DarwinLife Magazine: Mar-Apr 2014

Evan Papandonakis | Hamilton Photography NT

MARCH/APRIL 2014

Owner Women

OPERATOR

IN TRAINING AND

RECRUITMENT

INVESTING School Holiday Fun I N D ARW IN

EASTER SATURDAY AT THE WATERFRONT Saturday 19 April, 10.00am - 2.00pm, FREE. Don’t miss the free family fun this Easter Saturday at Darwin Waterfront!

• Have a photo taken with Easter Bunny • Have fun playing with Life. Be In It games • Plenty of jumping castles and waterslides for all ages • Easter Art & Craft • Free face painting • Wave Lagoon is open from 10am to 6pm. Full day family pass just $18 (max 2 adults and 3 children).

Pack a picnic for the lawns or choose from a variety of food also available from local restaurants and cafes (dine in or takeaway).

Event will only be cancelled due to extreme weather conditions.

For more information check website or www.facebook.com/darwinwaterfront.

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING HAPPENING AT DARWIN WATERFRONT Visit www.waterfront.nt.gov.au for the latest news and a list of all upcoming events.

Beginners Tai Chi, every Saturday, 7am, FREE Try beginners Tai Chi in the Waterfront parklands every Saturday. Classes are provided by a fully qualified instructor and designed to suit all ages and levels of fitness.

Wave Lagoon Aqua Zumba, every Sunday 9am Wave Lagoon Aqua Zumba brings the Zumba Fitness Experience to the water by adapting all the Latin moves to an aqua fitness class.

Adults $12, Children (under 15yrs) $8. Class fee includes full day entry to the Wave Lagoon until 6pm.

P

Paid parking applies 7 days a week at the Darwin Waterfront.

Park 2 hours FREE at the Kitchener Drive multi-storey carpark or $2 for 3 hours and $4 for 4 hours

t. 8999 5155 | e. darwinwaterfront@nt.gov.au | waterfront.nt.gov.au

DarwinLife Magazine

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march / april

Leasel Avila

Lance Collyer

Being positive is your greatest asset in LIFE. The economy is on the up, a stable government in office and cranes still in the sky. – What’s not to be positive about?

My advice, (for what its worth) is to think positive thoughts.

Look at the good in your life and the things you have accomplished ...even the little things.

In truth, people generally don’t have a high level of attitude awareness. They’ll know if they’re hungry or if their feet hurt, but they usually don’t have a good handle on their attitude. This is a mistake because attitude is everything. It governs the way you perceive the world and the way the world perceives you.

I saw a great movie the other day, “About Time.” -What a wake up call! It shows a normal, average mans ability to travel back in time. It shows him having a relatively crap day.

He then relives that day taking his time to look at the detail, but this time with a positive attitude... you guessed it, his day became “brilliant”. I tried this the very next day and instead of a grumpy face and sore back, I literally bounced out of bed and from that moment on my day was “brilliant”.

Our year here at DarwinLife is set to be brilliant. We kick it off with this fantastically positive issue of DarwinLife and launch right into the 2014 Home and Lifestyle Show. If you want to join us in a great year, contact us about being part of this fabulous Expo being held in May this year at the Darwin Show grounds. Telephone 8981 2600.

Go on be positive.

From the team at DarwinLife.

Blair Martin

Prisarnia Fowler

Stephanie Griggs

We trust them, so you can too.

For your vehicle repairs and servicing trust the people AANT trusts. We have 23 approved repairers across Darwin because they’ve agreed to meet strict conditions regarding workmanship, equipment and pricing.

We trust them and we recommend you do too.

For your nearest approved repairer call 8925 5901 or visit aant.com.au/approvedrepairers

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DarwinLife Magazine

Conveniently located on Cavenagh St, Quest Darwin offers 90 self-contained studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments.

Perfect for corporate and leisure travellers, overnight or long term requirements.

Conference and meeting facilities are also available.

Book your 2014 half day conference/meeting and mention DarwinLife to receive a complimentary upgrade to a full day room hire. *Book before 31 March. Subject to terms and conditions.

Quest Darwin 55 Cavenagh St Darwin NT 0800 Ph 08 8982 3100 | E questdarwin@questapartments.com.au

www.questdarwin.com.au

Do You Have The Voice?

Date

Sat. 17 May 2014

Start 5.30pm

Held at

Enter through your school

Schweppes Pavilion

Spaces are limited

Darwin Turf Club

Celebrity judge

Omar Dean performs on the night

TICKETS

Dinner and Show – enjoy entrée, main and beverage service from your reserved seat $80pp Show only - reserved seat, kiosk and bar available - Adults $25 / Child $15 Performers FREE / Under 5 FREE

Winning Student Prize

Opportunity to perform 2 x songs at the 2014 Qantas Darwin Turf Club Gala Ball $1000 store credit at Top End Sounds Music Centre Styling advice from the Carnival Ambassador for the outfit

Entrants must be +13 years Only vocal or acoustic performances Nominations close 14 April 2014

Opportunity to do a joint radio interview and possible TV interview

Winning Student School’s Prize $2000 Store Credit for Music equipment for the school at Top End Sounds Music Centre Acknowledgment during the MC’s speech at the Gala Ball and in all press releases and associated marketing

www.darwinturfclub.org.au

8923 4222

DarwinLife Magazine

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TELEPHONE

EMAIL

WEB

ADDRESS

08 8947 3232

print@actionprint.com.au

actionprint.com.au

59 Albatross St Winnellie

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DarwinLife Magazine

MARCH APRIL 2014 Publishers/Directors Leasel Avila | leasel@darwinlifemag.com Lance Collyer | lance@darwinlifemag.com 2IC/Sales Executive Blair Martin blair@darwinlifemag.com | 0420 413 987 Sales Executive Prisarnia Fowler prisarnia@darwinlifemag.com | 0416 616 766 Stephanie Griggs stephanie@darwinlifemag.com | 0422 256 353 EXPO Enquiries expo@darwinlifemag.com Freelance Writers Danielle Lee-Ryder Peta Burton Photographers Mark Hamilton - Cover Shoot Steve Archer Graphic Designers Gil’s Graphic Solutions A big thank you to Krys, Julius & Ruth Website www.darwinlifemag.com.au Twitter DarwinLifeMag Facebook DarwinLife Magazine Office address 2/48 Cavenagh Street (GPO Building) Darwin NT 0800 DarwinLife Magazine is published bi-monthly by Darwin Life Pty Ltd. All material within the publication remains the property of the publishers unless permission is otherwise sought in writing. Those who make advertising placement and or supply editorial content to Darwinlife magazine undertake to ensure all material does not infringe copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title. The above mentioned patrons agree to indemnify the publishers against any investigations, claims or judgements. The views expressed in DarwinLife Magazine are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily shared by the publication. DarwinLife P/L copyright MARCH/APRIL 2014

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DarwinLife Magazine

20 – 33 Owner/Operator

YOTS Greek Taverna Advanced Body Image Your Real Estate Kerry’s Massage Gloria Jeans Coffee House Intouch Realty K K Electrical The Brat Pack

42 – 49 Arts and Entertainment

Entertainment Centre Darwin Languages Centre Skycity Casino presents Adam and Selinas Illusionists Flix in the Wet

50 – 59 Business and Community Australian Financial Advisers AFA Mortgage Solutions Darwin Sailing Club Business Wizardry Territory Uniforms TIO Mobile Home Lending Living Water Smart Alfred’s

60 – 64 Women in Training and

Recruitment Hayden Recruitment GTNT Biznorth Australian Institute of Personal Trainers

65 – 71 Kids Life

School Holiday Fun YMCA Water Parks Blended Step Families – Jack Stephane Taming a Trauma – Sue Hyde Events @ KJS Creative Kids – Cathy Huggett

70 – 79 Food and Drink

Pavonia Place Penfolds Wines celebrates 170 years Things they are changing on the Darwin café scene

80 – 98 Fashion/Beauty/Health/Fitness Marmalade Hair Essence of Beauty Darwin Laser Cosmetic Get amongst it Luminary Beauty

113 – 131 Darwin Home

Investing in Darwin Australian Property Panel Vision Money Bluemint Property Management

NOW PROVIDING

Rebate Only Dental Care For Medicare Approved Children Aged 2 To 17years Please Phone 8932 6882 For an Appointment 104 Dwyer Circ, Driver (Opposite the Palmerston Golf Club)

FOR ALL YOUR CHILDRENS DENTAL CARE DarwinLife Magazine

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OVER 2500 PEOPLE FLOCKED TO LAKE BENNETT LAST YEAR FOR THE INAGURAL BLOOD, SWEAT & FEARS & THIS YEAR IS SET TO EXPLODE WITH MORE CHOICES, MORE OBSTACLES AND MORE COURSES! Blood, Sweat & Fears is a fitness challenge like no other and is set over distances of 5, 10, 15 and 21.6KM. The course is scattered with obstacles designed to test both physical and mental limitations. Only those that are true to themselves will get through when their body fatigues – the mentally strong will finish intact and for those needing extra motivation a cold crisp beer is waiting at the finish line!

This year Blood, Sweat & Fears will introduce a 5km and a 15km to add to the already existing 10km & 21.6km courses. These routes are designed to test all levels of fitness from the beginner to the elite athlete competing in the half marathon. Competitors can expect more challenging obstacles and a few hidden surprises thrown in for good measure!

The home of Blood, Sweat & Fears is Lake Bennett, located an hour south of Darwin in the Northern Territory bush.

With the harsh climate and terrain, this will be a fitness challenge for all levels of fitness.

Upon registering for the 2014 Blood, Sweat & Fears, competitors will have access to training & nutritional tips, free weekly training sessions and the opportunity to be a part of the largest outdoor group fitness session held on the Esplanade in April.

Spectators are welcome to join in the fun with cameras, GoPros and general ‘Go you good thing’ to show their support. Camping is available both Friday & Saturday nights with the MASSIVE after party on Saturday featuring Darwin’s finest live entertainment. The after party is time to kick back with your mates, compare bruises and have a few well deserved drinks while dancing the night away – and what better way to spend your May Day long weekend!

info@bsfnt.com.au | 0439 099 545

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DarwinLife Magazine

THE FACES OF BLOOD, SWEAT & FEARS COMPETITION:

The Face of Blood, Sweat & Fears is on once again at the Vic Hotel throughout March & April.

This year the competition is open to both girls & guys and seeks contestants passionate about fitness, diet & wellbeing.

Plenty of prizes are up for grabs including $1000 cash for each winner.

For more details or to enter The Face of Blood, Sweat & Fears email info@bsfnt.com.au

HIGH SCHOOL CHALLENGE – SUNDAY 4TH MAY:

After plenty of feedback & requests from parents & students - Blood, Sweat & Fears will also feature a High School Challenge this year for 13 – 18 year olds.

The High School Challenge encourages all teenagers to get off the couch and get training with their mates - set a goal and conquer it!

Both the 5km & 10km courses are available with an awesome trophy up for grabs!

IMPORTANT BLOOD, SWEAT & FEAR DATES: Running club in conjunction with the Park Run every Saturday at 7am – Esplanade Darwin City Group Outdoor Fitness Session – Monday’s 5.30pm – Esplanade Darwin City March 31st April 7th April 14th (Record Attempt) April 21st April 28th The Face of Blood, Sweat & Fears The Vic Hotel Sunday 23rd March Sunday 30th March Sunday 6th April Grand Final – Sunday 13th April

DarwinLife Magazine

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Berry Springs/Cox Peninsula

DO

ADVENTURE

DO EASTER I N T H E T O P END

The Berry Springs/Cox Peninsula region provides a tantalising taste of the Top End’s most pristine landscapes and unique wildlife within an hour from Darwin City. Just 50 kilometres south of Darwin the gently undulating Cox Peninsula Road links the springs and timbered country of Berry Springs to the scenic coastline at the Peninsula’s tip. Locals consider the Peninsula as their best kept secret; the perfect getaway for a weekend of relaxing by a spring fed creek, saluting a sunset on an isolated beach or hauling in a big one within cooee of the pub.

The acclaimed Territory Wildlife Park at Berry Springs gives great insight to the Top End’s critters and creatures, and the best way to start your journey to Litchfield National Park via Cox Peninsula and Litchfield Roads.

Pockets of fascinating World War II sites along the journey bring Darwin’s history to life. The Peninsula spoils action lovers for choice with fishing charters, helicopter safaris, quad bike tours, and four wheel drive adventures. It is easy to spend a few days or more exploring the Peninsula, with its range of camping, lodge, holiday house and B&B accommodation and dining places providing options.

East Arnhem Land

East Arnhem Land is one of the Top End’s most spectacular natural destinations. With rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, remote island escapes, and rivers teeming with fish, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can do everything from guided local tours to fishing adventures and island escapes, or simply relax and unwind - the choice is yours. Experience picturesque camping at isolated beaches along the East Arnhem Land coast, have a blue water fishing experience, take a cultural tour, explore Dhimurru recreational areas by four-wheel drive, relax at an island resort and check out the local arts and crafts.

Mary River Region

Once visited, never forgotten - many believe that the vast wetlands of the Mary River are the most beautiful in the Top End. These wetlands are home to a variety of birdlife, the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles and some of the biggest barramundi – it’s an anglers dream. It’s so easy to tour this area as conventional vehicles are a breeze even on the unsealed roads, in the drier months. During the wetter months a four wheel drive will open up greater panoramas and often allow access through creek beds. Guided boat tours are available out of Corroboree Billabong, Point Stuart and Mary River Park, and nearby attractions include jumping crocodiles on the Adelaide River and Window on the Wetlands. A range of accommodation from camping and cabins to luxury lodges cater to all needs.

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DarwinLife Magazine

Kakadu National Park

This place is simply breathtaking. Take a cruise along the intriguing Magela Creek system. Only available in the wetter months this cruise takes in some amazing sights as you cruise through vast pristine paperbark forests. You’ll glide past lily pads, tall wet season grasses and through freshwater mangrove billabongs. With your expert guide, learn of local Aboriginal mythology, bush survival skills and traditional uses for many plants from the area. Or put on your hiking boots and enjoy the serenity of the Gubara pools – just remember to take your four wheel drive to navigate the road in! If you’re stuck for other ideas, pick up your free local Kakadu Park Guide from Tourism Top End which will become your bible for long weekend breaks.

The Katherine Region

Stunning Nitmiluk Gorge is accessible all year round.

Whether you take to the gorge in a powerboat when the river is running high, or a more relaxed dinner cruise, from the air, or perhaps even by canoe, it will be an experience that will stay with you forever. The Katherine region is home to fantastic art and culture centres, as well as museums showcasing the region’s history and offering insight into what makes it such a unique and exciting destination. Float down Bitter Springs in Elsey National Park on the edge of nearby Mataranka township, or explore the gold mining and railway history of Pine Creek.

Litchfield National Park and Surrounds

A top spot in the Top End, we recommend spending the entire long weekend in the region to explore the park and nearby Adelaide River and Batchelor. Pack a picnic and head down to the picnic area at the top of Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park and make it your mission to take a refreshing dip in as many pools as you can manage, exploring other gems such as Green Ant Creek. Just remember to always check access after heavy rainfall.

Book your Easter adventure now through Tourism Top End and you’ll be in the draw to win a trip for two with Outback Floatplane Adventures where you will airboat ride through the rainforest channels, take a helicopter flight over the floodplains of Litchfield National Park and land on the pristine Sweets Lagoon in a spectacular floatplane!

BOOK NOW!

Tourism Top End (08) 8980 6000 Cnr Bennett & Smith St, Darwin City tourismtopend.com.au DarwinLife Magazine

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BOOK EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SEATS ON

HELICOPTERS & BILLABONG CRUISE FLOATPLANES

& CRO

C-SAFE POOL

AIRBOATS

OFF-ROAD

BUGGIES

08 8981 4881 | E: bookings@outbackfloatplanes.com.au | www.outbackfloatplanes.com.au

THE TERRITORY’S ULTIMATE TOUR!

THE ULTIMATE WAY

TO SEE THE NT WITH MATT WRIGHT

Chopper Pilot • Dangerous Animal Expert

National Geographic’s ‘Outback Wrangler’ The Ultimate Outback Tour starts your day with a courtesy air-conditioned coach transfer from your accommodation.

Only a short 30-minute flight from Darwin Airport, you are quickly transported to Sweets Lagoon to begin enjoying the serenity and excitement of this half-day tour.

After a spectacular Floatplane landing on the waters of our remote lagoon, you are met by the mother ship, ‘Cyclone Creek’. On board our cruise vessel, it’s time to sit back and relax, while enjoying a cooked breakfast or BBQ barramundi lunch.

Cruising along the pristine waterways, make sure to have your camera ready as you’ll encounter various wildlife including, wild boars, barramundi, turtles, extensive birdlife and of course BIG saltwater crocodiles.

Our helicopter awaits on the roof of ‘Cyclone Creek’ to take you for a breathtaking birds-eye view of the neighbouring floodplains of Litchfield National Park.

A truly rare treat, otherwise impossible to reach.

In one of our ‘Off-Road Buggies’ you embark on a transfer beneath the ancient rainforest canopy, learn traditional bush secrets and get up close and personal with the local crocs!

But wait there’s more! … Jump in, sit down and HOLD ON! Our state of the art airboat ‘Gale Force’ takes you on an exhilarating ride. For a change of pace you glide over the picturesque wetlands and weave your way in and out of the rainforest channels.

When back on board the Floatplane dock and before your unique water take-off return flight to Darwin, you also have the opportunity to cool off and end the day with a refreshing dip in the croc-safe purpose built pool.

This experience definitely ticks all the boxes for an outback Territory adventure.

Be sure to bring your camera to capture all the excitement and beauty that this Ultimate Outback Tour has to offer! See Trip Advisor for reviews.

Matt Wright has spent his life in the great outdoors drawn to creatures most of us would run from. Fascinated by the Saltwater Crocodile, Matt resides in the Northern Territory where he continues to collect crocodile eggs and relocate problem ‘Salties’.

As a chopper pilot, Matt has been able to access areas that would otherwise be impossible to reach. He now unlocks some of these once hidden treasures for all to see on his brand new ultimate adventure tour, Outback Floatplane Adventures.

Matt’s unique skills as a helicopter pilot, animal conservationist and wildlife relocation expert can be seen in his television series on Nat Geo Wild, ‘Outback Wrangler’.

DarwinLife | Cover Story

by Danielle Lee-Ryder

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DarwinLife Magazine

Cover Story | DarwinLife

Evan Papandonakis really is the face of the Darwin Greek community. Everything about him personifies it – fiercely loyal to his family, extroverted and the perfect host.

“I’m from one of the first Greek families that settled in Darwin, my grandpa arrived here in the 1930s,” he said. “Throughout the years my family has been heavily involved in the Greek community and instrumental in its development.”

Evan is proud of his heritage, “I’m of Greek descent, but I’m a Darwin Greek. There is a difference. As much as I have travelled, Darwin is home. It’s a state of mind. It’s about salty plums, mud flats, mangoes and banyan trees. It’s in your blood,” he said. “I’m Greek but I’m also Aussie with good Darwin values.”

“I married a local Greek girl, Anna she gets it - and we really try to instill that into our kids as much as we can.”

So it’s only natural that Evan has turned being Greek into good business. Anna and him took over the flailing YOTS restaurant in 2006. “We returned it to being the premier dining destination in Darwin. It lost its way there for a while. We took it back to its roots and made it authentically Greek.”

“At YOTS Greek Taverna, our customers benefits from the rivalry between my mum and mother in law.

They make all the traditional sweet delicacies on offer. We have real Greek music, good service and tasty authentic fayr. We are not a ‘smash the plate’ kind of place, but we are unashamedly Greek and don’t hold back.”

“Owning YOTS was really a natural progression for me – it captures my love of good food, pleasing people and showcasing my heritage to others. I don’t have to be here at the restaurant, but I love it, and I’m a self-confessed control freak so I want to be here to meet and greet. I want to be the face of the place.”

Speaking about being recognized many would know Evan’s face thanks to starring in the television show Top End Boys in 2003 and being the co-host of the Greek Glenti Festival for the past 10 years.

“I love being involved with the Glenti,” he said.

“When not at YOTS, I channel a lot of my energy into fundraising for the Glenti’s nominated charity.

Last year we raised $120,000 for a children’s charity.

As part of my co-hosting duties I have to dress up and entertain the crowds. It is good to get out there to help, it appeals to the philanthropist in me.”

Evan said he is passionate about giving back to the community. “I always try to help others and be nice,” he said.

“That’s the mentality I live by and I have been heavily involved in various Greek committees over the years.”

Outside of business, Evan is a devoted family man. He’s been married to Anna for 14 years after meeting at the Glenti and they have two kids – six-year-old Athanasia and Anthony who’s four. “They are what make me get out of bed each morning – and also making me broke!” he says laughingly about his son and daughter.

Evan may be the boss of six staff members at YOTS, but he says Anna is the real boss. “Everybody knows that. She’s the one who keeps things ticking over, the one who keeps it altogether as well as being a mum to two young children.”

“In my case, Anna is the reason behind my success, the one who motivates me. I’ve been blessed. She keeps me on the straight and narrow.”

Darwin is home. It’s a state of mind.

DarwinLife Magazine

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OPERATOR More and more people are taking the plunge shaking off the 9 to 5 shackles – and opening up their own business.

Being your own boss sounds appealing, but being successful at it takes someone to think out of the box, determination and often a lot of ‘blood, sweat and tears’.

Whether you open up your own restaurant, café, beauty salon or pursue your trade or profession – there is one common denominator, the buck usually stops with you.

Generally, successful business owners are not only talented in their line of profession, they are also savvy, street smart hard workers who trust their instincts and surround themselves with good people. Often, they have the guts to throw in the security of being simply an employee and seize the challenge of being responsible for their own success.

Being a frontier town, and one that is still so young, plenty of opportunities still abound in Darwin. Being in the right place at the right time is often all that it takes for the start of the next local success story.

This month, we turn the spotlight on the Territorians who had a dream and turned it into reality. They are a passionate lot, with drive to make a splash in the Darwin business pond. They pride themselves on being the mastermind and face of their business and know that their customer’s satisfaction lies squarely with them. They epitomise the Territory spirit of throwing their hat into the ring with an idea and just giving it a go.

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DarwinLife Magazine

OPERATOR

“If I listened to what everybody had to say and their two cents, I wouldn’t be trading today.”

