Holistic Living - Issue 4 October 2014

Photo - Claire Cottone

Issue 4 - October 2014

Editor Josephine Flynn Layout James O’Malley Cover Image Claire Cottone

EDITORS LETTER The days are warming up, the early mornings are lighter, the evenings are lasting longer and the sweet sweet smell of spring is in the air. Our October issue celebrates all things spring from Swell Sculpture Festival to spring cleanses. This issue also sees two articles brought to life that we (Jade and I) have been very passionate about for some time and have been wanting to discuss with you.

With more and more live local music venues having to close their doors (the infamous Swingin’ Safari being one), we wanted to investigate why this is happening and what we, as a community can do to stop it. Local organisation Save our live music Gold Coast have been working tirelessly on this issue, and we are very pleased to have joined forces with them to create awareness around this very important topic.

Another subject we feel very close to is the struggle for consumers to identify what exactly is in the food they are eating – Palm oil being the main offender. Disguised by manufacturers under two hundred different names, this ingredient is destroying rainforests, habitats and communities in Borneo, Malaysia and Indonesia. We want you to become informed in what you can do to help and provide you with links to organisations that can provide more information.

Alongside the serious, of course we celebrate those in the community that are doing incredible things and provide some uplifting stories about people doing what they love.

We hope you enjoy the October issue, one that has become very close to our hearts.

Love Josephine x

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PALM OIL

PRO BIOSKIN 06

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27

34

EMMA GARDNER

UP THE ANTEA

SWELL SCULPTURE FEST

CLAUDE HARVEY

23 DEATH OF LIVE

53 SPRING CLEANSE 44

58

70

SARAH HOWELLS

GROMS THAT RIP

PILATES BY LISA

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64

AKOVA

ECOVILLAGE

Art

EMMA GARDNER Words – Jade Hopley / Pictures – Care of Emma

It seems there is an increasing theme amongst all of the artists we have interviewed. They all spread themselves across a variety of mediums. Our latest Artist Emma Gardner is no exception! Working across painting, sculptor, digital design and public/performance art. We recently caught up with Emma to talk about her inspirations, travels and recent exhibition. This is one Emerging artist to keep an eye out for! I know we will be…

You work in many mediums do you have a preferred one?

Not necessarily, painting is most accessible for me as I can set up with paints, easel and canvas easily, but I don’t like to limit myself to one medium. I find that sometimes painting isn’t the best tool to use with some of the ideas I am trying to convey. I love that investigations into art can be made through limitless processes, I really enjoy making sculptures and working with installations, taking art into the public arena so that it engages with people that might not attend galleries or spaces where it is exhibited. It seems that a lot of festivals are really pushing the importance of art and interactive elements to combine with the music. I think this merge is awesome and it’s a field that I would like to move into.

How long have you been an artist? Where did you train?

Creating is something that I have always done, ever since I was a kid. It’s a feeling that builds up inside me and I have to get it out, it doesn’t matter if there is an audience or what the outcome, it’s personal drive. I’m always

tinkering with things. As I’ve gotten older and through my studies I am learning to develop and articulate a thought process along with my expression. Currently I am completing my second year of a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Southern Cross University in Lismore. The course is conceptually based and has really pushed me to ask questions about the statements or impact I’d like my art to have, or if there is any at all; if it is just an investigation into the process of material thinking, I think it’s ongoing and ever changing. Before uni I was at the Tafe in Lismore, also having studied at the Tafe in Coffs Harbour, but between all the formal studies art is something that I practice on my own, it is a passion.

Your latest exhibition with fellow SCU student Judie Richardson at The Lone Goat Gallery in Byron ‘Exploration into Strength’ finished recently. What was the inspiration for the works within this exhibition?

Judie and I have been studying together for three years now, so to get to this stage where we both had a body of work that could tie together under this title was really exciting.

Although the actual meaning behind our works was very different, strength and its representation was the unifier.

My fascination with the differences in masculine and feminine qualities were I have begun to explore how strength, something usually associated with the masculine, can be synonymous with the nature of grace or tenderness.

Exploring this notion through the often clichéd traits of females, decoration. Finding a

way through the history of pattern, repetition and colour to stimulate these feelings. Working through a variety of processes and mediums to explore how different materials and imagery could convey the idea behind my thoughts my investigations were between oil and acrylic paint on canvas, and mixed media trials. I used the motifs of the female figure, represented through abstracted form and shape along with varying types of flowers based loosely on lilies and roses, with decorative patterning to create a commonality amongst the set of work.

Your off to India soon, is it your first trip? How does traveling influence your practice?

Yes I am, I’m so excited! India is actually the first leg of my trip, I have been awarded a scholarship to go on exchange through uni to Barcelona, so I’m tying in my trip to India with the research that I’ll be doing for the scholarship. It is based around a progressive body of drawings that reflect on Public and Private spaces. I’ll be doing a drawing every day of my trip which will directly respond to my experiences. In India I am doing my yoga teacher training certificate, so the drawings will not only reflect the vibrant culture of India but this more personal exploration. Barcelona is all about art, being influenced by great

Masters like Gaudi, Picasso and Tepes. The final outcome will be an essay that investigates the differences within the drawings. It is going to be such a great experience and something that I think will change my arts practice forever.

I lived in London for some time and traveled through different parts of Europe. All the cultures and the ways in which they represent things, as simply as how they build their houses, is so visually stimulating. It makes you see things with new eyes. I think that everything you do and every place you go influences you in different ways, whether you are directly aware of it or not, so I’m sure that my art has been impacted by all of these journeys in one way or another.

Are there any other local artists you can suggest our readers have a look at?

One of my girlfriends has been really inspiring me lately, we studied together at Tafe and she has always been passionate about portraiture, focusing on Rock’n’Roll stars. Her paintings are realistic but still hold elements of expressionism which I thinks makes them more intriguing.

But another artistic avenue which she has been trying to get into for years is tattooing, and just recently she started an apprenticeship and has begun to ink people up! I love it when people

pursue their dreams and after time they begin to pay off and become reality! It’s so inspirational. Her tattoo style draws on the old school flash style, I think it’s so wicked that I just got a signature rose of hers branded onto my leg! Her name is Emma Eriksson, she is working at Tatt22 in Byron, check her out! www.emagardner.com

Business

PROBIOSKIN Established 4 years ago ProBioSkin is a Mother, Daughter run super house of health and wellbeing. As soon as you walk through the doors at Number 1 Paradise you feel at peace. The light open space is filled with the scent of essential oils and you are greeted immediately with a smile and a hug. ProBioSkin is not just another skin care company; their aim is to look after your body from the inside out, with a range of all natural concentrated skin care products, and nutritional supplements.

There is also an array of workshops and practitioners who run out of the space, this business is the epitome of Holistic Health.

Read on to find out more‌

How did the business start and how long have you been running?

Where do we begin...I guess our roots are back in the beginning of my career 25 years ago when I completed my training as a Remedial Therapist & Beauty Therapist.

I worked with a beautiful Woman Vera Shepherd & her daughter Diane for several years as a therapist & teaching in their academy. They were strong women highly thought of in both their profession and in their principles, involved

with a lot of international bodies and new government criteria that formed what is now the teaching platform for government & private institutes in Beauty Therapy and Body Therapies. Great times.

I felt very aligned with Vera & Diane’s philosophy and practice as they had their own chemical free natural skin care, a passion for aromatherapy and helping people with their health and wellbeing. Beauty was more than skin deep in this practice in a time where

not many people were thinking about nutrition as a key part of having beautiful skin.

Over many years in my own businesses and practice, I have tried to uphold these principles and methods with my clients, having their trust in my advice is something I treasure. 4 years ago my Mother & I decided to put our beliefs into something more of our own hearts and Probioskin was born. Kind of a full circle really and with a little of the universe’s sense of humour as probioskin.com is also a Mother Daughter team. Our business is an expression of our life practice and beliefs going global!

