December 2017 Feature Magazine by The Local Times

GRIFFINCREST

CONTENTS

Contact

Advertising: Darren More 0416 430 792 ads@featuremagazine.com.au General: 07 3886 9040 editor@featuremagazine.com.au

Writing Team

Publisher: More Publishing Group Editor: Darren More Copy Editor: Rebecca Fawcett-Smith Writers: Kristine Lane, Melina Simpson, Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

Creative Team

Graphic Design: Graphic Design by Jo-Jo

Photo of the Month! Photographer

Kerry Rasmussen

Image Title

Wet as a Blue Face

Camera

Canon1DX with Tamron 150-600 ISO: 800 F8 at 1:1250

DECEMBER 2017 FEATURE STORIES

AT HOME WITH THE SUTHERLANDS P24 VANESSA STOYKOV: RE-EXAMINING RETIREMENT P28 WOMEN LIKE... MANDY NOLAN P34

www.burpengarycameraclub.org.au Meetings 2nd and 4th Thursday monthly 7:15 to 9:30pm

In Brief 06 Health 30 Education 40 Dining Guide 46 Puzzles 48 Real Estate 50 Trades & Services 52

EDITORIALS Send all story ideas and articles to editor@morepublishing.com.au ADVERTISING For advertising rates, conditions and bookings please contact our team at ads@featuremagazine.com.au or contact Darren More on mobile 0416 430 792. BUSINESS HOURS Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm DISTRIBUTION Caboolture, Morayfield, Burpengary, Narangba, Dakabin, Kurwongbah, Kallangur, Petrie, Murrumba Downs, Griffin and online via www.featuremagazine.com.au COPYRIGHT & DISCLAIMER No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. The information in this magazine is for information purposes only. Feature Magazine and its editors, publishers and agents assume no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, event or organisation has been provided by such individual, event organisers or organisation without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Feature Magazine or itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publishers. Therefore, Feature Magazine carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. INDEMNITY By advertising or submitting with Feature Magazine you agree to indemnify all participating contributors and supporting businesses such as graphic designers and printers against any claims. ABN 47 438 219 632

December 2017

Feature

NARANGBA NOW DELIVERING

redrooster.com.au

Cnr. Young Road & Golden Wattle Drive

WITH A NY D EL IVERY O RD ER OVER $35* *Offer valid 20/11/2017 - 20/12/17. Offer exclusively available on redrooster.com.au. Not available in Catering or Airports. Flavour subject to availability. Prices vary by region. Not to be used in conjunction with any other Red Rooster offer. Minimum Delivery $25.

www.featuremagazine.com.au

33665 650kJk 5

HIGHLIGHTS

InBrief DO YOU BEE-LIEVE?

HOLIDAY BOREDOM BUSTERS

Don’t miss this magical Christmas wonderland exhibition held at Old Petrie Town.

Keep the kids entertained over the holidays.

more on page 43

Four parcels of land near Bury Street, Caboolture, will be merged to form a new park and named Bishop Family Park in recognition one of the Caboolture’s earliest families after Moreton Bay Regional Council recently discovered an anomaly with a previous park naming. An area, which is now privately-owned, was to be named in the 1970s after former Councillor Roy Bishop, yet was never developed by the previous Caboolture Council, prompting Division 3 Councillor Adam Hain to explore a new opportunity to honour the former Councillor and his family, who are considered instrumental in Caboolture’s development.

Cr Hain said naming the land Bishop Family Park was an appropriate way to acknowledge Roy as well as the contribution of the greater Bishop family.

prominent in the Moreton police district. Lately, these crimes have predominantly been occurring outside people’s homes, including whilst they are parked in their driveways. Your local police have a few tips for you to help prevent these offences:

• •

remove valuables from your cars, even when at home; ensure your vehicle is locked and secure even if away from it for a short time; if you don’t have tamper-resistant screws on your number plates – get some; and for all the hard working tradies, if you can’t remove your tools – make sure they are locked up.

These four basic strategies will significantly decrease the likelihood of you becoming a victim of this type of crime. If you missed us at the last few ‘Turn the screws on crime’ events in your area, tamper-resistant screws are available for free at major police stations in Moreton police district. Just call into the front counter and ask for some for your vehicle.

Cr Hain said following the park naming, signage and a history board detailing the Bishop family history would be installed.

“Roy Bishop served his community as a local councillor for 30 years, an impressive feat by any standard, and you can’t talk about Caboolture’s history without mentioning the Bishop name,” Cr Hain said. “I’ve worked closely with Roy’s son Ray Bishop to make sure this new park is a fitting tribute to Cr Bishop and those members of the Bishop family who were pivotal in Caboolture’s growth as a community.” Ray Bishop said he was proud to have the park named after his family, noting his family was one of Caboolture’s earliest settlers, and expressed his thanks to the local councillor. Ray said his father was in fact heavily involved in securing much of the council land around the new park and the stormwater infrastructure.

Residents Urged Police Encourage to Have Say for Drivers to ‘Just Lock It’ Coastal Hazard Stealing from vehicles is still very Strategy

•

WILL YOU ADOPT FANTAIL?

Make your next dining experience a local one.

New Park to Honour Bishop Legacy

•

InBrief

Moreton Bay Regional Council is inviting residents to share their thoughts on the region’s coastal areas and help shape how the community can adapt to coastal hazards and a changing coastline. Residents can complete an online survey to provide feedback about how they interact with local beaches, foreshores and waterways, and what they think some of the challenges these areas may face in the future, such as storm tide flooding and coastal erosion. The survey closes on December 8.

Plastic Ocean Dress Wins Moreton Bay Recycling Challenge An ocean-themed dress made out of 170 pieces of used plastic has won Wamuran State School the top prize in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s 2017 Regional Recycler challenge. The school’s students were announced as the winner of the $2,500 award during National Recycling Week 2017 for creating a dress that features a turtle cape made from 44 poppers, a plastic jellyfish headpiece and jewellery created from used yogurt lids and chip bags.

The survey is the first step in an ongoing consultation process, which will also include the formation of a community reference group. An expressions of interest process for the community reference group is expected to commence later this year. The survey is part of the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy which has been funded in part by a $500,000 commitment from the Queensland Government through its QCoast2100 program. To access the survey visit www. moretonbay.qld.gov.au/chas/ consultation.

December 2017

Feature

*Terms and conditions apply. Gamble responsibly.

www.featuremagazine.com.au

L L A OPEN ISTMAS! CHR

PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FAMILIES FACE WITH A:

Repower CASH FOR LATE for Less! MODEL BOATS!

CALL OUR BUSINESS MANAGER BILL CATLING NOW FOR ALL FINANCE NEEDS: 0417 632 479

Insure with YMI for your peace of mind!

(HULL YEAR 2000 AND ONWARDS ONLY)

BOAT VALUATIONS - CALL PAUL: 0422 391 822

BRISBANEYAMAHA.com.au

CA$H FOR

LATE MODEL

TRAILER

BOATS! BOAT VALUATIONS CALL PAUL: 0422 391 822 CALL NOW 3888 1727 BRUCE HWY, BURPENGARY 174 Eastern Service Rd

PROMOTION

First Class Local Banking WORDS: Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

Since opening its doors in 2003, BOQ Narangba has watched multiple competitors come and go. It is therefore understandable that Owner Manager of ten years, Shane Matthews, who recently took full ownership of the branch, talks with pride when discussing BOQ Narangba’s tenure in the community. “As the only local bank branch in Narangba, we’ve obviously got an advantage. Our competition is effectively an ATM. However what sets us apart is our service and the fact that we’re locals, we’ve been here for a long time, and we’re not going anywhere.” Defying the typical high staff turnover experienced in most bank branches, BOQ Narangba is staffed by six long serving locals, including Branch Manager, Deb Packard, who started her career in the banking industry in England 30 odd years ago. Immigrating to Australia in 2008, Deb joined the BOQ Narangba team in 2009, and her understanding of the challenges faced when starting a new life abroad has proven invaluable to the many British expats who also call Narangba home. “Every time I talk to head office, I get compliments about what Deb does and how she does it,” says Shane. “Everybody aspires to be like her. She’s just a pocket rocket.”

With Deb firmly established as the local go-to person for home lending, and Business Development Manager and lifetime banker, Duncan Purkiss, in charge of commercial lending, Shane is able to share his business expertise with business banking clients. “Narangba is an incredibly fast growing business community, and it’s neat to be working with the businesses. A lot of people have their businesses outside of Narangba but they still bank here, and we are happy to go to them.” This strong customer service focus has seen BOQ Narangba recognised as a top performing branch in its tier, receiving Fit4Biz awards four years running. “The Bank is fully supportive of us and super happy with what we’re doing. Our staff are first class.” Fit4Biz award recipients are recognised not only on service and performance, but also positively representing the BOQ brand and contributing to the community. Proud supporters of numerous local clubs, schools and organisations, Shane and his team are 100% behind BOQ’s mission to be ‘Australia’s most loved bank’.