Evan Papandonakis Owner | YOTS Greek Tavern

consistently & simply greek at Y O T S G r e e k T a v e rna “You can’t be everything to everybody - you have to trust yourself and your instinct.” And Evan’s instinct paid off when he and his wife Anna took over the reins of the iconic Darwin restaurant in 2006. “We restored YOTS to its former glory. It has everything – the beautiful waterfront location, amazing fit-out - but it had kind of lost its way there for a while.”

“We turned it around. Previously it was a Mediterranean, kind of Greek, influenced restaurant – we decided to take it back to its traditional roots. There were no other traditional full blown Greek restaurants in Darwin, so we decided that’s what we would do. The food, music and atmosphere - it’s all Greek.”

After years of working for other people in the hospitality industry Evan decided that it was time to strike it out on his own. “I always knew I would work for myself, it was just a matter of waiting for the right opportunity to come along.”

“I come from a family that have proudly worked for themselves.

When the opportunity to take over YOTS presented itself, Anna and I knew it was ‘now or never’,” he said.

“It’s a great feeling to wake up every day and being in control of your own destiny. Ultimately how successful you are depends on how much effort you put in. No two days are ever the same.

I answer to myself.”

Evan thinks there are a number of keys to success. “It’s all about the four Ps – people, product, passion and position,” he said. “I surround myself with good people, I know my product and keep it simple and as authentic as possible, I love what I do and we have a great location.”

“Consistency and attention to detail are also important.”

He said the worst thing about owning your own business is the responsibility. “I’m accountable to my staff. I have six full timers that depend upon me and I don’t take that lightly. If we aren’t a success there is a knock on effect, it affects others.”

So if Evan could impart some advice, what would it be?

“Remember, the customer is king; you lose business if you have a customer leave unhappy,” he said.

“And enjoy what you do – if you don’t, don’t do it, because you ultimately will fail.”

A: 4/5 Marina Blvd Cullen Bay P: 8981 4433 E: yots@yots.com.au

DarwinLife Magazine

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OPERATOR

We see things as we are not as they are through the eyes of others. You never know what shoes they’ve walked in.”

KATY Sullivan Full Time Director | Advanced Body Image

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DarwinLife Magazine

OPERATOR MORE THAN

skin deep A dvanced

B ody

I mage

The professional Laser & Cosmetic Clinic

Darwin is blessed to have Katy Sullivan. The director of Advanced Body Image has an enormous heart and an unparalleled set of skills and expertise that have been changing lives on many levels across the region for 15 years.

The laser expert and permanent-­cosmetic makeup artist started her Nightcliff shopping centre-­based business as a beauty salon but her vision to assist people with permanent avenues of treatment cemented her rare and unrivalled understanding of, and empathy for, clients’ dreams, needs and outcomes. Clients, in return, gave Katy something precious indeed, their trust.

And, each has had a very individual need.

“One lady in her twenties had a prominent, facial birthmark and endured an emotional childhood and multiple surgeries that left her with massive scarring,” says Katy. “She came to me for help and is now beside herself with the results we’ve achieved so far.” A mother who has a daughter with cerebral palsy also needed Katy’s help with laser hair removal for excessive sweating. “I learned the young girl couldn’t look after herself and her mother was just trying to alleviate the stares,” remembers Katy. “It brought me to tears though when the mother said, ‘I’m doing this because I won’t be able to shave my daughter when I’m gone’”. There are also confronting stories of people who had been cutting themselves due to severe levels of depression but Katy was able to improve their scarring to help them move forward in their lives. Many treatments like these were also done in-­kind. “I don’t charge where I can give back to people because some conditions can be quite debilitating and I don’t feel people should have to pay for this.” All these people have allowed Katy to comprehend how fortunate she is to love what she’s doing. “I’m in it for them to help them feel the best they can and provide honest, well-­educated, qualified answers and outcomes.

Katy’s seven, long term, qualified paramedical/beauty therapists also share some much-­sought after attributes. “People need to feel comfortable about asking anything, in what can be an intimidating industry, and we’re all very real people and create an environment that’s open, welcoming and above all, equal. My girls are passionate about skin, share an enthusiasm for achieving results and improving conditions rather than just offering the nurturing side of beauty and are all intoxicated about the technology we use, such as our latest equipment for cool sculpting and med contouring to sculpture body fat”. Katy also flies in recognised skin specialists to train her staff on a quarterly basis and insists she’s “extremely fussy” about whom

she allows to work with her.

Now, as Advanced Body Image approaches its second decade a necessary step has become apparent for Katy. Come October a facility five times larger than her current business will be based at Darwin Corporate Park Development; an 85-­million dollar development on the Stuart Highway. “I wanted to do this in a magnificent way for Darwin”, prides Katy. “So, it’ll be a super clinic with Darwin’s first day spa showcasing a Turkish theme and will provide a level of service, privacy and treatment that people deserve and a training centre for staff education”. The new establishment will also house traditional, Turkish hammum steam rooms, 15 treatment rooms and employ cosmetic specialists who have access to state of the art technology that, as always in Katy’s business, is FDA and TGA approved.

Yet, this momentous undertaking in Katy’s career as well as her aptitude, attitude and work ethics are not the only elements that sustain her longevity at an acclaimed, multi-­award-­winning level in the industry; it’s what she has also done to maximise her skill set. “I feel satisfied knowing that no one else has trained constantly either here, in Europe or the US, in the specialised areas that I have”. Katy’s 20 000 logged hours of laser experience, work with leg and facial veins, hair removal, fractional laser resurfacing, skin rejuvenation, laser tattoo removal, eyebrow hair imitation, scar camouflage, tattoo scar re-­pigmentation, age management and the creation of a nipple areola for women requiring breast reconstruction are accomplishments that have established her as “one of the most qualified practitioners in Australia and the world.”

A: Shop 16, Nightcliff Shopping Centre P: 8985 6088 W: www.advancedbodyimage.com.au facebook.com/advancedbodyimage

DarwinLife Magazine

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OPERATOR

your future

YO U R R E A L E S TAT E

The launch of Your Real Estate has got to be one of the most anticipated events for the property industry here in Darwin or, at least, for two unique individuals and their client base.

“A house is just a structure. You need people to make it a home ” Manoli Karpasitis AND Stefani Raines

Directors | Your Real Estate -­Your Future

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DarwinLife Magazine

Darwin-­ born and bred directors Stefani Raines and Manoli Karpasitis have, over the last few years, invested all the necessary time, finance, effort, creativity, negotiating, perseverance and sleepless nights that, as many know, are part of building a business, particularly one that’s independently owned and operated. Now, the two have opened their Nightcliff Road office doors in Rapid Creek and are ready to do business. And, to share in the celebrations Stefani and Manoli are offering anyone who lists their rental property with them during March the chance to win a year’s worth of free property management fees. All it takes is a phone call to Your Real Estate.

To concrete their commitment to the industry in Darwin, offer the best service in town and the best marketing, the long time friends have come up with a much sought after edge to their enterprise; and it’s in the form of a new phone application orchestrated by Manoli himself. “We wanted to provide a user-­friendly app for all sorts of phones that caters for anyone, whether you’re renting, buying or are first home buyers needing tips on how to make an offer”, adds the industrious realtor. “We wanted to come out strong and make a name for ourselves and Stefani and I are achieving this with our exciting, fresh approach and easy to access marketing technology that’s revolutionising information and access to real estate in Darwin and the greater region, a region that has changed completely to what it was 20 or 30 years ago and warrants this forward perspective”.

With a decade spent developing their skills, experience and knowledge across the local market Stefani and Manoli have fine tuned exactly how to deliver exceptional customer service, provide easy to manage fees, stay ahead of the market and also offer something rare in business these days; the opportunity to deal directly with the company owner(s). After dedicating themselves as employees to the industry it was time for the astute duo to go it alone. “We’d been wanting to going to business for some time”, says Manoli. “Both of our families have been involved in property and we’ve worked extensively with experts in the industry so we are knowledgeable and have a feel for property that’s innate”.

“Thinking on my feet, being able to relate to people, working hard and handling the inevitable and unexpected come naturally to me”, reinforces Stefani. “Manoli is also a brilliant and skilled listener and sales extraordinaire who knows how to probe appropriately with ease. All these qualities are essential for successful, long term client relationships”, Stefani affirms. “After all, you’re paying us a commission so we’ve got to be listening and asking the right questions to help you achieve your attainable property dreams”.

The partners have also assessed and established their own set of core values and ethics in order to maintain a real estate operation that’s not only effective and efficient but open, honest and transparent; a code of conduct per se. “We keep clients informed at all times, are personalised and don’t treat anyone differently no matter background or budget. We’re not just selling someone’s property we’re selling someone’s future. So for us it’s not just about dollars and cents, it’s about dealing with people’s livelihoods and this is much more than bricks and mortar”.

Stefani and Manoli are undeniably on the same page and have an enviable synergy that makes their partnership effortless. The two entrepreneurs also know full well with owning your own company comes the need for flawless business acumen and accepting responsibility yet parallel to this comes a welcomed freedom and autonomy. “We now have the ability to make our own decisions that we know, from our experience and hearing first-­hand from our vendors and clients, will work in this market place”, assures Manoli.

And, with business growing fast coupled with ongoing, nourishing commentary from family, friends and clients, Stefani and Manoli know they’re doing something unique and innovative for Darwin and its real estate industry.

OPERATOR

Search “yourrealestatent” on your smart phone to download our app

A: 22B/82 Nightcliff Rd, Rapid Creek Ph: 8948 3066 F: 8948 3099

DarwinLife Magazine

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OPERATOR

woman AN HONEST

kerry ’ s

massage

Traditional Chinese Massage Centre

Sun Mao Cai is a highly respected physiotherapist in China with a pair of gifted hands. His knowledge and expertise have been praised for many years and his skills remain at the highest echelon of traditional Chinese medicine.

Sun Mao Cai trained one very diligent student, Pei Zhao, aka Kerry, who went on to become a qualified remedial massage therapist and acupuncturist with the Qingdao College of Chinese Medicine. 15 years later Pei Zhao, the owner of Kerry’s Massage, is now a Darwin-­based, businesswoman who operates four well patronised, massage centres from Humpty Doo to Millner and to this day remains utterly satisfied with her ultimate goal, to eradicate people’s pain. “It’s something beyond words and I do this with the help of 15 staff on an hourly basis every day of the year, except Christmas”, beams Kerry.

In November 2010, Palm Plaza in Palmerston caught Kerry’s eye. Already working in the massage industry here she saw an opportunity to build her own business, help local people and offer competitive prices for an unprecedented, quality service. “I’ve been operating for three years now and it has been a lot of hard work”, says the former Golden Herb therapist who absorbed all she could during her two years in London.” I observed how my UK employer conducted business and I emulated her. But, it’s been a steep learning curve and very much learn as you go”, says the hospitable business owner. “William designed and built all my four stores from scratch. The first took a few weeks and we did that together from the carpentry, welding and painting to me sewing all the curtains. We walked into an empty space and created a magic place to perform massage”, reminisces Kerry. “It was very exciting to have my first client walk through the door because we’d broken the ice. One customer leads to two and our business is really based on word of mouth and reputation.

We’re well patronised by regular customers and work to achieve a good massage so clients return every time”.

15 months later Kerry and William embraced another must-­ seize opportunity discovering a perfect place for their second massage centre. “So many people said to me, ‘why not open a location in Humpty Doo?’ and with all the driving that people experience to get to the Northern Territory it seemed a sensible next step”. Millner, again, proved to be to good to refuse. “We drove passed and saw an empty shop and I really wanted to provide a service that was a little closer to the city, but not in the city itself ”.

That was December 2012. Six months ago, the pair made another executive decision, this time outside the stand-­ alone store model and signed up with Palmerston’s Oasis Village Shopping Centre to welcome in massage centre

number four. “It was slow at first but people are getting to know and trust us and, our name, Kerry’s Massage, is really starting to resonate with people and be recognised”.

So is Kerry’s style of doing business. “We’re honest. There are no hidden costs and what you book for is the service you get and pay for. For example, if you book an hour’s full body relaxation massage it will cost you $65. That cost covers everything from the use of any oils, creams, balms, a heat lamp and hot towels and of course the massage.

You don’t pay a single cent more”. Each staff member that works with Kerry’s Massage is also qualified with many trained through reputable remedial massage and medicine colleges in Taiwan. “I take a great deal of care to educate my staff myself ”, adds Kerry. “We also work hard to maintain longevity with all employees to sustain regularity and consistency for our clients”. Combined with a skilled workplace Kerry insists on cleanliness, hygiene, professionalism and that her bustling enterprise offers a family-­friendly environment. “This is imperative.

We have an exceptional reputation and uphold this with the greatest of integrity. Our rooms are comfortable, the massage tables are solid, built of course by William, and with a touch of oriental art for ambience accompanied by soothing traditional Chinese music clients can really savour their experience”.

And, come back.

Kerry’s

TRADITIONAL CHINESE

CENTRE Kerry’s Massage located at; Oasis Shopping Village, Palmerston 8932 9895 Palm Plaza, Palmerston (next to McDonalds) 8932 9886 Sabine Rd, Millner 985 6153 Humpty Doo Shopping Centre 8988 5517 www.kerrysmassage.com.au

OPERATOR

To free a person of pain feels unbelievably good to me”.

Pei Zhao (Kerry) Director | Kerry’s Massage

OPERATOR

You have to visualise yourself as successful to become that reality.�

Avon Collis

Owner/Manager | Gloria Jeans Coffee House

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DarwinLife Magazine

OPERATOR

F rom S e rv ing t h e C ountry to

serving coffee G loria

J eans

C offee

H ouse

February 10, 2014 is logged as a time of momentous change, thrill and reward for Avon Collis. The former Australian Army Infantry Corporal and Analyst harnessed enormous courage on this day and began operating his franchise, a Gloria Jean’s kiosk staffed with seven of Darwin’s best baristas based at the bustling hub of Mitchell Street Shopping Centre. Avon’s story is one of commitment and self-belief and this is how he answered the door of opportunity.

“I saw the Gloria Jeans kiosk on Gumtree, the timing was right, we’d just sold our first home and were saving avidly to afford the business”, reflects Avon. But there was much more to uncover for the new manager before making the purchase. “I learned you needed approval from the franchisor and to present a cash flow forecast, so I called the bank and asked them what to do”, says the man who also threw himself into a mass of business studies.

Then armed with a formidable financial plan and dressed in a suit, the 26-­year old walked into an interview, nerves and all, with the heads of the gourmet coffee empire. Gloria Jeans had found the right person for its Darwin store.

Avon is now a proud business owner and has left a career of following Army orders behind. He packed away his arduous, camouflage-­wearing, ammunition-­flanked, highly analytical roles with the Army that had seen him serve in East Timor, Afghanistan and conduct training in Malaysia to build an enterprise. Yet Avon has capitalised on the foundation provided by the Defence Force and possesses a will to work onerous hours along with a logical planning aptitude. Being able to “observe, orientate, decide then act in the shortest time possible” are also practical assets and a platform where Avon can again apply his seven years of service. However, there have still been “many firsts for me”, he assures, “such as setting up a civilian life with facilities like Medicare, private health insurance, superannuation and a business loan”.

Avon’s eagerness to understand Gloria Jeans’ policies and procedures and its extensive training in Sydney further cemented the company’s belief in their new franchisee. “They did question how I was going to grow sales but for me it was more about how I was to going to keep up with the massive existing growth here”, says Avon. After commencing the “almost turn-­key franchise model” Avon hit the rollercoaster ride of excitement, fear and doubt. This came with an entourage of emails and calls ranging from solicitors to sellers but he has kept tremendously abreast of the pressure remaining flexible and grounded. The previous kiosk owner, Andrew Harley is currently contracting to EasyLoans in Fannie Bay, has also made this process “one of the most

seamless transitions ever accomplished” and “whenever I need Andrew he’s there and only a phone call away”, adds Avon.

While there seems to be little reprieve for the Bachelor of Commerce student’s 14-­hour days and business improvement plans, for now, Avon continues to embrace every single cell of becoming an astute businessman whilst exuding enthusiasm.

His disposition towards catapulting his coffee house to beyond its potential is engaging and having only been open under new management for a few weeks it’s already achieving unparalleled results. “Compared to this time last year we’re now operating with 40% growth”, beams Avon and none of this seems like work at the moment but rather his own “personal project”. The coffee house Facebook page is even infused with a happy snap of Avon and wife Lisa, a GTNT Quality and Training Manager, to create a more “humanised” approach to doing business. “We’re a place people can come and see friends, where our “guests” can ask for the usual and relish in an efficient, quality service that utilises current, automatic systems and functions sustainably, is localised and helping to grow the Territory”.

Avon’s outlook on life is inspiring to all he encounters and believes “you have to visualise yourself as successful to become that reality”. The budding entrepreneur has always planned for the future and sees some exciting endeavours on the horizon and both Avon and Lisa Collis will definitely be ones to watch as they continue their success in Darwin.

Cappy Hour

Buy one get one free Tuesdays 2 - 4pm Mitchell Shopping Centre, Darwin City facebook.com/gloriajeansmitchellcentre DarwinLife Magazine

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OPERATOR

I aim for results, and I work hard at it.” sAM WILKS

Owners, Intouch Realty

G etting the results with

intouch realty

Generating results is what drives Sam Wilks and makes him and his business, Intouch Realty, a success.

“I aim for results, and I work hard at it,” he said.

“What is important is that, above all, my clients’ wants and needs are met. To me that’s what counts.”

Sam said he is passionate about getting results. “I won’t settle until I achieve the best - and right - result for my client,” he said.

And his clients agree, giving him the thumbs up.

Bervie said about the sale of her Palmerston property, “I have never seen anybody work so hard to get my price and to listen to me when I am stressed. Sam goes above and beyond with care.”

Bill and Julie also sing Sam praises. “Sam kept us informed and upbeat even when the property seemed to go stale. He protected our interests and our price to the very end!

Honesty, hard work and ingenuity are the reasons why he will always succeed!”

Other than hard work and passion, Sam 30

DarwinLife Magazine

attributes his success to thinking outside the box, and being able to provide personalized service that some other bigger agencies lack.

“Technology plays a big part to our success,” he said. “And we are more affordable than most of our competitors.”

Sam continues that unlike a franchise he doesn’t have to be pigeon holed into a set type of marketing plan or price.

“We have used third party marketing through Facebook, Twitter, blogs and have even set up apps,” he said. “We are constantly finding innovative ways to market our properties.”

Sam said the worst thing about being responsible for owning a business is finding good staff who are motivated and technology literate.

“I’m always looking for staff – property managers, sales and personal assistants,” he said. “Our business has plenty of room to expand, but for us to continue to grow

I need staff who are dedicated and tech savvy.”

Sam and his wife Danielle set up the real estate agency almost five years ago.

“We set up Intouch Realty just after we had our twins!” he said. “To me that’s my most important role - being a dad. Running a family business means I can be flexible, giving the kids my time as well as fulfill my work commitments.”

A: 65 Allwright stDarwin, NT 0801 P: 0402 152 929 F: 08 8927 3167 E: sam@intouchre.com W: www.intouchre.com

OPERATOR

reliability & quality

make K K E lectrical a success Reliability and quality work has made KK Electrical a local success story. Starting as a young electrician Ken Kernich together with his wife Debbie now co-own one of Darwin’s oldest family run businesses, KK Electrical.

“A number of builders encouraged me to start my own business,” he said. “In that era in 1978 when there was a lot of rebuilding and new dwellings it was exciting and challenging.”

One of his first contracts was wiring some of the first houses built in Malak. In those days there was no Leanyer, Karama or Northlakes.

KK Electrical also worked in these suburbs as they developed.

“It wasn’t too long before business grew to the point that in 1979 I employed my first apprentice, who stayed with me for 22 years.

Another apprentice employed in 1984 still works for me,” he said. “KK Electrical now employs 17 people. We have a number of loyal staff who have been with us for many years.”

The company has carried out general electrical contracting including housing, unit developments, multi-storey buildings in Darwin and many commercial developments throughout the NT. Data and communications and electronic security were also included in these installations.

Fourteen years ago the company also took on

fire detection installation and maintenance, and currently have NT Government contracts for fire detection maintenance.

Ken said, “We have long term customers, some of whom we have had for over 30 years.

Simply, if you do a quality job and you’re reliable, you’ll always have these customers.”

“The best thing we have in our business is good and reliable staff. It was important to have a good team,” Ken continued. As well as good reliable workers KK Electrical has good office staff to keep on top of the administration side of things. Luckily for Ken, his office staff are not only professional at their work, they are family. “We really are a family owned and oriented business,” he said. “My wife Debbie looks after our accounts, Nathaniel my son manages the office, and my daughter Melanie works in administration.”

Ken also believes in training apprentices. “I have high expectations of standards, which has been realized in recent years with two of our apprentices winning NT Apprentice of the Year and one of them winning Australian Apprentice of the Year.”

Although he has a good team, Ken is still very hands on and visits job sites regularly. “It is important to get out there and keep in contact with your customers and to know firsthand what’s going on.”

Ken has for the past 20 years been involved in Training Advisory Boards and Councils and is currently chairman of the Major Industries Training Advisory Council. He is also part of the Apprentice Assessment Committee for the NT and has been on the NT Electrical Contractors and Workers Licensing Board for many years. “I have always believed in giving something back to the NT electrical industry that I have been part of for all these years,” he said.

A: 6 Delatour Street Coconut Grove NT 0810 T: 0889484449 F: 0889854478 DarwinLife Magazine

31

OPERATOR

We have children crying when their parents arrive too early to pick them up and they don’t want to go home.

George and Naomi Kalidonis Owners, The Brat Pack

brat pack THE

January 29, 2006, day one of back-­to-­school, playtime for a group of children in Wagaman changed forever.

So did Naomi and George Kalidonis’ lives.

The recently engaged couple had created a play centre unlike any other for young minds and opened the doors to this new world at 2pm that day. They gave their business an “edgy” name, The Brat Pack, and an afterschool care centre based at Wagaman Primary School was born.

The Brat Pack was previously the PCYC where George operated as assistant director but it was closing and the pair decided to buy it. “I thought we could make it work because of the type of people we are”, says George.

“Plus, it already had staff, clientele and some turnover”. Naomi, who was previously a director in long day care and had a formidable comprehension of how to run a centre, also felt “it made sense”.

