August 2026
Our sparkling people
The Heart of the Northern Gold Coast
Front page: Despite the saying there’s nothing rough about Barbie Diamond. The Main Beach resident is softly spoken, always perfectly turned out and with a warm smile that starts in those blue eyes.
So, it is no wonder that she spent 12 years on Hamilton Island – nine as the head of guest relations. She’s now working in reception at the Southport Yacht Club.
Read her story by Donna Kelly on page 5.
Image: Kyle Barnes
August 2026
Our sparkling people
The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a former director.
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The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.thelocal.net.au We welcome all feedback.
The Local is a monthly community publication covering the Northern Gold Coast.
The next edition is out on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 or online on Sunday, August 30 at www.thelocal.net.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, August 26
Copy deadline: Thursday, August 27
Editorial deadline: Thursday, August 27
General manager: Kyle Barnes | 0416 104 283 | kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly | 0418 576 513 | news@tlnews.com.au
Sales: Tanya Remedios | 0494 722 582 | sales@tlnews.com.au
Sub-editor: Claude Smith
Writers: Louise Oldfield, Maurice Montgomery, Kyle Barnes, Donna Kelly
Photographers: Kyle Barnes & Betty Ranger
Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness
Accounts: Julie Hanson
Financials: Betty Veysey
The Local Northern Gold Coast Lifestyle Magazine
The newest print venture from The Local Publishing Group.
With an established portfolio of lifestyle and news mastheads, The Local Publishing Group brings real story-telling to the Gold Coast.
The Local (NGC) is a hyper-local print publication dedicated to wonderful lifestyle of the Northern Gold Coast. The Local is all about Connecting the Community - and affordable rates mean even small businesses can advertise big.
Print distribution
On the first Wednesday of each month, 10,000 copies roll off the press and land where people are - shopping centres, local businesses and a curated network of cafes and eateries across the Northern Gold Coast.
Digital distribution
In sync with the print run, the digital edition is pushed out across dozens of Northern Gold Coast Facebook and Instagram communities - reaching readers wherever they scroll.
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Designers’ notes
• Booking: Last Tuesday of the month.
• Art submission: Last Thursday of the month.
• Files supplied in PDF between 2 - 20MB with no bleed.
• Full bleed and gutter bleed by arrangement.
Got a story? Want to advertise?
Tanya Remedios | sales@tlnews.com.au | 0494 722 582
Kyle Barnes | kyle@tlnews.com.au | 0416 104 283
Donna Kelly | donna@tlnews.com.au | 0418 576 513
Heart of the Northern Gold Coast
Welcome to The Local for Northern Gold Coast
Welcome to the first edition of The Local for the Northern Gold Coast.
The Local is a monthly publication, August is the first, full of good news, and in print and online at www.thelocal.net.au
You can find copies, left in bundles or dropped at cafes and restaurants, around the Northern Gold Coast from Main Beach to Paradise Point and everywhere in between. If you can’t find a copy then just head online - or drop us an email about where we should be leaving it. Oh, if you run a business and wouldn’t mind being a drop-off point we would love to hear from you.
The directors are myself, Donna Kelly, and Kyle Barnes. I am also the editor and Kyle, the manager. Sales are taken care of by Tanya Remedios - and ourselves. If you know small business, you know it is all hands on deck.
Now, it is quite a big thing to start a publication from scratch but it is not our first rodeo and you can read more about us, if you want, down the back in our columns.
I am a journalist by trade, with a few career changes (missteps perhaps) along the way, while Kyle is a certified skipper who also happens to be a fabulous photographer and has a keen business mind. That is what he tells me.
So it is quite a big thing to step into an empty void and fill it up - although we have found there are so many stories begging to be told by people living in this amazing region. Inspiring, quirky, fun, festive...you name it and they are there. We have only just started on this journey. And I would like to really thank the advertisers who came onboard for the inaugural edition. That could be a big risk so we appreciate them putting their faith in us and that we were the real deal. Thank you.
In return for the free read, we ask our readers to read the adverts as well as the articles and, if possible, support those advertisers. They are the only reason you are reading this for free. And thank you to those people who agreed to be interviewed, or ‘chatted with’ as I prefer to call it, and share their stories in The Local
It is not always easy to have a spotlight shone on you and what you do, especially with a new publication that you know nothing about, but these people also put their faith in us and our abilities and we really appreciate that.
Now, as Taylor Swift says: “The haters are gonna hate.” And for some reason there are always naysayers around. So, please, if you don’t like what we do, just pop the publication down and move on. No-one has to read this - but if you do, and you like it, please tell your friends and family.
And now from Kyle.
“Thirteen years ago in Victoria, we made a deliberate call. We went looking for older journalists and content creators — people who’d been pushed out by the corporates and told, politely or otherwise, that their time was up.
“As it turned out, they were exactly the team we needed. Real world experience, genuine empathy and the kind of instinct that means you go to one interview and walk out with two more leads before you’ve even left the car park.
“In a world where everyone has access to 24/7 news that skims the surface and moves on, there’s a growing gap where the real stories live. The hyper-local ones. The ones that matter to the people actually living there.
“Now it’s the Northern Gold Coast’s turn. A proper sit-down read — two cups of tea worth — about people doing good things in this community. We’re still building the team up here, but we’re already quietly amazed by who we have found.
“Now, cards on the table. We’re a business and we need advertising to keep the lights on. If you’ve enjoyed this read and you run a business, we’d love to hear from you. No swank, no nonsense — just good old-fashioned print advertising that actually works.
(If you just enjoy a good read maybe you would to donate to great journalism using the QR code below...)
“We hear it constantly from our advertisers: hundreds of dollars a week disappearing into social media with mixed results. Someone put it to me recently better than I could have — social media is like trying to fill a cup from a waterfall. A quarter page in this magazine costs $250 a month. We print 10,000 copies, each one passing through roughly 25 pairs of hands over its lifetime — that’s around 250,000 interactions per edition, with readers who actually have the wherewithal to spend money in your business.
“Print is a premium product again. Food for thought.”
And now from City of Gold Coast Division 4 Councillor Shelley Curtis.
“Communities are built through shared experiences, familiar faces and the stories that connect us. While major headlines have their place, it is often the local stories that shape how we feel about where we live.
“That’s why local publications matter.
“They shine a light on the volunteers who quietly give their time, the small businesses taking a chance, the community groups bringing people together, and the everyday acts of kindness that help make a neighbourhood feel like home. They remind us that despite the challenges we occasionally face, there is far more that unites us than divides us.
“I recently had the pleasure of meeting Donna and her husband Kyle and hearing about their vision for The Local. Their passion for community storytelling was immediately apparent. Having successfully operated a local publication elsewhere for many years, they bring both experience and a genuine appreciation for the value of strong local connections. Thankfully, they’ve now seen the light and chosen to bring those talents to our own slice of paradise.
“I wish Donna, Kyle and the entire team every success with this exciting new venture and look forward to seeing the stories, people and achievements of our Northern Gold Coast community celebrated in its pages.”
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
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Just briefly...
The state government has approved the Dreamworld Masterplan, delivering certainty for one of Queensland’s most iconic tourism destinations and paving the way for a major new mixed-use tourism and housing development that will transform the Northern Gold Coast over the coming decade.
The approved 55.3-hectare masterplan covers land including and adjacent to Dreamworld and WhiteWater World and will guide future development across four key precincts including: continued operation and expansion of Dreamworld and WhiteWater World theme parks; lowimpact eco-tourism experiences including viewing platforms, boardwalks and guided tours; tourist attractions, theme park rides, short-term accommodation, resort complexes, hospitality and entertainment venues; and high-density residential and mixed-use development, including multiple dwellings, residential care facilities, retirement facilities, rooming accommodation, short-term accommodation, resort complexes, alongside tourist attractions, retail, business and hospitality uses.
The City of Gold Coast has strengthened its relationship with Japan’s Kanagawa Prefecture, signing a new agreement that will facilitate knowledge-sharing and help establish the region’s first professional lifeguard service.
The city’s Lifeguard Service and the Kanagawa Lifesaving Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding during a recent visit to Japan. The MoU builds on a Friendship Agreement that has connected the two regions since 1990. Kanagawa Lifesaving Association president Yuki Shirai said the new agreement further strengthened the longstanding relationship. “Our ultimate goal is achieving zero water-related accidents in Kanagawa,” Mr Shirai said.
The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is a three-day weekend event and will run from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16 featuring heart-pumping aerobatic demonstrations by the world’s finest aviators, VIP meet and greet events, social parties, family fun, licensed ticket precinct and more.
It will feature some of the best civilian performers and military aviators from around the globe. The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is the largest airshow event to ever take place in Australia with more than 270,000 spectators. Link: www.pacificairshowaus.com
A new Police-Citizens Youth Club for the Northern Gold Coast is now fully funded with detailed design work progressing through relevant approvals.
The $30 million facility is being jointly funded by the state government and the City of Gold Coast, with both investing $15 million. The new state-of-the-art facility on Pimpama Jacobs Well Road will be delivered before the end of 2028 providing tailored programs and services for young Queenslanders that encourage active lifestyles, youth development, crime prevention and community engagement. It will include a gym and fitness facilities, an external half basketball court, a kitchenette, two multipurpose spaces and recreational areas.
The Gold Coast Light Rail network is set to expand, with a 3.2km line extension connecting the Gold Coast University Hospital in Southport to the Harbour Town shopping precinct in Biggera Waters.
