in every state.
the environment.
Building Boreham Park One of WillPlay’s most recent
“It needs a bit of excitement,
installations is the refurbishment of
something kids can climb over and fit
Boreham Park in Avenell Heights.
as many people on as possible. This
The eight-metre-high adventure tower sits pride of place, surrounded by a large tube slide, inground trampolines, custom double swing and an all-abilities swing, zero depth water play area and a tunnel. Jared is one of the designers at WillPlay, along with owner Terry Dullaway. On projects like Boreham Park they work to a brief, which often includes little more than an idea for a shape and a site map for the area. “Our job is to make it work in the real world, because we have a lot of standards to adhere to. But as well as being practical, we want it to look cool and be fun,” Jared said.
system has plenty of elements of play. It has something for the smaller kids with spinners, trampolines and swings, and then the large tower for the bigger kids.” “Everything was manufactured in Bundaberg, including the final assembly of the rope elements. And the timber features are actually made from aluminium so they won’t warp or splinter over time – it will always look nice.”
Build it! WillPlay create custom-made or ready-made playground equipment. www.willplay.com.au
59
Taking the Lead IN AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
Early on a weekday morning, as the sun
geese were most active out of school
drone technology to map irrigation
is rising and most people are still rubbing
hours when things on the farm were
issues on the school oval.
their eyes, the students of Bundaberg
quieter. They could then tailor and test
Christian College’s Hoof n Hook
their deterrence solutions.
Program are hard at work, washing and brushing cattle in preparation for their next regional show. There’s no doubt the hands-on experience of handling and judging live
Bob Hibbard said Bundaberg was an
was invited by the CSIRO to join a
exciting place for agriculture students.
pilot of their Microsoft FarmBeats for Students program, a STEM initiative encompassing artificial intelligence, data and machine learning.
for a promising career in the agriculture
Head of the College’s Technologies
industry. Past students are sought after
Faculty Peter Sercombe said
and recognised by industry leaders.
technology in agriculture was a career path ripe for harvest.
use of technology at the College’s
“There are so many opportunities in
agriculture farm that is equipping
ag-tech and it’s an area ready for lots of
students to apply their digital skills to
innovation. Technology is traditionally
solve real-world farming challenges.
a subject taught indoors so to see
Students are using mounted cameras in the school’s agriculture precinct to detect magpie geese and map their
Hook mentor, and long serving teacher
In recognition of this work, the College
cattle is preparing these future leaders
But it’s the innovative and integrated
Head of Science and PE Faculty, Hoof n
students build something and then get their hands dirty by testing it on the farm is really rewarding,” Peter said.
patterns of movement. Combining
In other technology and agriculture
time-lapsed images and an algorithm to
projects, the College partnered with
identify the geese, students learned the
Central Queensland University to use
“It’s wonderful to get students out of the classroom and discover how their learning has real-world farming application,” Bob said. “Agriculture will continue to be a critical industry and our students in Bundaberg have a unique opportunity to understand how they can make a positive contribution to agriculture in Australia.” For these emerging Bundaberg Christian College leaders, their future in technology and agriculture, is a wide open space.
For more
234 Ashfield Road, Bundaberg www.bcc.net.au
Going green
NOT A GRIND
WORDS BY ALICE THOMPSON When you’re craving your first
environmentally sustainable and to use
been achieved through lowering their
fair-trade products.
energy intensity, reducing waste to
morning coffee or hankering for lunch,
The banning of single use plastic items
it’s hard to think about anything else.
across Queensland began on September
Here in Australia, we love our coffee, but
1 this year. While some retailers and
landfill by two industrial bins per week, and cutting the number of garbage bags they use from 500 to 300 per month.
businesses were scrambling to comply,
So while customers are blissfully
Alowishus Group Manager Marcus
enjoying a caffeine hit or a bite from
Coffee beans that are not harvested
Sorbello said the café has been ahead of the game on eco matters.
Alowishus, they can also know that
ethically result in worker exploitation and irreversible environmental damage.
“We had already switched 90 per cent
our take-away habits have an impact.
And single use plastic items such as straws, cutlery and take away cups and packaging contribute to the 300 million tonnes of plastic waste that is created each year.
such as straws and cutlery to PLA or sustainable eco-friendly products. When single use plastic bags were banned in 2018, we took it one step further and began using paper bags,”
Delicious are already winning the war
Marcus said.
about their eco-contribution right from the start.
food is helping to make a cleaner world.
of our packaging and single use items
Thankfully local cafes like Alowishus on waste and have been intentional
their love for great coffee and delicious
Alowishus has also incorporated several eco initiatives into their everyday operations including sending food waste
Have you ever noticed the tiny leaves
to Splitters Farm, giving coffee grounds
sprouting out of the curves of the
to the Endeavour Foundation for use
Alowishus logo? Or the green leaves
in their worm farm, and donating egg
sprinkling their biodegradable and
cartons, buckets and lids to local schools
compostable take away coffee cups?
for craft and learning aids.
The leaves not only represent
Their accreditation as a Queensland
freshness but Alowishus’ mission to be
Government EcoBiz Star Partner has
Get it!
ALOWISHUS BUNDABERG Earls Court 176 Bourbong Street 07 4154 2233 ALOWISHUS MARYBOROUGH 232–244 Adelaide Street Maryborough 07 4302 8631 ALOWISHUS@ THE UNIREFECTORY BUILDING 6 University Drive, Branyan 07 4150 7053 ALOWISHUS ON BOURBONG – COMING SOON! 290 Bourbong Street
61
The local treasure THAT CONTINUES TO PUT BUNDY ON THE MAP
Being environmentally friendly or
In 1888 they turned the by-product
sustainable is a novel concept that
into rum and Australia’s most iconic
most of us only committed to in the
drink was born.
past decade or so. There are very few century-old companies or towns in Australia that can lay claim to being “green” since their inception. First surveyed on the banks of the Burnett River in 1868, Bundaberg’s
and products have on the environment. “We source the steam for our distillation process from the Millaquin
Today, Bundaberg Distilling Company
Mill, who use bagasse as a bio fuel to
processes 15,000 tonnes of molasses
generate green steam,” Ty said. “Almost
from the neighbouring Bundaberg
70 per cent of our total energy usage
Millaquin Sugar Mill to make about 10
here is renewable, so only about 30
million litres of rum per year, but their
per cent comes from the grid, but
eco-credibility doesn’t end there.
our target is to be net carbon neutral by 2030. We’re looking at a mix of
story of origin is the ultimate tale of
Ty McKeown, Bundaberg Rum’s
“trash to treasure”. The sugarcane
Governance and Compliance Manager,
producing powerhouse had a very
said the company was continually
serious problem on its hands: what to
making changes and setting new targets
They’ve got a proven track record when
do with a massive surplus of molasses.
to minimise the impact their operations
it comes to targets. Measuring against
technologies to help us achieve that, including solar and hydrogen.”
2 3
It's a truly circular economy.
1
4
1. Sugar cane 2. Billets of cut cane 3. Steam from Millaquin sugar mill 4. Molasses 5. Dunder clarifier 6. Improved soil
6 5 its 2007 baseline carbon emissions,
targets for sustainable packaging,
Bundaberg Distilling Company’s
aiming to have 60 per cent of packaging
parent company Diageo exceeded its
made from recycled materials and
2020 global target of a 50 per cent
100 per cent of packaging able to be
reduction by 17 per cent. That’s a 67
recycled by consumers by 2030. “We
per cent total reduction in direct carbon
also have a zero waste to landfill policy,
emissions over just 13 years.
where our waste is either recycled or
The amount of water Bundaberg
sent to Brisbane for energy recovery.”
