Coffs Harbour Airport Magazine Issue 32 by Inflight Publishing

Issue 23 • www.inflightmagazine.com.au

AIRPORT MAGAZINE

Airport Updates Coffs Airport is always changing

Travel Bug Bites Some R&R in beautiful Bali

Get into Mining Here are the tips you need to get into Australia’s most progressive industry

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contents on the cover 5

COFFS AIRPORT UPDATES

Check out the latest updates on

improvements to airport infrastructure

and services.

GET INTO MINING

Mining is the biggest export earner

in Australia and supports well over

100,000 jobs, so here is some inside

advice on getting into this progressive

industry. 24

TRAVEL BUG BITES

Need some time off? Try SALT, a

surfing and yoga retreat in

beautiful Bali.

features 14 LONELINESS

page 5

page 20

How to beat the blues and combat

the sinking feeling of loneliness.

INDULGE IN BRISBANE

Where to go and what to do for an

indulgent weekend in Queensland’s

river city.

FIGHTING FIT

Make 2014 the year of health and

fitness. Here are some expert tips on

getting started.

ON A CLEAR DAY

From the new Korora Lookout the

views are like in the song…you can

see for ever and ever and evermore.

regulars 3 Welcome Aboard 5 Airport Updates 17 Money Matters 19 Travel Bug Bites 26 Family Matters 34 Boys Toys

page 24

page 32

COVER IMAGE: Coffs Harbour Airport and Runway. Copyright Rob Cleary Seen Australia.

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PUBLISHER Patrick McElligott patrick@inflightmagazine.com.au

EDITOR Lahnee Pavlovich

WELCOME TO COFFS HARBOUR AIRPORT

lahnee@inflightmagazine.com.au

DESIGN Lawrence Borchers lawrence@inflightmagazine.com.au

ADVERTISING & ENQUIRIES WESTERN EDITION [WA] Aly Eveille aly@inflightmagazine.com.au MINING LIFE & LIVING [NATIONAL] Robyn Crouch robyn@inflightmagazine.com.au PNG MINING LIFE & LIVING Keryn Haynes keryn@inflightmagazine.com.au THE LINK Patrick McElligott patrick@inflightmagazine.com.au PRINTING www.platypusgraphics.com Airport Magazine is published bi-monthly by Inflight Publishing Pty. Ltd. Views expressed in Airport magazine are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher. No responsibility is accepted by the publisher or the printer for the accuracy of information contained in the text or advertisements. Advertisements must comply with the relevant Trade Practices Act 1979. Responsibility for compliance with the act rests with the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement. Neither the publisher nor the editor accepts responsibility for advertisements.

P U B L I S H I N G

Ph (07) 3891 7793 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax (07) 3891 7702 PO Box 6133, Buranda, Qld 4102

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uring the Christmas New Year period, Coffs Harbour Airport was a hive of activity. On this occasion, it was not from building construction or runway refurbishments, rather the hustle and bustle of people travelling for their annual summer holiday season. In many ways this is a reflection of the growing year round demand for convenient and cost effective air travel to and from Coffs Coast. With the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three major carriers flying daily to and from Coffs Harbour Airport, the availability of convenient flight times and competitive fares has never been so good. So it is with pleasure and pride I now report that for the 2013 calendar year, 382,518 people utilised air travel services to and from Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. Compared to the previous 12 months, this is a significant growth of 12.6%. The picture above is one example of improvements made to the airport that has contributed to this growth. Before the expansion the unavailability of aircraft parking space caused delays which added to the cost of airline operations. This has now been alleviated and we are able to accommodate five aircraft at any one time. The challenge now is to continue to improve our performance to ensure we retain the services of QantasLink, Tigerair and Virgin Australia for the benefit of residents, holiday makers, sports people and corporate travellers. One of the airports tenants, Coffs Coast Travel is continuing to play its part in helping passenger growth at Coffs Harbour Airport. By the time you read this, they will have relocated to larger and more convenient premises. To find out where they have moved to, turn to page 6 for the full story. Another organisation helping to attract visitors to Coffs Coast is the Forestry Corporation of NSW. Their new Korora Lookout in Bruxner Park in Orara East State Forest has recently opened. Sister to the Forest Sky Pier at Sealy Lookout, this is an added attraction helping to attract visitors to Coffs Coast. This story and pictures of the stunning views and forest experiences can be found on page 32. This year with the assistance of our airline partners, tenants and residents of Coffs Coast we will roll up our sleeves and strive to bring you higher standards of excellence in services and facilities at Coffs Harbour Regional Airport. Dennis Martin Airport Manager

COFFS HARBOUR AIRPORT PROJECTS UPDATE

ith the ongoing improvements to airport infrastructure and services

it is timely to bring you up-to-date with the latest changes. Air Freight Services To collect and deposit parcels from air freight services, the new access road is now in operation. When driving into the airport, turn left just prior to the security car park, stop at the boom gate and press the intercom button. An air freight operations staff member will open the gate and ask you to drive up to the office, park and visit the office to collect / dispatch your goods. Please note that access and parking directly in front of the Airport Administration office is no longer available. The route for this is pictured on the map (left). Coffs Coast Travel Services Paul, Rick and the crew from Coffs Coast Travel have now relocated to their new offices beside the air freight office. Their new and more spacious office is testament to the popularity of one our regions more successful travel businesses. And we trust Coffs Coast Travel will continue to be successful and remain a valued airport tenant for many more years to come. Access and parking is the same as for the air freight office. Airport Administration If you have airport related business matters or meetings with airport personnel, access is immediately after the security car park with 30 minutes free parking directly in front of the Airport Administration office.

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Who do you call whenâ&#x20AC;Ś â&#x20AC;Śyou need to travel for business, leisure, adventure or as a team?

irst, you need a travel agency you can trust, which has a team of people with extensive up-to-date knowledge of a wide range of travel products, who are industry accredited, with efficient administration and reservations systems and which has a history of delivering on their promise. One such agency is Coffs Coast Travel. Owned and operated by partners Rick Haines and Paul Kelly and supported by a team of five travel consultants, Coffs Coast Travel (previously trading as Kelly Travel) has been in business for nearly 30 years. What initially started as a small scale leisure travel agency has now grown into a multi-faceted travel company with a team of specialist consultants with whom you can discuss your personal, business and group travel needs. Not only has Coffs Coast Travel been patronised by a growing number of business and leisure clients, the agency has also

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been recognised by its industry peers. In 2006 it was crowned the Best Travel Agency (Australia) by the New Zealand Travel Board in recognition of the expertise of their consultants and level of business written. And in 2008 at the Australian Travel Agency Awards, Coffs Coast Travel was runner-up in the Best Regional Agency category. A year later, consultant Kate Bennett was honoured with the award, Best Regional Travel Consultant at the Australian Travel Industry Awards. With a name like Coffs Coast Travel, it would be reasonable to assume that the team only services clients living and working in Coffs Harbour and the surrounding region. While that is true, there is more to the story. Paul and Rick have been entrepreneurial in extending their travel expertise and services to further develop the business. For all customers, a new Advanced Customer Management System has been installed. This has been especially welcomed by corporate clients as the system is able to provide specialist reports to help businesses manage their travel expenditure. It is this system and their dedication to providing quality customer service with a can do approach that has secured the agency additional clientele. Some examples include: on behalf of Tamworth City Council, arranging travel for all international guest artists attending the Tamworth Country Music Festival; managing travel for National Basketball League teams, A League Soccer teams, the National Junior Soccer Championships (Boys and Girls) and most recently winning the contract for the Touch Football World Cup to be staged in Coffs Harbour in 2015. For this event, Paul, Rick and the team will be responsible for the travel arrangements for over 3000 people from 55 countries. Quite an undertaking. While business has been expanded

beyond Coffs, Paul and Rick recognise and value the support of people and organisations from their home town and wherever possible, reciprocate this loyalty. Coffs Coast Travel sponsors a variety of worthy organisations and causes – the Surf Life Saving Clubs between Urunga and Red Rock, Coffs Coast Jetty Swim, Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge, Sawtell Panthers and a number of charities. According to Paul, “where we can we like to help people that have helped us get to where we are today”. In case you were wondering who to talk with about your particular travel needs, the following may prove useful. Rick specialises in European destinations with a leaning towards Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey and Greece. He is also a reasonable speaker of French, Italian and Spanish so he may have a few helpful hints for you if heading to any of these countries. Paul is the adventure and outdoors consultant. His favourite destinations are Alaska, USA and Africa. He spent some time living in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe so has first-hand knowledge of these destinations. Cristi is the groups travel guru. She looks after sporting teams and groups travelling