The extension will run along Labrador-Carrara Road (Olsen Avenue) and Hope Island Road (Oxley Drive). The extension will include three new stations: Musgrave Avenue to improve access to Southport Sharks Club and the Gold Coast Hockey Centre; Labrador; and Biggera Waters to improve access to the Harbour Town Shopping complex. Construction will be planned to minimise impacts to the local community and maintain access to the Gold Coast University Hospital at all times.
Luminous in the Regions returns to HOTA on August 22 from 3pm to 6pm.
One of the key elements of the parade is that the community illuminates the sky with the spectacular handmade lanterns they have crafted. The parade fosters welcoming spaces and a sense of belonging for new Queenslanders. The event is co-organised with Multicultural Australia and supported by Surf Life Saving Queensland and Bendigo Bank. Link: www.multiculturalaustralia.org.au/events/luminous-lantern-parade
The 2026-27 round of the Discretionary Grants Program opened on August 1.
The City of Gold Coast program is allocated funding each financial year to support community organisations to deliver projects primarily intended to benefit a particular divisional area and its residents. Funding is limited and the submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Each councillor, including the mayor, is allocated $48,484.00 to support eligible community projects. Applications requesting between $250 and $10,000 are welcomed. Applications close on August 14.
Got some news to share? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Paradise accessibility
A new beach wheelchair is now available at the Paradise Point Parklands. Funded through Division 4 Local Area Allocations it forms part of the City of Gold Coast’s Beach Access Program, which aims to improve access to the coast for people with disability, reduced mobility, seniors and visitors.
Offering free community access, users can access the wheelchair independently via the lockbox QR code system with an instructional video at the city website. So there is no need for advance bookings or having to go through clubs/volunteers.
The lockbox is next to the Paradise Point swimming enclosure near the corner of Ephraim Island Bridge and The Esplanade.
The beach wheelchair is a Hippocampe model; with beach matting providing a practical pathway towards the water along with a beach access ramp and nearby accessible parking spaces.
As part of a broader accessible and inclusive space Paradise Point Parklands is also home to a Changing Places facility located near the lockbox, providing: a height-adjustable change bench; ceiling tracking hoist; accessible shower and toilet; and facilities for people with high support needs.
Meanwhile the upgraded Paradise Point Playground will reopen next month, with inclusive equipment for children of all abilities. The parklands are also a regular base for Cycling Without Age, a volunteer-led program providing trishaw rides for people who can no longer ride independently.
Division 4’s Councillor Shelley Curtis said everyone should be able to enjoy the region’s beautiful shared spaces. “This project helps remove barriers and makes it easier for more people in our community to experience everything Paradise Point has to offer.”
Above, Division 4 Councillor Shelley Curtis with Gemma Heslin, trying out the new beach wheelchair, right, the Hippocampe model beach wheelchair
Images: Contributed
Main Beach Diamond
Despite the saying there’s nothing rough about Barbie Diamond. The Main Beach resident is softly spoken, always perfectly turned out and with a warm smile that starts in those blue eyes.
So, it is no wonder that she spent 12 years on Hamilton Island – nine as the head of guest relations.
When the “spark” of living on a tropical island finally came to an end, Barbie moved back to Main Beach and is now one of the meet and greet team of receptionists at the Southport Yacht Club. She celebrated 20 years in the role last December.
Barbie was born in Goondiwindi with the family living about 90km west at the tiny town of Talwood. A move to Toowoomba followed where Barbie went to high school leaving in Year 10 to work at the Bank of New South Wales. After a few years she headed to Melbourne – a legal firm, then back to Toowoomba – a marketing company, and was always spending time on the Gold Coast with one of her best friends Lyn Barron.
“Lyn lived here and I would come down every weekend to see her. She met Christopher Atkins, from the Blue Lagoon movie, at Port Douglas, and married him and moved to the States. And the next thing I was living on the Gold Coast and a lot of my friends went to work on Hamilton Island. So, I went for an interview with Carolyn Dalton, who did a lot of employing for Hamilton Island, then I had an interview with the general manager and the financial controller.
“Two weeks later I started in April ‘84 and thought ‘oh my God, what have I done?’ It was raining, it was wet, it was Race Week and to start I was in a one-bedroom, self-contained unit sharing with three other ladies with three single beds. Then it was 12 years later and I was still on the island and loving life.
“I was in reception for the first two and a half years, then I was guest relations manager for the last nine and had the most amazing times of my life. I’m not a rocket scientist, I haven’t got degrees but (Hamilton Island developer) Keith Williams was a man who gave you a chance to achieve success. We all started in different positions - receptionists, porters, housekeepers - and all worked our way up to management. You worked together, lived together, played together and today, the Hamilton Island family is worldwide. That was achieved because of Keith. There is even a Hamilton Island ‘80s Facebook page.”
Barbie says she has so many fantastic memories of Hamilton Island – “the fabulous guests with some who became lifelong friends”.
“And getting to meet and greet all the people who came up to Hamilton Island was amazing including George Harrison, John Farnham, Dire Straits, Elton John (a very quick and private visit) and AC/DC.”
The late great Jimmy Buffet also made an appearance after spending a week out sailing on Banjo Paterson before holding an impromptu gig back at the nightclub, Dirty Nellies. His only request was a $5 cover charge and all the proceeds went to the local primary school which had just opened.
Barbie said there were also times when the team had to work together through cyclones and fires “and the harder it got the more everyone pulled together and worked harder”.
But it was during her 11th year that special spark wasn’t there. “I never thought I would leave, I loved my life on Hamilton Island. It was after I had come back from seeing family and friends on the Gold Coast.”
It took another year for the move to happen and Barbie returned to the Gold Coast and Main Beach working at the Marriott but then went to London to live for a year. She worked in a boutique in Hampstead – never having worked in retail before. She lasted eight months –wanting to be home for the millennium. Barbie also had a tourist business for three years called Tour Elite – and was a member of the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau.
Her position at the club came about as they do, friends talked to friends, and that was 20 years ago. “I was very lucky and started a part-time job on reception at the yacht club.” Barbie also works on reception at the Grosvenor Beachfront Apartments in Surfers Paradise. “I’ve been there 15 years and I love that as well. I’m a people person. It’s that please, thank you, a smile, that can make a person’s day. The little things in life mean so much. The yacht club is like a big family with over 3000 members, lots of guests and lots of returning guests. For families it’s ideal with a kids’ playground open for lunch and dinner every day.”
With her work at the yacht club and the apartments, along with being a Main Beach resident for 30 years, Barbie is well known to many – and she likes that. “It’s all once again like a big family and it’s very special. I am a creature of habit, I like my surrounds, I love where I live and work.”
“I am very, very happy with my life.”
Above, Barbie Diamond at the Southport Yacht Club Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes
Osso Bucco
Serves: 6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 6 hours and 10 minutes
Ingredients
6 pieces osso bucco (cross-cut beef shanks with bone in)
Flour for dusting
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¾ cups white wine
3 carrots, diced
1 thin eggplant, diced
2 x 400g tins crushed tomatoes
¼ cup fresh herbs (thyme and parsley or basil and oregano)
Cracked pepper to taste
1 large zucchini, diced
½ cup green beans
To serve (optional):
Polenta or mashed potato
Garden salad
Method:
Dust osso bucco pieces with flour.
Heat pan on high then add oil once hot. Brown the osso bucco pieces on both sides then remove from the pan.
Add the onion and garlic and fry for a few minutes. When the onion has softened add the white wine. Let it sizzle and reduce by about half.
Add carrots, eggplants, tomatoes and herbs to the pan and season with pepper.
Transfer to a slow cooker and cook on low for approximately 6 hours (or cook in oven at 120°C). In the last hour add in the chopped zucchini and whole beans.
Serve with a side of polenta or mashed potato and a garden salad.
Queensland CWA
The Local appreciates the QCWA for its recipes & images!
Recipe courtesy of Tracey Hacon, Nelia Branch
Operation Clearwater delivers improvements for the Broadwater
Cleaner waterways, stronger compliance and the removal of abandoned vessels are some of the key outcomes of Operation Clearwater, an eight-week initiative that has delivered noticeable improvements across the Gold Coast waterways.
Delivered by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), the initiative focused on addressing long-standing compliance issues.
Through education, engagement and targeted enforcement, it improved safety, accessibility and amenity across one of Australia’s busiest recreational waterways.
During the campaign, officers completed more than 2575 vessel intercepts.
As a result, 279 vessels achieved compliance and five abandoned and derelict vessels were removed.
For many Gold Coasters, the most noticeable change has been the disappearance of vessels that had occupied parts of the waterways for years.
Their removal has improved navigation, reduced environmental risks and enhanced the amenity of the waterways.
Maritime Safety Queensland General Manager Kell Dillon said the initiative demonstrated what can be achieved when agencies work together with a shared focus on improving safety and compliance.
“The results of Operation Clearwater demonstrated the value of a coordinated approach to improve safety and compliance on one of Queensland’s busiest waterways,” Mr Dillon said.
“This was an important initiative demonstrating the Queensland Government’s commitment to safer, more sustainable waterways through the collaborative efforts of partner agencies on the Gold Coast.”
Mr Dillon said the initiative also supported vulnerable people living aboard vessels who required assistance. He said it had also delivered lasting improvements for waterway users.
“The removal of abandoned and derelict vessels from the Broadwater is a significant step towards protecting this vital marine environment for future generations.