A word from Deb… We love to be involved in community-based activities and Friday, November 3, represented our official relaunch day. The day started with a visit from the Feature Magazine team and we had fun modelling for our photographs … our five minutes of fame! I thoroughly enjoyed visiting businesses in the Narangba Valley Shopping Centre and surprising everyone with ‘A BOQ Cupcake and a Coffee On Us’ morning tea. Customers who came to visit us Friday morning also received ‘A BOQ Cupcake and a Coffee On Us’. Sorry if I missed anyone out, I will catch up with you next time. A big shout out to the Narangba Community for helping us to have a fun Friday. We had heaps of fun and the face painting lady was amazing. We couldn’t have run the sausage sizzle without the awesome help of the Narangba Scout Group. All funds raised from the sausage sizzle were donated to Narangba Scout Group and Hummingbird House. Valley Coffee did a wonderful job serving coffee throughout the day, and The Codmother Seafood and Take Away shop kept the kids happy with free ice cream and slushies. Finally, a big thank you to the support of our BOQ General Manager, Jason Stephens, BOQ QLD State Manager, Richie Gernon, and my BOQ Regional Manager, Jo Volstead, for taking the time out of their very busy schedules to visit the Branch and enjoy the day with us. Jo even had her face painted. BOQ is just perfect for Narangba … I have the best job and the best team in town.

December 2017

Feature

BOQ NARANGBA

WE’LL BEAT YOUR EXISTING BIG 4 VARIABLE HOME LOAN RATE OR GIVE YOU $5,000 Join an increasing number of Australians turning to BOQ to refinance their Home Loan When you bank with BOQ, you can bank on better. We’re so confident that we can help you refinance to a better rate, and start saving on your home loan, that we’re putting our money where our mouth is. Combine that with our personal service to help find a home loan that’s right for you, and it’s no wonder an increasing number of Australians are choosing BOQ to refinance their home loans. • • • •

Minimum loan value of $250,000 Loan to value ratio less than or equal to 80% Principal and interest repayments Refinancing existing variable rate

• Big 4 home loan product equivalent to a BOQ home loan product • Eligibility criteria apply

Start saving on your Home Loan. Talk to me today.

Owner-Manager Shane Matthews 0400 369 945 | 3886 8700

@ shane.matthews@boq.com.au facebook.com/boqnarangba

Bank of Queensland Limited (Australian Credit Licence Number 244616). Full terms and conditions available at any BOQ branch. BOQ’s standard credit assessment criteria, fees and charges apply. Offer period 2 October 2017 to 10 December 2017. Claim period ends 15 January 2018. Offer only available for new to BOQ home loans refinancing from one of the Big 4 - ANZ, NAB, CBA and Westpac. Offer available for personal home lending only, not construction loans, business or self-managed superfunds. Terms and conditions apply, available at any BOQ branch or visit boq.com.au/better

COMMUNITY

COAST GUARD REDCLIFFE BUOYED BY LOCAL SUPPORT WORDS: Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

For the past four years, Coast Guard Redcliffe have been a weekly fixture at Burpengary Tavern. Every Thursday night, the providers of Moreton Bay’s volunteer marine rescue service run a $5.00 raffle to raise funds for maintenance, fuel and equipment.

All funds raised from the raffle go directly towards the upkeep of Coast Guard Redcliffe’s fleet, without which they could not uphold their station as Moreton Bay’s ‘Guardians of the Bay’.

Thanks to the support of Burpengary Tavern and its patrons, the weekly raffle is one of Coast Guard Redcliffe’s most successful fundraising activities, raising around $16,000 last year, with a comparable amount expected this year.

“Fundraising is vital because that’s what puts fuel in our boats,” says John. “It is a very expensive operation to run our boats all around the bay, and the wonderful thing about Coast Guard Redcliffe is that no money is skimmed off the top for admin or commissions.”

“Fundraising doesn’t work unless you’ve got good corporate support, and the money we raise each year is largely because of Burpengary Tavern,” explains Media Officer, John Osberg. “Every week they very generously give us meal, meat and bottle shop vouchers to include.

Commenting on Burpengary Tavern’s ongoing support, Duty Manager, Jodi Michael, says, “Coast Guard Redcliffe are the reason we get a lot of people here on Thursday nights. They’re fun, it’s a great cause and they’re great people. We’d have them here every night if we could.”

“The other reason this raffle has been really, really successful is consistency. The regulars have heard us plug away at it for four years, they love what we do, and they support us strongly.”

Humbled by the unwavering support of Burpengary Tavern and its patrons, each Christmas Coast Guard Redcliffe give back to express their thanks.

Such is the support that many patrons reserve the same raffle number each week, with others volunteering as regular contributors to the raffle prize pool. Les and Fay Brown donate two bottles of honey each week, and each month Narangba business, All Point Tyres and Batteries, donate an Exide battery valued at $170.00. Bunnings Rothwell also regularly donate Stanley 20 Piece Screwdriver Sets.

“The majority of the people here we know on a first name basis and consider family, and we find it difficult that we can’t do more to thank them for what they give us,” explains John. “So at Christmas time we buy Christmas hams, and we’ll raffle off two each week as our way of saying merry Christmas and thank you.” For more information on Coast Guard Redcliffe, visit their Facebook page or call 3203 5522.

“These donations really boost our prizes, and as a result we are putting about $450 into the coffers each week,” says John.

December 2017

Feature

Purchase a new Haval or Great Wall prior to November 30 and receive a free 50” TV

FROM

$24,990 DRIVE AWAY

FROM

$29,990 DRIVE AWAY

FROM

$33,990 DRIVE AWAY

$39,950 DRIVE AWAY

Australia’s best va v lue ute just got better

4X2 PETRO ROL L

4X2 DIESEL

4X4 DIESE ESEL L

FULLY L LOA O DED FROM

FULLY L LOADE O D FROM

FULLY L LOA O DED FROM

$24,990 DRIVE AW AWAY

$1,000 REBATE

FACTORY

$26,990 DRIVE AW AWAY

$1,000 REBATE

FACTORY

$29,990 DRIVE AW AWAY

$2,000 REBATE

FACTORY

> 1 Tonne Payload > 6 Airbags + ESP > Standard Bed Liner > Stainless Sports Bar > Electric Driver’s Seat > Climate Control A/C *Factory rebates to to thethe normal Steed D/A D/A pricing. For retail customers the factory rebate isrebate eligibleisfor new and vehicles ordered andordered deliveredand untildelivered 30/11/17.from 1/9/17 till 30/9/17. *Factory rebatesare areadditional additional normal Steed pricing. For retail customers the factory eligible for demonstrator new and demonstrator vehicles

1 Burke Cres, North Lakes

1800 737 637 performax.com.au

COMMUNITY

Do You Bee-lieve? WORDS: Rebecca Fawcett-Smith Photo: Contributed

At this time of year for the past three years, lovers of all things Christmas have flocked to Old Petrie Town to lose themselves in ‘Lollipop Land’, the creation of Original Doll Artist, Chris Boston, and Visual Display Artist, Jule Barten. This year, Chris and Jule are set to ignite imaginations in a brand new setting when they debut their new Magical Christmas Wonderland Exhibition, ‘Do You Bee-lieve?’ “I say to people, imagine the best Christmas window that you’ve ever seen, multiply it tenfold, and then imagine that you’re allowed to step inside that window,” says Jule. A continuation on last year’s theme ‘Farewell Lollipop Land, the Journey Begins’, ‘Do You Bee-lieve?’ leaves the North Pole behind and transports visitors to a sparkling Christmas Forest filled with twinkling lights, hand-crafted props, creatures both real and mythical and Chris’ amazing hand-sculpted Original Art Dolls. “It’s a tricky concept to explain to people, but Chris’ characters aren’t like regular dolls,” says Jule. “Even though she’s classified as a doll maker, Chris is basically a sculptor, and her characters are elflike, fairylike, lifelike little people.” Mythical little people aren’t the only characters Chris crafts, and this year visitors will get to witness her muchloved Dragons, Mr Trufflewafflepuff and Ms Lulu Lovebug, tie the knot in the enchanted forest setting. “This exhibition is probably the closest to our own hearts that we’ve ever done, because it’s a forest scene,” explains Jule. “Chris is a passionate environmentalist and we both love nature, so we’ve incorporated a little bit of that. The space has a lovely warm feel.” Transforming Old Petrie Town’s Rum Distillery function room into a magical Christmas wonderland is a true labour of love, with Chris and Jule toiling tirelessly inside, seven days a week, in the two months leading up to opening day. “It’s impossible for us to quantify how many hours have gone into putting it all together,” says Jule. “What some people don’t realise is that we change everything every year. We never do the same thing twice.”

18 18

To deter inquisitive little hands away from the painstakingly designed visual art display, visitors will discover a range of ‘seek and find’ clue cards throughout the exhibition, with parents encouraged to join their children in seeking out the answers. “Most of us rush through life and don’t take the time to appreciate the small details,” says Jule. “With the ‘seek and find’ clues, we’re trying to slow everybody down, so that they can appreciate all the work that has gone into the exhibition. Simple things like counting how many bunny rabbits are in a scene, or finding which characters are sleeping, can provide a lovely source of technologyfree entertainment.” ‘Do You Bee-lieve?’ also offers unlimited family Christmas photo opportunities, including having your photo taken with the always popular, life-sized resident unicorn, Raffaello. “Jule and I specifically set up our exhibitions so there are nice scenes for people to photograph themselves in,” explains Chris. “We’ve had quite a few people say to us that the scenes we create are better than those that they see elsewhere, and I guess that’s because we are so unique in what we do.” Dates: 17 Nov 2017 - 21 Jan 2018 Times: Wednesday-Saturday: 10am-3pm, Sunday: 9am-3pm

and Friday nights: 3pm-8pm (Nov 17 - Dec 22 only) Location: Old Petrie Town, 901 Dayboro Road, Whiteside (in the Normanby Rum Distillery function room next door to the Heritage Hotel Cafe) Cost: Adults: $10, Children: $5 (3-16 years incl.)

