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TOWNSVILLE’S FREE LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE MAY 2011 ISSUE 60

may

DUO MAGAZINE CREATIVE DIRECTOR SCOTT MORRISON PRODUCTION MANAGER JOAN FANNING ADMINISTRATOR STACEY MORRISON

EDITORIAL EDITOR CARLY LUBICZ EDITOR@DUOMAGAZINE.COM.AU

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE ZITA BOYD SALES@DUOMAGAZINE.COM.AU SALES ASSISTANT PETRA MARRIOTT PETRA@DUOMAGAZINE.COM.AU

contents Photo: MONA/Leigh Carmichael

FEATURE STORIES 20 PYJAMA FOUNDATION 22 LITTLE LIFE CHANGERS 56 HIGH TEA - THE HEIGHT OF SOPHISTICATION REGULARS 08 COVER GIRL 10 DIARY 12 HOROSCOPES INTERVIEWS 18 JOHNNY ROW 26 BEVAN HILL 26 HAYLEY RICHARDSON 43 TRICIA MOLACHINO 62 LAURA DIAMOND FASHION 42 ACCESSORIES 14 DUO DELUXE 16 MEN’S DELUXE 38 CHARLIE BROWN 34 MY STYLE 36 MY BAG 32 MINTY MEETS MUNT

WELLBEING 47 CLARITY HEARING 48 FIRST THINGS FIRST 49 CASEY DENTISTS SOCIETY 50 - 53 THE SMILE DENTAL 12 FACES OF DUO WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY 54 MUSTANG 47TH ANNIVERSARY CRUISE 55 RED BULL DEGUSTATION AT THE HERITAGE BAR FAMILY 60 NICOLE PIEROTTI FOOD 58 GOYA CHANPURU 59 ICED COFFEE PUDDINGS TRAVEL 64 LIZ STEVENSON 66 COME ON UP TO CAIRNS 68 MONA - IMPACT ART DUO HOME IMPROVEMENTS ON THE FLIPSIDE

PHOTOGRAPHERS ANDREW RANKIN | STEWART MCLEAN KATE GLOVER

ENQUIRIES 07 4771 2933 DUOMAGAZINE.COM.AU DUO Magazine is published monthly by Intrepid (NQ) Pty Ltd ACN 107 308 538

TOWNSVILLE OFFICE

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Contents of DUO magazine are subject to copyright. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication. Expressed or implied authors’ and advertisers’ opinions are not necessarily those of the Editor and/or Publisher.

welcome

EDITOR’S NOTE Ahhh mums… they have been our carers, our career advisors, our relationship counsellors, our best friends, our shopping buddies, and – if we’re honest – sometimes they have frustrated the hell out of us (I can say that because my mum lives in WA… love you heaps mumsey). The simple fact is, they created our lives and we have inextricably changed theirs. I really hope you enjoy our story on pages 22-25 this month about some of Townsville’s first-time parents – we had a lot of fun putting it together. I personally wouldn’t describe myself as a “naturally maternal” person (when I suggest looking after my friends’ kids to give them a break they burst out laughing), but I must admit it gave me a very warm fuzzy feeling interviewing these families whose lives have been coloured by their little characters. I take my hat off to all the parents out there who are raising their children away from the support of immediate family, or are trying to juggle kids and work, or other life responsibilities – let’s make sure all our mums realise how much they mean to us on Sunday, May 8. Also let’s spare a thought for all those special mothers who are no longer with us but are treasured in our memories. Happy reading to you all! Carly Lubicz x P.S. Have you been on our Facebook page yet? If not, what’s stopping you? Hop to it! There’s free stuff to be won!

UPFRONT NEW GOURMET CAFÉ, DELI & BISTRO On a mission to bring healthy, natural food of the highest quality to Townsville, Harmony Café, Deli and Bistro is now open on Flinders Street, next to the Sovereign Hotel. “We offer indoor and al fresco dining with a relaxed fine food culture, focusing on product that is fresh, local and natural,” owner Ian Conrad says. “We are serving fabulous pizza, with great value gourmet options and Harmony’s unique New York-style sour dough artisan pizzas. Also, our gourmet delicatessen stocks food and coffee that offers organic and natural food options without compromising on taste.” Ian says the new venue caters to “discerning foodies who want to know how their food is produced and what’s in it”. Harmony is open for breakfast lunch and dinner, every day from 6.30am.

TENNIS CHAMP NEEDS SUPPORT

HEALTHY HABITAT AT SCHOOLS

Rising Townsville tennis star Lizette Cabrera was recently chosen to represent Australia in the 14/U World Junior Tennis Qualifying Championships to be held this month. This follows Lizette and her doubles partner, Olivia Tranjumulia (Rockhampton), winning the 16U girls doubles at the Optus 16U National Clay Court Championships, beating the number one seeds. Unfortunately Lizette’s parents are having trouble financing the tournaments and travel expenses are putting financial strain on the family. Tennis Townsville believes Lizette has the ability to “not only become Australia’s best female player, but maybe even the best in the world”. To sponsor Lizette contact Tennis Townsville on 4721 5129.

NQ Dry Tropics is improving the biodiversity of school grounds through its Healthy Habitat for Schools program. Judy Warner from NQ Dry Tropics says native landscaping is not an area that many schools have expertise or resources in, with the ongoing program providing workshops for staff and support for grounds assessment and planning to help schools create better landscapes. “A planned approach will help schools make the best decisions about what to plant to attract and protect native wildlife and how best to be weed free,” Judy says. For more information contact the NQ Dry Tropics on 4722 5775.

GET INNOVATIVE The 2011 Tropical Innovation Awards are calling for nominations. The Awards recognise, reward and support innovation and invention across Far North Queensland to support economic diversification and sustainability and provide an opportunity for local inventors, innovators and businesses to showcase their ideas, projects and processes to potential investors, mentors, government officials and the public. Applications close on June 30. Go to www.tropicalinnovationawards.com.

ADOPT AN ORANGUTAN Not sure what to get Mum for Mother’s Day? What about an orangutan? Adopting an orangutan infant through the Australian Orangutan Project can make a perfect gift. There are over 1,000 orphan orangutans in care who struggle to remember what it’s like to have a mother after they were either killed or died as a result of the logging and deforestation in Kalimantan and Borneo. Others were snatched to be sold as illegal pets. The Australian Orangutan Project not only looks after orphans but also those who were born in captivity. For more information visit www.orangutan.org.au.

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12 FACES OF DUO

Every year DUO has a competition where 12 local girls are chosen to grace the magazine’s cover for the next year. This month we introduce you to:

DANIELLE GARNER Turning 22 in June, Danielle loves fitness. Originally from Sydney and now living in Kirwan, she works at the Zoo Health and Fitness in administration and plans to pursue a career in personal training later this year. When Danielle’s not working at the gym, she’s exercising there or socialising with friends.

MAKE-UP

BLUE BANANA HAIR & DAY SPA Linking in with the gold on Danielle’s dress, we made the eyes the focal point of the make-up using a bronze and smoky effect. We used Napoleon’s Honey Child eyeshadow, for a light and shimmering look, and finished it off with Expresso to Go eyeshadow, in a dark brown colour. We wanted a glamorous look, so we used a good base with even coverage and used neutral colours for the lips, in an apricot tone.

HAIR

BLUE BANANA HAIR & DAY SPA Aiming for Hollywood glamour, we set Danielle’s hair in heated velcro rollers by TheO Rollers from Cloud Nine to create volume and fullness. We curled the ends of the hair with Cloud Nine irons, teased the roots, curled the fringe backwards and softly pinned it. Sebastian Re-Shaper Hairspray and Sebastian Professional Halo Mist (a weightless shine spray) completed the look.

DRESS

CHARLIE BROWN ‘Unthinkable’ Beaded Silk Chiffon Gown $699 Charlie Brown stocked locally by Siba & Sofia

EARRINGS

SIBA & SOFIA Chrissy.L $99

danielle

PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREW RANKIN

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diary

may

DIESEL – 7 AXES TO GRIND

THE MCCLYMONTS

EXHIBITIONS

THEATRE/SHOWS

01 EMERET LU

04 PLAY SCHOOL LIVE IN CONCERT

Exhibition of prints by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders including Billy Missi, Dennis Nona, Brian Robinson, Ken Thaiday and Alick Tipoti. Until June 12. Pinnacles Gallery 20 Village Boulevard, Thuringowa Central townsville.qld.gov.au

01 PARADOXYMORON A Psych art installation exploring the nature of disgust by James Ellis. Until May 22. Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts 482 Flinders Street, City umbrella.org.au

08 MOTHER’S DAY MONSTERS Celebrate Mother’s Day by creating a Zookini monster using clay and paint, 11am to 1pm. Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Flinders Street, City townsville.qld.gov.au.

20 IN THE JAPANESE MANNER: AUSTRALIAN PRINTS 1900 – 1940 National Gallery of Australia Travelling Exhibition. Artwork produced in the first half of the twentieth century inspired by ukiyo-e, traditional Japanese woodblock prints. Ends August 14 Perc Tucker Regional Gallery Flinders Street, City townsville.qld.gov.au.

Get ready to sing, dance and clap with a live show that will delight and captivate all Play School fans. Townsville Civic Theatre Boundary Street, South Townsville TicketShop 4727 9797

07 CABARET AT C2 – THE PAUL CAPSIS EXPERIENCE A heady mix of scorching blues, jazz, rock, soul and pop from ultimate entertainer, Paul Capsis. $74-$78 with a two-course meal, Townsville Civic Theatre Boundary Street, South Townsville TicketShop 4727 9797

10 CAPTURE THE FLAG Australian playwright Toby Schmitz’s new play about three young boys in the sewers of Berlin as the tanks from the Soviet Army rumble overhead. Their camaraderie is broken with the sudden arrival of a teenage girl. Townsville Civic Theatre Boundary Street, South Townsville TicketShop 4727 9797

14 SING-A-LONG TO THE SOUND OF MUSIC Celebrating its 45th anniversary, the classic film with its irresistible score is presented on the big screen with song subtitles so everyone can sing along. Townsville Civic Theatre, Boundary Street, South Townsville TicketShop 4727 9797

IN THE JAPANESE MANNER: AUSTRALIAN PRINTS 1900 – 1940

07, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 HAIRSPRAY GENDER BENDER EXPERIENCE An overweight teenager with all the right moves, Tracy Turnblad is obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. The Court Theatre Cnr Sturt & Stokes Streets, City Information 4721 0244

MUSIC 01 GROOVIN THE MOO Featuring the likes of AC Slater, Art vs. Science, The Aston Shuffle, Bliss N Eso and Birds of Tokyo, Groovin the Moo will rock Murray Sports Complex. www.gtm.net.au.

07 DIESEL – 7 AXES TO GRIND Multi-ARIA award winner Diesel performs solo with his extensive and eclectic collection of guitars. Riverway Arts Centre Thuringowa Central TicketShop 4727 9797

12 THE MCCLYMONTS WITH SPECIAL GUEST MARKUS MEIER With their exquisite three-part harmonies and soaring vocals, it’s not surprising that The McClymonts have become the hottest new act in Australian country music. Townsville Civic Theatre Boundary Street, South Townsville TicketShop 4727 9797

SPORT 14 NQ COWBOYS V PARRAMATTA EELS Kick-off is at 8.30pm Dairy Farmers Stadium Golf Links Drive, Kirwan cowboys.com.au/tickets

07 TOWNS VILLAINS MOTHER’S DAY CLASH The local roller derby league will be split into mothers and non-mothers in this entertaining clash at Willows on Wheels. Doors open 6.15pm. Information 0415 853 023

COMMUNITY 14, 15 RELAY FOR LIFE Get together with your community to celebrate, remember and fight back against cancer – this year’s theme is Disney. From 3pm. Townsville Sports Reserve Information 4796 8406

15 HERITAGE DAY Take a walk back in time and experience Townsville’s unique heritage. All activities are free and include guided tours of the historic cemetery, antique evaluations and live entertainment. 11am-3pm. West End Cemetery Park

diary

MARKETS 06 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY CREDIT UNION STRAND NIGHT MARKETS CAPTURE THE FLAG

20 THE COOTHARINGA CHARITY COCKTAIL PARTY Support for this event will go towards the organisation’s early intervention services for children with autism and the Activity and Respite Centre. A Touch of Salt Restaurant 4759 2033.

21, 22 LIVE2PLAY A new and unique sports, fitness and health expo, Live2Play will be packed with popular activities, products and information. Townsville Sports Reserve live2playexpo.com.au

22 WEET-BIX KIDS TRYATHLON SERIES Supported by Willie Tonga, children aged between seven and 15 will swim, cycle and run at Riverway to promote healthy lifestyle habits. Registrations close on May 17. weet-bix.com.au.

26 AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA Put the kettle on and take some time out with friends, family and workmates to help in the fight against cancer. To find the nearest event or host your own go to biggestmorningtea.com.au.

27 THE CROWNING OF KING (OR QUEEN) LAUGHALOT LaughaLot Camp Quality will offer a series of awards at this Venetian Masquerade Ball to recognise volunteers and fundraisers. Rydges Southbank campquality.org.au.