“Boaties can expect increased and focused compliance activities to ensure safer, navigable and accessible waterways for the Gold Coast community.”
Gold Coast Waterways Authority Chief Executive Officer Chris Derksema said Operation Clearwater had delivered lasting benefits for the Gold Coast community.
“The Broadwater is one of the Gold Coast’s most important community assets and people expect it to be clean, accessible and well managed,” Mr Derksema said.
“Addressing long-standing issues and removing abandoned vessels has made a real difference to the condition and amenity of the Broadwater.”
Mr Derksema said Operation Clearwater was never intended to be a one-off campaign.
“Our focus now is on ensuring those improvements are maintained for everyone who uses and enjoys these waterways,” he said.
“Looking after the Broadwater is an ongoing responsibility, and we’re committed to working with our partners and the community to ensure it remains one of the Gold Coast’s greatest assets for generations to come.”
Words & images: Contributed
On the water with Captain Kyle
If anyone knows whales, and all marine life for that matter, it’s Andy Mulville, the person in charge of every vessel and skipper at Sea World.
Andy, pictured, has worked at Sea World for the past 24 years and is now mostly involved in coordinating the marine rescues of whales and dolphins.
When we chat, it is a busy time for him with the start of the annual whale migration season in July, which seems to start earlier and end later each year.
“We get some that stay on the Gold Coast for the winter and then obviously all the southern migration later on,” Andy said.
“But we’ve already had a number of call-outs - including one in the shark nets – along with multiple entangled animals in New South Wales that we’ve gone to. We were out there a few months back and we also had a stranding down in Wallace Lake. It was a humpback that found its way up into the lake but couldn’t get out. We’ve already, for the time of year, had a lot of action.”
Andy said even as little as 10 years ago, there would be whales around late July but the numbers were way down thanks to practices like whaling. Once that stopped, the numbers started rising and this year 50,000 are making their way along their own Pacific Highway.
“They will get to a sustainable level where they self-manage their numbers depending on the food they have to eat and what’s available. But it’s pretty amazing to see them come back so healthy.”
And Andy is not the only one keen to watch the whales return. Plenty of recreational boaters head out for a look at these magnificent creatures – hopefully keeping their interactions to a respectful distance.
Andy said the first thing to do, for boaters keen to see these magnificent animals, before you head out is to jump online and make sure they are up-to-date with current legislation on being around the animals.
“Then it is all about being off to the side of the animal, such as space where you need to be, not coming right up in front of them and cutting them off, not driving in behind them. So off to the side, but you still need to keep that 100 metres off the animal,” Andy said.
“Here on the Gold Coast, it’s one of those spots that you really need to keep an eye on your position because the number of boats out there.
“Sometimes you’ll see six to 20 boats sitting around these animals and the animals diverting from where they want to be going. That’s exactly what we don’t want. So off to the side and minimal boat traffic - there are plenty of whales out there for everyone.”
Andy said people should also keep in mind that once calves were involved, the distance jumps to about 300 metres. Anyone doing the wrong thing should be reported to any local authority, from the Water Police to National Parks and Wildlife, and Fisheries.
“Without a doubt, the best way is to document it by filming it and getting the evidence and definitely reporting these people because it is a precedent that needs to be set.
“We want these animals to stay around here on the Gold Coast. But if it gets out of control out there, then they’re not silly animals and this is a spot they’ll bypass pretty quickly.
“It’s also for human safety. We’re looking at up to 40-tonne animals. If you harass them and they don’t like you, they’ll definitely do something about it.”
Andy said jet skis could be a nightmare and while 90 per cent of people did the right thing, there was a minority who did not.
“It’s an amazing whale-watching season here on the East Coast. It’s already kicked off and for people who don’t have vessels, there are so many great companies that do whale watching tours. Here at Sea World you can hop on a boat and enjoy a coffee while you watch the whales come past.
“I strongly encourage everyone to get out there, have a look at them and get an appreciation for how incredible they are.
“We also find other large animals like great whites visit as well, whether that is predation or just as their water gets colder. The ocean off the Gold Coast really comes alive in winter and it’s exciting to be out there.”
Words: Kyle Barnes | Images: Contributed
“The whales get to a sustainable level where they self-manage their numbers depending on the food they have to eat and what’s available. But it’s pretty amazing to see them come back so healthy.”
- Skipper Andy Mulville
Kyle Barnes has spent 45 years working on the water around Australia and New Zealand including on tall ships, luxury yachts, reef runners and even CityCats. He has a Master IV and an AMSA sub-45 boating licence.
Parenting survival guide - teamwork & patience
Lisa O’Neill has three children. Two sons with her first husband, both in their early 20s, and an eight-year-old daughter to her second husband. The now single mum, 54, is originally from South Africa, and headed overseas for three years at the age of 21, and then met her first husband and immigrated to Australia in 2006. She married her second husband in 2017, now lives in Pimpama – and published her first book earlier this year.
A First Time Parent is all about practical parenting, a manual perhaps, maybe a survival guide – filled with all the things Lisa discovered about parenting the first time around, and then the second. It’s now on the Amazon best-seller list. Lisa chatted with Donna Kelly.
Donna: Writing a book is a big venture. What was your why?
Lisa: I wanted to create a parenting guide that I wished for when I was raising my children. And a few years back I had a Scottish tradie come and he looked in my daughter’s room, she was about six, and he asked if anyone lived in it.
He said he had a two-year-old and a three-year-old and their rooms always looked like a bomb had gone off. I started giving him tips and then he asked for my number – but we realised that would not work out well with his wife, so he told me to write a book and he would be the first one to buy it. And I just started typing.
Donna: Did you have any doubts?
Lisa: I had so much self-doubt. My biggest challenge when I was writing the book was overcoming my own self-doubt and actually believing in myself. I had all this knowledge with three children aged 23, 21 and eight but I just kept questioning, will I be a good writer? Will people actually buy this book? Who am I to write a parenting book?
I knew what I wanted to say, but sometimes I just brain dumped. I had a couple of friends who read it for me and then it was edited. It was read so many times and sometimes my editor wanted to change some things, like the word poo, but I said I need to use that word. I realised that parents didn’t need perfect answers, they needed practical advice.
They wanted someone who was honest and also had been lost and helpless in the early experiences. Once I focused on that, the book just took shape.
Donna: How long did it take to write all up?
Lisa: Probably a year and a half. Once it’s written you have to read it over and over. And then play tag team with my editor, Maddie, who was lovely. It’s quite a process.
Donna: Did you find it hard to have someone else working on your passion project?
Lisa: I was afraid of that because I had two different friends read from the start to the finish and they wanted to put it in their style and their terminology. And I said no, I don’t want to use fancy words.
Donna: Do you have a single takeaway?
Lisa: I’ve been through two marriages so my big thing is teamwork. One day we were at the Sunny Coast and I saw this beautiful family. After three hours I asked if could talk to them. I told them it was so wonderful watching them tag team with the kids, no shouting, no swearing, no harshness to their children.
I told the husband he was doing an amazing job helping the mother of his children. They said they saw other young couples who have not made the changes - before they take the next big step. Sometimes husbands act like they are still single. Waiting for dinner to be served, kids put to bed, not really involved with the parenting. Teamwork is massive.
Donna: A First Time Parent seems like really practical advice – and not just for parents.
Lisa: Yes, the most important messages that I have are teamwork, communication, patience, realistic expectations. I want parents to know that they’re not alone and asking for help is okay.
And there’s also a lot in the book with dads, because dads are neglected. They also need to know they need to put in the work – give up drinking and get healthy – it takes both genetics to make that little baby.
When I got pregnant in my first marriage, we were still partying, going out, we didn’t make any changes and then baby came along and I realised I had to stop all of that. I was also one of those parents who were ‘I’m not changing my house to suit my kid, my kid will fit in with me’, and that was a rude awakening.
Donna: Do you have another book in you?
Lisa: I do. I have a lot of experience in the dental industry so the next one will be about teeth. I used to be a chairside assistant in London. I was terrified of dentists, literally they would pull out a needle and I’d almost pass out.
The dentist saw that I was very empathetic with patients and put me through night school. And with that experience I would line my friends’ kids up and check out their teeth. I’ve even included a chapter about teeth in my book.
Donna: So apart from Amazon where can we find A First Time Parent?
Lisa: It’s in Gold Coast City’s libraries and I was also just at the author expo, Carnival of Words, in Eagleby in July. So keep an eye on more word festivals.
And I would love to hear from any mums and bubs groups who would like me to introduce the book to them.
Link: www.afirsttimeparent.com
And from Lisa’s editor Maddie:
I was deeply impressed by Lisa O’Neill, both as a woman and a mother. What a journey she has walked, and what a gift to share it so generously with others.
A First Time Parent is not only a fantastic and comprehensive guide, but also a heartfelt companion for parents everywhere. I know without a doubt that so many mothers (and fathers, grandparents and everybody else) will feel supported and uplifted by her words, as I was.
Honestly I learned so much while reading.
There is so much good here. Her personal stories bring advice to life and made it relatable and full of care.
The humour and warmth in her voice create a sense of trust, like I was having a chat with a friend who’s been there. And I love how she kept returning again and again to her core themes - breathing, teamwork, love, communication. It gives her book such a steady heartbeat. You can absolutely hear her voice, her stories and her wisdom throughout the book. It’s ready for the world.
It has been an honour to read and be a part of her journey, and I believe this book will be a source of light and strength for so many parents.