16 years after first meeting at Charles Darwin university Naomi and George are married, have three children, Sofia, Ariana and Peter, a bubba on the way, and a business they’ve made their livelihood. The Brat Pack cares for almost 100 happy campers, offers a bus pick up from 15 different schools (Alawa, Anula, Dripstone, Holy Family, Jingili, Karama, Leanyer, Malak, Milkwood Steiner, 32

DarwinLife Magazine

Moil, Nakara, O’Loughclan, Sanderson, Wanguri and Wulagi) to a place where you meet and make different friends aged four to teens. “Yes, a 15 year old chooses to come to us”, beams George. “She’s one of our success stories but all the kids are like family and they feel the same about us”. Three original PCYC staff help make up the 10-­permanent, male/female team aged 21 to 63. “We’re always overstaffed too making it easier for the children”, adds Naomi.

Freedom and autonomy have also had an enormous impact on The Brat Pack’s eight-­ year success. “We own it, run it and if we need it we get it. We own our buses as well allowing us the freedom to enjoy so many excursions during vacation care to fun-­ packed places and this creates a greater experience for the children”, reinforces George. There’s always something happening on home soil too across the six play areas from sand pit to movie room such as The Brat Pack’s Got Talent or Wheels Day, a chance to bring in your scooter or rip stick and rev up some energy to tuck into a 3.30pm home-­cooked meal made by chef Angela.

Now bottling this fun is a possibility for

a Kalidonis family franchise, perhaps in Palmerston, but George and Naomi are happy relishing family time and sustaining The Brat Pack community feel knowing every day they’re “doing a great job keeping kids safe and giving them a good time”.

After Hours Care: 2pm – 6pm Vacation Care: 7.30am – 6pm

Wagaman Primary School, Wagaman Tce, Wagaman We help out parents on waiting lists too!

P: 0400 158 227 W: www.thebratpacknt.com.au facebook.com/thebratpack

OPERATOR

T aste of S ri L anka at

amma’s café Roshel Misra’s grandma, mum and mother in law are her inspiration and the ones that nurtured her passion for food, so it is only fitting that her café’s name Amma is Sri Lankan for mum.

“Food has always been my passion,” she said.

“I love cooking for my family and that’s how it all begun.”

After 14 years with the NT Government working in administration, Roshel decided to throw in the towel and take the risk opening Amma’s Café in 2012.

“I wanted a change,” she said. “I enjoyed the security and benefits of working for the government, but I wanted to do something that I could put my heart and soul into. So I turned around to my husband and said, ‘that’s it’. I took the risk and it is now paying off.”

For two years prior to opening her café, Roshel had a stall called Amma’s Kitchen at the Rapid Creek markets each Sunday.

“We used to run out of food by 11am – and then it kept getting earlier and earlier!” she said. “It was a really good way to start as it gave me an idea of what people would like.”

Roshel does all the cooking for Amma’s Café. “Mum helps me with the prep and my staff are excellent, I really appreciate them,” she said. “My daughter Rasika is already a ‘masterchef ’ at 6 – whenever she’s in she

helps cut up the veggies. My son Ajay is like his daddy – he thinks his job is to taste, not cook!”

So what’s on the menu? “We do breakfasts, coffees, cakes and we offer a variety of authentic Sri Lankan dishes for lunch and a buffet dinner on Friday night,” Roshel said.

“The buffet dinner has proven really popular – sometimes it is booked out by Wednesday.

We also do an a la carte dinner on Saturday nights as well as catering for private functions and hosting small events.”

“Our dishes change every day and we get all our seasonal vegetables fresh from the market.

One of our most popular dish is Kottu, which we freshly cook to order. It is roti with fresh vegetables and choice of lamb, chicken or beef. Some of our customers say they can’t walk past our shop because the smell of the food is too enticing.”

So what is Roshel’s secret to her success. “I always taste my own food. It has to remind me of my grandma’s cooking – otherwise it’s not right. All my recipes are from my grandma – she is the one that really inspired my love for food. And I just really love what I do.”

Shop 8 Vic Arcade Smith Street Mall Darwin Cafe & Catering 0411 212 094 www.ammascafe.com.au DarwinLife Magazine

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B U SI N ESS L EASI N G

DARWIN LIFE

Darwin Corporate Park It’s a game changer

Location, Price and Amenities is what makes the Darwin Corporate Park stand out and it is expected to eventually be one of Darwin’s premier business hubs.

The multimillion dollar development is the first of its kind in the Northern Territory and once built will be the perfect spot for businesses ranging from small to large local, national and multinational organisations or Government departments.

Following on from the success of these types of parks located in other major Australian capital cities and internationally, the developers felt it was the right time for the Northern Territory.

Work is underway on the construction of the first stage of the $85 million fully funded development.

Completion of the first stage is expected to be late 2014. The two and a half hectare block located on the Stuart Highway in Berrimah will boast eight three level buildings, with flexible and state of the art floor space, ample parking, landscaped grounds and a range of quality facilities.

General Manager Charles Burkitt said, previously Darwin was not considered large enough for this kind of development.

“However, that has changed dramatically over the years. Darwin and Northern Australia is fast becoming an economic leader, with industries such as oil & gas, mining, tourism, defence and agriculture booming,” he said.

“The City has matured, and the expectation is now greater from not only existing businesses but those setting up business in the Territory.

“This is a unique development for Darwin and there has been nothing like this before but, now is the right time.”

Charles highlighted that the key selling points of the Park are location, affordability and excellent facilities and amenities.

“There are a number of reasons why businesses should look at leasing space at the Darwin Corporate Park, rather than setting up in the other commercial precincts,” he said.

Location, location, location

First off the bat is that Darwin Corporate Park is situated in one of the most accessible and central locations at 631 Stuart Highway, Berrimah.

Charles said the park is located centrally in the high growth corridor of greater Darwin.

“It is less than 10km in distance and 10 minutes in driving time from all the major centres – Darwin CBD, Palmerston, Casuarina and East Arm Port” he said.

“It is also serviced by many of the major traffic corridors such as Amy Johnson Avenue, Tiger Brennan Drive, Vanderlin Drive, Berrimah Road and Stuart Highway and has direct public transport routes to Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston.

“Berrimah is now the heart of greater Darwin. If you are based at the Darwin Corporate Park, you are in close proximity to many of your client or customer base and it’s easy for them to come to you.”

Great rates

Leasing rates for the Darwin Corporate Park are very competitive with it being significantly less than the market rate for other greater Darwin commercial centres.

“It is very reasonable. Our leasing rates are $350 per square metre per annum,” he said. “We want to offer the best product at the most affordable rate.

“This is extremely competitive and very appealing for those who want Agrade commercial office space which previously has been rarely available outside the Darwin CBD. “Tenancies range from 100 to 3500 square metres, and the development will be of exceptional quality and finish. Great care will be taken in its maintenance and high expectations for fitouts to ensure quality is retained.

“Also, secure basement car parking is not an additional cost; it is part of your lease.”

Amenities

Ample parking, storage facilities, a quality café, gymnasium, end-of-trip facilities and high speed connectivity & internet access via NBN fibre (which is already connected to the site) add to the development’s appeal.

There will be secure basement parking for 529 cars with lift access and on the ground level there will be 197 spaces for clients and customers. In the basement there are storage facilities and a secure bicycle area as well.

Charles said they were also excited to have award winning hospitality duo David and Brigette Cannon heading up the spacious onsite café.

“The café will be able to cater extensively whether it be dine in or takeaway. There will also be the opportunity for it to be used for catered events, including catering direct to your office premises within the Park” he said.

“The café will spread out over 766 square metres and open from early morning to grab a coffee and breakfast through to lunch and late afternoon.”

Charles said the gymnasium and end-of-trip facilities also benefit those who are working at the Park.

“There will be a staffed fitness gym accessible throughout the day and end-of-trip facilities such as showers, lockers, change rooms and secure bicycle storage,” The Darwin Corporate Park will have the capacity to accommodate 1000 workers and is being built by local contractors and suppliers. It will be a campus style layout landscaped throughout with shaded trees and covered walkways interconnecting the Park.

Charles said they envisage that this will add to a business-to-business, community atmosphere and that it will become a thriving hub.

“We want to establish a leading edge office space outside of the CBD where likeminded businesses can come together in a professional environment.

“Darwin has developed and grown so much and there is a lot more focus on it from national and multinational companies,” he said.

“As a result there is a greater expectation and requirement for better quality facilities and amenities and the Darwin Corporate Park delivers this.

“Due to its size and the quality of the development, Darwin Corporate Park will eventually become a landmark in its own right and will be the place to do business.”

O’Donoghues First National Dominate SA/NT Annual Awards O’Donoghues First National Real Estate was recognised for its outstanding achievement at the General Excellence and Marketing (GEM) Awards in February at the Adelaide Hilton.

First National Real Estate is Australia’s largest independent real estate network and its gala evening celebrated the best of South Australia and the Northern Territory’s real estate performances over the past year which, according to O’Donoghues First National Real Estate Principal Jeremy O’Donoghue, required considerable focus and discipline to achieve.

“While the property market showed signs of recovery last year, conditions remained far from ideal in many locations and agents needed to stay focused on systems, processes and professional development to deliver excellent results for their customers” Jeremy said.

“The GEM Awards bring recognition to all that hard work, and the competitive spirit that is a part of daily operations in our estate agency.”

At the presentation, O’Donoghues First National Real Estate received the nights top award of

SALES OFFICE OF THE YEAR

& Sales Person Of The Year – Jeremy O’Donoghue Key staff were also recognised for their individual performances: r Jan Hallagan & Shun Hatton received the Silver Residential Commission award r Tim Mackenzie, Nick Scaturchio & Paul Heron received the Gold Residential Commission award r Ryan Doyle received the Gold Commercial Sales award r Lee Doyle received the Diamond Commercial Listings award r Jeremy O’Donoghue received the Diamond Commercial Commission award Jeremy O’Donoghue said the First National GEM Awards are an important event within the real estate profession as they present an opportunity for members to come together and share their thoughts and views on the industry and events that affect them, such as the Government’s recently abandoned attempt to create a national real estate licensing system.

141 Mitchell St Larrakeyah NT | Ph 8942 8942 | www.ofndarwin.com.au

DarwinLife | ANZAC Day

R emembering the F allen

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DarwinLife Magazine

ANZAC Day | DarwinLife

ANZAC This verse from Laurence Binyon’s ode ‘For the Fallen’ will be heard by countless Australians across the nation on ANZAC Day. That and the haunting tune from a lone bugler playing The Last Post.

ANZAC Day is the day when Australia and New Zealand stop to remember the fallen. A day that is marked with dawn services, ceremonies, parades and other activities commemorating those who have participated or died in military action.

Traditionally ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps) Day marks the 25 April anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey in the First World War. On the morning of 25 April 1915, the ANZACs set out to capture Gallipoli in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The objective was to capture the Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany.

The ANZACs landed and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate

‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.’ and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated.

Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardship. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers died.

ANZAC Day is widely seen as a defining moment in our nation’s history and it is argued that it symbolizes when the ‘national identity’ of Australia was forged.

Over the years ANZAC Day has broadened to commemorate all who have served and died in wars, conflicts, peacekeeping and disaster relief missions.

It is a day to honour our military men and women from the past and present and reflect on their contribution.

Plans are underway that veterans from the nation’s longest war will be leading this year’s ANZAC Day marches. Up to 30,000 military personnel have served in Afghanistan since 2001 and most of them will be marching across the country. Along with Townsville, Darwin houses the largest number of veterans from the 12-year conflict.

It is an opportunity for the public to thank and recognize the service that our veterans have done.

Lest We Forget.

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DarwinLife | ANZAC Day

continued from previous page

SPR Shayne Fowler, EDD Handler “This ANZAC Day I’m trying to get down to Canberra to be with one of my mate’s widow & my wife,” said Sapper Shayne Fowler. “When a mate dies it makes ANZAC Day mean even more. It gives it extra meaning.”

Shayne, 25, has been with the Army for the past six years.

Starting out as an engineer, he now works as an Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) Handler. His trusty partner is Joe, an English Springer Spaniel, who has been specially trained to detect Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) as well as small arms and ammunition. Joe, 6, is an old hand having been out on four deployments, one with Shayne to Afghanistan.

Shayne said he had been on two deployments both to Afghanistan. “The best part about being in the army is the camaraderie, the general vibe and getting out there and doing what you got to do,” he said. “I like being outdoors and working hard and being with my mates.”

“My first ANZAC Day after I joined the Army was the most memorable,” he continued. “I was still training in Kapooka, but it felt different somehow, it was more personal.”

Shayne said that he felt it was important to keep the ANZAC spirit alive. “We need to honour the sacrifice that has been made. Some have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I don’t want to forget that, I don’t want anyone else to either. I want to keep their memory alive.”

WO2 Benjamin King, SSM 1FD SQN “The deaths of our mates are still raw for us – it has made this all too real,” said Sergeant Major Benjamin King.

Ben has been in the Army for over 14 years and is in charge of managing 120 soldiers.

He said the ANZAC Day that sticks in his head was his first back from a deployment in Afghanistan in 2011 where two soldiers were killed. During that deployment the squadron lost Sapper Jamie Larcombe and Corporal Richard Atkinson.

“For a while there some saw ANZAC Day as a public holiday an excuse to have a few drinks and act up. But it’s more than that – much, much more,” he said.

“The deaths of our mates made it real. I think people realise that signing up to the defence force isn’t a game, the risks are there – unfortunately people have died.”

Ben, 32, said the day is a time to reflect and remember the sacrifices made and learn from the lessons – good and bad.

“It is a time to make sure we continue to do the things we do for the right reasons.”

Ben said he is going to spend it with his mates. “I’m going to spend it with the guys I have served with overseas. ANZAC Day is now more poignant - and I want to spend it with the boys and honour the spirit.”

CPL Stewart Campbell, SECO 2TP “Being in the Army is very satisfying – doing your job and helping people is quite rewarding as well as the friendships you make,” said Corporal Stewart Campbell. “You are always doing something different, and no job is the same.”

Stewart, 25, said he always wanted to do it and has been in the Army since 2008. He is the section commander for one of the troops and trains and leads 10 guys. “There is only so much training you can do and teach – I just want to get out there and do my job. We all do.”

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ANZAC Day | DarwinLife

Like many of his colleagues, Stewart was deeply affected by the deaths of the two Darwin-based soldiers – Corporal Richard Atkinson and Sapper Jamie Larcombe - in Afghanistan in 2011.

“Jamie and Acko were my mates,” he said. “It has made ANZAC Day all that more personal. I don’t want to forget them or the sacrifice that they or their families have made.

“We can’t forget the fallen and what my mates and others have done for our country.”

Stewart said his most memorable ANZAC Day was when he was tasked with being the guard of honour at the Palmerston Cenotaph commemorations in 2009.

“I felt a real sense of honour to be up there, to be part of it and to see everyone pay their respects,” he said. “It give you a different sense of perspective.”

“Like many ANZAC Day is important to me, it’s important for us to remember and this year I will be part of the marching procession in the City, then I will spend it with my mates.”

continued from previous page

Captain Matthew Scott, Recono 1 FD SQN “Being in the military is rewarding, the work environment can be challenging, every day is different and you’re surrounded by motivated and interesting people,” Captain Matthew Scott said. “It has meaning and it is a good feeling.”

Matthew, 28, is currently serving as the Reconnaissance Officer in charge of planning for the squadron, but previously trained a team of 40.

“It was really interesting in Afghanistan last year to observe my guys perform under operational conditions,” he said.

“To watch them do their job for real.”

“They were out there on the field, with the real pressure of the situation, and they did a good job, I felt really proud of them.”

Matthew has been in the Army since 2006 and like his colleagues believes that despite the years passing ANZAC Day is still important.

“Pretty much everyone nowadays has a connection whether it be a family member or friend that has or is serving in the military,” he said.

“ANZAC Day is now about remembering all of those who have served. Our men and women sacrifice a lot.

They sacrifice their freedom, time with their family, they put themselves at risk and some of them pay the ultimate sacrifice.”

Matthew said it is important to recognize the sacrifices both past and present.

“It is only one day a year,” he said. “They deserve the respect and it is important to keep the tradition alive and remember them.”

Matthew’s most memorable one was in Yass in New South Wales.

“When I was with the Royal Military College I was part of the commemorations there,” he said. “The country towns commemorate ANZAC Day really well. They really get into it and went out of their way to welcome us. The atmosphere was great.

“This year I will be part of the march in Darwin and then I’m catching up with the guys I served with last year.”

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what’s on D A R W I N

mar

Darwin Entertainment Centre

The Sweet Satisfaction Guaranteed The Hits Tour CostGeneral Admission : $89.00 The British rock band that rose to worldwide fame in the 1970s as a prominent glitter rock act are now back! 45 years after their formation in 1968 the band is ready to put on a show with their chart topping hits.

To buy tickets call 08 8980 3333

mar International Women’s Day

Meeting at the steps of the Parliament House

mar

Darwin Entertainment Centre

mar

Shenannigans 42

DarwinLife Magazine

For the sixth consecutive year City of Darwin in partnership with United Nations Association of Australia NT are holding the International Women’s Day Walk and Community Morning Tea. Come celebrate a day that recognises women and their achievements. The walk starts at the steps of the Parliament House, through the Darwin CBD, and finishes with a reception in the Main Hall at Parliament House.

For more info visit www.darwin.nt.gov.au

Akmal Live

CostGeneral Admission : $46.90 The Egyptian Australian comedian and actor is back to perform his latest show. Jam-packed with lots of words, some of which he will be using for the first time, his show is bound to entertain and humour his audience.

For more info visit www.yourcentre.com.au

Craic on Shenannigans St Patricks Race Day

$45pp includes return transfer from Shenannigans, lunch, live band, fancy dress comps, drink specials & more PLUS one person will win return flights Darwin- Dublin thanks to Malaysia Airlines Get your tickets now www.darwinturfclub.org.au or at Shenannigans

mar apr &

mar

Get into the Irish spirit by celebrating St Patrick’s Day with Irish beer, four leaf cloves, and all things green!

Ocean Film Festival Australia 2014

mar

8:30pm - 9:30pm

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Darwin Entertainment Centre

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CostGeneral Admission : $32.80 The festival show cases more than two hours of footage taken above and below the water’s surface. The films celebrate those who live for the ocean and all its beauty and mysteries.

For more info visit www.yourcentre.com.au

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is back for 2014, encouraging millions of people across the globe to turn off non-essential lighting for 1 hour.

This hour is used to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change. Everyone can get involved and even go beyond by making big and small changes to their daily energy consumption habits.

For more info visit www.earthhour.org

Darwin RSL ANZAC Day Races

Enjoy the age-old tradition of live racing and 2-up as we remember our fallen soldiers and war heroes still with us.

Ted Bailey Grandstand, 3 course lunch $60 members / $75 non members Gate entry $15

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DarwinLife | Business & Community

Change The moment of

I know this is was written to connect us with the beautiful moments in our life, such as a sun rising or your child saying their first word. But there are other moments we need to pay attention to that we too often ignore; the moment that our lives need to change. I call these the whack up the side of the head moments.

At 17 I had one of these whack up the side of the head moments, literally. I was playing my beloved hockey with sights firmly set on the 2000 Olympics when a hockey ball hit me in the temple and fractured my skull, resulting in head injuries that abruptly changed the course of my life. A life defining moment.

With lives that are busy and so full we are often presented with situations, messages that our

You have probably heard the quote “Life is not about the moments we breathe but the moments that take our breathe away”.

lives need to change, we are on the wrong path or we need to slow down. These moments may be when a heart skips a beat as you run for bus, or when a partner walks out the door for the last time, or when a child asks why a parent doesn’t play with them anymore. Those moments we are presented with are our moments of choice, like a whack up the side of the head to show us that something needs to change. If we choose to recognise it.

Sometimes through the busy-ness of our lives we choose to ignore the lessons in these moments.

We have 3 choices in these moments; we ignore it, we deny they happened or we recognise them and get back to what is important.

Lessons sitting in these moments can be the key to an exciting new chapter.

OL care & AFTER SCHO Program Vacation CARE

“Making the complicated simple.”

Years

Hours: 2:00pm until 6.00pm

Bus pick up from the following schools: Malak, Anula, Wulagi, Wanguri, Sanderson, Dripstone, O’Loughlin, Holy Family, Alawa, Leanyer, Jingili, Nakara, and Karama.

Fun activities at the centre include: Arts and crafts, Sports and games, Sandpits, Cooking, Large playground, a Quiet room for homework, Movies, Board Games and Preschool area for the 4 to 7years.

Fees: $110 per week or $40 per day Includes afternoon tea We are a CCB approved service

George 0400 158 227 or Naomi 0432 418 049 8am until 6pm - Monday to Friday

DarwinLife Magazine

www.angelalockwood.com.au T: @angelockwood F: Angela Lockwood Linked in: Angela Lockwood

Ages 4-14

AFTER SCHOOL CARE

44

Angela Lockwood

HOLIDAY CARE Hours: 7:30am until 5:30pm

Join in our fun excursions which include: Movies at the cinemas, Fishing at Mandorah, Zone 3, Playshack, Rock climbing, Lake Leanyer Water Park, Golf Driving Range and Archery, Ten Pin Bowling, Wave Pool & Gymnastics.

All children attend at least 3 excursions per week.

Fees: $230 per week or $80 per day Includes all excursions, morning and afternoon tea The centre is situated at Wagaman Primary School, 35 Wagaman Tce Wagaman

Kylie 8927 2546

2pm until 6pm - Monday to Friday

Email us at

thebratpacknt@bigpond.com

Business & Community | DarwinLife

WHEN THE BIG EVENTS COME TO THE NT. So often we see national and international sporting, musical and cultural events come to Darwin and the NT. The 2011 census indicated that Darwin has the highest percentage of volunteering of any capital city in Australia, and part of this figure relates to how well we support these events in volunteering roles.

These events are generally well managed and create a clear pathway for newcomers to the volunteering sector. Many of these events are supported by the NT Government and benefit from their additional skills and expertise. Event volunteering provides a “toe in the water” opportunity that can lead to other interesting and rewarding volunteering roles in the community.