We understand you do not only skin care, but supplements as well including capsules and powder, which products came first and where to from here?

Yes part of our core philosophy is that our inner world is intimately connected to our outer world. So once again the belief that beauty is more than skin deep. Balance between the two worlds is the key to good health and vitality. We believe in the power of concentrated nutrition for healthy cells and our DNA, the energy and resilience needed for the world we live in today. Our skin care is the gift of Natures science in a bottle. With wild crafted, organic and natural ingredients, there are no GMO, palm oil, questionable or toxic chemicals allowed in our serums and lotions for face, body and hair.

Bioactive cell food for your skin.

Technically our skin care came first, within the next breath our nutritional supplements. A bit like twins being born I guess. We have organic herbal teas and pure essential oil aromatherapy blends about to birth with our new updated web site about to release early November. The family is growing which is very exciting and a lesson in patience for me!

Tell us why your products are different to other skincare and supplements in the market at the moment.

At times we feel we are a very small fish swimming in a very big sea. Those days we just keep swimming and doing what we do best. Usually these are the days we get an email from someone using our skin care or health products commenting on how they are enjoying our products, the difference they have felt and seen in their skin or energy and thanking us. It’s a mental high five when

you get that feedback and an affirmation to keep swimming.

We are pretty stubborn in our ethics and desire to stick with concentrates in our skin care and nutritional supplements.

For example, we don’t use maltodextrin to bulk out our greens, 1 teaspoon of pure plant power goes into your juice or smoothie.

Our skin care is the same, concentrates with no inert substance bulking up the lotion or serum so it can look like more, or be cheaper to produce. We go to the source with our ingredients to obtain the best quality and best practice of harvest, process and purity so that what is in the bottle sitting in your bathroom practically walks over to you when you go to put it on. We want the lifeforce in our skin care. If you have seen the movie “Like Water for Chocolate” you will connect with the way in which we

create our skin care and health products. Made with loving purpose for a purpose.

We understand you have a unique packaging model, tell us about that.

Our skin care is packaged in glass in order to preserve the vitality of the contents. Glass is a personal favorite medium of mine, with one of my favorite artists being Chihuly, an incredibly talented Glass blower who has made the most amazing items in glass. Even to making a glass didgeridoo played once by Stu of the Australian band OKA and now in a museum.

We don’t use boxes for the majority of our products in order to reduce the amount of waste materials when you purchase our skin care. When we do create a particular gift package, we try to do so in a way that is not excessive but aesthetic.

Pure essential aromatherapy oils are best in a metal or glass container, as they will perish plastic over time. We have stepped away from boring brown glass as being visually stimulated is a part of the process of engaging with the beauty and magic within.

Are you a vegan friendly company?

Yes we are vegan and animal cruelty free.

Ethics is an important part of our business practice from the ingredients through to our business model.

We love that you support local, tell us a little more about how that is included in your business model.

We love being a part of the very creative community that is the Gold Coast. Friends and colleagues are talented fashion designers; photographers, practitioners and we love being able to incorporate their work in our journey.

For example Lisa Brown Fashions are often perfect for the mood we want to create in a photo shoot for a new product or blog post with our ambassador Jessica Green. Finding a shoot location on the Gold Coast is never difficult.

We are so fortunate to be living in this part of the planet.

We have everything here and the community is positively bursting with talent. As a local business it feels so right to reflect our local

community in our expression of what is probioskin.com, to the rest of the world. It’s a bit like in quantum physics, and reaching critical mass. Boom pow, here we are world!

You have a lovely space in Miami, what else is it used for?

Thank you. We often receive compliments about the serenity here and I feel this reflects the energy of the Wellness Centre with the Holistic Facial and Remedial Therapies happening. The aromatherapy oils permeate everything and often I can’t smell them at all after half a day of giving treatments.

There are a unique team of specialist practitioners with a depth of knowledge and ability forming the family at Number 1 in Paradise. Along with a variety of seminars and workshops regularly on the calendar, this is another local part of the expression that for us is essential for Carpe Diem, and living the full life. Yoga and Meditation classes, Nutrition and Naturopathy, Massage, Reflexology and Facials are a healing part of the week and create the serenity. Some of these practitioners already skype and email consult to reach beyond their local clients and we are in the process of creating the ability to hold webinairs so we can reach more people with the tools and techniques we have in our

wealth of experience and ability. Sharing the love.

Hiding underneath that peaceful healing vibe is the slightly chaotic business and admin part of life also going on here at Number 1.

We understand you are friends with our lovely friend Ronaldo Fullieri, tell us how you met and how you continue working together now?

Ronaldo came into our lives via our healthy café, The Shack Superfood Café at Nobbys Beach. He had just released his first cookbook Volume 1 and was talking about his book and cooking classes. After he had spent 30 minutes with my husband Eddie, one Virgo to another and coincidently 1 day apart in birth dates, they were pretty much brothers on a mission. 4 years later we are an extended family and have shared many times together in the kitchen,

life and business. Some people are drawn together and our friendship is reflective of this energy. We have similar beliefs, passion and personal goals to reach with what our purpose in life is. He is a beautiful person with a smile and heart to match.

Where can our readers find you and can they still buy your products if they are overseas?

We are online with all our products available on our website. We love being a part of the global village with people in Russia, UK, USA, Hong Kong being on our newsletter mailing list and having purchased from us online. We get so excited when our products go to a town or country for the first time. We feel like a part of us is going there too. Our social media is a fun way of engaging with the global village too, we’re all virtual neighbours thanks to instagram, facebook, tumblr google plus etc.

To connect with Amanda or find out more about the beautiful products of probioskin, follow the links below: W – www.probioskin.com FB - www.facebook.com/probioskin T – www.twitter.com/ProBioSkin I – www.instagram.com/probioskin

Business

UP THE ANTEA Pictures courtesy of Up The Antea

Two girlfriends coming together from an obsession with tea and a knack for puns, Up the AnTea are a beautiful organic tea company that have just hit the Gold Coast.

If you’re already a lover of delicate teas, or if you’re new to the “tea obsession”, this little company is one to look out for!

How many times have you found yourself sitting around with your best friend/ partner/family member dreaming about starting up a business that you’re really passionate about? Sometimes it’s related to a field you’re already working in, but more often than not it feels like a pipe dream that’s too risky to jump into…boots and all. Best friend’s Danielle and Jessica did just that.

When asked how Up the

AnTea was born, the girls replied “Funnily enough, neither of us have a background in hospitality! Up The AnTea was born from procrastination. We used to sew together and we drank tea when things got too hard!

Eventually our obsession with tea grew and it seemed like a natural progression to create our own blends.”

With clever names like PretTea (organic rose petals and rose buds), CinnaMinTea (organic peppermint leaves and cinnamon chips), MasculiniTea (for men’s health) and DiviniTea (organic calendula petals), it’s evident the girls are having fun creating and expanding their brand. “Most of our tea’s names are born from banter and pun-tastic jokes. We both have quite big personaliTeas (see what we did there?) so it’s never too hard to come up with some funny stuff.”

With the small business market a difficult one to crack and a few gourmet tea companies already established, we asked the girls how they got the business off the ground and what makes them different. “We only had 3 flavours to start with. We just started really small and let it grow from there and are looking forward

to expanding further. We’re both really into health so our main focus is on health and wellbeing and not including any ‘natural’ flavour enhancements. Every flavour in our tea comes directly from the actual ingredient itself.

We work really hard to ensure all of our ingredients are organic. We also try to bring the fun to our tea and appeal to everyone, not just your stereotypical tea drinkers.”

Whether you’re a local, or from across the pond, Up the AnTea organic teas are available online. The girls are hoping to branch out into some local stores shortly, so keep an eye on their website or facebook page to keep up to date with the new and exciting company.

W- www.up-the-antea.myshopify.com F - www.facebook.com/UpTheAnTEA

Music

SAVE OUR LIVE MUSIC GOLD COAST Words - Natasha Leventhal Music is so much part of human existence that where it originated and dated from is one of life’s unanswered questions. We do know that Live Music has been performed by all of mankind as we know it, from the Aboriginal Corroboree to Mozart’s opera’s to Kiss’s endless reunion tours.