- Warm regards, Maddie
To market, to market
Markets...
Gold Coast Art & Craft Markets
Where: Broadbeach, Burleigh, Paradise Point and Coolangatta, 8am - 2pm When: Broadbeach (1st and 3rd Sundays of the month)
Coolangatta (2nd Sunday of the month) Paradise Point (4th Sunday of the month) Burleigh (4th Sunday of the month)
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
Where: Surfers Paradise Esplanade, Surfers Paradise When: Fridays and Saturdays, 4pm - 9pm
Carrara Markets
Where: Gooding Drive, Carrara When: Saturdays and Sundays, 8am - 3pm
Tweed Heads Boat Harbour Market
Where: Wharf St, Tweed Heads When: First Saturday of the month, 8am - 2pm
Cherry Pickers Rummage
Where: Miami Markatta, 23 Hillcrest Dr, Miami When: Third Wednesday of the month, 10am - 2pm
Coolangatta Community Markets
Where: Goodwin Park, Coolangatta When: Thursdays, 7am - 11am
Palm Beach Farmers Market
Where: Palm Beach Currumbin High School, Thrower Drive, Palm Beach When: Saturdays, 6am - 11.30am
HOTA Farmers & Artisan Market
Where: HOTA – Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Bundall When: Sundays, 6am - 11.30am
Burleigh Farmers Market
Where: Burleigh Heads State School, 1750 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads When: Saturdays, from 7am
Helensvale Farmers Market
Where: Helensvale State High School, 243 Discovery Drive, Helensvale When: Saturdays, 6am - 11am
The Organic Gold Coast Farmers Market
Where: Merrimac State High School, Dunlop Court, Mermaid Waters When: Sundays, 6am - 11am
Stuff to do...
Domanis Restaurant, Main Beach Tuesday Trivia from 6.30pm (starts 7pm) - $100 voucher up for grabs
Dublin Docks Tavern, Biggera Waters Trivia Night - Tuesdays, 6.30pm
HOTA
Heathers The Musical: Daily high-school comedy production running until August 9
Gold Coast Show, Broadwater Parklands, Southport Community festival with rides and showbags - Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30
Got a meal deal, gigs or stuff to do happening? Markets we should know about? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Want to advertise? Email sales@tlnews.com.au
Out & About: Northern Gold Coast Meal Deals...
Paradise Point Bowls Club, Paradise Point
Lunch Super Savers, $13 members - every day, 11.30am - 2pm (visitors $15)
Cheap Tuesday, $17 members - plenty of options, 5.30pm - 8pm, (visitors $19)
Oxenford Tavern, Oxenford
Sunday trivia + roast
Crafty’s, Biggera Waters
Monday steak night, steak & beverage - $25
Parmageddon Tuesday, classic parmi & beverage - $25
Sanctuary Cove Tavern, Sanctuary Cove
Taco Tuesday, $15, 5pm - 8pm
Thursday Chicken Schnitzel, $15, 5pm – 8pm
Reds Kitchen & Bar, Sanctuary Cove Village
Super Tuesday, 50% off 3-course menu - book a table of 2-14
Thursday steak night with chips and salad - from $34
Sunday Roast, seasonal veggies and Yorkshire pudding - $39
Gigs...
Hollywell Yacht Club, Hollywell
Live music - Every Friday evening
Paradise Point Bowls Club, Paradise Point
The Australian Hollies Show - Main Stage - Saturday, August 1, 7.30pm
Brett Mooney Solo - Main Stage - Sunday, August 2, 2pm - 6pm
JJ & The Radio Souls - Main Stage - Friday, August 7, 7.30pm - 10.30pm
Runes Band - Main Stage - Saturday, August 8, 6pm - 10pm
Des2nation - Main Stage - Sunday, August 9, 2pm - 6pm
Conspiracy - Main Stage - Friday, August 14, 7.30pm - 10.30pm
Tribute Show Beatlegs - Main Stage - Saturday, August 15, 7.30pm
Tartan Duo - Main Stage - Sunday, August 16, 2pm - 6pm
Sets In The City - Main Stage - Friday, August 21, 7.30pm - 10.30pm
Whitey Solo - Dining Room - Saturday, August 22, 5.30pm - 8.30pm
Dugald Allen Solo - Main Stage - Sunday, August 23, 2pm - 6pm
The Halsie Minor Band - Main Stage - Friday, August28, 7.30pm - 10.30pm
Tribute Show One August Night Uncut Diamond - Tribute Show - Main Stage - August 29, 7.30pm
Mikky & The Other Guy - Main Stage - Sunday, August 30, 2pm - 6pm
Southport Yacht Club, Main Beach
Live music at the 4Shore Bar - Friday evenings & Sunday arvos
Crafty’s, Biggera Waters
Weekend DJs + Live Bands - Weekends, Evening
Sanctuary Cove Tavern, Hope Island
Live Music - Sunday, 1pm - 5pm
Runaway Bay Tavern, Runaway Bay
Live Music - Fridays, 4pm - 7pm
CSi Club Southport, Southport
Mista Big Stuff - Friday, August 7, evening
Red Rock Band - Saturday, August 8, evening
33RED - Friday, August 14, evening
Vogue Minogue - Saturday, August 15, evening
Making Moves Music - Friday, August 21, evening
JJ & The Radio Souls - Saturday, August 22, evening
One Sound Band - Friday, August 28, evening
Replay - Saturday, August 29, evening
Mano’s Bar & Grill, Main Beach
Live Music - Friday & Saturday evenings with Gold Coast DJ Gaz DJ - Sunday evenings
All
Irasshaimase!
Paradise Point Japanese: genuine, honest cuisine
After living in Japan in my early 20s, and returning almost every year since then, I love Japanese food.
But I love real Japanese food - not too much of a twist to the original recipes - I guess you would call it honest food.
And that is what I have discovered at Paradise Point Japanese Cuisine. Really great food, beautifully presented, and true to the culture of the country.
When I moved to Japan in my early 20s it was my second time overseas, after a brief oneweek holiday to Hong Kong, and I was very naive.
Friends took me to a restaurant where I was told the “fish” was fantastic. It turned out to be eel and it was, fantastic that is. But if I had known I probably wouldn’t have given it a second chance.
I love eel and every time we head to Paradise Point I get the unagi-nigiri - cooked eel on rice. Umai - this is the modern iteration of ‘oishi!’. Or delicious.
Plenty of other favourites. The salmon sashimi is fabulous. Really thin slices of raw salmon - when did other places start carving it up so thick you could barely handle it with chopsticks? - with wasabi, soy sauce and the best ginger I have had. Oh, don’t leave the seaweed behind, it’s a real flavour bomb.
Kyle, the husband, loves the chicken karaage - fried chicken - and will always order the large shoyu ramen dish. He always adds too much white pepper and ends up quite red and sweaty - but he cannot say no.
If I order the ramen I gift him my slice of pork, not because I am vegetarian, but pork is not quite my thing - but I do love ramen.
Living in Japan, when you went out drinking, ramen bars were like the Australian equivalent of a souvlaki or hotdog at the end of the night. No-one got a bad hangover if they ate ramen, and drank the soup, after a few beers or sakes out on the town.
Now these are our daytime favourites. But if you head to Paradise Point Japanese at night it is a whole different ball game - with the hotplates going nuts and plenty of yakitori on offer - and other stick food.
Yaki means to cook and tori is chicken - so chicken on skewers - and you can choose the other cuts of meat and also if you prefer a sauce or salt to top it off.
I love the chicken thigh best of all so go for the negima which is the thigh and spring onion or the momo, which is just the thigh.
Kawa is chicken skin and tebasaki is chicken wings. Tsukune is chicken mince and then there is pork, Wagyu beef, scallops, octopus and Paradise prawns. There are also plenty of vegetable skewers on offer.
Of course, you can also choose from myriad sashimi, sushi, rolls, edamame...
The wine list is fine and there’s also sake and spirits available - along with soft drinks if you are the designated driver.
Yoshi is the head chef/owner and keeps an eye on everything from the bar - which is where we usually find ourselves seated if possible. It’s just good fun to watch the meals cooking - and assembled - in action.
Of course there are tables and a few special spots to sit and if it’s a nice day, and when is it not here on the Gold Coast, there are outdoor tables with a lovely view across The Esplanade. Bring your pooch if you feel like it.
And while the English spoken here is going to be better than most attempts at Japanese you can always practice a tiny bit.
A cherry konnichi wa on arrival is nice, or konban wa at night, and an itadakimasu just before you start eating and ending up with a gochisousama deshita is a nice finish. An arigato is nice any time a plate is served. But feel free to just go with thanks.
Prices are pretty good. You pay for what you get here - including great service, a really good atmosphere and that real Japanese food. Yes, a sushi train will be more affordable, but it is not about that.
Paradise Point Japanese Cuisine is all about delicious, traditional food, executed and served by people who know their craft. Well worth a visit. And a seat at the bar...
Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes
Second-in-command Jun at work, above and left
Yoshi is the head chef/owner and keeps an eye on everything from the bar - which is where we usually find ourselves seated if possible. It’s just good fun to watch the meals on action.
Return to Hammo - 30 years on
After 30 years Kyle Barnes and Donna Kelly returned to Hamilton Island, the place where they met while working on this tropical paradise. Kyle, a Kiwi, was a skipper, while Donna, a born and bred Frankston girl, was a Japanese-speaking interpreter. It was a fun time to be in hospitality and then to find new and lasting love. They share their thoughts on the past and the latest Return to Hamilton Island
Kyle said: Donna said:
Travelling back to Hamilton Island with just north of 30 years of wrinkles on my face and a couple of inches of well-earned lunches under my belt felt like slipping on an old pair of shoes.