December December 2017 2017

Feature Feature

www.featuremagazine.com.au

EVENTS

‘UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS’ ROCKS THE COAST THIS JANUARY 2018 is set to kick off in the most sensational way! Brand new summer festival ‘Under The Southern Stars’ is bringing together the best of Aussie Rock with an international touch. Headlined by the Working Class Man himself, Jimmy Barnes, Under the Southern Stars will be coming to two stunning coastal locations in NSW and VIC this January. Jimmy Barnes is the heart and soul of Aussie Rock and Roll. After 40 years on stages of all kinds, Jimmy is an icon. His nickname ‘Barnesy’ conjures up thoughts of rock music at an ear-splitting volume. As frontman of the legendary Cold Chisel, to his distinguished solo career, Jimmy has had more #1 albums than any other Australian artist, and been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Twice.

“This show will definitely rock. In the middle of summer, what would you want to do but get out with your mates and have a party? Join us. I think there will be a few surprises on the day.” - Jimmy Barnes.

Jimmy has been through it all and lived to tell the tale, detailing it all in his bestselling memoirs, ‘Working Class Boy’ and ‘Working Class Man’, adding bestselling author to his resume, and cementing his place in Australia’s heart and heartland. Along the way, he has sold more records in Australia than any other domestic rock & roll artist. Jimmy’s live shows are legendary for their intensity. Joining Barnes is American rock icon and Songwriters Hall of Famer, Bon Jovi’s own, Richie Sambora (who has sold over 130 million albums worldwide and has co-written over 20 Top 40 hits and 11 Top 10 hits). Sambora will unite with kindred spirit, platinum-selling solo artist and Australian guitar virtuoso, Orianthi (who has shared stages with the likes of Michael Jackson, Santana, Prince, ZZ Top, and was the first female member of Alice Cooper’s band). Individually, they have both written chart-busting singles, toured the globe extensively, collaborated with superstar artists, and released three solo albums each. Now, teaming up as RSO, this is the next chapter for these celebrated artists. The cream of the Aussie rock industry, Diesel, Richard Clapton, Ash Grunwald and Dallas Crane, will round out this first class Under the Southern Stars line-up. “This is a bill I’m looking forward to being a part of!” said Jimmy Barnes. “This show will definitely rock. In the middle of summer, what would you want to do but get out with your mates and have a party? Join us. I think there will be a few surprises on the day.” Be warned that with a line-up including Australian music royalty as well as an international rock icon, tickets won’t last long. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see this toptier calibre of talent in a stunning coastal setting. The quintessential Australia summer experience is filled with family, friends, good food and great live music and this line-up has raised the bar. Under the Southern Stars is the perfect summer holiday festival. In addition to their festival commitments, RSO will play four side shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. For more event information visit: www.underthesouthernstars.com.au www.oneworldentertainment.com

20 20

December December2017 2017

Feature Feature

www.featuremagazine.com.au

COMMUNITY

The PAW-fect Christmas Present Words: Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

If a photo of Santa with your furred family member is on your wish list this Christmas, then head along to Pet Supersavers Kallangur’s ‘Santa Paws – Aussie Style’ event on Saturday, December 2. An annual event run by the store for the past eight years, the theme changed from ‘Santa Paws’ to ‘Santa Paws – Aussie Style’ last year due to Santa’s difficulty acclimatising to Queensland’s summer heat. “For the first six years, we had a white Christmas backdrop and Santa was dressed in his traditional North Pole outfit, however he was finding it very, very hot,” explains Owner, Leichelle McMahon. “Because our Puppy Room is a beach theme, in 2016 we decided to go with an Aussie style photo, and now Santa is much more comfortable in his boardies and Christmas t-shirt. He still wears his Santa hat and brings his bell, but he also brings his surfboard.” Not only is the event a great way to add a memorable happy snap to your family photo collection, it is also an opportunity to spread the spirit of goodwill, with all proceeds going towards the care and upkeep of the rescued and surrendered animals who call Pet Supersavers Kallangur’s Adoption Centre home. The $10.00 photo package includes 1 x 8”x10”, 1 x 5”x7” and 1 x 6”x4” photo, with photos available for collection the following weekend. Leichelle, a qualified groomer, employs all the tricks of the trade to capture the PAW-fect Christmas photo. “We have toys and treats on standby to get the attention of Santa’s guests, and we take a few photos to make sure we get everyone looking. Then we pick the best shots.” The fifteen minute sessions run from 9.30am to 2.30pm, and with only nineteen slots available, Leichelle recommends booking in advance. “If Santa is inundated he’ll stay longer, but he does need to feed his reindeer, so he’ll be taking a half hour lunch break between 12.30pm and 1pm,” she advises. Feathered and scaled family members are also welcome, however Santa draws the line at rodent relatives. “Santa has had his photo taken with a snake, and someone did bring a bird in once, but we had to say no to a rat request. Santa wasn’t too excited by that idea,” chuckles Leichelle. With a wide range of Christmas themed toys in store, Santa’s guests will have no trouble letting him know what they want for Christmas. “All our Christmas stuff will be here. We’ll have all the Christmas toys, the Christmas tree will be set up and the shop will be all tinselled.” Going by previous years, there is every likelihood that the Christmas cheer will extend to passers-by. “If we’re lucky, Santa will make an appearance out on Dohles Rocks Road again, waving to everyone in his thongs with his surfboard,” laughs Leichelle. To book your ‘Santa Paws – Aussie Style’ session, drop by the store or call 3142 3496. Where: Pet Supersavers, 1 Russell Street, Kallangur Date: Saturday, December 2 Time: 9.30am – 2.30pm Cost: $10.00

December 2017

Feature

www.featuremagazine.com.au

FEATURE

At Home With

The Sutherlands An imtimate conversation with our Mayor Words: Kristine Lane

A one-time lead singer in a band, an avid ‘Street Outlaws’ viewer, and a driver of a restored HT Holden panel van, is not how many locals would picture Moreton Bay’s Mayor, Allan Sutherland. But when struck down with a lifethreatening vascular illness early last year, this rebellious, former electrician discovered solace in the quiet, stolen moments of life, along with the support of close family and friends. Diagnosed in early April 2016 with Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), this rare, autoimmune condition causes the body to attack itself, where even the smallest of blood vessels can become inflamed and burst. Predominately affecting the kidneys and lungs, and sometimes the joints and muscles, it can cause irreparable and permanent damage, leading to death if not diagnosed early enough. Allan’s twelve-month battle with this condition began in November 2015 when he experienced constant fatigue and joint pain before, during, and after his 2016 election campaign. When doctors and specialists were unable to pinpoint the underlying problem, his symptoms worsened with bloodshot eyes, joint pains, insomnia, and the passing of and coughing up of blood. Allan eventually ended up in hospital.

Along with close work colleagues, friends, his GP, and his children, Allan credits much of his recovery to his wife, who helped and supported him through what he describes as one of the most difficult times of his life. “Gayle was both gatekeeper and my constant moral support. With her health background as an Occupational Therapist and now Director of Allied Health at Redcliffe Hospital, she was able to explain the medical side of things to me, and also give me hope when I thought all was lost.”

“There were points where I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even get out of a chair.”

“There were points where I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even get out of a chair. My hands would swell up randomly, and my skin lost its colour. I remember vomiting on a footpath from the pain of severe spasms after having

my muscles manipulated from what they initially thought a muscular problem. Thank goodness my wife, Gayle, was with me - she took me straight to the doctor, who later referred me to a rheumatologist. I just don’t know what I would have done without Gayle.”

