Consistently outshining local and Sunshine Coast real estate agencies, entrepreneurial Tom Offermann maintains his self-effacing attitude, refreshing candour, and gratitude to his team of leading property and marketing professionals, which ultimately gives Tom Offermann Real Estate the edge.
When it comes to Australia’s number one reviews, ratings and rankings website for real estate agents, RateMyAgent, there were accolades for Tom Offermann Real Estate which once again claimed the number one position out of 445 active agencies on the Sunshine Coast, plus it sold 2.5 times more than the closest competitor in the Noosa Shire over the past 12 months. A spectacular success too for clients in the prestige $5m plus range with properties selling at least seven times more than any competitor.
Focussing on optimum media platforms and backed by the latest industry technology, every listed property is presented to an impeccable standard, ensuring the brand and clients always stand out, and prosperity reigns.
f, like me, you were hoping for a calmer start to the year, buckle up because there are no signs of anything slowing down anytime soon.
We celebrate our ten year anniversary this year - a massive milestone in what has been both a wonderful and challenging decade in equal measure. Joining us in celebrating ten years in business are loyal clients Locale Noosa and Adrian J Hair - both businesses that were part of our very first edition in 2014! Other milestone celebrations include Netanya Noosa which opened 30 years ago, the Sofitel brand turns 60 this year, and many other businesses are celebrating their first, third or twentieth year! Being in business is hard which is why it is so important for us to share the stories of the people, products and experiences that make our community so special.
We are grateful that every day we get to work with such INspiring and INtelligent businesses and brands in such a supportive way. It’s not easy and we are all trying to do our best - your ongoing support, positive feedback and encouragement makes it all worthwhile.
Please keep the local love coming and support the businesses and events that make Noosa great. As a good friend of mine once said, “Life is Chaos - All is Well”. Let’s keep appreciating what we have, be mindful of the challenges everyone is facing and continue to lift each other up - shop local, eat local and play local and we’ll keep INforming, INdulging + INspiring you #innoosa
Deb Caruso
@innoosamag
Stay INformed with our e-newsletter: www.innoosamagazine.com.au
Bookings close: 6 May 2024
Art Deadline: 13 May 2024
hello@inpublishing.com.au
www.innoosamagazine.com.au
PUBLISHER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Deb has more than 30 years’ experience providing strategic communications and brand reputation advice to clients in the government, business and not-for-profit sectors. She started IN Publishing to connect the community through storytelling and is passionate about local businesses and hanging out with her boys John and Maximus.
Ali is our go-to girl when it comes to design, deadlines and digital. An experienced graphic designer with nearly 20 years’ experience in advertising, magazines and publishing, she brings creativity and efficiency to the team. When she’s not at her computer, you can find her on the water with her husband and three kids.
Chloe will soon graduate with a Business degree and Double Major in Marketing and Design from the University of the Sunshine Coast. She grew up surfing, skating and swimming and is fuelled by a love for market research and social media, plus an açaí bowl here and there. Chloe is eager to ride the next wave of innovation in the dynamic world of marketing.
Jodie is a city-turned-countryturned-coastal chick with a degree in Journalism & PR and a passion for events. Her 15+ years’ experience is diverse, including launching a macadamia nut farm! In her spare time, she’s beachside with her two tiny treasures and furry love Staffy x Red Cattle dog, Rudi.
Paul is the Publisher and co-Director of IN Publishing. He has enjoyed a successful career spanning almost 40 years working in media and corporate communications industries and more recently, in the profit-forpurpose charity and business sector as an Independent Director and Corporate Advisor.
ASSISTANT EDITOR + WRITER
Rebecca is a writer, editor and communications consultant with a passion for connecting people and brands through storytelling. When she’s not writing or reading, you might find her moseying around cute hinterland towns, stomping along a forest track, or hanging out at the beach with her husband, two small kids and rascally sheepdog.
Millie recently completed a Bachelor of Design and now works as a freelance designer. After spending her youth across the UK, USA, and Australia, she has called the Sunshine Coast home for almost a decade. Naturally creative, Millie is passionate about graphic design and finds joy in sewing, cooking, and spending time at the beach.
After 30 years in radio, John now runs the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast and in between being our writer, delivery driver and event MC; he spends time with his first love, recording a daily Drive program for regional radio while also raising his son Maximus.
With 30 years’ experience in Marketing, Advertising, Sales and Promotions as well as an MBA, Jakki loves to connect with and develop local businesses which can be seen through her position on the Executive of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce as well as other local networks.
Michelle has a Bachelor of Business plus 30+ years’ Administration experience in both private and government sectors. She loves all things local, has a creative flair as a handbag designer and is passionate about sustainable fashion. She loves exploring the region with hubby Ian and puppo Daisy aka “Pocket Rocket”.
Noosa’s sophisticated charm, vibrant food culture and the magnetism of a subtropical paradise surrounded by national parks, inveigled Helen’s manic world and flipped it on its side. She pursues the good life with gusto, instinctively understanding the joys of travel, the art of story-telling, a candid review and surviving another reno whilst thriving on the motto: Live Laugh Love!
A born storyteller and connector of people, Jennifer works with a number of SMEs looking after their branding, marketing strategy, communications, PR and events. As Chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards, Vice President of the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance and a Non-Executive Director of Visit Sunshine Coast, Jennifer proactively engages with local businesses on a daily basis.
A musician, journalist and screenwriter, who learned to write songs with Powderfinger, spell and write sentences at the ABC, and make film from the internet. Warning: Jon is deaf and slightly unhinged from drumming, both prerequisites for working at IN Noosa Magazine.
With qualifications and years of experience in health, wellness, beauty, management and business, culminating in the creation of the award-winning ikatan Spa, Katrina has a passion for everything relating to the wellness world and loves to share her knowledge, experience and research. She is an active member of our community with involvement in tourism and charity work.
Artist, landscape designer and man about town, Pete brings his love of gardens, design and all things green to IN Noosa. Having worked with design greats Rick Eckersley and Jamie Durie and having been featured in all the top mags, Pete loves to renovate with the patience and support of his partner Dave and Oscar Wilde (man’s best friend).
Kimberley is a creative, driven individual with an effortless sense of style and a passion for creating magic on the page. She brings 20 years of media, retail and design experience, including managing stores and working as a commercial and residential interior designer and runs her own boutique styling agency, Jones Styling.
Luke is a seasoned meditation practitioner with 25+ years of dedicated experience in the realm of mindfulness and meditation. He was a Zenthai Shiatsu therapist and teacher for 15 years as well as running his own carpentry business since 2005. He divides his time between corporate mindfulness sessions, personal consultations and sharing guided meditation at events like the Woodford Folk Festival. You could also find him building something out of timber, writing a book or in the ocean.
A highly regarded chef with a passion for simple, produce-driven cuisine based on seasonal, fresh local ingredients. Matt is an active member of the Slow Food movement, a champion of artisan producers and a generous mentor to keen young chefs. When he’s not cooking up stories for IN Noosa you’ll find him at food festivals and giving back to the many charities he supports.
The Director of Noosa Regional Gallery has been described as an ‘accidental curator’ as a prize-winning painter and sculptor who has moved from creating works to curating them. It all began when he opened The Trocadero Art Space in Footscray to build an arts community in the area. Sixteen years later it is still standing and we are lucky to now have him taking the arts to a whole new level in our region.
Carlie has spent the last 30 years in the media and entertainment industry. She is a passionate storyteller and writer, event MC, ambassador for local businesses, owns her own fashion label, Wacker Clothing Company; and is dogobsessed.
Jackie holds Mindfulness Workshops, teaches Mindful Photography and is a Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapist & Holistic Counsellor. Her passion is working with children and teens to help them reduce stress and anxiety and increase self-love. She loves to create art and learn about the mind and brain from her Tewantin studio. For workshops visit www.pheatherine.com
After 25 years of sniffing, swirling, spitting and slurping various vinous temptations our drinks writer has decided that his future lies firmly planted on the consumption and storytelling side. Tony not only still enjoys consulting about wine and other beverages but is now part of the successful Kate Cox Real Estate Team at Reed & Co Noosa.
After growing up in Noosa and studying in Brisbane, Amanda moved to Sydney, where she built a marketing agency from scratch, selling it to a multi-national after 15 years of double-digit growth. She soon returned to Noosa and is now one of the most in-demand public speakers in the country as a renowned thought leader and consultant on consumer trends and customer experience.
Bec was a television and newspaper journalist for 18 years before she swapped newsrooms for boardrooms to work in corporate and government communications. These days, Bec is happiest at the laptop, surrounded by words, people and stories – preferably with a strong black coffee nearby.
Stay INformed with our e-newsletter: www.innoosamagazine.com.au
FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/PUBLISHER:
Deb Caruso, 0428 853 224 deb@inpublishing.com.au
PUBLISHER: Paul Bird
ADVERTISING: advertising@inpublishing.com.au
SUBSCRIPTIONS, EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS & DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: hello@inpublishing.com.au
Unit 12, 2-6 Focal Avenue, Coolum Beach PO Box 542, Noosa Heads Q 4567 www.innoosamagazine.com.au
DISTRIBUTION: For autumn, 15,000 printed copies available throughout Noosa and surrounds in locally-designed and handcrafted magazine stands.
IN Noosa Magazine is also supplied to local businesses and visitors through its tailored distribution process with 100% takeup rate.
IN Noosa Magazine is a free publication (subscriptions available) published four times per year by IN Noosa Magazine Pty Ltd (The Publisher). All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reprinted without the express permission of The Publisher. IN Noosa Magazine Pty Ltd ATF IN Noosa Magazine, their related companies and officers hereby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of The Publisher, or any persons actions in reliance thereon. Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement by The Publisher. Views expressed by contributions are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher.
34
Noosa Alive! is back with events galore and something for everyone - from comedy to cabaret; magic to ballet; and so much more!
IN appreciation!
We would like to thank all the local businesses that have supported us, the people who have shared their stories with us and the team members who have helped us grow.
IN
Meet the local chef with a love of fresh seafood - and discover his family recipe for traditional Spaghetti Carbonara.
We would like to acknowledge and pay respects to the traditional owners, the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi people, whose country we create on and we would like to extend our respect to their elders, both past, present and emerging.
IN NOOSA Magazine is printed on 100% recyclable paper. Made with love. Please enjoy!
Event: Altitude Scholarships
Sundowners
Venue: Picture Point Crescent Altitude Scholarships supporters, recipients and friends came from across Australia to raise more funds and toast to a successful year of increased support and growth as well as to hear from some of the new recipient students receiving a ‘hand up, not a hand out’ through educational scholarships.
Event: Aqua Day Spa Concept Launch
Venue: Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
Luxury French brands Sofitel and Thalgo celebrated 60 years in business with a collaboration set to deliver an unparalleled experience in beauty, wellness and rejuvenation for guests of Aqua Day Spa.
Representatives from Thalgo, flew in from the French Riviera to mark the occasion on the Noosa Riviera! Find out more on page 102.
Event: Ultimate Housewarming Party
Venue: Matso’s Sunshine Coast
The creator of Australia’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer and other innovative and exotic drinks, Matso’s, threw the ultimate housewarming party to celebrate the official opening of the Eumundi Brewery, distillery and restaurant at the old Joe’s Waterhole. Organisers say they want the venue to be ‘where good times, great drinks, and a bit of eccentricity collide’cheers to that!
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Event: Hello Sunshine Magazine
Summer edition launch
Venue: Altitude Nine, Maroochydore
The Hello Sunshine Magazine launch party reached new heights with a stunning sunset soirée celebrating all things summer from the stunning vantage point at Altitude Nine in the Maroochydore City Centre.
What a way to end the year!
Thanks everyone for your support.
A childhood spent painting in the back garden has evolved into a life filled with colour, joy and creativity for our cover artist Madeleine McKinlay, as Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer discovers.
Some of Madeleine McKinlay’s most vivid childhood memories centre around creativity. Her mother would often peg butcher’s paper to the chainwire fence of the New Farm house she grew up in, encouraging Madeleine and her four siblings to go wild, splattering paint onto the blank canvas, their clothes and each other.
Other times, they’d make playdough out of flour and water, watching in wonder as their mother transformed the mixture, like magic, with tiny drops of food colouring.
These days, Brisbane-based Madeleine is a full-time painter who disappears into the creative world on a daily basis, finding a meditative flow state where she loses all sense of time and the world around her.
Her art practice also helps her feel connected to beloved family members who are no longer with her, after losing her father as a young child and then both her mother and sister a few years ago.
“My mum loved painting and she loved art, so I do often feel their presence,” she shares. “I know it sounds a bit cliché, but when I’m creating, I feel more connected with them and closer to them – whether they’re there or not.”
Working from her bright, highceilinged Queenslander home in New Farm – featuring a closed-in verandah that’s packed to the rafters with her large-scale canvases – Madeleine’s vibrant, often-abstract art is inspired by her travels and her memories, featuring destinations of happy family holidays from days gone by, such as Burleigh
Heads, Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island, with the Noosa landscape proving to be particularly evocative for her.
“The Noosa National Park is just exquisite – the beautiful clear water and the headland is absolutely stunning,” she says. “We used to visit as children, and I’ve visited over the years with my husband and with girlfriends.
“It’s one of our favourite places to escape to.”
Madeleine studied at the Queensland College of Art before studying design and becoming a graphic designer and while creativity has been a constant thread throughout her life, she eventually ended up in the world of corporate finance, climbing the ladder and working in a number of high-powered positions.
When trying to start a family, she realised she needed to step back from her stressful role and allow her body and
psyche to rest, eventually giving birth to her son Patrick in 2015.
Motherhood, plus her own mother’s heartbreaking diagnosis of ovarian cancer, made Madeleine painfully aware of how finite our time on this planet is,
and she threw herself into her creative practice when she wasn’t spending time with her art-loving mum, who always had a passion for painting.
These days, Madeleine’s art business is thriving thanks to her bright, cheerful aesthetic and prolific output, but also, in part, to her husband Daniel, who supports the administration, finance and digital side of things so Madeleine can pour her energy into painting.
“He has a full-time job, but after hours he comes home and will help with the marketing and tax elements of the business,” she says. “And on weekends, he’ll be like, ‘let’s do our photography for the next release.’ We make a great team!”
Madeleine either works from landscape photos she’s taken, carefully sketching out the composition on paper until she’s satisfied, or takes a more intuitive approach that’s abstract and loose, where she paints from the heart and aims to add a piece of herself – a story, a moment, an emotion – to the canvas.
“I try to convey whatever I’m feeling at the time, and to get a sense of myself through creating the artwork,” she says.
“Sometimes it comes easily, and other
... she paints from the heart and aims to add a piece of herself – a story, a moment, an emotion – to the canvas.
times it’s more of a challenge, so I’ll take a break for a few hours, loosen up, and come back and try again.”
In some works the colours are an accurate reflection of the landscape, and in others Madeleine has fun enhancing or completely changing them, adding in a vivid pink, yellow or green sky to create her own wonderful multicoloured world, as evidenced in the candyfloss pink skies of the artwork chosen for our front cover, Noosa Escape: an abstract interpretation of Noosa’s famous headland.
The joy and vibrancy in Madeleine’s art
is reflected in her personality – when you talk to her, it’s clear that she’s someone who has an appreciation for being alive, and is determined to enjoy her time in the world by surrounding herself with brightness, wonder and beauty. Because, as she points out: “Life’s too short not to.”
www.madeleinemckinlay.com
Your one stop shopping destination in Noosa, so you can spend more time doing what you love.
Located 10 minutes from Hastings Street with free parking, Noosa Civic has all your shopping needs covered in air-conditioned comfort.
To find out what’s on in Centre, visit noosacivic.com.au or scan the QR code.
Sometimes there’s no better feeling than moseying around a shopping mall – popping into your favourite stores (and discovering a few new ones), chatting to the friendly shop assistants, stopping for a coffee and a slice of cake, dropping into the free playgroup with your little ones, and supporting the charity drives that help make our community a better place for all.
Just 10 minutes from Hastings Street, Noosa Civic is a vibrant community hub with all the high quality fashion, homewares, jewellery, beauty services and more you’d expect from over 100 specialty stores. The Centre also offers fun, free school holiday workshops, a regular Tuesday morning playdate for tiny tots, and other exciting events and initiatives throughout the year.
As well as being a popular place to gather, Noosa Civic has one eye firmly on the future, with the development of its Noosa Business Centre aiming to provide essential services for residents living in Noosa and its surrounds.
The expanded Centre will include a Medihub featuring state-of-the-art radiation oncology services (meaning local cancer patients can access worldclass treatment in their own neighbourhood, and won’t have to travel all the way down to the Sunshine Coast); boutique residential accommodation, providing more housing options for those looking to downsize, move to the area or buy their first home; a modern, purposebuilt Early Learning Centre, providing
Whether you choose to visit for a spot of shopping, to gather with friends, to support local charities or to take part in their free school holiday workshops, Noosa Civic has something for everyone and exists to service the community, discovers Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer.
support to residents and employees from within the Business Centre and the local area; and a stunning, leafy Village Green-style entertainment precinct, complete with cafes, restaurants and a Reading Cinemas complex.
With a focus on job creation, the expansion of Noosa Civic and the Noosa Business Centre is designed to create opportunities for all – both now and in the next few decades. It’s estimated that there will be around 2100 new jobs on completion, as well as new roles in innovation and startups, creative industries, health, medical tourism, research and development, education, childcare, retail, entertainment and services, resulting in more long-term prospects for local talent and a thriving future for the region.
“We want to set up Noosa for the future, creating jobs for today and the next generation; keeping investment local; and for the community to not have to leave the local area for work, medical procedures or to use services or retail over 45 minutes’ drive away,” says Stockwell Development Manager Kelly Alcorn.
The residential offering, Hof Noosaville, consists of one, two and three-bedroom apartments that capture Queensland’s timeless style, providing thoughtfully designed layouts with a modern aesthetic set within the leafy surrounds of a quiet, grounded community.
With easy access to Noosa’s famous
beaches, verdant walking tracks, iconic dining options as well as Noosa Civic’s shopping, employment, medical and education hubs nearby, this residential development is helping locals stay local and live in the place they love.
Continuing Noosa Civic’s legacy as a place that people gather, its welcoming new Village Green space will have the capacity to host events for 50 to 5,000 people, and will be where Noosa comes together for community, connection and camaraderie – something that feels more important than ever in an increasingly disconnected world.
See you in The Village!
Easter Bunny Extravaganza
The Easter Bunny will be spreading joy throughout the centre on Saturday 30 March from 10am to 2pm, handing out special gifts to shoppers looking for an eggcellent time! Learn to Skate with Chiggy’s Skateboarding Bookings are essential for these fun and engaging workshops for young skaters of all ages and abilities to foster confidence, skills, and determination in a safe and supportive environment. The half-hour sessions are just $5 and run Tuesday 2 to Friday 12 April (excluding weekends), 10am to 2pm.
Skater Word Hunt
Pick up a word hunt sheet from 2 to 14 April and embark on a journey to spell out the mystery skate-themed word. Completed forms can be entered into the draw for a chance to win a Skater Prize Pack!
Banks always held an air of mystery for Kerryn Vincart when she was younger. Maybe it was the grand, ornate buildings or the solemn nature of the tellers and managers as they carried out their fiduciary duties. Kerryn knew she always wanted to work in banking and today, is fulfilling that dream as branch manager for Bendigo Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa.
“What’s important about what we do here is that we try and centre ourselves at the heart of the community,” she said. “We are owned by 700 shareholders (our customers) so we’re here for - and are passionate about -the community. While we have sales KPIs, we are more focused on helping customers achieve what they want.
“When profit is calculated at the end of each financial year, we then take that profit and put up to 80% of it back into the community,” explains Kerryn.
We’re chatting in the boardroom of the Tewantin branch in Poinciana Avenue which is available for community groups to use and Kerryn points out that the bank owns its building.
“We’re here to stay,” she said. “Our branch isn’t just a service point; it’s a bustling community hub. From the boardroom to hot desks, we offer accessibility to all. This reflects our belief in fostering meaningful connections within our community.”
Where does that confidence to maintain a physical bank branch come from? What is Bendigo Bank witnessing that other financial institutes aren’t?
“There is data that shows transactions in bank branches is dropping, however our data indicates that we’re not only maintaining traffic and transactions, but with a slight increase in that area,” Kerryn said. “People are starting to understand the Community Bank story, our social conscience, and are making an informed decision to choose us.
“Customers are looking for banks that support the community and that’s our point of difference. Physically visiting a branch or supporting a financial
institution is a decision that is conscious across all generations.
“Environmental sustainability is also important and to this end, our head office has a dedicated climate action department and Bendigo Bank doesn’t get involved with fossil fuels.”
Students are also benefitting through Bendigo Community Bank’s support of Altitude Scholarships, a program that IN Noosa Magazine has supported since its original inception as Noosa Chances.
The scholarships offer young students who have the talent, drive and passion to make a difference in the world by providing ‘a hand up, not a hand out’ to assist with equipment such as laptops, textbooks, or support such as tutoring.
“We’ve sponsored five students so far are able to help these gifted and driven kids achieve their dreams and watch their confidence bloom,” she said.
Recipients include Ava Fitzgerald who’s studying chemistry, biology, maths extension, literature, philosophy, and extension English and wants to run an oncology department at a public hospital to provide affordable care to everyone as well as contribute to cancer research, especially in transitional research and the genetic factors influencing cancer susceptibility; Dane Zilian who is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)/ Master of Engineering at University of Queensland and wants to be able to say he contributed to implementing a technology or system to help countries improve themselves; Matilda Malone is focusing on more cultural aspects of her education and studying drama, film and television, and dance who would love to study musical theatre at WAPAA, NIDA or Griffith Conservatory and pursue a career in acting and/or music; Ella Ruster, a Noosa District State High School vicecaptain plays netball and AFL and wants to become a veterinarian, and maybe someday play for the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Australian Diamond; and Bellamoe Ali’s grandfather is a jazz pianist who’s having a big impact on
John Caruso meets a local who’s devoted her life to pursuing a childhood dream of helping the community and supporting kids who dream big.
Bellamoe’s future career pathway and she dreams of becoming a teacher and eventually, a school principal.
Altitude Scholarships CEO Brad Grieve said Bendigo Bank’s dedicated support and financial backing was helping Altitude Scholarships nurture the next generation of young leaders, by driving a culture of learning and personal growth.
Andrew Pierpoint has been a secondary school Principal for 25 years and is an Altitude Scholarships Board member and education expert, providing connections with school principals all over Australia. He said that school provided many aspects to a student’s wholistic development – not just academic.
“Education provides connections for future employment and social structures, builds confidence and adds to the students developing social skills,” he said. “As a society, nothing is more important that providing young people with every opportunity to belong, achieve and contribute to our great country. Our youth deserve nothing less.”
Kerryn says Bendigo Bank’s support of these five students was long term and an important opportunity to help them pursue their educational dreams.
It’s a stark contrast when you think of the stuffy ‘old-school’ banks that Kerryn used to visit as a kid. Bendigo Community Bank is an example of a bank that is compassionate and with a community-oriented vision!
WANT MORE? John Caruso chats with Kerryn Vincart on our podcast, Everyone Has a Story, available now where you find all good podcasts or download here:
Jon Coghill shares his love of traditional banking and the experience of opening a Bendigo Bank account with his kids.
Read the story at innoosamagazine.com.au
Mention hybrids and you may think of a certain Japanese car maker. John Caruso recently discovered the existence of hybrids in the financial world, revealing a potential path to profit.
Feeling lost in the investment jungle?
Drowning in a sea of confusing options, each promising riches but whispering hidden risks?
Fear not intrepid explorer! Today, we’re venturing into a fascinating corner of the financial world: the alluring realm of hybrids!
Think of them as the adventurous cousins of your trusty term deposit, offering a taste of the stock market’s thrill without the full-blown rollercoaster ride.
These are no ordinary investments, they’re a unique blend of debt and equity, offering a chance at higher returns than your average savings account, but with a dash of risk.
“Hybrid is a generic word to describe what are known as Tier 1 Capital Notes,” explains Matthew Auger, Stockbroker and Partner with Morgans Noosa.
“They have features of both equity and debt, hence the term and you’ll find that the big four banks, plus some smaller banks, insurance companies and annuity companies all issue hybrids.
“They sit above shares and below bond holders and they’re deemed riskier than cash in the bank because cash is covered by the Commonwealth Government Guarantee, however hybrids are not as risky as ordinary shares.
“There’s volatility associated with ordinary shares that we don’t see with
...they’re a unique blend of debt and equity, offering a chance at higher returns than your average savings account, but with a dash of risk.
hybrids, and we saw that during the pandemic.
“For example, ordinary shares of Commonwealth Bank fell 40%, but their various hybrids only fell between 10 to 20%; plus banks are obliged to pay dividends on their hybrids ahead of ordinary shares and that makes them a little safer in terms of continuity of income compared to ordinary shares.
“That’s one of the reasons why hybrids are particularly attractive to retirees.”
The Financial Services Royal Commission that ran from the end of 2017 to 2019 determined that the industry needed to examine a client’s needs, situation and objectives.
“For retirees, hybrids tick all the boxes,” says Matthew. “Their situation is that they are retired so their need is to draw or generate an income with their self-managed super fund to pay themselves; and their objective is to generate enough income to cover that pension payment, so hybrids offer that perfect vehicle for that portion of our clientele.”
Some of the terminology tossed about within the financial world can be confusing. Getting Morgans Noosa to guide you through the jargon makes sense, especially when we’re talking about your hard-earned nest egg.
“A ‘call date’ in the context of hybrids or capital notes is like a ‘due date’,” Matthew says. “It’s a specific date when the bank has the option to pay back the money you invested - however the bank isn’t required to do this, it’s just an option.
“So, if you invest in a hybrid, the call date is the earliest date you might get your initial investment back. In the case of the big four banks, they’ve always called their hybrids in on that first call date, they’ve never let them go through to the mandatory conversion date which is when your investment might change from being a hybrid to becoming ordinary bank shares.
“Generally, on that call date they offer a new hybrid that you can roll into if you want. For most of our clients they just want the income stream so they’re happy to hold them and keep rolling them over into the next issue at each call date.
“Hybrids have been around for about twenty years. We’ve got some clients who’ve been through three to four rollovers and they’re happy collecting that income with dividends paid quarterly.
“The payments comprise cash and franking credits, as per the terms of the prospectus and if a bank can’t offer full franking on a hybrid dividend it has to increase the cash amount to compensate.
“This is a key benefit compared with owning ordinary bank shares where if the bank cuts franking levels, then it’s tough luck to the ordinary shareholders.”
Hybrids trade on the ASX so they can be bought and sold via a broker like Morgans Noosa. They’re typically issued for $100 each and you simply buy them on the ASX, paying the market price at the time of purchase.
The advice from Matthew is that hybrids don’t really offer capital growth.
“If you want capital growth and the associated risk of capital loss, then stick with ordinary shares,” he advises.
“Since hybrids trade on market and go up and down, they suit investors with a medium to long term timeframe.
“If you are looking to park cash for six months, stick with a term deposit.”
So, intrepid explorer, have we navigated the hybrid jungle successfully?
Remember, like any financial adventure, there’s always an element of risk so seek your own independent advice before you invest.
With the right knowledge and a touch of courage, hybrids can be a valuable addition to your investment portfolio, offering potential growth and income while keeping your feet (mostly) on solid ground.
Transform your checkout and enjoy free integrated POS software without monthly costs.
An affordable EFTPOS terminal that pairs with your smartphone. Its long battery life makes it a great option for busy venues.
SumUp provides fast, affordable payment systems for small businesses – making it easier than ever to get paid wherever, whenever. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer discovers how this global brand, based right here on the Sunshine Coast, is making business better in 2024.
When you run your own business, you want to do things your way. That’s why SumUp offers a range of options for even the smallest of operators, including remote card readers and in-store point of sale systems, as well as digital payment solutions such as invoices, gift cards, payment links and more.
This means that whether you run a market stall, a food truck, pop-up store, hair salon or a bricks-and-mortar retail store, you can connect with and service your customers easily – something that’s increasingly important in this progressively cash-free era.
Trisha Stephens is the owner of Noosa-
based Tutu for You – a tutu-hire business for young ballerinas.
As well as her store in Noosaville, Trisha travels to competitions around the country, and switched to SumUp because the previous payment system she was using just wasn’t up to scratch.
“I saw lots of adverts on social media for SumUp and thought, ‘this has to be better than what we’re using,’” she says.
“The previous system was slow and unreliable, whereas SumUp is really easy to use and never lets us down.
“And the fee structure is much more beneficial as well – the system is much cheaper than others that are around at the moment!
“We have the Point Of Sale Lite system in store, and we take the Air EFTPOS Terminals on the road when we travel to shows. Getting set-up was relatively simple, and our staff quickly got used to using a new system.
“The support from SumUp has been great – they’ve pointed out a few things to us that have made the whole process go really smoothly.”
As well as the affordable cost, Trisha loves the flexibility that comes from using the SumUp system.
“It connects to our mobiles so we can use it anywhere and everywhere, and we can even send payment links to clients via their phone numbers,” she says.
We have the Point Of Sale Lite system in store, and we take the Air EFTPOS Terminals on the road when we travel to shows.
“We’ve been recommending it to other businesses.
“It proves that you don’t need to be locked into using a specific device just because it’s the most popular.”
Millions of businesses around the globe use SumUp – SumUp believes that every business should have access to affordable, easy-to-use payment
INSURANCE, where we don’t just mitigate risk – we embrace it with entrepreneurial flair!
At Alleviate Risk, we understand that every venture, every innovation, and every dream carries an element of risk. But guess what? We see those risks as opportunities waiting to be seized, challenges begging to be conquered, and adventures waiting to unfold.
We’re not your typical insurance brokerage. We’re the adrenaline junkies of risk management, the daredevils of financial protection, and the champions of your entrepreneurial spirit.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower you to chase your dreams, build your empire, and leave no risk unturned.
Our team of seasoned risk specialists is not here to just sell you policies; we’re here to become your strategic partners, your trusted advisors, and your ultimate guardians against the unpredictable.
Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your business, or revolutionizing an industry, we’ve got your back – and your front, and your sides!
Our passion for innovation matches your own. We believe that risk, when harnessed effectively, can propel you to greatness. So, let’s write your story together, and let’s make it a tale of triumph in the face of uncertainty.
Are you ready to join us on this thrilling journey of entrepreneurial success?
Welcome to Alleviate Risk Insurance, where we transform risk into rewards, and your success is our business.
#EmbraceTheRisk
solutions, no matter their size.
They don’t charge monthly fees and the transaction fees are currently lower than competitors, making them the smart option for savvy business owners looking to upgrade payment systems and take their business to the next level.
When you do the sums, it pays to use SumUp!
WIN A 2 NIGHT FARMSTAY ESCAPE IN THE NOOSA HINTERLAND WITH ALSAHWA FARM
Alsahwa Farm is an eco lifestyle destination inspired by nature that crafts moments, develops experiences and aims to be a source of inspiration for our community and beyond, promoting a sustainable and thriving future.
Enter now for a chance to win a 2 night farmstay escape. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the Noosa hinterland, where you’ll unwind and savour the farm experience complete with a curated welcome pack and sunset picnic. Full T&C’s Apply.
CULTIVATE YOUR LIFESTYLE AND AWAKEN YOUR WELLBEING AT ALSAHWA FARM.
www.alsahwa.com
@alsahwafarm MIND.
Jo Walker has gone from working in the entertainment industry, mixing with rockstars to creating her own regenerative farm – educating others about the foundations of wellness starting with healthy soil, while giving back to the land. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer visits the magical Alsahwa Farm in Verrierdale to discover all that’s on offer.
Cockatoos squawk overhead, kangaroos bound across undulating hills, and the leaves from hundreds of macadamia trees rustle gently in the breeze. Welcome to Alsahwa Farm, nestled in the Noosa hinterland.
This 100-year-old macadamia farm has been recently transformed by Jo Walker, an ex-entertainment industry executive who had an epiphany while staying at a wellness retreat in 2018 and decided to radically change her life, moving to Noosa from Melbourne and pivoting into the world of wellness.
But Alsahwa Farm isn’t predominantly about massages, meditation and ice baths (although these things will be part of its offering in the future) –it’s founded on the philosophy of
‘unstructured wellness’, a term coined by Jo herself.
“Unstructured wellness is something that’s accessible to us all – you don’t have to be in a retreat to experience it,” she shares. “You can immerse yourself in a forest, ground yourself by walking in bare feet, practise yoga by a lake, or connect with nature in another way.”
The core element of unstructured wellness, however, is literally an element: earth.
The soil beneath our feet is so commonplace, it’s easy to forget we depend on it for our food.
“Healthy soil is the key to everything,” says Jo. “It enables us to grow healthy, organic food, so we can nourish and fuel
our bodies without chemicals.
“Moving your body through exercise and practising mindfulness are vital elements of wellness, but the foundation of health always comes back to the soil.”
Alsahwa has been three-and-a-half years in the making, with Jo putting her heart and soul into the property. A huge focus has been joining forces with local wildlife and wilderness groups to regenerate the area by planting over 1,000 trees.
“We’re joining different sections of the farm to our existing koala corridor for koalas and other animals to move safely and freely,” she says.
Elsewhere on the farm, the team have added beehives that are producing a
unique blend of Alsahwa Farm honey; an organic kitchen veggie garden; the Secret Garden where you can meditate and plant a tree; and a stunning lookout with vistas over the hills, the perfect spot to enjoy a locally-sourced picnic as the sun sets.
The farm also has a permanent ‘flagship’ farm store at Eumundi Square Markets where the team sells Alsahwa Farm honey, herbs, plants, a selection of beautiful lifestyle books, and Alsahwa macadamias.
Alsahwa Farm officially opens on Saturday 27 April, with an exciting launch weekend packed with activities that give a taste of everything that’s on offer, including a beekeeping workshop; eco living workshop; a community tree planting; Terra Firma Dining
Masterclass; a community film screening of actor and farmer Rachel Ward’s film Rachel’s Farm followed by a Q+A with her and other likeminded regenerative farming personalities - and lots more.
There will also be other big names in the farming world, such as the woman Jo describes as “the godmother of Australian permaculture”, Robin Clayfield, who will be running an Introduction to Permaculture workshop; and friend of Alsahwa, eighth-generation farmer and regeneration advocate Charlie Arnott who will be running a two-day Introduction to Biodynamics workshop.
“It’s funny, because I used to idolise performers, but now I idolise regenerative farmers; they’re the real rockstars to me,” Jo says.
Young and old, everyone is welcome to attend the opening weekend, and Jo is looking forward to a vibrant community of like-minded people growing around the farm as it spreads its roots and begins to flourish.