for common interest – be they players heading off to a championship or a group of like-minded people off to a special event. She will keep you together wherever you wish to go. Dawn is affectionately called ‘Princess’. She is the cruise specialist and has won a number of cruise industry accolades to justify her royal title. Sarah takes care of corporate clients’ business flights and accommodation travel arrangements. She also is the agency’s leisure travel specialist. So if seeking a conveniently located hotel or a great holiday package, call Sarah. Kate is also a leisure travel specialist. She is the consultant mentioned earlier who received the Best Regional Travel Consultant award. So put her to the test. And finally there is Cindy who is responsible for the administration and day to day operations of the business. With Rick and Paul, she ensures that Coffs Coast Travel is accredited with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) and compliant with industry and government trust fund regulations to ensure security of customer accounts. And where do you find these dedicated folk? Coffs Harbour Regional Airport of course. Last month they moved into their new offices on the northern side of the Airport Administration Office complex. To visit the office, drive into the airport and turn left just prior to the security car park and follow the directional signs. There is convenient parking adjacent to the office. Or if you prefer, visit them on-line at www. cctravelservices.com.au or telephone on 6651 2022. Now you know where to go and who to call. n

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CHANGE AT THE TOP

fter three years keeping watch and directing air traffic from atop the control tower at Coffs Harbour Airport, tower supervisor, Craig Dunstone is taking off and heading north. But before he departed, we caught up with him to briefly review his time with us. Firstly, it was interesting to discover that prior to arriving in Coffs, Craig was Air Services Australia’s Airlines Relations Manager based in Canberra. And before that a Flight Commander (Air Traffic Control) in the RAAF at bases including; Pearce (WA), Darwin (NT), Williamtown (NSW) and Baghdad (Iraq). A notable difference between his Australian and Iraqi postings was not having to take into consideration intrusions from mortar and rocket fire when directing aircraft landing at Coffs. Thankfully. However, from a civil aviation air traffic control point of view, Craig thought his time in Coffs was pretty much business as normal. Then as he looked out the tower’s

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360 degree panoramic windows to the surrounding buildings, runways and aircraft sitting on the apron, he said, “But there have been many changes in the airline industry and at the airport”. When asked for examples he quickly highlighted a few including; the birth of Tigerair and demise of Brindabella Airlines, the growth of Coffs based Professional Pilot Training school teaching increasing numbers of trainee aviators, the arrival of Eagle Copters Australasia and the extensive refurbishment of the Coffs Harbour airport runway, apron and terminal facilities. Craig then went on to say he felt certain that if he was to return in twelve months he would see other changes that are currently in the pipeline like; the Bureau of Meteorology’s new facilities being built within the airport precinct and the soon to be constructed, equipped and staffed, aviation fire and rescue services, stationed at the airport.

He attributed much of the positive changes to the drive and enthusiasm of Coffs Harbour Airport management and staff with whom he had a great working relationship. Craig went on to say that he hopes to experience the same level of professionalism when he takes up his new posting at Sunshine Coast Airport. Then as the last aircraft lifted off, bound for Sydney, Craig set the night time navigational systems to automatic and bid us thank you and farewell. And our sincere thanks to you Craig. As one person departs another arrives. Or in this particular instance, returns. John Ruttiman who was previously in charge of Air Services Australia’s tower operations at Coffs Harbour Airport will soon be back. We will report on what John has been doing between leaving and returning to Coffs Harbour in the next issue. For now, over and out. n

THE ULTIMATE 4WD TEST

FOR THOSE REQUIRING A REST! F

or all those 4WD owners who have only ever dreamed of tackling beach runs, creek crossings, fire trails or mountain peaks, Variety is presenting the ultimate opportunity to get in touch with your inner adventurer with the Variety Caves 2 Waves 4WD Adventure. It’s a holiday event like no other, especially designed to provide a fantastic escape from a nine-to-five routine while also raising funds for Australia’s special needs children. For those that dare to do more than simply dream of going off road and putting their 4WD through its paces, switching the bitumen for bush with Variety will be an easy decision with the lure of beautifully unique scenery and untouched trails that will rival any previous offroading holidays. The event goes from March 24-29, travelling from Jenolan Caves to the Forster waves in NSW. The beauty of the Caves 2 Waves adventure is the simplicity of it all. Participants need only to turn the key of their 4WD and they are on their way; everything else including food, accommodation and entertainment has been organised for the sensational six days. Starting at one of the oldest and finest cave systems in the world, Jenolan caves, participants will explore the Blue Mountains travelling through the Abercrombie River National Park and testing multiple fire trails along the way before arriving in Oberon. From there, cross country runs lay before a winding Mt Macquarie State Forest route, before hitting a beautiful water crossing at Turon River, which leads onto Mudgee. The next day involves the challenging Coolah Tops National Park before arriving at Gunnedah. Armidale is next on the

track, via the spectacular 360-degree view of NSW from the 1,511 metre summit of Mount Kaputar. More daring fire trails ensue, before a rocky crossing of the Styx River to pass through Kempsey. The final day is met by the beautiful Australian coastline with two beach runs alongside the South Pacific Ocean before completing the adventure in Forster. Exceptional food and wine stops provide all meals on the trip, as well as a wonderful backdrop to bond with other like-minded drivers. Participants will also enjoy the comfort and style of hand-picked luxurious resort accommodation along the way. A Meet n’ Greet dinner and Black Tie final dinner make for something special to start and end the six days. The trip also includes a dinner and night of entertainment organised by the G.S. Kidd Memorial School for Specific Purposes, and a breakfast with the kids the following morning allowing participants to see a snapshot of the communities that benefit from the funds raised for Variety. The 4WD Charity Adventure is ideally suited to husband and wife teams, or anyone wanting to spend quality time with a family or mates. Typically the event brings together people with similar interests cultivating potential lifelong friends and memories. Beyond being a unique adventure holiday, the rewards of the Variety Caves 2 Waves 4WD adventure come in various forms, from the satisfaction of helping kids in need and fundraising awards given by Variety, to the fun of FUNdraising for the event itself. The money raised for Variety – the Children’s Charity goes towards fulfilling the appeals made to Variety from individuals, associations, institutions,

hospitals and schools, who each require specific medical, remedial, lifestyle, sport or transport equipment. The truly priceless nature of the trip exploring country not normally accessible to the general public, makes for a truly unique holiday. The cost of $6,295 covers the registration of one vehicle and two participants including expenses and a donation; however further fundraising for the kids is always appreciated. Additional crew members are $3,138 per person (covering donation and provision fee). When: Monday 24th to Saturday 29th March 2014. Visit: www.variety.org.au.

About Variety – the Children’s Charity Variety-the Children’s Charity is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to live, laugh and learn. Simply put Variety HELPS KIDS BE KIDS. n

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MINING & INDUSTRY

MARKETING TO MINING: SIX STRATEGIES FOR WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH BY JAMIE WADE, DIRECTOR – WADE BUSINESS MEDIA

s the mining economy shifts gears from a capital investment phase to a production phase some suppliers and service providers are finding it tough. If times are tough at your company here are some strategies to consider. 1. FOCUS on lead gen and MANAGE your leads Companies that can do a better job of finding leads and developing early-stage prospects into sales ready leads will be in the best position to thrive in a downturn. Big ticket items in mining mean a long sales cycle – and that sales cycle gets longer in a downturn. Now is the time to focus on building your pipeline of leads! But collecting leads is only the half of it; managing them is the other half. If you don’t have a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system give it strong consideration. CRMs will save you ‘BIG TIME’ and avoid those staff exchanges such as ‘did anyone get back to that bloke from such and such with that enquiry about such and such?’ The great thing about CRMs is that they

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not only help sales manage contact with customers they give management VISIBILITY on opportunities in the pipe. Just one last thing on CRMs: use them or don’t use them at all. They won’t work unless everyone’s onboard and disciplined in using them PROPERLY. A key factor with lead management is categorising leads and giving them the appropriate level of attention. The aim of the game here is to cultivate leads into key accounts. Deciding how much time to devote to each type of lead will depend on the size and scope of your sales team, but if you’re a small operator then obviously you’ll want to invest most of your time on hot prospects rather than cold leads. 2. Focus on your HOUSE LIST According to Marketing Metrics, the probability of selling to an existing customer is 60 – 70%; the probability of selling to a new prospect is 5-20%. Enough said. 3. Make COMMUNICATION (and content) king Your lead and customer databases will be

your biggest assets in a downturn, but without appropriate and effective communication what’s the point of building and maintaining them? The key here is APPROPRIATE communication – information that will help your customers make informed decisions about the purchase procurement and specification of plant, equipment and services. WARNING: be very discerning about the information you’re releasing. Email the wrong type of content and you’ll end up driving people away instead of attracting them. 4. Target the SOLUTION SEEKERS Every piece of content you’re putting in front of your prospects and customers right now should be directed to someone who’s looking for a solution and READY TO BUY. Communicate EXACTLY HOW your equipment and services will save your prospects and customers time and money, boost productivity, enhance safety and increase efficiency. Focus on SPECIFIC EXAMPLES on how your company delivers value. This could include a top 5 questions to ask a supplier of … white papers, a buyers’ guide, a checklists etc.