5.30pm to 9.30pm Strand Park, North Ward townsville.qld.gov.au

14, 28 CULTURAL MARKETS A range of boutique stalls of local arts, crafts, clothing and fresh produce. Cultural Centre Flinders Street East, City 4772 7679

01, 08, 15, 22, 29 COTTERS ROTARY MARKETS Arts, crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables every Sunday from 8.30am to 1pm. Flinders Street, City townsville.qld.gov.au

01, 08, 15, 22, 29 WILLOWS ROTARY MARKETS Open every Sunday 7am till 11am. Car Park, Willows Shopping Centre Thuringowa Central willowsrotarymarkets.com.au

08, 29 HORSESHOE BAY MARKETS Great gift ideas, fresh produce, jewellery, clothing, art and food. Open 9am till 2pm. Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island whatsonmagneticisland.com.au

PUBLICISE YOUR EVENT IN THE DUO DIARY FOR FREE BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO: EDITOR@DUOMAGAZINE. COM.AU

EWEN JONES MP | FEDERAL MEMBER FOR HERBERT

FROM MY DESK

BLAKEY’S CROSSING: You would think that a road that was the Bruce Highway, then a state road and now a local road would mean it was something that all sides of politics could agree on. Wrong! I convinced my party to flood-proof it once and for all. I had to prove to them that there would be savings and significant economic benefit. It ticked all the boxes. In relation to savings, Blakey’s is the major corridor for commercial traffic between the city and our industrial hub. When it floods Woolcock Street becomes impassable at the Mather Street roundabout. To fix that roundabout, it would cost the state government $70 to $90 million to install a flyover. My opinion is that this would also just shift the bottleneck to the Duckworth Street roundabout, and then Pilkington Street, with them all needing flyovers. The economic benefit of fixing Blakey’s is that it will stop the traffic delays that lead to commercial losses. Our city will naturally spread towards the north and the beaches will provide a great lifestyle for future residents, but not if they are delayed by traffic jams. The Labor Government did not match the promise. It is their right to prioritise their projects and when I was elected I thought it would be easy to meet the relevant ministers and Prime Minister to convince them of my argument. I am unable to report on either of those meetings because they have not happened. And reports from my Coalition colleagues suggest they are highly unlikely to happen. Politics. When you hear a politician say: “I am happy to work with both sides of politics on this issue, my door is always open”, you should read: “If it is not our policy, we are not interested”. When you hear a politician say: “It will take a generation to make the change”, they are saying: “We don’t have the money and therefore we have to make it sound more difficult”. The people I have been speaking to tell me they want the political speak to end: If it can be done, do it. If it can’t, tell us up front. I have asked the government to put line items of work in their budgets. If the budget says: “flood-proof Blakey’s Crossing” everyone will know what’s happening. If it says “generational commitment towards road funding” everyone will still know what’s happening – they just won’t be happy. 11

horoscope

May finds you in a more serious mood. With many plans thrown onto hold, you should put aside some time to work out where you’re really heading. Gemini’s are often blessed with wonderful ideas, though not all fall into the realms of reality. So if forced to abandon a particular dream, don’t worry: it’ll soon be replaced by another.

Cancer

22ND JUNE – 22ND JULY May gives you plenty to think about, yet somehow you’re spared the anxiety suffered by your zodiac neighbours. Your saving grace? That wonderful Cancer ability to accommodate life’s sudden changes. In some areas though, the planets encourage an overhaul. Quick example: a look at recent spending patterns will probably reveal a dismal history of debt.

What’s around the corner for you in May? Astrologer Tanya Obreza has these predictions...

21ST APRIL - 20TH MAY

21ST MAY – 21ST JUNE

Taurus

Gemini

Aquarius

20 JANUARY - 18 FEBRUARY Don’t let it get to you, Aquarius. If early May runs more like a comedy of errors, try to laugh with every turn. Sometimes things just run amuck, and whatever you’ve had planned just doesn’t happen. See where you end up. It needn’t be a disaster, even if it is unscheduled. If still pushed for a sense of direction, perhaps you should become more socially involved.

Pisces

19 FEBRUARY - 20 MARCH

You come to realise how truly amazing you are. There’s a special spirit in all of us, though it’s generally something that reserved Taureans tend to suppress. But from the very start of your birthday season, you’re given planetary permission to take what’s deservedly yours. For now, money trends are fabulous. Grab unexpected opportunities, no matter how unusual.

If at a crossroads, someone older could offer valuable advice. Mid month, there’s a strong emphasis on money and property. This period also brings you to a crucial emotional crunch. For a while now, you’ve been battling with uncertainty or restriction. And you’ve worn it well. Late May finally offers the chance of fulfilment as a lover, child, parent or friend. Expect requited affection.

Leo

Libra

Sagittarius

Aries

Don’t let your talents go to waste by allowing others to hijack your hard work. At the same time, expect a crash course in relationships, the main lesson being a realistic view towards others. Impractical hopes have a tendency to come tumbling down when placed on too high a pedestal. And if a particular love is unsalvageable, perhaps it’s time to sail solo.

Dynamic energy levels peak early this month. With ambition driving you forward, you’re tired of being left behind. Expand your network of contacts and you could soon be powering ahead in the fast lane. Love at first sight isn’t out of the question either. Mid May keeps you in top gear. Just don’t be surprised if some destinations are different to those originally planned.

You’re entitled to be proud of your resilience Sagittarius, as you’ve come through a difficult time. Now comes the irresistible urge for something new. May’s professional changes release reserves of inner power. If a constricting relationship is holding you back, perhaps it’s time to break free. But the month also calls for a degree of compromise, both at work and home.

The desire to achieve is now equalled by a yearning to learn and earn. But don’t expect instant results. Approach your goals with caution. Socially, you’re fabulous - with your confidence going a long way towards advancing ambitions. And now that you’ve found your own special style, stick with it. As career goals unfold you get to showcase your natural talents.

Virgo

Scorpio

Capricorn

Professionally, there’s little to suggest a dramatic turn of events this month. Worst case scenario: cash flow seems sluggish. The upside: love is in the air. Couples willing to give their imaginations full reign stand a good chance of merging more than their souls. One warning: the past has a cute way of reappearing on your doorstep when you least expect it.

It’s a good thing your energy levels are in for a top-up, because May calls for every ounce of Scorpio strength. Despite the pressure, try to pace yourself and don’t push anything at the expense of your health. You’re meant to be feeling productive not manic. Also beware of double standards: Equal rights must also be extended to others.

Early May could bring days when life’s usual courtesies are ignored. Feeling tired, energies bottom out. In contrast, the final weeks power ambitions and encourage personal and professional conquest. Romantic liaisons draw out hidden passions and increase self-esteem. And with such a spirited end to the month, you’ll need little coaxing to do what you love doing best spending money and having fun.

23RD JULY – 22ND AUGUST

23 AUGUST - 22 SEPTEMBER

23 SEPTEMBER - 22 OCTOBER

23RD OCTOBER – 21ST NOVEMBER

22 NOVEMBER - 21 DECEMBER

21ST MARCH – 20TH APRIL

23 DECEMBER - 20 JANUARY

Want your own personal profile? If you’re interested in an in-depth astrology profile prepared by Tanya Obreza, visit www.tanyaobreza.com.

ENTRY ONLY $10 ACCOMPA NIED KIDS UN ND DEER U R 15 15 FFR REEEE

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Start uni mid-year Alternative pathways to get you started

Undergraduate study to secure your future

Advance your career with further study

We provide a range of diploma courses to introduce you to university study. Diploma courses only take one year of full-time study and are equivalent to the first year of a bachelor degree. They can equip you with entry requirements for many JCU degrees.

Bachelor degrees generally take three to four years of full-time study and get you on track for a successful career. We offer a range of bachelor degrees including:

A postgraduate qualification either by coursework or research can advance your career prospects by allowing you to re-skill, change career direction or develop an area of personal interest. We offer a range of post graduate degrees including:

Mid-Year Information Evening Tuesday 10 May 2011 Drop in anytime between 5.30pm - 7.30pm Medical Lecture Theatre Building DB45 James Cook University, Townsville

· Bachelor of Arts * · Bachelor of Business (Accounting) · Bachelor of Business (Marketing) · Bachelor of Business (Sports and Events Management) · Bachelor of Business & Environmental Science · Bachelor of Education · Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Civil) (Computer Systems) (Electrical & Electronic) (Mechanical) · Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Information Technology · Bachelor of Engineering/ Bachelor of Science · Bachelor of Geology · Bachelor of Information Technology (Business Informatics) (Computing & Networking) (Interactive Technologies and Games Design) · Bachelor of Languages · Bachelor of Laws · Bachelor of Marine Science · Bachelor of Multimedia Journalism · Bachelor of New Media Arts · Bachelor of Planning (Urban and Regional) · Bachelor of Psychology · Bachelor of Science · Bachelor of Social Science · Bachelor of Social Work *

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· Diploma of Arts · Diploma of Business · Diploma of Creative Arts · Diploma of Health Science · Diploma of Science

interview

Johnny Row doesn’t conform to the average Hip Hop stereotype. There are no chains or bling, and no rap-style hand gestures or talk of ‘bitches’ and ‘hoes’ – actually the 30-year-old is well-spoken, works in the mines and seems very much at peace. But rewind 10 years and life wasn’t so rosy for Townsville-raised John Rowbotham, who came from a childhood punctuated with domestic violence. Touted as the next big thing in rugby league, the eager 15-year-old was signed to the North Queensland Cowboys, which became his lifeline. But three shoulder reconstructions and a season-ending staph infection later put a savage end to that dream. Suddenly, at the age of 22, with the promise of fame and fortune being ripped from his grasp, Johnny quickly realised he had no Plan B. “It was heartbreaking and a very dark time of my life because when you throw all your eggs into one basket you don’t think anything else matters,” Johnny openly reveals. “I got majorly depressed and it destroyed everything, but that was my fault because I didn’t work at anything outside the football club… it was the end of my world when my contract ended. There were a lot of people who were close to me at the time who suffered because of it, which I still regret to this day.” It was the loyal friends who stuck by his side who eventually pulled Johnny out of his pit and away from thoughts of suicide, and once he started working again everything began to fall back into place, allowing him to start the healing process. But he says there was one positive that he could still cling to in those difficult days and that was his music, which became like a diary to him. “I’ve got a lot of skeletons in my closet, so it was like therapy to me getting it out on the page and putting it into a song, but it is also messages about love, sex and all those personal issues that everyday people go through… every lyric is 100 per cent honest and truthful,” Johnny explains. Releasing his first full-length debut album On A Personal Note just over a month ago, Johnny is in a good place. Now devoid of his demons, the self-confessed beat-lover is experiencing a new sensation – feeling “complete”: “I’m relieved that it’s done and life’s good now, which you hear towards the end of the album – I have debts now, I’ve bought my own place, I have a girlfriend, so I’m not this little darkling that so many hip hop artists aspire to be – I’m a grown man with grown up responsibilities, and that’s what comes out in my music that I write today.”

Interview Carly Lubicz

GETTING PERSONAL HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY, BUT WHAT IF THAT MEANT SPILLING OUT EVERY PERSONAL STRUGGLE, YOUR DEEPEST DARKEST THOUGHTS AND THE CONFESSIONS OF LOVE THAT YOU’VE STRIVED TO HIDE ONTO A CD AND LAUNCHING IT TO THE WORLD? LOCAL HIP HOP ARTIST AND EX-FOOTBALLER JOHNNY ROW EXPLAINS HOW HE USED MUSIC TO DIG HIM OUT OF HIS DARKEST DAYS AND HOW HIS FUTURE IS BRIGHTER FOR IT.

interview

Interview Carly Lubicz

GIVING LITTLE STORIES HOPE READING A BEDTIME STORY TO A CHILD IS A SIGN OF AFFECTION AND ALSO HELPS TO DEVELOP THEIR NUMERACY AND LITERACY SKILLS. BUT WHAT ABOUT FOSTER CHILDREN WHO ARE REGULARLY SHIFTED BETWEEN BUSY HOUSEHOLDS WITH LITTLE TIME AVAILABLE FOR THEIR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT? ENTER THE PYJAMA ANGELS – VOLUNTEER READERS WHO ARE TRANSFORMING KIDS’ FUTURES.

THE FOSTER CARER Kerry* – a Townsville foster carer – first opened her home to kids in need 16 years ago when her own family ranged from 18 months to nine years old. “When I heard about fostering from a neighbour I thought it was the most wonderful gift you could offer to a child in need at that time in their life,” Kerry explains. “I always wanted a large family and decided that I would like to offer our home to some children who needed a safe place to stay.” But having a number of children under her wing at once means Kerry is stretched to meet all of their needs – especially when it comes to assisting with homework and spending one-on-one time with the child to develop their skills. “Numeracy and literacy skills are extremely important – every child needs them to be able to function as an adult, so when you have a child that struggles it can be very time consuming trying to get through homework and reading. Most carers have very busy households, so we are all crying out for that extra help for the kids.” That assistance eventually came for Kerry in the form of an angel – a volunteering angel from the Pyjama Foundation to be precise. The pyjama angel reads to the foster child once a week and in the past six months Kerry has witnessed dramatic improvements: “We were surprised by how quickly our child jumped in reading levels and in no time at all she was catching up to her classmates,” Kerry says. “She really looks forward to her angel coming to read with her and help her with her homework and she loves the fact that there is someone there to spend time with her – it makes her feel special.”