Jo has big plans for the future, with an eco-wellness farmstay retreat currently in development. This will provide boutique accommodation for couples, singles and groups, and combine curated activities such as Breath, Fire and Ice workshops incorporating breathwork, infra red sauna and ice bath; massages, facials and other standard wellness offerings, with regenerative farming experiences, helping visitors connect with mind, body and planet.
The name Alsahwa comes from the ancient word meaning ‘the awakening’, which is something that resonates deeply with Jo and the way she sees the world.
“I always say some people are awake,
...now I idolise regenerative farmers; they’re the real rockstars...
and some people are still asleep, but we meet people at different stages of their journey,” she says. “We want to take people on a journey of conscious thinking that encompasses sustainability, holistic wellness and regeneration of the earth.”
Just like a closed-loop farming system creates healthy soil, Alsahwa coming to life is a bit of a full-circle moment for Jo.
Essentially, she’s created the space she was craving all those years ago.
“I always tell my friends who are still in the entertainment industry, ‘Guys, I’m creating this for you, for all of us,’” she says.
She hopes that everyone will feel welcome to visit and immerse themselves in this special place.
“Whoever you are and whatever your background, we can’t wait to welcome you to Alsahwa Farm and help you create that deep connection with the earth, your food and yourself.”
Alsahwa - Mind. Body. Planet. Official Opening long weekend
Saturday 27 - Tuesday 30 April Workshops, tree planting, community film screening and much more. For booking information, sign up at www.alsahwa.com or follow @alsahwafarm for more
Nestled in the Noosa bushland on the banks of Lake Weyba and adjoining the Noosa National Park, Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort officially opened on 9th May 1999. Jodie Cameron goes back in time to reminisce on the past 25 tee-rific years of Noosa’s favourite fairway…
Over 40,000 years ago, members of the Kabi Kabi tribe first set foot on what we now know as Noosa Springs. The region was considered a sacred retreat and called it ‘Nusa’ – an Aboriginal word meaning ‘shadows’ or ‘shade’, no doubt a reference to the area’s tall forests offering refuge from the hot sun.
Located next to the Noosa National Park, on the shores of Lake Weyba –a large, shallow salt-water lake once famous for the stingrays that inspired its Aboriginal name – was an area of trees, swamps and some cleared land that, by the 1980s, was the home to Weyba Ranch, a quarter horse stud.
In 1992, when Weyba Ranch fell into receivership, Noosa architect and developer Alan Starkey bought the 103ha property with thoughts of creating a first-class residential development around an impressive golf course. The property became known as Noosa Springs because of the natural, fresh-water springs that existed on site.
Plans for the par-72, 6230 metre championship golf course, incorporating a network of nearly 10ha of freshwater lakes fed by natural springs, were originally prepared by Alan Starkey and handed over to golf course architect Graham Papworth for the final design.
Officially opened on Mother’s Day in
1999 with 21 team members, the facilities and Noosa Springs were far less impressive than they are today — just three temporary, transportable single room buildings (or dongas as they’re known) housed the golf, locker room and catering.
Over the next two decades Noosa Springs grew and developed and the golf course matured into one of the finest resort-style layouts in Australia.
Fast forward and this world-class golf course is still receiving a hole lotta love from thousands of locals and interstate visitors who make their way to Noosa Springs each year with many taking the opportunity to stay over and enjoy the resort’s facilities.
Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort Club Manager, Daniel Chandler says the 25 year celebration is a huge milestone for the course which is rated one of the best in Australia.
“We are extremely proud of how the course and resort have evolved over the past two decades to accommodate the growing Noosa community and we are excited to see how things expand in another 25 years,” he said.
Listed as an official Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, Noosa is home to a range of pristine natural environments with its beautiful beaches and national parks right on our doorstep. During the
...with its undulating fairways set amongst lush bushland and home to an abundance of wildlife ...
planning phase, Graham Papworth gave special attention to preserving and enhancing the natural environment with its undulating fairways set amongst lush bushland and home to an abundance of wildlife — this careful curation makes golf at Noosa Springs an unforgettable experience.
“The longevity of the resort is underpinned by sustainability which is a major focus for us and we embrace these practices across every department of our resort,” Daniel says. “We are committed to protecting the environment, minimising waste and conserving resources wherever possible.”
A par above the rest, the par-72 championship golf course course is home to 18 superb holes in a spectacularly beautiful setting that is both challenging and inspiring. Enjoying a subtropical climate, the immaculately maintained course is playable year-round and in almost all weather conditions.
Today, Noosa Springs Golf and Spa
Resort comprises a world-class day spa, restaurant, spacious self-contained one-and two-bedroom apartments, a fitness centre, tennis courts, a boutique Golf Shop and conference, event and wedding facilities.
Located (as the ‘birdie’ flies) just 3km
enjoy the views from the terrace whilst enjoying the renowned high tea.
Offering indoor and outdoor dining overlooking the golf course and beautifully manicured gardens, the resort’s award-winning restaurant, Relish, is open to the public daily for
SUNDAY SOUNDS - Last Sunday of the month, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
THEMED DINNER - First Friday of the month
Enjoy a 4-course meal for $75pp. Arrival for 6pm for 6:30pm dinner
DAILY LUNCH SPECIAL
Seasonal themed dishes inspired by local and Australian fresh produce. Choice of entrée + main or main + dessert. $38pp or $45pp with a glass of wine
HIGH TEA - All year round
Includes your choice of sparkling wine or orange juice and a barista-made coffee or pot of tea. $50pp. Bookings essential.
Noosa locals choose to dine as regularly as resort guests and members, it’s easy to see why it’s a firm favourite.
If you are looking for a unique dining experience, check out their Daily Lunch Special, First Friday of the Month themed dinners or Sunday Sounds for something
Feeling like y0u need a break before you have a breakdown but struggling to find the time to plan your escape? Deb Caruso discovers the answer might just lie in your own backyard.
Noosa holds a special place in my heart, particularly Netanya Noosa as I first met my now-husband John at the neighbouring Surf Club; we had our first date at Lindoni’s (partowned by Locale’s Rio Capurso); shared our first kiss on Main Beach at the front of Netanya and spent our first few days as husband and wife there after getting married at Sails Restaurant.
Fast forward 17 years and it’s 9pm on a school night and I’m sitting on the beach listening to the soothing sounds of the waves and mesmerised by the reflection of the almost-full moon on the ocean.
Just a few hours ago, I was in the office frantically finishing off a photoshoot schedule for this edition and juggling all the other deadline-driven and business management priorities.
For now, thanks to the team at Netanya Noosa, I feel calm, relaxed and a million miles away - holiday vibes!
I’m staying in Netanya’s beautifully refurbished one-bedroom Premium Beachfront Penthouse and taking advantage of the short staycation to enjoy all the elements that make Noosa such a popular destination.
Talk about ‘beach chic’- the stunning renovation includes sleek and stylish cabinetry and curved plaster walls that reflect the undulating sand that is so close it is almost within reach.
Netanya is known for its beachfront location and it doesn’t get much better than this!
The welcome pack in the room includes local hits such as Kenilworth Dairies and Max + Tom cheeses, Nutworks Macadamias in Manuka Honey and Ugly Duck Quince Paste plus a bottle of Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Brut Rosé - part of Penfolds’ Cellar Reserve range that is exclusive to Netanya’s in-house guests and indicative of the range of delicious goodies available to purchase from Netanya’s Providore on Hastings.
It’s the perfect accompaniment for a stunning sunset, best viewed from the large balcony or private rooftop terrace.
John and our 14-year-old Max have joined me for the afternoon and dinner before they head back home to allow me some solo time.
We feel so at home, it’s hard to leave the sanctuary of the room and that view but dinner beckons and we’re spoilt for choice on the dining mecca that is
Hastings Street.
We settle on one of our all-time favourites, Locale, which is just across the road, and never disappoints with exceptional food and warm hospitality.
After dinner, it’s perfect weather for a stroll along the boardwalk and the buzz and energy of this magical place transports you to another world and my
We travel for hours, and sometimes days, to experience what we have in our own backyard
soul settles into the holiday vibe again.
I’m not normally one to rise early, but I don’t want to miss a moment of this magic so I set an alarm for sunrise and collapse into the luxurious king-size bed for one of the most rejuvenating sleeps I have had in a while.
If you think Noosa is gorgeous by day, you should see it at daybreak! I throw on my bathers, grab a towel and room key and walk the few short steps onto one of the world’s best beaches as I seriously contemplate how I could make my stay at Netanya more permanent!
Starting the day with a swim in the crystal clear waters of Laguna Bay is certainly good for the soul and I consider walking the boardwalk to Noosa National Park before settling for a luxurious rainfall shower back in the room.
Everything you need for laid back luxury is at your fingertips from the Appelles amenities to the special Providore on Hastings Sunshine Social coffee blend which I enjoy on the balcony while reviewing my schedule for the day ahead. Not a bad office to work from.
Normally I am so exhausted planning and preparing for a holiday that it takes a few days to unwind however I’m amazed at how relaxed and rejuvenated I feel after less than 24 hours staying at Netanya Noosa.
Better still, my little getaway required minimal planning, resulted in no lost time travelling or waiting for flights, there’s no language barrier and best of all, I’m helping local businesses.
The money I save by not having to pay for flights or other transport means I can spend more on accommodation, dining out, shopping and experiences - right?!
I think a staycation is the new vacation.
And I’m not alone. Strolling down the boardwalk after dinner, I spotted the familiar faces of local real estate agents Kate and Tony Cox enjoying dinner at Sails. Equally busy people, Tony has been our drinks writer for the past decade and Kate has worked in real
estate for 15 years.
Turns out, they are regular staycation fans with Kate sharing that they often stay at Netanya - and love it!
“It was so different actually staying on the beach instead of just visiting it,” she said.
“We would get ‘home’ from work to our accommodation and have a drink on the balcony, then just go down the lift and you are there, ready to experience one of the fabulous restaurants.
“Then after dinner a visit to Happy Pops while walking on the beach and then back to your resort room.
“We travel for hours, and sometimes days, to experience what we have in our own backyard.
“It was the best few days.”
I agree and vow to make a staycation an essential part of my wellness plan, maybe I’ll even let the boys join me for longer next time.
Netanya Noosa offers one, two and three bedroom apartments epitomising laid back luxury at one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations.
And it’s in our backyard.
Celebrate 30 years of Netanya Management and WIN with the “30 Years of Your Memories” promotion!
To celebrate creating memorable holidays for three decades, the team at Netanya will be giving away a Netanya beach towel and tote bag every month until December 2024. Simply post your best memory and a photo or more to one of the social media platforms: Instagram - @netanyanoosa
Facebook - @NetanyaNoosa
Winners will be announced on Netanya’s social media channels at the end of each month and will need to contact Concierge on 5447 4722 to arrange postage. This is a great chance to share your special memories and get a memorable prize for doing so!
It was hot off the press and hot on Hastings Street to launch IN Noosa Magazine’s summer edition at the luxurious Netanya Noosa Resort! A cool Iced Tea cocktail collaboration by Sunshine & Sons and Tea Shop Noosa together with Heads of Noosa brews and Penfolds Reserve Range kept everyone hydrated. Noosa Chocolate Factory added a sweet touch and Tesla Transfers Noosa ensured safe passage. What a sensational way to end the year - and a bittersweet farewell to our Georgia who set off for an overseas adventure!
It’s time to shine the spotlight on the Sunshine Coast’s creative community! Jon Coghill announces the winners for this year’s Sunny Coast Showdown and previews what’s in store for Showfest 2024.
Six local filmmakers have won the chance of a lifetime with their film and TV projects going into production with the Sunny Coast Showdown presented by Bendigo Community Bank (Marcoola, Cooroy, Tewantin-Noosa).
The not-for-profit talent incubator offer local writers, producers and filmmakers the chance to win funding, support and mentoring to produce their own film and TV ideas.
Founded by myself and fellow Nambour High schoolmate Dan Munday, who has delivered reality productions including the global Survivor series, Sunny Coast Showdown is run by a handful of volunteers and screen professionals who want to establish a viable and sustainable film and TV industry on the Coast.
It’s possible due to the support of the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, patrons and sponsors who want to see a film and television industry develop and take off in the region.
We’re now in our third year and are proud to say that we are still uncovering new talent and plenty of it.
This year, we had an incredible array of submissions - more than 90 - and can’t wait to dive in and discover the next wave of talented storytellers.
Scripted category winner Josh Gannon from Eudlo won one of three scripted categories this year with his horrorcreature-feature script Lured, which he aims to shoot in the Buddina area.
“I’m absolutely stoked,” Josh said. “Last year I helped to grip and gaff on the Showdown short films and to go from that to write and direct my own
short film is a dream come true. Absolutely amazing.”
Indigenous writer and actor Beverley Marcusson said she was shocked to win the First Nations category.
“I didn’t think I could do such a thing, but once I started writing Pearl (the main character of her film Smiley) started coming alive,” she said.
Beverley says Sunny Coast Showdown is hugely important to up-and-coming writers and filmmakers, but especially local First Nations creatives.
“Kids might see this and think it’s totally out of reach, but when they see me doing it they might think wow, I can do that.”
Coolum’s Emma Morgan was overwhelmed that her comedy drama script, The Hoist, about a local bush dance going wrong, won another scripted category.
“I’m still in that ‘pinch-me moment’
because I find this unbelievable. I’m excited someone actually read the thing and saw something in it,’ she said.
Emma says studying Creative Industries at Uni SC as a mature-aged student has given her the confidence to ‘put herself out there.’
“It allowed me to realise it’s never too late to start something you love and to present what I can give to the world,” she said. “You just have to seize the opportunity and find those moments.”
Freelance producers Kim Ingles and Julia Lörsch won one of two unscripted categories with their documentary The Art Side of the Moon, which follows the story of the Odysseus Lunar Lander that touched down on the moon last month.
The producers said they were thrilled to be part of this year’s Showdown and that they entered because it’s a unique opportunity to have their story supported and brought to life; plus they get to work
and connect with other local creatives.”
Sunny Coast Showdownis now in pre-production stage where the projects are developed and the cast and crew are organized by the production team. The shoot days are the planned across the Coast for the second half of April and first half of May.
Writer and former federal cop, Stephen Walker, is a second-time winner of Sunny Coast Showdown and says his career has benefitted hugely due to the experience.
“Being selected last year for this unique opportunity was a game changer for me,” Stephen said.
“My confidence as a writer has grown
and individuals on a range of projects, as well as my scripts. This confidence and experience has also led to me being accepted into the Screen Queensland Writers Write program in 2024.”
Stephen has this year put his hand up to direct his winning comedy, Stiffs
“I’m equal parts scared and excited as we now move into pre-production,” he said. “It’s hard to imagine that production quality will improve from last year, but it already feels that the bar has been raised.”
The films are now in production with the finished works to be shown at the Showdown Showcase at The Met,
Presented by Bendigo Bank Community Bank Sunshine Coast
SCRIPTED WINNERS:
The Hoist, Emma Morgan - comedy/drama
Lured, Josh Gannon - Horror
Stiffs, Stephen Walker - comedy
INDIGENOUS WINNER:
Smiley, Beverley Marcusson - comedy/drama
UNSCRIPTED WINNERS:
Rustworthy, Elsie Bowditch - Automotive/ lifestyle/educational
The Art Side of the Moon, Kim Ingles and Julia Löersch - documentary
SHOWFEST FILM & TV FESTIVAL
Friday 21 June
SHOWFEST x Hello Sunshine Magazine
Lunch with Legends
SHOWFEST x Hot 91 Mobile Phone Film Festival, make-your-own-2min-film competition
Saturday 22 June:
SHOWFEST x Showdown Showcase, Sunny Coast Showdown winning films at The MET, Maroochydore. Red carpet outdoor cinema and VIP event.
More details and events are to be confirmed.
Tom Gleeson
Excite the senses, kick up your heels and enjoy Noosa Alive! a world-class razzle dazzle cocktail of arts and culture, writes
Ten days of unquestionable Festival Fever like no other, is the promise.
With sun and song in your heart, love, laughter and taste buds piqued, this years’ festival from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 July will have arts and culture lovers in a whirl and spoilt for choice.
The Festival is now in its 22nd year, and with acclaimed director Ian Mackellar once again at the helm, the program will offer a broad spectrum of events.
All the things the Festival is famous for - breathtaking live shows, thoughtprovoking forums, and mind-tingling eye-catching performances, sensational food, film and wine events.
Helen FlanaganThink dance, ballet, opera and classical music; theatre, circus, magic and stand-up comedy; long lunches, brunches and dinners; fascinating literary events, popular Seaside Vibes dance parties, and all with the stunning backdrop of Noosa. Naturally.
Sure to hit the high notes is the festival’s headliner, comedian extraordinaire Tom Gleeson. The Hard Quiz Overlord, Taskmaster host and Gold Logie winner has taken the Big Brass Mug on the road for the past two years with Hard Quiz Live
He has performed at every major comedy festival in the world, been nominated for a Helpmann Award three
“...I’m looking forward to getting back to doing what I do best. Poking and provoking a live crowd.”
– Tom Gleeson
times, won the Gold Logie for the Most Popular Personality on Australian television and now he’s giving Noosa audiences an opportunity to see a master stand-up at work with his brand-new live show, Gear
“Stand up is my specialty,” says Tom. “Television is a beautiful distraction but I’m looking forward to getting back to doing what I do best. Poking and provoking a live crowd.”
He must be ok at it winning Best Comedy Performer, AACTA Awards 2022; and Best Comedy at Adelaide Fringe Festival 2020 and Perth Fringe World 2019.
Don’t miss the chance to watch this gold-plated, comedy superstar live!
What is not to love about an opening night especially when it features an amazing performance by the worldrenowned Opera Divas at the J Theatre?
And better be quick to book Twilight Classics on Noosa Main Beach two nights later. It promises to be a much soughtafter event, offering dinner, live chamber music and three outstanding vocalists, two sopranos and a tenor.
Pulling more than rabbits out of their hats will be two internationally acclaimed, truly astounding magicians for a series of intimate up-close and personal experiences, including the inside know-how of amazing your friends. Tim Ellis who has been chosen three times to represent Australia on the Jury at the FISM World Championships will perform Timeless Magic - an exclusive stage performance for Noosa Alive! And Harry Milas will invite an intimate number of guests to share some incredible ‘sleight of hand’ magic, where he reveals (shhh) some of his magical secrets! There will only be a handful (literally, five) of the Up Close Experience sessions with a limit of 40 guests per event - so be quick as opportunities will disappear.
Love a bit of Agatha Christie, known throughout the world as the Queen of
Crime as the best-selling novelist in history?
A great who dunnit theatre improv-production Murder Village, will see the audience choose the suspects, the weapon and setting, in this laugh-aminute spoof.
Noosa Alive! would never be the same without intimate performances by the Queensland Ballet and audiences will be thrilled with their latest World Premiere performances; and similarly irresistible MEOW MEOW! returning with theatre royalty John Bell AO and piano virtuoso Simon Tedeschi, together for an unmissable one-andonly performance.
Junkyard Beats, renowned for their dynamic rhythm shows will present The Box Show of high-energy routines including drumming, body percussion, dance, junk percussion, circus and hilarious skits. The family-friendly show is inspired by everyday life, created from recycled junk, filled with imagination, humour, lots of rhythm and performed by loveable characters. During the ten days of the Festival, watch out for the Junkyard Beats where you least expect, with pop-up zany snippets of their funky performances.
Noosa Alive! 2024 offers an eclectic array of events and performances over 10 days and nights from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 July with an emphasis on accessible ticket prices to suit all budgets and of course most tastes. The full program will be announced early April with ticket sales direct from the website for a more streamlined, booking fee-free process. We can’t wait!
NOOSA ALIVE! 2024
FRIDAY 19 JULY - SUNDAY 28 JULY 2024
For all events, including the announcement of two additional performances for the Queensland Ballet, be sure to sign up for the latest information via the website. www.noosaalive.com.au
Rock on down to Sunshine Coast Turf Club to experience the electric vibes of The Avenue – a Palm Springsinspired pink-and-green oasis of eats, sips, live music and fun times that’ll have you eagerly racing back for another visit, discovers Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer.
You might have attended previous Race Days at Sunshine Coast Turf Club, but we can guarantee you haven’t experienced anything quite like The Avenue!
This stunning new space has been meticulously designed for maximum wow factor: think pink decor, lush greenery galore, arched arbours for the perfect Race Day photo, live music, Fashions on the Field competitions, and culinary delights that’ll keep the good vibes flowing all day long.
Not only will this new area blow you away in the style stakes and elevate your racing experience, but admission is included with ANY ticket on feature race days – making it easier than ever to glam up, soak up your surroundings, enjoy quality entertainment, and make everlasting memories with your crew!
The Avenue will come alive on four not-to-be-missed feature Race Days of music, racing and fun in 2024: the 91.1
Hot FM Ladies Oaks Day on Friday 31 May; Caloundra Cup Day on Saturday 6 July; Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November; and Mooloolaba Cup Day on Saturday 16 November.
First up, don’t miss the 91.1 Hot FM Ladies Oaks Day on Friday 31 May – a Race Day that combines the lively ambience of a festival with a passion for fashion and the thrill of thoroughbred racing! Revel in The Avenue’s thrilling atmosphere, courtesy of live music from Super Disco Club on the Main Stage, along with top DJs Emma Peters and Jake Webb who’ll keep the party going all afternoon and well into the evening.
Fancy being a VIP for the day? Join fellow merrymakers at the exclusive Red Hot Garden Party in The Establishment, which boasts luxuries including premium indoor-outdoor seating, trackside views, diverse bars, a food truck park with two vouchers, and intimate performances by Emma Peters and Jake Webb.
Or up the luxury stakes by booking your very own VIP Cabana within the Garden Party – a vibrant, open-air mini marquee for 10 people, with comfortable trackside seating on The Rails plus two bottles of G.H Mumm Champagne to toast your winning experience!
“The 91.1 Hot FM Ladies Oaks Day is one of our stand-out events for the year, and we’re so excited to be introducing members and attendees to the beauty of The Avenue and all it has to offer,” says Taryn Delaney, Marketing and Events Manager at Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
“From the Fashions on the Field competition showcasing the most gorgeous and creative looks, to the
endlessly delicious eats and drinks on offer and the amazing lineup of live music from world-class talent, we know it’s going to be an event that goes down in Turf Club history!”
Taryn was previously at Flemington Victoria Race Club before making the move to Queensland with her young family, and has been collaborating with interior and event stylist Melanie Barone of The Style Dispensary – who she previously joined forces with at Flemington – for all Sunshine Coast Turf Club’s space designs and activations.
“Melanie’s an absolute creative force, and I love collaborating with her,” Taryn says. “Not only is Sunshine Coast Turf Club currently the world’s busiest grass track, with more races per year than any other, but it’s now one of the most exciting in terms of the stunning spaces and the variety of entertainment and events on offer!
“The SCTC team have worked hard to build this beautiful space, and we can’t wait to share it with people.”
It’s fair to say that Sunshine Coast Turf Club is off and racing for stylish celebrations in 2024! Giddy up!
31 May - 91.1 Hot FM Ladies Oaks Day
6 July - Caloundra Cup Day
18 August - Noosa Cup Day
5 November - Melbourne Cup
16 November - Mooloolaba Cup Day
Sunshine Coast Turf Club
170 Pierce Avenue, Caloundra
Bookings: www.sctc.com.au
peregianbeachhotel.com.au
What’s brewing, cooking and happening...
Don’t miss the Two Hands Wine Dinner on 12 April at Noosa Boathouse, with chef Shane Bailey creating a fourcourse feast with matching wines and insights into the history and wine-making process with Luke Willis from Two Hands. Hop on down for an Easter Feast or Mother’s Day seafood tower or grab some fish and chips; enjoy the free live music on the Boaty Lawn every Sunday from 4:30-7:30pm, or indulge in lunch specials of two courses for $42 or three courses for $49pp Mon-Fri with a glass of wine; or dinner Mon-Thurs.
Noosa Springs
Golf Spa & Resort presents Sunday Sounds on the terrace on the last Sunday of the month from 2:30-4:30pm; or book into Relish Restaurant’s
themed dinners
First Friday of the Month with a global theme and four courses for $75pp. High Tea on the terrace is just $50pp; the Daily Lunch special offers entrée & main or main & dessert for $38 or with a glass of wine for $45pp; and the Weekend Lunch Special of Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pudding with all the trimmings is $35.
FARM TO FORK
CC’s Kitchen is celebrating 13 years with the launch of Woolooga Farm Kitchen, a brand-new purpose-built commercial kitchen at Petersen’s Farm, in time for the Big Rosella Field Day, 4-5 May.
CHANGEOVER
Chef Jake and partner Gabby are the new owners at Theo’s Social Club
SOFITEL SUNSET
Celebrate Martini
Hour with three iconic $12 martinis and a Mooloolaba prawn roll for $10 and Happy Hour at Sofitel Noosa’s Riviera Bar & Lounge from 4-6pm daily. Plus BYO wine (no corkage) at Noosa Beach House every Mon, Tues & Wed.
Lucio’s Marina’s lunch special is back with $55 for two courses or $65 for three courses, both with a glass of wine. Don’t forget Sunday Sunset Sessions from 3.30-6.30pm with live music and Italian Aperitivo menu from $10 per plate. Why not take advantage of Lucio’s Private Transfer Service!
Culinary Noosa has arrived and The Culinary Academy’s Wednesday lunch is back! Brought to you by trainee chefs under the watchful eye of their instructors, the menu varies each week but is always a topnotch meal at a fraction of the price, with $10 entrees, $15 mains, $25 main and dessert or $30 for three courses. Book a table today and help nurture our budding
hospitality gurus.
Sunshine & Sons Vodka was named World’s Best at the World Vodka Awards from a line-up of more than 20 countries! Sunshine & Sons previously won Gold as Australia’s best in the Botanical Vodka category before going on to win the international category. Cheers!
Slow Food Noosa’s Snail of Approval recipients have been winning with Noosa Hinterland Brewing Co awarded Gold at the Royal Queensland Beer Awards for the Six Mile Session Ale, and Bronze for the Cooran Crusher; Amrita Park Meadery has taken out Champion of the Show and Best in Class for Fruit Meadery for their Macadamia and Strawberry Mead at the Australian Red Hill Mead Show; and Woombye Cheese Company has achieved second
place at the WORLD Championship Cheese Contest for their Blackall Gold Washed Rind!!
HELLO HERBERT!
Herbert is celebrating three months of beautiful breakfasts! Featuring fresh and locally sourced ingredients, homemade yogurt, jams, preserves, pickles, and their famous housesmoked salmon, enjoy Wednesday to Sunday from 7:30am.
CHOCOLATE DREAMS!
Hop into Noosa Chocolate Factory for the ultimate in handmade Easter Eggs, bunnies and all the delicious treats!
Lindt lovers rejoice! Fiona’s Fancies is laying it on thick this Easter with an egg-stra special range of decadent Lindt chocolate mousse cakes, Lindt loaded iced chocolate and everyone’s favourite rocky
road! With their third apprentice about to graduate, Fiona is on the lookout for the next rising star!
YUM CHA!
ChinaDina has quickly gained fans for its authentic Hong Kong-inspired cuisine and Yum Cha makes it even better, with a set menu starting at just $39 per person for lunch Wed-Sat.
WITH GUSTO!
Gusto Noosa offers a Weekday Lunch with a house drink for $39 main only, $49 for two courses or $59 for three courses - or enjoy a Weekday Dinner special for $39 with a glass of wine. Wednesdays include live music from 5-8pm and Happy Hour, 4.30-5.30pm.
Saturday’s Bottomless Lunch includes five courses for $89; the $42 Sunday Roast Special is a hit and locals can BYO every Thurs.
RECIPES BY
MATT GOLINSKIWith the Mary Valley celebrating GourMay for the whole month of May, local food lover Matt Golinski has come up with some Autumn recipes using his favourite producers from the region.
Saganaki is a traditional Greek dish named after the pan it is served in. The idea is that the small heavy based pan keeps the cheese hot at the table while everyone digs in. Prawn Saganaki uses the same pan but generally consists of prawns cooked in a tomato-based sauce sprinkled with fetta cheese. You can usually pick up a suitable pan at a cookware or camping shop.
I find some haloumi to be either too hard or too salty, but the Kenilworth Dairy one is just perfect for this. Saganaki is so simple and quick to throw together and autumn is the best time to enjoy the beautiful fresh figs that come out of the Mary Valley.
Ingredients:
• 200g Kenilworth Haloumi
• 50ml extra virgin olive oil
• 2 ripe figs, cut into quarters
• 2 tbs Hum Honey cold fusion organic chilli honey
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• Cracked black pepper
• Lemon wedges
• 1 small baguette, sliced
Method:
• Dry the block of haloumi on paper towel.
• In a small cast iron pan large enough to fit the whole block of haloumi, heat the olive oil and fry the haloumi on all sides until golden and crispy.
• Arrange the figs on top and drizzle with the chilli honey.
• Sprinkle with thyme and pepper and serve to the table in the pan with the baguette slices and lemon wedges on the side.
Ingredients:
• 4 K2 T-Bone steaks
• 1 kg Kent pumpkin, peeled and diced
• 1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tsp sumac
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ¼ cup fresh oregano
Method:
• 50ml extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 150gm Kenilworth Natural Yoghurt (or good Greek Yoghurt)
• 50gm tahini
• Salt and pepper
• Toss the pumpkin and cherry tomatoes with half of the olive oil, sumac and cumin and season with salt and pepper.
• Spread in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper and roast for 30 minutes at 210°C.
• Once cooked, toss in a bowl with the oregano leaves, lemon juice and remaining olive oil.
• Whisk together the yoghurt and tahini and season with salt and pepper.
• Rub the steaks with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill to your preferred doneness on a hot BBQ, then allow to rest for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Serve each steak on a generous amount of yoghurt and tahini sauce and divide the pumpkin salad between each.
Tim and Amber Scott produce their certified organic grass-fed K2 Beef on their farm in Kandanga. They are strong advocates for regenerative farming and are leading the way in their industry. You can drop into their Kandanga Farm Store to purchase their meat as well as other local organic produce.
Method:
• Preheat oven to 160°C.
• Line a 25 x 40cm baking tray with baking paper.
• Beat the egg whites using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer until they form soft peaks.
• Slowly add the sugar and beat for 5 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved.
• Gently fold in the vinegar and cornflour and spread the meringue in an even layer on the lined tray.
• Bake for 20 minutes at 160°C.
• Lay out a clean tea towel and cover with a piece of baking paper.
• Sprinkle evenly with icing sugar and turn the meringue out onto the baking paper.
Greg and CC from Petersen’s Farm in Woolooga are one of the main growers of rosellas in the country - each season they pick tonnes of fruit which either gets shipped off to the markets, or CC turns into over 30 products in their on-farm kitchen.
On the first weekend in May they hold the Big Rosella Festival, giving the public the chance to visit the farm and learn all about this beautiful fruit. Native river mint is available as tube stock in most Landcare nurseries, but if you can’t find it, regular mint is fine.
• 150gm rosella jam
• 4 Forage Farm pastured free-range egg whites
• 150gm castor sugar
• 1 tsp cornflour
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 300ml cream, whipped
• ¼ cup native river mint (or regular mint)
• icing sugar for dusting
• Peel away the lining paper and replace with a new piece of baking paper, then roll up tightly in the tea towel, starting from the short side.
• Allow to completely cool then unroll and remove top sheet of baking paper.
• Spread evenly with the whipped cream and generously spoon on the rosella jam.
• Sprinkle with half of the mint leaves and roll tightly into a log, using the bottom sheet of baking paper as an aid.
• Gently transfer to a serving platter and dust generously with icing sugar.
• Serve each slice sprinkled with the remaining mint.
Food festivals are back in a big way! Matt Golinski tucks into what’s on offer and discovers a veritable feast of themes and flavours
Being a born and bred Queensland boy, I’ve always scoffed at people with air conditioning.
I swore I’d never install it in my house, I’d rather sit around in a pool of sweat in my lounge room than accept that I’m not tough enough to handle whatever summer can throw at me.
But this year broke me. The electrician came last week, and now I live in 26 degree comfort all day long like the majority of the sane population.
It really has been hard to get motivated to do anything outside over the past few months – the relentless sweltering heat has been punctuated by only just enough rain to make the day more humid than it was before.
The vege garden has exploded into a very successful crop of weeds out of sheer neglect, exercising outside is unbearable, and any time spent socialising outdoors ends in sweaty armpit patches and heatstroke.
Which is why we don’t see many food festivals taking place in the summer months – no one looks glamorous running screaming for cover from a sudden hail storm, high heels and champagne flute in hand, perspiring from every crevice.
Autumn, however, is when the foodie fun all kicks off.
GourMay Mary Valley is a month long celebration during May which covers everything from food movies to farm tours. There’s something for all age groups and budgets, and it’s all happening in one of the most picturesque parts of the coast. Even if food isn’t your passion it’s worth the country drive to take in the beauty of this place.
...each event is a truly unique experience due to its climate, geography and most importantly the chefs and producers who live and work there...
Staying in the Gympie Shire, there’s also the Big Rosella Festival in Woolooga on the first weekend in May, the triumphant return of the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival on the last weekend, and the Gympie Show right in the middle of the month.
Noosa Eat Drink is back in full force at the end of May and into early June with the much-loved festival village in The Woods at the end of Hastings Street
promising plenty of opportunities to catch your favourite chefs in action on stage, and snack and sip your way through the weekend. There’s also dozens of satellite collaborative lunches and dinners happening over the four days in all the best restaurants around town.
Over the last week of July and the beginning of August, The Curated Plate shows off the southern part of the Sunshine Coast from Caloundra to Eumundi, and out west into the lush hinterland.
There’s so much diversity in the food and landscape in this region that you might find yourself eating prawns while you’re looking at the ocean from the beach, or eating beef while you’re looking at the ocean from the mountains.
Moreton Bay Food and Wine takes in three days and nights at the Woody Point waterfront in late August, with so much happening you’d need to be there the whole time to see it all.
If you’re keen for a food discovery road trip, there’s plenty happening in regional Queensland as well.
June brings the Scenic Rim Eat Local Month and St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend between Rockhampton and Mackay; July see the return of the Jumpers and Jazz Festival in Warwick; August is all about Baconfest in Kingaroy and the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival in Rockhampton.
Spring sprouts the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival on 27-28 September, Cooloola Farm Trail on 28-29 September and the Stanthorpe Berry Festival on November 16 and 17!
Country festivals are a great way to meet the locals, get to know a new area and explore the surrounding countryside while you’re there.
There’s enough food festivals on in 2024 to keep even the most gluttonous gastronome satisfied, and each event is a truly unique experience due to its climate, geography and most importantly the chefs and producers who live and work there.
So step out into that safe Autumn weather, find the indulgence that grabs you, and start creating some culinary memories that will last a lifetime.