If you’re a start up or an SME this is a big challenge. But you can start building trust with your prospects and customers with content that provides MEANINGFUL INFORMATION such as white papers, references, testimonials, opinion pieces, product reviews etc. Enter your company in awards and communicate any success stories. 6. See marketing as an INVESTMENT – not a cost centre Unfortunately, most people see marketing as a COST CENTRE rather than something that generates revenue. What’s worse is companies that see marketing as a service provider to their sales department. Successful companies align sales and marketing. After all, in most cases your prospects and Put a calculator on your website that customers can interact with to see what they can save with your solution. Publish a case study and send it to the trade press. Whatever you do focus on the people that are in the buying zone – not people who may be interested at some time in the future.

5. APPEAL to the RISK-AVERSE Tough times don’t just affect you they also affect your customers and prospects – and they’ll be less inclined to do business with someone they don’t already have a relationship with or trust. Brand loyalty is very strong in mining – and proportionally stronger to the price tag of the equipment/service.

customers will see your marketing before they ever speak to a sales rep. All things considered, any marketing decision should only be made with a justified and rigorous business case and like sales – the objectives should be realistic, reasonable and achieveable. And that’s the way it should be!

dust: A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

he risk to human health can be severe in situations where dust is poorly controlled. Choosing an effective dust suppression solution is an effective way to mitigate the problem. People living or working in close proximity to environments that produce substantial levels of dust are vulnerable to significant health risks. Managing Director of Tecpro Australia Graeme Cooper said areas such as mining environments or in corridors where coal is being transported or offloaded can experience problems with fugitive dust. “For people close by, some types of dust

can cause irritation and inflammation such as rhinitis or bronchitis. Irritable dust can usually be eliminated from the body by its natural defence system such as coughing or sneezing. But there are also some types of dust that are respirable which can cause irreversible harm,” he said. Mr Cooper said the degree of potential harm is influenced by a number of factors. These include the chemical or mineralogical composition of the dust, its concentration, the size and shape of the particles and the length of time a person is exposed to the dust. “The types of dust that are harmful to humans

include silica, coal, asbestos, synthetic mineral fibres, cotton, wood, animal and vegetable dusts,” Mr Cooper said. “They can cause problems ranging from allergic reactions to breathlessness or in the case of asbestos dust, cancer. And where organic dusts accumulates – such as around flour, grain, or wood milling – an explosion hazard is another potential risk. “In these types of environments, a spark or hot surface could ignite the dust, causing a serious blast.” Visit www.tecpro.com.au for more info n

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Issue 2

Getting into mining ARTICLE FROM WWW.MININGFM.COM.AU

ining is the biggest export earner in Australia and supports well over 100,000 jobs, so it’s a great, progressive industry to be involved in. Access isn’t always guaranteed though, so we thought it would be handy to get some inside advice on getting into mining. Robert Mencel has been in the industry for 22 years and is now the General Manager of Tallering Peak Operations for WA’s Mount Gibson Iron Ltd. Here he answers some frequently asked questions. Q: IS THE MINING INDUSTRY FOR EVERYONE, OR DO SOME PEOPLE SEEM BETTER SUITED TO IT THAN OTHERS? A: In general, the mining industry tends to suit people who enjoy working outdoors, are

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happy to work in remote locations and are prepared to work as part of a team. Q: FOR HIGH SCHOOL KIDS INTERESTED IN THE INDUSTRY, WHAT SUBJECTS AND POTENTIAL TERTIARY FIELDS WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? A: For high school kids, I would recommend Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Accounting and Biology. For tertiary students I would recommend courses in Science, Geology, Metallurgy and Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Mining, and Electrical). Q: WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BENEFITS TO FAMILIES WHO CHOOSE THE MINING LIFESTYLE? A: The mining industry offers a wide range of lifestyles depending on the role and location.

A residential role allows you to live near the mine. In most cases this means living in a small mining community. This has advantages and disadvantages. These communities tend to be safe, affordable and easy places to live, normally with good sporting, recreational and community facilities. The main disadvantage of small communities tends to be the limited schooling options and health services available. Increasingly as more partners work and have careers, the limited employment options for partners is also seen as a negative. Many mining roles are offered on a fly in, fly out (FIFO) basis. This gives the employee more options where to live, but does mean employees spending time away from their family. The advantage of FIFO for families is the minimal disruption. An employee can work

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Q: WHAT TRADES ARE PREDOMINANTLY UTILISED IN MINING? A: Boiler Maker, Diesel Mechanic, Auto Electrician, Electrician, Fitter Q: IF A QUALIFIED TRADESMAN (OR WOMAN) WANTED TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY, WHAT’S HIS OR HER BEST ROUTE? A: Applying for any job at the moment is very competitive. Like any prospective employee, having a recognised qualification, respectable work history and excellent references is a good start. Working in an industry similar to the mining industry (Heavy Engineering, Agriculture, Defence, Transport and Forestry) can often provide experience that is seen as relevant to the mining companies. Finally, if you aren’t successful in getting a job initially with a mining company or mining contractor, try getting a job with a company that services the mining industry. The experience gained working for these companies will help you when next applying for mining roles. Q: DO SOME SHORT COURSES (FIRST AID OR TRUCK LICENCE) IMPROVE AN APPLICANT’S CHANCES? IF SO, WHICH ONES? A: When applying for jobs, it’s important to try and make your application standout above the rest. One way of doing this is to gain additional qualifications. A Senior or Occupational First Aid Certificate and Heavy Vehicle Licence are a good start. Additional training in operating ‘mobile plant’, ‘confined entry’ or ‘working at heights’ will all make you more “work ready” and increase your chance of success. Q: ON A PERSONAL NOTE, TELL US ABOUT YOUR OWN CAREER PATH… A: After high school I studied Mining Engineering and worked at various mines during the holidays. After graduation I worked as an underground labourer for a mining contracting company, before accepting a job as graduate mining engineer. After gaining my Quarry Manager Certificate I moved through the roles of senior mining engineer, mining manager and operations manager. After completing further study to gain an MBA, I worked in a number of roles as business manager, project director and general manager for both mining and engineering companies. n

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Issue 2

Learning to overcome the dreaded feeling of loneliness BY MINING FAMILY MATTERS

oneliness is the unpleasant emotional experience of being alone or feeling disconnected from others. Humans are social creatures designed to live in groups, so we’re prone to suffering when we feel disconnected emotionally or physically from others. Loneliness is probably just part of the normal human experience, but it’s true that people vary enormously in their ability to handle it. Some people accept loneliness as part of life and just get on with things, but others find it so hard to bear that they try to avoid it at all costs: refusing to be alone; or abusing alcohol or drugs to stop the feeling. Coping with loneliness is an important part of making FIFO work for you and your family, and the good news is that you can learn skills to manage loneliness better. One of the first steps in coping better with loneliness is recognising what being lonely is like for you. How does your body feel? What are your lonely thoughts and what do you do when you’re lonely? So this means looking at:

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1. What you THINK when you’re lonely. People who struggle to cope with the experience of loneliness think thoughts like, "I’m so lonely, I can’t cope", "Loneliness is terrible", "I can’t bear this", "My family is far away and I’m here all alone" and "No-one cares about me". They might also imagine that everyone else is happy, connected and having fun without them. 2. What your body FEELS like when you’re lonely. Some people describe loneliness as an ache in their chest. Others say they feel an 'emptiness' in their tummy. Many people describe the feeling of loneliness as an uncomfortable longing for another person. 3. What you DO when you feel lonely. Some people hate the feeling of loneliness so much that they do whatever they can to avoid it. Sometimes trying hard to avoid an unpleasant feeling (like loneliness) can lead to problematic behaviours such as overeating, misuse of drugs, alcohol, pornography and infidelity. Here are some tips for dealing with

loneliness in a more positive way:

Thoughts People who cope well with unpleasant emotions don’t think any amazingly complex thoughts to help them cope. Actually, coping thoughts are pretty dull and repetitive, for example: "I’m OK", "I can cope", "This will pass" and "I’ve handled things like this before". Here are some examples of the sorts of thoughts you could try to cope better with loneliness: • I feel lonely just now, but it’s not the end of the world • I can cope with this • Loneliness is uncomfortable, but it will pass soon • I can do something to make me feel better • It’s only loneliness!