THE FOUNDER Originating from Brisbane, the Pyjama Foundation was created by Bronwyn Sheehan, who witnessed the benefits of reading aloud to her children first-hand when they went to school and slid easily into learning. According to a passionate Bronwyn, there are around 32,000 children in care in Australia and 92 per cent of them are below the average reading level at age seven. “But it’s not only the reading books for literacy that’s important, it’s the regular loving interaction, the security it gives and the behaviour it teaches that reading and learning is not a chore,” she explains. Bronwyn has heard many heart-felt stories about the bonds that children share with their angels, but one case particularly stands out: “A young man came to us six years ago – Peter – and he was matched up with a three-year-old boy, who nicknamed him ‘Pyjama Pete’,” Bronwyn smiles. “The little boy wouldn’t sit still and wasn’t interested in reading at all, but after four months the child could listen to six books, and after 12 months he wouldn’t leave home without the Three Billy Goats Gruff under his arm. This child was originally diagnosed as disabled, but with the progress he made he was re-diagnosed as learning impaired, which is a big difference. Pyjama Pete definitely changed this child’s future.”

THE PYJAMA FOUNDATION IS LOOKING FOR MORE READING ANGELS TO VOLUNTEER AND FOSTER CARERS WHO NEED HELP. THE NEXT TRAINING DAY FOR READING ANGELS IS SATURDAY, MAY 7 AT CENTACARE IN AITKENVALE. EMAIL TOWNSVILLE@THEPYJAMAFOUNDATION.COM FOR DETAILS. *Kerry’s name has been changed to protect the privacy of children in foster care.

promotion JAY BARTLETT | KIM BARTLETT MASTER JEWELLERS

FINDING YOUR PERFECT ENGAGEMENT RING

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU COMMIT TO A STYLE AND DESIGN TO ENSURE YOUR ‘TOKEN OF LOVE’ IS ADMIRED FOR YEARS TO COME. When shopping for an engagement ring there can be considerable differences in the value of products and services from store to store. You may come away disappointed and possibly disheartened, leaving the temptation to buy the first ready-made piece that appeals to you. The key to finding that special engagement ring is to look for leading modern designers in your own backyard. Search their range for concepts that you like, rather than trying to find that elusive one ring that stands out from the rest. This way, not only will you discover what elements create uniqueness in design, you will begin to identify your own taste when it comes to jewellery. Whether it’s for yourself or for someone you love, knowing what you do and don’t like is essential. Often people who desire a unique and individual design choose to have a master jeweller create their ring from scratch. The ability to describe

and convey your taste to a jeweller is the key to getting it absolutely perfect. Our advice is to research anywhere and everywhere you can, and then bring together concepts that you like to create a distinctive style that will be admired for years to come. Ensure you have time to get some good background knowledge on the characteristics of diamonds, including carat, colour, clarity and cut, and the types of materials available for the manufacture of the ring – the more you know the happier you will be when it comes time to making the big purchase. It is also important to establish whether: • The store has a long-standing and solid local reputation. • The salesperson possesses a sound gemmological knowledge. • The diamonds come with a well-known gemmological certificate. • The shop presents a detailed receipt or an accredited

valuation with your purchase, which is essential for insurance purposes. • The shop has a busy repairs service with a quick turnaround time. It’s usually a good indication of customer trust. • The store offers warranties and guarantees on your purchase. • The salesperson will let you examine the diamond through a loupe and on a white background. Even an untrained eye can see the difference between an apple and a pear. With all these options it might seem overwhelming when it comes time to decide which engagement ring to choose. But take your time – it’s a once in a lifetime event, so make it count. An engagement ring can be one of the biggest purchases you ever make, so if you’re not familiar with a jeweller in your area, ask family members, friends or co-workers for recommendations. The more research you do before you make the purchase, the happier you’ll be afterwards.

SymboliSe your everlaSting love With a handcrafted ring from Kim bartlett maSter JeWellerS outStanding quality from over 35 yearS of crafting excellence www.masterjewellers.com.au

Shop 2, WeStpac Building, elizaBeth Street, aitkenvale

phone 07 4779 6711

Fax 07 4775 6334

interview

Interviews Carly Lubicz Photography Andrew Rankin

LITTLE LIFE CHANGERS THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT BECOMING A PARENT IS A LIFE-CHANGING TRANSITION AND – FOR SOME – THEIR EXISTENCE TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING. DUO MEETS SOME OF TOWNSVILLE’S FIRST-TIME MUMS AND DADS TO FIND OUT HOW THEIR LITTLE PERSON HAS MADE A BIG IMPRESSION.

ANNE, DAVID, AND LEWIS MUSUMECI

“To say Lewis has changed our life is the biggest understatement,” Anne, 33, says as she and husband David, 37, calmly watch their gleeful 13-month-old pull colanders from the kitchen cupboard and wave them around like cymbals. “We had been married for five years before we had Lewis and people had stopped asking us if we were ever going to have kids. But we were both ready when he came along and now we just pinch ourselves – we just can’t believe how much we love him.” Anne and David admit their outlook on life and priorities have changed dramatically since Lewis arrived. Things that upset Anne before don’t now, and her six-day working week at the family business Donohues has shrunk to two to make room for their lively firstborn. “The extra time we had to do other things, we put into him now,” she says. “Being a parent is one of the most challenging things you can do, but we seriously didn’t expect it to be this good and this much fun – it’s a whole other level of love.” Anne reveals she wasn’t a very maternal person before and wondered what she would be like as a mum and if she’d “be any good at it”, but she feels they have adapted well to the role: “We didn’t really discuss what sort of parents we’d be, but we are both pretty relaxed, plus we love each other and we have a happy home, so I think because of that Lewis is a happy boy and feels very loved.”

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MEGAN, DAMIEN, BRADY AND HARLEY JOHNS

Being first-time parents can be a learning curve at the best of times, but try factoring twins into the mix. Megan and Damien spent six years trying for a baby before their thirteenth attempt at IVF gave them two. “I can barely even remember being pregnant now, the time passed so quickly, and now we have two!” the proud mum declares, who is relieved to have both babies home after they spent the first 11 weeks of their lives in humidicribs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It’s very much a team effort for Megan and Damien who are also the directors of Aldon Tutoring, the couple working from home in-between nursing their four-month-old twin boys. “Learning to care for twins is a whole different kettle of fish,” Megan tells, who struggles to go grocery shopping, put fuel in her car or find a café that fits a twin pram. “Yes, it’s no longer a matter of just grabbing your wallet, keys and thongs anymore,” Damien agrees, whose new role includes soothing the boys with The Eagles and The Screaming Jets during walks around the block: “They can find it difficult to sleep in silence or darkness after spending months surrounded by activity at the hospital!” But after so long trying for kids, the couple are appreciative of every single aspect of parenthood: “We waited so long that there’s no way we’d dare to complain about not getting enough sleep,” Megan says. “Now we have this unconditional love – it’s a different kind of love and your whole life changes because of them, but it’s a good thing.”

interview

KIM APPLIN, AND SCOTT AND AMERA DUNN

When Kim, 44, and Scott, 41, decided to try for a baby they thought it would take forever because they were older than some, but within three months an overjoyed Kim was pregnant with her first child. But tiny Amera was in a hurry too and decided to make an appearance eight weeks early at 2.1kg. Thankfully, aside from needing to wear a helmet for a few weeks to fix a flat spot typical of premature babies, their firstborn was a very healthy little girl. Now almost two years on, Kim and Scott admit their bubbly daughter rules the roost. “If we had two or three children I would probably stick to the rules more, but because she’s the only one we have, we do tend to let her do what she wants to,” Kim reveals of the little girl who is demonstrating a bubble dance that her daddy taught her. “The doctors told me I shouldn’t have any more, and I do worry about her being an only child, but we are fortunate that my sister and brother live in town so she has lots of cousins to play with.” Fitness enthusiast Kim admits that, since having a child, not being able to exercise as regularly and redirecting spending on new jeans towards the little one have been some of the noticeable life changes, but seeing Amera’s face is worth every sacrifice: “When I pick her up from daycare I always watch her through the glass before I go in, and just to see her face and the way it lights up when she sees you is amazing,” Kim smiles. “It’s the best job, but also the hardest… I often wonder how I’d cope with three or four if I could have them!”

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TRINA, PAUL AND ESTELLA SMITH

Trina – an executive accountant at Moore Stephens and Paul – a firefighter – thought they were busy before their firstborn came along, but little Estella had a few lessons in store. “I thought I was flat out before, but life has certainly changed – we are now busy keeping up with Estella’s social life through play dates, mother’s groups and swimming lessons,” Trina, 35, explains, who juggles her time between her 18-month-old daughter and working full time four days a week. “I also thought I was a pretty organised person, but we soon realised that Estella didn’t necessarily care that much about our plans!” Expecting their second child in August whose sex is a closely-guarded secret, Trina says she now knows what to expect and isn’t so focused on the excitement of the pregnancy like last time, but more about the practical reality of what will happen after the birth. “With your first one you get them home and think ‘what am I going to do with them?” Trina says. “We spent so much time getting excited about this much-loved and much-wanted baby that we probably didn’t do as much as we could’ve to prepare ourselves for the day-to-day care of this little person.” But it’s the everyday parenting that Paul, 41, and Trina have fallen in love with, and they are both intrigued by Estella’s constant development. “The little things are the best part – when she laughs and gives us cuddles and everyday she is learning and does something that amazes us,” Trina smiles. “We are very much looking forward to the next one and expanding our little family.”

interview

NEW DIRECTION BY DESIGN THERE ARE EXCITING CHANGES UNDERWAY FOR ONE OF TOWNSVILLE’S LEADING LUXURY JEWELLERS. DUO CAUGHT UP WITH JEWELLERY BY DESIGN’S BUSINESS MANAGER BEVAN HILL TO DISCUSS JBD’S LATEST MOVES. You are planning to move from your Annandale store – what are your intentions going forward? We have loved being at Annandale, but we are now putting a new business plan into action, which means making some changes. We are looking at opening in new locations to build on our presence in Townsville, but can’t reveal our next destination at this stage – I can say that it will enable us to have a broader reach in the Townsville area. What will this mean for local jewellery lovers? We will have some of Townsville’s best jewellers on-site to custom-make jewellery and do repairs and restorations without people having to send

Gabi Tolkowsky and Bevan Hill

their treasured pieces away. In the space of a year we have employed an extra jeweller and two apprentices, so this has helped people who want to talk to someone face-to-face about their specific items. And having another central location will mean people won’t have to travel far to see us. When can we expect to see these changes? Annandale will close in June, followed by some changes at one of our Castletown stores, and our new plan will be in place soon after that – stay tuned! What’s the latest on your Tolkowsky range, the brand that boasts the ‘ideal cut’?

Tolkowsky was actually declared the leading international diamond brand recently, dominating the list of the top 10 in the world. Their diamonds are highly sought-after because of the way they are cut to produce the hearts and arrows effect. They are very valuable because of the precision work involved and the fact that more diamond rough is required to create the ideal cut. What’s been your highlight after two years in the job? It would have to be meeting Gabi Tolkowsky – one of the descendants of Marcel Tolkowsky – the gentleman who invented the ideal cut in 1915. He’s one of the great icons of the industry.

HAYLEY RICHARDSON CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER AT PARRY NISSAN

What’s an average day for you at work? A lot of talking, listening, marketing, creating Parry Nissan newsletters, and making sure our customers have a good buying and service experience. What do you enjoy most about your job? I love making customers happy. I also really enjoy talking to new people everyday and I work with a great team of staff, so it makes it easy to come to work! What you do like to do outside 9-5? First and foremost I love to hang out with my partner. I also love going to the gym, walking the dogs and, I would have to say, shopping! 26

What was your biggest achievement/ proudest moment? It would have to be watching my little nephew Flynn taking his first steps when I went down to Tassie to visit my family in January this year. How long have you been in Townsville and what brought you here? I’ve been here almost five years now. I moved to town because I met a lovely Townsville Guy while I was living in Cairns – he claims he swept me off my feet, and I guess he did because I moved to Townsville three months later! What do people not know about you? That I’m a keen supporter of sport. I follow NRL

mainly but, coming from Tassie originally, I grew-up watching AFL and a lot of cricket. A couple of years ago I actually took out the NRL footy tipping at Parry Nissan and beat all the boys! What is your most treasured item? I would have to say my partner Guy and my four-legged kids Buddy and Sachi. Dream travel destination? I would like to travel the world! Ideally the UK would be at the top of my list – hopefully it’s on the agenda in the near future. I have so far travelled to Malaysia and New Zealand – I had the best time in New Zealand and even went bungy jumping.

DUO MO T H E R ’ S DAY F E AT U R E

BRINGING ITALY HOME

NICOLE FENDEL NEW RELEASE

Mum can get authentic with this Jamie Oliver Pasta Maker ($59.95). It includes a pasta machine, clamp, shaping attachment and handle, and is simple and fun to use. Troy Williams the Good Guys, 4755 0300.

The success of Nicole Fendel’s limited range of natural stone cocktail rings has led to the Australian designer releasing more designs in this collection. Treat mum to gorgeous black onyx and peach moonstone rings from $189. Available at SilverShop Stockland, 4775 6077.

COLOUR FIX

TEA LADY

The Rhombo is a signature bag in the LouenHide range ($112). Created in true LouenHide style, this classic square based bag comes in an array of bold colours leaving mum to decide which colour to wear on what day! Exclusively available from A Few Beautiful Things, 4755 0701.