GOURMAY MARY VALLEY FOOD FESTIVAL
Wednesday 1 May-Monday 1 June, various locations.
www.gourmaymaryvalley.com.au
May is “Feasting Season” in the Mary Valley’s abundant food bowl, just 45 minutes from Noosa! Join the locals to celebrate the region’s abundant produce including pineapples, beans, dairy, organic beef, macadamias, avocadoes, persimmons, edible bamboo, pumpkins, goat’s cheese, greens, yuzu, wine, edible native plants and more! Meet the people who bring food to the table while enjoying farm tours, workshops, breakfast, camp oven lunch and dinners, damper, bush tucker, art and film, competitions, music, dancing and more!
DON’T MISS: Festival Day, 25 May and the Gala Dinner on 1 June. See page 46.
BIG ROSELLA FIELD DAY
Saturday 4-Sunday 5 May, 9am-4pm. Petersen’s Farm, 2 Riley Road, Woolooga. www.petersensfarm.com.au
Celebrating the annual harvest of rosella fruit, the Big Rosella Field Day is jam-packed with delectable homemade relishes, chutneys and preserves - all made with love on-site in the Woolooga Farm Kitchen (formerly CC’s Kitchen). From farm tours, tastings, cooking demonstrations, entertainment and a Young Farmer competition, the festival offers a chance to learn more about Petersen’s Farm and their rosella recipes.
DON’T MISS: Slathering freshly-baked scones with CC’s Rosella Jam!
GYMPIE DISTRICT SHOW
Thursday 16-Saturday 18 May Gympie Showgrounds, Gympie www.gympieshow.com.au
Immerse yourself in the rich agriculture history of the Gympie District Show when it returns in 2024 with the theme ‘all that glitters is gold’. Enjoy school displays, fireworks and local producers
showcasing local produce, side-show alley rides galore, agricultural displays, cooking displays and competitions.
DON’T MISS: The rodeo action!
GOOMERI PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Friday 24-Sunday 26 May, various locations. www.goomeripumpkinfestival.com
After a three year hiatus, get your pumpkin on at the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival. Explore unique handmade crafts, demonstrations and live music, indulge in the wide range of street food or take part in (or sit back and enjoy) events such as the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll; the Pumpkin Olympics; Pumpkin Polo and the Pumpkin Street Parade. There will be twilight markets, workshops, wine and cheese under the stars and a Clovely Estate Gala Dinner at Barambah Estate - there is something for everyone and all ages.
DON’T MISS: The chance to compete in the Great Australian Pumpkin Roll.
NOOSA EAT & DRINK FESTIVAL
Thursday 30 May-Sunday 2 June, restaurants and various locations throughout Noosa. www.noosaeatdrink.com.au
Foodies rejoice! Noosa’s tastiest foodie event is back with mouth-watering events, workshops, demonstrations and, of course, the much-loved Festival Village which this year will be in The Woods, Noosa. There will also be a series of events in the new-look Beach Garden so grab your pals and head along for a weekend of gourmet goodness and delicious wines, beers and ciders. Unique, innovative and downright luxurious dining events are also on offer in key venues but get in quick, dining events always sell out fast! Turn to pages 50-57 for your comprehensive guide to all things ‘NED’!
DON’T MISS: Catalina Pre-Launch Party on 30 May with Canggu, Bali hot spot
Mason, and award winning Brisbane restaurant, Agnes. Also, the Locale Gala Dinner on 2 June will close the Festival in style with Locale Chef Chris Hagan, Ben Williamson from Agnes and Jason Saxby of Raes at Wategos!
SCENIC RIM EAT LOCAL MONTH!
Saturday 1-Sunday 30 June, various locations.
www.eatlocalmonth.com.au
With more than 130 events and 50+ on-farm experiences, pack an empty esky to fill with goodies from the various farms, wineries, distilleries, and producers in this abundant region. Enjoy authentic paddock-to-plate experiences, workshops and more.
DON’T MISS: The Winter Harvest Festival, 29 June at Kalbar with produce stalls,local wines, beers and spirits - and the World-Famous Tractor Pull!
SUNNY COAST SHOWDOWN - SHOWFEST!
Friday 21-Saturday 22 June, various locations.
www.sunnycoastshowdown.com.au
The winning scripts have been chosen and six short films (scripted and unscripted) are now in production ready to be showcased at a red carpet open-air cinema for the Showdown Showcase! This year, the event has expanded to incorporate a mobile phone film festival and our sister publication, Hello Sunshine Magazine, will be hosting a Lunch with Legends including Sunny Coast Showdown founders Jon Coghill (of Powderfinger fame) and Dan Munday (of TV’s Survivor series) plus special guests! There is more to be announced so keep an eye on the Showdown socials and see page 32.
DON’T MISS: Book tickets to our Lunch with Legends at Bella Venezia.
NOOSA ALIVE!
Friday 19-Sunday 28 July, various locations. www.noosaalive.com.au
Don’t miss an impressive 10 days of theatre, fun, fashion, film and much more with premiere performances, comedy, film, exquisite ballet and quality theatre. Noosa Alive! brings together an abundance of culture across multiple venues throughout Noosa and surrounds. Ignite your senses with live shows, literary events, thought-provoking, mind tingling performances by some of the best Australian and international performers, writers, musicians, artists, chefs and more. See page 34.
DON’T MISS: Tom Gleeson’s stand-up comedy show, Gear; the Up Close Experience where magician Harry Milas will share his secrets
THE CURATED PLATE
Friday 26 July-Sunday 4 August, various locations on the Sunshine Coast. www.thecuratedplate.com.au
The flavours of the Sunshine Coast will come alive with the return of The Curated Plate and, if last year’s event was anything to go by, you will be spoilt for choice. From farm tours and workshops to distillery and craft beer tours and tastings; long lunches, late dinners and breakfasts with bubbles! The Curated Plate will see the leading
venues and menus of the Sunshine Coast come alive. We’re planning another Podcast + Pinot long lunch with special guests from our ‘Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa’ podcast for an afternoon of Savvy! Surprising! and Spirited! conversation. Stay tuned for the full program!
DON’T MISS: Our own Podcast + Pinot with local stars of the culinary worldin conversation and on the plate!
MORETON BAY FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL
Friday 23-Sunday 25 August
229 Hornibrook Esplanade, Margate www.moretonbayfoodandwine.com.au
Hungry for more?! The annual Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival has all the essential ingredients from celebrity chefs to pop-up bars, local produce, and live entertainment. Held over three scrumptious days of foodie heaven, head along to sample the delicious delights of Moreton Bay’s amazing food bowl.
DON’T MISS: Our very own Matt Golinski is sure to be dishing up the goods!
Friday 27-Sunday 28 September, various locations
www.mundubberablueberryfestival.com.au
With three huge events spread over two
days, become a ‘local’ and experience Mundubbera’s finest foods at Locavore 4626 - a night of fine dining showcasing amazing local produce. Then enjoy a Berry Big Day Out - a vibrant artisan market under the gum trees on the beautiful Burnett River with over 80 food stalls brimming with baked goodies, food trucks, arts, craft, hand-sewn fashion and so much more. End your experience with a live concert, the Blueberry Jam Sesh, with rock, country and indie artists.
DON’T MISS: The opportunity to camp out for a truly memorable experience!
COOLOOLA FARM TRAIL
Saturday 28-Sunday 29 September, 9am–4pm, various farms. Self-drive tour. www.cooloolafarmtrail.com.au
Set over two delicious days, experience the multitude of local flavours at the Cooloola Farm Trail weekend with local food and farm tours that take you behind the scenes of some of the working farms in the Gympie region. Local farms open their gates to share knowledge of their farming practices and how they are helping to grow the region’s reputation as major food producers.
DON’T MISS: Visiting the Slow Food Noosa Snail of Approval recipients.
Matt Golinski discovers a tasty food festival where one month is just not enough to taste and tour all the delights on offer!
Most regions in Australia these days hold an annual festival of some sort to highlight their agricultural identity – Chinchilla has watermelons, Kingaroy has pork, Mundubbera has blueberries, Stanthorpe has apples and grapes. The festivities generally run over one or two days, some of the big ones go for a whole week.
Very few regions can boast that they have so much to share that they need to party for over four weeks to get it all done.
But there’s a fertile and flourishing little pocket of countryside that sits between Cooroy and Gympie that’s so abundant that 31 days barely scratches the surface of all there is to savour.
Driving past lush grassy paddocks around Amamoor and Kandanga it’s hard to believe that if a decision about the proposed Traveston Dam had gone a different way back in 2009, much of this area would be underwater now.
‘GourMay Mary Valley’ is a monthlong celebration of the fact that all these small communities have their heads very
much above water and are working hard to ensure that this prime farming land continues to produce food thoughtfully and sustainably for generations to come.
Beginning on the first of May with an opening ceremony at the Honeybee Wellness Centre in Kandanga, ABC Rural’s Jen Nichols will MC a variety night of music, comedy, performances and of course, delicious local food.
This kicks off a month-long celebration with a number of tasty satellite events, including a Vintners
Lunch at Dingo Creek Winery in Tandur, a Bushfood Long Lunch with legendary local chef and character Peter Wolfe at the Kandanga Farm Store, and a sunset stroll along the Mary Valley Rail Trail to experience the unforgettable symphony of the Bellbirds in Imbil.
If you have a competitive spirit, you could consider entering the inaugural Mary Valley Camp Oven Competition, or release your inner artist and come up with a piece to display in the Kenilworth ArtsFest. The winning work will feature a food product or process specific to the Mary Valley and will take home the special $2,000 prize.
...there’s a fertile and flourishing little pocket of countryside that sits between Cooroy and Gympie that’s so abundant that 31 days barely scratches the surface...
Take a stroll through Amamoor State Forest and experience Macadamia Trees in their original habitat with expert guided commentary and a morning tea filled with macadamias and other native bush plants on 5 or 8 May; or book a seat on the historic Valley Rattler on 9 May to experience a different perspective of the region, and stop at farms along the way to learn, taste and relax.
There will be two ‘foodie’ films at the
Kandanga Hall – Ratatouille for the kids on 12 May presented by Mary Valley Film Society and The 100-Foot Journey presented by Slow Food Noosa for the adults on 16 May.
If you really want to immerse yourself in the Mary Valley’s rich and diverse farming culture, there are plenty of chances to visit properties over the month and get a deep insight into the processes involved in food production, and listen to the passionate people who put their heart and soul into making sure we can have access to healthy and nutritious ingredients.
On 18 May you can start the day with a Sunrise Breakfast at The Avocado Tree Farm in Amamoor and sip on bubbles as you greet the day with a breakfast of local cuisine in an open air, paddock-to-plate celebration of organic farming and local farmers; later Tim and Amber Scott will host a Farm Tour & Tapas of their certified organic K2 Beef property in Kandanga, or head to Kybong on May 26 to learn all about regenerative farming and see it in action at Forage Farms.
These are just a fraction of the events that lead up to the big festival day on Saturday May 25 when Imbil Town Square and Rail Park will come alive with food stalls, cooking demonstrations and competitions, interesting speakers and entertainment all day long.
GourMay winds up with a Gala Dinner Party on the first of June (I told you 31 days wasn’t enough) held at the Mary Valley State College in Imbil.
And just when you thought the Gympie Region couldn’t possibly have more on, there’s also The Big Rosella Festival in Woolooga from 4-5 May, The Gympie Show from 16-18 May, and the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival is back in full swing 26 May.
GourMay may be a great showcase of all the individuals that make the food scene of the Mary Valley so special, but more than that it highlights the public’s appetite to get to know the region better. Join in the May-hem, you won’t regret it!
1 May - 1 June 2024
Satellite Events: 1 May -1 June
Festival Day: 25 May; 8.30am - 3pm
Gala Dinner Party: 1 June, 6.30pm - late
For tickets and tasty tidbits, visit www.gourmaymaryvalley.com.au
Deb Caruso meets the local chefturned-restaurant owner who combines a love of tradition with local flavours and a whole lot of passion.
Name
Andrea RavezzaniHow/Why did you become a chef?
I became a chef because of my Nonna’s cooking.
Her love for food inspired me to pursue a career as a chef and I learned to appreciate the magic of simple ingredients and the importance of tradition.
What are your career highlights?
The most rewarding moment of my career so far has been owning two restaurants and receiving my first Chef’s Hat.
These achievements reflect years of hard work, dedication, and a passion for the culinary arts. They have fuelled my drive to continue pushing the boundaries of my craft.
What do you love about being a chef?
I love the pressure, adrenaline, and creativity. The fast-paced environment of the kitchen keeps me on my toes, and the rush of adrenaline during busy service is exhilarating.
I thrive on the challenge of creating new dishes and experimenting with flavours to deliver memorable dining experiences. What do you love about local produce?
I love the freshness, quality, and support for small businesses. It’s ready to use and bursting with flavour. I love all our local producers, they are all my favourites.
What is your approach to food?
It’s pretty simple: less is more, and fresh is best. I believe in letting the natural flavours of ingredients shine by keeping recipes uncomplicated and using highquality, fresh produce.
Who is your culinary inspiration?
Inspiration comes from many Italian chefs. Their dedication to tradition,
mastery of flavours, and emphasis on simplicity resonate deeply with me and influence my approach to cooking. Who would you love to cook for?
I would love to cook for Marco Pierre White as a master chef and for my dad, who is no longer with us.
Marco Pierre White’s culinary expertise would inspire me to showcase my best dishes, and cooking for my dad would be a heartfelt way to honour his memory and share a meal together, even if only in spirit.
What is your favourite dish – to eat or cook?
Spaghetti Carbonara! A timeless classic that never fails to satisfy.
As a boy, I grew up with this as my favourite dish – it was like bacon and
eggs to us and we had it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I often eat it before my shift starts at the restaurant.
It’s a simple yet flavourful meal that brings everyone together around the table.
It’s also my son’s favourite dish and when my mumma was over from Italy recently, she made it nearly every day. It was always the answer to ‘what would you like for lunch or dinner?’
What do you love about Noosa?
What I love about being in Noosa is the paradise it offers, and of course, being with my wife and son.
Any advice for young chefs?
Start from the bottom, work hard, and travel a lot. Embrace entry-level positions to gain experience, and explore diverse culinary cultures through travel to enrich your skills and perspective.
Favourite kitchen tool?
A sharp, reliable knife is essential for precision cutting and preparing ingredients, while tongs provide versatility and control when handling food on the stove or grill.
Favourite ingredient?
Seafood for its versatility and delicate flavours.
SERVES 4
• 400g spaghetti
• 200g of guanciale (Italian cured meat product prepared from pork jowl or cheeks) or good quality bacon
• 4 egg yolks
• 200g pecorino romano or parmiggiano reggiano
• Salt and pepper
Method:
• In a small/medium bowl beat the egg yolks until well combined; add the grated pecorino and pepper and beat to combine.
• In a large pot boil the water, once the water is at a roaring boil add a little salt (depending on how salty your guanciale is) and the pasta, stir and cook until a little more than al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, slice the guanciale into short thin strips.
• In a large pan add the olive oil and guanciale and cook until desired doneness, I like it on the crunchy side.
• On medium/high heat, add the al dente pasta to the pan, add 1/2 ladle of hot pasta water and stir constantly to combine for about 1-2 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg mixture and combine.
• Add 1/3 cup or a ladle of hot pasta water (the heat from the pasta and the pasta water will cook the eggs without turning it into scrambled eggs)
• Toss continually until well combined.
• Serve immediately topped with freshly grated pecorino and black pepper.
Busting it out for Autumn, embracing seasonal produce and a riverside setting is Gusto. Helen Flanagan fine-tuned her taste buds in anticipation.
The ever-evolving French-leaning restaurant with a modern coastal ethos is evocative, classically cruising in style, with a well-defined menu beverage list and impeccable service.
The menus range from a la carte to sensational weekday, Saturday and Sunday set lunches as well as specially created degustations. The flavours are diverse and inspired by head chef Sacha Ryan’s love of fragrant spices such as cumin, sumac, fenugreek, cardamom, baharat and turmeric, also having a close association with producers, farmers and fishermen and their premium products.
Hitting the high notes, the gospel of menus is a brilliant take on Brunch.
Sacha, who worked for mentor David Rayner for four years says: “Every Sunday from 10.30am to noon, think dishes such as a Crab Omelette with Sweetcorn; Eggs Benedict with HouseCured Salmon, Spinach, Hollandaise and
Salmon Caviar; and Smoked Fish Salad with Kipflers, Horseradish, Soft-Boiled Egg, Dill and Crispy Capers.
“I love being able to recreate an emotion for someone enjoying my food,” she says. “It might remind them of a person or place - or maybe they are just completely taken aback by the dish.”
Sweet and sparkly indulgences include French Toast Maple Syrup, Ice Cream and Berries; Coconut Pannacotta with Seasonal Fruits; and let’s celebrate with any dish and a bottomless one hour of Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Prosecco or Elderflower Spritz, or Taittinger Champagne for a tad extra.
Sacha’s Polish-born mother inspired the little kid to bake scones, cakes, biscuits and an apple tea cake that was the best - as was rifling through her magazine clippings and recipe books.
“I’m very vegetable driven, love the idea of a vegetarian dish outshining any protein, also using as much produce as possible for minimal wastage,” Sacha says.
“I am very drawn to Middle Eastern flavours, and I always try to remember a customer’s absolute favourite dish.
The surprising showstopper that has already proven a hit with diners of all ages is the roast pumpkin.
“If I was a dish I would be this one,” says Sacha. “Roasted Pumpkin on Amba Sauce with Olive Tapenade, Crispy Kale, and Caramelised Walnuts - vegan, vegetarian, gluten free - and totally delicious.”
We can vouch for that with the famed Israeli Amba Sauce packing a flavoursome punch that needs to be tasted to be believed!
What’s next? Suggestions included Tempura Zucchini Flower stuffed with Spiced Sweet Potatoes with Beetroot Cashew Cream, Harissa Oil and Pepita; Chargrilled WA Lobster Tail with Butter Sauce, Salmon Roe, Prawn Oil; Butterflied U8 Skull Island Prawns with Burnt Chilli, Maple Bacon and Butter; and Torn Burrata with Serrano Ham, Garden Peas, Pickled Radish, Spiced Almond Crumb and Mint Dressing.
For the main event let the taste buds tango with Prawns Spaghettini with Chilli, Confit Tomatoes, Lemon, Garlic and Chives; Mussels Provençale in a Tomato and Garlic Broth with Baguette
and Chips; Housemade Potato Gnocchi, Broccoli Pesto, Garden Peas, Spinach, Crispy Sage and Parmesan; Crispy Skin Salmon, White Bean Purée, Maple Dutch Carrots, Chorizo; Confit Duck Leg with Celeriac Purée, Walnut, Celery, Apple, Broadleaf Rocket, Duck Fat Potatoes and Jus; and Grilled Wagyu Rump with Truffle Parsnip Purée, Crispy Enoki Mushrooms and Jus.
Creme Brûlée and Lemon Tart are never-to-be-removed classics and Sacha has revamped a few of her faves for autumn, such as Apple and Pear Crumble with an outstanding Date and Cardamom Ice-cream.
“Also a good old Treacle Tart but I’ve added a decadent Chocolate Ganache and a Bitter Chocolate Soil, with Mascarpone to complement,” she shares. “The opportunity to create and play around with a lot of flavours through wine dinner events is exciting.
“Gusto’s sommelier Dale Potts will give me three key words on the specific wines chosen for the event and I’ll run with them creating an unique menu for every event.”
Seasoned restaurateur and owner of Gusto Tim Lepoutre says Sacha is exemplary and has slipped into the role of head chef so naturally.
“She’s very calm even under extreme pressure when service becomes chaotic,” he says.
Sacha who has the knack of keeping her kitchen team calm at all times, attributes it to relentless training as a professional boxer and fights in the Superfly and Bantamweight divisions.
“I train 5-6 days a week regardless of work load at the restaurant, even if that means training early morning and between lunch and dinner services,” she says.
“I never stand still and am very self-motivated, a trait I take into the kitchen.” What a knockout!
Sunshine Beach Surf Club is all about good times, good views and good music, regularly bringing the community together with live performances from Australian music royalty. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer dives into the program to see what’s on offer.
If you’ve seen a rocking-great band recently, chances are it’s been at Sunshine Beach Surf Club. One of the Noosa region’s most popular live music venues, they have a revolving door of legends taking to the microphone, with past performances from people like Russell Morris, Kate Ceberano, Ross Wilson and many others!
This modern, beautiful club was completely rebuilt in 2020, and features two outdoor decks with panoramic ocean views, plus an atmospheric dining and bar area and a state-of-the-art games room. As well as great acoustics, a big ol’ dancefloor and some delicious brews on tap, the Sunshine Coast Surf Club is open seven days – a welcoming place where everyone in the community is invited to meet, relax and connect.
True to form, they’ve got a fantastic line-up of events happening this Autumn – see what’s on offer below, and be sure to follow them on social media for future announcements!
It all kicks off with the final acts from the An Intimate Afternoon series with GANGgajang – a gang of 80s legends who were crowned ‘The World’s Best Band’ two years in a row by the World Pro Surfers Association! Happening on Sunday 24 March, we recommend rallying your own gang and grabbing your tickets before it’s too late.
The 80s love continues with pop/rock sensations Uncanny X Men hitting the stage for their reunion tour on Sunday 19 May!
Colourful and entertaining lead singer
Brian Mannix is known for his stage antics and uncontrollable energy (one of the reasons they’re named after the Marvel comic book series), making this a not-to-be-missed extravaganza!
Thanks to sponsorship from Green Beacon Brewery, tickets are now almost 50% discounted to both these shows, making them just $60 per person for members (available through reception) or $75 for non-members – so it’s more affordable than ever to experience the magic of these legendary performers in person!
Local band Raw Ordio’s Special Easter Sunday Sunset Session promises epic tunes and epic vibes while the sun goes down, encouraging you to dance the afternoon away at this family-friendly
event on Sunday 31 March!
With huge appearances at Splendour in the Grass, Elements Festival, Caloundra Music Festival, NZ Spirit Festival and more this year, Raw Ordio have repeatedly sold out their Queensland shows, and have an infectious raw energy that’s sure to get you moving.
And there’s more than great tunes happening over Easter! On Easter Saturday, guests also have the chance to win an Easter Hamper that’s choc-full of deliciousness – simply eat, drink and play to earn entries, with prizes being drawn from 3pm.
The Easter bunny will be spreading joy and hoppyness on Saturday at 1pm and 5.30pm PLUS on Sunday at 9am, 1pm and 5.30pm, bringing sweet chocolatey treats and sugar highs to little ones far and wide.
There’ll also be a balloon artist visiting on Easter Sunday 1pm to 3pm (get your animal requests ready!), plus you can enjoy a special Easter breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 8am.
Treat your mum to gorgeous food and great vibes on Mother’s Day, Sunday 12 May! Downstairs in the dining area there’ll be tantalising special offers and a special gift for the first 100 mums who
walk through the door; while upstairs there’ll be an Eagles Tribute Show, with tickets including a two-course lunch and a complimentary drink on arrival.
The doors open at 11:30am and each mum will receive a special gift, with multi draw and lucky door prizes up for grabs!
Ending the Autumn season with a bang, rock legends Angry Anderson and The Filthy Animals will be doing their thing at the surfy on Sunday 23 June,
with a special pre-show meet and greet.
Formed during lockdown, this tribute brand includes over 30 accomplished musicians from iconic bands, giving it official Australian Supergroup status.
Prepare to be blown away by their energy as they delight the crowd with hits old and new!
Sunshine, songs and sensational times?
It’s gotta be Sunshine Beach Surf Club!
t’s no surprise the Chinese immigrants brought their culinary secrets and traditions to Australia. In fact, it’s the Cantonese style of cooking that underpins what we’ve come to know and love as ‘Chinese’ food. Your beloved Peking Duck? Barbequed Pork Bun? Steamed Hargow Dumplings? Braised Chicken Feet? Honey Prawns with Chilli? You get the idea…
With a salute to authentic Cantonese cuisine’s subtle, uncomplicated flavours, and a nod to modern Chinese, is the cleverly named and in-tune interior designed ChinaDina. Its team of specialised chefs have sourced the best ingredients to let the inspired dishes do the talking. A wine, beer and cocktail list follows suit and overall, it’s dining that ignites all the senses.
Hong Kong-born head chef Zepher (Zeph) Yip whose first restaurant foray at 18 was followed by a move to Christchurch, New Zealand to study and work every weekend in his uncle’s busy restaurant, leads a team of six chefs at ChinaDina including Hong Kong-born wokmaster, Kit.
Zeph, who handmakes in excess of 500 dumplings every week, says the preferred way to cook seafood is to steam or shallow fry, adding small amount of mild yet flavour-boosting accompaniments like soybean, ginger, spring onion, sauces such as oyster and plum to enhance a bevy of primarily meat and seafood dishes.
“An exception is the popular and robust King Prawn Typhoon Shelter, named after a place in Hong Kong, where the Tanka people live on the boats,” Zeph says. “When a typhoon hits, they are stuck in the shelter so used what they have onboard such as garlic, dry chilli, black bean, pink Szechuan and seafood.
“Also fresh from the ocean are XO Pipis with Fried Vermicelli; Seafood Deluxe with Prawns, Scallops, Squid and Crispy Noodles; the melt-in-mouth Steamed Coral Trout; ditto Softshell Crab Curry.”
Dim Sum ranges from classic BBQ Pork Bun; Dumplings including Steamed Prawn Hargow; Steamed Pork And Prawn Shao Mai; Chinese Vegetable Green Dumpling – or a mixed selection.
For Spring Rolls choose from Prawn or
Pickled Vegetables. Steamed Bao Buns with pickled vegetables are offered with Crispy Pork Belly or the decadent Crispy Softshell Crab Version; and one serve of Eggplant Prawn ‘No Toast’ is never enough, particularly perfect for those with gluten issues.
Quackers about duck? Experience a main course of duck breast Peking style, notably one of the restaurant’s highlights. It features tender slices of perfectly pink roast duck prepared fresh daily. Wrapped within a thin pancake accompanied by Hoisin sauce, slithers of spring onion and cucumber, let the taste buds sing. Or if you prefer a similar taste sensation, try a half or whole 5-Spice Roast Duck with Plum Sauce.
For pork aficionados there’s the Honey-glazed Char Sui dish, and for red meat lovers the Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper Sauce is star quality.
Expect the unexpected with rice, side and vegetarian dishes; numerous
The distinctive and enchanting flavours of Cantonese fare has ignited the local food scene, as Helen Flanagan discovers.
gluten-free options and if you have a sweet tooth, do not despair, it’s Fried Ice Cream with Butterscotch Sauce, Black Sesame and Fairy Floss. Gotta love it.
Besides a la carte, the menu may be approached in a number of ways. For celebrations with a minimum of two diners, consider a banquet. Do duck in for an express lunch; yes, a kids’ menu will keep them happy; and the hottest news on Mary Street and environs is Yum Cha has been added to the menu.
What a selection to choose from, however if time is of the essence given it is lunch, take the easy option starting with the $39 menu with a pot of green tea. Sitting alfresco is a bonus.
Head chef Zepher is certainly fleetfooted around ChinaDina’s kitchen but he’s also been flooring it in ballroom dancing in Latin America since 2003. These days his passions at Perry’s Dance Academy in Brisbane are samba and waltz, with competition in ProAm adult and open ballroom, hopefully taking him to new heights. When he’s not hotfooting on the dancefloor or in the ChinaDina kitchen his favourite dish to cook at home is Hundred Flower Chicken.
“Take the skin off the chicken, air dry it and spread a prawn mince mix like peanut butter on toast; flatten the chicken and bake it in the oven until cooked to perfection,” he says. Destined for the next menu? Mmm!
Deb Caruso delves into the cool and creative culinary crew that form The Ohana Group family.
Chef Ryan Fitzpatrick and his stylish, stylist wife Rashi have been a creative force in food and events in the region since establishing The Ohana Group five years ago.
True to the origins of the name ‘Ohana’ which is Hawaiian for family, Ryan and Rashi have built a tribe of businesses focused around delivering exceptional experiences and services that are as stylish as they are delicious.
The newest addition to the family is Petrifleur, a premium, sustainable floral brand that captures timeless beauty in dried floral arrangements. The passion of Events Specialist and Stylist Rashi, the ethically-sourced and custom-made pieces are where fashion meets art to create showstopping installationsfrom small tablescapes to mesmerising masterpieces as seen in venues such as Locale and The Ohana Group’s own Lánai Noosa
Located across from the stunning Noosa River on the corner of Thomas Street and Gympie Terrace, Lánai Noosa brings Ryan’s love of sustainably sourced seafood, native ingredients, and locally crafted artisan products from his passion to your plate. The menu is designed to be shared and savoured with creative cocktails providing additional inspiration. Not yet a year old, the modern Australian restaurant has become one of the region’s hottest dining destinations with Noosa Eat & Drink Festival organisers engaging Lánai Food to deliver catering to the Chandon VIP Lounge within the Festival Village; and for a culinary takeover as part of the Festival Sundowners in the new-look Beach Garden.
Venū is a multi-purpose creative space in the Coolum Industrial Precinct and is the base for The Ohana Group. The functional office, storage space and
commercial kitchen belies the magical experiences that await inside.
A purpose-built creative food and production studio with fully-equipped open plan chef’s kitchen is perfect for food storytellers and culinary creations; and a dedicated Chef’s Table delivers front row seats for an up close and personal food experience for up to 10 guests to enjoy an impressive mouthwatering tasting menu featuring native ingredients with matching beverages. The Mezzanine offers exclusive space for larger private groups, from formal to fun but always stylish and discreet.
Providing exquisite offsite catering for weddings, corporate events and festivals, Ohana Dining can design and execute a bespoke menu for large events and in-home private dining experiences. The Ohana Group’s network of local and national artisan producers and growers ensures the freshest fusion of flavours with stunning styling and event management to deliver a professional and polished outcome.
From cocktails at Lánai to stunning styling or delivering your dream event, The Ohana Group will deliciously deliver divine outcomes.
From backyard bounty to Bandita by Noosa River. John Caruso meets another talented chef-turnedrestaurateur who’s tickling the tastebuds of locals and tourists alike.
Jason Jones grew up in Bermagui, an area they call the Sapphire Coast, south of Sydney and a region that is very similar to Noosa.
“There’s a river, headland, national park,” Jason recalls. “It’s peaceful with a much smaller population, famous for fishing and oyster farms.”
The family lived on acreage which nurtured a culinary curiosity.
“We lived out of town on five acres with a massive garden and orchard,” he says. “I must have been about ten or eleven, foraging about and looking through Woman’s Weekly recipe books and watching Peter Russell Clark on the telly and I started creating these little dishes.
“On the weekends I had a job in town at a grocery store cooking chickens on a rotisserie, so I was very capable and independent, preparing my dinners when I came home from school, making things like frittatas with the eggs from our chickens and veggies from our garden.”
Following his passion down the hospitality pathway, Jason together with a good mate, established of one Melbourne’s most beloved foodie destinations in 2010, Mamasita.
“Matt Lane returned to Melbourne from New York where he’d been working in a Mexican restaurant and we met the owners of the space in Collins Street that would eventually become Mamasita, and they were keen for something exciting to happen in their space,” he says. “I’d just moved back from Europe with the intention of doing a high-end Spanish tapas restaurant in Melbourne, however that didn’t go ahead so Matt suggested Mexican - and it just went gangbusters.”
What was it that made Mamasita one
of the most talked about and popular venues in Melbourne?
“When it opened, Mexico may have been considered a third world countryI don’t think that’s the case today however, true Mexican flavours were a foreign experience for Aussies,” he says.
“Mexicans didn’t travel and their country was closed to visitors like us from the other side of the world. TexMex was known because Americans travelled and we as foodies were familiar with this Texan/Mexican cuisine so a lot of Aussies thought that’s what Mexican food was.
“There were a few ‘ma and pa’ Mexican places that were truly authentic, and these places made mole (a traditional sauce and marinade) and things like that, however Melbournians probably felt this was too rich for them. Mamasita sat between these two offerings, and I feel that’s the reason why it took off.”
An overseas adventure followed in 2015 when Jason was appointed Head of Culinary at Super Loco and Lucha Loco for the Loco Group, Singapore.
“My wife Amy and I were blessed with the birth of two boys while we were over there, and when that happens the focus inevitably shifts to lifestyle,” he says
“With a priority on having the boys grow up in a place similar to ours from when we were kids, Noosa came out on top of all the places we considered.
“Plus, you could count the number of Mexican Restaurants in Noosa on one hand.
... we’re trying to use a lot of local produce, keeping it fresh, light, and easy and not trying to complicate things.
“There’s not that many, but they each have their own style,” Jason says. “For Bandita, Amy and I wanted a location that had indoor and outdoor space with views of Noosa River; table service, not counter service and we wanted to cook with fire and smoke using lots of local seafood with a menu that showcases the seafood off our barbecue.
“That’s what we identified as the thing that the other Mexican places weren’t doing, so we fine-tuned that idea and opened our doors about two years ago. And naturally we have the tacos, guacamole, corn on the cob and all the classics - plus cocktails of course.”
Their philosophy within the industry, irrespective of where they operate, is always one of unity and togetherness; other restaurants aren’t competitors.
“Especially with Mexican places, my view is that we create a community,” Jason says. “We’re all trying to present people with flavours and experiences; so we see them as companions, not competitors and we wouldn’t want to do a mirror image of what they’re doing - it has to be a little bit different.
“It sounds cliché; however, we want our guests to have a unique experience when they come to Bandita, and it becomes memorable when you tick all the boxes such as comfort, environment, service, products and price point.
“We’d like our clientele to appreciate that we’re trying to use a lot of local produce, keeping it fresh, light, and easy and not trying to complicate things.”
WANT
MORE? Download the interview with Jason Jones from our
“Sitting outside with a cocktail or a glass of wine and some Mexican snacks, it’s pretty good,” he says. “When that sun sets on the river, especially in winter, the light display is a milliondollar experience.”
A casual, modern Mexican restaurant, showcasing a bounty of local ingredients and producers from across the Sunny Coast, with a Mexican twist! Overlooking the Noosa River on Gympie Terrace we’re a neighbourhood Cantina that’s relaxed and suits any occasion, but best of all... our menu is 99% gluten free! Book online at bandita.com.au | Walk ins always welcome 3/271 GYMPIE TCE, NOOSAVILLE | 5408 4363 | OPEN MON TO WED 3.30 - 9.30PM • THURS TO SAT 12 - 9.30PM JOIN US FOR SUNSET!
We all love Lucio’s for its fresh, seasonal food inspired by the seasons and served alongside the serenity of Noosa River, but as Deb Caruso discovers, the team has recently elevated their authentic Italian hospitality with some exciting events.