Or more to the point, slipping off an old pair of shoes. You see it was a place where I wandered barefoot back in the day. There was even a bar called The Barefoot Bar.
In fact, I never bothered with shoes and they weren’t a requirement of my job which was more or less simply messing around on boats. Life was simpler and warmer then.
Mind you, I do remember my new love at the time, who just happens to be my older love now, instructing me to wear shoes on a night out. I had to lay down the law in my fledgling romance and stated that I wouldn’t be told what to do.
As it turns out our night out was over on the mainland which happened to have a strict "no shoes, no entry policy" in most of the bars. And the dingbat of the week award was once again won with the wry “told you so” look from my future bride.
The island has changed a lot since the nouveau riche have discovered it and for me it seems to have lost a lot of its Australiana with plenty of rules and regulations, but it is the world we live in.
As I lurched my golf buggy to the side of the road looking for a park, a staff member in the following buggy instructed me not to park there, and pretty much told me to move on.
Back in the day, there is no way we would say something to an island guest, in fact we had as little to do with them as possible.
Except for one night where I and eight of my new besties, including Donna, thumbed down a lift from a lovely guest couple on a buggy. They were equally as intoxicated as us and even with our total numbering 11, we got that thing blasting around the island until security caught up with our drunken mob of reprobates. We quickly abandoned the vehicle, and the fun-loving couple, secreting ourselves in the bush in order not to get the dreaded NBO (next boat out) treatment.
And I guess that sort of nonsense behaviour is where the rules have come from. I can see this very clearly with an older head on my shoulders, but shit it was fun.
I worked for a watersports and adventure company that is still there operating with the brothers that I used to work with.
My job would vary from changing a tyre out on the parachute plane, jumping out of said plane and towing folks behind the parasailing boat.
One day I was on the parasailing pontoon, clipped Donna into a harness and decided to hang on as she took off into the air. The idea was to let go once we had some height which would create a rocket effect for her, but my grip started to weaken as we rose above 20 metres.
I went through the mental argument of whether I had the strength to hang on for another five minutes to finish the journey. And the answer was no.
By then I was about 70 metres up and consequently I let go, hitting the water like a rock on cement. Once again I guess that’s why they now have rules for mad bastards like me in my 20s who liked to play rough.
My most recent stay on Hamilton Island was a relaxing affair and obviously a lot safer than in years gone by. It still has that sense of going barefoot in the sand and is an extremely safe, family-friendly place that caters for most budgets.
The island is very accessible with various airlines servicing this little slice of paradise and has all you need for a relaxing stay.
From the time you land (where I almost expected Tattoo from Fantasy Island to yell out “the plane, the plane”) and right the way through the stay this place puts out those tropical vibes, and it’s right here in Australia.
Words: Kyle Barnes
I don't know why it took 30 years to return to Hamilton Island. And I am sorry it did. It is such a piece of paradise in our own country. Sandy beaches, swaying palms, beautiful breezes and wonderful vibes.
Of course, this time around we were tourists, just soaking up the sun and kicking back at the many cool bars and restaurants, and cruising around in our golf buggy.
Back then, we were workers. Kyle was a skipper who I inadvertently found a job for when I got another bloke sacked for inappropriate behaviour. I was a Japanese-speaking tour guide - home after three years of living in Japan but not quite ready to settle back into life in Frankston.
Kyle always said he fell in love with me but I always wonder if it was the accommodation. There was nothing for staff when I arrived so I was popped into a room on the 18th floor of Hamilton Towers, now the Reef Hotel. We met for a drink one night, I invited him for one more at home and he never returned to his shared donga. That is a real word.
So we worked hard but we also played hard and it was a lot of fun. Rules were few and far between and the worst thing that could happen was an NBO or Next Boat Out. I don't know anyone, apart from that one bloke I mentioned, who got NBO'd.
I remember Kyle coming to collect me, while I was working, to take me out for a parasail. No worries. Came back dripping wet and just continued on, helping the Japanese guests decide which tour they would like.
Went out on the Adventure Cruise, which was really about fishing, and after Kyle dropped anchor we left the punters and climbed onto the roof for a bit of a chat. Maybe stole a kiss? No worries.
We held a competition to see how many we could fit on a buggy, 11, and wandered the island from tip to tip checking out private beaches and generally having fun. We found a lovely swing seat - see opposite - and managed to break it despite both being quite a few kilos lighter back in the day.
There were karaoke nights, arm wrestling competitions (which Kyle mostly won), a wonderful staff restaurant where meals were just $2 and drinks about the same, but no-one was game to go in the staff pool, nicknamed the sperm pool for good reason.
We also got the barge to Airlie Beach a bit, to either hit a bar or shop for food at mainland prices we could afford. Kyle's story next to this talks about the barefoot incident but I can tell it better.
"Where are your shoes?" I asked as we met at the barge. "Don't tell me what to do, this is who I am," retorted Kyle. Standing outside the bar looking at the sign which said clearly "no shoes, no entry" I looked at him and asked “How do you feel now, dickhead”. Got to make sure they know who is boss early on. :)
Anyway, this time around we were much more sedate - and we stayed one floor higher, on the 19th floor, a two-storey Reef Suite. It was fantastic - views forever, right over Catseye Bay. Huge room, full kitchen (not that we cooked), two king beds upstairs. And lovely staff. Thanks for the towel animal!
We didn't worry about $2 meals. Romanos, an Italian restaurant on the marina, was fantastic and also loved the Reef Hotel bar for its cocktails, and the Marina Tavern for a more casual menu but a great view over the boats.
One Tree Bar was clearly the spot to watch the sunset but it was pretty busy so we headed back down the hill to the Hamilton Island Yacht Club. That's the sun setting, pictured in the inset image, over on the right. Beautiful.
We chatted with quite a few staff members and they are all clearly loving being a part of the experience. Lots of Aussies but also plenty of people from overseas enjoying hospitality with a place that does it so well.
It's very much now a destination for couples, friends and families. When we lived there it was probably 90 per cent for the Japanese but I guess the way their yen has gone it's no longer an option.
Some of it is a little expensive, like our suite, but really if you have the money well worth investing for a bit of extra luxury. Food and drinks were really just normal prices - especially if you are used to going out around our region.
And there are plenty of walks and activities that are free for all to just enjoy. Having the airport on the island itself was also great, you are in holiday mode the moment you landwhisked off to your lodgings, ready for the adventure to begin.
Will we go again? You bet and we won't be waiting another 30 years. I reckon a yearly trip is the go - and maybe one day we will find that swing seat waiting. If it's been repaired. Hmmm.
Words: Donna Kelly
Kyle and Donna travelled at their own cost with Qantas but stayed at the Reef Suites courtesy of Hamilton Island - fabulous!
Pictured, right, the view of the Reef Hotel and Catseye Bay, inset, sunset at the yacht club, left, the infamous swing seat from 1994
Images: Donna Kelly & unknown
Passionate advocate
The Boat Princess: advocate for boating & women
Nicole Vaux, aka The Boat Princess, is a passionate advocate for boating, women and a multiple business entrepreneur.
Nicky, as she prefers, has been in the boating industry for almost 20 years. She is a partner of Empire Marinas Group - which owns Empire Marina Bobbin Head and Empire Marina Lake Macquarie.
Her mission is to entice more women into boating and the boating industry. She is a former director on the board of the Marina Industries Association, and member of the Women in Boating Committee in Australia and the Diversity Committee at ICOMIA. She has also contributed to many publications including Ocean and Nautilus Marine magazines, The Suite Collective and has a successful podcast and Instagram community.
As a marina owner, luxury boat owner and former boat broker for some seven years, her knowledge on boats is extensive and offers a different perspective to just the brochure. Nicky is also a partner in three Freedom Boat Clubs - a subscription model that brings great boating to more people than would normally be able to afford the time or investment to do so.
Nicky started the Boat Princess podcast about five years ago. She said she saw a niche in the boating market when she attended a marina conference. There were about 400 men and just 10 women in the corner, and she realised at that moment more women were needed in the industry. She chatted with Kyle Barnes.
Kyle: So that obviously got you not just thinking but also acting on that instinct?
Nicky: Yes, I believe it’s more a lack of awareness for women that the boating industry exists as a place to enjoy a career. I wanted to bring that awareness to the fore and also make women far more comfortable about getting into boating and into the boating industry. And that was just by giving them some simple education in a social media way, of the silly words that we use, the questions they should ask when they get on a boat at boat show, the little explanations of when you pull up a boat onto the hard stand, what’s this bit and what’s that bit? Explaining to them in simple terms and hopefully giving them some engaged questions they could use with brokers at boat shows so that they were taken more seriously. I want to allow them to want to join the boating industry because they felt it was a place they would be welcomed.
Kyle: Do you think women shy away still from the boating industry?
Nicky: I feel the industry, unless you’re actually in it, feels a little bit unknown and therefore I am trying to give women the opportunity to find roles, that perhaps they didn’t know existed, and say ‘I can do that’. That might be anything from editing magazines and running brokerages to marina management. For example, hospitality is a perfect space that we can take clients from hotel management into marina management, things like that. It was all about revealing the incredible, different roles within the industry, which is what I do in my podcast, and therefore trying to bring more women into it.