Sadly, new generations are missing out on the full and true experience of live music, and artists are fighting a fruitless battle in trying to accelerate their careers let alone just earn a minimal living, as more and more unreasonable restrictions are placed on venues. Noise level restrictions is the main contributor to this issue as Queensland Government has ruled a sound level regulation averaging 95Db. To give you a basic understanding of Db levels, most Live venues have monitors set to 95Db only 3m directly in front of the stage, and if you stand on the shoreline of one of our beautiful beaches on a windy day the average reading is 105Db. Imagine telling Mozart that his symphony could not play or his opera singers could not sing any louder than 95Db or the performance would be shut down?!

Imagine telling Pavarotti he could not raise his vocals to more than this volume? Gold Coast Tenor, David De Vito

has been recorded singing at 152 decibels, which is extraordinary but gives you the general idea.

Once upon a recent time, the Gold Coast was alive with live music venues where our local artists could earn their living and practice their craft in a real environment for their careers. This was a city where we were entertained with live music and dance. National, international and local acts would honour us with performances we still talk about decades later. We could dance without inhibition and sing out loud with the band, without being self-conscious of being heard over the top of the band which is the case of today. Venues thrived as

their establishments were filled with revellers because they had a reason to be there – Live Music.

New generations don’t know the exhilaration, freedom and honest emotion that comes with seeing Live Music and it has come to a point where we need to educate them. Artists are unable to hone their talents in an environment suitable to prepare for the world stage, and live venues have closed their doors all around us. It’s time for all of us to see reason and save Live Music – a past-time that goes beyond our knowledge of history.

In upcoming articles for Save Our Live Music Gold Coast we’ll talk in depth about contributing factors to the unfortunate decline of our live music industry as a whole. More importantly, we’ll offer some reasonable, valid solutions that can help revive this industry, as well as show how it can and is a viable solution to some of our city’s nightlife social problems.

Save Our Live Music Gold Coast encourages community involvement and discussions to ensure all voices are heard and appropriate action can be taken. Your feedback and support are encouraged on our Facebook page.

F- www.facebook.com/solmgc

Art

SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL Words and Pictures – Jade Hopley

Every year for ten days, the tranquil Currumbin beach foreshore is transformed into a bustling arts community. Entering its 12th year in 2014, Swell did not disappoint. This is a lot more than just a sculpture festival. If you had the pleasure of walking down the esplanade as we did, you were taken on a sensory journey; the warm spring sun beating down upon your skin, the waves lapping at the sand and elephant rock (which was brought to life with a giant octopus overtaking its highest point.)

Drumming workshops, local musicians playing their sweet

tunes, creative workshops, performance artists and the scent of the kitchens of the local cafĂŠs firing at full pelt. It was a day to be remembered!

However it is indeed the sculptures that we were all there to experience. I could sit here and babble on all day about all my favorites but ill let the photos do the talking in this case.

A w a rds Swell Sculpure Festival Award – Daniel Clemmett – Keeping up with the Kalashnikovs Max Fabre Foundation Environmental Awareness Award - Mike Van Dam – Intervention Jennie Neumann OAM Emerging Artist Award – Glen Star – Erebus Groove Café Artist Peer Award – Jina Lee - Harmony Currumbin Beach SLSC People’s Choice Award – Ivan Lovatt – Wolf School of Humanities Griffith University Kids Choice Award - Filthy Luker & Pedro Estrellas - Octopus Attacks

Environment

This is a topic we have been extremely passionate about for some time, and in a way, was one of the driving forces behind creating Holistic Living and HL e-magazine. We all know it is important to know where our food is coming from and what is in that food, but now food companies have become more cunning in hiding the ingredients we, as an informed society are trying to avoid. One of those ingredients is Palm Oil. Read on and you will be amazed at what cupboard favourites contain this (mostly) environmentally un-friendly and unsustainable oil.

What is Palm Oil? Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree. Its origins are traced back to West Africa. Palm oil is grown and exported globally from Africa, North and South America and throughout Asia. However these days most of the palm oil (85%) used in the products we purchase is imported from Palm oil plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Why should we avoid Palm Oil? The production of this oil is linked to many environmental and social injustices. Including the degradation of animal, and rainforest habitats, as well as the exploitation of the

indigenous peoples of the lands. In order to grow the oil palm, hectares of rainforest are being cleared annually to make room for the plantations.

The destruction of these rainforests in Malaysia and Indonesia in particular has brought many species under threat. Studies have shown that species such as the Orangutan could be extinct within the next 5-10years as a direct impact of deforestation.

contains it. There are currently over 200 different names for Palm Oil, therefore making it harder for the consumer to be aware when buying their groceries.

Thankfully there are many websites out there that have done the hard work for you.

Our favorite is Palmoilinvestigations.org.

They have a great little resource that you can download and cut out to fit into your wallet with a list of alternative names companies use to disguise their use of Palm Oil.

How do I avoid Palm Oil? Currently 40-50% of all household products contain palm oil. It is becoming increasingly harder to know whether a product contains palm oil. This is because there are no government regulations and because of public outcry against the use of the product, the producers have cunningly come up with a list of different names to disguise the fact their product

The wonderful people at Palm Oil Investigations Australia have also compiled a list of Australian products containing Palm oil as well as an alternative similar product so you can make an informed choice next time you do your shopping. I have listed a few below, but please make sure you check out this website for the full list. They are also working on a handy app so you can just scan a barcode when you are out shopping and the app will tell you if the product is palm oil free or not. How great is that!

You can find it on this link palmoilinvestigations.org/names-for-palm-oil

WHAT CONTAINS PALM OIL? Bakery and Bread Products Coles Bakery Breads Woolworths Bakery Breads Mission Wraps (certified) Alternative Bread Products Abbotts Bakery Mountain Bread Wraps Sourdough Bread Candle Products Angels Rising Ecoya Dusk (certified) Naturally Inspired Alternatives Candles Eco soy Candles Handmade in Bellingen Heaven on a wick Cheese Products Coles Deli Danish Fetta Mayers Fetta Cheese Picasso Foods Marinated Creamy Fetta Cheese

Alternative Cheese products Coles Australian style Fetta Dodoni Fetta Southcape Persian Fetta and Crumbled Fetta Chocolate Products Belgian Seashells Cadbury chocolates Hersheys cookies and cream Mars Bar Alternative Chocolate Cadbury chocolate without fillings Hersheys Kisses Just Organic (Aldi) The list goes on so make sure you check out the website for a full list of products including cleaning and skin care.

You can also give this great not for profit organization a

donation to help them continue to research and fight against this extremely destructive and unnecessary oil. Do you have a Palm oil free or know of someone that has a Palm Oil free product?

We would love you to jump on our facebook page and let everyone know!

For more information, please visit any of the links below: www.palmoilinvestigations.org/products-australia www.saynotopalmoil.com/Whats_the_issue.php www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/ forests/palm_oil/

Inspirational Human

Words Josephine Flynn.

Pictures – Bravehearts and Jade Hopeley If you’re local to the Gold Coast, chances are you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing Claude, pushing his lawnmower from Hope Island to Tweed Heads on his annual walk for Bravehearts. Having currently walked somewhere between 16-17,000km for those in need, Claude is the absolute epitomy of an inspirational person.

We’re sitting in a Café, waiting in anticipation

to meet one of the most inspirational people we would ever come across. Jade says to me “Here he comes.” I turn and see Claude, dressed in his Braveheart whites, pushing his trusty lawnmower, with a selection of his personal photo albums resting on his mechanical friend. We stand up and walk over to shake his hand and introduce ourselves.

Greeting us with a welcoming smile and lively blue eyes, Claude takes a seat (once we’d negotiated the famous lawn mower) and opens the first of many photo albums.