2014 provides volunteers with a great selection of events to be involved with. One includes the 3rd Asia Pacific Outgames which are being hosted by Darwin, 10-16 May. The Darwin Outgames brings together the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community of the Asia

Pacific in a week-long festival of sport, culture and human rights. There is a vast array of volunteer roles encompassing sporting and cultural events for the Games that require support behind the scenes, including accreditation, functions, transport and ceremonies. A voluntary team is also required to ensure the Human Rights Forum meets international conference standards.

Volunteers have also been involved in the success of national motorsports in the NT since their arrival in 1998. This year will combine the V8 Supercar event with the NT round of the Australian Superbike Championship to make it a spectacular motor racing event. This event will once again provide unique opportunities for volunteers to be involved, and offer a wellorganised volunteer experience.

For further information on volunteering for these events in the NT contact Volunteering SA&NT at john.mcneur@volunteeringsa-nt.org.au or phone (08) 89810027.

NOMINATE NOW FOR THE

NORTHERN TERRITORY

VOLUNTEER AWARDS

THE NT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS HIGHLIGHT THOSE TERRITORIANS UNDERTAKING VOLUNTEER WORK AND PROMOTES, RECOGNISES AND REWARDS THEIR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY. AWARD CATEGORIES

I have!

Now my family knows I’d like to be an organ and tissue donor.

INDIVIDUAL Chief Minister’s Medal for Volunteering Achievement Recognises exceptional volunteer achievement by an individual.

Chief Minister’s Medal for Volunteering Service Recognises considerable volunteer contribution over an extended period of time by an individual.

Chief Minister’s Medal for Emergency Service Recognises exceptional volunteer achievement, which may include considerable contributions over an extended period of time by an individual within Emergency Services.

The individual Award Winners will receive the Chief Minister’s Medal plus a cheque for $2,500 payable to a not-for-profit organisation of their choice, which operates in the Northern Territory.

ORGANISATION Volunteering SA&NT Award for Organisational Excellence - Large Organisation Volunteering SA&NT Award for Organisational Excellence - Small Organisation These Awards are in recognition of an organisation’s commitment to best practice in volunteer management.

The Small Organisation Award Winner will receive a trophy and a cheque for $3,000 towards the ongoing work of their organisation.

Have the chat that saves lives.

Discover, Decide, Discuss organ and tissue donation today.

The Large Organisation Award Winner will receive a trophy and a cheque for $2,000 towards the ongoing work of their organisation.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANISATION CATEGORIES CLOSE MONDAY 17 MARCH 2014

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION Organisations can acknowledge a volunteer by nominating them for a Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation. This certificate will be presented to volunteers to recognise their volunteering activity and commitment during 2013.

NOMINATIONS FOR VOLUNTEER CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION CLOSE MONDAY 31 MARCH 2014 -

Award winners will be announced by the Chief Minister in partnership with Volunteering SA&NT during May 2014 to coincide with National Volunteers Week.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO NOMINATE VISIT

www.volunteeringsa-nt.org.au

-

donatelife.gov.au DarwinLife Magazine

45

DarwinLife | Entertainment

Big Names AT T H E C E N T R E !

Akmal, one of Australia’s most respected, successful and accomplished comics will begin the laughs with his incredible ability to deal with hot topics in a hilarious and slightly offensive way. This show is sure to be an explosion of entertainment!

Comedy’s newest mountaineers will then aim for the stars as they climb the RAW Comedy open mic peak. Confronting the cliff face joke by joke, they’ll have their eyes set on the summit that is 2014 Darwin Champion and a place in the final at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Alan Davies will make his Darwin debut in Little Victories. Much loved as resident dunderhead on QI or the charming but reticent crime solver Jonathan Creek, Davies is described as being matchfit and firing in this highly anticipated show.

The Centre will also play host to bands and musicians which cater to all tastes.

World famous British rock band, The Sweet, are set to perform in March with hits like The Ballroom Blitz, Block Buster, Hell Raiser and Teenage Rampage. Selling in excess of fifty five million records worldwide, this is a show not to be missed.

The music continues when internationally acclaimed darling of the flute and number one recording artist Jane Rutter performs in April. French Kiss - An Australian in Paris is a luscious concerttheatre piece with delicious French music from la Belle Epoque to the Present day.

The Entertainment Centre is set to roar with laughter this March when comedy’s biggest names roll into Darwin.

Or, if musical tributes are more to your taste, you won’t want to miss Peace Train, the Cat Stevens Story. This show promises to take the audience on a journey back in time recreating Cat’s timeless songs as they were originally written – on an acoustic guitar and piano, seeking out the man in the music and telling the story behind the songs.

Film buffs won’t miss out either, The Ocean Film Festival Australia hits the Centre this March. Showcasing more than two hours of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface, these films document the beauty and power of the ocean, and celebrate the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray.

The Centre’s Kids Program also kicks off this March when Pamela Allen’s stories come to sweet, music-infused life in Mr McGee and the Biting Flea. These whimsical stories emerge from dozens of suitcases and crates as three curious warehouse workers transform a storeroom into enchanting little miracles of music and play. This show is sure to entertain the younger audiences!

With new shows on sale regularly, there is something for everyone at the Darwin Entertainment Centre!

Book your tickets at www.yourcentre.com.au or by calling the box office on 8980 3333.

Akmal | Friday 14 March, 8pm $46.90, concessions available

Sweet – Satisfaction Guaranteed Thursday 6 March, 7.30pm • $89

Raw Comedy Saturday 22 March, 8pm $30 Ocean Film Festival Australia – 2014 Tour Wednesday 19 March, 7pm | $32.80

Alan Davies ‘Little Victories’ Monday 24 March, 8pm $69.90

Jane Rutter ‘French Kiss’ Friday 11 April, 8pm $55, concessions available

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DarwinLife Magazine

Mr McGee and the Biting Flea Friday 28 March, 10am & 6pm $25, children $15

Peace Train ‘The Cat Stevens Story’ Saturday 12 April, 8pm $55, concessions available

Entertainment | DarwinLife

new adventures O pen the door to

Learning a new language can improve your memory and enhance math and analytical skills, problem solving, increase critical thinking and creativity, boost self -esteem and confidence. When you are writing or speaking in a second language, you focus more on the order of words, verb tenses, parts of speech and the recognition of how sentences are constructed in a second language, becoming more aware of how they are arranged in the first language. Learning a new language at any age is a rewarding experience and there is so much to be gained from this wonderful adventure.

Darwin Languages Centre after school classes provide opportunities for school aged students to learn a language other than English in a fun and safe environment. The senior and junior classes cater for primary, middle and senior students at all proficiency levels.

Having a second language can increase marketable expertise for employment in fields such as international trade, diplomatic services, tourism, imports and exports, finance and foreign exchange. No matter what career path your child is considering,

having a second language can provide many advantages.

Darwin Languages Centre is located in Nemarluk Drive, Ludmilla and operates during school terms from 4:00pm until 6:00pm Monday to Thursday and Saturday morning from 10:30am until midday.

Programs also operate at the Driver Primary School campus every Thursday from 4:00pm until 6:00pm. Languages offered: French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Portuguese and Spanish. Term fees are $100 per student or $150 for two or more children.

Discounts apply for early payments.

Learning together - parent and child Mandarin language classes are now available on Saturday’s from 10:30 to midday and, there is also a free Indonesian conversation class available for people to drop in and practise their oral communication skills from 11:00am until midday.

Darwin Languages Centre also provides after hours language and culture lessons, for adults in French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish.

Enrolment details and information are available on the website at: www.darwinlanguagescentre.com or phone the office on 8985 5359.

There are so many reasons why learning languages is important. Darwin Languages Centre provides quality after hours language programs for school students of all ages.

Languages include: English, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese and Tagalog.

Monday to Wednesday at 1 Nemarluk Drive, Ludmilla (4:00pm until 6:00pm) Saturday (10:00am until 12:00 noon) Thursday at Driver Primary (4:00pm until 6:00pm) Fees: $100 per term per student or $150 per family (discounts apply) Adults Classes refer to website for details: Thursday 5:00pm until 6:30pm

ENROLMENTS NOW BEING TAKEN: Phone 8985 5359 for enrolment or info. www.darwinlanguagescentre.com

DarwinLife Magazine

47

Performing on stage IN the Beachside Pavillion Friday 7th March Premium Seating – $65pp General Seating – $50pp Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm Bookings: 8943 8922 or boxoffice@skycitydarwin.com.au

VISIT SKYCITYDARWIN.COM.AU FOR MORE DETAILS

Entertainment | DarwinLife

F li x in the W et The Darwin Film Society presents an eclectic collection of films on Sunday afternoons at BCC Cinema, Mitchell St Darwin and CMAX Cinema, Palmerston. Flix in the Wet is a great option for monsoonal Sundays. There is a terrific line up of films this wet season. For further information and to watch the trailers, go to www.deckchaircinema.com.au

Deckchair Cinema opens on Wednesday 16 April, 2014

In Bob We Trust (PG) 102m

2013, Lynn-Maree Milburn / 16 & 30 Mar at BCC Darwin

The controversial Catholic provocateur affectionately called Father Bob is well known and loved, as much for his incorrigible media savvy and battles with church hierarchy as for his staunch advocacy on behalf of the disadvantaged and disenfranchised. He served his South Melbourne parish for 39 years when the Archbishop dealt the final blow and Father Bob was unceremoniously retired and evicted from his home.

Mood Indigo (M) 94m

2013, Michel Gondry, France / 16 & 30 Mar at BCC Darwin

Colin, lives in a beautifully appointed rooftop apartment in Paris with his chef and lawyer.

At a party, he meets Chloe, and after some shyness on his part, they become a couple. The Director’s visual creativity leads you in through an array of astonishing images telling the surreal love story of Colin and Chloe. After their marriage, Chloe begins to suffer from a strange illness. French with English subtitles

Short Term 12 (M) 93m

2013, Destin Cretton, USA / 2, 23 Mar at BCC Darwin

Passionate and tough, Grace is a supervisor at a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers. A 20-something year-old, Grace shares her life and work with her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason, and Grace is a formidable caretaker of the kids. When Jayden, a gifted but troubled teenage girl arrives at the facility, Grace’s own difficult past, and the surprising future suddenly presents itself which throws her into unforeseen confusion. Grace comes to find surprising sources of redemption, in both her work and the new teenager in her care.

The Patience Stone (M) 98m

2013, Atiq Rahimi, Afghanistan/France/Germany / 9 Mar & 23 Mar at BCC Darwin

Set in an unnamed, war-torn Middle Eastern village, a young woman in her thirties watches over her comatose husband who was shot during conflict. She tends to his every need, and one day, the woman decides to tell the truth to him about her feelings of their relationship to her silent husband. Co-written by legendary French Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière, and adapted from an award winning novel, this is an original take on the plight of women in countries such as Afghanistan, with an extraordinary lead performance from exiled Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani. Farsi with English subtitles.

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DarwinLife | Business & Community

Australian Financial Advisers

&

AFA Mortgage Solutions M eet

Dwayne & Kerry!

Dwayne H ameister Managing Director of AFA Darwin

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DarwinLife Magazine

Australian Financial Advisers and AFA Mortgage Solutions are true gems of Darwin’s business and wider community.

A foundation of the Territory’s economy, AFA has been around since 1986 and has matured markedly from its humble beginnings in Katherine’s main street. The organisation now has twelve separate franchisees in Queensland and New South Wales. The Darwin office, located on the ground floor of the prestigious William Forster Chambers building, is funky and innovative. It combines a traditional office structure with seminar and meeting rooms with a break out area comparable to a hip street cafe. The spaces are available for hire and are often used for free by community and small business groups.

Dwayne Hameister, the Managing Director of AFA Darwin, has been in the finance sector for twenty-eight years. He started his career in Adelaide working for one of the major banks and quickly escalated through the ranks working throughout the South Australian and Territory regions. In 2002, he was headhunted to join the Darwin AFA team and has been at the helm to witness significant organisational growth and change within the industry.

‘At AFA, we are interested in empowering our clients through knowledge and education. Our technical and financial expertise are embedded with an individual’s personal circumstances that enables the best possible outcome for our clients’, Dwayne explains.

Financial investment can be confusing at the best of times.

There are multiple products in multiple markets which can be hard to understand or even access if you are outside the industry. The AFA team’s approach is to break down and simplify these different components.

‘We like our clients and potential clients to come along to our free education workshops which are held monthly’, Dwayne states. ‘We explore common misconceptions and human behaviour towards money. Our audience understands why we operate more like a money coach than a traditional adviser.

From our workshops, individuals walk away with a different outlook towards their investment behaviour and have the ability to work with us to develop a financial blue print and strategy in the future’, Dwayne explains.

Business & Community | DarwinLife

AFA also has an in-house mortgage brokerage service which specialises in competitive home loan solutions. Kerry McKenzie, the Principal of AFA Mortgage Solutions, is celebrating her milestone thirty years of service in the finance industry. In tried and true fashion, Kerry commenced her career with a major bank before making the switch to real estate. In 2007, she was asked to head the mortgage division of AFA and hasn’t looked back.

Kerry’s work as a mortgage consultant allows her to combine her two passions of finance and real estate.

‘I am passionate about helping clients find the best possible loan solution’, Kerry states. ‘I work with clients to help determine their borrowing needs and servicing abilities and select a loan best suited to their circumstances, Kerry explains.

Amazingly, Kerry’s services are at no cost to her clients. She makes the financial side of purchasing a house and working through to settlement a lot easier for her clients. When you speak to Kerry, you understand immediately why she has won many accolades, including a Professional Excellence Award.

She is a truly compassionate person who marries good people skills with excellent communication.

‘The advantages of using a mortgage broker is that you can go outside the product confines of a single organisation. There is then the ability to compare and contrast the finance packages that are on the market, not just in one single geographic area, but Australia wide’, Kerry states. ‘A mortgage broker also has access to information and products that are not readily available to the public’, Kerry explains. ‘This knowledge allows clients to make an informed decision and select the most advantageous package’.

So you’ve bought your house, papers have been signed and the settlement process is complete. Kerry’s services don’t stop there.

‘My clients are free to call or email me at any time with new borrowing questions or questions that concern their existing loans. The process is very rewarding and very stimulating.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a first or third home, finding the best solution and providing the highest level of service gives me a buzz every time, Kerry states.

If you are interested in finding out more about AFA or AFA Mortgage Solutions, feel free to call the office on (08) 8923 4100 or email Jocelyn.cull@afanet. com.au to have a chat or come in and see them at their offices which is Ground Floor, William Forster Chambers Building, 26 Harry Chan Avenue, Darwin. www.afawebsite.com.au They are also on facebook so search for them and like their page for regular insights, updates and competitions!

They are under Australian Financial Advisers – Darwin.

PDA Financial Planning Pty Ltd T/A Australian Financial Advisers, Paul Betti, Dwayne Hameister, Angelo Maglieri, Noel Land, Authorised Representatives of GWM Adviser Services Ltd ABN 96 002 071 749 trading as MLC Financial Planning an Australian Financial Services & Credit Licensee No: 230692 with its registered office at 105-153 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060. A member of the National Group of Companies.

Kerry M

c

K en z ie

Principal of AFA Mortgage Solutions

DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Business & Community

T he Darwin Sailing Club

New Members Always Welcome!

As a member of The Darwin Sailing Club you are welcome to relax or dine as often as you like. There is no more beautiful place in Darwin to enjoy an icy cold beer while taking in refreshing sea breezes and a tropical setting.

The many membership benefits include use of the restaurant and bar facilities, drink specials, social events, discounted sailing lessons and more.

As a member you can also host your next special event beachside in one of Darwin’s most versatile waterfront venues.

The sheltered waters of Fannie Bay are amongst the best places in Australia to learn sailing. The Darwin Sailing Club’s Yachting Australia qualified instructors teach sailing and windsurfing for all ages and all levels. The adult ‘Start Sailing’ courses and the children’s ‘Tackers’ program are very popular and often have waiting lists, so get in early!

Make the most of your 2014 membership by joining now!

Phone 8981 1700 or email admin@dwnsail.com.au

New Members Always Welcome Membership benefits include: Award Winning Restaurant and Bar Facilities, Exclusive Social Events, Drink Specials, Discounted Sailing Lessons and much more!

Make the most of your 2014 membership by joining now!

PH 8981

1700 • E admin@dwnsail.com.au

www.dwnsail.com.au 52

DarwinLife Magazine

Business & Community | DarwinLife

B usiness

‌ methodology to model outstanding performances ‌

After three years of study and months of planning, we are excited to announce that on March 20th, the Business Wizardry Program will commence for those who are starting a business, who are wanting to make a change in their business and for those who want to improve their management of people in business.

We all need a little Wizardry at times and the magic that this program will give you is to understand language patterns in a most influential way.

The program commences with a seven day advanced communications program in Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP) you may have heard of it though may well be wondering what is it.

In brief, NLP is used for business success as it is the practice of understanding how people organise their thinking, feeling, language and behaviour to produce the results that they do. So why would this be helpful in business?

Because NLP provides people with a

methodology to model outstanding performances achieved by leaders in their field. A key element of NLP is that we form a unique internal representation of the world in the way we filter and perceive information absorbed through our five senses and from the world around us.

So wherever there is human interaction and personal growth potential, NLP can be used to develop and enhance performance. Business Wizardry is a program of business excellence creating lasting change and foundations that will model excellence.

Once you have completed your seven day NLP practitioner certification, you will participate in 4 dynamic business workshops that will provide you with the foundations of business excellence and just to ensure that you achieve excellence, you will be coached by one of our award winning business wizards who will create magic on the final touches you need to be the best you can be.

If you would like to know more, phone Annette or Douglas on 8947 0409.

Your pre study pack awaits you.

Annette Gillanders

Teacher Inspirator Coach

Douglas Gillanders

Educator, Mediator, Coach

Biznorth – the hive of business knowledge P 8947 0409 www.biznorth.com.au

DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife Magazine

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“Our aim at Territory Uniforms is to supply quality service & products at a competitive prices while continually striving to improve�

Territory Uniforms - Not just uniforms

Territory Uniforms is a locally owned and operated family business and has been part of the Territory for over 30 years.

We carry a large range of corporate, chef and industrial workwear in a variety of excellent quality trusted brands which can be seen in the links provided on our products pages or in our store located at 140 Smith Street Darwin.

Territory Uniforms offer full colour digital transfers and an in-house embroidery service for any business design.

For pricing or enquiries please do not hesitate to call, fax, email or drop in and see us.

r Polos r Boots r Hi visibility work wear r Safety accessories

Trading Hours: .PO 'SJ BN m QN r 4BUVSEBZ BN m OPPO

4NJUI 4USFFU -BSSBLFZBI /5 ] (10 #PY %BSXJO /5 Ph ] F ] E admin@territoryuniforms.com

www.territoryuniforms.com Mention DarwinLife when you talk to us to receive a discount on your purchase. (conditions apply)

Business & Community | DarwinLife

TIO’s mobile home lending specialist

Donna Downs A new bub on the way can be an exciting and daunting time for many new parents. Not only is there a new routine to get used to, a new addition can often mean having to manage and balance your finances differently.

To help ease the pressure, many lenders have introduced features that allow you to take a mortgage repayment break.

The ‘pregnant pause’ as it’s commonly known, frees up cash flow at a time when family finances could be stretched.

TIO’s mobile home lending specialist, Donna Downs says that “depending on individual circumstances, TIO may consider deferring home loan repayments for up to six months while a customer is on maternity leave”.

“This could free up more than $2,500 each month, based on a home loan amount of $460,000, over a 30 year term at a rate of 5.11% pa,” said Donna.

Other things to consider could include whether your loan allows you to increase your loan term, or pay interest only for a certain period.

If you would like to talk to someone about your home loan and repayment options, contact Donna Downs, TIO’s mobile home lending specialist, on 0427 425 050 or ddowns@tiofi.com.au. Donna can visit you wherever you are, at a time that suits you.

“A business built on personal referrals, from ver y happy clients.”

CRIMINAL LAW • TRAFFIC LAW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE • FAMILY MATTERS PROPERTY SETTLEMENTS • CONVEYANCING WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY Darwin Office Tel (08) 8981 2266 • Fax (08) 89815533 17 Cavenagh St Darwin Coolalinga Office Tel (08) 8983 3988 • Fax (08) 8983 3977 Shop 19 Coolalinga Village Email maleys@maleyslegal.com

www.maleyslegal.com

Dale Walker 0408 952 595 PO Box 2153 Palmerston NT 0831 f. 08 8932 1225 e. dale@dunvegan.net.au DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Business & Community

We all know how great our lifestyle is in the Top End, with beautiful gardens, backyard BBQs, and cooling off in the pool.

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DarwinLife Magazine

Most people might think we need to use a lot of water to maintain our gardens and our great tropical lifestyle.

This is not the case.

Being water efficient is not about going without or sacrificing our lifestyle. It is about the community working together to reduce the amount of water wasted, about respecting this natural resource and about acknowledging that even with our annual wet season rainfall, Darwin River Dam is not bottomless.

Water is a finite resource.

With rapidly growing population, long dry months, high evaporation and high water use, the Darwin region faces some tough decisions about how we value water, how efficiently we use it, what we are prepared to pay for it and where we will find future supplies.

Residents in the Darwin region are among the highest water users anywhere in Australia.

While many other large cities in Australia have reduced their water over the last decade, the Darwin region has increased its water use. An average Darwin household uses 535 000 litres of water each year. That is around 1 500 litres of water per household each day, which is almost three times as much as other Australians. Most

water, 70 per cent, is leaked or used outdoors for irrigation, pools and ponds, boat and/or car washing with a high percentage of gardens being over-watered.

Much of our water use can be reduced, by doing things like fixing leaks or having better irrigation scheduling, all while still maintaining our great lifestyle.

By being more water efficient we will defer the need for expensive new infrastructure and save businesses and households money on their utility bills.

Living Water Smart is a five year project that will help the Darwin region reduce water use by 10GL per year, equivalent to almost three months average water supply for the Darwin region. The project comprises eight key initiatives including homes and businesses, parks and ovals, accommodation, schools, hospitals and defence, recycling reticulation and smart metering.

The Living Water Smart water efficiency team is now working with businesses to identify opportunities to reduce water use and save money.