PANDORA SPECIAL

Get your mum some new Pandora and receive a free Pandora gift with every purchase of over $100. Valid for the month of May and while stocks last. Available at JBD’s Annandale Central store, 4755 2048.

A beautiful box set of Delicious Tea Just for Mum in vintage boxes 100g tea leaves with infuser ($16) each available at all Café Bambini Stores.

SOFT SCENT

New to Crabtree & Evelyn is the soft scent of Lily. The collection includes eau de toilette which is a softspirited fragrance weaved together by a perfect single accord of lily of the valley with dewy greens, velvety mosses, and accents of hyacinths and ylang ylang ($75/100ml). Available from Bluebell Trading, 4772 5366.

DUO MO T H E R ’ S DAY F E AT U R E

CLASSY JEWELS

A gift any mother would be delighted with, Jewellery By Design presents these sterling silver freshwater pearl earrings for a special price of $49.95. Exclusively available at JBD Diamond Centre Castletown Shoppingworld, 4772 1001.

ANIMAL INSTINCT

A mix of style and practicality, R.M.Williams offers the cow horn bangle ($69.95), the chestnut/ tricolour cowhide Riverton belt ($139.95) and the chestnut/tricolour leather and cowhide Tarlee shoulder bag. Available from Donohues, 4775 5144.

CELEBRATE FEMININITY

The new Acapulco range from NAJO is inspired by the designer’s Mexican background and celebrates unabashed femininity, flaunting beauty and personality. Celebrate mum with a Heart and Petal pendant on belcher chain ($229) and matching ring $(110). Available at SilverShop Stockland, 4775 6077.

AUTO CLEAN

Enlist the iRobot Roomba 530 ($499) vacuum to clean the floor so mum doesn’t have to. Its Virtual Wall tells Roomba where to go by restricting off-limit areas and its soft-touch bumper system reduces impact and noise. Troy Williams the Good Guys, 4755 0300.

ICE, ICE BABY

Belgian designed Ice-Watch have taken the fashion world by storm. Available in an extraordinary rainbow of vibrant colours, there’s one for every occasion. Make mum’s day with a watch from the Classic Pastel range (from $109). Available at SilverShop Stockland, 4775 6077.

TIMELESS BEAUTY These Italian-designed mabe pearl cameo earrings ($650) are a gorgeous gift for mum this Mother’s Day, offering a timeless look for a timeless lady. Available from Tadmans Jewellers Castletown, 4772 6022.

DUO MO T H E R ’ S DAY F E AT U R E

SAY IT WITH DIAMONDS

We all know that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so these 9ct yellow gold diamond set huggy-style earrings (special price from $199) are sure to impress mum. Available exclusively at JBD Diamond Centre Castletown Shoppingworld, 4772 1001.

PASTA MASTER

NEW SEASON PANDORA

Spoil mum this Mother’s Day with one of Pandora’s new season beads in store now. Make her feel special with the new sterling silver ‘Mum’ bead featuring salmon pink cubic zirconias set in 14k gold ($105). Available at SilverShop Stockland, 4775 6077.

WRITE STYLE

The perfect gift for the kitchen whizz, Jamie Oliver Pasta Set ($29.95) includes a Hevea wood serving spoon, pasta spoon and spaghetti measure; plus a stainless steel parmesan grater. Troy Williams the Good Guys, 4755 0300.

Mum will never want to lose this Swarovski pen (from $46). It’s available in assorted colours and styles to suit her taste. Available exclusively at JBD Diamond Centre Castletown Shoppingworld, 4772 1001.

BAGS OF STYLE

Treat mum to this exclusive Mary Frances tan bloom bag ($280), which is exquisitely handcrafted and beautifully embellished. Available from Vintage Rose, 4728 8872.

DIAMONDS AND PEARLS

Surprise mum this Mother’s Day! Give her this beautiful strand of pearls ($795) with a 9ct bolt ring it’s simply stunning on its own or with our green amethyst and diamond enhancer ($995). Available from Tadmans Jewellers Castletown, 4772 6022.

DUO MO T H E R ’ S DAY F E AT U R E

MAKE A STATEMENT

Leethal Accessories offers this statement necklace with discs ($49.95). Available in sensational colours, it would complement any of mum’s outfits. From Vintage Rose, 4728 8872.

SILKY SMOOTH

Help mum get the hair she wants with Vidal Sasoon’s Goddess and MiniPro Goddess Pack ($87), featuring a total conditioning system with steam, nano silver and tourmaline ceramic plates, and up to 230C in heat. Troy Williams the Good Guys, 4755 0300.

PALAS VINTAGE PENDANTS

The new PALAS collection of vintage inspired initial pendants in a combination of sterling silver and brass can be worn by mum to represent the special people in her life. Pendants ($29.95) can go on a leather wrist strap ($45) or on a sterling silver chain ($59.95). Available at SilverShop Stockland, 4775 6077.

FEET TREAT

Have mum saying “ahhh” with this super quiet PedicurePro foot spa ($78). With five spinning attachments and a convenient carry handle, it’s the ultimate gift in relaxation. Troy Williams the Good Guys, 4755 0300.

HEART-FELT GIFT

You love your mum, so why not give her this sterling silver diamond set heart-shaped key locket ($99) Only available at JBD Diamond Centre Castletown Shoppingworld, 4772 1001.

BLUE TULIP VASE

Californian-based design team Fringe Studio describes this blue tulip vase ($95) and the accompanying homewares range as “curious, scarce and beautiful” – the ideal present for mum. Available exclusively from Bluebell Trading, 4772 5366.

DUO MO T H E R ’ S DAY F E AT U R E

COFFEE FIX

RING TO TREASURE

UBERKATE

TEA SET

OUTBACK MUM

SWATCH WATCH

Give the gift of heaven in a cup with Breville’s Fresca Espresso Machine ($599). It has a 15-bar pump, programmable or manual coffee settings and an integrated conical burr grinder. Troy Williams the Good Guys, 4755 0300.

Uberkate is a personalised jewellery collection designed to keep loved ones connected. Have special names and precious dates embossed to form a piece that mum will cherish forever. Please note: there is limited time to place your order for Mother’s Day. Mother and child pendant $395, available at SilverShop Stockland, 4775 6077.

For the perfect gifts for the outdoors mum, consider R.M.Williams’ dark tan reptile print Penola belt ($49.95) and the dark tan reptile print Clare Boots ($394.95). Available from Donohues, 4775 5144.

Mum will love this beautifully designed 9ct gold butterfly ring set with diamonds ($895). Find something special for mum this Mother’s Day at Tadmans Jewellers Castletown, 4772 6022.

A perfect gift for mum on Mothers Day! A beautiful teapot set with a selection of T2 teas Handmade ceramic teapot with a matching cup. A unique gift for mum. ($50). Available Jam Corner, 4721 4900

A practical gift with lashings of style, visit Jewellery By Design to secure your world-renowned Swatch Watch (from $70). They are available in assorted colours and styles to suit every taste. Only available at JBD Diamond Centre Castletown Shoppingworld, 4772 1001.

fashion

DUO SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY WITH MINTY MEETS MUNT DESIGNERS

KEVIN O’SHEA AND TANYA CURMI MINTY MEETS MUNT IS A LABOUR OF LOVE FOR COUPLE KEVIN O’SHEA AND TANYA CURMI. BEGINNING SOLELY AS A FASHION BOUTIQUE IN 2007, THE CREATIVE DUO SOON BRANCHED OUT INTO THEIR OWN CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES LABEL. THEY NOW DELIVER SIX RANGES A YEAR AND ARE STOCKED IN MORE THAN 100 STORES NATIONALLY AND OVERSEAS. THEY’VE EVEN DONE A RANGE FOR SPORTSGIRL, PLUS THE VERONICAS ARE FANS! NICE. 32

fashion

HOW DID YOU BOTH MEET? Kevin: I spotted Tan at a barbecue two years before we met at a Valentine’s Day singles party! She had seen me in a photo in the meantime, while I was overseas, so there was already chemistry! WHERE DOES THE LABEL’S NAME COME FROM? Kevin: Tanya equals “Minty”, ‘cause she’s “minty fresh”, and Kevin equals “Munt” [their nicknames for each other]! HOW DID YOU GET YOUR STARTS IN THE FASHION BIZ? Kevin: I was in it for years and helping Minty from time-to-time [at the boutique] with technical stuff. Life dawned – and we jumped into it together in 2008! WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR CAREER BREAKTHROUGHS? Tanya: The first ever Minty Meets Munt collection was picked up by Sportsgirl for one of its designer collaboration capsule collections. They had such a great response to the range that they continued to stock the brand for five consecutive seasons! This was a big feather in our cap, as it went against what their policy was for working with young designers. Another breakthrough has been reaching the position we’re currently in just three years after starting our business – debtfree and profitable, with the world at our feet! WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS? Tanya: We are a very trend-focused brand, so we are very aware of what is happening on the runways each season. We take these trends and then do our own research into them and how we can give them our own Minty Meets Munt spin.

ARE THERE ANY CELEBRITY FANS OF THE LABEL ALREADY? Kevin: The Veronicas have worn our gear before and we often spot our pieces around town on cute girls on the street! WHAT MUST-HAVES SHOULD WOMEN INCLUDE IN THEIR WARDROBES IN 2011? Tanya: For autumn/winter, a key look is to have some chunky cable knits in your wardrobe, a bit of leather, a hint of ’60s Hollywood glamour and a pair of killer stilettos, for sure! For spring/summer 11/12, anything white with a sports influence, anything ‘70s inspired, colour, colour and more colour, and [particularly] colour that pops - fluoro is back! DO YOU GET TO TRAVEL MUCH WITH THE LABEL AND WHAT PLACES INSPIRE YOU? Tanya: As yet, we haven’t had that luxury as the brand is so young, but - in saying that – we often look to London’s street style for inspiration. Those girls have got it going on! HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE STATE OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY AT PRESENT? Kevin: It’s somewhat in a state of flux. Belts are tighter and only the passionate and creative will survive. WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS OUTSIDE OF WORK? Kevin: We have a beautiful daughter, who takes up most of our time – along with our great crew of friends and weekends out of town! FINALLY, WHAT’S NEXT FOR MINTY MEETS MUNT? Kevin: World domination!

“THE FIRST EVER MINTY MEETS MUNT COLLECTION WAS PICKED UP BY SPORTSGIRL FOR ONE OF ITS DESIGNER COLLABORATION CAPSULE COLLECTIONS. THEY HAD SUCH A GREAT RESPONSE TO THE RANGE THAT THEY CONTINUED TO STOCK THE BRAND FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE SEASONS!” www.mintymeetsmunt.com

my style

NOSTALGIC NOTIONS ACCOUNT MANAGER SHAANTEL HAMPSON IS DRAWN TO ANYTHING THAT ECHOES VINTAGE ELEGANCE.

WHAT’S YOUR STYLE?

MOST RECENT PURCHASE?

BEST FASHION ADVICE?

WORST STYLE DECISION?

SHOPPING STRATEGY?

I CAN’T PART WITH MY?

I’ve always been inspired by the 1950s – full skirts and accentuated waists. I try to take whatever 1950s inspiration I can and put it into almost every outfit day and night.

The blouse I am wearing. It’s a preview of a new label Violet & I that is coming soon to local online boutique A L’amour. I have an endless wish list from that place!

Make the best of the curves you have rather than moving with all of the fads and trends. When you find styles that work, try and incorporate these into every outfit.

Not parting with a few outfits that just didn’t fit anymore. Needless to say, I did split one skirt! Don’t worry; they are definitely gone now…

Be sure to absolutely LOVE the piece you are purchasing before you take it home. If not, it will probably sit in your closet with the tag on and never get worn. Speaking from experience…

Mum’s 1970s Pat Washington gown she wore to a fundraising ball when she was 16. I am so lucky to have been able to wear it to an event last year and will treasure it forever.

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MOTHER’S INTUITION A MUM-ON-THE-RUN, EMMA ASHWELL IS GEARED FOR PRACTICALITY.

1. I got my bag from a recent trip to Las Vegas – it’s super-oversized which is great for carrying my and my kids’ stuff! 2. I found this wallet in a little boutique store in Perth. 3. I have the worst memory so my diary is my Bible! 4. Band-Aids always come in handy, especially when wearing-in new shoes. 5. Sticky Fingers are essential with two kids. 6. My children and I have pretty pale skin, so I’m always prepared for sun safety. 7. I’m a germ-a-phobe so this antibacterial spray goes everywhere with me. 8. My herbal stress relief – this stuff is magical and, as a busy mum working full time, it comes in handy a lot! 9. My camera is always ready for that Kodak moment. 10. I love chewing gum. 11. A little bit of lip colour goes a long way when you’re feeling rundown and drab. 12. I found this coin purse at the Brisbane markets and I used to own a Pug so it was too cute to put down. 13. My husband and I renewed our vows in Vegas – it was such fun. I always keep a photo of my little babes with me. 14. This perfume was a gift from my sister-in law – I just love it. 15. By far the most indulgent present I have bought myself but, hey, sunglasses are vital! 16. My phone is so old and beaten, but it needs to be tough with my kids always playing with it. 17. Random toys – I always end up with toys and jewellery from my kids when they decide they don’t want to carry it anymore.