With a broken kettle element and air conditioner at Redcliffe Hospital being the magnets that initially drew this couple together over 30 years ago, Gayle reminisces about her first encounter with the ‘rough-around-the-edges’ hospital electrician and then owner of an electrical contracting business. “Allan was a 30-year-old Tradie wearing stubbies, who repaired my defective jug and had a go at fixing my air conditioner. I thought he was cute, and he was very different to what I was used to growing up. He was a bit interesting and exciting… and very persistent.” These inherent qualities of loving a challenge and never accepting no for an answer put Allan in good stead

December 2017

Feature

when becoming a Redcliffe Councillor in 1994, Deputy Mayor of Redcliffe in 1997, Mayor of Redcliffe City in 2004, then Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council after the 2008 amalgamation of the Pine Rivers, Redcliffe, and Caboolture Councils, of which he was re-elected last year. With Moreton Bay now considered the number one economy in Queensland and the fastest growing region in Australia (according to the Australian Local Government Association in 2015), Allan says that it has been a lot of hard work to create the platform for which the area could display its potential, but it has been worth it. “The 2008 amalgamation in particular has been a case of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without it, we wouldn’t have had the money to put good infrastructure building on the ground such as the AFL centre at Burpengary, the South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale, and the Caboolture Hub. We also wouldn’t have had the new Redcliffe Peninsula railway, and if we didn’t have that, we wouldn’t be having the new University of Sunshine Coast campus at Petrie. Getting great infrastructure outcomes for the whole region is what, I believe, has set us apart from many other regions. Community pride is part of my DNA, and we’ve tried to focus on getting the job done.” Growing up in Redcliffe all his life, fishing from its jetty, and enjoying the freedom only the Peninsula can bring, Allan says that whilst he was never a good student and was often in strife from police from hanging out in the pinball parlours late at night, his fierce independence has helped carry him through life, his career, and illness. “I have always

been a Master of my own destiny – preferred being my own boss - and so I was determined to beat this sickness. When I was finally given the answer as to what was wrong with me, both Gayle and I were relieved. It then became a challenge. I hated being a burden to everyone around me, and by thankfully being diagnosed early enough before there was permanent kidney or lung damage, I knew I could battle the illness.” Now in remission, medication and a change in lifestyle are the two key factors in Allan recovering from an illness he believes was bought on by 25 years of stress and long work days. “I no longer work ridiculous hours anymore, have improved my diet, and practise a bit of mindfulness by having a fish along the pontoon or driving to the same old pine tree, at the same old beach, in my Holden panel van listening to a replica Fleetwood Mac CD from my youth. I very much enjoy a few moments by myself now much more than I ever did – gardening, fishing, and having a glass of wine - where I can sit down and experience a bit of self-reflection.” With his most recent blood results coming back all-clear and the prognosis looking good, both Allan and Gayle offer the following advice to others who finds themselves in a similar, ill-health situation. “Pay attention to your doctors. The reason we’ve gone through this journey and illness quicker than most is because we didn’t just treat the condition with the drug; we also treated the autoimmune system through lifestyle changes. So whatever you do, don’t give up… make sure you master your own destiny.”

“Gayle was both gatekeeper and my constant, moral support... she gave me hope when I thought all was lost.”

www.featuremagazine.com.au

COMMUNITY

IS THE FREELANCING LIFESTYLE FOR YOU? Words: Jennifer Lancaster

Could you join the increasing ranks of freelancers working from home and turn your skills into cash? A freelancer does graphic design, feature writing, copywriting, photography, video editing, or other—for a variety of clients—and keeps their own books. More than this though, they have to become adept at pricing projects, taking a brief, and marketing themselves. Choices for Parents Working at Home Parents of young children often look for something that earns money and works in with their crazy hours. Freelancing has meant that I could earn a part-time income while also being there for my daughter. Getting older? Freelancing is ideal because projects have nothing to do with your age. You can be proud of your work and growing portfolio. Mark Fromson, Co-Founder of LocalSolo.com (a freelancers’ platform), shared his opinion on the hottest skillsets in 2018. See the table below. Freelance Skill Areas in Demand in 2018 Web Developers

* React, Angular, Vue will continue to be in demand * Blockchain skills will be super-hot

Web Designers

* Product UI design – due to more companies building new digital products

Digital Marketers

* Facebook retargeting * Snapchat and Instagram paid marketing (agency-tofreelancer roles)

Copywriters

* UX writers – writing copy for user-facing touchpoints

Forums Can Help You Get Started Some newbies assume they can log onto the likes of Freelancer.com and get work, but this could leave you on struggle street. There are much better places to look for work when you need to be paid $50–$120 per hour to ensure viability. Australian forums to look for projects include ‘The Freelance Collective’ (paid) and ‘Flying Solo’, where you can also get some muchneeded support from other creatives. The 2017 Freelancer Jungle survey found 53 freelancer categories, ranging from Creative Director to Animator. Most of the 319 independent workers surveyed said they found work through referrals; 77 per cent via client referrals, 69 per cent through peer referrals and 44 per cent through family/friend referrals. So make sure you update your LinkedIn connections on what you’re skilled in. Another way to get work for respondents (24.5%) was to focus on search engine optimisation (SEO) through their own website or blog. I can testify to that. Instead of quote-wrangling tyre kickers, nowadays I get client enquiries by writing articles on issues that authors want to know. (If I was a photographer, then Instagram would be my bestie). For a novice, do some local networking and have a decent business card. Helping others in the trade works too, as does having a ‘rate card’ that you can email to potential referrers. A rate card will feature a guideline price or fixed rates charged for various services. New opportunities can crop up in funny places. Getting a business card printed at a local printer (rather than Vistaprint) can actually lead you to a great new referrer for your service. A flexible lifestyle is what freelancing is all about… that’s why it’s the most accessible work for anyone to do. You can start on a shoestring budget, learn online, use Cloud software, and work around kids or caring for parents. Jennifer Lancaster wrote ‘How to Start a Freelance Business in Australia’ - all the insider advice a talented person needs to set up a freelance business. It’s available from http://www.jenniferlancaster.com.au/books.

December 2017

Feature

Narangba Valley Shopping Centre

lat R ey F Oak

Young Rd

g Rd Youn

Ne w

Oakey Fla t Rd

Duncombe Park

ment R d ttle Se

FEATURE

Vanessa Stoykov:

Re-examining Retirement: Unlearning About Money Words: Kristine Lane Photo: Contributed

Many people look forward to retirement as a time to stop work, relax, and enjoy the fruits of their labour. But it’s a vision that’s only possible if it has been adequately financially planned for. Vanessa Stoykov, Founder and CEO of Evolution Media Group and No More Practice Education, has a mission to get everyone talking about money and to begin planning for their retirement as early as possible. With the changing nature of the workforce, tax base, technological access, and health, Vanessa believes that all Australians need to re-align their thinking when it comes to retirement. “People first need to unlearn about money. It’s not about what you don’t know about money, it’s what you do know – how you grew up, how your beliefs shaped you, all the things in your past around money that have become bad habits. Most people need to stop and acknowledge what these are before they can actually move forward and build goals.” Using her own financial experiences as a platform for change, Vanessa explains how her love for new cars and unchecked desire for beautiful things in her 20s led her to learn the hard way about money. “My Achilles’ heel was desire. I got a David Jones credit card when I left university where I bought designer clothes and shoes, and also leased a brand new car every three years. At the end of the day, I was paying 18-19% interest, and never actually ended up owning any of the cars that I drove.”

Growing up in Gunnedah, NSW, with her Serbian father working in the coal mines and her mum staying at home to raise the family, her parents were sensible with money. But inheriting a strong work ethic of working hard to get ahead, meant that Vanessa’s ambition and success created equally driven consequences of always wanting the next best thing. Climbing out of debt and reprioritising her monetary values, at 26 Vanessa founded her own media company, making documentaries and educational wealth content about finance that now reaches up to 3-4 million people per week. “I saw a gap in financial services where money was interesting, but finance was relatively boring, and so there was a real opportunity for creativity, storytelling and good communications.” Through her experiences, financial knowledge, and business acumen, Vanessa has created five pillars around which people should look at their money habits and consider their financial future. Desire, Focus, Time, Belief, and Action have become the foundations with which to start building financial stability. “The first thing that all mums and dads should do is have a conversation about money – about what they want and what they want their future to look like. We have to reinvent our vision of retirement because we are not going to be able to retire like our parents have – we are living longer, there are not enough tax payers, so we are going to have to work longer.” Commissioning research with Griffith University, Vanessa highlights that 80% of Australians may not reach a

December 2017

Feature

Vanessa’s 5 Pillars of Money: Desire: control your love of the nice things. You can have them, but know their value, and don’t get sucked into consumerism.

Focus: have 10-20 year goals, rather than just focusing on day-to-day or week-to-week.

Time: the earlier you start, the more likely you are to find it easy to reach your end goal.

Belief: understand how your money beliefs and behaviours were shaped in the first place by your parents.

Action: learn and utilise strategies about how to plan for diversified investment.

comfortable retirement based on the current trajectory. The research show that people may need between $2-4 million to retire, excluding a place to live. “Many people say that that figure can’t be right, but it’s based on basic maths. If you want $60,000 a year to live on, then times that by the 25 years that you will be alive after retiring at 65, and already you have yourself $1.5 million. It’s unlikely we are going to have a pension system like we have now, so it’s time for people to sit up, take note, and start planning.”

documentaries, videos, and TV series, bringing financial information to both professionals and the general public in an entertaining and creative way. Her brand is content storytelling; often termed ‘edutainment’. Vanessa says, “The art in my business is finding a story and presenting it in a way that other people will want to join in on the journey. And with our latest TV series, ‘Learn from the Money Masters – The Investment Series’ that has recently aired on Channel 9, it encapsulates the importance of planning for your financial future.”

Urging everyone to see a financial advisor to best plan for their future, Vanessa has launched her new website, vanessastoykov.com, about the benefits of getting good financial advice. Packed with information, diagnostic tools and guides, including how to pick the right financial advisor, it is supported by her 25 years in the finance industry as both a financial journalist for InvestorWeekly and later at CommBank, Zurich Insurance, and Equitilink, before starting her business.