The afternoon continues with the three of us flicking through the albums; us asking questions prompted by the photos and ample newspaper articles he has accumulated over the 15 years, and Claude enthusiastically reliving every moment – the ups and the down – along the way. “Why a lawnmower?” We ask.

“Well I owned a landscaping and lawn mowing business and I was pushing my lawn mower one day and I thought “Listen mate, if you just walk, no one’s gonna take notice of ya, but if you decorate this lawnmower, everyone, the whole World, is gonna notice ya!”

Claude was sitting with his family one night when news broke that two local girls in the neighbourhood (aged three and four) had been sexually assaulted by their 16 year old next door neighbour.

“He was basically given a pat on the back and told never to do it again but those girls got a life sentence. I turned to my family and said “I’m going to raise $1 million to raise awareness, so this will never happen again.” And so, his journey to help the vulnerable began.

“I started with the Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth

and raised $203,000 for them. Then 11 years ago, my granddaughters school had a talk from Bravehearts. The next day I went into their office and said I wanted to help them raise money and I wanted to walk for them.” So far, Claude’s incredible efforts have raised a staggering $710,000….but that’s just for Bravehearts!

One of the albums we were stuck on was full of newspaper articles of the people Claude has helped and the mammoth walks Claude has completed to raise money for those in need. He tells us two stories of children whose lives he has changed forever. “I read about Tameka in the newspaper.

She really needed a stomach transplant, but the only place it was done was in America. I ended up raising $12,500 for her and she got to America and got the surgery.

Yeah (smiles)… that was great.” We

find it hard to believe that he just lists off the amounts of money he’s raised for each project straight off the top of his head, as if we were talking a couple of dollars here and there, not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“There was another young girl that I’d read about. Her family really wanted to get her to the Son-Rise Program, it’s an autism treatment centre in America. I ended up raising $17,500 for them and they got her over there.”

He pauses and thinks. “I was at the Pines Shopping centre sometime after that and her Mum came running up to me, and she was crying. She gave me a hug and said “Thanks to you, my daughter is talking a lot more and doesn’t need to wear nappies anymore”. Yeah, it feels really good.”

After these two stories we’re blown away with how humble Claude is about his

achievements. We ask him how his family feel about everything he’s done and he becomes visibly emotional.

“My family…my son is that proud….is that proud of me that he is going to do seven marathons in seven days to raise money for Bravehearts.”

This he exclaims through bloodshot eyes and a beaming smile. “Isn’t that great?” He asks us, and of course we could do nothing but absolutely agree with him. It seems inspiration runs in the Harvey genes.

We turn back to the folder full

of articles and Jade finds one that seems overly impressive. “You walked from Mt Isa to the Gold Coast?”

“Yep.” He simply replies, nodding. “That was exciting!”

“I bet it was!” Jade laughs.

“I got chased by three bulls, two dogs and a woman on that trip.” We all start laughing “What was the woman chasing you for?”

We ask, as if the bulls and the dogs weren’t interesting enough.

“Oh she stole my bucket in Ipswich.” Apparently all the people Claude comes across aren’t the giving type. “Yeah, I got it back though. I chased after her and she threw it on the ground and kept running. Some people then helped me pick the money up, got some tape and helped me sticky tape my bucket back together.”

Not even a robbery can stop Claude, he’s got a mission and he’s not going to let anyone get in his way. “If I was raising money for cancer, or the surf club it would be a lot easier. Because it’s for Bravehearts and talking about child sexual assault, some people just don’t want to know about it. They may have had it happen to them, or they find it confronting, so they can make it really difficult for me. I’ve been punched, robbed, abused mentally, but it’s such an important message and I just need to get it out. 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys are being affected by it, so it’s happening right under our noses.”

It’s evident how passionate Claude is about his cause as his eyes begin to redden “I’d die for these kids. I wouldn’t care if I died half way to Sydney ‘cause I’d die for what I believed in.

And the education programs are working!”

Claude’s fundraising skills aren’t just restricted to the sunshine state.

Tasmania has also had the pleasure of witnessing Claude’s dedication and has benefited greatly from his 60 day visit earlier this year. “I raised $69,500 down there and was told when I got back, that if I hadn’t raised that money, the Tasmanian branch (of Bravehearts) would have closed down!”

When asked what he’d be doing if he wasn’t pushing his trusty lawnmower, he laughs and replies “What would I be doing? Oh, annoying my wife and getting into trouble probably.”

So what’s on the horizon for Claude Harvey? Lots it seems,

he feels he has a lot more work to do yet and can’t see himself stopping anytime soon.

“I might do another walk in November/December because the Watson family want to take Hannah back to America, but I’m not sure yet.

In January I’m going to walk from Tweed Heads to Sydney, inland via Glen Innes. That should get me to the $1 million mark.”

Claude has two immediate goals on the horizon. First, hit his goal of raising $1 million (currently sitting at a jaw dropping $954,000).

Once that goal is reached, he then wants to raise $1 million just for Bravehearts. “So far I’ve made $710,000, but I guess once I hit the $1 million, then I’ll want to raise $2 million.”

He says with a cheeky grin.

Claude has just been notified that he is one of ten finalists in the Regional Achievements Award. We applaud him for everything he has done over the last fifteen years and think he should now be nominated for Australian of the Year. To find out more about what Claude is up to, or if you’d like to know more information about Bravehearts, follow the links below: W - www.bravehearts.org.au F - www.facebook.com/claude.bravehearts W - www.autismtreatmentcenter.org

Claudes efforts so far $750 – Blind Society $10,000 – Coast to Coast Community Care $203,000 – Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth $17,500 – The Watson Family $12,500 – Stomach transplant for local girl Tameka $710,000 - Bravehearts

Music

AKOVA

Words – Jade Hopley. Pictures – Care of Akova This is a man with a message and an inherent need to make music and make people happy. From the first strum of his guitar your foot will be tapping, by the time he sings the first line your head will have joined your foot, and as soon as he beats the first drum you’ll be on the dance floor shakin’ what your Mumma gave ya! We recently had a chat to the man to find out just how he became the One-man, eight instrument extraordinaire…........

1. We hear you are currently on the road touring the east coast. What’s your favourite memory of the tour so far?

So many good memories, how do you choose? From packing the van and driving down the highway, that total feeling of freedom. Then there are all the venues and the supporters (which I call Earth Recruits), who have been amazing. So basically the whole tour so far has been one big fat awesome memory.

The tour is promoting my new single Time To Stand, which has been really well received around the country. It’s a song I have been wanting to write for a little while. It concerns me that people are having to work so hard just to stay afloat. Families are suffering.

I see political decisions getting stranger and stranger. I heard the other day that common sense is becoming a super power! Fracking is a concern

to me; this is also mentioned, so maybe it is Time To Stand! I am also calling upon people to send in their own Time To Stand photos, which I will use for the music clip. The response has been incredible. Photos are coming in from all over the world and Oz. Hope to have the clip up soon.

2. How long have you been playing music?

I have been playing music my whole life pretty much. When I was about 8 yrs old I was on a drive with the old man and a song came on the radio by a guy called Donovan. The song was Sunshine Superman. That was it, I was hooked!

Guitar shopping time!

3. How did you become a one-man, eight instrument extraordinaire?

I guess when you’ve played in bands, trios and duos there comes a time when you want to see what you can do on your own. Plus always wanting to be a drummer and percussionist, collaborating them all together sounded fun.

4. Who is you biggest influence?

I would have to say Donovan, he started it all for me. His lyrics are uplifting, environmentally conscious and quirky. Along with some unique instruments played beautifully.

5. You write such fun, uplifting songs. Tell us about your song writing process?

I write with my heart and at the moment I have a very happy one! It’s all about emotion with me. Sure there are things out there that concern me, but instead of getting too involved with the mean and nasty, I let it flow in, write a song, voice my opinion in a message and let it flow out. It is something I have learnt in life, don’t hold onto the negative. Let it in then let it straight out.