If you’re looking for more information about Living Water Smart or would like to register, go to www.livingwatersmart.com.au

Business & Community | DarwinLife

Building Your Dream

Project Services

Developing a block of land into your dream home is a task that daunts many. There are many aspects to consider in ensuring the successful design and construction of a home. Some things to keep in mind are: Size and location of the land

This is a crucial element of building as the size and shape of the block will determine your design footprint. You should also consider environmental factors such as the direction of sunlight and natural breezes to your home. In Darwin it is essential to minimize direct sun and maximize any natural breezes. The overall streetscape is also important, as you don’t want to overcapitalize by building a mansion in street surrounded by sub-standard homes.

Your budget and needs

Be realistic with your budget, have a set figure in mind and stick to it. Compile a list of your absolute must-haves and source several quotes to ensure you are not overpaying for building services. If

the quote leaves some room to move, then perhaps consider adding extras like the second living area or a pool.

Who will build your home

You can either manage the whole process yourself as an owner-builder or hire a professional builder to arrange everything.

Being an owner-builder may initially seem cheaper , however if you have no experience in building this may be quite tedious, push out your time frames and end up costing more to fix errors.

Timeframe

Consider the estimated build time, as in this period you will have to arrange alternative accommodation which will be an additional cost.

At Colliers we are pleased to announce our launch of Project Services, where we can assist you in stream lining your time, budget and design process in property development.

For more information, please contact us on 8977 0888 or email lianna.georges@colliers .com.

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DarwinLife | Business & Community

Hallmark C omputer

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Hallmark Computer has been in Darwin since 1996 as one of the leading local computer assemblers and distributors of a wide range of IT products. Two years back, seeing a real need for repair services not only for Smart Phones & Tablets but also for Macbooks, Laptops, Desktops & Gaming Consoles, we expanded our services to those areas.

We have a team of experienced technicians and a good supply chain for spare parts to serve our customer’s needs. Currently we have offices in Darwin, Palmerston and a collection point at Shop ‘n’ Go, on Mitchell Street. We are committed to continuous evaluation and improvement of our services. Since we are in the mobile repair business, we explored the future landscape of mobile technology and would like to share our findings.

Right now, it seems like its two decades back, when every company in the car industry was adding more and more options to their products, which always left us wondering, what’s next? We believe the mobile phone industry is going through the same phase of ever-expanding lists of advanced features, surprising its users with every release. Features which we researched and gathered from various sources include: Projection: We see the Projection to be a very basic part like camera on mobiles in future, considering the love of people for bigger display screens.

Image Capture/Processing: We’re set to get a glimpse of what’s in store through the release of Nokia’s smart-phone, which carries a 64 mega-pixel sensor and Carl Zeiss optics and array of photo and video options. With competitors bringing delay, 3D, variable speed and multiple cameras and full editing on the hoof with Photoshop and Premier, it will be exciting.

Augmented reality (AR): Augmented reality is the future. As end-users we’ve had our initiation with Google’s ‘Glass’, ‘Layar’, ‘Wikitude’ among others; the flow of AR technology is just beginning.

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Imagine if we can look forward to true location awareness, enabling clients to view couriers progress in real-time or other similar scenarios with emergency services being able to see the accident scene before getting there.

Mobile cloud: We should see a leap to cloud computing in the mobile market.

The mobile cloud is already in use in certain applications such as Google’s Gmail and Cloud Storage, but extensive usage is limited by network speed and stability.

4G and beyond: Higher speed hardware and improved network infrastructure will provide businesses with a faster and stable & always on data connection. We can expect to see 5G implemented fully by 2020, and will likely see peak data speeds of 1Gbps.

Biometrics: As mobile devices evolve into more than just communications tools, security becomes ever more important.

Apart from fingerprint based biometric security across some of its range and in the near future voice or even inner-ear activated devices will be available, and will allow protection of the data when it’s not in use. Imagine the convenience if all our credit cards, passports, insurance documents etc . could all be carried around with us in our hip pocket, securely protected and unable to be used without our presence!

Operating systems and interoperability: There is already a sea change between Current mobile operating systems and the basic user interfaces of a few years ago. Following a reliable lead,

now we’re moving toward to a true multiplatform operating systems for netbook, smart-phone and workstation to allow us a seamless working environment.

Design possibilities: With the implementation of new technologies, wrist watches, paper and pen-like devices have been seen on the market where user needn’t be constrained by shape and size any longer. The possibilities are huge .

Environmental awareness: Apart from the far-reaching environmental impact, there are concerns of demand far outstripping supply of materials used to build our important devices. Sony Ericsson has taken steps towards a range of ecofriendly devices with its GreenHeart initiative. It will benefit Mother Nature and usage of sustainable materials also will serve to keep production steady and lower transport costs. Another initiative is solar panel integration.

Desktop replacement: As processor manufacturers continue developing smaller, less power hungry and increasingly powerful products, the traditional desktop computers will be a thing of the past.

Their successors will be empowered by multi-core processors, advanced graphic processing units and more RAM. As with all predictions, some will happen, some will be lost forever. One thing that is certain is that smart-phones and mobile devices are here to stay and interact with humans in ways we never imagined.

Whatever the future holds for Mobile technology we would be ready and well equipped to meet the repair demands by the time they arrive.

Business & Community | DarwinLife

3 0 years of L eathermans

The Dalai Lama owns a Leatherman Multitool. What? Yes, it is hard to imagine His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, owning the multi tool that some describe as a ‘Swiss army knife on steroids’. But Leatherman founder, Tim, has it on good word that it is true.

“Arnold Schwarznegger owns one too,” he continues. Well, the brawny actor come ex-US Governor owning one is not surprising. Nor that many in the Outback do either, with Australians buying over 100,000 Leathermans each year making us the second biggest export market for the American product.

Tim Leatherman visited Darwin in February as part of his globetrotting tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his handy invention. As part of his visit, Tim popped in to say hi to his good friend Stanley at Alfred’s on Knuckey Street in Darwin.

He came up with the idea of a multi tool when he was travelling Europe with his wife. “We really needed a pair of pliers

and a few other tools and didn’t have any handy – so when I got back home to Portland I asked my wife to support us for four weeks while I worked on my idea,” the ex-engineer said.

“Four weeks turned into three years,” Tim chuckled. “I still wasn’t happy with my prototype and it ultimately took another five years with me tinkering on it in my spare time!”

In the first year, Tim sold about 200 Leathermans. “Within a decade that increased to over a million, now in its 30th year we sell about three million different types of Leathermans across the world each year.”

Tim said the multi tool is a popular item in Australia. “They are useful and many

in the farming, mining and construction industries find them indispensable. They can cut as precisely as a pair of sharp scissors to chopping through a thick bolt or piece of wire. It also reflects the essence of being an ‘Aussie’, I think – getting the job done, being self-sufficient and taking care of things yourself.”

Depending on which type you buy – a Leatherman can be a key ring size to one suitable and sturdy enough for a construction site. It can be as simple as a pocket knife to one that boasts a myriad of tools such as a screwdriver, saw, pliers, wrench and much more.

“It can have pretty much everything you need,” Tim said, “Except maybe the kitchen sink”.

ALFRED’S ALFRED’S 3/20 Knuckey Street Darwin City DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Inspirational Women

TRAINING & RECRUITMENT As part of our series focusing on the inspirational women that contribute and help shape the Territory into the dynamic place it is we turn the spotlight onto jobs and training. Yes, those ones we turn to when we need help stepping up the career ladder, getting a new job, or teaching us new skills to make us the best that we can be. We are talking to women in recruitment and training.

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Let’s face it this is often one of the busiest times of year for them. You have come back from your Christmas and New Year holidays to a pile of paperwork, millions of emails, a stressed out boss – and you think stuff this I need a new job. Or maybe you were daydreaming about changing direction completely and doing a course to add another bow to your arrow and change your career or open your own business.

The recruitment and training industries are often dominated with women. The female approach has its advantages in securing you a new job or nurturing a new skill. Patience, ability to multitask, empathy and determination are all assets these women share.

These women understand the challenges of juggling a successful career with their day-to-day life. Many attribute their success to the support they receive from their family and are in it because of the satisfaction they get from helping others achieve their goals.

So if you want to pursue your dream job, or before you tell your current boss of your plans, read on and see how these women can help you.

Inspirational Women | DarwinLife

attitude THE RIGHT

Hayden Recruitment - the right people, the first time

T R A I N I N G & R E C RU I T M E N T

“It all started with me registering my company and $50K. Now it turns over five million plus, but I don’t think about that. I just do it. I’m in it because I love it. The greatest thing is helping people get jobs”.

Stephanie is hardwired for success and everything she thinks, says and does is fuelled by her attitude; it’s positive, charismatic, gets under your skin and is thankfully contagious. “I look at what I can do not what I can’t”, says Stephanie, a self-­confessed realist about doing business. “My charge rate is only eight per cent on permanent placements and we’re competitive with labor hire which gives me the edge. We don’t just throw resumes at employers, we meet candidates and find the best match so we don’t waste people’s time”.

The exuberant and powerfully minded-­business woman always planned to build an enterprise and capitalized on her early secretarial days temping across industries and as a PA functioning at full throttle for three managers. But, working with the Salvation Army’s long-­term unemployed is what ignited Stephanie’s career goals. “My job was to build these people up enough so they believed they were worthy of a job and knew what they could achieve if they had one. I believed in them and had a 79 per cent success rate”.

This innate philosophy, a compassionate, grass roots understanding of recruitment, relentless determination and unwavering family support has allowed Hayden Recruitment to unleash itself and turn Stephanie’s big dream into big business. “I also put my family first no matter what and to my delight our daughter, Brearna, is now managing our Darwin office and son, Callum, will head up our new business”.

Stephanie’s “greatest strength” though is husband Mitch, a man who has “supported me from the start”, says Stephanie. “Mitch worked in the mines for 27 years until we decided it was time for both of us to concentrate on our business ventures. It was one of my goals to not send him underground anymore and we achieved that 14 months ago.

Another goal was to defeat breast cancer at 49, just as I began Hayden Recruitment, and I did that with Mitch beside me all the way”.

The mining industry crash in 2012 didn’t stop Stephanie either from harnessing further success despite the crash unraveling a heartless reality having to lay off 70 people. “It broke my heart. It was one of the lowest points in my career”. Yet the next decision Stephanie made was pivotal.

“We expanded, saw opportunity here and fell in love with Darwin people.

Now joining the Newcastle head office we have four fulltime, local employees that form Darwin’s dynamic team that also go that extra mile” with Stephanie at its core. “I work alongside my team and don’t expect anyone to do anything I’m not prepared to myself ”. And, at 55, with her dream now a reality Stephanie unequivocally believes “the sky’s the limit”. It is.

15/119 Reichardt Rd, Winnellie 8984 3008 www.hrdarwin.com.au facebook.com/haydenrecruitment

Stephanie H ayden ­Managing Director

DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Inspirational Women

Kathryn james CEO, GTNT

territory LEADING HER

GTNT - Creating Territory Futures... Through Apprenticeships

T R A I N I N G & R E C RU I T M E N T

“It was my time to give back and be part of the solution…and make a difference for every Territorian”.

(Kathryn James – CEO, GTNT)

Kathryn James is one of very few females to become CEO of a Group Training Organisation in Australia. However, the gravitational pull towards this prominent position held at Group Training Northern Territory (GTNT), a not-­for-­profit organisation, required more than a demonstrative, 20-­year commitment to the employment and training industry. It has required emotional and physical dedication and an innate “love of helping people achieve their career goals by giving them avenues to access”, reinforces Kathryn; an affable boss who often dons high-­vis and steel-­caps to do business across the Territory with her apprentices, trainers, employers and staff.

The former hairdressing apprentice and Human Resource (HR) and Management major began to carve a career in HR in Yulara then Alice Springs where one opportunity cemented her ambition, becoming part of implementing the first school-­based apprenticeships in the Territory. “At the time, we had no work preparation opportunities in Tennant Creek and many students didn’t come from working families and weren’t 62

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aware of the possibilities. GTNT’s program offered a proper transition pathway”. At 17, one student completed his school-­based apprenticeship while supporting his family and won GTNT’s and NT’s School-­Based Apprentice of the Year and became a role model in his community of what can be achieved”, prides Kathryn. “Examples like this reinforced my personal drive to change the system, continue lobbying to do more and work in employment and training for the rest of my life”.

Four years as Field Officer, six years as a Manager, three months as General Manager, two years now as CEO “it was time to give back to the industry”, says the 2013 Telstra Business Award winner. “We rolled up our sleeves, built a new team and despite maintaining our foundation values began competing on a national level and vying for international business”. And, the results have provided many opportunities for Territorians with 380 apprentices, 65 staff, 230 partnering businesses, the opportunity to work with 32 communities, all public and private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and leaders across all industries.

Having established itself as the largest employer of apprentices and trainees in the NT, May 10 commemorates a silver jubilee event acknowledging 25 years of “success stories to show new apprentices and trainees they can do it too”, says Kathryn. In another 25, “GTNT will be bigger, better, enjoy ultimate sustainability, apprenticeships and traineeships will compete at the forefront of preferred career choices and we’ll continue giving people opportunities from school right throughout their careers, because once a part of the GTNT family, always a part”.

Having started at the frontline of her industry Kathryn feels “very privileged to be in a position to inspire staff, trainees, apprentices, my daughters and women of all ages to become all they can”.

38 Woods St, Darwin 8980 0600 www.gtnt.com.au facebook.com/gtnt

Inspirational Women | DarwinLife

Annette

G I L L A N D E R S ­Managing Director

business A MIND FOR

Biznorth – the hive of business knowledge

T R A I N I N G & R E C RU I T M E N T

“The most rewarding part is seeing the growth in the Northern Territory. I love seeing the NT succeed”.

(Annette Gillanders, Managing Director - Biznorth)

Annette Gillanders exudes unabating enthusiasm for every ounce of her business.

It’s contagious and reinforces why Darwin and its businesses are going places. Many of you know the Managing Director of Biznorth has been orchestrating a forward-­ thinking mindset responsible for the success of many companies across the Territory, and indeed other parts of Australia. Annette’s invaluable approach to enterprise has and continues to gain great momentum and yes she does have a magic wand, a brilliant, switched-­on, well-­ trained brain.

“Biznorth began when I left a rather restricted environment as a Charles Darwin University business lecturer”, says Annette. “I had no clue what I’d do next but my supportive husband, Doug, agreed with my idea of becoming a consultant and I never looked back. This job has given me autonomy, control and allowed me to paint my own picture”. But Annette openly admits she was once a “disengaged student” believing she “couldn’t learn”.

However, the adept businesswoman decided this was completely invalid and “discovered learning at age 30” and an even greater thrill.

“I love helping people achieve goals they didn’t

think were possible and seeing people rock no matter what age”. Now, multiple degrees line the Biznorth foyer wall with ‘Annette Gillanders’ embossed in qualifications recognising achievements as a Master life coach in hypnosis, Time Line Therapy and Neuro-­Linguistics Programming (NLP) as well as education, project management and human resources.

The behaviourist’s commitment to building such a powerful knowledge bank is beyond commendable but Annette’s formidable success comes down to putting her skills and know-­ how into practice, her relentless dedication and one rather philosophical mantra; “feel the fear and do it anyway”, says 2008’s Telstra Business Woman of the Year. “When I started Biznorth 14 years ago I operated from our spare bedroom then bought a near million dollar complex in Winnellie for my consultancy”, says Annette; an insightful yet sobering decision.

Today, Annette’s business aptitude and understanding of the ebbs and tides of enterprise is contextualised, creative, adaptive, anticipates client’s needs and wants and, above all else, is in demand. “You must believe in

yourself though”, she adds. “You need crystal clear vision, flexibility to respond to changing markets, to see the flow that’s going to occur and have the ability to shift your business in a direction to accommodate this”. Three years ago Annette saw such a change in the “over-­regulation of the Registered Training Organisation industry (RTOs) which would make it difficult to achieve profit”, particularly in a boutique business operation. Biznorth consequently closed its RTO arm, opened an NLP training division and developed a 15-­day Business Wizardry Program that books out in days and a platform “to learn, communicate, change and evolve”, explains Annette and “ultimately invest in yourself ”; one of the greatest assets in business.

Cnr Hickman and Reichardt, Winnellie 8947 0409 | www.biznorth.com.au facebook.com/bznorth DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Inspirational Women

industry LEADING HER

Hollie Goodall – Campus Director Australian Institute of Personal Trainers

T R A I N I N G & R E C RU I T M E N T

The Australian Institute of Personal Trainers’ Darwin Campus Director, Hollie Goodall is making a difference in people’s lives and inspiring the next generation of Personal Trainers. As an elite Personal Trainer she has a wealth of experience in swim coaching, triathlon coaching, rehabilitation, boot camps, Pilates and children’s fitness.

Hollie

G O O D A L L Director -­HG Fitness and NT Swim Schools NT Campus Director – Australian Institute of Personal Trainers

Hollie’s achievements both personal and professional are truly impressive, including 2002 Professional Tri-athlete of the Year (QLD) and 2008 Surf Iron Woman NT Champion. Hollie has also received inspiring accolades for her business, HG Fitness; 13 honours with 8 from the Telstra Business Awards, two bestowed by the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers (AIPT), and three from the Australian Small Business Championships.

2014 recognises even further achievement for the former professional triathlete with popping of champagne corks a must in April as HG Fitness celebrates 10 years. After representing Australia in Canada in 2001 at the World Triathlon Championships (an event Hollie’s trying for again this year) then coming back to push her vigour to the limit with the army reserves, Hollie saw a market for outdoor personal training and launched HG Fitness in 2004. “I started at 5am, was home at 7pm, on emails until 11pm plus bookwork 7 days a week”, remembers Hollie. “I didn’t have the business know-­how but had the qualifications and two employees by 2005”. Now HG Fitness has more than 600 clients, 15 staff and one PA. Hollie also owns and runs NT Swim Schools in Coconut Grove with 14 employees and 1470 students. And, very soon she’ll unveil a concept that “no one else is doing in Darwin”; an 80-­acre, fitness facility on the Arnhem called Marrakai Fitness Retreat.

The Queensland Professional Triathlete of the Year’s back to basics, hunter-­ gatherer doctrine towards work and life and has become a potent part of her success. “I operate with a no-­gym, functional training approach using stairs, hills, sand and all you can to get people fit”, says Hollie. She also insists her clients “keep to the outside of supermarket aisles, the fruit and veg, fresh meat, bit of dairy, tuna and that’s it”. The greatest reward though is “making a lasting difference, especially helping someone lose 50kg”, adds Hollie. “It transforms a person’s life and is very emotional. So an undeniable rapport with clients and being a fitness all-­ rounder is essential”. And, every HG Fitness trainer who has harnessed these vital skills and qualified from the AIPT has been personally trained and handpicked by Hollie. This in turn, allows her to grow the industry she loves here in Darwin and align its fitness standards with the rest of Australia.

Here’s to 2024. Learn more about how you can become a Personal Trainer through the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers – Call 1300 GO AIPT or visit www.aipt.edu.au

0421 500 286 www.hgfitness.com.au facebook.com/hgfitness www.ntswimschool.com.au facebook.com/ntswimschool 64

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Tuesday 8th April

11 – 2pm

Yeni’s Face Painting

Wednesday 9th April

12 – 3pm

DJ Kev

Thursday 10th April,

12 – 3pm

LifeBeInIt Cricket

Friday 11th April

12 – 3pm

DJ Kev

Leanyer Recreational Park CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY, OPEN EASTER SUNDAY.

With a whole week off in April before Easter, what better way to keep the kids amused and cool off at the YMCA Water Parks, with another fabulous program of events guaranteed to provide hours of fun and entertainment.

Both parks are proudly managed by the YMCA of the Top End on behalf of the Northern Territory Government. They are equipped with great facilities, including shaded and grassy areas, BBQ facilities, and wet and dry play areas. Leanyer Recreation Park boasts a stylish café serving up barista coffee and gourmet snacks, including mouth-watering barra burgers and salt and pepper squid. The three giant water slides are complement by designated swimming zones and a water playground.

Palmerston Water Park is home to the giant water slide. Standing at 14 metres high, the 6-lane slide’s ‘ready set go’ system allows you to race your friends all the way to the end! Desiginated wet play areas for young and old alike also provide hours of fun, whether you are a toddler

or a teenager.

The school holiday program of events are provided free of charge, including Yeni’s Face Painting, Kev’s Mobile Disco and LifeBeInIt Cricket!

Leanyer Recreation Park: 215 Vanderlin Drive, Leanyer.

Ph: 8927 4199. W: www.topend.ymca.org.au. Opening hours during school holidays. Pool and Wet Play Area 10am-6pm.

Water Slides: 11am-6pm. Entry is free.

Palmerston Water Park: Corner of Roystonea and University Avenue, Palmerston.

Ph 08 8931 4685 W: www.topend.ymca.org.au Opening hours during school holidays. Pool and Wet Play Area 10am-6pm.

Water Slides: 11am-6pm. Entry is free.

Tuesday 8th April

12 – 3pm

DJ Kev

Wednesday 9th April

11 – 2pm

Yeni’s Face Painting

Thursday 10th April

12 – 3pm

DJ Kev

Friday 11th April

12 – 3pm

LifeBeInIt Cricket

Palmerston Water Park CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY, CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY.

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KJS ENTERTAINMENT IS A WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY VENUE Darwin’s new and leading Family fun and entertainment venue for all ages

0 to 100!

Malak Shopping Centre, 16 Malak Cres, Malak NT 0812 Ph 8927 1133 | F 8927 1135 E admin@kjsentertainment.com.au

www.kjsentertainment.com.au www.facebook.com/kjsdarwin

DarwinLife Magazine

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Food & Drink | DarwinLife

Eating

OUT

BY JACK STEPHANE RESTAURANT NAME: PAVONIA PLACE

AWA R D W I NN I N G R ES TA U R A N T Since its opening in late 2012, Pavonia Place in Nightcliff has become one of Darwin’s most popular restaurants; because of its modern Australian menu, relaxed comfortable decor and reasonable prices. Added to this, it was awarded the Gold Plate Award for Best New Establishment last year.

On this visit to Pavonia Place I was keen to sample the chef ’s Speciality Menu of the Day. I was immediately tempted by the seared scallops with pepperberry and beetroot puree and vanilla parsnip puree ($17). These lightly seared scallops with roe were served on top of a slightly sweet vanilla parsnip puree contrasted by a superb slightly earthy pepperberry and beetroot puree. What a combination of flavours and textures with the scallops. A winner! But wait there’s more; just to refresh your palate, a rocket and shaved parmesan salad is served on the side.