Spotlighting ex-Neighbour’s star, Blair McDonough, the show attempts to highlight the importance of minimising life’s risks and maximising retirement goals. “Blair is first linked up with a financial advisor who opens his eyes to the reality of his situation, and then subsequently given a Master Class with a professional investor every week – all of whom are high-end, elite, successful, professional investors in Australia, some of whom we’ve flown in from overseas.”

“Einstein once said that compound interest was the Eighth Wonder of the World – the earlier you start, the more you make with less effort. It’s something that I wish I had known about when I was younger when wasting money on buying shoes, clothes, and cars. It’s often the little things you do with money - the decisions you make along the way can make all the difference on how you spend your time. Time is everyone’s master – you can’t afford to wait until it’s too late.”

The show, plus all of Evolution’s other media content from the Money Masters series, can also be seen on www.theinvestmentseries.com.au. Vanessa says, “Learning about wealth is not quick; you need to build up accumulated knowledge over time. Take the time to look at the series, because by investing in yourself, you’ll create a financial nest egg that will give you security and peace of mind come retirement.”

With her flagship company, Evolution Media Group, Vanessa and her team have created numerous

www.featuremagazine.com.au

HEALTH

Sit Up Straight! (Pass It On!) WORDS: Moreton All Body Care

We all have been told that it is important to have good posture but what exactly is good posture AND why is it so important? Posture is the position in which you hold your body upright against gravity while standing, sitting or lying down. In this age of smaller/smarter technology, we tend to spend a lot of time looking down at screens on phones, tablets and laptops. This is leading to an increase in neck pain and headaches largely related to posture, so it is important to either limit your time spent on these devices or take regular ‘posture’ breaks to reset your muscles and joints. If you spend too long in a ‘bad’ posture there are a number of side effects, some short term and others that can lead to long term problems. Putting excess strain on the ligaments and joints throughout the body through poor posture can lead to: • Soreness & Pain: most commonly in the neck and lower back. • Poor circulation: especially in the lower limbs if you have a tendency to sit with your legs crossed. • Negative mood: some studies have shown that ‘slouched’ postures can emphasise low self-esteem and depression. • Increased stress: in a vicious cycle, poor posture can cause physical stress on the body which, in turn, can cause psychological stress. The pain/stress cycle then continues as the psychological stress causes negative moods further encouraging poor posture. • Poor digestion. • Fatigue: your body works harder to maintain an upright posture.

People who maintain a good, or correct posture tend to present with lower incidents of neck and back pain, have improved moods and self-esteem, and are often less stressed than their poor posture counterparts. Proper posture: • Keeps bones and joints in the correct alignment so that muscles are being used properly. • Helps decrease the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in arthritis. • Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together. • Prevents the spine from becoming fixed in abnormal positions. • Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy. • Prevents strain or overuse problems. • Prevents backache and muscular pain. • Contributes to a good appearance. Practicing good posture is important and very easy to do. When standing, take a moment to check that your weight is evenly placed through your feet, draw your shoulders back and down, and imagine there is a string from the top of your head drawing you towards the roof. Gently draw your belly button in towards your spine to engage your core muscles. When sitting, keep your feet flat on the floor or supported on a foot rest. If you are sitting on a chair or couch with a backrest, ensure that you are sitting to the back of the chair rather than perching on the front edge. If needed, you can place a small cushion or a rolled up towel into the small of the back for extra support.

December 2017

Feature

Fit for Christmas WORDS: Mel Toraya, Fit2Live

It’s getting to that crazy time of year again when Christmas is upon us. We can all get a bit carried away at Christmas time eating and drinking, and all that hard work you’ve spent all year working on slowly spirals downwards, leaving you thinking that you’ll start again with your ‘New Year’s Resolution’. With a little bit of thought and planning, you can ‘have your cake and eat it too.’ It is all about balance - you don’t have to blowout the so called ‘diet’ or reward yourself with a whole box of chocolates and bottle of wine. Here’s a few ideas to help you get through the silly season intact while still fitting into that ‘little black dress’. 1. Stay hydrated – No, I don’t mean drinking another bottle of wine, I mean keeping your water intake to at least two litres per day. We’re into summer and it’s hot, so spice up your water with chopped up pieces of fruit or a squeeze of lemon or lime. We all know alcohol dehydrates your body, so have a glass of water in between drinks, and try to stick to lower calorie drinks such as vodka, lime and soda. You don’t want to drink all your calories when there is good food to be had as well! 2. Keep your training schedule - Don’t stop your normal routine of training. Modify it or try something different, but don’t skip it. Get the family involved in a game of backyard footy or cricket, or Frisbee at the beach or pool. Take advantage of our gorgeous weather and get up early and appreciate the day - take a walk, climb a mountain or take the kids to the park. Switch off the gadgets - you never know what you might discover.

3. Eat strategically – Make sure you have a small, healthy snack before going out so you don’t arrive starving to a buffet or function. If you’re going to have a sweet treat, you’re better off having it in the morning when there is still a chance that you will burn it off. A heavy, calorie-laden meal late at night won’t go far in the energy requirement department. Try portion controls for those treats you just can’t miss out on, like having a taste of, rather than a whole piece, of cake. 4. Sleep – When we are sleep deprived, we often reach for sugary fixes to keep us awake. Try to maintain a goods night’s sleep where possible, or have a power nap in the afternoon if you need, as according to NASA, 26 minutes is the optimum time for recovery sleep. 5. Remember it’s a single day – enjoy for a reason not the season. Have your blowout, then get back on the wagon and balance it out again. One healthy meal does not make you skinny, just like a bad meal does not make you fat, but do either often enough and it will. 6. Enjoy yourself! – You don’t have to be a party pooper to come out of the silly season fit, active and happy! Plan ahead, keep active, and make the most of your time with family and friends. Safe holidays and have a ‘healthy’ and merry Christmas. Mel Toraya is a mother of two, Lifestyle Advocator, Doctor of Change and a Food Educator, amongst others. Her company, Fit2live, focuses health, fitness, personal training, small group training and optimal nutrition. If you need help on your path to health, contact Mel on 0429 612 323.

www.featuremagazine.com.au

HEALTH

Meal Prep:

A Crucial Dieting Tool WORDS: Nicholas Hastie

Fad diets and weight loss schemes are scattered throughout our society and commonly include one key feature: achieve the body of your dreams, effortlessly. These diets aim to achieve this for their users through the practice of meal replacements. These meal replacements vary across different fad diet plans and can take the form of protein shakes, protein bars, smoothies, etc. To put it simply, there is no fast or magical way that will allow an individual to achieve a skinny and healthy body while simultaneously giving them the skills required to maintain this ‘healthy’ lifestyle over an extended period of time. To accomplish this, a behavioural change has to be triggered. A behavioural change regarding the way an individual views food consumption and nutrition itself will not only allow a healthy lifestyle to be achieved, but it will also provide the tools necessary to maintain this lifestyle long-term. What is the best way to achieve this behavioural change? Meal preparation. However, when it comes to fad diets or weight loss schemes, meal preparation is overlooked or ignored because it is perceived as expensive, and unrealistic to individuals constantly on the move or people who simply do not like cooking. Despite this inconvenience that meal preparation brings along with it, it is considered to be the most important part of dieting. Setting time aside in a schedule to cook and prepare healthy and nutritious meals for the week will not only avoid stress, save time and money, but will also encourage a positive attitude towards good nutrition and healthy, regular food consumption overall. If this is done consistently over a long period of time, it will allow a routine to become established. Establishing a regular routine in nutritious meal preparation will assist with weight control, benefit mental health and ensure that one’s diet can maximise nutritional intake. Meal replacement shakes, although they can be timesaving and convenient, don’t offer the same long-term benefits that an established routine of cooking real, nutritious food can. Replacing essential meals with protein drinks or snacks can also be an expensive method of dieting and a waste of time. Consuming a shake every day does not teach the necessary skills and knowledge required to obtain and maintain a healthy, nutrient-dense diet. Expecting an individual to have the same shake or smoothie every day is also unrealistic. The individual is bound to quit this fad diet sooner or later, and when this does inevitably occur, the person will simply revert back to previous dieting habits, wasting time and money. To encourage the onset of a behavioural change needed for effective dieting, adopting healthy and regular meal preparation as an everyday habit is recommended. This behavioural change won’t happen instantly. It will take some time and commitment to achieving a healthy lifestyle. Once a routine is established, it is vital to maintain it. Make some guidelines for yourself in regards to what you’re going to buy, how much you are going to spend, and what time you’re going to commit to the meal preparation itself. It is also important to mix it up and enjoy the meals you’re eating. Don’t get caught in a cycle of cooking and eating the same thing every night. This will result in boredom with the routine, and may eventually result in abandoning this system. Also, cooking and freezing a week’s supply of meals will save some time and stress. Buying pre-cut vegetables, pre-cooked lentils and storage containers may also save time and allow for a peaceful, stress-free evening. Finally, meal preparation can be practiced by anyone. All that is needed are some ingredients, a healthy recipe, and some motivation to improve your quality of life.