Distilling Company uses to make one
A chemist by trade, Ty grew up in
litre of rum has reduced by 35 per cent in the last five years. Ty said 100 per cent of waste water from the distillery was treated and sent back to sugarcane farmers for irrigation. “We also produce a significant amount of by-product, known as dunder, which is used as fertiliser on local farms – it’s a truly circular economy,” he said. Ty said Diageo had set ambitious
Bundaberg. After a few years studying and working in Brisbane, he returned to Bundaberg to raise a family. “Bundaberg Rum is a fantastic story of sustainability, and I’m proud to be working for a company that is committed to leaving a legacy,” he said. “Here we are, on the Great Barrier Reef with Fraser Island on our doorstep, and I want to protect that for my kids and future generations.”
Find it
BUNDABERG RUM DISTILLERY VISITOR EXPERIENCE Hills Street, East Bundaberg www.bundabergrum.com.au
63
Thinking green
BIG AND SMALL
It’s one of the best-selling skincare
changed to LED lighting and installed
brands in the world. Now luxury
solar hot water.
cosmetic line Clinique is leading its competitors, being one of the first global cosmetics giants to move into sustainable packaging. Available at the Friendly Society Pharmacy, Clinique’s new packaging is made of post-consumer recycled material, plant-derived plastic, or a combination of both. It’s a big step forward for the cosmetic industry and one the Friendly Society Private Hospital is happy to showcase. One of the largest hospitals in regional Queensland, “The Friendlies” has also led the way with green and eco-friendly initiatives, both big and small. In 2018 the organisation installed the largest rooftop solar system of any hospital in the country, with 1320 panels and a 575kw system. It also
Senior Manager Business Development Stuart Bonnett said the hospital had saved $925,000 on energy bills to date. “We also attract Large Generator Credits providing a further dividend of $117,000 over the past three years. With the initial system costing $1.4M, we are on track to cover the cost of the system in the next 12 months,” Stuart said. Stuart said The Friendlies was always looking at other changes to make, having moved to recyclable coffee and drink cups, straws and yoghurt containers a number of years ago at the Atrium Café. The Café also serves the ethically-sourced Kai Coffee.
For More
www.thefriendlies.org.au
Circular economy AT KALKI MOON Distilling is delicate and precise. It’s a
The botanicals are given to Australian
special kind of magic that Kalki Moon
Gin Soap Co, a Bundaberg-based
casts over the copper stills and ageing
business which started using the
barrels that fill its distillery.
botanicals in soaps, before branching
It is not only what goes into the bottles that owners Rick and Kylie Prosser pay close attention to. They approach their distilling by-products as carefully as they curate their award-winning beverages, ensuring very little goes to waste. “We are using the best botanicals we can, with no artificial flavours used in the distilling process. Even when we started with our little stills, once we took the alcohol out we would still have
out into beard and body oils, and bath salts. Kalki Moon sell the cosmetic products in the distillery gift shop. “It’s this nice circle, and when we talk about it on the tour, everyone is really engaged hearing about that.” The botanical waste is also given to Splitters Farm and others as organic animal feed. But it is not the only waste product making its way onto farms. With rum production now underway, Kalki Moon provides the dunder by-product
five kilograms of botanicals left over.
to Austchilli who use it as a fertiliser.
It just got me thinking that surely we
Austchilli in turn provide Kalki Moon with
could do something with these instead
the chillies to make their limited-release
of just throwing them out,” Rick said.
Chilli Vodka – completing the circle again.
Visit
22 Commercial Street, Bundaberg 07 4151 0396
From Coffee When you take a sip of fresh, hot coffee from Windmill Café at Bargara or The Beach Mill at Nielson Park, take a minute to think about what will happen to your cup when you are done. The green-thinking business traded in recyclable cups for compostable ones, becoming a trial site for Endup Cup’s collection station, which pre-sorts the cups from their recyclable lids. The cups are then taken to Green Solutions Wide Bay, who turn them into compost which is used on their farms, growing the sweet potatoes that are served in the café. It is just one of the ways the café has made important changes to become more sustainable – years ahead of the single-use plastic ban that came into effect on September 1. All drinks stocked come in glass bottles. Single use plastics were replaced with bio or recyclable alternatives. Any
HEALTH
INSIDE AND OUT
It’s the largest human organ and often the first to show signs of distress – our skin. Bundaberg Health Foods owner Linda
to Compost plastics needed, such as bin liners, are biodegradable. Anything that could be replaced, was.
The change has been driven in large part by young team members who are always questioning if there is a better way to do things. So great is the Windmill team’s passion for a sustainable way of life, the movement spilled over into the community in 2019 with a beach cleanup program, where buckets along the beach could be filled with rubbish and traded in for a free gelato. Read more about Green Solutions Wide Bay on Page 53.
Try it!
WINDMILL CAFÉ BARGARA 12 See Street, Bargara THE BEACH MILL 2 Courtice Avenue, Bargara www.windmillbargara.com.au
For the past 12 years, Linda and
“Today’s natural products are also every
Bundaberg Health Foods has been
bit as good as their chemical counterparts.
sourcing and selling the best natural
There are so many beautiful natural
products they can find from grocery
essential oils that are antibacterial and
items, health snacks, teas, vitamins
anti-fungal, and we know more now about
and supplements to toiletries, essential
how effective these products are.”
oils and individual and bulk cleaning products. Demand for natural products continues to grow.
Tindale says our skin absorbs everything
“We are more focused on sustainability
– from the skincare and make-up we put
now. People are conscious of where
on it, to the clothes we cover it in. It is
their products come from and where
also one of the first reasons why people
that rubbish ends up,” Linda said.
will seek out natural products. “People’s reasons for starting to look to
For more personalised help, Bundaberg Health Foods also has naturopath services.
Shop it
51e Woongarra Street, Bundaberg 07 41515187 www.bundaberghealthfoods.com.au
natural products differ. For some it is purely health related or wanting a more natural lifestyle, but skin concerns, like eczema are a big reason too,” Linda said. “We have access to so much information, and we have more knowledge now. What was once just considered an irritation, we know there can be deeper causes.”
65
slow
&
steady Remember the days when household whitegoods lasted years and we repaired them, rather than replaced them? We favoured home-cooked meals over fast food. Toys were made of timber and tin, rather than non-biodegradable junk plastic. We valued hand-crafted products and took pride in helping things grow. We shopped for necessity rather than want or convenience. We consumed only as much as we needed. Here are six of our favourite local businesses that are helping people embrace a simpler, more nourishing life.
Refill not Landfill was started by
Dedicated to reducing waste and
Gin Gin Gourmet Mushrooms grow ten
Beverley Whip and her family in a bid
allowing customers to buy only what
different varieties of funky fungi with
to reduce the amount of single-use
they need, Nana’s Pantry caters for
“mush” love in indoor bags containing
plastics going into landfill and our
all dietary requirements, as well as
local sugarcane mulch. Ranging from
oceans. Bring your own reusabale
those who cook from scratch and like
fresh pink oysters to lions mane,
container (or purchase one onsite) to
knowing exactly what’s going into their
pioppino and dried white oysters,
Artisans 4670 at Bargara to have it
food. Fill your reusable containers with
these locally-grown mushrooms pack
filled with Australian-made plant-based
a mind-blowing array of self-serve
a serious nutritional punch when it
laundry, cleaning and beauty products
food staples, wholefoods, condiments,
comes to protein, vitamins, minerals
that are eco-friendly, biodegradable and
coffees, teas, herbs, spices and lollies.
and free radical-fighting antioxidants
safe for grey water and septic systems.