Second entrée was Fresh Oysters with a Dragon fruit Salsa (half doz. $18; doz $32). Again a wonderful combination of flavours and textures. My initial taste was that of the fresh, succulent, fleshy oyster, with all its undertones of the ocean; followed by the delicate combination of the salsa flavours of fresh dragon fruit, together with very finely chopped coriander, red onion and

a hint of dressing. Nothing detracted from the oyster, they just sang in perfect harmony.

Lamb rump on a Mediterranean salad ($34) looked irresistible for a choice of main and I wasn’t disappointed.

The Lamb rump was cooked to perfection. A light crust on the outside with a ‘melt in our mouth’ medium rare texture throughout. The Mediterranean salad was packed with clean flavours including roasted capsicum, delicious artichokes, a variety of olives, greens, dressed with a light honey balsamic vinaigrette and finished with a generous drizzle of tzatziki, which highlighted the lamb. Another winner!

Dessert was a Dragon fruit and white chocolate cheese cake ($15). A surprise dessert as it was not like most cheese cakes; it was exciting, innovative and refreshing on the palate. The cheese cake had a wonderful light texture and refreshing subtle flavours; while still being smooth and silky. The base was buttery; yet delicate and crumbling in my mouth. The whole dessert was fantastic; each mouthful was a surprise as mentioned. Congratulations!

Next time you visit Pavonia Place, check out their Speciality Menu of the Day; you won’t be disappointed. I assure you it certainly put a smile on my face.

www. pa v o nia pl a c e.com.au RATINGS KEY: Poor |

Average |

Good |

Very Good |

Excellent

ADDRESS: 2 Pavonia Place, Nightcliff, NT, 0801 PHONE: 8948 1515 STYLE/CUISINE: MODERN AUSTRALIAN LICENCE: WINE LIST OF AUSTRALIAN WINES • GLASS $6.00 - $11.00 • BOTTLE $28.00 - $49.00 • COCKTAILS $11.00 - $18.00 • BEERS $6.00 - $8.50 ATMOSPHERE: STYLISH, CLASSY, YET RELAXED SPACIOUS SETTINGS SOUND LEVEL: Relaxing, lounge, music HOUSE SPECIALTIES: SPECIALITY MENU OF THE DAY VEGETARIAN OPTIONS: As on menu.

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DOZ $32.00 • MAIN COURSE: $27.00 - $37.00 • DESSERT: $15.00 HOURS: MONDAY – SATURDAY: 5:30 – 10:00pm RESERVATIONS: RECOMMENDED AT WEEKENDS CREDIT CARDS: YES WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: YES PARKING: STREET PARKING AVAILABLE OVERALL RATING:

Very Good DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Food & Drink

P enfolds W ines

When you think of Penfolds, you think of luxury. The name has become synonymous with world-class wine, and since its early beginnings 170 years ago, the brand has played a pivotal role in the evolution of winemaking in Australia.

Penfolds Global Wine Ambassador Jamie Sach and Area Sales Manager for the NT Allen Paiva launched this year’s range of the Bin Series to about 50 Territory publicans and restaurant owners at the Sky City Casino’s Lotus Bar. They had the opportunity to have a sneak peak – and taste – of the 12 new vintage wines before they go on sale to the general public from March 6. Each March, Penfolds launches its annual Bin Series, which is the heart of its portfolio of wines, and eagerly anticipated by wine connoisseurs.

As the Global Wine Ambassador, Jamie’s job is to share his enthusiasm for wine and Penfolds in an interesting and informative manner with a dash of good humour.

“We have an exceptional portfolio of wines – I like to think of them as a family, they are like brothers, some maybe a bit more different so they may be a cousin,” Jamie said.

“They are all slightly different but they have the distinguishable Penfolds stamp of quality that permeates through the brand.”

“The Bin Series is a dynasty of wines which

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all have an unmistakable resemblance to each other, it has an exceptional pedigree and lineage dating back to Penfolds’ first chief winemaker Max Schubert who created it in 1951.”

This year’s collection celebrates the anniversary release for two coveted Bins, together with the debut of an inaugural release – 2012 Bin 9 Cabernet Sauvignon which has ripe bold flavours and highlights the art of multiregional blending.

Penfolds was set up in 1844 by Dr Christopher Penfold, who migrated to Adelaide from England. He planted a vineyard so he could make medicinal tonics.

“Back then wine was used quite commonly for medicinal purposes,” Jamie said. “Initially the wines – made from Grenache – were prescribed as tonics for anemic patients.”

“Before long more and more people were coming to buy their tonic, rather than for medical treatment!”

Jamie said that by all accounts Mary, Dr Penfold’s wife, was the driving force behind making the winery into a thriving business that

today exports its wine to over 80 countries.

“She was a real pioneer, and after Dr Penfold died, Mary really forged ahead with the business,” he said.

Jamie said that Penfolds wines are considered the best of the best in vintage wine.

“We have carved out a reputation for creating dependable, interesting, high-quality wines spanning from our entry level Koonunga Hill range, the premium Bin range and all the way up to our iconic and more luxurious Grange,” he said.

To mark the 170th year milestone, Penfolds has released a 50 year old rare tawny priced at $3,550 per bottle, making it one of the most expensive fortified wines in the world.

They are also releasing later in the year a commemorative luxury wine, Bin 170.

Penfolds Area Sales Manager Allen Paiva said there was so much appreciation and demand for the Penfolds brand in the Northern Territory.

“We are just blown away by the support we have here,” he said. “The support is amazing and there is such a loyal following.”

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DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Coffee Feature

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Shop 1 & 3 Cavenagh Street, Darwin NT E kurtscakes@bigpond.com | Ph 8941 5033

Food & Drink | DarwinLife

Local seafood

unloaded weekly As you are driving along Tiger Brennan Drive or turning of onto Frances Bay Drive near Darwin CBD I have no doubt that you automatically assume nowadays for the Duck Pond to be filled with oil and gas vessels; well I can tell you that if you take a closer look or even drive down you’ll notice one of the Territories oldest industries, the professional fisher working tirelessly processing and unloading fresh and frozen seafood caught for local waters.

Despite some of those random misconstrued messages you hear like “all the local seafood is transported down south, nobody around here sells local seafood or everything is imported” well the truth is, vessels moor down at the Duck Pond every week and this is where the local fish mongers comes to collect theirs, so yes you can purchase local NT caught seafood locally; visit www.supportntcaught.com.au to see if where you can buy local.

The support and demand for local seafood has been fantastic over the last few years.

However we also realise that we need to get better information out to you about how you can prepare and cook your seafood at home.

The Support NT Caught campaign, driven by the Northern Territory Seafood Council, has some terrific mouth-watering recipe online that will allow you to experience a range of local species.

Whole roasted fish sounds good doesn’t it, and yes it is. Over the Christmas break I went that

one step further with my freshly purchased whole Red Empire; instead of wrapping in aluminium foil I wrapped it in a banana leaf, and it was easy. Place your fish on the banana leaf, score both sides, drizzle on some oil, season with your marinade – 4tbp of oyster and soy sauce, some garlic, 1tbsp fish sauce and brown sugar and then chuck in some lemon wedges wrap and tie. Preheat BBQ or oven to 180 degrees, generally whole fish takes approximately 20 minutes per kilo (tip: the banana leaf will turn brown and crispy), delicious.

www.supportntcaught.com.au

Rob Fish

Chairman | Northern Territory Seafood Council

DarwinLife Magazine

75

Bring Your Darwin Experience to a

NEW LEVEL

POKIES / TAB / KENO BAR / RESTAURANT / LIVE SPORTS 27 Cavenagh Street, Darwin www.rsldarwin.com.au

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Food & Drink | DarwinLife

T hings they are a changing

on the Darwin café scene But just like the rising humidity in October, a change is afoot on the Darwin eatery scene.

It turns out I’m not the only one with food issues who eats out in this town, it turns out there are many of us, and my friends, restaurateurs are listening!!

Take my friend Sean from Darwin institution Salvatore’s Cafe. 17 years he has been on the corner of Smith and Knucky Street and he says now, more than ever, people are conscious of what they eat. There are requests for gluten free, fructose free, lactose free, half serves, soy milk, almond milk, more veggies, less bread.

Enough to make a lesser person throw their arms in the air and give up. But not Sean.

No no. Instead, Sean has enlisted the help of a certain fashionable and enlightened being (wink wink!) to help him create some tummy

friendly dishes. Soon, things like almond milk coffees, green smoothies, fructose free cakes and one amazing muesli designed by yours truly, will be gracing the tables at Salvatores.

If you are at the other side of the mall is my new favourite haunt. If I’m not nose to the grindstone at my desk at The Chiropractic Place, you will find me tapping away on my laptop (or having a long lunch!) sipping my almond milk flat white at The Pearl in the Vic arcade. Complete with gluten friendly dishes (try the rice pudding please!) this place is as close to Melbourne as you will get without enduring a Jetstar flight.

So modern women, slip on your ballet flats and run, don’t walk, out for your next meal.

The heavens have opened and it is raining delicious healthy treats in our beloved city.

It’s no secret I’m a health conscious chick. Until recently, eating out in Darwin meant that I would get pained and confused looks accompanied by eye rolling, when I asked “is the fish gluten free?” or “can you make that salad without the cheese?”

Want more? Check out my book Cosmopolitan Hippy: A modern girl’s guide to being healthy and fabulous and find me on facebook www.facebook.com/ CosmopolitanHippy for more fantastic health information.

Leandra Walker is The Cosmopolitan Hippy.

A busy modern woman and author of the book Cosmopolitan Hippy: A modern girl’s guide to being healthy and fabulous. She’s a woman who wants it all, including good health, she knows how to strike that balance. If you’ve ever wanted to be healthier without giving up the cocktails, you’ve come to the right place.

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DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Food & Drink

PUMPKIN BREAD wheat, dairy & sugar free Moist, fruity and spicy, this loaf makes a perfect accompaniment to morning or afternoon tea. It is full of fibre and healthy fats and has a glycemic index similar to that of brown rice. It makes a great treat for kids, especially those adamant they will not eat pumpkin!

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups wholemeal spelt flour 1 ½ tspn baking soda 1 tspn GF free baking powder 2 tspn cinnamon 1 tspn nutmeg 1 tspn ginger 1 tspn cloves 2 tspn allspice 1 tspn salt ½ cup extra virgin coconut oil (can also use butter) 2 eggs 1 tspn vanilla extract ¼ cup brown rice milk 1 ½ cups grated pumpkin ½ cup raisins ¾ cup agave

1. Grease a 9 x 5 baking pan with a little coconut oil or butter.

2. Sift together dry ingredients.

3. In a separate bowl combine oil, eggs & vanilla.

4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients alternately with rice milk.

5. Stir in pumpkin and raisins.

6. Bake for 65 to 75 mins at 170C until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

7. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing.

8. Spread with a little coconut oil or butter and enjoy!

Located in the beautiful seaside suburb of Nightcliff, locally owned and operated, excellent service, local flavours’ Pavonia Place – the perfect location to enjoy a unique night out, that reflects Darwin’s incredible lifestyle.

Our relaxing open air dining area is re-opening for the Dry-Season on 1st May! 2 Pavonia Place Ph (08) 8948 1515

pavoniaplace.com.au 78

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Food & Drink | DarwinLife

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C

DarwinLife | Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness

is for a

Clear COMPLEXION Vitamin C is one of the most widely-used vitamins in skincare, and for good reason.

Firstly Vitamin C is an essential component of collagen production. Collagen is crucial in the role of healing the skin and limiting the impact of scarring.

Secondly Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant capable of protecting the skin from free radical damage, such as that caused by overexposure to the sun or pollution. Free radicals consume collagen and elastin – the fibres that support skin structure – and can cause wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

Vitamin C aids in the firmness, elasticity and overall smoothness and luminosity of skin as well as reducing discolouration and wrinkles.

Deficiency of Vitamin C leads to premature ageing, dull skin, dilated capillaries (tiny red blood vessels) and highly vascular conditions.

Diet As well as applying Vitamin C topically, it is important to ensure that your diet contains enough Vitamin C to take care of your body, and also your skin. Foods high in Vitamin C include berries, red and green peppers, citrus fruits, kale, parsley, turnips, and broccoli.

There are also a large number of Vitamin C supplements available.

Topical Skin Products In order for Vitamin C to penetrate the skin, it needs to be in an acidic environment, and it needs to be in a high concentration in the product.

Unfortunately products that contain 5-10% Vitamin C are expensive but it’s unlikely that products with low amounts of Vitamin C have any measurable impact on your skin.

In addition, topical Vitamin C is highly degradable. When exposed to air it oxidizes and its free radical soaking capabilities are muted — it becomes an inert, yet nicely citrus fragranced, cream. This is obvious if you have a Vitamin C cream at home; you will see that the cream around the cap turns brown indicating that the Vitamin C in it has oxidized.

The Australian owned and made Ultraceuticals brand uses pure and stable Vitamin C in their Ultra C10 Firming Serum ($98) which contains 10% Vitamin C and the Ultra C23 Firming Concentrate ($120)

which contains 23% Vitamin C in a CSIRO developed system.

The Body Shop has a Vitamin C skincare range that uses Amazonian camu camu berry, known to have one of the highest contents of Vitamin C in nature, as the key ingredient.

Try the Vitamin C Skin Boost ($36.50) or the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion ($32.50).

EmerginC has a 12% Vitamin C Serum ($99) and a 20% Vitamin C Serum ($110) available online.

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DarwinLife Magazine

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Kina rug

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DarwinLife Magazine

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O wl D o o r s to p s

rattles. comforters. cushions.

DarwinLife | Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness

Be empowered to manage your own

Do you have trouble remembering which medication you have been prescribed, or test results you received during your last hospital admission, or maybe the date of your last travel vaccine?

Active participants of the national eHealth record system Dr Kara Britz (left) and Robyn Cahill, CEO of FCD Health Ltd at the Palmerston GP Superclinic.

The national eHealth record system is an electronic tool which enables Australians to record a summary of their health care history in one accessible and secure location. This information can then be accessed, with your permission, by the health care professionals who care for you. It can include things like medications, allergies, hospital visits, medical conditions and even surgical procedures.

Registering for a national eHealth record is a simple way for you to store your health information securely in one central location and access it wherever you may be, eliminating the need to rely on your memory. It can also save time by providing health care providers with a summary of your health history, especially in the case of an emergency.

Health care providers such as hospitals, general practitioners, specialists, pharmacies, aged care facilities and allied health professionals can all register to access the national eHealth record system, enabling them to contribute documents to the record such as shared health summaries, event summaries and discharge summaries.

When accessing your record online you are able to apply a number of security settings to ensure only the healthcare providers you authorise are able to access your important information. You can also add your own health notes and emergency contact details.

Across the NT, the Northern Territory Medicare Local have been actively attending events, visiting community groups and health care services, where they provide assistance to people who wish to register for an eHealth record.

For more information about the national eHealth record and the different ways you can register, visit www.ehealth.gov.au or call 1800 723 471.

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Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness | DarwinLife

Knuckle

As I’ve focussed on more serious Chiropractic topics over the last few months, in this month’s column I’ve decided to lighten my discussion to something a little less clinical.

Cracking &

Arthritis A question we hear commonly is “Does knuckle cracking cause arthritis and why does my son/daughter do it all the time”?

Let’s talk a little bit about arthritis, with the most common form being Osteoarthritcs (OA), unlike other forms of arthritis like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), OA is not a disease process but is basically wear and tear. This occurs over many years and is more common in people who have sustained trauma through the affected joints. This trauma can be due to an injury or an accident but is most commonly due to repetitive microscopic trauma through the joint due to a repetitive job or sporting pursuit.

So does knuckle cracking cause arthritis?

No, a recent study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine compared people that regularly crack their

knuckles and the onset of OA in their hands1.

Interestingly they found in patients aged 50 to 89 years, “a history of habitual knuckle cracking - including the total duration and cumulative exposure to knuckle cracking does not seem to be a risk factor for hand OA.” The authors also discussed why an individual might develop the knuckle cracking habit in the first place, and suggested that it might offer relief to perceived joint stiffness. It has also been suggested that the tendency to crack the knuckles is due to the close relationship between the hands and the sensory part of the brain. In essence, manipulating the finger joints stimulates the sensory part of the brain and may serve as a ‘manual caffeine’ jolt to give us a mental lift.

Whatever the reason for the habit, it doesn’t seem to cause us any problems.

1. Deweber, K. et al. Knuckle cracking and hand osteoarthritis. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 2011 Mar-Apr;24(2):pg 169-74.0156.

Marc Cova

B.Sc. M.Chiro CAANT President 5/5 Keith Lane Fannie Bay 08 89414033 About the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (National) Limited (CAA) IS THE PEAK BODY REPRESENTING Chiropractors. An underlying principle of Chiropractic is “healthy spine, healthier life”.

By offering expert, drug-free spinal health care and lifestyle advice, Chiropractors help Australians lead and maintain healthy lives. With over 2,900 members, the CAA is the largest Chiropractic health body in Australia, and coordinates its efforts with its 8 autonomous CAA state and territory organizations.

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DarwinLife | Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness

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DarwinLife Magazine

“Our skin is composed of multiple layers and is constantly undergoing a natural process of regeneration,” she said.

“Dead skin cells on the surface are sloughed off as newly developed cells push up from the bottom of the epidermis.”

“However, as we age this rate of cell renewal slows down.

This makes your skin thinner and allows dead cells to pile up on the surface resulting in drier, rougher and duller skin texture.”

Nathalie continues that below the epidermis layer, in the dermis, even more significant changes occur with age.

“Here exists connective tissues such as collagen and elastin, which are responsible for strength, resilience and the ability to hold water. As the dermis becomes thinner and drier over the years, essential structural proteins deteriorate,” she said.

“This makes the tissue gradually lose their ability to retain water, tension and elasticity, and therefore become prone to dehydration, wrinkles and sagging.”

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Nathalie said by far the biggest contributing factor to ageing skin is the sun.

“Four out of five wrinkles are due to sun exposure,” she said.

“Cumulative changes in texture, colour and skin quality occur as a direct result of UV rays and radiation from sunlight.”

“While the effects vary, depending on amount of exposure, genetics and diet, it’s essential to prevent damage by taking obvious sun safety measures.”

Nathalie said her salon has a great range of Ella Bache sun blocks for everyday use which don’t clog or irritate your skin.

“Apply it after you brush your teeth in the morning and 20 minutes before exposure to the sun and you will save years off your skin,” she advises. “If you don’t apply it at least 20 minutes before exposure, you dramatically reduce its effectiveness.”

Nathalie said Ella Bache have a great range of tanning products. “They give you an amazing natural looking tan without exposing your skin to the damaging UV radiation.”

Nathalie recommends having a good skincare regime and a facial at least once a month to keep your skin looking youthful.

“It’s really important to have a good skincare regime, with the minimum of three items – cleanser, moisturiser, and always use sun protection,” she said. “Cleanser is important for removing dirt, pollution and excess oil. You need to moisturise at night to maintain hydration and replenishing vital vitamins and minerals and shield your skin in the day from UV radiation and the environment with sun block.”

Nathalie said that Essence of Beauty is celebrating 25 years in business. “I’m proud that we are not only the longest standing business in Palmerston, my salon has also been partnered with Ella Bache for the longest in the Territory.”

DarwinLife Magazine

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DarwinLife | Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness

GROUND LEVEL 59 SMITH STREET

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DarwinLife Magazine

Pelleve’ is a Radio Frequency procedure, much like a Ph 8981 6635 massage. Delivering thermal energy to the deep tissue of the threatened area. Resulting in the skin tightening and activating the skins own collagen re-production.

At the initial consultation (which usually takes about 30 minutes) all your concerns will be addressed and your suitability for the procedure will be assessed. The cost for the initial consultation is complimentary.

This treatment can be performed in your “lunchtime”.

There is no downtime and you can return to work immediately looking lovely naturally. Pelleve’ precisely delivers radiowaves to the dermal tissue to induce collagen contractions without damaging the epidermis.

Within about 2 weeks collagen remodelling occurs, resulting in a lasting improvement of your skin laxity

life

Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness | DarwinLife

CASUARINA Call Us 08 89272099 247 Trower Road, Casuarina

FREE 5 DAY PASS www.GENESISFITNESS.com.au

and wrinkle reduction. An immediate noticeable result can be seen and felt, with ongoing improvements over the next 6 months. Results may vary from person to person, most patients prefer to come back in 3-4 weeks for an additional treatment. Your Pelleve’ practitioner will advise you on post care and skin products.

GROUND LEVEL 59 SMITH STREET

DARWIN L A S E R

C O S M E T I C

Av ai l ab l e He re. . .

To experience Pelleve’ treatment please phone Darwin Laser Cosmetics on 8981 6635 or visit us at Suite 3, Ground Floor, 59 Smith Street in Darwin City to view ‘before and after’ photos and theYou video BEFORE couldon Pelleve’. start to reduce facial wrinkles today

without surgery

Hair n’ Play offers a comprehensive range of hair and beauty services in a relaxed and professional environment with complimentary, fully supervised indoor children’s play area.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am - 6pm

Call 8985 4848

8/18 Caryota Court Coconut Grove jo@hair-n-play.com

www.hair-n-play.com DarwinLife Magazine

89

Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness | DarwinLife

eye showdown

Beauty

B

L

O

G

colours

Let’s talk Makeup again, this edition I’m focusing on eye showdown colours complimenting your eye colour.

What do you do about choosing eye colours? Choosing the right eye shadow to go with your eyes, if you get it right can make them pop and look amazing. If your have gorgeous blue eyes then it’s no blue eye shadow for you, that’s just way too much.

For a sleek sophisticated look try natural earth tones, browns, taupe, creams or for a fun night out you could try anything with Pink or Purple tones. Green/Hazel colour eyes, earth tones work well here as does gold, lavender and surprisingly so does deep green blended with brown. If you have brown eyes then you’re the lucky one, you can get away with just about anything. blues, pinks, purples and even brown will look great on you. Have fun with your choices girls, just remember to match your eyes and then contrast with your clothing, your shadow and clothing should come from the same colour family in other words they need to have the same undertones.