Lucio’s is a little slice of the Italian Riviera right here on the Noosa River and in true Italian style, is extremely welcoming and hospitable with owner Matteo Galletto inviting guests to feel right at home.
A group of passionate pink ladies did just that when WomenKind Australia took over the restaurant for a Shades of Pink party on International Women’s Day. The event included a cabaret performance by The Kitty Kats and raised money for women affected by domestic violence in the Noosa region.
It’s just one of the events that the stunning riverside venue will host in 2024 with Matteo running a series of Lucio’s Jazz Lunches. The first one to be held on 21 March with an incredible three-course meal alongside top tunes from The Noosa Jazz Ensemble!
Missed the boat for that one? There will be more and be sure to get your tickets for the Stella Bella wine lunch on 18 May with the winemaker as a special guest for a four course feast with matching wines.
The Tuna Experience with Walker Seafoods as part of Noosa Eat & Drink Festival on Friday 31 May promises to be a memorable ultimate culinary adventure with an exclusive, live whole tuna cutting on arrival followed by four-courses showcasing Australia’s best and only sustainable tuna and highlighting its exquisite flavours that will also be expertly paired with cocktails and wines.
If you loved the Four Hands Dinner where Lucio’s Head Chef Alberto Vitassovich collaborated with Bask’s Jack Madden to present a five-course feast, then get ready for June when our very own Matt Golinski will add his two hands to create something special.
Part of the unique Lucio’s charm is Matteo’s determination to continually push the bar with the restaurant’s culinary offerings, with Alberto showcasing an innovative menu that brings new flavours to old favourites.
We recommend that you don’t go past their signature dishes – Vitello Tonnato, poached and shaved veal loin with tuna foam and caper leaves; Octopus Carpaccio, Fremantle octopus carpaccio with olive emulsion, salsa verde and potato foam; and Fritto Misto Classico, featuring baby calamari, school prawns and whitebait with house mayo; and, of course, their pasta that’s house-made to absolute perfection.
There’s always something lovely happening at Lucio’s!
Lucio’s Jazz Lunch Series - Thursday 21 March and various dates. Three-course menu with two hours of live jazz. $70pp in main dining room or $50pp in River Lounge.
Stella Bella wine lunch - Saturday 18 May. Four courses with matching wines guided by the winemaker. $125pp.
Tuna Experience with Walker Seafoods - Friday 31 May as part of Noosa Eat & Drink. Live tuna cutting with four courses paired with cocktails and wines. $210pp.
4 Hands with Matt Golinski – June. Details to be confirmed
Lunch Specials – Monday to Saturday (closed Tuesdays), two courses + glass of wine, $55pp or three courses + glass of wine, $65pp.
River Lounge Specials - Monday-Saturday. Half Price Oysters, 3pm-4pm; Happy Hour, 4pm-5.15pm.
For bookings and further details and to subscribe to the e-newsletter visit www.luciosmarina.com
ITALIAN COASTAL DINING
at the Noosa Marina
luciosmarina
Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas’ delicious Park & Cove restaurant hosted a sold-out IN Conversation with Hedley Thomas for fans of the awardwinning and groundbreaking true crime podcast and book, The Teacher’s Pet Hosted by our own Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast presenter, John Caruso, the event was a thought-provoking and insightful discussion around the investigative process and journey that award-winning journalist Hedley undertook to create and deliver the podcast series which exposed the truth behind the disappearance of Lynette Simms in 1982.
The podcast, captivated an estimated 60 million-plus listeners around the world and led to the arrest and conviction of Lyn’s husband, Chris Dawson, for her murder.
WANT MORE? Listen to the IN Conversation recording on our podcast channel.
IN Noosa Magazine partnered with Park & Cove for an exclusive ‘IN Conversation with Hedley Thomas’, journalist, podcaster and author of ‘The Teacher’s Pet’.
UNCOVER THE LAYERS OF NOOSA AT THE MEETING OF LAND AND SEA. WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME IN THE HEADLANDS.
@PARKANDCOVE
33A VIEWLAND DRIVE NOOSA HEADS QLD 4567
Handcrafted French cider, direct from Bretagne, France
Three varieties on offer:
Traditional, Organic and Rosé
The perfect accompaniment to our French crêpes
The creative crêpe champions at Flo’s are always cooking up something special. Deb Caruso discovers what revolution is next for this powerhouse business.
Not content with making us fall in love with crêpes and its savoury sister, galettes, the crew at Flo’s Crêperie have gone extra ‘Francey’ with exciting and delicious new creations, including its own French Cider and an expanded dinner menu.
According to crêpe connoisseur and owner of Flo’s, Florian Guillemard, cider is the ‘go-to’ drink of choice with crêpes.
Growing up in the home of crêpes in Bretagne, France, he should know.
“We’ve been running crêperies for 15 years, so offering our own version of cider was something we always wanted to do,” he said.
“Finding the right partner to make it happen was challenging. We wanted it to be authentic as the way we make cider in France isn’t common in Australia.
“The distance was the main hurdle, so when an opportunity arose with an experienced French cider producer that was a perfect fit, we jumped on it to craft a cider that remains true to its French roots while satisfying Australian palates.”
The result is a range of Traditional, Organic and Rosé ciders full of flavour and a perfect match for both crêpes and galettes.
Florian said the Rosé offered a touch of sweetness with a hint of acidity which complemented the lightness of a galette salad perfectly.
“The Traditional is more dry and crisp so enhances the taste of any of our seafood galettes; and the Organic variety has a bolder apple flavour which pairs beautifully with galettes with strong cheeses like Flo’s Alpine Cheese or a decadent blue cheese special,” he said.
So, whether you’re a cider enthusiast or cider-curious, it’s a must-try!
...a cider that remains true to its French roots while satisfying Australian palates.
“Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what your preference is and like anything at Flo’s, to have fun and experiment along the way.”
Helping to make the decision easier, Flo’s offers a cider tasting board, allowing you to explore all three options.
Flo’s French Cider is a unique cider you can’t find anywhere else in Australia.
French cider isn’t the only thing Flo’s are cooking up.
Dinner is about to get a little more Francey in May with the introduction of an expanded dinner menu featuring classic French dishes with a Flo’s twist.
Developing the menu is long-time friend of Flo’s, François Poulard, who delivered the sold-out Go With the Flo tasting dinners last year and brings experience from working in multiple Michelin-starred kitchens in France, Belgium, the UK and Switzerland, before moving to Sydney in 2014 to work at Matt Moran’s Aria and later, becoming head chef of Chiswick Woollahra.
We’ll raise a glass (of cider) to that!
For ten years Locale Noosa has been dishing up authentic Italian dishes and signature events with heartwarming hospitality and passion.
Rio started working in Hastings Street in 1998 and worked his way up from waiter to barman to restaurant manager, and eventually owner of Lindoni’s in 2007. When it was forced to close due to redevelopment, he joined Ogilvie Group to open Locale, an Italian restaurant built on family values.
Surrounded by lush gardens in a protected corner of Hastings Street, the interior is sophisticated, captivating and alluring - almost cave-like with deep, rich colours, luxe velvet textures, dramatic lighting, and statement pieces by Petrifleur. Fully air-conditioned and protected from the elements, it is perfect for all seasons.
Drawing heavily on Italian traditions, the menu changes seasonally using local ingredients, including from Ogilvie Group’s Maravista Farm, along with premium imported ingredients.
Executive Chef Chris Hagan’s culinary wizardry brings together textures and flavors that redefine indulgence and pay homage to the food of Rio’s homeland of Bari in Puglia, Italy.
They entered the tenth year having achieved Chef’s Hats for two consecutive years and with three goblets awarded for Australia’s Wine List of the Year in 2023.
The New Year’s Day party started 2024 with a bang for what Rio hopes will become a must-do annual event as guests dressed to impress and danced to live DJs whilst indulging in exquisite canapés and food stations, amazing cocktails and premium champagne.
Rio is renown for his hospitality with his homemade Limoncello often providing guests with a traditional digestif at the end of a meal.
In fact, when we launched IN Noosa Magazine, Locale had not long been open so we held our first ever wine lunch there with Rio providing a very memorable
Deb Caruso discovers the secret family recipe that has seen Locale Noosa deliver a sweet decade of dining delights.
Limoncello Making Masterclass. We are super excited to announce that we will again host a wine lunch in spring at Locale with Rio preparing a special something extra. Stay tuned for that!
With a focus on treating customers like family, weddings and celebrations are next-level at Locale and it is often the children of customers from Lindoni’s who are now choosing Locale for weddings and celebrations.
“You get to know people over the years and they mean something to you,” Amanda says. “In our booking system
you can see how we get to know our clients and what they need.”
When I arrive to chat with Rio and Amanda, she is trying to source a make-up artist for a Melbourne bride whose parents used to dine at Lindoni’s; Rio shows me the heirloom tomatoes that the father of the bride has sent from his garden to be used on the menu; and it will be Rio’s Vespa that will be used in the wedding photos - now that’s family hospitality.
For Amanda, its special celebrations that have provided some of the key highlights from the past decade.
“The weddings have been very lovely,” she said. “A lot of them are people we’ve known and loved for years and to deliver their special day is so meaningful. We become part of their lives and then they start bringing their children to the restaurant, so a relationship begins with the next generation.”
Rio said his highlights from the past ten years was working with great people along the way.
“You should never underestimate the
importance of the people who are working for you,” he said. “Every chef, waiter, restaurant manager, everyone who has worked behind the bar, on the floor and in the kitchen - they are what makes Locale great.
“You can’t do everything so without them, the restaurant is nothing. We want to say thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.”
For Rio and Amanda, family and their team is everything with their children and they are very proud of their daughter Ellie who gained her start in hospitality in the family business and their son Corrado who first started working when
he was twelve and now works alongside them at Locale.
When asked what the secret to their success was, Amanda said they really didn’t know but there was an x-factor that can never be quantified in any project.
“Maybe it’s old school hospitality, being present and really caring for our customers and team - or maybe it’s Rio’s accent,” she laughs.
“I think it’s mostly because we persisted,” Rio adds.
Whatever it is, here’s to the next ten years of working it out.
...thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey.
Locale Long Lunch – 1st Sunday of every month. Four courses with Aperol Spritz and live music, $95pp. Children’s menu available. www.localenoosa.com.au
Noosa Eat & Drink events.
The Locale Long Italian Lunch - Friday 31 May, 12 noon. Indulge in a traditional long lunch featuring artisan cheese makers and premium local produce, in collaboration with chef Will Cowper of Otto, Brisbane. $210pp.
NED Beach Club - Saturday 1 June, 3 sessions of 2 hrs each. Enjoy an Italian Grazing Platter with two cocktails or 4 standard drinks. Tickets start at $440 for four.
The Locale Gala Dinner, Sunday 2 June, 7pm. Chris Hagan of Locale, Jason Saxby of Rae’s at Wategos, and Ben Williamson of Agnes will take you on a culinary journey over four courses with paired wines. $270pp. Book via www.noosaeatdrink.com.au
One of the region’s oldest and most awarded restaurants is cooking up a new offer which will have you in seventh heaven, Deb Caruso discovers what’s cooking at Bella Venezia for autumn.
Starting its 41st year by retaining and receiving a Chef’s Hat for 2024, Bella Venezia has come out of the blocks with fresh new dishes and a stunning Chef’s 7-step Tasting Menu. Featuring signature dishes, the Tasting Menu offers a true dining experience, starting with an amuse bouche of Shortcrust mini tart with leek emulsion , Sturgeon Caviar and Yuzu Gel to awaken and stimulate the palate.
The superbly fresh and flavoursome Mooloolaba Yellowfin Tuna Crudo with Fennel, Caper, Lime, Chilli and Leek Oil is both gluten- free and dairy free and a hard act to follow.
But the challenge is made easier when the next dish is Housemade Ravioli with Western Australian Lobster, Mooloolaba King Prawn, Champagne Sauce and Oscietra Caviar.
When you think it can’t get any better, along comes a showstopping Sous Vide Grain-Fed Eye Fillet that’s so tender you can cut it with a butter knife. It’s accompanied by a Leek and Potato Terrine, Romesco Sauce and Pickled Green Tomato.
A palate cleanser of Yuzu Olive Espuma, Lemon Sorbet and BittersInfused Fingerlime does its job to prepare you for the finale, a dessert to die for!
Coral Coast Barramundi
Mooloolaba Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, Fennel, Caper, Lime, Chilli, Leek Oil (GF, DF)
Undoubtedly Bella Venezia’s most popular dessert is the Coconut & Lime Panna Cotta with Mango Sorbet, Passionfruit, Roasted Macadamia, Caramelised White Chocolate, Meringue and Basil.
This dish literally makes your tastebuds sing and zing in a way that surprises and delights with popping candy adding an extra twist to the experience.
At $129 per person, the menu is great value and for $199 with matching wines or $259 with premium matching wines, it’s hard to not say ‘yes’.
Shortcrust Mini Tart, Leek Emulsion, Sturgeon Caviar, Yuzu Gel
House Made Ravioli, Western Australian Lobster, Mooloolaba King Prawn, Champagne Sauce, Oscietra Caviar
Sous Vide Grain Fed Eye Fillet, Leek & Potato Terrine,Romesco Sauce, Pickled Green Tomato (GF, DF)
Yuzu Olive Espuma, Lemon Sorbet, Bitters Infused Fingerlime
Coconut & Lime Panna Cotta, Mango Gelato, Passionfruit, Roasted Macadamia,Caramelised White Chocolate, Meringue, Basil (GF)
Petit Fours $129
$199 (with matching wines) $259 (with premium matching wines) 3 x half glasses + 45ml dessert wine
Bella Venezia Director Kristine Young said the concept highlighted the Chef’s Signature dishes to offer a true fine dining experience.
“The Chef’s 7-Step Tasting Menu is a great opportunity to present our most popular dishes in one coordinated experience and build on what our customers already know and love,” she said.
Kristine estimates that they seated close to 80,000 people in the venue last year with an average order of three plates per person.
“That’s about 240,000 plates of food;
not including takeaway, so we have a good idea what our customers want,” she said.
A new season brings new dishes and autumn doesn’t disappoint with Executive Chef Ben Achurch and Head Chef Anthony Dunne, who was again a Finalist in Chef of The Year competition, introducing some new dishes to the extensive menu.
For starters, there is a Lemon, Ricotta & Roasted Sunflower Seed Stuffed Zucchini Flowers with Roasted Zucchini, Spinach and Grana Padano Purée; and the intriguing Rockmelon with 30 Month Aged Prosciutto di Parma, Cucumber, Smoked Feta, Mixed Leaves, Roasted Almonds and a Peperonata Puree – a delightful dish featuring traditional Italian ingredients that is smokey, sweet and savoury all at once.
The standout new pasta dishes include Pasta Tagliatelle with Slow Cooked Angus Beef Cheek Ragout, Basil-Infused Grana Padano as well as a Queensland Pumpkin & Truffled Pecorino Tortellini with Zucchini Puree, Pumpkin Seeds, Grana Padano Crisp.
Instead of Fish of the Day, the chefs have secured a steady supply of Coral Coast Barramundi which is served with a Tomato Concasse, Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette, Green Olives, Lemon Panko Crumb, Caper Emulsion and Yuzu Gel.
With a focus on paddock-to-plate and portto-plate ingredients that brings together the freshest, locally-grown produce and premium quality imported Italian products, it’s no wonder Bella Venezia is entering its fifth decade of dining with more accolades.
Paired by more than 500 award-winning wines, mostly available by the glass thanks to the Coravin wine preservation system, Bella Venezia is one of the true gems in the culinary crown of the Sunshine Coast – and beyond.
Noosa Chocolate Factory is choc-full of artisanal deliciousness. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer and the IN Noosa team embrace the tough job of being taste-testers.
Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t love chocolate? If so, they definitely aren’t part of the IN Noosa Magazine team! Excitement levels were high as we made our way to sample our favourite flavours at Noosa Chocolate Factory – in fact, you could say we were like kids in a chocolate shop.
Founded in 2009, Noosa Chocolate Factory has been hand-crafting slabs of dark, milk and white chocolate wonders every day for more than a decade. As well as making many of their fillings from scratch in-house, including their famous salted caramel, jelly
inclusions, macadamia brittle, marshmallow - and so much more.
Their gorgeous Noosa retail store is located right next to the factory where the magic happens, and its shelves are positively laden with fine artisanal chocolate of all shapes, flavours, sizes and colours – the dream situation for this self-confessed chocolate addict!
But with a sensational selection of slabs, panned delights, boxes and bunnies (hello Easter!) as far as the eye can see, how’s a person to choose?
Luckily we were up to the challenge of biting off (almost) more than we could chew to give you our unique takes on our favourite flavours.
After all (chocolate) dreamwork makes the team work, right?
Sweet as!
Bex: I’m a milk chocolate gal and can’t resist raspberries, so the Smashed Raspberry slab with 36% cocoa milk chocolate was calling to me from the moment I saw it sitting pretty and pink on the shelf. The contrast between the tangy freeze-dried fruit and the smooth, decadent chocolate makes this an outrageously delicious pairing! Plus raspberries are a fruit and fruit is good for you - so it’s basically a health food! Right?
Carlie: I do love chocolate, especially when it’s from the Noosa Chocolate Factory. My favourite ever is the Rose Turkish Delight with handcrafted rosewater jelly – it’s a little bit mysterious and a whole lot sexy!
Megan: It’s all about Mango Macadamias for Megan – mmm!
Matt: I can’t go past the Rolled Pecans – freshly roasted pecans covered in milk chocolate and rolled in cocoa powder. I love
these because they use Boyne River Pecans from Mundubbera, which are the best pecans you can get, coated in the best chocolate in the world!
Michelle: I love the Smashed Peppermint – handcrafted peppermint crisp smashed in rich 70% dark chocolate. It takes me back to my childhood and is choc-a-block with minty goodness!
Jakki: My favourite is the Coconut Marshmallow – I love these because they’re very friendly on my lactose-intolerant belly and they’re also delightfully squishy! You can’t beat the combo of freshly made marshmallow topped with toasted coconut. Yum! Oh - and the Vegan Chocolate range is THE BEST I have ever tried. On behalf of the lactose free and vegan community, thanks!
Deb: I’m obsessed with the White Chocolate slab – 29% cocoa white chocolate with notes of caramel and vanilla – it’s pure, just like me. Everything will be all white!
Millie: I love the Whole Strawberries – they’re freeze-dried Australian strawberries coated with 70% dark chocolate, and they’re absolutely (or should I say ‘berry’?) divine.
Well, there you have it folks! Our team tirelessly chomped our way through Noosa Chocolate Factory’s offerings to bring you our best picks!
Whatever flavour you favour, this world-class chocolate made right here in Noosa is bound to make life sweeter.
Drop into Noosa Chocolate Factory today to witness the magic in action!
THE ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE HAMPER!
IN Noosa Magazine and Noosa Chocolate Factory are offering you the chance to WIN a decadent and INdulgent 1.5kg chocolate hamper full of chocolate goodness! With 10 packets of chocolate favourites and two full-sized slabs PLUS a 300g chocolate heart, all your chocolate dreams really can come true!
To enter, simply scan the QR code and enter your details to go in the draw!
Competition closes
Wednesday 24 April.
Terms and conditions apply.
www.noosachocolatefactory.com.au
Known in the Noosa community for their healthy grocery essentials, wholesome grab ‘n’ go options, and freshly made organic juices and tonics, Organika is your one-stop grocery shop for all things clean living and fresh produce. Jodie Cameron discovers the convenience of having all your nourishing favourites in one healthy hub.
In an increasingly busy world where –let’s face it – we’re all run off our feet with the daily juggle of family, work, eat, sleep and repeat, physically stopping to smell the organic coffee can sometimes be a luxury.
But thankfully, Noosaville’s Organika has you covered with its fantastic range of healthy, speedy options.
We all know that time is a precious commodity, which is why the Organika team provides a range of tasty grab ‘n’ go lunches (all made in-house!), ącaí
bowls, cakes, salads, guilt-free treats, smoothies, tonics, fresh juices and coffee to keep your insides happy and healthy on the go.
If you’re running late, are juggling the kids, or just need your oat latte fix pronto, it’s easy to skip the queues by pre-ordering coffees, juices, tonics and vegan and gluten-free cakes for easy pick-up!
Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, smoothie or tonic; committing to a detoxifying juice cleanse; or celebrating a special occasion with a consciously crafted cake, the online ordering system makes it easier than ever to prioritise your health and dietary preferences.
The bustling café serves as a testament to Organika’s commitment to quality and freshness, with a focus on supporting small-scale local artisans and trusted suppliers committed to using the finest quality ingredients — helping them serve up nourishing foods without compromising on taste or nutrition.
As the go-to wholefoods shop for Noosa natives, health-conscious foodies, holidaymakers and others, many customers are turning to Organika as a healthy and hassle-free alternative to larger supermarkets, where they can pick up their veggies, fruit, pantry staples and more - even organic and biodynamic
...the store serves as more than just a place to buy groceries, it’s a hub for like-minded individuals who share a passion for healthy living and sustainability.
wines, spirits and beers - safe in the knowledge that they’re contributing to a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle with every product picked from the shelves.
It also makes it easier for people to shop according to their health concerns and values, including vegan, coeliac, dairy-free, paleo and others.
The personalised service and the sense of belonging you experience when shopping at Organika makes it more than just a place to buy groceries, it’s a hub for like-minded individuals who share a passion for healthy living and sustainability.
Want to be rewarded with vouchers, exclusive member offers, gifts and shopping experiences?
Simply download the free Organika app and sign up for the loyalty program.
Collect two points for every $1 spent and receive a $10 voucher when you reach 1000 points… just a little somethin’ somethin’ for choosing Organika as your trusted source for all things nutritious and delicious.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit Organika, I encourage you to head into the store to experience the energetic
vibe and meet the friendly team.
When you do, it’s immediately obvious Organika is more than a grocery store – the team is deeply committed to fostering a community united in their love for pure products that protect and nurture healthy people and a healthy planet.
If that’s not putting the ‘k’ for kindness into Organika, I don’t know what is!
The experts at Organika tell us what to look out for when reading food labels:
• Real foods have simple, recognisable ingredients such as wholegrains, fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.
• Beware of numbers: complex names or numerical codes may indicate artificial additives or preservatives. Choose simple, natural ingredients over synthetic chemicals.
• Watch for added sugars: choose products with little to no added sugars over highfructose corn syrup, cane sugar and syrups.
• Avoid artificial additives: scan for artificial colours, flavours and preservatives like MSG, BHA and BHT. These can be harmful to health and are often in processed foods.
• Be mindful of the sodium content: excessive sodium can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues. Choose products with lower sodium levels or opt for unsalted options where possible.
• Look for wholegrains: wholegrains provide essential nutrients and fibre. Choose products with whole wheat, oats, quinoa or brown rice instead of refined grains.
• Check for trans fats: trans fats can cause bad cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. Avoid products containing partially hydrogenated oils or trans fats.
Turn on the kettle, pour yourself a cuppa, put up your feet and relax: Tea Master Kellie Marshall has launched an exciting new range of single-serve sachets – great news for all you (single!) tea-lovers out there. Jodie Cameron gets the tea-rrific lowdown on all things loose leaf…
Sacheting (pardon the pun) into her new shared digs on Rene Street in Noosaville, Tea Shop co-founder and Certified Tea Master Kellie Marshall can’t hide her enthusiasm and sheer delight about the latest addition to an already burgeoning range of premium tea products.
“The single-serve sachets came about while looking for a green solution for a five-star guesthouse we partner with in Byron Bay – even if the tea was untouched, the surplus tea that guests hadn’t used during their stay still had to be thrown out, so we wanted to find a way to create zero wastage,” Kellie said.
“Even though the unused tea leaves were always composted directly into their gardens, it got us thinking about how convenient a single-serve sachet would be in the rooms rather than a whole cylinder of tea.
“We are already stocking the singleserve sachets in some boutique Noosa accommodation outlets, which is really exciting, and a great result having only gone to market in January.”
Kellie isn’t one to falter from her philosophy, which has been the same since day one – clean, beautiful-quality loose-leaf tea brewed in the traditional way (no tea bags here!) and, with that in mind, her range was born from pure intention and a dedication to stay authentic to the true nature of their brand.
“It’s quite straightforward: we refuse to package our blends in tea bags because we are not convinced of their
packaging that is air and light-proof to ensure absolute freshness and quality.
Authenticity is at the forefront of everything we do – from mixing our blends by hand and handcrafting our flavours to sourcing our tea from reputable, ethically minded plantations...
compostability – tea bags undeniably still contribute to landfill,” Kellie said.
“Tea bags pretty much instinctively compromise quality, and for those who truly appreciate tea, sacrificing quality is not an option.”
Kellie explains that when tea is in a bag, it simply doesn’t have room to unfurl: the process by which the leaf softens and begins to express its flavour, colour and strength – its essence – into the water.
“Many tea bags are filled with ‘fannings’, which is essentially tea dust, and it’s safe to say sipping a mouthful of dust isn’t enjoyable for anyone,” she said.
Tea Shop’s new single-serve sachets are 8 to 10 grams of pure loose leaf tea, perfect for a small tea pot, and come in a range of 11 unique, organic blends.
Like the brand’s full range of teas, the sachets also come in 100% compostable
“Fortunately, our process for producing the tea for the single-serve sachets is the same, so when I’m mixing a blend, any surplus tea is now being utilised into single-serves so there’s zero wastage all the way down to the last leaf,” Kellie explained.
Kellie pours me a cup of my personal Tea Shop favourite, the Lemon Myrtle Green, and as a herbal tea-lover from way back, the zesty Australian aromatics remind me of visiting the a tea plantation on the Atherton Tablelands some years ago, where I learned tea plants can keep producing up to 100 years old – kind of like a bottomless cup of tea!
“The Australian plantations are quite small scale compared to those in Asia, and they have very different processing too, which is why I decided to study my Tea Masters so I could educate people that it’s not just about what you drink, but more about the journey the tea has come through to be in your cup,” Kellie said.
“Authenticity is at the forefront of everything we do – from mixing our blends by hand and hand-crafting our flavours to sourcing our tea from reputable, ethically minded plantations overseas. We firmly believe these locations offer the optimal growing conditions, such as altitude and climate, necessary for cultivating premium tea.”
I’m infused with happiness as Kellie gives me the brew-tea-ful grand tour of
their new shared warehouse space, the pure love for her craft evident by the sheer vibrancy Kellie radiates when talking about tea being her heart centre.
“It’s really important for me to share my love of tea with my community, not just in Noosa but all over Australia, and this new warehouse space will open so many opportunities for us to take our teas far and wide,” she said. “Our vision of scaling up production and expanding our reach into more accommodation outlets is finally coming to fruition, so it’s a really experimental and opportunistic time for our business.”
Tea Shop’s commitment to quality, flavour and authenticity remains unwavering – each blend tells a story of collaboration, dedication, and a deep love for tea, including their new Tea Bundles, which showcase all of their loose leaf blends in a snazzy gift box.
“We’ve launched six new bundles –Energise, Harmony, Refresh, Revive, Tranquil and Zest – with the aim of encouraging our consumers to explore and appreciate the potential health benefits of drinking teas and herbal infusions,” Kellie said.
“Our teas can be seasonal, so Autumn is all about our Energising bundle which features Robust, Honeybush Chai and
Booster for their nourishing tones, but also a flavourful way to support your wellbeing and boost your immune system heading into Winter.”
In essence, each bundle has been designed to permeate your being with distinct aromatics carefully selected to invigorate your senses and boost your energy levels naturally, one sip at a time.
As Autumn envelops us, the Danish term ‘hygge’ – the art of self-care –springs to mind. Why not bring some hygge into your home and enjoy some sereni-tea?
Visit Kellie at Tea Shop’s Rene Street space or one of their many Sunshine
WIN a Tea Shop Hamper worth $121 featuring a Harmony Bundle with French Earl Grey, Honeybush Chai + Lemon Myrtle Green; eight single-serve sachets: Booster, Robust, Ginger Glow, Liquorice Mint, Mountain Chai, Orange Rooibos, Dande Mint and Sleep Time; a single-serve tea stick infuser; and a Tea Shop tote!
Simply scan the QR code and enter by 24 April 2024 to be in the draw.
Coast stockists for a carefully-curated blend, run a bath, light a candle, pour a pot of tea, and enjoy a sip of real brew, mixed by hand and steeped in love.
Looking ahead, as Tea Shop continues expanding into more accommodation outlets and homewares stores, it’s exciting tea times ahead.
Keep an eye out for the Tea Shop team at the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival Village from 30 May to 2 June – sip, sip, hooray!
And who can forget the summer collaboration with Sunshine & Sons for Gin-infused iced teas and a Honeybush Chai Martini?! The recipes are on our website www.innoosamagazine.com.au
Tony Cox is shaken, stirred and muddled by Sunshine & Sons’ latest offering - and global glory.
From the very beginning, the clever crew at CAVU Distilling established the infrastructure to be able to distil in sufficient volumes to service national retail distribution along with stocking bars, restaurants and independent retailers. The dream though, has always been global.
Initially concentrating on Sunshine & Sons to produce mostly white spirits, namely vodka and gin, the launch of a sister brand, Nil Desperandum, saw Australia’s first certified organic rum hit the market.
The distillery door at Woombye has seen constant growth in visitor numbers as discerning consumers make their way for tastings, education or just to relax with a cocktail overlooking the surrounding rainforest.
Thanks to a cracking product and the team’s commitment to getting sips on lips as often as possible with pop-up bars and tastings, consumer awareness of their stable of spirits has been simmering away for quite some time.
That simmer has not just turned into a boil, but the entire stockpot has been raised from the hotplate with Sunshine & Sons Vodka taking out World’s Best Vodka at the 2024 World Vodka Awards in the UK! For the next few weeks, the team will be on a whirlwind combination of trade tastings, potential distributor meetings, promotional events in the quest to capitalise on the award - and realise the dream of global domination!
Back home in Woombye, the team is already seeing an uptick in demand. Viewing the big gong as an opportunity to introduce consumers to the broader Sunshine & Sons / Nil Desperandum range, the latest experience at the distillery door is a hands-on Cocktail Masterclass where you get to play around with several products, get a spirited education and have fun with friends.
Hosted by an experienced mixologist,
you are taught the basics of cocktail making, including muddling, shaking, building, straining (getting those Boston shakers unattached from one another can be a strain!) with three delicious cocktails on the menu.
As long-time lovers of Sunshine & Sons, our team had the opportunity to road test an abridged and much-needed experience just before print deadline!
The first cocktail creation was the Near North which saw us muddle a few lime segments using a small rolling pin-like ‘muddler’ to releases the juice as well as the essential oils and aromatics of the skin and pith. To this we added 30ml of Original Cane Spirit (made from local Sunshine Coast sugar cane which is more cachąca than white rum); topped the shaker up with ice, and proceeded to unleash the inner Bryan Brown and Tom Cruise ala the 1988 movie Cocktail
All that was left to do was to empty the contents into a short glass and enjoy.
The beauty of this cocktail, despite being a super-refreshing sipper, is that it is the base for a great array of longer drinks: simply add some mint and soda for a mojito; use a long glass and top up with ginger beer for a spicy alternative; or even switch out the lime for another citrus fruit for a different flavour profile – blood orange and ruby grapefruit come immediately to mind.
Next up was the Mr Barista Martini, a take on the current favourite of Espresso Martini. Simply add 30ml each of Sunshine & Sons Mr Barista Coffee Liqueur (a combination of organic molasses rum, cold-brewed coffee and
local Nutworks macadamias), Sunshine & Sons Original Vodka and Espresso coffee with 15ml (or less) of vanilla syrup or sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker; top with ice and shake it to within an inch of its life! Strain into a martini glass and admire that layer of delicious froth (Guinness drinkers might be particularly excited by this one) on top of the dark coffee colour beneath. Top with coffee beans and enjoy - even better try with that other favourite, a Tim Tam or two.
Being on deadline, we didn’t have time for a third cocktail which, together with Woombye Cheese and Silver Tongue lavosh crackers, is normally on offer.
In a few short years the team at Sunshine & Sons and Nil Desperandum have achieved a hell of a lot not just within Australia but also on the world stage. What’s next for the team?
Luckily for us we can enjoy the fruits of their labours close to home and it pays to regularly drop into the distillery to watch (and taste) the evolution - we can’t wait to see what the future holds!
Distillery Experience. Daily, 10am-4pm. Tastings and etched tumbler to keep. 1-15 guests, $15 per person, fully redeemable on any 700ml bottle purchase. Bookings recommended, walk-ins welcome.
Cocktail Masterclass. Fri-Tues, 3.30pm-5pm. Three cocktails, recipe book, cheese platter. 2-10 guests. $99 per person with $15 redeemable on any 700ml bottle purchase. Bookings essential.
To find out more, discover the range and book visit www.sunshineandsons.com.au
Tony Cox looks to Italy for refreshing drops to help him deal with a hot, humid summer.
Wow, what an amazingly long, hot, humid summer and I don’t know about you but when looking for refreshing wine that makes me salivate and want to come back for more, my thoughts instantly drift to Italy.
With a palate profile less focused on upfront fruit, the palate shape of Italian wines invariably starts off slow, building in stimulation across the mouth resulting in optimal impact with either bright acidity or the pleasant bitterness of phenolics, the result of controlled skin contact, to close.
A few bottles recently passed across the tasting table from differing regions of Italy, all designed to prepare the palate for the next morsel of food.
A personal favourite is Soave Superiore from the Veneto region in the northeast of the country and the 2022 Tenuta di Corte Giacobbe Runcata Soave Superiore is delicious. Grown at an altitude of 450 metres in calcium-rich volcanic soils fermentation takes place under a layer of inert gas to prevent oxidation with temperature control utilised to preserve
the primary fruit flavours. Flavours of stonefruit and citrus are evident with the light fruit weight giving way to a gentle richness mid-palate closing with a subtle saline minerality.
Sicily continues to be one of the hot spots on the world wine scene and grillo is a versatile grape which delivers varying styles according to the soils in which it is grown. Clay-based soils can deliver a more generous, rounded wine. In contrast, grapes grown in sandy soils result in a lighter-bodied, more citrusdriven wine. The 2021 Avide Grillo Insolia ‘La’ Bianco is a blend of grillo and insolia grapes, both native to the island. With the insolia contributing freshness to the blend the resultant wine is light-bodied with citrus flavours and is ideal with simple seafood which is so abundant on the island.
Sticking with the island theme, Sardinia produces stunning some stunning vermentino.
The 2021 Sa Raja Vermentino di Gallura DOCG features fresh primary fruit with herbal nuances, feeding to a rounded mid palate with bright acidity and slight
saline edge to close.
Grown at an altitude of 500 metres above sea level a healthy diurnal range provides the acidity on the finish. 100% stainless steel ferment keeps the focus purely on the fruit with lees contact keeping the wine fresh and providing texture.