Visitng Nana’s Pantry really is like getting a warm hug from grandma.
Buy instore from One Little Farm or
100 Hughes Road | 0423 879 434
38 Electra Street
Beemart. Shop online at www.bundyonlinefruitandveg.com.au or telephone 0427 885 313 to order.
Bundaberg Seeds is a delightful online
Belly Fire Pottery is the work of local
PLOYS creates unique, one-off tote
business, dedicated to protecting
clay maker Kathy Valks. Sculpted from
bags, pencil cases, purses and toiletry
heirloom and open-pollinated plants.
clay that Kathy has gathered locally
bags by repurposing punctured,
They stock more than 100 varieties
with her own hands or sourced from
unwanted and discarded PVC plastics.
of seeds from ornamental flowers to
small Queensland suppliers, Belly Fire
PVC takes up to 1000 years to
fruits, vegetables, herbs and medicinal
Pottery’s durable products are sold
disintegrate and is most commonly
plants. Every order comes with helpful
in local giftshops, as well as garden
used to make pool inflatables, air
information and tips to make it as
centres and cafes in Noosa and
mattresses, shower curtains, jumping
simple as possible for more people to
Adelaide. The range includes everything
castles and umbrellas. Since starting
take up gardening in their home and
from old school household wares like
in January 2020, PLOYS has saved
school. Based in Bundaberg, they ship
soap dishes and juicers to keepcups,
more than 200 kilograms of PVC from
Australia-wide. Use the code CRUSH at
teapots, functional flatware and
ending up in landfill. Contact them to
checkout to receive a discount on your
Spanish graters.
recycle your unwanted inflatables or to
first purchase.
0432 508 813
purchase a weatherproof bag or purse.
www.bundabergseeds.com.au
www.ploysdesigns.com.au
Subscribe to Crush Magazine's digital edition for your chance to win a hamper featuring some of these local goodies:
www.crushmagazine.com.au/subscribe
67
“Using these products is very natural to me because it’s how I was brought up, but it’s definitely becoming more mainstream. People are a lot more aware of where things come from, what is in them, and that some things are better and safer than others. People are connecting the dots,” Evie said. It can be a daunting prospect to make the switch to eco-friendly and nontoxic products. “I always tell people it’s a slow process. It’s not all or nothing, it’s not about perfection. It’s a lot of trial and error,”
better tomorrow PRODUCTS FOR A
Helping people with small changes
Opened by Evie Roycroft in 2020, here
that can make a big difference to both
you will find everything from home
their health and the environment is
and beauty items, including a bulk refill
the driving force behind Tomorrow’s
station, as well as practical items such
Earth, a store specialising in home
as Ever Eco insulated mugs, tumblers
and beauty products that are toxin
and travel cutlery. There is also a range
and cruelty free, zero waste and
of raw ingredients so you can make
environmentally friendly.
your own products.
Evie said. “The bathroom or kitchen is a great place to start. When you run out of something, have a look around at different options. Consider refilling the container you already have. Just throwing everything out will be overwhelming.” To help people along their eco-product journey, Tomorrow’s Earth’s social pages are a fountain of knowledge about ingredients and products that can be easily swapped. The store is also a collection point for Terracycle, who turn normally un-recyclable products into new products.
Shop it
Instore or online 10 Barolin Street, Bundaberg www.tomorrowsearth.com
t ex ra mile GOING THE
One way you can help reduce your ‘food miles’ is to eat what’s in season locally. SCAN ME FOR OUR FREE LOCAL SEASONALITY GUIDE.
Nothing says welcome home like an
LioLios, foods that have been stored
grapes, citrus, broccoli and cauliflower -
overflowing bowl of fresh fruit on the
and transported vast distances are
is all sourced via the Brisbane Markets,
kitchen table. But do you know where
inferior in taste and nutrition to
just four hours’ drive away.
your fruit and vegetables have come
Queensland fruit and vegetables.
from or how far they’ve travelled to get to you? Why does it even matter? We all understand that buying locally helps support farmers and creates jobs, but the transport of food over long distances releases more greenhouse gas emissions than buying locally. It puts pressure on our road infrastructure.
Jimmy and the team at Olsen’s Corner
vegetable section has the aromatic
pride themselves on prioritising fresh
atmosphere and polished presentation of
produce that’s grown locally and in
a classic green grocer. It’s a fitting tribute
season. Donning a leather apron and
to the many hardworking Queensland
friendly smile, Jimmy has been greeting
families who grow Australia’s food.
Olsen’s Corner customers for more than 15 years. He’s built trusting relationships with local farmers, who
A study by CERES Community
deliver direct to Jimmy most days.
Environment Park and climate scientists
From peppery salad leaves and fragrant
from RMIT University found a typical basket of food in Australia has travelled about 70,000km – this is equivalent to travelling around the Earth twice. According to Olsen’s Corner FoodWorks Produce Manager Jimmy
Olsen’s Corner’s abundant fruit and
Whether you are a meat and three veg kind of family or you like to experiment with cuisines from around the world, Olsen’s Corner FoodWorks will help fill your plate sustainably.
herbs to colourful fruit and vegetables, if it grows well in a temperate, sub-tropical climate you can almost guarantee they stock it. Top quality cold climate produce that can’t be grown
Taste it!
56 Walker Street, Bundaberg South
in Bundaberg - like apples, stone fruit,
69
in the air. Along the coast is so unique, whether it is high tide or low tide; it’s always magnificent to see. Flying out over the reef, watching whales breaching in the ever changing palette of blues and aquas is mind blowing.”
A sight to behold
Captained by experienced pilots, Coastland Aviation offer scenic flights over the Region’s top spots. For any specific requests they offer scenic charter services. Commercial charters are also available and there is plenty of space for
Catching a view of our Region’s
Step aboard Juliette, as she is
stunning patchwork landscape from
affectionately known, the Italian-
the sky is one of many highlights
made high-wing twin engine airplane
Coastland Aviation also offer air
Coastland Aviation will be offering
specifically designed for scenic
tours, flying guests from Brisbane to
with their specifically-designed
operations.
exclusive and popular destinations,
scenic air tours. Sugarcane fields and macadamia tree crops, set against our rich volcanic soils, are highlighted by the deep aqua of our beautiful ocean.
Jeremy said all passengers on the sixseater aircraft will enjoy a window seat and an unobstructed clear view. “You never tire of the expansive views
It is a sight to behold – one that Jeremy
of the diverse farming and textured
Browne from the Bundaberg-based
landscape,” Jeremy said. “It is a whole
tour operator is eager to share.
different perspective as soon as you get
picnic style UP YOUR
luggage, fishing gear or even golf clubs.
where accommodation, meals and activities will be included with a return flight to Brisbane.
Book it
0477 977 474 www.coastlandaviation.com
With an abundance of beautiful green spaces across the Bundaberg Region, it is almost unthinkable not to enjoy them. But if the idea of packing up and lugging all the gear for a picnic in the park makes you want to stay inside, there is an easier way. Just order a beautiful fresh platter from your favourite café and let GrazyDays Picnics take care of the rest. With setup, styling and tableware, GrazyDays will transform a simple sandwich on a rug into a special moment to share. A themed setting complete with cushions, floor coverings, low picnic table, ice bucket and table setting all add the ambiance. By having your picnic organised for you, you can let yourself enjoy the moment. Wiggle your toes in the grass. Feel the warm sun on your face and the gentle breeze on your back. Be present with your guests and graze mindfully. Ideal for small or intimate gatherings, GrazyDays setups are also available to DIY – simply hire everything you need to bring a personal touch to your picnic.