Feelings Most people find that the idea of feeling lonely is worse than the actual feeling. >>

Noticing how loneliness actually feels in your body can help you manage it, partly because loneliness rarely feels as bad as you think it will. Once you realise it’s not as bad as you think it will be, you don’t need to spend so much energy trying to avoid it. Also, like all other feelings, loneliness passes relatively quickly if you get busy doing something else and stop thinking lonely thoughts. So, after noticing how loneliness feels for you, get on with doing something that keeps your mind busy.

Behaviours Activities that engage your brain can distract you away from lonely thoughts, which will help you to feel better. Here are some ideas of positive behaviours you could try: • Learn a new skill that you can do alone, like playing a musical instrument • Call a loved one or friend • Enrol in an online course that interests you, or will further your career • Read a book • Join an online forum of like-minded people, about a cause or topic that interests you • Play a computer game • Exercise • Watch a movie or TV series Also remember to take advantage of any opportunities for social interaction that come your way. This isn’t always easy (if you’re on a remote mine site or oil rig, for example!) or if your partner is away and you have children. But

Loneliness should be a passing emotion that goes away when you’re with people who know and care about you. A chronic sense of loneliness and not belonging can indicate depression

sometimes it’s too easy to say no to people, or assume you won’t be able to do something. For example, a lot of FIFO workers think they can’t participate in sport because they work away. While it’s true that you might not be able to make the top cricket team if you don’t go to training, I know for a fact that many sporting clubs are very happy to have FIFO workers participate whenever they can. For more information on coping with unpleasant emotions like loneliness, check out the Mindfulness Skills CD and the book The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris. You can

buy them online at www.actmindfully.com.au/ bookshop.asp. Note: Loneliness should be a passing emotion that goes away when you’re with people who know and care about you. A chronic sense of loneliness and not belonging can indicate depression. If you feel lonely day in and out, and it seems like you just don’t belong or that no one "gets you" or likes you, it’s worthwhile considering that you might be depressed. If that's the case, please have a chat with your GP and/or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.

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Issue 2

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FINANCE

NEW MONEY INITIATIVES FOR 2014 BY PAUL CLITHEROE

his year, new initiatives will come on board that are worth knowing about – changing the way you manage your money. You may have noticed banks issued a reminder to home loan customers of the need to have adequate home insurance in place. The vast majority of Australian home owners do have building cover in place. However the big risk is underinsurance. This is where the cost to rebuild your home exceeds the sum it’s insured for, potentially leaving the home owner significantly out of pocket. In an effort to save on premiums, industry figures show one in ten households deliberately underestimate the likely replacement cost of their home and belongings. Don’t do this – it’s completely false economy. If an insurer concludes your property is underinsured by say, 30%, it may reduce any claim payout by a similar percentage. The right way to save on insurance is to shop around between insurers, and choose one offering the right coverage at a competitive price.

Another change is the arrival of ‘comprehensive credit reporting’. This means that lenders will now be able to see additional credit information, like when you’ve paid bills on time, and when you’ve fallen behind and made a late payment. The idea here is that lenders will get a clearer picture of how you manage debt and bills. The bottom line is that it’s more important than ever to stay on top of bills and loan or credit card repayments. It could be the difference between securing a competitively priced loan or paying a higher rate – or getting knocked back altogether. From mid-year you could have yet another PIN number to remember, with signatures for credit card authorisations due to be phased out from July. Using a PIN saves time at the checkout. It also helps to safeguard against lost or stolen cards because it’s much harder for crims to guess a 4- or 6-digit PIN than fake your signature. n

make your money work as hard as you Mines mean great money. So make the most of it. Whether your dream is to buy a house, pay off debt, go into business or plan for a financially secure future, the place to start is with a financial plan. Call to book a free financial health check. Our team of professional financial advisers can help make your money work as hard as you.

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Issue 2

Come and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of M premier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, wi ceilings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like y price you can afford! Come and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of Monte Carlo right here at Vanuatu’s premier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, with crystal chandeliers, gold leaf ceilings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like you’re there, and best of all it’s at a price you can afford!

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If your idea of paradise is an an intimate, beachfront resortsetting at Samoa Point idyllic tropical combining trees and tropical gardens. With only 15elegance, villas enchantment, romance, categories, the is an oasis of peace andresort unspoiled beauty, then and The villa is furnished in a tastefully modern style Havannah, Vanuatu, awaits. You’ll find ing, king sized en-suite bathroom, private thisbed, intimate, beachfront resort in an and private garden area. unrivalled location at Samoa Point, just 3 hours from Brisbane and set amidst flame treeslazy and tropical gardens. include lagoon-side afternoons, beach ng, kayaking, petanque, tennis. air-conditioned The Point There are 15 luxurious, s gourmet cuisine using the freshestcombination of local villas offering an enticing fine wines offrom Zealand style Australian, and comfort.New All villas feature Havannah does children under king not size cater beds, tofully equipped mini bars, flat screen TV and Bose sound docking systems. The Waterfront villas have infinity plunge pools, bath

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Take a break in Vanuatu

anuatu is a world-wide favourite for travellers wanting a unique tropical destination that is relatively untouched by massive tourism trades. Located in the South Pacific Ocean about 1,750 km east of Australia, 500 km north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu is a place where you can satisfy your need for adventure, relaxation, sun, sand or just about anything really. Fly directly to Port Vila and experience the local sites and tours and get a general feel for the friendly and slow paced lifestyle of Vanuatu. Take a quick flight to Tanna Island and stay for a few nights at one of the resorts. Enjoy a village and local market tour and take a night tour of the live Volcano, Mt Yasur. In fact, this is one of the few places in the world where you can stand at the rim of an

active volcano. For those who love to dive, continue on to Santo Island and dive the SS President Coolidge. Laze about on beautiful white sandy beaches and snorkel amongst glorious marine life. You can also choose from kayaking trips, game fishing, scuba diving or sailing trips throughout the 83 magnificent islands of Vanuatu. Vanuatu incites different feelings from every visitor. This island paradise is primitive in nature, slow paced and relatively untouched. It is not uncommon for many visitors to fall in love with Vanuatu and begin dreaming or planning about relocating to Port Vila. With its friendly laid back atmosphere, welcoming expats and Ni Vanuatu and budding business opportunities, Vanuatu should be top on everyone's "Must See List". n

Vanuatu is only a short distance from most eastern seaboard cities of Australia: • 2.5 hours from Brisbane • 3.5 hours from Sydney • Just under 4 hours from Melbourne

tubs, and direct access to the beach while the Lagoon villas have their own private access to a magniﬁcent split level lagoon pool. The Garden villas are secluded by tropical garden and are a short walk to the beach. Daytime activities include massages at Arom’essence Spa, lazy lagoonside afternoons, picnics on secluded beaches or enjoy the resort’s activity facilities—snorkeling, kayaking, petanque or tennis. Horse riding, Snuba, scuba diving, island tours scenic ﬂights can all be organized from the Havannah.

The Point Restaurant, with its commanding 270° views over Havannah Harbor, offers a fusion cuisine of Asian and Western inﬂuence using the freshest of local ingredients with ﬁne wines from Australian, New Zealand and French. Our local kitchen brigade has been trained to devise menus to entice you not only in the restaurant, but also on the beach or on the resort’s private jetty.

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4/03/13 9:01 AM

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Issue 2

Beautiful Brisbane BY LAHNEE PAVLOVICH, PHOTOS BY PABLO PAVLOVICH (BACCHUS SUPPLIED)

he River City, the smaller sister to Melbourne and Sydney but just as sassy - welcome to Brisbane. And not only is this stunner of a city full of culture and charm, it’s also full of incredible and diverse experiences; let me share a few of them with you.