To conclude, regional Italy has plenty to offer people looking for something a little off the usual path. When you consider that Italians rarely consume wine without food it goes without saying that the best way to enjoy them is to get active in the kitchen as well. Given there is nothing better than preparing food for friends and family, dust off the old recipe books, enjoy the feeling of hands working with your ingredients and wash it all down with delicious Italian wines.
Salute!
With discretionary spending under pressure across many economies it will come as no surprise that a few regions at the lower priced section of the market are starting to become economically unviable.
We aren’t talking about the pointy end of the market such as Champagne or Burgundy, but reports are filtering out of South Australia’s Riverland, where much of the grapes for bulk wine production is grown, that growers are being offered prices for their grapes not encountered since the early 1970s. For example, some are being offered as little as $120 per tonne for their grapes when cost to process alone sits at around $300 per tonne. Going forward there will obviously be a rethink of existing business models and crop selection.
Similarly, Bordeaux, which accounts for 15% of total French consumption, is pressuring the French Government to introduce a vine pull scheme where growers are paid to remove vines. In this case, the number being proposed is 9% of total plantings. The past five vintages have seen the region sell 40 million cases less each year than what the region has produced, which is roughly equivalent to the 40 million case figure. When the vineyards most likely to be removed are high cropping and less sustainable it appears to be an intelligent solution.
Tongue-in-cheek, when you consider that immediately post World War II the average French adult consumed 150 litres of wine per annum and today’s consumer is around the 40 litre per annum level, French wine consumers need to shoulder quite a bit of the blame for the situation of Bordeaux growers. When you consider that statistical consumer outliers are very elderly, Gerard Depardieu is reported to consume ’12, 13 or 14 bottles each day’, the future is looking very bleak indeed.
Perhaps we can send a beret-clad Sam Kekovich across to France and do for Bordeaux what he has done for lamb? It would be ironic given red Bordeaux is an ideal match for lamb.
On a serious note, it highlights what risks are inherent not just in primary production but any business. When you consider it takes three years to get your first crop before adding in any other costs it isn’t a quick fix. One can only hope that the people who once were making a successful livelihood in this industry can find a viable solution going forward.
Expect extraordinary culinary events with celebrated culinary talent, all showcasing premium produce and drinks, in a magical destination, enthuses Helen Flanagan
Immersing yourself in local culture and all it has to offer is rewarding as well as exciting, however food is one of the most visceral ways to do this and appreciate the surrounds. So, if your stomach rules the roost, get on your bibs for Noosa Eat & Drink, a once-a-year chance to feast, sip and party your way through a full-throated festival of the local food and drink scene - and it’s forks at the ready.
The jam-packed program from 30 May to 2 June 2024 promises an unforgettable weekend. Discover a delicious serving of next-level, food and drink featuring culinary heroes, special dining experiences, flavour-packed produce, impeccable techniques and everything in-between.
Whether you are looking for beachfront or long lunches, dinners with celebrated chefs and restaurateurs, mixologist masterclasses and live cooking demonstrations with serious foodiesor a beach party under the night sky, there’s something for everyone.
A multi-talented, star-studded lineup will flow endlessly from sand to stage to masterclasses. Included are Khanh Ong, Anna Polyviou, Matt Golinski, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Cameron Matthews, Luca Ciano, George Calombaris, Gary Mehigan, Adriano Zumbo, Jason Saxby from Raes at Wategos, Ben Cross from Mason Bali doing a collab with Agnes’ Ben Williamson, George Calombaris and Sarah Todd, Sixpenny’s Anthony Schifilliti, Aalia’s Paul Farag, Rose Adam, Guy Grossi, Nick Holloway, Hamish Quinn, Richard Ousby, Sergio Perera, Warren Mendes, George Georgovski, Jason Jones, Carolyne Helmy also Olympians Michael Klim and restaurateur Eamon Sullivan in Chef vs Olympians competition mode.
Many will also be co-hosts and behind the burners in collaboration with
restaurants such as Locale, Humble on Duke, Sofitel Noosa Beach House, Sum Yung Guys, onboard Catalina, and more.
Super action central for food, drink and entertainment, the Festival Village will host over 80 local, Australian producers and international brands, exciting demonstrations and masterclasses including Seabourne Gin, desserts, Sunshine & Sons cocktails, and seafood.
In Noosa for a flying visit, want to spread your wings and rub shoulders on tours with tastes, chats, eats and more?
Village tickets include a glass of Prosecco on arrival, a chance to explore pop-ups from top locals restaurants and specially selected food trucks. Sip on refreshing tipples from the finest craft brewers and distillers, alongside a selection of national and international winemakers.
Taste and stock up on artisan delights and associated products from across the region, savoury and sweet, at the Producers Pavilion. From Sticky Balsamic, Salumi Australia, Spice Origins, Max and Tom Cheeses, The Village Pickle, Amrita Park Meadery, Woombye Cheese, Noosa Black Garlic, The Tea Shop, Hum Honey, The Herd Biltong, Beyond Honey, the Gourmet Fudge Company - and so much more. You could be there all day however you cannot miss dancin’ and singin’ along with DJs and live entertainment such as Bermuda Social, a 6-piece cover band and duo/DJ The Potbelleez.
The Chandon VIP Lounge ups the ante for fine food and wine aficionados, with ticketholders enjoying front-row seats to celebrity chef cooking demos, a Chandon cocktail on arrival, catering by Lanai Noosa restaurant and in readiness to almost eye-ball the entertainment.
Head to the BEERmuda Triangle albeit three breweries or let the fun beGIN in two distilleries including lunch at the latter, the Pomona Distilling Co. It is also hosting Sunshine Coast’s inaugural Grain vs Grape event, a four-course dinner, a glass of wine and spirits paired with each course, also entertainment.
Fancy something decadent with toes in the sand at the new-look Beach Garden at Noosa Main Beach?
Picture yourself sipping sun-kissed spritzes and dancing in the golden hour glow at the ultimate sunset soirée, the Official Pre-launch Party!
Look out for more unforgettable beach events such as the daily Sundowner Cocktail Party, exclusive sessions at the new Beach Club and Sunday Brunch by the sea hosted by George Calombaris and Masterchef’s Sarah Todd.
Whether sitting pretty over the beach and river; on Hastings Street; the cosmopolitan heart of Noosa Junction; or in the lush Hinterland, Noosa will never lose its uber-glamorous appeal, as epitomised by the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival in 2024. Bring your appetite, thirst and party spirit. Let’s eat, drink, celebrate and be happy.
Tickets now ON SALE! Turn over for the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival program. www.noosaeatanddrink.com.au
The Noosa culinary community is excited to welcome back Noosa Eat & Drink Festival after a few years’ hiatus, discovers Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer.
Canapés in hands, glasses of Dal Zotto prosecco raised and huge smiles on faces at the official media launch of the 2024 Noosa Eat & Drink Festival – a delectable day that gave guests a (literal) taste of not just the fabulous food that’ll be on offer, but the way in which this special event brings the culinary community together.
Our afternoon started at the floraladorned Lánai, where we were treated to refreshing Aperol Spritzes and a selection of blissful bites, before MC Chris Parsons talked us through the plan for the day, which – surprise surprise! – included lots of eating and drinking.
Next it was all aboard the Noosa Ferry, where chef Matt Golinski shucked fresh oysters, serving them up with native ingredients such as Davidson Plum and Aniseed Myrtle before we landed at Locale, for more things ‘eat’ and ‘drink’.
Locale owner Rio and acclaimed visiting chefs Ben Williamson of Agnes in Brisbane and Jason Saxby of Raes at Wategos in Byron Bay, shared that they will be joining forces with Locale chef Chris Hagan as a ‘chef supergroup’ to create a one-of-a-kind menu for the Locale Gala Dinner to close the Festival.
The Sofitel’s sundrenched poolside was beckoning, so we gathered for more to eat and drink, sampling an incredible spread of food from Noosa Beach House chef Nick Blake washed down with Seabourne Distillery .
Festival Director John Guise officially launched the program.
There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air, and everyone agreed that this Noosa Eat & Drink Festival will be one for the (cook) books. Cheers to food, friends and fabulous experiences! See the program on page 86. Noosa Eat & Drink, 30 May-2 June 2024 www.noosaeatanddrink.com.au
WITH BESPOKE BOTANICAL COCKTAILS BY SUNSHINE & SONS + NIL DESPERANDUM
IN/TRODUCING...
JOHN CARUSO | PODCASTER, WRITER, MC IN NOOSA MAGAZINE
With more than 30 years in radio, John has honed his natural gift for storytelling as host of the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast. He loves to help others share their stories.
NILLA TOMKINS | CHEF, COOKBOOK AUTHOR VANILLAFOOD & NILLA’S PANTRY
With her passion for, and commitment to wholesome, real food, Nilla will deliver a hearty healthy and full-of- avour feast. She will share her story of growing up in Denmark and what drove her to become a chef and move to Australia.
SUNDAY 2 JUNE, 1PM - 4PM
VanillaFood, 2/10 Lanyana Way, Noosa Heads
TICKETS $120 (+booking fee)
MATT HOBSON | FOUNDER & CHIEF IMAGINEER, CAVU DISTILLING
Matt will share his journey and dreams as one of the founders of Australia’s rst certi ed organic rum, Nil Desperandum; and Sunshine & Sons distillery which was recently awarded World’s Best Vodka.
Tickets include: Bush Tucker feast, welcome and farewell cocktail, lucky door prizes
BOOK NOW VIA THE QR CODE
www.noosaeatdrink.com.au
Matt Hobson
Nilla Tomkins
John Caruso
We love celebrating local food and drinks so when Noosa Eat & Drink announced it was back, Deb Caruso got a few friends together to create a very special experience.
here’s something special about a long Sunday lunch sharing interesting conversation, fabulous food and making new friends and magical memories.
We love connecting the community through storytelling whether through the pages of our magazines or interviews on our Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast.
So when Noosa Eat & Drink returned, we thought it was the perfect excuse to bring some of our favourite food and drink people together for a long lunch celebrating local flavours and sharing local stories.
Enjoy a stunning Bush Tucker Lunch prepared by one of Noosa’s most celebrated chefs and cookbook author, Nilla Tomkins of VanillaFood and Nilla’s Pantry, in the intimate and earthy VanillaFood café.
Our Podcast host, writer and emcee John Caruso will chat with Nilla about growing up in Denmark, her approach to food and how she landed in Noosa.
The event will begin and end with specially-crafted cocktails created by the award-winning Sunshine & Sons and Nil Desperandum Rum legends.
John will chat with Founder & Chief Imagineer, Matt Hobson, about his journey from working in airlines to starting a distillery with some mates and the challenges of cracking the local,
national and global markets, winning the World’s Best Vodka title, and producing Australia’s first certified organic rum.
This promises to be an INspiring afternoon of fascinating conversation, fabulous flavours and a load of fun!
Chef Nilla and distiller Matt Hobson will share their stories between courses, culminating with an interactive Q&A session and giveaways before adjourning to VanillaFood’s Kitchen Garden gazebo for dessert and a specially-created organic spiced rum from Nil Desperandum.
Additional cocktails and Australian organic natural wines, craft beer and kombucha will be available for purchase and there will be lucky door prizes galore including limited edition 700ml bottles of IN Noosa Gin by Sunshine & Sons and VanillaFood Cookbooks
With only 45 seats available, this intimate event is not to be missed.
BUSH TUCKER BOTANICAL LUNCH, SUNDAY 2 JUNE, 1-4PM
Enjoy an afternoon of INspiring stories together with a bush tucker feast, welcome and farewell botanical cocktail plus lucky door prizes! $120 per person.
Limited Tickets Available! Scan the QR code to book or visit www.noosaeatdrink.com.au
~ On Arrival ~
Sunshine & Sons Specially-crafted cocktail featuring native botanicals and the Vodka voted the World’s Best!
~ Starter ~
Wallaby tartare with crispy salt bush, & housemade crackers with Emu mayonnaise
Betel leaf with chili prawns, bush tomato, macadamia cream, finger lime
~ Middle ~
Whole roasted Cauliflower, with roasted wattle seeds, bush honey miso tahini
Papaya salad with native herbs
Roasted Eggplant with native greens & bush chilli and date caramel sauce
Whole wild caught Fish with Bunya Nut & saltbush dukkah
Housemade gluten-free Smoked Damper with macadamia butter
~ End ~
Native Tiramisu
Small batch organic spiced rum from Nil Desperandum
Enjoyed in Nilla’s Kitchen Garden Gazebo
noosaeatdrink.com.au
Ask any visitor to Noosa what it is they love about the town, and they might mention secluded, pristine beaches in the National Park, or afternoon walks beside a sparkling blue river, but almost everyone you talk to would agree that a priority of their holiday activities is to eat their way through the seemingly endless dining options available, carefully planning their days around their restaurant reservations for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Noosa is well known as a foodie’s paradise, but it’s also a chef’s paradise.
Cooking for an audience that appreciates good food, that takes an interest in the provenance of the ingredients on their plate, and is prepared to pay for a dining experience that gives them a true sense of place is any chef’s dream. And they get to do it in an actual paradise.
So, it’s not surprising that when the call goes out for chefs and food professionals from around Australia to come and collaborate with local restaurants to create bespoke ‘one night only’ menus, or to participate in cooking demonstrations or panel discussions at a food festival, there aren’t too many that decline the offer. Noosa Eat & Drink Festival is a meeting of some of the best culinary minds in the country; an opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other, to consolidate old friendships, and create new ones that last a lifetime.
It’s also a chance to shine a light on the real stars of the region, our producers.
Visiting chefs have access to an incredible diversity of some of the best and freshest ingredients in Australia, from strawberries and Spanner Crab, to macadamias and goat’s cheese. Unique, memorable dishes are created over the weekend based on what seasonal produce is delivered straight from our local
farms to the kitchen door. Strong bonds develop between the cooks and the farmers, based on a mutual respect of each other’s passion for their trade. Chefs get a better understanding of what is involved in the growing process, and producers attending events get a rare glimpse of people enjoying the end product of all their tireless work.
As the name suggests, Noosa Eat & Drink is not all about eating, and with so many breweries and distilleries popping up in the area in recent years, the shift in focus from it being a wine festival makes perfect sense and brings a welcome local element to the beverage options to match the philosophy of the food.
Over the past 21 years, I have watched the festival evolve into an event that is inclusive of all ages, demographics and budgets, that recognises that everyone’s idea of ‘gourmet’ is quite different, and that is fiercely proud and
supportive of all the individuals in all facets of the industry who come together to make it one of the most beloved weekends on the Australian gastronomic calendar.
Matt Golinski Friend of the Festival
Sundowners on Noosa Main Beach and some VIP treatment, it’s a combination that’s hard to resist!
FRIDAY 31 MAY � 4.30PM-7PM
An endless summer is just a sip away with Chandon Garden Spritz. A ready-to-chill, ready-to-share blend of Chandon sparkling wine and orange bitters recipe – handcrafted with navel and blood oranges, dried orange peel and natural herbs and spices. The perfect sip for sundown!
SUNDAY 02 JUNE � 11AM-1PM
Join multi-award winning chef and restaurateur, George Calombaris and one of the most renowned and exciting names in the Indian food scene, Sarah Todd, for a brunch with punch! Enjoy masterfully crafted canap é s with a crisp Ros é from Minuty on arrival.
Scan the QR code or head to noosaeatdrink.com.au
SATURDAY 01 JUNE � FROM 11.30AM
Enjoy the new-look Beach Garden with three sessions across the day, especially designed for small groups. Our culinary takeover by Locale Noosa will feature traditional Italian Salumi grazing platters, cocktails and wine, plus options to elevate your selection with fresh local seafood.
SUNDAY 02 JUNE � 4.30PM-7PM
Sip on your favourite drinks and let the guest DJs bring the vibes as the sun sets over Noosa Main Beach. Enjoy canap é s by L á nai Noosa, cocktails by new tequila sensation, VIVIR and world-class brews, like a Pacific Ale or Green Coast Lager by Stone & Wood.
See your favourite celebrity chefs in live cooking demonstrations on our main stage, hosting interactive masterclasses and collaborating with local restaurants.
Leading chefs from across Australia will bring their passion, personality and skills to Noosa as part of Noosa Eat & Drink. Whether on stage in the Festival Village, behind the burners in guest kitchens or up close and personal for Masterclasses, don’t miss the chance to learn from some of the nation’s best.
ADRIANO ZUMBO
BEN CROSS
BEN WILLIAMSON
WARREN MENDES
GEORGE COLOMBARIS
JASON SAXBY
ROSE ADAM
CAROLYNE HELMY
SARAH TODD
GEORGE GEORGIEVSKI
KHANH ONG
PAUL FARAG
RICHARD OUSBY
SERGIO PERERA
GARY MEHIGAN
HAYDEN QUINN
LUCA CIANO
ANNA POLYVIOU
TONY SCHIFILLITI
Nestled on the water’s edge in Noosa Woods, food and drink lovers can sip, savour, share and study all things eat and drink. From chill out zones to dancing; Chef Demonstrations to interactive Masterclasses; tastings and talks, the Festival Village will offer something to suit everyone’s appetites.
PROSECCO ON ARRIVAL
Your Festival Village ticket includes a complimentary glass of Dal Zotto Prosecco on arrival, plus a souvenir Festival glass.
PRODUCERS PAVILION
Meet, sample and support food and drink purveyors from around the region and take home some goodies to enjoy.
OLSSON’S SALT MASTERCLASSES
Get hands on with our interactive Olsson’s Salt Masterclasses as master chefs and mixologists share their trade secrets in a series of intimate classes.
Some of Noosa’s greatest restaurants and food outlets will keep you satisfied with delectable dishes in a series of popup restaurants.
12.15PM
1.00PM
1.45PM
2.30PM
Scan the QR code or head to noosaeatdrink.com.au
SUNDAY 2 JUNE - MAIN STAGE
MATT GOLINSKI
GARY MEHIGAN
3.15PM CELEB COOKING COMPETITION CELEBS VS CHEFS
4.15PM LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THE POTBELLEEZ (DJ DUO)
SUNDAY 2 JUNEOLSSON’S SALT MASTERCLASSES
Where do we start… this is a VIP experience worth the wait!
Chandon VIP Lounge guests have front row seats to the celebrity chef cooking demonstrations on the main stage (11am – 4pm) then live entertainment daily from 4pm.
11.30AM
12.30PM ITALIAN MASTERCLASS LUCA CIANO
1.30PM
SOUTH AFRICAN MASTERCLASS
2.30PM MASTERCLASS X OZHARVEST
3.30PM
COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS
Indulge in your favourite sips from around Australia and across the world as you meander between wineries.
WARREN MENDES
CAMERON MATTHEWS
SUNSHINE & SONS
Love a gin as much as a beer? You’re in luck! We’ll have leading international brands featured alongside some of Noosa’s best craft brewers & distillers.
Your catering will be a takeover by much-loved local, L á nai Noosa with menu selections arriving every hour, from a raw bar in collaboration with leading NZ & Australian seafood suppliers, to local delights sourced from the finest producers our region has to offer.
Settle in to your lounge experience with a Chandon Garden Spritz. A ready-tochill, ready-to-sip blend of Chandon sparkling wine and orange bitters recipe – handcrafted with navel and blood oranges, dried orange peel and natural herbs and spices. An endless summer is just a sip away! You can also choose from a sensational range of leading international brands and some of Noosa’s best brewers & distillers.
An epic line-up of DJs and bands will play throughout the Village during the day and on the main stage from 4pm while you enjoy sundowners!
Our creative culinary superstars have been cooking up cool collaborations, fantastic feasts and sensational sips to delight the senses! These once-in-a-lifetime events will sell out so don’t delay, book today!
THURSDAY 30 MAY
12:00 pm
PEREGIAN BEACH HOTEL LOCAL LOVE LUNCH
3:30 pm
CATALINA PRELAUNCH PARTY, PRESENTED BY VODKA SODA &
6:00 pm
PUCCA’S SUNSHINE COAST GIN TOUR
1:00 pm
MARIELLA X MEXTRADE “MEZCAL MASTERCLASS”
4:30 pm
BREWS & BEEF: THE ULTIMATE WAGYU & LAGER EXPERIENCE WITH HEADS OF NOOSA
7:00 pm
EMBASSY XO FLAVOURS OF THE NOOSA HINTERLAND
FRIDAY 31 MAY
11:00 am
THE GIBSON HIGH TEA
12:00 pm
SEASON RESTAURANT X SHAW + SMITH LUNCH
5:00 pm
LANEWAY EATSNOOSA JUNCTION
6:30 pm
LUCIO’S MARINA: TUNA EXPERIENCE WITH WALKER’S SEAFOOD
12:00 pm
THE LOCALE LONG ITALIAN LUNCH
2:00 pm
BANDITA LATE LUNCH
6:00 pm
PARK & COVE SUNNY COASTAL DINNER
Book Your Tickets Now!
Scan the QR code or head to noosaeatdrink.com.au
11:30 am
GINTASTIC NOOSA & POMONA WITH CREATIVE TOURS
6:00 pm
NOOSA WATERFRONT ITALIAN DINNER
6:00 pm
FRENCHIES BRASSERIE - TASTE OF CHABLIS DINNER
7:00 pm
THE GIBSON DESSERT & WINE DINNER
12:00 pm
10:00 am
BRUNCH & BRUSH BY THE CHROMA CLUB
6:00 pm
GRAPE VS GRAIN AT POMONA DISTILLERY
6:30 pm
SOFITEL NOOSA BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT X AALIA
7:30 pm
KICK-BACK WITH KHANH AT BETTY’S BURGERS
12:00 pm
CATALINA X BANDITA LUNCH CRUISE
1:00 pm
BUSH TUCKER BOTANICAL LUNCH VANILLA FOOD X IN NOOSA MAGAZINE
5:00 pm
8:00 pm
ROSE ADAM X HUMBLE TAKEOVER
12:00 pm
ZIBROS SICILIAN LONG LUNCH
12:30 pm
SOFITEL NOOSA BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT X CURA SEASONING
1:30 pm
NOOSA’S BEERMUDA TRIANGLE WITH SUNSHINE COAST CRAFT BEER TOURS
7:00 pm
THE LOCALE GALA DINNER
IKatrina Thorpe discovers the importance of downtime - and how to achieve it.
t’s not what you think, it’s when you don’t think. Do you spend time completely alone, silent with your own thoughts? Letting your mind drift, daydream or wander with no outcome, agenda or purpose?
Downtime is not time-out, where you might be scrolling social media, listening to a podcast, or half-watching something on TV.
Much the same as your body, where muscles need rest to recover, the mind also needs breaks or time off during the day.
Downtime for the mind can help uplift your mood, and your ability to concentrate.
Whereas not taking mind breaks can contribute to burnout, fatigue, stress and health issues that can develop from an overactive mind and impact the body.
Have you heard of ‘mind wandering’?
It’s about the brain’s default mode network, explains Zachary Irving, PhD, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Cognitive Science at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, whose work focuses on the philosophy of mind wandering.
It’s a concept scientists are still researching, but the default mode network is thought to be the parts of the
brain that activate when people aren’t thinking about anything in particular.
Research suggests it’s connected to processes like memory, self-reflection and imagination.
According to Dr Irving: “When your thoughts wander from one thing to another, it creates a passive stream, which is really distinctive of human downtime.”
It’s also considered to be connected to our emotions, creativity, problem solving and forward thinking.
An interesting fact is that when you are in the shower, it tends to be a great time for brain downtime. Water is also very calming and cleansing for the mind, and many cultures use water flowing over their head as a daily ritual for clearing the mind and body.
It’s a time when you can’t use a device; perhaps this is why teenagers naturally ‘de-vice’ while spending so long in the shower?
The brain needs wandering, downtime, for the default mode network, which automatically turns off whenever our brains focus on something.
Years ago, our brains had more downtime as we didn’t have the devices to fill in every spare minute we had, as we do now.
...exercise, swimming, housework, art or any other activity or hobby that allows your mind to wander and practice silence...
What counts as downtime?
Downtime only occurs when the brain isn’t engaged in or following directions from either your effort to focus, our emotions taking control, or an outside stimulus, like engaging on devices.
Instead, it seems that a low level of distraction is required, such as exercise, swimming, housework, art or any other activity or hobby that allows your mind to wander and practice silence while you are distracted by the activity.
Interestingly, not all meditation is considered ‘downtime.’ Some types of meditation with an emphasis on mindwandering may meet the downtime criteria, but general forms of meditation where you focus attention - such as focus on your breath - to help control your thoughts, is not downtime.
Are you getting enough downtime?
Unlike exercise or sleep, there’s no set amount of downtime recommended by health professionals.
It’s no surprise that research has found that people with high stressors in their life tend to need more downtime, and some people naturally need less.
Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day, and if you feel constantly stressed, overwhelmed and unable to turn ‘off’, you might lack downtime.
Control the urge to fill in time with
phone calls and devices, put them away.
Instead, choose to people watch; notice the weather and nature as it changes; daydream; or look out the window on the bus, train or car ride home (if not driving!).
If you are driving and traffic is stressful, take note of your environment (as in the sky), play some relaxing music - preferably without words - rather than asking Siri to make business calls or tuning into the news.
Do what you can to leave space in your life for your brain to wander and meander, when and wherever you can.
Book in for a massage, facial, float therapy, salt cave, oxygen pod, or try water therapy such as a swim or relaxing bath at home - anywhere that allows you to be at one with your mind without a device.
Importantly, pay attention to your own mental state. Your downtime may not always be the same, nor the same as it is for others, as it depends how engaged your mind is.
Make small, easy changes to incorporate some downtime into your life and see what a difference it makes to clearing your mind and general health.
TH7 is the only elite recovery, wellness and longevity facility in SE Queensland offering unique science-based protocols to help you feel better, recover faster and live younger.
• Compression boots
• Cold pool & Hot pool
• Ice bath
• Infrared saunas
• Hyperbaric oxygen chambers
• Red light therapy
• Traditional saunas
• Steam room
Amanda Stevens discovers a facility dedicated to helping locals recover quickly and live longer.
Just a few years ago, the thought of having a cold shower or swimming at Main Beach during winter made me shudder.
Now, I willingly plunge into an ice-cold bath a few times a week and will my mind to stay in there, even when every cell in my body is calling at me to get out.
Here’s why:
The practice of heat therapy (saunas and steam rooms) and cold therapy (ice baths) has been around for centuries, but until a few years ago was almost exclusively part of the recovery protocols for elite athletes, sports teams and fitness enthusiasts.
In recent years, these modalities have become more accessible and people of all ages and fitness levels – myself included – are discovering the profound benefits of soaking in a cold pool of water.
I did my first ice bath about 18 months ago when a friend suggested I try it to aid recovery from running.
I was mildly sceptical but found the benefits were instant and significant. Aches and pains in my joints were noticeably reduced, recovery time was decreased, I had more energy and slept like a baby. I was hooked!
Then, in December 2023, TH7 opened in Noosa.
It’s nothing like any centre I’ve been to. It feels luxurious yet professional; an impeccably designed space where clients can seamlessly move from saunas and steam rooms to cold-therapy plunge pools, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and red-light therapy and compression treatments.
Co-founded by leading physiotherapist
Our facility is designed to welcome individuals from all walks of life – whether they’re everyday athletes, active retirees, weekend warriors or busy parents.
Greg Spurgin and Tom Harvey, a former Queensland Rugby 7s athlete, TH7 is on a mission to provide everyday Australians access to the best recovery, wellness and longevity equipment available, and empower them to proactively manage their health and wellbeing.
According to Tom, the TH7 clientele is varied, well beyond fitness enthusiasts.
“Our facility is designed to welcome individuals from all walks of life –whether they’re everyday athletes, active retirees, weekend warriors or busy parents,” he says.
“It’s not just a space reserved for elite athletes; it’s a community where every client feels valued and supported.”
Tom says that the protocols that TH7
offers appeal to people’s desire to proactively manage and future-proof their health and wellness.
“By providing the same resources as professional teams, we empower individuals to prioritise their health now, rather than regretting missed opportunities in the future,” he said.
According to Tom, the popularity of TH7 is reflective of the increasing awareness and priority on longevity and health as we live longer.
“Our approach is centred on preventative health care,” he said.
“You only get one body, one brain and one heart, why not look after it the best you can?
“With modern medicine, there’s no doubt that the average lifespan will be extended, but what will the quality of life be at 90 years old?
“At TH7, we are focused on health span over lifespan: we want to help you feel your best for longer.”
This commitment and mission shines through in every aspect of the TH7 experience.
The team are welcoming and knowledgeable, and the facilities are world-class.
It almost makes the ice bath plunge fun. Almost.
WANT MORE? John Caruso chats with TH7 co-founder Tom Harvey on our podcast, ‘Everyone Has a Story’, available now where you find all good podcasts, or download here:
The moment you drive into ikatan Spa at Doonan, you instantly feel a sense of calm. If you’ve experienced a treatment here before, it’s probably due to your emotional or muscle memory recalling a previous visit.
And, if you haven’t experienced ikatan Spa before, the sense of calm is probably due to the tropical oasis and sounds of nature that quickly envelop you as soon as you arrive.
After more than two decades nurturing our minds, bodies and souls, ikatan Spa owners Katrina Thorpe and Nicholas Pilditch show no signs of slowing down in their quest to redefine the day spa experience in Australia.
“From the start, we wanted to create a Balinese village-style day spa with your own private villa and lush tropical gardens,” Katrina says. “A place where everyone feels calm and relaxed. We want people to leave their world behind and surrender into ours.”
In the first five years of operation, ikatan Spa was nominated for Best Destination Spa Australia by the Australian Tourism Travel Awards and the accolades haven’t stopped since.
As a former therapist Katrina is very hands-on, particularly with regards to creating treatments as well as understanding and supporting her team.
“Happy therapists mean happy clients – and that means a happy boss and a good business, and that’s my formula for everything,” she says.
Keeping the team as happy and engaged in the business as they can be is important to Katrina and Nick, with regular training, feedback sessions and product development aiding personal growth.
Which brings me to why I am fortunate enough to again be sitting in the serene surrounds of ikatan.
There’s a good reason why ikatan Spa keeps winning accolades and awards from around the globe. Deb Caruso discovers their latest package is a trio of tantalising treatments that will transport you to another world.
Due to many requests for particular treatments, Katrina developed the new ‘Indah’ package.
Named after the Sanskrit word often used to describe natural beauty, the Indah package promises to have you sighing ‘ahhhh’ for days after the two-hour treatment is over.
Combining a Facial plus Foot Therapy and an Asian Head Massage, it is a true top-to-toe immersion of the senses.
I’m shown to my private villa by my therapist who helps me choose the right facial and products for my skin. I choose ASAP for its anti-ageing properties and, once cocooned on the bed, let the bliss begin.
One of the things I love about any treatment at ikatan is the element of ritual. Starting and ending with light pressure, the therapist ‘walks’ their hands down my body from head to toe; immediately grounding me and reminding me to release any tension I am holding from the outside world. I surrender to the table as a warm towel
Tootsies tingling, it’s time for the grand finale in this tantalising trio of treaments and it is by far my favourite way to end the day...
connects with my feet to cleanse away the day’s stress and I am ready to drift away.
I do just that and actually drift into a state of deep relaxation (with perhaps a micro nap or two!) while my face enjoys a deep clean, micro exfoliation and peel.
As an ikatan VIP, I choose a complimentary eye boost and while the treatment mask, nourishing serums and moisturisers work their magic, I enjoy a series of soothing massages focusing on my hands, feet, scalp, neck - all the places that are holding tension
- I just didn’t realise how much!
The products are divine and feel so spectacular on my skin that I decline the opportunity for Inika organic, vegan mineral makeup - I want to see the natural glow!
This is a facial that feels so good on a deeper level, I feel lighter, refreshed and extremely relaxed overall - can it get any better?
The answer is ‘yes’ because the Indah Package also includes a Foot Therapy and Asian Head Massage!
I’m escorted to a beautiful garden room where the therapist provides me with a complimentary champagne or tea to enjoy a 30 minute foot scrub, soak and massage - I’m again in heaven!
Tootsies tingling, it’s time for the grand finale in this tantalising trio of treaments and it is by far my favourite way to end the day - a 30 minute Asian Head Massage!
Created at ikatan Spa and using a combination of the best techniques from Bali, China, Japan and Thailand, this massage aims to help clear the mind and release tension.
I choose one of the energy-balancing Chi Oil blends, Chi Aroma with
lemongrass, rosemary and peppermint to help clear the mind and enhance my ability to stay focused and present.
The only thing I’m focusing on is how amazing this feels as my mind unloads and I drift deeper into a state of bliss as my head, neck and upper shoulders get the unwinding and attention they so desperately need.
With its cosmeceutical and therapeutic benefits, the Indah Package is one of those treatments that could - and absolutely should - form part of a regular self-care ritual.
INDAH PACKAGE | 2 Hours | $320
Head to toe bliss:
- 60 minute facial of choice
- 30 minute Foot Therapy
- 30 minute Asian Head Massage = 2 hours of total bliss!
Want to experience the Indah Package?
Simply scan the QR code and enter your details by 24 April to go in the draw!
www.ikatanspa.com
Activate Body’s SMART Functional Strength Program isn’t just about lifting weights – it’s an inclusive wholebody approach backed by world-class science that aims to help you feel vital, strong and happy in your body as you get older, discovers Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer.
As I prepare to turn 40 later this year, I’ve been meaning to research strength training. I know I need to be doing it at this age, but I’m hazy on the details of why.
Something to do with muscle mass? Or bone density? Either way, when the opportunity to attend a SMART strength training class at Activate Body presents itself, I’m the first in the office to put my (embarrassingly spindly) arm up.
But strength-related exercises have never been my, ahem, strong suit, so on the morning of the actual class, I’m feeling rather apprehensive – at least until I start chatting to co-founders and husband-and-wife duo Tom and Viktoria Molloy, whose warm, kind and encouraging manner puts me completely at ease from the moment I step into their bright, modern Noosaville studio.
Physiotherapist and health coach Dr Viktoria and performance coach Tom created their SMART Functional Strength Program – named after Strength, Movement, All-body and Resistance
Training – which combines resistance training with their unique band and weight system, balance training, core and pelvic stability, and breathwork, to promote healthy, pain-free lives.
“Every year after the age of 40, you’re losing muscle,” Tom clarifies for me before we begin the class. “So if you’re not doing some kind of strength training, this muscle wastage will cause you to become weak, and suddenly your muscles, joints and tendons will become frail, which will lead to injuries that start to impact your quality of life.
“We’ve created this holistic approach so that everyone can access effective, enjoyable training in a supportive environment. The results are amazing and will filter through to every area of your life – whether you love surfing, paddleboarding, team sports, or simply playing with your kids or grandkids!”