Win it
Enjoy a GrazyDays Picnic styled setup for six people. Simply subscribe to Crush Magazine’s digital edition to go in the draw. www.crushmagazine.com.au/subscribe For T&Cs visit the website
Waste not, want not Zero waste. Is it even possible?
Sometimes the simplest change you can
health as what you eat, which is why
Minimising your annual household
make is to swap to something else, like
they promote like-minded local brands
rubbish to fit in a single mason jar
phasing out your plastic clothes pegs in favour of durable Ever Eco stainless steel
such as Nulla, Bare by Bauer and Native
might seem impossible, and yet there are people all around the world doing
pegs. Switch from disposable cleaning
it. It’s impressive to say the least, but
aids to reusable items, like hand-made
not achievable for most.
100 per cent cotton facewashers and
For 30 years, Nature’s Emporium on
Max vegan home and body brushes are
Bourbong Street has been helping mere
a firm favourite!
mortals discover the everyday things they can do around their homes to live more sustainably and reduce their impact on the environment. Shown to enhance mood, boost productivity and improve indoor air quality, the range of potted plants at Nature’s Emporium is nothing short
make-up removal pads. Long lasting, Eco
Nature’s Emporium is a proud stockist
Magic. The relaxing detox bath soaks, eco-friendly dry shampoos, deodorants, facemasks, biodegradable cotton buds and toothbrushes, soaps and massage oils made by these three Bundaberg companies are fast becoming staples in local bathrooms.
of Kin Kin Naturals’ dishwashing liquids,
If you want to learn more about eco-
laundry detergents and stain removers.
friendly living, make sure you peruse
Created on the Sunshine Coast, Kin
Nature’s Emporium’s extensive range of
Kin products are available to refill and
books and guides or chat to a member
purchase in bulk. Not only safe for our waterways and septic systems, they’re also a great option for those with
of impressive. Add an ethically made,
sensitive skin.
plastic-free pot. You might also find a
Nature’s Emporium owners Tina and
beautiful slab of recycled timber to build
Chris Dimes believe that what you put
a shelf for your growing plant collection.
on your skin is just as important to your
of their friendly team.
Try it
www.naturesemporium.com.au 55 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
71
&Locks
Lips
THE MAGIC OF
magnesium sprays If you are suffering from tight muscles
You can increase your intake of
or spasms, using a magnesium spray
magnesium through foods such as
can help reduce your symptoms and
By Abby Blanke
avocado, flaxseed, tuna and green
SERENITY SKIN SPA
relieve pain.
leafy vegetables, but you might need
Did you know that up to 40 per cent of the general population are in some way magnesium deficient? Lifestyle stresses and high alcohol, caffeine and sugar consumption can create magnesium deficiencies. Magnesium deficiency can be linked to a whole range of health concerns, including: • anxiety • depression • insomnia • muscle spasms and tightness.
a little extra help especially if you are
bath if I’m feeling particularly tight. It
experiencing muscle tightness, cramps
can create a little tingly sensation when
and general tiredness.
first used but can help you to have a
It’s why we recommend adding a little
great night’s sleep. And we all know
magnesium to your massage at Serenity
that when we sleep well, our bodies
Skin Spa.
can heal themselves better.
At home, I love using magnesium sprays as I find it the easiest way and quickest to gain relief when I am experiencing soreness. I spray magnesium on sore areas and use a heat pack to help with absorption. I also love to add some spray into a
BUNDABERG: Shop 43, 16 Maryborough Street HERVEY BAY: Shop 105, 6 Central Avenue www.serenityskinspa.com.au
UP YOUR
grey game
There’s no denying grey hair has been
this can take up to 12 months depending
the most talked-about shade of the
on your length.
past year. Sure, some people have been
By Kiralee Honor
Googling how to cover it, but the biggest
TONER IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
conversation has been around how to
The fate of the perfect grey shade lays
embrace it or fake it. Either way, some
in the hands of toner. After your hair
serious grey appreciation is happening.
has been bleached, toning will achieve
of SMART ultra-zone technology and
your perfect shade and it’s important
5mm nylon bristles for maximum root
to keep it up if you want your colour
lift, an optimum style temperature of
to last. Grey can sometimes start to
185 degrees is consistently maintained
look a little green over time if it’s not
to give you fullness and bounce.
Like wrinkles, grey hairs are contentious. Some would rather avoid them altogether while others think it’s a privilege to grow older and they rock their silver hair sparkles. Whichever camp you’re in is good with us. But you can also sit between the two with blended greys. Recently there’s been a move towards natural hair enhancement and grey blending is the latest in hair colour.
regularly toned. If you decide to go grey or silver, it’s important to tone your hair every two to three weeks to keep up the colour.
We recommend the ghd helios for a professional looking blow-dried finish. With its ergonomic design and low volume, the ghd helios will give you
Toning at home is surprisingly easy.
smoother, shinier hair due to its ionic
Keep your silver tones from turning
technology and powerful airflow.
brassy by switching to a purple shampoo and conditioner. Grey hair
Whether you have dark hair and are
can also be drier and more brittle than
wanting to embrace your natural greys or
other hair colours so use a conditioner
are a blonde wanting to be toned grey,
each time you shampoo, a deep
we can explain the journey. Moving from
conditioner once a month, and a leave-
coloured hair to embracing your natural
in conditioner to keep your strands soft.
grey will take time and take multiple
THE PLACE HAIRDRESSING
GOING GREEN
Our salon uses water reducing basins and recycled foil. We also use Kevin Murphy products which use 100 per cent ocean waste to make all their bottles. 76 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
colour visits. I always recommend foils to
STYLE IT
07 4152 1800
lighten your natural darker hair and then
The ghd rise is a hot brush used on dry
www.theplacehairdressing.com
tone your natural grey colour. The other
hair that will give you enviable body
option is to let you colour grow out, but
from root to tip. Using a combination
73
pharmaceuticals which work to counteract the effects of stress in the body. Stress can cause very real physical changes in the body, negatively affecting the nervous system, hormonal system and immune system.” Olive said adaptogens work by “hacking” the stress response in the body, which occurs in three stages. “There is the alarm phase, when our bodies respond by increasing hormones like adrenaline that improves performance and increase our ability to concentrate. Then there is the resistance phase, where our body is literally resisting the stressor, so we feel energised and clearer and then comes the phase of exhaustion, where we have nothing left,” she said. Olive said it was believed adaptogens act as neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, anti-depressive, cognitive enhancing and activity stimulating. “At Nurtura Health, we have a large
Herbs
range of adaptogenic herbs with highest-grade effective ingredients, manufactured to ensure their effectiveness and stability,” she said. Olive said an article by the Swedish
for health Nurtura Health Naturopaths Colin
have tried different ways to increase
and Olive Harris said adrenal fatigue,
energy and focus.
essentially a hormonal imbalance, can
sugar and other stimulants for the quick fix, which in turn can bring on other symptoms, becoming a vicious cycle of increased nervousness, headaches, upset stomach, irritability, sleep issues, rapid heartbeat and dehydration. Exhaustion can feel permanent in between trying to meet deadlines,
concluded adaptogens may be regarded as a novel pharmacological category of anti-fatigue drugs. “The most convincing evidence of the efficacy of adaptogens was found in
In our fast-paced world, many people
It might be energy drinks, caffeine,
Herbal Institute (Panossin and Wikman)
often be the culprit behind inexplicable daily exhaustion. “Daily stress can set our adrenal glands, which help produce hormones and regulate our ‘fight-or-flight’ responses, out of balance. This can in turn impact our pituitary or hormone control and thyroid; the organ of metabolism,” Olive said.
balancing work and family life, and
“Herbal medicine, and in
social expectations.
particular ‘adaptogens’, are herbal
studies related to its neuro-protective effects, improvements in mental performance and ability to concentrate during fatigue and in stressful conditions,” Olive said. “If people are experiencing ongoing fatigue, it is certainly something our naturopaths at Nurtura Health can help address.”