6. What is in the pipeline for Akova?

To bring a little peace, love and harmony into everybody’s house. Other than that, not really sure what’s in the pipeline. I’m more of a dreamer than a planner. I just follow my gut and I go with the flow. In this industry everything can change with a phone call or email. I like surprises so it suits me fine.

7. What local musicians are you diggin’ right now?

I’m really lovin’ Steve Smyth at the moment.

He is a breathe of fresh air for Aussie music, love his style. Always into the uplifting tunes of the Cat Empire and am big fan of my friends Tijuana Cartel. The beats ‘n’ rhythms and Paul Georges guitar playing, those boys rip.

Keep up to date with Akova’s love and music adventures here: W - www. akova.com.au F - www.facebook.com/AkovaMusic T - www.twitter.com/akovamusic

Music

SAR AH HOW ELLS

Words: Josephine Flynn.

Pictures: Jade Hopley Having one of the coolest jobs in music, the Roots N All and Weekend Lunch presenter is the perfect example of persistence paying off. Having a love of music from a young age, Sarah’s passion for new and interesting music landed her in the triple j studios meeting, playing and promoting some of the most excellent local and international musicians on the planet. We caught up with Sarah recently in her West End home to talk about festivals, awkward phone calls, dreads and spinning the decks.

Describe for us how your love affair with music began?

My house was always filled with music as a child, as my Dad is a musician and a huge lover of music. I would always dance around the house, putting on singing performances for my family, and started going to dance class when I was around 4 years old. I guess my love of music was always there, but it became more of a conscious choice for me when I was

14. That was the year that I discovered triple j on my radio dial, the year that Silverchair made me realise there was more to life than Top 40 music, and shortly after that my hometown of Murwillumbah hosted its first festival. I just couldn’t get enough – music made me feel a freedom that nothing else had before, and as a nerdy, shy, teenage girl in a regional town it made me feel really connected.

Did you always know you wanted to be involved in music as a career?

I actually never thought that music would be a career for me. I knew that I would always be doing something with music, because I absolutely loved it, but I assumed that I would have to work a day job to pay the bills and be involved in music for fun in my spare time.

People always told me that there was no money in the arts, and how difficult it was to get work. A pivotal moment for me was at that hometown festival when I was 15. It was the first real live gig that I had gone to, and as I stood there in the mosh pit the feeling of being part of something so much bigger than myself

was monumental. At that moment, standing in the middle of a crowd jumping around to Spiderbait, I knew that I wanted to share that amazing feeling with as many other people as I could. So, I guess I never knew it was going to be a career, but I just knew I needed to share this feeling with others.

How did you score a job at Triple J? Persistence and patience. When I was 15 years old I told my school careers advisor that I wanted to work for triple j, and his response was “everyone says that” and I should be more realistic. So, I forgot about it for a while, but still continued to volunteer in the industry. I did

poster runs, edited street press, booked all ages gigs, wrote for and distributed street press, did event management, saw loads of gigs, and went to Uni. I volunteered my time in all of those roles for about 8 years, and then had the opportunity to work at Bay FM in Byron, producing and presenting a show with a team of other people as part of the Work for the Dole program. When the funding ran out for that project, Bay FM asked me to continue presenting the program, which I did for about 8 months. During that time I managed to get the contact details for Costa Zouliou, who was running the Brisbane office of triple j at the time. I sent my resume and an air check through, just asking if I could come and look around the office. Luckily for me he said yes, and I ended up volunteering once a week for a year, and moving to Brisbane

to do it. I also did a little work at 4ZZZ in Brisbane during that year, presenting Sunday morning breakfast. I was still there because I loved it, and I got such a buzz out of rocking up every Friday to label CDs and open mail.

Then, after almost 9 years total of volunteering in music, I was given a graveyard shift at triple j. In hindsight that seems like a long time, but I always had multiple projects on the go and just loved what I was doing so much in each moment that I definitely didn’t think about it as a chore. I just followed my heart and what made me feel good, and it all worked out in the end.

Do you think working at Triple J has exposed you to more to up and coming talent, or were you already spending a lot of time looking/ listening to new and interesting artists?

I was definitely always interested in up and coming artists, and I have been passionate about local music since I was in high school.

Coming from a small town, there were always young bands that I thought should be getting more love than they were. It’s awesome to be in a position where I can give smaller artists a broader audience. For me that’s what it’s always been about – sharing this great new artist I just discovered with my friends, and finding out about their favourite new stuff too. Working

at triple j has definitely meant that new music hunts me down as much as I am looking for it, which does make life easier sometimes!

We know you’ve already met some stupidly incredible people, but who has been your top 3 so far?

Oh, that’s always such a difficult question!

There are a lot of incredible people in the world, and I have been lucky enough to meet and chat to a few of them. The first in-person interview I ever did for triple j was a live-to-air backstage chat with Michael Franti at Bluesfest. That was pretty incredible, as I had been a massive Franti fan for years, and I was freaking out not only about meeting him, but also about using this new piece of equipment I’d never touched before and doing my first live-to-air interview.

It all went really well though, and Michael was super-lovely and gave me free reign on his rider and backstage space. I’ve met him a few times since then and he’s always lovely. George Clinton was also a highlight – that man is equal

parts incredible and crazy, and I love it! I can’t wait to have him back in the country for Bluesfest. Eric Bibb is one of the most beautiful people that I’ve ever interviewed, too.

He just has such a gentle way about him, and it’s always a pleasure to get to chat to him.

But honestly, there are so many incredible people in the world, and not all of them are the big superstar names. I just feel so lucky that I get to meet so many wonderful people in this job, and in life in general.

Have you ever been star struck?

Oh absolutely! The Michael Franti example is a classic one! I was also massively star struck when ex-triple j presenter Robbie Buck called

me to ask if I would report on a gig for him. It was my first ever on-air spot for triple j and I was both scared and excited, but when Robbie called me he said “Hey Sarah, it’s Robbie Buck from triple j” and I responded “Yeah I’m good, how are you?” Whoops.

I still get star struck these days, but at the same time I try to remember that we are all just human at the end of the day. I guess I get more excited and nervous than star struck – is that the same thing? My latest one was when I got to interview Ben Harper and his mum Ellen on the same phone call. I’d been trying to get an interview with him for years, but I was pretty happy that it ended up being for this album.

The banter between him and his mum was so lovely, and it felt like we were just hanging out in the family living room.

Prior to the phone call I was super-nervous though!

Who is still on your “bucket list” to meet and interview?

Wow, I don’t know! I just love finding out other people’s stories and getting to meet people from all walks of life. I can’t think of anyone specific – it would probably be someone that I don’t even know exists yet! Or maybe all of the Marley clan? I’ve spoken to Damian before, but that was many years ago now!

I’d love to chat to the next gen of Marleys – Daniel Bambaata and Jo Mersa. What a legacy!

Part of your job is to get out and about at festivals, what’s your favourite?

Hands down Island Vibe and WOMADelaide! We are so lucky that there are so many awesome festivals to choose from in this country, and it is relatively easy to travel around to them. Island Vibe is just so chilled out, and feels as much like a holiday camping on the beachfront for the weekend as it does a music festival. The location is absolutely gorgeous, and the line up is usually pretty sweet – so much reggae and a great mix of local and international acts. WOMADelaide is also gorgeous – it is held in Botanic Park and is easily the most well organised festival I’ve been to.

The mix of world music artists

there is second to none, and it is always such a fun weekend. If you haven’t made the trek to Adelaide for it, I strongly suggest that you do.

So good!

We love that you’re always promoting local musicians from this area, what locals do you recommend our readers check out?

There’s so much good new music coming out of the Gold Coast at the moment! Your readers are probably all across it, but two artists I’m loving right now are Karl S Williams and Felicity Lawless. Both of their latest albums are awesome, and well worth checking out!

We know you’re a big fan of yoga, how long have you been practising for and how much of an influence does it have over your daily life?