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interview

Interview Carly Lubicz Photography Greta Kenyon Vela Images velaimages.com

LEADER IN THE FASHION FIELD USING HER KEEN EYE FOR STYLE TO HER ADVANTAGE, LOCAL FASHIONISTA TRICIA MOLACHINO LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION AT ONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS FASHIONS IN THE FIELD EVENTS AND SCORED A BEVY OF PRIZES FOR HER EFFORTS. SHE SHARES THE EXPERIENCE AND TOP TIPS FOR THE UPCOMING AUTUMN RACING CARNIVAL WITH DUO.

You recently won the Ellerslie Mercedes Prix de Fashion – the crème de la creme of race day fashion in New Zealand – have you ever entered a fashion competition before? I’ve entered quite a few fashion competitions in the past and have won fantastic prizes, but this was the most prestigious to date. You managed to pick-up a few impressive winnings including a 12-month lease on a Mercedes-Benz C200 Sports Edition Coupé, a seven-day cruise in Fiji, a trip to Hong Kong and a jaunt to Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington – how did you feel about that? The prizes surprised me as I hadn’t taken a lot of notice of what was in the prize pool, so when they made the announcement after I had won I was thrilled. What did your friends and family say? My husband (Dr Matthew Casey) was there with me and sat through the entire afternoon of elimination rounds. He was thrilled when I won, and the fact it was all over! How did you select your outfit and can you tell us about it? I had originally planned to wear a gorgeous little boucle suit, but my son didn’t approve. He decided it was too tight, which destroyed my confidence. So I approached my wonderful friend, Ron Dutton, with a design that was inspired by ‘50s New Look Dior, an armful of fabric, and look of desperation, and he created

a beautiful dress for me. I am very grateful to him. I made the headpiece myself, and my shoes were by Miu Miu – one of my favourite designers. Have you always had in interest in fashion? I’ve always had an interest in design in general whether it’s product design, interior design or fashion design. I was voted the most ‘unusual’ girl in our Year 10 yearbook by my peers because of all the fashion choices I made back then. I see it as a compliment now, though I didn’t back then! I try to let my children be their own creative little people. What would you say are going to be the key trends for this year’s racing season in Townsville? I’m a little obsessed with Lanvin at the moment and see their Autumn Winter 2011 collection to be an accurate portrayal of the colours in this upcoming season. Gucci’s collection is also a very similar colour palette, with a strong influence upon shapes from the seventies. Do you have any fashion tips for ladies at the track? I know this is said quite a bit, but the racetrack isn’t a nightclub. Leave the sparkles and skin at home. There is nothing less flattering than the unforgiving sun on bare legs with a skirt that barely covers anything. And if your heels sink into the turf, you end up looking like you have had too much to drink even if you haven’t. Keep the heels thick and the skirts long.

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wellbeing

GRANT COLLINS | AUDIOLOGIST | CLARITY HEARING SOLUTIONS

USE EAR PROTECTION WHEN RENOVATING

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE DAMAGE THAT PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO LOW-PITCHED MACHINERY NOISES CAN HAVE ON YOUR HEARING. When doing renovations too few of us will remember to wear hearing protection. Machinery and power tools are particularly deceptive with the amount of damaging noise they produce. People mistakenly think that short, sharp, loud bursts of high-pitched noise such as rifles, hammering, loud drums or nail guns do the most damage as they create the largest amount of discomfort to the ear. Although they do cause damage, by far the more dangerous and common noises are constant low-pitched machinery noises, which seem much softer to us. The human ear is tuned to focus on sounds that are within the human speech range, which are generally mid to high-pitched sounds. Two sounds – a low-pitched sound and a highpitched sound – can be exactly the same volume, yet the higher-pitched sound seems louder. This is evident when you’re watching a TV program and an advertisement comes on that seems louder than the show. The actual volume of the ad is generally the same as the program you’re watching, but they increase the pitch of the ad, which seems significantly louder to the human ear. So people mistakenly think that because

Bill & Libby Luxton, Mt Isa Heavy Machine Owner/Operator

the noise doesn’t seem that loud to them it isn’t damaging the ear. Based on this false assumption, they continue using machinery and tools for long periods of time without protection. Noise levels are measured in units called dBA, which take into account the tuning of the human ear to the more high-pitched sounds. A safe level for noise exposure is 85dBA for eight hours. For every 3dBA over 85dBA you’re exposed to, halve the amount of safe exposure time. For example, 88dBA can be heard for four hours safely, 91dBA for two hours and so on. Some power tools create around 110dBA of noise, so safe periods are less than a minute! So what are your hearing protection options? There are several available but probably the best is protective ear muffs because they provide over 30 decibels of protection, don’t block the ear canal (so fungal and bacterial infections aren’t harboured) and are easily slipped on and off. Advanced ear muffs also have noise-cancelling features similar to hearing aids, which reduce environment noise but still allow speech to be heard. Earplugs are also a good source of hearing

protection, however they may cause problems with encouraging growth of bacterial and fungal infections within the ear canal. If using disposable earplugs, replace them daily and don’t handle them too much. The best protective noise plugs are those specifically made for your ear as they reduce more noise, can be sterilised before and after use, don’t require handling and are very comfortable as they are moulded to the ear.

“Hearing problems? See Grant and Sara at Clarity.” “They’ll fix you up. Honestly, I have no problems recommending them at all.” “Grant’s more qualified. He’s done more training than everybody else we’ve been to.”

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wellbeing

CAROLYN SLEADER | REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPIST, | FIRST THINGS FIRST WELLNESS CENTRE

PREGNANCY MASSAGE REDUCES PAIN AND SWELLING

WITH ALL THE BODY CHANGES THAT HAPPEN DURING PREGNANCY, A REGULAR MASSAGE CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO RELAX MUSCLES AND THE MIND. Pregnancy should be a very joyous occasion, however this joy can quickly change to annoyance as your pregnant body begins to change. Natural changes in hormones throughout pregnancy (such as relaxin) produce effective relaxation in uterine muscles allowing room for baby to grow. Relaxin also relaxes tendons in joints and allows the pelvic joints to prepare for the imminent birth. However the negative side to relaxin is back pain, sciatica (nerve pain), oedema (swelling), postural compensations and muscle tightness in the abdominal muscles, which puts extra pressure on the back muscles: These can all produce pain and stress. The growing baby and increased weight can change the way your body moves and your muscles will compensate for the change in your centre of gravity, increasing muscle imbalance causing pain and discomfort. During my second pregnancy I experienced debilitating sciatic pain. Sciatic or nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on the muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus and the extra weight of your baby spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure

on nearby nerves. This increases pain and discomfort in the lower back, legs and ankles. I found the benefit of regular massage to be the only treatment that effectively relieved my pain and discomfort allowing me to enjoy my pregnancy experience. I consequently returned to study massage and, for the past few years, I have enjoyed providing the same relief to many of my pregnant clients and recommend regular massage to anyone during pregnancy. R e g u l a r p r e g n a n c y m a s s a g e by a n appropriately qualified therapist will help to relieve tight muscles, reduce fluid retention, and increase circulation in an effort to reduce pain and swelling. Regular massage can also relieve stress and help to restore regular sleeping patterns. Pregnancy massage is appropriate through all pregnancy stages, however those who are experiencing a difficult pregnancy or have underlying medical conditions should talk to their doctor or midwife first. We provide a relaxed atmosphere for you to enjoy your massage. This includes the use of specifically designed pregnancy cushions that have an adjustable tummy opening support to allow expectant mums to lie face down

comfortably â€“ this generates many comments alone as it can become a challenge to find a comfortable position at home! Or if preferred, we can provide a body pillow for a side-lying massage. Sheets and towels are used so that only the body part being massaged is exposed, soft music plays in the background and you can choose to talk about your pregnancy and experience or you can be completely quiet and relaxed. Some mothers can feel their baby move as the relaxation sensation is passed to baby.

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wellbeing

DR MITCHELL INNES | DENTIST | CASEY DENTISTS

THE EVOLUTION OF DENTISTRY

AS GENERATIONS PROGRESS, OUR FEAR AND AVOIDANCE OF THE DENTIST CHAIR IS BEING REPLACED BY A YEARNING FOR HEALTHY AND ATTRACTIVE TEETH FOR LIFE. I look forward to coming to work each morning as I have a unique job where I meet people of all ages and backgrounds. An interesting part of my day is hearing about my patients’ past experiences at the dentist, their attitudes towards dentistry and where they prioritise their teeth in their life. What is apparent is that dentistry, including the way it’s practised by dentists and people’s attitudes and dental desires, is much different in recent generations. Patients from the so-called Silent Generation from 1925-1942 lived through dramatically different times including the Great Depression and World War II where money was quite scarce and nutrition was poor. They had access to limited dentistry such as extractions and, if lucky, amalgam fillings and dentures. Dentistry in this period was very reactive (the tooth has a hole or hurts so pull it out) and proactive in the way teeth were completely removed and dentures given to young adults/adolescents, especially women prior to marriage. Military personnel were also mostly treated with extractions during the WWII era. Dentally this period is referred to as the “blood and vulcanite” era. Procedures were often done without anaesthetic, which

made dentistry very painful and meant that the dentist was avoided until extraction was the only choice. The foot-pedal-powered drill was also feared. These attitudes were then passed onto the following generations. Dentistry as a profession progressed significantly through the Baby Boomer generation of 1943-1960. This period welcomed the electric high-speed drill, effective local anaesthetic, antibiotics and exclusive registration following extensive training for dentists. This era is known as the “drill and fill” era and was accompanied by an improved feeling by patients towards a dental visit. It saw treatment swing toward filling teeth to keep them, as opposed to extracting them. The next generation, known as Generation X of 1961-1981, inherited a better feeling about the dentist and teeth than their previous counterparts. There was a preventative approach to dental disease by dentists with fissure seals and increased public fluoride exposure through toothpaste and drinking water (fluoride was introduced in drinking water in 1953). Water fluoridation greatly reduced the incidence of tooth decay among children. For example, here in Townsville the decay rate among children was

45 per cent lower than in Brisbane in 1996. The latest patient, Generation Y, has accompanied the “golden age” of dentistry and prosperity in the economy. The advances in dental technology, skill and people’s attitude towards their teeth have progressed significantly. People of Gen Y rarely fear the dental visit and have a strong desire to have healthy teeth for life. The focus of dentistry is now on disease prevention, interception and stabilisation and the cost of procedures is the main reason people avoid the dentist these days. This paradigm shift in dentistry over the past 100 years has made it even more important for me as a dentist to communicate effectively with my patients about exactly what he or she desires to fulfil them, while providing ongoing education. At Casey Dentists we have the ability to provide patients of all generations with many treatment modalities so they can achieve their own dental goals.

FE M JA

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high tea

By Carly Lubicz

THE HEIGHT OF SOPHISTICATION THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT TRADITIONAL HIGH TEAS ARE ENJOYING A RESURGENCE, AND RIGHTLY SO: IMAGINE INDULGING IN LADY-LIKE MINI SANDWICHES AND INTRICATELY DECORATED SWEET TREATS FROM REGAL MULTI-TIERED CAKE STANDS AND SIPPING DELICIOUS FRESH TEA (OR CHAMPAGNE) WHILE DONNING YOUR BEST DRESS. VERY LA-DI-DA! There’s nothing new about the concept of high teas, or afternoon teas as they are known in some circles. The seventh Duchess of Bedford is credited as the creator of teatime in the 1800s when midday meals became skimpier and she found herself peckish in the afternoon. The ‘high’ reference is said to originate from working men who would have their afternoon tea with cakes, scones and cheese on toast while standing up or sitting on tall stools. But by 1865 afternoon tea had stretched beyond the working world and taken off in social circles to become a fashionable form of entertaining for ladies and gentlemen. Fast-forward about 150 years and the practice has again become a popular way to entertain, with hotels, boutique eateries, and even backyards all over the country hosting their own versions of the traditional high tea. Melbourne-based High Tea Society founder 56

Michelle Milton has travelled nationally and internationally reviewing high tea venues and has established a website and social media community with more than 5000 followers. She says the volume and variety of the afternoon tea offering is certainly growing and, at last count, there were more than 110 venues providing high tea in Australia. “A lot of places are bringing the tradition back and even turning it into a monthly event,” Michelle reveals. “It’s a case of what’s old is new again and it’s a wonderful opportunity to dress up and do something fun with family and friends.” But what about those who want to host their own? Michelle reveals the secret to a good high tea lies in the menu and the order of serving. At the host’s discretion, champagne can be served on arrival, followed by savoury finger food like sandwiches. From there sweets and tea should

be served, with scones and jam to cap-off the gathering. “In terms of the tea, don’t use teabags. There are some amazing quality loose leaf teas available, but make sure the tea is fresh and not stale so that it has flavour,” Michelle tells. “Also invest in some beautiful vintage china – even if it’s mismatched and sourced from an Op Shop (which is actually a lot harder to find these days) it doesn’t matter. Also have a lovely cake stand and don’t serve your sandwiches in big bread rolls – they need to be dainty and lady-like.” Other tips include dressing with class – think vintage 1940s or 50s – refrain from dipping your scone in the tea, avoid sipping your tea with the spoon in the cup and take small bites – nothing looks less lady-like than trying to cram a whole sandwich into your mouth. But most of all: Bottoms up and enjoy!