Find it
5/21 Electra Street, Bundaberg 07 4153 4112
Specialised healthcare AT ALLIED HEALTH HUB
Coral Coast Physiotherapy and Allied
into a company that now employs 25
“In Bundaberg we offer physiotherapy
Health has a core purpose – to assist
staff, including 19 clinicians.
services as well as being a base for our
people in making achievable and positive changes to their day-to-day lives. No concern is too small and no barrier insurmountable when it comes to assisting patients with their goals. Whether it be recovering from an injury or relieving pain through physiotherapy, enjoying movement through exercise physiology, improving communication for the young and mature with speech pathology, or improving
“Our clinic in Bargara has been growing for a number of years and we were getting asked by patients to open a
“We have a number of staff who specialise in children’s physiotherapy
“At the same time the demand for our
women’s or men’s health, so even
occupational therapists’ services was also growing quickly, and the majority of those patients were in Bundaberg. So we started looking and found a great space, opening our second clinic in January this year.”
with occupational therapy; wherever
Both the Bargara and Bundaberg clinics
Physiotherapy will meet them.
speech pathologist,” Ben said.
clinic in Bundaberg,” Ben said.
quality of life and community access their patient’s needs lie, Coral Coast
six occupational therapists and our
and occupational therapy, as well as though our team is growing we are still able to offer specialised healthcare, which is really important to us. “We have the two locations and a multidisciplinary team so we can be there to help our patients with whatever support they need.”
offer a holistic multidisciplinary approach to treatment in a state-of-the-art allied
Physiotherapist and director Ben
health environment. Recent additions
Heidenreich first opened the clinic as
include complete pilates studios and
a one-man operation in 2012, growing
rehabilitation gyms.
Book it
Open Six Days www.coralcoastphysio.com.au
BARGARA 07 4159 2904 BUNDABERG 07 4335 1888 CALL OR BOOK ONLINE NOW!
www.coralcoastphysio.com.au
FOLLOW US ON
Healthy GLOW Spring is a magical time of year, but
stocks Australian-made eco-friendly
Pharmacy stocked a range of Napoleon
the warmer weather certainly brings
products, like all-natural deodorants
Perdis products and offered expert
its challenges. Chafe. Windburn. Insect
from Earth’s Purities, MooGoo insect
advice to help customers achieve a
bites. Body odour. Often the best
repellent and LuvMe Pandas eco
healthy glow.
point of call for these relatively minor
reusable swim nappies.
irritations is your local pharmacist. They can help treat the symptoms and prevent them developing into more serious conditions. Friendly and knowledgeable,
“Paraben free and suitable for all
A firm favourite on the West Bundaberg
skin types, our Bronze Patrol powder
Pharmacy shelves is Surf Mud. Made on
delivers a sun-kissed radiance with
the Sunshine Coast, Surf Mud’s range of long-lasting natural sunscreens and zincs are reef safe and recyclable – tested on
pharmacists like Brenton Veurman
surfers, not on animals.
(pictured) and the team at West
Brenton said it was easy to burn
Bundaberg Pharmacy can help you
unexpectedly in Spring, leading into
prepare a skin care and sun safety kit
Summer. “It happens a lot quicker than
for your next beach picnic or camping
people might realise,” he said. “But it’s
trip. “We pride ourselves on being
not only happening here and now, it’s
accessible to our customers. They
also speeding up the ageing process.
can walk in at any time without an
As pharmacists we can help treat the
appointment to ask health related
symptoms of mild sunburn, but the only
questions,” Brenton said.
safe tan is actually a fake tan.”
Independent and locally owned,
Senior make-up artist Jenny Francis
West Bundaberg Pharmacy proudly
(pictured centre) said Bundaberg West
golden flecks to reflect the light. Antioxidant vitamin E and jojoba seed oil work to condition and hydrate the skin,” Jenny said. “Napoleon’s Beauty Boosting Balm is an ultra-light hybrid foundation with SPF 30. It brightens and corrects the appearance of uneven skin tone for a dewy finish.”
Need it?
290 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg West 07 4153 4133 www.westpharmacy.com.au
spots? SEEING
As the days get longer and the weather
KSC Principal Medical Practitioner
“It targets and destroys abnormal cells,
warms up, Spring is the second most
Doctor Charles Blair said the procedure,
leaving healthy skin unaffected,” he said.
popular time of year to join a gym
known as painless photodynamic
(after January). There is also a notable
therapy (PDT), was commonly
increase in beauty appointments. We
recommended for patients suffering
all want to be beach-ready in time for
from precancerous skin conditions such
Summer. Sometimes it’s only when we
as actinic keratosis.
start reducing our layers of clothing and venturing out in public with bare arms or shoulders that we notice the condition of our skin. One of the fantastic things about living in the Bundaberg Region is the climate,
“Actinic keratosis appears as rough, dry or scaly patches on the skin. Sunspots develop after years of high sun exposure
“PDT has the cosmetic advantage of being less invasive than surgery, with little to no scarring. In some patients, PDT can also improve the appearance of large pores and pitted acne scars. The duration of active treatment is shorter than other topical at-home treatments like efudix. Downtime is also typically less.
and are more common in people with
“Photodynamic therapy may not be for
fair skin. It can become cancerous if left
everyone, so it’s important patients
untreated,” Charles said.
speak to their doctor. Depending on
but that outdoor lifestyle also comes
Australia has the world’s highest
with risks. Most of us know what we
incidence of actinic keratosis. In
should be doing to protect our skin, but
Queensland the rate is estimated to be
what do you do when the damage is
as high as 60 per cent in people over the
already done?
age of 40, according to News Medical.
Kaleidoscope Skin Cancer Clinic on
Charles said the treatment worked by
Barolin Street is the first clinic in
applying a non-toxic photosensitising
Australia to treat severely sun damaged
cream to the affected area, which was
skin using the German-made Medisun
then activated by the highly-specialised
PDT 1200 light.
light source (Medisun PDT 1200).
your unique medical circumstances, PDT in Spring may help rejuvenate your skin in time for Summer but remember, prevention is always better than treatment.”