I’ve been practicing on and off sporadically for about 15 years. I’m definitely not a daily-yogi, although that is my aim. I absolutely love it – yoga strengthens my mind, body and spirit all at once. It also provides me with some serious downtime, which I am terrible at taking for myself. It is such a beautiful practise, and so good to connect at that very simple level with

myself. I’ve been putting together some yoga playlists lately too, and I’m super keen to get involved in more yoga and music collaborations - it is just so much fun!

We have to ask…how does it feel having the dreads gone and what prompted the big change?

It feels great! I love having the ability to run my fingers through my hair, to wash my hair at night and have it dry before bed, and to be able to style it a different way every day if I like. It was a big decision to change my hair after ten years, and there were a lot of factors that came into it. I did manage to use the exercise to raise just over $7,000 for Beyond Blue, which I think is amazing. I’m so grateful to everyone who donated to the

cause – it really blew me away.

Finally, what does the rest of the year hold for Sarah Howells?

I’ll be on your radio for the rest of the year, presenting Roots N All and Weekend Lunch, as per usual. You’ll also see me popping up on Double J radio presenting a J Files or two soon. I’ve got a few other projects on the go, including more DJ gigs, and from November I’ll be curating a weekly Sunday session at new Brisbane venue Triffid. That’s pretty exciting, actually! Every Sunday arvo you’ll find me at Triffid, DJing between some awesome roots artists and hanging out in the sunshine.

You should come check it out!

I’m also launching a new project called Sajana Designs!

I make wearable art -

headpieces and necklaces, for festivals, brides, tribal bellydance and just for fun. It’s been a hobby of mine for ages, and people keep telling me I should sell them so I’m making them available. Some are premade, but I also love making custom designed pieces - each is one of a kind! Check out my Facebook page and contact me if there’s something you’d like!

It’s still early stages for this project, but I’m super excited about it.

Keep up with what Sarah is up to here: W - www.abc.net.au/triplej/roots/ F - www.facebook.com/sajanadesigns

ECO CHALLENGE GOLD COAST are looking for volunteers with expertise that can assist with their surfrider foundation fundraising event. The event scheduled for March 15, 2015 at Tugun Surf Life Saving Club as part of the Bleach Festival. It is a free, family friendly, surfing, lifestyle, community event which will comply with sustainable event management guidelines and promote alternative surfing products & services & the natural & social environment.

Volunteers: Event Organiser Admin Assistant Graphic Artist Web Developer with Wordpress & Nation Builder experience Marketing Social Media Students can apply for an internship.

Accreditation & recognition of voluntary work will be given to all hands on supporters.

Please contact Greg Howell Climate Wave Enterprises greg@ecochallengegoldcoast.com or 0414 939 942

Nutrition

SPRING CLEANSE Words and Pictures by Kelly Fielding After the hibernating period of winter, Spring always inspires a period of cleansing and rejuvenating as we automatically move towards lighter, more vibrant food. A cleanse or detox is a wonderful way to kick start the body and introduce some healthy eating patterns that can continue through the warmer months.

Our bodies automatically perform the natural process of elimination and neutralizing toxins though the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph system and skin. Over time, regardless of how healthy a life we maintain, toxins in the

form of fat, old fecal matter, mineral deposits and toxic chemicals accumulate in various organs and tissues in the body, affecting their operation and efficiency.

Doing a gentle cleanse periodically can help to restore vitality to the body and flush out toxins that can otherwise lead to viruses, bacteria, parasites or disease.

The body also uses a significant amount of energy for digestion, therefore when fasting or cleansing, the digestive organs can rest and energy can be diverted towards rejuvenating tissue and cells. A cleanse can also help to restore immune system functionality, restore good digestion and return the body’s metabolic process to an optimum state.

A gentle weekend detox can be a great way to give your body a rest from the stress of the modern world-from

both environmental pollutants and dietary substances such as sugar, gluten, alcohol, caffeine, dairy, chemical food additives and pesticides. All of these factors place a tremendous burden on the body. While a longer detox on solely liquids can be very beneficial, sometimes a gentle weekend regime can be an easier way for people to fit a break into their lives and begin to make real changes and establish new healthier habits.

In the lead up to your cleansing weekend, cut down or eliminate these acidic foods such as caffeine, dairy, alcohol, meat, wheat and sugar. Try and spend these days eating light, focusing on raw greens, steamed vegetables, legumes, beans and raw nuts. You will find that this will lessen the symptoms of headaches and withdrawal symptoms as you move into your cleanse.

Cleansing can trigger various reactions in the body, these vary greatly and often depend on your existing state of health and the amount of toxins present in your body before you begin your process of detoxing. You may experience headaches, joint pain and other mild discomforts. You may find that you shift between periods of having boundless energy and mental clarity, while other times you may feel weak and tired and just wish to rest.

These are all normal detox reactions as the toxins move out of your body.

When you are ready to break your fast, take several days to transition back to a normal way of eating again. Continue with smoothies, juices and gentle soups or salads for the first day or two. The body will continue to detox and cleanse due to the natural sweeping motion of the fiber in the fruit and vegetables.

The longer you stay on primarily raw and plant based foods, the longer your body will detox for.

To assist your cleanse you may also like to consider these points-Upon rising each day drink a cup of warm water with the juice of a half a lemon. This stimulates the bowels and detoxes the liver.

-The skin is the body’s largest eliminative organ, therefore saunas and steam rooms are great for purification and the elimination of toxins and heavy metals through the skin.

Dry skin brushing is also excellent to remove outer layers of dead skin and keeping the pores open.

-Massage therapy, especially lymphatic and deep tissue massage, is very useful and supportive during a detox as it helps to move toxins from stored areas in the body that are then eliminated through the colon.

-Mild exercise, light yoga and short walks also help to keep the lymphatic fluid moving and the vascular system working.

-Make time to do things you enjoy whether that may be listening to music, reading a book, writing in a journal, playing an instrument or doing some gentle gardening.

-Write and reflect, make notes in a journal about changes you notice in your body, how your thoughts are and emotions you are experiencing. Jot down any powerful insights that may have come to you. When the body has time to rest and slow down and digestion is given a chance to unwind, there is often a sensation of more clarity and emotion.

-Take a relaxing warm bath in Epsom salts. The Epson salts are high in magnesium which allows the muscles to relax and also helps to detoxify the

lymphatic system.

-Make sure you get to sleep nice and early and aim for a full 8 hours so that your body has time to rest and rejuvenate thoroughly.

-For any cleansing period it is important to plan times to meditate, rest, exercise, gently and to get plenty of fresh air and sunshine.

Here are a handful of recipes for you to use as a guide.

Focus on plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, keep food combinations very simple and remember to eat slowly and chew thoroughly.

Alkaline Green Smoothie 1 cup of coconut water or filtered water 1 stalk of celery ½ a cucumber ¼ inch piece of grated ginger 1 small green apple chopped 1 tsp spirulina 4-5 kale leaves 1 sprig pf parsley ½ a lemon juiced Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy, adding more liquid to reach your desired consistency.

Happy Belly Morning Bowl 2 cups coconut meat ½ cup coconut water 1 teaspoon probiotic powder or one capsule Blend coconut meat and water until smooth and creamy.

Add the probiotic powder and blend briefly until combined You can enjoy the yogurt fresh or you can leave it out at room temperature for 12 hours to allow it to ferment and then keep the jar in the fridge again for 1 day. This will give the yogurt a sour, tangy taste like regular yogurt.

Top the yogurt with½ a small ripe papaya diced 1 passion fruit and a good squeeze of lime juice.

Dawn Fruit Bowl ½ a medium size papaya 1 large banana I mango I avocado 1 tablespoon of goji berries 1 tablespoon of dried mulberries 1 tablespoon of chopped activated almonds 1 lime 1 passionfruit Chop the papaya, banana, mango and avocado into bite sized chunks.

Mix in a bowl with the goji berries, mulberries and almonds.

Top with a squeeze of lime and the pulp from a passionfruit.