high tea

TAKING TEA INCORPORATE SOME OF THIS CLASSIC-STYLE CHINA INTO YOUR NEXT HIGH TEA EVENT.

sturt street 4724 5188

gregory street 4721 6266

fairfield central

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mobile coffee van 0448 260 018

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breakwater terminal 4726 0823

1 Wedgwood Harlequin Cuckoo sugar and creamer set $99.95 2 Wedgwood Harlequin Cuckoo two-tier cake stand $149.00 3 Royal Albert Sentiments Rosa teacup and saucer set $89.95 4 Wedgwood Harlequin Polka Dots teapot $129 5 100 Years of Royal Albert English Chintz teapot, creamer and sugar set $575.00 Royal Albert 1300 852 022 Wedgwood 1300 852 022

FAMOUS HIGH TEAS MELBOURNE Hotel Windsor Serving traditional afternoon tea since 1883, guests receive freshly baked scones with jam and cream, exquisite pastries and finger sandwiches on three-tiered silver stands accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and freshly brewed tea. thehotelwindsor.com.au BRISBANE Franklin Villa This traditional guesthouse has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Guests can sit on the verandah and enjoy views of the city skyline and mouth-watering bite-size canapés while sipping on their fresh tea. franklinvilla.com SYDNEY The Observatory Hotel Get comfortable on plush velvet sofas and savour a selection of cucumber sandwiches, scones with freshly prepared jam and clotted cream and mini crème brulées. Choose from 20 unique tea blends from all over the world. observatoryhotel.com.au LONDON Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel Named by The Tea Guild as the best place in London to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea, the luxury Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel offers a champagne, traditional and a chocolate lover’s version of afternoon tea. chesterfieldmayfair.com

0211 Townsville Lakes Ad 9x10.5 PR.indd 1

8/02/2011 8:04:04 AM

food

GOYA CHANPURU SERVES 4 Preparation: 15 minutes Cooking: 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes standing 150g firm tofu ½ large bitter melon ½ tsp sea salt flakes 1 tsp neutral-flavoured oil 100g SPAM luncheon meat, cut into small slices ½ brown onion, sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 100g pork shoulder or pork fillet, thinly sliced 100g shimeji mushrooms, gently separated 60ml mentsuyu (Japanese soup base) 1 tbsp light soy sauce 2 eggs, beaten 75g bean sprouts 3 tsp bonito flakes, to serve

1 Wrap the tofu in paper towel and put a plate on top to compress. Leave for 30 minutes to drain (to prevent the tofu falling apart during cooking). Meanwhile, cut the bitter melon in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Slice the melon into half moons and toss in the salt. Leave to drain in a colander for 20 minutes. 2 Unwrap the tofu and cut into pieces roughly the same size as the SPAM. Rinse the salt from the melon and dry on paper towels. 3 Heat the oil in a wok over medium heat until smoking. Add the SPAM and stir-fry until coloured on all sides, then remove with a slotted spoon. Add the tofu to the wok and toss gently until coloured on all sides. Lift out and drain on paper towel. 4 Add the onion and garlic to the wok, adding more oil if necessary, and stir-fry for 2 minutes until softened. Add the pork shoulder and

stir-fry for 2 minutes until browned. Add the melon, mushrooms, mentsuyu and soy sauce. Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until the melon and mushrooms soften and then add the SPAM and tofu. Stir to combine and move everything over to one side of the wok. Pour the eggs into the empty side of the wok and leave to set slightly. Fold the egg over itself a few times, then break into pieces and mix with the rest of the stir-fried ingredients. Add the bean sprouts and cook for 30 seconds until softened. 5 Transfer the stir-fry to a serving plate and top with the bonito flakes. The heat from the stir-fry will cause the bonito flakes to ‘dance’ on top of the stir-fry so add them just before bringing the dish to the table.

food

FARMERS UNION ICED COFFEE PUDDING WITH TEA-SMOKED CHOCOLATE AND FIVE-SPICE TENKASU MAKES 4 50g soft brown sugar 50g lapsang souchong tea leaves 300g couverture chocolate (75 per cent cacao) ¼ tsp Chinese five-spice powder 2 tsp icing sugar 1 cup tenkasu (tempura bits) iced coffee pudding 3 leaves titanium-strength gelatine 600ml Farmers Union iced coffee 150ml pouring cream 1 tbsp caster sugar

1 To make the pudding, soak the gelatine in a bowl of cold water for about 3 minutes to soften. Heat the iced coffee, cream and sugar

over low heat, stirring, until just warm and the sugar has dissolved. Squeeze out the water from the gelatine and add to the iced coffee mixture. Stir until completely dissolved. Pour into four 200ml glasses and refrigerate for about 2 hours to set. 2 Line the base of a wok with foil and sprinkle with the sugar and tea. Place a rack in the wok with a tray over the top. Break the chocolate into chunks and put 200g in a heatproof bowl. Heat the wok until the tea leaves and sugar are smoking and then turn off the heat and place the bowl on the rack. Cover the wok and leave for 5–10 minutes until the chocolate has melted. Take the temperature of the chocolate. If it is not 45°C then heat it briefly over a double boiler. 3 Add the remaining chocolate a few pieces at a time until they melt and the temperature

of the chocolate drops to around 27°C. Pour the chocolate onto a marble slab to set and then scrape with a pastry scraper into curls and shards. 4 Sift together the five-spice powder and icing sugar and toss through the tenkasu to coat. 5 To serve, top the puddings with tenkasu and shards of smoked chocolate.

Recipes from Two Asian Kitchens (rrp $49.95), published by Random House Australia.

family

NICOLE PIEROTTI | CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST

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DISORGANISED BEDROOMS AND POOR COLOUR CHOICES CAN HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON CHILDREN.

You know how irritating clutter is to you on your kitchen benches, the office and the dining room table, but do you realise that that it affects your kids in the same way? Just as you sigh, wish it were gone and feel hemmed-in by all the clutter and junk around your house, believe me, your kids sigh and wish it were gone too. So get inspired and clean it out – keep it simple, especially in kids’ bedrooms. Stick to the basics – a few toys and books, keep bedding simple and bookcases neat and tidy. When hanging artwork stick to a certain section of their bedroom. When decorating, think simple and go with what you find appealing without overdoing it – if you find it overwhelming when you walk in the room then you need to tone it down. Keep the windows clear of decoration and let the fresh air in whenever you can. Some tips: • Use a long bookcase or section storage – the latest cubed ideas are spot on. • Go back to the bare minimum of stuff in their rooms, including books, toys and games. • Organise the extras into boxes labelled with ‘doll clothes’ or ‘games’, etc. • Have a ‘bits n pieces’ box for all those things that your kids bring home. • Have all the other books and toys stored elsewhere – in the playroom, lounge or verandah – in an organised way. • Get rid of anything they have outgrown or lost interest in. If you are keeping it for the next child have a system – perhaps a labelled box in the top of their cupboard – for passing on. • Ditch the toy box idea as kids just tip the whole lot out and play with next to nothing. Have a toy cupboard, ideally lockable, so it’s under your control when needed. • Spend a bit of time choosing the right colour for your child’s room when painting. It is well known that colour gives us different feelings, so take into account your child’s personality and find a colour that is peaceful and calming: Think soothing, relaxing, and sleeping. Try soft colours or cool colours – violet, blue and green or different shades of these colours. They are psychologically soothing, create a quiet mood, and they also make a room feel more airy and larger. Blue-green is the ‘coolest’ colour: Peaceful and tranquil colours of blue/green cause the body to make calming chemicals making it a great choice for bedrooms (interesting fact: studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms!). Avoid yellow for a bedroom as although it’s optimistic, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms and babies will cry more. It also speeds up metabolism. Happy decorating!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shop 93 Stockland Aitkenvale (opposite Woolworths) Telephone 4775 4558 www.healthylife.net.au

CUT CLUTTER FROM YOUR KIDS’ ROOMS

Psychologist and parent Nicole Pierotti is a baby sleep and parenting expert. To find out about her baby preparation workshops for expectant parents, call 4725 4699 or visit www.babysmiles.com.au.

family

STUDENTS SUPPORTED AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS

FOLLOWING THE RECENT NATURAL DISASTERS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN AUSTRALIA AND OVERSEAS; TOWNSVILLE CATHOLIC EDUCATION’S TEAM OF GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS IS SUPPORTING STUDENTS EMOTIONALLY. Source: The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network and www.psychology.org.au.

Although many students were not directly impacted by the recent weather events, the images broadcast on TV can sometimes be very traumatic, especially for younger children. Here are some tips parents and carers can use to manage these events and the associated emotional reactions: • Comfort the child and reassure them of their safety. However, be careful not to give schoolaged children false assurance. • Encourage the child to talk about how they feel with their loved ones. • Do not force discussion of a traumatic

Townsville Catholic Education guidance counsellor Donna Lapwood with students from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Mount Isa.

event, but if discussion does occur, try not to make it too detailed or graphic. • Check what information your child may have received and clarify any inaccuracies. • Answer questions honestly, openly and age-appropriately. • If you can’t answer a question, tell your child that you will try to find out (this will give you time to form a response). • Focus on some of the more positive images from the event (communities coming together to assist in rebuilding efforts, donations, and improved warning systems). • Wherever possible, limit the amount of television footage

that your child is exposed to. • Remember that the age of the child will affect how the information about the event is processed (younger children may actually think that an event is reoccurring based on replayed television images). Although it is normal for children to experience some symptoms of anxiety following these kinds of events, symptoms should be monitored to ensure they are not disrupting the child’s involvement in normal daily activities. Seek advice from your GP if you’re concerned.

interview

Interview Carly Lubicz Photography Andrew Rankin

CAFÉ CULTURE FOR CANINES

SHE’S PACKED POOCHES ONTO PLANES, CARED FOR EXOTIC ANIMALS IN THE UAE AND NOW OFFERS REFRESHMENTS TO DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS FROM HER KIOSK ON THE STRAND. IT’S NO SECRET THAT LAURA DIAMOND HAS A SOFT SPOT FOR ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL.

It’s a Sunday morning with blue skies and families are out in force along The Strand. Laura Diamond and her partner Bob Gates are serving coffees and sweet treats to walkers, and some of their guests are vigorously panting, casually scratching behind the ears and curiously sniffing each other while they wait. It’s just another day at the Tobruk Kiosk – one of the few cafés in town that welcomes pets – with part-owner Laura saying that four-legged folk deserve the occasional indulgence too. “People order themselves little treats, so why not have something for their pets?” the English-born ex-air hostess asks as she produces another dog bone and bowl of water for a furry customer. “The other day I looked out and there was a dog at every table – we had everything from Great Danes to Chihuahuas… they all seem to get along, thank goodness!” Laura and Bob are the proud owners of five-year-old German Shepherd Utah, who didn’t make the grade at the police academy; the lively pooch instead ending up as Laura’s chief protector. Utah is a welcome part of their family; especially as Laura couldn’t consistently have an animal for the 20 years she lived in the Middle East, travelling the world as an air hostess. She still managed to get involved with animal welfare and also did stints at a kennel and veterinary hospital, which she affectionately describes as a “circus”. One particular occasion stands out when a notoriously bad-tempered elephant needed assistance, or the time when a man brought his sick goat into the hospital riding in the front seat of his car while his wife occupied the boot. “One of our vets used to look after the Sheik’s animals too, so he would be responsible for flamingos, snakes and tigers,” Laura explains. “You never knew who would be on the phone with what bizarre animal problem.” Although customers are a lot more predictable these days, Laura says there are still some surprising similarities. “In the end it’s still hospitality and dealing with unique characters, and you meet all sorts,” she smiles. “And that’s just the dogs.”

family

MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU Do you find that money seems to slip through your fingers? Do you get to the end of the week and find that you’re waiting anxiously for the next payday? If so, the chances are you may not have a thorough understanding of how to manage the money that comes in and out of your home. Living from one pay to the next can be very stressful. In recent times, many families throughout North Queensland have experienced added pressure due to Cyclone Yasi and heavy rains. Some have been laid off, while others haven’t had consistent work for months. As a result, many locals are facing financial hardship. No matter what job you do or who you are, it is easy to take control of your money once you have learnt the basics. Understanding money means making the most of the financial position that you are in, and creating a budget can help you to regain control. A budget is a plan that includes everything you will spend in the coming week, month and year. Centacare offers basic budgeting strategies and tips to help you get back on track. The Budgeting for Everyone program provides clients with the opportunity to develop skills that can assist in the process of getting rid of debt, managing household bills, and creating savings. For more information contact Early Intervention Services at Centacare Townsville on 4772 9000. Please note, this program offers general education for budgeting: if you would like financial advice, please contact your local bank or financial planner.