Learn more
53 Barolin Street, Bundaberg South 07 4150 3023 | www.ksc.com.au
77
Great southern PLAN
Demand for coastal land in regional
lots, varying in size from 690 sq m to
wanted to ensure any development
Queensland is at an all-time high, as
1100 sq m. The average lot size will
in the seaside community was
southerners seek an easier lifestyle.
be 800 sq m, with prices starting from
masterplanned to meet community
Thanks to a solid bank of volcanic
$200,000. Most lots will be configured
expectations. “John is taking a co-
rock, the stretch of coast spanning
to face north-south to maximise energy
ordinated approach to leave a legacy
from Elliott Heads to Burnett Heads is
efficiency. The first stage will include 30
for his family and the Region; one that
a sure bet for investors worried about
house blocks, with subsequent stages
they can be proud of.”
rising sea levels.
including parks, shopping facilities, a
While the vast majority of absolute
tavern, retirement village and schools.
Ross, a former surveyor, said the 29 titles of land that John had combined
waterfront land has been snapped up in
Helen said Elliott Heads had been listed
for the 194 hectare development were
the Bundaberg Region, it is still possible
in Australia’s top ten most liveable
best suited for residential use. “Due
to buy your own little piece of paradise
towns, and Bundaberg’s population was
to salt water intrusion and a lack of
just a street or two back. Those in the
forecast to grow significantly in coming
irrigation, the land is no longer viable
know have their eyes firmly fixed on
years. “The last thing anyone wants to
for crop farming,” he said. “We’ll be
Elliott Heads. They’re waiting patiently
see at Elliott Heads is a series of small
working with the various local groups,
for the developers of South Beach
piecemeal developments that conflict
businesses and residents to ensure the
Estate to break ground on stage one.
or do not properly address the longer
community is engaged in this exciting
term needs of the township.”
development in a meaningful way.”
With a sales office now onsite, former Bundaberg Regional Councillors Helen
She said local developer John Manera,
Blackburn and Ross Sommerfeld have
the world’s third-largest macadamia
been appointed to manage the project.
grower, began purchasing adjoining
South Beach Estate Stage 1 will be built
parcels of land around Elliott Heads
in five sub stages, with a total of 110
a number of years ago because he
See it!
Contact Helen on 0439 492 339 www.south-beach.com.au
79
&OUT
IN By Jade McKenzie THE PROPERTY STYLING CO.
SIMPLE CHANGES FOR
eco-friendly style
When looking for ways to be more
contains a low VOC and odour formula
eco-conscious at home, remember
for maximum indoor air quality.
that style and sustainability can coexist. Here are a few simple ways to go green at home.
FURNITURE YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT
BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
Introducing indoor plants to your living space will not only bring colour and beauty to your home but they’ll
Have you thought about reinventing
improve the air quality and reduce
POLLUTION FREE PAINT
old furniture and sourcing pieces made
atmospheric carbon dioxide. You can
One of the most affordable ways to
from recycled/reclaimed materials?
also look at placing your plants in
give your home an instant new look is
Rattan furniture and pendants are
baskets made from sustainable fibres
with a fresh coat of paint. However,
another firm favourite of mine. Rattan
such as jute, seagrass and recycled
what we don’t usually consider is the
grows year-round and provides an alternative to logging. It’s a sustainable
PET. As an extremely negligent plant
harmful chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can
material that is harvested by hand and
be found in paints and release toxic
is one way to restore the decreasing
emissions into the atmosphere for years
population of trees. It turns out my
after they’ve coated your walls. The
parents were onto something with all
Did you see Sandra’s tips for upcycling
Pure Performance Range by Taubmans
their rattan furniture and bamboo wall
home furniture? Read the New Vintage
is one of the many now available that
art in the ’80s!
story on Page 42
owner, I can recommend peace lilies and yuccas as they are ridiculously hard to kill.
PHOTO CREDIT: Right Image Photography
Sus tainability MORE THAN JUST SOLAR PANELS
For as long as I’ve been in the
(the energy needed to manufacture,
architecture industry, sustainability
transport, and erect the building) of an
has been a fundamental aspect of
average house is often the equivalent of
the profession. At university we learn
15 to 20 years of that home’s ongoing
the best orientation for a building.
operational energy use (the energy
us, so creative use of space (and the
We study passive ventilation
needed to live in the house). In the last
occasional hard discussion on what is
methods and appropriate materials
40 years, while we have become more
actually needed) is critical to achieve a
for various climates.
environmentally conscious, our new
great home.
In practice, we are bound by ever-stricter regulations on energy efficiency and must keep up with developing technological solutions. The focus is often on increased
homes have increased in size by more than 50 per cent. Often the largest homes have the fewest occupants, as people generally reach greater financial security as their children are leaving the family home. The bigger the house, the
insulation, technical improvements
higher the embodied energy to build it
in glazing design, ecologically-
and the bigger the house, the higher the
friendly materials and high-efficiency
operational energy required to occupy it.
lighting, heating and cooling. These are definitely important but there’s an often-overlooked factor that contributes to a more sustainable built environment: the size of our homes. In Australia, the embodied energy
Bigger houses also mean higher build costs for equal quality. My philosophy is that a home should be special, with
By Tomas O’Malley
Our expectations on the size of our home needs questioning. Can we continue to justify building larger and larger homes for smaller and smaller households? I’m not sure it stacks up from an environmental, economic or social point of view. Sustainability is about more than solar panels on a roof. We need to start looking not only at our carbon footprint but our physical one too.
quality fittings and finishes and spaces
Architect Tomas O’Malley designs
that give the occupants joy. Budgets
buildings that reflect Central
are an unfortunate reality for most of
Queensland’s climate and lifestyle.
81
Shaping
citizens
OF THE WORLD When St Luke’s Anglican School talks about helping students be the best they can be, they aren’t just referring to academic achievements. It’s also about preparing Year 12 students to go out and be great citizens of the world. Head of Senior School Robyn Deer said St Luke’s prided itself on developing the character of students. “For us it is about the end product. It is about getting students into the places they want to go,” Robyn said.
university or are they wanting to go on
The mentoring program is also boosted
to an apprenticeship or other training.”
by a strong pastoral care and co-
A large number of St Luke’s Year 12
curricular program.
students do go on to tertiary studies,
“Focusing on physical and emotional
around 78 per cent, thanks in part to
wellbeing through a lot of different
the supportive school environment.
activities helps to prepare the students
“When our students come into Year
for their next steps,” Robyn said.
11, we have academic advisors, who
“Because we are a small school, we are
are teachers that provide one-on-one
able to tailor the career pathway to
mentoring through Year 11 and 12 to
each student. So we look at where their
help students achieve the goals they
interests lie – are they looking to go to
have set,” Robyn said.
Discover More
www.stlukes.qld.edu.au
Teach kids by getting their
HANDS DIRTY Helping children get involved in sustainability planning and practices is a great way to build their knowledge and understanding of what it means to take care of our planet. As an individual, family and community acting together, we can make a big difference! Since Spring is a great time of the year to venture out into the garden, here are a few things you can do to start teaching kids about sustainability and being eco-friendly. Start your own vegetable garden When children grow their own food they learn the steps that go into bringing food from the farm to the table. It helps kids understand how hard it is to grow food and why sustainable food practices are so important.
Share your produce with your neighbours Start a food swap in your neighbourhood and encourage others to do the same as swapping food reduces food wastage. When children learn about the energy, time and resources used to produce food for it to only go to waste, they are more mindful about how they use food. Visit North Bundaberg Community Garden. Located at Gavin Street, North Bundaberg. The garden is maintained by volunteers. Drop in anytime. Visit Terra Tribe Farm! Located at Howard, on the Burrum River, Terra Tribe is a working permaculture farm. The farm provides education on a life of sustainability, low waste and permaculture. They also run school holiday programs. Spend the weekend at Splitters Farm! Read more about this sustainable working farm on Page 57, or visit Flying High Bird Sanctuary, Snakes Downunder or Alexandra Park Zoo to learn about animal species.