32 32

December December 2017 2017

Feature Feature

www.featuremagazine.com.au

FEATURE

WOMEN LIKE... MANDY NOLAN WORDS: Melina Simpson

Women like Mandy Nolan adore her. So do men for that matter! Mandy has been entertaining audiences as a Stand Up Comedian for nearly 30 years, bringing to the stage a diverse range of humour relative to current affairs and social issues. She performs the way her audiences think, with comments punching out hard and fast like the thoughts you would usually stifle in your mind. Mandy doesn’t stifle her thoughts, and the results are a mix of warm, insightful outbursts and honestly funny observations – which is why she is so well-liked. Mandy’s brand of humour developed when she began on the Stand Up Comedy scene as a 17-year-old, and she admits that she didn’t really know what she was doing in the male dominant industry. “Audiences were so wild back then,” she remembers. “People threw beer bottles at your head if they thought you were crap!” Mandy has always had the ease of spontaneity, and is skilled at projecting her opinion of the world in a

comical way, without being too offensive. She became somewhat of an accidental comedian, because people continually asked her to perform at their events. “I eventually realised that the majority of my income came from performing and writing comedy,” she recalls, “so I guess that made me a comedian!” For the first 10 years though, anxiety would kick in up to two weeks before each performance, and in her own words, Mandy would ‘puke’ almost every day. “Clearly I don’t feel that way anymore!” she laughs, referring to the comfortable layer around her mid-region. She still, however, experiences flutters of excitement and the buzz of adrenalin before each performance. “You’ve got to be a bit nuts to do this and not care what people think,” she says. “Learn not to take it personally, which is actually a good life lesson.” Not only has Mandy cemented herself as a leading

December 2017

Feature

Australian Stand Up Comedian, she has also taught over 1,500 others the art of comedy. Her most successful proteges have featured on the national and international stage, and include names such as Hannah Gadsby, Paul McMahon and Ellen Briggs. Mandy teaches a basic format of how to write comedy, but for her it’s more about what people have to say. “I want them to find their voice,” she explains. “Make sure they know what they have to say and that it’s relatable to their experiences and their audience.” Ellen Briggs and Mandy decided to collaborate and have created ‘Women Like Us’ – a two-hour show in which they both give audiences a one-hour full comic blast. Since 2015 they have performed over 60 shows nation-wide at comedy festivals, capital cities and regional towns. Having performed at the Caboolture Sports Club in October this year, they will soon be back, with a show at Kilcoy’s Exchange Hotel early in 2018. ‘Women Like Us’ tells the stories of how it is to be a woman and the demanding, often contradicting expectations today’s females experience. Mandy and Ellen are brutally honest, at times self-depreciating, but never cruel or pretentious in their recount. “All women can relate to our stories,” Mandy said. “The pressure of what you look like, work, family, social media. All the everyday ‘B.S’ that we go through while pretending that we’re on top of it all.” While Mandy and Ellen have different styles of performing, the success of their show reveals how well they get along. “Comedy generally is a really solitary thing,” explains Mandy, “and it’s really nice to have someone on the road with you that’s like your best friend.”

“You’ve got to be a bit nuts to do this and ,,, Learn not to take it personally, which is actually a good life lesson.”

Audiences around Australia offer glowing reviews for ‘Women Like Us’ with five star comments such as, “Two totally relatable ladies who hit the nail on the head of charismatic female comedy,” and, “Once again the girls were hilarious with their performance, entertaining the crowd all night.” As for Mandy, comedy has been a huge chapter in the infectiously funny story of her life so far. For as long as she continues to find humour in her life, she will continue to entertain audiences with her warmth and wickedness for many years to come. “I’ve been at it for the long haul now and things just get funnier,” she muses. “I love going out and bringing shows to people who might not otherwise go to see live comedy. I’ll be at it for a long time to come!” Laughter to our ears as more and more people, including celebrities such as Olivia Newton-John and Allan Langer, embrace Mandy’s diversity and commitment to her profession. An extremely talented lady, visit Mandy’s website, mandynolan.com. au to learn more about her. ‘Women Like Us’ has a website of its own – womenlikeus.com.au – where you can find upcoming tour dates, read about the two women behind the performance and see the glowing reviews from past performances. ‘Some people learn comedy, and some people just are comedy’. Much like Mandy Nolan. See Mandy at the Kilcoy Memorial Hall on Friday, April 20 and The Majestic Theatre in Pomona on Saturday, April 21. Tickets are available on womenlikeus.com.au

www.featuremagazine.com.au

COMMUNITY

ALLAN COOK WORDS AND PHOTO: Melina Simpson

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER INTERVIEW Caboolture’s Allan Cook is a man who has rewritten the narrative of his life, consciously deciding that if he was going to do something worthwhile, it would be on his own terms, for his own fortitude. Allan could be forgiven for choosing the troubled life – an easy option for someone who led a traumatic childhood. But that’s not a thought he ever allows to enter his mind. Allan was a ward of the state from the age of seven, fostered out to different families after his own mother was deemed unfit to parent. He had no idea he was indigenous until he was visited by Aborginal Affairs at St. Patrick’s College, where he attended high school. Initially confused, he accepted an ABSTUDY scholarship to continue his studies. He distinctly remembers the moment he made the decision which would shape his life. “I was standing at the sink washing the dishes, looking out the window of the house where I lived with a foster family,” he recalled. “I had a conversation with myself saying ‘No-one is going to help you here - you’ve got to do it for yourself.’ I was 13 years old.” A huge call for a young man to make. Deciding to commit himself to his studies, Allan was determined to make something of his life and never revisit those early years. “I basically built a wall around myself, and standing there, wearing yellow dishwashing gloves, I said, ‘This is the direction I want to go and this is how I’m going to do it.’” Allan remained true to his commitment, and was accepted into university to study Law and Medicine, which he deferred to join the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). He felt a burning desire to serve his country, so following his time in ADFA, he became a Police Officer. After 22 years of dedication to the force, Allan has never regretted the decisions he’s made. “For me, success equals satisfaction,” he said. “If I go to work and I’ve helped one person, I’ve had a good day. I have a great life and a great family. I don’t have a need for anything else.”

Allan is hesitant to delve further into his Indigenous heritage, as it would mean breaking down the powerfully built walls surrounding his past. While working in Gladstone, he became aware that his family name, Wenitong, represented Aboriginals of the area, but he didn’t want those stones further unturned. Allan is, however, using his cultural ties to help the troubled Indigenous youth of today, particularly in remote areas. “It’s about educating them, sitting down and saying ‘Look, I went through the same thing – don’t make these mistakes that I made. Make a positive decision because in the end it’s up to you,’” he explained emphatically. He wants today’s Indigenous youth to reconnect with their elders, and feels that education in cultural awareness, Aboriginal Lore and the significance of elders is required. Allan also believes that education in schools is of vital importance for Australia as a nation to move forward in terms of multicultural acceptance. “An unbiased, apolitical education system for all children, so that they can make their own decisions and form their own opinions,” he described. “All Australians need to be mature about this – we need to push ahead and step up. And I don’t think we’re ready to make the leap yet.” Allan would also love to see a greater representation of Indigenous Australians in politics. He sees this as a way for our nation to progress and push Australia in a positive direction. “We need to be a bit more mature in our approach to Reconciliation,” he says. “It will take time to develop and nurture our culture and our direction as modern day Australians. But if you continue to look back – you lose.” If you look back, you lose. The ethos to the narrative of Allan Cook’s life so far. If there are any residents with Indeigenous heritage in your community who would like to tell their story, please email Melina or Katy at katy@featuremagazine.com.au.

December 2017

Feature

2018 Vanda and young Songwriting Competition Songwriters worldwide are invited to enter the 2018 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition to go into the running for a first place cash prize of $50,000, courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts and BMG. The 2018 competition is set to take total funds raised past $1million, with the full $50 entry fee per song going directly towards the work of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia (NRMTA), which uses music therapy to help people cope with the struggles of living with a wide range of needs. These include children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, autism, trauma, illness, dementia, behaviour disorders and learning difficulties. Melbourne singer-songwriter, Gretta Ray, earned top honours in last year’s competition for her beguiling song ‘Drive’. “The Vanda & Young prize made a huge impact on what I have achieved in the last year. It assisted me in being able to travel overseas to America, write and work on new music there with amazing people, and provided me with the time to wholly focus on my music. That in itself is a gift,” said Ray. Two runners-up cash prizes are also on offer with second place receiving $10,000 thanks to AMPAL (Australasian Music Publishers Association) and third place taking home $5,000 courtesy of media sponsor, Seventh Street Media. An exciting addition to the prize slate this year is $5,000 for the best ‘Unpublished’ work. Since the prestigious competition began, it has not only boosted the careers of winners Megan Washington (2009), Kimbra (2011), The Preatures (2013), Husky Gawenda (2014) and Gretta Ray (2016), but to date has raised over $800,000 for NRMTA.