Counselling and support services for everyone in our community

•Individuals •Couples •Employees •Families •Children •Young People •Employers •People with Disabilities Offices located in Townsville, Mount Isa, Bowen, Cloncurry and Normanton

www.tsv.centacare.org.au A mission of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville

Townsville 4772 9000 410 Ross River Rd Cranbrook 281 Ross River Rd Aitkenvale

Mount Isa 2 Corbould Street 4743 4449 5 Miles Street 4749 8000

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PET PASSES Pets are often a very much-loved part of our family, but sadly, their time will come to go to the beautiful rainbow garden in the sky. Sometimes assistance is needed from the veterinarian to save a pet from suffering, but often an elderly or ill pet may pass away peacefully at home. The first action you might take is to gently cover your pet to protect them from flies, ants and insects. Move your pet gently into a cool, shady spot. Be aware that their muscles will relax and they may lose some bodily fluids. This is all normal. Pet Heaven NQ’s compassionate and professional staff can advise you of the range of cremation or burial services. Staff will come to your home for a small fee, or pets can be collected from the vets, and they will carefully and discreetly move your pet to the Bluewater complex for the service you choose. Many people choose cremation, with their pet’s ashes being returned in a locally-crafted pottery urn, accompanied by a Certificate of Cremation and a lovely memorial poem. If you provide a photo, Pet Heaven NQ can personalise the certificate and urn label with your pet’s photo. Other memorial items available include paw moulds, memorial jewellery, memory books, plaques and ashes boxes. Also, look out for the Facebook page coming soon where owners can immortalise their pet with a post and a photo – it’s just another way to give your pet the sendoff he or she deserves.

Caring for your pets when they die • Your choice of cremation or burial services • Collection from your home or Vet • Range of ashes boxes and memorial items • Professional and personalised service Garbutt Office at 10 Langton Street open 8am - 2pm weekdays. Crematorium at Bluewater open by appointment only.

Call 4751 3220

or email info@petheaven.com.au www.petheaven.com.au 63

travel

Interview Carly Lubicz

EXPLORER TO HER CORE LOOKING AT HER MUM’S TRAVEL PHOTO ALBUM WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL LIT A SPARK IN LIZ STEVENSON. SINCE THEN, THE 27-YEAR-OLD NURSE HAS CONTRACTED A CONDITION SHE IS CERTAIN SHE WILL NEVER CURE: THE TRAVEL BUG. IT HAS SEEN HER JOURNEY TO MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES IN FIVE YEARS WHERE SHE HAS PAT TIGERS, CLIMBED MOUNTAINS AND MET SOME OF THE POOREST CHILDREN IN THE WORLD.

As you read this Liz Stevenson will be somewhere in South America. She doesn’t know exactly what she’ll be doing, but she’s there for 63 days living out of a backpack. Liz is no stranger to travelling, but she saved for 18 months to fund this trip in-between paying the mortgage by herself on her first house and trying to win the never-ending battle with her credit cards, one of which she sacrificed a few weeks before getting in the plane. At 27 Liz has been to more places than most and her personality shows it. Open and bubbly, she is at ease talking to people from all different backgrounds – a skill that’s useful when you juggle your work between being a sexual health nurse for Queensland Health and a midwife at Townsville Hospital. “I have this indescribable pull to go exploring and I love the fact that you get to immerse yourself in other cultures and things you have never seen before,” Liz admits, who chose her profession because it had the capacity to take her all over the world. “I love going off the beaten track and discovering a place for what it really is rather than hanging around at hotels.” One of Liz’s most memorable travelling experiences is meeting orphans in Kenya, who went crazy over the stickers and coloured pencils their western visitors had brought for them. “It was really eye-opening to see where the people lived, cooked and how they looked after their animals, which are one of their few food sources,” she says. Another experience etched in her memory is following her grandfather’s footsteps up Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. The last leg of the climb was particularly steep and treacherous she recalls, and leaving at midnight with a dose of altitude sickness added an extra challenge. “But we made it to the top just in time to see the sunrise and it was the most amazing sight – I’ve never seen sunrises or sunsets like the ones in Africa… they have an iridescent glow,” she explains. Then there are the less enjoyable unforgettable experiences of getting bitten by a sea turtle (she still has the scar to prove it) and finding a crispydried lizard fused into her bedding in Thailand: “There are so many things that go wrong while you’re away and you cringe about them at the time, but crack-up about them later,” she smiles. For Liz, it will always be about planning the next trip, and when she gets back from her latest jaunt she will share her photos and then turn her attention to saving for the Greek Islands. “I’m addicted,” she beams. “And I always say if you want something bad enough you can do it.”

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come on up to cairns

KICK UP YOUR HEELS IN STYLE THE SEBEL CAIRNS IS THE LARGEST FIVE-STAR HOTEL IN THE TROPICAL CITY. BOASTING 321 BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED AND SPACIOUS ROOMS OVERLOOKING EITHER CAIRNS HARBOUR OR THE MOUNTAINS AND CITY LIGHTS, IT MAKES FOR THE IDEAL WEEKEND LUXURY GETAWAY.

Located just two blocks from the Pier Marina, Cairns Central, Cairns Convention Centre, and restaurant and shopping precincts, The Sebel is an ideal hub for enjoying all that the city has to offer. Enjoy a short stroll to the many shops located around the hotel, either at Cairns Central Shopping Centre or Shields and Grafton Streets. Highend luxury stores can also be found just blocks away on Abbott Street. For those wishing to venture a little further and grab a bargain, DFO is just a five-minute drive. Lazy days can be spent on The Sebel’s beautiful tropical pool deck, featuring two sparkling pools, a wading pool and a jacuzzi. Soft sun beds are provided for ultimate comfort and – just in-case guests are not quite relaxed enough – cocktails are served upon request. But for supreme indulgence look no further than The Sebel Cairns’ day spa facilities – Mii Spa.

With 10 treatment rooms, a tranquil sanctuary and unique indoor/outdoor treatment areas, this is the way to truly relax and unwind. For the foodies, some of Cairns’ finest dining is on offer in Coco’s Restaurant, lobby level. The restaurant is a local icon, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and more with the freshest local seafood. Of particular note is the Sunday Brunch and the delightful Sebel High Tea. SEBEL CAIRNS MINI-BREAK SPECIAL: $139 per night in a City Mountain View room, including full buffet breakfast for two, complimentary bottle of sparkling on arrival, free parking and late checkout. To book visit www.sebelcairns.com. The promotion code is SEBELMIN, valid until June 30, subject to availability, terms and conditions apply.

It’s time for a mini-break! Kick your heels up this month! Gather yourself, your friends or your beloved and book a May/June Mini-Break Package this month at The Sebel Cairns.

$139*

per night

Including full buffet breakfast for two. PLUS... Receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling on arrival, FREE pARkINg and late checkout on us!

SAGD12158

To book, simply visit www.sebelcairns.com and enter promotion code SEBELMIN. 17 Abbott Street, Cairns T: 4031 1300 www.sebelcairns.com www.mirvachotels.com managed by Mirvac Hotels & Resorts * Valid for bookings and stays until 30 June 2011. Price valid for twin or double share in a twin city mountain view room – please enquire for extra person rate. Late checkout of 12pm. Offer subject to availability.

come on up to cairns

UP THERE CAZALY!

WATCH AFL LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CAIRNS

It is a century since Roy Cazaly first played AFL (or VFL, Victorian Football League, as it was then known). He quickly became a legend for his rucking and marking abilities. The battle cry ‘up there Cazaly!’ was adopted far and wide and his amazing club record lead to Roy being one of the first players to be recognised in the AFL Hall of Fame instigated in 1996. On the July 16 Cairns will enjoy another historical first as the AFL stadium bearing his name hosts its first regular premier league game. Cazaly’s Stadium, established in 1957, has a long history of holding monumental sporting events and has been the backdrop to its own share of Queensland records, including the highest number of batsmen stumped by a wicket keeper in a game of first class cricket. This record was gained in the 2004/5 Test Series between Australia and Sri Lanka. To ensure the stadium continues to be of a standard to host international and national events a $3 million refurbishment took place in 2007. A capacity crowd of 11,000 is expected at Cazaly’s Stadium to enjoy the Gold Coast Suns taking on the Richmond Tigers. Fans will be welcoming the opportunity to cheer on Far North Queensland players such as Jarrod Harbrow and Charlie Dixon from Cairns, Hope Vale’s Rex Liddy and Port Douglas’ Lewis Moss. As the first home and away match to be played in North Queensland, it is expected to be a blockbuster event as well as a great way to support local community AFL and enjoy a fabulous family day out. Cazaly’s Social Club is offering a great value membership deal which means you can walk past the queues and head straight to the bar on match day. For just $5 for one year you can enjoy a range of discounts on drinks, food and show tickets at the award-winning club. After the final whistle avoid the rush by ensuring you and your family receive preferential entry to the acclaimed Cazaly’s Social Club with a great value membership deal. No need to queue – just head straight in. Winner of the IGT Best Club in North Queensland award, Cazaly’s offers outstanding facilities for members and guests. Relax in the sports bar, dine at Barassi’s Bistro or enjoy a flutter on the pokies. With the junior Cazaly’s kids’ club and live entertainment four days a week, Cazaly’s offers something for everyone. Tickets for the Richmond versus Gold Coast AFL match begin at $2 for a child and $20 for an adult in general admission, and up to $22 for a child and $40 for an adult in the undercover grandstand. Service fees are extra. Tickets are available online at www.ticketdirect.com.au, at the Cazaly’s Social Club reception or by calling 1300 798 550. 67

travel

MONA Museum of Old and New Art

Photo: MONA/Leigh Carmichael Photo: MONA/Leigh Carmichael

Photo: MONA/Leigh Carmichael

Story Carly Lubicz Photography Courtesy of MONA

IMPACT ART IMAGINE IF YOU HAD $100 MILLION TO SPEND ON ART THAT SHOCKED, INFORMED, CHALLENGED AND ENTERTAINED AND ENOUGH LEFT OVER TO BUILD A FOUR-LEVEL STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING TO HOUSE IT. WELCOME TO DAVID WALSH’S MUSEUM OF OLD AND NEW ART – A CULTURAL ADDITION TO HOBART THAT IS MAKING A STATEMENT.

MONA BY NUMBERS Total museum site: 9,500 square metres. Total gallery space: 6,000 square metres, including 1,300 square metres of touring gallery space. Theatre for time-based art: 65 seats. Height of sandstone cliff face: from 14 to 12 metres. Number of works in total collection: 2210. Estimated value of total collection: $100 million.

Occupying a 3.5 hectare peninsular curving into the Derwent River, Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (or MONA as it has come to be known) opened on January 22 and is one of the few museums in the world that boasts a water-covered gallery floor, a waterfall installation, a crimson velvet-lined gallery with gilded walls, two bars, and facilities to handle effluent from an art piece. A “deliberately underwhelming” building that contains three subterranean levels cut into the Triassic sandstone of the riverbank and a spiralling staircase, descending into MONA is like journeying into an ancient catacomb. Fifteen minutes north of central Hobart, the museum is comparable in size to the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane and the current San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and – with a total gallery space of 6,000 square metres – it’s designed to contain a wide variety of exhibits and send visitors on a journey of discovery. And there is plenty to discover in the gallery’s opening exhibition ‘Monanism’, which contains owner David Walsh’s favourite works – ones that represent him and present him to the world, as he says, for its interest, outrage or indifference. It includes everything from ancient coins and Egyptian, Roman and Greek artefacts to striking contemporary works like a bright red Porsche that’s ‘fat’ (Fat Car by Erwin Wurm), an elaborate installation made from nylon thread and dandelion seeds that suspends a bird from its structure (by Claire Morgan), and life-like sculptures with bloody gashes where their genitals should be (Great Deeds Against the Dead by Jake and Dinos Chapman), which was inspired by a famous etching by Goya of a scene he reputedly witnessed of mutilated bodies of his countrymen during the Napoleonic wars. There are about 460 aweinspiring pieces in the opening exhibition, with the oldest being a blacktopped jar date about 4000BC and the newest being a work called ‘Cloaca Professional’, created in 2010 by Wim Delvoye that replicates the process of the human digestive system. Already creating a stir, MONA’s revolutionary approach to old and new appeals to art lovers, but also those who swore they’d never set foot in a gallery. It’s certainly anything but boring. ’Monanism’ continues until July 19.

travel

Photo: MONA/Leigh Carmichael

Photo: MONA/Paul Barbera

The Source Restaurant

BUILDING A STATEMENT The MONA building was designed by Melbourne architect Nonda Katsalidis who was instructed to produce a space that would allow the art to be “discovered rather than shown off”. More than 35,000 cubic metres of material, primarily sandstone, was removed from the MONA site. Once exposed, the rock face revealed various levels of hardness and bolts were used to reinforce and stabilise it. The sandstone wall – a feature inside the museum – is a living wall and will flow with water in places during rain. Approximately 2100 waffle forms were used to create the roof structure, which has been landscaped into a public area. Recycled, lanolin-soaked jarrah timber floors from a former Western Australian wool storage shed feature along with a massive three-storey high M.C. Escher-like Corten stairway, creating an additional way to explore each level. The stairway has 13 prefabricated flights – each weighing around five tonnes. The site also has a restaurant and accommodation pavilions with a heated pool, gym and sauna, plus a wine bar and brewery. 69

HOME IMPROVEMENTS PREMIUM ADVERTISING FEATURE MAY 2011 ISSUE 60

home improvements

IMPROVE YOUR HOME - IMPROVE YOUR AIR-CONDITIONING IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT RENOVATING OR SIMPLY UPGRADING YOUR CURRENT AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS YOU SHOULD NOT GO PAST A FUJITSU AIR-CONDITIONER. For those who are renovating, one of the first steps is to replace the old, noisy, powerguzzling box air-conditioner. Stylish, slim and elegant, the popular Fujitsu units are designed to complement any interior decor and have many features and benefits. The Fujitsu Smart Inverter range reaches the desired room temperature faster and constantly adjusts to maintain perfect climatic comfort. Because of its energy efficiency, Fujitsu Smart Inverter air-conditioners are up to 30 per cent cheaper to run than conventional air-conditioners, leaving more money in your pocket to finish the renovations.