Remember to use the right brushes (we talked about that in the last edition of Darwin Life), and it’s essential that you don’t go over the top with a lot of eye colour and a lot of standout lip colour at the same time. If you want bright red gorgeous glossy lips then go light and natural on the eyes or if you want stand out smokey eye’s then a nude lip with complement that.

The main thing is to have fun with it, be experimental and don’t be afraid to try new colours and styles. Until next time. Au revoir.

Helen Wilkinson

Manager/Owner Lash & Beauty & Simply Elegant 27 years in the Beauty Industry. www.helenssimplyelegant.com

NOW OPEN! Shop 200 Casuarina Square (next to Woolies)

Tel: 08 89456755

Shop 31 Casuarina Shopping Square Casuarina NT 0810 5FM .FEJDBM t %FOUBM

'BY DarwinLife Magazine

93

DarwinLife | Get Amongst It

GET AMONGST IT!

94

DarwinLife Magazine

Get Amongst It | DarwinLife

1 Dionisia Karpasitis is a vibrant businesswoman with goddess-like skin and has enjoyed exceptional longevity with her own enterprise. Luminary Beauty is a charming haven for all those wonderful ways we love to treat ourselves to look and feel fabulous. The salon is right on the corner at Alawa Shopping Centre and has been for 11 years.

Each month the Darwin Life team Gets Amongst It to help promote local businesses and this time Dionisia welcomed us for some long overdue pampering with her prestigious range of Thalgo and Priori anti-aging beauty products, the Priori organic cosmetic and makeup line only available in Darwin at Luminary Beauty. But before any treatments began we insisted on sitting down with

2

3 the Director for a look at the business she has been a part of for a decade.

In 2004, Dionisia embarked on her studies at Queensland School of Beauty knowing all she wanted to do was “help people feel good about them selves”, she says. Two months after completing her degree Dionisia became manager of a beauty salon then bought the business six years later. But what has enabled the mother of three to savour ongoing success is her ability to achieve “thrilling results” for her clients.

Now, undertaking a Diploma in Beauty Therapy and her apprenticeship with Luminary Beauty, Gayle Pizanias is fast becoming Dionisia’s prodigy showcasing the same aspirations and commitment.

Blair’s Treatment: Shallac Nails (valued at $60) “I instantly felt welcomed the moment I set foot in the door and marveled at Dionsia’s zest for her business, her ability to juggle the role of owner/ operator, wife and mother and her ‘it’s worth it’ attitude to the challenges these can all bring. I never had my nails done before but Dionisia was extremely thorough and with each carefully crafted clip, buff and polish my hands now look like they belong on the front cover of a fashion magazine. It’s no wonder clients drive miles to see Dionisia and Gayle”.

Brooke’s Treatment: Hydra Moisture Source Facial with Thalgo (valued at $122) “I wouldn’t normally have a facial as my skin can be quite sensitive yet the facial was exquisite and my face felt relaxed and rejuvenated with each step. Gayle was superbly professional and ensured I was comfortable during the entire process. The mask she applied felt sensational and soaked up every ounce of tension from my face and I literally felt like I was in a secret, hidden paradise. A surprising but welcomed part of the facial was the neck and shoulder massage and Gayle’s perfect touch made

“Dionisia has a profound understanding of how the skin and body work helping me fully understand what it means to be a beauty therapist”, says Gayle.

“To mentor Gayle and have her want to be the best she can reinforces the direction we both have towards the business”, adds the effervescent owner.

Dionisia is also equally dedicated to sustaining a welcoming, attentive and nurturing environment at the salon where the “biggest reward is seeing clients smile”. And, three beauties from Darwin Life’s Get Amongst It feature, Blair, Brooke and Stephanie, arrived at Luminary Beauty to embrace this second-to-none service. They left beaming and here’s why.

me drift off even further. The next morning my face felt as soft as a baby’s bottom and I’ll be going back to buy some Luminary Beauty products and show Gayle I’m still glowing.

Stephanie’s Treatment: Pamper Package includes eyebrow wax, eyebrow and eyelash tint, back, neck and shoulder massage and a luminary retreat facial (valued at $120) I had tension in my lower back and shoulders from sitting at my desk and the pamper package hit all the right spots. Gayle alleviated the discomfort and when I returned to the office I felt less taut. I’m also quite nervous having my eyebrows done with a beautician but I asked Dionisia for a natural look and that’s exactly what she gave me. With eyebrows perfect, eyelashes tinted and face and body soothed, I walked out with no makeup on feeling like a wonderfully replenished version of me because of two unique people”.

They are indeed. Dionisia and Gayle are Ying and Yang, serenity and fervor and a perfect balance for continuing the legacy of the Luminary Beauty name. Thank you both for being devoted to your craft, the familyfeel business, and for making the Darwin Life crew feel brand new.

Shop 6 Alawa Shopping Centre, Darwin, NT 0810 • Ph 8948 2550 DarwinLife Magazine

95

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Fitness The

Fashion, Beauty, Health & Fitness | DarwinLife

With the New Year well under way, resolutions that were so easily promised after a few drinks ago now become all too real and difficult to stay committed too.

P romise

The gym hears a growing chorus of“Work is just so busy right now.....”

“I’ve had a lot on lately....”

“Blah blah blah...”

It’s time to wake up people. Do you know why you have to keep making resolutions each year? Because you never see them through, therefore the promise needs to be made over and over, again and again.

At this early stage of the year I can safely assume that large percentage of you have already dropped off the fitness wagon in favour of returning to your comfortable ruts.

The problem with ruts is you tend to get stuck in them for a long time, sure you’ll rock back and forth every now and again, but in the end your still stuck.

I hereby challenge all of the New Year Reveler’s to make a new promise this weekend, with out all the fan fair of end of

year celebrations and drunken optimism, too start the journey you said you would along time ago along the road to better health.

Yes, it will be hard.

Yes, I know it’s hot outside.

And yes, the gym will be busy.

So what. Do you consider these real problems? I don’t.

Every obstacle you over come will only serve to make you stronger and even more determined, so stop thinking like a weak person and start thinking like a strong and confident person. Getting fit and healthy is merely a catalyst for improving all facets of your life, if you can get out of bed and knock out a 5km run, then going to work is going to be easy.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way, whether it be signing up to a bootcamp, coercing a friend into gym sessions or seeking a personal trainer, there are an abundance of avenues to go down if motivation really becomes a major factor in your success.

In summary there are no real excuses you can make that are valid, there are plenty of diverse exercise choices you can make and the only real obstacle is you.

If you choose not to make yourself a better person by getting fit and healthy that’s fine, it’ll just mean one less person clogging up the gym. After all, fitness is hard! You don’t want hard do you? No, I thought not.

You just stick to your KFC and high blood pressure, leave the hard stuff for those who want to accomplish things in life.

Stay Strong, Wes

Wez Innes

Northern Kettlebells Cert III Fitness Instructor Personal Trainer & Level 2 Kettlebell Instructor 0409 592 070

High performance personal training, group training, 24 hour access, all in a boutique gym by the beach.

Fitness enhances other things in your life; this is why we change lives!

DarwinLife Magazine

97

DarwinLife | Palmerston and Rural Life

Adrenal Fatigue Are you tired every day??? Do you constantly over-think??? Are you lying in bed every night….& NOT falling asleep??? Do your muscles ache for no reason???? Or do others ask you to ‘take a breath’ & SLOW down???

Maybe you’re running on adrenaline….which may lead to adrenal fatigue.

Stress is an unavoidable part of modern life; in small doses, it can be beneficial & motivating – providing momentum for us to achieve great things. Chronic, unrelenting stress is damaging, however. When there is no reprieve from ongoing stress, it can damage our physiology; affecting our physical & mental health. When you’re constantly ‘under the pump’, your adrenal glands release adrenaline & cortisol to be pumped around body….leading to fatigue, anxiety & poor immunity.

If this sounds like you, here’s some simple tips to help you out: • don’t ‘over-exercise’- only moderate exercise (20-30mins) 3x’s week • try meditation, yoga or tai chi regularly • go to bed at a reasonable time each night • maintain balance with work, play & timeout • avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes & drugs • try herbal tea or roasted dandelion tea instead of coffee

• drink plenty of water – add a twist of lemon or lime • decrease saturated fats, dairy & other antiinflammatory foods • eat a wide range of fruits, vegetables, proteins & complex carbohydrates which are ‘A’ grade – e.g. avocado, berries, pineapples, pears, broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, nuts, seeds, lentils, mackerel, salmon, oats, rice, rye breads • enjoy a relaxing bath once a week with Epsom Salts & a few drops of lavender essential oil – let the stress melt away • treat yourself & take time out for yourself by having regular massage, - your body & mind will thank you for it!

Don’t let it go too far – keep your balance ‘in check’.

Kristy Hollis

Naturopath, Herbalist, Flower Essence Therapist M: 0411 378 997 www.everlasting-health.com.au

beauty tips for the tropics!

Transform yourself from a product junkie to a tropical goddess with the following tips whilst on holidays. Keep your beauty routine minimal and materials natural.

WE COMPETE ON QUALITY, NOT ON PRICE! Exfoliate with natural elements To slough off dead skin massage and exfoliate with beach sand. It’s a classic trick, but it always gets the job done making your skin soft and smooth. If you want a full-body treatment, take sand back and exfoliate in the shower.

Get highlights – naturally!

Give the natural highlights cocktail a road test. For added caramel tones on brown hair, spray a rum/seltzer concoction before heading to the beach. After a week, have sun-kissed strands that smell like coconut!

Turn fruits into skin care For a revitalizing face mask, mix papaya and pineapple pulp in a bowl, then apply a thin layer to your face for 10 minutes. Your skin will feel clarified, smoother, and brighter.

Sun is your frenemy!

The sun is so much stronger than you think in the tropics, so wear your hat, sunglasses, and SPF! For continuous coverage, make sure to apply and reapply your SPF, especially in the most uncommon parts like your ears, lips, ankles, neck, and the back of your knees.

Keep it Simple Throughout my trip, I shocked myself by using only four beauty products (concealer, highlighter, lipstick, and eye lash curler). Sometimes, it’s nice to break up with your makeup for a week, so avoid the extra baggage charge and pack less. And when you’re in a warm weather tropical climate, who needs to cover up?

98

DarwinLife Magazine

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Palmerston and Rural Life | DarwinLife

28

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palmerston@palmerston.nt.gov.au | 08 8935 9929 Level 1, Civic Plaza Corner Chung Wah Terrace and University Avenue, Palmerston

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DarwinLife Magazine

99

DarwinLife | Travel Image courtesy of Outback Floatplane Adventures

TOURISM

TOP END YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL EXPERTS Many locals will have driven past the heritage listed old Reserve Bank building on the corner of Smith and Bennett streets in the city but how many of you have ever been inside?

Operating since 1975, Tourism Top End are the local experts for all your Top End travel needs and the service they provide is free! The Information Centre is staffed with a team of friendly consultants that are experienced and knowledgeable about every aspect of travel in the Top End – from day trips to 4WDriving to self-drive touring options.

There is so much to see and do in the Top End, sometimes knowing where to start can be overwhelming. The consultants at the Visitor Information Centre can advise you on attractions, guide you through accommodation options from caravan and camping sites right through to boutique and luxury stays, and most importantly provide you with up to the minute information about access to various locations that can be inaccessible after heavy rains.

Tourism Top End looks after a vast and exciting footprint that starts south of Katherine at Elliott and includes the Katherine River and Nitmiluk Gorge region, then extends north to the Tiwi Islands, across to the Cobourg Peninsula and Arnhem Land, east to Borroloola and the Queensland border and across the west to the Western Australian border. Their coverage encompasses the Victoria River and Douglas Daly regions, as well as Dundee Beach, the Cox Peninsula, Adelaide River, Batchelor and of course Litchfield, and Kakadu National Parks. Most locals have only scratched the surface of the truly magnificent wonders to be found right on our doorstep.

With more than 300 bookable products, the Visitor Information Centre is your one stop shop for bookings, touring advice and options, car hire, accommodation, maps, planning tools, and more. The on site facilities also make it a great venue to sketch out your plans. Why not spread out on one of the tables, think through your plans and have a consultant within earshot to answer any questions you may have. All the resources that you need are there, and the consultants can make and take calls with operators on your behalf, and of course book it all for you once you have made your plans.

Opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm Saturday and Sunday and the Visitor Information Centre is open 363 days a year – closing only on Christmas Day and Good Friday. Find Tourism Top End online at tourismtopend.com au, check out their facebook page, or follow them: @TourismTopEnd on Twitter to keep up with all the Top End events and travel updates.

100 DarwinLife Magazine

Travel | DarwinLife

Visiting Litchfield National Park? Places to eat & drink – Buley Rock Holes & Florence Falls – Florence Falls Kiosk

WANGI FALLS CAFÉ Takeaway or Eat in Menu

KIDS MEAL DEALS Chicken nuggets & chips Cheeseburger & chips Plain hotdog & chips Includes chips & a popper juice LARGER MEAL DEALS Hamburger – Beef patty with fried onion & lettuce Cheese Burger –Beef patty with double tasty cheese & gherkin Chicken Schnitzel Burger – comes with Mayo & lettuce Steak Burger – Scotch fillet with BBQ sauce, fried onion & lettuce Includes chips & a can of soft drink Hot Dogs – Extras – Cheese/onion/bacon/pineapple BLT Burger – Grilled Bacon, lettuce & tomato Bacon & Egg Burger – Grilled Bacon & two eggs Vegie Burger – Vegie patty with fresh salad Chilli Burger – Beef patty, cheese, gherkin & HOT chilli Hot Chips

No need to bother with deciding what to bring & bulky eskies. Just jump in the car & come on down. You can now grab a snack & a cold drink at the new mobile food van at Florence Falls. Eat in the shade or take your snack down to the water’s edge.

New from 1 April 2014 – Open 1 April 2014 – 30 September 2014, 9 – 5 daily & 1 Oct 2014 – 31 March 2015 as demand requires.

Serving take away snacks, coffee, cold water, drinks, ice-cream.

World Famous Homemade Mango Cheesecake Selection of homemade cakes & slices Homemade Iced Coffee Coffee/Tea • Cold drinks Water toys & floaties for the kids & Souvenirs

Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park

Wangi Falls Café Blue Winged Kookaburras

Rock Wallaby – Florence Falls

Wangi Falls

Cascade Falls

New management and new budget friendly menu

Open : 1 April – 30 September | 9 – 5 daily • 1 Oct

Ph: 8978 1267

– 31 March | Minimum Hours 11 – 3 daily.

admin@wangifallscafe.com.au www.wangifallscafe.com.au DarwinLife Magazine 101

e

DarwinLife | Travel

N i tmiluk Forget Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs and eating until your stomach hurts - this Easter take some time out with your family and discover some of the hidden gems of the NT - some of those attractions which continue to draw people from around the world.

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a major draw card for visitors from Eastern and Central Europe and has been top of the “must do� list for German and Italian tourist for many years - its ancient majesty and the secrets of the traditional owners are key to that attraction. The Gorge has been carved over the millenia out of the sandstone cliffs that line the Katherine River creating 13 distinct gorges – each with its own stunning natural features and landmarks and each steeped in the culture and the local Indigenous people - the Jawoyn.

Within the river system, Barramundi and turtles live, and the sandbanks reveal the tracks of freshwater crocodiles. Water buffalo come down from the plains to the river to drink along with an abundance of birds many of which are unique to this area.

Cruising the Gorge system under the soaring sandstone cliffs and past indigenous rock art dating back more than 30,000 years, visitors to Katherine learn to appreciate the ancient power and majesty of this land.

Nitmiluk Gorge and the Katherine River are the heart of Katherine but by no means the only reason to visit. As one of the oldest and largest inland settlements in the Northern Territory, Katherine has a rich and lasting history. It was an integral part of the famous Overland Telegraph and is a major stop on the great rail line which now links north to south.

Today Katherine has a thriving tourism industry primarily centered around Nitmiluk Gorge but also including the stunning Edith Falls; the old gold mining town ship of Pine Creek; the Adelaide River War Cemetery; Cutta Cutta Caves Mature Park ?; Springvale Homestead, the oldest station homestead in the Northern Territory and much more.

Take advantage of the great Easter family packages on offer, and get down to Katherine and see what we have to offer!

Jabiru

Kakadu N.P.

Nitmiluk N.P. Leliyn

erine

Kath

River

Nitmiluk Gorge

102 DarwinLife Magazine

Travel | DarwinLife

Easter Get Away SPECIAL

“Stay More Pay Less” Valid Until 30th April

Argus Apartments Darwin provides luxury accommodation at an affordable price.

Save $144 on a one bedroom Save $188 on a two bedroom Save $240 on a three bedroom

MINIMUM STAY APPLIES Conditions apply, maximum guest numbers apply.

Ph (08) 8925 5000 w w w. a r g u s d a r w i n . c o m . a u DarwinLife Magazine 103

New Accommodation Available Now

The Lodge of Dundee has introduced new Accommodation to suit Fisherman Groups, Families and Couples. The New Sunset Suites are an affordable option giving you the exclusivity and facility to look after yourself. Landscaped for privacy with your own BBQ area, Balcony and en-suite all adds to a great accommodation option. Sunset Suites accommodate up to 6 people.

We are flexible with re-arranging bedding to suit Families and Fisherman Groups. Book Early.

CALL

1800 DUNDEE or 08 89782557

info@thelodgeofdundee.com.au www.thelodgeofdundee.com.au

Travel | DarwinLife

Lodge Dundee The

of

The Lodge of Dundee is positioned perfectly at Dundee Beach only 140km from Darwin. With access to an outstanding marine world and pristine beaches The Lodge really offers the whole family a great getaway.

The 17 Acre Property offers Accommodation, Caravan Park, Camping, Pool, Restaurant, Bar, Beer Garden, Mini Store, Post Office, Take Away Bottle shop Gas, Ice and Fuel, Boat Ramp and launching facility.

It`s all at your finger-tips including Outstanding Fishing, Crabbing, Pristine Beaches, Spectacular Sunsets, Turtles and more.

Fishing Charters aboard our impressive new Vessel, The Dundee Explorer is certainly a highlight and now we also offer Turtle Experiences and Whale Watching on request. These are spectacular options on board a quality Boat. Barra Fishing Charters is a further option through the Lodge and Bird Watching Tours also available on request. All these options add to the Ultimate experience with Nature, all at The Lodge of Dundee.

It’s the real easy getaway from Darwin for Families. We have School Holiday Programs and the Wall of Fame Fishing Tournament that welcomes everyone.

The Wall of fame runs all year round and has great prizes for kids and adults. Talk to staff or Management at the Lodge on your next visit and get the kids and mates involved.

Noted as a family friendly venue that offers entertainment and events on

going. Live Music is a highlight every weekend. The Kids Fishing competitions in particular “Dundee Rocks 4 Kids” last October attracted 216 Kids. Our new 2014 Menu offers the good old favourites in Barra & Chips to new fresh Seafood Platters and Daily Specials. The Sunday Lunch specials are well worth the Drive.

The well landscaped Pool is a delight at the end of a day coming off the water or just to relax throughout the day if staying on shore. Local Dundee School teach their students at our Pool facility & we welcome other school activities and camps.

Experience The Lodge of Dundee and don’t miss out on booking the Unique stand out in the Dundee Explorer Fishing Charter. Finally you will need to book early for our New Accommodation Sunset Suites.

Call 89 782557 or free Call 1800 DUNDEE to book your Fishing Charter Experience and or Accommodation for a stay-cation to remember.

DarwinLife Magazine 105

DarwinLife | Man’s World

Shannon’s

CAR OF THE MONTH

Holden EH S pecial

S edan

BEFORE AFTER

WHAT IS YOUR NAME? Ian Campbell VEHICLE COLOUR, BRAND AND YEAR? Jindabyne Mauve, Holden EH Special Sedan, 1963.

WHAT WAS THE CONDITION WHEN YOU FIRST PURCHASED IT? Original well used with the usual dents and rust. It was in need of a full restoration.

WHAT MODIFICATIONS HAVE YOU DONE? The car has been restored to original

factory condition except for carpets (instead of rubber mats). It has many optional extras but no modifications.

ARE THERE ANY INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE CAR? The car is painted and upholstered in its original factory colours All the mechanical parts are the same as used at the factory.

HAS IT WON ANY AWARDS? 1. Repco Shannon’s Show N Shine. Best Car Holden Classic, 2011.

2. Supercheap Bathurst 1000. Best Holden, 2011.

3. Shannon’s Extravaganza. Best Original Restored Holden 1960 – 1969, 2012.

4. Classic Holden Car Club. City to Souvalaki Best Car, 2011.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR STAND OUT MEMORY IN THIS CAR? During restoration how the car just kept looking better and better every time another chrome part or accessory was bolted on, and then taking it for its first drive.

“NO ONE KNOWS Y O U R PA S S I O N L I K E S H A N N O N S.” The passion, the pride of ownership, the sheer emotional attachment – no one understands it better than Shannons. So when it comes to insurance for your special car, daily drive, bike or even your home, there’s only one person you should talk to – a fellow enthusiast at Shannons. And remember, you can pay your premium by the month at no extra cost.

So call Shannons for a

quote on 13 46 46.

INSURANCE FOR MOTORING ENTHUSIASTS | CALL 13 46 46 FOR A QUOTE | SHANNONS.COM.AU Shannons Pty Limited ABN 91 099 692 636 is an authorised representative of AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807, the product issuer. Shannons has not taken account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Contact us for a copy.

106 DarwinLife Magazine

Amarok Single Cab TSI300 Manual from #

T STANDOUN E O les VALU rcial Vehic Comme

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Get a HIGH-VIZ deal at www.barramundivolkswagen.com.au Your Volkswagen Partner

Barramundi Volkswagen 364 Stuart Highway, Winnellie LMVD289 Tel. 08 8946 4750 www.barramundivolkswagen.com.au # Driveaway price of $23,990 is for new Amarok Single Cab TSI300 manual with alloy tray, as shown. *Free on roads (including dealer delivery, stamp duty, CTP and registration) available on new Caddy Van, Transporter, Crafter and Amarok stock vehicles. Excludes Caddy Maxi Van. #*Offer applies to new stock vehicles only. Vehicles must be purchased and delivered between 1 January 2014 and 31 March 2014. While stock lasts. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Volkswagen Group Australia reserves the right to change, modify or extend these offers. 3Capped Price Servicing is available at participating Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealers and applies to the first 6 standard scheduled services of your vehicle. Exclusions and conditions apply. For details on pricing, items not included in the capped price and for full terms and conditions please see www.volkswagen-commercial.com.au. Volkswagen Group Australia reserves the right to at any time modify or discontinue the Capped Price Servicing program. ‡Conditions apply to 3 year unlimited km warranty. See www.volkswagen-commercial.com.au

Ford Kuga Titanium Shown.