This year’s judging panel features some of the best ears in the business, with over 40 songwriters, producers, media and industry professionals confirmed to take part. They include three-time APRA Songwriter of the Year Daniel Johns, electronic artist and triple j host KLP, ARIA-winner Montaigne, and The Bamboos’ Lance Ferguson, co-writer

on the Kungs vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners global smash, ‘This Girl’. “Vanda & Young took Australian songwriting to the world, and blazed a trail for the rest of us to follow. I’m pleased to be involved as a judge for the first time and I am looking forward to hearing some new music,” said Daniel Johns. Named after the iconic songwriters and founding members of The Easybeats, Harry Vanda and the late George Young, the competition launch coincides with a month of celebrating one of Australia’s most loved bands with a vinyl reissue, a two part mini-series ‘Friday On My Mind’ on the ABC, and a tribute EP, ‘Rebeat’. “Alberts is thrilled to continue its long-term association with APRA AMCOS, and also partner for the first time with BMG for the 2018 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition,” said David Albert, Managing Director of Alberts. “This competition recognises the significance Harry Vanda and the late George Young have to the music community through their legendary songwriting partnership, and provides a great opportunity to support Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.” Heath Johns, Managing Director of BMG Australia also stated that they are very proud to partner with Alberts and APRA AMCOS for the 2018 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition. “The competition provides a unique platform for songwriters to have their music heard by some of the country’s finest songwriters, and also contribute to an important cause. The prize money on offer should also make a meaningful difference to the eventual winner’s career and we are very happy to get behind that,” said Mr Johns. Entries close 11.59pm (AEDT) 17 January 2018. Please visit www.apraamcos.com.au/ vandayoungsongcomp for more information and terms and conditions.

December 2017

Feature

EDUCATION

Optimising the Christmas Break

WORDS: Kristine Lane

The school Christmas holidays are just around the corner. That long, hard, academic slog is almost over; time to rejoice, relax, and recharge the brain. It’s important for students to take advantage of the holidays by taking a break from the rigours of academic learning: the stress involved meeting deadlines, pressure of testing, and industriousness of routine – and this includes the parents and teachers of said students who are often the drivers or passengers of such activities. Working too hard, consistently, and with too few breaks can mean that when the new academic year starts, students are already tired and stale. Starting a new school year on the back foot benefits nobody. The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), associated with The University of Queensland, has recently published a special report about Learning and Memory. In it, researchers define memory as ‘the process of encoding, storing, and retrieving experiences and knowledge’ and recognise the fact that ‘too much stress can overwhelm, cause anxiety, and impair memory’. School term time can be busy – not just because of the standard 9am-3pm classroom time, but because of all the extra activities before and after school that many students do

nowadays: dance, music, sport, and part-time jobs many of which often spillover into the weekends.

In order to fit many of these activities in, what can often be compromised is sleep. Sleep is important for memory as it helps retain memories, and holidays are generally the biggest time when students can get a lot of shut-eye. But getting more sleep over the holidays and chilling by the beach with an iPhone doesn’t mean that you have to stop ‘learning’ over the holidays. Just by doing different activities like visiting an exhibition, catching up with relatives and friends, or getting lost in a big city, means that you are still learning: about personalities, facts, and what’s going on in the larger sphere of the world. Your brain soaks it all up, stores it, and uses it for later. QBI identify four types of explicit and implicit long-term memory: episodic, semantic, priming, and procedural – all which are stored and accessed like a database, based on your experiences. So if your in-head database has been exhausted and not refreshed, then so too is the access to, and creation of, your memories, which ultimately affects learning. To act at their optimum, student brains need a rest, and what better way than by enjoying the liberating splendours of Christmas holiday time.

Kristine Lane is a local teacher and writer. You can follow her on Twitter (@kwersty) or email her your question via editor@featuremagazine.com.au.

December 2017

Feature

Holiday Boredom Busters WORDS: Karen Carter, Kip McGrath

December? Again? Each year seems to fly by faster than • 100 School Holiday Ideas For Teenagers - www. the last. The shops are full of tinsel and baubles. Christmas stayathomemum.com.au trees are popping up everywhere. It is indeed beginning • School Holiday Ideas For Kids In Brisbane - www. to look a lot like Christmas. brisbanekids.com.au/school-holiday-activities-qld • Holiday Activities – Kidspot - www.kidspot.com.au/ Students have finished another year of school. Be it their school/school-holidays/holiday-activities first, their last or somewhere in between, they can be • School holiday Activities – Moreton Bay Regional proud of their achievements as they look forward to a Council - www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au well-earned break. Assessments have been completed and report cards have been finalised. A flurry of activities Why not disconnect from electronic devices and including; dance recitals, carol nights and end of year reconnect with family? Simple things like visiting parks and parties remind us that another busy year is drawing playgrounds are free, as are many quickly to a close. Expectations are high as the holidays of our local museums beckon with the promise of long, hot summer days filled and beauty spots, all with beaches, swimming pools, movies, lazing around at of which provide lovely home and fun with family and friends. opportunities to be with your child. Try something Our children grow up so fast and before we can blink, new together and enjoy they are finishing school, driving, possibly doing further the time you have, study and getting their first jobs. So take some time to be without the routine of with your children in the school break. It’s the time of the school for a while. Before year when even though things might be hectic, school you know it, the Christmas is out of the equation and we have the opportunity to decorations will be out spend some quality time with our children. The wide of the shops, only to be world beckons and becomes the alternate classroom for replaced with ‘Back to a few weeks. It’s an ideal time for children to gain new School’ signs and supplies, experiences, broaden their ideas and learn new things. heralding the start of another academic year. Are you stuck for ideas on how to keep your child occupied over the long summer break? Check out these Happy holidays websites for some ideas and suggestions. everyone! Karen Carter is Co-Director at Kip McGrath Education Centre Burpengary, providing professional tuition by qualified teachers in Maths and English for Primary and Secondary students. Contact us at www.kipmcgrath.com.au/burpengary or on 3888 2332 or 0488 445 776 for a free assessment.

www.featuremagazine.com.au

PETS

THINK TWICE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN GIFTING A PET FOR CHRISTMAS! WORDS: Pet Supersaver, Kallangur

Christmas is a wonderful time of year that bring families together, but it is also the time of year that pet rescuers hate. Every Christmas, many people impulse purchase pets as presents, and a month or so later, pet shelters and rescues receive a huge influx of unwanted Christmas presents. When adopting a pet you must consider:

Property Size

In Moreton Bay, people on properties over 600m² are allowed: • • • • • • • • • • •

Dogs = 2 (additional 1 with prior approval) Cats = 2 (additional 1 with prior approval) Poultry (other than roosters / cockerels) = 6 Roosters / cockerels = 0 Ducks, geese, turkey, guinea fowl, peacocks or similar birds = 0 Pigeons - including show pigeons or doves = 40 (additional with prior approval) Racing pigeons = 60 (additional with prior approval) Budgerigars, canaries, cockatiels, small parrots or birds of similar size = 20 Large parrots, cockatoos, galahs or birds of similar size =0 Ratites - ostriches, emus or similar birds = 0 No stock animals*

Fencing

Is your fencing suitable? Could your pet dig under or jump over the fence?

Suitability

Are you home enough to give your pet the daily attention it needs? Is your pet too big for what you can accommodate?

Money

Not only must you consider whether you can afford to pay for the pet, but can you also afford food, vaccinations, worming, flea treatment, desexing and emergency vet bills?

Introduction

Take the family along to meet the potential new family member to make sure all the family knows and gets along with the pet. Also road test any potential new dog with your existing dog.

Pets are for life

Pets are not a disposable commodity. It is important to match the right pet to the right home, desex your pet to avoid unwanted litters, and if your pet does have a litter, surrender it to the Last Litter Program who will find homes for the litter and desex your pet for free. *source Moreton Bay Regional Council website

December 2017

Feature

Fantail Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my birthday! I have been a part of the rescue program since I was just a kitten, and whilst I have enjoyed spending time with all my feline friends over the last two years, I really want that special someone to love and shower with affection. My adoption fee is only $50 and am up to date with all my veterinary requirements. Please come to see me so we can spend up to an hour together and get to know each other. Phone Pet Supersavers on 3142 3496 to arrange a visit.

www.featuremagazine.com.au

HOME

Low Cost Living Room Ideas WORDS: Oxmar Properties

The living room is one of the most important rooms in your home. This is where you and the rest of your family go to relax, wind down after a busy day, and have fun doing the things you love the most. It is also the room where you are most likely to entertain your guests when you have a party or invite a few friends over. So it goes without saying that you should decorate your living room well! Follow these tips and you will soon have a great living room design without having to spend too much money to make it happen. Move Things Around It does not cost anything to simply move your living room dĂŠcor around, and this is a great place to start when you are trying to redecorate. You might be surprised at what a difference changing the layout of the room can really make! Although this will not do much for you if you are craving a complete design overhaul, it can still give you some fresh perspective on where to go from there. Paint Existing Furniture Do you have an old brown coffee table you wish you could replace with something more colorful? Why not paint the table you have instead? If possible, try repainting your existing furniture to match the design themes you want to work with. This way, you will not have to buy nearly as many new items, and you will have something that feels fresh and unique in your living space. Use Plants Greenery never hurts any space, and if you have a little bit of money to spend, you can pick up pots that match your current style, and beautiful plants to help brighten up your room. If you pair this tip with simply moving your furniture around, you are sure to have a space that you can feel comfortable with in no time. If your space is very small or tight, you might want to choose glass containers for your plants instead of something colored. This can make the room feel even more airy. Even if you do not have a lot of money put aside in your decorating budget, you can still create a beautiful living room space where you keep these tips in mind. Put them to use in your home, and you will have a living room you are not afraid to show off the next time you entertain!