Kyle: Should boat brokers be doing things differently when selling to women?
Nicky: Yes, it has changed although there are still plenty of women who still enjoy the entertaining side of the boat, so they will look for that. When I review a boat I look at things like, does it have a fridge I can put a full platter in, does it have enough refrigeration for my champagne, how easy is it to make this bed, where can I put my linen, all those things that men may not consider. So that is still needed, and probably even expected, but when I review a boat I tend to focus on those things such as if I sit down on the sofa, can I still see out the window, or if I’m sitting at the helm, as a female can I reach the footstep? There’s a whole lot of things that females have to look at, purely based on their size – and there is also a new area where a lot of single women would like to go boating with their children – as one-parent families.
Kyle: Do many women own boats?
Nicky: Yes, there are plenty of women who have achieved incredibly well in their careers or their businesses and are now perfectly capable of buying their own boat. And I also like to talk about things like boat syndication – the boat club is fantastic for them because somebody else looks after the boat and they just appear and use the boat – and get trained along the way. There are new boating avenues.
Kyle: What is the boat buying process like for women?
Nicky: Unfortunately, we are still experiencing some resistance from brokers to that being a thing. Not all brands. Some brands are amazing at it and they treat women so incredibly well and have really honed in on the fact that if it isn’t the woman actually buying the boat she is a major part of that decision-making process. They do have to look after her, respect her and show her some attention. But there are still some brands that haven’t cottoned on to the fact that a woman might buy a boat and they still don’t show them the level of respect or attention that they should receive at a boat show.
Kyle: You have plenty happening away from your podcast as well. This store for example. Nicky: This area, the Gold Coast, if you go out for dinner, even when you’re sitting down at a table, the next table will be talking about boats. It’s a really fantastic area. So I wanted to cater to some of the needs I saw that weren’t being met here. That included what to wear on boats – again I’m trying to make women feel more comfortable about being on a boat. There’s nothing worse for a woman to turn up for an event on a super yacht for example and when she gets there she realises she’s wearing completely the wrong thing. Her skirt is going to blow up and she’s going to have to hand over her beautiful Louis Vuittons that she’s worn into a bag or onto a basket. So, say somebody is organising a women’s lunch and they want to add a little bit of a fun event to it. We do a little fashion presentation about what to wear and what not to wear. For example our caftans are beautiful silk but they roll up into nothing so perfect for packing onto a boat because we want to minimise our packing when we go on a boat. And then the other side of it is our iKou products and our Murchison-Hume products – they do fantastic home scents, hand wash, hand cream and beautiful skincare.
Kyle: How does fragrance come into it?
Nicky: I sold a lot of second-hand boats and a lot of them did not smell pleasant. So I would put beautiful diffusers onto those boats that made them smell so good that a woman walked onto that boat and felt comfortable. A woman walking onto a boat that smells like the bilge does not feel comfortable. One of the reasons we picked iKou is because they are an Australian product made in the Blue Mountains. I wanted to focus on Australian-made products. And Murchison-Hume is a very natural cleaning system and fine for going into the water as well because they’re completely natural.
Kyle: What else is happening?
Nicky: We have pieces that will work on the super yachts and we will be part of that. We will network, and people will have the opportunity to explore the products in a private setting. I’m an architect’s daughter so I tend to have a flair for it. I do all my own houses, all my offices, the marinas, and it’s always worked out well for me. I seem to have a knack for it.
Kyle: Finally, how are you going with your socials and your podcast in terms of followers?
Nicky: Good. The podcast is worldwide successful, page one on Spotify, all that sort of thing. And I get messages from Turkiye and the US and UK. I’ve made presentations at Southampton Boat Show, at the World Marinas Conference, at the Auckland Boat Show, at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, the Sydney Boat Show, and marina conferences in New Zealand and various other events. I like to speak to women specifically because we like to boost their confidence. We like to make them know that they’re not alone. And it’s just a moment where the room is full of women for a change, instead of men.
Link: www.theboatprincess.com
Images: Kyle Barnes
Our history - Paradise Point
The suburb of Paradise Point is located on a peninsula of land bounded by Coombabah Creek, Coomera River and the northern Broadwater. The suburb also encompasses Ephraim and Sovereign Islands.
Prior to its subdivision and development, the area was a quiet fishing spot that could be reached by a track that went through swampy land that was studded with eucalypts.
Following World War II, approximately 200 hectares of the land which eventually became Paradise Point was owned by Ralph Faulkinder who had acquired it for £600 from his deferred pay following the war.
1950s
By the early 1950s, Faulkinder decided to subdivide part of his property. Jim Handford surveyed the land while Jack Kogler of Labrador was the selling agent for the new residential estate. The venture was managed by Willmore & Randell, who were experienced developers, with Mr Milton Grant acting as the local manager.
Faulkinder eventually sold the land to Jays, a company owned by Handford and Kogler. In 1962, they were forced to sell some of their holdings but went on to develop the rest together until, in 1977, Handford acquired full control of the company.
Over the years, Handford owned either independently or in partnership significant areas of land in Paradise Point including Sovereign, Andys and Griffin islands and his home at the top of the point on 10.8 hectares of land where he operated a private airfield and golf course.
First release
The first release of land for the Paradise Point subdivision, which was advertised as a township, occurred on April 12, 1953. The new development featured an Esplanade beside the protected waters of the Broadwater, waterfront allotments, ornamental parks, playgrounds and a shopping centre.
The views over the Broadwater, excellent fishing spots and proximity to Hollywell provided additional appeal. The sale was considered a great success with all of the available lots selling within two weeks. A total of 122 blocks of land were sold in 1953 at a sale price starting at £40.
Three houses
By August 1954, three houses had been built and there were plans for a store and boating business to be opened by December. A further eight houses were to be constructed in the following months.
In 1957 electricity poles were erected within the estate in preparation for power lines to be installed. By 1959 more than 300 lots had been sold in Paradise Point.
While the roads were advertised as being passable in all weather, it was not until a bridge was constructed over the mouth of Biggera Creek at Land’s End in 1960 that access between Southport and Paradise Point improved.
The development was advertised at the perfect location for a holiday home and an ideal place to escape the crowds further south along the coast. As a result, Paradise Point was a popular choice for older retirees looking for a quiet home near the water.
Canal developments
In 1970 the canal developments to the west of the Broadwater, known as Paradise Point Keys, were advertised for sale. The first stage of 135 waterfront lots sold out within a year and the second stage, which was a Lewis Land project, was advertised for sale in late 1971. Prices for a block of land on the canals started at $6950.
By 1983, Paradise Point had approximately 1400 homes with more being built. With a growing community, the 200 members of the Paradise Point and Northern Districts Progress Association lobbied for improved amenities including a community centre, street lighting, parking areas, bike racks, a fire station, improved drainage and the Pine Ridge Environmental Park. Land was set aside for a police station.
Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen
In 1986 Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen opened the $3 million Haddon’s Marina at Paradise Point. The marina had berths for 50 boats, supplied both equipment and boats for hire and was a departure point for boats travelling to Tipplers, North Stradbroke Island and Jumpinpin.
By the 1990s, lobbying to protect the mangroves at Jabiru Island resulted in the establishment of the Phil Hill Environmental Reserve. During the same period, a $200,000 streetscaping project commenced along The Esplanade to remove overhead powerlines, install a swimming enclosure and beautify the area.
Islands
In later years Paradise Point was further transformed by the development of Andys and Griffin islands into Sovereign Island and the subdivision of Ephraim Island into prestige waterfront housing with deepwater moorings capable of accommodating ocean cruisers. Paradise Point and Hollywell’s 2026 population is now estimated at 10,971.
Pictured, above left, aerial view over Paradise Point, circa 1970s - photographer unknown, below left, Paradise Point Bowls Club, Paradise Point, April, 1970photographer Bob Avery, and above, aerial view of Paradise Point looking west, circa 1970 - photographer A L Lambert
Words & images: Gold Coast Stories courtesy of the Gold Coast City Libraries
The Local appreciates being able to share our region’s history thanks to the work of those at the Gold Coast City Libraries.
“Luke, I am your Father!”
Mick’s own toy story coming to life
You may not be aware of it but toy photography is a huge industry, not just in Australia but around the world. And Beenleigh’s Michael ‘Mick’ Mauldon is enjoying being a part of this growing trend.
“It started off as a collectors’ area where people would buy six-inch figurines and show them off to other people and then it went to ‘I could make this look like it’s really in the movie’ and that’s how toy photography was born.
“My specialty area is Star Wars. I got started four or five years ago and bought an X-Wing – the same one Luke Skywalker flies in the first released movie. I thought it would look really cool on my shelf and then if realised if I had a good guy ship I needed a bad guy ship, so I bought Darth Vader’s ship.
“Then I put them in a space battle and took photos and showed a few people who said I could do it for a living. And with a couple of hundred more figurines I am right into it.”
Mick said there were two ways to draw a wage. One was photographing your own figurines and selling the images at markets with the other one being commissioned by people to photograph their figurines.
“You can actually make a bit of money out of that and then there’s also establishing a presence online through Instagram or YouTube or other sites. We are also using AI sometimes if we are animating our figurines. Some people have said I should try stop-motion but I am 63 so I don’t have time to do that.”
Mick said he had recently retired from sales repping but had always been a keen photographer. “I started off in digital art back in 1995 using Photoshop and working on other people’s photos and then people asking me to take their photos so I bought a crappy camera –and now I have a full home-based studio.