Simple is Best Salad 1 cup of fresh leafy greens 1 teaspoon of dulse flakes ½ a ripe avocado cubed ½ a large cucumber diced 1 teaspoons of flax seed or hemp seed oil ½ a lime juiced a pinch of salt ½ cup sunflower sprouts Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

Top with sunflower sprouts and enjoy.

For more information on nutrition, visit Kelly’s website and keep up to date with her facebook page: W - www.bellaandbhakti.com FB - www.facebook.com/bellaandbhakti

Surf/Skate

GROMS THAT RIP

Words = Jade Hopley FEARLESS, PASSIONATE DETERMINED, STRONG, COMMITTED‌ I could spend all day listing synonyms to describe the subjects of this next article. I guess if you hadn’t already read the title you would find it hard to believe I am using these words to describe a bunch of kids.

These kids are kicking goals BIG TIME! They have been fortunate enough to find their true passion in life, riding waves and tearing up the pavement on skateboards.

These kids are the next generation of champions set to take on the world and change the face of their chosen sports forever and they are right here in our backyard, getting up at the crack of dawn to practice their craft. A common thread we see with each Grom, is that they have extremely supportive parents behind them encouraging, but not pushing their children to follow their dreams.

(aka the flying squirrel.)

QUINCY

How old were you when you started surfing/skating?

I started surfing when I was 4 and a half and then started skating about 2 months later, I have just turned 6.

Do you want to compete and possibly make surfing a career?

I compete at Snapper Boardriders and I have just got home from BL’s Blast off in Sydney. I won this comp last year and again this year. It is the best grom comp ever, soooooo much fun!! I really want to make the WCT (World Championships Tour) and travel the world surfing and skating What’s your favourite thing about surfing?

Going to new breaks and meeting new people. It’s very fun to get barrelled and make a big snaps.

You’re also a pretty rad skater we hear. Which of the two sports do you prefer?

I like both the same. When there are no waves I skate but when there are waves I want to surf.

What was it like the first time you paddle out and caught your first wave?

My first wave was fun but a bit boring because it wasn’t big enough. I really really love to surf BIG waves! One day I really want to surf Shipsterns, Teahupoo and Ours. We went and watched some guys surf Ours it was about 10-15 foot and it was amazing to watch. When I am bigger I am going out there.

If you want to follow my adventures you can check out my instagram page @theflyingsquirrel_ or my youtube channel www.youtube.com/user/TheFlyingSquirrel08

DEMBE How old were you when you started surfing/skating?

I was 3 when I started skating, & about 5 when I started surfing.

Do you want to compete and possibly make surfing a career?

Yes I already compete on a short board & a long board. I would love to have surfing as my job, so I could go to the best surf places in the world.

What’s your favorite thing about surfing?

My favourite things about surfing are having fun and trying new manoeuvres and getting barrelled.

You’re also a pretty rad skater we hear. Which of the two sports do you prefer?

Surfing, because it doesn’t hurt as much when you u come off your board and I generally know more people in the surf. But I still love the skate park.

What was it like the first time you paddle out and caught your first wave?

I thought I was ripping, but I was actually getting pushed on to waves and just standing up on a 6’2” single fin.

NYXIE How old were you when you started surfing/skating?

I started surfing when I was 9, I was riding a skate board by the time I was 5.

Do you want to compete and possibly make surfing a career?

Yes I love competing. This year I got 3rd in the under 12 girls at NSW State titles, and have more comps coming up in the next few months between Coffs and the Sunny Coast. Yes I would love to have a career in surfing, to be like Steph, Sally & Tyler, to travel the world surfing.

What’s your favorite thing about surfing?

My favourite things about surfing are being out with my family and friends, and sessions with my coach Jenny. ( I love nailing what she teaches me).

My least favourite thing about surfing was being out of the water for 2 months, after being bitten on the hand by a shark earlier this year.

You’re also a pretty rad skater we hear. Which of the two sports do you prefer?

Surfing for sure, but when the surf is bad I love to skate.

What was it like the first time you paddle out and caught your first wave?

I can’t remember my first wave, but I do remember the first day I decided to surf. I went out in the white water and was determined to do it.

Sabre Norris How old were you when you started skating/surfing?

I think I was 7 when I got really into surfing and skating.

Do you want to compete and possibly make skating a career?

I do a comp every year for my skating it’s called ABC bowl comp.

I love to do it because the best skaters in the world come skate my local bowl and I get to watch them. I accidently dropped in on Pedro this year. He is the best skater in the world he was really nice to me.

What’s your Favorite thing about skating?

I love that in skating you are the boss you can do it how you want to. There is no teacher telling you how you should skate it’s just your brain. I like this the most You’re also a pretty rad surfer we hear. Which of the two sports do you prefer?

I don’t know surfing or skating is really hard for me to choose.

I like how in surfing when you fall you don’t get belted by the concrete. The water is soft and it doesn’t hurt. But I love about skating there are so many tricks to learn. When you learn a trick it is the best feeling ever. It feels like a fire cracker went off in your guts.

What was it like the first time you pulled off your first trick?

When I landed my mctwist it felt better than Christmas and my birthday put together. I just felt really proud of myself.

JAY OCCHILLUPO How old where you when you started surfing?

I was about one when my dad started standing on a board with me, But I was about two when he started pushing me into waves.

When did you know that you wanted to compete and possibly make surfing a career?

As soon as I was getting out there by myself I knew that I wanted to make a career in surfing.

Congrats on being added to team billabong! What’s that like?

Being on the billabong team is a blast. Everyone is so nice and friendly and the team riders are really nice too.

You’re also a pretty rad skater we hear. Which of the two sports do you prefer?

Well if the surf is flat I definitely want to skate, but if there is surf I definitely want to surf. So I would probably choose surfing.

What was it like the first time you paddled into the big, heavy waves in Hawaii?

It was really fun. The first time I surfed Hawaii was during the 2013 Pipe masters when my Dad and I stayed at the Billabong house. I had fun surfing Pipeline and Backdoor and stuff but its really different to the Gold Coast, its much heavier and the reef is different, because there is no reef on the Gold Coast.

Do you have any comps coming up locally, that our readers could come down and watch and show their support?

Yeah definitely the Parko Grom Comp is coming up in Caloundra from the 6th - 9th of November. If your in the area definitely come its going to be a blast!

SWEET STREET

THE ECOVILLAGE CURRUMBIN CREEK ROAD

For this issue, we’ve done something different to our usual “Sweet Street” spot. Since living on the Gold Coast, we’d heard so much about the Ecovillage at Currumbin that we just had to get out there and see for ourselves. We discovered there were so many “sweet streets” in this buzzing sustainable community that it had to have a space all to itself. Ladies and Gentleman, we introduce you to The Ecovillage. Words – Josephine Flynn / Pictures – Jade Hopley.

Nestled in the picturesque Currumbin Valley, just 7 minutes’ drive from the beach, there is an innovative and environmentally conscious community that’s home to around 300 residents, 147 species of birds, swamp wallabies, grey and red neck kangaroos and an abundance of native flora and fauna. The idea for this inspirational community was created by the late Chris Walton, his wife Kerry Shepherd and close friend Colin Bear, who together formed a company called Landmatters.

“We went to an expo in 1995 called The Living City which was just fabulous, it had speakers from all over the world come and talk and it was the first time we’d heard the word “sustainability” used in terms of human habitation. We were really inspired by it and wanted to build a duplex in Budds Beach (where we were living at the time) that used solar power and some form of recycled water, we weren’t really sure how, but the idea was there. So that started us on the journey.

Instead of a duplex, we did this (laughs)…took a little bit longer and was a little bit bigger.” Kerry tells us when asked about how the idea was born.

“We spent two years doing research, travelled around the World on our Ecovillage tour honeymoon and spent time at communities and villages that were at the forefront of sustainability practices. Our vision was to inspire Sustainable Living and Practices in the development industry by creating the world’s best environmental development. We made the vision and wrote it down in our garage visioning workshop in 1999 and achieved it in 2008.” Once they found

the perfect place to make their dream a reality and sought permission from the local Indigenous Kombumerri tribe The Ecovillage began to take shape.