Bacchus

A night of decadence:

Bacchus

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You may think Australia’s larger capital cities have Brissy beat when it comes to fanfare and hip happening places for an indulgent night out, but Brisbane has a few aces up its sleeve. And for a night out in style, you really can’t beat Bacchus. Team that with a stay at Rydges Southbank and you’ll be thinking Sydney who? Upon arrival at Rydges, perfectly situated at Southbank in the dining district of Brisbane and surrounded by lush parklands and the mighty river, you are greeted by friendly staff who promptly take your bags, park your car (if you have one) and check you in. The rooms are a welcome sight too. Spacious, clean, with everything you might need for a short stay. Although we were only stopping by for one night, we took full advantage of the comfy furniture, mini bar and central location. We took advantage of the fact that one of Brisbane’s finest restaurants and hippest cocktail bars was right downstairs too. Donning our finest attire we took the elevator to the Podium Level where a night of pure decadence awaited us at Bacchus. Named after the Greek God of food, Bacchus was designed with indulgence in mind. From the moment you enter you feel like royalty. Not only because the attentive staff treat you that way but because the décor would look perfectly in place in an upper-class Manhattan restaurant, or celebrity hot spot in Hollywood. There are three spaces that make up Bacchus; the award winning fine dining restaurant, the cocktail lounge and Brisbane's only rooftop poolside bar.

7.30am and get your fix. We sat by the sidewalk for a late breakfast and sipped on coffee for almost an hour served by waitresses in American style diner get-up while watching the world pass us by. What more can I say, the food was served with a smile, the coffee was hot and the décor to die for!

South Side Diner

We started the evening in the cocktail lounge where we were seated in luxurious tan leather chairs by a well-stocked bar. My husband ordered a Bloody Mary (one of the best he’s ever tasted) and I, the delicious Bacchus Social. After a half hour or so simply sipping cocktails, we were shown to our table in the main dining area. It was fit for a king with throne like leather chairs and hard wood seating, an ambient glow emitted from low hanging lights that seemed to cascade from the ceiling. That same warmth shimmered from candles perched on a kind of step wall near big glass windows. The entire room was bathed in browns and gold with a touch of white. It was absolutely beautiful. When we were seated our waiter joined us to run through the menu, a degustation with seven equally decadent, equally delicious courses. My husband went for the traditional degustation and I the vegetarian. I noticed a theme during the night; everything is a journey at Bacchus. You don’t come here for a quick bite to eat; you come here for an experience. Bacchus takes you on a journey with every course and the very well trained staff guide you through the tastes and flavours of each individual meal. The sommelier then adds to the indulgence by expertly matching each facet of the dish with the perfect wine, kicking off the journey with a glass of Dom Pérignon. Bacchus is after all the Home of Dom Pérignon Queensland.

Sangria Bar

The wine matching was a highlight for us. Our talented sommelier didn’t force it, he knew what he was talking about and the entire dining experience was interconnected through great food and wine. About three hours later we were ready to head back to our room feeling very full and very happy. The wines were exquisite, as were the glasses they were served in, and the food was first class; the perfect spot for a night of indulgence in the dining heart of Brisbane.

A bite to eat for brekky: After a night out, a big brekky is on the cards. So do as the yanks do and load up on the supersize at South Side Diner. Located in one of Brisbane’s best dining precincts, Southbank, South Side Diner brings together everything we love about the US of A. The Diner creates a little modern nostalgia bringing the 1950’s to the city’s streets while dishing up local, fresh, honest fare mixed with American popularity and playfulness. Complete with booth seating, swivel bar stools, endless cups of Di Bella coffee, and of course the staple favourites like pancakes with streaky bacon and maple syrup, foot long hotdogs, mac & cheese, apple pie, pumpkin pie and big creamy milkshakes, this eat out will have you walking out full as a butchers dog! South Side Diner is open breakfast, lunch and dinner so you can head on in any time from

Dinner and drinks: Say hola to the Sangria Bar, the sexier, sassier little sister to Southbank’s Ole Restaurant. Here, you embrace the Spanish culture and cuisine with flowing sangria, shared tapas, and late night fiestas. Here you eat your way around Spain with a dash of Mexican sizzle thrown in while sipping down sangria in all different flavours. And the best part, you can stop the late night munchies with food served up hot and fresh til midnight. Also tucked away in Southbank’s thriving foodie scene, it was easy to see why the Sangria Bar was pumping on opening night. The Latin beats served up loud by the in house DJ set the scene and the flight of sangria, 5 taste testers, kicked off the evening nicely. The Sangria Colada - crisp white wine, pineapple juice, coconut rum, topped with fresh mint and ginger beer was my favourite! Mejillas de Carne - beef cheeks braised in Pedro Ximénez, cauliflower puree; Cerdo Adobo - slow braised pork w/ potato, spinach, onions and spices; Gambas con Chorizo - local prawns, fried w/ garlic and chorizo – just a few of the delicious dishes we sampled throughout the night before topping it all off with Spanish donuts, cinnamon and warm chocolate sauce… churros! Needless to say, the Sangria Bar ticks all the boxes for a hot night out in Brisbane and a taste sensation! Vamanos! n

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Issue 2

Foodie fun in Noosa F

resh food, delicious wine, international chefs and a sunsoaked backdrop – what more could you ask for? Noosa on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland is renowned for its laid back atmosphere, golden beaches, national parks and awesome surf

breaks. And after the inception of the Noosa Food and Wine Festival 11 years ago, the region is also now a huge foodie destination attracting lovers of food and wine from across the globe all wanting to sample the fresh local produce. In 2014 the festival will play host to

more than 120 events, 115 chefs, 80 award winning food producers, over 70 wine makers and more than 15 musical performers. Staged principally in two locations, Noosa Main Beach and Noosa Heads Lions Park, the mantra of the festival is food, wine, music, industry discussions and fun.

ABSOLUTE OCEAN FRONT Townsville

BRISBANE CENTRALLY LOCATED • Quiet 4 star luxury rooms • Spectacular views • gt’s Cafe Bistro • Courtyard terrace and pool • Conference room • 3 min to CBD, RNA Showgrounds, Royal Brisbane Hospital and Wickham Terrace • 5 min to Ballymore, Suncorp, Gabba and Brisbane Convention Centre

Reservations FREECALL 1800 801 722 email: ggtmotel@bigpond.net.au

Gregory Terrace

• Fully self-contained with 2 bathrooms & laundry • Walking distance to the City, The Strand, Casino & Entertainment Centre • Large swimming pool, spa & tennis court • Free Wireless internet • Free Access to Gym & Tobruk Olympic Pool • Free Magnetic Island Transfers for Booking of 5 Nights+

7 Mariners Drive The Strand, Townsville Phone 07 4722 0777 or visit marinersnorth.com.au

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MAR19872

BRISBANE 397 Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill http://gregoryterrace.bestwestern.com.au

• Large 2 & 3 bedroom apartments

Festival Highlights for 2014: 1. Foodie Fandango Opening Concert. The Festival will be launched by such luminaries as David Hobson, Taryn Fiebig, Jud Arthur and Guy Noble accompanied by the fabulous Queensland Virtuosi Orchestra on Thursday (May 15). Guests can choose a range of options from attending only the concert with reserved or non-reserved seating or finishing the evening with an exclusive dinner at either Berardo’s restaurant & bar or the Qantas beach marquee. 2.

Suntory cocktail competition on the beach – as judged by those attending. Spend Friday (May 16) afternoon in the Qantas Beach Marquee ($65pp incl cocktail tastings and canapés) judging six of Australia’s top mixologists as their concoctions compete for the best cocktail.

3. Australia’s Best Home Cooked Dish. On Saturday (May 17) watch the six state

finalists compete in a cook-off for their dish to be named Australia’s best home cooked dish. A lot is at stake with the winner earning not only the title but $23000 worth of prizes including a trip to London for two, spending money and appliance packages.

4. The spectacular entertainment line-up. All musical tastes from classical and opera to pop and rock will be sated throughout the Festival including performances by X-Factor winner Dami, Australian Idol contestant Paulini and Thomas Crane’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

5. The weekend will culminate

with a sunset concert

performance by Maria Venuti at

Noosa National Park’s Lookout

and a stunning eight-course

Italian feast at berardo’s restaurant

& bar.