“I’m a Nikon user, my wife Tracee and I both have old DSLRs as well and I have a pro DSLR. We are also moving into mirrorless technology and it’s proving quite good for the bird photography.
“They have better software and AI technology within so you can really capture the birds. Just a lot more flexibility.”
Mick and his wife also do a fair bit of food product photography and in a totally different field, dancing.
“We actually sponsor a dance school academy at Yarrabilba.” Weddings are also on offer with two photographers – one taking the posed shots and the other the candid.
Away from work both Mick and Tracee enjoy getting out and about on their sports touring motorbike.
“My wife conned me into it. I got my licence in 2008 because she had always had known people who rode and she loved sitting on the back. So, I got my learner’s and now we’re full-on bikers. Only recently I said we would go window shopping – well, that cost me $15,000.
“But we love riding, although my wife’s knees and mine don’t really handle it for too long. But we try and get out as much as we can.”
Instagram: mickstoyphotography
Scan the QR code for a look at one of Mick’s Star Wars recreations and a Dodge car chase scene
Words: Kyle Barnes
Images: Mick & Tracee Mauldon
Just sayin’... Kyle’s rant...
Like many Victorians my first visits to Queensland were as a child. Every second year - we were not rich - we would all bundle into the Holden for the drive from Frankston to the Gold Coast.
I don’t remember the drive being fun. Four kids under 10, three in the back seat, sans seat belts, and one in the front, riding high above the bench seat, in the contraption that passed for a child seat in the day.
We always came up in August, it was freezing when we left, and for some reason my father always wanted to get going about 5am. I guess to miss the traffic. But despite the early start it always took four days - my father being of the mind that the most economical speed of a car was about 40 miles at hour.
Dad worked for the Post-Master General or Telstra as it is now, and the units and houses we stayed in were discounted heavily by his work. I reckon our first house was a Queenslander, maybe near Palm Beach. It had a resident blue tongue out the back and my younger brother was kept entertained for hours by all the insect life - most of which he brought into the house where they lived until they died sad, neglected deaths.
The best place we stayed, in my mind, was Nobby Beach. The two-storey units were right across from the beach, there was also a pool, and the wonderful Magic Mountain was so close. This was a dream come true for Victorian kids.
Anyway, life moved on and as we grew up we no longer wanted to holiday with parents. I do remember a few trips up in my later teenage years, on buses because they were cheap, and then on planes when I did a backpacking trip around Australia in six-weeks. I needed faster transport.
Then, after living in Japan teaching English at junior high schools for three years, I returned home and found a job on offer in Cairns with the Japan Travel Bureau. It was a lot of fun but a lot of early mornings because the planes arrived about 4am. I also needed more income so worked in a tourist gift shop in the city from 4pm to 9pm - not leaving much time for sleeping. Now and again I could be found fast asleep under the airport desk - trying to not crease my polyester uniform. I hated that uniform - it looked nice but it stuck in the humidity.
After a year it was time to do a long-awaited trip to Europe - staying in a hostel in London in Bayswater and finding work at a Japanese recruitment firm in the business district. That was great until the building next door was bombed. We could still work but it was a tad disconcerting to see curtains billowing out of blown-out windows.
I also took on a job jokingly known as granny bashing. It was actually about moving in with older people and looking after their needs - but not personal care. I did not have much in the way of domestic skills so I remember going into the veggie patch and pulling out carrots, and then pushing them back into the soil because they were too small. And one of my lovely men presented me with a fish to cook. A whole fish. I scraped it a bit, cut off the head and cooked it - guts and all. Probably lucky I didn’t kill him off.
Back to Australia and I found a Japanese speaking job at Hamilton Island - and met the love of my life, Kyle. Once we coupled up island life was not so much fun so we headed for the mainland and Surfers Paradise.
Then it was onto places like Brisbane, Wynnum, Hervey Bay, Cairns again - and nonQueensland homes in Karratha and back in Victoria’s Caulfield, Mt Eliza and Frankston South. Ask anyone who knows and the ‘south’ part is important.
I returned to my first career of journalism and along the way we started our own good news publication in Victoria’s Hepburn Shire region - think of the bit between Bendigo and Ballarat and that’s us.
But Queensland beckoned and we spent many long winters in the sunshine state - finally wondering why we were not here full-time like other sane people. And then the idea for a news magazine here came along. And being Runaway Bay residents we decided the Northern Gold Coast was our patch. And here we are.
The first edition of The Local has great stories, great advertising and it has been great fun putting it together. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did crafting it. Just sayin’...
Image: Gold Coast Libraries | Fred Saxon
August 2026
Our sparkling people
My love for the Gold Coast started in 1989, I was fresh off the boat from New Zealand and looking for trouble.
Unlike a lot of other Kiwi immigrants who were looking for a better life in the land of milk and honey, I found myself living under the Storey Bridge in Brisbane and I mean literally a backpackers’ at the back of the Bomb Shelter Hotel I called home.
Work was a set of traffic lights that stayed red for one minute and 45 seconds, which was enough time for three blokes to clean 10 car windows. I had recruited a well-endowed German girl to collect the cash and way back then we would each pull $40 per hour working for three hours straight.
My new friends and I had heard about a better life down on the Gold Coast, so we (actually it was just me) bought a small van - mainly because it had a bullhorn so we could wolf-whistle the girls on the road. Very un-PC nowadays, I know.
Down on the GC, we tried to take up surfing without much success, so invested in a few old boards to tie on the roof so at least we had the right look anyway.
Our new home was a car park in Broadbeach and work was a new set of traffic lights outside the casinothe equipment set-up was a couple of drive-by snatch and grabs at petrol stations to get the buckets and squeegees we needed. A belated sorry for that.
With some money to lose, I spent one night of hell-raising in the casino where I won $900 which my mate thankfully confiscated from me until the morning. It was getting close to Christmas and I had been talking about going home, so off I went once again to the land of the long white cloud.
During my 20s I made quite a few trips back to the GC with a lot of the aforementioned hell raising, but didn’t come to settle here until ‘94, when Donna and I first got together. We ended up at this grotty motel in Cavill Ave called The Hub and I started a proper job down at the casinobutt picking. Yep, picking up butts. The uniform was candy striped and it was my job to drive a machine around cleaning up cigarette butts. But most of the time I just kept a look out for discarded or dropped money or chips from the people pouring out the doors.
In my 20s in NZ I had been lucky enough to spend my time working on sailing ships, fishing boats and tugboats, so I had returned commercially ticketed and ready to go.
My dream job came along three days into my butt picking career when I was hired as master aboard the Maranoa, a 15.85-meter traditional brigantine. The first sailing tourist boat to operate on the Gold Coast, we had a cannon which we would fire every morning after it was wadded with toilet paper and gunpowder. With lots of ‘where’s me buccaneer jokes’ and a full bar, we would do the daily return trip to Tipplers.
Donna and I had moved into Yachting Towers, over the road from the Southport Yacht Club, where the Maranoa was moored. Life was good.
But as happens in life, we wanted to buy a house and settle down, so had to opt for jobs in the real world. I kicked around on tugboats, charter boats and even the Brisbane CityCats while Donna got caught up in Japanese tourism - taking a break from her real career in journalism.
In 2013, Donna and I started a newspaper from nothing covering a handful of villages and hamlets in Victoria’s Daylesford region that deserved their own voice — Donna with a lifetime in local journalism, me with a camera and a willingness to learn. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.
Fast forward to 2021 and the Northern Gold Coast caught our eye. A community with an average resident age of 61, more stories than they knew what to do with, and not nearly enough local coverage to do them justice.
People who still love to read. People who actually want to know what’s happening at the end of their street. A free monthly news magazine brimming over with inspiring and interesting people, festivals, places to go, restaurants to choose...The Local
Welcome to the first edition, rant over…
Image: Contributed
Advertising in The Local
OK, you have missed the inaugural edition but all is not lost. If you want to advertise in the Northern Gold Coast’s latest publication, full of good news and titled The Local, or just plain old TL, you can. The next edition is out for the first Wednesday of September so let our readers know what you are up to. You can’t sell a secret.
Just email sales@tlnews.com.au or head back to page 2 to see all the contact details there. We know about budgets so we have kept prices affordable so even small businesses can advertise big. For example, this banner would cost just $250 - compare that with any other publications of this size and you will find it is an absolute bargain. See you in for September!
(If you see Barbie at the yacht club, say hi...)
The Heart of the Northern Gold Coast
Meet The Local’s sales rep - Tania Remedios
My early childhood memories are of happy times spent growing up in Singapore with my 2 younger sisters, speaking Malay with our helpers, apparently I was fluent which sadly I’m not anymore, eating wonderful street food and delicious curries…funny the things you retain.
When I was seven my father was offered a new highly coveted job which meant moving to Hong Kong and I remember the feeling of loss and displacement at that time. We arrived in October and it was my first memory of feeling cold. Matters for me were made worse because my middle sister developed a kidney infection that resulted in hospitalisation so mum left me with strangers while she spent time with her and my new baby sister at the hospital. Dad was in training and couldn’t lend a hand.
We survived all that and life in Hong Kong was amazing. We grew up as expats in the British Crown Colony and lived a mostly charmed life until my parents divorced and mum brought us to live in Sydney which is where I was born and had lived for the first six months of my life. I was 18 and it was such a wrench to leave my beloved and cosmopolitan Hong Kong.