Not one single native tree has been removed from the site to make room for the houses that now inhabit the area. “We let the site tell us where to build.

We used ‘soft engineering’ techniques which utilise the existing contours of the land.

We don’t have any storm water drains, we use swale drainage. When it rains here, every single drop stays here and either waters vegetation, creates fauna habitats or percolates back into the water

table.”

It’s evident when wandering around the site that this use of swale drainage is working beautifully.

“It hasn’t rained here in a few weeks, and as you can see, everything is still beautiful and green.” Kerry explains as we move around the lots.

When creating the lots, not one site in the 280 acres has been excavated. The houses do not sit on concrete slabs, instead, all of the houses sit up off the ground to allow for maximum air flow under the house, easy termite inspection and allows for the swale drainage to work its magic.

“Why not work with nature instead of against it?” Kerry

simply asks and as we continue to work our way around the oasis, we start to wonder why more architects, builders and developers aren’t taking on the same principal. “We’re not doing anything new here, we’ve gone back in time, doing a lot of things how they used to be done.”

When buying a plot of land out here, there are strict regulations (covenants) each home owner needs to adhere to before their house plans gets the thumbs up from the Ecovillage Village Design Panel. These include mandatory solar hot water with gas backup, no air conditioners, a percentage of recycled materials and an element of thermal mass in each home. Eaves on the houses (allowing winter sun penetration but keeping the summer sun out), sloped ceilings to allow the maximum amount of light and air flow and the houses need to face the right way. Another interesting requirement that the local community now fiercely protects is called the dark sky policy. “This was one of

Chris’ ideas that he was really passionate about. Basically, from the outside of the homes looking in, you are not allowed to see the naked bulb of the light. It creates an ambient atmosphere and allows our residents to be able to go outside of their homes, look up into the night sky and still see the stars. It’s also really good for the animals, insects and birds of the area.”

Every inch of the land is used for a purpose, down to the trees lining the streets.

“Planted streetscaping is either native to the area or are nut or fruit trees. There is a group of local ladies called the Lemon Tarts who get together in the

communal kitchen and bake with the seasonal produce. It’s really nice how the community is so close. They’re minding each other’s kids, getting together in their “hamlets” of a Friday afternoon for BBQ’s or end up around the wood fire pizza oven of an afternoon with their families.”

The “hamlets” Kerry is referring to are made up of between 5-8 homes, centred around a communal grassed area, or “greenway”. These areas are there for the residents to use however they wish, whether it be made up of kids play equipment and a trampoline, or the residents deck chairs, they create a lovely neighbourhood feel and with the site made up of 20% private lots and 80% open space (the opposite of a typical development model) there’s plenty of outdoor space for the residents to enjoy.

Amazingly, this is the first community that has the permission to “untap” from the city’s water supply. Each home has at least one water tank

(and you get so used to seeing them, that they somehow start to blend into the environment) and 100% of the used grey and black water is sent to the onsite waste water treatment plant, treated to Class A+ standard and pumped back to the houses. The Ecovillage is completely water selfsufficient. “The Ecovillage has never had municipal water restrictions. When the rest of the Gold Coast was on them, gardens here were still beautiful and green.” Kerry exclaims. She continues on to talk about how the community compares to the statistics from standard houses is South East Qld. “EV homes use 25% of the

electricity of a standard QLD home, but they are generating around 100% of their own electricity.

There’s only 3 houses in here that I know of that are paying some kind of electricity bill, and even then, they’re extremely minimal.”

When it comes to waste, each house is responsible for their own. There are no city council rubbish trucks coming in to pick up the household rubbish.

Instead, each household takes their own to the RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) centre onsite.

Kerry explains “We did this for two reasons; one, we didn’t want trucks coming in here, driving around making noise and waking our residents up at silly times of the morning.

Secondly, we wanted each household to be responsible for the waste they were creating and really thinking about their environmental footprint and it’s worked amazingly.”

Wandering around the community, meeting the people, witnessing the strong relationships, viewing the innovative houses and abundance of wildlife, we just can’t help but wish that more of these principals become “mainstream” in the rest of society; how better off would our World be?

For more information about the Ecovillage, follow the link below: W - www.theecovillage.com.au

Wellbeing

PILATES BY LISA When I tell people what I do, the most common response is “What is Pilates?” or “Is that the same as yoga?” I sometimes get over enthusiastic telling the amazing history, benefits and intricate details of the Pilates method, but it’s hard not to…it’s fascinating! Here is a brief history of Pilates, the amazing benefits and exactly why I swear by it!

Curious what the hype is all about? Pilates is on trend in 2014, it is the exercise of choice for models, celebrities and athletes to maintain their highly coveted figures! The method transforms the way your body looks, feels and performs. It builds strength creating a powerful, well balanced, toned body.

The Godfather of the method, Joseph Pilates, was German born and was far from healthy as a child. He suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever just to name a few! He grew sick and tired of this and decided to dedicate his entire life to becoming physically fit.

When WW I erupted, he was interned on the Isle of Man in a prison camp for German citizens labeled as “enemy aliens”. It was during this time that history was made and he developed his system of exercises, which he originally

called “Contrology”.

After the war, famous athletes were lining up to train with Pilates, including the heavy weight boxer Max Schmelling, who convinced Joe to emigrate to the USA by financing the very first Pilates studio on 8th Avenue in New York City.

By the early 1930s, whispers spread through the entire country of Joe’s expertise and his training studio was a celebrity hot spot.

Athletes, dancers and even famous performers such as Vivien Leigh and Katherine Hepburn could not get enough of “Contrology”. It became an intrinsic part of the dancers training and rehabilitation, a must for any serious ballerina!

Joe continued to teach until the age of 87, when it is said he succumbed to injuries he sustained after a fire burned down his studio and he attempted to salvage what he could.

Some of Pilates first generation instructors that he mentored himself are still alive and teaching the method as he did to this very day.

My love affair with Pilates started 13 years ago.

I pleaded with mum to buy me a Pilates video after seeing an infomercial on TV. I got my very own video and literally loved it to death! I did it religiously every morning before school and on weekends, not missing one single day in five whole years (yes, even Christmas!). I still

have that video to this day, it’s special to me because it made me fall in love with the method that changed my life.

After completing my Pilates qualifications in 2009, I hired the local community hall one night a week, never expecting to turn my hobby into a career.

Only months later, the hall was bursting at the seams… the class was a success!

People were discovering the remarkable benefits of Pilates.

We then added more and more classes to the timetable…

Pilates By Lisa was growing!

To cater to clients who travel, have children and work erratic hours, we created our very first Arm Sculpting DVD. We then

went on to produce 8 more DVDs, covering all body areas and specific needs including back pain and rehabilition, which Pilates is renowned for. I had a lot of people from overseas requesting the DVDs, however due to shipping times and high postage, it did not seem viable. But what if I could discover a way to reach people from any country, anytime, anywhere no matter their circumstances? With hard work and persistence, our online Pilates studio was born!

Today, five years on, we have now spread our passion for Pilates right around the globe with our online studio “Pilates

By Lisa On Demand” at www.pilatesbylisa.com. au, where members have unlimited 24/7 access to over 100 online workouts anytime, anywhere!

Members can access the workouts from any device including laptops, PC, mobiles and iPads.

Our online studio is the future of fitness, it’s like having your very own personal trainer in the comfort of your own home! I am thrilled to be able to bring health, fitness and the beautiful scenery of the Gold Coast to people from all over the world!

So what is all the hype about? Pilates is feeling great, looking sensational and keeping your body in peak physical condition.

For more information on Pilates, workouts on demand or to catch one of Lisa’s classes, follow the links below.

W - www.pilatesbylisa.com.au F - www.facebook.com/PilatesByLisa

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