We start by warming up with some squats and lunges, moving our arms slowly to integrate the entire body, stretch the muscles and get the blood
flowing. We breathe in time with our movements to establish a breath-body connection, in a way that feels similar to yoga and Pilates, before moving onto some balancing exercises with weights that look deceptively simple, but take every ounce of my concentration.
We then head across to the wall and start using the resistance bands, pulling them up and across the torso in a controlled movement to stretch the back and shoulder muscles, before squatting and pulling the handles towards us like we’re riding a motorbike, in a move Tom has christened ‘the Fonz’.
In contrast to the intimidating vibe of a gym where people train in isolation, Activate Body’s group approach facilitates a real sense of camaraderie.
My group chit-chats about life and shares stories of how long they’ve been taking part in the SMART program and how quickly they’ve seen results, while Tom guides us through the movements, offering praise, encouragement, and advice on form and technique to help us
get the most out of the session.
“Everyone’s got a story, and everyone’s got something they’d like to work on or improve,” says Tom.
“Some of our clients might have significant injuries, but we’re able to work on that with them in this group setting, and their progress is often really inspiring to us all.”
And although the SMART program is run as a class, everyone gets personal attention and is working at their own
pace with the right equipment for their level – including some teeny weeny weights for this particular beginner!
Tom shares that while doing strength training once a week is good, twice is ideal for building muscle mass and starting to see dramatic improvement in strength and ease of life.
“If you’re doing this type of exercise once a week, it’s more like conditioning, but do it twice a week – either with us or by yourself – and the results will be
life-changing,” he says.
After a few years of not prioritising regular exercise, challenging my body in this way feels good.
Actually, it feels more than good; it feels essential.
Signing up to regular Activate Body strength training classes and being supported through my health journey by this expert team?
It’s clearly the smart thing to do.
When two luxurious French brands celebrate a significant milestone with a special collaboration, Deb Caruso discovers it’s going to be très magnifique!
Celebrating 60 years in business are two French brands synonymous with luxury – Sofitel and Thalgo.
To mark the occasion, these pampering powerhouses have collaborated to reward and rejuvenate guests at Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort’s Aqua Day Spa with transformative and indulgent spa experiences.
Marking a harmonious blend of sophistication and holistic wellbeing, a refurbishment of the treatments and facilities have delivered a sanctuary where guests can escape the stresses of modern life and indulge in the art of self-care.
The icing on the cake? Access to exclusive Thalgo treatments and rituals designed to cater to individual needs and preferences with personalised skincare treatment plans with proven clinical results.
Drawing inspiration from the healing properties of the ocean, Thalgo’s cutting-edge skincare formulations are paired with Sofitel’s signature service to provide a transformative and indulgent spa experience.
Sofitel Noosa’s Spa and Wellness Manager Tara Travers said the pairing of Thalgo and Sofitel Noosa made sense on many levels.
“The synergies between these two powerhouse brands are remarkable,” she said. “They are both French with a focus on luxury service and products; both inspired by their coastal surroundings
Individual submerged lounges deliver a combination of triggerpoint water pressure or invigorating water massage ...
and proximity to the ocean and both celebrating six decades in business.”
For Sofitel Noosa Pacific General Manager Mark Wilkinson, the collaboration aligned seamlessly with the resort’s commitment to delivering exceptional moments of luxury, while honouring its local and global sustainability responsibilities.
“Thalgo’s strong commitment to Marine Ecology, and expertise in marine spa and beauty products ensures our guests receive an unrivalled wellness experience, while also preserving our marine environment.”
Clearly the respect is mutual with Thalgo representatives recently travelling from France to celebrate the collaboration and conduct a two-day Masterclass training session at Aqua Day Spa with other beauticians from the Pacific region.
Thalgo’s Thalasso Therapy is centred around seawater therapy and this has been incorporated across the range of treatments at Aqua Day Spa, including the Aqua pools.
The hydrotherapy pools and hydrating spa are warmed to an inviting 37 degrees and now infused with sea minerals, magnesium and potassium. Individual submerged lounges deliver a combination of trigger-point water pressure or invigorating water massage to enhance the benefits of your treatment or for ultimate relaxation.
Inside the spa, there are seven treatment rooms, including a steam room infused with aromatic essential oils. Body Treatments range from scrubs and exfoliations to body wraps including Thalgo’s Indian-inspired Indoceane Body Wrap; a Mineralising Mud Wrap; or
PHOTOS:
Marine-Algae Detox Wrap.
Signature Facials can be tailor made to suit all skin types, or why not choose an Exceptional Facial Journey or Spirulina Boost Facial?
There is also a tailored Gentlemen’s Facial and advanced anti-ageing facials, starting with the Hyalu-Procollagène Correcting Facial for people in their 30s; the Silicium Super-Lift Facial for 40s; Ultime Facials for 50s; and the Oxygen Hyaluronic Boosting Facial for all ages.
Massage is the most popular order of the day and it’s no surprise. Starting at a minimum of 75 minutes, there is a Holistic Relaxation (also available in
90 minutes); an Exceptional Massage Journey including a face and scalp massage, Thalgo biocellulose shot mask and indulgent foot exfoliation and massage!
The Holistic Therapeutic Massage comes with your choice of enhancement; and also on the menu is a Mum-to-Be Pregnancy Safe massage; Hot Stone Massage; Jet Lag Massage, and Foot and Leg Indulgence focusing on pressure points with the application of a specialised Thalgo luxury cream.
The Wellness Journeys offer perfectlypackaged options ranging from the aptly-named Nourish Me; Revitalise Me;
Detoxify Me; or Recover Me; to Nurture Mum for the mum to be.
It’s the Sleep Ritual treatment that is proving most popular, with a combination of head, face and neck massage targeting Ayurvedic Marma points to calm the nervous system plus magnesium essential oils and yoga nidra meditation.
Sleep experts were engaged in the creation of the holistic Spa Package as well as in-room enhancements and sleep programs such as meditation and aromatherapy.
In true French style, turning 60 never looked or felt so good! Ooh la la!
&
Immerse yourself in ultimate relaxation with Aqua Day Spa’s newest body ritual. Elevate your wellbeing with this exquisite ritual – a perfect blend of tranquility and luxury.
This Ritual IncludesAqua Therapy Soak & Aromatic Steam
Go for glow this autumn! We asked the experts to share their top products for ravishingly radiant skin and nourished locks.
This one’s for you, guys! Formulated for oily and hard to balance skin, this hydrating Hi Octane moisturiser by Octane is packed with natural oils and extracts such as Arnica and Chamomile flowers, Vitamin E and Sodium Hyaluronate, which penetrates deeper than its cousin Hyaluronic Acid, to better hydrate and stave off those signs of ageing.
This rapidly absorbing, non-acidic Vitamin C Serum from Synergie Skin is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Effica C provides maximum results by combining Vitamin C and coenzyme Q10 to deliver a potent dose of antioxidants, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promote even skin tone, reduce age spots, and protect against UV and environmental damage.
A top choice from Cosmedic Lab!
New from Dermalogica, this powerful serum helps promote, protect and preserve your skin’s collagen.
Available from Noosa Body and Skin the Pro-Collagen Banking
Serum supports visibly plumper and more luminous skin to help reduce the look of fine lines.
This ultra-light daily moisturiser from Éminence is the soothing final step in the 3-step Arctic Berry Peel and Peptide Illuminating System. Formulated to target collagen loss, dehydration and inflammation, it boosts collagen naturally. Get yours from NuYou Natural Day Spa.
The luxe-gel texture of the Thalgo Refreshing Exfoliator available from Aqua Day Spa works to smooth, refine and unmask your skin’s natural radiance. Perfect for normal to combination skin types, diatom marine powder –from unicellular microalgae – nourishes the skin while almond shell and silica offer a double dose of exfoliation.
“I can’t believe how much I enjoy exercising now. The Studio Pilates classes have changed my body shape in a short time and I feel inspired to keep going and find out what my body is capable of being in my mid forties.” - Carlie Wacker
Autumn is a great time to prepare your skin for winter; Angie from About Faces Noosa recommends a personal consultation to create a skin care program specific to your skin’s needs. An award-winning Ultraceuticals Salon, her top pick for essential creams in your cabinet is the Ultra DNA3 Complex Recovery Night Cream from Ultraceuticals.
Embrace the season with NOTOX Ageless Glow Serum that works to fortify your skin’s structure, enhancing elasticity and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. Sensaura Day Spa recommends this serum for a lasting radiance and firmness and promises visible results within just an hour.
Adrian J Hair loves this duo for curly hair from Curl Wow. The Hooked Shampoo is a 100% clean, no-residue shampoo for healthier hair and scalp, while the CocoMotion Conditioner deeply hydrates without weight, crunch or greasy feel. An essential combo for curly hair!
Ikatan Spa brings you a limited-edition set of skincare essentials from ASAP, containing the Gentle Cleansing Gel, Exfoliating Facial Scrub and ASAP Moisturising Defense with SPF 50+.
INDIGENOUS & ORGANIC INGREDIENTS - NO SILICONES OR
BORN AND CRAFTED IN NOOSA
Feeling stuck in a rut? Jackie Hillegers shares some ideas to help you find - and pursue - your passion.
Life is like a tapestry of never-ending experiences and captured moments, all woven together and filed away in your memory. Some memories bring us immense joy, so we tend to find a way to repeat those experiences and incorporate them into our daily lives. This may be a sign that you have found your passion - an activity that injects fulfillment and
purpose into your life!
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOBBY AND A PASSION
A hobby is an activity that you enjoy doing in your spare time for personal reward. Hobbies can be shared with others in a group or enjoyed alone as a way of relaxing and unwinding. Hobbies can be anything you like to do - from
baking, reading, surfing, sports, woodwork, painting and more.
A passion is more than just an interest or activity that elicits temporary excitement, it is an enduring commitment that awakens a sense of purpose and permeates every aspect of your life and inner thoughts.
Some people turn their passion into a
Cosmedic Lab is the home for custom skin and anti-ageing treatments. Every consultation and treatment is unique to each individual ensuring they feel safe, understood, and their treatment is effective.
There is no right or wrong way to do life –if something makes you happy then that is the right way for you.
career by teaching others what they know and love. You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘If you do something you love you will never have to work a day in your life’.
One way to identify your passion is to embrace a childlike curiosity when it comes to scoping out and exploring things further. Curiosity is an investigative way to discover new and unchartered waters, where you step easily out of your comfort zone.
Finding your passion may not happen when you want it to, so just enjoy the process and trust your instincts until it reveals itself.
Remember, finding your way in life is a deeply personal journey that must fit
in and resonate with your core values and beliefs. We all have untapped talent, so explore all options and do not let others sway you to walk their chosen path instead.
IS IT OK IF I HAVEN’T FOUND MY PASSION?
There are lots of things you may be interested in but not truly passionate about, and that’s perfectly OK. You may be content with having a hobby, or maybe you just like to take one day at a time and celebrate every small win.
There is no right or wrong way to do life – if something makes you happy then that is the right way for you.
If that doesn’t satisfy you, another way of thinking about it is that something may be holding you back from ‘pursuing’ that passion - such as work, money, fear, laziness or distraction.
You may be in the phase of your life where you are still laying your foundations or igniting your career, so you are too time-poor to pursue the things you would love to be doing.
I’VE FOUND MY PASSION... NOW WHAT?
When you do discover your passion, you may want to turn it into a side hustle or spend your spare time exploring ways to make money or give back to the community.
It may eventually take on a life of its own and become a full-time job. It is super easy to talk or write about something you feel so passionately about and sharing your ideas with others has the power to expand and explore different options, which can lead to greater clarity and action.
IN SUMMARY
Passion lives in your heart, not your head. You will never regret doing more of something you love by turning it into a habit.
Every great invention was spurred on through curiosity and a determination of one’s passion to change the world for the better.
What subject do you talk about in conversation the most?
What do you spend time and money on?
What is the highlight of your day?
Create a vision board of options.
Ask others what they consider your strengths. Turn inwards and notice what internally lights you up.
Enjoy the journey and trust your gut feeling.
There’s been a lot said and written about meditation in the West since the first wave of Eastern teachers graced American or European shores, and these days all the guidance you might need is at your fingertips via an app on your phone; so why does it seem that these techniques have yet to make much of a dent in the Australian psyche?
For a start, we’re a relatively young
culture and, like any unruly teenager, we don’t like being told what to do.
And second, it’s not only about learning techniques; it’s also about what we value.
We might all understand the benefits of meditation but are unsure how and where to start. As Luke Wright shares, the opportunity is not just waiting, but can be IN the waiting.
more sleep, tackling the to-do list or responding to another email.
I certainly understand that there are ridiculous demands on our time these days, just ask any parent trying to juggle all the elements.
A WOMAN WHO CUTS HER HAIR IS ABOUT TO CHANGE HER
As a teacher in the mindfulness and meditation field, it’s my job to ask people to choose one value over another.
To value taking five or 10 minutes to breathe consciously rather than getting
However, the key to the benefits of meditation and mindfulness lies not so much in how much time you can give it, but in bringing mindful awareness into
your everyday, every day.
Infusing your day with conscious breathing is valuing a calm state within your nervous system over “getting something done so then I can relax”which rarely happens because there’s always something to do.
The key to creating the habit of infusing your day with awareness is to practice when there is a little gap.
There’s a wonderful story from a meditation teacher in California who practised in the Zen tradition initially. His teacher was the wife of a dentist and mother of five! When a new student would say to her “I just don’t have the time to meditate,” she would often reply that she meditated when stopped at red lights in the car, or driving the kids to and from school: in the waiting IS the opportunity.
The opportunity to notice your breath - the cool inhale through the nostrils, the warm exhale from the belly. The opportunity to notice precisely the sensations in your body, the tension that can be released on the exhale; the opportunity to check in with what your mind is saying underneath the obvious, the underlying current that is telling you how to be in that moment and asking,
“Is that really true, or can I relax more than my mind tells me I can right now?”
Every time you do this, you own your narrative and sense of self and change it at the same time.
You infuse the moment with awareness and are no longer unconsciously going
1) Dedicate a moment to it
It might simply be closing your eyes for a minute when your first get in the car in the morning to ‘check in’.
2) Use your body to hack your brain
Taking time out after any physical activity is a great time to be still for 10 minutes and just breathe.
3) Use tech to your advantage
Set a reminder on your phone to listen to a guided meditation or do your own 10 minute practice daily.
4) Have your go-to spot
In the garden or a quiet room, just walking to a dedicated spot will be enough to change your chemistry for the better.
5) Don’t stress over it
You can’t get it wrong, the willingness to try trumps any story your mind might have. You can always come back to the breath!
along for the ride.
Meditation is making the unconscious conscious. You never needed to be sitting in lotus posture to do it.
Like anything else, it takes practice.
So practice like who you want to be depends on it; the opportunity is waiting.
Amanda Stevens unlocks the Fountain of Youth by delving into some of the trends toward living well and living longer.
Noosa is known for many things: stunning beaches, breathtaking coastlines and national parks, and a vibrant, world-class culinary scene. But it’s also becoming the epicentre of healthy living and a magnet for those pursuing a lifestyle of fitness and wellness. It does, after all, host the world’s largest Olympic-distance triathlon.
Take a closer look and those on a mission to be the healthiest version of themselves are no longer just running the National Park, swimming Laguna Bay, cycling to the Hinterland and consuming more green juices than the rest of us.
The science of health and wellness is evolving. From new data on the impacts of certain lifestyle choices, cutting-edge fitness technologies to new supplement innovations and even the rediscovery of
ancient mindfulness practices, here are some of the latest trends that are shaping the future of longevity.
1. PERSONALISED NUTRITION
The age-old adage “you are what you eat” has taken on a new meaning in the era of personalised nutrition. No longer satisfied with generic dietary advice, some are turning to advanced technologies and genetic testing to unlock the secrets of their unique nutritional needs. By analysing genetic markers, lifestyle factors and health goals, personalised nutrition programs create tailored meal plans that optimise nutrient intake and promote overall wellness. Whether it’s optimising performance for elite athletes or managing chronic conditions through diet, personalised nutrition offers a bespoke approach to nourishment that is empowering people to take control of
Lyre’s Carl Hartmann and DJ David Guetta
their health through customisation.
2. IT’S COOL TO BE SOBER
In case you hadn’t noticed, more and more people are saying no to alcohol and, increasingly, the social stigma once attached to being a teetotaller is evaporating. From concerns about liver health to the impact on mental clarity and overall vitality, many are choosing to prioritise their long-term wellness over short-term indulgence.
According to Carl Hartmann, the Noosa-based co-founder of leading non
alcoholic spirit brand Lyres, this trend is being led by younger demographics - “In fact, 25 to 30% of people aged 18 to 30 are completely alcohol-free,” he said.
Since Lyres was launched in 2019, it’s grown exponentially and now boasts a range of 13 premium spirit alternatives in a global market. The brand just announced a partnership with David Guetta, the world’s number one DJ as the global ambassador, along with distribution in some of the biggest nightclubs in Ibiza and Las Vegas.
Carl says the ‘conscious consumption’ trend and demand for high-quality alcohol alternatives is continuing to surge as consumers seek a premium experience for the health and wellness benefits but without the calories of traditional mocktails.
In an age of constant connectivity and information overload, more and more people are enjoying the benefits of regular ‘digital detoxing’.
Excessive screen time, social media use, and digital distractions have been linked to a host of health issues, including anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. It involves unplugging from electronic devices, setting
boundaries around screen time, and prioritising real-world experiences. Whether it’s taking a digital detox retreat, practicing mindfulness or simply spending time in nature, unplugging from the digital world allows us to reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us.
According to digital wellbeing and performance expert Dr Kristy Goodwin, a healthier, more balanced relationship with our phones and other tech makes for a healthier mind and body.
“Research shows, for example, that when we disconnect from screens an hour before bed, the quality and quantity of sleep we get increases significantly,” she says.
You could argue that being in Noosa is a great stress reducer, but other modalities that help with stress reduction and overall mental wellness are on the rise, as the research continually demonstrates that relaxed, happy people tend to live longer. Which might explain the popularity of Pilates studios and an increased focus on meditation.
The recovery therapy trend, encompassing saunas, ice baths and
oxygen chamber treatments was once the exclusive domain of professional athletes, sports teams and fitness enthusiasts. Now, it’s more mainstream, with people of all ages making recovery treatments an integral part of their wellness routine and proactive approach to health. According to Tom Harvey, the co-founder of the new TH7 Recovery Centre in Noosa, the wellness industry is undergoing a significant shift.
“We’re moving away from short-term benefits towards a focus on long-term health and longevity,” he says.
Tom adds that the TH7 approach, which incorporates saunas, cold and warm water therapy, compression treatments and oxygen pods, is attracting a diverse clientele, spanning from late teens to late 80s.
“What brings them together is a common goal: to improve their health and wellbeing, each in their own way,” he said.
With access to amazing facilities, fresh produce and a stunning natural environment in a dedicated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, surely Noosa is destined to join the ‘Blue Zones’ where people live exceptionally long lives.
That’s a trend worth following.
For over 125 years, our family-operated eucalyptus oil distillery has proudly been the world's oldest and most trusted producers. With five generations of hand-crafting natural products, our range is the finest natural cleaners money can buy. Chemical-free cleaning for a non-toxic home and better for the environment.
So, you thought the Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company only sold natural cleaning products to keep the home sparkling and chemical free? Think again! Bec Marshall discovers that your hands, face and body can also get that healthy, natural glow.
It’s the largest organ of the human body, but let’s face it: our skin gets a rough trot.
It cops sun damage, ageing, acne, warts, cuts, bruises, sensitivities and allergies; not to mention the creams, lotions, potions and sprays that we spread all over ourselves every day.
Think about this layer-upon-layer approach from your skin’s perspective and pretty soon, you start asking questions.
What’s in all that stuff? What’s it doing to your skin? Could it be doing more harm than good? Are the ingredients toxic, synthetic or harmful? Is there a natural alternative?
The Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company (AEOC) can help answer that final question. And that’s good news for the health of your skin, the environment and the planet.
This fifth-generation family-owned business started out distilling eucalyptus oil in the late 1800s before branching out to offer natural cleaning products such as laundry powder, household cleaners and sprays that are free from toxic chemicals and artificial fragrances.
The Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company range of body products includes pure Castile soap hand washes, body oils and a dazzling array of quality essential oils, plus a rinse-free hand wash (sanitiser), a deodorising foot spray and an Aussie bush spray to ward off mozzies.
And if you visit the Noosa Junction store in person, you’ll find an impressive selection of EcoTan natural tanning products.
Managing Director Tony Taig promises these certified organic products are easy on both the skin and nose.
“There’s no awful smell,” Tony said. “EcoTan is a massive company from the Gold Coast who are a very similarminded business to us. They don’t use any toxic chemicals and their tan colourings are actually made with caramels and chocolate.”
Castile soap is the most natural soap you can get. Named after the Castile region in Spain, famous for its olive oil, this type of soap is made with plant oils. The Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company is one of the few outlets in the nation using Castile soap in its range of handwashes.
“It is really moisturising on skin and has such a nice feel on your hands,” Tony said. “It has no toxic chemicals and is fragranced with essential oil combinations like grapefruit, orange and lime; bergamot, geranium and rose; and eucalyptus and lemon myrtle oil –bergamot is our most popular.
“We also have an unscented hand wash for extra sensitive skin. It’s great for dry hands and eczema.
“A lot of hand washes, especially the soaps from the supermarket, dry your hands and body out because they’re all synthetic ingredients and not really good for you. A lot of the ingredients in fragrance chemicals are triggers for eczema.”
There are 29 types of 100% pure essential oils available on the AEOC website, in 15 ml and 50 ml bottles.
Scents include eucalyptus (of course), lemon scented tea tree, clove, lavender, pine, orange, cedar, jojoba, patchouli, peppermint and more.
Tony said they also represent amazing value. The AEOC lavender oil is half the price of most other merchants and, at $22 for 15 ml, its frankincense oil would comparatively sell for $115 elsewhere.
These versatile oils can be used in a variety of ways and are just perfect in a diffuser or inside one of the Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company’s stunning, hand-crafted banksia scent pots.
The Pure Body Oil can be used anywhere on the body and helps keep skin feeling fresh and silky smooth.
Great for after-shaving or to improve stretch marks, it’s a luxurious blend of almond oil, hemp oil, rosehip oil, lime oil and orange oil, lightly fragranced with mandarin and lime.
Unlike conventional lotions and creams that often contain synthetic ingredients, this totally natural body oil is made from pure and natural ingredients that are beneficial for your skin.
You can now find Australian Eucalyptus Oil Company products in White’s IGA stores on the Sunshine Coast.
Check out the body care section of David Suzuki’s including how to use Castile soap and the dirty dozen cosmetic chemicals to avoid.
Autumn is all about Eliza’s new season’s look-atme European collections in warm sensual colours and classy fabrics, Helen Flanagan enthuses.
What’s not to love about Liz McMillan’s effervescent energy when it comes to choosing the crème de la crème of the latest exclusive European collections and her seemingly effortless styling, which morphs naturally into a luxury fashion experience like no other?
Great news of the collection’s arrival for Liz’s myriad clientele, who certainly don’t need an excuse to visit the expert stylist and doyenne of luxury fashion who opened Eliza’s on Hastings Street 25 years ago and is now firmly ensconced on Thomas Street with views of the Noosa River.
Liz says the number one essential item to elevate an autumn look this season is a trench coat in chocolate brown, super soft vegan leather which is lightweight and washable.
“Best thrown over an 80s-inspired ivory or grey cotton tank or tee with gold paint detailing, perhaps teamed with the very flattering new season flares in a sand colour lightweight fabric with cargo pocket detail and low on the sides,” she enthuses. “Think texture and metallic, a soft gold yarn tank with scoop neck, teamed with the most comfortable and dashing pant of this season, vegan leather straight leg jeans in a rich shade of cinnamon.
“Finish with an ivory and caramel
coloured textured short jacket with round neck and raw edge detail.”
Ooh la la, everyone loves a little French! Think vintage style blouses in white, ivory or coddled cream, with on-trend crochet detail for a perfect feminine touch. Pair with leather pants in rich cinnamon or black; denim jeans; or new season maxi skirts or culottes.
Luxe metallic fabrics in matte silver and gold are a new take on the basic blue denim jean jacket, this time with a raw edge and cropped to the waist, perfectly flattering with the new season’s flare pant, maxi skirt or culottes - or pared back with motif tanks and tees in soft jersey and cottons.
“The maxi skirt is a truly feminine addition to your wardrobe teamed with sneakers or boots,” says Liz. “Create a simple yet attractive look and take on the new season asymmetrical A-line maxi skirt with contrast fabric panelling in either sage or black.
“Pair with an amazing knit in the same colour, made from a combo of cotton, rayon and paper, and pair with the all-essential vegan leather short basic jacket in black, dark green or tan.
“The jacket can be dressed up or down, tied around the waist and is washable. It’s the perfect travel piece as it’s also soft, lightweight and so comfortable.
“This outfit has a rock chic vibe mixed
with French femininity!”
Super in-store stylist Liz says 2024 fashion is about length, shape and volume.
“The polished preppy/quiet luxury/ grandpa chic looks are all about cheeky suiting with long and short jackets; white collars under knits; tailored pieces in high quality fabrics such as linen, cotton, Tencel, GIMA cotton, Lyocell, viscose, paper and linen,” she says. “Or go for more of a retro street wear feel with cheeky cardis, denim with a twist, wide leg pants, maxi skirts, sneakers, ballet flats and statement sunglasses; while the skinny jean has evolved into more a straight cut or flare.
“Styling your clothes is a way of elevating your look, wearing them in a unique/different manner, pairing pieces that are worn in the correct proportions for your figure but overall making the transformation into a modern you, with wonderful outfits that reflect personality, style, mood and even the occasion.
“When you dress and check yourself out in the mirror, I know you will say or think ‘I look and feel fabulous’.”
With exclusive European designs, personalised styling and a commitment to making everyone look and feel fabulous, it’s no surprise that Eliza’s has been the go-to for fashionable styling and exclusive looks for 25 years.
Ana wears:
Khaki utility inspired crop jacket and new season skirt utilising ‘sensitive’ fabric from Italy that is a sustainable, breathable and comfortable cloth for all seasons. Styled with sequinned detailed cotton tank, European Labels exclusive in Australia at Eliza’s Boutique, 0459 076 165
Cream Witchery Leather Ankle Boots from Thrifter Noosa Warehouse, thrifter.au Solid Gold Sleigh Ring; 9ct Solid gold Italian Hoops from Leskes Jewellers, 0407 127 567
Ryan wears:
Natural Daniel Hechter Sports Jacket; Mint Brax organic Cotton Chino; White Coast Clothing Co Long Sleeve Linen Shirt from Beau Gentry, 5447 3398
Camel ECCO Men’s Soft 7 Sneaker from FootMotion, 5474 2332
Flower arrangements and vase by Petrifleur, 0452 596 681
As autumn arrives on the coast, the landscape undergoes a breathtaking transformation, offering a palette of colours that inspire and influence fashion trends.
The Australian autumn landscape is characterised by rich earthy tones, vibrant reds, burnt oranges, deep yellows, and subtle greens - all of which serve as inspiration for designers and fashion lovers alike.
For women, flowing dresses in floral prints reminiscent of native Australian wildflowers offer a feminine touch. Pair with ankle boots and a jacket to create a versatile look that effortlessly transitions from day to night.
Men’s fashion draws inspiration from the rustic charm of the Australian countryside - organic linen shirts in warm tones of orange, navy and lavender exude a casual yet sophisticated vibe, while tailored blazers in tweed or fawn pay homage to classic menswear.
Accessories play a pivotal role, adding depth and character to outfits with fine jewellery capturing the stunning colours
of autumn to bring flair and individuality to any ensemble. Wide-brimmed felt hats, leather bags, and ankle boots in earthy tones complete the look and add a touch of bohemian style.
Sustainable flowers by Petrifleur added stunning autumn tones.
Overall, I wanted our autumn fashion pages to reflect the stunning colours and textures of our environment, capturing the mood of the season in every outfit.
From earthy tones and flowing fabric to structured outerwear and unique accessories, we celebrate the beauty of nature while embracing timeless style and versatility.
Special thanks to Warehouse HQ Noosa for letting us use their beautiful naturally-lit studio space. Next time you’re in Noosaville make sure you visit the connecting Thrifter Warehouse. It’s an absolute treasure trove full of gently worn or brand-new clothing and accessories. Support sustainable fashion while grabbing a bargain.
I hope our fashion pages inspire your next autumn ensemble. Enjoy!
Sunshine
Bay
Kimberley Jones FASHION EDITOR @jones_styling
Ana wears:
Yellow Jungle 100% Cotton One Shoulder Tiered Long Dress with Co-ordinating Woven Belt from IT’S A FAD by Sara Leonardi, itsafad.com
Black Parker Woven Slide from Sportsgirl, Noosa Civic, 5449 8953
18ct Yellow & White Gold Yellow Beryl & Diamond Ring ; 18ct Yellow Gold
Multi-Coloured Sapphire & Diamond Bracelet ; 9ct Yellow Gold Diamond Tennis
Bracelet; 9ct Yellow Gold Amazonite & Yellow Dolomite Necklace from Makers
Mark Jewellery Studio, 0434 239 928
Flower arrangements and vase by Petrifleur, 0452 596 681
What goes into creating a piece of fine jewellery? For Deborah Noble of Alexander Rose Diamond Jewellery, it’s the perfect fusion of art and science
With degrees in Fine Jewellery Manufacture and Diamond Grading plus decades of experience, Deborah brings a unique perspective when it comes to creating stunning custom pieces.
“I’m very much an alchemist and architect,” she says. “You have to understand the science behind precious metals, the molecular structure and how the precious metal reacts, but also the design elements: the proportions, the angles, and how to ensure the custom manufactured jewellery piece looks desirable, but more importantly will withstand many years of wear through the structural integrity of the piece”
Alexander Rose Diamond Jewellery specialises in beautiful bespoke pieces that have been entirely conceptualised and handcrafted in Deborah’s Peregian Beach studio and workshop.
Her clients mainly come through word of mouth and many return to her throughout their lives, trusting her to create precious fine jewellery for important milestones and occasions, as well as restoration of their family’s Antique Jewellery pieces.
Deborah often takes inspiration from the stone itself, and her expertise as a diamond grader means she can easily source and recommend premium quality diamonds, sapphires and other rare coloured gemstones for special, exclusive creations that can be handed down through generations.
As someone who’s been working with fine jewellery her entire career, Deborah’s favourite part of the process is the moment she begins to transform the stock gauge precious metal into a specifically measured object – through a process of milling and annealing, swaging and soldering.
“I am always inspired with fine jewellery manufacture because the possibilities are endless,” she says. “I love designing with my clients to transform their visions into a stunning piece of luxury jewellery.”
Alexander Rose Diamond Jewellery is a beautiful showroom with a Jeweller's Workshop located on our premises.
We source exceptional Rare Coloured Gemstones from around the world to suit your desire for the one elusive Luxury Gemstone.
Our clients speak directly to our Qualified Jeweller, discussing all the fine details associated with Custom Design and Custom Manufacture of your Fine Luxury Jewellery.
We specialise in Custom Hand Manufactured Luxury Jewellery, Diamond Engagement Rings and Diamond Wedding Rings, Restorations of Antique Jewellery and Repairs and Replacement of Diamonds.
Book an appointment to discuss your personalised design.
Ana wears:
Coral Esther Maxi Dress; Nude Ryleigh Heel from Billy J, billyj.com.au
Garnet and Diamond Rose Gold Ring from Leskes Jewellers, 0407 127 567
18ct White Gold Tennis Bracelet with over 11 Carats of Pink, Orange, Green and Yellow Diamonds; 18ct White Gold Ring with 2 Carat Pear Shaped Diamond and Peacock Baguette Diamond Setting from Carla Maxine Jewellery, carlamaxine.com
Ryan wears:
Navy and red BRAX Organic Linen Short Sleeve Shirt; Navy BRAX Organic Cotton Fabio Chino from Beau Gentry, 5447 3398; Night Sky ECCO Men’s Soft 7 Sneaker from FootMotion, 5474 2332
Ryan wears: Coral Brax Short Sleeve Linen Shirt; Navy Brax Organic Cotton Chino from Beau Gentry, 5447 3398
Nutmeg Brown ECCO Men’s ST. Hybrid Chukka Boots from FootMotion, 5474 2332
Ana wears:
Pictures print Zoey Midi Dress with matching sash belt from Ella & Sunday, 5455 5656
Rubi Castaner Carina Rojo Espadrille from Thrifter Noosa Warehouse, thrifter.au 14ct Gold Malachite Clover Studs; 14ct Solid Gold and Green Malachite Clover Bracelet; Cultured Cushion Cut Emerald Ring in 9ct Gold; Natural Emerald and Diamond Ring in 9ct Gold, from Leskes Jewellers, 0407 127 567
Green and Pink Rimmed Champagne Flute from Uncle George, 5474 5871
Showroom Open: 3/40 Gateway Drive, Noosaville Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm Phone: 5455 5656 ellaandsunday.com.au
Ana wears:
Maldives Blue Nala Maxi Dress; Tan Leather Sandal; Handmade wooden and fabric beads; Blue and Green Bohemian cushions from oul Song, 0412 246 550
Turquoise Ripple Large Leaf Dangles from the Twilight Skies Collection from Euphony Designs, euphonydesigns.com
Ana wears:
I AM PILGRIM Antara Dress; Cream Will and Bear Calloway Wool Hat from Bohemian Sundays, 5373 8063
Tan Zara Suede Ankle Cowboy Boot from Thrifter Noosa Warehouse, thrifter.au
Gold Bar Brown Beige Circle Dangles from the Earth Tones Collection from Euphony Designs, euphonydesigns.com
Ryan wears:
Lilac Long Sleeve Linen Shirt; Natural Premium Linen Tailored Short from Wacker Clothing Company, 0419 760 771
Camel ECCO Men’s Soft 7 Sneaker from FootMotion, 5474 2332
Jagger Iris Large Cooler Bag and Woven Throw by Wandering Folk from Bohemian Sundays, 5373 8063
Euphony Designs, euphonydesigns.com
Euphony Designs, euphonydesigns.com
Ana wears:
Fashion Editor: Kimberley Jones
@jones_styling
Photographer: Chevaune Hindley
@chevaunehindley
Hair & Make-Up Artists: Craig & Lara
Argent, Pony Hair & Beauty
@pony_beauty_bar_noosa
Assistants: Natalie Marenko
Social Media: Chloe Knight
Models: Anamaria Turvey
@anamaria.sunshinecoast
Ryan Turvey
Flowers: Petrifleur @petrifleur_
Location: Warehouse HQ Noosa
@warehouse.hq
A wacky little dream, a man in need and a heartbreaking family loss – this is the story of Carlie Wacker’s emerging Noosa fashion label .