It took me two years to fall in love with Sydney, to appreciate all it has to offer and to stop pining for Hong Kong. This was in 1979 and Sydney felt like a step back into a time warp to me.
My first job was with Wales Tours, a wholesale tour company located in the CBD. I’d catch the train every morning from Cronulla station and after a year the grind wore me down so I asked for and received a transfer into general banking and I became the Wales Bank Engadine Enquiries clerk. Here I met my first husband, he was a customer and I hid the cheque book he’d applied for, blaming head office ineptitude, until he asked me out and then whaddya know…the cheque book appeared.
After 18 months the appeal of banking had palled, and besides that I was hopeless with numbers, so I applied for my dream job as a flight attendant. I flew for Ansett, until its terribly sad and awful demise, for 20 years. It was the best job ever, we were a family.
During this time my two children were born and it was a juggle between my husband and I both working and getting the kids off to daycare and school but as so many parents do, we got there. After Ansett fell over I began volunteering in my daughter’s school library and with perseverance managed to secure a few casual days which finally grew into a permanent position as a science lab assistant in a local high school which I really loved.
A few years later my marriage broke up and I took some time off to go to the USA and meet up with a few friends from my Hong Kong high school days. I ended up staying there for nine years and marrying my second husband, who was one of those school friends. Australia, my kids, my whole family were in my heart every day, I missed them all to bits and I never really settled in the US so very happily returned with hubby number two to live on the Gold Coast almost three years ago and haven’t looked back since.
I met Kyle and Donna at our first GC New Year’s Eve party and we’ve been friends since then. They asked me if I was interested in ‘a little sales job’, helping them out at The Local and it didn’t take me long to agree.
It took a while to build some confidence and I’ve still got loads more to gain but here I am, on the eve of TL NGC going to print, really pumped at where this is all going.
Tania and why she got out of the banking industry... Image: Kyle Barnes
All answers appear in this edition of The Local. Solution in the September edition. Good luck!
Inspiring work!
Courtney’s goal for allied health team
Growing up with dyslexia, Courtney Van Putten never thought she would become a physiotherapist. Instead, she completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science and intended to do a Dip Ed and work as a PE teacher.
But a lecturer encouraged her and she is now a dual-degreed physiotherapist having completed a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) in 2010 and then a Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney, Lidcombe in 2012. After working as a rehabilitation clinician in several public and private inpatient, outpatient and community rehabilitation units across New South Wales and Queensland, she now specialises in amputee management as well as complex neurological conditions including use of complex orthotic prescriptions. Courtney is also now a business owner, running Amplitude Physiotherapy, based in Southport. She chatted with Donna Kelly.
Donna: How do you get into amputee physio?
Courtney: I became a physiotherapist about 13 years ago. I never thought it was something I could do but I did well in my first degree, which meant that I was able to get into a Masters of Physiotherapy at Sydney Uni. I then did student placements in different areas of physiotherapy and one was in rehab and I was very lucky to be at a really good rehab facility in Sydney – and that’s where I got my first job.
Donna: So that is your field?
Courtney: I’ve always gravitated towards rehab physiotherapy and had early exposure to amputees. When I moved from Sydney to Cairns and worked at Cairns Base Hospital, I managed what’s called the Interim Amputee Clinic. Every two weeks a prosthetist would actually fly up from the Gold Coast to Cairns and fit any of the clients up there with prosthetic legs. It was then my job to teach them how to walk with them. In 2022 I started my own business on the Gold Coast. There are lots of rehab clinicians here who can do amputee management, but nobody’s specialising it as their main caseload. My business is very specialised with just one client at a time.
Donna: You must work closely with the prosthetic clinics?
Courtney: Here we have four main prosthetics or orthotics clinics – where all my referrals come from. I do work closely with them because they’ve got to build the device that the client needs to use. My understanding of how body moves and the physical side of things is the physiotherapy side. But I’ve also got to know what’s happening and what type of prosthetic feet or joints are being used so that I can make suggestions or tweaks to the prosthetist. We work in a multidisciplinary team where I can contact the prosthetist and ask them if they can make changes.
Donna: It is inspiring to watch you work but it must be challenging at times?
Courtney: There’s a huge variety of why people become amputees. Some of them can be trauma related, but that’s often the younger population who have been in a motor vehicle accident or a workplace injury. But by far in Australia, the biggest reason why people are having amputations is because of diabetes. I see a broad breadth of conditions - sometimes trauma, sometimes medical conditions, sometimes cancer related. I also have a wide variety of clients, some might have been amputees for 40, 50 years and then I’ve got new amputees.
Donna: It must be a real struggle, physically and mentally, for new amputees?
Courtney: Losing a limb is not just a physical condition. There’s a whole-of-body retraining and we use what’s called neuroplasticity which is understanding how the brain can retrain itself - so you can learn to use a prosthetic limb. And some people experience what’s called phantom limb pain or phantom limb sensation. We call it a ghost leg. But they still have to learn to use their prosthetic around those sensations. You also need to understand what other health conditions they have too.
Donna: You must have to work hard to gain their trust?
Courtney: Absolutely. Post amputation our body and mind goes through this whole reorganisation of going from having two limbs to one limb. And then we reintroduce a prosthetic and we’re going back to two limbs. I need to teach their awareness of their body and an understanding of when they’ve got their leg on or not. The two biggest times where somebody’s at risk of having a fall as an amputee is the first 72 hours post amputation because their brain is still recognising that they’ve got their leg there. And then when they learn how to use their leg. They need to trust their body, me and themselves.
Donna: You graduated in 2013 – have things changed in that time?
Courtney: Absolutely. Technology has advanced incredibly in both prosthetics and orthotics. For example, an amputee who has lost their knee joint as well - we call them a transfemoral amputee or an above knee amputee - a lot of research has gone into using what we call microprocessor knee joints or MPKs. That technology has advanced in the past 10 years dramatically. Traditionally you have a mechanical hinge knee where the knee is either bending or straightening. A microprocessor often has a hydraulic unit or some sort of mechanism to provide a braking force, which really changes how somebody walks. Not only do I need to know physical things from a physiotherapy perspective I have to keep up to date with technology around what prosthetic devices are out and available.
Donna: You must love what you do?
Courtney: I wouldn’t change it for the world. My ultimate goal is to have other physiotherapists and allied health professionals within my team. To create a hub of amputee specialty on the Gold Coast. And I am always learning. I am on the committee of the Australian Prosthetic and Orthotics Congress.
And I attend conferences around Australia – a few weeks back I was in Sydney where the head biomechanist from Ottobock, a German-based prosthetics company, came out and presented a one-day working on understanding biomechanics for amputees. I am also involved in the Paralympics with swimming and hopefully other sports soon. I am so glad I went down this path.
Donna: It sounds very busy – with two young kids as well? Does work-life balance exist?
Courtney: I have two children, nine and five, a puppy and a husband. And my own business. I use the analogy that I have lots of balls in the air and some of them are plastic and some are glass, I just have to know which ones I can occasionally drop. And being my own business owner, I do get flexibility so if the kids have got something on at school, I can schedule my appointment slots. I also have the flexibility to flex up if things are quiet somewhere else. I can flex up and do other opportunities like do the awesome mobility clinics.
Donna: It’s been great chatting. Anything you want to add?
Courtney: Well, the other part of my role that I’m sort of very passionate about is getting clients back into physical exercise and sports. I do a lot in the para-sports space and I’m a classifier for Swimming Australia. I help classify athletes into their categories so that they can compete at state and national levels. I’m hoping to become a classifier in other sports as well. And we have Brisbane 2032 coming with plenty of para-uplift opportunities. That’s exciting.
Shaun Thompson, pictured, has just turned 50 and is looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild, a boy, in October. The Biggera Waters resident became an amputee in March.
“I’ve had pain in my foot and my calf for about a couple of years. I was going to the podiatrist and the physio and we were doing gait exercises, and I had an insole for my shoe, that sort of thing. We just thought it was probably trauma from a couple of motorbike accidents I’d had.
“Then one day one of the podiatrists was down at my foot and he said he couldn’t get a pulse there. It turned out I had peripheral artery disease - I was pretty much blocked from almost the waist down. They’re not really sure why it occurred. It could be from trauma from the motorbike accidents, and then my dad’s got stents and vascular dementia. But if it is hereditary, I’m probably still too young for it to have occurred that way. I had bypass surgery in January and that worked for a night. The next morning in hospital I stood up and fainted. And then everything closed up again.
“They told me in ICU to prepare mentally because I was going to have to get an amputation. I was at home for seven weeks and rang up and said ‘let’s get this over and done with and move on with life’. I had the chop on March 24.
“I think I was in a worse headspace in that seven weeks than I am post the amputation. I didn’t know what the future was going to look like or what was going to happen. But I thought I might as well start and then hopefully in six months’ time be further down the track.
“Courtney is awesome. I’m very lucky to have her - I’ve been very fortunate to have one of the best, if not the best, looking after me. Along with a great team.
“I still get pain now, but it’s more of an ache and that will get better. Eventually I’ll be back to, I won’t say normal, but back to what I was and without the foot and calf pain that I was getting beforehand. I just want to move on.
“I normally work in the film industry. I’m what’s called a runner. My last job was in December and then they gave me a bit of a made-up job, security at the studio, because I knew all the crew. I’ll definitely go back to something in film, and yes, I get the irony of being a runner.”
Images: Kyle Barnes
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