Think marketing/ Think green/ Proudly paperless for 10 years!
Bundaberg Office 3/53 Perry Street, North Bundaberg QLD 4670 Hervey Bay Office 4/17 Torquay Road, Pialba, Hervey Bay, QLD 4655 (entrance on Hunter Street)
ANGELA TWYFORD
Make your own compost Save your food scraps and use these in your garden! This reduces landfill and helps build better gardens. Visit plant nurseries! Bunnings run free kids workshops on weekends and more often during school holidays. Pick Your Own Strawberries! SSS Strawberries, Bargara Berries and Tinaberries all offer pick your own farm experiences. Check with individual farms for opening times and days. Angela Twyford is the co-founder of Wide Bay Kids. For more family events and activities visit www.widebaykids.com.au
Is your technology When we consider adopting a new
BUY CARBON NEUTRAL
piece of technology there are lots
Keep an eye out for companies
of things that sway our decision. Is it fast enough, does it have enough storage for me, is it mobile, does it come in pink? The world of technology is confusing enough that frankly most of us don’t go looking for additional reading material to make
green?
that have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality. For example, Apple have committed to achieving this by
2030, while there are players like the photocopier company Ricoh who have already achieved carbon neutral status.
GEOFF AUGUTIS
a high use of emissions. The smartest
our decisions. But there is often a
RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY
key question that we aren’t asking
Tech shouldn’t just go in the bin when
technology. Newer tech is far more
ourselves — Is it environmentally
you are done with it. If you are a
power conscious.
friendly and sustainable?
consumer, check with your local waste
Surely it comes as no surprise that whether it is a large server or a small iPhone, technology contains precious and often harmful materials. Not many of us
facility on appropriate disposal. If you are a business seek the advice of your IT provider as you will also want to ensure your data is securely erased.
way to address this is to use current
Next time you’re in the market for a new piece of technology, take a second to think about the environment. If you aren’t keen to do the research yourself, any responsible IT provider can point
could last a day without interacting with
POWER CONSUMPTION MATTERS
you in the right direction.
a device that runs on lithium batteries.
It may surprise you to learn that an
Geoff Augutis is a strategic IT
With all of this in mind, how should the
average business’s server can use
consultant and Company Director of
layperson ensure they are part of the
around $1000 per year in power usage.
Queensland Computers in Bundaberg
solution and not the problem?
This is not only a costly power bill but
and Hervey Bay.
Scratchy SPRING
symptoms are scratchy, red and watery
Oh Spring, that joyous time of year
An optometrist may advise a course
heralding the end of the cold season!
of eye drops to treat an eye allergy.
The lambs are frolicking, the flowers
Depending on the severity of signs and
are blooming and yes, the eyes may
symptoms, drops may include either
be itching.
lubricants, antihistamines, mast-cell
possible allergy complaints goes on. Ocular allergy, or allergic conjunctivitis, is an extremely common problem with some studies reporting that up to 40 per cent of people experience it. Our wonderful Region of Bundaberg and surrounds is rich in agriculture and rural industry. We are topographically flat (except for the Hummock!) and enjoy a mostly warm and temperate climate. Unfortunately lots of allergen-
foreign body in them.
stablisers or steroids.
Hayfever, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis … the list of
eyes with sometimes the feeling of a
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
producing plants can thrive in this environment and with winds blowing across the flat land, a significant proportion of locals may be affected by allergy symptoms. What can you do? If you think you’re suffering from eye allergies you can start by seeing your optometrist. We
Some at-home tips that may help reduce your itch include avoiding known allergy-triggers, staying indoors (but that could get boring), wearing sunglasses (yes it really can help), and placing cold packs over your eyes when the itching is bad. As always, if you have any concerns about your eye health or eyesight please consult your optometrist.
can assess the front of your eyes
Andrew Christiansen is the owner
to determine what treatment may
and optometrist at Optical
be required to fix your itch. Typical
Superstore Bundaberg.
THE GREAT
OUTDOORS — IT’S ALL YOURS!
TRACE: WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SPRING
Spring is my favorite season. After three months of cold weather people start coming out of hibernation and here in Bundaberg, we live in the best place for spending time
A passionate and highly experienced photographer, Sabrina is known locally and internationally for her high standards and dedication to her clients. She takes care of details and she is respectful in intimate moments. Fun and easy going, she is always ready to make people smile by making them forget they are in front of a camera.
outdoors. Pack a picnic and head to one of our beautiful beaches. Watching the waves with some delicious food makes for the perfect day out. I also love Spring because barbeques and get-togethers make a comeback. The social scene seems to quiet down over Winter as we’re all indoors with a good book or movie but now that Spring has sprung, clean up your outdoor area, invite your friends and family over and fire up the barbie! Good food, good company and great weather is an ideal way to spend a weekend. MATTY: THE OCEAN IS CALLING
Nature’s playground is my happiest of places and I just love the beach. The feel of jumping into the ocean and lying there weightless and still is calming and almost spiritual. I have such a strong memory from when I was a teenager in Cronulla, Sydney. I went for an early morning bodyboard, and the conditions were perfect. The sun was rising, and I was aware that a couple of hundred meters away people were stirring out of bed, getting into cars, and heading into work. I could see and hear their hustle and bustle, but I felt so separate. I was in a magical wonderland, full of peace and calm. It was spiritual—at least that’s how I can best describe it. I don’t think I’m an overly spiritual person but that morning I felt connected to planet Earth and something bigger. We have some amazing beaches here and when I visit them, I sometimes walk and shut my eyes for a few steps—taking in the sounds, the feel and the smells. You can literally walk along Moore Park Beach without seeing another person and Elliott Heads is an Insta-worthy postcard. Get out and enjoy the amazing spots we have here. It’s good for the soul. Matty Ambrose and Tracey Sergiacomi are radio hosts for the Breakfast Program on 93.9 Hitz FM, weekdays from 6am.
0438 425 792 sabrinalauristonphotography.com.au
With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Michael began his Real Estate career alongside his father-in-law Ian Michael with a passion that only increased with time.
Michael Dempsey
Lacey Wallace
0417 605 755
0401 172 243
Owner, Principal & Auctioneer
Sales Associate
Soon after, Michael purchased the business and has since established a successful, independent agency in the heart of the Bundaberg CBD, with the value of creating ‘Clients for Life’.
WHY CHOOSE MICHEALS REAL ESTATE? Extensive knowledge of the area as we are locals Free appraisals in Bundaberg and surrounding areas Competitive commission rates No upfront or hidden costs Professional Marketing exposure over a wide range of advertising platforms Listings are sent to our data base of over 16,000 people each week
List your Property with us WHILE THE MARKET IS
BOOMING!
PHONE FOR YOUR
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262 BOURBONG STREET BUNDABERG www.michaelsrealestate.com.au
See 2020 Overall Winner Ping Carlyon creating her award-winning piece Be Positive.