There is clear evidence from my childhood that I was destined for a life that involved fashion and entertainment - from styling Barbie Dolls to dressing and choreographing shows with the neighbourhood kids.
But it was really a series of events and experiences that sealed the deal on a midlife career pivot that saw this former radio and television presenter turned fashion editor and emcee become a fashion designer.
The growing frustration of my husband Mark who found it difficult to buy garments off-the-rack allowed me to understand how important the fit and feel of fabric was to men, as well as how different their shopping habits werethey like to shop seasonally and have items to mix and match to take the stress out of dressing. So, in 2022 the idea for Wacker Clothing Company was born to build a menswear label to cater to the needs of a market of mature men seeking classic, effortless styles.
It was essential for me to be sustainable and ethical, so I partnered with TTK Collective – a Noosa-based manufacturing house that helped with everything from design concept and product development to product to sell.
Our small team of six women and two men in Vietnam source our remnant fabric which ensures our garments are
limited edition. They handcraft our designs in a respectful work environment, are paid above sustainable living wage, never work overtime or on public holidays and I communicate directly with them, meaning I can guarantee a transparent and ethical supply chain.
As the business evolved, women began wearing the shirts and the label became a go-to for unisex luxe linen shirts.
In 2023, the Wacker family sadly lost our Matriarch Joan. I was very close to my mother-in-law and gathered such strength from her. She was a trailblazer for women in the male-dominated motorcycle industry in Australia and was a huge part of the family business that began in Brisbane in 1917 when Morgan and Wacker were the first Harley Davidson dealership outside of the USA.
We would often talk about fashion and the outfits she would design and make when she was first dating her late
husband, Bruce. When sifting through family photos for her memorial, we were so inspired by her iconic fashion that my step-daughter Kimberley and I decided we would recreate some of her designs and launch Wacker Woman in her memory.
The next chapter for Wacker Clothing Company brings together nostalgic glamour, the need of my man and the memory of my mother-in-law and my own darling mum. I believe every piece of clothing should have heartfelt stories woven into every fibre of its creationfrom design to manufacturing and wear.
Designed in Noosa, Australia
www.wackerclothingcompany.com.au
riginally a Scottish breed, Golden Retrievers are characterised by their stunning coats, intelligence, loyalty and gentle affectionate nature. Not surprisingly, the much beloved family dog breed was awarded third place for Most Popular Dog Breeds for 2022.
Paws-tively agreeing with fervent tail swishes is Kevin, who after a considerable search was chosen by local business identity Sue Willis, primarily as an assistance dog for her daughter Olivia, aged 13. She had always wanted the roly-poly dog from the toilet paper ad.
“The little bundle of joy brought comfort and laughter to a home dealing with sadness and change,” Sue explains.
“He slept alongside Olivia each night and as a result we created a very anxious dog! A dog psychologist, who I called in desperation, told us Kevin’s job was to comfort, and in so doing he was absorbing all of our worries.
“So, 12 years later this fluffy absolute angel has gone from anxious to happy and calm, back to anxious but most of all, has supported us through life’s ups and downs.”
When Kevin joined the family, he had to contend with the boss of the house, a beautiful ragdoll cat who he lovedand who eventually loved him back after many whacks to put him in his place.
“She died recently, he pines for her, and we miss some of the funniest, most delightful things, such as watching tennis on television with both heads turning left to right, right to left in unison. Hilarious,” recalls Sue.
Kevin went to puppy school which Sue highly recommends for all breeds.
“Golden retrievers are gentle souls, very easy to train, smile when happy and eager to please when we arrive home by retrieving his favourite toy and offering it with love,” she shares.
Kevin adores his family, ‘golden friends’ Ika and Connie, and of course water.
“On a friend’s farm at Black Mountain, he went for a swim in a very grubby dam about 500m from the house,” Sue recalls. “It took me hours to get the stink out of him, and after all the ‘pampering’ he was so pleased with himself.
“He also likes boating on the Noosa River, ‘owning’ a sandbank, playing with any old stick, the bigger the better and lies in water to rest, rather than sand, like other dogs.
“He’s very good with his ‘business’ and goes on command; Chicken and cheese are favourite naughty treats; regular diet is good quality kibble; and no point giving him a bone, he’ll just bury it and offer a stinky present later.”
Many local dog walkers recognise Kevin at numerous breakfast spots, or at dog-friendly Seasons where great service includes water for him and excellent cocktails for Sue.
One afternoon, sometime residents of Sunshine Beach Kevin Rudd and his wife Therese Rein were at the next table.
Sue and her friends were about to be joined by Olivia who had struck up a conversation with the former Prime Minister, who naturally asked how su-pawstar Kevin got his name.
Sue recalls the actual story happened when she was heading News Corp’s North Queensland business during a momentous time in politics.
“The Honourable Kevin Rudd had rolled Julia Gillard in 2013, and every front page in the Townsville Bulletin was emblazoned with his golden locks, toothy smile and headlines to match,” she recalls. “After weeks of me ‘coaching’ our new puppy to sit and wee, interjecting many times with ‘naughty Kevin, Kevin wait, Kevin stop’, and finally so frustrated, I said to Olivia, he is ‘dumb as dog shit and never listens’.”
Back at Season, it was a round of a-paws for Olivia’s take on the tale, which amused Therese but Mr Rudd not so much.
Must have been barking mad!
Michael Brennan discovers how a local artist uncovers the beauty that is hidden in plain sight.
Most people in the Noosa National Park are going somewhere: Tea Tree Bay; The Fairy Pools; Hell’s Gate; A-Bay. Like a line of missionfocused ants, they course in single file in both directions, either around a circuit or to a place. It’s only when they arrive at the park-sanctioned destination that they really stop and take in their surrounds.
But that’s not the case with Peter Hudson. The seasoned Sunshine Coastbased artist spent some extended time immersed in the headland mid-last year, stopping to train his attention on an environment he’d – surprisingly –seldom visited across his 30+ years living on the Coast.
Perhaps it’s this relative unfamiliarity with such a well-visited destination –right there in his backyard – that imbues his paintings of the place with such an energy and vitality that goes beyond the postcard vistas we’re all so familiar with.
There’s a compelling intimacy that can only come from careful looking, and the unassuming scale of the works he makes invites us to do the same.
There’s a compelling intimacy that can only come from careful looking, and the unassuming scale of the works he makes invites us to do the same.
His attention to the ocean’s liquidy details of movement and light (I know ‘liquidy’ isn’t a word – but it should be), are as thrilling as the spectacle of a cresting wave. And a tangle of trees becomes as irresistible as the iconic outlook across Laguna Bay.
These paintings are largely made on site (I’ve always thought the term ‘en plein air’ sounded pretentious outside of France) with a custom-designed portable studio setup allowing Hudson to really get in amongst the spaces he’s set out to capture.
This proximity to the subject,
combined with his skill with his tools, gives the elements he paints a palpability that makes you feel like you’re almost there. And the immediacy and restraint of his brushwork captures the reality that what we’re looking at is always in flux.
Hudson modestly claims that he’s not setting out to do anything new. He’s just trying to make good, honest paintings of places and things his eye is drawn to. But perhaps that’s not entirely fair or true, as these works are stuffed with a freshness that puts a flutter in your chest.
It’s just what he does – evidenced by a survey exhibition of scale and accompanying monograph at UniSC Art Gallery in 2022. And this exhibition – which also includes a couple of side jaunts to other equally alluring locales from across the region – continues to give us a glimpse of our world through fresh eyes.
24 February to 14 April
Peter Hudson: Right Place / Right Time
Press Gang: Pressed Into Place
Michele Rudder: Creativity Has No Limits
Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin
www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au
A local for over four decades, Colin Passmore’s presence in the bustling seaside town of Peregian Beach is as prominent as his artwork adorning the iconic Peregian Water Tower, as Jodie Cameron discovers.
When I arrive at Colin Passmore’s studio on David Low Way, Peregian Beach I welcome the calm and ethereal vibe that is in contrast to the heavy traffic outside.
Colin has been practicing art on the Sunshine Coast since 1982, and moved to the seaside community four years ago.
Rather than rue the hustle and bustle outside that could distract him from his craft, Colin says he chose the location because of the opportunity that comes from the large volume of cars that pass by daily. Settling here was a natural choice, not only for the pure convenience but for the laid-back village vibe.
For him, it is a place to fill his cup with sunshine and surf and his residence doubles as a studio and gallery/exhibition space where he paints in solitude for up to 10 hours a day.
“I enjoy the pace of Peregian. I can walk to the beach, listen to music, eat at my favourite restaurants – it’s where I want to be at this point in my life,” he says. “I’m a beach person at heart, so going for a swim first thing in the morning – you simply can’t beat that.”
As I stroll through the captivating canvases that grace the gallery, I am lost in the abundance of wildlife, mostly birds, embedded in many of his works.
“We are so fortunate in Australia to be surrounded by an abundance of birds and wildlife, so it has always been a major source of inspiration for me,” he says.
Perhaps then it’s no surprise that he settled in Peregian, where many of the streets – Curlew Way, Lorikeet Street,
– are named after our feathered friends!
I’m struck by the compelling beauty of Colin’s work and how vivid his pieces are; blending acrylic paint on large canvases, his brush strokes are strikingly expressive with rich detailing reminiscent of the Impressionist era.
“I used to place real feathers onto the canvas, and I still use the same method with images of birds so I can capture their attitude and posture – they become almost lifelike,” he explains.
“The interweaving reeds and beautiful botanicals are a direct nod to my roots etched in the West and I still very much paint that landscape from memory.”
As well as being inspired by coastal landscapes and growing up in West Australia, Colin has also felt the creative pull of the outback, spending time in Port Hedland in the Pilbara and crossing the Nullarbor Plain in southern Australia.
“I don’t take photos, I tend to just absorb what I see, and when you’re exposed to something a lot, like crossing the barren deserts of the Nullarbor – you retain those visuals,” he says.
A lone ranger when it comes to his art, Colin’s working space needs to have an element of serenity.
“I can often work at a piece for days, even weeks, without interacting with a single soul – there’s a certain solace in working alone that I don’t find anywhere else.” he says. “To produce my best work, I need to be focused, full of energy and happy in serene surroundings.”
Accustomed to painting large-scale pieces, in 2015, Colin’s work was chosen
by the community to transform Peregian’s 13-metre-high water tower into an impressionist masterpiece –ultimately, giving locals a ‘Passmore’ in their backyard.
“The vision was to blend the water tower into the surrounding vegetation, making it appear at one with the hill it sits upon,” he says.
His artistic process remains the same for each piece, but when the odd painters block presents itself, he embraces it as an opportunity to spread his wings.
“I always want to do better, do something different, and sometimes a block can turn out to be a great thing,” he says.
“After working through the issues, the piece can often turn into something quite special and an interesting new direction.”
In full creative flow, this stalwart of the art world is more productive than he’s ever been and doesn’t have plans to slow down any time soon.
“I will never retire,” he laughs. “I was more retired when I was 30 – always surfing and going out – but now, at 73, I’m working more than ever.”
After leaving Colin’s studio, his artwork lingered so much in my mind that I felt compelled to stop and sit in nature to view firsthand the intricacies of our coastal surroundings that Colin so effortlessly depicts in each of his pieces, one stroke at a time.
So if, like me, you’ve spied Colin’s ‘Gallery Open’ sign – pull over and pop in for an experience you won’t forget.
What do you get when you combine a blank canvas, acrylic paint, a glass or two of wine and a whole lot of creative abandon at a Studio One Sip & Pour - Colour Chemistry Workshop? A fun, memorable experience resulting in a one-of-akind artwork you’ll actually be proud to hang on your wall, discovers Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer
I’m tying an apron around my waist and feeling slightly nervous. Despite having a keen appreciation for visual art, creating it has never been my strong suit (I’m more of a words girl), but I’ve been promised it’s safe to leave my anxieties at the door - when it comes to Studio’s One’s Sip & Pour - Colour Chemistry Workshops, no artistic experience is necessary.
The IN Noosa Magazine team start by sipping our BYO bubbles and snacking on a sensational cheese and charcuterie platter provided by founders Richard Donelly and Juanita Van Den Bergh, while gazing out at the Studio One Noosa gallery and workshop space’s unexpected views of Noosa National Park at the end of Gateway Drive.
With its high ceilings, gallery walls laden with artwork, and that verdant backdrop, it feels like the perfect spot to unleash our dormant creativity.
Juanita – a practising fine artist who creates organic, large-scale paintings on canvas, has a deep love for the synergy and interactions of colour, something she explores in her own creative practice.
She starts by giving us a demonstration – pouring multiple colours of acrylic paint across a ‘pillow’ of white paint then adding colour and dots of activator paint, which interacts with the elements on the canvas, causing them to behave in interesting ways: bubbling to the surface, blooming out across the canvas, and mingling with one another to create unusual and striking formations.
We can also spin our canvas on a
turntable, use a cup to control the flow of paint and create unusual shapes, or blow through a straw to spread the paint in a more forceful and interesting way, she explains. Every example Juanita shows us has a completely different feel, and the group is eager to get started and turn our creative ideas into a reality!
Deb goes first, using the straw technique to create a vibrant, hyperfeminine, highly detailed explosion of pink, purple and blue that leaps off the canvas. Never one to follow the crowd, Jakki’s is a minimalist, abstract piece that she tinkers with over the course of the evening, transforming it from its original iteration into something just as eye-catching in blue, yellow and stripes of black.
Megan goes for peach and orange tones, creating an Aperol Spritz-coloured canvas with intricate black pattern and detail; while Michelle leans into the darker colours, layering a deep navy blue with golden metallic blooms for a luxe, moody feel. Cassie also chooses metallics, but adds pops of white and tributaries of bright blue, creating a piece that’s reminiscent of an aerial portrait of the earth; while Millie is inspired by the
ocean, layering vibrant shades of blue, teal, white and silver, before blowing white activator paint across the canvas to create dots, rivers and lakes of colour.
When it’s my turn – inspired by my young children, and their love for anything rainbow-hued, Juanita helps me use the cup method to mix coral, blue, green and yellow together, adding what feels like an insane amount of paint to my canvas (no scrimping on materials here!) before dotting it with the activator paint in white and yellow. I then spread this with a palette knife, creating organic forms and causing the colours to mingle and react with one another.
As we sip, laugh and chat our way through the evening, it’s amazing to see that, despite our lack of experience, we’ve all created a striking, interesting piece of art that’s destined to adorn the walls or home or office rather than being relegated to the depths of the garage.
You can check out the process and the end results on the IN Noosa social media pages and while I don’t think I’ll quit the day job just yet, I loved every moment of letting my creativity literally flow!
This is the perfect activity for people of all ages and artistic abilities - great for couples and groups alike with a very special artwork to remember forever.
In addition to discovering and ordering original local artwork or fine art prints from Studio One, you can visit the gallery for regular exhibitions with local artists or book a Sip & Pour - Colour Chemistry Workshop. It’s all part of their commitment to have us hanging local art on every wall! www.studioonenoosa.com.au
Looking for an escape, a mind expansion or some uplifting art vibes over a friendly wine? ArtsNational Noosa has got you covered, writes Bec Marshall
“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home” - dance icon Twyla Tharp said it and locals are being gifted unique opportunities to experience exactly that, thanks to ArtsNational Noosa.
Driven by a purpose to ‘connect, enrich and inspire’ and a firm belief in the power of art to transform and enhance lives, ArtsNational Noosa is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit society that provides regular lectures on a dazzling array of art topics as well as philanthropic support for young artists.
The local group, which celebrates its 13th year in 2024, is part of a wider network of 36 societies with 5500 members across Australia. Formerly known as ADFAS, short for Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Societies, the organisation has this year transitioned to the new name of ArtsNational with an exciting program of topics to be discovered and explored.
ArtsNational Noosa Chair Gail Thoms said the group’s monthly events were an excellent chance to explore the arts in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Each session is presented by nationally and internationally-renowned speakers who are recognised experts in their fields of interest - which are sometimes from left field - but always fascinating.
This year’s program truly has something for everyone. Topics cover a broad spectrum including a look at symmetry and patterns in Islamic art and design through exploring the 700-year-old Alhambra Palace in Granada; the history of tea drinking in the west; the rise and role of modern
sculpture parks; meeting Caravaggio: The Bad Boy of Baroque; understanding the history of exotic colours and poisonous pigments in ancient art; exploring the healing power of plants; and the ancient portrayal of Barbarians; as well as exploring the New World images of Georgia O’Keeffe inspired by the canyons of America’s Southwest.
Each topic is presented by a professional guest speaker who is often part of a national or global circuit with plenty of opportunities for questions, interactions and forging friendships over refreshments after the presentation.
The “enriching” beauty of ArtsNational Noosa is that members and guests can not only enjoy fascinating presentations and forge new friendships but there is also the opportunity to join in for special events such as bus trips to Brisbane to take in the latest exhibitions at GOMA or exploring hinterland art trails with plenty of time for lunch and shopping.
Membership also helps young artists in the region advance closer to realising their dreams with fees, part of the raffle
Above: 29 June: “From Miami to Merricks: The Rise and Role of the Modern Sculpture Park”.
... a world of yesteryear art and culture to celebrate and explore; new friends to be made and future stars to support.
proceeds and particularlhy member donations contributing to the Young Arts Program which has helped local rising stars reach the national or global stage.
Past recipients include Peregian Springs Dance Centre students Yamina Yehoshua (15) who was offered a place at the Australian Ballet School; Amy Westcott (15), who was invited to train with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet; and Jasmine Bowker (12) who earnt a high distinction in her Royal Academy of Dance results.
Above: 20 April: Wonders of the Alhambra: Symmetry and Patterns in Islamic Art and Design
Below: 2 November: Georgia O’Keefe’s Ground Breaking Vision
Yamina has been sponsored by ArtsNational Noosa for a number of years and, according to Chair Gail Thoms, she is one to watch and is expected to shine bright.
Another Peregian Springs Dance Centre graduate sponsored by ArtsNational Noosa is Alfie Shacklock who has studied dance in New York and London, performed at Covent Garden and joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet last year.
ArtsNational Noosa recently sponsored the 40 Under 40 Exhibition and Art Prize at the Butter Factory Arts Centre, Cooroy; and contributes to the Patricia Roberston Fund which supports conservators working in the field of Conservation of Cultural Material.
ArtsNational presents a world of yesteryear art and culture to celebrate and explore; new friends to be made and future stars to support. Be part of it!
Make new friends. Discover fascinating topics. Monthly events and regular excursions. Renowned speakers. Enjoy the benefits of membership or casual conversations.
Become a member of ArtsNational Noosa
Scan to QR code to find out more or visit www.artsnational.au/societies/noosa
20 April: Wonders of the Alhambra: Symmetry and Patterns in Islamic Art and Design. Presented by David Banney.
25 May: Everything Stops for Tea! A Social History of Tea Drinking. Presented by Anne Anderson.
29 June: From Miami to Merricks: The Rise and Role of the Modern Sculpture Park Presented by Geoffrey Edwards.
20 July: Caravaggio: The Bad Boy of the Baroque. Presented by Daniel Evans.
SPECIAL EVENT 17 AUGUST, double header starting at 2.30pm: Alchemy and Adventure: A History of Exotic Colours and Poisonous Pigments; and The Art of Seduction. Presented by Lynne Gibson.
14 September: The Healing Power of Plants - Why Plant-derived Treatments are not an Alternative, instead they are the Real Thing Presented by Timothy Walker.
12 October: Picturing the Barbarian in Antiquity. Presented by Andrew Gillett.
2 November: Georgia O’Keeffe’s GroundBreaking Vision. Presented by Deborah Jenner.
Venue: St Mary’s Church, 17 William Street Tewantin,
Time: 3.45pm (2.30pm on 17 August). Annual membership for all events: $160 (single); $275 (couple). Casual: $30 per person per session. Includes wine and nibbles. Bookings essential. Scan the QR code or visit the website:
www.artsnational.au/societies/noosa
This season’s exciting new exhibitions in Noosa's galleries, studios and arts centres.
26 MARCH-13 APRIL
DEBRA HUTTON: ITALIANO UN-CENSORED
Debra reveals the Italian landscape on canvas in an uncensored exhibition of her abstract works.
16 APRIL -18 MAY
BRONWYN BARTON
Bronwyn takes you on a breathtaking botanical journey into layering and mark-making.
28 MAY-15 JUNE
MIKE LANE: THE ARTIST KNOWN AS CHALOM - DREAMER OF DREAMS
A self-taught painter, furniture artist and architectural and interior designer, Mike shares his eclectic collection inspired by words, intuitions and insights from his heart and dreams.
SIP & POUR – COLOUR CHEMISTRY WORKSHOPS
Experience the magic of colour chemistry and acrylic free-flow pouring at these fun and creative workshops – no talent required! See page 144 Bookings essential. 10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville Ph: 0481 155 287 www.studioonenoosa.com.au
UNTIL 14 APRIL
PETER HUDSON: RIGHT PLACE / RIGHT TIME
Peter immerses himself in the stunning landscapes of Noosa National Park as paint dances with rhythm and melody across the surfaces of his works with restraint and finesses.
PRESS GANG: PRESSED INTO PLACE
Varied in scale and technique, this collection reveals the common attributes and nuanced detail of both the landscape this group have turned their attention to; and the methodology used to capture it.
MICHELE RUDDER: CREATIVITY HAS NO LIMITS
A golden glow emanates from much of Michele’s works, tempered with symbols and motifs that reference life’s challenges and lessons. Dream-like in their making, they are works of celebration, inspiration, and resolve. Riverside, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Ph: 5329 6145
www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au
20 MAY-10 JUNE
REX BACKHAUS-SMITH: OTHER VISIONS
Rex’s love for local landscapes feature in this collection of new and selected watercolours celebrating the iconic Glasshouse Mountains region.
5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach Ph: 5471 7366
www.coolartgallery.com.au
12 APRIL -12 MAY
SAREN DOBKINS: HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT
With its unfolding tapestry of thoughts, emotions and perceptions, Saren shares moments of awareness and an innate desire for connection through selfportraiture and self-reflection.
SEEING THE SOUL: HOOFBEATS SANCTUARY ART PRIZE & EXHIBITION
Raising awareness of mental health, this celebration of equine art includes cash prizes and is a fundraising initiative for Hoofbeats Sanctuary — home to a herd of rescued horses and ponies.
HELEN SAINT-SMITH: FRAGMENTS OF MEMORY
A patchwork artist for many years, Helen’s latest work combines realism and geometric styles that create a lively mix of shapes and colours.
11A Maple Street, Cooroy | Ph: 5442 6665
www.butterfactoryartscentre.com.au
UNTIL 3 APRIL
ELLENIE KIRKMAN: GIFTS FROM ARTEMIS’ TABLE
Drawing inspiration from Greek Goddess Artemis, the work features classical oil, still life, portraiture and animal artwork, discover this talented young artist’s journey, following in the footsteps of her artist mother and grandmother.
6 APRIL-1 MAY
MANDY SMITH & JANE HOWIE
Mandy’s work features vibrant oil and acrylics on canvas and quirky pottery with an obvious love for nature; while Jane’s photography captures awardwinning flora images on canvas which
reflect nature’s beauty beyond its prime.
27 APRIL -22 MAY
VIRGINIA SPENCER BOWER AND JOHN TONKINS: ART & GLASS
The perfect combination of hard and soft; strong and delicate. Virginia’s paintings range from bold abstract flowers in acrylics to delicate watercolour and thoughtful charcoal portraits; while John’s glass creations consist of abstract pieces with a focus on geometrics.
10 Station Street, Pomona | Ph: 5485 2950 www.pomonartgallery.com
UNTIL 2 APRIL
ANDREW HILLHOUSE
Andrew has an interest in the textural qualities of acrylic paint with abstract impressions of the natural environment that provoke an emotional response.
2 APRIL-30 APRIL
PAUL MEERTENS
Paul enjoys experimenting with acrylics using his love of bright colours.
30 APRIL-31 MAY
ROBIN RAMAGE
Inspired by Scott Christensen’s Paint the Ocean course, Robin uses acrylic and oil to create vibrant beach scenes that reflect his love for the area.
31 MAY-1 JULY
TINBEERWAH ART GROUP
Keep Calm and Paint On is the motto of this local art group.
36a Maple Street, Cooroy | Ph: 5447 7131 www.bendigobank.com.au/branch/qld/ community-bank-cooroy/
UNTIL 3 APRIL
WALLACE HOUSE – QUILTERS
Spectacular quilts in all shapes and sizes from landscapes to abstract works.
3 APRIL-17 MAY
PHYLLIS ARANEO
Captivating paintings feature the striking Australian light and colour to focus on luscious plant and floral life.
17 MAY-5 JULY
GO WITH THE FLOW – MULTIPLE ARTISTS
A collection of works from local artists. 114 Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin Ph: 5440 5289
www.bendigobank.com.au/branch/qld/ community-bank-tewantin-noosa
Helen’s portraiture reveals a talent for reflecting the life in her subjects’ eyes; her paintings bring to life a world rich with colour and radiant light.
31 Shorehaven Dr, Noosa Waters Phone 0411 511 533 helenpeelartist.com
Sara has been a finalist in the Holmes Bird Art Prize, the Moran and recently the Noosa Local Art Prize. She is an eclectic artist and paints wildlife, figurative and still life subjects in oil or acrylic.
23 Factory St, Pomona. Open Sat & Sun 9-4 Phone 0409 273 070 bluethumb.com.au/sara-bell
You can find the work of Colin Passmore in these four stunning gallery locations.
5 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads 2259 David Low Way, Peregian Beach 10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville 127 Main Street, Montville Phone 0428 775 154 colinpassmore.com
As a contemporary gallery in the Coolum Beach industrial precinct, ca Gallery hosts a stable of 16 artists, holds regular exhibitions and provides custom picture framing services.
5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach
Phone 5471 7366 coolartgallery.com.au
A boutique art gallery representing dynamic emerging and mid-career artists. Fine art prints and original works are on view - visit us online, or get in touch to enquire.
Phone 0413 477 947 leightoncontemporary.com
The leading public gallery on the Sunshine Coast located riverside, exhibiting new and contemporary art. 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin Phone 5329 6145 noosaregionalgallery.com.au
A fervent lover of nature, Patricia’s work embodies the essence of the environment. Her current works depict the harsh beauty of Australia’s outback in a vibrant array of colours using various mediums.
33 Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin
Phone 0418 758 210 trishsheppardart.com.au
Amanda’s vibrant, textured, original paintings on canvas use acrylics, ink washes and oils. Her studio is open by appointment and welcomes commissions and limited edition art prints. info@artbybrooks.com.au
Phone 0417 071 336 artbybrooks.com.au
Art Gallery
Exhibitions
Fine Art Printers
Photography
Sip & Pour Colour Chemistry Fun!
Phone 0481 155 287
10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville studioonenoosa.com.au
Phone
Boho, coastal, traditional, Balinese, country, minimalist, contemporary or industrial – whether your interior style falls into one of these particular camps or you’re more of a mix-andmatch maximalist, you’re sure to find something (scratch that – many things!) to love at Eclectic Style.
This family-owned retailer based in Noosaville has been operating for over 20 years, and specialises in unique and bespoke furniture, homewares and art, with many of the products sourced from makers, artists and artisans from India, Africa, Europe and South-East Asia as well as local brands right here in Australia.
The team spends lots of time travelling the world, meeting makers and suppliers, forging relationships, and keeping an
Eclectic Style has been servicing Noosa for so many years you could say they’re part of the furniture. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer visits this purveyor of beautiful homewares to find out what makes them a firm favourite when it comes to styling our spaces…
eagle eye out for special items, meaning that every single piece in store has been carefully chosen to add style and substance to your home (no massproduced products here!).
Walking into this huge, stunning space is an absolute feast for the eyes, with a smorgasbord of delightful things around every corner: think statement furniture, colourful embellished textiles, eyecatching art, tablewares, pot plants, framed prints, decorative pieces, soft furnishings, lampshades, jewellery, and almost anything else you can imagine.
Being a family-run business, excellent customer service is a huge part of the Eclectic Style philosophy, with the expert team offering support throughout every stage of the buying journey. They’re fully up-to-date with the latest trends
1. Guilia Alexa Coverlet - This bold statement coverlet from homegrown brand Sage and Clare will make your bedroom your favourite room in the house! We love the colourful vintage kimono fabric-inspired design on one side and the vintage jungle wallpaper-influenced print on the other. Layer over your sheets for added warmth as the cooler nights set in.
2. La Chamba Fruit Bowl - This style of South American cookware has been used for food preparation, cooking and eating for centuries, and the origins can be traced back over 700 years to vases and pitchers found in archaeological sites. We love this minimalist fruit bowl that’s been moulded by hand from coarse dark grey clay and coated in a fine terracotta glaze.
in homewares, and can work with you to advise you on how to incorporate new pieces into your home for a look that reflects your unique style and personality.
Home truly is where the heart is –it’s our sanctuary, our safe space, and the place we spend the most time with the people we love – so it makes sense that we want to fill it with special items to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Next time you’re in Noosaville, make sure you mosey into Eclectic Style to discover all the wonderful pieces they have on offer.
The friendly team is sure to make you feel right at home!
3. Cereria Molla Candle - Hand-poured in Valencia, Spain, by a beautiful family-run business that’s been going since 1889, these candles are made from the finest raw materials, such as soy wax and cotton wicks. Add a warm glow to your autumn abode with their divine range of scents, including Basil & Mandarin, Bergamotto di Calabria and Bulgarian Rose & Oud.
4. Pacific Dining Chair - Embracing a contemporary coastal vibe, the Pacific Dining Chair effortlessly blends style with comfort. The light timber hues of the slat seat seamlessly harmonise with the synthetic woven back in natural tones, creating an inviting and relaxed atmosphere.
Take a bite out of Pantone’s 2024 Colour of the Year, Peach Fuzz – a warm, gentle, velvety peach capturing our desire to nurture ourselves and others.
Coloured glass is a smash-hit this season, with vases, glassware and sculptural objects in a rainbow of retro hues.
Embrace the charm of yesteryear and the unique imperfections of handcrafted pieces that’ll make your abode feel like one of a kind.
Bring the outdoors in with these blooming beautiful homewares embellished with leaves, flowers and all things nature-inspired.
Alison Smith explores three different types of gardens to suit all lifestyles and tastes.
If low-maintenance, minimalist and stylish design sounds like you, then consider a Palm Springs-inspired landscape. Increasing in popularity and desire, these gardens are focused on shape and intelligent layout.
Utilising a simple design, this style doesn’t overcrowd a space – less is more. A few larger plantings spaced around, perhaps a large pot, then smaller plantings of
complimentary shapes with the use of low, fleshy ground covers to soften gravel or stone. Plant choice is key in these so look to Crassula, Agave and Senecio for the lower levels with features plantings of Euphorbia, Bismark Palms or Dragon Trees. These gardens epitomise xeriscaping – using low water/no water techniques and plants which are perfect for our subtropical climate.
Native gardens are always a popular option especially if you are trying to attract birds, insects and native wildlife to your garden.
There is a vast array of native varieties that will suit your local area and soil type. For sandy-soil and Coastal conditions choose Pandanus, Banksia Integrifolia and for smaller options look for Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ and
Banksia Spinuloas. Kangaroo
Paws and Xanthorrhoea Grass Tree can’t be overlooked as an option when you are working with dry areas in the garden.
Once established these native varieties generally require little maintenance, just a feed of a native-safe fertilier every few months. And like all gardens a good layer of mulch goes a long way to minimising weeds.
No matter how large or small of a space you have, an edible garden can be created. Small herbs like basil and parsely are great for window sills and kitchen benches.
Head outside and larger pots or a sunny small garden bed can be adapted to grow tomatoes, chillies, leafy greans, strawberries, peas and beans. If you have a larger space and are keen to grow
enough to sustain your family larger plants like, pumpkin, zucchini and fruit trees to create a small orchard can be introduced.
There are also many options for modular container gardening that can be used in any space including balconies. Always remember to plant what you like to eat so you get the most out of your garden.
Pete Goodlet discovers the simple pleasures to be found in outside excursions.
When you are in Noosa it really is possible to come home to paradise.
Noosa - the place of pristine sweeping beaches, stunning coastal homes, and lush landscapes. With its sunny days, warm nights, and plentiful rainfall it is the ideal place to create an oasis at home. For as much as we love getting out and about and enjoying everything the Noosa lifestyle has to offer there is no place like home to drop your guard, drop your fig leaf and relax.
Gardens are known to be good for both your physical and mental health with time out in your garden helping to lower blood pressure and stress levels. Therefore, it should be a place you love and ache to return too. It is your haven.
But havens do not happen by accident they are created by design, hard work, determination, and imagination. In a well-designed and executed garden there will be no eyesores, no bare patches and lots of eye-catching beauty.
Once achieved rather than looking at your garden as a constant source of ‘must do’s’ and ‘maybe one days’, you can just enjoy admiring its beauty.
Let us start from inside your home. This is a great place to begin your garden design journey. Sit or stand in your favourite spot and note what brings you pleasure and what really gets your goat.
That could possibly be the old goats Beryl and Bob next door tanning their much-exposed leather hides to perfection. If so, emergency screening measures are called for. All the better if they fully obscure all the bits and ‘Bobs’ on view.
Hardwood strapping fence extensions are getting better and better and offer
total block out and relief!
Once the immediate threat to your retinas is dealt with and the rest of your fence is painted nice and dark, you can then build on that with screening planting. In narrow areas this could be as simple as adding sturdy trellis and growing a Star Jasmine: Trachelospermum jasminoides or a Mandevilla such as the Aloha series for that full on burst of subtropical colour. In deeper garden beds you start with a tall layer of lush clumping bamboos or tall evergreen shrubs to form your backdrop and work out from there.
Now is the time to consider feature plants such as Elephant Ears: Alocasia macrorrhiza or the colourful cordylines.
Where will you place your feature tree to provide both beauty and shade? Let’s splash about some flowering shrubs for the birds and bees, after all this is Eden, we are creating. A place of living, loving, and playing for all creatures great and small.
When it comes to playing in your garden nothing really beats a pool, but if you don’t have the space or the budget for a pool, a spa can offer year-round enjoyment and relaxation.
When positioning your pool always take in aspect, sunshine and access from
your house. The quicker you can shed the layers and plunge into its watery depths the more you will use your garden’s biggest asset.
Privacy is also a big consideration of pool positioning and screening in your landscape. You want to be able to drop the fig leaf without causing coronaries to nosy neighbours with vivid imaginations.
An outdoor shower is an affordable and useful splash of luxury in your garden and a luxury if you can add hot and cold water - it’s rather bracing and refreshing if you don’t! Blend it into the garden with hardwood screening and natural stone paving. On a very hot day, a quick splash under the shower can transport you back to the days of sunshine, kids and running through sprinklers. Bliss!