6. Festival after party. THE place

to be at the end of a fanatic

weekend featuring DJ Nato and

friends jamming at the Gaston

Bar Bistro.

For more details on the complete program: www.noosafoodandwine.com.au/ program/

Airport Hacienda Motel

Rainforest Retreat Songbirds

Relax, wine and dine in the multi-award winning Songbirds Rainforest Retreat where meals are fresh, innovative and served in a beautiful environment, the ideal setting for a lazy lunch or intimate dinner. Stay overnight in one of six luxury villas set amongst the beautiful rainforest at Tamborine Mountain. The spacious villas include a king size bed, double spa bath, lounge area with gas ember fire for cooler nights and a large outdoor deck.

Telephone 07 5545 2563 Tamborine Mountain Rd, North Tamborine, Qld songbirds.com.au • info@songbirds.com.au > 2010 Queensland Best Restaurant in a Resort > 2009 Best Wine List for Gold Coast > 2008/09 Winner Best Restaurant for Tourism for the Gold Coast

Car storage for guests when they are on a cruise or fly away for up to 4 weeks

• Licensed Restaurant (Dinner & Breakfast) • Outdoor Pool • Tennis Court – full sized with rackets & balls • Sauna & Minigym • Walk to Cruise Terminal, Racecourses, Shops & Cinemas • City Cat Ferry on Brisbane River • Close to Airport & CBD • Special Promotion – save an EXTRA 5% by entering the word ‘EARLYBIRD’ in the promotional code box. www.hacienda.com.au click on the ‘BOOK NOW’ button for daily specials starting at $112 per night (conditions apply)

560 Kingsford Smith Drive Hamilton Brisbane Qld 4007 Australia Free Call: 1800 773 633 Local Call: 61-7-3268 5011 Fax: 61-7-3268 5830 Email: reservations@hacienda.com.au www.hacienda.com.au

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Issue 2

Be my Bali BY LAHNEE PAVLOVICH, PHOTOS BY PABLO PAVLOVICH

ali was never high on my list of places I wanted to see in the world. But it should have been. I spent a magnificent 2 weeks in this Indonesian island country and when I returned home, all I wanted to do was re-pack my bags and go back. Permanently! You see this is what Bali does. It gets in your veins, it pulses through your body and without even realising it - you’re hooked. The culture, the beauty, the proud people and even the independent dogs – this is one incredible island.

Serenity in Seminyak:

Not too far from Kuta but far enough that the crazy market places are replaced with fancy designer boutiques, the restaurants cost a bit more and the people who inhabit the streets are a little less ‘Bintang’, is Seminyak. Seminyak is an almost European inspired version of Bali. You can sip on Italian coffee and eat French croissants straight from the oven while reading the local paper. Or, you can do as we did and indulge in 6 blissful nights at a surf and yoga retreat.

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Welcome to Salt!

The retreat itself was hidden down a laneway right in the beating heart of Seminyak, and when you walked through those big wooden doors to be met by the smiling faces of the staff, a deliciously refreshing drink and cold towel, well, you’d officially entered the chilled zone. Salt combines yoga, surfing, gourmet organic dining, world-class spa treatments, and gorgeous tropical surroundings all under one roof. You can do as little or as much as you want here; think lazy afternoons by the pool, a constant flow of herbal tea and fresh juice, daily morning yoga, surfing the waves at some of Bali’s best breaks, then to top it all off, you get pampered daily! When we were shown to our room, a stunning space with even better views out over the pool, we felt right at home. Leaves were laid out on the bed with our names written on them alongside luxurious creams and lotions, sunscreen and repellent; everything we would need for our stay. After we settled in it was down to the pool for a dip and a head, back and shoulder massage

in the sunshine. And that was pretty much how we spent most afternoons here at Salt. Have you ever sprawled out under the stars and watched a movie play on a big makeshift screen perched snuggly in a tropical garden? Well after a communal dinner by candlelight that’s what the 11 of us did as a welcome to the week on the first night. Complete with organic popcorn I might add. And sleeping wasn’t a problem; we didn’t touch the TV in our room once, instead, listening to the sounds of nature is what lulled us into a peaceful sleep. And you certainly needed a restful night ready for the 7am yoga classes by the pool followed by 2 hour surf sessions with the Salt surf guys. The waves in Bali are legendary. Avid surfers from around the globe converge here to catch the left and right handers; and to be part of that was truly memorable. It didn’t matter if you had surfed before or if you were a total beginner, the boys showed you the ropes and a damn good time out in the waves. And that feeling of having the warm ocean rush over you, paddling onto the waves

and the adrenalin of jumping up and riding the breaks was incredible! For me, the week in the waves reignited a passion for surfing I’d lost years ago. Throughout the week we rode white wash in 4ft swell, and rolling waves in 2ft swell from right out the back. By the end, everyone in the class had stood up and learnt something new. On the Wednesday, to break up the schedule a bit, the team took us on an amazing yacht trip to Nusa Lembongan. A two hour cruise through crystal clear water, with music playing while the sun shone down on you - it couldn’t be beat. Except maybe for the few hours spent anchored just off the island’s shore with the chance to snorkel, take a ride on a banana boat or test your balance on a stand up paddle board. Finished up with a delicious fresh lunch on board, it was one of our favourite days. One of the things that sets Salt apart from other retreats in the area is the amount of free time you have. There was a schedule but it was flexible and you could do as much or as little as you wanted. And every afternoon there was ample time to lay about by the pool or venture out to the shops and sights of Seminyak. With two free dinner nights, there was also a chance to taste test some of the local and not so local cuisine. And let me just say that the Balinese can cook! We had some of the best food ever in the glamorous restaurants spilling out into the main street of Seminyak. And you can get anything your heart desires! Paired with $4 cocktails, it’s easy to get swept up in Bali fever. For the most part though, a few hearty meals and drinks aside, the week at Salt was about health, wellness and feeling great. It’s almost hard to describe the feeling of being at Salt. It centres you somehow. You awaken something inside yourself and breathe in a new lease on life and a new way of appreciating it. This might have something to do with the blessing you receive at the beginning of the week. Or it might be the meditation by the pool each morning after your body gets a wonderful stretch from the yoga done in the open air, the sweet Bali breeze cooling your face. It could be the friends you make throughout the week as you share the journey together. Whatever it is, you take a pinch of Salt home with you. Visit www.saltretreat.com n

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Issue 2

Those little words every FIFO mum dreads: "I don't want Daddy to go back to work."

BY DEB RUSSO

BRISBANE BOYSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; COLLEGE

Open Day Sunday 18 May 2014 1pm to 4pm

A G P S S C H O O L F O R B OY S I N P R E P T O Y E A R 12 . B O A R D I N G Y E A R S 4 T O 12 . T O O W O N G Q U E E N S L A N D

Issue 2

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t happened for the first time ever last swing. It made me panic and for a moment I wanted to run, because I didn’t really know what to do. I had never ever dealt with it before. I just hadn’t. It was the night before my husband was due to fly out to work. Our routine hadn’t changed, with the exception that we'd enjoyed the most awesome month off. Husband and I were sitting on the couch watching something on the telly, just enjoying our last night together. Then out of the quiet we heard it - a cry so loud and so pained that I knew something was wrong. I raced to the boys' room and grabbed my crying, sobbing boy. "What’s wrong," I said to him, cuddling him, instinctively rocking him back and forth while whispering in his ear. "What’s the matter baby?" Then the words came - words I have never heard but have waited for: "I don’t want Daddy to go back to work." "Oh baby," I said, all awhile panicking on the inside. "Why?" is all I could muster. He continued to sob, getting louder, so I picked him up and moved out to the hallway so as not to wake his brothers (who may or may not join the chorus). "Husband," I called, "we have a problem." I handed my boy - the one I knew would miss Daddy most of all - to my husband. Husband cuddled him like he was no weight at all, while I'd been buckling under his growing frame. We let him cry. We let him tell us that he was going to miss Daddy. We let it run its course because we knew it was important to let him know that this emotion, this fear, was okay - that it was okay to feel this way. I don’t want them ever to not be this honest - this raw. How else will we know what’s really going if we hush it away? So husband and I waited in the dark of the hallway until the sobbing stopped to just a sniffle. "Baby," we said, "did you enjoy this month home?" “Yes,” he said, smiling.