44 44

December December2017 2017

Feature Feature

GET MORE STORIES! Follow us on Facebook for all the great stories that are not published in our print magazine! @featurecommunitymagazine Or read them online at

www.featuremagazine.com.au/stories

www.featuremagazine.com.au

DINING

Our Bar & Grill has a delicious a la carte menu available, along with new lunch specials (Monday to Friday) and nightly meal deals. The Bar & Grill hosts 250 seats with a large indoor/outdoor kids play area. Address: 37-47 Golden Wattle Drive, Narangba Contact: 3491 1000 Online: www.narangbatavern.com.au

A relaxed family atmosphere to enjoy Merlo coffee, a selection of teas, cakes and freshly prepared light meals. Address: Narangba Valley Shopping Centre Contact: 3385 5161 Hours: Weekdays 7am to 3pm Weekends 7.30am to 12noon Online: Follow us on Facebook at Valley Coffee Narangba

The combination of Cleanskin Coffee Company’s delicately roasted beans and Aaron and his staff’s brew mastery. Address: 33 Progress Road, Burpengary Hours: Monday to Thursday 6.30am to 2.30pm Friday 6.30am to 1pm Saturday 8am to 12noon Online: Follow us on Facebook at Tommy & E Specialty Coffee Burpengary

Serving both dark and medium roasted coffee to suit all tastes. Come and share our passion and enthusiasm for coffee.

CAPPY HOUR MON TO FRI 6AM TO 7AM

Address: Burpengary Plaza, inside next to Woolworths. Cuisine: Hot and Cold Beverages, Cakes and Savoury Hours: Weekdays 6am to 5.30pm Sat 7am to 4.30pm and Sun 8.30am to 4pm

10% OFF food + drink combos

Nestled next to LJ Hooker on Main Street, Narangba. Rustic environment, a great place to relax with a coffee made from quality local coffee beans. Address: Narangba Station Plaza (Opp Narangba Train Station) Contact: 3886 7573 Hours: Monday - Friday 5.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 7.30am to 2pm Online: Follow us on Facebook at The Hideout Coffee House Narangba

With three dining outlets, there’s something for all taste buds and budgets at one of Queensland’s most awarded clubs. Choose from The Bistro, Café Oz or Terraza Pizza Café. Address: 19-27 Station Rd, Morayfield Contact: (07) 5497 9711 Hours: Open daily from 9am Online: www.cabsports.com.au

December 2017

Feature

DINING

Queensland’s newest club featuring a modern Australian a-la-carte Restaurant with full table service and a great range of freshly prepared Cafe meals, treats and drinks. Address: 36-42 Flinders Parade, North Lakes Contact: 1300 006 572 Online: www.northlakessports.com.au Hours: Crave Café – 10am till late Daily Banyan Restaurant – Lunch from 11.30am Dinner from 5.30pm Daily Enjoy our $6.00 Bacon and Egg all day breakfast with an award-winning coffee whilst you relax in our family-friendly cafe. Dine in and Takeaway. Address: 8/1380 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur Contact: 07 3482 2200 Hours: Monday - Friday 6.30am to 2pm Saturday 6.30am to 11.30am

$6 BACON & EGG ALL DAY BREAKFAST

Your choice of fresh beef, lamb, chicken or seafood placed on top of a lava stone and cooked to your desired level of perfection. Address: 3/12 Endeavour Boulevard, North Lakes Contact: 3385 0347 Online: www.stonesnorthlakes.com.au Hours: Café Breakfast & Lunch Tues - Friday 7:30am to 2pm and Hot Stone Dinners Tues - Sunday 5:30pm to 10pm

Direct Our Readers To Your Cafe or Restaurant! Reach thousands of local customers via our dining guide! Advertising from $70 + gst per month (based on a twelve month booking) Call Darren on 0416 430 792 for more information! www.featuremagazine.com.au

The

LIFESTYLE

FLIP SIDE WORDS Alex Habilay and Rebecca Fawcett-Smith

She Says: Living in a time where vehicle navigation is

now aided by GPS and Apple’s ‘intelligent personal assistant’ Siri, you can imagine my surprise when I spotted a street directory in a book shop recently.

He Says: We humans wouldn’t be anywhere without our tools, but as dependant on them as we are, we have left behind an incredible trail of abandoned gadgets and gizmos.

We are inventors. It’s in the deepest fibre of our brains to create a solution to our problem, but before some of those solutions are inevitably forgotten, let’s look back at what we’ve left behind.

Once the go-to resource for vehicle navigation, street directories were once stashed in the glovebox of most cars, to be whipped out when a driver had to find his/her way from A to B. Unlike the verbal step-by-step instructions provided by your GPS or Siri, the good old street directory required navigation skills that not everyone naturally possesses. Consequently, nerves would get frayed, patience would wear thin and countless people got lost as fingers frantically traced roads in an effort to find one’s bearings.

The breadcrumb trail of our advancement as a species is merely the tip of the iceberg. Fax machines, floppy disks and VHS cassettes lay in our wake, wishing they could decay faster and escape their perpetual obsoleteness. Cassette tapes are left to dusty shelves and memories, answering machines sit silent, and phone books might as will be doorstops. Car cigarette lighters and smokers’ stands have been swept under the rug, and even the humble button is facing extinction. Of all the things we’ve ditched, I’m glad to say good riddance to the independent alarm clock, a black box with red digits glaring at me first thing in the morning is a technological advance I can do without.

For a lone car occupant, reliance on a street directory often meant having to pull over multiple times to re-check the route, with the driver desperately committing to memory landmarks on the map that might prove helpful. Should a passenger be entrusted with navigation duties, telling the driver to turn left instead of right was often enough reason for the driver to abruptly stop the car, snatch the street directory from the passenger and dismiss them from their duties.

With such revolutionary which-whats in our wake, it’s hard not to be excited about the future. I’m sure it’ll be a sight to behold – you’ll just have to look past the mountains of junk. Rust in pieces.

While flicking through the street directory in the book store brought back fond childhood memories, I returned it to the shelf very much relieved to have Siri as my unflappable, forgiving navigator.

Puzzles

MEDIUM

5 8

2 1

Send us an email via editor@featuremagazine.com.au

#22. Solution on Page 53

Puzzle 22 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)

WANT OUR OPINION?

Puzzle 22 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.64)

8 4 1

3 2

HARD 5

8 4 7

6 3

7 4

6 7

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Jan 5 06:27:02 2016 GMT. Enjoy!

4 2

8 4

December 2017

1 9

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Jan 5 06:28:27 2016 GMT. Enjoy!

Feature

Your Local

www.featuremagazine.com.au

REAL ESTATE

How Much Should I Spend on Online Real Estate Advertising? Words: Gina Wells, Raine & Horne Burpengary

You want to get the highest sale price for your property, right? Getting the best price means getting as many people as possible interested in your property so that they compete against each other and drive the sale price up.

marketing schedule that doesn’t make the most of these opportunities. Therefore, it’s important to ask your agent for as much detail as possible, so that you know exactly where your property will be advertised.

The goal of advertising your property is to expose it to as many people as possible, and often spending just a little more can give you a lot better results. Without the right investment in your advertising schedule, you run the risk of: • Your property not selling • Wasting money on ineffective advertising • Paying more in ongoing mortgage and interest payments

Remember, listing online is a great way to be seen by the largest property seeking audience. Once your listing has been up for a few weeks, it’s worth checking where it appears in search results, as you can upgrade it to stand out and appear at the top of results.

Should I pay for advertising or will my real estate agent pay for me?

Newspaper Advertising With the evolution of technology, property marketing has grown into a multifaceted and sophisticated undertaking. At the core of your marketing strategy you should always include newspaper advertising. Here’s why...

Some agents will incorporate advertising fees into their commission costs. This option does not provide you with the same level of control, and you might find you are better off knowing precisely where your advertising dollar is being invested.

•

The average price home sellers pay for advertising is 1% of the value of their home. With 88% of buyers using the internet to look for property, ensure that your marketing contains a comprehensive online advertising schedule.

•

To reach the maximum number of potential buyers without blowing your budget, your property’s advertising schedule should be tailored to work for you, with consideration of factors such as average days in market, other properties for sale in the area, and the value of your property. Despite the overwhelming advantages of advertising online, it is still common today for agents to present a

•

By combining newspaper advertising with the world of online, you will ensure maximum reach and deliver better results. RP Data research found property campaigns that use a combination of print and online advertising, on average, generate a higher sale price. People love property, and be it curiosity, aspiration or entertainment – newspapers are where they enjoy browsing it. In fact, research conducted by News Corp discovered 87 per cent of people interviewed nominated their local real estate section as the most trusted source of real estate information. Some agents will not do open homes unless you advertise in the newspaper. Research your agents to find the ones who do not force you to do advertising that you can’t afford. Sometimes a smaller ad in the paper will generate the same enquiry from buyers. Other research shows that some buyers are not actively looking to buy, but find their dream home by browsing the local newspapers.

Gina Wells is a local, licensed and experienced Real Estate Agent. Send your real estate question for Gina via editor@featuremagazine.com.au

December 2017

Feature

www.featuremagazine.com.au