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To test drive yours, visit Audi Centre Darwin today.

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DarwinLife | Travel

hunting and living with P N G natives

Not many can lay claim to hunting, fishing and living in a hut with Papua New Guinea natives, but self-confessed adventurer Craig ‘Crackers’ Hand is one that can.

He is one of very few white people that the Sibidiri tribe have laid their eyes on. And after a number of visits to the remote village in the western province of Papua New Guinea, Craig stayed with them for a few months in 2012.

“I lived with the tribe as they lived, and although living without toilet paper is an interesting experience, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them and will never forget it!” he said.

And how could you when hunting crocodiles was part and parcel of your average day? Craig said he did a lot of hunting and one time when he was hunting a crocodile is still vivid in his mind.

“I joined in a line with some of the 112 DarwinLife Magazine

tribe walking up creeks and feeling for crocs with our feet,” he said. “I had to look after my mate Tago for six weeks after a 10 foot saltie bit his foot.”

“We didn’t know if it would need to be amputated for the first four weeks.

We had to keep cutting the rotten black flesh away each day.”

Craig laughed, “Ten members of his family - old ladies and all - ended up catching the croc after it bit him!”

Hunting was an everyday thing with the men hunting with a bow and arrow. “We hunted pigs, wallaby, deer, cassowary, crocodile and bandicoots.

We had to hunt to eat,” he said.

“I have eaten the meat, heart, liver and entrails of most of these animals as well as python ribs, green ants and

their larvae, and bush honey.”

Craig said he thought his friends would have to be the world’s best gardeners. “They grow mainly yams among other vegetables as well as exotic fruits that have no grubs and no chemicals,” he said. “It’s amazing.”

Tribe life may be worlds away from reality back in Darwin, but according to Craig it is amazing and certainly not a bad thing. “They have excellent fruit and vegetables with no chemicals, fresh meat is shared amongst the tribe by the hunters,” he said.

“They get to work with their family and friends in the bush and live an amazing life in balance with the wildlife and in harmony with the surrounding bush.”

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DarwinLife Magazine 113

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Keeping in touch with your needs.

Sam Wilks p. 0402 152 929 | e. sam@intouchre.com | a. 65 Allwright St Darwin, NT 0801

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Many smart investors have their eye on the property market in Darwin and its surrounding areas. The capital of the Top End has seen an unprecedented surge in growth and development, with many industries booming and a strong economy luring people to the tropics.

With the population boom putting pressure on the already stressed housing market and a number of properties being developed, it seems like the perfect time for many to dive into the investment property market. In fact, investing in Darwin has never looked so good.

And this may be true, investment in property is a tried and tested way of creating wealth and less risky than other means such as the stock market. But like any investment, it pays to do your homework and seek advice from the experts. By doing so, you will be in a better position to grow your property portfolio quicker, avoid many of the pitfalls that others have faced, and not risk your other investments.

There are companies such as NT Property Panel which offer free property investment workshops to help guide you through this path.

The panel is an independent team of experts in a range of related fields who are committed to helping you get started or to expand your existing portfolio.

Experts generally suggest to purchase properties with a focus on long term capital growth in locations that are proven performer, not ones subject to the volatile price swings in speculative areas.

Avoiding spots that are deemed the ‘next big thing’ as it may expose your other properties to the risk. Safe locations can often double in value every seven to 10 years it is reported, so experts suggest to stay away from risky areas and avoid the greed mentality.

Over the next few pages read about some of the experts in property, finance and property management from the NT Property Panel.

They share their pearls of wisdom with you on how to get started or to grow your property portfolio in Darwin.

DarwinLife Magazine 115

DA RW I N

D arwin ’ s P rop e rty M ar k e t –

Australian Property Panel’s Brad Dolahenty shares his advice about investing in Darwin.

I hear a lot of conflicting reports about the movement of our economy and whether or not we are about to experience a property ‘Boom or Bust’. There are large numbers of would-be investors who are procrastinating and waiting for someone to tell them what to do. The truth is you need to go out there and seek professional advice on what you should do for your particular situation. Like myself, there are property specialist advisers here in Darwin to assist you and have a team to help you to make the best decisions.

Dos

Top 5 Dos and Don’ts

1. Get a LOCAL team to help you, you will need the following: • Investment Consultant (location specialist) • Finance Broker • Property Manager • Accountant • Insurance Broker • Conveyancer • Builder • Financial Planner • Quantity Surveyor (Depreciation Specialist)

116 DarwinLife Magazine

Any fool can make money from property when the economy is going good like at present, but every upswing will eventually plateau or slide backwards usually at least once every seven to 10 years. Smart invertors ride the wave when things are good and enjoy the comfort of stability when things slow down. This is why you need to make sure you follow a few basic principles (dos and don’ts) to maximizing the potential for your property to increase in value but also minimize the risks when property values begin to stall.

2. Listen to people who have done it.

• Sorry, in most cases this is NOT your family or friends 3.Invest where the home owners are…

• When times are tough most homeowners don’t need to sell their homes which will make that particular area more resilient to downward spiraling property prices.

4. Do your research and make sure there are multiple forms of income.

• Make sure there are at least five pillars of strength (industries) to create employment, such as: • manufacturing • tourism • construction • mining • government • health • transportation • education etc.

5. Be near infrastructure such as: • schools • shops • hospitals • jobs • major transportation • lifestyle necessities such as shops, cafes, restaurants

DA RW I N

CEO and Managing Director The Australian Property panel

Don’ts

1. Don’t spend too much and overcapitalize.

• Keep it simple, you need to be in the middle price point, in my opinion for Darwin your price point should be about $520,000 to $660,000 for a solid four bedroom, two bathroom, double lockup garage house and land package. When Darwin experiences its next slow down (and it will) investors who have spent too much will feel the negative effects much more than the smart investors who stay in the more affordable range. There will always be a need for good family style accommodation in and around Darwin, thus making your investment more resilient during the tough times.

2. Don’t be cheap.

• The same can be said about the bottom (cheap) end of the market … Often these types of investments can have maintenance issues and will only attract less than desirable tenants who can be troublesome when collecting rent. If it’s cheap when you buy it, it will most likely be cheap when you try and sell it.

3. Don’t buy old.

• Older properties usually don’t attract the same tax deductions as new properties making it more expensive to hold which will affect your cash flow and potentially slow you down from purchasing your next property.

4. Don’t get emotional • emotional investors over spend and think with their heart and not their brain 5. Don’t rush in.

• Take your time and don’t make frantic decisions as if you are missing out. Most investors will make bad decisions if they feel they are playing catch up.

Property is a long term game and a quick return can happen but is not the norm. A minimum focus of seven to 10 years is essential.

In short, if Darwin has a bubble forming it is more likely a “rental return” bubble. Most investors in the top end expect unusually high rental returns and for the time being we can easily achieve this due to the billions of dollars being pumped into our very little economy because of the oil and gas project in and around the Darwin area. These projects are bringing short term employment opportunities for overseas and interstate workers and placing pressure on our existing undersupplied housing sector.

The question is what happens if and when the majority of the workers move on? The answer, rents will slowly decrease and this will place unwanted pressure on your loan repayments.

So, DON’T OVER SPEND and budget for normal rental returns and you shouldn’t have to worry about ‘Booms and Busts’.

In situations like this that can arise or any other, I choose to use a 21-step checklist (we teach our clients how to implement this checklist) which all my properties must meet before I go ahead with the purchase. To ensure security and minimise the risk that goes hand in hand with these decisions, you need to build a team of advisors (who should also be investors) around you.

In my opinion, the secret to property investing is “there is no secret”. Anyone can become a successful property investor - it just takes time, research, market knowledge and having the right panel of people around you to give you a hand.

If you are interested in meeting any of our local panel members and would like to learn more about investing in the Darwin market or other areas of interest around Australia please feel free to call 08 7999 7408, email brad@auspropertypanel. com.au or Facebook us on Australian Property Panel.

Visit our website auspropertypanel.com.au or drop into our office for a chat at 12/90 Francis Bay Drive, Tipperary Waters.

DarwinLife Magazine 117

VISION DA RW I N

Bridget Headland, director of Vision Money has worked with NT residents in helping them create wealth through property investment and shares with us her expertise on how you can too.

Vision Money is a one-stop shop with hundreds of loan options available from across Australia’s leading lenders. It specialises in providing customers with more choice in brokers, lenders, commercial products and also agribusiness finance.

Bridget said setting up her own business was in part, driven by her personal aspiration to expand her property portfolio.

As a key member of the NT Property Panel, Bridget can share knowledge with you. “Throughout my career and with my company, I have helped guide hundreds of property investors to secure the right type of investment,” she said.

“I have been fortunate enough to spend time with leading property consultants, location specialists and also property managers which have really helped me understand the market conditions.”

Bridget is passionate about helping other people to achieve their financial goal without charging. “I have helped many build a property portfolio based on simple tried, tested and proven methods that many organisations charge thousands of dollars for. I try

to ensure the investment structure the client has will work for them now and into the future when they plan to re-invest. I don’t charge my client, I get paid by the lender so it’s a great situation for my clients.”

Vision Money can help you move forward by providing you the right information at the right time.

They also help by engaging the right professional at the right time – finance and property consultant at the start, developer/builder during the middle and your property manager at the end to only name a few.

Bridget said the lesson she has learned is to research and surround yourself with the right people when investing in property.

“I think that often a lack of time and understanding is what stops people from starting or growing their investment portfolio. That’s where the panel and I can help. We can take a lot of the stress and confusion away,” explains Bridget.

Drawing on her strong network within the panel is why Bridget and her team are so successful.

Ensure you firewall your investment.

Vision Money Director Bridget Headland says investors often cross-collateralize to expand their property portfolio.

What is cross-collateralization? It is a big word, but has a very simple meaning. It’s a term used when the collateral for one loan is used as collateral for another loan. This means the bank uses your own home to secure your investment.

“My personal preference is not to cross-collateralize and I understand that sometimes there are reasons to allow your lender to do this,” Bridget says.

“For my clients, I would prefer to set their finance in a safe and structured way, only using their home once to cover a small portion of deposit and costs to get them into their first investment. I would then use a new lender to secure the new funds required for their purchase.” This creates a ‘firewall’ between your home and investment – it’s a safe way to invest.

What you sometimes find are lenders who will roll loans under the one package explaining that it’s ‘streamline’ and ‘easy’ to manage. While this might be the case in the short term, this may not be the best investment structure moving forward.”

118 DarwinLife Magazine

DA RW I N

Director Vision Money

P: 08 7999 7409 E: info@visionmoney.com.au w: visionmoney.com.au a: 12/90 Frances Bay Drive, Stuart Park

DA RW I N

F resh approach to

in town

So you have decided that investing in property is an important part of your wealth creation strategy. You have spent a lot of time understanding property investment and have purchased one or many investment properties; the next step is to make sure you have the right property manager working for you as a key member of your investment team.

Who is the right property manager?

P: 8941 4712 A: 12/90 Frances Bay Drv, Stuart Park NT 0820 E: admin@bluemintproperty.com.au

120 DarwinLife Magazine

Property management is far more than collecting the rent on your behalf. The right property manager will both minimise your risk and maximise your returns.

They will ensure you have great tenants who pay their rent on time, look after your investment property and adhere to their obligations under tenancy law.

To do this, a good property manager will understand all of the relevant laws and legislation, and be able to provide advice on how to achieve the best possible return on your investment. They will work hard to make sure that your property is rarely vacant and that any maintenance is undertaken in the most cost effective way. They will also make sure that your asset is protected and that your investment is working for you.

A great property manager however, will understand your property investment goals and work with your investment

team to help you achieve these.

They will understand because they also invest in property and have considerable property management experience.

Bluemint Property Management is a specialist property management agency located at 12/90 Frances Bay Drive, Tipperary Waters.

The Bluemint Team can take all the hassle out of owning investment properties. With their Principal Janet Benson having over 20 years of experience in the industry as both an investor and property manager and the very talented Senior Property Manager, Karen Dosser, who is an expert in the Darwin property management market.

Both Janet and Karen are available to discuss your property management needs, provide a free rental appraisal or just to have chat about your current property management arrangements.

DA RW I N

PRINCIPAL BLUEMINT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Top 5 Dos and Don’ts when selecting the best property manager Dos

1. Find a property manager who is a property investor A property investor understands that the purpose of your business is to build wealth; they know that you rely on the rental income to pay the mortgage and that you need to make sure the property is always rented and looked after.

2. Select an agency with a focus on property management Many traditional real estate agencies have a property management department but the real focus of their business is sales. Do you really want to be a client of the secondary part of the business?

3. Choose an agency where the owner is involved in the property management business You need to ensure that the person, who makes the decisions in the agency, understands and is involved in the day to day operations affecting your property and that you can contact them directly if you have any concerns.

4. Find an agent with a broad geographical base Consider what your investment portfolio will look like in the future. You may for example have existing investment properties in Darwin city and plan to build a new property in the Palmerston area, the right property manager for you will be able to manage both and provide a consistent approach.

5. Make sure your property manager is flexible about inspection times for vacant properties Let’s face it, if your property is vacant you don’t get paid so you need to make sure that your property manager will show your property when the best tenants are available. You don’t want to only offer an open inspection on Tuesday afternoon at 2pm when you are targeting a professional couple.

Don’ts

1. Base you decision solely on the percentage of the management fee Hidden costs soon add up if you have to pay for advertising, postage, inspection reports or even an annual fee. It is important to compare the total cost of the service offered by a property manager. An 8% management fee with additional charges for example can quickly add up to over 12% overall.

2. Get locked into a contract with an agent with exit fees Many property management agreements include a pay out clause for you to leave an agency if a tenant is in place. This fee can be half of the projected management income until the end of the tenancy agreement. Do you really want to pay to leave if you are not happy?

3. Stay with an agent who is not getting you the best return possible The market rents in Darwin have risen quickly over the past few years. You need to have confidence that your property manager is monitoring this and not only considering this between tenants but can provide advice on how you can make minor improvements to your property to get an even greater return.

4. Ignore warning signs like large and frequent maintenance bills This could just be a run of bad luck but it could also be a sign your property manager is not putting the effort into your property, or doesn’t have a network of contractors who can maintain your property for reasonable prices. Make sure you choose a property manager who provides photos with each property inspection so you have no surprises next time you attend an inspection.

5. Stay with your current property manager if you’re not happy If you are not happy with your current property manager, come and have a chat with Janet or Karen at Bluemint. They can review your management agreement and let you know the best way to make the change with little or no expense.

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INVESTORS failing to

MAXIMISE RETURNS Many people choose to invest in property because it is a great tactic to build wealth and secure their futures financially. However, too many investors are failing to maximise the returns on their properties because they skip some of the fundamentals, according to O’Donoghues First National Real Estate Principal, Jeremy O’Donoghue.

“If you’re looking for strategies to get the most out of your rental property, there are four key things you should be prepared to do”, Jeremy said.

“The first is to hire a professional property manager, particularly if you don’t have time to study and stay up to date with the legislation that governs your state. The pace of change in a landlord’s obligations can be overwhelming and the consequences of mistakes can be devastating.”

Managing your own rental property can be a difficult task, especially if you have a large portfolio. Even if you want to manage a property nearby to where you live, it can lift a considerable weight to hire a property manager for properties you have that are farther afield.

“The second most important thing is to review your rent. It may be years since you last reviewed the price you’re charging for your rental property and the market can change quite often.

Fluctuations in vacancy rates and 122 DarwinLife Magazine

median rents can all impact on how much you can charge for your property, and you may end up charging too little”.

Reviewing rent on a regular basis helps assure a rental property is properly positioned to meet the market. Investors should compare their rental properties with other similar rentals, or obtain a rent appraisal from an agent.

“Thirdly, it’s vital to regularly refresh your rental property. The key to ensuring your rental property remains tenanted is to keep it in good condition.

By staying on top of maintenance issues and refreshing the interior, your investment can be kept looking great, and producing a solid yield for much longer”, said Jeremy.

At regular intervals, investors should give their rental property a fresh coat of paint, have the carpets cleaned and the garden reworked. This helps keep a property competitive in the rental marketplace, makes it look more appealing, and helps attract tenants who care.

According to Jeremy, another important step is to obtain a tax depreciation schedule for your property from an appropriately qualified tax specialist.

“A tax depreciation schedule helps assure that you are maximising the tax efficiency of your investment property and everybody should do that. The improvement to your rental yield is usually much more than the cost of the report. In fact, some property tax depreciation specialists make such guarantees” said Jeremy.

For further information contact: O’Donoghues First National Real Estate, on (08) 8942 8942

Jeremy O’Donoghue Principal, O’Donoghues First National Real Estate 8942 8942

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Let my images tell your story.

— with Mark Hamilton Photography

Hamilton Photography NT | Ph (08) 8927 8085 | M 0427206412 | E hamiltonphotont@gmail.com

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A picture tells a thousand words

124 kidsLife M A G A Z I N E

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DarwinLife Magazine 125

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THE AMAZING VALUE OF

One of the best things you could do to enhance your home or property is to invest in your garden, courtyard and outdoor area.

The number one key to an effective and profitable garden design is to ensure that you create a garden that is low maintenance and well presented. Today people don’t want to be mowing a huge lawn or pruning a hedge on the weekend. They want to enjoy their garden space - not be a slave to it.

A well designed garden not only adds value to your property, it also makes the property more sellable. In fact, well kept trees and garden will increase your property as much as 15% in value. Did you know if you plant a one metre deep hedge along the front of your property it will cut out roadside noise by five decibels?

Plants also help reduce crime. Apartment buildings surrounded by plants experience half as much crime as a building without plants. We are fortunate in the tropics to have some of the most inspiring coloured foliage in the country. Although our harsh climate doesn’t allow us to grow cold climate plants we have many other varieties to choose from.

So for a little hard yakka and some creative sourcing of materials you can add plenty of value to your property and increase the

saleability without breaking the bank. The same rules apply when landscaping your rental property. Ensure that you don’t overcapitalise, and you design a garden that is both aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance.

At Allora Gardens Nursery we are AGCAS accredited and a member of the Nursery and Garden Industry of the NT and Australia. We offer value for money and quality assurance; from the smallest repair to the largest landscaping project, we guarantee customer satisfaction. Whether you have just arrived to our beautiful city and need to know what plants you have in your existing garden or you need a plant doctor and maintenance person, we can help!

Our aim is to provide a useable space to suit your needs. Our job is not telling you what you want rather adding ideas to your thoughts, it’s your home and your taste, with our magic touch.

Happy Landscaping...

“For everything flora go to Allora”

Estelle Cornell

Managing Director Allora Gardens Member BNI Top End Chapter Stuart Highway Berrimah NT 0828 Ph: (08) 8984 4006 E: info@alloragardensnursery.com.au www.alloragardensnursery.com.au

DarwinLife Magazine 127

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G ibson Civil Contracting

Gibson Civil Contracting pty is a locally owned company and is the first point of call for several large Darwin building contractors.

Gibson Civil Contracting has a customer-focussed approach which allows us to evolve with our clients and create long term business relationships. Gibson Civil Contracting is committed to safety and to deliver quality construction on time with a “No One Gets Hurt for Work� attitude accepted throughout the team. We have grown a strong reputation and proven capabilities within the civil construction industry through team work and focus on contract commitments. We take a very professional and diplomatic approach to all jobs, no matter if it’s a house pad for the family next door or a 20 thousand square metre industrial yard. Gibson Civil Contracting continues to grow each year and so does the team of experienced local employees and when projects require, local contractors. Gibson Civil Contracting has acquired Cal accreditation which will allow us to grow and to provide expert service with high quality results to all our customers.

Gibson Civil Contracting is also able to supply machinery and operators on a hourly hire, work as directed basis as preferred by some of our larger clients.

Since starting in mid-2008 Gibson Civil Contracting has been part of the team on some large and positive projects.

Construction services and machinery contracting Whether you need a bobcat, grader, loader, side tipper, water truck, excavator or dozer - call Gibson Civil Contracting Everything from house pads to 20,000 sq metre industrial yards.

Shed Pads t Industrial compounds t Driveways t Stormwater and culvert drainage t Machinery Hire t Landscaping

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL! 1I t & HJCTPODD!CJHQPOE DPN t (FPSHJOB $SFT :BSSBXPOHB 128 DarwinLife Magazine

ECO Eco Options have a small showcase of products at their premises in Winnellie.

One gains an immediate impression of the awareness of the environment that has gone into the choice of the products promoted.

Savings to the environment and your hip pocket are evident once you browse through the brochures and check out the products on show. Simon Moyle and business partner, Aileen Blyth have focused on products that stand up to the unique conditions experienced in the Territory.

Eco Options have a range of great ideas to assist in lighting and cooling your home.

In some cases, houses in the top end have dark coloured or dull zincalume roofs which can be the cause extreme heat build-up within the roof cavity and therefore the rooms below it. This is sometimes caused by a lack of appropriate insulation as well as heat absorbing colours on the roof.

An eco-friendly solution in this situation, is to apply Solacoat products to the roof. Solacoat is an Australian made, water based Heat Reflective Coating that can reduce heat inside the roof space by up to 20% once it is applied.

Once the majority of the sun’s heat rays are reflected the amount of heat entering the roof

cavity is minimal. Even on a day with ambient temperature of around 32 degrees, the heat in your roof space can reach up to 55-60 degrees!

Imagine how much more effective the air conditioners will work when they’re not battling that heat load!

No matter how good the insulation is, heat still builds up in the roof and it makes sense to stop or minimize it entering in the first place.

Solacoat, primer and top coat, can be applied by a professional or a capable handyman.

Implementing the correct preparation procedures will ensure a long lasting finish.

To further assist in reducing heat in the home, Eco Options carry a stock of E-therm insulation.

E-therm is Australian made and uses up to 80% recycled product, is very effective and easy to use.

Remember Eco Options when thinking of renovating or building – they have many products that make decision making easy - easy on the environment and the pocket.

Contact the team at Eco Options today for more information or see www.eco-options.com.

DarwinLife Magazine 129

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