“Well, if Daddy didn’t go to work, we couldn’t do this all again next month. Our Daddy works a bit differently to others - he works for four weeks, but then he has four weeks at home where he is all yours. Do you like that?” He nodded his head, all the time burrowing it into my husband’s shoulder. “So Daddy has to go back to work.” At this point my husband took over and they chatted some more about the month just gone. But before I left, my hand still rubbing my baby’s back, I reassured him that if it hurt too much too often, Daddy would come and work closer to home. “Closer to home,” he said, repeating it out loud, “does that mean he will be home at night?” “Yes.” “But that means he can’t come to class reading or swimming lessons,” my son continued. “Well yes,” I said, “because he would be working and he would just have Saturday and Sunday off.”

“Like George’s Dad,” he said. “Yes, like George’s Dad.” “I don’t want that,” “Well then, you know what we must do.” “Hmmm ... okay then.” “But in the meantime, why don’t you crawl into Daddy’s side of the bed and you can sleep there next to him tonight.” This was greeted with a smile. “But baby,” I said as we tucked him in, “I’m proud of you for being so brave and telling us how you feel. It’s important for you to understand that. We are a team, baby, so this lifestyle must work for all of us - not just me or Daddy but you and your brothers too. That’s important.” I’m hoping he understood all that. “Yes mum,” he said, and as he dropped off to sleep next to his Daddy he muttered “We are a team aren’t we...” n Deb Russo is a regular contributor on Mining Family Matters and also has her own award-winning blog: www.thefifowife.com.au. For more professional advice and practical strategies on mining life, visit www.miningfm.com.au.

...to Hughenden and re-live the past

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Issue 2

FAMILY MATTERS

BY MINING FAMILY MATTERS

AP 0713

f your kids are difficult at times (and let's face it - many of them are!) a clever new e-course might be just what the doctor ordered... Lots of families wonder if the FIFO/DIDO lifestyle is negatively impacting on their children. Generally, the angst is sparked when children start to misbehave more than normal - and their parents automatically assume it must be to do with mum/dad travelling away for work. Truth is though; tantrums aren't limited to children in mining families. Parents across the world battle with wilful kids every day. Michael Hawton, a family psychologist and father of two, knows all about it. In a career spanning 25 years, he's helped over 100,000 parents to get the

A day and boarding school for boys years 6 - 12 *

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Issue 2

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• • • • •

Academic Enrichment AcƟvity Enrichment Leadership Life Skills Wellbeing

Enquire now about boarding places from 2014 onwards for Years 5 to 12.

better in social and academic situations." The e-course (which starts at $139 for two months) is delivered over 15 x eight-minute videos, covering topics such as developing children’s impulse control and emotional intelligence.

best out of their children. Following the success of his new book Talk Less Listen More, he's now launched an e-course to help even more parents move beyond smacking, 'naughty corners' and best friend strategies. Essentially, Hawton says success lies in equipping kids with essential impulse-control skills. "The Talk Less Listen More e-course and book provides parents with a fundamental understanding of their role as parents - they have a leadership role, and are not their child’s best friend," Hawton says. "It helps parents to recognise the behaviours they want to stop, the behaviours they want

to promote and ways for parents to connect emotionally with their children and build family bonds." Importantly for mining families, where children often need to cope with changing rosters and routines, Hawton's methods also assist parents to focus on building their children’s resilience and maturity by developing the ability to tolerate frustrations and difficult emotions. "Helping kids to develop their 'mental brakes' can develop their ability to manage their emotions and control their behaviour," Hawton says. "These are important skills for young people to have as they mature. Research has shown that kids who can control their impulses do

Michael Hawton's top five dos and don'ts for parents 1. Pull yourself together if you want your children to do the same. 2. Organise what you need to let go of, and what needs a response from you. 3. Learn what you're going to do before a crisis occurs, so that when it happens you can avoid panicking. Pilots do this! 4. Develop your own drop-down menu of tactics, so you can retrieve them at a moment's notice, or have reminders strategically placed so you can see them like on your fridge door. 5. Develop your relationships by set-up opportunities to spend 'good' times together - such as Friday pizza-making nights. Michael Hawton has worked in child and family therapy for 25 years, including working as an expert witness in the NSW Children’s Court and for the Family Court of Australia, where he has prepared more than 1000 child welfare reports. He has trained more than 6500 family services professionals, both nationally and internationally, on how to manage children’s and teenager’s difficult behaviour. For more details on the book and e-course (and to preview the first lesson for free) visit www.michaelhawton.com.

John Paul College Boarding Village - Opening January 2015 At John Paul College, we are creating a first for Brisbane - a “home away from home” where your child will be safe and nurtured in a positive learning environment. When they can’t be at home with you, your child will have the opportunity to connect with a diverse Kindergarten– Year 12, co-educational school community with traditional family values. With outstanding academic results and one of the largest co-curricular programmes in Australia, John Paul College is a place where lifelong friendships are made.

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Issue 2

GONE FISHING

Want to take a holiday of a different kind? CHECK OUT WILLANDRA HOUSEBOATS

How did Willandra Houseboats start? We (Chris and Marina) started Willandra Houseboats back in 2000 with only two boats. Since then we’ve expanded to 17 boats all ranging in style from deluxe family houseboats to ultimate 5-star luxury houseboats. We have a range to suit the needs of families, couples, retirees, and even miners on their time off between rosters. It’s a good escape and we’re centrally located in Mildura. What’s the best thing about Willandra Houseboats? Definitely the range of boats and the online shopping. Our visitors can do all of their online grocery and alcohol shopping and it will be delivered in time for their arrival.

We also have the ability to have fresh meat and vegetables delivered, as well as secure parking and access to various wineries and restaurants. We’ve found it’s a great way for families to get together and enjoy the scenery and just relax. Who operates the boats? The boats are self-operated. We provide a short lesson but it’s very simple to do. A lot of visitors even bring their own ski boats and we can also provide tinnies and so on. We aim to make it easy for our guests and we often find that a lot of first timers will regularly come back. What are some of the different uses of

the houseboats? We have a range of packages to suit families, fishing trips, gourmet trips, couples retreats or group bookings. Guests have access to top class restaurants, pubs, and wineries along the water, with various mooring points for the boats. Visitors can also travel 60km from Mildura up to the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers at the town of Wentworth in NSW. Most of our houseboats also have rooftop spas which is a great way to relax. It’s a great alternative to travelling overseas. Everything is done for you and you just have to enjoy the good food and wine. Visit www.willandrahouseboats.com.au for more information n

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Issue 2

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Drive your body

like a car D

iscover the best way to burn off unwanted body fat, by driving your body like a car in town through exercise routines that aren’t meant to save your petrol. Let’s face it – your body wants you to be fat! But, while a healthy body needs some fat which contains essential nutrients, you don’t need copious amounts of it. Your body uses dietary fat to make tissue and manufacture bio-chemicals, such as hormones. Fats in your diet are sources of energy that add flavour to food, but fat surrounding your organs (visceral fat) can be hazardous to your health. There’s a big difference between necessary, nutrient containing fat; having a bit extra around the belly and being morbidly obese. The fact is – excessive fat is a huge health hazard!

WITH STEVE ROBERTS

WHOLE BODY BLITZ:

The benefits of Kettlebell training are that it gets back to basic training that requires functional, whole body fitness. . . a great way to get a whole body workout in a relatively short period of time. Combined with un-weighted training (or body weight), the workout up lots of energy which will burn fat and build muscle. Do this work out once a week for the next four weeks as a Whole Body Workout. n Scan the code to see a demonstration of the exercise.

Week Total Body SETS

SETS

REPS

TEMPO

REST

Rack deadlift

2110

10sec

Give your body quick hits:

Triceps Dip

3010

10sec

We’re led to believe that regular long, slow sessions of exercise – whether bike riding, swimming, running, rowing or sport training – is the way to get thin, but in fact to burn fat efficiently, you need to work in short, sharp bursts whether by doing cardio, weights or sport practice. This causes your body to burn more calories = fat. Think of your body like a car – it burns fuel effectively when travelling at a steady speed, but it burns more fuel when forced to continually slow down, stop and speed up again.

Neutral-grip chin-up

3010

10sec

Hanging leg raise

1111

120sec

Kettleball goblet squat

10sec

Kettleball clean and press

10sec

Kettleball clean

10sec

Kettleball swing

120sec

WORKOUT

EXERCISE

** Perform the first sets of 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, taking 10 seconds’ rest between each. Then rest for 90 seconds and repeat until all three sets are complete.

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** Perform the first sets of 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D without taking any rest between each. Then rest for 90 seconds and repeat until all three sets are complete.