Drawing OUT THE BEST
When you connect with a piece of art, it’s almost like it is speaking to you. Telling you a story. Perhaps of its origins, or one pulled from the depths of your imagination. There is something mature or grown up about purchasing original artwork and displaying it in your home. It’s a conversation starter. A thought provoker. A treasure. The Bundaberg Art Prize, on exhibition from September 11 to 26, is the largest collection of artworks available for sale in Bundaberg. It is also the largest showcase of the Region’s artists. Bundaberg Art Prize president Phil Oakley said about 80 per cent of the hundreds of pieces came from the
Sydney and Melbourne. “With hundreds of pieces on display across four categories – Easel, Paper, Digital and 3D – it really showcases that you don’t have to go to the Sunshine Coast or Brisbane to buy good quality art,” Phil said. The high calibre of work on display is thanks in part to the $10,000 overall winner’s prize on offer. “The prize money has certainly motivated people in the past two years to support the event and showcase their best work. It has even made amateur artists sit up and give it a go, motivated by the quality of art,” he said. “It has been wonderful to elevate in people’s minds the quality of art and artists we have here. Bundaberg is not
always thought about as an art centre, but we really are.” The large prize pool is only made possible by the collective sponsors, who all donate part of the overall prize. “It’s very unique to do it this way, but it makes it much more of a communitybased event and we are thankful for the business support we receive,” he said. You won’t find the Bundaberg Art Prize in a gallery. Each year it takes over vacant shops in the Bundaberg CBD, turning them into a pop-up gallery. All artwork entered is for sale, with prices ranging from just $50 into the thousands of dollars. Ensuring that no matter what your budget, a piece of handcrafted and heartfelt artwork is ready to take up pride of place in your home.
Bundaberg Region, with another 10 per cent from the greater Wide Bay area and the remainder from other areas across Australia such as Brisbane,
Be inspired
The Bundaberg Arts Prize is open to the public. Visit www.bundabergartprize.com.au for location and open times.
87
Stories (and love), make the world go round. Stories capture our minds and help us connect, pull at our heart strings and inspire insight, reflection, change and personal growth. This is why storytelling lies at MICHAEL DART
the very core of our community.
SILO MAGIC
I recently travelled to Winton, in lieu of Paris, and made the deliberate detour to pass by the Three Moons Silos and Monto Art Trail (pictured above and featured in Issue 3) in the North Burnett Region. The artworks are breathtaking and tell the stories of the Gooreng Gooreng people, Chinese fossickers, jackaroos, local personalities and school children. Transforming unattractive but functional infrastructure into heartfelt art has inspired a new campaign by the Childers Chamber of Commerce to beautify the town’s water tower. The Chamber is in talks with Bundaberg Regional Council to give the town “wow factor” from the southern approach on the Bruce Highway. I, for one, look forward to seeing the project come to fruition. KANGAROO TAIL
In another little piece of magic, Creative Regions recently began the first stage of a new project in the Woodgate area, The Kangaroo Tail. The local multi-arts production company is pursuing the theme ‘Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves—Together’ commencing with Traditional Owner, Byron Broome from the Taribelang Cultural Aboriginal Corporation sharing stories with students from Goodwood State Primary School, before providing a demonstration on the traditional method to start fire. Visual artist, Jess Newitt then leads students through a stop-motion animation workshop, focused on respecting the environment. An animation workshop with a similar theme was hosted at the Woodgate Community Hall recently and will culminate in large-scale projection art at events in the Region soon. Michael Dart is an actor, Director of Creative Regions and member of the Playhouse Theatre.
storytelling
MULTI-PURPOSE
what’s on SEPTEMBER 4 SEPTEMBER
PBR Bull Mania @Burnett Heads Featuring Australia’s elite bull riders matched up against a rank pen of bucking bulls, this is an action-packed night not to be missed. 11-26 SEPTEMBER
THE
DIARY
Bundaberg Art Prize @Bundaberg CBD Showcasing the Bundaberg Region and beyond’s best artistic talents, the Bundaberg Art Prize is the Region’s biggest art exhibition, with all pieces available for purchase.
OCTOBER 1-4 OCTOBER
BCC Festival and Preptastic @Bundaberg Christian College
Woodgate Arts In Spring @Woodgate Beach
With all the charm of a country fair and incorporating the College’s agriculture farm, the action-packed BCC Festival includes a full sideshow alley, rides and slides, all-day entertainment and live music, market stalls, food galore and more.
Held over the long weekend in October, Woodgate Arts In Spring is a curated art exhibition officially opened with a gala on Friday and closed with a market day on Monday.
12 SEPTEMBER
Australia’s favourite showgirl celebrates 40 years from stage to jungle with her dazzling new show Glamazonia. Rhonda will be backed by a sizzling hot band, plus tantalising toy boys to help her burn up the dance floor.
Bringing together the Region’s strawberry fanatics, farmers, lovers, adorers and bakers to enjoy a family fun-day of strawberry-licious delights. 21 SEPTEMBER
Daisy Quokka World’s Scariest Animal | Free Family Film @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre Featuring an all-star voice cast, this new animated feature film brings to life a spirited set of Australian animal characters for a fun and inspiring adventure. Bookings are essential for this free event.
30 OCTOBER
Woodgate Blues Rock Festival @Woodgate Beach Hotel The Woodgate Beach Hotel is set to rock with the sound of blues at this inaugural event, featuring six-hours of not stop live blues music.
NOVEMBER
11 SEPTEMBER
Strawberry Sunday @Riverfest Bundaberg
to salt water and fresh water country and encompassing the broader and complimentary themes of environmental care, connection to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, water catchments and local storytelling through an arts and culture framework.
2 OCTOBER
Rhonda Burchmore: Glamazonia @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
23 OCTOBER
DAYZFEST Music Festival @Bundaberg Recreational Precinct Combining world-class production with some of the best artists on the Australian DJ scene, Bundy’s biggest dance party is set to raise the bar in entertainment.
5 NOVEMBER
1927 @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre From the golden era for Australian rock bands, to reinvigorating fans today, 1927 have been entertaining audiences for 30 years and have stood the test of time as icons of the Australian music scene. 16 NOVEMBER
David Strassman – The Chocolate Diet @Moncrieff Entertainment Centre David Strassman is one of Australia’s favourite comedians, a master of his art. Experience uproarious comedy with infamous favourites Ted E.Bare and the evil Chuck Wood. 28 NOVEMBER
Nitro Circus @Bundaberg Recreational Precinct Showcasing some of the best motocross athletes in the world, performing a high-octane spectacular. All events are accurate at the time of publication and may be weather permitting and subject to change or
25 OCTOBER – 7 NOVEMBER
cancellation without notice, especially
Milbi Festival @Various locations
due to the unpredictable nature of
The festival celebrates the Region’s iconic turtle encounters, connecting
details online with event organisers as
COVID-19 restrictions. Please confirm close to the event as possible.
For more events, search online for Bundy Gig Guide, Wide Bay Kids, Bundaberg Tourism and What's On Bundaberg. To have your next event featured in The Crush Diary email hello@crushmagazine.com.au
Want more reasons to fall in love with the Bundaberg Region? Missed an issue of Crush Magazine?
MEET OUR
PAST FLAMES I'M YOURS
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Our back issues and stories are available to read anytime on our website; showcasing the Region’s best offerings in food, style, health, leisure, industry and the arts.
www.crushmagazine.com.au/past-flames
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READERS PER ISSUE
LOCALS & VISITORS from Childers to Agnes Water.
What does this mean for advertisers? With all issues of Crush Magazine available online forevermore, your advertising dollars go further and last longer. Your ability to sell will continue long after you’ve placed your advertisement. • 10,000 printed copies, distributed to locals and visitors from Childers to Agnes Water • Emailed to more than 1000 digital subscribers and shared on social media • Digital magazine available on Crush Magazine’s website, as well as global publishing platform Issuu, and the National and State libraries.
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