The staff at Troy Williams The Good Guys are here to help and, with more than 15 years experience, Brad Ryder and his team will find the air-conditioner to best suit your needs. Through new and advanced technology, inverter air-conditioners are more economical to operate and much quieter to run compared to conventional units. They can also handle greater extremes in temperature, which is a huge benefit in our tropical North Queensland climate, and are smoother and more stable in operation.

The exciting news is Fujitsu is running a promotion that makes investing in your comfort even more affordable: Buy any Fujitsu inverter split system, inverter multi or inverter ducted air-conditioning system and receive a Fujitsu pre-paid Visa card worth up to $400. Use it for purchases or cash out at selected ATMs where Visa is accepted. This is just another reason why Fujitsu is Australiaâ€™s favourite air.

home improvements

THE NEW DAWN OF DECORATING DECORATING HAS SEEN A REAL ‘FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION’ OVER THE PAST DECADE AND IS NO LONGER CONSTRICTED BY STUFFY RULES. TOWNSVILLE INTERIOR DESIGNER DANIELLE TUREK GIVES SOME INSIDE TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR DOMESTIC STYLE. COLOUR

DECORATION

Colour is everywhere at the moment in the world of interiors, and beautiful bold patterns – in even bolder colours – are being seen in fabrics, wallpapers and furniture. Rules are being thrown out with playful combinations not traditionally seen. Use different patterns with contrasting colours and mix large floral prints with smaller patterns and geometrics. Keep your walls white and let the colours pop, or add a dash of black to keep the look grown-up. Using a lot of colour needs to be done with confidence – go all the way or not at all. For a more sophisticated punch of colour, use it in artworks, a statement fabric on an armchair, a set of decorative pots or a beautifully-crafted rug. Teamed with darker wall colours and fabrics, bold colours will shine. Some favourite colour combinations are black and yellow, chocolate and turquoise, and beige and pink, keeping the ratio to about 70-30.

The use of decorative items to personalise our spaces can be very individual. I’m a collector (possibly a hoarder): if I love it, I want it. It may have no personal meaning to me, but if it makes me smile it deserves a place in my world. That said, how do you make it all work together? When composing a group of objects, or vignette as some like to call it, a basic rule to follow is to imagine a pyramid: have a tall dominant piece and then add another two to four smaller pieces around that item. Odd numbers tend to be more pleasing to the eye along with similarly-themed pieces.

FURNITURE Always consider the room size when selecting furniture. A big mistake a lot of people make is buying oversized, overstuffed furniture or dollhouse pint-sized pieces. Measure your space, do a floorplan and go out with your tape measure in hand. A small room should not be filled with small furniture – add one or two pieces on a larger scale for a sense of space. A large room will need large pieces, but balance this with smaller items such armchairs, side tables and decorative pieces to create an intimate atmosphere. And don’t be afraid of mixing different timbers and different eras – have fun. If you see a quirky piece that you love use it – I recently placed a bright blue elephant circus stand in a living room: Not only did it add an element of fun but it’s also very practical as the coffee table.

Just remember your home should be an expression of you: Add the details that make you smile and have fun!

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home improvements

CHILD’S PLAY

STYLISH STORAGE KAYIWA’S AAKKOSET STATEMENT-MAKING SHELF/ROOM DIVIDER ($37,000) STORES ANYTHING FROM BOOKS TO TOYS. IT TAKES FOUR WEEKS TO CRAFT AND HAS A 10-YEAR WARRANTY.

MAKE YOUR CHILD’S ROOM A PLACE OF WONDER AND DELIGHT WITH LASHINGS OF COLOUR.

STEP UP FOR THOSE NEEDING A HELPING HAND INTO BED, FRECKLES’ STEP STOOL (RRP $24.95) OFFERS A BOOST.

COT STYLE SIT, PUPPY FROM FINNISH DESIGNER EERO AARNIO COMES THE VERY HIP PUPPY CHILDREN’S SEAT (RRP $99).

WITH ACRYLIC SIDES OFFERING AIRFLOW, COMFORT AND A DISRUPTION-FREE VIEW FOR PARENTS, UBABUB’S POD (RRP $1,899) IS MADE OF RECYCLABLE MATERIALS AND CAN BE TRANSFORMED INTO A JUNIOR BED (CONVERSION KIT RRP $199).

OLD SCHOOL ROCKER THIS STYLISH JANOD CARAMEL ROCKING HORSE (RRP $199) CAN BE USED WITH OR WITHOUT THE GUARD.

PINK PALACE

SOFTIE

LE TOY VAN’S CHERRY TREE HALL (RRP $299) IS A GRAND 92CM HIGH AND FITTING RESIDENCE FOR ANY DISCERNING DOLL.

THESE CUTE LITTLE SOFT TOY CUBES (RRP $44) FROM MIMI’LOU ARE GREAT FOR BABY TO PLAY WITH.

SWEET DREAMS ADD A GIRLY TOUCH WITH THIS ‘BAMBIS’ BED LINEN (RRP $198, INCLUDING PILLOW CASES) FROM LA CERISE SUR LE GÂTEAU.

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home improvements

YOUR YARD’S AHEAD WITH LANDSCAPING BY BNZED Whether it’s adding a paved floor under your clothesline, a barbecue pad to facilitate entertaining, or completely landscaping your backyard, BNZED Landscaping is adding functionality and practicality to North Queensland lifestyles. Brett Boyd and his team are experienced in transforming outdoor areas into spaces you will want to use. “With home entertaining becoming more and more popular, too often we hear our clients complain about the lack of entertaining space and how they can’t use their backyards to their full capacity,” Brett says. “Something as simple as a barbecue pad can create more room for your furniture, add more space to your pool area, or simply make hanging out the washing that much more bearable under foot – especially in the wet season when the ground can turn to mud.” Paving is also a fantastic solution for those who are time-poor and have little opportunity to maintain a large yard. By landscaping sections, the area will not only look neat and no longer require mowing, but it will also give the family somewhere attractive to gather. In addition to regular and decorative paving, the team at BNZED can provide extensive landscape plans and are often able to produce quotes on-site. From there they will discuss what’s required and go about sourcing the materials to create your desired outdoor look. “Whether it’s creating practical space, decorative space, or liveable space, paving is a wonderful enhancement to any home that adds value for the whole family,” Brett says.

As easy as...

Pave your way to a stylish new outdoor lifestyle...

For an obligation free quote call

0437 099 011

bnzedlandscaping.com.au BSA 1163819

VIEW OUR BLINDS AT THE NEW A.P. WILLIAMS DISPLAY HOMES AT SABA STREET NORTH SHORE

MANUFACTURER OF MADE TO MEASURE CURTAINS & BLINDS

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Locally owned and operated Uniquely manufacturing both blinds and curtains Best pricing guarantee Prompt free measure and quotes, unparalleled aftercare Interior design service

Our showroom is open by appointment only, allowing you the privacy to browse, plan and discuss your window furnishings selections with an experienced consultant. 119 BOUNDARY STREET TOWNSVILLE APPOINTMENTS 4772 4444 sales@allblindsandcurtains.com.au

Beethoven Collection by Warwick Fabrics

home improvements

PONIE DE WET | DIRECTOR | ALLSAFE ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS

SOLAR COSTS FALL AS BUSINESS PRACTICES CLIMB

HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES SHOULDN’T WORRY ABOUT MISSING OUT ON SOLAR REBATES – THE TECHNOLOGY IS SET TO BECOME MORE AFFORDABLE. With manufacturers finding it hard to squeeze any more efficiency improvements out of solar panels, the industry is turning towards gaining efficiencies in other areas like financing, permitting, installation and back-office management, which will ultimately benefit the consumer. For a while now manufacturers haven’t launched groundbreaking new panels at conferences. Instead, the exhibit hall floor is filled with companies hawking new pieces of software for managing sales channels, different racking and mounting systems that reduce installation time, packages for point-of-sale financing, and plug-and-play modules with existing crystalline silicon materials. These improvements might not be as sexy as a newfangled thing-a-ma-jig solar technology, but they are just as revolutionary. Non-panel costs can be broken up into two categories: soft costs (i.e. non-hardware factors like permitting, interconnection and sales channel management) and hard costs (i.e. balance of systems technologies like inverters, racking and wiring). Improvements in both of these areas will drive down the installed cost of solar power systems as we move forward. By improving non-panel components that

make installation and maintenance easier, we should see steady reductions in solar power packages. In order to address this issue, a number of companies have developed plug-andplay panels with integrated micro-inverters, wiring and racking systems. In the US, Westinghouse Solar launched a new AC panel that the company claims can reduce installation costs by about 20 per cent. On the other side of the equation, the soft costs for residential installations add quite a bit to total system costs. These costs are associated with sales lead generation, data entry, site management, incentive processing, interconnection paperwork, general compliance matters and labour. Simplicity is the name of the game in solar these days. But even with simpler hardware and business management tools, consumers are often faced with making complicated decisions around tax credits, net metering and renewable energy credits. In order to reduce the upfront cost of a solar system and make the purchase easier for a customer, point-of-sale financing products are gaining favour with the public. In Australia, finance companies have yet to catch-

on to developments elsewhere in the world where partnerships are leveraging improvements in both hard costs and soft costs. Plus the average prices for PV systems are falling: According to a recent report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association in the US, the average weighted price for a PV system was $5.13 per watt in 2010, down from $6.45 per watt in 2009. Much of that decline was due to a drop in PV panel prices and an increase in utility-scale systems that capture economies of scale. But the decrease can also be attributed to the effort to simplify components and streamline business processes, allowing companies to drive down costs and offer more competitive prices. The future of the solar industry is not in some far-off technology. It is here in the form of better business. This is what we do at AllSafe – no sales talk, just straight talk.

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THE NEW SUPERGREEN iPHONE APP

This FREE iPhone application is a real breakthrough allowing people to roughly calculate their payback, dollar savings and carbon emission (C02) savings if they were to install a solar power, wind power or a solar hot water unit. It’s easy to use and is a great tool to help consumers decide which energy efficient products best suit their home or business location.

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at www.all-safe.com.au/iphoneapp or search for SUPERGREEN in iTunes.

home improvements

Across Floors specialise in all your flooring needs as well as curtains and blinds made to your individual requirements. Our owners and staff have over 50 years experience in the floor covering industry and over 20 years experience in window furnishings. We pride ourselves on hassle-free sales and service with quality workmanship.

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VISIT OUR SHOWROOM • Residential and commercial installations • Vinyl sheet, vinyl plank and vinyl tiles • Grinding and epoxy flooring • Laminate and engineered floating floors • Solid timber and bamboo floors • Ceramic tiles

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ENHANCE YOUR VIEW Thermalite shutters are the window covering for the 21st century. They provide maximum control of light, airflow and privacy for any room in the house or screening for your patio. Their insulation qualities can reduce your energy costs by up to 35% offering a practical, modern look to your windows, doors or outdoor areas. Aspect Shutters is a local manufacturer who will measure, quote and install your shutters professionally. • • • • •

Delivery 3 – 4 weeks (approx.) 25 year transferrable warranty Internal and external applications Water resistant Insulates three times better than wood and 1500 times more than aluminium

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home improvements

PLANNING Your outdoor room or patio should simply be as much a reflection of your personal taste as the rest of your home. Start by deciding what you want to use the space for and what sort of atmosphere you want to create, just as you would when decorating an indoor room. And make sure you include it in your budget, planning and design because it’s important to give it just as much care and attention as the inside of your home.

THE OUTDOOR ROOM MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE WITH THESE HANDY DESIGN TIPS

FURNITURE

FRAMING

FEATURES

Don’t overcrowd your space with furniture and design elements. Where possible, it’s a good idea to have your seating stored elsewhere so you can use it only when necessary to avoid clutter. Outdoor furniture is available in a large variety of materials including aluminium, timber, stone, iron and polypeel, so have fun and explore all your options.

You can create a sense of enclosure with a low brick wall, an external blind, a hedge of an aromatic herb like rosemary or a simple row of pots. Your patio will look better if it is distinguished from the rest of the garden in some way. If you have a window or glass door looking out to your patio, windows frame what can be the most dominating pictures in any room, so make sure the view is what you want it to be, not what just happens to be there.

If you have a shady patio, plants with interesting leaves can be a great feature element. A simple fountain with water trickling will also create atmosphere. Be sure to add your personal touches like an outdoor sculpture or collectibles from your travels. Distinctive pebbles, fossils and interesting rocks are also ideal for display. Almost anything that you find attractive and will stand the weather can add to the charm of your patio or outdoor room.

home improvements

design

decorate

wallpapers fabrics

furniture

Turek Road Interiors + Events 829 Flinders Street Townsville 4721 4111

John Bradley Lazboy displays the largest lazboy range in Townsville. Select from recliners, sofas, suites, modularâ€™s and lift chairs plus more. John Bradley La-Z-Boy Gallery Cnr Dalrymple Road & Duckworth Street Garbutt QLD 4814 Phone: 4779 7928

DUO MAGAZINE MAY 2011