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Issue 2

COFFS COAST TRAVEL

On a Clear Day From the new Korora Lookout the views are like in the song… you can see for ever and ever and evermore. BY ROB CLEARY

erched on the Bruxner Park Flora Reserve hillside in Orara East State Forest, surrounded by tall eucalypts, the views from this lookout are stunning. To the east are waters of the Solitary Islands Marine Park with its scattered rocky, grasstopped islands jutting out of the blue. The closest are Split Solitary and South Solitary islands. North, the coastline runs to the horizon, one crescent shaped beach after another. Below, the traffic travelling north and south along the black topped Pacific Highway resembles two lines of minute marching ants as if on a mission in search of food and shelter. Between the highway and the sea-shore are suburban Coffs Harbour homes, many topped with red roofs bordered by street trees and gardens. West

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of the highway is a scattering of valley farmfields backed by ridge top trees as if on duty standing shoulder to shoulder keeping watch over people and property below. Korora Lookout is the latest in a range of tourism infrastructure projects being undertaken by Forestry Corporation of NSW in Orara East SF which is only ten minutes from Coffs Harbour’s city centre. The first major up-grade was in December 2011 when New South Wales Premier, Hon Barry O’Farrell MP officially opened the Forest Sky Pier at Sealy Lookout. From this cantilevered walkway the vista is over the Coffs Harbour city centre to the harbour and ocean horizon. The two ‘islands’, Muttonbird and Corambirra Point with their breakwall and roadway connecting them

to the mainland are like outstretched arms forming a loving embrace for the flotilla of cruise boats and fishing vessels moored in the marina. To the south are the distant headlands of Boambee and Sawtell backed with hinterland homes, hills, forests and banana plantations. Since its opening, locals and visitors have enjoyed the up-graded facilities and views so much so that word of mouth has drawn more and more people to visit and enjoy these superb coastal views. This led to Sealy Lookout being named by the Herald Sun newspaper as one of the ten best lookouts in Australia. Now, when you visit Orara East SF you have two stunning coastal lookouts to enjoy - Sealy Lookout and the new

Korora Lookout. And, they are only about 800 metres apart. To help you get a feel for the lay of the land and some of the history, flora and fauna that surrounds, new interpretation displays are in place at Scenic Drive turnoff and at Sealy Lookout. But that’s not all. From both lookouts, there are walking trails that wind through groves and gullies beneath tall eucalypts and sub-tropical rainforests. It is like being in a world away from civilisation yet still only a 15 minutes’ drive away from Coffs city centre cafes. So bring your walking shoes and enjoy a short or extended stroll in the forest with family and friends or perhaps do the walk with like-minded people on a two hour Coffs Ambassador Tour. Operated by Coffs Harbour City Council and led by trained volunteer guides, one of the series of Ambassador Tours is the Coffs Rainforest Tour in Bruxner Park. Unlike national parks where taking pets and a range of activities are precluded,

Orara East State Forest has a multi-use classification. So if you have a pet ‘fido’ bring him or her along too. Or you might like to ride a mountain bike or take your 4WD off the beaten track, you can do that too. At Swans Crossing a short walk and drive from Korora Lookout is a covered picnic table with bench seating overlooking the freshwater creek. A perfect spot to relax and enjoy the rainforest surroundings. And if you are quiet, and a little lucky, you may share the peace and tranquillity with some feathered forest inhabitants – brush turkeys, lyre birds and bower birds to name a few. So when is the best time to visit ? Year round; be it in on a sunny or cloudy day the views, atmosphere and beauty of Bruxner Park Flora Reserve are inspiring. But on a clear day, like Barbara Streisand sang in the movie of the same name… rise up and look around you, and on a clear day, on a clear day, you can see forever and ever and eee… ver… more.

From Korora Lookout Orara East State Forest is accessed off the Pacific Highway approximately one kilometre north of Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana. Drive along Bruxner Park Road for 4 kilometres then turn left onto Scenic Drive. 1.5 kilometres along this road are the entrance gates to Sealy Lookout / Forest Sky Pier. Gates are opened daily at dawn and closed at dusk. Park just before these gates and take the signed gravel walking track for 15 minutes to Korora Lookout. When you return, drive 500 metres further along Scenic Drive to Sealy Lookout and enjoy more forever-views from the Forest Sky Pier. Further information at:www.forestrycorporation.com.au (Orara East State Forest) www.ourlivingcoast.com.au (Coffs Ambassador Tours)

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Issue 2

BOYS TOYS

Compraste un Jeep? Que Bueno! BY LAHNEE PAVLOVICH, PHOTOS BY PABLO PAVLOVICH

’ve always wanted a jeep. But not just any Jeep, I wanted the original beast – the Wrangler Unlimited Sport! Oooh yeah, 4WD, 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, Sunrider folding soft top, not to mention the fact that you look totally gangster in it! So when I got the opportunity to take one of these monsters out for a week long spin, I took it. Imagine for a minute, little me, about 5’4 long blonde hair, blue eyes stepping out of the black beast of a Wrangler that was mine for the week, I certainly caused some odd looks. And loved every minute of it! Although my husband looked more at home in the driver’s seat it didn’t really matter, because that’s the beauty about a Wrangler, no matter who you are, you will love the feeling you get sitting up tall cruising through the city streets, on the open road, or even off the beaten track. They have the ultimate engineering for any environment and these cars are built for pure fun! So to take this vehicle to its full potential we decided to cruise about Brisbane city (with the front part of the roof off of course) through narrow streets, wide highways and into city sized parks. Check, the Jeep can handle that nicely. In fact, the views of the river city were amplified with the sky above you and the wind in your hair. Next test; a drive from Brisbane to the Gold Coast and back, then straight on to the Sunshine Coast and back - about 380km of driving on the open highway at a speed of roughly 110km/hr. Yep, the Wrangler still going strong. In fact, the front seats have a ratcheting mechanism that can raise the seat almost 50.8 mm, giving you the flexibility to find the perfect seating position making the long drives super comfy. Like with all large cars and 4WD’s there is the bit of bump that comes with going fast on the highway but the Wrangler sticks pretty close to the road and most of that bump is absorbed because the sport bar uses high-

Issue 2

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strength steel and is integrated into the B-Pillar that runs into the floor. This improves sideimpact performance, vehicle stiffness, torsional rigidity and control at highway speeds. And not as uneconomical as you may think, the diesel 4-door manual Wrangler achieves a combined cycle of 8.3L/100km. When it comes to massive capability, the Jeep Wrangler is in a class of its own. The third test was to take her off road for a bit of a beach bash. What this Jeep is made for if you ask me! So over to Bribie Island we went, and with 425 litres of cargo room with the rear seats folded and tumbled, you can pack a lot in the back of this beast. Surfboards, check, esky, check, tent, check... Perhaps another awesome feature, as we quickly found out, was the tyre pressure monitoring display. When you hit the sandy tracks or the beach you want to let a little air out and this handy little feature means you can do it without the need of a pressure pump. Just keep the car on, let the pressure down and voila… good to go! I’m not sure how to fully describe the experience of driving up that beach, roof off, beats pumping other than to say it was super fun! And the car is what made it so. Being able to unlatch those classically rugged hood

latches and let the full potential of the car be felt was incredible. You no longer feel as though you are in just any car. You feel like you are in the ultimate car. Judging by the glances we got from passerby’s I’d say they felt the same. A ping of jealousy perhaps? From its unmistakable seven-slot grille to its open air driving capability there’s nothing out there like a Jeep Wrangler. High impact fender flares and rugged bumpers enhance the formidable look. This beast looks tough from any angle. And the legendary Jeep 4x4 capability is pretty evident with the Wrangler’s 223 mm of ground clearance, 35-degree approach angle, 22-degree breakover angle and 28-degree departure angle. Yep, after putting the Wrangler Sport Unlimited through its paces, I think I’m pretty well sold! Like the ad says, Compraste un Jeep? Que Bueno! n Leo Muller Group 1800 677 630 info@leomuller.com.au www.leomuller.com.au

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Let one of Australia’s leading economists put it all into place for you over breakfast Craig James After the success of the 2013 Industrial Leaders’ Forum series, we have invited Craig back to offer specific insight into the industrial sectors that affect your business today and into the future. Craig has been Chief Economist at CommSec for over a decade and is now a regular media commentator, featuring in various TV, newspaper and radio interviews daily.

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To register now visit www.industrialleadersforum.com.au

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