Bench seats in the garden are also the perfect spot to find your bliss - a good cushion, favourite book, and a G&T and you are set for the day. Even better if they can be a tad secluded from that rabble inhabiting the rest of the house.
Now speaking of beauty in the garden, Stuart and the crew at Earth Creation Landscapes are the masters of bliss. They can turn your dreams of paradise into reality. Let them get all hot and sweaty as you just sit back, admire, and reap the rewards. Must be paradise!
Energy and resilience personified, a testament to the power of determination, hard work and vision, Tom Offermann is also a source of inspiration and motivation as Helen Flanagan discovers.
Ambition is the path to success, persistence is the vehicle you arrive in, and Tom Offermann, the man behind the nationally-known eponymous real estate brand is supercharged.
He ponders the notion and nods his head in agreement: “I have an energetic mind, as do most people, but what I learnt early, possibly from my days in St Peters boarding school in Brisbane, was thoughts are just a waste of brain space, unless they are coupled with actions.” he says.
“I’m not aware of any successful people who don’t work hard consistently and persistently. It has always been that way for me, even before coming to Noosa more than three decades ago,” adds trailblazing Tom who is spurred on by a saying from famous Thomas Jefferson: ‘if you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done’ also quotes from action
heroes such as Arnold Schwarzenegger - ‘do it, do it now!’
He is fastidious about a clean workspace, adheres to the process of ‘do it, dump it, or delegate it’, exhibits an innate spirit of kindness to colleagues and clients, and pushes himself hard at work as well as with an exercise routine.
He draws extreme satisfaction from his weekly sales training and mentoring sessions and continues to inspire new generations of real estate services with his unparalleled knowledge of prestige properties, exclusive locations and immeasurable client database.
Of equal importance and underpinning the dynamic team of 23 property sales and marketing professionals, is the support team.
They ensure excellent service to clients is as reliable as a Swiss watch with their expertise in latest industry technology,
contract settlements, accounts, and advertising and promotions.
Focusing on world-wide multimedia audiences, Tom Offermann Real Estate also has an exclusive in-house media team encompassing property writing, photography, videography, floor planning and social media management.
Having captivating words, imagery and videos is paramount in today’s digital age, but it is equally important to ensure that they are seen across maximum strategic channels and platforms.
Fiercely proud of his amazing family, their never-ending love and support, there’s no denying Tom’s happy family idyll also washes through to the workplace in numerous ways.
His entrepreneurial skills coupled with judicious planning, the office space in Quamby Place was taken to the next level in more ways than one.
Eight sculptures were commissioned from internationally-recognised Andrew Rogers
Its modern-as-tomorrow almost gallery-like design by Gavin Maddock, the choice of superior materials and plush furnishings, the latest innovative technology and some spaces befitting a classy residence or a high-end boardroom, brought much acclaim.
Capturing sunlight was foremost in the design outcomes, envisaging shafts of ever-changing light flooding through both levels, so visitors entering the lower level would be greeted by a beautiful structure bathed in natural light.
“It was painstaking meticulous work with the stonemasons taking almost a year to complete the staircase and floors in Daino Reale marble from Sardinia,” Tom explains.
“Opening it to the sky was achieved by re-engineering the entire roof and replacing it with 44mm thick glass, and then adding a usually hidden awning, which slithers across the glass if needed, to control light levels as required.”
State-of-the-art luxury did not stop with the bespoke staircase. It continued into the VIP-style client lounge areas,
also numerous workstations for some lucky agents. The sophisticated terrace is also fitted with a glass roof, while herringbone dark oak timber floors, silk rugs and wispy Italian sheers perfectly complement the dark oak custom cabinetry, designer sofas, also sculptures and artworks.
Eight sculptures were commissioned from internationally-recognised Andrew Rogers whose work Rhythms of Life, is the largest contemporary land art undertaking in the world.
Noosa Concours d’Elegance 2023 received the Rising Star Award at the UK-based Historic Motoring Awards, held at the Dorchester Hotel in London in November 2023. Noosa Concours, which won against considerable competition including the Salon Prive London Concours at Hampton Court Palace, and California’s Velocity Invitational, returns in 2024 with event partner Tom Offermann Real Estate.
Tom met the artist more than 20 years ago, when he was admiring Cook & Banks, the two bronze statues commissioned in 1997 and prominently positioned outside the Quamby Place office.
Visitors are often seen posing with the first privately funded pieces of civic art in Noosa by day, and late-night revellers have been known to dress them in party gear.
“We wanted to create an enjoyable space for clients to feel very special and agents totally proud,” Tom said. “The solid stone stairs had to be the real deal, not skin deep nor artificial, and be an artwork within itself enduring decades, hopefully a century.
“It’s heartwarming to have daughter Rebekah and and her partner, soon to be husband, Michael McComas, also my son Adam, working in the companyand who knows the grandchildren and great-grandchildren might one day be walking these very steps in the business.”
Contemporary lines or classic curves, Noosa Concours 2024 is your chance to get up close and personal with design masterpieces. Mustering in Quamby Place, the free event will showcase 50 of Australia’s finest and rarest vehicles park up on Hastings Street. Snap a photo of your dream car, take a guided tour, chat with the owners or soak in knowledge from key speakers – however you choose to do cars, there really is something for everyone.
Saturday 13 July 2024.
Hastings Street Noosa Heads 10.30am to 5pm and closed to traffic. Visit: www.noosaconcours.com.au
Like anything, there always needs to be balance and, as Jennifer Swaine discovers, the property market is no different.
We all know that real estate is cyclical. Markets are hot, stock is limited – and then the demand abates, pressures ease and the urgency to buy lessens.
When I spoke with Noosa Buyers Agent, Kirstie Klein Hunter, to discuss the developments of the beginning of 2024, the narrative was markedly distinct from what we observed at the end of 2023.
While interest was high in the lead up to and post Christmas 2023, Kirstie said that the expected lull happened after Australia Day. While this in itself is a normal pattern, over the past few years we saw the market pick up again in early February. In 2024, this didn’t happen.
“Every year, just after Australia Day,
things go quiet for a few weeks as school goes back, people wrap up holidays and get themselves sorted for the new year,” Kirstie said.
“We typically see activity return to the market reasonably quickly mid-February, but this year there is a definite softening of the market. Enquiries are down and people are choosing to wait for a few months as they watch the market.
“Properties are still selling and if it is in an exceptional location or an extremely good buy, such as a property coming onto the market for the first time in decades there will always be interest,” Kirstie said.
Savvy buyers know that when a market softens and there are less active buyers to compete with, this is the time when
opportunities to buy well often present themselves.
“When there are less active buyers in the market, property owners who are committed to selling are more willing to meet buyers at a price that works for everyone,” Kirstie said.
However, there are still properties on the market which demonstrates that there is a gap that remains between what some sellers are expecting and what buyers are willing to pay at this point in time. The difference is that many of these sellers don’t need to sell so they are happy to hold out until the market shifts.
While things may have quietened over the first quarter of 2024, Kirstie is confident that it is only temporary and
... people continue to be drawn to holiday in Noosa due to its irresistible blend of natural beauty, upscale amenities, and laid-back charm.
come spring we will see activity increase in the lead up to the summer.
“People need to remember that we have a finite amount of stock in the Noosa region,” she said.
“People who are committed to selling will generally meet the market, but at the moment we have buyers that are happy to wait and sellers that are not in a rush so I think we still have a few more months of a soft market before we see it pick up again as spring approaches.”
“The holiday market is strong, and our portfolio is experiencing occupancy above 85 per cent with bookings for late spring,
Klein Hunter Property Buyers specialise in sourcing and negotiating residential property purchases for local, interstate, and international clients.
summer and over the Christmas period looking very strong.
“Investors who rent out their properties have done very well in recent years as people continue to be drawn to holiday in Noosa due to its irresistible blend of natural beauty, upscale amenities, and laid-back charm,” Kirstie said.
Noosa is a region that will always be in high demand due to its location, beauty and chic but laid back style –and it should be. This diamond is one of the many jewels that make up the greater Sunshine Coast and there will always be demand for properties in this very special enclave.
Our professional team expertly project manages every step of the acquisition process, from researching, sourcing and negotiation through to settlementremoving the stress and uncertainty from your property purchase.
Contact Kirstie today for a no-obligation discussion about how a local, independent Buyer's Agent can help you secure your piece of paradise.
Kirstie 0449 640 204 kirstie@khpb.com.au noosapropertybuyersagent.com.au
You only get one opportunity to sell your property, and in the current market an agent who has experienced conditions beyond boom-times are worth their weight in gold.
Experience is imperative. Kate Cox has been living, breathing, buying and selling Noosa for over 15 years, and in that time has achieved some spectacular results. In fact, over 60 clients have chosen Kate on more than one occasion, some up to five times, to be their “Noosa Real Estate Expert”.
Consistency and longevity in the market place, extensive digital reach and a team of three with over 30 years combined experience in the Noosa market means Kate and her team are a safe pair of hands to entrust your property to.
Ever wondered if there are any interesting stories behind the property deals that are done every day? Noosa real estate dynamo Kate Cox spills the tea on her most memorable property sales of 2023, Bec Marshall writes.
Spend enough time with enough people in this world and you realise that everybody has a story.
But did you know that if you spend lots of time with properties, you get to understand that every single one has a story too? It’s why shows like Selling Sunset, Million Dollar Listing and Escape to the Country are so popular. The wildly impressive homes are one thing; but it’s the personal stories of the property seekers that make these shows a bingetastic bit of pure escapism and intrigue.
After 15 years as a licensed real estate agent, Kate Cox of Reed & Co in Noosa has plenty of stories to tell – about people and property.
Here, she generously shares some behind-the-scenes recollections of the three most memorable properties sold by the Kate Cox team over the past year.
1. Peregian Beach - homecoming.
Kate says this property was a very emotional purchase when it sold in April last year. The lady who bought it used to holiday there with her family – at exactly the same location – decades before.
This standalone town home, one of just three on the block, has jaw-dropping ocean views from its elevated east-facing position. Designed inside and out by architect Tim Ditchfield, it is a beautiful blend of steel, concrete and glass.
Kate says the new owner’s parents owned the land before selling it in 2007.
“It used to be just a single house on a battle-axe block with a driveway and it was their holiday house since she was a young girl,” Kate recalled.
“She had been keeping an eye on the
property after her parents sold it, but wasn’t in a position to buy when it was first developed.
“She’d been renting in Peregian waiting for the right property to come up, and then she saw it come onto the market. It’s really emotional for her, being back and she’s loving it, as is her partner.
“I met her parents when they came back and had a look at the property. They were telling me stories about when they first lived there and all the other houses weren’t there. They used to walk across the road to the beach.”
2. Noosa Heads - pretty as a picture.
Imagine owning a unit on Noosa’s famed Laguna Hill. Three bedrooms, that location and those views.
Ahh, those views.
For most of us, life couldn’t get much better. But the previous owners took that three-bedroom unit, completely gutted it inside and create the most luxurious one-bedroom apartment ever seen in that postcode.
“This is definitely a unique story,” Kate says. “The clients who previously bought this three-bedroom unit in a block of four with stunning views and engaged architect Tim Ditchfield and interior designer Anna Spiro to collaborate and turn it into a luxury one-bedroom apartment.
“There is such incredible attention to detail in this property, it was the highest-end finish that we’d ever seen.
“It’s an old building, and then you go upstairs to this amazing space.”
The new owners from Canberra agreed and snapped it up as their new home.
3. Noosa Heads - neighbourly advice.
Finally! When a professional couple of ex-pats who were living in Abu Dhabi bought this property late last year, it was the culmination of years of dedicated effort by Kate Cox.
“I had been dealing with these buyers for years,” she remembers. “Every time they flew home, they would look at property. They used to own in Noosa Heads, then they sold in 2019. They regretted selling and told me they needed to find another house.
“So, every few years, I’d show them homes and they didn’t buy. The last trip I said to them ‘I have the house for you, but if I tell you the address you might not want to see it’.”
That’s because the house was in the same street as their last house and was in fact right across the road.
“This property is a big, beautiful home set right in Noosa Heads. They loved it, it was big and exactly what they wanted – loads of space, a big gym and office spaces as they both work from home.
“I just knew that it had their name on it. I’m very good at matching people to properties.”
Now, that’s selling dreams.
MEET KATE! Find out more about Kate Cox by listening to our interview with her on our podcast .
There’s nothing dull about the property market. Real estate remains a hot topic, and many are surprised at how price rises have contradicted interest rate rises and predictions of property pundits and economists.
Interestingly, the dynamic and everevolving real estate market of the Sunshine Coast has witnessed a notable change in recent years – the rising demand for buyer’s agents.
Home purchasers in cities like Melbourne and Sydney have long been seeking assistance from buyer’s agents, but it wasn’t until the onset of COVID-19 and the mass migration of city dwellers to Noosa and the Sunshine Coast that buyer’s agents gained popularity here.
With limited homes for sale and high demand from interstate homebuyers, the need for expert guidance and a professional who can negotiate on your behalf has become the difference between securing a home or being left on the sidelines, wondering how you are missing out time and time again.
During the COVID era, with many properties snapped up within a day or two of being advertised, Queenslanders began recognising the value of a buyer’s agent to unearth properties, often before they were publicly listed for sale.
According to Christine Mount of Luxe Coastal Property Buyers we are now in a more balanced market between seller and buyer and are still experiencing low volumes of stock.
“This limits the options for buyers and consequently, we’re seeing people turn to buyer’s agents to unlock hidden opportunities and make informed decisions amidst fast-changing market conditions,” she said.
We asked Christine what is driving this shift towards buyer’s agents:
1. Secret listings and early advantages
“Noosa and the Sunshine Coast have long been popular with families and retirees looking to make a sea change. However, once settled, it’s a long time
Looking for the elusive dream home or investment but feel like you’re constantly behind the game?
Discover how a buyer’s agent might just hold the key to securing your new home.
before they are ready to up and leave,” she shared. “With a short supply of new homes being built and current residents staying in homes for an average of 12 years, there’s a long waitlist of people keen to secure a property in the region. Hence, finding any property, let alone a top-quality home can be challenging.
“Buyer’s agents bring local expertise and in-depth knowledge of the real estate market, helping locals identify properties that align with their specific requirements.”
Christine shares that she often hears about the next set of homes being listed for sale before the ink is dry on the sales agent’s listing contract.
“I make it my business to touch base on a regular basis with the many real estate agents I’ve built a relationship with. Because they know me and know my clients are finance approved with a clear brief, I get given the opportunity to inspect homes ahead of the general public – even before the property photographer has been sent in!
“As a buyer’s agent, my team and I have access to what is known as off-market listings, giving our clients that all-important first mover advantage. 20-30% of transactions never actually come to market, and in an environment of limited supply, you can’t really afford not to have access to the hidden, offmarket opportunities. We have an active database of off-market listings”
2. Understand the street values
“Engaging a buyer’s agent who specialises in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Shire regions ensures you have an expert with a deep understanding of the local communities, neighbourhoods and amenities,” Christine says.
“There are some aspects of the Southeast Queensland lifestyle that only a local would be privy to, such as the reputation of schools, highly soughtafter streets, the best suburbs to buy property in, the best streets to buy in Noosa, the fastest transport routes, and popular activities, clubs and facilities.
“Your buyer’s agent is not only a highly trained negotiator but a local guide, making informed decisions about the location and suitability of a property based on your current and future lifestyle needs. Understanding local market nuances is crucial. Different streets will have significant variations in property values. Without this knowledge, buyers can make critical judgement errors, overestimate a property’s value and pay more than needed.”
3. Take the emotion out of negotiation
Christine said a key advantage to working with a buyer’s agent was their ability to assess market value of a home and their experience with different types of negotiation scenarios.
“A home can be sold through private treaty, expression of interest or public auction,” she explains. “As market conditions change, so does the selling agents’ sales strategy. Understanding the negotiation process and legislative practices for each of these sale methods is crucial. Put a foot wrong and you could end up paying tens of thousands more than is needed.”
Keeping your cool in negotiations and not giving the game away to the other party is hard to do when you are emotionally invested. A buyer’s agent negotiates and closes deals with a cool head, week in and week out.
Christine shares how her team provided the winning edge for a family needing to find a suitable home for multi-generational living.
“Our clients were extremely busy entrepreneurs, working remotely within their established business and the home needed to accommodate a family of five, including two adults, two children and their grandmother,” she said. “They wanted a family-friendly street within a tight-knit community with a short distance to the children’s school.
“After a search within the various sub-markets of Noosa Heads, refining their property strategy, we found them the perfect property close to the home
they were renting in Noosa Waters; a suburb they were settled in already and were very happy with.
“Even local homebuyers can start their search in the wrong place or with misconceptions however an experienced buyer’s agent knows exactly how to find a needle in a haystack.”
4. Save time to secure your home
Once you embark on your property search, you soon realise how time-consuming finding a property that ticks all the boxes can be. You have to sift through a lot of property listings and unless you can put aside a day a week ahead of the weekend Open Homes to call agents and desk-research properties, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
Christine says this was where a buyer’s agent proves invaluable as they conduct extensive research to shortlist viable properties and even gain access to view homes ahead of the general public.
“Leveraging the network and connections of a buyer’s agent can fast-track the property search process and save your most precious resource of time; not to mention lessen the frustration of viewing unsuitable homes.
If you’re looking for a new home in the Sunshine Coast or Noosa Shire, it’s worth weighing up the benefit of working with a buyer’s agent.
You’ll not only gain access to hidden gems, but you’ll have an expert helping you make informed decisions, conduct negotiations and avoid overpaying on your next home purchase.
Isn’t it time to find your dream forever home?
This
cocktail event will include special guest speakers including:
CHRISTINE MOUNT
Join Host and Founder Luxe Coastal Property Buyers
Christine and special guests for a Property Market Update
Christine will share her unique insights into the market and her top three tips on buying property on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa as well as chair a Q&A Panel.
STUART GREENSILL Director, Herron Todd White
Stuart will share a big picture view of Australia’s economic conditions with a spotlight on the Sunshine Coast growth corridors, including how the emerging Maroochydore City Centre and key infrastructure projects will impact the local economy. He will also look at key trends and opportunities in Noosa’s mid-tier and luxury home markets.
DI HENSHALL Director, Di Henshall Interior Design
Renowned, multi-award-winning interior designer and builder, Di will share insights on how to draw true potential from your home or holiday abode.
Sara Leonardi McGrath will share the latest news from the McGrath Foundation with10% of all art sales made within eight days of the event to be donated to the Foundation by The G Contemporary and the artists.
Wednesday 8 May, 5.30pm
The G Contemporary, 6/32 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. Free event, registration essential.Scan the QR code or visit the website: luxecoastal.com.au
When Alexander Payne compares real estate to a playground, our resident podcaster John Caruso wonders if it ever ends with someone scraping their knee.
Early holiday memories of his pithwearing, sickle-wielding aunt from Picture Point have stayed with Alexander all his life. The former Melburnian recalls many happy holiday moments from the 1970s with his eccentric aunt, together with his four older brothers, slashing and chopping their way through scrub off the beaten track through Noosa National Park.
“The family used to drive up in two cars, you didn’t jump on a plane back then,” Alexander recalls. “There was an old Land Rover and a tinny under the house my aunt built, and we would have all sorts of adventures.
“I remember seeing the Cherry Venture, just after it ran aground in 1973 and then I moved to Noosa in the eighties and lived here while working in the hotel industry and being part of the team that opened The Hyatt Regency Coolum before it became a dinosaur park,” he laughs.
A passion for renovating homes and interior design has always been part of Alexander’s DNA.
“I got my real estate license just before the pandemic, selling homes in the Noosa hinterland which I loved and now I’m with Reed & Co and my patch is Sunshine Beach which is an area I know very well,” Alexander says. “My husband owns Adrian J Hairdressing on Duke Street - he’s been there for 10 yearsand we are lucky enought to live in Sunshine Beach.”
‘Beetles and Bentleys’ is how Alexander describes the neighbourhood.
in Sunshine Beach have had their slice of paradise for quite a while.
The negotiations take all factors into consideration including the market and current conditions, and when that seesaw is level, we effectively have signatures on a contract...
“Nobody cares whether you’re a ‘have’ or ‘have not’,” he says. “There’s such a wonderful mixture of people who call the area home and you simply can’t judge a book by its cover.
“For me, the place still has a lot of the original essence of what Noosa was like when I first holidayed here in the 70s.”
Alexander said most property owners
“There are people that bought their homes in the 80s and when I’m talking to them, they tell me the only way out of the suburb would be via a pine box,” he says. “Some say that if they did sell, then their kids would put them in a pine box! So, the market is tight, and a lot of property is passed down within families.
“Having said that, there are always opportunities and I’m constantly talking to buyers from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne who are looking for holiday homes, which makes Sunshine Beach perfect.
“There’s always an annual migration of people moving to Noosa. That said, COVID sped up those numbers during that period where people bought forward their decision to move here. The population grew and demand was high. As such, in the last 18 months or so, those numbers reduced, but we’re seeing enquiry rates from interstate increasing again, and I think we are heading back
into a more normal cycle. Let’s face it, it’s a brilliant place to live.”
Honesty and providing a great experience, or customer service is the cornerstone of any successful endeavour.
“If you provide those basics, not just in real estate but in any field, you’ll have people coming back to you and they’ll recommend you to others,” Alexander says. “It’s simple really. I see my role as assisting people to sell their homes by providing genuine feedback from the market, and attracting new business or listings, is all about talking to people.
“Imagine a seesaw with the buyer on one side; they start on the playground floor if you like. In the middle is me, the agent, I’m the fulcrum or pivot; and above the ground is the vendor.
“The goal or outcome is the best possible price for the vendor and the agent’s role is to temper the expectations of both the vendor and buyer.
“The negotiations take all factors into consideration including the market and current conditions, and when that seesaw is level, we effectively have signatures on a contract,” explains Alexander.
Being under the Reed & Co umbrella has its benefits too.
“We don’t operate in silos,” he says.
“We’re a team and we look out for each other and that’s important for us as individual agents and for our clients,” Alexander says. “There’s a solid database we access which is fantastic and the interaction between the agents is advantageous for properties that are difficult to sell.
“There are properties sometimes, with certain quirks about them that can make them challenging, however with the backing of the Reed & Co brand we can make those hurdles less challenging.”
For Alexander mixing it with the Beetles and Bentleys may seem a long way from hiking with his aunt through unchartered scrub, however he’s rediscovered the magic of old school Noosa in a patch of paradise he calls home. Sharing his passion and helping others life the dream life is evident in his chosen career.
WANT MORE? Download the interview with Alexander from our podcast.
It’s not what we say. It’s what our clients say.
Alexander made our whole sales process seamless and was a pleasure to work with. He has strong insights and experience in the industry and is also great at understanding people and what they’re looking for, which is incredibly helpful when selling. We were quite hands-off during our campaign and so appreciated his efforts in ensuring the house looked its best; and his flexibility in getting people through. He was open and realistic with us, and we totally trusted his judgement. Would highly recommend and hope to work with him again in future!
0407
Always dreamed of retiring to Noosa? With today’s fast-moving real estate market, it pays to put a plan in place so you can secure a home now and benefit from the gains that come over time. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer chats to buyer’s agent Bronwen Stacey for expert advice on turning coastal retirement aspirations into reality.
With its stunning natural vistas, renowned foodie scene and thriving cultural community, Noosa has long been a mecca for retirees when it comes to choosing the perfect place to spend their golden years.
But the secret’s officially out, and in recent times, more and more people from interstate, Brisbane and beyond have made the move northwards to bask in the beautiful glow of the Noosa lifestyle.
It’s something that Noosa-based buyers’ agent Bronwen Stacey of Home Scouts, who has a passion for helping both local and interstate clients, has noticed as a growing trend.
“I’ve seen a changing demographic in the north Sunshine Coast region where more out-of-town buyers are committing to the area than ever before,” she says. “Enquiry is up substantially from interstate purchasers and this is reflected in the most recent Regional Australia Institute Regional Movers’ Index Report showing that the Sunshine Coast is the top regional area across Australia for migration.”
The best advice Bronwen can give if
you’re planning to retire to Noosa, is to buy property as early as possible, getting your foot on the local ladder so you don’t miss the market if prices start to spike beyond the average buyers’ reach.
“If you know you want to eventually move to Noosa, then the time to buy is right now,” she explains.
“Savvy property buyers are planning early for long-term retirement in the area by buying a property while their children are still growing up, and retaining the property until retirement – at which point they move in or sell down and utilise the equity gain to buy something else in the same market.”
It’s an approach that makes sense when you consider how prices in the region have performed historically.
Go back to 1993, and the Noosa Heads median price was around $180,000; now, 30 years later, it’s a cool $1.75 million.
So if you’re looking to make Noosa home in your retirement years and enjoy holidays in the region in the meantime, we asked Bronwen to shed some light on the key considerations to be aware of.
Asset
“Aim for a home in a location that will appeal to you both as a holiday-maker and as a potential retired resident. Seek lifestyle, but also consider facilities and services within proximity of the property. Even different streets within the same suburb can be vastly different.”
Choose an adaptable home.
“Consider the layout and utility of the existing home. If it’s going to be impractical in retirement – for example, if there are too many stairs or it’s too big, you need to know if you can change that through a renovation in the future. Also consider the land’s attributes, particularly the slope and maintenance.”
Choose a property type with excellent capital growth potential.
“Detached homes within proximity of the water do well in terms of capital growth, but there are many other local factors that expert buyers’ agents know to look for, such as major road noise, bushfire risk or pending developments that could adversely impact the property in the future,” Bronwen said.
This is where many non-local buyers come unstuck.”
Seek suburbs with strong community ties, support services and networks.
“The close-knit Noosa community is a huge bonus for people who retire here, but the different suburbs have their own feel, and some might suit you more than others. A buyers’ agent can take out the guesswork by matching your personality with a suburb that is perfect for you.”
Know your budget.
“Work with your financial planner to ensure you’re investing the right amount for your long-term goals. You must be able to comfortably service the loan and ride out any tough financial periods – for example, if you’re looking to holiday-let the home, you should factor in extended vacancies during non-holiday periods.”
Define your timeframe.
“Work out how long you will be holding the property for as a holiday or rental home, and when you’d like to eventually move to the area and enjoy everything retired life in Noosa offers. This will help inform your budget and your long-term plan for the property.”
If you know you want to eventually move to Noosa, then the time to buy is right now...
Think about your interests and lifestyle preferences in retirement.
“Do you love eating out? Being part of a creative scene? Getting up early to surf, kayak or paddleboard? Noosa has it all! Seek a property with ready access to the things that are important to you, so you can enjoy not only your holidays, but also your post-work years.”
Think about transport options.
“Access to major roadways is good, but you may be relying on the bus and train more in your later years, so be sure to factor in proximity to public transport.”
Think about the services, facilities and social networks you might need to rely upon now and in the future.
“As you age, proximity to things like medical centres, community services and
grocery stores become vital. Choose a property that enables you to access these easily and remain independent in your later years.”
Don’t go it alone.
“When it comes to making one of the most important decisions of your life –one that has the power to radically shape your future – it pays to enlist a trusted industry expert who knows the intricacies of the areas, the agents and the market, and is working to secure you the best possible result. I like to think of it as the greatest gift you could give to your future self!”
John Caruso meets an entrepreneur who’s laying foundations for future growth and prioritising professionalism in a sector where complacency was a frustrating norm.
Adam Mercer’s journey in the commercial maintenance industry is a testament to identifying and capitalising on market gaps to grow a sutainable and succesful business.
As Development and Operations Manager for the company he startedCommercial Asset Maintenance - Adam brings decades of experience working in the industry.
This allowed him to identify a void in servicing specific needs for the likes of strata buildings and shopping centres.
But Adam’s vision goes beyond simply filling a gap. He aims to offer a level of professionalism unmatched by competitors.
From response times to advanced equipment, Adam has prioritised efficiency and quality and addressed the industry’s reliability issues by building a large, reliable workforce, ensuring projects are completed on time and to a high standard.
This commitment to excellence is what Adam wants to share with others and my time spent with him was a textbook study of what successful businesses should be doing.
“We’ve experienced a lot of growth since starting - and we’re projecting a four-fold growth on what we turned over in our first year,” he shares.
“Prior to setting up Commerical Asset Maintentance I recognised there were a lot of gaps in the type of industries that were being serviced.
“For example the cleaning and maintenance of strata titled buildings and shopping centres presented liability issues for others, but we were prepared to take those jobs on with a holistic approach to servicing, and filling that niche.
“I’m not convinced others are doing it anywhere near as professionally as what we are with anywhere near the response times with the advanced machinery and
Up!
equipment that we’ve invested in.”
Together with his son Ben, who manages the business, Adam moved to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney two and a half years ago.
“Sydney, and even Brisbane, are saturated with a migrant workforce, especially in the industry we operate in,” he says. “However in this part of Queensland that migrant workforce is scarce, and that’s why we set up here.”
Another gap or shortfall Adam was aware of and it’s a lament you hear often, especially when the surf’s pumping, is that workers or tradies simply fail to show up!
“Yeah, I was hearing that a lot. Again, and again,” he says.
“I wanted to take all these things I knew about the industry, and I wanted to deliver a more sophisticated approach to winning contracts and completing work to a very high level of client satisfaction.
...it’s a blueprint for exceeding expectations and achieving sustainable growth and success
“For example, I want to make sure clients are aware of what’s going on with their investments, so we report maintenance issues to body corporate or facility managers early which means any problems can be rectified before repair bills get out of hand.
“That’s another example of how we’re proactive with the people we work with, and I can confidentially say I don’t think a lot of other tradies or workers in similar industries would do the same.”
Sixty-five people are part of the team covering south-east Queensland to the Gold Coast, dealing only in large volumes and big brands.
“The end goal for me is to build a high end, consistent and reliable model with our three pillars being: Commit, Appoint, and Maintain - or CAM - as some of our
clients are calling us,” he says. “Those letters are also an acronym of our brand - Commercial Asset Maintenance - so it works both ways.”
Adam’s success story isn’t just about filling a void in the market, it’s about exceeding expectations. By identifying the shortcomings of existing companies, he’s continuing to build his on a foundation of professionalism, efficiency, and reliability.
His commitment to communication and proactive problem-solving ensures clients remain informed and empowered,
a stark contrast to the frustrations and failings clients may have experienced with other brands, businesses and individuals in a similar landscape.
While Commercial Asset Maintenance thrives in the commercial sphere, its core principles, responsiveness, expertise, and a client-centric approach, hold valuable lessons for any business.
Adam’s journey is more than just an impressive feat of entrepreneurial spirit, it’s a blueprint for exceeding expectations and achieving sustainable growth and success.
Entropy – and how we come to terms with it - bothers me. It’s a bummer actually.
You know what I am talking about?
The second law of thermodynamics, which scientific big brain string theorist Brian Greene has brought to my attention (as one of the founders of the World Science Festival he is a regular at this event in Brisbane).
Turns out for us non-science types that ‘entropy’ is an immutable law of the Universe. Its discovery related to the transfer of heat however it now underpins everything, along with a few other immutable laws. Entropy points to the discord inherent in everything, including us of course.
Entropy is a complex law however my simple understanding goes something like this: all things are in a perpetual state of decay and breakdown, including ourselves; all that we perceive, and everything we don’t or can’t perceive.
The kitchen bench interpretation?
Everything is falling apart and there is no escape.
Yes, entropy is not only coming for us, it is us!
We intuitively know this don’t we?
Since our species developed a basic self-awareness we have understood that all is fleeting. Combinations of atoms (and the stuff inside atoms) at this instant are different in the next instant. Entropy confirms that a constant within this change is a falling away to different orders.
Most of us don’t need to know the details - we don’t need a mathematical formula or physics degree. From a survival perspective I just need to understand - do I need to be in fear; to run; fight; eat or drink? What basic instincts does entropy trigger?
On the one hand entropy is pretty depressing. Coupled with a developing consensus around the likely end of the Universe, it gives little cause for hope.
However, it can also been seen as a spur for exploration of our inner landscape to come to a state of ‘being’.
The actual end of the Universe (by
whichever of the three current theories proves to be accurate) is so far in the future that it is not worth bothering.
One of the favoured theories is that the Universe is not heading for another Big Bang, rather a Big Whimper – where all suns, planets, galaxies and matter continue to stream away from each other until the distances between all objects is so great that all light is extinguished, all matter breaks down into a soupy nothingness and thus - nothing.
All rather gloomy really and certainly not in keeping with the view of Noosa Main Beach on a gloriouos day with cool water beckoning and nature resplendent.
How do we deal with this as humans?
The understanding that as we sit here leafing through IN Noosa and thinking about dinner, gigantic structures are in movement and play across the Universe - some which we will become aware of, some which might actually impact us - and that these activities couldn’t give two hoots about our new job or penchant for prawns over Moreton Bay Bugs?
Neutron stars are exploding, galaxies are colliding, black holes are swallowing planetary systems with not so much as a “how’s-your-father” in our direction?!
I suppose we do what we have always done – decide not to think about it and focus on the here and now. Willing ourselves oblivious to where it is all heading seems workable and sensible.
Why are the leading brains of our time not all curled up in a corner sucking their thumbs and rocking back-in-forth in despair? Like all humans they are driven to know more, to understand more, to explore more. It is one of the defining characteristics of being human.
They also take shelter in our innate optimism bias which has allowed us to mostly escape the dictates of nature and mould the planet to our own design.
I do admit that the knowledge of our demise does tend to temper the passion which one feels about certain causes.
Entropy and the end of the Universe can add an edge to our life experience.
Yes, there is no escape from everything falling apart, but right now I am using
my body to climb a hill to see a special bird rarely seen in the City.
Yes, “no-one gets out of here alive”, but I am preparing a salad for lunch, enjoying the dicing and slicing, the smells and the textures.
Yes, all energy is in motion, without cessation and this makes me feel out of control at times but I am undertaking a necessary task which, upon completion will leave me with a sense of satisfaction at a job well done.
I acknowledge and accept the big picture. I nod my head to it;a wink, if you like. But I move on, I keep moving, keep doing, keep contributing, keep watching, keep living.
The end provides me with an urgency in the here-and-now. My awareness of it, always lurking, skulking in the shadows, just out-of-sight and mostly out-of-mind makes this life simultaneously bitter and sweet.
I think what really happens with entropy is that we prefer to avoid the subject, and choose to ignore its implications because they all lead to changes from the present whether they be positive or negative.
Couple this with the fundamental driver of almost all our behaviour – fear of death – and you have a combination topic which is extreme in its interference value to living a happy life.
In the end, our questing nature propels us onwards.
While Buddhists urge us to the daily contemplation of our own inevitable demise as a useful technique in developing compassion and acceptance, for most of us it is not the subject of our dinner conversations. Maybe it should be. It could give us the edge to the type of living that we crave.
